Collector: City In Embers Part 32

"We have to stop the powers from acclimating to me." I looked at my shaking hands balled around my nose, streaked with fresh blood. "Before... before..." I couldn't finish the sentence, but we both knew what I meant.

If what Daniel said was true, then I was a ticking time bomb. At any moment my defect could kill me. Ryker's magic would be lost in me forever.

Only a few months ago, I was a collector. I hunted fae.

Now, I am the one hunted.

If death didn't beat them to it first.

(Bonus Material)

WEST.

I glanced over my shoulder. The fae were gaining on us.

Cooper, I yelled to my Second through our link. We've got to hurry up.

Then you make this thing go faster, he shot back.

My thumb pressed at the throttle trying to accelerate. The bike puttered and jerked forward, finally hitting the speed of a golf cart.

"G.o.dd.a.m.n piece of s.h.i.t," I mumbled under my breath. I missed my Harley. Badly. But since the worlds crashed together and magic flooded Earth, the normal machines no longer worked. The c.r.a.p I was riding was a version of the Otherworld's bike. Now with the Otherworld and Earth one, I realized how "humanized" I had become and the things I missed: the vibrating of my sleek black bike between my legs, the roar of the engine, the speed it would take twisting you around a curve. Fae were advanced in many areas, but motorcycles weren't one of them.

The shape-shifters behind us picked up their pace; their eyes glowing as they neared. I would have said, screw it, changed into my Dark Dweller form, and outran them in a second, but my claws wouldn't be able to carry the merchandise.

Life had changed a lot since the walls fell four months earlier. Humans no longer ran Earth. The Seelie Queen and Unseelie King were now in charge. Had you asked me even four and a half months ago if the Light and Dark would ever be able to work together, I would have said you were nuts. But Lars and Kennedy were doing just that-trying to restore the world to some functioning order and attempting to get humans and fae to come to a truce. Understandably, humans hadn't reacted well to the discovery of fae, and even worse knowing fae had been living among them for centuries.

Human-designed structures didn't respond well to the force of magic crashing down on Earth. Buildings crumbled; bridges collapsed; cars, electricity, and Internet... gone. We had to start over, and Lars, the Unseelie King and a demon, was leading the way in developing the new world.

The R.O.D's (Riders of Darkness) were now partners with the King. In the past we ran and traded a lot of illegal items as a way of income. Our current job wasn't much different. Today, Cooper and I had retrieved several objects, which Lars' lab and technical advisers needed. The natural fear of us, by both Dark and Light fae, created a perfect retrieval system for Lars. Because many of these things weren't given up willingly, he knew we'd be able to get them for him better than he could. We were efficient, fast, and direct. Our reputation compelled some to bring items to us the moment they saw us riding up.

With our status and the skills, we learned to live on Earth in a biker gang, which was a perfect fit for us. Normally, a bunch of shape-shifters wouldn't be a challenge. No more than an annoying gnat.

I growled under my breath, twisting the throttle again. Anger burst up my spine, stooping my shoulders.

It was me. The reason these guys even had a chance in h.e.l.l to catch up. I was the weak link in the pack. The third-in-command of the feared Dark Dwellers was nothing more than an impostor.

Another growl climbed up my throat.

f.u.c.k this. Shift and stop these a.s.sholes. I'll take the merchandise back, I grumbled to Cooper through our network. Now that Eli had stepped down and left with Ember, Cooper was our new Second under Cole. We had lost quite a few of our family members in the battle, and none of us were ready to deal with this now, if ever.

Cooper turned to peer at me over his shoulder. You sure, man?

I shrugged lazily. Yeah.

I hoped acting as if I didn't care would eventually make it so, but the deep thorn in my gut ached. It wasn't like I hadn't turned. I did during the war against Aneira, the previous Seelie Queen, but I didn't let on how much it hurt and how hard it was for me to stay in the shape. I wasn't right anymore. The Dark Dweller in me used to be dominant, but now I struggled for it to come out. I hadn't told anyone, but I knew they could sense something was off about me.

The months (years to those on Earth) I was locked up in the dungeons on the Seelie side, with metal spikes digging into my throat, depleted my blood and magic. Dark fae also can't be on the Light side for a long period of time without side effects. When I say side effects, I mean permanent ones. Death. Somehow I survived. Deep down I knew the reason had to do a lot with a certain girl-one with black-and-red streaked hair.

Ember.

For a long time I thought she was merely in my head and that I was dreaming I could feel her next to me, touching my face. But the raven, Grimmel, would say something later that made me realize she must have been there. Not in physical form, but in a dreamwalk. I never told her she was a huge reason why I was still breathing. Why every time I closed my eyes wishing for death to take me, I would force them back open and hold on another day.

My thoughts would start out on Ember, but my mind would slowly shift to another. A woman with long golden wavy hair, soft brown eyes, and a southern accent and smile, which could bring me to my knees. A girl my heart reached for at night-whom I saw in my dreams so clearly I forgot she was no longer part of this world.

She was dead because of me-because I let her get too close.

Cooper threw me the wrapped article, and I added it to the several things already in the front of my two-wheel, magic-operated bike. The SUV Lars had us use for the last run was at the bottom of a ravine-on purpose. That thing was even worse than the go-carts we were using now.

Coop shifted as he jumped from the bike. The pathetic excuse for a motorcycle hit a tree and fell to the ground. His clothes shredded into pieces, while long talons, red eyes, and sleek black fur hit the pavement facing the fae trailing us. A deep roar vibrated my skin as Cooper leaped for the pursuers. I kept my head forward. Irritation with Cooper shoved like a hot poker in my chest. He wasn't whom I was mad at, but it didn't change the fact I felt resentment.

This made me want to run again like I had when we first came to Earth, leaving my group in the Northwest while I traveled the States. Anger and frustration had invoked the need to get away-to be by myself. Not a normal Dark Dweller trait. But being raised by Ciara, my mother, was never setting me up to be normal. She was the free spirit of the tribe. The one who would leave me when I was a baby in someone else's care and take off for days to be "free" with nature. This only got worse after my father died when I was two.

Like mother, like son, I guess.

Dark Dwellers are like pack animals and live in clans. But unlike Cole, Eli, or Cooper, who would do anything for their family and sacrifice anything to protect them, I was different. I loved my family and would do anything for them, but I didn't feel the same undeniable devotion to stay.

My mom died when our clan was attacked in the Otherworld by the Dae, who had both pure Fae and Demon blood. I had no brothers or sisters, which was an abnormal trait for Dark Dwellers. There were usually at least two children in each family, and many times they were twins, like Cooper and Gabby. Not me. And knowing my mother, there had been no plans for more. One child held her back enough.

Deep down I still was a Dark Dweller. No matter how far I ran, I found my way back. It was not always because I wanted to. Sometimes they found me, like when I was in South Carolina.

My jaw clenched as a memory flickered through my mind. It always came back to her-the woman who gave her heart to me completely-her soft skin, long blonde hair, soft chocolate eyes staring at me with adoration. Then came the memory of those same eyes looking at me with utter fright and betrayal.

I shook my head, trying to dislodge her face from my mind. It was pointless. She was burned into my memory. The sounds of her terrified screams were etched into my soul forever.

I finally turned the bike onto Lars' property line, stopping at the twenty-foot gates. The protection spells were securely in place. I leaned over and slammed my fist onto the buzzer.

An enormous man stepped from the trees on the other side, his chocolate skin almost blending in with the shadows. "Hey, R-man." I smiled slyly as he grimaced at my pet name for him. Blame Eli. He started it. "Another delivery." I motioned to the container holding the artifacts.

"Pa.s.sword." Rimmon's deep voice sounded more like a rumble. The man, even to me, was a scary motherf.u.c.ker-bald, arms the size of children, a face so stern and ugly it caused most people to run away in fear. You'd think with his ma.s.s he would fight like a gorilla, but the man was like a freakin' cheetah.

"Seriously? Come on, man. I've already been here twice today."

"Pa.s.sword." Rimmon folded his arms over his bare chest. His pants were a patchwork of a dozen khakis sewn together. There were no "regular" clothes that would fit him. He had to be part ogre.

"West is super s.e.xy?" I grinned, getting joy out of vexing the large man.

Rimmon's lids narrowed.

"No? Not that one?" I shrugged. "You're right, too obvious and easy to guess."

"Pa.s.sword, Dark Dweller, or I leave you standing at this gate with your d.i.c.k in your hands." The glint in his eyes led me to believe my d.i.c.k would no longer be attached.

"You must be fun on game night."

Rimmon started to pivot on his heels.

"Fine."

The instant I did utter the words, the spell released its hold, and Rimmon unlocked the gates, opening them for me. I pushed the bike across the line. The back tires crossed, and the spell snapped back into place, sealing us into the safety of the Unseelie King's property. Rimmon stayed at his guard post, while I rolled down the path to the front of the house.

The vast English-style manor came into view as I curved around the second bend in the road. The figure of a woman outlined the front stoop; her dark brown hair tied up in a loose bun, showing off her beautiful swan neck. Her slender arms were crossed, and the light from the patio displayed a frown furrowing her sculpted brows. Her full bowed lips puckered up, looking way too inviting for their own good.

G.o.dd.a.m.n, she was stunning.

"I don't know why you insist on provoking him. You know one of these times he's going to ignore Lars' instructions and kick the c.r.a.p out of you," the woman said. Her voice was like the most beautiful song you'd ever heard. She could tell you to f.u.c.k off, and you would do it willingly in the hopes you could hear her speak again or keep staring at her beautiful face.

I'd spent quite a bit of time at this house when we were preparing for war with the former Seelie Queen. You'd think by now I'd be used to Rez, but her beauty was not something you ever got immune to.

She was a Siren-and the Unseelie King's mistress. Someone I needed to stay far, far away from. This was actually not a problem for me. Don't get me wrong; I enjoyed ladies. All kinds. But I kept them at a distance. It was easier that way. I flirted and charmed them. It was a thing I was good at. Better than all my brothers. But I never let any of the women get close. Dark Dwellers were secretive by nature, and our group was even more private because we had been banished to Earth.

I slipped once and let someone in-completely. I would never make the mistake again.

Rez was another one I would simply have fun with and tease.

"You know me." I grinned at her, stepping onto the stoop. She took a step back, peering up at me with her dark penetrating eyes. "I am more afraid you will kick my a.s.s, darlin'."

"Which is entirely possible." Her lips twitched with the need to smile, but she kept a hold of them. "Come on; he's waiting for you." Rez looked behind me. "Where's Cooper?"

"Got held up." I gathered the items into my arms and followed Rez to Lars' office. It still seemed he did not like us Dark Dwellers unattended in the house. He was probably sure one of us would pee on his thousand-dollar rug.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I stepped out of Lars' office. He tolerated us since he needed us, and we were connected to him because of Ember, but the Unseelie King was still not comfortable to be around. He remained a demon under the King t.i.tle. Cole and Eli seemed to get along with him all right, but I preferred being on the opposite side of the door, on my way to Mike's Bar, or somewhere I felt comfortable.

Mike's was one place that reopened quickly after the war. It had been a hangout for the seedy and outlaws and had mostly served humans. Now most of the customers consisted of the Dark fae underbelly.

Strangely, I missed the old place. Early on, we let it be known no one f.u.c.ked with Mike. He was a human under our protection. He had helped us so many times there was no way we wouldn't take care of him. Since no one wanted a Dark Dweller on their a.s.s, they respected Mike and any other human clientele willing to venture in.

"You already done?" A woman's voice slid silkily through the hallway. Rez's figure stepped from the kitchen and leaned against the doorway.

"Yeah." I grinned and stopped in front of her. Her style was cla.s.sic and simple, and she always looked put together. Even with bare feet, black yoga pants, an off-white long-sleeved top, and her hair in a bun, she looked amazing. This was the most casually dressed I had seen her, and I liked it. Compared to her, I felt dingy in my scruffy boots, my jeans, and T-shirt. I was like the help who shouldn't be allowed in the house.

"I was off to do yoga downstairs." She tugged at her top. It was cute she felt she had to explain her relaxed appearance. I guess a Siren didn't let many people see her in exercise pants.

"You want something to eat before you go?" She pointed her thumb over her shoulder. "Once again, Marguerite made too much for dinner. She's used to making dinner for more of us..." Rez's voice broke off, and she looked down at her feet. A sadness flickered over her face.

It was a look I understood and saw too many times on my own family members.

In a war you understand people are going to die, but you are never ready when it takes your own. They lost two of theirs in the fighting, and we lost four. It was an emptiness I would never get accustomed to.

Rez's cream-colored sweater slipped slightly off her shoulder as she bent, dabbing at her eyes. My gaze trailed down the curve of her neck and over her shoulder. She sucked in air and adjusted her tiny frame straighter, pushing away any signs of grief. An overwhelming urge to reach out and pull her into my arms, to shield her away from pain, to have her close, taking mine away, smashed into me. It hit hard and quick, and I took a step back, clenching my fists into tight b.a.l.l.s. What the h.e.l.l? Charming and flirty was one thing, but the protective nature in me was not something that came out for women outside my family. Ember had been the first, but she had been safe from the beginning. Even before Eli realized it, all of us could feel him claiming her. As soon as he gave her his blood, she was one of us. Wanting to shelter Ember was all right.

Those two were meant for each other. No matter how often I felt Ember was someone I could have fallen for, it was never a real consideration. She was Eli's, and Eli was hers. Seeing them together stirred something in me I wanted to keep buried. I vowed I'd never let myself love like that ever again. I now told myself my impulse to protect Rez had nothing to do with her personally. It was a reaction to the family we lost.

"I've seen you eat." Her delicate hand reached out for my arm. "Please, do us a favor so we don't have to eat venison stew for the next three nights."

I glanced down at her delicate fingers, then quickly looked at her face. A grin twitched at my mouth. "You know I can't turn down Marguerite's cookin'." Marguerite's food was unbelievable. Probably the best cook I'd ever come across. It wasn't shocking she'd be working for the Unseelie King. Though she was human, she was a seer and had known about the fae since she was little. She had been working here since then. The demons treated her like family and, from what I saw, she loved them each like a son or daughter. We all adored her.

"Oh, Mr. Moseley. Venir y comer." Marguerite came up behind Rez, her arms open to welcome me. The woman was barely five foot, but her aura was so full of love and force you forgot how little she was. When she got angry or scolded you, she would have us Dark Dwellers bowing our heads in guilt and shame. Ember told me one time she threw Marguerite over her shoulder by accident, and the woman popped up, tsked her, and continued on with the laundry.

Strong and fierce. All the women here were.

"h.e.l.lo, mamacita," I said as she pulled me down in a hug.

When she drew back, her gaze was critical. "Su triste?" She patted my cheek.

"Never sad when you're around." I winked.

"Oh." A blush crawled up her neck, coloring her cheeks. She swished her hand at me and returned back to the stove. She shoveled a mound of stew into a bowl, adding a slab of cornbread to a side plate. "Come. Eat."

Rez stepped to the side, motioning me to the huge island.

"I'm all right if you want to continue on with what you were doing." I stepped past her, giving one of my typical side grins.

She studied me. Her brown eyes digging so deep into me, my smile dropped.

"What?"

She tilted her head. "Are you ever not on?"

"What are you talking about, darlin'?"

"That." She lifted her hand, motioning at me. "All the put-on charm and schmoozing. Don't you ever get tired of doing it? Pretending you're all right?"

It felt like she had shoved me hard in the chest. I blinked.

She crossed her arms, holding her chin up in a challenge. d.a.m.n! She was more like Ember than I thought, although Ember hadn't seen through me this quickly. I wouldn't allow Rez, either. It was a surface, which didn't need to be scratched.

"Has it ever not worked?" Her eyebrows went up.

I widened my stance and folded my arms over my chest, a grin pulling up the side of my mouth. "No."

A flutter of annoyance wavered over her features. "Says a lot about the type of girls you go after."

"I don't go after them, darlin'. They come to me." I turned away and headed to the counter and sat where Marguerite set out my food.

Rez's lips parted, ready to respond, but they pulled back together. With a shake of her head and mumble, she departed the room, leaving Marguerite and me alone.

Marguerite leaned over the counter and patted my hand before she turned to clean the stove.

I stared down to my bowl, holding my spoon midair.