Chapter 13 – Aline
Chapter Thirteen
Aline
N adia pops in just before lunch. She does my treatment before bringing up the fact she’s going out of town... for an undetermined amount of time.
I love Nadia to pieces, but the urge to strangle her is strong.
She’s leaving at the worst possible time.
I can normally count on her to help me keep the employees in The Den in line as well, since she’s the only person outside of me who has a handle on the schedule. She knows which clients prefer each employee, and now I get the pleasure of rescheduling all her regulars.
Not that I can really blame her.
If I could get out of town right now, I would probably jump at the chance.
Immediately following her departure, Laithe and Dread pop in to corner me about what exactly Emerson has been turned into.
The conversation lasts for so long and circles back so many times that my nerves are one step past frayed.
“I don’t know what you want me to say,” I tell them, trying to calm my shaking hands.
I finally give up, pushing my chair back to stand.
“If I knew, I would tell you, but I don’t.
It’s not like I’m purposely being secretive.
I’ve only used that magic a handful of times.
I’m not sure I changed her at all. She very well might just be a vampire.
Meena kept the bab—” I grimace, because I’m not sure why the old witch made it seem like there is only one baby.
There are four, and each is a different species.
“The baby alive. My magic replenished Emerson’s life force.
..” I frown, pacing around the edge of my desk.
“I mean, I assume that’s what it did. I can’t answer your questions, because I truly don’t understand how my magic works. Not fully.”
Laithe hums.
Dread surprises the hell out of me by stomping across the room and pulling me in for a hug. He’s never affectionate and, truthfully, I prefer it that way.
“Thank you.” He squeezes a little too strongly, and I grunt in response. “We know how much you put on the line to save our mate. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, you’ll have it.”
I awkwardly pat his back. “I appreciate that.”
Laithe catches my eye, giving me a serious nod before winking.
“What I would really like is some help around here.” I step back from Dread, glancing between them. “My quickening is coming.” I clear my throat. I’ve put this off for too long, but I won’t hide behind fear any longer. “Atlas will need time off too.”
Dread’s face turns to a mask of utter confusion, but Laithe simply nods.
“We’re taking some time off, due to Emerson’s pregnancy,” Dread says, frowning as he scratches his fuzzy jaw.
“But we understand that isn’t your problem,” Laithe adds. “We’ll speak to Raisa and Octavia. Dread’s other siblings can help out too. Take all the time you need. We are forever in your debt.”
“Stop,” I snort, shaking my head. “It’s just weird when you’re civil.”
Before I can blink, Laithe crosses the room, pulling me in for a quick hug. “If you need me to rip out any hearts, just call. Honestly, it wouldn’t take much incentive. I don’t know what we would’ve done without you. Also, stabbing people helps me relax. It’s like extra bloody stress relief.”
“Ahh, there we go. I thought you went soft on me for a minute.” I step back, running my hands down my dress.
I don’t know why it feels so monumental that I admitted Atlas and I are together, but a weight has finally been lifted from my chest.
“You and Atlas?” Dread still scratches at his beard. “I never would have guessed.”
“That’s because you never pay attention to anything or anyone,” Laithe says, heading for the door. “We’ll get you some backup in place. Feel free to promote anyone you feel can handle the responsibilities.”
“Atlas is honorable. I think it’s a good match. He’s always been protective of you.” Dread gives what I think is meant to be a reassuring smile. It’s kind of terrifying, but I appreciate the effort.
“Thank you,” I call out as he also turns to leave.
“Oh, we hired your husbands,” he says over his shoulder. “If they step out of line, they won’t be fired. Their lives will be terminated.”
I blink as he walks out without another word.
I’m just finishing up contacting Nadia’s regular clients to inform them of her leave of absence when there’s a knock on my door. My eyes fly to it as I push myself out of my seat.
There’s a problem. I don’t know what it is, but my magic buzzes in response to something.
Vivie slides inside the door, resting her back against it.
“Kash is here.” Kash is the paranormal council agent that Nadia recently decided she wasn’t going to see as a client anymore.
“I tried to head him off, but he’s down the hall.
Laz is trying to give us a minute. Is there any way you can escape?
” She glances around my small office like a window might magically appear.
One of us could technically use our magic, but that feels like a big red flag. She left Faere before I did, but she’s got her own baggage, and we don’t talk about it. It’s pretty much the Haven motto.
The door bounces open.
Kash saunters in with the swagger of a council agent who knows he can fuck your world up. His eyes sparkle in a way I’ve never noticed before. Then again, I’ve always done my best to keep my distance from him.
His hair is straight and jet black. The top is longer than the sides, and it falls in his face as his gaze bounces between the two of us.
“I’m going to need a moment with Ali,” he says in a sensual tone that sends a shiver down my spine.
Vivie grabs my arm, giving me a shove toward the door.
I pull my shoulders back and move to exit my office.
In this case, I’ll gladly do so. We’ve had an agreement for years.
She pretends to be me whenever the paranormal council gets a little too interested in The Den.
In turn, I never make a big deal when she’s erratic, late, and often forgets to show up when she’s scheduled.
“Oh, kitten.” Kash leans close to me. His teeth dig into his plush lower lip as he gives me an amused look. “I wouldn’t play games with me today.”
“I’m just dismissing my employee,” Vivie says, fluttering her long lashes as she grins seductively.
Wait . . .
Kitten .
Holy shit.
It’s all foggy and confusing, but only one monster calls me kitten.
“Malice?” I whisper, staggering a step.
“You’re dismissed,” Kash says to Vivie. “For the love of God, don’t continue to string that poor bastard along. His greatest fear is that he’ll ask you to gestate his eggs, and instead, you’ll end whatever farce of a relationship you’ve got going on.”
“What?” Vivie hisses. “I don’t know who you think?—”
“Leave,” Kash growls, but his eyes don’t stray from mine. “Shifters get attached easily. If you don’t feel for Laz the way he feels about you—” His eyes flick to hers. “Then have some fucking compassion and stop playing games.”
“Shit,” Vivie whispers, her eyes flying to mine.
I give her a nod, indicating I’ve got this under control. Although, I absolutely do not.
Once she’s gone, my gaze moves to Kash.
“You’ve built yourself a lovely support system of monsters willing to lie directly to a council agent’s face.” He laughs, prowling closer. “I came in fully expecting at least one of them to betray you. I would have handled it, but I’m pleasantly surprised.”
I take a step back and then another. My shoulder bumps the wall by the door, and even though I know I could defend myself if necessary, my magic isn’t buzzing at all. It doesn’t view Kash or Malice or whoever is in front of me as a threat.
“W-why are you here?” I stutter out. My heart races. I have no idea what’s going on. What if Kash is messing with me? Maybe he found out about Malice somehow? “Nadia is out of town handling something for Octavia.”
“That’s nice.” His head tilts, and he looks truly demonic for a second, but I blink, and the horns are gone. “I’m not here for the little witch. Am I, kitten?”
“Nadia stated she wouldn’t be seeing you again. I think it’s time for you to leave.” My chin tilts as I stare at him defiantly. I don’t know how Kash the council asshole figured out about Malice, but I’m not in the mood to play games.
“I told you once I made it into the human realm that you’d be stuck with me. Couldn’t you feel the truth in my words?” He brushes his fingers over my cheek.
The door slams open beside us.
Hex stomps around it, grabbing Kash by the front of his suit jacket. His fist flies at Kash’s face before I can stop him. It all happens so fast as Hex lands another hit followed quickly by another.
“Another kraken?” Kash goes limp as a huge cloud of black smoke pours from him. “They’re rare as hell these days, and your lovely town has two.”
“What the fuck?” Hex drops Kash’s limp body as my nightmare takes shape.
“Malice?” I whimper. It’s an embarrassing sound that I would normally be mortified by, but I can’t focus on that. My body moves of its own volition as I chuck myself at my smoky demon. He solidifies, taking shape as I cling to him.
“Oh, kitten,” Malice growls, wrapping his shadows around us. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”
“Don’t fucking touch my wife,” Hex snarls.
“I wouldn’t intervene if I were you,” Atlas says from somewhere. The door to my office closes quietly, but all I can focus on is Malice’s eyes. “I don’t think you come out of that situation looking like the hero, no matter how hard you try.”
“I told you the orc and I had an understanding,” Malice says as his shadows lift me.
My arms wrap under his, and I hug him in solid form for the first time.
It’s unreal how sturdy he feels. My back hits the wall as he nuzzles his cheek to mine.
“I fed from you last night. What the hell have they done to you since then?”
My head shakes as my eyes meet Atlas’s, but he doesn’t look upset. He’s got a hand on Hex’s shoulder, like he’s holding him back.
“Allow me to give you some respite.” Malice pushes his mouth to mine. The kiss isn’t tentative or playful. His tongue dances against mine while still sucking out all my pain and hurt.
“What the fuck is going on?” Hex hisses. There’s some commotion behind Malice, but his frame presses deliciously into mine, and it’s all I can seem to focus on. “You’re fine with this? Who the fuck is that? And who the hell does that body belong to?”
“I have no idea. Yeah, I am, because I don’t control her. I’m pretty sure that’s the nightmare who watches over her while she sleeps, and that’s Kashius. He’s a warlock with the council.” Atlas shrugs. “Or he was.”
“Four for four.” Malice chuckles. “He’s good. No wonder you’re so fond of him.”
“We have a problem,” Silence says, making his way into my office before quietly closing the door.
“That fucking figures,” Atlas mutters.
I sigh. It really does.