Faith Revisited (22 page)

“How about someone tell me why you assholes thought my mate had tried to kill me?”

The cowboy slid his watchful gaze from her to Bale. “Because I saw her.”

His statement pissed Faith off. “That's mighty interesting, since I wasn't even there.”

“No?” His tone left little doubt that he didn't believe her. “Then explain this.”

He tossed something at her, but before she could react, Bale caught it in his fist. She stared in shock at the object.

“Where did you get that?” Clutched within Bale's hand was a knife—her knife. To be more accurate, he was holding the knife she had used on the Rabisu demon not quite one week ago.

“That was what was protruding from your mate's abdomen.” He said “mate” as if it were a dirty word, and Faith instantly disliked this male.

Ignoring Cowboy, Faith glanced from the blade to Bale. “I don't understand. I got jumped outside my condo Thursday night by a Rabisu demon. When I got free, I stabbed the beast with that before it dissipated. What attacked you?”

“A Rabisu demon,” Bale replied quietly.

Faith broke away from Bale, ignoring the intense look in his eyes. “Jesus, none of this makes any sense.”

Before Bale could respond, Hope spoke up. “Wait one minute. How the hell did you get away from a Rabisu demon? The only vampires that might be able to survive such an attack are several thousand years old.”

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Faith winced at the growl that bubbled from Bale's throat. She'd really hoped he wouldn't realize that. But ignoring him, she glared at Hope. “I should also need to feed every twelve hours, but I don't. With Bale's blood, I can go three days. And I'm stronger than I should be.”

“You were going to tell me about all of this when?”

Faith found herself staring up into Bale's very pissed-off expression. She threw a look at Hope that said
thanks a lot
, then narrowed her eyes at Bale. “I wasn't. And you know, you walked out on me, so I didn't really think you gave a damn.”

Bale leaned down, his lips a fraction of an inch from her ear. “Baby, I'll be getting that rope tonight. I'm sure Jet has a nice long piece I can borrow.”

As a blush crept over her skin, Faith seriously hoped the Grigori didn't have the excellent hearing shifters had. It was bad enough Bale was threatening to tie her up; she didn't need the others to know. Shit, Hope would never let her live it down.

“Then I'll ante up and tell you I also had a visit from a red-eyed sharp tooth in the parking lot of my club. The very same bastard you told me you were going to take care of. He thought threatening Hope would get me off his back. You know, he's a hard son of a bitch to find.”

With a satisfied smirk, Faith squeezed between Arak and Zeke on the couch, glad to see Bale had forgotten about the rope, until he pointed an accusing finger at her. “Are you telling me you have been out hunting that damn demon?”

Crap. Maybe she shouldn't have mentioned that part, but she didn't like being told what she could and could not do. She'd moved out from her father's nest to get away from such restrictions. And she wasn't weak. Nor was she useless.

Faith opened her mouth to protest, but Bale shook the protruding finger at her. “Last night you couldn't even walk across the room without aid. Arak had to carry you. You better have been joking, Faith.”

Shit, he'd used her name; Bale was really angry. “For a couple of days I was feeling really strong. He had threatened my sister—my
still-human
sister. And I didn't think I could depend on you, Bale.”

Bale made a disturbing sound of anger mixed with frustration as he turned from her, ripping his hand through his hair.

“See, Bale, I told you females were nothing but trouble. You should have listened to me.”

Baldy was grinning like an ass.

Faith glared at him, her gaze sweeping over his large frame. Only a black leather vest covered his broad, tattoo-ridden chest, partially concealing the silver rings protruding from his nipples. “This coming from a male who dresses like one of the Village People.” Her eyes traveled to the Cowboy. “Really, people, the seventies are over.”

As she rolled her eyes and leaned back into the couch, Arak burst into a fit of laughter, with Kash snickering behind them. “God, Bale, I already love her.” Arak threw his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him.

Faith smiled at him. “Back at ya.”

“Shut the hell up, Arak.” Faith glanced at Bale. He was looking at her again, the finger pointing back at her. “Don't think insulting my brothers is going to get you out of this.” Bale's gaze then slid to Cowboy. “But seriously, Jet, she does have a point.”

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Madelyn Ford

The cowboy, apparently named Jet, rubbed his eye with his middle finger, aiming the action directly at Bale. Then he turned his narrowed gaze on Arak. “Yeah, yeah. Very funny, asshole. At least I can afford a whole pair of jeans.”

Arak glanced down at the two big holes his knees protruded from; then he looked up, grinning. “Wait until you see the back. It shows off my ass nicely.”

He jumped to his feet, and Faith tried to stifle a laugh. The back of Arak's jeans had a hole the size of Rhode Island where one pocket should have been. Thankfully he was wearing a pair of black silk boxers, or Faith would have gotten an eyeful.

Hope leaned over the back of the couch toward Faith's ear. “And it's a mighty fine ass.”

Arak turned and grinned at her. “Why, thank you.”

Faith watched her sister nod, her gaze fixed on Arak's butt. Baldy, who Faith would learn was named Zeke, leaned across her, his eyes focused intently on Hope.

“Sweet pea, you can see my ass anytime you like.”

Hope glared at him. “When hell freezes.” She backed away from the couch, returning to her spot next to Kash, and Arak sat back down.

“As amusing as all this is, can we resume our meeting now?” Remy asked with a hint of sarcasm.

“Don't think I'll forget. You and I will finish this later,” Bale promised Faith as he slumped into a vacant chair, his eyes lingering over the arm Arak had draped around her shoulders.

Faith gave a snort and folded her arms in front of her. She hadn't exactly expected her attempt at diversion to work, but she had hoped.

“As everyone is aware, there is a traitor among the Grigori. Bale's second attack only serves to remind us that extreme caution is needed and expected. No one can afford to lower his diligence. And no one is to patrol alone. We do not know where Raym is, and Penny managed to shake Levi last night.” Remy paused, glancing around the room at every male. “Kash will remain here, manning the gates. He will also be responsible for the phones, so if anyone needs a pickup, it will be up to Kash to either pull a pair from the streets or go himself. Levi and I will stay north, while Jet and Arak will take the south. Bale, Zeke will be with you. I assume you want the downtown area.” Remy's gaze traveled over Faith before returning to Bale. “What are your exact plans?”

“I'll be at Club Dominus until around four.” Bale arched a brow at Faith. When she nodded, he continued. “Then I need to take Faith to get some of her things.”

He watched her as if he waited for her to contradict him, and after her teasing earlier about where she was going to reside, he probably did expect her to gainsay him. But Faith wisely kept her mouth shut. The truth was, she didn't want to be anywhere without Bale, especially after discovering the same Rabisu demon had attacked them both. And she figured the longer she could get Hope to remain, the safer her twin would be.

“Am I the only one still concerned that her blade was used on Bale?”

Faith narrowed her eyes at Cowboy. She couldn't think of him any other way. The hat and fringe were way too distracting.

“Yeah.” Bale leaned back in his seat, his gaze doing a leisurely sweep over her.

Cowboy snorted in disgust. “You need to think with your other head.”

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Faith's jaw dropped; she was overcome with indignation. What the hell had she ever done to this asshole? But Bale only laughed.

“Afraid to disappoint you, brother, but at the moment I am. Did you actually see Faith stick that blade in me? Because I
did
see a demon. So the real question is, why was her knife used?

Was it an attempt to divert our attention? If so, that means someone who knew of your power also knew Remy would request you to replace Caym.”

“Which would make Penny innocent,” Remy stated. “She couldn't have possibly known Jet would be the one I'd call in.”

“But points the finger at Raym,” Arak added. “Before Jet was transferred to Texas, they were both here for several decades. Raym would remember how close we all were.”

“And someone wants Faith left unprotected.” Zeke's quiet statement sent a ripple of tension through the room. All eyes turned to him, some in surprise. But apparently Bale had already come to the same conclusion.

“Exactly.” Bale's gaze never left hers. “The question is why? Is it just because Faith is my mate and someone wants to hurt me? Or is there another reason?”

As if sensing her discomfort, Bale reached a hand toward her. Faith didn't resist when he pulled her off the couch and settled her in his lap, tightly encased in his arms. With a sigh, she leaned back against him, letting the feel of his body comfort her.

Looking across the room at her sister, Faith contemplated just what her actions meant for her sister's welfare. Had she put her twin in danger when she'd gotten involved with Bale? “What about Hope?”

“Until we know why you have been targeted, I can't answer that.” Bale stroked the back of her neck gently, and his touch helped to still some of the fear his words generated.

“Hope, I should have made you return to Dad's when the Rabisu demon attacked me, but I had hoped it was a fluke. You really should do so now.”

Hope smirked at her. “Not happening. And why would anyone come after
me?
I'm nothing to any of you.”

Kash shook his head. “You are the sister of Bale's mate. That makes you family. Not only to Bale but to all of us. Raym would understand that.” Kash turned his attention from Hope to Bale and Faith. “Hope can remain here with me. And if it would help, we could spend an hour or so tonight getting some things for them both from the condo.”

“I can't just stay here all night. I have work.” Hope's protests seemed to fall on deaf ears.

“And where would she sleep?” Zeke asked. The question was asked in a neutral enough tone, but the intense look he cast at Kash made Faith wonder if something was going on that she was unaware of.

Kash shrugged. “Do you have a preference?” He seemed amused by Zeke's question and flung an arm around Hope's shoulders.

Flashing him a frown, Hope pushed Kash's arm from her, then glared at Zeke. “Excuse me, but I really don't think that is any of your business. Anyway, I'm not staying here. I have a life, a boyfriend. I'm sure he wouldn't mind my staying with him.”

“And put his pitiful human ass in danger?”

Zeke's snide, taunting tone made it obvious he thought little of Hope's boyfriend, and Faith watched in fascination as her usually vocal sister stammered and turned red with anger.

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Hope's mouth opened and closed; then her eyes narrowed at Zeke. “You needn't worry yourself about his ass. He has no complaints about how I take care of it.”

Zeke snorted in disbelief. “Only because he doesn't have a clue what to do with you.”

“Oh, and you do?”

“Sweet pea, I would rock your world.”

Hope gave a humorless laugh. “In your dreams, biker boy. First off, no male is that good.

And secondly, you just don't do it for me.”

Zeke's gaze traveled over her; then a slow grin took over his face. “Keep telling yourself that, sweetness.”

“You arrogant prick.”

Zeke eagerly watched Hope take a few impulsive steps toward him, but before she had gotten an arm's length away from Kash, the other male grabbed her wrist.

Faith glanced at Bale, wondering just what the hell was going on. Was her sister even safe here at the abbey? He resumed the soothing strokes on her neck, gently pulling her closer to him.

His lips brushed against her ear, and he placed a soft kiss there before whispering, “I'll talk to him.”

His attention riveted back to Hope, Zeke, and Kash. “You have two choices, dear sister.

You can stay here where we can protect you, or you can be escorted back to your father's nest.

From there it would be up to him to see to your safety.”

Hope blanched as her pleading gaze turned to Faith. The twins knew there really was no choice. If their father learned all that had occurred in the last couple of weeks and all they had kept from him, there would be hell to pay for them both. And once he got Hope under his roof, she would have a hard time getting back out. Faith's only salvation was that her father would not interfere with another male's claim on her, at least not a mating claim.

Hope sighed, knowing she had lost this battle. “Just keep him away from me.” She pointed an accusing finger at Zeke.

“The feeling's mutual, sweet pea,” Zeke drawled as he dragged his gaze over Hope one last time before turning to Bale. “When you are ready, I'll be waiting by the car.”

Faith's eyes narrowed at Hope, watching her sister frown as her gaze trailed Zeke's exit.

The males in the room had already turned their attention to how to track down Raym, but Faith studied her twin. Hope remained next to Kash, her eyes now fixed on the floor as she chewed on her thumbnail. There was quite obviously something going on between her and Zeke. Faith only hoped her twin's attention had moved on before her Transfiguration. The last thing her flighty sister needed was to be physically tied to Zeke the way Faith was tied to Bale. There was no room for boredom or moving on once mated.