Shine (Mageri Series: Book 5)

by Dannika Dark

  His expression remained melancholy during the exchange and when I had enough, I gracefully placed my hands in my lap, twirling the mood ring in a circle.

  “Your time’s up,” the guard said, poking his head in the room.

  “I have to go. I just wanted to see if you found anything—if something else could be done.” I was exhausted from tears, but emotion took hold of me as I looked into his blue eyes. I remembered how swept away I’d been by them when we first met, how secretly flattered I’d felt that a man like him had approached me. I touched his palm and placed my ring in his hand, closing his fingers around it. “Keep this. I’m so sorry I failed you.”

  I stood up and Justus rose to his feet, slipping the ring in his pocket. He placed his hands on my shoulders and I looked down.

  “Always hold your head up high. I don’t see a failure before me—I see a woman who respects the law and believes in someone enough that she’ll stand by his side. What do you think HALO brotherhood is all about? You honor me, Learner. You teach me.”

  The Regulator yanked me back by the shirt and I stumbled toward the door. Justus raised his hands and I could see the energy accumulating.

  “No, Ghuardian! Please…”

  He lowered his hand and made a tight fist as the guard escorted me back to my cell.

  I’d never be the same after this and Justus knew he would lose me if I walked out alone. I would be lost to myself.

  I’d become the puzzle missing the last piece that makes me whole.

  It meant everything that he didn’t coddle me by offering words of reassurance—that there’d be other men in my life and I’d get over this and move on, as he had done. His compassion meant the world and I hoped one day he’d experience love this real, this passionate, this immeasurable.

  One that’s everlasting.

  Chapter 24

  “You are a big fat cheater!”

  Logan arched his brow. “How does one cheat at Rock, Paper, Scissors?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe you can scent what I’m about to do.”

  “Are you suggesting I’m using my nose illegally?”

  He smiled and leaned back on his hands. With my back against the concrete wall, I challenged his amused expression. Logan had watched me work out that morning. There wasn’t much room in the cell to move about, so he’d pushed the mattress up against the wall. After my workout, I’d showed him a few moves until I stumbled against the sink. Afterward, I’d called Novis to see if he had any pull with the Overlord. Novis had little to say over the phone and it left me with an unsettled feeling.

  Maybe he was tired of the drama I’d brought into his world.

  Breakfast was better than expected. They served us sausage patties, tomato slices, and scrambled eggs on a tray. The kind of trays that have little grooves for each side item like the ones they use in elementary schools.

  I took the quickest shower in the history of prison showers. The guards normally supervised, but I raised hell until he left me alone. Still paranoid he might walk in at any moment, I washed up in less than five minutes. Maybe three. I didn’t have a band to tie back my wet hair, so it hung over my shoulders, dampening the white cotton shirt.

  I didn’t like the feel of the gritty floor beneath my feet, so I kept my socks on. Logan chose to be barefoot and spent most of his time shirtless. I enjoyed the casualness between us and sure didn’t complain about the scenic view.

  Now that Logan was familiar with my body, he stole every opportunity to abuse his newfound privileges. While I was brushing my teeth at the sink, he slipped up from behind and fell to his knees, running his hands over my backside. He slid my pants down and I squeaked, about to turn around and give him a playful smack when he firmly held my hips so I couldn’t escape.

  “What is this?” he asked, rubbing his finger along the crease of my thigh.

  “My Creator’s mark.”

  He angrily yanked my sweats back up. “I don’t like that another male has marked you.”

  I rinsed my mouth and spit in the sink. “That can hardly be helped.”

  “No, but I’ll be reminded of that worthless Mage who beat my female each time I have to look upon that mark.”

  I spun around and tugged my sweats down in the front just a little bit. “And each time you look at these marks, Mr. Cross, you’ll be reminded of how much this female adores your sexy self.”

  “Mmm,” he murmured, planting his warm lips against my skin and kissing the tattoo that marked my lower belly with cheetah paw prints. His tongue traced the pattern and I gripped the sink, losing my breath.

  Those were moments I cherished. Despite our confinement, we continued to learn new things about each other. Logan told me stories about his family and I showed him how I could wiggle my ears. I didn’t know many games outside the ones Simon had taught me, but a few came to mind and we played for kisses. Although some of those kisses got a little steamy and out of control.

  The main door clicked open and we both rose to our feet anxiously. This time, more than one person was approaching based on the number of footsteps we heard. One was softer than the other—more like sneakers.

  Novis came into view with his arms folded and chin down. He wore a black zip-up jacket and denims. It was his pissed-off look, and thankfully, I didn’t see it too often. The guard set a chair down in front of the bars and lingered a moment.

  “You may leave us,” Novis ordered the guard. “Silver, stand before me. Logan, I will ask you to remain seated and absent from this conversation.”

  I gave Logan “the look” and walked toward the bars. Novis’s clear blue eyes shredded me to ribbons.

  “Have a seat,” he said curtly, motioning toward the floor.

  I sat down Indian style and Novis took a seat in the chair, placing his hands on his knees. He looked like royalty, and in a strange way, I could visualize him as a king.

  “Silver, I have been summoned to the courts.”

  “For me?”

  His stiff jaw gave a rigid appearance to his expression and some of his black hair swept over his eyes. “Representatives from every Breed are summoned on a weekly or biweekly basis to make a public ruling and determine sentencing. It rotates and it’s my turn. While reviewing the paperwork, I was intrigued when I came across the name of a Mage I wasn’t expecting to see in this facility.”

  I bit my lip and prepared to be reprimanded.

  He leaned forward on his arms, pushing his shoulders up. “Simon.”

  “What?” I breathed. “Tell me you’re kidding. What did he do?”

  “Kidnapping.”

  I shot up to my feet. “Who?”

  Novis leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “A Shifter.”

  Oh shit. I pressed my lips tightly together and spun around. I could scream. He was supposed to surreptitiously sniff out some blackmail on Finn’s father, not haul him off and do God knows what to him.

  “Do you know anything about it, Silver?”

  “No.”

  “Hmm.”

  I turned around and gripped the bars. “Can I see him? I’m not a prisoner here. Well, not technically.”

  “That would be another issue I’d like to discuss, but it would be a waste of valuable breath, I’m sure.”

  “You’re right,” I agreed. “I think we both know where I stand. Did you talk to Simon?”

  “He’s not talking.”

  “I want to see him. What kind of punishment will he get?”

  “This is where I get involved,” Novis said, standing up. “When a crime is committed against another Breed, both leaders come together and review the facts. We do not always see eye to eye. Personally, I do not feel this warrants punishment, as technically, we have no laws against kidnapping unless it results in death or torture. The victim has no desire to press charges.”

  “Let me see him. I’ll get Simon to talk if I have to squeeze it out of him by twisting that nipple ring of his.”

  Logan chuckled and I speared him
with my gaze.

  “Please, Novis. If it’s too crowded in his wing, then maybe we can talk privately in one of those locked rooms downstairs.”

  “As your employer, I value honesty and expect you to provide me the details. I am displeased to have a respected Mage locked up for something as frivolous and random as this.”

  “Well, if there’s one thing Simon is, it’s random.”

  “The Overlord should be in touch soon, Logan. There is a possibility your case will be presented this evening, so be prepared. The both of you,” he said, offering me a chilling glance.

  ***

  Novis arranged for a private room so I could speak privately with Simon. The guard swiped a card key to open the door and gave me a shove, locking me inside.

  Simon teetered on the back legs of the metal chair—shirtless—with his ankles propped on the table. The harsh lights bounced off the spotless tile below my feet.

  “Did you miss me that much?” I asked, taking a hard seat in front of him. I couldn’t see around his big feet, so I tickled the bottoms.

  He jerked his legs back so hard he almost lost his balance and fell out of his chair. “Bloody hell, woman. You’re a regular riot, you know that?”

  “Where’s your nipple ring?”

  His brown eyes told the story as they rolled upward. “Wouldn’t let me keep it because the metal wasn’t bound. I suppose they thought I’d hatch a scheme to impale one of the guards in his pinky toe while I made my great escape.”

  “Simon, what are you doing in here?”

  “Freezing my arse off. I see the uniforms haven’t changed much since my last stay,” he said, snapping a thread off his loose pants and holding it in front of his face. He began flossing his teeth with it.

  I narrowed my eyes. “Is this some elaborate scheme to get us out? Because I could have done that on my own.”

  He snorted and leaned on the table, waggling a brow mischievously. “Love, I’m not that fond of your boyfriend. I’m here because of a favor I promised you.”

  “I don’t seem to recall kidnapping or incarceration on my favor list.”

  “No, but one thing leads to another.”

  I sighed at his evasive answers. “Why won’t you tell me? They could lock you up for years. What did you do to him?”

  He shivered and sat back in his chair. “They might have caught me in the act, but they technically cannot serve me with a sentence unless Rupert was found dead at the scene—which he wasn’t, or if he chooses to press charges—which he won’t.”

  “What makes you think he won’t?”

  A crescent smile showed off his dimple.

  “You got it, didn’t you?” I said with contained excitement.

  Whatever Simon had found on Rupert would not only win us custody of Finn, but keep Simon from years of bondage. Not that Simon would have minded a little bondage, just not within the confines of Breed jail.

  “I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

  “Don’t be obtuse,” he muttered, rising to his feet. “They could order a Vampire to question you if they wanted.”

  “And they can’t with you?”

  “Not legally. I had someone pay me a favor a long time ago, so I’m fortunate in that regard. I’ve worked high-profile cases for the Mageri; they don’t want their dirty little secrets accidentally leaked due to a bumbling Vamp.”

  “Well, so long as you’re getting out of here. Why didn’t you tell Novis the truth?”

  Simon walked around the table and began giving me a shoulder massage. “Novis doesn’t care if I get out or not. He’s a nosy fellow and wants to know what I’m up to, that’s all.”

  “He’s a Councilman,” I reminded him.

  “Correct. But he’s also a bleeding stickler when it comes to keeping things hush. There’s one more thing I need to do, and I don’t want his exalted opinion on the matter. I’m a little insulted he assumed I would blab all my secrets to you, but you’re going to have to trust me on this one, love.”

  “So you’re telling me that you’re untouchable and… Stop doing that!” I said, slapping his hands away from my shoulders. “I’m not in the mood for a massage while Logan is up for sentencing and my best friend is behind bars for kidnapping.”

  “For pity’s sake, it wasn’t kidnapping. It was… coercion,” he said, strolling around the room and adjusting his balls. “There’s no law against that.”

  I stood up and gave him the once-over. Simon’s nipples were like miniature bullets in the chilly room and I finally had to ask. “Where is your shirt?”

  He pursed his lips and held out his hand. “You could always lend me yours. Be a dear, will you?”

  Simon winked as I walked past him to the door and gripped the handle.

  “Silver…”

  I glanced back and caught a look on his face I couldn’t peg. “Yeah?”

  “I’m sorry for Logan.”

  I left the room without a response because the weight of his words sank in my heart like an anchor. Simon was never sorry for anyone. The way he’d delivered that line was like something you say to a friend at a funeral. A thought crossed my mind that Logan could be sentenced to serve over a hundred years in Breed jail. Was I willing to stay that long? My heart told me to go where he goes, but in the end, Logan wouldn’t want me to waste my life.

  He would want me to wait for him, like he had waited for me.

  Chapter 25

  Novis had become agitated when I told him Simon wouldn’t talk. He feared another attack might be imminent and likened it to being in the eye of a hurricane. Novis also disclosed a few facts I wasn’t aware of, like some of the Chitah Lords had been attacked, as well as members of the Shifter Council. Someone was trying to put a scare into everyone, and that someone was Nero. He despised humans and felt threatened by the gradual alliance developing between all the Breeds.

  The guards walked Logan to the shower while I waited alone in the cell. I paced restlessly, pushing off the wall as the confinement began to make me feel caged. The door opened and I heard unfamiliar voices murmuring.

  A young woman strolled past my cell and I stepped back as she peered at me. Her perfume drifted in and smelled like wildflowers in a sunny field.

  The guard left and she slowed down, examining me closely. I would have killed for silky brown hair like hers. She wore it pulled back into a neat ponytail and it made a small scar on her hairline visible. She must have left her jacket downstairs as she wasn’t dressed for cold weather, wearing only a dark green cardigan sweater and black jeans.

  “Are you a prisoner? I didn’t know they held women here.”

  “I’m here of my own free will. They arrested the man I love and I go where he goes.”

  Her face saddened. “Mind if I ask how long the sentence is?”

  “I don’t know yet. They’re still deliberating.”

  “I would say I hope it’s not a long sentence, but I don’t know his crime. I hope the punishment is just. I’m so sorry for your situation.”

  “Thanks,” I replied, taking a seat on the mattress. When I looked up, she was gone.

  I hugged my knees and leaned against the wall. My mind returned to the idea of running away with Logan and becoming outlaws. What would be so wrong with that?

  Then I thought about Justus sitting alone in his dining room and what my betrayal would do to a man like him. He’d devoted his time to shaping me into a Mage he could be proud of—one who would become independent someday and perhaps be a valuable contributor within our world. It was an opportunity for him to influence a life in a way he never had with HALO.

  All this because of Marco, Justus’s Creator. The one who’d decided my strong human energy might be a good offering for Nero’s little harem. My mind drifted back to the night I’d gone out with Sunny before my attack and how I’d felt a strange sensation in the bar we were in. It was Samil. He had been given my information by Marco and was stalking me, following me home and waiting for the opportune time to put his
spark in me.

  After cutting my throat.

  I wondered about the method to his madness. Regardless, I would have still been born a Unique. It was already in my blood because of the electrical storm during my birth. But weakening me to a state of near death—either that was his perverted way of getting off, or he really did have a formula. Simon speculated his process might elicit extremely rare abilities that would make a Mage more valuable to Nero. But Samil was also a sadistic man who’d enjoyed beating me; I’m sure he found pleasure in strangling his victims prior to creating them. He resented being in Nero’s debt, unable to satisfy him enough to clear it.

  Simon had told me not to dwell on the past—that dead men always take secrets to the grave and sometimes they’re not worth learning. I was still alive, and that’s all that mattered.

  I hated to waste my time thinking about it, but that’s what confinement will do. It forces you to analyze every detail of your life, and I realized I would never have all the answers to everything. No one does.

  And should we?

  I wanted to stop looking in the past and start looking ahead. But it was hard when all I saw were steel prison bars. I began to get butterflies, and not the good kind. Having Logan absent from the cell became indescribably difficult because it reminded me that we could be separated.

  I glanced up expectantly from my spot on the mattress when someone approached. The guard looked fully charged by the way he held up his hands. Logan kept his arms at his sides and stood compliantly, waiting for the Mage to open the door.

  Logan drew in a deep breath and stepped in the cell. “Female, come.”

  The door slammed and I listened to click of the guard’s heels as he left us alone.