Black bird a nevermore d.., p.19
Black Bird: A Nevermore Duet, page 19
Rhaena spun around to face him. “Are you kidding?” She slammed the freezer door shut. “You can’t do that to her, Kane.”
“If we come up with something to tell the Cap, then I don’t see why we can’t let her believe the same thing if this mark doesn’t claim her life. Then she can go about that life without having me fuck it up for her, Rhaena!”
“You say that shit like you’re not bound to her. You know she feels it too, don’t be fucking stupid!” Rhaena dropped the water jug onto the counter.
“What she feels is only because I bit her.”
“You’re a damn fool if you believe that.” She crossed her arms in front of her. “You know, don’t you …”
“Know what.”
“I knew it. You must have figured it out when I did. Werewolves have mates. I’m willing to bet vampires have the same.”
“Who told you that?” Athan stiffened against the doorway.
“Nobody told me anything. It dawned on me when I saw you two at the precinct the day you left to go talk to Nick Specter. Everything she’s said about you up to this point? If she’s not your mate, you’re an idiot not to be honest with her at least. That girl deserves that much from you.”
“When did you have a sudden change of heart about her?”
Rhaena stepped closer. “Since I realized that you want her just as much as she wants you.”
“Psh …” Athan stared at the floor and shook his head slowly.
“Tell me I’m wrong.” Rhaena waited for some clever retort, but he continued to stare at the floor. “She’s a good one, Athan. Don’t fuck this up. Find a way to tell her the truth. Even if she chooses to kick your ass to the curb, at least you did right by her. Don’t spend the next few centuries, or your whole damn eternity being eaten alive with regret because you didn’t do it.” Rhaena dug her keys out of her bag and handed them over. Athan reached for them, and she jerked them back. “Do. Not. Smoke. In. My. Truck.” She held the keys to her chest and stared him down, sweat starting to trickle down her back and chest again.
“I got it, Rhaena.”
She gave him the keys and he slipped out the door as she turned back and opened the freezer again, waving the entire door to fan herself through the next hot flash. Every part of her dreaded the agony of her shift, but the bigger part of her just wanted to get this over with. She’d already secured the next three days off at the precinct in preparation for this. Rhaena found herself wondering how, after all these years, no one noticed that she always took the same three days around the lunar cycle. Humans truly were oblivious. She growled and leaned into the freezer, panting again, and grabbing for the gallon jug.
As badly as she wanted to wear her new t-shirt, Sarah opted for a slim-fitting black shirt with sleeves long enough to cover most of her tattoos, and a pair of matching scrub pants. It was a lab, after all. It would be cold, clean … familiar. She couldn’t say that she didn’t miss it. Couldn’t say that she wasn’t even a little excited about her first day at EverLife, although she kept the facts in the back of her mind about their unjustified snatching of her lab records at the hospital. They had to be aware that she knew, and that there were people watching them. Both of which seemed inclined to rip the throat out of anyone that wanted to toe the line where Sarah was concerned. Detective Northwood hadn’t answered her texts in the past couple of days, and she hadn’t been brave enough to try Kane again. She still wasn’t sure what to say, especially now that if she truly wanted anything to eventually come of whatever this relationship was … Rhaena had basically given her a blessing.
“Miss St. James? Are you ready?” a petite young woman asked, snapping her out of her thoughts. She held a camera forward and Sarah nodded, straightening herself as she stood in front of a blue square on the wall. “You can smile if you want, most people don’t. Just remember this photo will be on your badge for the entirety of your—”
“Just take it.” Sarah smirked, standing still while the girl nodded and angled her camera. A quick click of the shutter and she was reviewing it, turning it toward her, and Sarah hardly glanced at the picture before nodding in approval.
“I’ll go ahead and send this to Sam. She should have your badge ready by the time we’re done reviewing your drug screening and supplying you with all your gear. If you’ll just step into this office over here on the left and have a seat. I’ll be back in five.”
Sarah slipped into a hard plastic chair and crossed her legs. She could admit she was nervous. Whether this whole thing was a scam, it was also one hell of an opportunity. One she’d worked her ass off for, and she wanted this to go in her favor. She hadn’t even warmed the seat good before footsteps sounded from behind her near the doorway. “That was quick. I didn’t think y—” Sarah stopped dead as she turned in her chair and saw Detective Kane leaning against the door frame.
“Morning.” He smirked.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, quirking a brow.
“Making sure they stay in their lane. Part of the job description.”
“Are you my bodyguard now?” Sarah couldn’t help the smile that crept up the corner of her mouth.
“You’re the center of this case. You can call it whatever you want.”
“Just as long as I don’t invite you out for drinks, right?”
She watched him stiffen against the doorway and couldn’t help but wonder what was running through that carefully guarded mind. The longer they stared at each other the more tension she felt permeating through the space between them. She couldn’t even use the term hot … or fine … the dude was just downright beautiful. Sarah struggled to find any other word to describe him and found herself unable to remember any other time she’d ever thought that about a man. She didn’t even feel that way about her high school boyfriend … and he had been her first.
“Nervous?” He croaked.
It took her a moment to realize he was asking about the damn job. Sarah swallowed and tore her eyes away from his, clearing her throat. “No, I’m good. I just hate waiting. If I’m working, I like to stay busy. I spend enough time sitting still at home.” A shadow moved across the wall in the hallway and a man appeared next to Kane. They looked at each other and she could have sworn the temperature dropped in the room.
“Detective.” The man dipped his chin and offered a hand. Kane ignored it and he lowered it back down in embarrassment. He then turned toward Sarah and stepped into the room. “You must be Sarah. I’m Nick Specter. We’re glad to have you with us.” He extended the gesture to her instead, and she took it, shaking gently. “Welcome to EverLife.”
“Thank you, Mr. Specter. Do you uh …” She glanced between them. “You two know each other?” The two men exchanged looks again.
“Unfortunately.” Kane crossed his arms.
“Are you here to see me? Or …?” Specter asked, pointing with a thumb toward her.
“Later,” Kane said simply, giving him a firm stare.
“I see.” Sarah smirked, turning away from them, and flexing her ankle as it continued to dangle over the floor.
“Well, I won’t keep you. I just came to introduce myself. Please feel free to come to me with anything. Door’s always open,” Specter offered. Sarah smiled over her shoulder, and he nodded, smiling back before taking another look at the detective and scurrying off. She watched Kane’s eyes trail after him before he turned himself back toward her.
“What was that about?” she asked.
“Don’t forget what you know, Sarah. Keep your eyes peeled for weird shit that doesn’t add up. I need you to promise me you’ll keep us updated.”
“I promise.” She nodded.
Another long pause, and their eyes seemed to always end up meeting again. He started to smile a little. Sarah shrugged and shook her head, prompting him to speak.
“You’re not wearing the shirt?” He snorted.
Sarah chuckled and looked down at her attire. “Not today.”
“Oh … hi there,” the young girl said, scooting around Kane as she bounced into the room. “Can I help you?” She was just being polite…Sarah knew that. But the way she smiled at him set her blood on fire.
“He’s not here for you.” She growled, earning attention from both of them, Kane especially. She caught the look of surprise on his features.
“Oh, I’m—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean …”
“You’re fine. I’m sorry … just nerves.” Sarah pinched the bridge of her nose in shame. She had been right when she told Rhaena she was losing control of whatever this darkness was in her. There had to be some way to get it back.
“What’s this?” Kane asked, gesturing to the white material wrapped in clear plastic that the girl held in her arm.
“Oh, this is your lab coat, Miss St. James. I’ve also got a bag full of gear.” She raised a black drawstring bag hanging from her elbow. “And your badge.” She extended her arm and handed Sarah the card. The picture wasn’t bad. Kane shuffled against the doorway and grinned.
“What?” Sarah sneered, staring him down.
“Oh, I’m staying to see this, at least.”
“You’re the worst.” Sarah griped, taking the items, and unwrapping the lab coat. It was stiff, but it would do for today. She stood and shrugged it around her, clipping the badge onto the pocket. Kane snickered.
“Okay, bye,” Sarah said, rolling her eyes and shoving him in the shoulder. The girl giggled at them, and he stepped out into the hall. “You’re not staying. Go find someone to beat the shit out of.” It was hard for her to keep the smile from her face. It seemed hard for him too, but she tried not to read too much into it. Sarah kept reminding herself that he was a professional and pushing whatever this was would only be an obstacle. He’d made that clear enough.
“Knock ‘em dead, St. James.” He saluted her like an asshat and pocketed his hands as he turned and disappeared down the hallway.
“Everything came back great. If you’re ready, I’ll take you upstairs?” The little blonde offered, trying to hide her interest in wherever Kane was headed. Sarah turned back toward her.
“Lead the way.”
Athan found himself smirking the entire way to Nick’s office after he’d left Sarah to start her first day at EverLife. It wasn’t like him. He was beginning to realize that Rhaena was right. It wasn’t like he didn’t already know that she was changing every part of him. Sarah didn’t know him well enough to know that though—she didn’t know him at all. Truthfully, he didn’t know anything about her, either. It didn’t stop him from wanting every part of her. In that ancient heart she’d set beating again, he knew that it couldn’t be anything more than just an instinct … but it felt better than he’d like to admit. He was dying to ask her everything. It was clear that Rhaena’s observations were heading in the right direction. Sarah’s edge to her voice seemed just as territorial as his any time anyone so much as looked at her. He knew that flame. The itch in her blood that must be driving her as crazy as it drove him when people got too close to what his body demanded was his. She was healing, but it was obvious that the five stages that Rhaena had mentioned was clearly something they needed to look further into.
He should take his partner’s advice. She needed to know the truth. It killed him to think of how this was going to devastate her. How much she’d hate him. Athan wasn’t sure how to even have this conversation. He’d put it off for as long as he could manage. The assistant that he’d scared the wits out of gaped when he stepped out of the elevator, and he slowed into a smooth gait as he approached her.
“I’m sorry … I’m not going to hurt you, I promise. I acted … unfavorably my last visit. I apologize,” he offered as she tensed behind her desk. She gave him a slow, wary nod.
“He’s alone. You can just go in.”
“Thanks.” He patted the top of the desk, his silver ring on his thumb clanging against it. Athan didn’t bother knocking as he opened the door and found Nick standing by the large windows with his hands tucked into the pockets of his slacks, staring out over the campus. Nick didn’t acknowledge him.
“She’s a very pretty girl,” Nick said dryly, hanging his head.
“She is,” Athan agreed, snicking the door shut and moving toward the chair across from Nick’s desk. He dropped into it and sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair.
“I can see it. Whatever it is between you. I understand why you went for the psycho approach the last time you were here.”
“Don’t elaborate on that. I’m not in the mood.” Kane rubbed his chin. “Nick, I need you to be comfortable playing both sides of the fence here. Comfortable and discreet. I need to know you’re capable of that.”
Specter turned toward him but stayed by the window. “I can do it. If that’s what it’ll take to stay alive.”
“It will. And if anything happens to her, staying alive will be the last thing you want. I wanna be clear on that. I’ll make you suffer in every way. You’ll be begging me to kill you. You understand?”
“I got it, Kane. I’ll ask you not to elaborate on that.” He shifted on his feet. “I’m assuming you’re up here because you found something?”
“I don’t have the proof I need … but I’m pretty confident that the ones that broke into the lab were Dahlia’s crew,” Athan said, meeting Nick’s confused stare.
“I don’t understand. Why would she purposely contaminate the blood supply she needs?”
“I don’t know that either, but I’m tossing around a few ideas.”
“Such as?”
Athan spun his ring. “If she’s working with Stratford, it’s gotta be something they cooked up together. If I’m right, and the suspects were from the coven, then it would explain why it was so difficult to identify them. That’s gonna take some time to prove. When I left your office, I went to the club to confront her, but that didn’t end up happening.” Nick stared at him, urging him to give more. “The only thing that would make sense to me, is that she’s doing it to have a reason to nullify the agreement and pull her funding for EverLife. The why, is still a mystery.”
“There’s something else. I can see it on you,” Nick pressed.
“It’s personal.”
“Well, it’s a little personal to me too, Kane. My nuts are on the line here as well. If you want me to be confident in playing both sides of the fence, then I’m gonna need your honesty. I’d say that’s fair.”
Athan couldn’t disagree with that. “She knows I’m the one that set this up. That was an agreement between me and her. I won’t bother explaining the details of coven loyalty but … it was the only card I found to play in getting myself out from under them. The deal was basically to get the coven a steady amount of bags and they wouldn’t feed on humans. In exchange, I get my freedom … when I’ve satisfied my debt.”
“And how long until you meet that quota?”
Athan stared at the wall. “Seventy-three years.”
Nick scoffed and flailed his arms. “Kane, I’m not immortal, man. How long did you think you’d be able to keep this shit up with the center? Or was your plan to turn me into one of you?” Athan glanced over at him, and Nick palmed over his face. “Christ.” He paced for a moment. “So, you think she sabotaged it to keep you tied up with her?”
“I think that’s a likely possibility.”
“So … how does all this tie in with your girl?” Nick asked, pausing again in front of the window, but keeping focused on Athan.
“What do you know about Sarah’s mother?”
“Just that the bastard wants the information. Something medical. Other than that, nothing.”
Athan stood, turning toward a glass set of shelves and stepping toward it, looking over the titles of bullshit books that lined them. He doubted they were even real books, and probably just there for decoration. What a disgrace. “Sarah’s mother died from some kind of virus that nobody had ever identified before. The government has done a lot to cover it up. Even Sarah doesn’t know what it is. They cremated her without Sarah’s consent and sealed off the documents. If Conrad wants that information, there’s a reason for it.”
“So, St. James is a lab rat. The only trace left of whatever they’re after.”
Athan hummed his confirmation and toyed with a small abstract statue. “She’s healing faster than anyone would have expected. Says she doesn’t often get sick. She also told us she was pretty positive somebody had taken her one night to some medical facility and experimented on her before dumping her back in her bed. Of course, we can’t prove any of that. If it was the government’s doing, then those files are gonna be locked up, too.”
“This is insane. I feel like I’m trapped in a bad movie.”
Athan turned back to face him and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m sure she feels that way too, Nick.” Specter flushed pink with shame and nodded as he hung his head.
“What do you want me to do?” he asked, genuinely.
“Watch her. Call me if you see anything suspicious. If that piece of shit comes back to your office, or contacts you, I need to know about it. And don’t let him get anywhere near her, you understand?” Athan flashed him a look that had the CEO paling.
“I got you, man. I’m sorry … for what it’s worth.”
“Just because I’m not human, doesn’t mean I don’t remember what it’s like, Specter. Just look out for her. Please.”
Athan turned on his heel and didn’t look back at Nick as he opened the door and stepped through it. Kerah tensed as he walked past, and he jerked his head toward her in farewell as he trudged to the elevator. His phone dinged as the doors opened and he pulled it out. Sarah sent him a picture of her in her goggles and cap. Something tightened in his chest, and he immediately saved it to his phone. As the elevator lowered, he typed her a reply. He debated on sending it, unsure of what kind of invitation he’d be sending with it.
Too late.
Me: … saving this … it’s gonna be your contact photo.
