Apostate

by Frankie Robertson

  “Get The Lion off your back?”

  She nodded.

  Dave’s stomach tightened. She was wondering how far he’d gone to protect her and Alex and she hadn’t asked because she’d dreaded the answer. He couldn’t blame her. He’d killed for his family before. He would have done it this time if it had been necessary. But part of him hated that she assumed that’s how he’d deal with this problem. “I didn’t kill anyone, if that’s what you want to know.” That came out sounding harsher than he meant it to. “My skill set wasn’t what was needed to truly make you and Alex safe. So I called in some friends who had a more subtle approach.”

  “The ones we met the other night? What did they do?”

  “That isn’t something I can talk about. But no one died.” Not even the one who deserved to.

  Julie lifted her gaze to meet his. Tears glistened in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you would… Thank you. And please thank your friends for me, too.”

  Tasha looked up into Kellan’s shadowed face as he cupped his hands around her cheeks. It was too dark to make good eye contact, but their mental connection made it unnecessary.

  **Promise me you’ll come straight back here as soon as you get me into the house,** Kellan repeated the demand she’d dodged until now.

  They stood well within the National Forest land on a hill behind Brown’s house in Sedona. A moderate breeze made the junipers and cypress sway. In the daylight, the rocky red soil would contrast beautifully with the green of the bushes and trees, but now everything was in shades of gray and silver.

  Tasha shivered, but not because the temperature was in the thirties. The light from the waxing moon cast writhing, jumping shadows through the scattered Ponderosa pines, reminding her of the Darklings’ strange gait. There was a good chance she’d encounter them again in the next few minutes and they scared her shitless. But she wasn’t going to let fear control her. She had a job to do. Kellan was depending on her, and she wouldn’t let him down.

  Two of Jared’s armed security operatives kept watch ten feet to either side of them, pretending not to wonder why she and Kellan were just standing there staring into each other’s eyes.

  **I’m wearing a ballistic vest and a helmet, just like you. How much trouble could I get into?**

  She could see just enough of his face to know he grimaced. **Neck shot—carotid artery. Leg shot—femoral artery. Shoulder shot—brachial plexus.**

  **Okay, I get it.** Tasha put her hands over his. She owed him an answer, even if he wasn’t going to like it. **I won’t promise you that.** Promises were meaningful and almost impossible for Celestials to break. And even though humans had no trouble breaking theirs, she wouldn’t lie to him. **I will promise you that I won’t take any unnecessary risks.**

  Kellan pressed his forehead against hers. She felt him accept her answer despite his unhappiness with it. **Please don’t. It would gut me to lose you.**

  Tasha’s heart wrenched for him. She felt the same. But she wouldn’t change her answer. **I can’t let you have all the fun.** But her joke fell flat. This wasn’t going to be fun for either of them.

  Kellan pressed a quick kiss to her lips and then stepped back, still holding one of her hands. He pitched his voice so that only his three companions could hear. “Just a reminder, gentlemen: the advanced camouflage technology we’re using is like nothing you’ve seen before. It will seem like we’re popping out of thin air. Don’t shoot us by mistake. Confirm your target before you fire.”

  Smith, the operative on the left looked offended. “We’re professionals, sir. You don’t need to worry about friendly fire.”

  “And your return, sir? Is your ETA unchanged?” The other soldier, Barnes, asked in a similarly low voice.

  “Yes. Expect Ms. Kaminski to return alone within the hour. If I’m not back by 0500 I will have failed. In that event, secure Ms. Kaminski and escort her to Mr. Price. Under no circumstances should any of you go to the house to search for me.”

  He didn’t need to elaborate that if he failed he’d be dead. They all knew what it meant. Tasha refused to think about it.

  “Affirmative, sir. Ma’am. Good hunting.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Tasha pulled Kellan into Shadow with greater ease than she had the last time. She’d slept most of the way from Tucson, but being well-rested wasn’t the reason. Sedona was reputed to have a number of vortices where supernatural power coalesced. It was one reason why the small town had a disproportionate number of shops peddling crystals, tarot cards, aura readings, and books about spellcraft. Apparently, it wasn’t just hype. She felt energized and strong.

  Like last time, colors shifted, but she saw clearly. Kellan kept a firm grasp of her with his left hand. His bespelled blade glowed indigo in his right.

  Almost as soon as they entered, the Shadow Creature joined them. His features appeared no more distinct than they had before, but she knew it was the same being. This time he didn’t frighten her—until he spoke.

  **You risk much, coming here in this place.**

  Their mission had inherent risk, but she didn’t think that was what he was talking about. ** What is it, exactly, that you’re warning me about?**

  **Unlike most mortals, you can draw directly upon the energy here. A little will not harm you, but it’s intoxicating for your kind.**

  **Will it hurt her?** Kellan asked.

  **It may.** The Creature returned its attention to Tasha. ** You must be very careful. Too much could kill you.**

  **That’s unhelpfully vague,** Kellan said.

  **How come he can hear you now, when he couldn’t before?”** Tasha interrupted.

  **Because I wish to enlist his aid in protecting you.**

  Gratitude and annoyance, and if she was honest, a little fear, wrestled for position in her heart. Everyone wanted to protect her from, well, everything, it seemed. But to be fair, there was some pretty scary shit out there.

  **How much danger is she in? How much energy is too much? Are you talking about using it for something specific, or is the exposure constant like radiation?** Kellan sounded like he was ready to yank her out of Shadow right then and bundle her home.

  **I cannot say with certainty, but I believe she must avoid consciously drawing overmuch upon the power. Not many of her kind have found their way into Shadow. Capacity is individual.** Again he directed his comments to Tasha. She got the feeling he was annoyed with the interruption.**But that is not the only danger. The more you imbibe, the more attractive you become to the Darklings—and they already have your scent. I will accompany you.**

  He glided along silently beside them. His lack of gait was creepy, but since she’d seen it before it didn’t bother her too much. They were about halfway to the house when she became aware of the flickering shadows swirling like a restive mob of four-legged creatures about thirty-five yards beyond the Shadow Being. At first, they only paced them, but soon they grew bolder, loping closer then away, yipping and growling with excitement.

  **They’re getting closer,** Kellan said. **We should pick up the pace if you can.**

  The Darkling’s path was converging with theirs.

  As they approached the house they came upon a shimmering red wall. The Darklings were gaining on them, but Kellan pulled her to a stop. **I was afraid of this.**

  **What is it?** Tasha asked.

  **A protection spell—a strong one. It would deter a human. We should be able to get through it, but Three will be warned. We’ll lose the element of surprise. **

  **Not all of it,** Tasha said. **He won’t expect us to be traveling through Shadow.**

  **Fear not. The one you speak of will not be warned of your arrival. This spell only detects and deters beings in your physical world.**

  Tasha pushed through the barrier, pulling Kellan after her. A mild stinging bounced over her skin. Just ahead was the house. Stucco walls framed the giant windows. Many would have left the glass looking out onto the National Forest un
covered even at night, but apparently, Three liked his privacy. The rolling shutters obscured their view of the interior. She stepped through the metal and glass, towing Kellan along with her. The room was still, faintly lit with soft lighting above the crown molding and decorated with chrome and leather furniture. It was unoccupied, so they continued their search. Across a wide passage, a large table dominated a dark formal dining room. Several closed doors interrupted the walls to their left, but light glowed beneath one at the end of the corridor.

  Tasha pulled them inside. Ebony bookcases on the right faced a sleek black sofa on the opposite wall. Between them, at the far end of the room, a fit middle-aged man with gray hair sat at a glass-topped desk supported by slabs covered with colorful Egyptian hieroglyphs. He looked just like the pictures Jared had found online of Tom Brown.

  **That’s him. And he’s alone.** Kellan squeezed her hand. **You’ve done your part. You got me here. Open a door for me and then get back to Barnes and Smith.**

  She made a last bid to stay with him.**I could help you, distract him, and we could go back together.**

  **There is other magic at work here, more than that wall.** The Shadow Being warned. **If you leave Shadow here you won’t be able to use it to return. Not from inside the protections on this place.**

  Alarm flared in Tasha’s breast. **Does that mean he’s expecting an attack from Shadow? Have we lost the benefit of surprise?**

  The Shadow Being waved his arms, or what she supposed were arms—they moved in a slightly off-kilter way that made her wonder—as if to ward off that line of thought. **No, no. Very few know of Shadow, and you are one of even fewer who have the ability to walk here. I believe the ward to merely be a side-effect of a more general spell he’s cast. The result is the same, however. Intentional or not, once you leave, his magic will prevent you from returning the way you came.**

  **That settles it,** Kellan said. **Let me out. Go back. Be safe.**

  Tasha hated the idea of him facing this danger on his own, but like it or not, this was their plan. She’d suggested it along with various other ideas that included her calling upon the Earth Spirits to bring down the house upon Brown’s head. Kellan had nixed that idea because they couldn’t be sure he’d be killed. Brown might transfer out of an injured body and then they’d have to track him down again. There was only one sure way to stop his plans to rend the Veil, and Kellan, as an Enforcer, saw it as his responsibility. She wasn’t going to talk him out of it, not at this late juncture.

  She made herself open a portal from Shadow into Three’s office.

  Kellan kissed her lightly. There was an unexpected tingle when his lips touched hers that made her shiver. He stepped through the opening and she let go of his hand once he was completely in the physical reality.

  She let the passage close, watching as Kellan lifted his sword and the man at the desk jumped to his feet.

  **The Darklings will not be deterred by the spells around this house,** her escort warned, pulling her back into the hallway. **We must go.**

  Just outside the house, the Darklings took up a hunting cry. A brave one rushed forward, appearing as it passed through the wall as it launched itself at Tasha, shadowy jaws wide. Her Shadow friend knocked it aside. Another took its place. Tasha threw up a hand, guided by pure instinct. Power sizzled through her nerves. A baseball-size bolus of absolute black hit the Darkling in the chest. It yipped and danced back to join the others outside the house. She gazed at her fingers and laughed with delight. How had she done that? Could she do it again?

  **Luminous everlasting light!** From the way he said it, Tasha knew the Shadow Creature meant it as a curse. **You must not do that again!**

  **Why not? It didn’t hurt me. I feel… fabulous!**

  **That’s exactly why. That power is addictive. You’ll feel wonderful right up to the very minute you burn yourself to a crisp.**

  The Darklings’ yipping grew insistent as if they were working themselves up for another attack. Their fearful caution seemed to be fading. **There’s no more time. If they attack all together I can’t hold them all off. You must leave Shadow.**

  **I won’t abandon you to face them alone!**

  **Once you’re out of Shadow, they will disperse. Go!** He touched her for the first time, shoving her hard. It felt like a gong reverberating in her bones. And then she was back in the physical world.

  Her first thought was, Kellan’s going to be so pissed.

  Then she heard the sound of a toilet flushing behind the door to her right. Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Someone else was in the house and in a second they’d discover her. She lunged for the door immediately to her left. She was too slow. A strong arm pulled her back, pinning her against a man’s broad chest while his other hand clamped tightly over her mouth.

  “I’ll let them know, but they were happy to help,” Dave assured his sister.

  Julie sniffed and wiped the tears off her cheeks. Damn. He hated it when she cried. For a second he flashed back to the image of her as a terrified ten-year-old with a red handprint on her face, cowering in their mother’s arms. Rage filled him, just as it had that night. Then he remembered: that awful night was a long time ago. His father was no longer a threat. It was done. Over. He took a deep breath. Another. His anger retreated, though his heart was still pounding.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” he said automatically, wishing for a drink. “Don’t worry about me.”

  “Your face got kind of…fierce.”

  He’d said what he always said, covering what was going on with him out of habit. That wasn’t right. “I had a bad memory.” Dave put his hand on hers. “About that night. Sometimes I have nightmares.”

  “Me, too.”

  Shame washed over him. He’d never thought to ask her what scars she carried from that night. He squeezed her shoulder. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Maybe later. Will you be sticking around for a while?” She tried to keep her tone neutral, but he heard the note of hope that crept into her voice.

  “I’d like to. Maybe I can help Jack with the dojo until he gets back on his feet. I owe him.”

  “I don’t think he sees it that way. His getting shot wasn’t your fault. But I’m sure he’d appreciate the help.”

  He looked down at her. “Oh?” Things had progressed between them faster than he’d thought if she was speaking for Jack and his business.

  She blushed. “I mean, I think he would. He said he’d need to call in some favors to cover his classes. If you help, he won’t have to.”

  “Uh-huh.” It was fun to watch her squirm.

  She must have seen the grin he tried to suppress because she poked him in the ribs.

  Dave laughed and she did, too. It felt good and sad at the same time. He couldn’t remember the last time he and Julie had laughed together.

  As their laughter faded, she squeezed his hand where it rested on the table. “But seriously, if staying is a hardship, don’t feel like you have to. We’ll be okay. All of us. You’re not responsible for everything.”

  Her words felt like an absolution. “Not everything. But this, yes. I do owe Jack. Not for getting shot, but for coming to help in the first place.” He hadn’t come for Dave. He’d come for Julie, an innocent in a bad situation, and because he was a good guy and could help. “I’m grateful I can return the favor. And I’m happy you and Jack like each other. So don’t fret. I want to do this. I want to spend time with you and Alex. I’m not going to run off. Not this time.”

  Oh, hell. He’d made her cry again.

  Kellan stepped out of Shadow his sword held ready. Spells to keep it sharp and lethal, especially to U’dahmi, made the edge of the blackened blade glow with a violet-blue menace. Three reacted with preternatural speed, recovering from his surprise and jumping from his chair. Kellan, just as fast, still missed his thrust as Three’s chair crashed into the wall behind. A framed photo of the Lascaux cave paintings fell off the wall, its gla
ss shattering on the marble floor.

  Three thrust his hand into the open neck of his button-down shirt and grasped something. He shouted three words and flung his hand out toward Kellan.

  Three had just activated a spell.

  Kellan lunged forward—or tried to. He could barely move. His supernatural speed was gone. He couldn’t even move as fast as a human. His efforts were sloth-like.

  Three yanked open a desk drawer, pulled out a pistol, and aimed it at Kellan’s groin, where he wasn’t armored and there were plenty of blood vessels. If pain didn’t incapacitate him, blood loss would. Kellan tried to jump to one side, keeping his sword ready, but the result was a snail’s pace slide. He knew a spell to counter this, but it wasn’t prepared as Three’s had been. It would take minutes to perform. Minutes he didn’t have.

  Three laughed and moved, keeping the desk between them and his hand inside his shirt. “Jasper left me no choice. He went rogue and attacked me for no reason. I didn’t want to kill him.”

  Kellan lifted a brow, surprised Three offered an excuse. “You wanted to trade him to the Golden Path so they can rend the Veil.” He was surprised he could still speak, though it felt like he had to push each word out of his mouth.

  Three’s eyes widened slightly. Was he taken aback because Kellan could talk, or because of what he’d said?

  “Yes, I know. So do others. Jasper figured it out,” Kellan continued. “How many on the Council agree with you?”

  “That’s an interesting question.” Ezra stepped into the room and wandered several steps to the right toward the bookcases—and Three. “I’d like to know the answer, too.”

  Kellan kicked himself. He’d been so intent on finding Three that he’d made a rookie error. He and Tasha should have cleared the house before he’d gone charging in. Who else was in the house?

  Three turned the gun on Ezra. “Stop right there. Release the blade, Enforcer, or I’ll kill him.”