by Dannika Dark
Simon glared from his monitor. “What’s he on about?”
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” I said in defense.
“Doesn’t matter,” Levi mumbled. He can smell the lust all over you. It’s thick, and if that man were a Chitah, he may as well have marked you. Logan will help HALO, but he’s going to kick some serious ass when he hunts down that man. Eventually, he’ll ferret him out. He owns the scent.”
“Owns?”
Levi scratched at his chin. “It’s what we call it when we’ve marked a scent to memory. Logan claimed you, honey. His scent is on you, whether you know it or not. Have you two ever gone out in public? I bet the males avoided you like the plague.” He chuckled knowingly. “You don’t know what that means, do you?”
No, maybe I didn’t.
“We don’t go around throwing our spice rack on just anyone who catches our fancy, or else there would be a whole lot of boys walking around smelling like me,” he smirked.
That rich, heady smell Logan possessed leaked out on occasion, but I assumed it was from getting himself worked up since he didn’t seem to have any control over it.
“Logan’s only marked one other,” Levi said with a rueful expression, “and that was after a long courtship when she finally agreed to accept him. To tell you the truth, I never thought I’d see him do it again. A lot of female Chitah want him; he’s what you call a catch. But Logan has always had his head somewhere else.” Levi was lost in his thoughts for a moment. “That scent has a lot of messages wrapped up in it, and you don’t have to be a Chitah to pick up on the subtle threat.” He edged his finger around the rim of his glass. “Simply put, it says ‘This one is claimed. Fuck with them, and you fuck with me’.”
I let that sink in for a moment, and swallowed hard.
“A voice is telling him to hunt down the man, and it’s a voice that can’t be ignored. Lo may never tell you about it, but he’ll do it because it’s the only way that he’s going to sleep at night—be it one day from now, or in twenty years.”
I thought about how he went after Brandon and the look on his face afterwards, like he had scratched an itch. “You Chitah can’t go around claiming something that isn’t yours,” I muttered.
“We don’t. You must give him reason to think he can. Hell, you practically have to give him permission. When did he first mark you?”
“The hour we met, when he kidnapped me,” I said with an attitude.
“Fuck,” he mouthed, running his hands through his short hair. Frown lines etched in his brow while he stared at the table.
“Unless you also want to count the fact he marked the Jesus out of my bed. It appears your claiming thing isn’t as romantic as you would lead people to believe. Back to the first topic—I didn’t do anything with the guard, so don’t bring it up again.”
“Logan will still find him.”
“Don’t look at me, Simon. I can feel your look.”
“I’m not judging you. It was a well played move. A girl has charms she can use to her advantage. We have to be cunning where we can. If that’s what got you out of there, then it was the best move.”
“I just don’t get it,” Levi said, shaking his head. “When our switch is flipped, there’s no control.”
“So?”
Levi looked up. “We’re ruthless when we run on instinct—lethal,” he said with a closed fist. “What happened tonight… I just don’t get it. Logan should have fought them; it’s not in our nature to lay there and take a beating. Hell, I’m surprised he didn’t turn on you. He hates your kind, you know.”
“I heard.”
Levi flashed his eyes up to mine. “I mean this sincerely when I say that I like you, but dollars to donuts, Logan is in the hamper with his nose in your jeans. If I were you, I’d throw them in the wash before he gets himself so worked up that he hunts him tonight. Your blood mixed with that male’s scent is not an agreeable combination. Just sayin’.”
I knocked the chair over when I shot up and flew out of the room. Levi’s soft chuckles faded behind me.
***
My energy restored after a long, restful sleep. Logan was sprawled across the bed on his stomach—face down in the covers—with his feet hanging over the edge. There was something comforting about his presence in the room. The same way I’m sure people felt hundreds of years ago, having a warrior in their home. If he lived in those times, he would have been the kind of man to stroll into the house, kick off his muddy boots, and place his sword by the fire.
My growling stomach finally got the better of me and I rose from my lounge chair.
In the hall, I overheard the men planning a raid on orders from the Council. Unlike humans who are innocent until proven guilty, the Mageri proved guilt prior to arrest. All of Nero’s possessions would be confiscated and reviewed. If he stupidly chose not to comply, he would be in violation of the law. His rogue status would be bumped up to outlaw. Most endured whatever punishment the Mageri deemed appropriate to avoid becoming an outlaw. They place a bounty on your head, and anyone can legally hunt you—dead or alive. It’s all legit.
I breezed past the men in the main room. Candles flickered angrily from the rush of air as I entered the dining room. I lifted two pieces of crispy bacon and a small muffin from a plate.
“What’s the plan?” I claimed the vacant spot on the couch.
Justus had pulled an all-nighter in the living room, and it showed. Dark circles wrapped around his blue eyes, while Simon’s head looked more like a hairball.
“When are we going?”
Justus threw back his head and shut his eyes. “We leave at five o’clock. The Enforcers will go in, and we’ll stay connected through radio devices.” Enforcer’s were the equivalent of Mageri police.
“Who’s going?”
“Two Enforcers will enter the main gate to present the warrant; the third will be stationed at the rear of the compound. We’re bringing in the big guns.”
“What does that mean?” Maybe he was talking about those pythons on Knox, but Justus didn’t use phrases like that very often.
“It means we have backup. Novis…”
“Novis? I thought he couldn’t be involved as a member of the Council?”
“When a search warrant is obtained, a Council member may choose to attend. Your two Chitah friends will also be coming with Leo.”
“How did Leo get involved?” He was Logan’s eldest brother.
“Will you allow me to finish, Learner?”
I stuffed the muffin in my mouth and shrugged.
“I know of Leo; he’s good people. I didn’t make the connection that Logan was a relation. I never put much thought into the Cross name,” he grumbled.
“I’ll remind you that Mr. Cross saved my life.”
Justus kept his eyes closed, but I knew he could feel my frosty glare. Despite how our paths collided, Logan deserved his respect.
“Knox will drive the Enforcers, but he stays in the car; humans just get in the way. He has radio communication equipment—very useful. Remi volunteered,” Justus said in his baritone voice. “He is a loyal friend, but he never involves himself in these matters, and that does not sit well with me.”
“Nero doesn’t live there. Finn said he just visited.”
“This is to confiscate evidence, serve a warrant, and bring in his men. If Nero is there, then that would just be icing on the cake.”
“Simon, why don’t you take a shower so you don’t blow our cover? They’ll smell us coming,” I said playfully.
“Wouldn’t dream of it, love. Don’t you know I’m a dirty boy?”
There went his dimple and I stifled a laugh.
“I’m going with Knox,” I said.
Simon’s leg slid off his knee and hit the floor. Justus clenched his jaw so tight that even through his eyelids, I felt his burning gaze.
“I’ll be safer with the Enforcers,” I assured him. “The guards will cooperate. They’re not idiots. Plus, I doubt you want to leave me
here alone.” I knew I had him. There was no one left to watch me. “Why are we waiting? We’re giving him too much lead time.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Justus interrupted. “They’ll have enough evidence after the testimonies and photographs of the facility to serve him an arrest warrant.”
“Sure, but what about Finn?” I dusted the crumbs from my fingers, waiting for his answer. Then I looked up, and melted where I sat.
Logan’s swagger was unmerciful. He had a way about him when he entered a room that commanded all eyes on him. Leisurely sliding his bare feet across the stone cold floor, he paused in the center of the room. When he lifted his chin and arched his back—stretching himself taut—I stole a moment to admire him. His skin was warm and radiant. Every muscle was toned, and defined by shadows and hard lines. Logan had a prominent Adam’s apple, and the way his hair fell over the back of his broad shoulders sent a flurry of tingles up my spine. His shirt was ruined so he went without, and I wasn’t about to suggest he borrow one.
The view was too nice.
When I caught him looking at me, I shyly turned my head. He noticed the way I heated up in his presence. A fiendish smile stretched across his face and he sank into the sofa to my right, kissing my neck. I dangled the bacon in front of his mouth to distract him. I didn’t consider what that gesture might mean to a Chitah—feeding him.
Logan seduced me with provocative eyes that were the most prominent feature he possessed—aside from his height. His face had strong, masculine contours that were so distinct from other men I’d known. A broad nose and heavy brows set off his gaze. He leaned forward, opened his mouth, and took a seductive bite. Hell, my thighs almost quivered just watching his lips close around my fingers to suck off the juice.
If it’s possible to feel someone’s aura rub up against you, that’s exactly what I felt with Logan.
“It’s good to feel like a Mage again,” I said offhandedly.
Logan sensed I was uncomfortable and sat back, working his jaw with a half grin on his face. Justus was still out of it, but Simon had a front row seat. He looked like he didn’t enjoy the show and wanted a refund.
“When I was in those shackles, I felt human. I never thought I’d say this—but I didn’t like it.”
Justus stood up, rubbing a hand lazily over his tattoo as he crossed the room. “Shackles,” he murmured.
We shared three seconds with Simon before he flew up out of the chair and followed behind Justus.
I took that as my cue and curled up against Logan.
“I heard what you said about looking at the stars, little raven. I intend to keep good on that.” He propped his feet up on the table with a smug tone.
When I looked up, I noticed the direction of his gaze.
“What are you looking at?”
His features softened as his tongue swept over his bottom lip. “Did anyone ever tell you that you have a lovely bosom?”
My cheeks heated, noticing the top three buttons of my cotton shirt were undone.
“Nobody talks that way, Mr. Cross.”
He lifted my chin with his finger and lowered his voice. “I talk that way.” He curved a hand around the back of my neck, and his thumb stroked the soft skin behind my ear. “So we’re back to formalities? What could I have done to offend you so much? Surely it wasn’t paying you a compliment,” he smiled.
What I couldn’t tell him was that I liked his compliment, as inappropriate as it was. Then again, it was Logan. I didn’t need to tell him.
He scented it.
Chapter 33
During the drive to Nero’s property, we left one of the Enforcers at the turnoff. I rode with Knox, while the rest of the men took a separate vehicle. The other two Enforcers sat in the back seat and didn’t talk to us much at all.
“You’ve got a real tricked out ride here, Knox,” I said, watching the disco ball swing from the rearview mirror. Definitely Sunny’s touch.
“Laugh it up dollface, but that ball is fucking beautiful.”
“Are you two serious? No offense, you’re just not the type of guy she usually goes for.”
“I’ve never met a woman like her,” he said in a hushed voice.
I didn’t mean to imply she got the short end of the stick, only that I wasn’t sure what to make of their coupling, nor his intentions. Knox could be abrasive, and Sunny might be in a vulnerable state after Marco.
I touched his arm lightly. “Don’t use her just because she gives you permission.”
His steel eyes cut me apart, and I knew in that second that whatever they had was real. I apologetically looked away.
I had never met an Enforcer before, but they weren’t very tough looking. One of them leaned between the seats. “This should run smoothly, but if we have a situation, stay in the car. Don’t wander off,” he ordered, shuffling some papers. “We don’t need a woman mixed up in this.”
Yeah, whatever.
When we rolled up to the main entrance, they hopped out and shut the door. I looked at the mass of muscle to my left.
“Knox, did I ever tell you I have a problem with authority?”
“My kind of girl.” His eyes lowered. “Nice shirt.”
The shirt he referred to was a white T-shirt that said “Slacker”. Justus hated that shirt because when I was feeling particularly sassy, I would wear it during our training sessions just to annoy him. Few people ever got my sense of humor in life, and Justus merely endured it.
“That’s where we were kept,” I said, tapping on the glass at the white building on our right.
The Enforcers held up papers at the door and I leaned against the dash watching them. One entered the house while the other stood on the porch.
Knox lit up a smoke and cracked the window. The sound of burning paper filled the silence of the Jeep.
“What is that?” I laughed.
“Menthol.”
“Reason being?”
“I’m trying to quit. If I smoke this shit, I’m going to want to quit real fast.”
“Or throw up,” I added. “You smell like a grandma.”
Simon’s voice blasted over the radio airwaves. “Godzilla, keep her in the car.”
I picked up the radio, irritated by Simon’s request.
“How the hell do you work this thing?” I found the button and peeled my lips back. “Bite me, Simon.”
“You owe me a game of Risk for that.”
Justus chimed in, “Shut up—both of you. I want radio silence unless the sky is falling.”
I clicked the button. “Child.” I didn’t have a good feeling, and I was venting at Simon.
“Whose idea was this?” I asked.
“Someone who enjoys a good clusterfuck.”
I grabbed the handle and pushed my shoulder against the door. Knox caught my elbow.
With the cigarette dangling from his lip, he said in a raspy voice, “We’re doing this my way. Follow me and stick like glue.”
He flicked his smoke out the window and jumped out, pulling the edge of his hat over his brows. I shadowed behind him until we reached the building. He hesitated a moment before pushing the door in and scoping out the room.
“He keeps them down there,” I said, pointing to the door on the left. Knox disappeared down the hall.
My focus was on Finn. I went to the right, searching every stall I passed. When I reached the last room, my knees went weak and I gripped the bars to keep from falling.
Finn was lying face down in the center of the room. I didn’t notice the bed, books, or personal items that made it his. I only noticed the shackle around his neck… and the blood. Raw wounds covered his back, his fists were bruised and swollen, but what really made my stomach turn was the mark on his arm. Someone drove a hot branding iron into his flesh that would permanently mark him with the letter N.
“Finn!”
I unlocked the door and knelt at his side, trying to find a place I could touch him that wasn’t injured. I brushed his hair back to look at
his innocent face. Blood crusted around his lip and his left eye was swollen shut. Guilt racked me.
“I’m so sorry, Finn. I should have made you come. Wake up kid.” I searched for a pulse and blew out a breath when a flutter touched my fingertips.
The guards were the only ones who carried the key that would free him. I ran into the hallway, frantically searching for an extra. A thick door swung open at the end of the hall, where tools were stored. I lifted a heavy mallet from the nails and went back to the room.
I was the key.
Raising the mallet over my head, I slammed it down on the chain, rattling my bones. “Come on, break!”
Something wasn’t right. I looked at the door and took a slow, deliberate breath. For a minute, I thought Knox was stupid enough to be smoking in a building full of wood and straw, but something else occurred to me and I raced down the hall.
My fingers touched a scorching handle that didn’t turn—locked from the outside. A fire raged in the entrance room, and my nose burned with smoke and gasoline.
“Knox!” I yelled.
No reply.
I ran back to Finn and looked at the locking mechanism attached to the bars, instead of the chain. I struck twice, and on the third swing, I threw my power into the mallet. It was leaking and I couldn’t help it. The metal broke apart, and the chain dropped to the floor.
“I’ve come to get you out of here, kid.”
Somehow, Finn got on the roof every night.
I ran back to the supply room, eyeing the ceiling when I noticed a rectangle outline with a white cord hanging down. I dragged a stool beneath it and pulled the cord. A folded set of stairs lowered and I climbed up—peering into a large attic. On the left, flames were eating through the wood floor, filling the room with smoke. Up ahead was a light, and I jogged forward until I reached it. When the door swung open, sunshine poured in. Several gunshots fired in the building; Knox was in trouble.
I scrambled back down to get Finn.
Being a Mage doesn’t give you super human strength. I’d never done anything like this before, but I lifted him over my back, dragging his feet across the floor. I was going to bake Justus a ham for all the strength training he had me do. Flames engulfed the door in the hall, crackling and popping as smoke billowed in.
