“Would you let me stay if I said that’s what I wanted?”
His lips tightened to the point they ran white, but he nodded.
Of course he would. The stubborn, proud, beautiful man would stay here until he couldn’t function or died keeping her safe. No way would she put him at that kind of risk. Not when Eden and the support she’d find there was an option. “Then I’ll go.” She turned to her mom. “Will you come with me? I can’t promise the outcome, but what the humans who visited said is true. It’s beautiful.” Far more beautiful than anything she’d found here.
A tremulous smile crept across her mother’s face, and she framed Brenna’s cheeks in both hands. “I’ve already lost you once. I won’t lose you again.”
Chapter 24
Serena trailed Uther from the misty gray portal out of New York City into the Underlands and nearly groaned beneath the sweltering heat. The soft pink velvet gown she’d worn to visit the reporter had been a tactical mistake for August in the muggy state, but for the Underlands it was torture. “Praise the Great One, I’ll be glad when I can live in a region with a decent climate.”
Uther stomped up the two steps to his raised, weathered porch and jerked his front door open with a thought well before he reached it.
She hurried behind him and shut the rickety closure against the unmerciful Myren sun. “What in histus is wrong with you? You’ve been nasty ever since we took the reporter back. You should be happy. Everything’s going exactly like the Spiritu said it would.”
“Is it?” He yanked open the small, rudimentary cooler near the back of his kitchen, and wisps of ice-cooled air swirled around the edges. He pulled out a large pitcher of ale and snagged a tall tumbler off the shelf.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He poured the peachy brew nearly to the top, slammed the pitcher down on the counter, and gulped at least half the contents in one go. He lowered the glass and stared at the remainder. “You didn’t tell me about the girl.”
Actually, there were several details she’d left out when sharing the Spiritu’s visit. “I didn’t think the details mattered so long as we both got what we wanted.” More importantly, what she wanted. As in the wall down and the powers that went with it.
“I realize a conscience is a novel concept for you,” Uther said, “but I have one. I didn’t join Maxis because of his precious Rebellion. I cozied up to him for one thing and one thing only. Information. Information leads to power, and power is everything. That doesn’t mean I’m willing to slaughter an innocent human who’s already been fucked over by Maxis. You said the bearer of the key would bring the wall down.”
“Exactly. The bearer. Or more to the Spiritu’s lingo, the judge, which is Brenna. And who said anything about slaughter?” Serena waved Uther off and strolled to the tiny living room. Normally she hated the cold that descended on the Underlands at sunset, but tonight she’d welcome it. She dropped none too elegantly into the worn armchair near the empty fireplace, her patience drained from their outing in Evad. “The girl is a means to an end. She’ll wield the key and bring the wall down like we tell her to.”
“And how am I supposed to be sure the power will go to me and not someone else? Someone like you?”
Five times he’d asked her that, poking and prodding for some slip in her story. She rested her head on the cushioned chair back, closed her eyes, and recited the same lie she had the night the Spiritu severed her links. “It’s your family’s destiny.”
“You always say that as if you know the details behind it. You certainly knew more about who’s supposed to use the key. Makes me wonder if there’s more you know.”
Oh, she knew more. Much more. Scraps of information she had no intention of sharing with Uther. Like the fact that Brenna would actually choose who the recipient of the powers would be, as well as whether or not the wall stayed up.
Still, passing on a little history wouldn’t hurt anything and might actually stop his repeated inquiries. She stared at him. “Your ancestor was one of six murdered by Hagan Xenese, a first-generation Myren no less powerful than the first malran, Kentar Shantos. Hagan was exiled to Evad and forced to live one millennium for each death. The Great One built a wall between the two realms. Hagan’s powers were stripped to fuel it.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
Uther stalked toward her. “Why did he murder them?”
She sighed and went back to glaring at the ceiling. “Because the men raped and killed his human mate.”
Silence filled the tiny room, only the approaching sunset’s whipping wind sweeping around the worn down shack.
She rubbed one temple and tried to let go of the anxiety knotting her stomach. The next task she’d have to tackle came with extraordinary risk and little guarantee of success. Dealing with Uther’s grumbling only scattered her focus. “Stop worrying, Uther. The power will go to you as the prophecy foretold. You’ll take down Eryx, I’ll be your advisor, and we’ll all live happily ever after.”
Well, one of them would live, at least, and she’d be the one in power. Whether or not Uther kept breathing depended on how well he fell in line. “If you want, you can gift our little pet with whatever she desires in return for our demands.”
“What else?”
His voice cut like a whip, snapping across her already frayed nerves and jerking her to her feet. “The Great One take it. What’s with all the questions?”
“I’m tired of being in the dark. Tired of theatrics in Evad that have no bearing on what we’re out to do. I know you, Serena. You’d cut your own mother’s throat if it meant getting something you want. I’m not stupid enough to think you’re not holding more back. A detail that’s bound to piss me off or get me killed. Considering I’m the only backup and muscle you have right now, I suggest you share, or you’ll be on your own.”
He wouldn’t.
He scowled down at her. A hard, mercenary glint in his sage eyes that said he’d happily take her out of the equation if she pushed further.
Okay, maybe he would bail on her. Then again, if she didn’t meet her obligations to the Spiritu, she’d be dead anyway.
She paced the length of the room and rubbed the back of her neck. Her heart thrummed a hummingbird pulse, and a bead of sweat trickled between her shoulder blades. She’d already fudged on some of the information Patrice had given her. A little more wouldn’t hurt, assuming she could keep her complicated lies from getting tangled.
Pausing in front of the fireplace, she faced Uther and lifted her chin. “In order to get the information we needed, and in exchange for severing all my links, I had to barter something.”
Uther straightened, his weight shifting as though ready to pounce.
“Nothing that has to do with you,” she added quickly. “But one that will help us.”
“And that is?”
Standing by the front door, she stared out the tall skinny window beside it. The horizon blazed a scarlet red as the sun began its descent, heat radiating up from the sand in dizzying waves. “You remember how I explained there’s a dark and a light contingent?”
“One for pure actions and one for passion.”
“The dark and the light. They’re supposed to stay in balance. Patrice’s mate was part of a rogue faction who wanted the two sides out of balance. Wanted the dark passions to rule.” She faced him. “The things I’ve been doing, bringing more people to Eden and interviewing with the reporter, it’s all for that.”
“And how is that supposed to help us?”
“Because if the dark passions rule, our race will more easily transition to natural order based on power and strength. But mostly, it gets us the final bit of information we need.”
“So there’s more?”
Not really. Patrice already had her over a barrel with a blood vow, so withholding information wasn’t necessary. She’d actually felt the agreement bind her very soul when her blood mingled with Patrice’s. Otherwise, she’d forgo fulfill
ing her debts and get on with bringing the wall down. Still, making Uther think there was more to the equation might help keep him in line. “Just how we initiate the actual rite. Patrice said it would be given to me when the time was right.”
“Then what other parlor tricks are we committed for?”
“Something to make people panic. Something big that will get humans working against each other.”
Uther huffed out a laugh and ambled to the couch. He sprawled against the faded cushions and propped one foot on the low table in front of him. “And how exactly are we supposed to do that with just the two of us?”
Serena edged closer. “A simple promise. A vow that the first person to turn over Brenna will be the first to go to Eden and inherit Myren powers.”
“Myren powers can’t be given.”
“I know that. You know that. But they don’t.”
Uther gaped at her. “You think humans will cut each other’s throats for power?”
“Why wouldn’t they? You already have more power than most average Myrens, yet you slit one of your peer’s throats to gain more. Imagine what someone who has no powers would do to gain even a fraction of what we have.”
Uther stared, the truth of what she’d just shared burning deep. “And how, exactly, are the two of us supposed to navigate all the leads generated on locating the girl?”
Serena gingerly sat beside him, a tiny bit of anticipation bubbling up from beneath the weight of the day’s fatigue. “We won’t have to follow those at all. Brenna will come of her own accord. Just as soon as we snare the right bait.”
Chapter 25
Gold and blood-red skies marked the portal’s exit into Eden, silver energy streaks whizzing past the sunset skyline. Another hour and the sun would disappear below the horizon.
And Ludan would have Brenna safe.
Brenna’s mother staggered beside him for the umpteenth time since they’d started the trip, and he tightened his arm around her waist. He’d tried to carry her, but she’d insisted on walking, keeping a death grip on her daughter’s hand the whole way.
Brenna, on the other hand, had finally got the knack of the portal’s bog-like surface. She smiled at Abby and pointed to the deepening colors ahead. “Not too much farther. See? There’s the end.”
A soft breeze swept through the tunnel, the scent of flowers from his father’s garden, woodsmoke, and the bite of grass and algae from the nearby lake a welcome break from the portal’s metallic edge. With every step, his powers surged with Eden’s abundant energy.
They reached the edge, and Ludan guided Abby across the tricky exit. Before he could turn to help Brenna, she was already out, her eyes wide and scanning the peaceful landscape. Her gaze snagged on the gray stone cottage nestled at the base of a giant black mountain. “This isn’t the castle.”
“No, it’s where my father lives.” Ludan paused long enough to make sure Abby had her balance before he let her go. “That mountain range marks the farthest edge of Havilah.”
“Your father?”
On cue, the front door of the cottage opened and Graylin strolled out of it, Orla beside him.
Ludan urged both women forward. “We hid Lexi here when we first brought her over. Dad thought it might be a good option for you, too. No one outside the Shantos family and their mates know where it is, so you won’t have the guards. It also means we won’t have to worry about Serena finding you.”
Graylin met them at the sandstone path. Unlike his usual somber and patient expression, his eyes were bright and his skin a little flushed. He held out his hand to Brenna’s mother. “Mrs. Haven. It’s my pleasure to welcome you to my home.”
Abby took the hand he offered, clearly anticipating a polite shake, but sucked in a delicate gasp when Graylin bowed over their joined hands in the most formal of greetings.
Formal.
As if meeting an intended mate’s parents.
Ludan fought back a growl and scowled at his father. “Don’t blow this out of proportion.”
Graylin lifted his head and grinned at Abby, completely ignoring Ludan’s telepathic message.
“Please, call me Abby. And we’re very grateful to you for offering us your home. I hope we won’t be too much of an imposition.”
“No imposition at all.” Graylin motioned to Orla. “This is Orla Weathers. She’s part of the Shantos family and has agreed to stay and help us keep the cottage running smoothly while you’re here.”
Abby shook Orla’s hand. “You’re Eryx and Ramsay’s mother?”
“Oh, I’d love to claim them, but no. I’m closer to nanny than mother. I’ve been with their family since shortly after Eryx and Ramsay were born.” Orla winked at Ludan. “Spent just as much time around our gruff one here, too.”
The wind snapped and whistled behind them.
Abby spun to gauge the source of the unexpected whirlwind. Above her, Eryx, Ramsay, Lexi, and Trinity were all aimed feet-first toward the grass right behind them.
“Oh!” Abby jerked back as they landed, one hand fluttering at the base of her throat.
Brenna giggled and wrapped an arm around her mother’s shoulder, more delight coloring her face than he’d seen from her the whole time she’d been in Evad. “Isn’t it marvelous? And it feels even better than it looks. Kind of like a really windy day, only you’re part of the wind instead of something it fights against.”
Abby’s eyebrows hopped even higher. “You can fly?”
“Well, no.” Brenna’s gaze cut to Ludan, a shy blush stealing across her cheeks. “I’ve flown a few times with Ludan. It was scary at first, but once I relaxed it was lovely.”
His shoulders pushed back, pride and something heady he couldn’t quite identify surging thick through his veins. If he’d known how much she liked it, he’d have flown her the whole damned way to Florida.
Eryx and Ramsay ambled forward, Lexi and Trinity on either side. Unlike Ludan, the men wore standard-issue silver drasts and black leather pants. Trinity was her usual sunshine self with a yellow tunic and leggings, while Lexi rocked the malress image in a bold blue dress that clung to every curve.
Skipping formalities, Lexi wrapped Abby in a familiar hug. “I’d say I’m sorry for your trip down the rabbit hole, but the truth is I’m glad you’re here. I doubt Brenna would have come back without you.” She stepped back, keeping her arms clasped at Abby’s shoulders. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you everything before. Sharing about our realm is a big no-no.”
Swiping her hand along her stomach as though to try and settle it, Abby huffed out a shaky chuckle. “I believe I can see why.”
Eryx grinned and offered his hand. “It’s good to have you here, Abby.” He motioned to Ramsay beside him. “This is my brother, Ramsay, and his mate, Trinity.”
Abby nodded her head at both of them. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Orla stepped to Abby’s side and motioned everyone toward the door. “Why don’t we get Abby inside so she can have a minute to catch her breath? Or have the rest of you forgotten what your first portal trip was like?”
The whole crew kicked into gear, Abby naturally gravitating to Orla’s side as if she’d known her for years instead of minutes. But then, Orla was good that way. Always treating strangers with the same radiating warmth that filled her kitchen.
Ludan crowded close to Brenna and wrapped his arm around her waist, resting his hand on the slope of her hip.
Graylin fell in step beside them, his gaze locked on the possessive touch and a pleased smirk curling his lips. “Blowing things out of proportion, hmmm? I’ve watched you for a hundred and fifty-two years and not once have I seen you act possessive of a woman.”
His conscience kicked and demanded Ludan release her before anyone else got the same idea. The beast grunted and tightened his hold on her hip. Brenna might not need him tomorrow, or the day after that, but right now she did. He’d be damned if he didn’t take advantage.
Once inside the cottage, Brenna craned her head from si
de to side, absorbing all the details she could while keeping up with the group. He’d never lived here himself, his father building the reclusive getaway after his mother’s death, but it was just as warm and welcoming as the house he’d grown up in. Given the way she eyed the front living area with its gold and red decor and oversized couches and chairs, he figured it would be one of her first stops on a slower, self-navigated tour later. The only other room that outperformed it was the upstairs balcony with its view of the lake and mountain range.
The spice and herb scent of roasted aron drifted through the hallway, the heat of the kitchen’s oven right behind it and weighted with cinnamon, caramel, and baked apples.
“Smells like Lexi’s getting her lastas,” Brenna muttered.
They rounded the corner just as Lexi sidled up to the cooling row of pastries and pinched the corner off the farthest one. She popped the bite between her lips, and her eyes slid shut. “I swear,” she said around the mouthful. “These will never get old.”
“They are addictive.” Trinity rounded the far end of the long trestle table and took a seat beside Ramsay. The huge bay window stretched behind them, putting the spacious backyard on prime display. “Then again, everything Orla cooks is addictive. If it wasn’t for the Myren part of my metabolism, I’d be as big as a house already.”
Ramsay slung his arm around her shoulders, pulled her in close, and nuzzled her neck, not the least bit uncomfortable with his audience. “That’s not genetics, sunshine. That’s all the calorie burn we’ve been working on.”
“Ramsay.” Orla smacked her wooden spoon against the stock pan and glared at him from the kitchen island. “Brenna’s mother just got here. Let her get situated before you convince her all our men are playboys.”
Ludan pulled a chair out for Brenna at one end of the table while Eryx and Lexi settled at the other.
Ramsay’s eyes cut to Ludan where his hand rested on Brenna’s shoulder. “Got a pretty good idea she’s really only concerned with one of us.”
Eden's Deliverance (The Eden Series Book 4) Page 21