by Rachel Jonas
“Can you just … check?” I asked hopefully, glancing at the pocket where a rectangular-shaped imprint had drawn my attention.
Several seconds passed, but then his fingers twitched a bit and I knew he was considering it. It wasn’t until he sighed deeply and reached toward his hip that I knew he caved.
“Make it quick,” he grumbled, glancing left and right before placing my one link to the outside world in my hand.
“Thank you,” I said in a rush, darting toward the back of my cell, already dialing Roz’s number.
It rang, and with each tone my stomach sank a little lower.
“Hello?”
The sound of her voice drew a deep breath from my lungs. Right away, I felt lighter, like a ginormous weight had been lifted off my shoulders. The darkness within even seemed to recede just a bit.
“Nick, is that you?” She was nearly frantic when asking, but kept her voice low. If I had to guess, word of my behavior had spread and her father wouldn’t appreciate me calling.
“It is, and I’m okay, but … I won’t be able to see you for a bit and I didn’t want you to worry,” I sighed, vaguely explaining my circumstances.
“Too late,” she replied, her voice clearly trembling when she went on. “I’m already worried. I can … feel it,” she explained.
I wasn’t sure what that meant, so I asked, “Feel what?”
“That you’re different,” she blurted. The words came without thought because she didn’t doubt them for a second. She knew I’d been triggered.
Because, like she said, she felt it.
I had no idea how that was possible, if it was normal or just an ‘us’ thing, or just a Roz thing.
“After I left your place this morning, when I got back home, there were people here,” she added, her words drawing my focus in completely.
“People?” I asked.
“Yeah. As in … an Elder, the Chancellor,” she added.
I frowned, immediately thinking this had something to do with me, with the bodies, or … something, but when she said more, I knew that wasn’t the case.
“Nick, I … there’s something you need to know,” she began. “Something’s happening to me. I told you some of it—like my dad not being able to control me like before—but … apparently there’s more to it than that,” she scoffed, sounding confused and distant. I couldn’t help but to wish I was there with her, in the flesh to comfort her through whatever this ‘something’ might have been.
“Are you … okay?” I asked, unable to deny my concern.
“I can’t really get into it right now, but I’ll try to explain when I can,” she promised, pivoting the conversation again the next second. “Is there anything I can do to help. Anything I can say to the Council?” she offered.
The question was sincere and the innocence of it brought out a smile I didn’t even know I had in me.
“I wish, but … no,” I sighed. “I don’t think there’s anything anyone could say at this point.”
The reality of that was all I could think about until Roz spoke again.
“Well, what changed?” she asked. “What made the switch get flipped? Was it the bodies?”
My eyelids drifted closed as I recaptured that moment, the instant the intent of my visit had gone from wanting to warn Evie, to wanting to feel her blood on my hands.
“Evie’s … she’s … there’s a kid,” I forced out, painfully aware of how hard those words were to say.
It was more than just feeling ashamed that my sinister intentions to kill became even more wicked knowing she carried a child. It was also strange to think of her in that way. Strange to think of what this all said of her deepening connection to Liam.
A familiar feeling pinged in the center of my chest and I forced it into submission with the acknowledgement of what it was—a stray trace of emotion that had no place in my life for so many reasons.
Jealousy.
Roz had grown to mean something to me, more than what I ever saw coming. Plus, I’d long since accepted that Evie and I were only ever meant to be friends. Still, there was no denying the burn I felt at the thought of how this all came to be.
Her.
Together with him.
Close in ways I always tried to convince myself she wouldn’t even consider. However, the proof was the second heartbeat. It made it impossible to ignore that they were intimate in every sense of the word.
At the sound of Roz’s voice, I realized my fists were clenched into tight fists.
“What are the Elders saying?” she asked, that quaking in her voice still evident.
I shook my head as if she were here in the flesh, having this conversation face-to-face.
“They haven’t said anything yet. At least not to me,” I added, glancing up toward Richie as he paced.
“Isn’t there a way we can—”
I cut her off, knowing the rest of that statement was about to infect us both with false hope.
“No, there’s nothing,” I said flatly. “And I have to end the call. I shouldn’t even be doing this, I just … I wanted you to know I was okay,” I explained, adding more than I intended to share just a moment ago. “And I wanted … I needed to hear your voice.”
Roz was silent on the other end, maybe letting the full breadth of the situation sink in.
“Promise you’ll send word whenever you can? However you can?” she added.
“Of course,” I promised.
A lingering silence hinted that we both had more to say, but then the line went dead. Over the last few months, my feelings for Roz had deepened more than either of us saw coming. However, expressing those feelings hadn’t been easy. And now, the idea of telling her under these circumstances—while I was locked in this cage, while she was dealing with her own stuff—would have been the worst possible timing yet.
“Everything good?” Richie asked when his phone was safe in his pocket.
I let go of a sharp breath before answering. “She’s safe. That’ll have to be enough for now.”
I didn’t mention what she said about an Elder and the Chancellor being at her house when she made it home this morning.
Richie nodded and I knew him well enough to recognize he was at a loss right now. He’d gotten so used to being in control and having all the answers, he didn’t seem to know quite what to say in this moment—when my freedom, my life, hung in the balance.
“I’ll uh … I’ll get back as soon as I can with updates,” he blurted. “Me and some of the guys are heading out to take care of something in a bit.”
I stared at his feet when he turned, not understanding what there was for him to take care of. However, I could only focus on the fact that an he’d be on his way soon, leaving me down here to go insane in the silence.
His gaze lifted to meet mine when he spoke again. “I’m doing everything I can, Nick.”
The promise was heartfelt, and I knew he meant it. For now, it was the only thing I could cling to.
I passed a dim, cynical smile his way when I nodded. “I know. Be here when you get back.”
Chapter Two
Liam
The number of guards outside had tripled since morning, and rightfully so considering how our circumstances changed. This—the sitting, the waiting—was unnerving. It wasn’t in my nature to sit idle, but rather to take action in times like these. And now, with the arrival of nightfall, it was time to do just that.
The first step toward retaliation was a recon mission. We had to see what we were up against. Sebastian had already made two bold statements—the flood, and then the bodies left to rot on the property of the Stokes estate. Meanwhile, we’d done nothing, but that would finally change once we knew what tricks he had up his sleeve. And as soon as we did, a hell storm would be unleashed on him, on his army.
I’d make sure of it.
We had it on good authority the Sovereign was holed up about thirty miles north in Ridge Borough—a now abandoned fishing town just off the shore of L
ake Huron. There hadn’t been residents to speak of in decades, so the landscape was mostly historical landmarks and dilapidated buildings; perfect for a band of murderers needing to hide out while plotting their next move in secret.
The guys and I were done being spectators as things went awry in Seaton Falls, done waiting for the Council to give the command to strike. They might disapprove of our insubordination, but so be it. Tonight, fewer than a dozen of us would take matters into our own hands, doing what we deemed necessary to protect those we love—with or without the Council’s permission.
On several occasions, I heard Elise, Hilda and others mention that our war was soon to begin. This was clearly the opinion of those who had limited engagement in combat. They hadn’t stared war in its cruel, dark eyes like I had. More often than not, it came quietly. Not in a storm of battle cries or courageous stampedes toward the enemy. The war Sebastian waged on us had been underway for quite some time already. Starting when he showed up in Seaton Falls with ill-intent, attempting to capture Evangeline, instead settling for me. Again, when he wreaked havoc on the residents by flooding the valley. War wasn’t just about massive displays of firepower or hand-to-hand engagement. While I was sure it would one day come to a heated crescendo … this fight had arrived at our door months ago.
The motive behind his latest tactic—dead bodies littered across the lawn—was unclear, but it was a threat nonetheless. Whether one to the entire clan or Nick personally, we couldn’t let it go unchecked. Doing so would send a message of weakness, passivism. Sebastian made it known he’d only keep hitting us harder and closer to the heart each time.
This fact made tonight’s mission one-hundred-percent necessary, and the guys all agreed—Elise’s boys, Dallas, the Stokes brothers. Our hands were tied for a while, but now that our numbers had swelled, we stood a chance at turning things in our favor.
Finally.
The only thing that kept me sane while waiting for the signal to head out was lying here, holding Evangeline in the darkness. As if she knew the power being near her had over me, warmth spread through my chest when she nestled her head against it. The others had left us in peace for the better part of the day, although I knew that hadn’t been an easy thing to do. Their concern for her ran almost as deep as mine.
Especially now that their concern was no longer just for her, but also … for the child.
Our child.
The stark contrast of life and death surrounding us was difficult to fathom, starting with the information Nick had come to deliver. Seeing him triggered brought back memories that were always so alive inside my head they hardly felt like memories at all. They were more like nightmares I relived every day with my eyes wide open.
Every time Evangeline smiled.
When I held her.
I’d never forget seeing that beast flee with her clasped beneath his arm, stealing more from me than just a physical body.
She was my entire life.
My gaze lowered to her stomach with that thought, despite it being too early for her to show. Before today, we had no clue as to her condition, but … she held something so precious within her, so fragile. I didn’t think it was possible to feel more protective over her than I already did, but now I knew how flawed my thinking had been. Not only was I responsible for her life, I was also responsible for the one we created.
Together in love.
“I’m scared,” she breathed, letting the words leave her lips in a rush.
“If you’re talking about tonight, there’s nothing to worry about,” I assured her. “We’re just following up on a lead Dallas was given.”
She shook her head, letting me know I misunderstood. “No, not just that. It’s … I don’t know what’s supposed to happen from here. After today—with Nick, with Sebastian—everything’s changed. And now … a kid.”
Evangeline pushed a hand through her dark curls, releasing another breath before adding, “I don’t even know where to start, what moves are the right moves, what my priorities are supposed to be. It’s just … everything’s happening so fast.”
She was on the verge of spiraling. When water pooled in the corners of her eyes, I acted quickly to reel her back in. At the feel of my hand against her cheek, she peered up at me.
“You’re mine. Whatever it takes to bring you through this, whatever it takes to keep you safe … it’s as good as done,” I assured her, and I meant every word. Our growing family would always be my top priority.
Always.
She stared, those tears still threatening to fall, but I imagined for a very different reason now than before. She knew how fiercely she was loved. By me, by so many others.
Today, in the blink of an eye, our entire game plan had changed. I was never keen on the idea of having her fight at my side, but was comforted knowing she’d come into her own and was capable of doing so. However, now, I wanted nothing more than for her to be kept as far away from Sebastian and his army as possible. There were several reasons, but one in particular stood out above the rest.
He couldn’t, under any circumstances, know she was with child.
And that could become a challenge much sooner than Evangeline may have realized.
Her being a hybrid complicated things. The experience of bringing a child into the world was drastically different for a lycan female than a dragon and her condition could manifest in either manner. In short, there was no way to predict the path her body would follow—that of a wolf or that of a dragon. Had this been months ago, I would have been sure, but since her lesser side had been so prevalent lately, it was unclear.
A lycan female’s term was similar to that of a human, but with the additional discomfort of birthing larger offspring. For a dragon, the process was drastically different—abbreviated and more intense physically, emotionally, a fact that some argue may be proof our strength and ferocity starts in the womb. Trying to guess which turn this would take was impossible, but if Evangeline’s dragon did decide to dominate her term, she’d be vulnerable a lot sooner than she was likely expecting.
We all would be.
Smooth skin met my fingertips where I stroked the side of her neck.
“How bad do you think things will get?” she asked. Her voice was quiet, as if she might be afraid to hear the answer.
Under normal circumstances, I would have shielded her. However, she made a request what seemed like a lifetime ago. She asked that I always tell her the truth, even the hard truths.
This was definitely one of those times.
“They’ll uh … they’ll get bad, but we’ll take it one day at a time, think through our options, strategizing the best plan of action before we strike,” I explained.
It became apparent she didn’t care for that term—strike. When she glanced up the next moment I was sure of it. Her pulse throbbed where my thumb rested against her throat. I hated being the one to do this, being the bearer of bad news. If for no other reason than to avoid the way she looked at me now, with fear and dread flooding in.
“Hilda will do all she can to hide you, starting the moment she gets back from speaking with the Elders,” I promised. “She’ll use heavier spells on the house, most likely.” I paused before making another suggestion, one I was sure Evangeline would object to. “Or maybe … it’d be best if we … take you somewhere outside of town.”
Silence, just like I expected, but this had been on my mind all day. Removing her from the equation, getting her as far away from here as possible, was our best option.
“No,” she said flatly.
Of course she said no.
She glanced up and my eyes searched hers. “Evangeline …”
“No,” she repeated. Her response didn’t change, nor did her resolve. “I’m not gonna run from this. Hilda can cast her spells or do whatever magic she wants, but I’m not leaving town,” she clarified.
I breathed deep and the bed shifted a bit when she leaned away, sitting straight.
“The whole point of thi
s has been that, when the dust settles, when this war is over, I’ll stand in Sebastian’s place, right? The lycans are supposed to revere me as their queen, aren’t they?” she asked.
Refusing to answer, air rushed from my lungs as I stared at her. She didn’t get it. I couldn’t have cared less what everyone wanted from her, what their expectations were concerning who or what she would one day become. Keeping her alive … that was the only thing I cared about.
“I can’t expect them to trust me if we don’t stand in solidarity, Liam. If I’m off on some glorified vacation while they’re cut down in battle … they’ll never respect me.”
She stared off, surprising me with how she’d come into her own without even realizing it, reminding me of Elise in so many ways. She had heart, integrity. She was fair and believed in second chances. Sometimes third and fourth chances, too.
And let’s not forget the inherited stubbornness.
There was no crown on her head just yet, but it was unmistakable that the girl I ran into in an alley so many months ago had evolved, had blossomed into a formidable woman.
A queen.
Still, no matter how honorable her intentions, I disagreed.
The dark eyes that had been my undoing since the beginning of time stared through me even now, as I was certain fear welled in her stomach just like it did mine. You wouldn’t have known it, though. Before me, she was the picture of bravery and determination.
“I won’t run from this, Liam,” she asserted once more.
It killed me inside, knowing I couldn’t make her bend to my will. She’d always had her own mind, her own way of doing things, and neither death nor rebirth had changed that.
Still, I had to make one final plea.
My palm settled against her stomach. It was still crazy to think we created a life, but soon there’d be no mistaking it.
When my fingers splayed across her warm flesh—the only thing separating me from our child—Evangeline’s eyes flitted with doubt. It was slight and only lasted half a second, but it was there. I needed her to understand this wasn’t just about her and I.
