Unfettered Vessel (Found & Freed: The Unfettered #6)

15. Chapter 15

Chapter fifteen

Monty

M y lungs heave and suck in all the oxygen they can. I blink and try to gather my scattered thoughts. A moment ago, I was dreaming. Now, all of a sudden, I’m sitting up in my bed in the campervan. Gasping alone in the dark.

It is the middle of the night. All is quiet and still. My dream was not a nightmare. Why am I suddenly awake?

Carefully, I reach out with my magic and check my wards. Everything seems in order, but I suppose I should get out of bed and do a physical check. Something woke me. So something could be out there.

I untangle myself from the covers and throw on some clothes. Then I hurry outside. The cold night air hits me and wakes me up. The stars are shining and it is a beautiful night. A very quiet night.

A quick walk around the campervan shows me that everything is in order. Nothing and no one has tampered with my magical protection boundary. A relief, obviously. But now I am confused. I’m not in the habit of bolting awake in the middle of the night. It definitely wasn’t my imagination that disturbed my peace.

I glance towards the house, and frown. Not one single light is on. Not a single sound is coming from it.

I pull my phone out of my trouser pocket. 4.25 a.m. Everyone could be asleep. That’s not an unreasonable conclusion. They are all young and paranormal and there are eleven of them, but they still could all be sleeping. Nobody is a wild party animal, or an obsessive gamer, as far as I know.

My feet drift closer to the house. The silence itches at me. Damn it, it’s rude to pry on a home, but hopefully I will be forgiven. Tentatively, I reach out with my magic. Goddess, I hope I don’t anger the demon.

A gentle sweep of magic confirms my suspicion. The house is as empty as it seems.

My heart pounds and my limbs shake. Is Pink alright? Is he in danger? Does he need me?

Dread gnaws at my stomach. I hate this. I’m so helpless. I have no idea what has happened. I have no clue where Pink might be. I’m useless. Impotent.

And Pink didn’t ask me to help.

Some disaster has clearly occurred, causing them all to flee the house, and his thoughts did not turn to me. Or they did, and he dismissed them. Did he think I wouldn’t want to help? Does he not trust me?

I run my hands through my hair and suck in a deep breath. It does nothing to calm me. It doesn’t ease this heavy sense of guilt, either.

I have been lying to Pink. I have done nothing to earn his trust. I should not be disgruntled that I don’t have it.

Some small part of me whines in protest, claiming I haven’t been lying, merely omitting the truth. It is a pedantic distinction. I introduced myself as Montgomery, knowing damn well if I didn’t give a surname, he’d assume I was disowned and didn’t have one.

Pink believes I’m an outcast from Old Blood society. Like he is. And I have been relishing in it.

But that has nothing to do with this. I’m pretty sure he hasn’t uncovered the truth of me. I don’t think that is the cause of his mistrust. It is far more likely that he simply can deduce that I have secrets. He is a very clever man. Perceptive.

And because he knows I am shady, he has run off into the night without my help.

A small noise of distress escapes me. I stagger over to a garden bench and sit down. I need to get a grip. Everything is going to be fine. His friends will protect him. Wherever Pink is, he is with a very powerful demon. Along with a vampire, a siren, a kelpie, a shifter and a… fey descendent.

A fey descendent who has been acting strangely. At a time when the fey have been whispering to those that carry their blood.

My lungs freeze. My heart stops beating. My mind floods with dark thoughts.

No. No, no, that can’t be what is happening. My mind is simply fixated on it because it is fresh information from Laurie’s debutant ball. Jade isn’t really out there opening a portal to the fey realm.

Pink hasn’t gone to try to stop him.

I shudder. It feels like my blood has turned to ice. I should have warned Pink. I should have shared what I learned. Now I can only hope that I don’t regret my poor decision for the rest of my life.

All I can do is sit here and wait. And hope. And pray to any gods who will listen.

It is hard to breathe. The night seems to have grown darker. And colder. The garden is now full of shadows. The world is now a terrible place because it has allowed Pink to be in danger.

Holy hells. I sit up ramrod straight as the realization hits me with the force of a lightning strike. I am far more concerned with Pink’s safety than I am by the prospect of the fey invading Earth. To the extent that, as long as Pink is unharmed, I don’t think I’d care if Jade succeeds.

I suck in another big breath. I care for my world, I really do. I’m scared of the fey and I know damn well that they are bad news. So it’s not as if the fey invading is a trivial matter. It is that I care for Pink far more. A lot more.

Oh goddess. How could I have missed this blatant truth? I’m not merely fond or smitten, am I? I’m not pining for what-if’s and could-have-been’s. I’m in love. Truly, madly, deeply in love. Pink is the one. There never will be anyone else for me.

I’m so bowled over by this revelation that at first I don’t notice the sound of cars approaching. As soon as I do register it, my heart starts racing all over again.

The moment the vehicles are within range, I probe with my magic senses. The familiar hum of Pink’s ether sings back at me. Intact and unhurt. Glorious and bright. I breathe out a huge, trembling sigh of relief.

Pink is okay. And the fey have not invaded. I’m pretty sure it would be an unmissable event if they had. So all is right with the world. Disaster averted.

Gravel crunches as the cars sweep into the driveway on the other side of the house from me. I listen to the murmur of voices and the slam of car doors.

I can’t make out what they are saying, but the tones are sad and stressed. But not distraught. I think it is safe to deduce that nobody has been badly hurt and no great calamity has befallen.

The sound of footsteps coming around the side of the house to the back garden has me freezing. I’m sitting out here in the middle of the night, like the worst kind of spy.

Pink comes into view. His head is down and his arms are wrapped around his slender chest.

He is heading straight for my campervan. Making a beeline for it. Pink is upset and scared and his instinct is to run to me.

My heart swoops in dark glee. It is everything I was hopelessly yearning for a few minutes ago. Whatever caused him to run off without seeking my help, it was not a fundamental part of his feelings for me. There is hope. Hope that he might love me. Or grow to.

“Pink,” I say softly as I stand up and let my presence be known.

His head snaps up, but he doesn’t look shocked to see me. He looks relieved. Greatly, hugely relieved.

He turns towards me and all but runs the remaining distance. My arms open wide just in time to catch him. He burrows into me and lets up a soft sob. I wrap my arms around his warm weight and press him close to me.

“Everything is going to be okay,” I promise. An oath I will somehow keep if it takes everything I have to uphold it. Pink is going to be safe. Even if I have to sacrifice my soul for it.

Pink sucks in a shaky breath at my words, and then he bursts into tears.

I scoop him up and carry him to the campervan.

I’m acting as if he is already mine, and it feels wonderful.