Kissed by Krista Street

Chapter 13

~ WYATT ~

Wes sat forward in his chair after sending a rapid-fire message to Nicholas. “I’ll see what the Bulgarian gargoyles are able to find,” Wes said, “then I’ll meet with my sorcerers tomorrow morning. But right now, I need you to finish telling us exactly what happened to you.”

My mate’s shoulders relaxed more as she answered his straightforward questions, and with each passing sentence, some of the halting distrust I’d scented in her—that Wes had no doubt scented too—diminished.

Inside, my wolf growled lowly because something was going on with my mate. Not only was she acting skittish, but something else had changed between us.

I could feel it.

And I’d be damned if I didn’t get to the bottom of it. Because all of the softening I’d felt from her during our days at Shrouding Estate seemed to have disappeared.

It was as though she’d experienced something extraordinary and it had altered her. I snorted quietly to myself. Funny how amnesia, an abduction, imprisonment, and a near sacrifice could do that to a person.

Wes cocked his head. “After you finished removing all of the SF members from the battle, what did you do? Wyatt said he awoke to find you unconscious. Do you remember what happened?”

Avery stiffened, her first sign of hesitation since Wes began questioning her an hour ago. She’d already told us everything he wanted to know: what she remembered of the abduction, what had been done to her in the cave systems, who had been involved in her detainment, and what she remembered of the ritual.

Despite all of those grueling memories being dredged up, she’d answered all of his questions willingly and honestly. Her scent couldn’t lie, but now—

Something was making her wary, and neither my wolf nor I liked it.

“It’s okay.” My hand automatically went to her lower back, but I stopped myself and curled my fingers around my chair instead. “Nothing you can say will surprise us.”

Violet light intermixed with her natural brown-and-gold irises when she looked at me. Her scent changed, too, that sour odor entering it.

Whoa. Okay, whatever she wasn’t telling us was causing her serious concern. A low growl rumbled in my chest, my senses going on high alert at just the inkling that something was making her this fearful.

“I won’t let anybody hurt you,” I reminded her.

“Not even yourself?” she whispered under her breath.

My head whipped back, an incredulous expression no doubt forming on my face. She honestly felt fearful of me?

Cold hurt slammed into my chest. Did she really not trust me at all?

“Avery, you have my complete assurance that you’re safe here,” Wes added. “Lord Godasara would never be able to penetrate the protective wards around the SF. We just want to know what happened so we can solve what’s going on and get to the bottom of it. That is the main objective with all Supernatural Forces’ assignments.”

Her eyes flashed violet again when she addressed him, and tingling energy grew around her. “It’s not Lord Godasara I’m afraid of right now.”

Wes cocked his head. “Then who are you fearful of?”

“The SF.”

What? Is that what her earlier comment meant? I leaned closer to her. “Nothing you say will be used against you.”

She grimaced. “You promise? You absolutely promise that nothing will be used against me?”

Wes’s frown deepened, but he nodded. “You have my word.”

She licked her lips, which suddenly looked dry, then took a deep breath. “After I carried all of the SF members to that second location and before I incapacitated the elf, I—” Her hands twisted, and a strong sour scent rose from her again.

A stone sank in my gut. “Did something happen after you went back? Did they—” I swallowed down the rage that was working its way up my throat. “Did they hurt you?”

She gave a short brittle laugh. “No, they didn’t hurt me.” She fiddled her fingers together and looked down. “It was the opposite actually. I hurt them.”

A feeling of such intense relief washed through me that I had to sit back in my chair. I’d been imagining the worst. That she’d gone back to the lord and warlocks, that they’d broken through her power, perhaps beaten her, raped her, or did something else equally atrocious, and that perhaps she’d retaliated. Because the fearful scent coming off her had been so similar to the scent other victims gave when reliving the horrific situations they’d experienced and had fought back against.

“Go on,” Wes said quietly.

Her gaze remained lowered. “After I returned to the fire pit, I knew that they would keep coming after me if I didn’t end it. I knew that innocent people would die, perhaps hundreds more. So I picked up a sword left by a fallen SF member, and I—” She peeked up, her eyes luminous. “I vowed to kill all of them right there. I was going to kill the elf lord first, since he was the biggest threat.”

A small smile curved my lips. Smart girl.

“Then I was going to kill all of the warlocks. I know it’s wrong to kill someone like that in cold blood.” A stench of self-loathing filled her scent. “But I felt like it was my duty to do so. I didn’t make that decision lightly. I thought it through, but just when I was about to kill Lord Godasara he told me about his link with Verasellee. He was beginning to break through my hold on time. He was able to move his mouth enough to speak, and he said that if I killed him, I’d kill her.” She entwined her hands again. “And the crazy thing is, I don’t think he was lying. Initially, I thought he was just trying to stall me, but then if that were the case, why was the goddess still alive? If her power was in me, he had no reason to keep the goddess with him unless he was speaking the truth. So I didn’t kill him.” Her face abruptly paled. “But that didn’t mean I left them all alive.”

“You killed the warlocks,” Wes said matter-of-factly.

She nodded, her lips beginning to tremble. “I did. I decapitated all of them, one after another, and—” She raised her chin. “As much as it made me sick to do it, I don’t regret it. I would do it again to protect innocent people from the sacred circle’s vicious rituals. And I know that makes me sound like a cold, heartless bitch, but they were going to kill me and all of you, and they weren’t going to stop their human and fairy sacrifices. I knew that moment was my only chance to stop them, so I took it.” Her cheeks flushed, her eyes flashing violet light again. “Like I said, I’m not proud of myself for it, even if they were evil to the core. I’ll have to live with the knowledge that I took their lives, but I don’t regret my actions. So if you have to arrest me for murder, then I suppose you’ll have to arrest me.”

The breath rushed out of me, then a harsh laugh followed.

Avery’s eyes shot to mine. “Is this funny to you?”

“No, it’s not, really.” But I couldn’t stop the immense relief I felt. “I’m just glad this is what was worrying you. Do you actually think we’d arrest you for killing the warlocks who abducted you, hurt you, and were going to sacrifice you?”

Her eyebrows drew together in a sharp line. “I killed them in cold blood. I wasn’t defending myself, because they couldn’t fight back. They were still frozen. I literally—” Her throat worked, a look of shame washing over her features. “I literally executed them.”

“And the SF thanks you for that,” Wes said.

Her gaze whipped to his. “What?”

He leaned forward more, propping his forearms on the table. “Warlocks are dark sorcerers. They practice black magic, which is illegal. One of our objectives in this assignment was to eliminate them using whatever means necessary. And any warlock who would have survived to go to trial would have eventually died from gargoyle leeching. You have nothing to worry about. You haven’t done anything illegal.”

Her lips parted, her mouth opening in surprise. “I haven’t?”

“No. Wes is right.” I shook my head, still reeling at the reaction I’d had from thinking the worst.

Wes’s tablet buzzed. He read something, then jumped back into the conversation, asking his remaining questions in rapid-fire succession, which meant whatever message he’d received required attention.

“Let’s head back to the healing center.” Wes stood from his chair after he’d finished the interview. “One of the processing bay technicians will be there to help us verify the woman’s lineage, then we’ll know for certain if she is the goddess.”

Avery cocked her head. “You don’t believe me that she’s Verasellee?”

Wes headed toward the door. “It has nothing to do with beliefs. We operate on data and facts. We need to verify her lineage to confirm it.”

A growl rumbled in my chest again. “All right, but only if it’s quick. Avery’s hungry and no doubt tired. She needs a break from this.”

A knowing glint lit Wes’s eyes, probably because he understood the protectiveness I felt toward my mate. He was the same with his wife. “It’ll be quick.”

Avery gave me a pointed look. “I definitely have time for it even if I am hungry and tired.” She made a move to stand, and when I went to pull her chair back, she brushed off my hand.

My brow furrowed, and for what felt like the twentieth time I wondered what had changed between us.

∞     ∞     ∞

By the time we left the conference room and were striding down the hallway, it was late evening, which only made my mood sour more. My mate was hungry despite her assurances she could continue. Her stomach had growled repeatedly during the past hour. She also needed to sleep. Dark circles were beginning to smudge the skin beneath her eyes.

But despite my only desire to provide for her and care for her, Avery kept her distance from me. I didn’t know how to interpret that, but common sense told me she was angry, and Nicholas’s warning kept returning.

Smothering.

Was that truly what I was doing? And could that be the cause of Avery’s resistance with me? But I only wanted her cared for. Surely, Avery knew that?

My wolf prowled in my belly, and a feeling of ash coated my throat. Dammit. I was fucking everything up again even though I didn’t know for certain what I’d done wrong. What I did know was that only days ago Avery had been looking at me with lust in her eyes and possibly the beginnings of love, but now she was looking at me like—

I resisted the urge to slam my fist into the wall.

I didn’t like how she was looking at me.

Wes quirked an eyebrow in my direction as our feet tapped quietly down the hall. I knew I wasn’t hiding anything from him. Given he was also a werewolf who could scent emotions, he’d no doubt inhaled my frustration.

Because everything felt worse now, even more than it had after Avery had initially woken up in the healing center. Not only was she not allowing me to touch her, she was also putting physical distance between us. She’d opted to walk with Wes in between us.

I raked a hand through my hair as we rounded a corner.

Focus, I berated myself. My mate had been through a lot. She needed food, rest, and a safe place to unwind. That was where my priorities should lie, not worrying about why she was upset with me. I could address that later.

Because once my mate was rested, well fed, and not as surly, then I could sit her down for a much needed chat about why she was forcing this sudden distance between us.

Wes checked his tablet again. “The processing bay technician should be there by now, so this shouldn’t take long.”

I wasn’t surprised by Wes’s actions. Even though Avery was convinced the unconscious woman we’d brought back was Verasellee, the Goddess of Time, it was possible that she was someone else entirely.

A familiar head of purple hair flashed down the hallway when we stepped onto the healing center’s ward. Eliza River stood patiently by the goddess’s door, a scanning device in hand.

Of course. Wes had probably purposefully requested Eliza since he knew she’d been friends with Avery. Just one more reminder from before the alignment to hopefully jog Avery’s memory.

I subtly glanced at my mate to see if any signs of recognition had sprung across her face, but the closer we got to the room, the less hopeful I became. Nothing changed on Avery’s expression. Nothing.

Eliza was a different story. Excited energy danced around the fairy when we reached her. I could tell she was trying to maintain her professionalism, especially since Wes was here, but she kept darting happy looks at Avery.

But from the bewildered energy drifting from my mate, I knew Avery had no idea why.

“Private River.” Wes dipped his head. “Thank you for coming.”

“Of course, sir.” Eliza glanced at Avery again, some of her excitement dimming when Avery merely frowned.

I cleared my throat. “Avery, Eliza and you were in the new recruit program together. You were roommates and friends during your three months here.”

Avery’s lips parted, and her cheeks flushed. “Oh, of course.” She gave a tight smile. “I’m so sorry, but I don’t remember—”

“It’s all right,” Eliza blurted. “Charlotte told me your memory hasn’t returned, so of course I’m not upset that you don’t recall our friendship, but I’m most pleased to see you again. Char and I have been gravely concerned about you.”

Some of the anxiety surrounding Avery lessened. “Charlotte’s been amazing to me. Have you seen her lately?”

A cloud drifted over Eliza’s face. “Yes, I have.”

“Is she okay? I haven’t seen her since the castle was attacked.”

“She says she’s well, but she seems a bit distraught by all that’s happened even though she’s trying to conceal it. She’s been in two skirmishes this week in which someone’s died. That is no doubt a toll on one’s soul.”

Avery’s face fell. “Gods, of course, I should go check on her—”

“And you will, tomorrow,” I cut in.

Avery’s lips pursed, but I wasn’t budging on that. She was running on fumes. She needed to eat and sleep.

“Shall we get to work?” Wes asked, checking the time on his watch.

Eliza jolted upright, her back going ramrod straight. “Of course, sir. Sorry, sir. How can I be of assistance?”

Wes pointed inside the unidentified woman’s room. “I’d like you to scan the woman in there. We need to identify her species.”

“Of course, sir. Right away.” Eliza kicked into action, her purple hair drifting in loose strands around her face. She proceeded to the bedside, then drew up short when she stood beside the woman. “Wow,” she murmured.

Wes cocked his head. “Is everything all right, Private?”

Eliza gazed down at her, a look of wonder growing on her face. “Don’t you feel it?”

Avery rushed forward, her lips tilting up. “Do you feel it too? Her presence?”

Eliza nodded quickly. “She’s—” She shook her head. “She’s magnificent.”

Avery grinned. “Yes! I feel that too!”

And just like that, I knew that Avery and Eliza would fall back into an easy friendship, probably just as quickly as it had happened with Charlotte.

A moment of satisfaction filled me. It was good to see my mate connecting with her old friends and forming meaningful female bonds again, but at the same time . . .

Envy stole my breath.

Why couldn’t it be that easy for us?

“Private River?” I said gruffly. “Will you please scan her?”

Some of the excitement abated from Eliza’s energy. Very carefully, she picked up the woman’s forearm and turned it over. She touched her reticently, almost reverently, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Avery was right after all. Because Bavar, also a fairy, had acted strangely upon seeing Verasellee for the first time.

Which would make sense, because Verasellee was a goddess in the fae realm. She wasn’t a goddess here, in earth’s realm. Our supreme beings were different in this universe—there was only one, and while our maker had divine creatures, he was the only supreme ruler.

Yet, in Eliza’s realm that wasn’t the case. Dozens of gods and goddesses ruled her universe. Perhaps on some deep, innate level, she recognized this woman as a goddess from her realm.

Wes and I shared a curious look, and I had a feeling he’d also come to the same conclusion.

Eliza activated her device, then held it above the woman’s inner wrist. An eruption of lasers shot out of it, swathing the woman’s brown skin. A symbol appeared.

A symbol we’d only seen once before—the symbol for a divine creature.

“She is a goddess,” Eliza breathed.

Eliza scanned the woman again, at Wes’s assistance, and when the same symbol reappeared we knew without a doubt that Avery had been right.

Verasellee, the Goddess of Time, was currently a patient in the Supernatural Forces’ healing center.