He didn’t want to admit it but Ta’breyian was right. Jenny had to be his priority right now, especially with that bitch out there. “I need to find Lucia and stop her because she’s more dangerous than we first believed.”
“She’s a powerful adversary, there’s no question.”
Dane pressed his lips together. He could not lie to Ta’breyian. “There’s more. Harris is alive. He was working for Caiaphas. That is, until recently.”
“Why didn’t you alert headquarters right away? You’re not helping him, are you?” Ta’breyian wasn’t pleased.
“It was never my intent to help a traitor. I wanted to kill the bastard but I can’t because of Jenny.”
“What does Jenny have to do with a traitor to the coven?” He took a step forward.
How could Dane explain this snafu that had unfolded in Ta’breyian’s absence? “Jenny’s best friend is Harris’ blooded mate. Her name is Marley.”
“Harris must be punished. He took a vow and broke it. The Order will go after him.”
“I agree that he should be disciplined.” Dane nodded in agreement. He wasn’t on Harris’ side, damn it.
“When he shows up again, you will contact the Order. Harris is a wild card.”
“Jenny would be devastated if I did that. There’s more to the story that you don’t understand.” He hated Harris but despite his opinion of him and what he deserved, Marley was Jenny’s friend and was in real danger with the Order. If he didn’t at least try to help, Jenny might never get over it.
“Tell me.”
Dane told Ta’breyian everything that had happened. How he believed Lucia was involved and had taken over Marley. “That’s why I’m here. She’s the one who killed the two humans I just buried,” he concluded.
“Things are spinning out of control. We might need some Sentinels to guard the city.”
“Are you sure it’s wise to leave the Order unprotected?” That didn’t sound wise.
“We only need a few Sentinels to do the job. I will speak to Marcus and the high council about it. Caiaphas and Lucia need to be stopped. Plus, with all this activity happening, humans are becoming more suspicious.”
“Would it be so awful if they knew the truth?” He was getting tired of this cat-and-mouse bullshit.
“You and I both know it would cause mass panic. Our kind would become the hunted. Nothing good will come of humans discovering our existence.”
“I disagree. I’m tired of this bullshit. It’s just a matter of time. They probably already suspect. They say we’re a figment of their imagination but I wonder,” he said gruffly.
“That’s not our call.” Ta’breyian swiftly dropped the subject. Maybe in some small way he agreed. “Where’s Harris?”
“Who the hell knows? He took off when I sent a message to Marcus.” This subject served to infuriate him more. He was caught in the middle, an ugly place to be.
“Be careful, Dane, his loyalty is not to the Order anymore. If Marley has gone Rogue, he may switch sides again. There’s no telling what he’ll do at this point. He must be dealt with, are we clear?”
“Crystal.” Fuck, he was so screwed.
“I will check in with headquarters after I make a stop in Manhattan at that damn
Daily News
. The park is quiet at the moment. But it won’t be for long if that crazy reporter gets wind of this.”
Dane wasn’t sure if Ta’breyian was talking to him or making a mental note out loud. “I buried them deep, don’t worry.”
“You should return to your mate. I’ll take it from here.” Ta’breyian seemed really distracted. Who was this reporter?
“Not yet.”
“I must go. We’ll talk soon.” Ta’breyian disappeared without another word.
Dane glanced up at the sky. It would be morning in a couple of hours. He wanted to go back to Jenny but he was torn. If he left here with no answers, she would be devastated.
The sound of patrol cars entering the park pulled him from his reveries. Humans were coming. He decided he would trace to his office first, place some calls and then he would face Jenny. Harris was on his own. Dane could do nothing for him now.
Ta’breyian was right, he couldn’t be trusted.
* * * * *
Jenny sat on the bed with her knees drawn up to her chest. Dane hadn’t called or left a text. In fact she was pretty sure he was avoiding her. She was going mad with worry. Sparring with Ivanna for a few hours to relieve nervous energy had helped a little. But the relief she gained from it didn’t last long. Nothing helped. Her mind was racing with worry over their fate.
I’ve got to do something, but what?
She climbed off the bed and went into the bathroom. Dane’s pants were lying on the floor. She picked them up and the silver cell phone he’d given her to contact Marley fell out of the pocket. She picked it up and switched it on.
Dane is going to kill me for getting involved but I’m sick and tired of waiting.
She chewed on her bottom lip.
I have to try.
She dialed Marley’s number and let it ring a few times.
“Hello? Oh please, Jenny, let it be you.” Marley’s panicked voice answered on the other end of the line.
“Marley are you—you? Shit, that’s a dumb question.”
“No, it’s not. I’m so freaked out. I woke up in the park. There was blood all over me. I had to trace to our old apartment because I couldn’t get back to the cabin. What the hell is going on?”
“You’re in Boston?”
“Yes, it’s the only place I could think of to go. I can’t get back to the cabin for some stupid reason. Where’s Harris?”
“Um—he’s fine.” She wasn’t about to tell Marley what had happened. If she could remember it would only make the situation worse.
“Can I talk to him? Is he with you?”
“Harris is out searching for you right now. Do you remember anything that happened?” Jenny closed her eyes as tears spilled down her cheeks.
“I don’t know. The last thing I remember was falling asleep in Harris’ arms and then I woke up in the park with fucking blood all over me. Please tell me I didn’t hurt anyone.”
“I need you to stay put, I’m coming. Don’t fall asleep again, do you hear me? I’ll explain everything when I get there, I promise.”
“What do you mean? Did I do something bad? I hurt someone, didn’t I? Tell me!” Marley shrieked.
“It wasn’t you, okay? A vampire took over your mind while you slept, so whatever the fuck you do, don’t fall asleep again. I’m coming. Wait there.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? I-I thought I was dreaming. Shit, it was the bitch with the fiery-red hair. She’s real. Okay, hurry your ass up.” Marley’s frightened voice had Jenny on edge. Nothing got to Marley.
“You saw her?” Did Marley have visions of what had happened and think it was a nightmare?
“I did some really bad things, didn’t I?” She began to weep.
“I’m coming, don’t worry. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Stay awake.”
“I-I have to get this blood off me,” she sobbed.
“I’m leaving now.” Jenny hung up the phone. She had promised Dane she wouldn’t take off but this was Marley. And it might be Jenny’s only chance to save her life. She thought about texting Dane but since he didn’t seem to care enough to contact her, why should she afford him the same courtesy? A moment of fear came over her and she wondered if perhaps he could be just like every other man who’d hurt her. She dismissed the thought. She couldn’t go there right now. Her focus was Marley, the one person she could trust.
I can’t go alone though. I need backup.
Jenny ran down the hall to Ivanna’s room and tapped on the door. “Ivanna, are you awake?”
“What is it?” Ivanna’s hair hung loose around her shoulders. Her face was freshly washed. The woman was stunning. It appeared she was getting ready for bed.
“Please, I need your help.”
“What kind of help?” She regarded Jenny suspiciously.
“I know where Marley is.” This was probably a bad idea.
“Jenny…”
“Dane hasn’t called. I spoke to Marley. She’s herself again. She’s frightened and needs our help. I can’t get a hold of Dane because I think he’s turned off his phone. Please, I don’t want to go alone. I need your help.”
“Where is she?”
Yes—thank you, lord, she is willing to hear me out.
“She traced to our old apartment, Boston. Will you go with me?”
“Jenny, you promised Dane not to leave.” Ivanna scowled.
“I don’t want to break my promise but she needs me. If we go now, we can be back in a few minutes.”
“You put me in an awkward position with your request. I can’t—I…” She was wavering.
“Please, Ivanna, she can’t trace back here. It may be my only chance to save her. Dane should’ve called back or at least checked his messages. Come on, give me a break.”
“All right. Give me a few minutes to change and gather a few weapons.” She closed the door.
Relief flooded Jenny. This had to work. It wouldn’t take long.
“You’re the best. I mean it.” Jenny hugged Ivanna as she opened the door again.
“In and out, do you hear me? Damn, I hope I don’t regret doing this.”
“You won’t. It will be a quick trip. I swear—wait. Dane’s barrier.” Jenny panicked.
“If we go outside a few yards away from the den, you may be able to trace.”
Hmm, so there are limits to the areas Dane can control.
“Did you tell Dmitri where you were going?”
“Be serious. He’d bite my head off. If you weren’t like a daughter to me, I wouldn’t do this. Argh…let’s get this over with before I change my mind. He’s out patrolling the perimeter so we better hurry.”
They left and trudged through the snow until they cleared the trees surrounding the den. The snow glistened in the eerie moonlight.
“Give me your hands.”
“I hope I won’t regret this.” Ivanna gave her a pained expression.
“Close your eyes and trust me,” Jenny replied as she traced them to Boston.
“Now that was quite unpleasant.” Ivanna swayed.
“I know, sorry. It’s worse if you trace with your eyes open.”
“Let’s find your friend and get the hell out of here.”
“Right.” Jenny nodded. “Marley, we’re here. Where are you?”
“Jenny…” Marley traced into the room. “Who’s your friend?”
“What do you mean? That’s…” She realized right away Marley was gone and Lucia was back in control.
“Oops…you caught my slip of the tongue. I guess I’m not that good at impersonations, am I? Oh well, no matter. You’re here so mission is accomplished.”
“Back up, Jenny, we should go.” Ivanna began to transform. Her jaw elongated and hair covered her cheeks and throat. She still stood upright but her facial features resembled a wolf’s.
“I’m intrigued you brought a shifter with you. Did you honestly think one shifter is enough to take the likes of someone like me? One, please.” Her tone was patronizing.
“I wouldn’t act so smug, you evil bitch. I’m not someone you want to mess with.” Ivanna snapped her jaws together in a show of aggression.
Jenny tried to trace but nothing happened.
“Let’s go, Jenny,” Ivanna said under her breath.
“I’m trying, it’s not working.”
“She can’t trace you out of here because I set a trap for her. You see, I gave Marley her body back long enough so the two friends could make contact. Poor Marley, she has no idea I’ve taken over again.”
“Jenny was wise to bring me along. I’m no weakling, Rogue. You’ll not get past me and if you try, I swear I’ll rip you apart.”
“Aaah, but you are one lone bitch. Where’s your pack now…hmmm?”
“I can take care of myself, don’t worry. I’ve dealt with my fair share of your kind. You hide behind your victims. Come face me yourself, you coward,” Ivanna taunted her.
“Now why would I want to damage myself when I have this perfectly good vessel to destroy instead?”
“You’re a coward, that’s why.” Jenny was furious and wanted a piece of this bitch
“Foolish child, I’m no coward…calculating, yes…shrewd…always. You see, I play to win. Now you can come with me or I’ll bring the party here. It’s your choice.”
“We’ll fight! Let’s dance.” Ivanna’s voice grew deeper, animalistic, as she started to change forms.
“I think not.” Caiaphas appeared in the room with several Rogues. “You’re coming with us.”
“I’d rather die fighting.”
“Foolish wolf shifter, so be it.” Caiaphas didn’t seem fazed by her show of aggression, which was more alarming.
“You’ll bring the wrath of my entire pack down on your head, Rogue.” Ivanna’s jaw began to elongate. Hair appeared on the sides of her face as she fell forward.
“I welcome the challenge, Alpha bitch.” Caiaphas lowered his stance, prepared to fight.
Jenny couldn’t let her friend be killed. This had all gone terribly wrong. “Ivanna, stop, there’s too many of them. You can’t fight them all.” Jenny wrapped her arms around Ivanna’s waist. “Caiaphas, we’ll go with you.”
“Jenny, let go.” Ivanna was panting but still somehow retained part of her human form. Maybe she also realized this wasn’t a fight that either of them could walk out of alive.