“Well, at least tell us what ‘Bleeders’ are?” she asked.
Soroyan glanced at her in surprise. “Where did you hear about Bleeders?”
“From Genna, a girl we met. Oh, I’ll tell you about her later.” She huffed at the thought of the annoying little devil-girl.
“Hey, where’d she disappear to, anyway?” Jax asked, frowning.
“She disappeared when that whore attacked me,” Tierney grumbled, hand unconsciously going to her healed neck.
Soroyan scowled, and knew his eyes would be flashing red. “You were attacked?”
“Yeah, bitch tried to kill me.” She frowned, startled at the outrage on Soroyan’s face and he quickly slid his bored mask of indifference back into place. “So you going to tell us what Bleeders are?” she asked again.
Soroyan wanted to growl but held his tongue. “Well, I’m not sure what they’re using the blood for, but they’re draining anyone with abilities.”
“That’s what you found in the building?” she asked.
“Yes, they used the first room as a lab. In the second I found eight captives strapped to tables, four dead—” he stopped speaking.
“Oh no.” Tierney shook her head, saddened by the news.
“Whatever the Ilyium’s doing with the blood, can’t be good,” Soroyan muttered.
Tierney agreed. “Did you at least free the four?”
Soroyan sighed, of course she would doubt that he’d have helped the poor creatures. “Yes,” he bit out. In fact, he’d helped get them over the wall, and on their way to safety, before heading back to the building.
He had been rigging some of the equipment to explode, when three guards rushed inside. What followed turned into a bloodbath. Only Soroyan walked out. He gave himself a mental shake. No matter how long he lived, he would never get used to seeing the horrors people inflicted on one another.
“What?” Tierney frowned.
Soroyan fortified his mental defenses when he realized she’d caught some of his thoughts. “Nothing.”
Seconds later, everyone jumped and crouched down, when a loud explosion rocked the ground. Tierney turned to Soroyan, the only one who hadn’t reacted to the noise. “You rigged the place to explode?” She scowled as she straightened back up.
He shrugged. He hadn’t always lived with the pack.
“You could have warned us,” she said, purple eyes flashing.
“Why would I do that? I enjoyed watching you jump.” Soroyan almost laughed at her peeved expression.
Tierney shook her head and smirked. “Holy shit. You just made a joke.”
***
TIERNEY SAT UP FRONT between Jax and Sami, rubbing Sami’s arm as he stared blankly out the passenger side window. After they got Mark and Thaniel some food, they convinced Thaniel to come to their mountain home with them as well.
She was grateful they’d found Thaniel and saved Mark, amongst countless others, but was still worried about Toren and her dad—and now Sami as well, and her heart ached for the girl thrown onto the fire. It wasn’t long before her head started to throb with all the anguish and unanswered questions.
But when they crested the rise of their driveway, she let out a sigh of relief.
“Home sweet home,” Jax said, as he pulled up near the door and cut the engine.
A moment later, Tierney sensed Kyrian’s presence. “Kyrian?”
“I’m here.” He waited for them over by the picnic table.
They climbed from the car, and Tierney watched, worried, as Sami headed straight inside.
Thaniel climbed out of the back seat and froze at the sight of Kyrian.
“It’s okay,” Tierney reassured him. “That’s Kyrian, he won’t hurt you.” She held her hand out, and after a slight hesitation, he took it in his. Then, followed by Mark, they made their way over to Kyrian and stopped behind Soroyan.
The big bad wolf stared at his brother and Tierney could see him shake his head. “I will find him,” Soroyan said as the two brothers stared into each other’s eyes. Then Kyrian nodded and a moment later, Soroyan walked away. He changed into his wolf and then disappeared into the trees.
Seeing Soroyan change so fast left Thaniel gaping, confused. “How?”
“Yeah, they change fast. Did Real ever tell you about the Okami?” Tierney smiled at him, but Thaniel just shook his head.
“Toren shocked me as well, when he changed instantly,” Mark said, and at the mention of the missing wolf, Tierney’s heart hurt for Kyrian. Gods, she knew how worried he must be.
“I’m sorry we didn’t find Toren,” she said.
“I thank you for looking,” Kyrian replied and although he tried to keep his feelings inside, Tierney still caught Kyrian’s worry and fear deep inside.
“Thaniel, Mark, this is Kyrian, leader of the Okami,” she said.
Mark greeted Kyrian, but Thaniel stayed silent and peered through his hair at the Okami king.
“I’m happy to meet you both,” Kyrian said.
“I’m sorry about Toren. He is a fine wolf. I’d like to help find him,” Mark offered.
“Thank you. He is, and I appreciate your help.” Kyrian glanced at Tierney.
“Kyrian, I thought you might have questions for Mark, in case I forgot something,” Tierney said.
Kyrian nodded then looked at Thaniel. “You’re a new Were-cat.”
Thaniel tensed, though he didn’t meet Kyrian’s eyes and Tierney could feel how nervous he was.
“The Were-wolves chained Thaniel in the basement last August and left him there,” Tierney said and flinched as Kyrian’s anger swept over her.
“I would have thought better of Justin—” he said.
Mark growled. “Justin had nothing to do with it.”
Tierney put her hand on Mark’s arm to calm him.
Surprised, Mark’s gaze shot to her hand then her face.
Tierney smiled as he blinked. She turned back to Kyrian. “Justin wanted to help Thaniel, but the night Thaniel arrived, Arlow’s men murdered Justin and took Thaniel to the basement.”
“Arlow.” Kyrian growled in disgust as he studied Thaniel. “I’m sorry they did that to you. It was wrong and against Oberon’s law.”
Thaniel just kept his gaze lowered.
“Kyrian, I wondered if you might be able to help?” She gave Thaniel’s hand a squeeze. “He struggles to control his change.”
“I’d be happy to,” Kyrian said.
“Thanks. So, I’m sure Soroyan will fill you in, and we can talk tomorrow, if you don’t mind?” She gestured toward the house.
Kyrian nodded. “Of course. I’m sure everyone is tired.”
“Thanks.” She turned to Mark. “You can stay in the house, or you can pick one of the cabins, they are clean and all are presently empty.”
Mark nodded. “I’ll take a cabin, thank you.”
“Oh, and make sure you come to the house to get some food and water to take with you, the cabins aren’t stocked,” she instructed, then turned back to Kyrian. “We will keep looking for Toren.”
He nodded and turned away, but not before she caught the glint of tears in his eyes. Still holding Thaniel’s hand, Tierney started toward the house. “C’mon, Thaniel, let’s find you a room.”
Once in the kitchen, she opened the fridge and handed Thaniel a bottle of water. “If you get thirsty or hungry, you come and get something, okay?”
Although Thaniel nodded, she had her doubts that he would do so. Turning away, she led him through the great room and then down the hall to the guest rooms.
“Hey, I brought your clothes in,” Jax told Thaniel as he emerged from one of the rooms a few doors down.
Tierney grinned and led Thaniel into the same room. She smiled when his eyes grew wide as his feet sank into the plush, light brown carpeting. “You can choose another, if you don’t like this one.” She glanced around. The room, painted a pale cream, almost matched Thaniel’s hair. A leopard-print duvet covered the bed with black accent pillows
, curtains and lamps. The dresser, night tables and headboard were all knotty pine. “It’s not white and black, like your leopard, but—”
Thaniel stared in awe. “This is nice and so … big.”
“Yeah.” She didn’t tell him how big some of the other rooms were. “Your closet is over here.” Tierney opened the door and Thaniel peeked inside, eyes wide. Then she led him to the bathroom. “There’s a shower and separate spa tub, if you like to soak.”
Thaniel gazed around in amazement. “This is, I’ve never seen a bathroom like this.” He sounded overwhelmed, and wiped at his eyes as he turned back to her. “Thank you.”
Tierney wasn’t sure what exactly he was thanking her for but it didn’t matter. “You’re welcome.” She really wanted him to be comfortable, and after all she’d seen of his life, he deserved it.
Tierney went back into the bedroom and watched Thaniel walk over to the bed and trail his fingers over the duvet. “Are you going to be okay?” For some reason she was reluctant to leave him alone.
He nodded, leaving her no choice. Besides, she needed to go clean up herself. “Okay, well I’m going to go take a shower. You can rest, watch TV, play video games … whatever you want to do. Just, make yourself at home here, okay?”
Thaniel just stared at her and Tierney smiled at him. “I’ll be back down in a bit.”
Later, when she stopped to check on him, she found Thaniel huddled asleep in a corner of the room on the floor. He’d moved the chair out of the way, and clutched one of the hoodies they’d bought him to his chest. Quietly, so that she didn’t wake him, Tierney pulled the duvet off the bed and covered him, aching to tuck his hair out of his face, but not daring to touch him.
With an inward sigh, she turned and went back up upstairs. She was just passing Jax’s suite when she noticed him staring out the French doors into the night. Standing in the doorway, she couldn’t help but admire the view. With no shirt, and a worn pair of jeans, he made her mouth water and she fidgeted as his dragon called to hers. Suddenly mesmerized, an intense need to run her fingers over every glowing blue scale covering his back, filled her.
Then Jax dragged a hand through his short, damp hair, and Tierney noted the defeat in his shoulders, breaking the spell.
“They’ll never stop,” he said without turning around. She understood what he meant. No, the Ilyium wouldn’t stop, but she couldn’t deal with that right now. When she didn’t say anything, Jax turned and studied her. “You okay?”
She gave him a small smile. “Yeah. You?”
He shrugged. “Sure.”
So they both lied. “I’m gonna check on Sami,” she said, finally turning away.
“I’ll come with. I tried to talk to him earlier, but he wanted to be alone.” Jax crossed the room and Tierney glanced up at him.
“Not surprised.” She pursed her lips, her heart heavy.
“You gonna tell me about the woman?” Jax asked as they crossed the hall.
“Yeah, Sami’s been having horrible dreams about the body pits and the woman they tossed in the fire.”
“She meant something to him,” he said telepathically as they neared Sami’s door.
“Understatement,” she answered.
“I could kick myself for not knowing what he’s been going through,” he said.
She nodded. “You’re not the only one, I just found out.”
They knocked and waited a second, and when they didn’t get an answer, they walked in to find Sami, now in sweats and a t-shirt, sitting in front of his many computer screens. Some ran programs, while others monitored different parts of the property.
“Sami?” she called, but he didn’t answer. They crossed the room and Tierney laid her hand on his shoulder. “Hey, sweetie, you okay?”
“Fine,” he said, but didn’t take his eyes off his monitor. He hit a few keys and brought up another screen, and then began to type. Tierney and Jax glanced at each other. They didn’t buy it.
“Sami?” Tierney’s heart was weeping for her friend, and tucking a piece of shaggy blond hair back out of his face, she kissed the top of his head and waited, not sure what else to say or do.
“Hey bro, we’re worried about you,” Jax added.
Sami didn’t even pause. “Told you, I’m fine. I’m busy.”
Tierney and Jax waited a few more seconds with no clue of what he worked on, but it was like he had forgotten they were even there. Finally, she glanced at Jax who just shrugged.
“Okay, well … if you need us, we’re here.” She fought back tears.
Jax squeezed Sami’s shoulder, but he still didn’t say a word.
Chapter Twenty
Dead Were
SAMI STOPPED PECKING at his keyboard when his door closed, and sat staring blankly at his computer screens. Then he got up and climbed into bed without undressing, pulling the covers up.
He knew that they would have stayed with him if he gave the word, or indicated that he wanted them to. But, even aware of his pain, they couldn’t understand and really, how could they, when even he didn’t understand it? He was mourning a female he’d never set eyes on before today—except in his dreams, and sad didn’t begin to cover the emotions eating him up. He felt like he’d lost the most important person in the whole world to him.
Although he had dreamed of her, and knew what would happen, the fact that he still couldn’t save her, just about killed him. Despair and fury battled for dominance. Fury at fate, or whatever sent him a vision he couldn’t stop. Fury at the Ilyium, for their evil ways, and at himself, for not being able to save her.
When they had stepped into the barn, Sami realized his dream was happening, although he never saw Tierney’s attack. But after Serena disappeared, a sense of unreality claimed him and he found himself drawn outside. Then he stumbled upon the body pit and recognized it from his dream. He gazed around, but it wasn’t until he heard her yelling and cussing, that he finally spotted her. Then, as he ran towards her, her silver eyes met his for a fraction of a second and seared his soul. He’d never forget her spunk as she fought those men—she sure didn’t make it easy on them.
Fury and despair settled deep inside him, and feeling so very alone, Sami pulled the blankets higher. He shivered with a bone-deep cold, trying not to give in to the hopelessness, but eventually, he lost the battle and tears escaped. As they began to trickle down his face, he broke down and sobbed for someone who meant everything to him, but whom he’d never even met.
***
TIERNEY AWOKE TO THE welcoming scent of coffee the next morning, and slipped out of bed with a tired moan. She pulled on a robe, shoved her feet into her slippers and headed downstairs. Jax sat at the kitchen counter sipping coffee, and suddenly everything just seemed brighter.
“Mmm, smells great.” She smiled and grabbed a mug from the cupboard, poured some wake-up juice, and sighed at her first sip. “What?” she asked, self-conscious under Jax’s brilliant blue-eyed gaze.
“Hmm? Oh, nothing,” he said and then glanced away, but the glint of fire in his eyes, however, lit a spark within her. Ah huh. Sure, nothing.
Heart pounding, she started into the great room and glanced back at him. “Come, sit outside with me,” she invited, unsure if he’d follow or not.
But she could feel his eyes on her and forced herself not to look back as she pushed the French doors open, and stepped onto the balcony. Sami usually joined her as they drank their first brew of the day, but anticipation of Jax joining her today, stirred the butterflies inside.
She sat in one of the comfy patio chairs, grateful a roof covered this part of the deck and kept everything dry. “It’s a little chilly but not too bad,” she said, thrilled when Jax settled in the chair beside her.
“Yeah.” He gazed out over the lake with a pensive expression on his face. “I’m worried about Sami.”
Tierney nodded, suddenly saddened once again. “Me too. I stopped and checked on him. He’s still asleep.”
Jax sighed and ran his hand th
rough his hair. “I didn’t have any idea.”
“Well, things happened, and none of us have been sharing much lately,” she said, then regretted the remark when Jax winced.
“Yeah, and that’s my fault too,” he said sadly, and she knew he meant him running off, staying away, and not talking to them for six weeks. While she understood his guilt, she hated to see him down.
As he stared out over the valley, she studied him, thinking that he seemed different and tired. “You okay?” she asked, suddenly worried. He had just gone through his awakening after all.
Jax just frowned and glanced at her. “Ah, yeah, sure. You?”
“I’m—I don’t—” She shrugged, and suddenly self-conscious, stared out over the valley herself, not sure how to explain what she was feeling.
Last night, while unable to sleep, the desire to go to Jax had been so intense, it had almost driven her crazy. Fear kept her from doing so. The night of his Awakening—the amazing mind-sex—still left her giddy when she thought of it, and ever since, Jax acted like he wanted her. But what if he only cared for her like a sister or good friend? What if she bared her soul to him and he didn’t reciprocate?
She didn’t think she could handle another rejection from him, and while his actions yesterday led her to believe he felt more for her than he let on, almost dying could make people say or do things they normally wouldn’t. So, just because he didn’t want to lose her, didn’t mean he loved her in the same soul-deep way that she loved him.
Besides, she already decided to wait, and no matter what she might want, she wouldn’t push him. She had tried that before and it backfired. But if Jax didn’t love her the same way, then she would need to let him go. That realization hurt deeply. Still, Jax’s happiness meant more to her than her own did. She would find a way to be happy for him and find someone to make her happy. With her infatuation for him consuming her, Tierney had never even looked at anyone else. But after seeing how precarious life was, she no longer wanted to take anything for granted.
Dracones Boxset Books 1-5 Page 23
