23. Goodnight Kisses and Important Meetings

CHAPTER 23

Goodnight Kisses and Important Meetings

S everal days had passed since Moonwater Prison, but Brynleigh couldn't stop thinking about it.

Her stomach had twisted into knots the moment they stepped foot inside that awful place, and it had yet to unravel. She'd barely eaten, barely slept.

She and Ryker were at the kitchen table in the apartment. The remnants of his late dinner sat on a plate before him, and she nursed her second glass of blood-wine.

"There has to be another way." Ryker dragged his hand through his hair, looking more exhausted than she'd ever seen him. "Maybe the shifter was wrong."

"Maybe." Swirling her wine, Brynleigh gazed into the crimson depths.

After a long moment, she released her wings. The black appendages draped over her back.

Yesterday, Ryker surprised her with new dining room chairs with room for her wings. Gods, he was considerate, this husband of hers.

"I don't think he is," she admitted with a sigh.

Why would Zanri lie? He was already in prison, already being tortured. He would gain nothing by sending them on a wild goose chase.

Leaving her friend in that horrible place had been one of the most difficult things Brynleigh had ever done. She hadn't fought to get Zanri out because she had no idea what the next steps would've been. Where could he go? He was destroyed.

This was all Jelisette's fault.

At first, when Brynleigh had been thrown into prison, she blamed both Zanri and her Maker for betraying her. But that wasn't true. Jelisette must have been forcing Zanri to do what he did because the way that he spoke about the rules…

Brynleigh knew what genuine fear looked like, and she'd seen it carved into her friend's broken face.

Guilt swirled in her stomach, souring the wine she'd already imbibed.

"Is there really nothing you can do for Zanri?" This wasn't the first time she'd asked Ryker, but she needed to be sure. "Maybe your mom can help?"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart." He reached over and placed his hand on hers. "If I was a Representative, then maybe I could, but I'm not. And Mom… she won't help."

Unfortunately, Brynleigh had expected that.

Tertia Waterborne was one of the coldest women she'd ever encountered, and that spoke fucking volumes. Thank all the gods, her mother-in-law was still on a work trip in the north.

"Alright." She sighed, glanced at the clock, and cursed. "I have to go. I have that… job I told you about."

She had yet to explain to Ryker that she was trying to infiltrate the Black Night.

Searching for the cipher was one thing, but pretending to join the rebels for further information was another. Hopefully, she would get some solid information tonight to share with him.

She wasn't leaving him alone at the apartment. Ryker had an important meeting at the base .

The fae in question frowned. "You're sure you have to go tonight?"

"I'm sure." Brynleigh had learned about the meeting from Dimitri after defeating the Crimson Shade, and something told her the rebels didn't do rain checks.

Besides, this wasn't like the Rosewood, where a veil of secrecy had protected Ryker. The rebels wouldn't hesitate to hurt or even execute Ryker just because he was the son of a powerful Representative.

No, she had to do this on her own. At least for now.

"I wish I was going with you." He cleared his plate.

She stood and followed him with her wine glass.

"I'll be fine," she assured him, wiggling her wings. "Who would dare fight me with these? I'll just smack them in the face with one, and they'll reconsider everything."

He snorted, but concern still filled his eyes. "You'll come straight home after?"

"Yes, I promise." Washing her glass, she placed it on the counter and brushed her lips over his cheek. "I wouldn't miss our goodnight kiss for the world."

They hadn't discussed the state of their relationship, but they would have to do it soon. The Reunion was coming.

It wasn't as though they were ignoring each other, though. On the contrary, every night since their return from Moonwater Prison, they'd shared a very steamy, definitely not platonic, goodnight kiss before going their separate ways. Brynleigh went to the couch, and Ryker went to his bedroom.

Without fail, she dreamed of him. She woke with an ache between her legs that was growing more insistent with each passing day. She wanted him. Needed him, even. Every kiss was a taste of what they'd had, and she cherished each one.

So no, she wouldn't be missing their kiss.

Ryker wrapped his hand around hers and pressed his chest against her wings. He kissed her neck, murmuring, "Don't do anything stupid. Don't be brave. Just stay in one piece. I don't trust Jelisette."

Neither did Brynleigh, but this was the best way to get the information for Ryker.

"I will." Tugging the sleeves of her cardigan, Brynleigh stepped back. "I'll see you in a few hours."

Chocolate eyes met hers. "I can't wait."

Releasing her shadows, she allowed them to embrace her. Even as the apartment slipped away and she stepped into the Void, she held Ryker's gaze.

The warehouse had undergone a serious transformation since Brynleigh's last visit. The tables, bar, and stage were gone, as though they'd never existed. Dim lighting had replaced the spotlights. Several large crates were stacked in clusters.

Where too-loud music had once filled the industrial space, now every hushed whisper of feet on the cement floor felt out of place.

If Brynleigh hadn't seen the fight club or bled on the stage, she never would have believed this was the same place.

And yet, it was.

She'd shadowed to the same alley, walked across the same street, and spoken to the same burly guard at the door. The same wards had tickled her skin as she walked into the space, and now, she occupied a seat in the last of four rows of metal folding chairs. Her wings were draped over the back, fanned out behind her.

Crossing her arms, Brynleigh willed her shadows to stop throbbing in her veins. They didn't like her presence here, but they'd have to deal with it. She wasn't leaving until she got what she came for.

Instead of focusing on her shadows' unease, Brynleigh took in the space. All the other seats were occupied except the two on either side of her. She'd probably be insulted if she was in another mood, but as it was, she was grateful she wouldn't have to make small talk with anyone.

Not that anyone was talking. Furtive glances and furrowed brows were shot in Brynleigh's direction, but no one spoke to her or anyone else.

It was gods-damned awkward, and minutes dragged on.

It seemed as though every single species in the Republic of Balance was present tonight, save the merfolk. Several humans sat among shifters, werewolves, fae, elves, and witches. There were even a few other vampires, although Brynleigh didn't recognize them.

That wasn't entirely surprising. She had spent the past six years preparing for her revenge, so she hadn't spent much time in the vampiric community. Maybe once this was over, she could find some vampires to befriend. Ones that weren't insanely cruel, lying bitches like her Maker.

But one problem at a time.

First things first: staying under the radar in this meeting, getting information for Ryker, and then getting out of here in one piece.

Then, once this was over, she'd figure out the rest of her life.

Brynleigh wanted to mend things with Hallie, but no matter how many times she typed out an apology text, none of them seemed right. How did one ask for forgiveness for missing the most important day of someone's life? She couldn't seem to find the right words.

Footsteps echoed through the space, drawing Brynleigh out of her thoughts. She looked up, her eyes landing on two figures approaching the gathered group.

Those seemingly ever-present knots in Brynleigh's stomach tightened to the point of pain.

Jelisette strode beside Dimitri, the pair deep in conversation. The werewolf was handsome in his own way, but there was a definite mortality to his beauty.

A scar ran down his cheek that Brynleigh had been too distracted to notice the last time they met, and his face was covered in freckles. His forehead was wrinkled, and his nose was a little too crooked. He was still conventionally attractive, though. Beautiful in a way that most Mature creatures were.

But next to Jelisette, the Alpha looked average. Normal. Not quite… right.

Jelisette's deadly, too-beautiful-to-be-real appearance had always amazed Brynleigh. Darkness surrounded the older vampire. She had an aura of harshness, death, and danger. Yet, when one looked upon the vampire with her chestnut hair, smooth features, and black eyes, one couldn't help but be awed by her violent grace. The older vampire had seen over nine centuries, but she appeared no older than three human decades.

Except for her eyes.

Those eyes had been the first thing Brynleigh saw when she woke after the storm; sometimes, she still had nightmares about them.

Now, Jelisette's dark, lifeless orbs drilled into Brynleigh. Shivers crawled down the younger vampire's spine, and she shifted in her metal seat.

As much as Brynleigh thought she'd won some kind of favor in fighting and besting the Crimson Shade, she would never forget the sting of her Maker's betrayal. It was a sharp, endless burn in her heart that would keep her warm on the coldest of days.

She would never forget that it was Jelisette who'd sent her to kill Ryker even though River had been the one to destroy Chavin, just like she would never forget that Zanri had come to kill Ryker on Jelisette's command.

Brynleigh might be playing the part of the dutiful progeny out to destroy the Representatives, but she would always remember that her Maker had lied to her and left her in prison to rot.

Jelisette moved her gaze as she came to stand in front of the group, but Brynleigh didn't relax. She wouldn't until she was back home with Ryker.

"Welcome, brethren." Dimitri stood in front of the assembly, his stance relaxed and his hands tucked in the pockets of his jeans. "I'm glad so many of you could make it. Tonight, our time is short. I won't keep us waiting with pleasantries. We?—"

A chair was shoved back in the second row.

A woman stood, her rounded ears and average stature speaking to her human heritage. "Seriously, Dimitri? You're not going to address the fucking elephant in the room?"

The werewolf canted his head in a predatory manner, and his orange eyes glowed. "What elephant are you referring to, Mercy?"

Mercy swung on her heel and pointed at Brynleigh. "That one. It's big, blonde, and has black batwings."

Fucking hell. So much for flying under the radar. How come Brynleigh kept attracting the attention of mean girls? First, Valentina Rose, the bitchy fire fae from the Choosing. Now, this human. She was over it.

"That's a vampire, not an elephant," Dimitri said calmly.

"Fuck off," Mercy snarled. "You know what I mean. She's married to a gods-damned Waterborn . I watched her wedding on the Choosing. What in the name of all the gods is she doing here?"

Mercy's voice had risen to a shrill shriek. It was like she broke the spell because the earlier quiet disappeared. Murmurs of agreement rose from the others, and Brynleigh shifted in her seat.

Had she miscalculated, coming here alone? It wasn't as though she'd forgotten that the Choosing had been broadcast to the entire Republic, but she had been a little too busy to consider all the potential ramifications.

Discontent rose, and her stomach twisted tighter and tighter. Her shadows' throb was incessant, as though they were saying, "I told you so."

Maybe they'd been right.

Faces painted in hatred turned and sneered at Brynleigh. More people stood—some humans, a fae, and an elf—and all of them shouted their discontent at her presence. No one seemed to care that she had been here before, but maybe the fight club was different.

Tension ratcheted up, up, up, until Brynleigh's skin felt too tight for her bones. The voices echoed off the steel walls like clanging cymbals. Her heart was a horse galloping in her chest. She kept her wings out and clenched her fists. Would she have to fight her way out of here?

Dimitri didn't say anything as the rebels spewed their venomous anger for several minutes.

"She's with me." Jelisette stepped forward, her quiet words steeped with power. Shadows hung lazily around her hands, and her black gaze met Brynleigh's. "My progeny harbors a hatred for the Representatives and their oppressive ways, just like the rest of you."

That was not true, but Brynleigh had enough preservation instincts to keep that to herself.

Most of the others sat back down, but Mercy remained on her feet.

"She might as well be a Representative," the human sneered. "Those fucking bastards killed my husband and children! Do you expect me to work with the likes of her?"

As if the rebels hadn't just blown up a school. Fucking hypocrites.

"Yes." An Alpha command was laced through Dimitri's voice, and even though Brynleigh wasn't a werewolf, she recognized the power in his words. "That's exactly what I expect. You may not trust her, but you know her Maker."

He gestured to Jelisette, who stood to his right.

The werewolf continued, "For decades, Jelisette de la Point has worked tirelessly for our cause. Because of her endless efforts, we have satellite groups in each of the five regions. Without her, we never would've been able to accomplish half the things we have."

Mercy gripped the back of the chair in front of her. "So, you speak for her? After what Representatives did to Eme?—"

In a movement too quick for even Brynleigh to track, Jelisette crossed the room. Her hand circled Mercy's throat.

"Do. Not. Fucking. Say. His. Name. "

Shadows flooded the warehouse, and Mercy clawed at the hand holding her in the air. It was a useless endeavor. What was a measly, weak human against an almost thousand-year-old enraged vampire?

Mercy squeaked like a terrified mouse, and tears ran down her cheeks.

A twinge of pity ran through Brynleigh. After all, she'd been in that position not long ago.

Snarling, Jelisette shook Mercy back and forth like a rag doll.

"If you ever say his name again, I will rip out your throat and feast on your blood so gods-damned fast you won't even know what hit you. You don't even think about him . Is that understood?"

If Brynleigh had any doubts about Emery Sylvain's existence or that the Representatives had killed him, this violent display would've rid her of them.

Mercy gasped something vaguely like, "Yes," and then Jelisette released her hold.

The human dropped to the floor, gulping in deep, echoing breaths.

"My progeny desires to see the Representatives taken down a few notches, just like the rest of us." Jelisette turned and addressed the crowd. "Does anyone else have any concerns?"

Silence was the only answer.

Jelisette nodded at Dimitri.

"Very well," the Alpha said calmly as if a woman hadn't almost been murdered a few feet away from him. "As I was saying, we have several ideas for how to make our cause known soon. First…"

As Dimitri continued speaking, Brynleigh's stomach turned to lead. Their plans would make the attack on Jade Academy seem like nothing.

By the time the meeting was over, Brynleigh knew one thing for certain: they had to stop the rebels, no matter the cost.

It was time to tell Ryker where she'd been.