Black Bird (Nevermore Duet #1)

CHAPTER 9

THE SHROUDED TRUTH

Rhaena panted helplessly on the floor of the small closet, Athan’s silver ring hooked around the end of her claw and resting just where it could fit snugly against her skin. It had worked. While it didn’t stop her from shifting, it had at least weakened her enough not to thrash against the chains. She was slowly drifting into a place where she was forgetting about the pain in her body … the uncontrollable fury that had taken over after moonlight had spilled between the storm clouds and turned her into a monster. If the silver had done nothing else, it at least had her coherent enough to think a little clearer. Dawn would break soon. She recalled Athan telling her he had to leave, though she couldn’t remember why. Whatever it was, it had to be something important. He never left her on full moons. She only wished that she could help.

Her ears turned at the sound of rustling in the cabin and heavy footsteps thundering across the floor. She couldn’t move. If she was found by anyone who would expose her, she wouldn’t even have the strength to keep them quiet. Panic settled in and her heart ached. She couldn’t muster the strength to even turn her head to see who had walked into the room.

“Rhaena?” Athan’s voice soothed her pounding heart and she let her eyes close in relief. “Shit … should I take it off?” He knelt beside her, daring to get close enough to touch her. She huffed against the floor in warning, unsure of what could happen should he take that ring off. She opened her eyes as he leaned into the closet. “Can you move?” he asked, peering down at her. She tried to tell him with her eyes. “We’ve got a little over a half hour until you shift. You think you can make it?” She managed a slight nudge with her snout. Athan sank down and sat close to her, leaning his back against the closet doorway. “I’m taking the ring off just before dawn.” She closed her eyes again.

She must have drifted into sleep, somehow. Rhaena was jolted awake by a rush of searing pain throughout her body, and she opened her eyes to find Athan tearing the curtains open, sunrise beginning to fill the world with balmy light. She roared, strings of saliva slinging all around her as she arched her spine, and her body excruciatingly began to surrender itself back to her human form. Bones crunched. Her head felt like it would explode. Her heart thundered, threatening to burst. Her beastly, animalistic roaring eased into human screaming as her thick fur became splotchy red skin that was bleeding with streams of sweat. She gasped for breath as every muscle in her body, though trained and solid, gave way to exhaustion and she slunk down to the floor. The squeak of her sweaty back against the wall followed her the entire way down and Athan immediately started unchaining her limbs.

“Here,” he soothed, wrapping a soft towel around her naked body and lifting a glass of iced water to her mouth. She drank heavily, chugging the entire thing down in a few swallows. Her breathing was shallow and ragged as he refilled the glass with the jug of water lying nearby.

“What happened …” she asked hoarsely, taking notice of the grim expression on his face.

“We can talk about it later,” Athan replied, lifting the glass back to her mouth. She downed another in a matter of seconds.

“No, we can talk about it now. It’s gotta be bad …” She wheezed, turning her face toward his. “Or you wouldn’t have left.” He must have realized she wasn’t going to let it go. Good boy. He eased himself down and held the towel around her shoulders, sitting side-by-side with her in the closet. She relaxed against his side, and he blew out a long breath as he refilled her glass, handing it to her. “Sarah?” she asked, already knowing the answer. He nodded slowly.

“She’s sleeping it off at my apartment. Her and the redhead.”

Rhaena could hardly contain her surprise. “You left me here to be a designated driver?” She smirked, staring him down in shock. He chuckled through his nose.

“I wish it had been that simple … but no.” He quieted and she gave him a moment to find his own way to explain. “Jenkins called us. Said there was a body. He thought it was Sarah.” Her eyes widened and she stared at him. Every inch of his face seemed truly devastated. “When I’d gotten off the phone with him, I realized that Wren had called several times and left a voicemail saying Sarah was in some trouble and they needed my help. I panicked, called Sarah … no answer. So, I did a hundred in your truck all the way back to Boston.”

“Jesus, Kane. What happened?”

“I went straight to the crime scene. The body was slashed all to shit. She was dressed just like her … I was wholly convinced it was her until I turned her wrist over. They left a message in her blood on the brick.”

“What did it say?”

Athan sighed deeply. “Trick-or-treat.”

Rhaena stared at him, and several silent moments passed between them before she spoke. “Did they feed on her?” Another slow nod. “So … then they—”

“She knows. Dahlia knows it was me. It was a warning. She’s gonna come after her.”

“Athan … you’ve gotta tell her.” Rhaena eased off of him and faced him, clutching the towel. “You’ve gotta tell her the truth. You can’t wait anymore. When I dropped her off at Wren’s place, I realized Conrad had been tailing her friend, too. For a while. She drives a yellow Beetle. If those two snakes are working together, then I don’t think Sarah’s the only one we need to be worried about. ”

Athan turned toward her. “If I tell her, she’ll leave. I can’t keep her safe if she doesn't stay close.” They stared at one another for a moment, and he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “What the fuck am I supposed to do?” It was the first time Rhaena could remember ever seeing him emotional. She laid a hand on his knee, and to her surprise, he allowed it.

“When you’re ready, I’ll help you.” She offered, lowering her tone as best she could into a soothing, raspy comfort. “I’m okay. You need to go home.”

“No, I can stay.”

“Go. I’m gonna take a long bath and try to rest up a little. You need to go back and check on them. You said she’s sleeping it off?”

“Yeah. When I realized the vic wasn’t her, I called Wren again and she finally picked it up. They were still at the Halloween party and …” He paused, sliding both hands over his face.

“And?”

“And I could’ve probably killed somebody.” He rasped.

Rhaena’s mouth tugged up in the corners. “Why?”

He rubbed over his face again, dropping his hands into his lap and staring forward. “She was absolutely tanked. I’m pretty sure somebody slipped something into one or a few of her drinks. When I got there and found her, she was dancing on a pole.”

Rhaena bit down on her bottom lip and tried not to laugh. “I mean, that doesn’t sound too bad. She was just having fun.” Athan shot her a look. “The drugging part is cause for concern, yes … but I can’t say I haven’t danced on a bar or two.” She shrugged.

“She was dressed as a fucking slutty vampire, Rhaena. Fake blood and all.”

That did it. Rhaena burst into laughter, dropping her forehead onto his shoulder. She could barely manage the words, and she wasn’t sure if it was because it was truly hilarious, or she was just completely spent from a full night of torment. “I’m sorry … but if you can’t see the humor in that, Athan … there truly isn’t any hope for you.” She howled.

His chest bobbed up and down and she heard him lightly chuckling. “I’m so fucked.” He laughed, shaking his head.

“You really are …” She continued, unable to stop.

“You wanna know what else is funny?” He snorted.

“What’s that?”

“You smell like a wet dog.” He cackled. Rhaena shot up, raising her fist, and thwacking him in the shoulder with all her remaining strength.

“Okay, get out!” She grinned, hitting him again. He snickered, raising from the floor, and helping her to her feet as they crept out of the closet. “Seriously … take my house key. Go check on them and if she needs to stay at my place, you know my couch pulls out.”

“I’m sorry, Rhaena …”

“For?” She looked at him as she dug into the bag she’d packed with her extra clothes .

“For not being here when you needed me.” He seemed genuinely bothered by it. She wasn’t sure why she didn’t feel a stronger ache in her chest at the one thing she’d always wanted from him.

“You were, Kane.” She smiled, her strength steadily failing her the longer she stood. “Get going. I’ll turn my phone back on if you need me for anything, okay?” He smirked back at her. “What?”

“You should text your side piece. I think he misses you.”

Rhaena grabbed a rolled pair of socks out of her bag and threw it at him, hitting him in the neck. “Get out, fucker.” She giggled. She understood it then … while she watched him out the window as he put his helmet on and started up his motorcycle. Whatever part of her that had once seen Athan as someone she wanted to be romantically involved with was shifting, too. She’d started moving past that without really trying. All it had taken was that one step forward … and that girl he was about to go see. That acceptance. They’d always have this closeness. That shared bond between them that no one would ever break. Two supernatural misfits that should never have been friends but would be forever. Rhaena smiled to herself as he left the wooded driveway, and she padded toward the bathroom.

She could feel the deep ache in her head before she ever opened her eyes. She felt warm, but wholly uncomfortable … and what the hell was that noise? Sarah groaned and stretched underneath a soft blanket as she peeled her eyes open, feeling resistance against her legs when she’d pushed them too far.

“Please, no … five more minutes.” Wren complained, pushing back against Sarah’s feet on the opposite side of a leather couch. She looked over to find Wren still in her lion garb from the night before and fuzzy images of a flashing loud club started pouring into her mind. They had gone out … and for some reason she thought she remembered Brent being there? And Little Red Riding Hood … and—

“Oh my God …” Sarah whined, palming her face. She peeked an eye between her fingers and saw a huge bird cage standing at least seven feet high against the wall of an immaculately tidy living room. She moved her hand away and met the eyes of a curious raven staring at her through the confinement. He trilled at her, ruffling his chest, and moving along the narrow bars to get a better look at her. Sarah slid the blanket off of herself and eased off the couch, finding her feet bare, save for the fishnet tights still on her legs. She slowly walked across the carpet toward his cage and couldn’t help smiling at the creature. Kane … this was Kane’s apartment. That meant … “You must be Poe …” She smirked, reaching a finger toward the bird. He opened his beak as her fingertip slid between the metal slats but didn’t make any moves to bite her and she gently stroked his feathers.

She startled as a key rattled in the door and it opened, Kane stepping quietly through it and locking it behind him. He turned toward her, stopping at the end of the short hallway between the living room and the kitchen and they stared at each other for a moment. “Morning,” he said, no trace of any amusement on his face.

“I—” Sarah started, not having any idea how to explain herself. “I’m so sorry …”

Kane crossed his arms and leaned on the wall. “Sorry for what, exactly?” She was surprised to notice his eyes didn’t travel over every part of her very revealing costume, instead they stayed glued to hers and she could swear he was staring into her soul. It burned a little. She felt her face heat and knew she was probably flushing five shades of red.

“What did I do … to you?” She dared ask, Kane’s bird sputtering noises behind her. He clenched his jaw but said nothing as he slowly shook his head. “Must have been bad if you’re not willing to tell me.”

“You pretended to be a stripper for a night.” Wren grumbled from under the blanket. “Everybody got quite the show … especially that one.” Kane snorted and Sarah felt the need to cover her breasts with her arms.

“Shut up … I did not.” Sarah bit down on her lip.

“That about covers it,” Kane agreed, easing off the wall and moving toward her. She rubbed at her face, and he scooted past her to the bird cage. She watched him open it, reaching in and letting Poe hop onto his finger before closing it back up and holding him out in front of her. She looked up at him, and then back at the bird as it studied her intently. “His name is Poe.”

“Northwood told me about him … he’s beautiful.” She smiled, brushing the back of her finger against the silky plume of his chest. Poe squawked. Kane didn’t ask how that conversation had come up, but instead perched the bird up onto his shoulder and walked back toward the kitchen. She watched them through the breakfast nook as he opened the fridge.

“I don’t have much for breakfast—” He made a strange face, fumbling with something in the refrigerator. She couldn’t see past the door what had caught his attention, but he continued to bang around in it for a moment before offering up a piece of raw meat to his pet. “I could go get you something.”

“Coffee!” Wren barked, not moving from under the blanket. She sounded miserable. Kane looked over at Sarah through the nook and ran a hand through his hair. She nodded her agreement.

“I don’t … Rhaena has some next door. I can go make it. She might have more options as far as food, too,” he offered. Sarah drew her brows.

“She’s your neighbor?” she asked, smirking.

“Yeah … it’s how we met. Coffee, or no?” He dismissed her curiosity completely. She noticed he was a bit more broody than usual. Whatever she’d done must have been truly humiliating.

“Sure.” She nodded, admitting defeat. They stood there silent for another moment, and he walked back into the living room.

“You wanna hold him?” he asked, leaning his shoulder toward her. “He only bites Rhaena. And she’d shit if I let him in her house. ”

“She’s not home?” Sarah asked, extending her arm and taking the animal.

“No, she takes a short vacation every month at her uncle’s cabin. She should be back tomorrow.” He made to turn away but hesitated and stared at her. “We really need to talk.” Something fluttered in her stomach … unfortunately not the good kind. His tone and the look in his eyes made her nervous. He glanced at Wren who was only visible by the teased hair that stuck out around the edge of the blanket. “All of us.”

“That doesn’t sound very good.” Sarah shifted on her feet and Wren rolled over toward them, peeking from behind the cover. “Did something happen?”

“Yeah … if you want, I can lend you both some clothes. You can take a shower and we can sit down and discuss it. I need to be at the precinct around noon to talk to … your ex.”

“Brent? Why?”

“I’ll explain it all. If you’re not comfortable getting cleaned up here, or you’d rather do this at the station then now would be a good time to go get what you need or get ready.” He divided his attention between them both. “I hope you have a strong stomach.”

“Oh, shit …” Wren murmured, pulling the blanket back up to her nose. “Somebody got whacked.”

“That’s one way of putting it,” Kane offered.

“Well, I can tell you straight up, Brent Stratford didn’t do it. He’d never get those pretty-boy hands dirty.” Wren snorted.

Sarah ignored her and locked eyes with Kane again. She suddenly felt overwhelmed with worry. “Is it like mine?” A chill went down her spine when he nodded gravely. “Fuck …” She whispered, Poe offering her comfort as he flitted onto her shoulder. “I’m fine with changing here.”

“Alright,” he said, turning down a hallway adjacent to the couch and leaving them for a few minutes before returning with fresh clothes. Two white t-shirts, a pair of black sweatpants and a pair of dark gray boxer shorts. “Shower’s on. I’ll leave you to it. I should have something for you to eat when you both get cleaned up.”

“Thank you.” Sarah smiled. He dipped his chin at her before walking back out the front door and Wren finally hopped up from the couch.

“I call dibs on these,” she bitched, jerking the sweatpants from her hand. “Wearing a dude’s clothes is intimate enough, but I draw the line at underwear.” She hurled herself around the corner and down the hallway into his bedroom, leaving Sarah by herself. “Umm … Sarah?” She called from the room; her voice muffled from the distance.

“What is it?”

She wasn’t sure if she wanted to know. It felt wrong to even be in his apartment, let alone his most personal space. When Wren didn’t answer, she crept around the corner and inched her way into the bedroom doorway. It was like stepping into her own apartment. Her mouth dropped open and she looked around, turning and taking it all in. Blackout curtains were open by the sliding glass door, bookshelves lining almost every wall … and filled with rows and rows of books and knickknacks. There was a king-sized bed neatly made, with off white sheets and a black duvet. The room was dimly lit with floor lamps that offered just enough light to keep it cozy, and the white walls were draped with old-looking tapestries with black birds on them.

Wren poked around at the figurines on his shelves and Sarah ran a finger down the smooth wooden surface of his dresser by the doorway. “Don’t touch anything, Wren. It’s not our place.”

“He bought this from the tattoo shop when he came to talk to me a week ago.” She held up a little statuette of a raven sitting on a skull.

“He came to talk to you?”

“Yeah, he had questions about how you were feeling … how you were getting along. Nothing really major.”

“You didn’t tell me about that.”

Wren shrugged and put the figure back on the shelf. “It didn’t seem strange enough to mention. He’s just doing his job.”

Poe screeched on her shoulder at the dresser and Sarah directed her attention back to it, her hand still resting on the top. Something strange in her middle pulled and tugged and her skin seemed to tingle. She considered plundering through it, but she had just told Wren not to touch anything.

“You go first, I’m gonna take him back into the living room.” Sarah nodded toward the open bathroom door where steam had started clouding out. Wren didn’t hesitate and slammed the bathroom door closed behind her. Sarah crept into the living room, not sure what not to touch, or look at. It felt awkward to be here, but in some ways … familiar? She padded into the kitchen. There was an open laptop that was sitting idle, the screen black, and files and papers strewn over a small round kitchen table. She glanced down at them, not surprised to see her own photo and information about her case that she’d already gone through with Northwood. She stepped over to the fridge and opened the door. “Damn …” She said under her breath, surprised to find it scarce, except for a couple of containers of raw meats.

Either he hadn’t had any time while dealing with her case to go shopping, or he ate a hell of a lot of takeout. Not even a few bottles of water … nothing. Maybe that was his ploy. No reason for an overnight guest to stay in the mornings or linger in his house. Smart. She closed the fridge and found herself back on the couch, pulling the blanket over her legs and letting Poe sit on her raised knees while she leaned back against the arm. Kane shuffled into the front door a few moments later with an armful of different options that he spread out onto the kitchen counter.

“Rhaena eats like a starving child. I brought a little bit of everything. She said to make yourself at home if you’d rather stay at her place,” he said through the nook.

“Are we staying?” Sarah asked, watching him plunder through the kitchen .

“We’re gonna talk about everything. You should eat first. Oh …” He paused, opening a pill bottle, and coming around the corner to hand her a bottle of water and a couple aspirin. “She had this, too.”

“God bless you.” Sarah smiled, accepting them, and drinking them down. Poe watched her and she poked him in the belly. “Is it okay to smoke in here?” she asked, not realizing he was already sliding one into his mouth. He tossed her the pack and the lighter and she lit one, blowing gently away from the bird.

“He really likes you. That’s odd for him,” Kane said, sliding his jacket off and laying it on top of the bird cage. He wore dark jeans and a white t-shirt well. Since she’d met him, she didn’t often get to see his arm tattoos, and he was nearly covered with them. He sat in a leather armchair on the other side of the wall and took a long drag off his cigarette. Sarah did the same.

“Are you gonna tell me what I did?” Sarah asked, continuing to pet the friendly raven on her knee.

“What do you remember?” he asked.

“Not too much. Wren and I were having a great time. We danced and fucked off.” She took another hit. “I made a little friend, I think. But that’s when things started to get a little fuzzy.”

“You made more than one. Wren called me saying she had been trying to get you to calm down, but …”

“I’m …” She couldn’t find the right words. “Is that when you came?”

“I didn’t get her call right away. When I finally got there, you were um … pretty bad off.” They were silent for a moment and didn’t look at one another. “Sarah, you need to be more careful. I’m positive you had shit slipped into your drinks last night.”

“It’s not that. Well … part of it I’m sure was because of that, but … it’s something else.” She couldn’t look at him. Poe gently nipped at her fingertip.

“What’s going on?” he asked quietly.

“I’m losing it. I don’t really feel like myself anymore. I never did shit like that. Any other time, before all this happened … I either wouldn’t have been there, or I would’ve been the one telling Wren to be careful, but it’s … it’s just not the same anymore. Kinda like the night at the bar.” She puffed on her cigarette and looked over at him. “I wanted to kill the bastard. I was so mad. But then when you put your hands on me … I just…”

“What.” he whispered.

“I felt actual pain in my chest.” Their eyes met and as she said it, Sarah felt that pain creeping up. “Like my heart was breaking … and I just couldn’t hold it in anymore. It goes from one extreme to the other, and I don’t feel like I can control the shit, Kane. I dunno how.” Tears started welling in her eyes and she blinked them off. Kane raised from his chair, instantly beside her as he knelt by the couch. “If I crossed some line with you last night, I really am sorry. I wanna say that I didn’t mean it, Kane but … that might not even be the truth.” She wiped at her eye and slapped her hand against her leg, startling Poe. He fluttered up to the perch stand by the couch. “I don’t even know you!” She could feel herself slipping into a strange place, and he said nothing. He only watched and listened. “I don’t know a thing about you, really … and I—” She shook her head, dragging hard on her cigarette.

“You what.”

She met his eyes again, her knees trembling. He seemed on edge too, and she noticed his breathing had changed. Sarah hadn’t even realized that she’d leaned closer to him until she could feel his breath on her skin … on her face. Her body was screaming at her to close that space between them, and as much as she wanted to, that day in her apartment invaded her mind. How he’d turned away and made to take off so fast.

“I’m not gonna let anything happen to you, Sarah,” he breathed, their lips close enough to touch. “Do you trust me?” She couldn’t speak. She could only find the strength to nod slowly. “I—I have to tell you s—”

“Ummm … am I interrupting something?” Wren asked, toweling off her hair and leaning against the wall by the hallway in Kane’s clothes. He backed away, putting his cigarette back in his mouth and stalked past her into the kitchen. Sarah gave Wren a look, promising to beat the pure shit out of her, and Wren just grinned. “Shower’s free.” She winked, trudging toward the couch.

“Coffee should be done. I’m gonna go next door and get it. Take all the time you need.” Kane said with a tone, not lingering to hear whatever they were going to say next. He let the front door shut behind him and Sarah continued to stare at Wren as she plopped down on the couch and crossed her legs underneath her.

“What the fuck, Wren?” Sarah spat, tossing the blanket off and standing up.

“What, dude? How was I supposed to know you two were cozying up in here? And how the hell did we go from murder to that shit in twenty minutes?” Wren held her hand out. “I want that. You smoked all mine last night.” Sarah handed her the rest of the smoke.

“I’m taking a shower.” She rolled her eyes, shaking her head and disappearing into Kane’s bedroom.

Idiot. He was such an idiot. He should have never let himself get that close. Athan cursed under his breath as he opened every cabinet in Rhaena’s kitchen, looking for mugs. He found them, dragging out three and sitting them down on the counter while he stewed over it, nearly drawing blood from his own lip as he bit down on it. His knuckles turned white as they gripped the edge, and he drew the last drag off his cigarette. Rhaena would murder him if she found out he not only smoked in her truck, but also in this apartment. He tossed the butt down into the drain and ran the water to snuff it out .

He would have told her. Told her right then before he had the sense to talk himself out of it before claiming that stained mouth. God knows how bad he wanted to. Both of those notions would have been the biggest relief. He didn’t want to carry the lie around with him anymore. Didn’t think he could go much longer without touching every part she’d allow him to. His entire body shook with the need for her. It didn’t help that he could hear water running through the pipe in the wall and she was likely stark naked in his shower right now. What he wouldn’t give to sneak into it and do unspeakable things to her. He didn’t deserve it, he kept reminding himself. He didn’t deserve the pleasure it gave him to break bones in any hand that touched her. She had never willingly given him any claim on her. Only the mark that he’d left on her body … and while that was unintentional, it was still unacceptable.

It was obvious she wanted him to do everything he’d been thinking, but even Sarah was questioning herself now. She’d just said it outright. She didn’t know anything about him. He knew the rest without her saying more. She was going through everything he was going through, the only difference being that she didn’t know this shrouded truth. He’d need to tell her this alone but couldn’t help but wonder if it would be better for her to have someone like Wren around when she flew off the handle as a result. His blood hummed with the thought of his mouth being that close to hers and damn him for even thinking about the split second she’d spread her legs in front of him at that club last night. That heart she’d restarted nearly stopped again when she’d crawled toward him and put her hands on his body. His cock twitched in his jeans, and he ran a hand through his hair.

He reminded himself then, how he’d felt when he’d unzipped that body bag at the crime scene. Those few agonizing seconds he’d thought she was truly gone. That they had taken her from him … from the whole world. Dahlia would do it. He had no doubt. The only person that he could think of that would be stupid enough to sell her any information would be Nick Specter … but even Nick hadn’t known the whole truth. How did she figure him out? What could he do other than keep Sarah confined to his place to keep her safe? He’d figure it out later. Athan filled the mugs and gathered them in his hands as he headed back to his apartment. Wren was sitting at the kitchen table when he entered, looking over all the files spread before her. He placed one of the mugs down next to her elbow.

“I never liked the little bastard,” she said, taking a sip of her coffee and staring at a file regarding Conrad Stratford. “If the saying is true, and the apple don’t fall far from the tree, then I imagine I’m right when it comes to this piece of shit.”

“He doesn’t seem like the worst person I’ve ever come across, but I’ll have to agree with you on that if we’re only judging by his family tree.” Athan offered, turning and leaning against the counter and sipping from his own mug. Wren laid the papers down and turned in her chair to face him, smiling and taking another sip.

“You sure pissed him off good last night.”

“He pissed himself off. He knows I’m right. ”

She huffed a laugh. “I wasn’t talking about what you said to him before we left.” He found an interesting speck of dirt on the kitchen floor. “She never touched him like that.”

“I find that hard to believe if they’d been together two years and were about to get married.”

“Believe what you want, detective. She never looked at him that way, either. And I would know.” She sipped again. “I’m sorry I ruined your … whatever that was.” She chuckled.

“Don’t be. It shouldn’t have happened.” He raised his mug back to his mouth.

“Look, as comfy as your clothes are … this ain’t my style, and as soon as we’re done here, I’m going home to primp. That way nobody can be a witness, and you can’t get in any trouble. I’ve never been much for being the third wheel, but you just remember what I told you, yeah?”

Athan looked back up at her and she made scissors with her fingers and pointed at his crotch. He snorted. Poe cawed excitedly and danced on his perch in the living room as Sarah crept in, somehow more gorgeous without an ounce of makeup on … and the way she wore his clothes …

God help him.

He wanted her more the way she looked right now than the way she had on that pole. He tried to keep himself from wondering how good she’d look covered in his blood. Athan cleared his throat, refusing to make eye contact as she stepped into the kitchen, and he handed her the last mug.

“Thanks,” she breathed, not bothering to test it before taking a few long sips. A junkie, indeed.

“Mmhmm …” He turned away as she sat down at the table, and he handed them both a croissant.

“So …” Wren mused, not ashamed at all to make the tension between them worse. “What happened last night that we need to talk about? I’m intrigued.” He turned back toward them at that.

“Last night … there was—there was a body.” He paused and they both looked at him with their mugs held in front of them, staring at him intently. He sighed, and pulled his cigarettes out, both girls reaching a hand out for one.

“We got that part. Who was it?” Wren laughed.

Athan waited until everybody was lit and the kitchen was hazing with smoke before he continued … and looked Sarah dead in the eyes. She stiffened. “They wanted it to look like you.” He felt his chest tighten at the horror in her face.

“Wait … what?” Wren sat her coffee down. “The victim?”

“Yes,” Athan said, simply. He couldn’t take his eyes off Sarah. “Sarah, she was dressed just like you. Long black hair … we basically found her the exact way you were found in the alley. When I got there, she wasn’t recognizable. They’d slashed her face beyond recognition, and I would have been convinced it was you if not for your tattoos.” Sarah paled .

“They?” She muttered hoarsely.

“We think it might be more than one person.”

“You think Brent’s father is one of those people?” Wren asked tightly. “Northwood told Sarah she thinks he’s been following me around, too.”

“Well, that was another reason I brought you both here. We don’t know if he’s involved. But if he is, he’s well-guarded and it’s gonna take a lot to prove. To put it bluntly, we feel your safety could be a concern. He’s a powerful man. And Sarah, the fact that you were with his son …”

“I understand. But …” She looked up at him sadly. “Isn’t it possible that someone could just have the same taste in clothes and was in the wrong place at the wrong time?” She was fishing for any reason to feel safe. It made him want to rage.

“It’s possible, yeah … but not likely. They wrote a message on the wall in her blood.”

Wren and Sarah exchanged sidelong glances. “Which said?” Wren asked.

“Trick-or-treat.” Athan lowered his eyes back to the floor.

“Fuck …” Sarah whispered, pinching between her eyes. “They’re always gonna be after me. This is never gonna fucking end!” She shook, and buried her face in her palms, her cigarette extended between her middle and forefinger. Wren knelt in front of her, trying to take her hands, or give her comfort. Sarah wasn’t having it. Her back bobbed up and down in a silent cry, and she sniffled as she bent over her legs. He couldn’t stand it.

“I want you to stay here,” Athan offered. Both girls looked up at him. “Either with me, or with Rhaena until we know it’s safe.”

“Both of us?” Wren asked. “I’ve got a cat at home. I’m pretty sure you’re not gonna want me to bring him here.” Rhaena wouldn’t have that in her house either. Cats and dogs … no.

“If you don’t feel comfortable staying, then I need to assign uniforms to watch you. That means home, work … extracurricular activities, ” Athan emphasized.

“I’ll stay.” Sarah sniffled. He nodded at her. “What about work?”

“If you wanna go, I’ll make sure you’re protected there, too. Even if I have to do it myself.”

“I’d like to go home. I also have a concealed carry permit, if that helps.” Wren shrugged. “Do whatever you need to do.” Surprising, but he nodded at that, too.

“So, when you said you were having Brent come to the precinct for questioning, what exactly do you think his part is in all this?” Sarah asked warily.

“That’s what I’d like to find out. I’d like to think nothing, but my instincts tell me otherwise. Rhaena agrees on that front, too.”

“That’s what she told me as well. Mostly because that’s what I told her. ”

“I know,” Athan soothed.

“Will he be arrested?” she asked .

“That depends on what we figure out. But he’s a decent lawyer. He’ll have a plan, I’m pretty sure. In the meantime, any time you’re not in one of these apartments, or at the precinct, I need you both to be acutely aware of everything going on around you. Don’t go anywhere alone. If it seems suspicious, it’s probably because it is … call it in. We all need to be on the same page here. Understand?”

They both nodded.

“Do I need someone to follow me home?” Wren asked, sitting back into her chair.

“I’ll call Jenkins and have him send somebody. I don’t want you leaving until they’re here. Agreed?”

“Yeah.” She nodded.

Sarah’s hand shook as she raised the cigarette to her mouth and took a long drag. Wren decided to make herself scarce and went to grab her phone and make a few calls. Athan knelt down and pinched her chin, raising her face to meet his. He knew he’d been the start of this whole train wreck, but now it had gotten personal. They stared into each other.

“I meant every word. No one will ever hurt you again. You understand?” Athan couldn’t stop himself from wiping a rogue tear sliding down her cheek with his thumb.

“I believe you,” Sarah croaked, her lip quivering. “I’m just sick of this shit, Athan. I’m sick of it.” She shook her head. “Just knowing that this is so much bigger than some random attack in an alley … even with another person dead it’s just … it’s been years of this, and I can’t—” She exhaled sharply, and another tear dropped from her eye. He caught that one, too. “I wish I knew what the fuck they wanted. I almost want to just—”

“Stop.” He hushed her with a finger. “We’re not giving them shit. You don’t owe anybody shit . Just let me do my job. Let Rhaena do her job.” Sarah closed her eyes, more tears falling when she did and nodded her head. “I need to go meet Stratford. Will you be okay here?”

“Yeah … I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll leave you the key to Rhaena’s place. It’s the one just out this door to the left. Coffee is still on. She’s got a T.V. and a shitload of food. Whatever you need. I’ll pick up whatever you want on the way back, or I can take you to get some things from your apartment.”

He didn’t realize he was holding the entire side of her face in his hand. He promptly moved it and stood, clenching his jaw, and heading into the living room to grab his jacket. Sarah met his eyes one more time before he opened the door and he paused.

“Thank you.” She smirked, her eyes glossy from the tears. He managed a nod and walked out.

His vision was blurry, and the smell of his own blood had crammed itself up his nose as Tony slowly came to and realized he was somehow still alive. She had utterly drained him of his blood. Tortured him. Fed on him. Had her henchmen beat him, although every one of them seemed reluctant to do so. His arms were strung up in chains above his head and he still lay in a puddle of dark red blood against a freezing stone wall in the deepest dungeons of the coven’s stronghold. He’d never in his nearly three centuries been in this position. He generally left everyone alone or was always kind toward them. The coven members, as well as any human that came in and out of that bar. He reckoned it was the only reason she’d let him live. Tony coughed and it felt as if his immortal body was slowly replenishing itself of life … or whatever they called this existence.

An iron door screeched open, and heels clacked along the stone floor, echoing through the dark, musty space. Two other sets of footsteps followed behind, heavier, and flashlights created hazy beams of light that flickered back and forth as they approached him.

“It pains me to see one of my best down here in this filth.” Dahlia’s voice rang out as a blinding light shined in his face. Tony winced at it; trying, and failing, to focus his eyes. “Perhaps next time you’ll be so kind as to stand by your word. You’ll find I’m very impatient … especially when I’m interrupted while doing business. Do not waste my time. Do not waste your life. I’ve given you a comfortable eternity, Tony. All I asked of you was to tell me when either of them came into this building, and to reveal whatever was said. The loyalty you showed him belongs to me . Do we understand each other?”

Tony hung his head in shame. “Yes, mi’lady. I just—”

“You just what?”

“I just don’t want anyone to get hurt. I’ve stayed out of folk’s business. Conversation at the bar is part of the job. I never expected to be tested like this.” He huffed another cough.

“Unfortunately, business bleeds every now and then. I’d rather not lose another good member to their inability to relieve themselves of humanity. That’s something you should consider in the future. If you can’t manage to do as I ask, then perhaps you should limit your conversation to drink orders and nothing more.” There was a short silence, the only sound being his labored breathing. “Release him.” The flashlights lowered and the two males freed his wrists. Tony’s arms dropped and he fell fully against the cold floor. “Clean this up. Help him to his chambers and clean him up, too … fucking amateurs.”

She moved forward, kneeling down, and taking a fistful of his strawberry blonde hair. She raised his face to meet hers and her strange eyes nearly glowed with fury. He was still incredibly weak. “Why is she such a threat, ma’am?” He dared to ask.

Dahlia’s sick smile made his bones chill. “Because she wants what’s mine. And he wants her, too. And I don’t share my toys, Tony. You’d do well to remember that. When you’ve rested enough, return to your post at the bar. The next time I ask you a question, I’d better not have to come looking for you for the answer. You’ll not live through the next mistake. ”

She dropped his head to the floor, and he groaned as she clacked back out of the iron doorway. Her men picked him up from beneath each arm and started dragging him back to his room. He silently prayed to God, if He was still listening, that there would be some kind of intervention. Some end to this madness … even if it took the entire coven down with her.

Brent sat across from the captain of the 12th precinct, shaking his ankle over his knee and fidgeting under the awkward tension as they waited for Detective Kane in his office. They had run out of things to make small talk about, and he could tell that Captain Foley was not his biggest fan.

“Could I get you some coffee while we wait, Mr. Stratford?” Foley offered, his tone suggesting that he could care less about his comfort.

“Thanks, sir. I’ll pass. I will say that I won’t be able to wait much longer. I’ve got clients that—”

“They can wait.” Kane sneered as he passed right by Foley’s office door and stalked toward a white board that he promptly flipped over. He made no move to come back, instead taking a seat at his desk and removing any papers or files from it as he shoved them into drawers. Brent glanced back at the captain, who smirked behind the fingers that were drawn across his mouth. He jerked his head toward the detective.

“Better go, then,” he said simply. “You can close that door on your way out.”

Brent stood, buttoning his jacket and did as the captain asked. As he made his way to Kane’s desk, he looked over to see several officers staring at him. He brushed it off and continued past, stopping at an empty desk across from him. “Should I sit?” he asked, earning no attention from the detective.

“Not there,” Kane said, turning on his monitor. “That’s Northwood’s desk. She’ll have both our asses.”

“Ohh …” He nodded, turning a chair in between that was left near the whiteboard. He didn’t ask for permission that time as he sat, crossing his ankle over his knee again. “How is she?” he asked, watching the detective’s reaction as he swiveled around, the mere question seeming to irritate him. He’d suspected as much. This guy was just as much into his former fiancé as she was to him, it seemed.

“She’s scared, Stratford. Rightfully so.”

“Scared of what? You seem to be doing a fine job of protecting her.”

Kane leaned back in his chair and interlocked his fingers in front of him. “You tell me. You’re a smart guy. You seem to know a little bit about everything, except maybe how to keep her happy.” Brent wanted to slap the smirk off his face.

“Get it all outta your system, detective. ”

“I’m not the one that needs to get anything out of my system, Stratford. She left you . Contrary to what you might believe, I’m not the reason for that. So, before you get off trying to blame someone else, maybe you should start talking about all the events leading up to what happened.”

Brent clenched his jaw and his teeth ground soundly. “None of this shit would have happened if she hadn’t gone to that fucking club. A club, I understand, you frequent. So, try again.”

Kane huffed a laugh. “My being at that club has nothing to do with the reason your father is after her … and using his own fucking son to do it.” He straightened in his chair. “Tell me I’m wrong. I dare you. Northwood might be a lot nicer than me about it, but she isn’t here. And, so we’re clear, she’s onto your shit too.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m leaving,” Brent said, standing.

“You walk out that door and I’ll find as many ways as I can to lock your preppy little ass up. You’re a lawyer. I’m sure you’ve helped put some men away. You know what they’ll do to someone like you in prison. I’ll be all too happy to make sure you get some special treatment if you don’t tell me the fucking truth. Furthermore, if you actually care about Sarah, then why aren’t you doing all you can to help her?”

“I’d like a lawyer of my own. And the next time we talk, maybe you won’t be so unprofessional.”

“Well, that’s fair … Brent . You’re entitled to that if that’s the way you wanna play it. The fact that you want a lawyer says enough to me about your part in whatever this shit is. But just so you’re aware, I had to stop at a crime scene before I saw you at the bar last night. Not that you deserve any of this information, but I’ll level with you. Somebody dropped a body on the other side of the city and staged it to look just like her. Same clothes, same hair … hacked her face. If I find out that you or your father is involved in any of this … then a lawyer won’t save either fucking one of you. And if what I just said doesn’t bother you, then that means two things. One, you never loved that girl a day in your fucking life. And two, you’re just as guilty.” Kane didn’t balk a bit in the harshness of his stare. “You’ll forgive me for having little time for professionalism.”

Brent lowered himself back into his chair, trying his best to ignore all the onlooking police officers and the captain who peered through his blinds at them. He sighed deeply. “So, that’s why you were unusually pissed when you got there?”

“You got a better reason?”

Brent shook his head slowly. “I’ll tell you everything I know. But we do it in an interrogation room. And I want written documentation that I’m in no way responsible for his actions. Agreed?”

“I’ll run it by Cap. You move from this chair, and you’re gonna wish you hadn’t. You’ve just said enough to incriminate yourself already.”

“I know that, detective. Do what you gotta do.”

Rhaena was still exhausted after several hours of deep sleep, but the cabin wasn’t home. She wanted her own bed … the comfort of her own shower, her own blankets. While everything at the cabin was technically hers, it didn’t have that familiar warmth that made her feel safe. The cabin also didn’t have the one friend she had that understood her. She needed that too. She was still weak, and her arms sluggish as she practically dragged her duffle bag through the elevator doors and down the hall to her apartment door. She fumbled around and cursed as she realized she’d left Athan her house key. She jiggled the doorknob … it wasn’t locked. Her brows drew together, and she opened the door, the smell of coffee hitting her as soon as she stepped inside.

The door closed loudly behind her, and an impressive string of curses rang out from around the corner of the kitchen doorway as Sarah startled, dropping a broom she’d had in her hands. “Holy shit!” Sarah grasped at her chest. “Rhaena … I’m sorry, I—you scared the shit out of me.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t expect anyone to be here.” Rhaena smirked. “What the hell are you doing?” She nodded toward the broom Sarah had picked up from the floor.

“I—I was cleaning.”

“Why?”

“Well, I figured it was the least I could do … and …”

“And?”

Sarah ran a hand through her hair and blew out a long breath. “And I can’t think of anything else to do to keep my mind off shit other than drink. Athan’s apartment is like … clean. ”

Rhaena snorted. “That’s not untrue.” She dropped her bag onto the kitchen table.

“He said you told him we could hang around; I really only came because he doesn’t have coffee.”

“I’m buying that bitch a coffee maker.”

Both of them giggled, but Rhaena could tell that Sarah was really on edge. She also noticed she was wearing Athan’s clothes. It must have been obvious what she was thinking. Sarah made a face.

“Nothing happened … I didn’t have anything other than—”

“A vampire outfit?” Rhaena laughed.

“Oh my God, he told you …”

“I may have heard about it.” Rhaena quirked a brow, smiling and trudging past her to grab a mug.

“I’m mortified.” Sarah palmed her face, propping the broom against the table and sinking into one of the chairs.

“I mean … I’m kind of proud. That was one way to get his attention.” She laughed.

“No, no … you don’t understand.” Sarah grabbed her phone off the table and pulled up pictures that were taken from the party. So. Many. Pictures. She handed it to her .

“Oh, dear God.” Rhaena covered her mouth with her fingers, grinning and trying her best not to laugh as she scrolled through them. “Sarah!” She cackled.

“I know.” Sarah dropped her head face down onto her arms against the table. Rhaena stopped on one photo of two women dressed as an angel and a devil, and behind them was Sarah—on her knees with her hands on Athan’s collar. She wondered if he’d realized the way he’d been looking at her while her ex looked on from beside them … or if he’d realized both his hands were on Sarah’s waist and that they both looked as if they could tear each other to pieces. She poured coffee into her mug and handed the phone back.

“What’s eating at you? Aside from the fact that we found a body that looked like you.” Rhaena asked, turning and sitting next to Sarah at the table. Sarah turned her face and kept her head down, staring off at the cabinets.

“I haven’t told him yet. I haven’t told anyone, actually.”

“Told him what?”

“I—I tested my blood at work the other day. And I compared what I found to the lab reports at the hospital.”

Rhaena sipped her coffee. “Bad?” Sarah tightened her mouth.

“I wouldn’t say it was bad. Actually … it’s probably really good, I just—don’t know what it means.”

“Could you be more specific?”

Sarah raised herself to sit and propped her elbows on the table. “I think they used my mom’s body to make some kind of drug. Obviously, I can’t be sure about that. I need a specimen from her to test that theory … but I think that’s exactly why they kept her.”

Rhaena stilled. “But what does that have to do with your blood? You weren’t sick, were you?”

“No … no, I wasn’t. But I could potentially be a carrier. Maybe that’s why they want me. We still don’t know what she had. The only thing in that set of papers they gave me, they called it VN-1. Remember?”

Rhaena nodded. “Yeah, they weren’t ever very specific. I guess they had to call it something .”

“Well, I dunno if you’re aware of how it all works, but when illnesses are named, the names are specific to the virus, or bacteria … or you know … whatever the specimen is. It’s most of the time abbreviated like this … and numbered. But what does it mean? There isn’t a single record that I can pull to figure it out that isn’t sealed by the government. Not one.”

Interesting.

“So, what was different about yours?” Rhaena asked, leaning in with intrigue.

“Everybody’s blood cells work together. The red ones have a protein—”

“Hemoglobin.”

“Right. That carries the oxygen to your body. The white cells are your immune system’s little Vikings. They fight off disease. So, like, for instance when someone has cancer … say leukemia. You already have a militia in there fighting shit off. Leukemic patients have a full out army of white blood cells, and it causes abnormality. They start hammering off at everything, causing your bone marrow to have a hard time producing the red cells that one would need to survive. They’re outnumbered, you see?”

Rhaena stared at her for a moment. Damn, this girl was smart. You would never have guessed it by looking at her, but the passion in her voice and the steady flow of her words while she explained it … she really loved this. She couldn’t help but feel deeply sorry for Sarah, then.

She could be so much help to the world if this hadn’t happened to her family. The life she could have had … this girl could save humanity with this kind of passionate dedication.

“So, are you saying that your blood cells have an abnormal number?” Rhaena asked.

“No … that’s the strange part. Both my red and white cells are—well, they’re … perfection. In fact, I was able to get my hands on one of those contaminated bags. I dropped a couple dots of it into the slide and watched. That blood was tainted with influenza. I don’t wanna sound … crazy.” Sarah rubbed her face and shook her head.

“No, no … tell me,” Rhaena urged, placing her hand on her arm.

“My white cells? They … almost had this weird glow. They didn’t attack the virus … they healed —and absorbed it … like the virus never existed. Almost like my blood cells fed on it and became stronger.”

Rhaena’s mouth dropped open. “Oh my … Oh my God.”

“I thought I was tripping. I put a couple more drops in there, but they reacted the same way. The cells didn’t expand. They didn’t get bigger, they didn’t split, or grow in number. They just … I dunno … buzzed and pulsated like superheroes. Then, after a few minutes they were normal again. I even left the slide covered under plastic for a few hours and came back to check on it to see if anything had changed. They looked normal.”

“Do you think you’ve always been this way?”

“No … I remember getting shit when I was a kid. I once was so sick with strep that I couldn’t swallow, or eat, or drink anything. My mom had taken me to the hospital, and I ended up staying longer because antibiotics wouldn’t work. Scared her to death. I think—” Sarah paused and looked down at her arms.

“Go on …”

“I think they made some kind of vaccine with Mom’s virus. I think maybe I wasn’t hallucinating or dreaming when I woke up on that table and they were sticking me with needles.” Sarah looked up and Rhaena knew exactly what she meant.

“You think they injected you and used you as a lab rat to test it out.”

Sarah nodded gravely. “I think that’s why they’re after me. Because whatever they did … it worked. And now they want me to be the world’s fountain of youth. The fucking cure for cancer. Something they can charge top dollar for, or dangle over people’s heads who know damn we ll they’ll die because no one could ever afford it. I’m a piggy bank, Rhaena. A treasure trove.”

Rhaena couldn’t help but admit she was in shock. This poor girl. It made so much sense. Everything made sense. The reason Conrad wanted her was a mystery … but Dahlia? Athan was living a pretty normal life these past few weeks because he’d fed on her. His heart had started beating, he could eat food or drink blood, and survive on either. He could walk in sunlight and if he didn’t want to be a vampire anymore … he really had that choice, it seemed. Of course Dahlia would want her. The government would want her for the exact reasons Sarah had just mentioned. Sarah would be hunted forever. She had unknowingly walked right into the trap they’d laid for her. They had to protect her.

“We’re not gonna let that happen, Sarah,” Rhaena soothed, rubbing her thumb over Sarah’s tattooed arm. “We’ll protect you.” Tears began to well in Sarah’s eyes, but she nodded and shook it off, sniffling.

“Thank you. Really … for everything.” She smiled.

Rhaena leaned over and wrapped her arms around her, and Sarah hugged her back. She suddenly felt just as protective of her as Athan was. This oddity of nature that should be allowed to have a life of her own but was being hunted down like a rabbit being chased by a fox. It was unfair. Unfair and fucking cruel. She’d never let it happen. “I think you need something stronger than coffee, friend.” Rhaena smirked, pulling away. “And I think you need to tell him about this. I don’t think it should come from me.”

“Things are … really tense between us. I dunno how to talk to him about any of it without things getting weird.”

“He hasn’t talked to you? About anything?” Rhaena tread carefully and Sarah shook her head.

“He—I think he tried earlier today. Wren was there and it just didn’t … you know.” Sarah shifted in her seat.

“I see …” Rhaena couldn’t hide her smile. “I could just be going out on a limb here, but … you could maybe let some steam out of the pot.”

“What? —I can’t … no.”

Rhaena slapped her palm to the table. “Why? You seemed pretty confident in those pictures I just saw.” She stood, grabbing a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet and setting it down on the table. “Here, use this.”

“Rhaena, that was a mistake, I can’t—I dunno what he wants. I don’t even know what I want. We barely know each other.”

“People sleep with strangers all the time. You’re not strangers. If you don’t want to then I’m not asking you to do anything you don’t wanna do. But go ahead and lie to me, girl. You want him.” Rhaena crossed her arms and side-smiled at her.

Sarah’s mouth was held open, and she flopped back in her chair, throwing her head back, and rubbing her face with both hands. “Fuck … I do. So bad. What the hell is wrong with me?”

She knew. She knew and she felt bad for not telling her, but it wasn’t her place. Maybe pushing them into any kind of intimacy wasn’t her place, either. It didn’t matter. They were adults. If something happens, then it happens. If it doesn’t, then whatever.

“Look … he wants you too. Take it from someone who’s known him for a very long time. If the two of you are gonna have any kind of conversation, you need to find a way to get past this … whatever it is.” Rhaena waved a hand in front of her. “Maybe it’s not sex. You’ll figure it out. I’m just giving you a little liquid courage. Wherever that courage leads you is your choice.” Rhaena winked, pulling her hooded sweatshirt up over her head. Her shirt rose slightly with it, and she heard Sarah gasp.

“What the hell happened to you?” she asked. Rhaena tossed the hoodie over the back of one of the kitchen chairs and looked down at her side while she slid her tank back down. Bruising. Every single time. It only looked bad; they weren’t sore for very long. But the thrashing against the chains and the walls always left their mark. Sarah gaped at Rhaena’s bare arms. “Rhaena, oh my God.”

“I’m fine. Really. Three days a month I take off on a retreat at my uncle’s old place. I train my ass off and I always come back looking like I’ve been hit by a truck. I’m really okay. Trust me, I need it.”

Sarah slowly shook her head. “Damn, dude. Take me with you next time.”

Rhaena laughed. “I told you. Anytime you wanna come knock bags with me, say the word. I’ll toughen you up.” Damn … she really liked this girl. Who would have thought. “I’m gonna go shower and lay down. You stayin’?” she asked.

Sarah slid her house key across the table. “I’ll let you have your house back.” She snickered. “Knock if you need anything. Sounds like I’ll be around for a while.”

“Well take that with you.” Rhaena jerked her head toward the liquor bottle. “You’ve got my couch if things go south … if they go … anywhere else , then bite down on a piece of leather or something, will ya?” She snorted.

“Oh, my G—” Sarah’s eyes bulged, and her mouth dropped open.

Rhaena grinned and nodded. “That’s pretty accurate.” She left Sarah sitting at the table and chuckled down the hallway towards her bedroom.