by Bonnie Vanak
Sam opened the door and flipped the light switch. Nothing.
He fished the penlight out of his cargo pants and then palmed his pistol. “Watch your step.”
The wood stairs creaked with age as they descended into darkness. Anything could lurk down here. But no sound except for an ominous, steady drip met them.
When they reached the landing, Sam flashed the light around the cavernous space. In a corner, a shadow moved. Kelly’s heart raced.
“Over there,” she whispered.
Sam flicked the penlight as she pointed. The shadow darted away. The stench of sulfur filled the air, mixed with a sharp smell of wine turning to vinegar. “Who’s there? Are you injured?” he called out.
No answer. He handed her the flashlight. “I’m fixing the lights.”
Hand shaking badly, she swept the beam into the corner. Not a demon. A girl, tears streaking her pale face, huddled in the corner. Inky-black hair spilled over her naked, trembling body. Shaking uncontrollably, she rocked back and forth.
Though she looked no older than eighteen, bleakness shadowed her face, as if she had lived many, many more years. The girl buried her face into her arms.
“What’s your name?” Kelly asked gently.
“Keira.”
“Are you hurt?”
The pencil-thin light showed her head shake. “You’re safe now, Keira. We’re here to help.”
“Finally. Got it.”
Shay snapped a switch and light blazed in the room. He uttered a low curse.
Kelly turned around.
Oh, gods, oh, gods, oh, gods. Bile rose in her throat. Wearing only the shredded remains of dark trousers, Curt lay prone on a raised wooden platform, arms and legs stretched tight. Manacles encircled his bruised, bleeding wrists, and his ankles were attached to thick steel chains secured to each corner.
Blood seeped from deep gouges on his muscled torso, chest and arms, trickling off the platform to form viscous pools. So much blood she barely could see skin. Only his taut, handsome face remained unmarked.
“Son of a bitch.” Sam leaned over his commander, checking his pulse. “Still alive.”
He dumped his backpack and tore into a small first-aid kit. Sam ripped open a package of fresh gauze. “Put pressure on the wounds bleeding the most. He’s losing too much blood and needs an evac. Have to go upstairs, signal’s too low.”
Cell in hand, he darted up the stairs. Kelly stared helplessly at the commander. So much blood, it was hard to tell which injuries were worst. She pressed gauze against a long furrow on his chest.
It resembled a claw mark.
Sam returned, grabbing pieces of gauze. “They’re at least twenty minutes out. Locals keep a chopper stationed nearby at the new fire station.”
Somehow she knew. “The new fire station you funded, along with the trauma copter.”
A rough nod from Sam.
Lieutenant Commander Curtis stirred, blinking his eyes. Jaw tensing, Sam leaned over his CO. “Curt, it’s Shay. Kel’s with me. Hang on, buddy. Trauma copter’s coming.”
Curt moaned.
At the painful sound, the girl cried out. Kelly turned. Overhead light reflected an eerie glow in her green eyes as Keira stared at Curt like a wounded animal.
When he raised his head, she shrieked and pushed back against the wall. “He’s awake, oh, no. Don’t,” she whimpered. “Don’t make me hurt him again. Please. Not again, not again.”
“Kelly!” Sam’s voice was sharp. “Never mind her. Get these chains off him. I’ve got to pack his wounds.”
Using her powers, Kelly broke the chains. They fell to the floor with a heavy thud.
Face squeezed tight, the commander slowly moved, hissing through clenched teeth. “Easy now,” Shay soothed. “Muscles are stretched tight. Who the hell did this?”
“Centurion demons,” the girl whispered from the corner. “Condemned to wander the earth for deserting their legion, they search for a brave warrior for me to torture and so they can claim his strength to free themselves.”
Curt seized Kelly’s wrist with surprising strength. “Go,” he whispered through cracked lips. “Take the girl...find the children, get out...before they return.”
“They won’t.” Kelly gently squeezed his hand. “Shay reclaimed the house with a protective spell. Nothing evil can penetrate.”
Agony flickered in Curt’s gaze. “The children...Demons told me when I died, they’d start on them. Couldn’t...let that happen.”
So he’d held out, enduring the pain, refusing to die. A lump clogged Kelly’s throat as she squeezed his hand again. “Your courage saved them. They’re unharmed. J.T. and Dallas are bringing them to a safe place.”
“Base not secure...”
“J.T’s sister’s house, until their parents can be found.” Sam applied pressure to a nasty gash directly over Curt’s heart. “Don’t talk. Save your strength.”
“Sons of bitches got the jump.” Curt’s eyes opened, anger blazing there, fueling his strength. “Rogers texted. Missing kids were here. Sending private jet to base. Walked out to meet the pilot, next thing I remember, I was in the library with ten bastards. Smelled like a Roman orgy. Showed me the children, said if I didn’t cooperate, they’d suffer. Then they dragged me down here, in chains... Ahhh!”
The commander screamed as Sam pressed against his torso, trying to stanch the blood flow. Sam jerked his hand away.
“This wound’s been stitched. Kel, hand me the scissors and tweezers from the kit.”
With extreme care, he snipped open the threads. He used the tweezers to probe and then remove a pointed metal object from Curt’s body. Kelly’s stomach roiled as he held it up.
Two interlaced crescent moons the size of a silver dollar.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Some kind of magick amulet. I’ve never seen it before.”
Whoever had done this had torn open his skin and inserted the pendant. Then he’d sewn the skin back up, sealing the pointed symbol inside to cause excruciating pain.
“They packed it into the wound to torture him,” Sam said tightly.
“No!”
They turned around. In the corner, Keira shook her head. “Not hurt. I did it to protect him from bite of the wolf.”
His entire body trembling in rage, Sam shook the amulet. “You did this to him?”
A shaky nod confirmed his suspicions. Keira lowered her head into her arms and sobbed. With a snort of disgust, Sam tossed down the amulet.
“The demons forced me to hurt him,” Keira said, crying. “I could not let my wolf kill him.”
The sounds of weeping tore at Kelly’s heart. She hesitated. Whatever the girl had done, she hadn’t done willingly.
With her help, Sam managed to bandage the worst injuries. His worried gaze met hers. “That damn chopper better get here quick. He needs a hospital, or he’s going to die.”
A low growl from the corner iced Kelly’s blood. Chills ran up her spine as she dared to turn around.
Keira was gone, replaced by a black wolf bigger than a Shetland pony. This wolf made Shay’s animal look like a toy poodle. Stunned, Kelly backed away. The beast raked its enormous claws over the concrete floor, leaving gouge marks matching the ones on Curt. Then the wolf raised its head, a silent plea in those green eyes. A moment of fierce connection flared between them.
Like her, this wolf had been a victim.
Shay moved forward, blocking Kelly in a protective manner. The wolf growled. Clenching his fists, Shay growled back. Sparks shimmered around him. Amber flashed in his gaze. He was going to shift.
Kelly placed a calming hand on his arm, feeling fur ripple along the skin. She drew him aside.
“Don’t, Sam. She doesn’t mean us harm. She’s scared.”
“Right. And she didn’t mean to turn Curt into shredded beef. Let me at her.”
“So you can turn feral, forget me, forget him?” Kelly stroked a single finger down his cheek. “Your commander needs you, soldier. So do I.”
Gritting his teeth, Sam closed his eyes. She could see the enormous effort it took to leash the spiraling fury. Finally he dragged in a huge breath and opened his eyes.
They were a normal hazel, shaded with green.
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “For Curt, and for her.”
He looked around, puzzled. “Where did she go?”
Kelly glanced down at the floor. The pendant had vanished, along with the wolf.
Chapter 22
No more surprises today. Please. Demons and wolves are enough, Kelly pleaded as she and Sam headed into the house to retrieve her pack.
They’d waited outside for fifteen agonizing minutes, having secured Curt to a makeshift stretcher, before the rescue chopper arrived. The shocking extent of his injuries proved the Mage’s fierce will to live. After the chopper lifted off, Sam excused himself to call his lieutenant.
She couldn’t figure it out. The Arcane imitating Sam’s CO hadn’t killed him and siphoned his magick, so how could he duplicate Curt?
Sam opened the library door.
Kelly’s jaw dropped. Gasping, she took a step backward.
A ghost sat in the antique leather chair. Although Sam had warned her, seeing him in the flesh sent shock waves through her.
“Samuel.” The ghost offered a thin smile. “Welcome back home, son.”
“Goddammit, Dad. What the hell are you doing here?”
“It’s my home. I came here to talk with you.” Colton Shaymore’s gaze turned icy as he glanced at Kelly. “But not in front of her. Get out.”
Sam gave her an apologetic glance. All the old feelings rushed back. “I’ll wait outside,” she told Sam.
But as she hovered in the hallway, he left the door ajar. Enough for her to eavesdrop.
“Samuel, I came here to talk some sense into you.”
“I didn’t see a car out front.”
“Do you think you’re the only one who ever used the underground tunnels?” Colton chuckled. “I was sneaking in and out of the house long before you lost your virginity.”
A reluctant laugh from Sam. Forced. “How did you know I’d be here?”
“Your lieutenant, Matthew Parker, asked me to dinner. I wanted to meet your friends and colleagues. He told me you suspected the missing children were held here. So I followed you. Good job, son. I knew I could count on you to fight for our people.”
“Fight for our people? Kelly and I freed the children. And now my CO’s ripped to shreds. He could die.”
“You know every war has collateral damage. It’s why we must eradicate the Arcanes before another brave Elemental is injured. Eliminate the threat and cleanse our populace.”
Acid churned in her stomach. Kelly bit a knuckle. Eradicate. Colton talked as if her people were roaches.
“Jesus, Dad...I came here to stop the slaughter, not participate.”
“It’s your duty to protect Elementals, Samuel. Your heritage to your people and your birthright. Do you wish to throw it away for a manure-dwelling whore?”
“Don’t insult her.” Sam’s voice deepened to a dangerous tone.
“Kelly Denning is Arcane.” The chair creaked, as if Colton sat up. “Who suggested the children were here? Who was found with Billy Rogers? Everything points to her. She’s leading the uprising against us.”
“It’s not an uprising, just a few...”
“A few who will turn into a mob and take away everything we love.” Colton sounded anguished. “Is this how you chose to honor the memories of your mother and brother, by associating with the Arcane bitch whose father took them away from us?”
Kelly peeked through the door. Anguish twisted Sam’s face. Her heart ached for him.
“The committee’s leader wants her dead. He said if you kill Kelly Denning, make it look...like an accident, it will prove your loyalty to your people.”
“And you, Dad? Is that what you want most? Blood on my hands, the blood of an innocent woman?”
Silence for a moment. When he spoke, Colton sounded torn. “I have no wish to harm innocents.”
“But Kelly is one.”
“Let the committee be the judge of that. I am only relaying their wishes.”
The chair pushed back. Kelly ducked behind the door.
“I must head for a meeting tomorrow. The committee needs followers. Since the council refuses to take action, we must protect ourselves. By any means possible.”
Colton paused. “I’m proud of you, son. You’ve turned into a fine soldier, the man I knew you could be. If you respect my wishes, you’ll join us.”
Kelly ducked into the shadows as the door opened, watching Colton walk down the hall. When he headed down the stairs, she ran into the library. Sam stood at the window, hands jammed into his pockets. Deep grief lined his face.
“Sam...” Lost for words, she stared at him. “You let him go,” she finally said.
“I know where he’s headed. Dakota tagged him with the same GPS security chip installed in you and gave me the transponder to follow him, just in case. He’s...lost all sense.”
Sam scrubbed his face with a hand. “And he’s not the only one. There are more who agree with him. Tiger and Stephen pinned down the location of this meeting. Farm in West Virginia at four o’clock tomorrow. They’re planning to start rounding up Arcanes.”
Her throat went dry. “Can’t your team stop this?”
“Dakota tried, but Admiral Byrne’s hands are tied because of council politics. It’s not a military matter. Until the slaughter begins, he’s powerless to stop it.” Sam looked bleak. “My whole life, I’ve looked up to that man. I damn near worshipped the ground he walked on. And now...knowing he’s aiding in the slaughter of thousands?”
Silently, she slipped into his arms. As Sam embraced her, she whispered, “What are we doing to do?”
He tilted up her chin, his eyes fierce. “You’re going to J.T.’s sister’s house. I’ve made up my mind.”
His cell chirped. Sam fished it out and walked out of the room. When he returned, his expression was tight. “I’ve been ordered back to base by Admiral Byrne. SOP for a security leak. We’ve taken care of the problem of the fake Curt.”
“How...”
“He’s dead.”
Seeing his expression, she didn’t ask how. Someone had avenged Curt. But something else shaded his expression.
“What’s wrong, Sam?”
Tensing, he shook his head. “Curt’s doppelgänger was a Phantom Elemental.”
Kelly’s jaw dropped. “That’s impossible! Why would an Elemental imitate him?”
“I don’t know and it bugs the hell out of me that our hands are tied, ordered to base while something’s going down. But yeah, he was Elemental.” Sam clenched his fists. “Dallas recognized him when the bastard died and shifted back into his true form. Good friend of Curt’s from Desert Storm.”
A chill shuddered down her spine. Betrayed by a friend and then tortured by demons. “Do you think it was personal and had nothing to do with the Arcanes’ plans to create a Dark Lord?”
“Maybe. Dallas said the guy had issues, never advanced in rank like Curt. But if it was personal, why did his doppelgänger give the kill order on us and set up the ambush?”
“Sam, I’m worried.” Kelly hugged herself. “If other Phantoms are involved, their powers makes this even more dangerous. Can you imagine an all-out war, brother against sister, no one knowing who is who, whom to trust?”
They both fell silent.
Sam rubbed his n
eck. “Tomorrow, I’m heading back, after I drop you off at J.T.’s sister’s house.”
“But your father...”
“I’ll figure it out later, after I’m back at base.” He stroked a finger down her cheek. “If I don’t, they’ll report me as AWOL, Kel. I have to do this. Got no choice.”
* * *
They stayed in a guest room that night. As Sam slept, Kelly slipped out of bed. Taking the flashlight, she went into his parents’ bedroom.
Sam had started to renovate the room, but stopped. The walls sported new Sheetrock, but the flooring was only partly finished. Only the brick fireplace looked the same. Emotion tightened her throat. All these years she wondered if her father was truly innocent.
Did he set the fire?
Kelly tried to envision the room as it was, the elegant furniture, cheerful fire crackling on the brick hearth...
She went to the fireplace and bent down. Workers had dumped plaster and trash into the hearth, probably in their haste to leave. No one had bothered to clean it. Kelly crouched down and sorted through the trash, looking for any small clue from the past.
After a few minutes, she started to give up when she saw something glint.
She swept the circle of light over the object.
Plaster dusted her trembling fingers as she picked up the twisted, partly melted find that she’d almost missed amid the trash. Gripping the fireplace for support, she stared in disbelief. And then everything became clear.
Colton hated her father for killing his wife and son. But the hate was misdirected. Now she understood what truly happened here. Kelly hung her head and sobbed.
Her father was dead.
Finally, she clenched the object and stood, her mind racing.
If she told Sam, it would crush him. He’d go after Colton himself, risking his career.
And maybe, if she confronted Colton before his meeting, it might snap him free of blind hatred. Sam’s father hated her, but she could protect herself.
Back in the guest bedroom, Kelly dressed in silence. She went into Sam’s pack and removed the GPS transponder.