“Josie? Are you all right?”
I jerk my chin down in answer. I need to focus.
Circumstances and ambiance being what they are, I’m thinking I need to keep the sarcasm to a minimum for at least the next hour or so. Kinda hard to do when my heart is pounding harder than a double bass drum, and all I want to do is hoof it the hell out of here. Bantering is my own personal shield, especially when I’m nervous. I am the self-proclaimed Queen of Words, after all, and I’m ready to battle at any given moment.
And why is my Keller staring at me like I’ve grown two heads?
I open my mouth to ask, then slam it shut as incredibly tall beings in long, billowing robes the shade of brilliant indigo form a half-circle along the perimeter of the ancient-looking room. Something about them makes me wish the fog had kept them concealed. They sway back and forth, their robes making a soft swishing sound, while pulsing power ripples in the small spaces between their bodies. A brisk and frigid wind sweeps through the room. The double doors behind me slam closed. I jump and clamp my lips together to keep my teeth from chattering. The folds of the silky material pool at their feet like puddles of the brightest sea. Muted chanting floats through the air, rhythmic, hypnotic. I can’t make out the words, and I wonder if a spell of some sort is being cast. I still feel like myself. I think. I shake my head. Something seems off, but I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is. I keep my breathing shallow on the off-chance they've added something toxic to the air. No, no. The toxins are back in Nashville. Not here.
The Assembly.
The governing body of all supernatural beings.
The accusers.
The jury.
The executors.
The end.
Vampires, shifters, trolls, witches, warlocks, phoenixes, fairies, pixies, berserkers and every creature in between are all technically supposed to answer to the Assembly, but nothing is as black and white as that in this world or the next. According to the Assembly, my job is to take out the strays: the rogues, human and inhuman alike, or half-breeds like me, that refuse to fall in line. Had I known this is what it would be like to meet the members of the Assembly in person, I probably wouldn’t have been so damn persistent.
“Josephine Hawk, Huntress of the Night, step forward.”
Yeah, that’s me. I should totally be moving right now, but my body is frozen in place. I have to dig down deep to slice through the fear, which really pisses me off. I’m a badass. I really am. Usually. Right now I’m a quivering pile of slush and mush. It’s definitely mental pep talk time. Except I don’t have time to scold myself.
Keller squeezes my hand.
Screw it. I can do this. I want to do this. One booted foot inches forward. I force the other one to follow until I sense what I think must be an invisible X in the center of the room. I quickly look down and for the first time—ever—I question my choice in clothing. Perhaps my hot pants and cowboy boots hadn't been the wisest decision I’d made today. At least that’s the impression I get from the silver eyes shooting judgmental looks my way. Totally not my fault. This summons came out of nowhere. My disheveled bright-red hair gives me either a wanton or total serial killer look. Neither is what I would have chosen had I known this was happening today. It’s kind of important that I show some respect to the Assembly.
Maybe I’m being inducted. I giggle again, but Keller’s glare has me snapping my mouth shut. What. The. Hell?
You’d think, with me being a huntress and all, that something as simple as attending a summoning that could possibly result in an acknowledgement from the Assembly would be a piece of cake.
I do want this. I’ve wanted it for more years than I care to count. It’s hard to believe it could finally be happening. I sneak a look to my right, to the one who usually has a whole lot to say. His hair isn’t very neat either. Wicked sexy, though. I barely contain a shiver and refocus my attention straight ahead.
I’m dying to ask Keller if this is what it had been like when the Assembly selected him to be a part of their Team. My gut tells me to save that conversation for later. When your job is as dangerous as mine, it’s important to listen to your gut. I always do. I hear Keller clear his throat and I wonder if he’s correcting me.
Fine. I almost always listen.
“Raise your left hand,” the being commands.
Left? Well that’s backward thinking. I stop myself from looking to Keller again. He’s here and that’s enough. This is it. It’s happening and I can totally do this. I’ve made it known—more like shouted from the rooftops through a bullhorn—that I can and will do things on my own, no matter how much Keller feels he needs to help me.
I start to raise my right hand and remember I’m supposed to use my left. I pull my right arm behind my back as I slowly lift my left hand. I’ve never been in front of the Assembly before. Maybe they do everything the opposite of normal here. I have, however, haunted their asses relentlessly via email, text and hand-written letters for the past decade or so for one simple thing. A promotion. It’s that thought that has me throwing back my shoulders with confidence.
Induct me.
Swear me in.
Do whatever you have to do to me. I have to get back to Nashville. The pixies are killing and I have to stop them. My people need me, and to be honest, I need them. Protecting them from the nasties is what I was born to do. With the backing of the Assembly, I’ll be able to do it better. That’s why I’m here.
The tallest member of the Assembly, and the only one who has spoken since I entered their chamber, approaches me. I kick my chin up, way up. It’s almost like an ant trying to see the top of a Redwood tree. Impossible. I’m not backing up, though. Not a chance. Clenching my fist behind me, I tilt my head and wait for him to speak. I’m guessing he thinks I can read minds. Nope. That’s Keller’s gig. I hear a soft chuckle behind me. I almost send Keller a mental message but decide against it. Who knows who else in this room has that special ability?
That, Josie, is one of the many reasons I adore you. You are very smart indeed. Now focus, will you?
Focus. Right. I can do this.
The robed being in front of me reaches up. I flinch, expecting him to touch me. He doesn’t. With two hands, he shoves his hood back. I blink. Holy Hot Stuff. I think I just sighed. Literally. In fact, I’m pretty sure I might have even moaned out loud, considering Keller moves behind me and squeezes the back of my neck possessively. Sue me. I’m a healthy woman and this is one fine specimen. Unnaturally so. Who knew?
Thick and dark lashes frame the being’s quicksilver eyes. His skin is radiant, sun-kissed and flawless. Perfectly manicured jet-black hair gleams in the candlelight. I wonder if all the males wearing robes look like this. Sage will kill me if I don’t organize a toga party.
“I am Quin,” he says, with only the slightest tilt of his head. “I am the newly inducted chief commander of the Assembly, and you, huntress, have some explaining to do.”
My knees nearly buckle. Well, shit. Quin had me until he opened his mouth again. I’m so weak. Put a pretty boy in front of me and I forget how very dangerous they can be. This one just went from deliciously attractive to grotesque in my mind. His screeching tone grates on my nerve endings like a million fingernails clawing a chalkboard. How am I supposed to explain anything when his voice makes my brain ache and my knees knock?
Keller? So much for going this alone.
I don’t know what’s going on here, Josie, but I’ll help you through it.
Quin lifts his right hand and presses it against my left palm. Explosive heat floods my body, and I swear if he blows me up, I’m gonna kick his ass to Hades and back. After a few seconds he lowers his hand, but I think he’s branded me somehow. I press my burning hand against my bare leg and breathe a sigh of relief when my body doesn’t ignite.
“The Assembly would like to know why your city is out of control?” Quin asks in a very agonizingly matter-of-fact tone. My brain pulses with each syllable he utters. Quin’s face
seems to disappear for a moment. I shake my head. The chanting grows louder, but can’t compete with the power behind Quin’s voice. The pain in my head grows until I can barely see straight. The room swims and I lean into Keller to remain upright. His firm hold steadies me, and I blink several times to clear my vision.
I do my best to focus on what Quin is saying, but secretly I’m fuming and linking my fingers together to keep from grabbing my blade out of my waistband and slamming it between his eyes. It’s not supposed to be like this. It’s supposed to be formal and proper and full of promise, not an painful and deadly inquisition.
I'm not scared anymore. I'm furious, and with anger comes clarity. Any sense of pride I’d felt at the onset of this meeting has turned into a very lethal toxin. The Assembly never wanted me.
I’m the one who initiated this alliance, the one who insisted they put me in charge of my region. I seriously think Quin is trying to kill me. I’m not an idiot. Keller would have told me if his meetings with the Assembly had gone down like this. I’m not yet over the fact that it took them too damn long to acknowledge me and that Keller had to be the one to convince them I was right for the job. Plus, I have to share my title with my vampire boyfriend. That part I’m okay with. Mostly. The other parts? Yeah, I’m more than a little miffed.
“Mr. Quin,” I say through clenched teeth. “We really should try to speed this up. You see, that city you speak of, my city, is not out of control, but it will be if I don’t get back.” Whether they want me or not, I deserve this. “The sun’s already set, and I need to be on the streets.” It’s nervy of me to speak this way to the new chief commander.
Speaking of, Keller hadn’t said anything about a leader change, and I certainly didn’t get a memo. Not that I’m privy to the inner workings of the Assembly or anything. Maybe if I survive this ceremony, all that will change. I don’t really want to tick Quin off too much, not enough to die anyway, so I take a deep breath and continue. “No disrespect intended, but…” I shrug my very best sheepish shrug.
Quin opens his mouth and exhales a screech so loud I fall to my knees. Keller drops too. Plugging my ears does nothing to mute the sound. The pain tears through my body like a raptor clawing at my skin. My arms tremble from pushing so hard against my ears.
Then there is blessed silence. I take a deep breath and lift my head to look around. Quin is standing directly in front of me. The other members of the Assembly have closed circle around Keller and I.
Keller hisses at the same time I feel warm liquid sliding down my jaw line. With one finger, I swipe at my cheek.
Blood.
A vicious scream rips through the air.
Mine.
Chapter Eighteen
I knew I should have kept my big mouth shut. A pissed-off Quin is lethal. I have the busted eardrum to prove it. I’m sure once I get over the shock, I’ll be nursing one hell of an earache.
It takes some doing, but eventually I manage to shove off the ground and stand again. I’ve got a blade in each hand and I’m not letting go. Keller presses his back to mine and skims his hand over the knife wedged in my waistband. He doesn’t take it. Quin bends at the knees and leans close. His mouth is moving but I can’t hear anything he’s saying. Now that’s one perk I hadn’t considered. I squeeze the handles of my blades.
Josie, pay attention.
I’m trying to, Keller. I can’t hear him. I briefly wonder how I can even hear Keller inside my head, but I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s a lot older than I am and with age comes power.
You’ve got to learn to keep your mouth closed.
I know Keller’s harsh words stem from concern. I can’t bring myself to care. Screw you. You weren’t complaining last night. I don’t need a father. Keller is walking a very fine line. Right or wrong—and for the record, I know he’s right—I don’t want to hear this from him.
Yes. I love that saucy mouth of yours. I’ll tell you what Quin is saying. Raise your left hand again. If you want this, tell him that you vow to represent the Assembly. That their code is the only code. That you’ll do it their way and pass their tests. Tell them you will report to them monthly, in person. It’s up to you, but make a decision so we can get the feck out of this place.
I narrow my eyes. Monthly? Their way? Tests? A war wages inside me. I’ve always held such a high regard for the ways of the Assembly. I want to do what’s right, but how can this be right when it feels so very wrong? Damn it. I’ve got to pull it together and get over the fact that I’ll have to answer to someone. I’m not backing out now. My people need this. Keller nudges me and I slowly say the words, secretly wondering if they truly count since I can’t even hear my own voice. The vibrations in my chest tell me some sound must be coming out. Who knows if I’m even speaking English? Whatever I said, it must be what Quin wants to hear because he nods his head and sweeps his arm in a grand gesture.
Keller moves in front of me, squeezes my wrists before sliding his hands over mine. Give me your blades. I won’t let him harm you. He wants you to follow him.
I give Keller my knives, but only because I’ve got more where those come from, and the element of surprise often works better than an in-your-face attack.
Follow him where? I rub my ear hard and am thankful when I hear a buzz.
Keller never answers me. Instead, he tugs my arm and gently guides me to the right, though I feel an unexplainable pull to my left. I realize then that Quin has left. I follow the sea of blue filing out of the room and squeeze through a narrow doorway.
This room is different than the one we just left. It’s posh and well lit. The heavy feeling of dread begins to lift. I crack my neck to loosen my muscles and exhale a long and relieved breath. It’s like we’d simply exited Hell and walked straight into Heaven.
The robed ones fan out to flank their leader. He doesn’t appear so tall now. Had I imagined that? Quin opens his mouth again and I immediately reach for another blade.
“If you pass this test, your induction will have officially begun, Ms. Hawk.”
My hand stills. I shake my head. I swear Quin’s mouth just moved, but the screeching voice is gone. This voice is smooth and somehow familiar.
I want to ask Quin about his voice and what he means by his statement, but the last time I spoke to him, I ended up on all fours with bleeding ears. Because I am all kinds of wise, I simply nod my head and wait for him to tell me what I must do. Now that Hell is behind us, I’m feeling much more optimistic. I will pass this test with flying colors.
“Eccentric as you are, I do believe you will be an asset to the Assembly,” Quin says.
“Thank you, sir.” See? I should be an actress.
“To prove your allegiance to us, I need you to see Horon before your return to your city.” Quin tilts his head and acknowledges yet another door.
“Horon?” I ask. “Who is that?”
Keller brushes my cheek with his knuckle. I turn, one eyebrow lifted in question.
“You sure you really want this?” Keller’s eyes shine with concern. “I can take you home.”
I shake my head. “You know I want this. I’ve always wanted this. What gives? Who is this Horon guy?”
Neither Keller nor Quin answer. The door Quin had shown me slowly opens, the iron scraping the floor. If no one is going to tell me, I’ll figure it out myself. I walk to the door and step inside. Once my eyes adjust to the dim lighting, I realize why Keller is so concerned.
I step backward but not fast enough. The door slams shut as I hear Keller shout my name. He’s pounding on the door.
The being I assume to be Horon grunts and moves closer. He’s armed with a weapon I want nothing to do with.
I crouch. He lunges. I dash. He grabs. Fucker’s got my ankle in a death grip.
“Oh, hell no.” I’m not being tagged with a tracker. My mother—no. This isn’t about her. It’s about me. No one—not even the Assembly—needs to know where I am at all times.
I claw at the ground, dragging mysel
f toward the door. Keller is still pounding, still yelling my name. The vice grip pulling my leg threatens to completely take it off.
Hands clamp down on my arms, strong enough to hold me, but careful not to hurt. “I’ve got you, Josie. Stop fighting.”
Keller isn’t yelling anymore. He’s as calm as a lake on a warm spring day, caressing my arms with his thumbs. My stomach pitches. I’m not with Horon. I’m in my office and that doesn’t make a bit of sense. An ugly feeling settles deep in my gut, scratching at the walls to no avail. I jerk like an innocent man who has just heard the gavel that proclaims a life sentence.
"What happened?” My head is pounding like I've been run over by a Mack truck, and I can’t seem to bring anything into focus.
"You passed out."
I realize I'm lying with my head in Keller's lap. I try to sit up. The room swirls. Any second now, I’m going to heave chunks all over the floor. This is why I never drink alcohol. Hangovers always hit me hard. As far as I can remember, I haven’t had one lick of alcohol in at least five years.
Admittedly, I am a bit tired and more than a little foggy, but Josie Hawk does not pass out. "No. I didn't."
A shadow moves closer. Lucian's face looms over me. "Sorry to tell you, but you did, babe. Conked your head, too." He offers me a bottle of water.
Sage squeezes my hand. "It wasn't your fault. You were drugged."
Excuse me? With both palms planted firmly on the floor, I clumsily get to my feet. "Where? How?" Wouldn't I have known? I snag the bottle from Lucian’s hands and drain the contents.
Alex steps forward. He’s all panther swagger with his precise, fluid movements and perfect ebony skin. He's holding a tiny needle between two fingers. "What the hell is that?”
"You were harpooned."
Harpooned. Like a flipping whale. You have got to be kidding me.
"We'll take it to Hector to be sure, but I found it behind your ear after you fell. I teleported us straight back here.” Keller explains. “I'm positive it was laced with Pixie Dust. I'll explain it to the Assembly and let them know this is what caused your erratic behavior."
Dark Secrets: A Paranormal Romance Anthology Page 143
