by Cecy Robson
I hadn’t bothered to sit when I first entered the library. Now I wish I had. I felt sick. My only comfort was that I knew Aric and his Warriors weren’t among those dead. I’d only left them about an hour ago.
Agnes returned to playing with her braids. “Dilip is a fool, but he’s not stupid, and very much wants to hang on to what he thinks is his. One of his wishes must have been for protection against influence, seeing as he can’t be hypnotized by vampires.”
“He can’t?” I was sort of counting on that.
She shook her head. “That was the first thing we tried. His other wishes must have included protection against his enemies, and protection against theft. This debacle of a were invasion proves as much.”
“Yeah. It does.” I released a breath. “Shah will be moved from the compound, won’t he?”
“Most likely. But Dilip’s still in Malaysia, so Shah must still be there, too.” She tapped her fingers across the keyboard as she replied to the email. “We can keep him there with some red tape, but not for long.”
“Okay. But then how do we get to Shah? We can’t influence Dilip. As a human he can’t be killed or tortured. And he’s wished for protection against his enemies and against theft.”
“But you’re not his enemy, Celia. We are.”
I smiled at Agnes. It wasn’t a friendly grin. “You’re speaking in code again, Agnes.”
She lifted her long legs and placed them on the marble table, not bothering to remove her platform Mary Janes or tug down her plaid miniskirt. “How can I put this politely?”
“You probably can’t, Agnes. It’s just not in you.” I rubbed at my chest again. God, it hurt. Why did it hurt?
“True,” she agreed. “Celia, you’re an oddity among us. As preternaturals we view all beings in one of two ways, friend or prey. There is no in-between for us.” She shrugged. “You don’t think that way, which means Shah won’t technically see you as an enemy he’s indebted to Dilip to annihilate.”
As much as Dilip sounded like a monstrous idiot and likely a murderer, Agnes was right. I didn’t see him as prey—something that needed to be destroyed or, ew, eaten. I saw him as something that needed to be stopped. “Okay, but Dilip still has protection against being robbed.”
This made her flash me some fang. “I didn’t say it was going to be easy.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’m glad you’re enjoying our little sit-down, but you still haven’t told me how I’m going to figure out Dilip’s new hiding spot for Shah. Something tells me if I smack him around, he’s going to count me among his enemies.”
“He’s a nerd, Celia,” Agnes said, like it was obvious. “Everything we need to find Shah is probably encoded into Dilip’s gadgets. The problem is, no one has been successful in snagging anything—Dilip’s phone, his laptop, not even his damn eReader.”
She removed her glasses and pegged me with sly grin. “The plan is for you to get close to Dilip. Real close. His phone should contain everything I need to gain access to his personal information and files. So even if he skips out of Malaysia, I’ll be able to find him and Shah anywhere.”
I crossed my arms, feeling more than a little leery. “What’s happened to those who have tried to take Dilip’s toys? His phone and tech stuff, I mean.”
“The first seven were discovered strangled with their own intestines and missing all their fingers. The last three were never seen again.” She smiled. “Good luck.”
Sometimes I really hated Agnes. “Even if we figure out Shah’s location, he’s going to be ready for us—to protect Dilip against theft, remember?”
Agnes stood and leaned forward, placing her palms on the table. “This is where it pays to be a freak. Shah can only guard against what he knows. He knows weres, he knows vampires, and he knows witches. He doesn’t know you, or your sisters. Your magic isn’t familiar because it didn’t come from the earth—nor has it existed before.” She smiled. “If you play your cards right, Shah will never see you coming.”
And if I don’t, I could end up riddled with bullets, missing fingers, and, ah, yeah, wearing my lower intestine like a scarf. Being a hero just plain sucked.
Another phone buzzed. This time it was mine. I reached into my purse and pulled it out.
Aric had sent me a text. I’m headed to Malaysia.
I paused before texting him back: So am I.
Chapter 9
Aric took my news as well as could be expected.
Okay. Not really.
“Are you out of your mind!” he’d yelled.
“You’re going,” was my awesome comeback.
Our video conference call from separate planes made it easier, but not by much. Misha was brought into the call first. The air around the private jet’s cabin shifted as soon as his image appeared on the screen. The vampires stood a little straighter and adoration lit their eyes.
Aw, the bloodsucking pain in the asses had missed their master.
I laughed a little. Maybe I had, too. “Hi, Misha.”
It must have been chilly in Transylvania this time of year. A black turtleneck sweater covered Misha’s muscular body, highlighting his gray eyes. His blond hair was longer, and draped just past his shoulders. He returned my smile. “Hello, kitten. You look well.”
“Because I’m not banged-up and bloody, yet,” I told him.
“Forgive me, Master,” Agnes interrupted, demonstrating respect she’d never managed to show me. “But the mongrels are ready to meet.”
The corners of Misha’s mouth lifted into one of his more wicked grins. “Put them through,” he said.
The giant roll-down screen took up most of the right side of the cabin. Misha’s image reduced, allowing the remaining Alliance members involved to take up the other half of the screen. Aric, his Warriors, Martin, and the witches stared back at us. No one seemed happy.
Except for Shayna. “Hey, puppy!”
She smiled and waved to Koda like it was prom night. He muttered something in wolf that sounded very similar to swearing. Shayna leaned close to me. “He’s a little upset I’m joining you on this mission,” she whispered.
He growled again. “Uh, he can hear you,” I told her.
Aric was so angry, his jaw could have ground walnuts to powder. He wasn’t moving, wasn’t speaking. And yet he still didn’t seem as pissed as Taran when Genevieve appeared and sat directly beside Gemini. A spark of blue and white fire appeared over Taran’s head. Followed by another, and another, until the whole top of her head exploded in flames.
The vampires hissed and scattered like roaches. Master vampires were immune to fire. But none of Misha’s vamps were masters. I yanked off my jacket and used it to beat out the flames engulfing her head.
Taran smacked my hands away. “What the hell. I’m fine!”
Yeah…separate planes was probably a good idea.
I only sat because her fire was extinguished for the moment. The vamps slowly returned to their seats, giving Taran plenty of space.
“Shall we begin?” Misha suggested. He appeared calm, but I caught the questioning glance he shot my way. He wasn’t aware of Taran’s lack of control, or how much worse she’d become. But no way was I leaving my sister behind.
Taran had other strengths besides her magic.
Martin was the first to speak. “Ordinarily we don’t permit mates together on missions. We find emotions can negatively affect strategies and outcomes.” His voice served as a warning, as did his narrowing eyes as they passed along Aric, Gemini, and Koda. “But our need to find Shah is great. Club Sunba, which Dilip Singh frequents, has already been wired for communication. We’ll position weres inside to serve as protection against any possible threat and to shadow the Wird sisters to ensure their safety. We wouldn’t want them escorted from the premises without their consent.”
By “escorted without our consent,” Martin meant drugged, dragged, and possibly wounded.
Shayna spoke up. “We’ll be inside first. Taran and I will be posing as part of
the, uh, staff.” She tossed me a nervous glance. “Emme and Celia will arrive shortly after to serve as um, club-hoppers, so to speak.”
Shayna was a horrible liar. And about as smooth as broken glass along a sidewalk. Not a great combo when you’re already dealing with irate wolves.
Aric straightened, growing suspicious. “When you say club-hoppers, what exactly do you mean?” he growled.
“I’m the one who’s going to get close to Dilip,” I answered before Shayna could sing like a canary. “One of the vamps on the inside is going to make sure Emme and I are brought directly to him.”
Now wasn’t a good time to mention Dilip was a fan of high-priced prostitutes. Or that Emme and I would be posing as them.
Aric didn’t seem to fully believe me, but my answer satisfied him enough that he relaxed. “We’ll have your back,” he promised.
I smiled. “I know.”
Martin scratched the center of his chest and addressed me. “Celia, forgive me for my request. But if you can’t gain access to Singh’s phone, you may have to return with him to the compound and attempt to secure it there, or locate his laptop. The rest of us—the vampires included—will shadow you there. The problem is, so far the compound has been impenetrable to anything supernatural. If you get in trouble, I fear we may be delayed in reaching you.”
“We’ll find a way,” Aric assured me.
I averted my gaze when I remembered the last weres who’d tried to gain access were all found dead.
“Don’t fret none, sugar,” Delilah said. “That’s where we come in. We can’t stop Shah’s power. It’s too strong. But we could probably stun it enough to get the reinforcements in, and you out.” She winked. “You don’t mess with a witch, don’t you know.”
Genevieve nodded, her stunning sapphire blue eyes radiant, as well as all that ebony hair spilling to her elbows. It wasn’t fair to be that beautiful. “We’ll make sure you escape if necessary,” she assured me.
“Yay, team,” Taran muttered.
The comment only made Genevieve smile. She didn’t fear Taran. But maybe she should have.
We wrapped up the last of the details then ended the conference call. I spoke briefly with Misha before he was pulled away by a soft, sweet voice. “Forgive me, my darling,” he said. “I must leave you.”
I knitted my brows. “Did you find a bride?” He didn’t answer. “Misha!”
He considered me. “Not so much a bride, but an arrangement.”
I laughed. “You’re not going to give me any dirt, are you?”
He scanned the nosy group around us. “Not now, but in time.” His humor faded. “Stay strong, and stay safe,” he told me.
“Don’t knock anyone up” was my advice to him.
Misha laughed before the screen faded and the call disconnected. Taran stood abruptly and disappeared to the back where two small suites made up the remainder of the jet. Emme clasped my hand, whispering low. “Something happened between her and Gemini, but she won’t talk to us about it.”
Shayna nodded. “It’s bad, Ceel. Whatever’s between them. Gemini left the house right before you called. He was carrying a suitcase. I don’t know if he’s coming back.”
“He moved out?”
Emme nodded. “That’s what it looked like.”
I straightened and carefully rose, not wanting to believe it. “I’ll go talk to her.”
I found Taran in the suite furthest away. She lay on the queen-sized bed, wrapped in a small white throw. Although her back was to me, I knew she was crying. The smell of her salty tears hit my nose before I could reach the bed.
Taran and I were tight, real tight. I knew when to push her and when to give her space. I lay next to her and waited for her to speak.
“How are things with you and Aric?” she asked.
I stared at the ceiling, ready to tell her we were fine. But that would’ve been a lie. “We’re okay.”
My comment gave her pause. “Just okay?”
“Things aren’t the same lately, Taran,” I admitted. “Aric’s temper has been short since the shape-shifters attacked. He’s irritable and exhausted all the time. I’m worried. He claims to be having trouble controlling his human half.”
“Not his wolf?”
I knew what she meant. It should have been the other way around. “No. It’s his human side that’s giving him problems.”
“You can’t be serious? What the hell’s his human’s problem?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Don’t be mad. I think he’s stressed about returning to his duties. The thing is, now I’m doing it, too. I wigged out—lost it completely and totally embarrassed him. I don’t get that way with Aric, ever. I was so crazy at the time. But he was more upset because I was upset. He stayed reasonable when I couldn’t think straight. I know we’ll be okay, so long as only one of us gets loony at a time.”
“I guess,” she said. “It’s obvious he adores you. Hell, any time you’re in the same room together he can’t tear his eyes off you.”
Her words made me want to smile, but I held back. “The nightmares are getting worse,” she said in the quiet that seemed to shroud the suite.
I almost didn’t want to know. “How?”
“I can see into the eyes that haunt my dreams. As dark as they are, I can see what they see. Ceel…I watch Mom and Dad being murdered in their reflection every time those eyes visit my dreams.”
“Taran…Jesus.”
Her voice croaked. “Yeah. I know.” There was more that she wanted to say, and she did, quickly abandoning the subject of our parents and how brutally they’d lost their lives. I couldn’t blame her. That was one of those topics we avoided at all costs, except what she said next didn’t offer me any sense of comfort. “Gemini asked me to marry him.”
I sat up slowly. Like her nightmares, I could tell by her tone this wasn’t good news. The scent of her misery surrounded us, clinging to the air and erasing all other aromas. “When?”
“Earlier today. He took me to the clearing that overlooks the lake. I thought he wanted to talk about some of the shit we’ve been going through. Instead he opened this little velvet box and asked me to be his wife.”
Tears dripped from her eyes and landed on top of the comforter. “You said no, didn’t you?”
“Of course I did. What choice did I have?” It was then Taran finally broke down. “Things have been broken between us since Anara ravaged my body. I know Gemini feels bad, I know he feels guilt. But that doesn’t make it okay for him to treat me like a freak.”
Taran sat up and rubbed the area between her breasts before the motion caught her attention and she stared at her gloved hand. “When we would make love, he wouldn’t touch it. I’d keep it covered, but he’d cringe away.”
I stroked Taran’s dark hair away from her face. She often exaggerated; it was part of her spirited personality. But this time, I didn’t believe she was distorting the truth. Gemini had been distant around her. He persistently maintained his gaze fixed on her face or anywhere else besides her deformed arm, and while he remained affectionate, his efforts seemed forced.
And I’d never seen him touch her affected limb.
“Does Aric avoid touching you where you were injured?” she asked quietly.
I didn’t want to admit that Aric frequently caressed the thick ugly scars marring my lower belly or how he’d often kiss the area when we made love. It was his way of recognizing the pain Anara inflicted and the invariable reminder of our loss. “No,” I answered simply.
“Which is why you’re marrying him, and why I told Gemini to walk.”
I sighed. “Taran, there has to be more to this than what you’re seeing. I think you need to talk things through. You love him. I know you do. Just like I know that he loves you.”
She shook her head. “He doesn’t love me. Not anymore. He loved the perfect girl, with the perfect smile, and the perfect body.” When she spoke again she was sobbing. “He doesn’t want the one who’s deform
ed, who can’t control her magic, who’s seconds from breaking down every time he recoils from her touch.”
I pulled her to me, embracing her gently as my heart broke along with hers. “Taran, if he asked you to marry him, it’s because he wants to promise you forever.”
Taran quieted then. “Forever is a long time with someone who finds you repulsive.”
I didn’t have a response for that. When it came down to it, I couldn’t excuse his behavior, just like I couldn’t blame her for refusing him. I gathered her closer, hoping that with time, my sister would be all right. Something was really wrong with Taran. And Gemini was only a part of the problem.
—
We hit the ground running when we arrived in Langkawi. That is, if hitting the ground includes dressing up like whores. When a she-vamp held up my so-called attire for the evening, I thought she was handing me a red silk infinity scarf. I peered around her, expecting more. “Where’s the rest?” I asked like a moron.
The vamp straightening my hair paused, as did the one applying my makeup. “What do you mean, where’s the rest? That’s what you’re wearing,” Agnes said, like it was obvious. “Show her the back.”
All there was to the back was a sheer mesh skirt. “Don’t worry. You’ll have a matching red thong and cute gold earrings,” Agnes added to sweeten the deal.
Somehow I thought the “cute” gold earrings would do little to draw attention away from my bare backside bouncing along. For the love of all holy, I didn’t want to wear the dress. In fact, I thought whoever designed it should have been arrested and possibly flogged. But I needed to grab Dilip’s attention and keep it. And I couldn’t deny that dress had the power to do it.
“Crap,” I muttered. “Where did you get this hideous excuse for clothing?”