Frost and Flame

by Showalter, Gena

  She wouldn’t put anything past him. His savagery... The man had disemboweled Zion and stabbed him between the eyes...and she’d been both horrified and excited by it, a shocking combination.

  Maybe she had multiple personalities? Light Nola and Dark Nola.

  “This is Erik’s doing,” Zion snarled.

  “How do you know?” she repeated.

  “He’s the one who placed cameras throughout the ice mountains. He must have watched me enter or leave the dimension. Without my knowledge.” He sounded incredulous.

  The portal closed, wind whooshing, locks of hair dancing against her cheek.

  He trudged down the other side of the hill, saying, “We will remain in this dimension, but leave Colorado.”

  “I can find us a place to stay.” Somewhere she could rest and recharge. Tomorrow, she would renew her hunt for Vale.

  “Where can we go that Bane won’t find you?”

  “I doubt he’ll look for me again.” His parting glare had promised untold anguish.

  “Oh, he’ll look all right,” Zion said, his voice infused with satisfaction. He craved another battle, didn’t he?

  Her tired mind couldn’t cobble together a clever response, so she pressed her index finger to his mouth, saying, “Shh. It’s quiet time now.”

  Only days ago, this guy had terrified her. Now she had steel ovaries and shushed him?

  Well, yeah. He was a good guy. He’d had plenty of opportunities to harm her, but never had. As for Bane, she didn’t know if he was good or bad or both. She still didn’t know what motivated him to chase after her.

  At the bottom of the hill, Zion set her down. To help her stay upright, he anchored an arm around her waist. “I’m fighting two wars now,” he said. “One to save myself, and one to save you.”

  “I’m not useless,” she spat, defensive. “I’m contributing to your success.”

  “I never said you were useless.”

  Hadn’t he, though? “Take me back to town, and I’ll find a doctor to stitch your wounds—”

  “I don’t need a doctor,” he interjected. “I’ve already healed.”

  Lucky! Had Bane healed? Where had he gone when they parted? Why hadn’t he tried to speak in her mind? Had she inadvertently blocked him again, or did he hate her even more than before?

  Gah! Why did she care? “Let’s go shopping. We’ll get new clothes, toiletries, a cell phone for you and a charger for me. And tampons!”

  “Tampons?” His dark brows drew together. “Some type of weapon? My translator is showing me a bloody—”

  New heat spread over her cheeks. “Just take me shopping. Please.”

  “Very well.” He portaled them to a dark alley between two warehouse-type buildings.

  There were no signs to indicate where they were. A full moon glowed alongside a million stars, the jewelry of the sky. The scent of rotting food, urine and waste tainted a warm breeze, and she screwed up her nose in disgust.

  Zion pressed the diamonds before ushering her out of an alley and into the warehouse on the right—a superstore. The shoppers were already frozen.

  “I’ll give you five minutes,” Zion said. “No more.”

  “What about security cameras?”

  “I’ve interrupted their feed.” Strain created fine lines around his eyes and mouth.

  Nola rushed down the aisles, tossing items into a cart. Later, she would tabulate the amount she owed, and mail the store a check. Oh! Pancake and maple syrup jelly beans. Gimme! Screw healthy living. She could have died today. Why not enjoy a treat now and then?

  When she finished, Zion’s dark eyes glinted with relief. He opened a portal to a small, two-bedroom house, with well-loved but chic furniture. A lace doily draped the coffee table and both side tables. The china cabinet displayed creepy porcelain dolls, while wall shelves held roadkill dressed in formal gowns—squirrels on the way to prom. Stained glass windows had the same flowery pattern as a faded rug with frayed edges.

  “We will stay here tonight, and rest up,” he said. “Tomorrow, I resume the war.”

  And Bane? What would he do? “Whose home is this?” she asked. “And where are we, exactly?”

  “The house is ours. For now. There are no neighbors or tenants. As for our location, I think it’s better for us both if you don’t know.” He headed for the front door, telling her, “Stay here. I must check the traps I placed around the perimeter.”

  Nola picked the master bedroom, the only room with a private bathroom, plugged her cell phone into an outlet and hid pills in the pockets of her new pants. Old habits might die hard, but they resurrected quite easily. She showered, brushed her teeth a thousand times, then changed into a T-shirt that read Official Hug Collector, sweatpants and house-shoes with fuzzy dogs.

  The last dose of painkiller wore off, aches returning to torment her. She reclined on the bed, devoured the bag of jelly beans and sent Vale multiple texts, just in case.

  Nola: Are you okay? Where are you? I’m so worried!

  Nola: When Zion originally absconded with me, you tried to sacrifice your life for mine, and I will never ever forgive you!

  Nola: I’m so sorry, V! You’re forgiven, I promise. I’m just worried about you. I love you, and I miss you. If Knox hurts you, I will rip out his other-worldly heart. (You know he’s an alien, right?)

  With access to the internet, Nola did a search for “Addwaywith,” “Adwaeweth,” “dragon shape-shifters,” “All War” and “alien sightings” but nothing helped.

  Dang it! She wanted, needed more information about Bane. Knowledge was power.

  A shirtless Zion stalked into the bedroom, his bronzed skin glistening with sweat. Why, why, why wasn’t she attracted to him?

  “You’re safe,” he said, easing onto the foot of the bed. “For the moment, anyway.”

  “But you’re not?”

  He shrugged. “I’m a combatant. Combatants aren’t safe until the war ends.”

  Meaning, Vale wouldn’t be safe. Nola rubbed her churning stomach. “I got a cell phone for you. Now we can communicate whenever we’re apart.” She taught him how to text, make calls and Google images of specific locations, so that he could portal to places he’d never visited.

  Intrigue lit his eyes. “Amazing.” For well over an hour, he played with the phone, asked questions about different websites, weapons and the “Terran military.” She answered to the best of her ability, wishing she could help Bane this way, too. Maybe he’d finally view her in a better light.

  Her cell rang, and she jerked. An unknown number flashed over the screen, and she twittered with excitement. Could be Vale, could be a solicitor. Please be Vale, please be Vale.

  Zion frowned and looked around. “What’s happening?”

  “Someone’s using their phone to call mine.” She slid her finger over the screen and placed the device at her ear. “H-hello?”

  “You’re alive.” Her sister’s voice whispered over the line, equal parts joy and relief.

  Tears of joy welled. Not wanting to worry Vale, she attempted an upbeat greeting. “Vale, you gorgeous ballbreaker, you’re alive, too.” A sob escaped, ruining her efforts. “I’ve been so worried.”

  “Nola,” Zion said with a frown. He collected a teardrop as if it were a fragile butterfly’s wing. “This call upsets you?”

  “No, no. I’m happy.” Her sister was alive and well.

  “Where are you?” Vale asked, still whispering. “How are you? Is Zion treating you well?”

  “He is. He told me it’s better if I don’t know where we are, and I agree. He’s protecting me from a blond giant who hopes to abduct me, reasons unknown.” “Hoped,” not “hopes.” Past tense. She wanted to say more so, so badly, wanted to admit everything. But, of course, the words died on her tongue. “I’m surviving minute by minute, some tougher than others.
”

  Zion frowned again, his brow furrowed with the barest hint of irritation. No doubt he’d wished to glean more info about Bane. Well, too bad, so sad.

  “Tell Zion to steal pills for you,” Vale said. “I don’t want you in pain.”

  “He did. Got me a whole bucketful, in fact. I’ve taken one or two.” Or four. “I’m tempted to pop a couple more, but I’d rather get clean.” The desire solidified. Yes! She would get clean. No more pills, period. No more bargaining with herself, as she’d done every other time she’d tried to quit. No more promises to herself, only to break them.

  Countless times, she’d tried tapering her dosage to lessen the severity of her withdrawal, cutting another five milligrams every week, but she’d always failed, making bargains with herself. If I take more now, I’ll take less later.

  But she never took less, so the bargains never worked out in her favor.

  “Enough about me,” she said. “How are you?”

  “No changing the subject, sis. You know you can’t go cold turkey,” Vale said. “The strain on your heart—”

  “Someone comes,” Zion interrupted.

  Nola’s heart leaped. Maybe Bane—

  “Multiple someones,” he added, and she withered. Bane was a lone wolf. “We must go, Nola.”

  In unison, she and Vale professed their love. Nola tried to say more, to reassure her sister that she wouldn’t end up in the hospital like last time. And she had a thousand questions about Vale’s time with Knox and her new status as a combatant, but Zion plucked the phone from her grip, ending the call.

  Dismay tickled the back of her neck. “How do you know someone’s here?”

  “As long as a combatant isn’t close to another combatant, we can sense the approach of others, the air suddenly electric.” He replaced her house-shoes with tennis shoes, as if she were an invalid. “I planted devices throughout the house. They prevent anyone from portaling inside, and us from portaling out. I’ll have to fight to get us out.”

  Her palms sweat. “Why don’t you freeze our uninvited guests? Then we can sneak away.”

  “I would if I could. I must recharge.”

  So, Zion’s ability to manipulate energy required some kind of internal battery. Good to know.

  “I’ll kill everyone, and then sneak you out. Better?”

  “Uh...”

  He picked her up, carried her to the walk-in closet and sealed her inside the small, darkened space, calling, “Do not exit until I return.” His footsteps sounded, then faded.

  Her heart raced faster, faster, and her stomach twisted. She rocked back on her heels. If he got hurt while she hid in the closet like a coward, she would hate herself forever.

  If only Bane had agreed to the alliance. They could have guarded the other’s back. Of course, if Zion’s dream was a genuine prediction, an alliance would put Bane in more danger.

  Or would it? Earlier, when she’d decided to stay with Zion in order to keep Bane safe, she’d been sick, exhausted, foggy and afraid of her dark side. Now, she had a clearer mind and wondered why she’d entertained so much fear. Dark Nola had never overtaken her before. Why should she believe Dark Nola would ever overtake her?

  She shouldn’t. She would continue to control herself, and that was that.

  And why should she believe Zion over herself?

  Again, she shouldn’t. I won’t let myself harm Bane. Not now, not ever. Which meant they could spend time together!

  Not taking time to think this through, she closed her eyes and pictured her golden god. A method that had both worked and failed. Maybe, like Zion, she’d just needed to recharge. She—

  —gasped, a tide of warmth flowing over her. For a moment, she felt weightless. Then, the closet vanished and cool air kissed her face as she scanned her new surroundings. A night-darkened forest. A stream of moonlight illuminated Bane, sending shivers down her spine.

  He battled five...ten...sixteen men. Humans? Most held guns, grunting and groaning when Bane struck and their bones gave an audible pop.

  With an animalistic roar, Bane hurled two large men across the distance. The pair slammed into different trees and slid to the ground, where they stayed, their heads hanging at odd angles. They were dead, and Bane had killed them viciously, without remorse.

  The two sides of Nola warred about the proper reaction. Horror or excitement?

  Bane lunged and grabbed another man by the throat. A man with two knives, doing his best to land a killing blow.

  Nola looked away when Bane used his claws to remove his opponent’s hands. A howl of pain pierced the night, followed by a thud, the weapons and appendages plopping on the ground.

  Do I leave, or do I stay?

  Leave, definitely. Wasn’t like she could help him. Oh! Unless she managed to portal Zion here, and convinced the two guys to work together. But Bane must have sensed her presence. Even as he disemboweled a soldier, he zoomed his gaze in her direction. Their eyes met, locked. Surprise shook him, and he stilled. A mistake. A soldier sank a blade into his chest.

  Roaring, Bane batted the weapon away.

  Horror shoved a protest out of Nola’s mouth. “No!”

  The remaining soldiers focused on her. Blood flash-froze in her veins. A tide of panic surged, threatening to drown her.

  She backed up a step, then another and another, stopping only when she ran into a tree. Problem: the tree reeked of sweat. And it breathed. And moved.

  Oh, crap. The tree was a man.

  He hooked an arm around her neck and pressed a gun against her temple. “Behave, and you might walk away from this.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Will he live—or die—for you?

  A HUMAN TERRORIZED Bane’s future queen. The human would die screaming.

  Sweat beaded on his brow, and panic gnawed on his mind, devouring his good sense. He kept thinking, Can’t lose her. Not her. Anyone but her.

  Anyone but her? Hardly! If necessary, he would find another royal.

  He swallowed a harsh denial. He wanted this princess. To save time and energy.

  Saving time and energy is the reason I feel so...crazed when she’s nearby? Or faraway.

  Nola’s eyes widened with terror, her cheeks ghostly pale. The sight shredded what remained of his control.

  Bane remembered the last time an armed man had stood behind a woman he wished to protect...remembered how Meredith had gasped for breath she couldn’t catch, death unstoppable as it spread through her body.

  He stalked, no, ran, charging after her. Adrenaline pumped through his veins at warp speed. Muscles doubled in size and bones hardened into steel. The pain in his shoulder dulled. His mind devolved further, his thoughts fragmenting but also sharpening. As sharp as daggers.

  Save her. Kill—them—all.

  Despite Nola’s nearness, the beast roared with fury, making his rage a thousand times worse.

  Closing in, faster and faster...

  He was grateful Nola wasn’t sobbing, begging or screaming hysterically. Actually, he was impressed. She had a weak body, yes, but such a keen mind and—

  Monstrous wings popped from his back, and he hissed a curse. Quick glance. No feathers, just a membranous web edged by a bulbous substance, with a bony hook extending from every joint—the beast’s wings.

  He’d never partially transformed before. Never maintained consciousness while the beast fought on his behalf. And in the presence of a princess no less.

  How it occurred, he didn’t know. Why it occurred, he could only guess. Perhaps, as a hybrid, she could control the beast only half as well as a full-blooded queen. Perhaps the beast planned to protect her. Yes, the fiend hated Nola with the same vehemence as Bane, but no one—no one!—had the right to harm what belonged to them.

  Bane grinned. Two warriors for the price of one.

  Let’s do th
is. He unleashed hell, using the wings’ razor sharp tips to slick through the neck of every soldier he passed.

  The scent of blood tainted the air. Songs of agony played in the background.

  “Stay back!” Nola’s captor shouted, tapping the barrel of the gun against her temple. His finger twitched on the trigger.

  He was a human mercenary on Erik’s payroll. His love of money would be his downfall.

  Nola whimpered, the sound scraping at Bane’s ears. His cells became embers. His organs became kindling. An inferno raged inside him.

  Careful. If he fully transformed, he could harm his princess irrevocably. She wouldn’t know she could order the beast to stand down; or that, without a verbal or telepathic command, the beast could do anything he wanted, anytime, to anyone. Calm. Steady.

  Gunfire exploded behind him, bullets piercing his wings. Ignore the flare of pain. They wanted him to slow; he picked up speed. Must save Nola, whatever the cost.

  A golden beam of moonlight illuminated her and her captor—and the contingent of humans who loomed behind them in no discernible pattern.

  “I told you to stay back! I’ll shoot her, I swear I will.” The mercenary holding Nola cocked his gun, making her jerk and gasp. “Stop!”

  When Bane thought he’d reached the limits of the soldier’s patience, he did it, he stopped and held up his hands in a gesture of innocence.

  “I’m so sorry,” Nola mouthed.

  He balled his fists. Earlier, he’d come upon Erik, who’d been on the trail of Knox and Vale. Bane had thought to snatch Vale and use her to gain Nola’s cooperation. Just before he made his move, Erik and two other combatants—Adonis and Rush—ambushed the couple, ultimately stealing away with her.

  Hadn’t taken long to realize the viking and his allies had no plans to harm the girl. Bane then turned his attention to Erik’s army of humans. The perfect outlet for his rage. He’d planned to decimate the army—an obstacle to his prize—find Vale and whisk her to his lair, then contact Nola. Instead, Nola had teleported to him once again. Why?

  If she’d already realized the error of her ways—never teleport without speaking to him first, or she might end up in the middle of a battlefield—he would consider the possibility of thinking about forgiving her—for the right price.