Black Bird (Nevermore Duet #1)

CHAPTER 28

THE THREADS OF FATE

Athan’s piercing glance through the mirror was enough proof to know that he had sensed her panic when Rhaena heard Foster threaten to expose what they were. How the hell she knew any of it, they didn’t truly know. But Jenkins braced a hand on her back, directing her attention to Captain Foley, whose mouth dropped open in betrayal. She felt like she’d be sick.

“Out you? About what?” he asked, turning to face her. “What did you do, Gloves?”

Rhaena’s palms began to sweat, and the color leached from her face as she tried to remain calm. “I haven’t done anything, sir. I’ve busted my ass on this case, and so has Kane.”

“I won’t argue that, Northwood. But that doesn’t mean that you’re telling me everything. What would give her a reason to think she has something on you?”

“With respect, sir …” Jenkins cut in, “I feel like she’s bluffing, and doesn’t have a damn thing. She cornered me outside a coffee truck days ago trying to get me to talk, too. I had been trying to call you.”

“I warned you about her, Jenkins.” Foley’s face was hard, and unforgiving. “I told you she’d do it. I’m interested in what Kane has to say for himself. And what’s she playing at with St. James’ mother?”

Rhaena swallowed and stared at the floor. “Sarah moved here to find out what killed her mother years ago.” All eyes went straight to Kane and Brent as they reluctantly stepped into the room.

“Lock that.” Foley pointed towards the door. Kane did as he was told and nervously shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “Nobody speaks unless spoken to. Detective …” He shot Athan a pointed look. “I’m starting with you. You had better start explaining yourself. How did Foster come to the idea that she knows who this killer is before the two of you could figure it out? And why does she think our vic already knows it?”

Athan glanced at her, and the heart attack she nearly had at the apologetic look in his eyes almost had her stumbling back. That mind trick he and Sarah had would be incredibly useful right now. He sighed hard and straightened his spine before looking back at their captain. “Because she does, sir.”

Foley’s mouth pressed into a thin line of utter disappointment. “I see. So, you’ve known this entire time?”

“I have,” Athan breathed.

“You’ve got two seconds to tell me the truth, detective. ”

Athan’s head turned toward the window and he looked hard at Sarah who was in deep conversation with Foster. Rhaena watched Sarah’s mouth drop open like someone had hit her with something so heavy, she couldn’t even come up with the words. Everything about this situation sucked. He didn’t look at the captain as he answered, “I did it.”

Foley’s face drooped in shock, Brent’s expression mirroring his. “I beg your pardon?”

Athan turned his face back to him and tightened his jaw. “I attacked her outside the club that night.”

Foley stared at him in disbelief. “You’re kidding me … why ? Why would you do something like this? You told me that you loved that girl, Kane.”

“I do, sir. More than anything. It’s not what you think.”

“You’re one of them …” Brent whispered, realizing what he was saying. “You—” Athan turned his head just in time to see Brent lunge forward, grabbing him by the collar with both hands and slamming him into the glass. Sarah and Foster startled on the other side, and both immediately jumped from their chairs, but made no move toward the door. “You son-of-a-bitch! You did this to her!”

“Stratford!” Foley went for them the same time Rhaena did, trying to pull them apart. Athan didn’t even put up a fight. He was taking what he thought he deserved. Brent fought against them, landing a solid punch to Kane’s mouth before they dragged him backward, separating the two.

“How?!” Brent screamed. “How could she hate me for what I did to her, but love you for fucking killing her?!” Rhaena couldn’t say a word as she held Brent back, Jenkins stepping in to help restrain him.

“Get it together!” Foley growled, keeping a palm against Kane’s chest, and his other on Brent’s. “Get it together, or I’ll cuff you both.” He looked back at Athan, who licked the blood from his busted lip. “What does he mean, ‘one of them’ ?”

“Sir, I think you know exactly what he means,” Athan’s voice was low and defeated. “Do you want me to say it out loud?”

Rhaena wasn’t sure she was breathing. Brent stilled in her hold, trembling with rage. Jenkins kept quiet, anticipating how her involvement would come up, no doubt. “That club is full of fucking vampires . That’s what the fuck I mean. He’s a fucking vampire , and he killed my fiancé and left her in a fucking alley … right before he came back and pretended to be her savior and take her from me!” Brent snarled.

Foley was still as death as he stared at Athan. “So … that’s what was wrong with you the day I gave you that lead. When I asked you to go question her. You didn’t know …”

Athan slowly shook his head and looked down at the floor in shame. “I thought she was dead, sir.”

“And you were just gonna play this off … play me .” Foley turned his attention to Rhaena, and she cowered under his stare. “And you … I thought you were different, Gloves. You were gonna help him cover it?”

“She didn’t know. I didn’t tell her, and I wasn’t going to. She’s good at her job. She figured me out, and she just wanted to help me,” Athan spoke up in her defense. Rhaena felt her eyes sting with tears, the growing lump in her throat almost unbearable.

“If it’s true … what you say … how are you able to—you walk in light like it doesn’t bother you.” Foley’s brows drew together, creasing the lines in his forehead.

“They’re after her because of her blood, sir. That’s what they’re in there talking about. That’s the reason she’s alive … and it’s the reason I’m different. She changed me. In every possible way, she’s changed me. I just want to stop them from getting to her.”

“You don’t deserve anything,” Brent spat, clenching his teeth. “You deserve her less than I do.”

“She’s not safer with you, Brent,” Rhaena finally spoke. “Your father still wants her for the same thing. Athan didn’t choose to do what he did to her. But you did. Sarah understands that. She loves him.”

“I could care less who loves who,” Foley snapped, earning their attention. “Our job … is to protect the people. Our job is to find the pieces of shit that wanna do harm, and now you’re telling me I’ve got one detective that’s dropped a body of his own, another that helped him conceal murder, and a senator’s son—who happens to be a lawyer—that’s landed himself right smack in the middle of a case … where his father is apparently more hungry for that girl’s blood than a mob of vampires in a club? Do you know how insane this sounds?” Foley slid both palms over his bald head. “This gets out and we’ll be the laughingstock of the fucking nation.” He looked back at Kane, who crossed his arms and stared at the floor. “How many more murders have you covered up that were yours, detective?”

Rhaena swallowed around the swelling knot in her throat, tightening her fists at her sides. Athan didn’t look up from the floor. “Twelve, sir. Since I started at the precinct.”

“Jesus …” Foley whispered under his breath. “Give me your badge … and your gun.”

“Sir,” Rhaena choked, blinking back tears. “Please don’t. We still have to stop these—”

“Yours too, Northwood!” Foley snapped his face towards her. “You’re both suspended until further notice.” Kane’s face popped up and he and Rhaena stared at each other. “Now.” He held his broad hand out. Rhaena un-clipped her badge from her belt, and handed it over, along with her pistol. Athan did the same, taking his badge from around his neck and staring at his weapon as Foley took it. For a split second, Rhaena remembered that gun being a part of the very first intimate moment Athan and Sarah had ever had. “I don’t want either of you near this case. Stratford, unless you want to catch charges of your own … stay the hell away from all of them. None of you better leave town. Jenkins … I’m not gonna ask you what you know. I need at least one person to help me figure out a way to work through this shit heap.”

Foley gave Rhaena a long, hard look. It felt like getting scolded by her uncle when she was little. Her chest ached, and she couldn’t bring herself to look away. “I’m sorry, sir.” A tear fell from her eye and streaked down her cheek. “I’m a good cop. I want the same things as anyone else that takes that oath. I want you to know that.”

He swallowed and slowly nodded. “I believe you, Gloves. I know what it’s like to be in a tough situation … but all our choices have consequences. I’m sorry.” He lowered his eyes to the floor. “You both can wait for St. James at your desks. When she’s done, go home. All your phones will be returned to you. Clear out.” He slowly put his hands in his pockets and turned to face the window where Sarah and Foster had sat back down and were continuing to talk.

Rhaena glanced at Athan, and then at Jenkins who offered his hand. She took it and they all moved past Brent, who stood eyeing Kane as they passed. She turned around one last time, clearing her throat as she looked at her captain. “Can I ask you something, sir?” Foley turned his head in silent reply. “Why didn’t you seem surprised?”

They had all stopped, waiting for his answer, and he took a long moment to give it. “I told you before, Northwood. You don’t get involved with your partner. It’s trouble, and it never ends well. It didn’t end well for me. I’m a good cop too … but I should have been a better one.” He stared at her for a moment before returning his attention to the interrogation room. “Go.”

It was a silent walk back to their desks, which were now clear of all Agent Foster’s crew. Their board had been taken to the room with the rest of their shit, and Rhaena pulled her chair out, slowly sitting down as Brent stopped a few feet away. Athan rounded his own desk, observing all the trash and bullshit left behind. Jenkins sat on the edge, offering her silent comfort.

“I’m not sorry,” Brent started, staring a hole through Athan’s face. “We’ll have our time, detective. Boston shouldn’t have a monster like you looking after them.”

“I gave Sarah truth. I gave her space. She chose me on her own, Stratford. I let you have your moment. There won’t be another. Whether you approve or not, Sarah is mine. She doesn’t need your permission to live her own fucking life or make her own decisions. I didn’t take her from you. It doesn’t take a detective to know she was done with you before she’d even met me.” Athan’s eyes started to narrow, and his jaw feathered. “Because she cares about you, and because you helped her … I’m not gonna lay a hand on you. But if you so much as make a move towards me … or her? I’ll show you how much of a monster I can be.” His eyes went black, and Jenkins pursed his lips, looking anywhere but at the unfolding situation.

“That’s your cue to leave, Brent,” Rhaena warned, without looking at him. Brent stood, staring him down for a long moment before turning and running a hand through his hair as he walked to the elevator. One of Foster’s uniforms approached them with an evidence bag that held all of their phones.

“I was told to give this to you,” the man said, handing Jenkins the bag. He didn’t say anything else before turning back down the hall and making himself scarce. Jenkins opened it and started passing out the devices.

“What do we do now?” Rhaena dared ask as Athan lowered himself into his chair. It screeched loudly when he turned it and Rhaena ground her teeth.

“I’m not leaving without her. I dunno what’s happening in there, but whatever Foster is filling her head with, she hasn’t tried to communicate it. When they’re done, I’m taking her out. Somewhere she can relax and clear her head.” Athan leaned back in his chair.

“That’s not a bad idea. I could use another day off,” Jenkins added, teetering Wren’s phone between his fingers. “We need to go find her and get your truck, anyway.”

“Go. I’ll wait for her.” Athan’s head nodded towards the elevator. Rhaena softly smiled at him.

“I’m sorry …” she breathed, hanging her head.

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for. It’s my fault. All of this is my fault, and I’ll make it right, Rhaena. Call me. I’ll meet you back at the apartment. We’ve got a lot of cleaning up to do.”

“Fuck,” Rhaena grumbled, forgetting about the mess she wasn’t ready to see. She hopped up from her chair, grabbing her stuff. Jenkins palmed her back as she turned. “We’re gonna get through this, Kane. All of us.” He toyed with the stubble on his chin and nodded once as he stared off. “I’ll see you later.”

“Do you have any idea how much of a relief it is that you know the reason I’m here?” Foster asked, situating herself in her chair. Sarah nervously leaned forward, staring at her. “I have nothing against you, Sarah. If I’m being honest, I even like you a little … but you’ve been a royal pain in my ass.”

Sarah scoffed, rolling her eyes. “I’ve been a pain in your ass?” She slapped her hand to the table. “Ever since my mom died, I’ve been trying to get away from you people. I’ve been left completely alone. My mom’s parents died when she was young, I have no siblings, and then I was an orphan with no fucking money. If that wasn’t bad enough, I didn’t even get to say goodbye to her, or give her the funeral she deserved. Nobody would give me answers, nobody would help me … and then I was kidnapped, and injected with God knows what, just so you fuckers could track my every move and use me like a guinea pig. Go fuck yourself!”

Foster shook her head and crossed her arms. “You have no idea.”

“Enlighten me then. Who the fuck are you?” Sarah crossed hers as well, leaning back in the seat.

“I’m part of a special team. Honestly, I do a lot of the same work you do, only I have to play cop more often than I’d like. It’s not the part I enjoy most. I prefer working with my hands. That being said, we didn’t inject you with anything. ”

“Try again. I woke up on a table with bright lights, and my arms strapped down. When I thought I was delusional the next morning, I saw several needle pricks on my arms. What the hell did you do to me? What happened to my mom?”

Foster sighed. “You weren’t delusional, and yes…that was us. I’m sorry for that. But we didn’t do anything to you. We drew blood from several places on your arms. All we did was draw it and test it. That’s it, I swear it.” She held up two fingers. “As far as the shit with your mom, you’re gonna have to give me something first.”

“Not happening. You get nothing until I get what you promised me. Unless Brent was right, and you’re full of shit.” Sarah pressed her lips into a hard line.

“You still think that?” Foster scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Fine. Tell me … what do you remember about the night you were attacked? What did it feel like? What did it do to your body?”

“I don’t remember anything but the pain. I didn’t see him.”

Foster’s eyebrows jumped up and she grinned. “ Him … ”

Fuck …

Sarah swallowed, dismissing it, and willing calm into her face. “I felt pain, and then … vaguely remember a feeling of euphoria, and then … nothing. Black. Empty … peaceful. When I woke up in the hospital it was excruciating, but I was mostly just weak and faint.”

“You wanna know why?” Foster smiled. Sarah shrugged in reply. “Because you were drained to the point of death. You died because there wasn’t anything left to fuel your heartbeat. You didn’t die from the venom of the bite itself. Vampire venom is lethal. Your blood is … familiar with it. Resistant. Practically immune.”

Sarah tried not to look surprised. “You say that like it shouldn’t sound absolutely nuts.”

“Oh, for God’s sake, St. James. Are we gonna do this? When I said I was part of a special team, I didn’t mean some special ops military that fishes out terrorists. I’m part of a paranormal organization that keeps the lid on shit like this. Yes … I know vampires exist. I know plenty. I know your sexy boyfriend is one. Good job, by the way. Furthermore, I know he’s the one that killed you … and I know what coven he belongs to, and what your blood did to him.” Sarah’s skin prickled with her admission, just as a loud thud sounded against the mirror, scaring them both to death. They jumped up from their chairs.

“I thought you turned the sound off,” Sarah panicked.

“It is off. It’s gotta be something else.”

“Should we go check?” Sarah squinted, trying to see through the glass, but of course … that wasn’t happening.

“Let them handle it. We’ve got cards to lay out.” Foster gestured for her to sit back down, and Sarah did while the agent dropped back into her chair.

“Athan didn’t kill those girls,”’ Sarah said, giving her a hard look.

“I never believed he did. But he sure made a spectacle out of you . And now that he has, certain others know things about you that we’ve been trying to keep quiet. It didn’t help that you continue to shine that spotlight on yourself . Now look at the mess we’re in. Bodies are stacking up, you’re compiling a list of vultures, and you’re threatening to expose everything we’ve worked for years to conceal from the public eye. Like I said, it’s not that I don’t like you. You’re just a pain in the ass.”

“I didn’t ask to be this way!” Sarah spat, glaring at her.

“Yeah, babies usually don’t.” The sympathetic look that flashed across Foster’s face was unmistakable.

“What?”

Foster took a deep breath and leaned forward, seemingly trying to soften whatever it was she was about to hit her with. “Your mother didn’t die from a virus, Sarah. We classified it as such, so that the public wouldn’t know. Katherine St. James was killed … slowly, and tortuously … by vampire venom. She was bitten. And not just bitten to be fed on. Whoever did it never took a drop from her. They murdered her. They bit her solely to kill her in cold blood, and nothing else.”

She thought she’d be sick. Her mother’s face as she lay dying, flashed in her memory. Sarah’s mouth slowly fell open, but no words came out. It made all the sense in the world—except—who? Why? Who would do such a thing to such an incredibly kind woman? Her mother had always been a bright, bubbly, humorous person. She’d have given the shirt off her back to anyone. She rarely even got mad, even when she had every right to be … especially in Sarah’s teenage years. Sarah stared at the table.

“After she passed, we watched you. We were ordered to go get you … discreetly. We brought you to the lab in northern Seattle and tested your blood against your mother’s. They wanted to be sure about everything before we put the case to rest … but then we discovered something.”

“My blood was different,” Sarah answered.

Foster nodded. “Similar … and yet, not. We compared them to your records from the time you were born up until the age you were when we drew your blood that night. You were born this way. As you grew, your blood mutated itself from the vampire blood that you share—with whoever your father is.”

“So … you’re saying …” Sarah paused, swallowing down the bile that was creeping up her throat.

“You’re half vampire. We were never after you. We’re trying to protect you. Keep everyone from knowing what you are. What they are … and you can just about imagine what would happen if the wrong people find out what your blood can do. We’re not trying to exploit you, Sarah. There’s no magic potion that can cure everything. Even if there is … do you understand what I'm saying?”

Sarah felt her body slump in the seat. “You’re saying the government doesn’t want a cure-all …”

“It would be more mass hysteria than finding out vampires and werewolves exist among them. People die of illness, yes. It’s sad … but it’s natural , Sarah. That kind of imbalance would alter the world. And maybe not for the better. Plus … imagine the kind of life you would have after that. Would you really want that for yourself?”

She thought about that little girl on the TV. The diminished hope in her eyes, and the anguish that wrecked her mother as she sat next to her in that hospital. The thought also crossed her mind that had she known about the effects of her blood sooner, she would have been able to save her own mother. Then there was Rhaena. How taxing her transition had been on a body that was well-trained. Hope ran through her very veins, yet … giving that hope to others was also such a fickle thing. One that Foster was begging her not to consider. It wasn’t that Foster wasn’t correct … it just didn’t feel right . Her mind flooded with so much that a headache started blooming at her temples. Sarah reached up, massaging them in circles.

“I know it’s a lot. I’m sorry.” Foster did her best to appear soothing, but it just didn’t suit her personality. “You’ve gotta keep this to yourself, Sarah. Stay out of the spotlight. Tell me who I’m looking for, so that we can take care of the threat. Work with me here.”

“So … my father. He’s a vampire? Mom never told me much about him. All I’ve ever been told is that it was a one-time thing, and she didn’t know where to find him.”

Foster’s mouth tightened in sympathy. “Yeah, he is. Sorry, but I don’t know more than that.”

“But that means there’s more out there. Mom lived in Seattle since she was a kid. The house I sold belonged to her parents before that. There are other covens. Some in that area?”

“Sarah, there are covens spread out all over the world. I do know of one close to that area, but they’re in Oregon now. Finding your father, as harsh as this sounds, isn’t on the top of my priority list. I was sent here to fix this problem.”

Athan’s story from this morning came to mind. How they’d docked in Jamestown and how the residents had already apparently had their issues with vampires. It was a wonder that less people knew about the truth. Now, vampires were just sexy, or scary stories that people made money off of in show business. “What do you wanna know?” she asked quietly.

“I want to know what you know. Don’t leave anything out. And before you try to deny it for her protection, yes … I know that Rhaena Northwood is a werewolf. Give me what I need, and both their secrets are safe, and you all can exist in your little love triangle however you want.”

Sarah huffed, rolling her eyes. And then she told her everything. Foster didn’t take notes or interrupt her with questions. She only listened, taking in every detail and occasionally narrowing her eyes like she was piecing it all together. When she was finished, she felt winded, but somehow lighter. Like a tremendous pressure had been lifted off her shoulders, but replaced with the slight weight of a truth she wasn’t sure how to deal with.

“Do you know anything about the kid that disappeared?” Foster asked .

“I don’t. I know Athan had suspected the same thing, but he hasn’t been back to the club.”

“And Nick Specter? Your boss?”

“I’ve not spoken to him in quite a while, though I’d like to beat the shit out of him for his part in all this.” Sarah cracked her knuckles under the table.

“I don’t blame you … but you need to keep a low profile right now. When you leave this building, please for the love of God … don’t make my job harder. I’m begging you.”

Sarah stared at her for a few long seconds, but then nodded—knowing full well that keeping a low profile was the last fucking thing she was planning to do. She was done depending on other people to look out for her. Even if they were more experienced. Foster slipped a card across the table and Sarah took it between her fingers.

“I want you to call me if there’s anything else I need to know, or if you need help. Understand? Don’t leave me in the dark, and I’ll extend the same courtesy. This will all go so much smoother if we work together.”

“I should probably tell you something before I leave,” Sarah admitted, standing slowly. Foster braced herself and blew out a frustrated breath.

“Hit me with it.”

“I gave that blood bag to Brent to take to the little girl at the hospital. Or to help his mother. Whichever he decides to do. I did tell him to keep it to himself.”

“That’s a dangerous gamble, friend.” Foster shook her head. “If they’re cured and word gets out … it fucks this whole thing up. You do realize that, don’t you?”

“I understand. But if it could just save one life before we stick it in the vault forever …”

“Sarah … look, I—weaving the threads of fate? That’s not something you wanna take on. It’s not something anybody could handle on their own, and it’s not something the world is ready for. I get it … I really do. But this has gotta be the last time, and you need to make damn sure it stays quiet. Don’t get on the wrong side of this. You have enough enemies as it is. Don’t make us one of them. Deal?” Foster raised her brows.

“Alright,” Sarah agreed, turning towards the door. Foster didn’t say anything else as she crept down the hallway, dodging pointed looks until she made it to Kane’s desk. He raised from his chair as she approached, stumbling around the side of the desk and taking her into his arms. She had no words to describe the way it made the floodgates open and everything she’d been holding in spilled out into broken sobs as she buried her face into his chest.

“I’ve got you …” Athan soothed, stroking her hair. She didn’t like feeling so vulnerable in front of a precinct full of strangers, but the harder he squeezed her, the more stable she felt. She felt his chin lift off the top of her head and she turned to see Foley standing behind her in the hallway. He said nothing, and looked like he was ready to explode. “Let’s get you outta here, okay?”

“Please,” Sarah agreed, taking his hand as he led her to the elevator.

Sarah nestled close to him as they waited for the elevator to reach the bottom. Neither of them said anything … not aloud, or through their minds as the doors opened and everyone’s eyes followed their every move. Athan knew none of them had heard what he’d disclosed to his captain, and the way they always looked at him, even before their pictures popped up on the news … it never really bothered him. But the way they looked at her —he wanted to flail every last one of them. He shouldn’t have been shocked when Sarah stopped them abruptly, turning herself in a circle and looking at them all.

“Staring is easy enough. Anybody got the fucking balls to say whatever’s on their mind?” Several looked away, busying themselves. Some didn’t and continued to stare. “No? What a shame. I was looking forward to casting a spell or two … maybe lend you some of my clothes and gut you in an alley,” Sarah snapped, reeling a chuckle from him as he slid a hand around her back. She focused on a dark-haired rookie that resembled her, the cop’s smug expression honing in when Sarah smirked at her. “You look like you’d be fun, bitch.”

“Try it,” Officer Grayson bit, placing a hand on her weapon.

“If any of you knew how to do your fucking jobs, you’d know it wasn’t us. The next time you see me, you’ll be thanking me for doing it for you.” Sarah growled.

“Detective!” Athan and Sarah both turned back toward the elevator to see Foster hurrying towards them. Everybody else resumed whatever they were doing. The agent approached and Athan sneered at her. “When I told you I’d have your badge, I didn’t expect you to give it up, yourself. What the hell did you do?”

Sarah turned toward him, peering up in surprise. “You what? ”

“Captain Foley just informed me that you and Northwood are suspended. He wouldn’t say why.” Foster placed a hand on her hip.

“It’s none of your business, Foster,” Athan said through his teeth. “And don’t try to act like you’re sorry it happened, now. If you hadn’t come here, we’d still be working this case. Go fuck up somebody else’s day.”

She trained her eyes on Sarah. “You haven’t told him yet …” Athan looked down at his mate who returned Foster’s attention.

“I’ve only been gone for five minutes. That’s a lot to unpack in an elevator.”

“Fair enough. But you should know … Foley looks like he’s seen a ghost. If he has any idea what we talked about, then it’s just another peg on the board that we have to keep eyes on. So, figure it out … quietl y .” Foster narrowed her eyes at Sarah, and then nodded once at him. “I’ll try to smooth that out, detective.” She turned and left, and he could feel Sarah’s eyes on him.

“What happened in there? And what the hell hit the window?”

“Let’s get outta here first.” He turned them around and they didn’t speak again until he’d started his car and backed out of the parking space.

“Brent left already?” Sarah asked, noticing the empty spot where his car had been parked.

“He didn’t really have much choice in the matter. He either had to leave on his own, or in a fucking body bag.” Athan felt his temper rising. Sarah’s brows furrowed and she snapped her head toward him.

“What? Damn, what’d I miss?”

“When Foster said something about outing me and Rhaena, Foley demanded answers. He locked us in observation, and I—” he paused, glancing at her and shifting gears. “I had to tell him the truth.”

“Oh, my God.”

“I didn’t get too far into it before Stratford flew off about how I’d hurt you …” Athan swallowed hard before he continued, “and then he shoved me into the window and went on about how I stole you from him, and he couldn’t believe you chose me, but couldn’t forgive him.”

“Jesus, Athan … and you let him?”

“I let him get one in. He busted my lip. Foley and Rhaena pulled him off, and he barely let me answer all Cap’s questions. He told him all about the club. Foley suspended us for keeping shit from him. I deserve it, I guess. But Rhaena didn’t. I’ve gotta fix it, Sarah.”

He could practically feel the rage radiating from her in the passenger seat. “Just because he’s hurt, doesn’t mean he had any right to attack you like that. I’ll fucking—”

“I didn’t have any right to take your life, either … just because I was overwhelmed. He needed it. As a man, I understood it. But I let him know there wouldn’t be another shot. I told him if he came after either one of us again, he’d regret it. He left afterwards.”

“My life …” Sarah trailed off, turning her face to the passenger side window and staring blankly out of it. Hearing her cry upstairs had him itching to pommel Foster. Whatever had gutted her like that had to have been big. While her breakdown was brief, it still showed on her, and it made him want to rage. Athan reached over, grabbing her hand.

“Tell me,” he breathed, glancing over at her.

She was quiet for several minutes before squeezing his hand and looking down at her lap. “Foster’s a paranormal … investigator ? I dunno … she worked my mom’s case. She apparently specializes in this kind of shit, and her job is to keep it hush. Mama was—” Sarah paused, sniffling. Athan gripped her fingers tighter. “Somebody murdered her.”

He couldn’t help but feel a bit confused by it. “I thought she was sick? I don’t—” It hit him then. Foster was investigating a paranormal attack. “A vampire …” He slowed at a stop light and looked over at her.

“She knows it was you that attacked me. She never believed you killed anybody else. She told me the reason I didn’t live through yours was because you bled me dry. Mama was different. Foster said they didn’t feed on her at all, they only bit her. She was targeted.”

He lowered his brows. “Who did it?”

Sarah shook her head. “They don’t know.”

He pulled forward, following the traffic. “Let me do it,” he offered. “Let me find them for you.”

“Foster said there’s covens all over the place. This person could be anywhere, Athan. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack.”

He scoffed and offered her a smirk. “Baby, that’s my job .”

“Eww, Athan. Don’t ever say that again … gross.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re the only one of us without a nickname. What would you rather me call you?”

“Anything but baby .” Sarah grinned, rolling her eyes. At least he’d made her smile. “Majesty will do just fine, I think.”

Athan snorted loudly, flashing his eyes at her. “You’re saying you want me to call you the same thing I call your—” Sarah’s face darted towards him, mouth gaping. “Eyes?” She whacked him in the shoulder, and he blocked her swatting, giggling and trying to keep his eyes on the road. “Christ! You … violent creature. I’m driving here.”

“Anybody ever tell you that you’re ten times as sexy when you smile like that?” She asked, staring at him.

“Nobody would … nobody makes me smile like that except you … Baby .” He grinned, winking.

“Insufferable bastard.”

“You wouldn’t have it any other way. Besides, I got your attention just by walking pissed, right?”

She cocked her head and nodded. “This is true.” She looked out the window and then turned herself to look out of every other one in the car. “Where are we going?”

Athan moved his hand from the gear shift to her thigh and smiled as he stared forward at the road. “I’m taking you out. First lunch, and then a surprise.”

“A date?” Sarah beamed, grabbing his hand. His chest ached at the sight of that smile.

“Isn’t that what I was supposed to do before I spilled your blood, shot a bitch in the face, broke into your apartment, and put you in handcuffs?” He gave her a mocking grin.

“I mean, I can’t argue with you.” She shrugged. “What’s a girl gotta do for a first date? Give you a heartbeat, steal your cigarettes, dance on a pole … fuck your service weapon?”

Athan bit his lip and shook his head, turning left at the next light. “Do you have any idea how hard it was giving that gun up, earlier? After everything I’d just told him, that was all I could think about … shit .”

“Do you think he’ll tell anyone what he knows?” she asked.

“I’m not sure. I didn’t get that feeling from him. He made it sound like this was temporary, but who knows?”

“You’re not worried? ”

Athan quieted for a moment, considering it. For what it was worth, he couldn’t see Foley doing that to either one of them. Then, on the other hand, sometimes you don’t really know people as well as one would like to believe. He’d lived long enough to know better. “Maybe a little … but something in my gut tells me I shouldn’t be.”

“What would happen if he did?”

“The coven’s been discovered before. She’d move us again.” He tried his best to keep his tone from sounding disgusted. After the morning they’d had, this little bit of normalcy needed to last longer.

“Well, that shit’s not gonna happen. The only one moving you anywhere is gonna be me. You understand?”

Athan cracked a side smile. “Yes, Your Majesty .”

Sarah’s eyes narrowed and she whistled. “Oooo, doesn’t it sound good?”

He lowered his eyes to the dip between her thighs. “Sure does.” His hand slid up closer to it.

“Ha!” Sarah laughed. “If that’s your idea for lunch, you better feed me first.” He glanced at her and smirked as he reached for his belt buckle. “Oh, good God … you idiot,” Sarah scoffed, sliding his hand back towards her knee.

Athan pulled into an Irish pub and parked around the side, away from the door. “I’ve passed by this place for years, wishing I could try their food. Probably the closest thing I’ll get to authentic … and they have the best whiskey. If I’m out of a job for now, and we’re not hiding out anymore … might as well enjoy it.”

“I’m excited!” Sarah clapped her hands and bounced in her seat.

“Shall we then?” He slid out, coming around and opening the door for her before helping her out of the car, and offering his arm.

“I dunno what to do with this gentlemanly side of Athan Kane.” Sarah took his elbow, and he led her around the building.

“If you want, I can make you cry later.”

She looked up and her eyes went sultry. “I love it when you speak asshole to me.”

“You find them?”

“Yeah, they just walked into McClellan’s.”

“And Brent?”

“I followed him all the way to the children’s hospital. I’m guessing he’s there to visit that kid. Should I go back?”

“No, stay on ‘em. Call me when things get interesting.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And Gretchen?”

“Yeah?”

“You blow it, you already know what happens. Don’t get caught.”

“I understand. ”

Call ended.