Shadows of Fate (Shadow Born)

by Angela Dennis

  Gray leaned forward. “The room you were in. Can you describe it?”

  “Sure. They moved us throughout this building. It was a big building. Official feeling. I think part of it was underground, but it had to be somewhere in the mountains because I couldn’t breathe well.” He paused. “I have asthma,” he explained. “The demon didn’t care for that, but they wouldn’t let the thing inside me use a different body. Said something about running tests. They had me inhale some powder stuff so I could breathe.”

  “What did the place look like?” Anticipation rose in Brenna, she knew a place like the one he described.

  “Kind of like a hospital with white walls and floors, metal beds, restraints. It was horrible.”

  “Was there a statue in the cafeteria of a woman with wolves curled around her legs?"

  Brandon nodded. “How do you know?”

  “I’ve been there.”

  “You’ve been there?” Gray asked.

  “Xavier and I did a raid there a few years back. It’s St. Elizabeth General. It was left intact as if the staff left abruptly in the middle of a shift. The entire place was put into some kind of protective stasis. The wards around it were so strong even the drugs were still in the cabinets. We ended up leaving it alone.”

  Gray nodded. “I think I’ve heard of the place. On a fault line that runs straight through the Veil. It makes sense they would use it.” He turned back to Brandon. “Where would they take you when you left?”

  Brenna wouldn’t have thought it possible, but the man’s skin became even paler. “The demon was assigned to old Denver to recruit more of us. Convince the street rats to take the same drug, promise the same miracle cure. If they wouldn’t do it, we killed them and the demon ate the shell.” Hands still shaking, he picked at his pants.

  “So your demon was a pusher?” Gray asked, shaking his head.

  Brandon nodded.

  Gray pushed forward. “Then why were you chosen to take us on?”

  Brandon shrugged. “All I know is one moment we were on Sixteenth Street drugging some kid and then we were jumping into a van and racing out of the city.”

  “So you weren’t able to hear the demons communicate with one another.”

  “Only when they let us or we were face to face. Mostly I didn’t know what was going to happen until we were doing it. We stopped to pick up this creature, kind of like a hippo with wings. She was already beaten up by two other demons. They told her to give us directions and when she refused we…” He couldn’t finish his sentence.

  “Thank you. I think we know the rest.” Gray shifted to his feet.

  “Can I sleep now?” Brandon seemed to crawl inside himself.

  Brenna nodded. “I know that had to be hard. Get some rest. We’ll get you a room with a bed soon.

  They watched the human curl up with his blanket on the floor. Out in the hall Brenna asked, “Do you think he will survive?”

  Gray shrugged. “It’s up to him. He might decide to give up.” He paused. “You should send the coordinates of the hospital to Seraph.”

  “I’ll check into it.” Seraph stepped into the room, startling both of them. It took a moment for Brenna to recognize him. One arm had been ripped off his suit coat. His white starched shirt was covered in blood, and more was smeared across his face and into his hair.

  “You, uh, wouldn’t happen to have a change of clothes, would you?”

  Gray nodded. “After you tell us what happened.”

  What little joviality had been in Seraph’s face faded. “Brenna saw most of it. The demons attacked. We fought back. We lost a lot of people.”

  “But how did they get in?” Brenna asked.

  “Right through the front door. They took Lucy first, so there was no one to sound the alarm. An agent had to of let them in. No one else knows the passcodes and wards.” Seraph stripped off his jacket and tattered shirt. His chest was a mosaic of cuts and bruises. “We change the codes every hour.” He shut his eyes and a glow enveloped him, healing the wounds.

  “So someone high enough up to come and go as they pleased?” Gray considered. “Are you warded against ghosts?”

  Brenna snorted. “They had me try to break in several times to test the system. Never could. We’re warded against everything.”

  “I suppose.” Gray motioned for Seraph to follow them into his room. Walking through the door, he pulled open the closet and tossed him jeans and a clean shirt.

  “We’re already regrouping,” Seraph said, placing the clothes on the bed. “I brought the wounded with me. They’re downstairs. Some are in bad shape. They need a healer.” Seraph caught Brenna’s gaze.

  She nodded, resigned. It would take what strength she had left to heal the others. “Take a shower and change. I’ll do what I can.”

  Seraph gathered the clothes and went to the bathroom to change.

  Gray leaned against the closet door, arms crossed. “So what do we deal with first?”

  Brenna moved more fully into the room. “Let’s start with the host.”

  “We can’t let him go,” Gray said. “He’s demon fodder. For all we know that pill will make it easier for him to be repossessed. The wards in this house might be the only thing keeping him safe.”

  “Perhaps.” Brenna sat on the bed. “But he’s in just as much danger here. Maybe Seraph can ship him somewhere until this is over. We’ll deal with him then.”

  “Consider it done.” Seraph came out of the bathroom. He was dressed in casual clothes, but he still looked like a bad ass.

  “Thanks.” Gray rubbed his neck. “Next issue. You need blood before you heal anyone.” He walked over to her. “The bottled stuff has had time to work. An exchange would give us both strength.” He moved past her, sliding the door closed and flipping the lock. “What do you say?”

  She shook her head. “You make it sound as if I have a choice.” The soft linen sheets were cool beneath her palms as she pushed herself back on the bed.

  Lifting her arm, he twined his fingers around her wrist. “Your pulse is racing.” He paused, caressing her skin. “Excited you’ll be able to see beneath my glamour?”

  She snorted. “We’re not exchanging that much blood.”

  “Yet,” he whispered. He leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to hers. “You may not trust me, but you do want me.”

  She shook her head. “I haven’t had sex in a century. It’s my body that wants you. Not my brain.”

  “The result is the same.”

  She shivered as he traced a finger across her lips. “Stop trying to make this more than it is,” she ordered. Pulling back her head, she bared her throat. “Do it. We need to get back to the others.”

  “Scared?” he breathed against her skin before his teeth pierced her flesh. Her body urged her to turn into him, to touch the hard flesh of his chest, to pull her fingers through his thick hair.

  This was insanity. She didn’t even know him. Not really. Closing her eyes, she tried to count to a hundred.

  She made it to three.

  Although he only touched her with his mouth, heat suffused her skin, warmth crawling through every molecule. Her body ached with want as he drank. Her hands lifted without her permission to wind into his hair and pull him closer.

  God how she wanted him.

  He released her abruptly, and pulled her into him, her hands caught in the locks of his hair. They fell back onto the bed with her on top. She came back to consciousness to find his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. Her face was pressed into the curve of his neck, her tongue tracing circles around his pulse point.

  “Don’t tease, love. Bite.”

  Not giving herself time to think, she did as he asked. Her teeth sank into Gray’s flesh and his blood flowed into her body. He tasted glorious. His skin was hot beneath her fingers, his muscles hard. His power flowed through her, renewing her blood and sharpening her senses. When his essence danced across the link between them, she thankfully had enough sense to
stop.

  She would learn his secrets, but not like this.

  She withdrew, hands still pressed against his chest. “Feel better now?”

  “Much.” Gray released her waist and let her pull away. “One day we will have to do this properly.”

  Brenna flushed. “I have to help the others.”

  Laughing, Gray stood up. “You’re not always going to have an excuse to run away.”

  With Gray’s blood still coursing through her, she hurried from the room.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gray watched Brenna escape. He cursed the residual aches and pains as he stood and stretched. The mess he had created was getting more complex by the moment. Deep down he didn’t want Brenna to trust him. Trust would intensify her sense of betrayal when she learned the truth, and she’d been hurt enough already.

  He could hear the cries of Taskforce staff and security as he walked the hallway looking for Seraph. Although Gray had not seen their wounds, he knew from the sounds that the demons had inflicted terrible damage. This was quickly becoming a war, and it was only a matter of time before the rest of the world was involved.

  The sounds of pain increased as he moved down the steps, and he wished he could somehow block out the screams. It was then he saw Seraph. Standing at the far side of the living room in his borrowed clothes, he watched Brenna heal his men.

  The wooden floorboards creaked as Gray moved to Seraph’s side. “I didn’t realize it was this bad,” Gray said.

  Gray watched Brenna work on Seraph’s soldiers. One young man’s head had a hole in its side the size of a fist. It was a miracle he was alive.

  Brenna held the young soldier gently against her. Her eyes were sealed shut, her magic working around them.

  “She’s pretty incredible,” said Seraph. “I can only heal myself.”

  Gray nodded. It was something to see. Even he couldn’t do what Brenna was doing. Not on this scale.

  Seraph’s gaze hardened “It shouldn’t have happened. I took all the necessary precautions. I’m still not convinced Orien is responsible for this, though. My sources all say he’s dead.”

  “Last I heard, so was I,” said Gray.

  Seraph considered this. “Fair point. Well, if he is alive, he won’t be for long.”

  “Agreed.” Gray gripped his friend’s shoulder. “We’ll get him.”

  Seraph nodded and pushed away to help with the wounded.

  The air shifted, cold seeping beneath Gray’s clothes. Hilda appeared before him. Her hair in long braids, dressed as if in black leather bondage gear.

  He cocked an eyebrow.

  A grin spread across the spirit’s lips. “I was following Mira.” She shrugged. “It seemed appropriate.”

  Gray chuckled. “As long as you fit in.”

  Her grin broadened. “Mira brought Claudius. Forcefully.” Her laugh was like hot water sliding across an ice cube.

  “You don’t like Claudius?”

  Hilda sniffed, not that she needed to. “We need allies. Even a blood sucking parasite is better than nothing.” She shrugged. “I spent years killing them. I don’t trust them.”

  “But you’re friends with Mira.”

  She shrugged again. “There’s always exceptions. I even like some Shadow Bearers.”

  Gray ignored the taunt. Hilda thrived on exacerbating others. “I’m surprised you came to me and not Brenna. Are your alliances changing?”

  “Maybe.” She winked. “You’re stronger, and better looking”

  “Good to know.” Gray moved to the doorway. “Get Mira and Claudius settled in the parlor. I’ll get Brenna when she’s ready.”

  “Yes, Sir.” She dissipated. The cold that had enveloped their corner of the room faded with her.

  Moving into the makeshift emergency room, he stopped behind Brenna. Pressing his hand against her back, he gave her some of his power, allowing her to finish healing the soldier. After laying the boy on his back, she placed her hand in Gray’s and he helped her stand.

  “What is it?” she asked. Her legs threatened to buckle.

  He wrapped his arms around her, giving into the desire to pull her close. “Mira and Claudius are waiting.” He tried to think of the most tactful way to continue. “You need to rest before you see Claudius. Don’t let him see you this weak.”

  Brenna frowned. “It’s that obvious? I can’t wait. Claudius will throw a tantrum and leave.”

  “You have my blood. Wait at least five minutes and you’ll be fine. Claudius will keep.” Gray led her into the foyer. Once they were hidden under the curve of the stairs, he asked, “Why did you run away earlier?”

  She looked away as if she was ready to do it again. “I had to get to Seraph’s men. You see how bad they are.”

  “There is more to it than that. You wanted to get away from me.” He leaned forward. Even through the stench of illness and death, she smelled sweet, like peppermint.

  “Now isn’t the time, Gray.” She side stepped. “We need to speak with Claudius.”

  “You will.” He leaned forward, pressing a quick kiss to her cold lips. “But I want you strong when you face him.”

  “And making out with you under the stairwell will help?”

  He grinned. “You won’t know until you try.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Your ego may rub off on me. That alone would help.”

  The color had returned to her cheeks. He pushed her gently and she didn’t collapse.

  “What was that for?”

  “I wanted to make sure you were ready.” Grinning, he offered her his arm.

  Sighing, she followed him. “You could have just said that.”

  “You tend to be overconfident in that regard.”

  In the parlor, Claudius had settled on the couch. Mira hovered over him, a frightening look in her eyes. Words, the kind that would make a lesser man blush, flowed through the room as they argued.

  “I see Mira convinced you to come.” Brenna stepped into the room, Gray moving off to one side. “We could use your help. And you could use ours.”

  Claudius ripped his eyes from Mira, his brow raised in mock amusement. “I figured it was only a matter of time before you came to me with your tail between your legs.” He stretched his arm across the back of the couch. “What do you want?”

  Brenna slowly moved forward. “Well, pointers for one. The demons have had you back pedaling for centuries. It’s a new experience for us.”

  Claudius blanched. Rising, he walked across the room until they were nose to nose. “You may be a Shadow Bearer, but you will show me the appropriate respect.”

  Brenna rolled her eyes. “I am more powerful than you can imagine, vampire. You will have my respect once you’ve earned it.”

  Claudius adjusted his cape. “Then there is nothing more for us to say.” He turned to leave.

  Brenna cursed. She had let her agitation over Gray get to her. The vampire had an enormous ego. She couldn’t afford to alienate him.

  She bowed her head deferentially. “I apologize. The situation has overwhelmed my better judgment.” He stopped at the door, a smile playing on his lips. “Miracles never cease. A Shadow Bearer coming to me for help. You must need me badly to apologize.”

  “The demons are going to win this war. But if we work together, I believe we can overtake them.” Claudius shifted beneath her gaze. “Interested?”

  Claudius considered her words. “You have nothing to offer me. Aside from you and Gray, my people are stronger and have more experience.”

  “Don’t be too sure about that,” Mira said under her breath.

  “I saw your soldiers downstairs…what was left of them. I wasn’t impressed.”

  “Our men are trained for open warfare,” said Brenna. “Had that attack been at your compound, none of your men would have survived.”

  Gray moved beside her. “Claudius, we know where your people are being held and we are willing to make rescuing them a priority.”

  “Unless you aren�
��t interested in the help,” Brenna said. She turned to Mira. “How many has he lost so far?”

  “Sixty, maybe more.” Mira now stood behind Claudius, lightly resting a hand on his shoulder. “You should have trained them better,” she whispered.

  “Enough.” He pushed her back. “I am your elder. Be silent.”

  “Elder bastard more like.”

  He ignored Mira’s taunt. “I am willing to consider your offer. But you have to control this one.”

  “Consider her controlled.” Gray cast a warning glance at Mira. “But we’ll need something to concrete our alliance.”

  “I see.” Claudius brushed imaginary lint from his velvet robe. “All for one and one for all. It seems rather cliché. Should we open some champagne and toast?”

  “I had something more appropriate in mind.” Brenna offered him her hand and led him back to the sofa. She sat down beside him, leaning forward. “I need a token of your loyalty.” Placing her finger over the pulse at his neck, she smiled. “A blood oath.”

  Gray controlled his urge to interfere. A blood oath was intimate, sensual. It was not something he wanted Brenna to share with anyone. But he held his tongue because it was necessary. The exchange would also allow them to keep tabs on Claudius. The temptation of Shadow Bearer blood had left Claudius with a glazed look as he leaned into Brenna’s touch. “I need your oath, Claudius. Swear you will not betray us,” Brenna whispered against his ear. “Swear it.”

  Fighting the desire to rip her away from the vampire, Gray watched Brenna press her mouth against Claudius’ neck.

  Claudius’ head fell back as she pierced his flesh with her teeth. “My loyalty is to you and yours,” he said, and shivered as she drank. “I will not betray you and neither will my clan.”

  Brenna lifted her head as the last word slipped from his lips, leaving Claudius slightly bemused. “You made the right choice. We are stronger together.”

  Claudius’ turned his eager gaze to Brenna. “You need to make the same oath to me. I won’t go into battle unless you guarantee me the same loyalty.”