“What do you know about her?” Rage asks.
“Her name is Gabrielle. Gabby for short. She can dance. Has a wicked sense of humor. She’s gorgeous. I enjoyed chatting with her. We talked a lot. I enjoyed having a drink and a laugh. I enjoyed—”
“Fucking her,” Trident says bluntly. For once, he sounds serious.
“Yeah, I’m not going to lie.” I shrug, lying through my teeth. “That too.” I clench my jaw, trying to hold onto something…anything. Nope!
“So, you think this Gabby woman somehow stole your power?” Jarrod asks.
“Looks that way.” I nod.
“And you don’t know much about her?” Stephan asks. “You said you talked to her for a long time.”
“In hindsight, she never actually said much about herself. She told me she’s an admin assistant but didn’t say for which company. She gave me no indication of the type of dealings they have. She told me she enjoys jogging instead of going to an actual gym but never said where she likes to jog. She gave me no real facts about herself.” I’m such an idiot. I know I found her attractive. I was more focused on that than anything else. It was like I was in a haze. A lustful haze.
“What now?” Forge asks, eyes narrowed.
“I’ve thought it through,” I continue. I’ve done nothing other than think in every spare moment of the last few days. “I want to hire a private investigator to try to find her.” I already have someone lined up. “It’s going to be tough, otherwise, with the limited information I have on her. The good news is that I have a CCTV camera at my front door. I have a side picture of her from when we arrived at my place. It’s a little grainy, but it’s something.” I go to a desk on the far side of the room and pull out a couple of black and white photographs, which I hand out to them.
“I can see why you brought her home.” Tri whistles.
“This woman more than likely sucked out my powers, this is no time to joke around.” I bristle because he is right. I’m not usually pulled in so quickly. She was lovely, one of the sexiest women I’ve ever met and yet... I’m such an asshole to have fallen for all of that.
“I’m sure that’s not the only thing she sucked,” Trident says, a smirk on his face.
I want to punch his mouth. Fucker! “You could be next, asshole! Especially with the number of women you take through your revolving bedroom door.”
“It is bad luck you got hit. You hardly ever take a woman home. You don’t date much either,” Jarrod remarks. “I feel for you.” He looks like he means it. He can keep his pity. I’m finding her one way or the other. I’m going to fix this.
“It is what it is,” I push out. “I’ve found a PI I plan on hiring. Let’s see if he can find out who she is.” He is the best in the business. Doesn’t come cheap. He will find her.
“What do we do in the meantime?” Night asks.
“In the meantime, we wait.” I feel like an asshole all over again. “I don’t know what else there is to do.”
“What about Shannon and Ava?” Night asks. “You said there could be complications.”
“Could be. We’re not certain of anything. Rest assured that I’m a fantastic doctor and a good surgeon in my own right. So far, everything is progressing well with both of them. I’ve always maintained that we’re being cautious just to be on the safe side. There is no cause for concern at this time.” I wish I hadn’t interfered, but I was worried. I still am. We have no idea how their pregnancies will progress. “I’m hoping I can sort this whole thing out long before Ava is due. We have at least six weeks, probably more. That’s plenty of time. Shannon has months.” I look around the table, trying to bring home the severity of this situation. “We need to be careful, gents. This is serious. Bolt played it down, but this affects all of us. Chances are good that I was targeted. What kind of being can steal power? I had no idea it was happening. The bigger question is, who’s next on her hitlist?” Of course, I had no idea it was happening. Shame hits me.
“Maybe it wasn’t even this mystery woman,” Rage points out. “Maybe there is no hitlist.”
“Chances are good it was her,” I say. I know it like I know my own name. “Be vigilant. That’s all I ask.”
“You’re right.” Trident nods. “I like my powers. That probably means no messing around for a while.” He hangs his head.
“I wouldn’t,” I say.
“We’ll be careful,” Jarrod says.
Stephanus nods.
Rage grunts. “Keep us informed,” he says as he stands. “Later,” he adds as he walks out.
“Shall I wake up sleeping beauty?” Samuel asks, looking down at Bolt.
Night shakes his head. “I’d leave him to sleep for a day or two. It would serve him right.” He’s frowning, and his jaw is tense. “You ready to head out?” he asks Forge, who nods as well.
“You don’t want to wait…?” Forge points at Bolt.
“What for?” Night sneers. “So that he can be a dick some more? Fuck that! I’m done trying to find new ground.” Night turns to me. “Let us know if anything changes.”
“I will.”
I watch the two of them leave. Samuel waves a hand over Bolt, and he slowly comes to. He blinks his eyes for a few moments before sitting up and shaking his head to knock back the effects of the spell Samuel wove around him. “Fucking…fuck!” he grunts, clambering to his feet. “How dare you?” He points at Sam.
“You were being a dick, and we had important matters to discuss.” Sam shrugs.
Bolt lunges for him, but Samuel moves out of reach. “I’ll put you back down,” he growls, eyes narrowing.
Bolt clenches his jaw but holds his ground. “I’ll tase the fuck out of you if you try.” He holds up his hands.
“I thought you didn’t use your power,” Jarrod remarks. He and Stephan are still sitting at my table.
Bolt fixes his suit, sliding his hands down his jacket and straightening his tie. “There are times when I make an exception.” He gives Sam a dirty look.
“Look after yourselves,” I say. “That’s all I’m asking. This woman could have taken more than just my powers.”
“She did,” Trident smirks. “She took your cock as well.”
I’m not sure what comes over me at that moment, but I see red for a few seconds and launch myself at Trident. I grab him by his collar and hoist him to his feet, putting my face right in his. “Stop your shit!” I grind out. “This isn’t a joke. It’s my life. It’s the lives of others.” I grit my teeth, forcing myself to calm down. Forcing my hand to open.
Trident’s eyes are wide. “What the hell, man?” He looks down at his shirt, which is torn. “That wasn’t necessary. I was just—”
“Trying to make light of something that isn’t a joke,” Samuel says, yawning. “I need to hit the road.”
I nod once.
“I didn’t mean…” Trident begins.
“I know you didn’t.” I pull in a breath. “I know you’re busy, Bolt. I know you’re trying to make me feel better, Tri. This is fucking serious. Please be vigilant. Keep your zipper up and your nose clean.”
Trident nods once. He is frowning. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with a grave look like the one he is sporting now.
There is something I haven’t told my brothers. Technically I didn’t lie. I just didn’t tell them the whole truth either. It’s been on the tip of my tongue. I’m lying by omission. I’m not sure why. I feel so stupid. So ashamed. I’m sure I can rectify this whole situation, and fast. I just need to find her. Gabby, Gabriella…if that’s even her name.
3
Morgan
I’m going to fix this.
I can do it.
I will do it.
I look down at Andy’s motionless form. He has so many pipes attached to him. A tube that is breathing for him. A tube that is feeding him. For such a big, strong man, he looks small under the thin blanket. My heart aches. I hold back a sob. My eyes are pricking, and my throat hurts from swallowing back my te
ars.
“Morgan,” I hear a woman say. My back stiffens because I recognize the voice.
I turn slowly, my eyes locking with hers. “Mrs. Golding…I…I’m so sorry,” I push out.
Her face crumples. She puts a hand to her mouth, holding back emotion I know is bubbling just below the surface. She blinks her eyes rapidly.
I take a step towards her. “I’m so sorry. It was all my fault. I…” I can’t imagine what she must be going through. It’s been a week since Mrs. Golding almost lost her son.
She shakes her head, wiping away the single tear that has fallen. “No! No…Morgan, you were doing your job. My boy was doing what he loved. What he was born to do. It is not your fault. It is not his fault. It’s how it is.”
It is my fault. I feel worse, somehow, hearing her say that it isn’t. Hearing her forgiveness and understanding. “Thank you for saying that.” What else can I say to her?
“He loved being your partner. Andy talked about it all the time. The trouble the two of you stirred up.” She smiles. It’s sad. Her eyes are glistening.
I also notice that she’s speaking in the past tense. Why? “What did the doctor say?”
She shrugs. “They can’t tell me much. Just that he lost a lot of blood and died upon arrival at the hospital.” I remember that vividly. I also remember how they made me wait outside his room while they desperately tried to revive him. I watched them shock his chest with those paddles. “He was gone for a long time. Too long.” She takes a shuddery breath. “They worked on him the whole time. They’re hopeful he received enough oxygen. That his brain received enough oxygen, but they can’t say for sure. We have to wait and see.” Her lip wobbles, and her eyes cloud over.
“He will wake up, Mrs. Golding.”
“I’ve been told it’s a fifty-fifty chance. That he might have…” She sniffs, trying to find composure. “His brain might be affected. He might…he might not be the same.” She walks to the other side of his bed and looks down at Andy. “He looks peaceful. Like he’s sleeping.”
“He is sleeping,” I say.
She nods her head, her eyes welling with tears. “We need for him to wake up. Every day he lies here…” She chokes on her words, pulling in a deep breath which she holds. Then she looks up at me, her eyes watery. “I can feel him drifting further and further away.”
“Don’t say that, Mrs. Golding. Andy is a fighter. Although you can’t see it, he is fighting. I promise you.”
“You’re right.” She nods.
“Don’t give up on him,” I beg her.
“I won’t, but I won’t let him suffer either.” Her face crumples again, and she gives a wailing sob as tears course down her cheeks.
I feel them falling down mine as well. I take Andy’s hand and squeeze. I hear slow, steady beeping. It’s his heart. As long as those beeps sound, there is hope. Andy is strong. I believe in him.
I need to find Lilith. “I will find the person who caused this to happen,” I vow. “I will make her pay.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt, dear,” Mrs. Golding says. “My son wouldn’t want that.”
“I won’t.” I shake my head. “I won’t be able to rest until I’ve fixed this.” I have this irrational feeling inside me that the two are intertwined. That Andy’s recovery hinges on me hunting her down. “Please call me if anything changes. I might have to head out of town.”
Mrs. Golding nods. “I will.”
“I mean it.” I reach over and put my hand over hers. “For anything. If Andy wakes up or if anything changes. If…” I refuse to think about him dying. I can’t handle that thought.
“I will. I promise. You take care of yourself.”
“I will.” I let her go. “Goodbye, old man,” I whisper to Andy. “You have to wake up so that you can tell me, ‘I told you so’,” I add, wiping another tear away. “Please,” I whisper. Then I leave. I’m sure about what I need to do.
Three hours later…
I pull into the motel parking lot. I can tell it’s a rent-by-the-hour establishment by the neon sign on the street advertising it as such. Our line of work doesn’t pay very well. It’s long hours. Days, weeks, sometimes even months away from home. I sometimes wonder why I do it. It’s a calling, I guess. A passion.
I feel tired. Like maybe I’ll be ready to hang up my gun after Lilith. This job will take it out of you. It can destroy you. Then again, I wouldn’t know what else to do with my life. Who else to be. I’m a Seeker. I hunt the creatures of the night. Humans are oblivious. Lucky them. I sometimes wish I hadn’t stumbled into this line of work, but here I am. I’m good at what I do. At least, I thought I was. I used to be able to trust my gut. Now…I’m not so sure. After what happened with Lilith, I’m not sure I will ever be able to trust again. Especially one of them.
I pull the crumpled up note out of my pocket and look at it again. Room 38. I hadn’t forgotten, I just wanted to be sure. This is not the type of establishment where you want to be knocking on random doors.
I lock the car and head over to one of the many doors in a long row. There are nine cars in the lot aside from mine. It is almost lunch hour. It’s that time of day when bosses start banging their secretaries.
I knock on the door. The number has been painted onto the peeling surface of the wall. It takes a few seconds for my boss to answer. I’m not here to bang him. He’s happily married and…I just wouldn’t go there. “Tom,” I say by way of greeting.
“Morgan.” He steps to the side. “Coffee?” he asks once I’m inside.
I look over at the coffee station that also serves as a desk and dressing table. The kettle is yellow from age. There are two coffee cups, one of which is chipped.
I shake my head, trying to hold back a shudder of revulsion. “No, thanks.”
“Take a seat.” He points at a chair. It looks rickety. It’s the only one in the room. Other than that, there’s the bed.
“I’m fine.” I have no plans on staying for longer than what is necessary. There is work to be done.
“How was he?” Tom asks, looking concerned. I know he also visited yesterday, but I answer anyway.
“No change.” I relay the rest of the information.
He nods a couple of times as I talk. “How are you holding up?” he asks.
“I’m fine.” I fold my arms.
“Morgs…” he raises his brows, “don’t lie to me. How are you, really?”
“I’m not lying!” I insist. “I’m ready to get back out there. I’m going to find her and—”
“No!” He shakes his head. “That’s not going to happen.”
“I’m fine. I’m ready to go back to work.” I was ready days ago.
“You watched your partner die.”
“They brought him back,” I counter. “Andy is going to be fine.”
“We don’t know that.”
“I do!” I insist, trying hard to raise my voice and failing.
“We don’t know that,” he repeats. “He was pulled through the wringer. That rod clipped his artery.”
“I know,” I say. “They stopped the bleed. They performed CPR. They brought him back. He’ll wake up soon, and I want to be able to tell him that I got that bitch.” My hands close into fists.
“Listen to yourself.” Tom is looking me in the eyes. His are blazing. “You’re emotional. Emotions will get you killed every time.”
“You’re right, I’m emotional. I’m angry. I’m sad. I regret that day. I regret my decision to go into that warehouse. I’m seriously emotional, but I plan on using all of that, of channeling it to find her and to kill her.”
“No damned way.” He paces away from me, takes two steps before reaching the wall, and then turns back, hands crammed into his jean pockets. His mind is working. “It’s too dangerous. We can’t lose you as well.”
“As well?” I yell. “What kind of bullshit is that? Have you given up on Andy? Is that what you’re saying?”
“No one has given up on him, but w
e need to be realistic, Morgan. About Andy. About you. You’re in no shape to be in the field right now. I want to put you in admin for now. You can coordinate the team I’ve assigned to finding the harpy. You will still be involved.”
“Administration?” I can’t believe what he is saying.
“Yes. The work done behind the scenes is just as important as—”
“Who’s lying now?” I throw back at him.
“Careful, Morgan. I know you’ve been through a lot. Too much…but don’t say something you might regret.”
“I can’t do it, Tom. I can’t sit behind a desk day in and day out. I need to be out there.” I point my finger at the door.
We look each other in the eyes for what feels like a long time. He finally breathes out through his nose. His body relaxes some. “Let me think about it.”
“What?’ I scrub a hand over my face. I was so sure I had him. “Why do you need to think about it? I’ve got this. I won’t make the same mistake twice.”
“You need to learn when to close your mouth. Give me a day or two. You take some time. Think things through.”
That’s just it, I don’t want more time. I don’t want to think.
“It’s already been a week,” I counter, trying hard to be calm. “Her trail is getting colder by the second.”
“There are already people on this.”
I want to be on it. I want to find her. I have to. I don’t say any of that. I bite my tongue. I have to take his advice, or I’m out.
“Give me a day or two, and I’ll see what I can do. I don’t have anyone to partner you with.” He rubs a hand over his chin, breaking eye contact.
No one wants me. He’s trying to hide it. I can tell. No one wants to partner with me after what happened to Andy. I don’t blame them. I wouldn’t want me either. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“No…now that isn’t happening. I’ll see if I can pair you with an existing partnership.”
“Anything,” I say. “Anyone. I don’t care. I need a shot at this.”
Lord of Life (The Dragon Demigods Book 4) Page 3
