by Kelly Hall
Rebekah nodded. “It’s true. Ignis had not been anywhere long before this. I knew something wasn’t right with this. I didn’t want my love for Ignis to cloud what we thought was truth.”
Mace gestured at Canter. “He doesn’t want to believe it either. He just thinks it’s easier to hate you than to comprehend what really happened.”
“Don’t speak for me. You’ve been in my head the whole time, and you don’t even know me. You worry about your own relationship issues and forget about my problems.”
Silence fell across the room until Rebekah cleared her throat an uncomfortable amount of time later. “Okay, so, you were telling me about the shadow?” She didn’t want him to stop.
“There are things I don’t want to confess in front of the hunters. This is serious, classified information, and we already know this one works as a spy. I can’t trust him.” Ignis pulled that one out of his ass, and he knew it. He had to think up some excuse and remind Rebekah that he had reasons not to trust Canter too.
Rebekah gave him a sideward look. “He was working for me. You can trust him, and I’m tired of secrets.”
Ignis shook his head. “No, I will not continue with them here. All I will say is that I gave my shadow to someone for something I desperately needed. And that’s how the stigmata can look like me. The rest is for your ears only, Rebekah.”
Mace paled. “I will be down below, as usual. Ignis, we need to talk at some point. But I’m glad you’re safe.”
As she walked away, Ignis looked at Canter, meeting his tired eyes. He would make no further apology for something he did not do, and he could be just as stubborn, if not more, than the young hunter.
Canter finally gave a sound of frustration. “Fine, I’ll go. But I want to know anything that pertains to Katie’s death. I have that right! And I suggest that you stay out of my way, Ignis. Because I’m going to get revenge for Katie, whether its you or the other you.” He turned and stormed out, and as he went, Ignis turned to look at Rebekah.
“Did you hear that? I guess I should take it as a threat. Not that you’ll enforce the punishment.”
“I was actually planning a way to do just that before you showed up. I know the fate of my Fellowship should you perish, and the laws that keep them in place.”
“And I’m sorry for the stress that must have caused.” He had been with her so long, and she hadn’t had to worry much about his whereabouts. He’d never wanted to burden her with such worry.
Rebekah broke down in tears, and Ignis quickly embraced her. “There now, Bexy. It’s okay.”
“I’m sorry. I was just so worried, so much had piled on me, and you weren’t there to guide me or support me.”
“I’m here now,” he whispered in her ear as he stroked her hair, just like he had when she was a child. “It’s nice to be missed, but you’re so strong, Rebekah. You would have been fine without me.”
“That might be true, but I never want to find out how strong I’d have to be if you weren’t in my life.”
He pulled away from her shoulder and looked her in the eyes. “And if I have anything to do with it, you never will.” He let out a deep breath, trying to fight back tears. “Come on. Let’s finish this talk before we’re interrupted again.”
Rebekah sighed. “I guess I can’t blame you for that interruption this time.”
“No,” he said. “It’s time you learn the truth, Rebekah. About everything.” He took a deep breath. “The reason Kayne had my shadow was because I traded it for something I needed. His blood.”
“His blood?” Her eyes went from narrow to wide as she realized what he had needed it for. “You needed the virus.”
“Yes, Bexy.”
“Why? Were you trying to find a cure?”
“No, I was working on a very important spell.”
Rebekah’s face grew warm. “You mean the spell that you used to create me?”
Ignis gave a nod. “Yes, Bexy. It’s true. It was the only way I knew to make sure you survived.”
“But I could have become like him. I could have become a vampire. And then Ethan would have killed me. I would have been—”
“One of the hunted,” he said. “I know, Rebekah. But you can’t live your life full of what could have been. You are what you are because the potion I created worked exactly how I wanted it to.”
“So, I’m part vampire?” She held her hand to her heart, right over the scar from where she had been made.
“No, you’re a Huntress. You’re exactly what I made you.”
Rebekah felt a single tear slip down her cheek. “He knows, doesn’t he?”
Ignis nodded. “Yes. He does.”
Chapter 13
Tula had started her morning in a bad mood, and while she had wanted to get along with her sisters, she was about to lose her mind. “Why can’t we go into town today?” she asked Talia, knowing it was no use. Her older sister hadn’t let them do anything fun since Tia had been found.
Talia stood out on the upper deck of their paddleboat home and stared out over the swamp. “Your sister is not one-hundred percent, and until she’s out of the woods, I’m not going to leave her or put her at risk.”
“Then why can’t Tori and I go? We’re certainly not children. We could go to the familiar places, and besides, I want to watch TV at Iggy’s house.” The mage still had the lease on the house a few miles up the road. “You told him you’d check on the place.”
“Yes, and I will. Do not concern yourself with Ignis or his house. I’ll handle it.” Talia had heard so much begging from Tula over the past few days that she was ready to send them all away or run away herself.
“Why can’t I go?” She could go and be back, and no one would even miss her.
About that time, there was movement in the water. “We’re not going to discuss the whys when you should see what going out alone has done for your sister.” Talia leaned over the rail. “Do you see that?” She pointed out across the water through the fog, where a faint image was becoming clearer as it approached.
A figure floated across the water. “Goodness, is that…” She couldn’t comprehend what she was seeing enough to finish her sentence. It didn’t seem real.
“It’s a man,” said Tula, walking to the other end of the upper deck to get a better look. It was a man, and he was gliding on his back across the water, and there had been so much moss and debris gathered by the movement that she could not make out who it was. “Sister, come quickly!”
About that time, Gus rose out of the water, showing his head to the naiads. “That’s just Gus,” said Talia as she and Tula both let out a breath of disbelief. “He’s dragged another one up.”
“That’s two men today. He shouldn’t have been hungry again so quickly.”
Talia shook her head. “He reminds me of Ignis’s cat. The thing kept dragging dead birds up to the house like he was presenting us with gifts.” She called out to the beast. “You’re not a cat, Gus. You’re an alligator.”
As it swam closer, Tula prepared to go and drag the body under, but she noticed the man move. “He’s alive!” She jumped into the water, prepared to deal with him, but as she surfaced, she looked upon the familiar face. “Aziel?”
The man was frozen with fear and pale as Tula pulled away the leaf litter and wiped away the green sheen that covered his face.
“Get him into the boat!” shouted Talia, coming down to the lower deck. “Is he wounded?” She hoped that Gus hadn’t harmed him, but it had seemed like her beloved pet was just bringing him to safety. Something was terribly wrong if the beast was able to take down the angel.
Tula wasted no time dragging him out of the water. “Aziel, my love.”
His eyes were wide with fear, and his chin quivered as she cradled him in her arms. The woman had pink eyes that were more than a bit unsettling. “You know me?” he asked.
He had lost all hope of being saved, and there she was, this strange woman, with the strangest coloration and teeth that had bee
n filed into sharp points.
She stroked his hair with her claw-like fingers. “Of course.”
Talia noticed his arm. “Something is wrong, sister. Look at his arm. Our Aziel had a tattoo, did he not?” She wasn’t sure if the man was really him or something else. “He smells different.”
“Perhaps the tattoo washed off?” asked Tori, coming down to the lower deck to join her sisters. “It might have been a fake.”
“No.” She looked at Aziel, who looked terribly confused. “You told me it would never come off.” Tula remembered the conversation she’d had with Aziel about the marking. “You had said that it was your rank and weapon.”
“My rank? Weapon? I don’t remember.” He looked at her and her sisters, who were equally as strange. “I don’t remember any of you. There was a huge alligator. It dragged me into the water, and I guess I must have passed out again.”
“Again?” asked Talia, kneeling at his side. “You were passed out before?” She felt his head. He was most definitely different, but she couldn’t figure out why he would be.
“I’m not sure what happened. I don’t know how I got here. I woke up on the road, and then I found my way to the water. I found fishing gear.”
Tori put her hand over her mouth as Talia looked over at her. “You were supposed to comb the shore and make sure there wasn’t any evidence of Gus’s previous kill.”
“I was busy. Besides, why couldn’t you or Tula do it? I’ve been keeping an eye on Tia day and night.”
“I’ve been taking my fair shifts,” said Tula. “Stop acting like you’re doing all the work.” She was sick of being around her sisters. “I say we all go to the house. Aziel can’t stay here.”
“He’s not staying. But I will not move our sister.” Talia got to her feet.
If he had to leave, he’d have nothing and no one. He wasn’t sure which was better. “I don’t know where to go. I don’t know where I live.”
“What do you mean? You should go back to Rebekah and the others. You are still assigned to them, are you not?”
“Who?” He narrowed his eyes. “I’m afraid I don’t know any Rebekah.”
Tula’s expression filled with worry. “Oh no. Something horrible has happened to him.”
Talia shook her head. “He’s human.”
Tori gasped. “He’s got a case of ammonia. I saw it on TV once at Iggy’s house. This lady on the daytime stories woke up one day and couldn’t remember anything. Not even her name. They said she had ammonia.”
Tula stroked his cheek. “My poor, angel. What do you remember? Surely, you remember me?” She had been close with him, and while they had taken things slowly with their intimacy, she had hope for their future together and wanted them to have what Talia and Ignis had.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I don’t remember you. I don’t remember any of you.” He wasn’t sure, but he thought he’d remember their pastel skin and their piercing eyes. How could he forget their teeth? He ran his tongue over his own, only to feel their smooth edges. He was not like them. Thank goodness.
Tula’s heart sank. “How could you say that? You told me you cared about me.”
Talia could tell that it hurt her sister dearly. She and Aziel had spent a lot of time together. “Don’t take it personally, sister. I think he has amnesia.”
“No, it’s definitely ammonia, Talia. I remember.” Tori’s bluish tint paled. “I’m not sure if there is a cure. I didn’t watch the rest of the show.”
“I’m pretty sure ammonia is what you dumped in Ignis’s toilet with the bleach. Remember, he had to fumigate the entire house, and Tula passed out for three hours?”
“Oh. I think you’re right, sister.” She had felt horrible, but it was funny watching Tula fall to the floor like a limp noodle. She had been nagging her that particular time, and Tori had gotten in trouble for laughing about it. Ignis locked up all of the chemicals after that.
“If that’s what he has, then he’s not going to remember anything. We have to let Rebekah know about this. I haven’t had a signal on the phone all day. I will have to go in search of a signal, and then we’ll call her”
“Let us go,” begged Tula. “I’ll need to get Aziel to a safe place, and we could go to the house. Ignis wouldn’t mind. He’d probably prefer it. I’ll stay with him.”
Talia wasn’t sure about that, but she could tell that Tula wasn’t going to stop begging until she let her have a taste of freedom. “I can’t go anyway,” she said finally. “I have to stay here with our sister. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to her while I was gone.”
“Well, I’m not going to be the third wheel,” said Tori.
“Please, sister. Let us go.” She wasn’t going to wait for her permission, and if she had to, she’d leave with Aziel in the night.
But Talia, after some hesitation, nodded. “You go directly to the house. Then you call Rebekah, and we’ll make arrangements for him to go back to the castle with them.”
“I will see him back to the castle.” Tula had made up her mind.
“You can’t leave the water for too long, Tula.”
“I know that. But he needs me. I love him. What would you do for Ignis? Do not make me stay here. I will not leave him until I know he’s going to be okay.” She was going to stand up for Aziel no matter what. Even though he was still looking at her like she was a stranger.
“Fine. But you should hurry. It’s going to be night soon, and I’d like to know you’re safe at the house. I will give you the keys, and you can go. But you call me as soon as you’re there.” She had shown her how to use the landline Ignis kept at his house. “Ignis is program three. And Rebekah is program two. Mine is program one. Can you remember that?”
“I can, I suppose.”
“I can,” said Aziel.
“Are you sure?” Talia wasn’t sure he could remember anything. “You are the one with amnesia.”
Aziel didn’t care where he went. He just wanted out of the swamp and away from the alligator. “Yes. I can remember from the moment I woke up, like my life started there.” Just then, a large snake stuck its head out of the water, and Aziel scurried backward across the floor like a crawfish. “Ah! What the heck is that?”
“That’s Grim. You don’t remember him either?” Tula looked at her sisters, who knew how much Aziel had liked Grim in the past. She shooed the snake away with her hands. “Not now, Grim.”
“Let’s go, my sweet angel.” Tula helped Aziel to his feet. “Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you. Grim is a pet. He’s your friend.”
“He is?” asked Aziel. “I would think I’d remember that.” He had woken up in an alternate reality where people had pastel skin, sharp teeth, and lived with pet reptiles in sunken boats in the marsh.
“Come on. Let’s get you to the house, and I’ll give you a bath.”
His eyes widened. “Okay.” He wasn’t about to argue with her about it but knew he could manage in the bathroom all on his own. “Do you have a car?” He looked around, not sure where they would keep one. Hidden in the woods somewhere?
“No, we’ll go on foot. But don’t worry. It’s just a few miles away. I can carry you if you get tired.”
Aziel couldn’t imagine the thin waif of a woman toting him around. But again, he wasn’t going to argue.
After a few minutes, the two were on their way, taking a back route away from the campsite and, thankfully, away from the alligators.
As they made their way through the woods, Tula reached for his hand. He allowed her to hold it but wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. He didn’t know her, did he? “So, we are close friends?”
Tula let out a breath of frustration. She wasn’t going to let him get away just because of his amnesia. “Silly, we’re more than that. We’re a couple. I can’t believe you don’t remember, but we were talking about marriage.”
“Marriage? Really?” He wished he could remember. She was a beautiful woman—or whatever—but he didn’t u
nderstand how he could forget someone so important to him. But it seemed as though he had. “I’m sorry. I know it has to be terribly upsetting that I don’t remember us.”
Tula looked into his eyes. “Don’t worry, my love. I’m going to take good care of you.” Deep down, she didn’t think he’d mind if she fudged the truth a bit. What could one little lie hurt? They really were getting along great before all of this. Besides, by the time she had him back home, he was going to be truly and madly in love with her.
Chapter 14
Rebekah had gone to the bookcase in her room, where she opened the cabinet and pulled out a bottle of bourbon that she had kept hidden for half a decade. She needed a stiff drink as much as she needed answers.
“Take it easy with that,” Ignis said in his fatherly tone. “You need to remember you’re not a heavy drinker.”
“I feel like I should be. This explains a hell of a lot. Did you ever stop to think about the adverse reactions this would have? That by creating me from his blood, you were destining me to be with him?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. But while we’re at it, let’s talk about that deal you made with him.”
Rebekah’s head snapped around so quickly, Ignis thought he heard her spine crack. “You know about that?”
“Why do you think he took me in the first place, Bex? He wanted to gloat that the one thing I said he could never have was already sealed with his ridiculous bargain.”
“I still can’t believe he told you that, but I’m not discussing it with you. I made the arrangement, and I’ll deal with it.” She could feel the shame he felt for her in his stare, and it made her shrink away from him as she poured her drink into a small crystal whisky glass she had on the shelf.
“Oh, he’ll be dealt with. His intentions are not pure, Rebekah.”
“I think before you even go there, you should give me answers.”
“Fine!” Ignis took her bottle and turned it up to his lips. Then he walked over, locked the door to the room, and moseyed to the chair as if he weren’t freaking out inside. Which he was. “When the church wanted me to create a soldier strong enough to take out their new enemy, I had little options. I had to not only find a way to give them the strength they needed to hunt and withstand the elements, but I had to give them the instincts, the sharp hearing, sight, and sense of smell they had. I had to make them virtually indestructible, strong, and with speed, unlike regular humans so they’d have a fighting chance against their enemies. But most importantly, I had to make sure they survived. That’s why I went to him. He was already an incredible hunter.”
