Stopping by the first panel, she rested her ear against the cold wood.
Silence.
She opened the panel a crack. A closet.
Shit.
She scanned the corridor for places to hide as she crept toward the next door.
A thunderous explosion shook the walls, and Nya dropped to her knees and covered her head.
What the hell was that?
The gentle patter of rain accompanied Jax, Ike, Gia, and Killian as they made their way to the edge of the courtyard.
Gia stopped before the tree line thinned. “Aren’s getting ready to light up the woods, which will serve as our diversion.”
“If they don’t find a way to kill the halogens, it won’t matter. We’ll be like fish in a barrel out here,” Killian said.
An explosion rocked the night, and the Klieg lights flickered a few times before going out, leaving the warriors blanketed in sweet darkness.
“Quick, over there.” Jax pointed to the dumpsters close to the kitchen’s entrance. “It’ll be tight, but we can make it.”
He bolted from the forest, the others following close behind. They dove between the large metal containers just as the lights buzzed back to life.
The warriors crouched low, ducking in the shadows as the rain grew heavy, slanting through the bright beams of light.
“Damn it, we’re pinned down,” Killian whispered.
Jax peeked around the back. “We’re in luck. The lights are angled, so we have shadows that will serve as cover.”
Wind whistled through the trees as a storm blew in.
Ike turned to his romni. “And what about you and Killian?”
Gia bristled. “We’ll manage.”
Ike gripped her upper arms. “You listen to me,” his voice became gruff. “You’re too far in your head for a mission. Stay here. Killian can track Sarkov and contain him. He’ll bring him to you if that’s what you want.”
Her eyes hardened to stone. “You really think I’m so weak that I need to stay safe while someone serves Sarkov to me on a silver platter?”
“That’s not what I meant.” His voice grew desperate.
She pulled away. “I’m no longer your concern, getting our nata out of this place is.”
The lights flickered a few times before going off again. Killian edged closer to the castle. “This might be our only window. We have to go.”
Shots rang in the distance.
Ike whipped out his phone. “Zander and the Tovas are here.”
The servant’s entrance burst open as construction workers poured out, running from the battle raging in the front.
Jax glanced at Ike. “It’s now or never.”
Ike’s grip tightened around Gia’s arms. “Listen, I—”
“For the love of God, go,” Gia practically hissed, pulling from his grasp and following Killian toward the front of the dumpster.
Ike hesitated before following Jax. They slipped around the back of the dumpster and through the shadows, passing a few large steel containers until they came to the last one cocooned in a protective tarp.
Jax pulled a knife from his boot and made a clean cut along the plastic covering the dumpster’s edge.
“She’ll be fine,” Jax said, pulling the plastic and then cutting again. “It’s you I’m worried about.”
The comment had Ike’s full attention. “I’m focused on the mission.”
“You better be.” Jax took the lead, slipping between the metal and plastic. He reached up, grabbing the top of the dumpster and hoisting himself over the side.
Blackened damp plaster softened the fall, and dust plumed as Ike landed next to him.
“I’ll go first.” Ike grabbed the bottom of the chute, finding the spiral wiring.
The rain turned torrential, and Ike stopped a few feet from the top of the parapet as workers scrambled to get inside.
Heating and air conditioning units stood a few yards away, and Ike took cover behind them. Jax scurried out of the chute and ducked low, making his way across the roof.
Rapid gunfire echoed through the woods as Ike caught up with him. “Once we get inside, we’ll head away from the secured area in the north wing.”
“Nya’s not hiding, she’s hunting. She’ll head straight into the devil’s lair.”
Ike frowned. “She’d never go after Sarkov on her own.”
Frustrated, Jax glared at the male. “Seriously, Commander. Do you know your pumpkin at all?”
Ike looked away. “All right, then. You lead.”
Jax started forward, his voice aggressive and low. “Vtachi will want answers before she kills Sarkov. The most logical place to start looking is in the room on the second floor, where we found her shorts.”
Metal railing lined a hatched door, which lay in the center of the flat roof. Jax motioned for Ike to cover him as he released the lever and pulled. The door sprung open, revealing a long narrow staircase, ending in a construction grade metal exit. Stone walls guarded the narrow staircase. Light streamed under the door’s crack at the bottom. Jax started down the stairs as Ike climbed in after him, closing the roof’s hatch in place.
They took the stairs two at a time and Jax opened the door as if they were supposed to be there, followed closely by Ike. The sounds of war bled through the large stained-glass windows, which were nestled in wells large enough to create alcoves lining the wall. Boxes lay scattered and open along the corridor as if an entire squadron had come through and ripped the place apart.
Ike grabbed a carpenter’s belt laying atop some discarded tools and hitched it around his waist. Jax shoved a painter’s hat on his head, and they started toward the staircase, making their way to the second floor.
They had reached the open area that overlooked the foyer when another explosion rocked the castle.
Jax crouched low against the far wall and ran, hoping like hell that all the Drahzda had been called to fight Zander and the Tovaris.
Ike rattled the knob before he growled in frustration. His muscles strained as his knuckles whitened, and he twisted the knob with all this strength. The metal groaned in protest before the lock gave way.
They hustled through the door, closing it behind them.
Jax flipped on the lights, then froze. “What the fuck is this?”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Lights flickered along the abandoned corridor as Gia raced up the servant’s stairs, and Killian silently cursed. She’d been like this since they’d left the cabin.
Ike was right. Gia wasn’t in the right headspace for a mission.
Scattered boxes littered the top landing, and she stumbled, slowing her stride.
Killian grabbed her arm, pulling her into a darkened corner. “Damn it Gia. Get it together.”
She tried to jerk away, but his grip tightened.
“You’ve been reckless since you took control of this mission. You may not care if you get yourself killed, but Nya will. And she doesn’t deserve a lifetime of guilt because her mother was murdered by the Drahzda. After all the shit she’s been through, she doesn’t need that, too.”
Gia’s harsh expression flashed with regret. “You’re right. I’ll be more careful.”
“Not good enough.” Killian released her. “Until we find Sarkov, I’m taking the lead.”
He didn’t wait for a response as he started down the hall. Gia had led them to the third floor, wanting to sweep from the top on down. But his instincts screamed that Sarkov wasn’t up here.
They were wasting precious time.
Weatherworn wood stretched along an endless corridor. Large window alcoves ran along the outer wall. Their wells so deep they cleverly housed narrow broom cupboards along the sides of the niche.
Dark silhouettes loomed in the distance, and Killian held up his hand. Gia stopped. He waved, signaling for her to hide in the closet. She followed the order, opening the narrow door and silently closing it behind her. Soldiers started down the hall as the latch clicked closed.
/> Killian slipped behind a stack of boxes.
“We’ve already checked this floor.” A deep Russian voice neared, stopping between Killian and Gia’s hiding places.
“Check it again.”
Four of the six men marched down the hall, each opening doors and clearing rooms as they went.
“Sir, there’s nothing here.”
“Sweep the servant’s quarters, and if you see her, wound, but do not kill.”
The men saluted and started down toward the stairs.
“Captain, it’s obvious she’s escaped.”
A gruff voice scoffed. “Then why are the Scythians still fighting? No. If they had her, they wouldn’t be engaging us.”
Another explosion rocked the castle’s outer wall, and plaster dust sifted from the ceiling.
“Should we abandon this mission and help fight? Our men are getting slaughtered out there.”
The leader’s tone became aggressive. “You really want to defy the Tsar’s orders?”
The sound of a creaking hinge halted their conversation, and both soldiers turned to see a narrow closet door easing open.
Killian glared across the way. Damn it, what was Gia doing? If they called for backup, he’d have to waste more time fighting instead of tracking Sarkov.
The men stepped closer, one shoving the cupboard wide open with the tip of his automatic weapon.
A shadow shifted in the back.
The captain unclipped a two-way radio attached to his belt.
“Sergei, we have a situation. Over.”
Shit.
Killian whipped out his knife and lunged. He knocked the radio out of the captain’s hand before stabbing him through the heart. The man dropped where he stood. Gia sprang from the narrow space, grabbing the other soldier by the throat. She rammed him against the wall, her eyes calmly taking in the way he struggled to breathe.
Radio static echoed down the hall. “Boris, status update.”
Killian smashed the radio with his heel. “Speed this up. Company’s on the way.”
Gia reached into her breast pocket and pulled out a syringe, ramming a small injection in his arm.
The man visibly relaxed.
“Where’s Penn?”
He shook his head as if he didn’t know.
Her knuckles whitened as she squeezed his neck, her other hand waving an empty vial with a needle jutting from one end. “I’ll tell you a secret. See this? It’s a lovely little concoction I spent years developing. It keeps your Phoenix in control.” She hitched him higher against the wall until his feet dangled a few inches from the ground. “I’ll ask again. Where is Sarkov?”
The soldier stayed silent.
Gia’s free hand traveled over his chest and down his torso until her fingers wrapped painfully around his groin. “I can take you back to Carpathia, where we’ll have years together to play.” She tightened her hold, and he whimpered. “We’ll start by getting rid of these. And you’ll be awake for every blessed second, I promise you that.”
The man’s eyes widened as she leaned in.
“I can do it, too. I have a team at my disposal, they’ll heal you, make sure you’re nice and healthy before I visit again. After what my nata’s been through, you’ll get no mercy from me.” She thumped his head against the wall, her voice becoming a mere growl. “One last time. Where. Is. Penn?”
He frantically pointed toward the stairs. “Second floor ... secret suite behind the bookshelves at the end of the hall.”
Gia let the man go long enough for him to stumble to his feet.
“Thank you.” Cold ruthlessness sparked in her eyes as she grabbed either side of his head, snapping it from side to side.
The man’s skull hung at an odd angle as he fell to the floor.
Uneasy, Killian cleared his throat, and he and Gia made short work of stuffing the bodies in the closet and closing the door.
Water dripped from somewhere above as Nya crept along the hidden passageway. She’d checked every door, except one.
Her eyes focused on the sliver of light at the end of the hall. Her thumb furiously ran over the scar on her palm as cool air brushed across her face.
The sounds of rapid gunfire bled through the thick walls, and Nya rubbed her forehead.
Jax—he was here, she could feel it. But he shouldn’t have come. He shouldn’t put himself in danger for someone so tainted and unclean.
She opened her eyes, finding that sliver of light again.
He wouldn’t give up until he found her, though. And she wasn’t going anywhere until Sarkov died. Which meant the sooner she finished this, the better.
She started forward, slipping past the boxes and broken furniture. Her pulse thrummed in her ears as she stalked her prey.
Sarkov first. Find the eggs. Then destroy the Chancellor.
She repeated her mantra over and over, allowing her anger to flow, strengthening, until it pounded through her like a sacred drum, summoning the demons of hell.
Her lip curled as every horrid thing that Penn had ever done played in her mind. Heat pulsed through her veins, and she embraced the pain. Speeding into a run, her primal scream echoed off the walls as she kicked open the door.
The sharp crack of wood exploded in the silence as Nya burst into the room.
Her eyes widened as she froze.
Old warped planks ran in rows along the floor, the cobbled walls, fashioned with mud and straw, created soft corners and textured surfaces. Overhead, large beams formed an A-frame, complete with a thatched roof. Even their small cot, broken farm table, and two chairs stood next to the fireplace. It was a perfect replica of their secret fort.
Bile rose in her throat, and she stumbled back.
“I made it for you.” Penn’s voice came from the shadows.
Nya whipped around, searching.
“I did it all for you.”
Something sharp pierced her arm, and the world went black.
Chapter Forty
Ike’s eyes never left the Dacian symbols hand-painted under the crown molding. “Why in the hell did Penn put that on the walls?”
“I think it would be obvious.” Jax’s frustration came through as he read her apology. “Even though Penn can’t read the language, he knew the markings were important to Nya, so he chose to surround their young with them.”
Jax jogged across the room and bent next to the antique armoire. Wet silk and ceremonial sandals lay on a towel. He bent down, his fingers gently caressing the silk. “Why leave this here, Vtachi?”
Footsteps thundered down the hall.
Ike dove for the door and shoved a chair under its knob, securing it in place as a squadron of Drahzda ran past. “I have a feeling it won’t be long before they recheck this room.”
Jax leaned against the panel, his mind whirring. “Where would she have gone from here?”
“Sarkov has to have a central command.”
Jax shook his head. “He wouldn’t be there. He doesn’t give a damn about his men. His sole obsession is Nya, he’s searching for her—or waiting for her to come to him.”
“We’re sitting ducks, Jax. We have to move.”
“Then we’ll start in this wing and work our way around.” He pushed himself away from the wall.
A rusty hinge creaked as the decorative mahogany behind him shifted, it’s edge coming even with its wainscoting frame. He wedged his finger between the panel and the wall, forcing it to open the rest of the way.
“That wasn’t on the blueprints.” Ike double-checked the chair before making his way to Jax.
“I should’ve known he had a secret passage to this room.”
“How?”
Jax stepped into the corridor, sweeping his gaze from one end to the other. “Vtachi always sleeps with a weapon.”
“So?” Ike followed him in.
“Sarkov must have come to her in the night, while she was helpless and shackled to that bed. She couldn’t defend herself, and so she learned never to be defenseless
, especially when she sleeps.”
Ike flinched, his hands shaking as he took off the toolbelt he’d snagged in the hall.
Jax grabbed a putty knife from the belt and shoved it between the hidden door and its frame. “That should at least keep it from opening on its own.”
They started down the hall, and Ike softly cursed as he noted the doors lining the left side of the corridor. I’ll take this one, you start down the way.”
“At least we know we’re on the right track. The question is, how long ago was she here, and where is she now?”
The rasp of a match struck the silence as Penn lit an incense stick and placed it in a jar of sand. His eyes glittered in the limited light. “I knew it was only a matter of time before the Phoenix showed you the path to enlightenment. Welcome back, my love.”
Revulsion hit Nya in waves as she looked up to see her wrist bound with thick rope, tied to a bracing high overhead. Four Drahzda soldiers stood in each corner of the room. “How long have I been out?”
Penn smiled. “Only fifteen minutes or so.” He turned to his men. “Tell Sergei it will be his head if so much as one Scythian is left alive. Now, leave us.”
Nya swallowed a few times, trying to figure out how in the hell this happened. She shifted, her wrists chafing under the thick hemp rope. The movement must have caught Penn’s gaze, because he turned to watch her struggle. She stilled.
“So, my Ana is finally home.” He picked up the sand-filled glass jar. “I hadn’t planned on having to restrain you in this place, but I know your triggers. I’m sure I’ll be able to handle you.”
She turned away as he brought the incense toward her. Smoke curled around her face like a lover’s caress.
Nya’s head lolled forward, and she fought to keep it up. Warily, she glanced at the incense. “What is that?”
Penn smiled as he breezed more smoke in her face. “Something that will assure you stay calm while we have a little chat.” He set the incense down and clapped his hands together. “Now. Let’s have it. Why did you run, Ana?”
He stood only feet away, right next to her. His tall, lanky frame shouldn’t have intimidated her, and yet, she shook with deep-seated fear. He was an Allos. Her feet weren’t bound. She could kill him easily, but for some reason, she couldn’t move. Instinct caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand. She couldn’t lie to him—something awful would happen if she did. But if she could get him talking, distract him in some way, it would give her precious time to figure things out.
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