Moon Tortured (Sky Brooks Series Book 1) (41 page)

Once Steven left, Ethan opened the jar and turned his nose at the pungent odor. “Are you sure you want this stuff on you?”

“Does it work?”

He shrugged. “I’ve never been bruised to the point I needed it. And if I were, I doubt I would care,” he stated.

“Look at me. I am willing to try anything,” I admitted, taking another whiff of the cream and frowning.

I pulled away when he started to lift my shirt. “I can do it,” I informed him taking the jar from his hand.

He snatched it back, “What about the bruises on your back.” He nudged me around and I pulled up my shirt. “Do you feel better now that you have been Winter’s whipping girl for the past week or so,” he asked.

“How many fights have you had in your life?”

“I have no idea.”

“Technically I haven’t had any. I have been pounced on by Gabriella and Michaela and I killed a human because of my unfair advantage. I’ve been brought into a world that I eagerly await to leave, but until then I don’t like being the victim. When trouble finds me, should I wait around for my knights in furry armor to swoop in and save me?” I asked taking the ointment from him and applying it to my face.

“I swoop?”

“Yeah, but it involves a lot of growling, snarling and making your trademark angry face. And I must not forget the eyes, the scariest thing of all.” I tried to grin, but my face hurt too much to make more of an effort.

He took a seat and I wondered what about me gave him the impression I wanted company. Staring at me for a long moment, he eventually averted his eyes. “You look terrible.”

“Apparently that’s the general consensus,” I stated, taking a quick look in the mirror. I slathered the cream on so thick that it looked pasty on my skin. I took several aspirins out and swallowed them without water.

“You know what drives Winter to be as good as she is?” he asked.

Pure unadulterated bitchiness and a little bit of crazy.

“She’s a lesser species and a very attractive woman. She thinks that everyone underestimates her because of it. It really pisses her off.”

“Well, do you?” I asked earnestly.

“I’ve known Winter for a very long time; I knew what she was capable of then, and I have seen what she is capable of now. Only a fool would underestimate her. There are very few fools in this pack, but quite a few exist in the world. Those who do underestimate her, do so at their peril,” he stated.

“What drives you to be the way you are?”

Raising his brow, “Do I interest you?” he asked smugly.

“Among other things, I find the were-animals quite interesting. Yes, it interests me that you maintain your position among a group where being the most dominate matters. What drives you to do this?”

“I am not challenged often because I make it known that the challenge for my position is to the death. Most are not willing to wager their life that they will beat me,” he admitted self-assuredly.

I smiled, although I didn’t find anything amusing about this new discovery. “Like in a game of poker where you raise the ante enough to force the challenger to fold,” I stated.

“That analogy implies that I am not playing with a winning hand, and that I buy myself out of the situation with the threat of potential death. I am in my position because I earned it, not because I bluffed my way into it,” he stated firmly. “If the penalty was just an ass kicking, then I would be challenged constantly. Every young member who has something to prove would challenge me. Frankly, I would get bored. There isn’t much pleasure in fighting someone whose skills are markedly inferior to yours.”

“Winter seems to find immense pleasure in fighting me," I pointed out.

“She thinks you are weak. She finds pleasure in fighting you because she doesn’t like you. A weak ‘greater species’ irks the hell out of her. It’s a testament to her control that she hasn’t tried to kill you,” he admitted.

That was control Winter was exhibiting when training with me? I didn’t want to see an out-of-control Winter.

“Do you think Winter will ever challenge you?” I asked.

“Yes,” he stated decisively. “And when she does, the stakes will still remain the same.”

“You’ve known her since she was a child?” I asked finding the concept unsettling.

“I didn’t say it would be easy,” he stated, coming to his feet. “The same will be true of Steven, who I know will eventually challenge me as well,” he admitted in a relaxed tone before he walked out of the room. At that point, I was at a loss to know how to react to him. It was for that very reason I could never be totally at ease with Ethan. Violence and murder didn’t seem to bother him. And whether you were a lover or a childhood acquaintance, if necessary, your life could be claimed at any point.

No longer bruised and battered, I continued to train with Winter. And she continued to live up to her badge of honor as queen bitch. Either I had become significantly better over the past days or she did make an effort not to leave me looking as though I were a victim of an automobile crash. I liked to believe that her level of disdain was dwindling. But the marked look of contempt and pleasure every time I crashed to the ground was a rude reality check that I would never find favor with her.

CHAPTER 13

Josh rested on the sofa, dark shadows formed around his eyes. His five-o’clock shadow had grown to a light beard. He still pulled off that chaotic sexiness without a quiver. It looked as though he hadn’t rested much in the two weeks he was gone. He sat up and smiled when he heard me walk in the room.

“Long nights?” I asked.

He nodded slowly as he leaned back against the sofa. Closing his eyes, he rested his arm over them to block out the light.

“It’s been done,” he stated in a sluggish voice, responding to Ethan’s approaching footsteps. “London believed she disenchanted it but there is really no way of knowing, except to see the gem in action. She wanted me to let you know that this clears her of all debts and we are never to ask her for assistance again. It was pretty bad. She’s a tough girl and a great teacher. Far more knowledgeable than even the level ones I know. Next time something needs to be disenchanted then I will do it.” He moved his arm to look at Ethan whose face shifted to a scowl at the very idea of it.

“I called Claudia; she’s expecting us at two,” Ethan informed Josh, who straightened up in the sofa at the mention of this woman.

“You are always one step ahead of me,” Josh stated with a smile. “Skylar, you’re coming with us,” he informed me, stretching.

Yay, field trip.
I didn’t need another one. Each time I went on one, someone either tried to kill me, scare me, or take a bite out of me.

At one that afternoon, I fidgeted with my sweater while I waited for Ethan outside the retreat, standing next to Josh. It was an unseasonably warm fall day. On days like this, I would ordinarily go for a hike or even a leisurely jog through the nearest trail, appreciating the gentle tones of bronze, orange and deep reds as the leaves fluttered to the ground when a strong breeze hit. It seemed like a lifetime since I enjoyed such things and perhaps another lifetime before I could do it again.

Ethan pulled up in a monstrosity of a vehicle, a dark green Hummer. They stopped making them years ago, yet he somehow acquired one. Every time I had seen one in the past, I always wondered what type of person needed such a vehicle in the city. Now I had my answer.

“Nice ride. I bet you it’s great on gas and a reasonable choice for navigating through the jungles of the interstate and war-torn suburban neighborhoods,” I said, climbing into the passenger side.

He cast a look of aggravation in my direction. We drove in silence most of the time while Josh lay down in the back. Ethan periodically looked back at him, obviously concerned. Josh wasn’t looking well these days. When he opened his eyes and caught Ethan looking, he gave him a sideways grin. “Just like college. All night partying and class in the morning,” he responded lightly.

“Yeah, but I was ashamed of your behavior then, but not so much now,” he stated returning the same grin.

Would it hurt him to just tell his brother he was proud of him? He should have been because Josh was working his magical ass off and not one time did he complain.

Fifty minutes later, we stopped in front of a large brick building just off the city’s main street. We walked into a palatial art gallery; track lights illuminated the exquisite modern and abstract art that covered the textured white walls. The floors, a bittersweet color made of crackled cement, added to the eclectic decorum. Unique sofas and uniquely styled benches were placed throughout the gallery. I wasn’t sure if they were for lounging or part of the celebrated art.

The gallery showcased some of the beloved and most sought-after artists that Chicago had to offer. The inimitable flare of creativity pulsed through the large room. I could stay here the rest of the day surrounded by the artists’ interpretations of beauty and creativity if only to appreciate the sculptures placed throughout the vast gallery.

I had finally caught up with them when I found myself drawn to an intriguing picture. It was a portrait of two boys. The smaller of the two lay on the bed; his eyes were closed. His pale brown hair in disarray, his face relaxed into a tranquil canvas as he slumbered. The older, knelt close to him. Flickers of gold in his ash-brown hair complemented his deep-blue eyes that seemed too intense and tempered for someone of his age. His posturing was warm and protective as he crouched closely to the sleeping boy. The picture was untitled and the artist unknown. I stared at it until Josh’s hand slipped behind my back and urged me forward.

Stepping further into the gallery, we were greeted with an earnest smile from a slender woman in her mid-50s. Her delicate, dusk brown waves were pulled back into a bun. She was the epitome of regality and sophistication in her dark blue business suit completed with a pair of dark blue satin gloves that contrasted beautifully against her alabaster skin. It was the most peculiar style, yet, on her, it didn’t seem out of place.

“Ethan, Josh,” she greeted sweetly as her eyes lit up. Her voice had a hint of an accent but I couldn’t quite place it. British? Australian?

“It’s South African, dear,” she responded, smiling. Her voice was a pleasant sound as she kept her focus on Ethan and Josh.

“It’s such a pleasure to see you two,” she continued. She leaned in and kissed the air on each side of their cheeks. Placing her hands in theirs and holding them firmly, she said, “It’s been far too long. How have you been?”

“Please accept my apology. I’ve been very busy,” Ethan said regretfully. Josh chimed in as well, offering his apologies. As they humbled themselves in her presence, displaying undeniable reverence, I wondered who she was to evoke such behavior. Josh was generally cordial and polite with everyone but Ethan made it painfully apparent that he wasn’t a “people person.”

“We will make a better effort in the future,” Josh promised.

“No worries. I see why you’ve been so busy. She’s absolutely lovely. Whose is she?” she asked softly, directing her attention to me.

You have to be kidding me! ‘
Whose is she’?
I wasn’t a feminist by any stretch of the word, but that offended whatever sensibilities I did possess. I stared at her, waiting for the inevitable punch line that never came.

“She is lovely,” Ethan responded as his eyes met mine briefly, “but she is neither of ours. She is the pack’s responsibility, and we need your help.”

The smile quickly vanished from Claudia’s face as she looked at Ethan then Josh. He nodded his head once. Her head bowed as if she were given disturbing news. She looked uneasy as she walked toward me. She slowly removed her gloves. With a faint smile on her face, she took my hand into hers.

“Relax dear,” she urged as her eyes held mine before they phased into a distant gaze. Time stood still as her reaction evolved from emotionless, to complete sorrow, terror, and eventually settled on something in between. She dropped my hand suddenly. The level of grief that wafted from her made me shudder. Her hand gently touched my cheek before a tear ran down her face. “I’m sorry, dear.”