Skin Walkers: Angel Lost (8 page)

Chapter 17

(Two days later)

Finally back at the Estate, Remy had foregone the need for a shower and went immediately to find Harlow.  Scrubbing a hand down his face, he stepped into the cafeteria.  It boasted a fresh coat of spring-yellow paint and was filled with a mass of people as they worked setting up tables and chairs while another handful of people were back in the kitchen, wiping down appliances and unpacking dishes. 

He and his team had been out longer than he’d expected.  After successfully finding Nyree and Rohm, and getting them escorted back to the Estate, they’d searched for the traitor, and for Bellis StCroix, but had been unsuccessful in that endeavor.  When Remy thought he’d finally get back to Harlow, his team had been informed of a complication with the other team’s retrieval of Marko and Thea and they’d stayed out to assist.  It’d taken a long time, too long.

He hadn’t eaten or been able to drink anything since he’d left, and even now the scent of food lingering in the room made him ill.  The affliction was hitting him hard, and only one thing would end it, only one thought consumed him.  Harlow.  He needed to find his Angel and complete his claiming.  His eyes snagged on a familiar form and he hurried to where she stood at the far end of the cafeteria, setting out several tall plants. 

“Hey Nyree!” 

She turned and smiled at him as he approached.

“How are you feeling?  You okay?” Remy hurried through small talk.

She nodded.  “I’m good, Commander.”

He jerked his chin down in a nod, the best he could do right now as his eyes searched the room.  “Rumor has it you’ve been working with Harlow getting the cafeteria up and running.”  His eyes continued to search over her head.  “Looks great.  Where’s Harlow?  Is she here?”

“No,” Nyree stated excitedly.  “She was taken from the Estate.  She’s in for one hell of a surprise when she wakes up.”

That had Remy dropping his gaze to hers.  “Taken from the Estate?  Wakes up?  What are you talking about?  Who took her?”

“It’s alright, Commander,” Nyree tried to soothe.  “Delain has taken her.  He’s been assigned to…” She snorted.  “You’re not going to believe this, but apparently Harlow was in danger, and the only way to keep her safe was for her to be mated to a Walker.”

Remy felt all the blood drain from his face.

“Delain took her to claim her.  He said to let you know he’ll be back when the job is done.”

Job?  Claimed?  Delain?
  Thousands of questions swirled through Remy’s mind, but he could only focus on one as he felt his chest and arms swell with the feral need to shift and find his Angel.  “Where?” he snarled, the word an animalistic growl.

Nyree’s smile slipped.  “N-Not sure.  He was assigned by Monroe.  Perhaps the Dominant…”

That was as far as Nyree got before a shift exploded from Remy, sending her flying backward before she was able to catch herself and keep from falling.

The claws of Remy’s mountain lion ripped into the fresh linoleum, shredding it as he propelled himself at top speed out of the cafeteria. 

What in the fuck is going on?
  Adrenaline flooded him as he charged through the manor, but while he ran he couldn’t help but wonder if this was one of Monroe’s games.  Was the Dominant punishing him for claiming Mason’s sister?  Was Mason involved?  Would he…
could
he pass his sister off on another just to get back at Remy?

He didn’t care, none of that mattered.  What mattered was finding Harlow and completing his claiming.  She
would
be his, and if Delain laid a fucking hand on her, he would pay in blood.

Chapter 18

“You’re the one stressing her,” Monroe snarled at Jenny. 

Jenny had brought Eden up to him for a “visit”, but the line of Walkers that filed into his sitting room behind Jenny said it was a little more than just a ‘visit’.

After their dinner a few days back, when Eden had fallen asleep in their bed, she’d woken the next morning and gone back to the infirmary.  Her demeanor had changed, and she’d grown standoffish and, honestly, Monroe wasn’t sure what was going on.

“Between your poking and prodding, she’s barely gotten a chance to breathe let alone try to sort things out,” he growled accusingly.  “You need to back off, Jenny!”

“IT’S YOU!”  Eden yelled, and when two stunned expressions turned toward her, she spun away.  She knew what she’d see if she looked at Monroe.  It’d be the same expression he always wore when she looked at him.  He’d be looking at her like he’d cut off his own hands to please her, and hell, hadn’t he said as much?  It was odd, because she now knew how truly powerful this man was, and she believed his words.  Monroe’s guise of being a doctor had only been a ruse to be closer to her, and everyone had permitted it.  They’d had to.  He was the Lord of the Manor.  He was God here…and he was hers.  He
used
to be hers.  She’d gone back to the infirmary hoping that the truth would trigger something, open a flood gate, but it hadn’t.  She’d struggled for the past two days, trying to force herself to remember.  She hadn’t, and hope was fading.

The silence that descended on the room was deafening.  Sentries didn’t wait to be told as they filed out of the room.  Jenny held back.

“Angel?”  Monroe stepped forward and lifted his hands, but stopped just inches from touching her.  “Leave,” he commanded, without looking at Jenny.

“Monroe, she has something to say to…”

“LEAVE!”

Jenny jumped, and her lips pursed in disapproval before she did the Dominant’s bidding.

Alone, Monroe dropped his hands and watched as Eden crossed the room.  She stopped at the window, wrapping her arms around herself before turning to stare at him over her shoulder.  The move was so typical of her that it made his heart ache to see hints of his Angel, but still have no recognition.

“You,” Eden began.  “You look at me like that, and I want to remember, but I can’t.”  She turned tear-filled eyes to the window.  “I’m trying to make myself be this person you knew, but I can’t.” She shook her head.  “I can’t find her!  It’s hard enough trying to find myself, but then I want to live up to your expectations, and be what it is you want me to be, and I just…I can’t!  When you look at me like that, I find myself trying so hard to be what it is I think you want to see.  When I can’t do it, I end up feeling like a failure, and I hate myself for it.  I hate myself for that look of disappointment you can’t ever seem to mask in time. I hate myself for letting you and everyone else down, over and over again.  And worse, I have the kids to worry about now, and I’m trying so hard.”  Tears flooded her eyes and spilled over.  “I keep willing and pushing myself to remember to the point that my head aches and my vision blurs and nothing!  I’m just such a
shitty
fucking mom and wife!  I mean who can’t remember her own family?  I’m just…”  She choked on a sob, sniffing hard before squaring her shoulders, looking directly at him.  “She’s gone, Monroe.  That woman,
your
Eden.  She’s not here.  She’s just.  Not.  Here.  And maybe it’s time...”

His gut wrenched.  “Time for what?”

Her sad eyes turned steely with resolve.  “Time to realize that
she
might not be coming back.  Maybe you need to let her go.  Maybe it’s time for you to let
me
go.”

He moved so fast she barely saw him before he was on her.  His arms gripped her biceps firmly, but not hurting, as he pressed her into the window.

“Look at me,” he commanded, and she complied.  “I will wait for you until this world is nothing but ash and bones.  Do you understand me, Eden
StoneCrow
?  I will wait for you until there is nothing left of this world but my love for you.  Do.  You.  Understand.  Me?”

Eden nodded.

“Say it,” he growled.

“Y-you’ll…wait for me.”

His grip loosened.  “If you feel like I’m forcing you, I apologize.  I can change. I
will
change.  I can give you anything you need, my Domina.  You just need to tell me.”

She worried her bottom lip and debated while he watched.  Finally, she exhaled a deep breath.  “Maybe I should go away.  Leave this place.”  She lifted timid eyes.  “Go back where I started.”

“Away from me?”  His lips pressed into a grim line, and she caught the hurt that washed over his features before he quickly masked it.  “That’s why Jen brought the Sentries.” He snorted before looking up.  “She didn’t think I’d let you go.”

“I just don’t know what else to do.  I tried Jenny’s way, and I’ve stayed close to you, but nothing’s working.  Obviously, we can’t involve the children.  Maybe the absence of you will trigger my need to have you close?”  She knew it was a long shot, but something had to change.  This man who claimed to be her husband was clearly on edge, and for some reason she couldn’t explain, she knew that if he lost control it would be an epically bad thing.  “Please, Monroe, I just…”

“Stop.”  He cupped her cheek gently as his expression softened.  “You can have whatever it is you think you need.  I’ll try to stay away, but I’m not making any promises.  Aries will be with you full time, on that I won’t negotiate.”  He wouldn’t tell her that a full team would be ghosting her as well.

She nodded.

“Whatever else you need…”  He let the sentence die off as he stared at her, and for a moment she wondered if he was going to kiss her. He didn’t.  “Aries knows how to reach me.”  Then he turned and exited the room, leaving her feeling cold and hollow.

Chapter 19

Monroe exited his suite to the sound of a throaty snarl.  It was the only warning he got before some highly misguided Walker launched himself into the Dominant with epically bad timing.  Barely keeping control of himself due to his Angel’s request, Monroe caught the huge blur that rushed him, hip tossing the great weight to the ground and crashing down on top of it as his hand jammed into the male’s throat and squeezed too hard.

Beneath him, Remy threw a punch, but Monroe caught the fist mid-air with his free hand.  The compromising position did nothing to dim the rage in Remy’s eyes.

“Where is she?” Remy snarled, though it sounded pained as he forced the words through Monroe’s unrelenting grip on this throat.

She?
  Monroe snarled his impatience.  He didn’t have time for Remy’s damn love life right now.  “Most of the women and children have been shipped to Apex.” Monroe released Remy and stood, straitening his coat as he turned dismissively.  “Check there.” 

Remy snarled, and jerking to his feet he lunged for Monroe again.  The Dominant had had enough.  Spinning, his fist connected with Remy’s jaw so fast, and so hard, that the Walker Commander hit the ground and didn’t get back up.

“Christ, Crow!”  King rushed down the hall.  “What are you doing?”

Monroe straightened his jacket again, stepping over Remy’s sprawled form as he made his way to his office.  “He came after me, and got what he deserved.” 

“You can’t…” King shook his head.  “What’s gotten into you?”

Monroe spoke as he walked.  “Eden has requested to leave StoneCrow.  I need to discuss her security.”

King’s head jerked up, and he turned to watch Monroe walk away.  “You’re letting her go?”  Incredulity laced his tone.

“It’s what she wants.”  Then Monroe disappeared down the hall, hearing King hiss, “Son of a…”

***

Seated behind the desk in his office, Monroe frowned up at King who stood planted in front of the desk.

“You knew?” Monroe accused.

King rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, looking contrite.  “Yeah.  Me, Bishop, Recker, Conn, Tyce, and Aries.”

“Christ,” Monroe muttered, and King winced in sympathy.

Monroe and Tyce were more competitive with each other than any two other beings he’d ever seen.  For Tyce to have information on StoneCrow Walkers that the StoneCrow Dominant himself didn’t was unheard of, and another reminder to Monroe of just how absent he’d been from his station during the mess with Eden.

“I made a mistake,” Monroe offered, in rare show of repentance.

King sighed, knowing the Dominant wasn’t referencing the attack on Remy, but the fact that he’d sent Delain after Harlow.  “It was one hell of a mistake to make, Crow.”

Monroe’s clear blue eyes flashed dangerously.  “I’ve had more pressing issues than keeping tabs on everyone else’s love life!”  He lowered his head, frowning up at King from beneath dark, furrowed brows.  “I also didn’t expect any Walkers to go claiming mates while we were engaged in a fucking war.”  He shook his head with a snort, muttering, “Leave it to Remy fucking McCabe.”

King grinned, crossing thick arms over his chest.  “He would find the most inopportune time wouldn’t he?  It’s his style though.  Find the most difficult path, and take it.”  He shook his head and reiterated, “Remy
fucking
McCabe.”  Inhaling deeply, King lowered his arms to shove off the wall he’d been leaning against.  “You ready for him?”

Monroe’s eyes cut from King to the door.  Taking a moment to roll his head from side-to-side, he finally looked at the door once again, this time with a sneer on his lips. 

Monroe was in rare form, and King was honestly worried for Remy.  Walking to the door, King stepped into the hall to speak with Remy before granting him access.

Remy, who’d been pacing the length of the outer office, stilled at the sight of King before stalking toward the door.  King placed a hand on his chest to halt his advance.

“Hey!” King barked.

Remy’s glowing red eyes jerked to King’s.

“Listen and listen well, McCabe.  The Domina has just asked to leave StoneCrow.”

The admission had Remy’s frown slipping a little.

“She requested this mere moments before you attacked the Dominant.  Go after him again, and I won’t be able to stop him.  He’s nearly feral.”  King removed his hand from Remy’s chest and scowled down at his fellow Walker.  “Choose your words wisely.”  Then he stepped back and opened the door, ushering Remy inside.

As usual, Monroe sat rigidly behind his desk. The once impeccable office now looked like a damn war room.  Maps lay across any and every flat surface, while several headsets used for communicating with the human Sentries were strewn about the tables dotting the room.  The room reeked of rage, and when Remy’s eyes met Monroe’s, the fury emanating from the Dominant was nearly palpable.  Remy inhaled slowly as he approached, attempting to retain his control.

“My Angel was taken by Delain,” Remy clipped out. “Where did you send them?”

Monroe’s jaw worked as if he was fighting to retain control.  “I was unaware of your claim.  You know,” he canted his head, his eyes narrowing a fraction, “with the whole, ‘Harlow can go from or stay on my team.  She means
nothing
to me’ speech.  You remember that, right?”

Remy’s expression darkened.  He wanted to throw the fact that Eden had despised Monroe when they’d first met in his face, but after King’s warning, he knew it was bad timing.  “Things change,” he ground out.  “You know this!”

Monroe’s eyes dipped to Remy’s throat.  “She bears your halo?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve claimed, collared, and bound her?”

Remy heaved a great sigh.  “I’m still afflicted.”  His body tensed.  “I had to go after Nyree and Rohm.  There was no time…”

He didn’t finish.  He didn’t need to.  Monroe knew what he meant.

Relaxing back in his chair, Monroe offered, “I got a call from our traitor, the same traitor who warned us of the attack.  The traitor Bellis StCroix is bringing to me as we speak.  The red the Megalya smeared on Harlow wasn’t paint.  It was oil, and Megalya blood.”

Remy paled.

“One of them marked her as his mate.  The blood is some sort of beacon that calls him to her.  Our traitor informed me that the only way to break that signal is for Harlow to be fully mated.  If I’d have known…”  He shook his head.  “Regardless, Delain has her.  I told him to take her from the Estate.  They know this place now, so he had to run with her, hide her.”  His eyes pinched at the corners as he studied Remy.  “I didn’t say where, but Commander Drago has informed me that Delain asked about his underground bunker.”  A sinister grin took his lips. “You remember the one.”

Remy swallowed hard at the reminder.  He’d taken Conn’s Angel, Aries, from the bunker under the belief that she was Mason’s sister.  He’d been trying to get back at Mason for hurting him, and in the end, the only one hurt had been Aries.  It was something Remy desperately wanted to forget, but lately it seemed reminders of the ass he’d been then were being thrown in his face at every turn.  He didn’t care, he couldn’t.  Harlow was his only concern now.

Turning, Remy was stalking from the room when Monroe’s words halted him.

“I’ve tried to contact Delain. “He’s either too far away, or underground in the bunker.”  Monroe stood from his chair, planting fisted hands on his desk as he leaned forward.  “You may want to stop at the infirmary and ask Jenny if she has any information on a dual claiming.  Nyree said Delain collared Harlow before he took her.  It’s never happened before, not to my knowledge.”  He straightened. “There may be issues with conflicting halos on one Angel.”

“There’ll be no issues,” Remy snarled.  “That fucker’s halo is coming off!”

“Delain has been searching for an Angel for quite some time.”

“Fucker’s got mommy issues!”

King stepped forward.  “He’s been estranged from his mother for years, not by his choice.  That’s hardly mommy issues.”

“And that’s hardly my fucking problem,” Remy snarled.  “He’s looking for his Angel, fine!  But he’s not taking mine!”

Monroe drew Remy’s attention.  “Does Mason know you’re claiming his sister?”

Remy’s chin dipped, and he snarled in clear challenge. “I need no man’s permission to claim what is mine!”

Monroe and King watched him storm from the office.  Monroe looked to King with a bored expression.  “Follow him.  If he doesn’t stop to see Jenny, find out what she knows and relay that to him through the mist.”

King pulled his chin down in a nod and took a few steps toward the door before he faltered.  “The Domina?”

“Is leaving us.” Monroe’s expression darkened.  “She’s asked to go back to what she thinks of as her source…her home.”  He said the word with clear disdain, not an ounce of him believing for a moment that Eden had any home aside from the one with him and their children.  He lowered into his chair.  “Aries will be her personal guard for the duration.”

King waited.  He knew Monroe well enough to know the Dominant wouldn’t let his Angel off the Estate with so little security.

“Two teams will ghost,” Monroe continued.  “You’ll be in command.”

“What about the Estate?” King asked, worry etched in every line of him.

“Tyce and his men are going back to Apex.”

That surprised him.  King had been aiding the visiting Dominant while he’d run the Estate in Monroe’s absence.  King asked, “Do they know that?”

“They will,” Monroe supplied.

“If Tyce is gone, and I’m going out on mission, then who’ll…”

Monroe didn’t let him finish.  Instead, he leaned back in his chair, resting his elbows on the armrests.  “I am.”

That had King’s brows hiking in shock.

“My Angel has chosen time away from me, and my children are at Apex.”  Dark brows speared down as Monroe’s eyes transitioned to black. “I’ve had nothing but hours to think about what it means if she doesn’t come back.  Hours to think what I could have done to prevent this.  Hours to think…”  He stilled, his eyes taking on a far off look.  “Hours to think how easy I’ve been on them.”

There was no need to question who “them” was.

“I’ve spent hours fantasizing about what I’m going to do them.  To him!”

“Him?”

“Odium,” Monroe said the word like it was poison on his lips.

King paced away from the door, moving closer to Monroe’s desk.  “Who is this Odium?”

“Their leader,” Monroe supplied with a sneer.  “Their source.”  His lips twisted into an evil grin. “Their end!”

  His words sent chills blasting up King’s spine.  He hadn’t seen the Dominant like this in a very long time.
Blood thirsty!

“Go.” Monroe jerked his chin toward the door before dropping his gaze to the stack of paperwork on his desk. In a highly uncharacteristic move, he used his arm to sweep the stack off onto the floor.  “Best two teams are with you, but send me a team of six.  I don’t believe in serving my revenge cold.”  He looked up at King from beneath lowered brows.  “Move, Sentry!”

King jerked his chin down in a nod and hurried from the office.  In the hall, he realized his adrenal glands were exploding, dumping adrenaline into his system.  The Dominant was back, and all hell was about to be unleashed on the fucking Megalya.  A burst of giddy anticipation tore through him, only to be tinged by regret.  The Dominant was taking the Skin Walkers to war, and King would miss out.  Thinking though on his assignment, his chest puffed out.  Monroe had chosen
him
for the most significant task.  King would guard the Domina, and with any luck she’d find herself.  It’d be phenomenal to gift Monroe his Angel when he returned from dealing with the fucking Megalya.