Page 25 of Crave

The man nodded. “We appreciate it.” Just then a Legion soldier with a box in each arm descended the stairs, and the man went back to directing traffic.

I rushed back up into the belly of the Legion building, stopping when I saw a familiar but harried face. “Radic!” He turned, giving me a tight expression. “Just wanted you to know that Rosa is fine.”

“Yes, thank the Goddess. And you too, of course. Bonnie had called; they’re evacuating the Sanctum now. We didn’t want to take any chances with the kids. Courtland is ordering all the elderly, children, and half-bloods to evacuate as they’ll be the most susceptible to smoke inhalation, but I think more will want to stay.”

I shook my head. “Nah, mate. Everyone wants to stay and defend until they’re staring at an eighty-foot-high wall of fire roaring toward them. They want to stay, fine, but they better be prepared to run. And if they get circled…”

I didn’t need to finish because there were very few supernaturals impervious to fire, and I’d never personally met any of them. The Ifrit, a type of Djinn, some fire elementals. My maker Steve had once told me about a fire elemental who lived on a tiny volcanic island in the middle of the ocean. That was it.

Radic nodded sadly. “I know.” He pulled a card from his pocket. “If things get that bad, this is the location we’re evacuating to. You should know it’s a colony of witches. I know how vampires feel about witches.”

“Nah, I don’t have any of those ancient prejudices. Comes from being turned by a recluse who talks to sharks.” I slapped his shoulder. “I’ll stay while I can, and then I’ll set up shop in town for any injuries.”

“Thanks, Tanner.” He turned to stride back into his office, but something niggled at me.

“Radic?” He looked back. “Susannah and Quinn—do you know if they’re evacuating? I wanted to check in on his injuries.”

Yeah, sure. That’s what it was. Professional curiosity. Not.

Radic frowned, like he was going through his mental filing cabinet for the information I needed. “Courtland has assigned Merrick and Murphy to be their guards while that fuckhead Wilkie is still wandering around. I’m pretty sure they’ll find them and evacuate them.”

“Thanks, Rad.”

They’d be safe. They weren’t mine to worry over, but I couldn’t help it. There was something about them both that stirred my protective instincts. Well, Susannah stirred something else, but even Quinn made me want to hold him close and protect him from harm.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming for them, and I didn’t think it was the wildfire raging outside.

15

SUSANNAH

My phone had been going insane. My dad had called first, telling me about the wildfire, and that he wanted me on the first bus out of harm's way as soon as possible. That was A-okay with me.

Part of me hoped this town burned to the ground. I had no fondness for this patch of land at all. It was just the shackles that kept us all locked into the past.

After my father called, I’d assumed that the news about the fire only got worse because every single one of my brothers had called to ensure I was going to be alright. I’d been taking care of myself for longer than they knew, but now that I was an Omega I was apparently helpless.

Raiden was on the phone to me now. “Do you need us to come and get you? You can evacuate with us.” Raiden had cubs and toddlers as well as a life to pack up. He didn’t need to be taking care of me as well.

“We’ll be fine, little brother. Quinn and I are getting on the first bus out, like I promised everyone else who called before you.” I softened my voice. “You take care of your Pack. I know it won’t be easy leaving again.” They’d only just rebuilt Raiden’s Packhouse after it had been torched by a psychopath.

“Everything is easier the second time around, and honestly, I’m almost glad we hadn’t made too many memories in this place yet. I’m not sure I could have coped otherwise.”

My heart ached for my little brother, but he had a wonderful Pack, and they’d get through whatever happened. “It’ll be okay. No matter what happens, remember your home doesn’t rest on stone foundations, but in those tiny arms that call you Papa.”

Raiden made a choked noise. “Zanny?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m not sure I ever told you this, and I’m not sure I ever appreciated it until I had the cubs, but thank you for being the best mother figure a little Omega kid could want. I—” He cleared his throat. “I know it wasn’t easy for you, and it’s not something you should ever have had to do, but the man I am today? The father I am today? It’s because of you.”

Tears rushed to my eyes, emotion balling in my chest. I’d spent every one of my early teen years resenting having to be someone's mother since I was just a kid myself. But I’d loved Raiden. I’d never resented him personally; we’d both been victims of the cruel whims of fate.

“You were the best kid, Rai. Even when you were a little shit, I loved you. You were my baby, even if I was only four years older than you.” I sniffed, I’mthis closeto a full-on crying session. “Okay, go and pack. We can have this heart-to-heart when we reach… what's the place called?” I looked down at the slip I’d written the address on. “Moonburst. You’re going straight there, right?”

I could almost hear Raiden rolling his eyes. “Of course we are.”

“Love you, Rai.”

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