Something was wrong.
Really wrong.
She scrambled upright, her eyes wide as she asked, “What’s going on?” Val’s jaw clenched in anger. “October and Cameron.”
Those two words sent Eden’s heart into spluttering palpitations, a sick fear churning in her stomach. “What about them? Where are they?”
“They were out together,” Val growled. “We’ve just received a letter. A letter from Teagan.” Eden tumbled back, feeling as if the bed had been whipped out from under her. Her eyes teared as she gazed numbly around the room. She didn’t need it spelled out for her. She knew exactly what was happening and she wanted to throw the news up all over Tobe’s carpet.
“Get yourselves together and come downstairs,” Val ordered. “McLeish and Cameron’s mother are here.”
Not saying a word to Noah, guilt eating at her, Eden followed Val out of the room, ignoring Noah as he called out to her as he hurried to play catch up.
The tension downstairs was unbearable, the press of so many worried adults in one room like a stone slab on Eden’s chest. Her whole body was thrumming with a quiet rage as she listened to Cyrus explain what was happening. Teagan had sent a note and photographic evidence that he had Tobe and Cameron captured in an old, disused nightclub near somewhere called Tollcross. It was only a fifteen minute walk from the house. Arrogant, cocksure. Teagan wanted to trade them for Eden and Eden was to come alone. She was more than ready to face her cousin.
She felt her stomach clench. She’d kill him if he’d put his perverted disgusting hands anywhere near them!
She should have known. She should have known he would come back for her. She had known.
Deep down. And now she’d put the people she cared about in danger.
I’m going to kill him.
It was decided that Eden was strong enough to take on Teagan and that she should be allowed to do this. They would surround the nightclub and once Tobe and Cameron were safe they’d go in to help Eden take out Teagan.
Noah was furious. Cyrus was refusing to let him come with them, ordering him to stay and babysit Mhairi, Alison and the McLeish boys!
“Your feelings for Eden are too new and I believe they could put you in danger. Both of you. You would not be thinking clearly.”
There was no way in hell he was letting Eden go into this without him. “I’m coming.” Cyrus’ face hardened. “Do not, Noah.”
“If you think for one-”
“Noah, please.” Eden was suddenly beside him, a placating hand on his arm. “I have to get Tobe and Cameron back and I can’t do that if you and I are too busying worrying about each other. I’ll be fine. I have Cyrus and Val. So please… stay and look after Mhairi and Alison. Someone has to protect them too.”
He gulped, trying to swallow the overwhelming panic he felt. He had to remember what it had been like to watch her take out that soul eater. She had been awesome. He had to remember and trust in her capabilities. Easier said than done. Sighing, Noah reluctantly nodded. He had faith. “Go.” When she left, his lips were still tingling from the fleeting kiss she’d given him. He gazed at the door, forcing himself not to rush out after her.
“Welcome to the wonderful world of being in love, Mr Valois.” Mhairi Douglas threw him a sad, worried smile. “It changes us in ways we could never imagine.” Not really in the mood for her twisted wisdom, Noah concentrated on the fear she was trying to keep hidden. “Eden’s a great warrior, Mhairi. Tobe’s coming home in one piece and very soon.” She nodded, features tight. “I have faith.”
Chapter Twenty Three. The Right Card
If it was possible, Eden felt as if the city was worrying with her. There was a hush in the night air and traffic was quieter than usual. No barks of laughter from outside pubs sliced the air, only people clutching together in the chilly spring night and murmuring quietly to each other as they passed the intimidating group that tried not to march towards Tollcross. And Eden didn’t know if it was her imagination or not but she could have sworn she could smell the nauseating stench of copper all around them… like wet pennies. Like… blood. She tugged the black mac Val had picked out for her tighter around her and then remembered it was supposed to be hiding the katana she had strapped to her hip under it and loosened her grip a little. Stomach churning, Eden tried to focus, but so much had happened in the past hour her head felt like it had been invaded by hundreds of buzzing bees.
This was how her life would be from now on. One minute making out with Noah and the next heading off to rescue someone. People. People that she cared about. She chewed her lip as Mary fell away from her. Cameron’s mom had been treating her with chilly disdain since the moment she’d entered the sitting room. She blamed her. Good. Eden was to blame. It was her sick cousin playing cat and mouse with them. Eden was so ready to take him down. It wasn’t just about him taking Tobe and Cameron; it was about what she knew he was capable of. They couldn’t have a soul eater like him roaming around. He was pure evil and he was incredibly powerful.
He’d better not have touched Tobe. She felt a flush of anger score across her skin. Warily she shot a look at Christopher and Alison as they walked next to her, their skin pale and their features pulled tight with fear. They’d been so kind to her. There was no way in hell she was letting them down. As they passed a pub called The Auld Toll Eden’s muscles tensed, her heart began to accelerate. She was so glad Noah was back at the house. Cyrus had been right. Their feelings for each other were too new. Something like this was too big for them to handle together, especially as Eden wasn’t even sure they were in control of their own fricking relationship, never mind hunting. What had nearly happened between them on Tobe’s bed shocked her. Noah was experienced, she knew that; the whole fricking Warrior society knew that. But she wasn’t. And despite how he made her feel, how carried away she’d gotten, in a sick twisted way she was glad of the interruption. She wasn’t ready to sleep with Noah. Or anyone. They needed to slow things down.
That was a conversation she was so not looking forward to.
Tobe would tell her she was crazy.
“My first time was with a guy from school who thinks Iraq is a brand of Mp3 player. If you’ve got someone like Noah Valois sniffing around your heels, then I say kick them up and let him have his wicked way with you.”
At the thought of her friend Eden’s chest seemed to rip itself open.
“Stop,” Cyrus said from behind her and she turned around to see him cut down an empty side street. They gathered around them and Eden glanced warily back out onto the main street. If anyone saw them they’d know they were up to no good. “The club is around the corner. Red door, Eden.” They all looked at her expectantly. Eden exhaled, trying to meet all their gazes, trying to tell them silently that she could do this.
You can do this.
She’d totally given Teagan a couple of beatdowns before.
Cyrus placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Remember the plan. And we are right here.” Nodding militantly Eden blurred away from them, using her preternatural speed to confuse any witnesses who might see her. A few seconds later she stood on an isolated back street before a red door covered in graffiti. Taking one more deep breath, Eden stood back and thrust her leg out, her foot connecting with the door and blasting it off its hinges.