Chapter 80 His Confusion

Chapter 80 His Confusion
\[Atticus’ POV\]

I toss and turn as images of that woman who came to find me with Vance keep appearing in my mind. She insisted that we were acquainted, but for the life of me, I couldn’t remember her, and even Vance seemed confused by this fact. Was it me that was forgetting something, or was it some elaborate trick to try to do something? I didn’t know, but by the time the sun began to rise, I gave up on sleep and decided to go pay August a visit.

Maybe he could concoct something for me to take to try to stir up memories, but would he be willing to help me this early after a long night in the club?

Deciding it was worth a try, I quickly get dressed and then head downstairs. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, I take in my living room, which is still in complete disarray, and debate whether or not I should attempt to clean it before going anywhere, but in the end, I decide against it.

Kicking aside a lamp, I make my way out into the bright day and then make my way to Morte Diem while the woman’s face consumes my thoughts.

When I arrive, August is coming out with a backpack that seems to be stuffed with his things hanging from his back.

“Going somewhere?” I ask, eyeing him curiously.

“Taking a trip,” he admits. “There’s something I need to do.”

“What about the club?”

Morte Diem was August’s baby that he built from the ground up, and it was just beginning to pick up in business. How could he possibly leave it when this period of time was so important?

“I’ve got people looking after it while I’m gone,” he explains. “Anyway, what brings you here? You look like shit, man, didn’t you sleep?”

“No,” I respond, running a hand through my hair. “There is actually something that has been bothering me, and I was hoping that you would be able to help me.”

“What might that be?” August asks, cocking his head to the side while curiosity colors his features.

“I need you to make me a memory elixir.”

At my words, August’s expression falls, and I feel something in me shift as distrust begins to flare, but I’m not quite sure where it is even coming from since he never gave me a reason to not trust him.

“What for?” He asks after too long a pause. “Are you trying to find more clues toward your clan's death?”

“Yeah,” I respond, deciding that maybe telling the truth wasn’t the best of ideas.

Since arriving in Boston, August has been by my side, helping me try to locate the one responsible for the decimation of my people and my family. There wasn’t any reason I shouldn’t trust him or his character, but his reaction left me on edge.

“Come back tonight, and Morgana will help you,” August says, snapping me out of my head. “She apprenticed under me and is more than able to make the elixir you need.”

“Sure,” I respond.

Once again, an awkward silence falls around us before August reaches out and clutches my shoulder, then squeezes.

“Just remember that sometimes certain things should be left to lie.” With that, he releases me and hoists his backup. “I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

“Sure,” I nod. “Be safe in whatever it is that you’re doing.”

“No worries,” he chuckles. “I will be.”

Giving a salute, August begins to move, making his way to a car that is parked on the side of the street that I didn’t notice before. When he reaches, he throws his backpack into the back seat and then climbs in the front passenger seat while a woman with forest green hair gives him a broad smile before slamming the gas so they screech onto the street and disappear into traffic and disappear.

Remaining in place, I try to push aside the unease I feel before shoving my hands in my pockets and making my way to work. When I arrive, the place is in an uproar, and the minute the chief spots me, his gaze narrows.

“Why are you here?” He demands, storming forward. “You’re on suspension until your case has been tried.”

Case? What fucking case was he referring to? Looking down, I take in the monitor on my ankle and once again feel like something in me is missing.

“Chief,” I begin, deciding he could help with my questions. “What exactly led up to this?”

For a moment, the chief just stares at me like he can’t quite believe what I’m asking, and when outrage forms on his face, I know he isn’t going to be any help.

“Don’t think playing dumb will get your ass out of this, Atticus.” He growls. “Do you know how bad Boston PD’s supernatural department looks right now?”

Actually, no, I didn’t know how bad it looked since I didn’t know what the fuck was happening.

“Get the hell out of here now!”

Nodding, I turn and head out with only one thought in mind, and that was to go find a mage who could retrieve whatever the hell it was I was missing.

\[Vance’s POV\]

I watch as Tabitha sleeps soundly beside me. After many rounds of sex, she finally calmed down enough to pass out, which was good since she was going to need all the energy she could get for what was to come next. We were going to have to find allies to help us, and that was going to be hard given my past and even hers.

Sighing, I roll over and grab my phone to find that there is a text waiting for me. Sitting up, I read the name and then quickly hit open.

We need to talk.

Even though the message is only four words, it leaves me feeling uneasy. What in the world could Allister possibly want from me after what happened between us?

Maybe he has come to his senses. The small voice in the back of my head urges, spurring me to open my contacts and scroll until I find my brother’s number.

Giving Tabitha one last look, I get up and make my way to the bathroom, and only when I’m inside do I hit dial and wait while the phone rings.

“Hello?”

“Allister,” I hiss, feeling the sting of betrayal rush through me. “What do you want?”

Growing quiet, I wait as my brother remains silent, clearly debating what he should say to me, and when a long breath escapes him, I know that I’m probably not going to like what I hear.

“Get as far away from this place as you can,” he says slowly, taking me by surprise. “Father isn't..." he continues, but stops as he looks for the proper word. “He isn’t who we thought he was.”

“No shit,” I hiss. “And neither are you, it seems.”

I knew that letting my frustration out on Allister wasn’t the best of ideas, especially when he could possibly help me, but all the betrayal I had suffered within the span of a few days was slamming into me.

“I don’t know what it is that you and father are attempting to do, but I won’t…”

“Stop us,” Allister says before I can finish. “Whatever the fuck it is you have to do, take us down before it’s too late.”

Once again, I feel waves of shock rush through me, but before I can ask any further questions, the line cuts, and I’m left with more questions than answers.

“Dammit!” I growl, punching the wall. “What the hell was that?”

“Was it them?”

Turning, I take in Tabitha while wondering exactly how long she had been standing there, but instead of responding, I reach out and pull her into my arms and use her body to relieve all the fucking frustration I’m feeling.