Kai moved quickly down one of the many docks in the bayou, her footsteps light and determined. Her GPS and her gut both told her she was going the right way, but an uneasy sensation prickled at the back of her neck—she was being followed. By who or what, she wasn’t sure. The distant revelry of drunk partygoers still echoed through the night, and she could even hear the faint thumping of bass deeper in the swamp.
‘People in New Orleans are a different kind of crazy’!’ She thought wryly.
She came to a fork in her path. The dock stretched ahead, offering a safer route, while a dirt path veered to the left, vanishing into thick, swirling fog. Kai sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation. Her gut was screaming at her to take the left path, and her GPS… well, it had conveniently stopped working.“So… left it is,” she muttered. “Oh joy…”
As she stepped into the mist, a pair of glowing red eyes flickered back the way she had come. A figure emerged from the shadows, raising a phone to his ear. “Found her, sir.” “Excellent work,” came Solan’s smooth, authoritative voice from the other end. “Send me your coordinates. Stay put and wait for the rest of us.” “Yes, sir,” the vampire replied, perching himself on the railing of the dock as he watched the path Kai had taken.
Kai traversed the boggy trail, muttering under her breath as mud sucked at her boots. Nearly half an hour had passed, and she was certain she was close, but the swamp was doing its best to slow her down. Just as she considered turning back, a soft glow emanated through the mist—then another, and another—until a trail of floating lights stretched before her. The fog seemed to retreat from their warmth, creating an almost ethereal pathway.
Kai instinctively took a step forward before stopping abruptly. Something felt… off. She couldn't place it, but a nagging feeling told her she must not follow the lights. “But they are so warm and inviting,” a tinkling voice whispered in her mind. Kai’s head snapped up, instincts roaring to life. That feeling surged tenfold. DO NOT FOLLOW THEM! The warning in her mind was sharp, urgent. And without hesitation, she veered sharply to the side, plunging into the thickest part of the fog, following an invisible pull to the right.
Solan and his seven vampires arrived just in time to see Kai vanish into the mist. He growled in frustration. “We're going after her,” he ordered, before turning to one of his men. “You! Wait for the others.” “Yes, sir,” the vampire saluted as Solan and the rest disappeared into the fog. Minutes later, the second group of vampires arrived. “Oi, Jenson! What’re you doing just standing there?” one of them called. Jenson turned to them. “I was told to wait on you lot.” The other vampire gave him a skeptical look. “Well… alright then. Let’s get a move on—don’t want the others having all the fun.” With that, he stepped past Jenson, heading straight for the twinkling lights. “Wait! The Boss went this way!” Jenson protested, pointing into the fog. The other vamp frowned. “What are you on about?” Before Jenson could respond, the same enticing voice slithered into their minds. “You should follow the lights. Why would anyone go anywhere else? “ Their thoughts clouded, their wills wavered, and one by one, they stepped forward, entranced. And as they walked, long, clawed hands emerged from the shadows, snatching them off the path—silent, swift. One by one, they disappeared, never to be seen again.
Deep in the fog, Kai moved with confidence, her footing unwaveringly steady, despite the near-blindness it caused. She knew she was still being followed, and she needed to lose them. Keeping her movements swift and quiet, she picked up the pace, her endurance carrying her forward.
Solan and his men struggled behind her, the fog disorienting and unnatural. “This isn’t normal,” one of them gritted out. “It’s magic,” Solan growled. “She’s vanishing on us.” With their senses dulled and Kai’s scent masked, their pursuit slowed. Meanwhile, Kai pushed forward, sprinting now, until suddenly—brick wall! She skidded to a halt, panting as she stared at the moss-covered structure. It wasn’t tall, but the wet, slippery surface made climbing a terrible idea. Instead, she followed the wall to the left, her fingers grazing the cold stone, until she reached an iron-wrought gate. She stepped closer, only to be halted by a hunched figure emerging on the other side. “Who goes there? What business you be havin’ here?” a voice rasped, thick with a New Orleans drawl.
A Crone.
Kai took a steadying breath and stepped forward, calming herself and steadying her voice, she spoke. “Greetings. I represent Aegis Delivery Logistics. I am here to retrieve a time-sensitive package.” Then, just loud enough to be heard, she whispered, “For those who know, The way is clear.” She flashed the insignia on her shoulder. The Crone made a rattling noise in her throat before pulling out a large skeletal key. With a slow, deliberate movement, she unlocked the gate and stepped aside. “Follow me.” Kai obeyed, stepping through as the gate was locked securely behind her.
She found herself in a vast stone courtyard, vines creeping through cracks in the floor, mist curling around the edges of the crumbling structure. The air was thick, heavy with moisture, clinging to her skin like a second layer. The Crone shuffled forward, leading her toward a derelict manor, its once-grand double doors hanging precariously. They stepped inside, weaving through the shadows of a once-opulent hall before arriving at a polished oak door with a gleaming brass handle.
“Come,” the Crone rasped, pushing it open. Inside was a stark contrast to the hallways—a warm, polished study, its oak walls lined with books and scrolls. A crackling fire bathed the room in golden light. In front of it stood two high-backed chairs, one of which was occupied. Kai stopped just inside as the Crone shuffled forward and murmured something to the seated figure. The figure nodded, dismissing the Crone, who left, shutting the door behind her as she did.
Kai stepped forward cautiously. Finally getting a glimpse of the mysterious occupant, her breath caught in her throat.
She had not expected this. Relaxing gracefully in the chair, a scroll in hand, was a woman of stunning beauty. Deep red hair flowed down and around her shoulders, a stark white streak trailing from her left temple. Her jade-green eyes were piercing, her porcelain skin flawless. She wore a deep -blue effervescent Grecian-style gown that draped elegantly over her frame, revealing long, crossed legs, one bare foot peeking from beneath the fabric.
She regarded Kai with quiet amusement as she stared. Realising her rudeness, Kai quickly bowed her head. “Forgive me,” she said, feeling flustered “You are not what I expected.” A rich, smoky chuckle filled the space, making Kai’s pulse stutter.“The feeling is mutual,” the woman said, voice sultry, eyes gleaming with curiosity. Kai’s heart gave another traitorous lurch, and she fought to keep her expression neutral. The woman tilted her head. “I’m surprised you made it through,” she mused. “I have to admit, I did not believe all the hype surrounding you.”
Kai blinked. “I’m not sure what hype you mean,” she said, regaining her composure. “But as for finding you—I have a pretty good sense of direction.” The woman gave her a long, penetrating look. “Interesting,” she murmured. Kai stood frozen for a moment as the elegant woman before her uncrossed her legs and gracefully rose from the chair. Every movement was deliberate, poised, and exceedingly sensual. Kai’s mouth went dry. She exuded a presence that was almost overwhelming. “Well… allow me to introduce myself,” she said, her rich, smoky voice carrying matching the ambiance of the cozy study. “I am Mistress Allara, Sorceress and Lady of the Unseelie Court. I welcome you to my home.” Kai got ahold of herself and kept her expression neutral and smoothly bowed at the waist, her voice steady and respectful. “Greetings, Your Ladyship. I am called Kai Ki, and I represent Aegis Delivery Logistics. I am here to retrieve a time-sensitive package.” A delicate chuckle escaped Allara’s lips. “Oh my, that was very well done.” She smiled, amused, and Kai merely shrugged with a small smirk. She could feel her cheeks heating up. Thank goodness for her skin tone!
The moment of levity faded as Lady Allara’s expression turned serious. “Come,” she said, turning toward a side door Kai hadn’t noticed before. “Let us get down to business.” As the sorceress pushed open the door, Kai followed, her voice lowering as she spoke. “Speaking of business, you should know I was followed. I managed to put some distance between us in the fog, but they’ll be here soon. At least a dozen of them.” Lady Allara hesitated, her hand resting on the doorframe. “Yes, I know. I sensed about half of them succumb to the river ghouls’ trap.” Her emerald gaze flickered up at Kai with intrigue. “You, however, did not even hesitate. Tell me—how did you resist their call?” Kai frowned, considering. “It just felt wrong. I knew the right path, and it wasn’t the one with the lights. So I followed the right one.” She shrugged again, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. Lady Allara gave her a sidelong glance. “Interesting indeed.”
They walked in silence through the dimly lit stone corridor, torches lining the walls, their flickering flames casting eerie shadows. At the end, light leaked from beneath a wooden door. Allara turned the handle and entered. The room was something out of an alchemist’s dream. Wooden countertops lined the space, much like an old-fashioned chemistry classroom. Cauldrons bubbled over small fires, herbs hung from the walls, and shelves were filled with jars and sealed containers of unknown and likely volatile contents. Lady Allara strode into the room with confidence, her fingers trailing across a polished counter as she approached a back shelf where rested a wooden box covered in runes. She lifted the box and turned back to Kai, leading them to return the way they came.
Once back in the study, Lady Allara cleared a space on her overburdened desk and carefully set the box down. She then turned to Kai, her expression serious. “You must watch me now. I will show you how to open this.” Kai raised a hand in a stopping motion. “I don’t need to know what’s inside. My job is just to deliver it.” The Lady smiled. “Even so, it is necessary. I cannot accompany you to the Conclave, my dear. You must be the one to do this. You have already proven yourself reliable and trustworthy. That goes a long way in our world. Now hush and watch.” Kai hesitated, then reluctantly focused as the sorceress performed the unlocking sequence. her hands moved deftly, tracing patterns along the runes before lifting the lid. Inside was a round vial filled with a faintly glowing violet liquid. Magic pulsed from it in waves. “This elixir, is the Blood Cure,” Lady Allara said. Kai nodded in understanding. Without another word, she closed the lid and took Kai’s hand, pressing her finger against the latch. A sharp prick of pain shot through Kai’s fingertip, and she flinched slightly. “The box is now bound to you,” The sorceress stated simply. Kai nodded again, swinging her duffel from her shoulder and carefully placing the box inside before securing the bag back in place. But as she adjusted the strap, Lady Allara suddenly reached out, gripping Kai’s shoulders with both hands. Kai’s head snapped up in surprise. Her body tensed at the unexpected touch, her instincts screaming at the close proximity. But something shifted in the air between them. A ripple. A pulse of something unseen. Kai felt it in her chest. Her heart jumped and her head throbbed. It felt like needle pricks were stabbing into her brain. But just as soon as it happened, it stopped.
Allara inhaled sharply, her jade eyes widening as if struck by lightning. She stumbled backward as though she had touched a live wire, losing her balance. Kai’s reflexes kicked in. She reached out instinctively, her hands grasping the the other woman around the waist before she could fall.
Allara, never took her eyes off her. “Your Ladyship?” Kai asked, concern creeping into her tone. No response. Kai’s grip on Allara’s hips tightened slightly. “Your Ladyship.” Still nothing. A ripple of unease crawled up Kai’s spine. “Allara!” she snapped, using the sorceress’s name. That did it. Allara blinked rapidly, sucking in a breath as if she had been drowning moments before. Her mind was reeling. ‘Where on earth had she been?! Why stay away for soo long!? ‘ She stared up into a set of deep brown eyes. Looking for any sign of recognition and yet, none came.
She felt the sting of disappointment and loneliness at the knowledge that she was not remembered. Standing before her was one who had not been seen for centuries! Where had she been hiding? And why—why now—was she revealing herself?
Allara had lived for millennia. She was one of the oldest magicals still walking the earth. She knew this power. How could she forget? And yet, here was this tall and unassuming woman before her—a mystery wrapped beneath flesh and bone. The sorceress’ lips parted. “You… you’re here! And even more powerful,” she finally breathed. Kai’s brows furrowed in confusion. “I—what?” But before Kai could question further, Allara blinked and stepped back. Pulling herself free from Kai’s strong warm hands, she composed herself, straightening her shoulders.
“This changes things“ she murmured to herself while turning away to look unseeing at the fireplace. She turned back around with a determined look. “You must be careful on your journey. The ones who want you to fail will stop at nothing to ensure it.” A decision solidified in Allara’s mind. “I will help you,” she declared. “I will have my people show you a faster way back to the city. You must leave as soon as possible. I will meet you at the Conclave. That will be the most dangerous part of your journey.” Kai gaped at her. “I… thank you? I don’t quite understand, but your help is appreciated.” Allara smiled softly at the taller woman. ‘She hasn’t changed. Her memories may be gone, but she is still the same as I remember .’ She thought, feeling the melancholy. Allara shook her head and stepped forward. “When next we meet I will explain what I can. But right now, you must go.” Without wasting another moment, Allara reached out and held Kai’s larger hand within her own, hiding a shiver at their warmth. She led the tall woman through the manor, down winding corridors and out to a hidden dock at the water’s edge. There, the same hunched Crone from before—Agatha—was waiting beside a small boat. Allara turned to Kai one last time. “This is Agatha, my most trusted. She will guide you from here. Once you reach the city, leave immediately. You have three and a half days till the Conclave in New York. I will meet you there.” She reached into a pocket and withdrew a small parchment. “Read and memorize this. These are your new coordinates.” Kai took the parchment, committing the details to memory before handing it back. As Allara reached for the slip Kai grasped her hand. “Wait. Why do I feel like I’m missing something?“ Kai placed her other hand over own heart. “Here?” “Do I know you?” Allara shook her head. “There is not enough time. We will speak. I promise you! But for now, be very careful. Vampires never fight fair unless they have to. Traps are their forte.” Kai nodded, her hand briefly covering Allara’s in silent acknowledgment. She could feel the warmth from her hand. If only she wasn’t on such a time crunch, she would have liked to talk more with the beautiful woman. The sorceress withdrew her hand and gently pushed Kai back towards the boat. “Go,” she urged, turning toward the fog. Her expression hardened. “They are near.” Kai wasted no more time. She climbed into the boat, Agatha steering them swiftly away from the dock.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
As the fog thickened around them, Kai’s gaze flickered back toward the manor where Lady Allara stood. Then she watched as the gorgeous and regal figure shimmered and disappeared, just in time as the silhouettes of her pursuers emerge from the opposite side of the mist. They had arrived. The fog clung to the water, thick and restless, as Solan and his men burst from the mist in full sprint. Their boots pounded against the dock, their breaths coming in harsh gasps. The boat carrying their quarry was already disappearing into the haze, cutting swiftly through the dark river.
Solan’s sharp gaze flicked to a second boat tied at the dock. Without hesitation, he lunged for it, signalling his men to follow. But just as he reached it, his peripheral vision caught something—just a flicker, a shadow shifting at the edge of the runes guarding the dock.
A figure.
A woman.
His pulse stuttered for a fraction of a second. “Was that…? No. It couldn’t be.” “The Dark Sorceress would never involve herself… would she?” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he and his men leaped aboard. There was no time to dwell on phantom shapes in the mist. They had a target to capture.
As the second boat pushed off and disappeared into the dense fog, the figure at the runes remained motionless. Then, with a quiet sigh, the Sorceress canceled her concealment charm. It would not do to be discovered before the Conclave. The moment the spell dissipated, the air around her shifted, heavier now, tinged with the weight of old burdens and new resolve. She let out a slow breath, lifting her chin as she turned back toward the manor. The time for secrecy was nearly at an end. She turned, striding back toward her manor, but her mind refused to quiet. It spun with thoughts of Kai Ki. To think, after all these centuries… history might repeat itself. The realisation sent a tremor through her. But this time, she would not make the same mistake. She had sworn that long ago.
"Finally."
The word was both a whisper and a weight in her chest. Then, as if something inside her had cracked, she stumbled into one of her chairs. Her head bowed, and before she could stop it, a single tear slipped down her cheek. A sob wrenched from her throat, violent and raw. She pressed her arms around herself, as if holding her own body together, but the ache was too deep, too old. It clawed through her, an agony that time had dulled but never erased.
Taking a shuddering breath, she lurched to her feet and staggered toward her desk. With shaking fingers, she retrieved a small gold key from a hidden compartment and unlocked the bottom drawer. Inside lay two small velvet boxes. Her breath hitched. She reached for the one on the right first, flipping it open. Nestled inside was a delicate silver chain, and hanging from it—a clear crystal wrapped in gold-threaded filigree. Within the gem, a swirling magical essence pulsed faintly, as if alive. The moment she cradled it in her palm, memories surged forward.
Laughter. Sunlight. A world before betrayal. Before she had destroyed everything in her ignorance. Her chest tightened painfully. She had buried herself in isolation ever since. But no longer.
With a steadying breath, she fastened the chain around her neck, tucking the crystal beneath the neckline of her dress. The stone settled between her breasts, its warmth a small comfort against her skin, as if it recognised her touch. Then, she reached for the second box. Inside rested a silver-banded ring, etched with the sigil of her ancient lineage. A mark of her station. Proof of who she truly was. She slipped it onto her left forefinger. For the first time in centuries, she felt whole. Straightening her shoulders, she exhaled slowly. The storm inside her settled, her purpose crystallising into something sharp and unshakable. No more self-pity. No more hiding. She had found a new purpose, and no one—no one—was going to take it from her. Her fingers curled around the crystal at her breast, pressing it firmly against her skin. It pulsed in response, as if feeding off her resolve.
Three and a half days. She turned on her heel. It was time to prepare.
Kai watched the old Manor fade into the swirling fog as the skiff glided further away from the dock. A strange sense of loss tugged at her, one she couldn’t quite explain. Allara had been formidable, and otherworldly.
She wanted to see her again, if only just to be near her warmth again. She had promised they would meet soon—but until then, she had a job to do.
Shaking off the feeling, she turned back around and focused on the Crone steering the skiff. Agatha handled the small boat with ease, the hum of its non-magical motor breaking the eerie silence of the swamp. Kai allowed herself a brief, amused smile at the image of the hunched woman operating a human machine so deftly. But her humour faded as her mind turned back to the danger behind them. The fog hung thick over the water, obscuring everything but the faint glow of lanterns on the boat. She could feel the vampires closing in, their presence a dark itch at the back of her mind. Her pulse quickened as she calculated her next move. Getting a vehicle in New Orleans was now a priority. She didn’t have contacts in Louisiana—at least, none she could trust—but she did have money.
Her sharp eyes flicked to the Crone. “Miss Agatha?” she asked. The old woman tilted her head slightly, indicating she was listening. Kai hesitated briefly, then continued. “I need a fast vehicle. One I can get quickly and quietly. Do you know where I might acquire one?” Agatha’s head bobbed slowly, the motion deliberate.
“Follow dee docks to da Cheeken Man,” she rasped in her bone-grinding voice. “Der yo find Onsayley Fey. Dey be sellin’ dee fastest.” Kai blinked, trying to translate the Crone’s thick accent. “Follow the docks to the Chicken Man… there you’ll find Unseelie Fae? They’ll be selling the fastest?” Agatha nodded again, her expression unreadable. Kai frowned, the mention of the Unseelie giving her pause. She hadn’t realised they operated this far south, though it didn’t surprise her. Business was business, after all, and the Unseelie always found ways to thrive in the shadows. “The Unseelie?” she repeated, seeking confirmation. “Yah,” Agatha replied simply, her hands never faltering on the controls. Kai murmured her thanks, filing the information away as she scanned the fog behind them.
Something wasn’t right. Her instincts screamed danger, and she dropped to one knee, narrowing her eyes into the mist. She closed her eyes and focused, tuning out the hum of the engine. There—it was faint, but she could feel it: another boat to their left, trailing just far enough back to avoid detection. Kai’s eyes snapped open. “There’s a boat behind us,” she said quietly, her tone certain. “A little to the left. Not far.” Agatha stiffened, glancing over her shoulder at Kai. Her dark eyes gleamed with curiosity. ‘How do she know? She be seein tru me Mistress’s enchantments?’ The thought was both troubling and intriguing. Agatha said nothing, but her gnarled hands twisted the throttle, sending the skiff surging forward.
Kai knelt lower, her body tense as she kept her gaze locked on the fog. She couldn’t see their pursuers, but she could feel them closing in, their dark energy a malevolent undercurrent in the air.
Solan’s frustration simmered just beneath the surface as his boat cut through the thick swamp fog. Every step of this chase had been an exercise in humiliation. His prey had a maddening ability to elude him, her choices unpredictable and infuriatingly effective. She doubled back, took detours, and booked rooms she never stayed in—all tricks that kept him off her trail. And now, here he was, slogging through a cursed swamp that seemed determined to thwart him at every turn. The fog clung to his skin, thick and suffocating, as his sharp eyes scanned the endless grey for any sign of her. He leaned over the bow, his lip curling in frustration. “I’ll have her this time,” he growled, more to himself than anyone else. His men remained silent behind him, their unease palpable. The swamp had claimed its share of hunters over the years, and none of them wanted to join its list of victims.
Agatha guided the skiff to a small, hidden dock shrouded by layers of enchantments. The magic thrummed faintly against Kai’s skin as she climbed onto the ladder, her boots steady on the slippery wood. She turned to the Crone and offered a quick nod. “Thank you,” Kai said. Then, after a moment’s hesitation, she reached out and gave the old woman’s shoulder a light pat. Agatha blinked, surprised by the gesture, but said nothing. Kai pointed into the fog. “Go that way instead of straight back. I can sense them following. If you cut left, you’ll avoid them.” Agatha stared at her for a long moment, then nodded slowly, a faint, cautious smile curling her lips. Her Mistress was right. This one was interesting.
Kai didn’t linger. She sprinted down the dock, her strides long and steady as the fog began to thin. The dock eventually gave way to solid ground, and she kept moving, her instincts driving her forward.
The sound hit her before she saw it. A roaring wave of engines and heavy metal music slammed into her senses as she rounded the corner of a weathered building surrounded by chicken coops. She slowed, her brow furrowing as she took in the scene before her. Across the dirt yard was a bustling bar, its neon lights casting a garish glow over a row of motorcycles lined up like sentinels. The air smelled of grease, leather, and beer, and the Unseelie sigil marked the bar’s entrance in unmistakable Fae script. Kai exhaled through her nose, her lips quirking in a wry smile. “Well,” she muttered to herself, “this should be interesting.”
Kai tightened the strap of her duffel against her body and took a steadying breath. She had no time to waste. Moving with purpose, she strode past the rows of motorcycles and through the thick crowd of humans and Fae. The mingling of the two wasn’t unheard of, especially in places like this. The Unseelie in particular enjoyed the company of humans with a certain… disposition. Biker clubs, rough around the edges and fiercely loyal, fit that mold.
Kai had always found their kind refreshingly straightforward. No flowery words, no hidden meanings—just action. She could respect that.
As she crossed the club’s threshold, a hush followed in her wake, eyes—both mortal and immortal—fixing on her. The humans watched because she bore no club patch, a stranger in their domain. The Fae, however, noticed the insignia on her shoulder. They knew what it meant. ADL’s reputation preceded her, and none among their kind would dare to stand in her way. The humans, unfortunately, had no such understanding. She was halfway to the bar when a wall of leather and muscle stepped into her path. A hulking biker, patches covering his jacket, a bandana barely holding back dark, unkempt hair. A scar over one eye, a scruffy beard braided at the chin. He reeked of alcohol and poor decisions.
Kai had no patience for this. She was exhausted, and there was a life-or-death situation at hand. Under normal circumstances, she would have opted for diplomacy, but right now? No.
The man leaned in, his face contorting into a sneer. "You're not welcome here," he spat, his voice thick with arrogance and disdain. A grimy grin spread across his lips. "But maybe, if you get on your knees right now," he said, his eyes narrowing as he grabbed his crotch for emphasis, "and show me some sincerity, I might think about letting you leave."
He reached for her shoulder a every Fae in the club and beyond felt it—an eruption of power that sent them reeling, some collapsing outright. In a single fluid motion, Kai bent the biker’s hand back at an unnatural angle, forcing him onto his knees. Her other hand clamped around his throat. Silence swallowed the club. The humans gawked, unable to believe their eyes. The Fae barely breathed, locked in place by the sheer weight of her presence. Kai’s voice was soft, but it carried through the room, cutting through the music like a blade. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “Would you care to repeat yourself? I didn’t quite catch that.” A few bikers tensed, ready to intervene, but the Fae moved first.
Frank, a towering werewolf and the club’s leader, crossed the space in an instant. His presence was solid, grounding, as he laid a calming hand on Kai’s. His voice, a deep Louisiana drawl, was whiskey smooth. “Now, now, friend,” he rumbled. “Jake here’s done gone and drank a little too much.” He gave the struggling man a sharp look. “Ain’t that right, Jakey boy?” Jake made a strangled noise of agreement, his face red, eyes wide with terror. Kai exhaled slowly, releasing her grip. Jake collapsed, coughing and wheezing. Frank visibly relaxed, and the other Fae murmured silent thanks to whatever gods watched over them. Frank straightened, turning to the rest of the room. “Listen up!” His voice boomed with authority. The music cut off as all eyes snapped to him. He pointed at the insignia on Kai’s shoulder. “You see this?” he demanded. “This here is sacred. Nobody touches this. She free to go wherever she please—here, there, anywhere. Allied land, enemy land. You see her, you let her pass. You hear me?” The Fae responded immediately, nodding in understanding. The humans, while not fully grasping the weight of his words, got the gist. She was off-limits. No questions asked. Of course, there was always one who had to push. “Why?” Before Frank could answer, a woman behind the bar spoke up. “Because she’s Aegis,” she said coolly, stepping forward. “And we don’t mess with them. They’re the only ones who are one hundred percent neutral.” The woman, Sarah, was Frank’s wife and mate. She gave Kai a knowing smile and held out her hand “Here to deliver, darling, or just passing through?” Kai, fully in control now, returned the smile and shook her hand, though tiredly. “Passing through. I’m in a bit of a bind. I need fast wheels. I’m being pursued.” She paused. “Money’s no issue.” Frank’s expression darkened. “Who dares?” His voice was a low growl. Kai pursed her lips. “Vampires. Half a dozen or more. I delayed them in the swamps, bought myself maybe an hour.” Frank blinked, clearly impressed. “That’s some skill,” he admitted. “Them swamps are thick with magic.” Kai shrugged. “I had help.” Sarah’s eyes gleamed. “Can you ride?” Kai nodded. “Yeah.” Frank exchanged a glance with Sarah before motioning for Kai to follow. They crossed the club and stepped into a back workshop, the air thick with the scent of oil and metal. Various bikes and parts lay scattered around, but Frank headed straight for a tarp-covered machine in the corner. With a dramatic pull, he revealed a sleek grey Indian Sport Chief. Kai’s breath hitched. “She’s gorgeous.” Frank chuckled. “She belonged to a client who reneged their deal. This was collateral.” His grin was all wolf. Kai laughed. “Hell of a collateral.” She ran a reverent hand over the bike’s smooth body. “I’ll buy her . Name your price.” Frank shook his head. “Take it.” Kai frowned, ready to argue, but Frank raised a hand to cut her off. “You ain’t know this, but you saved our boy’s life a few months back.” Kai stilled. Sarah took over. “Our son ran afoul of hunters. They got him bad with a silver bullet. Only way to save him was pure essence of moonlight, but the only place to get it was in Tennessee. Imagine our surprise when we got it—because of your delivery service.” Frank nodded. “I drove nonstop to Athens, Georgia. That’ where I met you.” Kai searched her memory, then recognition dawned. “I remember that delivery,” she murmured. She studied Frank’s face. “You didn’t have the beard back then.” Frank laughed. “Nope. No ear piercing neither.” Kai smiled. Frank’s voice softened. “We owe you a debt we can’t repay. I swore that if ever I could, I’d help you best I can!.” Kai’s throat tightened. “Thank you.” Sarah pulled her into a hug. “No sugar! Thank you.” Frank handed her the keys and a helmet. “She’s fully gassed. Should get you to Alabama fore you need fuelin.” Kai nodded, slipping the helmet on. The Chief roared to life beneath her hands, a purring beast eager to run. She gave Frank and Sarah a final nod before peeling out of the shop, looping around the front of the club, past the rows of bikes. Then she was gone, tearing down the road at a steady speed.
It was Thursday afternoon. If she pushed hard, she’d be back in the office with Marta by Friday evening. She intended to make it.
