by RJ Blain
I worried, considering everything Gentry, Todd, and Anatoly had said, and questioned my desire to leave Charlotte
The idea of having a family, of knowing there were people who wanted me for no reason other than being someone’s child—someone’s daughter—ran counter to everything I’d learned my entire life. How could I have a family?
How could I be someone’s niece, desired without being known?
The pressure of unknown expectations choked off my breath. Before my choosing, I’d been a child of the Blade Clan, and any one of the men could have been my father. I belonged to the clan, not to any one man. Who needed a father or a son when everyone in the clan stood firm as brothers?
One choice had changed everything, transforming me from a faceless, genderless child to a woman. Instead of a brother of the clan, a proud warrior with a blade in hand, I’d become someone’s daughter, someone’s niece, and if what they’d said was true, someone’s—Anatoly’s—bride.
Henry waved his hand in front of my face. “Earth to Runs Against Wind.”
“What?”
“You stopped and stared at the wall. Tired?”
Grateful for an excuse for my lack of attention, I nodded. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be. I tried to tell them it’s common. You need a lot of sleep before you’re back to one hundred percent.” Henry gave my shoulder a clap. “You’ll be able to relax at the palace. Security there is pretty tight now, especially with the President in residence.”
I widened my eyes. “The President’s in residence?”
Gentry brushed past me, and his mercenaries made a path. I caught sight of Ferdinand and tensed, ready to get out of the wolf’s way if he came near me. “Get everyone organized into six man teams. Put two teams in charge of supervising couriers and messengers. If the Hope Diamond is still in the city, I want it found. Get a few teams into the black market. If there are any leads, I want to know about them.”
The wolf nodded, spun, and headed for the nearest group of men and women, barking orders as he went. For several minutes, we stood and watched the Dawnfire mercenaries organize and get to work, separating into teams like some well-oiled machine.
With narrowed eyes, Todd surveyed the activity. “Your wolf’s losing his touch, Gentry.”
“I know. He’s losing a lot more than his touch.”
If Todd had been in his equine form, I would’ve bet everything I owned his ears would be pinned back, his body tense, and ready to fight, his teeth bared while he snorted. “If you need me to deal with him, you let me know.”
“That will be for you and Anatoly to decide. I won’t interfere with your decision.” The grizzly paused, glancing at me. He lowered his voice to a whisper and said, “It would be wise if you stayed away from Ferdinand. He’s unmated and has been for a long time, which makes wolves volatile at best. He hasn’t bitten anyone yet but not for a lack of effort.”
I grimaced, well aware of the consequences of a wolf’s bite—and of how I’d captured Ferdinand’s attention once already. “I’ll take that under advisement.”
“Do.”
I really needed to get a sword—any sword. If Ferdinand did try to bite me, he’d regret it for the brief moment it took me to kill him for even thinking of taking my choice of mate away from me. While no court would convict me for his death, I’d rather avoid the situation altogether. With Ferdinand busy obeying Gentry’s commands, I wouldn’t worry about him until I needed to. I turned my attention to the next problem: Blossom, her father, and the mayoral palace. “Why the palace? Why not one of the hotels?”
“Ah, right. You came from the west. The mayoral palace is the easiest place to defend. In a few weeks, it’ll be dubbed the presidential palace, although it will remain the mayor’s residence and Charlotte’s seat of power. The place has been expanded over the past few years in preparation, as Richmond’s sinking. The President decided to make the move before it became critical to ease the transition. Wise choice, if you ask me.”
I stumbled to a halt, my eyes widening. “The President really is in residence?”
“She is. It’s just not official yet. With the Secret Service around, it’d take an army to get in and out of the place.” Gentry strolled across the lobby of his guild, holding the door for us. “I’m not taking any chances with your safety—the same with you, Anatoly. If I have my way, you’ll be sharing a suite with a guard around at all times.”
Anatoly scowled, leveling a glare at Dawnfire’s guild master. “It’s so nice to see you care. I think I can handle my own security.”
“I’ll fight you over it, kitty, and I’ll win. If you quietly do things my way, I won’t have to embarrass you in front of my entire guild, the Lancers’ Alliance’s guild master, and maybe even the mayor or President. The First Gentleman would enjoy watching you lose to me.”
While Gentry grinned, Anatoly’s scowl deepened. “You’re enjoying this far too much.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to fight a challenging opponent. You’d make me earn my victory. I thought I’d be considerate of your mystic. It’d be rude if I made him piece you back together right after a long trip.”
“Please don’t,” Henry begged. “If I have to patch either one of you up, Cleo will find out. If Cleo finds out, he’ll come and mule kick Todd, who should have prevented the beating from occurring in the first place, which means I’ll have to put Todd back together as Cleo won’t.”
While I knew full well who Cleo was, part of pretending to be someone else—a stranger—involved remembering to pretend ignorance. “Cleo?”
“Todd’s mystic. Cleo handles Todd’s herd and personal affairs. The job is very similar to what I do for Anatoly, although Anatoly has several other mystics in his employ, whereas Todd only has one.”
“I only need one. My herd leaves most of the physical work to me, just as it should be. You felines insist on fighting your own battles, so more mystics are required. You should learn from me, Anatoly. You’d need a much smaller household if you did all the real work. Cleo wouldn’t mule kick me, anyway. He’d come up with something worse and more creative.”
A low rumble built in Anatoly’s chest, and the hairs on my arm stood on end at the threat in the shifter’s growl.
“Don’t growl at me. It’s true.” Todd shrugged and held his hands up. “I’m not going to come between you and Adams in a fight. Who am I to say you can’t get your ass kicked by a grizzly? At least you weren’t picking the fight with his wife. I’d have to intervene then; Adams, at least, will make you bleed but won’t ask me to help him hide your body.”
“My wife wouldn’t kill him. She might enslave him and walk him on a leash so she can show off her new pet tiger, but she wouldn’t kill him. For some reason I can’t fathom, she likes him.”
Running while they were distracted would have been wise, but when the opportunity came, I stayed, shaking my head at the insanity my life had become.
Chapter Thirty-Three
I refused to leave my new mare in Dawnfire’s stable, and to my relief, no one argued with me about it. I groomed and tacked her, taking my time with my work, checking her over from the tips of her ears to her fetlocks. Anatoly leaned against her stall and watched, his posture relaxed and his hands stuffed in his pockets.
“She’s an American Saddlebred, sixteen and a half hands. She’s a gold champagne, and she loves carrots.”
I adjusted the mare’s saddle and tightened the cinch. “Is there a reason you’re hovering?”
“I’m just making certain you don’t wander off. I may also be making sure no wolves get any ideas.”
“I’m going to need a sword,” I muttered.
“At the palace. Your things are waiting for you there.”
I’d believe it when I saw it. After another check of my mare’s tack, I led her out of the stable, Anatoly walking beside me. Outside in the early morning gloom, Gentry, Todd, and Henry waited with a carriage, and one of the stablehands held Snapper’s rei
ns.
Todd stared at Dawnfire’s headquarters, his eyes narrowed and expression thoughtful. “I’ll meet you at the palace. I’ll bring Cleo, Henry. Maybe between the two of you, you can talk some sense into Anatoly.”
“Don’t ask for miracles,” I muttered under my breath, low enough I doubted anyone heard me.
“While I doubt it’s possible to talk sense into Nate, Cleo’s better at short term recovery magic than I am. If you could give him a breakdown of the situation, I’d appreciate it.”
“Of course. Keep an eye on them, Gentry.”
The grizzly nodded. “Watch your back on your way, Todd. If they’re after fast horses…”
“I’d like to see them try.” For a prey species, Todd did a pretty good job of growling. “They’d have to be insane and desperate to even think about it.”
Anatoly and Gentry exchanged long, worried looks.
Their silence concerned me, and while six years separated me from my experience as a bodyguard, it hadn’t been enough time to distance me from the work I’d once done. “Maybe you shouldn’t go alone. If someone does try something, it would be best if there’s a witness. It’d reflect poorly on Dawnfire if a guild master disappeared after leaving their headquarters.”
If looks could kill, Anatoly, Gentry, and Todd would’ve had me in my grave in less than a minute. I met Todd’s glare with calm neutrality, taking even breaths to mask my unease. “If you take Anatoly with you, he’d be supervised, and it’d make even desperate people think twice about taking you both on.”
Henry chuckled. “She’s right, you know. Snapper’s fast. Not as fast as you, Todd, but he won’t slow you down much.”
“His name is Cherry,” Anatoly grumbled.
Henry and I exchanged glances, and I grinned before turning to Anatoly. “His name was Cherry. It’s now Snapper, Ana.”
The tiger twitched.
“If someone does target the Lancers’ Alliance guild master, imagine how much recognition he’d be forced to give you.” I shrugged. “Seems like you win for a little bit of inconvenience. If he needs your help…”
“I expect you both at the palace as soon as you’ve finished your business at your estate, Todd.” Gentry leveled a glare at me, which I pretended not to notice. “And take a few minutes to shower and change your clothes. Let’s not give the Secret Service extra reasons to have a collective panic attack.”
Todd sighed. “That’ll add at least an hour.”
“Time well spent. We’ll see you there.” Gentry hopped into the open-topped carriage and sat facing backwards while Henry took the opposite seat. I nudged my mare so I rode alongside, able to speak with either one if necessary. “Runs Against Wind?”
I straightened in the saddle, deciding the extra polite approach would serve me best. “Yes, sir?”
Bending over, Gentry picked something up and held out a long, cloth-wrapped bundle. “I expect this back when we arrive at the palace.”
I shifted in the saddle, certain a sword rested in the wrappings. I untied the string and peeled away the cloth, revealing a plain, black-leather sheath. I’d used a short sword before taking Todd’s katana, and the weapon reminded me of my first blade, although mine had been a little shorter and lighter in the hand.
While functional and made of good steel, my first blade had lacked beauty. The dark pommel stone of Gentry’s sword drank the street’s lamp light, and gray braided leather wrappings led to a bright silver-white guard embedded with dark gray crystals. I pulled the weapon free, tossing the sheath and cloth back to Gentry. Instead of the traditional, straight fuller, engraved claw marks decorated the blade, as artistic as they were menacing.
In the heat of battle, the claw marks would be a showcase example of why people often called the fuller a blood groove.
Among the etchings, I found the mark of the Blade Clan, a discreet brand of craftsmanship.
“I’m honored,” I whispered, testing the blade’s weight and balance in my hand. I found no fault in the blade. “This is a masterful weapon.”
“Blade Clan forged,” Gentry replied, leaning over to pick up a second, larger wrapped blade. He set it across his lap and revealed a matching bastard sword. “This is its partner, which Anatoly will keep at hand just in case he runs into any trouble.”
“I couldn’t,” Anatoly spluttered.
“You will. As you’re mounted, a sword makes more sense than your claws. Todd’ll be on foot, so he can shift. Take the sword. Return it to me when you reach the palace. I would regret my greed if I allowed you to go unarmed.”
Although Anatoly hesitated, he relented with a sigh and a nod, taking the blade. “I think we’re being unnecessarily paranoid.”
“Better safe than sorry. I’d pull together a team to go with you, but they’re needed elsewhere. Be on your guard,” Gentry ordered. He reached back and thumped the carriage in a signal to the driver, who clucked and urged the horses into motion.
If something did happen, I doubted the weapons would be enough, but I clung to the illusion of security anyway. With a sword, if I did go down, at least I’d go down fighting.
We made it two blocks before the enraged squeal of a horse cut over the murmur of the early morning crowds. Gentry’s eyes widened, and his gaze unfocused. At the second infuriated cry, the grizzly lifted his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Henry, stay with the carriage. Runs Against Wind, with me.”
I doubted I’d ever get used to watching someone burst out of their clothes, shifting from man to beast in the space of a heartbeat. The carriage horses squealed, and the driver cursed while Henry dove out of the grizzly’s way.
Gentry’s roar cleared the street, and the grizzly surged forward, his massive, clawed paws slapping against the cobbles.
My mare flattened her ears and twisted away from the bear, her hooves striking out. One clipped the grizzly’s flank, thumping against his fur. She squealed, her hooves clattering as she twisted around and pursued the bear, fighting against the bit in her effort to snap her teeth.
Why did I always end up with the crazy horses?
My mare struggled to keep up with Dawnfire’s guild master, who roared whenever someone didn’t move out of his way fast enough. I had heard Todd’s challenging scream often enough to recognize it, and a chill ran through me.
Horses, men, and women clogged the street, and I recognized some of them as Dawnfire members. The wise got out of Gentry’s way. The rest learned what it felt like to be plowed over by a massive grizzly on a mission. My mare followed, viewing those in her way as obstacles to overcome. Sometimes she used her teeth. Sometimes she slammed her chest and shoulder into, shoving them aside.
A few times, I heard the dull crunch of hooves snapping bones. While Devil Spawn preferred to stop and finish what she started, my new mare left her victims screaming in her wake. The clang of steel on steel told me all I needed to know; a fight waited for me, and it involved Anatoly and Todd.
I’d ask questions of the bodies once both were safe.
I spotted Todd’s black head and flowing mane over the crowd. He reared, lashing out with his hooves before bucking and striking with a hind hoof. I caught a glimpse of blood and a body flying before the victim fell in the crowd.
Of Anatoly and Snapper, I saw no sign. I angled for Todd, lifting Gentry’s sword to cut a path to the beleaguered stallion. The thick press of people slowed the grizzly since he hesitated before striking anyone. I recognized the logic; wounding one of his own wouldn’t serve him now or later.
Me? I had four people to care about: Anatoly, Todd, myself, and my horse. Dawnfire’s guild master could take care of himself.
The first man I cut down didn’t even have time to scream; I plunged Gentry’s sword through his throat, pulled my foot from the stirrup, and kicked him in the chest to free the blade from his body. He slumped, and my mare twisted beneath me, ramming her way into the opening. I gave her free rein, holding onto the leather and a handful of mane for balance.
Without any cues from me, she surged forward, slamming her shoulder into the next man in our way, someone a match for Gentry in bulk. Unlike my first victim, he dove clear, making way for me and my horse. I liked the short sword’s versatile nature; it could pierce or slash, and I took advantage of it. When I had the space, I swept the blade out in an arc, promising death to any who got too close to me or my horse. In close, I rammed my weight behind the blade, driving the steel through flesh and bone in equal measure.
Blood flowed into the claw marks decorating Gentry’s blade, spilled over the guard, and soaked my hand.
I cut my way to Todd, who was surrounded by a mix of Dawnfire mercenaries and riders shrouded in dark clothing. The presence of ropes, some tangled across Todd’s back, infuriated me.
My wrists, shoulders, and ankles still ached. Someone had gotten a rope around Todd’s neck, a tight noose that would eventually strangle him. The end dangled on the ground, lost among the thrashing bodies. I guided my mare with my legs, switching my sword to my off hand so I could sweep the blade low, come in beneath the line, and slice through it. Switching the weapon to my other hand, I grabbed the severed end.
Todd dwarfed my mare, but I added my weight to hers and turned her, giving the line a yank to capture the stallion’s attention. His fire orange eyes glowed, shining on his lather-drenched coat.
Freeing my feet from the stirrups, I dropped my mare’s reins, nudged her towards Todd, and lunged for his back. I lifted Gentry’s sword clear, scrambled over, and clamped my legs around him. He squealed, snapping his teeth at me. Ignoring his displeasure at my daring, I slashed down at the nearest man, my arm throbbing at the force of the blow. The blade gouged deep into the man’s shoulder, and it took me two jerks to free the weapon. My second blow caught him in the neck and felled him.
Gentry’s roar thundered down the street, and a body flew in my direction. I ducked, clutching Todd’s mane. The stallion lurched forward a step, twisted, bucked, and kicked the corpse. It smacked onto the heads of several combatants, and Todd lashed out a second time. Ready to parry with my sword, I worked at the rope around his throat to loosen it. It had dug in deep enough he bled.