Ebony Fight (The Guard Duet Book 2)

by Herzer, Natalie

  But none came.

  Wes sighed and went on, “You treat her like a yo-yo, man. One day hot, the other cold. She doesn’t deserve that.”

  “Sarah trusted me to keep her safe, and we all know damn well how that turned out.”

  Wes snorted. “Don’t. Don’t come and use the Dave-excuse. Abby can take care of herself, dude. You keep forgetting that you’re our leader, not the local baby sitter.” He was in his element, trying to hammer home his point, “Life is short, Sam. So why the hell don’t you embrace it? You’re hiding behind excuse after excuse. For what? You’re scared, I get it, but guess what…so is Abby. Treating her like shit because of it isn’t fair to anyone. Look at Sarah, look at Dave…life isn’t made to go through it alone, but to cherish it and share it with the one who makes it more. Don’t be a freaking fool, man. You love her! So…” Wes took a deep breath. “Show her. Or I’ll pummel you to a pulp. I mean it.”

  Tears burned at the back of her eyes. She could kiss Wes. Her heart flooded with warmth, realizing that she wasn’t alone even if Sam didn’t want to be with her.

  You love her, echoed through her mind.

  Belatedly and numbly, it dawned on her that Sam hadn’t protested against Wes’ claim - at all. Shell-shocked, Abby didn’t know what to do when she suddenly heard footsteps approaching. Before she could figure out what to do, Wes was in front of her.

  Frozen to the spot, she could only stare wide-eyed.

  His eyes took her in and a small smile played at his lips. He saw it all, she guessed. Her love and worry and fear. Without a word he simply pulled her into a tight hug.

  “Go get him, girl, if that’s what you want. But…if he should ever hurt you again…”

  “I know, you’ll kick his ass.”

  Wes’ smile grew wicked. “Actually, I was hoping you would do that…and send me an invite to watch.”

  Despite all that had happened, Abby laughed and was grateful for it. Rising on her toes, she kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Wes.”

  “No problem. Now go.” With a wink he disappeared into the night.

  Rubbing clammy hands against her jean-clad thighs, Abby gathered all her courage. Going into her first battle had been easier than this, she thought as she swallowed her rising panic.

  Sam seemed lost in thought, but his head snapped up the moment she stepped inside. Leaning against the counter, his hair tousled and his eyes tired, he looked more handsome than ever. There was something raw and vulnerable about him that tugged at her.

  She tried for a smile but wasn’t sure whether she managed one. “Hey.”

  “Hey.” His gaze went from her to the darkness of the patio beyond her. “You heard?”

  Abby bit her lip and then simply nodded, not trusting her voice.

  Sam shook his head and sighed, a sad laugh escaping him. “I never would have thought that I’d be handed my ass on a platter by Wes…especially concerning matters of the heart. Seriously…of all things…of all people.”

  He looked up and their gazes locked. He shifted closer until he was right in front of her. Abby’s heart was a drum inside her chest, when first his eyes and then his fingers caressed her face. A sigh escaped, after she’d yearned for his touch for so long.

  “He’s right. I treated you like shit, and you deserve so much better.”

  “I don’t care about deserving - who is to say what I do or don’t.” With her heart and soul bared, she confessed, “All I know is that I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  He leaned his forehead against hers, the sweet gesture so infinitely intimate. His voice was soft, his breath a warm kiss on her lips, “I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m scared. I couldn’t stop wondering what would happen if I lost you too. And one day that thought was just…unbearable.”

  Her heart broke for him. “It’s okay. I understand that now.”

  “No. What I didn’t understand was that whatever time we have left is best shared.”

  Music drifted from the lounge then, probably from whatever movie the others were watching. The melody was a soft whisper of love and longing. Wrapping one of his arms around her waist and taking her hand in his other, he swayed gently.

  Lost in him, the rest of the world disappeared as he drew her even closer. Reveling in his warmth, she rested her head on his shoulder.

  Sam bent his head, his warm breath was a whisper at her ear, raising goose bumps, “I love you, too, Abby.”

  Smiling up at him with tears in her eyes, Abby knew she was finally home.

  TWENTY-ONE

  Stone stepped through the hellhole and the world bled, turning from a deep pink to the color of wounded flesh. The heavy beat of music greeted him, accompanied by guttural moans coming from the shadows of the alley to his left. The scent of cheap sex filled the air.

  Home sweet home, Stone thought as he took in the streets of the slums. Anyone and anything was on offer here. Not wasting another moment, he boosted himself up into the crimson sky and flew downtown towards the marquis’ tower rising up in the distance.

  The wind embraced him like a lover as he cherished the power of his wings. Within seconds the city spread beneath him, its streets like pumping veins that lead the way to Hell’s heart. It was an endless maze of glittering lights caged only by the horizon. In the crimson darkness, it could almost be described as beautiful, but something was missing to make it complete. He was stunned to realize that he’d grown accustomed to the flavors of New Orleans. Here the air was dead, either as dry as bone dust or sticky with the taste of copper. No moss, no humid heat, no lush greenery. No life.

  Still, Stone relished the thrill as he dropped night’s cover, tucking his wings close to his body while he arrowed down towards the ground. When the maze of cracks in the pavement became visible, he spread his wings like a chute and landed safely right between two geryons. The centaurs weren’t too happy about being caught off guard and reared up, their poisonous hooves kicking wildly.

  Stone ducked them easily, and merely flashed them a smile. “Relax guys, I have an appointment.”

  After walking in through the revolving doors, he approached the front desk. “The Marquis wishes to see me.”

  “We’re glad to have you back, Mr. Stone.” The succubus’ voice was made to seduce, just like the rest of her.

  With a hint of amusement he remembered that not long ago he’d considered the disguised offer, but now it didn’t rouse him at all. Curious, he looked at the woman more closely. A bow of a mouth that promised pleasure and big eyes in which a man could drown. Her finely sculptured face was framed by a curtain of dark brown locks that begged to be laid out on a pillow, or a man’s groin. Yes, it was all meant to entice. However, it failed to do just that. Over the top and too perfect, Stone realized. There was no fun to be offered in discovering the perfect imperfections. Her body was ideal, but to him it sparked about as much interest as a plastic mannequin, and her smile was just another weapon in her arsenal.

  Not like Becca’s at all.

  “He’s ready to see you. Just take…”

  “I know the way, thanks.”

  Something inside of him squeezed painfully when Becca’s face flashed in front of his eyes. Stone’s feet carried him to the lift while his mind drifted back to the witch gone rogue. To her big brown eyes that took on the world and a laugh so contagious it made even him want to smile. But the most beautiful of all was her spirit. Bubbling and free, it had turned into a light in his darkness. She was always ready to help and willing to give whatever she could, in whatever small way. How ironic, Stone thought. At first he’d thought her selflessness to be her greatest weakness, now he admired it the most.

  The elevator spat him out on the top level and once again Stone faced the wooden doors to the Marquis’ office. His gaze went to his inner wrist where the same symbol carved into the doors was marked on his skin. A dagger rising from the depths of Ebony wings. Every one of them a weapon in their own right.

  Icy fingers played alon
g his spine as the hairs on his nape stood on end.

  Stone turned to scan his surroundings. Had he been too distracted? Not paid attention?

  No.

  There was no one else in the passage but him, and the doors of the lift were still open, revealing nothing more than their plush interior. Not one to ignore his senses, Stone ordered himself to stay alert when he finally knocked on the wooden doors.

  They opened immediately and he was surprised to find that Andras wasn’t alone.

  An all too familiar woman was pacing the room, her arms crossed over her ample chest while Andras watched from the comfort of his chair behind his desk. Both of them stopped looked at him when he entered the office.

  “About time,” hissed Verin, his demon lord and the one who got him into this situation in the first place. Although, the way things were going, Stone mused he should probably thank her for it.

  She came closer, almost slithering with a slow sway of her hips. Her yellow, reptile eyes shot daggers at him while the tip of her tongue peeked out between her lips as if she could already taste him. Some considered her beautiful with those eerie eyes and the stretch of dark scales that ran from her cheekbones down to her neck, but Stone was glad he’d never discovered their entire path. He knew Verin was a snake in appearance and character.

  His gaze went to Andras. “I received your summoning and came as quickly as the situation allowed.”

  Andras inclined his head in recognition, but Verin snorted at that, one of her feet tapping against the wooden flooring in irritation. She wasn’t the demon of impatience without a reason. The Marquis ignored her like an annoying child, and so Stone decided to follow suit and focus on him instead.

  The man leaned back in his leather chair, linking his hands behind his head. “What have you learned?”

  “As you know, the witch is spreading rumors about change, and quite successfully at that. However, I found out that they’re based on truth.”

  “Ridiculous,” Verin hissed.

  Andras silenced the woman with one glance before facing Stone again. “What truth?”

  “It seems that the guy upstairs is of a mind to change the rules.”

  “Elaborate.”

  “A fair judgment based on actions and not birth for all of us, be it human, Ivory or demon. Everyone has a chance to go to Heaven.”

  The Marquis shifted forward, his chin elegantly braced in his hand. “Is that so?”

  “Yes.”

  Stone watched as Andras fell silent, his mind obviously racing as he took in the news and considered the enormity of the consequences.

  “She has to die,” Verin cut in.

  Although Andras didn’t seem too happy about the interruption, he inclined his head. “For once, I fear she’s quite right. That kind of change…” The Marquis shook his head, the bat within him surfacing for a split second. “We can’t afford to lose that amount of souls.” His gaze was hard when he added, “Kill her.”

  “Yes, my Lord. Any conditions?”

  Andras pursed his lips, thinking, and suddenly a careless smile curved his lips. “Actually, yes. I do guess it’s better for the other side to be blamed and not us, right? It should put an end to those irritating rumors of hers.”

  Relief was a palpable thing in Stone’s heart. “Right.”

  “Can you do it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Then take care of it.”

  “It might take a while. The witch has many powerful allies.”

  “Oh.” Andras looked intrigued. “And who might that be?”

  “Not just demons, but also Ivorys, angels. And even an oracle.”

  The Marquis’ brows climbed with curiosity. “An oracle?” He turned to Verin, “Who the hell might that be?”

  The demon lord frowned, then her eyes widened. One finger wagging, she smiled. “I have an idea. There was an oracle…” Her voice turned gleeful when she added, “One of Balan’s, I think. He slipped away years ago.”

  Andras eyes lit up. “Oh yes, I remember now. I thought he’d be dead by now.”

  Stone chuckled, “Oh, believe me. He won’t make it much longer.”

  The Marquis nodded, a hint of an approving smile twisting his lips, “Well, then I guess he won’t be much of a problem, will he?”

  “No, he won’t.”

  “Good. Just don’t let any blame fall on us. That’s all I ask of you.”

  Stone gave a sharp nod. “No problem, my Lord.”

  “I think we’re done here, then.” The Marquis leaned back in his chair, dismissing him.

  TWENTY-TWO

  After two days Becca felt like her house was filled to the brim with people and their noises, and decided she needed to get out. Even if only for a while. She’d promised Arthur to check on him anyway, and the quiet of the bayou was exactly what the doctor would prescribe.

  Knowing that Quinn and Sli would be in the capable hands of Linda and Abby, Becca hummed cheerfully as she climbed into her put-put and headed out onto the water. The morning sun trickled through the lush greenery and Becca lifted her face to let the warm rays play on her skin. Birds were chirping along, and the maze of trees felt like a secret garden. It was such a beautiful day and she hoped with all her heart to see Stone’s face before nightfall. It would be the icing on her cake.

  She missed him.

  It was quite incredible that the man she’d thought as cold as his namesake had turned out to be her rock, her tower of strength and anchor to life. She’d felt more alive the last few weeks than ever before in her life. He was so different, and yet she sensed that deep within there was a yearning for peace that both of them shared. He’d learned to smile, and Becca had no trouble admitting that she would like to believe she triggered some of them. They were still rare, but all the more precious to her for it.

  A lot had changed. She’d healed Dave without giving too much of herself, and had to thank her brother for it. He was growing up quickly now, and even though Stone and Quinn didn’t have much time to train yet, she could already see the changes in him. A reliable male figure had been missing from his life, and to her it seemed that Stone actually enjoyed filling out that position. It probably gave him a different sort of satisfaction than fighting as an Ebony ever could. Becca knew only too well that the years would rush by in a flash, and soon Quinn would drop the remnants of his childhood like a costume outgrown, and stand before her as a man. She was already utterly proud of him.

  Images, like snippets of a dream, flickered in her mind. Of Quinn at his high school graduation, of him choosing a college…and Becca found herself smiling like a girl at the hope that Stone would be there to share those moments with her. Laughing, she chastised herself. It seemed her mind was running away with her whenever Stone was involved.

  Since Becca didn’t have to weave any confusion spells this time, it took her only twenty minutes to reach her destination instead of the forty she’d needed with Stone around. A branch hung low and then parted like a curtain to reveal Arthur’s crooked little home. A smile tugged at her lips, but disappeared as cold shivers ran down her spine.

  There was no one on the jetty.

  She tried to calm herself with logic. Maybe Arthur just hadn’t set up yet. He was probably still busy donning that funny fishing outfit of his. With practiced movements, Becca moved her put-put closer to the side of the jetty until she could moor it and jump out.

  It was too quiet.

  No birds, no music or humming, only the water lapping softly at the shore.

  Fear gripped her heart. Dropping logic and pretenses, Becca ran to the house and threw the door open without bothering to knock.

  “Arthur?”

  The kitchen was empty.

  Her heart beat in her throat. “Arthur?”

  She stopped short in the doorway to the living room. Relief and love flooded her. There he was, sleeping in his armchair in front of the fireplace. His head had lolled forward, his chin resting on his chest. His blanket was a tangl
e around his knees, and a book lay open on the old wooden floor. It must have slipped out of his hands when sleep had taken over. Tilting her head, she smiled softly and tip-toed closer. She picked up the book and put it on the table next to him before crouching to pull up the blanket.

  It was then she noticed the mark on his neck.

  A thin black bruise marring his skin. It looked almost like a cut.

  Her mind refused to comprehend.

  Becca reached out with a trembling hand. She had to know. Brushing away his hair, she cried out when she saw his blood-shot eyes staring without sight. She fell back on the hard floor, scrambled away from him.

  It couldn’t be.

  Her body shook, uncontrollably, as her thoughts staggered, stopped and then fell all over each other.

  Arthur was dead.

  How?

  He couldn’t be dead.

  Was the killer still here?

  Her heart felt like a butterfly caught in a net, beating way too fast as shock took a firm hold of her body, trapping it.

  “Arthur…” Tears streamed down her cheeks, unnoticed until she clamped a hand over her mouth.

  This couldn’t be.

  But his eyes were dead.

  Her stomach churned. Becca hurried to get herself off the floor and onto her shaky legs. She’d barely made it out the door when her body rebelled.

  Becca had no recollection of how she’d made it out of the oracle’s cabin and back home. The only thing she did remember was feeling lost, so lost, while the sun glared down on her as if mocking her earlier hopes and dreams. She made it to her jetty and then broke down, a heap of flesh on the old wood.

  Why?

  Why Arthur? After all this time.

  His wicked smile flashed in her mind’s eye. He’d worn that grin the first time they’d met. When he came knocking at her door right after they’d moved in and said he would help her with her cause. At the time she’d thought he’d meant the fact that she was trying for a better life for Quinn, but after Lillian and Raz showed up she’d known her journey wasn’t over yet.