It would surprise her if they didn’t. From what she knew about the Mal, they used any means necessary to gain power. “Yes, they do.” Den answered this time, after a quick glance in the mirror. “I’ve just never done it.” “Neither have I,” Jacoby added. “We just wanted to be sure something else wasn’t going on that we needed to know about.” “Is something else going on?” Jacoby paused again and she knew he was carefully considering his response. “My ability to manipulate metal seems to have magnified exponentially after having sex with you. And Den’s power has increased, too.” Well, now. That was interesting. “I’ve never heard of the power transfer going both ways with deities.” She answered truthfully, not wanting to hide anything from them. “Typically, the men who share their energy with a deity feel drained, not energized.” She’d been so focused on her own powers she hadn’t taken the time to check theirs. She’d been concerned that she’d drained them but hadn’t thought that they’d be anything other than normal. She should’ve known better. These two men were nothing if not extraordinary. There had to be a reason they’d been sent into her life. Her sister, Nortia, Goddess of Fate, could be a straight-up bitch at times but she was still a compassionate person at her core. If she had been fated to meet Jacoby and Den, maybe Nortia had had a hand in arranging that. Which meant maybe she needed to have a discussion with her sister. And she would, when she got back to civilization. Right now, she needed to keep Den and Jacoby from thinking they were somehow anything other than perfect for her. Closing her eyes, she let her empathy reach out for them, let her power caress theirs. What she found shocked the hell out of her. Their power had grown stronger. So much so, they were bleeding power. Anyone with a magical gift would get a charge just from being in their vicinity. She’d never seen anything like it. It was almost like they were feeding each other power in an endless loop. “Do you two feel that?” Her eyes opened wide, looking at each of them in turn and watching the way they glanced at each other. “Yes,” Jacoby said. “We’ve never had a connection like this before. We’re concerned it’ll make it easier for whoever’s following to find us. And you.” She wanted to sniffle. They were still worried about her. It was so sweet, she wanted to crawl into the front seat and kiss them both. Which might cause an accident and therefore was ill-advised. Still... “I don’t think we have to worry about that. And once we get to the den, the wards will mask you from anyone looking for you. We just need to get to the den.” “We should be there within the hour,” Den said. “And then we need to figure out how the hell we’re going to get the fuck out away from the Mal without getting killed.”
*****
Half an hour later, Den turned onto an unmarked lane somewhere in southeastern Pennsylvania. The terrain was hilly and thickly forested. If Kari hadn’t told him exactly where to turn, he would’ve missed it completely. To the naked eye, the path looked like little more than a break in the trees but once he turned, the path opened into a black-topped road. Damn, the wards that kept this place disguised from the rest of the world were strong. “How many acres do they own?” “I don’t know.” Kari shrugged, looking out the window into the trees. She’d been quiet since their earlier discussion about the increase in his and Jacoby’s powers. She didn’t look worried but she seemed
to perk up once they entered lucani lands. “A hundred acres. More, probably. They bought the original land over a hundred years ago and I know they’ve added to it through the years.” Holy shit. The amount of power needed to maintain the wards on an area this size had to be immense. “The Mal like to say the lucani are an unorganized group of inbreds and rednecks. That they’re no better than the animals they shift into.” Jacoby’s quiet statement drew Den’s attention away from the twisty road for a few seconds. Jacoby’s expression didn’t show much but Den heard his controlled anger in his voice. Or maybe Den was simply seeing his own emotions in Jacoby. Whatever the case, they were both pissed off and ready to rip someone’s head off. And that was probably a mistake when they were about to meet the entire lucani den. “I’m sure they told you a lot of things you know aren’t true.” Den checked the rearview to see Kari watching Jacoby, worry written plainly on her face. She had every right to be worried. The lucani might take one look at them and decide he and Jacoby were too much of a risk and kill them both. They’d be totally outnumbered and Den was fairly certain if it came to a battle of strength, they’d be overwhelmed, even if they used their powers to defend themselves. Den felt the power emanating from the land. Jacoby wasn’t the only one who’d seen an increase in power. Den’s Goddess gift had never been useful as a weapon. His affinity to animals extended only far enough to enable him to understand what they were thinking or feeling. He couldn’t talk to them or control them. He didn’t want to. He had more respect for other living creatures than to bend them to his will. Of course, if he’d been more powerful, the Mal would’ve forced him to use his power against their enemies. And if he’d been born Mal instead of simply being born into a Mal family, he probably would’ve learned how to hone that ability during his soldier training. Now... He’d defend himself against the only family he had to keep from using another living being against their will. He also knew he’d do whatever was necessary to make sure Kari was safe. And if that meant killing anyone who dared hurt her, so be it. His hands tightened around the steering wheel as he saw the first home to the left of the road. He only caught a glimpse as it was carefully surrounded by trees, but now he felt like he was being watched. That feeling intensified as they began to see more homes. If an eteri somehow managed to find their way onto lucani property through the wards that would try to direct them away, they’d find an average-looking community of homes. All were constructed of stone and wood, most of them only one story tall. None looked run down or in need of repair. Some had gardens, though they weren’t perfectly manicured like most of the Mal-owned houses. No, these were wild and filled with birds and insects. Not surprisingly, he didn’t sense a lot of small animals. The fact that wolves roamed here probably kept them away. Finally, the road led them to a group of buildings that probably classified as a village. Only one of them had a second story and that was probably their destination. The ten men and five women standing on the porch confirmed his assumption. Especially when one of those women turned out to be his mother. Relief, pure and fierce swept through his body with the force of a gale. Slamming the car into park, he got out of the car and headed straight for her as she rushed off the porch. No one attempted to stop her and that was probably a really good thing because he wasn’t sure he would’ve been able to stop himself from hurting people if they had. Christ, she must be terrified. “Mom.” “Denny, sweetheart. You’re okay. I’ve been so worried.” As she wrapped her thin arms around his neck and hugged him tight, he returned her affection, just made sure not to grip her too tightly. She’d been ill for so long, he’d learned at an early age to be gentle with her. “Are you okay? You aren’t hurt?”
Pulling away, he set his hands on her shoulders and set her away from him so he could check her out from head to foot. She looked fine. Especially when she lifted her eyebrows and gave him a Mom glare. “Of course, I’m fine. I mean, it would’ve been nice to have a heads up that two strange men were going to show up at my home and ask me to run away with them. If I’d been a little younger, I might’ve embarrassed myself by thinking they were there for purposes other than kidnapping. But I guess I’m too old for that sort of thing now.” Den had no idea what to say to that. His mom had never been one to make jokes, especially not around his father. He knew their marriage had been one of convenience, which is why most Mal got married. But he’d never heard her say anything as innuendo-filled as that statement. “Mom? Did you hit your head?” At least her laughter sounded the same. “Yes, sweetheart, I’m fine. But I’ve been worried about you. The lucani have tried to fill me on what’s been going on but I don’t think they know all the facts, either, do they?” “No, we don’t. And we’d really love to hear all about it.” The man stand
ing at the top of the porch with his arms crossed over his chest stared at Den with steady eyes. Dressed in suit pants and a white dress shirt, his feet bare, he walked down the stairs. Den thought the man would stop in front of him and demand an explanation. Instead, he walked right by him, straight to Kari, who wore a wide smile. “Lady Kari.” The guy executed a perfect bow, which made Den’s mouth drop open a split second before every atom in his body rose up in fury. If he touched her, Den would break his hand. “Are you okay?” She reached for his arm, drawing him up so she could wrap her arms around his shoulders and give him a hug. Luckily, she initiated the embrace or Den would’ve ripped his head off those shoulders. A quick glance at Jacoby and he knew he would’ve done the same. “Cole, it’s so good to see you. You look tired. You’re not getting enough sleep, are you? I’ve told you, you can’t run on coffee and adrenaline all the time. You need downtime.” So this was the lucani king. He’d seen pictures, of course. All Mal enforcers knew that if they ever came upon the king undefended, they were to shoot him on sight. Den had always wondered why the Mal were so frightened of him. Standing beside him, Den understood a little better why the Mal feared him so much. He didn’t look particularly fierce but, damn, the man had presence. An air of total command that you didn’t get from simply having power. No, this was something you earned and built over years. A force of will that made good leaders great. And the guy was barely thirty. “Yes, Lady. I’d love to have some downtime if certain goddesses would stop getting in trouble.” Kari laughed and the sound struck a chord deep inside of Den, one that rang only for her. “Well, with the help of two wonderful men, I’m free again.” “And voted most likely to get in trouble,” a female voice sounded behind them. “Tinia’s teat, Kari, why were you gone so long?” Den glanced over his shoulder at the woman rushing out of the woods, flanked by two men. A woman who looked almost exactly like Kari. Den’s mouth dropped open as the women embraced. “I’m pretty sure you know exactly why I was gone for so long but I am sorry I scared you, Ami.” Sisters. This was Munthukh, Lady Amity. “Why don’t we let the ladies get caught up—” “My sister. She’s not here.” Shit. Den automatically searched the small crowd for the familiar face of Jacoby’s sister, Emelia, and realized she wasn’t here. He’d been so damn happy to see his mom he hadn’t even looked for her.
“No.” Cole faced Jacoby, arms over his chest. “We weren’t able to get to her. The Mal had already moved her.” The look on Jacoby’s face made Den’s chest ache. Damn it. Just... “I need to go after her.” Cole held up one hand and Den drew himself a little straighter. If he told Jacoby he couldn’t go, they were about to have a fight on their hands. “Jacoby, right? I’m Cole Luporeale. I understand you’re anxious to get to your sister and you have my word we will. We just need a little more information. Why don’t you and Den,” Cole glanced at him with a nod, “come inside and we can talk?” Talk? More like be subdued and contained and taken out of the equation. Den had no doubt that whatever happened now, he and Jacoby were about to be put out of the picture. Isn’t that what you expected all along? Yeah, he had. Jacoby, too. They just hadn’t discussed what they would do when they go to this point. He’d kind of figured they’d fight until they no longer could and then they’d do whatever the lucani wanted so their loved ones would be safe. They hadn’t expected to want to stay by the side of their woman. And no matter that she was a goddess, Kari was theirs. Or more to the point, they were hers. They’d fight to stay by her side. But now that she was free, would she want to stay with them?
Jacoby had known the second he hadn’t seen Emelia on the porch that he had to go back out and get her. And he’d fight every single lucani in the area to do it. “My father probably heard about Den’s mother and moved Emelia. I need to leave immediately.” “I understand your concern.” The lucani king looked him straight in the eyes. “But you’re going to need our help if you want to get her out. That’s all we’re offering. Help. She’s your sister. We don’t want to get in the way.” “And you’re just going to let us walk away?” “If that’s what you want, yes. But we’re more than willing to give you whatever assistance you think you’re going to need. I have four sicari and our tracker ready to move out immediately. They’re more than capable but if you think you need more men, I can have another five available.” Sicari? Jacoby had the vague knowledge that the word meant assassin. His gaze skipped to the remaining men standing on the porch. Yeah, they certainly looked the part of assassins. They stared at him as if they were dissecting, checking out his weaknesses. He had two at the moment. He shot Den a glance and knew his friend had his back, no matter what he decided. “So you can put my sister in another cage? She’s been in one all her life. I don’t want to get her out just to have her trapped again.” “You have my word that won’t happen. But you don’t need to take only my word.” Turning, he held his hand out to the young redhead standing next to one of the men on the porch. She couldn’t be more than twenty but she looked...old. Not physically but there was something in her eyes. She shared a quick glance with the man at her side and Jacoby saw a resemblance. Family. Maybe father and daughter. The guy definitely felt protective about her, whoever she was. As she came closer, he felt the power emanating from her. He didn’t recognize her but he did realize a second before she stopped in front of him what she was. Holy shit. His expression must have shown his thoughts because her lips curved in a wry smile. “Hi, I’m Cat. I’m so sorry about your sister but I give you my word, as the...” her pause was infinitesimal but unmistakable, “Goddess of the Moon, she will be in total control of every decision. Please, we just want to help.” Well, shit. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know if he should bow or kiss her ring, not that she was wearing a ring.
He settled for bowing his head. “Thank you, Lady Cat. I didn’t mean to offend anyone. I’m just worried.”
Walking forward, Cat reached for his arm and squeezed, smiling up at him. “I get it. Please, let me introduce you to my dad. He’s one of the sicari Cole was talking about. You can trust him.”
When she spoke, he believed every word. Which was a strange feeling for a man who’d learned not to trust anyone except Den and his sister.
“Then I’ll be happy to talk to him, Lady.”
Her grimace was adorable. “Please, call me Cat.” She leaned in closer so only he could hear her. “Lady makes me feel old.”
He smiled for the first time in what felt like years. “Whatever you want, Cat.”
Her answering smile shone bright. “I know you want to get moving so...” She turned and nodded at the men on the porch, none of whom looked thrilled to see him so close to her. He didn’t have time to worry about that now.
The man who looked to be Cat’s dad came down off the porch. When he got close enough, he held out his hand. Jacoby shook it. The man didn’t grip him too hard or try to exert his dominance in any other way. He just shook, the tats on his arms stark on his skin. Jacoby thought he recognized them as protective runes.
“Kyle Rossini.” He gestured behind him at the remaining people on the porch. “My team and I are ready to give you whatever support you need. We just need you to lead the way.”
Five minutes later, Jacoby, Den, Cole, Kyle, the three other sicari and the tracker, Kaisie, sat at a table in the two-story building, staring at a map of New Jersey.
“They’re going to take her to this safe house outside of Millville.” He pointed at the tiny dot on map. “It’s the most defensible and the most heavily warded of the properties my father owns.”
“Why do you think they’ll take here there and not to one of the Mal’s strongholds?” The female sicari Kaine asked. “Does your dad have enough power in the organization to dictate a move like this?”
Jacoby nodded. “Yeah, he does. My father’s high enough on the food chain he was able to get me on the detail to guard Kari. Everything with him is image. In the Mal, if you look powerful, that’s half the battle. Besides, he was born Malandante. He wasn’t just born
into a Mal family. Plus, he’s powerful enough on his own to have risen up the ranks anyway.”
“What about you?” Kaine tilted her head up and looked at him. “How powerful are you?”
Where a Goddess Belongs Page 10
