I round the corner and see her place. My heart is in my throat. I really need to get a hold of myself and calm the hell down. I walk up the path, which leads to her log cabin and knock on the door. Dammit, I feel like a school boy with his very first crush. My palms are clammy and I feel sick. Lord help me, what has she done to me? I hear the family at the back of the cabin; the boys are giving her joyful trouble.
“Dimitri!” the boys yell in sync, leaping on me when they reach me. Thank god for Fallen reactions.
“You boys being good for your mum?” I ask, pulling them each up on my sides. They each groan and roll their eyes at me.
“Yes, Dimitri,” they say.
I tickle each of them as they squirm and laugh, trying to escape my grasp. I hear her laugh tinkle over the sound of their snorts. I let them go and they run away.
“Hey, darling” I say, wrapping my arms around her waist. She smiles wide as she puts her arms around my neck and reaches up on tiptoes. I brush my lips across hers. “Did ya miss me?”
“Nope, not even a little,” she teases a little breathlessly.
“Oh is that right?” I say, lifting my eyebrow and tightening my hold on her. I spin her around.
“Oh my god! Stop! Put me down you big brute!” she pleads through her laughter. I give in to her wishes and place her feet back on the ground. She’s more like a pixie than a wolf. I love how dainty she is.
“What are you doing here anyway? I thought Kas and the guys needed you,” she asks.
“They do, but I had to come and see you.”
“It’s not good news, is it?” she asks quietly, pulling herself away from me.
“Now then sweetheart, don’t you be doing that. I’m not going to let a thing happen to you or those boys. It’s just I have to leave earlier than we expected,” I say sternly.
“How soon?” she asks, turning those big eyes up and me. The emotion swirling in their depths, kill me. I don’t want to leave her.
“A few hours. That’s why I had to come here and see you. I need you to know I’m coming back. No matter what, I’m coming back for you. You aren’t getting rid of me that easily. You got me hooked on you, and I’m not giving that up. I’m not giving you up. You or the boys, do you hear me? You’re mine now, and there’s no escaping that.”
“Dimitri, I…”
“Don’t you say it, Dani. I know you’re going to try and push me away to protect that heart of yours, but you already have mine. It’s yours, and I’ll do everything to protect yours, too. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Oh, Dimitri, I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you. Please be careful.”
“I will be fine, my love. You’re stuck with me always.”
“I can’t lose anyone else I love, Dimitri.”
“You love me?” I ask, startled.
“I do, I know people will say it’s wrong, or it’s too quick, but I do.”
“I love you too, Dani,” I say. “I don’t care what anyone else thinks. As long as I’ve got you, the rest of them don’t matter.”
COLE
“Sir, the scout is back,” Ruby informs me. I’m lounging in the main room at the front of the house. Life has been so busy recently that I’ve had no time to be down here, and now I’m going to have to leave again. I’m so sick of my bloody office.
“Great, I’ll meet him outside. I suggest you and Olivia accompany me,” I order before heading out to the front court yard. I chose this place out of necessity, no-one really bothers with the wolves, and the wolves and fallen rarely speak these days, so it seemed like the perfect place to escape and build my armies. What I didn’t count on was the Fallen and the packs banding together. Whoop-de-fucking-do! Of course they choose now to band together like merry freaking men. I hope to god that this scout has good news, otherwise Aeveen was right and I was naïve. It also means with Jackson dead that I’ve lost my only source of information about what Xander and the pack are up to. Killing Jackson may have been rash, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. I really don’t like wolves.
The scout approaches and I can see the worry on his face. Well, shit, this isn’t going to be good. Ruby and Olivia flank me, one on each side; the tension is thick.
“Hello, Scott, I assume you have news for me?”
“Hello, Sir – yes I do. I followed Kaden as you asked. The three of them left here and went directly back to the Hunter pack reservation. I stayed and waited to see if he went elsewhere, but after a run in with one of the wolves, he met with Xander and Kasabian. He didn’t leave the reservation. There has been a lot of activity at the reservation though. Messengers left not long after Kaden’s return, and the wolves that are there seem to be preparing to move.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I roar, stepping forward and grabbing him by the throat. I see red as I lift him from the floor, squeezing his neck. Pleasure rips through me as I see him struggle to breath, and he tries to fight the grip I have on him. It makes me squeeze tighter as I watch his eyes bulge from the lack of oxygen.
“This is the last time he will betray me!” I shout before snapping the Demons neck with my bare hands. I let him go and he drops to the floor like a sack of lead.
“Was that really necessary?” Ruby reprimands me, and I spin, focusing my anger on her. She raises an eyebrow at me, challenging me, but we both know I need her too much to hurt her. I turn to Olivia who is stood quietly, as if she’s trying to fade into the background.
“You! This is your fault! You bought Kaden back to me. Everything was going so well until you bought him up to my office. Since then, everything’s gone to shit! I never should have listened to you!”
“But I didn’t…” she squeaks before I’m on her. I grasp her by the throat - the last one gave me so much joy, why change a good thing. I watch as she struggles and it fills me with glee, knowing I could end her with the flick of my wrist.
“Cole, will you stop acting like such a god damn baby! Put the girl down, this is not her fault.” Ruby yells at me in frustration but it just makes me angrier and I squeeze Olivia’s throat harder in defiance.
“For goodness sake, put her down!” she shouts before punching me square in the jaw. I let go of Olivia who falls to the floor gasping for breath. I take a step back, jolted by the power of the hit. Ruby is kneeling by Olivia making sure she’s okay when sense descends upon me. I really need to keep my anger in check.
“I’m sorry, Olivia, Ruby is right, this is not your fault, it is mine. I apologize for hurting you.”
“It’s okay, I’ll be fine,” Olivia croaks, rubbing her neck as Ruby helps her to her feet. I can already see the purple marks forming on her pale skin making me feel a little remorse.
Suki approaches from the house and sees the mess around me. “Lost your temper again, Cole?” she goads. “Ruby, clean up this mess. You,” she points at me, “I found what we’ve been looking for.”
“You have?” I ask shocked. I never thought it was possible. There had been whispers, but I thought they were just that. Excitement flows through me as she nods in confirmation.
“Did you get it?” I ask, impatiently.
“Of course. It’s waiting for you upstairs, in the room next to yours,” she says with a smug smile. This, this could be the thing to change everything. My secret weapon. My true happiness. I rush inside and run up the stairs. I stride down the hallway and fling open the door of the room next to mine.
The girls standing in there turns and looks at me with a glassy gaze, an innocent smile on her face.
“Coley Bear!!” she squeals, running towards me. I gather her up in my arms and breathe her in. She’s really here. This is real.
“You’re really here,” I whisper, kissing the top of her head. “I can’t believe it.”
Suki walks into the room and sits on the bed.
“How? How is this possible?” I ask her.
“It seems the Fae don’t like to kill; they prefer a fate worse than death. I didn’t know her before
, but I can tell you she’s not the woman you once loved. She has been tortured for hundreds of years, her mind is not really here. She remembers bits and pieces, as you can see, she remembers you. But she’s not quite right. She’s almost childlike, her mood swings are worse than yours and can happen at the drop of a hat, but she’s brutal in the cruellest of ways. I saw her take out one of the Fae when he thought he could take advantage of her while she was half out of it. You need to be careful with her, Cole,” she warns me.
“Coley Bear doesn’t have to ever be careful with me; he’s my big strong man. Isn’t that right!” she coos.
“Of course, sweetheart – I’ll never let anything bad happen to you ever again,” I reply, still keeping her in my arms. I never want to let her go.
“Don’t let them hurt me,” she whispers. A tear rolls down her face.
“They’ll never have you again, my love. They can’t hurt you anymore,” I soothe.
“I’m going to take that as my cue to leave,” Suki says. She leaves me with my gift.
“You’re just as beautiful as I remembered, sweet girl,” I say, taking her face in my hands and stroking her cheek. She giggles and I can see what Suki means. Something is missing in her. She’s not all here.
“Will I always be your sweet girl, Coley bear?”
“Always, Elaihn. Always!”
AEVEEN
I’m resting on my bed, trying to relax after Father created a call to arms. Everything is going crazy outside the door, and I don’t really want anything to do with it. I know the part I have to play in all of this, but it seems a bit much. Nonetheless, I will do what is expected of me when the time comes. I just wish we were past all of this already. I want to get to living my life. It feels as if each part of my life is being dictated, and I’m getting close to having had enough.
Someone knocks on my door and I let out a sigh. I really don’t want to do anything right now but I get up off of the bed and open my door. I didn’t expect to see Logan on the other side of it.
“Oh, it’s you,” I say.
“Well thanks, it’s good to see you, too,” he says sarcastically.
“I didn’t mean it like that. Why are you here?” I ask.
“I wanted to speak to you. Can I come in?”
“Erm, sure I guess so,” I say before going and sitting back on my bed, cross-legged. He comes in and closes the door, locking it behind him, which seems a little weird but he’s harmless so I let it go. I watch as he walks over to me, he seems so hesitant in his every move. I wait while he eyes up the bed, deciding whether or not he should sit on it with me, so I tap the bed in front of me in invitation.
“I don’t bite you know,” I say and he laughs nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. I wait for him to get settled before I ask him again.
“So, what do you want? Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so rude.”
“It’s fine. I get it. You’re still adjusting to everything. And I guess I’m here in one last ditch effort to hope to make you see sense about all of this.”
“All of what?” I ask, confused.
“Cole’s madness. This stupid petty war, where no-one seems to know what they’re fighting for, other than following orders. We learnt history so we would not repeat the mistakes of the past, but that is exactly what is happening here. Can’t you see that?” he pleads. “Please reconsider going with him Aeveen. I know you’re not Addie, but she was like a sister to me, and I can’t help but still think and feel that way when I look at you. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I consider what he says. Why are we fighting this war? Cole hasn’t truly explained his actions, but then, why should he? He is our leader, my Father. We follow him loyally, as we should. Except, Logan doesn’t seem to think or feel that way, and I wonder why.
“Why wouldn’t we fight for Cole? He is our Commander,” I ask.
“He is not my Commander. I am here through force, not by will. I daresay the same could be true for over half the people down there who are gearing up to fight a war they don’t believe in; for a man they don’t like. I don’t understand it and I won’t be a part of it. Please come with me, Aeveen. I could take you to Xander and Kaden. They would keep you safe.”
“I won’t leave him, Logan. He is my Father. You would be branded a traitor if you left. Are you ready for that?”
“I am considered less than that here, Aeveen. All there is for me here is death. My life is not what I once thought it would be, but thanks to Cole and his warped sense of revenge, I was made a full Vampyr, not a shade. I will not give up what life I have left when he’s the reason my life was taken in the first place.”
“What do you mean?” I ask. I’ve not had much chance to speak to Logan since I took over this body, and his story intrigues me.
“I forget you don’t know. I was collateral damage in Cole’s effort to get you here, Aeveen. Livvy, too. We were killed the first time he tried to capture Addie. I lost my life so he could have you. He didn’t care about how many lives were lost in his blindness to reach you. And many, many lives were lost in the process. I won’t be a part of this madness for any longer than I have to be. I’m leaving as soon as you all start marching. I want you to come with me, Aeveen, please!” he begs.
“I’m sorry for everything you went through, Logan but I won’t leave with you. Cole, for all his flaws, is still my father. He gave me a chance at life, I’m not going to betray him now. But I also won’t give you away; I know what it is like to be locked into a life you do not wish for. I will not be the one to hold you back,” I say to him softly.
He looks devastated at the fact he can’t save me, and in turn, save Addie. He gets up and goes to the door, but looks back at me before he leaves.
“I hope everything works out for you, Aeveen. I hope you find peace and happiness. I hope Addie does, too. Mostly, I hope you survive Cole.”
LIVVY
Cole has called for war, and that is where we are headed. The Seven are kitted out in full leather battle gear and I’m jealous of it.
“Olivia, come with me please,” Cole says from the doorway. I’m in the main hall, alongside everyone else as we suit up ready to march to the reservation. I follow him down the hall to his office where he is stood in front of his desk along with Aeveen, and a blonde woman I’ve never seen before, but I swear I know her.
“How can I be of service?” I ask wearily.
I don’t like going into things blind, and whatever this is has knocked me off kilter. War I was ready for, whatever this is, I don’t think I’m going to like.
“Olivia, this is Elaihn; I’m sure she looks familiar to you. Elaihn Bane: Kaden’s twin.” Well fuck me sideways. I did NOT see that coming. There’s an evil glint in Cole’s eye, softened by a sappy smile when he looks in her direction. Woah, okay, Cole has a crush. Who would’ve thought, sure as shit not me.
“Okaaaaay?” I say.
“While we are out there, she is going to be Suki’s ward. With this in mind, I want you by my side at all times. You will be needed to watch my back, and help keep Aeveen safe. You will need to keep us all together.”
“I shall do my best, but am I really the best person for this? I mean, I can’t even fly.”
“Of course you are. If you need to fly, I will personally carry you, but I trust you Olivia, and so it must be you. Do you understand? You will not be going out in the first flank with the Demons to surround the reservation, you will stay back with me.”
“I understand.”
“This will also keep you safe, Olivia. It is rare that I can trust the people around me. I want to keep you alive,” he admits, and I try to keep my surprise hidden.
“Thank you, Cole. I appreciate it. Is that all? I need to finish preparing the others,” I say.
“Yes, that is all. Be sure to come and find me once they have left.”
“Of course. Aeveen, Elaihn.” I give my goodbyes before I turn and leave. I couldn’t be more shocked if I became human again. I never eve
n knew Kaden had a twin. How the hell did he keep that quiet? And how does Cole have her now? She didn’t exactly seem like she had a full picnic of sandwiches upstairs, but who am I to say anything. Cole seemed positively giddy at having her by his side, and if Kaden and Xander don’t know about it, I can’t say I blame him.
I’m making my way back down to the front to begin my duties, making sure each demon is fully equipped with gear when a scout comes running down the hall towards me. He stops just before me, his eyes darting from side to side with fear.
“What is it!” I yell.
“They’re coming. So many of them. They’ll be here within the hour,” he says while trying to catch his breath.
“Christ! This day just keeps getting better and better. And you had to tell me, so I get to tell him. Delightful. Go gear up,” I say to him, standing on a chair and whistling loudly.
“Everybody, listen up!” I yell. “Plans have changed and we don’t have long. Get your shit together and get downstairs like yesterday. I’ll be back in ten minutes and anyone still here will be flayed and skinned. And not by me! Get to it!”
I jump from the chair and run back to Cole’s office, where he’s sat in his chair with Elaihn on his lap. Aeveen is perched at the window peering out – I wonder if she can see them? – and the Seven are stood milling around. I guess they like waiting as much as I do.
“Cole,” I say cautiously.
“What is it, Olivia?” he asks with irritation.
Why the hell do I have to tell him this. I was almost killed last time. I rub my neck at the thought and my eyes dart to Ruby.
“Erm, a scout just came back and reported that Xander and his forces march this way. They will be here in no more than an hour.”
“Xander?” Elaihn giggles. “That’s my big brother’s name.”
“Yes dear, it is,” Cole replies softly before looking back at me.
“Is he sure?”
“He looked terrified, Cole. I’m going to say he was pretty damn sure.”
“Bollocks!” he yells, which frightens Elaihn, so he takes the time to soothe her before rounding his desk and joining me and the Seven.
Crash (The Immortal Chronicles Book 2) Page 16
