Hiding out in a service shoot was the last place I thought I’d find myself. But it took time to heal after Kaladar’s attack and nowhere was safe in the hotel right now.
When King finds out what happened and how much damage there is to his beloved hotel, there will be hell to pay. The thought of what he will do for punishment makes my stomach churn.
Looking down at my changed clothes, the others ruined beyond repair, I tentatively twist and turn my body, testing how much has healed. I wince as a sharp burn slices my side when I bend forward, but otherwise everything seems to be healing relatively well.
My thoughts turn to the guys and the last couple of weeks. How far we’ve come in such a short amount of time.
They were still as stubborn as ever and overbearing, but I had to admit to myself, it was nice having them around.
At least, for a time, I had glimpses of my old friends back or, apparently, now mates. But I guess the universe didn’t really know anything, considering the path our futures would take.
They would go one way and I would be heading off to Gods knows where with Alana. The other side of the planet couldn’t be far enough away from King.
I’m jolted out of my wayward thoughts, hearing hushed whispers echo around me. Staying silent, I inch forward, trying to listen out. If it was any of the guards, I’d have to wait a bit longer before I could find a better hiding spot. At least until things died down. Who knows, maybe a miracle would happen, and King would take his rage out on someone who deserves his cruel torture?
I shake my head at my ridiculous hopes and try to move nearer to the sound.
The harsh whispers move closer, just as a loud thump shakes the small chute I’m in.
I move to the balls of my feet, ready to get the hell out of there, when the voice gets louder, freezing my silent escape.
“Are you trying to get us caught?”
I narrow my eyes towards the oddly familiar voice. It couldn’t be. They would have left by now.
“She’s not in her room,” an angered second voice that resembles Kai replies.
“Where the hell could she be?!”
Rion? There was no one else with that smooth velvet tone. It had to be them, but how, and more importantly, why?
Still on the balls of my feet, I move closer, leaning my ear against the thin metal walls.
“What if Kaladar—”
That had to be Axel, but his tone was far removed from his normal ire. Instead there was a broken question full of distress.
“Don’t even think about finishing that sentence.” Kai’s reply lashes out like a whip, cutting Axel off.
“Luna said—”
“I don’t give a shit what she said. She’s alive. I know it.”
I couldn’t sit here and listen any longer. The desperate despair in each voice, pushing me forward.
If it is them, they’re each getting a telling off. Why the hell didn’t they leave? They could put everything we did into jeopardy. Luna could now be in trouble because of their foolishness.
Their conversations come to a halt as I climb up the short passage and open the small laundry door.
Axel, Rion and Kai have weapons out and are ready for an attack.
“Kiarra!” Kai’s eyes widen in relief as he helps me out.
“I think you can put those away now.” I nod towards Rion’s daggers. He rolls his eyes, giving me a small smile full of relief.
“Where have you been? We’ve been looking everywhere!”
“Around. I needed to stay out of the way for a bit.”
“And you thought a laundry chute was your best option?” Axel replies, a small smile to his lips and without his usual sarcasm and assholeness.
“It was a last-minute decision.”
A smile tilts the side of his mouth, it’s there and gone before I know it. He narrows his eyes on me, knowing I caught it.
I ignore him, focusing on the bigger issue here. “What are you guys doing here?”
Kai grabs my arm. “Kaladar is locking down the hotel as we speak. We need to get out of here now.”
He moves forward, but I pull away, stepping back.
“Kiarra?”
“Why didn’t you leave?”
They share a hesitant look. I look around, not seeing Luka and Jax. What if Kaladar came after them? He could have found Luna, all while I was hiding like a frightened weak mouse.
My stomach twists and turns at the thought.
They had to be okay.
My eyes widen. “Is Luna—”
Kai’s eyes soften. “She’s fine. Safe with Jax and Luka.”
I release a harsh breath as my racing heart starts to slow back down.
“Good.”
“Come on, let’s get out of here.” Kai reaches out to take my hand again, but I move another step back.
“I can’t.”
“We don’t have time for this!” Axel’s voice raises. I glance around, hoping he hasn’t just given up our spot.
“Keep it down! Just go, I’ll be fine.”
“We’re not leaving without you, so get your ass over here and let’s get moving.”
I try to calm my rising anger, knowing there’s a lot they still don’t know about me. They didn’t know the hotel was my gilded cage or that I couldn’t leave. The time for explaining long gone. Besides, they were running out of time. Each minute wasted was another minute Kaladar took control over the hotel leaving them and Luna with no way out.
The only way I was getting out of here was through my plan with Alana, and that wasn’t now. Even if I somehow had another way out, there was no way in hell I was leaving her with King.
“I can’t!” I plead with them, begging them to try to understand there was more to it.
“Leave, please. Before Kaladar finds you all.” I take another step back, hoping they take the hint.
Axel advances toward me, his presence meant to be intimidating. “Move it, princess, or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and take you out of here myself. Kicking and screaming the whole way if I have to!”
“Like hell you will!” Bracing myself, I subtly glance at the exits, figuring out a quick getaway if I have to.
If they try to force me from the hotel, the spell King has placed on me will alert everyone to our position, making them and me vulnerable.
“Why are you so damn stubborn? Just listen to us for once in your fucking life!”
Axel and Kai edge forward, ready to take my flighty ass down.
“Stop!” Rion’s no nonsense tone sounds out around us, pausing their advance.
“Ry? You better have a good reason why you just gave her another minute to try to make an escape,” Kai grits out, the hard look in his eyes demanding a good explanation.
“I think she means she can’t physically leave the hotel. She’s tied to it somehow.”
Kai and Axel look from Rion to me with varied shocked expressions. Something flashes in Kai’s eyes, promising violence.
“Is that true?” Kai asks, his voice dangerously low, demanding I not lie to him.
“What the hell?” Axel loses some of his ire, looking baffled.
How would they ever have known what King’s true nature was? To the world, he was a generous man. Powerful, gifted, as many would say, and treated everyone with kindness.
But here in the Cardinal Three, we knew the truth. King was cruel and, yes, powerful but only because he somehow stole it and twisted in into something dark. He had followers who would kill in his name and powerful supes who would do his bidding without question.
Trust no one and do what you must to survive. That has been the rule I have lived by since being brought here.
Nowhere was safe when you lived in the Cardinal Three.
“Why would King keep you here?” Kai asks, his commanding tone leaving no room for debate.
I look away, not able to stare any of them in the eye. I didn’t need their pity. Luna was safe with them now. They weren’t stuck here. They had no reason to stay.
“There’s a lot more to this you’re not telling us, isn’t there?” Kai grits out.
“And I’m guessing it has something to with King?” He shares a sharp look with Rion. Rion nods confirming his silent question.
They were starting to get suspicious and that would only make them targets. I couldn’t let that happen. I swallow the lump in my throat, nearly choking out my next words. “It doesn’t matter. Just get yourselves out of here before Kaladar gets another warlock to spell this whole building. Then there truly will be no way out for any of you. Everything we just accomplished will be for nothing. So please, leave.”
“We’re not leaving you here.” The determined look in Kai’s eyes told me I would get nowhere with him. Turning to Rion, I see Kai’s mirrored expression.
Hoping Axel would be the smart one here, I look at him, but I’m stunned to find him wearing a similar expression. But it’s his eyes that stand apart from the others. A look so dark they promise nothing but bloodshed and violence.
Knowing they won’t listen to my pleas, I turn my frustration and anger toward them all.
“You’re stubborn idiots. You’re all asking to get killed!”
“We’re not going to be the ones to die here, princess,” Axel replies, shocking me silent with the vicious promise in his voice. The nickname somehow becoming more of an endearment than an insult.
“There has to be a way to get you out.” Kai frowns, looking to Rion.
Rion nods his head in reply. “All spells can be broken, but we’ll need to find the caster. Depending on the power used, we may need to create a concoction that unravels the threads that bind the spell together. It can be tricky and complex and will end up a disaster if not done right.”
That’s exactly what I had done. The caster, an old and powerful witch, had created a spell just for me, at King’s request.
It had taken me months to find out small snippets of information about the spell she cast. Each time she visited with King only gave me so much time to gain slight pieces of information before it would raise suspicion.
With the unknowing help of a few of the other witches, I had found what I needed. The type of spell used and ways I could go about unravelling it.
I should have been out of here a year ago, but the ingredients the spell used were extremely difficult to get hold of. Not only because I couldn’t step foot outside the hotel, but because most items were expensive. The kind you’d sell a kidney or your first born for.
My little breaking and entering business in the hotel helped fund most of it, but it had taken a while.
Kai shares a thoughtful look with Rion while Axel keeps an eye out. “We have a few contacts that owe us a favour. They might be able to get us what we need.”
Doubtful.
I was on the verge of selling my soul to get a few of the items, and not just metaphorically. That backstabbing demon wanted my actual soul.
It was lucky Kane intervened when he did or I’d be in the underworld right now, slaving my existence away as an underling to some higher up demon.
An uneasy energy runs through me, making me glance around for anyone coming this way. Staying out in the open like this and discussing an unlikely course of action will get them nowhere.
I have a plan. Not that they knew that. One that had been worked out down to the smallest detail. I didn’t need anyone coming in to save the day. Not anymore.
Becoming the heroes of our own story is a much better ending than waiting on some prince charming to save the day.
“Just forget I said anything and get out of here.”
Neither Kai nor Rion acknowledge I’d even spoke; Axel merely rolls his eyes as he continues to be our sentry.
The restless energy inside me grows, reaching a peak. Someone’s coming. I don’t know how I know, but I know we need to get out of this hall now.
“We need to get out of here.”
Axel gives me a bored look. “That’s what we’ve been trying to tell you.”
“No, I mean, we need to get out of this hallway, right now!”
The panic in my voice makes Kai and Rion turn towards us.
“What—”
One minute I’m standing beside the guys and the next I feel a light pulling sensation in my stomach and I’m in Kai’s arms as we flash into the nearest room.
Axel and Rion follow just as fast. Damn shifter speed.
“How did you… Put me down!” I grit out. I wasn’t some fucking damsel.
“Shh! They’re coming.”
I’m about to rip him a new one when voices reach us, silencing my snarky response.
“She said she heard something down this way.”
“Well, as you can see, there’s nothing here.”
“She was spooked.”
“Yeah, well, maybe it was a ghost?”
“Hardy har… Wait, are there ghosts in the Tower?”
I can hear the agitation in the older guard’s voice when he replies.
“Let’s get back. Kaladar wants us to search the whole building for that girl.” The other guy grunts a reply. We wait until their footsteps move away before talking.
Axel is the first to speak. “How did you know they were coming?”
“I just… had a feeling.” I shake my head, not understanding it myself.
“Can you put me down now?” I raise an eyebrow at Kai.
“I don’t know. I kind of like where you are.” His grip tightens on me, igniting a hunger inside me. The look he gives me is full of savage lust. A sizzling heat in his eyes grows until they are completely dilated.
Warmth pools at my core as I absorb the feeling of his strong arms around me. I feel the tremor in his lean stomach muscles as I squirm in place, trying to ease the delicious heat building up between my thighs.
Kai leans into me. My head tilts instinctively, giving him access to my neck. A muffled moan escapes his lips as he tightens his possessive hold on me.
My breath hitches as soft lips touch my neck, brushing softly until they reach my ear. “Beautiful.” Another soft kiss. “Sexy.” His tongue licks just under my ear. “Delicious.”
I close my eyes as a shiver slides down my back like silk.
“Mine. ” He bites my ear. A bolt of lust shoots straight to my core. I bite my lip holding in the moan wanting to escape. Fisting my hands into his shirt, my trembling body leans into him.
“Kai…” I want him. Craving his touch, I drop my head giving him more access to my sensitive neck. My oversensitive body imagines all the dirty, wicked things he could do to me with that talented tongue of his.
I feel his smile and the deep, husky chuckle that follows just before he switches from kissing to sucking my neck and ear lobe.
My own moan is dragged from my lips as pleasure, hunger and lust expands across my body making my brain short circuit.
“Fuck…”
I’m shaking from my haze of lust by Axel’s deep groan. Still wound up waiting on release, I open my eyes finding him staring right at me, eyes dilated with his fists clenched tightly by his side. His body is leaning towards us as if he’s about to take a step closer.
I lick my bottom lip, imagining what it would be like to be between them both as Kai continues to nibble on my ear.
I keep my gaze on Axel, my lips parting when Kai sucks a sensitive spot. My eyes roll back as another moan is ripped from my lips.
Kai’s hand around my thigh begins to travel upward.
A low vicious growl halts it from going any further. Kai pulls away from my neck as we both look over to Axel and Rion.
Rion’s eyes are narrowed as Axel growls a warning at him. His eyes are completely gold as he attempts to move past him, but Rion’s grip is strong, blocking his advance.
“We need to get out of here. Now,” Rion says, his body stiff as he turns to look at me with possessive hunger.
Kai leans against me, our ragged breaths blending as one. “He’s right. Your intoxicating scent is all over this… room. If we don’t leave now, we’re not leaving at all.”
My eyes widen realising what he’s saying. They could smell my arousal in the small, enclosed room.
Damn shifter senses.
I clear my throat a couple of times before speaking, my voice still thick with desire. “Let’s get out of here, before they come back.”
“This isn’t over,” Kai whispers, his grip tightening as he brushes his lips against my neck, before pulling back.
Keeping eye contact, he slowly places me down, letting every brush and skim slide over my body like an intimate caress, stoking the flame once more.
Kai looks at me, a hidden question in his eyes. One he doesn’t speak. I’m about to ask him when he shakes his head, clearing his throat.
“We still need a way to get you out of the building. It’s going to take some time to organize something with our contacts outside the city.”
“You don’t need to—”
“We’re not leaving you here, so cut the stubborn act and let us help. You should have told us from the start.”
Still worked up from our heated moment, I take my frustration out on him.
“Oh yes, let me tell my life story to old friends who now assume the worst of me and hate my guts.” My tone is thick with sarcasm but holding a hint of truth.
“We never hated you,” Kai says.
I look at Axel, but he turns away.
Kai takes my hand. “None of us, including that dick.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Axel shake his head.
“We were just a bit… lost, after you left. You were always our centre, the glue that kept us together. When you left, everything fell apart. Including us.”
I’m glad they don’t hate me, but they have Luna now, don’t they?
I take a step back removing my hand from Kai’s and ignore the hurt look he gives me.
His pretty words change nothing. We will all be leaving soon, heading off in different directions.
Not that they know about that part of the plan. Or any of it, for that matter. Maybe it was time I told them…. At least some of it.
Preparing myself for the worst, I spit it all out, telling them what I can.
“Look, I’ve been working on something myself… a way out… But it’s not ready yet.” Or it won’t be until I have Alana out of King’s grip.
“How?” Axel demands, but I can’t get into it right now. If they know everything…
“It’s… complicated.”
“What fucking isn’t when it comes to you!”
I narrow my eyes on the ass and let his little comment slide. For now.
“Look, I can’t leave… Yet.”
“When then?” Kai pushes.
I debate whether to tell them. Would they let it slip to the guards or one of King’s associates, even accidentally?
Looking into Kai’s eyes, I can see he cares. More than cares. It makes my decision for me.
“Friday.”
Rion and Kai share a look.
“Fine.” Kai turns to Axel. “Plan B. Get Luka and Jax, we’ll meet you at our usual place.”
What usual place?
Axel grumbles, mumbling something under his breath. Sparing me one last glance, he slinks off down the hall, his footsteps silent as he moves.
Kai and Rion whisper between themselves.
Glad that they are finally listening to me, the strain in my shoulders eases. They would be safer away from here.
I swallow the lump in my throat at the thought of them leaving, but it’s for the best.
I’m about to turn away when Kai grabs my hand. “Where do you think you’re going?”
I frown, not understanding why he was asking. “I’m going to find some place to hide out for a bit and then try to get out of here.” Didn’t we just go over this?
“No, you’re not, you’re coming with us.” Not this again.
“I told you, I can’t—”
He shakes his head. “Leave. I know. We’re not. I promise.”
Kai’s grip on my hand is firm yet soft, and there’s a tender look in his eyes when I glance at him.
“Where?”
“Trust us?”
I wanted to; I really did. But over the years, I’d learned not to put my trust in anyone. Trust was just another illusion.
Rion must see the hesitance in my eyes. He walks over and gently tilts my chin up to him.
“Look at me, Kiarra. Look at the truth in my words when I tell you that none of us are leaving without you. No matter what you decide, you’re stuck with us.”
His voice is unwavering, his tone resolute. There’s a fire in his eyes, not one from heat but from complete certainty. He will follow through on his words. I can see that now. Nothing I say will change his stubborn mind.
I deflate, giving in. “Fine.”
Rion smiles releasing my chin just as Kai pulls me down the old halls to the service exits below.
My heart starts racing, second doubting my decision. Maybe I could distract them and sneak away?
I glance back at Rion, thinking just that when he gives me a small, knowing smirk, daring me to try. I narrow my eyes on him. He sends me a low, deep chuckle that warms something deep inside me.
Kai speaks up, breaking our little moment. “Luna is there. She wants to thank you.”
The mention of Luna reminds me of what we just went through to get her out, and how I’m reading too much into their little moments. They’re just trying to be good friends.
I try to pull my hand out of his, but his grip tightens, sending me a sharp look.
“Don’t even think about it.”
I roll my eyes at his demand, while silently shaking my head at myself. He thinks I’m trying to make a run for it. I mean, I was, but now I’m just trying to get my damn delusions under control.
They had Luna safely back with them, why they would still want me around was damn confusing.
She was good for them. I could see that. A kind soul with a caring heart, she would bring out the best of them. I swallow hard, pushing back the burn behind my eyelids. That’s what they need, not someone who is damaged and broken. Someone with baggage in the form of sadistic creatures and cruel monsters.
Their safety is more important than what my heart wants.
And that’s all that matters.
