Page 105 of Tethered Souls
Shit. Am I really going to break his trust like this?
My heart drops as I’m forced to choose between Dayne or Varius.
But this won’t kill Varius…
And Dayne is my ride or die.
Knowing I have a bit of time before anyone gets back, I run for the stairs.
Thirty-Six
HIM
The fucking vampire has stood me up. I’ve been waiting for him for twenty minutes behind one of the libraries in St. Augustine – a historical parlay spot blessed by the Peaceful Goddess Eirine. It was here that the treaty was signed. No violence can occur in her lands without invoking the wrath of the goddess herself.
I’m not surprised Aleric hasn’t showed, but I’m fucking irritated. I called, he accepted. He said he would be here to talk about a potential alliance as long as I came alone. I’ve half a mind to let his entire Family get wiped out for this, but I haven’t made it this far by reacting without thinking. It might feel good to stick one to the vampire –real good,but it’ll be a small victory in the war that I know is coming.
Although Stefaan Black has secured his footing up north, having pushed out the Mad Hatters, the increased income isn’t going to help us if Antonio has a disease we can’t cure.
My teeth grinding together, I head for the car. I try to appease my frustration by thinking about how Talon has finally taken that first step in grabbing Cid, so we should have more intel soon. But all that leads to is me visualizing Maddox’s dick pics, and my irritation grows.
When I make it to my car, a chill races through me as a sudden thought takes root. The Shadow house is now empty – a rare occurrence. Although all thirty acres are protected by a ward that will keep out our enemies, a previous edition of it was broken before by Aleric. Father upgraded the spell afterwards, but it still isn’t a hundred percent perfect. Is the vampire there now, working to weaken it enough he can break it when we’re all home? Has he not lost as many men as we think? Is this new feud between the two gangs just a ruse for them to attack us together and take us out in one night?
Micha.
My heart stops as I yank open the door and slide into the driver’s seat. She only went to the grocery store and left before me. She could be back by now. She could accidentally walk in on Aleric. And he wouldn’t hesitate to kill her.
Tearing out of my parking spot, I race for home. I slip a hand in my pocket to grab my phone. I call her, but she does not answer.
Maybe she isn’t there. Maybe she’s still driving.
But my gut’s telling me she’s in danger. I speed through the streets with little care for the limit or pedestrians trying to cross the road. I don’t slow down until I pull onto our drive. Our ward is still up, and given it accepts me quickly when I pass through it, I know it’s still the original thing. New wards hurt like hel until they learn that I’m a witch.
Lifting my foot off the accelerator a fraction, I let myself breathe. The plants filling our acreage are spelled to attack intruders, and not one of them looks stressed.
At the sight of Micha’s car in front of me, I frown. I park beside her, then step out and place my hand on the hood of hers. It’s cold. She’s been here a while. So why didn’t she answer my call or call me back?
I dig out my phone just to check, but there are no missed calls. My pulse increases, but I push my paranoia back. She isn’t in league with Aleric. She –
Greeted him so warmly at the engagement party…
My stomach tightens as I walk to the front door and slip in without a sound. Making my way through the house, I open my senses, my ears twitching at every sound. There’s someone upstairs… I can hear the scuff of things being moved. I take a step in that direction when a muffled noise, almost like a groan, comes from the lower bedrooms.
Thunder crashes around my skull. Red flashes across my vision. A low growl in my throat, I head down the hall in silent steps. If she’s fucking someone in my own house, I’m going to kill him and then use his intestines to tie her to the godsdamn bed. She won’t be able to speak by the time I’m through with her. Won’t know a godsdamn word other than my name.
Stopping outside her bedroom, I take a moment to listen. The door is open a crack, but I don’t hear anyone, don’t sense her or anyone else either. Grabbing the handle, I push the door open. There’s no one inside. I stride in, checking the closet and ensuite. Nothing.
Another noise has me spinning on my feet and heading out. This time I stop outside Mother’s bedroom. I know she isn’t here. She’s meeting Katie Wilks, the regional manager of our legitimate chain of hotels. So is Micha in there with someone? Using Mother’s room in some twisted kink?
I shove open the door and catch –
A TV on low that wasn’t switched off. It’s playing some porno with the lead woman looking too fucking similar to Mother. Shuddering, I stride over and turn it off. As I turn to leave, my gaze catches on a bottle of lotion on the wooden nightstand between the TV and the bed.
“...lotion every night.”
My eyes narrow as a sick feeling twists in my stomach. A niggling thought starts to rise, but a noise directly above me cuts in before it can fully form.
If Micha is the only one here, what the fuck is she doing in Maddox’s room?
