Five for Silver (Black Crow Chronicles Book 5), page 13
"Hi," I said, my voice hoarse.
Nick's hand reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I glanced at Falcor and Colvin, but they were just lying there staring at me. It sucked that I got the feather, and nobody else did. Not that I wished someone else had a giant-ass feather stuffed down their throat, but it seemed unfair that I had to have one every single time.
Crow was balanced on a chair across the room, his head tucked under his wing. Apparently, he was tuckered out.
I glanced back at Colvin as he sat up. "Can we go get some lunch? Or dinner? Or whatever meal is closest?"
I snickered, but Nick rose and scooped up my little brother as if he weighed nothing.
"I think it might be late for dinner, but I bet there are some leftovers in the fridge."
Nick glanced back at me, then looked meaningfully at Falcor before walking out with Colvin.
"There is something I have to tell you," I told Falcor. Telling him felt easier than telling Colvin. No matter want Slate said, it would hurt Colvin. But it affected Falcor much worse. He deserved to know.
So, I told him everything from the moment I stepped into the Headquarters until I returned. I left out nothing. And when I was done, Falcor nodded.
"Okay." He said.
"Okay?"
"My father lived longer than anyone alive today. He was a fair and honest man. Colvin is a small child with more power than he should rightly have. He has lost more than anyone I have ever met. I'll help you cover this up and get Jax free. But I'm much more concerned about the witch you mentioned who wants your blade."
I bit my lip as tears threatened. Hearing Falcor sounding like himself and back on my team, despite what Colvin probably did to his only family. It was more than I could handle.
"Why are you sad?" he asked.
I slid off my bed and attacked him with a massive hug, flinging myself on his chest.
"Oh God, what is wrong with you?" he asked.
Laughter bubbled out of me at how good it felt to have him back. Even if he was a grumpy warlock. "I just missed you," I said, finally letting him go and standing up. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. This is going to suck."
I couldn't disagree with him, but I was too happy to let that get me down. Falcor was home.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
"Help me," the voice whispered.
I spun around, glaring at the large wraith that hovered behind me.
"Holy shit," Falcor said. "Who said that?"
"You can hear him? Can you see him too?"
Falcor looked around. "Nope."
That was interesting. I had no idea why the wraith was invisible. "It's a wraith that somehow hitchhiked here from the prison," I explained.
"Why can't I see him?"
"I don't know, but at least he can talk now." I pulled out my knife and slit my arm, hoping a little added magic would make him a bit more real looking. It didn't help at all, but as soon as I did, he began to speak so quickly I couldn't understand him. He wasn't even speaking English; I was pretty sure. But after a moment, my mind pulled it together and sorted out the words into something I could understand.
As he rambled on, I began to put the pieces together. His son was in prison and had been for years. He had once been friends with Havisham, but they had a falling out over a business deal.
"You said his name was Eric Holland?" I asked the wraith.
He nodded and pressed his hands together in prayer.
"I can look into it," I said, unsure what exactly I could do when I couldn't even figure out how to get Jax out of prison, but I would try. If there were humans in the magic prison, that was a big problem.
"How many languages do you speak?" Falcor asked.
I just shrugged as the wraith vanished. “It seems to take a bit of time to decipher, but then my mind works it out. I’m sure it’s a Black Crow thing.” I glanced back at where the wraith had been. "This is a pretty big accusation. If Havisham is using the prison illegally to incarcerate humans who don't even belong there, we have bigger trouble than I thought.
Falcor grunted. "I can go check out the story."
"You can get into the prison?" I asked.
"Sure. My father took me there when they built it. I've seen a couple of the floors anyway."
"Okay, well, let’s wait a couple days and talk to Nick. He can give you directions to the file room. But first, we need to figure out how to help Jax. We have to get him out?"
"Without blabbing about Colvin? I have no idea."
Nick came back in, giving me a smile. "Colvin is tucked in and asleep. He was exhausted."
I smiled back at him. "We were just talking about Jax. Trying to come up with a plan. What if we said it was a monster?" I asked. "Something left over from the White Crow?"
Falcor flinched.
"How would we prove it?" Nick asked.
We sat in silence, none of us actually having any idea.
"Who is the lead investigator?" I asked. It was something I had never checked.
Nick rose. "I'll go get the file."
"Wait, you have the file still?" I asked.
He just grinned and walked out the door.
I shook my head and chuckled at Falcor.
"He's always been a rule-breaker," Falcor said. "I'm surprised they let him be king."
"King of vampires. As far as vampires go, he is probably one of the best ones."
"True, though that isn't saying much." Falcor dropped his eyes, but I saw the flash of regret. I wondered if he wanted to talk about it some more. He had killed a lot of innocent people, and despite Falcor's grumpy attitude, he wasn't a killer. Not without cause, anyway. But then Nick walked back in, with the folder open in his hand. Flipping to the first page, he glanced up.
"Havisham is listed as the lead detective."
"Oh, for crying out loud," I muttered. "He definitely can't know about this."
"Agreed," Nick and Falcor said in unison.
"Anyone know how to fabricate evidence?" I asked.
"I know a thing or two," Alar's voice slithered into my mind.
"Fuck," I said out loud.
"What is it?" Nick asked.
"Come to my office," Alar said in my mind again.
"Um. I forgot I have a meeting with Alar," I lied. "I'll be back in a bit. Don't fight."
Falcor sneered at me, and Nick chuckled, as I hurried out of the room and down the hall. I hadn't wanted Alar to be involved. He might feel a need to be honest with Havisham, and I wouldn't let that happen. I couldn't.
"Don't panic," he whispered in my head.
"Stop reading my thoughts," I replied out loud.
I rounded the corner and shoved Alar's office door open, glad to find only him in the room. I shut and locked the door behind me, then crossed to lean on the desk, peering down at him.
"I won't let anything happen to Colvin." My voice was teetering on the edge of that ethereal sound it takes on when I feel threatened. I didn't see Alar as a threat, but I didn't want to see him that way either. One wrong word from him and my opinion of him would change. Colvin was first on my mind.
"You have nothing to fear from me. I haven't known Colvin long, but what I do know is he would never hurt anyone purposely. He is as sweet and innocent."
"I know."
"So, don't get defensive. I want to help."
I eyed him for a long moment. "Okay."
He grinned, and it lit up his face.
"Do you know how to fabricate evidence?"
"You know they have been waiting for you to get back so they could raise him."
"They still have his body?"
"DPI don't, the local police do. DPI are sure they have the killer."
"Why are the local police hanging onto the body?"
"Well, they have a new transfer, a detective by the name of Winscott. She says she knows you can raise the wraith and get the real story."
"From Phoenix?"
Alar nodded. Winscott was the female detective that helped us with the case there. She and I got along well. She was smart and good at her job with no prejudice towards me or the supernaturals. I didn't have to worry about her, but if I raised Farand's wraith, would he spill about Colvin?
"Do you think he would?" Alar asked, to my unspoken thought.
"Maybe. Wraiths sometimes don't imagine the consequence of answering my questions. I don't think they can lie."
"Hmm, not the best plan then. There would be no telling if he knew it was Colvin or not. Better not to risk it."
I sank down into the chair across the desk from Alar, and we both spent some time thinking about it. The silence never got awkward; it felt comfortable sitting in a quiet room with the older warlock. He reminded me of Niri, but he was definitely younger than Niri. I glanced up at him, and he was studying me. I immediately thought about the cooking show I watched the night before instead of anything else, and Alar chuckled.
"It's late," he said. "Why don't you get some sleep and we can meet up in the morning and discuss it."
He was right. I had slept not that long before but sleeping again wouldn't hurt me. A comfy bed and warm blankets were my favourite things. Maybe even a hot shower and a massage from Nick. Ooh, a foot rub!
Alar was still grinning at me, and I burst out laughing. "See you tomorrow." I rose and left, following the hall to my room, but staring at my phone the whole way as I typed out a text to Nick.
My finger hovered over the send button as I pushed the door to my room open and discovered he was already there. And based on the scent, he had brought pizza.
There was a candle lit on the table beside a cardboard box of gooey, cheesy deliciousness. I rushed the vampire standing beside it, wrapping my arms around him, letting my lips fall on his. He lifted me off the floor as his mouth worked on mine, sending tingles through my whole body.
When I finally pulled back enough to look up at him, I was breathing heavily. "Thank you."
He chuckled. "If I knew you were so easy to please, I would have done this long ago."
I smiled as he sat me down in my chair, then pushed me and the chair in closer to the pizza.
He sat across from me and poured me a glass of wine that almost matched what was in his glass. I knew it wasn't wine, but I could pretend.
"How did it go with Alar?" Nick asked. Not a trace of jealousy in his voice or expression. It made me feel better to be able to talk about him with Nick. I needed that.
"He's going to help us figure out how to get Jax out of prison but keep Colvin out of it."
"Good. He's a powerful warlock in an important position. His OED will go a long way."
"I really need this to work out," I said, shoving pizza into my mouth faster than I could chew.
Nick just watched with a rapt expression. He usually managed to avoid hanging around while I ate because he always stared, and it made me self-conscious, but this time, I was too hungry to care. I gave him a toothy grin I was sure had pizza sauce on it, but he just shook his head and kept drinking his not-wine. We chatted comfortably for nearly an hour before making our way to the TV room, which was basically a private theatre. I flopped down on a couch, and once Nick had a movie started, he lifted my legs and sat down, putting my feet in his lap, and rubbing them with his freakishly strong vampire hands.
"Thank God for you, Nick," I moaned in pleasure.
We watched the movie quietly. I nodded off in the middle, so I had no idea what was happening when I woke up sometime later. It was very exciting, though, with things blowing up and car chases.
"You ready for bed?" Nick asked when it was over.
"Do you think we can actually do this? Save Jax and spare Colvin?" I asked. It was still such a heavy weight on me, I couldn't get my mind off it.
Nick grinned. "I think there is one way you can save Jax without letting this get any further."
"What?"
"You can claim him as your own. Or, as the Black Crow's anyway. However, that works. As long as Falcor doesn't object, they wouldn't be able to hold Jax anymore."
"Shit," I muttered. I had been snatching up people left right and center already. Falcor's uncle had moved back across the country, and I could still feel the connection to him. My connection to Nick was strong, and I had claimed Falcor too, so I knew that right now, he was sleeping. Did I really want to claim another person? Particularly Jax? We had a bit of history. It wasn't all good either.
"There must be another way," I said, and from the relieved look on Nick’s face, he was glad I didn't immediately jump on the 'claim Jax' bandwagon. That history Jax and I had was more than just a friendship, and I could understand why Nick would be leery of the idea, though the fact he mentioned it proved how much he was settling into our relationship.
"Let's go to bed," I said, taking his hand.
"You remember I don't sleep, right?"
I turned and pressed against his chest, rising on my toes to reach his lips with my own. "I remember. You can still come with me."
Nick grinned, and the edges of his fangs showed in the corners of his mouth before he scooped me up and raced me at vamp speed back to my room, tossing me on the bed before climbing on himself and pulling me in tight to his body. His arms circled me, and I enjoyed the feeling of security he offered as the night slipped away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
"Selena."
I split my eyes open, but the bright sun gushing through the window blinded me, so I slammed them shut again and moaned.
"What's up, Colvin?" I grumbled.
"It's Saturday!"
"Oof. Why are you waking me up then?" I reached out my hand, but Nick was gone. Probably doing vampire stuff.
"Because we could go see Slate!"
Crow made a bunch of crow noises on the far side of the room.
"Can I have a shower and some coffee first?"
Colvin huffed. "I guess.
I peeked up at him with one eye, he looked to be pouting, but that was too bad for my baby brother. That face didn't work on me.
I rolled off the bed and stumbled to the bathroom, remembering I had promised to speak to Alar again this morning. I quickly sent him a text, though I wondered if he would have heard my thoughts, he couldn't possibly be listening to me all the time.
He replied back, saying it was fine to see him later, and I felt guilty about leaving Jax in prison for another day when I could have gotten him out already if I had told the truth. But this would all be over soon. I could tell.
When I stepped out of the bathroom, clean and in fresh clothes, Nick was waiting. "A little mouse told me you needed coffee."
I shook my head but took the cup and brought it to my lips for my first taste of the morning. "Thank God for coffee," I said.
Nick laughed. "Last night, you were thanking God for me and my foot rubbing skills."
"I have a lot to be thankful for," I replied. "Where is the little mouse now?"
Nick sobered. "He is in the auditorium with Falcor. They are working on some kind of spell."
"Is it safe?" I asked.
Nick nodded. I could only trust that Falcor was true to his word in wanting to keep Colvin out of this whole messy situation. But I struggled to trust anyone when it came to Colvin, so I took my coffee and walked the halls to the auditorium, pushing through the door and coming to a halt.
Falcor was teaching Colvin how to use a sword. They each had a wooden sword and were sparring in extreme slow motion.
Something inside me broke when I saw the forgiveness in Falcor. He was truly at peace with his father's murder at the hands of my little brother, and it made tears well up in my eyes, though I wiped them away before Colvin noticed Falcor's attention on me, and he spun to see who was behind him.
"Hey!" Colvin cried. "I'm learning to sword fight," he said, waving his wooden sword as if I had missed it.
"So I see." I let my eyes slip to Falcor and mouthed the words ‘thank you’ as he offered me a rare smile and took the sword form Colvin's hand.
"Wait, I wanted to show Selena what I've learned!" he cried.
"You can show her next week once you have mastered the basics," Falcor replied.
Colvin pouted but skipped over to me anyway. "You ready to go to Nevermore?"
"Yup," I replied, pulling Colvin in for a hug before we turned to leave.
"Oh, Selena," Falcor called. "Could I talk to you for a second?"
"Sure," I replied. "I'll meet you in the cafeteria," I said to Colvin.
"Okay," he said before turning and running out the door.
"I think we should tell him," Falcor said.
I was so thrown by that, I almost stumbled. I couldn't have heard him right.
"What?"
"He's stronger than you think. I feel like he can handle it. It was an accident, but he needs to know that he has that power. If not, how will he learn?"
"You want him to carry around the knowledge that he killed your father?"
"I think, if we show him that we still love and trust him, it won't be so hard on him."
"And what about Havisham? He will want to put Colvin away," I said. I wouldn't let that happen.
"We don't have to tell him. Just Colvin."
I didn't like it, and even the thought of telling him turned my stomach. "I'll think about it, okay?"
Falcor nodded. "Of course. I won't tell him anything. But consider it. He's too powerful, Selena."
And that was exactly what I was worried Havisham would think. Yes, Colvin had killed a man, but it wasn't on purpose. I knew that for sure. Colvin was too good.
Falcor and I walked the halls together on the way to the cafeteria.
"Nick had an idea," I whispered.
"What is it?"
"I could claim Jax as my own, apparently then they would have to let him out, as long as you agreed as the king of the warlocks and witches."
Falcor nodded. "It would make it easier."
"But he would still carry the label as a killer, plus he would be mine, and I'd always know where he is."
"Oh, great, so this--" he said, pointing at his forehead where a blue feather glowed softly "-- is a magical locating beacon?"
