They had more drive now than ever to take down the Kako leader.
“Tabitha, you and Kiernan get some rest. I will fill the others in on the plan. At midday, go to the shelter. Kiernan, go with her. Just after sunset, stage your ‘escape’ from Kiernan and head to your apartment. We’ll be waiting.”
They said nothing as they left Racine’s office. Kiernan walked with her to the room she stayed in at headquarters. Hope and fear waged a heavy battle inside Tabitha, and she wasn’t sure which would win. The sun would rise in a little over an hour, but each room at headquarters had blackout curtains, since Daemons tended to sleep during the daytime. It didn’t matter. Tabitha knew her frantic mind wouldn’t let her get any sleep.
She opened the door to her room going in. Kiernan followed, closing the door behind him. He didn’t ask if she wanted him to stay. Somehow, the man just knew she needed him.
“You need to get some sleep,” his soft voice said from behind her.
She didn’t turn around. “How can I? I just found out the Kako responsible for changing my sister’s and my life is still out there, and I can make her whole again.” She turned to him, awe on her face. “Kiernan, Krista could wake up.”
“I know, love, I know.” He placed a warm hand to her cheek, stroking gently. “But you need to sleep. You need a clear mind and strong body for what’s coming.”
Sleep now, with so much hanging in the balance? She shook her head. “I’m too wired to sleep.”
A devilish grin lifted his sexy lips. His brows rose suggestively. “Well then, I’ll just have to find a way to wear you out, won’t I?”
The second his lips came down on hers, all her fears and anxiety melted away. Damn, what this man did to her. Because she knew he was right, and because she wanted it too, Tabitha surrendered to Kiernan.
Chapter 32
Tabitha tried to act normal as they walked to Rocky Mountain Ruffs Animal Shelter. Inside, her emotions went haywire. She was usually calm and collected on a mission, but this one was too close to home. Just the thought of finally getting her sister back set her heart racing. So much had happened in the last few weeks. She had revealed her powers, learned how to get her sister back, became a Tira, fallen in love. She did love Kiernan, so much more than she ever thought possible. Her body raced with excitement and fear at the same time.
She turned to gaze at the Daemon she loved. His strong jawline, penetrating blue eyes, his heart, which he had professed as hers forever. Coming from a being who would live another seven to eight centuries, that said something. Tabitha paused, realization hitting her. Now that she was Kiernan’s Tira, she would live as long as he did. That meant she would outlive every human she knew, including her sister. After just getting her back again.
Pushing the thought away to deal with later, she tried to focus on the task at hand. She could handle everything else—including her sister—later.
Their pace slowed as they came to the front of the animal shelter. Kiernan squeezed her hand reassuringly.
“You ready for this, Tabby Cat?” he said softly into her ear, in case the Kakos were watching.
She turned to gaze into his eyes. They were so full of love, love for her. She had never felt so loved by anyone except Krista and her mother. She always had faith in her plans, but this one was rough and planned off the cuff. The plan was dangerous, and she had no delusions about the risks involved. She would fight her hardest, give her best, but things could go wrong. If they did, she wanted Kiernan to know how she felt. Even if he already knew, she wanted to say it.
Looking deep into those ice-blue eyes she loved so much, she softly spoke, “Kiernan, I wanted to tell you, if anything happens, I lo—”
He cut her words off with a fierce kiss that left her dizzy. When he pulled back, his jaw clenched tightly, harsh lines bracketed his mouth, but his eyes held a note of fear.
“Don’t. You don’t get to say that now. You tell me after this is all over, and we’re back at headquarters. After I worship every single inch of your body.” His words made her shiver in anticipation. “You have never been a quitter, Tabitha Culver.”
“I didn’t plan to quit,” she answered him with a wry grin.
He kissed her again, lightly this time. “There’s my girl. I promise I won’t let anyone hurt you. None of us will.”
Racine was already at her apartment with the others preparing the ambush. Kiernan’s job was to draw Alec away and kill him with the help of Cade who waited in the alley a few blocks over. Their plan would work, as long as nothing unexpected happened.
“Showtime, Tabby Cat.”
She hid the smile she wanted to give him—had to look like they were fighting for any Kakos watching—and stepped back.
“I mean it,” Kiernan said, loud enough so any Daemon in the vicinity could hear. “You go to work and then meet me right back out here. I’m not letting you go anywhere alone.”
She gave him an annoyed look she perfected over the years of being associated with him. “Fine. But you can’t come to work with me. I’ll be done at five.”
“You’ll meet me right here at five?”
Tabitha rolled her eyes for the benefit of any Kako watching. “Yes.”
She started up the steps.
“I mean it. Don’t even go out to grab a coffee.”
She turned around and stuck her tongue out at him. She watched as Kiernan tried to suppress a smile. It took all her willpower not to look around to see if Stryden watched from a rooftop somewhere. She reached the door and entered the building. As she closed the door, she saw Kiernan turn and walk down the sidewalk. Part one of her plan accomplished, now for part two.
****
The large digital clock on the wall read four o’clock, the specified time for Tabitha to sneak out the back, away from Kiernan and head toward her apartment. She watched the big hand on the clock move over the twelve. Her heart beat faster as her breath hitched in her chest.
Here we go.
She finished laying down newspaper in the cage she had just cleaned. She gently lifted a calico from the box the feline lay in while she had been cleaning her cage. The cat hissed at being moved. She had been napping and now angry at being disturbed.
“Oh be quiet,” she said softly to the cat, rubbing behind her ear as she placed her back in her cage. “You can go right back to napping, just like before I came to clean your poopy paper. Which, by the way, you’re welcome.”
She closed the door. The calico shot her a glare then lay down, setting her head on her front paws and proceeding to go back to sleep. She decided if reincarnation were an actuality, she wanted to come back as a cat in her next life. Of course, if things did not go well, the next life might be sooner than she liked.
Tamping down the pessimistic thought, she signaled to her coworkers she was leaving for the day. They nodded to her as she waved and headed toward the back door. Her palms became sweaty, but she used her nerves to her advantage. She was supposed to sneak away from Kiernan, so, of course, she would be nervous. Hopefully, if Stryden watched, that was what it looked like.
Tabitha opened the back door and stuck her head out. She looked around, appearing to search for Kiernan. Satisfied she made a good show of it, she fully emerged, closing the door behind her. She stepped out into the back alley. The sun was still up, but dark clouds had covered it, casting a gray wash over the world. The air smelled of rain, and a bite to it warned there could be snow. Springtime in Colorado could go either way.
Zipping up the thin fleece jacket she wore, she started down the alleyway to her apartment. She didn’t dare look around for Stryden but felt eyes watching her. She quickened her pace, anxious to reach her apartment before the Kako leader struck. Hopefully, they were right in thinking he would only attack once she was home. An outdoor attack during daylight was too risky. Even a mad Kako wouldn’t attempt it.
City Park was empty as Tabitha hurried across. Only a few blocks from home, she cut through another alleyway, her usual r
oute. A pile of what looked like blankets and rags slumped against the wall of the alley. Denver had homeless just like any big city, but it always broke her heart to see someone living with nothing. Normally, she stopped to see if she could help—buy a hot meal, provide a ride to a shelter—but today she had a schedule to keep.
She walked by the pile just as a loud hacking cough rose from the mass of dirty blankets. A head emerged; dirty ratty hair covered by a knit cap peeked out of the pile. The coughing started again. Tabitha winced at the pain she heard as the person struggled to catch a breath. She tried to walk by, but her conscience just wouldn’t let her. She walked up to the person, whose face remained covered by blankets, and knelt down beside them.
“Hey, are you okay? Do you need anything?”
“Actually, I do need something,” an eerily familiar voice replied. “You!”
The person turned and lunged from the pile of blankets, straight at her. She didn’t even have time to move out of the way before he was on top of her. The knit cap fell taking with it an attached wig of messy matted hair revealing a familiar man with evil beady eyes.
Stryden.
Tabitha cursed herself for being so stupid. She struggled, but Stryden outmatched her. No amount of kicks or wriggling would free her from his grasp. The alley provided no weapon, even her sword was stowed in her purse, thrown from her shoulder when Stryden pounced and now lying on the cold pavement three feet away. She could use telekinesis to retrieve it, but both of her hands were pinned by Stryden’s, and she was not sure she could wield her sword with her mind accurately enough not to cut her own head off. If only she’d told people about her powers earlier, she could have trained her skills with her fellow Enforcers. Hindsight was a bitch.
Only a few blocks from her apartment. She’d never tried to communicate with her mind that far, but she’d give it a try. She had to, no other options. Reaching out with her mind, she searched for Racine and the others. Trying to keep what she was doing from showing on her face—so Stryden would not know—Tabitha sent a telepathic message out.
Kiernan, Racine, Hyde I need help! I’m in the alley three blocks from my apartment. Stryden was waiting. I need back up. Now!
Praying her message got out, she continued to struggle. Dark laughter rumbled from Stryden’s lips as he loomed over her.
“Fight all you want, my pretty Tele. I will have your heart.”
Looking into the face of the man who had killed so many, who hurt her baby sister, something snapped. White-hot rage boiled up inside her. She turned her head and sank her teeth into the soft flesh of his wrist. Stryden hissed in pain, releasing her arm as he brought his injured wrist away from her sharp teeth. It provided the distraction she needed. Using telekinesis, she whisked her sword from her purse and into her hand. Pressing the button, it protracted, the blade fully extending with a satisfying sound of sharp metal on metal.
She swung with all her might, aiming for Stryden’s neck. The Kako was quick, however, and all she sliced was air as he jumped and landed safely a few feet out of reach of her blade. Tabitha quickly gained her balance. She held her sword in the ready attack position, her eyes focused on Stryden. Stryden pulled his own sword out from beneath the pile of dirty rags. The blade was long, jagged, and coated with dried blood. They circled each other in the small alley.
“That was a dirty trick, Enforcer. I’d think you’d play fairer.”
“I’m just following your rules.” She smiled, devoid of humor.
A cruel smile curved Stryden’s lips. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
He would.
“We know about the Drones.”
Her words made him pause. Surprise flitted across Stryden’s face before he quickly covered it. The cruel smile back in place. They continued to circle, neither striking with anything, but their words.
“When the High Master told me how to take a soul and not lose my mind, I admit I was skeptical at first, but after witnessing it, I knew the power it held.”
High Master? Oh great, now they had another crazy Kako to deal with, providing they could take care of this one first.
“High Master?” she asked, hoping to gain more information.
Stryden tsked, wagging his finger at her. “Oh, Tabitha, you don’t really think I’d fall for that, do you? Drones let us keep our intelligence. In fact, I dare say we become more intelligent with every pathetic human soul we take.”
Anger burned a dark hole in her gut. “Humans are not pathetic. You are.”
“No, I am superior,” Stryden shouted, his mask falling away to reveal his anger. “I am stronger, smarter, and more powerful than those pathetic beings. They are just food, nourishment for our pleasure. You cannot stop us. The day of the Supernatural Council of Enforcers is over. It is time for Daemons to stand up and take their rightful place as the gods we are. We will no longer hide in the shadows. We will rule this world and all the lowly pathetic beings in it. And once I eat your delicious heart, I will be unstoppable.”
Chapter 33
Stryden lunged forward, his sword thrusting out toward Tabitha. She blocked the advance, spinning out of the way. He recovered and came back with another blow, this one skimming her side as she tried to twirl away. Luckily, just a glancing blow that tore her jacket, but didn’t break skin.
She barely had time to recover before Stryden struck again, this time with a swipe to her head. She ducked and tucked into a roll. Tabitha jumped to her feet behind the Kako. He turned as she thrust her sword, trying to stab him in the back. Not very sporting, but neither was Stryden.
He blocked her move with a force so great, it caused her to lose her grip and her sword went flying across the alley. The sword slammed into the brick wall falling to the ground with a loud clatter. Fury lit Stryden’s eyes as he heaved in a huge breath. Quicker than she could comprehend, he thrust his sword into her left shoulder, pinning her against the brick wall.
She let out an ear-piercing scream as white-hot pain shot through her arm and spread over her body. Warm, sticky blood trickled out of her shoulder and onto the blade of Stryden’s sword. His eyes lit with sick satisfaction. He stepped closer until his body was inches away.
She tried not to cry, but the pain was so intense tears dripped down her cheeks. Some fell onto the blade, mixing with the blood. Stryden bent his head and licked the blood dripping down the blade still imbedded in her shoulder. Her body racked with a shudder of disgust—or pain, she couldn’t differentiate the two at the moment. His face came up again. He smiled, his teeth tinged red from her blood. It sickened her, but she would not let him win.
“When I get free, I’m going to cut off your head and set my sister free.”
Stryden paused. His brows drew together in confusion.
“Your sister?”
He stared at her for a moment. Then recognition dawned in his eyes.
“Ah, yes. I knew I remembered you. The young girls in the park. That must have been what…a decade ago? The High Master had just taught me the secret of making a Drone. I was so eager to try my hand at it.”
Oh great, a soliloquy. Why did the bad guys always think everyone wanted to hear their dastardly plans? At least it gave her time to figure a way out of this.
“I saw you two walking across the park. You looked so small and helpless. Easy targets.”
She snorted. “Helpless little girls, right?”
“Yes, well, you seemed to put up more of a fight than I had counted on.” He glared at her. “How was I supposed to know you were a Tele?”
Everyone underestimated her because of how she looked. An advantage she frequently exploited. Even now she tried to use telekinesis to work the blade from her shoulder. Damn thing barely budged. She must be weaker than she thought.
“If those bastard Enforcers hadn’t shown up, I would have killed you. I managed my goal anyhow.”
His lips twisted into a sickening smile.
“How is sister dear? Sleeping soundly?”
She let out a scream of rage, twisting against the wall, trying desperately to wrench the sword from her shoulder using her body and mind. But her attempts were in vain. She was too weak. She was alone. Stryden would kill her and eat her heart. She’d failed her sister, again.
Anger at the loss of her life, her sister’s life, burned a hole in her. Sadness at the thought of Kiernan, sweet wonderful Kiernan. He would blame himself for not saving her, she knew it. She wasted years denying the love that endured between them. Now, after so short a time of having him, she was going to lose him.
No.
She refused to give up. Tabitha Culver was not a quitter. She would fight to her last breath. Giving up wasn’t in her blood, no matter what the odds.
Stryden laughed as she struggled anew.
“You still think you can beat me? You may be a Tele, but you are weak, wounded. I am strong. I have the power.”
With each pained move, the sword dug deeper into her flesh. She would not give up. She would never give up.
A breeze lifted the stench of rotting garbage to her nose. The alley grew darker, the sun almost gone from the sky now. A flash of something caught her attention. Glancing over Stryden’s shoulder, she saw a sight that made her heartbeat rise. Someone was going to die today, but it would not be her.
“You should have listened to your Tira and waited like a good girl. Now your heart is mine.”
She looked up with teary, pain-filled eyes and smiled. “No, it’s not. It’s his.”
She inclined her head. Stryden turned with a confused look on his face. But his confusion didn’t last long though. It got knocked right off his face. By Kiernan’s fist.
Chapter 34
Kiernan drove his fist into Stryden’s face, hearing a satisfying crunch. It felt good, so he did it again. Taken by complete surprise, the Kako leader dropped his grip on Tabitha and his sword. Tabitha slumped to the ground. As much as he wanted to make sure she was all right, he had to take care of Stryden first. He pummeled the Kako to the ground, releasing all his rage on the man who hurt the woman he loved. Stryden quickly regained his senses. The Kako shoved him with a mighty force, sending him back a few steps.
Daemon Uprising Page 22
