Entangled Souls

by Waits, Kimber

  The two girls plopped down on a fallen log, exhausted from the long ride. Halen moved her leg to the side, twisting her foot, the pain so intense she cried out. Although Armando had ordered him to stay away from the girls, Maxx rushed to her side.

  “Did you hurt yourself?”

  “I moved my foot the wrong way, that’s all. No big deal. Don’t worry about it.”

  “You should be more careful,” Maxx said, his dark hair falling over his eyes.

  Halen smiled, blushing at his attention. “I will, thanks.”

  Maxx took that as his cue and moved closer to her side. “Which one of you did Mr. Rayne get to help Lyric?”

  Bijoux informed him that Halen would be working inside of the house as Lyric’s servant.

  Maxx shook his head sympathetically, his long bangs falling over his face. “Lyric is as evil as her brother is crazy.” He looked at Halen and frowned, noting how delicate she appeared. “That one’s going to put you through pure hell.”

  “No worries. I’m pretty used to dealing with people like her.”

  “That’s not all. Lyric has a big mouth on her,” Maxx added.

  “What about Mrs. Rayne?” Halen inquired. “What kind of person is she?”

  “She died years ago. That makes Lyric the so-called lady of the house.”

  Halen felt the need to question him more, but their conversation was cut short by the arrival of an elderly woman carrying a wooden tray with bowls of a macaroni and beef mixture and chunks of cold cornbread.

  “Ugh, what kind of slop is this?” Halen asked.

  Bijoux laughed. “Girl, it looks like some ghetto Beefaroni to me.”

  Maxx returned to his brother’s side, speaking to him in a low voice. “We need to tell that Halen chick about our plans — see if she wants to join us. She could be a big help to the Cause. I overheard Armando saying something about her being Chosen.”

  Jaxx, being the more conservative of the two brothers, wasn’t so sure. “I think we’d be smart to wait. After all, we just met the girl. We have to be sure we can trust her before we going spilling all our secrets to a complete stranger.” Seeing the look of disappointment on Maxx’s face, he flashed him a reassuring smile before continuing. “There will be plenty of time to include your new girlfriend — if and when the situation warrants.”

  “She’s not my girlfriend,” Maxx snapped. “But I guess you’re right. It’s just sometimes when Armando puts that whip in my hand to use on the other Breeders, I swear I want to beat his fucking brains out.”

  Jaxx looked around to make sure they were still alone, giving him a stern look of disapproval. “You shouldn’t talk that way. Someone might hear.”

  “Stop bitching at me. I’m not going to do anything stupid, if that’s what you’re worried about. And for the record, I still think Halen could prove to be an invaluable asset.”

  “Man, you’ve got the hots for the chick big time. Please tell me you’re not falling in love with her.”

  Maxx shrugged his shoulders. “I guess she’s cute enough. I know I don’t have the right to think that way about her, or any other girl. I do know one day soon I’m going to smoke Armando, then I’m going to let the Breeders have their way with Lyric and Mitchell.”

  A cold chill ran down Jaxx’s spine. He knew Maxx’s threats were all too real.

  Ten

  “I’m sorry, Camden,” Kieran said. “Armando refuses to release Whitney.”

  “Damn! Why is he doing this? Do I need to travel to Blue Willow and take her by force? Because you know I will.”

  “Don’t do anything stupid. Give me some time alone with him. We can stop by the compound on the way to the Grove. That way you can see for yourself how Whitney is doing, and while we’re there, I’ll see what else I can do about getting her released.”

  Camden reluctantly agreed, but only because he really had no other choice in the matter. Without Kieran’s help, he would never free his sister from Armando’s control.

  Kieran removed two sodas from the mini fridge and handed one to Camden. “We’ll hit the road first thing in the morning.”

  “Man, it can’t be soon enough for me. I haven’t laid eyes on my sister since I was eleven years old — we both remember what that predator did to my mother. He and Lucien passed her back and forth, feeding on her like she was an animal you pick up on the side of the road. What if Armando has used Whitney…to…you know?”

  Kieran frowned. “I’ve heard rumors about your mother for years. However, I’ve never heard one word about your sister being turned into a Breeder and that’s a good thing.”

  “It will be so sweet to see Whit again.”

  “I’m sure she’s just as gorgeous as you remember.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” Camden declared, chugging his soda. “To the only woman we’ve ever truly loved!”

  Kieran’s hesitation did not escape his best friend.

  “Hey, did I say something wrong? If I did, man, my bad. Truly.” Camden studied Kieran’s expression for any sign of anger.

  “Naw, I’m cool…just thinking. I found out that chick is a straight-up con artist.” The look of defeat on Kieran’s face gave away his true feelings for the girl.

  All Camden could do was shake his head in disbelief. “So, what, she isn’t Percy’s sister? Imagine that.”

  “I have no damn idea who or what she is. Anyway, I’ll probably never see her again, which is just as well since I might be tempted to wring her pretty little neck.”

  Camden laughed. “Sounds like she’s gotten under your skin if you ask me.”

  “I didn’t ask you. And I fail to see the humor in the situation.”

  “And here I thought you were too smart to be hoodwinked by a pretty face.”

  “Okay, first of all, who the hell says hoodwinked? And second, thanks for the sarcasm,” Kieran grumbled, reaching for another soda. Yeah, this day just kept getting better and better.

  Eleven

  Maven paced back and forth across the living room floor like a caged animal. She hadn’t left the house since the day she returned from the reading of her mother’s will. The first few days after arriving home friends from school and concerned neighbors dropped by to voice their prayers and concerns over Halen’s disappearance, but it didn’t take long for those visits to come to an abrupt halt.

  Being this isolated did not agree with her. She considered having a party, but knew it would probably cause an uproar among their close circle of friends, many who were missing Halen terribly. And of course, the neighbors would take moral offense to any display of happiness this soon after her mother’s death and her sister’s disappearance.

  Walking across the room to the large cherry wood desk, she opened the top drawer and removed a crumbled sheet of stationary. Rapidly her eyes scanned the note. She had no idea why she bothered to read it again. She’d read it so many times that she had it memorized line by line.

  She crumbled the paper into a tight ball and shoved it to the back of the drawer. Bridger didn’t say how long he’d be delayed, but if he didn’t arrive soon she would have no choice but to pay him a visit. He wasn’t going to get away from her that easily.

  Lifting her glass of sweet tea, she took a long sip of the cool, minty liquid. She had confidence in her sexuality and she knew how to use it to her advantage, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she failed to excite Bridger.

  Ever since she’d read her mother’s will and learned the truth about her family’s secret, she’d been trying to seduce Bridger with little success. He would be the perfect choice to rule by her side.

  “Maven,” Albert said, taking his time entering the room.

  “Dammit, Albert! Stop sneaking up on me like that. You’ll give me a coronary.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Well, what do you want?” she snapped, tired of the little man’s constant interruptions. If given the choice she would have fired him the day her mother died. But for some unknown reason the old coot meant
a great deal to her mother, and for the time being it was important for her to keep up appearances.

  “Bridger has arrived.”

  “Really? I didn’t hear the doorbell.”

  “I saw him as he was coming up the drive and opened the door before he could ring the bell.”

  “Well, what are you waiting for? Bring him to me.” Maven smoothed her long dark curls into place. She glanced down at her simple black sundress, feeling pleased with her appearance.

  “Would you care for refreshments?” Albert asked, leading Bridger into the living room. Maven glanced over at Bridger who quickly declined the offer. She dismissed Albert, smiling sweetly at Bridger.

  “How are you holding up, Maven?”

  “As well as can be expected under the circumstances. I miss my sister.”

  “Of course you do,” Bridger said. “Sorry I wasn’t able to get here sooner, but work’s been crazy lately, plus studying for finals.”

  Placing her hand in the crook of his arm, Maven steered him towards the over-sized sofa, urging him to sit next to her. “Honestly, Bridger, you are too young to work so hard, Why don’t you let your family deal with things so you can have more free time.”

  “That would be nice, but I don’t have anyone that I trust…with dad sick…and mom…she’s hopeless when it comes to business. So, any word on Halen?”

  “No. Not yet. I’m sure we’ll hear something soon.”

  “Any idea where she might be? What about a boyfriend?”

  “No. She was seeing that Dalton boy, but it was never serious. Honestly, I think our mom’s death proved to be too much for her to handle. She’s probably gone to stay with friends until things blow over. Maybe she needed to get lost for a while. I think we all need that from time to time.”

  “Wherever she is, I hope she isn’t going through this alone.”

  Maven sighed, taking in his closely cropped hair and dark, coffee-brown eyes. “All we can do is pray.”

  Bridger removed his arm from her grasp and quickly stood. “I hate to rush off, but I need to head out — gotta get back to work.”

  Maven bounced to her feet. “No!”

  “Sorry, Maven. I need to go.”

  Maven frowned. This was not going as planned at all. “I thought you would at least stay for dinner. It’s so lonely with mom and Halen gone. There is no one here to talk to.”

  Bridger gently placed his hands on her shoulders, looking down into her cobalt-blue eyes. “I can only imagine how lonely you must be, and I’m sure you miss your sister very much. I wish I could stay here with you, but it’s just not possible.”

  “Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” she pouted.

  “Maven, I have other dinner plans. Do you remember the Wilkerson family?”

  “I think so, why?”

  “Well, Abby and I…are engaged.”

  Maven stomped her foot in protest. “Engaged? to be married?”

  Bridger laughed at her childish outburst. “Why do you sound so surprised? We dated off and on all through high school. We even went to prom together.”

  Maven turned away to hide her disappointment. How could he be engaged, and to Abby Wilkerson, no less. For years she dreamed of marrying Bridger, and she was not about to lose him to a basic whore like Abby.

  Mastering a semblance of composure, Maven turned to face him with a smile. “Isn’t that great news for you. When is the wedding?”

  “The engagement won’t be official until we post it in the paper — we’re having a party next week to make the announcement. I didn’t send you an invitation — I knew a party would probably be the last thing on your mind.”

  Maven smiled, determined to attend the party and deal with her rival face to face. “I would love to be a part of your celebration. Mom would’ve wanted me to be there to represent our family. You know how much she loved you.”

  “People will talk — your sister is still missing.”

  “Let them talk. I want to help you celebrate.”

  “You really are an awesome girl, Maven.” Bridger grinned suggestively. “If I didn’t have a girl, I could definitely see me falling for you.”

  Maven smiled to herself. Confident that he would be falling in love with her soon enough. It would be a cold day in hell before she’d let another girl stand in her way. She was determined to have Bridger. Abby was merely an obstacle to be disposed of…one way or another.

  “It’s public knowledge that Halen led a less than Christian life. People around here can be overly cruel when give the opportunity. Things people say about her might be hard for you to hear.”

  “I know,” Maven replied. “But I can’t hide out here in this house forever.”

  Bridger’s admiration for Maven grew stronger. He wondered what had happened in the past that caused her mother to favor the rebellious Halen over her sister.

  Maven flashed him a bright smile. “Come on then, I’ll walk you out. I know you’re anxious to get home. Tell Abby I said hi. I’m sure she’ll make a beautiful bride.”

  “No doubt.”

  She looped her arm through his and buried her head against his chest. “I’m looking forward to seeing her at the party.”

  “You two will be best friends before you know it. I’m sure of it.”

  Friends, Maven fumed. Not in this lifetime.

  She stood on the front porch watching Bridger as he drove away, angry tears burned her eyes as she thought about their relationship. All her life it seemed the people she loved had denied her their love in return. Her mother…Halen…and now the man she loved most in the entire world was tripping all over himself to be with that dog-faced Abby.

  All of this rejection was getting on her last nerve. Bridger would be hers, and she didn’t care who was hurt in the process. She had no problem disposing of a bothersome rival — she’d done it in the past, she could easily do it one more time.

  Maven’s murderous thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Cody’s car coming up the gravel driveway. She impatiently watched as he and Bridger pulled up side by side to exchange greetings. She was genuinely happy to see Cody. Although she wasn’t in love with him as she was with Bridger, she did get a kick out of the sexual side of their relationship.

  Cody’s eyes traveled over Maven’s curves as he walked up the front steps. She reveled in his attention and the way he so eagerly did her bidding. Starving for sexual release, she barely gave him time to say hello before she was dragging him upstairs to her bedroom. Mistaking her behavior for true love, Cody was thrilled to see how much she wanted to be with him. Maven made love to him with an intensity that sent his heart racing. He had no idea that she was busy imagining herself engulfed in Bridger’s strong arms the entire time.

  **

  Albert sat at the kitchen table eating his evening meal. Chewing on his steak, he looked at the ceiling in disgust. He knew Maven had that Cody boy in her bedroom. Again. Her poor mama must be rolling over in her grave, Albert thought. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that she was no longer around to witness Maven’s slutty behavior.

  The stupid little girl was playing with fire and he prayed she walked away from this fiasco with third-degree burns. He knew Cody was head over heels in love with Maven. Although he couldn’t prove it, it was certain the boy had helped Maven devise a plan to dispose of Halen.

  Albert’s expression quickly turned spiteful. Maven better watch her step before she turned up missing just like her sister.

  His wife removed his plate and replaced it with a dessert bowl filled with apple cobbler. “Penny for your thoughts.”

  “If you must know, I was thinking about Maven.”

  Becky shook her head and snorted. “You can’t find anything less repulsive to think about?”

  Before Albert had a chance to respond, a short, heavy set woman with ivory skin and bright red hair stormed into the room. Becky rushed to her side, pulling her into her arms. “Fanny, what in the world?”

  “It’s my baby! She’s dead! The
y walked into my room and jerked her right out of my arms. They drained her right there in front of me. She was my baby and now she’s a shell. Dead. She’s dead, Becky!”

  Albert grasped the edge of the kitchen table, aware of what was coming next.

  “You have to talk to Maven. Tell her what happened to my daughter.”

  “Not a smart idea. I’m sorry for your loss — you know how things work around here. Besides, I did my time for the Cause. If I start causing trouble — I can be eliminated.”

  “You aren’t even going to try?” Fanny screamed, shocked by her long time friend’s indifference.

  “What would be the point? Maven doesn’t have a caring bone in her body.”

  “This is on your conscience!” Fanny cried, stomping out of the room.

  “Those animals killed that little girl. She had her whole life ahead of her,” Albert said, tears sliding down his cheeks.

  Becky turned on him. “Have you gone insane? You won’t be happy until you make me a widow,” she said, breaking down in heavy sobs.

  Albert waited for Cody to leave before making the long trek to Maven’s bedroom door.

  “What, Albert?” Maven screamed. “Is my dinner finally ready? I’ve worked up quite the appetite.”

  “No. Not yet.”

  Maven’s brow furrowed. “What is up with Becky today? Do I need to find a replacement? The two of you were my mother’s little pets. I would prefer to work with someone much younger — you might want to pass that little tidbit of information on to Becky’s slow ass.”

  “It’s another hour until dinner.”

  Maven sighed. “Fine. So why are you up here bothering me?”

  Albert swallowed hard before proceeding, not sure how she would take the news. “Fanny’s little girl is dead.”

  “Good lord, how did that happen?”

  “They drained her.” Knowing it was useless to appeal to her human side, he stressed the monetary loss of the girl. “Fanny’s daughter was a prime candidate. A few more years and she would have been one of the Hive’s prime Breeders.”