43

"On one condition."

"And what's that?" Niko looked over at Savannah from the driver's seat. As he drove her and Cale to Hierapolis City, Savannah was using the time to straighten out a few things.

Niko's proposal of turning rogue at first seemed preposterous, but she was slowly warming to the benefits of the idea. In order to play Zion's game, she'd have to think like him, act like him, and live on the wild side of life--for a little while, anyway.

"I'll go rogue as long as I don't have to do anything illegal."

Cale choked on a laugh from the backseat.

"What?" She spun around and glared at him.

"The very state of being a rogue is illegal."

"Not all rogues are automatically criminals," Niko defended, rolling his eyes at the simplistic generalisation of Cale's opinion. "Just like not all Alphas are saints."

"I can agree with you on that," Savannah nodded her head. "So, do we have a deal? I don't want to break any laws or hurt anybody unnecessarily in our hunt for Zion."

"Can't guarantee that, sweetheart. Being a rogue does require a little blurring of the lines every now and then."

"Well, then it's a good thing I have great vision. I can spot the line between right and wrong from a mile away," Savannah declared emphatically. There would be no more compromising situations, no more actions to be ashamed of, and certainly no partying, drinking, or thieving. This Alpha was going to be the best rogue that ever lived.

"Sure, whatever you say," Niko looked at her sideways with a knowing smile.

"Don't give me that look. I'm being serious!" She punched him in the arm.

"What look? You mean this look?" Niko turned back to the road and concentrated with all his attention. He couldn't stop the twitch in his lips as if suppressing a smirk, earning himself another punch in the arm from the irate Alpha.

Before they arrived at Zion's old house, they began planning their next move. Niko had some ideas about who in town would have been in contact with Zion, and figured they might know of his plans. Apparently Tas and Chayton weren't responding to any of his texts, nor were Willow and Talei.

So he was beyond annoyed to find Talei at the house when they arrived, casually painting her nails while her phone sat unanswered on the table beside her. With music blasting through bluetooth speakers, Niko practically walked up to her and gave her the fright of her life before she realised they'd entered.

"Don't give me a heart attack!" she swore at him before glaring at Cale and Savannah as if they were intruders. "And you," she pointed a finger at Savannah. "You have some nerve. Breaking Zion's heart like you did, then prancing back in here all high and mighty like you own the place," she accused, her tone biting.

"I--uh.. What did I do?" Savannah stuttered, taken completely off guard by the shewolf's outlandish statements. Broke his heart?! Is that the story he was spreading? What about the state of her own heart that he had trampled all over with his lies and mistreatment?

"Just kidding!" Talei cracked a smile, slinging both arms around Savannah and pulling her in for a hug. "Good to see you again, Sis. Wasn't sure I would, given the way you ended things with our main man."

"I didn't end things, he's the one who left--"

"And then there's the whole murdered lord of Council thing, so I figured you'd be trying to forget you ever met Zion, but here you are for some crazy reaso--"

"I'm here to find Zion. I want to save him."

Talei stopped rambling when Savannah interrupted, her jaw slackening in disbelief. "Come again? You want to find him?"

"The entire Council and all the Alphas on the continent are looking for him," Niko informed her, laying his documents and folders on the table. "We figure, to prevent him from being caught by the authorities, we have to find him first."

"Then what?" Talei blinked, waving a hand subconsciously back and forth to dry her nails.

"Then, we give him a deal," Savannah said.

"What kind of deal?"

"That's really not important right now," Cale said quickly, catching his Alpha's eye and slightly shaking his head. They really hadn't discussed this part of the plan much yet, and it definitely needed more work before they could make any promises.

"Can you tell us where Zion went? What happened when he returned yesterday? What did he say? Anything is useful right now," Savannah turned back to Talei and questioned her intently.

"What's in it for me?" The blonde rogue leaned back in her chair and narrowed her eyes languidly, as if the idea of helping out her rogue leader only interested her if she would benefit somehow.

"How about your eyeballs remain inside your head?" Cale offered, pulling up his own chair and leaning forward to stare at Talei seriously.

"Why so touchy all of a sudden?" She gave him a small smirk. "I thought we had fun together."

"Tal, no games!" Niko thumped a particularly large folder on the table in front of her. "These are the charges Zion will face once arrested. The sentences would be even longer. So unless you want a share in his fortunes, I suggest you start talking."

"Well, no need to get all huffy. 'Course I'll talk. I just wanted to make sure you had his best interests at heart. Turns out, you do." She shoved the folder back towards Niko without opening it. "And you, Missy," she looked at Savannah with a gleam in her eyes, "had better watch your back. Because once you start playing this game, there's no stopping until everyone loses."

Savannah squinted her eyes in perplexity. "That doesn't make any sens--"

"I'll tell you what I know. When Zion returned from your stupid little Alpha tea party, he was different. More upset than I've ever seen him. I had no idea what triggered him, but I pieced together what happened after watching the exciting news on tv. That mongrel Alistair finally got what was coming for him, I say," Talei rubbed her hands together gleefully. "Always knew he was making shady deals with the mafia--"

"Talei, the point!" Niko slapped the table with his open palm.

"Okay, okay! He didn't tell me anything, only that he wanted the guys by his side, and Willow running point from the van. They didn't need me apparently, which sucks majorly because I've always wanted to go to Catalya--"

"He's going to the Islands of Catalya?" Savannah interjected.

"Well, he did. Then he came back because the auction was a farce. The Lava Mount ruby was never on the Islands, so he's back at square one. But as I was saying, since I've been ditched from his all-exclusive team, I've now got more time for shoplifti— I mean shopping. Yay!"

"Talei!" they all shouted at her in unison.

"I overheard him talking about needing carbines!" she spilled quickly, lifting her hands in surrender.

"Carbines?" Niko swore under his breath. "Figures."

"What about them? Does this help us?" Savannah pressed.

"Only one place to get proper military grade M4 carbines in this city," he looked to Talei.

"Ayame's. I assume he went there yesterday before heading off."

Savannah felt like banging her head on a brick wall, but was compelled to ask anyway. "Heading off where?"

Talei shrugged.

"Come on." Niko instantly stood and tore off his jacket and tie. "Let's pay Ayame a visit before her place gets busy."

"Who's Ayame, if you don't mind me asking?" Cale asked hesitantly as they all climbed into Niko's car. He'd learnt by now to be wary of any new adventure the rogues dragged him into.

Talei grinned cheerily. "She owns a club on Merlo Avenue. The place is pumping, especially when she starts handing out the good stuff, you know what I mean?" She wiggled her eyebrows, and Savannah just shook her head cluelessly.

Niko met her eyes in the rear view mirror. "Happy pills, cookies, kool aid..." When she appeared even more confused, he rolled his eyes. "LSD, ecstasy, and meth. That sort of thing."

"Drugs?" Savannah gasped. "Oh, no way. There is no way on the planet you'll get me to do drugs."

"Relax. I'd never dream of it," Talei patted her on the arm, her tone probably trying to sound reassuring but coming out sarcastic. "I've seen you drunk, and believe me, I definitely don't want to see you high."

"Ayame doesn't open till nine, so now's a good time to drop in," Niko said as he parked on a busy street in downtown Hierapolis, the buildings glittering with lights despite the early time of day. Thumping music drifted down from darkened alleys and stairs leading up to concealed venues.

Savannah shared an uneasy look with her Gamma before following Niko up the stairs into an even darker room, strobing lasers casting the only light on tables, a bar, and dance floor.

The place was quiet except for the music, the floor empty besides a young guy meticulously washing glasses behind the counter. He eyed them curiously as they entered, his dark eyes giving nothing away of his thoughts.

Savannah felt queasy just being here, as she thought of all the revelry, shady deals, and soul-numbing activities that went on under cover of a good time. The place smelt stale, the stench of alcohol strong while a hint of something metallic and bitter lurked in the corners.

"Is White Bird here?" Niko strode purposefully to the counter and asked the young man.

He clenched his jaw, his eyes shifting sideways under Niko's intense stare. "She's out back," he eventually muttered.

Niko pushed through a door that Savannah hadn't even noticed, and they followed him down a dark hall that led to a large storeroom of sorts. The scent of blood smacked them in the face at the same time Niko was slammed against the wall without warning.

A short woman with lightning blonde hair pinned her forearm against his neck, her other hand hidden in the folds of his leather jacket at his stomach.

Savannah assumed she had a knife pressed against Niko, and prepared herself for a fight.

"What are you doing here?" the woman hissed, her accent foreign, her voice roughened with emotion. Tattoos of ravens in flight decorated her entire left arm, spiraling to her shoulder where the tip of a feathered wing showed from under a leather vest.

"Nice to see you too, Ayame."

She glared at him. "You've got a lot of nerve coming here after..." Her voice broke, her body sagging a fraction.

In that moment of distraction, Niko twisted free and gripped the wrist that was holding a small dagger to his belly.

"Tell me what's going on, White Bird," he whispered, eyeing her intently as her face crumpled. Beneath dark makeup, her irises were even darker than midnight, her almond eyes wide with alertness. When she turned to look around them, Savannah took the moment to survey the room.

"Oh my..." Cale gasped, holding a hand to his mouth at the sight of the carnage before them.

At least six bodies were lying on the floor, crumpled over crates, or sagging in chairs. Blood pooled in crimson stains around them, the wall spattered with the hue while weapons lay limply in dead hands or across lifeless chests.

"If you've come to finish the job, get it over with," Ayame said flatly, her fingers releasing so her own weapon fell to the floor with a sharp clatter.

"Tell me who did this," Niko demanded, subtly angling his body to shield Ayame's from the grisly scene.

"Like you don't already know," she spat, tugging her wrist free and stepping back from him. She wrapped her arms around her midsection, hugging herself against the cold that pervaded the room.

"Would I be here if I did? I came to ask about Zion. Was he here?"

"Ha," she gave a shaky chuckle. "Mr F approached me a few hours ago, asking for my strongest firepower. I refused when he showed me rolls of traceable cash. You know, the stuff you guys have marked with invisible ink so cops can track us."

"What happened then?" Niko pushed, choosing to ignore her dig.

"About an hour later a gang of five men in masks came knocking. They didn't even ask questions or try to make a deal. They just shot my men and took what they could carry... Practically the entirety of the latest shipment." She motioned to the empty crates. "I figure Mr F got what he wanted after all."

"You think we did this? That Zion works like this?" Niko was aghast, looking at her incredulously.

"Why not?" Savannah asked, kneeling down to inspect a bullet wound on the chest of one of the dead men. She couldn't help seeing Alistair's face superimposed on the body. "He's known for this kind of thing," she spat on the ground, trying and failing to remove the metallic taste that permeated the air.

"Savannah, this isn't his work. He doesn't kill just to get what he wants. It must have been someone else." Niko walked through the carnage, studying the scene in a methodical, investigative way.

"You really have no idea what Zion is up to?" Ayame asked tersely, the fight not having left her voice nor her body. She stood feet apart, arms crossed as if ready for a fight.

But Savannah didn't miss the tremble in her fingers or the quiver in her lips. It was as if her strong pose could hold her together against the heartbreak of such loss.

"He's planning something big considering the weapons he wanted," Talei said, carefully lifting the lid of a crate to inspect the empty stuffing, then running a finger along the name of weapon stamped on the outside. Even Savannah recognised the powerful assault rifle.

"Damn it," Niko cursed, having bent down beside a body and closely studied his face.

"What is it?" Savannah dared to ask, crossing the room to his side. Her nose wrinkled at the sight of the man's face disfigured with slashes across his left cheek, leading to the side of his head. A deep wound seeped blood where his ear should have been.

"Hell's Saints."

"The human gang?"

"They leave a signature at every scene like this. A calling card. Their leader likes to collect certain appendages from his victims. An eye. A finger. A nose or ear. It leaves a message."

"My brother must have heard something he shouldn't have," Ayame spoke with a tremor in her voice. On the verge of tears, she trailed her fingers over her brother's face, closing his glassy eyes.

"Maybe he knew Zion's plans, and the Saints wanted the info?" Talei asked no one in particular. Then she continued, looking at Ayame directly. "Was there anything Zion said that could—"

"I can't believe you're still asking me. Like I'd help you out after Mr F tried exposing me."

"Well, he always did tell you to quit dealing," Talei raised her eyebrows. "You should have learned by now."

Niko shot her a dark look, but the rogue shewolf just shrugged as if she couldn't care less about being sensitive at a time like this.

"I want you gone, now. All of you," Ayame stood abruptly and frowned at Niko and Talei. The darkness, fueled by the pain of loss, was unmistakable in her eyes.

"If you can think of anything—" Niko began but was cut short.

"Leave me be, detective." With a dip of her chin, her face was concealed behind a curtain of shiny hair. Still, the emotion she was hiding wasn't hard to read in the rigid posture of her body.

"Detective...ouch," Talei muttered under her breath to Savannah. Clearly, there was history between the two.

Niko tried one last time. "Look after yourself, White Bird," he said tenderly, lifting a hand to brush the side of her face.

She angled away from his touch, causing him to drop his hand sorrowfully. For a moment he just stood still, appearing to restrain himself, struggling to keep his arms by his side instead of instinctively wrapping them around her.

Then he turned and walked silently from the room. Savannah followed after giving a nod of respect to the grieving woman, then breathed a sigh of relief when they stepped out onto the street and into fresh air.

"If it's that lunatic rogue you're after, I may know where to find him."

They all jumped at the sudden sound of a deep voice.

Spinning around, Savannah watched a man detach from the shadowy alley and stalk towards them.

"Darek?" Talei asked, peering into the dark street.

"You mean like the computer nerd? Didn't Phoenix mention something about him helping us?" Cale nudged Savannah and whispered quietly.

"One and the same," she groaned, rolling her eyes at the greasy look Darek was giving her. Clearly, he remembered the last time they crossed paths in an entirely different way to how she recalled the disturbing event.

"Ahh, Phoenix," Darek grinned and cocked an eyebrow. "He always was the smartest of Zion's gang. Where is he, anyway?" he asked, moving his eyes over them quickly as a frown creased his brow.

"He left this stinking city and joined my pack," Savannah replied haughtily.

"Well, then he's an idiot," Darek scowled. "Nothing beats the rogue life."

"What do you know of rogues and packs?" Cale questioned suspiciously. "You're just a human."

He made a good point, and Savannah bristled in anticipation of the answer.

"I live in Hierapolis," Darek spread his hands to motion around him, as if that fact alone explained everything. "Wolves make up twenty percent of the population. So yes, I know a thing or two about how a pack works. And you, my dear Savannah, are the cutest Alpha I ever met," he gave her a wink.

She smacked his hand aside when he held it out to her.

"Aah, yes, I know you're an Alpha," he continued to explain in response to her confused expression. "I figured it out the moment I abducted you."

"To be clear, I let you abduct me. Big difference." She recalled playing weak and letting him drag her down a dark alley. It would have been so easy to punch the living daylights out of him, but it was somewhat funny to see a puny human strut around with so much bravado.

"Tomato tomahto," he shrugged airily. "But let's get back on topic. You want Zion. So do I. That computer chip he gave me doesn't work, and I'm demanding a refund," he pointed a finger at Niko accusingly.

"That's because it wasn't a real chip in the first place. He was using it to track you," Niko responded blandly, causing Darek's face to turn an odd shade of purple.

"When I get my hands on him, I'm going to--"

"You'll have to get in line," Savannah interrupted. "Can we please get moving? The daylight is fading and we're not far behind him, if Ayame can be trusted. I'd like to hurry up if you're done squabbling over a stupid piece of computer junk."

"Hey! It's not stupid. If it worked correctly, I could have used it to hack into the Nebula satellite that orbits earth nightly, and tracked Zion's moves with just my laptop. Now I can't, and who's fault is that? And on the same topic, who's crawling to me for help? Huh? I'd like an apology." Darek stepped up to Niko and puffed out his chest, jutting his jaw and propping his hands on his hips in a show of intimidation.

Savannah nearly laughed at his display of confidence. With one flick of his finger, the rogue investigator could probably knock Darek to the pavement.

Niko growled. "Enough of your theatrics. We all know you just wanted to be part of our gang. Well here's your chance, buddy. So start talking or else my fists will," he threatened, staring down his nose at Darek who shrank back slightly from the force of the wolf's dominance.

"Alright! Fine. No need to get all huffy. Let's grab a coffee, sit down, and talk about this like civilised gentlema--"

Darek's words were cut short when Niko shoved him against the wall, pressing his throat closed with his long fingers. "Answer the damn question now!"

Darek's eyes widened and he wet his lips with his tongue before blurting, "The men who did that to Ayame...they're the Hell's Saints!"

"I already knew that," Niko growled, pushing him harder against the wall.

"They had nothing personal against White Bird's gang, but were just acting under Lucifer's orders."

"Lucifer?" The name set off alarm bell's in Savannah's head. "The man who might have paid Alpha Bastien to kill Zion's mate?"

"I don't know anything about Zion's mate," Darek stuttered, beginning to gasp for air.

Niko loosened his grip on his neck, but only slightly. "What's this Lucifer got to do with Hell's Saints? Why would they answer to him?"

"Cos he's their boss," Darek answered matter of factly. Then his lips twitched with a smirk. "Wait...you didn't know that, did you? Haha--ow!" he yelped when Niko stomped on his foot.

"But... Hell's Saints have been trying to kill Zion for ages. Remember that morning on the bridge when they attacked us?" Savannah wondered out loud, recalling the first morning she'd followed Zion to watch the sunrise over the river, and ended up taking a swim with a bullet in her shoulder. Good memories. Definitely a story they'd be telling their grandchildren. "Zion went back and killed them the next day." Okay, maybe they'd leave out that part.

"So Lucifer wants revenge?" Niko tapped his chin in thought.

"What was it you said about Lucifer paying Alpha Bastien? Maybe that is connected somehow," Cale asked his Alpha.

"Yeah, he traced the money that was wired to Bastien after the hit, and found it led to a bank account in Catalya, under Lucifer's alias. So it sounds like they both want each other dead." Savannah shivered at the implications of the spiralling situation.

"Sounds like it's way too messy and we don't want to get involved any more than we already are," Talei spoke up. "I mean, think about the weapons now in the Saints' hands. Let's just go home, eat pizza, and let Zion do his own thing. I'm not craving a bullet through my chest anytime soon."

"Good idea. We'll discuss this at the house." Niko released Darek long enough to free his hand and instead grab the collar of his jacket. Pulling him along roughly, they all climbed into Niko's car and drove off silently.

Savannah gazed unseeing out the window, watching the city lights go by while her mind whirled with the new pieces of information. The weapons in that club were enough to fuel a small war, and she hated the fact her mate was in the middle of an intercontinental revenge plot. It was only a matter of time before this ruthless gang boss called Lucifer caught up to him and enacted his evil plans.

The appearance of a familiar face out the window snapped her from her miserable thoughts. "Stop the car!" she yelled at Niko, and tumbled out the door as soon as he came to a screeching halt.

She ran back up the path that fronted a primary school, and waded through children just released from class. Waiting under a stunted tree was a little girl with brown braids and vibrant eyes. "Hey Darya! Remember me?" Savannah knelt down to her level just as a woman came up behind her.

"Who are you?"

Savannah spun to address the shewolf who she immediately sensed was a rogue with no ties to a pack. "Hi. I'm Savannah, Zion's mate." Standing to her full height, she refused to be cowed by the woman's intense gaze, and instead gave her her most polite greeting.

"Oh. so you're the Alpha everyone's talking about." The woman said the title with an undisguised sneer.

"Yes, I'm an Alpha," Savannah confirmed proudly, almost daring the other woman to insult her again.

The shewolf arched an eyebrow and gave Savannah a disapproving once over. "So, is this what they look like these days?"

Savannah looked down at herself, at her ripped jeans and combat boots, black tank covered with an even darker leather jacket. Her grunge look was completed with smoky eye makeup that definitely veiled her true nature. "I'm undercover as a rogue."

She practically snorted. "Whatever you say. But listen here; you stay away from us and don't ever approach Darya again."

"But I'm her father's mate! We're practically family," Savannah smiled, doing her best to appear calm when all she wanted to do was scream. Zion's daughter and her nanny would surely know where he was or at least part of his plans. If she could just ask—

The woman pushed back her thick frizzy hair behind her ears, revealing high cheekbones and fierce jawline, then narrowed her eyes.

Savannah's throat tightened at the obvious animosity this woman projected. Whoever she was, she took her job seriously.

She hissed through clenched teeth, "It was Zion himself who told me to keep her away from you."