Justin was already typing on his phone. “I’m asking Lydia to call him. She’ll drag him out for another spa day. For some reason, she thinks that’s what everyone needs to cheer them up.”
“It would make me feel better,” Aiden mumbled.
Justin snorted. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
Aiden opened the door, and three hunters, two men and a woman, walked into the condo. She recognized the giant blond from the club. The woman was close to Caitlin’s height with a sinewy build, vivid purple hair secured in a large clip at the back of her neck, and eyes so blue they almost looked purple. The other man wasn’t very tall, and had more of a wiry build, dark hair, and a beard in serious need of grooming.
Without her disguise, the other hunters recognized her immediately, proving her disappearance from the Seattle area was common knowledge. Now, the question was whether they’d heard about her aunt and uncle’s murder.
“Wanna tell me why you’ve got a missing hunter with you?” the big hunter asked before giving her a wink. “I like you better without the wig, honey.”
“Really, Mason?” the other guy huffed. “That’s what you’re going to start with? Could you stop thinking with your dick for five minutes? Or, at the very least, stop flirting with a killer?”
“Knock it off, Brandon,” the woman snapped. “Does she look like a killer to you?”
“I didn’t kill anyone,” Phoenix insisted.
“I figured that out all on my own, honey,” Mason assured her. “I’m a pretty good judge of character, and you don’t have the killer instinct. That’s probably why you ran in the first place.”
“I’m not convinced she not a killer,” Brandon grumbled with his arms crossed in front of his chest like a petulant child.
Mason ignored him. “Let’s do the whole intro thing, so we can move on to business. I’m Mason. This is Talia and Brandon. I know who Phoenix is. You wanna give me names? Or, should I call you Doc Vamp, the rocker, the hacker, and my future wife?”
“Do I look like I’m going for a rocker look?” Aiden asked, earning him an eye-roll from Justin before Justin made curt introductions.
“Justin, Isaiah, Aiden, and my wife, Caitlin,” Justin replied, pointing to everyone as he introduced them.
“You keep calling her your wife like you’re insecure,” Mason mused. “Must mean you know how much she wants me, and you feel like you need to remind her. Makes sense, since she’s probably already wondering how she can let you down easy.”
“Did you two want to take your dicks out and have a pissing contest?” Caitlin asked.
“Maybe later,” Mason replied, ignoring her sarcasm. “For now, let’s get down to business.” His eyes focused on Phoenix. “There have been a lot of people looking for you.”
“Because they think I killed my aunt and uncle?” she asked.
“That’s made finding you more urgent,” Mason replied. “Technically, we were supposed to be on the lookout for you after your disappearance, but most of us didn’t care that much about finding you. The murders are a different story because we can’t have a rogue hunter out killing people.”
“It’s not just the recent murders either,” Talia added. “The hunters from your territory have been told you also murdered your own parents and another breeder before you took off.”
“That one’s harder to prove with no bodies,” Brandon added. “There’ve also been a lot of people wondering why they’d wait this long to mention those murders.”
“There are plenty of territories where you’d be in a shit load of trouble in a room full of hunters,” Mason told her. “You’re lucky. Our elders aren’t convinced they’re getting the truth.”
Phoenix was so angry with the accusations that her voice practically shook. “These are all lies. I didn’t kill anyone.”
“That’s what our elders believe,” Mason stated. “They pointed out that people who are resistant to training as hunters, generally, have issues with killing, and that makes it very unlikely they’d kill off family.”
“Do you know what happened to your parents and the other breeder?” Talia asked.
“My parents and my cousin, the other breeder, are still very much alive, but they’re all in hiding,” Phoenix began cautiously, not wanting to reveal too much about Shayla. “They ran when I did. I’m not even sure where to start.”
“Let me save you a couple of steps,” Mason offered. “We already know the hunters in your area believe that everyone born with a hunter’s mark has to train to be a hunter. It was only a matter of time before someone decided they didn’t want to train and ran.”
“You don’t think that way in this area?” Aiden interrupted.
Mason shook his head. “There’s not much call for hunters these days, so if someone doesn’t believe it’s their calling, we’re fine with letting them out of it.” Mason gave Phoenix a knowing smile. “That’s why we have so many witches out here.” A look of realization flashed in Mason’s eyes. “I can’t believe I didn’t think about you going to one of our witches until now. That’s why I didn’t recognize you as a hunter, isn’t it? You got your mark spelled to help you stay hidden. How did you even find out about that? From what I’ve heard, the information isn’t offered up to young hunters in more traditional areas.”
“My uncle told me about it when I was ten and he realized I wasn’t going to become a hunter,” Phoenix explained. “Unfortunately, I think I put the witch who helped me in danger, and his brother is dead now.”
“More dead people,” Brandon grumbled.
Phoenix ignored him and gave them a brief explanation of Hayden’s obsession with her when they were younger and his desire to be a hunter. There was no getting around including her time with Drew, and she was surprised by how little the other hunters reacted to that. She explained Shayla running because of Hayden’s lack of stability, leaving out Shayla’s pregnancy. She reluctantly finished by telling them about her call from Shayla.
“Two breeders on killing sprees,” Talia mused. “You don’t see that sort of thing often.”
“Shayla is not on a killing spree!” Phoenix insisted.
“She’s right,” Brandon agreed with a nod. “One kill isn’t a killing spree, and it sounds like she did it to protect Phoenix.”
“And you suddenly think that’s a good thing, Bran?” Mason asked with a laugh.
“Fuck you, Mason,” Brandon shot back, flipping him off. “There’s no way Phoenix could make up something this crazy, meaning it has to be true.”
“Your other cousin needs killing,” Talia spat out.
Phoenix felt relief wash over her at the realization that they believed her. She’d been alone for so long, and now she suddenly had hunters and vampires on her side.
“So, what can you do to help?” Isaiah asked.
That question was met with silence from the hunters as they considered their options.
Mason finally spoke. “I’m not sure what we can do. Before we can offer anything, we have to run it by the elders.”
“I can’t see them turning you away,” Brandon assured Phoenix. “The likelihood is they’ll just claim you.”
“That would be the most likely scenario since it will make things easier for the Seattle hunters, as well,” Talia agreed.
“How would it make things easier for them?” Phoenix asked.
“You’re a problem they don’t want to deal with,” Mason began. “If they’d wanted to deal with you, efforts to find you would have been made sooner. As it stands, they put the word out you were missing, but they weren’t really looking for you.”
“No one wants to deal with a squeamish hunter,” Talia explained. “You’d be an embarrassment to them since they think all hunters should be proud of their heritage. By just disappearing, you made their lives easier. I’d be willing to bet they don’t believe you killed anyone, but they have no choice but to look for you. If you’re claimed by this territory, it means they can say you’re our problem.”
“I’m surprised they aren’t putting more effort into finding the breeder,” Brandon mused. “That’s the part of this that makes no sense to me.”
“Unless her parents didn’t tell them she was missing,” Isaiah said thoughtfully.
“Why wouldn’t they mention it?” Talia asked.
“They may have been embarrassed,” Phoenix suggested, not adding that they would have tried to keep it a secret if they had figured out Shayla was pregnant when she’d disappeared.
“If your arse of a cousin, Hayden, was willing to kill his own parents, he’s not going to just let you go,” Aiden pointed out.
“I think you’re right,” Mason agreed. “You need to get Hayden and prove he killed his parents.”
“Or, you need to kill him,” Brandon added, and he laughed when everyone stared at him. “What? I can suggest breaking the rules from time to time.”
Mason snorted. “Not since I’ve known you, but you’re right. Much as I hate to say it, dead would be better in this case.”
“So, what you’re telling us is that you can’t do much but talk to your elders?” Isaiah asked, sounding frustrated.
“Not officially,” Mason replied. “If things go to hell, call me and I’ll try to help, but I can’t do too much without the consent of the elders, and I’m not allowed to kill breeders. Even crazy psychotic breeders like your cousin are off limits.”
“Such a pity,” Talia added with a dramatic sigh. “We can have your back officially as soon as the elders claim you. They may want you to stay with one of the elders until the danger passes.”
“They may also want your missing breeder cousin, and something tells me there is more to this story than you want to tell me,” Mason pointed out.
“We don’t need the rest of the story,” Brandon added quickly. “It’s best if we don’t know at this point.”
“So, you’ll tell us what the elders decide regarding claiming Phoenix?” Isaiah asked.
Mason nodded. “Is the number you texted me from still going to be working when I try to get in touch with you?”
“That’s my number,” Justin assured him. “I have no interest in changing it.”
Mason nodded. “I gave you my real number, too.”
“I’ll send you Isaiah’s number, as well, since he’s usually with Phoenix,” Justin told him.
Mason grinned. “How about sending me your hot wife’s number?”
Talia laughed. “Give it up, Mason. The vampire is not going to let you have his wife’s number, and she’s not interested in you.”
Mason shrugged, still grinning. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
“I have another question,” Isaiah said, staring at Mason. “Why did you call me the hacker? Is it because of the glasses?”
“It’s the calluses on your fingertips,” Mason told him, holding up his own callused fingertips.
Isaiah’s eyebrows rose, and Phoenix almost laughed at his intrigued expression.
Mason clapped Isaiah on the back on the way to the front door. “You and I will talk computers later. For now, we’ll try to help you keep Phoenix safe.”
Chapter Forty-One
Isaiah was lying on his side, wrapped around Phoenix. In the early morning, his mind was still fuzzy from sleep, and he felt content and safe. Looking over at the clock, he saw that it was just past eight, and he’d probably still be asleep if Roman wasn’t coming by for breakfast. He’d have to wake Phoenix soon. His phone vibrated with an incoming message. Reluctantly releasing Phoenix, he rolled over to grab his phone, and found a text from Mason.
The elders got your girl’s back. Seattle agrees she’s ours, but they lost track of the hunters with Hayden a couple days ago. Not sure if they went rogue or Hayden killed them. Last they heard, the hunters and Hayden were in this area.
He sent a quick response.
Thanks for the update and for helping. Any chance you can help us track down Hayden?
Mason’s reply came back right away.
Elders say no. They also want Phoenix in one of our safe houses.
Isaiah didn’t even have to think about his reply.
No.
His phone buzzed with Mason’s reply.
I told them you would say that. They are not happy about her staying with vampires, but they aren’t willing to order her to come to them. Call me if you need help. Talia and Brandon will also have your back if you need them.
“Who are you texting?” Phoenix asked.
“Mason,” he told her. “The elders here are claiming you, and the Seattle hunters agreed. I guess Hayden and the hunters with him went off the grid, so they can’t call them off.”
“Do you think we should ask the local hunters to help Shayla and my parents?” she asked.
“Let’s worry about that later,” he told her. “With Hayden in this area, I think your parents are safer if they don’t come here.”
Phoenix nodded. “I suppose you’re right. It’s also best if no one else finds out about Hunter.”
“I wish we could stay in bed all day,” Isaiah said with a sigh.
“Why can’t we?” she asked.
“Roman is coming by to discuss what happened last night,” Isaiah told her. “I’d rather just tell him over the phone, but he’s pretty old-fashioned and hates his phone.”
“I suppose the older you are, the harder it is to adapt to technology,” she said thoughtfully.
“Sofia is older than Roman, and she’s not at all resistant to technology,” Isaiah argued. “Roman just spent too much time as a recluse.” The alarm on his phone went off, reminding him that they needed to get dressed. “Roman will be here in thirty minutes for breakfast, so we should get ready.”
Phoenix gave him a sexy pout. “I was hoping we could spend a little more time in bed.”
“I know you’re tired, but we need to get up,” Isaiah told her before kissing her nose.
Reaching under the covers, Phoenix gripped his cock and squeezed. “I wasn’t thinking about sleeping, but what I have in mind does involve you being up.”
Isaiah groaned when she stroked the length of his growing erection. “I supposed we could be a little late for breakfast.”
Chapter Forty-Two
They were more than a little late for breakfast, if the annoyed look Roman shot their way was any indication. Honestly, Phoenix hadn’t even looked at the time when they’d left Isaiah’s room. Isaiah had done a good job of making her forget they even needed to go downstairs for breakfast.
“How nice of you to join us,” Roman greeted them in a cool voice.
“You didn’t tell me it was nice that I joined you,” Josef complained.
Lydia snorted. “That’s because it isn’t nice to have you at breakfast.”
“Lydia,” Roman warned, but his wife didn’t seem the least bit intimidated by him.
“Don’t get all snippy with me,” Lydia told Roman. “We don’t like him. I’ve already told you, we’re taking Helena’s side.”
“Since when do you allow a woman to speak for you?” Josef foolishly asked Roman.
“Oh, hell no!” Lydia shouted. “Don’t you dare talk around me! I don’t like you. Caitlin doesn’t like you. I’m pretty sure Justin doesn’t like you. Your own wife can’t stand you.”
Hurt flashed in Josef’s eyes, and Phoenix actually felt bad for him. “Helena told you that?” he asked in a small voice.
“She doesn’t have to,” Lydia continued.
“Lyd,” Caitlin tried to interrupt her, but Lydia either didn’t hear or chose to ignore her.
“Helena has been avoiding you for months,” Lydia continued. “Why would she do that if she wanted to be around you? Not that any of us blame her after the way you’ve treated her.”
“I see,” Josef said softly. “If you’ll excuse me, I have some calls to make.” With that, he stood and walked out of the room.
“That was really harsh,” Caitlin told Lydia.
“Coming from Caitlin
, that really says something,” Justin added. “Not that I don’t agree with everything you said.” His statement was met with a glare from Caitlin.
“I feel bad for him,” Phoenix murmured, looking at the door Josef had exited through.
“Don’t feel too bad for him,” Isaiah told her. “To be honest, I think he needs to hear this kind of stuff if he’s got any hope of fixing things with my mom.”
“Fixing things?” Justin demanded. “Are you out of your mind?”
“He loves her,” Caitlin argued.
“And he treats her like crap, which essentially cancels out the love part of this equation,” Justin argued.
“At one point, they were desperately in love,” Roman remarked with very little emotion. “Helena left Alek to be with Josef, and they were happy. I believe Josef can change.” He reached out and took Lydia’s hand, a smile playing on his lips when he looked at his wife. “If I can change, Josef certainly can.”
Justin snorted.
“Where is Drew?” Phoenix asked to change the subject.
“He said he’d talk to you later,” Caitlin responded. “He figured Roman didn’t want him at breakfast, and he was getting pissed at Josef.”
Phoenix nodded, making a mental note to hunt Drew down after breakfast so they could talk about Shayla. The more she thought about it, the more she suspected it would be a very bad idea for Drew to get anywhere near her cousin. He was right about Shayla having some serious issues, and Phoenix didn’t think Drew was in the best mental state to help her.
“We’ve already filled Roman in on the details of the meeting with the hunters last night,” Justin began.
“Mason texted me this morning,” Isaiah began. “The local hunters agreed to claim Phoenix.”
“This is good news,” Roman said.
“The problem we have now is that the Seattle hunters have lost contact with Hayden and the hunters who were with him,” Isaiah continued. “They did confirm that they’re in this area.”
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