Fallen Darkness (The Trihune Series Book 2) (16 page)

Chapter 35

Lucas pulled into Father Gregory’s driveway, stopping in front of the rectory door. “I’ll be right back,” he said to Kate, then hesitated, wanting to tell her not to run.

As they neared the HQ an increasing wave of nervousness and almost panic coursed through his system. It meant the wife and child beater’s emotions were completely out of his system now, and that Kate was ready to bolt.

She nodded. “I’ll be here.” Her expression showed none of the emotions racing through him.

He swallowed thickly. Moving fast, he had Father Gregory’s bag at the front door before the
choghen
finished his goodbye with Kate. Lucas wasted no time delivering Father’s luggage to his room as instructed. “Cade will contact you tomorrow about the trip.” He spoke over his shoulder, already halfway out of the door.

“Lucas.”

“Yes.” He couldn’t keep the exasperation from his tone.

“No matter how dark our surroundings, the Creator will always shine a light to lead us back home.”

Lucas frowned. “You want me to turn on the lights?”

Father Gregory stared at him for a long moment.

Lucas tapped his foot. Kate could be blocks away by now. “Is there something you needed,
choghen
?” He softened his voice, hopefully hiding his irritation.

The air inside his chest deflated. Disappointment. He didn’t mind sharing Kate’s emotions, the
choghen’s
was a different story. Lucas opened his mouth then closed it. He didn’t have time for this. “Cade will speak to you tomorrow. Have a good night.” Lucas didn’t wait for a reply. He jumped off the porch and followed the sidewalk round the corner.

One look at the backseat and his heart stopped.

It was empty.

Movement caught his eye and he saw Kate in the front seat. Air left his mouth in a gush.

Back in the car, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel when his hands started to shake. Kate’s gaze bounced from his hands to his face. “Are you ready?” he asked.

“What’s going on with that?” She motioned to his hands.

“Nothing for you to worry about. Did you sleep well at the rectory?”

“Well enough. Not really used to sleeping on a bed.” She gave a little laugh.

He frowned. “You’ll have a bed to sleep in now. And food. Whenever you want.”

“I don’t need handouts.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

Was she cold? Earlier he’d offered one of his sweaters, but she’d refused, so he’d kept the heat on high the entire drive. “It’s not a handout. It’s payment. Martha, who’ll be your supervisor, receives the same.”

“I guess it’s okay then,” she said after a moment. “You know I’m only here until I save enough money.”

A wave of panic flowed through him, briefly tightening his chest. His gaze shot to her face. Her expression didn’t match the feelings running through him. She didn’t appear alarmed. Defiant, actually. Stubborn more than anything else, but she was great at hiding her emotions. “Enough money for what?”

Her lips pursed and he thought she might not answer. “To get to Illinois.”

“You have family there?”

“Yes.”

What family would allow her to live on the streets? Was that where the little girl in her picture lived? “Why didn’t you ask me to drop you off in Illinois on the way?” He was glad she hadn’t.

“I lost everything when my bag was taken. I need to make some money before I go there. You offered me a job. I wanted to get out of the city. It worked.”

“Fair enough. Are you hungry? We can hit some place to eat before we get to the HQ.”

“No. I’m still full from lunch.”

“Right.” Sweat beaded on his forehead and he swiped at it with the back of his hand. First the shakes and now sweating. What was going on? He’d finally taken blood from a Follower a few nights ago. He shouldn’t be feeling this way. Not this soon.

“Sure you’re okay?”

“Perfect. So you seem relatively at ease with me.”

A pause. “Annnd?”

“I thought you might run away screaming after what I showed you.”

“I thought about it.”

Another dip in his stomach. “Annnd,” he echoed back to her.

She glanced over, eyes lit with amusement.

Sweet Creator, she was beautiful. The sun flowed through the window, lighting pieces of her hair, turning them golden.

“I figured I could protect myself if needed.” She held up a gloved hand.

His eyebrows rose. “Protect yourself? How do you do that?”

She froze, the red color in her cheeks slowly fading. “Oh, well, I just meant I could defend myself. I’m not some helpless female.”

“You can trust me, Kate,” he said softly, glancing back at the road and kicking himself for making her feel afraid again.

She didn’t respond, and another quick glance showed her head angled away from him, looking out the window.

Damn
.

The rest of the ride was silent.

Chapter 36

Why had she told Lucas about Illinois? That was stupid. At least he didn’t know where, but still.

He hadn’t seemed bothered by her temporary status. Why was that? Most bosses wanted long-term employees. She hadn’t meant to tell him her plan to leave as soon as possible, it just came out. She needed the priest back. It’d been easier to keep quiet. Though she hadn’t liked the looks he’d been throwing Lucas. They were a cross between suspicion and disapproval.

She shifted in her seat. It was so damn hot in here. Her hands were sweating inside her gloves. She needed a shower. Did being a Behnshma mean he was cold all the time?

The car slowed.

She peered out the windows. They’d left the city a while back. Large trees surrounded the road. No buildings. Kate hadn’t seen another car in a while.

Lucas turned left. A tall, thick metal gate stood in front of them. Too tall to climb. He stopped in front of it. Kate searched for one of those intercom boxes rich people have, but saw none. She was about to ask what they were waiting for when the gate opened. Lucas pulled through slowly and stopped, his gaze on the rearview mirror. Kate glanced at the side mirror. Once the gate closed, he continued up the road.

He drove.

And drove.

And drove some more.

Was this a road or a driveway?

She opened her mouth, intending to ask how much farther when the trees broke overhead.

Her breath caught on an inhale. She’d never seen anything like it before. “That’s where you work?” she asked after finding her voice.

It was a castle. Huge. White. A lot of windows. Not at all what she expected. Most business buildings were dark, had conservative colors.

Lucas didn’t follow the circular driveway to the front doors, but instead pulled into an empty lot on the right.

“That’s where we live,” he answered.

Kate’s head whipped around. “Live? You said you were taking me to your business. I’m going to clean offices and such.”

He turned the ignition and shifted in his seat to face her, lines forming between his eyebrows. “This is where we do business. We call it our headquarters. It also happens to be where we live.”

For the first time, Kate allowed the fear she’d felt in the priest’s house to trickle in. She’d kept it under wraps after making her decision to work for him.

Her mind flashed to the high metal gate closing behind them. She hadn’t heard the clank of metal as it latched, but, now, in her head, she did.

Trapped. There was no way to climb the gate. It was too high. The surrounding trees were tall, but not close enough to use to get out. She hadn’t seen a fence on the drive up to the house, but she’d known it was there. No one installed an entrance like that unless it connected three other sides.

Always have a way out. It was the first part of her plan. More often than not she needed that escape.

Kate jumped when Lucas touched her arm, just above her gloved hand. She jerked back. Heard a loud, quick rasp fill the car and realized it was her. She was breathing heavy. She tried to slow it. To quiet it.

She couldn’t.

“Kate.” He spoke quietly. “I promise you’ll be safe.”

Her gaze latched onto his blue one’s. She’d trusted him. She never trusted anyone. But for some reason she’d trusted him. Had willingly got into his car. Allowed him to drive her across the country.

She was the kid taking candy from the dirty, perverted old man. For her own idiocy, Kate deserved whatever happened to her. She was street smart. Proud of it, ‘cause she never made it through high school.

She was a fool. And this place would be her downfall. She’d never get out. Never see Stacy again.

It was hard to breathe. The frickin’ heat was finally off but it was so hot. She had to get out.

Get out.

She grappled for the door handle. Spots danced in front of her eyes. Panic swarmed in full force.

Don’t faint. Not here. Don’t lose consciousness.

Noises sounded from her left. Lucas was leaving the car.

What would happen to her? They could do anything to her. She’d be helpless.

Her door opened and she’d have fallen out if Lucas hadn’t caught her by the shoulders. The urge to pull away from his touch was strong, but she’d fall flat on her face if she did. Cold air blasted her. She lifted her head. Allowed it to push back the spots. Clear her vision. She sat in her seat sideways. Lucas’s hands were still on her shoulders supporting her as she half leaned out of the car. She sucked in gulps of air. Her gaze sought his through no will of her own and stayed.

Kate didn’t know how long she sat. Lucas never once shifted or acted like his arms were getting tired. Slowly her breath evened out. She braced her arms on the door jam and slowly leaned back against the seat.

“Better?”

She wasn’t going to pass out now, so that was better. But the fear was still there. She was still trapped.

“Kate?”

Her gaze darted around the grounds, searching the perimeter. Hurry. Find a way out.

“Kate, look at me.”

Again, her eyes found his.

“What can I do to prove you’ll be safe here? No one will hurt you.”

She made her own safety. Didn’t rely on others to provide it for her. She jumped from the car, making him back up. Spots danced crazily in front of her eyes. Maybe she was still going to pass out? Kate reached out, clutched something. She would not faint. Her gaze latched onto Lucas’s and she used him as a focal point to steady her breaths. When the dizziness passed and her vision had cleared she realized her hand was in his, squeezing it tight. She dropped it quickly. Leaned back against the door.

“Come on,” he said softly. “Let me show you. No one will harm you in any way. If you’re still afraid afterward I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

She stiffened. “I’m not afraid.” Was that her voice, weak and high-pitched? She pushed away from the door, making herself stand on her own. Then had to lock her knees to keep from falling back against the car.

His lips twitched like he was going to smile, but he didn’t. He just offered his arm, as if she were some damsel in distress and he was the dashing hero ready to save the day.

Yeah, right.

“Let’s go inside,” he said.

She ignored his still raised hand and walked past, keeping her arm out near the SUV in case she had to catch herself. For the moment, the dizziness had fled. The cold wind battering her cheeks helped. From the number of trees surrounding the place, she’d thought it would act as a buffer to the elements, but it seemed to have the opposite effect. Lucas stopped at the back of the SUV and retrieved his bag.

Her heart pounded faster as they neared the door.

Calm down. She could get out of anything. She wasn’t helpless. Would never be that way again. This was a job. Just a place to make money. Nothing more.

So why did it feel like if she walked into the mansion, she’d never leave?

The doors opened as they headed up the steps. Kate jerked, falling back two stairs until Lucas’s arm came around her. It was comforting. She moved to the side, breaking contact. Her heart slowed at the old man wearing a suit standing in the doorway. She could definitely take him. If it came to it.

“Welcome back,
adohn
,” he said and bowed.

Kate’s gaze shifted from the old guy to Lucas.

What the hell?

Chapter 37

“Good afternoon, Jeeves. It’s good to be back.”

Jeeves straightened and reached for Lucas’s bag. “Allow me,
adohn
.”

He handed the bag over then followed the
ebhed’s
gaze to Kate. He could see the shock on her face. His stomach swirled. She was nervous. “Kate this is Jeeves. Jeeves, Kate will be staying with us for a while. I’d like a room prepared for her. Also, I’d like to speak to Martha.”

Jeeves’s expression showed no surprise, and since he was an
ebhed
, Lucas couldn’t get any readings off of him. Jeeves had been around the Sept most of his life. Probably nothing could shock the elderly male anymore. “Very good,
adohn
.” He tilted his head at Kate. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss.”

Kate was still frowning. “Hey.” She took another step away from Lucas. He resisted the urge to reach out and bring her back to his side.

He’d held her during her panic attack. Her gaze had stayed glued to his and hadn’t changed once. So, fabric did offer protection from her ability.

His heart had soared when she clutched his hand. At the time, he was quite sure, she had no idea she’d done it. Then she’d proved him right by immediately breaking contact when her panic subsided. But her subconscious had chosen him to save her and right now, he was good with that. It’d be the same inside the HQ. No one would hurt her.

Jeeves stepped out of the doorway, holding it for Lucas and Kate to walk through. Kate’s gaze was everywhere. Except for a bit of widening, there was nothing else in her expression to tell him what she was thinking. He tried to see it from her perspective.

Large, wide rooms. Marble floors. Light colored walls. Huge paintings with gold swirled frames that he’d rarely noticed until Emma moved in, apparently a few were original Van Goghs. Vases of flowers on most every table. A large couch in the center of the room with a view of the stairs that led to the bedrooms and conference room. A small peek at the dining room behind an arched doorway. A hallway at the end of the room that led to the basement stairs.

The HQ was smaller than the kings’ castles Lucas had been in centuries ago. But by the present day standards, it was big. He glanced at Kate again. And perhaps bigger than any house she’d been in?

She stepped a few feet from the doorway, gaze on Jeeves sweeping ahead of them. The
ebhed
headed upstairs, more than likely setting the suitcase in Lucas’s room. Next he’d get in touch with Martha, then, no doubt, alert Cade he was home and that he wasn’t alone. Although Michael or Andrew would’ve seen this from the cameras when they first drove through at the gate and had probably already alerted the boss. Lucas walked forward, planning to follow Jeeves, hoping to get Kate into a room in his wing before anything started. When she didn’t follow he turned.

“What’s wrong?” Had her earlier panic returned? He stepped closer. Ready to be available if she needed him.

“I changed my mind.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Icy winds rushed through his body. Fear. He reached for her hand. She didn’t pull away, but didn’t respond either. He squeezed. Her gaze darted around the room, pausing briefly on each exit.

“Please, Kate.” Finally her gaze stopped on him. “I promise no one will hurt you. I won’t let them.”

She slowly shook her head.

He hung his head. “Where do you want me to take you?” His gaze locked on the floor. “Or would you prefer I call a cab?” Kate wouldn’t want him to know where she was going. But he’d give her money and she’d accept it. Along with warmer clothes. He wouldn’t let her refuse this time. Emma might have something that fit better. He’d replace Cade’s
bahshrett’s
clothes later. Kate needed something now. He’d prepare food for her, too. In Philadelphia she’d gobbled up food like she didn’t know where her next meal was coming from.

Screw his promise to Cade. And his sacred duty. Lucas didn’t want her to go, but if she left before the Sept One leader came down she could at least retain her memories.

Lucas wanted Kate to remember him, just as he’d never forget her. And maybe, just maybe, if she ever were in trouble she’d call him. He’d write down his number, put it in a new backpack she could take with her.

“You don’t want me to go?”

His head jerked up. “No!”

She winced. He was squeezing her hand. “I’m sorry.” He released her. “Please. Stay. If at any time you want to go, I’ll take you. Whenever and wherever. But just—”

“Lucas.”

He stilled. Kate’s gaze moved over his shoulder, she gasped. Lucas took her hand again, made sure to hold it loosely, before he turned to greet the Sept One leader.

“Cade. How are you?” In truth, Lucas didn’t need to ask. He could feel the shrouded waves of anger. Lucas stepped to the side, blocking Cade’s view of Kate entirely.

His boss’s eyes narrowed. “Who is this?”

“This is Kate.” Lucas didn’t move. “Kate meet Cade, my boss.”

Cade’s eyes flared blue. Yep, he was pissed.

Kate extracted her hand from Lucas’s and moved out from behind him. He stiffened, wanting to throw her back, but that was ridiculous. Cade wouldn’t harm a Follower. He might be angry, but his anger was at Lucas, not at Kate. He glanced over. Her chin was raised in that stubborn determination he both loved and hated.

He paused
.
Love?

“Hello,” she said.

Lucas recognized the tone as the one she used with her customers. It betrayed none of her true emotions.

Cade eyed her, then his gaze swung back to Lucas. “What is she doing here?”

“I’ve been offered a job,” Kate answered.

Cade’s eyes widened, though at Kate answering him or by what she said, Lucas didn’t know. Then suddenly Cade’s head whipped toward the balcony. “Emma, get back in your room,” he ordered, voice booming.

At Cade’s words, Emma had frozen on the first step. When her gaze moved to Cade
,
love. Ugh, he could’ve waited ten more years to feel that again. Emma glanced at Lucas and a weight suddenly lifted off his chest, happiness. Her face softened. She smiled.

“Lucas.” She started down the steps. “You’re back. I know Gabe wil—Oof.” Her words were cut off by Cade’s arm that had swung out to stop her ascent.

“I told you to get back in your room,” Cade thundered.

Emma’s eyes narrowed. The emotions hitting Lucas were a jumble speedball right at his stomach. Pissed. Sadness. Determination. Worry. Doubt. And a few others that flashed so fast he couldn’t catch them. Fuck, he could barely catch his breath. If he’d taken more than blood from that Follower before they left Philadelphia, this wouldn’t be happening. He’d forgotten it could be like this. Come to think of it, he’d never received this much from Kate. Why was that?

“Are you all right?” Kate asked. Her words had been low. Emma hadn’t heard her, but Cade did. He pivoted. Emma used the moment to slide underneath Cade’s arm. She only made it two steps before the leader wrapped his arm around her waist, halting her.

She opened her mouth and Lucas didn’t need the roar in his ears to tell him she was about to lit into her
bahshrett
. The expression on her face, the rush of blood in her cheeks said it all. Then Cade pulled her closer, whispered in her ear.

Lucas could’ve listened if he wanted. He didn’t. He whirled to Kate. “Do you still want to go?” Because dammit he’d get her out before Cade could erase her memory.

He stiffened. Cade would have access to her innermost thoughts. Her secrets. The ones she didn’t want to tell anyone. The ones she had the right to keep.

The Behn light in his eyes flared and he heard Kate’s quick inhale before he turned and thrust her behind him. At the noise, Cade had turned from Emma. When his gaze settled on Lucas, his eyes widened. Without taking his gaze from Lucas, he grasped Emma’s waist and moved her behind him.

“Lucas.” Cade’s voice was low, calm. “What’s wrong?”

“You will not use your ability on her,” he said, voice low, gravelly. When had his fangs descended?

Cade’s gaze shifted from Lucas to Kate who was still behind him, back to Lucas. When the leader didn’t respond, a low growl sprung from Lucas. Cade’s eyes narrowed, flared. “Do not threaten me with Emma near.”

“Then promise me. Give me your word, you won’t read Kate’s mind.”

Kate gasped and Lucas reached behind to take her hand.

“Okay. This is fun, but you guys are scaring Kate. And since she’s now the third female in this testosterone-filled household, I’m going to take her upstairs before you scare her away.” Emma went to duck underneath Cade’s arm, but he growled, eyes flaring and staying blue this time as he blocked her. If Emma were Behn, her eyes would’ve glowed as well. Instead her hands flew to her hips and her gaze narrowed. “Move your hand, Caveman.”

Cade flinched but didn’t release her. “Emma,” he pleaded. “Don’t do this. You don’t know who she is. She could hurt—”

“Lucas?”

“Yes, Emma.” He willed his fangs to recede and the blue light in his eyes to disappear.

“Will Kate harm me?”

“Never,” he answered, flashing a quick glance over his shoulder.

Kate cleared her throat. “It’s time for me to go,” she whispered, voice cracking.

His chest tightened painfully. Kate’s panic was almost paralyzing him. “No. Just stay. This is a minor thing.” Cade’s low growl reached his ears. He ignored him. “I won’t let him harm you.”

“I do not harm Followers, Lucas,” Cade’s voice thundered, outraged.

Kate flinched.

Lucas’s eyes flared. “Stop it. You’re scaring her. Now I’m taking her to her room. Let us pass. And stay out of her head.”

The Sept One boss stiffened and Lucas felt flickers of rage wafting to him. Then Emma’s hand was on Cade’s. She whispered something in his ear. The roar in Lucas’s head from Cade’s anger prevented him from hearing it. Emma led Cade by the hand back up the stairs. They took a left at the top. Cade paused at the railing, his gaze bored into Lucas. “Meet me in the conference room in fifteen minutes.”

“I’ll be there in thirty,” Lucas responded.

Cade’s eyes flashed blue, his muscles tensed, but Emma pulled him down the hall. With one last glare at Lucas, Cade followed his
bahshrett
.

Lucas didn’t move until Cade’s door shut quietly. Then he turned to Kate.

Head shaking, she backed away. Lucas didn’t let her hands go and she didn’t pull away from his grasp.

“Read my mind?” she asked hoarsely.

“I won’t let him do that to you.”

She laughed. It was a high-pitched, unnatural sound. “I’m not sure you’d have a choice in that.”

Lucas reached to cup her cheeks. He froze inches from her face. “Sorry.” He gently gripped her jacketed shoulders instead. “Look at me, Kate. Know I’m serious. I will protect you from anyone outside and inside this house. Anytime you’re here, you’ll not do anything you don’t want to do. If that means I have to fight my
achs
, I will. Cade won’t read your mind.” And he wouldn’t allow his boss to erase it either, but Lucas didn’t need to mention that at the moment.

“Why?” she eventually asked, after torturous minutes of silence while he waited for her to demand he take her away from here. And he would if that’s what she wanted.

He opened his mouth. Closed it.

“Because I want to help you,” he said at last.

Sadness flashed, then stayed on her face. He waited for the lump in his throat to come.

“What is it?” He so badly wanted to touch her.

“You don’t know me, Lucas.”

He frowned. “I do, I—”

“You gave your word I wouldn’t hurt Emma without even knowing who I am and what I’m capable of.”

He shook his head. “Kate, I—”

“No one’s ever done that for me before.” She ducked her head, hair falling forward.

Lucas stood in front of her, hands around her shoulders, wanting so much to bring her into his arms. He cleared his throat. “Can I show you your room?”

She didn’t answer right away and his heart thudded. Worry. What was she worried about? Cade? Him? Money? He opened his mouth to ask, to fix it, when she answered.

“Yes.”

A sigh left him. He clasped her hand, felt hers tighten around his, and led her to the stairs. Her heart was pounding. He didn’t slow. Didn’t stop to comfort her. Once inside her room, she’d be okay. Surrounded by the protection the four walls would give her. She did let out a little breath when Lucas guided her to the right, at the top of the stairs, away from Cade.

He glanced behind him once, saw her taking in the many doors, paintings on the walls, lush carpet.

“This is the wing of the house that I share with my
ach
, Gabe.”

“
Ach
?”

“It means brother in our language. I’ll introduce you to him later. But don’t worry he’s nothing like Cade. In fact all
nheqebas
, females,” he explained, “tend to get along with him.”

He frowned. Would Kate? Of course she would. Gabe could flirt a rabbit into bedding a snake. Maybe he wouldn’t introduce them just yet.

“Ow. Lucas your hand.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to squeeze.”

“It’s okay.” She studied his face. “What’s the matter?”

“I just hope you like it here.”

Her head cocked. “Well, this is supposed to be my job, right? How many people actually like their job?”

“Oh, right.” She was here to make money. Not because she wanted to be with him. He continued down the hallway, pointing out the joined rooms he and Gabe shared before stopping in front of a closed door on the left. “That one over there is my room.” He pointed to the door at the end of the hall. “This one will be yours.” He opened it, stepped aside to let her in first.

The room was decorated in browns and blues and contained a king size bed, dresser, and a chair. Kate didn’t speak, just walked in the room, ran her gloved hand over the bed, before heading to the window. She pushed aside the heavy blue curtain and after a moment lifted a hand to the heavy-duty metal locking mechanism on the window.

“It’s for protection,” Lucas said. And would only open through a switch in the
ebhed
control room.