Shadow Reaper (Shadowlands Series) (12 page)

Avery smiled, cold and calculating. “Yes, we did and you broke your side of it. You ventured into my museum.”

“But—”

Avery held up his hand. “I think it’s fair to say that, in this case, you’ve relinquished your rights. I should dissolve the whole deal. I could, but I know you have pups to feed, so how about we let it go this time? I keep this human and you can have the next one. I think that’s fair, don’t you?”

Museum? What was he talking about? I hadn’t been in any museum . . . Oh. The perfectly kept street with all the food? Was that what he was talking about? Was that his museum?

For a moment, I thought Treagor would argue, but instead, he turned his attention on me. “I’ll make sure to tell your friend you said hi.” And then he was spinning on his heel and striding toward the door.

I lunged for him. “Wait, please, you have to let her go!” I glanced up toward the balcony, hoping for some assistance from this Avery person, but he was gone, and when I looked back, so was Treagor.

The sphere scanner was firmly in place. It had taken three hours to finally get it set up thanks to a maintenance emergency in Corridor 5. The cooling system, which he’d thought he’d sorted, had started leaking, blowing out some of the lights. Clay had been on it, patching it up and was all set to sort the lighting once the corridor had dried out. And he’d get to work on sorting out a new cooling system, replacing the existing parts with new and improved ones.

A Technician’s work was never done.

With the sphere scanner up and running, it was another waiting game. Waiting games were crap. Why did he always have to partake in them? Yeah, he had to be patient, and was actually a patient person, but the greenhouse made him anxious. He just wanted the place to run smoothly, so many depended on it.

Sarah was busy with some carrots, while Simon had gone off to his laboratory to whip up some new concoctions.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Clay said.

“Thanks again,” Sarah said.

“I’ll check on it before bed tonight. Make sure everything is as it should be.”

“You look hassled.”

“I’m fine.”

“Take a break.”

“Can’t, got a dodgy screen to fix in the Eye.”

Sarah laughed. “What’s that code for?”

“What?”

“You don’t need to pretend. It’s okay to have a little rendezvous with your man. I so would.”

Clay frowned. “No, really, there is a screen that needs fixing.”

“Have fun.”

Seriously?
“Bye for now.”

The Eye really had sent word of a flickering screen in need of some care. He would never hook up with Blake on the job like that. Sure, he’d kissed him hello whenever he needed to come to the Eye, but never anything more.

Not that he wasn’t tempted by that thought when he walked in to see his boyfriend hard at work, recording what he saw on the monitors, a mass of paperwork spread across his desk.

Blake blinked a few times, and Clay saw his boyfriend’s expression for what it really was: not concentration, deep worry.

“I’m here,” Clay said.

Blake turned to face him. “Hi, babe.” There was no smile offered, no warmth, just a furrowed brow.

“How’s your day going?

“Fine. Yours?”

“Fine. I’ll start work on that monitor.” There it was, picture all jumpy, the screen an irritating flicker. He had a good mind to drag Sarah up here to prove he wasn’t doing a horizontal dance.

Clay pulled out his tools, smaller ones for the screens, and did his thing. “You seen Ash today?”

Blake took a moment to answer. “No, sorry, I haven’t.”

Clay sighed. “I’m worried about her. You should have seen how upset she was when the council said they were shutting down the Reaper programme. I mean, that’s been her whole life! She went all conspiracy theory on me for a moment.” He shook his head. “It’ll take her time to adjust to it all.”

“Just give her some space today. Let her get her head around it.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“She’ll bounce back soon enough,” Blake said.

Blake was right, Ash wasn’t one to stay down for too long. He’d meet up with her in the evening and they could chat about everything—the Reaper Programme shutting down, her feelings for Ryder, the lot. He’d make sure she didn’t bottle it up. She was hurting and no way was he going to allow her to suffer in silence.

“It’ll be okay,” Clay said aloud.

Blake stopped what he was doing and looked up.

“You know, I’m kinda glad the programme shut down. I hated her going out,” Clay said as he rewired the monitor. “Scared the hell out of me. I’ve had dreams where she doesn’t come back, or just her head comes back.”

“That’s messed up.”

“I can’t help it. My mind always goes there when she’s on a run. She worries me to death.”

“She’s tough.”

“I know, tough and impulsive.”

Blake was silent and Clay glanced over at him.

Blake smiled and cast his eyes back on to the screens. “You look hassled.”

“You’re the second person to say that.”

“Oh? Well, must be true, then.” He flashed Clay a grin.

With a few more adjustments, Clay had the screen back to normal. “There.”

“You’re a genius, babe.”

“Nah.”

“Yep, you’re the best.”

No matter how bright Blake smiled, there was still a troubled sheen over everything. He didn’t know what to do, how to dispel it. And could he anyway? Why was he trying to? Reality would always be there, waiting in the wings, ready to jump out and slap some faces. He couldn’t take away the pressures of reality.

He wiped his hands on his trousers. “Come give me a kiss.”

Blake turned to him, but instead of a soft kiss on the lips, all Clay got was a dry peck on the cheek. Clay blinked in surprise as Blake settled back at the monitors as if the kiss hadn’t even happened. He squashed the hurt. Of course it was wholly inappropriate asking for a kiss when Blake was clearly busy. He should know better.

Clay gathered up his tools and took one last look at the monitor. A job well done, even if he said so himself.

“Thanks, Clay.”

“No problem.” He needed to go fix something. “See you tonight?”

“Of course.”

Blake returned to his work. Clay left as soon as his boyfriend’s back was to him.

Blake was just busy that was all. And yet, he’d been busy before but never this dismissive. Clay shut down the negative thoughts. He had work to do and for that he needed a clear head.

***

Where are you, Ash?

She had to show her face soon.

He was standing outside her room, having found it empty when he knocked. His brain was working overtime, worrying about where she was.

She’s getting the space she needs.

Truthfully, he was grasping at nothing. What he really needed to be doing was getting to work on his secret project. He had some free time. Getting the project up and running was crucial.

Where are you, Ash?

She was hurting and out there. Ash knew how to take care of herself, sure, but when a heart is broken it can push folks to do foolish things. He knew her like no other, but not even he could offer himself a drop of reassurance to say what she was capable of.

He had to stop worrying.

Damn Ryder! This was his bloody fault. Damn him and Nina!

As if on cue, Ryder came walking toward him.

He clenched his fists as a kernel of rage sat in his chest.

“Hi, Clay,” Ryder said.

“She’s not here.”

“Oh.”

Ryder popped his hands in his pockets. “You know where she might be?”

“No, and even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”

Ryder’s eyes narrowed. “Is there a problem?”

“You tell me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Clay shrugged and cursed himself at being completely unsubtle. He just wanted Ryder to piss off.

Ryder sighed. “Me and Nina.”

“Ash doesn’t want to see you.”

“She’s not here anyway.”

“So go.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt her, Clay.”

“But you did.”

“I have to follow my heart,” Ryder said.

“Seriously? Would have never expected to hear language like that come from
your
mouth.”

“Look, it’s really none of your business anyway, and I’m not gonna stand here, justifying myself to you.”

Clay felt the anger stir in his breast. He didn’t let it out very often. He was usually pretty well behaved, but Ryder was a threat to Ash’s equilibrium. He’d hurt the person most precious to Clay, and that was something that he couldn’t let slide. “You fuck with my sister’s heart, and you fuck with me, and trust me you do
not
want to fuck with me because I
will
break you.”

Ryder’s expression went dark. “You threatening me?”

“Clearly.”

“I’d like to see you try.”

Clay unfolded his arms as Ryder moved closer. He locked eyes with the man, almost a head taller than him. The rage writhed behind his eyeballs, making his head burn with the need to hit something. He clenched his fists, so ready to unleash it was almost painful to hold back.

Ryder took a step back, his expression wary. “Prick.”

The anger went from boil to simmer. “Just go, Ryder.”

“Whatever.” Ryder skulked off.

Clay exhaled, his body trembling with the after effects of the adrenaline. He’d almost lost it. Damn it, Ash! He needed her to come back so he could know that she would be okay. Of course none of this was really Ryder’s fault, Clay knew that deep down, but he needed someone to be pissed with and Ryder was the most appropriate candidate.

He headed back to his workshop, vowing to come back later. Losing himself in work would do him good and soothe his mind.

An hour later, his eyes were heavy, his head pounding from the close scrutiny of his project.

He attempted to get up to try and shake it off. Having a walk would do him some good. However, the pain in his skull was just too much. He had to rest his eyes and his head, just for a bit. Ten minutes of resting his head on his desk wouldn’t hurt.

He fell asleep within a minute.

Once Treagor was gone, Apocalypse returned to normal. The patrons went back to their conversations, their drinks, their meals, and Cal took me gently by the elbow and led me up the stairs. Up close, the white steps were smooth and swirling with iridescent patterns. I wanted to ask what they were made of, but pressed my lips together, sensing this wasn’t the time to be quizzing a stone man on the decor.

We reached the top of the stairs and Cal released me. “Come.” He strode ahead, away from the white balcony rails and into the crimson-tinged shadows beyond. The floor under my feet was soft. I glanced down to see that it was carpeted in a red so dark it was almost black. The walls, too, were painted crimson. It was . . . disconcerting.

I followed Cal down a corridor and into a small room that could barely take the two of us. I looked up at him with a frown, but he kept his eyes fixed on the doors as they slid closed. He reached for the wall, and I noticed the glowing buttons for the first time. They each had a strange symbol etched into them. Cal pressed one and my stomach lurched. I stumbled and Cal grabbed my arm to steady me. Were we moving? I shot him a confused look, and his dark eyes softened.

“It’s a lift. Like stairs, it takes you from floor to floor,” he explained.

A lift, of course. I’d seen them, but never a working one. Right now, we were headed up.

The lift came to a smooth halt and Cal released my arm.

“Come.”

I rolled my eyes. He didn’t have to keep telling me to come. It’s not like I had anywhere else to go—nowhere that was safe anyway.

We emerged into another corridor. This one was all shades of green, brown, and yellow. It reminded me of the forest scenes from the books and magazines I’d scavenged over the years. The floor was dark, hard wood, and the air smelled fresh and earthy.

Cal turned left at a junction and stopped outside a huge wooden door. The door handles were two massive knots of wood, polished to a shine.

Cal lifted a fist and knocked.

I didn’t hear any response, but he must have because he turned the handles, pushed open the door, and nudged me inside. I stepped into the room and blinked, holding up a hand to shield my eyes from the light. It was so bright. I heard the door close with a snick behind me.

A few moments passed and my vision adjusted.

“Come closer, human.”

That voice again, the hot guy from the balcony. Avery.

“Now.”

What was it with Shadowlanders and barking orders? I bit back my annoyance. I needed them. I couldn’t afford to piss them off.

“Come forward, please.”

This time I did as he asked. The please he tagged on helped a little.

As I moved closer, I got a good look at him. Taller than me by at least two feet, his shoulders were wide, his toned arms crossed over his broad chest. I glanced over his shoulders but couldn’t see his wings.

“Where are your wings?” I asked.

He stilled. “What did you say?”

Shit, had I somehow inadvertently insulted him? “Um . . . I just wondered where your wings went. They’re lovely, by the way. Really . . . colourful.”

He moved toward me so fast that I didn’t have time to flinch before he had me pinned to the door. His palms pressed to the wood on either side of my head. He had me caged. He locked eyes with me and stared long enough to make me feel more than a little uncomfortable.

He released me a second later and stepped back, head cocked slightly to the side, lips pursed and brow furrowed. “You’re human.”

It wasn’t a question, but I answered anyway. “Yes, last I checked.” I chuckled dryly, hoping to diffuse the tension that was thrumming between us.

“I can’t read you,” he muttered then turned away. He moved into the light, which had diffused a little, enough for me to make out a huge desk, also made of some kind of wood. He picked up a stone and held it to his lips.

“Jiva, can you come to my office please.”

He placed the stone back on the desk and approached me, slowly this time. His golden hair had come untucked from behind his ears and caressed the sides of his chiselled face.