by Raven Steele
Mateo was waiting for me in the hall. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s broken. But I have vowed to mend her.”
He slipped his fingers into mine. “I’m here for you.”
His honey eyes stared into mine. As much as he was in my heart, my veins, my very bones, this wasn’t the time to rekindle anything between us. Too much had to happen before I could commit to him fully. Starting with knowing I wouldn’t harm him if I gave in to my emotions. That might never happen.
I smiled gently and slowly let go of his hand to follow after the others into the training room. Roma was sitting on a chair speaking quietly with Lynx. Roma’s face was pale, and she looked ten years older. Regret pained my heart. Maybe we shouldn’t have gotten her involved. This may prove too much for her.
I shifted my gaze. Mats lined the floor, dried blood and sweat on most of them. Briar didn’t care and collapsed onto her back in the middle of the room, arms outstretched. “This sucks. I can’t keep asking the pack to fight for me. Too many deaths.”
Luke stared down at her. “They’re not just fighting for you. They are fighting for Rouen.”
“It doesn’t matter the reason. Lives are being lost because of what I’m asking them to do.”
Eddie leaned into the wall, his gaze glued to his phone.
“Where’s Folas?” I asked.
He looked up at me. “He had to report to the Queen. She’s not going to be happy.”
Briar lifted her head and frowned at him. “It’s not our fault everything went poof.”
“She won’t see it that way. She risked me and Folas exposing our powers and for what? Korin probably knows fae are involved now and will seek retribution against our people. This is what we’ve been trying to avoid for decades.”
Mateo tensed and glared at Eddie. His sudden hostility surprised me. “Your kind have always been silent players,” he spat. “Don’t pretend your King and Queen aren’t secretly manipulating events and people. It’s what fae do. They care more about power and money than any other group I know.”
“Not all of us,” Eddie said, not cowering in the least. “We know the Phoenix must be stopped. Every species on this planet depends upon it.”
“The witches aren’t going to be happy either,” Roma added, shaking her head. She smoothed stray hairs away from her face. “From the captives we rescued only one was a witch, which means Korin still has a bunch of our kind.”
“Then we get them back,” I said, my voice firm and full of power. “They couldn’t have just disappeared altogether. They’ve been moved. My guess is they are still in the city, in another building, perhaps. It would take too much power to transport them far away.”
“Samira’s right,” Lynx said and paused, thinking. “You know, the magic that was used, maybe we can trace it back to the source.”
“Can you do that?” Luke asked.
Lynx and Roma locked eyes, hesitating.
“We can,” Roma said, “but we must be careful. If whoever performed that powerful spell discovers us, they could break the connection.”
“Isn’t it worth the risk?” Briar had propped herself onto her elbows.
“It’s a mental connection,” Lynx explained. “My mind would have to latch onto the other witch’s power. If that gets cut prematurely, it could affect my mind. And not in a good way.”
No one said anything. Physical injuries were one thing; they could heal. But injuries of the mind? Sometimes one could never recover. They become trapped in a world of nightmares, lost in an endless mental maze of torment. No amount of magic could bring them back. The mind was too big.
“Too risky,” Briar said. “Let’s try something else first.”
Lynx was biting her lip, staring at the matted floor. I recognized the look in her eyes.
“Lynx,” I warned, “don’t even think about it. We’ll find another way.”
She looked up at me. “The magic that was used will only be there for forty-eight hours at most. This may be our only chance to locate the Phoenix.”
“How do we know it was the Phoenix?” Luke asked. “Couldn’t it have been Korin?”
Mateo scoffed. “Korin may be powerful, but he doesn’t have the ability to wield that kind of magic.”
“It was the Phoenix,” I added. “The magic had the same feeling as when we were all attacked the last night by the bald man.”
Lynx nodded in agreement.
Mateo looked at me, his brows furrowed. “You were attacked?”
“Look, Lynx,” Briar interrupted. “It’s too dangerous. Besides, Eddie will find him.”
Eddie’s eyes widened. “I will?” He shook his head. “No, the King will not want them knowing of our involvement.”
“You will find a way to make him allow it.” Her face grew serious and her Komira powers lit fire in her eyes. “It’s time fae got more involved instead of relying on the rest of the supernatural community to do all of the heavy lifting. I lost three shifters tonight and you’re worried about the Phoenix knowing fae are involved?” She asked him. “You’re stronger than this. Now that I know you are fae, I can feel your strength, your power. You should let the Phoenix know you’re involved and not to fuck with your kind.”
He slowly nodded. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am. Besides, the fae need a dog in this fight. You will become united if you all have something on the line. And we need all the help we can get.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to him myself.”
Mateo leaned over and whispered, “It will be sunrise soon.”
Just as he said it, I felt the familiar tugging on all my senses.
Briar pulled herself off the floor and stood next to Luke. To us, she said, “I have a couple of coffins here.”
I tilted my head. “Since when?”
“I ordered them a few weeks ago. I figured now that our pack is working with vampires, we should have some accommodations for them for cases like this. They’re in that old boiler room. Do you remember where that is?”
I nodded.
“I can’t stay here,” Mateo said. “Korin can’t find out I’m working with you all just yet.”
No one disagreed. Korin believing all the vampires were on his side was the only advantage we had over him.
Mateo gave me a meaningful look before he exited the room. I ignored the part of me that wanted to rush after him and bury my soul into his.
Eddie pushed away from the wall. “I need to go, too. I’ll let you know what I discover.”
After he left the room, I turned to Briar. “What will you do?”
“First, I plan on sleeping for a few hours. Then I’ll get up, put on my big girl panties, and play the role of Alpha for the funerals. I don’t want to wait a few days to do them. We’ll mourn now, then I plan on giving my pack a choice.”
“A choice?” Luke asked.
“Yes. I’m going to give them the opportunity to run.” When Luke opened his mouth to argue, Briar added, “My mind is made up. As Alpha, I order you not to say another word.”
Sensing an argument brewing between them, I left them alone with Lynx and Roma on my heels. Before I slipped into Briar’s office to get Faithe, I said to Lynx, “Please. Don’t track the Phoenix. Just wait. See what Eddie comes up with.”
She nodded slowly, but I caught the determined look in her eyes.
“I’ll make sure she’s good,” Roma said, patting my shoulder. “Get some rest. You were on fire a few hours ago, after all. You deserve a break.”
I rotated my shoulders, barely feeling pain anymore. Healing quickly was one of the greatest perks of being a vampire. Having the Kiss inside me also made the process much quicker.
After saying goodbye, I quietly opened the door to Briar’s office. Faithe was sitting up, staring at the poster of a rockstar.
“Sun’s coming up,” she whispered.
“We are sleeping here. There are coffins downstairs.”
Without blinking or breathing, she said
, “I may just go outside and watch it. It’s been so long since I’ve seen the sun.”
My insides clenched, and I lowered in front of her. “That is not the answer. You’re safe now. You can live a new life, free from Korin. I swear it!”
Her gaze tracked to mine. Those once vibrant light eyes held a deep-rooted darkness, the kind that might take years to unearth. But I wouldn’t give up.
“I’ll never be free of him, Mother,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes.
I clasped her hands in mine. “I believed the same as you once, but I promise you, this is a new dawn! I won’t leave you.”
She didn’t respond, only let her eyes drift back to the poster.
“Let’s sleep. Tomorrow is a new night, one filled with promise.”
I guided her downstairs and helped her into the coffin Briar had provided. It was better than I would’ve expected, made from Brazilian ebony, a dark chocolate color. The inside was lined with plush, dark purple velvet. It was nicer than my own. Part of me wondered if she had been thinking of Angel when she purchased them.
After closing the lid over her, I laid down in mine but I didn’t close the top over me. Fire Ridge was alive with sounds. Luke and Briar had found their way upstairs. I could hear her calling the pack together to give an announcement. A short time later, she made good on her promise and offered all of them a way out. She said she’d even provide funds for them to leave the state.
By their silence, many of them had not expected this. Alphas didn’t give choices; they gave orders. I admired Briar for doing something different, something better. When I’d first discovered she was the shifter mentioned in the prophecy, I’d been surprised. She had a temper coupled with a foul mouth and made stupid decisions. She still had the foul mouth, but she had grown in so many ways. I had hoped she wouldn’t fulfill her part of the prophecy by killing three Alphas, and had almost told her about it, but how could I? She needed to become a full Komira. It was who she was, and I couldn’t take that from her.
Instead, I would stop the prophecy by never giving up the Kiss of Eternal Night.
No matter what, it would be my curse for eternity.
Chapter 32
Nightmares plagued my sleep. Darkness crept along the whole earth, a black mist devouring everything it touched. Humans rotted into grotesque things with bloated stomachs, hair falling out and flesh melting. Supernaturals didn’t fare much better, and yet, no one cared. Those who still lived roamed the lands, a vacant look in their eyes. Living zombies void of emotions. I didn’t wake from the nightmares until I came face to face with one who looked exactly like me.
I sat up, gasping for breath. My coffin lid was still open. Faithe’s was still covered. By the way my body felt, a deep ache squeezing my bones, the sun was still up. It was a pain I could tolerate, having learned to adjust to the sensation over the centuries.
Sounds echoed down from the floors above me. Lots of shifters, mostly quiet or speaking in hushed tones. More funerals. I didn’t want to go up there to be a part of it. I hated funerals. They had a tendency to remind me of everyone I’d ever lost in my life. I’d lost too many.
In the end, I trudged my way upstairs, but only for Briar. She could use the support. I followed her scent until I found her near the patio door speaking to Luke. The last of the sun’s rays highlighted the gold in her hair. Several shifters crowded the living room and kitchen. I remained in the shadows, waiting for her to notice me. It took her only a moment.
She kissed Luke on the cheek and crossed the room. “How’s your back?”
“Healed. How’s everyone here?”
She sighed, her gaze sweeping over the large room. “Numb.” She looked back at me. “Is this ever going to end?”
“Having lived what feels like an eternity, I can tell you that it will end. Maybe not in the way we want or expect, but it will end.”
She rubbed at the back of her shoulder. No doubt that’s where she carried most of her stress. “That’s good, I think.”
“But then a new problem will arise.”
Her hand lowered, and she scowled. “Why are you always shitting on my Oreos?”
“That’s a stupid comparison and doesn’t even make sense.”
“Your mom doesn’t make sense.”
I didn’t normally engage in her nonsensical banter, but I could sense she needed the release, something to lighten up the depressing mood in the room. My breaking character might give her just that. Besides, I had been funny once when I hadn’t had to handle my emotions as if they were glass. Vulgar, too. I had spent more than fifty years with Russian warriors, after all.
And so I let it slip. “She sure made sense when she complained about your father’s little dick last night. A real shame.”
Her mouth fell open, her eyes just as wide. The pressure of being Alpha that had filled her eyes moments ago had been replaced with shock. Then laughter. It erupted from her so loud and sudden that everyone in the room turned to us. She quickly clamped both hands over her mouth and tried to stifle the laugher.
“Are you finished?”
Her hands slowly lowered. She still smiled big. “I fucking love you.”
She chuckled quietly and leaned into the wall. I would’ve liked to have shared in Briar’s laughter, to really let loose, but that kind of joy was for others.
“Is Lynx coming?” I asked.
“She’ll be here soon. I talked to Roma. Roma practically had to restrain Lynx from going back to White Pine to track the Phoenix.”
“Good. She shouldn’t mess around with such dangerous magic.”
“Briar!” Marge called from the kitchen. “We don’t have enough beer to last the night.”
“Emergency?” I asked.
“Definitely. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Briar left me alone while she ordered someone to go out and get more alcohol. Everyone wanted or needed something from her. She handled their requests like a true leader. Not a single one had chosen to leave her last night when she’d given them a chance to flee Rouen. Understandable. They looked up to her. Trusted her. Just like I did.
The ceremony was about to start when Lynx showed up at sunset. Though she looked freshly showered, her outfit undoubtedly a cut of the latest fashion, the fire in her jade eyes could’ve exploded the house. I’d never seen her so agitated before.
Briar and I glanced at each other. Most of the pack was outside already. I could hear Gerald’s voice organizing everyone. Fires had already been lit.
“You okay, Lynx?” Briar asked.
“No, I’m not. We could be storming the Phoenix’s castle or his trailer park right now and end this once and for all.”
Her aggression worried me. “You saw what he did. That was powerful magic he used.”
“I have powerful magic,” she snapped, then cleared her throat. “I mean all of us do. Together, the witches, fae, shifters, vampires, can defeat him if we act quickly. Let’s go on the offensive for once.”
Briar was rubbing at her shoulders again. “Look, I love rushing into an unknown situation as much as the next mentally unstable person, but I have people I’m in charge of. I won’t risk their lives until I know what I’m up against.”
“Briar’s right,” I added. “We need to know more.”
Lynx sighed and walked past us. “We’ll see.”
A gong sounded. Briar hurried outside to take part of the festivities. I tilted my head to listen below. Faithe was just getting up.
Before heading downstairs, I grabbed a few blood bags Briar kept in the fridge and drank one as I brought the other two to Faithe. She still had that lifeless look in her eyes, but at least she accepted and drank the blood I gave her, which meant she wasn’t thinking about dying anymore.
“How long are we going to be here for?” she asked and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
“We’ll leave after the funerals. Maybe a few hours?”
She thought about this as she began drinking the nex
t bag.
“What do you know about the Phoenix?” I asked.
The blood bag nearly slipped from her grasp. “He, she, it … is a monster. Worse than a monster. I’ve seen it shift forms so many times, I fear to trust anyone. It once pretended to be Korin and came to my bed.” She visibly shivered. “As cold as Korin’s touch is, the Phoenix’s is much colder and crueler too. I knew right away something was wrong. I yelled for Korin. Actually called him for help.” She paused, her face paling.
“What happened?”
“It’s the only fight I ever saw between them. Korin wasn’t upset that the Phoenix had touched me. He was angry because the Phoenix had tried to be him.”
I could imagine. “Do you know where we can find the Phoenix?”
She shook her head. “I wish I did. I want him gone as much as everyone else. He gave Korin all these new powers that made him even more dangerous.”
“Do you know their plans?”
“Some. Korin didn’t talk much about them with me, but he did say something big was going to happen on a special day in the late fall. It wasn’t Halloween …”
A sinking feeling burned my insides. “Was it Diablos Nocte?”
“That’s it. What does it mean?”
“It means Night of the Devil. It’s an ancient holiday that hasn’t been celebrated in centuries.”
She lowered the empty bag. “Something terrible is going to happen on that day.”
“Not if we stop them.”
At this, she stilled, the vacant look in her eyes returning. I wish she would allow herself to believe me. I would protect her. “Come on. Let’s go upstairs and honor the dead who have fallen for our cause.”
She didn’t say anything but followed after me. The funeral had already begun. Luke, Gerald and several others carried in three coffins. Lynx, Faithe, and I stayed back by the house, as was our place for such a ceremony.
Within an hour, it ended and the celebration of life for those lost commenced. Stories were shared and alcohol was consumed. Briar made sure to visit with each and every pack member. They used to be divided between Greybacks and Silver Claws, but now you couldn’t tell who had once belonged to which pack. A sign of great leadership.
