Sleeper (Rise of the Fianna Book 1)

by Amy Brock McNew

  He shook out his bleeding fist and slumped into a chair at the table.

  Now she was on the verge of her first change, her powers about to manifest full force. And she was alone.

  Rhys glanced at the clock. It ticked away the minutes, the sound a gong signaling the beginning of the end. Six a.m.

  He had fifteen hours, give or take.

  Fifteen hours to convince Makenna to trust him so he could see her through her first shift.

  Fifteen hours to figure out Kylian's plan and a way to stop it.

  Fifteen hours to save his people and his mate.

  His head fell into his hands as the weight of it all crushed him. Everybody wanted to rule the world, but they had no idea what that really meant. He didn't even officially wear the crown yet, and already his head was caving from the pressure.

  Now Rhys understood why he couldn't ascend to the throne by himself. Understood the need for the power his mate would bring. One person wasn't meant to bear the weight alone. It could crush the strongest man without the strength of another to help shoulder it.

  He needed her. Not just for the throne. The man needed the woman.

  Rhys needed Makenna.

  And he'd possibly driven her away for good. For real this time.

  He rose from the chair and grabbed a beer from the fridge, killing it in one long gulp. He crushed the can and tossed it toward the bin then reached for another.

  He'd done what he had to. If he'd come out with the truth when they first met, she'd never have believed him. She would've marked him as insane and run far and fast. He'd done the right thing.

  Right?

  Apparently not, since they were worse off now than they'd ever been. Mated, yet separated. His strength waning every moment they were apart. His kingdom hanging on the edge of a knife, on the verge of falling into the bloody hands of a madman.

  Rhys chugged the second beer, finishing it as Talon, Trystan, and Amanda walked in. Their somber faces promised more bad news.

  He threw the can. “Get it over with.” He fell back into his chair. “Just tell me.”

  A chair raked across the floor as Amanda sat. The men stood, arms crossed. Talon nodded at Trystan. The sun began to peek through the open window, casting a false cheery glow on the room.

  Trystan kicked it off. “We know Kylian's next move.”

  “And?”

  “He's found us. And if that wolf can be believed, he's found a way to break through the wards. Or at least, allow a few to be able to slip through.”

  Rhys sighed. He'd known it was coming. The incursion the other night proved Kylian was getting close. Not to mention, Brianna, his daughter, was the most powerful mage born to date. It'd only been a matter of time.

  He looked up at his Beta. He didn't see the defeat he'd expected. He saw fire. Good. One of them needed to have it. “You don't look too upset.”

  Trystan clenched the table. “We have a chance here. A chance to take out his best and cripple him. To finally get ahold of one of his assassins.”

  “Explain.”

  “He's sending a team of four. You, Talon, Amanda, and I are the targets. We take all of them out but one.” Trystan sat back, looking smug.

  Rhys reached for another beer. He cracked it open and took a long drink. Too bad he couldn't get drunk like a human.

  It was a brilliant plan on Kylian’s part. If he could eliminate the Alpha, Beta, and two top wolves, the pack would disintegrate.

  Trystan’s plan didn’t suck. Still, it was risky.

  He eyed Trystan. “If they can pass through the wards, it means we won't be able to sense them. They could slit our throats before we even draw a blade.”

  With the agony swirling in his gut, he almost wondered if that wouldn't be a good thing. Being without his mate, knowing he may never hold her again, was a torture like he'd never imagined.

  “Ah, but we have an advantage.” Trystan sat up with a sadistic grin on his face. “He doesn't know we're aware of his plan. Plus, we have time for Bowen to cast a counter. He negates Brianna's magic, then we move in behind Kylian's soldiers. Take them out before they have the chance to settle into position.”

  “And you think Bowen is powerful enough to counter Brianna's magic?”

  Amanda sighed. “It's a long shot.” She ignored the glare from Trystan at her doubt. “But it's all we've got.”

  Rhys moved his gaze to Talon. “You on board with this?”

  They really didn't have much choice. The more he thought, the more he saw the intelligence in it. It would delay a full-scale conflict and weaken Kylian, giving Rhys more time to reach out to Makenna. Because there was no way he'd be in shape for war without her.

  His tired eyes closed of their own volition and he braced himself against the table as a tremor shuddered through him.

  He was getting weaker.

  They had no choice.

  Talon looked everywhere but at them. “It's a solid plan. And it's all we've got.” He met Rhys' gaze. That haunted look that'd been riding him was stronger than ever. “But maybe we should capture all four. Up our chances of getting what we need.”

  “Dammit, Talon!” Trystan slammed a fist on the table. “We can't afford to keep all the fuckers alive. One is all we need.” His eyes hardened. “What's wrong with you? Don't tell me you're losing your stomach for war.”

  Suspicion clouded the air. The same suspicion they'd all felt since the last captive had warned there could be a traitor in their midst.

  That's when the truth hit Rhys like a freight train.

  He glanced around the room. “Anyone find it curious how we've been digging information out of these people for months and all of the sudden, a high-ranking soldier gives up part of Kylian’s master plan?”

  Silence dropped like a load of rock.

  Trystan shook his head. “We put him through a world of hurt. Trust me.”

  “Maybe so. But I'm almost certain Brianna would have a way to keep them from talking. No matter what we did to them.”

  The more Rhys thought about it, the more his gut churned. They were being set up for something. He just didn't know what.

  That's what worried him.

  Talon pushed out of his chair and paced the room. “What could Kylian have to gain by having his soldiers feed us vital information?”

  Worry swam in his eyes. Worry and knowledge.

  Rhys stood. He’d had enough of secrets. The irony didn’t elude him. “Talon, if you know something, now is the time.”

  Talon's agonized eyes locked on him. “All I know is that doesn't sound like Kylian. He may not care about his men, but he can't afford to lose any more than we can. His numbers have to be dwindling too.”

  Rhys dug deeper, trying to discern if Talon was being truthful. He smacked into a brick wall. “Perhaps.”

  He fought with what little strength he had to get through the block his friend had erected.

  Talon met his Alpha's eyes. “I would never betray you. If we don't trust each other, we've already lost.”

  Rhys tapped against the barrier one more time, then sighed. Maybe that was part of Kylian's plan. Making them turn on each other.

  “You're right.” He walked back to the head of the table. “When is the hit?”

  Trystan shifted uneasily. “Tonight.”

  Shit. Tonight he needed to be with Makenna, seeing her through her shift. Whether she wanted him there or not. He also needed to defend his people. He should be leading such a crucial mission.

  These were the moments that defined the difference between the man and the king.

  His head dropped to his chest as he reached inside and ripped his own guts out with the decision. Then he met the eyes of the warriors around him.

  “Have Bowen get to work on unmasking their signatures. Before dark, we'll take positions on each side of camp.” He grabbed the map from the other end of the table and spread it out. He pointed to spots at each compass point. “Trystan, north. Amanda, south. Talon, east. I'll
take the west. It's the most difficult access and where they will position the lead.”

  Trystan's brow wrinkled. He had the same concern in his eyes Rhys had seen from his three friends a lot the past couple days. “Are you certain?”

  Rhys couldn't hide the weakness from them, only the source. But damn it all to Ifrin, he was still Alpha. He would be the one to take the primary assassin. He would be the one to wring the last bit of information from them so he could strike Kylian from existence once and for all.

  Hopefully, it would all be over quickly, and he'd still be able to get to Kenna in time.

  If not, gods help them all.

  “Those are my orders.” His words rang with power. Their heads bowed. When they looked up again, their faith in him was clear.

  He hoped it wasn't misplaced.

  “I’ll secure the prisoner. The rest of you eliminate your targets. I want their heads displayed outside of camp. In case Kylian is watching. I want him to see what happens when he dares to infiltrate our home.” He let his wolf shine in his eyes.

  He eyed his friends. The ones who’d always had his back. In each of them, he saw hope and fear. Hope he could lead them to victory. Fear they could lose everything.

  Could he live up to their trust?

  He’d have to focus on the battle at hand while his mate was fighting her transformation. Alone and frightened. The power unleashed at the full moon would flood her body, possibly overloading her if he didn't arrive in time to buffer the flow.

  Rhys took a deep breath and renewed confidence flowed through him. He could do what needed to be done. He'd contain their enemy, then he'd go to Kenna and bring her home.

  He wouldn't fail. It wasn't an option.

  Trystan, Talon, and Amanda must have seen the change, felt the resolve in him. Their shoulders straightened. Smiles played at Trystan and Amanda's lips. Talon nodded.

  They were with him all the way. As they should be.

  Trystan clapped Rhys' shoulder. “It's a good plan. I'll go speak with Bowen.” He nodded to Amanda and she followed him out.

  Rhys faced Talon. “Are you with me?”

  “To the death.”

  That was all that needed said.

  Talon moved toward the door. “Makenna. Is she, all right? Is she with us?” The fear and coloring his voice speared Rhys' heart.

  “She will be. I'll see to it.”

  Talon gave him a sad smile. “I know you will.”

  Alone again with his thoughts, Rhys collapsed on the couch. All he had to do was capture an assassin, see his mate through a change that might kill her, and get her to take her place by his side. Then take down the most brutal enemy they'd seen in ages.

  Suddenly, being king didn't look all that appealing.

  Why would anyone want to rule the world when that world devoured their very soul?

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Psycho

  Three stood in the commander's office, chin up, not a trace of fear in her. Something had changed within her the other night. She was different. Stronger. She'd let an enemy go free.

  She’d won back a piece of herself.

  Not that the scowling man in front of her knew that.

  Of course, she could’ve told him the truth. That he was a slimy piece of shit who gave her the creeps. That as soon as she got the chance she was leaving to find the man she'd turned loose. A man she sensed she was connected to in some way.

  While she may be fearless, she wasn't a complete idiot.

  Evil simmered under the surface of his smooth veneer. It coated her throat with an oily blackness that made her want to gag. He would strike her down without a second thought. To him, she was replaceable.

  But apparently he'd bought her story because he'd just offered her a major target. The lead on a team that would take out four high-ranking enemy soldiers.

  “Sir, I don't understand.”

  Tipping up his drink, he took a sip before speaking. “What's to understand? I'm offering you the mission of a lifetime.”

  “But I failed. Twice.”

  He waved her argument away. “We’ve already discussed the first encounter. You took out a target we planned to eliminate anyway. As for the incursion two nights ago, you and Two were ambushed. Obviously, she wasn't as good as she should’ve been, or she would've escaped as well.”

  She racked her brain, trying to figure out his game. Had he discovered her planned exodus and wanted to make an example of her?

  Three kept her face impassive. “She was good. Things happen.”

  “Not good enough. You held them off until your backup arrived. Not a small feat, seeing as how you were outnumbered.” He eyed her, as if waiting for her to confess.

  She’d woven quite the tale.

  But she couldn’t stop the questions. “Just whose fighters were they? Who exactly is it we're taking out here?”

  “They are the enemy. That's all you need to know.” He sucked down more of that amber liquid.

  “And who am I? What am I?” She dared to put her hands on his desk and look him in the eyes.

  If he was going to outright kill her, he would've done it already. He didn't strike her as the type who restricted his urges.

  And she wanted answers.

  He laughed, the sound making her skin crawl. “That's what I like about you. You say what you think, and you don't hold back.” If he only knew how much she did hold in. “But I’d watch yourself.” His eyes narrowed. “It could get you killed. Now back to your assignment and your choice.”

  She barely reined in a snort. “Choice? Since when do we get a choice in our missions?”

  He rose, holding her eyes in a glare that made ice creep around the edges of her soul. “Because I like you, I'll let that go. But it would be best not to push me, little one.”

  Straightening her spine, she choked down a growl. The faster she got out of here the better. She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep from going for his throat.

  Right on cue, there was a tiny voice inside her crying at the thought of him dead. What the hell kind of hold did he have on her that she felt anything remotely tender for him? He was a monster. So why did she feel a kinship with him on some weird level?

  Unless she was a monster too.

  Three shook the thoughts away.

  “Yes, sir.” She bit out the words. “You spoke of a choice?”

  “Don't think I'm not aware you'd slit my throat if you had the chance.” He seemed proud of that. What kind of twisted asshole was he? “Surprised? You shouldn't be. Of course, I'm proud of what you are. I made you.” He rounded the desk. When he patted her hair in some odd, fatherly type gesture, it was all she could do not to flinch. “I took a scared little girl and made her something new. A killer the likes of which few have ever seen. A machine skilled at destruction, ready and waiting for my command.”

  She nearly snarled before she caught herself. She couldn't keep the fire out of her eyes, though. The beast he’d created wanted nothing more than to rip him limb from limb.

  Despite the strange sadness echoing in her heart.

  “And what is your command, sir?”

  Stay calm. Get the information. Get out.

  He moved around the desk and opened a file. He tossed four pictures down, one at a time. She didn't look at them. Instinct whispered she wasn't going to like what she saw.

  “This mission will be two-pronged. The first, four kills.” He indicated the pictures. He plopped down in his chair and refilled his glass from the bottle at his elbow.

  “So, what's the second part?”

  “You'll receive those orders after the first phase is complete.” He sneered, knowledge in his eyes. He was keeping something from her. He scooped up the photos and handed her the file. “This details everything you need to know. Focus on what you do best. Kill.” He leaned back, steepling his fingers under his chin. “If you succeed, you will be rewarded handsomely. Your own command and choice of assignments. You’d be a very rich woman as
one of my ranking officials. The prestige and power that comes with that is unparalleled.”

  Her eyes felt like they were bulging out of her head. She had to admit, being in command was appealing. But there had to be a catch. There was always a catch.

  The second part of the mission being unknown was probably the kicker.

  “If I fail?”

  “I think that's self-explanatory. You fail, you die. I cannot abide failure within my ranks. Even for you, my dear.” Something flashed in his eyes but was gone too quickly for her to decipher.

  Three still didn't understand why he was giving her another chance, but she wasn't about to let go of her shot at freedom. That's what she wanted, right? Free of the place that felt like a prison. Freedom from orders and targets she didn't know why she was killing.

  If she succeeded, she could have power. Money. Autonomy. She'd be in a position to find answers to the questions digging at her soul. Her stomach knotted. At what cost? A piece of herself died with each kill, knowing deep down she wasn't on the right side. That the war she fought wasn't just.

  Three pulled her shoulders back. “When do I leave?”

  “In fourteen hours. Your team will perform an extraction, then meet you at the rendezvous point listed there.”

  He pointed to the file she held.

  What extraction? The question was on the tip of her tongue. It left as the rest of his words hit her. Fourteen hours.

  She'd have to make her choice soon.

  “Very well.”

  Finally, she flipped through the pictures. One face she recognized immediately. The first target she'd missed, the one with Talon the other night.

  Then she came to the next one.

  Talon.

  He was on her kill list.

  Instead of jumping over the desk and ripping her boss's head from his shoulders like she wanted to, she smiled.

  Tight. Hard. Cruel.

  “I'll see that everything goes as it should, sir.”

  “I'm certain you will.” He rose and made his way around the desk again. This time, he laid a hand on her shoulder. Icy fingers bit into her flesh. “I expect great things from you.” He squeezed once more before releasing her. “When you complete this mission to my satisfaction, I'll have another reward for you. How about everything you ever wanted to know about yourself? Your name, family history, everything. I can give that to you. All you have to do is be who you truly are.”