Hazel had been reluctant to give the envelope to the police. She knew it would rot on the shelf of an NYPD evidence room, and I’d never see it. Whatever was in that envelope was personal between a mother and a daughter, and a lot of effort went into making sure I got it. Hazel figured if it contained information about the impending crime, my mother would have addressed it to the police.
“I—”
Before I could explain that I hadn’t intentionally lost anyone, Greer was standing directly in front of me, shattering that very personal barrier usually lifted by invitation only. “From now on,” he took a steady breath and lowered his mouth to my ear, “I’m glued to you. Do I make myself clear?”
Greer’s whisper was like a rattlesnake. It shook the molecules in the room as it got good and ready for the final nuke. Push his button a little too hard and everything blows.
“Absolutely.” Detonation avoided.
He stepped back, giving me permission to leave. I flashed a mechanical grin, making it clear that I was cooperating under duress. No one had ever given me anything. In return, I’d never asked anyone for anything. The only person who controlled me was me, and I’d be damned if Greer would be the first to break that policy. But self-preservation was a strong motivator, and a little sugar was my passport up to the sanctity of my locked room.
When I glanced back from the top of the stairs, I was relieved to see that Greer wasn’t behind me. He was allowing me the small luxury of privacy. I wondered if he knew. Could he smell the trace of my mother tucked away in my bag? If he did know what I had, he had his own motives for letting me win this one. Nothing came without a price, and I was sure I’d pay sooner or later. Later was fine with me.
The letter was still sealed when I pulled it from my bag. I couldn’t bear to read it on a park bench or the seat of a subway car. I was terrified that I’d read it and wonder what all the fuss was about. The thought that my mother’s last words to me might be disappointing—or God forbid, mundane—sent a wave of nausea through my gut. Maybe that’s what Greer smelled.
The wall braced me as I shut the door and slid to the floor. I felt like one of those sadists who run twenty-six point two miles just for bragging rights and a T-shirt. I was exhausted, but I did it. I’d faced the ultimate challenge and communed with my ghosts.
My fingers fumbled for the light switch above my head and then went for the lock on the door. No need. It was already locked—from the outside.
I woke this morning to a sound coming from the window. A small bird was tapping its beak against the sill, pecking at invisible insects wedged between the gaps in the wood frame. The sill kept filling with small birds until all I could see was a stew of brown feathers boiling along the brick edge. I looked back at you as you slept in my bed and thought about opening the window and shooing them off the ledge. But I knew they’d just come back.
As if I could stop this.
My eyes closed. When they reopened, the brown birds were replaced by the black wings of ravens. They stood perfectly still with their shiny gray eyes reflecting movement from the sky. When their heads tilted to get a better view inside the room, I knew they weren’t looking at me.
They say the truth will set you free. Our truth is that we will never be free. We are the Fitheach. We are Ravens. And for that we owe a debt we never bargained for. Pay it and be done with it, but keep your secrets. Some secrets must be told to have meaning. Yours must never be told.
The wolves are here. They’ve surrounded the city, and I am too smart a woman to think there’s any other way to play this game. But know that my debt will now be paid, and I am free. More importantly, you will be safe.
I asked Ava for more than I had a right to. She is a true friend and sister. I told her to take you as far away from here as possible, because this is where they’ll look. But I have to assume that if Hazel has found you, Ava has failed. So, on to the real reason for this letter—the necklace. You knew it was more than that. I could see it in your eyes and the way you rubbed it between your tiny fingers. You were born to wear it, but now you must hide it. Bury it. Put it away and forget about it. When the time comes, it will tell you what to do.
The key lies within the Magic! You’re a smart girl, Alex. Trust your instincts and feed your soul.
I will love you forever.
You know what they say—first come the tears, then the anger. I wasn’t actually angry, but I did cry. Who wouldn’t? How could I be so stupid to think that I could read my mother’s words and then get on with the business of brushing my teeth? She was dead, and I could only sit there on the floor and imagine the horror she must have felt, not for herself, but for me. I’ve seen animals defending their young with an instinct that drives them to do whatever it takes to save their babies. All she could do was write this letter, knowing it had to be good enough. Finding out what happened to her was more than a gnawing question mark in the back of my brain—it was my new calling.
I read the letter again. I read it until my eyes ached. The more I thought about it, the more I knew it wasn’t just a farewell letter as she waited to die. She was sending me a message. There were the obvious warnings, but my mother was sharp as a tack and didn’t have a hokey bone in her body. Those last few sentences would never come out of her mouth unless they meant something.
I’m not sure why Patrick’s face popped into my head, but I was sure there was a good reason for it. Every inch of my inner advisor was telling me he knew things I needed to know. The day we met, he looked me right in the eye when I told him my name and never flinched. I bet he was on the phone with Greer before the door slammed behind me.
“You sold me out, you little shit.”
The music from the club vibrated up through the floor. It was peak party time at Crusades and every other club in Manhattan. I pictured Greer standing behind the glass in his private mission control room, ruling over a crowd of ignorant minions who didn’t have a clue what their host really did for a living. I wasn’t sure myself.
The distinct sound of footsteps walking down the hall got me to my feet just before they stopped outside my door. There was no knock, just an entitlement to entry as the lock turned and the door swung open.
“Well, hello again.”
I’d never touched sable, but I was sure it would feel just like Leda’s voice.
“Greer thought you might like to come down to the club tonight,” she said. “I thought that was a fine idea. You could use a little down time after today.”
“How did you get in here?”
“Does it matter, Alex?” She draped a garment bag over the chair. “Let’s get you dressed.”
I wondered if she was Greer’s lover. He was perfect and so was she. I imagined they’d have obscenely perfect children together.
“No,” she said.
“No, what?”
“No, I’m not fucking Greer.”
“I wasn’t thinking that.”
“Of course you were. Greer’s very fuckable. You’d have to be into other things not to be thinking about him.” She removed the dress from the bag and held it up for my review. “Are you a lesbian, Alex?”
“Uh, no.” My skin heated as I explained my sexuality to a woman I barely knew.
“It’s fine if you are. I just didn’t detect that from you.”
“Really don’t need to be having this discussion,” I said.
“I’m not saying we never have, but that was a long time ago.” She hung the dress on the closet door and began muttering. “I haven’t been able to get his attention since he found out you were back in town.”
“What did you say?”
She ignored the question and eyed me from toe to brow. “The dress will fit nicely. I thought you might feel more comfortable with something a little less casual.”
She was right. I looked down at my outfit and was thankful for the loan. The club had an image to maintain, and I’d have a hard time getting past the front door in a pair of jeans.
“Do y
ou need shoes?”
Shoes were the one thing I did have. No girl should ever leave home without a pair of black pumps. “I’m good on the shoes.”
She stood back and took a good look at me. “You’re a lovely girl. Just as pretty as Maeve.” She shook her head, and I could tell by the softening of her eyes that a memory was being replayed. She was another age-defying mystery, and I knew she and Greer were drinking from the same fountain.
“I’m going to have a drink with my favorite bartender. See you downstairs?” She pivoted on one heel and headed for the door.
“Leda?” She tilted her head over her shoulder. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For the dress, and for making this a little easier.”
Her eyes never met mine, but her pause and the slight turn of her mouth suggested she knew exactly what I was thanking her for. She was that small bit of interference that made my skirmishes with Greer bearable. I barely knew the woman, but my gut told me I could trust her and we were going to be good friends. Right now, I needed one.
I slithered into the wisp of a dress, or should I say squeaked. It was a conservative shade of blue somewhere between cobalt and navy, but there was nothing conservative about the V-neck that plunged in front and back, pushing the boundaries of decency. I lifted my breasts to maximize the cleavage. The dress was clearly from Leda’s closet, and I knew I could never walk into a room and own it the way she would.
“Damn Leda, what size are you?”
I corralled my hair into a neat ponytail and finished off the look with a pair of hoop earrings. I didn’t look half bad, really. In fact, I kind of felt good about my whole package. But false confidence always feels good until you have to walk out the door wearing it for the whole world to see. That’s when it all falls apart and your shoulders give in to gravity. That perfect posture crumbles from all the eyes staring at you. I’d always been more of a wallflower than a peacock.
It was around ten thirty, and the main floor of the club was filled with men with too much money and women with just as much invested in their faces and bodies. I figured most of them looked pretty average under all that makeup, but it was easy to understand the allure of an illusion that could so easily be bought.
I spotted the other redhead sitting at the bar. Mine was natural, and I had no doubt Leda’s was, too. Anyone can buy copper or maroon hair, but it’s difficult to fake your way into the natural redhead club.
“Alex.” Thomas did a drive-by over the dress I’d painted myself into. “Hot.”
Compliments were difficult to field, having received so few. I just wanted to vaporize or offer some explanation for the lack of factual observation of my appearance. Thank you, but I know you’re just being polite.
“Easy, Thomas,” Leda warned. My new friend knew me better than I thought.
“Thanks.” I took the seat next to hers.
“What can I get you?” he asked.
I was in a bar, and therefore I needed a drink in front of me. “Red wine, please.”
“I think that dress looks better on you than me,” Leda said.
I found that hard to believe. “I wish I could wear it like you.”
Thomas brought me a generous glass of wine. I took a sip as he planted his palms on the edge of the bar and stared at me. A few drops spilled down my chin as I realized he was probably waiting for me to pay for my drink. “Oh, God. I didn’t bring my wallet.” It never occurred to me that I’d be walking downstairs to a bar to order a drink.
“Well, that’s real sweet of you, sugar.” Thomas looked at me like I’d said something silly, which apparently I had. “I just want to know if you like the wine.” He leaned in and tapped me on the nose before heading toward a guy at the other end of the bar.
“Stop with this money thing, Alex. It’s boring.” Leda dismissed the subject with a wave of her hand. “Greer’s home is your home.”
Funny, last time I checked people didn’t get locked up in their own homes.
“It’s for your own safety, Alex. We all thought Greer was going to spontaneously combust after that little disappearing act this afternoon.” She sipped her dirty martini while apparently reading my mind. “You’ll be lucky if he doesn’t implant you with a tracking device after that little stunt.”
“Yeah, how did that happen?” I asked. “You were kidding about the tracking device—right?”
She rolled her eyes and finished her drink. Thomas brought her another one before the stem of her glass hit the bar. “Best bartender in town.”
I scanned the room and wondered where our missing host was. It wasn’t like the boss to leave me alone for long, and after the threats he made, I was sure he was watching me.
“Bartender!” A man in his mid-twenties barked at Thomas as he crammed himself between Leda and me. “Something cold,” he said as he loosened his tie. “Because these two redheads are smoking.”
I looked in both directions to see if we were the only redheads at the bar.
As he leaned in to get a close-up of Leda’s breasts, it was obvious he was plastered and had no filter. “Are you two beautiful ladies all alone tonight?” His eyebrows were pulled tight in mock surprise. I could smell the booze as he looked back and forth between the two of us.
Leda smiled but kept her eyes on the mirror at the back of the bar—universal language for please go away.
“What? You don’t want to talk to me?” He got dangerously close to Leda’s face as she turned toward him with the precision of a well-trained assassin.
Poor guy.
“No,” Leda said. “I don’t want to talk to you. You see, I have my girlfriend here to keep me company.” She turned back to her drink and gave him an out before her last bit of tolerance evaporated.
“Well,” he snorted, “I have a girlfriend, too.” His inebriated lips were almost touching hers, but when she made no attempt to pull back or avert her eyes, I knew he was toast. “You look like a woman who likes it a little rough.” He glanced at me and then back at Leda. “Your friend looks a little delicate.” And then he sealed his coffin. “I’m hung like a horse.”
Here we go.
I almost felt sorry for the guy because the liquid courage had just duped him into trying to pick up the most unattainable woman in the room, and because he’d just neutered himself. I hadn’t known Leda for long, but there are codes we women live by. At best, the brush off can be a real ego kill for a man. Delivered by a pro of Leda’s caliber, it can castrate.
“Really?” Leda said. “Well, let me ask you something. Can you rub your big, soft breasts in my face while you fuck me?” His expression froze as the perennial fantasy of most men over the age of ten entered his mind. “Because my girlfriend can.” She cupped her long fingers around my right breast and squeezed. I struggled to keep the wine in my mouth while she fondled me. I was all for teaching him a lesson, but if her hand went any lower the lesson was over.
His cocky grin flatlined as Leda pulverized him with a final warning look. Thomas showed up just in time to slap down a tall glass of ice water in front of him. “On the house.”
I thought he might faint as the blood left his face, but he sobered up and headed straight for the door.
“You know, Leda, some guys would get off on what you just did.”
“Not with the shit I just shoved in his head. I don’t think he’ll be looking for any more playmates tonight.”
Speaking of playmates, where the hell was Greer? I looked out over the sea of bobbing heads. The club was dark except for the underground lamps shining up through the floor. A handful of silver spotlights illuminated down from the ceiling, highlighting the most interesting specimens on the dance floor. I wondered if Greer paid a guy to sit up in the control room just to do that.
I didn’t have to look very far. Across the room, in the center of one of those spotlights, Greer was perched on a large sofa with his legs crossed like a reigning monarch. The King of Crusades was watching me. In his lap was a
half-naked blonde who looked determined to keep him all to herself for the night.
I’d never been much of an aggressor. I didn’t even know that side of me existed. But as that blonde crawled deeper into Greer’s lap, my alpha bitch crawled out of the closet and stood ten feet tall. Two words sprung from my mouth as my legs propelled me off the stool.
“Hell and no.”
TEN
I don’t know what got into me, but something was telling me to defend what was mine. Of course, Greer wasn’t mine. Just because I was practically living with him didn’t make him my property. I didn’t even know if I liked him, but that didn’t seem to matter as I got off the stool and made a beeline for the happy couple across the room.
“Take it easy, tiger.” Leda was looking in the same direction as I was and seeing what I was seeing. “Think of her as a distraction, not the competition.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I ignored her advice and kept moving. “What are you doing?” I asked myself out load as I headed for the floor. It just seemed wrong for that woman to be in Greer’s lap, and damn it, I needed to do something about it.
A mosh pit of flesh swallowed me as I stepped onto the dance floor. The music shifted as I pushed my way through the sea of bodies, and the chaotic techno sounds booming from the speakers changed into something more hypnotic. I couldn’t see him anymore as the tall forms swayed back and forth and obstructed my view of the other side of the room.
“You,” I heard in my left ear, my lobe warming from the hot breath hitting my skin. “Come here.”
I jerked my head around and came nose to chin with a face unlike anything I’d seen before. I stared at the florescent green goatee and worked my way up to a pair of sharp cheekbones. The skin stretching over his bones was almost colorless with a translucent quality that reminded me of glazed porcelain. My eyes continued up his face until they reached the main attraction of the circus standing in front of me. Last time I checked, people didn’t have rubies for eyes.
The Amulet Thief (The Fitheach Trilogy Book 1) Page 9
