Redemption (9 page)

The woman exemplified crazy with a side of guts.

Blade shrugged. “Brevity is a pet peeve of hers.”

“I see.”

“Not yet, but you will,” Blade said. “Let’s move. She’ll guide you to my camp. We’ll brief each other and come up with a strategy we all agree on.”

“Said that already, Impure,” Camryn groused as she turned and headed toward the bus as though she’d been the one to park it.

“She’s trouble,” Marek stated.

“No shit,” Peyton responded.

For once Adrik agreed with them both. If the succuba mage even breathed wrong around Mira she was dead.

* * *

“She’s a succuba and a mage?” Mira regarded the woman across the encampment with curiosity. “Interesting. I didn’t know that was possible.”

“What was possible?”

“A mix.” She chewed on the stale bread she’d been given.

“What? You don’t think Others can breed except with their own kind? Dogs with dogs? Dragons with dragons?” Peyton asked.

Wow. Someone had some serious anger management issues. “Actually,” she paused to swallow, “I meant mage are good guys, right?”

Marek and Ren harrumphed.

“What?” she asked.

“Mage are opportunists. They’re the nomadic gypsies of Paraspecies with no fidelity and no factions. They were the bane of existence during The Rending. Many of them survived by selling information to both sides,” Adrik explained.

“They sold us out,” Peyton growled.

“They did?”

“We were in a makeshift facility in what’s now the Forbidden Zone for eight months before King Bredon and his flyer squadron managed to spring us.”

“So flyers are the dragons, right?”

“And their gryphon protectors,” Ren offered. “Goldens are the strongest because they have all the capabilities the other Paraspecies have. Reds are strongest in battle. Whites, like Doc, are healers.”

Mira listened, fascinated by the information they shared freely. When she’d met them a couple years ago they’d been tight-lipped about their kind, what they could do, and not do. Not that she’d asked much back then. Growing up in the Highway she’d learned quickly not to poke your nose in other people’s business. That got you dead.

The less you knew, the safer you were.

All she’d needed to know before she was captured was how to hunt, how to barter and how to run. Anything beyond those necessities was wasted energy better used on more hunting, bartering or running.

The time for ignoring the history, the reasons behind what went down had passed, though. Surviving the facility taught her the power of knowledge. Time to bulk up.

“The Rending. I never heard how it started.”

“The succubae used to be aligned with us, when each faction of Paraspecies reigned over themselves. The lack of uniform laws and codes of conduct proved problematic, especially when humanity encroached more and more on our lands worldwide. A Paraspecies Council was formed and it was decided the golden dragons should rule because they were the only species who possessed all powers.” Adrik stretched his legs out and tossed a stick into the fire.

“King Sashi took control. He and his mate were the heart and soul of the Paraspecies,” Ren added.

“The succuba bastard King Varden couldn’t handle the spotlight being off him. He kidnapped Sashi’s mate and two children,” Marek said.

Dread filled her.

“The succubae had already aligned with humanity, helped them form the NAH. Somehow Varden convinced his new allies to strike swiftly across the world. All shifters were rounded up, shoved into facilities and tested like animals,” Peyton growled. “All full-blooded golden dragons were annihilated.”

The bread in Mira’s stomach pitched. “H-how could humans round your kind up so easily?”

“The element of surprise and unmitigated terror tactics worked against us. The succubae clued the NAH into our weakness—the children. Our kind don’t come into their healing abilities until puberty. They were as easily killed as a human baby.”

“They used them to get your cooperation.”

“Yes,” Ren replied. “We eventually broke out when word of Sashi’s slaughter rippled through the camp, along with the fact no one had seen Bredon. He was an ancient blood-lined youth destined to mate Sashi’s daughter. He and a squadron had been in the mountains training when the NAH struck.”

“He saved you all.”

“Yes, by allowing himself to be captured. He walked into the Forbidden Zone and offered himself up, trusting his squadron to free him and us.”

“But why get captured?”

“To assess the inside, our health. Our ability to fight,” Marek said. “It was a genius plan, but he suffered more than any of us in the two weeks he was there. He took all our punishments and tortures. Thanks to his bravery and sacrifice, we were saved.”

“By the time we were freed it was too late to save Sashi’s family. The queen, her daughter and son were slaughtered. Bredon avenged their deaths and assumed leadership. Under his reign the Paraspecies entered the bloody phase of The Rending.”

Mira nodded. “The turning point, when the NAH withdrew from what’s Paraspecies lands now. A treaty was signed shortly after the succubae turned on the NAH. That’s when all us Impures were shoved into Hell’s Highway and offered up as prey to appease the succubae.”

“And you know the rest,” Marek commented. “The treaty was signed, ignored. We opened Redemption to help the Impures and the NAH used your people’s desperation against you.”

Mira shuddered in revulsion as the suffering of those around her loomed amongst them. No wonder they’d been so enraged by her presence.

“And the mage?”

“Like I said before, they’re opportunists. They worked both sides of The Rending, taking advantage of whatever weaknesses they could benefit from. Our pack was training in the mountains, not too far from Bredon’s squadron when the NAH struck, but the mages who’d been supplying our pack with provisions sold out our location.”

Yep, Mira understood the animosity now. Rage coursed through her veins when she thought of all they’d endured. No telling how horrid their treatment had been.

Camryn captured Mira’s gaze, as though she’d sensed her staring. Heat rose in Mira’s cheeks as she looked away. Adrik chuckled and wrapped a hand around her. “You’re too curious for your own good. You forget our kind have heightened senses.”

Her pulse knocked around beneath her skin. Could he sense her attraction? Licking her lips, she studied his mouth for a moment, but she looked away when he grinned. A change of subject seemed in order. She shifted attention to what they’d been discussing, even though a part of her didn’t want to hear about what they’d suffered while captive.

Bringing it up seemed to be in bad form, but it was a common bond, maybe some way for her to bridge the cavernous gap between her and Adrik’s pack. They were a vital part of his life—family. She wanted to be important to him, even if it was for a small amount of time. She’d missed so much the past couple of years.

“The Forbidden Zone is up north, right? It must’ve been cold.”

Oh God. Had she really just said that? All the things she could’ve offered and she’d come up with it must’ve been cold. Way to freaking go, Mira.

“The first snow had just fallen when Bredon arrived,” Adrik whispered.

“We were in metal cages outside,” Peyton offered. “Four and five to a cell. One bed. We had to get very close.”

“Peyton,” Adrik threatened.

Nausea pitched in her belly. She couldn’t imagine.

“No, she’s clearly curious. Why, Mira? Are you trying to bond with me over war stories?” Peyton chuckled and stood, stripping her shirt off as she turned, exposing her back. Ragged scars zigzagged across her skin. “They enjoyed injuring the few females who were there because it got the males in fighting form. Enraged warriors made the torture more fun for the guards. You know why?”

“Shut up, Peyton,” Ren ordered.

“Because they wouldn’t stop whipping me until one of the men begged to participate in their experiments, their tortures. Our torment broke our men.”

I could never stand to hear a female scream.

Deimos’s statement from long ago echoed within her brain, pitching her stomach. She fled the campfire and fell to her knees. Those bastards had hurt them all. Tortured them.

Made them beg to be hurt.

Her skin burned in empathy.

I can’t let them see how much you mean to me, Mira. They can never know I protect you. I swore never to beg for them again.

Nausea ensued. Bile rose in her throat and she ran toward the makeshift toilets. Pain shot up her thigh when she fell to her knees, but she didn’t care. Her sole focus was on purging the past slicing through her reality. She hurled the contents of her stomach. Warm hands grabbed her hair, pulling it backward. How humiliating. She didn’t want Adrik seeing her upchucking like a sissy. God. How pathetic was she?

“It’s okay, Mira. I’ve got you.” The moment her stomach settled he pulled her into his embrace and settled her in his lap. He handed her a bottle of water.

She accepted it, swishing some around to rinse her mouth out. “Thanks.”

“You okay?”

“Yes. Sorry, I don’t know what overcame me.”

“Don’t lie to me, sweetheart. I can handle just about anything as long as it’s the truth.” His fingers pulled on her chin until her gaze settled on his. “I was trying like hell to be good, but I saw the scars. They whipped you.”

She nodded.

“‘The whip didn’t bother me as much as what they did afterward. The salves and salts they used hurt the most. I dreaded the end of the whipping because I knew the worst had yet to start,” she whispered.

“Jesus,” Adrik whispered as he pulled her head down until it settled against his chest.

The last thing she wanted was his pity. She’d thought about him, what she’d say and do, for two miserable years. She sat up and looked around to make sure they were alone—or as close to alone as they’d get considering their location in Hell’s Playground.

Although everyone had chosen to remain circled around campfires outside, a dilapidated structure sat on the edge of the clearing. Mira had noticed it earlier, but suspected it was one wrong footstep from falling entirely. Apparently not, since Adrik entered.

The building had been gutted, turning it into a large one-room area that resembled a smaller version of the barracks at Redemption. Cots lined one wall two deep as far as Mira could see. Militaristic corners. Everything in the building was…clean. Efficient. Purposeful. Visible.

The latter struck her as odd. Were they so close they preferred a constant, visual connection? Or did they not trust one another at all?

Adrik’s sentinels weren’t there anymore.

“Where is everyone?” She hadn’t noticed their abrupt departure.

“Outside, observing the simulations Camryn has Blade’s people running,” Adrik said.

“And you don’t have to be there?”

“She wanted to see how well they run the course without our involvement. We’ll be added to the mix once they’ve proven themselves ready to go without our presence. They aren’t used to working with our kind, so our involvement could alter their typical pattern.”

“She wants to see what they’re like without you then.”

“Yes.”

“So we’ll be alone for a while.”

“Probably,” Adrik whispered. His fingers ran along her arm. “Are you okay with that? Being alone?”

Yes. No.

Her pulse quickened as she nodded. Moments ticked by as her body awakened to the tender caress of his fingertips stroking along her arm. Curiosity overrode nervousness. She mimicked his pattern on his body. The warmth of his skin beneath her roaming fingers, down his biceps to his forearm and back.

When the slide along her arm paused, she embraced the need building within her and continued the glide across his torso. His abdomen flexed beneath her touch. Tugging his shirt upward, she splayed her hand on his heated skin. The gentle stretch of muscle beneath her palm startled her a moment.

His hand covered hers, keeping it in place. “My wolf longs for your stroke, Mira.”

“He does?”

“Yes, the need is so intense I ache.”

Her gaze tracked downward to the prominent bulge in his pants. “I guess your wolf isn’t the only one aching.”

“No, he’s not,” he hissed.

She stood and turned until she straddled his powerful thighs. A deep groan rumbled from Adrik’s throat. Setting her hands on his shoulders she leaned in and licked along the seam of his lips. Anticipation and desire threaded through her when his mouth opened.

She trembled when she deepened the kiss. She’d never been the aggressor. The experience she had before her captivity was stolen kisses here and there, nothing as all-consuming as the brush fire surging within her now.

“Adrik.” The moaned plea escaped her as the desperation in her mounted. Why wasn’t he taking control? “Kiss me.”

He growled and grabbed her head. His tongue taunted hers, urged a pursuit Mira felt clear to her toes. She relaxed in his embrace and followed the sensual dance, the tangling and melding of tongues and mouths.

Adrik severed the kiss and nibbled a path to her earlobe. He suckled and kissed until her awareness began and ended with him, the way her skin tingled beneath his tongue. She licked and nibbled him wherever she could. Her hands delved beneath his shirt and explored greedily.

“I remember the first time I arrived in Redemption. I was exploring the square a couple hours after arriving and I saw you there. I followed, too drawn to you not to.”

“Mmm, my little stalker.” He nipped her ear. “That’s really hot, sweetheart.”

His appreciation incited her passion, fed her need to share the rest. “You met up with some woman in the alley behind Medical. She wrapped her legs around your waist and you pressed her up against the wall, kissing her. I remember being so jealous. I wanted to be her, have you take me in the alley.”

She gasped when he claimed her mouth again. His hands moved along her sides and beneath her shirt. Cool air brushed her skin when he pulled it over her head and tossed it to the floor. She swallowed the apprehension panging her insides.

“I-I haven’t exactly done this a lot. I’m probably not good.” His finger covered her lips.