“You will.” Ronan pulled her into him, his eyes meeting Bishop’s.
Jill and Katrina ran into the waiting room, and Kira headed their way. Bishop nodded for Ronan to follow him. Once they were away from the women, he pulled out the pictures. “We were at a house in Newport that an informant told Viktor about. We found these.”
Bishop glanced at Ryker, who walked up and gave Bishop a nod before looking at the pictures when Ronan cursed.
“What is that?” Ronan growled, staring at the picture of Kira.
“Death symbol,” Ryker hissed, his eyes narrowed as he stared at the picture.
“Who exactly are you?” Bishop glanced over at him.
“Ryker,” he said with a small half-grin. “Think we already met.”
Before Bishop could say anything to that, he heard her voice. Turning, he frowned when he saw Bonnie holding her ribs as she made her way down the hall and into the waiting room.
“What in the hell are you doing up?” both Bishop and Ryker said at the same time.
“Seriously, who in the fuck are you?” Bishop growled, glaring at Ryker.
“Ryker. Bishop,” Bonnie introduced as she slowly made her way toward them. “Bishop. Ryker. Now that we got that taken care of, who is going to take me to the house?”
“Did Slade release you?” Bishop frowned down at her.
“No, he did not.” Slade’s voice boomed behind Bonnie, making her jump then cringe in pain.
“I’m fine. I’m wrapped, took some drugs, and ready to go,” Bonnie said, then looked at Ronan’s hand. Slowly, she walked that way and snatched the pictures.
Bishop watched her reaction as she stared first at Kira’s photo, then hers. Anger and something else crossed her features as she looked up at Bishop. “Damn, they could have taken a picture of my good side.” She handed the pictures back to Ronan. “Let’s go. I heard Slade talking about a house and symbols. Is it black magic? And don’t lie, because, by the symbol on our pictures, I can pretty much say it is.”
“Some of them I’ve never seen before,” Bishop said, then frowned, realizing he just answered her. “But you aren’t going anywhere until Slade releases you.”
“I’ve released myself.” Bonnie turned slowly. “I can do that, you know. Come on, Kira. Let’s see if we can help these Warriors figure this out so I can lay down and cry in peace. Kidding. I’m kidding. I’m going to live. I’m tougher than a piece of rawhide,” Bonnie said before anyone could say anything.
Bishop cursed, shaking his head. “Dammit, Bonnie.”
“Dammit, Bishop.” Bonnie mocked him back as she waddled her way toward Kira. “Mira shouldn’t be doing it alone.”
“You heard everything?” Slade glared at her.
“Every single syllable. I have expert eavesdropping skills.” Bonnie patted him on the arm as she slowly walked past. “Thanks for wrapping me up, Doc. I’m as good as new.”
“Guess you aren’t going to stop her,” he asked Slade as he frowned when Ryker rushed toward Bonnie to walk beside her.
“Would it matter if I did?” Slade threw his arms out in defeat. “Women.”
“Witches,” Bishop growled, then walked up to the other side of Bonnie, glaring down at her as she painfully walked toward the exit. “Pain in my ass.”
“Honestly, I’d rather have a pain in my ass,” Bonnie hissed as she snapped at Bishop. “Broken ribs suck. And if you say sorry one more time, Kira, I’m going to zap you. This is on me.”
“You’re damn right it is,” Bishop answered for Kira. “What in the hell were you thinking?”
“Why do people keep asking me that?” Bonnie grumbled. “For the last time, I was thinking of killing dipshit, aka, saggy ass, aka, my evil father.”
Bishop glared when Ryker chuckled, then looked at Bishop with a smirk. “I’m Ryker.”
“Fuck you,” Bishop growled, really not liking the smartass at all.
Chapter 4
Bonnie thankfully didn’t have to ride on the back of a motorcycle. Though riding on the back of Bishop’s bike had a certain thrilling ring to it. Okay, dammit, she found the witch-killing Warrior handsome as sin, but nothing and she meant nothing could come of it. The kiss they shared rocked her world, but never would he or anyone else know that. It was her secret. She had lied to him, herself, and anyone else who may have raised the question of a relationship between her and Bishop. Not happening. Actually, relationships for her were off the table. Period. A fling, definitely, but not with Bishop Valentino. A fling would never be enough for her with that man. She had already put herself through hell most of her life, and taking a taste of Bishop was a hell she just couldn’t afford.
“You good?” Ryker said from the seat next to her. Ronan drove with Kira in the passenger seat. Bonnie and Ryker occupied the back. Bishop followed behind them on his bike. She could actually feel his glare on the back of her head through the rear windshield.
When Bishop had said it had been like kissing a cousin after their kiss under the mistletoe, his words had almost done her in, but that had been her plan all along. She shouldn’t have taken it personally, but she did, and it sucked. Shaking the thoughts away, she sighed.
“Yeah, think the pain meds are kicking in, which is good and bad.” Bonnie grinned, feeling a little flighty. Pain meds along with her magic didn’t mix very well. Ryker sent a questioning gaze in her direction. “Good because the pain has eased. Bad because so has my brain. Feeling a little loopy, so forgive me if I say some stupid shit.”
“Forgiven.” Ryker’s deep voice filled the back of the car. Bonnie continued to stare openly at him. He was a big man, barely fitting in the back of the car. Her head had fit nicely in his lap. That thought made her chuckle internally. She was also a sucker for a handsome smile, which was what he always seemed to be doing. He was a fine-looking man with his wind-blown sandy brown hair, golden skin, and matching eyes. But he wasn’t the brooding, fickle-ass man with his dark, tattooed looks riding behind them.
“So, what’s your story?” Bonnie laid her suddenly very heavy head back against the seat and continued to stare at him. “You mysteriously appear Christmas Eve, we don’t even know your last name, and you spend hours at the hospital with a person you just met.”
An uncomfortable silence followed her question. His eyes shadowed briefly, but Bonnie didn’t miss it. This guy had secrets. Huh, welcome to the club, buddy.
“I like long walks on the beach, puppies, and seafood with a nice tall glass of blood,” Ryker said, his tone impressively serious. Bonnie rolled her eyes.
“This isn’t an interview for Playgirl.” Bonnie snorted, then lifted her head with a smirk. “Though I’m sure they’d love to have you for their spread.”
“Thank you.” Ryker nodded without blinking an eye.
“You’re… welcome,” Bonnie said slowly, then shook her head. “Okay, remain the mysterious Christmas Eve Warrior. Maybe Santa sent you.”
The car stopped, and Bonnie looked out the window to see a house and knew instantly it had been glammed, and not in a good way.
“I’m no elf, Bonnie.” Ryker chuckled, getting out of the car, then bent down to stare at her. “But I do like the mysterious Warrior. I think I’ll go with that.”
Bonnie smirked as he shut the door, then jumped when her door was jerked open. “Dammit, stop scaring me and making me jump.”
“Sorry,” Bishop said, but he didn’t really sound sorry. No, he sounded pissed off. “You sure you’re up for this?”
Actually, she wasn’t sure at all. In the car, she’d felt relaxed, but now, standing slowly, she felt jittery as hell. It had to be the pain meds messing with her. She never did well on them and usually could fix her issues with magic. Nope, not this time. Suffering for her stupidity was what she had to look forward to until she healed.
“Nope,” Bonnie answered honestly, letting Bishop help her out of the car. She stood and stared at the house, getting her bearings. “It’s glammed.”
�
�I know,” Bishop replied, but continued to stare at her and not the house.
“The basement’s not,” Steve said as he passed and then stopped, looking at Bishop. “And by the way, how in the hell did you do what you did?”
Most times Bonnie had a hard time following what Steve was saying because he said so much off-the-wall shit, but this time she got it right away. “You unglammed the basement?” Her eyes widened.
“Yeah, he and Viktor did. At first, I thought he was praying with the hands and mumbling, which was weird.” Steve didn’t pay any attention to the glare Bishop threw his way. “Damn, man. Didn’t know you were a witch.”
“Warlock,” Bonnie corrected with a grin when Bishop’s eyes narrowed to slits.
“Oh, yeah. He’s a dude.” Steve nodded seriously. “Warlock. Does Sloan know about this?”
“I’m not a Warlock,” Bishop growled through clenched teeth.
“But—” Steve said, then stopped, no doubt realizing he was treading on thin ice with Bishop. But Steve being Steve couldn’t help himself. “What you did was magic, man. Hey, that has a certain ring to it. Bishop, the Praying Magic Man/Warrior.”
Bonnie couldn’t help it. She laughed, and it hurt, but she took great satisfaction seeing Bishop sneering and growling at Steve. “It really does have a ring to it,” she added with a huge grin.
“What in the hell happened to you?” Raven walked up with a frown, saving Steve’s ass from certain pain and probably death. “I’m not around you for an hour, and you end up in the hospital?”
“You’re fired,” Bonnie said, then chuckled. “Kidding. I was perfectly safe except from myself. Did something stupid and paid the price. Story of my life.”
“Are you going to stand outside all day shooting the fucking breeze?” Sloan’s booming voice rolled around them. “Or are we going to figure this shit out sometime this century. And you…”
Bonnie looked behind her, then back at Sloan as she pointed to herself.
“Yeah, you, smartass,” Sloan growled. “You okay?”
“Tired, loopy from pain meds, and a little short of breath from broken ribs, but other than that, I’m golden,” Bonnie said as if Sloan really gave a shit. Maybe a little part of her wished the boss man did care, but the look on his face told a different story.
“Good, because if you ever pull a stunt like you pulled today, putting yourself and anyone else in danger, you’re gone.” Sloan didn’t mince words, ever.
The best thing would be for Bonnie to nod in submission of his order, but yeah, Bonnie never did what was best, obviously. “Then you might as well tell me to get my witchy ass out of here because training you know who, for you know what is going to be dangerous to all involved.”
Sloan looked around as if noticing they were out in the open and frowned even more than he had been, which was amazing. “We’ll talk about this later. Get in here and help Mira,” he ordered, then disappeared back inside.
“Pain meds make you grumpy too?” Ryker asked as he passed, giving her a half-grin.
“No, that’s just my loveable personality. Grumpy and honest to a fault,” Bonnie shot back as she started toward the house and the dreaded stairs leading to the front door. Taking the steps slowly, she frowned. “You know we’re being watched.”
“Yeah, figured that,” Bishop replied, taking her elbow and helping her up the steps. “Guess you don’t know where they are?”
“Nope, but you’d be the first to know if I did,” Bonnie said, stopping at the top to take a small rest. “Do me a favor, though. If they try to take me out, just let them. Broken ribs ain’t no joke.”
“Not funny,” Bishop growled, but his eyes searched for possible threats to her, and didn’t that make her feel all warm and fuzzy, dammit. “You should still be in the hospital.”
“Sick people belong in the hospital. I’m not sick,” Bonnie replied, on the move again as she went for the door. “Believe me, you think I’m bitchy now. Give Bonnie a runny nose and all hell will break loose.”
Bishop opened the door and ushered her through the house toward the basement. She knew it was glammed, could feel the magic all around her. Without even wondering why Mira or Kira hadn’t unglammed the place, she used her magic to do just that. She turned to look and wasn’t surprised at what she saw. The place was immaculate. Nothing out of place, clean, and with the best furniture money or witchcraft could buy.
“Dealing with some high rollers.” Bonnie clucked her tongue. “Daddy must be paying well these days.”
“You think this is connected?” Bishop asked, also looking around what was now a whole different perspective.
“I’m sure it is, especially with that god-awful photo of me you found with the death symbol. If I was a betting woman—and I usually am—I’d say it’s definitely connected.” Bonnie frowned, glancing at the steps leading down to the basement. “Seriously? Steps suck.” She moaned, then started her descent.
Once downstairs, she looked around at all the symbols painted on the walls. It was a smorgasbord of the occult. Black magic, white magic, and a little satanic crap thrown in for the hell of it.
“Ever see anything like this?” Raven asked as her eyes took in everything.
“Looks like they were either confused as hell or they want anyone who finds it to be confused as hell.” Bonnie walked over to a symbol, studied it then threw in, “Or….”
Bishop followed her, also staring at the symbol. “Or?”
“They really want me dead and in a bad way.” Bonnie continued to study the symbols as she moved around the room. “Do you notice one similarity?”
Raven walked over along with Mira and Kira. The four women’s gazes raked around the room, but no one answered.
Pointing to a symbol that was a circle with a large A in the center, she pointed again and again. “Every single one has that symbol embedded into it somehow.”
Ronan, Bishop, Viktor, Steve, and Sloan began walking around the room. “Son of a bitch,” Bishop said as he walked up to Bonnie. “Why?”
“What does it mean?” Steve asked while he even stared up at the ceiling.
“It’s the symbol for anarchy,” Bonnie whispered with a frown, then pointed. “And that is the Star of Chaos, which also seems to be included in each one.” The eight-pointed arrow was crudely incorporated along with the symbol for anarchy into each symbol.
Bonnie had actually never seen such a mess of symbols. Didn’t really know what it meant. Then again, she was afraid she did. Glancing at Kira and Mira, she frowned, not liking where her thoughts were going, and by the looks on their faces, they were thinking the same thing.
She turned toward Bishop, then looked at Sloan. “I’ve never seen so many symbols representing different things. It’s a mixture of the occult. Meaning this doesn’t happen every day. You stick with your beliefs. You don’t mix and match. This is mixed and matched in the worst possible way.”
“This isn’t good,” Kira whispered as she continued to look around.
“No.” Charger’s voice filled the basement as he came down the steps. “It’s not good at all.”
Bonnie watched as Charger looked over at Raven but glanced away quickly as he began studying the basement.
“New one for you?” Bonnie asked, knowing what his answer would be. She was sure the Dark Guardians had seen some shit in their lives and dealings with the darkness that walked the earth.
“Actually no, it’s not,” Charger said, his voice low as he glanced up at the ceiling. “But it’s been a very long time since the occults came together like this, and I seriously doubt this is an isolated incident.”
“What happened then?” Steve asked, his eyes wide as he looked from Bonnie to Charger.
“Son, you don’t want to know,” Charger said, but Bonnie knew, and by the looks on everyone else’s faces, they figured it out.
“Hell on earth,” Sloan growled, then turned and stomped up the steps, phone to his ear. “Duncan, get me the owner of the house
ASAP. I want them brought here.”
Sloan’s voice faded, leaving everyone in the basement silent as they realized what was to come. Bonnie glanced at Bishop, who turned to look at her. Her father wasn’t waiting for the death of all Grail women to regain his powers. He was using the powers of all the occult to carry out his deranged plan. For the first time in a long time, Bonnie felt insufficient and unprepared in the face of her father’s evil takeover, and that honestly scared the shit out of her. For so long, there were three, now four Grail females standing in his way. To the detriment of humankind, it seemed they were now only a bonus in the grand scheme of things, and anyone not in the occult was on the front lines.
A shitstorm was brewing, and if they couldn’t put a stop to it, life on earth would never be the same again.
Chapter 5
Bishop left the house and walked around the neighborhood. Raven had followed him out, and he figured that was because of Charger’s arrival. The tension was thick between the two, especially since Raven had transferred from the Dark Guardians to the VC Warriors.
“So are you official?” Bishop asked as his eyes scanned the houses and alleyways they passed.
“Yeah, signed this morning,” Raven replied, her voice low. “Start training tonight if we finish here in time. Got any advice for me?”
Bishop slowed and glanced at Raven. “Don’t show any weakness. Once the recruits realize you’re a transfer, they will most definitely try to put you in your place and send you back to the Guardians.”
Raven nodded, not seeming concerned about that fact. “Point taken,” she replied with a nod. “They still giving Katrina a hard time?”
“Women will always have a hard time in the program.” Bishop watched as a car slowly came down the road, passed them, and then pulled into the house. Must be the owner. He turned to head back that way.
“Which is bullshit,” Raven added, following him back.
“Bullshit, but fact,” Bishop agreed. “But I seriously doubt you have anything to worry about. I’ve heard about you. Just go in, do your thing, and don’t worry about anyone else.”
Bishop Page 3
