“Now it’s yer turn to wake up, Dracula,” Russell says between his teeth. “They want her.”
“Den let dem come and try ta take her. Dere is no reason ye should have all da fun,” Brennus replies, sniffing the air around Russell. He is processing all of the attributes of Russell’s clone, trying to find a weakness.
“She’s not a pawn,” Russell says with menace, leaning towards Brennus.
“Tell dat ta da aingeals wi’ ye. Dey would like nuting better dan ta use her ta bring da Fallen ta dem ta heat up deir war,” he says with an ironic twist of his lips, smiling at Russell and showing him his wicked fangs.
“Yer wrong. We’re gonna protect her when we get her back,” Russell argues sharply.
“Ye try ta take her and dere will be no place for ye ta hide from me,” Brennus says with deathly calm.
“Who’s hidin’? We don’t have to hide anymore. She fixed that when she went to Dominion. Y’all actually helped, too.” Russell replies with a smug smile, crossing his arms in front of his chest with a look of pure satisfaction. “When ya blew the crap out of Dominion, they got on board with whatever Reed wants—an army of angels. They think she’s a gift from God now…so, thanks.”
“So ye’re here ta convince me ta let her come back ta ye,” Brennus asks incredulously.
“Naw, I’m not stupid. I know ya will never willingly let her go,” Russell says sullenly. “I’m here to ask ya not to be a complete idiot with the Fallen. Don’t take chances with her life. Casimir is too powerful to take on alone—we’ll help you, if it comes down to her life.”
“So, ye’re da olive branch?” Brennus asks with a skeptical look.
“Naw, I’m the guy that’s gonna whoop yer ass if you let anythin’ happen to her,” Russell replies, pointing his finger in Brennus’ face.
“Ye sound like someone wi’ a plan,” Brennus remarks, not flinching at all at having Russell’s clone so near to him. “Are ye really so confident dat da soldier ye captured from here can be persuaded inta biting her?” he asks with a speculative look. “Ye should really reconsider dat move. Leif knows dat da moment he does so is one of his last moments. Either ye will kill him or we will. He may well refuse ta do it. Den, whah will ye do? Will ye bring her back ta me?” he asks, raising his eyebrow.
Russell’s eyes widen minutely, enough to let me know that he’s surprised that Brennus knows what they have planned. He glances at me, maybe wondering if I told Brennus the plan. A stab of pain hits me at Russell’s distrust of me. “He’ll bite her, ‘cuz he knows that we will kill him quickly after he does. And anyway, all he needs to do is see her and he will be beggin’ us to taste her. You know I’m right,” he says, looking back to Brennus. “You can imagine the torment it would be for him not to, ‘cuz he has the same look on his face when I talk ‘bout her that ya did in the caves when I took her from ya last time—pure agony.”
“I still owe ye for dat,” Brennus says, his jaw clenching.
“C’mon and find me then, what’re ya waitin’ for? All y’all keep countin’ me out and I can’t understand why that is. You see how powerful she is becomin’. I’m just like her and soon I’m gonna be yer worst nightmare,” Russell says, grinning as he watches Brennus’ brows pull together in a scowl.
Brennus loses his scowl after a few moments, while retracting his fangs. His face changes to mirror Russell’s grin. “I tink dat I can see why she likes ye. Ye really are amusing, but ’tis easy ta be tough when ye’re na really here. Da next time ye want ta parley wi’ me, come in person, like ye did da last time. Ye will get more respect dat way,” Brennus says patiently. “Goodbye, da other.”
Lifting his finger, Brennus touches it to Russell’s clone, making him disappear instantly. Brennus stares at his finger for a moment, and then he smiles before he turns back to me. It‘s taking everything in me not to show any emotion over Russell leaving. I know I chose to stay, but that decision is haunting me now.
“Ach, I give him points for style. I really like dose clones. I wonder if I could replicate someting like dat wi’ a spell?” he says, looking amused by what just happened with Russell.
“You’re not mad that they are here?” I ask in shock, seeing the amusement on Brennus’ face, while trying to figure out Reed’s strategy for sending Russell now.
“’Tis na unexpected. I know dat dey are here from time ta time, checking on ye.” Brennus replies.
“Will you let them help us, if we need it?” I ask, allowing him to take my arm as he uses his magic to shrink the rose bushes into nothingness.
“I will do anyting dat keeps ye from being harmed,” Brennus replies, leading me out of the Knight’s Bar. “But, one day, ye will na need a security blanket because ye will be very powerful. Whah will ye do den?” he asks as we stroll together down the corridor towards the North Tower.
I exhale a breath slowly, not really believing that a day like that will ever come. “I don’t know. I’m so used to being afraid all the time, I have no idea what I’ll do if that all goes away.”
“Ye hide yer fear well,” Brennus replies, frowning and squeezing my arm.
“Do I?” I ask with a grimace.
“Ye do. ’Tis one of da tings I admire da most about ye. ’Tis dat, and da fact dat ye are able ta act even when ye’re filled wi’ fear,” he smiles. “Ye faced down an Ifrit wi’ little more den yer bare hands. Ye canna teach dat kind of courage. Ye either have it or ye do na.”
“You know what I like about you?” I ask, seeing the light enter his eyes as he shakes his head.
“I like the way that you tell me things, like we’re equals—partners. I like that you include me in the strategy meetings and don’t try to shut me out, like I’m not strong enough to handle what’s happening,” I reply.
“We are partners. Ye’re me queen,” Brennus replies. A flush stains my cheeks partly from the embarrassment of the title, but the other part of me is flattered by the way he sees me as someone able to make decisions and contribute to the mission.
As we near the North Tower, a couple of fellas approach Brennus. I recognize one as being Cavan. Cavan gives me a tentative look, and then he leans to Brennus, whispering something in his ear. I hear the word “wans.” Brennus scowls at him, and then he casts a glance at me and says, “Mo chroí, dere is someting I have ta take care of before we go ta da North Tower. I want ye ta stay here wi’ Cavan while I attend ta it. Ye can wait in da alcove over dere. I’ll be right back for ye.”
Brennus escorts me to the alcove where there is a small settee beneath the windows. I ask, “What is it?”
“Nuting but a headache, me sweet. ’Twill only take me a moment,” he replies, before kissing me on the cheek. To Cavan, he says, “She stays here and no one nears her until I come back.” Cavan nods and Brennus is gone in a fraction of a second.
I step back out into the hallway and pace in front of the alcove, wondering what is going on. Cavan walks down the long corridor and guards one end, while a fella that I don’t know is guarding the other end. I hear voices coming towards Cavan’s end, so I turn to see him intercept three young women from wandering towards me.
Reaching Cavan, the women ask him with sultry voices, “Where is my king? Where is Brennus? I want him—he’s been away too long.” They are dopey, walking around with little more on than silk robes.
“Ye know ye are na ta be out here. Go back ta da South Tower. ’Tis where ye will find him,” Cavan says in a chiding tone, touching each of their cheeks and trying to direct them back towards the South Tower. A chill runs through me watching Cavan herd the young ladies away from me.
I glance in the other direction; the other fella is having a similar problem. A flock of females is attempting to come down the hall in search of Brennus. Goose bumps rise on my arms seeing them all. Am I becoming one of them? I wonder. Am I blind to what he is? Just as that thought hits me, fluttering in my abdomen rapidly overtakes any other thought.
Black, armor-clad arms encircle me, instantly
lifting me off the floor and pulling me back into the alcove that shrouds us from being seen by the fellas at either end of the hall. A soft gasp escapes me as I turn to face Reed. I manage to put my arms weakly around Reed’s neck and press my lips to his before I go completely limp. His charcoal-gray wings frame him, making him look like the most powerful being in existence.
My arms slide from his neck, but Reed holds me tight against his body as he breathes in my ear, “I used my persuasion to get the humans to leave their tower. I needed a diversion so that I could see you. We don’t have much time because my thrall doesn’t hold up for very long to their addiction to the Gancanagh. The women will end up trying to be touched again and once they are, they will obey every command,” he says, stroking my wing.
“I need to tell you something very important. The Fallen are near and we are seeing unprecedented numbers of them. They are mostly fallen Archangels and Powers, but a few are Seraphim. They are organized and we believe they are preparing to attack within the next few days. I need to get you out of here before that occurs. We know your plan is going to be executed at nightfall,” he says rapidly, briefing me. “Be prepared to leave shortly afterward.”
“I need to make sure you know that the portal works both ways. Do not, for any reason, enter the portal Casimir gave you. If Casimir gets back in it somehow, you cannot follow him. I mean it, Evie. Let him go because if he can pull you into Sheol…” Reed’s tone is stern, but he trails off and squeezes me to him ferociously, before brushing his lips over mine.
“I know that you are capable of doing this,” he breathes against my mouth, closing his eyes tight as if in pain. “You were created to protect and destroy. I want to help you do it,” he adds, before opening his eyes so I can see the perfection of them. “Just be cautious. Please remember that you are the only thing that matters. I will be here for you, should you need me, my love. I will not fail you again.”
My heart twists in pain because he has never failed me. Never. I just don’t want to risk losing him. I want the Gancanagh to destroy Casimir with me, so Reed will be safe, so that there will be no risk to him, I think. That is my plan. If he intends to help then he is in danger from the Gancanagh and the Fallen.
Reed leans his forehead to mine, whispering, “The next time you see me, we are going home, even if your mission is incomplete. Then, you can tell me everything that is in your heart and I will show you all the love in mine for you. Until then, Godspeed, Evie.”
Brennus’ voice barks out orders to Cavan at the end of the hall. At the sound, Reed stiffens before placing me tenderly on the settee. Reed’s fingers trail over my fingers until just the tips of them are touching, and then in the next instant, he is gone.
“Genevieve?” Brennus says from the archway of the alcove. “Are ye well?” he asks, seeing me rise shakily to my feet. He comes to stand next to me, taking my elbow and leading me back towards the North Tower.
“Of course,” I reply, trying hard to hold a smile for his benefit. “Did you take care of the problem?” I ask, trying to distract him.
“I did,” he says, his mouth pulling down in the corners. “We will be leaving here as soon as we sort out da Fallen. Our position has flaws. We still retain a superior edge, but ’tis because our enemies are reluctant to attack us. Dat will change soon.” Brennus says, guiding me up the winding staircase. “I spoke ta Finn; he is making all da necessary arrangements. Ye fancy a warmer climate?” he asks and I nod my head, trying not to let him see the worry I feel.
What if something goes wrong and the angels lose me again?
“Won’t that make it harder for you to blend in with the locals?” I ask with a teasing smile, running my finger over the pale skin of his forearm. “We might have to get you some spray tan.”
Grinning at me, Brennus says, “Dere is a solution for everyting. Ye are waking me up ta all the possibilities.” He reaches over to tuck my hair behind my ear so that he can see my profile better as we stroll down the hallway together. “Ye take away all of da emptiness of death, mo chroí. Ye make da possibility of a true death seem less important den losing ye. Ye have become da only ting dat matters ta me and I know ye are na aloof ta me.”
His words make the air feel thin, like it’s getting harder to breathe. I want to deny what he is saying and run away from the truth in his words. As we reach our room, he holds the door open for me and closes it securely behind us. He pulls me into his arms, kissing me with a passion that I am wholly unprepared for, while picking me up in his arms and carrying me towards the bedroom.
Laying me on the bed, he follows me down. “Wait,” I say, turning my face away from his, trying to slow him down as I feel him begin to pull my shirt up. His cool hand skims over my ribcage sensually, making me shiver.
“No,” he replies, ignoring my attempts to get him to stop kissing me when I turn my face away from him. He just moves lower, continuing to kiss my neck, while holding me in his arms.
“I’m not ready to…” I say, but I stop and gasp as he tears the shirt from my body, exposing the sexy little undergarments I have on beneath it.
“Ye’re ready,” he replies smoothly. “Ye should smell da pheromones ye are emitting. ’Tis like a drug. I feel intoxicated by it. Ye have no idea how ye affect me—’tis almost like tasting ye,” he breathes against my skin. He doesn’t know that Reed caused those pheromones to leap out of me.
“But, I can’t—” I say with a groan, putting my hands on his chest to gain some space between us.
“Ye have no choice,” he replies with a sultry smile, kissing me as his hands roam over my body. “Ye are me prisoner.”
“I thought I was your partner,” I breathe, like it’s a soft, little secret between us.
“Dat, too,” he whispers against my lips. “Ye are me prisoner as I am yers.”
“Oh,” I breathe back, believing what he is telling me—he is my prisoner and somehow, I always knew that. “But you’re no good for me.”
“Come now, I am a guilty pleasure at da very least,” he replies seductively. His hands trace my silhouette as if memorizing the shape of me. “Ye are na alone anymore, ye are part of dis family. Together ye and I will be more powerful den anyting ye can imagine.” He brushes the hair back from my face with a growing darkness in his eyes. “Can ye na feel me in yer blood?” he whispers against my neck, his cool lips toying with me, causing my pulse to beat harder against those lips. “I can feel ye in me bones. I crave the innocence in ye; even as I want ta take it from ye, so dat I can teach ye whah lies beyond dat innocence. I love ye, mo chroí,” he whispers. “I will love ye forever.”
My heart pounds in my chest, like it will tear at any second. I don’t want to love him and I don’t want him to love me either. Tears creep into my eyes because I have confusing feelings for him, too, but they are a burden to me. Bonds formed between us when he killed Alfred for me, when he saved my friends and me from the Ifrit, when he protected me from Casimir, and when he told me of my father. But, what I feel for Reed makes all of that pale in comparison.
“Eternity is a long time, me aingeal,” Brennus responds, undeterred by what he sees in my eyes. “So many tings can happen in da space of infinite time. Ye will forget everyting in time. Ye jus need ta let go.”
“I will never forget him,” I whisper, feeling Brennus’ pain as I push him away from me. “I belong with him.” I watch anger and frustration grow in Brennus’ eyes as his fangs engaged with a click.
My hands tremble, not knowing what he intends to do as he leans nearer to me, holding my arm almost painfully.
“Ye’re moin. Ye’ll always be moin and soon, ye’ll know it. I should break all of yer illusions now and show ye whah I mean, but I want ye ta come ta me—ta ask me ta love ye. I will wait for dat. Do na make me wait much longer,” he breathes before placing a gentle kiss on my lips and letting me go. I rise up on my elbows, feeling my blood draining from my face even as relief is swamping me.
As I watch Brennus walk to t
he door, I ask, “What if I never ask you to love me?” I think he isn’t going to answer my question, but then he pauses at the door.
Without looking at me, Brennus says in a low tone, “Den, I’ll make ye beg me.”
CHAPTER 22
The Compact
The compact gives a soft gasp of stale air as I lift the lid, opening it. I carry it with me across the bathroom and let it reflect the contours of my face before angling it lower to reveal the deep red silk of my robe. I place the compact on the edge of the enormous, sunken spa tub, and then I untie the belt of my robe, peeling it off slowly. The fabric falls in front of the mirror like the silken ripple of sand dunes. My fingers skim the hot water as it flows from the ornate, gold faucet into the tub. I gently ease into the water.
Heat from the water causes my face to flush while the white, frothy bubbles tickle my skin, eliciting a sensual smile from me.
I ease back against the edge of the bath. Picking up the mirror, I check the pins in my hair, making sure that they are all secure. I don’t want the tendrils to slip down and fall in the water as it laps against my bare shoulders.
I lean to the edge of the enormous bathtub and prop the compact on the marble-tiled shelf by the stone stairs. Closing my eyes, I hum a tune to myself. I try to control the pounding of my heart as I hear soft, fluttering sounds like moths make while flying around a porch light.
As I open my eyes slowly, I try really hard to keep my features blank. I gaze around the room, seeing that all the walls and floors are covered in a variety of different insects. Crickets, locusts, grasshoppers, and beetles are crawling with scuttling movements and extended feelers near my arm where it rests on the edge of the tile. Exhaling softly, like I have been punched in the stomach, my wings shoot from of my back. A cascade of water splashes from the spa, causing some of the insects to wash onto the floor. Immediately, the insects erupt into the air, blotting out the light like shifting, hazy black clouds.
Whirling like water through a funnel, the insects all sort themselves, connecting together to form angelic silhouettes. The dark form of black crickets bursts forth into a leering Power with the dove gray wings of a bird of prey.
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