Shadow Rising

by Cassi Carver

  Her lungs burned with the effort as she scaled the side of a densely covered mountain. Through a break in the trees, she saw the glint of sunlight on silver and heard the whoosh of wings. “Leave me alone!” she called to the sky.

  In the distance, she saw the tree. Tall and regal, it lorded over the clearing, fanning out over Julian’s final resting place. She forged ahead, not stopping until the headstone was before her. She dropped to her knees in the grass over Julian’s plot.

  The grass?

  “No,” she moaned, hearing the displacement of air behind her as her pursuers touched down.

  The grass was more than a foot tall, and the soil clearly hadn’t been disturbed since Gavin and Aiden’s last excavation. There was no way anything had risen from the earth here.

  She’d lost Julian in twelve inches of grass.

  And if the man in the alley hadn’t been Julian, then she might have kissed the devil himself.

  Chapter Five

  She buried her head in her hands, pressing her fingertips tightly to her eyes. Her heart felt like it was being gouged from her chest with a wooden spoon.

  “Kara?” Aiden said quietly.

  Her hands fell limp to her sides. “No. Don’t talk. Take me home.”

  “If an Aniliáre has taken an interest in you, this is the only safe place. You’ll stay with us.”

  “Like hell I will. I’ll take my chances with the wards.”

  “Half of the Aniliáre in the Shadowland could blow through those wards like hurricanes through a cardboard hut.”

  She tore out a handful of grass by the roots and tossed it aside. “I don’t care.”

  Aiden released an aggravated breath. “I need to talk to Gavin. Maybe he can make sense of this.”

  Kara laughed. She was already emotionally down for the count, and the mention of Gavin was like another strong kick to the gut. Julian had ultimately given his life protecting Kara, but Gavin had walked away of his own free will when she’d needed him the most. She’d thought they were friends, perhaps future lovers, but now she never wanted to lay eyes on him again if she lived to be a thousand.

  She rose and faced Aiden. “Leave Gavin out of this. Don’t spoil his vacation on my account.”

  Aiden looked dangerous when he stepped closer to her. “This isn’t all about you, Kara. Men were hurt tonight. We’re a clan, and an attack on even one of our brothers is not acceptable. This black-wing has to be stopped, and to do that, we need you here. We can’t afford to risk more scouts to protect your solitary way of life.”

  Oh, mother trucker. He was right. Kara might not know all their names and faces, but those men had lost their wings while watching over her. Had she brought the black-wing down upon them somehow? Was living in the city as a mostly unprotected Demiáre female just inviting trouble?

  She met his eyes and nodded. “You’re right, Aiden. I’m sorry.”

  His lips curved gently, and his tight fists relaxed. “It’s all right. You’ll be happy here. You’ll see.”

  “No, I mean you’re right about it being unacceptable to risk any more men. I take full responsibility for my life and my choices. I’m going home, and I want you to stay as far away from San Diego as you can get. No more scouts. No more people hurt.”

  “Except you, perhaps?” he bit out.

  Kara shrugged. She wasn’t exactly going to hand herself over to the witches or a black-wing, but neither was she going to allow anyone else to get caught in the crossfire.

  Aiden reached for her with his wings prepared for flight and brought his eyes level with hers. “This conversation isn’t over yet, Kara.”

  He clutched her firmly to him. The feel of his hands biting into her arms was the only proof she was real when the syrupy darkness engulfed her and picked at her soul.

  A moment later, she stumbled to a stop outside her apartment and shook herself, like a dog shaking off water, to ease the shadowy feeling in her bones. She heard the soft hum of voices coming from inside the apartment. “Why are we out here?”

  He glanced at the door with annoyance. “I guess someone’s working on the wards.”

  “You can’t get in? How do you know?”

  “I tried to deliver you inside, but I bounced off.”

  Kara smirked. “Cool.”

  Aiden mumbled a curse under his breath. “Yes, cool. I suppose I can’t complain if it’s working. Still—” he paused to pin her with a severe look, “—I’m not an angry Aniliáre.”

  She patted him on the back just to piss him off. “This is for the best, Aiden. Here at home, I’m probably safer than you are.”

  “You are my responsibility, Kara. You’re asking me to do something that goes against my nature—practically against clan law. If Julian were alive, he’d never forgive me for leaving you unprotected.”

  If Julian were alive. She swallowed. “I never signed anything saying I was part of the Mercury Clan. Your feelings of responsibility for me are misplaced. And if Julian is dead, I guess his opinions don’t matter anyway.” She stuffed down the pain at the mention of him. Sometimes a woman had to choose strength over feeling. She never would have survived her childhood if she’d been soft.

  “I felt responsible for you long before Julian took you to his bed. Are you forgetting your father and my oath to him?”

  “Another man not around to care. If you want to do me a favor, Aiden, figure out a way to stop the black-wing that doesn’t involve getting your men grounded or killed. I’m not going to be responsible for more casualties in San Diego.”

  “And Jaxon?”

  She paused and bit her lip. “Do you think he’d be safer with you?”

  Aiden laughed. “Are you really so unconcerned about your own life that you would send away your only protector?”

  “I’m not unconcerned, but I’ve made it this far on my own, and I’m not about to start living scared—like I’m in some Demiáre witness protection program or something.”

  He paused and really looked at her then. “You don’t realize what a treasure you are to us.”

  “I never asked to be.”

  “No, but is there anything wrong with being valued?”

  Emotion roiled within her, turning her folded hands into fists. “You mean like how Gavin valued me, treated me like his princess? He was so honorable, swore he loved me. Where is he now, Aiden? He left, just like they all do. I was barely out of diapers when I learned that most people can’t be trusted. They always have ulterior motives. And if they don’t want something from you, they’ve lost interest and want nothing to do with you at all.”

  His eyes flashed with anger. “You have no idea what Gavin has done for you.”

  “What has he done? Introduce me to Julian so he wouldn’t have to screw me himself? That didn’t turn out too well for Julian, but Gavin seems to be doing fine.”

  Aiden snorted in disgust. “Get your sorry head out of your ass. Gavin has sacrificed more for you than you’ll ever know.”

  Aiden was upset, but the guilt in his expression captured Kara’s interest. “What are you talking about? What has Gavin done?”

  He turned away. “Never mind.”

  She grabbed his arm. “Tell me.”

  “It’s not my story to tell.” He pulled away and his expression closed, as if he was seconds from flashing.

  “Aiden, wait.”

  He looked up at the ceiling, his hands clenched at his sides. “I’m so fucking sick of this. I’ve attempted to maintain order and peace until Gavin returns, but you people buck me at every turn.” He met her gaze then, and what she saw in his eyes was frightening. “So listen carefully, little princess. Stay in the house, and stay out of trouble. If anything else goes wrong in your city, I will drag you kicking and screaming back to Mercury Island, where you belong.”

  Kara twisted the knob, and as she entered her apartment, power washed over her and seeped through her skin, as if a spell was sampling her DNA. Abbey and another woman sat cross-legged on the kitchen flo
or. They’d scooted the table into the living room and faced each other with their hands linked. With the second woman’s back to Kara, she couldn’t see who it was, but her black hair was up in a high ponytail, and the colorful tattoos on her neck were plainly visible.

  Jaxon waited by the door for Kara to enter, no doubt hearing every word of her argument with Aiden. He pressed a finger to his lips, as though Kara didn’t know she needed to be quiet when witches were working. She nodded to let him know she understood.

  Jaxon paused, looking as if he wanted to reach for her but didn’t know if he was welcome. Kara sighed and wrapped her arms around his middle. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, then leaned down and whispered in her ear, “They’re almost finished.”

  He felt so solid and safe under her cheek, she didn’t let go. Being with friends was exactly what she needed to get her through this night. She glanced over at Abbey from her spot on Jaxon’s chest, feeling the swell of pride in her heart. She was looking at the future high priestess. It didn’t seem fair that Kara couldn’t smack her for keeping such a huge secret, then bust out the margaritas for a celebration.

  When the humming ended, Abbey’s red-rimmed eyes popped open. “There you are!” She sprang to her feet and rushed over, throwing her arms around Kara and Jaxon. “I was so worried! Why didn’t you take your damn cell phone?”

  “Sorry,” Kara mumbled, untwining herself from Jaxon so she didn’t look so helpless. She didn’t feel it was the right time to remind Abbey that cell phones didn’t work on Mercury Island.

  Abbey stepped back to look at her. “Tell me what happened.”

  “I will, but—” She was about to say she would when their guest left, but when the woman stood to her feet and turned, Kara’s stomach dropped. Just flippin’ great. “Sage. Wow. What brings you here?”

  The black-haired beauty had changed quite a bit in the past few years. She now had vibrant tats of everything from dragons to flowers covering her arms and neck and piercings in her lip and brow. Last time Kara had seen her, the only piercings she’d had were the dangly earrings Kara had almost ripped from her ears for flirting with Kara’s high school crush. Her smirk was still the same, though.

  “You should know,” Sage retorted. “I heard you were in some kind of trouble, and it was putting Abbey at risk.”

  “No, no, no.” Abbey waved her hands, stepping into the breach separating Kara and Sage. “I’m fine. We’re just doing this to be safe.”

  “Grammy D wasn’t available or one of her friends?” Kara’s tone suggested anyone would have been preferable to the creature in front of her.

  “No,” Abbey replied. “It was the strangest thing. You know she usually comes running in an emergency, but she said she couldn’t make it tonight—she had bunko. She’s insisting I stay at the cabin for the week, but I told her this is my home for now, and I am not leaving you. Honestly, I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”

  Sage barely hid her smile. “Yeah, that is weird, huh, Kara? Why would Dora do that to her own grandchild?”

  Shit. Sage knew about Kara’s trouble with the witches and the order for Dora to stay away. “I wouldn’t let it hurt your feelings, Abbs. You know how old people get. And anyway, it’ll all be resolved soon.”

  Kara walked back to the door and opened it wide. “Thank you so much, Sage. I really appreciate it.” Don’t let the door hit ya where the Lord split ya.

  Abbey gave Sage a hug. “Thank you, sweetie. Do you mind if we take a rain check on those drinks? Kara’s had a rough night.”

  “Sure.” Sage squeezed her back, then made her way to the door. “Stay safe.”

  Kara could swear the edge in those words was meant for her. It took all her strength not to slam the door behind her childhood nemesis and shout something rude while she was still in earshot. She counted to ten, then blurted, “Oh my God, Abbey! She probably cursed me with the pox. What were you thinking?”

  Abbey’s sweet expression turned sour. “Hey, if your swishy little Fallen ass calls down the scourge of heaven, what am I supposed to do, hope he likes witches for playthings and makes Jaxon’s death quick?”

  Kara frowned to hide her hurt. Abbey had never called her Fallen before. Witches liked to use the term just to make sure everyone knew who were the salt of the earth and who were the screw-ups.

  “Abbey,” Jaxon said. “That was unkind. You know Kara had nothing to do with attracting the Aniliáre’s attention.”

  Abbey’s olive green eyes welled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I just don’t understand how we could live our whole lives like two normal—well, fairly normal—girls and then get caught up in all this crap. I’m trying to take it in stride. I swear I’m trying. But just when I think things are going to get better, they go from bad to worse.” She closed her eyes and buried her face in her hands, but Kara saw silent tears leaking out around the edges of her fingers.

  Jaxon picked Abbey up and carried her to the couch. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise. I will keep you safe.”

  Abbey’s cream-colored shirt was starting to show the seepage in the front where her wounds oozed. Images of Gable’s brutality flooded Kara’s mind. Abbey had endured too much.

  Kara sat on the coffee table across from the pair and rested her hands on her knees, waiting until Abbey was willing to make eye contact again. “Maybe Grammy D is right. Maybe you should go stay in the mountains until I get this figured out.”

  Abbey frowned and shook her head. “I’m not a coward. A woman’s allowed to cry, you know, without it meaning she’s weak.” It was a precious statement coming from between the biceps of a burly warrior.

  “You can take Jaxon and go where you’ll both be safe.”

  Abbey sat up. “No way. We’re not leaving. You need us. Manza and steel-toed boots aren’t enough anymore.”

  Kara didn’t have the heart to tell her that the three of them wouldn’t be enough to defeat a black-wing. “With these wards you put up, nothing can get to me here. It would be so much better if you and Jaxon went to the cabin.” She smiled. “You haven’t been to Witch Mountain in, like, forever.” They’d gotten a kick out of calling it that when they were little, and the name had stuck.

  “No,” Abbey answered.

  Kara allowed her expression to harden. “Let’s put it all out on the table here. If you go, no one can use you to get to me.” When Abbey opened her mouth to argue, Kara stopped her with a hand. “Don’t tell me that’s not gonna happen. It did before, and you’re still living with the aftereffects. Your leaving is for the best—for both of us.” And you won’t be around when I stand trial at the council.

  Abbey leaned forward, looking like a red-headed doll poised on Jaxon’s lap. “I’m not even considering that tonight. We can talk about it tomorrow. Now tell me why you thought you saw Julian.”

  The change of subject didn’t provide Kara any relief. She told Abbey every detail, as Jaxon listened carefully. The warrior was stoic, his burning eyes the only thing betraying his outrage over Kara’s run-in in the alley.

  Once Kara had showered and was alone in bed, the shaking started. It coincided with a few tears, but at least it wasn’t sickness this time, just a simple case of heartache and hopelessness. She tried to sleep, but images flashed through her mind—the couple laughing before their bodies merged with the sidewalk, an ominous letter sealed with red wax, a wingless warrior falling from the sky, Julian’s dimpled smile, his lips coming slowly toward hers.

  She reached for Pibby’s picture beside the bed. She’d invested in a nice frame, but the small photo was blurry. Abbey had taken it with the camera on her phone one day just for fun, and she’d printed it for Kara when the cat had gone missing. Kara had never been one to remember to take pictures, and she regretted it now. The only thing she had to show for her time with Julian and Gavin was a shattered heart.

  She set the picture on the nightstand and rolled over. It was time to move on, but she could still feel the black-
wing’s mouth on hers and the slash of his fangs over her skin, and she knew she had another sleepless night on the horizon.

  Kara had told a half-truth to Abbey when she’d said she was good at being alone. She had been—until she’d finally experienced intimacy with her own kind. On that first night with Gavin, it was as though a puzzle piece had clicked into place within her. And then came Julian. Their chemistry was so perfectly attuned, they’d bonded before either knew what had hit them. And after the passion they’d shared, it was hard to go without.

  She couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss in the alley. But if that man wasn’t Julian, then who the hell was he?

  At two a.m., while staring at the ceiling, she heard her door creak and shot up in bed. Before she could reach for her knife or ask who was there, Jaxon entered and quietly closed the door behind him.

  “What’s the matter?” she asked. “How’s Abbey?”

  He walked to her and sat on the edge of the bed. “She’s sleeping soundly.”

  “Good.”

  Clothed only in his gray silk boxers, he was all smooth skin stretched over dense muscle. It was easy to see why he’d been one of Lace’s favorites for more than a century. “Do you have need of me?” he asked softly.

  The look in his eyes simultaneously made her mouth gape and her nipples harden. “Do I have what?”

  He reached out and moved a lock of brown hair behind her ear. “Do you need me?”

  Jaxon had always been safe and comfortable, one of her only true friends. She turned her nose into his hand and inhaled deeply. “Why are you asking me this?”

  “I am yours. You may think I’ve forgotten my vow, but you are my lady, first above all else. I know I haven’t met your expectations. Let me try again.”

  When he leaned over and pressed his lips gently against hers, the woodsy scent of his skin enthralled her. He tasted like heaven, his tongue silky and moist, but she pulled away. “There was a time I would have considered it, but not now.”