by J. L. McCoy
I was shocked into silence, mouth agape, and lamely blinked while I let what he’d just said sink in. Archer wasn’t just pissed, he was furious, and I suddenly wasn’t so glad I’d decided to make this call.
“Now,” Archer growled after a few silent seconds, “where. The fuck. Are you? And don’t trifle with me, páiste. You won’t like the consequences. I am your maker and mate. Don’t make me have to play the ‘I created you’ card, because I will. There are severe consequences for disobeying a direct order from your Sliocht leader.”
Severe consequences? I swallowed hard and rubbed my forehead in worry. Archer wouldn’t really punish me, would he? I didn’t know the first thing about the Day Walker judicial system, but I sure as shit didn’t want to find out.
“I don’t know where we are,” I said finally, “but Hagan is with me and so is Corvus. We’re on a plane.” I peeked out the tiny window of the jet and spoke again. “And we’re over the ocean. I’m completely safe, Archer. Hagan is taking very good care of me.”
“You’re with Corvus fucking Frost?” he yelled, and I ripped the phone away from my ear in pain. Super vampiric hearing sucked sometimes.
“Is everything okay back there, kitten?” Corvus asked, practically purring with delight. I had no doubt that he’d heard Archer lose his shit.
“I’m fine, Frost,” I replied icily. “Mind your own damn business.”
“Put Hagan on the phone right this instant!”
“No, Archer,” I answered, putting force behind my words. “You can punish me if you must, but I’m doing this. You’re not getting involved, and that’s final. I love you more than you can possibly imagine, but I get to make my own choices in life, Archer, and I’m choosing to hunt down Nikki’s kidnapper and save my father’s life. Maker or not, I don’t need your permission to do what I feel in my heart is right. Like I said, you don’t have to agree with my decision, but you will respect me, dammit.”
I was shaking with fear and frustration, and hoped he couldn’t hear it in my voice. I didn’t want to make him mad at me, but I also didn’t want him undertaking this dangerous mission with me and possibly getting killed. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if that happened.
“Put Hagan on the phone,” Archer said, deadly serious, his voice deep and commanding, yet soft. “Now, páiste.”
“I love you, Archer. Hagan’s got my back, so you don’t need to worry. I’ll be home in two weeks tops. Please try and not hate me. I don’t want to lose you over this, but I need to handle business. It’s just something I have to do, honey.”
“Don’t you dare hang up on me, Skye Morrison,” he growled angrily.
“What?” I asked, pretending we had a bad connection. Yes, I know, a complete cop out, but I was desperate. “I can’t hear you. I think I’m losing signal. I’ll call you soo—”
“That’s fucked up,” Hagan mumbled, and I turned around to face him.
“Ever heard of privacy, sir?” I asked huffily. I didn’t need him telling me something I already knew. It was kind of a fucked-up thing to do to my lover, but I was past the point of no return. I had a mission to complete and was determined to keep Archer and my family out of my mess again.
“Ever heard of—” he started to say, but the shrill ring of his cell phone cut him off. He reached into his pocket and frowned when he spotted the caller ID. “Shit, you’ve done it now, Morrison. It’s your maker.”
Quick as lightening, I snatched the phone out of his hand and crushed it into pieces.
“Great,” he grumbled angrily, staring down at the rubble in my hands, before sliding furious eyes to mine. “I just bought that.”
“Sorry,” I said remorsefully, meaning it. “Archer’s pissed at me right now. Trust me, you don’t want to talk to him anyway.”
Hagan sighed and crossed his thick, corded arms over his chest. “You’re crazy, you know that? It’s one thing for you to dig your own grave, but I don’t need you breaking ground on mine. Archer is going to have my ass for this... after he has yours, of course.”
“I have a cell phone if anyone would like to make a call,” Corvus offered snarkily.
“Pull it out, and I’ll break yours as well, Dark One,” I growled, my eyes flickering pitch black. “Atticus was clear, or have you forgotten? None of mine are to help, and not a hair on your head is to be harmed. I don’t know what you and Archer have going on between you two, but he hates you. If Archer finds us, I can’t guarantee your safety, and I promised your father. I’m just doing my best to ensure this little adventure of ours goes smoothly. We don’t need any unnecessary shit happening.”
“Such a party pooper.” Corvus smirked as he took his hand away from his jacket pocket.
Turning fully to him, I eyed him with pursed lips. “Why do Archer and Jameson hate you so much, Dark One?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” he replied saucily with a smirk and a wink.
“Actually, I would,” I answered, cocking a brow as I folded my arms under my chest.
Laughing, Corvus turned and walked toward the front of the plane again. “Get some rest, kitten. We have a long flight ahead of us.” It seemed he was dismissing my question, and I let it go for now, but I would find out why later. There had to be a story there.
“He’s a pompous jackass, Morrison, and a Dark One. Do you even have to question why he’s disliked?” Hagan said, eyeing the back of Corvus’s head distastefully.
He did have a point there. Smirking, I winked at Hagan and let him lead me back to my seat. Soon, the occasional, gentle turbulence from the ride lulled me into a deep slumber.
Chapter Eleven
Pain. All I felt was pain. Debilitating, excruciating, unending pain. My flesh was burning, sizzling, aching, and I couldn’t move an inch as I desperately sought relief. “Nisiqtu.” A weak whisper sounded. “Damu.”
Whimpering in agony, I tried to turn my head toward the sound, but it was no use. My head was immobilized as well.
“Damu,” the whisper sounded again, a little stronger than last time. “Please.”
Gasping, my body jerked slightly as I recognized the voice. It couldn’t be... “Amun?” I whispered weakly, the silver chains wrapped around my body stealing all of my energy. I was exhausted and experiencing so much discomfort. The torture I endured felt never-ending, and I was desperate for the burning to cease.
“Come... Damu,” he pleaded weakly, brokenly. “Come.”
Fear raced through my entire body, and I fought my restraints. Amun was back and he was here, somewhere with me.
Bucking hard, I struggled to free myself, my flight instincts taking over. I wanted far away from Amun and the horrors his presence guaranteed my life.
“No,” I shouted, squeezing my eyes shut against the pitch-black darkness. This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening. I was in a dream; it was just a dream. I opened my eyes again and was met with darkness once more. I couldn’t see anything; all I could feel was pain, everywhere, covering every inch of my body.
“Please, Damu,” Amun begged again weakly. “Come.”
“No!” I screamed, long and loud this time, as I fought wildly to move.
Strong hands dug into my wrists as my back was slammed against something hard, nearly taking my breath away. “Wake up, Morrison,” Hagan growled, his breath hot and heavy in my ear. “Wake up and pull yourself together.”
With great difficulty, I peeled my heavy eyes open, the brightness of the cabin blinding me momentarily.
“Lights,” I whispered roughly. “Please... the lights.”
I heard Corvus flash over to the far wall, and the sound was quickly followed by a click.
Darkness descended around me then, and I sighed with relief.
“Are you all right?” Hagan whispered, concern etched all over his voice, and I tested my eyes once more before fully opening them.
“Is she unwell?” Corvus asked, coming over to stand a few feet away; his eyes peering at me from over Hagan’s s
houlder.
It was then I felt the cold wetness on my cheeks and curiously brushed it away with the tips of my fingers. What I’d felt were tears; I’d been crying. Worriedly, I glanced up into Hagan’s concerned face and couldn’t help the sniffle that escaped.
“Bad dream,” I mumbled before turning my attention to the state of my skin. I could still somewhat feel the phantom effects of the chains wrapped around my flesh, digging, burning.
“That was no ordinary dream,” Hagan commented silently in my mind. “You said his name.”
“Who?” I questioned aloud, praying he was wrong. I knew who I’d seen in my dream, but wasn’t keen on anyone else knowing my secret. Amun was back, and he was trying to pull me to him.
“You know who,” he answered sternly, his fingers finding the underside of my chin and tilting my face toward his so our eyes met.
“Why am I against the window?” I wondered aloud, desperate to get the topic off Amun.
“You were fighting, thrashing in your sleep. You bolted upright, and I was scared you would hurt yourself, so I restrained you.”
“You spoke his name,” Corvus said seriously, and my eyes darted to his in fear.
“Just drop it, Corvus,” I answered, my eyes practically begging. I needed time to wrap my head around what had just happened. I couldn’t talk to anyone about this now, especially a Dark One. Corvus didn’t need to know my business.
“Have your eyes adjusted?” Hagan asked gently, concern etched all over his face as he scanned the total of mine.
I glanced around the room and noted the soft mood lighting around the floor of the cabin and over the seat that Corvus had previously occupied. It was still somewhat dark, but not totally.
Nodding my head, I answered him. “Y-yes. Yes, I think so.”
Corvus flashed over to the far wall and flicked the light switch once more, turning them back on. “Sensitivity to light is a Dark trait, you know,” he said with a cock of his brow as he came to stand by Hagan and me again.
“Is butting into other people’s business a Dark trait as well?” I questioned, unamused. “Or do you just save up all that bullshit for me?”
Hagan snickered as Corvus grinned widely. He was about to say something, but was interrupted by an announcement from the pilot.
“We will be starting our descent shortly and will land in Munich at 16:25. It is currently daylight, a crisp five degrees Celsius, and the sun will be setting at 18:42. Please take your seats and fasten your lap belts for descent. Thank you.”
My head swiveled over to Corvus, and I frowned. “What the hell are we doing in Germany?”
“Stanus keeps a permanent residence just outside of Munich. It is the most likely place he’d be,” he answered, turning to take his seat once more, our previous conversation seemingly forgotten, something I was extremely glad for. I still didn’t understand what was going on with my dream and absolutely did not want to answer any questions about it.
“Let’s hope you’re right.” I was already tired of the trip. I just wanted to be back home in Austin, not traipsing the globe with the likes of Corvus fucking Frost.
After we’d landed, the jet taxied around the airport and pulled into a huge private hangar at the back of the property.
“Nice digs you’ve got here,” I commented as I followed Corvus down the airstairs, looking around the massive building. I noted the second floor accommodations and two burly men staring down at us from behind the glass wall.
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Corvus replied with a smirk over his shoulder.
“Friends of yours?” Hagan asked behind me.
Corvus’s head turned and briefly took in the two men before he took the final step onto the concrete floor. “Oh, that’s just our security. We have quite the arsenal here and don’t want it pilfered while we are away at the colony.”
“Arsenal?” I asked, cautious and oddly excited at the same time.
“Is that eagerness I hear in your voice, kitten?”
“No,” I lied, but I knew he saw right through me as his spreading smile was all the confirmation I needed.
“Can Skye come out to play, Day Walker?” Corvus singsonged as he watched me and Hagan exit the airstairs behind him. “We have all the coolest toys. If you’re nice, maybe I’ll let you play too.”
Hagan pursed his lips, rolled his eyes in exasperation, but said nothing.
“Show me,” I demanded and proceeded to follow him to the far side of the hangar.
Imbedded flush with the concrete floor was a solid steel door. Hagan and I watched as Corvus withdrew an oddly shaped key and stuck it in the almost imperceptible keyhole. Using his vampiric strength, he lifted the thick, heavy door with ease and locked it into an upright position.
“Who wants to go first?” he asked, chuckling.
“Just get your ass down there, Frost. We don’t have all fucking day,” Hagan grumbled.
Corvus sighed and met my eyes. “Is he always this much fun?” he asked me sarcastically before turning and descending the metal steps.
I went to follow him, but Hagan grabbed my elbow and protectively pulled me back. “Let me go first.”
“Play nice,” I reminded him as he passed, and I waited a few slow heartbeats before I joined them in the underground room.
Halfway into my short journey, florescent lights kicked on as a small generator hummed somewhere nearby. It was then I could visually take in the whole room and my mouth ran agape with wonder.
Every kind of automatic and semiautomatic weapon formed neat lines on all four long walls. There were Uzis, AK-47s, AR-15s with track point technology, .45s, M60s, MAC 10s, grenades, rocket launchers, antiaircraft artillery, as well as weapons I’d never even laid eyes on before. I didn’t know too much about guns, as my dagger and sword were all I’d ever previously needed, but I had to admit... this room had my trigger finger itchy. I was excited at the prospect of firing one of these magnificent bad boys.
“A Dhia,” Hagan whispered, his head slowly scanning the hangar-wide room. “You have got to be kidding me. How the hell did you get your hands on the only true original .45 Luger in existence?”
“I know a guy,” Corvus said with a chuckle, his back to Hagan as he walked over to some small double doors and beckoned me over with a jerk of his head. “As promised.” He winked. “Clothes.”
Sighing with relief, I hurried over and eagerly pulled the doors open. Inside was leather, and lots of it. Seeing my surprise, he explained. “Leather is very durable. Not only that, but it’s comfortable and blood and viscera are easily removed if things get messy. It’s the optimum choice for the journey we are about to partake. I even have a set of clothes for myself and Hagan.”
“Where can I change?” I asked, quickly flipping through the attire and noting the boots that I’d definitely need on the top shelf. I was still wearing the stilettos I wore to my father’s trial.
“There’s a small bunker behind the far door on the left. You can use that while Hagan and I strap up.”
“Don’t hog all the good toys.” I smirked over my shoulder as I made my way over to the door.
The bunker was full of ammunition boxes and included three bunk beds, but was unimpressive in every other way. I quickly stepped out of the monstrosity of an outfit Corvus had picked out for me on the plane and into the leather pants and zippered, fitted tank. Both were skintight but surprisingly very comfortable and allowed me to easily maneuver in them. The boots were of the combat variety; steel toed, twenty eyelet, and pretty kickass. If all went well on our hunt, I planned on bringing those babies home with me.
Glad for decent clothing, I tossed what I’d taken off onto one of the bunk beds and made my way back out to the men.
Hagan was now wearing a pair of black leather pants, a plain black T-shirt, and was currently busy outfitting himself with thigh holsters. Corvus, meanwhile, was in the process of buttoning up his own black leather pants.
I took in our semi-matching lea
ther outfits and luminously pale skin and sighed. “We look like we’re extras in a lame Goth music video. You don’t think this is a bit too conspicuous?”
“The clothes? No,” Corvus answered, looking down at his ensemble approvingly.
“The guns? Yes,” Hagan provided, lifting his eyes to mine. “Nothing says trouble quite like having an arsenal strapped to you.”
“I can provide you with a long leather duster if you’re scared of a little attention, Day Walker.”
“Eat a bag of di—”
“Okay, gentlemen, that’s quite enough witty banter from you two. How about someone show me how to use this gun,” I said, pointing to the big one nearest me.
“I don’t thin—” Corvus started before Hagan flashed between us, cutting him off.
“That’s a Desert Eagle,” he provided, warning Corvus with his eyes to take a few steps further away from me, “.50AE. Nice choice, Morrison. It’s an absolute beast w—”
Clearing his throat loudly, Corvus interjected. “Like I was saying,” he said firmly, “I don’t think you’ll be able to handle that gun. It’s too much power, and the grip isn’t designed for a woman’s small hands. It’s too much gun for you.”
Hagan chuckled knowingly as I stepped closer to Corvus, a deadly serious gaze in my eyes. “Let me let you in on a little secret about me, Corvus. If someone says I, or for that matter women in general, can’t do something, I laugh in their face and then I prove them wrong. Challenge accepted, Dark One. Where’s the ammo?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Morrison. You can’t shoot that thing in here,” Hagan shouted.
“I’d like to demonstrate for our friend Corvus,” I retorted sweetly, winking quickly at Hagan. Turning to my side, I grabbed the Desert Eagle off the rack and immediately noted its hefty weight and large grip. Substantial, but nothing I can’t handle, I mused silently.