by Ayer, T. G.
He leaned forward and said, “Now, Ms. Odel, could you run through everything that happened to lead you to finding your mother at the facility in Nevada?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Everything?” I was annoyed now. I thought I was the one that was going to be filled in, but they were asking nicely and they were the High Council. Who was I to lie to them?
Both men nodded, and Horner said, “Take your time. And just so you are aware, this meeting is being recorded. It makes things so much easier. I’m sure you’ll agree.”
I merely nodded, registering the unsaid warning in his tone, and began my tale with the skinned Walker I’d discovered in the garden behind the rehab center. I followed the events from Niko’s involvement to how the Wraiths featured in my investigation, the drug distribution ring, and Widd’en. When I described my visit to the Greylands, both men raised their eyebrows, but neither said a word. I covered Greer’s death at Brand’s hands and going to Wrythiin to look for Mom.
I finished the story with our extraction from the Nevada facility. Both men sat back for a moment, still processing everything I’d said. I’d deliberately left out key information that I wasn’t prepared to discuss with them. Like Logan and his fire troubles, my whole Niamh issue, and the blood promise that hung over my head like the blade of a guillotine.
Horner cleared his throat and leaned forward. “Thank you for being so frank with us. I know you don’t have any obligation to speak to us, so we appreciate it.” I merely nodded. “The reason you and your associates have been brought in for debriefing is, of course, the organization to whom that facility belongs.”
There was a moment of silence that I let pass. I wanted them to talk, so I said nothing.
Carter rested his elbows on the table. “Are you at all aware of who owns this facility?”
I shook my head and chose to lie. “I thought it belonged to the Wraiths.” Then I frowned, remembering that both Saleem and Logan would be answering these questions too. “But while I was at the facility, I saw something that made me wonder.”
“And what was that?” asked Carter.
“Stationery with the Omega letterhead.” There, I’d said it. And from the looks on the two men’s faces, I’d chosen the right option in the truth. They were both nodding.
“Thank you for your honesty. We have suspected the place belonged to Omega, and when we heard that Sentinel might send someone out there, we sent a directive for them to stay put.” That explained Cassie and Larsson. “Obviously, we had no say in your Omega team members, so we just let it go, hoping things wouldn’t blow up in your faces. But fortunately, it seems your team got out safely and you have Celeste safe and sound. In addition, you also brought us Niko Odel, who will be trialed for his crimes.”
I nodded and sat back, hoping this was the end of it.
But Horner spoke. “We need to be honest about our intentions here too. We will be requesting the two Omega operatives to perform some investigations on our behalf. You don’t work for them, but I just thought you should know what our request is.”
“Can they say no?” I asked, suspecting these men were entirely capable of strong-arming both my friends.
But they both shook their heads. “We are aware of the way Omega operates. There may be reasons for either or both of these young men to decline to help us, and we see no reason to hold that against them.”
I was relieved, but I suppressed my sigh and waited. I got the feeling these two were waiting to ask me something else. And when Carter met my gaze, I could almost guess what he was going to ask. “Will you consider working for the High Council?”
I opened my mouth, then closed it again, a little unsure if they wanted an immediate answer. “Do I have time to think about it?”
“Of course. You have a week before we will need your answer. I have to be honest, Ms. Odel. We do need your skills. So please, think seriously about it.”
“I’ll be working for Sentinel?” I asked, curious as what the whole process would be.
Carter shook his head. “No. You will belong to an elite task force that works directly for the High Council.”
That was a surprise. I stared at them, a little confused but a little impressed too. “Okay, I’ll think about.”
When they both got to their feet, I was both relieved and at odds with myself. I remained silent as I walked with them to the waiting room. They took their leave quickly and politely and then left me to my own devices.
Logan appeared not too long after, and he took a seat beside me. He sat so close that his thigh pressed against mine. I looked up at him and laughed. “There’s plenty of space on the sofa. Do you have to sit on top of me?” I shook my head at him.
All he did was stare at me and say, “Sitting on top of you wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.” The words sent a flash of heat rippling though me. The man didn’t have a sense of place.
“We’re in the High Council’s headquarters. Have some respect,” I scolded, my face hot.
“What?” he asked, looking around at the four corners of the room. “Do you think they have cameras?”
“How would I know? If I were them, I certainly would. And not the kind any layman would be able to find.”
“Ah, secret cameras. Even more intriguing.” He’d lowered his voice until it had a husky rumble to it.
“Will you just behave yourself?” I snapped, trying to keep a straight face.
“Can I at least hold your hand? That wouldn’t get us in trouble, would it?” He sounded so innocent as he made his request, but I knew he couldn’t be trusted.
I narrowed my eyes, watching his face, but his was pure innocence. “Fine. That’s all you get.”
He grinned and slipped his hand into mine. Then he threaded his fingers between mine and held tight. The action was intimate, bringing my fingers as closely to his as humanly possible. Then he let go and began to run his fingers through mine, in and out in a way that made me blush.
Just hold my hand my ass. The brute was dead set on embarrassing us in front of the High Council.
“Why, Kai, you look a little hot to me,” he whispered into my ear, his warm breath blowing a tendril of hair loose from the tie at the back of my neck.
“I warned you to behave.”
“Or what?” he whispered. “Will you spank me?” He spread his fingers and ran them down mine, heat sparking all the way from the tips of my fingers to my thighs.
I laughed as I tried to glare at him. “What’s gotten into you? Did they give you funny water to drink while interrogating you?” Then my eyes widened as he drew his fingers back along mine and pulled them tight. “I know. You’re a shape-changer pretending to be Logan. That’s it.”
“I’m not pretending to be anyone, as you well know. What I am pretending is to be in control. In fact, I’m not so sure how much longer I can control myself.” His hand went out then in again, the heat in my core rising to melting point.
Someone cleared his throat at the door. “Not that it’s not entertaining, but are you two done?” asked Saleem, a huge grin on his face as he stood in the doorway.
I glared at Logan and got to my feet, but when I tried to tug my hand from his, he held on tight. The look he gave me was hot and filled with sizzling promise.
Then he let go.
***
Chapter 39
Saleem jumped us back to my apartment, bustling with activity.
“Seems we should have called ahead,” said Logan with a wry smile.
From where I stood, I could see my father sitting beside Mom on my bed. “Why do you say that?” I asked, a little distracted.
“Probably a good idea not to give people the shock of their lives at Saleem’s arrival. Or better yet, to avoid arriving on top of some poor guy.” Saleem laughed at that.
I snorted at the image he drew.
Lily and Anjelo waved from the kitchen where a kettle was boiling and cups and plates were set out. I left them to their task and kept walking, while Logan and Sa
leem headed toward the counter.
Both room doors were open. Niko sat up in bed. There was a guard at the window and one beside the door, making sure my uncle didn’t make a run for it. He met my eyes as I walked toward his door, then lowered his gaze. I wasn’t surprised that he felt guilty. He deserved to be, considering everything he’d done.
“How do you feel?” I asked, standing a foot away from his bed. Not that I was particularly concerned. I just wanted to ensure he’d survive to be held accountable for all his crimes.
He lifted his gaze to mine. “A sore throat, but mostly I’m fine. They’ve taken good care of me.” He left the rest unsaid, but I knew what he was thinking. They were taking care of him despite what he’d done.
I couldn’t wait for the right time to ask. As far as I was concerned, there was never a right time for anything. You made the time to do the things that mattered. “I take it you weren’t dead when Widd’en kicked you into the pond?” He shook his head. “Was it Illyria who fished you out?” A nod.
I waited a moment, my patience running thin.
“What were you doing to Mom?”
“What I was doing to her was nothing. I pretended to take blood for research, keep her sedated so she wouldn’t inadvertently give anything away, and I made sure she wasn’t experimented on in any direct or harmful way. I made them wait, buying time and hoping someone would come for her.”
There was something in his voice that said that wasn’t all. “What were you supposed to be doing to her?”
“Testing the obsidian poison, how her body reacted to it, and the Synthe effect using her blood. They wanted to go to the next level, testing her ability to kill Wraiths with her golden hands, but Celeste was too weak for that and they knew it, so they scheduled that particular testing for last.”
I took a moment to absorb his words, but it was just too much. “What would you have done if we hadn’t come?”
Niko shrugged. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead, to be honest.”
“Why did you protect her?” I asked, keeping my tone even.
“Because I’d already done enough to hurt my family. I’d seen what the Synthe did to Greer, and I blamed myself. It seemed to have sucked the soul out of her. She became vicious, and I never liked to see that in her. But the Synthe, it took control… Its strength is terrifying.”
“You know she’s dead?” I asked, feeling nothing. I watched his face and was satisfied to see the sadness in his eyes, the droop of his shoulders.
He nodded. “Yes. Mother told me. It’s my fault, I know. While she was with me, she was my responsibility and I didn’t look after her the way I should have.” He nodded to himself almost as if he’d forgotten I was still standing there. “My fault.”
I didn’t say anything to make him feel better. Mainly because I didn’t feel he deserved to feel better. He deserved to be punished. I wrapped my arms around my body and took a deep breath. “I need to know something.” When he met my gaze, a question in his eyes, I asked, “Clancy. Why?”
At first he didn’t react, as if the name meant nothing to him.
“The girl you killed with the metal claws,” I snapped, my voice edged with hurt that I hoped he didn’t notice.
“That wasn’t me. Brand. He thought it would be a good way to teach you a lesson. Abduct your friend as a message to make you stay away. Unfortunately, I never had control over Brand. I couldn’t stop him. And the Synthe… By that time, it was having a terrible effect on me. My memory, concentration, emotional control. Everything.”
I shook my head, not wanting to hear about his distress. Frankly, I didn’t care if he suffered. “And what about Lily? What reason do you have for what you did to her?”
He shook his head again. “Lily? I don’t know a Lily.”
I sighed, already having had enough of him. I moved away from the bed, expecting him to try to stop me. But when I paused at the door and looked back at him, he gave me a sad smile. I couldn’t rouse even a hint of good cheer toward him. Not yet. And he seemed to understand, giving me a resigned look.
I hesitated at my door.
Grams, Dad, and Iain surrounded Mom, who looked very much awake and well. They all turned to look at me, and Mom beckoned for me to sit beside her. Iain shifted, and I slid onto the mattress and moved close to her. I stared at her face for a moment as if I needed to be reassured that she was truly there. But she was.
I’d saved her. I’d brought her home safe and sound.
I sighed and a sob caught in my throat as I looked at my little family that was missing one person. I lay my head on Mom’s chest and listened to her heartbeat. Then I whispered, “I’m so sorry.”
I felt her hand trail across my forehead. Butterfly kisses is what she used to call them. The barest touch of her fingers on my skin that had always soothed me, that had once brought a little girl peace. “Sorry for what, honey?” she asked, her voice just as soft.
“For Greer.”
I heard her heart stutter, then settle back into its regular pace. “Greer is not your fault, Kai. You can’t carry her death on your shoulders. You did everything you could to save her, but maybe this was her fate. Perhaps she wasn’t meant to be saved. You need to accept that, honey. Accept it and put it behind you.”
Her words enveloped me with so much love. She didn’t blame me.
I nodded, and Iain held out his hand. I placed mine in it, and he squeezed. “You did good, Kai,” he said, and his eyes deep-green eyes agreed. Dad watched his family from Mom’s feet, and for once I saw happiness shine in his eyes.
And though there were still things I needed to face, a job to decide on, a blood promise to fulfill, a lover to help heal, I felt something new deep within my heart.
A sense of peace.
TO BE CONTINUED …
If you want more of Kailin and her continued adventures, look out for the following set of books in 2015 that continues the Skin Walker series.
Blood Promise
Scorched Fury
Demon Hunter
Join my Mailing List
And keep up with the SkinWalker series – Cover Reveals, Sample Chapters, Free Books and Release Day News
***
Want more of the DarkWorld? Try BLOOD MAGIC!
Read Blood Magic – Book 1 in the SoulTracker Series
BLOOD MAGIC – A DARKWORLD SOULTRACKER NOVEL #1
BLOOD MAGIC - Chapter 1
My phone buzzed and I grabbed it from the seat beside me, while keeping my eyes on the road. I flipped it open, gave it a quick glance and raised my eyebrows in surprise. Martin Cross. Desperate father in search of his missing child. Something I knew a lot about. I’d just taken his case, a stressed mechanic whose kid had disappeared into thin air months ago. A case I’d assumed would be pro bono considering he didn’t appear to me to have exceedingly deep pockets.
He was confirming my payment had been deposited and I should see it reflect in the account tomorrow. For once, I was happy to have pegged someone so wrong.
I threw the phone back on the seat and peeked at the rearview mirror. It never hurt to be cautious considering I’d pissed off enough paranormal criminals in my time, but no one was following me.
***
I drove to the outskirts of town, wondering again why I bothered with these visits. I could hear Drake’s voice. “Why do you waste your time? The man probably doesn’t even know you’re there.”
Drake Darvon was my best friend and my sparring partner. He was also a gargoyle. Real live blue-blooded in-the-flesh gargoyle. Drake didn’t realize I went because I needed to. Because something deep inside me drew me to Samuel.
I pulled up in front of the house, a part of me refusing to enter the grand old house, the other part wanting to rush in there and take Samuel away from it all. To take him away and fix him and make him whole again. It still felt like my fault, even though everyone, including Samuel himself, insisted it wasn’t. But if I hadn’t been so persistent, if I hadn’t wanted to find Ari s
o badly and finally bring her body home for some closure, maybe Samuel would still be whole. Maybe he would still be around to guide me.
Not that I needed his training anymore, though. Samuel Fontaine had once been the Master Teleporter. There was only one person who exceeded him in his ability to cross the Veils and enter the Other worlds. And that was me. A secret only Samuel and I knew. Both Omega and Sentinel could never be privy to that piece of information. Samuel contracted to both organizations so he was allowed on occasion to do his own search and rescue jobs. Storm had arranged for Samuel to train me, to help perfect my astral projection, thus putting in motion a friendship of a lifetime.
But Samuel couldn’t be hoodwinked. He’d forced me to admit my front as an astral projector was a sham. Then he’d taken it upon himself to train me to teleport better. How to jump better, faster, smarter. And to this day he was the only one who knew exactly how powerful I was. How far I could jump, how strong my self-protection was, that I could move through most magical wards.
I rested my head on the steering wheel. Maybe I should just start the car and go home. Maybe Drake was right and coming here only made things worse for me and for Samuel. No. I punched the steering wheel, as if it was Drake arguing with me. I’d come this far. And Samuel deserved some company. I got out of the car, controlling the urge to slam the door shut. Fishing in my jacket pocket for my keys, I jogged to the porch, as if by walking any slower I would give myself the chance to change my mind.
Beneath the elegant French columns, with their flaking paint, I hesitated only a moment before I slipped my key into the lock, the rest of the bunch jangling against each other as I moved. I was about to turn it when the giant oak door swung inward so hard I had to let go of my keys or go flying inside with them.
