Boreal and John Grey Season 2 (7 page)

“Can’t...” Finn wheezed. Blood ran from one nostril, coating his lips and chin. “So loud.”

“It started like some sort of seizure,” Darla muttered from behind. “I’ve called the doctor I collaborate with to—”

“No,” Finn said, grabbing Ella’s arm and struggling to rise. “Let’s go.”

Shit shit shit.
“Can you make it?” she asked.

They couldn’t let a doctor examine him, but her more immediate concern was whether Finn could stand.

In answer, he licked his bloody lips, threw an arm around her shoulders and put his feet under him.

“You can’t go like this,” Darla insisted. “You were convulsing, you fell to the floor...” She fluttered her hands and bit her red-stained lower lip. “Oh god, I’ve never had this happen with a patient.”

“I’m okay,” Finn muttered, gritting his teeth, hanging on to Ella. “It’s all right.”

“He’s fine, really,” Ella said, who never thought she’d say that, ever. “He gets these migraines. He forgot his medication. It’ll pass. We’ll come back another day.”

Her phone was ringing, but she couldn’t let go of Finn who staggered as if he was drunk. The physiotherapist kept wringing her hands and getting in their way, trying to change their mind and make them stay until the doctor arrived. Ella wanted to swat her away but Finn stumbled and they knocked into a wall.

“Just grab his other side, will you?” Ella forced her legs to straighten. Finn was all compact muscle, heavy as hell. Darla’s help would be greatly appreciated, but Finn was trying now to push off and she hung on to him, making sure he didn’t crash into the plants lining the entrance as they made their way to the elevator.

“What’s going on?” she whispered, worry rekindling her anger — with the world for hurting Finn, with herself for not knowing what to do.

“A rip.” He panted the words, his face scrunched up in pain. “Magic.”

Yeah, that made perfect sense. “What are you talking about?”

“Magic leaking. Through the Veil.” Every word was bitten out as if it hurt. “Magic like fire.”

All right, now it made sense and Ella didn’t like it.

Oh god, she knew what had happened to Mike. After all, he was an oracle, ever listening to what went on behind the Veil.

***

Finn leaned heavily on her as they trudged to Mike’s apartment, his face ash-grey. Fresh blood trickled from his nose. He looked as if he’d been in a car accident or a fist fight — or both.

“It’s quiet now,” he whispered.

“So it’s over?”

“There’s damage.”

“And what does it mean?”

Finn shrugged.

Great.
“Can you still keep the Gates closed?”

He pushed off her and staggered, fetching up against the wall. “Yeah.”

Ella wanted to shake him, beg him to let her help.

Probably wouldn’t do any good.

So instead she banged on Mike’s door, relishing the pain in her knuckles.

Scott opened, his blond hair stuck to his temples with sweat, his eyes wide. “Thanks for coming.” He walked back inside. “Come on in.”

“How’s Mike?” Ella glanced back at Finn who was still leaning against the wall in the hallway. He’d wiped the blood from his nose, leaving a dark streak on his cheek. He had one of his best glares on, one hundred per cent pissed Finn. And he wasn’t even looking at her. Seemed to be pissed at the world in general.

She could relate.

As she watched, he made his limping way to the door, keeping a hand on the wall, his mouth a thin line.

She let him enter and followed, making sure he didn’t fall over. Obstinate elf. She couldn’t believe he was back on his feet after the state she’d found him in on the floor.

Her attention was caught by Mike coming out of the bedroom, looking the worse for wear. He put a hand out, leaning against the wall — a mirror of Finn.

The two of them stopped, staring at each other.

“You heard it,” Mike whispered.

“I felt it,” Finn said, his voice raw.

“You can feel the Veil?”

“In here.” Finn tapped his head.

“What happened?”

Finn wiped at his nose and Ella realized it was still bleeding. “Not sure. Strong magic. Changed the Veil.”

“Can you fix it?” Mike asked.

Ella blinked. Could he?

Finn bowed his head. “I’ll keep the Veil closed.”

“Let Ella help you, man.” Mike shook a finger at him. “Let her in your dreams. She can help you. She’s done it before.”

Finn glanced sideways at Ella, and for a moment regret flashed in his eyes. “No.”

No, what? No, I won’t let her? No, she can’t help me?

It didn’t matter.

Whatever he meant, Ella thought, this had to be what being shot to the heart felt like.

Chapter Six

Sign

Ella tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. Where the hell was Finn? Snow flakes twirled outside, landing on the windbreaker.

Her phone rang again. She snapped it on. “Yeah, Dave. What is it now?”

“Where are you?”

“I said we’re on our way.”

“Via Mexico or what?”

“We’ll be there soon.”

Putting the phone back into her back pocket, she scanned the building entrance for her elf. He’d grown even more distant over the past few days. In the mornings, his side of the bed was always cold. In the evenings, he just headed to said bed and fell instantly into deep sleep. Exhausted. Drained.

And yeah, there was apparently nothing she could do.

Dammit.
She punched the wheel and knocked her elbow into the car door. She really wanted to hit someone, only she didn’t know who was to blame.

Why don’t you trust me anymore, Finn?

It rankled that he seemed so sure he could make it without her help, but she told herself not to be an idiot. She should be glad he’d grown so strong — although this recent change in the Veil didn’t sound good.

Could he repair the damage and keep the Veil closed? Could he keep the Gates shut without her stabilizing powers? He tended to overestimate his strength and endurance. What if he couldn’t cope? What if he failed and Dave shot him again?

Ella winced. Yeah, and what could she do? She couldn’t force entry into his dreams, now, could she? If she knew of another way... She was supposed to be a Stabilizer, so what sort of magic did she have?

Who might know?

Finn finally appeared. He paused at the glass door of the building and all the anger went out of her at the sight. His familiar narrow face, the long pale hair, the broad shoulders. The fierce concentration in his eyes and the set of his jaw, the strength in every movement. The stubborn lift of his chin.

Why were his years in the military a secret? Had he done something he regretted? How bad could it be?

He limped out of the building and crossed the street, a stray sunray from the setting sun turning his hair into gold. The light caught on his gun, half-hidden under his jacket. He tugged on his black bandana, making sure it covered his ears, as he slid into the car and shut the door. His spicy scent filled the car.

Ella tore her gaze from him. The silence between them stretched. It’d never felt so uncomfortable; so tense. Normally she’d have filled the quiet, teasing Finn, getting him to relax enough to get him to answer, even with his monosyllables. Getting him to open up.

With a slight shake of her head, her heart heavy, she started the car and pulled out into the street.

She focused on her hands, steady on the wheel, on the other cars and the pedestrians slipping through the traffic. She wasn’t asking Finn again what was going on and why he’d closed off. Enough. She was an open book; her love for him, her concern was plain to see.

His move now.

Unless his magic was changing him to the core, changing who he was. Turning him into someone as cold as the world he came from.

Fuck, please no.
It scared her how much even the thought of such a possibility hurt.
Focus, Ella.
 

Her phone rang. It was Dave’s number. “I told you, boss, we’re on our damn way—”

“Ella Benson? This is agent Thomas Niels. Boss says to tell you to head toward Jason Inc. in Aurora. Dragon seems to have stopped there.”

“Copy that, Agent Niels.” She’d met the man. Hadn’t remembered his voice was so deep. “We’re heading there.”

“Meet you at the location.”

As she drove out of the city, she caught a glimpse of Finn staring at her. Pursing her lips, she did her best to ignore him — sitting there, so close, she felt the warmth of his body. Bursts of brilliance from his hair and skin teased her eyes.

Damn pretty elf. Distracting, like always
.

She took the bridge and raced toward Aurora, the new urbanization that had sprung up between the city and one of the fashionable sea resorts.
Tall buildings, check. Dragon possibility, check.

As she parked outside the Jason Inc. skyscraper, resigned to another evening of heights and vertigo, she wondered — would Finn kill the dragon this time, as he said he would?

***

The Jason Inc. building stood in a cluster of chrome and glass office towers, decorative shrubs lining the path that led to the entrance.

No police cars. A limo was parked around the corner. A man in a three-piece suit crossed the street, casting Ella and Finn curious looks.

Ella glanced down at her black cargo pants and combat boots, then at Finn’s outfit which wasn’t very different. She guessed they didn’t quite look like business people coming in for a late meeting.

She looked up at the building’s polished windows. A tower of glass and steel. And up there, the dreaded rooftop where she’d be in a moment.

Her nails bit into her palms.

A hand landed on her shoulder, startling a yelp out of her. “The hell?”

“Sorry.” Finn lifted his hand. “You’re shivering.”

She took a step back. “Yeah... Have I ever told you I’m scared of heights?”

Finn frowned. “You can stay here.”

Fuck that. He’d shut her out of his head and his magic. No way in hell was she going to wait in the lobby as he fought a dragon.

“I’m your only back up. Deal with it.” Without waiting for an answer, she headed to the sliding doors and flashed the guards her badge.

She stomped to the elevator and folded her arms over her chest, waiting for Finn to limp inside. He gave her a questioning look, one brow arching, his eyes a little wide.

Ignore him. You can do it.
Where the hell was Dave, damn annoying as he was, when you needed back-up — and a distraction?

The elevator doors slid open. Finn stepped outside, unbolted the heavy door leading to the rooftop and opened it. A blast of icy air hit Ella’s face.

Heights and cold. What more could a girl ask for?

Oh yeah. A dragon.

She stepped out into the cold night, drawing her gun. Despite the lack of wind, the chill crept into her bones. Any moment now her nose would drop off and she wouldn’t even feel it. Damn, it wasn’t even officially winter yet.

Finn kicked at a carton box and stalked to the other end of the terrace. He hadn’t even drawn a weapon. He walked back toward her.

No sign of a dragon.

Ella frowned. “What the hell is Dave playing at? He said he had a verified sighting.”

“You’re angry,” Finn said, his voice low and even.

No shit, Sherlock.
“No law against it.”
Wait.
The phone call had come from Dave’s phone, but who the hell was Agent Niels? Could it be a trap?

“Not with Dave,” Finn said. He was giving her a quizzical stare, head tilted to the side. “You’re angry with me.”

“Yes, because you’re keeping me in the dark.”
Dammit
. Now was not the time. “We need to get off this roof, now.”

Finn opened his mouth, then closed it. He turned toward the open door and the elevator, his back rigid.

Something flashed on the roof across the street.

Shit.
Did Finn wear his Kevlar vest — did she have time to—

She threw herself in front of Finn, opening her arms as if that would serve any purpose — and an impact in her chest stopped her breath.

The darkness rushed in.

***

“Ella. Ella!” Finn’s voice, from somewhere above her. “Can you hear me?”

“Damn, yes.” Why was he yelling like that? She blinked, and ow, her head hurt. “Not deaf.”

Her jacket was open, her shirt — torn? The strap of her Kevlar jacket was undone. It was damn cold. “What are you doing?”

Finn’s face came into focus. His eyes looked dark in his ashen face. “Just checking. How do you feel?”

“I feel...” She shifted and the flare of white-hot pain in her chest took her breath away. She brought her hand up and Finn caught it. “What...?”

Finn glanced at the side — the elevator. They were indoors, the door behind them closed. “You were shot.”

Shot.
Damn, yes, that was right. She recalled a flash on top of a nearby building and moving to shield Finn. “So that’s why,” she muttered. She tried to look down at herself, going cross-eyed. “Hurts like hell. I’ll have a pretty bruise.”

Finn’s hand hovered over her collarbone. He gripped her arm instead. “Nothing broken?”

She let him pull her up and sat, considering this. It hurt, yeah, but when she felt the area with her fingertips she didn’t scream. That had to count for something, right? “I don’t think so.”

That was the thing. Stay cool and calm. She gritted her teeth and repeated the mantra in her head as Finn pulled her to her feet. Steady. Everything’s okay. Yeah.

Now, if the bullet had struck a couple inches higher, she’d be dead.

Jeez, that was the wrong thought. Shakes started in her legs and her knees felt like rubber.
Oh crap.

“Ella.” Finn wrapped an arm around her and bent to grab her under her knees.

He was going to carry her.

Hell, no.
“I can walk.”

“You’re shaking.”

“Still can walk.”
You thought you were the only stubborn one, huh?
“Just let me lean on you.” Small concessions were the spice of life.

 Still frowning, Finn grabbed her around the waist and half-pulled half-carried her to the elevator.

“Dave must be here by now,” he said as the elevator doors closed and the ride down began. “You can ask him—”

“Dave has no clue where we are. This was a trap.”

“I’m telling you, he’ll be here.”

Whatever.
Who was after them? And how had she not seen it coming? Too pissed and frustrated with Finn, she’d let herself lose focus.

Stupid, Ella.

They walked out into the lobby to find Dave and a group of agents waiting at the elevator doors.
Huh.
Look at that, Finn had been right.

Dave’s mouth opened and closed. “Ella?”

“How did you find us?”

“Doesn’t matter.” Dave shook his head irritably. Then his eyes zeroed on her open shirt. “You got shot?”

“I’m fine, boss. Kevlar did its job.”

Dave stepped closer, cast Finn a glance and halted. “Are you okay, Ella?”

“Yeah.”

“Sure?”

Ella struggled not to roll her eyes. “Yes, I’m sure. You might wanna check who’s hacked into your lines, though. I had a call from your number — a certain agent Niels telling me to come here. Said it was per your instructions.”

“Next time you get instructions only from me,” Dave grated.

“I figured as much.” She sighed. “I think I’ll just head home.”

“Put some ice on that.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You take care of her, son, you hear?” Dave nailed Finn with his gaze, as if this was Finn’s fault.

Finn’s hold on Ella tightened. His heart boomed against her side. “Back off,” he bit out.

“Only saying you—”

“Save it.” Finn hauled Ella through the lobby, past Dave and his agents, out into the night.

Whoa, looked like it was Finn’s turn to be angry — but why? She pushed off him.   “Finn?”

His scowl darkened. He shrugged and strode to the car.

“Finn, wait. Why are you so mad at Dave?”

“He knew.” Finn’s hands clenched. Then he slammed his fist on to the car roof. The bang reverberated in the empty street.

Ella approached cautiously. There was a fist-sized dent in the metal. “Knew what?”

“Nothing.” Finn let out a long breath. He flexed his fingers. “You can’t drive. We should take a taxi.”

“I feel fine.” Less shaky. The pain radiating, burning hot, from her chest, served to clear her head. “Will you please explain what Dave did?”

“He did... nothing.” Finn sighed and opened the car door. “Maybe a shower,” he whispered. “Can’t do this any longer.”

 Ella blinked. Right, that... made perfect sense. Maybe she’d hit her head on the rooftop?

Or Finn had hit his?

And she should still be furious with him, shouldn’t she?

“A shower,” she muttered as she lowered herself gingerly behind the wheel. “Sure, take a shower.”