Chapter 17 #2
Killian stood up, his grace like a panther. Meticulous and deadly. “You know, Warwick, most of us know how to slip in and out of the shadows, too. You aren’t the only one who has survived on the streets.”
Warwick looked at him dubiously.
“Plus, I think it’s high time the leader of Sarkis army and I meet. It could be greatly beneficial to us both.” Killian’s suggestion made complete sense. If HDF was growing in power, we needed to join together and fight. The enemies of your enemy could be great allies.
“I’m not leaving that here alone, and it’s too dangerous to take it.” Warwick motioned to the nectar box.
“Sloane will stay and guard it. I trust him with my life.”
“I don’t trust him.” Warwick gritted his teeth.
“You don’t have a say.” Skirting over to Killian, I stood next to him in solidarity. “Sloane will watch my nectar. You boys go investigate the streets while we go check in with my uncle. Meet back here later.”
Warwick’s jaw clicked, his laser focus on me.
“Kovacs . . .” he rumbled.
“You’re not changing my mind, Farkas. And you certainly aren’t keeping me here. You never could, so stop trying.”
“Woman,” he huffed, scouring his face. “You drive me insane.”
“Yeah, we all know.” Ash snorted. “We heard it all night long.” Ash snapped his fingers, pointing at Warwick. “But thank you for that, because the snake shifter? Damn, what she could do with her tongue.” Ash blew out.
“Ugh. Stop.” I wrinkled my nose, frowning, hiding the intense jealousy bubbling in my stomach, knowing Warwick had been with her, too. I had watched.
Footsteps thumped across the floor, Warwick’s boots hitting mine.
His build completely enveloped us in our own world, his head dipping low.
“Don’t worry, there’s only one tongue I want on me now.
” His calloused palm glided to the back of my head, pulling me into him.
He kissed me with no inhibition, making me forget everything else and everyone else in the room.
Searing hot, with the promise of more later.
“Be fuckin’ careful,” he muttered, his forehead against mine. The unsaid list of things to watch out for hung in the air, but he didn’t say them, knowing I could handle myself.
“You too.” My mouth brushed his again.
His mouth claimed mine one more time before he pulled away, his glower on Killian. “If anything fucking happens to her . . .”
“Yes, yes. I get it.” Killian glared back. “But just a forewarning, Brexley’s safety is paramount to me as well. You screw up again, I will be there.” There was no subtlety—it was an outright challenge to the wolf.
Warwick bulked up, stomping closer to the fairy. I could see his need to tear Killian into little pieces.
“Go.” I pushed Warwick to the door. “You know where we are if anything comes up.”
Warwick still stared down Killian.
“Grab my bag. I left the fae book in my room under the bed,” Ash said to me.
I nodded.
“Come on, man.” Ash heaved Warwick toward the exit, the tree fairy winking at me before the door slammed.
“You really have a death wish, don’t you?” I twisted to Killian, chuckling.
“I meant what I said.” His violet gaze met mine. “But I can’t say I don’t also love pissing that fucker off.”
With the crisp but mild temperatures, more people streamed out onto the streets, which helped Killian and me slip through the lanes with little attention.
Killian had to keep himself deep in a hood and glamoured, as his power could be felt if he wasn’t careful.
By acquiring the title of lord, he gained magic which could be even be felt by humans.
An electrical current warning you, this man was more than what he seemed.
My own face was deep in my hood as I led them to my uncle’s base, both of us on high alert, making sure no one was following us.
“They know we’re here,” Killian muttered next to me when we came to a stop close to the rundown building being used as the base. He looked up toward the rooftop. “We have guns on us now.”
Peering up, I tried to find the guards hiding along the roofline, my ordinary senses picking up nothing. Still, for some reason, I was certain Scorpion wasn’t up there.
Keeping my face pointed at where Killian motioned, I yanked my hood down, letting them see me before stepping toward the hidden entry.
In less than thirty seconds, the spell-locked door burst open, and guards with guns grabbed onto us, hustling us in and slamming the door behind us.
A woman stepped up to me, her weapon pointed at my head, a snarl lifting her lip.
“You’re back.” She scowled.
“Good to see you too, Zuz,” I lied.
She patted me down, finding several guns and knives, while Killian was being stripped of his.
“Gone a couple of days and treated like an enemy.” I peered around. None of the guards handling us were ones I knew well.
“Routine for anyone who comes through here.” She sneered, placing my weapons on a table. “My job is to protect my people.”
Her sentiment was clear. She did not consider me one of them.
“What is your business?” She flicked her chin to my comrade. “Who the hell are you? Another shmuck she fluttered her lashes at?”
Killian slowly tugged at his hood, revealing his face and dropping his glamour.
The intake of breath from the soldiers was sharp, their forms jolting with the realization of who stood before them.
“Lord Killian.” Zuz blinked, a deep instinct dipping her legs and head in a bow.
“I’d like to see your lieutenant, girl.” His voice rung with authority, a command lesser fae would bend to, the power crushing down on them. “Now. I have little patience for catty imbeciles.”
“Y-yes, sir,” Zuz sputtered, motioning for us to follow her.
Peering over my shoulder, Killian winked at me, humor tugging at the corners of his mouth.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the smile warming my chest, knowing he went “extra” for me.
We weaved through the maze of tunnels and dead ends, which would confuse any enemy trying to get in or out before reaching the main stairs down to the base.
The entry area was busy with activity and people going about their business. A class looked to be taking place in the training room, the café filled with more chairs and butts, which meant fewer were filling the clinic.
“Brexley!” Andris’s voice barreled into me right before he did, his arms wrapping around me, his lean body squeezing me in tight.
“Dragam.” Relief, pain, and joy filled that single word.
“You are all right.” He hugged me tighter before leaning back to look at me, his gaze full of love, his hand on my cheek.
“I was going crazy when you didn’t return.
I had a team scouring the streets for you. I was so worried.”
“I’m fine.” I clasped my hand over his, smiling up at him. For a second, I swore I felt something hum at my skin before he pulled away. He appeared so youthful for his age, the nectar’s power moving inside him, though he still looked exhausted. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” He waved off the question, rubbing his forehead. “I’ve just been so worried. I haven’t slept any since you were taken. I’m so happy you are safe. Where were you this whole time?”
“With me.” Killian stepped forward, his movement and voice whirling Andris away from me. Andris’ spine went rigid, yet his expression stayed impassive. He was trained to not show emotion in any situation.
“Lord Killian.” Andris addressed him with a nod.
“Lieutenant General Takacs.” Killian returned the motion.
“I will admit you are the last person I ever expected to visit my base.” Andris clasped his hands, his legs out in a dominant position. “Especially since you are dead.”
“Yes.” A smile hinted on Killian’s mouth. “I’ve heard the same reports.” He matched Andris’s stance. “For now, it has been beneficial.”
Andris’s eyebrows went up with curiosity.
“I thought it was time you and I met and had a little chat,” Killian declared, a hint of more behind his words. Fae were all about nuances. The tiniest ones could mean so much. People trained in battle were no different. A simple inflection could be the difference between life and death.
My uncle understood this. The underlying message rolled into him, his head nodding. “I think you are right.”
Both men looked at each other with understanding.
“Please.” Andris turned, gesturing to his office. “Join me.”
Killian agreed, strolling toward the open door.
My feet automatically started to follow.
“Not this time.” Andris shook his head.
I understood, but I guess I was getting used to being the girl in the room in the know.
“Of course.”
My uncle squeezed my shoulder, warmth moving down my arm.
He turned to his office and shut the door, leaving me staring at the closed door for a moment.
Laughter from the mess hall lured my attention away.
Strolling, I stopped in the doorway, my mind trying to grasp what I was seeing.
Sitting around a table laughing and chatting was Maddox, Wesley, Luk, Kek, Birdie, and Scorpion, but it was the figures next to Scorpion and Birdie which stumbled my mind.
Hanna and Caden.
Their wrists were bound, but loose enough for them to pick up a drink and eat the food in front of them. Their eyes were watchful, their faces perplexed as they observed the fae around them tell stories and tease each other.
Like we did with our comrades at HDF. Just like normal people.
To Hanna and Caden, and once to me, the fae were soulless creatures. They didn’t love or have friendships like humans did. In a way, they were right. The fae experienced love even more profoundly than humans did, and their friends went far beyond family.
“X!” Birdie stood up, seeing me first, her tiny body almost knocking me down when she collided with me. “You’re alive!” Her excitement dimmed into anger, her hand snaking out and punching me in the arm.
“Ow!” I rubbed at the spot she hit. The girl had a wicked right hook.
“That’s for me thinking you were dead.” She huffed, trying to hide her emotion, which made me smile.
Luk shuffled around her, his arms looping around my waist, picking me up off the ground, hugging me tight. “Fuck, we were so worried,” he mumbled into my neck, not letting me go.
“Missed you too.” I held him firmly before he placed me down on my feet. The blue-haired demon stood right next to him.
“Don’t fucking do that to us again, little lamb.” She blew hair out of her face, her arms folded, appearing annoyed. “He became insufferable with all his worrying, which he wouldn’t stop fretting about.”
“That was you,” Luk shot at her.
“Demons don’t fret.” She tugged on the ends of her ponytail, a habit she had.
“You were the one threatening to level the city if she wasn’t found.”
“I’d level a city for a slice of chocolate cake.” She flicked her eyes.
Grinning, I leaned in and hugged her, knowing she’d never admit she was worried about me. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah,” She stood stiffly, patting my back before I released her. “Well, it’s obvious you found the legend again.”
“Why?” I reacted.
“Because you reek of him. He’s all over you. I mean, wow.” She lifted her brow. “That good, huh?”
A blush burned my cheeks.
“Figured.” She sighed, folding her arms. “Your smell is making me horny now.” She tossed her strands over her shoulder. “So where is your other sidekick? I thought he’d be right next to you.”
“You mean Ash?” I smirked.
“Is that his name?”
Luk and I rolled our eyes at each other, knowing perfectly well she knew it. She’d probably screamed it out before.
“So, the prodigal daughter returns,” Maddox shouted, lifting his cup in the air, refocusing me past my friends to the table where everyone was gathering around it again. “Good to see you’re okay.”
Wesley lifted his cup in agreement. “Cheers to not being dead.”
“Cheers to not being dead.” Most joined in the sentiment, lifting their cups.
“Thanks.” I laughed, though I felt eyes on me from across the table. The three people who did not add to the sentiment. I expected Hanna and Caden to be icy in their response, but it was the anger glaring from Scorpion that cut me.
He was furious with me, which I understood. I put them all in jeopardy when I opposed his authority and altered the mission, going inside the warehouse. I hoped when he learned what Ash and I saw, he’d agree it was worth it.
“You guys are out.” I nodded at my two old friends.
“For their good behavior, they get a little field trip and treat today.” Birdie strolled for her seat, motioning to the food and drink in front of Hanna and Caden.
“I’m glad.” I tried not to sound patronizing, but by Hanna’s glare, I didn’t succeed.
“Yes, we’re the model inmates,” Hanna replied coldly. “Guess we know what prison feels like now.”
Fury charred up the back of my neck. The flood of memories from Halálház—the screams, pain, assault, blood, death . . .
“You have no fucking idea what prison is, little girl.” Kek slammed her hand down on the table in front of Hanna, leaning over the blonde’s shoulder, baring her dagger teeth.
“What she went through and survived. What we all experienced in there. In comparison, this is a posh holiday, human. But I will be glad to give you a taste of what hell really is.”
Hanna jerked in fear at Kek’s warning because she was smart enough to know it wasn’t a threat.
“Kek,” I said her name calmly.
My friend’s black eyes finally turned back to blue, easing away from Hanna, stomping to an empty chair, and plopping down.
Birdie settled back next to Caden. I observed him watching Birdie, his body not pulling away from where her arm brushed his, her long blonde hair trailing his skin as she joked with Maddox.
He didn’t even flinch at her nearness. To anyone else, it might seem like nothing, but I knew Caden.
Even if he tried to pretend he wasn’t bothered, humans overall were terrible at hiding their true feelings when you really looked.
He would slowly ebb away, not wanting a fae touching him, like she had some disease.
“Sit down.” Luk pulled in a chair for me. “Catch us up.”
A noise came from my throat as I lowered down on the seat, my head shaking. There was so much. But every single person at this table, whether they felt the same right now or not, was my family. People I had come to trust. Love.
I wanted them to know everything, even Hanna and Caden. They especially needed to hear the truth.