Rise and Fall

by A. L. Kessler

  The one with the visitor badge that said ‘Dakota’ pulled her phone out and put it on the desk in front of me. “This is a rune we found.”

  I looked at the image and tried not to let out a long sigh or a laugh. I knew the rune, well. “Where did you find it?”

  The other one, Brie, answered “On a toilet, that exploded.”

  This time I couldn’t help the laugh that exploded from me. It took me a moment to gain control back over myself. “Sorry, just this sounds like a case I would have gotten. What do you need to know about the rune?”

  “You turned up in our search for a PIB linguist. We were hoping you could tell us its origins.”

  I picked up the phone and looked at it again. It was very similar to the one in the barn case, but it seemed to be in a different handwriting, almost sloppy. “Don’t you guys have a professor teaching runes at the Academy?”

  “We do, but this isn’t something that’s covered in our classes,” Dakota answered. “We’re just now getting lessons in the Cult of Ra runes.”

  Oh good. They were stepping up their game at the academy. “Yeah, okay. I’ve seen this rune before in big cases, once on a barn, once on a car.” I leaned back. “We gave one of those cases to the academy for a study. Find that and you’ll find the origins. Just don’t accidentally cross someone.” I glanced at the agent, “I’d keep an eye on them.” Because if she didn’t, they could stumble upon cult members.

  She nodded. “I plan on it.”

  “Is there anything else you can tell us about the rune?” Brie asked.

  I smirked. “I could tell you all kinds of things about it, but what would be the fun in that? I gave you all the information you need to know to pass this little test.” And it was a test. It happened all the time in the academy when cadets came close to graduating.

  Dakota offered me a smile. “Thank you, Agent Collins. If we have any more questions that we can’t find the answers to in the case study, would you be willing to answer them?”

  “Shoot me an email next time. I’m on a case so I’ll be in and out of the office, but yes, I’ll answer what I can for you, after you use other resources.” I leaned back in my chair and looked at the other agent, expecting her to say something.

  Brie paused for a moment before asking, “Can you tell us which case study covered it?”

  I smiled. “That’s a good question. Look into the Barn Case, dated for about five years back, you’ll find it.” I looked at Agent Bram. “I’m assuming they have access to PIBs database?”

  “They do, mostly, as long as it's not something that’s top secret.”

  “Not that one.” The bitterness in my voice surprised even me.

  They said their thanks, and I let them out. I yawned as they walked down the hall and I realized maybe Liz was right and I needed a nap. I shut my office door and went to the break room.

  I rarely visited the break room. It was actually two rooms. The room in the back was a sleep room, so when an agent was on call or working insane hours, they could lie down and sleep for a bit.

  Today seemed like a good day to take advantage of the quiet room. Maybe I’d have time to rest up before we had to go look at another body or had something else pop up on the case.

  I glanced at my watch. A forty-five-minute nap should work. I’d survived off worse before. I grabbed a clean blanket out of the cupboard and crawled on to one of the cots. It wasn’t the best sleeping spot, but it was quiet, it was dark, and it was exactly what I needed.

  I set an alarm, and my eyes were almost closed before my head hit the pillow.

  Abigail, sleeping on the job? Samuel’s voice entered my head. “Abigail, Abigail, when are you going to realize that you can’t be in both worlds?”

  “Once you’re gone, I won’t have to.” As soon as I spoke, I could see around me. I stood in the room where I had killed Ira. Luckily for me, there was no body there to be seen, but unluckily, the bloodstain was there and so was the throne that Ira had made for me.

  Samuel looked around. “An interesting choice for your dream today.”

  I mentally told myself I needed to wake up. This was not something I wanted to deal with while at work.

  “I believe this is Ira’s home.”

  I bristled at that. “Ira’s dead. PIB killed him for his experiments.”

  He nodded. “So your paperwork says.”

  I didn’t respond to him.

  He stopped at the black spot on the floor, the only thing that remained of Ira after I shot him several times. I tried not to conjure up the memory.

  “I know you’re the one who killed him, Abigail, and hiding behind PIB is a cover.” Samuel walked toward me. “Ira saw so much potential in you, and yet, you killed him.”

  Again, I said nothing. I would not tell him where to stick it. I would not tell him to fuck off. “You know, I need you to get out of my dreams so I can get some rest. We had an agreement that you would not interfere with my job. This is interfering.”

  He crossed his arms and smirked. “That’s the nicest fuck off you’ve ever given me.” He disappeared.

  I let out a long sigh and closed my eyes, trying to will away the scene. When I opened my eyes, I was still standing in that room, but the throne had changed from the one Ira made for me to the one that sat in Levi’s ball room.

  The black throne caught the light, like it was beckoning me. I shook my head and sat on the throne. Something felt like home here, and I told my subconscious to knock it the fuck off. I was not a vampire. And I would fight my title with every magical fiber in me, because I would not be taking on the monarchy of bloodsuckers.

  I woke up when the obnoxious sound of the alarm went off. I felt a little better after the quick nap, but I really wanted to sleep longer.

  “Abby?” a male voice sounded through the quiet room.

  My heart leaped at the deep rumble that I knew so well. Simon.

  CHAPTER TWO

  I came out of the quiet room to find Simon standing in the break room, a fresh cup of coffee in one hand and a takeout bag in the other. There was no better sight right now. “What are you doing here?”

  We had agreed to stay apart while Samuel was in town. It was best for his pack and for my sanity. I didn’t want Samuel to get any ideas about using Simon against me.

  He shrugged. “I missed you. Look, I know we agreed—”

  I walked right up to him and kissed him, cutting off his words. “I’m so happy to see you.”

  “Is that because I brought you coffee? Or are you actually happy to see me?” The smirk on his face told me he was teasing. He’d cut his caramel-colored hair recently and I could see his brown eyes clearly. There was a small dusting of hair over his chin like he hadn’t shaved today.

  I grabbed the coffee from him. “We both know that coffee is my first love. Let’s go eat in the office.”

  He followed me into the hall. “I’ll be honest, Liz called me. She said you could probably use some good company that wasn’t work-related.”

  “She’s right, I’m glad she called you because I wouldn’t have.” I didn’t say anything else until I got to the office and unlocked the door. I let him in first and he pulled up the second chair to my desk and I sat in my chair.

  He looked at the doll on the desk and touched the frilly dress. “I remember when you bought this.” He shook his head. “Feels like a lifetime ago.”

  “It really does.” I sipped my coffee.

  Simon pulled out the food and set it on the desk. “How are you holding up?”

  “Well, I got a nap today, so that must have helped because you’re the only person who hasn’t told me I look like shit today.”

  He snorted. “A little sleep goes a long way.”

  “How’s the pack?” I asked, quickly switching the conversation. “Travis?”

  He smiled at the mention of the pack. “Going well, the pups are completely on their own now. Travis started dating someone. That’s really weird, because he’s always been
Mr. I-Don’t-Need-a-Mate.”

  I raised a brow. “Someone would willingly date Travis?”

  We both started laughing.

  Abigail

  Samuel’s voice entered my head, and the laughter died right there. Simon frowned. “Abby?”

  Abigail, you need to return to the mansion.

  I didn’t say anything. I was at work. He wasn’t supposed to interfere.

  Simon touched my hand, and I looked at him. “Sorry, um, I zoned out.”

  “You paled a little. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  I picked up the sandwich he’d brought me. “I’m just hungry,” I promised and took a bite. I didn’t want to think about Samuel trying to demand that I come back to the mansion. I didn’t want to know what was waiting for me. Besides, I still had a job to do here at the office.

  My phone rang two seconds later, and I let out a growl. Simon reached for my phone and frowned.

  “Who do you have in your phone named ‘asshole’?” There was a small tone of disbelief in his voice.

  I gave a short laugh. “Samuel.”

  “He has your phone number?”

  “Unfortunately. Was not my choice,” I grumbled and answered it. “What?”

  “I called you back to the mansion.” He sounded grumpy, and I couldn’t imagine why. He wasn’t the one constantly getting the shit beaten out of him.

  I bit into a fry. “I’m at work. On a case, so coming back during work hours isn’t happening.”

  “You don’t have dedicated work hours, Abigail. There is something I want to speak to you about before Levi wakes.”

  I shook my head, but then remembered that he couldn’t see it. “I’m working on a murder case. I’m not coming back to the mansion to have a heart to heart. You could talk to me over the phone,” I suggested, but my voice wasn’t very nice about it.

  Simon was frowning at me, and I knew he could hear the other side of the conversation.

  “I could use my power to drag you back here. Make you writhe in pain until you agree.”

  I locked my jaw and looked at Simon. He was growling slightly, and I knew that there were going to be some nasty words for the vampire when we got off the phone.

  “The deal was that you didn’t interfere with my job. That would be interfering. I’ll be back after five, which is normal office hours, unless something pops up on this case.” I was hoping something popped up so I wouldn’t have to go home so soon.

  Pressure filled my head, and I shoved my magic at it, trying to keep Samuel out. I could still feel it, but it was less now. “I could consider you trying to call me back as breaking the truce. I am at work.”

  I hung up the phone. It probably wasn’t the best idea, because I knew Samuel could cause problems with his ability if he really wanted to. Right now, he was just testing me. I ran my hands over my face. “I’m sorry about that. Where were we?”

  Simon shook his head. “You could come to pack lands. Your magic protects you there.”

  “I can’t, Simon. I want to, but I can’t. He’ll take that as me breaking the agreement, and he’s put too many fail-safes into place. I’d be at a disadvantage if I did anything like that.” I ate my sandwich. “Please, I already had Liz get on my case about the situation. I just want to sit here and enjoy your company for a bit. Talk to me about normal things and don’t lecture me about my situation, please.”

  He touched my hand gently. “I’m just worried about you, that’s all, but I know that you’re doing what you can with it. So yes, let’s talk about everything but Samuel.”

  I smiled at him, thankful for the effort he was about to make. Pretending everything was normal when it’s not. “Thank you.”

  He was about to open his mouth when there was a knock at my door. The little glass panel that let me see out into the hallway didn’t give me much insight into who was out there. Not until he looked into the office.

  Samuel.

  Fuck.

  I glanced at Simon, who turned around to look at the door.

  “Are you kidding me?”

  I swallowed. “Apparently he really wants to talk to me.”

  Samuel knocked again, and I stood. “I’m not sure if you want to be here for this conversation.”

  “I’m not sure if I want to leave you alone.” Simon leaned back in the chair.

  I took that as a sign that he wouldn’t leave. I opened the door and Samuel waltzed in. “I’m working.”

  “Currently, it seems like you are on lunch.” He looked at Simon and smiled.

  The smile made me go cold, and I knew the two of them meeting officially was a bad thing. One more thing for Samuel to use against me. Simon had been at the birthday party Samuel had crashed, but they hadn’t been introduced or interacted. No, that night Samuel’s focus was completely on me.

  “This must be the werewolf I’ve heard so much about. Your lover.” Samuel walked over and held a hand out. “I’m Samuel, Abigail’s mentor.”

  I froze, waiting to see what Simon was going to do. He was Alpha of the local pack, a fierce fighter, and protector of the wolves that were in this territory. He had an alliance with Levi, both as territory leader and king. This moment was a political nightmare.

  Simon stood up, a sign of respect, yet a sign that he was not below Samuel. Equals. I pressed my lips together as Simon took his hand. “Simon, Alpha to the local pack.”

  “An alpha, oh yes, you were at Abigail’s birthday party.” Samuel shook his hand, then dropped it. “She likes to surround herself with powerful people. All who seem to have left her side the moment she started studying under me and Hannah. Where have you guys been hiding?”

  I cleared my throat. “I thought you had something to talk to me about. You’re not here to chat with Simon and my lunch is about over.”

  Samuel’s gaze shot back toward me. “Yes, something to speak to you about before my fledgling wakes.” He held his hand out. “First, I’m hungry.”

  I crossed my arms. “And I’m at work.” I wouldn’t let him humiliate me in front of Simon.

  “Tonight then.” He dropped his hand. “I wanted to make you an offer. Our time here is ending, and I wanted to let you know what I could offer you. Come with me and Hannah, Abigail. We have so much more to offer you than Levi.”

  I shook my head. “No, thank you. I have a life here. I have my job, here.”

  “And how long until Levi takes all that from you? You’re a threat to his position as King. How long until he changes you by force?”

  I had similar thoughts before. “I’m politely declining your offer.”

  My door opened and Liz walked in. “Abby, I have… you have company.”

  “He was just leaving.”

  Samuel laughed and disappeared.

  Liz and Simon both stared at me, and I wasn’t sure what they wanted me to say.

  So I said the only thing that came to mind. “I need more coffee.”

  “I don’t think coffee is going to fix this.” Simon crossed his arms. “I don’t think anything is going to fix this.”

  “Fix what?” Liz asked as she came further into the room.

  “Nothing, nothing is wrong, or broken, or anything. What do you have for me?”

  Simon scoffed. “Nothing wrong? Samuel just came in here to invite you to go with him and Hannah.”

  “We all know that’s his end game, Simon. It’s just now that he’s actually asking.” I looked at Liz for help, but her brow creased.

  “He waited a long time,” she muttered.

  I shook my head. “Don’t you dare start.” I held my hands up. “Can we please get back to lunch and the case before I decide to go take another nap?” I threw myself back into my chair. “There is a dead woman that needs some justice.”

  The two of them looked at each other and, as if a secret message passed through them, both nodded at the same time. Simon went back to his burger, and Liz stepped closer to the desk.

  “So, I took the liberty of looking into that r
une while you were resting.” She crossed her arms. “It’s not cult-based. Which, I figured it wasn’t since neither of us recognized it.”

  I nodded. “Since it’s one that Hannah has used, it’s possible that it’s an overseas coven language.”

  “Is Hannah a suspect?” Simon asked.

  I wanted to answer yes, but I knew that wasn’t the case. “No, not yet at least. All we have to go off is a dead body and a rune. We don’t have a time of death or an ID on the victim.”

  I swore Simon pouted.

  Taking another bite of my sandwich, I motioned for Liz to go on.

  “Right, so I put it through some more databases, and what came up wasn’t something I was expecting. The rune is old, like centuries old, and can trace back to the witch trials in Salem.”

  I frowned. “Really?”

  She nodded. “So we’re dealing with an old coven, or an old witch.”

  My mind went back to Adrianna and cringed. “I do not want to deal with an old witch again.”

  “Yeah, me either.” Liz’s tone sounded distant. She’d been a victim of the blood witch, not once, but twice. I knew she was still working her way through the trauma.

  The silence hung in the air for a moment. “So, now we wait,” I muttered and finished my food.

  Simon also finished eating. “I hoped that this lunch visit would be normal, but, I guess that’s not possible.”

  “Don’t you always discuss murders at lunch?” Liz asked with a laugh.

  He shook his head. “I know that’s normal for Abby…”

  “He’s talking about Samuel. I’m sorry, I didn’t expect him to show up at the office.” My mood soured, and I wasn’t even sure if coffee could fix it at this point. “It’s not like I can control him.”

  Simon sighed and walked over to my side of the desk. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  I knew he hadn’t, but I was exhausted and irritable. “I know. I’m just grumpy.”

  He laughed and turned my chair toward him and gave me a quick kiss. “I’m surprised it took you this long to be this grumpy,” he teased.

  I gave him a gentle shove. “Get out of here. Liz and I have work to do. And you have a pack to take care of.”