Taming Amanda (Book 1) Jacob's Broken Mercenaries

Chapter 22

Austin

I wake up to a grumbling voice and look over at Amanda curled in my arm. She's deep in sleep I'm in my hut, and it's bright. The heat is already overwhelming. There's a dark spot on my right, and I find the source of the grumble. Wrath stands over me with his arms crossed. I lift a threatening brow, but he doesn't budge. I reluctantly roll Amanda to her side and quietly exit the tent.

"You must go home at once."

I look at him, rubbing my eyes and indulging in a stretch.

"What is this about?"

He makes an impatient noise,

"It is Rosa, she has gone into hiding and I can not reach her where she's gone. It's convenient since her time is up in mere hours."

I yawn slowly, making sense of his words,

"So go to Jacob, ask him where she is."

"Do not you think I have tried?"

Man, his tone is annoying. I want to go back to bed with Amanda-wait a minute,

"Jacob wouldn't tell you?"

"He was not there. The little one named Tally was the only one at your establishment, and she is closed-lipped, I can get no information from her."

Panic clears my mind and sharpens my senses.

"Your only now telling me!"

Wrath is confused by my anger, but I don't have time to explain. I wake Amanda and materialize home, leaving wrath with a puzzled look and his hands in the air.

Tally is at the kitchen, burning a grilled cheese.

"Where are they!?"

She jumps with a yelp, dropping the burnt bread on the floor.

"Holly crap, chill! They're in the heavens."

She picks up the sandwich, brushing it off.

"All of them?"

"Yes, all of them. They are bringing back an oracle."

I relax, and she calms her snarky attitude.

"you couldn't have told me that?"

I turn to see Wrath has followed me, and I glare at him.

"You! You need to leave right now. If she decides to go, you will know it. Until then, back off."

My brows climb my forehead at Tally's vigor. Even I choose my words carefully when it comes to Wrath, he is a formidable force. Wrath responds to me through grinding teeth,

"If she doesn't show, I'm holding you responsible!"

He leaves, and I rub my temples; I feel a headache coming on. Amanda rubs my shoulders, placing a kiss on my neck.

"Is that? Whoa, what did I miss?"

I look at Tally, who is pointing at Amanda's left hand.

Shrill screams ensue from both sides, and I back out of the room slowly, making a run for the shower. I don't like separating from Amanda, but this moment is the exception.

When I get out, everyone is back. I find Amanda in the library. The three girls are clamored together, researching wedding dresses and décor. I hear Jacob talking to Jace in the living room.

"I'm guessing everything went well?"

Jacob smiles, taking weeks of wear off his face.

"It was uneventful, what's this I hear about your new queen?"

I throw my hands up, uncomfortable being the center of attention, and he knows it.

"Where's this oracle?"

"Being shown to Amanda's room, I'm sure she can bunk with you considering the circumstances."

I smile, acknowledging the many recent changes in my life,

"absolutely."

Jacob grabs my shoulder to ensure I'm paying attention.

"As happy as I am for you, this is no honeymoon. You're going to have to put your life on hold for a time, both of you. We need more help than what we have. I'm going to get you and Grayson to go on a hunt and track down species to fight for this cause."

Jesus, is this guy really that bad?

"He's been at this his entire life. He's got more than one operation I'm working with the angels to gather more info but the favors are starting to pile up, they're going to start calling on them and when that happens I have to be able to depend on you."

We barely made it out of this last attempt to stop him. I loath to admit, but whatever angle this guy is working it's definitely effective.

"I hate leaving decisions up to Grayson, and Elliot has been... different."

I scoff,

"That's putting it mildly."

"Can I depend on you? Will the fae understand?"

I pause, thinking, and the headache I managed to curb in the shower comes rushing back.

"They will have to."

"What about Rosa, will Wrath wait?"

Ha, now that's pushing it.

"Not likely! He was badgering me today about it. This is one obstacle we can't get around. He could cause a lot of trouble, demolish the whole setup for me if he doesn't get what he wants, and he's dead set on this agreement."

Jacob nods his consensus and the breath I was holding billows out. One catastrophe avoided is better than none. I'm starting to get concerned with this development. In all my years with Jacob, and all the uprisings we've curbed. I've never come close to death, and Jacob has never lost sleep or weight. This Robert has got to go and anyone working with him. Speaking of,

"What are his connections?"

His tone is contrite when he admits he knows nothing. That's probably why we have an oracle bunking with us.

"Should we be going back into hiding?"

"No, not at this time... I'm on the brink of finding out how he's managing the impossible. You and I both know money can only take a human so far when it comes to deals with our species."

He comes in closer, lowering his voice.

"Someone on our side is helping him and when I figure out who it is. His or her days are numbered."

I look around and don't see anyone in the room. Jace has left, and the hallway is quiet.

"Do you think it's one of us?"

A sly smile slowly forms, and I understand why he's been so unstable.

"It would make sense, and I can't rule it out yet."

My mind scrambles at the insane accusation, and I try to imagine who of our small group could possibly be the culprit. All I can do is hope he's wrong...