“Hi,” I said.
“Nadia,” said Riordan, stopping a few paces away. “I’m sorry it took me so long to get back. The Firstborn and the Elders had many questions for me, and then we had to talk to the Inquisition and a few Homeland Security branch commanders. And after that, some anthrophages slipped through from the Shadowlands, and I had to help deal with them.”
“It’s always one thing after another, isn’t it?” I said.
I suddenly wanted to kiss him, very badly. But I wasn’t sure why he was here.
Had he come to say goodbye?
“And there was some paperwork, too,” said Riordan. “It took a bit to set this up, but it’s done.”
He passed me a pair of envelopes. I frowned, opened them, and started blinking in surprise.
It was a pair of checks. One was made out to me, the other to Russell.
Both checks were for two and a half million dollars.
“Riordan,” I said. “What the hell?”
“The High Queen commissioned the Family to kill Connor,” said Riordan. “Ten million dollars. Connor’s dead, so she agreed to pay out. But you were the one who actually killed him.”
“With your help,” I added.
“It took some negotiating,” said Riordan, “but in the end, the money split four ways. A quarter to the Family, a quarter to me, a quarter to Russell, and a quarter to you.”
I snorted. “Russell’s talked about starting a business for years. Suppose he’ll get the chance a bit sooner now. Thanks, Riordan.”
“And I figure you’ll need the money,” said Riordan, “if the High Queen has you doing jobs for her.”
I shrugged. “She hasn’t contacted me yet.”
“Well,” said Riordan. He took a deep breath as if bracing himself. “I wanted to make sure you had the money first.”
His hand went into his left pocket.
I realized he was reaching for his car keys. He was reaching for his keys, and he would get into his truck, leave Milwaukee, and I would never see him again.
Something inside me panicked at the thought.
“Wait,” I said. “Wait, wait, wait.”
He froze.
“Don’t go,” I said. “Please don’t go. Not until I’ve had my say.”
“Nadia,” said Riordan, but I talked over him.
“I know I said horrible things to you,” I said. “I know I’m…I’m…I’m prickly and tough to be around and sometimes I’m just crazy. But don’t go. Please don’t go. Do you remember the Archon attack? You came here to give me some of the money from Rogomil’s death, and I gave you my phone number. We…we could try again. I could give you my new number, and we could try it again. I’ve really missed you, and I want to try again because I love you and I missed you so much.” I felt the tears burning in my eyes. “Please.”
I realized I was begging, which was pathetic, but I was too upset to care.
“I wasn’t going to go…oh,” said Riordan. “You thought I was reaching for my car keys.”
“Yeah,” I said, rubbing my eyes. “You weren’t?”
“No,” said Riordan, lifting something from his pocket. “I needed this.”
He lifted a gold ring.
My panicked emotions screeched to a halt.
“Nadia,” he said. “Marry me.”
“What?” I said.
He took a deep breath. “Will you marry me?”
“I…I…I…” My brain locked up for an instant, and then I laughed in delight, jumped up, and kissed him as hard as I could. His arms coiled around my back, and we spun around in the front yard. I suppose it was a show for anyone passing by, but to hell with them.
“Still thinking about it?” he said when we broke apart.
“For God’s sake!” I said. “Wasn’t it obvious? Yes. Yes, I will marry you. Right now, if you want.”
I kissed him again.
It was funny, I supposed. In a way, things weren’t all that different from when I had given him my phone number all that time ago. I was still working for a powerful and dangerous Elven noble.
But it could have been so much worse, and my heart felt like it would burst from joy as I kissed him.
Epilogue: Did You Think We Were Done?
About four hours later I drifted back to consciousness.
I was lying in my bed with Riordan, and I was only wearing my engagement ring and he wasn’t wearing anything at all. I think he would have preferred to wait until we had gotten married, but I didn’t, and it hadn’t been all that hard to persuade him. I had been waiting a long, long time for this.
A hundred and fifty-eight years, really. I was tired of waiting.
The Eternity Crucible had ruined a lot of things for me, but not this.
The first time, I admit, was a little awkward. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it. But Riordan is a lot taller than I am, and it took a bit to work out the optimal angles for everything.
The second time an hour or so later…
Let’s just say that was one of the best experiences of my life.
The third time was pretty good too.
“I think,” said Riordan, his hand resting upon my bare back, “we had better eat something.”
I laughed. “That’s probably a good idea. And drink something. James has been lecturing me about hydration.”
“Dear God,” said Riordan. “I forgot about the Marneys. And Russell. They aren’t home, aren’t they?” He hesitated. “They probably would have heard us.”
I laughed again. “No, they went to a picnic or something. Come to think of it, they should be home at any minute. We can tell them the news. I suppose Lucy will want to plan a huge wedding. I just want to go to the courthouse tomorrow. Though you probably want it in a church or something.”
I was babbling, but I was in a very good mood.
“We can work all that out later,” said Riordan. He kissed me. “Let’s get dressed and get something to eat. Because if we’re not dressed when your brother gets home, that conversation is going to be a lot more awkward.”
“Oh, God, can you imagine?” I got to my feet, stretched, and started gathering up my clothes from where they had been discarded in haste. I felt Riordan’s eyes on me as I did that. Being naked in front of him was a new feeling, but I enjoyed it.
We got dressed and headed downstairs. I felt good. Really good, I mean. There was a pleasant warmth in my muscles, and it was like a bunch of knots had been untied inside my brain.
I had forgotten how much I enjoyed that.
“Smoothies?” said Riordan as we stepped into the kitchen.
“Yeah,” I said. “All my stuff is in…”
A tearing crash filled my ears, accompanied by the sound of crunching metal and shattering glass.
“What the hell?” I said, calling magic on instinct.
“That sounded like a car crash,” said Riordan. “I think there was an accident in front of the house.”
“I hope they didn’t hit your truck,” I said, and we hurried out the front door. “Wait. What if was the Marneys? They’re supposed to be home…”
I stepped out the front door and came to a shocked halt on the front step.
The accident had, indeed, missed Riordan’s truck.
A Milwaukee city bus had jumped the curb and smashed into a tree across the street. The bus must have been going fast, because the front had crumpled, and half the windows had been shattered. Yet the bus looked to have been empty…and come to think of it, the bus route didn’t go in front of the Marneys’ house.
I saw two people hurrying towards us, and shock rippled through my mind.
The first was an Elven woman I didn’t recognize, and she was wearing running shoes, black jeans, and a knee-length leather jacket that was an eye-watering shade of pink. She had dark hair and big silver eyes, and she looked terrified.
The second was Kaethran Morvilind.
And he was hurt.
He staggered towards the house like a drunk, and I s
aw blood on his gaunt face. For that matter, I saw torn patches on his robe, the fabric stiff with dried blood. I had seen him fight with nothing held back in Times Square, and he had slaughtered the Archons like insects.
What the hell could possibly have hurt him?
Morvilind stumbled to a stop a few yards away and blinked at me, his face a scowl of determination.
“What the hell?” I said.
“Nadia Moran,” croaked Morvilind. “They are coming. You will need to fight.”
With that, his eyes rolled up and he collapsed on the sidewalk.
“My lord!” said the Elven woman, rushing to his side and dropping to one knee next to him. “My lord!”
“What the hell?” I said.
THE END
Thank you for reading CLOAK GAMES: SKY HAMMER.
I had thought that SKY HAMMER would be the last book in the CLOAK GAMES series, but there is going to be one more: CLOAK GAMES: MAGE FALL, coming in late summer 2018. Turn the page to read an author's note about the next book.
If you liked the book, please consider leaving a review at your ebook site of choice. To receive immediate notification of new releases, sign up for my newsletter, or watch for news on my Facebook page.
An Unexpected Author’s Note
When I started writing CLOAK GAMES: SKY HAMMER, I fully intended it to be the final book in the series.
But! When I wrote Nadia’s and Morvilind’s conversation in Chapter 15, I realized that the story wasn’t quite done yet. The CLOAK GAMES series has always been about Nadia Moran and Kaethran Morvilind, and their combined story isn’t finished.
So we will have one more book in the series: CLOAK GAMES: MAGE FALL. If all goes well, look for CLOAK GAMES: MAGE FALL to be available in late summer 2018.
Other books by the author
The Demonsouled Saga
MAZAEL CRAVENLOCK is a wandering knight, fearless in battle and masterful with a sword.
Yet he has a dark secret. He is Demonsouled, the son of the ancient and cruel Old Demon, and his tainted blood grants him superhuman strength and speed. Yet with the power comes terrible, inhuman rage, and Mazael must struggle to keep the fury from devouring him.
But he dare not turn aside from the strength of his blood, for he will need it to face terrible foes.
The priests of the San-keth plot and scheme in the shadows, pulling lords and kingdoms upon their strings. The serpent priests desire to overthrow the realms of men and enslave humanity. Unless Mazael stops them, they shall force all nations to bow before the serpent god.
The Malrag hordes are coming, vast armies of terrible, inhuman beasts, filled with a lust for cruelty and torment. The Malrags care nothing for conquest or treasure, only slaughter. And the human realms are ripe for the harvest. Only a warrior of Mazael’s power can hope to defeat them.
The Dominiar Order and the Justiciar Order were once noble and respected, dedicated to fighting the powers of dark magic. Now they are corrupt and cynical, and scheme only for power and glory. They will kill anyone who stands in their way.
To defeat these foes, Mazael will need all the strength of his Demonsouled blood.
Yet he faces a far more terrible foe.
For centuries the Old Demon has manipulated kings and lords. Now he shall seize the power of the Demonsouled for himself, and become the a god of torment and tyranny.
Unless Mazael can stop him.
Read Demonsouled for free. Mazael's adventures continue in Soul of Tyrants, Soul of Serpents, Soul of Dragons, Soul of Sorcery, Soul of Skulls, and Soul of Swords, along with the short stories The Wandering Knight, The Tournament Knight, and The Dragon's Shadow. Get the first three books bundled together in Demonsouled Omnibus One.
The Ghosts Series
Once CAINA AMALAS was the shy daughter of a minor nobleman, content to spend her days in her father’s library.
Then sorcery and murder and her mother’s treachery tore her life apart.
Now she is a nightfighter of the Ghosts, an elite agent of the spies and assassins of the Emperor of Nighmar. She is a master of disguise and infiltration, of stealth and the shadows.
And she will need all those skills to defend the Empire and stay alive.
Corrupt lords scheme and plot in the shadows, desiring to pull down the Emperor and rule the Empire for their own profit and glory. Slave traders lurk on the fringes of the Empire, ready to seize unwary commoners and sell them into servitude in distant lands. Yet both slave traders and cruel lords must beware the Ghosts.
The Magisterium, the Imperial brotherhood of sorcerers, believe themselves the rightful masters of the Empire. With their arcane sciences, they plan to overthrow the Empire and enslave the commoners, ruling all of mankind for their own benefit. Only the Ghosts stand in the path of their sinister plans.
And the Moroaica, the ancient sorceress of legend and terror, waits in the shadows, preparing to launch a war upon the gods themselves. She will make the gods pay for the suffering of mankind...even if she must destroy the world to do it.
Caina Amalas of the Ghosts opposes these mighty enemies, but the cost might be more than she can bear.
Read Child of the Ghosts for free. Caina's adventures continue in Ghost in the Flames, Ghost in the Blood, Ghost in the Storm, Ghost in the Stone, Ghost in the Forge, Ghost in the Ashes, Ghost in the Mask, and Ghost in the Surge, along with the short stories Ghost Aria, Ghost Claws, Ghost Omens, The Fall of Kyrace, Ghost Thorns, Ghost Undying, Ghost Light, and Ghost Dagger, and the prequel novels Blade of the Ghosts and Champion of the Ghosts. Get the first three books bundled together in The Ghosts Omnibus One.
The Ghost Exile Series
Caina Amalas was a nightfighter of the Ghosts, the spies and assassins of the Emperor of Nighmar, and through her boldness and cunning saved the Empire and the world from sorcerous annihilation.
But the victory cost her everything.
Now she is exiled and alone in the city of Istarinmul, far from her home and friends. Yet a centuries-old darkness now stirs in Istarinmul, eager to devour the city and the world itself.
And Caina is the only one that stands in its way...
Read Ghost in the Cowl, Ghost in the Maze, Ghost in the Hunt, Ghost in the Razor, Ghost in the Inferno, Ghost in the Seal, Ghost in the Throne, Ghost in the Pact, and Ghost in the Winds along with the short stories Ghost Sword, Ghost Price, Ghost Relics, Ghost Keeper, Ghost Nails, Ghost Lock, Ghost Arts, Ghost Vigil, Ghost Mimic, and Ghost Vessel, and read the combined short stories in Exile of the Ghosts.
The Ghost Night Series
Caina Amalas was once a deadly Ghost nightfighter, a spy and agent of the Emperor of Nighmar. Now she only wishes to live quietly with her husband.
But civil war grips the Empire, and Caina's skills are needed against the cruel sorcerers of the malevolent Umbarian Order.
And Caina has a dangerous connection to the Umbarians.
For Caina's mother had many deadly secrets, secrets that might yet kill Caina herself...
Read Ghost in the Ring and Ghost in the Glass.
The Third Soul
RACHAELIS MORULAN is an Initiate of the Conclave, the powerful order of mighty mages. But to become a full Adept of the Conclave, she must first survive the Testing. Those who survive the Testing never speak of the trials they endured.
Those who fail the Testing are never seen again.
And now the Magisters of the Conclave have come to take Rachaelis to undertake the Testing. And there she shall face perils to both her body and her sanity.
And creatures that yearn to devour her soul.
If Rachaelis survives the Testing, she will face even more dangerous foes. The demons of the astral world watch the world of mortal men, desiring to rule it for themselves.
And some Adepts of the Conclave are eager to help them.
Read The Testing for free. Rachelis's trials continue in The Assassins, The Blood Shaman, The High Demon, The Burning Child, The Outlaw Adept, The Black Paladin, and The
Tomb of Baligant. Read the entire series in The Third Soul Omnibus One and The Third Soul Omnibus Two.
The Frostborn Series
A thousand years ago, the last grandson of Arthur Pendragon led the survivors of Britain through a magical gate to a new world, a world of magic and high elves, of orcs and kobolds and stranger, darker creatures. Now the descendants of the exiles rule a mighty kingdom, peaceful and prosperous under the rule of the High King.
But a shadow threatens to devour the kingdom.
RIDMARK ARBAN was once a Swordbearer, a knight of renown. Now he is a branded outcast, stripped of his sword, and despised as a traitor.
But he alone sees the danger to come. The Frostborn shall return, and unless they are stopped, they will cover all the world in ice and a neverending winter.
CALLIANDE awakens in the darkness, her memories gone, and creatures of terrible power hunting her.
For she alone holds the secret that can save the world…or destroy it utterly.
The secret of the Frostborn.
Read Frostborn: The First Quest, followed by Frostborn: The Gray Knight, Frostborn: The Eightfold Knife, Frostborn: The Undying Wizard, Frostborn: The Master Thief, Frostborn: The Iron Tower, Frostborn: The Dark Warden, Frostborn: The Gorgon Spirit, Frostborn: The Broken Mage, Frostborn: The World Gate, Frostborn: The High Lords, Frostborn: The False King, Frostborn: The Dwarven Prince, Frostborn: Excalibur, Frostborn: The Dragon Knight, and Frostborn: The Shadow Prison, and the prequel novels Frostborn: The Knight Quests and Frostborn: The Bone Quest along with the short stories The Orc's Tale, The Mage's Tale, The Thief's Tale, The Assassin's Tale, The Paladins's Tale, The Knight's Tale, The Soldier's Tale, and The Soldier's Tale. Read the first three books combined in Frostborn Omnibus One.
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