Earth Warden

by Mina Carter

  “Keep running!” he yelled as she slowed, looking over her shoulder at him. The concern on her face speared him to the core. Concern. From a warden. For him. “No matter what, keep going!”

  Another whine picked up behind them and Hawk started to count what was left of his life in seconds. This was it. He would die in some grubby little back alley somewhere, just as he’d always known he would. And, surprisingly, he didn’t mind. He had no regrets about his life, one spent killing bad things so good people like his little warden could live.

  The only regret he had was that he’d only had one taste of her lips.

  Right when he thought everything was lost, an SUV careened into the alley in front of them. It spun in a tight arc, tires kicking up dirt and dust and the door swung open to reveal a heavily built male in the driver’s seat. Caleb, a warrior Hawk had partnered with before, and an awkward son of a bitch at the best of times. Right now though, Hawk could kiss him.

  “Get in,” he yelled, revving the engine. “Before they reload.”

  Hawk didn’t waste time answering. Instead, he caught up to the warden woman and bundled her inside with more haste than finesse and crammed his larger frame in after her. Holding the door shut behind him, he looked at Caleb.

  “For fuck’s sake, get us out of here.”

  The small vehicle shot out of the alley and careened across the small parking lot and took a corner sharply. Hawk closed his eyes as the car started to lift onto two wheels. He’d survived battles with the nastiest demons out there, he’d hunted vamps right into their lairs, and he’d even baited a Valkyrie or two. But now he was about to get totaled by a maniac of a driver.

  “Wheels. Road. More contact would be good, asshole,” he managed as another fireball hit the side of the car. The flames splashed across the side windows in a display that would make a pyromaniac wet with need. “Try to keep us in one piece?”

  “Who’s driving this damn thing, me or you?” Caleb threw back, swearing and ducking to the side as flames curled around the windshield. “Who the fuck are these bastards? Some sort of freaky Rambo version of wardens?”

  Then the flames were gone, the magic burned out before the fire could gain purchase on another fuel source. Two fireballs splashed across the asphalt behind them, but they were too late. Caleb put his foot down, the engine roaring, and took a sharp left. Hawk twisted to look out of the back window as they merged with late night traffic. Spotting a figure high on the rooftops behind them, he lifted his hand and gave a one fingered salute.

  “Take a left,” he ordered when he turned back around. “Random changes of direction and we should lose him, even if he’s got a Hermes charm.”

  Caleb nodded and threw the car into the next turn like all the hounds of hell were after them.

  “Hey, hey!” Hawk grabbed for the suicide strap, holding tight to his little warden to stop them sliding around the back seat of the SUV. “Slow it down a little, mate. Gonna do us no good to get pulled over by the cops now. We’d be sitting ducks if that spell-slinger catches up with us.”

  Caleb flicked him a glance in the rear view, but slowed the car. Crazy bastard always did have a thing about speed. Cars, bikes, planes. If it was fast, then Caleb was all over it like a bad rash. Just like he was all over a pretty woman, given half the chance. Hawk caught his curious glance through the mirror at the quiet woman sitting next to him and shook his head in silent warning. Caleb’s eyes widened, and then he nodded, male understanding passing silently between them. Hawk had seen her first, he had prior claim.

  “You okay?” Keeping his voice low he reached for her hand, squeezing in reassurance, and received a nod in reply.

  She was as pale as any ghost he’d ever seen, watching him and Caleb with wide eyes as if she’d never seen a couple of warriors before. She probably hadn’t. Havens these days had taken to keeping their women under lock and key. This was probably the first time she’d been near one warrior, much less two.

  “Yeah, I’m good. Thank you.” She frowned, lips pursing for a second. The expression was so cute Hawk wanted to kiss it away. “The thing I don’t understand…Is why a Second Sigil would want to attack me and a Goth?”

  “You and me both, babe.”

  She slid a glance sideways, confusion wreathing her features. Hawk shrugged his coat to a more comfortable fit on his shoulders. He half turned, craning his neck to look down his back.

  “Great, it’s toasted the leather. Do you know how difficult it is to get a jacket like this these days? Hang on, Goth? “

  She waved her hand at him, indicating his appearance. “You. Pale skin, all the black, and you’re wearing more jewelry than a Wiccan’s market stall. Goth. And then there’s the leather thing you’ve got going on…”

  Hawk lifted one eyebrow, shooting a glare at Caleb, who was sniggering.

  “Do I look like the sort of guy who wears make up to you?”

  “Biker then?” she suggested.

  “Nope.”

  She shrugged. “So sue me, you certainly fit the stereotype. You sure you’re not wearing makeup? No one’s that pale naturally.”

  He shook his head, a little discomforted by the suggestion that he was wearing makeup. Him. Makeup. What did she think he was, some sort of fucking metrosexual? “I’m pale because I work nights. I don't get out in the sun much.”

  She stole another glance at him from under her lashes. Caleb changed lanes, slowing down for a red light. Hawk checked the rooftops around them, just in case their friends from the alley had caught up with them, and almost missed her little intake of breath.

  “Oh shit, you’re a vampire,” she whispered, yanked the door open and ran for it.

  “Huh, what? Vampire?” Hawk blinked in confusion as she shot off down the road like a hare with the hounds of hell after her. Vampire? Just where the hell had she gotten that one from?

  “Well, you do look a little…” Caleb grinned through the mirror. “How shall I say it? Might want to lay off the glitter makeup.”

  “Fuck you, C.” Hawk threw the door open and set off after her. “Just my freaking luck. I find a Warden, and she’s bloody nuts.”

  Luckily the area was all but deserted this late at night. Just one old lady pushing a trolley full of whatever homeless old ladies filled trolleys with. She didn’t pay either of them any attention as he thundered down the road after the fleeing woman. Fuck, for a short one, she was damn fast. Still no match for him on the speed front though. His boots pounded against the asphalt as he ran her down, his breathing not even compromised even as he could hear hers coming in hard pants as he closed in.

  Perhaps feeling how close he was, she cast a glance over her shoulder and squeaked. Fear contorted her face and she dug in, an extra burst of speed coming from nowhere. The sounds of panic escaping her tore at him, but he couldn’t do anything about it. He needed her, more than she needed him, which meant he needed to get her under control. Preferably before she got past whatever little block she had and started flinging spells at him. Spells which, at this moment in time, he had no fucking defense against.

  Nearly there. He reached out, fingertips just brushing her shoulder but not catching. The roar of an engine cut over another squeal of fright as the SUV roared past them, sliding around to cut off her escape. She tried to run to the side, but Hawk was already there, arms out-stretched. She stumbled and tried to evade him. It was no good though. Wrapping a hand around her upper arm, he hauled her into his arms and held on as she became a kicking, screaming bundle.

  “Just put me down you…” she demanded, so pale Hawk thought she was about to pass out. “You...damn vampire-film reject!”

  “What is it about you two and that bloody film?” he shot back, between turning her around and capturing both her wrists. She resorted to kicking his shins instead, twisting her arms to try to get free. She winced, a small cry of pain escaping her. Feeling like a brute, Hawk eased up his grip. Ignoring the trolley lady, who was now watching with interest, he carried her
over to dump her rather unceremoniously in the back seat, then leaned over her.

  “Look, I am not a vampire! If I was, I’d have ripped your throat out already just to shut you up.” His voice was curt, needled by the comment. “I’m a Warrior, and one that’s really interested in why the Wardens want one of their own dead.”

  Chapter Four

  Lyssa froze, her eyes wide. If there was anything worse than a Vampire, it was a Warrior. For a Warden, anyway. But it did explain a few things about him. All her life she’d been fed stories of the darker side of her world, and the Warriors who kept the creatures of darkness at bay. Born to fight the darkness, preternaturally strong, as fast as a vampire, they were little better than the creatures they hunted. Bloodthirsty and violent, they were known to stalk Warden-born women and drag them off…

  Lyssa shivered. Drag them off where, and do what to them exactly? Now that she was faced with a real live Warrior, two with the guy driving the SUV, the prospect wasn’t all that terrifying. Of course, it helped that he didn’t have horns and a tail. Still, old habits die hard, and all she could do was stare at him.

  “Wardens? I haven’t a clue what you’re on about,” she said, then kicked herself as she remembered she’d already identified the spell caster as a Second Sigil.

  He grinned and leaned forward. “Nice try. In that case tell me, Little Miss I’m-not-a-Warden, why are you wearing a Warden symbol on the skin of your back?”

  “Okay, so I’m Warden-born, so what?” she admitted. She was still on edge after being attacked with magic and by being in the presence of Warriors. Particularly one who was quite so…unsettling. “I don’t know why he attacked us. I don’t live in a Haven. So you could say I’m a little out of the loop.”

  He frowned, the expression making his features darker. Lyssa shivered again. She sure wouldn’t want him pissed off at her.

  “You’re kidding me.” He dropped his head, his dark hair falling forward as his shoulders slumped. “Great, the one Warden I find doesn’t live at a damn Haven. I suppose you changed your mind then.”

  “One night.” Her voice brought his head up, an expression of relief in his eyes that speared her right though. “But you get the couch, and you go in the morning, okay? And I know what you guys are like. Any funny stuff and I’ll turn you into a frog, okay?” She wriggled her fingers at him as though to cast. It was an empty threat, but he didn’t know that.

  “Yeah but frogs get kissed, don’t they?” A small smile played over his lips when she shot him a look. Then he sighed and nodded. “Thank you, you’re an angel… Hey, what is your name anyway? I can’t keep calling you Warden-girl can I? I’m Hawk.”

  “Lyssa,” she said, an answering smile on her lips as the moment stretched between them, a moment of companionship and reaching out.

  “And I’m Caleb,” a voice from the front of the vehicle broke in. The other warrior grinned at them, ignoring the warning growl from Hawk. “Since bird-boy here obviously wasn’t going to introduce us.”

  “Er…” She managed a smile, twisting and reaching a hand out from her position half-pinned under Hawk. “Lyssa. Pleased to meet you.”

  “The pleasure’s all mine.”

  Once introductions had been made, they set off again, Hawk sitting beside her in the back. Lyssa wasn’t sure if that was to stop Caleb winking at her in the rear view mirror or to stop her running again. Either way, she didn’t mind. Just leaning up against his warm, solid side eased the tremors that rolled through her.

  “I’m just up the road here,” she said as they turned onto her road. “After the bend.”

  “Slow down a little. Don’t pull up right in front,” Hawk leaned forward and clapped Caleb on the shoulder. “Just drop us here and we’ll approach on foot.”

  The other warrior nodded, pulling up just before the bend she’d indicated. The street light there was out, giving them a natural pool of darkness to slide out of the vehicle in. Her building was still out of sight, hidden by some trees but it wouldn’t take them more than a minute or two to get there.

  “We good?” Caleb rolled down the window to ask, his gaze sharp and professional now.

  “Yeah, all good.” Hawk leaned a hand on the roof. “Thanks for the rescue, man.”

  “Don’t sweat it. You just owe me one.” Caleb flicked a glance at Lyssa. “Just keep her safe. Little bit like that’s got no chance outside the walls of Haven.”

  Lyssa shivered and moved closer to Hawk. All her life, stories of the big, bad warriors had circulated the Havens. Cold-hearted killers who kidnapped women and dragged them off, or sacrificed babies and small children on whim. Seeing the dark look in Caleb’s eyes, she could well believe them all.

  “Intend to,” Hawk replied, closing his hand around hers when she sought it. “Heading off for work or pleasure?”

  “Work.” Caleb’s jaw tightened. “Reports of some Slaugh in the south of the city. Probably just nothing, but always wise to check it out. You know how those bastards are when they get dug in.”

  “Yeah, for sure. Okay, you have a good one. I’ll catch up with you at Jimmy’s in a couple of days?”

  Caleb grinned as he put the SUV in gear. “You’re on, and you’re buying!”

  “He’s…nice,” Lyssa commented as the vehicle roared away.

  “He is, once you get past the attitude. A good man to have your back in a tight spot.”

  He looked down at her, and at her hand in his and grinned. Instantly, she snatched it back.

  “Make sure you’ve got your door key ready,” he ordered, doing the whole male-in-charge thing that made Lyssa grit her teeth and fight the urge to slap him upside the ear.

  She pulled the keys from her purse to jingle at him. “Right here. Anything else, Dad?”

  He shot her a dark look. “Just watch it, missy, or I’ll have you over my lap to paddle your ass.”

  She chuckled, unfazed by the look. Anticipating the comforts of home despite the disturbing presence of the Warrior at her side, she moved to step out of the shadows only to have an arm clamp around her, pulling her back into the cover of darkness with a forcefulness that made her gasp.

  “Hey, mister, it’s just frogs that get kissed...” She struggled against his arm, struggles which were pointless. His arm was like an iron bar, his warm breath brushing gently over the side of her neck as he held her still. Her body threatened to melt into a small puddle of need. “...and you’re more of a toad.”

  “Shut up. Look, over there by the door, and there on the corner.”

  Lyssa frowned and looked in the directions he pointed out. As she watched, the shadows formed figures just where he said. Figures with faces she recognized as one of them stepped forward under the light of a street lamp just opposite them, holding a cell phone to his ear.

  “No, boss, she gave us the slip. Got some help. Looks to be a Warrior. Big bastard, leather coat…. No, he shouldn’t be a problem. Don’t worry, she’ll be dead by morning. Okay, okay. Gotcha. Dead before dawn.”

  Chapter Five

  “Dead... They’re here to kill me?”

  Lyssa’s voice echoed with disbelief and hurt, the merest whisper in the darkness as Hawk pulled her deeper into concealment. His body was taut and alert behind her, a fact Lyssa barely registered through her shock. She was too busy watching the guy opposite. He flipped the phone shut and slid it into a pocket before turning and walking toward Lyssa’s building.

  “That’s David Trent. He cried on the first day of school.”

  She rubbed her abdomen with one hand, feeling sick to her stomach. It had always seemed a silly saying, but now she knew exactly what it meant. A clawing sick feeling, coiled in the pit of her stomach like a nest of hyperactive snakes before trying to crawl up her throat and out.

  She’d been tolerated in the Havens. She knew that. She was a null— a freak of nature, a Warden born without power, which made her something to be feared. She’d tried once to point out that it just made her human. After all, Warden
s had been human once upon a time, before they got their magical abilities.

  But it was to no avail. In the eyes of Warden Society, a null was sub-human. Mothers snatched their children away if Lyssa walked by, and even her classmates avoided contact with her outside the schoolroom, as if her lack of power was somehow catching.

  Her gaze flitted from one figure to the next as the awful realization settled in.

  “This is an execution squad.”

  She recognized each of them and, like her attacker in the alley, not one was above a Second Sigil. Just as she’d suspected, no Warden would use that particular fireball spell once they’d learned something more advanced. They were Wardens in training, ones she knew were destined to be Battle Wardens. Anger shook her.

  “No, not an execution squad. This is a training exercise,” she spat, contempt in her voice. “They’re using killing me as a damn training exercise! How freaking low can you get?”

  Hawk nodded. His heart, an organ he’d long thought dead, wrenched for her as she worked the situation out for herself. It had been obvious since the diner attack that someone wanted her dead.

  Those spells hadn’t been strong enough to take out a Warrior, not without a sustained attack. No warrior worth his salt just stood there and took it. Attacks like that ended one way and one way only—with the Warrior’s blades buried firmly in the spell-slinger’s throat. Which meant, they were after her and he’d just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Story of his life.

  Although they hadn’t been spotted yet, a quick twist of Hawk’s wrist dropped a blade into his palm. Even recently injured and exhausted as he was, he’d still fight the lot of them to protect her, as any Warrior would for his woman.

  Hawk blinked in shock.

  Whoa... Where had that come from? She wasn’t his woman. Not in any way, shape or form. He’d only just met the girl, within the last hour someone had tried to fry them to death, and he’d just heard a bully boy Warden mark her for execution.