Shadows of Fate (Shadow Born)

by Angela Dennis

  “I don’t know.” Mira grabbed Brenna’s arm. “Don’t worry, I’ll find them.” Not waiting for a response, she ran down the stairs.

  Brenna pushed back her anxiety. The smell of blood wrapped around her like a damp wool blanket as she opened the bedroom door.

  She found Lucy on Gray’s bed, pale and drawn. Her blood had soaked through the covers and the sheets around her were in tatters from her claws.

  “What happened?” Brenna moved beside the bed.

  Gray got up, visibly wounded. Blood saturated his shirt and pants. The pallor of his skin left no doubt he had lost far too much already.

  Brenna’s concern for Gray overshadowed her need for answers. She placed a hand on his arm. “I can take care of Lucy. See to yourself.”

  Gray grimaced and stepped back to allow her access to Lucy.

  “What happened to her?”

  “A demon did a number on her when she wouldn’t cooperate.”

  Brenna knelt before the gargoyle and wove a healing spell, to provide what relief she could in her weakened state. She ran her hands over Lucy’s still form, erecting a fiery barrier around her to purify the air and prevent infection. Waves of energy caressed the open wounds. Eventually, Lucy stirred. Brenna stepped back to allow the gargoyle to get her bearings.

  Tears fell down Lucy’s cheeks as she sat up. She opened and closed her wings to make sure they still worked. One of them still twitched. “Thanks. I should be dead.”

  Brenna gave a sigh of relief. Lucy needed rest. She placed a hand on Lucy’s forehead and pressed her back down. “Rest now,” Brenna whispered, using her power to compel Lucy to sleep. They would clean up the mess later.

  Exhausted, Brenna stumbled away from the bed. Gray was slumped against the far wall, eyes closed. The wall was the only thing keeping him on his feet.

  “I told you to take care of yourself,” Brenna said, moving to his side.

  He didn’t respond other than to open his eyes slightly and get up. “Follow me,” he said and led her into the hallway.

  In the next room, Brenna saw another body lying on the floor. The man was barely alive. Gray knelt beside him, rolling him onto his back so Brenna could see the damage. “Help him. There was nothing I could do.”

  She nodded. “Promise me you will take care of yourself now.”

  With a grimace he nodded. Satisfied, Brenna crouched beside the body and placed a hand on his chest. His badly singed skin was covered in greenish black bruising. His heartbeat was weak and erratic. All signs of post-possession.

  “It’s a miracle he’s not dead. I’m not sure what I can do. Lucy weakened me.” She took the man’s hand in both of her own and caressed his palm. She closed her eyes and pulled his pain within herself, allowing her power to flow through his body to heal his wounds. The extent of his injuries drained her. She could barely stand when she released his hand. She stumbled backwards, her back hitting the wall.

  She steadied herself, and found Gray standing by the doorway. He looked a little better. His skin had lost some of its gray pallor and he was moving without visible pain. “He’ll live,” she murmured. She touched Gray’s arm to get his attention. Then the room began to dim. Frantic, she grabbed at him as she fainted.

  Gray caught Brenna before she hit the floor, cradling her against him like a child. Her slight frame weighed next to nothing. It had been painful to watch her heal the others. The drain on her power was a terrible thing to behold, but there was no other choice. The host was their best hope at unraveling this mystery.

  The host cowered in the corner of the room, hunched and trembling. Gray motioned for him to stay. “Don’t leave until I come for you. Try something and I will kill you. I don’t care how hard she worked to put you back together.”

  The man nodded, sweat glistening on his pale skin.

  Brenna groaned, her eyes opening. “The man—” she murmured.

  “I won’t hurt him,” Gray answered, taking Brenna to her room.

  “He’s innocent. It must have been terrible.” She struggled in Gray’s grasp. “I can walk on my own.”

  Gray could feel her fading, but she still struggled.

  He blew on his palm then pressed it to her forehead. Her eyes rolled back and her eyelids drifted shut, like Lucy.

  Gray studied the woman in his arms. She was considered the most dangerous creature to have ever been spawned by her Lord. It seemed fear bred stupidity even in the powerful.

  His arms tightened, pressing her against him. He would protect this woman with his life. He only hoped it would be enough. If the demons came while they both were weakened, the war would be over before it began.

  Chapter Eleven

  Hours passed before Brenna stirred. Shifting on the bed, she was wary to open her eyes because they burned like they had been doused with salt water. Voices drifted in the air around her. With a groan, she slipped one eye open. Blurry faces stared at her as she struggled to sit up. She squeezed her eyes closed, took several deep breaths then opened them again.

  Mira paced the back wall, her pale skin like alabaster. Hilda floated above the bed like a vengeful goddess. Sam stood silent, his back pressed against the curved door, standing guard.

  Brenna sat up as Sam waved Gray in. “She’s up.”

  He looked better than before. His torn clothes had been changed, the blood washed from his face. But as her eyes focused and she got her first good look, she realized he was suffering. The pallor to his skin still spoke of a substantial strain on his blood and energy.

  She slung her legs over the side of the bed, grimacing as pain shot through her limbs.

  “Take it easy,” Gray slipped onto the bed and settled her against his chest. “You’re weak.”

  Her thin tank top did nothing to protect her from the heat of his chest. His distinct smell invaded her senses.

  “Fill me in,” she murmured. “I came back and Mira was talking about demons and you were half dead and covered in blood. How many attacked?”

  The others were just as attentive. Apparently they were in the dark as much as she was.

  “Only one. The van it came in is still outside. It used Lucy to find us.” Gray said. “It never said what it wanted, but I’m sure it was after the case Adare gave me. I could tell by the way it looked at it.”

  “And you sent it back across the Veil,” Brenna finished.

  “Eventually.”

  Brenna shifted, trailing a finger down the gash between her eyes. “This was no coincidence. Headquarters was swarming in demons.” She paused, trying to piece together the puzzle. “I don’t understand how they penetrated our base. Only a mole could have gotten them through security. They must have been planning this for a while.”

  “Adare may have set us up,” said Gray.

  “Were there any trackers in the bag?”

  “No.”

  “Then I doubt it.” Brenna slipped her hand into the back pocket of her jeans. She pulled out the tattered original map Claudius had given them. “I think they want this.” She held it to the light.

  Sam took the map and looked it over. “Where ever that leads, we need to get there first.”

  “Once we know where ‘there’ is.” Brenna rubbed the muscles in her aching neck. “But we need to be at full strength.”

  Gray helped her get to her feet. “We’ve used too much magic. You need to regenerate, and so do I.” He turned to the others. “A thing better done in private.”

  Mira snorted. “Come on, children. The grown-ups are going to get it on.”

  “No. Wait.” Brenna leaned against Gray, dizzy as her legs struggled to hold her weight. “Is everyone all right?”

  Sam answered for them. “Sure. Gray saved us. Pulled out some magic I haven’t seen before. Have some questions about that actually.”

  “Later,” Gray said. “Brenna will continue to weaken the longer she goes without fresh blood. If you won’t take mine, at least have Mira get your stash.”

  “You are in wors
e shape than I am. I’ll be fine. Besides, I only have one bottle left.”

  “It will take days for you to recover without blood. We don’t have that kind of time.”

  He was right. Her body was drained, her brain refused to focus and for all they knew another attack was on its way. She slipped a hand into her pocket and pulled out a key ring. She tossed it to Mira. “You know where it is.”

  Mira grabbed the keys. “You should take his blood. You need to be at full strength.”

  Brenna closed her eyes. “We’re both weak. He can’t afford to do the exchange. He’s lost too much.” Cursing under her breath, the vampire left for the kitchen.

  “Where is Lucy?”

  Gray nodded down the hall. “In my room. She’s still out. The host is locked up separately. I wanted to make sure he was free of influence before I let him go.”

  “That man is no threat. I’m surprised he survived the trauma.” Brenna stumbled forward, thankful Gray was supporting her. Without him she would have been on the floor. It wasn’t long before Mira returned with the bottle of blood.

  “How are you on blood?” Brenna asked the vampire, taking the bottle.

  “Are you kidding? I’m still high on Shadow Bearer blood.” Mira grimaced. “But the stuff we stole from Claudius was old. It smells weird. I’m not sure it’s still good, but maybe Claudius is just into vintage stuff, like wine.” She shrugged. “What are the rules now? Can I take what I need?”

  “We all need to do our part. We can’t afford to have you weak.” Brenna sighed. Desperate times and all. “But only choose those who are willing,” she warned. “Your kind have a bad enough rap amongst humans as it is.”

  Mira held her hands up. “Trust me. I’m the epitome of discretion. Besides, it’s not like they don’t get anything out of it.”

  With a shake of her head, Brenna smiled. “I need you to go to Claudius first. He wants his people back and we need an ally.” She glanced at the map still clutched in her fingers. “We need to banish enough of these demons to make raiding whatever is on this map feasible.”

  “What about Adare? Can he help? Didn’t you meet with him?” Mira asked.

  Brenna nodded. “That’s a story for another day. Just get Claudius here.”

  “Aye, Aye.” A quick salute and Mira slid from the room.

  Brenna turned to Sam. “Same goes for you. I don’t want you fighting your nature. You’re involved now. If you do this halfway, you’ll be dead in a day. Go make some lucky woman happy, but remember their limits.” Sam nodded and left.

  “Hilda?”

  The ghost snapped to attention. “Yes, boss?”

  “Just go.”

  “Awwww…” She blinked away.

  With the room empty of everyone but Gray, Brenna tipped the bottled blood to her lips and took a long drink. The lukewarm liquid soothed her throat. It wasn’t close to the power buzz she would have gotten from a fresh source, but it was a start. Even now she could feel her blood recharging itself, her power rekindling.

  The bottle still half full, she handed it to Gray. He eyed it like he’d been offered wine from a box.

  “It’s a poor substitute.”

  She shrugged. “You’re in no position to be picky. When we’re stronger we can share blood, but I can’t do it now.”

  He took the bottle from her fingers and finished it with one long pull. The glow of his power still looked strangely familiar and for a moment she thought she saw beneath the glamour. “Tell me the truth,” she asked. “What is your secret? Who are you really?”

  Warm with the intimacy of their connection, Gray moved into her, wrapping her in his arms. “You need to rest. You’re not thinking clearly.”

  “And you are?” She pushed him back. “I’ve been beneath your glamour. There is something different about you. I want to know what.”

  “Brenna.” He tried to pull her back to him, but she resisted.

  “I have lost too much to trust easily, but I want to trust you.” She moved away from him. “There is something familiar about you. I can’t put my finger on it, but I will.”

  “A wise man would question your inability to trust your ally.” Gray got up and trapped her against the wall. “A wiser man would leave you to your own devices.” His long fingers caressed a stray hair tickling her face.

  “It’s hard to trust someone you know is lying, but insists on knowing all your secrets.” Brenna shifted as his hard body tightened against her, pressing her closer.

  “I know, but I have my reasons.” His breath danced across her forehead. “And you need me.”

  “For now.” Raising her arms, she pushed at his chest.

  Gray sighed and stepped back. “What did you learn from Adare?”

  “Not much,” she replied. “Hilda swiped this from his pocket.” She pulled out another tattered parchment.

  “A symbol. Do we know what it means?” He looked more closely. “I’ve seen this before. It was on the letter we found with Marissa’s remains. The pieces don’t add up. What isn’t he telling us? Do you think Adare betrayed us?”

  She was not blind. She’d known Adare had fallen, just not this far. “I don’t know. He might be working both sides.”

  Gray frowned. “He told me nothing good comes out of playing both sides. If you’re right he’ll learn the truth in that.” He then stared down at the parchment. “Do you feel the same about me?”

  The question made her pause. A part of her, a delusional part, did trust Gray. And he had proven that trust was not in vain.

  “No. I know you’re on our side. You deserve at least a portion of my trust.” She paused. The words were simple, but hopefully enough. “Thanks.” He grinned. “I know that had to be painful.” He handed her back the parchment. “Even if Adare betrayed us, we can’t discount everything he said. There may be more going on than we realize, and you are only damaging yourself by making things black and white.”

  He was right. It was how she had always seen the world. Things were either good or evil; right or wrong. There were never shades of gray.

  That had been her undoing before.

  “Unfortunately, Adare only gave me more questions. At least we know Claudius has a stake in this now. We should start there.” She stretched her arms in front of her body to loosen the muscles.

  “Agreed. Once you are stronger, we need to speak to the host.”

  Having felt the man’s memories, she had a hard time feeling anything other than pity for him. “Let’s do it now. I want it over with.”

  “Is the host lucid or did the demon destroy his mind?” Gray’s breathing deepened as they left the bedroom, making Brenna wonder if he was still injured.

  “He was lucid once I healed him, but for all intents and purposes his soul was raped. His memories will be piecemeal at best.”

  The host lay on a blanket on the wooden floor, a shell of what he must have been. Asleep, curled in a ball, arms clutching at his knees, he rocked back and forth, incoherent words spilling from his lips.

  Brenna crouched in front of him, placing a hand on his head. Gently, she probed his mind. The dreams that had taken hold of him were violent memories of his life with the demon.

  She looked back at Gray. “It may be easier for all of us if I probe his consciousness and transfer the memories to you. I could erase the horror from his mind, but I’m not sure that would be best.” She paused, thinking carefully. “There is a reason the demon chose him. A weakness. The possession may have taught him what that was. If I strip his memories, he will revert back to the person he was before. He’ll make the same mistakes.”

  Gray nodded. “They are his war wounds. I think we should wake him.” He crouched next to Brenna. “He needs to know he helped us. It’s his chance at redemption.”

  Brenna waved her hand over the man’s eyes and he began to regain consciousness. He jerked upright, his eyes stretched wide like he’d just seen Hell.

  “Are you all right?” Gray asked as he offered a hand.
>
  It took several attempts, but the man was able to grasp Gray’s hand. Tremors shook his body, making it difficult to stand.

  “The things they made me do. The things I did—”

  Brenna stopped him. “The demon did those things, not you.”

  Gray placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. “What is your name?”

  The man hung his head, refusing to meet Gray’s eyes. “Brandon.”

  “Mine is Gray. This is Brenna. We need you to tell us everything you can remember about your time with the demon.”

  A change came over Brandon. His skin paled as he began to shake. “No. I don’t want to remember.” He cast his eyes around the room as if looking for escape. “You don’t understand—”

  “Then make us understand,” Brenna said soothingly. “If you don’t help us, others will go through what you did.”

  “No, please.” He wrapped shivering arms around his thin body. “Nothing is worth reliving that nightmare.”

  “If they win, they will possess you again. They’ll possess everyone. This is not random, Brandon. They’re organized. They’re coming in force.”

  He paled. “You think you can stop them?”

  “Yes, but we need your help.” Gray motioned for him to sit again. “Take your time, but we need to know what you saw. Everything.”

  He dropped down on the bed. “I was homeless, had been for a while. My life was all about finding the next fix.” A flush spread across his pale skin. “I wanted to get clean, find my family, and this man came to me and told me he knew how to do it. He had a pill he said would cure me.” He stopped, rubbing a hand over his face. “It sounds so stupid now, but I believed him. I was willing to try anything. When I took it everything changed. The world got darker and there was this horrible pain. I thought I was going to die.” He shook, his hand clenching and unclenching.

  “When I woke I was in a room with maybe a hundred other guys. They all looked pretty rough. I knew where I was, but I had no control. None of us did.”

  “Your mind was clear?” Brenna asked.

  “Yeah. You know those stories you hear about people waking up when they are under in surgery but they can’t speak or move. It was like that. This thing controlled my body and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Others too. You could see it in their eyes sometimes.”