Black Bird (Nevermore Duet #1)

CHAPTER 23

THE SNOWBALL EFFECT

Damn, it was cold. Wren had bundled up and layered two jackets before stepping outside for a smoke, while Sarah took a quick shower. She didn’t have to guess that things went well last night with the way she walked and the just-fucked hair she was sporting on her way through the bedroom. Athan seemed rather chipper this morning, as well. Rhaena on the other hand … Wren was getting a lot better at reading her here lately. She knew there was the obvious strain of what was gonna happen to her body in one more day, but the way she kept eyeing her partner in the kitchen led Wren to believe there was something else. She’d make it a point to pry later.

It was gorgeous here. Even more so with fresh snow blanketing the already bright colors of fall. It seemed really early for snow, but not unusual for Boston winters. You couldn’t quite set your watch on it, but one could, for sure, never get an experience like this wild … wonderland of a thing that spread itself over these woods. Wren stepped off the porch and strolled out into the yard, the snow crunching beneath her boots as she dragged off her smoke. Her parents were expecting her in Andover today for Thanksgiving. She hadn’t gotten a chance to tell them not to. It probably made her an asshole for feeling a little relieved that she wouldn’t be making that appearance today, either. Wren hid behind Rhaena’s truck, tucking her cigarette between her teeth and making a loosely packed snowball in her freezing hands from the back fender, as Sarah crept out the front door to the cabin. She waited until Sarah’s hands were raising to cup around her cigarette and light it before chucking it square at her face. It found its mark and exploded, breaking the cigarette, and leaving Sarah with her mouth gaping as she brushed the snow from her hair.

“Oh, my God , Wren!” Sarah growled, smiling and barreling down the slick steps. She slid off the bottom one, landing ass-first in the snow. A sound “oof” left her chest when she hit. Wren burst out laughing. But not before grabbing more snow and pommeling her with another while she was down. “You’re dead, bitch!”

Wren howled and took off running, finding several good places to escape while Sarah started making a full-out arsenal in her arm. She felt one hit her back. “Your aim is as bad as your balance, slut!”

“Grow up!” Sarah cackled, hitting her with another one. “Come take this ass-whoopin’! And you owe me a cigarette!” She chased her around Rhaena’s truck, and then behind the large oak tree, both of them rounding it and darting for the front porch .

“Not today!” Wren barked, not seeing the swing as it blended into the cover of snow. She ran right into it and the old rope snapped, landing her face down in the snowbank. Sarah fell next to her, scarce of breath from laughing so hard. When Wren raised her face from the snow, her cigarette was also broken and soaking wet. She threw it across the yard and they both laid on their backs in gut-wrenching giggles. “I deserved that.”

“On this special holiday,” Sarah heaved between laughs. “I am thankful for … karma.” She drew a check mark in the air and Wren slapped the back of her hand into her stomach.

“I’m thankful for hard sleep. So I was spared from having to hear what obviously happened last night with Blood Daddy.” Wren dug her smushed pack of cigarettes out of her jacket and lit one while she passed them over to Sarah, who neither confirmed nor denied her remark. “So?” Wren pressed, blowing out smoke through her devious smile. “How was it?”

Sarah passed her the pack and took a long drag, staring up through the trees. “Have you ever been with a guy, and just thought to yourself … maybe I shouldn’t have done this, or … what if that was too much?” Wren turned her head to look over at her. “I’ve never once been with anyone and didn’t think that maybe he wouldn’t call back, or I was just some deranged lay that always went too far. Even with Brent, it was always just this … unspoken, uncomfortable , awkwardness between us.”

“I’m not really sure Brent is anything to compare it to, Sarah.” Wren couldn’t help but snort.

“It’s all I’ve ever known, really. Even some of them that were more like us. They were still just … withdrawn and creeped out by any little thing I did. Even if it was something I asked them to do to me.”

“Oooo … what did you ask him to do?” Wren grinned, taking another hit.

“That’s just it. I didn’t have to ask. Every move he made was just as welcomed as mine. Like he’s—like he’s my counterpart. That other half of me that’s been missing. I don’t think there’s a single thing I wouldn’t let him do, Wren.”

“Did he face you?”

“ Yes. God, yes … and he was fucking fascinating to watch. I lost count how many times we both got off.” She shook her head and drew on the filter.

“Lucky bitch.” Wren rolled her eyes and puffed on hers as well. “I need me something like that. Do you remember the bass guitarist in that band we went to see at Cannon’s Brewpub last year?”

Sarah jerked her head toward her and smacked her in the shoulder. “Oh, my God! Yes! Didn’t you go out with him once?”

“Dude, I told myself … he’s so damn perfect, I’d let him test out my bum hole if he wanted. That should have been the straw that broke the camel’s back with my interest in musicians.” Wren huffed.

“Why? Was he terrible? ”

“We went out and had such a good time. He was funny, and actually talked about something other than the road. I let him stay at my apartment and he was by far the worst fuck I think I’ve ever had.”

“Oh, noooo … why?”

“Well, for one. He was lazy. Like all of a sudden, he just seemed so entitled. He had that fuck-boy attitude like I should be so lucky to be in his company, and it turned me off. But I realized pretty early on that there just wasn’t any spark there. All the shit I felt during our date? I got played about as efficiently as that guitar.” Wren turned her face and met Sarah’s eyes. “I think everything leading up to what you have with Athan … you two spent so much time trying to bury the obvious truth that you’re perfect for each other, that you really had no idea how well all the pieces would fit.”

Sarah gave her a soft smile. “Look at you … growing up on me.”

“Oh, whatever. I’ll still fight off the reek of romance for as long as I can. And I can’t sit here and say I wouldn’t eat the toenails off the drummer from the same band if he offered.” Wren snorted, earning an eye roll and a giggle from Sarah. “But I am truly happy for you. And I mean that. You deserve it after all you’ve been through, Sarah. So does Athan.”

“Thanks, Wren. I know the circumstances suck … but I’m glad we’re all here together. I love you, bitch.”

“Don’t get soft!” Wren tossed a handful of snow over her, and slaps started flying between them. “You haven’t given me details yet!” Sarah scrambled to get away and Wren chased her back to the porch.

The fun … was fun—while it lasted, anyway. They bolted through the door and came face to face with Athan and Rhaena, both of them looking like someone just ran over their dog. Wren and Sarah stared at them for a moment and then gave each other identical looks of dread.

“What’s wrong?” Sarah breathed.

Wren met eyes with Rhaena, who was doubled over with sweat and an apologetic look. “I was gonna wait, but … you guys need to sit. We’ve gotta talk.”

It was difficult to look at her. The night they’d just had. The morning that seemed so … effortlessly happy. All of that was about to come crashing down about as quickly as it came. Athan had taken his turn in the shower, unfazed by the lack of warm water left. When he’d gotten out and dressed, he sipped on his coffee and had turned toward the front window just in time to see Wren clothesline herself on the rope swing and face plant into the snow. It almost forced coffee out of his nose. He thought about going out to join them both for a cigarette but realized that they were likely doing what best friends do and mulling over every dirty detail of what they’d done last night. That was not a conversation he wanted to be part of. He didn’t realize he’d started daydreaming about th ose details himself, until Rhaena stepped up behind him chugging more water from her jug.

“You wanna talk about it? They certainly are.” She snickered, turning the jug back up. Athan sipped his coffee again, both of them watching the girls.

“You know better than to think I’d kiss and tell.”

Rhaena wiped her mouth on her wrist. “Well … I noticed her neck looked pretty colorful. Doesn’t look like you couldn’t control yourself, though. That’s a start, right?” He brought his mug down slowly and Rhaena didn’t miss the sudden drop in his expression. “Right?” She peered around him to get his attention.

“She wanted me to. Asked me twice. I didn’t expect to hear her say anything like that. Especially not after her asking if the bond suddenly meant she’d turn into … something like me.” He finally met Rhaena’s stare.

“Something like you …” Rhaena breathed, nodding slowly and glancing back out the window. “Why would that be such a bad thing, Athan? Maybe it’s less about the downward spiral she’s been in since you bit her, and more about her need to feel equal to the one she’s mated to. If you think about it … it’s really not that surprising.”

“Is it an awful thing for me to want her to have more out of this life than the curse of being such a thing, Rhaena? In over two hundred years, I’ve never been happy. Not until last night, when she got down on that floor and told me that she chose me.”

“Yeah, but she’s not starting out her immortal life unhappy, Kane. She has you. Ultimately … it’s her decision.” She looked over at him again. “Not yours.”

Athan sighed. “I know … and you’re right.”

“Human life is precious. I think that’s one of the most special parts about you, Athan. Even being what you are … you never lost the humane part of yourself that sees her for what she is. Sarah doesn’t see you the way you see yourself. Neither do I … or Wren, for that matter. I can completely understand why you feel so compelled to protect her from this life, but being a vampire never robbed you of that part of your soul. I don’t think it would in her case, either. At least you’d be giving her the choice that was denied you.”

He let that sink in for a moment. “Rhaena … this is probably a strange time to bring this up, but … other than Dahlia, you’re the only person I’ve fucked since being turned.”

Rhaena snorted, “Am I? Well, isn’t that just warm and fuzzy.” She pressed a palm to her chest and grinned, taking another deep swallow from her jug. “As flattering as that is, why do you feel the need to tell me that?”

“Because,” he narrowed his eyes at the girls, who had started slapping each other in the snow. “You’re not human, and you still had some trouble sometimes—taking me.” He pretended not to catch the flush in Rhaena’s cheeks .

“Well … you’re uh—kind of a lot to take in, if you know what I mean.” Her soft giggle made him smirk a little. “Not to mention … you can be downright savage when you fuck. Not that I’ve ever found it in any way un-enjoyable, but had you not had all the control, I feel like I might have yelled a safe word once or twice.”

“We never had a safe word.” Athan glanced at her, and she bashfully turned her jug up and shrugged.

“Why are we talking about this, anyway? Did you hurt her, or something?”

Athan slowly shook his head. “No … I just found myself wondering. Last night, I practically had to force her to rest. We probably got about two hours of sleep, if that. Any break in between might have lasted all of a couple of minutes. There were only a few times that I really held myself back, and the only reason I did was to keep us both quiet.”

Rhaena smiled like she was thoroughly impressed. “I’m not really seeing a problem here.” She laughed.

“I’m not saying there is one. It was just something I noticed about her. Sarah might have flinched for a second or two every once in a while, but the way she took me …” He blew out a breath. “It was like I could give her all I had, and she could still take more.”

“What are you saying, exactly?” Rhaena asked, now wholly invested in the conversation. Athan lost patience and snapped his head toward her.

“I’m saying I fucked her harder last night than I ever fucked you. What kind of human can endure that? What kind of human can endure that and continue to endure it for hours, until I insist that she stop for her own good?” Rhaena’s mouth dropped slightly open as if she finally realized what he was getting at.

“You think she’s—”

“I dunno. Like I said … it was something I noticed. I did bite her once, and she’s been different ever since. Either my feeding on her really did more than we initially thought, or …”

“Or maybe she’s not human?”

Athan rubbed a palm over his face. “That doesn’t seem likely to me. Other than a few strange things, here and there … everything about her seems human to me. And we already know her blood was different before I ever bit her. I guess the detective part of my brain just has this need to figure her out. Especially before I even think of considering giving her what she asked of me last night.”

“There has to be someone we can talk to that has some knowledge about this kind of shit.” Rhaena fanned herself.

“I need to get in touch with Tony at that club. I feel like he might at least have a couple of theories I could run with. Maybe I can run out tomorrow before you get too bad off and be back in time for us to prep the closet.” He started to raise his mug to his mouth.

“Yeah, about that … I need to tell you something, Kane.” His cup paused in front of his face, and he looked over at her. Rhaena loosed a de ep sigh and ran a hand through her hair. “I spoke to Jenkins this morning. There’s an APB out for you and Sarah.”

“What?” He lowered the mug, gripping it hard enough to crack. “Why the fuck would Cap do that? I thought he was backing us on leaving town.”

“He didn’t do that. He’s working with Brandon to try and clear your names. That little twat from the crime scene orchestrated it. She’s apparently out to pin these murders on Sarah, and charge you with hiding her—which, if you ask me, I think is more to draw you out than actually book you with anything substantial.”

“That’s fucking ridiculous. It doesn’t even make sense. Why would Sarah stage a body to look like herself? She was accounted for at the time of the first murder and has a solid alibi. And I know exactly where she was when the second murder happened, too.”

“I think they know that. That’s probably why they also charged her with communicating a threat to a government official. They know it won’t hold.”

Athan could feel his temper boiling. He turned and stormed toward the kitchen, throwing the mug into the sink with enough force for it to shatter. Rhaena followed after him. “Fucking cunt! ”

“Calm down! This is exactly why I didn’t wanna say anything this morning.” He paced around the kitchen fisting his hair and she followed him back through the kitchen doorway into the living room. The front door burst open, and Wren and Sarah came cackling through it, both of them stopping dead when they saw their faces.

“What’s wrong?” Sarah asked.

And that’s where they all currently found themselves. It felt like they’d never have a moment’s peace. Athan understood then, why Rhaena hadn’t told him this morning. He felt the same way right now … looking at the hopelessness on Sarah’s face. On Wren’s. How could he tell her that the one thing she’d always been so sick of, was now a public witch hunt?

“I was gonna wait … but you guys need to sit. We’ve gotta talk.” Rhaena gestured to the couch. Wren went and sat, but Sarah ignored her, stepping forward and slipping her arms around his waist. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to how it made him feel when she did it.

“Is it her?” Sarah asked, searching his eyes for some kind of answer. He pulled her against him.

“Not this time. Come sit.” Athan helped her out of her wet jacket and offered her and Wren a clean blanket from the hutch.

It was starting to seem like for every potential answer she got, a new problem arose. The snowball effect. And not the kind Sarah had just finished warring Wren with. Not the kind that brought any kind of joy. They listened to Rhaena explain what Jenkins had told her this morning, and Sarah kept her eyes on Athan, who braced one hand on the tiny mantle over the fireplace and poked life into the fire with the other.

“Okay, so I only see one logical answer to this problem,” Sarah said, shrugging. Athan looked over his shoulder at her. “I turn myself in.”

“Absolutely not. Fuck that.” Athan’s eyes glinted with rage.

“Look, you’ve said it yourself. It makes no sense to charge me with anything. I have alibis for both of these ‘murders’,” she quoted with her fingers, “and if I never said anything about actually hurting Conrad Stratford, who I’m confident is very much unhurt , then what other choice do they have than to let me fucking go?”

Athan turned himself around. “That’s just it, Sarah. I think this was just an easy way for them to get their hands on you. Nick Specter was the one who gave me that glass container with the rest of your mom’s ashes. He said you ended up on the government’s radar when you went searching for whatever virus killed her. The Feds probably just want to charge you with some shit so that they won’t have to come looking for you. You’ll end up coming straight into the lion’s den on your own. We can’t let you do that. I won’t let you do that.”

“Athan, I’m sick of running. I’m sick of the what ifs. I’m never gonna stop being hunted for whatever it is that I am, okay? If you come with me, let me turn myself in … we’ll explain away our charges and if that’s the real reason they’re after me, then telling them my reasons for wanting to know more about what happened to her shouldn’t be bad enough for them to be allowed to take me anywhere. Am I wrong?” Sarah glanced between him and Rhaena, who looked at each other in deep thought. “There’s no law that I’ve broken, and no rules against the study of possibly harmful viruses, as long as it pertains to protecting the public from such a thing. I don’t know how to do their job, but I sure as shit know how to do mine. If I did nothing wrong, or illegal … then I shouldn’t have anything to worry about, should I?”

“I think showing them the strong type could benefit you. That’s just my opinion,” Wren offered, crossing her arms in front of her. “I think it would at least let them all know that you’re not alone in this, for one, and that you also don’t plan on coming without being armed to the teeth with your legal rights.”

Rhaena quirked a brow. “You could get a lawyer.”

“Call Brent,” Wren agreed.

“I don’t think so.” Athan stepped forward.

“Look, he’s one of the best lawyers in Boston. He also knows Sarah well. And to be honest, what better person would you have to argue away the bullshit with his father than the son that hates him most? Plus, he can legally challenge whatever tricks they’ve got up their crooked sleeves and see it coming before they even attempt to use it on her. I don’t like the prick, either … and yes … he did her wrong. But in doing so, I’d say he also kind of owes it to her to make that right. And I think redemption is not only what he really wants, but what he needs. ” Wren bit down on her lip .

“She’s right, Athan,” Rhaena agreed softly. “And her being in police custody would protect her from both Conrad and Dahlia’s crowd. At least, until we figure out how to handle that part.”

Sarah kept quiet and met his eyes. She could almost see them burning.

It’ll be okay. Come with me.

He let out a deep exhale that suggested he’d unknowingly been holding his breath.

I’d never leave you. I just don’t think you realize what you’re walking into, Sarah.

Her lips tugged up in the corner.

I’d walk into Hell as long as I was beside you, Athan Kane.

He softened and his shoulders slumped as the tension in them eased.

Goddammit … I love you.

“Am I missing something here?” Wren broke their concentration and wagged her finger between the two of them. Sarah huffed a laugh through her nose and shook her head.

“Rhaena, can you get Jenkins to figure out Brent’s cell number? I don’t have it memorized.” Sarah glanced back at Athan, who reluctantly nodded his approval.

“Alright,” Rhaena agreed, sliding the phone out of her pocket and texting her lover.

“Can Brent represent both of you?” Wren asked, leaning toward her.

“I think so.” Sarah shifted on the couch. “I don’t see why not. Though, asking him to defend Athan will probably be a huge test of his character.” She snorted.

“I don’t need him. I’ve got Foley. I’ve got the entire precinct.” Athan’s tone was almost cold.

“Brent might be a lot of things … but he is a brilliant lawyer. Ruthless, really. It’s about the only good thing I can say about him, anymore.” It wasn’t much to offer him, but Sarah hoped it would ease his mind … at least a little.

“My how the tables have turned.” Wren rolled her eyes, wringing her fingers in her lap.

Sarah peered over at her. It was becoming a bit more clear now that Wren’s feelings were rapidly changing where Brent was concerned, but she didn’t even know if Wren herself was aware of it. It made her curious to see how he’d react around Wren the next time they were in close proximity. “You’re hiding something.” Sarah poked her in the ribs. Wren looked up, eyes wide and shook her head.

“What are you talking about?”

“What happened? Don’t say nothing. I see it all over your face.” Sarah watched her eyebrows slack. Athan backed up to the fireplace and leaned on the mantle .

Wren breathed a sigh. “That day we left … when I saw him at the pub during lunch? He hauled off and punched a guy that accidentally spilled his beer on me.”

“Brent?!” Sarah’s mouth dropped open.

“It shocked me, too. I didn’t know he had it in him. But he’s definitely not himself. I kind of felt bad for the bastard.”

There it was. Evidence enough. Sarah tried to hide her knowing smirk. It would definitely prove interesting to see what fired up between those two. And oddly enough, she didn’t mind. She wasn’t gonna push it. If anything came of that, it would happen on its own.

I know what you’re thinking, and you better be wrong.

Sarah glanced up at Athan, who watched her through lowered brows with a hand in his pocket.

If I’m right, it wouldn’t be a terrible thing. He fucked up, Athan … but he’s not a bad person.

His jaw tightened and his mouth twitched.

Because … and only because … you see the good in me, I’ll let you have that. But Wren is too good for that guy. And his father is a fucking serpent.

Sarah leaned back into the couch.

True. But we’re doing what we can to give the little bitch what he deserves, right? If we bring him to justice, she’ll be safe. If he ever made her as happy as I feel right now … then they both deserve a go at it. Don’t they?

Wren pulled the blanket off of them and went to the kitchen to rummage through the fridge. Sarah raised her knee and eyed him closely while she trailed a hand up her inner thigh. His throat bobbed and he looked away, smirking.

Fuck you for that.

Sarah chuckled through her nose, covering herself with the blanket again when Rhaena came back in from the bedroom.

“Alright, I’ve got the number. Who’s gonna call him?”

Brent sat in the parking lot at EverLife’s campus, forgetting that they’d likely be closed for the holiday. He was walking a fine line between legally having Nick Specter pissing himself and beating the shit out of him. He still wasn’t sure where this tempered rage was coming from all of a sudden. He tried talking himself out of figuring out where the prick lived. If he’d listen to the rational voice in his head that told him to plan it out, and wait for the best opportunity to strike, then he could keep himself out of the trouble he earned his living battling for his clients. He considered going to the mansion. This might be the last Thanksgiving he could ever spend with his mother, though he wasn’t sure he could look at her knowing that he’d given away her only chance at survival. His phone rang and he looked down at it while it sat on the mount attached to his dashboard. An unknown number. He opened the call.

“Brent Stratford.”

“Stratford, this is Detective Kane.”

His skin prickled with nerves. “I’m assuming you’ve been warned about your face being all over the news? Where’s Sarah?”

“We’re aware. That’s why I’m calling. Sarah’s just fine. She can hear you.”

“Hey, Brent.”

Neither one of them sounded like they were especially concerned about being wanted for murder. “I know you didn’t do this, Sarah. And Kane, your captain came to my house this morning. What is it that you need me to do? I wanna help.”

“Brent, I need to hire you. Can you represent me if I turn myself in?” Sarah asked.

It only filled him with more anger. “Why the hell would you do something like that? You didn’t hurt anybody.”

“I know that. If we give up the chase, then I was hoping you could help convince them too. I’m not well-versed in legal shit. Running only makes me look guilty.”

“Kane?”

“I’m coming, too.”

“They’re charging you for harboring?”

“So, I’ve been told.”

Brent sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “If you two are really gonna do this, then—then Kane, I think it would look better and run smoother if you brought her in as the arresting officer.”

“Oooo, you get to arrest me,” Sarah snickered quietly.

“Yeah, I’m still here. Thanks.” Brent rolled his eyes.

“That’s a smart move, Stratford. I can do that. But while we’re on the subject of charges, how much would you be able to help argue against the government coming after her for research?”

Brent stared at the phone and scrunched his face. “Research?”

“Yeah, research I did at the lab regarding my mom. Can they do that to me?”

“If you didn’t try to illegally pry open classified documentation, then no. We’re all protected by the same constitution. It shouldn’t matter, as long as you didn’t break any laws. I don’t really have to know much about what they’re worried about you finding, I just have to argue that they’re infringing your rights. I’ll be able to get a better idea once we hear what they have to say.”

“So, you’ll help?” she sounded hopeful, but not desperate. Something in him warmed at the contentment in her voice. It was at that moment; he’d realized he let her go for good.

“Yeah, I’ll help. When are you planning to do this?”

“Monday morning.” It sounded like Kane had cut her off before she could answer. “Holiday weekends are crawling with cops. I don’t have my car to bring her in. We’ll hide out at my place Sunday night, and I’ll take her in Monday morning.”

“Won’t the cops be scoping your place?”

“Northwood said they already tossed my apartment. They’re not likely to go back. It’ll be the last place anyone would expect us to go.”

“That’s true. Keep in touch if you think of anything else. I’ll meet you both at the precinct on Monday.” Brent paused for a moment, wondering if he should ask, but the heaviness outweighed. “And Sarah?”

“Yeah?”

“I know this probably isn’t even fair to ask you … but do you still have the blood bag I gave you the night of the benefit?”

There was a long pause on the other end. “Why, Brent?” It was the first time she’d sounded irritated throughout the whole conversation.

“My dad showed up at my place this morning. He more or less threatened me in my own home. And that was after he slapped a restraining order against me. He wanted the bag back. Said my mother was going to die without it. Watch your backs. I don’t know what he could potentially do to get it from you. But I wanted to warn you about it.”

“So … are you warning me … asking me for it … or both?” A fair response.

“You know her, Sarah. My mom would never take a way out if someone out there had a better use for it. She’s ready to go. Just be careful… okay?”

“You’re a good lawyer, Brent. I hear you loud and clear. I’ll be careful.”

He smirked and nodded his head. “Alright.”

“Thank you, Stratford. I won’t forget this. We’ll see ya.”

“Yeah … see ya.”

Call ended.