by Sydney Addae
“So you don’t want to tell me, that’s okay, not my business. But when I heard you were in the area I knew you were the sign I needed to find Amy. When you find her, I will come to her. All I ask is the opportunity to talk to her again.” He begged them with his eyes.
“Okay. If she doesn’t want to see you, the best I can do is ask her to tell you that on the phone, maybe on face time or Skype.”
Wulfgar stuck out his hand and shook Hawke’s. “Deal. Let’s get started.”
Asia watched Wulfgar walk to a table and sit. She had an inexplicable feeling her life just changed.
Chapter 11
Later that night they arrived in Athens on a private commercial jet. Due to an administrative mix-up, their vehicle wouldn’t be available until the next morning. The company would deliver it to the rental house in Rafina, outside Athens and south of the port authority. Three bedrooms, three baths, internet and great security were prominent features of the two-storied villa. Two motor-bikes and helmets were in the carport below.
Wulfgar’s payment greased the way for them to upgrade all around. Angus had been impressed they had managed to grab the monetary bonus. He cautioned them not to trust everything Wulfgar said and to be prepared for anything.
Asia opened the sliding doors on the balcony and breathed in the crisp, cool air. Lights twinkled in the distance. Tantalizing aromas and laughter drifted beneath her nose on a slight breeze. The sky seemed clearer tonight for some reason. Maybe it was the knowledge of her sire’s closer proximity, or that she’d soon have the information she needed to move forward in her life. For the first time, securing her goals was founded on real possibilities. That reality filled her with joyous hope. Leaving the door open, she walked into the main living area where Damian and Hawke had set their bags and equipment.
Looking at Damian, she smiled.
Miriam hadn’t wanted Damian to accompany them on the trip. Asia made it crystal clear his services were critical to the success of their mission, which caused Wulfgar to admonish the princess to leave him alone.
Miriam’s cheeks matched the red in her hair at his rebuke. Asia thought the spoiled woman would leave the room in a huff. Instead, she sat quietly as Wulfgar revealed more about Barticus, who lived on his private island in Greece.
Earlier, when they spoke with La Patron, he agreed with Damian on taking the money, and complimented the pup on his observance during the discussion. He also commented he expected great things from the three of them. That one minute conversation did more to cement Asia, Hawke and Damian’s relationship than all the time they’d spent together so far. Damian’s cheeks had pinked and his chest puffed out. Asia and Hawke hid their smiles as the pup appeared to walk on air.
“Well, that was interesting. Did security ever say who they were looking for?” Hawke said, placing his bag onto the table. After the comfortable jet had landed at Athens airport, the rigorous security screening they were subjected to had seemed over the top.
“No,” Damian said, entering with his laptop and setting it on the long, teak dining table. “I overheard someone say something about an escape. Seems like the same thing here that was going on at the hotel earlier this morning.”
“Could be. Don’t know what they thought they’d find taking us into those small rooms, damned uncomfortable to strip down to my skin,” Hawke said, taking a seat across from Damian.
“Yeah, they only searched wolves. I noticed the full-blood on the side directing human security. He pointed us out after we passed through the x-ray machines.” She blessed the technology of the bracelet that kept her secret.
“I guess there’s a rogue on the loose and they’re trying to contain him or them,” Hawke said. She could tell his mind was elsewhere and waited.
“Damian, see what you can find about Nicromja. His name keeps popping up, we need to know what we’re dealing with,” Hawke said.
Damian nodded and started working on his laptop. “He’s some kind of god, right?”
“Yes,” Asia said, taking a seat at the table across from him. “The whole Barticus having Amynta all these years just doesn’t ring true. She’s a warrior, an Alpha bitch for one thing.”
Damian met her gaze and then nodded.
“Does he look like a man who’s tangled with a bitch on a daily, weekly or monthly basis?” she asked.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I have never met an Alpha bitch,” Damian said and then smiled. “I’ve heard of one, though. Master Gordon talked about her a lot. Based on what he said about her, you’re right.”
Asia’s cheeks warmed when she realized he referred to her in her unaltered form.
“Unless…” Hawke looked down at her, his brows furrowed.
“Unless what?” Asia asked, reading the information on her monitor. Tre Barticus’ main residence appeared massive, and as a full-blood, she suspected he’d prepared against all types of breaches.
“She’s been sedated. Bred and kept coma-like, with drugs or a computer chip.” He spoke soft and slow. It took a moment for the words to penetrate.
When they did, her hand shook above the key board as she met his gaze. “No,” she whispered.
Hawke exhaled, holding her gaze. “We need to consider the remote possibility that parts of what Wulfgar said were true. No one has any records of Amynta Sandolf after her last journal entry. She disappeared. It’s possible Barticus found her and that’s the reason the two of you were separated.”
Asia’s heart plummeted at the rational explanation, even though her mind rejected it.
“Barticus is rich and well known in many circles,” Hawke continued. “Who knows, he may have funded one of the Liege’s labs in exchange for products. I know they received donations to help with research.”
“That’s true,” Damian said, looking at her. “I’ve served as security while they conducted meetings with donors and received financial backing. Barticus is the type of man they’d go after.”
“I’ll see what I can find out about him during the time of your mam’s last journal entry. Maybe there’s was a disruption, some sort of emergency or a trip he took which might help determine if he took her then.”
Mute, Asia’s vision turned a dull gray to match the sudden, intense pain coloring her world. Although she didn’t remember her mam, the idea of the vital woman enslaved and confined hurt like an arrow piercing her chest.
Was it possible to bond with someone through a picture or their written words? If anyone had asked a year or two ago, before she met Mistress, she would have said no. But Jasmine’s optimism and courage changed her somehow. She gave meaning to the word family, and her example as a mother to her pups set the standard for others to follow. Learning her mother had loved her watered the dry spots in Asia’s soul unreachable by anyone else. She couldn’t bear believing the scenario Hawke presented. But she needed to be realistic and prepare for the worse.
“Back in the 1800s Nicromja worship was at its peak,” Damian said. “The high priests accepted males to be trained to work in the chapels…”
“That sounds familiar,” Hawke muttered. “Didn’t anyone keep their pups in their den? Why send them away?”
“Good question,” Damian said, and then ducked when Hawke threw a pen at him.
“I didn’t send my pups away, and don’t plan to either,” Hawke said, winking at Asia.
“Pups? You plan to have more?” Damian asked, confused, looking at Asia in her male form.
She bit back a smile waiting to hear Hawke get out of this one.
“No, not really,” Hawke fumbled. “Two is a good number, unless we help and take on some of the ones La Patron’s rescued.” He brightened. “That’s a good idea by the way, something to think on for sure.”
“No, it’s not,” Asia snapped through their link, all humor gone.
He grinned at her. “We’ll play things by ear.”
Damian shrugged and continued sharing what he learned of Nicromja. “There’s a large temple here.” He snorted.
“Seems they worship everything in Greece, lots of temples for different gods and goddesses. Nicromja has a small following. I wonder if this is the main temple.” He turned the monitor to show them the picture of a large colonnaded building with an outer courtyard.
“That’s impressive and relatively new, check to see what role Barticus played. I’m betting he was the major contributor,” Hawke said.
“You’re right,” Damian said a few moments later. “Chairman of the building committee.” He frowned at Hawke. “But what does that mean? Barticus is a believer, so what?”
“What type of god is Nicromja?” Asia asked.
“Male wolves.” Damian met her gaze after reading.
“Really? What about the rest of them?”
He looked at the monitor and chuckled. “Seems he’s temperamental, spoiled, and constantly stirs up trouble with the other gods.”
“Sounds like someone else I know,” Hawke said, grinning at Damian.
“Oh come on, Sarita’s just a kid, she’s supposed to be temperamental,” Damian said with a straight face.
The next moment Hawke laughed. The loud, deep-from-the-belly sound startled Asia and she looked at him. His entire body glowed as Damian joined in. Their link warmed and she sensed his happiness.
Happy.
Hawke had made peace with Damian and was in high spirits. The two of them tossed comments back and forth over the table, like old friends comfortable enough to tease the other. They reminded her of the twins, Tyrese and Tyrone, or La Patron with the twins. Easy together. When had that happened? Why hadn’t she noticed?
“Here’s something interesting,” Damian said, drawing her attention. “Barticus owns several factories, but only one home. Would he keep her there?” He looked at Asia.
“I wouldn’t. But then if no one’s looking for her, why not?” She amended, unsure which way the pendulum swung in this instance.
“Good point,” Damian said. “Servants talk, and after all these years, someone may have said something. We could start there.”
“At Lancaster’s castle, those servants never left. They died at the castle, either by kill chips or another form of execution, right, Hawke?” She looked at him.
“Yes, that’s right.” He paused. “That’s a good idea…talking to the servants. See if you can get any names.”
“Won’t matter if they’re his pack,” Asia said, remembering La Patron’s compound. “Let’s remember he’s a full-blood, a wolf among sheep. So let’s think like he would.”
“Yes, he would have pack members in his home,” Hawke said. “Okay, we go to the house as a last resort. Any other residential properties?”
“No. None in his name at least.”
“Check his kids,” Asia suggested. “Humans hide things in their kids’ names,” she explained when both men looked at her with raised brows. “He’s not human, but in order to blend in he’s had to adopt some of their ways.”
Damian nodded.
Asia researched each person in high positions connected with Nicromja’s temple.
“You may have been right,” Damian said. Asia and Hawke stopped and looked at him. “The daughter has three homes in Athens. Let me pull them up on the map so we can see them.” He pressed a few keys and then turned the monitor so they could all see.
“This is one of her homes.” He pointed. “It has a basement, could be converted to a mini-prison of some sort.”
Asia looked at the square footage of the home and the location to Barticus’ business and didn’t feel it was the right one.
“Where’s the other one?” Hawke asked, staring at the monitor. Within the next thirty minutes, they examined eight homes owned by Barticus’ children. Four were in the heart of the city and were discarded.
“We should focus on one of these,” Damian said, pointing to two of the larger homes in remote areas.
Hawke looked at Asia. “What’s the plan? We knock on the door and ask if Amynta’s there? Do you think you can sense her if we get close, but not too close?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I’ll try but I have no memories of her, just her accounting of what happened in the journals. I think we should plan to look at those two homes tomorrow. Also, Chacal said he’d help, so let’s have him do some digging into Nicromja and gather more on Barticus. We’re limited here.”
“Sounds good.” He looked at Damian. “Which house to you think we should hit first?”
Damian’s brow rose but he answered immediately. “This one.” He pointed. “It’s larger, has a basement, and the back of the house faces a forest. Perfect for a quick run or to bring someone in unseen.”
“Tomorrow we drive by, see if we can hear or see anything. I’d also like to drive near Barticus’ office just in case. If there are blueprints anywhere, Chacal will find them and we can make plans,” Hawke said.
Asia stood. “I need to check in with the Mistress.” She left them at the table and entered the bedroom Hawke chose for them. Within moments she heard their voices discussing Wulfgar and Miriam. The sound of light-hearted laughter filtered through the room and link.
“Mistress?”
For the space of a few minutes, there was nothing, and then. “Asia? Is everything alright?” Asia cursed herself for not thinking of the six hour time difference.
“Nothing that cannot wait until later, I apologize for waking you. I will update you in the morning.”
“Technically it is morning; at least that’s what Silas said when he woke me up an hour ago. I was stealing a few minutes before going to the nursery. What’s going on?”
“Hawke is laughing.” She stopped when she realized how odd that must sound. “I mean, he’s happy. With Damian. They are happy. And laughing.”
“That’s a good thing, Asia. A real good thing.”
“I know, it’s just… I feel extra, apart. I don’t know how to make him like me.” Hearing the words echo in her ear touched off a firestorm of fear. “What if Damian never likes me, how will Hawke feel?”
“Be you. Just be your fantastic self and he will love you. It’ll take time. Silas and the twins didn’t bond overnight, but it did happen.”
“I like seeing them happy like that.” She sighed. “We were searched at the airport.” She explained what happened at the hotel that morning, the visit to Wulfgar, and the trip to Athens.
“The two are connected.”
“How, Ma’am?” It wasn’t that Asia disagreed; she simply couldn’t connect the dots and needed another pair of ears and eyes.
“Full-bloods. This search is for a specific wolf. Didn’t you say your mom’s brother just received information his sister was a prisoner? If he discovered that, maybe others did as well. What I don’t understand is why? Her father’s dead. There shouldn’t be a bounty on her head. And no one knows you’re there.”
Asia’s mind reeled. Mistress’ innate ability to see through fluff amazed her. “I don’t know how this connects to her, but I believe you’re right. Too much of a coincidence.”
“And Asia.”
“Yes, Mistress?”
“You’re probably the trigger for all of this.”
“Me?” Her stomach dropped at the possibility.
“Yes. A parent will always be able to sense their pup, ask Hawke. It’s true. Probably when you went to the forest you were close enough that she sensed you. She will try to find you, I know I would. If that’s the case that would explain all the activity.”
Asia’s dropped to the floor to stop her head from spinning. “She’s alive? And looking for me?”
There was no comment and then. “I believe you would know if your mother died. I know your biology and memory is all messed up, but on a visceral level you would know. Just as you know she’s looking for you now.”
“I hadn’t… it didn’t connect until just now, when you spoke the words. Now I can see how it kicked into gear after we returned from the forest.” She rested her fingertips on her lips while staring at the wall. Giddy, she sm
iled, hugged her knees. The knowledge her mam could possibly be on her way lightened her heart. Water filled her eyes and she brushed them away.
“Mam is coming for me,” she whispered.
Chapter 12
Damian stretched and walked out on the balcony. Nothing on the tube interested him. He exhaled and rested his hands on the railing to calm the antsy feeling inside. Maybe he should have taken Miriam up on her numerous offers for sex. He smiled remembering her plain speaking. “We could be finished by the time we reach Lyrill,” she’d said, her hand on his crotch, testing his will power. If Angus hadn’t explained exactly what Miriam wanted from him, he would’ve had her on her knees sucking his boner before they made it out of the parking lot. Knowledge made all the difference and he’d politely said no. She hadn’t believed him at first and tried to pull his zipper down, but when he remained resolute, she stopped. The last twenty minutes of the drive to Wulfgar’s had been in stony silence. He chuckled remembering her pouting.
When Angus told him he’d be leaving, Damian panicked. It wasn’t that he saw Angus in the same light as he’d seen Master Gordon, he didn’t. Angus had been a buffer between him and Hawke, which canceled the need to deal with his sire. At least on his part.
Hawke.
It still amazed Damian that he had met his sire. He had never anticipated that possibility. And to live and work together…it just didn’t seem real. If only Timber… he tossed aside that way of thinking. Although plain looking, Timber and his sire were mates. Damian hadn’t known much about mates when he met those two. Angus had given him a crash course.
No one came between a wolf and his mate. Hawke told him the same thing.
If he didn’t believe it before, seeing Timber ready to kill Niall over an offense to his mate had made Damian a believer. Ice cold certainty had risen around Timber as he pulled out his sword, ready to take the head of his mate’s enemy. The fact they were litter-mates made no difference. That was something Damian would remember. Just because Hawke couldn’t kill him, didn’t mean Timber wouldn’t. From what he’d seen, his sire and mate were equally ferocious and protective.
