The Dark Calling

by Cole, Kresley

  Didn’t sound promising. “I doan suppose coo-yôn offered up any wisdom when he sent you the vision?”

  Domīnija shook his head. “Nothing of consequence to me.”

  Typical. “I heard he offed Evie in a past life.”

  “His biggest regret. He was never the same after that.”

  “From what I understand, if he’d given me directions to the castle, I could’ve reached Evie before you took her to bed. She would’ve come back to me. Would’ve chosen me.”

  He briefly closed his eyes. “Yes.” Seeming to give himself an inner shake, he said, “Which means everything that is happening to us is because of the Fool. He must’ve wanted the Empress to have a child.”

  Evie curled up closer to me. Before I’d even thought about it, I pressed a kiss to her hair. Death stiffened in his seat.

  “The jealousy’s about to eat you alive, non? I can only imagine what’s goan on inside you right now.”

  “My servant stole all that I’d ever worked for, and you took all that I love.”

  “You sure did make it easy.” Stony stare. “What? You’re your own worst enemy.”

  Clenching the wheel, he said, “Newsflash, Deveaux, I was under the thrall of another card.”

  “You’re not now. Here’s a hint. Maybe in the future, doan brag that you escaped an Arcana’s mind control just so you could behead your wife.”

  “Should I have lied? As you customarily do?”

  “Oh, no, no, I learned my lesson, me. No more lies. But goddamn, man, you could try softly handing her the truth instead of clubbing her with it.” I lowered my voice to say, “She’s wiped out, scared, and pregnant. Instead of abiding by your sterling sense of morality, consider her and the baby. Think: buffer.”

  “Buffer?”

  He was actually listening to me? Taking advice from a much—much—younger man? “Doan give her anything too heavy to carry.” For weeks, I’d been trying to cushion her from the world, and I had. Until today.

  “Before Paul struck, I did endeavor to buffer her.” He muttered to himself, “The Empress is as fragile as she is strong.”

  One way to look at her. “Hell, this might be a moot point.”

  “Why? What are you talking about?”

  I met his gaze. “Before she took out the Cups, they bludgeoned her head, threw her on the floor, and bled her. She still might lose Tee.”

  All light dimmed in the Reaper’s eyes. “Then I was too late after all.”

  “Maybe so,” I said, while wondering how much more guilt Domīnija could shoulder before he snapped.

  44

  The Empress

  Day 584 A.F.

  “Where are we?” I sat up, blinking my bleary eyes.

  Aric had just parked the truck. “Outside the cave.”

  “Really?” I didn’t recognize our snowy surroundings.

  “I’d like you both to stay here while I clear the area. Allow me to start a fire if possible.”

  “By all means.” Jack turned up the heater in advance of Aric’s departure. “The entrance is due north from here. Look for lion bones. Inside, there’s a bag for Evie with cold-weather gear.”

  “I’ll return with it.” Casting me a last look, Aric dashed from the truck.

  As I watched him disappear into the night, I said, “We got here this quickly?”

  “Ouais. The beauty of no pit stops.”

  Aric had simply moved the obstacles. The first time we’d come upon a blocked road, Jack had been keen to help. Aric had told him, “Without proper clothing, you’ll get frostbite. Besides, I need no assistance.”

  Jack had started to argue, but Aric had cut him off: “I am asking you not to get in my way, mortal.”

  “Then knock yourself out, Reaper. I’ll be inside keeping my girl warm.”

  As we’d watched Aric shoving aside the first wreck, Jack’s lips had parted. “Has he always been that strong?”

  I’d shaken my head. “Supernaturally so. But not like this.”

  Over the night, I would rouse from the shock of cold whenever Aric opened the door to go move another vehicle. But then I would promptly pass out again.

  I raised my hands to the air vent. “It’s getting colder.”

  Jack enfolded me in his strong arms, his delicious warmth seeping into me. “’Cause we’re heading up into the mountains.”

  “You know that’s not the reason it’s this cold.” The weather continued to deteriorate. The idea of remaining out in the Ash during snowmageddon was laughable. I had no choice but to face Paul. My out-of-options brand of bravery would be forced to rise again.

  “I also know the midwife said you shouldn’t be worrying about things you can’t control.”

  Ah, but maybe I did have some control over the weather. With the end of the game, the earth should return. Maybe all the united Minors truly would call open season on the Majors, hurrying things along.

  Jack stroked my hair behind my ear. “So, we goan to talk about went down with the Cups?”

  If we must.

  “You didn’t have to take that risk, Evie. Letting her have your blood.”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “Because you would do anything to save Domīnija? Was the alternative so bad—living out a life with me?”

  I drew back from him. “Aric said the same thing when I tried to turn back time to resurrect you. Of all the things I’ve done to him over the millennia, I think that hurt him the worst.”

  Jack glanced in Aric’s direction, as if trying to imagine how the man must’ve felt. “What happened with your powers in Jubilee?”

  “I barely remember the attack.”

  “You blanked out?”

  “No, not exactly.” How to explain what I’d felt? “It was like an out-of-body experience, with the red witch in control.” Snippets of memories kept slipping into my consciousness.

  The sound of my new noose tightening. Of bones snapping. The smell of their fear mixed with my roses.

  Practice for the Hanged Man?

  Lorraine had whispered something about Richter right before I’d ended her. What, what? “I get scared by what I can recall.”

  Jack’s expression said it’d scared him too. “I goaded you, but it seemed different than it’d been in the past.”

  “Do you remember when you beat up that man who wanted to hurt your mom? You looked as if some force had overtaken you. I felt the same way. Out of control. Horrified by myself after the fact. But at the time . . .”

  “Everything was right in the world?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Evangeline, it ain’t ever goan to be easy with you, is it?”

  “Nope.” He’d asked me that before, and my answer had never wavered.

  “No matter what happened, I’m proud of you for taking care of business.” He jerked his chin toward the cave. “How’re you doing with him around?”

  “Conflicted. You?”

  “Same. Granted, he’s handy to have on our side. But this has got to be messing with your mind. I doan know that I could sit beside someone who’d recently tried to off me.”

  And who’d succeeded in the past. “The red witch wasn’t exactly a fan of Aric’s before he nearly skewered me, and she’s not discerning. If she slips the leash . . .”

  “I sure would miss him.”

  Smartass Cajun. “Part of me wants to hurt him for everything I’ve been forced to endure. But not like she would. Never like that.”

  Jack sighed. “Still in love with two.”

  “I wish I wasn’t. I really do.”

  He gruffly said, “Whenever we get started together, he always rides in and rips us apart. We had a good thing goan before he came along.”

  Good thing? Jubilee could never have lasted. But the castle was life support, the spaceship on the surface of the moon. And Paul now ruled over it.

  Did the Hanged Man sleep in the room I’d shared with Aric? Bile rose in my throat. What if he tried something with Lark? Mind-controlling h
er into his bed? “Jack, we’re going to figure everything out. But first I’ve got to take Paul down. You won’t talk me out of it, and I won’t let you go in my place.”

  “We’ll see about that.” He brushed his scarred knuckles over my cheek. “I’d kiss you to take your mind off things, but I made you a promise not to pressure you. Considering how you respond to me, well, it wouldn’t even be fair to the Reaper.”

  My lips twitched. “Very big of you.”

  “If you knew how bad I want more of what we enjoyed . . .” He leaned in to nuzzle my ear, his stubble giving me shivers. “This is a sacrifice without equal. Woman, you turned me inside out.”

  I sucked in a breath. “Mutual.”

  Snow crunched outside. Considering how quiet Aric could be, he must be purposely making noise. Can’t stand to see us together? Should’ve decided to come take my icon sooner.

  Jack pulled back from me, exhaling with disappointment. “Returned already?”

  Aric had two bags in hand and Jack’s bow slung over his armored shoulder. I braced against the cold as he climbed in the truck. He handed me my bag, then tossed Jack’s stuff to him. “Your take is impressive, mortal.”

  Jack seemed surprised and reluctantly pleased by the praise. “Kentarch made it possible.”

  I pulled on gloves, a hat, a scarf, and a thicker parka. “But it was Jack’s idea.” Because of him, I now had a bounty of clothes.

  “I doan like to keep all my eggs in one basket.” Jack dragged on gear as well, then shouldered his bow. “We’ll pack up the Beast before we leave, take some of our windfall with us.”

  Aric said, “The snow is deep, making the trail treacherous. I can carry her faster than she can hike.” He pulled off his gauntlets. In readiness? He wouldn’t feel the temperature as we would, and he’d probably take the cold just to have fewer layers between me and him.

  Jack didn’t like that a bit. “Or I can carry her.” With his bad leg and my extra weight?

  “Come, sievā.” Aric offered his hand—as he had when he’d leaned out of the castle window, coaxing me closer.

  I stared at his hand, wanting to tell him I didn’t need his help. But didn’t I? I’d slept for what felt like a dozen hours but was still exhausted, and I was starving again. When I’d trekked from this cave weeks ago, I’d needed Joules’s help to make it to the road.

  “Peekôn?”

  “I’ll be okay.” Lips pursed, I took Aric’s hand.

  He upped the ante. “I’d like to talk to you inside. Alone. Mortal, you may take your time.”

  I glanced at Jack. “I might as well get this over with.”

  Tick, tick, tick.

  Before Jack could say anything, Aric drew me into his arms, then swept me from the truck into the freezing night.

  I didn’t know where to hold on to him. He had no such problems; one of his hands gently grasped my waist, the other palming the back of one thigh. He carried me as if nothing had happened between us, as if he’d just swooped me up to take me to bed.

  Was he getting his fix? The thought made me shiver.

  He mistook my reaction. “Almost there, love. It will be warm by the fire.”

  Though I was nervous to be this close to him, my body remembered his. Even with his armor, we fit. I still felt our soul-deep bond, could almost hear that endless wave along the shore.

  As soon as the thought arose, I recalled his snide tone as he’d said, “By all the gods your tears cheer me.”

  On the way inside, we passed those lion bones. I’d never forget the taste of that meat. How desperate I’d been for it . . .

  When we entered the firelit cave, my lips parted at the treasure trove of supplies. Food. Full gas cans. Fireplace logs and wood furniture to burn.

  Though proud of the guys’ haul, my surroundings rattled me. Too many memories lingered here. My gaze darted from one area to the next.

  That patch of dirt was where I’d passed out, wondering if I’d ever wake up.

  That rock shelf was where I’d contemplated drinking Kentarch’s blood. Our friend was missing, aching for his beloved wife, and probably insane.

  Beside that fire pit was where I’d eaten cat food. A couple of empty cans remained in a trash pile off to the side.

  “You can put me down,” I said, my tone sharp.

  He crossed to the fire, then set me on my feet. “As you wish,” he replied, ever gallant.

  Pulling off my gloves, I took a seat by the flames and held my hands out to the heat. “You wanted to talk.”

  His gaze fell on my left hand. “You no longer wear my ring?” I thought he bit the inside of his cheek; regretting his opening line?

  I pulled the ring out of my pocket and offered it back. “Maybe I should have destroyed it in retaliation. If you knew how much time and effort I spent crafting yours . . .”

  “I can only imagine. I grieve it.” He reached for my hand, closing my fingers around the ring. The contact of our skin made his voice grow raspy as he said, “Please honor me by keeping this for now.”

  I feigned an uncaring shrug, then pocketed it again.

  Clearing his throat, he said, “You haven’t made one for Jack?” He probably hated how hopeful he sounded.

  “Been a little busy,” I lied. I’d had far too much time in the tin can, but a part of me must’ve held out hope that I’d get Aric back. And a girl couldn’t be committed to two guys. Right?

  When I thought back over the last few weeks, I felt a fresh wave of sadness. I’d mistrusted Jubilee, hated being confined, but at least I’d had Jack by my side.

  Talking every night. The warmth of his arms around me as the storms raged. Tee fluttering under his hand until Jack swore he could almost feel him.

  My eyes widened. Tee. I’d grown so sensitive to his movements that I always woke, but I hadn’t awakened for hours and hours in the truck. He still hadn’t fluttered at all?

  I reached up to touch my head. The knot was gone, but it’d been severe. And I’d bled a lot. How much can this kid take?

  Aric glanced at the cave entrance and back. Feeling pressured for time? “You told me on the phone that you would choose me if I came for you. Did you mean that?”

  “At the time, I did. I know you won’t believe this, but Jack and I never got together before two nights ago.”

  “I do believe you. Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Because you’ve considered me a lying ‘harlot’ for longer than you haven’t.”

  He flinched. “What made you decide to . . . take that step with Deveaux after waiting so long?”

  “It doesn’t matter why.”

  “Do you intend to be with him? I know you two had planned a future before Richter’s massacre.”

  I gazed at the fire, couldn’t even think about that now. “I don’t know what will happen.” What had Aric said? The future is fluid.

  He sat beside me. “Talk to me, please.”

  Really? Be careful what you wish for. “I hope I didn’t overstep when I promised Joules that you would help him and Gabe once we took back the castle—your home. If not for the Tower, I would have been eaten alive by wolves before Kentarch ever had a chance to rescue us. You remember that, don’t you? When you stood on that rise, ready to watch your pregnant wife be slaughtered.”

  His eyes were stark.

  “But then, you didn’t believe I was knocked up. You believed it was just more of my Empress conniving.”

  “When I left the sphere and my thoughts became my own again, I realized that you were out here, starving, and with child . . . our child . . . .” His voice grew ragged. “I relived all I did to you. Sievā, there are no words.”

  Why was I unleashing so much anger on him? Because I’d been hurt? So had he been. Because I didn’t want to be in a position of choice again? If I never forgave Aric for what had happened to me over the hellish last two months, then my life would be easier. My heartache would be lessened. “I owe my life to Patrick Joules. Tell me, do you still regret that I spa
red him back in Requiem, Tennessee? You made me feel foolish, telling me, ‘Have you lost your wits, creature?’ Paul wasn’t controlling you back then.”

  “You are teaching me, sievā. I understand now that players can change. We’re not bound by the past. Joules and Gabriel are both welcome within the castle. I owe them both debts that I can never repay.”

  “More mouths to feed? You were already rationing.”

  “We still have fifty years. I was greedy for a decade or two more, so our child could live a full life.”

  “How’s Paul going to manage the resources while you’re away?”

  Aric’s expression told me he had concerns.

  “That good, huh? I know you and Jack think you’re going to talk me out of challenging him, but you won’t. We don’t have a choice. You feel how cold it is tonight. I don’t plan on giving birth in this cave.”

  “Instead you plan on risking our son in an Arcana battle.”

  “Those who threaten my kid don’t live long.” I kept saying my kid. It didn’t feel right to include Aric by saying our. And didn’t Jack have as much claim? Without him, there’d be no kid. “If I’m in enough jeopardy”—and enraged enough—“the red witch should rise.” The trick was sticking to the shallow end.

  “Should? Should?” Aric stood, beginning to pace.

  “She took me over completely in the battle with the Cups. It was like an out-of-body experience.”

  He slowed. “Ah, that is what the mortal hesitated to tell me.”

  “In fact, I don’t recommend lowering your guard around me. When I knocked you out last time, the witch wanted to kill you. What if I lost control again? I could poison you in your sleep.”

  “You’ve unleashed her before and returned to normal.”

  “The return gets dicier each time.” Rage was a type of madness, and I had enough on tap to lose my mind a thousand times over. “I’m coming to believe I’ll eventually turn into her for good, just as I always have before. Only a matter of time. I’m her, and she’s me.”

  “I don’t believe that. You’ve come so far. And you won’t harm me. Even in self-defense, you hesitated to strike against me.”

  My gaze lit on those cursed cat-food cans. The sight ratcheted up my fury even more. “I didn’t have this much rage in me before. Facing off against you made me understand it better than I ever have. When you attacked, your eyes were filled with it.”