Stitched

by Shannon Mayer

  Rylee, you got a plan? Blaz called to me from the beach, his words still easily heard despite the distance.

  “I’m going to get her attention and try to draw her to you,” I said, the plan forming on the spot.

  And then?

  I shrugged. “We try to get some venom from her while you hold her still. Sound good?”

  What are you going to put the venom in, exactly?

  “Damn, why are you such a plan pooper?” I pulled a silver flask out from my back pocket that I’d pinched from the monastery. “Now who’s the planning queen, eh?”

  Peta, ahead of me and obviously listening in on the conversation, snickered.

  I smiled. “A flask should work just fine, no?”

  I could almost feel Blaz shrug, but he didn’t argue.

  The closer we got to the center of the island, the closer I could feel Spider, and the more I wasn’t so sure my plan was going to work. The trees still held together for us, but attached to them were spider webs the size of a California King mattress, and most of them held still squirming animals in them. Monkeys, but a few other creatures as well. Like the hog that was hung upside down. I froze. Strike that, human, not hog. I swallowed hard. Spider was not one I would want to tangle with on a good day, no matter how desperate I was. I licked my lips. “Itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout . . . .”

  Ahead of us, something big and black shifted in the treetops. “Tracker.”

  Oh, shit.

  We stopped where we were. “Spider, nice to see you. I need some of your venom.” Belatedly, I added, “Please.”

  She scuttled down the branches, the sound of her hairy legs rustling against the leaves like a subtle whisper of dried branches brushing against a window on a deep winter’s night. She leaned toward us, her large golden orbs staring, unblinking. Creepy, creepy, creepy. I did not like this. I put my sword away as a sign of good faith. Hoping I was making a good decision.

  Peta moved so she stood in front of me, the fur over her body puffing up and a low growl trickling past her lips. “Spider, did you hear me? A little of your venom and we’ll fuck off.”

  “And if I don’t give you my venom, what then? Do you think to kill me like you did the Wolf?”

  I bit down on the angry retort that swelled my throat and settled for shaking my head. “I’m hoping you’ll help without the use of force. And I didn’t kill him. He made his choice.”

  She laughed, a high-pitched tinkling laugh that made me think of a petite woman as she entertained a man she was trying to catch. Oh, fuck.

  I stepped back, Peta with me. “Time to go.” I spun, a blur of black legs flashing behind us. I didn’t stop to watch, to see how fast she was. I bolted back the way we’d come, Peta right behind me. The little bit of treetops still above us danced over our heads and it was then I realized the stupidity of my plan.

  Spider was outflanking us, using the treetops to travel, and as the thought entered my head, she dropped out of the trees in front of us.

  I didn’t think, just spun and leapt for the branches across the way. No point in trying to be careful. If I didn’t make it out of this alive, it wouldn’t matter to the child I carried anyway. The branches slid through my hand as I fell, digging into the flesh, tearing at my skin and stripping it from my hands.

  But I slowed and only hit the ground with a mild thump. Spider let out a laugh. “Little pig, little pig, you will be a fine meal indeed.”

  “Shit.”

  Peta landed beside me, a muffled growl as she pawed at her face. I dropped to a knee to see her lips coated with spider web, sealing her mouth shut. I ripped it off, taking fur with it but she didn’t complain. “We’ve got to run, you think you can help open the way with your elemental mojo?”

  She bobbed her head once and then took off. Above us, Spider laughed again, and I didn’t wait to see if she was climbing down. Peta ran ahead of me, dodging and leaping through the jungle, the branches pulling back just long enough to allow us to shoot through.

  A branch let loose too soon and swatted me in the face, knocking me flat on my back. “Fuck!” I rolled to the side and got to my feet. Ahead of me, the path had closed off around Peta, and behind me came the skittering of eight legs scrambling along the branches.

  “What’s the matter, little Tracker? You didn’t really think you could outrun me, did you?”

  “I was hoping.” I spun slowly, doing my best to keep my eyes on all the parts of the jungle at once. Not an easy thing.

  Need my help yet?

  “Blaz, it’s about fucking time.”

  Track her so I can pinpoint where she is.

  I sent a thread out, tapping into Spider. I stilled. She was directly above me, but I knew the only reason she hadn’t dropped on me was the simple fact she was curious. That came through the threads loud and clear.

  “Spider, why do the other Guardians not like you?” I turned, carefully, acting as if the jungle was what I searched.

  “That isn’t why you’re here.” Her voice came from my left and I twisted, knowing she wasn’t there. The big bitch could throw her voice, apparently.

  “No, it’s not. But I don’t think you’re going to willingly help me, are you?”

  The sound of a body thumping down directly behind me brought me around, blade raised. I hadn’t expected to see a woman standing there. She was taller than me, her body angular and bony under the long sheer black see through lace dress she wore. Her skin was a burnished gold under the shift, almost matching her eyes. I lowered my blade. “Spider?”

  She nodded once. “I don’t have to be a mind reader to know your dragon was going to scoop me up if I stayed in my other form. That doesn’t mean I can’t kill you like this.” She grinned and fangs lowered in her mouth to drip venom onto her chest.

  I braced myself as she pulled a blade from her back. “It has been a long time since I had a taste of combat like this.” She held up her sword so it caught the light. “I’m looking forward to this.”

  Without pausing, she swept the blade toward me and I caught it with my own, sliding the tip down the length of her blade to her hand, cutting into the flesh.

  Snarling, she twisted her sword, blocking me and then pushing me back. “Clever girl, tell me what would make you risk your life to find me? You had to know I wouldn’t welcome a visit from the one who cut a leg off me.”

  Our blades met again, the fine steel clashing as we tested each other’s strengths. “I need a few drops of your venom.”

  “So you said.” She spun and drove the tip of her blade toward my middle. I sidestepped and came slammed my own blade hard on the flat of her sword, forcing it down far enough that I could get a boot on the flat of the blade and slam it to the ground. She surprised me, going with it so that she didn’t lose her grip and was able to jerk the sword out from under me. “But there are only a few things my venom is good for besides killing.”

  I really did not want to tell her the reason, and I hoped to hell she wouldn’t be able to guess. But by the way her eyes suddenly widened, and how she relaxed her fighting stance, I had a sinking feeling she’d figured it out.

  “The Wolf knocked you up?” Her mouth dropped open. “He left you with child, and without protection?”

  I lowered my blade, and tightened my lips. “You giving me your venom or not?”

  She grinned. “You know, I think I will.”

  Finally, something was going right. She shifted back into her full spider form, eight legs splayed out in the tight space we’d been fighting in, golden orbs unblinking. “Give my regards to the Wolf.”

  Oh, fucking hell. She lunged at me, mouth open wide and I dove to the right, just managing to avoid her fangs. “Run, little girl, run so your blood is hot and sweet when I take it from you!” She screeched behind me, and as much as I didn’t want to do what she wanted, standing still would do me no fucking good.

  I hung onto her threads, keeping a bead on her both for me and Blaz. Above us, he let out a roar and t
he trees sagged under his weight. Branches fell around me, several clattering at my feet. “A little close, lizard!”

  I can’t get to you, you have to lead her to the beach.

  There was no way Spider was going to come into the open. Unless I could piss her off enough that rage would blind her.

  “Spider, you fucking douche, I’m going to find a can of bug spray and shove it up your ass while you sleep!” I fought with the branches and then they slid away from me. Peta was beside me once more, her eyes filled with worry. I put a hand on her back and we ran through the jungle, leaping downed logs as the skittering of an oversized arachnid behind us and an enraged dragon above us filled the air.

  “Blaz, back off!” I yelled, hearing the ocean and the wash of waves on the sand. “I want to face her on my own.”

  You will do no such thing, you idiot!

  It was a struggle for me to talk mind to mind with him but I forced it. Just go high enough that she can’t see you, drop when you can. I tried to show him with pictures what I wanted him to do and he gave me a mental nod.

  Be careful, Rylee. She isn’t like the other Guardians.

  I didn’t for one second think she was like the other Guardians. Even they had said she was a bitch and some of them had been possessed by demons.

  We burst onto the white sand, the bright light reflecting off the water a stark contrast to the dim shadows of the jungle. I spun and fell on my ass. Scooting back as fast as I could.

  Even so, Spider didn’t hesitate. “Oh, poor little Tracker. No Guardian to keep you safe and already you’re going to die.”

  “Bite me, bitch!” I screamed at her, letting my anger stay on the surface, letting her see that and not the pain of her mentioning Liam.

  “I’m not so stupid as you, Tracker, I won’t be letting your dragon get his claws on me.”

  The sound of something wet sluicing through the air was the only warning I had. Peta though, apparently had more sense. She grabbed the back of my shirt, jerking me out of the way as a white web landed in the sand where I’d been just a moment before. I pushed myself to my feet. “Thanks.”

  We backed away from the jungle and I pulled my crossbow from the sand where I’d left it. Sighting down it, I aimed for the glowing eye I could see still. Spider didn’t seem worried. Too cocky, just like before, and that was about to cost her. I breathed out and squeezed the trigger.

  The golden orb burst as the bolt buried deep into it. Spider flailed back, screaming. A flock of birds flew into the air from the jungle as she screeched, her pain like fingernails on a chalkboard. I grabbed the flask and ran toward her.

  “Blaz, hurry!”

  Sure, as soon as I get far enough away that I can’t hurry, you call for me! I hate your plans, Rylee.

  Peta was at my side and she let out a noise that could only be a whimper of fear. Yeah, I wasn’t too keen on this idea, either, but like all plans, this one had to change on the fly.

  Spider rolled onto her back, all eight legs spazzing, knocking into trees and sending small animals scurrying. I loaded my crossbow and took aim on her other eye. Breathing out, I squeezed the trigger and the bolt flew true a second time.

  Behind me, Blaz thumped onto the sand, the reverberation sliding up my legs. “Grab her.”

  Thought she outsmarted us.

  I didn’t say anything because the truth was, it was a fucking fluke we were able to get this far without getting our asses handed to us. Or at least, my ass handed to me, Blaz would be fine regardless.

  Blaz reached into the shelter of the jungle and grabbed a single back leg, then dragged Spider into the sun. She flailed and spun, but without her eyes, she couldn’t get close enough to drive her fangs home.

  With a rumbling laugh, Blaz pinned her onto her back, her fangs easily accessible. Swallowing hard, I strode forward, silver flask in hand. Spider flung her head back and forth, her ruined eyes leaking blood and a clear fluid—a gag rocked me and I had to stop to gather myself.

  You’re getting sensitive to gore. You can thank Liam for that.

  Gritting my teeth, I pulled my shit together. “Yeah, I figured that out.”

  Spider turned her head toward my voice. “You bitch, I’ll kill you for this. I don’t care if you are to save the world from the demons, I will kill you.”

  “Get in line.” I approached her carefully, and grabbed some of the wiry hairs sticking out of the top of her head. They vibrated under my fingers as I yanked her head back, forcing her fangs to expose and pull them away from the little grabbers around them.

  Grabbers?

  “I don’t know what the fuck these things are called.” I pointed at the thick feelers near her mouth.

  Blaz laughed, Peta snorted, and Spider tried to grab me with one of said “grabbers.” I jammed the silver flask onto the end of the fang closest to me. The steady drip of fluid hitting the bottom of the empty flask eased some of the fear in me. Not much, but a little.

  When it was half way full I pulled it off her fang and capped it. “Thanks. You go on now, be a good little spider.”

  Blaz grunted. Perhaps you should get on my back before I let her go.

  “I hadn’t planned on racing her around the beach to see who was faster.” I glared at the dragon, who shrugged.

  I never know with you.

  Peta went ahead of me, leaping onto Blaz’s back, and I climbed up behind her. Looking down on the black writhing legs, the idea of her coming after me and finding my daughter did something to me that I’d never experienced before.

  A cold anger started in my gut and spread outward, a knowledge that I would do anything to keep my kid safe. All those years of rescuing other people’s children, and the anger I’d felt on their part, was nothing to the ice forming in me now. “Spider, do not make the mistake of coming after me. Be glad I only took your eyes, seeing as we both know they will heal.”

  “They won’t, you bitch,” Spider snarled and scrambled away from Blaz as he let her go. “They won’t heal.” A sob ripped out of her, and I wondered if she was just making it up, baiting us.

  “Blaz.” I gripped the leather strapping in front of me.

  We’re gone. He pushed off the sand, wings coming down in a swoop that sent up a mini dust storm. Spider didn’t turn around, just scuttled back into the jungle, knocking into trees, bouncing off the trunks. Maybe she wouldn’t heal. I looked deep inside me and realized I didn’t feel bad, not one tiny bit of guilt ate at me. There was too much at stake and she hadn’t cooperated.

  Peta sat behind me and dropped a paw on one shoulder. I turned to face her. She had a worried look in her eye. “I’m fine.”

  She shook her head and tipped her chin up, motioning back toward Spider.

  “No, I don’t feel bad, and don’t intend to.” Okay, maybe I did feel bad, but what the hell was I supposed to do about it now?

  That worried look didn’t leave Peta’s eyes; instead, it seemed to grow. I refused to feel bad. Spider was damn hard to kill, and maybe she wouldn’t be so inclined to jab her fangs into people now that she couldn’t see.

  Where to? We need a vampire. Blaz’s voice was soft as though he were not really listening for my answer.

  “What is Peta worried about?”

  That you’re going to get too cold, that you will lose the part of you that makes up the best parts of you.

  I sagged a little. “That won’t happen. I’m just . . . I can’t keep losing pieces of my heart and not have it suffer. Spider threatened not only me, but my baby.” The word stuck in my throat a little and I stumbled over it.

  Peta’s eyes softened and she nodded, accepting my explanation. Why the hell I needed to explain myself to a cat . . . that was a new one on me. “Find a place we can land, somewhere away from everything. We’ll wait for night and I’ll call Faris.”

  You’re kidding me, right? Why in the seven hells would you call on Faris of all the vampires you could choose from?

  I closed my eyes and let him see the conver
sation I’d had with Berget, where I’d stopped her from killing herself and she’d said to get Faris to help me with the whole blood business. I sent out a thread, Tracking the vampire. Shock rippled through me as I realized how close he was. Berget had been right.

  “Go, he’s close and he’ll help us.”

  And if he refuses?

  I gave a smile I didn’t truly feel. “Well, why do you think I brought you two along? We’ll make him. One way or another, Faris will bleed for me.”

  Chapter 7

  With a grunt, Blaz banked to the right, taking us farther over the ocean. Through the Tracking threads I held, Blaz would find Faris and I could rest. I closed my eyes and leaned against Peta, who started to purr. The soft rumble and the warmth of her fur¸ thick and wintery, once more relaxed me. The silver flask was cool against my skin, and I clung to it. One more ingredient and then we were off to the fucking races. Reality was setting in. Whether I was ready or not, I was going to be a mother. And if this went as planned, it would be very soon.

  I bit back a whimper that bubbled up my chest. Nope, not letting that happen. I was done crying. No more looking back. It was no longer a matter of having time or not for grief; it was the numbing the emotion had on me. I couldn’t function and that was not the place I needed to be.

  The world, my child, my loved ones: they needed me at my best, sharpest, most decisive. I couldn’t be that if I was mired in my sorrow and loss. That revelation freed something in me, a weight I’d been carrying since Giselle died months ago. Losing those I loved, those I thought I couldn’t live without had shown me something.

  I was a hell of a lot stronger than I realized—emotionally more than physically. When I’d trained with Giselle, my physicality had served me well, but so often my temper got the better of me. Or the pain of the past and the shame that went with it derailed what I could do. I’d carried it all for so long, I almost didn’t know how to function without it. Yet, that tiny flicker of a flame inside me that burned away the past showed me I could do more than I knew. That I could survive without my loved ones, no matter the pain. And survive I would.