Healer’s Redemption (Healer’s #4)

Chapter One

Sherese

I slip inside the house, feeling bad about what I’m about to do, but not bad enough. I pull open the sliding door silently. “Are you naked?” I call out. I know Bryce will already know I’m here. He would have known as soon as I entered the house.

“No,” I hear Ava call out.

“Good.” I step out onto the back patio. “Sorry. I know this is terrible timing. But I need to talk to you before—”

A certain annoying wolf bellows my name from inside the house. “Sherese!”

“Before that…” I say flatly. Hunter steps out onto the patio next to me, and I don’t look at him.

“We’ll be inside in just a minute,” Bryce, the alpha of the Phoenix Pack, calls out from where he and Ava are hanging out in the pool.

I step back inside, and Hunter follows me silently.

I cross my arms and lean against the kitchen counter while I wait for the alpha and his mate and my friend, Ava.

Tonight was their public mating ceremony, even though they’ve been mated for a little bit.

It’s terrible timing to be here tonight, but it can’t wait.

Restlessness builds inside me, but I don’t move a muscle.

I certainly don’t let it reflect on my face.

I didn’t survive a seven-year captivity with the vampires by being emotional.

No, any emotion I used to have has been completely wiped away, along with my humanity.

Ava and Bryce take longer to come inside than I thought they would.

Of course, I should be happy they’re willing to meet at all tonight.

I can’t find it in me to feel bad about bothering them. This is too important.

My eyes track Hunter, the broody pack enforcer assigned to guard me and make sure I’m not a threat to the pack. He stops a few feet from me. “What part of don’t go anywhere without me don’t you get?”

I cock an eyebrow, knowing it drives him crazy.

“Worried I was going to drain somebody between the party and here?” His expression doesn’t change; he looks irritated.

That’s a pretty standard look for him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the uptight, muscular enforcer smile. I’ve definitely never seen him relax.

“You know why.”

I grin at him. “I didn’t know you worried about me so much, Wolf.”

“It’s not you I’m worried about, Vampire.”

His words have their intended impact, but I refuse to let them bother me. “Guess you need to be faster,” I taunt. His eyes narrow, and I know that my words now found their mark.

A muscle jumps in his jaw, a sure way of knowing that I’ve annoyed him.

After living with him for several weeks, I know that about him.

It’s become my favorite pastime to see how many times I can make it happen in a twenty-four-hour period.

Is it sad that my pastime consists of seeing how often I can annoy another human?

Yes. Am I going to stop? Absolutely not.

It’s pretty much the only thing I have to look forward to right now.

Well, that’s not exactly true. I also look forward to the hours I get to spend with Ava.

I hadn’t realized how starved for human interaction I’d been until Ava had dropped into my world, the vampire compound.

I hate what she went through, but it was a bright spot for me.

Having her there in that dark, ugly world was like a gift.

I’ll probably never be able to express how much she helped me to survive.

I’d almost given up before she got there.

When I catch the direction of my thoughts, I automatically block them.

I never allow myself to think about my time with the vampires.

Which is why tonight is such a big deal.

I refuse to appear anxious while I wait, but I’m beginning to wonder if Ava and Bryce will ever come inside.

Finally, I hear the sliding door move. I turn, conscious of trying to keep my movements slow.

It’s taken practice over the last several weeks to make myself appear more human.

I’m used to doing everything at speed, but I’m working on trying to not appear quite so.

..vampirish. Ava grins up at something Bryce must have said, and I almost smile.

I’m so happy for her. She’s been through so much, and she deserves to be happy.

The alpha is good to her; that much is obvious.

Bryce stands behind my much shorter friend and wraps his arms around her middle. When his eyes land on me, his expression changes. It’s much cooler than the one he had for his mate just moments ago. “I suppose you have a really good reason for interrupting us tonight, of all nights.”

I don’t look away from his direct gaze and refuse to feel bad. “Yes.” I don’t waste extra time and energy defending myself.

“And that is?” he pushes.

I meet Ava’s eyes for just a moment and feel my face soften.

She looks so happy and content, wrapped up in her alpha cocoon.

I almost hesitate with what I need to say, but when I remember what could happen to her and others, I push forward.

“Rizo was there tonight. At the party.” Bryce’s eyes harden.

Good. I continue to meet his penetrating stare. “How?”

His brows furrow. “How what?”

“How was he able to get in?” I ask. “I thought this was a secure pack.”

His eyes narrow dangerously. Good. “I don’t know how he got in, but it won’t happen again.” His words are cold.

“No, he won’t.” I don’t even think about the words I say next. “I’m going to go back.”

“What?” Ava pulls forward, breaking Bryce’s hold on her.

“What are you talking about?” Hunter growls.

I meet his gaze and cock an eyebrow. “Did you suddenly get hard of hearing? You heard me. I’m going back.”

“No, you’re not.” His eyes are hard, but I just ignore him and turn back to Ava.

“Sherese, you can’t go back there,” Ava says, taking another step forward.

I don’t let her words have any sway on my decision. I shrug. “Well, I am.”

“That’s...stupid and idiotic and honestly, the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” Ava sputters.

I snort a laugh. “No, it’s not.”

She crosses her arms, glaring at me. “Did you hit your head on the way over here?”

I roll my eyes at her drama. “No.”

“Then why are you talking about going back?”

“Listen, I didn’t come over here to ruin your night. I just came to say goodbye and thank you for everything. I—”

“No,” Ava cuts me off. “You’re not leaving.”

“Are you going to stop me?” We both know she can’t.

“No, but these guys can.”

I smirk. “No, they really can’t.” I hear a sound from Hunter, but I don’t even bother looking at him.

“Why?” Bryce’s question pierces the room. I was ready for that question.

I don’t look away from him when I answer him. “I don’t want to be here anymore. I want to go back.” There is no emotion in my voice when I say the words. I don’t miss the sharp intake from Ava, but I don’t look at her.

“I didn’t want to leave without saying thank you. And now I have.” I let my eyes drop to my friend for just a moment. “Take care of yourself.” I meet Bryce’s eyes. “If you don’t keep her safe, I will come find you.”

He doesn’t say anything; he just watches me.

Without another word to anybody, I walk over to the front door and let myself out.

The darkness settles around me, matching my mood.

I make the trip to Hunter’s in seconds using my vamp speed.

There are times when it’s particularly useful, like right now, when I don’t want to be here when a certain enforcer gets here.

I want to already be gone. If I’d thought ahead, I would have come here first and packed a bag.

But I was too focused on getting to Bryce and Ava’s.

Part of it was that I needed to make sure Ava was safe.

I also wanted to make sure Bryce’s head was screwed on straight; I needed to make sure he knew tonight was a huge security breach.

The enemy, the greatest enemy out there and a threat to everyone here, had somehow not only gotten on pack property but had been at the party.

If I had the capability, I would feel anger.

Instead, all I feel is emptiness, the same feeling I’ve been feeling for a long time.

I close the zipper on my bag and almost grin when I think of Hunter’s face when he realizes he’s missing half his wardrobe.

I don’t even feel bad about it. I’ve been here for weeks and still have nothing to wear but Hunter’s black shirts and black sweat pants.

It’s annoying, but I’ve never breathed a negative word about it.

I've rocked those clothes like I was on a red carpet runway. And now, they’re coming with me because I have no other clothes.

I’m going to need them at the facility. A shudder runs through me at the thought of going back.

I yank my bag a little harder than I intended and nearly pull the handle off.

I don’t look at the room I’ve been staying in one last time, and I don’t allow myself to think about the fact that I might never see my friend again.

If I do, I might not be able to do what I need to do, and that’s just not an option.

I keep all the lights off and make my way towards the front door. I’m just about to open the front door when I hear a voice. “Going somewhere?”

I scowl at being caught unawares. I don’t know how he always manages to sneak up on me.

Hunter is like a stupid cat. He just shows up without a sound and pounces.

I wish I had night vision like he did. If I did, I would have seen him in the dark.

If I had a wolf’s nose, I would have smelled him.

Sadly, I have neither. I have vampire speed and strength.

I’m faster than any of the wolves. I’m not stronger than them, but I can hold my own.

I face Hunter now. “Get out of my way, Hunter. I’m leaving. ”

“No, you’re not.”

“You can’t stop me, Hunter. You know that.”

I don’t hear him move, but when he speaks, his voice is closer.

“If you go back there, they’re just going to kill you.

You said so when you left.” He steps even closer.

I can see him now in the dark. For as tall as I am, he still has a few inches on me.

I lift my chin to meet his gaze. “You said when you chose the wolves, you could never go back. So, I’m curious, Sherese.

Are you looking to be put out of your misery?

I can just do it here. Save you the trip. ”

I scowl at him. “You’re a gem, Wolf.”

“And you’re a treasure, Vamp.”

“Well, this has been thrilling as it always is. I’m going to be leaving now, so if you’ll just get out of my way.” I cock my head to the side and smile, but I know it’s not a pretty smile. “Of course, if you don’t, I will have no problem making you. Actually, stay right there.”

“It’s cute that you think you can make me. At least I know you didn’t hit your head tonight; you’re just as delusional as you always are. So that begs the question,” he pauses. “Why are you acting even more delusional than usual?”

“I’m not delusional,” I tell him with all the patience in the world.

I can feel his hard stare, even in the dark. “Why do you think you want to go back?”

“I don’t think I want to go back. I want to go back.”

“Give me one good reason.” Before I can say anything, he adds, “One good reason that doesn’t have anything to do with thinking you’re helping everybody by leaving.”