Destiny Forgiven (Shadows of Destiny) (17 page)

_{He sighed at the insult and vowed never to have
children. He squeezed through the entrance, careful not to let Felicity’s body scrape against the rock. Once he stepped between the two walls, the space opened. The cave was as big as his chambers at
Marwolaeth Du.
Sun filtered in from an open canopy in the high roof. It was a perfect hideout, when it wasn’t raining. What did the child do when the rainy season hit?}

_{The boy pointed to a makeshift bed in the corner, under a sheltered ledge.
Formed of leaves and a few ratty blankets, it was a sad-looking thing, but it’d have to do. He set Felicity down.}

_{She moaned softly and her eyelids fluttered, like she was trying to come to. He had to leave her for a little while, but he wanted to explain first.}

_{“Felicity.” He tapped her cheek gently. “Wake up, love.”}

_{Her body stilled and she was out again. Shit. They couldn’t stay here long. Even hidden, he was sure his father would find them eventually. They needed supplies, weapons. He looked at the little boy.}

_{“What’s your name?”}

_“Keyon.”

_{“She’s one of you. Can you tell that?”}

_{Keyon nodded.}

_{Maddox bent down to look the boy in the eye. With a solemn expression, he explained, “She’s in danger.
Sfeeta
want to hurt her. Can you take care of her until I come back?”}

_{Keyon puffed out his chest and gave him a proud nod. Trusting his most important possession to an unarmed
, scrawny child no taller than his hip? Maddox sighed. If they survived this it’d be a bloody miracle.}

_{Absently, he patted the boy’s head. He’d bring him back a reward if he could. He stooped and gave Felicity a kiss on the forehead then nodded to the boy and left the cave.}

_{Supplies and weapons were his first priority. Later, he’d go back for his father.}

_{S
omething furry tickled Felicity’s arm as she woke. Though her head pounded and she felt a little dizzy, she forced her eyes open. Sun peeked through a high rock ceiling above her. With a groan, she turned her head and took in the rest of her surroundings. She was lying on a cave floor. Alone.}

_{Her last memory was falling through the trees as Maddox drove away from the prison. Had he been caught? He must’ve made it out or else she’d be back in
Marwolaeth Du
right now. Someone had taken her here to hide.}

_{“Maddox?” It came out a soft rasp. Her throat was too dry.}

_{Something moved against her side. The furry thing. She lifted her head and looked down. A small bunny was snuggled up against her.}

_{She smiled. “Hey there.” Though it hurt to move, she ran her fingers over its back.}

_{The bunny hopped away then turned to face her. It began to shake. A moment later, in its place stood a little boy, about eight or so, staring down at her.}

_{He gave her a solemn look. “The fat man says he’ll be back soon,” he said in Shifter
Tongue.}

_{Fat man? “Long yellow hair?”}

_{The boy nodded.}

_{She chuckled then tried to sit up. A moan escaped her when a stabbing pain hit her in the stomach. She was too sore to move that much. With a sigh, she
lay back down.}

_{The boy stared at her with a concerned expression.}

_{“I’m all right,” she told him. “Where did the man go?”}

_{He shrugged.}

_{Apparently he wasn’t the talking type. Did he live out here alone? She knew many shifter children were orphans but she thought they lived in the colony, taken in by other families. Why was this little one out in the middle of nowhere? And only able to shift into a bunny?}

_{“Can you shift into anything other than a rabbit?”}

_{His gaze dropped to the ground and he shook his head. If he truly had no family, they’d have to work on a better shifting form.}

_{“What’s your name?”}

_“Keyon.”

_{“Thank you for watching over me, Keyon,” she said, guessing that had been his task.}

_{He lifted his chin at the small praise.}

_{“Do you live here alone?”}

_{He opened his mouth to answer, then froze. She heard it too. Footsteps. Grunting near the cavern entrance. Keyon shifted and hopped toward a crack in the wall. Instinct pushed her to protect the child, but she couldn’t even sit up by herself.}

_{The rabbit disappeared from view. A long moment passed and she tried to keep back the panic. Then Maddox stepped into the cavern, undisguised now. She exhaled a breath and smiled. She’d never have guessed that his bald head and tattooed arms and neck would be a comforting sight.}

_{His cold eyes bore into hers and doubt surfaced. “Maddox?” Was Inkman back? She had no proof he was entirely stable. He’d only gained his memory back a day ago. Who knew if it would even last?}

_{His face crumpled. “Of course it’s me,” he said, sounding offended.}

_{Her muscles relaxed and she could breathe again. “Sorry. I’m just unsure of how this works. The whole memory thing.”}

_{He stepped forward, carrying a large
pack. He had all kinds of bags and implements hanging from his belt and stuffed into pockets. He looked like he’d just ransacked an army surplus store. She noticed the first aid kit – maybe he’d raided a pharmacy too.}

_{“Inkman is gone, love. Forever.”}

_{She nodded, hoping she’d believe it one day. For now, it was enough he knew she wasn’t his enemy. Was it only a day ago that he’d cried over her, that he’d finally remembered? It felt like longer. She was emotionally drained. She’d gone from being relieved she had him back to thinking she’d lose him again. This back and forth, being afraid for her life then relieved she survived, was wearing on her. In the rebellion, she’d had her fair share of near-death experiences, but now that Maddox was involved, it changed things. She had something to lose.}

_{Maddox looked down at the rabbit hopping by his side then gave Felicity a small smile.}

_{“We need to teach him a new animal,” she said to Maddox in English, hoping the boy didn’t speak it.}

_{Keyon shifted back to human form then took up a fighting stance and narrowed his eyes at Maddox. He yelled several violent threats, making Felicity wonder where he’d learned to talk like that.}

_{Maddox put his hands up in a peaceful gesture. “It’s me. The fat man.”}

_{The boy eyed him suspiciously.}

_{With a sigh, Maddox changed his appearance to the blond man she’d seen leaving the prison. Then back to the Maddox she knew.}

_{The boy’s eyes widened and he backed away. “
Sfeeta
,” he whispered.}

_{“It okay, Keyon,” Felicity said in Shifter. “He’s here to help us. He’s not a bad
Sfeeta
.”}

_{He seemed to relax a little but kept a distance from Maddox. Then Maddox took a package of candy out of his pocket and threw it to Keyon. He sniffed
it, opened it, and sniffed it again. His eyes sparkled with longing. He looked at Felicity, as if asking permission.}

_{She nodded. “Go ahead.”}

_{He devoured the candy with small grunts as Maddox dropped the pack and came to Felicity’s side.}

_{“Can you sit up?”}

_{Wincing, she tried again but stopped when the room spun.}

_{“Never mind. It’s probably better if you stay down for this.” With a sigh, he went back to his pack on the ground and rifled through it.}

_{“For what?” she asked but he didn’t answer, making her suspicious.}

_{The candy must’ve won Keyon over because after emptying the package, he shadowed Maddox’s every move, analyzing the gadgets and things that hung from his pants. He looked like a feral little cub exploring the human world for the first time. How long had he been away from the colony?}

_{Maddox turned and gave her a regretful look. Her stomach sunk. That look didn’t bode well. Holding a lighter and a knife, he approached her and knelt down at her side.}

_{“Take these,” he said, and shoved his palm toward her where two pills sat. In his other hand, he held out a canteen.}

_{“What is it?” She trusted him and allowed him to hold her head up as she swallowed the pills dutifully.}

_{“Antibiotics and pain reliever.” He sighed then gave her that apologetic look again. “Close your eyes, love.”}

_{Her throat closed up. Using the lighter, he burned the sharp edge of the knife. “Maddox…”}

_{His lips pursed as he looked down at her. “There’s a tracking chip in your arm.”}

_{Fuck. She turned her head away.}

_{“Close your eyes.” A warm hand fell on her forehead as she squeezed her eyes shut. “Think about summer days back home. The sun on your face…”}

_{He took her wrist in a firm grip then put his elbow in her armpit, she guessed to hold her arm still if she fought.}

_{“I miss home,” he said in a soft lulling voice. “The wildflowers that grow in the meadow. Chasing frogs by the river. That’s the home I want to remember.”}

_{The knife slid into her skin. She bit back a scream.}

_{“Shh,” he soothed. “Remember combing the beach for sea glass? We were sure we’d be rich selling it in the market.”}

_{She tried to focus on his words, to move past the pain. The knife went deeper. Was he digging for fucking gold or something? It was almost more than she could bear. Tears spilled over and she let out a desperate sob.}

_{An agonizing moment later, something pinged onto the ground.}

_{“Done,” he said. The blade disappeared and cool water flowed over the injury. “It’s over, love,” he whispered. “You’re brave.”}

_{As he wrapped the wound with gauze and medical tape, she swiped at her tears with her other arm. “Brave? I cried like a little girl.” On the ground sat bits of a demolished electronic chip.}

_{He chuckled. “You’re allowed. Most people couldn’t go through that without shedding some tears.” Once she was patched up, he stared down at her from under furrowed brows. “I broke my promise already.”}

_“What?”

_{“I promised never to hurt you and I just did. I make a shit boyfriend, Felicity.”}

_{She gazed back up at him, putting every ounce of love in her eyes, desperate for him to see it, to believe it. “You had
to. To protect me.”}

_{He pushed away with a loud curse. “You shouldn’t be so easy on me,” he rumbled from across the cave.}

_{Keyon scurried toward the wall, eyeing Maddox as he stalked back and forth. Old Maddox had always looked harmless, with his friendly smile and sparkling eyes. This Maddox was intimidating, even to her. And it wasn’t the muscles, the bald head, and the tattoos – it was that chilling look he often wore. Like he wouldn’t even flinch watching someone kick a puppy. Though she knew he’d seen, and done, much worse.}

_{Gods, was she seriously signing up for this? There had to be some side effects of brainwashing. Maybe she needed to watch that documentary about it again.}

_{Another curse jolted her to attention.}

_{“Maddox,” she called quietly. “I’m hungry. Did you bring food?” If she could keep him focused on taking care of her, maybe he’d relax.}