by Rachel Jonas
Slowing down just a bit, I let them pass. With this bikes speed, I’d make up for it easily on the next lap. Maneuvering between other bikers, I made it to the outer edge just as we exited Lan’s Bridge and started toward the woods. Riding there was always kind of touch and go. Depending on the weather, the condition of the soil changed. Like now, with the night air being particularly dry, there was more dust kicking up than usual. It made visibility low, which caused a few to slow down, but not me.
I was here to win.
In my peripheral vision, I spotted that distinct blue again and it became obvious these two didn’t intend to back off tonight. Especially when Oaf Number Two thought it’d be cute to swerve so close that our front tires nearly touched.
“Keep it up and you’ll get us both killed!” I yelled out, knowing that statement was only half true. Should he cause an accident, he’d be temporarily banged up from it. I, on the other hand, wouldn’t likely be so lucky.
The only thing my outburst did was make them laugh. And instead of steering them away, it seemed to make me more of a target.
The trees were denser on this leg of the race, which required greater focus. In short, it was the wrong time to have my attention on anything else. Like the two imbeciles who’d managed to get close again.
“Careful, Sweetheart. Wouldn’t want you to fall and scratch up that pretty little bike of yours,” one taunted while the other laughed. I attempted to speed up to get away, but couldn’t when the blue classic was maneuvered in front of me. The other stayed at my side.
I wobbled when my tire was kicked, and while they had me distracted, the one who moved in front hit his brakes, forcing me to slow my pace. It became clear they weren’t nearly as concerned with winning, as they were with me losing. It proved they had a lot less riding on this than I did. Maybe to them a win just meant extra cash in their pockets, but it was much more than that to me.
Another foot to my tire and I nearly went down hard. I was certain other riders saw, but none stopped or even slowed down to help. These events were the epitome of the every-man-for-himself mentality.
That large boot lifted, and with how far he reared it back, I knew he aimed to gather enough power to knock me off this time. And when the brake light in front of me blazed red again, it was confirmed.
Like before, my only option was to swerve. It was all I could do to get out of the way before being kicked again, the only way to make certain I didn’t collide with the one who had cut me off so recklessly. However, instead of the maneuver being my saving grace, it was my downfall.
Literally.
I cried out as the ground toppled all around me. My helmet flew off along the way, making it easier to hear the screams of the two roamers who caused this disaster. The sound was punctuated by loud thuds, as I imagined them crashing into rocks and trees, reaping the universe’s harsh punishment for what they’d done to me.
Rolling through the dirt and dry leaves, I was keenly aware of the fact that, had I seen the midsized rock just a second sooner, this wouldn’t have been happening. I wouldn’t have been catapulted off the front of the bike I was pretty sure I just ruined.
Yes, I absolutely did think of the bike before I even finished tumbling. I mean, it was a thing of beauty. Can you really blame me?
The world finally stopped spinning, and when my eyes focused, I realized I’d been mere centimeters from opening my face on the sharp edge of a stone. Except, I only thought the abrupt stop was a lucky break for a moment.
Right up until the toes of very expensive gym shoes stopped just beneath my chin.
The back of the leather jacket I ‘borrowed’ was gathered into a fist just before I was plucked from the ground like a weed. And when my eyes finally settled on a face, it was Levi’s.
Freakin’ busted.
“Let me guess,” he muttered through gritted teeth. “You’re just out looking for another glass of water?”
My feet settled on the ground again once he lowered me, which I appreciated. Being dangled in the air like an unruly pet he’d scold was a tad demeaning. He wanted a response, but I brushed dirt from my clothes instead. It was all I could do to bide my time, thinking of an excuse to give for my actions.
Only, there wasn’t one. Not one I could actually give. Not one he’d accept.
When I dared to peer up again, Levi’s gaze was furious. The only thing that distracted me from it was the sound of two guttural groans coming from somewhere above. Curious, I glanced up to find the two roamers dangling from high tree branches, barely conscious. It didn’t take long to realize it’d hadn’t been rocks and trees doling out their punishment.
That reckoning came from Levi.
I guessed he put his abilities to use to pull it off, likely the same abilities that stopped my face from getting real intimate with that rock a moment ago.
“Do you have any idea the trouble you caused tonight? Any idea the danger you put yourself in by coming here?”
I didn’t answer. Mostly because he wouldn’t have wanted to hear me say that I didn’t actually care. I made it out and that was all that mattered.
Although, I now feared that freedom had just come to a swift end.
The groaning from above stopped when the oafs finally lost consciousness. It meant there were no witnesses as I stood facing Levi. I knew I’d be punished, but had no idea to what extent.
I’d escaped the palace, stole several items, and was certain I’d severely injured the sentinel who blocked my path to the greenhouse. Or … maybe I killed him.
Either way, it wouldn’t end well for me.
Levi paced and I stood there, thinking of how close I’d been to this all being over tonight. So close I could practically taste it, but now the opportunity had passed, and I accepted that I failed again.
“How long have you been tracking me?”
His eyes cut toward me like a blade, and I felt the look slice deep. “Oh, I didn’t just track you, Love. I set you up.”
My brow tensed when his words confused me. “Set me up?
The expression he wore hardened even more. “Didn’t you think it was strange you encountered so few locked doors this evening? The tunnel entrance? The garage?”
I said absolutely nothing.
“You didn’t break out,” he growled. “I let you out. And only because I knew it was the only way to get answers, knew it was the only way to find out where your heart’s been calling you all this time.”
My head lowered and my eyes fell closed. The place my heart was calling me was a destination I’d never reach now.
“But I—I checked,” I stammered. “There was no one behind me. I wasn’t followed.”
My emotions had my throat in a chokehold as I fought tears.
Levi reached toward my neck, and I flinched before realizing he only meant to lift the chain tucked inside my shirt.
“Beautiful piece, isn’t it?” He met my gaze after asking. “Turns out, it’s also functional.”
The large ruby fell back to my chest when it slipped from his fingers. And with those few words, I understood.
“There’s a tracking device in the necklace,” I breathed, hating how my heart lurched as I reached this conclusion. It’d been silly and unintentional that I assigned the gift any kind of sentimental value, but it was clear to me I had.
Without thinking twice, I reached for the clasp and removed it, dropping the expensive piece to the dirt where it belonged. The thought behind it had been cheapened.
“Oh, please. Give it a rest,” Levi scoffed, nearly laughing as he observed me. “Don’t pretend it meant something to you.”
I was certain my expression and posture made it obvious I was offended. Whether I was comfortable with him knowing it or not.
“I only wore it because I intended to sell it,” I lied. No such plan existed.
“I knew you couldn’t be trusted.” He paced, gazing up once to peek at the two roamers he’d left hanging above us.
“Please, spare
me the lecture and just call the sentinels, or whatever it is you intend to do,” I hissed, turning my back to him when I couldn’t guarantee I wouldn’t cry. If I did, he wouldn’t get the satisfaction of seeing it.
He wouldn’t have understood how devastated I was by having yet another plan foiled. All I wanted to do was go home. That was it.
“I knew you were up to something when you stayed locked inside your room all day,” he added.
Startled, I blinked, hearing that this was the reason he thought I kept to myself the last twenty-four hours. He had no idea the physical struggle I endured as I absorbed his trait. He had the sex drive of ten men, and now his urges were mine. However, I’d never tell him how many times I had to stop myself from crawling on hands and knees to his room, how I didn’t trust myself around him and the others.
Even now, just remembering for a moment what it’d been like, desire crept up my spine like a lioness on the prowl. I fought the urge to turn and glance at him. Fought the urge to take another peek at how his thermal shirt hugged his shoulders, chest, and biceps, how his dark jeans clung to his solid thighs.
“I don’t suppose you’d care to tell me where you were headed after this?” he asked with a defeated sigh.
I didn’t even think about answering that question. However, keeping my back to Levi was no longer an option. With one quick jerk, he spun me around to face him.
“Tell me who you are.” The scornful words flew from his mouth and I shivered. “Are you associated with Blackbird?”
Nothing could have prepared me for that question.
My heart thundered inside my chest and a million responses fluttered into my head, but only one word was spoken.
“No.”
Levi’s jaw tensed and I knew I needed to say more, knew that answer had been too shallow for him to accept.
My lips parted and I prepared to lie again, right through my teeth. However, confusion washed over me next when a large dart seemed to materialize out of thin air. And then, time slowed the moment it reached it’s intended target.
Levi.
He had mere seconds to pluck the projectile from the side of his neck, quickly processing this unforeseen turn of events. In that moment, a look filled his eyes. One I hadn’t seen there before. It replaced the fury of finding me here in the woods tonight, replaced the disappointment and mistrust. In fact, in a moment, he’d make it clear his heart hadn’t completely hardened toward me.
I knew it because his focus was singular, fixated on one objective.
Saving me.
“Go! Don’t stop for anything!”
The words left his mouth with a roar, causing my ears to ring with the command. He didn’t pause for me to comply with his orders, because my body was immediately pushed deeper into the woods by an unseen force.
His force.
It was as though he possessed the power of hurricane-force winds within, driving my feet into the soil as I was moved. There was considerable distance between us now, thanks to the head start I’d been given, and I remembered his last statement.
Don’t stop for anything.
So, I didn’t.
My feet thudded against the ground, and although I still didn’t have a visual on the assailant, I knew they were still out there, likely watching me scramble to get away. I peered back over my shoulder and the scene that met my gaze was that of Levi’s lifeless body slumped to the ground. The headlight of my toppled bike illuminated his frame. It took a moment to turn away, took a moment to face forward as to avoid a face-to-face with a tree. But it was then, as my gaze lingered on him longer than it should have, that I realized the powerful effects of the Claiming. My heart, my soul, urged me to turn back for him, but knowing this was a chance I might not get again, I kept moving.
Panting, I searched our surroundings and terror nearly had me frozen in place. There was no sign of whoever had done this, nor any indication as to what their next move would be.
A sharp prick to the side of my neck cleared things up a bit. And as the feeling in my limbs failed me all at once, I submitted to the darkness just like Levi, and was suddenly only certain of one thing.
We were in deep trouble.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Julian
My father hadn’t spoken to me in days. Not since the press conference fiasco. However, as soon as news reached the main estate tonight, concerning Corina’s escape, he stormed right over with William in tow.
His purpose?
To rip me a new one.
He called me every name in the book but his son. I was an idiot for trusting a menacing human. I was incompetent for no longer having security posted outside her door. I was a moron for somehow not knowing this was coming.
When he couldn’t come up with any other insults to hurl at me, he turned his wrath on my mother in her absence. He seemed to think that if her interests hadn’t suddenly been on her philanthropic endeavors, she could have been available to keep me in line. I’d never heard him speak of her in this way, implying she was selfish for focusing on something other than our family, his reign. Evidently, this haze of fury prompted him to blame her in part for the latest disasters.
If only he knew the truth—that these were my true feelings, actions that lined up with what my heart seemed to want most right now. Yes, it was Silas’ gift that brought this truth front and center, but it was no illusion. I cared for Corina. Even now, with her gone, I was more concerned for her than I was angry with how she left.
My father came and went like a treacherous storm, passing over in the night. It was only Silas and I left now. With the decision to leave the sentinels out of the search for Corina for obvious reasons, we had our hands full. We pooled the cash we had on hand and assigned Elle the task of paying off the guards on duty, swearing them to secrecy if anyone should ask what occurred here this evening. She was unusually quiet considering all that had gone on, but seemed to pipe up when we dismissed her to distribute the money.
A large check had been cut for Mr. Winthrop, the guard who’d been set on fire during the escape. Unfortunately for him, burns were the only wounds from which our people were unable to heal. It was no small miracle he agreed to be discreet about what he’d seen, what he’d been through. He’d been a loyal member of our staff for many years and that loyalty was apparent when he cooperated so easily.
So now, Silas and I were left with the not-so-simple task of locating Corina.
“First Roman, now Corina,” Silas breathed. He’d been pacing since my father departed.
“Still no word from Levi either?”
“I’ve been so focused on our other problems, I hadn’t even thought to check my phone. However, there’s a race tonight, so that’s the likeliest place he’d be,” Silas answered as he exited the study.
While I waited, I went over the few facts I did have. The car I loaned Levi so he didn’t feel cooped up during his stay was no longer parked out front. So, it seemed that he, too, had mysteriously taken off tonight. To make matters worse, each call I placed to him went unanswered.
Silas returned and it was difficult to read his expression. His eyes were trained on the phone screen, but he hadn’t said a word yet.
“What is it?” The suspense was killing me.
He propped his shoulder against the doorframe. “There’s a message. He … left to follow her.”
Unfortunately, Silas’ explanation only confused me more.
“As in, he knew she was going to escape?”
Silas shrugged. “Based on what his message says, he suspected she was up to something and planted a tracker in a necklace he gave her. And then, once she made it off the property, he went after her.”
“Then there’s a chance they’re together now.” I tried to hide the relief in my tone, but Silas hadn’t likely missed it.
“There is,” he replied, “But there’s also the small issue of him not answering his phone.”
Silas hadn’t said as much, but I knew he meant to imply that no
t being able to get in touch with our brother could also mean he found trouble. The truth remained we didn’t know where Corina had led him. Which meant we couldn’t assume he was safe until we heard the words straight from his mouth.
“We need to check her room, see if there’s anything that might clue us in on what she intended to do.”
Agreeing with Silas’ suggestion, I turned to head upstairs.
“Well, at least we know she’s not on foot,” I muttered as we climbed.
Silas chuckled a bit. “There’s that, I suppose.”
I hadn’t forgotten that theft was among the many crimes Corina committed tonight—theft. The bike she’d stolen was, of course, the most expensive one I owned, but it certainly proved she had good taste.
We reached the top of the stairs and I was curious when Silas stopped me in my tracks.
“This might seem strange to ask, but … you’re holding up okay? I know you feel something for her. Even deeper now since the Claiming. It can’t be easy to contend with such conflicting emotions tonight.”
I shouldn’t have been startled by how well he read me. After all, it was one of his gifts. Yet, I still was.
My hand rested on his shoulder.
“I’m worried, yes, but I can’t say I’m surprised.” When I managed a laugh, he did, too. “Corina’s a strange breed of woman. I should have known—despite whatever feelings she’s fighting for me right now—she’d seize the first opportunity to break free.”
The air of concern still hovered around Silas as he nodded, allowing me to continue toward Corina’s room. The question forced me to face reality—I secretly wished she hadn’t gone, for reasons other than the apparent danger that awaited her in the world outside palace walls.
There had been a knot in my stomach since we bound ourselves together in her bedroom. The longing we felt for one another as we lie sleepless in our beds afterward was real, and it was powerful. And now that she’d run off, I couldn’t help but to wonder if, perhaps, the effects had been stronger for me than for her.
