Chapter Four

Laia

 

“No, come on, wait,” I said, struggling as I was hauled across the floorboards by two unfairly strong shifters. Shifters who were younger than I was, too. “It’s not what you think—”

“Looks like you were trying to smuggle Excris contraband into our home,” the young female shifter who’d given me the black eye said, acting like a pompous chicken. “I told you, sir.”

“Malloy, enough,” said the big bear shifter.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, looking like his head was about to split open. Or he was going to split a head open. Oddly enough, though, even though he’d knocked me on my ass, I still felt safe. In fact, I had the strangest urge to ask him to let me put my head on his shoulder. Just for a second. His name is Rett, right? I like that name.

My eyes flicked to my bag in his hands. Of all of them, I guess I trusted Rett to handle it.

At least, I hoped I could. Otherwise, we were all screwed.

God, Rett was tall. Had to be, like, six-five, at least. Seeing him standing there, with all those kids hanging off of him, he’d looked like an adorable man-mountain or something. Kinda wanted to climb him, too. The room swayed as tall, gorgeous Rett gave orders, and I stumbled.

“Careful,” the bear barked.

It wasn’t just the shiner throwing me off; I felt cold and hot all over.

Rett continued speaking, his voice sounding like it was under water. I couldn’t even focus on where we were going. “Can one of you go get Tello? I’ll talk to our new friend.”

The shifters nodded, sat me down in a chair, and pulled my arms behind my back. Blank panic surged up, and I began to struggle harder. One of them grabbed my shoulder.

“Please, please, don’t restrain me," I asked in a broken plea. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Leave her,” Rett ordered. “I’ve got this.”

Instantly, the two shifters let me go. “Sorry, boss, we thought—”

“Out,” Rett growled. “Guys, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but this was handled poorly. You’re supposed to defuse situations, not make them worse.” I looked up to see all three shifters hunching their shoulders and looking abashed. Rett’s own shoulders hunched. “Live and learn.”

“She’s carrying contraband, though,” Malloy piped up, clearly the straight-A teacher’s pet longing for validation. Her eyes narrowed at my bag. “You smell it, right, Deacon?”

“Deacon?” I asked, startled, and looked at the dark-haired man again. In the bright light of the lantern-filled room, he seemed even bigger and broader. But familiar, too. My heart surged with wild hope and relief. “Garrett Deacon?”

If Garrett Deacon was here, then Tristan had to be here, too.

“Have we met?” Rett asked with a slow, melting smile that threatened to throw the earth off its rotation. He flicked his eyes over me. “Feel like I’d remember you, firecracker.”

A strange sensation filled my stomach, and I gaped at him. It took me several seconds to realize it was butterflies. Of all things, and at the worst possible time.

“No,” I said and dropped my eyes, hands twisting in my lap. “But I’ll tell you everything.”

“Come on, out, you three,” Rett said. “Go get Tello.”

Grumbling, the younger three shifters left, and Rett walked closer. I caught a glimpse of his scuffed boots as he leaned on the desk in front of me. Chancing a glance up, I saw thick muscles flexing underneath camo pants and a black t-shirt.

“So, got a last name?”

I swallowed. I couldn’t look away.

Gone was the jolly guy with kids hanging off of him.

This Rett was dark and dangerous. All business and big bad shifter. Look at him—what else could he be but a giant black bear? Dark hair tumbled into ice-blue eyes, and his hard jaw, covered in scruff, clenched and unclenched. Tattoos covered his left arm from his wrist to the sleeve of his shirt. I found myself wondering where it ended. Again, a flutter of strange nerves went through me, and my fingers flexed against my thighs. I couldn’t get my thoughts in order.

What’d he ask me? Last name...no. Not yet.

“What’s in the bag?” he asked and reached back, holding it up.

“It’s a long story,” I said and drooped in the seat. God, I was so exhausted. “I’m not sure where to start.” Or if I should tell you.

Big, tough shifter or not, I’d seen the way those kids had looked at him and that pretty girl. If he had a family, I didn’t want to get Rett involved. I didn’t even want to get my cousin involved.

“You seem aware it would be illegal,” Rett said.

“Yes, it’s Excris contraband,” I almost snapped, gritting my jaw. “But I didn’t haul it all the way here to hurt Winfyre. I had to warn you all...” I closed my eyes and took a breath. “I swear.”

“You okay?”

“Yes,” I said and tried to open my eyes. It was hard. “Tired.”

“Can I ask how you knew my name?”

“That’s, um,” I said and opened my eyes, meeting his lightning-blue ones. Heat rolled up my neck, and I sat back, fidgeting, suddenly conscious of what a blood-splattered, dirty mess I was. Why did I care? What was wrong with me? Was I getting delirious? “That’s part of the long story.”

Rett sighed. A deep, heavy, and masculine sound. My goddamn toes curled.

“You’re not making this easy, firecracker,” Rett said. “You’ve gotta give me somethin’. Either that, or we lock you up or toss you out.”

“Please don’t do that,” I burst out, hugging a knee up to my chest and closing my eyes. “Please. I…I…” My tongue cleaved to the roof of my mouth as I curled up more tightly. I didn’t know what to say and what not to say. “Dammit, ow.” I’d bumped the cut on my knee.

“You want something for that?” Rett asked.

“Later. I need…” I swallowed in absolute embarrassment. “I really need a shower first.”

“You wanna hose off?” Rett asked, and my head flew up. He gave me a tired smile. “Knowing Tello, it might be at least an hour. I’ll get you some grub, and you can clean up and take care of that cut.”

“Really?” I asked. “You’d do that? But you don’t know anything about me…”

Rett tilted his head to the side and sized me up. “Eh. I believe you.” He shrugged. “Besides, I’ve got your scent, and you’re in bad shape. Doubt you’d get far.”

I stood up and seized my hands together at my throat. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“I mean, you’ll owe me,” Rett said with another of those earth-tilting smiles.

“I think I already did,” I said.

“Shake,” Rett said and stuck out his hand. “And don’t you dare back out—I’ll find you.”

A laugh bubbled out of me as I took his hand and shook. “Whatever you say.”

His fingers squeezed mine for a beat too long, and sparks went up my spine. “Come on, then.”

I followed Rett to a big bathroom. He told me I probably had about ten minutes of hot water, and, in the meantime, he’d find me clean clothes and bandages.

When he left, I drew a breath of relief, and a twisting feeling went through my gut. I hated that I’d needed him to step in and save me from some damn rookies. But more so from myself. 

What had I been thinking, picking a fight like that? I’d known there’d be trouble. I just hadn’t anticipated that kind of hostility. That girl had hit a nerve with her suspicious, holier-than-thou air and evident disdain. Had it been the shard, or was she a sourpuss? Dammit.

I also hated that some part of me had liked Rett stepping in. I kept replaying a brief moment where I’d seen concern flicker in his eyes when I’d asked about the predator’s price.

God, thinking about it now, that was probably something cooked up by my cousin. Who else would come up with that phrase?

What if Tristan’s not here?

The thought made my stomach pull into knots. No, he had to be.

After a blissful shower, I was rejuvenated and far more alert. Wrapped in a towel, I sat down and checked myself out in the mirror. I took inventory of myself—sunburnt, tired, and beat up. At least the bruises on my neck were long gone, five circles that had faded months ago, and yet I checked for them every morning. Then my eyes dropped down, to the ugly tattoo circling my ankle.

The real reason I had to wear those knee-high socks.

My fingers brushed over it, and I wondered if I’d ever be rid of those memories.

A knock came on the door, and I twisted around on the stool. “Yes?”

"Laia, I've got clothes for you," Rett said, and the doorknob jiggled. I gasped, standing up and pulling the towel closer. "Don't worry, eyes closed."

He came in, carefully and slowly, and I rolled my eyes. Walking over, I snatched the clothes from him, and his eyes popped open in surprise. “Hey, what—oh, I’m sorry.” I giggled as Rett clapped a hand over his eyes. “There was nowhere to put them in the hallway.”

“I’ll live,” I said dryly. “Now, please leave.”

He hurried out, and I laughed again. Once I got changed, I was wearing a soft sports bra, a baggy black shirt, and, to my relief, soft sweatpants. They all smelled nice, fresh, and clean.

Walking back out, I found Rett sitting at a table, fiddling with a pen and frowning. His expression cleared when he saw me. “Hey there. Your knee okay?”

I nodded. “I ran out of bandages on the trail. Thank you for that. And for not kicking me out.”

“Grub?” Rett asked, and my stomach growled loudly. “Damn, girl, when’s the last time you ate?” His eyes crinkled up at the sides. “Come on, sit and have dinner with me.”

I hesitated. “I mean, I don’t have anything I can offer in return,” I mumbled.

“Like what? Money?” Rett let out a booming laugh. “We have credits up here. But it’s mostly tradin’ and I-owe-yous.” He gave me a once-over. “This isn’t charity.”

I sank down in a seat. “Okay. It’s just…I’ve been on my own for a while, and...”

And where was I going with this?

He pushed a plate of rice, eggs, and beans in front of me. "Enough. Eat."

My hands shook as I ate. Again, I had that embarrassing, hyper-aware sense of how pink and scraggly I must look, like a dried-out flower. Not only that, but now Rett was stuck with me, the “pain in the ass” brawler and smuggler, when it looked like all he wanted to do was go home.

“Were those your kids?” I asked, hoping he wouldn’t notice how I was picking at my food. Suddenly, I wasn’t feeling so hungry, even though I was dizzy, and everything ached.

Rett choked and gulped for air, looking at me. “How old do you think I am?”

“I don’t know, thirtyish?”

“Oh,” he said and gave me a gruff grin. “Yeah. And no, they’re kids I look after. Related to friends of mine.” Rett tipped up an eyebrow at me. “Besides, what kids do you know who call their dad by his name?”

“Oh, yeah,” I said. “What about the girl? Girlfriend I’m keeping you from?”

“Girl?” he asked. “Cassidy? God, no, she’s a bit too young for me, and she’s seeing someone, we think.” He sat back and studied me. “Enough about me, firecracker. You’re the star of the show, one that, I gotta say, seems familiar. Any idea why?”

I glanced at the door and then at him. Slowly, I put down my fork and gripped my hands together. “If I tell you, can you please keep it between us until we find my cousin? The more people who know, the more danger…” I put a hand to my forehead, and a rolling sensation went through my body. “Honestly, I’m not even sure I should tell you.”

“Sweetie, I’m one of the five Commands of Winfyre,” he said. “Whatever you tell me, I gotta tell the other four. Besides, we’re not real big on secrets. Tend to cause trouble. What cousin?”

“Five Commands…” I murmured, and Rett smiled as I stared at him. Suddenly, I was on my feet and backing away. “You—you’re an Alpha.”

“Yes, I am. Laia?” Rett’s face slowly became concerned, and he stood up.

“I can’t…” My back hit a wall. Dry mouth, jittering heart, and scrambled thoughts. How screwed up were my shifter abilities if I couldn’t sense an Alpha right away? “No, no…”

Not trading off one Alpha for another.

“Laia, it’s okay. You’re safe. Take a deep breath.”

His baritone voice still rumbled at the low tones and whipped my nerves into a frenzy. But my shifter senses were going haywire at the power he exuded. Big hands that could snap me in half.

“I-I’ll leave,” I said. “I’m sorry.”

“Laia, please,” Rett asked and took a cautious step forward. “Do you want some water?”

The floor rolled, and I stumbled, glancing down wildly. “What–what’s happening?”

“I think you might be sick,” Rett said. “Please, let me help you.”

I put a hand to my forehead, the skin burning under my touch, and I closed my eyes. “No, no, not now.” The entire room tilted, and I staggered forward, then fell. “You have to warn…”

“Laia.” Rett was there, holding me up, with his hand reaching for my face.

I cringed away. “Please don’t hurt me. I didn’t mean to disrespect you.”

“On my life, I would never hurt you,” Rett said, and his voice buoyed me up. The blue of his eyes was melting and deep, the color of twilight. “Laia, here, please drink some water.”

“No, listen,” I said and forced back the dizziness, as well as the glass. “There is an Excris weapon in my bag. It was created by…” I could barely breathe. “It has-has to be destroyed…”

“That doesn’t matter right now,” Rett said, sounding impatient and worried all at the same time. I almost laughed. It was kind of cute. “Save your strength. Drink this.”

“They’re trying to figure out a way…”

“Laia? Laia.”

Darkness crowded my sight as I fought to stay conscious.

“Destroy it,” I gasped, slipping out of Rett’s hand and into the dark.