Accepting Fate

by Rivers, Brandy L

  * * * *

  Coffee in hand, Mike leaned against the island and laid everything out for his sister. When he was done, everyone was silent a moment.

  Roxy’s face scrunched as fury lit her eyes. “That bitch left you because you saved her life?”

  Mike sighed. “She’s not a bitch. But don’t worry, I’m over her. Not what she called me, or the reason she left, but I get why I scared the fuck out of her. I wouldn’t take her back, but I can’t hate her for being afraid.” He wouldn’t mention he ran into Amanda a couple days before. Roxy wanted to tear her a new one, and now that she had claws, it was a real risk.

  “Good. She treated you like shit anyway.” Her anger melted and a frown pulled her lips down. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew when I changed?”

  “Didn’t want you to tell me what Tremaine has been telling me since Mom passed. I still don’t want to deal with my magic. Nothing good can come from it.”

  “You’re alive when you might not have been. Amanda is alive when he could have easily shot you both. I’d say that’s pretty good, even if she was too stupid to appreciate you.”

  Mike groaned. “Please, no more Amanda talk. It’s over. I’d rather deal with my power than kill everyone around me when it rips me apart.”

  Trevor tapped his fingers on the table. “Then you know what Fiona is?”

  Mike nodded. “Have all along. I couldn’t tap into my magic while it was warded up, except when it bled over, but I could still sense Others. Always have.”

  “And you didn’t say anything when I introduced you to your half-sister?”

  Mike crossed his arms over his chest with a scowl. “Yeah, I get it, I’m a dumbass. What do you want me to say? I don’t want this, but I can’t keep running.”

  “Fiona could help you,” Roxy pointed out.

  “No. I got this. Okay? Gwen has it under control. She understands my particular situation better than anyone else.”

  Roxy shook her head. “Need I remind you, she’s a mage—not a druid.”

  He huffed. “Yeah, well she also isn’t my sister. If I fuck up, she laughs it off and helps me fix it. You’d give me hell.”

  Crossing her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowed. “I’d help. I wouldn’t be a bitch.”

  “No, but I’d feel even more stupid than I already do.”

  Roxy gave Gwen an appraising look. “You trust her?”

  Mike looked to Gwen and smiled. “I do.”

  “And Mr. Happy standing at attention for her doesn’t affect that?”

  “Stop with the whole scenting everything.” He sighed and shifted his gaze to Gwen. “If she still wants me after whipping my ass into shape, I have every intention of exploring the possibilities with her.”

  Grinning, Gwen turned to him. “I can be patient.”

  Roxy groaned.

  Trevor chuckled. “I like her. She doesn’t hold back, and she has your brother’s best interests at heart.”

  Gwen nodded. “I was trying to convince him to tell you yesterday. You showing up was pretty perfect.”

  Roxy looked at Gwen. Mike had the urge to step between them but relaxed when his sister finally smiled and held her hand out. “Truce?”

  Grinning, she shook. “Truce, but for the record, I wasn’t holding any of this against you. You’re a new wolf, and you don’t know me.”

  Trevor nudged Roxy. “Told you. Give her a chance.”

  Roxy turned to Mike. “If you need anything from me, or any of us, let me know.”

  “I’ll keep it in mind,” Mike replied.

  “Actually,” Gwen gave him an apologetic smile, “sometime soon, I’m going to want Mike to get some practice in as his beast. We need somewhere quiet where the average human won’t show up. He needs to be around other big animals. His go to form seems to be a tiger, though. Think you and your guys can handle that?”

  Roxy grinned. “So much is starting to make sense.”

  “How so?” Mike asked.

  “Your tiger on your side. The falcon on your back. Even, um…” her gaze skated to Gwen and back to him, “Even your thing with Isa.”

  He gave her a warning look. “She’ll always be a friend.”

  Gwen couldn’t help wondering, but she knew Isa had since found her mate. She believed Mike when he admitted to being relieved that Toryn had finally claimed Isa. She could relate.

  Trevor spoke up. “Joey and I can help you with your beast. Shane can oversee.”

  Mike rubbed at his temples. “Yeah, I guess.” He turned to Gwen. “That is, if you really think it’s necessary.”

  “You want to be comfortable in all your forms in case you ever have to shift. There’s one other person I know who might help as well, or better, than werewolves.” She nodded toward Roxy. “No offense, but you’re new to your magic, and I don’t know Fiona. Fallon can shift into damn near anything, and I already spoke with her yesterday. She said she’d help, but not with sparring for her mate’s sake.”

  Mike’s eyes flared. “She’s pregnant, and I’ve never met Fallon.”

  Gwen smiled knowingly. “I hear Roxy has.”

  Roxy nodded. “She’s cool, and can train you probably better than anyone.”

  He glanced at his watch and sneered before looking up. “Okay everyone, I need to go. I’m meeting a client in an hour and should get ready.” He got up to move around the island and gave Roxy a hug. “You going to get over me keeping this secret?”

  “All ready over it. I get it. Promise me no more hiding?”

  “I promise.”

  “Love ya, Mikey.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek before dragging Trevor out the door. He waved goodbye.

  Turning to Gwen, he took a breath before stating, “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but you can’t come to this meeting.”

  “Wasn’t planning on it. You can call me if you need me. I have a plan for later. As long as you’re willing.”

  Chapter 9

  Gwen ducked into an alley as Mike walked up to Death’s Door’s entrance. “Well, shit,” she muttered. A sense of dread crept under her skin as she pulled her phone out of her pocket.

  Mike had seemed tense the entire walk over. Now she had to wonder what he knew about the owner, Cole deLuna. She never had a reason to step inside, and walking past the building always made her skin crawl. Didn’t help that the line to get in was full of emo and Goth types, most of whom appeared to be junkies. She preferred lively, uninebriated company.

  A cold ball of nerves grew in the pit of her stomach. After a moment’s contemplation, she dialed.

  Robert answered immediately. “Everything okay, Gwen?”

  “For now. Not sure it will stay that way. I need one of you to get me some background information on Death’s Door’s owner, and what he’d want with Mike. All I know is Cole deLuna runs the club and he’s a necromancer rumored to bring corpses back long enough to get information from them.”

  “We already have a couple people watching Death’s Door day and night. There were complaints about black magic. I’ll have Preston send you everything we’ve gathered.”

  “Thanks.”

  After clearing his throat, Robert asked, “Did Mike say why he was going?”

  “The guy wanted to discuss a project. Mike’s a freelance artist and graphic designer. He didn’t want me to go, and at first that seemed normal, but now I have to wonder. He didn’t seem real happy to be going.”

  “You could butt in, see what happens.”

  The door flew open and Mike stormed out.

  More curious than ever, Gwen watched Mike approach. She hastily replied, “Nah, he’s already done, and he looks pissed. I’ll find out what I can, but please send the information over. I’ll keep you posted.” She hung up before he could reply.

  * * * *

  Mike walked down the street. He could feel Gwen following him. She thought she was so sneaky, staying out of sight. Maybe she could fool someone else, but he’d memorized her presence in the las
t twenty-four hours.

  Somewhere at the back of his head, Mike knew this meeting was a terrible idea. From the moment he got the call, anxiety wove through him.

  Amanda’s brother ran Death’s Door. Same club that Amanda hooked up with the dealers who got her into heroin. Mike still blamed Cole.

  The details of the project were sketchy at best. He’d received a vague call asking him to come down to discuss graphics. The closer he got to the place, the more his skin crawled.

  In a way, he agreed to discuss job because he wanted to prove to himself he really was over Amanda. Most days he believed it, especially after Amanda showed up the other night. But Cole made the appointment a week ago, before he ran into Amanda.

  Now everything all seemed connected, and left him wondering what he was missing.

  He had stepped up to the door and pushed his way through. Cole came out with his typical smarmy grin and slick suit. The guy was an utter sleaze.

  “Afternoon, Mike. Ready to talk business?”

  Mike fought off a chill. Something was off, but he had no clue what. “That’s why I’m here.”

  “Come, there’s much to discuss. Some personal.”

  Mike took a step back, shaking his head. “I’m not here for personal, Cole.”

  “You may change your mind. My sister—”

  “Your sister is in my past, where she’ll stay. I’m here for business. Nothing else.”

  One corner of his mouth lifted. “Hear me out. She wants to see you.”

  Mike held up his hands. “No. She walked out five years ago. Told me not to find her. Had you tell me to back the fuck off. I did. I’m done.”

  “You don’t understand—”

  “Don’t need to. I’m out.” He turned around and strode out the door.

  Cole called after him, “What about our business?”

  “Not worth the trouble.”

  He hurried back the way he came and Gwen stepped out from an alleyway.

  “Everything okay?” she asked.

  He shook his head and shoved his hands in his pockets. His magic pushed against his skin, wanting out. The sky darkened as storm clouds rolled in. The charge in the air set his hair on end while the wind brushed past him.

  Gwen hurried to keep up. “What happened?”

  He shot her a dark look. “Fuck, Gwen. Back off, okay?”

  She grabbed his arm and yanked him to a stop. “I’m trying to help, jackass.”

  “Not right now. Let me get off the damned street before I blow!”

  She tugged him around a corner and pulled him in a new direction. “Come on, my place is closer.”

  “Yeah, and last time I went to your place, I nearly lost it.”

  Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “Hey, now if you lose it, you won’t kill everyone in sight. I can handle whatever you got, so come on.”

  “It’s your shit,” he snapped back. Mike did follow. Her condo wasn’t far from the club.

  She grumbled, “I’m here to help, and you’re shutting me down. Thought we were past this.”

  He took a deep breath and pulled in his magic. “I’m not shutting you out, but I’m ready to lose it. Can you give me a few minutes of peace to get myself under control?”

  “Fine.”

  * * * *

  Men, always so damned frustrating.

  She stormed up to her condo and waited until Mike was inside before she slammed and locked the door. Rounding on him, Gwen slapped her hands on her hips. “Now listen, Mike, you’re used to bottling up the power, but there are better ways to deal with emotions than this. That’s why I’m here, to teach you. There are times you’ll have to lock it down, but out there on the street, I could have shown you another way.”

  He nodded, the fire burning in his eyes. “Do you want me going nuclear on the street? Want me to lose my shit and have magic spraying out my ass like some damned hyperactive unicorn?”

  Gwen couldn’t help giggling. “Excuse me?”

  “What-the-fuck-ever.” He pulled his hands out of his pockets and put his palms up and out. “See what happens when I get wound so tight? Even with the wards in place this happened, and I don’t know how to fucking contain it.”

  Blue arcs of electricity danced up and down his hands. Her hair stood on end. “Yeah, I see.” Her eyes bounced back to his. “Tell me why?”

  Pain rolled through his features before returning to bitter anger. His chest heaved with heavy breath. “Cole deLuna. Fucking bastard wanted to talk about his sister. Not a project.”

  Her face scrunched up. “And his sister is?”

  “Amanda. My ex.”

  Now she really was confused. “What did he say?”

  “Insisted I talk to her. I told him I was there for business. He wouldn’t drop it. I left. I can’t go back. Especially with this bullshit.” He held his hands up for emphasis.

  The worry twisted her insides, but she had to know. “If she understands now? If she could accept you—all of you? What then?”

  His head turned side-to-side in emphatic jerky movements. “She broke my fucking heart. Who’s to say she wouldn’t do it again. Doesn’t matter though, I’ve moved on.”

  “You’re afraid she’d leave again?”

  Shaking his head, he paced away. “It doesn’t even matter. I don’t want her. If I’m supposed to accept what I am, I can’t be with someone who hates what I am, or did.”

  She threw up her hands. “Then why the hell are you freaking out?”

  He turned back around, his eyes blazing. “Do you have any fucking idea what it feels like to have someone you love call you a monster because you can’t control your power?”

  “Yeah. My brother.” She took a slow breath and walked toward him, but stayed out of reach. “He called me worse things. He called Mom and me devil spawn. Said he wanted to purge the evil from his soul.”

  Mike’s mouth fell open. “What the fuck was wrong with him? He was your brother. He’s supposed to accept you, not tear you down.”

  She agreed, but he was still her brother. “Dad thought the same. I cut off contact with him, but hoped to talk my brother out of shutting down his magic.” She slumped onto the couch and hugged one leg to her chest. “Nothing I said or did could get through to him.”

  The sparks died as Mike sat beside her and took her hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even think.”

  “It’s okay. That was years ago.”

  A puzzled look danced over his face. “How old are you, Gwen?”

  “Sure you want to know?”

  He nodded. “Mmhmm.”

  “Fifty-three.” She watched his expression soften.

  A hint of humor made his eyes twinkle. “You’re a cougar.”

  “Why? You’re not a teenager.”

  “I’m half your age, sweetheart.”

  “You have all the equipment I need to stay satisfied. Besides, a cougar is a fitting match for a tiger.”

  He opened his mouth to reply, then shut it, looking away.

  “Sorry. Talk to me. What really happened?”

  “Five years ago, Amanda left. A year later, I was desperate. I went to Cole. He told me she had been in and out of rehab. Also said she never wanted to talk to me again because I ruined her life. Thing was, our relationship got bad only after she started using. Worse it got, the more my magic rose to the surface. She blamed me, but my magic wasn’t where it started.” He leaned back and stared at the ceiling. “How she left tore me apart. Maybe she was right and it was all my fault. But I don’t want to be the reason she goes back to drugs if she’s really clean. I’d rather stay far away from her so she can be happy.”

  “And if she doesn’t want to stay away from you?”

  He scrubbed his hand through his short hair. “Too fucking bad.”

  “Good for you.” She turned toward him. “There’s nothing wrong with you, Mike. You aren’t a freak, though if you want to be freaky with me, I’m all for that.”

  A smile pulled at his lips. “One thi
ng at a time. First I need to know I can trust myself.”

  “I trust you, Mike. Does that count for anything?”

  He sat up and leaned his elbows on his knees. “For now, but what happens when I can’t gain control? What happens if it’s still too much?”

  “I believe we’re born with these gifts for a reason. Shutting them away is more destructive than embracing them.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  He nodded.

  “This Cole. Were you two friends?”

  “Nope. Never could stand the bastard. I blame him for her starting. She found the dealer at his club.”

  “What if she had come to you herself?”

  He snorted. “I saw her the other night. Remember? There was no love left. All I wanted was to get away from her.”

  “Do you shut everyone out who fucks up?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. Take my best friend. Fucker hurt my sister over and over again, and I never could cut him loose. The difference is he never made me feel like dirt for being me.”

  “How did he hurt your sister?”

  He snorted, and pushed his fingers through his hair. “That’s complicated. We’ve since found out he’s not human. Needed something to keep him stable, but he was going about it all wrong. He was addicted, to a lot of things.” He sighed. “He never physically hurt her, but he made one mistake after another. I nearly cut him off a million times, no question he would have deserved it, but I couldn’t. He’s finally got his shit together.”

  “What is he?”

  Mike shrugged. “You can’t share this with the Council.”

  “Unless he’s hurting people, no one is going to do anything to your friend.”

  His brow arched and she didn’t think he’d answer, but he did. “Incubus.”

  She frowned. “Okay, he would be put on a watch list but they wouldn’t do anything unless he started draining his lovers of their life force.”