Kiss of the Betrayer (A Bringer and the Bane Novel)

by Boone Brux

  He took a step toward her, meaning to casually mention Rhys’s wishes. “Uh, Ravyn?”

  “Hush, Luc.” A subtle compulsion to keep quiet hit him, cutting off any further attempt.

  It took a second to realize what she’d done, and another few seconds to recover from the realization of how easily she’d silenced him. She’d always been stubborn. Now it appeared she had the ability to back up her obstinacy.

  If she won’t listen to Rhys, she sure isn’t going to listen to me.

  Luc made note not to be around when she explained to Rhys about revealing the Bringers to a questionable dock whore.

  Ravyn closed her eyes and released a slow breath. The depth of her compassion resonated around them, humbling Luc. He reproached himself for never considering that Delphina might be hurt. Now he could see the way she cradled her arm was from injury and not insecurity. Unfeeling bastard.

  The woman glanced at him in silent question. He gave her a slight nod, wanting to ease her worries. It was a small act of kindness he could give her. She held his gaze, the indecision clear on her face. The fist she pressed against her thigh slowly relaxed, her shoulders following suit. She turned her attention back to her arm.

  Nobody spoke. Water sloshing against the side of the ship and the distant din of the late-night crowd were the only disruptions in the whispered words of the healing chant.

  Delphina gasped, her eyes growing wide. “Sainted Ones, your hands is like a steamin’ kettle.” She gripped her upper arm as if to stop the healing burn. “I can feel the heat travelin’ right up my arm.”

  “It’s all right.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “She won’t hurt you.”

  Her eyes rounded to the size of gold liats, but she nodded, accepting his reassurance.

  Luc started to lift his hand from Delphina’s shoulder but stopped. Pulses of heat radiated through her coarse wool dress. He closed his eyes and absorbed the residual healing. Snaps of fire shivered up his arm. The world shifted and for a brief moment the three of them were connected. Golden ribbons of light flowed from Ravyn’s hand and wrapped around and rushed into Delphina’s wrist. The healing light spiraled up her arm, burning away the dark patches of pain.

  From the top of Delphina’s shoulder, the light entered Luc’s hand. It warmed and surrounded him, circling through his body and erasing not only wounds, but his exhaustion as well. After a minute, he let his hand slide free and stepped away, extinguishing the vision of golden light.

  Ravyn’s abilities had grown. She seemed capable of calling upon her powers with almost no visible effect. The distance between the mixed-bloods and those who possessed full power was not lost on Luc. When Nattie, Rhys’s mixed-blood Redeemer, healed, it was like being dragged back to health by a team of horses. Ravyn’s healing didn’t wrench, but soothed, like a baby in the arms of its mother.

  Time passed until finally she released Delphina’s hand and opened her eyes. “Better?”

  The woman held up her arm and rotated her wrist. A smile spread across her face. “Better than before Pascal got a hold of me.” She flexed her fingers. “You have some powerful magic, my lady.”

  “Please, call me Ravyn,” she said, ignoring the veiled question. “And you are?”

  “Delphina.”

  “Delphina.” Ravyn repeated the name with a sort of reverence that made the woman stand a little taller. “What a beautiful name. How old are your children?”

  “Twelve, six, and a year, my lady. Two girls and a boy.”

  Ravyn’s smile held a hint of longing. “Where are they now?”

  “In our room.” Delphina rotated her wrist again. “My oldest is watching the younger two.”

  In the short time he’d known Ravyn, she’d never shown signs of wanting a family. Luc had certainly never heard Rhys talk about a life other than being a Shield.

  Things between he and his friend had changed since Ravyn arrived. Though Rhys had always been more responsible and focused, Luc had chalked up his attitude to being more than three hundred years old. Still, somewhere in the back of Luc’s mind, he’d ignorantly believed he and Rhys would remain unmarried together.

  Such was not the case. Now he stood on the outside of Ravyn and Rhys’s private circle, and if they had children, the distance would grow. Luc shook off the pang of jealousy that thought drew from him.

  “May I beg a favor from you?” Ravyn brought her hands together in a praying pose and touched her middle fingers to her lower lip. “Would you consider staying on the ship with your children?”

  Delphina stopped examining her arm and lowered it. “I don’t take charity, my lady.”

  Ravyn laughed. “Trust me, my request is purely selfish. You would be doing me a great favor. We are in need of somebody we can trust. The ship will be undergoing repairs, and well… to be honest, I haven’t found the workers around here very trustworthy.”

  “Too right, my lady.” Delphina bristled, waving her newly healed arm in the air. “Most would just as quick steal you blind as do an honest day’s work.”

  “Then you see my dilemma.” Ravyn turned her palms up in a helpless plea. “I need somebody with my interests at heart. Somebody firm and strong. And who’s more firm than a mother?”

  Delphina glanced between him and Ravyn as if trying to sniff out a ruse. It was so like Ravyn to try and save the world one person at a time. Luc decided to help her out—for the sake of Delphina’s children, not because he was kind. And besides, it was a good plan.

  “I agree,” he added. “We could use an extra pair of hands around here.”

  Ravyn’s eyes radiated her thanks, but she kept her expression serious. “Indeed. But…”

  “But what?” Delphina said.

  “Well, I couldn’t allow you to continue your current…” She stumbled over her words. “Your current line of work—for reasons of safety.”

  The expression on the whore’s face sparked a protective instinct inside Luc. A lifetime of burdens seemed to slide from her shoulders.

  “I—I’d be willing to give that up.” She blinked hard, her voice betraying a slight tremor. “And my children are welcome as well?”

  Ravyn gave an exaggerated sigh of relief. “If they don’t mind pitching in whenever needed, we’d love to have them.” She tapped her index finger to her lip. “Now, I can pay you two gold liats a week.” Delphina opened her mouth, but Ravyn held up her hand, cutting her off. “I know it’s not much. You’re probably used to a lot more, but remember food, lodging, and clothing are all provided for you. Unless you have other debts, your income will be yours to spend as you wish.”

  Delphina stared at Ravyn and then looked at Luc. “Is she serious?”

  “Quite serious.” He shook his head and propped his hands on his hips. “But don’t think every day will be peaceful.” His gaze cut to Ravyn. “Things can get dangerous.”

  Delphina’s laugh was empty of humor. “I spend my nights spreadin’ my legs for the likes of Pascal just to keep my children fed and hidden away in a cold, dark room.” She mirrored his stance. “I think we can handle a little danger.”

  “Good.” Ravyn smiled. “Would you like Luc to help you fetch your children and belongings?”

  Her eyes widened. “Now?”

  “No time like the present,” Ravyn said.

  “Uh, no…thank you.” The woman looked shocked, which Luc suspected was hard to do. “I like to keep my head low.” She slid a glance his way, giving him an apologetic half smile. “Sorry, but you are anything but unnoticeable.”

  “If you’re certain,” Ravyn said.

  “Don’t have but one bag. If I leave now we can be back within the hour.”

  Without a backward glance, Delphina climbed onto the walkway and left.

  He and Ravyn watched their new boarder sashay across the dock and disappear down a dark alley.

  Silence stretched between them until he couldn’t stand it. “That was very kind of you.”

  She shrugged. “You would have do
ne the same thing.”

  “I didn’t even think to check her for injuries.” He snorted. “Let alone give her family a safe home.”

  Ravyn faced him, her expression difficult to read. “Luc, what do you know of Jade?”

  The abrupt question took him aback. He schooled his reaction. “Not much. She dresses like a boy. Seems to have a bit of a grudge against me.”

  “So you’re unaware that she’s a Bringer?”

  His mouth fell open. “What?”

  “A Bringer. Did you know?”

  A dozen reactions swamped him. Denial. Jade couldn’t possibly be a Bringer. He would have known. Question. If she was a Bringer then Esmeralda was as well. Fear. A Bringer turned Bane—what did it mean? This revelation added a deeper level of mystery and danger to the Bringers’ quest.

  Luc stared at Ravyn, grappling over how much to tell her. He needed to speak with Jade first. Had she deceived him? Was her alliance truly with the Bane and she was using them to worm her way into the Bringers?

  “No. I didn’t know.” That at least was the truth.

  “What are you not telling me?”

  “Damn it, Ravyn.” He glared at her. “Stop prying.”

  “I’m right, though. Aren’t I?”

  He sighed, his shoulders sagging. “Let me deal with some things. Then we’ll talk—all of us, Rhys, Siban.”

  Her gaze narrowed. “What kind of things?”

  “I need to speak with Jade first.” He could almost see the questions speeding through her mind. It was her nature to help, or at the very least pry. “Please,” he added, hopefully pushing her into compliance. “Just let me talk to Jade first.”

  Ravyn pointed a finger at him. “Fine, but I expect answers. You’re not fooling anyone.” She lowered her hand. “Too many things about your story don’t add up, Luc, and I won’t let you endanger others with your carelessness.”

  Her words hit the mark. “I may have my faults, Ravyn, but even you can’t argue with my dedication to the Bringers.”

  “Oh really? How about the fact that you don’t want to be one? Maybe you can explain your reasons for that when you tell us the rest of your story.” She took a step toward him. “I know deception when I feel it, and it’s pouring off you in buckets.”

  Her words felt like a slap in the face. He’d fooled himself into thinking he didn’t care if Rhys and Ravyn respected or trusted him. Yet her harsh words proved him wrong. He did care. With great effort, he corralled his hurt and anger. “May I see her?”

  After a tense moment, Ravyn stepped aside. “She’s still weak. Don’t tax her overly long.”

  He nodded and eased past her.

  “And Luc…”

  He stopped but didn’t turn.

  “I had to bring her to full power.”

  He swung on her. “What?”

  “She would have died otherwise.” Ravyn squared her shoulders. “As it was, I barely saved her.”

  The realization of how close Jade had come to dying hit him, as did a chaos of emotions he was unprepared to deal with. He pushed the tsunami of feeling into the ever-expanding space of things he didn’t wish to acknowledge and looked at Ravyn. “Thank you for saving her.”

  She gave a single nod.

  He turned back to the cabin door and gripped the handle. “I hope she is more grateful than I was.”

  A trace of desperate hope laced Ravyn’s answer. “As do I.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Jade opened her eyes and screamed. Luc’s face loomed no more than a foot above her. She pressed her head into the feather tick, trying to put distance between them and calm her racing heart. Waking up in the chapel was so much more peaceful. “What are you doing?”

  “Checking to see if you’re still breathing.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” She braced her palms against his chest and pushed. “Get off of me.” Pain burned across her palms and she flinched. “Ow.” She yanked her hands back and shook them. “What did you…” The words died in her throat when she caught sight of suns etched into her palms. She raised her hands and stared. “What?”

  “Jade.” The seriousness in Luc’s voice dragged her eyes away from her hands. Gone was his usual arrogant confidence. Now he appeared uneasy, as if caught committing a crime. “We need to talk.” He cast a quick glance at the door and lowered his voice. “About you and Esmeralda.”

  She ignored him and turned her palms to him. “What is this?”

  “Tattoos.” He said nothing for a long time, as if waiting for her reaction. When she didn’t reply, he said, “Do you recognize them?”

  Her head spun. What had happened in the forest? The last thing she remembered was intense pain and an arrow protruding from her chest. Gingerly, she touched the spot where the arrow had been. Her skin felt raw and tender, but was nowhere near as painful as it should have been. The blanket slipped an inch and she realized she was naked from the waist up. With a quick tug, she pulled the blanket to her chin.

  “I don’t know.” She shook her head. “They’re familiar. What are they?”

  He paced a few steps and then turned to face her. “They are the marks of a Redeemer.”

  His words refused comprehension. “I don’t understand.”

  “A Bringer Redeemer.”

  Still, his meaning scrambled out of reach. “Then why do I have them?”

  He said nothing, his silence finally helping her understand.

  “You can’t mean that I’m a Redeemer?”

  Luc stood and paced “Did you not know?”

  Was this some elaborate ruse to punish her for her treachery? To create a bond between them that really wasn’t there? She shoved her palms at him. “Did you brand me as retribution?”

  Luc walked to the bed and leaned over her. “I know you distrust me, but surely you don’t believe me capable of taking advantage when you lay dying?”

  “Why not?” She slowly sat up, clutching the blanket to her, tightening against the deep aches in every part of her body. “Do you forget how well I know you? And you can’t deny being angry that I tried to kill you.”

  “You don’t know me. You know only what your sister has pounded into your head.” He smoothed his hand over the spot she had stabbed. “And no, I have not forgotten.” He slid onto the chair. “And it seems I never will—no matter what amends I make.”

  The accusations and years of anger poured forth like a dam that had weakened over time. “You? Try to make amends?” She sneered. “Since when does the mighty Luc Le Daun take responsibility for his actions?”

  “Could you please stifle your righteous indignation for a few minutes? We have more serious matters to deal with right now.”

  “You do perhaps, but not me.”

  He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Those marks are real. You are a Redeemer. A healer. The light that saves those on the brink of death.”

  There was no trace of humor in his words. She stared at the black suns on her palms. The skin around the tattoos was red and swollen, as if burned. “How could I have not known?”

  He sighed and the tension eased from his posture. “Do you know which of your parents was a Bringer?”

  She closed her eyes against the painful memories of their deaths, but they came anyway. “It must have been my father.” She opened her eyes. “My mother taught us simple earth magic spells, but Father was the one who told us stories about the Bringers. We’d fall asleep listening to his tales of the great battle between the Bringers and the Bane.” She smiled at the memory of her and Esmeralda pretending to be angels, saving their dolls from danger. “I even dreamt of being a Bringer when I was young.” She looked at him. “When I still believed in fairy tales.”

  “It seems you got your wish.”

  “I always imagined it to happen differently.” She curled her hands into fists. “With less pain.”

  A sad smile tugged at Luc’s lips as he tapped his index fingers together. “We have more in common than you realize.”
>
  She didn’t like the comparison. “How so?”

  “We are both newly brought to power and we are the only ones who know about Esmeralda.”

  Jade’s breath caught. “But if I’m a Bringer, so is Rell.”

  “So was Rell,” Luc corrected.

  “What are we going to do?”

  Luc shook his head. “I think we need to tell Rhys and Ravyn about your sister.”

  “No.” Jade straightened and cringed, her muscles protesting the quick movement. “You promised not to betray us.”

  “It wouldn’t be betrayal, Jade. We can help you—help her.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees again. “Esmeralda is dangerous, maybe more dangerous than one Bringer can handle.”

  She glared at him. “So you mean to hand her over to the Bringers.” She swallowed hard, wondering how much she should reveal. “What guarantee do we have that they won’t kill her?”

  “I won’t lie to you. I can’t guarantee anything, only that not dealing with Esmeralda will be detrimental to us all.”

  “I won’t betray my sister.” She turned away to stare out the small window. “I am done talking. Please, get out.”

  Silence filled the room, stretching the tension between them, until finally his chair creaked. She resisted the urge to look at him when his footsteps thumped across the floor and stopped.

  “Ravyn left clean clothes for you on the desk.” He paused. “I will give you time to think on it, Jade, but if you don’t tell Ravyn, I will.”

  Her head snapped around. “Traitor!”

  “Yes, I am, no matter what course of action I choose.”

  Luc pulled the door closed behind him. She flexed her palms and stared at the emblazoned suns. A Redeemer—her. The idea seemed preposterous, yet the proof stared back at her. She knew from Luc’s expression that the tattoos were real.

  Being a Redeemer changed everything. A tiny shudder of excitement rippled through her. A Redeemer—her. Not just an orphan or an outcast sister of a demon. The marks meant she had a purpose beyond revenge. What would her sister say when she found out?