by Dark, Raven
“Doc—”
“If they came into our domain, they would have to follow our ways. Play nice. For Setora, Brother.” His eyes softened.
Steel growled but swung off his cut and tossed it to Doc, who also discarded all items MC related from his person. Then Steel grabbed my hand again and stomped out to the path. “You’re lucky I love you, woman,” he rumbled in my ear.
“I love you too, Master.” I kissed his knuckles. “Thank you.”
Steel wasn’t as heavily tattooed as some of the men in the Legion, but he had a few of them, dark, thick tribal lines across his arms and shoulders. Privately, it gave me a certain violent pleasure to realize the Yantu would see those, especially Master Leif—if he deigned to appear. They were impossible to miss, and there was no way to get them off.
When we arrived at the temple gates a short time later, Savak and his two assistants led us up the steps while the gates scraped open. Ali’san remained at my side instead of with the other warriors.
Inside, we walked across a large stone courtyard, the outer grounds of the temple. My jaw hung open at the sight of it. Fountains of stone stood here and there between cobblestone paths lined with manicured bushes and exotic flowers that gave off a subtle, pleasant scent I couldn’t identify. Little ponds surrounded with pale-colored pebbles created a peaceful ambiance.
“Light, this is glorious.” I couldn’t stop looking around. The whole place presented a feast for the senses, every aspect seemingly designed to promote calm.
“It’s too damn quiet for me,” Steel muttered.
“Are you kidding?” Doc ran his hand along a smooth, stone fountain ledge. “This is awesome. It’s genius.”
I smiled at him. I could always rely on Doc to appreciate something different and beautiful. It was difficult to feel anxious or keep my guard up here.
“We cannot take you inside the temple proper,” Savak said over his shoulder to me. “There is a place designed for this sort of thing. Come.”
We followed the warriors down several winding paths out to what must have been the back of the temple. It was hard to tell; the whole place was a maze of gardens and towers.
Here, dozens of warriors walked between the buildings, some of them dressed the same as our entourage. A few were dressed in red like Ali’san. To indicate a higher level of skill, perhaps? Others were dressed in simple white or black robes, their plainness seeming to indicate lower-level apprenticeship. Several Yantu we passed bowed and murmured greetings to Savak, always addressing him as Tai Dan.
Several minutes later, we arrived at a tall, narrower tower set aside from the main structures of the temple. Glass doors led into a large front hall with a polished wood floor, a high, wood-lined ceiling, and brass lamps lit with fire that filled the place with a subtle, sandalwood scent.
No one said a word as Savak led the way to the double doors his apprentices had opened for us. Thick, potted plants and vines hung from the ceiling, more of those brass lamps burning. A fountain in the middle of the room had a sculpture of Garganthor atop it, and water flowed down its many tiers. Every wall was covered in shelves stacked with lit candles providing low, soothing light. Incense gave off a pleasant, but unfamiliar aroma. Several thin meditation mats like those I’d seen Hawk use in the Grotto lay about the floor.
At the fountain, Savak faced us. His assistants stood by the doors.
“Doctor, Mister Steel, please remain near the walls. There are benches for you to sit on there.” He nodded to the wooden planks against one wall. “Please speak as little as possible. Silence is essential for both Setora and us in order to keep our focus during this exercise. Whatever happens, you are here to observe only. You must not interfere, unless asked to do so.”
I looked back at Steel and Doc, trying to offer them as much reassurance as I could.
“Are you gonna tell us what you’re gonna do to her?” Steel demanded.
Doc shot him a warning look. Steel grumbled, but Doc pushed him down onto a bench and sat with him. “Understood,” Doc told Savak.
Ali’san grinned.
“Setora, please have a seat on one of those mats. And try to relax as much as you can.”
Easy for him to say.
I sat on a mat in the middle of the room while Gi and Toral lit a few more candles.
“We must ask one last question of you, Liberator,” Savak said.
“Setora, please.” I offered him a smile I knew looked forced.
“Setora. When Julian takes over, exactly how strong do you think you are?”
The question set off every alarm bell in my head. “Why? I mean, I don’t know. I haven’t exactly tested myself.”
If he noticed my sarcasm, he gave no indication. Doc snorted.
Savak nodded and leaned toward Gi, whispering something I didn’t catch. The white-haired warrior bowed and left the room.
Ali’san knelt behind me, and I followed her instructions, lying on my back, hands folded on my stomach, legs flat. She set my head gently on her lap.
Gi returned.
My heart bounded. No less than six warriors in black garbs and one in red followed. Gi and Toral left. I whipped my head around to each of the new arrivals as they took positions all around the room, standing back by the walls. All stood with their hands clasped behind their backs, feet apart.
Militant.
I swallowed hard. They looked ready for battle.
“Fuck…” Steel rasped.
I sat up sharply. “Savak, what in Creation is going on?” My voice came out high.
“Try not to panic, Liberator. This is necessary in order for us to see what we’re dealing with. Everything will be fine. You are safe.”
I nodded absently, then laid my head back down on Ali’san’s lap. “But what are you going to do?”
“We’re going to do the only thing that will allow us to communicate with the Gin Gatai directly.” Savak came toward me and pulled a syringe out of a pocket inside his tunic.
Communicate with… Oh no.
“Remember, Setora, you are safe,” Ali’san crooned, holding my head gently. “I will be here with you the whole time.”
Panic welled up as I tried in vain to sit up again. “Wait…Doc, Steel—”
Savak lunged forward, stabbed the needle into my arm and then drew back.
I tried to scream, but nothingness swam in.
Chapter 8
Trickster
Doc and I both lost it.
As soon as that rat bastard Yantu Savak got her with the fucking needle and Setora passed out, her slender body going limp, I leaped up and threw myself at Savak, and Doc did the same.
Or we tried to.
Shouts filled the room and two of the warriors near the wall close to us grabbed us, holding us back. Two of them grabbed me, holding my arms.
“Stop!” Savak ordered, hand out. “We will explain later, this was the only way.”
“You asshole, I’ll—” I started.
“If you wish to help her,” Savak snapped, “you cannot interfere. This evil must be severed from her and destroyed. We cannot do that until we understand him. Trust us, we know what we’re doing. Calm down or be removed.”
I wanted to kill him. And then I’d seriously consider killing Hawk. He must have known. But all I had to do was look at Setora, laying motionless and helpless on that mat, and I knew. I had to put her in their hands, or this shit with Julian would never end.
“Come on, Steel.” Doc sounded like the words were being dragged out of him. “Come on, chill out, big man.”
I deflated. The Yantu released us and I sunk down onto the bench. Doc did the same, but not without glaring at the warriors with a look deadly enough for both us.
“Continue,” Doc growled.
Without a word, Savak gave the warrior woman a nod.
Ali’san pressed her fingers to Setora’s temples. She said a string of words that sounded like gibberish, all throaty, harsh R and K sounds.
Setora’s who
le body went ridged. Then her back bowed so far off the fucking floor, I was sure it would break. Ali’san snapped her hands away.
Setora shook and thrashed. Blue, glowing blood spilled from her damn nose, but Ali’san wiped it away with the sleeve of her Yantu tunic.
How I kept from bolting from the bench and dragging Setora away from here, I didn’t know. Maybe it was Doc, keeping his hand on my shoulder, the other on my chest. Maybe it was because I loved Petal and didn’t see another way.
This whole thing was so painful to watch, I wanted to die.
Setora went still. Then, too slowly, she slid up onto her feet and straightened, unnaturally smooth.
Savak didn’t move, didn’t go on his guard, but he tensed, ready. Ali’san backed up to the wall, putting distance between her and Setora.
Between her and my woman…except Setora wasn’t in there anymore.
Her eyes were closed, but they snapped open.
“Revolution.”
The single word came out in that awful fucking mechanical tone we’d heard before in the clubhouse in the Grotto when the Brothers of Brimstone were there. The same demonic voice that had threatened me after I’d fucked Setora, and Julian showed up to freak me out.
“And here we go,” Doc drawled in a sing-song voice.
“Tell me about this Revolution,” Savak said smoothly.
“Revolution. Revolution. Is.”
Ali’san walked smoothly around in front of Setora, watching her intently.
“Revolution. Is. Coming.”
“Tell us about it,” Savak repeated.
Setora continued repeating the same words in that creepy robotic voice.
“Tell—” Savak cut off when the doors to the room opened. Master Leif strode in, slippers whispering across the floor, although the fucker moved so damned smoothly he almost seemed to float across the room. Hawk followed him.
Hawk…
Maybe Hawk was there for moral support, but I had a sinking feeling that wasn’t why. While Setora continued to chant, the two of them crossed to the middle of the room, standing five feet in front of her. Hawk stood a little back from Leif, his face one of those frighteningly cold masks. There was no emotion for Setora in him at all.
“Revolution. Is. Coming.”
“Gin Gatai.” Master Leif’s tone was all smoothness and calm as fucking summer skies. “Have your words with me.”
Her head—Setora’s head, but not hers—twitched slightly, her eyes focusing on Leif. Her lips twisted into a smile Setora would never wear. It was mean.
“Leif Oragona. You speak as if you have no fear.”
Gone was the robotic voice. In its place, the cultured, crisp tone of Julian filled the room. Ali’san froze, her arms crossed. I thought I saw something that looked like familiarity cross her face, but then it was gone.
Master Leif only stood there, seemingly unimpressed. “Only fools have no fear, Gin Gatai. What do you want with her?”
Julian scanned the room with Setora’s eyes before turning them back on Leif. “You will need more than ten warriors if I choose to fight you, Leif.”
“Tell us about this revolution of yours.”
“That would make it easier, wouldn’t it?” the Setora-Julian sneered. “Tell me, Leif. Do you still fear the dark? Do you still piss your bed like a baby and scream for your mother, or have you learned to shut out the pain?”
Leif didn’t so much as twitch. I had to give him credit. Hawk didn’t do much more, but I saw a muscle in his jaw jump.
“Getting under my skin will not help you, Julian,” Leif went on. “What do you want with her? What do you want with the Violets?”
“Ask him. He knows.” The Setora-Julian nodded to Hawk. “Do you still dream of your mother, Hawk?”
Hawk just looked at him impassively.
“How many times did your father rape her before he cut off her head?”
Hawk’s fists tightened. Then they loosened and he was a statue again.
“You didn’t save her. Did you listen to her screaming while he cut her to ribbons with his axe?”
Fucking hell. This monster knew how get to people, didn’t he? Hawk’s jaw looked like it was going to snap.
Apparently riling Hawk wasn’t enough for Julian. “Did you tell my Cama Di how the Four came to be?” Julian goaded. “Did you tell her of the crime that bound you like Brothers? Would she still want you if she knew what the Four did?”
Hawk started toward her, but Master Leif put a hand out, stopping him.
“You son of a—” I started.
“Steel,” Doc hissed, shoving me back. “Don’t.”
It was too late. The monster inside Setora turned its head to me. “Steel,” it grated. “How is Vissik these days?”
Shit. The man who’d forced me to fight and kill for money or death. The man who’d tried to turn me into a monster machine of pain. “You fuck.” My fists clenched.
“Gin Gatai, address me and no one else.” Leif’s voice was toneless. “What are you after?”
Julian turned Setora’s body in a slow circle. “One, two, three…” He was counting the warriors in the room as he turned. When he was facing Ali’san, he looked sidelong at Leif. “Ten little warriors, all in a row. Which one will die? Ah. But who else is here?” He cocked his head at Ali’san. “Who is here, in the space where nothing is?”
He walked forward and waved Setora’s hand in the air where Ali’san had been standing. She’d already shifted smoothly to the side. He waved it again, and she bent from the waist to evade his hand, unnaturally swift.
I all but gaped. A neat trick, but how? He couldn’t see her. She was standing right there, and he could see everyone else in the fucking room, but not her. What the hell was that about?
He went back to Leif. “Who is here, Leif?”
“You only need to speak to me.”
“Will we go round and round like this forever, Leif?”
“Is that what you want?”
Julian turned her face into a horrible sneer, and her body backed up, stiff, as if moved under another force. “Come for me then. Let’s see how we fare, Leif. Your army will not help you.”
“This is not an army.”
“Isn’t it? Who is here in the nothing space?”
Without a word, Leif backed away a pace. The Yantu master gave a nod to Hawk.
Hawk shot him a sharp look, tensing his jaw, communicating something unseen to his master. Leif only waited, patient as all fuck.
What the fuck was going on?
Hawk moved so fast I barely saw him. One minute he stood near Leif, and the next he was toe-to-toe with our woman…
His arm snaked out, his fist aiming a swift punch right at her face.
Setora’s arm flung up with a robotic, trained precision. It slammed right into Hawk’s, blocking it. The impact resounded through the whole room, followed by a horrible snap. Hawk’s body twitched.
His wrist or arm was broken, and he fucking twitched.
He had tried to punch Setora—a fucking trained Yantu had tried to punch her, and she was blocking him, standing there like it was nothing, grinning a demonic grin.
Hawk whipped around and threw his heel toward her face.
I was so confused, I could only stare. What the hell was Hawk doing?
Setora’s body pivoted, and she seized his ankle, tossing him up with one hand like a fucking rag doll.
Hawk shouted in surprise, landed a foot from her in a crouch with a grunt.
Two of the other warriors in the room went toward him, but he stood and flung out his hand to them, shaking his head. They froze. He held his one wrist unnaturally, close to his side. It was fucking busted.
He ran toward her. Master Leif put out his hand. Hawk stopped dead, obedient, but his shoulders were heaving with rage.
“Have you had enough, Master Leif?” Julian hissed with glee. “You could watch her kill the man she loves. Or better yet, watch him kill her. As if he wouldn’t lose.”
“Leave, Gin Gatai. Now.”
Instead, Setora went after Hawk.
Ali’san was on her in an instant. She somehow managed to get Setora to the ground, wrap her leg around Setora’s neck, and press just hard enough. Setora thrashed, but in that position, she couldn’t get a good grip on the warrior woman. Ali’san pressed down on Petal’s chest, easily holding her still with what must have been a hell of a lot of Violet super strength. Then she grabbed Setora’s head and said a whole lot of that gibberish.
Setora thrashed and buckled. Then she went slack.
Ali’san slumped onto the floor. Her leg loosened from around Setora and her chest heaved on ragged breaths.
I released a breath I’d been holding, one I was sure I’d been holding in since Julian had started talking.
“Si’an Ali’san, are you all right?” Master Leif was at her side.
She nodded. “I’m fine. Just…He is a lot stronger than expected.” She sat up and released Setora, looking at me and Doc. “She is unharmed.”
Master Leif stood. “You may take her now.” He looked at Hawk, me, and Doc, indicating the words were meant for us. “We will convene for a time and meet again soon.”
I wanted to launch myself across the room at him. Doc’s back muscles rippled; he looked like he might do the same.
“You bastard.” I was up and moving across the room toward Leif without even thinking. Doc grabbed me and pulled me back.
“Steel, no! Stop. Setora is fine, it’s not worth it. Let’s get her out of here.”
I growled, but went to Setora, picking her up in my arms. She felt so small and fragile, I wanted to lock her away and never let anyone touch her again. And that included Hawk. What the fuck was he thinking?
“Si’an Hawk.” Master Leif went to him and put his hand on his shoulder. “You did well. We learned much to—”
Hawk backed a way a half a step. His face was hard and cold as ice.
Leif didn’t seem the least bit affected. “Si’an. You are Yantu. It has to be this way.”
Deadly silent, his face totally without expression, Hawk stalked over to me and slid Setora from my arms. Then without looking at his master, he turned, and with us following, he walked out.
