Library

17. Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Daisy

W hat a beautiful sound. I tilt my head to watch. He’s expressed humor, but never like this. The experience we just had makes me feel closer to him. I love how he treats me in every way. Everything about him turns me on to the point I want to lock ourselves away from the world. I like his friends, but I could just have him and be gloriously happy.

His laugh winds down, and he glides his fingers over my cheek. “My love is funny.”

My heart contracts. I want his love. “If you have to replace things every time we are with your friends, you’ll go broke.”

“Not likely. I’ve had plenty of years to make money.”

I never thought about it. “I can’t imagine.” He shrugs. “Have you met a coyote shifter vampire?” I ask.

“No. It’s been years, but I have seen a lion mate with a vampire. Also a vampire and a wolf.”

“What were they like?” We have barely talked about what my future will be once I’m turned.

“Original. Powerful.”

“They still had their animal, though?” I want that fact to be clear. I would be distraught if, for some reason, my animal left.

“Of course. She is part of you. She can’t die without you dying, too, and I would never let that happen.” He pulls my legs over his lap.

“Tell me more,” I encourage.

“When a human is changed into a vampire, they usually gain some kind of power along with the demon inside them. The lion I met had two sets of teeth. When she was turned, her vampire teeth laid over the top of the set she was born with. She craved blood, but she didn’t need a lot of it to survive. Vampires can eat food, but we don’t have to. We have to ingest blood regularly. The older the vampire, the less frequently they have to drink. The lion hybrid was more like an older vampire; she could drink minimal amounts.

“Of course, she craved her mate's blood and drank purely to satisfy them both. She had all the normal powers of a vampire: speed, mind control, enhanced senses, and the ability to blur from one location to another. This particular lion got the gift of sight. She discovered she could see into the future.”

“Is that normal? To gain extra powers?” I ask. I don’t know how to feel about the possibility.

“What about this life is normal? The gifts we are given are as random as finding the one person meant to be your mate. We can’t plan for it.”

“That’s true,” I mutter. “What about the wolf?”

“He was different. His eyes turned red, and he could use his vampire influence while he was in his wolf form. He needed more blood from his mate and loved everything about drinking it.”

“So basically, we won’t know until it happens,” I say.

“Yes,” he smiles.

I fiddle with his shirt and ask the question I have been wondering. “Why haven’t you asked me to complete the bond?”

He sighs. “I would have completed it the first night. I believe the universe knew you were perfect for me. The bond pushes us and compels us to be together in every way, but we still have some human elements; you more than me. Those parts of us need time. I suppose I have learned patience, and didn’t want to force you when you aren’t ready.” I push up, leaning my elbow on the couch. “What I have discovered in our short time together is that we are compatible. You enjoy the same things I do.”

“Sexually?” Definitely enjoy that part.

“Yes, among other things. You are strong, loyal, and determined.”

“I steal,” I mention lightly.

“I told you before; I don’t care.”

“You did, but are you sure?” I ask, and he grips my chin.

“Do I have a pocket full of shit?” he asks dryly.

My lips twitch. “Yes.” He lifts his eyebrows. “I didn’t expect you.”

“I didn’t expect you, but I hoped for you. The universe knew my mate would have to be strong enough to accept my demons. You are and I won’t let you go.” My heart contracts. “For a vampire, hope is hard to hold onto.”

“When you turn me, will my scent change?”

He tilts his head, dropping his hand. “Yes. You will still smell the same, but there will be an element of vampire.”

“So if someone knew my scent, they would know?” I ask, and he narrows his eyes.

“They would know something is different. Unless they have been around hybrids, they won’t know exactly what.”

“Mmm…” I’ve been thinking of how to end this.

“Pet?” Micah asks.

“I want to spend my days with you and not wonder if Turner will find me. I would like to get the answers I need. My brother has been gone for so long, I’m not sure he is alive. So many questions don’t have answers. Turner has the answers. Whoever he is working with has the answers. I want to complete the bond and be with you. But I have to find the truth.” His eyes swirl with emotion, but I can’t tell what he is thinking. “Why not lure him out? I could go back to Lace’s store or back to the house. Maybe he’ll come back. He knows my scent.”

“That’s why you wanted to know if it would change,” he says.

“Yes. I would complete the bond beforehand if it weren’t a noticeable change. If he notices something is off, we should wait. You can find me easier since you took my blood, right?”

“I can.”

“If we prepare, I can give you more. I assume the more you have, the easier it will become. We can ask your friends to help if they are willing, especially Ryker and Bash. They can move like you. I can do it. I can end this, and then we can spend our time together, mated, and not worrying about the pack. What do you think?” I wait anxiously. I’m afraid his need to protect me will overrule the sense of my plan. “I’m not helpless. Living in the house with them has taught me many things. I can fight dirty. I realize I haven’t shown you that side of me, but it’s there. It’s been a relief to rely on your protection, but that doesn’t mean I am weak.”

“Daisy—”

“My legs do hurt,” I interrupt. “But they have for years, and I can deal with it. I won’t leave the bed for a week when this is all over, which won’t be a hardship if you are in there with me. I have skills. Lace may be able to find me, too. She couldn’t with Liam because she never met him and the belongings I gave her to use were old with little connection left.” He opens his mouth, and I rush on. “I’ve always wondered who my parents are, and Turner could know. He didn’t just find us on the street. We came from somewhere, and I need to know.”

“Pet, hush,” he says firmly, and I bite my lip. “I think it’s a good plan.”

“Wait, what?”

“I do not think you are weak in any way. Unfortunately, Turner may know if your scent changes, so we’ll have to wait until it’s over. We want him to think you are an easy target, alone, without anyone to help you.” He uses a finger to close my mouth. “Love, I have met many women who are stronger than all the men I’ve met put together. Your gender doesn’t define you. Of course, I will worry. I hate the thought of anyone touching you, hurting you, or even breathing in your direction, but I will be close. I’m very good at hiding. I won’t be far away.” He glares. “And you won’t be going off without a plan or not including me in the plan. We aren’t going to rush. I want to talk to Quinn; maybe his men have discovered something else. We will get the answers you need to move on, but we don’t know if they will be the ones you want.”

“I know,” I say softly. “But it will be better to know than to wonder.”

“You say that now,” he says. “Sometimes it’s easier to think they are living somewhere, happy.” He must be thinking of Maddy, and my heart contracts for a different reason.

“Oh, Micah,” I whisper, grasping his neck.

“You need to prepare,” he advises. “Seeing Maddy lifeless was devastating.”

“Okay, I will prepare,” I agree, but how can I prepare for something like that?

“I also don’t want to complete the bond for any other reason than it’s what we both want. It may be hard for you to control your new body and urges. That will take time. You need to be in control when going into a situation you are unsure of. Turner is working with someone or for someone. We don’t know who or how many are involved. This may be an isolated incident. Maybe this is the first and only time he sold someone or kidnapped someone, but we both know that can’t be true. The pack said as much.” He scoops me up and onto his lap. “I know you can take care of yourself, but now you don’t have to do it alone. You have me, and you have my friends. I need to call Heath. Having him close would be good. He is strong enough to control almost anyone, and possibly me, if things go to shit.”

“Thank you,” I breathe, hugging him tight. “Your belief in me means everything.” I was prepared for his refusal. I hate the thought of something happening to him, so I understand his stipulations.

“You don’t need to thank me, love,” he says. He buries his hand in my hair, holding me close. “Are you ready to face them?”

“Yes.” I ease back, and he helps me stand. He joins me, and his palm rests on the small part of my back. I feel no embarrassment as we leave the office and walk down the hallway. I’m ready to face all the humor-filled faces when we round the corner to the balcony room, but the room is almost empty. Ryker and Serenity are still on the couch. Ryker’s feet are hanging off the end of the seat, his head resting on his mate's lap, Serenity’s hand running through his hair.

Quinn is on the opposite side, and Steph sits on his lap. The quiet conversation stops when we step into the room.

“Better?” Ryker asks, turning his head with a lifted eyebrow.

“Much,” Micah says.

“My office is off limits from now on,” Ryker says. “Is there a specific area I should clean?”

“Guess,” Micah grins. I roll my lips to stifle my laughter.

“Asshole,” Ryker sneers, but his twitching lips ruin the effect.

Micah sits beside Quinn and pulls me to his side. “Why did you stay?”

“It’s my club, my office, and this is our date night,” Ryker responds.

“It was difficult enough getting him out of the house. I’m taking advantage,” Serenity says.

“Our girl is going to miss us,” Ryker pouts.

“She won’t,” she says. “We haven’t left her side since she was born. She’s tired of us.”

“Bullshit,” Ryker mutters, and Serenity pulls on his hair. The fierce vampire looks up at her, his eyes filled with heat.

“We stayed because I have information,” Quinn says.

“What is it?” Micah asks.

“Shade, a contact I work with, has been looking at Turner’s past. He is a genius at finding information long buried. Turner tried to stay under the radar, but no one can erase every step they take. They found some interesting things,” he says, and I lean forward to look at him. “Did you know Turner had a sister?”

“What? No,” I gasp. He’s never spoken about his family, so I assumed he had none. “Why wouldn’t she be in the pack?”

“Because she died. They didn’t cover it up well. We found old records of her birth,” he says.

“Shifter births aren’t usually recorded,” Micah says.

“Not with the humans, but we know a shifter doctor who has been around awhile. He did some digging.” He looks at me seriously. “She would be the same age as you are.”

“You think Daisy is the sister?” Micah asks, and my stomach turns.

“No. We know that isn’t true. I’m saying, he was using you as a replacement.”

“Why? He treated me like shit.” My mind is racing.

“True. But he could have killed you many times and didn’t. I think he was torn between the memory of her and the reality of you.” Steph puts her hand on Quinn’s, but her sympathetic expression is locked on me.

“When did she die?” I ask.

“That is the murky part. Shade is working on finding out exactly. She disappeared when she was seven.”

“Disappeared?” I whisper.

“Without a trace,” Quinn says. “Years later, a picture was taken of her. It was blurry, but Shade worked on it, and you can see her clearly.”

“Are you sure it’s her?” Micah asks.

“Yes.” He pulls out his phone. “Shade sent it to me. She looks eerily similar to Daisy.” Micah takes the phone, and I’m shocked by what I see.

“Are you sure we aren’t related?” I ask. “Maybe she isn’t Turner’s real sister.” The girl in the picture could have been me. She has the same hair color, and her face is the same shape. I see some differences, but we could be sisters.

“We can’t be sure of anything,” Quinn says.

“She’s so skinny,” I say. Abnormally skinny. Her face is dirty and cut up. She didn’t pose for the picture as most teenagers would do. Her clothes are thin, and her shirt has several holes.

“Yes,” Quinn says softly. “She looks like she’s been abused.” I feel for the girl.

“Does Shade know how she died?” Serenity asks. The vampires have been quiet, but Ryker is up and alert.

“No. He will keep looking.” Micah hands him back the phone.

“Are you sure she’s dead? Could she be alive?” I ask.

“We have proof of her death,” Quinn answers.

“Papers can be faked,” Micah says.

“Yes, but bones can’t,” he says. “Do you remember anything, Daisy? I realize you were very young, but do you recall a young female in the house?”

I share a look with Micah, and he nods. “I don’t,” I whisper.

“She was young,” Serenity says.

“No, I mean, I don’t have any memories before seven years of age.” I never imagined talking about my past with anyone, but I trust Micah, and his friends.

“Seven,” Ryker says. The exact age the girl disappeared.

“Daisy, I’m sorry,” Steph says.

“I’ve come to terms with it.” Micah slides his hand on my thigh. “It can’t be a coincidence.”

“No, I don’t think it is,” Quinn mumbles.

“Someone took the girl, and they took Daisy in replacement,” Micah growls.

“Possibly,” Quinn says. “Or it was a trade of some kind.”

“Why? Why would Turner let his sister go?” I frown. “Where are his parents? I just assumed they were dead or weren’t in his life.”

“We don’t have the answers. Shade will keep working.” Quinn watches me carefully. “What did Austin mean when he talked about a coin?”

“I stole a coin from him. It’s the only leverage I have over him. I told him I would give it back if he told me where my brother is,” I explain, but I don’t want to reveal the location I keep it.

“Are you prepared to trade it for your brother?” Quinn asks.

“I would do anything for my brother,” I whisper.

“Admirable,” he rumbles.

“I don’t think it will come to that,” Micah says.

“Why?” Quinn asks suspiciously.

“Daisy wants to lure Turner out. She wants this to end,” Micah says.

“That’s one way,” Quinn says. “You think that’s a good idea?” he asks Micah.

“Yes. I won’t be far away. Daisy needs to do this, and she needs our support. Whoever is willing, we would appreciate your help.” He nods at Ryker. “Especially Ryker and Bash. They leave less of a footprint.”

“Of course, we will do anything you need,” Ryker says.

“We may not walk in the shadows, but I have men who are used to watching without being seen. What is the plan?” Quinn asks.

“We haven’t worked it out yet. Daisy agreed to wait until we do, and she won’t do anything without me knowing,” Micah says.

“That’s a change,” Ryker says dryly, and Serenity glares.

“I had a plan,” she says.

“It was a shit plan,” he says.

“River was with me,” she continues, glaring, and crosses her arms.

“River is the king of shit plans,” he says.

“Nu-uh,” she disagrees.

“I’m just glad Daisy is including her mate in the plan,” Ryker goes on, holding his palm out to me.

“You were dying,” she snaps.

“Hardly,” he scoffs. “I’m a vampire.”

“I agree, Ryker,” Steph chimes in. “Daisy is very considerate to include her mate.”

“Oh, fuck,” Micah sighs and turns twinkling eyes my way.

“Woman,” Quinn grumbles. “You were safe at the house.”

“I would be safe with my mate,” she says.

“We still haven’t discussed all the ways you could have been hurt,” Quinn says.

“You needed me. Instead, you went off on your own—”

“Was not alone,” Quinn interrupts.

“On your own,” Steph picks back up. “I had to convince everyone to come to the rescue.”

“I wouldn’t call it a rescue. A rescue would mean I was dying,” he argues.

“It was a possibility,” she says.

“I see the possibility of a red ass,” Quinn says.

“If you think that’s a deterrent, you're wrong,” she sings, and Micah snorts.

“If I remember correctly,” Quinn says, turning to Micah. “You were supposed to keep her at the house.”

“As fascinating as this is,” Micah says. “We aren’t talking about your plan or lack thereof.” He stands, pulling me up. “This has been fun. Daisy needs rest. We can meet in the morning and discuss the plan that won’t be shit.” He backs us toward the door.

“Asshole,” Quinn grits out.

“Thank you for the use of the office.” He smiles. He takes my hand and walks quickly down the stairs. He doesn’t stop until we are in front of the club. “Ready for a ride?” he asks.

“Definitely.” He moves into the shadows to the side of the club. I’m sure there would be questions if we suddenly disappeared in front of the line waiting to get in.

He grabs my hips, lifting, and I eagerly wrap my legs around him. Encircling him with my arms, I drop my chin to his shoulder to watch the world fly around us. I imagine what we would look like if someone could track us. My hair floats, almost in slow motion, as if the speed has the opposite effect you would think. Micah’s hands hold my dress over my ass. The night is cool, but we rarely get cold, so it feels good on my heated skin.

My eyes droop, and I tuck my head into Micah’s neck. I had a wonderful night. I am unsettled by the information Quinn gave us, but I am confident that my mate and I will discover the truth.

The truth. Whatever it is, Micah will be there. He will always be by my side because he was meant to be mine.

I will fight dirty to keep him.

Comments

0 Comments
Best Newest

Contents
Settings
  • T
  • T
  • T
  • T
Font

Welcome to FullEpub

Create or log into your account to access terrific novels and protect your data

Don’t Have an account?
Click above to create an account.

lf you continue, you are agreeing to the
Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy.