United

by Maggie Walsh

  “Human?” Ryland asked in shock. “You think a human was capable of this kind of carnage?”

  “Why not? Humans are their own kind of animal,” Phenex said as he looked at Ryland. “There are instances all through the history of mankind of such atrocities and worse. The underworld is full of souls that inflict this kind of evil unto the world.”

  “I know. I just always find it hard to believe that these fragile creatures can hate so deeply and cause so much bloodshed,” Ryland said sadly. Phenex placed a gentle, comforting hand on Ryland’s arm. His head snapped in Phenex’s direction. Their eyes met and held for a moment, both holding their breaths from the contact. Deep emotions played within their eyes as they remained locked together. Phenex swallowed hard, then cleared his throat, and pulled his hand away. Reluctantly he shifted his gaze away from Ryland’s eyes and looked at Micah.

  “What I don’t understand is how did one human do all that? There were sixty bodies ripped apart out there,” Dante asked. “If it were more than one, we would have been able to scent them.”

  “I agree,” Micah said. “How does one human get the drop on sixty paranormals? And the way they were pulled apart, he would have had to do it one at a time, so how is it possible the others didn’t see him and stop him?”

  “Aaron said something about Malachi working on a serum. We all know he already uses serums to make the rogues stronger, faster, and mask their scent. What if this has Malachi written all over it?” Storm asked.

  “I think you’re right, Storm. I think this is somehow connected to Malachi,” Dante said.

  “So how do we find out?” Dare asked.

  “I know my brother is going to be pissed at me for this, but I think it’s needed right now,” Storm said and ran a hand down his face. “Aaron has been working on something I think you all need to hear about.”

  “Okay, but will it help us find Malachi?” Phenex asked.

  “Probably not, but it might help us with stopping this from happening again. I don’t know,” Storm said in frustration.

  “Okay, this is what I think,” Micah started. “Phen, can you go check in the underworld and see if there is anyone that might have an idea of Malachi’s plan or his whereabouts? Also, if maybe someone knows of help he’s getting. We already know he has disciples, so I think we need to start locating them. He must be in contact with them, or someone working for him does.”

  “Yeah, I’ll get right on that,” Phenex said. “I can see the wheels spinning in that head of yours, so what else are you thinking?” he asked Micah.

  “I’m thinking we go on a fact-finding mission. We start at the beginning.” Micah turned his attention to Ryland. “Was there anyone in your realm Malachi was particularly close to? Anyone that would take his side?”

  “I’m not sure. He hasn’t been in my realm in ages. I can go back and ask around,” Ryland offered.

  “Dare, you know a lot of people in Ryland’s world. Is there anyone you can think of that might be able to give us some information on Malachi?” Micah asked.

  “I’ll go with you. Two of us will be faster than one,” Dare offered.

  “Storm, I know your new pride is almost finished and your people are making their way here already, but you know Napa better than any of us. Could you go back, look around at that vineyard, see if there is anything left behind that will help us?”

  “Good idea. Yeah, I’ll go make the arrangements,” Storm agreed.

  “Raith, ask Rory to take you to visit Zane. He has been dealing with Malachi and his disciples forever. He might have some useful information for us,” Micah said.

  “I got one better,” Raith said. “Zane will be here tomorrow for more training, we can ask him then.”

  “That would be great, but when he comes here, he never has enough time for much before he has to rush back. I’m hoping that if you go to him, you can stay longer.”

  “Okay, no problem, Micah.”

  “Vik.” Micah turned to Viktor. “That lab Brighton and Malachi had you and Aaron at, do you remember anything about it? The layout, anything?” Micah asked.

  “Yeah, I remember some. I’m sure I didn’t see the whole thing though,” Viktor offered.

  “Can you and Aaron go there and hunt around for anything that might help us? Aaron may be able to find some paperwork left behind about Malachi’s experiments,” Micah continued.

  “No problem, Micah. We’ll do what we can,” Viktor said and nodded.

  “And what about you and I, Micah? I know you got something planned for us,” Dante asked curiously.

  Micah looked at Dante and smiled. “Me and you are heading back to the cave. Not only that one, but also the one they kept Gabriel, Cass, and Raffy at. This motherfucker had to leave something behind. We just need to find it.” Dante nodded and gave him a mischievous smile.

  “What about protection? I know Bastian will insist on going with me, but I don’t want him anywhere near that fucking vineyard again.” Storm said angrily.

  “Each group can take two of my warriors with them,” Ryland offered.

  “And I can send two of my Legion with each group as well,” Phenex offered.

  “I say we mix it up.” Micah said. “Each group has somebody from each of our groups. My men will be able to relay messages to me faster through the pack link and use their powers. Dante’s men will be able to disseminate everyone out as fast as possible if it comes to that. Plus with the added protection of the fae and demon warriors, we should be okay.”

  “That’s a great idea. What about Jesse and Taylor, and my guards?” Storm asked.

  “I would like your guards to stay here and keep watch over the home front. And I want Jesse and Taylor to stay here as protection. If this is some kind of trap Malachi is setting and he’s setting us up to take off looking for him, leaving the home unprotected, I want the best wall of defense here. Jesse, Taylor, Raffy, Noah, Adam, and Rory combined should be able to hold him off, or at least escape together from any threat.”

  “Dale can come and help them,” Dante offered. Dare’s head snapped in his direction and he looked at Dante angrily.

  “What? No, Dante, he’s not ready,” Dare said with conviction.

  “He’ll be with the others, and they will all do whatever they have to do to get away as quickly and as safely as possible. Plus, I think he would be an asset to them.”

  “What are you two talking about?” Raith asked.

  “Dale’s powers have shown up, too, a few weeks ago. He can see the future,” Dante said with a smile.

  “Well shit,” Raith said with an amused laugh.

  “He’s not ready, Dante,” Dare insisted again.

  Dante turned to Dare and took his hand. “He wants to help in any way he can, my love. This is his way, but in a safe environment. He’ll be able to see them coming before they even get close enough,” Dante pleaded softly. Dare just stared at him for a moment, then closed his eyes, and sighed. “Fine.”

  “Okay,” Micah said and clapped his hands together. “Let’s talk to Aaron and then work on who goes with who.”

  * * * *

  Lexi sat on Evan’s couch with Bailey straddling him and they were locked in a heated kiss. Lexi’s hands were moving up and down Bailey’s back and Bailey’s hands were wrapped around Lexi’s neck and his fingers were running through his hair.

  “Oh gods,” Matthew whined as he walked into the room. “It’s been two days since Bailey’s boy toy has been here and the two of them are always hanging on each other. What are they, joined at the hip now? Evan! Get the hose to spray on these two, will ya?” Matthew yelled.

  “I think it’s romantic,” Sage said from his perch on the back of the other sofa. He sat staring at the lovebirds.

  “Well I think there are more private places they should be. They need to get…a…room.” Matthew emphasized each word.

  “Why, you jealous, Matthew? Or is it turning you on and you don’t want anyone to see that swollen sausage behind your
zipper?” Sage said happily as he batted his eyelashes.

  “That’s enough, you two. Go do your own thing and leave Lexi and Bailey alone,” Evan said as he and Josh walked into the room.

  “That’s my point,” Matthew said in frustration. “They should be alone, like up in Bailey’s room. Or better yet, in Lexi’s room at the pack house.”

  “They can’t do that, you ass.” Josh said and took a seat next to Sage on the back of the sofa. “The Alpha wants us to stay here.”

  “Gods, you would have thought the pipsqueak wouldn’t care about being alone in a room with a man. Unless he’s afraid he’s gonna whack him off and I don’t mean in the sexual way. Ouch! What the fuck?” he asked and shot daggers at Josh as he rubbed the back of his head where Josh smacked him. But it didn’t scare Josh. He just sat there staring at Matthew with a clenched jaw and shooting daggers of his own.

  Bailey pulled back from the kiss and slowly turned his head toward Matthew. His eyes were open wide in fear as he stared at Matthew in shock. His eyes shifted to Josh and Josh gave him an apologetic look. Bailey’s eyes turned sad and tears began to form as he stared at Josh. He pulled out of Lexi’s arms and stood up.

  Lexi watched his mate in confusion. “Bailey? Baby, what’s wrong?”

  Bailey wouldn’t talk. He just stared at Josh for another moment and a tear ran down his cheek.

  “Oh, Bales,” Josh said softly and stood. Bailey shook his head and looked away. He wrapped his arms around his stomach and took off out of the room, running up the stairs and slamming his bedroom door.

  “What the hell was that? What did I miss?” Lexi said dangerously as he stood up, his face like stone as his eyes locked with Matthew’s. Matthew’s eyes filled with fear and he turned his head to look away from Lexi’s stare.

  “It’s my fault, Lexi. I said something to Matthew and he shouldn’t have repeated it,” Josh explained.

  “Then why did it cause my mate to run out of the room in tears?” Lexi asked with a growl.

  “Because Bailey didn’t know that Matthew knew and Matthew blurted it out.”

  “What did you say?” Lexi growled.

  “I was joking, man,” Matthew answered fearfully.

  Just then Xander walked into the room. “Hey, brother, Micah needs us back at home. He’s sending a couple of Ryland’s guys over to keep guard here,” he said.

  “This isn’t over,” he growled at Matthew. “One of these days you’re going to say or do the wrong thing to someone and you’re going to be in shit so deep, you won’t be able to find your way out. And the way you talk to everyone, you probably won’t be able to find anyone to help you out either,” Lexi finished and gave Matthew one last angry look. He turned his attention to Josh. “As you heard, I need to go. Keep an eye on Bailey for me. The fae warriors are on their way.”

  “I will, and I’m sorry, Lexi. I’ll go talk to Bailey and make sure he’s okay,” Josh said. Lexi nodded and left with Xander.

  Josh turned to look at Matthew again. The anger coming from him was so strong you could cut it with a knife. “I’m done. You’re dead to me,” Josh said in a voice so cold one could feel the temperature in the room drop. He turned and walked from the room.

  “Josh, man, wait,” Matthew said desperately and jumped up from his seat. But Josh didn’t wait. He took the stairs two at a time and went to his room. He grabbed the doorknob and tried to turn it, but the door was locked.

  “Bailey,” he called through the door and knocked. “Bailey, let me in.”

  “No,” he heard Bailey’s tear-filled voice say from the other side.

  “Come on, Bales. Let me explain,” Josh pleaded.

  “I don’t want to hear it. There’s nothing you can say to me that will make up for you betraying me. Go away, Josh!”

  “Bailey, please,” Josh pleaded again as his own tears built in his eyes.

  “No, I will never forgive you. Now go away,” Bailey cried.

  Josh leaned his head against the door and flattened his palms on the wood as the tears fell from his eyes.

  “Josh,” Evan whispered from behind him, his voice full of concern. “Come on, Josh. Why don’t you give him a minute? Let’s go downstairs and I’ll make coffee.”

  Josh pulled away from the door and wiped his tear-streaked face. He sniffed and straightened up, then turned to face Evan. He spotted Matthew standing behind Evan at the top of the stairs. He shot him a look of hate and ran past them both, knocking into Matthew’s shoulder as he passed and took off down the stairs and out the front door.

  “Great,” Evan huffed.

  Chapter 6

  How could he do that to me? How could Josh betray me like that? I thought he was my friend? He was my brother, my protector. He was the only one I had in this whole fucked up world. Well until Lexi came along, but still. I thought Josh always had my back. That no matter what, he would always be there. How could I have trusted him? Like I didn’t learn my lesson a long time ago to not trust anyone? I should never have trusted him. Who else can I not trust? Evan, Lexi? Is my judge of character that shitty that I can’t trust myself? Bailey thought to himself as he trudged through the newly growing underbrush in the forest.

  How could I be so stupid? I should never have let my guard down and become dependent on someone else to have my back. Well not anymore. I have learned my lesson. Josh can go fuck himself, right along with Matthew. I don’t need him. I don’t need anyone. I was doing fine on my own before Josh showed up.

  No, you weren’t. You were eating out of garbage cans, living on the street, and hustling people for that gang.

  Stop it! That was a long time ago. I was a stupid kid. I needed to get money somehow. The voices battled in his head.

  Bailey kept walking aimlessly as the visions from his life before Evan’s home for boys ran through his mind. He didn’t realize how far he had walked or even know where he was going. He was just doing everything he could to get away. He had grabbed all the money he had saved from working at the café, packed some clothes in a backpack, and sneaked out the window. It was only a two-story drop, so it was no big deal. He needed to get away before his mate found out about his past and threw him away. He couldn’t stand to see the disgust and rejection in Lexi’s eyes. He had fallen in love with Lexi over the past few weeks and he dreamed of Lexi claiming him. Sure, he was still a virgin, but he was hoping Lexi would take care of that for him soon. That was the sucky part about leaving. He was leaving Lexi behind. He didn’t want to leave Lexi. He wanted to stay with him. He wanted Lexi to hold him, make love to him, and claim him, and then never let him go. He wanted to run to Lexi right now but he knew he couldn’t. Once Lexi found out what he had done, he would never be able to forgive Bailey. And there was no way his heart would be able to take Lexi’s rejection. This was for the best. At least he learned at an early age that he couldn’t depend on anyone but himself.

  A twig snapped nearby, bringing Bailey to a stop. He craned his neck trying to listen for what had caused the sound, but heard nothing. He took another cautious step forward as he listened, but still nothing. It was probably just a rabbit or something. He continued to walk for a few more minutes when another snap came from his left. He turned to look for its source, but found nothing. He started to get nervous as he thought about what could be lurking out in these woods besides fuzzy bunnies. There could be bears or rogue vamps out here. He swallowed hard as sweat began to form on his brow. He took another step forward, when another snapping noise came from behind him. He swung around in fear, his eyes wide open, jaw clenched, heart racing, breath quickening. He was ready to bolt, but would he be fast enough for what lurked in the shadows? He hadn’t realized how late it had become until now. He was so lost in his thoughts he hadn’t realized that night had fallen. It was only because of his shifter eyes that he could still see in the darkness, but he couldn’t see that far into the dark.

  His eyes jerked around frantically as he scanned the area but couldn’t see anything. What
ever made that noise was quiet now and Bailey wondered if it was all just his mind playing tricks on him. Hesitantly, he turned back in the direction he had been walking. Aaaaaaa!” he screamed at the top of his lungs when he came face-to-face with what stood before him.

  He placed a hand on his chest over his heart and panted heavily as he stared at the creature in front of him. “You scared the crap out of me!” he yelled at it. “Fucking duck,” he said breathlessly as nervous laughter bubbled up inside him. He cautiously stepped closer to the duck when a hand covered his mouth from behind. Bailey’s eyes went wide in fear as he felt a burning pinch in his neck. Then a strong arm wrapped around his waist, hauling him off his feet. The last thing he saw before the darkness took him was the duck waddling off through the woods.

  * * * *

  Josh walked back into the house after being gone for hours. He had walked into town and gone to the tattoo shop. He had a set of keys so he let himself in and went to the back to practice his technique. Art and tattooing were like his sanctuary. Whatever was going on in his life seemed to dull when he lost himself in his art. He was so engrossed in what he was doing he hadn’t realized that night had fallen. He needed to get his ass home and quick before the Alpha found out he broke curfew. Because of what happened in the town square, the Alpha had implemented a curfew for the whole pack. Everyone had to be home by dark and stay home until sunup the next day.

  “Josh, where the hell have you been?” Evan questioned as he stepped into the kitchen. Evan and the boys were all sitting around the table drinking coffee when he walked in and they jumped when Evan said his name.

  “I went for a walk. I ended up at the shop and let myself in,” Josh explained as he walked to the fridge. He opened the door and pulled out a bottle of water. He turned to them and briefly met Matthew’s eyes. Matt’s eyes were full of pain and worry, but Josh couldn’t find it in him to give a damn right then. He needed to find a way to make things up to Bailey. He would deal with Matt later.