From Burning Ashes (Collector Series #4) Read online

  “Adopted by a troop of monkeys in Brazil?”

  I continued to head for the corner.

  “Hell! He could be their leader. He’d love it. He’d be a king of the baboons there.”

  “Night, Croygen.”

  Dawn licked at the night sky, blushing the darkness with light as I curled up on the dirty mattress. Lexie’s body felt fragile next to mine. The night of the fae storm, I’d watched the only place I stayed at long enough to call home burn down, with the reason I called it home inside. Now I watched her chest move raggedly up and down. The sense of her being taken away from me for a second time washed over me.

  I gripped her to me, hoping if I held on tight enough, she wouldn’t slip through my fingers again.

  NINE

  Screams tore me out of sleep, jolting my eyes open to the muted light. My heart crawled up my throat as another terror-filled cry came from the figure next to me. I sat up and turned to face her. Her eyes were closed. Tears and sweat coated her face. A strangled, pained wail arose from her, her arms lashing out at an invisible attacker.

  “Lexie.” Terror filled my chest. I reached down, touching her shoulder. “Wake up.”

  She batted at my hand, screaming in terror.

  “Lexie! Wake up.”

  Ryker was suddenly beside me, grabbing her hands and holding them down. Croygen came to Lexie’s head. He pressed his fingers in the space between her brows and then rubbed his hand soothingly over her temples in an arch motion.

  “Shhh,” he whispered softly. Lexie’s cries died in her throat, her body stilling as her breathing slowed. A peaceful expression lightened her face.

  My mouth cracked open, staring first at the sleeping girl then at the pirate. “How did you do that?”

  Croygen looked at me through his lashes. “You learn a lot in the Orient.” He winked, his hands continued to trace from the bridge of her nose to her temples. “The pressure point they call the third eye helps calm a person.”

  Ryker’s awed expression matched mine. We both stared at Croygen. Every day these men surprised me.

  “Well, thank you.”

  “Welcome.” Croygen’s brow furrowed. “The kid has been through a lot. I can’t imagine the horrors she’s endured. She might not remember right now, but her subconscious does.”

  “Yeah.” Guilt climbed on my back. I tried so hard to provide a better life. Make the best of the crappy hand she was dealt. She appeared strong, but I knew too well that fine line between tough and brittle.

  I reached out, feathering my fingers over Lexie’s face. Heat rolled off her skin like a scorching desert. Her fever had gone up.

  “When the sun sets we need to move. We can’t stay at any location for more than a night or two.” Ryker stood, moving away from me. “I know of a place owned by dark fae. We should be safe there.”

  “Where?” Croygen rose.

  “Across town. An old car garage.”

  “Joey’s place?” Croygen’s eyebrow hitched up. “Sure we’d be safe?”

  Ryker folded his arms.

  “Why?” I glanced between them.

  “Joey, from what I heard, is not too happy with our boy here.”

  “Shocker.” I got to my feet, careful not to disturb Lexie. “Ryker doesn’t have a lot of male fans, fae or human.”

  Croygen snorted.

  “Just be ready to go in two hours.” Ryker turned around and left the room. I hated he couldn’t be near me for more than a few minutes. Every time he walked away a piece of my soul followed.

  Croygen stared at me with a knowing grin.

  “What?”

  He chuckled under his breath, walking away. “Joey’s a woman.”

  Ah. Croygen didn’t need to say any more. Here was another one of Ryker’s forsaken lovers, probably another passionately pissed-off woman. Speaking of those, I noticed Amara was nowhere to be found. Hopefully she’d run away.

  “Maybe we should go somewhere else.”

  Croygen only laughed harder, purposely nudging the desk where Sprig passed out.

  “Bears! They’re coming for me,” Sprig squeaked in his sleep, his legs and arms twitching. “No. No, don’t eat me!”

  “All those honey bears he’s eaten are finally retaliating.” Croygen hit the desk again. “Get him, bears. Suck out the mush he calls brains.”

  “Croygen. Stop.” I moved over to the table. “We have enough people in here who need therapy.”

  “Too late for this one.”

  “Sprig?” I touched the soft fur by his ear.

  “Ahhhhh! Zombie honey bears. Eating. My. Brains!” He jerked and jumped up, fists forward. “Get back, Teddy!” He blinked at Croygen and me. When he realized where he was, Sprig dropped his arms, the grimace smoothed away. “Hey. Is it breakfast time? Oh look, a granola bar.” He pointed down the desk at the loot we took. “Is Izel’s close? I really want some of her pancakes. Damn, that woman can cook. Pam? Oh gods, did she leave me again?”

  “She’s right here.” I picked her up and placed the goat into his outstretched arms.

  “Pammy.” He hugged her tight. “What?” He put his ear to her mouth. “She wants to go to Izel’s too.”

  “We are nowhere near Izel’s.” My mind flashed back to the previous night when I had jumped. Again it was purely out of self-protection and not by choice, but I hoped that meant someday Ryker and I would be able to control them again. Izel’s for breakfast would be a possibility.

  The sun dipped below the horizon. Our situation had turned us into night crawlers.

  Amara sauntered in the room, her hands wrapped around a coffee cup. My mouth watered as the strong, rich aroma wafted into my nose, and I had to bite my lip to keep from snatching the cup out of her hands.

  “Did you get us any?” Croygen sat on the edge of the desk.

  “I got it for the people who needed it, who were actually on guard all night.” She smiled, taking a gulp of coffee.

  “Bitch,” Croygen snarled.

  “Wow. It’s like you can read my mind.” I tapped his arm.

  We shared a smile. Amara’s gaze darted back and forth between us, smugness glinting in her eyes. I knew what she was hoping, what she wanted to happen—that the bond between Croygen and me would push Ryker and me apart.

  “You two are really adorable.” She smiled.

  “Back off,” Sprig huffed, coming to my side on the desk, glaring at Amara. “Your desperation is making me want to fling poo at you.”

  “You are disgusting.”

  “And you are a carton full of bat-shitting bananas.”

  “Hmmm. I like that one.” Croygen gave Sprig an approving nod.

  Amara glared at both, her mouth open as though to speak, but at Ryker’s entrance, she shut it.

  A coffee cup in hand, he strolled in. In an instant she pulled a flirty smile on her lips and flicked her ponytail over her shoulder. He walked by her, not even giving her a look. He took a sip then placed the coffee in my hand as he passed, going to the bags and wordlessly packing the stuff on the table.

  I couldn’t fight back my smile for the fact that he knew me so well and my love for coffee…or more accurately, for caffeine.

  Even with the oath in place, we were still a team. I was so freaking in love with this man. Seeing Amara’s bitter expression didn’t hurt either.

  I took a swallow, letting the strong acrid flavor coat my tongue. It wasn’t great coffee, but I missed it too much to care. Black, cheap, lukewarm, I’d take it. A small sigh came from my throat.

  “Do we need to leave you alone, Bhean?” Sprig patted my arm. “I totally get it. Honey—”

  A liquid-filled cough cut off Sprig’s words. I spun instantly. Setting down the coffee, I ran for Lexie. She leaned over and began retching on the floor. Everything she had eaten or drunk in the last day came out in violent waves, until there was nothing but bile.

  I held her hair with one hand, rubbed her back with the other. It reminded me of the many times I’d done just
this after a treatment or when she dealt with the side effects of a new medication. It didn’t even faze me anymore, especially when I looked into her face and saw the pain and exhaustion streaking her features.

  Her arms shook as she held herself up. Vomit covered the floor and left splatter on her top. “I’m sorry.” A tiny, childlike whimper came from her.

  “Don’t be sorry. Never be sorry.” I softly massaged her shoulders. She always got extremely emotional after she was sick. “Remember what I used to tell you.”

  She nodded. “Just my body filtering out the bad to make room for good.” Lexie took in a shaky breath and glanced at her audience. A fever flushed her cheeks, but I could also see embarrassment in her eyes.

  Luckily no one seemed horrified. Croygen ventured over first.

  “Oh god. Don’t look at me like this.” Lexie squeezed her lids closed, turning her head away from him.

  “Are you kidding, little card shark?” He squatted down next to her. “You know how many times I’ve hurled? I didn’t look half as graceful as you. You have style.”

  She snorted and wiped her mouth.

  Ryker handed me a towel, wipes, and a shirt I had picked out for Lexie. I took the items.

  “I didn’t think we could get that blanket filthier. Good job.” Croygen patted her back. His humor had relaxed her shoulders, helped her embarrassment fall away.

  “All right. Let’s get you cleaned up.” Afterward I hoped I could get more liquids, painkillers, antibiotics, and eventually food down her.

  Without a word, Croygen scooped her up, lifting her away from the mess on the floor. Ryker hooked the blanket with his foot and covered the puddle. It was simple, but for Lexie, it would make a difference not having to see it. I gave his wrist a squeeze as I passed, his body going rigid at my touch. I ignored it and headed for my sister. Croygen set her down on the table.

  “Impressive projection.” Sprig held up his hand.

  “Thanks.” Lexie high-fived him.

  “All you boys, out.” I pointed to the door. I wanted to give Lexie some privacy as I cleaned her up.

  Sprig grabbed Pam and walked back to Lexie. “This is Pam. We got back together last night. She’s had some work done, but we don’t talk about it.”

  Lexie looked at me. I gave her a smile. She turned back to Sprig and the goat. “Nice to meet you, Pam.”

  “She told me she’d like to hang out with you. Girl bonding stuff, you know.” He held Pam up to Lexie. My heart fluttered. I knew what he was doing. Pam was his security when he felt scared. He wanted Lexie to have the same.

  “Cool. I’d love to hang out with Pam.” Lexie took her.

  “Don’t let her have a drink, no matter how much she begs. She gets soggy. Then I hear all day how fat and bloated she feels. Ugh. Women.”

  “Tell me about it.” Ryker grabbed Sprig by the scruff, plopping him on his shoulder, and headed out of the room.

  “And don’t touch my honey. Wait, shouldn’t I have some to go? Takeaway honey tits?” His voice faded away as everyone left the room.

  Lexie stared after the vanished group.

  “You’ll get used to this crazy group.” I carefully took off her soiled scrub top.

  “This is all…”

  “Overwhelming? Scary? Screwed up?”

  “All of the above.” She giggled softly, but with little energy. “What’s strange is I don’t find it weird that you have a talking monkey and are hanging out with fae.”

  “After what you’ve seen, I’m sure this is nothing.” I handed her a wipe for her face as I started on her arms.

  “I wished I remembered more. I don’t recall being told about fae, but I know about them. It’s in there.” She tapped at her head and then wiped off her face.

  “Are you all right with them? Do they scare you?”

  “Bad-boy version of Thor is terrifying, but no…I’m not scared. I feel protected.” She wiped at her hands, then leaned over. “I don’t like her though, the one with the purple hair. She looks like one of those bitches I wanted to hit in school.”

  I tugged Lexie’s head forward and kissed the top with a laugh.

  “You always had good instincts, kiddo.”

  She grinned faintly, her gaze rolling over me. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, of course,” I responded quickly. She narrowed her stare on me. “Why do you ask?”

  “Because. You’ve lost weight and I’ve noticed your hands shake a lot. You look really tired.”

  “Wow, thanks.” My shoulders stiffened. My eyes dropping to my fingers. They vibrated with a slight tremor. Lexie could see through me. She knew something was wrong. I couldn’t tell her about the stone, what it was doing to me, but I couldn’t lie to her either. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. Don’t worry about me. We need to concentrate on you getting better.”

  She nodded, letting the topic drop. I continued to wash her, several minutes passing in silence.

  “Is Jo dead?” Lexie blurted.

  I bit my lip and nodded. “Yes. She is.”

  “I should feel sad or something, shouldn’t I?” She held up her arms as I slipped her new shirt over her scrawny body. “I mean, I do. But not really for her. More for our home, the room you and I shared.”

  “You feel how you feel.” I understood her fear of losing empathy. When you were so used to loss, you put up walls to protect yourself. One day those walls became so thick, you stopped feeling completely.

  “I am really sorry about Daniel. I know how much you cared about him.”

  “I did.” I nodded.

  “You’re in love with the Viking dude, aren’t you? I can see it.”

  “Lexie, you’ve been with us for less than twenty-four hours and most of it you were asleep.”

  “It’s that freakin’ obvious.” She smoothed her T-shirt. “I thought you were in love with Daniel, but this is different. The way you look at him. Hell! The way he looks at you when you don’t know it.”

  “Ryker and I are…complicated.”

  “What’s difficult about it? You go down on him. Man is yours.”

  “Lexie.” I groaned into my hands.

  “What? Tell me what’s so complicated about it? Don’t say it’s because of her. Is he sleeping with her?”

  “No.” Not anymore.

  “Well…”

  “Well, for one, he wants nothing more than to kill me. And I mean that in the literal sense.” I explained to Lexie about how oaths worked in the fae world and how and why I forced Ryker into binding himself to one.

  “You’ve been busy, girl.” She shook her head, and then had to grip the table to steady herself. Every word she spoke seemed to zap energy from her.

  “You could say that.”

  “So this oath works on you even though you’re human?”

  “Well, it works on human or fae, but there’s something else. I’m not completely…uhhh…” I trailed off. “I’m not exactly human anymore.”

  There was a long pause. Lexie’s eyes went wide. “Are you freaking kidding me? You are fae?”

  “Yes. Part fae.”

  “Holy shit! My sister’s a fairy.”

  “Fae. Not fairy. Difference.” I sponged at the heavy perspiration along her hairline with her old scrub shirt.

  “Whatever. Do you have powers?”

  “I do, except they’re not exactly working right now. Rapava did something to screw them up. Neither Ryker nor I can jump right now.”

  “Jump?”

  “Ryker is a Wanderer. It gives him the ability to jump to anyplace in the world with a merely thought. I took on his traits when some of his powers stayed with me.”

  “Oh my god. This is the coolest thing ever,” she whispered hoarsely.

  “What’s the coolest thing ever?” Croygen walked into the room.

  “My sister’s a fairy.”

  “Fae,” we said in unison.

  “Don’t lump her with those righteous fuckers,” Croygen snarled. “She’s dark fae.�
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  “We can give Lexie a history lesson on fae later. What do you need?” I asked.

  “Oh, Wanderer has his panties in a twist. Something about spotting Garrett nearby.”

  “What?” I screeched. “Don’t you think you should have started with that?”

  Croygen shrugged, heading for Lexie. “You ready, little shark?” Her face reddened when she realized what he was doing. He shoved his arms under her legs, picking her up like she weighed no more than a doll. “Time to move.”

  I snatched the packed bags, giving a couple to Lexie to hold, then stuffed a hunting knife in the back of my pants. We bolted into the evening, where the big bad monsters lurked, waiting for a meal.

  TEN

  Croygen steered us to Ryker and Amara, who were hiding in an alley. Tendons along Ryker’s neck and arms were taut with strain. Sprig huddled on his shoulder.

  Ryker seethed in a whisper, “Garrett, Maxen, and Cadoc are a block up, both on the ground and rooflines. There is another group of them two blocks over.” Ryker pointed to the left and right of us. “They’re doing a sweep.”

  “What’s your plan?” I pulled out my blade.

  “Try to slip out under their noses,” he replied flatly. “Keep low and to the shadows.”

  “Sprig.” I pointed to my messenger bag. He wordlessly jumped from Ryker to me, crawling in my bag, where his backpack and Pam awaited.

  I looked at Croygen to be sure Lexie stayed tucked safely in his arms. Her eyes were already half-mast, struggling to fight back the sleep the fever demanded of her.

  I felt like we were some unusual family, like the von Trapps, trying to escape in the middle of the night from a horrendous dictator’s regime.

  Oh right, we kind of were.

  We crept along together, stealthy and silent. The night buzzed with energy but was spookily quiet.

  Ryker was leading, and at every corner he would stop and check to see if the coast was clear. Amara constantly scanned the tops of the buildings, while I brought up the rear, watching our backs. With every step my chest tightened in anticipation of fae coming closer.

  We passed an alley. When I glanced across the entrance, the glow of a slight-built fae stepped into it from the other side of the block.