Page 85 of Bound

I bit out a curse. “We should’ve been more careful, tried to find a way in that wouldn’t have tipped them off.”

“Things went sideways from the start. We have to focus on what we accomplished. We got Dad back. Kieran. And twenty other people who’d still be suffering every waking hour if we hadn’t gone in there and gotten them.” Cal ran his thumb along the edge of the paper cup. “It’s been hard these past few weeks, leaving my patients, not being sure what the future will hold. But maybe everything happens for a reason. I can be back at the ranch to help support Mom and Dad in whatever way they need. I’ve already told Guillermo and Vlad that I’ll provide trauma counseling for the people we recovered.”

“Any word on their families?”

“Most of them have already been reunited. There’s two, maybe three where we believe they were turned over voluntarily by their Alphas or at least with the knowledge of someone high up in the pack structure.”

“This thing smells rotten all the way around.”

“Trouble is, their memories are fractured, just like Topher’s were. Phoenix may have been responsible, or they may have another neuro-manipulator working with the covens. Guillermo says without the survivors being able to provide clear statements about what happened, there isn’t enough to formally charge their Alphas. There’s too much discontent right now within the packs between the unrest in the Vampire Nation and the threat from the human government. Brody is offering them asylum in our pack.”

Cal flicked a glance towards the double doors at the end of the hall, where River was pacing like a caged panther. “How are you and Topher after all of this?”

My phone buzzed.

I coughed. “Getting mated, actually.”

August stopped typing long enough to grab me in a bear hug. “Way to bury the lead, bro.”

“Sorry. With everything going on—"

“Whatever. I’m just so freaking happy for you guys.”

My phone buzzed again. Frowning when I saw who it was, I motioned towards the door. “Sorry, I gotta take this.”

I wandered down to the end of the hall and crouched down next to a rubbery looking Ficus plant. Taking a deep breath, I began to type.

West: What do you want? I told you not to contact me again.

Phoenix: Heard you’re engaged. I guess congratulations are in order.

West: You do know you come across as super creepy when you do shit like that, right? Even River has boundaries.

Phoenix: How long did it take for you to figure it out?

West: That you were a neuro-manipulator, too, or dickhead of the year?

Phoenix: Don’t be that way. And don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret. For now.

Bile rose in my throat. Not all neuro-manipulators could passively overhear thoughts to the degree River could. In fact, most couldn’t. But at some point, Phoenix must have gone into my memories and put the pieces together that I was an Omega.

West: We don’t sacrifice civilians as pawns in a power grab. Was Maddox Blake ever behind this, or have you been controlling him all along, too?

I remembered the warning River had issued weeks before. For some neuro-manipulators, eventually too much rewriting causes you to lose touch with what’s real and what’s not real. They become… damaged. Was this the result of years of using his gift without proper training and restraint, or had the possibility of turning dark existed in Phoenix all along, and I’d simply refused to see the signs?

Phoenix: I guess sushi night is out of the question?

A door shut. I glanced up to find River leaning against the wall, arms folded, watching me with knowing silver eyes. I pocketed my phone without answering the text.

“He applied to be a Tracer,” my brother said quietly. “Years before my training class. I pulled his records early this morning. Off-the-charts ability levels, even more powerful than his brother.”

“What happened?”

“Washed out of boot camp. Couldn’t take orders. When pushed, he tormented captives, trying to show off his power. He wasn’t there to protect and serve.”

“You never trusted him.”

River traced the scar that ran the length of his jaw. “The vampires, I expected to be shielded. With Phoenix… something didn’t feel right.” He tilted his head, frowning. “We should get back in there.”