Reborn into flames, p.18
Reborn Into Flames, page 18
Croy sat down where carmel hair had been and smiled at me. Then his face turned dark as he looked at the man, “Why does my mate look upset, Larry?”
Ew. That name. So we had Larry and Anna. Had those names down.
Larry’s eyes widened, “she’s mated to a wolf as well? You can’t do that, if she truly is a phoenix…”
“Leave,” Henry bit out, “get out of here, now.” Croy was producing an actual growl and my center warmed at his defense over us.
“This isn’t over,” Larry snarled. “Lucas may be proud of your antics, but Edmund agrees with me. You still have to answer the council, Marco, despite being on it.”
Then he was gone. Wow, Marco did hold a lot of power.
“I don’t think they like me,” I noted amused.
“Good,” Marco grumbled, “fucking assholes.”
“You swear a lot,” I grinned as the man’s ears turned pink and he narrowed his eyes at me.
Before he could respond, my head snapped up as the music began. I was up and out of my seat, with Croy following.
Now, I had never been to a performance, but I knew what looked cool. They looked cool. Ledger was standing back, holding a guitar along with three other people on stage I didn’t know. Anani stood right at the microphone and winked at me.
He said a tiny introduction that had the crowd cheering, I pushed towards the center of the stage. There were a lot of people here. I hadn’t realized. Croy lifted me up and sat me on his right shoulder so that I could keep my legs crossed and his hands kept me securely fixed.
Then the twins made my night.
“This entire show is for our beautiful little mate, Maya,” Anani’s voice was smooth and I smiled as people turned back to see me. I grinned as their music started up and the minute Anani started singing and Ledger started playing, I knew I was in for something special.
∞∞∞
When I woke up the next morning, I was in bed with Marco and Henry. I knew I’d started out with the twins, but I’d woken up in the middle of the night and crawled into bed with them. Now Marco had his chest against my back and head buried in my neck where Henry had his arms looped around my waist and his head resting on my chest. I hummed softly and stretched feeling both of them shift awake. I shivered as both of them hardened against me.
“Morning,” Marco drawled his teeth biting down softly and causing me to shiver.
Henry looked up at me from where his lips rested on my neck, “you smell so damn sweet, Maya.”
I was about to say something, but the door swung open and a very sleepy Croy spoke. “You need to get down here, now. Security is barely holding back the media at the gates.”
“The fuck?” Henry muttered and stood up. I crawled to the end of the bed as Croy lifted me up and we all went to stand by the windows.
Oh wow.
“Why?” I whispered.
“You,” Marco muttered.
“Me?” I whispered. “They weren’t this bad when we first got here.”
“Apparently, it got out that the police are looking for you back in Washington,” Croy mumbled.
“What?” Henry snapped out.
Croy walked over the large television as I was put down. My feet were a bit chilled on the cool surface, but I watched as the surface lit up with a network called CNN.
My picture, between ones of Atlas and Marco, popped up.
“Police have not disclosed yet if this is a case of attempting to flee or if the socialites didn’t consider that they would be associated with the death of Jed Mara and Tina Lucas.”
“It is important to note that the woman, Maya, is a high school student at…”
I stopped listening. Henry shook his head, “we disposed of the bodies and everything.”
“What bodies?” Croy bit out.
“I was locked in a church basement and only arrived here about a week ago. My mother, Tina, and her boyfriend, Jed, beat me until I died. The boys showed up and killed them, I was reborn and now we are here,” I explained simply.
“They are saying they got the information from one of the co-owners of the rental dwelling.”
“So one of his lackeys,” Marco snarled.
Croy was still staring at me with really wide eyes. I squeezed his hand and he simply muttered a curse before pulling me close and burying his nose in my hair. They were always doing that. I hoped my hair smelled good.
“We need to get back,” I murmured.
Marco was on the phone talking to someone as Henry called for Atlas. The man showed up looking aggravated, but pressed a kiss to my forehead before they started to talk about things I wasn’t well versed in. Croy even joined in. I shook my head and decided to do something in the meantime.
I turned to go towards my room, both twins still sleeping, and got into the shower. I hummed softly, washing off all the sand and anything else from last night before wrapping a robe securely around myself. I’d never used hair product before and now that I did, I wasn’t positive how I hadn’t before. My long brown hair hung to my waist and I rubbed this vanilla lip gloss on before walking to my closet and picking out a comfortable outfit.
A pair of black high waisted pants and a cropped sweater in a forest green. I paired it with these shoes called ‘ballet flats’ and grabbed my purse. I wasn’t positive where my bag was to pack up, but I would probably just leave some of the stuff here. I hoped we came back.
This has oddly been exactly what I needed.
“Where are you going?” Marco asked as I headed downstairs passing him.
“I was going to ask them to leave us alone,” I stated.
Henry offered me a wide eyed look before Marco grinned. “Bad idea honey, trust me. They are vicious animals.”
“Marco,” I smirked, “you’re a dragon. They can’t be much more vicious.”
He shook his head, “come on, through the garage, we are going to head out as it is.”
“But the twins…”
“Are ready to go,” Ledger yawned.
I followed after them into the garage and Croy stopped, “I have an idea.”
Marco sighed, “I already know what you’re going to say.”
“What?” I perked up.
Marco cupped my jaw and searched my eyes, “they are going to expect you to be in this car, so I want you to go in Croy’s to the airport, is that okay?”
“Sure,” I grinned, “Croy is cool.”
“Kitten,” Sai scowled, “you literally have never used that word before and now you are using it on Croy.”
“Because I am cool,” Croy winked.
Marco looked at Croy, “if she is at all injured, I fucking mean even a papercut…”
“Marco,” Croy growled slightly. “She’s perfectly fine. I have no paper in my car and on top of that, I haven’t stayed alive as long as I have by being reckless.
Both twins offered me a searing kiss as Marco pressed one on my temple. Atlas approached and brushed his nose against mine, “stay safe, call me if you have any issues.”
I nodded, not really ever checking for my phone, but somehow knowing it was in my purse.
Sai approached, grabbing my hips and leaning forward, tugging on mine so he could invade my mouth, which had me shivering. Henry muttered a curse before pulling me into a hug, kissing my neck and speaking quietly, “you and I are having alone time later.”
“Oh, why?” I asked.
Croy chuckled, shaking his head, coming up behind me, looking at Henry over my shoulder. “Yes, Henry. Why?”
Henry nipped at my skin and caused my breathing to heighten. Croy ‘tsked’ and pulled me over to his impressive sleek little car, opening the door for me and making sure I was buckled. Instantly, I began playing with buttons and the low purr was overrun by music. I smiled at the guitar that reminded me so much of Ledger.
“You like the Led Zeppelin?” Croy chuckled sliding in effortlessly.
“Sure?” I raised a brow.
He tilted his head looking over me with interest and pulled out of the garage. Instantly the gates opened as security kept the camera people and trucks from blocking our path. I think it worked because everyone was craning their head to see the black SUV behind us about 20 feet, so our sleek car slid past with ease and I finally sat up fully once we were driving down the street.
“If the cops are looking for me, why haven’t they showed up?” I asked quietly.
“They already contacted Marco, the human enforcement are causing issues with the media but the supernatural jurisdiction in Washington has it mostly handled. Even the FBI office around there is supe run. We just need to get you back there. You said those two tried to kill you?”
“They did kill me,” I murmured.
He looked over at me and frowned. “Sugar, I don’t understand how I didn’t know you were out there.”
“Probably because I wasn’t,” I sighed. “I was locked in a basement until about 12 days ago.”
He frowned and then chuckled, “that would explain the dream I had.”
“What dream?”
He tilted his head, “just about a woman, and I’m thinking it was about you. Happened around that time frame. I wonder what wards they had on the church you were in.”
“Wards?”
“Yes, to keep you in no doubt,” he sighed. “Humans, after all this time, are as primitive and scared as before.”
“How old are you Croy?” I asked sincerely.
His eyes flash dark, “you sure you want to know that, Maya?”
I grinned at how my name sounded on his lips, “yeah, I do.”
“Two hundred twenty-four,” he stated softly.
“Holy crap,” I mumbled as his eyes traced the curiosity in my face and he relaxed slightly. “That is really cool.”
“It’s something,” he mumbled.
“No really,” I grasped his hand on the center console, “it is really neat.” It was! I bet he had a lot of interesting things that had happened to him. Honestly, I was taking advantage of everyone else's life experiences to make up for my lack of them.
He smiled and kissed my hand before continuing to drive, my body content and relaxed.
It was only as we neared the airport that I worried about how we were going to get onto the plane. There were people everywhere.
Chapter 23
Croy
My wolf rumbled aggressively as we neared the airport and security let us through the gate. I hated this. I hated how many people there were and I hated how Maya had to see humanity like this. She was clearly so new to this world, something I found far more attractive than I would have expected.
Then again, I thought I’d nearly had a heart attack when she stepped down those stairs.
Have you ever had a moment where things seem to slow? Like truly nearly stop. In the over two centuries I’d been on this plane, I’d never in my life had a moment like that. When her soft voice had echoed through the space every part of me had collided towards her to the symphony of ‘mate.’ She was my mate. Mine.
Rationally, I knew she wasn’t only mine, but I wasn’t 100% positive that mattered right now. My hand closed over her thigh as we moved through the gates and a small pulsating moment of pride hit me because I could tell my touch affected her. Her breathing quickened and legs shifted, making me want to stop the car and pull her over the center console.
I couldn’t though.
I knew she wasn’t ready for that, no matter how badly I wanted to sink right into her.
It was odd seeing this group of men so damn possessive over someone. Not only that, but it was like she’d softened the entire space. Not to say they were cruel or mean before, but to people outside of their group? They weren’t exactly fantastic. I mean, Marco was well known enough the human crime syndicates stayed the fuck away from his territories.
I was distracted enough by my thoughts that when a figure darted out in front of my car, I threw on the breaks and Maya squeaked. My lips pressed together as the paparazzi snapped photos of the two of us, airport security moving their slow, lazy asses over to get him. Maya watched with confusion and interest before I tried to distract her.
“Sugar?” I asked quietly.
“Yes?” She turned toward me slightly as I drove closer to the plane. I hadn’t left LA in forever and leaving now seemed like no big deal because the much bigger deal was her.
“What’s your favorite color?” I asked curiously as I parked my car. Looking around, I saw we’d passed tighter security so I got out and rounded it, so she could answer me. I helped her out and she tossed me a smile, straightening her purse.
“Pink,” she chimed. “Oh, and glitter!”
Of course it was. I never thought someone so feminine would appeal to me considering my life-style but I had to admit, the shit just made me want to wrap her up forever. We walked up the plane steps right as the other SUV made it in and I followed her back to a cushioned seat. She yawned and stretched her body like a sated kitten.
“I’m glad you are coming with us,” she whispered.
I smiled as she tucked her head against my chest and fell asleep. I was glad that made her happy because I wasn’t sure I could leave at this point.
The one thing I was thankful for? Despite their frustration, they understood better than anyone to not try to stop mated situations. So here I was and no one was trying to stop this. I would lose my shit if they did and it helped that Maya said she wanted me here.
As everyone loaded onto the plane, I shared a look with Henry because, for the first time in nearly two centuries, I was feeling something so strong I could barely describe it.
Chapter 24
Maya
“You just flew to freakin’ LA for the weekend?” Jordan plopped down next to me at lunch. Henry made a frustrated noise but I smiled at my red haired friend.
“We did,” I nodded, “I didn’t get any pictures.”
“Oh honey,” she grinned, “you didn’t need to.”
I raised my brows as she slid towards me an app called ‘Snapchat’ and the newsfeed seemed to feature little stories. My brows went up at the headline ‘Moretti’s Shared Mistress.’ I snorted and Jordan nodded, amused.
“Well, I sort of like those photos,” I pointed out even though they were clearly made to make me look bad.
“I do as well,” she noted and then crossed her arms on the table top looking at me. “So what are you doing after school today?”
“I’m working,” I grin, really excited.
She snorts and looks at the three men at the table, all offering grunts I didn’t understand. “Where at?”
“Clara’s Crafts.”
“No shit?” She grins. “That’s my grandma’s shop.”
“Really?” I smiled, “I love that.”
“I work Tuesday through Thursday, so we will have joint shifts,” she adds.
I went to respond when a shadow shifted over us. I squeaked as Henry’s arm wrapped around me tight and a growl came from his mouth. Even Jordan stilled as I looked up at… Seth, was it?
“Maya,” Seth grinned, “Jordan.”
“Seth,” Jordan warned, “you know this is a terrible idea.”
He grinned and shrugged, “can’t live without asking.”
“Asking what?” I frowned. Malloy was sitting quietly and watching Seth with a frustrated expression I didn’t fully understand.
Seth tilted his head and spoke, “would you like to go on a date, Maya?”
“What?”
Ledger stood up and snarled, “get the fuck out of here, Seth.”
“Not until I get her answer.”
I frowned. Date? I didn’t really know what a date was fully. Wasn’t it when a couple went out together? But I had never gone on a date with my mates. Malloy seemed affected by his words because my friend, yes actual friend, got up without a word. Seth’s cheerfulness seemed to fade as he watched him walk away. What was I not understanding here?
“What’s a date?” I voiced as Anani muttered a curse and Seth barked out a laugh.
Henry was there then, in his face, gripping his shirt. “I’d highly suggest you get the fuck out of here.”
Seth tossed me a wink and threw up his hands. “If you ever want to be treated right, let me know Maya. Bye, Jordan.”
My friend sighed and Henry sat back down next to me. Jordan stood and squeezed my shoulder looking over the three of them. “I would highly suggest you show her what a date is, boys. You’re making it far too easy for someone else to sweep in.”
“We’ve been busy,” Ledger muttered.
Jordan was gone, following after Malloy and Seth, and I quirked a brow, “what is a date? It’s for couples, right? But we have never gone on any.”
“We clearly need to change that,” Henry stated softly.
“Why do all of you look upset?”
“Did you want to go on that date with Seth?” Anani asked seriously as I frowned.
“If you’re asking if I like him how I like you, of course I don’t,” I reasoned, “but I think he is nice. He’s never done anything to hurt me and, except for today, hasn’t caused problems.”
“Oh, he’s gonna be a fucking problem,” Ledger muttered.
I opened my mouth, “I really don’t think so, Malloy and him…”
It really wasn’t our day because Lorn interrupted my thoughts. This one actually made me angry. I frowned as he narrowed his eyes at the boys before tossing me a sick smile.
“I heard you’re a fugitive, killed mommy and daddy,” he snarled.
“Does your father know you’re looking through his files?” Henry snapped.
Lorn put his hands up. “Just saw it on the news.”
I believed that. As predicted, when we’d gotten home, the police had been there, waiting.
“Now Maya, we need to know exactly what happened.” It was one of the shifter cops.
Marco had told me to tell them the truth while he talked to the human ones outside.
So I told them. I told them everything from the moment I’d left the church until now. I trusted that I could because these were the same two men who kept me safe and watched outside my trailer. I had learned that one was named Richard and the other Steven. Both had little kids under the age of ten and I could see how much my story upset them.
