Illusions (Night Roamers) Book Four (16 page)

Ethan & Duncan

“I’m glad that you and Duncan have consummated your relationship,” said Ethan, staring at the shape-shifter in the next cell.

“We’ve more than consummated it,” she replied, smiling. “We’ve fallen in love. Madly in love, haven’t we Duncan?”

Duncan closed his eyes.

She raised her voice. “Duncan?”

He cleared his throat but didn’t look at her. “I love Nikki with all of my heart.”

Faye’s smile was forced. “See,” she said, looking at Ethan.

“Good, because I’ve also come to the realization that I’m in love with someone else, Nikki. I guess it just took me a little time to think about it and now, I guess, things are quite clear. So, the fact that your heart belongs to Duncan is actually a relief.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Let me guess, you’re still in love with Miranda?”

He laughed. “Miranda? No, she’s been gone for many years. And, I don’t think she’s ever coming back. I’m not talking about her.”

“Who, then?” she snapped, walking up to the bars. She grabbed onto them and her eyes
drilled into his. “Who is it that you think you’re in love with?”

“Faye,” he lied.
He smiled wistfully. “I guess I’ve always loved her.”

Her eyes softened and then became guarded. “Faye? How could you love her after everything she’s done to you? Obviously she’s held you here against your will and from the look of you, has treated you poorly.”

“I know, but in actuality, I’ve deserved it,” he replied. “I guess I’ve felt that it’s my penance for hurting her.”

“Is that right?” she answered, staring at him
. “You think she owed this to you?”

“I don’t expect you to understand,” he answered. “What Faye and I have isn’t even explainable. But
obviously, it’s too late. She’ll never forgive me for the choices that I’ve made.”

Nikki licked her lips. “Y
ou could always try talking to her. Like I said, she’s much more reasonable than I’d imagined. Who knows, she may even forgive you.”

Ethan’s face lit up
. “Do you really think so?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, it’s worth a shot.”

Before he could answer, Godrick burst through the entrance to the dungeon. He rushed to Nikki’s cage and took out the keys.

“What’s happening?” she asked
, feigning fright.

“Faye needs to speak with you. It’s urgent,” he replied, opening the cell door.

“Oh, okay,” she answered, stepping out of the cell.

“Follow me quickly,” he said, turning on his heel.

Nikki took one long look at Ethan before she followed the guard out of the basement.

Ethan turned back to Duncan and winked.

Duncan smiled grimly and shook his head.

***

Faye

“What’s the meaning of this?” she hissed, following him up the staircase
toward the main level of the house.

“We have a visitor. A man named Martin. He says that he owns the place?”

Faye swore under her breath. “Celeste’s brother. Dammit, he has impeccable timing.”

“
Apparently, he wants his house back,” he said, stopping at the top of the stairs.

She
stepped around him and walked into the kitchen, which overlooked the great-room. She had to admit, the place was growing on her and she wasn’t ready to give it up. Not after the money she’d forked out to have it remodeled, including the prison-like chambers in the basement. She’d also added several new appliances in the kitchen, along with new cupboards, and granite countertops, which hadn’t been cheap. In the great-room, she’d also replaced the old shag carpeting and furniture with walnut wooden flooring and plush leather furniture.  She was quite certain that Martin wouldn’t even recognize the place. “Too bad, he can’t have it,” she snapped irritably while changing back into her usual form.

His eyes glittered in approval.
“Can I say that I very much prefer you this way?”

She beamed a smile at him
. “So do I. But, it was a necessary evil.”

“Did you find what you needed?”

She’d told Godrick that she was using Nikki’s form to get information from Ethan. The truth was, even though she’d originally done it only to hurt him, she
had
learned something important. Something that made her feel quite giddy. “Yes, in fact, I learned quite a bit.”

“Congratulations
. So, what now?”

She walked
toward the entryway of the rambler. “I’ll speak to Martin. Go back downstairs and if I need you, you’ll know.”

“Very well,” he replied, walking the other way.

Faye opened the front door and smiled up at the attractive Roamer on the porch. He looked like a younger version of Caleb. She smiled warmly. “Martin! What a lovely surprise.”

His smile was brittle
. “I take it you’re Faye?”

“
Of course. Would you like to come in?”

“Definitely
,” he replied. “It’s kind of why I returned home, you know. To come in and maybe even stay here for a while. In
my
home.”

“
Ah… I’m sure.”

He stepped into the foyer and looked around
the great-room. “Wow, I love what you did to the place. Looks like you may have invested a lot to have it overhauled.”

She walked
toward the rustic, caramel colored leather sofa near the fireplace and sat down. “Well, if you knew me, you’d realize that I prefer only the best. Not that your things were cheap. They just weren’t my style.”

He looked around
. “Obviously not.”

She smiled up at him
apologetically. “I’m very sorry. I take it Celeste didn’t tell you that I was renting this place?”

“No, she did not,” he said. “Which is unfortunate, because
it wasn’t supposed to be available for rent.”

“So, what are you saying, Martin?
You want me to pack up and go?”

He scratched his head and let out a ragged sigh.
“Not necessarily. In fact, Celeste says such nice things about you, I’d feel like a jerk throwing you out.”

“T
hen don’t put yourself in that position,” she teased.

He sat down across from her. “Look
, if you really want to keep staying here, that’s fine. I really came to find Victor.”

“
Ah… So, you’ve heard what happened.”

“Yes, I did
, and in all reality, I won’t be staying long. As soon as I kill him, I’ll probably be on my way.”

“You’ve spoken to your sister
then?”

He nodded. “
Yes and she wants him dead, too. Apparently, Victor did some horrible things to Celeste. He needs to pay for everything he’s done to my family. Lycan or not, he’s a dead man.”

“I
couldn’t agree more,” she said, tilting her head. “I’m not a fan of him either.”

He grinned. “Good, because I have a proposition for you.”

She sighed. “I had a feeling you were going to say that.”

“T
hen, it should be no surprise to you then when I ask for your help.”

“To kill Victor?”

“Yes. Not that I can’t kill him myself. I just know that he’s part of a pack and I’d rather not face all of them alone.”

She was silent for several seconds and then sighed.
“I won’t go after him directly, but you have my support.”

He smiled.
“What does that mean, exactly?”

“I’ll give you whatever resources that you need to execute him. I’ll even give you information. I just don’t want him to know that I’m involved.”
 

“Why?”

“In case it doesn’t work out.”

“Oh, it will work out.”

“Good. Then, like I said, you have my support.”

Martin nodded. “Very well. What about
the use of some of your men? Like the giant who answered the door?”

“G
odrick? He’s my personal bodyguard. I can’t allow him to help you.”

“You need a bodyguard? I thought you were a shape-shifter.”

She rubbed her chin and smiled. “I’ve made a lot of enemies, Martin. It never hurts to have someone watching your back.”

“My sentiments exactly.
That’s why I could use the help with Victor. Any help.”

She didn’t respond, only studied him quietly.

Martin, wondering how Nikki was holding up outside, looked at his watch. “Well, it’s late and I’d really like to get some rest before I face the prick. I don’t suppose my bedroom is how I left it?”

“You suppose right.”

“Then I guess one of the guestrooms will have to suffice. Tell me – does Godrick occupy one of them?”

“
Yes – his is the one in the very back.”

He stood up. “
Then, if you don’t mind, I’m going to excuse myself and get some rest in the other one.”

She nodded. “That’s fine. I heard that Victor is out of town
, anyway. I’m pretty certain he took a flight to Vegas.”

“
Do you know where he might have gone in Vegas?”

Her smile was smug.
“I’m sure he went to my house.”

“Your house?”
Martin’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

She stood up. “Yes.
It’s one of a few. I’ve been purchasing property out there for pennies on the dollar since all of those foreclosures a while back. Anyway, I’ll give you the address. But, I also have a condition.”

“
A proposition for me now? Whatever could that be?”

She chuckled. “Yo
u knew it was coming.”

“I had an idea,” he replied. “Okay, so what’s this proposition?”

Her eyes narrowed. “After you’re done with him, you kill the woman he’s hiding in my house.”

“Who is he hiding?” he asked, feigning ignorance.

She wrinkled her nose. “A woman named Anne. Have you heard of her?”