Judgment Has Fallen: A Kurtherian Gambit Series (Reclaiming Honor Book 3)

by Justin Sloan

Before he had a chance to respond, she was out, pursuing the nude Forsaken. A few drugged out looking men and women were standing in the darkness looking bewildered—likely at having just seen a naked man run past.

  When they saw her in pursuit, they kind of shrugged and figured it was some sex-game, she imagined, not even taking the time to roll her eyes.

  Her pursuit took her back toward the main building, but halfway there, she paused, glancing back toward the trailers. Coming from the building she saw a large procession moving toward the trailer she had been in, and right away she knew it was Clive.

  Dammit, he was coming for her already.

  Eyes searching the darkness, nose sniffing for signs of Forsaken, she came to a realization. She had to play this out, see how many she could draw out into the open until she could get the answers she needed.

  So for now, she moved back into the darkness and made for the trailer. There weren’t many distractions, and within half a minute she was at the trailer, lowering herself in through the small hole in the roof, and waiting. She glanced back out the front and saw a guard glance her way, but noticed that Clive was taking his time and had even stopped to speak with someone.

  That was good news, considering the Forsaken blood that had splattered on her, she now saw in the light of the trailer.

  She went to the bathroom and quickly slipped out of the leather so that she could better scrub the areas that she had dirtied, and then hung the outfit on a rack while she slipped into the shower. There was a bar on the side that showed a very limited water supply, but all she needed was enough to remove the stench of death, so thirty seconds later she was drying off and then doing her best to slip into the leather outfit again.

  Of course, it was even harder to slip on this time than it had been at first.

  So when the knock came on her trailer door, she was still there, mostly nude, pulling trying to twist and get her arms into the top.

  “One second,” she said, and then finally got the leather on her arms.

  The door opened as she pulled the top over her breasts, zipped up and turned with a smile.

  Clive furrowed his brow and looked her up and down before saying, “You seem awfully chipper.”

  “I was just… working out.”

  He nodded, appreciating that. “Ready to show me my judgment is still as sound as I believe it to be?”

  Mentally, she wasn’t ready at all. There was some nude Forsaken out there likely telling more Forsaken, or maybe a CEO henchmen, about her, and she wanted to be tailing him and listening in.

  But since this was the next best way to move the plan forward, she nodded. “Let’s give ‘em a show.”

  “Excellent.”

  He held out his arm for her to take and together they descended the steps of the trailer and made their way back to the arena for her second fight.

  As they were walking she sniffed and said, “You smell like sex.”

  He laughed. “Bluntness, I like that.” For a moment they walked in silence, and then he said, “After the great collapse, I’m amazed how many people look down on relationships of the type I enjoy. I often wonder if it was like that before, or was love more accepted for what it was back then?” He looked at her, curious, and then asked, “How about you, you’re clearly not judging me the way some would. Would I be wrong to suggest that you might have had thoughts about women in your past?”

  Yeah, there had been a moment there, oh yes, the thoughts had been there—that it all would have been forced. That Sandra, as her servant, or slave or whatever the hell she had been, would have felt compelled into it.

  Valerie hadn’t wanted it that way. If it were to happen at all, she wanted it to be pure. But somehow, as the years wore on, it all became like a distant dream. A blur as if it might not have ever happened. She’d never looked at another woman the same, and even those thoughts about Sandra had faded, until Valerie had met Jackson and everything had changed for her.

  Now though, confronted with this question and far enough away from Jackson that it seemed they’d never be together again, she found her mind wandering back to that kiss, that time long ago when she could almost believe her and Sandra could be a thing.

  “Hmm,” Clive finally said, and she realized she’d spaced out. “Judging by that distant, forlorn and yet totally full of yearning look in your eyes, I’m going to go ahead and take that as a yes.”

  Valerie blushed. This was a side of her she’d never shared with anyone, not even Sandra. All she could think of saying was, “Shut up.”

  He laughed. “Well, let’s put that passion into your next fight, and then maybe we can sit down over another bottle of wine and you can tell me all about it.”

  “That’d have to be some strong wine,” she said, wistfully.

  “Oh, I have faith that you’ll earn it.” He looked her up and down, tip of his tongue at his lips. “Ever had a three-way?”

  Her head jerked back, looking over to Clive, “Excuse me?”

  With a laugh, he elaborated, “In a fight, a three-way fight. Each of you on your own, but three in the ring. Think you’re up for it?”

  “You have a weird way of asking, let me just say that. But yeah, anything you throw at me, I can take. Just get that wine ready.”

  He nodded with an excited smile, then motioned her to follow as he spun on his heels.

  If she played this right and got him to drink enough of that wine, maybe the answers she sought would be coming sooner rather than later.

  Perhaps one fight and she could get the answers? God, she hoped this place didn’t hold new secrets.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Enforcer HQ

  Jackson stumbled up to Enforcer HQ, Ella in his arms, shouting back at Lorain to stop apologizing.

  “You didn’t know any better,” he said.

  “What’s this?” one of two Weres asked, coming out and glancing over him to the injured woman. “You don’t have to let us in, though if you ask around, I’m sure you’ll recognize my name—Jackson Mercer. This woman is wanted by the police and others, and has been wounded. If we want any answers from her, I suggest you take a look.”

  “But she’s been shot!” the larger man said, stupidly.

  “Exactly my point. You have people here better than any excuse for a medical facility. Now are you going to let us in or what?”

  Just then a man came running out, and Jackson had to rub the sweat away from his face to see that it was Wallace.

  “What is…” He just stared for a moment, and then quickly waved the others aside and took Ella from Jackson. He turned to carry her up the stairs asking over his shoulder. “What happened?”

  “The explosion, and then, well,” Jackson glanced back at Lorain, but decided the whole truth wasn’t necessary for now, “she was shot.”

  “I can see that,” he replied.

  They made their way up to the elevator. Ella was mumbling something with her arms wrapped around Wallace, who was caught somewhere between torment and trying to be strong.

  Jackson had no idea how he would feel at that moment. He had no good feelings toward Ella, but Wallace once had. Were they in love, or simply playing around? Jackson knew that, if it had been love, nothing could make him change how he felt.

  They rushed into the hospital wing where Cammie and two other female Weres were gathered around a hospital bed. Royland lay on his side as a cop applied a salve to his back and Cammie helped him sip on a vial of blood.

  “Things could be better,” Wallace said, noticing the look on Jackson’s face. “Let’s just hope that whatever Valerie’s up to, it’s going to change all this. Otherwise, we might have a prolonged war on our hands.”

  A Were helped lower Ella onto a bed, and then a vampire took a spot beside her to get working on the wound. The pants were torn, and the burns looked painful.

  “You were injured in the explosion,” he said, and her eyes flitted open, taking him in.

  “Sloppy job then,” Lorain said with a n
asty glare. “Getting hit in your own blast.”

  Ella gave a slight nod of her head and whispered, “Not me. Not my people.”

  “I’m putting her out for this part,” the vampire said, and Jackson put an arm around Wallace, thinking that might be comforting.

  “What’re you doing?” Wallace asked, stepping back. “There was something with this woman, but that’s long gone. I don’t need your sympathy or comfort.” He spun around, taking in the Weres. “And shouldn’t you be out there trying to prevent more of these explosions? This guy needs three of you hovering over him like guardian fucking angels?”

  Jackson cleared his throat, and Wallace made a grunting noise before stomping out of the room.

  Yeah, clearly that man had no more feelings for Ella. Right…

  “He’s right though,” Cammie said, standing. “Royland, heal fast, please. At least so I can stop feeling so damn guilty.”

  “He saved her ass,” the one he thought might be named Esmerelda told him, so Jackson just nodded his understanding.

  As Cammie walked past, Jackson waved her down. “Listen, my people. They’re on standby. Many of my followers are just regular citizens, but we have a couple dozen warriors ready to take action if needed. They won’t fight alongside vampires and, sorry, Weres, but… you tell me where we’re needed, I’ll do my best.”

  “Alongside, and against the same enemy, doesn’t have to be the same thing,” she told him and looked back at Royland for a second before returning her gaze to Jackson. “If we can make a show of force around the bomb site at Capital Square, maybe that’ll put some fright into them… whoever they are.”

  “I’ll do my part,” he agreed, and then motioned to Lorain to stick close.

  ***

  When the others were gone, Wallace lingered at the doorway, watching Ella sleep. He wasn’t sure what he was doing here.

  She had abandoned him and the rest of them, all because of her prejudices and a lost cousin who she’d cared nothing about. But feelings weren’t always rational, as Wallace realized, standing there, feeling every urge in his body to walk in take her hand in his, and kiss her forehead.

  Who was going to stop him?

  Certainly not himself, that was for sure. So, he opened the door and went to her side, and was glad to see her eyes open and a slight smile form.

  “Is that a drugged up smile?” he asked.

  She smiled wider and said in a whisper, “Probably, but I am glad to see you.”

  “I just wanted to tell you I hope you get better soon.”

  “That’s all?” She closed her eyes for a moment, then looked at him again. “So you weren’t over there by the door wishing you could come in and kiss me?”

  “I, uh…”

  “Do it. Come on, do it already.”

  He frowned, licked his lips and said, “Do you know how much it hurt that you left?”

  “Let me think,” she said, and then pushed herself up with one arm, reached out and grabbed him with the other, and pulled him in for a kiss. She let out a pained yelp and then a grunt as she collapsed back to the bed, trying to both breath and stop breathing as her stomach was on fire. She put up her fingers, separated by a few inches. “About that much, maybe?”

  Wallace shook his head, “You’re crazy.”

  She nodded. “I wouldn’t have left if I wasn’t a bit insane. But, I have to stick to my beliefs, and my belief here is that they’re too powerful to be ruling over us. Any one of them can break us in two like a plaything, and we think that’s okay?” She grunted in pain, trying to move as she spoke, so just lay back. “That’s the thing, they’re weapons. If one of them has a bad day, we all die. We can’t allow that.”

  “And…” another voice said, and they turned to see Royland was up. “Who blew up Capital Square?”

  Ella grunted in response.

  “Sorry, Royland,” Wallace said. “Didn’t realize you were awake.”

  “He’s right,” Ella said. “I know it, but it’s just… something inside me burns every time I get around vampires and Weres. It’s nothing personal, Royland. I know that doesn’t help any, and the fact that I can’t explain it must make me sound like an idiot, but that’s how it is.”

  Royland laughed.

  “That’s funny?” she asked, and Wallace had to admit he was confused.

  “When I think about Anderson and the others, the ones that got me and I wouldn’t be surprised if they were behind the other bombing, well… it burns for me too. Just in a much more real way.”

  He pointed at his back, still covered in burn marks though not nearly as bad now, and laughed again.

  Ella chuckled, and then sighed. “Shit. I know you’re not all bad. It’s just, there was a reason I became an Enforcer in this city, all those years ago.”

  Wallace hadn’t heard this one, and he leaned forward, taking her hand in his. “What do you mean?”

  “I’ll just say I’ve known my fair share of Forsaken. They weren’t as quiet about themselves as the rest of you all think vampires should be, and well… Let’s just say that my blood must be delicious, because those sick bastards came back for it more than once.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Wallace said, holding her hand to his mouth and then kissing it.

  “I would argue that to be different,” Royland said. “But no, you’re right. There was a time when even I was free to feed, back before, when I didn’t fully understand. It was like a fog hung over my head, and sometimes it would clear up and allow me to see, and other times it would become dark and a storm would rage within.”

  Wallace breathed deep, totally lost as to how to take all this. He’d only roughly suspected all of this dark world stuff before meeting Valerie. He’d heard rumors, but to hear it from these two like this? It made the frightened part of him come out, part of him that wondered if he agreed with Ella.

  “But,” Royland argued, “those days are in the past. If we can educate the other Forsaken as I have been taught, everything could be different. I am proof of that.”

  With a nod, Wallace stood up. “Well, on that note. You two, get better soon. Chat a bit, but I need to go help. Like you said, Royland, we need to help them. The best way to do that is to stop the violence.”

  “Wallace,” Ella said when he reached the door. He turned to look back at her, “Thank you.”

  He stared, wondering at all of the little meanings that could be tied up in those two words, and then nodded as he exited.

  It was time to get back out in the street.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Northern Bazaar

  Valerie stood waiting, doing her best to avoid the sideways glances from the girl, Cheryl. The crowd was already cheering on the other side of those doors, and Valerie found her excitement level to be way above what she would normally think for something like this.

  She was here to set things straight, not show off in front of a bunch of shadow-walking strangers.

  So then why was she so excited?

  “You were really something out there,” Cheryl said, and she breathed out after, as if the words had been extremely difficult to say. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”

  Valerie gave her a nod, and then said, “Thanks.”

  “Maybe… if you survive tonight, you could teach me a thing or two?”

  “If I survive?” Valerie had to laugh at that. “I’ll promise you two things right now, okay? I will survive, and if it all works out, yes, I’ll teach you.”

  The girl beamed and Valerie couldn’t help but smile.

  “You know what?” Valerie motioned her over. “While we’re waiting, here, throw a punch and I’ll show you a move or two.”

  “What now?” She stared, totally amazed that this was happening, and then held up her hands to punch. “Like this?”

  “Actually, yeah.” Valerie was impressed. “Okay, bring it on.”

  The girl came at her with a right cross that wasn’t half bad, but Valerie moved her head to the s
ide while swatting the punch inward, and at the same time bringing her right fist to stop an inch from the girl’s stomach.

  “You see?” Valerie asked.

  Cheryl nodded and biting her lip, mimicked the move as Valerie threw a punch. Only, she didn’t stop with the return of a punch, and her knuckles connected with Valerie’s ribs.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry!” Cheryl said, covering her mouth. “Are you okay?”

  Valerie laughed it off. “Of course. Just, learn to control yourself.”

  She showed her a couple more moves, wondering if she would be able to take this girl under her wing after taking this place down.

  “You were born here?” Valerie asked.

  “Chicago, actually. Couldn’t stand the corruption and all that there, so I came here. Ironic, I know, considering that I got wrapped up in all this.” She gestured around her, then blocked another strike from Valerie.

  “Very good,” Valerie said, backing up for another fighting stance. “You know, you don’t have to stay here. There’re ways to make a living without being wrapped up in this.”

  “Says the woman fighting for a few coins?”

  “Says the woman who can get you out of here, if you’re interested.” Valerie debated saying more, but then added. “I’ve got big plans.”

  Cheryl looked contemplative for a second, but it receded in favor of an annoyed narrowing of her eyes. The smile returned just as fast as it had come, and she said, “If it were so simple, you bet.”

  “Isn’t it though? Just tell me you’re in, and I’ll see you out of here safely.”

  She was saying too damned much, but there was something about this girl that she liked. Regardless, the conversation ended there because that’s when the doors opened and the tall man from earlier gestured for her. Cheering filled the room, drowning out any other noise.

  Valerie was being ushered forth, only able to manage a quick glance back to mouth “Be careful,” and then she was on the stairs, descending down into the pit, faces in the crowd shouting for her to obliterate them and worse.

  She reached the floor of the arena, and stood tall. She felt exposed, nearly bursting forth from her leather outfit, but she also felt strong and proud.