by Maggie Walsh
Phenex continued to stare at Jesse for a few moments. “So Ryland just left? That was it? He just left our son here to go through this without him?” Everyone nodded solemnly. He turned to Taylor. “Guardian, tell us what you see.” Taylor shook his head. “Taylor, I know this is painful for you, but I need to know what he sees and hears so that I will maybe find something in his memories that will help us to help him,” Phenex explained gently.
“It’s too much. Everything they did to him. It’s too much,” Taylor said in a sad whisper as tears continued to roll down his cheeks. His mate was standing behind him, holding him, as he, too, cried silently.
“I’ll be right back,” Phenex said through clenched teeth, and got up from the bed. He walked to the nearest wall and disappeared.
“Where did he go? What is he going to do?” Rory asked cautiously.
Just then Phenex returned with a disheveled Dare. Dare did not look happy about being dragged here, but Phenex looked downright pissed. He pulled Dare to the side of the bed and pointed at Jesse. “See what you have done!” Phenex seethed. “Do you see what your actions have caused? I will never forgive you or Ryland for this,” Phenex said with a clenched jaw, and released Dare’s arm harshly.
Dare’s eyes filled with sadness as he looked upon Jesse’s form. “What has happened?”
“Malachi has happened!” Phenex yelled.
Dare’s eyes were wide as his head snapped in Phenex’s direction. “Malachi? But how? How did he get in here? Ryland put spells around the house stopping him from entering,” Dare said in a panic.
Phenex ignored Dare and stepped to Taylor. “Please, Taylor, my friend. I only wish to help my son. Please tell us what you see. Let Dare see what his actions have caused. The key to pull Jesse out of this may lie within those memories. Please, Taylor. You were given the gift of the one true guardian for this reason, to protect the heart. So protect him,” Phenex begged. He heard the gasps from the others in the room, but he ignored them. He continued to stare at Taylor. He could see the wheels spinning in Taylor’s brain and the inner struggle he was having. Just when he was about to give up all hope that Taylor would share the memories with them, the man spoke.
“It will be too painful for Micah to hear. It’s too much for me to take, but I know I must bear witness to it all. Something is telling me to see and hear it all. I have to,” Taylor whispered.
“We can join our powers again and project it, Taylor…”
“No! That would be too much pain for Jesse’s mate. For everyone. I will explain what I see, but if it is too much for anyone you have to leave. Even you, Micah. The power within me insists I do as Phenex asks. But you have to promise that when it becomes too much, you will leave.” He addressed the last part to Micah. Micah nodded.
Taylor’s eyes focused on Jesse, and he explained to them everything he saw, everything he heard.
* * * *
“I want the three brothers and I want them today! Do I make myself clear?” Nigel Brighton yelled at the two dozen rogues who stood before him. “I don’t care what you have to do to get them, but I want them alive. We need the omega back. We can use his love for his brothers to our advantage, and we can control his two big lunkhead brothers with threats of harming him. They will become my personal guards, and then it will be easier to get our hands on that powerful omega. Malachi has given you what you need. Now go, and don’t come back without them.”
The rogues all left and Brighton turned to the short man behind him. Malachi was working at a table, looking through a microscope. He looked up as Brighton approached. “You do that so well, my love,” Malachi praised.
“Thank you, Mal. What I do, I do for you, for us. It is your brilliance that has gotten us here. We’re close to having all our dreams come true. Do you feel it?” Brighton asked with excitement in his eyes.
“I do, Nigel. Once we control the brothers, we can get our hands on the powerful omega. Then once we control him, we will have the fae prince Lomiel. Which means you will have your revenge on the wolf. He will do anything for his mate. Once we have him out of our way and we control Lomiel, we will have everything we have worked so hard and so long for,” Malachi said as he stepped around the table and stopped in front of Brighton. He reached up and cupped his cheek. “You have been very good today, my pet. I think you deserve a reward from your master.” Malachi gave him a mischievous smile.
Brighton smiled back. “It is always my pleasure to please you, master. What can I do to please you?”
Malachi ran his fingers through Brighton’s hair as he chuckled. “Kneel and service your master.”
Brighton smiled and dropped to his knees. “Yes, master. It will be my pleasure.”
* * * *
“I don’t like this. I don’t like this one fucking bit,” Gabriel said through clenched teeth as his eyes scanned their surroundings.
“I agree,” said Cass as he sniffed the air. “Are you sure this is the right place?”
“Yeah, the guy said the old Peabody barn, five o’clock. It’s almost five now,” Gabriel said, and turned to look to his left.
“How are we supposed to believe what this guy says? I mean, I know we can smell a lie, but do we really trust this guy’s info?” Cass asked.
“We’ll just have to see what he says and then relay the message back to Raith, Dante, and Storm. He said he has information on how to find Brighton, so we need to hear what he says and how he got the information,” Gabriel said as he started to pace.
“I know, but I don’t understand why he asked for us specifically to meet with him? Why not any of the others? Something’s not right here, Gabe. Something feels very off,” Cass said.
A noise came from the rear of the barn and they both turned in that direction. They stood in a fighting stance, ready for whatever walked through the door. Or so they thought when Raffy appeared. They both relaxed and started to walk in his direction.
“Raff, what are you doing here?” Cass asked.
Raffy tilted his head and his brows creased in confusion. “You texted me and told me to come. You said it was an emergency. That Gabriel was hurt and you needed me,” Raffy said, clearly confused.
“I never texted you,” Cass said in confusion.
“Well your text said it was you, Cassy,” he answered, and shook his head. “What’s…”
A shot rang out and Gabriel fell to the floor. Blood pooled below him and he was unconscious.
“Gabe!” Cass yelled out, and knelt beside him. Raffy ran to them and knelt on Gabriel’s other side. “There’s a bullet hole here and a dart in his neck,” Cass said in horror. Raffy’s eyes went wide.
“Shit! It is a setup,” Cass yelled out and stood. He grabbed his neck as he felt like something bit him. He felt the dart and yanked it out. Another bite hit him in the chest. He looked down and saw another dart. His legs were starting to go weak and his vision began to close in. “Run, Raff,” he whispered.
“Cassy?” Raffy cried.
“Welcome back, omega,” a sneering voice came from the loft above. Raffy looked up and saw a rogue vamp standing there with a tranquilizer gun. Cass fell to his knees and swayed. Raffy started to shake as he looked between his brothers and the rogue. “You will come with us without a fight or using your powers, or we will kill your brothers. Those aren’t ordinary bullets. They’re silver,” the rogue explained.
Raffy looked at his brothers. He couldn’t let anything happen to them, but he didn’t want to go back to the master. It scared him, but the thought of his brothers dying and of the pain Taylor would be in if he lost Gabriel was scarier. But then there was Christian. He didn’t want to leave his mate. They had just finally found their way to each other. And Christian was so good to him, so loving and caring. Christian would be in pain if he left. But his brothers would be dead if he didn’t go with the rogue.
A shot rang out, causing Raffy to flinch. A red spot appeared on Castiel’s shoulder and started to spread out.
“Those
shots aren’t deadly, omega. They can still live, but if you don’t come with me now, we will kill them and then take you by force,” the rogue said as he jumped down from above. He landed on his feet as smoothly as stepping off a curb. Raffy looked at his brothers’ unconscious forms one more time and stood slowly. He hung his head and his shoulders slumped. The rogue grabbed his arm and chanted near his ear. His eyes widened at the rogue’s words. He knew that spell. It would bind his powers and make them non-existent. He looked up at the sound of many feet and found about two dozen rogues around him.
The rogue at his side tied his hands behind his back and then placed a black bag over his head. He picked him up and threw Raffy over his shoulder. The air whooshed from his lungs. “Get the other two,” the rogue said, and started to walk with Raffy over his shoulder.
“No! You said you would leave them alone.” Raffy tried to struggle but the rogue held him tighter.
“No, I said do as I say and they wouldn’t be killed. I never said they weren’t coming with us.” Raffy started to cry.
Chapter 8
Christian and Taylor ran into Micah’s office, causing Raith to jump. “They’re gone,” Christian yelled frantically.
Raith jumped from his seat. “What? Who’s gone?”
“The Cat in the Hat and Captain Crunch, who the hell do you think we’re talking about? Gabe, Cass, and Raffy. We can’t find them anywhere,” Taylor explained in irritation.
“Okay, calm down, Taylor. Maybe the three of them just went to have some brother time,” Raith said, and sat back down.
“Raffy wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t just go off somewhere and not tell me,” Christian said.
“You were out on patrol, Christian. He probably couldn’t get in touch with you, and if he went off with his brothers he probably figured he didn’t have to explain that he was leaving,” Raith said.
“Then what about Cass and my man? Huh, explain that one,” Taylor huffed, and put his hands on his hips.
“Easy, they took Raffy out to spend time with them,” Raith said, and rolled his eyes.
“Do not roll your eyes at me, wolf, or I will bitch slap you,” Taylor said angrily. He placed his palms on the desk and leaned in. “You sent Gabriel and Cass out on a mission and they haven’t returned. That was five hours ago. Don’t you think they should have been back by now?” he seethed.
Raith’s eyes went wide. “No, that was only…” he looked toward the clock and was surprised to see it was almost ten. “Shit!” he said, and jumped up.
“Glad to see you caught up with the movie. Now what the hell do we do?” Taylor said sarcastically.
“All enforcers to Micah’s office, now,” he called, using the pack link. A few minutes later the door flew open and all the enforcers entered.
“Gabe, Cass, and Raffy are missing. We need to find them. Bastian, thanks for coming. We could use your help,” Raith said.
“I may be a part of Storm’s pride now, Raith, but you all are still my family, and Gabe is still my best friend. What’s going on?” Bastian asked.
“How did you even know to come? I thought the pack link was broken once you became Alpha mate.” Crew snickered.
Lexi slapped him in the back of the head and leaned in to whisper in his ear. “I think you’re a little too fascinated with the dynamics of who’s on bottom. Be careful, your submissive side may show.” Lexi chuckled and pulled back. Crew’s eyes went wide. He blushed and looked down.
“Anyway, Gabe and Cass went out to meet someone who said they had information on the whereabouts of Nigel Brighton. That was almost five hours ago and they haven’t returned. And now Raffy is missing, too. Xander, Lexi, head over to the Peabody place, that’s where they were supposed to meet with this guy. Xavier, Bastian, and Crew, head into town and start asking around. See if anyone saw them or a stranger roaming around town.”
“Raith, it’s almost ten, the only thing still open is the club,” Xander said.
“I know. Start there and if you don’t get anything, then start waking people up. But remember everyone, not a word about Jesse’s condition or Micah’s. We don’t want the pack getting scared and a panic starting. Just tell them that Gabe and Cass haven’t been able to be located and see if anyone has seen them. We need everyone to stay calm,” Raith instructed.
“What about me, Raith?” Christian asked.
“And me?” Taylor asked. Raith looked at them and sighed. “Don’t you dare tell us that we can’t go out looking for our mate’s. I remember a certain beta that took off after Rory and came back blown up, then that same beta going ballistic when his other mate disappeared. You even think about keeping us out of it and I will give you an atomic wedgie of biblical proportions, Raith Angel. Your mates will be pulling your drawers from your ass for weeks,” Taylor huffed.
Everyone cringed at the picture his words created. Raith flinched and then smiled. “I wasn’t going to leave you out, Taylor. I was hoping that your mating links could help us. I was going to say, for you and Christian to head over to the Peabody place, too, and see if you can track their scent and use the link to guide you,” Raith said in amusement.
Taylor twisted his lips to the side, then looked sheepishly at Raith and shrugged his shoulders. “Oh…well…in that case. Why didn’t you just say that?” he asked shyly. Raith shook his head at Taylor and smiled.
“What about Micah, Raith? Should we tell him what’s going on?” Xander asked.
“Not yet. He has too much to worry about with Jesse. Let’s see what we find out first and then I’ll approach him.” Everyone nodded in agreement. “Okay, brothers, let’s get going.”
Everyone took off out the door. Raith sat down behind the desk and picked up the phone. He put the receiver to his ear as he dialed and then waited.
“Dante,” the voice answered.
“Dante, it’s Raith. We need you,” Raith said solemnly.
Suddenly Dante appeared in front of him on the other side of the desk. “What is, Raith?”
Raith chuckled humorlessly. “Now that’s what I call service.”
* * * *
Micah closed the door quietly behind him as he exited his and Jesse’s bedroom. He leaned against the door for a minute and then pushed away. He took two steps when pain slammed into his chest. He placed one hand on the wall to steady himself and the other went to his chest. He breathed heavily as he tried to control himself. His wolf was whining and raging every time he stepped away from Jesse.
He put his back to the wall and slid down until he was sitting on the floor with his knees bent up in front of him. He rested his elbows on his knees and dropped his head in his hands, gripping his hair. Help me to help him, please. He doesn’t deserve this. He’s a good person. He’s sweet and kind and just wants to help others and make them happy. His whole damn life has been one big series of pain. How can one person endure so much pain? I’ve seen it all. Taylor didn’t realize he was transmitting to me again, but I saw it. I saw every fucking hit, every hateful word. I felt every ounce of his pain as he sat alone for days in that house thinking no one loved him or wanted him. Please help him escape this prison he is trapped in in his own mind.
He just sits there staring into space with unfocused eyes. It’s killing me to see him catatonic like this. To see his body flinch once in a while and then shake and he can’t escape the horror. Why? Why is this happening to him? I only saw all the memories once and it brought me to my knees. Why must he keep reliving it over and over again? Gods, please stop this. I will do anything to make this stop for him and take all the pain away. Please gods, please, switch us. Put me in his place and bring him back here to the family that loves him. Please.
His body shook from his silent cries. Tears fell from his eyes and dripped onto his lap unnoticed. He pulled on his hair with such force that he should have been pulling out tufts. But he didn’t feel the pain of his scalp. The pain in his heart drowned out everything else.
“Micah,” Dante said softly as he
slowly approached. He was carrying a tray with a bowl and some bread on it. Dante stopped in front of Micah and squatted down. He placed the tray on the floor and faced his best friend. He placed a hand on Micah’s knee. “Micah, you need to eat. Raith said you haven’t eaten in three days since this happened. You need to keep up your strength. We need you to keep up your strength. But mostly, Jesse needs you to keep up your strength. Come on, brother. Let me help you.” Dante spoke softly, with compassion.
Micah released his hair and raised his head to look at Dante. The raw pain that Dante saw in his best friend’s eyes destroyed him. He wanted to wrap his arms around the man and hold him tight. “I can’t eat, Dante.” Micah’s whispered voice was full of pain and fear. In the nearly three hundred years that Dante had known Micah, he had never seen the wolf fear anything, except when it had to do with his mate. And the fear he saw in the big wolf’s eyes was like none other. It was terror.
“There are things going on that I could use your help with, and I need you to keep up your strength, Micah,” Dante explained gently.
“I don’t care what it is. I don’t care about any of it anymore if this is what my mate has to suffer. I’m too tired for this fight, Dante. I always thought I was a strong man, but I’m not. I’m nothing without him. I spent my life going through the motions, just living day to day as the years just rolled by. But I wasn’t truly alive until Jesse walked into my life. He has shown me what living is all about. He taught me what true compassion and forgiveness were. Before Jesse I helped people because it was what was expected or it was our job, but since Jesse, because of his heart, I want to help others. I have more compassion and understanding for others, without judgment. He has made me a better man, but without him, I’m nothing. I won’t survive if I lose him. The pain alone will kill me. He’s sitting in there trapped in his own mind and there is nothing I can do about it,” Micah cried. Dante could hear the strain in his voice as he tried to control himself. “The things I saw them do to him, the things they said to him…” Micah stopped talking and swallowed hard.
