“Are you okay?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, I guess so,” I replied. “Confused as hell about what's happening. And who all those people Quint killed were.”
She exchanged a quick glance with Quint and then shook her head. “We'll need to explain it all to you soon. But for right now, we need to get you somewhere safe.”
Quint's arm was still around me and he guided me down the path toward a car that was waiting. The mysterious woman walked beside me, saying nothing. I looked at the ground, at the bodies we were leaving behind and had to fight back a wave of nausea. But as we walked, I couldn't help but notice something strange – the ground looked charred. As did some of the bodies.
“What happened here?” I asked.
The woman looked at me, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Looks to me like lightning strikes.”
“Alynna,” Quint said, a note of warning in his voice.
I looked up at the sky, noticing that there wasn't a single cloud up there. Lightning strikes? What in the hell was she talking about?
They got me to the black SUV that was waiting and loaded me into the back seat. Quinn got in on one side of me and the woman he'd called Alynna climbed in on the other. Two of the big, bad, bulky men who'd escorted us down the path also climbed in – one was the driver while the other guy rode shotgun. It felt like I had my own little protective detail of my very own, like I was the president or something.
“Drive,” Quint said. “To my apartments.”
“Right away,” he said and sped off.
We were in the car about twenty minutes and nobody spoke. The silence in the vehicle was oppressive and awkward as hell. On the plus side of things, my head was starting to clear up a bit and I didn't feel so sick to my stomach.
The car stopped in front of a very posh looking apartment building. I would have called them condos, actually. Because only insanely wealthy people could afford an apartment in that building. The driver and passenger got out, opening up the rear passenger side door. Quint got out and I slid down the seat, following him out the door. Alynna was right behind me.
Moving as one unit, we walked toward the front doors of the building. They surrounded me, making it impossible for anybody to see me, let alone attack me. I looked around, trying to see, but the large men who were flanking me made that virtually impossible.
We walked into the lobby and I stepped into an elevator with Quint and Alynna. The other four men walked to the other elevator, given that they all wouldn't fit into that one. Quint used a key card and the elevator chimed once before heading straight up.
“Penthouse?” I asked him.
He nodded, his face still grim. The air in the elevator was tense – for the most part. I caught Alynna looking me up and down again, a bemused smile on her face.
“What?” I asked her.
She shook her head, that look of bemusement never fading. “Nothing,” she said. “Nothing at all.”
The elevator chimed again and the door slid open and when I stepped out, my jaw nearly hit the floor. It was an amazing apartment. Beautiful. The wall in the living room directly across from the elevator was made entirely of glass, offering a view of downtown LA. I looked at the twinkling lights of the city down below as I stepped to the window, completely awestruck.
A moment later, the elevator chimed again and the four big, burly men stepped out, silently taking a position next to the elevator doors. Whether it was to keep people out or keep me in, I wasn't sure. All I knew was that this whole thing was beginning to feel more and more like a mafia deal or something and it made me nervous.
“Nice, isn't it?”
I turned and found Alynna standing behind me. She still looked amused by me and it was pissing me off. I felt a surge of energy in me – the same sort of surge I'd felt just before passing out in the park. It scared me, but at the same time, Alynna's eyes widened slightly and she took a step back, the look of amusement on her face melting away.
“I don't mean to upset you,” she said, her voice carrying the faint trace of an accent I couldn't place. “My apologies.”
“Then why are you smirking at me?”
“I'm not really smirking at you,” she said. “It's just that – you're not quite what I expected, I suppose.”
I looked at her, my eyes narrowing, that build up of energy inside of me not abating. “Who are you, anyway?”
“I'm Quint's – friend,” she said. “Friend and business associate.”
“Friend?” I asked, feeling a sudden stab of pain in my chest. “Are you like – dating him or something?”
She let out a snort of laughter and shook her head. “Oh, dear God, no,” she said. “Quint is like a brother to me.”
I realized how ridiculous it was, but hearing that made me feel slightly better. That pain in my heart eased a bit, leaving me feeling foolish for having that sudden spike of jealousy in the first place. It wasn't like Quint belonged to me. We'd been out on one date. One date that had ended in the murder of six people. I shuddered at the memory of seeing him stabbing those men.
“Not everything is as it seems, Astrid,” she said. “There are forces at work that you don't yet understand.”
“What are you talking about?”
Alynna looked away. “What I mean is –”
“Alynna,” Quint called. “Come.”
She gave me a sympathetic look before turning and heading off to talk to Quinn. Together, they walked down the hallway and stepped into an office, closing the door behind them. And I was left alone in the living room. Well, not exactly alone – I did have the four goons with me. But judging by the stern looks on their faces and the grim set to their jaws, they weren't going to be great conversationalists.
So, with nothing better to do, I started to poke around a bit. Quint's condo was thoroughly modern in design, but it was decorated with sort of an antique feel to it. The artwork was tasteful and nothing about the place was ostentatious or overdone – a rarity among people with money. I'd found that the wealthy had a need to display their wealth and ended up making their homes far more garish than perhaps, they intended. Or maybe they didn't care and just wanted to flaunt how much money they had.
There was a room off the living room and the door was ajar. I stepped over and pushed the door open, flipping on the light. I took a look back at the goons, but they hadn't moved a muscle. I stepped inside and looked around. It was Quint's library. Bookshelves lined the walls and were stuffed with books. Judging by their condition, they'd been read – some of them repeatedly. I guessed he hadn't lied about being a reader in his spare time.
One of the bookshelves had a glass door on it. Intrigued, I walked over and peered inside. It was a collection of rare first edition books. Quint had a collection that rivaled my own – and had quite a few volumes that were rarer than anything I had in my bookstore.
“I told you I was a reader.”
I turned and found Quint standing in the doorway looking at me. He stepped in and I found myself taking a step back involuntarily. I was suddenly afraid of him.
“You need not fear me, Astrid.”
“What do you expect?” I asked. “I just watched you murder six people.”
He shook his head. “Those weren't people. Not anymore.”
“No? Then what were they?” I asked. “And don't tell me demons again. I'm thinking a little more clearly now, so BS answers aren't going to fly with me.”
He sighed and slipped his hands into his pockets. “They are called the Shongtal,” he said. “They come from my home world, a place called Chondelai, and are in essence, demons. They feed on the life force of human beings.”
I stared at him, not believing what I was hearing. “Quint, I want answers,” I shouted. “Not – fairy tales.”
“Astrid, I want to give you answers. I want to tell you everything,” I said. “But there are certain things I don't know yet. I need to go and seek those answers. But what I've told you so far is the
truth. The Shongtal are very bad creatures. They're deadly and for some reason, they're very interested in you. I need to find out why because your life may be in danger.”
I looked at him, feeling my anger surging. “If they're demons, then what are you?”
He sighed. “I'm somebody you need to trust right now,” he said. “I can protect you. Keep you safe.”
“Yeah? And how will you do that?”
“I have to go away for a short time,” he said. “And while I'm gone, I would like you to stay here. My home is specially warded against the Shongtal. They cannot enter here. You'll be safe.”
“Quint, I have a business to run,” I said. “And that's besides the fact that I'm not real comfortable around you right now anyway.”
“I – understand,” he said, but I saw something like hurt flash through his eyes. “I know this is a lot to process. But please, just give me a little time to sort this out and find out what's going on. I just want to keep you safe.”
“I'm not staying here, Quint,” I snapped. “I have a life and a business.”
“Astrid –”
“No,” I shouted. “I'm not staying here. In fact, I'm going to leave right now.”
“I really wish you wouldn't.”
I stared daggers at him. “Am I a prisoner here?”
“Don't be ridiculous,” he said. “You are my guest.”
“Fine. Then, I'm leaving,” she huffed. “And I'd prefer it if you stayed away from me from now on.”
I walked past him and out of his library, storming over to the elevator doors. The goons stepped in front of the elevator, blocking my way. They looked at Quint who looked upset, but gave them a nod. The goons stepped out of the way and I stabbed the button with my finger. A moment later, the car arrived. I stepped inside and punched the button that would take me back down to the lobby.
I needed some time and space to sort out what had happened. I'd watched Quint kill people. Right in front of me. But there was that red light that came from their eyes when he stabbed them – how could I explain that? And what was that white light that had surrounded me. I had the crazy notion that it had come from within me, but I didn't see how that was even possible.
My head was spinning. There were too many questions and absolutely zero answers at the moment. And to top it all off, I was exhausted. I felt like I wanted to sleep for days.
I dug my phone out of my purse and called an Uber. I was going home and nobody, not even Quint, was going to stop me.
Chapter Thirteen
Quint
“Are you certain?” I asked.
Turo nodded. “Yes,” he said. “It's an ancient ritual. I had to really dig to find it, so I have no idea how the Shongtal were able to locate it. But if they use the blood of a child born of a Dragonborn and human union, they can seal the Doors forever.”
I paced the room with my hands clasped behind my back, a million thoughts spinning through my mind. Turo was one of the Keepers of Knowledge among the Dragonborn. They were the guardians of our history, our lore, and a host of other things we needed to know.
“And now you know why offspring between Dragonborn and human were discouraged all those years ago,” he said. “I'd heard stories about one child – though I had never given it much credence. Apparently, I was wrong to have dismissed it out of hand.”
I turned and looked at him. “Tell me the story.”
Turo sighed and nodded. He then told me the story of a child born to a Warden of the Lightning Clan and a human woman. That child was said to have been born twenty-three years ago. And perhaps, not so coincidentally, Astrid was twenty-three.
I listened to the story without interruption and when he was finished, I was absolutely convinced that Astrid was indeed the child born of two worlds. She was the key to the Shongtal ritual that would seal the Doors between Chondelai and the world of man forever.
Which meant, I needed to get back to my post. I needed to ensure Astrid's safety.
“Thank you, Turo,” I said. “You've been most helpful.”
I turned to go when he called my name. I stopped and turned around, unable to avoid seeing the look of concern in his eyes.
“Am I to understand that you know who this child is?”
I nodded. “I do.”
He let out a long breath. “Then I don't need to tell you the peril she places not just our world, but her own world in?”
“No, I understand quite clearly.”
“Then you know what must be done.”
I cocked my head. “Yes, I have to protect her.”
He gave me a sympathetic smile. “You have feelings for her.”
“Why would you say that?”
Turo leaned against a table filled with books and old scrolls. “It's written clearly upon your face, Quint.”
I didn't want to admit that I had feelings for Astrid. The last thing I wanted was for Turo or worse, the King of the Fire Clan to doubt my clarity or commitment to my post. I didn't want them thinking that my judgment was clouded.
“My job is to protect human life,” I said. “Astrid, despite who she is, is a life I swore an oath to protect and defend. And I plan on doing just that.”
“Take care, Warden, to not allow your mind to be clouded with emotion,” he said. “Because you may have to take one life to save billions more.”
I looked at him aghast. Was he really suggesting I kill Astrid?
“If the Shongtal are able to take this girl,” he said, “they will wreak havoc upon two worlds. They will destroy them both. Do you want to be responsible for that sort of catastrophe?”
“Of course not.”
“Then your only choice may be to prevent her from falling into Shongtal hands,” he said. “By any means necessary. Even killing her.”
“My judgment is fine,” I said. “And I will defend my territory in the way I see fit, Keeper.”
“Do not compromise Chondelai or the world of man because you have a crush, boy.”
I hadn't been part of Astrid's life for very long, but I knew that it was much more than just a crush already. And his insinuation that I kill her to protect her world and ours, though logical, was monstrous to me.
“You worry about your job,” I said. “And let me worry about mine.”
I turned and walked out of his chamber, my anger barely restrained. Was I letting my emotion cloud my judgment? Would we all be better off if I took Astrid off the board permanently? On the one hand it made sense – deny her to the Shongtal and ensure the Doors remained open. On the other hand though, I couldn't justify taking an innocent life. Especially Astrid's.
Yeah, I might care about her a little too much for my own good, but that was my burden to bear. I would not let it interfere with my duty as a Warden. Or had I already?
I stepped through the Door, a million unresolved questions in my mind. The only certainty I knew though, was that I cared about Astrid and would give my life to protect her. Just as I would give my life to protect all of humanity from the Shongtal.
Chapter Fourteen
Astrid
It had been almost two weeks since I'd last seen Quint and truth be told, I missed him. It was silly given the fact that we'd only gone out on one date – two, if you counted that first night at the restaurant – but I missed him. For reasons I didn't understand and couldn't explain, I was drawn to him. Really, really drawn to him. And not just because he was a gorgeous man – which he was. It went deeper than that.
I'd picked up the phone, intending to call him a thousand times over the last couple of weeks. But I'd put it back down without dialing, every single time. There was still so much that didn't make sense about our last meeting. So much I didn't understand.
And I still couldn't get over the fact that I'd seen him kill.
After that night and everything he'd told me, I'd done a ton of research on the Shongtal. Of course, there was nothing in scholarly literature about it. As far as academics knew, they didn't exist. Nonetheless I'd
done some deeper digging, had read blogs and articles by cryptozoologists and other conspiracy theory nuts. That had been like striking a gold mine.
There was an endless amount of information about the Shongtal – though nothing conclusive or definitive. It was all speculation, rumor, and personal testimonials. But the common threads were enough. They sort of tied everything Quint had told me all together.
I didn't say that I necessarily believed in this creature – but I was open minded enough to not shut the door on the possibility. After all, I still had no explanation for the red light shooting out of their eyes I'd seen just before they died. I knew that wasn't a human thing. But my logical mind told me that I was simply seeing things that weren't there. That the situation was so traumatic and stressful that I'd hallucinated. The more I tried to convince myself of that though, the more I ended up not believing it.
Still what I'd seen – or thought I'd seen –wasn't enough for me to go on. I needed more proof. Moreover, I had no idea how to go about getting more because I didn't know how to make heads or tails of any of this.
I wanted to talk to Piper about it. Get a little perspective and some cold, hard logic. But I'd quickly rejected the idea simply because I didn't want her to think I'd gone nuts. I had nobody I could talk to about any of this. Except for Quint – and I wasn't going to do that.
The phone to the shop rang and I snatched it up, thankful to have a distraction, something to get my mind off of Quint, red-eyed demons, and everything else. I cleared my throat and put the phone to my ear.
“Thanks for calling The Attic, how can I help you?”
I was greeted by nothing more than silence on the other end of the line.
“Hello?”
I thought I heard something through that silence. It sounded like – breathing. Not the heavy breather type of prank call, just the sound of somebody sitting there with their own phone pressed to their ear, breathing normally into the receiver. I didn't know why, but that seemed a little more unnerving.
“Last chance,” I said.
Nothing but more of the breathing.
“No? Okay, take care.”
I hung up the phone quickly and felt the ominous finger of dread sliding its way up my spine. I had no reason to feel nervous about a simple prank call. After all, it was probably just some dumb kid dialing random numbers, trying to get a rise out of whoever answered.
Mated to a Bear (Legends of Black Salmon Falls Book 3) Page 119