“You paid him to do that,” Sage snarled. “I hope I can return the favor someday.”
“Worth. Every. Penny.” Grey winked.
If she could smack that damn smirk off his face, she would. He really deserved a dose of humility.
“You two need some alone time?” Devon stepped in between them. “Zack’s a pretty boy who knows how to use his charm and good looks. He’s a powder puff compared to the real blood suckers.”
Sage backed away, stepping out of the office to be clear of the testosterone filling the small room. Devon had been preferable to Grey so far, but even he had begun to grate on her nerves. “Okay, so what do I need?” She looked around the walls, noting the weapons Devon had mounted above the mirrors. “Necklace of garlic? Holy water? Wooden stake?”
Devon disappeared behind her. She knew, without a word that another painful lesson was about to begin, but before she could ready herself, Devon struck. He moved more quickly than she could have anticipated, sweeping her leg in a flash of motion. Knocked clean to the floor, she lost her breath for half a second.
“How are you going to stake me from down there?”
One day she would learn to keep her damn mouth shut. She’d invited this, all because of her pride. It had been days since the last time she’d kissed the mats and was enjoying not being made a mockery of in front of others. If only she had just kept her head down and mouth shut! But she’d invited this, another patented and painful Devon-style no-mercy lesson.
Grey stood on the sidelines snickering, but one look from Devon silenced him.
“All the weapons in the world won’t help you if you’re on your ass.” Devon glared down at her.
“Sorry, master,” Sage groaned. Her butt hurt more than her pride at the moment, but not by much.
“Being cute won’t work either.” He held a hand out to help her up.
She reached for it, but the moment she did, his other came down hard, sending his palm into her chest. Sage fell backwards harder than before, all the air knocked from her chest. She was certain she’d bruised her tailbone this time as well.
“Never trust a vampire!” Devon called out.
She wanted to reply that he wasn’t one, but as she struggled to suck in breath enough to fill her lungs, there was nothing left to speak with.
“You need to be aware of what is going on at all times,” Devon said with a side-eye glance to Grey.
He wasn’t inviting that jerk into this lesson, was he?
She scrambled to put her back to a wall and cut off an attack from behind. Devon circled around to the left, and Grey slowly moved to her right. With Devon it paid to expect the unexpected, but Grey was the unknown. She watched him closely for signs of movement. Scooting up against the wall, she made it to her feet and set herself ready for an attack.
Devon came at her first, aiming low to knock her off balance. She pivoted away from his lunge and found Grey’s fist heading for her stomach. Two against one was unfair. They both had her on size and strength, and it was all she could do to duck and dodge each time one or both of them tried to swing at her.
Maneuvering the best she could, Sage took a brutal punch to the gut and nearly lost her lunch. She doubled over in time to miss another meaty fist aimed at her head and somehow found the strength to throw all her weight into an elbow, taking Grey down to the mats as she connected with his groin.
Devon stopped his attack, chuckling at Grey, who lay groaning on the ground, cupping himself with his hands. “I’ll give you this, your size puts you at an advantage sometimes.”
“Thanks. I’ll remember that.” Sage clutched at her own aching stomach, hoping she didn’t have a broken rib. Even if she did, it was worth it to watch Grey strain to hold back the tears in his eyes. He struggled to his feet, and she savored his every grunt of exertion. It was only a small taste of the karmic payback she owed him, but definitely a satisfactory start.
“You’ll heal fast, but only if you come out alive,” Devon said. “And I expect to see you back here after you’ve dealt with the vampires. You will report in to me. Understand?”
She nodded. “Are we expecting them to fight?”
“Given recent events, you’re walking into the lion’s den. Expect anything,” he replied.
“So what about weapons?” I mean, I know you say I have all I need here, but I’d feel a hell of a lot safer with a wooden stake or something.” Sage’s gaze flitted up to an impressive set of machetes on the wall.
Devon’s jaw tightened again. He too looked to the wall, as if knowing exactly what weapons Sage had in mind. “Your best weapons are faith and courage.”
Odd reply! What faith am I supposed to have? In the Mother? As far as she understood, the gods really didn’t care much to interfere in the day to day of the world they’d created. But before she could open her mouth to ask for clarification, Devon reached out and took one of her hands and balled it up into a fist.
“Faith.” He held her fist up, and then grabbed for the other hand. “And courage.”
“Those are terrible fist names.” Grey found his voice, and it was still steeped in arrogance. Tempting as it was, Sage did not unleash faith or courage on him, though she might offer him a taste of justice before the night was over.
“Call them what you will, these right here are your best defense. Don’t give an enemy something they can use against you.” Devon let her hands drop. “But if you must, take something sharp and pointy.”
Sage remembered the box of her mother’s personal effects. Miranda had had all manner of sharp pointy things she could use to defend herself with. “I think I know just the thing. But we’ll need to stop at my home first.”
TWENTY-SEVEN
“So this new job of yours…does it have good medical?” Matt asked, the moment Sage came through the door.
“Yeah.” She kept walking quickly and threw up a hand to cover the biggest of the bruises blooming on her arm. Sage had no doubt she looked rough, but didn’t want to let on. This was only supposed to be a pit stop. No time for lengthy explanations, even though she owed Matt one.
Voices in the hallway followed, carrying all the way into her room. “You see that girl there? She’s my best friend.” She didn’t need to see Matt to know he’d be a stone wall, not allowing Grey to pass into the living room. As scary as Grey could be, Matt had the advantage of passion to back up his muscles. “If you hurt her, I’m coming after you.”
Those words bolstered her spirit. She felt Matt’s love as strongly as the beating of her own heart. No matter what anyone told her she was, Terra or whatever, Sage was his best friend. And Matt was hers. That was a bond worth protecting.
She waited to hear if Grey would reply. Given that men had their need to always one-up the other, he’d probably say something insulting, though the aim of his ire would land on her rather than the man threatening to protect her. Either way, it could cause a fight. She held her breath, ready to throw herself between two hulking men if need be, but she never heard a reply from Grey. Maybe he had some smarts after all.
Not willing to take any further chances, Sage dressed as quickly as she could, in dark pants and an equally dark shirt. She opted for combat boots instead of the belted leather heels Matt had originally suggested when they’d last played dress up. By themselves, they made a very gothic-looking uniform. Only when she threaded her legs through the thigh straps on the utility belt, clasped it tightly at her waist, and donned her mother’s leather jacket did she transform from angsty to killer.
The jacket, well worn and surprisingly easy to move in, quickly warmed to her body, welcoming its new owner. She felt totally badass, and for a moment as she caught her reflection in the mirror, saw the shadow of her mother as if looking over her shoulder with approval.
By the time she made it back into the living room, it looked as if both men were about to come to blows.
Jaws dropped along with fists as she sauntered in, suited up and ready for action.
�
��Oh, damn,” Matt fanned himself. “You’re like the Tomb Raider reborn.”
“She didn’t wear that much leather.” Sage smirked at his admiration. If Matt said she looked good, there was no denying it.
“Selene,” Grey said, with an over the top eye roll.
“If only. That chick was badass with a capital B.” Sage giggled awkwardly, wondering if he’d truly meant to compliment her or if he was just trying to correct Matt’s description.
“Cosplay is cool and all.” Matt’s expression darkened, worry creating lines in his brow that aged him well past his years. “Please tell me you both are going to a convention this late at night?”
“It’s only eight,” Sage said, as she rushed to the junk drawer to grab an elastic for her hair. Knowing they were heading into a warzone, she didn’t want to worry about tangles or strands getting in her way. “The sun’s barely gone down.” She rolled her eyes, hoping to give off the casual impression that they were heading out for fun, not work, as she weaved her long hair quickly into a braid that rested over her shoulder. “There. Now I’m totally working the tomb raider angle.”
“Wrong. All wrong.” Matt shook his head and held his hand out. She’d never been able to do her own hair. But Matt had practiced hands. He took the elastic from her and unwound her poor excuse for a braid. “You know what I mean. I worry. And I don’t particularly trust the Daywalker over here.” In seconds he turned her mop into a warrior’s braid that would rival the one Miranda used to sport.
“What would I do without you?” She kissed him on the cheek.
Grey stood by, grinding his teeth. He could be bothered all he wanted, for all Sage cared. He had been nothing but a jerk to her.
“Please be safe,” Matt whispered.
“I’ll be fine. He won’t let anything happen to me.” She met Grey’s eyes, daring him to say something stupid. They might not like each other, but they were working as a team, and that had to count for something.
“And yet you walked in hiding bruises.” Matt whipped a finger at her.
She’d almost forgotten that. Her stomach still hurt from the sparring session earlier. “Training session. You know I have self-defense twice a week.”
“Well, I hope you got in a few good punches of your own, then.” Mat didn’t look convinced. He stood with his arms crossed like an unpassable mountain between the living room and the kitchen.
“Just ask him,” Sage giggled. “Good old elbow to the nuts.”
Matt hissed and sent his hands to cup his crotch protectively. “Works every time.”
“You have to trust me. I’m safe enough. This is what I was born for. My mo–”
“Died working for those loonies,” Matt cut her off.
“She did. And I’ll never forget that. Which is why I have a meat shield over here to protect me.” She tilted her head at Grey, who grunted in agreement. The look on his face sat somewhere between disgust and boredom. “I’ll be safe. And tomorrow I’ll buy the coffee, okay?”
“I’m not asking questions now, out of respect for our friendship, but you will have a lot of explaining to do when this is all over.” Matt’s nostrils flared with each breath, but after a few moments, let his arms fall to his side and retreated to his room, muttering, “Skinny caramel latte.”
“That’s an oxymoron, you know!” Sage scoffed, as she headed towards the door. Who orders something non-fat and loaded with sugar? Nutrition 101. A fight they’d had many times over the course of their friendship.
“Then don’t make it skinny.” His door closed with a slam. Matt’s patience was wearing thin. She’d have to explain everything to him soon. At least he hadn’t pressed her to talk in front of Grey. If he had she’d be forced to spill all the secrets. And then he’d be up all night worrying after her. And that never solved anything. She had a job to do. She had to learn what had happened to the vampire covens. And now that the sun was down, she had to move quickly.
Sage sighed, and ushered Grey through the door ahead of her. “I’ll be home soon. Love you!”
TWENTY-EIGHT
Night had fully bloomed by the time they pulled up to a North Town club thrumming with electronica music. A line had formed near the entrance, scantily clad patrons queuing up to await entry. Mostly female, Sage noted, as they pulled to the back of the building where a large parking lot, half-filled with cars, gave access to another private entrance. A few people hung around the back door to the club, but not as many as she’d seen up front.
“Vampires running a nightclub?” Sage groaned at the cliché.
“We all have to fit into society.” Grey jumped in before she could say something she might regret. “Remember – everyone has to earn their keep.”
Sage looked around, inspecting the parking lot, trying to determine who among the people milling around the back door were human and who weren’t. “But isn’t it a little too–”
“It is what it is.” Grey shrugged. “We don’t police people’s daily lives. Remember that. Our job is to keep the magic in check. Be on your best behavior now. We’re on their turf.”
“Got it.” She smirked. “I solemnly swear that–”
“I mean it, Sage. You’re going to see them, warts and all. Keep your mouth shut. We’re here for information only. I don’t need to pick a fight over skewed morality.”
The strain in his tone said more than his words. They were crossing into enemy territory. Much as she wanted to be cute and snarky with Grey, it was time to get her head in the game. Vampires were the ones who’d turned her mom dark. They were the reason she had been awakened. Sage crossed herself and then held up a three-finger salute. “Scout’s honor!”
“Damn newbie,” Grey mumbled under his breath, shaking his head as he started toward the edge of the parking lot.
Not going through the back entrance, she noted. Sage tried to look casual while keeping her eyes sharp as she followed Grey. A couple were making out, pressing themselves against the body of an old pickup truck. Two girls who looked like they belonged in an 80’s movie, with giant hair and eye-assaulting neon leggings, were having a smoke under a set of stairs that led up to a private entrance on the second floor. A group of guys were arguing a few cars over. Words like territory and rules stuck in her ears. She realized quickly that most, if not all, of the people out in the back parking lot were vampires.
A cold dread settled over her. She sought out the mark on her wrist, fingers rubbing it like a worry stone. The moment she realized what she was doing, she noticed the girls at the back stairs were watching her.
They recognized her for what she was.
Grey rounded the corner and came to the front of the building. At least the majority of people there were human. That thought comforted her until Grey walked up to a large bald man with muscles that had muscles of their own. The bouncer was definitely not human.
“I need to talk to the boss.” Grey spoke with a confidence that made her wonder how well he knew the vampires. He’d had a connection with Zack; it would stand to reason that he might have a working relationship or more with other vampires too. Ava had singled him out specifically for this mission.
When the bouncer did not immediately let them inside, Grey held up his wrist, showing his mark. Without prompting, Sage showed her wrist as well.
A low grumble rolled up the bouncer’s chest, audible even over the thrum of music leaking from the doors. He reached for his walkie-talkie at his waist and called into the small radio. “Terras coming in. Two of them.”
“Keep up the good work.” Grey pushed past the behemoth, giving him a pat on the shoulder as he entered the club. Sage was his shadow, not wanting to be separated at all inside the lion’s den. Instinct said run, but Grey continued on into the dark. The temperature dropped noticeably as they passed through a curtained doorway and stepped down onto the main floor. Lights and lasers assaulted her nearly as much as the volume of the music – distractions that would make it easy to be ambushed.
She’d be
en in clubs many times, and expected loud music, the overwhelming stench of cheap perfumes, and sweaty bodies rubbing up against each other. But seeing vampires actively feeding right out in the open was a sight she could have never prepared herself to witness. Sage wanted to say something, but Grey had already warned her.
Books and movies had romanticized the idea of being fed on by a vampire. They made it seem sexy and passionate. But as they waded through the throngs of people, Sage could see pained expressions on some of the victim’s faces. Music overpowered most of the other noises, but she could almost feel their moans reaching out to her. And they were definitely not the pleasurable sort.
“They won’t remember a thing.” Grey leaned in and whispered in her ear.
“They’ll live, right?” Sage asked, hoping the answer was yes.
“Not our territory, not our issue; unless someone screws up and makes it our issue,” he replied without a hint of emotion. “Now wipe the disgusted look off your face before we piss off our hosts.”
Devon had been right – she wasn’t ready for this. Sage gritted her teeth and set her jaw as she fought to control the disgust in her eyes. Taking deep breaths helped. Focusing on air in and air out occupied her mind as she continued to follow Grey. He snaked around the dance floor, past the center bar, and headed toward a roped off VIP section.
“You two finally found each other,” a familiar voice called out from behind her. The last voice she wanted to hear. It sounded far from friendly, though he took great steps to appear so. Zack came into view; his lips stretched wide enough to make sure Sage saw his fangs.
Determined to ignore him, she continued to keep pace with Grey.
Zack was suddenly at her side. “Of all the places I’d expect to see you, this never made the list. Enjoying the show?”
She refused to acknowledge his obvious attempt to get under her skin.
“You won’t find welcome here, if that’s what you think,” Zack said, a little too loudly.
Grey stopped so suddenly Sage ran into him as he turned around to face the vampire. “We’re under orders, welcome or no. Either escort us upstairs or go find yourself something to snack on.”
A Weapon Of Magical Destruction Page 21
