Calum’s eyes glossed over for a brief second before returning. “Not that you star in her dreams either Wolf boy, but I would gladly exchange positions. I know she trusts me more than you.”
That hurt Cord enough he looked at me for confirmation. I felt the conversation silly, but answered to satisfy the male bantering of wills. “I happen to trust you both equally with my body and my life. I have it on good word that men find their morals at a ripe age and find it morally wrong to take what isn’t given freely. As far as my safety, I tend to be stupid in that department since I often rely on the four of you more than I should. If it is a fault, I take full responsibility. However, you two are arguing over something that has nothing to do with the answers I need and are therefore avoiding the subject. So get the HELL OFF ME and tell me what I want before I knock both of you into the prettified wall art and get it anyway.”
And they knew I could.
Calum drew in an unsteady breath. Cord lifted off me. Both moved to opposite seats in the room making the winter painting centered between them. I thought of Cas and the night we picnicked in the woods. It wasn’t snowing, but he’d held my hand that night.
“Borgon has the Godslayer back and he is threatening to go after you. Nara holds no alliance to him, but holds to not harm you yet so giving it to that slime makes it forfeit. I went to Lee hoping for a sliver of something to help. He only promised what he always does.”
“What is that?” I asked eager for anything positive.
“That whatever he does, keeps you safe.”
Me? Lee always insisted it was all about me. The light bulb of truth went off in my head. I knew in my heart the next statement was untrue. “He is lying.”
“That’s just it. He’s not, Stace. If you trace everything the snake has done, you see the trail. He averts at the right moment with the perfect means to have neither side see whom intercepted. He is that good at what he’s doing and I have a feeling I knew the reason for all of it.”
His steely gaze still on me, I left the details of the painting to see what Calum’s eyes would affirm. He felt Lee makes every move for me. If he was, it was in vain. If Cas didn’t want me, I didn’t want anyone EVER again. I was done with men.
“Thorn can’t shake Quinn no matter what he does. Quinn went through your entire room and piled your things into a box. He took over his security detail. Drac makes regular visits once a day. And...” Calum broke off and watched his knees.
“Just say it already.”
“Nara is in your room.”
I went ballistic. Calum apparently had been ready. I locked myself in my room and covered myself in weapons. I didn’t have time to think about clothes, so jeans would have to do. With them screaming for me to open the door, I started for the bathroom where a floor to ceiling window was in place just for occasions like this. I snapped the locks and pulled back the glass paned door. Looking down off the second floor to the ground to measure the distance perception wise, I found the worst. Below me were the two bodyguards, Angus and Zane. I hate being easy to read.
I doubled back, slammed the door open to the two breathing dragons I called friends not half an hour ago, and railroaded through them.
“I’m not going to just sit here and be made a fool.”
“Anastacia Hathown. Stop right now and listen to me.”
“No, Calum. Not this time.”
“If you don’t, she will have him.”
I hate statements like that. When someone knows you so well they can predict your moves and say things to stop you dead in your tracks, it’s time to reevaluate your own powers that be.
“What does that mean?”
Holding me against the doorframe with his fist screwing up my sleeve he said, “Drac placed her there to keep an eye on him, not seduce him. She is under strict orders to stay away from him unless you show up. Thorn wants nothing to do with her and you know it. If you screw it up, Drac and Nara will pounce. And Quinn will see it all. This isn’t just about Thorn anymore. The ultimate goal is just you, Stace. Just you.”
Cord placed a calming hand on my shoulder, “Which is why we do this right. You said you have a plan and so do we. You’ve had your few days to mope and Thorn has had his few days to regroup. Now it is time to kick some villain butt.”
My plan revealed, it resembled theirs remarkably. After all of us had every detail on the table, literally, we formed the following plan A.
Calum and Szar would text Cas with a coming to hang buddies day. Cord would stay with me. Once the night was going and alcohol was included, Cord and I would investigate the place Borgon is said to be holed up in. If the Godslayer was for me, I wanted it back.
I did worry a little about where Nara would be in all of this, but Szar showed up halfway through the organization on the plan to tell me Cas’ whereabouts for the night. When he mentioned Nara had a scheduled event with Drac and the other Vamps who were the meat eaters of the Vampire world, I rested my shoulders. She wouldn’t be there.
Szar read me like a book. He felt the need to reassure me with a lecture on how faithful Thorn was to me in all the years before I even knew him, so why would I doubt him now. I reminded him that it wasn’t him I worried about. It was her.
Once we knew where the Godslayer was, we could plot against Drac. It seems he is playing Borgon and Borgon is playing him. It also seems Drac simply just wants ownership of the sword itself. Who knows why? Power. Greed. Control. All of it combined.
I knew one thing. I wanted Cas back. With it, I wanted the Godslayer hidden below the depths of the Earth or destroyed one, and Borgon and Drac with it. I learned from my mother in a newer dream that she couldn't touch it physically. It was lethal for a god to touch pure silver. Who knew? They were orchestrating its whereabouts for that stupid fact. They could have the dang sword. I wanted my life back.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Cowards die many times before their deaths…
Nothing ever goes right in a Plan A. When Szar and Calum showed up for the “guys night” of sports on the big screen and alcohol, the host wasn’t there. My nerves were spent.
Cord got the text the second we were in the make-do camp Borgon was housed in. It was not very guarded and easy to spy on. Lee’s car was parked in front. For one so good at spying, he didn’t have to hide much. I wish I knew his secret weapon against death.
The Godslayer was no where to be found. The text said Liam saw Cas leave with Quinn and has yet to return. Back and forth on the phone, the guys decided that Szar alone would risk going to the club for answers. He apparently frequented there for intel. Right!
The next day, however, Cas was back. He texted Calum at about noon saying he’d make it up to “the guys” over the weekend.
That night, Szar didn’t answer a text or anyone’s phone call. I spent the whole next night without sleep again.
The next day, he answered with a sorry around lunch time. I had a terrible feeling it was not in his control. Cord refused to talk or let me leave. I had to get out of there.
Sneaking out was easy when they didn’t expect it, but being farther from my father’s court was. My own car was there, so I drove out with ease. Unfortunately, Weres were scent trackers. Angus was on my tail within sixty seconds of exiting the main, well guarded, gate. I let him follow me all the way to the Valkyrie court and even waited for him to enter my own gates. Several times I looked in the rearview mirror to find him talking on his phone.
Hightailing it out of the car I punched in the code and watched the doors close before Angus could park and make it in. I smirked until I saw the car that was parked beside him. It was Cas’.
With the door already closed, I began to panic. I hadn’t seen Cas but once in the last three weeks and only then it was as a defiant asshole draining a wayward Hunter who was as nuts as the rest of them. For once, I hated that I was right about someone. I wanted now to be right about Cas.
I raced up the stairs, through my father’s rooms and down the hall to Szar�
��s sofa room where we all tended to meet. I heard a male voice as my hand hit the doorknob, but knew who was in there before I could think about entering. And he knew I was here too.
Backing up, I plastered myself against the wall across from the door. Now that I was here, I didn’t want to know. Inching against the wall to leave, I knocked into one of the stupid statues I always forgot about. My father’s version of yard art.
The door opened and there stood Cas.
My perfectly badass self stood stark still in shock. His face was a mangled mess. Cuts and bruises covered his face and arms. Shirtless, his torso was slashed in various places, but healing already. Being told your old news, I didn’t know what to do or how to proceed. He would have to make a move before me.
I blinked back the tears thinking this was adolescent and ridiculous to have feelings for someone this much, but my heart was telling him all he needed to know. I closed off my mind the best I could and started sliding down the corridor to the next statue that would lead to my father’s office.
That door opened and strong arms wrapped around my middle.
“You’re going to be okay,” a whisper came right above my ear. Cas had followed.
I inched back with Cord watching Cas’ eyes with every step. I saw the way they went black when Cord grabbed me. I caught the jerk of his body meaning he was coming after Cord. But he never came.
In the office, Cord sat me down on my father’s sofa. He started to talk and I reminded him with a finger to my mouth that our words are heard by others.
“I want to see Szar. Either you go get him or I am ending this game once and for all. I am sick and tired of Cas acting like I’m a leper.” I screamed as loud as I could my next five words. “HE CAN GO TO HELL.”
It didn’t look fake anymore. It was just the bodily reaction our connection felt. He didn’t love me. I was done.
“Stay here,” Cord jumped up fast and left out the door we just fell into. Two minutes later, Szar entered. His face matched Cas’. He had a shirt on, but I was sure of what I would see if I raised it. To be sure, I asked him to let me see. And I was correct.
“Who is doing this?” I grabbed my hair and pulled. I felt like a depressed housewife from one of those movies I used to watch so much. I had to look the part with my actions today.
“You know who? But it doesn’t matter, sis. We can take it. It isn’t the first time he has busted my nose.”
Borgon. “Is Cord next?” I skimmed both their faces.
“I imagine, but not necessarily. They know he has you. I have a suggestion that will hold him off more, but I know you will say no to it.”
“Coming from you brother, I would say that is a big fat no.”
“It wasn’t my suggestion,” Szar motioned his head to where Cas was in wait.
“Go on,” I replied slowly. Whatever Cas suggested, I wanted to hear.
“With the current circumstances,” he looked between us, Cord and I, “I think it best if the two of you come out of the closet on your love affair. Others would calm down if the threat is eliminated.”
I cracked even more than I had at other times lately. “Are you insane? Szar, you’ve thoroughly lost your mind if you think I will—
Cord silenced me. He leaned over me where I stood and whispered, “It is just a plot. Nothing more. They know of your and Thorns blood connection now. Cas is just making it easier for him to get the surveillance off his back. If they leave, he can help us again. He isn’t suggesting we have sex.”
“Cord!” I folded my hand over my mouth. My face turned red out of anger, not embarrassment. This wasn't the plan.
“See, I told you we should come out with it.” Cord said this to me and Szar. He was acting, but it was too real for me. I couldn’t make heads or tails of anything and I sure wasn’t in control anymore. And Cord knew. He freaking knew this before I came here today. I hated now that it was my suggestion to go to his court. It made it look too real.
“Why now?” I asked calmly to Szar ignoring the fondling hands of Cord on my hip.
“If we are to look disbanded from our motherly plans from above, they will leave us alone. If we try to go on, they have promised to take us apart one by one.”
But we can stand together. How can we do anything apart?
He is taking them one by one to make me crack. And it is working.
“For now. But for the record, I hate this plan.”
I stomped out through the office and ran to my car. Away and gone before Cord even exited the door, I was gone. I stopped halfway up the driveway and looked back to my brother’s balcony. I had memories even there of Cas and I together.
He was standing there, shirtless and beautiful. I didn’t care if he was marred with cuts and bruises and hated me. I didn’t hate him.
And nor I. Just the opposite.
Unhinged by the words entering my brain, I hit the brakes. I heard him. He talked to me. I stared wide mouthed and retraced what I’d just said. I’d said I didn’t hate him. The opposite meant he…I had my answers.
I will win this damn war. And I will have Cas back.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
…the valiant never taste death but once.
“We need a distraction,” I surveyed.
Szar grunted. “Got it covered.” He ran a little forward, threw his hands up crazily and pointed away from us behind the ten or so remaining Elves with weapons and shouted, “Hey look over there. Naked Elf girls dancing.”
Effectively standing alone now with not one eye watching us, we jetted around the almost vacant camp.
“For once brother, vulgarity wins.”
“Not vulgar, sis. Facts of life. What guy wouldn't appreciate a bunch a females showing off their artistic abilities?”
“Put that way Szar, you make it sound like were museum pieces.”
“Perhaps we consider you just that,” Cord said pointedly.
Stunned, I looked from boy to boy. They believed just that. Wow! “I do believe that is the greatest compliment I've ever heard from a guy. Amazing.”
Running like mad, Cord doubled back running backward at me, “Did you just say we’re amazing. You know that translates to “hot” in today's lingo.” He jogged over to Szar. “Dude, she just said we're hot.”
“You furrball. Not included on that observation.”
I felt like being stupid for once and throw my brother off his step just for kicks. “I'm surrounded by hot sweaty sexy men all the time who know they are hot sexy men. You don't need my opinion to know what you are.”
“Ew, Stace. Whatever. For the record, I don't ever want to hear that you are dancing naked anywhere. My man Cas would shit bricks.”
“Oh, nice. How do you know I haven't?” At the mention of Cas, I descended into a bad mood instantly.
Both of them halted to a solid stop with that look, but it wasn’t at the mention of Cas.
“Kidding. Kidding! No naked Stace pictures have been posted anywhere. We don't have time to stop guys. Come on.” I left them standing there and zoomed off. I was effectively laughing my head off and back out of my bad mood. And ready to fight.
It has been three more weeks since I saw Cas and all we have done is chase Borgon around with no gains. I was frustrated at first, but realized it threw the enemy off his game too. We had our own spies, i.e. a boy I knew well-named Dyer Lee, who kept track of Nara and Dr. Quinn. They were rarely at the Vampire court anymore since Cord and I had been seen holding hands at a couple of local places. I learned that Nara was quite the one to get around and had actually never spent the night at Cas’ court. With that bit of info, I was on fire. Nothing could stop me now except losing Cas.
I stumbled upon two argumentative Elves and no Borgon in sight. With our version of giving up on running the factions, we focused on helping the "poor" Elves.
“You’re the one that lost her.”
“You did. I just stupidly listened to you when you said go south," the better dressed one argued. By better dressed
I meant no holes in his clothes and cleaner on the surface.
“No, you’re the screw up that couldn’t get her attention and make her veer off to the left.”
“I hope you’re kidding. I—
“Boys, do you mean little ole me?” Both rather short dudes turned their bodies and weapons in my direction. “I don’t mean to intrude, but I did know your plan and only thwarted it because I wanted to talk to you. Alone.”
They dopily looked at each other and shrugged like I wasn’t their greatest enemy, but rather a street vendor selling tacos to taste.
I successfully convinced them they should cross over to follow Lord Jetten and his turn to his reign again.
We left the few Elves who still challenged us to clean up their own and left our same note that we’d pinned on every wild goose chase we’d been on to find this stupid sword. Staying silent in the shadows, they had no idea what we were really doing.
Trick or treat.
The jokes on you.
We only want a once dead race
To rise again.
So come join us
So that your people are safe.
We’d spread the word that Lord Jetten had finally returned and we intended to use our energies to help them. The enemies took the bait. Now we just needed to find Lord Jetten.
A few were resisting though. We couldn’t hold out much longer without real proof of his return. We needed to find that lord.
Elves tried to stop us on the chevroned road by the Ryan Manor that was supposedly a deterrence for seeing the enemy coming. These came by foot and refused to listen to us. Cord put up a good defense but I told him I could deal with it. I thought back to some of the fights I'd won against the Valkyrie boys for years when my brother wasn't looking. Now that I'd practiced on boys I actually like, I knew now it was flirting.
“It’s like this boys.”
Cord tilted his head but not his eyes. They were transfixed on the frothy looking crew readying their claws and swords that I swore were sharper in the light. The one in front licked his lips at the way my voice changed making it a good guess that interrelations weren't a problem for them. Some, not all, displayed their minds openly. And they weren’t branching far. I spoke to all of them alike.
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