You Complete Me (6 page)

“I’m sure. You’re struggling with duty to the cause and your love for the vampire. Follow your gut and your heart. You won’t regret it.”

“I’m glad you can be so sure.” She followed Kynan deeper into the house. Wouldn’t old Ben love to see the new world? He’d no doubt slaughter everyone. Other Supers gathered in a large living room space. In the largest Hunter gatherings, she’d never felt so small. With the Supers, she felt invisible. She wanted to be beside Hagan, but she refused to put herself between him and Ava.

Come here.
Hagan met her gaze. He nodded slightly.
Talk to me
.

I can’t.
At least she had one thing to connect her to Hagan…one thing Ava couldn’t take away.

No? You just did.
He waggled his fingers enough for her to see the gesture.

I don’t do well with abandonment.
She sounded so needy. Crap. Did love make people so goofy? She hoped not. Her past unfortunately was coming back to haunt her. First, left by her parents by death and then left by her first husband because she’d gone through the Hunter training. She couldn’t bear to lose someone else she loved. Yeah, she’d started to love Hagan.

Who is abandoning who? I told you I’m yours. This link isn’t a joke. You’ve got to trust me. I’m not that jerk you married. I care about you more than you understand.

It’s hard.

It goes against everything you know, but I promise you, on my life, I won’t do anything to hurt you.

She ducked behind Kynan and eased up beside Hagan. When he held her hand, her worry subsided. He wasn’t the jerk she’d married; he was a decent guy who cared about her.

“Well, you’re here.” Kynan clapped his hands. “Tell us, Hunter and Hagan, what you know.”

“Not much.” Hagan let go of her hand and draped his arm around Emily’s shoulders. “Maslow drugged me. Ava and I got away. Looks like she ended up here. I found my way to Emily. Maslow is running the Hunters. He’s turned them into cold blooded killers in order to bring his fucked up prophecy to life.”

He’d been choppy in his delivery, but he’d been honest. Emily slipped her hand into his back pocket.

“Is this true?” Kynan sat on the arm of the couch next to another brunette. “Maslow did indeed infiltrate the organization?”

Emily found her gumption. She had a job to do, even if she might be the last true Hunter left. “Maslow came on like a Messiah. Most of the Hunters believe him. I can’t say how many don’t, but he is charismatic. His plan is to kill all Supers. Why? I’m not sure. If he can see them, then he has Super in his bloodline. If he can’t see them and is relying on those who can, then he’s creating chaos and playing a lot of people for fools.”

“Then that’s his play.” Kynan stood. “He wants to be adored. He wanted to be God and have his own utopia.”

“Exactly.”

“Sounds familiar,” Emily muttered. What Kynan had said was exactly what Maslow was accusing Kynan of doing.

“He’s blaming me for the chaos, isn’t he? He’s convinced I want to kill the humans, right?”

“Yes.” Hagan nodded.

“Then we draw him out. We’ll make a big spectacle where I give myself up and hand my friends over to him.” Kynan pointed to another couple, who stood and left the room. Emily didn’t know who they were, but apparently, they trusted the vampire.

“We’ll make him think he’s winning. All of us are at full power,” the brunette said. “We need to fool the old bastard.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Lexa. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Emily nudged Hagan. She hadn’t reached full power. She wasn’t even sure Hunters could reach full power—whatever it was. She’d never been taught the ways of the Seers—just the Hunters.

What’s full power?

I’m not sure. I’ve never heard of it,
Hagan replied.

Then we’re the risky part of this plan.

We need to trust Kynan. He knows what he’s doing
.

“Were you followed?” Lexa asked.

“We hope not.” Hagan hugged Emily tighter.

“I can’t say for certain. The Hunters check on each other. My partner, Ben’s always monitoring me. He might not know, but then again, he could know everything.” Her stomach soured. Now that she knew more about Ben, she didn’t trust him.

“Partner?” Ava asked. “Hagan’s not your partner?”

“As far as anyone knows, I’m not with Emily,” Hagan said. “I don’t exist.”

“Hagan.” Ava gave him a patronizing look and her bottom lip jutted out. “That’s awful.”

“Enough. It’s for the best. If I don’t exist, then she’s not at risk.” Hagan kissed the side of Emily’s head. The move should’ve reassured her, but the gesture felt more like a show than a show of gratitude.

Ava opened her mouth to say something, but Lexa stepped between Ava and Hagan. “Then we’ll need you both to stay here. We can’t keep throwing the word risk around. Creighton and Vanessa are on the computers, no doubt getting the word out via the internet. Ava, I want you to take Joachim and Paddy to the bunker. Stock the shelves with enough items to last a month. Ky, go help Creighton. I’m sure you’ll want to know what’s going on and you’ll want to get Hagan up to speed. I’ll show Emily upstairs.”

“You bet.” Kynan touched Lexa’s cheek. “This is why we work so well together. Love you.” He winked, then ushered Ava and two other men out of the room.

Lexa sighed as Hagan and Kynan left the room. “The Hunters are a good organization. We need them for balance. Not all of them are corrupted. Someone should stand up to the rotten eggs and ensure the rest of us are safe. I refuse to believe everyone in the Hunters’ organization and I think all of us working together is the best thing we can do. I trust you because you’d be crazy to come here knowing any one of us can destroy you. I see the light in your soul. I’m not afraid you’ll hurt us—but I can’t speak for everyone.”

Emily balled her hands. She knew exactly what Lexa meant. Lexa was probably her only friend in the house, save for Hagan. Hunters weren’t trustworthy lately and because of her association with the group, she was guilty. She also understood the gravity of the situation. They’d die if she messed up. The other Hunters didn’t need to know she’d switched sides. Not a bit. She didn’t know the other Supers in the house, but for the first time since her husband left her, she felt at home. No way would she give up the thing she wanted most—Hagan.

“Well?” Lexa tipped her head. “This is a hard decision. We’re asking you to give up everything you know for people you aren’t sure you can trust. We’re a screwed up bunch, but we’re loyal. We’ve got your back, if you’ve got ours.”

“Understood. This is where I belong.”

Hagan kept up with Kynan down the hallway of the mansion. He knew the place was big, but when they turned the corner, he realized the house was more like a maze. He wasn’t sure where he was in the building.

A hand grabbed him, yanking him into one of the rooms. Ava plastered herself against the door and put one finger to her lips.

Hagan rubbed his forehead. He’d finally made it to the Laing mansion and Ava wanted to cause him issues. Wonderful. “What’s up?”

“She’s pretty.” Ava folded her arms.

“Thanks.” He glanced over her shoulder at the door. “I should be with Kynan and the others.”

“She’s angry.”

Good Goddess… Why did Ava want to discuss this right now? “Wouldn’t you be angry if your life was turned upside down?”

“I was upset. I’m not now.” She unfolded her arms and flicked a lock of her hair over her shoulder.

He shouldn’t enter into a pissing contest with her, but the desire was too strong to resist. “I see you’ve got not one but two mates. Nice. You always wanted more than most people.”

“The Sources dictated I needed two. They said I was wounded and needed the extra care.”

He would’ve snorted, but what was the point? She always did get what she wanted. She’d conned him into helping her only to ditch him when he became unnecessary baggage. “I worried about you.”

“I worried about you, too.”

He knew this moment would come and expected her to want to argue. Fine. He’d argue. “Oh? You never came back.”

“Because it wasn’t safe.”

“That’s true.” He turned his back on her and admired a painting of a forest and ducks. “Because I was so safe crisping in the sunshine. I wanted to help you, but the moment I lost my importance to you was the moment I became nothing.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

His frustration boiled over. “You were so sorry you found a life and moved on with two mates. Did you even think about me?”

“It wasn’t like that.” She wrapped her arms around one of his. “I promise. I wasn’t planning to find them. They found me.”

He sighed. “Ava, we were a pair. We had each other’s back. I turned away from you long enough for you to escape. I thought you’d return for me. Instead, you totally blew me off—like you have every other time—in order to save your skin. You take what you want and good old Hagan cleans up the mess. What’s worse? I did clean it up. I helped you out…again.”

“It wasn’t supposed to be that way.” She thumped his bicep. “Come on. You have to believe me.”

“No, I don’t. How many times did you tell me you’d be right back, but you were gone for hours? You’d take off on me for another man, then when he dumped you or whatever, you’d come running back to me. You were supposed to be my girl. I’m not sure what you are to me any longer.”

“I belong to Joachim and Padraig.”

“I gathered that.”

“I’m sorry. I made a mistake. A massive mistake. I thought about you so much, but I wasn’t sure what to do.” She paused. “Is she good to you?”

“Emily is, yes.”

“She’s a Hunter.”

“Someone mentioned that to me along the way.”

“I deserve your bitterness, but you can stop at any time.”

“I could stop, but I don’t want to.” He paused long enough to think through what he wanted to say. He could tell her to piss off, but what good would it do? He couldn’t change the past or force Ava to get along with Emily. “Look, you moved on with your …mates. I understand now. I was never enough and I accept that. We can be friends, but you have to accept Emily is with me just as much as I have to come to grips with you having two other men.”

“You’ve grown up.”

“My plan was always to keep you safe. They’ve got that job now.”

“Seems like the Hunter likes to protect you. She’s quite a force. Do you enjoy having her in control?”

“We have shared control. We trust each other.” He shook his head. “I don’t want to argue with you. Our lives went on in different directions. Let’s leave it at that.”

She sat down on the couch and folded her arms again. “I’m sorry. I do understand how you felt.” Her voice dropped to a whisper again. “A couple of days ago, I thought I’d lost Joachim and Padraig for good. Both shot. I couldn’t leave their sides. My heart ached and my soul cried. If you can find that with the Hunter, then don’t hesitate. She might not return your love, but you’ll know you gave it your best shot.”

“Trust me, I know.”

The door opened and Kynan strode into the room. “Are you done grilling him?”

“I am.” Ava bowed her head and stood, then ducked out of the room.

Kynan wiped his hand over his mouth. When she left the space, he sighed. “I know she’s your friend and I do like her, but she’s young.”

“I know, sir.”

“Sir? Gah. I’m the leader of the group, but I’m not your sir.” He waggled his finger in the air. “I had the Jeep moved. We’re being scrutinized. I want the people watching us to think you two were absorbed into the group and we took the vehicle to hide it.”

“Good thinking.”

“It’s also nearing morning. I’m guessing you and the Hunter are getting tired. I’ll show you to your room upstairs.” He waved his hand. “It’s just up this back corridor.”

“I have a question, if you’ve got a moment.”

“I do.”

“What did you mean by full power?”

“Have you been taught in the ways of the Supers?”

“A little, but not enough.”

“Being at full power means you’ve found and taken your mate.”

“But how do you know? I’ve been to see the Sources. All I got was a bunch of riddles saying I’d find my Pasha while on my journey. No names, no specifics. I’m not sure if this is my journey—although I’m pretty sure it is—or if she’s my mate.”

“Have you heard the voice?” Kynan tipped his head to the side. “If you’ve heard it, you’ll know.”

“The one sounding like a lady?” Hagan wobbled on his feet. “I made love with Emily. She let me feed from her during sex. That’s too much information for you, I’m sure, but that’s what happened. I heard a lady speak in my head and it wasn’t Emily talking.”

“Not too much information.” Kynan ran his fingers through his hair. “If you’ve heard the voice of the Goddess—the lady you’re talking about—then she’s pre-anointed the coupling. Whoever you were with when she spoke, then that’s your mate.”

“Emily.”

“Sounds like.” Kynan smiled and clapped Hagan on the shoulder. He steered Hagan out of the room and into the hallway. “Once you two agree to be mates—she can disagree, but I don’t see that happening because she’d be the one who has to kill you when you go berserk from being without your mate—she must ask to be yours. You’re the fuller blooded Super because you’re a vampire. When she says ‘take me as your mate’, you’ll make love and bite her, marking her. You’ll request a blessing from the Goddess and if all is according to plan, she’ll bless the pairing. Don’t worry about trying to remember what to say. The words just come. If all that happens, then you’ll sleep and charge your energy. For your full power, you’ll be faster, stronger, your senses keener and you won’t be bound by the darkness. She’ll have the fullest grasp of her Seer powers as well as sharper reflexes per her Hunter training. Basically, together at full power, you and Emily will be unstoppable.”

“Wow.” Hagan wobbled before he regained his footing. His brain worked overtime. Kynan, Creighton and their mates weren’t bound by the darkness. Only the younger vampires were constrained still by the light of day. “So you’re…full power?”

“Yes. Once you find your Pasha, everything tends to go rather quickly.”

“I had no idea.”

“Now you do.”

Hagan massaged his temples and followed Kynan. “We should do the ritual and stop being liabilities.” He paused. Crap. He hadn’t meant to say that aloud. His cheeks burned along with the tips of his ears.

“What you’re going to do is up to you, but you’re not a liability. I can’t and won’t make you do anything you’re not ready to do.”

Hagan shook his head. Everything told to him about Kynan and the others was wrong. They weren’t the enemy. No, they were really trying to save the Supers. He’d been foolish enough to believe Maslow’s lies. “Maslow is so full of shit. You’re nothing like he believes.”

“I want to save people. Supers can be dangerous, sure, but we’re not a threat to the humans.” Kynan clapped Hagan on the shoulder again. He opened one of the doors and nudged Hagan into the room. “This is your suite of rooms. You’ve been given a lot to digest. Why don’t you and the Hunter get some rest. We’ve got time to form the full plan.”

“Thank you.”

“By the way,” Kynan said as he stood in the doorway. “I know what it feels like to have to wait for what you want. Twelve years I waited for Lexa. It’s tough, but worth the hassle.”

“Thanks.” At least someone understood him.

“Hey.” Emily appeared in the doorway. “Am I interrupting something?”

“Not at all. You’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like. In the evening, I’d prefer to strategize with you both. Sound fair?” Kynan stepped out of her way.

“More than fair,” Emily replied. “We’re in your debt.”

“As long as we’re all together when the war is over, I’ll be happy. I’ll leave you two alone.” Kynan nodded once, and then disappeared down the hallway.

Emily closed the door, but didn’t look at Hagan. “They think I’m a threat.”

“It’s understandable. They aren’t sure how to take me, either—well, except Kynan. He seems to think there’s good in us.” Hagan stood and crossed the room to where she leaned against the door. He tugged her into his arms. “We belong here. We’ll do the greatest good with these Supers. Trust me.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Hagan petted her hair. He hoped he was right, too.

****

Twelve hours later, Emily sat with Hagan in the main living room of the mansion. She’d never seen such opulence in her life. Everything reminded her of an old black-and-white movie. She half expected to see Cary Grant or Clark Gable stroll into the room. She marveled at the amount of crystal. Back in the day, the furnishings alone must’ve cost a fortune. She balled her fists, not sure what to do with her hands.

“We’re good,” Hagan whispered.

His voice in her ear gave her shivers. She snuggled a little tighter to his side and relaxed a bit when he placed his hand on her thigh. Such a simple gesture, touching her, but she liked the way she felt protected.

“The only way we’re going to stop this whole mess is for us to work together.” Kynan stood in front of the darkened fireplace. “Emily, I want you to go home with Hagan. He’s going to be your captive. He knows something about your family and it’s too high a price to kill him. Greer, Ricky and Paul will be in the shadows as protection. I don’t want to chance you two being attacked and not having back-up.”

“I agree. They’re stealthy.” Hagan gripped her thigh tighter.
I won’t let anyone hurt you, Emily.

I know.
She leaned into his shoulder. What the group wanted her to do was risky. Hell, she could lose her life just by showing up at her own damn house with a Super. She glanced over at Hagan. He was worth the trouble. Very much worth the trouble.

“I’m only surrendering to Maslow himself.” Kynan folded his arms. “I can’t risk any of you and not make the ultimate sacrifice.”

Lexa closed her eyes and bowed her head. Emily understood her pain. Ky accepted his fate and forced Lex to accept hers as well. They couldn’t change the future, but they could give Maslow one hell of a fight.

“Emily, I want you to take us to Maslow. You’re going to tell your partner that you’ve caught Hagan and I’m coming to rescue him. You’ve got to help your partner for this to feel authentic. Understood?” Kynan sat on the arm of the other couch, next to Lexa and stroked her hair. “I need someone on the inside to have my back.”

“I’ve got your back.” She summoned courage she didn’t think she had. “All the way.”

Lexa sighed. “At Maslow’s complex, we can determine if Maslow is indeed a Super. Between the mate links and electronic listening devices, we’ll be able to keep track of each other. Vanessa and I will be in charge of command central.”

“When we get into the compound, I’ll take Emily as my prisoner. I’ll only let her go when I can speak to Maslow.” Kynan glanced around the room, his attention settling on Emily. “I need to know the lay of the land, the number of troops to know if we’re outnumbered. If the strike isn’t feasible, nothing will work. I can get an idea of how the other prisoners are feeling—if there are any—in the jails. If we’ve got sympathizers, then we’re better off. The more to strike.”

“It’s risky,” Emily said. “But Maslow won’t see it coming. He’s got tunnel vision. Kill, kill, kill. We’ll have to make it work.”

“Then our trust is in you.” Kynan nodded once. “Get whatever equipment you need from Lex and Vanessa. We move at dusk.”

While the others filed out of the room, Emily tugged Hagan aside. They needed to smooth a few things out. She pulled him into an alcove and pinned him against the wall.