Banewolf (Dark Siren Book 2) Read online

  “Yeah, man. Rhane was cool about you losing Kalista. He blamed himself for not putting us in place sooner.” Rion spit the toothpick out. “Said he shoulda seen it coming.”

  “Little good it did, considering I managed to get suspended on the first day.”

  “Buffet of turds, dude,” Rion offered, sounding genuinely sympathetic. “He’s not going to be happy.”

  Kali shook her head. “But those guys were being total jerks. One look at you and Rhane will see that.”

  “War lost his cool. That’s a huge no-no, especially with humans.”

  War nodded in agreement.

  “Then pretend you didn’t,” she argued.

  “I broke one guy’s hand and the other’s face.”

  “And left Tyler puking up the pint of paint you made him swallow,” Rion added helpfully.

  “They deserved it,” she said with stubborn finality. “I’ll tell him that for you.”

  “Don’t.” War’s brown eyes were pleading. “Rhane is big on owning up to responsibility. He won’t like me letting someone else making excuses for me.”

  Kali sighed. “I don’t get you guys.”

  She walked ahead ten paces or so before realizing Rion and War were no longer beside her. Turning around, she saw them with their backs to her. They were frozen on the trail like a pair of deer caught in headlights. She looked ahead to what they were staring at.

  It was Cal. About a hundred feet away, he stood near the tree line of the forest.

  Everything had grown still. Even the birds roosting high up in the pine branches quieted their songs. Kali wasn’t sure what to do. Should she call out to Cal? He never came this way, not even once to walk her home. Why had he followed them?

  Neither War nor Rion were moving. Her instinct figured it best to follow their lead. And so for an awkwardly long time, everyone did nothing. Finally, Cal turned away and disappeared into the woods.

  Rion was the first to speak. “Well, that was weird. I’ve got goose bumps.”

  “Yeah,” War agreed grimly.

  When something cool and wet bumped her skin, Kali tore her eyes away from the spot where Cal had last stood. She looked down and saw Bailen. He whined, and a tremor rippled through the black, silky waves of his fur.

  War tilted his head. “Was that the guy who got in your face yesterday?”

  She cleared her throat. “Um, yeah.” Too many pairs of brown eyes were watching her expectantly. She wasn’t sure of what else to say.

  The silence stretched on until Rion nudged War and started walking. He tugged at the strap of Kali’s messenger bag. “Come on. Let’s go see your family.”

  #

  Wesley sat in the chair, looking as jumpy as the last time Rhane had visited his office. On that occasion, the warlord had lost his temper and threatened to kill him. Wesley tried not to think of it. Rhane felt there was no point in dwelling on it. At present, he lacked any desire to cause the Builder harm. Rhane was in fact willing to bet he’d get more information if he could put Wesley at ease. Making a conscious effort to seem less intimidating, he reached slowly for the opposite chair. Wesley flinched.

  Rhane stopped. “Would you prefer I stand?”

  “No.” Wesley shook his head and gestured to the chair. “Please sit.”

  Rhane did so. “Does my being here cause you discomfort?”

  “It’s not that.” Wesley smiled tiredly.

  “What is it?”

  “Others of my race are making their interests known here. It is not wise for us to be seen together.”

  Rhane stiffened. “Other Builders? What do they want?”

  “They want to win.”

  That didn’t tell him much. Rhane felt like he was speaking with Ian all over again. “What bearing does that place on you and me having a conversation?”

  Wesley shifted in his seat and sat a little straighter. “Builders are not absolute. We are limited by rules. When those rules are not followed, the errant one suffers.”

  “How so?”

  “His immortality is diminished. Enough violations would make him mortal.”

  “Oh.” Rhane had really not been expecting to hear that. “Are you breaking the rules by helping me?”

  “We are all breaking the rules. The Faction fights to see this world burn. Those I stand with are trying to save it. The cause is slowly killing us all. We don’t know how long this struggle will last. Another cycle may pass without either side claiming victory. Therefore, we restrict our moves to limit the amount of immortal life bled from us as punishment.”

  “That sounds like a pretty nasty game of survivor. Whichever side becomes completely mortal first, I’m guessing, will lose.”

  “Unless the world dies first.”

  “Wait a second. The last time we spoke, you said you were slaves and I had to be your champion and fight for everyone.” Rhane wanted to add blah, blah, blah to the end, but restrained himself. Being around York so much had a funny way of making him take things less seriously. “Now your entire race is dying and the world might burn? If you want my help, you’ll have to do a better job of connecting the dots. The one who makes your rules, is he your master? Is he the one who enslaves you?”

  Wesley shook his head. “I have already revealed too much, almost enough to forfeit your freedom…just as it was with Gabriel.”

  Rhane mentally cringed at the thought of Gabriel’s punishment. He couldn’t help wonder if Gabriel was a monster when he went into the tomb or if it was the millennium of imprisonment that had turned him into one. The chicken or the egg…

  Wesley interrupted his thoughts. “You were told to kill Gabriel.”

  “I haven’t gotten around to it. But it’s on the weekend agenda.”

  “Your Kalista will not be returned until you have killed him.”

  “Yeah. You see that’s what I have a problem with. Kalista is getting her memory back.”

  “Didn’t I explain that fragments would be delivered by the stone?”

  Rhane opened his left hand. In it was the object the Builder spoke of, resembling a tiny red jewel. The stone shimmered in his palm, reflecting the afternoon light. “I haven’t given her the imprint.”

  Wesley’s brow furrowed. “Then what is she remembering?”

  “Our son.” Rhane forced himself to answer evenly, to ignore the burning pain that seared through his chest. “Twice she has touched me and seen him. I thought maybe it was only then. But Kalista confessed she has been seeing the boy all along.”

  “Have there been any more blackouts or memory lapses of her present?”

  “No,” Rhane lied. Blackouts and memory lapses meant Kalista’s human body was becoming unstable. But physically, she was fine. He couldn’t have Builders going body swap happy again. There had to be some other reason why she had attacked the kindred. Rhane just wasn’t sure what that reason was yet. “She’s seeing glimpses of us and the child from our life before you took her.” He rolled the stone between finger and thumb. “Is she going to remember everything without this or not?”

  Wesley stood up abruptly. “You must leave now.”

  Rhane remained as he was. “Why? Has something happened?”

  “Banewolf, you must go.”

  The urgency in the Builder’s tone made him rise. But he still hesitated to leave without answers.

  When Wesley looked at Rhane, the loathing in his eyes was nearly startling. “One of them is coming. You cannot be found here. Leave past hatreds and find new allies. It’s the only way.”

  Chapter 19

  Kali stood on the small porch anxiously shifting her weight from foot to foot. Smoothing the front of her shirt one last time, she lifted her fist with the intent to knock, but the door swung open before she got the chance.

  Greg and Lisa’s faces lit up like Christmas trees as they pulled Kali into their arms and wrapped her in a great, big, welcoming hug. Surprised by how good it felt, Kali returned the embrace with enthusiasm.

  The last to pull
away, Lisa patted Kali’s hair and kissed her cheeks. “It’s so good to have you home, honey.”

  “Thank you.” Kali tried not to choke on the words. A warm and fuzzy feeling she didn’t often get bubbled up in her insides. But seeing the stern expression tug at Greg’s face caused a few of those bubbles to pop.

  “Young lady, were you about to knock?”

  “Uh…” Kali felt a blush rising to her cheeks. Ducking her head, she nodded.

  Greg placed two fingers beneath her chin and lifted her face to his serious brown eyes. “This is your home, Kalista Metts. No matter what happens. Don’t ever forget that.”

  A tear tickled Kali’s cheek. Brushing it away with some annoyance, she threw her arms around Greg’s neck. “Thanks, Dad,” she whispered.

  They parted, and Greg turned another serious stare toward Rion and War. “I take it that these young men are friends of Rhane’s.”

  War solemnly tipped his head while Rion responded without reservation. “Yes, sir!” He extended a hand that Greg immediately shook. “I’m Rion. And this is Warren.”

  “Are you boys staying for dinner?”

  Kali glanced over at them. She wasn’t sure what instructions Rhane had left. Rion and War were enjoyable company, but she didn’t want them sitting in on dinner with her folks just to fulfill their role as babysitters. Rion shook his head and she relaxed.

  “We were just making sure Kali got home safely.”

  “Thank you for that.” Greg smiled. “Tell Rhane I said hello.”

  “Will do, sir.”

  As soon as the boys left, things in the Metts household were as if Kali had never left. Greg and Lisa were the same loving parents. Rozzy was the annoying older sister. Though, she was a bit quieter than her usual self. They all sat at the dinner table, greedily watching the lasagna as Lisa brought dinner out of the oven, steaming hot and smothered with a variety of melted cheeses. Kali could hardly wait for the stuff to be on her plate. The rich, buttery pasta licking the insides of her stomach was going to be wonderful.

  The doorbell rang and Kali froze. She hoped nothing was wrong, that it wasn’t War and Rion coming back to retrieve her. Greg got up from the table warily, stopping to kiss a worried looking Lisa on the cheek. From her seat, Kali couldn’t see the front door. She could barely make out Greg conversing with whoever it was on the doorstep.

  When Greg returned, he was frowning. “Kalista, I realize there is probably a lot of catching up you’d like to do with your friends since you’ve been away for so long. But your mother and I would really appreciate a little more of a heads up if someone is going to be joining us for a family dinner.”

  Kali was genuinely confused. “I didn’t invite anyone.”

  “Callan is here.”

  “Oh.” Caught completely off-guard, Kali had nothing else to say.

  “Go talk to him.”

  “Uh…I…” She still wasn’t sure what to say.

  To her surprise, Rozzy spoke up. “She didn’t invite him. I did. He’s my guest.”

  Even Greg seemed taken aback for a moment. His frown grew even more severe. “Rosalyn, this was supposed to be a night for the family. Go tell Callan you can’t see him right now.”

  “But, Dad—”

  “No buts. Go.”

  Kali cleared her throat, inciting a glare from her sister. “Um, Dad…,” she said a little nervously but knew she had to ask. “I would like him to stay. Please let Cal stay.”

  Greg sighed and looked at his wife. She shrugged.

  “Fine. He can stay. One of you needs to go see him in. The other can set an additional spot at the table.”

  Rozzy jumped up and ran to the door. Kali took it as her cue to get another plate. As she turned to set it on the table, she met Cal’s deep blue eyes watching her from the doorway. She returned the stare and tried to figure out what was different. Then she understood. The majorly-creeped-out-because-this-guy-is-a-sociopath feeling was missing. It was like being around the old Cal again. Kali smiled in relief. Cal smiled too.

  Greg cleared his throat. “Callan, why don’t you have a seat?”

  “Yes sir.” Cal complied without taking his eyes away from Kali.

  Blushing, she looked away and quickly took a seat. There were two spots open at the dinner table. Cal had a choice of either sitting next to Kali and across from Rozzy or next to Rozzy and across from Kali. He chose the latter.

  Great. She was going to have to stare into his eyes all night. She took a deep breath, concentrated on serving herself as the food was passed to the left. Without looking, she knew Cal still watched her. At the moment there was nothing scary or eerie about his presence, but the perpetual staring made Kali quite uncomfortable. It didn’t help that everyone else at the table was silent.

  Greg finally spoke. “Callan, the real food is in front of you.”

  Kali’s face grew even hotter. She would have preferred the silence.

  Lisa was quick to reprimand Greg. “Honey, don’t embarrass our children.”

  “My apologies, Mr. Metts,” Cal said, recovering easily. “Your daughter is truly a rare beauty.” He squeezed Rozzy’s hand and looked at her for the first time since entering the kitchen. “They both are.”

  Greg and Lisa alternately considered the three teenagers at their table. “Lisa, do you feel like we’re missing something here?”

  Lisa nodded. “Oh yes. We’re definitely missing something.”

  The food on Kali’s plate was untouched. She was afraid she’d choke if she tried to eat. The memory of Cal/Gabriel pressed against her naked body in the shower unexpectedly popped into her mind. Red eyes. A hand around her throat. Darkesong. Kali gasped.

  Two screams shrieked over the dining table as Greg shouted. Opening her eyes, Kali saw she now stood several feet from the table and the place setting in front of Cal burned with grey fire.

  Crapola.

  Greg sprang into action, running to the pantry to retrieve the fire extinguisher. Cal remained as he was, calmly gazing at Kali through the blaze.

  Her dad returned to the dining table shouting, “Kalista, get back!”

  In a few seconds, the fire was gone but everyone was still freaked…everyone except for Cal. His lips pulled back into an odd smile. “Impressive,” he said.

  Kali was almost too afraid to move. Two fires in one day…she had started two fires in one day with no idea how she’d done it. Greg took Kali by the shoulders, shaking her and asking repeatedly, “Are you alright?”

  “I’m fine, Greg.”

  “That fire came out of nowhere.” Panic brightened Lisa’s eyes. “Greg, honey, the fire just came out of nowhere.”

  “I know, baby. Stay calm.” Placing two hands against her cheeks, Greg turned Kali’s face away from the table so she would look at him. “Kalista, are you sure you’re alright?”

  She nodded firmly, digging deep to convey confidence she didn’t feel. “I’m okay.”

  “Okay.” Greg looked around the kitchen, visually examining the rest of his family. He jerked his chin at Cal. “How about you? Those flames got pretty close to you.”

  “I was not harmed. “At last, Cal stood up. “Perhaps you should move your family to another room. I will take care of this mess if you allow it.”

  Kali closed her eyes again, slowly reopening them. The creepy feeling was back. Cal wasn’t being Cal. He didn’t even sound like Cal.

  “That sounds like a good idea. Thanks.” Greg herded Lisa and Rozzy from the kitchen, but Kali hung back.

  “Let me help Cal. I did this.”

  Looking too bewildered to argue, Greg nodded. “Okay. If it’s what you want.” He started to follow Rozzy and Lisa into the living room but stopped. He looked back at Kali. “Fire, huh?”

  “Yeah,” she said a little breathlessly.

  “Yeah,” Greg repeated and smiled weakly. “Let’s not do that at the dinner table next time. Okay?”

  “Okay.” As he started to leave again, Kali called his name. Greg
regarded her with the air of a very worried father. She took a breath. “I think I should call the boys. Maybe it isn’t safe…me staying here.”

  Only once had Kali ever seen Greg cry. That had been at his father’s funeral five years ago. He finally broke down as they lowered the casket into the dark, gaping hole in the earth. Now as he gathered his youngest daughter in his arms, Kali witnessed Greg’s tears for the second time.

  “Understand that I don’t want you to go. But I can’t help you with this.”

  “I know.” Kali squeezed him back. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize for being you.”

  “Am I allowed to apologize for the table?”

  Greg chuckled. “That was Lisa’s antique pride and joy. Tell her you’re sorry once and don’t ever mention it again.”

  Kali laughed. It sounded like good advice.

  “Bring yourself downstairs into the family room when you’re done. The phone call to your babysitters can wait for a couple of hours. We’ll spend the rest of the evening as a family.”

  “Okay, Dad.”

  Greg left, and Kali glared at the part-time sociopath, part-time charming ex-boyfriend who was currently their houseguest. “What do you want?”

  “I’ve already said. I want to help you remember.”

  He walked around the table. Now nothing stood between them. She forced herself not to take a step back. “Why?”

  His hand lifted toward her face and Kali flinched. He stopped, raising a brow questioningly. When she didn’t move again, he reached forward and brushed a strand of hair from her face. It was exactly the sort of thing Cal would have done.

  “Because the truth would be a useful tool to me.”

  Kali swallowed. “Who am I talking to? Cal or Gabriel?”

  “What do you think?”

  “I think you want to use me to get what you actually want.”

  He smiled. “Clever girl. I see why he likes you.”

  “Will you let me speak to him?”

  A frown briefly crossed Gabriel’s face. Then it cleared. “Oh. The boy. If you insist.” Gabriel rolled his neck slowly. His eyes flashed red for a split second and then were blue again. An easy smile transformed the murderous atmosphere of his features.