Eli- Warriors for the Light

by Karen Michelle Nutt

  The place was nearly empty since most people had picked out their costumes weeks ago. They could only hope that out of the leftovers, they’d find something suitable for one night of dress up.

  Eli’s gaze landed on the masks that hung on one of the walls. They looked like decapitated heads on display, resembling the gruesome spectacle he’d seen at the Tower of London during King Henry’s reign.

  There were isles of accessories, too—swords, crowns, bloody hands and, of course, the make-up to apply all the colors imaginable to accomplish the ghoulish look needed to complete a costume.

  Ryden had ventured over to the women’s attire and she paused to eye a gown made of imitation green velvet and gold trim, but it was finely made and would look lovely on her.

  He walked over to her. “It’s definitely you. You should get it.”

  She sighed and looked at him. “It’s more than I wanted to spend.”

  “Let me buy it for you then.”

  “Oh, no.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t have you do that.”

  “I insist.” He took it off the rack. “I’ll let you know, my motives aren’t all that honorable.” His finger slid along the low neckline and he wagged his brows at her. “I’d love to see how this looks on you.”

  Her rich laughter was like music to his ears. “Fine, I’ll take it, but if I’m to play the princess, how about you be my prince?”

  He grimaced and inhaled deeply, clicking his tongue. “Tights really aren’t my thing?”

  She slipped her arm through his and led him to the men’s costumes. “But you see, my motives aren’t all that honorable either.” Her gaze traveled down the length of him.” I’m curious to see your legs.”

  She turned and fished through the costumes on the rack, sliding them away with a shake of her head. Then she paused and looked back at him. “Hmm…maybe a prince’s outfit isn’t the way to go. How about a highlander?” She pulled out a kilt that was red, green, and white plaid. Her gaze wavered over it as her fingers caressed it. “I always wondered what highlanders wore underneath their kilts.” Her gaze swept to his, challenging him with a lift of her perfectly shaped eyebrow.

  His own brows lifted in surprise. “Ye play with fire, lass,” he gave a good imitation of a Scottish accent. “Are ye sure ye know what ye’re doin’?”

  “Oh, aye.” She fell into a brogue herself. “As long as I’m the only lass stokin’ the fire. I’ll risk bein’ burned.”

  His eyes widened and her lips slid into a seductive smile. “Woman, you do know how to convince a man. I’d wear a clown suit if you’d look at me the way you are now. Hand it over.” He waved his cupped hand at her. “Highlander it is then.”

  She chuckled and leaned up on her tip-toes to plant a kiss on his cheek. “You’re going to look fabulous, even with your knobby knees,” she whispered and swept by him.

  He looked down at his knees, even though he couldn’t see them through his jeans. Then he looked after her. “I don’t have knobby knees.”

  “Good to know,” she threw over her shoulder.

  He chuckled and shook his head.

  He had just paid the saleswoman when he felt the disturbance, the shimmer and change in the air, announcing the arrival of a Watcher. His gaze riveted behind them, his warrior instincts had him wanting to go for the dagger hidden in his pocket. He spotted Gideon, his spiked hair a dark auburn and his eyes the color of moss. He stood by the costume rack dressed in jeans and a Harley T-shirt. One ear sported an earring. It was one of the looks he liked best. To anyone in the store, he looked to be about twenty to twenty-five years old, but Eli could see the subtle differences that proved he wasn’t a young man just starting his life. The hardness in his eyes proved he’d seen and done things no human at twenty had.

  Gideon’s gaze met his before he shimmered again and was outside the shop, staring at him through the window. He wanted Eli to follow him.

  “What’s wrong?” Ryden’s voice pulled him back, making him hesitate. Ryden didn’t know him, not the real him and didn’t understand the danger. He had to think of a way to be away from her for a few minutes. He forced himself to smile. “Nothing. How’d you like to get a cup of coffee before I drop you back at home to change for the party tonight?”

  “Mmmm.” Her lips curved and her eyes lit up as she leaned against him, her hands encircling his arm. “That sounds wonderful. There’s a Starbucks a few doors down.”

  Yes, he knew. “Good. How about I put the costumes in the car, while you snag us a table.”

  “Okay.”

  He opened the door, stepping out first, just in case Gideon was stupid enough to attack. When the Watcher didn’t make a move, he stepped aside, holding the door open for Ryden.

  “See you in a sec,” she said and headed toward the right. As soon as she opened the door to the coffee house, he headed left.

  Gideon disappeared between the dry cleaners and the donut shop. As he neared, he realized there was a passageway that led to the back of the strip mall’s stores.

  This could be a trap. The idea crossed his mind more than once. He slipped his hand into his coat pocket and clasped the dagger. Trap or not, he had to find out what Gideon wanted. Ryden was in a crowd and safe and he could handle Gideon if forced to do so.

  He turned into the passageway and stopped in his tracks. Gideon stood at the end of it, his wings visible revealing his true self.

  “What do you want, Gideon?”

  “To warn you.”

  Eli lifted a brow. “Really. I believe you’re a little late with that warning. Ryden and I were attacked last night.”

  “The Talaci demons aren’t the ones that have the bounty on your head. The Hashasheen demons do.”

  Eli stiffened, his thoughts leapt feverishly to how he would manage to keep Ryden safe with his glamour bound. The Hashasheen demons would not stop until they took down their prey and they didn’t believe in mercy killings. They resorted to torture, and poisons were their specialty.

  He shrugged off his misgivings. Gideon could be lying. “Tell me one good reason why I should believe a word you say?”

  His shoulders lifted and lowered in a nonchalant attitude of ‘suit yourself.’ “There probably isn’t one, but I’ll clear my conscience and give you the warning just the same.”

  Eli didn’t understand why Gideon felt compelled to tip him off. They weren’t friends. He couldn’t think of a time they chatted other than to have words when he argued with Lucca. “Who placed the bounty on my head?”

  “I won’t name names. It’s just…”

  “What?”

  Gideon ran an agitated hand over his spiked hair. The strands immediately popped back up at attention. His gaze met Eli’s directly. “Do you truly believe there could be a soul mate out there for me, too?”

  Eli was taken aback at his earnest inquiry. Hope radiated from Gideon’s eyes like a silent prayer. He nodded his head. “Yes, for everyone.”

  Gideon nodded and his lips slid into a grin. “I hope you’re right.” He frowned then, his eyes narrowing to anger. “Bloody hell.” He pulled out a dagger and shimmered. Before Eli could react, Gideon reappeared beside him. Eli had his dagger poised, but Gideon used his glamour and slammed his arm against him, sending him hurling into the wall like a ragdoll, the costume bag flying from his grip and his dagger clattered to the ground beside him.

  As he recovered his wits, he realized that Gideon wasn’t attacking him. A Hashasheen demon had appeared behind him and Gideon was trying to protect him. Gideon swung his dagger and the demon hissed, jumping back.

  Grabbing his dagger, Eli came to his feet as two more demons turned up. “This can’t be good.” He charged forward swinging viciously. Alarm lit the demons’ eyes and they fell back, but soon regained their confidence. They both held a weapon, a black gun of some sort with metal spikes protruding like harpoons.

  He dove as the first shot went off, the steel spike slamming into the side of the building above his head. He roll
ed, came around, and swung his arm. The dagger flew from his fingertips, hitting one of the demons in the shoulder. The demon howled and his next shot went wild.

  A shimmer of magic told him another preternatural being appeared. “Great. It’s a party.”

  A female, a Dark Angel with black wings and hair just as dark, appeared with her own personal arsenal of lethal weapons. They were attached to her formfitting outfit like they were elaborate accessories. She attacked the Hashasheen closest to her, twisting as she swung her leg, kicking the gun out of his hands. Thank God, she was on his side. The demon took out a dagger and she obliged him by taking out hers. She could hold her own and she looked like she was enjoying herself. She grinned at the demon and motioned to him with a come-hither wave. If he lived, he’d thank her later for her help.

  Gideon was still in a fierce struggle, but Eli couldn’t pause to lend a hand. The other demon had his spear gun trained on him.

  Eli rolled then flew to his feet, charging the demon. He tackled him to the ground, both in a deadly grapple to gain control of the weapon. The gun went off, shooting wildly. Eli was on top and slammed the demon’s hand down on the ground over and over again. Finally the weapon flew from the demon’s grip. Eli let go and grabbed the hilt of his dagger that protruded in the demon’s arm and yanked it out. The demon growled in agony, but before he could fight back, Eli brought the weapon down again, slamming it into the demon’s chest. His red eyes showed shock before they faded, his body going limp as his life ebbed away. Eli jumped away, taking his weapon with him. The Hashasheen’s body sizzled and dissolved to black ooze.

  With the dagger raised, Eli turned to help Gideon, but he was taking out the last Hashasheen with a swing of his dagger, slicing the demon’s neck.

  Eli leaned down, gripping his knees as he tried to regain his breath. “Thank you. Both of you.” He looked at the Dark Angel and she gave him a wicked smile. She was attractive in a dark warrior sense. “You doing okay, Gideon?” When the Watcher didn’t answer, he looked at him.

  Gideon had slid to the ground and leaned against the side of the building. Eli’s gaze riveted to the spikes protruding out of his wing. It was stained with blood and shriveling as he watched. “Oh, God.” Eli flew to his feet and knelt down beside him. “Why haven’t you healed yourself?”

  Gideon looked at him, his eyes losing their luster and his face turning gray.

  “The spikes are tainted with Balanos oil,” The Dark Angel said, crouching down beside Gideon, too. “I’m Sarice, by the way. Zaiden sent me,” she answered his unasked question.

  He acknowledged her with a nod. “I take it this is their famous poison they like to use?” Eli leaned close, examining Gideon’s damaged wing again. An overwhelming sweet aroma wafted from the wound and he wrinkled his nose in disgust. “It smells like a type of incense.”

  “It’s a perfume the Egyptians used during mummification. They were into smelling good even when they entered the afterlife. To anyone with Nephilitic blood, it’s lethal.”

  His gaze took in the damage the weapons had done to the wing. The poison must work fast. “Can you help him?” he addressed Sarice. “I can’t. Not with my glamour bound.”

  Sarice shook her head. “It wouldn’t matter if you had your glamour. The only way to remove the poison is to cut out the infected area.”

  “Cut my wing off?” Gideon’s voice rose in alarm. “I’ll be earthbound.”

  “Well, Watcher, the alternative is death. Your choice.” She shrugged. “Either way is good with me.”

  Gideon licked his lips debating for a half a second, but then he nodded, obviously deciding death didn’t look so hot. “If it’s the only way.” His gaze latched onto Sarice with hope she’d come up with another idea.

  “Sorry, it’s the only way, Watcher.”

  Gideon turned his gaze on Eli. “Do you think a soul mate will be attracted to a half-wing freak?”

  Eli gripped his shoulder. “It’s about connection of the heart and soul, not if you can fly. Trust me, it won’t matter.”

  “Touching,” Sarice interrupted. “If we don’t hurry, you won’t have to worry about a soul mate finding you attractive. You’ll be a pile of shriveled up goo.”

  Gideon licked his lip nervously then nodded. “Okay. Do it.” He closed his eyes, bracing himself for the first cut. Eli took hold of his hand, gripping tight.

  Sarice met Eli’s gaze with a look that confused him. A second later, he knew why. Her fist flew into Gideon’s jaw, knocking him out cold.

  Eli jumped. “What are you doing?”

  “Would you rather he felt my blade? He’ll be out for the worst of it now. Go back to your human and let me take care of him.”

  He stood and retrieved the bag from the costume shop. He was hesitant to leave Sarice and Gideon unguarded. They would be vulnerable. He was about to tell Sarice his decision to stay, but she spoke first.

  “They won’t send another assassin for a while. It’ll take time for them to realize the others are dead.” She looked over her shoulder at him, her one brow quirked high on her forehead. “Your gallantry is duly noted, but I’ll be fine. Go.”

  If anyone could take care of themselves, it was this Darklin. She had a don’t-mess-with-me-attitude and the weapons holstered at her waist to back it up.

  “So be it.” Confident that Gideon was in good hands, he jogged over to his car. Ryden must be wondering where he was by now. He threw the costumes in the trunk then jogged part of the way to Starbucks, but slowed his pace before entering the establishment.

  Ryden was seated at the table near the back and he made his way over to her. “Sorry I was so long—” His words slipped away as her features turned to alarm.

  “There’s blood on your shirt.”

  Blood? He looked down at the lapels of his duster. Gideon’s blood. He had grabbed a hold of him. “Shoot. I didn’t realize.” He met her gaze with a story forming in his mind as he spoke. He couldn’t tell her the whole truth, but maybe something close to it. “There was a fight. Two kids were having a go at it. I stepped in and broke it up. One of the kids had a bloody nose. The blood must be his.”

  He watched her face as alarm turned to suspicion. She didn’t believe him, but she didn’t push it. “Why don’t you hit the bathroom and clean up and I’ll order the coffees.” She didn’t wait for him to answer, but walked over to the counter.

  The disappointment in her eyes was like a fist to his stomach, making him wish there was some way he could take it away. His hand eased the bathroom door open and he went inside. He grabbed a few hand towels, cursing that he hadn’t looked over his attire before waltzing into Starbucks. He turned on the water to wet the towels and glanced at his reflection in the mirror. He froze and cursed again. No wonder she looked like she didn’t believe him. He had dirt smudged on his face, his hair was sticking on end, and he had black demon blood on his ear, though to Ryden it would look like tar. He used the paper towel to clean his face.

  Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. She knew he was lying, but she didn’t bolt. “Yet. You keep pushing it and she will.” He finished cleaning and combed his fingers through his hair, making himself somewhat presentable. He paused at the door and took a deep breath before he pushed it open to face whatever awaited him. Ryden might believe he was a liar, but he wouldn’t add coward to her list.

  Ryden was seated with their coffees on the table. He slid into the chair next to her. “Thanks.” He didn’t meet her gaze, but picked up the cup and took a generous sip, not caring that it burned all the way down.

  “Listen,” Ryden said and he met her direct gaze. “I don’t know if you’re some kind of hero that goes around saving people or if danger seems attracted to you like lint on black clothing, but—”

  “Ryden,” he interrupted her, fear choking him. She was going to walk away.

  She held up her hand and he fell silent. “I’m not going to ask you what really happened because I don’t want to hear another lie.” She paus
ed as if searching for the right words. “But I hope in time, you’ll learn to trust me.”

  He swallowed the lump in his throat. She wasn’t going anywhere. She wanted him to trust her? Dear Lord, she was some woman, but then he already knew that.

  She reached across the table and gripped his hand.

  He returned the gesture. “Please give me some time. I promise you, everything I do will all make sense.”

  She nodded with a wan smile. She didn’t understand his strange request, but she granted him the time anyway.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Ryden’s cousin, Lana rented out the clubhouse for the Halloween Bash and didn’t skimp on the expense. Black and orange streamers stretched from one end of the ceiling to the other. A large disco ball hung in the center of the room and black lights replaced the regular bulbs. Tables were purposely situated around the room, facing the DJ who set up his equipment at the far wall. This left an area in the center open for a dance floor.

  Lana didn’t skimp on the refreshments either. She had the party catered by Doug’s Downtown Grill. Ryden set it up for her. The sandwiches were pulled pork and other finger foods of all kinds. Fruit on sticks, cookies, and cupcakes frosted in orange and black were among the varied delights. There was an open bar and a service set up to drive people home if they needed the assistance. All keys were checked in as they entered the party to ensure no one drove home drunk. Eli was impressed. She was organized and responsible for her guests.

  Ryden stood beside her cousin discussing the lineup of songs they should give the DJ to begin the night. Lana was dressed like a vampire in a form fitting black dress with a high standup collar. She wore a black wig and her white makeup and blood red lips finished off the outfit. She was as tall as Ryden and had the same high cheekbones. He could tell they were related, but Lana was fair-haired with strands of gold, not that anyone could see with the black wig she wore.