aYouall survive this,a she told him. aIall be right there to make sure youall make it out alive, even if I have to drag your b.l.o.o.d.y body out of the Wood on my back. I still have a challenge left, and I will stump you with it.
You wonat rob me of my victory, Lord Camarine.a A light sparked in his eyes. aIall have to postpone my dying then.a aYou do that,a she told him. aI donat know what will become of this thing between you and me, but no brainsick blueblood crackpot is going to take away my chance to find out.a aHave you made up your mind, then?a he asked.
aAbout what? About surrendering to your manly charms?a aYes.a aNot yet,a she said. aIam still thinking about it.a aIs there anything I can do to persuade you?a He leaned forward, a dangerously focused expression on his face. His green eyes turned warm and wicked, and she froze, snared in his stare.
aI canat think of anything,a she murmured.
He was close, entirely too close, only a couple of inches away.
She saw his lips, curving in a sly smile, a network of thin scars by his left eye, his long eyelashes . . .
aAre you sure, Miss Drayton?a he asked, his voice low and husky.
aIam sure,a she whispered, and then he closed the distance between them.
His hand cupped the back of her head, and he kissed her. She opened her mouth, tasted iced tea and Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer ( Declan. He smelled of sweat, mixed with light sandalwood musk and sun-kissed skin. She would recognize his scent anywhere, just as she would recognize the strength in the arms around her. He held her as if daring the world to come over and make an issue of it. She let herself sink into that embrace, sliding her hands up the hard muscles of his chest to his neck and to his short hair. He pulled her closer, kissing harder, hungrier, and she licked the inside of his mouth and molded herself to him. Declan growled, a very male possessive sound that sent a thrill from her neck down her spine.
The floor behind them creaked. They broke apart a fraction of a second before the door swung open. Rose stared straight ahead, trying to catch her breath.
aWell, it took some doing, but they decided to help you,a Grandmaas voice said behind her. aWe have a plan, or some semblance of one. Tomas coming out to explain it to you. Heas all excited at playing soldier again.
What exactly happened to the two of you? You look like you got into my pantry and ate all of my jam.a aWeare fine,a Rose managed, stealing a glance at Declan. He looked halfway between sh.e.l.l-shocked and frustrated.
aAll right then.a lonoreas tone plainly said she wasnat sure what they were selling, but she sure as h.e.l.l wasnat buying it. She lingered for another long breath, shook her head, and went inside.
aWe need a barn,a Declan said.
aWhat?a aA barn,a he said, with the gravity of a commander planning an attack. aWe need a barn or one of those storage areas for the Broken vehicles.a aA garage?a Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer ( He gave her a short nod. aA private, relatively remote location, with thick walls to dampen the sound and preferably a st.u.r.dy door I could bolt from the inside, keeping your grandmother, your brothers, and all other painfully annoying spectators out . . .a Rose began to laugh. A make-out bunker . . .
aIam glad you find our dilemma hilarious,a he said dryly.
Tom Buckwell emerged onto the porch then and squeezed his giant body between the two of them. aHereas the deal. Attacking Ca.s.shorn head-on is straight out, because heas got too many hounds with him, right?a aRight,a Rose said.
aTo get to Ca.s.shorn, you need to nuke the hounds. To nuke the hounds, you have to separate them from Ca.s.shorn or attack him at his lair. This is what guys in the Broken call a catch-22. Hereas how Iam going to make your day . . . you do have ranks in the Weird, donat you?a aWe do,a Declan said.
aWhat was yours?a aLegionnaire First Cla.s.s.a aWhat is that? Is that like an officer?a aNo,a Declan said.
aAn NCO, then.a Tom grinned. aI was a Staff Sergeant myself. Suppose I call you aSergeant,a would you go with that?a aThat will be fine,a Declan said.
aGood then, Sahgent.a Rose rolled her eyes. Funny how asergeanta became asahgenta all of a sudden, and Tom had morphed from a surly bear into Declanas best buddy, all smiles and camaraderie. It was a cla.s.sic Edge tactic. Shead seen it employed with outsiders before. The six elders didnat know Declan, they had no way of verifying the Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer ( information head given them, and they were afraid of him. So Tom Buckwell had chosen to play a afriend,a hoping to establish common ground, get into Declanas confidence, and stab him in the back if necessary.
With some men, it might have worked, but Declan had good instincts and Buckwell was laying the nonetoo-bright weare-all-just-army-buddies on too thick.
aCa.s.shorn might be a goner, but he was human to begin with, so heas still vulnerable there. We build a trap, and the elders will curse his a.r.s.e into sleep. No matter how inhuman he is, the six of us arenat without skill.
Weall hold him at least for a few hours. Meanwhile you and Rose here lead the hounds into the trap, kill them off, and then go after Ca.s.shorn. Good plan, yeah?a aGreat plan,a Declan said. aWhat kind of a trap?a aHavenat thought that far yet,a Tom said.
aHow are you going to curse him?a Rose asked. Sleep would be the obvious choice: unlike pain curses, it was subtle. Ca.s.shorn wouldnat even know anything was wrong. Head simply get tired and fall asleep. aTo cast sleep, we need a thing of his. Hair. Piece of clothing.a aHavenat thought that far yet,a Tom said.
Some plan. Rose sighed. Over half a millennium of experience between the six of them, and this was what they came up with.
aTrap first,a Declan said. aWithout the trap, we have no plan.
Bullets donat work against the hounds. They go straight through their bodies. Dismemberment works.
Flash does, too, but we have only two flashers.
Fire, but they know to steer clear of it.a aSo it has to be something subtle. Can we poison them?a Tom asked.
Declan shook his head. aI doubt it. I know that the first time it was found, they had tried hemlock and Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer ( a.r.s.enic on hounds with no result. Ideally, we need a slow-acting trap, something that would kill them slowly or in a gradual fashion so as not to alarm Ca.s.shorn out of his sleep.a aLike drowning?a Tom asked. aLure the hounds out into a lake and drown them one by one?a aPossibly. Unfortunately, they can hold their breath for a long time, and theyare good swimmers.a Silence fell. Leanne wandered over and came to sit in a rocking chair.
aToo bad we couldnat electrocute the hound like that troll,a Declan said.
aOh, now that is a capital idea, Sahgent.a Tom nodded.
aExcept we donat know if electricity works against then.a aIt does,a Leanne said. aBefore Karen Roe left for the Broken, she told me she killed a hound with electricity. Ta sered it to death.a aHow do you Taser something to death?a Tomas eyebrows rose.
aHer mom got it into her head that Karenas house would get broken into and bought her one of those expensive gun-looking Tasers,a Leanne said. aYou pop a cartridge in and fire, then you disconnect the cartridge and reload. Sheas kind of hard to buy for, so every Christmas or so the family would get her some of those cartridge packs. Theyare like sixty bucks for two. She shot the beast once, but it didnat croak, so she just kept reloading the cartridges and shooting it until it stopped wiggling. She said the d.a.m.n hound cost her over two hundred bucks.a aWell, we canat take time to Taser them, and I just donat see how wead be able to stick each one of them with a live wire. Theyad overrun us,a Tom said.
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer ( aWhy donat you just put the two together? Drop a live wire into a lake and electrocute the lot of them until they drown?a Rose asked.
The men looked up, and she found herself on the receiving end of two stares, one green, one brown.
aWhat?a aThatas a good plan,a Declan said.
aIt might work,a Tom said.
Declan glanced at him. aIs there a large enough lake nearby?a aLaporte Pond,a Tom said.
Declan got up. aI need to see it.a Tom nodded. aItas perfect. It will take us a good hour to get there on foot, though, so if we want to go today, best to do it now. I need to check on my daughters anyhow, make sure they cleared out. Holly, Iam not worried about, but Nicki meanders like mola.s.ses in January.
She was supposed to be out this morning, but I bet sheas still there, squatting on her bags like a mother hen.a aIall come, too,a Rose said. aIf youare going to curse Ca.s.shorn, Iall have to pick up a couple of things from Grandmaas. The boys are reasonably safe here for the time being.a Leanne sighed. aThatas all good, but how are you going to make the hounds go into the water?a Declanas face was unreadable. aWeall use bait.a aLike what?a Leanne frowned.
aOne of us,a Rose said. aThe hounds are attracted to magic.
He means me or him, Leanne. One of us will be bait.a
TWENTY-TWO.
ROSE hugged herself and peered at the placid, tea-colored water of Laporte Pond. Twelve hundred feet long Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer ( and close to five hundred feet across at the widest spot, the pond sat in a depression just west of town. Tall grayish cypresses flanked it like guards, their bloated trunks blocking the sh.o.r.e completely except for the far west end. A broken, dilapidated dock jutted sadly from the center of the pond.
Next to her, Declan crouched and dipped his fingers into the water. Tom Buckwell gave him a wide berth.
Declan wasnat buying all his aAw, shucks, Sahgenta nonsense, and she suspected Buckwell realized that as well, because he watched Declan the way one would watch a large predatory animal.
aThere used to be a rowboat,a she explained. aYou could take it to the dock and fish. The boat sank about two years ago, and n.o.body bothered to get another one. And you canat really swim in ita"too much algae.a Declan pivoted on his feet and glanced up to where twin power lines were etched against the sky.
aWeare stealing power from the Broken,a Tom explained.
aUsed to be there was no way to run a power line into the Edge. But about fifty years ago, the boundary crawled out farther into the Broken, about forty feet or so. n.o.body knows what caused it, but when it was done crawling, we found a power pole in the Edge and the line was live. We got together and made a deal with the local co-op that owned the pole. We pay them a s.h.i.tload of money, and they donat ask whatas draining their power.a Declan looked at the dock. Rose followed his gaze. The dock wasnat very big. Twelve by twelve feet. Old tires. .h.i.tched to its sides bobbed in the water. Either she or Declan would be on that dock, flashing to get the houndsa attention. Shead been thinking about it for the last two hours, and the more she thought about it, Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer ( the more certain she became that she should be the one. She could do it. Get on the dock. Electrify the pond. Flash a few times to attract the hounds and watch them pile into the deadly water. Simple enough.
How hard could it be, right?
She pictured herself on the dock, surrounded by hounds.
And what if electricity didnat work on them?
Alarm squirmed through her. No, it was a mistake to think like that. She raised her chin up a bit. It would be fine. Even if the electricity didnat kill them, it would be fine. She had more than enough flash to deal with them.
If she stood on the dock instead of Declan, he would be safe.
He could go after Ca.s.shorn while she dealt with the hounds. Ca.s.shorn would be asleep, and Declan would have an easier time dealing with him. If she could just occupy the hounds, he might come out of the fight alive.
Rose hugged herself tighter and glanced at Declan. He was looking at her.
aA man who knows what heas doing could hold that dock for a long time,a Tom was saying. aI figure we cut the line there.a He pointed at a break between two cypresses.
I know some fellows in town who work at a tire-retreading plant. We can get some bias tire treada"the stuff comes in rollsa"and roll it out on that dock to insulate it and keep you from slipping into the water, acause if the beasts get to the dock, youall be standing in some slimy gore. Weall get you some rubber-soled boots, and youall be good to go.a aThere is no need for him to be on the dock,a Rose said. aI can do it. Iall be fine. My flash is almost as powerful as his.a Tom made a low grumbling noise into his beard.
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer ( aCa.s.shorn will be asleep,a she said. aHis hounds will be occupied. Itas the perfect time for Declan to go after them.a aNo,a Declan said.
aDeclan, this makes total sense,a she said.
aNo.a Tom shrugged. aIf he says no, itas a no. Itas his show.a aWhy the h.e.l.l not?a She crossed her arms. aItas a good idea.
You wonat get another clean shot at him like that, Declan!a He simply rose. aIall escort you to your house.a Tom furrowed his eyebrows at them. aWell, you sort it out between yourselves. Iall swing by my daughtersa places and pick you up at your house in about an hour. Two, if I have to drag Nicki out of the Edge kicking and screaming.a THEY didnat speak on the way to lonoreas house. Adele had plenty of supplies at Wood House, but any self-respecting curser preferred to use her own. If nothing else, Grandma would feel better with familiar things. Rose collected the twigs and herbs while Declan stood guard over her, and she had to restrain herself to keep from smacking him to get the grim expression off his face.
They returned to Roseas house in silence. aWould you like some tea?a Rose asked as they went up the steps.
He nodded.
She went into the kitchen. He had no reason to be stubborn about it. Her plan made perfect sense. It also had one added benefit, which she decided wasnat important enough to mention. If things went wronga"and they were bound to go wrong when youare standing on a rotting hunk of wood in the middle of an electrified lake surrounded by monstersa"if things went wrong, she would go down alone. Declan would still survive to Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer ( fight another day. He had more of a chance against Ca.s.shorn than she did.
It was a good plan. She just needed Declan to see it.
She poured the boiling water into the teapot, set the tea to steep, and went in search of him.
She found him behind the house, at the woodshed. He sat on the bench, his larger sword on his lap, and he slowly, methodically drew a soft cloth along the blade.
Rose sat on a tree stump scarred with the strikes of countless wood axes and waited. He ignored her.
aMy way is a good way, Declan. You know it is. My control is better than yours. Iam more precise.a He glanced up. His eyes were pure white. Great, his brights were on, but n.o.body was driving. She had to make him see reason.
aIs this some sort of bluelood chivalry thing? Because I have news for you, you canat exactly afford to be chivalrous, Declan. Right now, youare an army of one with me as your National Guard volunteer unit. You have to let me help, and this is the best way to do it.a He said nothing.
aAt least talk to me, d.a.m.n you!a He set the sword aside and walked to her. The determination on his face shot a bolt of alarm down her spine. She backed away. He caught her and pushed her back lightly. Her back pressed against the wall of the house. She realized that for the first time they were truly alone, with no risk of interruptions. Well, if he thought he could bully her into backing down, he had another think coming.
aRose.a Rose jerked aside, but he barred her escape with his arm.
aYouare stronger, I get it,a she ground out. She tried to push him aside, but she might as well have tried to push a train. He didnat move an inch.
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer ( aRose,a he said softly. aLook at me.a She glared at him. Their stares connected, and there was something so arresting and possessive in his gra.s.s green eyes that words died on her lips. He looked at her like she was some great treasure. Like nothing else mattered.
He looked at her like he loved her.
Warmth touched her cheeks, and she knew she blushed. He looked her over, studying her neck, her eyes, her throat, slowly, taking his time. She was locked in his arms. The heat of his body seeped through the thin fabric of her shirt. She smelled him, that very familiar scent of sandalwood, and clove oil he had used to clean his sword, and sweat. His chest pressed on her, the muscles hard but supple, and her nipples tightened. She was caught.
aIam going on that dock instead of you,a she said.
aNo.a aYou donat understand.a aI understand perfectly.a His big body braced hers. His hips kept her pinned. He raised his hand and slid his fingers up the side of her neck in a long caress, up her chin, and to her lips. She shivered. He brushed her lower lip with a calloused thumb.
aKissing me wonat make me more agreeable,a she whispered.
aIam not trying to make you more agreeable.a His voice was rough and low. aI just canat help myself.a The muscles on his arms flexed, and she realized Declan was fighting for control.
He swallowed, his eyes dark.
A million reasons to get away streaked through her head. He was a blueblood, and she was an Edge mongrel. He lied to her. He wanted to own her. They had no future together. He . . . If someone told her Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer ( that right now in this very moment, trapped between the wall of her own house and Declanas rigid body, that she could have one thing and one thing only before she died, she would choose to be with him.
Nothing good ever happened to people who didnat take chances.
She kissed him, molding herself against his large frame, supple softness to his hardness.
His control snapped. He lunged for her, pushing her against the wall, and kissed her back, furious and pa.s.sionate, drinking her in. The echo of the kiss rolled through her body, dragging a low moan from her.
She slid against him, working her hands up the hard muscles of his back.
He pulled her to him and buried his face in her neck. His teeth and tongue played with her skin, rasping over the sensitive spot on her pulse, painting heat over her flesh. Warmth spread through her. Declan kissed her again and again. Her body tightened. He ground into her, and she slid up and down with him, giving soft resistance to the hard thrust of his erection.
His voice was a hot breath in her ear. aG.o.d, I want you.a aI want you, too,a she whispered. She wanted him so badly that every time he touched her, she wanted to hold on to him to keep him from letting go. The thought of him standing on that dock, collapsing under the weight of hundreds of hounds, almost made her scream in frustration. He wasnat going to die there. aIam still going on that dock.a His voice was low and so suffused with need, it was almost a snarl. aI know. Iam coming with you.a aWhat?a aWeall do it together.a He thrust his hand under hers, pushed her bra down, releasing her aching breast, and brushed the nipple. A Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer ( jolt of pleasure, intense and unexpected, rippled through her.
aI can handle the hounds. You donat have to . . .a she whispered.
aYes, I do.a He kissed her again, stealing her breath, and nipped her lip with his teeth. She pulled at his T-shirt. She wanted him naked, she wanted to feel his skin against hers.
He pulled away from her and swept her off her feet. aBed.a She wound herself about him, kissing his neck and the corner of his jaw. aGood idea.a They tore through the house and into the bedroom. He dropped her on the bed, grasped the fabric of her Tshirt, pulled up, and the old worn-out cotton tore in his hands.
aSorry.a aI have another one.a She pulled off his shirt and ran her hands down his body, from his chest over the hard ridges of his stomach, and then she was sliding him out of his jeans and rubbing her hand down the hard shaft of his erection. He made a raw animal sound in his throat and stripped the last shreds of clothing from her. For a moment she saw him towering above the bed, tall, golden, knitted with carved muscle.
She was too hot and too wet and too impatient.
He lunged for her, and she met him halfway, kissing, rubbing, stoking the fire inside both of them. His tongue played on her skin. He cupped her left breast, stroking the nipple with his fingers until it ached. She moaned. His hips slid between her legs. He dipped his head down and caught her nipple in his hot mouth, sending a wave of pure pleasure through her. She dug her fingers into the hard muscle of his back and arched herself, welcoming him. aNow,a she whispered. aNow, Declan, donat wait.a He heard her. His lips found hers. He thrust into her, and she gasped. Her body resonated with pleasure, Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer ( wanting, demanding more. She ground against him.