Page 12

CHAPTER 11

“ A re you sure this is going to work? I’ve been at Stalkers’ Rest for five years and I never knew about this,” Tate mutters from my side as we crouch in the trees, peering at my command post. Technically, I could just walk in the front door, but it would raise questions, and besides, I’m not leaving Tate. She must be hidden for now. When Black discovers she escaped, he won’t be happy. She needs to lie low, and what better place than right under her enemies’ noses—and within reach of me.

Turning to Ronan, who keeps flickering in and out, a result of being in iron for too long, I nod at the door I just pointed out to Tate. “Go check if the tunnel is clear.”

“Oh yeah, send the ghost,” he snaps, but he floats off to do as he’s told, appearing before the section of wall that surrounds the building that looks the same as any other. The only people who know about this are now dead—by my hand. This was always an escape plan for me and now her. The secret door allows access to tunnels that lead to an undisclosed entrance to my private elevator, which takes you to my floor. No one goes up there or is permitted to, so for now, staying there will keep her safe, as well as stop the fae at her side from causing mayhem amongst hunters.

Speaking of, I turn to see the white-haired fae, who is playing with the ends of Tate’s short hair as he peers at her, not the least bit worried about the hundred or so hunters currently practicing outside. His entire focus is on her.

When he feels my gaze, he turns to me for just a moment, and then his voice is in my head, something he should not be able to do. Just how powerful and old is this fae?

Don’t worry, I need her alive for now, walker.

I narrow my eyes on him, making sure to project my voice.

If you harm her, I will end your life. Do not forget I am a hunter. I might have signed the peace treaty, but if you hurt my Tate, I will be more than happy to break it.

Your Tate? His laughter is sardonic and makes my eyes feel like they are bleeding. Does your Tate know what you are?

A muscle jumps in my jaw, betraying me, and his laughter sounds again.

Thought not. Shall I tell her? Do you think she would follow you so willingly if she knew? The great Shamus Vilaran, grand hunter, commander of change, and hunter of monsters . . . Little do they know, you are one.

I know my eyes are burning as I glare at him. You do not know what you speak of.

No?

“Ahem.” We both turn to see Tate. She looks between us, her brow furrowing, oblivious to what is happening in our heads. “Are you just going to stare at each other like you are debating fucking or fighting, or shall we go before we are discovered?”

Ronan pops between us, and it’s only years of him doing that that makes me capable of not reacting. Tate, however, slams her dagger into where he would be if he were alive.

“Rude.” He wags his finger at her. “And not very nice, considering I’m here to save your ass.” He glances at me. “Tunnel is clear, and I might have caused a few . . . electrical malfunctions with the outside cameras for you, but I’d suggest moving fast.”

“I agree.” I glance at Tate and then the fae. “Stay close and stay low. We need to sneak in undetected, which means leaving the humans alone.” I aim that at the fae.

“As long as I’m kept entertained and fed, I will leave your little band of warriors be.” He smirks, eyeing Tate.

Grumbling about ghosts and fae, she climbs to her feet and pushes into a sprint, heading for the door. We have no choice but to follow.

We cover the ground quickly, the fae elegantly speeding past me and dogging her steps until I have no choice but to force myself to move faster. I do not stand a chance against an immortal magical being, but I refuse to be left behind. I have to swallow my exhaustion when we reach the door, but he shoots me a look like he knows anyway.

Immortal asshole.

Turning to the wall, I slide my hand along the surface until I hear the hum of the scanner, and then a second later, there’s a click before a section of the wall swings inwards. Stepping inside, I turn on the lights and wait. Tate moves past me, followed closely by her fae, and Ronan simply pops into existence in the tunnels as the door swings shut.

“Stop fucking doing that. I’m going to get you a ghost bell or some shit,” she snaps.

“Then how would I be able to spy on anyone?” he grumbles.

“Exactly my point. You wouldn’t. Just how long were you spying on me anyway?” she asks, heading towards him.

He backs up, a grin on his face. “Long enough to know you’re overdue for your period.”

Everyone goes silent for a moment, and then Tate slowly pulls out a piece of iron she must have stolen from the fae realm. “Say one more word. I dare you, ghost boy.”

“Shy, she’s being mean,” Ronan whines, but he’s grinning.

“You two stop bickering,” I tell them as I stride past them. “Angel, we will discuss Ronan when you are safe on my restricted level. For now, stop threatening to solidify him.”

“Why? Then I can kick his dead ass,” she mutters, but she puts the iron away after one more warning look at my friend and follows me.

The fae chuckles as he watches the entire thing. “You are vicious, human. I like it,” he remarks casually.

“Okay, that’s it,” she snaps and pulls a blade, slamming the fae into the wall as she holds the dagger to his throat. We all know he allowed it. With one flick of his finger, she would be dead, but he leans back into the wall, his eyes heavy-lidded in hunger as he watches her.

“First and last warning, fae. I am not somebody for you to fuck with. I do not know why you decided to follow me, but if you get in my way, I will gut you from neck to balls.”

“I would survive,” he says calmly.

“Yes, but it would fucking hurt, and when you healed, I would do it again for as many times as it takes for me to find a way to kill you. Understand?”

“Has anyone ever told you that your bloodthirsty nature is very attractive?” the fae says.

The sigh Tate lets out has his lips twitching, and she presses the blade harder against his skin for a moment. “Remember my warning, fae.”

“I shall not forget it, nor the taste of your blade anytime soon. When I do, feel free to remind me.”

Leaning down, he licks the blade, and she steps away, sliding it into her pocket as I point at both of them.

“We don’t have time for this,” I say, “but once we are upstairs, I will happily watch you flay the annoyance open.”

Turning, I head back down through the tunnel, trusting them to follow. The fae will be a problem, but if she can tame him, then she might have some of the power she needs to take care of what will happen next, but only time will tell.

At the end of the curved tunnel, I hit the button for the elevator. It appears instantly, and we climb inside and shoot upwards to the highest point in Stalkers’ Rest. My ears pop since we are going so fast, but when we appear on my secure level, I lock the normal elevator and leave a message saying I am not to be disturbed.

Tate and the fae glare at each other in the hallway, so I pour myself a drink in the living room and peer out of the glass window to the world below.

The hunters surround us. Only a fool would surround themselves with enemies.

“So now what?” Tate asks, and I glance over to find Ronan sitting on the chandelier, kicking his feet, while the fae stretches out on one of my sofas. Tate lingers between us, staring at me.

“Now you need to rest. Everything else can wait for tomorrow,” I murmur.

“Black—”

“Is far from here. You need all your strength to go after him,” I tell her as I turn, sipping the amber liquid. “Rest, heal, and eat, and when it is time, I will help you get your revenge. Remember, Tate, we are not enemies. We are fighting the same war. You simply didn’t know it.”

“What does that even mean?” she snarls. “I am sick of your word games, commander.”

“I swear I will tell you, but for now, you need to rest,” I order.

“Rest? I was betrayed, tortured, brought back by some weird fae magic, and forced to feed his evil highness over there, and now you’re telling me to rest?” she snaps.

“Yes,” I respond. “Despite it all, you are human, so yes, I am telling you to rest. Revenge will still be there tomorrow, as will answers.” Looking to Ronan, I nod. “Show her to the spare room.” I glance at the fae. “You will be in another.”

“I go where she goes.” He shrugs. “You could try to stop me, but it would be pointless.” He climbs to his feet, rising elegantly. “Shall we?”

“Fuck all of you. One of these days, you’re going to piss me off too much and I’m going to murder you,” she hisses as she heads to the door.

Smirking, I turn back to the window. “Goodnight to you too, and Ronan, make sure the fae doesn’t get any ideas.”

When they are gone, my shoulders slump and exhaustion fills me, pain still assaulting my body. I would have endured worse for breaking the treaty, but it does leave me weak. The body hosting this soul is not as strong as I wish. Stumbling to the sofa, I wait for Ronan to return.

He can help me clean and dress the wounds so I can rest, but I refuse to be weak in front of Tate or the fae.

They will never know how close I truly was to dying tonight.