by Jane Cousins
“If that is the case, then in this scenario you are the Queen and Copper is one of your knights. Doing exactly what she needs to do. Let her make her own choices here, Matias. If you don’t… I’m afraid she’ll end up hating you.”
Matias shrugged, jaw jutting out belligerently. “She’d get over it.”
Quinn shook her head in frustration. “I’m not sure you want to piss off the Goddess K’in.”
“You know she’s just play acting at all this Goddess shit, right?” Matias rounded on Quinn. “It’s nothing more than a tool Copper used to create and control a loyal army.”
“If you believe that, then you haven’t been paying very close attention. Haven’t you noticed? I’ve been watching her today and she’s… different.”
“Different how?”
“The way she moves. How still she gets sometimes. And have you looked into her eyes? Matias, I don’t think Copper is… well… fully human anymore.”
“That’s a ridiculous thing to say.”
“Is it? You were both exposed to the Shard. You picked up the mantle of Guardian, and to protect yourself from being overwhelmed by its sheer power, you reset every day. Copper was tossed back hundreds of years through time. We don’t know what impact releasing the Shard from the hollowed blade had on her.”
“Well she sure as shit didn’t become a Goddess.”
“You’re being blinded by the fact she’s your sister. Look, really look at the drawings on the walls here and what they depict.” Quinn flounced off to re-join the others. Grrr, stubborn man. She didn’t know what he was planning but she could only pray that it didn’t backfire and get them all stuck here, hurt, or dead.
Double Grrr. And now she was worried about Matias’s safety. Merciful Lady save her, she needed to get away from the man. Before she ended up doing or saying something she couldn’t take back. Like telling him how she felt about him.
Wait? What? How she felt? No. No. No! All she felt was physical attraction, nothing more. Okay, so she liked the way he could make her laugh. And he was thoughtful, smart, a very handy man to have around the house and kitchen. He danced divinely. Was demanding and tenacious in the bedroom. He was loyal. Wilful and stubborn when he wanted something… or someone. And when he smiled, her stomach filled with butterflies, her heart raced and it was all she could do not to reach out and touch him.
She wanted good things for him. A good life. A full life. She wanted his memory back. Then he could make up for all the time he’d lost. No doubt he’d want to return to treasure hunting. Tracking down lost wrecks and cities was in his blood. He deserved to have everything he wanted… and more.
He deserved someone in his life who he didn’t have to monitor every minute of every day, constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. For the first hints of madness to occur. The first forgetful moment. The first panic attack. The first time she started talking to imaginary people. The first hint of the approaching inevitable dense fog of confusion and irrationality. Babbling. Screaming.
Quinn could only pray when that happened that Matias was far from the Southern Sanctuary doing something he loved… with someone he loved.
Ignoring the sharp spike of pain that last thought caused, Quinn shifted her attention to Elijah, who was running through the plan yet again.
It sounded simple. A gang of eager teenage volunteers armed with slingshots would create a distraction near the fruit orchards located at the rear of Gap’gn’s temple. According to Copper, such raids were not uncommon amongst the tribe for those wishing to prove their bravery.
Of the original Priestesses that Gap’gn had turned, only two remained, Kristiah and Conchetta. Whilst Gap’gn had managed to turn more women over the years, his powers had changed, twisted, and the new breed of Jag-offs were incapable of turning back, stuck in hybrid form forever.
Closer to the animal mind set they were more vicious, predatory, but also less smart. So they would be easily distracted by a group of intentionally noisy teenagers depleting their fruit stocks.
Copper had complete confidence that her gang of trainee warriors would be more than a match for the primitive Jag-offs. So it was agreed that she would escort the visitors back to the beach. Ensuring they got off safely. And keep watch for the return of Matias, Elijah and his Alpha team.
Perhaps the only thing that couldn’t be planned for was the fact that once the storm past, it took all the cloud cover with it. So the full moon and the dazzling blanket of stars overhead would effectively spotlight the group once they left the relative safety of the jungle. Blindingly so, Quinn realised, as the group paused at the tree line whilst Elijah scoped out the beach and the surrounding area.
The tide was well and truly out and only small pools of shallow water separated their beach with the one across the mouth of the river. Quinn didn’t pull back as Matias reached over to grab her hand and squeeze it. It was required after all, she told herself, physical contact with Matias so they could time travel. The fact that it felt so right, so natural… well, she would just ignore those aspects.
They waited another few minutes, for the wildlife in the jungle to settle behind them, reassuring chirps, clicks and rustling sounds filling the night. So at least that meant there were no Jag-offs creeping up behind them. Which just left the chance of a frontal attack.
Quinn eyed the beach across the mouth of the river, frowning, something had caught her attention out the corner of her eye. A flash? Something. But when she looked in that direction all she saw was Elijah, hand on the hilt of his sword, silent, ready and alert. Even as she watched he raised his arm, signalling the group to get ready. When he dropped his arm they broke cover and hit the black sand.
Forming up into a little chain gang of skin on skin contact, as planned. Matias in the front. As soon as he stepped into the water they should return to the Sanctuary. With the tide out, the water seemed a long way down the beach. Quinn fought the urge to tell Matias to hurry up. They’d agreed on a slow but steady pace. Ensuring no-one was left behind and no nasty surprises came out of the water, or from the beach across the divide.
Copper moved up to the edge of the tree line but no further. Four large dark shadows looming behind her, protecting, watching. She’d said goodbye to her brothers back at the Israzidi village. Hugging them both tight, her eyes glittering with unshed tears for a brief moment.
Quinn felt her body relax. They were almost there, almost home, and obviously her fears that Matias would do something stupid had been for naught. And then, in a blink of an eye, it all went to hell.
There was an explosion of sand to her left and suddenly a hybrid Jaguar, half its face scarred and twisted with faded burns, an eye missing, launched itself directly at Matias. Kristiah!
Matias let go of Quinn’s hand, ducking and rolling. Kristiah’s claws glinting dully in the moonlight as she swiped out, just missing making contact as she sailed over their heads. Landing in a flurry of sand. Throwing back her head and releasing a loud, guttural howl.
A second shape erupted from a pile of sand directly beside Jodie, who was already sweeping her sword around in a low arc as her mentor, Adrian, swung high.
Confusion reigned as Quinn hit the sand hard. Pushed aside by Elijah who moved to meet and block Kristiah as she set her sights once more on Matias.
Bloody Hell. Chaos had descended in less than five seconds. Worse. Out the corner of her eye, Quinn caught a glimpse of several more hybrids sprinting swiftly across the shallows of the mouth of the river to join the fight. Their twisted forms loping with a chilling speed and surety.
Damn, ambushed, and back up for the bad guys was on the way.
Of course, Quinn was forgetting Copper and her warrior protectors as they moved up swiftly to join Taite and Nico, ready to meet the approaching reinforcements. Quinn flinched, but then relaxed as she realised it was Matias, his hands reaching under her armpits to help her to her feet. They couldn’t go forward, risk Matias touching the salt water, the team was too disbanded. And
they couldn’t go back, leaving the team to fight this threat alone.
“You get to cover.” Matias gave Quinn an impatient push towards the tree line. “I’ll help the others.”
Oh no. He didn’t just go all He-man protective on her, did he? He seriously expected her to run, hide? Whilst her friends and family were in danger? So, not going to happen.
Matias’s heart was racing, adrenalin coursing. The solid plan that Elijah had hatched, to create a small distraction by signalling any Jag-off guard on duty to their presence on the beach, and in the ensuing rush snatch Copper, had gone FUBAR, and then some.
That nasty bitch Kristiah, hiding out in the sand? Ambushing them like that had been an unpleasant shock. But at the same time he couldn’t help but revel in the hope that he might finally be able to make her pay for what she’d done to his parents, to his friends.
But then his gut also twisted at the idea that Quinn might get hurt in this mess. She was smart though, she’d hide in the jungle and wait until the coast was clear. He’d barely finished that thought when her lithe form, platinum hair glinting brightly, raced past him to back up Taite.
Bloody Hell.
He fought the urge to run after her, club her over the head and stash her somewhere safe. He had to trust she knew what she was doing. Besides, Nico knew how much Quinn meant to him, his brother would protect her.
Focusing, Matias stepped up beside Elijah who was circling Kristiah’s slightly stooped form. Her one eye glinting yellow and bright by the light of the full moon.
Matias ducked as Elijah twirled and leapt high, his sword slashing out. Matias rolling across the sand, kicking out. With Kristiah distracted by Elijah, Matias made a solid connection with his foot to the centre of her torso, sending her tumbling backwards. Unfortunately, thanks to those sturdy thighs, Kristiah was able to land expertly, turning and ready for Elijah’s follow up attack. Managing to open four shallow slices across the Head Enforcer’s ribcage, shredding his shirt.
Elijah didn’t flinch or respond, other than to bring his sword up to slash across Kristiah’s right thigh. Blood spurting hot. A harsh grunt of pain issued loud and low from warped vocal cords. Matias blocked Kristiah’s raised claw, following through with a solid punch, Kristiah’s head snapping back sharply. Clearly dazed she managed to spring backwards, flipping in a clumsy somersault to land on both legs, limping but steady enough to meet the next attack.
They made a surprisingly good team. Elijah all speed and the flashing of his blade. Matias brute strength and relentless rage. Their opposing strengths kept Kristiah off balance, forcing her to constantly shift her focus in order to defend herself and at the same time go on the offensive when she could. With only one functioning eye, Kristiah had to work twice as hard to keep them both in sight.
Around them the fight raged. Snarls filling the air. The Enforcers for the most part moved in silence. Swords glinting, twirling, slashing and attacking with steadied, determined precision.
Copper and her honour guard moved like wraiths across the black sand. Daggers, spears, darts and a combination of Krav Maga and kick boxing meant they were excellent distance and close contact fighters.
Quinn, having fought Kristiah on the Merry Maverick, knew what to expect as she backed up Taite. Her flowing Jiu Jitsu style making her a difficult target. There was a difference though in these Jag-offs, clearly Kristiah had been intelligent and skilful, the more recently transformed Jag-offs were as advertised more animalistic, closer to their four legged half than their human. Which made them both more and less dangerous.
Their instincts might be razor sharp but their planning skills, not so much. And they appeared to find dealing with multiple attackers challenging. Without the ability to shift their style or focus to meet and match like Kristiah and the other original Jag-off, Conchetta, who was currently facing off against Jodie and Adrian.
As Quinn ducked and rolled under Taite’s thrusting sword, she grabbed a hand full of sand and flung it directly into the Jag-off’s eyes that they were battling. The creature flinched, and Taite used the opportunity to slice and dice their opponent, until it fell in a wet, bleeding mess to the black sand, mewling softly in pain and surprise.
Quinn turned to see if anyone else needed help. Her gaze automatically tracking the swordplay as the blades reflected the light of the full moon. It was awfully bright, that full moon, low and heavy in the sky.
She was disgruntled to note that her own platinum hair made her stand out, and not just her, she realised. There was a faint glow surrounding Copper. As if only the covering of mud and leaves were keeping her aura contained. Hell, if only she had a moment to draw Matias’s attention to the phenomena. Nothing changed about his kid sister, her left butt cheek.
Quinn jumped out of the way as a Jag-off flew by, courtesy of Nico’s left hook. The Yanez siblings were scarily strong. And very determined, as she was forced to take another big step back as Nico dived after his badly battered but still moving opponent. Streaks of blood marred the side of his throat and his right thigh, but he seemed oblivious to his injuries. Anger had clenched his jaw, making his light brown eyes glitter with fierce intensity.
Quinn’s analytical side couldn’t help but wonder how he felt being on the same beach as his almost fiancée who turned out to not only be able to turn into a half jaguar, but had killed his parents?
Unfortunately, there was no time for a session as one of the Israzidi warriors bowled her over as he staggered past, trying to shake off a Jag-off that had leapt onto his back and was digging in her claws, jaw snapping for the side of his throat. Quinn went to help but stumbled to a halt as Copper swooped in, having leapt impossibly high, silent, moving incredibly fast, ramming her knife into the creature’s spine. A guttural howl splitting the air.
Quinn released a slow breath. They’d managed to whittle down the number of their attackers. At least four Jag-offs lay on the sand; sad, lifeless lumps. One of the Israzidi warriors was also down, but he was still moving, face grimaced in pain, he’d torn off his leaf loincloth to use as a makeshift bandage, covering the deep claw marks along his left flank.
With more of their numbers freed up they could concentrate on the real threats, Kristiah and Conchetta. Huh, yeah them, they’d gone from being outnumbered and outflanked to being the superior force within a matter of minutes.
Quinn had witnessed enough Enforcer memories to know that letting down your guard and getting cocky was usually when the shit hit the fan. A concept brutally brought home when a muscular arm snaked around her shoulders, pulling her back roughly against a bare chest, her head forced back, and the sharp tip of a knife coming to rest against her jugular.
The blade reflected no light. Its surface midnight black like that of an endless night. It was a weapon she’d heard a lot about over the last few days. The hollowed blade, forged by a God. And only one person would be wielding it, Gap’gn.
And she was his captive. Crap.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Leverage. It was not a word Quinn normally had a problem with. That was until she found herself being used by a power hungry High Priest - with a notorious hard on for performing human sacrifices - for that very reason.
With the tip of his blade resting against her jugular, Quinn couldn’t help but think about the hundreds, perhaps thousands of victims he had sacrificed with this very knife in his insane bid for power.
Hmm, but was he insane? When dealing with an adversary with the upper hand it was very important to understand their motivation. Once you knew what drove them, you could ferret out their weak points and their blind spots.
Dreading what she had to do, Quinn leaned back a little more, pressing her bare arm against Gap’gn’s shoulder. She threw herself into his memories deep. Rifling through them.
The orphaned child. The hand to mouth existence until he grew big enough to take food from the other children. Being rejected by the girl he had a crush on, her affections focused upon one of the young warriors in training
. The revelation of witnessing his first blood sacrifice being performed and seeing the glow of hope on his fellow worshippers faces and understanding… truly understanding where power lay.
To be able to instil hope and fear… it was a heady mix.
Gathering power, slowly. Joining the devoted followers and moving up through the ranks until he could depose the old Priest. Understanding what his followers needed to hear. Making bold promises of rain, good crops and rich hunting. Taking credit when things went right. Pointing the finger of blame quickly elsewhere when things didn’t.
Seducing young women and convincing them to become his Priestesses. Meeting Cum Hua and coming up with the plan to trick Ixchel out of her power, with the intention of gobbling down her light to raise himself to God status, even as Cum Hua claimed the Earth, and covered it with endless darkness.
And the beseeching eyes of his many, many terrified victims, as they lay tied to his stone altar, knowing that above them stood their murderer. That there would be no mercy. Senseless to struggle. Useless to protest. How much their sheer terror delighted Gap’gn. Young, old, female, male and the most important one of all… the girl who’d rejected him when he was on the brink of manhood.
All those details had been scooped up by Quinn in barely five seconds. She fought the urge to gasp. It was a lot to take in, but breathing hard at the moment was ill advised, considering the sharp tip of the blade she could feel pressing against her skin.
Gap’gn opened his mouth to call attention to the platinum haired prize he’d snared. His voice deep and oddly mesmerizing. A tool he’d used often through the years to convince his followers to do his bidding.
He spoke English well, thanks to Kristiah and his other Priestesses who had travelled through time in their search for the last Shard of Ixchel’s power. Educating him in regards to the future world, the cultures and the languages.
Quinn knew that Gap’gn burned to see those sights. He wanted wealth, comfort. Yearned for riches and realised, in the future, there were hundreds of thousands willing to give him money. All he had to do was tell them what to believe.