“Code deactivated,” said an electronic voice. The door opened and the person entered the home. Emeline scooted from under the car. She didn’t know how much time she had. Avery could’ve discovered her missing and already started searching for her, and the unknown person could return. She needed keys and a fast car.
But none of the keys were with the cars. They had to be inside. Certain the security code hadn’t reactivated, she moved toward the entrance to the house. Anyone could be on the other side, waiting to stop her, but she couldn’t let them deter her. Not tonight.
Emeline turned the knob. The door opened and she slipped into a large mud room. There were two doorways on opposite ends. From her position, the open doorway on her right lead to the kitchen. The left lead to a short hallway and she guessed the rest of the house.
Car keys dangled from hooks on the wall nearest the hallway. She grabbed a set and darted back to the garage. She pressed unlock on the fob. A slick silver Aston Martin DBS came to life. She slid into the driver’s seat and swore the red leather cupped her ass in a snug embrace. The engine purred when she turned the key in the ignition and she turned off the headlights before driving out of the garage. The iron gates opened as she approached and she swept through; only then did she turn on the headlights.
A quarter mile later, she turned onto the deserted country road owned by Nicolis Enterprises. Two miles away lay the state road and access to the highway. Her destination: the house on Riverside. Her goal: to end Ridley.
But she could use some help. She grabbed her phone out of her pocket and dialed Jacqueline, a fellow watcher. Her phone rang four times. “Hello?”
The voice didn’t sound familiar. “Hello,” Emeline said. “May I please speak to Jacqueline?”
A sob tore from the person’s throat, followed by a round of sniffles. “This is her mother. Jacqueline’s in ICU at St. Luke’s Hospital. Who is this?”
Membership in the Order was generational; still, you didn’t volunteer information. “I’m a friend. Can you tell me what’s happened?”
Jacqueline’s mother sighed. “They don’t know what’s wrong. Some type of coma. She has almost no brain activity. How did she go from a vibrant young woman to a vegetable?”
Emeline knew. She should answer the question, but didn’t want to send Jacqueline’s mother down a dangerous path, a path that could leave her in the same condition as her daughter. Hollow condolences left a bitter taste in Emeline’s mouth, but she managed not to choke as she said, “I’m so sorry,” and hung up the phone.
Ridley had gotten to Jacqueline. Dear God, had she turned all of them into zombies? Emeline’s mind drifted, consumed with horror while the car gobbled up the road. She thought of the women of the Order, all of their faces filtered through her brain. Then her parents and the love they shared. Avery came next.
She scrubbed her fist across her watery eyes, pre-empting a flood. Now wasn’t the time or place. She shook her head and refocused.
A person stood in the middle of the road. No. A woman. Emeline caught a glimpse of her face—remembered the creature at The Cloisters—a nanosecond before she slammed on the brakes and spun the wheel to the right. The car skidded. Tires squealed. She overcompensated and forgot to downshift. The Aston Martin went onto the soft shoulder of the road and flipped. For precious seconds, she was airborne, even with the seatbelt strapping her to the seat.
She saw the tree. Knew what it meant. And didn’t have a chance to scream.
***
Ember stared at her fist full of stolen Oreo cookies and no longer thought it was a good idea to sneak out of her bedroom. So much for her secret mission. She trembled, still afraid of returning to foster care, and stuffed another cookie into her mouth which instantly made her happier. Time to return to her bedroom. She made room for another cookie and filled her mouth with milk from her cup on the kitchen counter.
Cheeks bursting, Ember pushed the swinging door to exit the kitchen. EJ stood in her path. Startled, she spit out the soggy Oreos onto the wood floor, splattering some on his leather pants and her pink kitty cat slippers.
“I-I-I’m sorry. I-I was hungry.” Caught, she swept the back of her hand across her wet mouth and chin, and hung her head. Would they send her back tonight? “I-I promise to behave. I-won’t leave my room again. I swear. Please d-don’t send me b-b-back.”
He didn’t say anything, just stood there. His blank face stared down at her with strangeness in his dark eyes.
Run, filtered through her head. “Goddess?” Ember stepped back, confused. EJ snatched her up. His hand clamped over her mouth, stopping her budding scream. She saw the needle and clawed at his hand, bit his fingers to get away. A sharp pain pinched her neck and warmth spread under her skin. Her head swam, muscles turned slushy, and then everything faded away.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Avery rolled onto his side, his arm stretched out, sweeping over the cool spot next to him. He sat up and didn’t need light to see the empty room. He threw the blankets aside and stood naked in the silent space. Emeline was gone, knew it in his bones.
She headed for trouble, knew that too. Grand was the only consideration that restrained her. She needed his help to protect her grandfather. Now, she wanted vengeance. He got it. Didn’t need a translator to understand her motives, but after the last few days, he’d thought they would strike together. Thought she trusted him. So much for thinking anything he said had changed her mind. It only made her more determined. That wasn’t a trait he would’ve thought he’d find attractive in a woman. On Emeline, determination was a requirement.
Avery dressed. He didn’t know what he was walking into; so, he strapped a bulletproof vest under his thermal. He punched a code on a keypad secreted behind a panel in the wall and retrieved his guns and knives, stocked up on extra ammo, and grabbed two short blades. The new cell phone Quin gave him went into a side pocket on his pants. He strode through the house, paused at EJ’s bedroom and thought about asking for help, but continued on.
Whatever happened, this was between Emeline and him. Whatever risk or deceit he faced would be his alone.
He’d lied when he said he didn’t need to hear the words, and didn’t he feel like shit when she didn’t offer them. But every time she glanced his way, those three words blazed from her eyes. The words were in her touch, her voice.
Damn! Why the fuck couldn’t she say it?
The insecure little boy part of him whined as he stomped through the house. His tat bristled, reacting to his keyed up state, and pushing his fury closer to the edge. Right now, he wanted to shake the shit out of her, but more importantly, he wanted her trust. Without trust, they had nothing…and didn’t that say a lot? Avery buried the abrasive thought. There was enough on his plate.
On the way to the garage, he found Hector in the kitchen. Burgundy silk robe with white piping, matching slippers, and immaculate hair, the man had to sleep upright. “What are you doing up so early?” Avery paused.
“Thought I heard something.” Hector pointed to a spill on the polished tile and a misplaced chair by the counter. “Oreos and milk. I believe our youngest member has been in the cabinets and pilfered a few.” He smiled and snapped off a sheet of paper towel. “I think I will leave a cookie jar within her reach.”
Avery wanted to ask if he’d seen Emeline, but didn’t. Hector would’ve already volunteered the info. Avery entered the garage and the space the Aston Martin occupied was empty.
“She would take my favorite car,” he grunted, hopping on the Ducati. He gunned the bike, enjoyed the growl of the precision engine, then tore out of the garage. Usually, the winding road calmed him. Tonight, too much weighed on him. The truth, much like the wind, slapped him too brutal to ignore. She didn’t want his help. If she did, she would’ve asked.
You're chasing a woman who doesn’t want you. She has your head, heart, and dick in a vice and you’re helping her turn the key. Cut and swim dude, before the blood in the water is yours.
&nb
sp; The tears, meaningful gazes, the sex, all of it amounted to more lies and betrayal.
Let her go.
The bike slowed and rolled to a stop at a bend in the road. A yawning hole opened in his chest, right where his heart should be. He’d never failed at anything he’d ever wanted. The first time was a bitch.
Everything inside him numbed, including the fury beating at his heart. He inhaled the cold air and stared into the flurries filling the night sky. If she wanted his help, she would’ve asked, the thought repeated. If she loved him, she would’ve stayed.
Still, everything in him demanded he hunt her down and protect her from herself and the world. He wouldn’t go down that path. Stalking her, chaining her to his side, the urge was there. He could do it—and earn her eternal hate.
If only he could walk away, but he couldn’t because deep down, he knew what he saw reflected in her hazel eyes.
If she didn’t love him, then she was going to have to tell him that to his face. Say the words and then he would leave. All of this may be a mistake. Then he’d be the mistake she couldn’t live without. But first things first. Save her. The rest of the bullshit could wait. He reeved the biked, one decision clear in his mind.
Through a thick stand of trees and the increasing snow, the steady blink of brake lights caught his attention. His heart skipped and he took off weaving through the trees. The motorcycle skidded beneath him as he halted behind the wrecked Aston Martin. Gasoline and burnt rubber choked the air. A tree had nearly split the mangled car into two pieces. No one could’ve survived the impact. The thought jellied his knees as he swung his leg off the bike. He ran across the damp grass to the car. Staggering to a stop at the crushed driver’s side, he beat back the panic and peered inside the shattered window.
A vacant seat.
“She is not there.”
Avery spun. Fear flooded him at the sight of Khuket hovering nearby.
“You emerge from your fortress at the most opportune time. The wards Nu placed have kept me from you. She must have strengthened them since the last time I visited.”
Nothing the goddess said made any sense to him and sounded like white noise in his ear. “Where is she?”
“You do not ask if she is alive.”
Please, God. He stiffened, every muscle locked down. “Are you telling me she’s not?”
She moved closer, a miasmic cloud of writhing appendages. “The woman lives—for now. Her continued health will be determined by your actions.”
He spread his arms. “Here I am. Take me and release her.”
A ripple spread through her dark surface. “You acquiesce so readily. Do you love her?”
“Yes,” he spoke without hesitation.
“Love. A human emotion. Had I known, I would have used it to my advantage and brought you to heel earlier.”
His Ink seethed, yet, for now, he had to keep it a bay. The moment to strike would come. “Answer the question. Where is she?”
Khuket dropped to the ground. Her bands transformed into legs. The dead grass crunched as she approached. Avery didn’t move a muscle, not to antagonize or defend. She sidled up to him, gave him a full body press. His muscles coiled, ready to strike.
“What will you do to save her?” She undulated; all of her touched him in a sensual caress.
Negotiations meant she desired something more than Emeline’s death—him. “Tell me what you want.”
She slid her hands from his chest to crotch. She cupped him. Kneaded. Revulsion made him shudder.
Lips only inches away, she said. “I could kill you. Drain your life force and leave you a shell.”
“If that’s what it takes to save Emeline, do it.” That pulling sensation began again in the center of his gut. He grabbed her arms, though didn’t push her away. “Will this get me Emeline?”
She hissed, clearly displeased his thoughts weren’t on her. The tug increased to a tear and the rage he had been keeping at bay threatened to explode.
Her eyes sparked and a streak of lightning flared in her pupils. Beneath his coat and sweater, his tat bristled and stretched, seeking an outlet. He’d never welcomed the feeling until now. The second he knew Emeline was safe—Khuket would die. Goddess of Chaos whatever, he didn’t give a shit. He had no doubt about his ability to end her life. He just had to pick the right moment.
A moan caught his attention, but neither he nor Khuket had uttered the sound. Was it the wind? It came again, a broken sigh, followed by a wet splat on his shoulder.
Avery looked up.
Deep in the branches of the tree, Emeline hung upside down, cocooned in a thick blanket of Khuket’s bands. Avery flung Khuket aside and leaped onto the roof of the car. He climbed the tree, but Khuket snatched Emeline from the branch and floated away.
He dropped to the ground, running after them. “Take me! I’m the one you want. Not her.”
Khuket stopped. She was nearly invisible against the dark night, but the snow flurries gave her a wavering outline. “I will take you, but on my terms. Come to me, Avery.” Her bands withdrew from Emeline and Khuket tossed her.
Avery made a diving catch and held her to his chest as he slid over the frozen ground.
“Emeline,” he said when they stopped. She lay so still. It took everything not to shake her and demand she open her eyes. He brushed the hair from her face.
A gash stretched from one side of her forehead to the other and blood leaked from her ear. He pressed two fingers to her jugular, searching for a heartbeat.
Slow, yet steady, her pulse throbbed against his fingers.
Snow kissed her cheeks and so did he. A groan eased from her parted lips and she opened her eyes. “What happened?”
Sweet relief unfurled the knot in his chest.
Her breath hitched and wheezed in and out. She coughed and blood sprayed from her mouth, dribbled to her chin. “The car…I crashed?”
So close. He came to losing her. Never, ever again. He ignored the question and opened her coat. A dark spot stained her white sweater. He yanked the material up, unprepared for the sight greeting him.
Ink leached from her birthmark and collected in the open wound on her abdomen. The ragged ends knit together, leaving perfect skin behind, and then reached for the contusion along the curve of her ribs.
Holy! What have I infected her with?
Pain twisted her face. Her hand rose, reaching for the area. Avery grabbed her fingers, but almost released her. More of his Ink raced over his fingers, onto her hand and disappeared beneath the edge of her sweater. As he watched, the entity slithered up her neck to the cut on her forehead. The gash closed and her breathing eased. The confusion in her gaze cleared after a few hard blinks and she reached for him.
“You’re okay now. Everything will be okay.” He stressed in his calmest voice while Khuket hovered in his peripheral.
“You will honor your plea.”
“Avery!” A deep voice called before Avery could answer the goddess.
His head whipped to the right. Quin jumped out his car. Gun pointed at Khuket, he ran towards them. Avery held up a hand. “Stop. Don’t come any closer.” Quin skidded to a halt, yet his gun didn’t move from its target.
Avery turned back to Khuket. She streaked toward Quin, a ghoulish nightmare—his nightmare. Avery rose and at the same time pulled a blade from his coat. He pressed the edge to his throat. “Touch him and I die.”
The curved tip pricked his neck and wetness ran down to his collar. A subtle itch teased his skin. If he moved the knife he’d heal. Committing suicide might be a problem.
She halted, her gaze darted between Avery and Quin.
“Avery?” Emeline sat up. She glared at Khuket and eased a box cutter from the inside of her coat pocket, then wobbled to her feet.
He wanted to hold her, feel her body one last time, kiss her, brand her so that she would never forget him, because he would never, ever forget her.
Instead, he shared a weighted stare with Quin. Avery didn’t wa
nt him involved and getting killed. This was between him and Khuket. He wouldn’t involve the family and be responsible for their lives.
Concern filled Quin’s dark eyes as understanding dawned. A scowl drew his face taut. Avery waited until Quin gave a slight nod and then Avery pivoted. “Where are you taking me?” he said to Khuket.
She swooped down and wrapped a band around his waist. The next instant he was flying with Emeline’s screams lost in the wind.
***
Emeline ran after him until Quin tackled her. He took the brunt of the impact, skidding across the wet ground while she kept eye contact on Khuket and Avery’s dwindling forms. She jumped off him and continued to follow, screaming both of their names. Quin grabbed her from behind, knocked her down. She tossed him a few yards away. He went down hard on the snow-slick ground, though regained his footing with a fluid motion while she scrabbled to her own.
“You're stronger than you appear.” Quin’s wary gaze studied her. He sized her up with new appreciation. Emeline knew she wouldn’t take him by surprise again.
“I’m going to take you back to the house.”
Logically, that was the right thing to do. Go to RockGate and gather the troops. Made sense. An indescribable sensation burned her flesh. Doubt filled her mind. She looked in the direction Khuket had flown with Avery and felt an instinctive tug.
I’m not going to RockGate.
She sprinted to the idling sports car, faster than she’d ever moved before. Quin ran behind her, but she beat him to the driver’s side and locked the door an instant before he yanked the handle. The door creaked but didn’t open.
“What the fuck are you doing? Where are you going?” he yelled.
Urgency strummed her senses. She didn’t have time to answer. Had to go. NOW. Car in drive. Foot flooring the gas pedal. The rear tires skidded on the snow, which had just begun to stick. Quin leaped out of the way at the last second, narrowly avoiding the car sideswiping him.
She had no idea where to go, but she followed the road until it merged with the state road. A sixth sense directed her to the freeway. She quelled her fear, her growing desperation, and corralled her crashing thoughts. Whatever had taken charge of her senses, she would follow, and pray it led her to Avery.
Evermore (Descendants of Ra: Book 3) Page 32