Revenant (The Midnight Society #3) (21 page)

He smiled. “Yeah. That I can do.”

“Good. That’s good,” I replied. “So then, what’s next, fearless leader?”

His answer was almost instantaneous, as if he had a plan in his head all along. “I take down Calisto’s organization as a ghost, under the cover of darkness.”

“Like Batman,” I said.

Shadow laughed. “Yeah, like Batman.”

“Great. And what does Robin over here do?” I asked as I pointed to myself.

“Survive,” Shadow said. “The façade of the Midnight Society must always be there. While I cut off the heads of Calisto’s organization, I need you to bring all the old members back to our side.”

“Seriously? This will be the third time in the same conversation I’m going to mention the word ‘trust.’”

Shadow finished up the last of his drink, and rose to pour himself another glass. “Don’t worry. If anything, those bastards will serve as pawns—a layer of padding when Yuen Xi tries to take a swipe at you.”

“Sacrificial lambs, eh?”

“Yes.”

I grinned. “I like it.”

Shadow nodded. “I’ll pick off all of Calisto’s generals, one-by-one. Without strong leadership, they’ll be begging to return to this sham Midnight Society you’ll be running. At the same time, we’ll need to find a way to get to Calisto directly. I know the perfect time and place.”

“Do tell.”

“My grave,” he said. “I’ll get Leah’s mole to leak a rumor directly to the high ranking members of the Revenant’s organization that both Aria and I have tombstones with fake names. The fake names are used to prevent both the authorities and Yuen Xi from showing up to our gravesite. At some point, Calisto will show up there.”

“How are you so sure?” I asked.

Up until this point, Calisto had been nothing but careful. After the incident at the Inferno, she had practically disappeared in my eyes—up until she blindfold fucked me.

“Because I’m her twin brother,” Shadow replied. “As twisted as she is, I strongly believe that a part of her still loves me.”

“She’s got a warped sense of showing her love.”

“Yeah, she’s terrible at it,” Shadow agreed. “But it’s because she loves me that she’ll
need
to come to my grave, despite it posing a huge risk. We’ll keep a watch over the place. When she shows up, we can nab her.”

“You do realize that everyone will want to kill her on the spot, right?”

I thought about Beau and Isadora—though Isadora did seem to understand that the situation has changed. However when it came to understanding the mindset of that sexy witch, all bets were off. She could descend into a beserker rage in a matter of seconds, ripping Calisto to shreds—baby or no baby.

“Then you’ll have to be there,” Shadow concluded. “Take Braydon as well. He seems to be more-or-less level headed and passive compared to the others, despite being one tough mother fucker.”

“Probably because he’s Canadian,” I figured. “I guess once we have her, we’ll figure out what to do then?”

Shadow nodded. “You were right when you said that the baby changes everything.”

I thought about the baby, and then the word ‘family’ suddenly popped into my head—a simple word that terrified me.

I shrugged off my nervousness. There were other things I needed to ask of Shadow before he went all midnight crusader on Calisto’s people.

“When you confront Odin, I need you to do a favor for me,” I said.

Shadow raised a brow.

“Odin is keeping someone safe for me. She’s important to me, Shadow. I need you to make sure that a woman named Karina Markov is being protected. If he has kept his word, spare him.”

“The first part I can do,” Shadow said. “However sparing him is asking a lot. He’s Calisto’s second in command and one of the pillars of his organization.”

“Bring him to me then,” I said. “And let me deal with him.”

I took a deep breath and silently prayed that Odin had kept his word. This world deserved more people like Karina—honest, caring, and kind-hearted. What it needed less were greedy jerks like us.

“And if he hasn’t kept his word?” Shadow asked.

There was no hesitation in my answer. “Destroy him.”

Shadow seemed agreeable to that. “Alright, I can live with that.”

There was only one matter left to discuss.

“What about Cairo and Reiko?” I asked. “You sacrificed those two to save me.”

Shadow frowned. “I know.”

“How do we get them back?”

He collapsed in his chair and buried his face in his hands, before looking up at me and replying.

“I think they’re dead, Lincoln. I pray that’s not the case, but I think they’re dead.”

It was a horrible reality to face, but at this moment in time, I couldn’t say I disagreed with him.

#

Chapter Thirty

Aria

Despite the simplicity of the task I was given, I understood its importance. Read ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ put the pieces together, and unravel the phrase that triggered Shadow’s transformation into an evil badass.

I entered into the study. Beau and Braydon were sitting across from each other, playing a game of chess.

They were bickering, as always.

Both men were holding ice bags to their faces and popping aspirins, remedying the pain of Shadow’s brutal beat down.

“Your already moved your rook. You can’t just take back your move,” Beau stated.

“Is it in the rulebook?”

“It’s in the universal rules of chess. Once your finger is off the piece, your turn is done. Now take your fucking rook and put it back to where you had it—out in the open where my bishop will purge it off this board.”

“No, that’s not the move that I’m making,” Braydon said.

“But you took your hand off the piece! That’s as good as done. It’s like thrusting yourself a couple of times in a girl, and then pulling out and saying it doesn’t count as sex.”

“Does two thrusts really constitute as sex?”

“According the courts of law it does.”

Braydon’s eyes widened. “Do I even want to know?”

“Shut up, bastard, and let my bishop take you.”

“No.”

That was when Beau took notice of me. “Aria, would you like to tell this cheater over here the universal rules of chess?”

I shook my head. “I’m not getting involved. I just came to get a book to read and then I’m outta here.”

Braydon leaned back in the leather armchair. “How’s Shadow doing? Is his brain still mud?”

I shook my head. “No, we managed to get that sorted out…for now.”

The massive biker smiled. “I have to tell you, it’s been a long time since I received a beating like that. Shit, that man of yours got heavy fists.”

“Hey, I gave you a good run for your money back at the whore house,” Beau pointed out.

Braydon snickered. “Yeah, sure.”

“Admit it, I held my own against the bad ass biker man.”

“I squared off against tougher men in my pick-up hockey league,” Braydon said.

It was hard picturing this monster of a man skating.

“Now, I’m moving my rook here,” Braydon continued as he repositioned his piece on the chessboard.

“I told you, you can’t do that you fucker.”

I left them to their sibling rivalry and scanned Shadow’s bookshelf.

Alice in Wonderland
was right smack dab in the center of it. I pulled it out and flipped through the pages. It was a pretty book, bound in soft leather, with beautiful black and white illustrations inside. I turned to the inside jacket of the book and scowled at the pen-written words on the white space.

To Shadow,

A happy memory to chase away all the monsters at night.

Love,

Leah.

It was a sweet message that revolted my stomach.

I sighed. I
had
to live with the fact long before I came along Shadow had already discovered love with another.

I just wish we weren’t sharing the same roof at the moment.

“Find anything good?” Beau asked, not bothering to look up from the game.

“Just an old classic,” I replied as I quickly closed the book and shoved it underneath my arm. With the possibility of a traitor still among us, I didn’t want anyone to figure out what I was doing. “Anyway, I’m going to head out. I need some quiet time to myself. You boys behave.”

“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea,” Braydon said. “Peace and quiet would be nice as opposed to listening to my brother’s chirpy nonsense.”

Not wanting to listen to Beau’s comeback, I left the study.

The sun was starting to set out over the horizon of the crystal ocean. The orange sphere against the backdrop of purple sky was absolutely enchanting.

I decided to take my reading outside on a comfortable patio chair decorating the balcony. The moment I sat down, exhaustion quickly overcame me.

The side effects of the tranquilizer still hadn’t fully left my system. I wanted to sleep, but resisted the urge. I was determined to put a dent in Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece.

Shadow was depending on me.

I loved him, and I was going to read every damn word of this book if it meant helping him—if it meant figuring out whom the traitor amongst us was.

#

Chapter Thirty-One

Lincoln

There was no heavier weight in this world than the weight of guilt. Two lives were the price paid for my own.

It wasn’t worth it. I just wasn’t damned worth it.

If there was a God, then he’d keep Reiko and Cairo safe until we found them. But they weren’t in God’s hands at the moment. They were in the devils.

They were in Yuen Xi’s hands.

Thoughts like this these ate me alive—wounds so deep that they’d never heal. If the scars inside me manifested themselves outwards to my body, I’d look like one of the dead.

I walked past the lounge area of Shadow’s mansion to pour myself a drink.

Isadora sat by the bar, alone, having a drink of her own.

“It’s a terrible habit to drink alone,” I said.

Isadora smiled. “I’m not alone. Delilah’s with me.”

I took a seat next to her. I needed a distraction, something to clear my head from thinking about Cairo and Reiko.

Isadora grabbed a glass and poured me a drink—a stiff bourbon. She was drinking the same.

I took a sip. “So, I have to ask you, what is it that Delilah says to you when you’re hanging out like this, just the two of you?”

Isadora raised a brow.

“If I’m being too intrusive, just tell me to shut up and I’ll gladly do so,” I added.

“You’re not being intrusive,” Isadora replied. “Whereas Delilah lived her life with transparency and openness, I’ve always buried everything within me. Perhaps it’s time I lived a little more like Delilah. She was always so happy, up until the day she died.”

“It ended up being me who brought the trouble,” I said, regretfully. “I can’t help but feel responsible for her death too.”

Isadora shook her head. “What happened was not your fault. It was that terrible bitch, Calisto.” She set down her glass and then looked me in the eye. “Lincoln, you’re living with far too many ghosts. Many of them are clinging onto you, undeservingly so.”

“On the contrary. I believe I deserve to be haunted. I’m messed up.”

“Aren’t we all?” Isadora said.

I raised my glass. “Cheers to that.”

We both downed the entire contents of our drinks.

“So you want to know what Delilah says to me?” she asked, returning to my original question.

I nodded.

“She tells me things will get better,” Isadora replied.

“Do you believe her?”

“She’s never lied to me,” Isadora paused and licked her cherry soft lips. “At the moment however, it’s hard for me to believe those words. There’s no greater hell I can think of than living the rest of my life without Delilah.”

I frowned. “And what will make things right?” I asked.

“I thought revenge would have restored order in my heart,” Isadora said. “When I took apart Buchanan piece-by-piece, I thought I was healing myself of old wounds. The truth is I lost so much more while torturing the man the way I did. I’ve lost a large piece of my humanity in that shed.”

“Was Delilah there while you tortured Buchanan?”

Isadora nodded, slowly. “She was frightened of me,” she replied. “Can you imagine that? The person whom you love more than anything else in the world becoming afraid of you.”

I thought I’d levy the brevity of the conversation with a bit of humor. “Sounds kind of odd, don’t you think? A ghost afraid of a witch?”

Success! Isadora frown stretched into a playful smile. “When you put it that way, yes. Yes it does seem a little odd.” She pushed her empty glass towards me. “Now pour me another drink, sailor.”

I complied, filling up my own glass as well.

“So what’s next for our little group?” she asked.

“I hope you packed light because we’re moving out tomorrow,” I replied. “This place is compromised.”

“We’re like a Ronin,” Isadora said, “Wanderers of the world, without a place or a home. Only our desires for vengeance keep us going. There’s almost a sad romanticism to it.”

“What’s the lifespan of a Ronin?” I asked.

Isadora smiled. “The number of years lived doesn’t matter. I’d rather live a single year happy than a thousand years miserable. Wouldn’t you?”

“Words of wisdom from a witch,” I said. “If you weren’t so damned scary, you could start your own motivational videos.”

“You think I’m scary?” she asked.

“Lady, I’ve seen and heard some of the crazy things from you when shit’s going down. I’m just glad you’re on our side. I’ve got ninety-nine problems but the witch ain’t one.”

She sputtered the bourbon in her glass from the laughter. “You’re a dork, you know that?”

I shrugged. “At any given time, I could be a lot of things.”

“And what are you right now?” Isadora asked.

“As of this moment?”

She nodded. “Tell me truthfully.”

There was only one word that could summarize me at this very moment in life. “Sad.”

“Like two peas in a pod we are,” she said as she reached for my hand. The warmth of her touch radiated through my skin and dispersed throughout my body.

I looked at her thoughtfully. “Why, Isadora. Are you trying to put the moves on me?”

“Is there anything more comforting than the touch of another person?”

I certainly couldn’t think of anything.

“I’m a dangerous guy to get close to, you know,” I said.

She shot me a look. “You’re worrying about danger? Do you know who I am?”

Another good point.

“So what? We going to get together right now and fall in love?”

Isadora laughed. “No. I’m done falling in love. I love Delilah and no one can ever take that spot from her. What I want is physical comfort.”

“Sex you mean.”

She rose from her seat and walked around the counter, positioning herself behind me. Her soft lips found the back of my neck. I felt my cock go hard instantly.

“Well Lincoln? Don’t you want to know what it’s like to fuck a witch?” she whispered in my ear.

“I do now.”

As she led me back to her bedroom, a single though crossed my mind.

“Won’t the ghost of Delilah be pissed that I’m about to fuck her woman?”

Isadora chuckled as she looked at me salaciously.

“When it comes to sex, there are many sects of voodoo that are tolerant of polygamy. In some cases it’s even encouraged. My branch of voodoo falls under that category.”

Isadora’s voice flowed like water, smooth and gentle. I was enraptured by her. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was using her witchcraft on me at this very moment, perhaps implementing some form of mind control on my head so I’d do her every bidding.

I didn’t mind.

“A religion that condones open and wild sex,” I stated. “I’m down with that.”

Isadora opened the door to her bedroom and then shoved me onto the bed unapologetically.

“Strip off all your clothes while I prepare,” she ordered. Clearly this girl wanted to be the dominant in our upcoming fuck session.

I typically wasn’t used to being the submissive one, but fuck it—I was so turned on right now that Isadora could have ordered me to lather up in nutella and I would have complied.

I clumsily began tearing off my belt and jeans, all the while watching Isadora walk around the room, lighting up an array of candles in each corner.

“There’s more to sex than just the act of fucking,” she said as she gently lifted a flame to one of the candles. “That moment of climax where your body is in a state of complete release is one of the most powerful forms of magic in the world.”

I rubbed my massive erection and smiled. “I guess they missed that part in the Harry Potter books.”

Isadora smiled and brushed her long dark hair back over her ear. She was absolutely ravishing. I couldn’t fuck her fast enough.

“Sex is something that I’m well versed at. Delilah and I have shared many glorious moments together as well as many partners. I hope you don’t disappoint me Lincoln. Tonight, I want my release to be nothing short of satisfying.”

I snickered. Who did this girl think she was talking to? If there’s only one thing in this world I was good at, it’s satisfying a woman.

“Trust me, witch, when it comes to the female orgasm, I am the master.”

She undid the knot behind her tie around neck-dress and allowed it to fall onto the floor, revealing her magnificent breasts. I ached to roll her nipples around in my mouth.

Isadora walked over to me, slowly while swaying her hips. I rubbed my thumb over the top of my engorged head and licked my lips.

I was going to fuck this girl senseless.

Just as I was about to lock my lips onto hers, I felt a sharp, fleshy pain across my chest. I looked down.

The girl had just scratched me with her nails, drawing a small sliver of blood.

“Shit, girl. You’re even crazy in the bedroom.”

Isadora smiled. “Blood is an important part of magic as well. Why do you think virgins are always the ones to be sacrificed? Their hymens are broken, drawing sacred blood.”

Before I could say anything, her mouth enveloped mine and I felt my entire body liquefy to the insatiable heat of her kiss.

I grabbed the back of her head and ran my fingers through her hair. We devoured each other like untamed animals; one hand of Isadora’s fondling my balls while the other pumped my throbbing cock. My hands cupped her round, swollen breasts while our tongues attacked each other like the flames of a wildfire.

My lips explored the length of her neck, down to her collar bone, until finally finding their place on her breasts. My tongue rolled around her hard nipples, alternating between licking and sucking.

She crushed my face hard into her chest while her fingers found my own nipples. She pulled—hard—causing me to unleash a whelp.

“What’s the matter?” she asked. “You don’t like it rough?”

I grinned. “On the contrary,” I said, “I don’t know if you’ll be able to handle me.”

Isadora bit me on the shoulder, causing me to grunt.

“Show me what you got,” she teased.

I grabbed her by the throat with one hand and shoved her against the wall. My other hand lifted her left leg, exposing her sex and giving me full access.

Our mouths locked again—dancing, tasting, consuming.

She gasped as I thrust into her with no warning. Her wetness allowed me to glide in and out with ease. Her clenched muscles wrapped a tight seal around my cock, accentuating the pleasures of every one of my hard thrusts.

Isadora’s moans were a symphony to my ears. Suddenly I felt her body tense up as she unraveled under the strength of my cock. She had reached her climax.

She came for what seemed like minutes, her head buried deep in the crook of my neck, her urgent screams echoing throughout the bedroom. During her orgasm I remained relentless, slipping in and out of her with a furious rhythm.

Eventually, she looked me in the eye, smiled wickedly, and pushed me off of her with her foot.

“Hey, I haven’t come yet,” I pointed out. It must have sounded like a pathetic plea.

“You will,” she said, as she positioned herself by the door frame. She grabbed onto the sides and stretched out her body, opening up easy axis for rear entry.

Before I plunged into her again, I needed to lick her pussy. I wanted to know what her cum tasted like.

I knelt down and spread her legs further apart with my hands. I then buried my face into her rear, my tongue finding the folds of her sex.

Her moans grew louder with each firm stroke of my tongue. When the pad of my thumb found her clit, she practically lost it.

My heavy cock was aching and desperately needed some attention. I returned to my feet, grabbed her by the hips, and plunged into Isadora once more.

“Tonight, there’ll be no limits to your pleasure,” I growled as I buried myself deep into her. My hands grabbed a handful of her perfect ass, feeling the softness of her cheeks.

They could stand to have a little more red color. I spanked her, hard.

Immediately she withdrew from me, hissed, and then knocked me down to the floor. “I hit back,” she said as she spread her legs and squatted over me.

“I like a girl with fight in them,” I stated.

She slid down the full length of my cock, her pussy covering every inch. She balanced herself with her hands against my abs while the strength of her leg muscles propelled her up and down my shaft.

Fuck, what a glorious sight to behold.

I could come inside of her right then, filling her with my hot pleasure.

I refrained. I wanted to use my entire repertoire on Isadora.

We shifted to multiple positions, some requiring a keen imagination and extreme flexibility on her part. She was up for every challenge I posed to her, her pussy never failing to accept every inch of my engorged cock.

It took all my mental strength to refrain myself from coming—as explosive as it would have been. Isadora, on the other hand, erupted three more times by my count. There was nothing more satisfying to my ears than listening to the multiple orgasms of a good fuck partner.