by Sable Grace
“Should be fun,” Ryker said, his eyes going red.
Turning long enough to give their minions orders to guard Hank’s equipment, she faced Ryker again. “Clear a path and we’ll kill anything that gets close.”
Moving as one, they worked their way into the middle of the fray. Even when Ryker sent a dozen of their pals flying with nothing more than his mind, the Dark Breeds didn’t back down. The going was torturously slow. Bodies came at them from every direction, circling them, closing in. Arrows flew all around them. Only a bit of magic and a lot of luck kept them from being burned alive like the Dark Breeds they fought. Cries of pain and the scent of scorched flesh filled the air. Kyana lost count of the number of bodies she sent to the ground. Still they came. And still the trio moved forward.
Geoff’s roar caused her to lose her focus. A fist connected with her jaw. “Piece of shit!”
Kyana slit her attacker’s throat from ear to ear, then turned to check on Geoff. A group of Dark Breeds had him surrounded, and they were trying to pull him to the ground. If they succeeded, Geoff’s chances of getting up again were somewhere between slim and never.
Not giving herself time to think, she rolled over the back of the closest demon, planting her boot in the face of another. In one smooth motion, she pulled Geoff upright, then bracing against him, kicked out, sending another pair stumbling. Several more went flying in every direction like bowling pins. She turned, nodding her thanks to Ryker, then grabbed Geoff’s arm, pulling him behind her. It took her tired mind a moment to realize why he was so sluggish. The sun was quickly approaching. The leader of the group of Dark Breeds seemed to notice the same thing. Its small wings quivered. Its grunted order carried on the wind. Those that were still able, retreated.
Ryker moved to give chase, but Kyana grabbed his arm. “We’ll get them another day.”
Slowly, his eyes shifted from blood red to swirling silver as he scanned her from head to toe. Like him, she was covered in blood and not sure if it was all demons’.
“You and Geoff. Below, now,” he said. “Leave the minions here to help. We’ll meet you there shortly.”
“We’re capable of holding our own,” Geoff said.
“Yeah, and I’d like to keep you that way.” Ryker spoke to Geoff but his gaze stayed on Kyana. He pointed up. “Move it before we’re sweeping your ashes off the sidewalk.”
Not willing to risk another meeting with the sun until she was sure she could hold her Lychen form, Kyana took Geoff’s hand and tugged until he reluctantly led the way over the lowering drawbridge and inside the fort. They quickly located Hank in the courtyard, where a Healer was tending his wounds.
Kyana was in no mood to be social. A low growl rumbled in her throat. She was tired, hungry, and hurt like hell. “Is he all right to go Below, or will the portal be too much for him?”
The woman nodded. “His wounds are minor. Most of the blood on him isn’t his.” The Healer looked from Kyana to Geoff and back again. “I’m happy to tend to your wounds too, if you’re in need.”
Kyana nodded in way of thanks . . . and dismissal. She held out her hand and pulled Hank to his feet. “We’re fine.”
Stepping into the portal alcove, Kyana sent Geoff through first, then Hank. She gave the men a couple of seconds—sure Hank would appreciate the time to gather himself—before she joined them. Both men leaned against the alabaster wall. Their breaths short and ragged. Exhaustion, along with the portal’s drain, had taken everything they had left. She moved to stand between them, then slowly slid to the cool floor.
“Is it always like that?” Hank questioned as he sat.
Kyana shrugged. “The attack or the portal?”
Geoff sat with them and closed his eyes. “Not sure it matters. The answer’s the same either way. Dark Breeds always fight with everything they have. Not usually in the numbers you saw tonight, though. Whether they’re captured or killed, they’re returned to Tartarus—Hell—so they literally have nothing to lose.”
“And the portal?”
“It’s a protective device. It momentarily weakens everyone to keep the gods safe should they come under attack.” Kyana found herself smiling. “I’d tell you that you’ll get used to it, but all you have to do is look at the two of us to know I’m lying.”
“Just don’t make me go through again anytime soon. Feels like my insides are being ripped apart, then put back together with Super Glue.”
“Deal.” Kyana grinned, pushing to her feet. She led them to Spirits. Hank needed to get set up as quickly as possible so he could hurry back to his family and let them know he was alive and well. Odd, but she was regarding him a bit more softly than she had before. He’d done them a service, and after his initial display of wussiness, hadn’t cowered like others of his kind likely would have. If for no other reason, he’d earned a bit of her respect.
Chapter Nineteen
“You’d probably be more comfortable if you found a bed.”
Kyana jumped at the sound of Haven’s voice. Pain slithered down her spine as she stared up at her friend with fatigued eyes. Her throat ached for a drink. Kyana tried to stand, but her legs refused to move. Geoffrey slept beside her, his head resting on her thigh.
They’d been in one of Spirits’s spare apartments, waiting for Hank to finish the tedious task of setting up his equipment while the minions brought in load after load of computer parts and Marcus attempted to enchant all of it to work Below. She hadn’t meant to doze, but boredom and exhaustion must have taken over.
“Where’d you come from?” Kyana asked.
“I ran into Geoff moving this stuff in about twenty minutes ago.” Haven smiled, but a sadness filled her eyes that made Kyana wince. Her mind instantly pulled up the image of Drake’s name on their list of possible traitors. Haven needed to skedaddle before Hank started getting close to scanning that particular name. If it turned out he was guilty, Kyana wanted to be the one to tell her. If it turned out he wasn’t, Haven would be pissed to all hell that he’d been included in their search at all.
Kyana squeezed her eyes shut to ease their burn and searched for an excuse to get Haven out of here.
“Any progress with those computers?”
Hank looked up from beneath a shaky metal table. “Almost done. Waiting on a couple more pieces and we should be all set.”
Marcus slid out from beneath the desk, his face ruddy and drenched in sweat. “I ran as much magic through the cords as I could, but it’s going to interfere with the café’s television reception. Do what you need to do fast or I’ll start charging per lost customer on game days.”
“Way to support our mission,” Kyana grumbled, watching Ryker pass Marcus fifty human dollars. Where he was planning on spending money now was beyond Kyana, but if he kept serving her fifty/fifty, she wouldn’t poke her nose in his business.
Marcus shoved the money in his pocket. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me. Keep the noise down. I don’t want this interfering with the atmosphere downstairs.”
As Marcus stalked off, Hank looked out the window. The faux sun was high in the sky. “Do you know how much longer Carol and Frag are going to be?”
“Farrel and Crag,” Kyana corrected.
“Oh, right. Sorry. It’s hard to keep the four of them straight.”
“Mine are the polite, helpful ones.” She nodded at Geoffrey. “His are brutes. Did you need something?”
Hank toyed with a computer cable, avoiding Kyana’s gaze. “I know you’re anxious to get this up and running, but . . .” His Adam’s apple bobbed, but he finally lifted his head to meet Kyana’s eyes. “If Farrel and Crag are going to be a while, could I go check on my family? I promised my son I’d be back at daybreak. He’s watched so many go out into the night and not come back. I need to let him know I’m all right.”
Kyana couldn’t imagine what the past two weeks must have been like to a small boy. Nor could she understand why her heart felt like a brick in her chest. “Bring them back here. Yo
u can keep an eye on them while you work.”
“Thank you.”
She nodded at the door. “Be back in an hour.”
When the door closed behind him, Haven sat across from Kyana and wrapped her arms around her legs, scanning her from head to foot. “You know, when people were complaining about Vamps stinking up the place, I thought they were just being derogatory.” Her nose wrinkled. “You guys reek. What is that smell?”
Kyana sniffed her hair and winced. “Dismembered demon.”
Haven grinned. “It’s not flattering.” Her smile faded. “The Healer who tended Hank said it got ugly. Are you okay?”
Only a Mystic could describe what they’d gone through as ugly. Did the Healer know words like mass carnage? Bloodbath?
“I’m fine. We’re all fine.” Pain burned in her back. She tapped Geoff’s shoulder. Without opening his eyes, he lifted his head, let Kyana reposition herself, then put his head back on her thigh. His even breaths told her the simple movement hadn’t pulled him completely out of sleep.
It was obvious Haven wasn’t buying what Kyana was selling, but she didn’t comment further. “Why don’t we head home? I picked up this fabulous bubble bath a couple weeks ago that you have to try.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “And Ryker will appreciate you smelling like flowers and not dead demon, believe me.”
“I don’t care what Ryker thinks about my smell.”
“Yes you do, lass.” This from Geoffrey, who turned over, nestling his face far too close to bits she’d rather he not nestle.
Haven nudged him with her foot. “Come on. Let’s find you two some clean clothes and a shower. Then we’ll grab lunch. Maybe by then Hank will be ready to start working and Ryker will be back.”
Kyana frowned but didn’t toss back a verbal assault since Haven provided the way to get her out of here before Drake’s name was mentioned.
Without bothering to open his eyes, Geoff grumbled and threw an arm over his face. Kyana smacked him on the head. “Move. My legs are numb.”
He sat up, rubbing his head. “Didn’t your mum ever teach you manners?”
“I’m sure she tried.”
He stood and helped Kyana to her feet. “A complete and utter failure, your mum,” Geoffrey teased as they headed downstairs through the restaurant portion of Spirits, waved farewell to Marcus, and stumbled their way outside. As they passed the portal alcove, Farrel and Crag stepped through. Then Larkin and Cahir. Kyana stopped. Watching. Waiting.
Disappointed, she huffed. She hated the idea of wasting an entire day. It didn’t matter that they were beaten, bloodied, and bruised. They had a job to do, a key to find, and a traitor to hunt. Sitting on her hands would do nothing to improve her mood.
“Finally awake?”
Ryker’s low voice turned her around. Her gaze traveled over him. He’d showered and now wore a horrible Hawaiian print shirt unbuttoned to reveal a white tee over a pair of worn khakis and, of course, sandals. The only evidence remaining of their adventure was a faint bruise on his cheek.
“My God, you’re blinding me. Who taught you how to dress?” She covered her eyes in mock horror.
“Very funny.” He brushed dirt from her hand. “You look like shit.”
“You sure know how to make a girl feel special,” she muttered.
He studied her in silence, his silver eyes softening. “Take the night off. I’ll help Hank start comparing the print with those names on our list. We can meet back up in the morning.”
Kyana hardened her stare. This was her investigation, her hunt, and she intended to be involved every step of the way. “There’s nothing wrong with me that a shower won’t cure. I sent Hank to get his family. He won’t be back for an hour, so if I’m quick, I can squeeze one in.”
Ryker smiled. “That was a kind thing for you to do.”
Kyana rolled her eyes. “I need him to concentrate on his job. If having his family near allows him to do that, then I’ll suffer through having two more humans stuffed into that little room.”
“Still, maybe you’re learning to try something besides fear and intimidation to get your way.”
“Maybe you’re suffering from brain lesions from all the colors you’re wearing and reading way more into my actions than exist.”
“Come on, lass. We’ve got showers and a nice big bed calling our names.”
Ryker’s smile died a quick death. “You’re going home with him?”
Ryker forced his features to stay neutral. He knew the rules of the Order kept Kyana and Geoff apart, but he hated that smooth, easy bond they shared. It ate at his insides knowing Geoff knew a part of Kyana that she’d never introduce him to.
“I need a shower and his place is more convenient than mine,” Kyana finally answered. Her eyes darkened. “Unless you have a better offer?”
Gods, did he. He just wasn’t stupid enough to voice it. If he offered her his shower, she wouldn’t be taking one alone, and that wasn’t good for either of them, no matter how much she protested otherwise. Even dirty and bloody, she was still the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. He wanted her, and had come close to convincing himself he could take Kyana on her terms without losing himself. It didn’t matter that now wasn’t the time—that their combined missions had to be their main focus. Sex, on his terms or hers, would complicate everything. And another complication was something they didn’t need.
Still, as petty as it sounded, he wanted to get her away from Geoffrey.
“We could find a Seer. Maybe get some insight on the names on our list.”
“While that’s not a bad idea, it’s a bit disappointing.” She smiled. “Besides, shouldn’t we wait until after Hank runs the print? He could find a match, and a trip to Seer land won’t be needed.”
Kyana looked at Haven and Geoff. “You guys go ahead. I’ll catch up.”
“Fine,” Geoff muttered. “But that bloody wanker’s just going to put you in a bad mood.”
“Who knows, perhaps he’s going to take my advice and get it right.” Haven’s soft laughter hung in the air as she grabbed Geoffrey’s arm and pulled him away.
When they were alone, Ryker found Kyana watching him. Though she was still smiling, it no longer reached her eyes. “What now?”
“Haven gave you advice? About me?”
“Yeah, she did.” He rubbed his hand along the back of his neck.
“Elaborate?”
Ryker wasn’t sure what prompted him to lace his fingers with Kyana’s, but it felt right. Tingles of heat spiraled up his arm as her skin absorbed his warmth. “We have about an hour before Hank’s going to be back so why don’t we just walk on the beach or find someplace to sit quietly for a while and forget about advice and embarrassment.”
The image of her curled around his body as waves licked at their skin seared his blood and made him hard. Being good was coming with a very steep price to pay. Maybe the sane and safer thing to do would be to just fuck her and get her out of his system.
Could he do that? With the strong pull to her, could he just walk away and pretend it never happened? As Geoffrey would say, Not bloody likely.
She grinned and pulled her hand from his. Nope, she definitely isn’t ready for more than a quick lay.
“We’re on a mission to save the world and you want a stroll on the beach?” She placed a hand to his chest.
“What are you doing?”
She shrugged. “Just checking for breasts.”
He stroked his finger along her jaw. “Very funny.”
If her gaze fell now, there’d be no hiding his attraction to her. He shifted and turned away, pulling her behind him.
He led her toward the bungalow he lived in on the beach. He wanted to see her hair spilling over his pillows and touch her till the scent of her body covered his sheets. If he offered it, she’d take it. And he’d spend a million nights afterward regretting it.
It might be worth it.
Chapter Twenty
Ryker lay on the sand next
to Kyana, her head resting against his shoulder. Surprisingly, she hadn’t snatched her hand away this time when he’d laced his fingers with hers as she slept, and now her fingers tightened around his as she fought off whatever demon plagued her dreams. It hadn’t taken more than a few minutes for her to doze off beside him, but since they couldn’t do anything until Hank was ready to work again, he let her sleep, wishing his connection to her had lingered long enough to witness what had her so disturbed.
Was it Henry again? The sultan? Maybe the father he’d sensed Kyana loathed. Whatever it was caused Kyana to moan and rub her body against him in fitful slumber, forcing him to tighten his hold on her until she calmed.
Lying beside her now didn’t make it easy to keep his boundaries from crumbling.
When they’d first arrived on the beach, she’d bathed in the shower he’d built outside his bungalow and toweled off, refusing to dress again until her body completely air-dried. Leather, it seemed, did not slide easily onto a damp body.
It hadn’t been the first time Ryker had seen her body, but seeing it covered in the ocean he worshipped had nearly crippled him. She’d lain down to rest, and the minute she’d fallen asleep, he’d covered her body with his shirt and cradled her against his bare chest, her breasts pressed against his skin, killing him a little each time she moved. He was glad she hadn’t asked him to go inside his place. He hadn’t wanted her in his home. Hadn’t wanted to return there later, alone, and have it smell of her. It would have driven him mad.
Now, more than the feel of her naked body, it was the closeness he craved, the bond that was forming between them. She no longer looked at him with loathing in her eyes, recalling his ten-year-old rejection. He couldn’t push for more.
Yet.
Careful not to wake her, he shifted enough to watch her. Even in sleep the lines of stress around her eyes didn’t ease. Did she ever completely relax? Did she ever allow anyone to take some of the pressures off her shoulders? Did she ever trust anyone?
He knew so little about her. And what he had learned over the years wasn’t favorable. Now that he’d worked so closely with her, he knew most of what people feared about Kyana was nothing more than her way of keeping people from getting close. She’d fight to the death to protect her friends or to do her duty to the Order. But despite her claim not to care, he’d never seen her deliberately harm, or allow harm to come to an innocent. Not even the humans. And if anyone had reason to hate the human race, it was Kyana. He’d seen enough of her dreams to know she was justified in her anger toward them, her mistrust.