I have a shower, brush my teeth and put a t-shirt and a pair of jeans on. The doorbell rings. I walk downstairs and let Tony in. His glare slides over my face.
“You look good,” he says as one corner of his lips crooks up.
“I feel good.” I gesture for him to sit at the kitchen table. “A cup of coffee? Tea?”
“A cup of tea, please.”
I put the kettle on. A boy’s face flashes through my head. No, not a boy’s—it’s his face. What was his name again? Coyote? Yes, his name is Coyote. I rub my hand on my forehead as sweat pricks the skin above my upper lip. He was in here. He cooked for me. He looked after me.
“Evelyn?”
“I’m fine.”
“You are not. Talk to me, woman.”
I make two cups of tea and join Tony at the table. “There was a boy.”
“Yeah, fifteen years younger than you.”
“Oh, shut up, Tony. That’s no crime.”
Tony raises his hands in a warding gesture, a grin playing on his lips. “That’s just my observation, and the truth is that I have nothing against him. He looked like a nice guy to me.”
“He is nice.” I prop my elbow on the table.
Why is Coyote not in here then? He should be in here. We were supposed to go out on a date. We were supposed to be together.
“Evelyn?”
Images shoot through my head as pain claws at me. I groan. I was in the Shadow Immortals’ clubhouse. I was… riding Coyote. Then that dick who looked like Kadmiel’s twin brother wanted to erase my memories. More images flood me. Ice fills my veins. Panic strangles my throat. He had… wings. Shimmery black angel wings.
“Evelyn, are you alright?”
I feel Tony’s hand squeeze my shoulder.
“Tony,” I shriek. “I need to tell you something. Promise me you’ll have an open mind.”
“You’re scaring me, woman.”
“Promise me.”
“Alright, I promise.”
I rise to my feet, lean against the cupboard and take a deep breath. My mind is cold. It wasn’t until now. I was like a drunken teenage girl until now.
Now, I’m Detective Evelyn Smith. I’m a bitch that wants to get her answers.
“I worked with a psychic,” I start as embarrassment rolls over me.
“I know.”
“You know?” My jaw drops open.
“It was Gabriel, right? I’ve seen him a few times near the crime scenes we attended.”
“I—“
“Your grandfather worked with him. Your father worked with him.”
My heart freezes. “What?” Shock rolls over me, causing my heart to race.
“I did some investigation, but my findings made me feel like I was a crazy person.” Tony threads his fingers through his hair as his jaw muscles twitch. “He doesn’t age, Evelyn.”
“How do you know this?”
“Your grandfather had a photo with Gabriel. It was taken fifty years ago.”
My blood pumps in my ears and my breath stops in my throat. “I think I met more of them,” I gasp.
“Them?”
“A whole circus, Tony. Girls college age that are mothers and grandmothers.”
“Jesus Christ.” His face is as pale as the wall in my kitchen. “There’re some urban legends. Very convincing and vivid urban legends in fact.”
“The Shadow Immortals MC? You’re talking about the guys from the old factory in the woods?”
“You met them?”
He doesn’t even try to hide his morbid curiosity. He’s always been interested in supernatural stuff, but at the same time, he has a cold police brain that makes a really good cop out of him. I’ve always laughed at him until I met Gabriel and we found a missing kid while the police were helpless. Right, now I know Tony’s unique hobby is much more than that—it’s part of him.
I nod. “Yes.”
“Where’s the compound?”
I try to focus, but my mind is blank. I think Conah put in a lot of effort in order to wipe the directions away from my mind. Another memory wavers in my head—I’m in the Salvation Ghosts’ bar. Uri is leaning over me and cleaning up my head. “Fuck.”
Now, everything makes sense. Coyote can’t be with me because he’s one of them. He’s… an immortal.
I feel stupid and betrayed. More than that. It’s like some mortal threat is lurking in the shadows, causing fear to creep inside me, and at the same time like I’ve found a holy grail.
“They might be dangerous,” Tony says.
“They’ve been here since forever, Tony. I think they’re good people. Gabriel is an asshole, but deep down he’s a good man. I know this.”
Tony nods. “Gabriel’s been helping the local police for generations.”
Now, I remember that Reagan just vanished from the café’s bathroom. She’d spent two days in the woods before Gabriel and I found her, and she was fine. A grey wolf was with her. She called him Coyote.
Chills go down my spine. A shifter? No, that’s not possible.
No—
It is possible until I find the evidence that it’s not. I want to investigate this case. The fear of unknown mixes with excitement inside my chest. I’m a cop. It’s in my blood. I’m gonna fucking find out what’s going on here.
I clear my throat. “What about this? You and I will have lunch and then we’ll visit the Salvation Ghosts’ clubhouse?”
“Can’t wait.” Tony rubs his hands together.
I open the freezer to find something for our lunch while Tony calls Sandra and tells her he’ll be back home in the evening. I can hear her sharp voice as she asks a lot of questions. Tony soothes her and promises her to explain everything in the evening.
“It’s a big case, Sandra,” Tony says. “Not some eavesdropping on a bunch of ghosts.”
My God. I can’t believe it. Sandra is part of this madness.
Tony says a yes five times and then a no six times as Sandra’s burbling hurts my ears.
“Tell her we’re taking her with us,” I growl.
“Thank you, Evelyn,” Sandra yells on her end.
So, it’s sorted. I cook lunch and Sandra arrives at my place an hour later. They have no kids so nobody is going to be abandoned. Tony is sterile and they’re thinking of adoption.
That’s why they have such an eccentric hobby, I guess.
Chapter 9
Evelyn
Sandra strides into my kitchen. A few pieces of antique equipment are popping out of her fringed bag that she has hanging over her shoulder. She looks like a hippie, always has—long blonde hair that reaches down to her waist, blue eyes and colourful clothes comprising a flowery dress and a patterned jacket the colour of rust.
I feel betrayed and sad. “You never told me, Sandra.”
“You were busy,” she says as her voice stirs. “You’re always so busy and so down to earth.”
“I am not,” I snap. “You should have told me. We’re best friends.”
Yes, we were once best friends. We lost it a few years ago. I call her once a month and we see each other twice a year.
Sandra purses her lips as she shakes her head.
“Sit down,” I growl. I feel like the shittiest best friend in the world. “And let’s eat.”
We eat our lunch as Sandra asks me a thousand questions. It’s clear to me that Tony keeps no secrets from his wife. She knows everything about his life and his job, but that’s as it should be, I guess. They’re soul mates. They should know everything about each other.
After our lunch, I fill my dishwasher with the dirty plates and make myself ready for our trip. Tony convinces Sandra to leave her equipment at my house. We take his car. After an hour drive, he parks in front of the Salvation Ghosts’ clubhouse. We get off and he’s the first to enter the bar. I feel unnerved. The hairs on my back rise. It’s like exploring the mystery of the universe. Like seeking God. Or like seeking Death.
The sight of the bar almost knocks me off my fe
et. In a positive way. I can’t see any club girls. I can’t see any customers.
I can see Gabriel polishing the bar countertop with a dampened cloth and Reagan stretched out on the couch. Well, that’s definitely as it should be.
Then I see Coyote sitting on a barstool. His eyes slide over me as though we’ve never met. Bastard. I’m going to show him who Detective Evelyn Smith is.
Gabriel and Reagan move closer to me to greet me.
“How are you, Reagan?” I ask, hugging her.
“Fine,” she mumbles.
I’m aware that she’s one of them. Now, I can see the unique features of her face—icy blue eyes that are not of human origins, a transparent green aura around her frame, her red hair that looks like a flame. I’ve never seen such an intense hair colour before.
Gabriel’s appearance brings images of marble sculptures to my head. He looks menacing in an unearthly way. And that glowing skin of his. Now, I can see that delicate glow like his skin can reflect the sunlight. His green aura is similar to Reagan’s.
Mike emerges from behind the stairs and walks over to us.
“What a surprise,” he says. His cold eyes fix on mine. “Sit down, you all.” He looks at Gabriel.
“Reagan, go upstairs,” Gabriel says.
She raises her hands and opens her mouth as though she wants to protest, but Gabriel mouths something to her and she walks off.
A thought courses through my head like an arrow. They know that I know. Primal fear stirs inside me.
I step back, bouncing off Sandra. A sense of threat wafts through the air.
“Sit down,” Mike says, his tone commanding.
I guess, we should be obedient. We’re no match for them. Tony wraps his arm around his wife in a protective gesture, shooting me an alarmed glance. We drop onto a couch as Gabriel, Mike and Coyote stand in front of us.
“Who did such a shitty job?” Mike asks, jutting his chin out towards Coyote.
“Grandpa Conah,” Coyote says. His eyes lock on mine as his jaw muscles twitch. “She’s stronger than we thought she would be.”
He pisses me off. I’m not an item. I’m a person.
Mike puts his hand on the back of his neck. “We need to fix this.”
I can hear Tony’s and Sandra’s gasps of fear.
“Don’t touch us,” I say.
“Evelyn,” Mike says. “Be sensible. We don’t want to kill anyone.”
“Good to know,” Tony says with a hint of humour to cover his fear.
“We’ll wipe your memory, that’s all,” Gabriel says.
“That would be violating my human rights,” Sandra squeaks. “If you want to be accepted by humans, you have to respect the human law.”
“I can either wipe your memory or slit your throat, sweetheart,” Mike says as a wide grin crosses his face.
Sandra squeals like a mouse and shudders, curling up into Tony.
Mike steps towards me. I let out a growl. Yes, a warning growl as though I’m a wolf. It’s like it has come from my primal part. I feel strong like never before. Pissed off like never before. I feel the urge to protect what’s mine. My memories belong to me. My love belongs to me. Nobody is gonna take this from me. My muscles contract as my eyes zero in on the gap between Mike and Gabriel. My elemental instincts kick me as a footballer’s foot would and I shoot through the gap, landing on all fours. I rise to my feet in one quick motion and run out of the bar.
“Evelyn,” Coyote says behind me, causing me to stop. “What are you doing?”
I turn to face him. “You tell me.” I roll my fingers into fists. “I look fifteen years younger. I have no brain while I’m around you. I’m as fast as a wolf, and I know who you people really are.”
And I just left my cousin and his wife at Mike’s and Gabriel’s mercy. Good job, Detective Evelyn Smith. Very noble of you.
“Evelyn.” Coyote shakes his head, resignation wavering in his glance.
“What? I just want to know the truth before your club brothers wipe my memory again.”
“You know the whole truth.”
“You’re a wolf, right? The one I met in the woods when Reagan disappeared?”
“Yes.”
“And your family? Are they wolves as well?”
“My family is a mix of everything.”
“Fair enough.” Something strangles my throat. “You and me? You wanted only a one-night stand?” Do I really need to be so pathetic?
“No,” he growls and it’s so violent and feral that I shudder.
“So, why can’t we be together? We love each other, right? We’re perfect for each other.”
“My love will kill you.” There’s so much pain and anger in his voice that tears prick my eyes.
“Is this all because of my human origins?”
“No, this is all because of my origins.” He averts his eyes for a moment and takes a deep breath. “I’m Balance, Evelyn. I’m not meant to mate.”
“Mate?”
He chuckles. “Mate. No woman is strong enough to handle my life and my love.”
I feel like a cosmic force is yanking me to him. I fall into his arms and he shelters me as though it’s the end of the world.
“Don’t take my memories from me,” I sob. “I want to keep them. I won’t cause any trouble, I swear. Just don’t take this from me. It’s all I have. Please.”
I don’t understand what he is or why we can’t be together, but deep down I know we’re not meant to be together. I just want to keep the memories of my lost love. I love him so much. I want to keep this.
Coyote kisses my head. “Go home, Evelyn, and live your life out the best you can.”
“I will, I promise.”
Our gazes meet. He flashes me a warm smile and pushes me gently away. I see Tony and Sandra walk out of the clubhouse. They look deliriously happy.
“What a wonderful place,” Sandra twitters. “We should pop in here more often, Tony. The owners are so nice and generous.”
Tony and Sandra get in the car, settling themselves into the back seat and I see them fall asleep. Coyote bows his head at me.
“Go, Evelyn.”
“I don’t want to,” I shriek.
“I know.”
“I love you. I really do.”
“I love you too.”
My first boyfriend’s death hurt like this or similar to this. Pain crushes my chest and makes me breathless. From now on, I will live my tiny human life. I will die one day, but Coyote will still walk this earth. Will still remember me. The pain of loss darkens his face and I want to take this away from him so he doesn’t suffer. I can suffer. I’m a big girl. But him? I just want to make him feel happy, to ease whatever baggage he’s carrying on his back. It’s clear to me that he’s part of something important, something beyond my human understanding. But I’m only a human. I’m not meant to help him. Thank God, he has such a wonderful family to support him.
“You’ll be alright, Evelyn.”
I bob my head. “Take care of yourself.”
“You too.”
I nod and settle myself behind the steering wheel. I wave my hand and drive off.
Chapter 10
Coyote
Gabriel lays his hand on my shoulder. “Sorry, Kid.”
“It’s better this way.”
Gabriel wrinkles his forehead. “We’re trying to find a way.”
“Everyone is trying to find a way, but the truth is there’s no other way but to forget about her.”
“Everyone to church,” Raphael growls behind me.
I turn around and shuffle over to the basement where the office is. We spread around the table and Raphael starts church.
“There’s navy-eyed shit to sort out,” Raphael says as his dark green eyes bore into me. “You, Kid.”
I nod. “Aye, Prez.” It looks like I’m gonna have my first serious assignment as the Salvation Ghosts’ prospect.
“Humans must always remain oblivious,” Raphael continues in a matte
r-of-fact tone, “but our lovely detective is a smart chick and she knows she should keep her mouth shut so I’ll just keep an eye on her.” His face softens as a grin crosses his face only to be replaced by a mask of ruthlessness the next moment. “Uriel, take Kid and deal with two navy-eyed scumbags residing in the mountains.”
Uriel and I salute him.
Raphael gives a few more orders and our church ends. Uri and I walk out of the clubhouse and jump onto our bikes. Uri’s black eyes start burning with rage. We’re gonna spill blood after all.
We rev up the engines and Uriel’s bike shoots forward. I follow him closely behind. We meander through the woods and then ride along the motorway. Two hours later, we park at the bottom of a mountain. The scumbags reside in one of the caves. My primal part can sense them. The evilness they exude wafts through the air like an electric current. Uri gestures for me to part, and we immerse ourselves into the density of vegetation that slithers up the mountain in snake-like branches and prickly nests. Adrenaline fills my veins. My wolf stirs in excitement. My wolf loves a simple life and simple jobs like the one I’m going to do right here and now.
I allow my instincts to guide me as my nostrils fill with the dense smell of evil. My muscles tense up. An urge to kill causes me to pick up the pace.
A figure emerges from a wall of bushes the dirty yellow colour. I come to an abrupt stop and steel myself. My eyes slide over the figure. It’s a demon. A female demon to be precise.
She raises her hands, holding them vertically as her navy eyes shine like the midnight sky. Her long black hair waves as she flashes me a provoking smile. She’s wearing a khaki tank top and has no bra on. Her black leather trousers are stuffed in heeled boots.
“You’re gonna die,” I say, my mind cold.
The bitch is a ruthless killer. She spills innocent blood for fun.
“Not today, Wolf.” She juts her chin out to her left. “Behind you,” she mouths and winks at me.
I sense a demonic motherfucker at once. My body rotates as I sweep my hand and dig my claws into the demon’s throat. A drop of his shimmery blood splashes against my forehead. His hand grips my wrist as he kicks my calves and we fall down. We roll on the mossy ground, clenched tight. From the corner of my eye, I notice the bitch tackle another man of her kind. I feel stunned for a split second. That’s enough time for my opponent to pierce my chest with his claws. A burning pain seizes my pec. We tumble over as he grips my throat and squeezes it. Blackness obscures my eyes as the sounds of the other fight drift to my ears.
Coyote: Salvation Ghosts MC (Defiant Love Saga Book 2) Page 6
