DORAN WAS Pa.s.sED out when I went back into the library. Still flat on his back, he was snoring, which to me just seemed weird. Where was the grace and the mystery, the fear inducing reputation that was supposed to go along with the blood drinkers?
He snorted and rolled onto his side. Maybe not so much after all.
Jack didnat look up when he spoke to me. aBetween the binding being broken and the high of your blood coursing through him, heall be pa.s.sed out for days.a aI donat have days. Milly said there is a team of witches going after OaShea now. I have to leave.a aIall keep an eye on him. Heas got some interesting parts to play in the future.a Jackas eyes narrowed as though squinting to see somethinga"maybe that was exactly it. As a Reader, he could pick out what people were going to do, and even what they needed to do, just like Giselle had been able to.
Maybe when I got back with OaShea, Iad ask Jack how head avoided the madness that had stolen Giselle from me long before she died.
I scrubbed my hands over my face. aListen, Alex has to stay here.a The werewolf let out a high-pitched whine.
I glared at him, something I didnat often do, but I needed him to obey me. aYou canat come. OaShea is dangerous and he might go after you again. I donat know that his last orders from Milly arenat still in play. You stay here with Jack and Doran. Got it?a His lower lip trembled, drooping a good inch. aGots it.a Next I turned to Pamela. aGo get your trench coat, the black one, and your tall boots. Dress warm for flying.a Her lips crept into a smile. aYouare taking me with you?a aI need you to hold OaShea for me. Once we find him, you need to hang onto his furry a.s.s until we get back here to Doran.a She bobbed her head, blonde hair dancing as she ran from the room.
aYou going to be okay here, Jack?a aIave been fine alone for a long f.u.c.king time before you b.l.o.o.d.y well showed up.a He grumbled, and then poked Doran with his cane. aBesides, somebodyas got to keep an eye on the fanged a.s.shole here.a aThanks.a I touched Jackas shoulder and he reached up and put his hand over mine in an unusual show of affection.
aBe careful. I may not be able to read you, but everyone around you has a lot of s.h.i.+t coming down the pipeline. Very little of it good.a I swallowed hard, pushed the spurt of fear that curled around my chest. aGot it. Anything else?a Here it was, he could come clean, tell me what he knew about the prophecies. Nope, no such thing.
He waved his cane at me. aNah. Now f.u.c.k off, go find your wolf.a Walking down the hallway to my room, I mulled over the best course of action. Experimentally, I Tracked OaShea, something I hadnat done for some time, not since Iad been home in North Dakota. Iad been too busy dealing with a rogue Necromancer, Milly and Faris. No, that wasnat entirely fair. OaShea had gone off on his own and that had hurt. He hadnat trusted me enough to let me help him. So in turn, Iad ignored him.
I let my abilities work, opened them up to trace OaSheaas threads. There was nothing, not even a glimmer. The only way I wouldnat be able to feel him is if there was a large amount of water between us. s.h.i.+t, had he gone back to America? Son of a b.i.t.c.ha"that would not make my life easy. I slipped into my bedroom and shut the door behind me.
aCome on, OaShea, where the h.e.l.l did you go?a While my mind worked over what to do, I dressed for flying with Eve. Leather pants were not my favorite, but they were lined with fleece and were d.a.m.n warm, which was what I needed. Tank top and long-sleeved s.h.i.+rt were next. November in England was a b.i.t.c.h of cold and wet. I much preferred the dry cold, windy snow of North Dakota. Holding the straps that would keep my two swords attached to my back, I paused. Milly had spelled all my weapons so they would cut deeper, hardening the metal so it wouldnat break under pressure. She had made so much of what I did possible with her magic. Even now, knowing everything shead done to hurt those I loved, I struggled in those quiet moments to understand where my friend had gone. Why she had turned against everything we had fought for in our years together with Giselle.
I let those thoughts go, slipping my two swords on. Next was my belt where I hung my bowie knife, whip and a hip holster for arrows. Though I was still gaining proficiency at long distances, the crossbow was a sweet addition to my a.r.s.enal. So far it hadnat jammed up or given me grief in the middle of a fight.
Over top of everything I slid on my leather jacket, fingering the tears and ragged st.i.tch jobs that cris-crossed over it. The thing was almost as patched up as me.
A soft knock on the door that I was sure would be Pamela turned me around. aCome in.a aGladly.a I spun, not recognizing the voice, pulling a sword from my back as I faced the man in the doorway. Average height, average build, brown hair, brown eyes. Nothing that screamed danger. If it hadnat been for the crescent moon axe he held in his hand, I would have thought he was there for tea and biscuits.
Right.
He swung at me, still smiling, which was more disturbing than if head snarled or grimaced. I ducked and rolled while he dealt with the backswing of the larger weapon.
aThatas the b.i.t.c.h with axes.a I swung my sword up, the tip opening a shallow cut from his hip up to his armpit. aAlways dealing with the backswing.a The man stumbled back from me and then threw a spell my way, straight at the floor in front of me. Minor, one Iad seen a thousand times via Milly and even Pamela, but had never had used on me before. A sticky spell, one that would plant my feet to the ground and force me to stay where I was standing.
aHah, good luck with a .a s.h.i.+t. I tried to lift my foot and nothing happened. This was the first time in a long time my Immunity had buckled, d.a.m.n it all to h.e.l.l and back. The timing was a b.i.t.c.h.
His grin widened. aShoes and floor arenat you, little girl. Immunity doesnat spread to those bits, do they?a f.u.c.k, this was bad. He swung at me again and I did a limbo backward, stared at the s.h.i.+mmering blade as it skimmed along the front of my body, caught a glimpse of my wide, green, gold and deep brown eyes in the reflection of the polished steel. There was no time for me to play around, I had to end this fast or I was dead. Using the leverage of my feet glued to the floor, I lunged my body toward him, sword aimed at his throat while he dealt again with the backswing and miss of the heavier weapon.
My blade slid through his neck with ease, the spelled edge beyond razor sharp. His eyes bugged out then closed, the smile forever etched onto his face as the axe slid from his hands. The weapon hit the floor with a thud and my feet unglued, the spell dying with him. Blood poured out of the wound in his neck, spreading across the floor as it first spurted and then just gushed from his body, until there was nothing but a steady trickle of blood coursing out of him.
aWhat the f.u.c.k was that?a I kicked his body as I walked past him to check the hallway. c.o.c.king my head, I listened for the sounds of fighting. The axe man was no ordinary robber, he had magic, and head known about my Immunity. He hadnat been here for the silverware and fine china. Keeping my back to the wall, I made my way to Pamelaas door. I knocked softly.
aPam, you ready to go?a A voice that wasnat hers called out. aYes, come in, Rylee, you can help me pick out my weapons.a How stupid did they think I was? I slid out of my leather jacket and pulled the crossbow from my back, loading it as fast as I could, talking to keep the intruder, whoever it was, lulled. aOkay, but I thought we could discuss your use of magic firsta"a I kicked the door open, saw the intruder and fired without a second thought. The bolt took her between the eyes, her mouth a perfect aoa of surprise. I barely spared her a glance after that; her death was nothing to me.
Pamela was laid out on the bed, her eyes closed, her body still.
I rushed to her side, a spurt of panic driving me. She couldnat be dead. I wouldnat believe it.
aPam, wake up, come on kid.a I put my fingers to her neck. Her pulse was steady, easing the panic that had gripped me for that split second. f.u.c.k, what the h.e.l.l was going on here?
I scooped her up in my arms and jogged back to the library. As I drew close, raised voices greeted me. Son of a b.i.t.c.h. The door to my left was a closet. I slid Pamela into it and shut the door; that was the best I could do for now. Loading my crossbow again, I peeked around the edge of the library door.
Other than Jack, Alexa"who sat trembling by his sidea"and Dorana"who I could still hear snoringa"there were two new visitors. One I recognized, one I didnat. The one I didnat recognize was tall, hulking even. He would give Dox a run for his money in both height and width. Black hair curled around his ears, and he wore only a pair of threadbare pants, his upper body naked. A Celtic knot was tattooed over his heart and his muscles actually rippled with each breath he took, as he stood still in the center of the library. What the h.e.l.l was he? Because he didnat feel like someone who carried magic, he was much more primal than that.
Actually, he reminded me of the tribal Guardians Iad met the last time Iad been in New Mexico. His eyes flickered around the room and I caught a glimpse of silver. s.h.i.+t, he was a Guardian of some sort, which meant I couldnat kill him. f.u.c.k me, this was turning out to be a bad day.
The one I recognized, I could kill her and not lose a moment of sleep over it. Dr. Daniels, my own personal nemesis from my first day in London, stood with her back to me, facing out the window.
aYou see, Mr. Feen, Rylee is standing in the way of progress. The world of the supernaturals is on the brink of coming into our own, of taking our rightful place as leaders, as G.o.ds amongst the humans. Rylee has sided with Faris, and so she is against this progress.a My mouth curled up in a sneer. What a b.i.t.c.h, I wanted to just shoot her and be done with it, but I also needed to hear where this was going. Not to mention I knew from experience that the Guardian with her would be impossible for me to kill. I really didnat want to get on his bad side if I could avoid it.
Jack gave a grunt and his hand tightened on Alex. aShe hasnat sided with anyone. Whatever information youave got, itas f.u.c.king wrong, you dumb b.i.t.c.h.a I silently cheered Jack on. Alex lifted his nose, his head turning my way. f.u.c.k, not now, Alex!
Big gold eyes blinked at me, then one gave me a slow wink and he turned his face back to Dr. Daniels and the Guardian with her. For once, Alex seemed to get the severity of the situation and rolled with it. Thank the G.o.ds he was learning.
aNo, no. My information is very clear. Killing Rylee will be best for all involved. If my people donat manage it, then my Beast here will. But fear not, you have my oatha"you and the others in your home will not be harmed. That is not the Druid way.a She turned to face Jack, giving me a full view of her gloating smile.
The Beast, as shead named him, nodded his head. aI am yours to command, Mistress.a Not good, not good at all.
Dr. Danielas advanced on Jack. aYou are pitiful, dying, and even Deannaas little bag of herbs wonat save you. You know that, donat you?a He flipped her off. af.u.c.k yourself. Seriously, you think I care a .a He was lifted into the air, his face going red as he struggled for air.
aI may not kill you, I may not harm you, but I will not take that kind of language in my presence.a She spoke to him as if she were a Queen and he her misbehaving servant.
That was enough. Time for me to make my entrance.
I stepped around the corner and fired, as she stepped to the sideways and my bolt missed her heart, instead slamming into her arm. She screamed, and Jack fell to the floor with a gasp as he yelled at me.
aRun, Rylee. They arenat after us, just you. Run!a aNot really my style, Jack,a I said as I dropped the crossbow and slid the two swords from my back. The Beast cricked his head sideways, silver eyes taking me in with a single sweeping glance, and then s.h.i.+fted into his animal form. His s.h.i.+ft was like watching liquid bend and slosh in a cup as his body slid from human to cat in the s.p.a.ce of half a heartbeat. It didnat look real, nor did I think it was how regular s.h.i.+fters made the change. The faint shadows of rosettes under his black coat and the shape of his body were all panther. The shape of his head, the thickness of his body spoke of dark jungles and thick foliage where the cats of his ancestors still lurked. But the size of the Guardian was most definitely not panther. He was easily a thousand pounds, the size of a freaking horse, not a G.o.dd.a.m.ned cat.
Daniels smiled at me, though smiled would imply mirth, and she was all but baring her teeth. aBeast, take her.a The Beast roared, the scent of fresh meat on his breath spreading through the room. The sound reverberated through the house. My skin went cold; this was going to be bad.
He lunged at me, paws that were at least five times the size of Alexas slashed through the air above my head as I dove deeper into the library. Dr. Danielas screeched at the top of her lungs. Maybe she had a right to it, after all, it wasnat the first time Iad hurt her without her being able to defend herself.
I ran to her, slid an arm around her neck and pulled her tight to me, my other hand holding my sword so the tip pressed under her chin.
aCall your kitty cat off,a I growled, squeezing her body tight to the point where I knew she would struggle to take a breath.
aYou will pay for this,a she choked out.
I snorted. aJack, do the bad guys ever come up with new lines, or is it always the same old s.h.i.+t?a aSame old s.h.i.+t, doesnat matter how many idiots you face,a he coughed out, rubbing his throat. Alex trembled where he stood, peeing on the floor. f.u.c.k, I wasnat far behind him. The Beast crouched in the library doorway, tail las.h.i.+ng through the air.
aCall your pet off.a I pushed on my sword, popping through the first layers of skin.
aNo.a I had to give her credit, she had b.a.l.l.s.
But I had no time to make a move. Something hard, a book from the feel of it, hit me from behind. I gripped Dr. Daniels harder, but she used that momentary distraction to escape my grasp.
Spinning to face me, a sneer curled her lips. aRumors run fast in the supernatural world. Everyone knows youare an Immune now. That little ace up your sleeve is long gone.a Well, that was going to make my life difficult. f.u.c.k me, life was just doing its best to sink me lately.
She lifted her hand and pointed a finger at me. aKill her, pull her heart from her body and let her bleed out on the ground.a Yeah, me and Daniels, we were going to have it out. Just not today.
The Beast leaped and I spun, running toward the windows, my blades still gripped in my hands. We burst through the gla.s.s together, the swirl of red curtains and black panther blending into the sheets of blowing rain.
I rolled across the gra.s.s to my feet, slammed my blades into their sheaths, and was running before I truly knew which way I was going.
The sound of heavy breathing and the thump of huge padded feet hitting the ground behind me spurred me on. Legs and arms pumping hard, I bolted, zigzagging to keep the Beast from s.n.a.t.c.hing me. At least that was what I was going for.
aEVE!a I hoped she could hear me. f.u.c.k, I was going to die as a freaking G.o.ds-be-d.a.m.ned kitty toy.
Feeling the Beast move up, I dove to the right, narrowly missing the swipe intended to knock me flat. The Beast roared and I didnat wait to see how close he was.
aEVE!a The pond was to my right, close enough that I might be able to reach it before becoming the Beastas next meal. I knew the cat would be able to swim, but maybe I could swim faster? I wasnat seeing many other options to help me out. Blades wouldnat work, Pamela was out cold, and I was running out of possibilities that would keep my skin intact.
I bolted for the pond and the ten foot dock that the tiny wooden row boat was tethered to. The Beast pounded down the dock after me, the sound of wood and pilings splintering under his weight. He roared, his breath hot on my neck, as if he were right on me, his wicked teeth inches from my bare skin.
I didnat look back, just pushed harder, reached the end of the dock and leapt, eyes focused on the other side of the pond.
I never hit the water.
aIave got you, Rylee!a Eve crowed as her talons wrapped around me, gripping me tight. My feet just missed the water before she swept us upward, her wingtips skimming along the top of the pond, a rush of air circling around us. The roar of the Beast below us echoed through the rain.
aWhat was that?a Eve spun on a current in order to look back at the oversized black kitty that paced below us, his silver eyes never leaving me.
aHeas a Guardian. But he belongs to that f.u.c.ker, Daniels, and sheas just set him on me.a I stared down at him, a pit opening up in my guts.
aWhy do I get the feeling Iave just acquired a stalker?a I grumbled outwardly, but inwardly I was trying not to panic. A Guardian coming after me? s.h.i.+t, I was never going to be on Farisa team, not if this was what I got when people just thought I was working with him. Mother f.u.c.ker, the next time I saw him, and I had no doubt there would be a next time, I was going to a to what? He was d.a.m.n vampire, what the h.e.l.l did I think I was going to do to him?
aRylee, where do you want to go?a I thought about Dr. Daniels and her Beast; there was only one person who would know what the h.e.l.l was going on.
aInto London. We need to speak to Deanna.a
CHAPTER 7.
EVE HELD ME easily in her talons all the way to London. Not that it was all that far, nor was it all that uncomfortable. But feeling like a Harpyas next meal was not a great addition to how the day had gone so far.
aDo you think the others will be all right?a Eve asked the question Iad been asking myself.
aI think so. I think the Beast is just after me. And while Dr. Daniels is a total b.i.t.c.h, I donat think sheas a killer. They didnat hurt Pamela; just knocked her out to keep her from helping me. Besides, the stupid Druid said she swore not to harm anyone in the house.a Though she had choked Jack right after saying that. I would call the house as soon as we landed, make sure they were okay. Because regardless of the consequences, if they were being hurt, I had to go back.
At least Iad had the sense to stuff Pamela in the closest, because I had no doubt Daniels still wanted the kid for her own. Hopefully, the Druid left before Pamela woke up.
So much, there was so much swirling around me. But my priority now was OaShea. OaShea and staying out of the Guardianas very sharp claws and mouth. Both were rather critical.
Eve made a lazy circle over the roof of the police station wead worked out of for our last case. Just thinking about why Iad been brought to London made my emotions climb up through me and grief swell up in my heart. So much death, there was so much death in my world. And while I wasnat so stupid as to think everyone could survive, some hurt more than others.
Like losing Giselle.
Eve let me drop to the roof when we were a few feet up still. I took a couple of steps, getting out of her way, and then she landed with a flutter of her wings beside me. The rain was no longer pounding down, but it was chilly and I was feeling the cold, feeling the sharp tang of winter try to get a hold on me.
aWait here, I may have to make a run for it again.a I adjusted my weapons, did a quick count. I was missing my crossbow and my leather jacket, but I could probably get both here. Otherwise, Iad done pretty well at keeping my s.h.i.+t with me this time around.
aRylee, why do you think youall have to make a run for it?a aRemember the Guardians in New Mexico? How they seemed to always be able to find us? Iam thinking they have some ability to Track, maybe even the same way I do. And I have no doubt that the Beast will be on us very soon.a She drooped where she stood, her golden eyes darkening. aThatas not good.a aNo, no, itas not,a I muttered as I went in through the door leading to the stairs into the main part of the building. The last time Iad been here Iad been running up the stairs, Agent Valley screaming along behind me. Iad gotten the job done, but Valley and the local SOCA agent Denning had been p.i.s.sed to say the least.
I jogged down the stairs, and headed into the main office. There was a mixture of openly hostile staresa"I had, after all, caused something of a zombie outbreak during the last casea"and a few respectful nods. Those were far less than the glaring angry eyes, but Iad take them.
Willas desk was at the back of the room and though I was no longer jogging, I kept my pace brisk. How long would I have before that d.a.m.n Guardian showed up? I had to believe it wouldnat be long. I was going to bet less than ten minutes.
Will was working, head down, sandy blond hair messy. Handsome, he was a handsome guy, and maybe if I didnat have OaShea I would have looked at him as more than just a friend.
Maybe.
I rapped my knuckles on the desk. aWilliam, we need to talk.a Head planned to take time off after our last case, and he had. For about three days. It seemed that, like me, he couldnat, or maybe didnat want to, escape his work.
He didnat lift his head; no doubt head smelled me long before I reached him. aBusy right now.a aOh, pardon me while youare being busy and I deal with the big f.u.c.king beast of a Guardian that Daniels has called out on me. Here, let me sit down and wait for him to show up while you be busy.a I dropped into the chair across from him. His hands stilled on the paperwork he had been writing on just a second before.
aPlease tell me youare joking.a He slowly lifted his eyes to mine. Yes, he was a looker, was our Will. But d.a.m.ned if right now all I wanted to do was shake him till his teeth rattled. Was it his fault that Daniels and her Beast were after me? No, but head known about them, his reaction told me that much. And that was enough to rile me. Was this what head been holding back? Or was it a reaction to whatever had gone down between Deanna and Daniels?
aThatas who roughed you up the night we went to find Deanna, isnat it?a I leaned forward, hands sliding across the desk to steal his pen and twirl it between my fingers.
He let out a low groan. aYes, the Beast isnat supposed to be used this way, but sheas captured him somehow, made him bend to her will. Not unlike the witch did to your OaShea. And she ousted Deanna.a aGreen s.h.i.+t on the walls, this is a mess. But I donat have time to discuss the ousting of your sister. Can the Beast track me?a aYes. Perhaps not the same way you Track, but they have some abilities, particularly if theyave been set on someone they have been instructed to kill for the betterment of the Destruction.a I threw the pen across the room, wis.h.i.+ng I could throw my chair as well. aThis is a really bad time for me to be dealing with a Guardian. I a.s.sume that he canat be killed?a aNot that I know of.a aCan Deanna call him off?a The sounds of footsteps behind me turned me around. Deanna stood there, her coloring and the shape of her face so like Willas. But it didnat look as good on her, like she was trying too hard not to be feminine. She wore a long multi-colored skirt, white b.u.t.ton down s.h.i.+rt and her hair was tied back with a leather thong.
aCan Deanna call who off?a She pulled a chair up beside me and lowered herself into it with far more grace than I would ever have.
aDaniels and her Beast,a I said, watching for her reaction. And boy, did I get one.
Her already pale complexion drained to the point of looking green. She swallowed several times, then finally reached across the desk and took Willas coffee cup, lifting it to her lips.
I lifted my eyebrows at her. aThat bad, huh?a She nodded. aThe Beast of Bodmin Moor. He is the phantom cat that protects us in time of need. She, Daniels a I canat believe she would set him on you, even though she is the leader now. Are you sure?a My eyebrows shot upward. aAre you s.h.i.+tting me? The mother f.u.c.king big black kitty cat that weighs at least a thousand pounds, chased me like I was a f.u.c.king mouse and you want to know if Iam sure?a aI see,a she whispered. aI had hoped perhaps a never mind. I apologize.a aDonat apologize, fix this. Can you un-set him?a G.o.ds, I was hoping.
But she was already shaking her head. aI donat know how she did it. For centuries, the Beast has been our protector, keeping us safe. For her to bind him a it would take something beyond my ken.a aWell, heas after me now and I have s.h.i.+t that canat wait for me to deal with him.a I swiveled in my seat to face Will. aI need a crossbow and a leather jacket of some sort.a aAnd another set of hands?a His eyes were hopeful. I thought about OaShea, about how he and Alex had not gotten along when OaShea was s.h.i.+fting into a werewolf. About the possessiveness around me. Will was an alpha in his Destruction; that alone was enough to deny him.
aNo, I donat think itas a good idea. I know OaShea, he wonat hurt me. But you a youad be compet.i.tion.a Will stood and Deanna made a move to stand with him, but I put a hand on hers, keeping her with me. aWill, Iall catch up with you in a second.a He nodded, jaw ticking as he headed to the armory. I thought about Pamela, thought about going back to get her and take her with me after OaShea. I might need her something fierce to keep him from killing me. Then again, if he was killing witches she might be in too much danger to keep her safe. f.u.c.k, there was no easy answer here.
aDeanna. Milly used to make me pre-made spells that were contained within a bladder, like a water balloon. Can you do that for me?a aI think so, what is it you need?a I took my hand from hers. OaShea and Pamela might both hate me for it, but it would be something that would maybe keep Pamela out of the line of fire, letting me leave her at home.
aSomething that will hold a large werewolf for a good amount of time.a