Chapter Twenty – Wren
Chapter Twenty
Wren
I force my hands to stay steady as I reach for the vial of Crimson Haze.
“All I need is the feather of a phoenix. Not a whole feather, just a barb. So, a single feather can go a long way. I know phoenix feathers are rare, but trust me, this is worth it.”
Viktor’s eyes are fixed on me with the kind of intensity that probably makes most people squirm.
“You want to add it to the Crimson Haze? And what will happen if you do that?”
I place the vial back on the table and lean back against the couch, crossing my arms. The grin that spreads across my face is genuine because I know I have him hooked.
“Bring me a phoenix feather, and I’ll show you.”
Garrett chooses this moment to return carrying a thick envelope, and he hands it to me without a word.
I weigh it in my palm for a moment, feeling the heft of it, then I pull out the bills and start counting.
As my fingers move through the crisp paper, I let out an appreciative hum.
I know I’m supposed to care about the money.
That’s part of my cover, part of who Wren Hayes needs to be.
When I finish counting, I look at Viktor and incline my head.
“Thank you. That will do.”
For the first time tonight, confidence floods through me.
I did this. I walked into the viper’s den and not only survived but impressed the king of beasts himself.
Viktor listened to me, took my idea seriously, and now he’s curious.
I can feel the shift in power, the way he’s looking at me like I’m valuable, like I’m someone worth keeping around.
It feels good. It feels like I’ve got him wrapped around my little finger.
But Zeth’s voice cuts through my thoughts like ice water.
“You did great, but don’t get ahead of yourself. These people are snakes, not dragons. They’re not noble, they’re heinous, and you don’t know what they’re thinking.”
“I know. I’ve got this.”
Viktor snaps his fingers at Garrett, and when he has his attention, he says, “You heard her.”
Garrett’s brow furrows. “I’m sorry, I didn’t.”
“She needs a phoenix feather. You know where to find it, so go.”
Garrett pauses, thinking for a moment, and then he nods.
“I’ll be back in thirty minutes.”
“Acceptable.”
Thirty minutes. My mind starts working. That’s not enough time to go far, which means Garrett knows exactly where to find what I need.
Maybe Viktor keeps phoenix feathers stored somewhere close, maybe a personal safe or a secured location nearby.
The fact that he can get his hands on something this rare so quickly tells me more about his power and influence than anything else I’ve seen tonight.
Phoenix shifters are nearly extinct, their genes dying out with each generation.
For Viktor to have access to their feathers means he’s connected to people and resources that most criminals could only dream of.
Garrett turns to leave, and as he reaches the dragon’s maw entrance, a woman sweeps through it. She passes him with fluid grace, and her hand trails over his chest and shoulder in a gesture that’s both familiar and flirtatious. She winks at him.
“Always working, our Garrett. Enjoy yourself for a minute, will you?”
Garrett inclines his head respectfully and slips out without a word.
The woman approaches Viktor, and I take her in.
She’s in her seventies, close to Viktor’s age, with gray hair styled in an elegant bun.
Massive gold earrings catch the light as she moves, and her red dress flows around her thin frame.
A silk scarf drapes over her shoulders with casual elegance.
Her face is too smooth, too tight, speaking of extensive work done over years.
She moves like she owns this space, like everyone here exists in her orbit.
The moment my eyes focus on her, Zeth recoils inside me.
The reaction is so violent, so sudden, that my eyes widen before I can stop them. My breath catches in my throat as I feel him pulling at me, like he’s physically trying to drag me up from the couch and make me run. The urge to flee is visceral.
“What’s wrong? What’s happening?” I throw the thought at him desperately.
He growls in my head but doesn’t answer.
I can feel him retreating, pushing himself into some corner of my being, but his terror is palpable.
It radiates through every nerve, every muscle, every cell.
My heart starts hammering against my ribs so hard I’m afraid it might actually burst. The fight-or-flight response takes over my body, and I go rigid like a drawn bow.
I dig my nails into my palms, feeling the bite of pain, using it to anchor myself so I don’t do something insane. Like bolt from the room.
Roman, sitting close beside me, throws me a weird look. His eyes narrow slightly, studying my face.
I force a smile, but I know it’s weak and unconvincing. My face feels like a mask that doesn’t fit right.
He furrows his brows at me, and I feel sweat beginning to bead at my hairline. If Zeth doesn’t calm down right now, Roman is going to know something is wrong. He’s already suspicious.
“Whatever it is, you have to settle down. Please. You’re making me look insane.”
Zeth doesn’t reply. It’s like he’s pushed himself so far into a corner of my mind that he’s barely there, but his tension is everywhere.
It’s in my muscles, my breathing, my racing pulse, and I realize with horror that he’s not just scared.
He’s having a full panic attack, and his panic is becoming mine.
The woman leans over the table, completely oblivious to the crisis happening inside me, and extends her hand toward me. Her nails are perfectly manicured, painted a deep red that matches her dress.
“Hello, darling. My name is Olivia Kyzer. Lovely to meet you.”
I stare at her hand. I know I have to shake it. Refusing would be rude, it would raise questions and possibly blow everything I’ve worked for. But Zeth refuses to let my hand move. My arm stays locked at my side like it’s been bolted there.
I have to fight him. I have to override his panic with sheer force of will. I strain against him and slowly, painfully, I manage to raise my trembling hand. I touch Olivia’s fingers in the briefest possible contact, barely a shake at all, and then I pull back.
She seems pleased anyway, and settles onto the couch next to Viktor, her arm sliding around his. She looks between me and Roman with calculating eyes.
“Finally settling down, Romy?”
Roman laughs, and Viktor grins as he shakes his head.
“My love, you’ll have to give up on that idea. Hell will freeze over before Roman settles for a woman. This is our new chemist, Wren Hayes.”
Olivia’s expression shifts.
“Oh. Wonderful news.” She strokes Viktor’s cheek with obvious affection. “But you shouldn’t be working on your birthday, love. Does business never end?”
Viktor looks at her with such adoration that it almost seems out of place in this den of criminals.
“This business in particular? No, it never ends.”
Olivia gives him a peck on the lips, and inside me, Zeth shrinks even further.
I feel him curling in on himself like he’s about to be sick.
My skin tingles with a strange, electric sensation, and panic spikes through me.
I’m terrified he’s going to lose control and pour out of me right here, in front of everyone.
I stand up carefully, trying to keep my movements smooth and natural. I look at Roman.
“You’ll have to excuse me for a minute. Can you tell me where the bathroom is?”
Roman gets up with me and places his hand on my lower back. The touch makes my skin crawl, but I don’t pull away. I bite the inside of my cheek and let him guide me.
“I’ll show you,” he says.
He leads me through the dragon’s maw and down a dim hallway. The music from the club below is a distant throb. He stops at a door and gestures to it.
“Are you going to just stand here and wait?” I ask.
“Yes. You’re my gift to my father and I’m not letting you out of my sight. There’s something weird about you tonight. I don’t know what it is, but I’ll figure it out.”
I give him a dismissive look, trying to project irritation instead of the terror that’s coursing through me.
Roman narrows his eyes, and his voice drops.
“Don’t disappoint me, Wren, or there will be consequences.”
I turn away from him without responding and push into the bathroom. The second the door closes behind me, I rush to an empty stall and lock it, leaning with my back against the door. I’m panting like I’ve just run a marathon.
“What’s going on? You’re making my heart go so fast that I’m starting to worry about a heart attack.”
Zeth is panting with me, and I realize that all these physical reactions aren’t mine at all. They’re his. My racing heart, my trembling hands, the sweat on my skin – it’s all him.
“Olivia,” he chokes out. “It’s her.”
“What? Do you know her?”
“I used to. A long time ago.”
His voice sounds hollow. I only have a few minutes before Roman gets suspicious, but I have no idea how to help Zeth when I don’t know what I’m dealing with. Whatever happened between him and Olivia, it’s bad enough to shatter his control.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?”
The silence stretches for several heartbeats.
“No.”
I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to think through his panic.
“All right. I can respect your wish, but Zeth... you have to help me here. I can’t have a panic attack in front of the Kyzers.
Can you hang on for me tonight? Just another hour or two, and then we’ll be free of them.
He paid me handsomely. We’ll go to a nice hotel, unmerge and talk about it.
If you want to. If not, I’ll just be there for you, I promise. But right now, I really need you to–”
“Yes, I will behave. I’m sorry I put you in this position.”
I feel him dragging a deep breath in, and it forces my lungs to expand as well. We’re breathing together.