Squeezing his fingers around my arm, Jack got my attention. “I think Martin is telling the truth. Let me ask you a little question, my friend,” he said, clicking his fingers in front of Martin’s scowling face. “Does a certain Kitty Harris belong to your cult?”
Hannah cleared her throat when Martin backed up a step. That would be a resounding yes, then. How interesting that Kitty would be a part of Hagalaz. My mouth opened slightly as it clicked in my head. Kitty had used the Hagalaz as a cover-up, when she was the one who had taken the leaders.
She was clever. It had immediately looked as though Martin was the one behind the kidnappings. Yet, she was getting away with it in her hunt for Chloe. She somehow knew, probably through Martin, that Chloe was with me. So, in her effort to get to Freya’s blood, she was using me as bait.
“Do you think…?” Martin’s eyes closed briefly before he turned to Hannah. “You…”
The defeated girl looked at me, her eyes imploring me to help. Was Martin that bad to her? He stepped forward, his hands reaching out. Grabbing his shoulder, I stopped him as I leant towards his ear. “Don’t even think about hurting her.”
He tensed, his muscles going stiff. “She’s been gossiping with Kitty, spending a lot of time with her.”
“That just happens to be how you got involved in my club, ain’t it?”
Jack had hold of Martin’s other shoulder. Now was my time if I wanted to end him. Hannah would run, the humans would panic. There would be a lot of eyes on us.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” Martin said. “I know where Kitty is. Leave the party now, give me your word you’ll leave us alone…and I’ll lead you straight to her.”
Opening my mouth to agree, I paused when a commotion sounded in the hallway. A warm glow enveloped my chest before the stench of Dark Crawler hit my nose. Great, the cavalry had arrived. They moved into the room, different creatures of the underworld. Each held a weapon, the guns aimed at the guests.
Shoving away from Martin, I retreated to an alcove to watch them filter into the room. Witches, Dark Crawlers…and was that? A man with long fanged teeth smiled at a Viking princess, his tongue flicking out to trace his canine. I hadn’t seen a vampire in years.
Jack stood close by, his eyes showing recognition as each person came to stand in a circle in the middle of the room. They faced outwards, their weapons pointing in all directions. The sound of heavy footsteps came through the archway of the room before a tall, dark skinned wizard entered. He paused, looking around. His hair was braided to his shoulders. A long royal blue robe hung off his muscular frame.
“Don’t panic,” he called, his London accent clear. “I’m only here for one thing.”
Martin surged forward, his hands held up in surrender when the bank of weapons turned on him. “Wait. This is my party, what do you want?”
Well, I didn’t realise the man had guts. Facing one of the city’s most powerful wizards really did take some balls. Balls that Martin had never showed.
I waited, weighing up my chance of beating them all. It would be me against…one, two, three, four…at least eight people. All of which were supernatural. Great.
The wizard walked into the centre of the people-made circle. Apparently, he needed a lot of protection. They obviously expected a fight.
“I want the man, Trygger.”
The members of the Hagalaz cult looked around, their eyes trying to determine who that man was…surely they must have heard my name?
I waited to see if Martin would reveal where I was. He knew I hovered at the side of the room, yet, he also knew I could do a lot of damage if he dared to tell them my whereabouts. It wasn’t like me to hide from a fight, but I needed to tread carefully. There were too many innocent people in the room. They might think they were dipping their toes in the world of darkness, but their energy was too innocent, too pure. Which would be extremely tempting to the eight people who had just gate-crashed the phony party.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about. I’ve not invited anyone with that name.” Martin pushed Hannah behind him when she went to move forward.
Did she have a motive to tell the groups of London where I was? Yep, she sure did. Maybe she had tipped them off.
“My leader has been taken for ransom. And, so have the leaders of all these gorgeous people who stand around me. The only thing the kidnapper wants is Trygger. So, whoever brings him to me will get a very, very handsome reward.”
I half expected Jack to step out and own up. He was my closest friend, but he liked a reward or two. Especially when it came from a source of darkness. Instead, he stayed beside me, his eyes surveying those around the wizard. He knew them. Which meant, they knew him. He had to keep disguised if he didn’t want to be associated with the Hagalaz.
“I’m afraid you won’t find him here. We’re just having a nice fancy dress party.” Martin put his arm around Hannah when she made to go forward again.
What was wrong with her? I couldn’t see her eyes to see who she looked at, but she did seem distracted.
“Of course you are,” the wizard said, his eyebrows raised as he looked around. “Don’t think I don’t know who you are. Every single one of you. I have magic…and if you don’t start speaking, I will start using it.”
Waving his hand in the air, he twirled fire around his hand until it formed into a ball. Holding it in his palm, he turned, aiming it at the double glass doors at the back of the room.
“Duck,” he said, hurling the flames.
Those that stood in its way screamed as they threw themselves to the floor. The flaming ball crashed through the doors, shattering the glass. The sound resounded around the room before it fell silent. No one uttered a word when the wizard clapped his hands for attention.
I couldn’t wait anymore. Taking hold of Jack’s arm to get his attention, I bent to his ear. “Don’t get involved, no matter what happens. Take care of Chloe. And, if they take me…don’t come looking.”
Ignoring his protest, I stepped out from behind the alcove and pushed past the people who lingered before me, staring at the threatening circle. A hiss went up from a Dark Crawler as I came to stand beside Martin.
Heat pulsed in my chest as Thor’s power recognised the threat of evil. The vampire, his grey eyes devouring me, broke the circle.
“Don’t move,” the wizard demanded.
The rogue moved back, keeping the circle strong. The power from the witches would be the only thing that kept the wizard completely guarded. One break in that chain would make it easier for me to get to him, the main power source.
“Trygger,” the Dark Crawler said, his stench increasing as his eyes turned red.
Ah, how I hated the smelly bastards. They were probably the most disgusting of the supernatural world. It would satisfy me completely to reach for my dagger and kill the vile creature right here and now.
“Ah, this is the famous man? I can see why they call you a warrior. You certainly look the part, but can you be the part?” The wizard pointed at me, a shot of red magic extending from the tip of his finger.
Throwing myself to the side, I winced when a man behind me screamed in pain. Dropping to the floor, he writhed, his hand clutching his chest. Oh no, that would not go unpunished.
Spinning Martin out of the way, I took a dive towards the circle. The group started to chant as I thudded into the chest of a tall, skinny man. He held firm before his foot stepped back once, breaking the chain.
“If you fight,” the wizard shouted over the chanting, “I’ll kill everyone here.”
The energy in the room changed as the humans started to panic. They were so fucking naive. Why believe in a stupid cult, formed by a bloody crazy man?
I braced myself, pushing against the magic wall that surrounded the group. The man had righted himself quickly enough not to cause any damage.
“It’s your choice.”
Another flaming fireball flew past my head, hitting someone behind. I stopped, holding my hands up in
surrender. It wasn’t because I felt guilty for the humans that I gave up, it was because I had always sworn to protect the innocent. At whatever cost.
Since Freya had unkindly given me Thor’s power, my mother made me swear to use it only for good. I couldn’t say that I had made her proud with the way I had acted over my whole thousand years, yet, that constant had always stayed with me. If I had the opportunity to make sure that the people in Martin’s gang lived, I would take it.
“Okay,” I shouted when the vampire rested his gaze on Hannah. “I’ll come with you. Leave these people alone.”
Staying completely still, I relaxed my shoulders. I would keep my word and go with them if it meant the humans kept their life. Even if I fought my way out at a later date, I would get free again. In fact, it might pay to come face to face with the woman who sought me. That way, I could put an end to her ugliness by ripping her head off.
“Relax.” The wizard smiled at me, showing perfect teeth.
The group around him went quiet, their eyes on me. The Dark Crawler was a small man, his bald head reflecting the light from above. His tongue flicked out to lick his lips. Oh, how he was mistaken if he thought my surrender would allow him to feed off my light. Luckily, I had my dagger tucked in my belt. And, it would send him straight to Helheim if he dared come near me.
“Let’s make our retreat, nice and slowly.” The wizard clicked his fingers and the circle fell apart.
Weapons still aimed towards me as he approached, his tall figure almost the same height as mine. It was good to be able to look a man in the eye, even if those eyes were evil. The swirling black of his iris made me bite back a grin. He was high on magic, what a surprise.
The vampire came to stand next to me, his smirk accentuating his fangs. He wore jeans with a ripped black T-shirt. Jet black hair spiked up from his pale forehead. And, a deep dark red streak lined the black of his pupil.
“Hello, there,” he said. I detected a hint of an Eastern European accent. “I’ll be your escort.”
Following him when he made his way through the crowd, I glanced back at Jack, nodding once to let him know that I was fine. If he reacted, it would give him away. I needed him on the outside. He could tell Chloe what was going on, and together, they could protect themselves until I had assassinated Kitty.
“I hope you don’t charge too much,” I muttered to the vampire when I drew level with him.
Martin stopped the wizard, saying something in his ear. Had he set the whole thing up? Somehow, by the look on the wizard’s face, I doubted it.
“Only a thousand pounds an hour. I’m a tasty treat.” The vampire brought my attention back as we exited the room.
My interest was piqued. Vampires had stayed in hiding for a while, their numbers dwindling. Their notoriety had gone down since the swell in popular romanticised fiction about them. As far as I was aware, they were not creatures of feeling. Or, they never had been in my whole thousand years.
“Where are you from?”
The vampire led me out of the front door. A blue van waited at the gates of the building, a hulk of a man sitting at the wheel. Was he…? When the man looked me in the eye, I paused. It was unusual for the underworld to band together, but it seemed all sorts of mythological creatures were coming out of the woodwork. Or, darkness…that was a more fitting term.
“Why do you have a…?” I paused, not able to take my gaze off the driver.
I had only ever seen one other creature like him. A shapeshifter. He looked fairly normal, sitting in the front seat, his head almost hitting the roof of the van. But, his eyes…they shifted shapes constantly. One minute, catlike, the next, dog…and then human…then bird. So. Fucking. Odd.
The vampire marched to the back of the van, yanking the double doors open. I followed, knowing full well I would be getting in the back. He jumped in, surprising me when he sat on a wooden bench. In fact, benches lined both sides of the metal walls.
“I’m Kalic, I’m from Croatia.” The vampire offered his hand.
Taking it, I shook, jumping when the others from the group started to clamber into the back with us. A small woman sat next to me, her glare almost burning my eyes. Looking away, I blinked. Her power must be ridiculously strong if she could burn my retinas with her gaze.
Swallowing, I waited while the doors were closed from the outside. I had never been in the company of so much varied darkness. The epitome of the underworld was in the van with me.
“I thought you were badass? It was easy to get you. We didn’t need all of us in the end.” An American human criminal spoke up.
Ignoring him, I kept my eyes on the wizard as he got in the front of the van with the shapeshifter. He was at the helm of the operation. Who was he connected to? Kitty?
“Don’t underestimate him,” Kalic said, winking at me.
Resting my head against the wall as the engine started, I closed my eyes. I wasn’t afraid of any of them. Kalic was old, but not as ancient as me. The others were normal age, their souls young at heart too.
As the van started its journey, I memorised the turns it made. The others stayed silent as we travelled. They didn’t exactly have much in common, considering most of them were a completely different type of being. We all were. If they became a threat, I would have to kill every single one of them. And, that wasn’t something I could be bothered with.
Once I found Kitty, the rest of the groups would leave me alone. They had never bothered with me before, yet, one word from a pissed off groupie human and the whole underworld had come gunning for me.
Maybe they did deserve punishment after all.
11
Lost Memories Returned
THE BITCH, KITTY, HAD got what she wanted. Me.
We had driven for an hour, yet, we were still in London. North, if my co-ordinates were correct. They didn’t bother to blindfold me as they led me from the van and into a rundown house.
The front door was opened by Serenity, the young myth student who worked for Jack. Ah, of course. Although, I would have suspected her to be friends with Martin, rather than Kitty. All humans were attracted to grandeur.
“Hello, Serenity,” I greeted.
Her cheeks heated as I glared at her. Standing back, she let us file in.
The three floored townhouse had peeling wallpaper and damp patches everywhere. Just a base to do business, by the looks of things.
Kalic was on my heels as I walked towards the sound of talking. Passing the front room, I headed for the room behind it, the others following me. Did they not have any fear of me at all? Even the Dark Crawler had stopped calling me names.
“Ah, Trygger.” An average sized woman with auburn hair held her hand up to the man she had been speaking to.
He went silent as the others filtered into the room behind me, their eyes immediately on the human. The male one, not the female. The shake of his limbs was evident as the energy shifted.
Kitty smiled, revealing crooked teeth. Her pale skin was blotchy, her cheeks bright red, clashing with the colour of her hair. “Thank you so much, everyone. Please, do take a seat.”
Glancing around, I waited as the others sat in the randomly positioned chairs. They were all shapes and sizes, and so were the chairs.
Deciding to stay where I was, I faced Kitty head on. She bit on her bottom lip, not unlike most women who met me. Thor’s power was sending pheromones out into the room. Which really wasn’t convenient. “I thought I may as well stand, considering I’m the entertainment.”
Tilting her head to the side, Kitty regarded me, her green eyes dancing over my figure. The predatory human in her was already gearing up to make a move.
“Kitty?” A small feminine voice broke her concentration.
Turning, I scowled when Serenity came over to me. Holding out handcuffs, she smiled apologetically. “He needs something to restrain him, or he’ll kill every single one of us.”
The woman in charge grinned at her lacky. It seemed the pair had been involved all a
long. Well, Jack certainly knew how to pick his staff. Or, had he? I forgot that his father still had a say. And, probably Kitty.
“Okay, put them on him.” Kitty clicked her fingers at the young girl.
“Studying myth?” I asked Serenity when she grabbed my arm.
Not helping her, I kept my muscles strong so the little liar couldn’t get the handcuffs on. She huffed, her breath hitting my arm.
“And, there I thought you had a thing for…”
Leaving Chloe’s name unspoken, I grinned at Kitty when she stamped her foot. “Get on with it, Serenity.”
The girl tugged me, trying to push my wrists together. I looked around at the others, rolling my eyes. They chuckled, the entertainment taking a slight twist.
“Want me to help, pretty one? I will in exchange for a bite…to eat.” Kalic’s eyes turned red as they watched the movement of a swallow in Serenity’s slender neck.
“No, my sweet,” Kitty said, gesturing for Kalic to keep his mouth shut. “Trygger will allow Serenity to put the cuffs on.”
The woman intrigued me. Her head was held high, yet, her whole being radiated sorrow. Wrinkles in her forehead told of sadness. Had she loved Frankie that much? Had she tortured herself since his death?
“Why would I do that?”
Serenity stopped attempting to get me to co-operate, which was a good job. I was getting a little irritated by her incessant uselessness.
“You agreed when you…”
“No,” I interrupted. “I agreed to come here with no hassle. Now, I’m here.”
Spinning, I took hold of Serenity’s waist and held her in front of me. She squeaked, trying to bat me away. I laughed as I backed towards the door. The others got to their feet, their faces fierce. They were ready to pounce on me.
“You probably should have waited a moment or two until I revealed the whereabouts of their leaders.” Kitty held up her hand when a witch went to move forward. “If you all sit calmly for a moment, I’ll tell you.”
Lightning Seeker: Viking Soul Book 2 (Viking Soul Series) Page 11