Kelvin #5: MM Fated Mates (Tangled Tentacles), page 16
The human-looking Urt looked genuinely confused. “My mom needed the eggs. How else were they going to feed? They were doing their best, trying to make me a dragon. That required the dragon DNA and more. It was my birth right to have it!”
Magnus frowned. “What the fuck. You have no rights. Where did Andromeda fit into this sick plan? Did you need his connections, money, labs or was it something else?”
The light in Urt’s ever changing eyes sent chills through Magnus. “I thought you knew,” Urt sing-songed. “I thought you knew everything, but you don’t know, do you? Mate of my worst enemy.” Urt stood taller in the hold of the soldiers. His head strained closer as he cackled. “You didn’t know my mom was the human known as Andromeda. Admittedly, her appetites might have grown a bit over the centuries.” A confident sneer appeared, and Magnus’s blood turned to ice in his veins. “She should’ve wiped out those you smell like when she killed your mate’s parents.”
They were one and the same, Kelvin’s voice came through quickly, the shock he felt hitting Magnus along with his own. That’s why Markov’s kraken is demanding you all get out of there. Urt knows who you’re mated to. Magnus, get out of there!
Magnus heard, but with shock rippling through him, holding his gut hostage and with the knowledge this was the last time he was going to face this fucker who’d indirectly taken his sister and caused immeasurable harm to his mate and his brothers-in-law who were going to have to live with it for a very long time, he wanted answers.
“I just want to get this straight.” He looked Urt right in the eyes this time. “Your mother killed my mate’s parents because one of my brothers-in-laws stopped you being changed out with another one of his brothers. You and your mother under the guise of Andromeda, killed, maimed, and tortured hundreds if not thousands of shifters. You stole children from their parents. You let dragon hatchlings die needlessly. You allowed and encouraged the sex ring franchise operation that caused people like Azim immeasurable harm, because you needed the funds for these other experiments. You let children like Riley suffer, and tortured shifters like Marvin needlessly, all because you wanted to know how to be a dragon. That was the only reason. Is that right?”
“Yes.” Magnus could tell from Urt’s face he genuinely meant it. “Wasn’t that reason enough?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Let’s ask a real dragon.” They were never going to let the fucker live, not now. Magnus looked at Ki meeting the dragon’s stare. “Ki, what do you think?”
Ki, in his dragon form was magnificent, he tilted up his giant head, roaring fire through the roof opening. But as his head swung back down again, the fire didn’t stop, and with Lucas joining in, two streams of fire hit the changeling in its chest, dead on. The soldiers let go and jumped out of harm’s way. There was no avoiding the flames for Urt, and it confirmed Todd’s research on changelings was right. They did not like fire. The stench of burning changeling flesh was enough to make Magnus cough and Marvin’s skin became tinged with green. The squealing Urt did, as he collapsed to the floor, reminded Magnus of a half-dead roasting pig.
Magnus turned his back on the remains callously, he felt nothing for the creature. “It’s time to go, Marvin.” Magnus’s sole need was to get back with Kelvin. The noise, the stench and the fact the other council members just stood around with their fingers up their asses annoyed him, upset him, and he’d had enough. It was all over now – the krakens had finally gotten their revenge for the killing of their parents, but it was all a bit of a let down at the end.
His sister was never coming back and nor was anyone else who’d been caught up in the narcissistic scheme that had created such pain and torment all for one demented, selfish asshole. “We’ve done all we can do.”
But Marvin shook his head. “I need to see. I need to see that being in the ashes, see he can never return. What he did to Riley and my other friends was so bad, he should never be allowed to breathe again.” The solemness caused several council members to lower their gazes.
Never once thinking about what he’d done to you too, you darling yeti. Magnus waited until Marvin was satisfied, keeping hold of his hand.
Ben stepped forward squaring his broad shoulders as he indicated to the soldiers. “No one is to leave the council chambers until everyone involved with Urt explains what the fuck they were involved in.”
“What gives you the right to take charge?” Forney asked, finally stepping closer to the heap of ash on the floor, his nose curling.
Magnus watched the power exchange with interest.
“There are many in this room aware of some of Urt’s nefarious use of shifters.” Ben pointed to Magnus. “I brought these men in here and until I can assure myself of who is on the right side of protecting shifters, I’ll use everything in my power to maintain control of this council.” His cat was there in his eyes. The power he exuded came in waves.
It didn’t hurt, Magnus supposed, to have a friend running the council until this mess was cleared up fully. “As you appear to have things under control, I’m leaving.”
Ben glanced at Magnus, the smile not reaching his eyes. “I got the idea this meeting was going to be explosive, I didn’t realize it would be quite so dramatic. Did you have to take down the roof?”
“It’s not like the dragons could fly down the corridor and through the doors.” Magnus watched as Ki and Lucas stood guard. “It started in a roundabout way with them and too many of their kind were lost in this mess. They had a right to be here to exact their vengeance.”
“You definitely have the data, to back up the information showing what Andromeda was doing to shifters?”
“Of course. Kelvin has it all collated and packaged up ready to be sent to whoever you suggest can be trusted. We hope the council will now take on the job of clearing out all of the middle management in these activities and prosecute them, making time to help source and retrieve any living victims. If they don’t, we’ll be back and next time we won’t be as friendly.”
Ben chuckled, though it didn’t seem to hold any humor. “You have my word. I don’t think it’s going to take a lot to get these guys galvanized into action now they’ve seen how badly they’ve been duped. Guys like the ones identified by your Marvin are definitely going to be questioned a lot more thoroughly.” Ben shot those in question a hard stare.
“Then our job is done.” Magnus glanced up just in time to see Ki and Lucas take flight and disappear back through the torn roof. “Time for me to find my mate and debrief.”
“Yeah. Must be a fun thing to do with a mate.” Ben looked sad for a moment. But it passed and he patted Magnus’s arm briefly and smiled at Marvin. “Don’t be strangers, okay. If you see anything else like this, maybe get in touch with me a bit sooner so I can actually offer some constructive help, instead of just a means of opening a door.”
“You’re the best door opener I know.” Magnus grinned, and then his smile widened as he looked at Marvin. “Ready to go back to our family, my friend?”
“I’m ready.”
And so am I. Kelvin’s voice came through loud and clear.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Kelvin
Engines roared and the dip in Kelvin’s stomach indicated they were airborne. He glanced at Magnus who was sitting in the comfy leather chair staring out of the window. There were shadows under his eyes. Ones that were to be expected with their planned trip across country, which was made easier by the jet. Kelvin had pinpointed an area where Magnus’s sister was buried, and they were headed to a small airfield around six miles from where they needed to go.
“Stop staring, I’m fine.”
That Magnus hadn’t looked his way suggested Kelvin could have been projecting his worry a little too loudly. “Is that right? In your position I’d be anything but that.”
Sorrow filled eyes held Kelvin’s. “You gave me the closure I needed. Next comes the burial she deserves.” Magnus stare became granite hard. “Then we figure out who did this to her.”
Kelvin came forward in his seat and reached for Magnus’s hand, clasping their fingers together. Warmth and love, they were the two prominent emotions that he was coming to recognize when he touched his mate. “We will.” Kelvin wanted that. The last few days had been ones of trying to assimilate everything that had happened.
The shock he and his brothers had felt was magnified by Alexi. Finding out the reasons behind this whole sordid mess was for Alexi the hardest to process.
Selfish greed.
A greed that came from a catalyst event caused in part by Alexi’s action at stopping the changeling taking Markov. In turn it was Alexi who was the one finding it hard to digest, and subsequently having to deal with a huge case of ‘the guilts.’
When they’d returned to the Thalassa building, he’d been nowhere to be seen. Danik relayed everything to his mate on the return journey, only to find Alexi couldn’t face anyone. Danik had gone off in search of his mate and eventually, a day later, got Alexi to come and talk to them all about how he felt.
Ironically, it was Cassius who’d been the one to make him see reason in the end. To see he’d done what any sibling would do to protect his family, just as Cassius had done for Riley.
Ultimately the changeling mother, Andromeda, was the one to blame for the monster she created and how she’d fed her son’s desire to become a dragon. An impossibility, but neither understood the connection to the soul of the creature that inhabited a shifter was vital. It was something that could never be manufactured in a lab by a scientist. The soulless creatures’ search had done nothing except create chaos and devastation for many, including Kelvin’s mate and his own family.
Kelvin was unsure how long they sat fingers entwined, holding each other’s stare before the pilot announced they were starting their descent.
Magnus shut his eyes, a shuddery breath leaving him as the plane came in to land.
After instructing the pilot to wait for them and prepare the plane for their return, they exited the jet. The day was bright with a hot ball of yellow in the blue, cloudless sky. Kelvin held on to Magnus’s icy cold hand and guided him to the SUV that sat waiting just off the tarmac for them. There was no one else around. Only two other small jets were sitting close to where they’d taxied too.
Kelvin used his senses to make sure there was no one else near when Magnus stopped at the vehicle looking sideways at Kelvin. “How do we do this?”
Holding up his free hand tentacles formed and grew. “Like this,” he answered solemnly. He glanced about for a patch of earth. Tentacles slithered over the dirt and Kelvin focused on the scent he’d picked up before, Magnus’s sister.
He systematically blocked out all others until he could only scent Elsa. Magnus stood silently at his side, patiently waiting.
When he was sure he could accurately take Magnus where they needed to go, he suggested, “It’s probably easier for me if I stay out of the car and you follow me.” He squeezed Magnus’s hand, his tentacles retracting for the time being. “Is that okay?”
“Of course,” Magnus answered as he nodded, creases deepened around his eyes. The sense of grief Kelvin had been getting increasingly over the flight was there between them. “Whatever works, just remember I’ll need to stick to the streets.”
“Yep. That won’t be an issue.” Kelvin squeezed Magnus’s hand once more then let go reluctantly. Taking off his jacket, he passed it to Magnus, the T-shirt would free up his arms. “I’ll go through the back streets and alleyways, so my tentacles don’t cause a stir.” Those on his chin formed and Kelvin took off running.
There was a curse behind him, followed by the sound of a car door opening then slamming shut before an engine gunned to life.
Kelvin didn’t look back as he headed in the direction his tentacles indicated he should take. His kraken was right there. Next left, then take the fork in the road to go right.
That’s slightly off course, isn’t it? His lungs worked easily as he kept alert for anyone near and the sound of Magnus behind him.
There is a group of non-shifters you’ll come across if you continue the way you were going.
It took another couple of seconds to register what his kraken had found. His kraken continued to keep him away from prying eyes as Magnus kept up with them.
Veer left, then there is a sharp right which should take you in a direct line to where she is buried.
Kelvin’s heart thudded painfully against his ribs, and it had nothing to do with running. He was tempted for a few seconds to slow down, to give Magnus a few more minutes, and himself.
He needs this, needs to know.
Please, don’t you think I know this?
Then don’t delay, he needs you to be strong for him.
Kelvin’s sigh was lost in the breeze as he acknowledged his kraken was right. He increased his pace, and no more than five minutes later he drew to a halt at the edge of a small secluded wooded area just away from a group of what looked like new houses. His T-shirt clung to his damp chest. He swiped at his forehead with the back of his forearm and braced when the engine stopped behind him.
He sucked in a breath and turned to the SUV as the door opened. Magnus’s dark hair glinted in the sun, his eyes hidden behind aviator sunglasses as his head twisted from side to side, his nose wrinkling as he sniffed the air.
Powerful thighs flexed in jeans as he strode to the back of the SUV to retrieve the rucksack that should hold everything Kelvin had requested. There was a fold away shovel tied to the side. Magnus slung the large pack over his back.
The stealthy prowl of his leopard when he came towards Kelvin got his heart tripping over itself. Magnus screamed danger, keep away. “Show me.”
On a silent nod, Kelvin headed through the trees. The rich scent of earth not masking the scent of decay he’d picked up a couple of miles back.
There is more death here. His kraken voiced as Kelvin’s senses kicked into overdrive.
“She’s not alone,” Magnus said a second later with grimness that was etched into his features when Kelvin glanced sideways and nodded finding it too hard to speak.
How many? Kelvin questioned his kraken, not wanting any more surprises.
One, they are under Elsa’s remains.
Blowing out a quiet breath, Kelvin stopped moments later and unleashed his tentacles into the ground. Magnus remained silent as he worked to find the exact location and the boundary of her grave, and that of the unknown shifter, not wanting Magnus to inadvertently touch bones with the spade.
Kelvin dug slowly moving the earth painstakingly away from Elsa, while feeling the weight of his mates gaze the entire time, as the surface earth was moved away from the burial site.
He was dirty and sweaty by the time he withdrew his tentacles. The sunlight flickering through the trees behind him indicating by its decline he’d been working for some time.
When he stepped back the grave site was clearly visible in the patch of dirt next to a clump of trees. It was around six by three foot and was deep enough to stop critters digging up the bones. The trees canopy shaded the area and prevented the sun from falling directly on the earth.
“Thank you.” Magnus’s voice was thick with emotion.
He walked to the edge and Kelvin reached out, then changed his mind with the amount of dirt and other substances he didn’t want to think about, clinging to his skin. “I’ll do it.”
“No, I need to do this.” The sunglasses were removed and pushed into the pack before it was dropped to the ground. The shovel was unfolded. He approached the far-right corner and stared at it for long seconds before he dipped the shovel into the earth.
Kelvin’s heart ached as he kept vigil, watching as Magnus worked slowly and methodically to uncover his sister’s remains. It was something Kelvin was sure would haunt both of them for a long time as Magnus unearthed what remained of his sister.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Magnus
There was something wrong. Oh, sure, things were bad enough, carefully removing the dirt from his sister’s decomposed body, but there was something more lingering with the scent of death. It niggled at Magnus as he stood with Kelvin, watching as the Thalassa tech team Kelvin had called in, when they'd confirmed it was Elsa, were treating the body with the respect she deserved.
But that was all that was there – a body. Elsa’s beautiful soul had been set free, and while Magnus prayed with everything he had, that she hadn’t felt much of the pain he knew would’ve been inflicted from the broken bones recovered from the dirt, he accepted the body wasn’t his sister. It was her shell, the housing her brilliant soul had been in. Left to rot like a piece of garbage.
Magnus wanted to turn away – desperately wanted to look away. But he owed it to his sister to stay. To ensure she, and the other body found with her, were treated with the due process and respect they deserved. It was just that niggle wouldn’t stop, his cat wouldn’t settle, and while the death of a sibling might do that to an animal spirit, Magnus’s gut was screaming he was missing something. Something more than his sister.
A hand on his shoulder turned him away. Magnus went to turn back in protest, even though he knew it was Kelvin by his side, but his mate stopped him.
“This is going to sound really dumb, but what’s wrong?” Kelvin nudged Magnus to meet his eyes.
“You mean beyond the fact that’s my sister’s body there, left discarded with the other poor soul.” Magnus’s voice box was squeezing with the pain of the words. “No, you’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just my cat, my gut, every nerve in my body is screaming at me. I’m missing something. Something crucial, but I don’t know what.”
“What do you need to do?” Kelvin believed him and Magnus thanked the Fates right then and there he’d been granted a mate who would support him in all ways.
