The Darkest Warrior

by Gena Showalter

  Demons always came with a price.

  Anytime Winter had defied Selfishness and acted altruistically, she'd descended into a week-long odyssey of madness. Just long enough to rip an entire realm apart, leaving zero survivors...and Winter with violent memories she could never shake.

  Puck had helped the siblings in ways no one else could, and shared his ice.

  Had the siblings suffered without him?

  Maybe, probably, but at least they had each other, the way Puck had once had Sin.

  Puck! Puck! Another memory surfaced, eleven-year-old Sin sobbing at Puck's bedside. You had better heal from this injury, or I'll be forced to kill...everyone. I can't do life without you.

  Oh, how Puck missed the boy Sin had been. The friend he'd become.

  Indifference purred louder while slithering through his body and siphoning more and more of his strength. Tremors cascaded through his limbs. One by one, his bones seemed to morph into noodles, and his muscles into soup. Every step forward became a lesson in anguish.

  When his foot met a rock, he tripped forward. Though he tried to steady himself, his knees gave out. He toppled, grains of sand clinging to his sweaty skin. Darkness teased the edge of his mind, quickly gaining new ground.

  No. Fight! Out in the open like this, he was a target. An easy target. But even as he struggled to stand, the demon drained the rest of his energy, turning breathing into a chore.

  "There you are. Finally!" Feminine laughter filtered into his awareness. "I was starting to think I'd gotten the days mixed up, but then I remembered the only time I've ever been wrong was when I thought I was wrong."

  He recognized her voice. Keeley, the Red Queen. Gillian and William's friend. The one who'd given Indifference to Sin, with instructions to possess Puck, then commissioned Hades to offer aid to him.

  What fresh horror did she have in store for him today?

  "Torin, a boost, if you please," she said.

  Torin, keeper of Disease. The one who expected Puck to attack at the first opportunity.

  He was too weak to protest as rock-solid arms wrapped around him and swept him up, up, against a muscular chest. Inside, though, he fought like the beast he'd become--to no avail.

  "Where do you want him?" Torin asked. "And don't you dare say in my pants. Not again."

  "Whose pants? Yours or mine?"

  "Either," the keeper of Disease replied.

  Keeley humphed. "I like him right where you've got him. Look at you, darling. Your biceps are bulging!"

  A soft pff left Torin, as if he battled a mighty urge to laugh and curse at the same time. "Concentrate, princess, and tell me where we're going."

  "To our secret love shack, of course."

  The patter of footsteps blended with the snap of twigs, creating an ominous chorus. Puck loathed this with every fiber of his being. The helplessness. The uncertainty. The way the darkness around his mind taunted him, threatening to send him into oblivion at any moment.

  "My sexy beast is magnificent, isn't he?" Keeley said. Warm, soft fingers traced his brow.

  A growl reverberated in Torin's chest, no hint of amusement. "Hearing you wax poetic about another man tends to put me in a murderous mood."

  Sexy--Puck? Her beast? Did the couple know about his plan to bond with Gillian, blackmail William and slay Sin? Had Keeley truly known what would happen all those centuries ago when she'd given the box to Sin? Hades seemed to think so.

  "Aw, my baby's self-esteem is smarting." Her voice was low, raspy. "Here, let me help make you all better."

  Whoosh. The sound of a palm slapping skin.

  "Ow." Torin's entire body jerked. "That hurt."

  "And there's more where that came from," Keeley said, and Puck imagined her wagging a finger at her husband. "You're the most incredible male in the history of ever, and I'm the most faithful woman. Act like it."

  "Yes, ma'am." Torin chuckled, only to sober. "William will be tee-icked if he finds out we're helping Gilly's future husband."

  Helping the girl's future husband--me? The Red Queen had predicted even this?

  Of course me! I've got this in the bag.

  She heaved a weighty sigh. "I'll deal with William when the time comes. You know, when he realizes I saved Gillian's life, and his eternity, and his true mate, and he begs for my forgiveness. Oh! So, check it. Earlier this morning I spoke with Hades's magic mirror."

  "The one containing the goddess of Many Futures?"

  "Exactly. Now I have a pretty good lead on Willy's best path and oh, wow, is that boy in for a world of hurt. His mate is going to lead him on a merry chase. Which reminds me. I'm supposed to tell Gideon and Scarlet about their baby."

  "Is something wrong?" Torin asked, his concern evident. "Or are you trying to tell me Gideon and Scarlet will give birth to William's mate?"

  "No, nothing like that. But they need to know illusion isn't just illusion but also vision, and William needs to know...what? I've forgotten. Something about the code breaker...an illusion..."

  "I have no idea what you're talking about, princess."

  Nor did Puck, and he didn't care enough to expend energy to fit the puzzle pieces together.

  Torin sprang over a rock, the abrupt motion ramming Puck's brain into his skull. The darkness stopped playing and started cloaking his mind. He slipped in and out of awareness, only coming to when his rescuer placed him on a hard, flat surface, cold rocks digging into his back.

  "--doing this?" Torin was saying.

  "He was almost my stepson," Keeley replied. "I want to see him happy, which means he has to be shoved onto the right path. But I love Gillian, too, and I want her happy. I also love Puck, and want him happy. Or I will love Puck, one day. This is the only way to achieve the perfect end for all three players, a plan I put into motion a long time ago."

  She loved Puck--or would love him--even though she didn't know him? She'd thought forcing him to host Indifference would help him achieve the perfect end?

  Crazy female. She'd ruined everything.

  "You were wrong before, you know. He won't thank us," Torin muttered. "Ever."

  "Have I taught you nothing?" Keeley said. "We have to do what's right, no matter the reaction we'll receive from others. Besides, people can surprise you."

  "You're right. People can surprise you--with a knife in the back."

  Darkness closed in once again...

  As Torin unleashed a string of profanity, Puck's eyelids popped open. Through a haze, he thought he spied rocky walls, the shadow of a warrior and the profile of a busty blonde.

  "She's not going to thank you for this, either," Torin said.

  "She will," Keeley replied, then sighed. "Well, maybe not at first but one day. If the payout wasn't worth the pain..." Soft fingers tap, tap, tapped against Puck's cheek. "You had better be worth it, Plucky. Time is running out. She's dying. You're almost too late. Or maybe you're already too late. Life and death are so confusing for the psychically inclined."

  Though he fought to rise--must get to Gillian!--darkness descended once again.

  *

  Gillian fell in and out of consciousness. In her feverish daze, she thought she maybe/maybe not, probably was/probably wasn't having a conversation with Keeley.

  She couldn't decide what was real and what wasn't because, for once she had no idea if she was dreaming or awake, or if she was confusing present with past and past with future, just like the Red Queen, who had lived for thousands of years, memories and predictions stacking on top of each other, details getting lost in the mire.

  Was this a taste of immortality? Could Gillian live this way forever?

  Would she even remember this odd interaction, or would she forget, as the Red Queen often did?

  "You forgive me, right?" her friend asked, sounding nervous and unsure. "I'm not just a stranger, remember. I'm your best friend. And I did save your life."

  "Forgive..." Why? Oh, wait. Keeley had tricked her into drinking an eternal curse. "Should have...let die..."
To be saddled with her fears and phobias forever? No, thanks.

  "Nonsense! Now be a good girl, and say yes to Puck, okay? You're going to be such a lovely bride."

  Okay. This had to be a hallucination. None of the Lords or their mates would ever encourage her to wed Puck.

  "You've got some growing up to do, of course," her friend continued. "Let's face it, baby girl, you're immature and rash. You do foolish things. You're confused. You change your mind in a snap. See if this rings a bell." In a falsetto, she said, "Oh, William. You're so perfect for me. No, no, William, I'm determined to remain alone all the days of my life. William, I want you. William, I'm not interested in any kind of romantic relationship with you."

  Fire spread over Gillian's cheeks, and she doubted it had anything to do with her sickness.

  "You don't know what you want, or what you need," Keeley continued. "You just know you need change, right? Well, ta-da! Today is your pucky lucky day. You just have to fight for better. Fight, Gillian. Fight!"

  Her fragmented thoughts struggled to keep up. Pucky lucky... Puck. The most beautiful man she'd ever seen. Yes, he overshadowed William, reminding her of an Egyptian prince she'd once seen in a history book, but with a lot more bulk. Seriously, the guy looked like he'd taught Jason Momoa how to work out. And when he spoke...goodbye sanity. He had a slight Irish accent that had sent shivers down her spine.

  His eyes were the color of frosted coal and rimmed by the longest, thickest lashes of all time. At first glance, she'd thought he wore eyeliner, and a thousand layers of jet-black mascara. Nope. On him, the smoky look was all natural.

  He had cheekbones as sharp as glass, an imperial nose, and lips as soft and dewy as a dark pink rose, the bottom one plumper than the top one.

  Also at first glance, the sight of his horns had frightened her. She'd flinched, the urge to fight or take flight rising up strong. Fight? Me? Please! Had she been strong enough, she would have run as if her feet were on fire.

  At second glance, those horns had intrigued her. She wasn't sure why.

  The man never smiled. Actually, his expression never betrayed a hint of emotion. He appeared detached from the world around him, unaffected by...absolutely everything. Except maybe...me. Once or twice he'd seemed to burn for her.

  A mistake on her part?

  However, despite his beastly attributes and cold demeanor, he'd been nothing but honorable. He'd asked for her help, and in return, he'd wanted her to help him feel some kind of emotion. Could she?

  Shouldn't she try? On one hand, Puck was her last hope. Her only hope. Possibly her salvation. On the other hand, if she died, there'd be no more misery or fear. No more weakness. The past would be wiped away.

  Fight at long last, Gillian. Please. Fight!

  Fight to live? Fight evil? Could she? she wondered again.

  This time, the answer crashed into her mind with the force of a Mack truck. Yes! She could fight evil. Needed to fight evil. There were too many young girls and boys being abused by people in positions of power, and they deserved a champion.

  I want to be a champion.

  Hello, bucket list.

  For too long, she'd had no purpose. Fear had owned her, robbing her of joy, hope and pleasure. But no longer! Today was a new day. The girl she used to be was gone, a new one rising in her place.

  For the first time in her life, she had a reason to live. So, yes, she would fight.

  "That's right," Keeley said, as if reading her thoughts. "This is your destiny. The reason you were born. The first step is always the hardest, but don't worry, soon you'll be running." She cleaned Gillian from top to bottom with a wet rag, then combed her hair and brushed her teeth. "Bonus: William won't spiral and blame himself for your death, yesterday, today or tomorrow."

  William, sweet William. "Maybe one day someone will make a movie about your life," Keeley said. "Eighteen and Married to an Immortal--and a Demon! But truth is stranger than fiction, eh? Who would believe it?"

  Gillian was living it and she could hardly believe it. Puck had said a bond to him would do the trick. She might have agreed, if he hadn't wanted to have sex with her.

  Sex remained on her never-never list.

  "There will come a time when you eagerly, happily put sex on your always-always list," Keeley whispered, again seeming to read Gillian's thoughts and more certainly proving herself to be a hallucination. "Admit it. You ache for Puck."

  Her? Ache? When the beautiful warrior with muscles galore had looked at her with ice-cold eyes--the eyes of a predator. Eyes that said he would hunt his prey for hours, days, waiting for the perfect time to strike. No. But when he'd maybe/maybe not looked at her with smoldering heat, her body had seemed to wake from a deep sleep, her heart rate speeding up, different parts of her throbbing, desperate to learn the meaning of bliss.

  Could he teach her?

  Of course, an all-too-familiar fear had engulfed her each time. Almost as much guilt, too. How dare her body betray William?

  Such a foolish thought. William was a friend, nothing more.

  Did she still want more? If not, fine. She could bond to Puck and save her life. If yes...she had to proceed with caution. If she bonded to Puck, she'd have zero chance of being with William, ever.

  Keeley pressed her lips against Gillian's forehead. "Marriage to Puck will give you a clean slate. You'll reset, have a fresh start. Just...survive now, and figure out the rest later, okay?"

  Clean slate. Fresh start. From frightened mouse to fearless champion.

  As sleep beckoned, Gillian got trapped on a single thought: William or Puck?

  10

  Eyes springing open, Puck jolted upright. Panting, he scanned his surroundings. An empty, wardless cave, with a doorway to another realm in the far corner. But...it wasn't the same doorway he'd used to enter the realm. Where would this one lead?

  On the far wall, he spotted a message written in blood. Some of the letters had dripped together.

  Ask again. She's ready to Say Yes to the Dress.

  The dress? What dress?

  Facts rolled through his mind, an avalanche picking up debris along a downward slide. Torin and Keeley, carrying him to safety... Gillian, dying...too late.

  Too late? No!

  An unfamiliar tide of urgency propelled Puck to his feet. His strength had returned, and he needed to keep it. Allow no emotion. React to nothing.

  How much time had passed since last he'd been with Gillian? A few days? A week?

  He did a quick survey of his attire. Clean T-shirt, new loincloth. He thought he remembered Keeley saying, Barbarian works for you. Let's maintain the look.

  As he rushed out of the cave, instinct demanded he grab the nylon bag in his path. Without slowing his pace, he checked the contents. Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, hairbrush. Courtesy of Torin and Keeley? Wanting him to look and smell his best for Gillian?

  Puck used each item, refusing to be grateful.

  The closer he came to the beach house, the more Gillian's pained moans assaulted his ears. He fought a pang of sympathy, and summoned a new layer of ice--more than ever before--until only his goals mattered.

  He pumped his arms and legs faster. "You had best hold on, lass. I'm almost there."

  Finally! He reached his destination. As he scaled the second floor, a warm tide of relief swept through him only to freeze when it encountered the ice. Excellent.

  The balcony doors were already open, making things easy for him. He leaped onto the railing and flew inside the bedroom, where he found Gillian on the bed, as still as a statue.

  As she inhaled a breath, death rattled in her lungs. Blue tinged her lips. She wasn't getting enough oxygen. She was nothing but skin and bones, wasting away.

  Will not react.

  William knew what was wrong with her, knew there was only one way to save her; the bastard could have bonded to her and saved her from this. Instead, he let her suffer while he searched for nonexistent, unproven ways to maybe perhaps hopefully keep her ar
ound a little longer.

  He didn't deserve her. But he would learn better. Sometimes you had to lose a treasure in order to understand its value. Today, Puck would begin William's lessons.

  Determined, he slid his arms under Gillian's body. Afraid of breaking her fragile bones, he lifted her against his chest as gently as possible. She was too light, frighteningly so.

  Seeking warmth, she curled against him. WILL NOT REACT.

  When her beautiful lips formed the name William, Puck went stiff. So. She thought the other male carried her. Didn't matter. The mistake worked in Puck's favor. He had no desire to terrify her.

  "Gillian!" William's voice reverberated through the entire house. His tone was strained, as if he spoke while struggling against an opponent.

  Had Torin, Keeley or Hades come to offer Puck more aid?

  Puck expected Gillian to turn rigid when she realized her beloved wasn't the one absconding with her, but she softened further, relief seeming to overtake her. She'd wanted Puck to come for her?

  Ask again. She's ready to Say Yes to the Dress.

  Just in case he'd read her body language wrong, he rushed to reassure her of his good intentions. "I'm not going to let you die. The last time I was with you, I felt--I felt." True, in every way, and a reason to avoid her, but also the reason she believed he continued to seek her out. He couldn't forget he had a part to play. "I regretted leaving you--" regretted my tangle with Indifference "--and I'm not going to do it again."

  Incoherent words spilled from her, and he tried to decipher them. Something about making him feel, after all?

  Because he'd admitted to feeling regret, she thought her job was done?

  Think again, lass.

  Stride long and sure, he stalked to the balcony, climbed the railing, and leaped. When he landed, he managed to remain upright through sheer grit. Impact proved jarring, however, and Gillian moaned.

  "I'm sorry," he muttered, and wondered if he meant it, despite the ice. As he raced forward, twigs and rocks cutting his feet, he decided to return to Torin and Keeley's cave and use their doorway. Wherever it led, he would deal. "I want to bond with you, Gillian. Do not say no."

  "Won't. Yes," she whispered. "Will...bond. What...need...do?"