Nightingale

by Keri Armstrong

  My eyes skimmed back and forth between the road and the passenger seat, checking on Allie’s battered, sleeping face. Like I’d been doing for the past several miles.

  It had been harder than I thought it would be to leave her alone with that maniac. Something had happened when I’d seen the unbrotherly way he touched her.

  It still pissed me off. I’d meant to wait until his parents arrived then take her and disappear all three Gerards at once. But fuck me if a long buried piece of my psyche—a conscience, I think it’s called—hadn’t flared to life. Made me slip a little something into his drink before I left. Had me waiting for him to pass out. But he was too large; the sedative hadn’t fazed him.

  I’d considered walking away. But, after overhearing their conversation, I’d snuck in and finished the job early.

  An ache in my knuckles caused me to loosen my grip on the steering wheel. This conscience or whatever it was, had to go. It kept me wondering if I should have pulled her out of there sooner.

  I moved my gaze off her and put it back on the road where it belonged. I didn’t do sorry. I’d been hired to a job, and I’d done it.

  Sort of.

  The Gerards had paid handsomely to find this little lady but hadn’t said why. Now that I knew part of it, a slow burn rolled in my gut.

  Fucking blood breeders.

  The idiots had no idea the Awakened were just using them to increase their control. No clue they’d never be considered more than service animals to the original crew.

  I glanced at the girl again. What was so special about her that the Awakened honchos had been willing to let me double-cross the Gerards? Whatever it was, it was worth a lot to them, which meant it was worth a great deal to me. Unlike the Gerards, I knew the score. There was no expectation of reflected glory. I’d collect my reward in monetary form and move on before they added me to the loose ends waiting to be tied.

  In the meantime, I hit the gas pedal to put more space between us and the train wreck at the cabin. Davey’s parents weren’t going to be happy when they arrived.

  Thirteen

  ALLIE

  I floated. Blissful. Free. Mia’s laughter joined my own as I reached out for her, only for her to flitter away again. I ran behind her but she was always at least three feet ahead.

  “Come catch me, Mommy!”

  My breath caught in a stitch of happiness. She’d never called me that before. I ran faster and faster but she kept slipping away. I cried for her to wait yet she disappeared behind a white mist.

  “Mia, come back,” I cried. Her laughter faded, and tears soaked my cheeks.

  “She’s coming around,” said a voice beyond the mist.

  “If her wounds don’t heal by tomorrow, you will become an organ donor.”

  Wounds? Metallic fear coated my throat. Was she hurt? The more I tried to think, the closer I got to answers, my own body’s pain burned into my drifting consciousness.

  I hurt. Everywhere.

  I moaned, and my lungs rewarded me with more pain.

  “Increase her drip.” The demand came in a stern, male voice. The same voice that threatened someone a moment ago.

  Scuffling noises and murmurs, then a small tug at my elbow followed the command.

  The pushy voice reminded me of someone, but the fog in my brain wouldn’t clear enough to let me know who. Within seconds, I was floating again, then nothing until shouting pulled me awake after an unknown interval.

  My heartbeat picked up its pace, and shrill beeping accompanied it. Rushing footsteps, more shouting. My eyes shot open.

  The Gerards were here.

  I moved to run and…. Seriously?! I was freakin’ strapped down again. This time it looked like a hospital bed, and all that beeping came from the machines and wires stuck to me.

  The door flew open before I’d even managed to wriggle free of any it. A woman entered and rushed to check the monitors. She didn’t look like any doctor or nurse I’d ever seen. She was at least seven feet tall and dressed all in black.

  I went very still. From the stories Alex had told me, she had to be one of the Awakened. One of the giant ones. Who had a taste for human flesh.

  My already raw throat tightened. I shut my eyes, hoping she hadn’t noticed me watching.

  “I see you’re doing better.” Her cool hands touched my face and I flinched.

  I gave up pretending and opened my eyes.

  She’d moved on to the white tape at my elbow, hummed at the liquid dripping into it, then clamped the line and removed the needle. Her movements were brisk and efficient. She might not have looked like a typical healthcare worker, but it was clear she knew what she was doing.

  I chanced a glance at the door and didn’t even feel it when she stuck another syringe into my arm. I turned back in time to see her remove it.

  “What the—” I’d meant to yell, curse, something, but the words came out in a hoarse whisper.

  “Something for pain but not as strong,” she said and gestured to the abandoned I.V.

  “Where am I?”

  She smiled, a genuine look of pleasure. “With your family.”

  “Not my family,” I protested as I heard Mrs. Gerard’s distinct nasal voice demanding to know what I’d done with her son.

  The Amazon by the bed sneered in the direction of the door. “Not them, no.”

  Her face softened when she turned back to me. She really was beautiful with her long, dark hair, high cheekbones, and almond shaped eyes.

  “You don’t have to worry about them. We’ll take care of them.”

  Beautiful, but deadly.

  A chill washed over my skin at the promise in her words. Whatever fate awaited the Gerards, it wouldn’t be pleasant.

  There was comfort in that.

  But, who did she mean by “my family”?

  More scuffling sounded outside the door.

  “Take your hands off me! Where’s my granddaughter? Azkuran will hear about this!” Mrs. Gerard’s protests drifted down the hall, the sound moving farther away.

  My heart leapt. She didn’t have Mia! The monitor noises increased in tempo with my pulse.

  The woman in the room smiled again. “I told you. Don’t worry. Azkuran has it under control. If all goes well, you’ll see your daughter soon.”

  There was no restraining the words that leapt from my lips. “I’ll do anything.”

  Her expression became serious. “I hope you mean that. Azkuran will be pleased.”

  She moved to the door and I called for her to wait, wriggling my hands against the restraints. “Can you untie me?”

  “Not yet. Your ribs are healing and it’s best if you don’t move too much.”

  “I promise I won’t.”

  Her smile was thin. “We’ll see what Azkuran says.”

  She left before I’d finished my protest.

  Azkuran. Where had I heard—

  Oh, crap.

  The monitors went crazy again when I remembered: He was the ancient Awakened leader in the Southwest. I’d gotten pieces of the story of what had happened with Sara, Phoebe, and Caleb. Not the whole story yet—because there hadn’t been time—but enough to leave my limbs trembling in their restraints.

  If Azkuran was interested in me, nothing good could come of it.

  But, why me?

  Laurent’s face swam to the front of my mind. He’d said we had a special bloodline but had also left before giving me the whole story. My belly tightened. In our shared memories, a woman had been pregnant. Was there some connection with the Awakened leader?

  Foreboding pebbled my skin. I had a terrible sense there was something I didn’t want to discover. I also had a feeling the truth would find me, regardless.

  I prayed Laurent and the Mutts would find Mia before then.

  Fourteen

  LAURENT

  Leaving Allison had been hard; losing her would have been harder. And when Gabe called to say she’d run off?

  Laurent nearly lost his mind.


  His hand jerked over the small glass he held as he tossed the whisky down his throat. They all knew the first few days of discovery and transition for uninitiated Mutts were the hardest. Even those born into their world often struggled with it. Her trying to sneak off was something he thought they’d anticipated, prepared for.

  Apparently, they’d underestimated her.

  Fury burned in his chest while the rotgut he’d shot left a fiery trail down his esophagus. He slammed the glass onto the serving tray and resumed pacing the hotel room like a caged lion.

  Phoebe’s large eyes followed him across the room. She’d provided more insight into Allison’s personality, though not much detail. What little he had discovered in the past two days had left him with an unquenchable rage.

  He hoped he got his hands on the Gerards before anyone else did. It was a race against time and, at the moment, he was losing. According to his mole in Arizona, she was no longer with David Gerard because he was no longer breathing.

  He stopped in front of Phoebe. “What else can you tell me?”

  “Not much. She kept a lot to herself, and I didn’t pry. It was clear she didn’t want to talk about her past. I know how it is to keep up a front like that. I respected her privacy, and she respected mine.”

  Phoebe’s face had turned pale and gaunt since he’d last seen her, but she was still beautiful. She fidgeted with the gift he and Gabe had left her a month ago: a customized prosthetic hand. She was clearly unused to it; she also clearly held onto hope they’d find the traitor Nathan, and his sister Nadia, alive.

  He didn’t know why she bothered.

  Yes, he did.

  He massaged the tightened muscles of his forehead. The blood visions were clear: Allison was a living link between him and the woman he had loved above all.

  Mandisa had given birth to a child, and that was enough for him. Whether Mandisa’s child had been his or Azkuran’s was immaterial.

  He would move heaven and earth to bring back Allie and her daughter. To keep them safe. If his fraternal twin thought otherwise, their final reckoning would arrive.

  Excusing himself from Phoebe, he left to call his contact for an update. It was a risk for both sides. But, their timing had to be perfect if their plans were to succeed.

  He’d done all he could to ensure a successful outcome. The rest was up to Chance, and Laurent didn’t like to leave anything to that fickle bitch.

  He made one more call before returning to gather Phoebe and the others.

  Fifteen

  LUKE

  It was a bitch always having to watch my back. And front. Sides, too, for that matter. No hope for it, though.

  The vast majority of humans didn’t realize their time was limited. A shit storm was coming. Larger and worse than anything their little minds could imagine. But, I knew it. So did the Awakened—and those Mutt fools who thought they could stop it.

  And idiots like the Gerards, who thought they were playing a part in bringing glory?

  Cannon fodder.

  I’d handed off the girl to Liang at our designated spot in the Grand Canyon, and then took my ass out of there so fast, there are probably skid marks up the canyon walls.

  No point in tempting Fate. Or that bastard, Azkuran, which was basically the same thing. He held the fate of the whole of the Americas and parts of Europe and Asia in his long, pale fingers. I shuddered. It would be stupid of me to believe I could outrun him. If he wanted me dead, I’d be gone already. That meant I must still have some use for him.

  Not sure which thought was worse.

  Either way, I’d delivered the girl and left enough clues to send the Gerards in that direction. He should be happy.

  Allie’s face as I’d last seen it, swollen and bruised, crossed my mind. I shoved aside the nagging sensation of having made a mistake. I wasn’t having it. Guilt was an aberration in my world, and I couldn’t afford to be less than top form. I had another job to do.

  I turned onto the highway heading northeast and didn’t look back.

  Sixteen

  ALLIE

  A young woman made her way into my room not long after the giant nurse left. Her halting steps caught my interest as she moved closer. She caught the side of her hip against a counter, and I flinched in sympathy. That looked painful.

  She was smaller than the other woman – around my height, maybe. It was hard to tell lying down. I didn’t speak; I’d read the first one to talk, loses. I hadn’t been winning a lot lately and would take any advantage I could get.

  When her eyes shifted from hazel to a feral gold as she stood over me, whatever advantage I thought I had disappeared. I’d seen those eyes on a number of shifters – most of them werewolves.

  Nevertheless, begin as you mean to go on, right? I stubbornly refused to speak.

  She cracked first. “How are you feeling?”

  “Fine and dandy. You?”

  A smile crossed her face, one I would dare call “wolfish,” if I were up to the pun.

  “I see why they wanted you. You’re tough.”

  Okaayyy …. Might be something to work with here. “Who’s ‘they’?”

  The door whooshing open spared her from answering.

  “Nadia, what are you doing here?”

  My breath caught in my throat. I’d seen this looming giant looming before. My heart monitor gave me away. He quirked a brow at the traitorous screen before looking at the young woman next to me.

  “Liang thought I should visit and keep her company,” she said.

  A small furrow marred his forehead.

  Her eyes slowly returned to normal under his scrutiny. “Shall I leave?”

  “For now. You’ll be called back, if necessary.”

  She bowed her head and painstakingly made her way out the door. He watched her go then turned back to me. The line in his brow had deepened. Upon closer examination, though, I wondered if it was more confusion than annoyance on his face.

  Whatever it was, I wished he had followed her out.

  I didn’t want to be left alone with the man from Laurent’s shared memory.

  He continued to stare and I couldn’t hold that bright yellow, curious gaze.

  “Who are you?” I asked, glancing away.

  “That’s what I’m here to find out.”

  Huh? I faced him again.

  The barest movement lifted one corner of his lips. “In spite of once having the best technology, we’re still a bit hampered by this world’s limited resources. We’re working to rectify that but, in the meantime, we’ll have to make do with what we have.”

  I had no clue what that dude was talking about. “What are you ‘making do’ with?”

  He pulled a small metal object from a nearby drawer. “Paternal line DNA testing beyond a few years isn’t up to par yet; though, as I said, we’re working on it. Some of our best scientists have yet to awaken. However, that won’t prohibit you and me from examining our past.”

  Oh, shit.

  He pulled a chair over to sit beside me. When he sliced his palm, I knew what was coming. Still tied down, there was nothing I could do. His blood touched mine, and I was lost.

  It all came back: the woman, the two men. Only worse. Now I had the full blast of his memories, too.

  I knew who he was. Who Laurent was.

  When my heart monitor went crazy, Azkuran swatted it without breaking our connection, leaving me to “enjoy” this mind rape in silence.

  Azkuran pulled at the memories, scrolling through them as if they were digital photos. Pausing longer on some, swiftly moving past others. His curiosity and mine mingled when he saw the woman I’d only seen briefly with Laurent. The woman I’d suspected might be my mother. She cooed over me and I felt the warmth of my attachment to her, saw her affection for me, yet didn’t experience her emotions the way I’d felt the other woman’s, the one who’d given birth: Mandisa. Azkuran’s wife. Laurent’s lover.

  Conflicted longing, anger, love, regret, hatred and bitternes
s entered my heart. I knew it came from the man holding my hand. A rush of pity went through me, and he jerked back. My fear spiked when I felt his determination to see more.

  The emotional toll was too high. I tried to twist my hand away, the restraints rubbing my wrist, but it was no use. He held on so tightly, I doubted I could get away even without the ties binding me to the bed.

  In an effort to block my mind, I visualized a brick wall between us.

  He bulldozed his way in.

  The more I fought, the more aggressive his search became. His excitement grew when he saw the disk Mandisa gave to the couple, along with the infant. He dove in deeper, attempting to see past her through to the child.

  When, at last, he found a thread of the truth he’d searched for, we were both knocked backward. A thousand waves of hornets had started at the base of my skull, and had grown in force, until their dense sound had become as unbearable as the stinging pain that had started to pierce our brains.

  The chair clattered when Azkuran stood. His eyes were wide, his face, pale. Underlying it, though, was excitement. It shone in his eyes, quickened his breath.

  “She lied,” he whispered.

  He grinned at me and broke into laugher. “She lied!”

  Certainly, she lied. The baby had lived. His excitement about that was understandable, even if it had happened … when?

  It was suddenly hard to breathe. When had it happened? Based on their clothing, I’d assumed a long time ago, but ….

  I swallowed. “How old are you?”

  His expression faltered. “Why is that relevant?”

  Seriously? How to explain …. Laurent had led me to believe—no, wait. I’d assumed the people we’d seen were our ancestors. Laurent hadn’t said it.

  Gabe’s comment about Laurent being old popped into my brain. Just how old? Surely, they weren’t …. No. I dismissed the thought. They were ten years older than I was, tops. Okay, maybe more if Gabe was really in his eighties. Still ….

  “Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”

  Could they be related to my parents? The thought took hold. Maybe that was it. Excitement built until a key point I’d overlooked slammed into my brain: I was lying here, still restrained, in a place run by the Awakened.