by Riley Storm
There were no friends. No pets. No activities, hobbies or sports that she was involved with. She did no volunteering. Most of all though, she didn’t have someone to care for. To care for her. To call her out on her lack of socializing.
More than once she’d turned it aside. Even Danielle at work had tried several times to get her to come out, to have a drink or two with the rest of the office, but she’d always declined, either staying late or going home to be by herself. She’d used the reasoning that as the boss, she shouldn’t be socializing with her employees, but with such a small staff, did it really matter?
Maybe I should have taken Danielle up on that offer. She always seemed keen to be friends.
Of course, she might not have her job for much longer. If things didn’t work out, a reality she had to be prepared for, Haley would find herself, and her team, unemployed. They were all good at what they did, and she knew they would get other opportunities elsewhere. But they were her team and she didn’t want to give them up.
Just like she didn’t want to give Kincaid up. For the first time in longer than she cared to admit, even to herself, something in her life mattered to her more than her career. She made her way over to the couch and all but dropped into it as the bombshell exploded in front of her.
She cared for Kincaid. Not just lusted after his body, or his skills in bed, both of which were appreciated, but for the man he was. A good man. An honorable man. Perhaps a bit too prone to outbreaks of violence, but everyone has their faults. As long as he never turned it on her—where she knew instinctively, somehow, that he wasn’t that type of man—she would overlook it.
“After all, it’s not like I don’t have a few faults of my own,” she admitted to the room.
All of this was too much for her to handle on her own. Haley found herself wishing she could reach out to someone to talk it over, to confess, to get their opinion on it all. She couldn’t tell them about the shifters, and the magic, and the vampires, and the dragons. Because who in their right mind would actually believe all that…
Still…
Glancing over at the landline, a nearly ancient artifact by today’s technology, she worked her mouth back and forth. Who would she call? Who would pick up and be willing to talk to her, to listen?
The only people she really had talked to in the past six months were the people at her office.
Danielle would listen. She’d be happy you reached out to her. I think she worries about you.
Nervously, she shuffled to the end of the couch and picked up the receiver, listening to the dialtone at the other end.
“Grow a spine. At a minimum you should let them know you’re okay so they don’t file a missing persons report or something.”
Her fingers were already moving across the pad, dialing the number to the office. She was doing this. She was really doing it.
“House Accounting, Graham speaking,” a nasally male voice said.
“Hi Graham, it’s Haley. Is Danielle there?”
“Haley! It’s good to hear from you. Yes, she’s here, let me tell her.”
The phone beeped as he put her on hold, and Haley’s hand began to shake. What would she say? How should she bring it up? Just launch into it, or start small and work her way up?
She stood up, the corded phone—how old is this damn thing?!—yanking the base off the table until it hung several inches above it. Haley sat back down abruptly, stuck to the couch, wishing her cell phone was with her, and not somewhere back in Ursidae Manor out of reach.
Just then, Danielle picked up.
“Haley? Haley, are you okay?”
“Yes, yes, I’m fine,” she said, brushing aside the concerns. “I just had something come up.”
There was a pause. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Haley, but, uh, you never have anything come up. Not even sickness. Are you sure it’s okay?”
She smiled at the outspokenness. “I appreciate your concern, but I promise you, I’m okay.”
“Alright.” Danielle didn’t sound like she believed a word Haley was saying. “What do you need then?”
Now it was Haley’s turn to hesitate, to answer with an uncertainty that wasn’t typical to her. “I need to...to talk to you. About what’s come up.” She paused briefly, then continued in a rush. “Is that okay? If you’re busy I can totally call back, it’s no big deal really, I don’t want to interrupt whatever you’re doing, so just tell me if you’re not able to talk. I—”
“Haley.”
“Yes?” she replied, feeling sheepish. She’d been babbling, and it was obvious.
“What do you need to talk about?” Danielle had lowered her voice, talking to her like they were conspirators of some sort of plot. “Is it…a boy?”
“Maybe?”
There was some sort of frantic muffled squealing from the other end, then Danielle cleared her voice. “Give me one moment, I’m going to transfer to your office.”
The line beeped to indicate she’d been put on hold and Haley sagged into the couch. What the hell was she supposed to say next?
“Okay!” Danielle came back a hot second later. “Tell me everything!”
“Did you just run to my office?” Haley asked, listening to the mild shortness of breath through the receiver.
“No time for that. Details. I’ve been waiting for this day for—what’s it been, four years since you hired me?” Danielle said, ignoring the question.
“Are you serious?”
“Oh, my God, yes! And I’m excited you’re finally opening up. So, who is it? Pleeeasseee tell me it’s the hottie you brought into the office the other morning? Please.”
“Um.” The enthusiasm and instant ability to act like they were friends had blindsided Haley. She’d been prepared for some small talk and a slow burn sort of conversation. Instead, Danielle was leaping in head-first, like she’d been waiting for this to happen.
Which apparently she has.
“That’s a yes. So, what is it you need to talk about?”
There didn’t seem any point in denying the truth to Danielle. “It’s him, yes,” Haley said. “I’m…I’m a little overwhelmed,” she admitted. “Things are moving quickly. Really quickly.”
“Are you forcing them?” Danielle asked, her tone calming as she recognized that this wasn’t a call for sharing, but for help and advice.
“No. That’s the scary part,” she admitted. “It just feels…natural. But there’s more. A lot more. Most of it I can’t tell you, because it’s not my place. But it’s complicated, Danielle.”
“Dani.”
“What?”
“Just call me Dani, it’s fine.”
“Thanks Dani,” Haley said, and she meant it. “I just don’t know what to do.”
“Do you care about him?”
Haley didn’t reply right away. An answer was ready instantly, but she took her time, thinking it over, analyzing it from every side to make sure it wasn’t a fake, that there wasn’t some sort of lie to it.
“Yes,” she said at last. “I do. Which is what terrifies me, because I’ve only known him for a few days, and things are…complicated doesn’t even begin to explain it, Dani. Not even close. I can’t really say why, but there’s a lot of evidence that points at him being a criminal. I’ve been assigned by Kaelyn to try and prove his innocence.”
“Isn’t that a job for the police?” Dani asked cautiously.
“Like I said, it’s complicated,” she said with a slightly hysterical laugh. “I think we’re on the right trail for that, but it’s had us spending a lot of time together and we…we…” she couldn’t tell Dani, not yet.
“You slept with him? Is that what you’re trying to say?”
Haley sighed, relieved she hadn’t had to vocalize it. “Yes.”
“Okay. Was it good?”
Her face was burning, but Haley wasn’t about to exit the conversation now. She’d called for advice, and this was the only way she was going to get it. “Yes,” she answered. “Ver
y.”
“Does he treat you nice?”
“Yes? Of course.”
“And he obviously has money. He’s handsome. Does he make you laugh?”
She smiled, then realized Dani couldn’t see it through the phone. “When he’s not teasing me.”
Dani laughed. “Yup. He likes you too. Listen, I don’t know him, so I can’t tell you for certain one way or another if he’s a good guy or not. You’re going to have to go with your gut on that one. All I can tell you, Haley, is that if he treats you well, has his life together aside from whatever you two are looking into right now, he’s good in bed, and most importantly he makes you laugh… Well, where’s the problem?”
Haley didn’t have an answer to that.
“How do you feel when you’re around him?”
“Safe. Comfortable. Warm. Nauseous. Nervous. All of the above.” Haley bit her lip just thinking about it.
“Haley, you like the guy. A lot.”
“I do?”
“You do.” Danielle paused. “When was the last time you dated? Or even went on a date?”
Haley mumbled her reply, too embarrassed to say it out loud.
“Did you just say college?” Dani gasped. “Please tell me I misheard.”
“Ummm.”
“No wonder you’re terrified! You’re so out of shape. Oh, my goodness. Okay. Have you and he talked about this yet? Actually addressed that there are feelings between you two?”
“How do you know he has feelings toward me?”
“He slept with you, and he teases you and makes you laugh. He also protects you, doing all the little things you don’t really notice, but makes you feel safe anyway. Trust me, he likes you.”
“You’re sure?”
“Haley, I’m a pro at this. I’ve had so many men like me before, I recognize the signs.” Dani’s voice dropped to a mutter. “It’s the next part I seem to have a problem with.”
“Which part is that?”
“Making them want to stay.”
Haley winced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up.”
“Don’t be! I’m so excited you called me to ask me about this. I’ve been trying to get you to open up for ages now. What finally changed? Why did you choose to come to me out of everyone?”
“I…” she trailed off. The truth hurt to admit to herself, but to say it out loud made it real. Admitting it is a step toward fixing it. “I don’t have anyone else,” she heard herself say.
Dani inhaled audibly, but otherwise didn’t miss a beat. “Well, you’ve got me! Is there anything else you want to ask?”
Haley thought about it. “Yeah. Actually, there is one more thing.”
“What? What is it?” Haley could all but imagine Dani leaning in closer as she spoke.
“What the hell do I do now?”
32
Kincaid was prepared for a hot reception as he arrived back at Ursidae Manor. The drive had been mostly uneventful. Twice he’d had to stop and hit Krawll again to ensure he stayed unconscious, but that wasn’t really an inconvenience at all. He’d relished the pain he was inflicting on the other shifter.
To his surprise though, nobody intercepted him at the gate or during the drive up. He’d expected the guards to materialize, yank him from the car and throw him under arrest, but nothing happened. He wondered if Kirell had chosen his side and was making it clear to any who saw that he was aligned with Kincaid and the Queen. That was a risky play for a newfound Title Holder, but if that’s what was happening, he owed the man a drink.
The closer he could get to the Throne Room without being intercepted, the better his chances of presenting his case in front of someone who would listen. The only gauntlet he would have to run now would be Kvoss and his men once they received word of his arrival. If he could just get near the Throne Room, the Queen’s Guard would hear his arrival and hopefully intervene.
“Shit,” he muttered as the trees gave way to the manicured lawns out front of the House, revealing the main entryway.
The road came to a fork and he went left toward it. The road looped around itself in a circle, both the road and the gardens in the center covered in a massive awning, stone pillars combining with wooden beams and slightly tinted glass roof to create a welcoming environment.
And all of it was ruined by the six men standing out front, lining the stairs, waiting for him. They were Kvoss’ men and they all seemed ready for action. Kincaid slowed the SUV, contemplating his actions. He couldn’t take all six of them, nor could he outrun them. Not if he was trying to carry Krawll as well.
Fortunately, he had a backup plan.
The SUV came to a half in front of the giant stone staircase that led up into the manor, and the men came down toward him. One stood in front of the vehicle and one behind, while the other four blocked entry into the building itself.
“Wake up,” Kincaid snarled, reaching into the back seat and punching Krawll in the kidneys.
The badly-beaten shifter groaned and came around. “What?”
Kincaid shoved the barrel of the semi-automatic pistol into his face. “Wake up, or you’re going to get a face full of uranium dust.”
“I’m awake!” Krawll mumbled around the cold metal pressed into his mouth. “I’m awake!”
“Good. Get out the driver’s side. Slowly.”
They exited the car.
“Stay back!” Kincaid shouted, putting the barrel to the back of Krawll’s head.
He kept a few inches between the gun and skull, so that his quarry would never know precisely where the weapon was. This was his ace in the hole. Only the Queen’s Guard carried the special uranium-bullet firing pistols on a regular basis. Kincaid was banking on none of Kvoss’ men having one.
If they did, he was screwed and this was over now, but judging by the way they were acting, none of them had come armed. He thanked his lucky stars that the Queen was on his side. She’d had one of her guard stash it in the SUV, just in case. Kincaid had hoped not to need it, but now it was going to save his life, it seemed.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Kvoss roared as he came out the front doors.
“Clearing my name. Now get out of my way or I’ll drop you right where you stand,” Kincaid threatened coldly, pushing Krawll forward and up the first stairs.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Kvoss sneered.
Kincaid gave Krawll a hard shove, whipped the pistol around and fired a shot that whizzed past Kvoss’ left ear, then quickly shoved the muzzle into Krawll’s back and forced him up the stairs before anyone else could react.
“Try me,” he snarled as the Assassin and his six men backed away, preceding him down the Grand Hallway as he made his way toward the Throne Room.
“If I must,” Kvoss snapped. “All of you together. We shall take him at once.”
Now that’s just not fair!
There was no point in complaining. It was the best strategy they had. Kincaid couldn’t take down seven of them before they reached him. But he could try.
Krawll flew forward with a shout, struck from behind by Kincaid with all his might. The flailing shifter collided with two of the guards. The pistol came around with a buzz saw noise as it spewed rounds. Two more shifters went down howling in agony as their skin literally dissolved from the uranium dust, the hollow-point bullets exploding on impact.
Throwing himself to the side, he avoided a decapitation swing from one of Kvoss’ lackeys. He rolled into a crouch at the foot of another. The gun went off and two bullets took out the legs. The shifter went backward, rebounded off the wall and then fell on top of Kincaid as the man writhed in pain.
Grunting, he tried to extricate himself, but Kvoss was there, yanking the gun from his hand and sending it spinning down the hallway. Kincaid slipped out from under the still writhing shifter a split second before Kvoss’ foot occupied the space his head had been in, connecting instead with the ribs of his man.
Scrambling to his feet, Kincaid faced off against the rema
ining guards. It was now four on one. Still not great odds.
Okay, terrible odds.
Nearby, Krawll was picking himself up, dusting himself off with a grin—a grin that faded as his eyes focused on something farther down the Grand Hallway. Kincaid turned to look, and he couldn’t help himself. He smiled broadly.
“You’re fucked now,” he said, still smiling.
Exiting the Throne Room at the far end of the Hallway was the Queen and half a dozen of her guards, all of whom were armed with uranium-infused weapons, both ranged and close quarters and all of whom were pointing them at the commotion ahead of them.
“Stand down,” Kaelyn commanded as she strode forward. “What in the hell is going on here?”
“This traitor is trying to break in!” Kvoss spat, pointing at Kincaid.
“I drove up to the main entrance you log-head. Think for once in your life. Use your brain, if you still can.”
“Enough.” Kaelyn’s voice sliced between the two of them. “Kincaid, explain yourself. Why did you break out? Why are you back?”
“I broke out because I was innocent. Because I was being framed,” he said, staring daggers at Kvoss.
“Where is your proof?” the Queen asked imperiously. “You must have proof.”
“It’s right there,” he snarled, pointing at Krawll. “This traitor was paid off by House Canis to kill me during his Challenge to my nomination. Afterward, when all my accounts were shut down, the money that Canis transferred in would be exposed, and I would be branded as a traitor. If I had to guess, Krawll and his ilk would accuse me of being the leader of the coup as well, though I doubt they’d thought that far ahead yet.”
Kaelyn turned to Krawll and gestured. Two of her warriors closed swiftly. One held a rifle aimed at his heart, the other swiftly drawing a sword and holding it inches from his throat. Even from that distance, the uranium-edged blade caused the skin to ripple and turn black.
“Is this true?” Kaelyn hissed, barely able to speak because of her fury.
Krawll tried to resist, to stay silent, but as the blade came nearer his throat and the skin began to part, his resistance caved. “Yes,” he said, slumping. “It’s true.”
