by Sharon Kay
“She used her power, and we believe it woke up the warriors of Ravenbane.”
“What. The. Fuck.” The incredulity in Arawn’s voice was tempered with belief. The man had seen almost everything in his many centuries of life.
Mathias related the details of the earth shaking and their run to Tarsa. “We’re not sure if Gin’s power triggered them, but it’s a logical guess.”
“The Solsti. And now Ravenbane? Fuck me.” A huffed string of curses echoed through the phone. “If she woke them up, we better hope like hell they’re on our side. Keep me updated.” Arawn ended the call.
D’Mari filled his own glass and took a drink. “Sounds like Arawn’s as brief as always.”
“He carries the weight of the realms on his shoulders.” Mathias propped one ankle on his opposite knee. “Strange things have been happening.”
“I agree. And now you show up with your sister and a Solsti, telling my guards you may be pursued by Ravenbane’s undead?” D’Mari folded his hands behind his head. “I’m ready for that long story now.”
Brooke set her snorkel tube and mask on the deck of her condo’s pool and slid into the warm water. She didn’t plan on using them, but Kai might, if she stayed under long enough. Plus, it made a good story for any residents who might wander in for a swim this evening. She could tell them she and Kai were going on a trip to some island and she wanted to practice snorkeling. Yeah, that would work.
Kai jumped in next to her. They had the place to themselves.
“Ready?” he asked, brown eyes twinkling.
“Yes.” She had practiced enough in her tub. Time for a bigger place. She’d managed to breathe under water for several minutes and had felt like she could keep going, but she had only been sitting. She needed to swim fast and exert her muscles while breathing to see what—if any—her limits were.
“I’ll be right next to you.” Kai winked. “I can hold my breath for a while.”
“Just let me know when you need to come up for air.” She smiled and sank below the surface. Here we go.
She swam to the bottom of the pool. When she was just above the blue-painted floor, she blew out some—but not all—of the air in her lungs. A trail of bubbles floated upward.
She inhaled, filling her lungs, and made her way to the opposite side of the pool. Kai swam next to her and gave her a high five when they reached the wall.
I’m gonna keep doing this, she thought to him.
Go for it. He took off like a cannonball, hurtling through the water to the side from which they’d started.
She smiled and took another breath, following him. She probably couldn’t go as fast as he could, but she didn’t mind. He was a warrior. Speed and strength were his skills. She was a Solsti.
The thought brought a smile to her face as she straight-kicked her legs, propelling her through the depths. She knew her purpose, after years of wondering why she could command water. And now, with the realization that she was related to Ashina and Raniero—
Wait. She stopped mid-kick, her hair swirling around her face. Am I part Lash demon?
Bubbles churned as Kai swam across the pool to meet her, pulling her up to the surface. “That’s a good question. But you don’t smell like any Lash I’ve ever met. You and Nicole—and I bet Gin too—your scent is unique. I can tell you’re not human, but that’s all. Remember how everyone on Torth thought you were some type of fae?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “So I don’t smell like a Lash, though I’m descended, indirectly, from two Lash. And I can’t conjure fire. But Nicole and Gin have Ashina’s eyes? I’m so confused.”
“Maybe it’s just magic.” He winked.
“How is it magic that I don’t have your skills?”
“I mean, the force that brought you and your sisters into existence. You’re a unique species. You were created specially. You have talents that no one else has, so you have scents and energy signatures that no one has ever seen.”
“Hmm.” She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. “I wonder if that helped draw me to you, that I have Lash demons in my lineage.”
“You were drawn to me because you can’t resist me.” He threaded a hand into her wet hair and tilted her head to kiss her hard.
She wanted to smack him but couldn’t, lost in the delicious hunger of his mouth. Yes. I couldn’t resist you. Even those times when you weren’t very polite.
Haven’t I made it up to you? He took her lobe between his teeth. “I can, right now.”
“Not here! Anyone could walk in!” This time she did slap his arm.
She yelped as he pulled her below the surface.
How about here? His voice was a wicked caress in her mind. No one will see.
She gasped as his need surged through their bond. Um…Hey! She froze, stopping her hands mid-caress through his blond hair. I’m still breathing.
He shot her a questioning stare. Why wouldn’t you be?
You distracted me. I wasn’t concentrating on it. But, she inhaled and exhaled again. I was still able to do it.
He brought one of her hands to his lips and kissed it. You’re amazing, baby. There’s no limit to what you can do.
She smiled, her skin tingling from the love she was feeling from him. Despite being under water, his adoration surrounded her like a halo of emotion. Maybe. But I want to see if doing this, she waved a hand in a circle, will make me tire faster. Maybe I can do this but only for a short time.
All right, Sprite. Let’s get you breathless and worn out. That’s my job, after all.
She spun in his arms and shot away through the water, giggling in her mind. For the next fifteen minutes she swam back and forth. When her legs grew fatigued, she used her arms to move forward. Finally she stopped at the side and broke the surface.
Kai popped up beside her. “I’d say that was a pretty good test.”
She took a long gulp from her water bottle and nodded. “Think I’ll have to do that for real? Against an enemy?”
Kai shrugged. “We should plan on it. You never know.”
“The water’s freezing here in winter. What if I had to do this outside? Dive below the ice?” She shivered just thinking about it.
Kai blew out a breath and bounced a glance to the fluorescent overhead lights. “We need to get you a wetsuit.”
A staccato sound registered in Gin’s ears, disturbing her blissful slumber. Tap, tap, tap. “Go away,” she mumbled from beneath the duvet.
The tapping turned into insistent knocking. “I’m sleeping!”
“Gin! Open up or I’m coming in.” Ria’s voice carried through the door.
Wait, why was Ria in her apartment? Had she stayed over? Gin pushed the covers down and glared at the do—
That wasn’t her bedroom door. She gasped as the day’s events rushed back to her mind. Her eyes darted around the beige walls and peaked roof of her little bungalow. Torth. Tarsa. Demons.
“Come in.” She dropped back onto the mattress as the tug of reality pulled her into full consciousness. Guess it was time to have a heart-to-heart with Ria. She’d have to do it sooner or later.
“It’s locked, Einstein.”
“Can’t you just break it?”
A laugh burst through the warm air. “I can, but I won’t.”
“Ugh.” Gin dragged herself out of bed and opened the door. Ria stood there, all blond bouncy curls, looking ready to take on the world. She held a basket with bread, a carafe of juice, and two glasses.
“Wow, that‘s a case of twenty-four-hour bedhead if I ever saw one,” she murmured as she stared at Gin’s hair.
“What?” Gin raked a hand through her tangled waves and turned to crawl back into bed. “It’s still sunny. Was I out for, like, an hour or two?”
Ria laughed again. “Try a whole day.”
Gin’s jaw dropped. “No way.”
“Way.” Ria walked in, closed the door, and sat on the edge of the bed. She propped one knee on the covers and set the carafe and glasses
on the side table. “Here, I snagged you some rolls and mango juice.”
“Not mango rum, right?” Rum for breakfast would take some getting used to. Maybe she wouldn’t try it two days in a row.
“No, it’s just the juice. And the bread is fresh baked. It’s delicious.”
“Thanks.” Gin chomped down on a roll, the crust cracking and the soft doughy center melting on her tongue. “Mmm. I slept a whole day, huh?”
“Yep.” Ria twirled one of her curls around a finger. “So…”
“So?” Gin said around a mouthful of bread. Ria was right, it was delicious.
“I’d like to talk, if you’re ready. At least listen to what I have to say.”
Gin was about as deep into this weird turn her life had taken as she could get. May as well hear the rest. “Go ahead.”
“I didn’t transfer from University of Iowa.”
“Yeah, I kinda guessed that by now.” Gin took a sip of juice.
“That was a cover. I needed to be close to you. I’m your secret bodyguard.”
Gin coughed out a chunk of bread, then gagged on the crumbs stuck in her throat. “My what?”
Ria shrugged and poured more juice into Gin’s glass. “Once your sisters came out of the woodwork, so to speak, the rest of the Lash demons knew where you were. And that you didn’t want to…participate. And since they knew about you, and your sisters had been to Torth and rumors started flying, our leader decided you needed a guard.”
Ria’s words weighed heavy on Gin’s heart. They’d hit it off so well. Too well. “So I was a job.”
“That’s how it started, yes. But we spent so much time together and I honestly had a lot of fun with you.” She propped her hand on the duvet near Gin’s knee. “I value your friendship. You’re an amazing woman. I mean, how many people want to go to remote areas, bringing basic necessities to others?” She shook her head. “Not many. And someone with your skills could go into private research and make a fortune. But that’s not your choice.”
Gin looked at the white sheets and picked up a tiny breadcrumb. “It was also my choice to run away from what I really am.”
“It was. But here we are.” Ria smiled. “I’m five hundred years old. I grew up hearing the stories of the Solsti and how they worked together to defeat Saykon, who was trying to control all the realms. I never, ever, dreamed they were real. Or that I’d meet one. Or that I’d be given the huge responsibility of guarding her. And most importantly, that I’d become friends with her.”
Gin could only stare at Ria in awe. Yesterday’s anger faded, replaced with the knowledge that her friend was a much stronger woman than she could have realized. And not just physically. If Ria had been living near her these last few months, what had she given up? The thought of Ria working in a strange place, facing potential danger all because of her, twisted Gin’s stomach. “If you were undercover with me, did you have to leave your family? Are you married?”
Ria threw her head back and laughed. “Hell no!” She shook her head. “No mate. And Mathias had access to my reports the whole time, so he knew I was fine and he could tell our parents.”
“Oh.” Gin breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you didn’t have to leave anyone special behind. I mean, you always had a lot of dates and stuff, so I assumed you were single.” She met her friend’s blue eyes. “I guess there’s a lot I don’t know about you.”
“You can ask me anything.” Ria winked. “And now, I can answer without leaving any details out.”
“Thanks, Ria,” Gin said softly. “I’m glad you’re my bodyguard.”
“Me too.” Ria pulled her into a hug.
Gin gave her friend a squeeze, then sat back and took another bite of bread. “What did you mean when you mentioned reports?”
“I was tasked with not only protecting you, but shadowing your every move, and sending weekly reports to Arawn. Yes, I bugged your phones and computer. And yeah, I listened in on that date you had with the physics geek back in September. I’m sorry. I had to.”
“Did you ever have to, um…catch any bad guys?”
Ria grinned smugly. “Campus was totally quiet on the supernatural front, until last week. I killed a Deserati while you and Mathias wrapped those presents.”
Gin’s jaw dropped. “You did? Where?”
“In an alley. He was stalking your car and I got a bad vibe.”
“Oh.” She swallowed hard. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, but there’s no need to thank me. Remember that coyote that attacked Muffy? Pfft.” Ria leaned forward. “That wasn’t a coyote. It was a hellhound. That little fuzzy slipper of a canine is lucky it got away.”
Hellhound? I don’t even want to know what that is. Dread crept through her limbs. She had no idea how close danger had come. And what if her neighbor and not her dog had been injured? “Oh my God. I’ve put everyone in danger. I should’ve come home sooner.”
Ria inspected her nails, which Gin noticed were newly manicured in a gorgeous shade of turquoise. “Well, the important thing is that you’re safe. And you’ll take your own safety more seriously now. Yes?”
Gin nodded. “Where’d you find a place to get your nails done?”
“Right here! They mix a drop of water from the Sangre Sea into the polish, and it lasts forever.” Ria grinned. “Best mani ever. I could get used to this. I’ll take you to Fazia. She’s the one who did mine.”
Gin nodded. That sounded nice, as long as they were safe. “Do my sisters know I’m here?”
“They should. Mathias and I have both talked to HQ and got them caught up. From there, they can communicate with Rilan, the Elder in the Chicago house.”
“That’s good.” Gin didn’t feel ready to talk to them, but she didn’t want them to worry. She gulped the last of her juice. “So how does Mathias factor into all of this?”
Ria blew out a breath. “I’m gonna let him tell you that part.”
“Okay.” Gin found that weird, but whatever. “Is he really your brother?”
“Oh yeah. Older than me by twenty years.”
“Do you really have four other siblings, and your parents live here somewhere?”
“Yes and yes. So, obviously, I don’t have a sick mother in Mansfield, Illinois.”
“Part of your cover?”
“Yeah. My story for getting you out of town in an emergency.”
Gin shook her head. “That’s good. I totally bought that.”
“That was my goal.” Ria smiled. “Anything else I can answer for you?”
“Is Ria really your name?”
“It’s my nickname. My full name is Tirianna.”
“Wow, that’s beautiful.” Gin blinked. Such a lot to take in, and she still had more questions. “D’Mari called you a Watcher. What’s that?”
“Watchers are elite fighters among the Lash demons. Arawn gives us various jobs to maintain the balance of peace. Or anything else that may come up.” She paused. “I’m happy to fill in the details for you, but…Didn’t your sisters tell you any of this stuff?”
Gin pressed her lips into a line and looked up at the ceiling. “You know, I thought it was such a load of crap when they started using their powers. Then Nicole met Gunnar and all of a sudden it was demon this and demon that, and prophecy and evil and witches and blah-blah-blah. I didn’t want to hear it. I tuned a lot of it out.” She shoved a hand through her hair. “I regret it now.”
“Well, whatever the evil is, it’s not here yet. There’s still time. At least a little.”
“Right.” She looked down at her hands. Something evil was coming, but no one knew what or when. And that was why she and her sisters had been given their abilities. “Thanks again, for breakfast.”
“You’re welcome. Now get in the shower. I’ve never seen your hair look like such a hot mess. And you smell like a dusty old demon shack.”
Gin tried to hold back a giggle and couldn’t. “Okay, okay.” She peeled back the covers and scooted off the bed. “I
’ll find you when I’m done.”
Ria stood and walked to the door. “Or find Mathias. I’m pretty sure he wants to talk to you.”
Gin’s shoulders sagged. “Oh, right.” She was torn between wanting to never see him again, telling him off, or making him grovel for every word out of his sinful mouth. Every smile. Every kiss…Damn him.
CHAPTER 29
“GET YOUR KNEE HIGHER, MARCUS, like this.” Mathias picked up the tiny hackey sack, dropped it toward his foot, and demonstrated his technique. The sun blazed high overhead, warming his back as he played with Tarsa youngsters in front of Gin’s cabin.
Thwap, thwap, thwap. The ball bounced off the inside of his foot, to the delight of the dozen young demons around him.
“Let me try,” one said, pushing closer.
“Get ready. I’ll pass it,” Mathias said.
The boy raised his foot. Mathias launched the tiny ball. It bounced off the child’s toe and rolled in the grass.
“Aw, man you make it look so easy.”
“You gotta anticipate the bounce. Your eyes can track. You’ve caught baby sharks in the bay that way, right?”
The boy nodded.
“So, you can do this, too. Watch.” Mathias picked it up again and bounced it. Five times, then ten. The kids started counting. Twenty, twenty five—
A squeak of hinges and a blast of cinnamon-scented air broke his concentration. The hackey sack rolled along the ground, the kids groaned—then whooped at his record number of bounces.
Mathias turned to see Gin in front of her bungalow. Good gods. It had been twenty-four hours since he’d seen her, and that was twenty-four damn hours too long. Sure, he’d kept tabs on her while she slept, and knew Ria had been here earlier. But seeing her beautiful face, breathing in her beguiling scent stirred a fierce craving, the depth of which he hadn’t even begun to realize.
Her radiance stole his breath. Gone were her jeans and long-sleeved sweater. Zinaya must have given her the clothes she now wore, which consisted of a clingy white tank top and tan pants. Her hair hung loose and damp around her shoulders, the red highlights glinting in the sun. She looked rested…yet wary. And that made him feel like a bastard.
