Fallen Star

by Cyndi Friberg

  “Go on back. I’ll be just a minute longer.”

  He nodded and headed for the doorway leading to the work area.

  Roxie turned back to Jillian with an apologetic smile. “I don’t know why they’re suddenly in such a hurry. You’d think they were leaving town or something.” She sighed and smoothed down her black leather pants. “Anyway, when can you start? We can work out a schedule that makes sense to both of us when I don’t have one of my boys breathing down my neck.”

  “How about Friday afternoon. That will give me a day and a half to tie up loose ends.”

  “Perfect. Come in around two.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  She waited until Roxie disappeared through the doorway before she turned to Tess and asked, “Did she actually refer to that mass of muscle as a boy?”

  Tess laughed. “Their boss refers to them as her boys and Rox has picked up the habit.”

  “Their boss?” Jillian shook her head. “Do I even want to know?”

  “Oh we all want to know,” Jett interjected. “But Roxie is keeping this mystery all to herself.”

  “Not to mention a bunch more like Flynn. No one else is allowed to work on ‘the boys’. It’s ridiculous.” Tess crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the doorway through which they’d passed.

  “Well, I better get going.” Jillian stood, reminding herself to favor her leg. “My numbers are on my application. If anything changes, call. If not, I’ll see you Friday.”

  The sun stabbed into Jillian’s eyes as she stepped out onto the sidewalk. She quickly found her sunglasses and put them on, then looked for her car. She’d been so distracted when she walked into Unique Ink, she’d forgotten to see where her double had parked.

  Carefully maintaining her role until she was seated behind the wheel, she flipped down the visor and the keys to her car, mailbox and apartment dropped into her lap. “I’m a person again,” she muttered under her breath as she slipped the car key into the ignition.

  “No you’ll need a cell phone for that.”

  She gasped. Odintar’s voice had been audible, but he was still not visible.

  “Where are you?”

  “Backseat. There’s too many curious eyes right here for me to lower my shields.”

  “Got it.” She started the engine and drove away from the strip mall. She found a secluded parking lot, checked to make sure there were no surveillance cameras, then pulled to the back corner of the lot.

  “That went incredibly well.” Odintar finally lowered his shields. “Seemed like a fun place to work.”

  “Until the Shadow Assassin walk in.”

  “You’ve already been more successful than you realize. Think about what Roxie said. All of her clients are rushing to finish their tattoos. Like they’re leaving town or something.”

  “Does that mean something specific to you?”

  “We’ve known for some time that they intend to relocate to different cities. Team East was the first to leave. Teams West and South have basically combined and we think they’ll be the next to go. Flynn was on Team West.”

  “All that means is we’re running out of time to find them. We already knew that.”

  “An operation like theirs takes serious planning to relocate. There are signs, if you know what to watch. This is encouraging.”

  She didn’t feel encouraged. She felt exposed and…used. This wasn’t even her fight. Why did she have to be the one on the front line?

  With a frustrated sigh, she contained her pessimistic thoughts. It was her fight, whether she wanted to be part of it or not. If they didn’t protect Roxie, it was more than likely she’d disappear. And she’d die never knowing what she’d stumbled into. Now that would be tragic.

  “Care to share your thoughts. Your mind is locked up tight.”

  She met his gaze in the rearview mirror then shook her head. “They’re not worth sharing. I’m just being morose.”

  He shifted into the front seat. He never really disappeared completely. His body just sort of flowed from one seat to the other. “I can handle morose. Did all the adulation make you homesick for your old life?”

  Adulation? Had it really seemed like worship to him? Probably. Jett had been especially gushy. “I know I can’t go back and Tori would argue that I’ve gained more than I’ve lost. But I miss it.”

  “That’s understandable. Your life was utterly focused for a very long time. Now your focus has expanded. That’s all. It doesn’t mean dance can’t be part of your life. You just have more options now.”

  She chuckled and playfully shoved his arm. “Way to sell it, Mr. Mystic. Did they teach you that crap at the Conservatory?”

  “No. The Conservatory was all about self-denial and serving the greater good. Might be why I headed to Bilarri as soon as I finished my training.”

  “Did Bilarri feel like home?”

  He glanced out the window and took a moment before he answered, “I’ve yet to find a place where I feel completely at home. That’s probably why I’ve traveled extensively. I’m still searching.”

  “I’m sorry. That must be hard.”

  His lips quirked and he shot her a sidelong stare. “Not nearly as hard as it could be.”

  It took her a moment to realize he wasn’t talking about home anymore. Men! They never changed. “You might not know where your home is yet, but I know where to find mine. Can I please go there now?”

  “Soon. We have one more stop to make, then I promise I’ll take you home.”

  “I’ll sleep in my own bed tonight? Honestly?”

  “You have my word. You will sleep in your own bed tonight.”

  * * * * *

  Nazerel looked at the progress Roxie had made on Flynn’s tattoo and then glared at Flynn. “It’s amazing, as always, but you were supposed to be home all afternoon. Just like the rest of us.”

  “I want this thing finished before we leave.” Flynn lifted his chin and glared right back at Nazerel. “Unless we take Roxie with us.”

  Flynn was the only member of Team West Nazerel trusted. They’d known each other before they came to Earth, even before they were forced to leave the Shadow Maze. Flynn’s half-brother was a sweeper who’d been assigned to Team South, despite the loud protestations of his father. Flynn thought he should have been chosen as alpha hunter rather than Zacharous and most of the hunters here agreed with him. Nazerel wanted someone strong at his back, yet needed someone uncertain enough to follow his lead without question. Flynn fit the bill perfectly.

  “If Roxie were in the notebook, someone could claim her and Sevrin couldn’t argue with our choice. But Roxie isn’t. I already checked.” The stubborn look on Flynn’s face made Nazerel smile. He wasn’t the first to suggest they take Roxie with them. She’d developed a loyal following. There was something about being hurt by a beautiful woman that they all found addictive. The art she created was just a bonus.

  “So we do it anyway. Like you’re always saying, it’s easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission.”

  “Not with Sevrin. She’d slit Roxie’s throat and make us watch her bleed out. And I mean that literally.”

  Flynn huffed out a sigh then shrugged. “Well, I’m here now. What still needs to be done?”

  Nazerel looked around the spacious house. Boxes were stacked in every corner and still much remained unpacked. It amazed Nazerel how much they’d managed to accumulate in two short months. “Find a box and put your shit in it. It’s not complicated, just time-consuming. The trucks arrive Friday morning. Anything not boxed up and ready to go will be left behind.”

  “So I just need to find a box big enough for Roxie,” Flynn laughed as he headed for the front stairs.

  “Give it up!” Nazerel returned to his own packing as Flynn disappeared down a hallway. The house was currently home to nine men when it was designed to accommodate five. Hopefully the new house would be more manageable. If not, he was going to harass Sevrin until she hired a housekeeper.

&nb
sp; As if summoned by his thoughts, Sevrin let herself in and crossed the foyer, heels clicking rhythmically against the stone tiles. “Are you having fun yet?” Her voice echoed off the vaulted ceilings until she stepped down into the living room.

  He allowed himself to acknowledge her physical beauty. She looked particularly attractive in a snug skirt of buttery leather. The matching vest was doubtlessly meant to be worn over a shirt, but she let it showcase her round breasts and sleek arms. Regardless of her appeal, he was too smart to mix business with pleasure. Besides, Sevrin’s loyalty shifted without warning. There was no way he’d make himself vulnerable to her whims.

  Ignoring her facetious question, he asked, “What can I do for you?

  She smiled, yet her unringed eyes remained cold and calculating. She was pureblood Rodyte. There had to be some sort of film covering her eyes. “Are you finally ready to take my order?”

  “Depends on the order. You respect my boundaries and I’ll respect yours.”

  “Is Flynn around?” Challenge warmed her gaze while her smile turned brittle.

  If she’d set her sights on Flynn, Nazerel would be thrilled. Flynn was vain enough to think he’d caught her attention all by himself, yet resentful enough to tell Nazerel everything that happened behind closed doors. Still, the timing couldn’t be worse for her to break in a new plaything. He needed every set of hands if they were going to be ready by Friday morning.

  “We’re all really busy. Can this wait?”

  She scowled at him and moved two steps closer. “Would I be here if it weren’t important?” Even in sky-high heels, her head only reached his chin. Did she really think she could intimidate him?

  Without shifting his gaze from her angry face, he called out, “Flynn! Get your ass down here!”

  Flynn rushed into view a few seconds later, followed by two other members of Team West. “What’s the prob—” He spotted Sevrin and immediately schooled his expression. “Mistress.”

  Sevrin waited until he reached the main floor before she spoke to him, but her tone was clipped and cold. “Did you visit Unique Ink this afternoon without an appointment?”

  After glaring at Nazerel, he returned his gaze to Sevrin. “Roxie assured me that I wasn’t bumping anyone else. If she’d had a customer, I would have left.”

  “That’s not what I asked.”

  “Yes, mistress. It was selfish and disobedient. I apologize.”

  Much to Nazerel’s surprise she rolled her eyes. “You’re not in trouble, silly boy. Stop groveling.” Flynn snapped to attention and clasped his hands behind his back. The pose stretched his T-shirt across his chest and showcased his biceps. Sevrin took full advantage of the display. “Was anyone else there when you arrived?” She circled him slowly as she waited for his answer, her gaze moving up and down his body.

  If any of them looked at her like that, she’d have them beaten or worse. She was such a hypocritical bitch.

  “There was a customer on the couch looking through the design books. But both Jett and Tess were available to help her.”

  “Male or female?” She completed her orbit and studied his face.

  “Female. Blonde. Sorry. I didn’t pay much attention to her.”

  “Damn.” She waved Flynn away. “Go back to whatever you were doing.”

  After a momentary pause, Flynn obeyed.

  “Is there a problem?” Nazerel asked as Sevrin turned to leave.

  “I’m not sure yet. Roxie decided she needs a receptionist and it’s the perfect opportunity for one of our enemies to insert a spy.”

  One of their enemies? Was she referring to the human taskforce or were there even more threats than she’d revealed? He started to ask her, but changed his mind. She enjoyed making him beg for information. She enjoyed making him beg, period. Well, he was sick of begging. In fact, he was sick of Sevrin’s games.

  “Does it even matter? We’ll be out of here in a few days.”

  “Depends how talkative your people became while Roxie worked on them.”

  Nazerel tensed. As usual, she was diverting anything resembling accountability away from herself. She had handpicked Roxie, insisted they use only her. “‘My people’ were instructed to speak Rodyte as much as possible. Even if they ran their mouths in front of Roxie, she wouldn’t have understood what they said. The receptionist is irrelevant.”

  Sevrin narrowed her eyes and stared past him for a moment, obviously lost in thought. “You’re probably right, but you know I hate loose ends. No more visits. As of right now, Unique Ink is off limits.”

  “I’ll make sure everyone knows.”

  “Besides, it looks like you still have plenty to do around here.” Without another word Sevrin departed.

  Roxie’s image formed in Nazerel’s mind, her silky dark hair and kind eyes. She was an irresistible combination of sweet and feisty. Little wonder every hunter who spent time in her chair wanted to take her home with him. Similar thoughts had flitted through his mind as she bent over him. Only grander aspirations had kept him from acting on the impulse.

  For the moment, Sevrin was fixated on the receptionist. But it wouldn’t take long for her to realize the real problem was Roxie. The receptionist could only learn what Roxie knew. Roxie was the loose end. And Sevrin didn’t tolerate loose ends.

  He had to warn Roxie. The realization fisted his gut and wouldn’t let go. He had a stash of money he’d squired away because of Sevrin’s miserly habits. If he gave her the money, would she run? Could he convince her that the danger was real? And could he convince all of the hunters not to help Sevrin find her? Unlikely. He fisted his hands and blew out a frustrated breath. She needed a protector, someone who knew how to hide and owed no allegiance to Sevrin.

  The Mystic Militia was an obvious choice, but Nazerel suspected that Roxie had a value he’d not yet discovered. Las Vegas was filled with tattoo artists, yet something specific had drawn Sevrin to Unique Ink. He didn’t believe in coincidences, which meant there was something special about Roxie. He wanted to keep Roxie safe, but he’d rather not turn a possible advantage over to the enemy.

  Other than the Mystic Militia, there was only one person on Earth who met the qualifications. Gerrod Reynolds. At least he came closer than anyone else.

  Despite Sevrin’s promise to explain the connection between his father and Gerrod Reynolds, all she’d offered were vague half-truths and outright lies. It had taken him four days and several bribes, but he now possessed a current address for the mysterious Ontarian.

  A calculative smile spread across his lips. As Flynn pointed out, Nazerel generally found it easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission, so he’d snatch the girl and take her to Gerrod. It would be harder for Gerrod to refuse Roxie protection once he’d seen her tear-streaked face.

  Knowing he’d need an alibi, once Roxie’s disappearance was realized, he moved into the foyer and called up to the second level. “Flynn, toss me down a roll of tape. I’m going to get started in the basement.” He’d already cleared out most of the basement, but Flynn didn’t know that.

  A roll of tape came flying in an indiscriminate arc. Nazerel snatched it out of the air before it shattered the mirror toward which it was headed. “Thanks. Asshole.” He whispered the last under his breath as he stashed the tape in a half-full box. This would only buy him an hour at most, so he had to get moving.

  He looked out the front window to make sure Sevrin was really gone. It wouldn’t have been the first time she sat in her car and watched what went on inside the house after they thought she’d left. She was sneaky to the marrow of her bones.

  Satisfied that the queen bee had flown back to her hive, he closed the blinds and stepped away from the window. Roxie was in for a shock, because he didn’t have time for explanations. He flashed to her shop without lowering his shields then waited until she was alone. As soon as Tess walked into the storeroom, Nazerel clasped his hand over Roxie’s mouth as he wrapped his other arm around her waist and flashed them toward the sub
urbs.

  She fought wildly, her efforts surprisingly strong. He had more control when he wasn’t struggling with a passenger, so he sent a pulse into her mind and commanded her to sleep. His compulsions weren’t always effective, but she went limp in his arms. Thank the gods.

  Gerrod lived in a modest two-story, surrounded by a sea of similar houses. Nazerel scanned ahead and found a dark corner of the backyard in which to materialize. Roxie was still unresponsive, so he lifted her into his arms and approached the back door slowly. Many humans were fond of weapons and he wasn’t in a position to defend himself at the moment.

  He kicked the screen door several times then stepped back so Gerrod could see the helpless female in his arms. “I mean you no harm, but this woman needs your assistance.”

  The porch light flashed on then off and Gerrod slowly opened the main door while leaving the screen door closed. “What the hell do you want?” Then more gravely, he asked, “How did you find me?”

  “This isn’t about me. It’s about her.” He raised Roxie slightly, drawing Gerrod’s attention to her pale face.

  “What did Sevrin do to her? I’m no doctor.”

  “She’s not harmed, just frightened. May I please bring her inside?”

  He looked around, obviously concerned that it was some sort of trap. Then he sighed and unlocked the door, pushing it open so Nazerel could enter.

  Nazerel found the living room and placed Roxie on the sofa. She made a distressed sound, but didn’t awaken. That was probably best for now.

  “Do you even know who that is?” Gerrod snapped from across the room. “Sevrin will kill us both if she thinks we’ve harmed her.”

  That froze Nazerel in his tracks. What the hell was he talking about? “I brought her here because I was afraid Sevrin would kill her. Were my fears unjustified? Who is she?”

  “What a cluster.” Gerrod crossed the room and looked at Roxie more closely. “Did she faint or did you flip her switch?”

  “I used a compulsion. She should wake up shortly.”

  “You better hope she does.” Gerrod sounded almost amused and Nazerel definitely didn’t understand the joke.