Skin Walkers Conn

by Susan A Bliler

  “Fuck!” Remy shoved an angry hand into his hair as he flicked his eyes up to the loft. He’d taken another Walker’s angel. Not just any Walker either, she belonged to Commander Conn Drago. “Fuck!” He couldn’t stop saying the word, it was the only phrase that seemed to fit the miserable situation. He’d contemplated contacting Conn and relinquishing Aries to him, but that’d let Mason off too easily and while he understood Conn’s loss and resulting anger more than any other Walker ever could, he couldn’t allow Mason to simply get away with stealing his Amanda.

  He stilled when he felt a mental nudge and begrudgingly permitted the communication.

  “Are you out of your fucking mind?” It was Mason. “You stole Conn Drago’s angel from his bed?”

  “She wasn’t in his bed, and she is my angel.”

  “I’ve just been contacted by his team. He’s going to kill you Remy. Do you get that? He’s going to rip you limb from fucking limb. Return the woman to StoneCrow immediately!”

  “The woman?” Remy challenged, “You mean your sister? Aries EnemyHunter. I know she’s the one Mason, I know she’s your sister.”

  “You damn fool! You’re so blinded by your hatred of me and your desire to take anything that’s mine that you can’t even see clearly. She is not my sister.”

  “If she weren’t, we wouldn’t be speaking right now.”

  “For Christ’s sake Remy look at her. She looks nothing like me. She is not my sister. I contacted you because I don’t want you dying as a result of your hatred for me. I’m trying to save your worthless ass, but if you’re so damned bent on keeping her from me because you think she’s my sister than you can go to hell. But know this Remy McCabe, my hands are clean of your blood!”

  Remy shook his head vigorously, clearing all trace of Mason from his thoughts. He again eyed the loft and wondered if it could be true. If she wasn’t really Mason’s sister than he’d kidnapped an innocent woman and hurt a fellow Walker by doing so. She doesn’t look anything like him. He inhaled sharply trying again for the hundredth time since he met her to find some familial scent that would tie her to Mason. There was none. Only her own scent and the stronger more over powering scent of Conn could be found.

  Slowly Remy climbed the ladder to the loft and quietly crossed to the bed before sitting on the edge to stare down at the sleeping Aries. From what he’d heard she’d been taken from her hideout in the South American jungle. He shook his head as a pang of guilt ate at him. He’d originally met her here in Montana, and his repeated presence put her on the run and he’d been chasing her ever since. God, what if she’s not Mason’s sister? I’ve ruined her life for nothing!

  He let his head fall into his hands as true grief struck. He’d been so blinded by his hatred of Mason and Amanda’s betrayal that he hadn’t even realized what he was doing. He flicked his eyes to Aries and his breath caught when she silently stared up at him. He read fear in her expression and guilt gnawed at him again. “It’s okay.”

  “W-what are you doing?”

  He dropped his hands and lifted his head, squaring his shoulders. “I’m taking you to StoneCrow.”

  Aries sat up, “Please take me to Conn.”

  Remy smiled without humor, “I can’t.”

  “Why?”

  He eyed her halo, “When did he give you that?”

  Her eyes rounded. He believes me! “Yesterday.”

  Remy groaned, “Great! Just fucking great!”

  “It’s okay,” Aries tried to convince him, “he’ll be grateful if you take me back. I won’t let him be angry with you, I swear it!” She wasn’t about to confess that Conn had only gifted her with his halo in hopes of finally being able to sleep and eat. She knew that if Remy believed she was in a relationship with Conn then it was better for her.

  Throwing back his head to laugh, Remy sobered after a few moments. “Oh Aries, you have so much to learn.” His eyes met hers, “If Conn gifted you his halo yesterday that means he’s only just claimed you, and that means he’s still afflicted.”

  “Afflicted? You mean rutting.”

  Remy smiled, “Sure. Rutting. Which means he’s going to want to fight any man that stands between you and him. I took you out of his bunker, out of his room. What do you think the good Commander Drago plans on doing to me when he sees me.”

  “I won’t let him Remy. I’ll protect you, I’ll…”

  He held up a hand. “Save it. While I feel great guilt over what I’ve done, I’m not nearly that regretful.” He stood, “I value my life Aries, so I’m taking you to StoneCrow. You don’t have to worry. Mason will ensure you get back to Conn. While you’re not his sister, he will feel obligated to ensure your safe return.”

  “You can leave me here. I can call Conn, he’d come and get me.” She didn’t bother telling him that she had no idea how to contact Conn.

  “Why don’t you want to go back to StoneCrow Aries?”

  “Because they keep me locked in a cell. Because they take me from Conn. Because that doctor wants to do tests on me. I don’t want to go back.” An idea struck, “Hey!” She eyed him hopefully. “You can contact him through the mystic. Conn told me about it, how Walker’s can communicate with one another telepathically. Just tell him where I am and leave and he’ll come for me, I know he will.”

  Remy smirked, “Well of course he would love, but it doesn’t work like that. I can only communicate with Walkers that I know. I don’t know your Conn.”

  “But you said…”

  “I know of him. We’ve been in the same room once or twice, but we’ve never been formally introduced. While Walkers can contact each other telepathically, there has to be some connection, some friendship, or relation…at the very least there should be a need to be in contact. Conn and I have never formed any such bond. We aren’t friends Aries.” Heaving a great sigh Remy smiled, “It’ll be alright love. Now that Conn has claimed you, those at StoneCrow are obligated to treat you as one of their own. Besides,” his eyes dipped to her thigh, “you’re going to need stitches.” He didn’t lift his eyes instead let them narrow in on her leg, “And when Conn finds out you were injured while in my care, I’m certain I’ll require a few stitches as well.” He shrugged then crossed to the ladder and slowly descended. “Get ready, we’re leaving in five.”

  “Wait!”

  He halted halfway down the ladder to stare at her.

  “How did you know that Conn wouldn’t wake up?”

  “What?”

  “At the bunker, when you took me. How did you know that Conn wouldn’t be awake that he wouldn’t defend me?”

  Remy half-smiled. “I knew when I got within a half-mile of the place without being attacked that something was off. When I got to the bunker and broke in, I knew I was home free.” He shrugged one shoulder, “Taking you wasn’t my intention at first, I just hoped he’d let me near you to discover if you were in fact Mason’s sister. Him being incapacitated was pure luck.”

  Aries watched Remy descend the ladder and her heart rate accelerated. He was taking her back to her captivity at StoneCrow. Oh no, what do I do, what do I do? She stilled and she blinked several times before a faint grin touched her lips. I’ll escape!

  Chapter 23

  “XO!”

  “Report!” Conn commanded of James.

  “Just spoke with Mason. He said Remy’s got Aries.”

  Conn’s tone was clipped with impatience, “I already knew that James!”

  “Uh, yeah. Mason said he ordered Remy to return Aries to StoneCrow but Remy refused. He thinks she’s Mason’s sister and is keeping her to hurt Mason.”

  “Fuck!” Conn sighed, “This is all over Remy’s jealousy of Mason and Amanda’s binding?”

  “Appears so XO.”

  “Did Mason get a location on Remy?”

  “No Sir, Remy didn’t say, but Mason thinks he’s holed up at his cabin near Holter Lake.”

  “Does Mason believe Remy would hurt Aries?”

  “No Sir, he thinks R
emy’s more interested in paying him back over Amanda. If anything Remy would fu…” James cleared his throat, “Remy’s hurt over the loss of his mate. He’s looking for another, preferably Mason’s sister.”

  Conn couldn’t control the growl that escaped his lips and consequently carried to James through the mist.

  “Easy XO, we’ll get her back.”

  “Contact the men and meet me at Holter Lake! I want you there five minutes ago!”

  “Sir, yes Sir!”

  ***

  “You ready to go love?”

  Aries frowned up from where she sat perched on the edge of the sofa. “Don’t call me that.”

  Remy smiled rakishly. “Does it make you uncomfortable to be called love?”

  “By you it does.” Her frown deepened, “I don’t know you.”

  He nodded, “No, you don’t.” His eyes dipped to her injured thigh, “Would you like me to carry you?”

  She quickly stood, “No!” She hid a wince at the pain the sudden movement brought. “I’m fine. Let’s go.”

  Chuckling to himself, Remy followed Aries as she hobbled toward the door. “I almost feel sorry for the good Commander. You’re as stubborn as he’s rumored to be.”

  “I’m not stubborn,” she offered petulantly as she continued to limp toward the front door.

  “Jesus love!”

  Before she could react Remy had her up in his arms. She refused to wrap her arms around his neck and she didn’t look at him.

  He stopped walking once they hit the front porch and nudged her cheek with his nose. “Come on, I’m not that bad to look at.”

  “No, you’re not. But I promised you that I’d try to keep Conn from killing you. It’ll be harder to do if I’m covered in your scent.”

  Remy didn’t respond, but Aries hid a smile when he straightened his arms with her still in them so that she wouldn’t rub against his body.

  He carried her to his vehicle and this time she was placed in the passenger seat instead of the trunk. Before Remy could close her door Aries looked up at him imploringly, “Could you grab the bottle of ibuprofen from the first aid kit? My leg is really starting to hurt.”

  Remy eyed her suspiciously.

  “Please Remy,” she shrugged, “unless it’s a short drive, then I guess I’ll be fine.” She knew the drive would be long. “I just don’t want to arrive in pain in case Conn is there. I want him to think you took good care of me.” That did it.

  Remy turned and stalked back toward the house. Aries didn’t hesitate. She palmed the car key she’d stolen off his key ring when he’d been cleaning the cabin prior to their departure. She slid into the driver’s seat and hit the electronic door locks before she started the car and slammed her foot on the gas. She knew Remy was a Walker and could easily catch up with her in several forms, but at least she’d be deciding where they were going.

  The gravel driveway led out to a main road. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a sign and turned that direction. In Montana signs meant civilization and that’s where she wanted to go. She noticed that Walkers kept to themselves and didn’t associate much with the rest of society. She guessed it was because they didn’t want the world to find out their secrets, so getting lost in the nearest town was her best chance of escape.

  After long minutes she finally found a sign that indicated the highway was fast approaching. She gunned the motor. A shadow crossed over the hood of the car and she leaned forward to peer up at the sky. “Shit!”

  A huge bird with a massive wingspan was shadowing her. She knew it had to be Remy. She gripped the steering wheel tighter and prayed she found the highway soon. She took a blind curve and had the vehicle under control until she spotted a deer in the middle of her lane. Her mind raced a mile-a-minute. Is it Remy? She couldn’t be sure. “Move!” she shouted at the animal as the car sped toward it. “MOVE!” she screamed again hoping if it were Remy he wouldn’t force her hand. Whether it was in fact Remy or a real deer didn’t matter, she knew she couldn’t hit either one.

  At the last second she jerked the steering wheel hard and the car swerved just barely missing the deer. The driver’s side tire caught on the edge of the asphalt and she had to jerk hard to get it back on the road. She jerked too hard, overcorrecting and sending the vehicle down the opposite embankment. All she heard was the screech of tires and a loud pop then time stood still. All was silent as the vehicle left the road and sailed through the air. Aries was weightless for a moment before time started again, but this time more rapidly and loudly than she ever could have imagined possible.

  Her body slammed violently against the driver’s side door. Her head smacked the glass and it shattered into a thousand tiny ice-cube like pieces. The screech of tires and groan of twisting metal was deafening. The front of both her thighs smashed painfully into the steering wheel and she didn’t know whether to hang onto it or to brace her hands over her head. She didn’t get the chance to do either as the vehicle rolled repeatedly tossing her about the cab of the car like a rag doll.

  When the car finally slammed to a jarring halt the vehicle was upside down. Aries sucked in a ragged breath and tried to scramble for the busted out rear window, but her limbs refused to obey. Something warm was pouring into her eyes and the heat of it matched the melting feeling in her limbs. She knew she was passing out and tried to fight it, but the most she was able to do was to moan weakly before her head slumped forward on her sprawled hands and everything went black.

  Chapter 24

  “Is she alive?” Conn couldn’t control the tremble that seeped into his voice. Icy fingers of fear gripped him and clawed painfully at his soul. His body was tensed, his eyes closed as he prepared for the worst.

  “She’s alive Commander, but she’s in rough shape. You should get here soon.”

  Barely registering Monroe’s last words Conn’s eyes welled with relief. His head dropped and he drew in a slow breath allowing his chest to expand and his heart contracted painfully at the action.

  York eyed Conn before issuing orders. “James, you and Shane find Remy. The Commander and I are heading to StoneCrow. We want him found without fail.”

  “You got it,” James slapped Shane on the shoulder, “Let’s go bro.”

  The two Walkers shifted and took flight.

  York stared at his Commander. It was the first time he’d ever seen him unable or unwilling to issue orders. “Shift Sir, Monroe said we need to get there soon.” York shifted and took flight hoping that Conn would follow his lead. Several moments later York was relieved to be flanked by his Commander as the two raced for StoneCrow.

  Conn felt several mental nudges as multiple Walkers attempted to contact him through the mist. He permitted none. If it was bad news about Aries, he didn’t want to hear it until he was able to see for himself, and if it wasn’t about Aries than it didn’t matter.

  He beat his wings hard and York strained to keep up. To keep from thinking about Aries lying broken in the infirmary he thought of Remy instead and the thousand ways he’d hurt the Walker if Aries died. Even if she lived, and he prayed she did, he still intended on hurting the Walker. Remy McCabe would regret ever having touched what belonged to Conn Drago! He ignored the little voice inside his head that tried to remind him that she wasn’t actually his, that he’d bound her on her insistence to impede the effects of his affliction.

  The flight was rapid yet silent and in under an hour Conn dropped to the roof of main estate house of StoneCrow. He didn’t wait for York as he jerked open the door that led down into the building. His booted feet thudded loudly as he raced down to the main floor of the west wing where the infirmary was located. His blood began to rush through his veins and his adrenaline roared to life. He hoped Aries hadn’t died on his flight to her, and he hoped for everyone else’s sake that they stayed the fuck out of his way.

  When he hit the main floor he shoved the door from the stair well open and it crashed loudly against the stone wall behind it. He didn’t care. He stomped to
ward the infirmary, glowering at the nurses that stopped to gape at him before they scurried away. He’d always hated the scent of the infirmary. It smelled sterile, like a mixture of drugs and cleaning products. Having only ever been to the infirmary for negative reasons, the scent always invoked a sense of dread. Snorting, he tried to clear the sting of the strong aroma from his nostril before he began breathing through his mouth. Hearing footfall quickly approaching from behind he didn’t turn knowing it was York.

  The two large men stormed down the hall.

  Chief of Surgery Jenny Arkinson stepped out from a room and her eyes darted around the hall until they locked on Conn. “Commander Drago, a word before you enter.”

  York doubled his pace and effortlessly lifted Dr. Arkinson out of Conn’s way seconds before the Commander rushed past and entered the room she’d just exited.

  Behind him he heard the Doctor squealing, “Put me down! He can’t just barge in there!”

  He entered the room and turned quickly locking the door behind him. When he turned back he was met with a long white curtain that had been pulled to block the patient from view of the doors. Drawing in a slow breath he instantly scented Aries’ blood. His heart skipped a beat and he tried to steady his hand that had a firm grip on the curtain even as his ears picked up the rhythmic beeping of a machine he recognized as a heart monitor.

  In the hall his ears picked up Monroe’s alarmed voice, “What’s going on?”

  Jenny’s voice was shrill in response. “Conn’s with her.”

  He heard York’s fierce growl, “Don’t even think about it!” He knew his second in command would keep everyone out.

  Conn slowly peeled back the curtain and when his eyes settled on Aries’ fragile form the air rushed out of his lungs and he dropped to one knee. His head dipped and he fought to hold back his tears. His breathing had increased and he couldn’t control the emotion that overwhelmed him. For long moments he stayed down trying to regain his composure. When he was finally able to control the tremble in his fingers, he blinked back his emotion and slowly stood before he approached his angel.