by Kelly Hall
“Then you’ll just have to come and work for me. You’ll be rid of the Church and better off. I’ll make you a member of my personal guard.”
“You don’t have a personal guard,” mumbled Dixon.
Ignis chuckled at that one, and Rebekah gave him a dirty look for listening in.
“I’ll call them. I’ll get you the car back.” Rebekah hung up the phone and looked at Ignis. “Jarreth and Canter ran off with the car. He tried to make them wash it.”
Ignis narrowed his eyes. “I know Jarreth might pull a stunt like that, but do you really think Canter would?” He hadn’t known it to be in his nature.
“No, it’s got me worried. If they drove away, it was for a reason.”
About that time, Rebekah heard a car engine in the distance. “That might be them.” She hurried down the side of the railing and then landed on her feet on the bottom deck.
After whistling for Gus, who took his time walking over, she stepped off onto his back and let him glide through the water with her. Once she could reach the shallows, Talia called from the boat.
“Is everything okay?”
Rebekah shrugged. “I hope.” She hurried out, and when she reached the shore, Jarreth and Canter ran out of the tall grass and stopped when the water covered their boots. She could tell by the look on their faces that it was something terrible.
Jarreth wasted no time with greetings. “Dad called. Grady attacked his camp.”
“That stupid fool. Did they kill him?”
“No, he didn’t come alone. He brought the stigmata with him. Delilah must have told Dad all about it. He said the men had wounds consistent with it. It was a slaughter. We knew you needed to know right away, and you didn’t answer your phone.”
“The signal is weak, but I did manage to get a call through from Dixon.”
Jarreth rolled his eyes. “Let me guess. He’s not happy.”
Rebekah nodded. “He’s not going to be happy when he finds out I’m taking the car to Utah, either, but he’ll get over it. I have to find out if this is the stigmata. I know we killed the mage. That’s for certain, but if this thing was only using the mage to do his dirty work, he could be using Grady to do the same.”
Jarreth breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad to hear you say that. I know Dad is shaken from all of this, and I’d like to be there for him.”
Canter remembered the last time the stigmata was out to kill off the Huntress’s bloodline. “If Brock is right and this is the stigmata, that means it could still be looking for you, Rebekah. Or worse, a way to get to the baby.”
“Just what I need. Another enemy I’m not sure how to kill.” She let out a long breath and headed back to Gus, who waited to bring her back. “I’ve got to tell the others. I’ll have Aziel stay here, Ignis should get back to the castle, and we’ll leave as soon as possible. Get the car gassed up.”
About that time, something dark swam up to the shallow bank, and Tori emerged with Talia. She took one look at Jarreth and got excited. She got to her feet and hurried over with her long, wet hair hiding her breasts. She wore a short scarf around her hips that covered everything else, just barely.
Before Jarreth could think, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him full on the mouth. “I thought I missed you before, but you’re back! Thanks for saving my sister!”
Jarreth glanced over at Canter who lifted his brow in an accusing way. “Don’t say anything about this,” he warned.
Canter smiled. “You better stay on my good side.”
Jarreth escaped her grip. “It’s no problem, really. I didn’t do anything. But I’m afraid I have to go now.” He couldn’t get away from her fast enough.
Tori’s bluish lips turned down. “Oh no, can’t you stay with me?” she asked in a sing-song voice as she began to give off a shrill hum.
Talia rose up from the water. “Enough, Tori.” She turned to Rebekah as Ignis misted across the bayou. “We came to see if everything is okay.”
Ignis formed beside Talia, the blue mist dissipating before their eyes. “What’s wrong?”
She wasn’t going to make him worry. “I have to go back to the 2K camp. But after that, we’ll be back home. You should meet me there, and I’ll tell you all about it then.” She turned to go with the guys, but Ignis grabbed her arm.
“Not so fast, Bexy. Something is troubling you. I can see it in your eyes.” He could see the storm clouds in them better than anyone.
“Brock’s camp was attacked, and we think it was the stigmata. I’m going to check it out.”
“But you killed the mage.” Ignis realized what this meant. Their last mission hadn’t been as successful as they thought.
“He said the attack came from Grady,” said Canter. “Does that make any sense to you?”
“It must be a dark energy. What if the stigmata is some kind of dark entity? Something that has to use a host to do its damage instead of something made manifest in a body by that person? And if it’s cohabitating in Grady’s body, it will know every thought in his mind, including where you are supposed to be.”
Rebekah nodded. “Which is why I need you back at the castle as soon as possible. Grady knew we were staying there.”
Ignis hated he couldn’t go with her. “Be safe, Bex. I’ll go home as soon as possible. I just wanted to make sure Tia was safe. I just couldn’t sit by and—well, I hope you understand.”
She gave him a nod. “I do. And tell Aziel to hurry too. I need him with us.”
“For his light?” Ignis hoped she would use Aziel any way she had to; damn the repercussions.
“I hope it doesn’t come to that. Michael will have his wings. Besides, if it’s the same as before, we know it didn’t work anyway.” With a final hug, Ignis misted away, and Talia swam after him.
Tori stood on the bank watching Jarreth with a longing in her eyes. “Be careful.” Then she dove into the water and swam away.
“Let’s go, Romeo,” said Canter.
Jarreth gave him a hard look. “Not one word.”
Rebekah followed after them, and by the time they got to the car, the angel was just a step behind them.
“Looks like the excitement never ends with you hunters,” he said, climbing into the back with Canter.
“Yeah, about that,” said Rebekah as she shut her door. “There’s something I should tell you.”
Chapter 15
Ignis wasted no time with long goodbyes, but instead of heading straight back to Rebekah’s castle, there was another kingdom he intended to grace with his presence. After misting his way for hours across the North Atlantic, he finally hit the Celtic Sea and made his way to shore. He had been to the castle more than a few times in his life, and even though he’d been livid about the situation with Talia, that didn’t compare to his anger now.
He found his way into a crack in the wall and then through a few rooms until he came to a door and slipped under it.
Kayne was too busy feeding to notice him at first. Ignis kept his blue mist close to the floor. But then as he formed and stood in front of the vampire, Kayne tossed aside his human blood bag and straightened to his full height. Kayne’s six-foot-three frame towered over Ignis, and his bulging muscles were much like Ethan’s, which was most likely what Rebekah found so damned appealing.
The woman, who was bleeding steadily from her neck, slumped to the floor. The feeling of ecstasy had her blind to what was really happening around her. All she knew was the pleasure had ebbed. “No, please don’t stop,” she said, clawing at his feet, needing another fix.
Kayne kicked her aside and moved toward Ignis, who held his ground. “Tell me one reason why I shouldn’t take your head off and hang it over my mantle.”
Ignis knew better than to flinch and wasn’t giving this asshole the honor. “Because aside from poor taste, you know Rebekah would hate you even more.”
Kayne’s chest heaved with anger. “Where is she? And what is the meaning of this intrusion?” He knew the mage had tric
ks, and he didn’t trust him one bit.
“She’s in the U.S. dealing with something she thought she’d defeated. But then, I thought I’d never see the thing again either.”
Kayne growled out a sound of frustration. “Stop speaking in code, and tell me why you’re here. I have no fucking time for riddles.”
Ignis looked him in the eyes and lifted his chin to show the old fanger he wasn’t afraid of him. “What did you do with it?”
“Do with what? You truly have lost your mind coming in here with that tone, demanding answers.”
“The shadow, you bastard. What did you do with it?” Ignis’s temper raged.
Kayne had never seen Ignis so pissed off, and it could only mean one thing. “Ah, finally told Rebekah about your dirty dealings with the big, bad vampire, did you?” Kayne licked the blood from his lips and pulled the girl to her feet to stare into her eyes.
“Go and remember nothing,” he said, wiping her memory before turning her loose.
The girl scampered out, scrambling for the door like a lost rat looking for its cheese.
The way Kayne manhandled her sickened Ignis. He pointed a finger toward the woman who finally found her way out. “That’s why you’re not good enough for my Bexy.”
“Of course, I am. I’m perfect for her. Rebekah was remade of my blood, or have you forgotten, Ignis? And do I have to remind you that I bought that fucking shadow of yours fair and square? What I did with it is my business.” He raked his hair back from his face.
“I think it’s causing problems for Rebekah and my family.” Ignis walked over to the candelabra and watched the flame dance atop the wick.
Kayne hoped that wasn’t true. “How so?”
Ignis let out a deep breath, trying to control his frustration. “There was a problem in New Orleans. One of my Talia’s sisters was led to an attack and badly injured.”
“I’m sure she tastes just as sweet as her sister did.” Kayne smirked at Ignis, hoping the words burned. He had noticed the mage was posturing with the whole my Talia shit, and he could play that game if he wanted. “What does this have to do with my Rebekah?”
Ignis gritted his teeth, the muscles in his jaw twitching. “She will never be yours, but aside from that, vampire, Tia claims she saw me just moments before she was attacked. And I know it wasn’t me, so it could have only been one thing. My shadow.” Ignis stepped back across the room to stand in front of the vampire. “Did you set her up? Did you use my shadow to send me a message?”
Kayne hadn’t seen the shadow in ages. He had no use for it, and after feeling like he’d gotten a raw deal in the exchange for his blood, he was glad to be rid of it. But he couldn’t tell Ignis that. He wanted him to think he still had it in his possession. At least until he could find it. “Why would I do anything like that?”
“Because I took Talia, and you’ve hated me for it since.”
Kayne walked across the room and grabbed a towel off his dresser. “I could go and get that little naiad slut and bring her back here kicking and screaming if I wanted. I could drain her dry and toss her to the sea before you could blink. Besides, if I was going to kill you over her, I’d have done it when you came to ask for my blood centuries ago.”
Back then, Ignis had been terrified to go to the castle and try to make the deal, but he had gone for Rebekah’s sake. Knowing the vampire had wanted his shadow, his darkness, in exchange for Talia years before Ignis had stolen her away gave him his one bargaining chip.
When he realized he needed Kayne’s blood to ensure Rebekah’s transformation was a success and that she didn’t die in the process, he traded his shadow for enough of it to do the spell.
“Something is out there. I believe it’s coming for Rebekah, and it’s only going to get stronger when it has her. If you have anything to do with that—”
“I don’t. Despite the fact that you think of me as a reprobate bastard who cares for no one but himself, I can assure you that couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to Rebekah.”
“Rebekah sacrificed a lot coming to you for help with this before, and if I find out that you lied to her, that you’re responsible, you won’t have to worry about her coming for you. I’ll hit you where it hurts.”
Kayne smiled at the idle threats, but then Ignis’s words registered. “You’re talking about the dark mage, the same enemy Rebekah defeated with the angel’s light?”
“She’s on her way to investigate it now to be sure, but some have reported that the dark energy is back and it’s puppeteering its victims. It’s my guess that Tia saw it when it went to take on another form, and that’s why it looked like me. It’s the only thing that makes any sense. If this energy is the same, it took on that other mage’s form. That means it can take on anyone’s form. It could come to Rebekah as someone she trusts.”
Kayne didn’t like something out there having that kind of power to come against her. Especially when she didn’t understand her full potential. “Then you should probably tell her the truth.”
Ignis couldn’t agree. There were some things that she didn’t need to know, and he knew Kayne had his own selfish reasons for wanting Rebekah to know about his blood. “What do you think would happen then? Do you think Rebekah would suddenly want you? Spread her legs for you? You failed to see the bigger picture then and you’re not seeing it now. She’s always going to choose her Fellowship, and you’ll never be more than her enemy. She was made a hunter. If you believed anything else, you’d have already told her the truth by now.”
Kayne saw that Ignis’s betrayal was bad enough to hurt Rebekah, and he wasn’t going to take the brunt of the anger Ignis deserved. “How do you know Rebekah hasn’t already spread her legs for me? I’ve tasted her blood, mage. Felt the ecstasy as it hit my tongue. She’s mine, and she always will be. Having her is just a matter of time, and if you need someone to blame for that, it’s you. You made her what she is.” His smile was wicked, and it felt good to put the mage in his place.
“Have you ever wondered for a minute if yours was not the only blood I used? That all of those keen senses could have come from more than one enemy?”
Kayne’s face fell into a hard expression. “What did you do?”
“Exactly what you said I did. I made her everything she is.” With that, Ignis disappeared, the mist quickly moving through a crack in the wall and then carried out on the wind toward Rebekah’s castle home.
Kayne’s rage rumbled his castle’s walls. It can’t be true. Fucking mage!
Ignis knew the others weren’t expecting him back so soon, so when he finally made it back home, he decided to stop off at the south tower before heading north, to edit his journals. It wasn’t that he needed to change anything he’d written, but he needed to make sure that nothing could be found. With Canter snooping around, an order given by Rebekah, who was the only person who could have told him about the tunnel entry, he would have to make sure that Canter couldn’t find what he was looking for.
He reformed in the room, startling the cat, who quickly recovered and walked over to rub against his legs. “Thanks for the tip-off, little buddy.”
He couldn’t believe that Kayne had let the shadow go, and while he didn’t fully understand the stigmata, it stood to reason if his shadow was loose, it had come into contact with a stigmata at some point. Perhaps even Bexy’s own mother.
He looked down at the stack of books. Now to get busy reading. Lucky for him, he had a pretty good idea where the entries about his bargains with Kayne were written, and he went to the volumes with no problem and pulled them out of the stack. He walked over to the table and lost himself in the pages of his life.
Chapter 16
Delilah sat on the floor at the coffee table and pulled the pink nail polish across Katie’s fingernail with complete concentration and very little precision. “I suck at this. I can’t believe we’re sitting here, painting each other’s nails while the men are back in the states with all the action.”
“I
t looks fine,” said Katie, wiping off what got on her skin. “And don’t get me started on the guys. Especially after a day in the kitchen with Lulu.” The tedious chores had taken their toll on her hands and her ego.
Delilah wished she could have worked in the kitchen. “It’s better than spending the day with Sister Frankie.” She rolled her eyes. “I swear, it’s so hard to remember not to call her that anymore, and now Father Timms—excuse me, Randall—had to go and ditch his title too?”
Katie laughed. “I know. Randall? Can you imagine calling him that? I can’t. There’s no way. Sorry, dude, but you’re always going to be Father Timms to me.”
Delilah laughed. “I know, right? I had to help Sis—ugh—Frankie, change all the sheets and start the laundry. Have you seen how many beds this place has?” Delilah hated laundry.
“Yeah, well, with you and Jarreth sleeping together and me and Canter doing the same, at least that’s two beds you didn’t have to worry about.”
Delilah shook her head. “Not a chance. Jarreth wanted to try both of ours. He likes variety.”
Katie covered her mouth and laughed. “Canter’s not that complicated.”
Delilah laughed. “I like to call Jarreth adventurous.”
A moment later, Liam walked into the room from the main hall and stopped when he saw the young huntresses. “Hey, ladies. Looking good.”
Delilah looked up at him with narrowed eyes. “I’m still pissed at you, you little fiend.”
“I said I was sorry,” Liam said, his voice getting higher. “My hand slipped.”
“You’re going to be a virgin for the rest of your life if you keep pulling that kind of shit on women,” said Katie.
“I’m not a virgin,” he said defensively. “I’m nearly sixteen, baby. I’ve been around.”
Delilah knew better. “Jarreth told me you said you’d never touched a boob before.”
Liam looked her dead in the eye. “Yeah, so what? As small as yours are, I still haven’t.”
Before Delilah could open her mouth for a comeback, Mace ran in from down the hall. Her excitement got the girls to their feet “Delilah, I think I finally got it.”