14. Lark

Chapter 14

Lark

There isn't much to do in the basement Drake keeps me locked in. I can refigure my nest for the thousandth time, but instead I chose to stare at the ceiling. The basement spans the entire building, but I only occupy a corner of it, where I have my nest against two walls. I feel safe and secure in the corner in my nest. It makes me think of home. Of course Fae have beds, if you want one, but I always loved nests. Back home, I had better pillows and blankets and whatever else I desired to stuff in the nest. Here I only have yellowed flat pillows, thin blankets, and clothes.

The beautiful Fae shirts Pike gifted me stay in their box. They're safer that way. I don't want to accidentally drool on them as I sleep.

If the basement was taller, I could fly, but as it is, I don't have enough clearance for a good flight. I'm glad Drake didn't think to put the binder on before he shoved me down the stairs. Even if I can't fly, I can at least breathe easily and I take advantage of the fact.

Some days I envy Ava. She has work to do while I'm stuck in the basement until Drake deems me worthy. I'm a flight risk in every sense of the word, though I have calmed down. Especially knowing had I gone only a mile more down the road, I would have died the day I summoned Pike.

I rub my throat. Not a fan of the thought of being beheaded. I don't know that I've allowed myself much thought on anything that's happened in the last week. Less than a week. I may not know Pike all that well, but I trust him more than Drake. There's just something about the demon that I'm drawn to. Not to mention Frankie. Who would have thought a Hellhound can be so sweet?

Red flames shoot up right in front of me, and I jump.

"Darling."

It takes me a few heartbeats to realize it's Pike squatting in front of me.

"Don't just drop in like that without warning," I whisper hiss as I clutch my chest. "That was terrifying."

"Sorry, sweetheart, I got too excited. I have news." There's a glow coming from his pocket.

"Why are you glowing?" I wave towards him.

"It's my good luck charm." He laughs as he digs out the Fae luck coin and shows it to me. "I found it on Frankie, then your brother Wren found me."

I push to my feet and take back the missing coin. "I thought I lost it." It takes my brain a moment to process what else he said. "My brother found you? How is he? Is he okay?"

"Apparently, he sensed your life force on me in the demon realm. He says they love you and miss you and never stopped looking for you."

Tears fill my eyes and threaten to fall.

"I thought you'd be happy." Pike pushed a strand of hair from my face. His touch gives me just the slightest hint of my brother's energy. Something I haven't had for ten years.

"I am. Seems you've gotten better luck from the coin than I have."

"Oh, darling. Come here. I hugged your brother, maybe?—"

I launch myself at him and breathe in my brother's scent lingering on Pike. "It really is him." There's even a hint of my mother's perfume beneath my brother's masculine scent. I let the tears free as a sob rips from me. "It's been so long. Can this nightmare really almost be over?"

Pike wraps me closer, even his tail coils around my ankle. "I don't know how long it's going to take, but you'll be free."

"I'll do my best not to anger Drake. No guarantees, though," I mumble the last part. Sometimes I just can't help it.

"You do what you can and I'll do my part. Hopefully, we'll have you free by the new year."

"That's only a few months away." I nibble my bottom lip. It's already early October.

"I'm confident we can do it." Pike scoots us to my nest. "Right now, let's just rest because in the coming days, we'll have to fight."

Just the thought of being in his arms all night again makes my heart flutter. "What about Frankie?"

"She's with Van. If she gets bored, she'll join us."

"Sounds perfect." I cuddle closer as Pike gets comfortable. My eyes droop. Pike's soft breathing lulls me to sleep.