Set In Sparks (Morningstars Book 2) (14 page)

“Can we try something?” he wanted to know.

Her eyes got wide. “Now?” He laughed and kissed her forehead.

“Kiss him. We know that’s not exactly Kaden, but if something can percolate through this dead spot, it’s you, his Origin,” he explained. She paled and he wished that he’d have time for a talk, but they didn’t.

“Will you stay here?” Jaden wasn’t sure if Maya wanted him to stay or to go.

“I need to see if it works.” It was a lie. He wanted them both to get familiar with the feeling of her kissing someone else and yet not worrying about it. She only nodded and the moved closer to his twin. It was freaky how Kaden looked at her and yet was totally stiff. Even when she placed a hand on his hips, going on her tiptoes, there was no reaction at all.

“I can’t. It feels as if I’m cheating on both of you now because –”

“Just kiss him, Maya, we don’t have all night!” He was running out of patience. She only nodded and then her lips were on Kaden’s, but there was still no reaction. She was hesitant at first, but looked stiff, too.

Jaden pulled her in his arms, groaning. “Looks like you’re out of practice,” he grumbled and then bent her back, taking her lips in a storm. By the Creator, he had missed her. His tongue tasted her lips until she gasped and he could evade her mouth, getting reacquainted with the feel of her. Jaden allowed him another second, then he placed her back on her feet, actually smiling to himself as he saw her slightly flushed cheeks. “That’s how you kiss him,” he told her and she nodded, moving back to his twin. Again Maya went on her tiptoes, this time cupping his twin’s cheek. It took less than ten seconds and the before immobile Kaden reached for her hip and pulled her closer.

“Thank the Creator, Maya,” Kaden whispered, resting his forehead against hers.

“Welcome back, Kay. You stay with this lady here and I’m gonna go and kick your evil twin’s ass. I’ll be back.” Jaden kissed her forehead and then left, being glad that there was something else to think about.

He was so angry, he threw the blonde he had brought against the wall. Her head hit the concrete afterwards and a loud crack vibrated through the night air. The damn messenger Hellraise he tended to pay with the virgin was dead. It was all because suddenly his cover had dissolved into thin air. Growling, he took out a knife, walking over to the whimpering victim.

“Just let me walk. Please”, she begged, her head lowered. He wouldn’t do that though. This night had not gone as planned. Everything had started out so well, especially as the warriors had seen him. There was no doubt that they believed exactly what he wanted them to believe and boy, it had been so easy, wearing the twin’s face.

They had watched him, too, which was even better, but eventually they had pulled back. He knew they were lingering around the corner because the Hellraise had been more nervous than normal, but then everything had gone down the drain. The familiar tingling he knew announced the change had set in without him wanting it. He hadn’t been ready yet to change back and there was no way to stop it. It didn’t even matter how often he had tried to get his cover back, it just didn’t happen.

“You won’t walk, and you know why? Because you saw my face,” he told the girl on the ground and she looked up, defiance in her eyes.

“Fine, but don’t expect me to go easy. I’ll scream. I’ll fight. Someone will hear me and even if I won’t survive, you’ll not get away.” He ground his teeth, knowing she was actually right. The warriors were too close and if he guessed right, they even had called in reinforcements. Among them would be the Queen’s mate, no doubt, because it was what he’d want if he would be the brother. That guy would want to see with his own eyes how his brother betrayed him. Only now they would see his face. His plan hadn’t fully worked yet and it pissed him off that he almost had been discovered. The only thing that made him feel better was that his beautiful Queen would have known.

After all, Maya wouldn’t have thought twice about how a person she trusted could be walking the streets like a cold killer. A scratching noise pulled him from his thoughts. The little bitch was trying to run away. Stabbing his knife in her calf, she screamed out, making the sound ricochet around the wall and then escape in the night. It only angered him more. Pulling her back on her hair, he cut her throat. With any luck it would draw out some more Hellraise, keeping the warriors busy while he escaped, deciding it as time for a new plan. Spinning around in the alley, he came up short, staring at a chest he never had intended on seeing in such close proximity.

“You,” the angry voice stated and he closed his eyes. Busted.

Kaden walked circles around Maya. He knew that, but he couldn’t help it. Maybe he should have gone with Jaden and Lex to find out what was up, but just in case he should be blacking out again, he’d be walking straight back to Maya anyways.
There could be worse destinations
, Kaden thought.

“You know, I wanna curl up in a ball whenever your half is missing in me,” Maya whispered quietly and Kaden turned back to her. She sat on her bed, her entwined hands resting on her knees. She didn’t look at him, but she didn’t need to in order for him to know that she was about to cry. “I don’t know how I deserved Jaden, brave, strong Jaden. He’s exactly the leader this race needs in order to be stronger, tougher. And then I don’t know how I deserve you, sweet and kind Kaden, the other leader our people need to be tough and strong, yet compassionate and generous. Fate picked twins because you both represent a quality each and every person on this earth should have. I understand that. But I don’t understand how you both can still be by my side when I refuse to make a decision, when I’m nothing but selfish and childish, ready to throw a fit.”

Kaden knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his to gently kiss her knuckles. He wanted to be closer, needed more, but he wouldn't go there unless his twin stood in the exact same room. That didn’t stop him from making sure though that she knew he didn’t blame Maya for anything that had happened.

“Little star, no one blames you. Or thinks you’re selfish. You’re royal, beautiful, and –”

The banging of the front door made them jump. Maya’s brow furrowed and she moved away from him, but didn’t let go of his hand.

“It’s Cany,” she announced from the door, looking back at him. The indecision made him grind his teeth. He wasn’t a damn baby and he wouldn’t go on a killing spree. She should know that.

“Can you come with me?” Maya asked and he snorted.

“The worst thing that can happen when I have a blackout is finding you. I think we’re safe,” he replied, watching as a hurt expression crossed her face. A little taken aback she shook her head.

“Okay, wow. Yes, of course that was my first thought. Nothing like he’s here and I want him by my side, or now that things seems to be okayish with the twins I can have him by my side. No, of course, I was only thinking about you not being you. Especially since I wouldn’t be able to feel it just three doors down,” she snapped, giving him another angry glare before turning away. Kaden groaned, then he caught her just a step outside of her room, pulling her against him.

“I’m sorry, little star,” he whispered, his lips so close to her that he felt her breath wash over them as she swallowed. She was staring up at him, her purple eyes the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

“I love you, Maya, and I’ll always love you,” he promised, brushing a dark curl behind her ear. “Now let’s go and find out what’s up with your courtier,” he then added, making sure he eased the tension between them before they went anywhere. He wouldn’t deny that all he wanted to do was take a bite and see how amazing she tasted.

“Yes,” she decided, blushing hard, making him wish he could read her thoughts.

She led the way and Kaden realized that he really hadn’t any idea what else there was in this mansion. He needed a tour, and soon, because he sure as hell didn’t want to depend on his twin or his mate to lead him around.

Maya knocked at the door, her head clear the moment she heard Cany’s sobs. Ignoring the fact that Cany hadn’t asked her to enter, she opened the door and then turned to Kaden.

“I think so, too,” he said before she even had told him that maybe she should be doing this alone after all. It made her grin. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, touching her lips with his thumb before vanishing down the hallway towards the room they had given him a few nights back.

“Hey, Kade?” He looked at her over his shoulder, nodding. “When the boys get back, can you send Ryder up?” she asked. He just gave her thumbs up and then was gone.

Maya breathed deeply, then she went inside and closed the door behind her. Cany was kneeling next to the bed, crying her eyes out while strong winds shook the windows and lightening lit up the room almost as bright as daylight.

Maya sat down, gently combing through Cany’s hair with her fingertips. It was something that used to calm her down, even though now the mere presence of either twin or both did that to perfection.

“What happened?” she finally asked, but Cany’s sobbing only got heavier. Maya nearly jumped out of her skin when the wind started to tear on the windows as if it was ready to break down the house.

Cany gripped the duvet, holding on so tight her knuckles turned white. It was a heartbreaking sight and Maya had no idea what to do. In fact, she couldn’t even say what had happened because with the twins both there and the meeting earlier that night she had simply not registered where her courtier had gone to. Especially since Cany was not a prisoner.

Lightening flashed again outside and Maya flinched. She wasn’t usually scared of bad weather, but this one was intense. A golden glow suddenly lit up the window and she went over, seeing that a tree had caught fire.

The door flew open and Kaden came back in, determination on his face. “You need to calm her down right now,” he said, accentuating every single word. Maya rolled her eyes.

“It’s not exactly easy,” she replied, looking back out into the garden. “I’m gonna go and find a hose so I can get the flames in control. I –”

“You’re not going anywhere. Stay here,” Kaden ordered, then he was out of the door and she cursed. Now she had
two
guys bossing her around. Great, she thought.

Walking back to Cany, she knelt next to the female on the floor. “Just tell me what’s up,” she pleaded, but Cany just shook her head.

“I shouldn’t be sad,” she gave back between choked sobs and Maya took a deep breath. Her heart was breaking right alongside her friend and there seemed to be nothing she could do.