Amber sat at her desk, it was barely five in the morning, she was cranky, tired, and pissed off. She held the letter that Jane had given her as she'd walked into the Gamber, Amber/Garrison Security offices. She knew she should call Sam, let her read the newest threat from the woman who'd sent them a message through two men a year ago. Whoever she was, she'd gone quiet, and they'd had twelve months of peace and quiet. It seemed now, that that time was over, and they would have to step up their search for her. Their last information on her was that she was a Ruffian, a rare breed of immortal that solved their boredom by torturing and sometimes killing their victims. Usually women, with rare mention of men. No one really knew what they were. Except that you don't want to be the one caught in their web.Amber threw the letter on her desk and stood to walk to her window. She looked out to where Mya trained with the Gamber guards. She noticed that Sam and Jane had joined the guards
“Mr. Marcus is not available, as I told you on the phone, he’s very busy.” The woman, pale, blonde, and thin as a rake, stood and looked a little panicked. Amber stepped forward.“I’m not asking anymore,” Amber said. She placed her hands on the desk. “He will see me, and he will see me now.” Amber turned. “That’s his door, Mya, you and Jane lead the way.”“You stay behind me,” Sam said, she reached out a hand and grabbed Amber’s.“I don’t expect trouble, just an angry male.” She shook her head. She hated dealing with the type of man who still thought women were just arm candy. She never liked Marcus. “Let’s go.”Mya reached the door to open it, but it was pulled open and a tall, dark-haired man stood in the d
Sam watched as Mya punched a boxing bag, one was already lying broken on the floor. Sweat dripped from her brow and ran in rivulets down her back. Her hair, usually blue and black, was long, unkept and most of the blue had grown out. Her bare hands were bruised, and bloodstains stayed behind after each punch. Sam knew she’d been at the bags for over an hour. Taylor, who’d dealt with her grief by taking care of everything alone, had asked Sam to check on Mya. Sam understood that Mya was grieving, but Taylor was too. And leaving her with all the arrangements, and dealing with Jane’s things, was unacceptable.Sam leaned against the door frame and watched as Mya tore through another bag, and then hang another one. “You should take a break. Have some water, at least.” Mya gave no indication that she heard Sam, just adjusted her stance
“Did you see where Taylor went?” Mya walked up beside Sam and looked around. “She said she was coming over to speak to you, but then I lost her in the crowd.” It was a week later, they’d just buried Jane, and paid tribute to her wolf. Her heart was still raw but since they’d started grieving and being together, she and Taylor had found a little bit of solace in each other.“No, she never came past here,” Sam said. She looked at Amber who nodded.“She didn’t come to us.” Amber agreed. “Maybe she needed a few minutes alone.”“Maybe.” Mya agreed. But she didn’t like being away from Taylor too long. “I’ll go find her.”“Give her a second,” Amber said gently. “How are you doing?”&ldqu
Sam stood at the window of the conference room the next morning. She held a steaming cup of coffee and a bacon and cheese sandwich. Amber sat at the table with the same, talking softly with Morgan. Alex, Hunter, and Gem sat at the other end of the table. They were waiting on Michelle, Ash, Mya, and Taylor. Sam wanted to keep Mya and Taylor out of this, or as far as she could, but she knew Mya would never agree to it. She wanted to keep everyone safe. She thought back to the call she’d received late yesterday. Simile’s voice was still clear in her head.“I’m so sorry Sam, I’m just going to say this, but please know, I wouldn’t do it if I had no other option.” “What’s going on, Simile?” Sam asked. “An ex of mine, Paine, came to me tonight. She said th
Taylor watched Mya as she sat in the lounge chair on the back deck of their cabin. She held a whiskey glass, half-empty, as her arm dangled off the side of the chair. Taylor poured herself a glass of wine and walked out to join Mya. She gasped when Mya grabbed her arm and pulled her down onto Mya’s lap. Then she settled more comfortably and relaxed into Mya’s chest. Mya was shaking as she held Taylor, they’d lost a part of their hearts, but they still had each other. She just hoped that she would be enough for Taylor.“Whatever thoughts you’re having, stop,” Taylor said quietly. “Let’s see. It wasn’t your fault, what happened to Jane. I miss her too. I don’t blame you. And we’re going to be okay.”“I should have gone in with her.” Mya dropped the glass to the floor
Paine stood on her balcony. The smoke billowed around her head as she looked out over the expanse of her property. She’d bought the old ghost house since it was far from any neighbors. And she had privacy for her, not so quiet, extracurricular activities. She took another drag of her vape and blew the smoke out slowly. She knew she should get back to her current plaything. But the night was crisp and clear. And the man wasn’t going anywhere anyway. She chuckled to herself. Paine had been good. She’d not taken a treat for weeks. But tonight, when he’d followed her into the alley after she’d left the bar, it had been like fate. With Simile keeping her end of the bargain, she’d dropped Davey off at the bar as she’d promised. Unharmed. She hadn’t realized how tough it would be not to hurt the child. But it had taken all her self-control not to even give him a little scar. This man was her reward. Or at least that’s how she thought of
Ava stood with a cup of coffee in her hand, watching Gina run a drill with their guards. They hadn’t needed to fight since she’d created the safe space, they now call home. And since she’d found peace with herself and her life. She knew that Sam still saw her as a threat, and she kept that illusion going, it kept her people safe. When she’d decided to create Beta, and take people who’d been treated unfairly, she’d thought that one day she’d take her army and take out Sam. But as the time passed and she and Gina settled, her need for revenge had diminished. Now all she cared about was keeping her people safe and happy. She wondered, not for the first time, how long they’d be able to keep their home a secret. With the new market that sold herbs that they grew on their land, word about them would spread. Especially under the witches and shamans who flocked to their markets. She’d been to a few. And she’d witnessed how much wha
Three days later a celebration was held at the compound. Amber and Sam brought everyone together for a celebration of life, friendship, and love. They stood watching their friends and family. Hunter and Gem sat with Gina and Ava and they seemed to be getting along for the moment. Hunter and Gina never seemed to last long before they snapped at each other. Tris, Taylor, and Mya were huddled together. Taylor sat on a chair with Tris and Mya at her feet. Taylor had a hand in each women’s hair and they seemed as content as three people could be. Pax, Addi, and Dylan were running between the gathered crowd. They’d made a friendship pact with Pax and it seemed to help him settle back into the friendship. They’d found out that his mother had been taking money from a vampire and feeding said, vampire. That had been stopped in its tracks. She’d been told that if she wanted to be a blood supply to move away. But she’d opted to stay when Pax had declared he wasn’t leaving. Everyone else was just
Mya burst through the tree line. All she could see was Paine. The bitch stood with a smile and her arms spread wide in welcome. She pushed her body harder and rushed at her. A scream, Gem, took Paine’s attention off Mya for a second and she dove with her whole body, she hit Paine in the center of her back and they flew through the air before landing hard. Mya was on her feet, ready to lunge again, but Paine lifted a hand and she felt her throat being squeezed. She ignored the sensation and lunged anyway. Paine screamed and shoved her back, Mya felt the power as she was shoved back into the tree line, she thought she saw Hunter and Sam, but ignored them and rushed back toward Paine. She’d kill her. Today, she would get justice for Jane.“Come on, can’t we have a little chat first?” Paine whined.Mya saw Hunter slowly make her way to the cave entrance where Gem was on her hands and knees. “Chat?” Mya spat. “You will die today, Ruffian.” Mya swore. “I will rip you to pieces.”“Oh, darlin
Tris watched Amber pace in her wolf form. She could feel the frustration pulsing from the agitated wolf. And anger. At Tris and Taylor. Was it her place to explain? Or should she just let it go? They’d done nothing wrong, and Amber had no right to judge them. “I don’t appreciate people taking advantage of a situation to get to my friends.” Amber shot at her. “I didn’t take advantage of anyone,” Tris said. “Were you not kissing Taylor?” Amber hissed. “We were kissing each other, and it’s none of your business,” Tris said. “I understand she’s your friend. And Mya too. But what we share, or how, is for us to figure out.” “Then Mya should be privy to the discussion or lack of discussion,” Amber grumbled. “That I’ll give you,” Tris said. “We never planned for it to happen.” Tris felt her ears prick when a stick snapped not far from them. “Did you hear that?” “Yes,” Amber said her eyes fixed on the trees behind Tris. “Look, let’s focus on what’s happening now. I will just say, please
Paine paced up and down the cave entrance. She knew she had run out of time. She could feel the witch’s locator spell pinprick her skin. It would only be a matter of time until they found her. What could she do? She looked back toward where Gem sat with her head leaned back against the cave wall. She could use her, maybe set a trap, if they come too close, it could trigger and kill her. But she didn’t really want to kill Gem. She wanted Mya. Or she could just kill them all. She knew they were coming. She had the upper hand.“You seem worried.” Gem said. She was weak, Paine hadn’t fed her in hours. “Did something go wrong?” Her voice cracked and she coughed. “Did you make a mistake?”“No, but your friends did.” Paine snarled. “I know they’re coming. I am going to set traps, and guess what? I will kill them all before they get to me. Except for Mya and Hunter. I want them to suffer. Hunter will watch you die! Mya will take your place.”“Mya will never be taken. She has too much to live
Sam, Amber, Hunter, and Tris fought their way through the thick woods. Amber led them, her nose picked up the faint scent Mya left behind. Sam, Hunter, and Tris pushed themselves to the limit to keep up with Amber. Fear, anger, and hope pushed them hard as they tried to get to Mya before it was too late. “Amber, you need to slow down.” Sam huffed in her mind. “I know time is of the essence, but it won’t help anyone if you lose us.” “Sorry.” She slowed and they all caught up. “I just don’t want her facing this fight on her own, we have Gem to think of too.” “I know,” Sam said. “Tris?” “Yes?” “When we get closer, I want you and Hunter to circle around to her back. We are not letting her get away this time.” “Okay. But will Hunter follow?” “If she doesn’t Amber will go with you.” “I may be a Vampire, but I can make out what your plan is. Don’t even think that I will stay out of this fight.” Hunter told them. She could almost taste how close she was to Gem, there was no way they wo
Amber walked into the conference room with Taylor on her heels. Sam stood with Addi who was still talking nonstop. “What do you mean she went after Gem alone?” Taylor demanded. Addi answered. “She found us in the woods, as she was leaving, she said to come straight here and tell mom she’s going. And that we are missing Pax.” Addi added more quietly. “We need to go after her!” Taylor said. “Where is she going?” “We plan to go after her, Taylor,” Amber said. There was a cool note in her voice, but Taylor ignored it, Amber only had half a story anyway. “We’ve already coordinated who goes where. We need you here with Diane, for any of our own that need medical treatment. Sam, Hunter, and I will go after Mya. The rest is going to stay here and find Pax, he’s just a kid and if he falls into the hands of the wrong people, he could be lost to us.” “I’m going with you,” Taylor said. “There is no way you’re leaving me here when Mya is out there!” “We don’t know what we’re walking into, we
Taylor ran a hand gently over Tris’s face. She’d cleaned up her face but her clothes were still covered in blood. Taylor looked around the room and found the closet they kept the spare clothes in for injured wolves and went over to pull their pants and a shirt out. She stood for a second debating with herself about what she was about to do. In the end she shrugged and set the clothes down next to the bed. She bent over Tris and pulled the blood-soaked shirt from her pants, then lifted it up and over her head. Tris’s eyes fluttered open and a tiny grin lit up her face.“Not how I imagined this to go.” She mumbled.“Me neither.” Taylor winked and smiled. “But we have to work with what we have.” She reached for the cloth she’d used to clean Tris’ face and after giving it a rince, started wiping down Tris’ arms and then moved to her chest.“I… You don’t have to…” She shut her mouth when Taylor shot her a withering glare.“Can you sit up?”“Yes.” She tried to pull herself up, but had to ho
Addi knew they’d get in trouble if her mom knew where she and Dylan were. But Dylan had asked her to go for a run and then they’d just sat at the lake, watching the water. She knew they should be heading back, but being with Dylan like this was great, and she felt a bit guilty that she was happy Pax couldn’t come with them. They had asked him, obviously. But he’d had chores, so she and Dylan had come out on their own.“Are you nervous?” Dylan asked.“Yes. My mom would be pissed if she knew we’d gone running alone.”“I know, mine too.” Dylan shrugged. “I wanted to spend some time with you, you know, alone.” She smiled sweetly. “Pax is always around. I like him, but I like it when we have time alone.”“Me too,” Addi said.“Can I tell you something, but like a secret?” Dylan asked. She fidgeted with the grass they were sitting on and shifted uncomfortably. “I haven’t told mom yet either.”“Sure, okay?” Addi tilted her head and felt Trixie shuffle on her shoulder. Obviously listening. She
“Enough!” Mya pushed Sam out of her way and shoved at Hunter. “She’s had enough.”“Stay back, we’ve almost got it.”“Damn it Hunter, don’t make me hurt you!”“Get her out of here Sam,” Hunter growled.“Don’t touch her!” Taylor stepped between Sam and Mya. “Amber, look at her, she’s had enough, they’ll kill her!”“She’s a wolf, she’ll be fine.” Sam snapped.“Then put Amber in that chair and after hours of this, tell me the same?” Mya snapped. “Oh, wait, Amber could probably go for days. How about, Addi?”“Mya!” Taylor pulled her back and stepped back in front of her. “She’s exhausted, we all are. She needs a longer break than she had.” Taylor touched Sam’s arm, who shook from anger. “Look at her, look at the person you’re using and see what’s happening. Is it worth hurting her like that? Are we going to stoop to Paine’s levels to find her?”“If I damned well have to, yes!” Hunter snapped. “Get out of here if you can’t handle it!” “Mya, we need to find the location, we’re…”“Sam, pleas