Wildfire

  He stared at me through the window, turned, and strode across the street.

  That’s right. Just walk away.

  I threw myself on the bed. Well, that went well.

  Something thudded outside.

  Now what?

  I got up and went to the window. He stood in the middle of the street. A stream of pallets and huge tires flew past him, stacking themselves on the ground under my window.

  I just stared, mute.

  The stack grew with ridiculous speed. He was building a ramp to my window.

  I pulled the window open again. “Are you out of your mind?”

  His face was grim. “No.”

  “You’re expending a huge amount of magic doing this.”

  His expression told me he didn’t care.

  The flood of tires ended midway up; the pallets stopped too. He’d run out of building materials.

  The door opened again. “Mom says—” my sister started.

  A fire escape ladder tore itself off the building across the street on my left and wedged itself in the stack. Several cement bags landed on its base, anchoring it.

  Catalina shut the door without another word.

  He walked up the ramp, climbed the ladder to my window, and held his hand out to me.

  “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “I’m kidnapping you back to my lair. You’re sleeping in my bed tonight and all other nights.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes.”

  “And do I have any say in this?”

  “You always have a say. If you say no, I’ll leave.”

  He wore his Prime face, inscrutable and detached. But his eyes gave him away. He was barely in control and hanging on by the tips of his fingers.

  We could either work through this mess or I could sit in my room and steam in my own hurt feelings. I grabbed his pair of sweatpants, pulled them on, stuck my feet into my slippers, and put my hand in his.

  My cell phone rang.

  Who the hell would be calling me at midnight?

  I raised my finger. “One second.”

  The phone streaked across the room and held still in front of me.

  I took it and answered.

  “Nevada Baylor.”

  “There you are,” Vincent Harcourt said.

  “Hello, Vincent.” My voice was so sweet, you could drip it on pancakes. I put him on speaker. “So nice of you to take time away from terrorizing children to call me.”

  “I had a spare moment.”

  His voice set my teeth on edge. So smug.

  Rogan took my hand. Together we walked down the ladder, then the ramp toward his HQ.

  “I see you filed for trials.”

  It wasn’t enough he had almost killed Rynda’s children, Edward, and a houseful of people. No, he decided to call me in the middle of the night to rattle me.

  “Do you think you can be a Prime?”

  “You tell me. How did it feel when you couldn’t move and stood there shaking, trying with all your will to keep me out of your mind? Did it feel like I’m a Prime?”

  Heat flared in Rogan’s eyes. He smiled, low and lazy, looking at me as if we were in the middle of a ballroom and I wore a ten-thousand-dollar gown instead of his T-shirt.

  “Touché,” Vincent said. “Too bad you won’t make it to trials. You might have been interesting.”

  “Is this the part where you threaten me?”

  “No, this is the part where I educate. You don’t know how the game is played, so I’ll explain it to you. You’re dead. Your mother is dead.”

  In my head I saw my mother lying in place of Edward Sherwood, a bat-ape creature digging in her stomach. You bastard.

  “Your cute sister is dead.”

  He would pay for this.

  “Your other sister is dead.”

  Other? He took the time to opine on the cuteness of my sisters while threatening to kill them. Oh, I wish he was within bullet range. I wish.

  “The two idiots who live with you are dead.”

  We walked into the HQ. Rivera, Nguyen, and two others from before, the blond woman and a dark-haired man, were still there. At the sound of Vincent’s voice, Rivera came to life like a shark sensing a drop of blood in the water. Rogan shook his head.

  “The animal mage is dead . . .”

  “You’re wasting my time,” I said. “Just say everyone I know and love is dead. It’s more efficient.”

  He laughed quietly. “You’re mouthy.”

  “And you’re a psychopath.”

  “You say it like it’s a bad thing. It’s practically a requirement for people in our position.”

  “Yes, well, David Howling did it better.”

  “Rogan won’t always be there to do your dirty work.”

  “Rogan didn’t kill David. I did. He fought me for his life and lost. The next time we meet I’ll pull every dirty secret out of your mind and lay them out in the open. When I’m done, you’ll curl into a ball and weep, just like all the others. That’s how you threaten, Vincent.”

  Nguyen blinked. Rivera took a careful step back.

  I passed the phone to Rogan. My fingers shook and the phone trembled slightly. He took it and I curled my hands into fists.

  “She’s right,” he said. “You need to work on your delivery.”

  “I’m so glad you’re there, Rogan. It saves me a phone call.”

  “I’m always here for you,” Rogan said, his voice deceptively light. “It’s been too long. We should get together.”

  “I was thinking the same thing. You’re overdue for a visit.”

  “Can’t wait.” Rogan smiled.

  “You can’t kill all of us, Rogan.”

  “But I can kill you, Vincent. Don’t worry about the others. You’ll never know how it will turn out anyway.”

  “We’ll see. Your cousin sends her love.”

  “Tell her I’ve missed her.”

  The phone call cut off.

  Rogan turned to me. “House Harcourt disavowed Vincent about an hour ago. They claim to have no idea where he is or what he’s doing.”

  “How convenient.”

  “I thought of going over to the House Harcourt compound in the morning.” His tone was still light. “I could knock on their door and you could ask them some questions. Would you like that?”

  “Yes. Yes, I would.”

  Rogan looked at Rivera. “Make the arrangements.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Rogan led me to the stairway. I walked up the steps. “He knows that we’ve identified him. He will expect retaliation.”

  “Yes,” Rogan agreed as we crossed the second floor. Bug saw us and didn’t say a thing.

  “If I were him, I’d attack the base as soon as we leave.”

  “I’ve accounted for that possibility.”

  “What if he attacks tonight?”

  “He won’t.” Rogan led me to the staircase to the third floor. “He performed a high-volume summon tonight. With summoning, the totality of the matter coming through is what counts. One large creature is equal to several smaller ones. Vincent summoned nine beings tonight and then expended energy and magic manipulating them, defending against you, and fighting Cornelius for control. He won’t risk attacking tonight knowing that I’m here. He needs to recharge.”

  “What about Cornelius? He’s an isolated target.”

  “Cornelius is staying here tonight, in the same building where I put Rynda. Matilda is with his sister and brother at their family ranch. He called them while en route. They are coming over in the morning to view Zeus.”

  “When did you find this out?”

  “When I got up to deal with Rynda. I would’ve told you about it if you didn’t leave in a huff.”

  We walked through the door into the bedroom.

  “What will attacking the Harcourts do to Brian? Brian is our first priority.”

  “Nothing,” Rogan said. “I don’t believe Vincent cares, but even if he did, he
botched an attack on Rynda. As you said, the retaliation is expected.”

  He shut the door and turned to me. I stared back at him.

  “Let it out,” he said. “You’ve been holding it in since the phone call.”

  “He threatened my family,” I ground out. “I watched him let a creature eat a man while he was still alive, in front of his niece and nephew. He enjoyed it, Rogan. I saw it in his eyes. He would’ve killed us all, even Rynda’s kids. I know he’s a monster. And then he calls here and pretends to be urbane and charming and wants to have a polite conversation. He’s like a serial killer who butchered a person in plain view, washed his hands, and went to a costume party.”

  “He’s a psychopath. He always was one.”

  “There is a disconnect there, Rogan. He did horrible things and he doesn’t even realize how screwed up it is. He doesn’t feel bad. This can’t be the first time he did this. How did he get to the age he is without someone realizing what he is?”

  “He’s a useful asset to his House,” Rogan said. “His usefulness outweighs his unsanctioned excursions. They punish him, they talk sternly to him, but in the end they need him. Other Houses knowing that Vincent exists is enough to keep them from attacking Harcourt.”

  “This is what bothers me.” I spun around and began to stalk back and forth. If I didn’t move, I would explode. “What kind of world is it where Vincent is necessary? Where he’s an asset. Where Dave can just kidnap people off the street and nobody will do anything about it? Don’t you see how terribly fucked up this is?” I stopped. “And I’m about to drag my sisters and cousins into it. I’m scared, Connor. I’m scared out of my mind.”

  “When you are in it, you have no idea it’s not normal,” he said quietly. “I didn’t realize until I joined the army that everyone didn’t live like this. This is what we’re fighting against. If the conspiracy succeeds, Vincent will get free rein.”

  All of the fight went out of me. I sat on the bed. “The further I go, the less choices I have. We’re not even a House yet and already I have to make sure we look strong enough to not be attacked. Everything I do from now on has to be dictated by getting more magic, more power, more wealth, just so we can survive.”

  He knelt by me, resting his hands on my arms.

  “If I don’t do this, my own grandmother is going to crush us. I’m not just responsible for making sure I put a roof over my family’s head and food on the table. I’m now responsible for their lives. I want to murder Vincent Harcourt before he lets his beasts tear my mother into pieces. I killed David and I have nightmares about it, but now I want to kill Vincent, because I have no choice. Even the choice of my husband has to be calculated based on some genetic bullshit that says Rynda is a better match than me . . .”

  I’d said too much. I clamped my mouth shut.

  “Do you love me?”

  The question caught me off guard. “Yes.”

  “Do you love your family?”

  “Yes.”

  “Would you do anything to protect them?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then it doesn’t matter, Nevada. Nothing’s really changed. I love you. You love me. We’re together. I don’t care about genetic matches. You told me before it didn’t matter. Did that change?”

  “No.”

  “Then we’re okay.” He slid his warm hands down my shoulders and took my hands in his. “Every world has dangers. There are muggings, shootings, car accidents, drug addictions, abusive relationships. It has nothing to do with being a Prime. This is life. The only difference is, now you can see the dangers more clearly.”

  He squeezed my fingers.

  “Your grandmother was a threat to you before you were even born. Your father didn’t run away from her because she was a loving and caring mother. He found your mother and married her without any genetic matches. You are at least as strong as Victoria Tremaine. The difference between you is education and experience, and you can get both.”

  I took a deep breath.

  “It’s all coming too fast,” he said. “A lot happened in the last two days. You met your grandmother, you registered for trials, you dealt with Rynda, you fought Vincent and almost died. You need time to sort through all of this. But you are here tonight, and nothing will touch you while I’m with you in this room. I promise that I won’t leave no matter what the hell happens and if I go, we’ll go together.”

  I put my arms around his neck and hugged him. The warm strength of him felt so good. Reassuring.

  His arms closed around me. “I’ve got you. It will be okay. I’ve got you.”

  We stayed like that for a long time.

  Chapter 7

  “Wake up,” Rogan said in my ear.

  My eyes snapped open. I flailed for a second in the sheets and sat up, blinking.

  He watched me with an amused grin. He was already up and wearing dark pants and a loose T-shirt. The morning light streamed through the window wall. I had overslept.

  Morning. Harcourt. All remnants of my dreams fled. I was wide awake.

  “Arabella dropped this off for you.” He put a large suitcase on the bed.

  I unzipped the bag and threw it open. Baby Desert Eagle and four magazines, underwear, sweaters, jeans, socks . . . A Ziploc bag with my toothbrush, deodorant, and makeup. Condoms in bubble gum flavor. She would pay for this.

  “You have a weird look on your face,” he said.

  “I’m trying to decide if this means I’m kicked out of my house.” Considering the fight I had with Mom last night, I wouldn’t be surprised.

  “Now that would be an interesting development.” He crossed his arms. “You have no place to go.”

  “This isn’t funny.”

  “It’s hilarious. The stuff of romcoms. Disowned by her family, thrown into the arms of an obsessive, paranoid billionaire . . .”

  I threw a pillow at him. It stopped three inches from his face. He pushed it aside with his fingers, leaned over, and kissed me. The pillow landed back on the bed.

  “I’m your only hope. Face it. Your only chance to strike out on your own and take over your family business, eventually destroying your evil grandmother.”

  “I already run my family’s business. And I don’t want to destroy Victoria. I just want her to leave us alone.” I climbed out of bed and realized he wasn’t wearing shoes. A piece of chalk lay on the table. The last time he was dressed like that and had chalk with him, he performed a ritual to recharge his magic. “The Key?”

  He nodded. “I’ll need the power. The documents for a Verona Exception were filed with the DA this morning.”

  The Verona Exception meant the State of Texas acknowledged the conflict between Houses and washed their hands of it. It would give Rogan free rein to attack the Harcourts on Rynda’s behalf.

  “Was it granted?”

  “We’ll find out in the next hour or so.”

  “You didn’t go personally?” Lenora Jordan, Harris County District Attorney, wasn’t Rogan’s favorite person. He thought she was dangerous, which was why he preferred to deal with her directly.

  “I told you I would stay with you.”

  He did. If he promised, he would stay with me. It was as simple as that.

  “Besides, if I went personally, Lenora would’ve spent some time explaining the folly of helping Olivia Charles’ daughter to me. I’m disinclined to tolerate a lecture. I sent a team of lawyers. I have things I need to do.”

  “You don’t think House Harcourt would meet with us? Like House Rio?”

  “House Rio are researchers and botanists. House Harcourt is a combat house. They think they can win this fight, but even if I rolled up to their doors with a thousand soldiers, they would still fight me. They can’t afford to appear weak.”

  Yes, they couldn’t afford to appear weak, and Rogan couldn’t afford to not retaliate after Vincent’s attack, and I couldn’t take the chance that he would go after my mother, my sisters, or my cousins. Because none of us could afford any of that,
we would all go to war. People would be injured. Some might die. If everyone just set aside their pride, none of this would be necessary.

  “How well do you know Vincent?” I asked.

  “Well enough. He was a couple of years behind me in high school. Had a reputation as a bully and a penchant for cruelty.”

  “The timeline of this doesn’t make sense to me. Brian’s kidnappers called to negotiate. We’ve told them that we have every intention of cooperating. Usually there is a slow escalation of negotiations. Instead Vincent shows up and smashes the whole thing with a hammer.”

  “He got impatient,” Rogan said. “As I said, Vincent isn’t much on waiting and planning. Rynda frustrated him, so he decided to apply his particular brand of pressure.”

  “But why not just show up at their house and hold the kids hostage from the start? Brian and Rynda would’ve given him anything he asked for. Neither of them is a combat Prime. Why go through kidnapping Brian? It doesn’t seem like Vincent’s style.”

  “That’s because it isn’t. Somebody has him on a tight leash for this particular operation.” A dangerous light crept into Rogan’s eyes. “He got loose last night.”

  “Who has enough power to restrain Vincent Harcourt and make him stick to a plan?”

  “That’s what we’ll have to find out.”

  Rogan tilted his head, obviously thinking.

  “Yes?”

  “House Harcourt has one battle strategy: they summon a horde of monsters from the arcane realm and throw them at their opponents. It will be bloody and chaotic.”

  “I haven’t changed my mind. Vincent threatened my family.”

  “Will you let me put you in a ballistic vest?”

  “Yes.” I eyed the chalk in his hand. “Do you have another piece?”

  He smiled. Another piece of chalk streaked across the room and hovered in front of me. “What do I get if I give you this chalk?”

  “Dinner. You and me tonight.” I deserved the nice dinner he promised me. I would wear nice clothes and pretty makeup. Also, I realized I was starving. I hadn’t eaten since yesterday’s lunch. I’d have to see if Rogan stocked any supplies in his kitchen downstairs.

  “Done.”

  I kissed him and grabbed the chalk out of the empty air.