Chapter 6

“Keep your eyes closed and breathe slowly for a minute.” Arius’ hand traveled up and down my back.

My stomach started to settle. Opening my eyes, I held onto him and stepped back. “That wasn’t as fun as I’d hoped.” I looked at Victor, his expression was sympathetic.

“You’re doing better than most.”

I took another slow breath. “Really? That’s something, I suppose.” I glanced up at Arius. “Neither of you look as dizzy as I feel.”

He smirked, “we’ve had a few more years to practice.”

Victor chuckled, “a few.”

I looked around. “I still can’t believe in seconds we went from the door by the maze to beside my building.”

“The maze?” Arius gave me an odd look.

I shrugged. “It reminds me of those little mazes you put rodents in to see who reached the finish line first.”

He laughed. “I’d like to make some of them race through it.”

Victor shook his head. “Don’t tell Chase or Rafael that—or we’ll be chasing prisoners around.”

“True.” Arius motioned toward the street.

I nodded and walked that way. My stomach was tight. That feeling of dread told me this was going to turn out the way I feared.

~

Five minutes later I stood outside the place I used to live. “I can’t believe he threw all my stuff out.” I looked at Victor. “Where’s Arius?”

His eyes flicked to the door briefly, “he’ll be out momentarily.” He continued to scan the street.

I frowned.

“He’s finding out who told them you weren’t coming back.”

I held my hand over my throat. It felt like my heart was in it. “I really did almost vanish for good, didn’t I?”

He nodded. “You were lucky. My fear is for those we don’t reach in time.”

I nodded, unable to speak while keeping my emotions from overflowing.

Arius came out the door, a scowl on his face. “It was Martin.” His tone was low and lethal.

“Can I go back and kick him?”

Arius raised an eyebrow.

I shrugged, “I didn’t say where.”

He smirked.

“Paisley?”

I turned to see my neighbor—ex-neighbor, Mrs. Stein coming toward us. She moved slowly, shuffling with her walker.

She smiled. “I thought it was you.” She stopped and looked from Victor to Arius.

I nodded. “I’ve been staying with some friends.” I motioned to the large men standing behind me.

She sighed, “I’m glad you’re not with that Martin. There was something off with that one, lurking around all the time.” She shook her head. “I heard him tell Mister Timbly you weren’t coming back, and to toss your belongings, that you didn’t want them.” She leaned closer, “I didn’t believe that.” Shaking her head, she motioned to the alley. “I couldn’t reach much, dear, but I did get your bag.”

My eyes widened. “You did? Oh, thank you.” I frowned. “You could have been hurt though.”

Mrs. Stein tsked, “Nonsense. You’ve always been good to me.” She motioned to the door. “I’ll go get it.” She moved toward the door.

Arius rushed over and opened it for her.

She smiled up at him. “Nice to see a gentleman with Paisley.” She pouted at him. “She’s a good girl.”

Arius nodded. “Yes ma’am.”

Victor looked at his brother. “I’ll wait here.” He looked slowly to the street.

Arius glanced around and nodded.

The walk to her room was painfully slow. I was thankful she lived on the first floor. She came back to her door carrying the pack I used for work. At least I’d have my music and a few portable speakers. I took it from her.

“Thank you so much, Mrs. Stein.” I pointed to the end of the hall. “Do you need me to run to the store for anything before I go?”

She patted my arm. “I can’t afford many things at this time of the month, but thank you.” She smiled at Arius. “It’s good to see you with a nice man.”

Arius inclined his head at her compliment. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of money. Leaning down, he touched her shoulder and looked at her for a moment. Placing the money in her hand he straightened up.

She smiled at him, then looked at me. “I can’t believe we actually won that raffle. Are you sure you don’t want to split the prize?”

I shook my head quickly. “No. No, that’s fine, Mrs. Stein. I have some work lined up.”

She smiled and held her hand to her chest with the money clutched in it. “I’m going to call Grace and tell her.”

“Okay. Bye and thank you again for getting my bag.”

I stepped outside and stopped. Placing my hand on Arius’ arm, I looked up at him. “Thank you for that. She’s a sweet lady.”

His pale eyes moved over my face. “You can come check on her from time to time if you like.”

Reality hit me then. “I have no home.” I whispered and looked back at the door.

Victor cleared his throat. “I think, until we’ve closed down that island, you’re safer staying with us.”

The brothers looked at each other over my head for a moment.

“You’re sure I’m not taking up too much space? I mean that room could be used for an entire football team or something.”

Arius shrugged. “Not big on sports.” He pulled his phone out, tapped the screen and put it to his ear. “Yeah, we’re still here.” He gave Victor a serious look, then glanced down at me. “I can take—” he frowned. “How many?” Placing his hand on my back so I’d start walking, he nodded. “Yeah. We’ll meet you there. Bring our gear.” He hung up. “They’re heading to the building now. Welsley says a large group left and right after that several more went in.”

Victor’s expression hardened. “Sounds like they’re setting something up.”

Arius nodded. “That’s what Michael thinks.” He looked down at me. “We’ll find somewhere safe…”

I shook my head. “Don’t worry about me. If these people are working with the ones from the island, I’ll stop time around each and every one of them so you can lock them in your maze.”

Victor’s lips twitched.

Arius glanced down the street, stopped and looked down at me. “I’m not putting you in harm’s way.”

I sighed. “Fine, I’ll stand in a corner out of the way.”

He motioned to an alley. We went in and stopped. Putting his arms around me, he gently held my head against his chest. “Close your eyes, take a deep breath.”

“Oh. We’re doing that again.” I leaned into him and closed my eyes.

A moment later my stomach churned. I inhaled through my nose and breathed out slowly. “This part is a bit anticlimactic if you ask me.” I said quietly.

I heard someone make a sound of exasperation. “At least you don’t throw up.”

I opened my eyes to see Leone and Bethany a few feet from us.

She rolled her eyes, “Porting and I don’t get along well.”

Holding onto Arius’ arm, I stepped back. “I suppose considering we’re doing something that should be impossible—it could be worse.”

“Uh,” she held her hand up in the universal gesture of ‘stop’, “figures you’d be an optimist.”

I grinned and looked around. We were on a roof. A roof! I reached out and clung to Arius’ arm again.

He put his hand on my back. “Sorry, I thought if I told you before we ported, you’d freak out.”

I nodded. “Good call.”

Michael appeared a few feet away.

I jumped and moved closer to Arius.

“Sorry,” he shrugged, “you’ll get used to it.” He held a large leather case out to Arius.

Arius took it and looked down at me. “Just sit tight for a moment and I’ll get you off here.”

I nodded and sat down right where I stood, not caring that the gravel from the roof was digging into my leg.

“We’re going down.” Leone said quietly.

I didn’t turn to see where they went.

“You are not carrying me. This one is not broken.” Bethany hissed.

I watched as Arius took off his shirt and put on a black leather vest, then pulled a leather jacket on. He pulled weapon after weapon out of the bag, strapping them to his body. With the speed he put them on, I knew that was something he could do in his sleep. What I didn’t understand was why he was dressing like this, and carrying a weapons store on his body.

With fast movements, he pulled his long hair around and braided it. I’d never seen a man braid his hair before. He probably did it better than most women, then again, he’d had a few centuries to learn.

Flipping the braid behind him, he pulled two large swords from the bag and put them in cases strapped to his back. Picking up the bag, he held his hand out to me.

I looked up at him. He’d transformed into a warrior right before my eyes. Taking his hand, he pulled me to my feet.

“You’re not going to like this next part.” He said when I stood up.

“What part?” I squeezed his hand as we walked across the roof, toward the edge. That’s when I noticed rails sticking up. The kind that went with ladders. Ladders, those torturous devices that you climbed in the air on.

He went over. “Come on. It’s only ten feet down then there’s a fire escape.” He gave me a soft look. “You jumped off a cliff. This is nothing compared to that.”

I took a shaky breath and forced my legs to move. The other alternative was to be left on this roof alone.

“Give me your bag.”

I reached and held it out to him. He put it over his shoulder.

“Turn and step over.”

I did, moving a few inches at a time. When I was on the ladder, clinging so hard my hands hurt, he moved up so our heads were level.

“It’s okay. We’ll do this together.”

I moved down one rung, keeping my eyes straight ahead, staring at the dark wall.

“If it helps, this is torture for me, being this close to you.” His breath brushed my neck. “Smelling you.”

I went down another rung.

“I can still taste you,” he whispered next to my ear.

I moved down one more. “Are-are you trying to distract me or turn me on?”

“I was going for distraction, but it’s still the truth.”

My foot touched something solid. I’d done it.

He put his arm around my waist and hugged me into him for a second. “We have to go.” Bending down, he picked up the bag and took my hand.

He held my hand as we ran down the fire escape. I was still reeling from coming down the ladder, so it didn’t even register that I’d run down two flights of stairs on the outside of a building. He released my hand when we reached the bottom, and ran along the edge of the building.

As we got to the corner, I noticed the others waiting for us. I stopped and looked at them. All the men were dressed as Arius was. I remembered the wall in the practice room, I’d honestly thought those were just to help keep them in shape.

“It’s like a barbarian movie, right?” Bethany whispered.

Arius handed me back my pack. I gave her a quick nod, still trying to catch my breath.

A few of the men were squatting down looking across a parking lot.

I turned to see what they were looking at. The building was at least thirty stories high.

Arius squatted down beside Michael. “That door?”

Michael nodded.

I turned to see an emergency exit door on the side of the building.

“I could go in the front…”

Michael shook his head cutting Arius off. “We didn’t bring the witches, so no cloaking. With the way you’re dressed, you wouldn’t make it five feet before alarms went off.”

“Beth can you blast the lock?” Leone glanced at his mate.

She blew out a breath. “If it’s wired, I could set off the alarm.”

“We could make a run for it the next time someone comes in or out.” Daxx suggested.

I looked around the parking lot, noting the lighting and where is was lacking. If I stayed to one side, I could get almost to the building before I would be seen. Biting my lip, I moved away from the others and started in that direction.

“Paisley.” Arius hissed. “What are you doing?”

I turned and put my finger to my lips for a second, then ran to the spot the light didn’t hit. When I reached it, I squatted down, making myself as small as possible. I was close enough to the door now. I turned to see everyone watching me. Victor held Arius’ arm so he couldn’t come after me and be seen.

The door opened. A man came out, and said something over his shoulder. He quickly shut the door behind him. I raised my hand, waiting. He hadn’t been talking to himself. The door opened again and two more came through it. When the second one let go, I waited until it was almost closed and stopped it before it would latch.

The men’s voices faded as they went around the corner of the building. Crissy raced by me toward the door. She grabbed it, nodded to me. I dropped my hand and went toward her.

Right behind me was Arius. He gave me a stern look but didn’t say anything.

Rafael went by next, he grinned. “Nice move, sister.”

Quinton ran up and chuckled as he noticed Arius’ unhappy expression.

Daxx appeared beside me. “You’re coming with me next bounty I go after—save me a lot of running.” She whispered, then went in the door.

Arius grabbed my arm gently and pulled me in the door.

“Do we know the exact floor?” Leone started up the stairs.

“No, but there will be guards when we find the right one” Michael went up after him.

“They always leave a trail of guards.” Chase rushed after them. “Like breadcrumbs to follow.”

I tugged my arm from Arius’ grasp and motioned to the stairs. “Go. I’ll stay at the back with Alona and Bethany.”

His eyes moved over my face slowly for a moment, then he released my arm and went after his brothers, taking the steps three at a time.

Bethany rolled her eyes. “Show off.”

~

We followed along behind the men, Beth going last as she was keeping an eye on the stairs behind us. I glanced to Alona, she held her hand over her ear.

“Sixth floor.” She whispered. When she started walking again, I noticed the ear bud she wore, and realized they all talked to each other.

Beth smirked. “We’re still on the stairs, and so safe we could have a tea party right here.”

Alona nodded. “I’ll stay at the door on the sixth floor, just pay attention to what you’re doing, Chase.”

We reached the landing to the sixth floor. Bethany stood by the railing looking down, there was no way I was doing that.

“Someone is coming up.” She said quietly.

Alona opened the door and motioned in a direction for me to go. I stepped through the door and Crissy came running toward us.

“This way.” She ran by us down the hall.

I looked at the door. “Do you want me to hold it closed?” I lifted my hand.

Alona winced and shook her head. “Arius is definitely against that idea.”

I followed the direction Crissy had gone. We ran around a corner and into a large conference room. Alona closed the door behind us.

Bethany went to another door and opened it a crack. “They have so many computers.”

Alona rushed over and looked. “That’s how they’re finding them.” She bit her lip. “Try not to destroy the computers, I want the information off them.” She frowned. “Unless they come at you with a weapon, leave the machines be.”

Bethany pulled her earpiece out and held it her palm. “They could have files about where other women are being held.”

Alona bit her lip and nodded, not saying anything.

I remembered my pack and pulled it off. Opening it I pulled out my hard drive filled with music. “We can download the files.” I looked from Bethany to Alona.

Crissy came over and bent down, pulling the knife from the case on her leg. “It’s wrong what they’re doing.” She nodded and moved to the door.

Alona looked at Bethany as she put the ear bud back in. “Change of plans, gentleman. We’re coming in and getting the files from those machines.” She reached behind her and pulled out a pair of nun-chucks.

My heart lodged in my throat.

“Last I checked I was a queen and allowed to make such calls.” She said with a smirk and motioned to go through the door.

I rushed in behind her and stopped and looked around. It was a large empty room except for a few tables and six computers lined along one wall, complete with monitors. That wasn’t the part that had my heart lodged in my throat. The brothers and Daxx were fighting a dozen men. Not with fists, but a full-on sword battle. I gave Alona a wide-eyed look. She shook her head then grasped my arm and started for the computers.

Chase appeared in front of us, a blade in each hand. “Beloved, not happy.” He almost sang.

I turned to see a man rushing at him with a knife. Putting my hand out, I focused on one of his feet. It stopped as the rest of him kept moving, I dropped my hand and he hit the floor, face first.

“Not a scratch on that body, my king.” Alona said and turned toward the computers.

We reached the tables. I held out the hard drive to Alona. She took it and gave me a worried look. “Plug it in and select the computer and copy all.” She nodded and turned around.

Crissy rushed over and pulled out the first tower.

I turned to see Bethany standing a few feet from me, she had her hands up, sparks moving between them. Backing up a few feet, I held my palms up and watched with her for anyone that headed our direction.

A large man came running toward me with his arm in the air. I looked at his feet and stopped them mid-step.

“Release him.” Bethany said.

I blinked and a bright ball of red hit him in the chest knocking him back.

“Mine.” Daxx ran over and held a box toward him and he vanished.

“Look out.” Bethany said.

I turned to see a knife flying toward me. I raised my hand then felt the sting across my cheek. A hand appeared beside my head. I looked up to see Arius there holding the knife. He looked at my cheek and growled, then spun away heading for the one that had thrown it.

They met with a loud clang of metal clashing. Arius blocked his sword’s swing, then kicked him in the chest and the man stumbled back. He raised the sword above his head and stepped toward him.

“I have him, brother.” Victor stepped in his path and swung a thin blade at the man.

Arius spun around and went toward the next one.

I glanced over my shoulder quickly to see Alona and Crissy plugging into another tower. Huffing out a breath, I turned back, hands out and tried to watch all the movement around me. Later, when it was over I was pretty sure I was going to have a not-so-small mental breakdown.

Bethany moved closer so she could nudge me. “The door. Don’t let anymore come in.”

I turned to look at the one she referred to. A man on the other side looked in through the glass. I ran toward it, ducking under Rafael’s arm as he swung. When I was close enough, I held out my hand and focused hard on the door. The man on the other side banged his hand on it.

“I’ll go out the other one and get him.” Michael said from behind me.

“Right behind you, brother.” Quinton said.

I didn’t take my eyes off the door. I jolted when the sound of metal rang out beside me and heard the grunt from the effort it had taken.

“Release the fucking door and get back over there.” Arius growled beside me.

Michael’s face appeared in the glass on the other side of it. He nodded.

I dropped my hands and turned to see Arius right behind me, his stance daring anyone to just try and come in my direction. I looked around and there were only the brothers and women in the room.

Alona lifted her head and smiled at me. “One more to go.” She frowned, “Do you know how to delete the information from their machines?”

I nodded and went back over. Going to the first keyboard, I brought up the prompt and typed the command to reformat the entire drive. I hit enter.

Victor looked over my shoulder and gave an abrupt nod of his head.

“What kind of information are you getting?” Michael called from where he stood watching out the door.

“Addresses, names,” Alona told him, “I don’t know if it’s contacts or people they’re searching for, but we may have just found what we need to stop them.”

I moved to the next keyboard. Arius appeared beside me and titled my chin, so he could look at my face. His jaw clenched.

“It’s not serious, brother, just a scratch.” Victor assured him.

Arius’ head jerked around to glare at him. “An inch more and she wouldn’t be standing here.” His tone did not hide his anger.

I touched his hand, so I could move my head. “I’m fine.” I looked back to the screen and brought up the prompt.

“Are you ladies ever going to listen?” Chase said looking over Alona’s shoulder as she transferred the files from the last computer.

Alona turned her head and gave him an amused look. “We listen to every word you say.”

He snorted. “Listen, yes. Do, no.”

Daxx sighed. “If they had of stayed out of the way we may not have gotten this.” She turned to Chase, “maybe you missed how Beth and Paisley tag-teamed that slime?”

Chase shook his head. “No, I caught it.” He looked from Beth to me. “And I’ve decided I’m giving them both a wide berth from now on.” He sighed, “All I’m saying is…”

Beth looked at me and smirked. “Can you stop someone from talking?”

Chase’s mouth dropped open, his eyes huge.

I shook my head. “No I don’t think so. Hands, feet, whole body, but not just a mouth because it’s part of his face.”

Daxx sighed, “That’s too bad.”

I moved to the last keyboard.

“I’m being abused.” Chase mumbled.

“You love the attention.” Alona said handing him my hard drive. “We’ll give it back after they’ve copied all the data.” She told me.

I nodded. “Just don’t delete my music.”

Arius moved over, my pack in his hand. “Are we done here?” His eyes were hard.

I nodded. “Yeah, the last machine is erasing now.”

“Good.” Rafael raised his sword above his head and beat it on the keyboard, keys went flying.

“We’ll see you at home.” Arius pulled me against his chest.