Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
ORION
What a relief it was to see Paige fully back on her feet in the candlelight, jogging over to greet us as we climbed onto the station platform.
“Thank God you’re back,” she said, hugging Cate, me, then Basil.
The fae grunted, not hugging back.
Then she wrapped her arms around her alpha, who shocked us all by giving her what she wanted in return—a big bear hug to make her laugh.
“Nice to see you’ve healed up,” Miko said, patting her on the arm. “All good?”
“And pain free,” she responded.
Trev came over, gently placing a big hand on my shoulder. “Awesome to see you, mate.”
“You, too. How are you?”
“Not bad. Still nothing.” He tapped the side of his skull.
“It’s still early. The memories will come.”
“Fingers crossed. What happened to your wrists?”
“A run in with some iron chains.”
“The fuck?”
“What warranted the outfit change?” James asked Miko, wrapping an arm around Cate. “Sorry, Orion. I’ve cut you off.”
“No. You’re fine.”
Miko stepped in to give a quick breakdown of everything, ending with, “Where’s Daria?”
The pack were stunned for a few moments.
Paige spoke first, not answering the question. “Why are the blood magi like this now?”
Was it because of the falsely placed blame they received over Dawn? It had nothing to do with them, but that didn’t stop a series of brutal persecutions sweeping across the world.
That did not excuse Sharon and the others. Not by one crumb.
“I don’t know,” Miko replied.
Stars, Basil and I were truly lucky to be here in Mile End station. Still breathing, not tainted by the magi’s intentions.
Thanks to the speedies.
Hmmm….
“Daria said she’ll appear when you do.” The beta answered Miko’s earlier question. “She’s found us loads of supplies.”
Between Miko and Cate’s haul from back at the house and Daria’s finds, we were decently stocked again.
James sighed heavily. “Jesus. All that drama in one night must be a record for us.”
“Maybe,” Miko answered. I noticed a brief, almost imperceptible look exchanged between him and Cate.
What was that about?
“But I’m missing the point,” James added. “Evolution… Oh my God. What do we do about it?”
“Stay cool,” Miko replied. “We’ll figure this out. Every part of it.”
“Your blood really did that?” Paige asked Basil.
“Yes.”
The medic said nothing more, checking us over.
What if my people could save this world? But then, what had been the point in Trev’s words if that were the case?
“Things are more dangerous than ever.” James pulled Cate closer.
Cate stroked his face. “Easy, darling. Easy.”
“Are you both feeling alright?” Paige asked Basil and I, done with her checkup.
“I’m fine,” I said.
Basil nodded with an imperceptible murmur.
“Thank you,” I added.
“You’re welcome, sweetie.”
“We’ll both heal in a week or so. Iron won’t get the better of us.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Creepy bastard magi,” Trev said. “Who do they think they are, fucking with our fae buddies?” He balled a hand into a scary fist. “Wish I’d been there for face breaking.”
“Speedies beat you to it, but with face-biting.” I recoiled slightly at my own words. “Let’s not think about that.”
“Well, I hope it hurt the fuckers.” Trev’s tone was tinged with menace.
Always a comfort knowing Trev stood in my corner. What a great friend to have. Why would I ever want to leave him behind, along with the pack and Miko? This was my place, warts and all.
Those were some terrible warts…
“We’re moving out in a minute,” the alpha said.
“Yes, sir.” The three wolves answered together.
“Anything on Lance or his people?”
They had no news.
Miko sighed. “Where is that prick? Still licking his wounds. Guess they were massive wounds.” His dark eyes flashed with malice.
Goodness. Both terrifying and wickedly hot.
“I have seen nothing of the rotten lynx.” Daria stepped through the arched doorway holding a candle. Wax dripped onto her hand, though she seemed unbothered by it.
Miko folded his arms. “There you are. Need your help again, if you don’t mind lending another hand.”
She wriggled her long fingers on her free hand. “Happy hands are helping hands.”
“Is that a yes?”
“It is, wolf. Even without the promise of marshmallows, I am glad to be of assistance in your quest.”
Joseph appeared behind her. “Same here.” The vampire looked rather peaky, his face bruised. But his walk across the platform was a healthy stride.
Rat blood had done him good, clearly.
“Thanks a lot,” Miko responded. “Nice to see you on your feet, Joseph.”
“Call me Joe. And I choose to live, even without my teeth.” He showed off his gums.
He could still drink blood, just no pointy teeth to get things, erm, flowing.
“Will they come back?” I wondered.
“One day,” Joe answered.
“We need to get moving,” Miko said to Daria.
“Of course, wolf. First, allow me to give Orion this.” She handed me a penlight—red where mine had been blue.
“For me?”
“Yes, fae. I found it earlier, thinking of you.”
“Thanks so much.” I took it. “I lost my other one.”
“Then fate guided me to it.”
Indeed.
“Thank you.” What a relief to have another penlight with the same three beam settings as my last one.
“What about Wendy?” Trev asked. “How is she holding up?”
Miko had left her out of this.
I explained.
Cue more stunned silence from the pack.
“Fascinating,” Joe said.
No one else knew what to say. I mean, what was there to say apart from asking why and how and all of those things?
Joe handed Miko a map. “A route to Dunstable is marked for you.”
“Thanks.”
Dunstable. I hated that name every time I heard it.
Place of doom.
Place of ending.
Miko checked the crumpled map over, then gave the order to move.
And just like that, we were off and walking.
It felt like endless tunnels and darkness, a thick sense of unease looming over me.
Things were too quiet, running far too smoothly.
I was sick of this gloom and dust and sprinkles of claustrophobia. I craved the sunny outdoors, just one day off from this constant march through the shadows.
Give me a roof to enjoy every sunbeam, lounging on a blanket, letting the day roll by in lazy splendor.
Ha! A zombie would only poop on my pleasure eventually.
Miko and the vampires took point, Basil and me behind them, the others making up the rear.
About two hours in, Basil decided to talk.
“The king is not looking for you, Orion.”
I kept walking, not really surprised.
I turned my mild beam on him. “Now you speak.”
“Aren’t you going to react? Get that light off me.”
“I am reacting.” I spared his eyes. “I’m not really surprised it’s a lie.”
“A failed lie.”
“At least you tried. Points to you.”
He made a tutting sound. “What am I supposed to do, Orion?”
“About what?”
“You, of course.”
“Not this again.”
“It will always be about this.”
“Time to drop the subject for good.”
He huffed. “Tenacious, aren’t you?”
“When it comes to this, yes.”
“I cannot wrap my mind around you choosing this life over Faery. And over your parents. What will they think? Don’t you love them?”
I shone the penlight back in his face.
He squinted. “Do you mind?”
“Don’t ever say that to me again. Of course I love my parents. Of course I’m feeling super guilty over this choice. But my place is here. The sooner you understand that, the better.”
Miko would be overhearing this conversation.
Ugh.
“If you want to try for home, then go home,” I said. “You want that life, I want this one.”
“Stars only knows why.”
“You know why.”
“I do. And I’m jealous.”
I slowed down, actually shocked this time. “Sorry?”
“You heard me. But don’t worry, I hate myself for being so stupid.”
“You’re not stupid.” I sped up again.
“Seeing you with him hurts worse than those iron shackles. And before you say it, I know I ended our relationship with my cock gluttony.”
I couldn’t help the burst of laughter.
Miko turned around to check on me, my penlight’s beam landing on his face. “You good?”
“Yes.” What did he think about all this?
He nodded, facing forward again.
“Sorry, Basil.” I cleared my throat, fanning my face. “I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s just how you said it.”
“I’m glad you find my regret hilarious.”
That felt like a slap in the face with an iron gauntlet. “Regret? About us?”
“I wish I’d seen your worth.”
Emptiness within and without, but the sentiment was too late. “We weren’t matched, Basil. Not everyone is made to be a couple.”
“You ran away because I hurt you. This is all my fault.”
Did we really have to wade these waters? “I needed a vacation. I picked Earth.”
“To get away from me.”
I sighed, irritated by his self-pity, while also considering patting him on the back and telling him not to worry about it.
“I don’t hold a grudge against you,” I said.
No answer.
“Really. I don’t. What’s done is done. No one could have predicted Dawn.”
“I can always smell him on you,” he whispered.
Stars, I didn’t need this conversation.
“What do you want me to say? I’m sorry for bonding to a werewolf?” My tone was too sharp. “I didn’t choose it, but I’m glad it’s there. I want…I want Miko. I’ve never wanted a man so much, been so caught up in my feelings.”
I mean it, Miko. Every single word.
My lips tingled, calling for the alpha to turn around and kiss me.
Thump, thump.
Thump, thump.
“Not even for me?” Basil asked sadly.
“Miko is special. I’m not saying you aren’t. We were just not the right fit.”
“You have successfully hurt me back.”
Was it wrong to take a sliver of satisfaction from that? “You must know we were never meant to be.”
“I like to hope.”
“Forget it. Let me go.”
“Not so easy, Orion. Not so easy.”
Which left one more question. “Will you be sticking with us outside of London?”
“I suppose so.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Do you want me to leave?”
“It’s up to you. I’m happy for you to stay, and Miko doesn’t seem to be kicking you to the…”
“Curb?”
“That’s it. You can stay, you can try for the gates. Make the best choice for you.”
He stroked his chin. “Something to ponder.”
“I’ll always be grateful to you for coming here.”
There was silence for a whole minute. “How are your wrists?”
“Feeling sorry for themselves. Yours?”
A soft chuckle. “The same.”
He didn’t say another word, so the rest of the journey spent in silence until we reached the border between London and Hertfordshire.
“Here is the end of the city,” Daria said, leaning on a ladder leading up to a manhole. “From here we head north.”
“It’s still daylight, right?” James asked.
“It is, beta wolf. It is. May I suggest a rest before heading out? You have been walking a long time, some of you for longer.”
“Half an hour okay with everyone?” Miko suggested.
We all agreed that was fine.
I just wanted to be out of these tunnels.
“What about you two?” Cate asked the vampires.
“We can track you from the dark,” Daria answered. “We will reunite in the moonlight.”
I looked back at the way we’d come, constantly fearful of the ease of this journey. No zombies, no Lance. Nothing.
Were we being watched from the dark? Wouldn’t the wolves or the vampires pick up on any stalkers?
Of course they would!
That wasn’t reassuring. Not in the slightest.