by Laura Hall
Sleep finally claimed me a few hours before dawn, only to abandon me at the first touch of light in the sky. After another marathon shower, I’d spent an inordinate amount of time staring at myself in the mirror.
You look just like your mother.
Maybe I did. I wouldn’t know, as she’d left just after my birth and my father hadn’t kept any pictures of her. At a young age, I’d been sworn to silence on the subject, though Mal had given me a few nuggets over the years.
She’d been beautiful and troubled. Charming and selfish. Emotionally volatile. Before her marriage to my father, Delilah Greer had been a self-professed bohemian, never staying in one city long. Mal had told me that when she’d been pregnant with me, she’d sometimes disappeared for days at a time.
But despite her varied and hurtful idiosyncrasies, my father had been nuts about her. When she’d left him with a newborn and no word, he’d been inconsolable. If it hadn’t been for Mal, and eventually me, he might have gone off the deep end.
Once, I’d come home from college on a surprise visit. When I’d let myself into the house, I’d found my dad drunk in his recliner. Misled by booze and darkness, he’d mistaken me for my long lost mother. My strong, proud father had cried out and fallen to his knees. The following day, it was understood we would never mention the incident.
Outside, leaves swirled across a courtyard of gray stone. The shadows of wolves darted inside the forest line.
I decided to go for a run.
Not giving myself time for second thoughts, I stuffed my feet in sneakers, grabbed the metal keycard from the dresser, and headed out the door. The hallway was silent and empty. As I waited for the elevator, I ignored the itch between my shoulder blades, as well as the impulse to glance behind me every few seconds.
The paneled doors opened without incident. I hurried inside, jabbing the button for the ground floor while glancing periodically down the hall. By the time the elevator started moving, my heart was pounding.
When the doors opened again, I was almost relieved to see Adam’s familiar face. He blinked in surprise. “Where are you going?”
I squared my shoulders. “For a run.”
He took in my sockless, sneakered feet. “Uh-huh.”
Behind him was what looked like the lobby of an expensive hotel. Lofty ceiling, navy walls, glassy, dark wood floors, and elaborate crown molding. An immense, intricate chandelier dominated the central space, hundreds of glimmering crystal strands dripping downward like frozen rain. Artwork hung in intervals along the walls, bold and impressionistic, massive pieces like those you saw in museums but never in private homes. Corridors with arched entries lined both sides of the hall, branching off to God only knew where.
And there were people. A lot of them. Milling around, crossing to and from adjacent hallways. A good number were currently staring at me.
My expression wasn’t as controlled as I thought, because Adam sighed and said, “Come with me. I’ll show you the trailhead.”
I tried to take a deep breath, but it stuck in my throat. “Thanks,” I croaked, but he’d already turned away and was striding toward a set of gargantuan wooden doors. They were, of course, on the far side of the lobby, and reaching them was going to be the equivalent of walking through a minefield of auras.
Sure enough, by the time I caught up with Adam, I was twitching. Fiona Sullivan, Supernatural Punching Bag. Maybe I should have business cards made up.
There were a few daywalker vamps and at least fifteen shifters, and while their auras were invasive, those radiating from the dozen or so mages were plain unsettling. The Ruby, Amber, and Topaz Mages weren’t so bad, but there were seven Emerald and three Sapphire. None of them were bothering to dampen their coronas, as Adam and Mal did.
I’d never taken LSD, but could imagine the effect was something like what I was seeing.
Maybe the repression of my lightning had enhanced my sensitivity, or Mal’s spells had been protecting me more than I’d thought, but I was seriously out of my depth.
By chance, I glanced aside as we passed another archway. Standing beside a familiar, poster-perfect blonde was the Prime. Samantha was glaring at me, while the Prime watched me with half-lidded eyes. His lips curved as I caught his gaze. He gave me a short nod, then returned his attention to his crazy girlfriend.
“Fiona!”
I looked around and saw Declan striding toward us. At the sight of his smiling face, a knot inside me loosened. The closer he came, the more relaxed I felt, until I was virtually purring in his warm, pulsing energy. Just ahead of me, Adam stopped and turned, nodding a greeting to the Alpha.
Declan returned the nod, then grinned down at me. “Where are you off to?”
I returned his smile. “I thought I’d go for a run. You know, plot my escape.”
He laughed and glanced skeptically at my feet. “Without socks?”
I shrugged. “I’ve done it before.”
He nodded perfunctorily. “I had you pegged for a runner.”
My brows went up—he might as well have said nice legs. Declan seemed to arrive at the same conclusion and blushed, which only made me smile wider.
He glanced at Adam. “I’ll take her from here.”
Adam looked between us, expression implacable, then nodded and walked away. A few moments later, I realized that the Western Alpha and I were standing completely still, grinning at each other, while an audience of thirty looked on.
“Waiting on you, buddy,” I said through my teeth.
Declan glanced around, smile fading a little. “Typical,” he muttered, then waved me forward.
September in the Pacific Northwest had a different definition than it did in Southern California. It was freaking cold. I jumped in place to warm my muscles as I waited for Declan to return in running clothes. He’d left me at a trailhead and sprinted back to the sprawling, modern palace that was the Prime’s compound.
When I’d told him he didn’t have to run with me, he’d given me a flat look and said, “Tell that to my boss.”
I decided not to be offended.
I was in the middle of stretching my quads when a rustling alerted me to company. I looked around, but saw nothing save for pine trees and thick undergrowth. It was very quiet, even the birds having ceased their trills.
“Declan?”
Brush moved to my left and I swiveled on my heels, coming face-to-face with a lovely, petite redhead. She was also completely naked.
“Shit,” I blurted, averting my eyes.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” More rustling, this time of fabric, and then a throaty giggle. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I was in wolf form and didn’t want to sneak up on you, but completely forgot about the flashing side effect of the change. You can turn around now.”
I did, and thankfully she was clothed, albeit in a random outfit—overly large, men’s athletic shorts and a sports jersey. Wild red hair sprang from her head in tight coils. Her bright blue eyes were filled with humor and curiosity.
“You’re Fiona, right?” she asked, but didn’t wait for an affirmative, grabbing my hand and shaking it vigorously. “Dec told me about you. Well, he told all of us. Said you were a cool girl. I’m Tabitha, but everyone calls me Tabby. Like the cat.” She grimaced. “It’s kinda an insult, seeing that I’m a wolf. But whatever. It’s all about perspective, right? I’m fast and agile, like a cat. So I’m okay with it.”
I blinked repeatedly, trying to make sense of her rambling. “Uhh—”
Tabitha—Tabby—turned at some noise I didn’t hear. “Declan!” she exclaimed with pleasure.
The man in question stepped forward from between two trees, his expression somewhere between chagrined and amused. He avoided my gaze as Tabby skipped forward and threw her arms around his waist, pressing a kiss to his bearded chin.
Ah.
The sudden, deep pang of loneliness in my gut took me by surprise. As Declan returned her embrace, I turned away, both to grant them privacy and to give my
self a chance to get my feelings under control.
I didn’t know Declan outside the hour we’d spent together last night, and it wasn’t like I’d seriously considered having a fling with the man. But despite knowing that a little flirting did not a declaration of love make, now that I’d met Tabby I felt ashamed of my behavior.
The Prime had warned me, but I hadn’t listened. I’d been too wrapped up in the possibility of physically being with someone again.
It would have been a lot easier if she was a bitch like Samantha.
“Ready for that run?” asked Declan.
I plastered a smile on my face and turned. “Absolutely. It was great meeting you, Tabby.”
She grinned. “Likewise. And if you need anything at all, let me know.”
A lightbulb went off in my head. I needed underwear and some clothing besides leggings. And socks. I was banking on the Prime footing the bill; as I saw it, he owed me.
“If that’s a serious offer, I actually do need some things. Girl stuff. Is there a mall nearby, and if so, how can I get there?”
Tabby nodded enthusiastically. “It’s about a half hour away. If it’s okay with Connor, I’d be happy to take you. How’s after lunch sound?”
“Connor says that’s fine,” Declan offered. I shot him an incredulous look and he tapped his temple. “The boss has links to Adam and me.”
I shuddered. “Creepy.”
Tabby laughed. “It’s pretty weird, right? One time, Connor started talking to Declan in the middle of—”
“Okay,” Declan interjected, laughing forcefully. “Time to get moving. Fiona looks cold.” He kissed Tabby’s temple. “We’ll meet you in the cafeteria at noon. Connor wants me to tag along.” He winked at me. “Wouldn’t want our guest to wander off.”
I snorted. Tabby nodded happily. “That sounds great, see you then. Have a good run!” She took off at a jog toward the compound, and we watched her go.
After a few moments of pregnant silence, Declan began, “Fiona, I—”
“Whoa.” I held up a stalling hand. “No harm, no foul.”
“I still feel like I should apologize.”
I forced my own laugh. “Great, so you’re emotionally mature, too. Way to rub it in.”
He made a low noise, very near a growl. I startled at the sight of his eyes, bleeding to yellow and full of heat. I flushed and looked away, trying recall the last time someone had looked at me with such hunger. I couldn’t remember.
“Sorry,” he said quickly. “You’re just, I don’t know, so different. You bring out the alpha in me, which is odd since you’re not a shifter.” He paused, and I glanced up to see him dragging a hand through his hair. “I’m probably an asshole for saying this, but shifter relationships are usually open.”
I couldn’t quite repress a squint of revulsion; I was also grudgingly impressed by his bluntness. Feeling conflicted, I backpedaled into humor.
“This conversation is getting a little intense for me. I haven’t even had breakfast yet.”
The tension broke and he grinned. “We’re okay then?”
“Of course.” I narrowed my eyes. “You know, despite popular opinion, men and women are capable of friendship.”
His eyes twinkled. “With benefits?”
I groaned. “About that emotionally mature comment…”
He laughed. “Come on, sparky, let’s run.”
Ten
Late that evening, as I was unpacking three large shopping bags courtesy of the Prime’s black American Express, there was a knock on my bedroom door.
“Come in,” I called.
The door clicked open. “Hey, kiddo.”
I dropped the current bag and ran, launching into my uncle’s arms with zero care for my status as a grown woman or the Prime standing behind him.
Mal caught me with an, “Oomph,” and laughed, spinning me around before setting me back on my feet. He ruffled my hair, fingers pausing on the streak of white.
“It suits your coloring,” he said gruffly.
I smiled halfheartedly. “Who are you and what did you do with my uncle?”
Troubled hazel eyes found mine. “It’s good to see you. Let’s go over to the library for a chat.”
Nerves danced in my belly. Nodding, I followed him into the hallway. The opposite door stood open, emitting murmurs of conversation and the auras of those within.
As much as it pained me to admit, the Prime was right about one thing. My sensitivity to auras had definitely increased, making it easier to distinguish between individuals.
Whereas before I could see but not feel the auras of mages, now I felt the spine-tingling heat of the two Opals and the less potent sting of Mal’s Sapphire rank. Declan’s heady shifter pulse was also easily identifiable, but there were several others in the room whose auras I didn’t know. Two vampires, who felt like sharp jabs of cold air, and another shifter. An alpha, if I wasn’t mistaken.
“You look lovely,” murmured the Prime.
I mentally catalogued the price of my outfit, then met the amused green gaze. “You’ll change your mind when you see the bill.”
He smirked, pausing at the door through which Mal had already disappeared. “After you, Fiona.”
I crossed the threshold and received nods of greeting from Adam, Declan, and Alisande. At my entrance the three strangers stood, though their deference probably had more to do with the man at my back.
The Prime spoke over my head, “Fiona, meet Charles, Eve, and Matthew. Charles and Eve are masters in Seattle and Matthew is the alpha werebear of this region.”
Matthew wasn’t the first shifter I’d met who physically resembled his animal form, but in his case, the similarity was pronounced. He was huge and burly, with long, shaggy dark hair and a grizzled beard shot through with gray. His eyes as they met mine, though, were kind, without the usual aggression common to alphas.
The unsmiling vamps could have been twins, both slender and dark-haired, with luminous olive skin. They eyed me like I was a tasty treat, nostrils flaring and dark eyes gleaming.
When the female, Eve, licked her lips hungrily, I took an involuntary step back, straight into the Prime’s chest. His fingers curled over my shoulders, lifting goose bumps under my clothes. Whatever the look on his face was, the vamps immediately sat down, eyes lowering.
Neat trick, I thought pointedly, and he gently squeezed my shoulders before releasing me.
“It’s nice to meet you, Fiona,” said Matthew, eyes a little wide as they veered between the vamps and me. “Though I’m sorry for the circumstances.”
“Thanks,” I said weakly.
Mal, occupying a chair beside Alisande, said, “Let’s begin, shall we?”
Declan and Adam took the second couch, leaving an empty love seat and one chair. I promptly veered toward the chair, set farthest away from the gathering and nearest a dark fireplace.
The Prime sprawled on the love seat, a small, knowing smile on his face and his eyes on Mal. The smile vanished as my uncle began to speak, and I tore my gaze from the vampire.
“Connor, your contact in the FBI was very helpful. The trace on Frank’s rental car pinged earlier today. The car was found near Snoqualmie Falls, about fifty minutes from the airport.” His gaze flickered to me and away, but not before I saw the despair in them.
“Mal?” I whispered.
Pinched lips told me he’d heard me, but he kept his gaze on the Prime. “There was sign of a struggle but no body.”
“Did you sense alchemy?” asked the Omega.
Mal nodded. “Yes, but I don’t know if it was from the same source as the signature in Los Angeles. It’s like a universal, bad taste in the mouth,” he added for the benefit of the non-mages.
Matthew cleared his throat. “I have a few bears living out there. I’d be happy to give them a call to find out if they heard anything or happened to see Frank.”
“Thank you,” said the Prime, and the shifter rose and lumbered from the room.
; “Do we think the Liberati suspected Frank was closing in on them and took him out?” asked Declan, shooting me an apologetic glance.
The Prime shrugged. “It’s hard to say. The morning Frank was due to arrive in Seattle, he called me but didn’t leave a message. Perhaps he caught a break in the case. Perhaps not. His file in Los Angeles didn’t yield any insights.”
I felt a pinch of grief. “He’s always been horrible at file notes,” I said absently.
“There’s something else,” said Mal, drawing our attentions back to him. “Frank had a secretary, Rosie Young. She’s disappeared as well. I was able to check the manifest for Frank’s flight, and there was an R. Young on board that morning.”
My jaw dropped. “You think Rosie’s involved? Impossible.”
Mal met my incredulous gaze. “She’s a cipher, isn’t she?”
I spluttered. “Yes, but she’s the mousiest, shyest woman on the planet. She couldn’t hurt a fly, much less overpower Dad.”
“You don’t know that,” said Adam.
“Unless she was an alchemist,” noted the Prime.
“It’s something, at least,” added Declan.
I made a noise of frustration and flopped back in my chair. “No way,” I muttered. “It’s a coincidence. She probably went to Arizona to visit her sister. She’s been talking about it for months.”
“Arizona?” asked the Prime in a chilling tone.
I frowned. “Yes. Why?”
He looked away. “No reason.”
I sent a thought toward him: an image of me strangling him with my bare hands.
One sculpted brow rose.
Mal sighed. “There isn’t much else I can do, Connor. I swept the area and didn’t pick up any scents, shifter or otherwise. Besides a small amount of blood, the car was clean of evidence. No surveillance or witnesses. Just the note.”
My head snapped up. “What note?”
“Praesent ut libero,” said the Prime softly, watching me. “Latin for—”
“I know what it means,” I interrupted, closing my stinging eyes. “Live to be free.”
