by Tate James
The elevator made a ping as the hotel door closed with a thud. I lifted my gaze as a guy stepped into the hallway.
My heart lunged…I stumbled backwards as more of them came, striding out like a wall of hate. Jason Gready lifted his hand and aimed a gun at me...all I saw was the shining rim of the muzzle...all I saw was the end, until he swung the gun toward the asshole guard and fired.
The boom was deafening in the hallway. The hotel door slammed open as the guard dropped to his knees right in front of me.
“Get the fuck down!” Renegade’s roar was deafening.
I was hit from the side as Cassian grabbed my arm and swung. We slammed into the wall, him shielding me with his back.
Screams erupted. Gunfire blasts detonated like bombs. My heart lunged, slamming against my chest as they swarmed the hallway with fists and guns. The Senator’s husband was punched by one of them, and driven to the ground.
I tried to lift my hands…tried to save them as the guards charged from the room, guns drawn, to be met with hellfire.
“Run!” Cassian roared in my face. “Shield! Run now!”
He shoved me and I stumbled, skimming my hand along the wall to catch the momentum as Renegade charged. He split in two as he hit them and Cassian disappeared right in front of me.
I’ll find you, Lorcan pressed the words into my mind. He strode from the doorway, long legs eating the distance as he turned toward the onslaught.
My legs shuddered as one of Gready’s men stumbled and then fell. Lorcan lifted his hand, and the pressure built within these walls. Pain speared through my head. The others felt it too, but they were ready. Renegade aimed his gun, while the other him swung his fist.
But Gready was ready, dodging blows like it was a dance, timed with perfection. He lifted his head as I stumbled backwards to the fire exit. Dark brown eyes met mine.
Hate raged in them for a second before his eyes widened. The gun in his hand trembled as he rose and aimed at me along the hall.
I spun, punched the door and the alarm above screamed. I did the only thing I could. The only thing they demanded of me. I put myself first and lunged through the fire exit door.
3
Darkness swallowed me.
The sound of my boots rang in the quiet stairwell.
The cold, crisp scent of concrete filled my nose.
The boom of gunfire shattered the air above me. I flinched and spilled down the stairs half falling, half running. My heart screaming to stop…go back for them! Don’t leave them behind. They’ll die…they’ll die without me…
Tears blurred the world. The door above squealed as it opened and then closed with a bang. My steps slowed, hand slipped against the cold steel railing as I glanced up from where I’d come.
There was no call of my name. No tremor of familiar energy in the air. My throat tightened as I scurried down stair after stair, heaving myself around and around the tight stairwell as I raced to the bottom.
But above me, they were gaining ground.
The crack of a gunshot bounced around the space. I ducked, stumbled as the shot hit the wall above me. Voices from his headset followed. I lunged and hurled my body forward, until the walls swirled and the stairs blurred.
Still I kept going, even when my breaths were jagged fire. My boots slipped, ankle rolled. I rushed forward, hitting the door. Ground. The words blurred.
My fingers slipped as I yanked the door handle and lunged into the hallway. Sparks danced in my eyes, blurring the hallway.
The thunder inside my head was all I could hear. My feet vibrating with every thud, but I couldn’t feel them...not over the fear.
A door of the stairwell opened behind me. I could see movement through the glass door up ahead. The foyer. It had to be. I glanced over my shoulder as I gripped the handle and yanked tumbling into the open foyer. Wind whipped into a frenzy outside, and yet, all I saw was salvation.
“Ma’am!” someone yelled behind me as I raced for the doors to the building. “Don’t go out there!”
An umbrella whipped along the pavement outside, snatched from an unseen hand, it was now a weapon. It was gone in a heartbeat. I slowed, sucking in savage breaths and turned as my assailant shoved through the door behind me.
A sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead. Dark eyes found mine. I sucked in a breath and stepped backwards.
“Ma’am, it’s not safe,” the concierge called. But my attacker stepped closer, his prey in sight. I tore my gaze from him to the door of the hotel.
The storm outside was savage. But I'd rather take my chances with the elements than with Gready and his men.
“Hey!” the sonofabitch roared as I spun away.
I closed my eyes, dropped my shoulder and barged the door. The hurricane wind was brutal, driving it back. I shoved a boot into the gap, wincing as the door slammed into my foot.
His steps were like thunder as I forced my knee into the gap and then turned sideways, shoving my body through. Cruel hands grabbed me as I tried to slip my head and shoulders through.
“Get the fuck back here!”
Fire lashed my head as he grabbed my hair and yanked. My head snapped against the doorframe My eyes blurring with the force. I held on, shoving with all I had as the concierge and desk clerk raced forward.
“Get the fuck off me!” I screamed.
But his fingers were knotted in strands of my hair. I yanked, lifted my hand and sent a pulse of power through the gap of the door. Pain seared my scalp, burning and stinging as he stumbled backwards.
I shoved free, letting the door slam behind me, and stumbled into the wind. My feet flew out from under me. I skidded, and tried to grasp a car parked at the curb.
Run, I’ll find you! Lorcan’s words echoed inside me. I blinked against the gusts and tried to remember. The car…I turned to look over my shoulder…
The hurricane pounded me, sending me skidding. I lunged, grasping a pole as I passed. There was no way I could fight it…not like this. I lifted my hand, my energy flowed until the faint shatter of glass came to my right. Fragments of glass skidded across the pavement to fall into the gutter.
I turned my head as my attacker aimed the gun again through the gap of the door and fired. My boot hit the ashphalt as I let go of the pole and stumbled across the street as the traffic lights flashed amber.
They’d find me. It was the only thing I held onto as I raced along the street and then turned into the gap of an alley. My body shuddered, thighs burned. I walked until I lost direction, letting the brutal gusts of wind chase me.
Tires squealed as cars and trucks tried to stay on the road. I prayed when I needed to cross streets, and otherwise tried to keep against the buildings, finding my way through the streets until the towering city scapes leveled out to smaller buildings and then finally the smaller shops.
Desperation guided my steps. I blinked away the tears and walked along the streets until the perfectly clean buildings gave way to graffiti tagged ones. I stared at the thick strokes of the paint and the broken windows.
I’d grown up in streets like this, streets were only the cruel survived. It seemed fitting they’d offer me safety now. The wind died down as I stepped between the severed wires of a chain link fence and onto a derelict basketball count.
Weeds sprouted through the cracks in the pavement. The painted markings of the court all but faded now, leaving only the rusted hoop behind. The place looked like it hadn’t seen the rubber of sneakers for many years.
I lifted my head, catching a dog’s howl on the wind. Barking followed, not one…but a lot. The sound pulled me forward as I crossed the court and stepped through the smashed fence on the other side.
Through the mess of forgotten tin sheds and forgotten houses. Windows were smashed, doors were missing. But it was that sound I followed as I stepped between the houses and made for that baying on the wind.
Rows of steel cages seemed to rise out of nowhere. I kicked the mud, barely lifting my boots as I made for the sound.
Sheets of tinned lined the fence, covering the gaping holes.
Even from here I could see how mad it was. Dogs ran and jumped at the end of their cages. Their shrieks and howls growing louder the closer I came. The place was a mess, dirty…and exposed. A small office to one side lay open, the door had slammed against the wall and that’s where it’d stayed.
I speared my fingers through the broken chain link fence and ducked my head low. “Hey there, it’s okay.”
A big black dog snarled and curled his lips. His eyes shining bright. A tan colored Mastiff, whimpered and sat at the door. They lived in squalor, matted fur coated with mud. I glanced inside their compounds to empty and overturned bowls.
The sight hit me harder than a bullet ever could. One pup pressed his side against the cage, tufts of black and white fur spearing through the gaps. I eyed the big black one and stepped closer. “Hey there, sweetheart.”
The pup whined and shifted against the door of the cage. Dark eyes finding me before he looked away. I licked my lips and murmured. “You are beautiful, aren’t you?”
They weren’t malnourished, bellies nice and round. But they looked…forgotten. I glanced to the open office door. “Hello, anyone there?”
There was no answer. I stepped closer, boots sinking into the mud and saw the mess of the office.
Papers were scattered everywhere. Invoices pinned to the board flapped with the gusts of wind blowing through the gaps in the walls. One note was on top. Scrawled in thick black writing.
I can’t do this anymore. I’m sorry…please forgive me.
I winced and looked around. What did they mean by this? I pulled away from the open door and looked at the empty cages and the animals left…surely no…
I swallowed hard. Dirty cages, empty bowls. They’re not your problem, a tiny voice slipped through my mind.
I squashed it under the boot of hate and pain. I’d never had a dog. Even after I begged Momma for years. But there were always too many mouths to feed…and never enough food to go round.
Momma, who had fought more than one person should have to in their life time. Momma, who worked three jobs just to support us right up until the end.
I shook my head and stepped back into the office, pushing the demons of my past down deep.
The thick key ring hung from a screw embedded in the wall. I snatched the keys free as wind kicked up outside, blending with the dog’s deafening howls and turned toward the cages. “It’s okay. It’s okay, I’ll help you.”
I searched the compound, stopped at the small tin shed at the side of the cages and then strode toward the ramshackle outbuilding. Two thick locks hung from the bolt at the front. I lifted the key, dropping my head at the brutal gust of wind and tried the first key.
The damn thing wouldn’t fit. I tried another, and then another, until finally the lock clicked open. The deafening baying from the cages rose to a crescendo as the second lock popped open and I wrenched the flimsy tin door open.
The sharp edges scraped against the concrete floor as the wind tore it from my grip and it slammed open. Two massive plastic bins filled the space, harnesses and leads hung from the ceiling. I stepped inside, gripped the edge of the lid of the first bin and heaved. The bottom lifted as the rim peeled free exposing…nothing
I flinched, cast the lid aside and moved to the next one. I shoved the damn thing, feeling the weight inside and then lifted the lid free. The plastic scoop inside was half buried under dry food. I leaned in, grabbed the handle and drove it through the kibble before lifting it free.
I took the keys with me, moving to the pup’s cage and placing the heaped scoop on the ground. He was such an adorable little thing, wagging a stumpy tail and whimpering as I fumbled with the keys.
The lock came free. I yanked the bolt, and wrenched the gate open. The pup rushed forward, jumping with muddy paws, his warm wet tongue lapping my hand before he lunged for my face.
I smiled, laughed and held him back as I leaned backwards and reached for the food. “I bet you’re hungry, aren’t you?”
I stood and made for the overturned stainless bowl. The food hit the bottom and he charged, shoving his tiny black nose through the dry food as he chomped and chewed.
Dirty brown water filled his water bowl. I stepped closer, running my hand around the base and tipped the filthy water free. The big black hound at my back growled. Hackles rose as I turned toward him. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
He was taking none of my solemn vow. Curling his black lips to reveal long white fangs. I felt his fear…and isolation. I lifted my gaze to the towering buildings in the distance. They should be here by now…should be tearing open the ground with the old jeep to stop in front of me.
Get in, babe, Renegade would growl as he threw open the door. We’re outta this dump.
I rose from the ground, stepped out of the cage, and slid the bolt closed behind me. But they weren’t here—I searched my mind—and I couldn’t feel Lorcan inside my head. Not the pressure of his power, or the lingering remnant of his touch.
Something’s wrong…very wrong.
A shudder raced through me with the icy wind. Bitter cold smacked my cheek. I lifted my hand, skimming my skin and came away with a tiny flake that melted on the warmth of my finger as another speck floated toward the ground. Ice. Snow.
I lifted my hand, catching the flake and watched it melt as the pup whimpered behind me. The black dog lowered his head, and the snarl ended.
It was like they were used to the cold, and the isolation. I gripped the steel cage and stared as his dirty black fur captured flake after flake and felt the ache.
He’d weather the snow and the loneliness…
Just like me.
My thighs trembled as I stumbled for the small tin shed and heaped the scoop full again before I returned to the cages. “Now you’re gonna be nice, aren’t you?”
He just hung his head even lower as I neared the door. I grabbed the kibble and pressed it against the wire. “It’s food.” He lifted his gaze, and sniffed. “That’s the way…food,” I murmured as he slowly rose to his feet.
There was a curl of his lips, but no sound. Snowflakes caught in the matted hair at the corner of his eyes. A pink tongue sneaked out, lapping the bits of food as they spilled from my hand and onto the ground. “Friend,” I murmured. “I’m a friend.”
A flare of power inside my mind caught my breath. I lifted my head, and then rose. “Lorcan.” The touch came again…only this time, stronger. I shoved up from the ground, heart thundering. “Can you hear me?”
Not safe. Stay where you are.
His words were a neon bolt of lightning and the blinding pain followed. I winced, grabbed the side of my head and stumbled.
I’ll find you.
Then he was gone, slipping through my mind, taking the agony as he left.
“Lorcan…Lorcan!” I stumbled, grabbed the chainlink wire and held on. “Lorcan come back!”
A whimper behind me, long and sorrowful. Warm tongue against my palm. I glanced down at the cage. The black dog pressed himself against the wire and looked into my eyes.
Anger welled inside my chest. I glanced up to the buildings, hating being here while they were there. Tears blurred the snow as it floated down in drifts. Fucking macho assholes! It wasn’t their responsibility to defend me…didn’t they understand that.
White flakes floated, falling against obsidian fur. Dry food spilled from the plastic scoop, darkening as snow soaked through.
“You need more than just food, don’t you?” I swiped a tear away as it fell down my cheek. “You need a lot more than food.”
The pup shuddered and shook, flicking drops of water through the air. My cheeks burned with the cold. Warm breath turned white as the temperature plummeted.
I was torn, hating being the damsel in fucking distress…burning with injustice. A tiny meow came from beside the office. A dusty grey kitten clawed at its cage with tiny claws.
It was too cold out here, t
oo cold to survive—I glanced toward the office…I’m sorry…I can’t do this anymore—they weren’t meant to. Whoever had once taken care of them had left, saving themselves instead.
A warm tongue lapped my knuckles, giving me comfort and love, even in the bleakest moment. I lifted my hand, pain and anger pulsing through my veins. Power followed, filling the air in a bubble.
Snowflakes gathered on the outside, piling on top of each other as the shield grew. There’d be no snow, and no bitter wind. Not while we waited for my lovers to come.
A low gruff, answered. I glanced at the black dog as he cocked his head from side to side and my power surged, carving through the cage to swallow us all.
4
Locks snapped open and the dogs played. I strode toward the smaller cages and opened the lock on the kitten’s cage. She hissed as I neared, tiny ears pinned back. An ache flared at the sight. Three dogs and one feisty kitty. They gave me purpose as darkened clouds spilled into the air and night moved in.
I gathered the food, what little was left, and cupped the kitten against my chest. She purred in one second and hissed in the next as the pup ventured close, curious. But the snow didn’t fall, not in our safe cocoon.
I opened the cage doors, and pulled out their food and water bowls. They played, barked and danced, venturing to the edge of the shield before stepping through.
I felt their bodies press against me, like they were right against my hand. And like a caress I let them through. They didn’t stay long, seeking protection under the dome once more. I sat on the concrete and dragged my knees high.
All I could do was wait…wait for them to come back to me. Wait for darkness to make way for the light. The pup growled and barked as the snow gathered on the shield above his head and then trotted back, slumped to the ground beside me and whimpered.
I eased the kitten inside my shirt, nestled against my chest as I placed a hand against the puppy’s head. We waited…waited while the snow gathered, waited while the wind skimmed the shield, leaving us isolated…
