Rise of the Fae (28 page)

Why was this hard?

“Are you going to rebuild?”

“Probably not there. I went by and it’s pretty much demolished,” he said.

“I’m sorry.”

He snapped his gum. “You keep saying that.”

“Well, I feel bad. The demons were there because of me and Mason.”

“When are you coming back?”

His question caught her off guard. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t think of anything to say.

“Selene, I know you’re trying to push me away but you need help. What happens if your other self gets out of control? Who are you going to get chi from, Sherman?”

“Is that what you’re afraid of? That I’m going to sleep with someone else?”

He sighed and his voice somber. “No. I’m afraid for you. When they find out what you are—”

“I lived in this world for a very, very long time before Vampires came out of the closet and started ruling things. I’ve had interactions with your kind before. I think I can handle myself.”

“You’re right. You have my number if you need anything.”

Her heart sank. This wasn’t how she wanted it. She didn’t want to leave it like this with him.

“Why did you let me leave?” she blurted.

“Excuse me?”

“You let me go. You didn’t say anything to Sherman about marking me. He said it’s significant. Yet, you didn’t try to stop me.”

“I did try. Look, Selene, I’m not sure what you want from me. You made it clear you had no feelings for me. I’m not the kind of guy who goes chasing after a woman who doesn’t want him. If you wanted to stay, I assumed you’d stay.”

She swallowed. “You’re right. I’ll let you go so you can get back to your planning.”

“Selene—”

“I don’t want to wake Sherman.”

“Wait—”

“I’ll see you, Neeman.” She hung up fast enough that she didn’t have to hear him backpedal. He was right of course. It had been her choice to leave. She dropped the phone and threw her hands over her face. She had to keep it together.

“And you need to remember why we left,”
her inner demon said.

It was strange to hear her demon refer to them as “we”. They’d never been “we” before, but everything had changed, and not just between the two of them. She’d changed.

Neeman had opened her up and now she couldn’t figure out how to stuff all her feelings and emotions back behind the walls she’d built around herself for years. She needed to keep it together. At least until her mission was finished. Then she could deal with everything else.

* * * *

Selene drifted in and out of sleep for most of the remaining afternoon. By seven, Sherman arose and took a shower. She sat in the bed, unsure of what she was supposed to do and still weighted down by her conversation with Neeman. Sherman had guessed she wasn’t human, but he’d called her an angel. That was something she wasn’t even close to being, but she let him believe it nonetheless.

“I need to get my messages and make a few calls and then I’ll need to meet with the other kings again and see if the High Council has arrived. Why don’t you shower and I’ll have some clothes brought up for you to choose from?”

She’d obtained more clothing since she’d been back than even she’d thought possible. Sad thing was, she kept losing it all.

“I can do that.”

“Wonderful.” He smiled and closed the double doors, leaving her to herself.

The shutters opened for the evening and she got out of bed and opened the blackout curtains revealing the city. It was a cornucopia of life. There were several tall buildings standing black and vacant against the skyline, but many other smaller buildings were lit up and bustling with vamps working. She looked north and wondered where Neeman was and what he was doing at that moment. Was he thinking about her?

“Stop being stupid. You made a choice. Now suck it up, princess.”

“Shut up,” she whispered. Turning from the window, she walked to the bathroom. Her gut told her it wouldn’t be long now. Whatever Lorcan had planned, it would happen soon. If only she could find a way out of the mission.

* * * *

Neeman worked on his remarks for the funerals, but couldn’t concentrate. All night he’d hoped she’d call and now that she had, he wished she hadn’t. She was so exasperating he couldn’t think of anything else but her. She’d pushed him away and what? Expected him to chase her? How messed up was that?

Truth be told, he wished he had stood up to Sherman. Told him she was his and he wasn’t letting her go. But he’d been a coward, afraid of his own feelings. And now it was too late.

There was a knock on his door. He set down the pad of paper he’d been writing on and ran his fingers through his hair.

“Come in.”

Mason opened the door and crossed, sitting in a large arm chair. “Sherman called. The High Council has arrived. Danika told him about the ceremony tonight for the fallen trackers.”

Neeman nodded.

“The bodies have been prepared and are ready to be laid to rest. The families of the four trackers have arrived. Danika would like to start about ten.”

“I’ll go tell the rest of my men and get everyone prepared.”

Mason waited and stared at the table where Neeman’s wooden box sat.

“Have you heard from her?” he asked.

Neeman licked his lips. “She called a couple of hours ago.”

Mason met his eye. “Is she okay?”

“She seems fine.”

Mason cracked his knuckles.

“Selene knows how to take care of herself,” said Neeman.

Mason snorted. “That’s what I’m afraid of. She always thinks she can handle herself and she doesn’t need anyone’s help.”

“Do you know why she’s here?”

Mason stared at him for a moment. “I know she isn’t telling me why she’s here.”

“So you don’t believe they just let her go?”

“I’ve dealt with the fae in the past. They are meticulous if anything. They never would’ve left her a way to get out without their knowing. Frankly, they shut up all the entrances to the fae plane when they left and so I’m not entirely sure how they opened a portal up to begin with. Probably had to do with me though, I’m sure.”

“Do you think you’re the reason she’s back?”

Mason nodded. “It’s very well possible, which is why I’ve kept my distance.”

“They tortured her. She hides the scars with magick, but I saw them.”

Mason’s expression sagged and a rumble escaped his chest. “The fae aren’t too different from the demons in that regard. They’ll do anything to protect their way of life. I’ve thought about it a lot since she’s been back and I’m surprised her mother took her there. Fae prize purity of their race above all else. Her mother had to have known what would happen to Selene if she took her there.”

“What kind of mother would take her daughter to a place where they wouldn’t accept her but actually want to hurt her?”

“My Aunt Yelena was never one to think much of Selene. She always put herself first.”

Neeman shook his head. That explained a lot. When you grew up with a selfish mother, it stood to reason you’d turn out the same. But Selene wasn’t the same. He’d seen her kindness. She’d let him in and he’d seen behind her superficial wall and she was a passionate woman, strong and utterly amazing,

“So we agree there’s something she’s hiding. The real question is, what are they holding over her? What do they have that’s forcing her to do their bidding?” said Mason.

“Her mother?”

“That’s possible. For as selfish as Yelena was, Selene always relied on her mother for everything.”

“If only she’d tell us, we could protect her.”

“Possibly not,” said Mason. “Fae have powers beyond the security measures that even we have in place.”

“Like what?”

Mason shrugged. “Opening locks. Spells that can be cast on people without even touching them. Influencing people. The elders can even cloak themselves.”

“Cloak?”

“Diminish their appearances to the point they seem to disappear, which is what I supposed Selene did so she could sneak onto Coven House grounds the night the Russians were here. I didn’t mention it before because I didn’t want to freak anyone out,” said Mason.

Neeman’s stomach soured and his brain worked overtime.

“What?”

“The movie theater,” said Neeman. “I left for a few minutes and when I got back Selene was white as milk and her whole demeanor had changed. As if someone had gotten to her. She’s been pushing me away since then.”

Mason steepled his fingers and sat back in his chair. “If she was sent here for a reason it makes sense she wouldn’t have come alone. They would have someone to make sure she fulfilled her duty.”

“Another fae?”

“Undoubtedly. And not just anyone. Someone who could handle her. Someone she’d be afraid of. She’s strong.”

“As strong as you?”

“Not quite. She’s only half demon and half fae. But we do share the same father. I haven’t seen her, Seraphine, in ages. But Seraphine was no kitten when we lived in the demon realm.”

Neeman stared at the table in silence. More than ever, he was worried about Selene being out there with Sherman. Hell, with anyone but him. Not that anything qualified him to take care of her, but for some reason knowing she was out there and possibly a fae was after her…

“You care for her,” said Mason.

Neeman looked up. He couldn’t deny it. His feelings for her were a surprise to even himself.

“I don’t like her being out there with Sherman.”

“Me neither,” said Mason. “But there was no way to say no without him thinking something was up.”

“How do we get her back?”

“I assume she will come home when Sherman leaves.”

Neeman’s heart squeezed. “And if she doesn’t?”

Mason’s brows furrowed. “Let’s cross that bridge when we get to it.”

Neeman nodded.

“You’d be good for her,” said Mason. “She needs a strong hand. Someone who can keep her focused.”

It was weird talking to Mason like this. He and Mason had barely said anything to each other since Mason had mated Danika. Not that they’d been bros before, but they’d at least had a mutual respect.

“I’ve never apologized for what happened with Danika,” Mason continued.

“There’s no need. She’s a big girl. She made her choice.”

“Still. I knew you had feelings for her and I didn’t respect that.”

“Things turned out the way fate designed. I see now that Danika and I were never right for each other. I never gave her what you do.”

“Maybe you could be what Selene needs,” said Mason. “Heaven knows you could give Seraphine a workout if the two of you ever sparred.”

“Maybe.”

Mason chuckled. “Well, I think we’ve done enough touchy-feely stuff for one year.”

“Absolutely.” Neeman stood. Mason followed suit.

“I’ll let you get ready for the ceremony.” Mason headed for the door and stopped. He turned and met Neeman’s gaze. “You haven’t known Selene long, but you should know that I’d be proud to call you brother.”

Neeman’s chest tightened. “You, too.”

Mason left without another word.

Neeman stared at the door for a long time. He needed to get Selene back. Not just for her safety but for his sanity as well.

* * * *

Selene decided to not go overboard this time. She picked out a black dress, a nice pair of slacks and blouse, a pair of jeans and a couple t-shirts, half a dozen pairs of underwear, a pair of pajamas, some sensible pumps and a pair of pantyhose. She then asked for a small suitcase. She was sick of having to leave everything behind because she didn’t have something to keep them in.

She slipped into the black crepe dress, which hugged her curves and ended conservatively below her knee. She wanted to throw on her jeans and t-shirt but she and Sherman were going somewhere important.

Sherman had been nothing but a gentleman to her since she’d arrived. His cultured air and extensive knowledge of art and history made him easy to be with. He was the kind of man her mother would’ve thrown her at and insisted she pursue him for his security. But for all the niceties that Sherman possessed, her heart ached for Neeman.

Even her inner demon missed Neeman’s hard body and icy stare.

“Are you about ready?” Sherman entered the room.

“I think so.”

“Here.” He handed over a red velvet box.

She opened the lid with a crack. Inside lay a beautiful emerald necklace and matching earrings.

“I…I can’t accept these.” She snapped the lid shut and held it out to him.

“No. I insist. You’re helping me out of a tight spot and you deserve to have something for it.”

“You’ve already given me clothes, food, an amazing hotel room.”

“And now these. Take them, really. They match your eyes so nicely. Besides, I have one more favor to ask of you.”

“What’s that?”

“I’m having a meeting later tonight and I need you to stay here while I attend.”

“The meeting with Lord Danika?”

He paused. “It is, and you going would be more than a bad idea. The High Council members are even older than I am. They’d figure out what you are in a heartbeat and there is nothing anyone could do to protect you from them.”

A shiver of dread raced like icicles through her veins. The High Council was legendary. In all of her time on the Earth, she’d never seen one, nor did she know anyone who had.

“Why don’t I help you put on your necklace and then we can go.”

“Sure.” Selene turned and lifted her hair. Sherman removed the necklace and placed it around her throat.

His cool fingers lingered on the side of her neck, making her swallow.

“Let me just get these earrings on.” She slipped from his grasp and walked into the bathroom.

* * * *

Selene sat next to Sherman in his executive sedan, her hands clutched in her lap. They pulled behind the long line of limousines, executive cars, and SUV’s.

Sherman’s driver opened the door and helped Selene out. She waited for Sherman, her eyes on the large crowd that had gathered at the gravesite north of the demolished tracker compound.

“Wow,” said Sherman. “It really is destroyed. Such a waste.”

“Be glad you weren’t in there when it started coming down.”

He looked at her. “You were?”