by Laken Cane
Chapter Six
Bellamy shifted as soon as Rune went for her, but before the clash could happen, Gavin shifted and shoved his sister away.
“We need your help,” he roared, and his voice—the awful, agonizing gargoyle voice—made Rune pause in her furious headlong rush toward them.
Then his words sank into the red haze of her mind. She forced herself still, her claws out, her fangs cutting into her lip, and waited for her body to stop jerking with the overwhelming need to kill the gargoyles.
She finally opened her eyes, calm enough to speak.
The gargoyles had shifted back into human form and watched her carefully. “Thanks for listening,” Bellamy said. “We do need your help.”
“I’ll help you into your graves. That’s the only help you’ll get from me.”
Bellamy lifted her chin. “I’m sorrier than you’ll ever know for hurting your child. I had no idea you were pregnant. Babies are precious to us. And where I come from, women don’t roam the countryside, fighting and killing, when they’re pregnant.”
Gavin sighed. “Bellamy.”
She cleared her throat. “Anyway. I’m sorry for hurting you while you were carrying a child. I’ve heard the baby is…” She glanced at Gavin. “I’ve heard it’s fine.”
Rune said nothing.
Bellamy fisted her hands. “You betrayed us. You fucked us up. You—”
Rune shot toward her, faster than even a gargoyle’s eye could follow, and slashed Bellamy from thigh to chest.
The girl screamed and toppled over, and Gavin, his face blank, always fucking blank, fell to his knees beside her. “Shift,” he said, gently. “You’ll heal, Bell.”
Then he looked at Rune.
The coldness in his stare froze her, for one interminable second, into a solid block of ice. Then she began to shiver, her rage deserting her beneath the shock of his eyes.
No, not deserting her—just hiding for a moment beneath a black, heavy pile of astonishment, curiosity, and awe.
And perhaps a healthy little dose of fear.
“I will defend my sister,” he said, in his voice a warning he made no attempt to soften. “Listen to what we have to say. Then we can try to kill each other, if you still feel the need to.”
She put her hands on her hips and stared at him through narrowed eyes. “I’ll listen, asshole, but your sister and I will eventually have to settle this. Get between us if you want—I’ll take out both of you. Now what the fuck do you want?”
He stood, leaving Bellamy to shift so she could heal the damage. “Eugene Parish is holding Gage. I want him released to me.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “He must believe there is something else he can get from the body. The antidote—”
“No,” he interrupted, crossing his arms. “You don’t understand. Gage is alive. Your boss extracted the antidote without killing him.”
She stared. “I killed Gage. And I carried his stoned ass to the Annex.”
“After the silver was removed from the stone, he would have shifted.”
“He’d still have been dead, wouldn’t he? Even though his form changed?”
He shook his head. “Not exactly. After the silver was removed, there would be a window of at least three days to reanimate him. To find and breathe life into the spark that is Gage Delaney.”
“Eugene brought him back?”
“He did.”
“So that’s how he’s keeping you working for him. He’s holding your living brother prisoner.”
Gavin turned his head to check on Bellamy, who had shifted and then stumbled away to lean against a tree and mend. “He let us see Gage, once. Through a window. If we work for the Annex, my brother will be kept alive. If we take off, he promised to put his best torturers on Gage until we return.” He swallowed once, then looked away from her. “He gave me a preview of that torture. I don’t want to see my brother endure such an existence. We will not leave.”
She frowned. “If Gage was alive, Eugene would want to use him. He’s a powerful gargoyle. Eugene would find another way to hold you.”
But Gavin shook his head. “Gage is alive, but he is not…” He spread his hands and searched for the right word. “He is not whole. Eugene can’t use him as a soldier.”
Bellamy limped forward to join them, nearly healed.
Rune ignored the glare the female gargoyle threw her way. “I thought you both hated Gage. You were willing to fight him to the death to stop him feeding your mutant brother,” she said to Gavin, before turning to Bellamy. “And you were willing to hand him over to save Gavin.”
They both stiffened and stared at her with blank eyes. “He is our brother and we would not see him tortured,” Gavin said.
She couldn’t pretend to know the way a gargoyle’s mind worked. She didn’t know their culture, their beliefs, or their hearts. Maybe they did love their brother. Maybe it was duty or loyalty. She didn’t know.
She didn’t really care.
“Rune?”
She turned her head at Roma’s voice but was too lost in her thoughts to reply.
Roma walked slowly toward them. Her slingshot was loaded and ready. “Come inside.”
Rune saw Jack and Raze closing in from behind the gargoyles. Jack had her shotgun.
The twins crept in, one from the left, one from the right.
“It’s okay,” Rune assured them. “We’re talking.” She beckoned them forward.
When her people were beside her, she looked at Gavin. “The gargoyles want our help. Eugene is keeping Gage prisoner to keep these two in line.”
“And they want you to convince Eugene to release him?” Jack asked.
“We want Gage freed,” Bellamy said. “We don’t want him held over our heads. Every little mistake we make could be taken out on him.”
“We’ve agreed to work for the Annex,” Gavin said. “There’s nothing else out there in the world for us. Eugene doesn’t have to keep our brother imprisoned.”
“I can’t do anything about it. Eugene is not going to release Gage unless he has another way to hold you.”
“So you won’t help.” Bellamy looked at Gavin. “I told you. I told you she wouldn’t help us.” She sneered, but her eyes swam in tears. “She’s the reason we’re his slaves.”
Rune didn’t argue. Couldn’t. Bellamy wasn’t wrong.
Gavin looked at Jack, then Roma. “Help us convince Eugene to free our brother. We’re prisoners of this man because Rune sacrificed us to save you.”
Jack didn’t move but his extreme stillness was telling. “I’m sorry for that.”
“You’re an honorable man,” Bellamy said. “I know you are. Help us.”
Roma stepped forward. “She didn’t kill you to save us. Even Gage is alive. Your life is yours as long as you fight for the Annex. That’s all Eugene asks of you. Fight for the right side. With your power, it’s your responsibility to take care of those weaker. So leave the princess alone. Either one of you would have done the exact same thing were the tables turned.”
“Our brother has no freedom,” Bellamy snapped. “Our brother is held in a small room strapped to a table every hour of every day. He is our only responsibility. What about his life, asshole?”
Roma stared at the gargoyle. “He will find freedom in death. I suggest you run. Escape the Annex. If Eugene kills your brother, it will save me the trouble and I can concentrate on you.”
Bellamy took a quick step back, her face paling. “Stay away from me, you crazy bitch.”
Roma continued to hold the gargoyle with her stare, her eyes dark.
Gavin watched Rune. His face was emotionless and his eyes…mostly, they were blank. Just as they always were.
But in their depths was a spark of pain.
Dammit.
“I’ll talk to Eugene,” she said. “I’ll try. That’s all I can do.”
Gavin gave a sharp nod, then turned and strode away, Bellamy at his side.
She released a breath she hadn’
t been aware of holding. “Fucking gargoyles.”
“Why didn’t you kill Bellamy?” Roma peered at Rune, curious. “I expected her to die for what she did.”
“I hurt her,” Rune said. “She healed. End of story.”
“You didn’t kill her because you feel guilty for what they’re going through,” Jack said, adjusting his eyepatch. “But that’s not on you. That’s on me.”
“And me,” Roma said.
“Neither of you had anything to do with bringing them here,” Rune said, sharply. “Shit happens. I did what I needed to do. If I feel a little guilty, I’ll get the fuck over it.” She looked at the two of them. “You’re alive. There’s no way I’ll let some shitty gargoyle spit kill the two of you.”
Raze nodded. “They know the chance they’re taking when they use that kind of weapon.”
She didn’t argue that Gordon wasn’t exactly in his right mind when he’d hit them with the flesh eating acid.
“It’s done,” she said. “We move on.”
“And you try to convince Eugene to turn Gage over to his family,” Levi said.
She shrugged. “I’ll ask him but I’m not going to make it my life’s mission to free the bastard. Gavin said his brother isn’t right in the head. I’m not sure Eugene should release such a powerful, dangerous man.”
“Not man,” Jack said, gently. “Other. And that is what will drive you crazy, honey.”
“Fuck him.” But she couldn’t look Jack in the eye.
“Do you think they’d hang around if Eugene released Gage?” Denim asked.
“No,” she replied. “I don’t.”
“I’m susre they’re keeping a few things from us,” Levi said.
“They’re gargoyles,” Rune told him. “They wear secrets like clothes.”
“The same way you wear your guilt,” Raze muttered.
She didn’t answer.
“The old Rune would have let her guilt over the gargoyles choke the life out of her,” Jack agreed.
“Doesn’t matter,” she said. “The old Rune grew up and morphed into me—and I don’t give quite so many fucks.”
And deep inside her soul, her monster smiled.
Chapter Seven
“The Landers are quiet,” Rune said, later that night. She and her crew sat around a campfire, eating sandwiches and drinking beer, and at that moment, the world seemed peaceful. That usually meant something loud and stormy was coming. She rubbed her arms, chilled despite the heat of the fire splashing against her face.
Killing Land seemed empty. Silent.
It was unnerving.
“A couple groups of them were fighting earlier,” Raze said. “It got messy.”
“Not our responsibility,” she told him. “They can fight all they want.”
“Let them kill each other,” Roma said, almost hopefully.
Raze stood and tossed the remains of his sandwich into the fire. “I’m heading back home with Levi and Denim.” He crouched down in front of Rune. “The second you think you might need me, you call for me. I’ll be here. Fuck River County.”
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I will.”
“All right. Are we updating Bill about the creature?” he asked.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” she answered. “I’d like to keep him in the loop.”
“But,” Jack said.
“But…” She sighed. “I don’t know. He’s asking about the portal. I think he wants to go to Skyll.”
No one said anything as they thought about that.
“What’s in Skyll for him?” Jack asked. “Does he think Elizabeth might be alive there?”
A spark of foreboding streaked through her. “Maybe he just wants an escape.”
“From the assholes who’re tormenting him,” Jack murmured.
“We need to find out.” She clenched her fists. “We’ve been neglecting him for too long.”
“Then let’s make him a priority,” Denim said.
“I’ll follow him when I get back,” Raze said. “See what I can find out.”
Rune rubbed her face, tired. “We have a lot of things to fix, guys.”
“If you need me,” Raze said. “Call me.”
“One of you drive my car back home,” she told them. “Roma and I will ride back with Jack.”
He and the twins left, heading back to River County.
“Rune,” Roma asked. “Why don’t you ask Eugene about Bill?”
“He’s the one who wanted me to trail Bill in the first place.”
Roma pursed her lips. “If Eugene really wanted to know, he’d have found out.” She looked at Jack. “What do you think, Jack?”
Jack shrugged. “It is a little suspicious, Rune. You know Eugene.”
Roma’s adoring gaze softened in the firelight. “Absolutely.”
Rune rolled her eyes at the girl. “You’re right. Something’s up. Only problem is, Eugene’s not talking. Bill’s not talking. If we want to know, if we want to help Bill, then we have to find out for ourselves. Then we can worry about why Eugene might be…”
“Playing us,” Jack finished.
“We need to get back there soon. I have a bad feeling about Bill.”
“What about the portal?”
“I’ll talk to Gunnar again. He can help.” She crossed her arms over her chest, then stood and began pacing.
“Can he leave the cemetery?”
“I forgot to ask.” She’d been too busy trying not to touch him.
“Tell Jack what he said,” Roma ordered.
Rune swung around to stare at her. “You’re going to have to learn to keep your mouth shut, slingshot girl.”
“Rune.” Jack’s voice was soft, but firm. “What did Gunnar say?”
Rune sighed. “He said I should fuck the assassin.”
Jack’s jaw dropped. “He said what?”
“Exactly.”
“Was there any possible reason for that sage bit of advice? And do you want me to have a talk with him?”
“That means kick his ass,” Roma said. “Ellis told me that.”
Rune ignored her. “He insists there’s more to the assassin than we realize, and that the one who has sex with him will win his undying protection. Or some shit like that.”
“Gunnar is fucked up,” Jack said.
Rune looked at him. “You have no idea.”
He frowned, but before he could ask what was up with the ghoul, Will Blackthorne appeared from the darkness outside the fire’s reach. “I’ve heard from the empath.”
Rune stiffened, her heart pounding and her stomach rolling. Gunnar’s words made her view the mysterious assassin in a whole new light, and she didn’t like it. As though Gunnar could make her entertain the notion of sleeping with the assassin.
No.
Hell no.
“And?” she asked.
“She sent a messenger to refuse my invitation.”
Rune shrugged. “Fuck her. We have the ghoul.”
He stepped closer. “Gunnar will help?”
“Yeah. But Will…”
“Yes?”
“He’ll help find the portal and he’ll go back to fix himself. He’ll carry my messages to the crew. But you have to stay here.”
He said nothing, just stared at her.
“Do you understand?”
“Why?” he asked. “Because maybe you will decide you need my protection and ignore your revulsion long enough to…how did you put it…have my scarred, broken dick inside you?”
“Ouch,” Jack murmured.
“Shit.” Rune rubbed the back of her neck and looked away from the assassin. “I apologize for that, Will. I’m sorry I was such an asshole.”
He shrugged. “You’re sorry I heard you. That means nothing to me.”
Rune cleared her throat. “Whatever. But you’re not going to Skyll. Not this time. Once Gunnar returns, I’ll release you.”
He snorted. “Do you think because you command it I will obey?”
>
“You’re Shiv Crew.” She kept her voice calm. “I’m your captain. You will obey my orders.”
He took another step closer. “That’s not how I work.”
Jack walked to Rune’s side. “Careful, buddy.”
Rune crossed her arms. “Do you want me to put you inside the cage with the Shimmer Lord, dude?”
Will shuddered. “You can’t put me anywhere I don’t want to go.”
“Do you really believe that?” She was genuinely curious.
“I really believe that,” he answered.
“Huh.” She studied him for a long moment. “I promised Gunnar that if he helps me find the portal, you’ll stay behind so he can walk the path in peace. And that’s how it’s going to happen.”
“She’s the princess,” Roma said, speaking for the first time since Will had appeared. “You’ll do as she asks.” She gentled her voice and walked to stand in front of him. “She needs us, Will Blackthorne. Even though she thinks she doesn’t. The ghoul said you are the biggest and best protection she can have while he is gone and unable to watch over her himself. Please.” She put her hand on his arm. “Please help us protect her.”
He said nothing, but finally, he looked away from Rune and stared down at Roma.
“You can walk the path when he returns,” Roma vowed. “Please, Will.”
The girl had the gift of persuasion, there was no denying that. She could talk the bark off a tree.
And she could convince a damaged, hardened assassin to obey his captain.
He nodded. “I give my word, little charmer.”
Rune had never heard that particular note of softness and quiet amusement in his voice, and it surprised her.
She gave him a small nod. “Thanks, Assassin.”
He ignored her.
“That’s settled then,” Jack said. “Let’s get some sleep.”
“You guys sleep,” Rune said. “I’m going to find Gunnar.”
“I’ll go with you,” Roma said.
“No,” Rune told her. “Don’t argue, Roma. I’m going to run. You can’t keep up and I won’t have you wandering Killing Land alone. Stay with Jack.”
And that was the only thing that could have swayed Roma.
Staying with Jack.
“I…” She shot a look at him. “I don’t know…”