“I fear I’ll fail because I’m a virgin. He is a man who serves the dark, after all, no matter how kind he acts when others look.”
“What are you thinking? You have that crease.” Tavi pointed between his own eyes.
Rebecca scoffed and looked out the window again because it was embarrassing. But Tavi was a fellow Warrior of God. “I’m contemplating removing the hymen myself.”
“Oh... I’ve heard it hurts, but... I have deflowered a woman, and she just said it was a bit uncomfortable for a short while, and that was it.”
“Next problem. I’m still without any experience whatsoever when it comes to a relationship. What need there is for my body in a relationship is just one aspect. I don’t even know what I’m doing, and that’s why I couldn’t get to Alex.” There, she’d finally said it, and she felt ashamed of trying to make it all a physical issue. It wasn’t. It was so much more.
Tavi stared at a spot on the table between them, worrying his bottom lip. “You’ll have to play a part. You’ll have to play it convincingly. I’ll always help you, and I’ll be the brother who introduces you and Jared, so you can always call me.”
Rebecca smiled and squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”
“If you’d feel comfortable with it, then we can spend the remaining time before your mission begins training at passing for being in a relationship. You’ll act as my love interest. And if you wish for my help to deflower you—”
Rebecca’s heart skipped a beat.
“—then know it is holy, as we are a unity under God as His warriors. It’ll not be a search for our own physical pleasures, but to further your abilities to serve Him.”
That made sense, yet Rebecca was scared.
“How will we know if I succeed?”
“We can ask Father and the legion to see how we look as a couple. Believable or not. If they believe us a young profane couple, then you are more than ready.”
“I actually like that idea, and I’m very grateful that you’d help me in that way, but... should we get Father’s blessing? I... I need his blessing.”
“Of course.” Tavi stood and held out his hand. “Let’s go ask him now.”
While getting ready for the mission, Tavi and Rebecca played a couple, and both Father and a weathered female Knight named Helena supported Rebecca in her transformation. Tavi showed her the side of a doting boyfriend, holding her hand, bringing her filled chocolates, doing all the romantic things boyfriends were supposed to do, while Helena helped Rebecca do the same.
Alone, Tavi told her of the short relations he’d had as covers and confided deep feelings and thoughts. They held hands during movies and made out on the couch. They goofed around and argued favorite movies. At the end of the first week, Rebecca saw a relationship as being best friends who just happened to like touching and kissing each other. And she had to admit that she really liked the way Tavi had smiled at her before he moved in for a kiss.
After a week, Rebecca had become somewhat accustomed to physical contact of that sort, and they had moved onto the part that scared her. Yet she felt comfortable with Tavi at that point, just shy and afraid she couldn’t go through with it.
It hadn’t been anything like what she’d thought, and that was a good thing.
Rebecca walked through Central Park, hand in hand with Jared. Tavi walked next to Jared, and Rebecca wished Tavi was the one holding her hand. But Jared was all Tavi had said he’d be, and he treated her well. She hadn’t had to fear his focus on sex. For someone working with the Devil, the guy seemed sweet and balanced.
She could do it. She no longer had any doubts that it was within her realm of possibilities. She would do God proud.
Tavi’s phone rang.
“Excuse me.” Tavi answered the phone and walked away, while Jared and Rebecca stopped to wait for him. It was still chilly outside, and Rebecca quickly cooled from no longer walking.
Jared smiled and pulled her in for a hug, rubbing her arms and back to keep her warm. “You hoping for an early spring?”
“I’m thinking it should get here soon, yeah,” she said, leaning her head on his shoulder so she could watch Tavi’s expression. Jared purred and hugged her a bit tighter, and she appreciated his consideration. But the concerned furrow on Tavi’s face had most of her attention.
Tavi hung up and lingered with the phone by his side. He then looked up. “Becky, can I talk to you a moment? Dad called.”
Rebecca stiffened. “Oh.”
“Everything all right?” Jared asked, letting go but holding her shoulders.
“I hope so. We’ve been expecting news, I just don’t know what kind.”
“Go talk to your brother. I’ll be here.” He gave her shoulders a squeeze and a reassuring look.
“Thank you.” She squeezed his hand and went to Tavi.
“The deed is done, but they fought back. Alex Rhoden and Pritchard Browman are dead.”
Rebecca gasped. The knowledge that she had helped gather what was used to kill two people made her dizzy and nauseous.
“Shh.” Tavi moved in to hug her. “It’s okay. I felt like that the first I got news of what my side of the operation resulted in. But remember, they were enemies of God. We have come one step closer to securing his Heaven on Earth.”
“I know.” She sighed, feeling safe in Tavi’s arms. She then remembered that Jared was watching them from afar. At least he thought they were maternal siblings. “What do I tell him? He’ll want to talk about it and help me.”
“Tell him our uncle died, but stay low on the details unless we just put brother Marcus in as an image.”
“Brother Marcus it is,” Rebecca said, picturing the man. Yeah, he could be an uncle type. She could do it.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Nathan whipped around and pointed the spatula at Lucien. “I will not be joining in the light saber fights to get more snacks.”
Lucien laughed. “Why not?”
“Because I’m the only one who hasn’t had the opportunity to train with a lightsaber, so I’ll get my ass handed to me and get the snacks anyway.”
“You know, I could go buy us light sabers and we could—”
“No!” Nathan squinted at him, making Lucien snicker.
“You do know,” Lucien began as he got up and moved to the kitchen counter. He grabbed a wooden spoon by the head and pointed the handle at Nathan as if challenging him to a duel, and Nathan saw his mistake. “This was my sword as a child. I didn’t have all the fancy stuff kids have these days. I didn’t have glowing plastic swords or even plastic guns that could make sounds.”
“You’re making me feel guilty for not letting you have one, you know.”
“So it’s working. I’m wearing you down.” Lucien laughed loudly and ominously.
“All right there, Mr. Sith, Lord of ominous laughter.”
Lucien wagged his brows and made his way around the new dining table, moving slowly and competently.
Nathan felt stalked, and the look in Lucien’s eyes made his dick stir. Maybe the new table would have a short life. Nathan wouldn’t mind. He bit his lower lip but didn’t manage to stop himself from giggling and grabbing his spatula with both hands to point at Lucien.
“I may have grown up with wooden spoons or sticks tied together,” Lucien said, managing to stay in character as a menacing opponent. Nathan had already given up and hoped to be overpowered by the hot Sith Lord. Oh no, he was fantasizing in a sci-fi world. “But I see from your double-handed grip and too wide stance that you have much to learn... little Padawan.”
Nathan giggled again, not able to contain himself, and definitely not able to find his character.
Ethan stepped out of Shadow next to Lucien, who jumped and pointed his sword at him. But Ethan’s solemn expression quickly killed the fun.
“What is it?” Lucien demanded.
“There’s been a hit on Alex Rhoden and Pritchard Browman. They’re dead.”
Nathan�
��s stomach dropped, and he lowered the spatula.
Lucien dropped his spoon on the floor to run his hands over his head, frustrated. “What connections have been made for certain?” Lucien asked, as he went to stand next to Nathan and draped an arm over his shoulder.
“None, really, but Mr. Henry says there are connections to... he said something about the stone, yet he doesn’t know what it means yet. That’s about all I’d caught before Mr. Severin sent me here. Mr. Severin said to move you. Now.”
Nathan’s stomach dropped, and a montage of his worst memories from being smuggled to his own initiation ran through his head. He did notice that it was always just the first time dusting that did the scary replay and never the two later times.
“Do we have backup for dusting?” Lucien asked.
A grin spread on Ethan’s face. “Yeah, and I hope you’re not afraid of heights, Nathan.”
“Heights?”
“Yeah.” Ethan moved to the window and pushed the desk out of the way. He then opened it wide and looked out into the sky. “Heights.”
A booming rhythmic noise grew before Ethan jumped back from the window. Something huge appeared by their second-floor window, and Nathan yelped. Lucien growled and hugged Nathan tightly, turning to shield Nathan.
“What is that?” Nathan exclaimed as he turned in Lucien’s protective grip to see a... being. The thing clambered in through the window and stood, and Nathan felt his jaw drop. “A Gargoyle?”
“Ally of the Angels, I am Burkhart, watchman of the Order. Please let me assist you in getting you to safety. I am the fastest way out of here at the moment, and there are fire breathers on these grounds. You are not safe. My human will provide part of the diversion, and operatives are standing by to assist in powdering you.”
Oh, that deep, gravelly voice fit the huge guy perfectly. The Gargoyle’s words registered. In what? “Powdering?”
Burkhart thought for a moment. “Dusting. New words for me to learn. New many things for me to learn.”
“What about you?” Nathan turned to look at Lucien.
“I’ll follow in shadow. I need you safe, mon coeur, and Burkhart is trusted by the Order. I will trust him, too.”
“You are a cursed man like Ethan,” Burkhart said, his gaze roaming all of Lucien. “I sense the magic on you. It’s destructiveness. Follow your master’s bracelet, and my human will take over once I get you at a safe distance.”
My human.
Nathan wondered about that phrasing, but it wasn’t the time to ask. “Shit! Okay, I’ll pack up.”
“David or Kevin will come and collect your things. All you have to do is gather it in bags.” Burkhart stepped to the closet, on top of which he found two travel bags. Damn, that Gargoyle was tall. Nathan noticed that his body was covered in painted sigils. He was fascinating, but Lucien managed to get Nathan’s mind back on track by beginning the packing.
Nathan grabbed his and Eric’s journal along with the two notebooks with his translations of Lucien’s chain. “There are a few things I won’t let out of my sight.”
“What you need the most can come with us in a backpack,” Burkhart said.
Lucien found his marked duffle. “I can bring a few books, too.”
“How long are we gone for this time?” Nathan asked, looking around. “Does anyone know?”
Ethan shrugged. “We’re dusting, so... no.”
Nathan sighed and threw everything haphazardly into the bags. Lucien helped, and within ten minutes they were ready.
The Gargoyle stood motionless by the window, his eyes staring dead ahead. “The fire breathers are leaving the main structure and fanning out. Two are coming this way. I don’t know of their intentions, but if they keep their speed and direction, they will be able to see that window in seven minutes. We must be gone before then.”
“Cool,” Nathan said, wondering how the grand being could tell.
“The early spring air may be cold once we go high.” Burkhart looked at Nathan with a livelier gaze. “You should put on a winter jacket.”
Nathan pulled his winter coat from the bags and put it on. He then secured his backpack and locked the strap around his stomach.
“I’ll be right behind you, mon coeur.” Lucien leaned in for a deep kiss that helped settle Nathan’s nerves.
“See you soon.” Nathan turned to Burkhart. “So, how does this work best?”
The Gargoyle spread his arms, and Nathan went to the being. “Hold onto me with both arms and legs.” Burkhart encircled Nathan and lifted him effortlessly. Nathan locked his legs behind the huge being’s waist and held onto its shoulders. “Your heart will be safe, Shadow. I promise you.”
Nathan smiled at the Gargoyle’s promise, but he had to focus once it began moving. Three thunderous steps and Nathan felt the night air against the nape of his neck. Then his stomach dropped, and he instinctively grabbed on tighter. Burkhart held him close, and the sinking feeling disappeared, being instead replaced by a sense of freedom.
“If you would like to see the grounds from up high, now is your chance,” Burkhart said.
Nathan wasn’t sure he wanted to, but he didn’t want to miss the opportunity, either. He turned his head, and the aerial photo at the entrance to the staff’s offices wasn’t half as beautiful as the entirety of what spread out under Nathan. Or was it the cool air, the supernatural protector, and the rush of wings that dwarfed the picture’s beauty? Or the play of lights?
“It’s beautiful,” Nathan muttered in awe.
“My human is not fond of flying too high. He fears the heights. Personally, I only think he fears falling down, since the heights alone cannot harm him.”
Nathan chuckled at the Gargoyle’s reasoning.
“I am earning his trust. He has asked me to take him up more.”
“What’s his name?” Nathan asked, figuring he might as well small talk during the trip. It struck him he had no idea how long the trip was going to be.
“His name is Meino. He likes cars.”
“Do you?”
“Yes, but I cannot fit in his car.”
“I see the problem, then.”
“If you look down again, you can see the old border.”
Nathan turned his head, but it was dark, and all he could see were a few lights strewn over the landscape below. “Actually, I can’t see anything. Do you mean Hadrian’s wall?”
“Yes. We will land soon.”
“Wow, aerial transport is quick.”
The huge being chuckled. “But unsafe, with fire breathers on our tail.”
“Please don’t tell me fire breathers are dragons or something.”
Burkhart laughed. “No. Fire-breather is the term Gargoyles use for the people who speak falsely. The Templars, for instance.”
“So why do they make flying unsafe?”
“Not flying, but flying with me. They might be able to track me, but we have a plan to foil their plans.”
“The sigils on you? What are they for?”
“To hide me as best we can. But we must not underestimate this enemy.”
Nathan was about to ask more about the next part of the plan, but he then remembered that a plan to an operative in the Order consisted of about twenty interchangeable plans, each so loose that it was more of a rough sketch.
The next thing he knew, Burkhart set down by an old ruin of a church, where a car and a truck waited.
By the car, a young man stood leaning comfortably against the grill, and he smiled brilliantly at the sight of Burkhart. That had to be Meino.
The back door of the car opened, and Jenny stepped out.
“Jenny!” Nathan rushed to hug her.
“How was your flight?” she asked, hugging him back.
“It was pretty fantastic.”
“I take it you’re not afraid of heights,” the young man said.
“No.” Nathan grinned and turned to shake the young man’s hand. “I’m
Nathan Grewe.”
“Meino Ackermann.”
Lucien and Ethan stepped from the shadow behind Burkhart. Lucien squeezed the Gargoyle’s shoulder as he passed to stand with Nathan. “And the plan from here?”
“Burkhart will be hidden on the last stretch,” Meino said.
“And Meino, Ethan, and I will accompany you two in the car,” Jenny finished.
“Well, let’s go then,” Nathan said.
They all climbed into the car, and Nathan watched as Burkhart jumped up in the back of the truck. The inside of the car was like a limousine, and the four of them sat facing each other while Meino drove.
“How are you with ghosts?” Jenny asked, grinning.
Nathan shrugged. “Indifferent.”
“Damn it.” Jenny turned in her seat to address Meino. “He’s the friend who takes it pretty well.”
“I think we did, too,” Meino said. “None of us have pissed ourselves.”
Jenny snickered.
“For the record, I don’t care for them,” Lucien said.
“Where are we going, Jenny?” Nathan asked, taking Lucien’s hand.
“To an Order member. We need to figure out what happened to Alex and Pritchard, but we know magic was involved. Mr. Henry has gone to the States to attend the funeral, and he’s had operatives scour the place. Magic was there.”
“Shit.” Nathan wondered about all that had transpired since he’d learned of Alex and his involvement in the Order. Did he imagine that Alex had changed? That he had seemed to look over his shoulder more? “Why didn’t they have operatives with them? If they were hiding?”
“They did. Pritchard is one of the best, remember?” Jenny sighed and looked out the window, the unapproachable expression sliding in place. “Was one of the best,” she finally said.
Nathan’s heart ached for her. She had apparently come to care for the cut-and-dried man, and Nathan could certainly appreciate the professionalism and dedication the man had always brought to the table when dusting. But Jenny didn’t do well with loss, and she’d probably pull into herself for a while and leave people with a façade of someone socially functioning.
Gargoyle Rising Page 26
