Immortal Grave (The Dark Betrayal Trilogy)

by Nichole Chase

  The father had taken a step back, blocking his children from view, but his expression said he clearly didn’t think Niall was all that dangerous. More like he was extremely annoyed by his sense of humor. Ree heard someone approaching from the house and sighed in relief. Kay came into view and smiled at everyone. There was a dishtowel hanging over her shoulder, and something in her expression seemed to ease the tension on the dock.

  “I’m not going anywhere with that little freak. Not sure why you think showing me you’re vampires would make me want to go with you.” He stared at Niall, but his words were for Ree.

  “Oh, those aren’t the bad vampires.” The older woman stepped up. “They have such a nice aura. Even the cheeky one.”

  From the look on Niall’s face, Ree felt like he had just gotten better than a slap.

  “Hi! Welcome to Sanctus Island!” Kay pushed her way past Niall and held her hand out to the father and mother.

  “So are you in charge? These kids aren’t making any sense.” The father shook Kay’s hand with a look of relief.

  “In charge? Oh, no. That would be Ree.” Kay smiled at Ree over her shoulder and moved her hand to the man’s elbow. “However, I am the one that will be helping you guys all get comfortable and making sure you’re fed.” She smiled at the mother and children over her shoulder, all the while guiding the man past Ree and toward the house.

  Ree looked at Kay, feeling surprised. The woman that had popped her and Melanie’s butts with a wooden spoon for stealing cookie dough had just told everyone Ree was in charge. Turning back to look at the older couple, Ree was relieved to see Melanie helping the woman navigate the dock. She smiled at the two and nodded her head at the man trailing behind them. He stopped and looked at Ree.

  “Do you have those teeth, too?” He adjusted his glasses and glared at Ree.

  “No sir, I don’t.” Ree clasped her hands in front of her body, trying to look innocent.

  “Then why would you be in charge?” His gaze never wavered, making Ree feel very young.

  “Because there is a war happening, and I am the only one that can end it.” Ree’s words seemed to cut through the wind coming off of the water, even though she had said it softly.

  “Heh.” The man looked away from Ree and followed his wife’s progress. “She’s been going on about vampires and magic for a while now. I just thought her mind was goin’, you know?”

  “I can understand why you would think that.” Ree shifted from one foot to the other.

  “But she’s right?” The man looked back at Ree.

  “Yes. She’s right.” Ree pressed her lips together and met his stare.

  “Well, then. And this island is safe?” He looked back toward the house.

  “Yes, sir. As safe as I can make it.”

  “Thank you for bringing us here, then. I’m glad to have as much time as possible with Libby.” He smiled at Ree. “And I’m very glad to know she is still in touch with reality.”

  Ree smiled at him, but the sound of more boats nearing the dock drew her attention. The old man patted her shoulder and headed for the house. Ree looked back in time to see him grab his wife’s hand. Very clearly the woman looked at him and said, “I told you.”

  Melanie came back to the dock chuckling, but the sound died away the closer the boats got to the dock. There was something stuck in the side of one of the boats and small holes lining another.

  “Go get Paden.” Ree moved toward the end of the dock and the sharp, copper smell of blood grew stronger. Melanie was gone in a second and Ree could hear her calling for Paden.

  One of the Guardians had several holes in his shirt, the black material slick with blood. Magda was standing on the prow of the other boat, the rope in her hand and ready to throw to Ree. Snatching the heavy rope out of the air, Ree quickly tied the boat down and moved to the next one. There was a girl around twelve or thirteen crying on the floor of the boat. There was blood in her hair and she had her hands pressed to a wound on her leg. Ree’s eyes raked over the passengers, some of them in shock, others trying to help those that had been injured.

  Paden slid next to Ree, his eyes taking in the scene. He ducked back to the other boat to take stock.

  “Guardian! Over here.” Magda dipped down to pick up a woman from the floor of her boat. She had an arrow jutting out from her right shoulder and another from her leg.

  Paden’s hands were glowing by the time he reached them. Carefully, he brushed the hair back from the woman’s face and checked her eyes.

  “Oh, thank the gods. You’re a healer.” Magda laid the woman down on the dock and left her in Paden’s care. “I had hoped one of you were.”

  Ree jumped into the boat with the girl and knelt down next to her. “What’s your name?”

  The girl looked at her with glossy eyes and Ree’s heart squeezed in pity. Very carefully she looked into her eyes again and asked, “What’s your name?”

  “Sabrina.” Tears slid down the girls cheeks. “Where’s my mom?”

  “I don’t know, Sabrina. Right now we just need to help get you fixed up.” Ree slid her arm around the girl’s waist and helped her stand. The Guardian that had been driving the boat came to the other side and they carefully lifted her over the edge of the boat and onto the dock.

  “I’ve never seen so many darklings, Alastriana.” The Guardian looked at her with serious eyes. “I did everything I could.”

  “Where is your partner?” Ree knew the answer already, but had to ask.

  “He fell so that we could get away.”

  Ree reached out and squeezed his shoulder. It wasn’t much of a condolence, but all she had time for. Going back to the boat, she helped several other people off that seemed to only have minor injuries. They were all in shock. Being shot at by a gang of supernaturally fast criminals is not something anyone can expect or be prepared for. One of the women seemed to be coping well, her toddler stuck on one hip, while she helped another woman out of the boat.

  Paden made his way through the victims, blood covering his hands. For a random moment, Ree wondered if he should clean his hands between victims, but then figured he probably cured any blood-carried diseases. When he got to the young woman holding on to the Guardians’ shoulder, he looked at Ree and she could see the drain from all of the healing. He looked away, obviously sensing her worry. He didn’t want her to focus on him, and, for the moment, he was right.

  Her friends had all come to the dock to help transport the wounded to the house and Ree looked up in worry when she heard more boats nearing. The sun was quickly getting lower in the sky and Ree knew they would have to leave soon. Three more boats pulled up to the long dock, but, thankfully, the people and Guardians looked to be in much better shape. There were a few humans limping or sporting scrapes, but nothing like the two boats that had been shot at while escaping. The Guardians from those boats did their best to herd the newcomers around the wounded.

  Someone hollered from the direction of the house and Ree looked up to see the mother that had been helping people run back toward the dock. A man helping a boy out of a boat turned around, his face a mask of relief. The woman flew through the crowd and launched herself into the man’s arms. As they held each other sobbing, the Guardians worked around them.

  “Alastriana, we brought everyone back that we could. I also brought back some of the others’ extended family members. Two of the families on the list were not at home or their work places.” A tall Guardian leaned down to look at Ree. “It is my hope that they had left town or were unable to return because of the looting.”

  Ree nodded her head. Hoping they could get everyone back was wishful thinking, but at least they had managed to get this many to safety. Ree stepped out of the way so Magda could help the woman who had been hit by two arrows toward the house. Surveying the rest of the victims, Ree was relieved to see most of them up and moving around. Yet, there on the dock was one body covered in a blue tarp. A human who had not made it safely to the island.
/>   Ree walked over to the draped figure and knelt down. “I’m so sorry we weren’t in time.”

  Without lifting the cover to see who it was underneath, Ree scooped the slight figure up and carried it off of the dock and down to where the pyres had been set up not that long ago.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  A few of the new Guardians had gathered near the beach. Niall looked at Ree and for the first time, she saw something other than disdain and pain in his eyes. Walking swiftly to Ree, he held his arms out and took the body.

  “Let me, Alastriana. I will make sure she is well tended.” Ree looked down at the covered form. She had guessed it was a woman, based on the size and weight, but she didn’t even want to know the gender. Maybe that wasn’t fair, but with everything else she had going on, it was one more sad detail in a storm of misery. Nodding at Niall, she turned around and walked back to the house.

  She looked up at the sky and was surprised to see the purple tones of dusk dominating the world. Picking up her pace, she darted into the house and was relieved to see that Kay had managed to get everyone in order and no one was waiting to attack her with questions. Nodding her head at the families as she passed, Ree went straight to her room. She could feel Paden in her bathroom, so she went to her closet and flipped through the clothes. Grabbing a black long-sleeve shirt and dark jeans she turned back to her bed but hesitated. She kicked her shoes off and contemplated Paden.

  Something felt weird and she wasn’t sure why. He was doing something to try and keep her from sensing what he was feeling. Throwing her clothes onto the bed, she walked over the bathroom door and knocked.

  “Paden?” Ree leaned her head close to the door. The sound of glass falling onto the floor sent her into action. She moved back and planted her foot solidly on the door in a mighty kick. Her bare feet skidded on the glass, but she barely noticed. Paden was slumped on the floor, his back pressed to the wall, his eyes closed.

  “Go, please.” His voice was hoarse. He didn’t open his eyes to look at her.

  Ree slid across the floor, dropping to her knees and cupping his face. “What’s wrong, Paden? What happened?” She ran her hands down his chest and over his arms, looking for whatever was hurting him. Now that she was touching him, she could feel his extreme lethargy and pain. It was as if his entirebody was completely depleted.

  “Fine. Just need rest.” He cracked his eyes open and attempted a smile. She scowled at him, not willing to be pushed away so easily.

  “Paden, what happened? Was it healing all of those people?” Ree brushed the hair back from his forehead.

  “Poison, I think.” He tried to move, but Ree pushed him back down. “Took a lot to heal. Was everywhere. Couldn’t let her just die.”

  “Who?” Ree ran her hands over his shoulders, anxiety making her feel jumpy.

  “Arrows.” Paden shook his head a little. “Don’t know her name.”

  Ree thought back to the dock. “The lady with the two arrows? They were poisoned?”

  “Meant for Guardians.” Paden’s eyes closed again and his shoulders sagged. “Difficult to heal from.”

  “But you healed more people after her!” Ree shook his shoulders gently. When he didn’t respond right away, she looked around the bathroom and grabbed a towel from the basket next to the counter. Shifting Paden, she pushed him down onto the floor and placed the rolled up towel under his head. Rubbing the heel of her hand across her forehead, she shook her head in worry.

  “Just too much. Couldn’t let them hurt.” Paden didn’t open his eyes, his words barely a whisper.

  “Can you heal from this?” Looking at Paden, Ree’s worry turned to fear.

  “Yes. Need a little time.” Paden cracked an eye. “Fine in a few minutes. Then go.”

  “Dammit, Paden. We’re not going anywhere like this.” Ree shook her head.

  “Ree, you cannot wait much longer.” Aphrodite’s voice coasted along the walls. Ree jumped to her feet, while Paden struggled to sit up.

  “We can’t go if he is hurt.” Ree looked at the goddess warily.

  “Ares managed to escape.” Aphrodite’s words sent a shiver of fear through Ree. “You need to end this now.”

  “Can’t go without me.” Paden managed to lever himself up and slumped against the wall.

  “What help would you be right now?” Aphrodite tsked. She walked toward Paden and knelt down so she could look him in the eyes.

  “I will always go where she goes.” Paden stared at the goddess, his words vibrating with certainty.

  Aphrodite looked back at Ree and smiled before looking back at Paden. “Of course you will.”

  “Aphrodite, how did Ares manage to escape?” Ree looked at the goddess where she knelt.

  “He has exchanged blood with the dark gods.” Fire circled in Aphrodite’s eyes. “He was able to break the chains used in Hades.”

  “He had fangs.” Ree looked at the goddess. “And he knows—“

  “Say nothing, Alastriana.” Aphrodite’s voice turned sharp. “Some things are better left unsaid. I’ve guessed at your plight, which is why I am here. I bear a gift for your hero.”

  The goddess turned back to Paden and pushed his hair away from his forehead. The look she gave him made Ree’s anger simmer and the power hummed in her chest. Taking his face in both hands, the goddess leaned forward and very gently placed a kiss on his forehead. Sighing softly, she ducked her head and pressed her lips to Paden’s. Ree’s immediate reaction was to stab the goddess with something pointy, but she tried to stay calm. However, she couldn’t help the flow of power that gathered around her feet. Her agitation only increased when she realized that she couldn’t move.

  The goddess pulled back and looked down at Paden, a seductive smile curling her lips as she trailed her hand down his chest. “I’ve always had a soft spot for heroes.” Standing up, the goddess brushed her hands together as if removing dirt and turned to look at Ree. “Stop trying to hiss at me, Alastriana. I did you a favor. Seems like I should get a little something out of the deal.”

  Aphrodite smiled at Ree, her amusement almost palpable. “Besides. Now you’re even.”

  As soon as the goddess left the room, Ree was free from her restraints.

  “You bitch.” Ree almost fell forward, her muscles set on moving as her mouth formed the words she had been mentally chanting. Dropping down to her knees, Ree lifted Paden’s chin and looked into his eyes.

  “Are you okay? Paden?” Ree’s entire body went still as Paden’s eyes met hers.

  “Come here.” Paden lifted one hand and pressed it to the back of her neck. Heat seemed to shoot down Ree’s spine and her body immediately curved into his.

  “Paden?” Her breathing became heavy, her words a whisper. His thumb rubbed small circles just over the pulse point below her ear and she found it hard to think coherently.

  “Ree. Do you trust me?” His voice was husky and his fangs slid down, to make indents on his bottom lip.

  “Always.” Ree leaned closer to him, something pulling her forward. As if everything else in the world had fallen away and they were the only things left.

  “I want to taste you.” His words sent a shiver over Ree. She knew it would hurt, that he would never ask, but she couldn’t deny the pull emanating from Paden. Underneath everything else, she also knew it would help him.

  “Yes.” Pressing even closer, Ree turned her head and brushed the hair from her neck.

  He leaned forward and trailed his lips slowly over her throat, before opening his mouth wide. When his fangs pierced her skin, her back bowed and pleasure ripped through her body. Nothing mattered but the feel of his mouth on her. With each sip, she could feel his strength return. Paden’s hands moved to slide along her back, pressing her even closer. When he finally pulled back, it was to look at Ree in shock. Her body still humming from the pleasure, she was confused at the look on his face.

  “Oh, God, Ree. I’m so sorry.” He looked down at her throat and his jaw tensed. Gentl
y, he ran his thumb over the punctures and wiped away the blood.

  She had to bite her lip to keep from purring when touched her neck, her body caught in after-shocks. Taking a deep breath, she leaned back and shook her head a little in an attempt to try and clear it. She could feel his fingers work their healing magic while he touched her.

  “It’s okay. You needed it.” Ree closed her eyes for a moment, before opening them to look at Paden.

  “I could’ve hurt you. You need your energy just as much as I do!” Paden leaned his head back against the wall. “Now we have to push the attack back. You can’t go if you aren’t one-hundred-percent.”

  “You didn’t hurt me.” Ree narrowed her eyes. “I’m guessing we have Aphrodite to thank for that.”

  Paden’s cheeks turned pink. “Ree, I didn’t—“

  “I’m not mad at you, Pay.” Ree leaned forward and pressed her forehead to his. “It is what it is. And, if this is the trade off, then we didn’t come out too badly.”

  “How do you feel?” Paden lifted her chin so he could look her in the eyes. “Be honest. You aren’t helping anyone by rushing out of here and not being at your best.”

  Ree took a minute to answer, honestly trying to assess how she felt. She reached up and touched her neck, but there was no lingering pain. She moved off of Paden’s lap and stood up. There was no dizziness or exhaustion.

  “I feel a little tired, but not much.” Ree held her hand out to Paden and pulled him to his feet. “Nothing a little food won’t cure. How about you?”

  “Much better.” He looked at Ree, his mouth pulling to the side in a grin. Obviously he was feeling better now that he knew Ree hadn’t been hurt. “That was… interesting.”

  “You could say that.” Ree smiled at him. “Definitely different.”

  “I wonder why it didn’t seem to affect you as much, the blood loss I mean.” Paden squatted and started cleaning up the broken glass and blood from the floor. He looked at her feet and frowned. “Did you cut your feet?”