The Four Horsemen Series Box Set: Books 1 to 3

by LJ Swallow

  The girl on the bed stirs, blinking up at me in a sleepy haze before her face transforms into panicked horror to match her friend who tried to run outside. She opens her mouth, ready to scream, and I place a hand on her shoulder. The girl's mouth closes again as she grasps my fingers before she drops forward against me, head against my chest. The girl’s back moves as she sobs, and unsure what to do, I stroke her hair and will the girl’s fear to leave.

  Gradually, she stills and relaxes, and I close my eyes, fortified by a new energy replacing the exhaustion from fighting the demon. I snap them open again.

  I have Joss's power too.

  14

  VEE

  Another guy and a girl were in the upstairs rooms Xander and Ewan went into. Add in the guy from the sofa and girl on the bed, plus the one who tried to run, and we have five witnesses to the demons' deaths, or aftermath. The guys are drugged, and the girls are high too. Caused by magic or the white powder on the table? All are freaked out, understandably, since they just witnessed multiple murders. I watch the Four, curious how they deal with this situation.

  Judging by their handling, this isn't an uncommon state of affairs for them. Xander gathers the group into the lounge room and frightens the group into silence, of course. He informs them we’re undercover detectives on a drug sting and threatens to arrest them for possession, waving around a bag containing enough white powder to land them a hefty prison sentence. He impresses on them that the gang were dangerous and would've killed everybody. I’m as caught up in his whirlwind explanation as they are—his authority is clear.

  Finally, he warns them police backup is on the way and that if they don't leave, they'll be taken in for questioning. Sofa guy doesn't need telling twice and stumbles out of the house in seconds.

  "I bet he already has a criminal record," mutters Heath.

  Joss is gentler. He sits beside the girls and they look back at him, their swimming eyes focusing on his face. I don't hear his words to them, but they relax and nod, tears drying as they sink back on the seats.

  I turn away and walk into the kitchen, towards the open back door where I sit on the step and stare across the backyard towards the garages opposite. Too many lies surround me. If I open my big mouth, things could become complicated.

  Heath perches beside me and squeezes my leg. "You okay?"

  "Think so. Not really. I don't know." My voice catches.

  "Vee..." He wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me close. "What happened?"

  How do I explain this? "I think I’m War and Death too."

  "Huh?" He pulls away. "What do you mean?"

  I hold out my hands, convinced I'll find evidence, but there's none but a faint glow. "When I fought the incubus, I was strong, stronger than usual. And angrier. My light turned into something else. I don't know... something like electricity came from my fingers. Hit the demon in the chest and killed him, the way I saw you at Portia’s. That’s your power, isn’t it? And the strength is Xander’s?"

  "Holy crap," he says in a low voice. "But I wasn't in the room with you.”

  "I don't think you need to be," I whisper. "This gets weirder. The girl... I calmed her down when she was ready to scream the house down. Calmed her in the way Joss does." Heath touches my face, and I curl my fingers around his. "Do you think I am? Am I made up of all of you?"

  Heath kisses my forehead. "No, you’re Verity, and you’re Truth. But I think we just discovered what powers you have."

  I swallow. "All of them?"

  "Looks that way. Remind me never to piss you off." I crack a smile at his attempt to lighten my situation. "This is a game changer, Vee. How do you feel about it?"

  "Not sure. Not scared, more confused." I rest my head against his shoulder, and focus on my breathing, on his scent. His comfort doesn't match Joss's, but I've kissed and touched this man; felt his care for me before. "Relieved that I can match you. I think you guys will need to believe I can look after myself now."

  "I’m bloody sure you can. Did you choose to use the powers when you were upstairs?"

  "Not sure. I was angry when I saw the girl on the bed. I think that triggered War’s power against the incubus. Then my own, but instead of amplifying one of you it revealed the Truth. He didn’t die which triggered the need to use the Death inside me. And then after... I starved the girl of her fear. Famine."

  "And Pestilence?"

  I chew on the inside of my mouth. "No. Not this time, anyway."

  "Weird. Well, maybe the more you use the powers, the easier they'll come."

  I laugh softly. "You make it sound as if I'm learning a new sport."

  "It kind of is."

  "You see killing as sport?"

  Heath shrugs. "No. Well, sometimes. Thrill of the chase and all that."

  Somebody touches my hair, and I tip my head backwards to look at Joss. "How are you feeling, Vee?"

  "Overwhelmed."

  "Understandable." He sits the other side of me and places a hand on my leg. "Ready for a drink?"

  "A drink?"

  "The pub? These guys promised me a beer."

  How can they switch off from this as easily? They just freaking chased and killed demons, dealt with horrified victims, and all they can think about is a night out?

  I shift out of Heath’s embrace. "No, thanks. I'd rather go home. In fact, I'd like to get out of here before the police arrive."

  "We are the police, remember?" says Joss.

  "The real police," I say in a low voice. “A neighbour must've called them with all the noise here.”

  "Maybe, maybe not. People don't like to interfere," Heath says.

  "When women are screaming?" Heath and Joss exchange a look, and although I understand people's "don't interfere" attitude, morally that's wrong. The human race is disappointing.

  No, surely somebody must’ve called the police.

  "I'll take her. You guys help Xander clear up." Again, I hear those words clear up, this time spoken by Ewan. He walks over and sits on a nearby kitchen chair, resting elbows on his knees and hands beneath his chin.

  "You just want an excuse to be alone with Vee again," says Joss. "Impress her with a ride." He pauses and sniggers. “A ride on your bike, I mean.”

  Ewan scowls, and I sigh and shift away from Heath and Joss. "Tomorrow, I want to talk to you all about something."

  "Sounds interesting," says Joss.

  "Just a few concerns. Some ground rules."

  "Ooh, Vee has rules for us now she’s powerful. Can't wait to see what Xan-the-man has to say about that." Joss rubs his hands together. "Love it!"

  "I can take you home if you want?" asks Heath.

  "No dude, you have the SUV and are designated driver. We won't all fit on Ewan's bike if he’s the one who stays.”

  I suppress a laugh. "He's right. Is that okay with you?" I ask Ewan. "I'll go to the pub if you really want to as well."

  "No, Vee." He's firm, the gruff Ewan—the only one I experience since the night at the club. "You want to go back to the house, I’ll take you."

  "You'll take care of her, yeah?" asks Joss and looks between us, then wags a finger at Ewan. "But not too well."

  "Nah, they'll probably geek out with their laptops," says Heath.

  I attempt a smile but I'm still shaking like jelly after the last half an hour. The evening's events catch up with the old, human Vee, as she attempts to reconcile this new one.

  Heath stands. "I half wish you hadn't come with us tonight."

  "I told you, I had to. I feel better now I've killed him—demons. I feel like I can do what I'm created for."

  The following silence fills with low voices from the other room and nobody looks at me. Created. Well, I was, but how?

  "You're still a human girl, Vee."

  "No. I'm the Fifth," I say through gritted teeth. "And I'm your equal."

  "I don't think you are." I spin around where Xander stands in the doorway between the kitchen and the lounge, arms holding onto the top of the
frame. His T-shirt rides up, revealing rock hard abs I'm unfortunately drawn to stare at. He's lost some of the anger that blackened his face into something frightening, but stress surrounds him still.

  My ebbing anger flows again, as I ready a stream of unpleasant words to throw at him.

  A muscle twitches in his cheek, the amusement grating at me further. "I mean, I think you're superior to us, Vee."

  "Oh." The word rushes out with a surprised breath.

  And of course, he has to back his words up with something negative. "But right now, you're new to us. We need to figure all this out. Tonight was step one. Until then, you have to accept we're going to treat you differently to the way we treat each other." He pauses. "You’re too human still."

  A stand-off ensues as I hold his look, refusing to back down into the weakness he seems to think underpins me. I stride towards him so my next words aren't audible to the others. He drops his hands from the frame as I approach.

  "It's not my fault you're intimidated by me," I whisper. His features remain unmoved. "Or threatened? Is that it?"

  Xander's focus stays on my face, and I'm aware in the silence the other guys must watch us. He runs his tongue along his bottom lip. "Neither."

  I don't say the next word, but my raised brow replies: you're a liar. "Wait until I give you all the details about what happened to me tonight. Then you might change your tune."

  I turn back to the curious looks from Heath, Joss, and Ewan.

  "Can we leave now, Ewan?"

  15

  VEE

  My first time on a motorcycle terrifies me. Ridiculous, considering everything that's happened to me in the last few days, but I am. I dressed in jeans and a dark jacket tonight, nothing too bulky for my extracurricular activities. Apparently this isn't warm enough for a bike ride, as Ewan removes his leather jacket and insists I wear it. I spend the journey engulfed by his coat, clinging to him with my face buried in his back. Or as buried as I can manage considering I'm wearing his heavy helmet. At least this gives me an extra barrier between the world storming past my head.

  I'd ask Ewan to slow down, but he'd never hear me.

  My arms barely fit around his broad frame, his powerful back muscles tensed as he speeds along country lanes. My—his—jacket is unzipped and his T-shirt presses against me, his body beneath warming mine, and I wish I could place my cheek against him.

  At the house, I attempt to climb from the bike like a seasoned professional, but Ewan needs to help me stand on shaky legs, then assist with the helmet I struggle to unstrap with my cold fingers. My hair is damp with perspiration, and I suck in the fresh night air.

  "Wow, you look like you really enjoyed that," he says sarcastically.

  I stand with his jacket sleeves hanging over my hands, like a little kid trying on adult clothes. "My first time."

  "Serious? Why didn't you say, and I could've been gentler?" He bites his lip. "I would’ve slowed down a bit until you were comfortable."

  Was that a hint of innuendo? Unable to ready a comeback, I stride towards the farmhouse. The house holds a hominess I never expected, and it’s a relief to be in a sanctuary away from the monsters in the night. Heath's joke about "geeking out" echoes, and the temptation to pull out my laptop and switch the world off grows as I follow Ewan into the cool kitchen. I shrug off his jacket and place it over a chair.

  "I need some Horseman fuel," says Ewan and grins as he opens the fridge and takes two bottles. "Joss bought you some cider."

  I stare at the second bottle in his hand. "I was kidding about that. I'm not really into drinking."

  "Yeah, I noticed that when we went to the W—" He cuts himself dead as I turn my look to the floor. "Yeah. Anyway."

  "Maybe I'll have that cider." I take the bottle.

  We stand awkwardly, yet again, and I pick at the label on my bottle. "So, did you hear the news?"

  "What news?"

  "Apparently I have everybody’s power." I swig as Ewan stares at me. "I only had a chance to tell Heath before we left."

  "Holy crap." Ewan grips his bottle. "How do you know?"

  I explain to Ewan, the same way I told Heath, attempting not to show how scared I am by everything. But instead of sharing Heath’s stunned reaction, Ewan nods.

  "I thought so," he says as I finish. "Makes sense to me why we’re so glued to you. If you have a piece of each Horseman’s power, you have a piece of us. We need to protect you the way we would ourselves."

  "But I thought I just amplified your powers."

  "So did we, especially after what happened with you and Xander at Portia’s. This is a bloody big shock, and I can’t wait to see Xander’s face when he finds out he was wrong."

  "If it means Xander has extra ammunition against demons at his disposal, I’m sure he’ll be fine."

  Ewan shakes his head. "Your humour never fools me, Vee. I don’t need to be Joss to see how worried you are by this. Since we came into the house, you haven’t stopped fidgeting, and you’re tenser than I’ve seen before." He points at me. "If you grip that bottle any harder, you’re going to break it."

  I pull out a chair and sit. Ewan stands, arms crossed, lips pursed. "What?" I ask.

  "I wonder why you didn’t demonstrate my power?"

  "Maybe I didn’t need to tonight?" I suggest.

  "Or maybe you feel closer to the other guys." He looks past me and drinks slowly. "Because we’re kind of distant, aren’t we? Even you and Xander—however much you clash, there’s a closeness. Heath, he’s the guy you first met, and I think that makes a difference. Joss helps you a lot. You’re close to him. Me? I’m a reminder of what happened to you the other night. I can't help you in the way Joss could right now."

  "That’s not true, and I don't need Joss to make me feel better."

  Ewan rubs his mouth as he studies me. "But you're different towards me after the night at the club, Vee."

  Our eyes meet for more than a few seconds for the first time in days. "So are you."

  "I didn't tell the guys about the incubus attack, like you asked."

  "I know. Thank you."

  Ewan runs a hand across the top of his head, hair messing further, and his capped sleeve slides to reveal more tattoos. "I feel like you blame me somehow."

  "I don't blame you," I say in a low voice. "It's just... things are odd."

  "Because the incubus looked like me?" he blurts.

  I'm caught in his steady gaze, in the concern behind his green eyes. Initially, I took Heath to be the sensitive guy with his care and attention, how he spoke his mind with a need for me to understand him. As the days pass, Ewan's nature becomes plainer. He's moody, yes, not as sensitive to people around him as Joss, but his quiet nature holds deeper thinking. I remember the first day, when he insisted on telling me as much as he could—or was allowed.

  "There's a lot we never spoke about, isn't there?" I ask him.

  He pulls out a chair and sits beside me. "Things fucked up between us."

  "Did they?"

  "Yeah. I was the one who told you about... your lack of a past." I smile at his term. "Then I'm a reminder of the night a demon assaulted you. Both times I failed to protect you."

  I reach out and curl my fingers around his. "Tonight I looked after myself. I'm fine."

  His face is lined with worry as he looks back. "You need to accept you’re our number one priority, which is why I’m struggling here. I feel I have to apologise for something I didn't do." His heavy brow deepens. "I would never have touched you and kissed you like that."

  I swallow down my disappointment and pull my hand away. "Never?"

  "I told you the first day we spoke why I couldn't."

  I slide my hand down Ewan's arm and lace my fingers through his again. He looks down in surprise and rubs his thumb across the back of my hand, the pad rough against my soft skin.

  "You have this all wrong," I whisper and look down at where our hands connect. "There’s a different reason why I'm finding it hard to be around you
. I know the demon wasn't you but..." I trail off.

  I need to say the words, to admit the truth lighting up every time I look at Ewan and the exact reason why.

  "I wanted the person who kissed me to be you, Ewan. I saw the way you looked at me when we left the house for the club, and nobody ever looked at me like that before."

  He gives a rare smile, one that spreads to his eyes. "Nobody ever stared at your drop-dead-gorgeous body? Yeah, right. I thought you couldn't lie?"

  "No. But the way you did was different. It wasn't just 'appreciating the view.' You looked me in the eyes too, and there was something different, like a respect."

  "Or a reverence?" he says with a laugh. "You're amazing and I crave you. To be around you. Horseman thing," he adds quickly.

  My chest flutters at his words, at how his fingers grip mine tighter.

  "And now... everything's confused. When the memories seep in, they're your hands and mouth on me. You're the one making me feel as if I can switch off from this, escape somewhere else, even if it’s just for a short time." I stare at his mouth. "You’re the one I wanted that night. Want now."

  Ewan’s dark-eyed look winds around my heart. "You make your own decisions, remember?"

  I reach out and touch Ewan. His stubble's longer than Heath's is making his face rougher against my fingers. Hair dips into his eyes and half-curled strands touch his ears. I attempt to quash the effect he has on me, but there's no letting go of the physical attraction.

  In a moment ruled by my body and not my brain, where I fool myself this is merely a supernatural connection, I move my face towards his.

  "I do," I whisper.

  Ewan's large hand grips the back of my head, fingers digging into my hair and he rests his head on mine. "Think about this, Vee."

  "I am," I mumble and move my lips closer.

  He closes his eyes the moment my breath mingles with his, unable to escape the effect either.

  "I need you to replace the false you with the real one." His uptick in breathing tells me what I need to know. He understands exactly what I mean. "Ewan, I've spent days imagining what this would really be like with you."