Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
Marissa’s look of shock as I tackled her to the asphalt sent a flood of glee through my belly. The sensation was sweetened when her fear hit the air as I locked my jaws around her throat.
“You sneaky bitch.” Her nails scraped over my side, trying to get past my thick fur to wound me.
Mina stumbled away as a string of curses burst out of her. Clearly, my transformation caught them off guard.
Not only could I shift, but I did it with a quickness and ease they couldn’t. They also didn’t have deadly sickle claws or spikes on their knuckles.
Fane closed the distance between us and kneeled next to me. “Teague, don’t kill her.”
“Why not?” My saliva dripped all over her throat as I held back from sinking my teeth into her flesh. “She deserves it.”
Marissa struggled beneath me, attempting to shift to gain the upper hand. Fur sprouted along her arms, and her voice deepened, but it would still take her longer to transform than it would for me to snap her neck.
“I told you not to antagonize her,” Mina mumbled. She turned to Fane and showed her palms. “I have nothing against Tate. She saved my brother’s life.”
If looks could kill, Mina would be six feet under from the glare Marissa gave her before returning her attention to me. “Get off me, you freak.”
“Remind me why I shouldn’t kill her, Maverick.”
He jammed his hand through his hair, shaking his head. “Keep your mouth shut, Marissa, unless you really want Tate to rip your throat out. She hasn’t done it, because I asked her not to, but keep insulting her, and I won’t be so nice.”
“Holy shit!”
I groaned as Hawk jogged in our direction. Was everyone just out for a run at six in the morning? His scent lingered in the air, mixed with sweat and a little of Marissa’s fear.
Fane grumbled when Hawk stopped beside him. “Must your ex-boyfriend stay here?”
“He’s not my ex-boyfriend, and you’re the one who invited him.”
“Why is Tate trying to kill your ex-fated, Fane?” Hawk’s brows slammed together. “You didn’t do anything stupid, did you?”
Fane glowered. “I’m not a cheater, dick.”
Hawk noticed Mina, who stood a foot away, and that charming, boyish smile parted his lips. “I’m not a cheater either.” He winked. “I’m Hawk. What’s your name?”
She scoffed and flicked long strands of hair behind her shoulder. “You can’t handle me, raven.”
His brown eyes melted into dark honey. “Give me a chance to prove you wrong, gorgeous.”
“Oh my gods!” Marissa screeched. “You two are flirting while this psycho is contemplating my murder.”
Some of the fury had drained from my body, and I released her neck. “You should thank your lucky stars you’re not mated to her, Maverick.”
Relief pulsated through Fane as he rested his hand on my back. “I do every day, fiera mika.”
Now that I’d released her, Marissa scrambled away, wiping my spit from her skin with a scowl. “I’m telling my father about this.”
“I don’t think he’ll care, Ris.” Mina extended her hand to help her friend up. “In fact, I’m pretty sure he’ll be pissed at you for starting trouble. You’ve been doing it for over a year now. Get your shit together.”
Her bottom lip trembled, and genuine tears filled her eyes as she turned to Fane. “Am I being punished?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Punished for what?”
“For rejecting you.”
She angrily swiped at a few tears that ran down her cheeks. “All of these bad things keep happening to me. Is the universe or the gods angry I rejected my chosen mate?”
Fane released a long, tired sigh, his hand still on my back, absentmindedly caressing my fur. “Bad things keep happening because you’re causing them, Marissa. You tried to kill Tate, and you chose to throw your mate under the bus for it. Your bad luck is a result of your choices. Nothing else.”
Her gaze swiveled from Fane to me, something ominous brewing in its intensity. “I wish you never brought her here.” She stormed past us, leaving behind a trail of fear, regret, and anger.
Hawk bounced on the balls of his feet, his dark blond hair flopping over his forehead. “So, how about that name?”
Mina flipped him off as she walked backward. “Not a chance, bird boy.”
As she jogged to her two-story house with white siding and black shutters, Hawk grinned.
“Challenge accepted.” He spun toward us. “What’s her name?”
Fane stood, rolling his shoulders. “She’ll eat you alive.”
“I’m sure I’ll taste delicious.” He curled his fingers at the demon shifter. “Can I get her name?”
“Mina,” Fane said.
Hawk repeated the name, letting it slowly roll off his tongue. “Hawk and Mina.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Fane grabbed my boots, hoodie, and the tattered scraps of my clothes. “As long as you’re not pining after Tate, I don’t care who you chase.”
A warm feeling swelled through my chest. It was good to see Hawk coming back to himself. He could never resist a pretty girl, but I was surprised he’d pursue a shifter. Coltrane would disown him if she knew.
Hateful bitch.
Hopefully, the ravens kept her locked up and far away from her nephew so she couldn’t hurt him with her toxic bullshit.
I moved a piece of roasted meat around my plate, my stomach queasy even though it smelled divine. Everything Nora cooked was amazing. Too bad my appetite didn’t care.
The Anders, Fane, and I sat around the huge table in front of the windows overlooking the backyard, poking fun at Preston over his latest dating disaster. Maybe he’d learn his lesson and stop romancing multiple girls at a time.
“How was I supposed to know they were sisters?” He tossed his hands in the air. “They didn’t even look alike. One had brown hair, while the other had red.”
Nora shook her head and covered her face as if she couldn’t bear to look at her eldest. “It’s called hair dye, son.”
Dylan grimaced. “Even I’m not that dumb.”
Their laughter and chatter became distant as the gleaming white kitchen slowly vanished and gray brick walls rose up around me…
I sprinted down an alley, darkness coating the exit.
But facing the unknown was better than letting the things creeping behind ensnare me.
My breath rapidly fogged in the air while my pulse thundered in my ears. Sweat made my jeans and sweatshirt stick to my flesh.
As I glanced over my shoulder, shadows coiled across the walls as they closed in.
Shit!
I forced my legs to work harder and finally emerged from the alley, turning onto another desolate street. You’d think someone would still be outside in a big city at this hour, but not a soul remained.
Maybe they sensed the danger on the horizon and scurried inside like I should have. Or maybe the monsters chasing me had forced everyone to take cover in their homes.
Why the hell had I fallen for their tricks? I should have known better than to believe she was out here, calling to me.
Low growls echoed behind me, shooting another dose of fear through my bloodstream. I spun around a corner, my sneakers skidding on a slick flyer, and grabbed the light pole to keep from slamming into the sidewalk. My thick gold watch shone under the yellow glow from the buzzing bulb…
The heart-pounding scene melted away, and as the Anderses’ kitchen returned, I focused on my hand clutching the fork so tightly I wouldn’t be surprised if I bent the metal. My nostrils flared, and a bead of cold sweat leaked down my nape.
What the ever-loving hell?
Oblivious to my little trip, the Anders were still laughing at Preston’s idiocy, his cheeks flushing but a broad smile curving his mouth.
Fane’s hand reached under the table and landed on my thigh. “What’s wrong?”
Of course he noticed.
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
What would he think if I told him I was hallucinating or having visions, each one soaked in terror?
Once again, I experienced the vision as if it was happening to me, but that person wasn’t me. The hand that had grabbed the light pole was way too big and masculine to be mine, and the large watch was definitely a guy’s.
The demon shifter arched an eyebrow. “Your heart is racing, and fear poured off you a second ago. Plus, you’re not eating.”
“Yes, I am.” I grabbed the bottle of hot sauce, doused my potatoes, and shoved a bite in my mouth. “See.” Chewing and swallowing it took forever, and I reached for my lemonade.
The demon shifter looked less than convinced, but he returned his attention to his own plate. While everyone continued to chatter, I resisted the urge to rub my temples as a headache formed behind my eyes.
Was I hallucinating fearful scenes as a side effect of losing the Infernal Sol?
If only I’d been able to grab the amulet before my douche of a father, I wouldn’t be feeling like shit right now.
Of course, I’d still have a dangerous amulet attempting to suck my humanity dry and drive me nuts. Having the thing removed was for the best, but I couldn’t shake the longing to get my hands on it.
What if demons came after Dylan again and I wasn’t strong enough to save him—just like Jayla? I’d never forgive myself if something happened to him.
I stabbed a carrot with my fork and nibbled on the end so I could at least appear to be eating.
Why did I miss that damn power so much? It was evil. It made me do horrible things. I’d wanted to suck the soul out of anyone, nightworlder and human. The Infernal Sol was bad.
But you loved it.
I almost dropped my fork as the ominous voice swirled into my mind. My pulse rose, and I had to work hard to regulate my breathing. Did I imagine that? The Infernal Sol was no longer inside of me, so how could I hear its voice?
Was I hallucinating?
I shoved the carrot into my mouth, chewing vigorously.
Don’t ignore me. I know you want me back. You miss that power, don’t you?
As I sucked air sharply, a piece of carrot lodged in my throat, and I started coughing, catching the whole table’s attention.
If you still had me, you wouldn’t be choking on your food or feeling sick. You’d be strong. Unstoppable.
Fane slammed his fist into my back to help clear my airways, and I was finally able to breathe again.
“Thanks,” I muttered, my face hot as everyone stared. “I’m fine. Just forgot I can’t breathe and swallow at the same time.” I gave a dry laugh.
My bullshit lies didn’t fool Fane. He studied me with those mismatched eyes, trying to see the truth hidden behind my exterior.
“What’s wrong?” he asked through our mental link. “Don’t say nothing because I can tell you’re not fine.”
As I chugged my lemonade, I tried to ignore the whispers twisting through my mind, taunting me.
Come find me, Tate. Don’t you want to reunite us? Don’t you miss me?
“I’m just tired,” I lied. “Am I not allowed to accidentally choke? People do it all the time. Sorry I’m not as perfect as you.”
A low growl built in his chest. “Stop deflecting, Teague.”
I set my lemonade down and abruptly stood with my plate. “I’ll finish eating this later.”
A dribble of sweat ran down my nape, and more began to form along my hairline. If I didn’t get out of the kitchen soon, I wouldn’t be able to hold my shit together. I marched to the center island and grabbed the aluminum foil to wrap my plate, my hands trembling.
“No problem, honey,” Nora said. “Just leave it right there, and I’ll take care of it.”
“I got it.” I gave a forced smile and finished tucking the sheet around my plate, avoiding Fane’s gaze.
Once finished, I trekked toward the front door on unsteady legs, and cold air hit my heated skin as I stepped out on the porch.
Tremors ran the length of my body. Faint whispers coiled through my mind, tempting me to hunt Barric down, but I had no idea where to look.
And finding my father could possibly result in my death. He’d almost torn my throat out in Ruin’s lab and would have if Fane hadn’t interrupted.
Feeling antsy, I bolted off the porch and marched down the road, needing to rid myself of these urges and the remnants of that vision.
What the hell was happening to me?
I had no idea how much time had passed as I walked through the neighborhood, the stars twinkling in the pitch sky. The cold winter air wasn’t as biting as it used to be now that I was a shifter.
When I entered the woods, dead pine needles and leaves crunched beneath my boots. Scents of animals and other shifters permeated the air, and I crossed paths with a few wolves and one fox.
Fane’s presence eventually tickled the tattoo on my neck, and faint pulses radiated down the ones on my arm and my hand.
“Can’t you give me some time alone, Maverick?” I sighed. “I’m not going to do anything crazy.”
He gave a skeptical hum. “How am I supposed to know what you plan to do since you keep lying to me?”
I stopped and leaned my hand on a tree trunk, the rough bark digging into my palm. “I just need some air. That’s all. I’m f?—”
“If you say you’re fine one more time, I’m going to knock you out and take you to the healers to find out what’s really going on.”
“And as soon as I woke up, I’d break your nose.”
“My nose will heal.”
Had he always been this insufferable?
Yes, he had.
The bastard wouldn’t leave me alone until I told him the truth, at least enough to satisfy him. “I’m experiencing some side effects now that the amulet is gone. That’s all. I’ll get over it.”
“I know.”
Of course he did.
“If you knew, why did you keep pressing me about it?” I spun and leaned my back against the tree.
Fane stepped closer and flattened his hand on the trunk above my head, trapping me between him and the tree. “Because I wanted you to admit it. I can’t help you if you’re lying to me.”
“Who said I needed your help?” He was such a cocky bastard. What could he do anyway?
He scoffed and dragged his thumb over the tattoo on my neck, making me shudder. “Stop being so stubborn, Teague. What happens to you affects me and vice versa.”
My molars ground, and I ducked under his arm to slip away. “I’m so sorry if my struggle with the demon amulet is a burden to you. I never asked you to complete the mate bond. You did that all on your own.”
“Stop trying to piss me off so I’ll leave. It’s not happening.” He shortened the distance between us again until it was nonexistent and gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Tell me what else is going on. Something happened at the table.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Fane’s pupils began to thin. “Don’t make me torture it out of you.”
A sinister laugh slipped from my lips. “Oh, by all means, torture away, Maverick.” Didn’t he know I was addicted to his brand of torture?
His mouth flattened as he realized his mistake, and his hand fell from my face. “Just tell me, or I’ll end up visiting your dreams. I know how much you hate that.”
“You’re such an asshole,” I hissed.
“A concerned asshole.” He shrugged. “Blame it on the mate bond.”
I shoved him back—he let me—and stomped through the forest as he quietly followed. “I’ve been having hallucinations or visions or something.”
Fane flanked my side, keeping his strides short to remain with me. “Of what?”
“Being chased by unseen monsters.” I folded my arms and held back a shiver. “In one, I was strapped to a table in an altar room, surrounded by people in white masks.”
His brows slammed together. “And these aren’t memories?”
“Definitely not.” I stepped over a fallen, winter-bare branch, Fane’s steps completely silent compared to mine. “I’m not the one being tormented. I’m trapped in someone else’s body while it’s happening, experiencing everything, including their high levels of fear.”
The demon shifter rubbed the stubble on his jaw and flicked his lip piercing as he thought. “Maybe the Infernal Sol gave you the ability to tap into people’s fearful moments like what happened in your baby room at Silver Ridge. These visions could be coming from people’s darkest fears or nightmares.”
Great. As if my own nightmares weren’t bad enough.
“Anything’s possible with the Infernal Sol.” I didn’t mention the taunting voices I’d heard. I couldn’t stand for Fane to look at me with even more worry than he was now. “But I don’t have the amulet anymore. How could it?—”
Fane’s hand suddenly snapped out and grabbed my arm, halting my steps. His nostrils flared, and every one of his muscles tensed. “Do you smell that?”
My nose lifted in the air and wrinkled as the scent of blood and death registered. And this pungent odor didn’t come from any animal.