Burning Ash

by N. J. Walters

  Morrigan was nearby with a worried expression on her face. Maccus held her sword in his hand, looking pissed. Since that was his normal expression, Jo wasn’t sure if he was concerned about her attempt on Asher’s life or if there was something else on his mind.

  To know someone could break into her mind and use her as an instrument of vengeance was terrifying. “I can’t be with you. I won’t let someone use me against you.” She struggled in his arms until he put her down. Even then he didn’t release her but kept one strong arm around her waist to support her.

  “I thought I was strong, but I’m not.” The fact that some unknown entity could use her like that left her in a cold sweat. What else could they make her do?

  “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  Okay, not quite the reaction she’d thought she’d get from him. “You can’t deny what happened.” The reality of the situation was settling over her. He would never be safe around her. What if she woke some night to find she’d decapitated him while he slept?

  A shudder of dread wracked her body.

  “Listen to me.” He took her face in his hands. “You fought off the compulsion.”

  She shook her head. “If Maccus hadn’t stopped me—” It was too horrifying to continue.

  “Jo—”

  “No!” She cut him off before he could say anything that might sway her. Her course was set. “I can’t be with you.” Regardless of their audience, she knew she had to give him the truth. She owed him that. “Don’t you see? I can’t allow myself to be used against you. I love you.” The words were torn from her shattered soul. “There’s been so much pain and bloodshed in my life. If I hurt you, I couldn’t live with myself.”

  Fighting the compulsion had taken everything in her. Leaving Asher was a thousand times worse. Her heart was shattered.

  She offered Maccus and Morrigan a wan smile and a half wave before starting the long trek around to the front of the building. Her feet weighed a ton, as though they were encased in cement boots. A bitter chill ran down her arms and sank into her very bones. She stumbled forward, not really caring where she was going as long as it was away from Asher.

  Three steps. That’s how far she made it before strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind, stopping her. She lowered her head, utterly defeated.

  His voice broke as he whispered, “I’ll die if you leave me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  He was utterly gutted, his stomach in knots. Being unable to stop whoever was hurting her shredded his soul. He clenched his jaw to keep from swearing at the gods.

  That she thought herself weak, viewed what had happened as a defeat, hurt his heart. Jo was pure courage and determination, had fought the compulsion with grit, not relenting even when the pain had caused her nose to bleed. The internal battle had been as fierce as any physical one. She hadn’t collapsed, hadn’t given in. She’d fought and won.

  Then she’d walked away. Her priority? Not her own health or safety, but his.

  She loves me.

  He was almost afraid to believe, but those words had sealed her fate. No way could he let her go now. Even dirty and disheveled, she exuded goodness and light. A strength of will that was indomitable. Maccus might have come from Heaven and been spit out of Hell, but Jo was the real angel.

  He savored the weight of her against him, the perfect way she fit in his arms. Then she whirled around and drilled her finger into his chest. “You can’t die. You’re too important to the world.”

  “She’s right,” Maccus said as he and Morrigan joined them.

  “It doesn’t matter. I won’t live without Jo.” He’d spent far too many years fighting alone. In all that time, he’d never questioned his fate, never asked for anything for himself.

  “I’d rather you kill me in my sleep than lose you.” That was the honest truth. He was at the end of his rope. Being attacked by his brother and having to slay him was the final straw. If he didn’t have Jo, he had nothing left to live for. Duty was no longer enough.

  A lone tear trickled from the corner of Jo’s green eye. The brown one was liquid with unshed tears. “What am I going to do with you?”

  He stroked his fingers over her petal soft cheek, brushing aside a fleck of blood and a streak of dirt. “Live with me, fight with me, and watch my back.” He pressed his lips to hers. “Love me,” he whispered. “Just don’t leave me.”

  His entire existence depended on her decision.

  “I’m human.”

  “I don’t care. I’ll stay with you for as long as you live. When you finally pass, I’ll follow.” He tucked one loose strand of hair behind the curved shell of her ear. “Then I’ll search the afterlife until I find you.”

  A sniffing sound came from beside them. Morrigan was crying. “What? It’s so romantic. Say you’ll stay,” she implored.

  “We all want you to stay,” he told the woman in his arms.

  Jo tilted her head toward Maccus and frowned. “Not everyone. You think I should leave, don’t you?”

  He tensed, ready to drop his friend if he dared to agree.

  The angel shrugged. “You’re okay.”

  A snort of laughter escaped her. “You’re going to turn my head with such high praise.”

  Morrigan laughed. “Coming from him, that is high praise.”

  “Stay with me.” He pulled her in until her front was plastered against his. “Together, we can fight anything.”

  Something stirred in a dark corner. “Maccus,” he warned.

  “I feel it.”

  “Show yourself,” he ordered. With his preternatural vision, he should have been able to see whoever was there. A blast of energy rippled over his skin. The power was enormous. It was also familiar.

  Light illuminated the darkness. Jo sucked in a breath. Morrigan muttered, “Oh my God.” Maccus grunted.

  Asher went down on one knee and bowed his head before the goddess who had lifted him from the gates of death and made him what he was. “Sekhmet.”

  Her head was that of a lion with tawny hair and golden eyes. A fierce warrior, she was clad in brown leather pants and boots with a vest covering her torso. “Rise, my son.”

  He slowly stood and faced the goddess. He didn’t dare glance at the others. Sekhmet might take it as a slight and destroy them all. The gods and goddesses were capricious. You never knew what might set them off.

  She gave a sigh and turned toward Jo. “This is the woman you would sacrifice yourself for, give up your immortality and your sacred duty.”

  He slid in front of Jo. Not that it was much of a shield considering who they were facing.

  Amusement flickered over Sekhmet’s face. “I will not harm your little human.” She waved him aside, her golden eyes narrowing when he didn’t immediately obey. “Do not test my patience.”

  Jo shook. Not that he blamed her. Wasn’t every day a woman faced down an ancient goddess. He kept one hand pressed against her back when he stepped to the side.

  Sekhmet took Jo’s chin in her hands and studied her face. “Your eyes are unusual. A blessing from the gods. You have a minor gift of foresight. That second or two gives you an advantage when you fight.”

  “Is that what it is? I never knew.” Jo’s voice was shaky, but she stood straight and met Sekhmet’s golden gaze.

  “You love him?”

  Jo nodded. “Yes.”

  “You were willing to die for my Asher, to do what was best for him, even if it meant leaving.”

  “Yes.”

  “Hmm.” The goddess took a quick look at Maccus and Morrigan and dismissed them. Asher assumed since they weren’t a part of her pantheon, she really didn’t care about them. She’d see them as belonging to Heaven and Hell.

  What is she thinking? What does she want? There was no way to know the mind of a goddess.

  “Is ther
e something I may do for you, my goddess?” He put all the deference in his voice he could muster but feared he hadn’t been successful when she turned her glare on him.

  “You could cease this nonsense about giving up my gift to you simply because your human will die in a few years.”

  “I have lived and served you for ten thousand years. Not once, in all that time, have I shirked my duty.”

  “So long?” Sekhmet frowned, her brows lowering. “It seems but a heartbeat since I made you.”

  Even though he might be signing not only his own but also Jo’s death warrant, he continued. “I’m tired.” Those two simple words held the weight of those years. “I’ve never questioned why you chose me or what I had to do. I have served faithfully and well, but I cannot go on like this. Not alone. There’s been too much blood and death.”

  Being forced to carry out judgment and justice on his brother tonight might have broken him if it weren’t for Jo. Her understanding, support, and love gave him hope.

  He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, brushing a kiss over her knuckles. “I would much rather follow my Jo into death than to live alone.”

  “So be it.” The goddess raised her hands and a supernova of light exploded. A blast wave followed, knocking them off their feet. Wind, dry and hot, washed over them.

  He grabbed Jo, cradling her in his arms. If this was the end, they’d be together.

  His skin burned, but there was no fire. The spicy scent of cinnamon and myrrh filled his head. The desert sands caressed his skin. Then it dissipated, leaving only silence in its wake.

  I’m alive.

  “Jo?” He rolled her over so she was lying flat on the ground. She blinked up at him, her eyes surprisingly clear and alert. Come to think of it, he was energized, his exhaustion gone.

  “What happened? And why am I lying on the filthy ground again?”

  “What you are, child, is immortal.” Sekhmet stood over them, a frown on her face. Asher rolled over and stood, pulling Jo with him. Had he heard the goddess correctly?

  “I’m sorry.” Jo shook her head. “I’m what?”

  A smile crossed her leonine face. “Asher is needed. Without the threat of him, vampires would overrun the world.”

  “You changed Jo. Made her like me.” Then he frowned. “Will she need blood?” Yeah, she wouldn’t be thrilled about that. None of this had been done with her consent.

  But the gods never asked. They simply did as they chose and let the unfortunates in their path deal with the fallout.

  “Unlike you, she was never bitten by a vampire, so no. She is simply immortal. The gifts of self-healing, enhanced vision, increased speed, and preternatural hearing have been bestowed upon her. You will teach her. She will fight by your side for eternity. Like you, she can die only by beheading.” Then she tapped a fingernail painted a shimmering gold against her lips. “Or possibly you’ll die if beheaded. I’m not sure, but it’s best not to test it. This is my will. It is done.”

  In a blink of an eye, Sekhmet was gone, leaving them in the darkened area behind a building in the middle of New York.

  “What just happened?” Jo’s raised voice made him wince.

  “Surprise, you’re immortal.” He’d hoped to add some levity to the situation but failed miserably.

  She bent forward, holding her head in her hands. “I’m immortal. What does that even mean?” Her breathing was quickening. He feared she might hyperventilate.

  Asher grabbed her by the shoulders and raised her upright. “Breathe,” he ordered. “It means you will live forever unless you’re decapitated. Sekhmet expects you to hunt the deadliest of vampires. Kind of a job promotion.”

  When Jo simply stared, he tilted his head back and heaved a breath. “Okay, not a job promotion. On the plus side, you probably don’t need to worry about anyone possessing you anymore. You should have a natural immunity. But to be on the safe side, I’ll teach you to build a mental shield.”

  He didn’t address their relationship. How would she react to the idea of eternity at his side instead of a couple of decades? Talk about a major commitment.

  “Whatever you want. Whatever you need. I’m here for you.” Throwing pride to the wind, he stood before her. “I love you. I want to be with you for however long you’ll have me.”

  …

  Jo was having one hell of a time concentrating. Every cell in her body buzzed, as if she’d downed a half dozen energy drinks. She was still the same, only more. All her aches and pains had disappeared. Even the blinding headache had vanished.

  And holy goddess, she’d just met a real one. Sekhmet had come because of Asher’s willingness to die—for her.

  As a declaration of love, it didn’t get any bigger.

  Her hearing kept going in and out. One second everything was normal, the next she could hear a conversation several blocks over. Then multiple conversations. She shook her head to try to clear it.

  And her vision. Wow, the night was a whole lot brighter and everything was sharper. “Is this how you see the world?”

  “What?” Asher’s lips turned down and his shoulders slumped. He looked sad. Why was he sad?

  “I can hear everything.” It was freaking her out. Some guy was begging his girlfriend to come back to him a few streets over. An ant’s legs clicked as the insect raced up the nearby brick wall.

  “Listen to my voice.”

  She could do that. It was so deep and touched her soul, not to mention it made her body heat up, causing a delicious pulsing between her legs.

  “Focus.” His tone was sharp.

  “Right. Focusing.” She stared into his dark brown eyes. Everything else faded from her sight and hearing but him. “You’re so pretty. Did I say that out loud?” Shocked, she slapped her fingers over her mouth for a second before dropping them. “I feel drunk. Why am I drunk? Did I have alcohol?”

  Asher sighed. “It’s the power surging through your veins. I’d forgotten what it was like to first experience it. You’ll get used to it.”

  She rubbed her hands over his chest. “You’re stuck with me, aren’t you?” she wailed and was immediately shocked by her actions. “What is wrong with me?” she muttered.

  “Ah, Jo. All you have to do is simply be, and you make everything better.”

  She straightened and tried to be serious when all she wanted to do was smile and laugh like a loon. “I can do that.”

  He leaned forward and brushed his nose against hers. “My love.”

  His love. She liked that.

  “As touching as this is,” Maccus interrupted, “we still have a problem to deal with.”

  Jo waved at Maccus and Morrigan. “Hi.”

  Morrigan waved back and smiled. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m amazing.” She would have twirled around to prove it, but Asher’s arm kept her in place. Not that she minded. She kissed his chin.

  “For fuck’s sake, focus.” Maccus growled.

  “He’s such a grumpy bear.” She tried to whisper but didn’t think she’d been that successful when his glower sent power through the alley. “Your tattoos vibrate when you’re mad. That’s. So. Cool.

  “I should get a tattoo. Like a knife. I loooove my knives.” She reached down and patted the ones hidden at her ankles. “A girl can never have too many blades,” she announced.

  Asher was laughing outright. Morrigan giggled. Even Maccus rolled his eyes. Did his lips twitch?

  “I love you,” Asher told her.

  “I love you, too. We should go home.” And get naked, as soon as possible. She slid her hand down his front, aiming for the prize in his pants, but he grabbed her hand and pulled it away.

  “Not here, my sweet.”

  Yeah, he was right. She was sick of dirty back alleys.

  She sniffed. Ugh. “I need a shower.”

/>   “No one is leaving until we deal with the possible threat.” Scary dude crossed his arms.

  Jo heaved a sigh, but Maccus was right. “I’m immortal now, right? Isn’t the threat gone? Problem solved. You’re welcome.” She started to bow and would have gone head over heels if Asher hadn’t caught her and dragged her upright. “Oopsy.”

  “How did you get to the alley?” Maccus asked. “Who brought you here?”

  Some of her euphoria faded. “A big leathery dude with sharp teeth. Nasty smell. He must have dumped me here.”

  Asher swore under his breath, even as Maccus bellowed. “Lucifer.”

  That had a sobering effect. “Why is he calling the god of the underworld?” She’d met enough gods and goddesses for one day. Scratch that, for a lifetime.

  Well, I’d make an exception for Thor. Man, he’s hot in those movies.

  But was Lucifer really a god or was he simply a fallen angel? And why did it matter? Her thoughts were bouncing around like corn in a popper.

  “If a demon took you, Lucifer might be involved,” Asher told her. “He could easily manipulate email and order a demon to do his bidding.”

  Asher tucked her under his arm, his tension leeching into her and sobering her up. Fast on the heels of sobriety came mortification for everything she’d said and done. Had she really called Maccus a grumpy bear? And lived?

  “Lucifer, don’t make me come looking for you, because I will.” Maccus’s voice was bone shattering.

  Thank God, I’m immortal.

  A stench of sulphur emanated from a dark corner. A tall, dark-haired man sporting a designer suit materialized out of the shadows. “You bellowed.”

  Not what she’d expected. Horns and hooves and a pitchfork maybe. But he resembled a slick lawyer or Wall Street dude.

  Whatever his appearance, he seemed more amused than upset by the summons. He zoned in on Morrigan. “Don’t tell me you missed me and wanted to come back to work.”

  Right. Morrigan had been a bounty hunter for Hell, and the devil had been her boss. Jo shuddered and sidled a bit closer to Asher. She might be immortal now but figured it was best not to push her luck.