by LJ Swallow
I lower my voice and tell Heath, “I’m gonna find Breanna and talk to her.”
He nods and continues his conversation with Joss and Vee.
I walk across the room in another attempt to corner her, but Breanna steps to one side and into a new conversation.
I halt next to a group, and after ten minutes forced to chat about their boring lives, I catch sight of Heath staring at me from across the room. I frown as he holds his hands at waist height and subtly points to the right, and the doorway. Turning my head, a sure of adrenaline joins my surprise.
Logan.
He's with his wife again, immediately and enthusiastically greeted by a younger couple who evidently know him. If we stand out, Logan eclipses us in his tailored suit. He’s taller than the average human, and the fae has made no attempt to disguise his unusual appearance. Gazes are drawn to the unusual man with bronze eyes and pale blond hair. I make a hasty excuse to the man droning on about hedge funds—which I've finally figured out isn’t a business related to gardening—and weave through the people back to the guys and Vee.
"What the fuck?" I whisper.
"This is good," replies Ewan. "This proves there's a link between them all. He obviously knows people here."
"And Alasdair," puts in Heath. "He must do."
"Has Alasdair arrived yet?" I crane my head, watching Logan approach the red-haired demon as I scan the room. "Whoa. Okay. Could he be any more public?"
The familiarity between the two is confirmed when Breanna greets him with a warm smile, and he kisses her on the cheek.
"Why behave like that when they know we're here?" I ask. “Right in front of us all.”
"Because they want you to see, of course." Seth steps from where he's hidden himself in the corner of us and pushes his glasses against his face. "Who is this man you’re all staring at? The fae I've heard you talking about recently?"
We haven't spoken about Logan, or what happened with Mac, in detail, but he's heard the name. I suspect Vee has shared who Logan is, because she looks at the floor rather than at me. I can't blame her. Seth is smart at extracting information.
I nod. "Yeah. Logan. Portia's adviser."
"But you said the girl was a demon. You told me fae don't like demons." A woman a few feet away throws Seth a curious look, and I make a hand gesture to indicate he should keep his voice down.
"Correct. Joss? Vee? Any others here?"
Joss shakes his head. "Honestly, I can't feel any more demons around."
"What the hell is this Alasdair guy doing? Do you think he knows he's working with demons?"
"Oh yeah. Us humans? We’re really good at picking up on supernatural creatures we don't believe exist." Seth snorts. "Or maybe he knows, and he’s sold them his soul or whatever. Could be how he’s so wealthy and good-looking."
"People don't sell their souls to demons," sneers Ewan. "Don’t believe what you learn from TV shows and movies."
"Some people will do whatever it takes to get what they want."
"Drop the cryptic shit, Seth," he snaps back. "I'm not in the mood."
"Just saying. Sometimes people are made an offer they can't refuse."
Ewan tips his head and looks at me. When Seth breaks long silences with statements like this, he doesn't help with our trust issues.
"Really? Did someone make you an offer you can't refuse?" Ewan asks him.
All eyes turn to Seth who taps the edge of his wine glass and stares at the floor. "No."
I exchange another glance with Ewan. Lying bastard. I look to Vee for confirmation, but she shakes her head and mouths "truth" at me.
Shit.
"Forget this distraction." I jerk my head in Logan's direction. "We need to get him somewhere for a cosy chat."
Seth drains his glass, before grabbing another from a passing tray held by the waitress.
"Did Logan see you?" Vee asks.
"I don't know, but he'll expect us to be here. Heath. Come with me."
We leave the other four and walk back to the table laid with food, then take plates and watch Logan from our vantage point. He doesn't move from talking to Breanna, although his wife has moved on to flirt with a younger guy nearby.
I believed Mac, but now I have confirmation. Logan is working against Portia with the Order. Demons and fae are involved with whatever the hell is happening with this charity and are linked to Nova Pharm. Why? And why the fuck are they killing humans and flaunting their alliance in front of us?
Things are adding up, but I can't figure out the whole equation. I will by the end of tonight because this guy isn't leaving my sight.
"What's the plan?" Heath asks.
"We let Logan know we're here—when he leaves, we follow him. I'm damn sure he'll lead us into something else they've planned for us."
"Then that needs all five of us."
"No. We'll follow Logan, see where he goes, then head back for the others. I think it's better some of us stay here to watch what's happening in the room. Again, in case the idea is to get us all away from here."
“Or they might want to split us up?”
I drag a hand through my hair. “Yeah. Could be either, but this is how I want to handle it.”
Heath looks as if he’ll protest, but then sighs. "I'll tell the others."
As he walks away, I lick crumbs from my fingers, fired up and ready for this. Finally, Logan turns his head and meets my eyes. We hold each other’s gaze, unblinking and silent, and the world falls away. But this isn't star-crossed lovers whose eyes meet across a crowded room, this is a mutual understanding.
Shit is about to change.
20
VEE
The evening begins with the room filled by soft, polite conversation and English reservation, but as the time passes, the volume grows and laughter becomes more raucous. I switch from wine to orange juice. It’s harder to avoid telling the truth with too much alcohol in my system.
Logan’s arrival shocked the guys and me. My mind flooded with the feelings Logan gave me the last time I saw him, but I managed to push down the doubt and fear. He’s linked to demons. Of course he was lying that night. Xander spent the best part of the evening stalking him; the people in the room are the jungle he has to work through—or the prey for Logan and the demons. We don’t know which yet.
After an hour, Xander and Logan’s stand-off ended as Logan left the room, without his wife, and with Breanna. How could Logan and his wife be close to Portia and not arouse suspicion? Unsurprisingly, Xander and Heath followed minutes later. We’re all aware that any of these actions could be a ploy, but Death and War are the best to step after them. Despite their sibling issues, they’re the most in sync and strongest.
We'll have plenty of chances to dig around if we're here all weekend, but I think that's the issue. Xander wants evidence now, and to leave as soon as possible. I’m surprised Alasdair hasn’t made an appearance yet; he struck me as a guy who’d enjoy being the life and soul of an expensive party he organised.
Ewan and Joss have positioned themselves in a better vantage point, and I’m left with Seth.
Seth barely says two words to anybody after his strange words to Ewan, and his face flushes as he drinks enough wine for both of us. His silence is joined by perspiration crossing his brow, and he sways before finally slumping onto a nearby seat.
"Seth, you need fresh air."
He looks back at me, his pale blue eyes awash with the wine he’s drunk.
"I don't usually drink much, Vee. I think I had too much."
"Uh huh." I help him to his feet. "Let's take a walk into that bracing November weather. That'll slap some sobriety into you."
He smiles back at me. "Yeah. What about the guys? Won't they be worried?"
"What about?"
"You and me disappearing. You should tell one of them."
"Oh. Hang on."
I walk over to Ewan, whose boredom level matches Joss beside him. "Guys, I'm taking Seth out for some air." Ewan opens his mout
h. "Don't follow me. You're supposed to be keeping an eye on things while Xander and Heath aren't around."
Ewan straightens and cranes his head to look at Seth, now leaning forward with his head in his hands. "DoomGeek can't hold his drink, huh?"
"I don't blame him for trying to blank his mind for a few hours," I say. “I’ll take him outside before he pukes on the floor.”
"Don't be long," Ewan warns. "I don't like the idea of you alone with him."
"I think we all know I can defend myself. He also knows he'd take his life in his hands if he did try anything."
Joss laughs. "Oh, yeah."
Leaving them, I return to Seth, and we head along the dimly lit hallway, past the walls covered in local landscape paintings, towards the large entrance hall. Seth hunches over, hands in his pockets as he stares at the ground.
"The carpet is moving," he mutters.
I look down too, at the circular gold pattern against the burgundy. "I hope you're not going to vomit."
Seth doesn't speak again until we break out into the frosty evening. He draws in a lungful of air. "Thank fuck for that."
I cross my arms around my body to keep warm and watch the guy stumble backwards and sit on a wall. He grips the bricks and stares at the ground.
"I need to leave, Vee," he mumbles.
"If you want, I can make sure you get back to the room safely. Sleep this off, and hopefully, you’ll be okay tomorrow."
"No," he says to the ground. "You need to help me get away from them. I can't do this anymore."
"I can’t do that, and I don't think you should try, Seth. You've seen what's out there."
He looks up and removes his glasses, then rubs his nose. "But that's exactly why, because it’s worse here! Everywhere you go shit happens to you all. I want to take my chances somewhere else in case I get caught in the crossfire. If you want to come with me, I can help you too."
I perch on the cold brick beside him. "We went through this. I'm not going anywhere. You've seen I belong with the guys."
"You all keep saying this, but the whole set up is weird, Vee. I'm scared for you. The things they do, and the way they share you, and—"
"Whoa. Stop there. Nobody ‘shares’ me. In case you hadn't noticed, I'm the one who calls the shots. None of them would touch me without consent."
"Even my dickhead chaperone?" He places his glasses back on. "I said right from the start, I don't trust him. He's violent. Volatile."
"Xander or Ewan?" I say.
"Both. And that ‘Four Horsemen’ crap they spout. I don't know how they kill as efficiently as they do, but it's not magic. It's dangerous."
I cross my legs and look across the fields to the dimly lit buildings nearby, the sounds from the party distant in the building behind. The naked sky offers no protection against the cold, and the moon shines bright. How would I expect my logical friend to do anything apart from look for scientific answers?
"You saw the demons," I say. "You know something attacked you that wasn't human."
He sits up and looks at the sky. "I don't know what to think. I'm leaning towards military weapons, robotics, that shit."
"Which is as far-fetched as vampires and demons, really. Why believe one and not the other?"
Seth hiccups. "Okay. Whatever. But do you trust them?"
"Yes."
"And they trust you? Because I don't think they do. I've heard them talk about you."
I straighten. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know. I don't understand a lot of what they discuss. The hacker guy. He keeps his distance, doesn't he? I know why."
My stomach lurches. "Why? What did he say?"
"Him and Xander. I heard them talking about the trouble you cause, and how they're worried you'll destroy them."
"They wouldn't say that!" But my mind harks back to Xander's accusation on the night he discovered the secrets I kept about the Warehouse. Is he still harbouring that?
I lower my voice. "Who said I'd destroy them?"
"They both did. They want to test you, but I didn't catch how. Vee, seriously, don't trust them. What if they hurt you?"
"They can't. They won't."
"Just saying. Be careful. I know you have the measure of Xander, but Ewan... he's weirder."
I laugh lightly. "They're all weird."
"Yeah, but the things he said about you..." Seth trails off.
"What?" I demand. "What did he say?"
Seth wrings his hands together and stares into the snow stretching across the front lawns, face impassive.
“Seth?”
"That he wouldn't allow you to destroy them all; that he'd destroy you first." Seth's voice is low, and his hands shake. "Now do you understand why I'm scared for you? For us?"
I run both hands across my head, heart racing as I deny his words. This isn't true. It can't be. I would pick up from Ewan if he felt that about me.
But doubt creeps in. I can’t detect any lies from Seth. Not one word.
"Xander feels he's lost against you, because you've trapped him somehow, and Ewan doesn’t want to give you the chance. Seriously, these guys aren't normal."
"We know that," I snap, "and I think you misheard. The guys want us all united—to be stronger together."
"Please think about what I'm saying," says Seth. "Open your eyes."
"You're drunk," I reply. "Why cause trouble?"
Seth stands, unsteady on his feet. "I'm not trying to cause trouble. I’m trying to persuade you why we should leave. We can take one of their cars. Go now. Vee, please." He takes my hand between his cool ones. "I've watched people I know die. I don't want to see you hurt."
"I won't get hurt.”
"How can you be so sure?" He looks back, unblinking. "How do you know?"
I pull my hands away and stand. "Seth. Stop this."
Footsteps approach along the stone path behind, and I glance around. A couple, hand in hand, pass by. I flinch in surprise as he puts both hands on my face, his voice and look earnest. "Vee. Please listen to me. Help me. Help us."
“Seth! Stop this!” My voice projects around us, and from the corner of my eye, I see a figure dressed in a dark coloured suit emerge from the shadows. Ewan seizes Seth's arm and drags him away.
"You okay, Vee?" Ewan asks, Seth's arm in a firm grip. "What's he doing?"
"He's drunk," I reply.
"And hitting on you? Not a smart move, dude." Ewan's voice drops to a growl.
"Why? Because you all own her?" laughs out Seth.
"Ewan!" I shout as I sense a flood of anger heading through him. "And Seth, I think you've said enough."
Ewan shoves Seth away from him, and Seth brushes at his suit sleeves.
"I think I need to sleep," Seth mumbles.
"This is a fucking joke," snaps Ewan. "We're here to watch what's happening. There’s bloody demons here, and a possible fae plot, and we spend time chasing after the moronic human."
"Take him back to the rooms," I suggest.
"He's supposed to stay with us. Xander wants—"
"Xander,” interrupts Seth as he walks off with a slight stagger. “Why do you all listen to him? Don't you ever think for yourselves?"
Ewan snaps his head around and calls, "If I don't agree with him, yes."
"The guy calls the shots, and you all do what he says. ‘Yes, Xander. No, Xander. Whatever you say, psycho Xander.’"
Seth, shut up.
Ewan strides to catch up with Seth. "Yeah? Why don't you tell me more about Casey? And your friends? Why didn't whoever killed them also kill you?"
Seth stops and tips his head to look at Ewan. "Thanks. That's just the reminder I need. I can be frogmarched around by a bunch of murderous mad men, or risk life on my own running from a different bunch of maniacs. Awesome."
Seth turns towards the coach house building again and forges forward with a drunken gait.
"He's the most ungrateful arsehole," mutters Ewan.
My system remains filled with confusion and an
ger at Seth's words. Why would Ewan say those things about me? "I'll go back with him."
Ewan grabs my wrist as I make to follow. "We both will. I'm not leaving you on your own with him."
"I won't be with him, just in the same building. Go back to Joss."
"No fucking way. Come on." Ewan stomps ahead, and I grit my teeth.
Seth wants to leave, but I doubt he'd stagger drunk through a Scottish estate, miles from the nearest town, in freezing November temperatures. I don't rate his survivalist skills.
21
VEE
I walk after the two guys, skin covered in goose bumps. Bloody good thing we're halfway there because I'm losing sensation in my hands. Seth heads straight for his room and slams the door before either of us can follow him.
Ewan stares as the wood almost hits his face.
"Are you going to stand outside as his sentry?" I ask as I unlock the door to my room.
Ewan looks between the two rooms and pushes hair from his face. "What are you doing?"
"Heading to bed. Why? Do you think you need to guard me too?"
"Huh?"
I close my eyes and rub my temples. I'm not drunk, but there's enough in my system for me to spill out what Seth told me if I don’t keep my mouth shut.
"Doesn't matter. I'll see you in the morning."
"What's wrong, Vee?"
"I'm just struggling a bit too. Feeling on the outside." I bite back saying anymore.
He places his hand on the door to stop me closing it. "Why do you feel on the outside? Has Xander been saying stupid shit again?"
"It doesn't matter, Ewan. Good night."
I turn and walk into the darkened room. As I head to the nightstand and switch on the light, the door clicks closed behind me.
Ewan's large frame takes up the doorway, face unclear in the dim. "You know you can talk to me if you need to."
"Can I?" I place down my handbag and kick off my shoes. "You're hard to talk to. Even harder than Xander, in a way."
"What way?"
"At least he shouts his thoughts and feelings at me, instead of harbouring whatever ones you do."
