Chapter 11

I didn’t need to follow Bhodi. I knew where he was headed and that the fights wouldn’t start for a few hours. Instead, I texted the prof to let him know what was happening and then made my way into Two Harbours. The campground is right on the edge of the town, but the place is so small it’s within easy walking distance. Probably why it’s one of the most popular camping spots on the island, though we tend to prefer the much more remote Parsons Landing campground on the northern coast of the island. The lack of light pollution makes for stunning star gazing, and the lack of people makes it perfect for both plotting and hiding. We have a safe base set up there, just in case.

“Reef. Here to keep your boy alive tonight?” Tami, the owner of the underground fight club, and affectionately known as the doc by most, asks me when I step into the ‘reception’.

“Jeez. How bad is it?”

“So far, he’s wiped the floor with eight of my best fighters.”

I frown. “Sounds like he’s keeping himself alive just fine.”

“Not from me, he’s not. He’s bad for business.”

“I can’t imagine takings are down with one of the Queen’s Guard in the house tonight.”

“He’s bad for business the rest of this week. If all my best fighters are out of action, who’ll bring the money in when he fucks off home? Who will the addicts come to see?”

“You could always heal them,” I point out.

“I don’t work for free,” she says flatly. I hold my hands up.

“I’m just saying, it’s good for business. You do you, Tam.”

“Don’t call me that,” she snaps. “I let it slide the first time because I was surprised to see you here. It’s the doc. Nothing else.”

“Sure thing, doc. Can I go down?”

“Sure…once you pay the entry fee.”

I clutch my chest and grin at her. “Ouch. You wound me. I thought I didn’t have to pay?”

“Everybody pays.”

Sighing in jest, I pull out my wallet and toss a wad of cash her way. There’s no set fee; people pay what they can. Because as much as Tami – sorry the doc – likes to think she’s a hardass, she’s actually a softy deep deep down.

I more than cover the entry fee and the damage that Bhodi is no doubt doing to her business and premises.

“Hope that covers the damage,” I say with a smile before something occurs to me. “Actually…I could use your help with something.”

“Don’t work for free,” she parrots. I smirk.

“I’ll pay you.”

“How? Looks like you’re all out of cash.”

“I’ll get it to you. You know I’m good for it.”

“Fine. But only because I happen to like you and that big oaf smashing up my cage down there.”

I bite back a smile. See? Softy.

“If I text you a list of meds, could you check them out for me and get back to me. See if they’re legit?”

“There is this thing called Google you know.”

“Yeah and I’m coming up empty handed.”

She gasps, her yellow eyes going wide in mock-shock. “Surely not, Mr. Find It.”

“Apparently. I can’t even find them on the supe database. I think they’re either new, like still in trial, or they’re unsanctioned.”

“Send them my way. How soon do you need it?”

“I’ll pay the rush fee.”

The doc’s rush fee is triple her actual fee, on top, so she knows this is serious. But Malia’s prescription has been driving me crazy, and I’ve been unable to get anywhere with it. There’s only one licensed dispensary and that’s on the mainland, attached to the facility where she was admitted. The drugs she’s on aren’t in either database of known medicines for humans or supernaturals, so it’s proving impossible to source a list of the ingredients too.

Hopefully the doc, with her extensive medical knowledge and underground connections to just about everything in both worlds, will be able to help.

“You owe me, big.”

“Noted. I’ll be going now. Looks like you have actual…ahhh customers.” I glance out of the window where a family of four dressed for camping are approaching.

She nods at me, flips me the bird and then fixes what I can only assume is her best customer service smile onto her face. It sucks, but at least she’s trying.

Down in the basement, the place is more packed than I’ve ever seen it. I don’t make it a habit to come here, but I’ve been a time or two. Usually to collect Bhodi’s beat down ass when he flips and loses his shit.

Not tonight though. I can tell from the roar of the crowd that Bhodi has everyone riled up; he’s putting on a show for them, whether he knows it or not. He’s probably so lost inside his head that he’s oblivious to anything – even the body count he’s racking up.

I should have fought the prof harder when I delved into Malia’s past and discovered her secrets. He felt the information wasn’t worth sharing with the others, wasn’t relevant to our mission, but I disagreed. I should have argued with him more.

What Malia went through with her family is unthinkable, even when compared to the harsh reality of how some supes raise their young. I’ve never seen anything like it.

Reading her file was a special kind of hell. I can only imagine what Bhodi is seeing with every punch. The photos in her medical records – even the sealed ones – were brutal. Enough to give psychopaths nightmares. Even through the crowd I can see it in his eyes; he’s not present. He’s lost in the bloodlust. Reaping revenge on Malia’s behalf on the only target he knows.

One final punch has his latest opponent hitting the concrete floor and not getting up. Bhodi is screaming in his face but I can’t hear his words over the frenzied braying of the crowd. All I know is, it’s time to get Bhodi out of here before we’re covering up another murder.

I elbow my way through to many grunts and protests which die on their lips when those that know us see who it is trying to get past. Those that don’t soon fall into line as the crowd hushes.

“Bho!” I call as soon as I reach the bent diamond mesh that forms the doc’s ‘cage’. “Bho, man, come on. You’re done.”

“I’m not fucking done. Not by a long shot.”

“He’s done, Bhodi,” I snap sharply. “He’s fucking out of it, and even the doc will be lucky to bring him back. Which you’re covering the cost of by the way.”

“Fuck off. Go home.”

“Not without you.”

“I’m fighting.”

“You’re killing innocent people. They didn’t hurt her, but what you’re doing here could. Besides, there’s no one left to fight. No one else has a death wish tonight, man.”

He glowers at me, blood and sweat dripping down his face, which is an absolute mess. That’s probably nothing compared to the body count he’s left in his wake tonight.

“Come on,” I urge him. “Let’s get out of here before the police come asking questions.”

This sways him. He knows we’re supposed to be keeping a low profile with the human police sniffing around looking for leads in the latest murder.

“Fine,” he spits, kicking his victim in the side as he steps over him. The crowd cheer once more but Bhodi ignores them like everyone in the room is beneath him. I slap him on the back as he passes me and then follow him out of the underground fight club the back way. The last thing the doc will appreciate right now is the state of Bhodi in front of her real patrons.

Once the fresh air hits and we’ve walked the short distance to where Bhodi parked his bike, he whirls on me. Anguish lines his face and his eyes look tormented.

“Look, Bho—” I begin, trying to settle him down.

“You don’t get it.” He shakes his head frantically.

“I do—”

“You don’t!” he yells, pacing with his fists still ready to fight.

“I read her file too. I saw it. I felt like you do.”

“You don’t. You couldn’t! I-I love her. I’ve never felt like this before.” He paces and rambles, making me wonder how much he’s been drinking. “The need to protect her. To make them pay. It’s so strong, and I don’t know where it’s coming from. I think I’m going insane. It has to be love.”

“It’s the bond talking. It’s all part—”

“Don’t you dare fucking say it’s part of the damn prophecy!” he fires, shoving me back and getting right up in my face. I’ve never seen him this angry, this out of control. His eyes are wild and his breathing is ragged.

“I was going to add, you’ve been drinking. Come at this tomorrow with a clear head. I know it’s—”

“You don’t fucking know, man. You barely fucking know her!”

“Neither do you.”

Wrong thing to say apparently. He lunges at me and his fist cracks my cheekbone with brute force. Fuck. Should have seen that one coming.

“I know her better than you and I’m telling you, prophecy or stupid bond be damned, I love that girl and I won’t rest until the fucking lowlife scum she calls parents have been made to pay for every tear they’ve caused her. I’ll return her suffering on them, tenfold.”

“Okay, okay. I hear you. But you can’t do anything else tonight. Let’s just go home, yeah?”

“Where is she, Reef? Why did she vanish again?” His anger leaves him and he’s back to looking…lost. Broken. It’s not a look I’m used to seeing on Bhodi. Maybe he has had too much to drink, but they say that’s when the truth will come out.

“I don’t know for definite, but I’d put my money on her being back in the hospital for whatever reason.”

“Can’t you find out? You’re the research guy!”

I sigh. I hate being known like this – the guy that can get all the answers.

I take the bike keys from Bhodi, insert them into the ignition and turn. The bike roars to life and I quickly climb on and take the bike off the side stand. Then I pass Bhodi his helmet and nod for him to get on the back.

He grumbles about it but does, opting to hold on to the grab rail at the back, rather than my waist – which is fine by me.

We take off into the night, and I consider Bhodi’s words.

It infuriates me that no matter what strings I pull, favours I call in or connections I manipulate, anything concerning Malia is a mystery. I’m facing dead end after dead end and I can feel it – time’s running out.

“I wish I could find out.” I really wish I could.