“I feel like we’re in a self help group.”
Becca laughed. “Actually, it’s not that far from the truth.”
The introductions were made, their mood now relaxed as relief regarding Dave’s condition washed over them. Linda, Ed, Sam and Wes. Then Becca’s gaze landed on the little girl.
“And who are you?” she asked with a curious smile.
The girl had successfully stuck to the shadows so far. At the moment she was leaning against the wall, almost next to the sliding door. That said a lot about her. It gave her the opportunity to watch the entire room and the possibility to escape quickly if need be. Her talent to imitate furniture was all Becca needed to know she was facing a kid from Hell’s unforgiving streets. Her eyes were hard, and had seen too much for her young age.
“Sli.”
“An Ebony?”
The girl’s gaze darted around, aware and alert reminding Becca of Stone, before she finally nodded.
“You ran away?”
Another nod.
A smart street kid then, if she’d survived this long. Becca didn’t need to ask about her parents. Most Ebonys never remembered them since they were gladly handed over to the training academy at infant age.
Becca smiled softly. “Good. I’m glad to hear that. Quinn and me, Stone and Arthur…we all escaped Hell. So, you can just join the club. Stepping through that hellhole is the only right of passage we require.”
Sli’s mouth twitched. Becca knew all too well that smiles would probably feel foreign to her for a while yet. It would take time and care until those corners would lift beautifully.
Arthur stepped forward, looking around the room as if about to prepare the troops for war. “How about you ladies make us some nice coffee while the men could get a fire going outside? It’s still mild enough. Beautiful night.” An odd note entered his voice, “All cats are gray.”
A shiver ran down Becca’s spine, as always when the oracle surfaced. Sometimes his messages were hard to notice, other times they were heavy with apprehension. Tonight his words added a new element to the night. Heaven and Hell, Ivorys and Ebonys, were united under one roof, blurring the lines.
The taste of change in the air made her smile. “Good idea.”
“It would be nice to just sit and calm down,” Abby agreed. “I for one am still running on adrenaline. I don’t know about the rest, but I think we probably won’t be able to sleep for a while yet.”
While the men went out the sliding door and onto the back porch, Becca moved to the counter and got busy. Linda was right there next to her and offered to help. Soon the coffee was running through while tea soaked, and jugs of water and juice were placed on a tray to be carried outside. Becca rummaged in a cupboard and was glad when she came up with two bags of chips she’d hidden away for a TV night with Quinn. She poured them into two bowls and placed them on the tray.
Then she picked up where Abby had left off a moment ago, “By the way, once you guys do feel sleepy…I have to apologize, but we only have two beds available. Quinn and I will gladly borrow it to you guys. The rest, I fear, will have to make do with whatever surface they can find. We do have blankets to soften it a bit, though.”
Linda shook her head. Her hoarse voice dominated the kitchen and left no room for discussion, “No, listen here. You do not apologize for anything. We are the ones sorry for barging in on you like that.”
“Okay,” Becca smiled with gratitude. “But if you guys need anything,” she said, gesturing towards the fridge, “then please feel free to just help yourself. There’s not much in there, but take-out menus are on top and I’ll buy more food first thing in the morning.”
Abby, one tray in hand, faced her. “Thanks, Becca. You were the only person I could think of who could help us. A hospital was out of the question what with Dave losing consciousness before we could bring him to make his wings disappear.”
“I’m glad I could help.” Becca scooped some cookies in another dish and then looked around. “We ready? Okay, let’s take this all outside.”
The men, except for Ed who was resting in one of the chairs on the deck, were gathered around her little three-legged charcoal grill and had thrown some sticks and logs on it. Greedy flames were already growing and eating hungrily. Becca loved their play, the bright colors a beacon in the black night.
Contrary to popular belief, Hell was not dominated by fire. The only thing flickering in Hell were the countless neon signs. Yes, it was a bit hotter in there than here in the human realm, but that might have been due to the fact that Hell didn’t have any rain or surface water.
The women sat the trays down on the wooden table, and while Linda sat down next to Ed, Abby and Becca joined the gathering around the fire.
Becca put a hand on Arthur’s shoulder. “Thank you, Arthur. That was such a wonderful idea.”
“Pleasure, darling. Especially if it earned me a kiss?”
His wicked grin had her laughing out loud before she complied with a peck on his cheek.
“I said a kiss, not a peck.” Arthur sighed, “But I’ll take what I can get.”
He was right, Becca thought. The night was mild. Fall’s sweetness flavored the air as she breathed in deeply. The stars were an endless glittering blanket above, making her feel safe and sheltered yet utterly free and small at the same time. It was a beautiful night indeed.
Her gaze wandered back to earth. Looking at the people and the life around her, Becca felt at peace. Sam, Abby and Wes had visibly relaxed knowing that their friend would make it, and were now staring into the soothing light of the dancing flames. Linda moved a deck of cards at incredible speed before slowing down so Sli could watch. The girl’s eyes focused on the woman hands while she tried to understand the motions of the trick.
Becca’s smile turned into laughter as she caught sight of Quinn purposefully running at Stone and jabbing the man in the side. She knew her brother was asking for trouble, and wasn’t surprised when Stone responded by going after Quinn. A playful fight began as they danced and circled each other on the lawn, fists raised.
Arthur’s belly laugh joined her own. Taking a seat on the deck across from Ed, he shook his head at the boys. “I’m too old for that shit.”
Ed grunted in agreement. “Tell me about it.”
“It’ll still be fun to watch, though,” Arthur advised with a wicked grin that told of something only he knew.
Change wasn’t in the air, Becca thought as she leaned against the pillar of her porch in nothing more than her fluffy bathrobe and slippers. It was right here in front of her.
EIGHTEEN
“Come on. Show me what you’ve got.” Stone bounced lightly on his feet, moving away from their laughing audience. His hands curling into loose fists, he raised an eyebrow in challenge.
Stone couldn’t believe the boy had had the guts to sneak attack him. Indulging Quinn, he took on the silent challenge. The flickering light of the fire created a kaleidoscope of moving shadows as they moved to their chosen battlefield on the lawn.
“You can do it, boy,” Arthur’s deep voice shouted from the patio.
They were like gladiators fighting for a crowd’s amusement. Entertaining them. There was no real purpose to it at all, yet Stone enjoyed it.
Quinn took his time and wasn’t coaxed into a rushed attack. Good. A strange feeling arose, and Stone was stunned to realize that he was proud of the boy, of what he had learnt in such a short amount of time. Not only was he a quick learner, Quinn also trusted to his instinct, and that was often better than anything an instructor could teach.
They circled each other and Stone dared the boy to get close enough to land a good hit, while delighted in feigning attacks of his own. “You can do it. Watch and plan.”
The fight was on. Stone took it easy, let the boy come close but danced away in time. A silent smile broke out on his face, mirroring Quinn’s. He moved forward, coaxing the boy.
Suddenly Stone noticed a flash of color out the corner of
his eye. As he moved with Quinn, Stone found the source.
There she was, standing on the patio and watching them with that beautiful smile on her face. She was a burst of color in her pink bathrobe dotted with peace symbols and shooting stars in every color of the rainbow. Her short blonde hair was tousled, probably from rolling in bed, and he wished he could run his hands through it. A sexy pixie.
Their gazes met.
He remembered the feel of her lips beneath his, remembered her taste and craved more of it.
Bam.
His head snapped to the side and his ears rang as Quinn’s fist collided with his face. The world was stunned for a second, and then the crowd roared.
“Told you it was worth your while,” he heard Arthur say between fits of laughter.
When Stone looked up, Quinn was staring wide-eyed at him, unsure of his reaction.
Sorry, he mouthed.
Stone shook his head, carefully, and actually felt a deep rumble in his chest that quickly turned into a laugh, joining Arthur’s deep roar. “Don’t apologize. That was sneaky, but damn good.”
He hadn’t let a woman distract him in…Stone paused and frowned. He had never let a woman distract him before. His eyes went back to the witch. Becca stood staring at them, her mouth open in an amazed ‘o’ that looked cute on her. What was it about her, he wondered, and not for the first time.
Quinn touched his arm. You okay?
After a nod, Stone slapped the boy on the back. “Good job.”
Quinn’s ears turned pink. Thanks.
He went off to join the others on the patio with a smile as wide as the bayou on his lips. Stone rubbed his throbbing jaw and watched as the boy collected his due congratulations. It made him want to smile again.
Suddenly the night whispered ominously around him, and a bat flew sharply over his head. On the outside he gave nothing away, but on the inside his assassin radar was on full alert.
Stone slowly turned around, appearing to the others as if he were watching the night sky. His eyes locked on the bat. It landed on the side of a tree, its clawed wings biting into the bark. It was bigger than its natural relatives. The head turned backwards to face him, reaching an abnormal angle. As he had expected, the bat’s eyes flashed red. Not more than a split second, but it pulled him in until he saw Andras in their blood-red depths.
The marquis was in his office, sitting comfortably in his luxurious chair. “A word with you.”
Stone nodded subtly.
As quickly as it had come, the bat released Stone and disappeared into the night with a sinister screech.
He’d been summoned again.
Stone knew it had to happen at some point, and he’d been surprised by the marquis’ restraint so far. His gaze went back to Becca. Would she find it suspicious if he left, now that their relationship had changed?
The little demon girl appeared at her side and Becca leaned down. A few words were exchanged before she went back inside, Sli in tow. The girl could use some more meat on her bones. Shooting up at her age, she was little more than a willowy stick. He bet that Becca was thinking along the same lines and was coming up with a plan to take care of it. He smiled at the thought. It was so typically her.
With ideas of what he could tell her running in his mind, Stone slowly walked back to the patio and followed them inside.
Becca lead the way through the house and to the bathroom, knowing that Sli would feel uncomfortable with someone at her back. “There you go. I’ll be in the kitchen. Okay?”
The girl nodded.
After leaving Sli, Becca was surprised to find Stone in the kitchen. A smile bloomed despite her attempt not to. “How is the head?”
Stone chuckled. “It was a good punch, but it’s fine. Thanks for asking.” With his chin he gestured down the hallway. “How is the girl?”
“To be honest, I’m not quite sure. She’s rather quiet. Though, who can blame her? It will take years for the kid to fully trust anyone.”
Stone nodded. “Going with Abby was a calculated decision, the lesser of two evils. Nothing more, nothing less. Doesn’t mean she trusts them.”
“Yeah. The possibility of dying at an Ivory’s hand was just the better option. Can you imagine that?” Becca shook her head, in anger and sympathy, knowing that they both could relate all too well.
Sli came back into the kitchen, and Becca said, “You must be starving after the day you’ve had. Anything specific you’d like? I’ll make it for you.”
“I don’t know what you have.”
Becca smiled at that. “True.” Opening the fridge, she invited Sli over with a gesture of her head. “Have a look.”
Becca’s gaze met Stone’s over the girls’ head, and it made her stomach tumble and her heart beat faster. It was a marvelous sensation.
Sli nodded, signaling she’d come to a decision. “A sandwich would be nice.”
“Good idea. Is PB&J okay?”
Sli frowned. “What is that?”
“Right. Oh my, you’ve got a lot to learn.” As an Ebony in training she would never have known real food, the kind that made you close your eyes in pleasure. At the academy food was simple sustenance, while in other parts of Hell it was a way of torture for damned souls - it would look scrumptious and smell divine, but taste as dusty as cardboard. “Taste it, but if you don’t like it then just tell me and we’ll fix you something else. Okay?”
Sli nodded.
“Cool. Would you mind asking the others if they’d want one?”
While Sli slipped outside, Becca got busy at the counter. Stone’s presence, being so aware of him and his gaze on her, was exciting and calming at the same time. She was grounded by an inner peace that was utterly foreign to her, yet it felt like she had always yearned for it. Like the last missing piece to a puzzle. It sounded silly to her own ears, but it was the simple truth and so she cherished it, this new-found serenity inside of her.
Sli popped her head back in, hiding behind the sliding door like a mouse peeking out from behind the stove. “Three more.”
“Thanks, Sli.”
Quinn’s head followed, right on top of Sli’s and giving her a bit of a fright. It looked so comical it made Becca laugh.
Sli recovered quickly, stepping stiffly inside the kitchen and then watching with a frown as Quinn’s hands moved elegantly through the air. How about some more hot chocolate?
“Sure. Come on in, you can help prepare it. I’ve only got so many hands.”
Quinn did as asked, and Becca turned back to Sli, pointing at the bread in front of her. “Wanna help me?”
After a hesitant nod, which was still covered by a frown, Becca handed Sli a knife. “Just put a bit of butter on the slices. I’ll take care of the rest.” Then she went on and explained, “My brother’s deaf.”
The frown grew even more confused. “Then how do you communicate?”
“Sign language. When he was still small, I would bring him books back from the human realm and we learned it together.”
“Sign language? He speaks with his hands?”
“Yes, and he can read lips, too.”
A blush suddenly bloomed on the girl’s cheeks, her eyes flicking to Quinn for a second. “I didn’t know.”
Hmm, interesting, Becca thought. Her gaze met Stone’s, who had been watching Sli with similar curiosity. He raised an eyebrow in amusement. It was the first unguarded reaction they had seen from the girl.
After Becca sent the kids out with a plate filled with sandwiches, they came back right on time to grab their mugs of hot chocolate. Her work done, she leaned against the counter and blew out a deep breath. It had been a long night and slowly her bones started to feel tired.
“I need to talk with you.”
“Okay. Shoot.” She looked up at Stone, a soft smile playing at her lips.
“I have to go.” His voice was soft, as if hesitant to upset her in any way. Her eyes searched his, and he went on, “A guy I know contacted me. I want to see what’s what
without endangering anyone.”
“Okay.” She nodded in understanding, but wasn’t sure she could keep the truth that she wasn’t thrilled at the idea out of her eyes. “Now?”
“Yes. The sooner, the better.”
Becca bit her lip, hoping to imprison the one question burning on her tongue. As he moved to walk away, she crossed her arms over her chest. The house suddenly seemed colder.
Stone stopped in his tracks.
Her heart beat faster, her hope a brave bird testing its wings, while her mind fired one question like a true sniper shot. Would he come back?
Turning around, it took him two strides and then he was right in front of her. His dark eyes smiled before his head dropped down to whisper the softest of kisses on her lips. “I’ll be back in three days. Tops.”
Relief flooding her like an immense wave, she hugged him. She had to let him go too soon and walked him to the door. He stepped outside, his eyes not leaving hers when he summoned his wings which were swallowed by the night. A wink that made her smile grow was the last thing she saw before his big, black wings pushed him up into the sky.
V
RAISE THE DEVIL
Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you."
- A. A. Milne
NINETEEN
After little more than a day in the witch’s household, Sli knew the kitchen was the heart of home and chose it as her favorite spot to watch and learn. While savoring the first sip of the coffee-chocolate concoction Becca had prepared for her earlier, Sli thought back to her conversation with the Arbitrator. She was sure she had gotten the better part of the deal with him.
At first she had been disappointed to have no recollection at all as to how she’d ended up in the office. Obviously she must have died, but who had bested her? And most importantly: how? However, knowing that answers to these particular questions would never come, Sli quickly grasped at what the Arbitrator offered instead.
Ebony Fight (The Guard Duet Book 2) Page 12
