Darkness Arisen

by Stephanie Rowe

  She smiled and nodded, glancing behind him at Kane, who was waiting patiently to teleport them back home. “Why did you come here?” she asked him.

  The warrior grinned. “Because I’ve got something to show you guys.”

  She raised her brows. “What is it?”

  But Kane shook his head. “Not here. We need to go on a field trip.”

  Alice frowned. “But how did you know we would be able to leave?”

  Kane shrugged. “Because you’re one hell of a guardian angel, and I knew you wouldn’t be able to stay away from all of us Order guys. We’re simply too charming.”

  Alice laughed, and Ian slung his arm around her shoulder. “Accept the gift, Alice, and let the boy give us a ride.”

  She opened her hand and looked down at the pearl that was silent and inactive, with dull streaks of red and orange. “I accept the pearl,” she whispered.

  It immediately glowed bright white, and she felt a humming vibrate through her. There was a burst of pink mist around her, but this time, neither she nor Ian panicked. She just held onto him while they waited for it to fade.

  And when it did, she was back to herself again.

  Except, she wasn’t back to herself. She was a thousand times the woman she’d ever been, and it was all because the man she loved had found a way to open her heart.

  *

  Ian was shocked when he materialized on a patch of dirt, and he realized they were standing on his grave.

  Kane had brought the three of them to the Fitzgerald burial ground.

  Ian stared down at the headstone he’d bought for himself so long ago, the one that had been ready and waiting for him to succumb to the curse. His name was etched in the dark gray marble, with only the date of his death left blank. Around him, in all directions, extended the graves of the Fitzgerald men who had died, many of them heroically. There were no bodies in those graves, because they had vanished at death. All that remained were the markers.

  But in a small circle at the end of the plot lay the graves of those who had died by their own hand, who had sentenced their souls to purgatory and lost their honor.

  He walked several feet to his father’s grave and went down on one knee. He bowed his head. “I broke the curse, Dad. It’s over. I know it’s too late for you, but the Fitzgerald name will be restored.”

  Ian put his hand on the earth, and to his surprise, the dirt seemed to shift beneath his touch, as if his father had heard him, and his soul had sighed with relief.

  Alice put her hand on his shoulder, and he entwined his fingers with hers. Suddenly, being in the cemetery didn’t feel as difficult and wrenching as it used to. Alice gave him comfort. She gave him peace.

  He looked up at her, and his heart tightened when she smiled down at him. It felt damn good to have her by his side.

  “You guys should be in a Hallmark commercial. You’re that cute.”

  Ian turned sharply at the sound of Thano’s voice. To his shock, Thano was just behind him…riding the wizard’s horse. “Thano!” He strode over to his teammate, Thano bent down, and they exchanged a hard hug. For a moment, there were no words, and then Ian finally stepped back. “Shit, man, it’s good to see you. Where did you come from? How’d you get back?”

  “Ryland tracked me down. The bastard interrupted my pedicure.” Thano grinned, and Ian noticed how thin he looked. His eyes were sparkling with humor, but there were shadows in them that hadn’t been there before. “It’s good to be back. Got myself a horse. You like?” He stroked his mount’s neck.

  Ian rubbed the horse’s nose, surprised at how soft it was. To him, Deathbringer had always been a harbinger of evil, not an animal to be patted. “You’re rehabbing Deathbringer?”

  “Rehabbing him? No chance. He kicks ass exactly how he is.” Thano scratched the beast between the ears, like he’d adopted a damn cocker spaniel, not a war horse. “This warrior is my new partner, and his name is Apollo, because you cynical old guys need a little more Greek power on this team. Figured having a god on our side might help.” Something surprisingly dark flashed through Thano’s eyes, as if he were now the one with a load of hell haunting him, instead of the rest of them.

  Then Thano grinned, shaking the shadows off as if they’d never been there, but Ian didn’t believe it. What had happened to Thano while he’d been in Cardiff’s lair?

  “If Apollo decides he likes you,” Thano continued, “he may allow you to bask in his greatness. Or, he might be offended and kick you in the head. You just never know.”

  “Sounds like your perfect match, then.” Ian grinned as Apollo reached around and began to nibble on Thano’s jeans. “Never knew the Order would turn into a mounted force, but I’ll bet he’ll be an asset.” A warrior horse that could run on water, fly, and move in complete stealth? Yeah, that would work.

  Ian had to admit, the horse looked good. His coat was a glossy black, and his stiff leather bridle was gone, replaced by a soft gray suede that draped gently over his nose. There was no bit in his mouth, no way to really control him, and yet he stood proudly beneath Thano.

  There were black straps around Thano’s thighs that almost looked like they were holding Thano in place. Ian noticed that Thano’s feet were hanging limply, not gripping the horse’s sides. “Shit, man, you okay?”

  “Dude, this day is not about me,” Thano said. “Get with the program, old man.”

  Ian frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “The party, of course.” Thano jerked his chin, and Ian looked past him, shocked to discover that the entire Order was present. All of his team, plus their women.

  The Order members were kneeling in a semi-circle, each of them holding their weapon in their right hand, while the women stood off to the left in a small group. Gideon Roarke, Quinn Masters, Elijah Ross, Zach Roderick, Gabe Watson, Ryland, and even young Drew…though Vaughn was nowhere in sight. The man was the dedicated guardian of the youth he loved like a son, yet he was absent. Still searching for Flynn, like Alice had indicated? After spending time with him over the last two months searching for Alice, Ian still felt like the man was an enigma, but he’d gotten used to having him around. He’d become almost an honorary Order member, and Ian hoped he was okay.

  Thano rode Apollo to the spot beside Gideon, and then the massive beast went down on one knee with Thano still astride, the horse and rider assuming the position as a single entity.

  At the top of the circle was an empty spot. Carved in the ground was an outline of a mace, exactly like Ian’s weapon.

  He recognized the formation immediately, and his throat tightened. “Son of a bitch,” he said. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  “What is it?” Alice moved up beside him.

  “It’s an induction ceremony for the Order of the Blade.” Suddenly, it became hard to talk. He ran his hand through his hair. That’s my weapon carved in the dirt in the vacant spot. It’s for me. They’re taking me back.

  Alice smiled and tucked her hand in his. Of course they are. You’re one of them, Ian.

  He swallowed again. Walk me there.

  “Of course.” She took his hand and together they walked around the outside of the circle. As part of the tradition, no one said a word. They all just watched him, so many sets of eyes following him on his ascension to the summit of the circle.

  When Ian reached the spot, he stopped beside the drawing of his mace in the ground, and then realized there were more markings in the dirt. Surrounding the etching of his mace were seven other weapons. The one closest to his was an axe. His father’s axe. Stunned, Ian jerked his gaze to his team.

  No one said a word, but Kane nodded once. A single nod to tell Ian that not only were they inducting him into the Order, but they were bringing back all his ancestors who had been banned.

  “Jesus.” Sweat beaded on Ian’s brow, and he was too emotional to speak.

  “When you killed yourself to save Alice,” Gideon said, “you showed us that death by your own hand can be the mo
st heroic, courageous, and admirable choice there is. Just as the rules regarding the automatic death for Order shevas is changing, so must that rule. Evolution is the key to survival, my friend, and you have moved us forward.”

  Jesus. If death by one’s own hand was officially deemed an honorable death, then his ancestors’ deaths would no longer be tainted. Once they were inducted back into the Order, the souls of his father and the others would finally be freed to go to the Afterlife.

  Ian tipped his head back, staring at the sky, trying to regain his composure. His father’s soul would be restored. Shit. He’d never thought it could happen, but it had. Centuries of guilt over his father’s fate finally released him, liberating him from the choices he’d made so long ago. I love you, Dad.

  He fought against the tightness in his throat, staring into the bright blue sky. It was vibrant and filled with puffy white clouds, just like the day he and Alice had been in the boat. One cloud floated across his view. He grinned and pointed at it. “Alice, it’s a poodle.”

  She looked up and then laughed. “My mom must approve of you,” she said. She raised her hand in a salute to the sky. “Love you, too, Mom.”

  Ian laughed softly as he tightened his grip on her hand. He was looking at poodles in the sky when he was on the cusp of restoring his family’s honor? Yeah, he was. He grinned at Alice, who was smiling back at him, love and pride shining in her eyes. Yeah, he was, and that was exactly how it should be. I’m glad you’re here to share this moment with me.

  Me, too. So glad. She squeezed his hand, and he knew that he had finally found his place.

  “Let’s get a move on,” Thano said. “Ry’s got a date to find a missing angel of death, and he won’t stay here long.”

  Ian looked over at Ryland. He was wearing a black sweatshirt, with the hood pulled low over his forehead. But even that didn’t hide the seething darkness in the warrior. Ry was almost out of time, and everyone there knew it. Good luck, Ry.

  The warrior didn’t move, but Ian felt him touch his mind. Take care of her, Fitz. She’s a good one.

  I know. Ian looked over at Alice, who had slipped away from him to stand by the other shevas. As she approached them, a woman Ian didn’t recognize reached out and embraced her warmly. Kane’s sheva, Sarah? The angel of hope? He smiled when Sarah tucked her arm through Alice’s, welcoming her into the incredible group of women who had aligned themselves with the Order. First Grace, then Lily, then Ana, then Sarah… and now Alice. His woman. He grinned. It was right.

  “Hey!” Thano waved his weapon. “You want back in or what?”

  Ian returned his attention to the team surrounding him, and felt the most immense sense of peace. “Yeah, I do.” Then he went down on one knee, and the ceremony began.

  Darkness Unleashed

  The Order of the Blade, Book Seven

  Coming in 2013

  Ryland’s truth revealed at last.

  Guardian of the Hidden

  The Ruined Lords, Book One

  Coming in 2013

  The dark hunt begins.

  Sneak Peek: ICE

  Alaska Heat, Book One

  Available Now

  Kaylie’s hands were shaking as she rifled through her bag, searching for her yoga pants. She needed the low-slung black ones with a light pink stripe down the side. The cuffs were frayed from too many wearings to the grocery store late at night for comfort food, and they were her go-to clothes when she couldn’t cope. Like now.

  She couldn’t find them.

  “Come on!” Kaylie grabbed her other suitcase and dug through it, but they weren’t there. “Stupid pants! I can’t—” A sob caught at her throat and she pressed her palms to her eyes, trying to stifle the swell of grief. “Sara—”

  Her voice was a raw moan of pain, and she sank to the thick shag carpet. She bent over as waves of pain, of loneliness, of utter grief shackled her. For her parents, her brother, her family and now Sara—

  Dear God, she was all alone.

  “Dammit, Kaylie! Get up!” she chided herself. She wrenched herself to her feet. “I can do this.” She grabbed a pair of jeans and a silk blouse off the top of her bag and turned toward the bathroom. One step at a time. A shower would make her feel better.

  She walked into the tiny bathroom, barely noticing the heavy wood door as she stepped inside and flicked the light switch. Two bare light bulbs flared over her head, showing a rustic bathroom with an ancient footed tub and a raw wood vanity with a battered porcelain sink. A tiny round window was on her right. It was small enough to keep out the worst of the cold, but big enough to let in some light and breeze in the summer.

  She was in Alaska, for sure. God, what was she doing here?

  Kaylie tossed the clean clothes on the sink and unzipped her jacket, dropping it on the floor. She tugged all her layers off, including the light blue sweater that had felt so safe this morning when she’d put it on. She stared grimly at her black lace bra, so utterly feminine, exactly the kind of bra that her mother had always considered frivolous and completely impractical. Which it was. Which was why that was the only style Kaylie ever wore.

  She should never have come to Alaska. She didn’t belong here. She couldn’t handle this. Kaylie gripped the edge of the sink. Her hands dug into the wood as she fought against the urge to curl into a ball and cry.

  After a minute, Kaylie lifted her head and looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were wide and scared, with dark circles beneath. Her hair was tangled and flattened from her wool hat. There was dirt caked on her cheeks.

  Kaylie rubbed her hand over her chin, and the streaks of mud didn’t come off.

  She tried again, then realized she had smudges all over her neck. She turned on the water, and wet her hands…and saw her hands were covered as well.

  Stunned, Kaylie stared as the water ran over her hands, turning pink as it swirled in the basin.

  Not dirt.

  Sara’s blood.

  “Oh, God.” Kaylie grabbed a bar of soap and began to scrub her hands. But the blood was dried, stuck to her skin. “Get off!” She rubbed frantically, but the blackened crust wouldn’t come off. Her lungs constricted and she couldn’t breathe. “I can’t—”

  The door slammed open, and Cort stood behind her, wearing a T-shirt and jeans.

  The tears burst free at the sight of Cort, and Kaylie held up her hands to him. “I can’t get it off—”

  “I got it.” Cort took her hands and held them under the water, his grip warm and strong. “Take a deep breath, Kaylie. It’s okay.”

  “It’s not. It won’t be.” She leaned her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes as he washed her hands roughly and efficiently. His muscles flexed beneath her cheek, his skin hot through his shirt. Warm. Alive. “Sara’s dead,” she whispered. “My parents. My brother. They’re all gone. The blood—” Sobs broke free again, and she couldn’t stop the trembling.

  “I know. I know, babe.” He pulled her hands out from under the water and grabbed a washcloth. He turned her toward him and began to wash her face and neck.

  His eyes were troubled, his mouth grim. But his hands were gentle where he touched her, gently holding her face still while he scrubbed. His gaze flicked toward hers, and he held contact for a moment, making her want to fall into those brown depths and forget everything. To simply disappear into the energy that was him. “You have to let them go,” he said. “There’s nothing you can do to bring them back—”

  “No.” A deep ache pounded at Kaylie’s chest and her legs felt like they were too weak to support her. “I can’t. Did you see Sara? And Jackson? His throat—” She bent over, clutching her stomach. “I—”

  Cort’s arms were suddenly around her, warm and strong, pulling her against his solid body. Kaylie fell into him, the sobs coming hard, the memories—

  “I know.” Cort’s whisper was soft, his hand in her hair, crushing her against him. “It sucks. Goddamn, it sucks.”

  Kaylie heard his grief in the raw tone
of his voice and realized his body was shaking as well. She looked up and saw a rim of red around his eyes, shadows in the hollows of his whiskered cheeks. “You know,” she whispered, knowing with absolute certainty that he did. He understood the grief consuming her.

  “Yeah.” He cupped her face, staring down at her, his grip so tight it was almost as desperate as she felt. She could feel his heart beating against her nearly bare breasts, the rise of his chest as he breathed, the heat of his body warming the deathly chill from hers.

  For the first time in forever, she suddenly didn’t feel quite as alone.

  In her suffering, she had company. Someone who knew. Who understood. Who shared her pain. It had been so long since the dark cavern surrounding her heart had lessened, since she hadn’t felt consumed by the loneliness, but with Cort holding her…there was a flicker of light in the darkness trying to take her. “Cort—”

  He cleared his throat. “I gotta go check the chili.” He dropped his hands from her face and stood up to go, pulling away from her.

  Without his touch, the air felt cold and the anguish returned full force. Kaylie caught his arm. “Don’t go—” She stopped, not sure what to say, what to ask for. All she knew was that she didn’t want him to leave, and she didn’t want him to stop holding her.

  Cort turned back to her, and a muscle ticked in his cheek.

  For a moment, they simply stared at each other. She raised her arms. “Hold me,” she whispered. “Please.”

  He hesitated for a second, and then his hand snaked out and he shackled her wrist. He yanked once, and she tumbled into him. Their bodies smacked hard as he caught her around the waist, his hands hot on her bare back.

  She threw her arms around his neck and sagged into him. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly against him. With only her bra and his T-shirt between them, the heat of his body was like a furnace, numbing her pain. His name slipped out in a whisper, and she pressed her cheek against his chest. She focused on his masculine scent. She took solace in the feel of another human’s touch, in the safety of being held in arms powerful enough to ward off the grief trying to overtake her.