Unwanted
Page 16
Viv screamed, tearing herself free of the illusions, sickened beyond thought by the experience of illness and war. Ušum’s expression had lost the amusement she’d carried since her rebirth. Solemn now, with a flicker of sadness that sat oddly on her delicate face.
“That’s beyond anything that happened when they walked the world together.” Ušum’s words came slowly.
Vivian reached out a hand, and Amir’s strong grip closed around it. It steadied her.
“Yes. And Marduk alone has walked since then, causing plagues and war. Not better if it were Tiamat alone, as I’ve been told she wishes. I ask that you find and hide the keys until the stars lose their alignment and the Reckoning passes without the gates being opened to the gods.”
“Marduk has a living seer? One not killed by the daoine sidhe?”
“Yes; one of the changing kin, a tiger. One known for her wiliness in dodging assassinations. She’s in hiding, following the most recent, but I know of someone who can pass a message to her. She, too, is weary of the cost of the Reckoning.”
“What do you think?” Ušum glanced to Viv.
“I don’t want to go through anything like that. Or have anyone go through it.” Her voice trembled, thick with remembered emotions.
Alonzo nodded. “Good. I’m leaving. I suggest you accompany me so Xavier remains on best behavior. He’s itching to kill something, and you two are setting him on edge."
Donal turned back, ending his call. “Cleaners are on their way.”
Motion caught Viv’s eye. Cyril and Zhi approached, hand in hand.
“I was listening,” Zhi said, her quiet voice almost lost in the wind.
Snow gusted, striking the zone around them and melting, but a storm was building up.
Amir gestured for her to continue.
“Alonzo, what help do you need for this from me and Cyril?”
The mage laughed softly. “Only that you make sure you’re gone when those two have to spend time together.”
Cyril raised a brow, then tugged Zhi’s arm. “Let’s go inside and make sure he’s not pointing a rifle in this direction. You said cleaners were coming?”
“Yes,” said Donal. “It would be best if you cleared the area until they’re done; it’ll be about twelve hours.”
Zhi’s body blurred, and in her place a graceful beast stood, hovering an inch above the snow. Like a horse, but with scales rather than a hide, shining brilliant silver in the sun. Antlers sprouted from her brow, and her mane flowed upward, dancing in the same breeze that upheld her over the snow.
“Show off.” Affection in his face, Cyril joined her, a unicorn with the body of a tall muscular horse. They took off through the snow, unimpeded by the brush or forest, and vanished from sight.
So beautiful…even if he smelled like rotten apples.
Amir kissed her fingertips. “Your other form is beautiful too.”
Alonzo cleared his throat. "I'm willing to give the four of you a ride to town. If one of you drives. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes." Donal took the keys from him.
It was a very old truck with a manual transmission. Blue gray oil smoke trailed behind them as Donal drove the rough path carefully. Amir, Nia, Ušum, and Viv barely fit in the back; Amir pulled Viv into his lap.
The conversation about the keys came to her as she looked over the small town as they descended toward it. The havoc the Reckoning wreaked. “I agree with your proposal about the keys. I don't want them to go to anyone this time. How do find them and hide them? They’re so powerful they’re hard to hide once they’re revealed."
"Or we could leave them where they lay since they're hidden." Amir stroked her cheek. "When the other seer can be found, we'll make arrangements for the two of you to talk. That way, we can discuss the plan going forward.
“Going downhill now, hold on. These breaks are really soft.” Donal sounded strained. “Have you ever heard of maintenance?”
“Yes. But I don’t have the money for it.” Alonzo’s reply was dry. “Can’t hold a job, since I’m just as hunted as Cyril and Xavier.”
Having seen what Alonzo could do, Vivian understood why. If he could create a body for Ušum from plants; what kind of things could he do when he meant ill?
“Is there any place around here to stay? Ušum asked. “I’d like some privacy. Soon.”
“There’s a bed and breakfast that should have rooms; I’d suggest you let me or Nia talk to the owner. Since the rest of you are all strangely dressed or bloodstained.” Amusement mixed with weariness in the old man’s tone.
“Where is it?” Donal asked.
Alonzo told him, and they pulled up in front of a large house crouched in the snow except for a shoveled path. Moments later, ensconced in a room, Viv leaned against Amir, breathing in his scent, his warmth and solidity comforting. Solid, comfortable furnishings surrounded them, their slight shabbiness making the room homey and welcoming.
It made up for the tiny adjacent bathroom. Viv had surveyed the scrap of a shower with sadness, conscious of how dirty and aromatic she must be.
“A shower for both of us?” Amir asked.
She smiled up at him, then jumped at a brisk knock on the door.
“I’m going to go get clothes for all of you.” Nia’s voice through the door. “Since Ušum and Donal took a room. Do you want earplugs?”
Running water started in the pipes.
Amir laughed. “Thank you for the clothes, no on the earplugs, and thank you again, Nia.”
“At least someone said thanks.”
Viv shook her head. “So much for showering.”
The heat in Amir’s eyes and his smile sent an anticipatory shiver through Vivian’s body. “We have other means at our disposal.”
Fire raced over both their bodies, warm and tingling, and Viv pulled Amir’s head down for a long satisfying kiss. “Wonderful. I didn’t want to wait either.”
23
Vivian finished packing her desk, setting her fish at the top of the box. Her coworker, Annie, sighed heavily. “I wish you didn't have to leave."
"So do I." The response was automatic.
Vivian had heard that phrase often for the past two weeks. She’d given her two weeks’ notice by email from the bed and breakfast. They’d driven to Texas to avoid notice, and just made it by the end of the vacation time she’d scheduled.
Annie’s regret was sincere, but as the office gossip, she was angling for more information as well. “Do the police have any leads on the break-in at your house?”
Vivian had lies prepared for her, but it was hard to actually use them. She couldn't stay. Donnell, Amir and Nia had all emphasized that since her identity was known, now, enemies could use any one of her coworkers as an information source by various means. As the crew on Donal’s yacht had been, despite all his precautions.
If she left, her coworkers might be safe.
Vivian sighed. “Very little; they think it might have been a crime of opportunity, since I was gone and the criminals took all the portable valuables and broke what was easy to damage.”
“And your cousin got sick and needs help? It never rains but it pours.” Annie paused. “If you don’t mind, what’s wrong with her?”
Viv smiled, the lies harder and harder. “It’s a genetic issue made worse by a fall. I hope she’ll be fine in a month or two. But there’s no one else.”
"You could ask about holding the position open until your family issue resolves."
“I might do that. But I have to go, Amir’s waiting for me. It’s a long drive to Florida.” Another lie; they were going to Ohio. Viv picked up the box and nodded to people waving goodbye.
Leaving made her sad. She’d asked if there was any way to tell if her coworkers were being influenced or pressured, and Donal had said he’d attend to it once she was away and safe. It wasn't anything that Vivian could do; it was a daoine sidhe ability, like the charm.
Curiously, it wasn't something Nia could do either; Donal had me
ntioned that fact with a sidelong amused glance.
Through the window, she could see Amir, reading his tablet, loitering just outside the doors. He wasn’t actually reading, as the quick flickering glances told her when she got close to him. Nuby, on his leash, frisked with joy around her ankles. They’d picked him up from the lodgings.
Many treats later, he’d barely forgiven her for the trip.
"Is this all?" He held out his hands for the box. When she passed it over, he weighed it, then tucked it under an arm.
“It is. I don’t keep much here.”
“I have a surprise for you in the car.” His eyes danced.
She raised her brows. “Let’s go, then.”
He must have hidden the package when they drove here; she’d only been packing and saying goodbye for an hour. It was wrapped in glittering golden paper with a silver bow. Large, it was also heavy when she moved it off her seat and into her lap.
She opened it, folding away the paper as Amir waited.
Hammers, chisels, brushes- new rock hunting equipment to replace what had been destroyed in her home. The goblins had been thorough, smashing everything, even her collection.
Tears started to her eyes, and she leaned over and kissed Amir. “Thank you. You always know what I need.”
Amir caressed her cheek, then started the car. “I hear Ohio has some interesting rocks. You can start your new collection there.”
Keep reading for a special note from the authors and a sneak peek at Book 1 - Unrepentant!
Available here.
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Unrepentant - Chapter 1
Lily had lost a bet, so today was the day to inspect, buy, and eat two vegetables from a human market. Playing cards with Johann Schmidt, while exciting and challenging, also meant she lost half the times. And while he’d had to eat a mouse the last time he lost, she thought this forfeit was cruel.
Vegetables tasted bad even in human form.
Markets were full of flickering lights and moving people, making her want to pounce. Even in human form, some instincts were hard to suppress.
She went every month to buy tea and cookies for her occasional guests, but she avoided the produce section. Fruit was tolerable in jelly, but not fresh. However, Anastasia was due to visit soon, and the rusalka loved berry jelly. The fact she could taste things while being a creature entirely composed of water was a mystery that Lily wished the rusalka would explain. As was common with many of the NightQueen’s children, the rusalka was contrary.
A scent teased her nose even over the deodorants and perfumes of the other shoppers. Her sense of smell was better than human in this form but nowhere near as good as in her tiger form. She stopped the cart, earning a glare from a baby-powder scented, blue-haired older woman who strode past her and inhaled deep.
An aroma unlike any other, it sent a warm flush through her as the breath ended in a splutter. A lilim, one of the kin the vampire legend had grown from, in the supermarket in rural Ohio? Wonders never ceased in this world.
Lily pulled random preserves into her cart, a dozen or so, and then some cookies and candy as she began wandering the aisles, searching for the lilim. It would be good to know the sex and appearance just in case. Lilim were normally a nomadic lot, but if this one settled, they would need to discuss ground rules.
This was her territory after all.
The trail led to the bitter green and citrus-scented produce section. Three people stood there: a child selecting apples with a middle-aged woman, and a tall, well-built man, dark hair hanging loose to his shoulders.
A laugh stuck in Lily’s throat. Which one could possibly be the lilim?
As if in response to the sound, he turned, exposing an intent expression, storm-grey eyes above sharply defined cheekbones, and an angular face that contrasted with a full mouth. Attractive, as all lilim were attractive, the pull of desire made a growl of irritation rumble low in her throat.
Wisely, he refrained from movement as she pushed her cart next to him.
“Well?” she murmured as she poked at the broccoli with a disdainful finger. It looked like trees and tasted like bark; she knew this because she’d lost another bet to Johann. She still had to select two to eat today.
“Greetings; I am Gaius. You are?”
“Lily. This is my place, but I’ll tolerate you as long as you don’t prey too heavily.”
He blinked down at her. Not too far a distance; Lily was only a finger’s width below six feet in height. None of the tiger-born, changing kin were small people.
“Why thank you.” His voice was very dry.
“You’re welcome. As part of acknowledging my territory, you’ll tell me which of these is sweet enough to be edible.” Lily’s gesture encompassed the stacks of vegetables surrounding them.
A smile tugged the edge of his mouth as he looked down at the contents of her cart. “Carrots can be covered with honey after they’re cooked. And many people put brown sugar and butter on the interiors of sweet potatoes.
She’d tried carrots long ago and not liked them much, but they hadn’t been cooked and covered in honey. Lily poked the sweet potato distrustfully. “How is this different from a regular potato? Potatoes are bitter.”
The faint smile deepened. “They are sweet; the only similarity to a potato is the shape and the skin.” He picked one up and offered it. “Smell.”
Her finger brushed his, releasing electricity forking up her arm. She sniffed the vegetable; it didn’t have the bitter dirt scent that potatoes had. She put the carrot and the potato in her cart. She would look up recipes on her phone.
“Farewell, then. Remember my rules.”
He gave her a shallow bow, drawing a stare from a produce worker bringing out strawberries. Polite, as lilim often were.
Triumphant, she headed to check out. Back home, she’d take pictures of the food and her eating it, as Johann required, after she made ready for Anastasia’s visit. The rusalka would arrive in the afternoon.
Purchases stored, recipe found, Lily eyed the sunny day and green grass and stepped outside, shucking her clothing as she went, melting into tiger form to better enjoy the day. Life’s greatest pleasures were often the simplest.
Lily stretched then settled into short soft new grass, her nose next to a patch of yellow and blue crocuses. The rich smell of the loam coming back to life and the tentative birdsong combined with the unseasonably warm sun beating down on her thick fur in an irresistible lullaby.
A purr of contentment rumbled in her throat as she languidly rolled onto her back, exposing her white belly to the sky. Her people’s Father, the DayKing, created them to enjoy His light.
Her eyelids drooped. It was a couple of hours before Anastasia would arrive, and a nap beckoned. The walls that enclosed her property had been built to keep human eyes at bay, and this was the first warm spring day of the year.
The unfamiliar tang of dust filled her nose; not the earth of anyplace she’d traveled. She winced, opening her eyes to the glare of a relentless sun. A wasteland baked before her, heat shimmering, cruel and unrelenting. She sprang to her feet and backpedaled. Her hind legs splashed into water, and Lily jumped, spinning.
Waves rolled up, and she danced backward while odors of fish and salt overpowered the dust. She sneezed- she liked to swim, but not in unfamiliar water, even in a dream.
Realization settled on her bones like a lead blanket. A dream vision of an unknown place…the Reckoning had started again. She and a few lucky, lucky others were ‘gifted’ with these dreams. They showed the locations of the pieces of the Keys.
Lily closed her eyes and willed herself to wake. She would not be a pawn in the Reckoning again, no matter the pressure.
The clanging of the ringtone she assigned to family gave her a rope to grasp, pulling her out of the sucking quicksand of the dream. It wanted her to see the third place.
Her fur ruffled in a breeze. The scent of an overbold rabbit nearby caught her attention; then a quick thump thump when she stirred, opening her eyes. It bounded further away. The hush of wings stirred nearby air as a bird took flight.
She was done with the futility of the zero-sum game between the DayKing and NightQueen, bitter ex-lovers living in the Godhome. That Dominion, an endless sea dotted with islands, contained them where no other dominion could. The Reckoning freed them to walk in humanity’s world for a short time, and disasters followed them like well-trained dogs.
Her answers to arguments to come were already planned. Yes, she was one of the eldest of the changing kin; yes, she’d fought in ten Reckonings and survived. No, age didn’t touch the changing kin the way it did humanity. Yes, she loved her nieces and nephews and all of their descendants.
No; she would not participate or share her visions this time.
The downside of her decision was the line that would form to try to force her. The time leading up to the Reckoning, when the children of the King and Queen fought to find and assemble the Keys, was always hectic, full of people trying to be the one who delivered a Key and, better yet, took possession of both. The only thing they liked better than walking the earth was walking it alone, their counterpart imprisoned still.
The daoine sidhe had delivered both Keys last time and been richly rewarded by the King.
She’d found out the troll she’d killed to take a portion of the Queen’s Key had been forced to fight, his clan held hostage against his performance. She’d been too late to save them though she’d promised him she’d try as he died, and the bitter taste still lingered in her mouth, a century later. It led to her determination today to not share the key’s location: and being the last known living seer gave her a chance to see it through.