by Bryce Evans
“Okay Sullivan, we all know what you do for a living, and we want to hear about all your travels and what you’ve done. Tell us something exciting,” Ash demanded.
Sky watched as his family all turned toward Sullivan, waiting for him to start. He couldn’t stop the way his body gravitated toward him, wanting to be closer. He also wanted to hear about his travels.
****
“Tell us about finding the Tomb of Sindrid Abner,” Reece suggested.
Sullivan smiled. “Vampires have always intrigued me, even as a little pup. Well, I got very curious one day and started researching them. I’ve met a lot of your people during my life and at one time or another the name King Sindrid Abner has always come up, but nobody knew what he looked like or had ever seen him. However, they all continued to call him their king. The story that I was told was that the king died, and his guards buried him in a tomb with the Book of Primal Elders. Now, I had learned that unless you cut off a vampire’s head or burn him to death he can’t die, but nobody knows about King Abner. Surely, I thought, being the first vampire would make him stronger and allow him to live forever. So, being the curious wolf that I am, I started looking for anything I could get my hands on about King Abner.”
“I know in the early days we had a lot of fires where almost everything was burned regarding the king, but there’s still a lot out there. How did you find where he was buried?” Reece asked.
“Well, during my travels I came across a man who worked for him. He said he’d worked a long time for the king, until one day he came to work and the king and his guards had disappeared. He said that the whole time he worked for the king, he never smiled or looked happy. One day he asked him why he was so sad. And to his surprise, the king told him that he was lonely. The worker thought it was unfortunate that someone who could have it all couldn’t have what he wanted the most.”
“What?” Ash whispered.
Sullivan leaned closer to Ash with a solemn look on his face. “He didn’t have love. He was lonely for a mate. He wanted to be in love with someone and live life with her and have children, but he never found her. Now, you realize that this man lived during biblical times and he grew tired of waiting. He said he was going to go home and go to sleep until his mate awakened him.” Sullivan frowned when he glanced over and River and Ash were crying.
“Why are you crying?” Sullivan hadn’t expected to make anyone cry. He hated it when women cried.
“That’s so sad. He lived for such a long time but never found a mate.” River wiped the tears from her face. Sullivan watched as Reece and Jonas put their arms around her.
“Remember what we told you in the beginning — that we may not ever find our mate, and that’s why we fought for you so strongly? We’d finally found our happiness.” Jonas explained to River.
“Yes, it was sad at first, but when I found his tomb, it was empty. Which made me believe that he’s still out there somewhere, looking for his mate. Who knows, he may be looking for her today, or he may have already found her. Now that would be a great love story.” Sullivan winked at River when she smiled at the new ending.
Ash yawned, leaning against her mate, Larken. Sullivan liked all of these people. They’d welcomed him into their homes as if they’d known him for years, even though he was a just a complete stranger. How odd and wonderful. He wasn’t used to this type of friendship, but he hoped that it was going to be a lasting one.
“Come on baby, let’s get you home.” Larken kissed the side of Ash’s head and helped her out of her seat. Sullivan grabbed his bowl and took it into the kitchen.
He had his back to the door, but he heard Sky’s soft steps as he entered the kitchen. “I like your stories.”
“You do?” Sullivan asked.
“You need to write them down someday.” Sky came and stood beside him as he put his bowl in the dishwasher. “Maybe you could take some time off and stay here in Freedom and write,” he suggested. It broke his heart when he turned around and saw the expression on Sky’s face. He actually wanted him to stay.
He leaned against the sink as the wall around his heart cracked. “I wish I could.” The smile that was on Sky’s face a few moments ago disappeared. Sullivan could see the walls going back up around him.
“This job that I took has me on a very tight schedule. I have to get back on the road,” Sullivan said reluctantly.
“Yeah, I understand. Hey, it was nice meeting you,” Sky said, then quickly walked away as River and Ash entered into the kitchen. Sullivan could see the hurt flash in his eyes before he pulled those shutters back up around his heart protecting him.
Hurting Sky was never what he intended, but he also knew what was out there hunting them, and he was going to lead Yulson as far away from here as he could.
“Did I hear you say that you were leaving?” Ash asked.
Sullivan smiled. “Yeah, I’ve got to go back to work. I didn’t mean to stay as long as I have, but…”
“You met us,” Ash said giving him an out. River didn’t say anything, but he knew how she felt already. She turned and looked at the door that Sky had left through.
“Yes, ma’am. All of you were a very welcome surprise. I hope that one day I can come back here. I wish I could stay, but I already gave my word.” Sullivan wanted to add that he’d given his blood, too, but he couldn’t tell them anything about Regis Yulson. They wouldn’t understand if they found out that it was Sullivan looking for them.
Now that he’d met them he couldn’t understand it himself. He would gladly give all the money up if Regis would leave them alone, but he knew it wasn’t about the money to that man. No, it was about power, and having them would give him that.
“You ready baby?” Larsen walked into the kitchen. “Are you ready, Sullivan? I know that you said that you were going to leave tomorrow if your truck was finished.”
“Let’s hope Spike has it ready,” Larsen said, then kissed his mate on the top of her head. “Thank you for dinner, River.”
“You’re welcome. I’m a very lucky girl, since my mate loves to cook and he’s always looking up recipes and trying them out. Anytime you guys want to come and be food testers just let me know. He always cooks too much. Here, let me get some of this packed up so you can take some to Mary. I know how much she loves Jonas’s stew. I hate that she already had plans tonight, but she’ll love this for tomorrow.”
Sullivan walked out while River packed up the food. He wanted to at least try and explain to Sky that he wanted to come back here one day and see him. He went into the living room, but didn’t see him. He took a chance and walked upstairs to look in his room, but he wasn’t there either.
He should have told him before he left; now he might never get the chance. Sullivan clenched his teeth at the thought of never seeing Sky again. “You ready?” Larsen asked.
Dammit. They were leaving and he needed to clear this up with Sky. “Have you seen Sky? I want to tell him good-bye,” Sullivan asked River.
“I think he said he was going to work on something back at the shop. He does that when he has something in his head he wants to get out,” River told him. She looked up at him and frowned.
“I need to tell him that once this job is finished, I’ll be coming back here to stay.” Sullivan needed for Sky’s sister to understand that. He just had to draw Regis away from them first.
He could tell that River was struggling with something before she spoke, “Go to the back door at the furniture store downtown and knock. He’ll see you in the security cameras. If he lets you in, make it count, but if he doesn’t open the doors, then… Well, I don’t know.” River broke eye contact with him. “I hope you do come back here, Sullivan, and make this your home. But if my brother is just a fling, please just leave tomorrow and don’t come back.”
Sullivan watched as River walked away. He hated that she didn’t trust him, but he also understood why. They’d all been through a lot, according to Mary. He made his way out the door telling everyone good-by
e.
As they started down the mountain, Sullivan realized he couldn’t leave without saying something to Sky. “Hey, will you drop me off downtown? I’ll get a taxi back to the lodge,” Sullivan asked Larken, who just glanced over at his brother then nodded. Everyone had to know where he was going, but they didn’t say anything. Ash sat in the back seat with a smile on her face.
“Stop grinning like you know something.” Sullivan nudged Ash, who continued to smile at him.
Nobody said anything when Larken pulled up at the furniture store. As Sullivan opened the door to get out, Ash put her hand on his arm. “Remember that Sky has been through a lot, so be careful with him.” Sullivan nodded. He could see the concern on all of their faces as he got out of the vehicle.
“Thank you all for your kindness and help. I’ll be back as soon as this job is done. See you soon.” Sullivan didn’t wait for them to reply.
****
Sullivan walked around to the back of the store and knocked hard. He looked up at the surveillance camera and stared at it, praying that Sky would let him in. He needed to make this right before he left.
For a moment nothing happened, and then he heard the door click open. Sullivan smiled as he opened the door and inhaled, following Sky’s scent. His wolf wanted to hunt, and the further he got into the building the more powerful the scent became. He could see a light on down at the end of the hallway.
He pushed the door open; Sky was leaning up against his desk, waiting. Sullivan had only wanted to talk, but seeing him brought about an urgency to feel and taste him. He needed him more than life. He rushed forward and hugged Sky, then pulled away and nuzzled against his face and neck. Covering him in his scent became a necessity.
Sullivan’s voice was filled with emotion when he spoke. “I had to find you and tell you that I’ll be coming back here, to see you. I needed you to know that. I never thought I would ask anyone to wait on me, but I’m asking you. Will you wait on me, Sky?” Sullivan waited for his answer, praying it would be yes.
He looked up and gazed into Sky’s eyes, fearful that he was going to say no, when he heard Sky say the sweetest word: “Yes.”
Sullivan pulled him closer and hugged him tightly. “Thank you.” He nuzzled the side of Sky’s neck and whispered in his ear, “I want you to know that I’ve never felt this way about anyone. You mean a lot to me.”
He could feel Sky smile into his chest. “You mean a lot to me too.”
“I don’t want to go, but I have to.” Sullivan pulled away, something telling him to warn Sky and his sisters in case something happened to him. “Watch out for strangers, Sky. Stay away from them.”
Sky narrowed his eyes at Sullivan. “What does that mean?” he asked.
“I needed to tell you that. Just take care of yourself, and if you need me just call me. I’ve got to get packed and get a couple hours of sleep, because I’m going to be on the road all day.”
“What type of job are you doing?” Sky looked concerned.
“I’m looking for someone in Alaska,” he answered.
“When will you be back?” Sky asked. Sullivan could tell he wanted more answers, but he couldn’t give him any.
“I don’t know yet, but I’ll call you every night.” Sullivan backed away toward the door. “Just remember what I said, and be careful.”
“What aren’t you telling me? I can tell that you’re not telling me something,” Sky said. His brows furrowed as he stared at Sullivan.
“It’s nothing; I just worry about you and want you to be careful. There are a lot of strange people out there. I’ve got to go,” Sullivan reassured him, but he could tell that Sky wasn’t buying it.
Sullivan opened the door, but then turned back around and asked again, “Wait for me.” He prayed that Sky would. He knew he shouldn’t ask him to wait, because he didn’t know how long he would be gone, but the smile on Sky’s face gave him hope, and that was all he needed.
“I will,” Sky promised. Sullivan thought about staying one more day, but he couldn’t risk it. He’d already stayed too long, and the thought of Regis finding Sky killed him. He smiled and walked out, closing the door behind him.
Chapt
er 13
Star lay awake all night waiting for Jansen and Banks, but neither one of them came home. She wanted to give them a piece of her mind, but how could she? They didn’t owe her anything. So what, they said she was their mate, it wasn’t like it was official. Still, she felt they owed her some explanation of where they had been.
She walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Jonas was cooking eggs. “Hey sweetie, do you want your eggs scrambled, fried, or boiled?” Jonas asked as he scrambled some eggs. As she sat down she glanced over at the bar where Jonas had plates piled high with food. She loved this kitchen, with its dark wood cabinets and the biggest granite counter tops she’d ever seen. She loved sitting around the bar top watching Jonas cook in front of them. He was a wonderful cook, and the room made you feel comfortable in it.
“It doesn’t matter. Hey Jonas, where are Jansen and Banks at?” Star asked, trying to sound like she wasn’t really interested. Jonas turned around to meet her stare.
“They’re doing something for the Unit.”
“Oh… Well, are they coming back today?” she asked.
“Don’t think so. They said they’d be back for the dance tomorrow night, though.” Jonas continued putting the platters on the table.
They didn’t even call her; that infuriated her the most. Who cared that they didn’t owe her a phone call, it was the right thing to do. Dammit, they could have called so she didn’t worry about them. They were her friends — or at least she’d thought they were. Her mind reeled thinking of every type of situation they could be in. This was why she didn’t need a mate.
You’re always wondering when they’re going to call, and when they do, you’re left waiting for them to call again. The worst is when they don’t call and all kind of ideas are in your head. River had already said that the girls were flying all around them. What if they went off with a couple of them and they’re trying to hide it? That’s it — no mates for me. Too much damn worrying and wondering.
“I’m going to see Sky. I called him, and he said stayed in the loft last night. Said he was working all night,” Star said bitterly.
Jonas just continued to cook until River came in with Reece. She watched as he kissed both of his mates then sat down to eat. This is what she wanted, but Jonas and Banks couldn’t even give her a freaking courtesy call.
“River, I’m going to see Sky for a few hours. I didn’t know if you wanted to come with me. I know he has some new pieces he just made he wants to show you.” Star hoped her sister would take the hint and agree. She hated making up stories to River’s mates. Last night while she was asleep she’d another nightmare, and this time she thought she’d figured out how to harness more power out of her hands.
“Sure. I’ll be late to work,” River’s voice was low as she spoke to her mates.
“Okay baby. Just take the detail with you,” Reece suggested. Well, it was more of an order, since they were going to follow her no matter what.
“You got it,” she answered, then winked at Star.
Thank God River understood what she was trying to say without her having to say it in front of her mates. She ate quickly, then ran up to her room and brushed her teeth before leaving. But then she was in her bathroom, brushing her teeth and wondering if Jansen and Banks were safe or not, and that bothered her more then she wanted to admit. She was done with them, but she still worried and cared about them.
Star decided that when they got home she’d sit them both down and tell them that she only wanted to be friends with them. That it wasn’t anything personal; but it was, and she couldn’t stand the jealousy she felt creeping up inside her every time she thought about them.
Quickly, she ran downstairs where River was waiting for her.
“You ready?” River asked.
&
nbsp; “Yep, let’s do this.” Star got in the car and turned around to see River’s shadows pulling up behind them.
“Okay, spill it. Tell me about your dream,” River demanded as she pulled out of the driveway.
“This one started out the same way, then it changed on me. This time Banks was there, and he was in his bear form. He was staring straight ahead, staring at Sky. His eyes looked funny, River. It was as if he was under a spell. One of the guards had you this time, and he had a knife to your throat. He’d already started cutting into your skin when he told me to kill these men who were members of the vampire council. I didn’t know them, but I had to or he was going to hurt you. He said if I didn’t follow him then he would much rather see the Powerful Three dead, and you would be the first one.” Star gasped, clamping a palm over her mouth as she furiously shook her head. “I had to…”
“Star, look at me.” She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked up at her sister. “This can be changed, Star. We won’t let him win. Remember, the three of us have to stick together and plan for this. It’s like our dreams are warning us and giving us an opportunity to prepare. Don’t you see, we have a chance to have a plan in place so we can defeat this vampire.” River smiled at her.
“Do you think so?” Star asked. She wanted to believe that they could somehow change the outcome of her nightmares.
“Yes, I do,” River said. Star could hear the confidence in her sister’s voice. She needed to get on the bandwagon too. Thinking good thoughts and believing they could do this was a start.
“Then I do too. We need to get this down on paper and plot out every detail. That way we can figure out a plan and put it into effect once the vampire shows up. There has to be some way for him to get us all together, and we need to figure out how he’s going to do it. Then we need to bring in certain people to carry this out. He probably thinks we have no clue and that he can catch us off guard.” Star pulled her notebook from her bag and started writing down what they needed to do.
