by Ava Mason
My magic was powerful, even small amounts of it, and could crush his sensitive brain in a second. Christian wasn’t without his own protections, he could push against it if he wanted, but Christian showed that he trusted me explicitly by letting me inside without resisting. And my power could also recognize intent, and knew that I was trying to protect him, not hurt him. So that helped too.
I relaxed, staying fixated on what I was doing. The feeling was intense, like I was cuddling the very essence of Christian in my hands. I loved the feeling, like I could be closer to him on a spiritual level that I could never feel with anyone else. But at the same time, it was so intense that after a while it was taxing.
I saw Edward nod his head and then I slowly relaxed and let it go. As soon as the magic was gone from his mind, Christian relaxed a fraction, then let out a breath. I guess it was intense for him too.
Edward spoke into the mike. “Looks good. Alright. Christian meet us back in here. We’ll let Tristan bring the prisoner in while you and I go over some stuff.”
Christian nodded, then left the room and joined us again. Edward pulled out a chair and sat down. I took the chair on the end. I needed space to move, in case I needed to get up quickly. Christian sat in the chair between us. I watched them as they interacted, and they went over a list of questions that Edward needed to know the most. Mostly about the size of their group and who was controlling everything. I learned that they had pockets of knowledge from different groups and operations, but they couldn’t figure out who was pulling the strings at the top. They also didn’t know how large the organization had spread. They’d found activity in Aerwyna and Tennessee, of course, but also a few other states, mostly in the southern United States. They were also active in Europe, but they hadn’t discovered anything outside of that.
I bit my lip, thinking. It was painfully obvious that my parents had kept me oblivious to a lot that went on in the magical community. But I did know a lot about wolf shifters. We tended to live in areas where there was a strong ecology of forests, for obvious reasons. We felt a connection to the woods, so we didn’t usually stray far from them. So it was no surprise that, if this group was connected to the wolves, they would be in the South. But, there were so many areas around the world that had trees, they could easily be hiding in other parts of the world.
If Garrett had connected with them around the same time that he’d started building his new home, then that wouldn’t have been that long ago. Maybe the group was fairly new in the U.S.
We heard the sound of chains dragging across the ground and the guard unlocking the door. I turned towards it, noticing that Edward wasn’t looking at the door, but at Christian. The door finally opened and Christian gasped. He jerked up out of his chair, pushing it to the floor, as Tristan led the prisoner in.
Edward’s lips were pressed tight and Christian looked down at him, frowning. “Why didn’t you tell me it was Dex?”
Dex had dark brown hair, cropped tight, and wore an orange uniform with an Authority logo on his right chest. His hands and feet were both chained and a thin, black collar was fastened around his neck. He had a calm demeanor about him, as if he wasn’t very dangerous at all.
“I needed your genuine reaction.”
Christian practically growled at Edward. “Why?”
Edward put his hand on Christian’s arm. “Calm down, Christian. Since you already know him, I needed to know how surprised you were that it was him.”
Christian nodded, then picked up his chair and sat down, taking in a shaky breath. “Okay. Explain.”
“There’s something… off about Dex. It’s hard to describe, you’ll have to just see it for yourself. I don’t know him well enough to know if this behavior is normal for him. What was it like serving with him?”
Christian bit his lip, thinking. “He always had my back. I never doubted it.”
Edward let out a breath. “What else? Did he have a girlfriend?”
“Yes. I would never forget that because he couldn’t stop talking about her.”
“Was she devoted? Did she write him often?”
Christian nodded. “Every single week.”
“Sent him packages often?”
“All the time, man. It was awesome.” Christian smiled.
“Did anything ever seem… off about her?”
Christian took in a deep breath. “Umm, not that I can remember.” You could tell by the look on his face that he was trying really hard to think about it. “I think she used to send him videos. You know, like sexual videos. But that wasn’t that abnormal. There were other guys that used to get stuff like that. Just maybe not as often as Dex.”
“Do you remember what she looked like?”
Christian closed his eyes. “Dark brown hair. I think her eyes were dark too. Her skin was… maybe exotic. Tan, but more than that.” He opened his eyes. “You know those people who look like they could be a combination of ethnicities, but you don’t know what they are?” Edward nodded. “Kinda like that.”
Edward reached over and turned on the computer monitor. “She look like this?”
Christian looked forward, squinting at the pixelated picture on the screen. “Yeah. Maybe. I’m about eighty percent positive that’s her.”
Edward nodded, then turned it off.
Christian leaned back. “Why? Who is she?”
“I think she’s a honey trap of sorts. Several of the men we’ve caught have described a woman who looks exactly how you described her. We even found pictures of this same woman in their phones and, just like you said, some sex videos. Would you say that Dex was pretty devoted to the team? Patriotic?”
Christian nodded. “Definitely.”
Edward looked away, towards the window. The guard clipped Dex’s chains to the floor, then chained his wrists to the table. They must consider him pretty dangerous.
“This group seems to focus on men, or women, who are passionate. For instance,” he looked at me, “from what I’m growing to learn about Ember, she was enthusiastic about a lot of things.”
I thought how bitter she was about the Queen, and she was also pretty into things. When she was sexual, she was so into it that she hadn’t realized that I was over it. When she was angry, she fought me with a lot of energy. She didn’t even fall over when I stabbed her in the leg. Thinking about Ember drug up those memories that I’d rather let die. Christian had been working with me through them, but honestly I just wanted to block them from my memory.
He moved on. “If they can get in with people who are passionate about what they do, they’ll slowly lead them in the direction they want. This woman,” he gestured to the monitor, even though it was turned off, “she plays the long game with them. How long had Dex been with her?”
Christian shrugged. “About two years, I guess.”
Edward nodded. “According to him, they’re still together. But he doesn’t see her much. He said that she has to travel for work, and she has a place in Japan. A place that doesn’t exist, by the way. So she flies in to see him about four or five times a year, but she contacts him often enough that it feels real to him. She’s also the one who introduced him to Ember. And the sexual videos create a deep connection. I uh,” he cleared his throat, “watched a couple of them, and she never says his name. She calls him ‘baby’ or whatever. So she’s probably sending them to more than one person.”
The chains rattled and Edward glanced over for a second. But the guy was only adjusting the chains around his wrists. Otherwise he sat patiently.
I spoke up, curious. “Why’s he wearing a collar?”
Christian answered me. “It keeps him from shifting, or using any power he might have.”
“Oh.” I swallowed hard, hoping that I would never have one of those around my neck.
Christian shuffled. “Okay, so how far have you gotten with him?”
“Well,” Edward leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs. “So far, he’s been polite and respectful. We caught him with some of
the artifacts, so he knows that he’s not going free. When we ask him about the enemy, he just says that he doesn’t know.” Edward put his finger to his lip and tapped it lightly. “But I have a sense about him. He knows more than he’s letting on. And all of the other prisoners testify that he knew Ember the most. They worked together often. Some say that they even had a sexual relationship, something that was supposed to be a secret.”
I huffed, not surprised that Ember was having sex with the soldiers under her. Christian didn’t look at me, but his hand landed on my knee and his warmth traveled through it. I stood up, needing to move to get rid of some nervous energy, but brushed my hand over Christian’s shoulder so he knew I wasn’t trying to brush him off.
“So, basically, they use sex and passion to make the guys fight for them.” I shrugged. “But that might not mean that they actually know anything. What exactly is it about him that makes you think that he does?” The room was quiet and I got the feeling that I’d committed a faux pas, so I hurried to make myself clearer. “I mean, I don’t doubt you. But I just want to know if you have something that Christian can use, something you got from him that Christian can use to dig deeper.”
Edward took in a deep breath, thinking, but Christian answered me first. “One reason why Edward is in charge of this program is because that’s one of his dragon gifts. He can tell if someone is lying. He can also read people’s body language. It’s almost like he can read their thoughts, but not directly. He can just tell what their moods are, or how their thoughts are making them feel.”
I nodded, understanding. “Kind of like what Avery can do.”
Christian nodded. “Yeah. His works differently, but it has a similar result.”
Edward spoke. “Actually, Elizabeth made me realize something. Ask him about his sister. When you think it’s the right time. He’s only got one, and I haven’t been able to find her. But I’ve held off on asking about her; I wanted to wait for you.”
Nodding, Christian stood up and took in a deep breath. “This sucks.”
Edward nodded. “Yep.” Then he looked at me. “You ready?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Okay. Let’s go then.”
Christian briefly brushed his lips over mine, then walked out the door. Edward gave a half-smile and he watched the door. As soon as it was closed, he turned to me.
“Okay, a couple of things. Don’t react to anything he says. He hasn’t said anything racist, but a lot of them do, so just ignore all that crap. Second, I need you to hold back as much as possible. If he attacks Christian, protect him, but only attack Dex if there is no other choice.” I nodded, and he leaned in. “You have my full permission to kill Dex if Christian’s life is on the line. There is no choice between the two, Christian’s life over Dex’s, okay?”
I nodded. Like that was even a choice for me.
“Let’s try not to let that happen, but if it comes down to it, I’ve got your back, alright?”
I nodded again, wondering what would happen to me if I did end up killing him. I shrugged it off, I wasn’t going to let the thought bother me. I’d defend Christian, no matter what, and let the chips fall as they would.
He turned towards the window, focusing, and I watched as Tristan opened the door and Christian walked inside. Then Tristan shut the door, leaving Christian alone with Dex.
I watched Dex’s face as Christian entered but he didn’t look surprised. Christian must be known for this.
“Hey man, how’s it going?” Dex put his hand up in a fist, as much as he was able with his short chain, and Christian fist bumped him before sitting down. “They sent you in here, huh? They must not believe me.”
Christian shrugged, looking comfortable as he settled in the chair. “What I want to know is why the hell you’re in here in the first place, man. You’re one of the last shifters I’d expect in some place like this. We fought to protect the Kingdom, and that meant nothing to you? I don’t believe it. What the hell is going on?”
Dex leaned forward. “It’s all a lie, man.”
Christian’s eyebrows shot upwards. “You pretended to be loyal to the Kingdom?”
“Nah, man, that was all real. I’m talking about the media, the Kingdom, the Qu—” he stopped short, his eyes on the table. Then he nodded towards the window and, licking his lips, his voice grew quiet, whispering. “I know they’re listening. And maybe they’ll execute me for this. But the Queen ain’t everything she’s made out to be. We fought to keep her safe, but what has she ever done for us? And why are they keeping the whole dragon race a secret from the world? Do you know how many lives could’ve been saved back then if we’d only shifted?” He leaned back, scratching at the table. “Dave and Dirk, for sure. Probably Ben.” Christian didn’t react to his words, so he kept going. “Dragons are the superior race, man, but we let those fucking wolves dictate what shifters do in the world. They’re nothing but terrorist pigs. And yet, they’re represented in the Supernatural World Council and we’re not. We don’t even have a voice, man.”
Christian nodded. “And when did you learn about all this?”
Dex rubbed the back of his neck, and his chains rattled. “Probably about three years ago.”
“When you met Ember?”
Dex shrugged, and his demeanor changed. It was subtle, but he leaned back and his face seemed more guarded. It was hard to put a finger on it, but there was something different about him.
Christian changed subjects. “How’s your girlfriend? You still with her?”
Dex smiled. “She’s great, man. We had plans to meet in Japan this year.” He sighed. “Guess I won’t make it. But I was looking forward—”
Christian cut him off. “What about your sister? What was her name? Kara, right?”
Suddenly, Dex jumped up and slammed his hands on the table. “You’ve got no fucking right to ask about her! Why the hell would you bring her up? She’s off the table, all right?”
Holy shit! I jumped out of my seat, ready to protect Christian. But Dex just glared at Christian, puffing ragged breaths in and out.
“Now we’re getting somewhere.” Edward held his breath as he watched them; he didn’t seem concerned with Dex’s reaction.
Christian leaned forward. “Tell me. What’s going on with her? Where is she? What have they done to her?”
Dex screamed, slamming his fists against the table again, but his words were an unintelligible mess. I focused hard, trying to make sense out of them, but I couldn’t even tell if he was speaking English. I glanced at Edward; he was staring intently into the room. I wondered if he could understand anything.
Christian got up, leaning closer and I put all my focus into reading their body language.
“You know what I’ll have to do, if you force me. But I don’t want to. Just sit down. I’ll get you some water, and we can take a break, okay? But then you’ll have to answer my questions.”
Dex growled and suddenly the collar around his neck began to spurt, shooting out sparks of fire.
“What’s going on?” I didn’t take my eyes off the two, but I was worried. My necklace grew warm, and I got ready to use my powers.
“He’s trying to use his powers. Either shift or something, I’m not sure. But the collar is suppressing it. Don’t worry, that’s normal.”
Christian growled. “I said, calm the fuck down. Don’t make me do this, Dex. You know I hate doing it. Especially to someone I once considered a brother.”
Dex leaned forward, and spittle slid down his chin. “Fuck off, Christian. You’re just like them. You’ve become one of them. You’re no brother of mine.”
Christian glanced towards the window and Edward spoke. “Get ready, Elizabeth. Christian’s going in his mind.”
I focused my powers towards Christian and he was surrounded for half a second by my blue power, then it slipped away and I knew I was inside.
Dex suddenly jerked his face towards Edward and me. “What was that? You got someone protecting you? Are you th
at afraid of me?” His eyes narrowed as he turned back towards Christian. “You got that wolf in there? I heard you hooked up with some bitch. That she was even your Alpha.” He leaned towards Christian and spit in his face. “You let some wolf tell you what to do? You fucking traitor.”
Christian didn’t react to his words, he just used his sleeve to wipe the spit off his face. Then he reached forward and touched Dex’s arm. Dex growled, staring into Christian’s eyes, but he didn’t move.
Suddenly, Christian’s brain lit up with activity. I found myself closing my eyes and seeing it with my powers, instead of my eyes. It was like a rainbow of colors; I could see it moving and flowing from Christian’s mind to Dex’s. Suddenly, Dex’s mind grew darker and a black smoke-like mist emerged from it. But, for now, the mist was staying on Dex’s side.
I heard Edward’s chair scrape but I didn’t open my eyes. I was too focused on what was going on.
The colors inside Christian’s brain grew brighter and the cooler colors washed away until there was only red and orange. The red grew more intense, washing out the orange and it surged into Dex.
Dex screamed out. “Fuck! Stop! Stop!”
But Christian didn’t stop, the red bombarded Dex’s brain, smothering the black mist. Dex was crying now, and the red delved deeper, right towards the center. Dex screamed again and suddenly black shot from his mind.
I quickly formed a barrier between the black and Christian. The black pushed against me, trying to force me out and I growled. There was no way I was letting this shit anywhere near Christian’s brain. The black began to subside and I continued blocking it, until suddenly it fought back, blasting me with a lot of force. I squeezed my eyes and shot my magic into the blackness. It exploded and then the connection was severed.
I opened my eyes. Dex was slumped forward. Christian was breathing heavily, his eyes tortured, but he looked okay. He jumped up and ran around the table to Dex. He checked his breathing and put his fingers to his neck. Shit. I hoped I didn’t hurt him. There was something clearly wrong inside his brain.
