by Ciara Graves
She moved too damned fast to see, blurring in and out of sight like a damned vampire. How could I have forgotten what she turned herself into? A myriad of supernatural creatures.
She growled as she caught me by my shoulders and paid me back in kind for all the times I headbutted her.
Stars filled my vision.
A punch to the gut doubled me over, just in time to catch a knee to my face.
I lay on the floor, spitting blood. She raised her foot to kick me again, then paused.
Suddenly, the chant was on her lips as she returned to her place at the base of the tree.
I managed to make it to my hands and knees, waiting for my fire to return. I was weak and losing blood.
“Hey,” I shouted. “I’m not finished with you yet.”
Shuval’s shoulders tensed. “Stay down, Mercy, if you know what’s good for you.”
I wiped the blood from my face with my forearm.
My legs shook, but I stood, pulling to my hands what power I had left in me.
Putting my palms together, I formed the fire into an orb. Raising both hands over my head, I launched the orb at Shuval’s back.
It struck its target, but she hardly moved.
I created another orb and did it again.
The fire struck her spine, and this time burned a hole through her dress. I formed a third orb and was ready to release it when Rafael’s snarl distracted me.
I glanced over.
He was on his knees.
Envy stood behind him, wielding a sword of green flame.
“No,” I shouted and charged toward him.
I was yanked away and thrown into the trunk of the tree. A dagger struck my shoulder, piercing it, through and through.
I screamed as the blade embedded in the tree behind me, pinning me there. A second dagger entered my forearm, trapping my left arm to the tree.
“I think it’s time you do my bidding.” Shuval had a third dagger in her hand. She trailed the point down my scar, then grabbed my face, digging her claws in. She looked into my eyes. Her evil magic roamed over me, searching for a way in. She frowned.
I laughed.
“What have you done?”
I flashed her a smile. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
She pressed dagger against my throat as she glowered. “Tell me what you’ve done!”
“I removed your taint. That’s what. Removed all the dragonborn. I’m all mage now. Pure mage. And, sunshine, this mage is going to end you.”
She screamed and ripped me away from the tree. The air escaped my lungs as the daggers remained in my shoulder and arm.
“You have failed, Mercy, you hear me? You have failed to save them.” She raised the dagger over her head.
Behind her, the green dome faltered and fell away.
Either Envy was coming to aid her, or he was dead.
What of Rafael? Was he alive? My heart ached at the thought that he hadn’t made it.
Shuval brought that dagger down, ready to end me.
A sword intercepted the dagger.
Rafael!
He shoved her back, fighting her, sword against dagger, giving me a chance to get up and finish this.
The ritual to summon the Blood Moon had indeed weakened her. Even now, it clearly tugged at her. She shrieked endlessly. Her tattoos churned violently, digging into her skin. She gasped, clutching at her stomach.
Rafael stilled his sword momentarily.
She lunged at him again.
This time I was right beside him.
As her dagger met his sword, I reached out and snagged her wrists. Red fire flowed over me, through me, and into Shuval. It pinned her to the spot.
The dagger fell from her twitching hand. She bared all three sets of fangs at me.
“This isn’t over,” she gasped.
Her body began to shift and change. The dragon in her was coming alive as every tattoo vanished from her skin. She dug her claws into my forearms, reared her head back, and attempted to bite my neck.
She failed.
Rafael drove the sword deep into her chest.
Her eyes widened. Her grip on me loosened.
I slammed my hands against her face, burning her. The flames cascaded down her body.
Rafael yanked the blade from her chest.
Shuval roared, attempting to flee.
Rafael swung his blade downward, his blade heading for Shuval’s neck.
Her head remained on her body for a mere second, then slipped to the side.
A shockwave of red and black evil magic pitched us backward. We sailed through the air as the tree cracked and exploded.
We ducked splinters and chunks of stone falling around us.
I scrambled to my feet quickly, waiting for Shuval’s headless corpse to rise again. It stayed on the floor, unmoving.
“Mercy,” Rafael breathed.
I turned to him and found myself in his arms, kissing him despite our split lips and bruised faces. It was over. Shuval was dead and Envy…
“Where’s Envy?”
Rafael nodded to a body a few feet away. “Bastard thought he was going to kill me. Didn’t work out so well for him.”
Body aching and blood oozing from my wounds, I staggered to my feet and walked to Envy’s body. I snapped my fingers, producing a single flame, and dropped it on Envy’s body. If he wasn’t dead before, he would be now.
I did the same to Shuval and to her detached head. Her eyes were open, as though she was looking at me. Disbelief and hatred were frozen on her features until the flames melted them away.
Rafael’s hand held mine as I backed away from the dead tree. Smoke trailed up from its trunk. Charred bark marred its branches. The walls trembled and dust fell from the ceiling.
“We need to go.”
I didn’t argue.
Leaving Envy and Shuval’s bodies to finish burning, we limped out of the ritual chamber and through the fortress.
Walls cracked and the roof caved in around us, chasing us from the structure.
A dark laugh escaped me during our escape as I wondered if we’d survived the fight against Envy and Shuval, only to be crushed to death by the damned fortress.
Rafael led the way, tugging me along.
Adrenaline kept us moving.
A door was in sight, open, and leading to the outside.
Beyond it, I spotted Horace. He shouted, waving us on.
We emerged through the door as the corridor collapsed completely, surrounding us in a cloud of dust.
We burst through the dust storm and crashed into Horace. Behind him were Bowen, and Gigi, and behind them, our own ragtag army.
“She’s dead,” I announced. “Shuval’s dead. It’s over. It’s finally over.” I leaned into Rafael’s side.
Chapter 16
Mercy
I sat on the curb, outside of what remained of Shuval’s fortress.
The reality of what we went through was finally sinking in. Watching people walk by carrying the wounded and the dead. The Hunters and the Feds were busy rounding up the enemy.
Apparently, the moment Shuval was killed, those left standing were more than willing to stop fighting. Our massive influx of reinforcements helped tip the scales in our favor, especially once the Blood Moon ritual stopped.
I’d wondered how many had died while we fought to get to Shuval, but Rafael had been right when he said that if we’d attacked any sooner, she might have still been too strong to kill.
Covered in blood and grime from the battle, Rafael stood a few yards away. I wasn’t in much better shape. I’d cauterized my worst wounds to stop from losing any more blood and would probably need stitches for a couple of them. And an ice pack. And a bed.
The pain would catch up to me eventually, but I was too numb to notice it now.
I gazed around the park, spotting Gigi with her coven. She caught my eye, smiled and waved. Seeing her geared up with weapons she picked up during the battle was odd.
Bowen wasn’t too far away, busy talking to Nor and Iris. I wasn’t sure what they were discussing, but whatever it was, he seemed highly interested.
Todd wasn’t anywhere to be seen, not that I expected him to hang around. I’d noticed he’d faded once we announced Shuval and Envy were dead. He’d saluted me and vanished. Probably moved on.
I hoped he’d moved on. That guy deserved to finally have a happy afterlife.
Horace’s laughter drew my attention. He was talking with Rafael.
Melancholy stung me. If only Damian had been here to see this through.
A gentle touch fell on my shoulder.
I froze at the familiarity of it. “Damian?”
I glanced behind me, but the touch faded, and I was alone.
A single tear slipped down my cheek.
I wiped it away as Rafael joined me on the curb. He draped his arm over my shoulders. I leaned against his side, reminding myself he was alive. We were both alive.
“We’re almost finished here,” he said quietly. “Rumor has it that Rickshaw is officially condemning Sector 13. They’re closing it off completely.”
“Good. The place is tainted now.”
“You holding up alright?”
I nodded. “We lost Wesley.”
“Damn it.”
“Eh, I saw him once during the fight. Old bastard was having a damned fine time. I think he went down with a grin on his face.”
Rafael chuckled. “Sounds like Wesley.”
I motioned to Bowen and Nor. “What do you think they’re talking about?”
“That’s Nor’s recruitment face.”
“What? You think he’s asking Bowen to join the Feds?” I barked a laugh. “Yeah, that’ll be the day.”
“I don’t know. Nor can be pretty damned convincing. Trust me, I heard that speech once, long ago. And look what happened to me.”
“Yeah, you became an agent and met some crazy bounty hunter with issues.”
He kissed the top of my head.
I melted inside, as I always did.
“I had my own issues.”
“Think it’s a tie as to whose were worse.”
His eyes narrowed. “Shit. What do they want now?”
I looked in the same direction and groaned.
Hilfer and Rickshaw marched toward us, determined smiles on their faces.
I considered getting up and making a run for it but was too sore to move.
“Mercy, Rafael,” Rickshaw said as he reached us. “You two have quite the talent for bringing down the bad guys. I believe I owe you an apology for doubting you.”
“Thanks, I think,” I replied.
“It’s a compliment.” Rickshaw motioned to Hilfer who cleared his throat loudly.
Great. Here comes a speech. I had no idea what it was going to be about, but it was definitely a speech I was not in the mood to listen to.
“I have a proposition,” Hilfer started, and I inwardly groaned. “We could use the two of you working for us—alongside the Feds—at a much higher level. We want you to run your own team. Stop threats like Shuval from getting to this point. Keep society safe. You’d have much better resources, authority, offices.”
Rafael shook his head as he laughed. “You’re serious?”
Rickshaw and Hilfer exchanged a look.
The governor nodded. “We are. I’m not sure what’s so amusing about this offer.”
“Do you want to tell them or should I?” I asked Rafael.
He waved his hand. “Have at it. You’re better with words.”
“Right then, let me tell you why this is such an amusing offer. Shuval’s been trying to start this war for years. Years, Governor. And then, when evidence finally does start surfacing, what happens? Oh, that’s right, nothing. Because no one with actual power was willing to believe some crazy she-dragon would be dumb enough to cause this havoc. That she couldn’t possibly be a threat. I’m not about to work for a government that ignores what’s in front of them.” I finished with a firm nod. “Good enough for you?”
Rickshaw squared his shoulders. “That’s why we’re offering this position to you both, but you in particular.”
“Me? What’s so damned special about me?”
“You’re stubborn, Mercy. Damned stubborn. You’re worse than a dog with a bone. And with Rafael by your side, I believe there’s nothing you two can’t handle. This offer is serious, and I want you to consider it as such. With both of you in charge, my hope is things will change. Trust me,” he added, “the higher-ups are wishing they’d listened to us sooner.”
Rafael gave me a sideways glance.
I shrugged. It’d be interesting to no longer be just a bounty hunter taking down a single bad guy at a time.
“Six months,” Rafael said, and I gave him a curious look. “We want six months off before we agree to anything.”
“Then, that’s not a yes?” Hilfer asked, disappointed.
“Not a no, either. I’d take it,” I suggested.
“Agreed,” Rickshaw said. “Six months, but I expect an answer, and I expect it to be the right one.” He waited for a beat, then walked away, Hilfer following.
“What are we going to do with six months off?” I asked Rafael.
He stood up and pulled me to my feet. “We are going to find our new home, for starters. Then we’re going to sleep and sleep some more. Then I don’t know, maybe go fishing.”
I laughed. “Fishing? You want to go fishing.”
“Yeah, why not.”
I tilted my head back and forth. “I always did want a forge.”
“Then you shall have a forge.”
We walked, arm in arm, to join Bowen and the others. We’d just reached them when an agent hurried over and whispered to Nor.
Nor’s face turned solemn. “Thank you. I’ll pass it along.”
“Pass what along?” I asked. “Nor? Did someone else die?”
“No, but they recovered Damian’s body. He’s not in good shape, but I think it’s right we give him a proper send-off.”
My heart stuttered as I nodded. “He’ll get one. He and Wesley. I—uh, I should tell Horace.”
“No, let me do it. Why don’t you both head out? We all need some rest.” Nor walked away leaving us standing with Bowen and Iris.
We did need rest, but I wouldn’t be able to do that until Damian and Wesley were laid to rest.
Then maybe I’d find some peace.
We were back at Bowen’s home in the gardens. Wesley’s and Damian’s bodies were placed on pyres. Both left instructions they wanted to be burned if they were to die.
It was a small gathering. Only those who truly knew these two men were invited to see them on their way. Damian’s body had been charred badly, but with a little white magic from Gigi, she was able to make him appear as he once was.
I hadn’t cried yet, but it was coming.
“Mercy,” Horace said quietly as he approached, face drawn. “Would you do the honors?”
Horace, Nor, and Shep had each said his piece already. I’d wanted to say something, but the words hadn’t come out.
Rafael held my hand the entire time. If he hadn’t been by my side, I didn’t think I’d have made it through this night.
“Of course.” I let out a shaky breath.
I released Rafael’s hand, then walked to the pyres. I was worried my fire would refuse to manifest, but it was like it knew how important this moment was.
Two vibrant, red flames appeared in my hands. Slowly, I extended my arms and touched the pyres at the same time. As the fire spread, I withdrew my hands and the small flames in my palms went out.
“You both looked out for me all my life,” I whispered. “I’m sorry we didn’t have more time, and I’m sorry for how your lives ended. Damian, you were my second dad. I’ll never forget you.”
Just like at Shuval’s fortress, a touch brushed against my shoulder. There was another at my forehead as if someone kissed me there. Then the sensations faded awa
y.
Then, for a brief a second, I was certain I’d heard Wesley’s hoarse laughter.
“You okay?” Rafael asked, joining me.
“Yeah,” I said, finally letting the tears flow. “I think I will be.”
As the flames climbed higher into the night sky, Bowen appeared at my other side. I looped my arm around his, and one by one, we ended up linked together, watching the pyres burn.
We said goodbye to two members of our family.
Once the fires burned down low, we headed inside for a night of drinking and remembering.
The sorrow turned to laughter as stories were told of Damian and Wesley.
There was drunken singing and dancing, and when the sun peeked over the horizon, my grief slipped away, replaced by a hope I’d never thought I’d feel again.
Hope that my life with Rafael, with the rest of my family, was going to have that chance to be filled with happiness.
Epilogue
Rafael
Six Months Later
I stretched my arm across the bed, then I frowned.
The sheets were warm, but Mercy wasn’t there.
I sat up, yawning as I shook the sleep from my head. Since we’d moved to our cabin in the mountains of Tennessee, I’d been sleeping soundly every night. Mercy had too, last time I’d checked.
No nightmares. No waking up wondering if we were going to get killed. Just two of us, living our lives, together.
I climbed out of bed and walked out of the bedroom and into the kitchen area.
The cabin had dark wood planks for the walls and floor, and wood beams for the ceiling. There was a tiny two-person kitchen table I’d crafted right after we moved in. Fresh wildflowers filled a mason jar in the center.
A pot of coffee had been brewed, and a blue coffee mug sat out, waiting for me. The door was cracked open, letting in a narrow beam of the morning sun.
I filled a mug, then padded toward the door.
The front porch was a wraparound, per Mercy’s request. A swinging bench had been my next project, after the table and chairs.
I stepped out onto the porch and found Mercy sitting on the bench. She had her feet pulled up under her. Black and blond hair loose around her shoulders, a bit on the messy side. She had my sweatshirt on, and a quilt across her lap.
