Hook: Exiles of the Realm

by Adrienne Bell

  “But if another one springs up, couldn’t we just toss the pin through to the other side?” she asked.

  “Technically, yes,” Geoffrey said. “But we would have to know exactly where and when the portal was going to appear ahead of time.”

  “But if we did find one?” Mercy tried. Desperation dripped from every word.

  “We’d still have a problem,” Geoffrey said. “The rules that govern any particular spell are very specific. Portal magic demands that the same number of objects that travel through a portal must return. By tossing only the pin through, you would be damning one of Oberon’s men to stay here on Earth.”

  “And that would be bad?” she asked.

  “Right now, the king is merely annoyed with us,” James said. “If we were to capture or kill one of his soldiers, he’d use it as an excuse to come after us in earnest.”

  Mercy paled. “You’re saying threatening to rip our hearts out is just a warm up act?”

  James nodded. “Flint would be the least of our worries. Oberon has troops that make your worst nightmares seem like daydreams.”

  “Creatures not even I have managed to defeat,” Bron chimed in. “Redcaps. Harpies.”

  Mercy’s gaze shifted between them. “I don’t know what those are.”

  “And I pray to the Heavens that you never learn,” James said.

  “All right,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “Sounds like the portal’s out. So, what’s left?”

  “There’s only one way,” Bron said. “Communicate our plan to Hades. Help us break the curse, and when we return to the Realm, we will take the scales home with us.”

  “And risk Mercy’s life in the process?” James said. “Absolutely not. There has to be another way.”

  “What way is that?” Bron asked, stepping closer.

  “I don’t know,” James admitted. “But I’ll figure it out.”

  And he would. He had to. For Mercy’s sake. The only problem was, right now, all the plans shooting through his head were just as bad as Bron’s.

  James had the Key. He could always open the Threshold and toss the scales inside. Of course, opening Mercy’s world to the horrors of the Underworld without a peace pact first would be just as bad as handing her over to Flint. Without proper defenses, no one on Earth would survive. Mercy included.

  “Before or after Flint returns with enough fae soldiers to kill you, and strand the rest of us here in purgatory permanently?” Bron challenged. His green eyes shone with focused determination. “You were the one who sought us out, Hook. This was your plan.”

  “That was before.”

  “Before what?” Bron asked. “Before her?”

  “Yes.” The answer tumbled from James’ lips without a hint of hesitation.

  The hunter’s eyes narrowed. “So find another woman. If love is such an easy emotion then why does this one matter so much?”

  “Say another word about her, hunter, and I’ll shut that mouth of yours for good,” James said, closing the gap between him and Bron.

  “I’d like to see you try,” the man said with a hungry grin.

  The hunter was delusional if he thought he could win this fight. Bron might have been the queen’s own hunter, but James had fought his way out of crowds of cutthroats and assassins …back when he’d only been fighting for his own survival. Knowing that Mercy depended on him gave him a whole new level of motivation.

  “Stop it.” The shout echoed through the room, though this time none of the glass or furniture moved an inch.

  James stopped cold. Everyone did. He spun around to look at Mercy. Her hands were clasped tight in front of her. Her expression was heavy, but her gaze was unwavering.

  “I’ll do it,” she said. “I’ll talk to whoever you need me to.”

  “Mercy, I can’t let you do that,” he said.

  “You’re not letting me do anything, James,” she said, her voice firm. “This is my decision, and I’ve already made it.”

  James pushed away from Bron. He moved toward her, but stopped a few feet away. He couldn’t help but notice that she wasn’t rushing into his arms. Her spine was straight, her shoulders stiff. Everything about her radiated resolve.

  She’d done this before, he realized. Dealt with one terrible situation after another. And she’d learned how to cope. She’d figured out how to pick up the pieces and move forward even when it was the last thing that she wanted to do.

  Even now, her determination shined brightly. The fear wasn’t gone. Neither was the confusion, or the pain, but her resolve trumped everything else.

  His Mercy was a survivor.

  His. Mercy.

  “But why?” James asked, not understanding that last piece. “You could…”

  “Die,” she finished. “I know. But the other choice is to wait around and do nothing until Flint kills me, or I get angry enough to burn to death, and that’s a scarier option. At least this way I’m in control.”

  “I promise, I won’t let Flint anywhere near you,” he said.

  “You have your own problems to worry about,” she said, with a sad smile that sent a dagger through his heart. “And it sounds like the quickest way I can solve mine is by helping you solve yours.”

  James shook his head. “The risk is too high.”

  “I understand the risk,” Mercy said. “Geoffrey said I might be able to use the magic a dozen times.”

  “Or it might kill you instantly.”

  Mercy shot him a hard look. “I’m not going to argue. I’ve made up my mind. I want this gone. I want it over with.” She shifted her gaze to Geoffrey. “So how do we do this?”

  “Well, that’s another problem,” the magician said, rubbing the pad of his thumb against his chin. “Right now, the shielding spell I cast to keep you alive allows you to communicate only where the boundaries between the worlds are particularly thin. I know the location of each such spot back in the Realm, but unfortunately, I don’t know where they are located on Earth.”

  “Neither do I,” Mercy asked. “And I don’t have a clue who would.”

  For the first time in hours, James felt his hopes rise.

  “Actually, you do,” he said.

  Chapter Ten

  Everything was going to be okay.

  Mercy repeated the thought again and again. The phrase had turned into a mantra, one she desperately wished was true. The trouble was, no matter how many times she said it, she couldn’t make herself believe.

  Nothing was okay. It might never be again.

  How could it be after everything that had happened? After everything that she’d seen?

  Sure, she might survive—though one look at James’ expression told her the chances were slim—but even if she did, her world would never be the same again.

  Not the world.

  Hers.

  One world of three.

  A world so terrible that the others used it as a prison—the place where they sent their most notorious to die. Where through the ages the stories of those poor bastards had warped into myths and fairy tales. The world where if you weren’t careful, you could wake up with a serious crush on a smooth-talking pirate from a children’s story.

  But it was only a crush.

  She couldn’t deny she had some serious feelings for James Hook, but they had nothing to do with her heart. They couldn’t.

  James wasn’t even her type. Maybe her standards were too high, but not being born on the same plane of existence seemed like a pretty big deal breaker.

  But even if Mercy could overlook their differences, she had the rest of her life to think about. She had her job, her abuela, her work in the community, not to mention the degree she was working towards. She was so close to the life she’d always wanted. The one she’d dreamed about. She’d worked too hard and come too far to throw it all away on some guy.

  It didn’t matter how magical he was.

  A doorbell chimed. Mercy lifted her head from the cradle of her palms and straightened her spine a
gainst the back of James’ sofa.

  Damn it. She’d been so concerned with her own problems she almost forgot that she’d dragged her best friend into this mess.

  Mercy stood as James let Emily in. She’d already made all the exiles promise they’d be on their best behavior the moment she arrived. That included not breathing a word of who—or what—they were. Mercy’s cooperation depended on their compliance.

  Still, Mercy knew better than anyone these guys didn’t need to open their mouths to be intimidating. Each one of them was frightening enough on their own. But the bunch of them together? They were downright terrifying.

  Turned out, Mercy shouldn’t have worried. Emily strode into the room. Not even a flicker of fear showed in her eyes as she scanned the occupants. If anything, she looked severely unimpressed.

  “Well, this has to be the saddest party I’ve ever seen,” Emily said.

  “Thank you so much for coming over,” Mercy said…and she meant it. For as much as she hated involving Emily in this disaster, Mercy had to admit, some of the stress leeched from her shoulders at the sight of her good friend. At least now she had an ally.

  Even if she was an unknowing one.

  “Of course. Though I can’t imagine why you needed me so quickly,” Emily said, coming over to her side. Her step slowed as she neared. Open concern showed on her face. “Whoa. You look terrible, Mercy.”

  Mercy tried to crack a smile. “Gee, thanks.”

  She should have known she couldn’t fool Emily that easily. They’d been friends too long. Emily knew all her secrets, all her defenses. Emily had always been there for her. She always listened. She never judged. But she also never failed to call out Mercy on her bullshit.

  Just like she was doing now.

  “Seriously,” Emily said, her expression suddenly stern. “You’re pale and your eyes are bloodshot. Are you sick?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You don’t look fine,” Emily said, not giving up.

  “The woman said she was well,” Fenrir said from across the room.

  Emily didn’t bother turning around. She simply held her hand up behind her. “Wasn’t talking to you.”

  Mercy glanced up to see the giant cross his arms over his chest. The muscles in his arms bulged, but he didn’t look upset at Emily’s abrupt tone. If anything, he looked…intrigued.

  “Wait,” Emily continued, her gaze narrowing. “Did one of these guys do something to you? Because I don’t care how much James is paying me, I will kick his ass if he hurt you.”

  “Nobody’s done anything.” Mercy smiled at the sincere look in her friend’s eyes. It didn’t matter that Emily wouldn’t last more than two seconds with any of these guys, she’d still try. The woman was nothing if not loyal. “I think I just had too much champagne earlier, and now I’m exhausted.”

  Emily shot her a skeptical look, but didn’t press the subject any further. Instead, she turned around and gave the group another once over. “So, who are these guys?”

  “They’re James’ friends.”

  Emily arched a brow. “You’re hanging out with his friends now?”

  “Yeah…I guess I am.” Mercy nodded.

  “I called you because we have a question we hope you can answer,” James said.

  “Really?” Emily managed to pack a world of skepticism into that single word. “Well, this ought to be good. Fire away.”

  “We’re looking for mystical places in the city,” Fenrir broke in.

  Emily laughed. “Yeah, I bet you are, big guy.”

  “My name is Fenrir,” he said.

  “Don’t care, dude,” Emily said quickly. But then she scrunched her brows together so hard a deep V appeared between her eyes. “Wait. Your name is Fenrir?”

  The wolf straightened. Mercy didn’t think it was possible but the move made the massive man look even bigger.

  “It is,” he said proudly.

  “Like the mythical Norse wolf?”

  A wide, predatory grin spread across Fenrir’s face as he looked Emily straight in the eye. “I can promise you, woman, there is absolutely nothing mythical about me.”

  “Okay.” Emily blinked. “Is he for real?”

  Mercy let out a sigh. For a second, she almost wished that Flint guy had ripped out her heart, because if she lived through this there was no way that she was ever living this down.

  “Unfortunately,” she answered.

  “What the hell kind of date did this freak show take you on?” Emily asked. “To a meeting of the world’s freakiest role playing game?”

  “Something like that,” Mercy said with a tight smile. That worked better than any lie she’d been able to come up with.

  Mercy didn’t know how Emily did it, but her friend turned and met Fenrir’s gaze straight on. She didn’t so much as blink. It was beyond impressive. It was all Mercy could do to glance at the guy. Of course, she knew what the man was. Emily didn’t.

  “Well, Fenrir, that’s a pretty broad topic,” Emily said. “I’m going to need you to narrow it down a little. Is there a particular kind of place where you’re looking to toss around your twelve-sided dice?”

  “We’re looking for a spot where people go to talk to the other side,” James said.

  “You mean to heaven? To God?” Emily asked. “Easy. There are hundreds of churches and temples all across the city.”

  “We’re looking for something a little less common,” Geoffrey jumped in. “A place where the veil between the worlds is particularly thin.”

  Emily turned away from the men and focused her eyes on a blank space on the wall. She brought her thumbnail up to her mouth and worried it with her teeth. Mercy knew the gesture well. It was part of Emily’s thinking face.

  “How about a labyrinth?” she finally said after a few seconds. “People have used them for thousands of years. They believe that walking the winding path in silent contemplation brings you closer to the divine.”

  “That could be it,” James said, shooting Geoffrey a hopeful look.

  Geoffrey agreed with a nod. “Is there one nearby?”

  “Sure. They’re not hard to find,” Emily said. “There’re two at Grace Cathedral alone.”

  “This place we’re looking for would be somewhere less populated,” Geoffrey said. “Somewhere almost wild. Not many people would travel there. Even if they did, they’d find the spot beautiful but overwhelming.”

  “That sounds like the one at Lands End,” she said.

  “Where?” James asked.

  “A nature preserve near the mouth of the Golden Gate, overlooking the ocean,” Emily explained. “Someone built a stone labyrinth at the very end of the trail years ago. Every now and again, kids wreck it, but people always feel compelled to go out and rebuild.” She glanced around the room at all the solemn staring faces. “Why do I get the feeling that this doesn’t have anything to do with antiques or role playing games?”

  “I wouldn’t worry too much,” James said with a smile—the one that charmed the socks off just about everyone he met. Emily included. “I can promise you, it doesn’t have anything to do with hiding bodies either.”

  “As long as you promise,” she said, returning his smile. “But since that’s all you need from me, I’ll take Mercy home to get some sleep.”

  “No need,” James said with a shake of his head. “She’ll be staying with me for a while.”

  “Will she now?” Emily asked, looking back at Mercy.

  Damn it. Mercy should have seen this coming. She knew James wanted to protect her. Of course, he also wanted her to fall in love with him…and that wasn’t about to happen.

  “James, I need to talk to you for a minute,” Mercy said, shooting him a sharp look. “Alone.”

  She didn’t wait for an answer. She headed straight toward the door off his living room. Only after she’d stepped inside did Mercy realize she’d walked into his bedroom. A rush of awareness coursed through her as she gazed at the wide expanse of James’ bed. It look
ed every bit as luxurious as the rest of the apartment.

  Mercy turned around the moment the door clicked closed. A knowing smile played along James’ lips as he leaned against the jamb. “Couldn’t wait to get me alone?”

  “Stop it,” she said. Her voice didn’t sound half as firm as she’d hoped. She straightened her shoulders and tried again. “I don’t think I should stay here.”

  “It’s perfectly safe,” he said. “Geoffrey warded the whole building. Flint can’t travel back here. At least not directly. Even if he could, Oberon’s magicians will probably need a few days to recharge enough power to open another portal.”

  “That’s not what I meant,” Mercy said, shaking her head. “I’m saying I don’t feel comfortable spending the night with you.”

  His head tilted to the side. “Why’s that?”

  Mercy sucked in a breath. Best to do this fast and hard…like pulling off a Band-Aid.

  “Because you’re a magic thief from another world who’s been trying to manipulate me into falling in love with you,” she said.

  James shrugged his shoulders with a lazy grace. “I still don’t see the problem.”

  Mercy let out a low groan. “Of course, you don’t.”

  “You can’t expect me to believe that you aren’t drawn to me.”

  “No.” The answer flew from her lips before she could think about it. She snapped her mouth shut and took a second to regroup before trying again. “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  He kicked off the door and started toward her. “And I say you’re a liar. You may not want to be attracted to me…but you are.”

  “Fine,” Mercy said quickly, holding her hands out in front of her. James stopped cold just inches away. “You’re right. But it doesn’t matter.”

  “It does to me.” His voice dropped down so low it seemed to flow over her, caressing every inch of her skin.

  “And that’s the trouble,” Mercy said. “I know you want to protect me because you’re a nice guy.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “But I also know that you need me to fall in love with you,” she pressed on. “And I need you to understand that’s not going to happen.”