“He’ll come around, Eme. His pride is hurt.” Grand put his thin arms around her shoulders and patted her back.
“Doesn’t matter. I can do this on my own.” She looked at Reign. “Thank you for saving my life.”
Reign inclined his head. “I am pleased to be of assistance.”
“I knew there were gods among us.” Grand glared at Mrs. Kelly. “How many?”
Mrs. Kelly glared back. “I have no idea what you’re referring to.” She folded her arms under her breasts.
Neither did Emeline. Were there other gods roaming around New York? The country? A frigid wind swept through the living room.
Reign jerked to his feet from his position leaning against the wall. “Quimaera, I sense them. Many.” He opened a vortex in a corner of the room.
“Are you going to kill them?” Avery stood in the doorway, a tense wall of anger. He didn’t spare her a glance.
“If we have to.” Alexis joined Reign at the opening. “The quimaera are like Daniel. They were once human. Maybe they can be again.”
“Can you find Alamut?” Avery said.
Who was Alamut? Emeline wondered, wrapping her arms tight around her body.
Reign’s eyes blazed blue and he sucked in a slow breath. “No. I have tried to find him. Somehow, he blocks me, but he will die by my hand.” He closed his eyes and when he opened them, they were deep blue again. “Avery, if you need my help—”
“My allegiance belongs to Roman. The only reason I haven’t killed you is because he’s claimed the right.”
A grimace crossed Reign’s face and he nodded. “I understand…and respect your loyalty to my brother. Come, Alexis.” He stepped through the portal.
Alexis paused and glared at Avery. “Anyone who tries to kill Reign will die. Make sure you tell that to Roman.” The gold necklace around her neck flattened and spread across her body like molten gold. Intricate detail etched each surface and molded to the former detective’s curves. The jewelry turned into the most beautiful armor Emeline had ever seen before the portal winked closed behind her.
Grand gasped. “That’s a neat way to travel. We should‘ve hitched a ride. Anyway, let’s hit the road.”
“Why did you send us on a wild goose chase?” Avery slammed the door behind him and stalked up to Grand.
Emeline glanced at Grand and Mrs. Kelly, but they didn’t seem to notice the aura shimmering around him.
“No more games, old man.”
Emeline rushed around the sofa to defend her grandfather. “Leave him alone. You’re pissed at me. Take it out on me.”
He turned on her. His face a hard mask with eyes more black than green. “All in due time.”
“It’s all right, Eme. I did send you both on a goose chase. That girl Diane wasn’t a nurse. Plus, she couldn’t keep her mouth off her phone. Thought I was asleep, but I heard her talking about you and Avery. When you both showed up with the drawings, instinct warned me not to tell you the truth, and instinct has never led me wrong.”
“You nearly got your granddaughter killed,” Avery growled.
“Whaddaya think you were there for? Gotta earn your keep. And she’s alive, thanks to you and the demi-god.” Grand poked Avery in the chest.
“Where are the Orbs?” Emeline stepped between them.
“Somewhere safe.” Grand smirked.
That’s it. She’d had enough. Her patience had ended. “Tell us where they are!”
“Why? Why do you want them? I’ve kept them secure all this time so why do you need them now?”
“What are you two babbling about?” Mrs. Kelly forced her way into the conversation. Emeline handed her the drawings. Mrs. Kelly gave Emeline a sharp eye. “These drawings are of the Soul Catchers in the Book of Eidos. But they don’t exist. In all the centuries, we’ve never found a trace of any of them,” Mrs. Kelly said.
Grand bounced on his heels, smirking. He snatched the paper from Mrs. Kelly. “There are etchings on each of these, cartouches, which depict the names of the gods.” His excitement was almost contagious.
“How do you know this?” Mrs. Kelly turned on him.
“Which gods?” Avery interrupted. His voice was an angry rumble.
“Why, all of them,” Grand’s voice reduced to an eager whisper. “Well, all of the important ones anyway.”
The fervent gleam in her grandfather’s eyes disturbed Emeline. Never had she seen him like this.
“What do the Orbs do?” Avery said.
“It calls the gods to you, cages them, puts them and their power at your mercy.” Grand’s eyes twinkled.
Mrs. Kelly gasped. “That kind of power—in the wrong hands…”
Grand waved his hand in the air as if nothing she said mattered. “The Orbs are inert. You have to repeat the god’s name and some other stuff. I have five, maybe six in safe keeping, but there are more waiting for the right or wrong person to discover,” he said with authority. “Did you bring the Key?”
Now Avery looked at her. His gaze accused without a single word. “What does the Key do?” Emeline diverted for more time.
“Supposedly, when it’s all together, it opens Duat. Everything inside will escape, but for that you need great power,” Grand said.
His words sunk into the creases of Emeline’s brain. She thought of Ridley and Khuket…and Belinda. Could that be what they were doing? And what did that mean for the other Nulls staying at the house on Riverside?
“Bullshit.” Avery snapped.
Grand’s gaze darted to Avery. “Maybe, but are you willing to risk it?”
Ugh! She’d forgotten how much Grand loved his games.
“Old man,” Avery growled and clenched his fist.
A grin stretched Grand’s wrinkled face. “Now, where is the Key?” His gaze darted between the two of them.
“I don’t have it, but I know where it is.” Emeline finally admitted.
Grand frowned, wrinkles mapped his face. “What do you mean? I told you where it is,” he railed and grabbed her. The strength of his grip on her arms surprised her, made her gasp.
Avery snatched her away and placed himself between herself and grandfather. “Never touch her like that again.” His voice held a deadly edge.
“I-I’m sorry, Emeline.” He scrubbed a shaky hand over his face. “I’m ashamed of myself. I became overexcited.”
“No problem, Grand.” She moved around Avery and hugged Grand’s thin fame.
He patted her back and said, “We should get going. So, where’s the Key? Having it in the wrong hands would be deadly.”
Emeline sucked in a deep breath. “I pawned it.”
Grand’s eyes nearly fell out of his head, but he managed not to say anything.
“I’m going to get it back. I promise.”
He patted her back again. “It’s okay. We’ll get it back. We have to get it back.” He sucked in a breath. “Let’s go.”
“You are not coming with us, old man,” Avery said. “You’re staying here.”
Grand glanced between the both of them, first in surprise, and then anger mottled his face. “But I can help!”
“You have helped, but you were dying a moment ago. Stay here and keep Mrs. Kelly company. We’ll get the Key and bring it to you.” Emeline tried to placate him.
Grand’s lips drew together and mutiny sparked in his eyes. He didn’t like being relegated to the sidelines, but Emeline had no choice. Though Reign had given him a new lease on life, who knew how long it would last? Not taking him into hostile territory was a no brainer. No matter how much he railed, he wasn’t going.
“Fine. I’ll stay.” Shoulders stiff, he turned away from them.
Emeline glanced at Mrs. Kelly. Her mentor gave a reassuring smile and motioned for them to leave.
“Are you hungry, Mr. Gamble? I’ve made beef stew and beer bread. I love a good stew in the winter. Chases away the cold.” Mrs. Kelly led the way into her kitchen with Grand following behind.
“Where’s the pawn
shop?” Avery asked the minute they were outside. His brisk tone irritated her, but she deserved it.
“Not far from my house. I think we can get there by rooftop.” Staying off the streets and away from surveillance cameras would be best for what they were about to do.
Avery drove away from Mrs. Kelly’s house without further comment. A muscle ticked in his jaw and he rolled his shoulders a few times. Briefly, a dark aura shimmered around him, then he took a deep breath and it winked out. Though, she didn’t need an aura to tell her he was furious. If an apology could make things better, she would give him one—several, but she doubted it would matter.
Still—“I’m sorry.”
His gaze shifted to her. Headlights from oncoming traffic slashed his features. His eyes had narrowed into slits, and his lips, lips that kissed every inch of her body, had compressed into a cruel line.
“After we get the blade, you’re on your own. I won’t work with someone I don’t trust.” Venom dripped from each word.
Unexpected pain flared in her chest. She couldn’t breathe. It wasn’t that she couldn’t take care of herself; she wanted Avery watching her back, didn’t trust or want anyone else. But after everything she’d done, she didn’t have the right to complain or demand. Emeline pushed away the hurt and focused on the stretch of highway whizzing by.
“I’ll get someone to guard you.”
Someone? Did he mean EJ? “Who?” She had to ask.
“McIntosh. He’s a colleague, very capable.”
But he wasn’t Avery. And she wanted him.
“Thanks, but no thanks. I've been fine for twenty-six years. God willing, I’ll be fine for twenty-six more,” she managed to say. But just because you could string a sentence together didn’t make it the truth.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Avery kept his fist clenched ready to beat anyone, anything to a pulp, except for the one walking beside him. Her, he wanted to strangle.
How could he have been so stupid to fall for her helpless, innocent routine? Trained to suspect everyone, yet she slipped beneath his guard…and into his damn heart. No. He had to leave his heart out of this. He’d fallen for a pretty face and a luscious body, and even with what he now knew, he still wanted her. That wouldn’t stop him from doing what he had to do, he silently lectured as he called Quin about security at the pawn shop and pushed thoughts of McIntosh away.
He didn’t need to ponder the reason.
Not something to dwell on now, he decided as they entered Emeline’s house and marched up the stairs to the roof. Clouds blocked the moonlight, blanketing them in shadows and the air held the promise of freezing rain. Emeline shivered next to him and wrapped her arms tight around her waist.
“It’s this way.” She nodded and started walking carefully over the tile.
Avery followed, keeping close behind her and away from the edge of the roof. No need to have some pedestrian see them and call the police. She picked up her pace, jogging over the slightly sloped concrete rooftops of adjacent homes. An alley divided the next building.
Avery expected her to stop and look for a fire escape. Instead, her speed increased, legs a blur of motion. She leaped. Her body catapulted into the air, arched into the wind, and landed safely on the black tarred surface of a corner grocery store—as if jumping rooftops were an everyday occurrence. How many more surprises were in store for him? How many more lies?
She looked over her shoulder at him, waiting with an eyebrow raised and a smirk on her face. A clear challenge. So much for her being helpless.
Pride at her feat warred with her deceit. However, his dick had no indecision. It throbbed, completely aware of how damn sexy she looked waiting for him with a pout on her lips and her hand on her hip.
Avery backed up, all the way to the other side of the roof. He darted across, his footsteps thudding, sure to awaken anyone sleeping in the rooms below. Though not as graceful as Emeline, he cleared the distance. He rolled past her and slammed into a chimney.
She crouched over him, touching his face. So close her breath warmed his face, and smelled of peppermint.
When did she pop a candy into her mouth? Probably when he was pissed and distracted.
Avery couldn’t stop himself from wanting to taste her, bury himself inside her slick heat. He shoved her hands away and pushed to his feet. “How much further?”
Hurt flashed across her face. He gritted his teeth to keep from apologizing and fisted his hands to keep from reaching for her. Lips compressed, Emeline moved around him. Her shoulder clipped his arm, causing her to stumble. He leaned in and steadied her with his body, reveled in the curves he’d enjoyed.
“Don’t.” Now it was her turn to shove him away.
He hauled her back. She had no right to be angry. She’d lied, manipulated him, came into the bedroom, and used him. He should be angry, not her. She gave up that right when she took the job to stalk him.
Her lips had parted on a surprised inhale. Soft, sultry lips. Heat danced in her eyes, fired his blood. With one mind, his heart and body yearned for what couldn’t be.
Avery ignored both. He wanted a fight, not the simmering passion he suffered in her presence. Roman had often said, “You can’t always get what you want,” or was that the Rolling Stones? Right now, he wanted to punish her, and himself.
He fisted her hair and crushed her mouth to his. He’d wanted her to hit him, punch him, use her nails to claw his skin. Anything to stop the need festering in his soul.
Emeline’s lips parted on a sexy growl and she licked his lips. A lightning strike would’ve been gentler. Enthralled, he opened and sought more. He may as well have allowed a knife into his heart. The flavor of her swept through his blood, rebranding everything he loved about Emeline into his cells. As if he could’ve taken a scalpel and carved her brand from his heart. Yeah, good luck with that.
Yet, that’s exactly what he had to do, and in the process—he’d bleed out. There’d be nothing left of him. So be it, but for now, at this moment, he drank her in like an alcoholic at an open bar. He couldn’t get his fill. No matter how much he gulped, he would forever thirst for Emeline.
She grabbed his head, slanted her lips across his mouth. He gave himself over to the feel of her tongue deep in his mouth, and her curves grinding into him, her breasts against his chest. Her hands on his flesh. The right key in the right lock. She fit him as no one else ever had before.
Emeline nipped his lips and soothed the spot with a lick. She pushed at his razor-thin control, uncaring about what she did to him. He cupped her ass and stroked his erection into her cleft, the haven where he longed to be.
She yanked away, panting. Her tongue circled her lips, tasting him on her skin, and then pulled her swollen bottom lip into her mouth. Her eyes drifted closed and she seemed to savor the taste of him on her flesh. His cock jerked painfully in the suddenly too tight jeans.
“Let’s get this done—so you can hand me over to McIntosh.” She spun and headed toward a ladder in the corner of the roof.
A cold dread settled inside him, gutted him. Avery adjusted his traitorous dick and followed. She stopped at the edge and pointed to the building separated by another alley. Without waiting for his approval, she climbed down the nearby fire escape.
He jumped. Cold air swirled around him, too brief to cool his blood, and dropped three stories below next to the dumpster. His phone vibrated. Quin had left a message about the security system at the pawn shop. Seemed Vito hadn’t made a payment in several months. Finally, something worked in their favor, he thought as she joined him in the alley.
Avery studied the surrounding buildings, looking for cameras while Emeline waited beside him. Nothing stirred; even the air seemed to pause for the next move. He ambled to the front of the alley and peered out onto the sidewalk. A few cars whizzed by but overall, a deserted street greeted him. Perfect.
He turned and bumped into Emeline.
“The back door is this way,” she whispered and took the lead.
The jeans hugging her ass, and the natural sway of her hips; she tried to distract him, kept him from concentrating on the task at hand.
Emeline jerked to a halt and her breath caught. Within a second, Avery palmed his gun and positioned himself in front of her. The backdoor to the pawn shop was ajar. Someone had beaten them to the punch.
***
No! The words exploded inside Emeline’s head and she rushed forward. Avery grabbed her arms.
“Don’t,” he whispered furiously. “Stay here.”
Negative. She wouldn’t stay and wait to see if Ridley had beaten her again. “I’m going with you.”
Avery didn’t move and neither did she. Aggression rolled off him, which matched her own. Bullying her wouldn’t work, the sooner he realized that fact the less friction between them. Or maybe he didn’t care since she’d soon be someone else’s problem. “We don’t have time for this.”
He sighed and pulled a pair of gloves out his back pocket. “Don’t touch anything and stay behind me. Understand?” He waited until she nodded, then stepped in front of her.
Hinges squealed—alerting anyone still inside—and opened to a cluttered office. Avery moved quickly through the space. Emeline followed close behind. Where he stepped, she stepped. He opened the opposite door and peeked outside. Over his shoulder, she glimpsed darkness broken by yellow light filtering from the street.
Avery turned and whispered, “I’ll be back for you.”
He was gone before she could protest. A minute ticked by, then another. Avery left her wringing her hands and listening to her own frantic heartbeats. Funny how she was more afraid for him than herself. He, a trained killer, she…what was she? A watcher, a bartender, a nursemaid? The list kept growing.
A safe in the corner was open. She stepped over debris from emptied drawers and elbowed the door wider. Contents were scattered, gold jewelry, precious gems, even cash. No mystical fragments which—when pieced together—would make an apocalyptic key.
Emeline Gamble, destroyer of the world. Definitely something to leave off the resume.
Evermore (Descendants of Ra: Book 3) Page 24
