Conrad, p.8
Conrad, page 8
The curious part of Kylo wanted to know what a trained assassin would have to go through that would prevent him from killing indiscriminately, especially when, from what he’d learned, the assassins had been trained to kill since they were children. People like Selina and her brothers, or Nico and Teilo—they were actually born in a lab specifically for assassin training. He wanted to argue that surely the reason for killing someone could vary, and provided the assassin believed he or she had reason enough, they’d do it, anyway.
Conrad was one of those trainees, too, with firsthand experience of the methods he referred to, so Kylo nodded. “Mom adores Selina. She’s going to be gutted about all this.”
“Your mom might prove to be our secret weapon against Selina,” Conrad said, holding him tightly for a second before letting him go. “Remember, Selina has never had a mom. If nothing else, she’s going to be curious about what makes your mom tick.”
“Do you have any good memories about your mom?” Kylo wanted to kick himself for asking when Conrad’s jaw tightened. Then, just as quickly, his mate relaxed.
“Not enough to go tracking her down,” he said tightly. “We need to get outside. Now I have her scent, it’s time to work out what Selina has been up to since she set us up to be shot yesterday. With luck, we’ll find your parents before dinner.”
Kylo prayed his mate was right.
Chapter Thirteen
Conrad
Conrad knew he was different and accepted it. It was just sometimes he wished he could be like everyone else and have happy memories from his childhood.
He quickly shook off the mood he seldom let get the better of him and went after Kylo. The sound of an engine and gravel spitting everywhere heralded the arrival of Kylo’s brothers.
Mao, Nori, and Felix all wore matching pissed expressions that suggested them leaving without any discussion wasn’t the best thing to have done.
But Conrad didn’t have time for tantrums and held up a hand when Mao’s lips parted as he exited the car before Nori pulled to a stop. “Nope, we don’t have time for that shit. I have the scent of Selina, and I am going to track her from the air. I suggest you four follow on foot.” To Kylo he said, “It’ll be safer.”
Kylo snorted. “I wasn’t planning on riding your dragon again anytime soon.”
Muffled laughter came from Nori as he looked between them, his hand over his mouth.
“Don’t even.” Kylo didn’t give his brother a chance to reply as he stripped and plonked his clothes inside the car. “You lot coming?”
Quickly Conrad did the same, liking that Kylo stood in front of him to conceal his naked body. “You’re so cute,” he murmured and kissed Kylo’s hot cheek before stepping back and letting his dragon out. He was going to have to mollify his lion, who was roaring in his head at not being the one to help.
I need to scent from above. In dragon form, I’m able to breach the wards easier.
Kylo stilled, his eyes narrowing on Conrad. Are you talking to me?
You heard that?
I did. God, it’s weird hearing your voice when I’m so used to it only being my brothers.
Conrad chuckled as his head filled with his animals. I’m used to hearing voices, but at least yours can’t make decisions for you at inappropriate moments.
Kylo’s head tilted to the side. What do you mean?
Ask me again when we have privacy.
“When you two have finished having a private chat,” snapped Mao, naked and not looking best pleased.
Conrad’s dragon dismissed the cranky brother and a large blue dragon took to the sky. They circled the house, scenting the air, then took off over the trees.
Conrad’s dragon kept tabs on the cats below who ran through the jungle. Black fur occasionally gleamed in the sunlight that penetrated the canopy. Conrad got a little anxious when they appeared to be heading back towards town and near to where the Putney house was.
Are you sure we’re not following her scent back to the Putney house where we know she’s been?
The loud snap of his dragon’s jaw told him to keep quiet. He inhaled the air, filtered the scents, and trusted his dragon.
Not mere seconds later, Conrad felt wards, similar to what he’d breached earlier, press against him. Whatever they had done to Selina, her magic was powerful.
He watched his mate and his brothers struggle to go through the protective layers, working on repelling them.
The surrounding pop was satisfying when he didn’t have a large man on his back to worry about upending this time. Looking for a spot to descend, Conrad’s dragon went to an open bit of land near the house but shielded from prying eyes.
It was a full two minutes later before the panthers appeared by which point Conrad had shifted to scout out the best way to get to the house with the high wall guarding it. He grinned at his mate, when he shifted and looked down at Conrad’s naked body with a look that caused Conrad’s cock to stir.
You like what you see?
You aren’t allowed to be sexy in front of my brothers.
It was difficult, but Conrad stopped himself from laughing aloud. Hey, what can I say? Being sexy comes naturally to some.
Kylo shook his head, though Conrad didn’t miss the amusement coming through their link. His attention returned to his brothers, and he got the feeling they were talking together by the way the cats were looking at Kylo.
Thirty seconds later, Mao and Felix remained in their panther form, whereas Nori was now standing naked on two legs, a look of disbelief on his face.
“Roiu’s house. She’s a twisted bitch! Mom will be beside herself over this,” Nori spat out through clenched teeth.
“I scented Mom. Can you smell her?” asked Kylo, his gaze going to the enormous wall surrounding the house sat in front of them that appeared to be Roiu’s.
As he was dead at Duron’s hand, Conrad supposed his adopted daughter had every right to use it. Just not for holding folks hostage.
“Yes. I scented her a few miles back, and it confused my cat initially, as she would have traveled this way in her cat form. However, the scent is fresh, not old.” He kept his voice low as he looked at Kylo. “How do we get in without her knowing we’re coming? Going through those wards was killer. My cat is none too happy right now.”
“Neither is mine. Whatever she uses as a repellant, it makes my fur crawl. Like I’ve fallen into a large vat of creepy crawlies, and they’ve gotten under my skin.”
At the mention of his most detested part of assassin training—not that Kylo knew that—Conrad shuddered. “I’ll easily get in.” His spider, which he didn’t like to think about most of the time, was ideal for this situation. It was small enough to go through cracks or up drainpipes. Sometimes it was the only way he’d be able to enter a house. He’d learned to value his spider form even when he hated them.
“You aren’t going in there alone. It was you she was trying to kill when she shot me. Anyway, how would you get in? Your animals aren’t that small, from what I’ve seen.”
“A spider can get in easily and into any space.”
“A spider!” Kylo gasped, looking at his body. “How is that even possible when you have a dragon inside you?”
“Please, as interesting as this is. We need to get Mom and Dad out of there, like now. We can discuss what Conrad is capable of later.”
Kylo nodded brusquely. We’ll talk about this later. Then added aloud. “How are we doing this?”
“I’ll need to help you through the wards. You’ll probably need a little push from my rhino to breach them. They are stronger again than the ones at the mansion the closer we get to the wall.”
“As long as you don’t drop me from a great height, we’ll be fine.”
Nori glanced between them in confusion. “Drop him?”
Conrad shrugged as Kylo blushed. “Let’s get on with this. Nori, Mao, and Felix wait for my signal, then get your backsides inside.”
Taking Kylo’s embarrassment into account, Conrad didn’t wait, and shifted into his rhino form, and put the large horn between his mate’s legs, being careful of his crown jewels. Ready?
As I’ll ever be.
With that confirmation, Conrad tossed him up and over the wall with enough force he could have brought the wall down if he’d touched it.
What the fuck! I said no flying or dropping, Kylo cried in his head.
Sorry. Conrad tried to sound contrite. I needed to get you high enough to get over the wall and through the wards.
When all there was but the faintest of thuds on the other side, Conrad’s rhino grinned at those around him, making them step back. Conrad didn’t let his rhino get offended and shifted into a monkey to clamber quickly up the wall and over the overside to see his mate already heading through the tree line towards the house.
Another swift change and Conrad chased after Kylo in cheetah form. At the house, Conrad looked back at Kylo, his cat smirking, before once more shifting, this time into his spider form. Kylo stared at him.
Whatever you do, don’t step on me!
There was a growling sound coming through their bond. Never. Now get in there and don’t get hurt. The next words warmed his soul. I’ll never forgive you if you leave me.
Conrad scurried over the concrete and up the first drainpipe he came to. He followed the sounds vibrating through the pipes that were voices, and female.
See, that was why no one could trust an assassin. There were three presences in the house. Two females. One had to be Selina. Conrad just knew it. His thoughts on the subject and what he knew about the assassin program all slotted together to make one very nasty surprise for his mates’ parents.
Anger registered as it buzzed against the hairs on his body. He picked up his pace when he felt Kylo’s concern.
Don’t do anything until I’m near. You hear me? Conrad warned his mate.
Chapter Fourteen
Kylo
In the distance, Kylo could hear his brothers arguing—a mass of words and hisses—but he didn’t have time to be worried about their concerns. They couldn’t get through the wards, and there wasn’t anything Kylo could do about it. He knew they were just as much concerned about him as they were about their parents. Kylo had his mate, and his parents in a house with a madwoman, and that just had to take precedence.
He crept as close as he dared, focused on the window where the sounds of talking from the people inside were the loudest. His heart beat faster as he heard the calm and measured tones of his mom. Raising five sons, she had a wealth of experience with stressful situations and always kept her cool.
Kylo’s eyes widened when he heard a female response. Selina can speak! In all the time he’d known her, the woman had never ever said a word out loud, so that was one hell of a shock. What else has she lied about?
Kylo had to hear what was being said. He knew his mate was slowly making his way into the room his parents were being held in. He’d felt Conrad’s brief measure of despair earlier and wondered what had triggered such a response. Then he wanted to hit himself—he was asking his mate to save his parents when Conrad didn’t have any of his own. It’ll be fine, Kylo decided. He had full confidence his mom would make up for Conrad’s lack in a very short time, much as she had with Teilo and Nico when they’d been introduced.
They had to work to get his mom and dad free first. Kylo strained to listen. The wards Selina had around the house played havoc with his senses and made his skin crawl. He could just hear his mom.
“Selina, sweet child, I don’t understand why you’re doing this. You look so stressed. Surely you know I’d do anything to help you if I can.”
“They took my family.” The words were sharp, but the tone was almost melodic, beautiful, enticing the listener to pay attention.
Another part of her training? Maybe she’s part siren?
“Who took your family, Selina dear? I have to confess, I didn’t think you had anyone but Roiu. You have to remember, my husband and I have been traveling. Clearly, there are things that have happened which caused your distress. Did you go to Kylo about this?
“Kylo!” Outside, Kylo winced at the explosive sound. “He’s part of the problem, don’t you see? Bringing in the others…” Tilting his head, Kylo got the impression from the way the sound waves were moving that Selina was pacing.
“He brought in the abominations. They killed my brothers. They took my father, and now your Kylo keeps him from me.”
“That is so very sad.” Kylo’s mom was still so calm, and Kylo loved her for it, even through his worry. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had a family, child, and to lose them is a terrible thing to go through. I’m so sorry for your loss. But you’re not being very clear. How is my son keeping your father away from you? Is your father in jail for some reason? Only I’m sure Kylo could…”
“My father is just gone. Gone. Gone!” Selina’s voice rose, and it was uncanny how beautiful the sound was, even in her anger. Kylo shook himself. Perhaps it’s just as well we hadn’t heard her speak before.
“Don’t you see? He was my construct. My creation…”
Kylo reared back, sure he had heard wrong, that maybe the wards were distorting the words somehow. If anything, Selina was James’ creation, made from his DNA.
“They thought I was weak because I was a girl. They didn’t know what I know.” Selina laughed, and the sound chilled Kylo to the core.
“Selina, child, I am sure this is all just one big misunderstanding. Why don’t we go back to the house—the house you warded to keep us all safe, don’t you remember?”
Clearly, Kylo’s mom realized she was dealing with a crazy person. She was right, but not for the reasons she was likely thinking.
“The wards are nothing.” Selina was pacing again. “A way to keep tabs on those who seek to hurt me. Did you know… Did you know how long your precious Kylo has sought to find my father? Twenty years of his life chasing a ghost.”
Kylo’s mom chuckled, she actually chuckled, and from outside of the house Kylo admired how strong his mom was even as he worried about where Conrad was. In his spider form, he’d be so vulnerable…
“Selina, now, don’t you think you’re being a bit silly? If your father is already a ghost, then you can’t be angry at Kylo for not knowing where he is. Look, what I think has happened is that you’ve had some kind of upset, perhaps over the death of your brothers, which is always difficult to deal with. We can help you. We always have. You’ve known us since you were a sweet waif found in the jungle. Do you remember? I gave you the first cookie you’d ever had.”
“It was a lovely cookie.” Selina’s voice was so quiet it was difficult to hear. “I’m not silly, and it’s you that doesn’t understand. Your son is the one that brought all this chaos to the jungle.”
“Kylo? I’m lost, honey.”
“It was Ben first, then it was Kylo,” Selina hissed. “Bringing men here who could track me down, invading my home, invading my space, taking my father away from me!”
“I’m really not sure—”
Kylo didn’t find out what his mom was unsure of, although he imagined it was a fair bit. He and his brothers had deliberately kept the nature of the threats and what they’d found from their parents in an effort to keep them safe. That was all irrelevant, because Selina screamed, “I should kill you, and then your precious sons will know what I feel!”
No. Not happening. Kylo didn’t have a clue where Conrad was, and that was a worry, but he would not stand by while Selina lost her shit and harm his parents. For all Conrad’s talk about her not killing anyone without reason, his mate was assuming they had trained Selina the same way he had been.
It was clear, from what Selina was saying, that she believed she had good reason to kill his parents. In everything that had happened, his mom and dad were truly innocent in all the shit that’d gone down. If Selina had an issue with him, and clearly she did, then she could face him and leave his parents out of it.
Calling on every ounce of strength his cat had, Kylo braced himself against the pain he knew the wards would cause him and flung himself through the glass of the window he was listening at. The pain was like someone had taken daggers and dragged them through his fur, but he was through, and Kylo would thank his mating with Conrad for that.
His mom gasped, and Selina screamed. Kylo had just enough time to notice his father had something stuffed in his mouth which would explain why he hadn’t said anything, before he leaped and launched himself at the woman who threatened his mom.
It registered, barely, Conrad’s voice yelling, “Mate, no,” before his body exploded in a mass of pain. Worse than being shot, worse than finding out about Selina’s betrayal, worse than fighting through the wards to save his mom. When he landed on the wooden floor, Kylo felt the cuts of a million knives before darkness welcomed him.
Chapter Fifteen
Conrad
In the room, Conrad made good progress, listening to Selina’s lunacy. Her voice was hypnotic and more than a little creepy. His spider form meant communication was harder, yet as he sensed Kylo’s conviction to get to his parents at the genuine threat, he tried to reach out.
Wait, Kylo. I’m here. I’ll protect them.
In the following split second, Conrad swore at Kylo, who didn’t appear to hear him. Kylo had become focused on the threat and saving his parents, and Conrad felt Kylo’s intention.
Conrad, left with no choice, shifted as Kylo breached the wards hard enough that the room shook them as if they were amid an earthquake. Pain came through their bond and tore at Conrad’s soul. He could do nothing in that moment to take that pain from his mate, no matter how much he wanted to.
Conrad gained his footing. His instinct to fight, to survive and protect, came fast. A gasp and a scream followed. The scream was unholy and came from the woman, who wore the feral look of a cornered animal, staring at Kylo.
