Marked (Servants of Fate Book 1)

  Aislin rewarded Shauna with a surprisingly fond smile. “No need. Just listen.” Shauna took a seat in the corner while Aislin waved toward the seating area and sat down in one of the chairs, waiting for Cacy to follow suit. Aislin took a moment to straighten her skirt and cross her legs at the ankles before aiming a cool gaze at Cacy. “I didn’t want to tell you this over the phone. Debra and Peter passed away early this morning, within a few minutes of each other.”

  Cacy’s vision went hazy, and she sank into one of the chairs. “What?”

  Aislin gave Cacy a searching look, then her eyes drifted to the window, to the late afternoon sun baking the city outside. “Debra died from an accidental overdose of some kind of anticoagulant. The hospital is claiming it was a medical error. Peter died from a reaction to the pretransplant medications. Foul play is a strong possibility.”

  Cacy shot up from her chair. “A possibility? Does Rylan know about this?”

  Aislin turned sharply to Cacy. “Of course he does. He went to guide their souls this morning, and I accompanied him.”

  “Well? Did Deb or Peter say anything? Could they tell you what happened?”

  Aislin’s expression said she thought Cacy was very naive. “Both of their deaths appear to have been accidental. However, the timing was highly suspicious and, like with Father, no Ker showed up to accept the commission.”

  “What about Alex?” Cacy asked.

  “He remains in a coma. The chief neurologist is concerned it’s irreversible.”

  Cacy’s fists clenched. “That’s probably the only reason he’s still breathing.”

  Aislin didn’t disagree. She was silent for a full minute before asking, “Have you received any inquiries about Father’s will?”

  Cacy scoffed. “Only about a thousand or so.”

  “He changed the will the day of his death. Did you know that?”

  “I know he was wearing the same suit in the recording that he did on the day he died.”

  Aislin nodded. “But you don’t know what details of the will he might have changed?”

  Cacy took a step closer to her sister, suspicion burying itself like a tiny seed in the fertile soil of her mind. “Why so interested, sis?”

  Shauna, who’d been sitting quietly in the corner, flinched. Aislin, however, did not.

  Instead, she rose slowly and gracefully from her chair to face her sister, and it pissed Cacy off to no end that Aislin was able to tower over her as they stood face-to-face. Cacy raised her chin and glared at her older sister.

  “Cacia, I am merely wondering if anyone was unexpectedly cut out or added. In other words, I want to know if anyone has cause to be disgruntled. Or devious.”

  Cacy couldn’t be certain, but she could have sworn there was a hint of accusation in her sister’s pointed stare. She glanced over at Shauna. It suddenly seemed very smart for Aislin to have a witness who was on her side.

  As much as Cacy didn’t want to believe it of her sister, Aislin had better reason than anyone to be devious—and to pump Cacy for information. Aislin, only a few years younger than Rylan, was probably angry at losing the CEO position to him. She was the one who’d argued that they shouldn’t pursue their father’s killer aggressively, all in the name of “logic.” She was obviously enraged that Cacy had been named executor. Could Aislin have had something to do with their father’s death? And with the deaths of Deb and Peter?

  No. Not possible. Aislin was a bitch, but she wasn’t evil.

  Was she?

  Cacy shrugged, deciding that keeping her mouth shut might be the smartest move.

  Aislin let out an impatient sigh and crossed her arms over her chest. “You are as contrary as ever.” She nodded at Shauna, who rose and opened the door to the office, then looked over at Cacy expectantly. An invitation to leave. The meeting was over.

  Fine with me. Cacy stalked to the door without a backward glance. She was eager to escape the corporate headquarters and go somewhere to think about all this for a while. And, as ashamed as she was to admit it, she was also worried about Eli and wanted to check on him again. Maybe just a quick call to Galena—

  “Cacia? One more thing, please.”

  Cacy didn’t turn around, but she did stop walking. Maybe Aislin would say something, anything, to erase the horrible suspicion that had planted itself in Cacy’s mind. “Yeah?”

  “Try not to embarrass our family tonight. Dress like an adult instead of a wayward child.”

  Aislin was right to think Cacy was naive. Cacy had actually believed her sister would say something useful or constructive. With a bitter laugh, Cacy saluted Aislin with her middle finger and headed for the elevator.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Eli,” Galena whispered. She brushed his hair off his forehead as he slowly opened his eyes. A sheet had been draped over him. He drew a deep breath and could swear the scent of Cacy had followed him from his dreams.

  He sighed. “Time to don my penguin suit?”

  She nodded, then bit her lip. “Are you sure about this? You should probably get some more sleep.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Almost seven.”

  Lord, he’d slept for almost fourteen hours. “No,” he said, pushing himself up. He swung his feet to the floor and blew out a long breath, wishing the pounding in his head would go away. “Can you get me some painkillers from my med kit, though?”

  “I’ve got them right here. She said you’d need some.” Galena held out a cup and the pills.

  Eli squinted down at them. “Did she call again?” He shouldn’t have cared, but . . . he did.

  “Yes. I was at the lab, and she asked me to come back and check on you.”

  Eli raised his head sharply and winced. He took a moment to down the pills and drank the entire cup of water. He’d never tasted anything so pure. He looked down at the cup.

  “It was delivered shortly after I got home.” Galena took the cup from him and reached out to run a gentle hand through his hair. “Cacy’s looking out for you, Eli. She sounded really worried.”

  Eli rubbed at the ache in his chest. “Yeah. She’s been a good partner.” It had been damn sneaky of her to use his desire for her to distract him. But now that he thought about it, it had also been damn smart. So why did it hurt to think about?

  Because you want more and you can’t have it.

  He scrubbed a hand over his face and stretched, pasting a smile on his face as he looked up at Galena. Maybe this event tonight was exactly the thing he needed to get his mind off Cacy.

  “Give me half an hour to get ready.” He blinked and looked at his sister more closely. She’d put her hair up and was actually wearing makeup. She didn’t need it; she was beautiful no matter what, but she was looking at him so hopefully that he had to say something. “You look gorgeous, G. People aren’t going to listen to your speech, because they’ll be too busy staring.”

  Her face lit up. “You’re so charming. I needed to hear that.” She kissed his cheek and skipped from the room, calling, “Wait till you see my dress!”

  Eli headed for the bathroom, where he shaved, and got dressed. The tuxedo fit him perfectly. Maybe Cacy’s family would look at him a little differently if they could see him now.

  He stepped out of the bathroom and stopped dead. Galena stood in the living room, shifting her weight from foot to foot, watching him nervously. She was wearing a low-cut, flowing dark-purple dress. She looked perfect in it, but it was clear she wasn’t sure about that. “You look amazing, G. Are you sure you want to be seen with me?”

  She smiled and walked forward to fiddle with the tie he’d clumsily knotted. “You don’t look half-bad yourself, Eli. All the ladies will be jealous of me.” Her smile fell a bit. “How’s your head?”

  “Those pills fixed me right up. I’m good to go.”

  Her look of relief mea
nt the world to him. “My speech is ready,” she said. “They’re sending a car.”

  “Well then, let’s go have a good time.”

  Eli blinked as he got out of the car. He’d expected this event to be at one of the university buildings, but instead, it was at one of the downtown hotels. Armed guards stood at either side of the doors while suited attendants helped people from their cars. Eli reached down and offered Galena his hand. She looked a little unsteady in her high heels, but she was practically glowing with happiness and excitement. He tucked her arm in his and led her through the doors, following the other guests to a huge banquet room. One of the attendants came rushing up to them before they stepped through the wide entrance.

  “Dr. Margolis? You’re at the head table. This way, please.”

  Eli’s heart beat a little faster as he followed his sister to the front of the cavernous room. A massive chandelier hung from the high ceiling, thousands of crystal droplets gleaming. Ornately set tables surrounded a huge dance floor. A string quartet was playing just at its edge, the strains of classical music wafting over the milling crowd dressed to glittering perfection. Eli resisted the urge to tug at his collar and sniff at his armpits. He didn’t belong here.

  The head table was larger than the others. The centerpiece appeared to be an honest-to-God tree, its narrow trunk sprouting right up from the table. Hanging from it were crystal beads. Galena grinned when she saw them. She touched one. “That’s cholera,” she whispered. She stroked another. “That’s typhoid.”

  They’d made crystal decorations in the shape of bacteria, to honor Galena and her research. Eli shook his head. He’d known her research was cutting-edge, but he hadn’t known she was this important.

  Galena looked up at him. “Eli, dance with me. I’m too nervous to sit here and watch people come in.”

  Eli smiled. “Think our moves are good enough for prime time?”

  She nudged him with her shoulder. “Mama taught us well. Come on. I need this.”

  Eli led her to the floor, his hand over hers, thinking he’d do anything to keep Galena smiling tonight. She’d worked hard to get here. She’d been through so much. She deserved this.

  He lifted his arm, and she spun into him. There was nobody else on the dance floor, and a few people turned their heads to watch. Eli spent a second wondering if it was bad manners to dance during the cocktail hour, but only a second. Galena’s grin erased his worries. As long as she didn’t care, he didn’t either. Plus, it was easier to forget where they were when they were spinning and laughing and dancing steps they’d learned as children in their family’s kitchen. He might not be able to dance like Cacy and Dec, but he knew his way around a waltz. He’d never thought it would come in handy before tonight.

  Eli was just beginning to enjoy himself when the music stopped abruptly and the room grew silent. Galena tensed as she looked toward the entrance. Eli followed the line of her gaze. His stomach dropped as he watched Aislin and Rylan Ferry walk through the archway, both strikingly good-looking, making the other guests around them look paunchy and old by comparison. Eli craned his neck, and sure enough, Cacy and Dec were right behind them.

  “Damn,” Eli mouthed. Cacy walked forward with her head held high, just like she had at the funeral. Tonight, her hair was up, pinned in looping curls on top of her head. Tiny jewels held her shiny black locks in place. The other women in the room, all of whom were wearing long, intricately designed formal dresses full of ruffles and flounces of fabric, were staring at Cacy in outright shock, but the men’s stares conveyed another sentiment entirely. One that made Eli want to collectively punch them . . . even though he was looking at her the same way. Cacy’s silver dress was a simple design, cut straight and low across her breasts, a black band cinching tight just below them, with a skirt flowing over her hips and ending at midthigh. Eli was suddenly reminded of moments last night when he’d been running his hands over those thighs. His groin tightened at the thought.

  He swallowed hard. He could not catch a break. Though he should have known she might be here. It was a fund-raiser, after all, and the Ferrys were the wealthiest family in the city. The crowd began to clap as the Ferrys took their place at the front table directly across the dance floor from the head table. One of the chairs at that table had been draped in black fabric, no doubt in memory of Patrick Ferry. Aislin, Dec, and Cacy sat down while Rylan faced the room and bowed, mouthing his thanks as the crowd quieted.

  The quartet began to play again as Eli continued to stare. Galena’s hand brushed his shoulder. “She looks beautiful, doesn’t she?”

  Eli turned to Galena. “Don’t make me answer that.”

  Galena looked down at his chest. “Do you want to leave or something?”

  “No, G. It’s no big deal.” Lie, lie, lie.

  A waiter passed by with a tray of flutes filled with sparkling wine, and Eli snagged one and drank it down. Galena gaped at him. “Is that a good idea? You have a concussion.”

  Eli set the glass back on the gaping waiter’s tray and cleared his throat. “Don’t worry about me. Are you ready to give this speech?”

  Galena spun around and grabbed a glass for herself. The waiter paused, holding out his tray. Galena swallowed the wine as quickly as Eli had and set her glass next to his. “Completely ready.” She giggled. She’d never had alcohol before, either.

  She tugged him back toward the dance floor, which was a little more crowded now. “My speech is before dinner,” she whispered. “Forget about the Ferrys and distract me until then.”

  Eli groaned inwardly as she pulled him closer to Cacy, which made it pretty damn hard to forget about her. Not that his body would ever let him. Just looking at her drew his muscles tight with want. She was engaged in conversation with Rylan, who looked troubled. Eli’s feet moved automatically, guiding Galena through the steps, but every time they turned, Eli’s eyes were on Cacy. A few minutes later, Cacy paled slightly and stood, her hand on Rylan’s shoulder. Eli dipped Galena so he could see what Cacy was looking at, and was surprised to see the gloved man from the funeral approaching her with outstretched arms. He bowed to her, took her hand, and gestured toward the dance floor.

  Eli’s heart began to pound as they approached. The man had a satisfied smile on his face. He twirled Cacy onto the floor and pulled her close, his gloved hand skimming over the raven’s wings that covered her back. Eli’s jaw clenched. Galena touched the side of his face and turned her head to look. “Oh, that’s Mr. Moros.”

  Eli arched an eyebrow at her. “You know him?”

  She nodded. “He was the university representative who came to Pittsburgh to meet with me. He’s the one who offered me the job, and he’s been helping me get settled here as well. He’s a nice man. Weird about those gloves, though. I’ve never seen him without them. You think he has some kind of skin condition?”

  Eli lost his rhythm, and his footsteps stuttered. “Sorry.” He’d have been willing to bet his life that Mr. Moros was more than a university representative. The entire Ferry family, with the exception of Patrick Ferry’s children, had seemed terrified of him. And the four Ferry siblings may not have been scared, but they hadn’t seemed happy to see him, either. Eli had pegged him as a rival businessman.

  Someone tapped Eli on the shoulder, and he turned to find Mr. Moros standing right next to him, Cacy on his arm. She didn’t look happy. They couldn’t be together, could they? The thought made Eli’s stomach knot.

  Mr. Moros flashed a wide smile at Galena. “Hello, my dear. You look lovely tonight.”

  Galena blushed. “Thank you for making the arrangements. This is my brother, Eli.”

  Mr. Moros nodded and turned to Eli. “Yes, yes. We met un–officially at my dear friend’s funeral. Such a sad day. I’m Jason Moros.” He held out his gloved hand, and Eli shook it, noticing the worry on Cacy’s face as he did. “May I dance with your beautiful genius of a sister?”
He turned to Galena. “I just want to go over the specifics of your speech, my dear. I’m sure you’ve had yet another breakthrough since I last spoke to you.”

  Galena seemed perfectly willing, so Eli let his arms fall away from her as Moros took her hand and twirled her around. Cacy’s hand slid into Eli’s, and she looked up at him cautiously. “How are you feeling?”

  “Great. Thanks for sending over the water.” His fingers laced with hers before he could think about it. He should be walking her right back to her table—Rylan and Dec were both staring at them now—but he couldn’t make himself let go of her hand.

  Her eyes dropped to his chest. “No problem. I’m glad you’re all right. Should we dance?”

  He sighed. “What the hell,” he muttered, pulling her close. What did it matter? Eli was guessing he’d be transferred away from Chinatown by Monday night. He’d never see Cacy again, so he might as well enjoy the moment for what it was.

  She gracefully fell into step with him and followed his lead easily, but Eli expected no less. Apparently she did, though. “You can dance,” she said softly, like it was a total surprise.

  “My mother taught us.”

  “She did a good job.”

  Eli shook his head and tried to ignore the tightening in his throat. “My parents passed away in the outbreak of the H3N2 virus about five years ago. It happened while I was overseas. I ended my career in the army so I could go home to Galena.”

  Cacy’s smile died. “I didn’t realize you lost both of them at once.”

  He twirled her around and pulled her back, treasuring the feel of her curves against his body. “It’s all right. Galena got sick, too, but she pulled through. I think it’s driven her ever since. She wishes she could have saved them.”

  He looked around for Galena, who was smiling and chatting with Moros as they danced.

  Cacy was watching them, too. “What did you say your sister’s research is about?”

  “The human immune system.”