Valor: The Custos Saga

by Jessica Tastet

  Gabney’s cheeks pinkened. She’d rambled and she knew it. Her thoughts were wide open with no shields or guards. “You know most of what goes on in the Vindica, don’t you?”

  Gabney stared at the floor. “Uncle John says I will become Vindica historian one day. I don’t believe it likely since no one accepts me but him.”

  Angelica laughed. “They can be a side act in a circus show, but they don’t accept you?”

  Gabney grumbled. “Let’s see how you feel after you meet them. I promised to bring you to the back courtyard.”

  Angelica sucked in air. “Today?”

  “Right now.” Gabney laughed, tugging on Angelica’s arm.

  Angelica felt like she was the new kid in middle school. She tried to remind herself that she’d be twenty-one in a week, but nope the nervousness still flipped in her stomach.

  Angelica stole quick glances into several open doorways. They passed a curious room with old looking weapons hanging on the walls and even a piano in a far off room. The journey ended as they skidded into a large kitchen with a massive green door in the rear. A chef turned to glare at them, but Gabney only giggled and pushed her toward the door.

  Bright rays of sunshine glared down on them as Gabney pushed the door open, and Angelica blinked to adjust. Gray patio stones held several chairs framed by vines crawling up wrought iron work. A decaying building rose up beyond, blocking the area from street traffic.

  Eyes turned to stare at them, and Angelica inhaled sharply. She hadn’t expected so many.

  Lysander and a group of five men stood tossing a football beyond the edge of the patio, and four sets of eyes greeted her from iron patio chairs.

  Vase thrower glared at her from one of the chairs. Her long blond hair hung limply over her shoulders, taunt skin stretched across her high cheekbones, and a long thin nose added to her gaunt look. Those same honey eyes that had concentrated on the vase to move it, narrowed and seared through her now.

  Gabney stepped between them.

  “Angelica, I believe you’ve met Griffen Jones.”

  Griffen stood from one of the chairs and extended his hand. “I’m so pleased you’ve decided to return after our bad reactions.”

  Angelica smiled and shook his hand. He squeezed but not in a power struggle, more of an assurance that he was harmless.

  Gabney smiled and slight pinkness rose in her cheek before she looked away from Griffen to another seated onlooker. “This is Jack Coefield, a teacher here.”

  Jack Coefield brought his hands together as if he were going to pray. “I assume John Landon has met with you and deemed you legitimate.” He paused, glancing toward the others. Angelica was aware that the football toss had ceased and the men had moved closer. “However, don’t believe your trials are over. Griffen and I are both experts in our fields, and we don’t trust as easily as John Landon does.”

  Okay, first impressions weren’t always accurate, but then again, sometimes a pompous ass was just what it looked like.

  Her head throbbed. She felt Serena yanking at the walls she had erected to block her thoughts. She hadn’t experienced that feeling in a long time.

  Jack Coefield glanced at Serena and a small grin curved the corner of her lips. She was enjoying this.

  Everyone waited for her reply. Indignation swelled in her chest. She hated bullies. “John Landon and I have reached an understanding, but it doesn’t concern you. I don’t see why I’d need your trust, and I don’t need confirmation of my abilities.”

  Serena blinked as Angelica kicked her out of her mind. “Breaking a vase doesn’t confirm your abilities unless you are showing us you are weak.”

  Angelica’s cheeks flushed. Anger surged through her. She pictured their chairs rising, and in an instant they were in the air, shrieking in fear and a little delight.

  A laugh bubbled inside her. Control slipped like sugar through her fingers and felt just as sweet. She’d never allowed herself to slip. It was intoxicating.

  Angelica waved the chairs down. Griffen Jones sprang from his seat. “That was unbelievable! I’ve never seen such concentration, such strength before. You must give another demonstration.”

  Serena glared at Angelica before storming into the house, nearly knocking Gabney out of the way.

  Jack Coefield’s face burned hibiscus red. He lurched upward and gaped at Angelica. His lips moved fluidly, but words did not escape.

  Griffen frowned. “Jack, you can’t be angry. This is great!”

  Jack stammered. “Our kind doesn’t use our gifts against each other. Dark Soldiers do. I must have a word with John Landon.”

  He swished past Gabney and Angelica muttering about being in danger as if she couldn’t hear him. The adrenaline may be intoxicating, but the worry nestled at its core had a sobering effect.

  The dark haired woman from the other chair stood up and studied Angelica with her Custos eyes. Her hand on hip tough stance revealed toned bared arms.

  “I’m Roxy Decambre. I’m sure we’ll get to know each other well, but first I’ll go smooth things over.”

  Those Custos blues were icicles. She’d said Decambre—one of the seven families from Lily’s trail of death. At least seven that she remembered from reoccurring dreams.

  What were the chances of her being from that Decambre family? From the glare in her eyes, pretty high. Would she expose Angelica? Did she remember her even? At first glance, she appeared to be around Angelica’s age.

  Griffen waited for Roxy to leave. Angelica felt his mind racing over Zener tests and performance tests he could conduct. “I’d love to work with you tomorrow. I know you don’t want to, but really I only study what people do.”

  He only wanted someone willing to work with him. He wasn’t like them—like her. He and Gabney were both denied because they were human not Custos. It was all so much for Angelica to wrap her head around.

  “I’ll give it a try.”

  She reasoned that she needed an opportunity to return, and she didn’t know when another invitation would come along. She still needed a connection to Lily.

  Lysander smiled at her from the group of men at the edge of the patio. Seeing him again would be an added perk.

  Fourteen

  Cain’s anger simmered in his gut, rising into his throat at intervals when he couldn’t distract himself. Not only had he had to make an appointment to see his own father, but he’d also had to give a reason as to why he’d needed any of his father’s valuable time when his father was so busy. Typical dysfunctional father-son bonding happening.

  After his mother’s execution, Cain had rebelled in major ways. In his inexperience and youth, he hadn’t learned to focus his anger in a way he’d actually hurt the man. So he’d set fire to the outbuildings. He’d destroyed several books, and he’d gone as far as to try and poison Tom. He’d been unable to follow through with it, and that’s when he’d lost his father’s respect.

  He’d been sent away for “training.” Considering that all the training occurred at Rex’s compound at that time so Rex could keep a close eye on any future potential threat, no one had believed that excuse. Rumors had spread through Rex’s men; many of them contained bits of the truth.

  His private trainers had decided that torture was the way to enforce discipline. At twenty-three he’d become the youngest member to reach Dark Soul status. Cain had breezed through the two weeks of required torture that was part of the testing regimen. It had been easy after the years of torture at his trainer’s hand.

  Tom’s slight form emerged from the darkness of the house. “He’ll see you now, young master.”

  Cain grunted, and then dived into the darkness. He’d known every corner of this house during his training here, and he’d used many to hide. He wasn’t hiding today.

  His father sat among rolled parchments and opened documents. His reading glasses rested on his nose in a delicate way, but he removed them as Cain entered.

  “Ah, what was of such importance that you needed to see
me at this time, Son?”

  Cain forced the sneer from his lips. “I’ve been offered a job at the law firm we discussed, and I’d like to take it.”

  Rex was silent, and Cain hoped that meant he was considering it. “This would mean you’d be away from your post at Landon House, am I correct?”

  Cain nodded.

  “Then no,” Rex said frowning. “I can’t afford that loss at this time.”

  “Don’t you think it’ll be suspicious that a nearly twenty-five year old law graduate still hasn’t taken a job?”

  Rex waved it away. “The economy is bad, and you’ll handle any suspicions, I’m confident. Do you have anything to report from the house?”

  Fury roared inside him, but he’d come a long way from youth and inexperience.

  “The woman, Angelica, is a stronger telekinetic than even you.”

  “Impossible.” Cain glimpsed the wrinkles deepen on his forehead though.

  “She lifted four people in the air today, held them for nearly a minute, and then set them down.”

  Rex stared at him, and Cain glared back, unblinking.

  His father sighed. “I hear you didn’t wish to sacrifice Lewis.”

  “He could have proven useful in the future.”

  “Unwillingness to kill is seen as a weakness with our people. Going against orders shows disloyalty.”

  Cain clinched his fists and pumped them hard at his side. Control of his temper remained elusive around his father. “I have a problem with ignorance. We will never achieve what you want with the people you have placed in charge.”

  Rex stood. “A soldier does not question a leader. That is a high form of disloyalty.”

  “We both know I’m not a leader yet because I’m your son. I’m more intelligent than most of your men.”

  Rex shook his head. “Your intelligence is hampered by your rashness, your emotions, and your temper.”

  Cain’s fury burned through him, and he knew nothing else would come from this conversation but a loss of his temper. “If you have nothing more, I’ll take my leave now. I will not, however, agree to stay at my post indefinitely. I’ve sacrificed enough of my life for your quest, and it is apparent I will never move further in our group.”

  Rex sighed. “Don’t be dramatic.”

  “Good evening, Rex.”

  Cain exited and moved toward the outside door in the dark. As he passed the den, he noticed someone else waiting.

  His milk flesh and size startled Cain a moment, but it was his eyes that made him stop in his steps.

  They were the blueness of the shallow waters of Mexico or of the clear blue sky. Custos blue.

  Apparently, his father was keeping secrets, too.

  Cain forced himself to move toward the door, only missing a step, but his mind raced over the possibilities.

  Fifteen

  Lucilius was agitated. Kline could tell by the tense set of his jaw and the unconscious tapping of his thumb against the railing. Kline remained quiet, hands crossed in front of him, waiting.

  “He’s lying,” Lucilius mumbled and tapped his thumb harder.

  Kline listened without a word. Lucilius didn’t like to be interrupted, especially when he was thinking.

  “But I can’t do anything about that yet. I need his inside information.” He shook his head. “Need is a strong word though. I could kill him and get my information elsewhere.”

  He looked back at Kline, and Kline continued his poker face, unflinching.

  “But this is the quicker route, correct?” His eyes bore into Kline. He was working himself up and something would be destroyed soon. No one would witness the cruelty from his temper though. Lucilius kept his loss of control discreet.

  “Both, Sir.” Kline said, gauging his reaction closely. The vein in his temple didn’t throb, so he continued. “You need information from him, but you should also look elsewhere to keep a level playing field.”

  Lucilius stared him down, his expression giving nothing away. He looked back out onto the street after an intense moment. “But who?” He shrugged. “Rex doesn’t keep confidences with anyone. He’s smarter than that.”

  “One of his men will notice something. We always notice. You need to find one who isn’t loyal.”

  Lucilius regarded Kline with that deep glare that penetrated all the way to the bone. Kline controlled his thoughts, knowing that they’d be fully exposed to Lucilius. He thought of Bileka, one of the few Custos young women who was available and would be mated off soon. She was good-looking in a pale, wispy way. The other guards all wanted her as their life partner, so Kline knew with his family connections he was not going to be a candidate. He hadn’t really thought much about how the male Custos outnumbered the female three to one until he’d reached the age that mates were chosen. He knew with his grandfather and father’s ruined name, he was on the bottom of the hierarchy, so he assumed he wouldn’t be paired.

  Lucilius finally looked away, and Kline felt the release of tension all the way to his toes. It had worked.

  “I need you to find someone for me.” Lucilius thumped his thumb against the balcony again. “You’ve been watching these people; find me someone who I can use.”

  Lucilius dismissed him with a nod and Kline stepped out into the hall.

  Kline took the stairs two at a time and was in the downstairs command room before he allowed any thoughts to enter his mind.

  He could care less about the Custos women, but he did need to keep his real thoughts to himself.

  The wallboard in the room was filled with snapshots, many of them labeled with names and details. He’d only brushed the surface of New Orleans Vindica members though. The list that Lucilius had provided for him was extensive and many were out of the city.

  His gaze immediately went to Angelica’s picture. He’d snapped it as she’d been leaning over the balcony of her bedroom. She’d been lost in thought and her eyes were unfocused.

  She was the key. He’d figured it out as he watched her. She could undo it all, with a little help. He’d have to find a mole for Lucilius, but she would be what Kline had been waiting for.

  It didn’t matter whether she was this mythical Valor or not. His family had been biding their time and he’d believed he’d finally found a way.

  His gut twinged. Although he shouldn’t be worried about it, he’d be placing her at risk. They’d never spoken, but he’d watched her. No, he’d studied her.

  And he wanted her even though he shouldn’t. It was against the Custos laws to mix. It had happened before, of course. But the punishment was death.

  He was getting ahead of himself, considering the consequences of actions he had not taken. But he needed her for his plan, and she’d need a little training to insure his plan followed through to his end goal. He could start there.

  Sixteen

  Angelica pursed her lips around the straw of some fruity drink as Lysander gazed into her eyes. Her body flushed against his intense stare following the movement of her lips.

  A jiggle from behind brought the crowded bar back into focus, and she dropped her eyes down to her fingertips to gain some control. Her intoxication with him was fueled by attraction and a little bit of not having to hide her abilities. It could be reversed though; she could be intoxicated more by not having to hide, and this caused her to want to slow it down. Way down.

  “Do you do this often?” Angelica squirmed, feeling his hidden laugh.

  Lysander’s fingertips brushed her bare arm. “We used to come out every weekend. Not so often lately.”

  She attempted to push a calming breath through her body, but his crooked grin broke her concentration.

  Angelica looked away. “Have you known everyone long?”

  “I’ve known Mark and some of the others for years. Belonging to a Vindica family means you know everyone.”

  Angelica smiled, deciding to focus on conversation instead of his nearness. “Are they like the family members you don’t want to claim?

&nbs
p; Lysander chuckled. “Definitely intense. Parties can be treacherous, but I’d like for you to stick around to find out first hand.”

  She sipped the fruity concoction for relief and dragged her eyes away from his. The crowded bar had people brushing against each other. Not her favorite scene, but Gabney had begged for her to join them. Angelica had relented since it was Gabney’s twenty-first birthday, but the large group had splintered as soon as they’d entered the bar.

  Serena glared at her from a corner table. Mark distracted her often, but Angelica continued to feel the distrust and dislike shooting her way. Mark’s frustration bounced around them as he sipped a long neck beer. Bruce Meek, another resident at Landon House, was failing miserably with a tanning booth, perfect complexion amazon. Roxy was behind the bar, and Angelica had caught her suspicious glares each time their eyes had met.

  Gabney leaned against a wall near the door, hands tucked inside her jacket pockets. Loneliness wilted her eyes, her face, and her shoulders. Her thoughts broadcasted across the room, screaming among the various naughty thoughts of the bar’s patrons. She’d thought they’d spend a fun night out, and everyone had turned from her, as usual.

  Gabney’s thoughts drifted. Uncle John worried over her safety. Did she know too much? Did she even know anything important?

  Angelica peeked at others to see if anyone was listening. Gabney was too easy to read and open to anyone who cared to tune in.

  Lysander’s hand stroked her arm, and chills traveled up her arm. “Gabney feels left out.”

  Angelica smiled. Finding out his abilities would have to be on her priority list. She wasn’t big on surprises. “I agree. I think I’ll go see if she wants to go back to the house since I’m not really into large crowds.”

  “I know what you mean. Maybe we can find a more intimate setting for our next date.”

  Angelica grinned. “Maybe next time you can ask me out if you want to call it a date.”

  She left him, feeling his eyes follow the sway of her hips, hearing the smoldering thoughts he broadcasted as he drank it up. She’d never known that this particular talent could drive her this kind of crazy.