Wild Side: A Nate Temple Supernatural Thriller Book 7 (The Temple Chronicles)

by Shayne Silvers

  I met her eyes. “He is free,” she confirmed. But she didn’t necessarily sound proud of me. Just a statement.

  “What happened here?” I finally asked her in a soft voice.

  She sighed, studying our surroundings nostalgically, which I found very odd. I began to grow uneasy when she turned back to me, tears in her eyes. “Command me to stop breathing.”

  I blinked at her. “Pandor—”

  “Do it!” she snapped, still sobbing.

  “Stop… breathing,” I finally said, wondering what this was all about.

  Her chest instantly stopped moving. After well over a minute, her face began to darken, and then turn a shade of purple. I grabbed her cheeks, staring at her in alarm as her face continued to darken, and her eyes began to glaze over.

  “Fucking breathe, Pandora!” I shouted in a panic.

  She collapsed to the ground, unmoving. I dove to her side, slamming my ear to her chest. Nothing. I began compressions, remembering my CPR lessons. Wylde began to grow very uneasy inside me, and I felt something changing in the Armory. As if… the place was fading. I continued my cycle, breathing into her mouth frantically as the Armory continued to fade. I struck her chest twice, hard, and she finally gasped, coughing and panting as she rolled over. The Armory suddenly snapped back, no longer fuzzy.

  I sat back, confused, stunned, and panting tiredly. “What… the hell was that?” I stammered.

  She finally looked over at me, eyes red, throat raw, and said, “Proof of my servitude. I cannot betray you. Literally. Unless you command me to.”

  Then I realized what this had been. A test. To prove her loyalty. That she hadn’t let the Greeks go shopping. I found her staring at me, nodding as she read my thoughts.

  “It was the fastest way for you to believe me,” she said in an apologetic whisper.

  I chastised her for a good thirty seconds, babbling incoherently as I helped her to her feet, and supported her. She simply nodded, eyes downcast, accepting my tirade. “Damn you, Pandora…” I finished, realizing my eyes were misty, now. Realizing I had almost lost a friend.

  She smiled up at me. “Is that what I am?” she asked in a hopeful tone.

  “Of course, Pandora. I’m… sorry for doubting you.” She nodded, and we resumed our walk.

  After a time, she finally spoke. “You must be careful, my host.” She glanced at my chest pointedly, at the designs painting my skin. “The Wild Side is not for the faint of heart, as necessary as it sometimes is…” She smiled sadly. Knowing what had led me there, agreeing with my choice, but still saddened.

  That was the thing with Pandora. She could read your thoughts. Until now, I had held up one hell of a mental shield – instinctively – so that none of my other friends who had the ability could read me. But with Pandora? It was like being around myself. She knew my trials, my tribulations, my choices, and likely their future consequences, hence the sadness in her eyes.

  I nodded, unable to speak.

  I assessed the hallway – the armor covering a few mannequins, paintings or weapons of all types hanging on the walls, treasured bowls of gems and jewelry sitting on a few tables, and even a cabinet full of vials and potions, neatly labeled with tiny letters that I couldn’t read from here.

  I didn’t step closer, because I didn’t want to know what they contained.

  I turned to find Pandora watching me again. “Nothing is missing,” she said with a smile.

  “That’s not true,” I argued politely.

  “The Nemean Lion Cloak of Hercules is in your possession, so I do not consider it missing.”

  “Oh,” I said lamely, not hiding my confusion.

  “Hercules was waiting the moment the battle horn blew. If he hadn’t been so quick, he never would have retrieved his cloak. That is no excuse for my failure, but I do apologize.”

  I waved her off her apology. “But how? You’re Greek… Shouldn’t you be helping them?”

  She smiled. “That was a long time ago.”

  I blinked at her. “Wait, what?”

  She nodded very slowly. “Some of us had a choice. Perhaps it is in relation to my new occupation…” she said, holding out a hand to indicate the Armory.

  “You’re telling me that… what, Achilles and the Minotaur didn’t have to abandon me? That they chose to?”

  She hesitated. “I cannot speak for them. Perhaps they were given a choice, and left you. Perhaps they did not get a choice.” She met my eyes. “But I had a choice, and I chose you.”

  I shook off my anxiety. “Okay. It doesn’t really matter. It changes—”

  She held up a hand, stopping me. “Let me speak to Wylde.”

  I blinked at her. “Pardon? Wylde is me. I am him.”

  She simply held out a hand, capitulating. I sighed and waved my hand in permission, while I prepared to eavesdrop. She closed her eyes and began to nod in agreement to something. Then she was still for a time. I felt Wylde stir within me, but heard none of the conversation. “Hey, speak up, you two.”

  Pandora opened her eyes, and smiled up at me. That was it.

  “Well?” I asked. Then a flurry of thoughts hit me from Wylde.

  I almost gasped, translating. “There’s a chance…” I swallowed, trying to follow Wylde’s thoughts. “That Achilles and the Minotaur did receive the choice, that they chose to switch sides… in order to spy…” I whispered at last.

  “That is an interesting thought, my host,” Pandora said cryptically. I saw the look of warning on her face, and decided that I shouldn’t bring up that she had, in fact, spoken with Wylde, who had then relayed the idea to me. Her eyes were far away as she spoke again. “Of course, that thought could be entirely wrong and they could slaughter your friends on the battlefield…” She shrugged. “But a true leader must consider all possibilities, no matter how improbable.”

  Then I understood her position. She had chosen me, but that didn’t mean she could go blabbing secrets. Because… honor. Or maybe an oath not to betray the Greeks. Or… one particular Greek. Achilles. Did it change things? Maybe. Maybe not. But I had the feeling that she wasn’t necessarily giving me the answer. She had simply passed on a third option since I had only brought up two.

  The only thing was, I couldn’t tell anyone, because if I was wrong, and I told my friends to go easy with Achilles on the battlefield, well, maybe he had genuinely switched sides, and he was waiting to gut them like fish. Or my friends would leave him alone on the field, revealing to the goddess that something was very wrong with the battle.

  I sighed. “This sucks,” I growled. “It doesn’t help me at all. It’s just another possibility when I was already drowning in them.” Because I suddenly realized that her position likely prevented her from giving me answers on Oberon’s cryptic comments, too, or telling me which goddess I was facing.

  She nodded at me, reading my mind. “My life, my host. My life…” she agreed. “But you should think on Oberon’s words,” she added. “They were not all lies, as you already learned.”

  I scowled as we walked in silence for a time, slowly coming back to the room with Callie.

  “I would like to honor some of my friends with temporary gifts. They have impressed me during past interactions, but also with their current valor in war.” Pandora said conversationally.

  I had stopped walking, and a very dark grin began to split my beard. “Okay,” I replied.

  Her face was studiously blank as she nodded. We soon found ourselves staring down at the sleeping form of Callie.

  I scooped her up in my arms and began walking towards the exit. “You have permission to leave and deliver your gifts, Miss Santa Claus,” I said over my shoulder. “If you feel so inclined. Also, a friend of mine has hidden the Nemean Lion Cloak. I think it prudent for you to take possession of it again. It really should be kept safe, under your care,” I added casually. “But since this war is not mine, I don’t need to hear any details about your actions. I trust your judgment, but I do recommend staying on t
he grounds. I don’t think either of us wants the Greeks to steal you.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that. I can think of one,” she laughed lightly, right before the door closed behind us.

  I shook my head, grinning. Achilles. The dog.

  “Miss Santa Claus…” Callie mumbled, stirring.

  “Shhh… Rest. I’ll keep you safe until you wake, Callie,” I said in a gentle whisper. She nestled closer, hand brushing the disc at my throat.

  I almost stumbled, fearing she would be Tasered like everyone else who had tried touching it.

  But nothing happened.

  I frowned down at her as I continued walking, thinking wizardly thoughts as I carried the unconscious woman to my cave. Wylde grumbled approvingly.

  “Pipe down, Wylde,” I muttered.

  Chapter 50

  I stood before the gates to Chateau Falco, staring through the iron bars. Idly, I wondered how none of my neighbors had noticed, maybe filed a noise complaint. Then again, it was good that they hadn’t. Not many lived near me, but still, this many crazy bastards should have attracted some attention over the past several weeks.

  Indie stared at me. Ichabod stood beside her. Both faces were blank. A handful of others fanned out behind them, but a few paces back.

  My Guardians lined the walls, great stone griffins. They were linked to Chateau Falco, and would defend it until they were blasted into gravel. This close to the gates, I could feel the power keeping them and the wall safe.

  Keeping my people safe. Thanks to Callie keeping the defenses juiced in my absence.

  But my stomach roiled as I reminded myself that this wasn’t my war.

  Well, the two people in front of me were part of my war. Maybe I would be able to take care of that part quickly, and then sit back and watch my friends kick ass without me.

  Of course, one of the three people on my hit list was not present. The goddess.

  Whoever the flying fuck she was. At this point, I was beginning to grow equally nervous and uncaring. Without the goddess, my friends still had a huge army of monsters to face.

  I saw Hercules behind Indie, clenching his club in an angry fist. I could sense his fury hitting me like waves of heat from a fire. He wanted his cloak back. And I had ridiculed him. The war was just an obligation. But retrieving his cloak? Getting back at me? That would be his pleasure.

  I kept my face blank, not rising to the bait of his anger, or the anticipatory grin that slowly stretched across his lumpy face, but I did notice his beard was much thicker now, as if he hadn’t shaved since I embarrassed him. I turned to Asterion, the Minotaur. He wore the little trident affixations on his horns, designed for war, and clutched a handheld axe in each fist. His eyes were cold, flat, and so dark a brown that they were almost black. It was like staring at a wild animal, one who had never spoken with me over a drink, or ever spoken at all. A creature not even capable of human speech.

  A gleaming helm with a tall Mohawk of black bristles indicated another familiar figure. Achilles. I couldn’t make out his features beneath the helm, but he wore a matching black cloak over his shoulders. The best way to describe the rest of him was black and gold. It wasn’t really gold, but maybe bronze? His helmet, the metal plates covering his black, sleeveless leather armor, and thin plates stamped into the cute little skirt he wore. The skirt was made up of dozens of strips of leather, so he would look particularly cute if he twirled. He wore leather greaves over his shins, and I saw that they wrapped around his heels. Metal plates were also stamped into these. And he wore sandals to match.

  He clutched three spears and a shield, and I caught the hilt of a short sword peeking out of the shield, as if held in place by some built-in clip. He stared back, as merciless as a winter storm.

  I waved at him, smiling.

  Then I turned to Indie, grunted distastefully, and then Ichabod, shaking my head in disappointment as I pretended to search for a third person. I saw Pegasus, a gleaming white winged horse, with an unfamiliar figure on his back. He was young, had long blonde hair, and wore different – but still Greek – armor. He stared back at me with absolutely no indication that he saw anything human. Pegasus still had Bellerophon’s bow attached to his bridle, surprisingly enough. And he watched me warily, as if waiting for Grimm to appear.

  I sighed, finally approaching the bars, but not daring to open them. “Hey, guys. I came down here to see three dead people walking. But I only see two,” I said, casting pointed looks at Indie and Ichabod. “Oh, and where’s hathead Grimm? Or any of his brothers, really.”

  Indie bristled at that. I was, of course, referring to Helmut Grimm and his fellow Brothers Grimm. The ones she had freed from their prison when we last fought.

  Indie shot an angry look at Achilles, but he didn’t react. Because last time I had seen Helmut, he had been kneeling before Achilles with a spear through his shoulder.

  “They didn’t make it,” she spat acidly. “But I have an army, Nate. And it looks like all you have is face-paint and a beard to scare us away.” She smiled wickedly, cradling the stump where her hand should have been. She looked haggard. Tired. Exhausted. And full of vinegar, like an excellent wine gone sour. I ignored the pyramid-shaped stone dangling from her belt in a woven net.

  “Meh. But your army isn’t my concern. I’m only here for three people, remember. My friends can take out the rest of the trash,” I said. “I really hope you brought more than these clowns.” This time, my gaze settled on Hercules. I paused. “That big ugly one looks familiar. I think I saw him on the internet somewhere, but he was wearing a blue hat and had a dong drawn on his forehead.” I leaned closer, studying Hercules intently as his face began to turn purple, veins throbbing. “Oh, it is him. I can still see the outline. Hi,” I said, waving.

  His meaty palm instantly shot to his forehead to wipe at ink that wasn’t there. The man atop Pegasus stepped between us, speaking in low tones to the seething Hercules, calming him.

  “Where’s your mojo?” I asked, turning back to Indie.

  She grimaced, both at my tone and the obvious answer. Hercules began to pace behind her, thumping his club into his other palm in a restless drumbeat. “She has better things to do.”

  “Well, I came here to talk to the person with decision power. Not her flunkies. Let me know when she’s free. You know where to find me.”

  And I turned my back on her. “I will pound you into paste,” Hercules roared.

  I smiled, and kept on walking.

  “Hand over the Syndicate, Nate, or we will have war!” Indie shouted.

  I glanced over my shoulder, smirked, and said, “Bring it.”

  I ignored them as I walked away. My friends smiled at me. Just my captains. The faces I wanted the world to remember. Gunnar, Ashley, Alucard, Tory, the Huntress, and Raego. Callie was still sleeping, since we had only just left the Armory an hour ago, but Mallory was looking after her since he refused to get involved in the war.

  “Who is the child?” Indie shouted over Hercules. I glanced back to see her frowning thoughtfully. Ichabod looked uncomfortable. Maybe he was realizing that I was protecting kids here. What her war would cost.

  “None of your concern,” I said. “Just another victim of your temper tantrums.”

  I turned back to see the Huntress was holding Alex back, now. He was snarling in response to her interest, as if trying to prove his prowess – like every teenager everywhere. The Reds stepped out from a nearby tree and spoke to him in low tones, each placing an arm over his shoulders and guiding him away. One did not simply ignore two stunning teenaged girls, no matter how angry one was at the time. The Huntress nodded thankfully at their backs.

  The Greeks began taunting me, calling me coward, and other really mean things.

  Wylde roared up inside me, wanting to destroy them. Kill everyone. Salt the earth. And I was dangerously close to agreeing with him. Not yet, I encouraged. I spoke to my friends in a hoarse rasp, still struggling against my anger. “I need to speak to the Syn
dicate. Now.”

  Tory nodded. “I’ll take you. I’m on camp detail with my students, keeping everything organized.”

  Gunnar spoke up, holding hands with Ashley. “Nate, a moment?”

  “Sure.”

  He began walking in a different direction so I shot Tory a look, imploring her to wait a minute. Then I caught up to Gunnar and Ashley.

  “Thank Pandora for us,” he mumbled, not looking back at me.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  He shot me a knowing look from his good side over his shoulder. “Right.”

  I didn’t reply as I continued to follow. I looked past them to see that his entire pack stood just ahead, staring at their Alpha with respect and fierce loyalty. No humans in sight. Hundreds of wolves. Gunnar and Ashley stopped, and I stepped up beside them, not sure what was going on.

  Gunnar cleared his throat, and addressed them. “This war is ours.” The wolves growled eagerly. Gunnar let the sound die down before continuing. “What I mean to say is that we have recruited, growing our family over these past months. And that this war is literally ours. Nate will not participate. He has his own fight to attend. With a goddess. And I need everyone to know that up front. Don’t expect Nate to come galloping in to save us. He will be preoccupied.” Gunnar paused, roving his lone eye over the crowd, which was now utterly silent. “This. War. Is. Ours!” he suddenly roared, exploding into his hybrid wolf form, a massive bipedal white werewolf. I glanced down. No underoos this time, which was good. More professional for a momentous speech.

  The wolves howled. Still seeming a little concerned about his news, shooting thoughtful looks my way, but most seemed to accept the other part with awe. I would be fighting a goddess for crying out loud. They could handle the monsters.

  Gunnar turned to Ashley, who was still in human form. He smiled, and then, loud enough for all to hear, shouted, “Ashley Belmont is my Geri! My watcher. My second in command! Obey her!”

  The wolves began to dance, hopping back and forth with their front paws playfully, snarling, licking their lips. I saw several – more than several – wolves look decidedly uncertain about this. The newest werewolf in the pack was the second in command? Sure, she was Gunnar’s fiancée, but to name her his Geri? That was the most important position outside being Alpha.