Fallen Darkness (The Trihune Series Book 2) (29 page)

Chapter 63

Lucas opened his eyes slowly. He was in the HQ. The medical room. His chest itched. Why was he only able to move his hand six inches?

He lifted the sheet. Stared at the chains wrapped around his wrist.

He yanked. Nothing.

Again. Harder. Nothing.

His other wrist was also chained. He pulled over and over. The bed rails shook. His eyes glowed. Fangs descended.

He had to get out of here.

It was all the same.

Yank.

The Follower.

Yank.

The five Fallen.

Yank.

“Lucas. Lucas.” Gabe rushed in the room. Martha right behind him. “Calm down, my
ach
.”

“It’s the same, Gabe.” The chains rattled with each pull. The scent of blood reached his nostrils. Red liquid seeped through the white sheet over his abdomen.

“You opened your stitches again.” Gabe placed his hands on either side of Lucas’s face.

He stiffened, tried to jerk away.

“Take it, my
ach
,” Gabe said softly. “You need to calm down.”

Lucas stared into his brother’s eyes. His Behn light still flared, allowing him to see deeper inside his
ach’s
baby blues. He inhaled deeply, concentrated on Gabe’s palms on his cheeks, on going deeper.

Exhale.

Inhale. Lucas took the offered comfort. Felt his body respond. Heart rate slowed. Breaths deepened. When he could no longer hold his head, he slumped against the pillow.

“Better?” Gabe asked.

Lucas nodded. He wanted to sleep, but there was something he had to say first. He watched through hooded lids as his
ach
unlatched the cuff around his right wrist.

“Chains,” he said.

Gabe met his gaze before glancing over his shoulder. “Martha, can you leave us for a moment?”

“But his stitches,” the
ebhed
started.

“Will hold. The bleeding has already stopped.”

Has it? Lucas glanced down. The sheet had fallen to his hips. To the left of his belly button was a three-inch cut, stitched together with black thread, half of the loops broken.

He heard Martha tsk before the door closed.

Lucas gingerly touched the red, irritated skin. It met the edges of his tattoo running down his side. His black tattoo.

His mind flashed to the five Fallen locked in that house. The blood that had coated his hands. Sprayed on his clothes. “What happened to me?”

“We’ve only been concerned with how the Fallens’ poison affects Followers. We didn’t even consider ourselves. It’s worse for Behns. The poison spreads quicker. If I had found you only five minutes later—you almost died, Lucas.”

Ice spread through Lucas’s bloodstream. He reached for Gabe’s hand. “But I didn’t,
ach
.”

Gabe cocked his head, stared intently, searching.

For what? Lucas had his suspicions. He dropped his gaze. “How is the Follower?”

“She didn’t make it.” Gabe spoke quietly. “She was dead before we could get her to the hospital.”

Lucas wasn’t surprised. He rubbed his wrists, glancing down when the motion pulled on his wound. Blood began to leak from the broken stitches again. “Why am I not healing?”

“The poison is preventing you from healing as a Behn. We had to drain you in order to get the poison out. It was touch and go for a while.”

A while? “How long have I been out?”

“Three days. Elias came in for the transfusion. Even with his blood, the cut won’t heal. Elias said it’s because the substance comes from the Underworld, which is why Jeeves’s scientist was unable to recognize its components. It’s not from Earth.” Gabe took a thick white gauze pad and placed it over Lucas’s stomach.

“So will I heal completely?”

Gabe nodded. “It’ll take time. The cut will have to heal on its own. The stitches keep you from bleeding out and help prevent infection, which is a possibility since your Behn abilities are stifled. Though you do keep tearing them out.”

Lucas watched Gabe tape all four sides of the gauze pad. “I need to tell you something.”

“I found the Fallen.”

His head shot up.

“You had moments of consciousness. You told me what you’d done.” His
ach
turned, set the first aid supplies on a nearby table. “I’ve taken care of them.” His words echoed in the silence that followed.

“I’m sorry, my
ach
.” Lucas swallowed the lump in his throat. Sadness. He laid a hand over Gabe’s on the raised bed rail. “I never meant to hurt you.”

Gabe lifted his head. “Elias said your blood was dark, almost black. More so than what it’d been with the demon.”

“It’s over. I’m done with that.”

No response.

“I promise.”

“You’ve said that before.”

Emotions filled him. Regret, his own. Sorrow, Gabe’s. “Yes. I’ll have to prove myself.”

Again, nothing.

Lucas’s heard thudded once. Worry, his. “If Cade hasn’t kicked me out.”

“He hasn’t. But I have.”

Lucas froze. “I don’t understand.”

“I spoke with Cade. I don’t want you as a partner anymore.”

He inhaled sharply. “Gabe, my
ach
, I’m—”

“It’s already done. I’ll patrol with Sarid and once you’re back on your feet you’re with Cade.”

His heart raced. “What can I do? To prove I mean it this time?”

“There’s nothing you can do. Maybe time will fix it. Right now this is best for me.” He turned to the doorway. Paused. “I haven’t told Cade what I found. That’s your job.”

Lucas lowered his head until his chin touched his chest. “Yes.”

Silence reigned and Lucas thought Gabe had gone until he spoke again, his voice soft. “We have word on Kate.”

Chapter 64

Kate sat in a tiny room on an uncomfortable metal chair pushed up to a metal table. A mirror hung on the wall opposite her. Everyone knew the mirror wasn’t just a reflective surface. They should give up the pretense and make it what it was. A window.

“So you’re saying nine years ago Randy Thurman, your foster father, attempted to rape you. You killed him and have been on the run ever since.”

Kate resisted rolling her eyes or taking off her gloves and finding out what was really inside Detective Thead’s mind. “Yes. I’ve been over this and over this. When are you going to lock me up?” She rubbed her forehead. Took a sip from the bottle of lukewarm water they’d offered her.

She’d entered the station and told the officer at the front desk, “I want to report a murder.” The officer ushered her into a large room behind the counter and had her sit in a chair with cuffs dangling on the side. Fifteen minutes later she was led to another room and met with a woman officer.

Kate had to repeat her story two times. The third time to a detective. Then was brought into her current room to run over the details. Again. For the fourth time.

At least two hours had passed. This was frickin’ ridiculous.

The detective of the Astoria PD homicide division held up his hand. “I just need to get all the facts, ma’am. We don’t just lock up anyone.”

The woman officer leaned forward. “Are you trying to get away from someone? Your husband perhaps. We have shelters that can help you.”

Kate closed her eyes, pressed her fingers into her temples. “I’m not married.”

“Your boyfriend then?”

“No boyfriend.”

“An ex, perhaps?”

Kate dropped her hands and stared at the woman, straightened in her seat. “Is someone here for me?” Her heart leapt into her throat. Was it Lucas?

The detective leaned over as if to pat her arm. Out of habit she sat back, tucked her hands in her lap. This seemed to prove something to him. “Don’t worry, he can’t harm you.”

“Are you talking about Lucas? I’m not afraid. He hasn’t harmed me.”

“It’s all right, we understand.” His voice was low, soothing.

And really annoying the hell out of her.

“But he’s locked up now. We won’t be able to hold him for long. Unless you tell us what he did.”

“What do you mean he’s locked up?”

“He came in, asked to see you. Became quite irate when we told him he couldn’t.”

Kate stiffened, remembering his fight with Cade. “He didn’t mean it. He gets angry if he thinks someone might harm me.”

The detective and officer exchanged glances. “Angry?” the detective asked. “What does he do when he’s angry? Hit you?”

“How many broken bones have you had?” the officer asked.

“He’s never touched me in anger.”

The detective shook his head.

“Let us help you,” the officer said softly.

“Lucas never harmed me. You have to let him go. He’s done nothing wrong.”

The officer’s face hardened. “We can’t help you if you don’t let us.”

Jesus Christ! “I don’t understand any of this. I came here to finally stop running. I want to turn myself in. I’d think you’d be grateful. How many criminals turn themselves in? I want to do the right thing. Why are you making this so difficult?” Her voice rose on the end. Her hands fisted in her lap.

The officer and detective exchanged another glance.

“Are you hungry?” The officer asked.

Kate just stared.

The officer smiled. “We’ll go get you a bag of chips. Be right back.”

Kate held in her scream of frustration. She dropped her head into her hands. This was not going according to plan. Not for one second had she believed she’d have to convince the police of her guilt. Tears threatened again.

Was Lucas really here? Would she be able to see him before they placed her under arrest? Although with the way Dumb and Dumber were acting, who the hell knew when that would be.

The door opened. She didn’t raise her head. “I don’t want any damn chips. Unless you’ve come to take me to booking, I don’t want to hear it.”

“I think you might be interested in what I have to say, Miss.”

Kate’s head shot up. “Jeeves? What are you doing here?” Gone was the black penguin outfit. Instead he wore a gray suit with a light purple tie and was carrying a brown, worn leather briefcase.

He placed his case on the table, took a seat. “I’m your lawyer. And I asked for a moment to confer with my client.”

Kate frowned. “You’re a lawyer?”

The old man smiled. “I’m many things, Miss.”

Kate shook her head. “Is Lucas really here?”

“Yes.”

“You have to help him. He—”

“Insisted I help you first. Refuses to leave until I’ve done everything I can for you.”

A lump formed in her throat. She rubbed a hand over her chest. “Okay. Go talk to the detective. Get him to speed things along. They’re doing everything except arresting me for the crime I committed.”

Jeeves opened his case and pulled out a thick file. “Sarid’s been looking into your crime. He’s not as good at computers as Lucas, but the
adohn
managed to find some information I think you’ll find interesting.” He handed her the folder.

Frowning, she opened it. The first page was a large copy of her driver’s license. The one from when she was sixteen. With her correct name. Katherine Marie Ross. What followed was a list of homes she’d stayed at since birth. It wasn’t some typed up list either. It was a document that could only be printed from Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Kate opened her mouth.

Jeeves tapped the desk. Gave one small shake of his head, running his finger over his lips.

She closed her mouth and turned to the next page.

The folder contained her whole life history. Every house she stayed at. Every report card she’d received. She quickly flipped through it, in no mood to run screaming down memory lane, until she came to the page containing the last house she stayed at.

Randy and Mary Thurman.

She felt sick, wishing the officer had brought her those chips after all. A few minutes later she raised her head.

“I don’t understand.” Her voice shook. Gaze drawn to the last paragraph of the report.

“Randy Thurman,” Jeeves said, his mouth twisting. “Died two years ago.”

Kate shook her head. “But that’s not right. I left Chicago nine years ago.” On May eighth. One week before her eighteenth birthday. One week before she’d have been free from him forever.

“The date is correct, Miss.”

“But he stopped breathing when I, when I—”

“Heart attack. His wife found him on the floor of your old room. Must have been minutes after you left. Called an ambulance. They revived him.”

She gave a choked laugh. “He’s been alive all this time?” She’d run. Avoided the cops. Refrained from making friends or staying in one place too long. For nothing. She stiffened. “Oh my God. Stacy.”

Jeeves cocked his head. “Stacy?”

“The girl who was living there, too. When I left.” She pressed a hand to her mouth.

The butler-slash-lawyer frowned. “I’m sorry. I don’t have any information on Stacy.”

He’d have gone to Stacy. Who would’ve been too young to protect herself. Too scared to run.

Kate had left her there. Alone. After promising to always protect her. She’d left her alone. With that monster. Kate squeezed her lids shut.

“Miss?”

She shook her head.

Jeeves was silent for a moment then stood, the chair squeaking against the concrete floor. “I’ll be back.”

What had she done? Kate had to find her. Make things better. It’d never be right. Never fixed. She’d never forgive herself.

The officer entered a few moments later. She stood in the threshold, holding the door open with her left hand. “You’re free to go.”

Kate raised her gaze. She didn’t want to go. She needed to be punished, though now for a completely different reason.

“Unless you have some other crime you’d like to confess?”

If she was locked up she couldn’t find Stacy. Kate shook her head, stood slowly.

“Your lawyer asked you to wait for him outside.”

She moved on autopilot, following the officer through the station to the front door.

The cop touched her arm. Kate didn’t even flinch. “You’re strong enough. Leave him. No one deserves to be hit. No one asks for it.”

Kate nodded, turned, and walked out the door. Her heart beat so fast. Her breaths were loud.

Why had she left Chicago? Why hadn’t she gone back to check on Stacy?

Such a coward.

If Randy had touched her. If he’d done to Stacy what he’d done to all those other foster children . . .

“Kate.”

She was swept into familiar arms, face pressed against a hard chest. “I didn’t kill him, Lucas. I just left. I left Stacy there. I left her there with him.” She didn’t realize she was crying until his shirt became damp against her cheek.

Lucas pulled back.

Her mouth fell open. “You look like hell. What’s the matter with you? Are you sick?” Deep, purplish circles stained the skin under his eyes. He was pale, breath unsteady. She glanced down, spied a dark stain on his sweater. She reached toward it but didn’t touch him. “Are you bleeding? Lucas.”

“I’m fine. Come home with me, Kate.”

Home. Tears bloomed. Kate closed her eyes. Her chest tightened. “I wanted to be worthy of you. I was turning myself in so I’d be—”

“You are!”

Kate shook her head. Felt the tears slip pass her lids.

Lucas cupped her face, his thumbs swiped the wetness from her cheeks. “I love you. You’re the air in my lungs. Without you in my life, I’m depleted.”

“But I’m not your
bahshrett
.” More tears fell.

He stilled.

“I heard talk. And Martha explained some of it to me.”

“That doesn’t matter. You’re the one.”

“Your abilities work on me,” she continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “Back at the bar you put me to sleep. You shouldn’t have been able to do that if I was your
bahshrett
. And I heard you speaking with Cade. You can sense my feelings.”

He shook his head. His own eyes shining. “It doesn’t matter.”

“But what happens when you do meet her? I’ve seen how it is between Cade and Emma. How could I stand in the way of that?” Just thinking about him with someone else was a stab in the heart. Her lower lip trembled.

Lucas pulled her closer. Leaned his forehead against hers. “I love you like that, Kate.” His voice cracked. “I can’t imagine loving anyone as much as I do you.”

A sob escaped. “But Stacy—”

“We’ll find her. I promise. I’ll stop at nothing until we’ve found out where she’s at. Please,” he whispered. “Please, come home. I don’t want a life without you in it.” He wrapped his arms around her, held her tight.

“Yes,” she said into his chest. “Yes.”