Redemption (14 page)

“Not happening,” Peyton replied. “We don’t leave our Alpha alone with an unknown, even if he is near death.”

“Clear out!” He glowered at the unmoving gryphon fledgling. “That means you too, whelp.”

Kandon stood, hand on the hilt of his knife. “No one is alone with him. He protected us, now I return the favor.”

“Fine. You sit up here then.”

The boy regarded Deimos a moment before nodding his assent and relocating to the front.

“There a reason you’re still here?” Adrik asked Peyton and Marek.

The female grumbled as she followed Marek out. He followed them, slamming the bus door shut so no one would enter. Then he returned and sat across from Deimos.

He sighed wearily and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “I’m not sure how the hell I got here, man. You were there for Mira when she needed someone. Not sure whether I should gut you and spread your entrails throughout the Highway, or offer a blood debt.”

Adrik glared at the unmoving mass before him a moment.

“I’ve got three fucking packs to deal with when we get to Redemption. Somehow I’ve got to tell them I’m not their Alpha anymore because the sanctimonious pricks on Shifter Council decided our Alpha Commander was unfit for his position because his mate is dying. Fuck. Bessa’s death is gonna rip everyone’s heart out and somehow I’ve got to figure out how to keep them whole when I’m pretty sure I haven’t been whole in a hell of a long time.”

He sighed and ran his hands through his hair, surrendering to the defeat before him.

“Then there’s Mira. She needs me. I sense her need to offload the shit she endured and I’ll be honest with you, man. I can’t handle hearing that crap, knowing what they did to her. Hearing the things she suffered because I failed to protect her.” He looked up at Deimos. “I bet you would’ve escorted her, made sure she got across the Highway safe.”

He leaned back and sighed.

“I guess it doesn’t matter now. You know, she made me promise to protect you. She doesn’t know shit about you, beyond the fact you were there when she needed someone. And now, even though I know even less than she does, I’ll kill anyone who even blinks wrong in your direction because you did what I wasn’t man enough to do. You kept her alive and sane because I couldn’t find her. I wasn’t there.”

Adrik stood and looked down at Deimos. “So I need you to man up and open your eyes. There’s a few things we need to discuss before my sentinels lose their shit and come in here, because they know I’m keeping something from them—something I never, ever do.”

Silence descended a few moments. Deimos’s eyes fluttered open and Adrik sat down.

“Welcome back.”

The man swallowed a few times and looked around the bus. A feral growl permeated the air.

“Settle down. We stole the bus when we broke you and the others out, which conveniently leads into item number one. I’ve got shit for a team. None of us actually expected there to be a facility to infiltrate, so we outsourced most of the work to a local group who’s apparently being led by a half succuba, half mage mercenary determined to keep you safe for some reason she won’t share with anyone.”

Deimos blinked.

“I start with that in case someone comes in before we finish. No one aside from me, Mira, the fledglings imprisoned with you and Camryn—she’s the merc—know this, but she’s shielding you, masking your identity.”

“Why?”

“Well, I was hoping you’d clue me in by telling me who you are. If not, then I’m afraid you’ll have to take it up with her when we get to Redemption. I’m not allowing anyone to come around you until then because I don’t have the manpower to keep the Impures and you safe.”

“Understood.”

Adrik nodded. “Good. Then I’ll trust since you’re awake, you can handle your personal protection and let me know if you need backup. We have no medic with us, except for the fledgling white dragon you had with you.”

“I’ll be fine. Blood would be good, if you have some to spare.”

“I’ll check. Camryn requested a few bags since she’s depleting energy keeping the shield up.”

Deimos groaned as he sat up. “So she’s an ancient bloodline?”

“Or she has a blood fetish I’d rather not know about.”

Deimos growled. “Now I’m indebted to a succuba mage?”

“Pretty much.”

“Great.” Deimos reached for a jug of water near him and took a deep, long swig. He settled it in his lap and wiped his mouth. “Where’s Mira?”

Adrik stood and took a step forward to place himself in the man’s personal space. “I’ll assume you heard enough of what I said before for this to make sense, because I’m not repeating myself. She’s mine. You forget, I’ll gut you.”

Deimos stared up at him. “Not sure anyone’s threatened me that effectively before. You’re a man of few words, Adrik.”

“You know my name.”

“I heard it enough over the past two years.”

She’d talked about him that often? The question hung on Adrik’s tongue, but he remained silent.

“Your warning has been noted. I’m in your debt for all you and your pack has done for me. Consider my sword yours whenever it’s needed.”

“Thank you. The same goes for you, Deimos. You kept her alive.”

“She saved me. She gave me purpose beyond the cell, the fledglings.” The man stood on trembling limbs as his gaze landed on Kandon. “You let him stay.”

“He refused to leave your side while you were out.”

“He’ll make a worthy protector,” Deimos stated.

Adrik noted the boy’s expression falter to one of immense pride. “He already is.”

“Agreed. I’d appreciate a few moments alone with him, if possible. Then you can send the rest of the fledglings in, if you don’t mind. I’d like to keep them near, until I figure out what’s what.”

“Of course. They’d feel more secure around you. We’ve had a hell of a time keeping them away.”

“They’re excellent fledglings, will make strong warriors.”

Pride resounded in the man’s voice. The sentiment made Adrik question his identity. Maybe he wasn’t a first year warrior like he’d initially suspected.

“No doubt.” Adrik headed for the door. “I’ll tell Peyton and Marek to give you a few minutes before letting them in. We’ll leave before first light in the morning.”

“Understood.”

Adrik was surprised the man hadn’t asked to see Mira again. He was accustomed to respecting authority. It was the mark of a good warrior. Hell, he wore the marks of an excellent one on him now, badges of honor he doubted few would see.

“I’ll offer you sanctuary in Redemption as long as you need it, to heal. After that, you’re on your own.”

“Everything should be settled before then.” The man flexed his fists. “And I assure you, no blowback on your pack or your woman.”

The promise was all Adrik needed to hear.

Redemption unsettled Mira. Although the busy outpost hummed with activity, she’d yet to find her niche. Lynette, the growly white dragon nurse, made it abundantly clear she didn’t need an untrained Impure mucking up Medical—especially when said human came with the weighty burden of an overprotective Alpha wolf.

Everyone had settled into a routine, one they’d been in for a long time. More importantly, it was one that never included her. Her heart clenched as she stared out from her hidey hole at the mouth of the alley behind Medical into the bustling marketplace.

They didn’t need her.

Isolation darkened her thoughts the past three weeks since they’d returned from Hell’s Highway. Sure, she had passionate nights with Adrik—when he wasn’t on duty, which was rare. Apparently she’d latched onto the busiest wolf around, one who existed to keep his pack safe. While she admired the hell out of his tenacity, her inner selfish bitch wanted him all to herself.

Not forever.

Just long enough to firm up exactly what they were. Was she his mate? Did he love her like she did him? Why hadn’t she confessed it to him yet? Maybe because a part of her was terrified he’d see the truth—he deserved better than her, a weak human. He was an Alpha for cripes sake. He’d never mate anyone outside his kind. Would he? Thoughts continued to darken an otherwise gorgeous day, one she had no idea what to do with.

Even Deimos had found a place in Redemption. Despite warnings otherwise, he’d insisted on being useful and had plunged hip-deep, literally, in repairing the drainage pipes around the public bathhouses. Just thinking about the area made her belly pitch and swirl.

When he wasn’t mucking around ancient plumbing he helped a volunteer crew fortify support beams on the lower levels of the Flyers’ skyscraper. Mira loved the building, the strength it displayed despite its evident battles.

Bile rose in her throat, but she suppressed it, like she had the past week. Displaying weakness reflected on Adrik and she wouldn’t allow that, not when he had so much to deal with. She smiled as he came into view, as he did every day around this time.

His smile made her pulse race as he exited the security building and strode through the crowd with his mentor, Jarvis. Jarvis was a kind, wise wolf and Mira could see why Adrik admired him so much. But the blackness within the man’s soul was rubbing off on everyone.

Bessa’s illness had begun plaguing the pack and Mira wished there was something she could do to help them all. To help them, she needed their respect, which meant finding a way to contribute. Hopelessness made her sigh her frustration.

She’d intended to kidnap Adrik, drag him into this alley and have her wicked way with him. But suddenly she doubted the intelligence behind her plan. Ren and Marek now joined him and Jarvis. Doubt crept through her veins.

Maybe she should go to the mess hall and scrub pans again. At least the monotonous task made time fly. There was never a shortage of things to wash in the small kitchen that somehow managed to feed thousands daily.

She turned and yelped her surprise when she saw Bessa. The woman jumped. “So sorry. I didn’t expect anyone to be here.”

The woman’s gray eyes danced with amusement when they roved from Mira to the gathered group of warriors. “They’re a handsome lot. Personally I think the one on the right is the hottest.”

Jarvis. Mira grinned. “I’m biased. I’m thinking the one to his left is way sexier.”

“You must be Mira. I’m Bessa. I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things about you.” The woman offered a pleasant smile that put Mira at ease with its sincerity.

“Maybe I should find out who you’ve been talking to then, because I’m pretty sure most of the pack wants me gone.” She waved a hand at the scores of people gathered in the marketplace. “It’s amazing how isolated you can feel when surrounded by so much activity.”

“Finding your niche within a pack as progressively channeled as this one would be difficult. I’ve seen many packs, but this one has always resonated with me. I think it’s the way they always put their own needs behind those of the pack.” Bessa leaned forward and pointed at the Medical building. “Did you know they route the bulk of their energy sources to Medical and the visitor barracks?”

“It doesn’t surprise me. I know how instrumental they’ve been for the Alliance.”

“Oh, right. I recall Jarvis mentioning something about that. We were so upset to hear about all your troubles lately.” Bessa touched her arm. “You know, I would love to get your help with the garden, if you don’t mind. I’ve been here for nearly a month and have yet to begin my work there. I’m afraid I can’t do as much now as I used to.”

The illness. Adrik had spoken a couple of times about the woman’s impending death. The heaviness of the pack’s pre-mourning hung in the air.

“I’d love to help. I used to help with The Alliance garden.”

“Fantastic.” Bessa smiled and began walking down the alley. “I brought a ton of things to plant. It’s such a shame the pack has been so busy. There’s been no time for weeding, pruning, planting or anything, it seems. They’ve had to divert all non-security pack to handle the mess hall and other more essential locations because the number of visitors to Redemption keeps climbing.”

“Well, a good garden provides for many. It was one of the most critical components of our Alliance encampment, especially since our diets were primarily vegetarian.”

“What a vile word in these parts. Our warriors love their protein.” Bessa paused before an archway that opened to a massive garden at least three times the size of the one they’d had at The Alliance.

“Wow.”

“I have to admit a lot of this was my doing when we first opened Redemption. There were two packs placed here and I love gardening,” Bessa explained as she wandered through the overgrown shrubs. “This was my favorite place. Jarvis used to come out here at the end of the day and carry me to our bed. I’d spend an entire day working out here and think only an hour had passed. He once accused me of loving this place more than I did him.”

“You have a beautiful eye for detail. I can see how it must’ve looked.” Mira saw the moisture glistening in Bessa’s eyes as they walked toward the interior. “You know what, I think we’ll have this place set to rights in a few days with some work. You’ll guide and I’ll do.”

Bessa sat on a bench surrounded by large trees with hanging fruits. Squirrels ran along the ground, pausing on occasion to grab a stray pecan from their path. Overgrown bushes, dead plants and unpruned trees filled her vision as far as she could see. Weeds and high grass shoots swallowed the vegetation. They could spend months out here and never finish.

The impossibility of the task exhausted Mira, but the sparkle in Bessa’s eyes gave her purpose. This was where she needed to be, what she could do. Every weed she pulled, every bush she trimmed and each plant she planted would repay Adrik’s pack for the many things they’d done for her.

The garden was a labor of love, one she treasured even more as the day progressed. Bessa’s gentle instruction refreshed Mira’s green thumbs and energized her with the potential she sensed in her mentor’s guidance. More importantly, the hope mingling in the words fueled her.

Yanking weeds and crawling around on her knees for hours made her back and legs ache, especially her wounded one. But she wouldn’t change a moment of it. They’d decided to break the garden into quadrants and had somehow managed to de-weed, prune and plant two sections of the twelve they had.