by Morgan Fox
Ryder glared at him curiously. “Not willing to tell me?”
Zane smiled. “Nothing to tell.”
Slowly the door that joined their rooms together opened, and Tiffany stood there, rubbing her eyes sleepily. “I’m starved. Do you think you two could stop talking long enough to escort me and Brie downstairs?”
Saved by his mate’s interruption, Zane smiled. “I think we can handle that.”
* * * *
“I did what you asked,” Bianca said, sitting beside Lilly at the long boardroom-style table.
Lilly glanced up, not at all pleased with her second-in-command. “I believe I told you to seduce Ryder, not let him escape with Tiffany.”
“What?”
“You were to fuck him, keep him occupied so there was one less lycan to contend with. When we attacked, there was no sign of him or Tiffany.” Lilly reached across the table and grabbed Bianca by her throat, her nails pressing into the soft skin of her neck. “What did you tell him, Bianca?”
Bianca gasped. “Nothing,” she managed to say.
Lilly squeezed harder. She could feel Bianca’s delicate windpipe beneath her fingers. How easy it would be to snap her neck and end her life. Nothing would make her happier at this point, nothing but putting an end to Sebastian and reigning in the power she deserved. A magical energy pulsed up her arms, racing along the fine hairs of her body. All she would need to do was twist and Bianca’s life would be but a memory. The magic that flowed through her body reminded her that she still needed Bianca for just a little while longer.
The scent of fresh blood drew Lilly’s attention toward the doorway. A tall, black-haired vampire stood glaring at her with anticipation.
She thrust Bianca back into her seat and straightened herself. “Well,” she spat, beckoning the vampire forward. “What news do you have for me?”
“I brought you a gift, my queen,” he said, and went down on one knee, lowering his head as two other vampires dragged in a prisoner.
Intrigued, Lilly arched a brow and studied the man coated in his own blood. From the scent, he was a were-panther. From the lab coat, he was a doctor.
“Who do we have here?” Lilly purred. Her tight, black leather miniskirt clung to her like a glove, and her sheer black thigh-highs made a swishing sound as she sauntered her way toward them.
“We captured a doctor from the clinic,” the vampire who was kneeling told her. Lilly raised her hand, and he stood. “He may know where we can find Zane, who then might lead us to Tiffany and Ryder.”
Lilly loved it when her vampires had the slightest level of intelligence. It was a gift. One she appreciated. Glancing over her shoulder at Bianca, she told her, “This is the sort of initiative I expect from you.”
Lilly knelt down in front of the were-panther and gently brought his face up to look at her. “He’s pretty,” she muttered, patting his head like a dog. “Too bad you had to beat him so much.”
“He’ll heal,” Bianca murmured, standing and moving toward Lilly. “If you give him a day, he’ll look as good as new.”
“Splendid,” Lilly said. “Clean him up,” she told the vampires holding him and then turned to face Bianca. “Maybe this time you won’t fuck up.” She closed the distance between them. “I want you to find out all that he knows and report back to me…and if fucking him is what you must do to get all the information you can from him, then I suggest you do it. Consider yourself my whore.”
“Yes, my queen,” Bianca said, stepping around Lilly and exiting the room.
Turning back to the table, Lilly smiled to herself, knowing everything was coming together as she planned. Soon she’d not only have Sebastian licking the shit from her boots, but she’d also have his mate, and the power that would make her unstoppable.
Once she secured the power she sought, her first order of business would be the resurrection of Mason Levi.
* * * *
Bianca rushed into the bathing room to see the vampires stripping the lycan prisoner bare. His battered and bloodied body had her wincing. Forcing herself to remain emotionless, she pushed her way into the room.
“Prepare the bath,” she ordered one of the vampires and then turned to face the other. “Once you’ve undressed him, you’re both dismissed.”
“Are you sure?” the first vampire asked.
Bianca approached him, practically chest bumping him. “If I wasn’t sure, would I fucking give you a directive?”
“No, ma’am,” he said nervously.
“Get the fuck out,” she said with a fierce growl.
Once the room was free of everyone, she rushed to Brody, pulling him into her arms. “What have you done?” Her heart twisted. “How did they capture you?”
“I let them take me,” he mumbled, his body shaking as if freezing.
She escorted him carefully into the bath. He groaned as the warm water coated his body. “Brody, Lilly could kill you.”
He shook his head. “I don’t care. I had to see for myself.”
Confused, Bianca didn’t understand what Brody needed to see. How did he end up like this? He should’ve never been anywhere near the clinic. “What?”
“I had to see if you were truly working with Lilly. I had to know if the woman I loved betrayed me and her people.”
Bianca’s heart sank into the pit of her stomach. Shame filled her soul. “It’s complicated.”
Brody’s tongue swiped at the swollen corner of his mouth. Blinking, he murmured. “The quadratic equation is complicated. You choosing to align with the enemy is not.”
She could barely stand to see him in pain. Watching him suffer had never been in her plans. “Brody, please understand I never wanted to see you or any of our kind hurt.”
He chuckled, but then winced, grabbing his ribs. “Sorry, sweetheart, you’ve failed miserably.”
She held him in her arms, keeping his upper body from sinking into the water fully. “What do you want from me, Brody?”
Brody’s eyes widened momentarily as he told her, “I want you to tell me that this is all some kind of ruse, and that you haven’t been using me all this time for information.”
She gently washed the blood from his face, her heart ripping from her chest. She didn’t know what to tell him. She couldn’t lie to him, which meant she couldn’t say anything. He’d never understand her need to be with Lilly and the vampires. Brody was her lover, and she’d never meant for him to find out what she’d been doing.
Then Ryder’s face flashed in her mind. Along with everything else she’d done, she’d never mentioned her connection to Ryder. Brody already hated her for her betrayal over Lilly. What would he think once he learned that Ryder was her mate and that she’d known all along?
Would you still love me?
Bianca had to figure out a way to help Brody even if she couldn’t help herself. She wouldn’t be responsible for Brody’s death. “In about ten minutes a handful of vampires are going to come in here and take you back to Lilly. I beg you to tell them what they need to know. I don’t want you hurt.”
He glanced away. His eyes had been filled with the truth she had been avoiding. Brody knew that her unanswered questions were like a confession of guilt. She’d be a fool to think he’d ever understand what she was doing, and she didn’t think he’d ever let her truly explain.
Brody shrugged from her hold and muttered coldly, “Let them come. I’ve got a lot to tell them.”
Bianca’s stomach rolled. Brody was asking for his death, and the vampires would grant his request. Question was, would he ask for hers as well?
Chapter Twelve
Tiffany stared down into the sea of white pasta and bright-red tomato sauce. The spicy tang left a delightful taste in her mouth, coupled with the strong bite of German beer to wash it down. The quiet restaurant was conveniently located alongside the hotel lobby. Ryder had chosen for them to sit inside the cocktail lounge where he could better see all the exits, including the main entrance of the hotel, thanks to large
, undraped windows.
“We should plan to leave the hotel at first light,” Brie said as she sliced into her chicken. “I’d like to get an early start. The originals are most likely going to sense us.” She glanced over to Tiffany. “So we might not have to go looking very far.”
Tiffany locked gazes with Brie and wondered how Brie could appear so calm. “Then what?”
“Then we find out everything they can tell us about ourselves.”
“What are you hoping to discover?” Ryder asked gruffly.
Brie placed her knife and fork down and glanced up to meet his hard stare. “I know this has not been easy for you, Ryder, but it will all make sense soon enough.”
Ryder rolled his eyes dismissively. “Again I ask, what are you hoping to discover?”
Brie cocked her head to the side to look at Tiffany. “I’m hoping to find the answer to destroying Lilly and the virus. I’m hoping to find the answers to unlocking our true magic, and I’m also hoping to understand why my sister was taken from me all those years ago.”
Tiffany swallowed hard as her eyes watered. Brie’s eyes did the same. Tiffany’s chest tightened, waiting for Brie to say something.
For a long moment, no one spoke until Zane asked, “You knew that Tiffany was your sister?”
Brie nodded, still holding Tiffany’s gaze. “I found out the night she was attacked by the vampires. I had a vision. That was the reason I begged Sebastian to bring you to McCarthy Ranch.”
“Our father?” Tiffany practically choked the words out.
Brie nodded. “Yes, we share the same father. We not only share our bloodline with fey witches, but also werewolves.”
“My mother never told me any of this.” Tiffany couldn’t understand why her mother would hide the truth from her. Was her mother ashamed that her father had been with another woman?
“Neither did mine,” Brie frowned. Her eyes were heavy with sadness. Then she smiled softly and placed her hand over Tiffany’s. “I’m sure they thought they were protecting us, but I wish I would’ve known about you sooner. I always hated being an only child. I’d dreamed of a little sister for as long as I can remember.”
Tiffany’s heart leapt in her chest as a sudden wave of pride and joy filled her. She wasn’t alone in the world. Brie was her sister, and they shared the gift of magic. As strange and crazy as things were, Tiffany could finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
“I hated being an only child, too.”
“So that’s why you two are so closely linked,” Zane said, rubbing a firm hand over his chin.
“What do you mean?” Tiffany asked.
“For you to be the chosen one and Brie to be the Lupinara, a lot of things had to align to make that happen. I mean really, what are the odds that Sebastian would hire you as his secretary and end up marrying Brie?”
Tiffany’s head hurt as she thought about the paths she’d taken and how it was she ended up exactly where she had. Then she realized it had been her mother who insisted she was the chosen one and also the one to place her under Sebastian’s care, ultimately putting all off this in motion.
Did my mother know something she wasn’t sharing?
Tiffany shifted in her seat. “Brie, do you think it’s possible that our parents knew?”
Brie shrugged. “I imagine it’s possible.”
“Do you think your mother assumed you’d be the Lupinara?”
Brie inclined her head, staring at Tiffany. “What are you getting at?”
Tiffany’s hands felt sweaty as she sorted through her thoughts aloud. “I think my mother knew who and what we were and helped to get us together. I think she knew you were the Lupinara. She always told me I was the chosen one. She wouldn’t let me think otherwise even though I tried like hell to pass it off as being an awful witch and that there was no way I could possibly be the chosen one. She’s the one who spoke to Sebastian and asked him to take care of me.”
Brie shrugged. “I suppose anything is possible, but how would your mother know so much about our power when we didn’t even show signs of it until just recently?” Brie glanced around the table as she said, “I was pretty normal until I fell in love with Sebastian and Jonah.”
Again everything seemed to circle back to Sebastian. “Maybe being with Sebastian and Jonah was what you needed to get your magic activated. Maybe they helped draw it out of you.”
Brie giggled. “You make me sound like a comic book hero.”
“If the shoe fits,” Ryder said in a hushed tone, and then raised his voice to add, “You did zap Mason Levi like a fly on a bug light.”
Brie’s smile faded. “I’m not sure how I did that, and I’m also sure I never want to do that again if it means hurting Tiffany.” They looked at each other. “I’m sorry I took so much power from you. I didn’t know we were connected. I assumed the power I felt was coming from the baby.”
Tiffany smiled. “It’s okay, Brie. You saved Tabitha and the others. I’m glad I was able to help.” Tiffany took the napkin off her lap and placed it on the dish in front of her, covering her food. “I would like to get better at using my magic so that I don’t get so drained. I don’t want to feel so vulnerable.”
“The originals should be able to help us.” Brie sounded so sure.
“I hope so.” Tiffany stood, and the moment she did, so did Ryder. “It’s okay. I’m just going up to bed. I’m beat. I could really use a few minutes alone.” Ryder didn’t budge from his upright and stiff-as-a-warrior position. “I’m going to take the elevator up to my floor and go straight into my room. What could possibly happen to me? You’ve already done a security sweep of this entire hotel, and you’d sniff out any vampires or other lycans before they got a hundred feet near me.” She reached out and touched his arm. “I’ll be fine.”
Zane rose from his chair. “Let me take you to your room.”
Tiffany sighed harder. No one seemed to understand that she needed time to digest everything. “I really could use the time to be alone. I might even take a hot bath.” Ryder and Zane both glared at her, not willing to step down. “Would you feel better walking me to the elevator and putting me on it?”
Both Ryder and Zane nodded.
Tiffany stepped back to push her chair in, and to her surprise Ryder remained standing, but Zane was the one to reach for her hand to escort her to the elevator. She assumed Ryder would fight Zane tooth and nail, but he didn’t. However, he did watch her like a hawk as they made their way to the elevator doors. Knowing that Ryder cared so much about her made her heart flutter just a little bit.
Zane pushed the button, and immediately they both glanced up to watch the red numbers count down the floors as it made its way back down to the lobby. Before the doors could open, Zane pulled her close and kissed her lips gently.
“I know you’re going through a lot right now, but if you need me, all you need to do is call to me. I’ll be there for you.” He kissed her lips tenderly one last time as the elevator doors opened. “I’ll always be there for you.”
Smiling, Tiffany stepped inside and pressed the button to her floor. Zane’s darkening-brown eyes studied her, and she could still feel his touch even as the elevator climbed up to her floor. Slowly, the doors opened, and her throat constricted as she stared at a red-haired man with piercing green eyes and a lopsided grin. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she stepped to the side to exit the elevator and brushed against his shoulder. The charge of energy that flooded through her almost knocked her off her feet. She gasped and turned to look at the man once more.
“I wondered if it was you,” the redheaded man said with a smirk. “Unlike any of the chosen ones I’ve seen before, your magic is not very stable.”
How old was this guy? A chosen one was born every five hundred years. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?”
He shrugged. “Not yet.” He reached out his hand for her to shake. “I’m Augustus Orion. I’ve come to take you to meet the Lupinari.”
Tiffany froze at the idea
of being taken away from Zane or the others. Why had he encountered her when she’d been alone? She’d seen all the horror movies and yelled at the ditzy blondes for doing something stupid like going somewhere with a complete stranger.
“Wait,” she choked out, putting her hands up and taking a step back. “I don’t really know you enough to go anywhere with you.” She checked over her shoulder to see how far away her room was. Three doors down. “Please excuse my rudeness, but I’m getting tired of running for my life from people who want to kill me.”
Augustus smiled. “Duly noted and understood. I’m here to take you and Brie to see the Lupinari, that’s all. They’ve been waiting for you since they felt your powers growing. We’re actually surprised it took you this long to get here.”
Tiffany frowned. “Just a second. If you knew we were out there, why didn’t you come find us? Why the games?”
Augustus moved closer. “Your powers have been so sporadic that we couldn’t lock in on you, but we could send messages that apparently one of you received.”
“Messages?”
“Visions,” he clarified.
Tiffany considered smacking the palm of her hand against her forehead. Brie had been having visions, detailed visions, and now Tiffany understood why she’d been having them.
“So you place these visions in Brie’s head hoping that she’d put the pieces together. You couldn’t be more specific with her? Like give her a damn address? Do you know how crazy this entire situation has made us all?”
Again Augustus smiled. His young, twenty-something face was a complete contrast to the very serious nature of his posture and dress. He seemed more like a grandfather finishing up a round of golf than a young man who should be finishing college. Even though his face was youthful, his green eyes held long years of worry and experience within their depths. The feelings of panic quickly eroded as Tiffany stood near him.
“Why did they send you?” She held her ground firmly. Her hands were balled at her sides, preparing for anything. She still didn’t trust him.
