Katie's Hellion (Rhyn Trilogy, Book One) (7 page)

"Got nothing to prove, big brother."

Andre snorted and motioned to the pristine
white sofa. Kris sat.

"I wasn’t expecting you," Andre said. He
crossed to the wet bar for two glasses, one with red wine and the
other with whiskey. "I keep this cheap shit around just in
case."

"I like the cheap shit," Kris replied,
accepting his whiskey.

"You obviously clothes shop at yard
sales."

Kris smiled, and Andre echoed the movement,
the skin around his eyes crinkling in warmth.

"I hate these things," Andre admitted. "I’d
rather stay home. Brother, go change. You’re not going to embarrass
me again."

Kris chuckled, at ease with his brother
despite the unprotected penthouse on the top floor of a building
that could be easily leveled by a single explosive charge. Being
underground meant he was a much harder target to hit, yet despite
his attempts to convince his brother to act likewise, he’d not yet
succeeded.

He went through one of Andre’s two walk-in
closets, choosing a maroon sweater and chocolate suede pants. He
knew his brother would disapprove but also knew Andre would view it
better than jeans.

Andre pursed his lips in displeasure as Kris
reappeared.

"Good enough," his brother grunted. "One of
my most expensive shirts with the pants that went out of season
five years ago."

"How’s your spy network?" Kris asked as he
poured himself a second glass of whiskey.

"Eh, not so hot lately. I’ve been losing some
good ones. Still have an idea of what Kiki and Tamer are doing but
no idea what Erik is doing."

"You keeping track of me as well?"

"Part of an older brother’s duty."

Kris sat opposite his brother. Their alliance
off the Council was as important as their balance of power on the
Council. Despite being brothers, neither approved of what the other
did. Andre’s gift lent him great power and control over the mind,
enough so that he had no problem recruiting spies as the others
did. He was a pacifist, though, and viewed his position on the
Council as balancing out the outwardly aggressive predators.

Andre was no threat to the others yet had a
full vote on everything the Council did. It was how he walked
easily among all the others, never threatened and routinely
confided in. Even Sasha, who'd betrayed them all to serve the Dark
One, still sought out his brother's counsel. Kris knew his brother
too well to know he’d not betray the trust of anyone, even a man
who wanted to kill him.

Next to Kris's whiskey Andre kept at the wet
bar was Tamer’s favorite vodka, Kiki’s rice wine, and Erik’s diet
soda.

"What about Sasha?" Kris asked quietly.

"He’s killed my last few spies. Got a good
one in there now. Getting a lot of good info out of this one."

"Good to hear. You ready?"

Andre held out his hand. Kris took it and
they walked through the shadow world through the portal leading to
the Sanctuary where the Council meetings took place. His three
other half brothers were already present and waiting, Erik pacing,
Kiki at the table, and Tamer busy with his PDA. The conference room
was plain, the white walls bare, the harsh lighting and round
conference table centered.

"Let’s go, brothers," Andre said. He sat,
leaning back. "Shall we start with Asia this time? Kiki?"

"We started with Asia last time," Kiki
snapped, oriental features and towering height marking his mixed
breeding.

"Very well. Europe," Andre said, unaffected.
"Erik."

"Everything’s fine."

"Erik."

"The last time I said anything, all my men in
North America disappeared. Kris, care to explain?" Erik challenged,
ice blue eyes falling to him.

"Nope."

"Erik’s right, brother," Kiki said. "We can’t
talk freely like we used to."

"We have a common enemy," Andre reminded
them. "One who would like us divided so he can take over our
world."

"I’ll start," Kris said. "Today, we found
someone who’s immune to our powers."

All eyes turned to him.

"What do you mean, immune?" Tamer pounced.
"There’s no such thing."

"She has a hereditary blood anomaly that
makes her immune to all but the oldest of our kind. We just found
out and are researching it."

"Bullshit," Kiki snapped. "If you know that
much, you know more."

"Think what you will, Kiki."

"Have you tested her?" Andre asked.

"We discovered her when she proved unaffected
by one of our typical talents."

"She’s a spy for Sasha," Erik said. "Probably
revealed your entire operations by now."

"Not likely," he replied.

"I don’t believe any of this nonsense," Tamer
insisted. "She’s a plant. Like Erik said, she’s some mutant Sasha
made to infiltrate your operations."

"Maybe you’re the mole, brother," Kiki
added.

The four stared at him. Kris didn’t flinch.
He'd long since suspected one of them was working with Sasha, but
it wasn’t him. If anyone, it was Tamer, whose isolation in Siberia
and ability to outsmart Andre’s spies gave him the ability to hide
his actions.

"Bring her here," Tamer said.

"No."

"Then I’m not going to believe a damned thing
you’re saying."

"And I won’t share how to counter her
mutation so you don’t end up at Sasha’s feet."

"Fuck you, Kris!"

"Enough," Andre said with a sharp look at
both of them. "Kris, the Council will need some sort of proof that
this isn’t another ploy by one of you to wipe out the others. It’s
been calm for the past few hundred years, but I don’t think any of
us have forgotten that five hundred year period where we were at
each other’s throats."

And they’d lost two of their brothers to the
war. Andre himself had ordered their exiles when it was revealed
they were Sasha’s spies. He didn’t say this, but Kris knew it was
on everyone’s mind.

"Would you object to my visiting her?" Andre
finished.

"Nope."

"Good enough, Tamer?"

"For now," Tamer allowed. "No
compartmentalizing this info, Andre. It’s a common threat to all of
us. According to the rules, we get to know everything."

"Everything," Kiki emphasized.

"You are entitled to know of anything that
threatens you," Andre clarified. "As you know, I’m the only one
here who actually adheres to our rules."

The others smiled. There was one rule they
all knew better than to break, or Andre would order them killed. So
long as they didn’t put out a hit on one another, they could
decimate each other at their own battles, lie, cheat, spy, steal,
anything and everything.

"Other news," Andre said. "Kiki."

"Everything’s fine."

"Kris?"

"Ditto."

"Tamer?"

"Same."

"Erik?"

"Nope."

Andre pursed his lips again. Kris sat back,
satisfied. He’d done as required and alerted them about a potential
threat. As far as he was concerned, he’d do nothing else, even if
he learned how to counter it.

"Same time and place next month," Andre said,
standing. "These meetings need to improve, brothers. We are not one
another’s enemies, and we’ll never defeat our common enemy so long
as we’re squabbling."

No one spoke. Kris remained where he was,
aware they’d destroy each other if allowed. Their turf wars and
battle against the Dark One --and now Sasha --had stirred up some
of the bloodiest wars in mankind’s history.

One by one, the others left, until he was
alone with Andre.

"No one knows her identity, and no one else
sees her," Kris said firmly. "She’s an unwitting participant."

"You know me well enough, brother."

"I’ll send for you."

"What are you not telling me, Kris?" Andre
pressed with brotherly concern in his voice.

Kris looked away.

"There's something else to this human, isn't
there?"

"She's an immortal mate."

"Not uncommon," Andre replied. "What
else?"

Kris chuckled, aware his older brother could
wait him out.

"She's an Ancient's mate."

"Ah," Andre said softly. "Then you're in a
bind, if you intend to claim her."

"Can't leave this one to fate," he said in
the same quiet tone. "Do you…"

"You and I have always put the Council and
our mission first," Andre reminded him. "Now is not the time to
doubt yourself. Of all our brothers, you are the only one who can
lead us to victory. If this woman gives you the power to do
so…"

Kris said nothing, feeling at once foolish
and like he was the child Andre used to chastise for failing to
focus on his duties. Andre clasped his shoulder, bowed his head,
and disappeared.

Kris willed himself to the shadow world and
walked back to his underground refuge, heart heavy. Jade awaited
him, as he expected. Kris accepted the glass of whiskey but avoided
Jade's extended hand.

His lover of many years sensed his unease and
waited for him to speak.

"The woman we found is an immortal's mate,"
he started.

"I know," Jade said, seating himself. "You
have someone in mind for her?"

"I do."

Jade waited, and Kris held his gaze in
silence. He watched the expectant look turn to one of disbelief.
Jade's jaw grew lax before he managed to speak.

"You're serious?"

"I'm bound by my duty," Kris replied.

"But
this
? You'd leave me for
her?"

"Not by choice, Jade. Her talent can --"

"You can mate her to one of our friends!
There's no --"

"She's an Ancient's mate, not just any
immortal's mate," he explained.

"Give her to Andre."

"Jade."

His gut twisted as raw emotion crossed Jade's
face. His friend and lover searched his face hard, then rose and
stalked out.

Kris let him go despite his desire to follow
him. There was nothing he could say that would take away the pain
he'd just caused.

He poured himself more whiskey and sat on the
sofa, feeling utterly alone for the second time in his life.

His gaze strayed to the desk, where Katie's
file sat. He'd go to her apartment tomorrow and explain to her what
her fate was about to become. He suspected the conversation would
go as well as his talk with Jade.

His chest felt tight, but he refused to admit
his pain.

Jade stormed out of the study and shoved past
two warriors in the hallway. Blinded by emotion, he made his way
out of the underground compound without knowing where he went. He
broke into a run when he reached the country road leading away from
the compound.

He ran until his pounding heart drowned out
his pounding feet. Cold air made his lungs ache, and he slowed then
stopped, buckling over to catch his breath.

The pain in his chest couldn't equate with
the pain and distress shooting through him like cold fire. He
dropped to his knees and wiped messily at the snot streaming from
his nose and the tears frozen to his cheeks.

Images of Kris, his only love in two thousand
years, swam through his thoughts. He remembered everything from
where they met, their first kiss, their first night together. The
memories collided and tortured him, replaying with painful
detail.

He'd never felt pain this intense in any of
his battles!

He roared and slammed his fists against the
ground.

"Kris's pet."

He whirled at the all too familiar voice and
sprung to his feet.

"Sasha!"

"Hello, Jade," Sasha purred.

Jade straightened, eyeing the dark figure
with bright eyes.

"Looks like the shape you left me in," Sasha
said, "when you ditched me for dear Kris."

"Get away from me!"

"Who'd he leave you for?"

Jade said nothing, pain spiraling through
him.

"He left you for someone," Sasha insisted,
drawing near.

"What do you want, Sasha?"

"My lover is in pain, and you ask me why I'm
here?"

"We've been through for hundreds of
years."

"True. I still feel when you're upset. We've
always had that bond."

Jade knew he should've walked away the moment
Sasha appeared. He found himself lingering, wanting to feel a
little less alone. Sasha was their enemy.

Kris's enemy.

He faced Sasha, recalling the years they'd
spent together. He broke off their relationship when Kris took
interest in him and soon after, Kris convinced Andre to banish
Sasha to Hell.

Trying to convince himself he was too angry
to think straight, Jade shook his head and turned away.

"Whether or not you still care for me, you
care for him. Let me help you, Jade." Sasha's voice stopped him
again. "A favor from an old friend who doesn't want to see you in
pain."

"I don’t trust you, Sasha."

"You did once, long ago. Come and sit with
me, like old times. I'll take your pain away."

Jade squeezed his eyes closed and said
hoarsely, "No one can help me."

"I can. Come with me. An hour is all I ask.
If you tell me to leave at the end of it, I'll never bother you
again."

He hesitated, at war with himself. There was
nothing Sasha could ever say, nothing he could ever do in an hour.
But right now, Jade needed someone who understood him, as only
Sasha always had.

"One hour," he said. "Then you leave me alone
forever."

"Deal," Sasha said. "Come with me, my
love."

* * *

"Katie, your kid’s on line two!" one of the
cooks shouted back to her.

She looked from the computer screen to the
phone with the flashing red light. She sat in the general manager's
office of the fast food joint where she'd worked for six months.
The office was small but clean and smelled of fried food. The
general manager was on maternity leave, and she rifled through
several drawers before locating a bottle of painkillers. She was
hungover and tired, with a roiling stomach and headache, yet she
managed to make it to work before the breakfast rush. Only after
she tossed back a couple of painkillers did she pick up the
phone.