Lunar Bound, page 13
part #4 of Sky Brooks World: Ethan Series
Sebastian wasn’t taking any chances.
The sooner we found Sean, the sooner I could beat answers from him.
My thoughts wandered to Sky. For the time being, she’d embrace the comfort of a safe place, until the shock of the assault wore off. She wasn’t one to be locked away. She’d want to be involved. I figured we had a day, maybe two, before she did something dangerous—sooner if she got bored or wanted something that wasn’t part of Sebastian’s emergency stock. I texted Josh to pick up a few items on the way: M&M candies, potato chips, her favorite brand of water.
Next, I replied to Sebastian, letting him know I was on my way. In my room, I retrieved a fresh change of clothes and started a shower. My blood-drenched shirt stuck to my belly—Marko’s blood. The sight of it brought a fresh memory of him in my arms, blood rushing from his body. I remembered the sound of his labored breath, his slowing heart. A sick dread fell into my stomach.
I growled to myself as I yanked off my shirt. He’s not dead yet.
For now, there was nothing I could do for Marko. He was in Dr. Baker’s competent hands. Sky needed me—hours ago. I glanced at the time, tried to calculate how long it had been since the attack. She’s with Sebastian, I reminded myself. Josh should be there soon as well. She was in a secret location, protected by one of the most powerful witches in the country and the only were-animal I knew that was stronger and more dangerous than myself. Still, nothing would stop my worry until I was at her side. No matter how capable she became of protecting herself, I would always protect her.
The path to Sky came through me.
After I showered and changed, I gave Gavin instructions to increase patrols around the retreat. He was short-handed, with plenty of ground to cover. It was going to be a long night for everyone.
An hour later, I arrived at a secure, luxury apartment building in the heart of Chicago. Were-animals tended to prefer rural areas, on or close to wooded land where our animals could run free. The only trees around here were the few dotted along the sidewalk in front of the building. In every direction as far as the eye could see was concrete jungle—an unlikely location for Sebastian, which was why he’d chosen it. No one would expect to find Sebastian or any were-animal here. Looking up at his penthouse suite, I figured this was Sebastian’s number one safe house, and he’d given it up for Sky. Now that Josh, Sky, and I all knew of the location, it was useless to Sebastian. Once the current crisis was over, he’d dump the penthouse and find a new location.
Using the passcode from his text, I drove through the security gate and double-parked my Maserati in Sebastian’s reserved space without caring who the other space belonged to. Josh’s Jeep was nowhere in sight, but he had to be upstairs already. He’d had more than enough time to shop for the list I’d given him and get here. By now, the blood ward should be in place around the penthouse.
Since Sebastian had a private entrance, it was likely no one else had noticed the faint but bloody shoe prints that led to his private elevator. Realizing the prints matched the size and shape of Sky’s shoes, I took a calming breath against the sudden rush of anxiety. Not hers, I reminded myself. People didn’t tend to walk through puddles of their own blood. And according to Josh, she hadn’t been injured in the attack. She severed an arm. There would have been plenty of blood, easy to step into.
The elevator required Sebastian’s passcode. Once entered, I stared at another bloody print at my feet until the elevator stopped at the penthouse. When the doors slid open, I found Sebastian mopping prints from the hardwood floor.
“She’s fine,” he said, nodding toward the hallway behind him. “In the shower.”
I could just hear the faint hum of running water from behind a closed door. My immediate need was to go to her, but I needed a moment to calm myself. It wouldn’t do to show her my anxiety. It helped to focus on the apartment’s security. In a penthouse, there wasn’t a lot of risk of forced entry, but when dealing with the supernatural, we couldn’t be too careful.
I glanced around the wide, open living room, looking for Josh. The room was bright, bare eggshell-colored walls lit by sunlight through floor-to-ceiling windows that provided an expensive view of the city. Furnishings were spartan: three plain, sturdy couches; a coffee table on a patterned rug. Except for a set of beverage coasters, the table was bare. The neighboring galley-style kitchen was expansive, well-stocked with hanging pots and pans. A coffee machine percolated on the counter.
Returning to the living room, I tapped on one of the windows—dense.
“Bulletproof?”
Sebastian nodded.
Magic was the only threat then. Josh’s ward would protect against spells, including transport. Except there was no ward. I felt the distinct absence of my brother’s magic in the room. Sniffing the air, I noticed his lack of scent as well.
Perhaps sensing my irritation, Sebastian filled me in on the attack on Sky.
“She did well to fend off three opponents in a surprise attack.” He nodded toward the bloodstain at his feet. “She put her sword-fighting lessons to use.”
He sounded surprised that she’d even listened to his instruction. As Winter often noted, Sky wasn’t the easiest pupil to train. Her stubbornness was half hindrance, half asset.
“Fortunately, Steven was with her,” he said as if thanking me. “He’s leading the hunt for Sean, and Marcia.”
At least I’d done something right tonight.
I stated the obvious. “Marcia hired Sean.”
Attacking Sky wasn’t a move against the pack, which meant it was personal. Michaela wouldn’t deprive herself by hiring Sean. That was more Marcia’s style, and she had motive. When Josh was Samuel’s prisoner, Sky had traded the Aufero to Marcia in exchange for the Creed’s help. After my brother’s safe return, Sky had stolen back the magic orb, nearly drowning Marcia in the process.
Sebastian nodded. “She’s gone to ground.”
“Her bunker?”
The Creed was based out of a fortified bunker buried in the backyard of a nondescript house in the suburbs. She’d brought us there for the curse that was placed on Sky, which was meant to keep her from reclaiming the Aufero. To maintain the bunker’s secret location, we’d been driven in the back of a blacked-out van along a winding route. Hubris, really. The witches had at least thought to block our phones from using GPS. They should’ve taken the phones instead. With them, Winter and I were able to time and log each leg and turn. Afterword, we combined our notes and traced the route to the bunker house.
Sebastian grinned. “A burning tire in the vent smoked them out in a matter of minutes.”
That was the problem with bunkers—no matter how fortified or secure, people had to breathe, which meant an air shaft. The same pumps that sucked oxygen into the bunker just as easily sucked in smoke.
“Mostly servants inside,” Sebastian continued, “but we caught two of the Creed. They were unaware of the attack on Sky, and Marcia’s disappearance.”
I wasn’t surprised. The Creed had nothing to gain from Marcia’s transgression. Word was rapidly spreading that we were after her. Her list of friends was dwindling by the second.
“You think Samuel will help her?”
Unlikely allies, but both had reasons to attack the retreat. Marcia wanted Sky and the Aufero. For Samuel, capturing the Clostra was akin to a religious crusade. Neither of them could hope to succeed alone, but together they would be formidable.
Sebastian considered the possibility, but didn’t answer.
“Sky will need to stay here for a few days until we’ve located Marcia and Sean.” I glanced around the room. “I’ll need to upgrade your doors and windows.”
“Whatever is needed.”
I wasn’t able to hide my irritation as I said, “Josh will have a ward up as soon as he gets here.”
There was another matter to discuss before Sky finished her shower.
“The exchange was a trap,” I admitted.
I knew by his stolid expression that he already knew about my failure. Of course he did. The pack’s number six was lying in Dr. Baker’s infirmary, near death. There was the issue of the pack’s money, as well, but I knew that wasn’t Sebastian’s primary concern.
He frowned. “The timing of his attack is interesting.”
I groaned with the realization. “Marcia hired McClintock to get me out of the way.”
He waited for an explanation.
“There was a job he didn’t want. When I captured the belocka from under his nose, he wanted me to pay him off to not take it.” I ran my hands down my face, pulling at the stress. “I should’ve known. After I declined, he had no choice.”
“The ransom?”
“A ruse. He took the money, probably as a target of opportunity. His primary objective was to distract me from the attack on Sky.” I shook my head, gritting my teeth. “I knew better than to underestimate him.” I held Sebastian’s gaze, borrowing his steadfast calm. “I fucked up.”
It was an invitation for him to replace me. The pack couldn’t afford my mistakes—too many, too fast. I’d put lives at risk, including Sky’s.
Sebastian scrutinized me, taking his time. His expression remained inscrutable as he weighed my offer. We were friends, as much as our positions allowed, but he wouldn’t hesitate to put me aside if he felt I was a danger to the pack. Eventually, his shoulders relaxed. “You’re my Beta and my head of security because there’s no one better for the job—not even close. That doesn’t make you perfect. We all fuck up eventually. So far, you’ve survived your mistakes. Learn from them. Get on top of this, now.”
Unable to answer his confidence, I nodded once.
“Sky needs your strength,” he said, “and so does the pack.” He started toward the elevator. “I’m going back to the retreat.”
Once the elevator closed behind him, I sent a sharp text message to Josh, then did my best to not punch a hole in Sebastian’s wall. Calm down, I chided myself. Sky would already be on edge from the attack. She didn’t need to process my anger as well. I needed her to relax, to feel protected.
Walking down the hall in search of her, I found an empty bathroom and two bedrooms, both with king-sized beds. The bedding in the master bedroom was displaced. Sky’s underwear was on the floor near the closed bathroom door. From behind it, I heard the shower come to an end.
Intending to disarm her, I stretched out on the bed, propped up on an elbow. Forcing my lips into a playful smile, I waited for the door to open. My heart was pounding in my ears. My fists clenched beneath whitened knuckles. It took a pair of slow, calming breaths just to get my anger under some semblance of control.
The door opened. Sky emerged with a towel around her and nothing else. Surprised to see me, she pulled the towel tighter and went about untangling her hair with her fingers. The shape of her form beneath the towel sent a shiver through my body. Before I realized, I’d slid off the bed. My approach sent her heart pounding, echoing my attraction. Adrenalin still raced in her, looking for escape. Training was one thing, but it couldn’t match the sheer thrill of fighting for life or death.
For were-animals, violence was the ultimate aphrodisiac.
Her gaze flicked toward the bedroom door as if she hoped someone would walk through it. “Where is Sebastian?”
“Gone.”
“It’s just us?”
Smiling down at her, I gently stroked her hair. Her heart answered, beating faster.
“Is that a problem?”
“No,” she lied, glancing about the room for a distraction. “It’s fine.”
“Good.”
Uncertain, she took a step back.
I followed, asking in Portuguese, “Como você está?” How are you?
“Fine.”
“Diga-me o que aconteceu.” Tell me what happened.
“I already told Sebastian.”
“Now tell me. You might remember things a little clearer.” I slipped an arm around her waist to comfort her, knowing that reliving the attack and what she’d done to defend herself brought up unpleasant memories. “Por favor.” Please.
She tried to describe the events in Portuguese. Her struggle to find the right words was nothing compared to my struggle to translate what she was saying. She filled in enough of the story in English that I was able to follow.
“Sebastian was right,” I said when she’d finished. “It was a very amateurish attempt.”
“Since I haven’t had a lot of people try to assassinate me, I’m going to take your word for it.”
I read the desire in her body as I gently brushed strands of hair from her face. There was an electricity between us that wouldn’t be denied, though she tried. Unable to help myself, I leaned down and gently pressed my lips against hers. She responded readily, her lips searching mine. My fingers entwined in her hair, I pulled her closer. She pressed against me until our hearts pounded against each other. Giving into our primal needs, we were lost within each other. But the distraction was brief. Resistance quickly built in her until she turned aside. Her lips parted from mine, but she willingly remained in my embrace.
My hands gently wrapped around her hips. I whispered into her ear, “What’s the matter?”
She pulled away, stammered, “I need to get dressed.”
“Okay,” I said softly, letting go. “Then get dressed.”
She glanced at the door, an unsubtle invitation for me to leave. I chuckled at her modesty. “I think we are past that.”
Irritated, her eyes darkened with a growing resolve. Anger welled up in her. “I don’t want to play your games. I am not some toy you get to play with whenever the mood strikes you. You said not to make things awkward between us, but you’re the one who keeps making it that way.”
I stepped back, tried to disarm her with an amused smile. “Tell me, what game am I playing with you and what type of toy are you?”
“The type that isn’t going to deal with your BS. That night”—her gaze shifted, cheeks flushed—“when we were together, it didn’t end the way, um…the way I expected. The way it should have, and you left without any explanation.”
Aware for the first time that I’d caused her pain, my smile faded. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”
“What’s wrong with you? Are you really this narcissistic? How is seducing me and then leaving me without anything happening ‘the right thing’?”
Scrutinizing her, I asked, “When was the last time you got laid?”
“What?”
“When was the last time you made love? Got laid? Screwed? Banged? Did the horizontal tango? Fucked? Use whatever euphemism you want, but the question remains: when was the last time you did it?”
She blinked, unable to admit the truth.
“Exactly,” I said. “Sky, I’m not a teenager, and the idea of being a woman’s first does nothing for me. I don’t need the ego boost or have something to prove by doing that. Honestly, I don’t want to be the star of your fond recounts of your first time. It was the right thing to do because for me it would have probably been just a one-night thing, and for you, it would have been more.”
Her glare hardened as she hugged the towel close around her. “You’re an ass.”
“Eu sei.” I nodded slowly. I know.
Deciding it was time to make my exit, I strode toward the door. Guilt stopped me. In these situations, I normally said whatever was necessary to get the result I desired. Honesty wasn’t usually part of the equation. I felt the lack of it now—yet another way that Sky was different. Sometimes I missed not caring what she thought. The old days were safer, but they were gone. Sky was here and I couldn’t just stop caring. I could walk away and let the guilt of hurting her gnaw at my gut, or I could be honest, for once. She deserved honesty.
Leaning against the door frame, I slipped my fingers into the pockets of my jeans and let out a long exhale. Unable to meet her gaze, I focused on a paint blemish above the bed.
“I’ve cheated on almost every woman I have ever dated. I have no interest in monogamy. When I get bored, it’s over. Tears don’t bother me nor do they change my decision when I decide to leave. The list of women who I have left broken is long, and they are hurt. They even break my things, call me every combination with fucker or variations of asshole; but eventually they get over it.” Eventually they go away. I didn’t want Sky to fade away like that. I shrugged and ran a hand through my hair. “You would be added to the list, and you’re different, I don’t think you…I’m a real SOB, and I’m okay with it.” Not really. Not anymore. “I’m probably not going to change.”
Even if I’d wanted to change, I didn’t know how.
Sky was speechless, fuming. If I’d expected her to understand on some level, or to at least appreciate my openness, I was mistaken. Not sure how to fix the situation, I changed the subject.
“Can you think of anything else about tonight’s attack?”
I gave the redirection a fifty-fifty chance of survival. Sky was exhausted. She tried to control her anger because she didn’t want a fight. I’d intended to calm her. Instead I’d pushed her nearly to the edge. If she chose to vent, I’d have no choice but to absorb her anger without rebuttal. She seemed about to lay into me when I felt Josh’s magic envelop the penthouse like a warm blanket—the blood ward.
A moment later, I heard the elevator doors slide open and his cheerful voice filled the penthouse.
“I love this place,” he called from the living room. “I brought food and everything on the list, just as you commanded, sir.”
I heard the crunch and crinkle of bags set onto the counter before he brushed past me and walked into the room. His cheer deflated as he read the tension between Sky and me. Turning to me, he suggested, “You should check and make sure I got everything you wanted. The rest of the bags are on the counter.”
I would’ve welcomed the out if I didn’t know they were going to talk about me while I was in the other room. My eyes narrowed at him as I measured his intention. He’d been in a pissy mood lately. Not sure I wanted to gift him an opportunity to cut me down, I leaned into the door frame. My arms folded across my chest.
