Savage Fate (Den of Shadows #5)

Chapter 23

Chapter

Twenty-Three

My pulse skyrocketed, and electricity simmered across my body as Fane came into view at the open front door, icy air drifting in. His mismatched irises—one gold and the other vibrant blue—glowed as his demon wolf paced just under the surface.

All the moisture zapped from my mouth. The dangerous atmosphere around him had my blood pumping.

“Fane.”

His head swiveled in my direction, sending a bolt of fire right to my gut.

“Fiera mika.”

His voice in my mind was a soft, sensual caress. If he didn’t touch me soon, I might explode.

But Xavier and two other male shifters blocked him from entering the house.

Fane’s nostrils flared. “This pack is about to be down a few members.”

It wasn’t a threat. He was dead serious.

Saint cursed as he followed me down the stairs. “Let him inside. Now .” His alpha power leaked into the room, and the three wolves moved aside.

Fane unnecessarily shoved Xavier out of the way and met me in the foyer, yanking me into his chest. Since he felt every bump, bruise, and cut, he knew exactly how to hug me without igniting even one flare of pain.

I inhaled his warm scent and buried myself against him. My neck tattoo crackled, shooting tingles down the ones on my arm and hand.

“Why do you insist on worrying me to death, Teague?” Fane growled in my ear, making me shiver. “Is it your mission to torment me?”

“You got me. I was put on this Earth for the sheer purpose of torturing you.” I kissed his throat, his pulse thundering against my lips. “That’s why I’m so good at it.”

Fane finally pulled back and brushed the hair out of my face, his nostrils flaring at the sight of the cuts and bruises marring the side. “Those bastards in the van got off lucky. If I’d been the one to kill them, they would have endured slow, painful deaths where I broke every bone in their bodies before ripping them apart limb by limb.”

“Sorry I couldn’t add more flare to their deaths. You can take your anger out on some other Collective members.” My gaze dropped to his lips, wanting to devour them, but the worry radiating off him distracted me from the lust. “I’m okay,” I whispered.

“Are you?” He unwrapped his arms from me and studied me from head to toe. “You fell off a fucking cliff into a freezing river.”

I gave a casual shrug, and it took a moment to find my voice under his intense scrutiny. “I’m not easily killed.”

The tiny muscles around his mouth feathered as his jaw tightened. “You’re feeling better.” Fane grabbed my hands in his massive ones, examining them. “No shakes from the Infernal Sol?”

I shook my head. “Maybe the side effects have finally run their course.”

“Maybe.” Fane’s gaze lifted to something on my left, darkening.

“So this is the infamous Fane Maverick.” Xavier sneered as he stood a few feet away with his arms folded. “You don’t look that scary to me.”

Fane’s ominous chuckle spread goose bumps along my flesh. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you looks can be deceiving?” He angled me to his side as his pupils thinned to black slivers and his teeth sharpened. “I’d be more than happy to put on a scarier face for you.” The sinister growl vibrating his chest echoed through the room.

Some of the blood drained from Xavier’s cheeks, and he stepped back. “You can’t take us all at once.” He motioned his hand around the room at Saint, Avery, Josh, and Ryland.

Tension filled the air, crackling like a live wire whipping across a wet road. If they attacked Fane, he could take them, especially in his demon shifter form. Plus, I’d have his back.

“No one is fighting.” Saint pushed off the banister he’d been leaning against, his father remaining close behind him. “Back down, Xavier.”

“But—”

“That’s a command,” Saint snarled, alpha power throbbing around him and forcing the antagonistic shifter to slam his mouth shut.

Someone cleared his throat, and Hawk awkwardly lingered in front of the door. “Now that I’m sure a fight won’t break out, is it okay to come inside?” He lifted his palms. “Just your friendly neighborhood raven-slash-taxi-driver.”

Saint nodded. “Come in, Hawk. You’re welcome here.”

Hawk stepped inside the stress-laden living room, his gaze drifting to mine as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m really glad you’re okay, Tate. I’d hug you, but I’m pretty sure Fane would break my arms off.”

“No, he wouldn’t.”

Fane didn’t deny it, though.

I gave him a narrowed glare and slipped out of his relentless grip to embrace Hawk. “Thanks for bringing him. I’m sure the car ride sucked.”

“You can say that.” He gently patted my back and then stepped away. “I thought he was going to shift into that monster of a wolf and kill us.”

Mina poked her head inside. “I told you two Tate would be fine. For shit’s sake, she’s gone through worse than a fall off a cliff.”

“Hi, Mina.” Saint flashed the spitfire a smile. “If you’re looking for Bonnie, she’s probably training at Jacob’s.”

“I’d rather be anywhere than in your living room right now.”

As she stepped back on the porch, Hawk made the tiniest sound of protest. Mina stopped and scrutinized him, finally sighing.

“Fine. Come on, raven. Just don’t flirt with Bonnie. She has a boyfriend who would kick your ass.”

Hawk grinned as Mina grabbed his hand and pulled him outside. “Why would I flirt with anyone else when I only have eyes for you?”

Mina made a dramatic gagging sound. “You make me sick, Brycen.”

He’d have her under his spell in no time.

When I turned around, Fane and Saint stared at each other while Ryland and Avery watched, poised to jump into action. Besides Xavier and Josh, a few others had slinked into the room. Some of them were definitely fighters.

Were they here to protect their alpha if Fane decided to attack?

“Could you two stop glaring?” I moved in front of Fane and nudged him to break his eye contact with Saint.

A few more seconds, and they would have started using their alpha power to fight for dominance.

“I wasn’t glaring,” Fane said into my mind.

“You were just trying to kill him with your mind.”

Ryland moved from his spot and closed the distance between us first. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Fane.” He held his hand out for the demon shifter to shake.

“You as well.” Fane took his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you from my uncle Ephraim. He says you’re one of the good ones.”

His smile broadened. “Well, I’m honored to have such praise from Ephraim. He usually tells me I’m annoying.”

Fane finally cracked a smile that wasn’t full of danger. “He asked me not to let on how much he likes you, so maybe we could keep this between us.”

“Of course.” Ryland dropped his hand. “But now that I know, I can freely irritate your uncle next time he visits without worrying that I’m offending him.”

Avery popped his knuckles and then stretched his fingers. “Ephraim’s cool. I’d rather a visit from him than Camus.” The beta shrugged when Saint gave him a look. “What? Camus can be kind of dull.”

“Dull is better than how he used to be.” Ryland glanced at Fane, and I had a feeling he knew some of the things Camus and Fane’s father had done to him when he was a kid. “Trust me. You didn’t want to know him back then.”

I still hadn’t confronted Camus about that. Fane would be pissed if I did, but he deserved an apology from the alpha.

“I’m glad you finally made it,” Saint said, taking another step toward us, his pack members stiffening even more. “Tate was getting restless without you.”

The last two times Fane and Saint were in the same vicinity, they nearly fought.

“I know the feeling.” Fane’s fists clenched and unclenched. “Thank you for taking care of her.” The words hissed between his teeth as if he had to force them out.

Saint nodded and reached his hand out. “You’re welcome.”

Several long, heavy seconds passed until Fane finally grabbed it. The veins and tendons in their hands protruded as they squeezed the shit out of each other.

“The Collective Hunt needs to be demolished,” Fane said. “They can’t come this close to Mohan Wilds and Blackwater Falls and get away with it.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Saint finally broke out of Fane’s death grip. “I’m not sure what’s a bigger threat, The Collective or the Nosterium.”

Fane nodded. “At least we know who and what The Collective is. This other group may or may not even be demons.”

My lips thinned as I thought of the many visions I’d had. I was the only person with a link to these creatures, even as small as it was. Why was I getting these damn visions if I couldn’t save anyone or get any valuable information?

“We should be going,” Fane said, interrupting my thoughts. “Thanks for helping Tate and Hailey.”

“Why don’t you stay the night?” Ryland offered. “I’m sure you’re tired from the long drive. And Tate would do well with more rest in a comfortable bed instead of a car.”

Fane shook his head. “I think it’s best if we just?—”

“Stay, please,” he insisted, his gaze flickering toward his son. “Just one night. For Tate’s sake.”

Fane studied Ryland for a few moments, and I swear the two shared some kind of silent message. “Sure. I guess one night would be okay.”

Cloaked figures chased me through the snow-covered forest, sinister laughter ringing out as I raced between trees. Sweat coated my flesh, and blond strands of hair whipped in front of my face. With each frantic step, my boots sank into the snow, slowing me down.

The fear coiled around my throat, choking me until black speckled my vision.

I was suddenly falling through the darkness.

When my vision cleared, the woods had vanished, and a dimly lit bedroom formed around me. Shouts erupted down the hall. I sat up in my bed and clutched the covers to my tiny body.

“Please stop,” a woman begged. “You’re hurting me.”

The familiar scents of the room came back to me, and when I saw the other little girl sleeping in the twin bed next to mine, I knew I was back in one of my foster homes.

A shiver slipped down my spine at the memories rushing forward. My backside throbbed from the frequent spankings I received for just existing.

My foster mother didn’t have it much better than us.

I wanted to hide under my bed, but I was frozen to the spot. If the door opened, he’d find me.

The dim bedroom vanished, and I returned to the woods in a different body. I was on the cold ground, blood dripping down my temple. I couldn’t reach the shifter inside me. My bear wouldn’t respond.

A scream tore out of my mouth as cloaked and masked creatures descended around me, gloved hands reaching out…

I jerked awake, my heart pounding and chest heaving as I lay in the same bed I’d been in earlier, only this time, Fane was curled around me. I angled my head toward him, his steady breaths blowing across my cheek.

These visions were getting mixed in with my usual nightmares.

And the fear—it was even more suffocating.

Choking, paralyzing, debilitating terror.

When I had the demon amulet, I welcomed fear and sucked it down like a giant Slurpee of sweet deliciousness.

I rested my hand on the sun tattoo inking my sternum. The stone’s presence lingered like a bad hangover that refused to leave.

My appetite had improved while at Blackwater Falls, and my hands had stopped trembling. Maybe the side effects really were fading like I told Fane. Unless being so close to the Infernal Sol—seeing it in person—had taken the edge off.

If I could have just held it for a moment, would these side effects have been obliterated?

With my luck, probably not.

Nothing ever came easy, and neither would this.

I sighed and returned my attention to Fane as he slept beside me. Strangely, he hadn’t been swept up in these recent nightmares. Had he tried to peek at them? I almost wished he would so he could help me understand what the hell I was seeing.

Thick, dark lashes fanned across his cheeks, and the moonlight shining in through the windows turned the scars digging into his bronze flesh silvery white. His tattooed arm stretched across me, keeping me close as if he feared I’d vanish.

My getting abducted by The Collective Hunt didn’t ease his anxiety. If roles had been reversed, I would have been a raving lunatic until I found him.

He looked so peaceful and relaxed now, which was rarely something he pulled off when he was awake. Fane was almost always alert, tense even, waiting for the next threat to appear. He couldn’t help it. Life had forced him to be ever vigilant because the moment his guard slipped, something would pounce.

We were alike in that manner.

When I tried to shimmy out of the covers, Fane’s arm tightened around me, unwilling to release me even in his sleep.

I rubbed his bicep and kissed his shoulder. “I’m thirsty. I’m just getting a drink, Maverick.”

Lines developed across his forehead beneath the wild strands of ebony hair, and he gave a faint, throaty whine. A smile tipped the edges of my lips when he sounded like a kid unwilling to give up his toy.

Yeah, I was that toy, but I didn’t mind being his favorite plaything.

I massaged his arm until the frown lines vanished. “I’ll be right back. I promise.”

Finally, I managed to slip out of his hold and grabbed the hoodie he brought me from home and my boots. The door creaked as I opened it, but Fane remained asleep.

It took me ten minutes to find the kitchen. Thankfully, no one was awake at this hour, so I couldn’t embarrass myself asking for directions.

I found a glass in one of the cabinets and opened the fridge, smiling when a carton of lemonade appeared front and center. Someone had written my and Fane’s names on it.

Had Saint bought this for us?

My heart warmed as I grabbed the carton and poured myself a glass. The cold, tart drink soothed my parched throat and tasted heavenly. How did I live my life without this yumminess before Fane?

Hawk, Mina, and Hailey had decided to leave, and Ryland said he’d give Fane and me a ride home tomorrow so he could visit Ephraim.

It was weird that Fane wanted to stay the night when we could have all gone home.

Maybe he didn’t want to be crammed in a car with four other people.

As I sipped my drink, my gaze went to the glass French doors leading to a deck. Snow-capped trees stretched in the distance, meeting a pitch-black sky with bright stars lighting the heavens.

Soon, the snow and ice would melt. The wintery weather never stuck around, but I was surprised it lingered this long.

Movement outside caught my attention, and I stepped closer to the door, my brow furrowing as I peered into the yard. Shadows rippled over a patch of snow near the tree line.

No. Not shadows. That was a cloak.

A hooded figure, torn right out of my visions, materialized against the frosty backdrop.