by Rachel Jonas
My body arched toward his and I’d never felt more at home than I did in that moment. He paused, taking his lips away as he held my face. We panted, struggling for air as the heat between us burned it away.
It was not in my plans to share so much, to own my feelings tonight, but they practically leapt straight from my heart to his ears. I’d been in denial for months, rationalizing away what was building within me, telling myself it was too much too soon, but that wasn’t true. Because we’d been entangled with one another for ages, lost in a love too powerful to fade.
He smiled against my lips and placed another kiss there.
“Good,” he breathed. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
We kissed again and I nearly caught fire from the inside out.
Just like that, the tide had shifted. I allowed my heart to be carried out into open water, uncertain of what would come next, unable to see what lie ahead. But, most of all, I was unable to deny I was in good hands.
The best.
Those of my warrior.
—Chapter Twenty-Five—
Nick
Beside me, a headful of brown hair rested on my shoulder as we neared the facility. We took back roads once inside Louisiana, an added precaution to ensure none of us could keep track of signs that might say which towns we passed through. Roz dozed somewhere around Magnolia, Mississippi, and I didn’t have the heart to wake her when she tipped in my direction. She was exhausted after all we’d squeezed into the last couple days of our two-week trip home to Seaton Falls.
The night at my grandfather’s hadn’t only changed me, it changed her, too. It gave us a clearer vision of the big picture. It shed light on our role in it as well as the roles of others. Suddenly armed with more information, we set out to get the last few pieces of the puzzle, and a major component was now hidden away inside the bag between my feet.
It started with a conversation between my father and I, and ended with me now having options … something I lacked just a week ago.
Among the info my dad shared were the details of my grandfather’s final hours in Limerick, Ireland, as stated by the young kid who witnessed everything.
It took place in an alley behind a pub my grandfather visited with Opal, but this was no vacation. Being out of the States served two purposes. For one, it kept The Reaper’s wrath steered away from the rest of our family, and it was also a stop on Grandfather’s hunt for the rings.
Unfortunately, he didn’t find them in time.
The kid described a big guy with dark, shoulder-length hair, a low-trimmed beard, and a heavy brow—Liam.
From the first line my father spoke, I knew it was him.
Opal was killed first, and for no other reason than to make my grandfather experience the pain of losing the woman he loved. I guess it was meant to be the final, grandiose gesture before ripping his throat out and standing over him until he bled to death. But Opal died for nothing. Taking her life—that of an innocent woman—was testament to the hollowness in Liam’s chest where a heart should have been.
I wasn’t the only monster.
Following this talk with my dad, I set out to find our clan’s coven. My grandfather’s untested theory was all I could think about and time was winding down. This had to be taken care of before returning to the facility where I’d, once again, be on lockdown, cut off from communication from the world. It was my hope that at least one might be willing to help; might be willing to undo the curse nature had placed on me.
And, luckily, I didn’t have to wait long for an answer. One by the name of Scarlet was more than eager.
She came to me just like Roz said she would after researching a method for summoning a magic wielder. It required the ash of a long-dead tree and eleven other ingredients that took nearly half the day to gather. I was alone, waiting on my grandfather’s property when she came to me.
Despite her being half my size, fear rose in me the moment she manifested, forming out of thin air after a thick, eerie fog rolled in. My breathing deepened and puffed into the chilled air like smoke from a fast-moving train. Her footsteps could be heard before I laid eyes on her—the freshly fallen snow crunching beneath her soles. She emerged from the shadows accompanied by the hollow clatter of naked branches shuddering in the wind. Not too far off in the distance, an owl hooted—the only living thing to be heard for miles.
Illuminated by moonlight, Scarlet approached.
“This had better be good,” she hissed with a sickeningly wicked smile.
A black patch covered her left eye, concealing an injury, or worse. But it wasn’t just her physical appearance that made my skin crawl—it was her presence in general. Like that of a soulless corpse, hollowed out on the inside.
“I need your help,” I stammered, taking two steps back for every one she took toward me.
That smile widened. “Well, obviously. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be standing here, now would I?” she taunted, keeping her hands hidden inside the dark cloak she wore.
“Why don’t we make this easier,” she said, her childlike voice contradicting the sense that she’d been here since the world first began. “Let me take a look for myself.”
Before I had the chance to run or even dodge the pale, slender hand outstretched toward me, she rushed in my direction at lightning speed, the toes of her hidden shoes dragging the snow. Using magic, she took no steps. She was simply several feet away one moment, and then right on me the next.
The second her palm flattened against my forehead I was powerless, paralyzed down to my feet as she stared into me with varying emotions crossing her face. When she finally did let go, something left my body, too. Like she’d taken a piece of me with her.
“Well, aren’t you interesting,” she smiled, adding, “And to answer your question … yes … I will help you.”
Confused, I stumbled back, trying to regain the strength she’d stolen a moment ago. “But I haven’t even told you what I need.”
Her thin lips parted with a grin. “Trust me … I know everything I need to know. I can take away the darkness.”
I froze.
“But it’ll cost you,” she added. “And I’ll need to collect my payment first.” There was a haunting chill to her tone, one she tried to mask with another smile. “Take it or leave it.”
“You’re not asking me to agree without knowing what you want in return, are you?”
All traces of humanity drained from her face.
“No, young Nicholas,” she hissed, knowing my name despite me never revealing it. There were mere inches between us. “I’m not … asking … you to do anything. These are my terms. Agree or suffer this curse.”
She was my only option and I knew it. She knew it. I had no other choice, no feasible alternatives.
So, reluctantly … I agreed
Placing my hand in hers, I was brought to my knees when her magic sealed this deal between us. Her icy breath—somehow icier than the December air—grazed my ear when she made clear what offering she expected in exchange for assisting me.
And there was no turning back now.
The bus jerked, pulling me from my thoughts. The memories of meeting Scarlet, of my father’s heart-wrenching retelling of my grandfather’s death, scurried to the shadows as I came back to the present.
My gaze shifted down toward the bag at my feet again and I thought of what lie in side—the piece that would soon change everything. Scarlet had placed a small, black satchel in my hand before we parted ways and I was given precise instructions on how to use it. When I was ready, all I had to do was unsheathe it and hold it in my palm. From there, she’d take care of the rest.
There was no snow on the ground here in Louisiana, but it was definitely colder than when we left for Michigan two weeks ago. Pulling up to the decoy house, we were told to stay put until the monitors came topside to escort us down.
I didn’t feel like being here. I missed my bed, missed football, even missed a few of my teachers. In short, I missed the way t
hings used to be. It was that longing for times past that made me certain going to Scarlet had been the right thing to do. And to top it all, her methods would fix not one, but two of my issues at the same time.
The only problem was that there would be fallout. However, connecting with my grandfather’s past, getting to understand him, I was able to keep things in perspective despite who might not understand my actions; despite who might not understand why this was necessary.
…Why it was fair.
I kept the details of my meeting secret from Roz, which she hated, but I knew better than to tell her everything. The less she knew, the less I’d have to worry about her getting in the way, getting hurt. From here on out, I had to see this thing through on my own. There would be time to explain and smooth things out with her later.
“Okay, clear out,” the driver announced over the speaker, startling Roz awake.
I waited for her to get her bearings and then grabbed my bag to follow her and the others off the bus. Chris and Lucas had both gotten new shoes for Christmas, so they were sporting them, of course. Beth’s hair was half a shade lighter, which meant she’d gotten it done while we were home. Most seemed refreshed, like they needed this break from being within the confines of the facility. Getting to see my family was nice, but it wasn’t exactly relaxing. I chilled with my brothers a few nights, dedicating the rest of my time to research and the accompanying legwork.
Several monitors were waiting the moment our feet touched soil. We were rounded up into groups and the rest of us waited as others were taken inside. I scanned the crowd, searching for a certain girl before catching myself.
That was over.
Completely.
I hiked my bag higher up my shoulders and, as I panned left, my vision snagged on a hard stare. My fists clenched on sight. Seeing Liam made everything I’d learned about him become real. I didn’t care what impression he left on Evie; he was a coldhearted killer.
“Come with me, please.”
I glanced up at the sound of a heavy, southern drawl. My arm was taken the next second. By Dallas, one of our combat instructors. He didn’t explain himself, just requested that I follow him.
Unsure of what was going on, I hesitated. “Something wrong?”
No answer. He simply repeated himself, but this time it was less of a request, more of a command.
I caught Roz’s eyes, noted the concern behind them. We had Lucas, Chris, and Beth’s attention, too, now.
“Don’t make a scene,” Dallas said quietly, only loud enough for me to hear. His expression stayed calm, even.
Liam continued to stare, maybe hoping I’d give him a reason to react. Little did he know, nothing would’ve pleased me more.
Dallas’ grip tightened and it didn’t surprise me that, when he used force, Roz stayed in step with us.
Dallas paused, sizing Roz up. “Stay put,” he ordered.
“No.” His gaze landed on me when I protested. “As long as you can promise she won’t be in any danger, she’s coming.”
He scanned us both again, but said nothing as we began to walk—neither confirming or denying.
We veered left, away from the front door. Instead, we took a side entrance I didn’t even know existed. Liam, a few feet ahead, led the way. I kept my eyes trained on him, all the while staying aware of Roz, making sure she wasn’t being led into a trap alongside me.
A dark, narrow staircase led several floors down as we left behind the ragged façade of the decoy house. Dallas pulled a walkie talkie from his hip and said two words to an unknown person at the other end.
“Open it.”
Right after, the sound of a heavy, metal door squeaking on its hinges in the distance. We turned a corner and dim, yellow light filtered from a room. As we neared it, a formidable shadow darkened the doorway. Closer, I recognized Kas, another combat instructor—a tall guy just as intimidating in appearance as Dallas.
He stepped aside, staring down his nose at me as I passed through. And there, inside at the end of a long conference table, sat Evie. Our eyes locked for a long moment and, in those fleeting seconds, I was all too aware of how much had changed between us. Even more since my brief return to Seaton Falls. She was so different—toward me, in general. There was no warmth in the look that passed my way. Only … indifference. Whatever I meant to her had been eclipsed by Liam’s overwhelming shadow. The process of battling her conflicting feelings for us had ended. What remained—little as it may be—was final.
It shouldn’t have bothered me that we were no longer close, but it did.
Without a doubt, it did. Especially as I struggled to understand what role she had to play in my being seized as soon as I stepped foot off the bus, brought down to what looked like an interrogation room.
Maybe that’s what this was.
“Sit,” Dallas mumbled, pointing me toward a seat. Roz took the one beside me. His gaze lifted to Liam before he spoke again. “Kas and I are heading up to get the kids in safely, then we’ll be back. Get me on the walkie if things take a turn,” he added, glancing at me when he did.
Liam gave a wordless nod, and then it was just the four of us—me, him, Evie, Roz.
A white laptop was turned toward me as he stood with folded arms, staring from across the table. On the screen, four paused videos—two of the facility’s perimeter, one in the entrance of the decoy house, another on an elevator.
Leaning back, I sighed. “What’s this about? I’m tired and need to unpack.”
Liam said nothing still, but he did move the mouse to the third clip, the one of the decoy house, and he pressed play. And then, within seconds, I understood why I’d been brought here.
The table creaked beneath Liam’s weight when he braced his hands against the surface, leaning in.
“Mind telling me what’s going on here? No one’s had topside privileges for months. And yet … looks like you strolled right on out of here just weeks ago.”
I took a deep breath and accidentally glanced at Evie again. Her expression had softened. She was confused, but not angry. No, Liam had the market on angry cornered all on his own.
“Say something before I choke the answer out of you,” he seethed through clenched teeth.
“You’re not the only shifter in this room,” Roz reminded him. A low hum in her throat was clearly the sound of a suppressed growl.
Liam didn’t even acknowledge the threat, keeping his eyes trained on me. “Where’d you go?” he asked. “And how’d you do it without triggering the alarms?”
My entire body went rigid, filling with heat as I remembered an item in my possession. Something that would more than level the playing field.
It would destroy it.
I stood and turned toward the door, prompting Roz to stand when I took her hand. “We’re leaving, and if I were you, I’d think twice about trying to stop us.”
Quick steps were the first sign he didn’t plan to heed my warning. The next was when the collar of my shirt was grabbed and my back was slammed to the wall. Roz’s hand pried from mine with the violent movement.
Evie was on her feet.
My chest rumbled and rage seeped from my bones. Nose to nose, I stared into the eyes of the one person on this planet I hated enough to kill.
“The only way you’re leaving here without giving me answers is on hands and knees, vomiting blood after I rip your intestines through your mouth,” he spat.
Energy vibrated through my limbs, reaching my fist, already savoring the feel of burying it in his face. Roz cut in, maybe sensing what would’ve come next if she hadn’t.
“He can’t give you an answer because he doesn’t have one,” she said in a rush, desperate.
Liam’s eyes narrowed, his brow lowering. “What’s she talking about?”
“He … he blacks out,” Roz explained.
I turned toward her, wishing she’d stop talking, but knowing she only said so much because she thought it might protect me. But I didn’t need protecting.
/> Slamming my palms against Liam’s shoulders, I shoved him away and slipped the bag down my arms. If a fight was going to break out, I was ready for it. I may have even been looking forward to it.
“How long’s this been happening?” Evie asked when Liam got beside himself with rage. I saw it in his eyes. I imagined this was similar to the last image my grandfather had seen before death.
My back tensed and I felt the material of my shirt becoming tighter as my body all but begged me to let it shift.
“Since the mutts; the day Maddox was killed,” Roz answered, casting a cold look Evie’s way. “He’s not conscious of what he does when he’s like that. This isn’t his fault. He’s not trying to hurt anyone.”
“Just what we need,” Liam hissed, “a rogue Liberator.”
“With all the lives you’ve taken, are you really the one to judge? All the blood you’ve shed?” I questioned.
He laughed, taking a step closer. “And I’ve been itching to add you to the list.” The bulging veins of his hands and wrists began to glow orange as heat waves rose from his skin, distorting the air around him. My inner wolf took notice and responded, forcing my teeth to extend. He took that as a challenge, a threat, just like I would have.
Because it was.
“Get help!” Evie screamed. The next second, Roz darted for the door.
A loud clash of thunder … that’s the sound that filled the room when we collided, sending the long table flying to the other side like it weighed nothing.
His face was like stone against my fist when I swung. Instead of the hit taking him down, he smiled, drawing back too quickly to dodge. The blow struck my chest and air wheezed from my lungs. Before I could recover, another to the chin and I staggered back.
My shoulders swelled and the threads of my shirt’s seams began to tear as it stretched again. I was shifting, but nowhere near quickly enough. His speed … it was impossible to get a step ahead of him. He came closer and I raised my arm to block him, but was again one second too late.
The walls of my throat stung when he gripped it, lifting me into the air. I knew all too well that this was his infamous finishing move, ripping the throats of his victims. This was exactly the way my grandfather met his end.
