Redeemed In Shadows

by Tigris Eden

  It sucked, truly sucked, but there was nothing he could do.

  “You know the rules Cy. Why are you still bleeding your heart over this woman? If memory serves me, and I have a long one, Odessa won’t even show herself to you.”

  “Love does not end. Not real love but you’re right. I know the rules and the rules suck ass. I understand why they can’t be bent or broken.” The demon dipped his head low. “Woe is me as the humans say.”

  Right at that moment when conversation would have grown serious, a woman walked up scantily clad with a tray of Elder wine and cakes.

  “For you,” she bent setting the tray on the table and pouring Gabe’s drink. Then she turned to Cyrian and took a piece of cake into her hands, straddled his lap and said, “this is for you.” she placed the cake into her mouth, bent forward clutching his neck and fed him the sweet with her mouth.

  Gabe took a sip of his win enjoying the buzz that immediately followed. His vision became hazy and the sounds of the club penetrated his senses. The music was deep and sexy. Muffled sounds of pleasure could be heard all around him, Cyrian was busy devouring cake and female at the same time as her moans of pleasure drifted into the club.

  As much as he wanted to forget Xee, needed to be washed free of her, he couldn’t. She plagued him still, even after he’d emptied the bottle. He stood, pissed that she was still fresh on his mind and made his way over to the center stage where a petite brunette was dancing. He found an empty seat, a love seat at that. Didn’t you have to be in love to sit in a love seat? Whatever, he didn’t care, it was the brunette’s on stage job to please him, take away the memories of the woman that he would never have. A woman that maybe he was starting to fall for.

  Fall for?

  Not possible. He was leaving in less than a week. Time was too short to feel so strong for a woman he barely knew. Shit! The wine wasn’t working. He was supposed to be Xee free, not bombarded with images of her face, her body, and her smell.

  “Hey there, Angel boy,” the woman said seductively.

  “Don’t call me that.”

  Only she could call him that. That was her name for him and he wasn’t going to allow another woman to call him that ever.

  “What should I call you sexy?”

  He ignored her question, but still beckoned her forward. He took another sip of what was left in his cup and soon the buzz grew warmer, the female helping him finish what was left in his cup by tipping it higher into his mouth. When the cup was empty, he replaced it with her lips.

  The best way to forget was to try something new.

  Chapter 15

  “Am I the only one that thinks Aunt Cleo is bat shit crazy?” Royce whispered as they walked down the barren halls of the Egyptian Shadow Unit’s base. Having a sit down meal with Cleo and her consort Alexander had been a trip and a half. Bells hadn’t seem to mind. Cleo had been overly ecstatic about Bells being pregnant. Her aunt was way too touchy feely for his own peace of mind.

  “She’s harmless baby.” Bells said hugging him from behind. Royce wasn’t sure they’d all been at the same dinner. Cleopatra practically eye-fucked all the men at her table. The woman was touched in the head or appeared to be.

  “No, I was at the same dinner. The woman is whacked,” Ronin said.

  Sam grunted. They were headed over to the temple by personal escort and normally Royce wouldn’t complain, but there was something really wrong with this entire mission. It had been sketchy since taking the driver’s head. Quiet rage simmered in the empty hallways, and because he was unable to get a bead on any one conversation his mind was shit.

  “What time will out escort be here,” Sam asked as they reached the back entrance. The Lycan was also on edge; Royce could sense it and liked the other man better because of it.

  “Soon I hope. It’s hot as hell out here.”

  The sun was still high and they were waiting on the banks of the Nile. They were travelling by Egyptian River barge, complete with servants, thanks to whacked out aunty Cleo.

  Royce grabbed Bell’s hands. They were still wrapped around his waist as they’d made their way down to the river. He pulled her arms tighter around him thankful she was now talking to him.

  “Stay close to Ronin and me baby. No lip okay.”

  Head resting on his shoulder, he felt her nod in agreement.

  “Deva, listen to him. I agree with Royce, something about today is off.”

  They hadn’t seen Dietrich’s people either. Had something gotten to them? Or maybe they were just lost. It was crowded as hell in Cairo. Bells stepped from behind him to stand in front of Ronin, cupping his face. She stepped closer kissing the underside of his jaw.

  “I promise not to leave your sides.”

  Royce watched as his brother looked down at their mate, the love evident in his eyes as he placed a hand on her belly and kissed her forehead.

  “Alright you three, it looks like our ride is finally here.” Sam said stepping towards two men who were leading what looked to be a caravan of some sort. Cleopatra and her consort sat on a top two camels with canopies. What the hell happed to the river barge?

  “Shall we ride? It’s a day’s ride by camel.”

  “What happened to the boat?”

  Cleopatra smiled down at the four of them as she clucked her tongue, face raised in thought and said. “There was a leak in the barge. We didn’t have time to get a new one. I float in style. I’m as you would say, a diva?” She winked and gestured to the waiting camels. The broad was definitely off her rocker.

  “Royce, there is no other way to reach the temple. Those that protect the land are wary of modern modes of transportation, otherwise we would have taken a… what are those metal contraptions called again?”

  Everyone looked at Bell’s aunt like she was literally, stupid.

  “You mean a car?”

  She clapped her hands once smiling. “Yes, a car. If you wish to get to this temple and get the information you seek, we must hurry.” Cleopatra fanned herself before smiling wide and batting her long dark lashes. “No harm will come to your loved one, she is after all my blood. Come and let’s get started. We have a long journey ahead of us.”

  Royce still hesitant, watched as everyone in their group mounted a camel. A freaking camel! They all had canopy’s, which would keep the sun from bearing down on them and plenty of supplies. Freaking Egypt! He knew things were going to go from fucked to fucked up. He just didn’t know when.

  

  Xee stretched her arms above her head. Yesterday sucked hairy ass donkey balls. She wasn’t going to fall for Gabe’s shit today. Motherfucker had worked her last nerve. From now on, it was going to be about the job and making his life hell until he left to go back to wherever it is Death lived. Quickly she jumped in the shower, washed, and pulled on some clothes. The ache between her legs was still there, but it was bearable.

  “It’s about time your lazy ass woke up.” Micah said, checking in. Since starting her new job, they really hadn’t spent quality alone time together. Micah normally would be okay, but she was starting to miss the annoying punk.

  “Morning to you to.”

  “Whatever.”

  Xee turned to the mirror grinning. She quickly brushed her teeth, threw her hair in a messy ponytail, and sighed. She needed to get the sides trimmed. Good thing the Unit didn’t have a dress code. Today she’d work the communication’s room in her jammies.

  “Today, were checking in on the group? Tracking progress?”

  “That and I think I may have cracked another code with the location of the Sahidic, something about an ancient arena.”

  “Sounds promising.”

  She thought so too.

  “What about what the Seraph said? Think we’ll get anymore visits?” Her Para-housed tried for nonchalant, but failed miserably. Grey had scared him, but she didn’t know why.

  “If the guy comes back I’ll just ignore his ass. I r
eally don’t have time to decipher guy talk. More your area than mine.”

  “I don’t talk dude.”

  “Sure you do. Dick is the universal language for all males.”

  Totally true. Micah most of the time was a dick. Gabe, defiantly a dick. Dietrich was probably the biggest dick of the all, but at least he didn’t sling his dickness her way.

  “You’re so mean, but I like it.” Micah chuckled.

  Xee stepped out of her bathroom and was about to head out when she heard stumbling in the hall, curious, she opened the door to see a small brunette in a clench with none other than Gabe.

  Her Gabe!

  My Gabe?

  What the hell was wrong with the universe!

  She didn’t have time to really process her thoughts because she was too damn busy watching him make out with the brunette, and it was sloppy. His hands were on both ass cheeks, squeezing while he pulled her into his body. She could see all the bite marks marring the other woman’s flesh. Angry red marks from his lips and teeth covered the side of her neck. To her, that was a damn clear sign of you’re-no-longer-needed-and-have-been-replaced-by-the-newest-upgrade kiss.

  From behind, she could tell the woman was curvy as hell. She had the kind of curves even Xee was partial too. The Angel’s eyes were closed so he hadn’t seen her yet, but she could tell the moment he realized they weren’t alone. His body tensed and his hands quickly released the other woman’s ass.

  Busted.

  His eyelids opened as he peeled the woman off his body. Those eyes she thought were gorgeous now looked remorseful. Eyes she wanted to gouge out with her fingers. Not even twenty-four hours ago, she’d had his dick in her mouth and now he was with the brunette. Of all the things to see at four in the morning.

  Xee looked down at her feet and realized she was still barefoot.

  “She’s hot Xee. We could totally tap that, help the Angel out.” Her punk ass Para-housed said on an exaggerated moan.

  “Fuck off Micah.”

  The woman turned and smiled bashfully at Xee as if she were shy, even embarrassed she was caught kissing the Angel out in the hall. She looked from the curvy brunette back to Gabe. His hands were clenched at his side, his jaw working as he ground his teeth together. That jaw would look marvelous disconnected from his face.

  “It’s time for you to go.” Gabe said his voice dark and full of authority.

  “He must be talking to you,” the girl said. Her grin showing pointed teeth.

  “Get lost bitch. I fucking live here.”

  The brunette laughed.

  “Aaah how cute, is she the reason you were at the club last night Gabriel?” The woman purred leaning into his chest.

  She had him looking for pussy? Ha! That was funny. Tears stung her eyes, and her throat burned with the rage she wanted to unleash.

  “Walk me out, yeah?”

  She turned dragging the dickless Angel by his hand as she passed Xee in the hall.

  “I expect you working when I get back Hale.”

  Well if he thought that, he didn’t know her very well.

  Xee turned in the opposite direction, heading for Dietrich’s room. She stepped in front of the other man’s room and let herself in. He was there, a blanket strewn across his lower half, chest exposed to the world and looking peaceful.

  “Yo D!”

  “Get the fuck out Hale. Sleeping now.”

  “Yo D! I need you to work the communications room with me today. Get up fool!”

  She watched as he reached for his glasses and sat up.

  “Hale, it’s early in the morning. Like the sun is still down early. I’m still waiting for my morning wood. You hear to appease me sexually, because if so you best come back in an hour. Morning fucks are a great way to start the day.”

  UGH!

  What the hell was with the men in this outfit anyway, they were either too in love or just down right idiots.

  “You going to work the communication room with me today or what?”

  “Or what?” He replied. His voice thick and slow.

  When he finally rolled out of bed, she could see all the scars. The ones he covered up and the ones he didn’t bother with. He had patchwork all over him, some thick and noticeable and others thin, blending into his mocha colored skin.

  “What the hell happened to you?” Xee whispered.

  He pulled a discarded shirt off the floor and pulled it quickly over his head.

  “Mind your business girl. Now what do you need me to do with you today.”

  “Gabe brought another woman home.” She blurted.

  D tilted his head to the side and shrugged. “So.”

  “Just the night before he was with me.”

  That got his attention.

  “Tell me you’re joking Hale. Tell me you’re smarter than that. You don’t fuck with an Angel. Everyone knows that. Especially Death.”

  “Yeah, well, too late there. You gonna work with me today or what?”

  “Yup, gonna beat the fucker senseless.”

  Well that’s not what she had in mind, but it definitely had merit.

  “Just work down there with me today. You know you could be trying to contact your team or something.”

  “Or something.” He mumbled.

  Happy he was willing to work with her this morning, she turned and headed out the door letting him know to come down when he was ready.

  Xee made her way down to the H.I.V.E hoping she beat her now nemesis downstairs. She walked in and gave up a silent ‘thank you’ as she hit all the lights. She went to the bank of monitors and pulled up one of her favorite streaming sites, found her station and turned that bitch up full blast. Three minutes into the self-righteous empowering vocals of Nicki Minaj’s Beez in the trap, she noticed the sat phone going off.

  “Xee. Gabe? Either of you guys there?”

  She grabbed the phone and placed it to her ear. “What’s your position?”

  “So professional,” Royce countered, “and our position is fucked.”

  “What? How?”

  “We’re not the only ones searching for the Sahidic. Someone has been tailing us. Knows what we know. Any clue how that is Hale?” The Feral’s tone was accusing.

  Her? How would she even know that?

  “None. What should I do?”

  “Nothing, but when I get back your ass is mine. I told Gabe anything happen on this trip while my woman was with me shit would go down. Well shit is going to go down.”

  “Not my problem Ace. What’s going on out there?”

  “We’ve come full circle and somehow ended up back where we started, I think. But this time we’re like in an arena. There are some nefarious characters watching us, and I want to say it feels like I’m in that movie with Brad Pitt only it’s not fight club. It’s something altogether fucked, because I’m not Tyler Durden and I could have sworn that in the movie Spartacus, Kirk Douglas wasn’t wearing cargo shorts.”

  Right, and all of this was supposed to be her fault? No way.

  “Are you serious?”

  “Fuck yeah. Now get D into action and get our asses out of here. We’re going to try and make it back the way we came, but I shit you not kid, we keep ending up in the same fucking place, and these dune people are about to catch a case if they don’t stop scoping us out.”

  “Anything else?”

  The phone went dead. Xee did the only thing she could and went about alerting the others.

  Chapter 16

  “There’s an arena, as in fighting?” Dravaggio asked for what seemed like the hundredth time. Xee was tired of answering the same damn question over and over again.

  “How many damn times must we go over this? Royce contacted me via the sat phone, said something about an arena, nefarious people. Tyler Durden, Kirk Douglas, and Dune people. The natives are restless and our team wants out,” she hesitated only a moment before she yelled, “Now!”

&nb
sp; The testosterone in the room was overpowering. Draven was actually growling. She couldn’t even look at Gabe who sat there staring up at the ceiling. His grey wings flexing as his shoulders stretched.

  “Can you pin-point their location Gabe?”

  The Angels head snapped in the direction of the Captain.

  “I’ve already got a lock on their location but there is a slight problem.”

  No one said a word as they waited for him to drop his news.

  “And…” Dravaggio said with restrained irritation.

  “They’re in the sixth hour, trapped in the Realm of Light.”

  Oh, well, that didn’t sound too bad. The sixth hour was part of the Book Of Gates. One was located just below in the H.I.V.E. Some immortal being guarded all the gates. The sixth hour was actually the Throne of her Lord and was protected by the All Seeing Eye, a serpent like creature who also had mummies for guards.

  “Shit is going to get real Xee. The All Seeing Eye isn’t like the guardian here. She’s pissed for being charged with keeping an eye on the gate.”