by Jasmine Walt
Drake looked up almost absently. “Huh? No, that’s cool. I got this.”
How could he be so blind to this girl’s infatuation? I was gonna have to have a chat with him about this.
Penelope swallowed and nodded. “Of course. Ancient languages were always your thing. Um, listen, I heard what the high witch said, but there’s something you should know about locator spells.”
Drake rolled his eyes. “Of course. We’ll need something belonging to the creature we’re trying to locate.” He grinned. “Spells were always your strong suit.”
Her cheeks grew pink. “Blood, hair, or bone would work best.”
“Where the heck are we gonna get those?”
She blinked at me, as if noticing me for the first time. “The other option is to use any hinn bones but focus the spell by using a link, something connected to that particular hinn.”
“The only thing connected to the hinn was my mother. He was her guardian, bound by blood to protect her.”
Penelope’s brow crinkled in thought. “In that case, your blood should suffice in place of hers.”
Okay, so we had my blood, but we still had to find hinn bones. Damn the high witch. She must have known this would be a stumbling block. She probably thought we’d give up. Didn’t she realize how bloody important this was for us all? Vasuki had said there weren’t many hinn left, but he had said there were some in Nagalok…maybe…no. If I went back, Vasuki’s deception would be revealed. Goodness knows what would happen to him then. Not to mention the possibility of a second execution, this time with my head on the chopping block. I couldn’t risk it. Going back would have to be a last resort.
Ajitah placed a hand on the small of my back. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking how screwed we are.”
“If you need any help on the case, please don’t hesitate to ask,” Penelope offered.
I smiled. “That would be great.”
“We can handle it,” Drake said, talking over me.
Penelope looked from him to me. Her expression shuttered. “I’ll show you out.” She turned and strode off, a definite hard click to her heels.
Drake closed the journal and tucked it under his arm.
This was more than obliviousness on Drake’s part. “Drake, what the heck was that?”
He shook his head sharply. “Not now.”
As we drove away from the Mayfair mansion, a new sense of purpose settled in the pit of my stomach. We had a journal that should give us some information about the hinn, and thanks to the high witch, we knew the locator spell existed and was accessible. Now all I needed to do was find the bones of a hinn and a witch who harnessed the earth’s power to do magic.
Why the heck did these things always sound easier in my head?
I leaned forward in the backseat and poked Drake’s bicep. “What was all that about with Penelope?”
He glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “I can’t go there. Not with her. She’s a Mayfair.”
“Yeah, so?”
He snorted. “Matriarchal coven? Men used for breeding only? Need I say more?”
Aw, shit. Dating her, falling for her, could land him back in the coven—somewhere he didn’t want to be. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
“So what do we do about finding this witch and the hinn bones?” Ajitah said from behind the wheel.
“We go to a powerful independent witch and ask him for his help.”
“Loki?” Drake said.
“Yeah. We just need to get hold of him first.”
3
I stared at the moleskin diary and fingered the silken tassel that held it closed. Aria had given it to me the night after the wake. It belonged to my dad, and he’d wanted me to have it. I hadn’t opened it yet. I just couldn’t bring myself to read his thoughts. But maybe there was something inside that could help me with my current predicament. I’d never gotten the chance to tell him about the hinn. If he were alive, he’d probably have some insight, some advice on the direction we needed to take. The journal was the next best thing.
It was time.
I walked out onto the balcony of my new room—Dad’s old room, which Aria had converted to suit my tastes and needs. I hadn’t wanted to move in, but this room was meant for the gatekeeper. Plus, it was the only room with a balcony. The view was breathtaking. A rainbow of colors swirling together to make up an iridescent vortex. This was the truth of the in-between. Beyond the vortex lay the real world.
A neat table and wicker chair were stationed outside—the perfect place to sit and peruse. I parked my butt and opened the journal. The first page was blank. I flipped the pages. All blank and unmarred. What the fuck? Turning it, spine to the sky, I gave it a shake. There had to be something, dammit. A small envelope fell out. It was addressed to me. Lump in my throat, I opened the letter.
Dear Malina,
If you’re reading this, I have passed on the mantle of gatekeeper to you. The role you have been given comes with the burden of loneliness. You will find there will be times when you will stand alone, despite being surrounded by loved ones. Also, you will find there are things you cannot share, even with the love of your life. On those occasions, you will have this journal. It will be a safe place to vent, to share your woes, and to work through your problems. She will be your confidant and your guide. You are blessed, Malina, because you have Drake, Aaron, and Carmella to hold you up when the world tries to tear you down. Remember to turn to allies in times of need. And allow yourself the freedom to love. The life of a gatekeeper is a burden that is lessened when love enters our lives.
I have hopefully had the chance to tell you about Ajitah. But just in case I haven’t—brace yourself. Ajitah is Yama!
I chuckled as I imagined the dramatic pause in that sentence. Man, I missed him.
Yes, he is the lord of the underworld, although he has no memory of his divine essence. He is also married, so you must not continue in your relationship with him, because, he will ultimately break your heart. Indra will give you the details if I haven’t already done so. I’m so sorry if this comes as a shock.
Finally, with regards to Garuda, I would trust him with my life. He has been my confidant and my friend for as long as I can recall, and I know he will watch over you in my stead. Please allow him to do so. And if you should find he becomes more than a friend, know that you have my blessing. I’m sorry I was unable to stay with you longer. I regret the lost time, but I know we will meet again someday, and we will have an eternity to build memories. I love you, Malina, and I know you will make me proud, just as you have done ever since you walked back into my life.
Love Always,
Dad
I placed the letter and the journal on the table and sat back. He wanted me to be with Garuda. All the times he’d pushed us together now made sense. Shame Garuda had decided to do a disappearing act. I hadn’t heard from him since the wake…since we’d hugged and I hadn’t felt the desire to flee. I’d been grieving. Numb from everything. That had to be why my body hadn’t reacted adversely to his proximity. It was all very well theorizing, but the only way to know for sure would be to repeat the embrace. But for some reason, he’d been keeping his distance. And there is was again, that feeling, like indigestion. He’d disappeared when I needed him the most. The thought was a bitter pill sitting on the back of my tongue.
Aria materialized on the balcony.
I clutched my chest. “Seriously, woman. Knock, will ya?”
She glanced up at the shifting void. “Garuda approaches.” And then she disappeared.
What? Where? My limbs tingled with anticipation. I walked back toward my room, intent on heading downstairs to let him in. He wasn’t forgiven, not by a long shot, but the least I could do was act all cool, composed, and unaffected. Yeah, no way was I letting him see how much I’d missed him. A ripple of awareness skimmed up my spine, and I turned to see his majestic form break through the vortex, wings stretched wide as he glid
ed toward me. He landed lightly, morphing back into his human persona. His shirt was partially unbuttoned to reveal the smooth expanse of his pectorals. His eyes blazed cerulean blue in his tan face as they raked over me.
“How have you been?” he asked.
“Where have you been?” The words came out sharper than intended. So much for cool and unaffected.
His lips twitched. “It’s not customary to answer a question with a question. Not unless you’re planning on going into politics.”
Damn him and his attitude. I swallowed past the tightness in my throat. “I’ve been okay. Now you?”
“I’ve been around.”
Around? He’d been around? My ears grew hot. Didn’t he give a shit about me? “What the fuck does that mean?”
His eyes narrowed. “You seem upset. Did you want me to be around here?”
Fuck yes, I had! I turned away, reining it in. “You can be wherever you want.”
He exhaled sharply. “For fuck’s sake, Malina. I was giving you some space. Giving us both some space. I doubt Ajitah would have appreciated me hanging around. You chose him, remember? He’s the one who gets to comfort you, not me.”
If words were candy, his would have been the chewy sour bon-bons from the retro sweet store in the city center. Some of the resentment leeched out of my limbs. Of course this was about Ajitah.
“But what if I don’t want him?” Had I just said that out loud? My hand went to my mouth, and Garuda’s soft sigh told me I had. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
Especially because I hadn’t broken it off with Ajitah yet. The time was never right, and I was scared that if I ended things, he’d leave. It was my responsibility to watch over him. Why hadn’t I listened to Dad and steered clear of a relationship? Sleeping with him had just made things worse.
“I’ve learned a lot about you during our little jaunts, Malina. And I know you rarely, if ever, say things you don’t mean.”
I was too afraid to turn around. Afraid that, with one look into his bottomless eyes, I’d lose all self-control. His heat enveloped me from behind, his arms snaking around my waist. He pulled me against him, my back to his taut chest.
His breath skated across my crown. “It’s gone, isn’t it? The fear?”
Oh please, just let me have this one moment. I leaned into him, giving myself permission to revel. “Yes. It’s gone.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“I’m the gatekeeper now. More hellhound than naga.”
His chest rose and fell in a sigh. “It would seem so.” He teased the delicate shell of my ear with his lips. “I want you, Malina. Have since the moment I set eyes on you in that club. The question is… do you want me?”
God, yes. I wanted him with every fiber of my being and every surge of the blood in my veins.
I wanted.
For a moment, I allowed myself the fantasy of freedom. To be with him, really be with him. To turn in his embrace, lift my chin, and offer him my lips. I wanted to wrap my arms around his neck and drown in his kisses. But reality, evil bitch that she was, reminded me I could do nothing.
I was Ajitah’s girlfriend.
Even if I did break it off with Ajitah, even if I convinced him to stay in the mansion and continue to be part of the team, flaunting my relationship with Garuda in his face would be unbearably cruel. My feelings would need to be on hold until Ajitah moved on. And who knew how long that would be? He was a good, decent man who deserved respect.
I pulled away from Garuda. “I can’t.”
“Why? You don’t love him, Malina. You may care for him, but you’ll never feel for him what you feel for me. End it now, before you hurt him.”
The truth about who Ajitah was sat on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it. “I know. But I need time. I can’t explain why. You have to trust me.” I turned and locked gazes with him.
He closed his eyes briefly, inhaling through his nostrils. “I do trust you. And I’m here. Whenever you need me.”
I wanted to throw myself into his arms, to just melt into him. Being in his presence, in his orbit, was like fighting the forces of gravity. There was something magnetic between us. When he looked at me like that, with such raw need, my resolve buckled. I took a step forward. A sharp rap at the door knocked my libido on the head.
Shit.
Garuda tilted his head, his nostril flaring. “Ajitah.” The left corner of his lips curled up. “Shall I let him in?”
“Are you kidding?” I stared at Garuda before glancing back at the door. “You have to go.”
He leaned in, catching his bottom lip between his teeth. “Are you sure you want me to leave?”
God, his lips were so close, so deliciously ripe and ready for the kissing. And that summer citrus aroma…I took a half step into his arms, and he crushed me to him, claiming my lips in a kiss that made my blood fizz and my core throb and melt. I grabbed a fistful of his shirt, meaning to push him away, but ended up pulling him closer and running my hands over his chest, under his shirt, and over his velvet skin.
The incessant knocking pulled me to my senses. Tearing myself away from him, I stumbled into my room. “Go. Please.” Was that my voice, all breathless and quivering?
Garuda backed away, his breath erratic. “Call me if you need me. Aria has my number.” And then, he was launching himself into the air, wings bursting from his shirt. I watched as he slid into the vortex, then closed the curtains to the balcony and went to let Ajitah in.
Ajitah’s face broke into a smile when I opened the door. He scanned my face. “Were you napping? I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“What? No. Why?”
He focused on my hair. “Nothing. You just took so long to answer.”
Shit, I had post make-out head. I reached up to smooth it. “I was…exercising.”
He snorted. “The cage fights not enough for you?” He leaned against the doorjamb. “You know, there are more pleasant ways to get a workout.”
Oh man. I couldn’t do this. “We should go see how Drake’s getting on with the journal.”
The spark in his eyes dimmed. “Of course.” He cleared his throat. “But before we do, I was wondering, since we haven’t been on an official date yet, maybe I could take you out? Cinema and a meal?”
It sounded like heaven, and if we were still in the friend zone, I would have so taken him up on it. But we were in relationship waters, and I needed to avoid swimming any deeper than necessary.
“I can’t. I mean, it doesn’t feel right.”
He leaned back and arched a brow, his expression guarded. “Doesn’t feel right?”
Shit. “With everything else that’s going on. I mean, Drake’s working so hard on cracking this journal, and there’s still the question of the earth witch… It just doesn’t feel right to take in a movie and a meal right now.”
He pushed off from the doorframe. “Forget I mentioned it. It was premature. Maybe once we’ve saved the world?” He offered me a tentative smile.
I reached out and laid a hand on his bicep. “Definitely.” The lie lay like ashes on my tongue.
The kitchen was empty except for Drake, me, and the cartons of Chinese food spread out on the table. The hour was late, almost midnight, but Drake, genius that he was, knew a place that stayed open until one. The food was freshly made and piping hot.
“Any word from Loki?” I waved my hand in front of Drake’s face.
“Huh?”
“Loki? Have you heard from him?”
“Nope.”
I sighed and picked at my Chinese food. “Yeah, me neither. Where the heck could he be? It’s been over two weeks. If he doesn’t get in touch soon, I vote we break into the Mayfair mansion and steal the spell.”
Drake snorted around a bite of a chicken ball. “Yeah, and get turned into toads for our troubles.”
“She can do that?”
“And worse.”
“So we wait on Loki?”
“Let’s just hop
e that Maleficent and her band of evil dwarves don’t make a move anytime soon.”
“Huh?”
“You know, Maleficent being the big bad entity, and the Kubera can be the dwarves…like in the fairy tales.”
I shook my head. “I never watched fairy tales. The closest I got was The Wizard of Oz. Somewhere over the rainbow…”
Drake reached across the table and placed his hand over mine. “We’re gonna find this hinn and save your mum. I promise.” He flashed me a reassuring smile. “In the meantime, I have all the Disney classics on a USB. You wanna watch?”
I shrugged. “Sure. It’s not like we have a case on or anything. I’ll ask the boys if they—” No, I wouldn’t. Because it wasn’t fair to get too attached to them, especially as I was intending to break their father’s heart. I glanced up from my chow mein to catch Drake staring at me, arms crossed over his chest.
“What the fuck is going on between you and Ajitah?”
Heat surged up my neck. “Nothing.”
He rolled his eyes. “Exactly. For two people who are supposed to be dating, you guys have barely spent more than a few minutes in the same room. And I know it’s not for want of Ajitah trying. Why’d you turn him down about the cinema?”
I felt a headache coming on, even though as a hellhound, I didn’t get headaches. “Look. It’s complicated.”
“No, it really isn’t. Look, I know you miss Eamon. Man, I miss him too. But he’d want you to go on living. If you’re pushing Ajitah away in an attempt to punish yourself, then you’re making a mistake.”
“That’s not it.”
“Then what? Because the guy is upstairs right now. Kids are in bed, and you’re down here with me eating chow mein. Why the fuck aren’t you upstairs banging your man’s brains out?”
I slammed my fork against the table. “Dammit, Drake, just drop it!”
He balked and raised his hands. “Shit, Malina…”
Crap. “I’m sorry. I just… There are certain things I can’t tell you. Ajitah and me… It’s not gonna work.”
