SkinWalker series Box Set Vol III Read online

  A wave of ragged laughter bubbled free from Logan, though the sound grated even on his own ears. “Aren’t you the one who said you know me better than I’ll ever know myself what with getting all up close and personal with my mind?”

  Her eyes narrowed, lips pursing as though she was considering some form of suitable punishment. “And that won’t change until you’re fully healed, and all your memories return. Also, I have to reiterate that leaving now may be detrimental to your progress.”

  Darcy’s eyes darkened, now with worry, as she studied Logan’s face, her head tilted upward, neck exposed, the action trusting in that it made her so very vulnerable to him.

  Sighing, Logan ran a hand over his face and felt the fatigue simmer within his limbs. “I wish I could do as you want, Darcy, but it really is time to leave.” His words rang in his ears, a loud accusation that they were just an excuse to get away.

  He ignored them.

  “What?” asked Darcy, her expression clouding with concern. “Did you get some sort of summons to return home?”

  “Something like that.”

  At his clipped response, Darcy let out a huff, shook her head and grabbed hold of Logan’s arm. She led him to the bed and pointed for him to sit, her expression stony as she dropped her bag on the floor and seated herself primly, then waited in taut silence.

  Logan blinked, well aware he had little choice but to obey. So he did, seating himself as he mentally threw his hands up in the air. It seemed, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get rid of the people who cared about his well-being.

  And was that really such a bad thing?

  Chapter 2

  Logan

  Logan had decided to obey as resistance was futile when Darcy meant business.

  Which she did.

  The stiff finger pointing like a dagger had been more than a hint, and the cold, stony expression had sealed the deal. Logan convinced himself that having the MindMelder give him the all-clear before he left for Drakys would only be an advantage to him—never mind that such an all-clear would be one of the temporary variety.

  He submitted as Darcy held her fingers to his temples and joined her mind with his. He used to marvel at her ability, but that was back when it had been new. Now he was so used to it that he barely even thought about the fact that it was unusual to have another person rooting around inside his mind.

  After a few long and silent moments, Logan said, “So? Am I cleared, or am I still a basket-case?”

  Darcy smirked, fingers still in contact with his skin. “Unfortunately, I never did guarantee I could cure your crazy.” Then she sighed and let his temples go, dropping her hands to her sides. “When do you plan on telling her?” she asked, voice low and almost conspiratorial.

  Logan stiffened and glanced at the closed door, the movement instinctive—and all too revealing as Darcy’s raised eyebrow revealed she hadn’t missed his guilt in action. “I’m not sure what you mean,” he said, his smile the picture of innocence.

  She clicked her tongue. “Logan. I’ve been inside your mind, dude. You really think you can pull off lying to me?” She raised an eyebrow, well aware that her invasion of his mind was a sensitive topic which used to have Logan all resistant and behaving as though she was standing in his room, watching him dance around naked.

  He wasn’t far wrong about the vulnerability he felt, especially since he was of the opinion that a naked body revealed infinitely less than one’s naked thoughts. Now, he met her eyes, hesitating for a moment.

  Darcy shook her head and said, “Fart bombs.”

  Logan groaned. “Fine. You win. Nobody wants to be reminded of that.”

  She chuckled. “Only a boy would think it’s a good idea to try to light your farts on fire.” She shook her head and gave a giggle-snort.

  “Ugh.” Logan rolled his eyes. “Don’t remind me, okay. I couldn’t sit for a week after that.”

  Darcy’s eyes widened. “Did the flames get a little too close to your butt?” she asked, smirking, eyes sparkling.

  “If only. No, my dad nearly flayed me alive. Whipped my ass well and good.” The mention of Karl Westin—who was most emphatically not his dad—erased Logan’s mirth.

  He’d fallen silent, but Darcy shook him by the arm. “Hey. Stop it. You’d think by now you’d be able to forgive yourself, especially with what you know.”

  Logan shifted his head, lifting his chin to meet Darcy’s eyes. “All those years carrying that knowledge was painful enough. But knowing the truth? It makes the burden all the harder,” Logan shook his head, saying no to the thought that one day Sienna would have to learn the truth.

  Darcy was waving a finger at him now. “Which brings me back to my original question. When will you tell her?”

  Logan let out a silent growl and got to his feet. “When she’s stronger, and when we’re both settled into our duties, know the lay of the land better. She’s still fragile. I want her to be stronger before she has to face this. I know the weight of this burden, Darcy. It’s a weight I’d rather she didn’t have to carry.”

  Exhaling slowly, the MindMelder asked, “Have you considered that Sienna may not suffer beneath that burden as much as you did?”

  Logan stiffened at the question, understanding that it held more than one implication. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Settle down,” Darcy said softly, waving her hand at him. “All I meant is she’s served within the court of the Queen of all Drakys these past years. She’s been labeled a brilliant diplomat and political strategist. Maybe Sienna, with her strength and experience, will be capable of handling now what you were unable to deal with because of your youth and innocence. You were so very young, Logan. And the scars of that day...they never healed, not entirely. And Sienna bore no scars from that event. Her memories of that night are gone. And with it, her guilt and self-recrimination.”

  “So is that a confirmation?” Logan asked, his tone hard, though only because he was steeling himself against Darcy’s inevitable ‘No.’

  Which he didn’t get. Instead, Darcy’s gaze flickered away as she replied, “Ward did a deeper removal than I ever did with you. I left crumbs for you, stored memories elsewhere for you to find. Ward did his job as instructed. He removed those memories forever.”

  Logan shook his head. “I thought you said there was a way to give her back her memories?”

  “There would have been if Ward was still alive. He would have had to join with Sienna’s mind and repair what he’d done.”

  “And if he refused?”

  Darcy shrugged. “A different method but the same result. A second MindMelder could theoretically bridge the gap between Ward and Darcy, and retrieve what he took. It would be a risky procedure, and MindMelders have been known to go insane if things went wrong, but I’ve heard of many more successes than failures. Which is moot anyway...because Ward is dead.”

  The sigh Darcy emitted held a note of agony and Logan didn’t miss the glitter of fury and pain in her eyes.

  “What did he do to you?” he whispered, unable to stomach the thought of what a man as powerful as Ward was capable of.

  “What?” Darcy’s tone was light, her laughter tinkling as she attempted to shift the mood of the conversation. “You think you can shrink me now?” she asked, smiling.

  Logan wasn’t about to let it go so easily. “Darcy, this MindMelding thing...you told me in the beginning that the connection was even deeper than sex. I can vouch for that. But what I can also vouch for is the fact that I’ve had you poking around inside here,” Logan tapped a finger to his temple, “for so long that I’m pretty sure I’m somewhat familiar with your mind as well.”

  Darcy opened her mouth to reply, then let out a soft sigh. “It’s complicated. And a long story.” She glanced over at Logan’s duffel on the floor beside the bed. “And...I don’t believe you want me to delay your departure.”

  Shaking his head, Logan smirked. “I see what you’re doing. And fine. We’re at an impass
e then.”

  “How about we take a rain-check? Let’s discuss when you get back.” Darcy’s sad smile made it clear to Logan that she suspected they’d never get to have that conversation.

  He didn’t dispel her of the notion.

  And then Darcy got to her feet, giving him a sad smile. “Are you ready for this?” she asked softly.

  Logan shook his head and stood. “No...yes? As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.” He knew it was pointless to lie to her. Then he quirked his lips. “Good thing I can make fire. That glacier’s gonna be cold.”

  Darcy retrieved her bag and had begun to walk slowly toward the door, but at his words, she paused and turned to look over her shoulder at him. “You do know that you and Sienna don’t need to go to the Mendenhall Glacier, right?”

  Logan frowned. “What do you mean? I thought the glacier was the only portal available for access to Drakys from this realm. Kai said the one in Sand Beach was out of commission.”

  Darcy shook her head, frowning as she replied, “Not for you and Sienna. You’re the rulers of the realm. And, for what it’s worth, I’m pretty sure that’s how Sienna’s been going back and forth these last few weeks.”

  “She’s what?” asked Logan, scowling as he stepped toward Darcy. “What do you mean?”

  “Oh,” Darcy said softly, tapping her finger to her lips. “I suppose you didn’t know. I’m sorry...” She hesitated for a second then threw her hands in the air. “I give up. You two and your secrets,” she said, shaking her head, frustration rolling off her.

  “Are you going to tell me or do I have to wring it out of my sister’s neck,” Logan asked, the threat in his voice clear.

  The MindMelder merely arched an eyebrow. “Let’s just keep death and violence to a minimum, okay? As far as my knowledge goes, Sienna has been returning to Drakys over the last few weeks in order to assure the council and the regent of your health and your progress toward recovery. There was some pressure from them for your healing process to speed up, but I’m pretty sure your sister would have told them where to shove their demands.”

  “And how do you know she’s been going home? I’m not sure she’d have told anyone if she was keeping it a secret from me.”

  Darcy tapped her temple. “I’ve been treating her as well, Logan. Helping to heal some of the scars that Ward left behind. She’s got a long road ahead, but she’s been recovering slowly.”

  “And I guess you bumped into a few secrets inside that stubborn skull of hers. Did you question her?”

  “No. I just assumed you’d have known about it, hence my slip in revealing it to you.”

  Logan nodded. “I see. So you wouldn’t have mentioned it had my departure not come up?”

  “Not sure either way,” Darcy said with a shrug. “I’m not here to keep secrets for you and your sister. You both have enough of those already, and in my opinion, it’s time for the two of you to break down those barriers instead of continuing to build them up some more. She’s keeping secrets from you. You’re keeping truths from her. And the dumb thing is both of you will claim to be protecting the other by lying. Go figure.” Darcy shook her head, her expression revealing how tired, and fed up she was.

  And Logan understood—Darcy cared—but he wasn’t about to agree with her. She was right though, and he’d have to question Sienna before they left. He let out a sigh. “Well, she’s definitely going to have to tell me before we leave. Don’t believe she’ll risk a trip to the glacier before revealing the truth.”

  “If she doesn’t?” Darcy smirked. “What if she does take you to Mendenhall to keep up the ruse?”

  Logan gave a dark snort. “Let her try. I’ll gladly wring her neck.”

  Darcy shook her head, smiling as she walked over to Logan and raised her arms. “C’mere, you big lunk.”

  Logan reached out and hugged the MindMelder back, then straightened and patted her on the top of her head, his expression sober and serious.

  “Hey,” she squawked, slapping his hand away. “I’m older than you, kid.”

  He snorted. “I’m bigger.” Logan fell silent, smiling sadly as he looked down at her. “Thank you, Darcy. For being brave and for telling me the truth, even though it must have been so hard. And for staying with me to help get me—and Sienna—better. That was going above and beyond.”

  “It’s the least I could do,” Darcy said, her nonchalant shrug not reflecting the pain that shadowed her eyes.

  “You didn’t need to, Darcy. You only did what Omega instructed you to do. You weren’t personally responsible. But even then, you laid the groundwork so I could get my memories back. That in itself is enough.”

  “You didn’t think so at first.” Darcy tilted her head, her smile sad.

  Logan’s skin warmed with shame. “I know. I was an asshole. I shouldn’t have said those things.”

  Darcy shook her head, though he was sure he saw the intensity of her pain fade. “You were in a dark place, Logan. I understood.”

  “But my words hurt you, and that was the last thing I meant to do. Everything’s so fucked up...so much hurt in our lives. You didn’t deserve more.”

  Darcy reached up and patted his cheek. “Logan, you were only a small part of the hurt I caused. And even if that was done in the course of my job, as a means to help my family, it still doesn’t absolve me of those actions. I’ll have to live with what I’ve done.”

  “And carry that pain around with you everywhere?” Logan asked curtly.

  “If I have to,” Darcy said with a nod. “It’s my burden to bear. But at least one part of that burden has been laid to rest.”

  “You mean this Ward guy?” Logan asked softly. He’d accidentally bumped into a memory of Darcy’s, and he suspected, from the fragments he’d seen, that she and this MindMelder called Ward, had had a showdown of sorts.

  Darcy nodded. “He’s out of my life now. I just need to focus on picking up the pieces and putting my life back together.”

  “Darcy, you know I’m here for you, right?” Logan said softly, meaning every word with all his heart.

  She nodded, tears glinting in her eyes. “I do. And thank you. I’ll consider us even.”

  Logan chuckled as he shook his head. “Not sure if we’re ever going to be even.” He smirked.

  Darcy patted his arm and walked off toward the door. She opened it and stood on the threshold, looking back at him over her shoulder.

  “You take care of yourself, Lyandr, Son of the House of Yl. And watch out for that sister of yours too, okay?” Darcy said, her eyes now shining with tears.

  Logan grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Oh, and Logan?”

  Logan looked up, an eyebrow curved in question.

  Before she disappeared into the hallway, Darcy said, “Please try not to kill Sienna.”

  Chapter 3

  Logan

  Logan had just lifted his duffel onto his shoulder when a voice cut into his thoughts.

  “Why are you being warned against killing me?” asked Sienna from the open doorway.

  Logan glanced over at his sister who was standing, arms folded as she leaned against the doorframe. “Probably because you deserve it,” he said, watching her expression closely.

  Sienna’s lips thinned, and she rolled her eyes, though he didn’t miss the flare of guilt she failed to hide. “We should get moving. We need to get there bright and early so let’s go. Time difference between EarthWorld and the city Dyr is four hours behind our time, and we don’t want to arrive too late in the morning. Things get busy for Aunt Lyra and for Uncle Vyrian as the day progresses. And our ride will be here soon.”

  She tacked on the last sentence as she pushed off the doorframe and flitted away like a shadow, leaving her instructions echoing in her wake.

  Logan lifted an eyebrow as he followed her out into the hall toward the stairs. What Sienna had failed to mention was Kai and Celeste’s impending arrival.

  One thing was certain, this trip to Drakys was a step t
hat equated to the answering of an obligation. Still, he wasn’t blind to the guilt that accompanied the decision like so much unwanted baggage.

  Sienna was still furious with him, and he was all too aware that asking Ivy to give Kai his letter of farewell had been a cowardly move of epic proportions.

  Logan was also aware, from his conversation with Ivy, that Kai and Celeste had both undergone a few tests at the Elite HQ and were expected to return to the Odel home before noon.

  At which time Logan planned to be gone.

  A dick move if ever there was one.

  The house was quiet, with Corin attending to Lily’s morning treatments, and Iain off at a council meeting. Baz was likely sleeping in—if vamplings slept?—having just returned from a visit to the mentor Logan had connected him with; Asher should look after the kid, give him the kind of guidance he needed but wasn’t able to get from those who didn’t understand the intricacies of the vampiric form.

  Logan caught up with Sienna, and the siblings descended the stairs side by side, blanketed by a strange silence in which Logan waited, wondering what Sienna was going to come up with to explain their method of travel home, and in which Sienna remained as silent as the dead.

  The guilty dead.

  As they reached the bottom of the stairs, she stamped her foot and let out a disgusted groan. “Ugh, I can’t keep up this stupid lie anymore.”

  Logan frowned. “What you talking about, kid?” he said, feigning innocence.

  Sienna lifted an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with annoyance.

  “Well, spit it out. We do need to get moving,” Logan said, careful not to mention glaciers and portals.

  Sienna let out a huff and stepped closer to him. She peered up at him—boy was he ever glad he was taller than this spitfire of a sister of his—then raised a finger and pointed it, and its silver-tipped fingernail, at him. “You know?” she growled, her tone accusing.