Collector: City In Embers Part 2

Little sisters... you sure it was illegal to kill them?

"Shut. Up." I seethed at her as Daniel filled me in about the case.

"Have s.e.x with my sister, please? She needs to loosen up."

I tried to smack her on the arm, but she wheeled out of my way, laughing hysterically.

"Lexie with you?" Daniel finally took notice of the commotion. My cheeks burned with the knowledge he probably heard every word.

"Yeah. Be lucky you don't have a little sister." I glared at Lexie. She continued to giggle.

"I actually wanted one," Daniel replied.

"You want mine?"

Daniel chuckled. "I'll pick you up at five, okay?"

"Okay. See you then." I hung up before Lexie could say anything else. "I am so gonna kill you."

She howled with laughter and took off down the hill. Her wheels carried her a lot faster than I could go. But I tried. I chased her all the way home. I would at least make her arms burn and ache as she pushed her chair to get away from me.

Staying mad at Lexie was impossible. She would bat her lashes at me and say something sweet, and I was under her spell again. She was good at wrapping me around her finger. I prepared her a snack and got her at least pretending to do homework.

On Jo's nights off, she usually went to a casino, local bar, or stayed home. Unfortunately, tonight was the latter. She sat in front of the TV watching a game show, a beer in her hand. I didn't think Joanna would ever physically strike Lexie, but verbal abuse could be as harmful as. .h.i.tting. I hated leaving Lexie alone with her, especially for the second night in a row. Normally, Jo would be heading to work by now for her night shift, but the company was trying to save money and cut a few of their employees' shifts. An idle, p.i.s.sed-off Jo was not a pleasant person to be around. She took her life and money frustrations out on us.

This meant I wanted to leave with everything taken care of for Lexie: dinner, homework, and anything else Jo might find a nuisance.

"You goin' out again?" Jo grumbled from her recliner.

"Yeah. It's an emergency."

Jo snorted. Deep down she must have thought I was making up excuses to go party with my friends or something.

"I couldn't say no. We need the money."

Jo's head twisted, her lids narrowing on me. I was tapping at a weak spot, and I knew it. We were all aware I brought in a good chunk of the money, but we didn't talk about it. Jo's mouth opened to say something, but instead she took a swig of beer and turned back to the show.

Lexie sent me a what are you thinking? look.

I shrugged and rolled my eyes. Pulling out a frozen pizza for Lexie, I set the oven low, so it would be hot when she was ready to eat. "Don't forget to take this out."

Lexie followed me to the bedroom, watching me get ready. "I wish you didn't have to go."

"Me too." I tugged on a tank, black sweater, and dark blue jeans. I sat on my bed and pulled on my black boots.

"Where are you really going?"

Her words snapped my head up. "What do you mean? You know where I'm going. I have to work."

"Retrieving body parts. Right." Her mouth pinched together, and she nodded, staring at her lap. "If any of those people have extra legs to donate, send them my way."

I stood, walked to her, and squatted in front of her chair. Her tone and demeanor created a sour feeling in my stomach. "I don't like when you talk like this." I brushed her hair from her face. "What's wrong? You seemed fine a minute ago."

"Nothing."

"Lexie."

"It's only... I feel like I'm always being left behind in some way. I hate these things." Her fists. .h.i.t her motionless legs. The mood swings had been happening more lately. The doctor said it had to do with her hormones and the medication she was on. She went from happy and carefree to violently depressed in a moment. Sadly, we all knew the truth. What the doctors found in her latest blood work was more bad news. Her condition was worsening. Eventually, she would be completely paralyzed. Maybe die.

"Hey." I tipped her face with my fingers. "Don't you dare hate anything about yourself. You are amazing, and I love every bit of you."

I was being a hypocrite; I detested her legs, too. I disliked anything causing her so much pain and agony. They compelled her to feel different than everyone else. There were a lot of things she would never experience nor be able to do. No, I didn't hate her legs; I despised the woman who made her this way. Heroin had been worth more to her than her baby's health.

Her eyes glistened with tears. "Promise me someday I will walk."

Words caught in my throat.

"I don't want to live like this..."

"Lexie, you're scaring me."

A honk sounded from out front. Daniel.

She brushed a tear away and flipped her hand, waving me off. "I'm fine. Go."

I bit down on my lip and stood. "I'll be back as soon as I can. Okay?"

She nodded.

"Lexie, I promise you this-I will do everything in my power to find something to help you walk." I wished I could promise her more. I leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"You better get going. Daniel's waiting." She wiped her face and forced a smile. "I'll be sending out 'f.u.c.k me' vibes for you."

I took a deep breath, shaking my head. "Go do your homework."

I climbed into the government-issued van, scooting onto the nylon seats. Daniel pulled away from the curb, the vehicle coasting down the street. He nodded down at the cup holder. "Caramel latte."

"You are my hero." I reached for the coffee.

"Well, I figured with arriving home at dawn and getting Lexie to and from school, you didn't get very much sleep."

"That's an understatement. I got an hour."

"An hour?" Daniel's head jerked to stare at me before looking back at the road. He was dressed in his usual hunter attire-black pants and sweater. Knives and guns were strapped around his waist.

"I wasn't even planning on sleeping at all, but I got another headache."

Daniel's brow clenched in concern. "Another one?"

"Yeah. Used to them." I waved my hand, brushing off his worry.

"You are getting them a lot lately." He looked in the rearview mirror, his lips thinning into a set line. "I'm worried about you."

"What you should be worried about is me pa.s.sing my psychology test tomorrow. Think I'm going to have an all-nighter studying for it."

A slow grin curved his mouth, crinkling his eyes in the corners.

"What?" I sipped my latte.

"Youth. I remember when I would get only an hour of sleep and still be ready to go again."

"Oh, come on. You're not so old." I rolled my eyes.

"In twenty years, come back and say it."

"You're forty, not eighty."

"Sometimes this job makes me feel eighty." He winked. "But you keep me young." I felt a blush cover my cheeks. Daniel had been my mentor and trainer since the day I joined the DMG when I was nineteen. It was clear at the beginning: Daniel thought of me as no more than a kid or little sister. We'd had three years of being paired through the training, hunting, and collecting. We'd had meals together, confessed secrets in the late-night hours, and laughed and talked about everything. But it wasn't until the last couple months I felt the slightest change in his behavior toward me.

For more than two years I'd been in love with him. It wasn't long after the awareness of my feelings for him I foolishly conveyed them. He was kind and tactful in my letdown. He didn't let me quit or switch partners, telling me I would get over him and find a guy who was more suitable and my age. Neither of those things happened. I only fell more in love with him. Most days I could act like I didn't feel anything, but other days it was torture. I could see how good we'd be together. How amazing our future could be.

My world revolved around him and my sister. I'd constantly taken care of myself. I had to. But when Daniel came into my life, I didn't realize how much I needed someone. He took care of me and made sure I was all right. I had this fantasy he and I would take Lexie and get away from Seattle. Leave this whole world behind. Start a program to help disabled kids, especially in the foster system. Have kids of our own. Grow old. Maybe travel the world.

It was merely a dream... until lately. His glances remained on me a little longer, his touch lingered. Every moment, hope bloomed in my chest. I wanted nothing more than to feel his lips on mine, his experienced hands caressing my bare body. I had s.e.x before, but it had never been with someone I loved. Because he was that person. He always would be.

"h.e.l.lo, Zoey? Are you listening to me?"

"What?" I glanced at him. The late afternoon sun glittered off the silver streaking the sides of his temples. s.e.xy.

"I asked what you are doing for your birthday."

"It's not till next month."

"Technically, it's in twenty-four days." He shifted in his seat, keeping his attention on the motorway. The flickering of streetlights glimmered against the windshield in a rhythmic pulse. "Curious if you have plans with any of your friends or maybe a boyfriend taking you out."

"You know I don't have either." Feeling a moment of boldness, I stated, "Besides, you are taking me to dinner."

His eyebrows. .h.i.tched up. "Oh, am I?"

"Yes." I forced back my fear, biting my lip. "Someplace I have a reason to wear a dress and heels. Where there is a beautiful view."

"Sounds romantic."

Twisting my neck, I peered at him through my lashes. "Exactly."

His head turned to look at me. He didn't say anything, but a smile hinted at his lips. I grinned in response, our eyes connecting. Charged tension occupied the s.p.a.ce between us and lessened only slightly when his attention went back to the road, slowing the car as we reached our destination.

"Kate said her source hinted a group of fae had been spotted throughout this area a couple of days ago and then earlier today." Daniel pulled the van into an empty parking spot along the street.

"Not an obvious change in conversation." I smiled into my cup. The sweet and acidic smells wafted into my nose.

He turned off the engine and sat back in his seat. "Zoey, what do you want me to say?"

"That you're taking me to dinner," I exclaimed, turning my body to him.

He leaned against the headrest and rolled his head to gaze at me. "Zoey, you are twenty-two, and I am forty. I'm too old for you. You need to date boys your own age."

"Exactly-boys. I don't want a boy. I want a man." I swallowed, my voice going low. "I want you."

He tipped his head back, closing his eyes. Pain flickered across his face before a heavy sigh bounded from his chest. "I have tried so hard to dissuade your feelings for me, hoping you would find someone more suitable." His lids lifted as he peered over at me. "But you're not, are you?"

"No." My determination was one thing I was sure of.

He was quiet for a long time. I pursed my lips, waiting for his response. He glanced out the side window. "Not sure I could handle seeing you with some young idiot, anyway."

My chest locked. No air moved in or out. "What?" I sputtered. He didn't respond. "What are you saying, Daniel?"

"I don't know."

"Yes, you do." My tone was unflinching.

He shifted in his seat. "If... If we cross this line, there is no going back."

"I don't want to," I uttered. "And there is no if."

"Even if we ruin what we have? I know how I function. I will not be able to stay partners with you if it doesn't work."

"You are worth it to me." I swallowed. "I'm willing to take the chance."

He chuckled. "It's because you're young and think everything lasts forever. Love will conquer all. My ex-wife will tell you differently."

"It will if it's with the right person." There was not a doubt in my mind. Daniel was the right person for me.

He turned to face me and reached out, his hand cupping my cheek. "You are a persistent one."

"I know what I want." Being a poor foster kid and knowing no stability till my teens, I'd learned things weren't given to you. You needed to go out and get them.

He stared at me for a long time before his gaze dipped to my lips. Air stuck in my chest with nervous, excited energy. Slowly, he moved in, leading my face to his. Finally. I had wanted this for so long.

His lips were only inches from mine.

Millimeters.

BOOM. A hollow bang shook the car.

Both of us jerked apart to see a man standing on the hood of the van. My eyes shifted, my sight perceiving what he really was. His complex aura and glowing eyes showed me he was no ordinary man. He was fae.

The man was so substantial it took me a moment to notice there was a girl beside him, holding his hand. She was tall; her hair was past her waist and a bright plum color. With every move she made, the color flickered and changed under the light. Her eyes were dark and sharp.