Mark of Cain (Immortal Mercenary Book 1)

by Conner Kressley

  Looking up, I saw Abel. He was glaring at me, glaring at Andy. There was something like pity in his eyes, and for whatever reason, it rubbed me the wrong way. So I said something I had never said to my brother before, not ever.

  “I don’t want to see you right now, Abel.”

  “Are you sure about that?” he asked, his voice as flat as it was soft. “I feel as though you might. Otherwise, I doubt I would be here.”

  “I don’t know why you’re here. I never have,” I said, blinking hard to keep the tears from falling down my cheeks. “So unless you can help him, I want you gone!”

  “I cannot raise the dead, Brother,” he said.

  “He’s not dead,” I answered defiantly. “He’s dying, but he’s not-” I swallowed hard. “He can still hear me. He knows he’s not alone.”

  “He’s dead, Brother. Like me, like Father, like so many before him. And he was alone. We are all alone in the end,” Abel said.

  “You’re a sonofabitch!” I said, sneering up at him.

  “I am a son of Adam, and a son of He who made him. But I am not responsible for what happened here, and I am afraid I can’t fix it.”

  “Then who can?” I asked, closing my eyes to keep the moisture in.

  “It’s funny you should ask that,” Abel said.

  I opened my eyes just as a flash of light shot out around me.

  Abel was gone when it dissipated. But there, standing in his place, was the angel Gabriel.

  “Son of Adam,” he said, nodding at me.

  “I don’t-I don’t suppose you’re in the mood to give me another favor,” I breathed, standing to meet him. “Because, the truth is, I’m beginning to see just how badly I wasted the first one.”

  He stared at me, unmoving, unfeeling.

  “No,” he answered flatly, and my heart dropped.

  “Then why are you here?” I snapped. “Why the fuck are any of you here? Just let me grieve in peace!”

  “I could,” he said, moving around me. His wings sat stalwart and massive on his back and his hair flowed gently in the breeze. “Or I could offer you something you might find a little more enticing.” He stared at me, unblinking. What was it with angels? How come they never blinked? “I will not give you a favor, but I will offer you a deal.”

  “A deal?” I asked. “What kind of deal?”

  “I will return your friend to life. I have been bestowed the power to do as such,” he said. “But, in return, I request-”

  “Yes,” I said quickly, not letting him finish.

  “You have not heard my request,” he said.

  “I don’t care,” I said. "Whatever it is, I’ll do it."

  “Think carefully, Son of Adam. A promise made to one such as I can never be broken. You are aware of this.”

  “I’m aware of a lot of things, Gabriel, including the fact that I’ve failed this man too horribly to turn away a chance at fixing even some of it.” I took a deep breath. “So whatever it is, whatever you need done, I’ll do it. I swear. No questions asked.”

  “As you wish,” Gabriel said.

  He glared down at Andy, and without even moving, invoked the most powerful energy I had ever felt.

  Andy’s neck healed all at once. Color rose in his cheeks and his chest began moving up and down softly. Then his eyes flickered open.

  “And it’s him?” I asked, no longer able to keep the tears off my cheeks. “It’s not someone or something else?”

  “I do not lie, Son of Adam. And I do not manipulate. This man’s soul has been returned to his body. His wounds have been healed. Now, it is time for you to be made aware of what you have agreed to.”

  The angel moved close to me in one swift, fluid motion.

  He leaned in and whispered just what it was he needed from me.

  My eyes grew as big as saucers, but I accepted nonetheless.

  25

  When Gabriel took his leave, flitting out of Romani land with no more difficultly than he might have opening a door, I pulled Andy to his feet.

  He was warmer now, alive somehow. Disoriented, he stumbled forward, blinking hard and struggling to remember what had just happened.

  “We need to go,” I told him, keeping my voice low and steady.

  “I don’t…” he started, but the rest of his words failed him. “Where are we?”

  “We’re almost home. That’s all that matters,” I answered, grabbing his arm and pulling him forward.

  As we moved back out to the top of the hill, I took stock of the situation.

  The portal was wide open, flickering and popping as it whirled off in the distance.

  The pack was in shock, covered in blood, and as naked as the day each of them were born.

  For his part, the Alpha tried to keep them together. His voice was stern as he told them to keep their heads about them.

  Still, even he seemed more than a little shaky. Which made sense. He had just been violated by magic, forced to turn his pack into a mess of rabid dogs running a coven’s errands, and I had pretty much just outed him.

  I doubted the rest of the pack saw that. We were, after all, a pretty decent ways away from them. But, it must have been pretty trippy nonetheless. And, judging by the look he shot me as I walked past him, I could tell he wasn’t comfortable with anyone (even a stranger he barely knew) knowing his secret.

  The kid — the one responsible for ripping open Andy’s throat — broke down as he saw him walking behind me.

  “My God!” he balked, tears still streaming down his face. “I thought…I thought…”

  “What is he talking about?” Andy asked, still hazy-eyed and confused.

  “He thought he hurt you,” I answered without missing a beat. “He was wrong. It’s not important.”

  I neared Patrick, Conrad, and Merry, who were standing closer to the open portal. They looked tense, but less haggard than the pack.

  Even now, Merry held onto the spear I gave her so tightly that her knuckles were turning white.

  I stifled a smile.

  “You okay?” I asked, glaring at her.

  “I’ll be better once we’re through that thing,” she answered, nodding in the portal’s direction. “What about you?”

  “Me?” I asked. “It’ll take at least a half a pint of whiskey to make me feel anything close to better.”

  “That doesn’t sound bad actually,” she answered, letting out a relieved sigh.

  I grinned at her.

  “It’s almost over,” I said. “I promise.” Turning out to the crowd, I yelled, “Hey!”

  They didn’t listen. Their chatter, low and half panicked, continued against my protesting.

  “Hey!” I repeated.

  Still, they didn’t listen.

  “Quiet!” The Alpha shouted, a near roar that bellowed through the forest. He turned back to me, his gaze still guarded. “This man is responsible for saving our lives and what’s left of our dignity. You’ll treat him as you would me until we’re out of this godforsaken place.”

  Suddenly, the place was as quiet as a tomb.

  Sure, that they listen to.

  “You are mistaken,” Conrad spoke up, moving forward with a set jaw and a furrowed brow. “This place is holy even among the holy, and your people have desecrated it.” He shook his head. “There will be no leaving here without recompense.”

  “Is that a fucking joke?” The Alpha asked, moving toward Conrad. His eyes flashed yellow and his teeth began to lengthen into fangs.

  Conrad pulled the spear away from Merry, ripping it out of her hands and preparing himself.

  “Oh, for Christ’s sake,” I said, jumping between them.

  “Get out of the way,” the Alpha said, staring right through me at Conrad.

  “Is that any way to talk to the person you just said saved you?” I asked, staring up at him.

  “You did us a solid.” He blinked hard at me. “You did me a solid, I guess. But I ain’t leaving my people here. Not for anybody.”

&nbs
p; “What’s your name?” I asked.

  He blinked twice, but didn’t respond.

  I leaned forward, whispering. “Look, bro. I know what your breakfast tasted like at this point. Let me take care of this. Let me get all of us out of here.”

  “We’re not staying here,” he growled.

  “Neither am I,” I assured him.

  He nodded at me. “Clint,” he said. “My name is Clint.”

  I turned back to Conrad. “What the hell are you doing?” I asked. “This is over. We stopped this.”

  “And you are welcome to leave,” Conrad answered. “But, these people have broken our laws.”

  “Everybody’s broken your laws,” I scoffed. “This place has got more restrictions than a morning radio show contest. You need to chill and let this happen.” I threw my hands out, trying to calm him down. “You've got beef, legitimate beef. I’ll give you that. But your beef is not with this pack. They’re just as much the victims here as you are.”

  “Then, why are they intact?” Conrad asked, rage building in his face. “They have taken Romani life. They have spilled Romani blood.”

  “And do you want more lives taken?” I asked. “You want more blood spilled? Because I can’t think of a more effective way to get that done than to pick a fight with a werewolf pack.” I steadied my breathing. “They want to leave. Just let them leave.”

  Conrad stared at me, and then the pack for a beat too long.

  “No,” he finally responded.

  “You’re not serious!” I balked, completely shocked. “You’re going to incite a-”

  “No he’s not,” Patrick answered, pushing Conrad backward. “He’s not going to do any of that.”

  “Patrick…” Conrad started.

  “Your Highness,” he corrected him in a tone that told him no more questions were to be asked.

  “Your Highness,” Conrad answered, obviously hurt. “We cannot let what has happened here stand.”

  “And we won’t,” Patrick answered. “But there’s no sense in punishing puppets.”

  Clint released a low growl.

  Patrick turned to him. “I mean no disrespect to you or your people. But-like us — you have been pulled into a battle that you have no business being in. I ask that you forgive Conrad for his exuberance. In my culture, vengeance is a living thing. It is important enough that it is passed down through the generations. Wrongs are never forgotten.” He turned back to Conrad. “But that does not mean we lose our way. We are obligated to be just, and justice means serving vengeance on those who deserve it. These people do not, but there are those who do. And I will find them, Conrad. I will serve the Romani rage to these witches, or I am not Patrick O’Leary, next high king of the Romani.”

  He cleared his throat and turned back to Clint. “Your people are free to leave. You will be visited no cruelty by my citizens. You have my word.”

  Clint looked hard at him, like he was trying to figure out whether or not he was being legit.

  “Good enough,” he finally said.

  “Thank God,” Merry muttered. “Now can we please get out of here?”

  “We can,” I answered. Looking to Andy, I said, “We’re going to jump through that-”

  “I know,” he said, shaking his head. “It's-it's coming back to me.”

  “Good,” I answered, giving him the once over. He did look more put together, like the time it took for the wolf and the gypsy to finish their pissing contest did him some good.

  “You guys first,” I said, motioning to Clint. It wouldn’t be too long before the rest of the Romani found out that we had broken ranks. The wolves needed to be gone first. Otherwise, the rest of the clan would make what Conrad wanted to do to them look like a Christmas card.

  Clint nodded and ordered them in; one bare ass after another jumping through the portal.

  It whooshed as, one by one, they disappeared into it.

  “Soon, my love,” Patrick said, beaming at Merry. “Soon, you will bring me to my daughter and I will make up for all the lost time.”

  Andy slapped me on the shoulder. “You first, ugly,” he said.

  He was definitely coming back to himself.

  “Not on your life,” I answered. “Get your ass through. I’ll be right behind.”

  He nodded and jumped through. I watched him vanish into the portal, trying not to think about how, minutes ago, he had been lifeless and as cold as ice.

  “Come on, Merry,” I said, and reached for her.

  Before my hand met hers, I saw it. The sun flickered off the head of the spear as it turned in Conrad’s hand.

  I jumped toward her, sure that he was going to strike at Merry. She was the mother of an abomination, after all.

  But I was wrong.

  I threw my body in front of Merry just in time to watch Conrad drive the spear through Patrick’s chest, murdering his future king.

  “No!” Merry screamed, trying to rush toward him. I held her back.

  It was too late. There was so much blood, so much gore.

  “You would lay with outsiders,” he spit. “You would allow those who murdered our own to walk free. And even that I could forgive,” Conrad cried. “I would forgive it because you are my prince, who has my love and loyalty. But, not this.” He shook his head. “Not abandoning your people for some dying half breed. Not your wish to bring that half breed back, to raise her to rule us one day.”

  He shook the spear hard and Patrick O’Leary’s body fell off it, crashing limply to the ground.

  Merry whimpered as she watched it fall, knowing what this meant.

  “I do this for my people,” Conrad said, looking back up at me. “I do it for their future, to save them from having to see what I was too blind to; that their future leader is weak, that he is not deserving of them. May God forgive me.”

  He turned the spear round in his hands and pushed it into his neck, opening it up.

  “Oh my God!” Merry gasped, kneeling forward and vomiting on the ground.

  “Come on,” I said, literally picking her up off the ground. “The portal will be closed soon. We have to go. There’s no one else to open it.”

  “We can’t leave him,” Merry said, trying to pull away from me and jump toward Patrick.

  “He’s dead,” I said, holding her tightly. “He’s dead, Merry.”

  “No!” she screamed. “Wake him up! He’s got my daughter’s kidney! He can’t be dead!”

  “Merry, they’ll come soon,” I said. “And if they find us standing here over the bodies of their prince and his right hand, there’s no way we’re not going to be blamed for it.” I swallowed hard. “They’ll kill you and they’ll do something worse to me.”

  “I don’t care about myself!” she cried. “I need that kidney!”

  “I’m sorry, Merry,” I said. “I’ll make it up to you. I swear it.”

  She started punching at me, but I jumped through the portal, taking her with me.

  I landed on the other side, my feet slamming against pavement an instant before the portal slammed shut behind us.

  We were in a parking lot somewhere. It was the middle of the night and the ground was wet enough to let me know it had just stopped raining.

  “Where are the gypsies?” Andy asked, looking us over after the portal closed.

  “They’re dead,” I answered simply.

  Merry pulled herself out of my arms, and this time, I allowed it. She slammed palms against my chest before running back to the place where the portal had just been.

  “It’s done, Merry,” I said. “It’s over.”

  Andy’s phone buzzed a few times as I walked toward the wolves.

  Clint approached me, cutting me off.

  “What happened back there-”

  “Your business is your business,” I answered. “I’m not in the business of exposing secrets. Though honestly, I think if you were just honest with them, they might surprise you.”

  “There has never been an Alpha who is…�
� His words trailed off.

  “There was never anything before there was,” I answered. “Take it from someone who’s seen a lot of firsts. Things are never as scary as you make them out to be.”

  “Good Lord,” Andy muttered.

  I turned to him quickly.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  He moved toward Merry, who was staring at the emptiness of the parking lot, obviously lamenting what had just happened.

  “Did you lie about your birthday?” Andy asked frantically.

  “What?” she asked, half dazed.

  “Back in the hospital, you said your birthday was later this month. I know you lied about a lot of things. Did you lie about that?”

  “Andy,” I started at them. “What’s wrong?”

  “You did, didn’t you?” he asked, ignoring me. “It all makes sense now.” He steadied himself. “Is your birthday November 17?”

  Merry narrowed her eyes and nodded.

  “Andy what the hell is this about?” I asked, finally shouting.

  “He figured it out,” a voice chimed in from behind me. “He knows what we’re up to.”

  I spun around and saw them.

  The white haired witch stood in the distance, the entire lunar coven at her back.

  “It’s a shame that he’s too late to do anything about it.”

  26

  My entire body tensed as I looked at them.

  The lunar coven. The architects of our current situation. Every one of us had been manipulated by them. Merry with her daughter, Clint with his pack, Andy with the bodies popping up all over that forced him into action.

  And me; something told me that things ran much, much deeper than I realized between me and these witches.

  I narrowed my eyes, watching them as they approached. They stepped in tandem, each of them moving in exactly the same way at exactly the same time. It was as though they were connected. Which, come to think of it, they probably were.

  I had known a lot of witches over the years who bound themselves to each other to make them stronger. But, I had never dealt with a coven that had this kind of power.

  It took angelic intervention to save us from this bunch the last time. And, given the deal I had just struck with Gabriel and the fact that I had exactly zero favors left up my sleeve, something told me I couldn’t count on a repeat performance of that.