by Britt Bury
He flicked the papers in his hands, shooting a glare at Ramsey. “No,” he said simply, returning to the task before him.
She pulled out a chair directly across from him. Folding her hands on the polished wood, she leaned forward. “Andrew, so much has happened beyond all of us.” He stopped shuffling papers but still didn’t look at her. “You personally have sacrificed greatly. I can only imagine what you must be feeling.”
“I’m feeling”—his gray eyes shot to her—“like I need to protect my clan.”
She raised her chin, holding his stare. “And I feel the same.” This was her one shot to at least try to find a middle ground with Andrew. Although she didn’t know him well, she believed he had good intentions.
“I need to go with you. If this seeker can in fact make it possible for me to speak with my grandfather, then I must be there.”
He glared at her one last time before returning to the papers beneath his hands. “It’s too dangerous, Izel.”
She glanced at Ramsey. He raised his brows at her in silent support. “You can protect me.” Men loved compliments, right? He opened his mouth and she knew he was about to argue that point. “I’m asking you kindly to take me.” He leaned in and whispered, “Though we both know I can simply order you to.”
His vicious gaze narrowed on her. Damn it! She was trying so hard to get him to take her willingly. God knew the trip would go much more smoothly, not to mention that being hated by the Battle Chief of your clan didn’t sit well for anyone. “He’s my grandfather, Andrew. If for no other reason, take me because I’m his kin, and because I miss him.” She glanced at her hands. “I need to set this right. I need to speak with him.”
Andrew let out a loud breath. He looked over at Ramsey, then to Lennox, who stood behind him. Both Fionns gave a curt nod.
“All right,” he said reluctantly.
Before she could thank him, he held up his hand. “But,” he said swiftly, “you must first tell me what you know.”
“What I know?”
“Euan’s journal,” he prompted.
Her shoulders sank. “I don’t have it. I left it behind.”
“I thought you said that you had read some of it.” His voice was almost a growl. When she nodded, he made a gesture with his hand, signaling. “Let’s hear it.”
She shuffled through her memory, trying to recall what the journal contained. “He wrote that I’m human, but I still have Fionn blood in me. I possess power from all three castes.” She looked to the ceiling as if the words were written there. “I’ve only to access them.”
Andrew laced his fingers together on the table and leaned in intently. Lennox and Ramsey also eyed her with interest.
“He also wrote that… um…” She hated admitting this next part. “A single encounter with a Pookah would change my fate.” She risked a glance at the Fionns before her. Lennox’s jaw was on the floor, Ramsey gave a nonhumorous chuckle, and Andrew looked as though he’d known this already but was still about to kill someone.
My money’s on either me or Kelvin.
“Oh”—she snapped her finger—“he also mentioned the Zarr.” All three men traded glances, and for a brief moment she had faded from scrutiny. Thank God.
“Why the hell would he mention the Zarrs?” Ramsey asked Andrew.
“And which Zarr is he speaking of?” Lennox added.
“Um, yoo-hoo.” Izel held up her hand. “What are the Zarrs?”
Did Andrew just roll his eyes at her? “They are the last three Strigois in this realm. Bloody Silas Zarr practically runs Hell.”
“So it’s Silas then?” Ramsey asked.
Andrew shook his head, “Maybe, but Euan could be referring to all of them.”
“What are Strigois?” Izel asked, hating that once again she wasn’t familiar with the beings of this realm.
Andrew pinched the bridge of his nose. “They feed on blood and their touch burns all other beings.”
Her pulse sped up. “They’re vampires?”
“Not exactly.”
“Word has it that Imogene Zarr is the Reaper. Death herself,” Lennox added.
Andrew shot a look at Izel. “Enough talk of this. Is there anything else from the journal we need to know?”
She shook her head and Andrew scooted away from the table and rose. “Euan writes of the Zarrs and we have demons walking the realm.”
“Coincidence?” Ramsey offered.
Both Andrew and Lennox shot him an annoyed look.
Ramsey lowered his head, displaying his palms.
Andrew’s stormy gaze landed on her. “You better go pack.”
Chapter 29
Kelvin was hoarse from roaring for Izel for the past several hours. In fact, he hadn’t stopped yelling, begging her to return. His instinct was louder than ever. After last night, he was going crazed by the distance between them. He needed to be near her, to protect her.
Christ! His whole being was created solely to pleasure and safeguard hers and he was currently failing his purpose. His body ached, his blood sluggish and thick in his veins. He was suffocating without her.
When he heard the soft steps of her approaching footfalls, he nearly went to his knees in thanks. The closer she got, the more he scented her, felt her. He was like a caged dog, circling and sniffing at the bars and awaiting his treat. Awaiting his female.
“Kelvin.” Her sweet voice was laced with intent. Every time he laid eyes upon her, he could swear she was lovelier than the time before. “I came to say good-bye.”
He gripped the bars. “They finally convinced ya ta off me, then?”
Her green eyes shot wide and she gasped. “No!”
Gaze locked on her, he studied her face. She genuinely didn’t want to see him hurt. She was a far better being than he. Such a pure soul.
“No�� It’s me. I am leaving.”
Fury coursed through him. “The hell you are!”
She frowned and stepped closer. “I’m going with Andrew to—”
“Oh, bloody hell no. That weakling could no’ protect you even if he tried, and I’ll be damned if you—”
“You,” she drawled, “don’t have any say in what I do.”
His pulse was in his ears. The need to kill Thompson became overwhelming. He thinks ta take my female? I’ll cut off his hands first.
“We’re going to see a seeker. Hopefully he can tap into the Cypher and I’ll get a chance to speak with my grandfather.” Her voice was calm, but Kelvin’s grip on the steel only tightened. “He’s a Sentry. Forever bound to the Cypher with no hope of returning to this realm. He sacrificed himself for me. I can’t let that go to waste because of my mistakes.” She spared him only a glance before returning her gaze to the ground.
His head shook as he tried to gain composure. After last night, he was certain he could reclaim her. Win her back. At the very least, she was attracted to him. He could build from that. But to be in this godforsaken place without her? Never!
“I will escort you, then,” the Pookah said as if not locked in the cell. She crossed her arms over her middle, secretly loving his tenacity and pride. Still, there was no way she could release him, not until she returned. She’d already asked Ramsey to keep an eye on him while she was gone and make sure no one hurt him. If she freed him now, he would most likely follow her, and the last thing she wanted was a fight between Andrew and Kelvin just when she was finally on the path to answers.
“The last time you were my escort, I ended up bloody, beaten, and nearly dead. And that was just the physiological damage.”
She hadn’t meant to say the last part. She had practiced all afternoon, trying to prepare for facing the Pookah again. Over and over she’d told herself to be strong, not give an inch. All she could do was pray that Kelvin couldn’t see through her facade of indifference.
“Love, you can no’ leave without me. I am your protector. I must be with you. We’re bound.” His voice was raspy and she almost believed that he truly wanted to be w
ith her.
“No,” she whispered. “You don’t protect me; you hurt me.”
He reached out his hand. “Izel… please.” She looked at his calloused palm, outreached for her. “Come ta me.”
She chanced a look at his face, which was a mistake. His blue eyes were blazing with such raw ferocity that she shivered at the sight. Shaking her head she said, “You won’t release me if I do.”
“It’s true,” he nodded, “that I do no’ want ta let you go, but if it means earning some of your trust, I will.” Although she wasn’t convinced, she craved to touch him, to feel his warm fingers on her skin. But she couldn’t risk it.
“Lass”—he stared at her as if sensing her hesitation—“I will no’ ever deceive you again. Come ta me, and I vow I will release you.” He gritted his teeth as if the words, the thought even, pained him. “I will even watch you walk away from me and will no’ call after you.”
Did she just feel loss at that statement? Kelvin not calling after her, not wanting her? A lump rose in her throat. “But know this.” His glacier eyes ensnared her and his deep voice was laced with wicked promise. “If you will no’ open this door, I will find my own way from this cell. I will find my own way ta you.”
A shudder ran down her spine. That was no threat he was giving, that was fact. He rested the side of his head against the bars. “Just give me a chance before ya leave me.”
He was asking. For once, Kelvin Kerr was not demanding a thing. He simply wanted to be close to her. And he was letting her choose.
Her chest felt heavy. Although it was a small gesture, it was a start. Because the truth was, she wanted to touch him, too.
Her hand rose to meet his and she watched his eyes light up as her palm entered his grasp. Expecting him to yank her into the bars, she was surprised when he merely skimmed her knuckles with his thumb.
“So soft,” he muttered.
A simple touch was all it took for her whole being to buzz to life. Her traitorous body responded to his so easily, the internal struggle she had over this man mercilessly pumping desire through her veins.
“I can scent myself on you… inside you,” he whispered. Her gaze locked on his, and she didn’t notice him slowly pulling her closer. “It grows every day.” Closer. “We are one soul, love.” His lips were inches from hers.
She snapped back to reality, withdrawing from his hold.
“Please come back. I did no’ break my vow,” he said.
Then it hit her. “You only want my body.”
He frowned as if she stated something that was already known. “Aye, I want your body. But that is no’ all.”
She shook her head wildly. He was Pookah and she his mate. He had an animal instinct toward her and that was all. He didn’t love her. He only needed her to sate him. “I’m no’ gonna lie and deny my attraction to you.”
“Now you decide to give up the lies, huh?” she huffed. “You said so yourself, Kelvin. It’s in your nature to crave your mate. You never said anything about actually having to care about her.”
“That’s no’ true!” He hit the cell door with his fist, blue fire in his eyes. “I long for you in a way I can never truly explain. I only want ta protect you, ta be near you. How can I make you see that?”
“How about you start with the truth?” she sneered.
A low growl sounded from deep in his chest. “You want the truth, lass?” He banged his fist again. “I knew you were mine from the first moment I saw you. Never have I hesitated in my duty. Never have I questioned my honor. But you…” She watched the last hint of the Pookah’s composure disappear. “In a single breath, you changed everything.”
His wild eyes locked on hers. “I thought you, of all people, would understand the struggle. To have all you’ve ever known, all you were ever taught ta be, suddenly fall away… ta change.”
Her hand fisted the material of her shirt over her stomach. She felt sick at his words. Sick with herself. She expected so much from this man, wanted him to understand her, yet she had no idea of the burden he was bearing.
His lips pulled back from his teeth and he rasped, “I do no’ regret it, though, love. I only regret my actions following. I did no’ know how ta govern the change… ta handle my instinct. I tried so hard ta deny you.” His eyes flickered with danger. “I will never make that mistake again.”
Her body began to shake. She had no defense against this, hadn’t expected him to be honest. She took a deep breath, realizing she was getting exactly what she’d asked for.
“You want more?” He pressed his forehead against the bars. “Our clans are enemies. I was sent ta find the Mystic, Euan, to confirm he was off this realm. I was sent ta kill you, not just because of your prophecy, but because of who you are, from whose bloodline you come.”
A hard knot stuck in her throat when Kelvin looked up at her, anger and defeat plaguing his face. “I killed your father.”
Kelvin watched his female’s emerald eyes flood with shock. He stood silent, awaiting her response, but she gave none. For long moments, she just stared, moisture threatening to spill from her lashes.
“Why are you telling me this?” she breathed.
Because I want ta start a life free of lies with you.
“Because it’s the truth, lass. Because there are thousands of years of things I’ve done that I can no’ undo.”
A tear finally escaped and Kelvin winced at the sight. “Christ, love, I’d take it all back. Anything. Everything. I never want ta cause you pain.” He rocked his forehead against the cold bars while clenching the steel in his fists.
He looked in her eyes. “I love you, Izel. You are the most precious thing ta me. Above all else, it’s you.”
A warm breeze came from nowhere and Kelvin shot up, peering around. He sensed that they were no longer alone. He felt an eerie presence, an essence that seemed to engulf him. Izel didn’t seem to notice, just ran a hand over her damp cheeks.
“I have to go,” she whispered.
He shook the bars. “Izel, no! Do no’ leave.”
Turning, she glanced over her shoulder, green eyes laced with misery. “You said you wouldn’t call after me.”
Kelvin regretted his words the moment they replayed on her lips. Since she’d gone, he’d been pounding on the walls trying to get her to return—to reconsider her dangerous plan.
“Give it up, Pookah,” Gunn muttered, sitting across from the cell, eyeing his crossword puzzle. Kelvin hadn’t stopped banging and clawing the bars since Izel left. “You can no’ escape; the bars are reinforced with magic.”
Although he heard the Fionn, he didn’t care. He just continued his attempts to get free. “She’s been out there for hours unprotected!” Kelvin bellowed, digging his claws into the wall of brick.
“Izel is with Andrew. She’s fine.”
“That piece o’ shite could no’ even protect his own arse!”
The Fionn threw his paper to the floor and approached him. “Andy’s stronger than those hogs you employ on the front line, Kerr.”
Kelvin paid no attention to the Fionn’s insult, just continued to work on the wall of stones. “What the hell are you doing?”
Never ceasing his clawing, he simply said, “I’m going after my woman.”
Gunn shook his head. “She’s fine—”
“No!” Kelvin cut him off, unwilling to hear that his mate was fine without him. “You must free me,” he growled. “I will find a way from here, but I do no’ wish ta waste any more time. If you open the door, I will spare you.”
The Fionn chuckled. “Gotta hand it ta you, Kerr. You’re no’ a pessimist under pressure.”
“You do no’ understand, you sod!” Kelvin clung to the bars with dirty, bleeding hands. “I am her curse, and the only one who can save her.”
“What are you talking about?” The Warrior’s voice suddenly held just a hint of distress.
“The Mystic,” he tilted his chin, letting Gunn know he was talking of Euan Campbell. “I rea
d it in his journal.”
The Fionn’s eyes narrowed to slits. “And what do you know of that?”
“I know that it’s at my castle. I also know that if Izel encountered me her fate would change.”
“I know all this,” the Fionn said in a bored tone.
“Aye, but did ya know she’d die?”
The Warrior’s dark eyes snapped to Kelvin’s face. “Ah, fuck,” Gunn rasped as if completely understanding everything by those few words.
Gunn shook his head but seemed to believe Kelvin. A terrified realization came over the Fionn’s face, like he knew more than even Kelvin did.
Kelvin’s knuckles went white on the bars. He knew desperation seeped from his pores, but he didn’t care. Izel’s safety mattered above all else. And if he had to hit his knees and beg a Fionn to release him, he would.
Gunn frowned, seeming to hate his thoughts.
“If you care anything for Izel, if you are truly her friend, her loyal subject, you will release me.” He caught the Warrior’s dark stare. “Because you know I am the one who can protect her best.”
The Fionn scowled at him but pulled a large key from around his neck. “I’ll be in so much shite for this,” he muttered, unlocking the cell. As soon as the bars creaked open, Kelvin jumped the Fionn, taking his sword.
“I need ta borrow this,” he stated simply, and ran down the dungeon hall.
“You have until I finish this,” Ramsey waved the puzzle in the air, “before we come after you.”
Kelvin gave him a tight grin. “Noted.” Who’d have thought? Fionns and Pookahs… on the same team.
Bounding from the castle, he picked up speed once he hit the surrounding forest. The darkness fueled him and took over his whole body. Catching the faintest scent of his mate, he sprinted after her. Running as if his life depended on it.
Because it did.
Chapter 30
Andrew had informed Izel that there was a warehouse hidden on the outskirts of Campbell territory that housed massive amounts of backup weapons, vehicles, and mystical potions and powders. It was at least worth looking through; maybe something stored there could help disguise her human scent. “Euan showed me this bunker right after your birth. No one else knows of it.”