Ash(59)

Later that day, as I was hobbling around the enforcer locker room, I heard the distinct clip of shit-kicker boots. I had a moment to wonder which of the males it was, then Ryder strode in. He did a double-take as our eyes met. The silver around his iris started to glow and swirl, and the air between us thickened. I watched his breathing grow deeper. He seemed to be working on controlling himself. Did he already know what had happened? Had he heard about the call out?

I managed to blink a few times when he wrenched his gaze from mine and strode back out of the room. Not one word had been spoken, but the air felt heavier now. The tension was palpable. Within minutes, I heard steps again, and Kyle, Oliver, Markus, Sam, and Jared followed the hard-as-stone lead enforcer into the locker room. As they stood there in a line like that, I realized how different each of them truly looked from one another, and yet the way they moved … it was fluid, like a team that had been together for a long time. There was history there. True family style.

Still, that didn’t stop Ryder from losing his shit.

“Someone better explain to me right the fuck now why Charlie is not only injured, but rumor has it she was out on a call today?”

Uh oh, the lead enforcer rarely raised his voice, and he never swore. He seemed to be able to command a room with no more than a few tersely spoken words, but today his cool was missing.

I did find it kind of hot to hear him say fuck.

Kyle, who was all casually leaning back against one of the gray metal cabinets, met his best friend’s eyes. “I had no choice. This was an emergency call – a new ash attacked a human, his mother. We both know that a second’s hesitation could mean the difference between life and death.”

Ryder’s jaw clenched. “You brought an untrained ash to a dangerous situation? It could have been life and death for her. And you thought it was an even better idea to give her a gun? What the hell, Kyle?”

A slight pink flooded across the tips of Kyle’s cheeks, and his eyes darkened even further. “I was thinking I took an oath! I was thinking of my best friend visiting his fiancée’s grave today and how I didn’t want this new ash to live with killing his mother, like you live with killing Molly!”

Holy Shit. That was so not what I’d expected Kyle to say. The enforcer’s dirty-blond hair hung forward as he dropped his head. I could tell he was already regretting using such harsh words with his friend. But still, that was freakin’ deep. Ryder sort of looked like he’d been punched in the gut. More than one of us in the room were staring at our feet now – except for Sam, who was staring at the far wall like he wanted to put his fist through it. I struggled to hold back my tears. That’s where he had been, paying his respects to the fiancée he killed years ago?

The room remained in this bubble of uncomfortable silence for a few minutes, but then the strangest thing happened. Instead of another explosion of anger from Ryder, he simply stepped forward, clapped Kyle on his shoulder, nodded to the rest of us and walked away.

“Ryder…” Kyle’s handsome face fell as he called out, but Ryder didn’t stop. He exited the locker room, leaving us all to our silence.

“Dammit!” Kyle slammed his fist into a locker and I winced as I heard the crunch of bone. Tragedy affected so much more than just one person. Molly’s death took something from every person who cared for Ryder. I wondered then if Kyle had known the couple before the ash thing. How far back did their ties go?



Deciding it was time to give everyone a moment to cool off, I slowly hobbled back to the control room. Walking was not pleasant. God, these assholes could create superhuman freaks with their sperm, why the hell couldn’t they invent ash pain meds? I at least needed some vampire moonshine to take the edge off of my shattered ankle. Although, I was told by tomorrow it would only be slightly bruised and nearly fully healed. Another ash perk.

Opening my email, I saw Jayden had sent out an invite. It was addressed to Ryder, Kyle, Oliver, Sam, Jared, Markus, and a few other random ash.



Dear Bitches,

I have recently come across some fabulous information while gossiping in the feeder room. The Hive has just opened a brand new club and it features karaoke. Join me tonight for laughs, drinks and a damn good Diana Ross impression. Level 55.

Sincerely,

Jayden AKA Diana Ross



I smiled. If God were real, then he’d created Jayden just to keep me sane in this hellhole. I loved karaoke and needed to take my mind off everything. I replied with a big fat yes. I highly doubted Ryder would be attending, and couldn’t believe Jayden referred to him as one of his bitches. That alone was enough to brighten my mood.