I never broke eye contact with her as my hand slipped to my belt and withdrew a knife. I sliced through the ties on the net and pulled it from her still form. I continued to stare into her eyes as I sheathed my blade.
“Go. Before I change my mind.”
She refused to move.
I reached for her arm and pulled her from the table. I stood her on her feet and pointed her toward the door. “Go. Now.” I gave her a gentle push but she simply stumbled forward. Slowly she turned to face me, her eyes probing my own.
“Are you of the barbarians who conquered my village?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“But you know them?” She stepped forward, her face hopeful.
I shook my head again. “No. I did not know that my people had traveled so far.”
She nodded slightly, her eyes locked to my own. “But they were your people?”
I shrugged. “Possibly. I am a Northman. Many nations have sprung from there. They could have been from any number of tribes.”
“But you are all…north men.”
I nodded.
“So we share blood.”
I shrugged. “It is possible.”
“And this is why you allow me to live.”
I stared at her, at that face that mesmerized me the first time I laid eyes on her. Those eyes, those lips…the soft roundness of her face…it all tugged at me. I found myself shaking my head. “No.”
I watched her brows wrinkle in confusion. “Then why would–"
Again, my body acted before my brain could engage and argue. I really need to have a sit down meeting with myself and set some ground rules regarding chatting up food.
I found myself grasping her shoulders and pulling her into a kiss. I didn’t mean to. Honestly. It just happened. I expected her to twist and punch, to kick and push me away.
Instead, she kissed me back.
The warmth of her skin, the taste of her lips, the feel of her in my arms…it warmed me from the inside.
I opened my eyes and saw her almost swaying. She opened her eyes and for the briefest moment there was no anger or fear there. She stared back at me and I felt something I dare not admit, even now.
She slowly raised her hand and cupped my face. For the first time, I saw her smile and it reached her eyes. I pray that I never forget that image. She slowly stepped back and something inside me screamed to make her stay. Instead, my hand reached to the side and gripped her sword.
I held it out to her and I watched her take it and expertly slide it back into the scabbard strapped to her back.
I’d like to say that she paused at the door and turned to me. Maybe she said something poignant like, “One day, Northman” or “It wasn’t meant to be” or even, “This is not our destiny.”
She didn’t. She stood in the open doorway and stared out at the shadows of the night. I watched her square her shoulders, step into the chill night air, and disappear.
I had to fight the urge to watch the ship from the rooftops. I imagined her standing at the rail of the ship and staring out, her eyes searching for me. I imagined her stepping onto the gangplank then turning and running back across the pier where I would wait to take her into my arms. I imagined…many different things, none of which I could allow to happen. She was a human. Humans are food. She had to be relegated to that stature lest my heart overtake my head. Again.
I never saw her again. And it was probably for the best. Me and humans don’t mix well. Obviously.
I STOOD ON the pier and stared out onto the horizon. I couldn’t see Loki’s ship, but I knew it had to be somewhere close.
This had been a fruitless day. I spent the entire day searching every marina, pier, wharf, and dock I could find starting from where his celebration was planned and fanning out in either direction. I ended up back where I began and hoped that I had somehow missed the little prick.
I was so frustrated that even the waves, which would normally calm my heart, had me pissed. I ground my teeth as they crashed against the sand and I could feel time slipping away from me. If I could catch the little bastard away from the crowds of his planned celebration, the better for me; if not, well, I’d deal with that later. I spat with indignation and turned to go back to my truck. I nearly slammed into Grigori, who stood silent sentinel behind me.
“You have sought his ark.” It was a statement and not a question.
I sighed heavily and leaned against the railing. “If you already knew, why didn’t you simply come and tell me where it was?”
He cocked his head again and gave me that look. I was really growing weary of that look.
“That is why I am here.”
His words pissed me off even more than I already was. I wasn’t sure at first why until it dawned on me…they must still be watching me. That realization made me beyond angry.
I stared him and he stared out at the water. I was determined to wait until he offered the information, but like every other time, he was stoic. My anger continued to grow but I refused to show it. I simply waited.
After what seemed an intolerable amount of time I turned and called over my shoulder. “If you aren’t going to tell me, then stay the hell out of my way.”
“It is there.”
I froze in my steps and refused to turn around. I knew what I’d see and I knew it would just make me mad. Well, madder.
“Where?”
“There.”
Ugh. I would have to turn around. So I did.
Sure enough, the feathered freak show was pointing out to the water. It must have been at least a couple miles off shore, because I could see nothing. And in the dwindling light, I was certain there should at least have been some cabin lights reflecting across the water.
“How far out is it?”
He turned and gave me an unexpected quizzical stare. “It is just there.”
“Just where?” Goddamnit.
He turned slowly and stared back at the water. “You cannot see it?” Then he had an “aha” moment. “He must have it warded against you.”
I shrugged at him. “What the hell are you talking about?”
He was faster than I gave him credit for. His hands were outstretched and had grasped me by the sides of the face, puckering my lips before I could protest. He slowly turned my face until I was staring at where he could see the boat. Of course, there was still nothing there. “It is there.”
I continued to stare at the spot he had directed me to and waited. The sun was setting and I fully expected to see something, a glimmer, a fuzzy area, at least a speck on the horizon eventually light up in the spreading rays.
But no, nothing, until…then. Just as the last licks of red fought against the night behind me, I could barely make out the outline of a shadow. The craft was anchored just offshore. I marked it by the stars and memorized the location. Damn. I needed to learn that “warding” thing.
Loki would be getting an unexpected visitor this night.
I LOADED THE weapons and considered my pistol. I had no idea if the rounds made from the bolt would still work if they got wet, but I was willing to try it. I slipped it into a shoulder holster and pulled my coat over it. The crossbow dangled from my belt and two of the blades were strapped across my back.
I walked along the sand next to the pier and studied the stars. I knew they would shift slightly, but I had a bearing.
I strode into the water and felt the weight of my weapons pull me under the salty waves. On more than one occasion I kicked for the surface to ensure I could at least make it to the boat, relieved that the weapons didn’t anchor me to the bottom.
When I reached where I thought the boat should be, I glanced upward. Although dark outside, there was enough moonlight that I could see a black outline, the darker shape of the hull as it sat on the already dark water. I couldn’t help but smile as I thanked Odin that Loki wasn’t bright enough to ward the bottom of his craft.
It looked monstrous from below but the rear of the boat was clearly ide
ntifiable. I kicked up from the sandy bottom and reached upward. It seemed to take far too long to reach the rearward diving platform, but when my hands finally gripped the roughened edge, I slowly pulled myself from the water and peered into the boat.
Sounds of music and laughter behind closed doors called to me and I took my first breath since wading into the water. I pulled myself aboard and rolled across the diving platform. I hunkered next to the short steps that went up to the main deck. My eyes didn’t need time to adjust to the shadows; and I could sense that there were no guards nearby. The arrogance of these god creatures….
Big mistake on his part.
I crept along the lower deck, ducking to avoid any windows and hugged the starboard side of the craft until the sounds of Loki’s party increased. I pulled my pistol from the shoulder holster and tipped it, fully expecting water to drain, but it didn’t.
I waited for three full breaths debating on chancing the weapon. With a sigh of regret, I holstered it and pulled the crossbow from my belt. I slipped a cartridge of bolts into the body and cocked the first one into place.
I leaned against the wall and contemplated dropping my long coat there. It was heavy from the water, but if it came to blows, I hoped it would take some of the impact and allow me to recover more quickly. I opted to keep it and slipped around the corner and into the belly of the beast.
I found myself in a narrow passageway lined with wood that looked opulent and exotic. I could hear my boots squish as I walked the short distance to the first door. I placed a hand against it and felt nothing. The music grew louder, but I wasn’t close enough yet.
I crept to the next door and found it ajar. I pushed it open slightly, and in the darkness, I could see that it was a huge restroom. Brightwork reflected the wee bits of light that found their way into the room and glittered like fairies in the night to my predator eyes.
I pulled the door shut and quietly latched it then turned deeper into the floating mansion. With each step, the bass vibrated the planks a bit more, the clinking of glasses was sharper, and the sounds of women laughing became more obnoxious. It all sounded so artificial that I wondered if Loki had paid them to pretend they were having a good time.
I crept farther along the hallway and came to a heavy curtain that blocked my view. I slid against the wall and used the tip of the crossbow to pull the curtain back slightly. I could see women draped around a large room in various states of undress. Bubbling wines flowed and sloshed and were spilled haphazardly by the vixens. Loki came into view for only a moment as he danced with two of the women. He held a large dark bottle high in the air and laughed as the women held their glasses out for him to try to pour it from above his head.
I could count seven females at least. There may have been more in areas where I had no line of sight. My only concern with them was if they happened to get between me and my target, I couldn’t spare them and risk losing Loki. I really didn’t want to spill innocent blood unnecessarily.
I watched him prance about in leopard print, spandex underwear, laughing and teasing the girls until the bottle had been emptied. He turned his back to me and reached for a new bottle. This was my chance.
I pulled the curtain back and aimed the crossbow directly between his shoulder blades. The women were too intoxicated or distracted to notice me. I was just about to pull the trigger when he yelled, “For fuck’s sake!”
It was then that I saw the large mirror in front of him, his wide eyed reflection staring back at me standing there like a crazed vigilante. I squeezed the trigger but the bastard was gone. My bolt shattered the mirror and the women began screaming.
If I thought that their inane laughter was annoying, their shrieks were enough to make my teeth hurt. I stomped through the room to where he had been standing and found an open door at the end of the bar.
I growled low and realized that he could be anywhere on this monster ship and he had the owner’s knowledge of every inch. I would be playing cat and mouse with the lesser god and this time, he was the cat, or the leopard, I guess.
I slipped into the short hallway and checked each room as I worked my way forward. I had just cleared the third room when his voice echoed above me. I glanced up and saw a small round speaker mounted to the ceiling.
“Assassin, I don’t know who sent you, but you have one chance to quit before you find out exactly who you are fucking with.”
I growled low in my throat and glared at the speaker. “Bring it, you little shit.”
Probably not my best moment. Definitely not my brightest.
Chapter 7
I CREPT FROM level to level, keeping my eyes constantly moving, my ears straining to hear any and every sound. Surprisingly, his ship, as massive as it was, didn’t creak or groan. It made no sounds other than the low hum of the generators.
I worked my way forward, then down to the lower levels. Once I was certain they were clear, I worked my way back up and across the third level. Staterooms and cooking facilities were all empty.
I found the ladder and climbed up into the control room. A lone figure sat behind a console, nervously looking through the forward glass. I could tell it wasn’t Loki. This man was thicker.
“Where is he?”
I watched him jump and he spun on me, his hands in the air. “I don’t want any trouble. Just take what you want and go. Please!”
The fear in his eyes was genuine; just your average human sailor. He couldn’t see the crossbow in my hand, but I’m sure he knew I was armed. After Loki’s announcement, how could he not?
“Answer me. Where is he?”
The man shook his head. “I swear to god, I haven’t seen him since the women came aboard. He ordered me up here, sent the staff ashore and said that anybody who came below before morning would be fired.”
I growled in frustration and spun around. I could see the teak deck and the lounge stations behind me. How could I have missed him? Unless he doubled back…that was a possibility. He did know the ship inside and out.
I slid down the ladder and began backtracking. I didn’t see what hit me, but I damned sure felt it. I hit the deck and slid a good fifteen feet before I got my bearings back and came to my feet. The crossbow was up and panning the narrow hallway.
“I told you to leave.” His voice seemed to be coming from every direction at once.
“And I told you that wasn’t going to happen, minor god.”
I saw a blur cross the end of the hallway and disappear before I could bring the crossbow to bear. I reached for the pistol and held a weapon in each hand. “Show yourself, coward!”
I still don’t know how he moved as fast as he did, but the blur returned and tackled me again. My hand reflexively tightened and I send both a bolt and a god-killer bullet ricocheting down the hallway.
I bounced off the deck hard and the crossbow slid from my grip. At least I knew my bullets didn’t get wet and fizzle on me.
I rolled to my knees and scanned both sides of the hallway. I couldn’t be sure which way he went after he bounced me like a rubber ball.
My free hand felt along the floor until I found the crossbow. I felt the automatically reloaded bolt firmly in place and ready to fire again before I picked up the golden weapon and steadied it.
With a weapon pointed down both ends of the hallway, I concentrated on sounds. Nothing.
“Is that all you got, daddy’s boy? I thought you were supposed to be a god. Why would you hide from me?”
He stepped into the shadows at the end of the hall and I barely caught a glimpse of him. “How the hell do you know what I am?”
I fired the pistol and watched him lurch to the side, his hands clutching the side of his abdomen. His eyes met mine and before I could fire a second shot, he was gone again.
I came to my feet and crept down the short hallway. There was blood. I got a piece of him, but I knew, based on where he’d gripped his side, it was just a glancing shot. If he had any god-like mojo, he’d be back to chasing drunk bikini mode
ls in no time.
I cursed silently and rounded the corner of the hallway. The blow that struck my jaw was so solid, I swear I heard bells. I was knocked back into a stateroom door and took it off its hinges as I fell into the plush room. I distinctly heard a metallic clang as I rolled to my feet and stepped out the ruined doorway.
I guess I wasn’t imagining the bell. Rolling on the floor was a ten-inch brass ship’s bell. I can only imagine that he’d gripped the mount like brass knuckles and used it to ping my noggin. Lucky for me, I’ve always had a thick skull, yet I could feel the familiar tickle of blood running down the side of my face.
And…son of a bitch! One of my jaw teeth was loose! I swore out loud and mumbled that I would find a way to kill him slowly as I took off in the only direction he could have gone.
The blood trail evaporated quickly enough. I assumed he must heal faster than a vampire. I knew he hadn’t run out of the red stuff yet, there wasn’t nearly enough on the floors and walls.
I rounded the last corner and ended up back where I’d first found him. Two of the women were passed out on couches. Drink glasses and empty bottles lay scattered about with the discarded clothing. The others must have hidden in their cabins.
I marched to the end of the room and pulled the heavy curtain back. The spear that zinged past my face missed by millimeters. I didn’t see Loki, but the spear gun he’d fired had fallen to the floor at the end of the short hallway. I took off at high speed to catch him if I could.
I actually watched him round a corner and make for the rear of the ship. I launched after him again and slid to a stop at the rear of the ship. Nothing. Had he circled around?
A motor sputtering to life off the port side caught my attention. I bolted to the rail and watched as a small craft shot away from the mega yacht. I could just make out Loki’s form behind the wheel.
I cursed as I brought my pistol to bear and emptied three more rounds into the escaping boat. I couldn’t tell if any of them came close to hitting him, but it didn’t matter. The little bastard had gotten away again.
Hunter II Page 6