Dark War Chronicles Box Set One (77 page)

“Dare I ask what happened between you and Coran? How did you come to be able to forgive him?” Renee’s voice was quiet and it wasn’t a conversation that Tegan wanted to have, but the human deserved answers.

She turned on the TV. “I never really forgave him, but after I recovered I locked myself in mine and Lucius’ room for a while. I didn’t want to see anyone, I was well aware of the mistake I made and how I put everyone in danger and how I was responsible for Trisha’s death. I realized that Coran was grieving and I had taken what we thought was his only chance of happiness. So I moved past it. Lucius agreed to let Coran teach me how to fight and I used that to take out a lot of my anger towards him.” She took a deep breath. “In the end we are family and if we never let go of the past than our family will fall apart.”

“He never told me what he did to you, just that he had a hand in it. No, that doesn’t mean I want details, but...”

Tegan patted Renee’s leg. “If you’re worried about him going down that road again, he won’t. Not as long as you’re alive. It was bad and had I been a normal human, I’d have died from it. Unfortunately for me, he knew that.”

“Thank you for being honest with me.” Renee turned towards the screen. “Speaking of family, Coran told me your brother has risen?”

Tegan let out a low growl. “I’m going to smack Coran. Yes, he’s risen, no he’s no less of a pain in my ass.” A strange wave went through her and she paused. Emotions and a feeling that only happened with Kaden close by. He was back in the realm. Fuck. She needed to find him and now.

“Tegan?” Renee asked.

Tegan put a hand to her chest as it tightened. Kaden was in trouble. “I’m okay, I’m...” She was going to get Renee in trouble, but “I’m just going to go out and get some air.”

“You aren’t supposed to leave this room.” Renee stood. “Alone at least, let’s go take a walk. I don’t know what’s going on, but you don’t look well.”

How could she explain it? Tegan stood and stretched. “Remember how you felt when you sent Coran away at the hospital?”

“Yeah, it was awful and I don’t really want to feel that way—Oh...you’re missing Kaden that way.” Renee wrapped a friendly arm around her. “I’m sorry.”

So was she, because she was going to have to do something to get out of Renee’s watchful eye. Knocking her out wasn’t an option because Coran would be pissed, not to mention that it would leave an unconscious Renee outside. In the winter. At least it was daytime. “Me too. I’ve only had him for a short time and now he’s gone. I understand now why Lucius had been so protective of me when I got close to other men. I know what the longing feeling was that came if I slept with someone else. Lucius was trying to protect me and now that Kaden’s gone and stupid thoughts are going through my head, I truly understand why Lucius is against mating.”

“What stupid thoughts?” Renee asked and put a hand on Tegan’s shoulder as they headed towards the exit. “We’re not going out there if you’re planning on running. You have to trust Lucius to handle this and you need to stay safe.”

Tegan pressed her lips together. She could run, but Renee might be able to catch her now. The woman’s reactions seemed to be quicker than Tegan remembered. Just little things, catching things as they fell in a blink of an eye, recovering quickly if she stumbled. Coran must have been working with her. They were still inside, knocking her out could be an option now, and Tegan would have to deal with Coran’s wrath. Or she could take Renee with her...

“And what are you two up to?” Victoria asked, rounding the corner of the great room. “I’m pretty sure you aren’t supposed to be out of the media room.”

A tick in Tegan’s eye started. “I’m not allowed out of the mansion, there’s a difference.”

Renee started backing up. “Holy shit, you’re a...how
old
are you?”

“She’s a what?” Tegan turned back to Victoria, wondering what Renee saw behind the immortal shifter. She’d yet to see Victoria’s animal form, but the shifter was strong enough to keep the beast hidden and under control.

“Don’t say it Renee, that is my secret.” The woman snarled. “How can you even see it?”

“Clearly Lucius forgot to fill you in on that.” Renee laughed. “I can see what your animal is. I can see Kaden’s demon form, Orion’s wings, the aura of mates.” She emphasized the last one.

Victoria rushed Renee and slammed her against the wall, pinned by the throat. “You will not share that information with anyone and if you do I will slaughter you. Coran or not, Lucius or not.”

“Let her go, Victoria.” Tegan growled and ignored the terrified look on Renee’s face.

Victoria turned her eyes to Tegan. “You trust her with your secret?”

“If it was up to me I would trust her with it and my life. Now let her go.” Tegan snapped.

The woman removed her hand and let Renee down. “You’re lucky Lucius spoils you and I’m supposed to listen to you.” She glared at Tegan.

Tegan raised a brow. “News to me. Now if you’ll excuse us, we were headed to take a walk.”

“I don’t think so. You have orders to not the leave the mansion, nice try.” Victoria stepped in front of Tegan.

Renee put a hand on Tegan’s arm. “I think it’s best that we head back to the media room.”

She didn’t want to head back, she wanted out and into town to see if she could find Kaden. “Tegan.” Renee said again and she turned away from Victoria.

“Okay fine.” Tegan sighed and headed back to the media room. House arrest, that’s what this was. She needed to find a way out or a way to contact Kaden. Sleep. She needed to sleep and she’d be able to do that in the media room. Her and Renee could both pass out in front of the television.

Markus stepped out of the room he kept the demon in, only to come face to face with a female demon. “You’re Aristides’ mate. What do you want?”

“My name is Cael and in case you’re not up on demon culture, our women are just as dangerous and respected as our men. I’m here to negotiate with you.” She swayed towards him, all her curves encased in a silk dress that clung to her, leaving very few details to the imagination.

Markus let his gaze wander over her body. “And what do we have to negotiate, my deal is with your mate, not with you.”

“Ah, but what you don’t know is that our people are divided. Half with me and half with him, it’s the danger of us not having a king.” She gave a wicked grin. “While he’s been hunting my brother I have been rallying the troops that are loyal to me. I could easily take him out, but I know that working with you and the Father is much more to my advantage.”

Markus sensed no lies in her. She had perfect control over her breathing, her heartbeat, and her emotions. She was smart and cunning going behind Aristides’ back like this. “What did you have in mind?”

“A trade and me taking over the demons without Circle interference when the general is killed.”

“I’m listening.”

Kaden pulled at his bonds and snarled. Aristides had helped Markus force out his demon, so now Kaden was pinned to the wall in full demon form. His wings pinned with blessed stakes and chains held his taloned feet and clawed hands to the wall. Sleep, he needed to sleep, but the pain kept him awake. Part of the torture, but he’d never be able to warn Tegan if he couldn’t sleep.

A demon portal opened in front of him and he snarled until his sister stepped out. “What do you want?” His voice was strained and low in his demon form, coming out of his twisted face.

“Aristides granted me safety to see you. I wish I could free you from this, but it would start a civil war in the demon world that we’re not ready for. Half the people would support me while the other half Aristides.”

“It’s unavoidable.” Kaden growled. “They are going to try and use me as a bargaining chip. I am bait for Tegan.” An idea went off in his mind. If he couldn’t get to Tegan, maybe his sister could. “I need you to warn her for me.”

She shook her head. “No one can get into Lucius’ territory now, not without one of his people knowing. They are ever watchful.”

“Her dreams. Please try those. She can’t come after me, tell her whatever she does she has to stay safe. The territory is in danger if she does not.” He begged.

Cael pursed her lips and her eyes ran over his body taking in what torture he’d received already. “You love her.”

“I do, she means the world to me Cael. We just got each other and I do not want to risk her falling into the Father’s hands.”

“I’ll do what I can.” She promised. “And hope that Lucius truly does care for his people so that he comes for you.”

Yeah, he wasn’t holding his breath on the vampire, but he’d let his sister have her wishes and hopes. He had no such illusions, the Father and Markus would kill him when he out lived his usefulness. Which would be when Tegan showed up or their plan failed. He reminded himself that she was too smart to fall for this trick. Lucius had taught her well to not fall into traps set for mates. 

Tegan woke after the sun went down. It had taken her a while to fall asleep while watching television with Renee, but eventually exhaustion took over. The disappointment of not seeing Kaden in her dreams ate at her. She shouldn’t care this much, yes they were mated, but she needed to keep a clear head. Something that was becoming increasingly difficult with him being gone. Maybe her brother had been right in hiding this from her, she couldn’t imagine going through this while recovering from the Father.

No. There was no realm, world or reality where Zaaren was right. She rubbed her eyes and sighed.

“Tegan?” Lucius’ voice caught her off guard. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I’m going mad.” She scrunched up her nose. “I don’t like knowing Kaden is gone in the demon realm and honestly I’m having a hard time thinking about anything else.”

Lucius chuckled. “I wouldn’t expect anything else, but I need you to focus. Your brother needs you to contact the Keepers you know of and let them know that he has risen. We need updates on all the other Originals.”

Which meant more time on the computer instead of searching for a way to free Kaden. She wanted to argue, but she squashed down the urge. “Of course, I’ll get that done first thing tonight.”

Lucius nodded. “And do not fear, Tegan, I am trying to find a way to get your mate back to you. Just promise you won’t do anything rash.”

She locked her jaw, not wanting to make false promises to him. If she couldn’t keep it she didn’t want the guilt of feeling like she betrayed him.

“Give me two nights.” Lucius tried again.

Tegan growled. “Fine. Two nights.” She didn’t want to wait that long, two nights for Kaden to be gone and risking him being killed was almost too much for her to handle.

“And then you will talk to me before you make any move that has to do with him, that is an order.” Lucius met her gaze and she nodded.

“Understood. I’m going to go scrounge up some food then I’ll get working on emailing the keepers.” She crossed her arms. “Can I please work a couple hours at the bar tonight? I need something that feels normal. Victoria can come watch me if you want, I don’t care, I just need to focus on something else.”

Lucius remained silent for a moment and she had a feeling he would turn her down then he shrugged. “I think with Victoria there, you should be fine.”

“Thank you. Just a couple hours, I promise.”

––––––––

L
ucius looked over his desk at all the paper work for the bar. Derrik had been awfully quiet when it came to The Corner, but Lucius rarely worried about the wolf. He knew how to run a business, but Tegan’s bar needed more employees. Victoria flat out refused to work there, Kassity wasn’t able to work yet, though she was healing well, and that left Tegan and Mae right now. Lucius had seen the exhaustion in Mae when she’d been at the party for Tegan. If the vampire wasn’t at the bar, she was asleep for the day. He couldn’t do that to his people. Tegan could work for hours and enjoy it, but she had to be supervised right now. He could feel her erratic emotions with Kaden gone.

“What is on your mind?” Zaaren’s voice came from the door way and Lucius looked up.

He motioned to the papers on the desk. “Just looking over paper work for the businesses.”

“I am impressed with what you have done with the land and it runs smoothly enough that if I have to take it over I can.” Zaaren walked further in. “I am worried about my sister.”

“So am I, but I have it handled. She’s working at the bar tonight, Victoria will be watching her so that she can’t go after Kaden.” Lucius stretched and leaned back in his chair.

Zaaren shook his head. “She should not be off your property. Not if she believes her claims in regards to the Father are true and with Kaden being held captive.”

“I can’t keep her locked up, she’s more likely to do something stupid because she has nothing to occupy her time.” Lucius rubbed his eyes. “She’s at peace at the bar. I know what is best for my human.”

“You keep using that word. My sister has not been human since she was changed. Her humanity was stripped from her, both of you need to remember that. What has changed your mind over the years Lucius? You and I used to have an understanding when it came to her.”

Lucius thought about how in the past Zaaren had set rules for Tegan. She never came out of her shell, she always feared him and her brother. Rarely pushed, rarely fought, but when she came back from being tortured by Markus, Lucius realized something...she may not have been able to die like a human, but she still was. Fragile, caring, trusting...human.

“Things changed after she was with Markus the first time and I believe for the better.” Lucius shook his head. “If I end up gone, you can run things your way, but until then, she follows my rules for her.”

Zaaren nodded. “She’s in for a surprise then if her fears are right.” He turned and left.

There was no point in keeping Tegan weak and terrified anymore. Markus knew what she was, if the Father was awake, then hiding wouldn’t do anyone any good.

Chapter Twelve

Tegan moved the tray of glasses and started to put them away. They had hit a lull in customers so she took the time to restock and work on inventory orders. Victoria was close to the door, playing pool with herself. Something about the shifter was off, but Tegan trusted Lucius’ judgment and knew that he wouldn’t trust just anyone with the job of guarding her.