Katie's Hellion (Rhyn Trilogy, Book One)

by Lizzy Ford

  "I thought something was weird based on what death dude said," Ully said, stepping back from the rotating DNA molecule on the screen with a triumphant smile.

  "Antigens? You’re saying she’s allergic to us?" a skeptical blonde woman with striking blue-green eyes asked.

  Kris glanced at her and then back at the screen. His trusted deputies--the slender blonde Iliana and the raven-haired gigantor Jade with cocoa skin--sat across from him. Death dude sat at the back of the conference room, out of the glare of the screen.

  "Sort of," Ully said. "Basically these antigens are acting as a screening agent."

  "Meaning…?" Jade waved his hand impatiently.

  "Meaning she’s immune to many of our talents," Kris supplied with a frown. "How, Ully?"

  "It’s genetic."

  "So one of her parents was like us?" Iliana asked, tapping a hot pink fingernail.

  "Not exactly. It’s kind of like…" Ully looked around and stretched for the pen on the table. "If immortals are pens, and normal humans are number two pencils, then she’s a mechanical pencil."

  "What?" Jade demanded.

  "She’s a hybrid," Iliana said, realization dawning on her face. "Kris…"

  "Yeah, I know."

  "She's also an immortal's mate," Ully added.

  Kris studied the DNA molecule, now certain the woman's appearance spelled certain danger for him. His gaze settled on Jade's familiar features, and he studied his companion of so many years. Jade was everything he admired: brave, compassionate, dedicated. Loyal. He didn't doubt his second and his lover would move on, if Kris chose to take the woman as his mate. Yet he wondered if he could ever care for another the way he did Jade.

  His duty as the leader of the fractured Council always came first. Jade's duty would, too. He'd found peace with Jade after Rhyn killed his first love, Lilith. But Jade was like most immortals: he'd only ever loved other men, whereas Kris valued mettle over sex.

  As he weighed if he'd be forced to choose between someone he loved and an immortal's mate with a desirable gift, he couldn't help thinking Jade wouldn't take breaking up well. His love had a temper. It would take him a while to recover.

  "We have two issues," Ully continued, sitting. "There’s never been a mutation like this in the history of our people. If it’s hereditary, then the mutation has been hidden from us for, like, maybe even hundreds of thousands of years. Second, I can duplicate the DNA with some time in my lab and isolate the antigen, meaning I can make someone immune to our enemies' powers."

  "Or they can make someone immune to us," Jade said.

  Kris felt the intent gazes of both of his deputies, who left the obvious unvoiced. They were in more trouble than he’d thought once the Council convened.

  "We know a few things," he started. "One, Sasha probably knows about her by now. Two, someone in our organization knew what she was when they set her up to be Toby’s human guardian."

  "Good job, death dude!" Ully cheered, earning him the scathing look of Jade.

  "She’s immune to all but the most ancient of us. The mutation started sometime after our births, Kris," Gabriel voiced.

  Surprised, Kris eyed him. "You know more than you’re telling me?" he challenged. "This isn’t a secret you’re sworn to protect."

  Amusement flashed across the death dealer’s face, and Gabriel shook his head.

  "Ully, do a full workup on her parents, grandparents, as far back as she remembers. Find any siblings and get their blood. We need to know how many people have this mutation and where they are," Kris ordered.

  Ully bounced up.

  "And Ully, be discreet," Kris added. "No more stalking and kidnapping."

  The lab rat flushed but saluted and ducked out of the room.

  "The Council meets in a few," Jade commented. "Do we return her and pretend we don’t know or keep her where they can’t get her?"

  It’s not cool to use women like that.

  Kris had never heard anything so ridiculous. No human--nor most of those in his organization--would dream of speaking to him like that. And yet, she had without fear. Shock did much to humans, he knew, but she was either crazy or incredibly stupid to challenge someone like him.

  Worse, they’d never run across this type of issue in all their years. That it emerged now, when the Council was on the verge of disintegrating, couldn’t be a coincidence.

  "Jade, send some men to her apartment and dig around. Check on Toby while you’re there. Iliana, we have a Council meeting to attend in a couple of hours."

  "You want them to take her back?" Jade asked.

  "Yeah. Take her back and post guards everywhere you can. I want to see what Sasha’s planning."

  "You shouldn’t go alone to the Council meeting," Jade warned.

  "It’s the way it is."

  "Someday, one of you is gonna snap and take out the others."

  "Let’s hope it’s me," Kris said with a small smile.

  "If you wouldn’t take out half the continent doing so, I wouldn’t care. C’mon, death dude. Let’s get her to her apartment. Travel safely, Kris."

  Gabriel followed them out obediently, content to hang around them while bored.

  Kris traveled via shortcuts through the shadow world as Gabriel did and willed himself to the in-between world. It was foggy and chilly, like a walk on the beach after the fog rolled in. Several portals glowed, and he strode across the silent domain toward the portal he needed. He emerged from the shadow world in a luxurious penthouse suite in Paris overlooking the Arc de Triomphe.

  "You Americans. Jeans and T-shirt, Kris, really?" Andre asked.

  Kris dismissed his uneasy thoughts at his eldest brother's accented voice. He shook the hand of his brother and friend, whose night-colored skin clashed with his. Andre was dressed in cashmere and wool, his hair kept short and neat, his loafers more expensive than Kris’s conference room had cost to build.

  "Got nothing to prove, big brother," Kris said.

  Andre snorted and motioned to the pristine white sofa. Kris sat.

  "I wasn’t expecting you," Andre said. He crossed to the wet bar for two glasses, one with red wine and the other with whiskey. "I keep this cheap shit around just in case."

  "I like the cheap shit," Kris replied, accepting his whiskey.

  "You obviously clothes shop at yard sales."

  Kris smiled, and Andre did as well, the skin around his eyes crinkling in warmth.

  "I hate these meetings with our brothers," Andre admitted. "I’d rather stay home. Brother, go change. You’re not going to embarrass me again."

  Kris chuckled, at ease with his brother despite the unprotected penthouse on the top floor of a building that could be easily leveled by a single explosive charge. Being underground meant he was a much harder target to hit, yet despite his attempts to convince his brother to act likewise, he’d not yet succeeded.

  He went through one of Andre’s two walk-in closets, choosing a maroon sweater and chocolate suede pants. He knew his brother would disapprove but also knew Andre would view it better than jeans.

  Andre pursed his lips in displeasure as Kris reappeared.

  "Good enough," his brother grunted. "One of my most expensive shirts with the pants that went out of season five years ago."

  "How’s your spy network?" Kris asked as he poured himself a second glass of whiskey.

  "Eh, not so hot lately,” Andre replied. “I’ve been losing some good ones. Still have an idea of what Kiki and Tamer are doing but no idea what Erik is doing."

  "You keeping track of me as well?"

  "Part of an older brother’s duty."

  Kris sat opposite his brother. Their alliance off the Council was as important as their balance of power on the Council. Despite being brothers, neither approved of what the other did. Andre’s gift lent him great power and control over the mind, enough so that he had no problem recruiting spies as the others did. He was a pacifist, though, and viewed his position on the Council as balancing out the outwardly ag
gressive predators.

  Andre was no threat to the others yet had a full vote on everything the Council did. It was how he walked easily among all the others, never threatened and routinely confided in. Even Sasha, who'd betrayed them all to serve the Dark One, still sought out his brother's counsel. Kris knew his brother too well to know he’d not betray the trust of anyone, even a man who wanted to kill him.

  Next to Kris's whiskey Andre kept at the wet bar was Tamer’s favorite vodka, Kiki’s rice wine, and Erik’s diet soda, as if he were expecting one of them at any time.

  "What about Sasha?" Kris asked quietly.

  "He’s killed my last few spies. Got a good one in there now. Getting a lot of good info out of this one."

  "Good to hear. You ready?"

  Andre held out his hand. Kris took it and they walked through the shadow world through the portal leading to the Sanctuary where the Council meetings took place. His three other half brothers were already present and waiting, Erik pacing, Kiki at the table, and Tamer busy with his PDA. The conference room was plain, the white walls bare, the harsh lighting and round conference table centered.

  "Let’s go, brothers," Andre said. He sat, leaning back. "Shall we start with Asia this time? Kiki?"

  "We started with Asia last time," Kiki snapped, oriental features, turquoise eyes and towering height marking his mixed breeding.

  "Very well. Europe," Andre said, unaffected. "Erik."

  "Everything’s fine."

  "Erik."

  "The last time I said anything, all my men in North America disappeared. Kris, care to explain?" Erik challenged, ice blue eyes falling to him.

  "Nope," Kris said.

  "Erik’s right, brother," Kiki said. "We can’t talk freely like we used to."

  "We have a common enemy," Andre reminded them. "One who would like us divided so he can take over our world."

  "I’ll start," Kris said. "Today, we found someone who’s immune to our powers."

  All eyes turned to him.

  "What do you mean, immune?" Tamer pounced. "There’s no such thing."

  "She has a hereditary blood anomaly that makes her immune to all but the oldest of our kind. We just found out and are researching it."

  "Bullshit," Kiki snapped. "If you know that much, you know more."

  "Think what you will, Kiki."

  "Have you tested her?" Andre asked.

  "We discovered her when she proved unaffected by one of our typical talents," Kris said.

  "She’s a spy for Sasha," Erik said. "Probably revealed your entire operations by now."

  "Not likely," Kris replied.

  "I don’t believe any of this nonsense," Tamer insisted. "She’s a plant. Like Erik said, she’s some mutant Sasha made to infiltrate your operations."

  "Maybe you’re the mole, brother," Kiki added.

  The four stared at him. Kris didn’t flinch. He'd long since suspected one of them was working with Sasha, but it wasn’t him. If anyone, it was Tamer, whose isolation in Siberia and ability to outsmart Andre’s spies gave him the ability to hide his actions.

  "Bring her here," Tamer said.

  "No," Kris said.

  "Then I’m not going to believe a damned thing you’re saying."

  "And I won’t share how to counter her mutation so you don’t end up at Sasha’s feet."

  "Fuck you, Kris!"

  "Enough," Andre said with a sharp look at both of them. "Kris, the Council will need some sort of proof that this isn’t another ploy by one of you to wipe out the others. It’s been calm for the past few hundred years, but I don’t think any of us have forgotten that five hundred year period where we were at each other’s throats."

  And they’d lost two of their brothers to the war. Andre himself had ordered the exiles of Rhyn and Sasha to Hell when it was revealed what they were. He didn’t say this, but Kris knew it was on everyone’s mind.

  "Would you object to my visiting her?" Andre finished.

  "Nope," Kris said.

  "Good enough, Tamer?"

  "For now," Tamer allowed. "No compartmentalizing this info, Andre. It’s a common threat to all of us. According to the rules, we get to know everything."

  "Everything," Kiki emphasized.

  "You are entitled to know of anything that threatens you," Andre clarified. "As you know, I’m the only one here who actually adheres to our rules."

  The others smiled. There was one rule they all knew better than to break, or Andre would order them killed. So long as they didn’t put out a hit on one another, they could decimate each other at their own battles, lie, cheat, spy, steal, anything and everything.

  "Other news," Andre said. "Kiki."

  "Everything’s fine."

  "Kris?"

  "Ditto."

  "Tamer?"

  "Same."

  "Erik?"

  "Nope."

  Andre pursed his lips again. Kris sat back, satisfied. He’d done as required and alerted them about a potential threat. As far as he was concerned, he’d do nothing else, even if he learned how to counter it.

  "Same time and place next month," Andre said, standing. "These meetings need to improve, brothers. We are not one another’s enemies, and we’ll never defeat our common enemy so long as we’re squabbling."

  No one spoke. Kris remained where he was, aware they’d destroy each other if allowed. Their turf wars and battle against the Dark One--and now Sasha--had stirred up some of the bloodiest wars in mankind’s history.

  One by one, the others left, until he was alone with Andre.

  "No one knows her identity, and no one else sees her," Kris said firmly. "We don’t know what she is yet, but I won’t hesitate to attack my brothers if they try to take her."

  "You know me well enough, brother," Andre replied.

  "I’ll send for you."

  "What are you not telling me, Kris?" Andre pressed with brotherly concern in his voice. "There's something else to this human, isn't there?"

  Kris looked away. "She's an immortal mate."

  "Not uncommon," Andre replied. "What else?"

  Kris chuckled, aware his older brother could wait him out.

  "She's an Ancient's mate."

  "Ah," Andre said softly. "Then you're in a bind, if you intend to claim her."

  "Can't leave this one to fate," Kris said in the same quiet tone. "But there’s Jade. Do you…"

  "You and I have always put the Council and our mission first," Andre reminded him. "Now is not the time to doubt yourself. Of all our brothers, you are the only one who can lead us to victory. If this woman gives you the power to do so…"

  Kris said nothing, feeling at once foolish and like he was the child Andre used to chastise for failing to focus on his duties. Andre clasped his shoulder, bowed his head, and disappeared.

  Kris willed himself to the shadow world and walked back to his underground refuge, heart heavy. Jade awaited him, as he expected. Kris accepted the glass of whiskey but avoided Jade's extended hand.

  His lover of many years sensed his unease and waited for him to speak.

  "The woman we found is an immortal's mate," he started.

  "I know," Jade said, seating himself. "You have someone in mind for her?"

  "I do."

  Jade waited, and Kris held his gaze in silence. He watched the expectant look turn to one of disbelief. Jade's jaw grew lax before he managed to speak.

  "You're serious?"

  "I'm bound by my duty," Kris replied.

  "But this? You'd leave me for her?"

  "Not by choice, Jade. Her talent can--"

  "You can mate her to one of our friends! There's no--" Jade pointed out.

  "She's an Ancient's mate, not just any immortal's mate," Kris explained.

  "Give her to Andre."

  "Jade."

  His gut twisted as raw emotion crossed Jade's face. His friend and lover searched his face hard, then rose and stalked out.

  Kris let him go despite his desire to follow him. There w
as nothing he could say that would take away the pain he'd just caused.

  He poured himself more whiskey and sat on the sofa, feeling utterly alone for the second time in his life.

  His gaze strayed to the desk, where Katie's file sat. He'd go to her apartment tomorrow and explain to her what her fate was about to become. He suspected the conversation would go as well as his talk with Jade.

  His chest felt tight, but he refused to admit his pain.