by Jane Kindred
The split second between the penetration of the glass and the arrow’s impact in his target wasn’t long enough for a normal person to react, but the revenant turned, causing the arrow to hit him in the shoulder. It had missed bone and gone straight through. Lucien grabbed another arrow, but Leo moved faster, charging through the broken window, and the arrow wasn’t fully loaded as he came at Lucien.
Lucien dropped the bow, ready to defend himself in hand-to-hand combat. He only had to hold the revenant off for a little while. Despite the miss, the arrow tip would have delivered its poison, and it should be taking effect any minute.
But Leo didn’t even seem impaired. Lucien bobbed and wove as Leo grabbed for him, throwing a right hook. Leo was faster, his fist catching Lucien on the jaw. The revenant barreled into him as he tried to take another swing, flattening him on the ground. Gravel and cactus tines from a decorative cholla ground into Lucien’s shoulder as the revenant pummeled him. The Soul Reaper wasn’t slowing this guy down a bit.
A knee to Lucien’s groin ended any chance of regaining the upper hand.
Leo climbed on top of him, hands around Lucien’s throat, the shaft of the damn arrow still skewering his left shoulder. “Who are you? Who sent you? Was it that necrophiliac?”
The lack of oxygen to his brain as the large hands constricted his airway must be impairing his understanding. That couldn’t have been what the revenant said.
Lucien’s vision was going gray.
“Leo! What the hell are you doing?” Theia’s voice rang out as a car door slammed, and she was running toward them. “What’s going on?”
But it was Theia’s twin, not Theia herself—which made a lot more sense, Lucien realized before he lost consciousness.
Chapter 7
Rhea’s message was baffling.
That guy you pretend you don’t want just went rogue. Get over here. NOW.
Theia tried calling, but it went straight to voice mail, and her texts weren’t being read. That was unnerving. What was going on? She hopped into her car and drove straight to Rafe’s place, rattled enough to speed. Normally, according to Rhea, she drove like a granny.
A car Theia didn’t recognize was parked out front, so she had to park farther down the drive. As she approached the house, she tripped over what looked like a quiver of high-tech arrows among scattered gravel and broken cactus littering the normally immaculate walkway. Theia dashed to the door and burst in without knocking after seeing shattered glass around the front windowpane.
“Rhea? Are you okay? Are you here?” She hadn’t had any visions about Rhea being in danger, but her Spidey-sense was triggered like crazy.
“In here.”
Theia breathed a bit easier at the sound of Rhea’s voice. She hurried toward it and found her sister and Leo in the kitchen—with Lucien Smok tied to a chair. He looked like an angry bull had trampled him. Lucien glanced up at Theia out of one eye, the other swollen shut, and quickly looked down.
Leaning against the counter with his arms folded, Leo had a bandage around his shoulder and blood soaking his white T-shirt. And there were bruises on his knuckles.
Theia found her voice after a moment of what was becoming a familiar sense of breathlessness, except this was breathlessness of disbelief. “Lucien? What in the world is going on? What happened to you? What are you doing here?”
“That’s what we’ve been asking him, but he won’t talk.” Rhea kicked at the leg of Lucien’s chair. “He shot Leo with a goddamn arrow.” She indicated Rafe’s large oak table with her gaze. A crossbow with a high-powered scope attachment lay on it.
Theia rubbed her forehead. “Lucien?”
He didn’t glance up, but he finally spoke. “I’ll talk to Theia. But not with him in the room.”
Leo made an angry noise that sounded like a wolf growling, but Rhea took his hand. “Come on. Maybe she can get something out of him.” Reluctantly, he went with her, and Theia closed the kitchen door.
She took a breath and turned around to find Lucien staring at her, his one open eye bloodshot and defiant. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on? Did you really attack Leo with a...” She glanced at the table. “A crossbow?”
Lucien’s voice was calm and measured. “Your sister is living with a man who ought to have died a millennium ago.”
Theia crossed her arms. “I’m aware of that.”
“You’re aware.”
“How is this any of your business?”
“Because that’s my business. My real work. Putting unnatural creatures down. Demons. Revenants.”
“Revenants?”
“That’s what the reanimated dead are called.”
Theia laughed, but Lucien wasn’t kidding. “Leo is not a revenant. You can see that, can’t you? I mean, I know your vision is a little limited right now, but, seriously, Lucien.”
“He died over a thousand years ago.”
“He was supposed to die over a thousand years ago. I take it you’re aware of the Valkyrie’s bargain?”
“Dead is dead. The Valkyrie created a revenant in defiance of the Fates.”
“Even if she did, what does that have to do with you? Why do you care?”
“I told you—”
“Yeah, yeah. You said. It’s your job. Is this why you showed up at Phoebe’s wedding?”
Lucien inclined his head. “One of the reasons. The other reasons were a demon and a necromancer.”
Theia’s temper flared in the face of his calm composure. “So your bullshit job offer was just that. Something you made up on the spot as an excuse to get close to my family so you could go on some purity crusade against them. Are you working with Carter Hamilton?”
Lucien opened his mouth but paused as her words registered before he spoke. “Hamilton?”
“The actual necromancer who crashed the reception. The man who murdered Rafe’s father and apprentice along with at least two innocent women.”
“I’m aware of who he is. Why would I be working with him?”
“Because he’s made it his life’s work to destroy my family, and you seem to be very conveniently helping his cause.”
“I’m not trying to destroy your family. This isn’t about your family at all.”
“Could have fooled me.”
Lucien sighed, glancing down at the floor, where droplets of blood had dried around him. “First of all, my interest in having you join the genome project at Smok Biotech was genuine. Is genuine. That has nothing to do with any of this.”
“Any of this? You mean the trying-to-kill-members-of-my-family this? Did you think I’d just be like, ‘Oh, that’s okay, Mr. Smok, let me map these triggers for you. I don’t need time off for the funerals. Can I get you a coffee?’”
“I didn’t think you’d find out,” Lucien burst out.
Theia unfolded her arms and clenched her fists, tempted to add to his bruises.
He had the sense to look embarrassed. “I mean, this is what I do. It has nothing to do with anything else. I compartmentalize the Lucien I have to be for the company so I can do this. You have no idea how dangerous these inhuman abominations are. Revenants rip people limb from limb. They’re unstoppable. They’re not human, and they do not experience empathy or remorse. My work with Smok Consulting means letting creatures like these walk free, and I was tired of being the cause of it, so I decided to take matters into my own hands—unofficially. I’m sorry it happens to affect you personally, but I can’t let my feelings for you get in the way of what has to be done.”
Through the haze of anger, Theia’s airway did that funny tightening thing again. “Feelings for me?”
“I didn’t mean feelings, I just meant—I mean, of course I’m attracted to you, that’s not... Fuck.” Lucien threw back his head in frustration but clearly regretted the movement as soon as he’d made it, judging by th
e sharp cry.
“What was that? What’s wrong?”
Lucien looked a little green. “Nothing. I think I might have... I just have a little...” His eyes fluttered shut, and his head slumped forward.
“Lucien?” Theia tried to rouse him with a gentle shake, to no effect. She raised her voice as she turned her head toward the door. “You guys? I think I need some help in here.”
The door opened abruptly, Rhea’s palm flat against it as though she’d been standing just on the other side with her ear pressed against the wood. “What did he do now?”
“I think he passed out. He moved his head sharply and it jarred some injury.”
Leo grunted from the doorway. “Probably his broken arm.”
Theia whirled on him. “You broke his arm?”
“Arrow,” Rhea reminded her. She pointed at the table with a glare. “Crossbow.”
“I’m not saying it wasn’t warranted, but you don’t tie up a guy with a broken arm and torture him for information.”
Rhea snorted. “Nobody tortured him. He’s a big goddamn baby.”
“You have to take him to the hospital.”
Lucien stirred and groaned. “’M fine. No hospital.”
Theia rolled her eyes. “You’re not fine. You got the shit beaten out of you by a Viking. Deservedly, it sounds like.”
Lucien gritted his teeth like he was struggling to stay conscious. “Call Lucy.”
Theia looked at Rhea, who shook her head and shrugged, then glanced back at Lucien. “Khaleesi?”
Lucien groaned, this time a sound of frustration rather than pain. “Call. Lucy. My sister. Number’s in my phone.” He paused for a breath. “Under ‘Bitch.’”
“Um...” Theia raised an eyebrow.
Rhea picked up the cell phone lying next to the crossbow. It was a bit dented, and the glass cracked, but apparently it still functioned.
“Password?” Lucien gave it to her and Rhea typed it in. “Yep. Here it is—Bitch.”
“She’s my twin,” said Lucien.
Rhea shared a look with Theia. “Seems about right,” they said together.
* * *
Lucy Smok was at the door twenty minutes later. She had the same ice-blue eyes and long lashes as her brother. The same dark brows and darker hair—though Lucy’s was considerably longer and hung in a loose braid—contrasted starkly with the porcelain-fair skin in a slightly more feminine frame.
Lucien’s twin leaned casually against the entryway, a black leather attaché case in her hand, glancing from Rhea to Theia as they opened the door. “Which one of you is the biologist?”
“I’m Theia.” She stepped forward and shook Lucy’s hand as though they were meeting in a normal social situation. “This is Rhea. Please come in. He’s in the kitchen, through here.”
Rhea had agreed to let Theia untie Lucien, but he still sat in the chair, guarded by a scowling Leo.
Lucy took in Leo’s size with a glance and burst out laughing at her brother. “God, you’re an idiot.”
Lucien glared, holding his right arm awkwardly in his lap. “Thanks.” His voice was tight and clipped. “Knew I could count on you.”
“You’ll have to forgive my brother.” Lucy smirked at him from the doorway. “He thinks he’s some kind of vigilante superhero.” She stepped into the kitchen and set down the bag to look him over, clucking her tongue at his bruises.
He swore loudly when she touched his arm. “I think it’s broken,” he said through gritted teeth.
“That’s what they told me.”
“Did you bring it?”
“I did. You sure you want it?”
Lucien nodded curtly.
Lucy straightened. “We’re going to need to get that shirt off.” She looked around. “Got any scissors?”
Rhea rummaged through the kitchen drawers and dug up a pair. “Looks like you’ve got this covered.” She handed them to Lucy. “I think Leo and I should leave you to it.” She nodded at Leo, who pushed away from the counter with a sigh and followed her to the door. Before she left, Rhea turned back to Lucien. “And by the way? He’s not a revenant, you jackass. He’s mortal.”
Lucien hissed in pain as Lucy cut the black sweater up the side, muttering something under his breath.
Lucy shook her head, continuing to cut without pausing. “You shot a mortal with that thing, idiot. You’re lucky he didn’t kill you.”
The sleeve came away, revealing an odd twist to Lucien’s elbow that made Theia’s stomach churn.
From the black case, Lucy retrieved a small glass vial and a disposable syringe and ripped open a sterile wipe, which she used on his elbow. “This is going to hurt.”
Theia peered over Lucy’s shoulder as she opened the vial and filled the syringe. “What is that?”
“It’s like Fix-a-Flat for bones.” Without a warning, Lucy jabbed the needle directly into the joint, and Lucien let out a barrage of obscenities.
Theia had to turn away to keep the sudden lurch of her stomach from becoming something more. When she turned back, the twist in Lucien’s arm seemed to have magically straightened.
“It’s a little something we make at Smok Biotech.” Lucy nodded to her brother as he cautiously flexed the joint. “You’ll need to have it set properly before it starts to mend wrong. But for now, you should be able to use it.”
As Lucien pulled off what remained of the sweater, Theia caught a flash of blue ink on his back just below the right shoulder. Brilliant blue, like the color she kept seeing everywhere—in her dreams, evoked in sounds and words.
Lucien glanced at Lucy. “Did you bring me—”
“Of course.” She handed him the sweater she’d taken from the case, the same as the one he’d been wearing.
He turned as he stood to pull it on, giving Theia a good look at his ink.
It was a tattoo of a small web-winged dragon in flight.
Chapter 8
As Lucien struggled to pull on the sweater without showing that it was a struggle, Lucy stopped him.
“You’ve got something sticking out of your back.”
“Cactus.” He’d rolled in plenty of it. The minor irritant had paled against the other aches and pains he was beginning to feel now that his arm wasn’t killing him. He couldn’t remember ever taking such a beating, even from a raging wendigo. He’d been overconfident and unprepared.
Lucy sighed and got a pair of tweezers from her case. “Sit down. Let me get them.” She went to work pulling out the tiny spines as he eased back into the chair. “So I understand you’re going to be working at Smok’s new lab,” she said to Theia.
Lucien snorted. Like that was happening now.
Theia stayed behind him, watching Lucy from a few feet away. “I hadn’t made up my mind.”
“Well, if you don’t mind a little unsolicited advice, I suggest you don’t.”
Lucien tried to turn, but Lucy held his shoulder—the one that was still sending out flares of pain.
“Oh?” Theia’s voice was cool. “And why not?”
“I think it’s a little beyond your abilities.”
Lucien wanted to slug her, but her grip on his shoulder was firm.
“I mean, I’m sure you’ll be a fine scientist someday, but this is serious work. It’s not a graduate project.”
“Give it a rest,” Lucien growled under his breath.
“On the other hand, I hear you’ve already been in the White Room.”
“The White Room?”
“Our special project. Lucien’s special project, really.” She was yanking out cactus spines roughly to let him know she thought he’d overstepped his authority. “It’s highly classified. Even the government doesn’t know about it. But you...you know about it.”
Theia stepped closer. “Is that some kind of threat?”
“Threat?” Lucy stopped plucking and turned to look up at Theia. “No, of course not. That’s a little paranoid.” She went back to her work. “It is a warning, however. I know you’ve signed our nondisclosure agreement. Not sure if you read the fine print.”
Theia’s voice hardened. “What fine print?”
“Lucy,” Lucien warned, but she ignored him.
“The fine print that says you’ve agreed to return any intellectual property you may have removed from the lab.”
“I didn’t take anything. What are you talking about?”
“Your memories.” Lucy stood and dropped the tweezers into the case, turning to face Theia as Lucien rose, wanting to shut her up but not knowing how—and realizing as he stood that the room was spinning.
“And how exactly am I supposed to give back my memory of the visit?” Theia scoffed.
“We’ve developed a special technique.”
Lucy had a syringe in her hand, and Lucien grabbed for it, but the floor seemed to tilt under him, and he grabbed her arm instead as he pitched toward the table.
Theia stepped in to steady him while Lucy regarded him with cold eyes, as if she would have let him fall. He’d fucked up, and he was on his own.
She stood back while Theia helped him into the chair. “I suppose you got your head knocked around by that delicious Viking.”
“I may have hit my head on the concrete once or twice,” he acknowledged.
“Are you having trouble seeing?”
“Not much.” Things had been a little blurry.
“Not much?” Lucy shook her head. “Looks like you’ve earned yourself a pretty good concussion there, little brother. Someone’s going to have to keep an eye on you overnight. And it’s not going to be me. I have a date.”
“Well, he’s not staying here,” Theia’s sister objected from the doorway.