Then they were gone.
18
After getting patched up by a very grumpy Belinda, I was back in the squad’s conference room where the team was meeting with Briggs to deliver a briefing on what happened during our mission to the fae realm. It hadn’t necessarily been sanctioned.
Malakai raised his hands across the table. “I’m just the fae liaison. I had nothing to do with this. My job was merely to open the realm for your team,” he said, effectively washing his hands of the situation.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Puh-leaze.” I turned my attention to Briggs, who sat at the head of the table, fuming. “Listen, boss, if anyone should be taking the heat for this, it’s me. Sebastian is my Anam, and I was suffering at the time. I had no choice but to go find him. And I’m glad I did, because we got those fuckers. Voight and Cardona are now locked up, as they should be.”
“And where are the objects now?” Briggs barked. “You sent two Queens Pack members to trail Cardona to his home, and we’ve been all over that place with no success. When we asked Cardona where the relics were, the place he indicated was empty. You did a half-assed job!”
“We have the stone,” Cas added from beside me. “We’ll find the ring and the necklace.”
“You better!” Briggs shouted, his face turning bright red. “I have Maximos calling me nonstop about his damn ring!”
I half stood from my seat. “You’ve been able to get ahold of Maximos?” I said a little too excitedly. I’d been trying to call him for a while now with no success. “He won’t answer my calls.”
“Do you think the warlocks took the objects as insurance?” Michaels suggested, which wasn’t a farfetched idea. It was definitely a possibility. We still hadn’t learned what it was that Cardona had of theirs.
“I don’t want this case closed until those items are found!” Briggs yelled right before he stomped out of the room, slamming the glass door behind him and making it rattle.
“Yes sir.” Finn saluted him, but he was already gone.
We spoke amongst ourselves, speculating about where the objects were and with whom. It was odd that they’d suddenly disappeared. We’d used compulsion on Cardona when we asked him where they were, so we knew he was telling the truth. But when we went to his penthouse in the city and searched the secret vault behind a bookshelf (shocker), there was nothing there besides human treasures. Someone beat us to it.
“It’s been a long day,” Cas said. “We’ll continue searching tomorrow with clear heads.”
“Yeah,” I sighed, thinking of Ollie sitting at my desk, waiting for me to get off work so he could go home. “I need to get back to Brooklyn.”
“You need one of us to take you home?” Finn offered.
I laughed. “I think the danger is gone. Anyway, I’ll be chaperoned by my brother, so I should be fine. But we do need to get that bounty off the black market, ASAP.”
“I already have the cyber unit working on it,” Michaels said. “Should be gone by morning.”
I stood from the table and walked toward the door. “Then I guess I’ll see you guys tomorrow. Thanks for having my back.”
“Always, Grey.”
Ollie and I made it back to Brooklyn in one piece. I kept looking over my shoulder and in dark corners, expecting something to come out and grab us, but that was just my paranoia talking. These past few days had really spiked it up. The last thing I wanted was to get my brother mixed up in all my troubles. He already felt the need to protect me.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.
“For the hundredth time, I’m fine, Ollie,” I chuckled. “I was a little weak from the silver and banged up from the fight, but I’m better now. Nothing for you to worry about. Just go to the Compound and check in. I’ll wait for you out here, and then we can walk home together.”
He watched me like he didn’t really believe me, but he didn’t argue. “I won’t be long.” Ollie hurried into the Compound and I leaned against the fence facing the sidewalk to wait for him. I would have gone inside, but I wasn’t in the mood to deal with anyone right now. And if anyone else asked me if I was okay, I might explode.
“Well, I see you made it out in one piece,” a voice said from down the block.
I quickly straightened to see who it was. “Úlfur.” He wore his typical, impeccably-tailored suit, looking like he was out for a casual stroll with one hand lounging in his pocket. “Nice of you to show up, now that I don’t need you.”
He smirked and quirked a brow. “Expected me some other time?”
My hands fisted and clenched tightly. It was evident he knew when I expected him, and that I was in trouble and he didn’t show. What kind of game was he playing? “You know when,” I growled.
Úlfur smiled mischievously. “I could not be in two places at once, little wolf. Some things are just more important.”
“And what was more important than my life?” I shouted angrily.
He shrugged one shoulder. “The relics, of course.”
I gasped. It all made sense now. “You’re the one who stole them, aren’t you?” I whispered as if the others could hear, but we were the only ones on the street.
While we were tracking Cardona, and Cardona was hunting us for the stone, Úlfur was bypassing us all and stealing the ring and necklace.
“No hard feelings, little wolf,” he granted as he folded the sleeves of his white button-up shirt. “I will be needing the stone.”
I snorted. “Not a chance in hell.”
He grinned. “I figured you’d say that. Now, I could certainly kill you for it, but I know it is not in your possession. So tell me, little wolf, who has the stone?” He finished folding his sleeves and stared at me.
“You’re just going to have to kill me, because I’m not telling you a thing.”
We watched each other for a few tense moments, and I could tell he was taking in every aspect and cataloging my strengths and weaknesses before attacking. Just as I thought he was about to make a move, the door to the Compound opened. My gaze snapped over to see Ollie step out and my eyes widened for fear of what was about to happen. I looked back in Úlfur’s direction, but he was gone. The street was empty.
How the hell?
“You okay, sis? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Ollie joked.
I grabbed his arm to steady myself and my racing heart. He disappeared so fast! He doesn’t want anyone to see him besides me. Why is that?
“Let’s go home,” I muttered, and then speed-walked the two blocks it took to get to the house. I opened the door quickly and pushed Ollie in, slamming the door and locking it behind us. I knew my brother probably thought I was crazy, and after the day we had, it made sense, but it wasn’t for the reasons he thought. Úlfur wanted that stone and would do whatever it took to get it.
We headed into the living room where Sebastian, Alexander, and Ranulf awaited us. I lunged for Bash immediately, who jumped up from the sofa and met me halfway, wrapping his arms around me. He must have already shifted, because he looked brand new. I hadn’t had time to shift yet. Belinda gave me some tonics to speed the healing, but I wasn’t at one hundred percent.
“I was so scared,” I mumbled.
“I was too,” he said and brushed my hair. “Thank you for coming for me.”
I slapped his chest and pulled back. “Of course I’d come for you! I would never leave you to suffer.” I turned around to Ranulf, knowing I owed him an apology. “I know you told me to stay put, but I couldn’t do it. I hope you understand.”
He grumbled something I couldn’t make out, then added more clearly, “I’ve learned to expect ye nae to listen to me.”
“I’m glad yer okay, darling.” Alexander pulled me into an embrace. “Sebastian told us what ye did. To withstand pure silver!” He blew out a breath. “It’s incredible.”
I scratched the back of my head shyly. “I had some help.”
“Nonetheless, ye are quite remarkable.” Alexander squeezed me as if he coul
dn’t be prouder. I didn’t want to take all the credit. I had help from the stamina potion and they knew that, but it didn’t matter to them. “Now that yer safe, it is time for me to head home and prepare for yer arrival.”
I saw this coming. I knew he was only waiting until this situation cleared up to leave, but I didn’t want him to leave while I had a target on my back. “When am I expected in Scotland?” He said I had to assume the throne in six months, which meant I had to come sooner than that.
“Three months from now. It’s the most I can give you,” he said apologetically. “I wish it could be more, darling, but time is of the essence.”
I nodded and bit my lip. “Will you take the stone with you?”
“Of course, lass. It will be safe under my care.” Alexander stepped away and clapped Ranulf on the back. “I think it is time we retire for the night. We’ll stay for two more days so I can spend some time with ye, and then we must go. Have a good night, darling.”
Alexander and Ranulf left the living room, leaving just Bash, Ollie, and me. My brother had been leaning on the wall in the far back, trying to stay out of the way. I knew he’d have to move into the Compound soon, but I was prolonging it as long as I could. Bash would have to force me to cut the cord soon.
“You’re leaving?” Ollie asked quietly, his gray eyes a storm of anger and confusion.
“It’s complicated, Ollie,” I said. “You know I have a responsibility—”
“But I—”
“It’s not just about you, Oliver,” Sebastian said. “It’s about the Lycan. Our people.”
I knew what Ollie wanted to say. I just turned, we’re closer than ever, how could you leave me now? It was unfair, that much I knew, but I had to go. If I could take him with me, I would, but he was better off staying with the Brooklyn Pack under Jackson’s care, with Amy.
At least I’d have three months to spend with him. I planned to milk every second of it.
Ollie didn’t say anything, he only turned and left the living room, leaving me and Bash alone. He just needed time to cool down. Eventually I’d sit down with him and explain it all. He’d understand.
“Mackenzie.” Bash reached for my hand and I turned to face him. “You didn’t shift.”
I shook my head. “No time, but I’m okay, I swear. As long as you’re okay. How did they get you, anyway?” We moved to the sofa and sat down, making ourselves comfortable.
“I was walking from the house to the Compound. I was almost there, and luckily some of the wolves were looking out the window and saw it happen. Damn warlocks, I didn’t even see them,” he snarled, running a hand through his hair. He was angry with himself for getting taken.
“It could have happened to anyone,” I said. “Especially when they travel in groups. No one could have stood a chance against them.”
He stayed silent and I knew it was still bothering him. His ego was bruised. I sighed. Men.
I looked toward the stairs and made sure no one was there before scooting closer to Bash. “Listen,” I whispered, “there’s something I have to tell you. I’ve sorta been keeping quiet about it, but I think I need to let someone know.” I’d mentioned Úlfur to Alexander, but after our initial meeting, I never said anything else about him.
“What is it?” he whispered back with a frown.
“Do you recognize the name Úlfur?”
“No, I don’t,” Bash said. “Who is he?”
“I don’t know.” I proceeded to tell him all about the mystery man, starting with our first meeting when Bobby Wu took me to his apartment, until tonight when he threatened me just outside the Compound. I described his physical appearance, his weird British-like accent, and how he always seemed to be smirking like he was in on some joke I wasn’t aware of. “I’m not afraid of much, Bash, but I really think this guy can kill me easily. He’s dangerous.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” he asked, annoyed.
“Because I’m an idiot.” I shrugged, not knowing what else to say. “I don’t know what he is, but his powers are otherworldly. He’s superfast and extra strong. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
Bash furrowed his brows and rubbed at his chin in thought. “You said he has a British accent?”
“It’s weird – like it is, but it’s not. I don’t know how to explain it.”
“Well, his name is definitely not British.” Bash reached for his phone on the coffee table. He started fiddling with it and I peered over his shoulder to see what he was up to.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Googling the origin of his name,” he said. “If I can get the spelling right.”
“What does it say?”
Bash tensed and those ocean blue eyes snapped in my direction. Trouble was written all over his expression. I knew that whatever he was about to say, I wouldn’t like it.
“Úlfur is Icelandic. And it means wolf.”
About the Author
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Also by Karina Espinosa
Mackenzie Grey: Origins Series (Completed)
SHIFT
CAGED
ALPHA
OMEGA
Mackenzie Grey: Trials Series
From the Grave
Curse Breaker
Bound by Magic
The Last Valkyrie Series (Completed)
The Last Valkyrie
The Sword of Souls
The Rise of the Valkyries
About the Author
Karina Espinosa is the Urban Fantasy Author of the Mackenzie Grey novels and The Last Valkyrie series. An avid reader throughout her life, the world of Urban Fantasy easily became an obsession that turned into a passion for writing strong leading characters with authentic story arcs. When she isn’t writing badass heroines, you can find this self-proclaimed nomad in her South Florida home binge watching the latest series on Netflix or traveling far and wide for the latest inspiration for her books.
For more information:
www.karinaespinosa.com
Stolen Relics Page 18
