by Kay, Sharon
“Kitchen!” Leif bellowed, pointing down the hall. “Get out back!”
The fire hadn’t reached the back of the house yet, though the smoke had. The pixies ran out the French doors with Garnet and Leif close on their heels.
She set Dash down so she could catch her breath. “Okay, Dash. Breath.”
He buried his face in her stomach, shaking.
Oh Gods. She knelt to embrace him, hating that he felt this kind of fear again.
Leif placed a strong hand on her elbow. “We gotta move away.” He bent as if to pick up Dash, who screamed and pushed into Garnet so forcefully she almost lost her balance.
“I’ll do it.” She grabbed Dash with wobbly arms and glanced at the inn. Oh no.
The roof was ablaze. Fire-tipped arrows continued to rain down on the structure. In the street beyond, she glimpsed figures running. Large figures, not pixies.
“What’s happening?” she shrieked.
“We’re under attack.” Leif scanned the area, eyes settling on the root cellar door. “You four can hide in there. I’ll—”
An arrow zoomed through the back yard, landing directly behind their group.
Garnet whirled in the direction the arrow had come from. Cold terror rooted her in place.
Around the side of the house stalked a tall demon. Its skin was green and scaled. It had a humanoid form but its head resembled a snake. And it opened its mouth to reveal fangs. She hadn’t seen one in years, but she had no doubt about what it was.
A Viper.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ADEN WHIRLED, SWORD DRAWN, EYES scanning the trees.
Next to him, Luke unsheathed his own blade.
Crack!
A twig snapped ten yards in front of him.
“That all you got, fuckwad?” Aden growled. He stalked forward, knowing Luke had his back. “I’ll take the rest of those and shove ‘em up your ass.”
Another arrow zinged wide to his right. There. A flash of metal gave away the reptile’s location. Aden charged.
The creature sprang forward with its own sword drawn, reaching Aden and swinging. Aden dodged its blows. Another Viper jumped out of the brush, and Luke was on it in a heartbeat.
Both men fought, the clang of metal on metal echoing off the trees. Aden’s opponent was a miserable sword fighter. I guess his arrow really was the best he could do. Aden pushed him back, parrying until the reptile was backed up to a massive oak. Aden swung his sword in a wild flash of silver, making the creature focus on his sword arm, and then he raised his tail.
With a lethal snap, Aden’s tail bashed the Viper’s head into the tree and it slumped to the ground. To make sure it was dead, Aden brought his sword down to sever its head.
He turned to see Luke deliver a mortal wound to his opponent’s soft belly. The Viper crumpled to the ground, and Luke decapitated it.
Luke wiped a hand over his brow. “Shit. Thought they were supposed to attack Laurel Hollow tonight.”
“Yeah, they were.” Aden pulled out his phone and dialed Keegan.
Keegan’s growl shot through the phone. “What’s going on? My men are waiting at Laurel Hollow and it’s quiet as a church over there.”
“Fuck!” Aden explained the Vipers he and Luke had just fought, as well as his sense of foreboding. “Do you think they plan to attack both towns in the same night?”
“Or, did they change their plans?” Keegan cursed.
“Either way, we need back up here. I’ll wake up the rest of our kin, but I don’t know how many Vipers we’re up against.”
“I’ll send them, but you’ll have to distract them for now.” Keegan added more colorful curse words, then ended the call.
Aden looked at Luke. “You got all that?”
Luke nodded. “We need to check the town.”
Both men took off at a run, back over the bridge. As soon as their feet hit the stone, his heart froze.
His inn was lit up like a fucking fireworks display.
Garnet.
“Fuck!” A primal need to get her to safety ripped through him. He took off at a blistering pace, and so did Luke.
No, no, no. He’d skin every last Viper.
How had this happened? His scrying was never wrong.
A figure ran toward them. Small. Male. Cole.
“We’re trying to redirect the irrigation system to get some water on the inn!” The pixie panted as he neared.
“Good. I need you to call all the Deserati here. Tell them to get ready for a Viper fight.” There were a dozen of his clansmen in town, staying under the premise of learning to farm. That was true, they could use advice on the topic, but they were here for other reasons.
They were here to learn as much as they could about the land, and gather objects to better improve their scrying. And to guard against surprise attacks just like this. Ivydale had grown much in the past several years, yielding tons of food that fed many other villages. It had become a key strategic town, and no one wanted to see it taken over by a vicious species.
“I’m on it!” Cole whipped out his phone.
Aden burned with the need to get to Garnet and Dash. The front of the inn was engulfed in flames. Had Leif gotten them out in time? He had to. Aden wouldn’t accept the idea of any harm coming to them. Not now, not ever.
He ran toward the inn, intending to circle around it, when the biggest Viper he had ever seen ran directly in his path. It drew a huge breath, nostrils flaring, forked tongue flicking out.
“You!” It hissed. “You’re the one. You got too close, demon.”
What the fuck does this thing want with me? Aden growled and fell into his fighting stance. He stood sideways to the thing, ready for any move it might make. “Let’s get this over with so I can kill the rest of your friends.”
The Viper laughed, a raspy harsh sound. With its jaws open wide, Aden noticed its teeth.
One was missing.
This was the one who’d run the meeting. The larger Viper that had clearly spoken Laurel Hollow over and over. And who’d shut his comrade up.
“I’ll be ending your life tonight, spy. I will kill you and everyone in this town.”
“No need to get greedy.” Aden circled around it. “You can just kill me. No need to harm anyone else.” Not that the beast would succeed in killing him.
“I’ll kill as many here as I want. And it will be your fault. You’re the scryer.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? We all scry.”
“Someone has enough skill to keep doing it, and keep leaking word of our planned attacks, which have all been blocked!” It roared the last words and charged forward.
Keegan was right. The Vipers had guessed there was a leak somewhere. And to find it, they had switched their plans.
Motherfucker!
Aden darted to the side, avoiding the big Viper’s blade. He spun to the side, ducking as it sliced the air again. Definitely a better swordsman than the two in the woods.
The Viper swung a third time, not missing a step. It pulled back only to dart forward, faster than any Viper Aden had seen before. Too late, he felt the prick of its sword across his bicep. Then the sting of venom.
Aden gritted his teeth against the biting burn and the smell of his flesh sizzling from the vile liquid.
The creature chuckled. “It would be nice to kill you slowly. One cut for each blocked raid.”
No fucking way. He had a woman to protect, as well as the child at the center of her world. He barreled forward using his shoulder and the force of his rage to plow into the Viper and knock him off balance.
The demon hissed, poison spittle flying from its fangs. Aden ducked his head but kept his momentum, toppling the creature to the ground and rolling with it. Mindful of its jaws, he reached for the knife holstered to his thigh.
The creature wasn’t giving up. It tried to pin Aden’s arms, but since they were still rolling, it wasn’t working.
Thud!
Aden and the Viper came to a hal
t. The thing bellowed a curse, its foul breath blasting Aden in the face.
“Look out, Aden!”
Aden leapt off it, just before a brick smashed the Viper’s skull.
Aden looked up. “Ty?”
His maintenance worker stood, panting, another brick at the ready.
Aden held up a hand. “No, hold on to that one. You’re gonna need it.”
The Viper looked dazed and reached behind his head, finding the brick Ty had hurled at him. He growled, but Aden wasn’t wasting another second. He swung his sword in a high arc and severed its head.
“Ty. I need you and any males to fight. I don’t know how many Vipers are here. Can you do that?”
Ty nodded. “Cole’s ready over there.”
Aden glanced at the inn where Cole gave him a thumbs up, standing next to a pile of rocks and bricks. He had some sharpened sticks too.
“Good. Tell everyone you see to be ready.” Aden turned and charged toward his inn as flames licked up the front of the building.
Garnet sucked in a breath and clutched Dash tighter. Leif moved in front of her, sword out.
What do Vipers want with Ivydale?
And where was Aden? Was this the reason he wanted to take a look around? Did he know about this?
The Viper advanced, scenting the air with its forked tongue. “A little group of pixies, trying to hide.” Its tone was mocking. “And one stupid Deserati.”
“Those will be your last words, fucker.” Leif lunged forward, faster than Garnet could have imagined. His blade sliced down the Viper’s arm.
It howled and slashed at Leif. The two males fought back and forth, swords clanging. Leif looked like he was holding his own…then the Viper managed to nick his pectorals.
Garnet yelped and the two pixies shrieked. The wound looked messy, gushing blood, though Leif only roared and swung his sword faster. With one final yell, he landed a brutal blow to the Viper’s chest. It fell to its knees.
Her sigh of relief was cut short when the Viper drew a dagger from its belt. She opened her mouth to warn Leif, but before she got the words out he slammed his foot into the other demon’s jaw. It toppled, but dragged Leif down with it. The two of them rolled, fists swinging in a lethal dance.
She edged backward cautiously. Maybe she could sneak away for help while this Viper was focused on Leif. She backed up another step.
“Stop, fae!” A second Viper roared as he ran into the yard.
Oh no. Garnet jumped back. Dash whimpered in her arms.
“Get over here.” The demon glared at her and pointed to the ground next to the pixies.
Garnet’s eyes darted around. No one else was there to help them.
“Now!” the Viper bellowed.
Oh gods. What am I thinking? I’m not a fighter. I can’t out run this thing if it comes after me. She forced her feet to move across the grass. It was like dragging hundred pound bags of flour. The thought of getting any closer to the Viper roiled her stomach. Dash buried his face in her neck.
She reached the two terrified pixies and pressed closely. The Viper tilted his head and stared at her. “You’re a pretty little fae. I might keep you for myself. I can think of lots of things to do to you.”
Garnet shuddered. Every muscle screamed for her to bolt. No, no, no! Never again. She’d never be kept as a slave again.
“The fuck you will.” Aden’s voice, low and deadly, carried across the yard. He stood in the shadow of a towering elm tree, sword in hand, every muscle tensed.
Aden! Her heart leaped, never mind that his demeanor said he was ready to kill.
Determined protectiveness rolled off him as he stalked from the side of the house toward the Viper. “Lay a hand on her and I will skin you alive.”
“Yeah, demon? How can you protect her when you can’t see trouble coming?” The Viper turned to face Aden.
“I can kill you fast or slow. Your choice.” Aden stepped closer, eyes locked on the Viper with a calculating glare. He didn’t spare a glance to Leif, who still fought hand-to-hand with the first intruder. “Leave them alone.”
The Viper charged Aden, a weird, hissing bellow coming from its mouth. Aden raised his sword and expertly blocked the blow.
He darted to the side, but the Viper tracked him and swung his blade in a wide arc. Aden dropped and rolled, coming up behind him and slicing a tendon at the base of the Viper’s ankle.
The Viper howled and staggered forward. Aden leapt up and threw a chokehold on him, wrenching the Viper’s head back.
The demon clawed at Aden’s arms and twisted. Aden held tight.
Frightened cries wrenched from Dash’s throat and he buried his face in her neck. Garnet could only hold him tightly as she stared, wide eyed. How does Aden know how to fight like that? He moved with predatory skill. The ugly cut from a few weeks ago loomed in her mind, and she was certain he hadn’t gotten that from falling off the roof.
The Viper lurched to the ground, slamming his shoulders into the earth. Aden flipped over its head, landing with a thud.
Garnet gasped.
The Viper struggled to its knees, hissing, fangs dripping, sword in hand.
In a blur of movement Aden surged to his feet. He swung his sword high and brought it down, severing the beast’s head.
The pixie next to her screamed.
Dash did too, and squeezed Garnet so tightly she had to loosen his arms a fraction so she could breathe.
Aden turned, and in the light from the house windows she finally got a good look at him. His arm dripped blood from a raw, ugly wound. He was covered in dirt and breathing hard, a lethal look in his eye.
“Are you okay?” His dark eyes locked on her.
“Y-yes, but Leif…,” Garnet said, voice shaking. Aden’s so calm. She got the distinct feeling he’d done this before.
Aden turned to his cousin in time to see him deliver a fatal strike to his opponent’s chest. Hands on his hips, he inhaled deeply. “You need to check—” He whirled to the side.
A third Viper stalked into the yard.
It looked from Aden to Leif, to its dead friends and growled. Its arm moved up and back.
Arrows flew toward Aden. He bent sideways, barely dodging them.
Garnet shrieked. How had the Viper moved that fast? She ducked, huddling close to the pixies trying to shield Dash.
“Get to the cellar!” Leif darted toward her.
The pixies and Garnet turned and ran. Fear exploded in her mind.
Thunk. Thunk.
Two arrows lodged in the wood of the cellar door just as the first pixie reached the entrance. It sizzled and smoked.
Garnet dared a glance over her shoulder to see the Viper drawing his bow again. Poison arrows from a skilled archer. She willed Aden to be okay.
“Your fight is with me!” Aden roared. He flung a knife at the Viper, hitting it in the shoulder it used to pull the bow back.
It bellowed a string of curses and yanked the blade out. Red blood gushed down its torso. It pulled out a sword and charged Aden.
Aden moved toward it, stepping sideways out of the sword’s reach. He reached back and grabbed the Viper’s arm and yanked, throwing it off balance. It slammed to the ground on its injured shoulder and howled.
Aden kicked its ribs and planted a booted foot on its neck. He glanced to Garnet. “Look away.”
She slammed her eyes shut. Don’t need to tell me twice. Dash’s head was still buried in her neck.
A cry echoed from the Viper, then cut off.
Garnet opened her eyes, careful not to look down. She met Aden’s gray eyes, still lethal, but with a mix of emotion flickering across them.
“Are you hurt?” he asked.
“No.” Garnet whispered.
His eyes landed on his cousin. “Go help Luke and the others on the main street.” He looked at Leif’s blood-covered chest. “Then get that checked out.”
“Will do.” He started to pass Aden, who laid a hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “Thank y
ou.”
Leif nodded and darted a glance to Garnet. “It’s my honor, cousin.”
Aden released Leif and looked up at his roof, which was being drenched with a powerful arc of water. He pulled out his phone and dialed.
Garnet didn’t know where that water was coming from, but she didn’t care. She was grateful that something was happening to stop the flames. In her arms, Dash sniffled.
Muscles aching and arms numb, she sat on the grass and held him on her lap. “It’s okay now, nihjo. Aden’s taking care of everything.”
Dash threaded his fingers through her hair, a self-soothing habit he’d started when he was a babe. “I’m scared.”
Garnet drew a deep breath. “Those bad demons were really scary. But they’re not going to hurt us anymore. They’re gone. Aden and his friends will make sure they don’t bother us again.”
Aden was talking to someone, asking rapid-fire questions, giving short responses that Garnet didn’t understand. All right, I’ll check, back up.
She searched his face. Questions and half-formed thoughts ping-ponged in her head, none of them settling long enough to make sense.
He ended his call and sat down next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “The town is safe.”
“How-what-what happened?” She sagged into his strength.
“Luke and the rest of my kin helped fight off the Vipers. They’re not going to hurt anyone again.” His eyes carried the rest of his meaning. All the intruders had been killed.
Garnet swallowed, relieved and grateful Aden had worded his explanation carefully in front of Dash. Her boy had seen and heard awful things, but this was a new start, and she wanted to shield him until he was old enough to understand.
“I’m sorry, Garnet,” he whispered in her ear.
“What? Why? You saved us.” Garnet pulled back to stare at him, trying to read between his words. “And…and your inn…” She glanced at the soaked building. The flames had gone out, but she’d bet the inside was uninhabitable.
“It’s just an inn. Your safety is more important.” His eyes dropped to Dash and back to her. “I need to talk to you. When you can.”