Skin Walkers: Gauge

by Susan A Bliler

  “My plan is to wait.”

  King wasn’t convinced. “Wait?”

  “Yes. Wait.”

  “And just what is it exactly that we’re waiting for?”

  Impatient, Gauge eyed the door behind him before frowning at the Chief of Security. “You saw what was carved into her back, and you also are aware of the fact that Alysa’s not hers. The man that did this to Ella clearly has a personal interest. I’m assuming that interest is Alysa.”

  “Her father,” King supplied.

  “Yes.”

  “So, I still don’t understand what we’re waiting for.”

  “Clearly, the bastard went to Ella’s apartment with the intentions of taking Alysa. She wasn’t there, which means the prick’ll be back. He wants the child and he knows Ella’s got her, which means….” he let his words die off as he saw clarity in King’s eyes.

  “You think he’s coming here.”

  “Of course he’s coming here. We have something he wants.”

  “That’s your plan?” King snarled, clearly displeased. “Wait for him to attack the female and take the child?”

  It was Gauge’s turn to snarl as he lunged forward to go nose-to-nose with King. “No one is touching either of them! They are MINE!”

  King refused to back down. “Explain!”

  It took all Gauge’s strength to force himself to calm as he took a step back from King. “I’ve taken some of Alysa’s clothing to the Sentries at the gate and the wall. They’ve memorized her scent and have direction to seek out any familial trace to outsiders attempting to access the Estate. When the fucker shows up here, I’ll know it!”

  King’s frown dissipated. The plan wasn’t bad. It wasn’t ideal, but Gauge was right. The bastard who’d attacked Ella would have no idea what he’d encounter by coming to StoneCrow. It’d be child’s play for any Sentry to sniff him out if they knew what they were looking for.

  King nodded, “And once we have him?”

  “What do you think?” Gauge growled sarcastically.

  Chapter 17

  The next few weeks weren’t easy. Ella and Gauge seemed to butt heads at every opportunity and agreed on very little. He’d demanded that she and Alysa keep his much larger room, while he’d relegated himself to the smaller guest room. It had been difficult getting her to even agree to stay with him, but he’d appealed to the mother in her, and just as he’d expected, she’d caved.

  The first few days were a test of his patience and his teeth, as he clenched his jaw watching Ella as she hobbled around his home, refusing to permit him to carry her or do the menial tasks she wanted done that took her nearly hours while it’d only have taken him minutes. Eventually, she’d gotten to the point where she could walk practically unimpaired, but it hadn’t been easy for the Walker to endure. Suffering the scent of her pain on a daily basis while being forced to merely watch her struggle was infuriating. Worse, she still refused to confide in him that Alysa wasn’t hers and that the child’s father had been the one to attack her. It was more than infuriating, it was insulting!

  Gauge had defended her to CEO StoneCrow, and he’d taken her in. The least he’d expected was her trust.

  Watching her usher Alysa out the door with Lilly for a play date with her daughter, Mahkya Mulholland, he knew he’d been a fool. How could someone who’d spent her life hiding just simply trust him because he’d given her a place to sleep? A growl rumbled in his chest and drew her attention.

  “Gauge?” Finely shaped brows hiked as she closed the door, “You alright?”

  “No,” he grumbled shoving to his feet and pacing away from the sofa. “I want some fucking answers, Ella.” He was angry, but it wasn’t with her. Sure, he’d hoped she’d come clean, but mostly he’d hoped that the bastard who’d dared to touch her would have shown his face by now. The fact that he still had to worry about Ella and Alysa’s safety had his back teeth gnashing.

  “Answers about what?” her tone was flippant as she crossed to pick up toys Alysa had scattered on the sitting room floor.

  “Would it faze you to learn that I already know the truth? That all this time, I’ve simply been waiting for you to trust me enough to give in?”

  He watched her hands slow in their task as her body tensed. She turned her head to eye him over her shoulder. Whatever she read in his eyes must have satisfied her because her glib tone was back. “Sure I lied. I told everyone I’d tripped. Truth is, I was attacked by a mugger.” She shrugged, “No big deal.”

  “NO BIG DEAL!” he roared, launching himself across the room.

  Ella recoiled and tripped. Strong hands caught her before she could hit the ground.

  Annoyed, Gauge pinned her good arm to her side with the intention of growling at her that it was in fact a very big deal, when she did the one thing, the only thing that could freeze him in his tracks. She flinched…actually flinched. She threw up her still-bandaged arm, using it to protect her head and rolled her body toward one hip. It was then that he knew. He knew why there were no marks on her face, and why the entire left side of her body was destroyed. This was how she’d defended herself from her attacker.

  “Ella,” he spoke firmly, “I’d never hurt you.” He was fighting to keep his flare of regret and anguish under control. It was proving difficult. He was done waiting. To help her heal and to protect her, he needed answers.

  “Know that whatever you tell me behind these doors stays here.” Gauge’s words were clipped, terse. “I want answers Ella, and I want them now.”

  Ella shook her head, her eyes wide as she dropped her arm. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Gauge jerked back, his hand connected with the lamp that sat on the table next to the sofa, sending it crashing into the wall. “I can smell your deceit.”

  Ella flinched, her face now ashen. Her tongue darted out to lick her parched lips as her eyes glistened with fear. “Gauge…” his name was a whisper as she brought her hands together in front of her, she rubbed nervously at her bandaged wrist. “Please try and understand. The more people I drag into this the more…”

  “Monroe wants you off the Estate. Aside from claiming you, there’s no other way to stop him from making that happen unless you tell the truth.”

  Ella’s eyes rounded. “I’d never do that to you.” When he looked at her questioningly she answered his unasked question. “I’d never permit you to claim me out of necessity rather than emotion.”

  He couldn’t help but ask, “Even if it saves your life?”

  She dipped her head.

  Whether she confided in him or not was of little consequence. If Monroe wanted her gone, then he’d run with her. There was no way in hell he’d leave this woman and that innocent child unprotected. “The truth. Now!” He boomed.

  Ella’s hands went to her belly as her eyes slowly slid from his to rest on his feet. “Alysa.” She couldn’t formulate the words. She’d been running and lying so long that now she found it virtually impossible to admit the truth. She blinked and the tears breached her eyes, sliding down her pale cheeks. “A-Alysa’s not mine.” The admission was barely audible.

  “That’s why you were attacked? You’ve stolen someone’s child?” His tone was incredulous. It’s what he’d suspected, but hearing the words brought it all home.

  Ella’s eyes snapped to his. “No! I didn’t steal her.”

  “If she’s not your child Ella…”

  “She’s my sister’s child.” Ella took a step closer, her hand reaching for him before she stopped herself. “Please, Gauge, just listen.”

  His eyes were darker than she’d ever seen them, and he was quietly awaiting her explanation.

  “Alysa is my niece, my sister Jenna’s child.”

  “So you took the child from your sister.” It wasn’t a question.

  Ella felt her cheeks flame in anger as she bit out, “My sister is dead. Her husband killed her.”

  “Alysa’s father I presume?”

  “Yes. He was alw
ays abusive. She’d call me often crying, saying how she was concerned for her and Alysa’s safety. She was worried that he’d tire of beating her and start in on Alysa. I was finally able to talk her into leaving him. She was supposed to come and stay with me…” Her hand covered her mouth as she attempted to hold back a sob. “She…she never made it.” Her eyes grew distant as she relived the nightmare. “She died that night. It was ruled an accident. They said she slipped and fell in the shower and the blow to her head had...” Tears were now flowing unchecked down her cheeks. “It’s not true, Gauge. She’d called me earlier that night. She’d already showered. He killed her. He killed my sister and made it look like an accident!” Her tone was imploring, she needed him to believe her.

  His features softened marginally. “How did you get Alysa?”

  Ella swiped at her cheeks, rubbing the palms of her wet hands on the thighs of her jeans. “At the funeral. He was so busy accepting everyone’s sympathy he didn’t even notice that he’d forgotten Alysa in her baby carrier all alone in the pew at the church. I hadn’t planned it, it just…just happened. I was three rows back and I watched him get up and walk away. The church nearly emptied and no one even remembered she was there. When he went to the adjoining room for the reception… I couldn’t just leave her there, Gauge, not when I knew what kind of monster he was. I grabbed her and I ran. I’ve been running ever since.”

  A knock sounded at the door. Gauge ignored it, frowning down at Ella instead. When the knock sounded again, Gauge turned with a growl and stormed to the door before flinging it open and demanding, “What?”

  Ella couldn’t see around Gauge’s massive frame, but she heard a frightened young man state, “Mr. Alexander, CEO StoneCrow requests you in his office immediately.”

  “Tell him it’ll have to wait.”

  Gauge was in the process of closing the door when the young man continued, “He wanted me to let you know that it’s an emergency that won’t wait.”

  Gauge growled again before turning to pin Ella with angry eyes. “I’ll be back shortly. Don’t even think about leaving this suite.” He was silent a moment before offering, “Who you choose to stand beside you in battle will determine your fate here, Ella. Choose wisely.” He strode angrily from the suite slamming the door behind him.

  Ella waited several moments to give Gauge time to get on the elevator before she peeked her head out the door to ensure the hall was clear. What does that mean? Who I choose to stand beside me in battle? Is he offering? She wished she knew, but couldn’t chance sticking around to find out.

  Back in the suite, Ella raced to her and Alysa’s shared room. Inside she pulled a duffle bag from the closet before rushing to throw open the dresser drawers. She’d need enough clothes and provisions to last them.

  Her mind raced as she packed as much of Alysa’s clothes and supplies as she could before grabbing a few items for herself. When Gauge said he’d be back soon, she knew he meant it, and that left her little time to pack, dash to King and Lilly’s to retrieve Alysa, and get the hell away from StoneCrow. She had to run. Although she wanted desperately to trust Gauge, to trust that he’d take care of her and Alysa, she simply couldn’t risk Alysa’s life on the chance. She couldn’t risk that they’d take Alysa from her.

  As she waited for the elevator, her heart nearly stopped when the doors finally eased open. She half expected to find an angry Gauge towering inside waiting on her. Luckily, the elevator was empty and she was dashing through the lobby and exiting the front doors before she had a chance to run into anyone she knew.

  Outside, she quickened her pace to the garage as the breath huffed out of her in frigid puffs. There was access to the garage from inside, but she didn’t want to chance running into Gauge. Instead, she punched her pass code into the locked doors with icy fingers and entered once the doors released. Moments later, her duffle bag was tucked in the trunk of Gauge’s car. She hoped he’d forgive her for taking it. In no time, she was racing across the Estate on her way to King and Lilly’s cabin.

  Her eyes continually darted to the rearview mirror as she pulled the smart phone from her purse with one hand then selected the touch-screen icon that would automatically dial Lilly’s phone.

  “Hello?”

  Ella tried to sound casual. “Hey Lilly, it’s Ella.”

  “Oh hi! How are you?”

  “Fine, fine. Look, the reason I’m calling is there’s been a change in plans. I’m on my way to pick up Alysa. Can you have her ready when I get there?”

  “Uhh…sure. Is everything okay?”

  “Oh yeah,” Ella flinched at the too high pitch in her tone. “Gauge has some surprise for us. He won’t say what it is, but he just wants us both to be there.”

  “Oh how fun!” The smile in Lilly’s voice was genuine. “Sure, I’ll get her coat and shoes on her now. How close are you?”

  “Just about there. I’ll just wait outside if that’s okay?”

  “Sure, I’ll bring her out when you get here. See ya in a few.”

  Ella ended the call. Her nerves were wreaking havoc on her. Please don’t let him catch us; please don’t let him catch us!

  Minutes later when she pulled up in front of Lilly’s cabin, she nearly gasped aloud to discover King smiling on the porch as he waiting holding Alysa bundled in his arms.

  Ella tried to calm herself as she waved at the Walker.

  King closed the distance to the car quickly, his feet crunching loudly in the snow, before opening the back door and setting Alysa inside. “We’re sorry she can’t stay.”

  Ella heard the click of the seat belt as King continued, “Maybe next time she can…” His words trailed off as his head slowly turned. His eyes were dark, his face expressionless as his nostrils flared and he inhaled slowly.

  “What are you doing, Ella?” His tone was laden with the gravity her actions would evoke from Gauge.

  Ella turned to look straight forward; her knuckles white as she clenched the steering wheel. “Thank you, King. Say goodnight, Alysa.”

  King didn’t move, just stared at Ella.

  “Bye, Uncle.” Alysa’s endearment had King tearing his eyes from Ella’s to kiss the child on the forehead.

  “Bye, baby,” he whispered before inching back out of the car. Before he closed the door he warned, “I’ll give you ten minutes to change your mind before I contact Gauge. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  She didn’t respond, and when King finally closed the back door, Ella slammed her foot on the pedal as King stood in the dark watching her taillights until they were swallowed up by the night.

  Chapter 18

  Gauge was standing in Monroe’s office scowling at the CEO.

  “Have you gotten my answers?” Monroe demanded.

  Gauge was explaining himself when he stopped talking. He recognized when the glazed look entered Monroe’s eyes indicating he was communicating to another Skin Walker through the mist. When Monroe finally blinked ending the contact, Gauge ground out in agitation, “As I was saying, if you’d give me more time…”

  He didn’t get to finish when Monroe cut him off. “Time is a luxury you can’t afford, Gauge. Marko’s just contacted me from the Estate’s main gate. Ella is there. She’s attempted to flee with her child.”

  Gauge felt the room spin violently around him. She was running? From him? Shock hit hard followed by shame and then anger. He turned and headed for the door without a word. His pace was slow at first, a lethal stalk that picked up in tempo until he barreled out of Monroe’s reception area and threw himself off the balcony of the third floor. The wings of his hawk form caught him as he dropped to the main floor and shifted in rapid succession. As his feet touched they morphed from long talons to fur covered feet. In mountain lion form, he snarled as he launched himself out the double front doors and barreled toward the main gate at a break-neck pace.

  He shifted back to human form as he reached the main gate and took in the sight of Ella pleading with Marko.

&nbs
p; “Please, I don’t understand. I’ve worked here for months. Why can’t I leave?”

  Marko’s eyes left Ella’s and locked with Gauge’s as he approached. Marko nodded and stepped back. When Ella turned to face Gauge, she was pale. She began shaking her head, “Gauge…”

  “You run from me?” he snarled viciously.

  “No!” she held up her hands. “It’s not…”

  “SILENCE!” he boomed and caused Ella to flinch back. He took in a deep calming breath and spoke more quietly, “Get in the car, Ella.”

  She looked frantically from him to Marko before ducking her head and doing as he commanded.

  Gauge spoke briefly with Marko, only to let his temper cool. He didn’t want to frighten Alysa with his show of rage. A few minutes later, he climbed into the driver’s seat of his own car, and was instantly grateful that Alysa slept soundly in the back seat.

  “Gauge,” Ella began but he cut her off.

  “Don’t!”

  They rode in silence back to the manor and Gauge didn’t bother with the parking garage. He parked in front of the manor and exited the vehicle without a word and as Ella sat unmoving in the passenger side. He opened the back door and lifted Alysa out of the car before walking with her into the manor.

  Ella followed behind and made it inside the elevator just as the doors were closing. She peeked up at Gauge and felt ashamed of her actions when she saw the anger still etched in the lines of his handsome face.

  “I-I wasn’t running from you,” she whispered with her head down.

  He didn’t respond and she bit the inside of her lip to keep from rambling on.

  The elevator doors slid open and she followed wordlessly behind Gauge and Alysa. He led them to his suite and she didn’t protest when he entered and carried Alysa to his large bedroom. Ella followed and watched as he carefully removed the child’s coat and shoes before tucking her beneath the blankets and brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead.

  The scene was so tender that she felt guilt bite hard when she realized that Gauge genuinely cared for Alysa too.