by Sharon Kay
They’d planned and calculated. Examined maps and armed themselves to the teeth. Sebastian had held an extra class in hidden doors and traps.
But Arawn couldn’t shake the feeling that he was so close, but not close at all.
All was quiet in the mountains. An owl hooted in a tree high above, but other than that, they were the only ones there. Frustrated, he called Mathias.
The Hunter picked up immediately. “Yes, sir?”
“It’s silent as shit here. What’s going on by you?”
“Lots of nut jobs. Some are dressed as Verdak. People are playing music, and a group of nymphs is throwing themselves at every male in sight. Oh, there’s an elf selling condoms too.”
Arawn couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Fuck, man. Any Ghazsuls?”
“Negative. It’s mostly fae here. Though there is a witch, but I overheard her offering to tell fortunes.”
“Sounds like a circus.” Arawn raked a hand through his hair. “Keep me updated.” He ended the call and threw an angry glance at the moons. They were higher in the sky now, closer to Drea’s Tears. “This better show us something,” he muttered.
Their cold light skimmed the rocks around him, taunting him with the possibility of finding the sword. Snippets of the riddle bounced around his mind, but they were shoved aside by thoughts of his perfect female.
Ria was smart, tough, and compassionate. She had a knack for dealing with others in a softer way than he. Everyone liked her, yet she was no pushover. He grinned, remembering how she’d fought with him to accompany the group in their effort to rescue Nevo. And what was that shit she’d spouted about gaps? He shook his head. A weird way to think of it, but it was true.
Clear as the bright moons overhead, his soul knew she was his perfect match. She completed him and softened his rough, broken edges. She was strong, but would she be strong enough to accept all of him?
He ground his molars as the torment of his situation sliced through him. His lineage was too important to hide from a potential mate, especially one who’d been honest and open with him. The loss of her affection would destroy what was left of his heart, but it was a risk he had to take.
An hour passed as Ria and Gin sat hidden behind the bushes near Ravenbane. The moons continued their journey, each minute bringing them closer to the unique constellation.
“Are you sensing anything through your bond with Mathias?” she asked Gin. “Any fighting?”
Gin shook her head. “No fighting. He feels frustrated, though.”
“Probably at the lack of fighting.” Ria smirked.
“It’s so quiet here,” Gin said. “What if we’re all wrong?”
“Then I guess we have to wait another year to test our theories.”
“Can you tell if anyone else is around?”
Ria sighed. “No. I really wish I had Mathias’s nose at times like this. My phone can scan for life forms, but only in a radius of twenty feet. My sense of smell is slightly better, but only if the wind is blowing in the right direction.”
“Do you sense anything from Arawn?” Gin slid her a sly glance.
“No.” Ria’s answer was quicker and louder than she intended. “Why would I? That’s only between mates.”
“Yeah, but it’s possible for it to start before the bond fully clicks into place. My sister told me that it happened with her.”
“Well, I actually have been feeling random odd emotions that come from out of nowhere.” Ria rubbed her temple. “But due to a mate bond? I don’t know.”
“You guys have been spending more time together and you look really lovey-dovey.”
Ria bit back a giggle at the thought of Arawn looking lovey-dovey. “Um…”
“Nope.” Gin held up a hand. “Don’t deny it. I know how you feel about him. And he has his eyes glued to you every second he’s in your presence.”
Ria’s body warmed at the lust and adoration Arawn had lavished on her in recent days. Every day she felt closer to him, but at the same time it was like they were dancing around one final huge hurdle. “I don’t feel anything from him now, no. I don’t know if I’d recognize it if I did. That’s new territory for me.”
Gin winked. “Finally, an aspect of life here that I know more about than you.”
“Smart ass.”
“You know it…Hey!” Gin stared up at the sky. “Look.”
Ria followed her friend’s gaze to the bright moons which now flanked the vertical chain of stars. The ominous formation was centered perfectly over the wall of the tower, looking as if it had been placed there by a divine hand. “The moons are weeping,” she murmured. “The bottom star looks like it’s touching the top of the tower.”
A sudden shiver ran through her body and the hairs on her arms stood straight up. A low level crackling of energy filled the air.
Gin turned to her. “What’s happening? I feel something but I don’t know—”
“Look.” Ria whispered. She stared ahead in fascinated disbelief. “Holy shit.”
The east wall of Ravenbane took on a glow, shining spectrally against the dark night. The whole wall, illuminated bright as day, created shadows behind the foliage and rocks.
“Holy crap.” Gin’s voice was awestruck. “Have you ever heard of this?”
“No.” Ria shook her head, transfixed by the sight. “This is amazing.”
Then slowly, it began to dim.
“Oh, no! Why is it going away? That was only a few seconds…” Gin said. “That didn’t tell us any—” She gasped and clapped a hand over her mouth.
From the edges of the structure, creeping toward the center, the brightness eased back to its normal white, except for one part.
Straight down the center, a luminous stripe shone defiantly. Wider at the top, tapering as it descended into a sharp point at the bottom. A perfect representation of…
Ria’s heart pounded in recognition.
The moon and stars formed the shape of the hilt. The eerie pattern of light on the tower formed the shape of the blade.
The Atropa sword.
“Oh my gods, it’s here. It’s really here!” Ria whispered.
“’Light forms blood’…” Gin said. “The handle, with his blood embedded in it? The light of the moons and stars make the shape…”
“And ‘stone is steel’…the steel of the blade is shown in the stone of the building,” Ria moved to stand. “We need to call the guys. Wait, let me take a picture of this in case it fades.” She held up her phone, framing the tower, when movement off to the side caught eye. “Shit!” Ria dropped back behind the shrubs.
“Who is that?” Gin peered. “I can’t tell. Need your night vision.”
Ria crouched, motionless. From fifty yards to their right, a group of tall figures ran toward the tower. They were armed and muscular… “Ghazsuls.” Dread shot through her veins as she noted their ragged clothes. “Could be Splinter. They knew. How did they figure it out?”
“Maybe when they broke the statue, they found another clue?” Gin whispered.
Steady resolve swelled in Ria’s mind as she watched the enemy reach the structure’s base and slide through a door. “We can’t let them get that sword.”
“We’re alone out here!” Gin protested.
Ria shook her head. “We can’t let them get it,” she repeated. “The Watchers’ mission is to get that sword. Arawn wants it in our hands and not theirs. Call Mathias, but you and I are going in.”
Gin gulped and pulled out her phone. Her fingers shook above the keypad.
“Gin.” Ria laid a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Deadly nightshade poison, remember. Convulsions, heart failure, shutdown of the nervous system. We can’t wait. Dial fast.”
Gin nodded and called her mate. The words tumbled out of her mouth and Ria heard her brother’s roar of fury through the phone. Gin ended the call with wide eyes. “God, he’s ready to kill.”
“So am I.” Ria grabbed her hand and pulled her up. “Let’s go.”
&nbs
p; Excitement and worry buzzed in Ria’s veins as she and Gin approached the tower. Two Ghazsul demons stalked along the building’s base, while the rest seemed to be inside. “We can take these two out,” Ria whispered. “Count of three. You take one fire ball and I’ll use the other.”
Gin nodded and Ria pumped her fist in a silent countdown. She summoned a ball of demonfire in each hand, extending one toward Gin. She drew her other hand back and hurled the ball at the demon nearest her.
He yelped as her fire struck him in the chest and he crumbled to the ground. His comrade turned in anger, but Gin’s fiery vine shot through the night and wrapped around his neck. In seconds, only ashes remained of both of them.
“See, we’re a good team,” Ria said. “Two down.” She tugged Gin toward a door in the center of the east wall. The spooky glow that had formed the blade was gone, but this spot was where its point had ended.
The door was the same stone as the rest of the tower, but was carved with a pattern of large textured squares. There was no handle. Ria laid her palm flat on each square, pressing hard, remembering Sebastian’s training sessions. Something had to trigger a mechanism to open this thing.
A rumble and a scraping sound made the women jump back. The door swung open, revealing a black-as-night maw.
“I almost wish the undead warriors were in there instead of Ghazsuls,” Gin mumbled.
“If they were, we wouldn’t have seen the symbol. Come on. Stay close to me.” Ria summoned a fireball for light and stepped in.
The sphere of fire showed a small empty chamber with a stone floor and unused torches lining the walls. Ria grabbed one and dropped her fire into it. Stepping in farther, she saw that the only way to go was through an open door on the far wall. Beyond the threshold, a set of stairs descended into more darkness.
“Where are those Ghazuls?” Gin whispered.
“Either there’s another door, or they’re already down there. If we run into any, feel free to use this.” She shook the torch. “I can replace it.” Calm focus took over as the tactical gears spun in her mind. She and Gin could do this. Maybe they’d find the sword first. Too bad they wouldn’t be able to activate the poison, though.
Step by step, they made their way down. The stairs spiraled lower and lower. A few rats ran away from them, chittering in protest. Ria detected thuds, crashes, and the low rumble of male voices.
“Uh-oh.” Gin muttered behind her.
Ria stopped, noting that the stairs were finally nearing an end, and pressed her back against the wall, indicating for Gin to do the same. “Hold this.” She handed off the torch and crept to the last step.
Peering around the corner, she took in a sight that chilled her bones. Twenty Ghazsuls rummaged through crates and chests. And from the tattered clothing and filthy stench wafting from them, they were definitely Splinter members.
She darted back to Gin, waiting three steps up. “We’re outnumbered. What I need you to do is split this into as many pieces as you can.” Ria pointed to the fire in the torch. “Send as many fire lines into as many of them as you can. Or make one of those fire nets like you used on Elegia.”
Gin nodded. “What about you?”
“I’ll use my own fire, and if I get into a bind, I’ll spin. So make sure you stay a step back.”
Gin shivered. “Got it.”
Ria did another silent countdown, summoned two balls of demonfire, and entered the room.
C
HAPTER 28
RIA FLUNG EACH FIREBALL IN rapid succession, taking down two Ghazsul demons in seconds.
Roars erupted as she and Gin lost the element of surprise, and eighteen angry, ugly males drew weapons. Ria didn’t stop. She was sure she’d faced worse odds at some point in her life. She pulled her arm back to throw another fireball—
Shit! Pain shot through her thigh as an arrow struck home. “Mother fucker!” she shrieked, and brought her arm forward with all her strength. Goddamn son of a bitch. It was a flesh wound, but hurt like hell.
In her peripheral vision, she saw five tendrils of fire shoot through the dark room to pierce Ghazsul flesh. The acrid scent of singed skin filled the room.
A huge demon loomed in front of her. “I’ve seen you before.”
“No, I don’t think so. I never forget an ugly face,” Ria hissed. She called forth another fireball.
“I wouldn’t use that, female.” A low voice growled on her right. “Not if you want to keep your vision.”
A male stood with a bow, its arrow aimed at her head. From its pointed tip, one drop of liquid fell to the floor.
Viper venom in the eye? Shit. That could be a problem. If she used her spin, the venom droplets could fly anywhere—like onto her or Gin. She dropped the fireball to the floor.
The wild energy of Gin’s power pulsed behind her, only to be cut short as Gin yelped. Ria whirled so fast her hair caught on the damn arrow.
The big male drew a breath and his nostrils flared. “In fact…both of you are familiar. You’ve visited my home.”
Two Ghazsuls restrained Gin, each holding a bicep. Binding her arms wouldn’t stop Gin’s power…but lack of fireballs was a problem. The ball Ria had been forced to drop died down to an ember and winked out.
A second male crowded behind Ria and grabbed her wrists. With a punishing grip, he squeezed them together, securing her with his claws. Sharp tips pierced her skin. They were superficial wounds now, but served as a reminder that he could shred her arms in seconds.
Gin shot the big demon a pissed glare. “That was a sorry excuse for a home, if you ask me.”
“I didn’t ask you, female. Maybe you need to see it again to learn its charms.” A leer tilted the leader’s lips.
“Look, I’ll make this simple.” Ria swung her attention to the tall Ghazsul. “You guys leave, and that way you get to live.”
The males all snickered. One let out a hearty guffaw. “She’s a funny one, Kazo. Let’s take them both with us. Having females around the camp would be nice.”
“Don’t even think about it,” Ria said through clenched teeth.
“It wouldn’t be the first Ghazsul—Lash pairing.” Kazo’s eyes slid down her body and back up.
Gin snorted. “Never.”
Kazo sneered at Ria. “You must be very, very simple-minded. The two of you are in no position to negotiate. You either come with us or die here.”
“When my mate finds you, you’ll wish you were already dead,” Gin hissed.
“He won’t have time to think about me. One graze of my sword and his life will be over.” Kazo paced toward Gin. “Whether I keep you alive to see it happen is another story.”
“Asshole,” Gin gritted.
Ria shot a warning glare to her friend and turned to Kazo. “Take your goons and get out. Now.” Her voice was low with menace.
“Not until we get what we came for.” He strode to stand in front of Ria, leaning in so close his fetid breath skimmed over her face. “And I’m tired of you two talking.” He made a lightning quick hand motion to the demon with the bow.
A barely perceptible shift registered in Ria’s ear, one second too late. “Gin!”
Her friend screamed as the archer’s arrow sunk into her chest, lodging right under her collarbone.
“No!” Ria raised one booted foot and kicked backward with all her rage, nailing the demon holding her in the kneecap. He grunted and shifted his feet, but didn’t release her and didn’t go down.
Reflexes and training kicked in. Ria slammed her head back, connecting with his nose and at the same time she kicked the same knee again.
He cursed and his hands loosened. Claws retracted from her flesh. Now!
She grabbed one of her daggers and launched into a spin, closing in on the Ghazsul. Blood sprayed and voices in the room rumbled in wonder, but she didn’t stop. Not until her opponent was a wet pool of viscera on the floor.
She slowed, raw fury igniting her blood. Twelve left, including Kazo. “I said get out. Or you
’ll all end up like that.” She kicked a nearly severed arm.
“Ria,” Gin’s terrified whisper had her whirling.
Her friend knelt, clutching her chest as blood flowed down her torso. Four demons surrounded her, weapons drawn.
A low, sick chuckle rumbled from Kazo. “We aren’t going anywhere. Not yet. And if you try any more of this magic,” he swung his hand between her and Gin. “You’ll both get a noxious dose of Viper venom.” He growled a command at his males and four surrounded Ria just like they did with Gin, their blades and arrows dripping with lethal liquid. “In fact, if either of you moves a muscle, my men will make you both pay.”
“You won’t succeed,” Ria growled. “You can’t kill us with that.” She couldn’t be killed with it, unless she ingested a gallon of it, and no one had gallons of the shit sitting around. But she was taking a gamble on saying the same for Gin. No one knew if she’d be able to fight the effects, or for how long.
“But it will be fun to try.” He grinned, revealing broken, yellowed teeth.
Gin looked awful. Her eyes were glassy and half closed, her breathing shallow. Ria’s rage gave way to full-blown panic. The only thought that gave her an iota of peace was the fact that Mathias knew where they were. And he would have felt Gin’s wound through the bond. Hurry, big brother.
Around the room, the other three males looked in boxes and under tarps, throwing them aside when their searches yielded nothing.
“What are you looking for?” Ria asked, deciding to play dumb. Keep the enemy talking. It was always a good tactic with narcissists or megalomaniacs. She didn’t know which camp Kazo fell into, but maybe he’d reveal something useful.
“Simple female,” Kazo scoffed. “You know the answer to that. It’s why you’re here. It’s why you tried to save your comrade, and why more of your stinking male partners invaded my camp.”
“Kazo!” A Ghazsul called. “Over here, sir, I think this is it.”
