Cross Keys

by Ally Shields

  The warmth in his eyes pushed her heartbeat into double-time. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his jacket. She should push him away, be the conscience for both, but she couldn’t do it. Not when everything inside her was jumping up and down, saying yes, yes, yes. She lifted her head and met his kiss, sliding her hands up his chest and burying her fingers in his hair. He pulled her jacket open and ran a hand under her shirt, pausing when he felt the titanite, then lifting another layer until he reached her bare midriff. He splayed his hand across her rib cage. Delicious shivers followed his fingers. Seth groaned when she parted her lips and invited him to deepen the kiss. For a few minutes they were alone in the universe.

  “We have to go,” he finally whispered, “or Captain Brunic will catch us rather unprepared.”

  “He already knows.” She pulled his head down and kissed the side of his mouth.

  Seth chuckled. “I’m not surprised he’s guessed, but I’d rather make any further revelations on our own terms.” He brushed her lips one last time. “I have every intention of finishing this later tonight.”

  She stepped back. “I’ll take that as a promise.”

  They locked fingers as they walked toward his grandfather’s house. However uncertain their future might be, the mines had reminded her that everything about life was unpredictable. They might not have a perfect life, and they might not have forever, but at least they had this moment if they chose to take it. She wanted to try.

  Harad Lormarc’s elderly retainer admitted them, showed them to the sitting room and gave Seth a pointed look. “Your father and Jermon are with your grandfather in the study. Perhaps your guest would like to wait here for a few minutes.”

  Seth frowned. “My father too? What’s going on this time?”

  “I don’t know, sir.”

  “Well, I’m sure they’ll tell me. Kam, why don’t you have a seat while I check on this family discussion. I’ll be right back.” His scorching smile almost melted her toes.

  “I’ll be here.” She touched his cheek. “Don’t forget to wipe your face before you go in there.”

  “Oh, right. The blood. Thank you.” He disappeared down the hallway, and the retainer followed him out.

  After they were gone, she put a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. What had the old retainer thought of that exchange?

  Kam strolled around the sitting room, admiring the paintings and portraits on the walls. She figured they were some of Seth’s ancestors, but most looked very stern. She could hear voices coming from the study, but not clearly enough to understand the words. Seth’s footsteps came back down the hall and entered the study. When she peeked out, the retainer was entering the study with a tray and left the door ajar. She could hear plainly now.

  “Seth, what is this nonsense about arrests in the mines?”

  She didn’t recognize the male questioner, but the next voice was Seth’s, explaining in brief terms what had happened.

  “I thought even crossbreeds would have better sense. Did these ruffians identify the keyholder?” The voice this time was definitely older than the first. Harad or Jermon.

  “Yes, Grandfather, they did. We’re on our way to arrest Petros. I thought our guild might want to send someone to oversee the operation of his guild until they can make new arrangements.”

  “Certainly, son. I can take care of that. But who did you mean by we? Is there someone with you?”

  Ah, the new voice had to be Seth’s father.

  “There is, and I’d like you to meet her. Rhyden and I have been working with Kameo Ryndel to resolve this matter. She’s in the sitting room. May I bring her in?”

  “Of course. We would love to meet her.” Seth’s father again.

  “Here? In this house? Whatever for? Couldn’t she have waited outside?” That was the first voice again. By process of elimination, it had to be Jermon.

  “Outside in the cold? That hardly seems appropriate. Although I’ve done worse to Sawyer.” That sounded like his grandfather again, and he’d finished with a chuckle.

  Kam flushed, wanting to march in there and defend her family. But hearing footsteps nearing the study door, she ducked back into the sitting room. Someone came out of the study—probably the retainer—and closed the door, preventing her from hearing Seth’s reaction. She leaned against the wall and heaved a sigh. Wait outside? Done worse to her father? They would never accept her. No matter how much she wanted Seth, she didn’t want to alienate him from his family. Not when she knew hers wouldn’t be any more supportive. In the long run, they’d end up resenting one other.

  The study door opened, and she hurried away from the sitting room door. When Seth came in, she was sitting demurely by the windows. He smiled at her. “Come on. The family’s waiting.”

  Uh-huh, to eat her alive. Well, so be it. She wasn’t going to let a bunch of Lormarcs send her running for cover. She’d meet them tonight, then break it off with Seth. He must realize from their reaction that this couldn’t go any further.

  She put a smile on her face and started for the study. Seth’s firm hand on her back kept her going.

  Harad Lormarc sat in a chair before the fire, his intense eyes peering at her from a frame of snow white hair. There was no mistaking Sean Lormarc. The handsome older version of Seth leaned against the fireplace mantel, a slight smile on his lips. The third man, closer in age to Harad, stood stiffly in the middle of the room. Great-uncle Jermon’s pinched face was far from welcoming.

  Seth introduced everyone. Harad nodded to her civilly enough.

  Seth’s father crossed the room to take her hand. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Ryndel. I understand you and my son are engaged in business tonight, but I hope to improve our acquaintance at a later date.”

  “Thank you. I’d like that.” At least Sean Lormarc’s manners were impeccable, and Kam was determined to show him a Ryndel was just as well bred.

  Harad’s brother stared at her with hard eyes until Harad prodded him. “Jermon? Quit daydreaming and greet our guest.”

  Daydreaming, huh? Looked more like he was plotting her demise.

  Jermon moved forward, radiating disapproval, his headed tilted so his nose was in the air. He held out a hand, as if he expected her to kiss it. A large ruby winked in the flickering light from the fireplace.

  Kam’s heart stopped. She recoiled, actually taking a step back. “You! It was you with the rifle!”

  “Kam—” Seth put out a restraining hand.

  “What’s the meaning of this?” Jermon drew himself up, but the truth flashed through his eyes.

  Fury flooded her. “You’re a murderer.” Of all the things he’d done, the cold-blooded murder of Sieom was the one that stuck in her mind. “You’re under arrest, you disgusting scum!” She fumbled for her flexicuffs, then remembered she’d used them on Ganby.

  “Kam,” Seth repeated. “Talk to me. What are you doing?”

  “He’s the keyholder,” she hissed. “That ring. It flashed in the sun when he shot that poor man.”

  “Are you sure?” Seth whirled to stare at his uncle.

  “Positive.” The arrogant tilt of Jermon’s head had stirred her memory of the rifleman, even before she saw the ring. She glanced at Seth’s frozen face. “But don’t take my word for it. Hold him here while I check his house. I’m betting I’ll find the rifle, a black cloak, and maybe a lot of other incriminating things.”

  “Lies! It’s just more lies from a Ryndel. Exactly as I’d expect.” Jermon suddenly swung toward her with his fists raised, eyes filled with hate. “You will not enter and defile my house!”

  Seth’s father grabbed one of Jermon’s arms. “Jermon, this is unseemly. Get control of yourself. If you’re innocent, she won’t find anything.”

  Jermon started to struggle, but before he could shake Sean off, Seth grabbed his other arm.

  “Sir, Captain Brunic is here.”

  The retainer’s announcement brought instant silence. He stood stiff and proper in the doorway, tr
ying hard to ignore the scene before him.

  “Tell him to come in,” Kam snapped.

  A brief moment of humor flitted across Harad’s face, but he sobered and nodded. “Yes, bring him in. Perhaps he can settle this.”

  It took several minutes to fill Brunic in on the earlier events. Jermon kept interrupting with denials or threats, and Kam’s patience threatened to run out.

  She kept her eyes averted from Seth, knowing how horribly she had embarrassed him in front of his family. She wasn’t even upset that he might not believe her. Well, not much. If the roles were reversed, she’d have questions too. Not that it mattered. The Lormarcs would be furious with her. She and Seth could never reveal their fragile relationship.

  Once Brunic had heard everything, he left two of his guards outside the Lormarc house, sent four of them to the guild to arrest Petros, taking Kam and two other guards with him to search Jermon’s house.

  It didn’t take long to locate the rifle, the stolen Glock, a shoe box full of handguns and several boxes of rifle shells. The black cloak hung near the back door. When they discovered drawers of papers and correspondence referring to firearms and uranium, Brunic sent for additional guards to collect the documents and go over the house room by room.

  He and Kam returned to Harad Lormarcs’ house. She stopped at the bottom of the front steps.

  “Something wrong?” he asked.

  “No, not at all. But I don’t think you need me for this. I’m tired and dirty. I’d really like to go home and get cleaned up.”

  “You did an excellent job on this mission. Are you sure you don’t want the pleasure of the final arrest?”

  His words might have stuck to business, but understanding shadowed his eyes. He knew why she didn’t want to go back inside the Lormarc house.

  “I’m sure, Captain. Goodnight. I’ll be in tomorrow to file my reports.”

  “Goodnight, Kam. Again, good job.” He began to climb the steps.

  She walked quickly away, anxious to put some distance between her and the house, but she wasn’t even out of sight of the palace when she heard running footsteps behind her.

  “Kam, wait.” Seth grabbed her arm to stop her. “Why did you leave?”

  “Are you kidding? I just had your uncle arrested, and he could end up being executed. You’re family was already upset I was even in the house. I heard them. But now,” she spread her hands, “they must hate me.” She stopped to take a breath.

  “You overheard us talking in the study? Did you hear all of it?”

  “I heard enough. And I saw how they looked when I confronted your uncle.”

  “They’re in shock, Kam.” He tried to reason with her. “We all are, but what’s happening to Jermon is not your fault.”

  “Oh, really? Tell your family that.”

  “You’re wrong about them, although I don’t care what my family thinks.” His annoyance slipped out. “But maybe you have some preconceived ideas of your own you need to deal with.”

  Kam bristled. Preconceived ideas? Really? She struggled to remain reasonable. “It’s an impossible situation. I won’t get between you and your family, cause even more trouble. I’d hate it every time they cut us off.”

  “They won’t do that.” He sighed and looked off into the distance. A fog was rolling in, threatening to obscure the dim street lanterns of Brierwood. “Come on, I’ll walk you home. We can talk about this later.” When she didn’t budge, he said, “If it makes you more comfortable, we’ll keep us to ourselves for a while and not tell them until the time is right.”

  “And what? Sneak around like we’re ashamed?” Her anger began to build. “Are you ashamed? Is a Ryndel not good enough for you?”

  “Stop this, Kam. You’re twisting my words. That wasn’t what I said or what I meant.” His eyes narrowed. He clenched his hands as if he wanted to shake her.

  “Don’t you dare touch me.”

  He looked at her in disbelief. “You think I’d hurt you?”

  “No, of course not.” She stepped toward him to prove her point. “Let’s be honest, Seth. It’s probably good this happened before we said anything to our families. I’m not a Lormarc. End of story.” She took a deep breath, and her voice softened. She didn’t want her last words to be said in anger. “I wish you well, Seth. Honestly, I do. Goodnight.”

  She turned on her heels and left. He didn’t follow. Good. He’d gotten the message. But tears streamed down her face long before she reached home.

  * * *

  Seth seethed with frustration. He glared at her retreating back, willing her to turn around. Finally he rubbed the back of his neck and turned away. Kam might not listen to him now, but this wasn’t over. She wasn’t getting rid of him that easily.

  He retraced his path to his grandfather’s. The household still buzzed with tension. He met Captain Brunic in the hallway, leading Jermon away in restraints. Seth’s great uncle stopped to glower at him, his eyes flashing with anger. “You stupid fool. I had big plans for our family. You let that woman ruin everything.”

  Seth stiffened, tempted to vent his raw feelings, but his response came out weary, almost indifferent. “You really shouldn’t say anything more, Uncle, until you have a solicitor.”

  “Damn the solicitor! And damn you!” But he shut up as Brunic shoved him toward the front door.

  “Seth, I’d like you to stop by my office tomorrow to file a report,” the captain said. “It’s going to take a few days to wrap this up.”

  Seth nodded, held the door for them, then turned back down the hallway. Pausing with one hand on the study door, he squared his shoulders, preparing for whatever questions or recriminations were coming. He pushed it open. His father and grandfather looked up and broke off their conversation.

  “Quite an evening,” his father said mildly. His face and voice gave away nothing. “Perhaps you can help us understand exactly what happened.”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “Then grab the brandy.” His grandfather waved toward the liquor bar. “I think we could all use a drink.”

  Over the next hour and a few glasses of the finest brandy in the kingdom, Seth went over the entire story, from the first wanderers spotted in New Orleans, to the CIA agent, the firearms deals, the uranium, the shooting at the mine, everything related to the criminal activities.

  “I should have stopped this.” The old man’s voice trembled with guilt. “I suspected Jermon was up to something more than his usual shenanigans. That’s why I asked you to look into it,” he confessed, peering at his grandson. He shook his head slowly back and forth. “But I didn’t conceive of anything as monstrous as this. He must be possessed or insane.” Harad’s voice was drained. “Who was he going to kill in this armed uprising? Me? Your father? The king?”

  “Does it matter?” Sean Lormarc stood, holding his drink glass, and went to stand by the fire. He swirled the amber liquid. “He is clearly a madman.”

  “You can’t dismiss this by calling it insanity.” Seth’s face flushed. The full magnitude of Jermon’s betrayal had registered during the retelling. When it had been some faceless keyholder, it had been easier for Seth to remain objective. “He plotted for months, maybe years. The uranium operation isn’t new. And he murdered people—there was a roomful of bodies—and he exposed our entire world to potential invasion. The portal protection of invisibility is gone forever. Who knows what other magics or forces can now be used against us?” Seth’s voice rose as he recounted the atrocities. “Our people have been sickened, families destroyed. I could go on and on.”

  His father abruptly set his glass on the mantle and crossed the room to place a hand on Seth’s shoulder. “Son, I know. I understand what he’s done. I wasn’t trying to excuse him.” Sean Lormarc dropped his hand, his shoulders slumped. “I was merely using a figure of speech for behavior that is incomprehensible and brings shame upon our entire family.”

  Sean returned to his brandy glass, and silence settled on the room. Only the fire
crackled, the rich scent of burning applewood filling the study with a false sense of cheer. His grandfather finally stirred. “The Lormarcs have a duty to make this right, as much as we are able. We’ll contact all the families harmed, see that they want for nothing. And medical attention for those who need it.”

  Seth’s father nodded. “The uranium mine should be permanently sealed, as soon as the king gives permission, and the Petros guild disbanded. We’ll find work for the crossbreeds who were not involved in this scheme.” He turned his head to Seth. “Are you sure all the firearms have been found?”

  “By our count, yes, but we’ll keep looking.” Seth’s voice was flat. They could never make this right, but he agreed that his family had to try. “All the crates but one were still sealed when we found them, and the ammunition shipment never made it through the portal. The guns missing from the open crate were in Jermon’s house.” He ran his hands through his hair and turned toward the door. “I’m going home and get some sleep. The next couple of days will be rough.”

  “I should go too. I’ll walk with you.” Seth’s father set down his empty glass and addressed his elderly parent. “I’ll return first thing in the morning, and we’ll sort this out together.”

  Harad heaved a sigh and nodded. Seth had never seen him so discouraged, a sentiment his father put into words as soon as they were outside on the street.

  “He’s taking this hard. With his age showing more every day, I worry about his health. Just one more thing Jermon has to atone for.” He came to a halt and studied his son. “I didn’t get you alone to talk about Jermon. This Ryndel woman—”

  “Don’t say anything we’ll both regret.”

  His father actually smiled as they started walking again. “Then I was right in thinking she means something to you.”

  “Yes.” Seth hated how defensive he sounded.

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  Startled by the question, Seth laughed. “You mean other than our families?”

  “Surely you’re not letting that stand in your way?”