Chapter 10
JUDGE
Ifucking hate this place.
Even I feel something in my chest tighten when we near the massive contraption. If the Vatican was the holy house of Catholics, then the Witch Doctor is our pope, and this is her temple.
Gnash snorts behind me, his massive tongue licking his nose.
A few drops of my blood hit the dirt, having used the card that Rust has.
The warrog's hackles are raised, his massive body coiled and ready.
Even he knows this place is wrong. “You can ride my bike,” I say, placing the keys to Widow in the seat.
“You’re desperate,” Rust says, standing on the other side of Gnash.
“No shit,” I reply. “It’s already bad enough you were right on top of her.”
“Listen, you’re just as pissed as I am. That shit hasn’t ever happened before.” Rust pets the beast.
“That’s why you’re getting the bike. So if they try to use her to shroud Diana, it won’t deter you.”
I’m only about fifty feet from the station where the bus will arrive, standing far away as I wait to see it in the distance.
We closed in about a half before after as the bus drove off, and I know better than to send Slash ahead of time to demand the bus waits.
They obey her out here. I glance up when I hear a hawk overhead—she’s watching, and I’m sure Beast is through her as well.
I throw a hood over my head and lift the bandana around my nose.
He tips his hat to me. “Can do, brother. Send the hawk when you get a chance.”
Rust had shared what happened, and told me that all he could do was trail the women and ensure they were at the bare minimum safe, until at some point Gnash collapsed and writhed on the ground for over an hour, then recovered as if nothing happened.
Rust was stuck in the woods with him, and I only learned of this when Slash eventually reached me.
I don’t comprehend the logistics of it all, but this reeks of the witch. That crafty cunt is doing her work on this, somehow, someway, and I know it.
I walk toward the station as I can see the bus faintly in the distance, my heart racing with rage and adrenaline, glaring at the metal castle on legs that’s just slightly behind.
I swear to every fucking deity that’s ever existed that if I get on there, and Diana is hurt in any way… I will rape their soul.
I’m even more on edge as I wait, a few gusts of wind picking up the tail of my coat.
This isn’t happening fast enough. I’m given ample space as I wait, one station ahead of where Diana had gotten on from, and no one comes near me.
When the purple transport finally rolls up, the conductor of the bus opens the door and recoils when he sees me glaring at him.
I present the card then slide it into the pocket of my cloak as I board, standing near the front as others very cautiously get on.
My heart is racing once it gets moving again, and I can’t take my gaze off of the Mirage, trying to feel Diana out. All I sense is her anger, frustration, and even despair. It’s worse than yesterday.
I don’t even know if I blink as I stare at it.
When the bus connects to the platform, I finally move with purpose. I get on before it’s even latched, and don’t wait for the rest, and start climbing the ladder that they use if it breaks.
I only pause for a moment for the Veilman at the entrance before stepping deeper onto the Mirage.
Omega scent soaks into the walls, the curtains, the floors, the fucking air.
This place is a hive for them. Layer upon layer of omega scent, all blended together into something overwhelming, confusing, disorienting.
So many come here to strip themselves bare. Or to live in service to the Witch Doctor.
Scorch was until she left for the sake of family, or so she claims.
Then I swear I smell her—just a thread, just a whisper beneath all the noise—and my body lights up like I've been struck by lightning. Every nerve fires at once. My heart slams against my ribs. My hands curl into fists without my permission.
Fuck. How far away is she? What are they doing to her? Is she hurt? Is she scared? Is she letting some stranger put their hands on her, trying to cut away what's mine?
My jaw tightens so hard my teeth hurt.
Every second matters. Her energy is faint, buried under layers of auras and scents and noises, but she's here. The Mirage muddies the bond, twists it, smothers it like something wrapped in a wet cloth and shoved underwater. I bet that’s from her doing. I feel like I'm choking on my own instincts.
If the Mirage thinks it can hide my mate from me, it's wrong.
It’s so fucking wrong.
Every lantern seems to flicker with its own heartbeat. The silk-draped walls breathe in and out as if the Mirage itself is watching me walk deeper into its ribs.
I've strutted into enemy territory before. I've cleared buildings full of armed men who wanted me dead. I've stared down alphas bigger than my size and watched them blink first.
But this place is different. My training won’t save me here, only obedience to the laws of this living city will, and I fucking hate bowing to anyone.
A whisper curls from a doorway as I pass, soft and sinuous. “Alpha..."
I ignore it.
I've had omegas throw themselves at me my entire adult life. Beautiful ones, desperate ones, calculating ones who thought spreading their legs would buy them power, protection, or a place at my side. I’ve taken what I wanted and when I wanted it.
Dominion demanded my restraint to avoid disruptions.
But none of them were Diana.
None of them smelled like mine.
None of them looked at me like I was a monster and a miracle in the same breath, like they hated me yet wanted me and couldn't decide which feeling was worse, and the way it felt to see her choose me was the best victory I’ve ever fought for.
Her aura drags against mine like a magnet resisting separation.
I'm not used to this. Not used to people challenging me so openly, so persistently. Not used to explaining myself. I give orders; people follow them. I make decisions; they get executed.
But Diana doesn't follow orders. Diana questions everything. Diana looks at me with those sharp eyes and sees right through every wall I've built, and instead of being intimidated, she gets angry.
How do I explain to her what I'm trying to do?
That the only reason she's alive right now is because I've been three steps ahead of Titan for months, sacrificing pieces on the board she doesn't even know exist? Roxy is one of them, and nothing more.
That… that for a moment, I was selfish. I didn’t want to risk Diana’s happiness by telling her of Roxy.
The attic was supposed to take care of that secret.
How do I explain that to keep her safe, Titan must die, and that it might likely kill me?
That I wanted to enjoy some time and peace with her while I had it…
I can't give her that burden. Can't make her complicit in the blood I'm going to spill. Can't watch her face when she realizes the lengths I'm willing to go, the things I'm willing to do, the person I have to be to keep her breathing, and how short-lived this could be.
She already thinks I'm a monster.
If I tell her any of that, she won’t give me her heart so perfectly like she had started to. It will hurt her to know she will likely lose me. I just want a taste of it before I might leave this world… just once.
The bond flares again, sharp and desperate, and I know I'm close. I take the stairs two at a time, descending into the dark, the bond burning in my chest like a beacon. Wherever she is, it’s not with the Witch Doctor, which is more concerning.
I’m coming for her.