Chapter Two
Rogue
“ U h-oh,” Gemma says, appearing in a cloud of shadows as I step out the back door of the building. “You’re looking a little like the top of your head might pop off.”
I snort and tuck my hair behind my ear. “No, but I swear, that man drives me crazy in a way no one else can.”
“What’s the verdict?” Gemma asks, gathering her long black hair and tying it into a bun using the length.
“I’m sure you can guess.” My lips blow together as my shoulders bounce. “He told me nothing new, tried to pull us off the case, then insultingly offered to pay us, even though the job requirements haven’t been met.”
My sister snorts. “The two of you better figure your shit out before one of you flips and tries to murder the other. Although, hate sex could be hot.” I scoff, but she grabs my hand, and I already know to brace because she’s about to siphon.
“I would be willing to find a new job just so you could experience that once.” She laughs.
“Stay open to the possibility. That’s all I’m saying. ”
Ember has known Veryn was her mate for as long as I can remember. When you see the two of them together, it’s impossible to miss. Some stuff went down with their families when they were teenagers, and as a result, they still haven’t bonded.
Although, they are dating now—I think. Maybe they’re just hooking up and having hate sex of their own.
Who knows?
That’s not my business.
Ember couldn’t meet us at the human bar last night to search for Ethan Sanders, because she was on her first real date with Veryn. No matter how much she tries to fight the connection, they’re going to end up together.
They’re fated mates.
There’s no way they’ll be able to hold out for much longer.
Not having her with us last night wasn’t a problem since Sanders didn’t show, but I’ve replayed the snippet of a memory I got from the table in the bar so many times I’ve memorized it.
Ember has ignored three of my texts, and if she doesn’t get back to me soon, I’m not above having Gemma siphon us to Veryn’s house.
We need to make a plan for tonight. If Sanders doesn’t show up at the bar, we may need to poke around pack lands.
I wouldn’t want to do that without Ember, but I also understand how hard it is on her wolf.
It’s a complicated mess. If Gemma and I go without her, it would either piss her off or hurt her feelings. Neither option sounds like something I want to do.
My meeting with Owen replays over and over in my mind as I wait for Ember to get back to me. It’s almost three in the afternoon, but I’m guessing she and Veryn had a late night.
What I wouldn’t give to find a man who looks at me with even half the soft affection Veryn wears on his face when he stares at Ember.
That, or the pure sexual heat.
The cranky bear shifter could give that type of feral look, but Owen will never see me that way.
Who knows why my brain is dead set on tormenting me with possibilities that will never happen, but it does seem determined to do exactly that.
Sitting around while waiting for Ember to call is starting to drive me crazy. If I don’t do something, I’m going to go insane.
Rolling off my bed, I snag my phone and go searching for Gemma.
The house we live in was gifted to us by our parents when we turned eighteen. Okay, technically the renters moved out of the house my mom lived in when she met my dads, and after much begging and pleading, our parents agreed to let us move in.
My family pack still lives in the house we grew up in, but it was cramped with our five younger siblings and Gemma, Fox, Talon, and I living there too.
This place is just a short drive across town, and one of Mom’s best friends lives with her mates right next door, which is probably the only reason our parents agreed to let us move out.
Although being one of a set of quads is fun, it’s also tough at times. There’s almost always someone around to hang out with, but it’s hard to build autonomy when everyone still refers to us as the quads.
Gemma is stretched out on the long end of the sectional when I make it into the living room. She glances up, and I toss my phone at her since it’s making my skin itch. It’s not so bad when it’s in my pocket, but when it touches my skin, it becomes annoying.
“We need to call Ember and make a plan for tonight.” I drop onto the end cushion, since it’s the one farthest from the television.
There is no electricity in Faere, the fae realm. However, it’s everywhere here. Though most fae are allergic to electricity, my allergy is more severe than most.
While lights don’t bother me too badly, anything with radio waves is severe. I still watch TV when I’m bored, but I stay as far away from the screen as possible.
“Didn’t Owen bench us until he assigns a new target?” Gemma asks, unlocking my phone.
“I’m not ready to concede defeat.” Shrugging, I pull my thumb nail to my mouth to chew at it. “I have a feeling about this one, Gem. It’s important. We can’t give up.”
“Just wait, Owen might toss you over his knee yet.” She chuckles. “You’re lucky I love you. I have a feeling this case is going to become even more of a pain in the ass before it’s over.”
She might be right about that.
After a quick conversation with Ember, she agrees to meet us at the human club where Sanders is known to frequent.
I take a shower and prepare to gear up.
Growing up in the human realm, I’ve learned to adapt to many customs that go against my instincts.
One of those is denim.
The material is constricting and uncomfortable.
Cotton or silk dresses are my preference, but if we need to head to The North American Pack Lands to search for Sanders, I’ll want the extra coverage.
Settling for a black T-shirt and dark jeans, I pull on my combat boots. They’re heavy and clunky, and they’ll obscure my connection to the earth.
When I was little, I never wore shoes, which my brothers picked on me about mercilessly. However, these boots are perfect for when I want to wear extra holsters. Two mini daggers slide into each boot. They have circular finger hole grips for when I need to snag one with a single finger.
Most of my gifts are mental, thanks to my magic, but my dads taught all of us how to defend ourselves physically. I’m never going to have the raw strength of my brother Talon, or his biological father Atlas, but I’m excellent with blades.
The chest harness I strap myself into next was a gift from Atlas. He’s the one who taught me the majority of my skills with mini blades, but I use them as a last line of defense. I’d much rather incapacitate someone mentally than do physical harm.
Once I’m done, I snag my jacket and pull it on.
The energy in the room sizzles like it always does when Gemma appears in front of my bedroom door. “Ready to head out?”
“Yeah,” I agree, giving myself a once-over in the mirror.
This is about as good as it’s going to get.
We make it to the human club and land in a bathroom stall. Siphoning always ends up being super glamorous when there’s the risk of humans seeing.
Who wouldn’t want to land next to a toilet?
I pull the handle and stumble out of the stall, frowning at myself in the mirror.
“Why does siphoning always make me look like I got zapped with electricity?” I ask, smoothing down my hair that now sticks out in forty different directions.
“Who knows?” Gemma laughs. “Maybe we pass through a ton, and you’re allergic to it, so it turns you into a staticky mess?”
That could be it.
My phone rings, and I pull it out of my bag, check who’s calling, and toss it to Gemma.
It’s Delta, and while I would love to ignore her for the snotty look she shot my way outside of Owen’s office, I’m still not irresponsible enough to actually disregard a coworker’s call.
Gemma answers and, based on her facial expressions, it’s clear I’m not going to like whatever she has to say.
Sometimes I envy that Gemma doesn’t carry a phone.
It means she never has to talk to people she doesn’t want to.
If something important comes up, she just siphons over and speaks to the person directly.
She disconnects and tosses the device back to me. “Delta’s team has information on where to find one of the Market Heist Crew. She’s asking for backup.”
“Ember is supposed to be meeting us here.” I frown. “I’ll have to call and warn her.”
“If it doesn’t pan out, we might be able to beat her back here.” My sister shrugs. “Are you making the call or am I?”
“I’ve got this one,” I say, grimacing.
We both know Delta isn’t going to let Ember participate in one of her take downs.