Rising Covenant (Living Covenant Trilogy Book 1) (10 page)

I followed him, flabbergasted. “This is not how this was supposed to go!”

“I love you, too,” Aric called back to me, unruffled. “Come on. We have cake. That will make you feel better.”

What just happened here?

I
was still irritated
about the ring the next morning. Aric seemed more relaxed – and I was happy for him – but my stomach was in knots. Leave it to me to ruin my own happily ever after.

“What are you thinking about?” Aric asked, rolling to his side so he could watch me as I stared at the ceiling.

“Life.”

“Oh, good. You’re feeling philosophical this morning,” Aric deadpanned. “What exactly about life are you pouting about?”

“I think I might be the worst person in the world.”

Aric groaned and pulled his pillow from under his head so he could press it to his face. “Don’t start doing this.”

“I sabotaged your big moment and my chance to get everything I ever wanted.”

“This is not going to work on me, Zoe,” Aric said, lifting the pillow off his face and glancing at me. “You are not going to pout your way to that ring. I want my big proposal. I’m going to get it. I’ve earned it.”

I shifted my eyes to his, hoping they looked appropriately pathetic. “I don’t deserve your love.”

Aric grabbed me around the waist and pinned me to the mattress as he rolled on top of me. He held my arms above my head as I fought against him, but he was too strong, and we both knew it.

He kissed my nose. “You’re not getting that ring until I’m ready to give it to you.”

I pushed my lower lip out. “I need it.”

“I need my proposal,” Aric countered, kissing my nose again. “You get the big piece of jewelry to wear forever. I think I should get my five minutes of glory before then. That’s only fair.” He kissed my left cheek. “I know a wedding is supposed to be about the bride, but the proposal is about the groom. That’s my moment. I don’t care how you try to play me, you’re never going to get me to give it up.” He kissed my other cheek. “I’m the boss this time, missy.” He pressed his lips to mine and gave me a sultry kiss. “Do you understand?”

He was distracting me with his lips. That was never fair. “I want my ring.”

Aric sighed and released my arms. “This is going to be a long couple of days. You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“I want my ring,” I repeated.

“Zoe, I’m going to give you a proposal story you’ll be able to tell for years,” Aric said. “Doesn’t that count for something?”

“No. Give me my ring.”

“I’m not giving you that ring.”

I reached for his waist and started to tickle him, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he tried to pull away.

“Stop that,” Aric ordered, his face red when he managed to put a few inches between us. “I’m not giving you that ring.”

“I’ll keep doing that until I get what I want,” I warned.

“I think I can put up with your determined fingers.”

I racked my brain for another option. When the sly smile took over my mouth, Aric frowned.

“I don’t even want to know what’s going through that evil mind of yours,” he grumbled.

“I won’t give you another massage until I get my ring,” I threatened.

Aric’s face twisted as he considered the statement. “Are you trying to blackmail me?”

“I want my ring!”

Aric pulled me up so my chest was flush with his and kissed me. “You can’t have it until I say you can.” He dropped me back onto the mattress and climbed off the bed. “I am taking a cold shower. There is nothing you can do to entice me into giving you that ring. Stop trying.”

I watched as he disappeared into the bathroom, another idea forming. I reached to the nightstand on my side of the bed and retrieved my phone. Aric strode back into the room, stopping at the dresser for some clothing.

“I won’t be in there long,” he said. “You can shower when I’m done. Don’t even think of joining me in there, because that’s not going to work either. I don’t care how determined you are. I … who are you calling?”

I pressed my cell phone to my ear. “My mother. When I tell her you won’t give me the ring she’s going to go nuts. I’m giving her your cell phone number if you don’t give me my ring.”

Aric ran his tongue over his teeth as he regarded me. “Is that how low you’re willing to stoop?”

I nodded, frowning when the ringing stopped and the call went to voicemail.

“What is it?” Aric asked, all pretense of teasing gone.

“They’re still not answering,” I said, disconnecting the phone. “It’s been too long, Aric. Even if they were camping … .” I bit my bottom lip.

“Come get in the shower, Zoe,” Aric instructed. “When we’re done we’ll start packing.”

“Where are we going?”

“North.”

“
A
RE
you sure you want to do this?” James asked, helping Aric load three bags into the back of his Ford Explorer. “Why can’t you wait?”

“It’s been too long,” Aric replied, keeping his face even as he glanced in my direction.

I knew what he was thinking. My parents had probably been kidnapped – or were dead. Whoever came after us the night of the attack changed their game plan. They couldn’t get their hands on me, so they grabbed the next best thing and took my only tie to the outside world.

“I sent scouts from the pack to the house,” James said. “They said everything was quiet. Zoe’s parents are probably camping or something.”

“Are you willing to bet their lives on that?” Aric asked, collecting my hand so he could give it a reassuring squeeze. “We’re talking about her parents. It’s not normal for them to be out of touch this long. We’re going.”

“At least leave the book with me,” James suggested. “I can continue my research.”

“We’ve scanned every inch of that book into the computer,” Aric replied firmly. “You have all you need. We might need to trade that book for Zoe’s parents. I’m not leaving it behind.”

“You can’t give that book away,” James ordered. “It’s too important.”

Anger bubbled up and I couldn’t keep it inside. “My parents are important, too.”

“Of course they are, Zoe,” James said, adjusting his tone. “I wasn’t insinuating your parents aren’t important.”

“They’re more important than the book,” I said.

“Zoe … .”

Aric cut his father off. “We’re taking the book. If it comes down to it, we’re trading it for Ted and Nancy. I don’t care what you have to say. That’s it.”

“Aric, do you have any idea how important that book is?” James asked, trying a different tactic.

“No. You and Paris have been working on it for days. You have no idea whether it’s important,” Aric said. “You believe it’s important. You think it could bring about the end of the world. All we know so far is that it seems to like Zoe – or really hate her – and it allows my soon-to-be fiancée the ability to control the weather.”

I scowled. “I still want that ring.”

“You guys are getting engaged?” Paris’ face was bright as she rounded the corner and tossed her bag into the back of Aric’s truck. “That’s great. I figured that would happen when you pulled your heads out of your rears and realized you were made for each other. When did this happen?”

“Last night,” I replied. “Aric won’t give me my ring.”

“Why not?”

“He says I ruined his chance to propose and he’s not giving up his big moment,” I grumbled.

“That’s kind of sweet,” Paris said. “You can wait for your ring. It’s not the end of the world.”

“Thank you,” Aric said.

“You really shouldn’t torture her, though,” Paris said. “She’s gone through five long years wondering whether you didn’t love her enough to marry her. That has to hurt.”

“Shut up,” Aric said. “You wanted to come with us on this little adventure and I agreed even though I didn’t want to. That means you have to be on my side.”

“I’m on both of your sides,” Paris countered.

“Get in the truck,” Aric ordered, pointing. He glanced down at me. “Stop talking about that ring. I’m going to sell it if you don’t stop badgering me about it.”

We both knew that wasn’t true. I opened my mouth to argue with him but ultimately snapped it shut. I was too worried about my parents to play this game. Once we found them and I knew they were safe, though, all bets were off. “I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry,” Aric said, grabbing my chin and kissing my forehead. “You’re upset and worried. You can’t help but be obnoxious.”

“I’ll ignore that.”

“Get in the truck,” Aric said, releasing my hand. “It will only take us two hours to get to their house. It’s going to be okay.”

I wanted to believe him. “What if … ?”

“Get in the truck, Zoe,” Aric ordered. “We won’t know anything until we get up there. We’re taking the book. If we have to trade it, we’ll do it. Try not to freak out until we know something.”

I nodded and moved to the side of the Explorer, casting a dark look in James’ direction as I walked past him.

“Zoe, I didn’t mean to upset you,” James said.

“Thank you for helping us,” I said, biting my tongue to keep from saying something ugly. “Lock up when you leave the house.”

I
’VE
never been
a fan of road trips. I know some people find enjoyment in the journey. I’m one of those who care only about the destination.

Aric set a brisk pace for the drive, one that broke the speed limit but didn’t threaten the possibility of police involvement. I was nervous, and after a few lame attempts at conversation Paris let me be and fell asleep in the rear seat.

Aric held my hand for most of the trip, rubbing soothing circles over my knuckles. I couldn’t relax, though. I should’ve been enjoying the fact that we were out of the house and I wouldn’t be trapped in the small location again for at least twenty-four hours.

The closer we got to my childhood home in Barker Creek, though, the more my dread grew. Even though he didn’t speak about it, Aric could feel it. I caught him shifting in his seat as we crossed the township limits.

“You think they’re gone, don’t you?”

It was the first time I’d spoken in almost two hours. That had to be some sort of record.

“I’m worried, baby,” Aric said, squeezing my hand. “Your parents have never been exactly hands-on, but they usually check in every few weeks. It’s been too long.”

“We should have come up here the night of the attack.”

“We can’t go back in time, Zoe,” Aric said. “You need to hold it together until we have something to go on. Don’t have a panic attack until we have reason to panic. Please.”

“I’m trying.”

“I know you are,” Aric said. “I’m sorry. We should have … we’re almost there.”

I was on the edge of my seat, my hand on the door handle, when Aric turned onto my parents’ street. The sight that greeted us was not what I hoped for. Three police cars idled at the end of the driveway, and police were cutting off traffic as it tried to pass.

We were close enough now that I could see why.

“Oh, my God,” Aric said, exhaling heavily when my parents’ house came into view. It wasn’t a house any longer. The simple country abode where I spent my childhood was a blackened shell, the roof gone and only tiny hints of color peeking through the charred remains.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and jumped out of the Explorer before Aric could bring it to a full stop. I raced toward the house, my heart pounding.

“Mom! Dad!”

Someone grabbed me around the waist to stop me, and I lashed out with my magic, flinging him away. “Mom! Dad!”

“
Z
oe
, stop!”

Aric pulled me down from behind as I approached what was left of the house, flattening me on the ground as I screamed.

“You can’t go in there, Zoe. It’s not safe.”

Aric’s eyes were pleading when I finally focused on them. My lower lip started trembling as I lost control.

“They’re gone, aren’t they?”

“I … .” Aric didn’t have an answer for me. He kept me beneath him as he shifted his gaze to the police officer standing next to us. “What happened?”

“Who are you?” the officer asked.

“Aric Winters. This is Zoe Lake. This is her parents’ house.” Aric gripped my wrist and pulled me to a sitting position, refusing to let go in case I decided to unleash my fury on Barker Creek’s finest. “What happened here?”

The cop looked Aric up and down. “You’re Aric Winters? You’re James Winters’ son?”

“I am. Who are you?”

“Mike Tusken.” The cop put his hands on his hips. “I’m a police officer here in Barker Creek.”

“Thanks! We would never have figured that out on our own,” I spat, wrestling with Aric. “Where are my parents?”

“You need to tell me what happened here before there’s an … incident,” Aric said, grimacing as he strained to hold me in place. “Baby, stop that. I know you’re upset, and you have every right to be, but we need answers and I can’t get them if I’m playing WWE with you.”

My shoulders slumped at his words. I knew he was right.

Aric blew out a relieved sigh and brushed a quick kiss against my forehead. “Do not do anything crazy here, okay?”

I mutely nodded.

Aric climbed to his feet, pulling me along with him and wrapping me in a way that I was pressed against his chest and had no options should I decide to move. “That’s my girl,” he murmured into my hair.

Tusken watched the scene impassively. “At three minutes past eleven last evening we got a call from one of the neighbors,” he said. “The house was fully engulfed when we arrived. Neighbors reported seeing one … .” Tusken broke off to read the names from his notebook and I immediately wanted to kill him. “Theodore and Nancy Lake pulling into the garage about an hour before the fire. They’re believed to have perished in the blaze, although we haven’t found their bodies.”

My legs gave out and Aric had to support me to keep me upright. They were dead. I’d mouthed off to the wolf and spent the night bugging Aric about the ring. While I was having a good time planning my future, my past was burning alive.

“Oh … .” I was shaking.

“Zoe, we don’t know for sure that they were in there,” Aric said, tightening his grip on me. “Surely you’ve had dogs in there looking for bodies. If they haven’t found anything … .” Aric was grasping at straws.

“The fire was intense, Mr. Winters,” Tusken said. “Somebody used accelerants. We had cadaver dogs here for several hours once we deemed the dwelling safe to enter. We believe the bodies were completely burned. We don’t expect to find any remains.”

“Aric … .” I couldn’t breathe. My chest felt as if it was caving in and I was drowning.

Aric didn’t bother trying to hold me up any longer. Instead he hoisted me off the ground and sat down, nestling me in his lap as he pulled me close. “I’m so sorry, baby. I am so sorry.”

W
E SAT
like that for thirty minutes. I couldn’t move. My legs felt as though they didn’t work, and my head and heart were heavy. Aric didn’t put up a fight. Instead, he rubbed my back and held me, even though tears refused to come. I wanted to cry. I needed to cry. I was too angry, though.

I wanted to hurt the people who took my parents. I was going to doing that regardless. I was going to rip their still-beating hearts from their chests.

I knew I was to blame here, too, though. My parents were targets because I was a mouthy mess.

Tusken opted to leave us alone, and I had no idea where Paris wandered off to. She probably didn’t want to intrude on my grief. When Tusken returned, his face was grim.

“Mayor Teague would like to talk with you.”

Aric made a face. “I don’t want to talk to him.”

“I’m not sure that’s up for debate,” Tusken said.

He was a wolf. I could sense it. He was bitten, not born. That meant he was less powerful. I wasn’t even aware of the huge wolf population in Barker Creek until I left town for Covenant College. My parents kept me in the dark about my powers and birthright.

It looked as if that was coming back to haunt us even now.

“What does Teague want?” I asked, my voice hollow.

Aric glanced at me. I hadn’t spoken in a long time. He looked relieved, even as he shared my misery.

“He wants to discuss this situation with you,” Tusken said.

“What situation? My parents are dead. Does he want to dance on their graves?” It wouldn’t surprise me. The mayor hadn’t bothered to hide his dislike for me – and what I was – at our last meeting. He’d only taken a step back because he was terrified of Aric and James.

“I am not privy to the mayor’s reasons for wanting to see you,” Tusken said. “I only know your presence is required at City Hall.”

“Oh, well great,” I muttered. “I’ve been looking for someone to beat up.”

Aric shook his head in my direction before turning to Tusken. “If Teague wants to see us, he can find us here,” he said. “We won’t be here long. We’re getting rooms at the resort tonight. If he needs to discuss anything with us, he can do it here or he can get the hell out of our way.”

Tusken furrowed his brow, conflicted. Mayor Teague was the big man in Barker Creek, but Aric was the big man everywhere else. Tusken obviously didn’t realize that.

“I don’t want to see him,” I said. “He’s a pudgy moron, and he bugs me.”

Tusken’s eyebrows flew up as his eyes widened. “He’s our mayor!”

“He’s a jerkwad,” I said. “I don’t care what he wants. He has no power over me.”

Tusken turned his attention to Aric. “Sir, you must understand the pecking order here … .”

“I do,” Aric agreed. “I’m in front of the line. If Teague wants to talk to us, he can come to us. I’m not going out of my way for him.”

“But … .”

“Stop talking to me,” Aric ordered. “Zoe just lost her parents. I don’t give two figs about what you or Teague want. Shut your mouth and get out of my face.”

Tusken opened his mouth to argue further and then closed it. “I’ll relay your message to the mayor.”

“You do that.”

I watched him stalk back to his cruiser with weary eyes. “What do you think Teague wants?”

“I have no idea,” Aric said. “We’re not dealing with life on his timetable. I … I’m sorry, Zoe. I don’t know what else to say to you.”

“I know. There’s nothing you can say.”

“What do you want to do? Do you want to go to the resort or head home?”

“I … .” What did I want? That was an easy answer. I wanted revenge. “I don’t want to drive home and lock ourselves away there again. There are things here I have to deal with.”

“Like what?”

“Funerals.” I choked on the word as my voice shook. Even then the tears didn’t come.

“I’ll help you with that,” Aric said. “My father will help, too. You’re not alone in this, Zoe.”

“I know.” He tightened his arms around me and I melted into his warmth. “My mother would have been really happy to know we were eventually going to get engaged.”

“Oh, Zoe, I’m so sorry.” Aric buried his face in my neck.

We remained like that for another fifteen minutes, and then I let him pull me to my feet. He kept his arm around my shoulders as we started moving toward the Explorer. Paris stood next to it, her face streaked with tears. She looked uncertain about what to do. She would have to join the club.

We were halfway to the Explorer when a dark sedan cut us off from our destination. I knew who it was before Mayor Teague stepped out of the vehicle. He didn’t look happy.

His face was tracked with the telltale red roadmap of years of robust drinking, and his eyes were murderous as they landed on us. “Aric Winters.”

“Mayor Teague.” Aric was unruffled. “What a great day for a reunion. If you’ll excuse us, we have to get going.”

“I came down here to talk to you even though protocol requires you come to me in situations like this,” Teague barked. “Don’t even think about leaving.”

Aric dropped his arm from my shoulders to my waist as he regarded the biggest man in the world’s smallest town. “I don’t have to do anything where you’re concerned,” he said. “I don’t have to announce my presence. I’m not conducting business on your turf. If you haven’t noticed, my girlfriend just found out her parents died in a fire. I have no time – or patience, for that matter – for you.”

“Don’t you mean they were murdered?” Teague asked.

Aric stilled. “Excuse me?”

“The house was practically firebombed,” Teague said. “There were eight different start points. Whoever did this used accelerants. Since the Lakes are probably dead, we know it wasn’t an insurance job. That leaves murder.”

“Thank you for that brilliant assessment,” I deadpanned.

Teague shifted his gaze to me. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“You don’t look sorry.”

“Your parents never caused me any trouble – other than birthing you, that is – so I’m not happy about their deaths, Ms. Lake,” Teague said. “What I am happy about is now that they’re gone I won’t have to see either of you ever again. Barker Creek is officially off limits now that you have no reason to visit.”

Aric growled, the sound low and threatening. “Don’t ever tell me what I can and can’t do,” he warned. “As for Zoe, I wouldn’t push her right now.”

“Why? Is she going to set me on fire?” Teague pressed. “I’ve heard that’s a particular talent of hers. Hell, for all we know she burned her parents alive. How about it, Zoe? Are you due for a nice inheritance?”

Aric reached for Teague with his free hand but I beat him to the punch. Literally. I pushed an angry thread of magic in his direction, catching him off guard and smacking him across the face with a furious red whip.

Teague reared back, surprised. “I … what was that?”

“That was the woman you do not want to mess with right now,” Aric said, casting me a sidelong appraising look. “That was nice control, despite the circumstances. I … .”

“If you congratulate me as if I’m a dog I’m going to be pissed.”

Aric turned his attention back to Teague. “We were at our home last evening. We have no reason to set any fires and we would never hurt Ted and Nancy. As for money, I’m sure you remember my father. I’m loaded. We don’t need money.”

“You have money,” Teague clarified, holding his cheek. “Ms. Lake doesn’t have any money, as far as I can tell.”

“Well, you don’t know your ass from a hole in the ground, so I’m guessing your knowledge of Zoe’s financial status is as empty as your head,” Aric snapped. “We’re getting married. She doesn’t need money. She has her own. She has mine. The money her parents possessed is miniscule in comparison.”

“Someone set this fire, Mr. Winters,” Teague said, his jaw tightening. “The Lakes weren’t known for having enemies. You and Zoe here are another story. Do you have any information that would lead us to a likely suspect?”

“No.”

“No?” Teague arched an eyebrow. “You don’t even want to think about that for a bit?”

“No,” Aric repeated. “We weren’t here. We didn’t see what happened. If we discover who did this … you can be assured that we won’t be calling you.” He tugged on my hand. “Come on, Zoe. You need something to eat, and then I’m putting you to bed.”

I followed him wordlessly.

“You’re still suspects in this murder, Mr. Winters,” Teague called to our backs. “We’re going to investigate this case until we solve it, and the perpetrators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

I slowed and turned, fixing Teague with a hateful glare. “That’s where you’re wrong,” I said. “I’m going to find out who did this. When I do, there won’t be anyone left standing to prosecute.”

Teague must have read something in my expression because he swallowed hard and took a step back. “I … this isn’t over.”

“You’re right,” I said. “It’s just beginning. You’re going to want to stay out of my way, because when I find who did this I’m not taking any prisoners.”