Chapter 12 Zera #3
The potential breakthrough the everfrost blossom could bring once she extracted its properties and studied its elements excited her. She knew it could be the precursor for her plans to create a synthetic pixie-dust drug, which would ultimately save her people from being hunted.
But this was the second attempt, and if it failed, she had only one remaining seed, one final chance to extract its elements. No pressure, she reminded herself as she carefully watered the plant and monitored its growth. She couldn’t afford to make any mistakes this time.
The last time, she had gotten too excited and added too much fertilizer, causing the plant to wilt and die. It had been a painful lesson to learn but one that taught her the importance of patience and precision in her work.
As she continued observing the everfrost blossom’s progress, she couldn’t help but think about the staff and all the secrets Maverick was keeping from her.
She couldn’t help but feel a growing resentment toward him.
Despite everything he’d done for her and her son, all that he continued to do, he’d kept vital information from her and put their partnership in jeopardy.
The weight of their secrets and the tension between them left her feeling emotionally drained.
Checking the time on her faestone, Zera realized it was six p.m. in Pixie Hollow—time for her daily call with Cole before Jade tucked him into his crib.
Eager for a brief respite from the tension and unanswered questions swirling in her mind, Zera stepped away from the terrarium and the makeshift lab that took up most of the space next to the bed. She clicked her sister’s image.
“Hey, Zera,” Jade’s voice came through the faestone, warm and familiar. “How’s everything going?”
“Could be better,” Zera admitted, forcing a smile that turned genuine as soon as Cole’s face appeared on the quartz screen.
Her heart swelled at the sight of her son, his lavender eyes bright and curious even through the small screen.
It never failed to amaze her how much love she felt for him and how seeing his face could momentarily chase away her frustrations and concerns.
“Mama!” Cole exclaimed, his little voice bringing moisture to her eyes.
“Oh, baby! How I’ve missed you,” Zera cooed, dabbing her eyelids.
Jade held the faestone up to Cole as she caught Zera up on his day—how he ate, napped, and all the things.
She was amazing like that. Zera listened intently, taking it all in.
She tried to ignore the ache it caused in her chest. She missed the normalcy and business of life with a little one.
She couldn’t wait to get back. To put all of this mess with Maverick, Gareth, and the rest of it behind her. She wasn’t made for the spy life.
“Any new updates on when we’ll be able to go back to Havenwood?” Jade asked when Zera said good night to Cole before Sloane took him for a bath.
“No.” Zera paced back and forth in the spacious bedroom, gazing out of the window that showcased the city skyline to the south and the opposite window that overlooked the penthouse’s balcony to the north.
“And what about finding Gareth?” Jade prodded, her voice laced with concern.
Zera’s pacing came to a halt as she caught sight of Maverick on the balcony. He stood there, engaged in some conversation on his faestone, his expression tense and focused. Zera sighed before answering her sister.
“Things aren’t going well, Jade,” she confessed. “We haven’t been able to find many contacts. The one promising lead we had took us to that fancy gala, but Gareth wasn’t there, and no one was willing to give him up. It’s like someone’s paid everyone off.”
“But I thought the last job Maverick took shut him down? Where would he have gotten the money?”
Zera shrugged. “He has to be bankrolled by someone new. Maybe it’s them, whoever they are. I think it’s this guy named Kraven, though.”
Jade frowned. “Who’s that?”
“This very powerful, very evil fae I never want to cross paths with again.” She shuddered at how easily he’d manipulated her at the gala.
The way he’d slithered into her mind like a snake.
She never wanted to be that close to death again.
Not even if she had the Whisper’s staff, which reminded her of her current issue with the arrogant wolf who was keeping secrets from her.
She clenched her fists, trying to push away the nagging feeling of betrayal.
“What else is wrong?” Jade asked, sensing a change in her tone.
Zera closed her eyes for a moment before replying. “It’s Maverick. I found out he’s not just a Lunar Brotherhood wolf, but he’s of the alpha bloodline.”
Jade’s eyes widened for a moment as realization set in. “Wow, that… explains a lot. But are you really that surprised? I mean, it’d explain how he was able to leave the pack. They’re not beholden to the pack the way betas and the rest of them are.”
“True.” Zera took a moment to gather her thoughts, her gaze still fixed on Maverick as she absently ran a hand through her ponytail of thick waves.
Not knowing how much she should share, she decided against bringing up the Whisper’s staff to Jade, who’d probably think she was crazy anyway. However, Zera still had a lingering suspicion that the staff was somehow connected to Maverick’s evasive behavior about the deepening bond they shared.
“You know, Jade, I’m starting to think that maybe he’s keeping things from me on purpose, that he might have a hidden agenda.”
Jade was silent for a moment before she responded. “Maybe he does. But to be honest, he’s proven to be trustworthy when it comes to your safety. Hasn’t he?”
“Yes, he has,” Zera agreed. “It just bothers me that he’s keeping things from me. It feels like he’s not being entirely honest about everything, which makes it hard to trust him.”
“Well, maybe you need to confront him again. If you two are going to work together effectively and beat this Gareth guy once and for all, there needs to be trust between you.”
Zera nodded, knowing Jade was right. But for now, she decided to put that conversation on hold. It was late, and she didn’t have the energy for it.
“I’ll give it a try. Good night, Jade. Give Cole a kiss for me,” Zera said, forcing a smile.
“Will do. Good night.”
After hanging up, Zera changed into something more comfortable and headed downstairs for dinner.
Maverick had prepared the meal, setting the table with candles and fine dishes.
It would have been romantic if not for the secrets he kept and the connection he avoided.
The tension was palpable as they ate in silence, occasionally brushing against each other as they reached for the various dishes.
The accidental touches sent sparks of electricity through Zera’s body, hinting at the sexual tension between them. But her anger toward Maverick prevented her from giving in to the desire that simmered beneath the surface.
When dinner was finished, Zera retreated to her bedroom, feeling restless and agitated. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Maverick was hiding something important from her, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep until she confronted him about it.
As Zera lay in bed, she vowed to herself that tomorrow would be the day she demanded answers from Maverick.
About everything. She wouldn’t let their growing connection be overshadowed by secrets and mistrust any longer.
With that resolution in mind, Zera closed her eyes, hoping sleep would come and bring her some peace before the confrontation that awaited her.
Sleep came slowly but eventually wrapped her in soft, flickering light.
Candles filled every inch of the penthouse living room surrounding the training mat.
She stood in its center, dressed in her leathers and strapped with every weapon imaginable humming against her skin, ready to be called to the surface.
“Turn around,” Maverick ordered.
She obeyed to find Maverick towering in front of the wall of windows, the candlelight reflecting off the glass behind his tanned, chiseled chest. His stormy eyes pierced right through her as he stepped closer, his muscles rippling with each movement.
She sucked in a breath as the scents of his sweat mixed with worn leather and oak engulfed her senses.
It brought back memories of their first meeting and the stolen moments of pleasure that had followed in the parking garage, fueled by toxic adrenaline following their near-death escape from the restaurant and Gareth’s men.
She hesitated, her heart pounding and her breaths coming out shallow. She could feel the heat of Maverick’s gaze on her, as if he was searching for answers she didn’t have. But the truth was, she didn’t want to hide anything from him. She only wished he would open up to her in the same way.
“Zera,” he whispered. Even the way he spoke her name made her unravel at the seams. “Trust me, I want to tell you… need to tell you everything.”
“Then why don’t you?” she asked, her voice echoing, acutely aware she was still dreaming but not wanting it to end.
His hands were at her waist in an instant, pressing her flush against his rock-hard body, and she couldn’t resist tangling her hands in his hair. Their gazes locked, and time seemed to stand still. Maverick’s eyes held a hunger that matched her own, a desire to be closer.
“Because I’m afraid of this.” His hot breath against her ear sent her eyelids fluttering. “Of what we might become if we give in to this bond between us.”
His grip loosened against her waist, as if to let her go, but her grip tightened against his shoulders in desperation. She needed this—his closeness, his tanned skin pressed against hers. Then his mouth lowered to her neck, tasting her with a soft tenderness that left her breathless.
With a swift movement, he swept her off her feet and lowered her to the mat. He hovered above her for a moment, his gaze delving into hers, as if looking for consent. She pulled him down hard against her.
“No more distance,” she said, gasping as she felt him hard against her.
His growl vibrated through her core as arousal flickered in his eyes, and then his lips were on hers, sending her toes curling.
His lips were warm and tender as they caressed hers with surprising gentleness, his hands tracing down her sides in a smooth motion, stirring up goose bumps.
Her lips moved in perfect sync with his.
The scent of his skin mingling with the smell of leather and an old-fashioned cocktail drove her insane with want.
Her body arched underneath his weight, inviting him to take more control.
But he didn’t. Instead, he continued to tease her lips and neck.
She moaned softly against his mouth, longing for him to continue but also wanting more.
Her mind was filled with questions about the Whisper’s staff, their mission, and their connection.
She needed answers, but he wanted this more.
His fingers explored farther south to her hips, where they caressed her gently as he sucked lightly on the sensitive skin between earlobe and neck.
Her legs wound around his waist instinctively as she pulled him closer once again—craving his touch even more now that he had given her a taste of what was possible between them. Even in a dream.
“Please,” she whispered against his lips while arching into him once more.
She wanted all of him right there on the mat beneath the flickering candles that surrounded them both, making everything glow golden in the night skyline outside the windows that lined the north wall of the living room.
“Again,” he commanded her, and they were standing on the mat, their bodies too far from each other. She blinked, her mind trying to catch up with the sudden change. Her body was still coiled tightly from the lingering passion.
What had he asked?
Then something cool and familiar materialized right into her palm.
The Whisper’s staff. No, this couldn’t be happening.
She didn’t want it. She looked back up at Maverick in desperation as they circled each other like predators ready to pounce.
Zera’s heart raced with panic as he closed the distance between them.
“Do it again,” he ordered. The hilt of the blade pressed against his bare chest so hard blood should’ve trickled out. This time, it was aimed directly at his heart.
Tears stung her eyes as she struggled to balance her desire for Maverick and comprehend the situation.
Her heart screamed for him to stop this.
She didn’t want this weapon. Despite the familiar power it contained, it wasn’t hers.
Deep down, she knew it too. There was something dark and hideous that lived within that thing, and in that moment, she knew it wanted to kill Maverick.
But it was just a dream. She gulped air in desperate bursts. Just a dream.
“A breath for a breath,” Maverick hissed, but it wasn’t his voice. It was the Whisper, and with a gush of wind, all the candles flickered out.
Zera shot upright, and the dream vanished as she woke up back in her bed, the Whisper’s staff in hand.