DAEMONEUM

by Laney McMann

Kade reached for his hand, hoping he meant Italy, but she didn’t want to say it out loud in case they were being watched or listened in on. Cole threaded their fingers together. “I’ve always wanted to travel,” she said, wishing the circumstances were different. “Somewhere outside the Rocky Mountains.”

  “You know,” Cole still stared upward, his voice gravelly, “we could be gone a while.” He lowered his gaze and stared at her.

  “I know. That should freak me out, but I … it’s not like I have a home here, or anywhere, anymore, so …”

  “You have a home with me.” His eyes blazed under the starlight, and Kade’s breath hitched for a second at his words, the intensity in his gaze. He guided her closer to him, still holding her hand, and kissed her softly.

  “Promise me something?” he whispered against her mouth, his hand gripping hers tighter.

  “Anything.”

  “Don’t let go.” Cole’s free hand whipped to the side, and a geyser of pure red energy erupted from the ground at their feet. The sound rushed in Kade’s ears like hurricane force winds, and her free arm immediately went around Cole’s waist, holding his body tight against hers. “Close your eyes.”

  She did, and he kissed her again, hard. His warm lips parted her own, his tongue found hers, and Kade yielded to him completely, their bodies molding together. The swirling gush of energy consumed them in a spinning crackle of deafening electricity. Kade’s body lifted from the ground, and spun, pressed against Cole’s, and he never stopped kissing her, only pulled her closer, tighter, as they disappeared from the field, from Colorado, from everything she knew.

  Chapter 12

  Kade’s feet touched down onto soft earth. It wasn’t the kind of slamming to the ground landing she’d expected, more like a controlled decent—likely because she was still gripping Cole’s waist. The kissing had stopped, though. She’d pulled away due to an inner ear buzzing she could only describe as what people who suffered from vertigo must have. All the comfort and warmth Cole had provided during the jump from Colorado didn’t stop the chill that instantly rolled over her shoulders or the upsurge of bile from the pit of her stomach when she opened her eyes. The Earth was still spinning underneath her.

  Letting go of Cole’s waist, she swayed to the side, and everything she’d eaten in the past twelve hours ended up on her boots. She crumbled out of his reaching arms as he tried to steady her and fell onto all fours in tall, cool grass.

  “Sparrow.” Cole was immediately on the ground beside her, rubbing her back. “I’m so sorry. I tried to slow it down a little and keep you distracted.”

  She couldn’t answer. He’d kept her distracted all right. He was very good at that. But not good enough to stop her stomach lurching again and another rush of fluid from spewing up. For the first time since she’d met him, she wished he wasn’t the one with her. She likely looked like a corpse, void of all color, and drenched in sweat even though she was freezing.

  “It’s the worst, I know.” Cole rummaged around in one of the suitcases and handed her a washcloth and a bottle of water. “I’m sorry.”

  Kade took them both, thankful, and wiped her mouth, before taking a swing of water, rinsing her mouth, and spitting it out on the ground.

  “Try to drink a little of it. I don’t want you to get dehydrated.” He patted her back again, his hand warm and firm. Kade took a drink of water and sat up. Her head spun, so she steadied herself by resting her weight against her arms.

  Cole smiled at her, a sweet, tender smile. “You’re beautiful.” He took the washcloth and poured some water on it, then wiped her face, under her eyes, and across her forehead. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to tell you how much it sucks at first.”

  “It gets better, right?” she croaked, her throat burning. “The spinning and all that?”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, it gets to where you don’t even notice anymore.”

  “Good.” She rubbed her face and reached out a hand to him and a shiver wracked her body. Cole pulled her up slowly, making sure she was steady by putting an arm around her waist. “Is it cold here or is it the throwing up that’s making me shiver?”

  “It’s chilly here this time of year,” he said. “In the early morning, anyway. And at night.”

  “Awesome. More cold weather.” Kade glanced around at their surroundings, thankful she had her coat and scarf on. They stood at the top of a small hill covered in tall golden grass. The sun was rising but had only just crested the horizon by maybe an hour. It glowed copper-red and set the landscape ablaze.

  At the bottom of the hill, a river snaked through an old-looking city, lined by rows of stone shops and buildings. There were several church steeples that broke through the expansive sky, and a small stone bridge arched over the river. Townspeople ambled about, opening store fronts due to the early hour, she guessed.

  “It’s pretty.” She glanced at Cole, knowing she probably resembled a zombie after throwing up, but he grinned like he always did when she smiled at him—as if she were a gift he couldn’t believe he’d received.

  He held out his hand, and she threaded her fingers with his. “I knew you’d like it.”

  “So, where to?”

  “Down there, on the other side of that bridge.” He pointed to the ancient-looking, cobblestone bridge dotted in glowing lamp lights, and then tapped the wings on this throat once, twice, three times. With a smile, he let go of her hand and picked up their suitcases. “Ready?”

  Kade nodded, glad her balance had resumed and she was no longer nauseous. “When are you going to tell me why you keep tapping your wings?”

  Cole grinned wider. “When you meet my uncle.”

  The trip downhill through the tall grass toward the city wasn’t so bad. It gave Kade a few minutes to breathe in the chilled air and clear her head and lungs from all the spinning. Not to mention the view was incredible. The city was small, she thought, or smaller than she’d pictured a normal city would be, anyway. More like a town. Ancient and somewhat crumbling, but it was quaint and lovely.

  Her feet hit the cobbled street from the countryside hill, and she was thankful for flat ground. Townspeople ambled about, saying hello and good morning in a language she didn’t recognize. A few of the words sounded similar to Latin but it wasn’t. Cole answered in the same language with a cordial smile as they made their way over the old bridge and into the city center. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air along with the tang of river water and the sweetness of all things from a time long gone.

  “Are you going to tell me where we are?” Kade asked with a tug at Cole’s hand.

  “In a minute.” He kissed the top of her head and led them down a street Kade could best describe as an older version of brownstone row homes. Doors of every color graced the two-story stone buildings lining both sides of the cobbled street, and plants and bright flowers adorned front steps. Cole stopped at a huge, solid oak door with chipping paint nestled in one of the buildings on a quiet side street. Ivy grew in climbing vines up the side of the building’s stone walls and surrounded the front door. A brass knocker made a hollow sound against the wood when Cole knocked.

  Kade took a step back as the door creaked open and a man with ebony skin and bright blue eyes peeked out. A wide, kind smile spread across his face, showing off brilliant white teeth. His gaze roved Kade from head to toe before he glanced at Cole and opened the door all the way. The man stood in the early morning sunlight, barefoot, and Kade noticed blue tattoos of wings across his throat and arms.

  “When I told ya to find me when ya needed me, I didn’t think it would be so soon.” The man sounded annoyed, but grinned at Cole in a way that displayed only pride and affection. “And ya brought me the Anamolia.” He extended his hand. “Kadence, I’m Heru, Cole’s uncle. It’s nice to meet ya.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, too.” She smiled as he shook her hand with his callused one.

  “Well … get the girl’s luggage.” The man rolled his eyes but grabbed one of t
he suitcases off the ground, helping Cole, and beckoned Kade inside.

  Cole winked at Kade, picking up the other bag.

  “He’s nice,” she whispered.

  “Are you surprised?” He nudged her ahead of him and closed the front door.

  “No, I just—”

  “Thought all my relatives electrocuted me?” He chuckled, but it wasn’t funny.

  “Cole—“

  “Just ignore my nephew,” Heru said, setting her suitcase down in a palatial room flooded with light from French doors, open wide and overlooking the river. “He has a mouth on him—I’m sure ya’ve noticed.”

  Kade laughed. “I have.”

  “So,” Cole set the luggage down, glancing at his uncle, “what’s the plan?”

  Heru smiled, eyes twinkling, dark skin creasing at the corners. “Ya just got here, and ya’re already asking me what the plan is? No hello? No visit for a while?”

  “I just saw you what? Two days ago?”

  Heru shook his head. “A day and a half. Ya will be staying here, watching her, as I asked before I left ya two days ago. That’s still the plan. Ya’ll be safe here.” He glanced at Kade. “Few people know of this place, and those who do are allies, not enemies. I,” he shifted his eyes toward Cole, “will be hunting prey.”

  “Heru—” Cole started.

  “Uh, uh.” He waved a brown finger. “No. Ya stay here. Warden Caelius said nothing of ya tagging along with me, only that we needed to keep the girl safe and away from the common houses.”

  “But—”

  “No. Here is yar new common house,” he waved a hand in the air, “make yarself at home. The kitchen is stocked, there’s cash over there in the drawer,” he pointed at the entry table, “although I’m sure ya have yar own as always, and Verona is a beautiful city. No one will be looking for ya here.”

  “Verona, Italy?” Kade wanted to skip like a five year old—she was so excited.

  Heru grinned at her obvious enthusiasm. “Ya, Verona, Italy.”

  “Wait,” Cole held his hand out, “you’re leaving us here alone?” He glanced sidelong at Kade. “Just the two of us?”

  Heru’s blue eyes narrowed. “Ya,” he said slowly, “I am. Do I have a reason not to trust ya?”

  “No,” Cole and Kade said in unison.

  “Good. That’s good.” He eyed them.

  “One question, though. Well, two, really,” Cole said.

  “Go ahead.”

  “Did the Warden tell you Kade may be able to be tracked?”

  “He did. He told me everything he told ya.” He stared at Cole like there was some unspoken understanding between them.

  Cole nodded. “If Kade can be tracked to the Brotherhood, she can be tracked here.”

  Heru sighed. “Do ya remember when ya stayed with me for a short while, after yar father passed away?”

  “Um, yeah. It wasn’t that long ago.” There was an edge in Cole’s tone.

  “No. It wasn’t. I didn’t tell ya then, due to the circumstances, but ya drove me a bit crazy. Ya were distraught so I let it slide.” He grinned. “But, none of my homes can be tracked. It was the reason the Warden sent ya to stay with me. The Araneum had been attacked, yar father killed, yar mother missing, so of course everyone at the time thought ya might be the next target.”

  Cole stared. “You never told me that.”

  Heru shrugged. “Ya’d just lost your parents. I didn’t think it would help ease yar suffering.”

  Cole glanced at his feet, and Kade reached for his hand. He squeezed hers back.

  “No one can track Kadence here,” Heru said with a gentle voice. “She’s safe.”

  Cole nodded without looking up.

  “What was yar second question?”

  “What prey are you hunting?” Cole lifted his head. “Or maybe a more specific question is who are you tracking?”

  “Can’t tell ya that.”

  Cole heaved a breath. “Okay, how about, how long do Kade and I have to stay here?”

  “Until the threat is diffused. However long that takes. It’s what ‘hiding’ means.”

  “And the Eldership? They won’t take well to Kade going missing.”

  “Warden Caelius will be keeping that situation from escalating, or at least, that is the plan.” He shrugged. “The Eldership have never been my favorite group of individuals. Too much idle time makes for too much meddling in others’ affairs.” He winked a blue eye at Kade.

  “So, the plan then for the long term?” Cole asked. “The Warden is under investigation for aiding and abetting someone of foreign origin. A minor.” He gestured toward Kade. “The Eldership believes he’s guilty, and they aren’t likely to listen to any excuses he gives them as to why Kade flew the coop.”

  “True,” Heru conceded, “which is why I need ya to stop arguing with me so I can leave, track my prey, and be done with this mess, while in the process freeing Warden Caelius of all charges.” He walked toward the front door of the villa. “I’ll call. Oh,” he stopped, “and if ya notice anything … unusual,” he lifted a dark brow at Cole, “contact me immediately.”

  “You know I will. I thought you wanted to visit a while?” Cole said.

  Heru laughed. “I was kidding. I’ll see ya soon. Ya stay here, like I said.” He tapped the wings on his throat and walked out, shutting the door behind him and locking it.

  “Urgh.” Cole turned toward Kade, anger flashing across his darkened eyes. “What the hell are we supposed to do now? Just sit here?”

  Turning around, Kade took in the beautiful home. The curve of the old wooden staircase was lovely. The rich, dark wood shone in the light and was intricately carved with roses. It reminded her of a scene out of one of her historic fiction novels. She lifted a brow at Cole. “This place is incredible. I can’t believe we’re in Verona. Ha!”

  Cole tilted his head to the side, a dawning expression softening his stern features. “Want me to show you around?”

  “Are there balconies upstairs?” She’d always wanted to have a bedroom with a balcony.

  He nodded with a sweet smile. “There are two. One off Heru’s bedroom and one off one of the guest rooms.”

  “How many bedrooms are there?”

  “Three.” He pointed upstairs.

  “Can I have the one with the balcony?” She grinned.

  “You can have whatever you want, Sparrow. Anything at all.”

  Danny landed in an open field and shifted into his human form as his feet touched the ground. “Great. That’s just great!” He threw his arms up in the air and kicked the tire of Cole’s Jeep. “They took the Leygate.”

  “He has to be in Rome,” Giselle said. “They must have gone to the Ward. Stop freaking out. They’re safer at the Ward than they are anywhere. Something must have happened. And anyway, your GPS ‘system’ led you to his Jeep, not to him, but you know, it was close.” She smirked and leaned against the side of the vehicle, crossing her arms.

  Danny eyed her. “This is serious, G.”

  “Do you have the damn keys? It’s freezing out here.”

  Danny waved a hand through the air, and all five fingers crackled with electricity, lighting up the dark with a greenish glow. He grinned.

  “Yeah, yeah, just unlock the damn car. I’m cold.” Giselle pulled on the door handle and a second later it opened. “Thank you.” She climbed into the passenger’s seat.

  Danny leaned in the car, reaching around the steering wheel, and hot-wired the Jeep with nothing more than a touch of his finger to the ignition.

  Giselle rolled her eyes as it rumbled to life.

  Turning on the headlights, the dash illuminated, and Danny noticed a small white piece of paper resting in front of the speedometer. Removing it, he read the words, ‘Check Kade’s house. Underground. Principals are investigating pit.’

  “What’s that?” Giselle edged over, trying to read it.

  “Damn.” Danny let out a breath. “A note from Cole.”

  “W
hat’s it say? Where is he?”

  “Doesn’t say, only says we need to check Kade’s house.” He put the Jeep in reverse. “Something is definitely wrong.”

  “Check the house for what?”

  “For leads on what we found in the pit.”

  “And what did you find?”

  He glanced at his sister. “That's just it, we don't know.”

  Chapter 13

  Heru kept a steady pace walking down the cobbled path in between the tall stone buildings on the outskirts of town. For more than a week now, he hadn’t been able to shake the creeping sensation that continued to make the falcon wings on his neck twitch. It wasn’t Cole calling him, or the Warden, and there were only a few who knew how to reach him anymore. He preferred it that way.

  His black traveling cloak billowed in the cool wind behind him as he walked, ebony hands in loose fists at his sides, blue wing tattoos shining in the morning light. He said hello to passersby, and at the end of the row of homes, he took a right. Making his way toward the old unpaved country road that traveled alongside the town, he ambled toward the hillside.

  One of the wonderful aspects of Italy, he thought, was how wild it had remained since its inception. While other countries and cities sprawled out like overzealous weeds, taking over everything in sight with skyscrapers and highways, Italy retained its open spaces. Farms and vineyards dotted the countryside acres and acres apart so as not to encroach on one another.

  Glancing around his surroundings once more, and finding himself virtually alone, Heru shifted from his human guise into his avian form of the falcon, and soared upward into the bright blue sky. It felt good to spread his wings, light and weightless on the wind. In the earlier days of ancient civilizations, all walks of life were different. There was no need to hide what a person truly was, instead it was flaunted—even revered. From the sun god Ra, to Hecate, to Osiris—no one was viewed as unusual or an outcast. Heru would never have needed to check for onlookers before shifting into his avian form, but modern times were quite different. Humans all looked similar, relatively speaking. Two arms, two legs, a head. Unlike Bastet with her head of a cat or Anubis with the head of a jackal. The ancient world had been a much simpler place, Heru thought.