A Council of Betrayal

by Kim Schubert

  Jerry brushed imaginary dust from his shoulder. “I know.”

  Mark pushed ahead through the dense foliage.

  “Does anyone know what we are looking for?” I asked, trying to summon the picture from Tommy’s computer.

  “Here,” Mark said, passing me his phone. Green waxy leaves with little red flowers met my gaze.

  I grunted, “It’s gotta be the flowers that cause it.”

  “Why do you say that?” Jerry asked.

  “It would make sense that something so small could be so deadly,” I answered. “Did Sage ever call you back?” I asked.

  “No,” Mark grunted.

  I nodded and thought, she must know I’m here.

  It didn’t matter, I was perfectly capable of handling this with Mark and Jerry. The bitch’s help was not needed.

  “What is it, Olie?” Mark asked. “I can feel your irritation and resolve.”

  I huffed, “That is going to take time to get used to. I was just thinking we don’t need her help.”

  Mark nodded and we proceeded on our nature walk.

  Five hours later we made it back to the SUV.

  “Why didn’t we take water, again?” I grunted, opening the door and searching for the bottle I had purchased at the last gas station.

  Grunts met my question as they searched for their own refreshments.

  Jerry came up for air first. “I feel we can cross this location off our list.”

  “Agreed,” Mark grunted, sitting in the passenger seat.

  “We passed a hotel not far back. It looked clean,” Jerry said, starting the car.

  …

  I had my bags slung over my shoulder as we climbed the stairs to our suite.

  “Why are we taking the stairs?” Jerry complained. “I have blisters the size of quarters.”

  I chuckled. “It was faster, and Mark is carrying your luggage.”

  “But he’s not carrying me,” Jerry whined.

  We exited the stairwell in front of our rooms. I opened my door, tossing my bags onto the bed before I opened the door to the suite.

  Jerry had his door open also.

  “Hey Olie, just remember if this door’s a-rocking, don’t come a-knocking,” Jerry teased.

  I laughed, “What about your blisters?”

  He huffed, “Darling, it’s all in the hips.”

  “Goodnight, or actually morning, I guess,” I told them, leaving my door cracked and heading for the shower.

  The hot water soothed some of my irritation with Sage, but it didn’t sit well. Assuming she knew I was here, why would she not call Mark back, knowing Logan would find out? And if she didn’t know I was here, why was she ignoring Mark?

  My gut said something was wrong, very wrong.

  Dressed in a nightshirt and pants, I sprawled on the bed, texting Logan.

  First stop was a bust. How’s Ginny?

  She’s good, feeding right now. Lorraine had us served.

  That didn’t take long. What does she want?

  Full custody, child support, and alimony.

  Greedy fucking bitch, I answered. I don’t suppose she has bothered to check in on how Ginny is doing? Or send more milk for her?

  She’s claiming the stress of you threatening her stopped her milk.

  I laughed. Good luck proving that.

  My phone rang and I picked up.

  “She getting ready for bed?” I asked in a hush.

  “No, she’s downright refusing to do that.”

  I laughed at that. “Hey, have you heard from Sage?” I asked.

  “No, why?” he asked wearily.

  “I had Mark call her on our way here and she hasn’t responded.”

  “That’s odd. Think you should check on her?”

  I sighed, “Are you okay if I kill her? I may need to send a message.”

  “Yes, her disobeying you is not acceptable, but be sure she knows it was you.”

  “I will. I want to check out a few more locations before I deal with her.”

  “I understand.” Ginny squawked in the background.

  “I’ll be back before you know it,” I told him, meaning every word.

  “I hope so. I’m looking at houses tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll find something.”

  “Something close to the kids,” I reminded him.

  He laughed, “Yes, I know, close the manor, easily defendable, and close to Kass.”

  “Glad you’ve been paying attention.”

  Ginny squawked again.

  “I’m also going to be interviewing sitters. Kass has a few very good recommendations.”

  “They have to be able to defend her,” I answered quickly.

  “I am aware, Olivia.”

  “Guns, knives, hand to hand, explosives, throwing knives, swords—“

  “I got it, Olie. She will be well protected.”

  “Right, you know that, obviously. The recommendations from Kass are solid, I vetted them myself for Hannah.”

  “Good to know. Get some rest, it’s late.

  “You too, Logan. I miss you.”

  I could feel his happiness at that confession after my dashing out at the mere possibility of the L word. “I miss you, too,” he said softly.

  “Goodnight.”

  “Night.” I hung up before he could utter the L word. I was in no way ready for that. Just because I had accepted that the mate mark had me feeling things I normally wouldn’t, that did not mean I was ready for that life-altering step.

  Chapter 16

  I rolled over, squinting at the red digital display. “Crap, I missed breakfast,” I groaned. Tossing the covers off, I threw my hair up into a bun before using the facilities. I dressed hastily, stowing my trusty dagger at the small of my back before putting on my leather duster, needing the extra warmth.

  Rubbing my eyes, I peered through the crack in the door, finding Mark and Jerry gone.

  I huffed, snatching my phone off the nightstand and calling Jerry.

  “Sleeping beauty arises,” he greeted me.

  I grunted in response.

  “We are at a café at the end of the block, do you want us to order you something?”

  “Waffles, French toast, scrambled eggs, toast, and lots of hash browns.”

  Jerry laughed, “As you command.”

  I hung up, heading downstairs. I turned the corner of the first flight and dived to the side.

  “Motherfucker!” I yelled, as the beak of a giant bird tried to take a bite out of my forearm.

  I dodged to the side in the cramped space, landing a blow against its feathered head. I kept smashing, not daring to take the time to pull my dagger, hoping to buy some time.

  So focused was I on the large beak that would tear me limb from fucking limb, that I missed the tail until its spiked end connected with my shoulder.

  I yelled, going down under the beak of destruction, wetness coating my hand as I pulled the pain in deep. My breathing was labored as I used my good arm to pull my blade, holding the dagger hidden beneath me, all the better to hack at and stab, my dear.

  “Come on, bitch,” I taunted, as it tried to expand its wings in the tight space to help its balance.

  Wicked talons slashed at me, slicing through my shirt and cleaving through the soft flesh of my stomach. I took the blow. The head followed, the beak looking for a tasty piece of flesh. I stabbed downward into its feathered head with both my hands wrapped around the hilt. The griffin gave a surprised squawk.

  I twisted the blade, my shoulder spilling warm blood over my bicep. The head shuttered before the beast’s massive girth fell into a lifeless lump.

  I groaned, pushing the beak off of me with a sigh.

  “How the hell am I going to clean this up?” I groaned, pressing a hand against my stomach.

  I kicked the griffin for good measure.

  The serrated beak snapped at my foot before the eyes turned to focus on me.

  “Fucker,” I groaned. “Any chance you want to hand my blade over?
”

  It lifted its head, releasing a roar of outrage.

  “Wonderful.” I ducked, rolling under the beast. I expected to look into feathers and fur, not the slick gray skin of its stomach.

  “Djinn?” I questioned, to no one but myself

  The beaked asshole looked down between its legs and snapped at me, scratching the dagger against the carpeted floor. Frustrated, it shook its head—well, now that I was under it, let’s call it what it was: a boy.

  My dagger flung against the wall and I knew my little reprieve was over. Darting under his side, I lunged for the dagger, my hand closing around the hilt as birdie’s beak dug into my calf.

  I screamed. The asshole pulled back and I twisted, pain from my calf burning up my leg. I pulled my legs under me and threw myself to the left as he crashed down again.

  The pain in my calf was far beyond my other wounds, and I knew my time was limited. I’d never seen a griffin with the stomach of a djinn but shit, if the djinn could clone themselves, why not other creatures?

  I charged as the griffin’s wings fought to extend in the cramped space. He reared back, deadly claws extended, slicing down at my shoulders as I plunged the dagger deeply into the gray area and pulled up at an angle, hoping to sever the heart.

  Gritting my teeth as the claws clenched around my shoulders, I hit resistance and kept pushing. I let out a triumphant cry as my blade hit pay dirt and the griffin deconstructed into gray goop all around me.

  “Motherfucker,” I hissed, spitting a glob out of my mouth.

  I turned around and went back up the stairs.

  …

  I loaded all our bags into the SUV and drove to the diner, carefully surveying the exterior as I walked in to get Jerry and Mark.

  They were sitting by a large window and saw me approaching. Mark signaled for the check.

  I slid next to Jerry, greedily devouring the needed calories.

  “Olivia, what happened?” Mark asked, inhaling deeply.

  “I got attacked,” I answered around a mouthful of food. “The fucking djinn created a damn griffin.”

  Mark’s gaze flicked to Jerry, whose slight raise of a hand instructed him to wait.

  I finished eating and leaned back, careful of my new injuries. A night’s sleep would heal them, but I didn’t have the time.

  Mark was still looking at me, worried and irritated at being put off.

  “Let’s go, I’ll fill you in on the drive.”

  Mark nodded, sliding out of the booth with stiff movements.

  Jerry slid behind the wheel and Mark sat next to me in the backseat.

  “What are you doing?” I asked him.

  “Let me see your wounds,” he commanded, which was brave to say the least.

  “Hey guys, any particular destination?” Jerry asked from the front seat.

  “The next possible location on the list,” I instructed.

  I pulled off my leather jacket, already missing the duster destroyed by the djinn, followed by my shirt.

  Mark looked over my wounds, his jaw tightening.

  “Why didn’t you call for help?” he asked.

  “I was a little too preoccupied to grab my cell phone.”

  He tapped his head. “With the pack bonds?”

  “Oh, I didn’t think of that. Besides, I had it under control,” I shrugged.

  “Your calf disagrees.”

  I flexed the muscle in question, biting back a hiss. “Yeah, well—” I had no smartass answer for that.

  Mark finished with my shoulders and stomach. I pulled my shirt back on as he pulled up my yoga pant leg from my calf, removing my makeshift bandage.

  “You are lucky you heal quickly, or this would need a skin graft,” he chided me.

  Mark sighed as he finished bandaging my calf. “Olivia, you have to understand that you need to stay alive and in good health for the sake of the shifters and Logan. He would be devastated without you, and I’m not sure Ginny would be enough to keep him among the living. “

  “Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one, Mark. I understand your concern; however, I will not stop being who I am in the hope that my life expectancy will be longer.”

  “That was deep,” Jerry commented, trying to break the awkward tension between us.

  “Where are we headed today?” I asked, rubbing at my temple, where I could feel Logan’s awareness of the situation.

  He wasn’t happy. While I wasn’t blocking him, I certainly wasn’t advertising my distress. Apparently, Mark didn’t have the same reservations.

  “A farm. We called ahead yesterday and they granted us permission to look for foreign plants threatening the native species,” Jerry answered.

  “That’s an impressive cover,” I answered.

  “I saw it on a show,” Jerry laughed.

  Mark moved into the front seat and I gratefully stretched out. Logan wasn’t leaving things be, though. I focused on our link, finding it present but not as strong. I sent him reassurance, hoping it would be enough, or that maybe taking care of a newborn would distract him. Either way, the pressure lessened and I slept.

  …

  The lack of motion had me sitting up and taking in the surroundings. I exited the SUV before Mark could make any additional comments. Why I was suddenly not capable of taking care of myself was beyond me.

  Jerry had parked on a hill, away from the main house and barn. We were looking down onto both of them. I checked my weapons, running the pads of my fingers over my blades reassuringly.

  Jerry took the lead, pulling out a tablet. “Looks to be past these trees.”

  I followed him, silently brooding, Mark bringing up the rear. The undergrowth was thick and it wrapped around us, impeding our progress. Honestly, it was great to have something to work out my irritation on.

  We must have hiked a mile, struggling for every step. I was regretting my decision to wear fleece lined leggings when Jerry’s tablet beeped at him.

  “Fucking finally,” he grunted, also not dressed for this. He pushed through the last of the low hanging branches and into a pot field.

  “What the fuck?” he asked over the sound of guns being fired.

  “Get down!” I yelled, tackling him from behind.

  Mark landed on top of the pile and we rolled a few feet away.

  “Guns?” I yelled over the rapid succession of poorly aimed shots.

  As suddenly as it began, the shooting stopped.

  “Anyone hurt?” I asked, checking Jerry for holes as Mark slid off the dog pile.

  I turned to Mark, seeing red blossoming in the center of his shirt. His eyes rounded, his breathing turning into pained pants. He sat down hard on his ass, his pupils heavily dilated.

  “Fuck,” I hissed, pulling the small throwing dagger from my boot.

  “What’s wrong?” Jerry questioned, coming to stand beside me as I pushed Mark onto his back. I grabbed Jerry, pulling him lower. Tossing a leg below the wound to straddle Mark, I pushed the dagger into him, my jaw clenching. The bullet was in his heart, lucky fucking shot.

  “Olivia, get your silver knife out of him!” Jerry yelled at me, trying to pull me away from Mark.

  “The bullet, Jerry. It’s silver, too,” I informed him calmly. I dropped the dagger. My slippery fingers brushed the tip of the metal burning inside of Mark. He writhed under me, foaming at the mouth. I twisted further, my nail digging into the silver, ripping it out of his body. I flung it away.

  Mark clutched his chest, sucking in air greedily. I moved off of him, careful to scan our surroundings and keep Jerry low. I pulled another throwing knife. It was a terrible cliché, bringing a knife to a gun fight.

  Who uses guns? Okay, well aside from me.

  Humans, oh, fucking humans use guns.

  I tilted my head, listening. How would humans know to use silver bullets?

  I didn’t get to travel that train of thought long before a fresh burst of gunfire shot through the woods, closer than before.

  “Shit.” I was
out of my league here.

  Mark took huge, gulping breaths of air, his chest knitting back together.

  “We need help,” he wheezed.

  “Agreed, but we aren’t going to last long enough to wait for it,” I countered.

  “We need to get you and Jerry hidden.” Mark shook his head and tried to stand. He faltered and Jerry eased him back down.

  “Dang, Jerry, you been hitting the gym?” I questioned.

  He gave me a disbelieving look. “Take him, and let me deal with the assholes who shot my man.”

  I debated for a moment. “Bitch, get over here!” he demanded.

  “Jerry, you are the only one who is allowed to call me that and live.”

  “Noted.” Gone was my carefree driver. In his place stood a pissed off mage, rolling up his sleeves.

  Jerry muttered a few words and an opaque shield popped into place. He marched forward, bullets harmlessly brushing against his powerful magic.

  “I sure hope he knows to kill them all,” I muttered.

  Mark shifted limply in my arms, his breathing evening out as he started to drift off.

  I shook him, easing him into a sitting position. “Hey now, buddie, stay with me.”

  An explosion rang through the field, deafening me and shaking the ground. I moved in front of Mark, shielding his already tender chest. A body went flying with a high-pitched squeal in the distance.

  “That’s my boy,” Mark muttered, his eyes rolling back into his head.

  More screaming and the fields caught fire, the flames licking out to each and every plant. I stood, balancing Mark upright as I searched the field for Jerry.

  He passed through the flames unharmed like a badass in his own right. He helped support Mark’s weight as we booked it back to the SUV.

  “So, see any of the plant we’re hunting?” I asked.

  “No, although if it was there, I have full confidence it will be destroyed.” Jerry smiled, a self-satisfied grin. “Teach those motherfuckers to mess with my man.”

  “You sure showed them,” Mark muttered.

  “Hopefully, the whole county isn’t stoned,” I laughed.

  Jerry stopped a moment, looking over at me. “Right, can’t say I thought of that.”

  …

  I wiped the dried blood from Mark’s chest, impressed at his healing. A thick pink line remained from where my silver had scored him. He was asleep before I finished and I eased him down in the backseat. I closed the door gently before slipping into the front seat with Jerry.