Concealed, p.27
Concealed, page 27
The one who looked like he was in the brightest spotlight ever was paralyzed with stage fright.
“Just, uh, checking it out.” The other one said trying to seem nonchalant. If the fear wasn’t so plain in his eyes, he might have pulled it off.
Bastian shrugged, “relax, I’m off duty. I won’t tattle on you infringing in my region.” He just needed them to stay put so he could get close enough to him without the wand. Of course, at this very moment, he wanted to bash him in the head with it. That would count as touching though, so it worked for him.
The one frozen on the spot elbowed the other man, his eyes rounded as he looked up at Quinton.
“Allow me to do the introductions,” Bastian lifted his hand in the prince’s direction, “Prince Quinton of Alterealm may I introduce,” he paused, “I’m sorry, what are your names?” He moved the wand from behind his back and jabbed it against the one’s neck.
“Idiot and stupid.” Prince Leone said from behind them as he made the one gawking at Quinton disappear.
“Fitting.” Bastian nodded and watched as Leone dispatched the second one.
“Did they know?” Leone glanced from his brother to Bastian, “that she was arriving now?”
Quinton was looking around the area, “looked more like they were just lurking around keeping watch.”
Bastian put the wand in his pocket. “It’s a bit too coincidental for me.” He shoved his sleeve up and took the link off his wrist and then pulled out his phone. Stabbing the screen as frustration coursed through him, he didn’t even give Trendan a chance to speak on the other end. “Get to the control room and take note of all present. They’re tracking me.”
“Shit.” He could hear his boots on the floor. “I was just headed there.”
The sound of bikes starting up made Bastian turn in time to see Ava riding away with Nova on the back of the bike.
“Four,” Trendan said quietly.
“Who’s at the panel?” He watched Crissy and Emil step into the shadowed area and then vanish. Had they ever been seen appearing or disappearing? He needed to remember to ask that sometime.
“Three of them are close to it.”
Bastian scowled, “who?”
“Weldon, Garan and Elyas.” Trendan whispered.
Bastian rolled his eyes at the mention of his eldest brother. “I thought he would be still grilling his intended.”
Trendan scoffed, “you know he probably sleeps under the control desk, right?”
Bastian grinned, his brother using sarcasm. It warmed his heart. “Start digging into the other two and tell big brother to go take a nap or something.”
“Yeah, I’ll get right on that.” He hung up.
“Well?” Quinton stood there looking down at him.
Bastian glanced around to see Emil was also gone. “Nothing obvious.”
The prince grunted, “stop looking for the obvious.”
“Care to give me a lift to the Gemini residence?” He looked around at anyone close, checking if there were any other dark-souled bastards lurking.
Quinton nodded, “what was Crissy talking about? That she was here to help you?”
Tucking his phone in his pocket, Bastian stepped close to him and put his hand on the man’s forearm. “I have no idea, but I think we’ll find out shortly.”
“I should have brought my swords,” Quinton grumbled just before he ported them.
Chapter Forty-Seven
She was breathtaking, was all Bastian could think as he stood back watching her interact with Crissy and a few of the Gemini women. Whatever had transpired on her trip, it had removed that fear from her eyes and now it was like he was seeing the woman from her journal for the first time.
Quinton sent him a look that brought Bastian out of his internal daydreaming. What had he missed? Moving closer, he watched Emil’s expression, he looked hesitant and uncomfortable.
“It makes sense.” Nova looked at Ava, who nodded.
“It would be easy enough to do.” Ava crossed her arms over her chest. “Word travels fast in this city.”
“I’m sorry,” Bastian glanced from the perpetually angry woman to his breathtaking Nova, “I missed that. What are we doing?”
Nova huffed out a breath and stepped around the large Emil. “If I am the one to find and stop the dark-souled ones, then I need to be visible, where they can find me, and then,” she motioned to Emil and Ava, “you guys can deal with them.”
Bastian’s heart sped up. “You want to use yourself as bait?” Her trip hadn’t just changed her outlook, it had given her a masochistic streak. “That is not even close to a good idea.” His phone buzzing in his pocket made him pause. With jerky movement, he pulled it out and glanced at it. Tor had messaged. I’m watching from rooftops and the bastards are closing in on her location. He sent Quinton a look, “they know she’s back.” Quinton straightened from where he’d been leaning and looked around.
“See. It would work.” Nova sent him a hopeful look.
“I’m messaging Kinsley to bring a stabilizer to the landing room,” Crissy mumbled to no one in particular.
Emil looked from her to Bastian, a curious expression on his face.
Jamming his phone in his pocket, Bastian held Nova’s defiant look. She was even more beautiful when she was standing her ground and it pained him that she might hate him shortly. Crissy knew exactly what needed to be done. He didn’t know if he’d have thought of it without her prompt and mention of the landing room, but the safest place for Nova right now was not in this realm. Had she seen something bad if Nova stayed? He’d be having a chat with the little seer, later, after they round up the lurking lawless.
“They don’t have the balls to come near here.” Ava smiled at Karma; he thought her name was.
“It would be more fun if they tried.” Karma’s smile was slow and vengeful.
Nova looked from one to the other. “I should go out to the street where they can see me.” She turned to Bastian.
He inhaled slowly, through his nose, and breathed it out gradually. “You should go.” He nodded and took a step toward her. She was wearing her amulet and he would likely regret it later, but in the next few moments, she was going to be very angry with him. He reached and touched her cheek. “You should go with Crissy,” he said it softly as the jolts of pain traveled through him from breaking the barrier of the powerful magic she wore around her neck. Her colorful pale eyes looked up at him. She felt it, the heat from her soul reaching for his. He could see it in her eyes.
His other hand was balled into a fist at his side. Every nerve in his body felt like it was on fire. Leaning down, he kissed her lips softly and took her breath into his body. “Forgive me,” he whispered and then stepped back with such momentum, he almost stumbled.
Crissy grabbed Nova’s bag and then rushed at her with her hand in front of her. She gave Bastian and quick nod and then they both disappeared.
Bastian hunched over his knees, his breath left his body all at once, he and waited for the fire in his veins to subside.
“Are you all right?” Emil was bent over looking at him.
“No.” Bastian sucked in a breath, “yes, I’ll be fine in a moment. I hope.”
“You’re an idiot,” Tor was there now, “my prince.” He ground out without any sign of amusement and then put his hand on Bastian’s arm like he was afraid he’d fall to the ground.
There was a chance that could happen, every muscle in his body seemed to work against him currently, “Well,” Bastian glanced up to look at him, “I’ve always tested boundaries.” He tried for a smirk but cringed instead when another round of lightning went through him.
“That took some balls,” Ava said in a loud voice, “pushing against the magic that protects her.”
He stood slowly, checking his balance. His muscles were shaking.
“You’re lucky you didn’t pass out at her feet, soul sucker,” Capri came out of the garage. She walked toward him with a long stride, her hair was blowing around her as if they were standing in a windstorm. There wasn’t even a whisper of wind today. Bastian had just enough time to note her eyes were glowing with a violet hue, then she touched the side of his face and powerful energy washed over him much like water would cascade down his body. When he caught his breath, he felt steadier, stronger.
“We need someone who can see these soul robbers, that’s the only reason I helped.” Capri’s eyes were back to normal looking, and the non-existent wind released her hair.
“I’m calling for backup,” Emil said and took out his phone.
Capri turned around and looked at Crystal, “go with the prince and his,” she looked at Tor, “friend. Guide everyone to their location.”
Ava and Karma exchanged a look and then smiled at each other.
Crystal nodded and came over and grabbed Bastian’s sleeve, then leaned and pulled Tor closer. She glanced at Capri and nodded.
Capri’s eyes changed again, and Bastian felt his feet leave the ground. He had long enough to glance over at Tor to see the ‘holy hell’ expression on his face and then they were level with the roof of the Gemini’s building.
When his boots touched the building, he stepped back from Crystal and couldn’t even think of something quirky and amusing to say. His phone ringing startled him, pulling it out, he saw it was Nova’s number on the screen.
“Catch up after you’re done sucking up,” Crystal smirked and then ran across the roof, Tor right behind her.
Chapter Forty-Eight
The pit of her stomach bottomed out and her head felt light. Blinking, Nova looked around. She was standing in a large beige room. Crissy smiled at her and then looked over at a dark-haired woman that stood at the door.
“How do you feel? Any pain?”
Nova opened her mouth and then paused to see how she was feeling. “A little lightheaded, nothing else.”
The woman shrugged and looked at Crissy. “I don’t think she needs this.” She held up a small rubber bracelet.
“I just like to be sure,” Crissy set Nova’s bag down, “Vic said no more porting people without someone being here.” She turned and smiled at Nova, “I’m glad you didn’t die.” Nodding, she started to walk from the room, “oh, welcome to Alterealm.” She looked at the other woman, “that’s what I should say, right?”
Nova’s eyes widened as she looked around the room, “we’re in Alterealm?”
The other woman smiled, “yes. I’m Kinsley, Emil’s mate.”
Nova sucked in a breath, “a princess,” she gave her a hesitant look, “should I bow or-or curtsy?” Not that she knew how to do that.
Kinsley smirked, “I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“Oh,” Crissy pulled her phone out of her pocket, “I want to listen and see if they get them.”
“Them?” Nova picked up her bag, not sure what else she should do.
“Mmm, the bad ones that want you.” Crissy put an earbud in her ear.
Kinsley motioned out the door. “Those of us not invited to help are hanging out in the office.” She walked out the door.
“Not-not invited?” Nova followed her quickly.
“Daxx, Leone, Michael, and the tag-team went over to help round up your dark-souled friends.”
“Dammit.” Nova stopped and stood there. She looked at Crissy, “did he ask you to do this so I couldn’t do what I’m meant to do?”
Crissy touched her ear, “yes.” She frowned, “no. He was going to, I know that because I saw it so I went over to wait for him to, but then the bad ones made it have to happen before he could,” she shrugged, “so I did.” She touched her ear and then started walking down the long corridor.
Nova looked at Kinsley. She smirked at her and then followed Crissy. Turning, she looked at the room they’d come out of and then back to the women walking away. She was in Alterealm. She took her phone out and then jolted and ran after them, she didn’t want to get lost. “Will my phone work here?” She was in another realm, after all, so it seemed like a normal question. After she gave Bastian and piece of her mind, she was going to think more about the insanity of being here.
“Mmm, give him hell,” Kinsley went in a door, Crissy right behind her.
Nova stopped outside the door and looked at the sign on it. It said Girl Cave. She looked in to see several women standing around a desk looking down at it. She recognized Autumn, Crissy, and now Kinsley—these were the Alterealm Princesses. She scowled, despite the wow factor, she was still upset Bastian had sent her away like that.
Hitting send beside his name, she turned away from the door so she wouldn’t be distracted by meeting women that she’d spoken to numerous times.
“On a scale of one to ten, how angry are you?” Bastian asked before he said hello.
She glared at the floor, trying to ignore the women talking behind her, “nine.”
“Ah, so there’s a little wiggle room. I had no choice.”
“I wasn’t given an option. How am I supposed to help if I’m here?”
“So, I should have discussed it with you first and then sent you there?”
She clenched her teeth together, then hugged out a breath. “No. You shouldn’t have sent me here to begin with.”
“Your lips are as soft as I imagined. More than worth the pain.”
Nova glowered at the wall across from her. He had touched her and kissed her while she had the pendant on. She touched her lips with her fingertips and wished she hadn’t been so stunned by his action at the time to sense what her soul and body had felt at that moment.
“Are you remembering it?”
She blinked and paced a few feet from the doorway. “No.” She lied.
“We’ll have to try later without the bespelled stone hanging around your neck.”
“Bastian—”
“You’re going to have to save your scolding for later, lovely Nova Gaines, my assistance is required here. Life and death and all that business.”
Her eyes bulged; she’d forgotten about the dark-souled ones. “As soon as you’re done there, we’re having a talk, face to face.” He sounded like he was running. “And you better be safe right now.” She growled it despite the way her heart accelerated.
“Ah, I knew you cared—and I am more than willing to have a talk, face to face.”
The line went quiet. Holding the phone out, she scowled at it. He was an infuriating man. Turning, she picked up her bag and went into the room with the women from the royal family.
Kara glanced at her, “we’re muted so if you need to rant, you can.”
A woman with long wavy black hair smiled at her, “airing our frustration with the men is a favorite pastime here.”
Setting her bag down, Nova walked over and looked to see a woman with grey-streaked hair sitting at the desk holding a phone.
“Your left or mine?” She recognized Daxx’s voice. “Never mind. I see him. I might not be able to see souls and all that jazz, but I can still spot a dirtbag.”
Autumn glanced at her, “I’m getting one of those boxes so I can go next time.” She nodded.
Kara turned to her, “how are you going to send them to the cells if you’re fighting them?”
Autumn shook her head, “I’ll find a way.”
“I really need one of those earbuds.” It was Bastian talking, “so I don’t have to run and hold my phone.”
“I handed you one a week ago.”
“Tor, you’ve known me since before we could walk, you know you need to make sure I’m paying attention.”
Nova stared at the phone. They were having this discussion now? She glanced around at the women there, none of them seemed concerned.
“In the category of paying attention, if Paize holds this guy much longer, he’s going to turn into a permanent fixture.” Nova recognized Bethany’s soft voice.
“Almost there.”
“You’re getting slow, punk.” She knew that was Quinton.
“Don’t insult my man,” Bethany said.
“Bastian, get to the next building and let Ava and Karma know if there are any more over there.”
Next building? They were running around on the roof? She crossed her arms and stared at the phone.
“Next,” Daxx said loudly.
“Get over to the other side and help our Gemini friends if Bastian spots any.” She wasn’t sure but thought that was Michael who spoke. It was hard to remember voices, for the last seven years she talked to herself more than actual people.
Autumn was leaning on the desk now, glaring at the phone. Nova covered her mouth, definitely her mate on the other end.
“Red jacket, black cap,” Bastian said.
“Almost there.” Daxx sounded out of breath. “What? You’ve never seen someone run before?”
“Let’s not pick fights with innocent bystanders, shall we?”
Kinsley grinned and shook her head.
“They started it.” Daxx huffed out a breath, “gawking at me like that.”
“For which they will receive ten lashes. Please focus on returning undamaged.” A man said into the phone.
“Yes sir, King Troy,” Daxx responded.
“You might want to discuss this later,” Bastian said, “I’m not sure what Ava and company are doing to that lawless sap, but he’s laying on the cement and clutching his stomach now.”
Autumn leaned over and taped the screen of the phone, “Ava lay him out with a gut kick?”
“Neither of them touched him,” Bastian’s tone was rigid, “whatever is happening to him, they’re doing it from a distance.”
“I hate magic,” Quinton grumbled.
“Hey,” Bethany chortled, “my magic is good magic.”
“Now you’ve done it.” It had to be Leone, “you insult me and now you dis her magic.”
“What kind of wickedness was that?” Daxx was breathless, “Karma, you or? Oh. Dang. Sucks to be him.”
“Anymore over here, Bastian?”
“I’m looking.” He replied.
