Chapter 8

“I don’t like it.” Leone growled, his face inches from Victor’s.

I didn’t know the eldest brother well, but I recognized shock on his face. I’d witnessed enough interactions to know that when he spoke, the others listened without argument. “It’s the only way in.” He motioned to the window of graffiti covered boards. “There are too many variables to rushing in the front door.”

I stood near the back of the crowd. We were standing inside the abandoned storefront across from the condemned building Davis and his bunch of morons stayed at. Where I had stayed. All the brothers, eight guards and us four women stood there waiting for this disagreement to play out. The difference of opinion was about whether I was walking in the front door and working my way to second floor to open a window, so they could gain access. No one had asked my thoughts on the matter. At this point, I just wanted to do something. It was starting to get dark and standing here wasn’t going to get it done.

I looked at my phone, checking the battery. Alona and Daxx had installed some app that would let any here listen to what I was saying. The plan—that Leone wasn’t liking, involved him and a few others coming in from the second floor after I opened the window. Clairee and two other witches were on the roof—they could cloak and protect any innocents nearby. I needed to learn more about their magic. As plans went, I thought it was solid.

A few more brothers decided to get in on the discussion. I glance to Daxx standing beside me, she rolled her eyes. Sighing, I hopped down off the crates we stood on, to make seeing over the giants was easier, and pushed my way through the bodies to get to where the action was.

When I reached them, I touched Michael’s arm, he looked down at me then stepped out of the way.

“Tick tock.” Chase murmured when I moved by him.

I nodded and pushed between Victor and Leone. “Leone.”

He looked down at me, his face may as well have been sculpted in stone, he wasn’t in the mood to negotiate.

“I have to go in. Maybe I can get numbers for you—give you an idea of what you’re up against.”

Leone shook his head.

Placing my hand on his chest I gave him a pleading look. “Let me do this. I’ll go up, open the window and then stay out of the way.” It was the least I could do. I could never make up for what I did to him, but I could help others from being harmed.

The nerve in his jaw twitched as he considered what I said. “You don’t use your magic.” He gave me a hard look. “If you collapse again, anything could happen before I get to you.”

I nodded quickly. “Okay.” I bit my lip, “unless it’s to save my ass…”

Grabbing my arm, he held it up. “Then you use this.”

I looked at the device and nodded. “I will.” When he released my arm, I turned to leave. He grasped my elbow and guided me to a corner by the door.

Turning me to face him, he leaned down and lightly held my chin. His eyes held mine. “When this is done,” he was close enough I could feel his breath on my mouth, “we have to talk.”

I stood there. That hadn’t been what I’d expected to hear. I nodded. I’d known, sooner or later, he would be taking me to a cell. I hoped though, that maybe one of his brothers could, and not him. “Be careful.” I whispered and then pushed past him into the alley at the side of the building.

I pulled out my phone and took the app off mute, clicked to turn off the speaker and tucked it in my pocket again. I looked at the door wondering if Leone was on the other side. I shook my head. As things went in my life, this situation with him would be the usual. Complicated. Wrong. Hopeless. “Here we go,” I said for the ears listening through my phone.

I was halfway across when I saw Leone and the kings running to the building. The fire escape was broken in many places, but Leone swung up, climbing like it was no challenge at all. His brothers weren’t far behind him. Jolting back to focus, I looked at the door in front of me.

I crossed quickly and opened it, before I could change my mind. Closing it behind me, I turned and checked to see if anyone was lurking in the hall. “Third door on the left is the kitchen.” I said softly. “All of the rooms on the right are where others bunk in.” I started walking down the hall, listening. “Many voices present.” Reaching the end, I went out into the large room that may have once been a lobby. There were a few sitting around. “End of hall, lobby and stairs.”

Moving silently, I headed for the stairs. I made it halfway.

“Where have you been?”

I turned and looked at the mage. “Herman.” I made a sound of annoyance and motioned to my clothes. “Went home, grabbed clean clothes. Thanks for leaving me stuck over there for four days without any, by the way.” I looked around. “Is Davis back yet?”

He shook his head. “No. They had to lay low for a few hours until the guards stopped searching.”

“But Erin is with him?” I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“And Marcus.” He nodded.

“That is awesome. Yes.” I could only fake enthusiasm so much. I turned and looked around. “Where is everyone? Shouldn’t they all be here to greet Marcus when he returns?”

His face lit up. “You’re right. We need to gather everyone.”

I pointed at him. “Yes. You grab everyone here and I’ll go check upstairs.” I started walking.

“No one is allowed up there, the floor is not safe.” He called after me.

I glanced over my shoulder, “Sure, because we all listen to what we’re told.”

He laughed. “Right.”

I didn’t look to see if he watched. “Most should be in the lobby.” I said to my listeners. Hurrying up the stairs, I paused when I reached the top. In the low light it was hard to make out the missing sections of the floor.

“Flooring of the second floor, sketchy.” I said quietly and started working my way to the window.

When I reached it, I unlocked it and tried it. Years of neglect had sealed it shut. Leone helped from the outside and slid it open.

He came through, his eyes appraising me quickly.

“Watch the floor.” I whispered.

He kissed me on the forehead. “Stay here.”

I nodded and turned to watch the twins come in.

“Good job, sparky.” Chase moved by me.

“Stay safe,” Troy said as he followed his brothers.

I looked out the window at the fire escape and thought it was pure luck it hadn’t fallen off the building when they’d climbed it. Across the alley I could see a guard with Alona and Crissy—probably to deal with any running out of the building.

The sounds of fighting registered. I moved back to the stairs. I couldn’t just stand here and not know if everyone was safe. I stood at the top and gasped at the scene below. Each brother was a force to be reckoned with. It was like a dance without music, I thought briefly.

Arius had his weapon out but was chasing down those not fighting. He’d catch them, hold onto them and look at them for a moment, then the person would walk and stand by the wall. Okay, never letting Arius touch me, or was it his eyes? Probably best to avoid both.

I turned to see Leone kick a man almost as large as him in the chest, he stepped back, then swung a large sword at Leone again. The clang of swords meeting was deafening. I’d been in his head when he fought, and it was methodical and calm, but to see it happening, my heart was racing.

“Why aren’t you helping, witch?”

With my eyes wide, I turned to see Herman coming up the stairs. He glanced over his shoulder at the commotion below.

“We should bail.” He said and then nodded.

When I didn’t respond, he paused and gave me an odd look.

“It was you. You led them here.” He raised his hands.

“Shit.” I hissed and lifted my own. Something pushed me back before I could hit him. Looking behind, I saw no floorboards. I quickly side stepped so I wasn’t being shoved into the center of the room.

He was at the top of the stairs now, his hands waving.

“Crap. Back off asshole.” I raised both hands and let the arc build. Flicking one hand down I smacked him, hoping he’d fall down the stairs. I needed to buy myself time to use the device. He was pushed back a few feet, but not far enough. “Anyone listening? Going to use the device. Angry mage on the second floor.”

I backed toward the window, keeping my hands out, hoping the show of sparks would deter him from following me. I got one foot out the window when he flung his hands up. A strong force hit me hard enough I was shoved out the window. My head cracked off the wooden frame of it. “Oww, shit.”

Before I could open the device, another blast hit me. Two things registered at once, the sound of metal giving way and I was free falling to the ground. I clutched my head.

“Bethany!” Someone yelled.

Then I felt nothing. I heard nothing.

Suddenly, I felt too much, and the voices were everywhere.

I couldn’t move. Why couldn’t I move?

“Bethany. Don’t try to move.”

It sounded like Clairee, which made no sense she was on the roof. I was not on the roof.

“Alona, get back, you’re going to pick up her pain.” Clairee again.

I could hear sobbing but didn’t know who it was.

“Where’s the mage?” That was Michael.

“Victor is pulling Leone off him, or what’s left of him.” Arius was here too.

“Bethany!”

Leone.

“I tried to slow her fall, but I couldn’t cast fast enough.” Clairee sounded so upset.

“Beth, don’t try to move.” Leone’s voice was right beside my head. “Clairee, can you do anything?”

“I’m not qualified, Leone. Quinton went for the doctor.”

“Beth, stay with us.” Leone sounded so upset.

My head was so foggy. The pain radiating from my leg was excruciating.

“Raf went to highjack an ambulance.” Michael again. “We can’t try to port with her like this.”

“Brother, you can’t give her blood until the bones are set.” Victor was here now.

“Her head is bleeding,” Leone said in a painful tone. “Where is the doctor?”

I tried to open my eyes, move my hand. Something, anything. It was like I was disconnected from my own body.

“Don’t move, Beth, we’re right here. You’re going to be fine.” Leone’s voice broke as he whispered to me.

“Quinton’s back.” Clairee’s voice moved further away.

I could hear sirens; they were getting louder.

“Clairee, you have to cloak that ambulance.” Michael was moving away as well.

“Bethany, you stay with me. Stay with me. I’m right here.”

Leone’s voice.

I tried to focus on his voice.

~

I couldn’t get my eyes to open and I wasn’t sure I wanted to. My head throbbed, which was tolerable compared to the pain in my shoulder and entire right leg.

“She’s coming to try to give her blood now.”

“Beth.” Leone sounded like he was right beside me.

“Before you do that,” Chase’s voice, “you’ll have a blood bond afterward. You healed the incision on her head.”

My head? Blood bond. Wait, wasn’t that the bad thing Erin had done with Marcus? Or was that a blood pact? Why couldn’t I think?

“I don’t care. I’ll help her manage the pain.” Leone again. “I can’t move her. I’m afraid to touch her.” He sounded upset again.

“Use your wrist, Leone. Closer to heart is better, but until she can be moved, wrist is better than none.” Michael’s voice was patient and understanding. “Doctor said to do it as soon as possible. There’s a lot of healing to be done.”

I tried again to open my eyes.

“Don’t try to move.” Leone was beside me again. “I need you to swallow, Beth.” He whispered next to my ear.

I felt something touch my mouth. I tried to do as he asked, but I couldn’t focus.

“A bit more.” A shaking hand touched my cheek. “Rest.”

“Go get cleaned up.” Michael said sounding irritated. “Leone, look at me. You’re covered in blood; you need to feed. Go. We won’t leave her alone.”

“I won’t be long.”

I tried to stay here, I tried to listen, it was hard. The voices blended, the words I heard didn’t register. I couldn’t think.

“… what are the chances?”

“We’re lucky she’s alive…”

“I’ll stay. Everyone go get cleaned up.”

The voices faded until there was nothing but silence.

~

Moaning brought me to the surface again. The moaning was my own. There wasn’t a part of my body that didn’t hurt.

“She’s in so much pain.” Daxx was here.

“Doctor wouldn’t give her anything, said he didn’t know how she’d react with the head injury, and something about possible allergies.” Michael.

I tried to open my eyes. The pain from the light almost made me cry out again.

“Pull the blinds, it’s too bright in here.” Leone’s voice, I’d been hearing it off and on. “You need more blood; it will speed up the healing.”

When he put it that way, I wasn’t going to object. My mouth was so dry I wasn’t sure if swallowing would work, but I’d try.

“We’ll go heat some soup. Maybe we can get some in this time.” Daxx’s voice faded.

“Beth, you have to take this. Please. It will help.”

I felt my head lift, which caused it to spin. Pain shot through my shoulder, like someone stabbed me.

“Try, just a bit.”

Warmth pressed against my mouth. I opened it and could feel it on my tongue. It was tasteless, but warm.

“That’s it.”

Just a few swallows and I was exhausted. I felt my head being lowered. I managed to open my eyes slightly, just enough to see the outline of Leone’s form beside me. “Leone.” The pain was making me feel sick.

“I’m right here.”

“Did she take some?” Michael was back.

“More than the last time.” Leone answered.

“That’s good. Here’s some broth.”

I tried to move my hand to reach out to him, the pain shot through me. I moaned.

“I don’t know how she’s doing it. I’d be screaming like wounded animal.” Leone said.

I felt his touch against my cheek. “Leone.”

“I’m here.” His breath was against my cheek.

“Eufori.” I said. Hoping I had the right word because more talking wasn’t going to happen.

“Did she…” Daxx was on the other side of me.

“She wants me to bite her?” Leone sounded hesitant.

“She wants you to dull the pain.” Michael told him.

Points for Michael.

“I don’t…”

“You can’t feed off her, she’s too weak, but the eufori will act as a pain killer, or the very least she’ll be too stoned to care.”

“Michael—I-I want to help her, but I don’t… can I do that? Not feed but still—” Leone sounded frantic. He wasn’t beside me now.

“It can be done.” Michael sounded distant.

“I don’t know if I can do it.”

“Don’t look at me. No fangs.” Daxx’s voice again.

“I would do anything for you, brother, but I’m not naïve enough to do that and feel your blade in my back.” Michael’s tone was hard.

“I know it has to be me or no one.” Leone was beside me again. “Daxx, can you ask Troy to come here?” His voice was shaking.

“Yeah, I’ll call him.”

I tried to lift my hand in his direction and cried out when pain shot through me.

“Tell him now, Daxx.” Leone growled. “Beth,” I could feel his breath against my cheek, “I’m going to help, just hang on.” I felt his lips touch my mouth. “Hope I’m strong enough for you, kryptonite.”

“What’s going on?” Troy was here.

“Doctor won’t give her anything for the pain.” Michael explained.

“Did you threaten to break his legs? He might reconsider.” Troy didn’t sound amused.

“He says with the head injury and unknown allergies it’s not worth the risk.” Daxx said quietly.

“Okay, what do you need from me?”

“You and Michael need to hold onto me.” Leone’s voice was rough. “Beth wants me to use eufori to dull the pain.”

“Ah,” Troy made a strange sound, “and I suppose one of us doing it instead of you isn’t an option?” He hissed out a breath. “I thought as much.” I could hear movement. “How do you want to do this?”

“Each take one of my hands?” Leone’s voice was near me again. “Rip my arms out of the sockets if you have to, but don’t let me feed off her.”

“I believe in you, brother.” Troy said sounding confident.

Leone snorted. “No. You don’t. None of you do when it comes to that.” I felt a soft touch moving the hair from my neck.

“Whenever you’re ready, Leone.” Michael’s voice was strained. “Try not to crush our hands, please.”

I could feel his hot breath against my throat. His breathing was uneven as he licked where he intended to bite. “You have to get better.” He whispered and then I felt his fangs pierce my skin.

I knew it was working when the pain started to fall away. I felt completely detached now, but the endless throbbing was leaving.

“Leone, that’s enough.” Michael sounded loud.

I felt the cool air on my throat where he’d been.

“Let me heal the marks.” He hissed out a breath and the warmth was back for a second. “Okay, let go.” His breath was on my face. I felt him kiss my forehead. “Rest.” He was out of breath.

“It’s working, she’s much more relaxed now.” Daxx was on the other side of me.

“Yeah.” Leone’s voice was uneven. “I have to go feed. I’ll be right back.”

“Go with him so he doesn’t rip someone’s throat out.” Troy sounded shaken.

“I’ve got him.” Michael’s voice faded.

There was silence. No pain now, and silence.