Phoenix

by Jessica Wayne

  One thing at a time, Parker.

  He wished his dad was there to help him make sense of everything. What would he have done?

  Dakota took a deep breath. He’d start with addressing their current predicament. Vincent and those Brutes were here for a reason, and Dakota would bet his badge that Ana knew what that reason was.

  As soon as she woke up, he’d get his answers.

  47

  Anastasia

  “Elizabeth, I think this is absolutely the best meatloaf you have ever made.”

  Anastasia leaned back slightly in her chair and pushed her plate away. She’d helped herself to seconds, and the decadent combination made her feel infinitely better, just as it had always managed to. Elizabeth’s meatloaf and mashed potatoes was comfort food at its finest.

  “You are too kind, Anastasia.” Elizabeth smiled and stood to clear the table.

  “No, please, let me get it.” Anastasia got to her feet.

  “I’ve got it.” Dakota grabbed the plates and headed for the kitchen.

  “I knew I raised him right.” Elizabeth winked. “I'm headed to bed. I am exhausted and need my beauty rest.”

  “You don’t need rest to be beautiful, Mom.” Dakota smiled as he came back into the dining room to give her a hug.

  “Aren’t you a charmer.” She hugged him back and then smiled at Anastasia. “Get some rest tonight, honey. We are going to check that dressing in the morning,” she said, pointing to Anastasia’s stomach.

  Dakota stepped back into the kitchen and turned the water on in the sink. He lifted plate after plate, hand-washing each and setting them into the drying rack. The routine movement transfixed Anastasia, and it took her a minute before she realized she was staring.

  Not wanting him to see her, she got to her feet and slipped out to sit on the porch. Crickets sang their chirpy songs, and owls hooted with the night. The stars above shone so brightly that for a moment, she could see Gregory sitting beside her in Terrenia.

  He had always loved nighttime… said it was the most magical because nearly all things were at rest.

  She opened her palm and closed her eyes. Her magic had been in a sleep state, and her body was so exhausted it took a minute to pull it to the surface. A tear slipped down her cheek as she conjured an orb of calming light and sent it floating into the sky.

  It burst into a dozen smaller lights that disappeared into the sky, blending with the stars.

  She missed Terrenia. She missed Kaley, Tony, Andrew, Brady, and even Shane. All of her friends that she’d left like sitting ducks. She hadn’t given any thought to how she was supposed to get home. She had no portal vials, and had no clue if she even possessed the power needed to conjure a portal like she’d seen Vincent do. Is it even possible? She might have missed him actually throwing the vial down.

  What if there was no way for her to get back home? She conjured another ball of light and sent it floating into the sky.

  “Well, that’s not something you see every day,” Dakota said, standing behind her.

  She twisted around to see him, wincing as pain shot through her torso.

  “Easy, Ana. Don’t tear those stitches out. Mom will kill me.” He sat down beside her. “Can you do that again?”

  Anastasia regarded him cautiously and then obliged. He stared, amazed at the light in her palm.

  “What is that?”

  “Magic,” she said with a smile. “My biological father was descended from a long line of sorcerers.”

  “Doesn’t any of this seem crazy to you?” he asked as she released another ball of light.

  “It certainly did at first. For the first few months, I was convinced I was going to wake up back at Mitch and Monica’s house. I had even convinced myself that I was already dead.” She laughed darkly. “Either option would have been equally bad.”

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

  “What do you mean? You were always there for me.”

  “That morning when I woke up, I had this gut feeling that I needed to stay put. I thought it was just personal, that I didn’t want to leave you after—you know.”

  Heat rushed into her cheeks. That kiss was not something she’d forgotten. Anastasia shook her head. “There was nothing you could’ve done, Dakota. Mitch would have just killed us both.”

  “I can’t stop beating myself up, Ana, no matter how hard I try. Losing you is my biggest regret.”

  “But you didn’t lose me. That isn’t on you.”

  He looked her straight in the eye, and the seriousness in those blue eyes made her heart stammer in her chest. “I did lose you,” he said. “For five years, and because of it, I lost myself, too.”

  “Dakota, I’m so sorry.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t want an apology, Ana. I know you felt like you had no choice.”

  “I wanted to come back. At first there was no way for me to, and then once I saw the pain the villagers in Terrenia were suffering through, and that they were counting on me to stop it, I just couldn’t bring myself to leave. At least not until it was done.”

  He nodded in understanding. “I would have done the same. I, uh—I'm sorry I yelled at you.”

  The change of subject caught her off guard. She frowned as she met his gaze.

  “Back at my apartment. I had no right. It wasn’t your fault what happened to my dad, Ana.”

  “Dakota, it’s okay.”

  “No, it’s not. The last five years I have been so wrapped up in you that when I finally did see you again, it took me a while to come around, especially given the circumstances. I mean, seriously, could we not have just bumped into each other in a coffee shop or something?” He laughed a little, and her stomach flipped, the love she had held onto beginning to bloom again. This was the Dakota who had held her heart all these years.

  “Wouldn’t that have been nice,” she agreed, looking back up at the stars.

  “Oh.” He reached behind him and handed her a bottle. “I brought you some water.”

  “Is that scotch in your glass?” She eyed his cup eagerly, and he nodded.

  “Have at it.” He handed it over, and she swallowed the contents in one gulp. The liquor burned the entire way down to her stomach.

  When she looked back at him, his eyebrow was raised and his mouth turned up in an amused expression.

  “Never seen a girl drink before?”

  “Not that amount of scotch at one time. I had a few girlfriends who tried, but they usually ended up complaining and ordering something else.”

  Anastasia cleared her throat and looked down at her feet. Girlfriends. Does he have one now? It wasn’t like she hadn’t expected him to see other women—hell, she’d dated Shane for over a year—but it still hurt like hell to hear it from his mouth.

  “I’ll be right back.” Dakota disappeared into the house, returning quickly with two glasses.

  “Terrenia has something similar to scotch. Gregory and I would have a drink after a long day of training.” Grief tightened its ever-present grip around her heart.

  “My mom told me that he and his wife were your biological parents.” He paused, searching her gaze. “She said you were kidnapped by your uncle, which is why Mitch had you.”

  Anastasia raised an eyebrow.

  Dakota shrugged. “You were out for a while at the hospital. She filled me in on what you two talked about. She also yelled at me for a bit.” He laughed and held his glass out. “To good men like our dads.”

  They clinked glasses and took a drink.

  “What’s Terrenia like?” he asked, changing the subject as though he read her thoughts. “It’s Terrenia, isn’t it?” he added.

  She closed her eyes and did her best to refocus her mind. “Yes, it is. It’s beautiful. Actually, this place reminds me of it. I hadn’t realized before, but that might be why I felt so at home there. This was the safest place I had growing up.”

  “Mom said that there’s no electricity.”

  Anastasia laughed.
“There’s not. No running water, either.”

  “How do you—?” He held his hand up. “Never mind, I don’t want to know.”

  Anastasia laughed and turned toward him. He stared at her intently, his eyes a bright blue even in the dim light. “What?” she asked.

  “I missed that sound.”

  She smiled again and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

  “I'm sorry Mitch found you back at the hospital,” Dakota said, looking away from her. “Someone must have leaked your description.”

  “It’s not your fault. I would have died had you not taken me to the hospital. So, I suppose I should thank you for saving my life.”

  He nodded, and his jaw tightened. “I thought I’d lost you again.”

  She wanted to tell him that he had never lost her the first time, that she had always been there, even if she hadn’t been nearby. She wished she had the strength to tell him how much she missed him, that she’d thought of him every single day.

  But it seemed as if they kept meeting at the wrong times. Mitch ripped them apart five years ago, and now Vincent and the Brutes were getting in her way. She couldn’t allow her feelings for Dakota to interfere with her mission. She had people counting on her, people who had died for her… an entire world relying on her to end this war.

  “It’s going to take me some time,” he said.

  “That’s understandable.”

  “I’m not talking about whether or not I believe you.” He looked at her, and then quickly looked away. “After everything I’ve seen, I would have to be certifiable to not believe you.”

  “Then what are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about you and me. About getting back to where we were.” He pulled in a deep breath. “It’s going to take me time.”

  “Oh, Dakota. I—”

  “There is something you need to understand—loving like that, believing with all of your heart that you are meant to be with someone and then having it all ripped away without any warning or explanation… that’s heartbreak, Ana. I loved you so much.”

  “Dakota, I—”

  “I’m not asking for you to say anything, just please be patient with me for now.” He stood and walked back into the house.

  His words packed a punch, and Anastasia felt them to the depths of her soul. He’d loved her, and she’d left him wondering where she was for five years. She had abandoned her best friend for another world.

  What the hell kind of person did that make her?

  48

  Anastasia

  “So, give us the rundown. What is going on out there?” Elizabeth asked Anastasia as the three of them sat around the kitchen table the next morning.

  “From what I know, the Brutes are collecting weapons in this world. Vincent has a contact here who has been supplying them. They’re trying to take over Terrenia, and when we were in the cave, I overheard him saying they had plans for Seattle as well.” She paused, considering her next words. “Possibly the rest of this world along with it.”

  “But how does he plan to take over the whole world?” Dakota asked. “I know you said Terrenia had no guns, but we have them in abundance. The military is well stocked. How does he plan to succeed here?”

  “Honestly, I'm not sure. He is very powerful, but Tony suspects, as did Gregory, that he has something going on behind the scenes. That there’s some bigger power at work.”

  “Tony?” Dakota asked tightly.

  “Tony is Gregory’s best friend. Or, was, anyway,” she added sadly. “He is the leader of the Fighters and has been like another father to me.”

  “I bet I know who his contact is.” Dakota’s jaw clenched.

  “Mitch.”

  Mitch had been involved from Day One.

  “That would be my guess, too.” Dakota rubbed his chin. “There have been numerous murders within the city lately, and although some of them appear random, others leave a blood trail back to Mitch.”

  “The random ones would be people who saw the Brutes. They were instructed to kill anyone who saw them,” Anastasia said.

  “They got my partner,” Dakota said.

  Elizabeth gasped, reaching over to grab her son’s hand.

  “Your partner?” Anastasia asked.

  Dakota nodded. “I found him the morning you arrived, while I was out. It’s why it took me so long to get back that day; I’d been at the precinct all morning.” He rubbed his free hand over his eyes.

  Anastasia touched his hand gently. Her power blazed in response to the connection the moment her skin touched his, and she quickly pulled away. What the hell was that? Dakota’s eyes widened, and he met her gaze.

  Had he felt it too?

  “I have been hunting them for years now. There are very few weapons that can actually kill a Brute easily. Otherwise, you have to decapitate one to take it down.”

  “What weapons?”

  “Blades must be coated with platinum. For some reason, the Brutes cannot tolerate that particular alloy. All weapons in Terrenia are forged from steel and then coated in platinum.”

  “But you can kill one without the platinum?”

  “Yes. If you can manage to injure one fatally, it will eventually die, but will probably take you with it. They are incredibly strong and surprisingly quick for their size. Decapitation is the best method if you don’t have any special weapons.”

  Elizabeth gasped, and Anastasia offered her an understanding smile. Nothing like starting the day off by discussing decapitated heads.

  Anastasia pulled the two blades from her waistband and handed one to Dakota and the other to Elizabeth. “Carry these.”

  Elizabeth eyed the weapon warily. “Maybe I should leave the fighting up to the two of you.”

  “Carry it, Mom,” Dakota urged. “Just in case you need one.”

  She nodded and looked back at Anastasia.

  “This alone won’t kill them. The platinum will hurt them, and they will slow, but it won’t kill them unless you cause some damage with it.”

  “How many have you killed?” Elizabeth asked her.

  “I honestly have no clue.”

  Anastasia walked the perimeter of the cabin, searching for anything that would compromise their safety.

  Dakota approached, keeping pace beside her.

  “How’s your side?” he asked.

  “I feel fine. Your mom opened the stitches slightly, and once I was able to get more of the healing salve inside, it started feeling much better.”

  He nodded and continued walking beside her. “You know, had I not seen what I did that night in the alley, I might not have believed you.” He laughed, but there was no humor in the sound.

  “I can’t blame you. When my dad first came for me, I thought I was dead. Or that I was just dreaming.”

  “It’s just a lot to wrap my head around.”

  “It is,” she agreed.

  They continued walking around the cabin, enjoying the sounds of nature. Just as they reached the stairs, the hairs on the back of her neck stood, and she got the overwhelming feeling she was being watched.

  “Well, isn’t this sweet?”

  Anastasia’s body went rigid as Mitch appeared in front of her on the porch. He looked just as she remembered him, the only sign of aging the slight graying at his temples.

  “You still look like the little whore you always were. Running around, screwing the younger Parker all over again. I suppose times don’t change, do they, Anastasia?”

  “Ana, come back to me.” Dakota’s voice was muffled and far away.

  “Still weak.” Mitch scoffed and stepped down the steps until he stood right in front of her. “I don’t know why he even bothered keeping you alive. You are nothing but a powerless little slut.”

  His breath came out in a hot wave, and she felt it on her face. The stench of the alcohol he’d been drinking filled her lungs and made her gag.

  “Ana.” Dakota gripped her hand, and his touch helped her focus a little.

/>   “He’s going to come for you. He’s already slaughtered all your friends in Terrenia.”

  She gasped, and he laughed.

  “What the hell did you think was going to happen? You’ve been here fucking him.” He gestured to Dakota. “And left everyone else to fend for themselves.”

  “Ana,” Dakota repeated, squeezing her hand again.

  “There is nothing Parker is going to be able to do to protect you. He can’t even see me now.” Mitch laughed and stepped toward her. “You are going to die, Anastasia. Just as your birth parents did. Only your death won’t be so humane.” He lunged for her, and she fell backward onto the ground.

  She shook violently as fear surged like ice through her veins, chilling her to the core.

  Dakota came into focus, and she blinked rapidly, quickly searching the area for Mitch.

  “Ana!” Dakota yelled as he cupped her face with his hands and stared into her eyes.

  “He killed everyone.”

  “What are you talking about? Who killed who?”

  “Vincent. Mitch said he killed everyone.” Her heart felt like someone had shoved a blade through it. Was he telling the truth? Are they all dead?

  Tears streamed down her cheeks and fell to the dirt beside her.

  “What happened?” Elizabeth ran out and crouched beside them.

  “I don’t know; she’s not making any fucking sense.” He turned her face to look at him. “Ana, what happened?”

  “Mitch was here.”

  “No, he wasn’t. It was only us.”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m not sure how, but he projected himself here.” Could Mitch have magic as well? Or had Vincent projected him here to deliver the message? She shut her eyes as another wave of pain crushed over her. She wanted to die; she deserved to die with her friends. She’d left them behind and now they were all gone.

  “They can’t be dead.”

  “I see you got the message.”

  Dakota jumped up, moving quickly to position himself between Maximus and Anastasia. Elizabeth gripped Anastasia’s arm and helped her to her feet. This intrusion wasn’t projected vision.