Stitched

by Shannon Mayer

  No, I wouldn’t allow that to happen again, couldn’t allow it. I stood, fingers clenching the paper. “No, that’s not true.” The words were for myself, but of course Blaz heard me.

  What will you do then?

  “I’m going to get the Guardian venom first.” Just saying it out loud, I knew I was right. I needed to focus on something other than my pain. Other than Liam.

  “Where is Coyote?”

  In the eating hall. Again.

  I made my way to the dining area, surprised that Coyote was there by himself. He sat in the middle of the table, legs crossed and eyes wide open, unblinking.

  Stopping a few feet from him, I reached over and touched the curve of his knee closest to me. “Coyote, are you okay?”

  “Somewhat.” His voice was slurred, and I looked to see if there were any empty decanters of wine. No decanters, but there was a heavy scent of herbs floating in the air.

  “Trances are tricky,” He said, his voice wavering. “I’ve been trying to see how things go outside the walls here.”

  “Any luck?”

  “None.”

  Damn, I’d hoped that maybe he could see how those we had left behind were doing. Alex, and Pam. Doran and Eve.

  Keep your eyes on the prize, Adamson. I could almost hear Liam’s voice, and for a moment I forgot he was gone.

  I tapped Coyote’s leg again, to keep his attention on me.

  “I need the venom of a Guardian. The water dragon, does she carry venom?” Please, please, please let that be the case.

  “No. There is only one Guardian who has venom.” His eyes turned slowly my way. “She’s rather bitchy too, though in the sack, she’s amazing.”

  I swallowed a laugh and held up my hand as he opened his mouth. “I don’t want the details. I assume you mean Spider?” I had to be sure, even though I’d been positive she was the only one even before I asked Coyote.

  He nodded. “Yes. Spider is the only Guardian with venom.”

  Then it was time to go. “Thanks.”

  He didn’t look at me, didn’t shift his position once as I left the room.

  Within minutes I was dressed in my warm clothes and on Blaz’s back. Sliding my blades into their sheaths had never felt so good, like I’d reattached a piece of my body that had been missing. Crossbow and whip followed. Just in case.

  Do we wait for Erik?

  I struggled with that, and then finally shook my head. “No, no, I don’t want him with us. You good with that?”

  Blaz let out a long chuckle. Yes, I can look after you. It is my calling, after all.

  His muscles bunched and in the split second before he launched into the air, a blur of white and gray leapt for his back. Blaz let out a snarl, swinging his head around to face the snow leopard now digging her claws into his back.

  Peta! Get off my back, you aren’t coming!

  I heard Blaz clearly, and obviously he could hear her thoughts. She dug her claws into the leather rigging and flattened herself on his back. I spun in my seat in time to see Erik step into the garden.

  “Blaz, go!”

  He didn’t argue, just leapt into the air, as Erik ran toward us, yelling and hollering.

  “Damn it, Rylee!”

  Yeah, I knew he wouldn’t be happy. But I was hardly an invalid. Emotionally crippled, yes, I could acknowledge that. But physically, I could take care of myself. And maybe a little mayhem and fighting was what I needed to get through this. Because it was obvious that hiding in a monastery wasn’t doing me any good. I waved at him. “We won’t be long!”

  His waving turned into cursing, and even at the distance we were, I knew what he was saying, could read his lips. “Uncle, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were a Tracker with that mouth.”

  Blaz relayed my words to my uncle who promptly shut his mouth and folded his arms over his chest.

  He’s worried you are going off to die.

  “Tell him even I’m not that selfish. And tell Ophelia not to help him follow us.”

  Erik didn’t shift his position as we flew away, so I had no idea if Blaz actually relayed for me. Not that it mattered now. I was doing what I had to do.

  High above the mountain peak, I sent out a thread, Tracking the one Guardian who carried venom.

  Spider was one of the few female Guardians, and she’d nearly killed Doran when we accidentally opened a door into her part of the world. Lucky for us, my blood was enough to bring Doran through. Not so lucky, I didn’t think she was going to be happy to see me since I’d cut off one of her legs. Didn’t matter that it would grow back, an aspect of being a Guardian. And of course, I was banking on the fact she was somewhere in Europe or Asia. If she was across the water, we were in for a long haul. No, I wouldn’t think like that. I would find her, and we would make this happen. More than anything, I wanted time with my daughter, as much as I could gain for myself.

  I would not be the mother who gave up on her child.

  I gritted my teeth and for the first time, put effort into Tracking. Instead of letting it just happen, I forced it, flooded it with my intention, gave it my energy. Like a bolt of lightning, it arced out of me and I gasped. Nothing had ever felt like that when I’d Tracked before. I kept pushing, kept demanding more, and for a moment I thought I was screwed, my vision blurring with the effort. But then a light ping came back to me. Way far away and I knew without knowing how, that Spider was across water.

  And I’d just found her.

  “Blaz, you feel that?”

  Being as connected as we were, he could sense when I was Tracking, and when I got a hit on someone. Bonus for me.

  Yep, heading that way. Wait . . . how did you do that? I thought you couldn’t Track across water?

  “Me, too.”

  Then what’s different this time?

  “I Tracked with everything I had,” I said, my hands finding Peta’s fur, burying into the thick warmth. This was new, my abilities were still changing and shifting. A blessing or a curse? Which would it turn out to be? For now, it was a blessing I’d take.

  We had a long flight ahead of us; Spider was on an island in the southern Pacific. I knew that much. I clung to the threads I’d tied to her, afraid if I let go, I wouldn’t be able to find her again. High above the earth, the wind was icy against my skin, yet I was running hot, the effort of Tracking, forcing myself to keep her tightly to me. Behind me, the snow leopard pressed herself against my back and a curl of energy sank into me. I turned to look at her. “What are you?”

  She is an elemental’s familiar. From what she’s told me, her elemental was taken from her, punished for saving a child that would have otherwise died.

  “That’s not right,” I said, sliding a hand over Peta’s head. A tear trickled from her green eye and down her thick fur. “You miss her.”

  They’ve been separated for almost thirty years.

  My heart lurched at the thought of being cut off from Alex for thirty years. Though he was not my familiar, I didn’t doubt he was tied to me. And I’d left him behind. I grabbed the ruff around Peta’s neck and buried my face in her fur. “I’m sorry for you. And for my stupidity.”

  Rylee, you did what you had to do. Alex has a place in this world, and sometimes it is not at your side. Other times, it will be glued to your leg. You know that. And before you give voice to it, let me preemptively cut you off. He will forgive you, you have to know that. You have to protect your daughter, and you and I both know Alex blurts things out. What would happen if he blurted out Tian Shan’s name? The sanctity of the place would be lost and all those who have taken sanctuary would be at risk. Liam was right to have you leave Alex behind.

  I didn’t like that Blaz was right. Alex, as good as he was for me, would not have been good here. This was not an adventure I could take him on.

  “And Peta is safe to bring along?”

  She can’t talk to you directly without an elemental to make the connection for the two of you, but she is not like Alex. As a familia
r, she acts like a conscience and a protector. And she has decided you need her help.

  A smile flitted across my lips. “Thanks, Peta.”

  She butted her head against my cheek and let out a soft purr. I had to admit, it was nice to have a large, warm, furry body with me, even if it wasn’t Alex. “Upside, no dog farts.”

  Peta snorted and her lips turned up as she winked at me. Yeah, that was an upside for sure.

  Try to sleep, Rylee. This will be a long trip and I know where I’m going. If you lose the thread of Spider, it doesn’t matter. I have her pinpointed.

  Peta curled around me, and I closed my eyes, still clinging to the threads, despite what Blaz said. I wasn’t sure I could do it again, find Spider across the water. Maybe it was a fluke I’d managed it once. Or maybe it was another sign of my growing abilities.

  I closed my eyes, and drifted off to sleep, my thoughts circling back through my life, which was why I think I ended up reaching out to Berget. She was my little sister. I hadn’t forgotten her, and I knew she was struggling with her own demons as I fought with my grief.

  The dream took me in an instant and I knew it for what it was, at least. I stood on the docks in Boston, where Berget and I faced down our mother—her biological mother, my adoptive mother. Where I’d finally shed the last of my guilt over Berget going missing. Where I’d finally gained the closure I needed on my past so I could make the best decisions for my own child.

  Berget stood as still as a statue in the middle of the snow covered dock, the only thing telling me that she lived was the flowing blond tresses and long skirt blowing around her bare, pale legs.

  “You shouldn’t have come here.”

  Stepping toward her, I took my chances. “You’re my sister. I love you, Berget.”

  “They are so strong in me, Rylee. I don’t know what is me and what is them anymore.” She turned her head to look at me over her shoulder. Tears streaked her cheeks, freezing as they slid down her skin. “I don’t want to hurt anyone, I never did want to hurt anyone.”

  I then realized I was in a dream, yet it was real at the same time. Across the harbor the sky glowed softly. The sun was rising, and Berget stood on the dock, ready to die.

  “Don’t do this.” I ran to her, grabbing her arms, knowing in the dream I was safe. I crushed her to my chest, holding her tightly. “Please, Berget. I can’t take another death, I can’t. Liam’s gone, and I have nothing. I can’t keep losing those I love, my hope is shattered.”

  Her blue eyes were closed as she leaned against me, but she didn’t lift her arms to hold me. “I know, I know he died. I felt it in the world, there was not a death that could have rocked the veil as his did. He did it to protect you, to protect his child.”

  I held her away from me, my hands on her shoulders. “You knew?”

  “I wasn’t sure, and he asked me not to say anything. And then I didn’t have a choice, they have been growing stronger. You know that’s why I left, don’t you?” She opened her eyes, begging me to understand.

  “We could have helped you. Maybe we could have found another opal.” I touched the spot in her chest where we’d buried the precious stone that kept the two ancient vampires she carried within her at bay. But even that hadn’t been enough.

  She covered my hand with one of hers. “No, there is nothing left. I was given a brief moment that was my own, to see you, to love my family for a short time. But that was all. I can do nothing now but try to keep them from doing more damage with my body to the world. To you.”

  Behind me, I felt the sun rising and panic nipped at me. “Another day or two, you can at least do that much, can’t you? Berget, the last battle is coming, the final reckoning. I need you there at my side, fighting with me against Orion.”

  She pried my hands from her and gently pushed me away. “And if I turn on you in the last moments? If they decide that Orion should have you? What then?” Berget shook her head. She had made her decision, but I wouldn’t let her go without a fight.

  “I need your help, Berget. Please. I need the blood of a vampire, someone I can trust.” I stood between her and the rising sun, my shadow the only thing keeping her shaded. “Berget, help me.”

  Her head lowered and her shoulders shook. “It’s so hard to fight them, every day, every second. They batter at me now. There is no rest, no respite.”

  I shook her—hard enough to snap her head back. “Listen to me. We all have to fight. You aren’t any different than the rest of us. This is the price we pay for being who we are.”

  Her eyes blazed and I put my nose to hers. “And you two asshats who are doing this to her, you realize you’re pushing her to the brink? If she dies, you die, dumb fucks.”

  Blue eyes faded to a deep brown and she blinked up at me. “You don’t think she will really end her life, do you? She is our child, we love her.”

  I found it interesting they would ask me. As if I knew my sister better than they did. Which, of course, was the case.

  “Well, you've got a fucking stupid way of showing it.” I tightened my grip on her arms, squeezing until I could feel the tendons sliding under my fingers. “If you love her, let her be. Let her use what you know to live. Fade in her, let her live her life. Because you are going to kill all three of you if you keep this up. Even now it may be too late.”

  The brown eyes fluttered closed and when they opened again, they were blue. Startled and wide, blue like a summer sky. “What did you say to them?” Berget whispered, leaning into me.

  “Why?” I held her gently now, no longer gripping her tightly.

  “They . . . they’ve gone quiet. For the first time since we put the opal in.” She tipped her head up so she could look me in the face. “How long do you think they’ll give me?”

  She was so damn young despite the knowledge she held. “I think maybe they’re going to give you as much as you want.” I stroked her hair and kissed her on the forehead.

  I pulled back from her, feeling the tug of Spider’s threads on me in the waking world. “I have to go. The others, they’re still in England, you should go there. If anywhere is safe, it will be with them.”

  “They will think I’m there to kill them.”

  “Even Doran?” My mention of the vampire ruler brought a flush to her pale cheeks. So, she still had a crush on him. There were far worse she could moon after.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Try. Berget, try. For me. Please.”

  Around us, the dream was fading and the sun was nearly above the horizon. Berget saw it, turned and ran from the dock, her final words singing across the water me. “If you need vampire blood, take it from Faris, he is close by. He will help you.”

  “Faris!” I gasped his name. “You’re shitting me.”

  She looked over her shoulder, and something in her eyes, a certainty that she was right filled them. Damn.

  Chapter 6

  I startled awake, Peta lying across my lap, and Blaz’s wings a steady beat in my ears. The air was heavy with salt and I realized how very warm I was, sweating through my layers of clothes. Spider’s thread pulsed with a life of its own under my skin, calling to me. She was relaxed, just waking, and very hungry. Which made her happy. Weird. But then, she was a spider after all, who the hell knew why she felt happy when she was hungry. “We’re close.”

  Yes. I’m dropping right now. And if I were to guess, she’s happy because she’s about to drain the life out of something in order to sate her hunger.

  That was what I’d been thinking too. She was not a nice guardian, not at all.

  Blaz tucked his wings and dove straight through several banks of clouds, the moisture slapping me in the face, and I struggled to keep my eyes open. The sound of a jet engine brought my head around. We passed a plane, a flash of silver, a few faces peeking out of tiny square windows, and then it was gone. But not before I saw a single child pointing at us, his mouth a perfect ”o.” I smiled to myself, everyone would chalk up what he saw to his imagination.
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  Moments later, ears popping, Blaz landed on an open, sandy beach. His body sunk into the soft sand with a thud.

  Oh, take as long as you like here. He stretched out on the hot sand and let out a long groan. This is bloody lovely.

  I slid off his back and landed lightly. Peta leapt off and trotted in front of me, her heavy coat looking out of place in the tropical climate. As I watched her, she shook and her coat slicked back, going from a winter coat to a thin summer version of spots.

  “Nice trick, cat.”

  She gave a grunt and tipped her head toward the heavy jungle in front of us. Yeah, that’s where I was going. “Blaz, you coming?”

  Please, Mom, just five more minutes. His eyes were at half-mast as he rolled in the sand.

  “Come on, Peta. He’ll catch up.”

  I shed my heavy layers until I was wearing nothing but jeans, a white tank top and boots. Re-attaching my back sheaths, I tightened the straps. Damn, the belly strap wasn’t fitting the same as it had even a week past. Too tight now.

  Ignoring the groans of my dragon, I headed into the thick jungle, Peta on my left side and a blade in my right hand. I slashed through the undergrowth, following the thread I’d attached to Spider. She was about two miles ahead of us, which under normal circumstances wasn’t a big deal, but in the heavy jungle was a serious pain in the ass.

  Peta clawed at one of the larger trees, digging deep into the bark, then getting the grip she was apparently looking for, powered herself up the tree. Tucking my blade into its sheath, I climbed the trunk, using the notches her claws dug out, to stand beside her.

  “Son of a bitch.” The trees weaved themselves into a roadway that covered the entire island. The branches overlapped, touching here and there, but making a perfect pathway for us. Peta grunted and started forward.

  “Wait, is this something to do with your elemental?”

  Blaz filled in for me. Her elemental taught her tricks she wasn’t supposed to. How to call on the plants and earth to do her bidding.

  She bobbed her head and kept moving. I pulled a blade again and started after her. I was going to have to make a serious effort to meet this elemental of Peta’s. Under my feet, the trees shuddered and shifted. I looked down to see how far up we were. At least thirty feet. Crap, falling was not a good idea at any time, and I’d survive it if happened, but I wasn’t sure what would happen to the baby. Fuck. Sweat popped out along the edge of my hairline.