Galena let the idea simmer. “From everything you’ve told me, Maxis has lived his life on nothing but revenge and believing everyone he loved abandoned him. If I were him and I found out I hadn’t been abandoned by choice, that my mother not only loved me, but wanted me with her? Yeah, I think it would rearrange my life.”
Reese sat forward, urging her to her feet.
“What? What are we doing?”
He wrapped his fingers around her wrist and tugged her behind him. “Come on. I need your help.”
Chapter 27
Maxis pushed the thick slab guarding the private tunnel to his estate open. Two days out of his healing and he was good as new, ready to put his plans for Eryx in play.
“We shouldn’t be here.” Serena grumbled and burrowed into her fur coat.
“We shouldn’t be anywhere else.” He ushered her through and resealed the entrance. “I left my men behind to fight once before and all it got me was an insubordinate strategos and a slew of dead men. Besides, Eryx would be hard pressed to find our camp beneath the mountains and snow. No tracker is that good. And even if they did find us, I’ve got enough escape hatches to ensure we’re long gone before they find us.”
Serena squeezed the coat’s lapels together. He’d be willing to bet her mouth was drawn into a superior pucker behind all that sable. Mated barely a week and already he was learning her patterns. Weren’t they a cozy pair?
Her low voice vibrated through the shaft. “I’ve put myself out there for you. Done the things you asked and sacrificed the only mother I ever really knew to your benefit, and you repay me with keeping me in the dark?”
So that’s what her foul mood was about.
She glanced over one shoulder.
He grinned, and her steps picked up, sandals slapping on the cavern floor as she stormed away in an incensed fit. It was cute, even understandable given her background, but not something he’d tolerate.
He struck, coiling the Earth’s energy around her waist and hips and slamming her against the uneven stone walls. Her head snapped back on impact, eyes wide with fear and a little shock. Surely she hadn’t expected he’d accept such out outburst. Or was she simply surprised he’d cushioned her crash against the rock?
“Such temper.” He prowled forward.
She twitched beneath his invisible hold, struggling for release.
He might’ve stolen a good number of the gifts he now wielded, but those of the Earth ran strong and natural, a power she’d never escape. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to bait me.”
“I’m not doing anything. I’m pissed.”
He pressed close.
She snapped her head away and glared down the corridor.
Praise the Great One, her fire unsettled him, crackling against his skin at the damnedest times. “I thought you trusted me, Serena.” He skimmed her jawline with his lips. “I know what you’ve given. I value it.” He tickled the shell of her ear with his nose. “You’ll have your answers, but you’ll have them my way, in my time.” He stepped back, his cock a heavy rod behind his wool pants.
Serena barely deigned to look at him, but she shook with the same lust he felt, no matter how she longed to hide it.
“Now.” He straightened his long coat with a firm tug on the lapels. “I’ve got an ellan tucked away and awaiting our arrival. I’d hoped to have your perspective on the conversation, but if you’re not fit to—”
“I’m fit for whatever you can dish out and then some.” She might not have a crown, but she was regal to her very marrow.
He ducked his head to hide his grin and ambled down the corridor. With a flick of his fingers, he released the binds surrounding her. “Perhaps later, mate. For now, we’ve got some negotiating to do.”
His steps rang through the tunnel and a chilled, steady draft bit his cheeks. Silence trailed him at first, then the determined clip of Serena’s sandals. She kept one pace behind and to the left of him, more of a silent protest than submissive acceptance.
Ahead, the corridor fanned out to a wide opening. Morning sunlight filtered in from tubes at the top of the vast cavern to cast a pale yellow haze over the bustling troops below.
“Come.” He held out his hand. Dissension in private was one thing, but public remonstration was something else. “We’re late and Uther’s temper has grown short. Angus doesn’t seem to care for his manner of treatment.”
As far as olive branches went, the tidbit seemed to sooth his baineann. She slid her hand in his, chin lifted, and kept pace beside him. “Angus? I thought he’d outlived his usefulness after his poor timing with the council.”
“His temper got to him.” Maxis guided her around a corner and lowered his voice as they neared a scared wood door, the paint faded to a drab olive. “Doesn’t mean we can’t revise and repurpose.”
The door opened, Uther beside it, the scowl on his strategos’ face enough to elicit an empathetic chuckle. “Have a care, friend. He’s not without his purpose,” he said to Uther, keeping the thought between the two of them.
Uther’s frown deepened, but he crossed his arms in quiet acceptance.
Angus sat blindfolded and bound in a gold, brocade chair near a modest hearth. The crackling firelight danced along one side of his face. He straightened as Maxis and Serena entered the room. “Who’s there?”
“Not to worry, Angus.” Maxis closed the door with a thought. “I assured you you’d be in good hands and you will continue to be.” He motioned to Uther to remove the blindfold.
Uther complied with obvious reluctance, but kept the binds at Angus’ wrists in place.
“The secrecy is necessary,” Maxis said. “No matter how valuable you might be to me, I think it’s best for both our interests if you remain innocent to my whereabouts.”
Maxis eased Serena’s coat from her shoulders, displaying his mark on her forearm. He guided her to the free wingback situated opposite their guest. “Angus Rallion, meet my baineann, Serena Steysis.”
“You look familiar.” Angus leaned forward and squinted. “You’re Reginald Doroz’s girl.”
“Not anymore.” Maxis stood beside her. “And you’d be wise to keep my mate’s existence and family relations to yourself until we’re prepared to release the information. I want my plans behind us before I share my good fortune. Understood?”
Angus sneered. “Hard to agree when I’ve yet to learn your plans.”
Gods, but the man was a stubborn old goat. “Despite the fact you bungled the last opportunity I handed you, I’ve opted to give you another chance to put Eryx in a corner, one he’ll have a hard time getting out of and that won’t come back on you.” He leaned against Serena’s wingback. “Assuming, of course, you’re interested.”
Angus shifted in his chair and nodded, obviously uncomfortable with his hands bound behind his back. “Any action that takes Shantos from the throne interests me, so long as it has merit.”
“Then I’ll pose a scenario for you.” Maxis paused, more for effect than to gather his thoughts. “How would the ellan perceive it if a person charged with treason were to come forward in surrender only to be executed by one of the malran’s men in cold blood?”
“I assume the treasonous party in question is you?” Angus shook his head. “He’s already said you’d face death for your actions.”
“Without a trial? That’s hardly the fair ruler he presents himself to be.”
Angus scoffed and did his best to recline in a nonchalant manner. “You’ll have a hard time getting a fair trial, not after those humans he brought forward. Their memories made a mighty impact on the council.” He studied Serena a moment, then refocused on Maxis. “Still, if it were clear up front you meant to surrender, no fight and a stated desire to atone, he’d look like a bloodthirsty barbarian out for vengeance. The problem is you’d have a hard time proving it.”
“Unless there were ellan to observe it.” Maxis let the idea sink in for a beat. “If someone were to
convey to a few unbiased council members that my surrender was about to occur, but that I was concerned as to whether or not the malran was capable of following due process, that could ensure a witness would be present to keep things above board. Correct?”
“Most likely,” Angus said.
“Then all you need do is find the right individuals and get them there at the appointed time.” Maxis grinned, his best, non-verbal taunt. “Assuming you still have any sway with the council.”
Angus struggled to free his bonds. “It’s a foolish plan. You intend to stage some type of bogus attack? How would you ever convince them and manage to live through it. They’re too leery of you and tricks at this stage.”
Maxis waved off Angus’ concern and aimed a curt nod at Uther. “Suffice it to say, those details are handled. So long as you keep the malran away from my corpse, we’ll be fine.”
Uther stepped forward and replaced the blindfold around the old man’s head.
Angus sputtered and wriggled to keep Uther from his task.
“You’ll need to work quickly.” Maxis cut in before he lost Angus’ focus entirely. “Uther will have you safe and sound at home in no time and will give you all the details. Tell them I’ve requested a location in Evad, a place I can be sure the malran will keep his impressive powers in check for fear of exposure to humans. In truth, it’ll be to provide us more cover. Time for me to get away, and a whole lot of clean up for the malran to contend with. The key is to keep the information close until the last moment possible. We don’t need Shantos showing up before we’re ready.”
Uther urged Angus to his feet. “Any questions?”
“This is preposterous.” Blindfolded, Angus’ unsteady balance belied his confident words. “It won’t work.”
“It’ll work,” Maxis said as Uther guided him from the room. “And you’ll aid me in our plan or you’ll go down with the rest of us.”
That shut him up, leaving only the hiss of his shuffling sandals against the stone floors.
The door clicked shut behind them.
Serena considered him and a smile curved her ballet pink lips. “So, the human swipe you wanted me to share with Reese isn’t real.”
“Not this time.” Maxis took Angus’ chair and crossed one leg over the other. “It’s a setup to prod the malran into swooping in to save the day and surrounding me in the process. If Eryx mans up the way I think he will, Uther ought to be able to blend in among his men without problem.
“Naturally, I’ll realize we’re outmanned and will offer my surrender. When I raise up my hands, Uther will throw his bolt, I’ll feign death, and you and the humans go into hysterics. My men spirit you and my corpse away while Angus and his cronies act as witness. With the unexpected fireworks, Eryx will be too busy with crowd control to do much in the way of stopping us.”
He paused, rotating his crossed foot in measured circles. “Satisfied?”
Serena’s smile grew, slow, but infinitely devious. “Immensely.”
* * * *
Eryx eyeballed every person in the room—Reese, Galena, Ludan and Ramsay. The warrior compound’s round strategy map sat all but forgotten. “You wanna do what?”
Reese flinched. “I want you to give me a chance to get Maxis to surrender.”
“And you want to do it with a book.” It had to be a joke. Maxis surrendering under any circumstance was nearly improbably, but luring him with a book? No.
“It’s not just a book, Eryx.” Galena leaned into the ancient stone map and gripped its edge. The topography of Eden’s many regions was carved into the tableau, the fine detail spotlighted by the noonday sun piped from above. “They’re journals. Real life, raw emotions that could make a difference, even for someone like Maxis.”
Eryx turned away and fisted his hands. He glanced at Ramsay who for the first time in forever didn’t look angry, but seemed as off kilter with Reese’s idea as Eryx. “We can’t do it.” Eryx faced the couple and braced his fisted knuckles on the stone surface. “This is a chance to nab Maxis and I want it.”
“It’s a trap.” Reese’s hesitancy evaporated and an air of certainty swept in behind it. “If you show up you’re playing exactly like he wants. This is an entirely different tactic.”
Eryx hung his head and his braids fell forward on either side of his face. Pressure built across his brow and behind his eyes, and the need to punch and shout ratcheted by the second.
“I let it get this far.” Eryx let out a tired breath and pushed upright. Ludan had prodded him time and again not to ignore Maxis and the rebellion. “If I’d taken action none of this would have happened. Not those human women, not Ian, not Lexi.” He lifted his chin toward Reese. “Hell, he probably wouldn’t have even made it to you if I’d done more.”
He paced along the map’s rough edge, focused on Evanora’s estate. “I’m not about to make the same mistake twice. If I’ve got a shot at him, I’m going to make sure I take it.”
Reese stepped in to catch his attention. “At what price? Even if you manage to out-think whatever Maxis has planned and you take him out, what if the spiritu was right and it’s not enough to counter balance the bigger picture? Are you willing to risk all our races for such a simple idea with zero impact on you and your men?”
“Reese.” Galena edged forward.
Reese stayed her with a terse shake of his head. “No. There’s no need to risk anyone but me. If it works, we all win. If it doesn’t, no harm, no foul. Eryx can move ahead with this attack.”
Eryx rubbed the back of his neck, the weight of decisions and consequence pressing on his shoulders.
“What makes you think you can even find him?” Ramsay asked. “We’ve had men out scouting for days and no one’s seen him. Evanora’s estate has been empty of all but a few guards, nothing substantial enough to warrant a raid.”
Reese motioned for the emerald leather-bound book gripped between Galena’s hands.
Galena glared at her mate. “You never said anything about going solo.”
“Galena.” His voice dropped and he brushed his hand along hers, comforting. An intimate stroke Eryx appreciated from the perspective of a caring mate, but could’ve done without witnessing with his baby sister. “Trust me. This is the right thing.”
A blush spread up her throat and across her cheeks, and her lips pressed so tightly together they lost all their color. The visual lock between the two of them seemed charged enough to power half an Evad suburb.
She ducked her head and handed over the book.
Reese took it and kissed the top of her hand. “Galena’s the one who found a clue on where we might find him.” He released her with obvious reluctance and thumbed to a dog-eared page. A faint hiss sounded as he ran his finger down the parchment. “This is her first journal, penned right after she’d left Evanora’s estate. She makes references here to slave farms. A big stretch of land north of the castle where the region’s weather gets nasty.”
“They had actual farms?” Ludan pushed off the wall and twisted for a better look at the journal.
“Nothing too large, but sophisticated.” Reese pointed at a section on the stone tableau, a mountain range beyond Evanora’s land. “If I’m reading her notes right, they’d be right about here.”
“And you think that’s where he’s hiding?” The derision that had been prevalent in Ramsay’s voice for days was gone, replaced with genuine curiosity.
Reese leaned in, a bit of the camaraderie Eryx had once seen between the two men sputtering. “If you were about to make a slave run, what would you be doing?”
“Getting the cells ready,” Ramsay answered.
“Exactly.” Reese focused on Eryx. “I found him at Evanora’s place just before Maxis met up with Serena. The place was spotless, like he was about to move in. The two fit.”
“No leads with the trackers though,” Ludan said taking his place back at the wall.
“Unless you didn’t go far enough nort
h.” Reese met each man’s stare in turn. “All I want is a chance to scout and get one or two of the journals in where he can find them. In and out.”
Galena lifted her chin and tapped her thumbnail on the tableau’s edge. The idea of her mate on this crazy errand obviously didn’t sit any better with her than it did with Eryx.
“That’s an awful lot of risk based on a huge amount of old knowledge and assumption,” Eryx said.
“Not if I mask.”
Eryx chuckled and paced toward the plush, yet well-used gold leather couch along the rear wall. “I haven’t met anyone that masks better than a Shantos and even I’d be hesitant to try that stunt.”
“He’s better,” Ramsay said.
A startled silence filled the room.
Eryx sat the foot he’d been half way to putting on the table back on the floor. “Come again?”
“Reese is better than either one of us.” Ramsay grinned at the floor and scratched the back of his head before he finally looked up. “Used to drive me nuts when we’d practice against each other. He’s a pretty respectable tracker too.”
Son of a bitch. Eryx stretched his arms out on the sofa back. Ramsay might not yet be ready to let bygones be bygones with Reese, but he’d manned up enough to admit Reese’s strengths, which meant they had to be damned impressive. “You think this plan has merit?”
Ramsay shrugged and studied the map. “If the spiritu story is true and you can nab Maxis without a fight and risk no men, it’s worth it.”
“He shouldn’t go alone.” Galena leveled every man in the room with one of those feminine glares most men dreaded. “Any one of you would take at least one or two men with you.”
Eryx shook his head. “You’re missing the point, Galena. We can’t risk anyone from our crew being there. If Serena wasn’t playing us and a bunch of us get caught, we screw our chance to catch Maxis. If Reese goes it alone…” He glanced at Reese. “Well, he’s just a pissed-off brother out to get even.”
“So you’re agreed?” Reese said.
Praise the Great One, if Eryx had any compassion at all, he’d give his sister her way and forbid the whole thing. The idea reeked of a suicide mission. On the other hand, if the spiritu thing was true, he’d be an idiot not to let Reese try.
Healing Eden Page 25
