OMEGA: A New Adult Urban Fantasy (Mackenzie Grey Book 4)

by Karina Espinosa

  It was late in the evening and I’d been on my way to my therapy session when a thought occurred to me and I headed toward the opposite direction.

  I was completely insane. Only an impractical person would even think about doing what I was about to do. Okay, maybe I was exaggerating, but it was still ballsy to show my face after a year. I would have kept my distance if she hadn’t made an appearance two weeks ago. It gave me hope that she’d forgiven me or that was her attempt at extending an olive branch. It might be wishful thinking, but I had to find out for sure. I missed my best friend and if I could repair our friendship, I’d do whatever it took to fix things. For me, tomorrow was not promised, and it was looking bleak. I needed to make things right.

  Unlike the Brooklyn Pack warehouse, I stayed far away from the cathedral that housed the local vampire clan. I’d been tempted many times to roll up in there and demand to see Amy, but vampires were tricky and there was another relationship I was on the fence about—Lucian. When I forced him to turn Amy, let’s just say he wasn’t my biggest fan. Lucian hadn’t changed another human in almost a century—since Roman. I admit that I took advantage of how much he cared for me, and Adaline. He wouldn’t have done it otherwise. I didn’t regret my decision, but I knew it wasn’t right.

  I was tired of always putting myself through the ringer and throwing myself the biggest pity party. That’s how the last year had been. Me feeling sorry for myself because of the choices I’ve made. I was done—no more. What’s done is done and I was ready to move on. I needed to move on…for my own sanity.

  The dilapidated cathedral was the same—nothing ever changed with the vampires. If anything, it was dustier than normal and I was tempted to recommend a cleaning service.

  The building had once been a haven for me, a sanctuary I could run to when I needed aid. Now, it was enemy territory depending on the reaction of the Head Vampire of New York City.

  “I guess they let any ol’ riff raff around these parts, nowadays.”

  “From the sound of rats scurrying between the pews, I wouldn’t be so quick to throw shade,” I smirked, “but it’s nice to see you too, Lucian.”

  The head vampire stood tall in the center of the altar in his typical all-black attire. His blond hair was slicked back in a ponytail.

  “Wish I could say the same,” he sighed. “It feels like it was just yesterday when I told you to stay away.”

  “Aww,” I placed a hand on my chest. “You’re too kind. Stop before you give me a complex.”

  “Bigger than the one you already have?”

  “There’s always room for growth, Lucian,” I winked.

  His posture stiffened and I knew I was getting on his nerves. I had that effect on people, but I was okay with it—it worked to my benefit sometimes.

  “Well,” he gritted. “It’s been a pleasure, but please let the door hit you on your way out.”

  I tsked. “Oh, you’re not getting rid of me that quickly,” I wagged my finger as I stepped further into the church toward the altar.

  “What do you want, Mackenzie?”

  “Wow, first name, huh. Must be my lucky day,” I said. He never called me anything other than ‘Pet’ unless it was serious.

  “Doubtful.”

  “I’m here to see someone. I’m sure you can take a stab in the dark as to who I’m talking about.”

  His jaw locked and his porcelain skin was like stone. He knew exactly who I wanted to see and he was not having it. Unfortunately, I would persist today. If I had to sit in one of those disgusting pews all day until she came out to speak to me, then so be it.

  “That is out of the question,” he scowled. “As I’ve stated before, you are not to go near Amelia, understood?”

  “Yeah…I don’t understand, so I’m just going to sit here until she comes out,” I plopped myself down on one of the pews. “Oh Amy!” I yelled. “Come out come out, wherever you are!”

  “Mackenzie, enough!” Lucian growled. “Leave this instant!”

  “Nope,” I shook my head. “Not until I see Amy.”

  “If you don’t leave, I will remove you myself,” he sneered as his fangs protruded over his bottom lip.

  I flashed my silver eyes. “Two can play that game,” I stood and released my canines. I flinched from the piercing of my gums and the motion did not go unnoticed. Shifting, even just a little, was extremely painful when I’ve been moon-bound. That small action was like chewing on a set of knives.

  “Maybe you mean one-and-a-half?” he grinned. “Looks like you might not be completely whole.”

  Lucian prowled toward me like I were his prey—he wasn’t too far off. I was not strong enough to fight a millennia-old vampire, but that was the plan. If Amy cared, she’d come to my aid. I was taking a big risk, but it’d be worth it.

  I stood from my seat and met Lucian half way. “Come at me, bro.” I’d always wanted to say that, and the minute it left my mouth, I realized how idiotic I sounded. I should have thought this through.

  Lucian’s smiled widened and he pounced. I rolled out of his way and collided with one of the pews. Those things might be old and raggedy, but damn were they painful. I slid between his legs but vampires were too fast. He caught me by the back of my jacket and lifted me a few inches off the ground.

  “Got you,” he leered. “Nowhere to run, Mackenzie.”

  I’d like to think that Lucian would never hurt me, that it was all for show and he wouldn’t have bitten me—because of his feelings for Adaline. I guess I’d never know because Amy swooped in from the ceiling and knocked me out of the way. I landed on my ass and she faced Lucian in a menacing stance; her back to me.

  “She’s mine,” she growled.

  I didn’t know what that meant. Was she claiming me to protect me, or was she saying I was hers to kill? Damn it, I hated this shit.

  “Hey,” I said out of breath. “Nice to see you again, Aims.”

  Her growl intensified and I knew that was directed at me.

  “Again?” Lucian gave her a questioning stare.

  “Everything okay?” I instigated.

  “You promised you’d stay away, Amelia,” Lucian chided—ignoring me.

  “I know,” she spoke and I felt myself deflate. She didn’t sound like herself. Her voice was distant, monotone—not the bubbly girl who used to tackle me with bear hugs—she was cold…undead.

  “She didn’t mention it?” I provoked. “I was dying and my bestie came to my rescue,” I said.

  Lucian pierced Amy with a questioning stare and I got the impression this wasn’t the first time I had been a problem.

  “If I might add…” I interrupted.

  Amy growled in my direction like a feral animal. My brows shot up and I took a step back; not the reaction I was expecting.

  “You dare come into my home?” she accused me. “You were told to stay away.”

  I snorted. “Apparently, so were you.”

  “That’s beside the point—”

  “No,” I shook my head. “That is the point. You can’t expect me not to come looking for you after you saved my ass. Enemies don’t do that for each other, and if there is even an ounce of friendship between us, I’m going to take it.”

  Amy’s fangs protruded and she hissed in my direction, her shoulders hunched forward, preparing for a strike. My shoulders tensed and lifted as if protecting my neck. Would she bite me?

  “We’re not friends. Never again.”

  “Don’t say that,” I pleaded. “We can fix us, Aims, I know we can.”

  This reaction was unlike me, and had it been anyone else, I’d be embarrassed, but this was different—it was Amy. She was my best friend, the one person I told my secret to and who kept it. She supported me in my darkest times and I would never forget it. Which was why I wouldn’t give up; I’d get my friend back one way or another.

  My gaze shifted to Lucian and I could see the pity in his stare. I didn’t want his pity, I wanted my friend.

  “Mackenzie,
I believe it’s best if you go,” he muttered. All hatred for me momentarily tossed to the side. I wouldn’t be surprised if the hurt was splayed across my face because I hurt inside. This had torn me apart for the last year.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” I proclaimed. Straightening my back and standing my ground, I fisted my hands at my sides and looked Amy in the eye. “I’m not leaving.”

  The corners of her lips curled into a sneer and she was so fast, I swore I had only blinked. Amy pounced on me, threw my body down the cathedral, knocking down rows of pews as I went. My body bounced on the floor a couple of times before I came to a halt, with my chin tucked into my chest so I wouldn’t hurt my head.

  “Have it your way,” she scowled.

  With lightning speed, she stopped before me and gripped the front of my shirt—lifting me off the ground. She tossed me like a rag doll and I landed onto the altar.

  “You can stop this, Mackenzie,” Lucian called out.

  “No,” I gurgled as I spit out blood. “I won’t leave. I won’t fight back. You’ll have to kill me,” I said as Amy loomed over me. Those dead green eyes blazed with unspoken hatred, and her fists went flying. Punch after punch, I laid there taking all of her fury. My body was numb. I knew she needed this. She needed to let all of that rage out—I understood that feeling.

  “Amelia, stop!” I heard Lucian in the distance. My eyes were swollen shut and my hearing was all I counted on. “You’ll kill her! Stop!”

  After one more hit, my body slumped to the marble ground and I laid there. I couldn’t move or speak.

  “That’s enough,” Lucian whispered. “Forever is a long time, and you’ll never forgive yourself if you kill her.”

  “I-I,” Amy stuttered. “I hate her. I fuckin’ hate her.”

  My heart broke at her words.

  She hated me. I couldn’t believe it—had I damaged us so much that she felt this kind of emotion?

  “I know,” Lucian murmured, “but killing her won’t make you feel any better.”

  There was a silence in the cathedral and not even my sharp hearing could pick up a sound.

  I must’ve been a glutton for punishment—as if I hadn’t gotten my ass kicked enough—but I was done feeling guilty. I made a choice, albeit the wrong one, but what’s done was done and I couldn’t go back. I didn’t regret a single decision because if given the chance to change things, I wouldn’t. I loved Amy as if she were my flesh and blood. Letting her die was not an option.

  I channeled my inner wolf. No matter how much it hurt, I’d make the effort. I’d had enough. My back arched off the ground, my canines and claws slid out, and my face contorted into a half-shift. The swelling in my face subsided and some of the pain eased up, but I still needed to fully shift to recover.

  “Amy!” I hollered as I stood. “I’m done with this shit! You wanna be pissed at me, whatever. I’m over feeling sorry for saving your fuckin’ life! Yeah, you’re a vampire, and technically you’re dead…” I tilted my head, wondering where I was going with this, “but I can’t live in a world where you aren’t in it! It’s selfish, trust me I know, but I don’t regret it.”

  Out of breath, I whirled around as a gust of wind blew past me. Amy stood between the pews, her body vibrating with anger, her little fists trembling at her sides.

  “How dare you,” she gritted. “You ruined my life.”

  “I ruined it, you ruined it, everyone did!” I yelled. “It’s all a chain reaction, Amy. We can sit here for days wondering how the hell we got here. If you had never met me, if you would have listened when I told you to stay out of Lycan shit, if Jackson hadn’t pulled you deeper into our world, there are tons of reasons!”

  “You made me like this!” Amy screamed as she slapped her pale, tattooed skin. “You made me into a monster!”

  I flinched.

  “You should have just let me die,” she whispered. “You should have let me go, Kenz…”

  I bit my lip and it was salty. I realized I was crying.

  “I couldn’t, Amy. I still can’t.”

  Her body slacked in what I hoped was defeat. My feet moved of their own accord and when I reached her, I didn’t see her little fist aiming straight for my jaw. My head snapped around as she connected with my face and I felt the force of her punch.

  “Fuck, Amy!”

  I ducked her next swing. She had her fun, but not anymore. This go around, I was fighting back.

  She swung recklessly and I was able to dodge every hit. Catching her off guard, I clipped her in the face and then the gut. Amy flew back into the pews, breaking the frail wood into pieces.

  “No more, Amy. You want to go at it? Fine. But this time, I’m kicking your ass.”

  With one final glare, we ran toward each other. Fists went flying as we went for each other with all we had. I rolled away from her and grabbed a plank of wood and she was on me, I swung it like a bat, sending her to the entrance of the church. With her vampire speed, she was able to recover and clipped me from behind. I slid down the aisle, digging my claws into the floor to bring my body to a halt. I spun around, and let out a roar. I gave my wolf a mental high-five for making an appearance. About time….

  I couldn’t do much damage—I would have to decapitate her, stake to the heart, or set her on fire to hurt her, but I could tire her out.

  “I can go all night,” I growled.

  Amy got a few hits in, as did I, and I saw her moves start to slow. She was still lightning fast, but she was getting lazy. The same song-and-dance was boring her and this was my moment to strike. I back-handed Amy and she went flying onto the altar. I took that brief pause and grabbed the small piece of wood that had splintered earlier. With it firmly gripped and hidden behind me, I waited for her. She sped toward me and when she reached me, I slammed the make-shift stake between her ribcage.

  Lucian growled. He’d let us duke it out, but he didn’t see the stake coming.

  Amy gasped. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

  It was a millimeter away from her heart, but hadn’t penetrated. She was stuck in place as I held her undead life in my hand. With one flick of the wrist, I would give her what she wanted. I’d give her death.

  “Release her,” Lucian snapped, but I ignored him. This was between Amy and I.

  “Is this what you want from me?” I rasped. “Because I’ll do it. I’ll ram this shit into your heart and end the misery right now, if that’s what you want. It’s your choice.”

  She gulped a few times, a human habit she still carried.

  “What’s it going to be, Aims? Live or die.”

  She blinked rapidly, darting from me to the stake and back to me.

  “Would you really do it?” She murmured.

  “Yes,” I said without hesitation. “I won’t make the same mistake twice, so think long and hard about your decision because there’s no going back.”

  “Could you live with yourself after this?”

  I snorted. “I’m already in hell. At this point, I just need a bathing suit.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Try me,” I growled. “Whats it going to be?”

  Her lashes fluttered and I was sure if she could cry, she would. I hadn’t been bluffing, if she wanted me to kill her, I would. But I knew my best friend. She didn’t want to die, she wanted to live.

  “Don’t,” she muttered. “Don’t do it.”

  I waited until she met my eyes and I could see the quiver of her bottom lip—another human habit she hadn’t kicked. Slowly, I pulled out the piece of wood from her chest, and her body caved in on itself in relief. Blood dripped on my shoe as I held the crimson soaked stake. We stood in a comfortable silence as she gathered her bearings. She’d been knocking on death’s door and I’d called her out on it.

  My knees were weak and I was coming down from my adrenaline high. I collapsed. My body drained to the point of exhaustion.

  “This is not how I wanted things to go down. I never wanted this life for y
ou, but it’s what we’ve been dealt. I just want you to know that I’m sorry,” I said. “I wish things could have gone differently.” I dropped the stake. I said my peace.

  Amy didn’t stick around, using her vampire speed, she ran out of the cathedral and into the night. I sat on the dirty church floor and attempted to move, but I couldn’t. My body was in shock.

  I didn’t hear his footsteps when he came toward me.

  “I will call the Pack to come pick you up,” Lucian whispered.

  Alarm bells rang through me and I shook my head. He couldn’t call Sebastian. No one could see me like this.

  “Is there anyone who cares about you?”

  I swallowed a few times before muttering, “SIU.”

  Lucian snorted as he left me in Amy’s pool of blood to wait on help.

  It was over. Amy and I were officially over.

  “Ouch! What the hell!” I screamed as Michaels dabbed my face with an alcohol pad. We were in my living room trying to get me cleaned. He couldn’t take me back to the squad room without turning heads so this was the next best thing. Unfortunately, I had a lousy first aid kit.

  “Sit still, Grey,” he scowled. “You just had to stir up trouble, didn’t you?”

  “Not intentionally,” I mumbled.

  “Whatever the case may be, Briggs is going to have a field day if the Vampires file a complaint.”

  “They won’t,” I said.

  Lucian and Amy might not like me, but they wouldn’t be so petty to contact my boss—at least I didn’t think so.

  I was lucky that Michaels had answered the call when Lucian contacted the SIU. Had it been anyone else, I would have been mortified—had it been Briggs, I would have just asked Lucian to kill me right then and there. Don’t even get me started if Alexander had been around. That was a whole other beast.

  “What made you go to the cathedral? That’s Finn’s territory.”

  “It’s complicated…”