Shadow Dance

by Taige Crenshaw

  An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

  www.ellorascave.com

  Shadow Dance

  ISBN 9781419912955

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  Shadow Dance Copyright © 2007 Taige Crenshaw

  Edited by Helen Woodall.

  Cover art by Syneca.

  Electronic book Publication October 2007

  This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

  Shadow Dance

  Taige Crenshaw

  Dedication

  To my mother, who has always been my number one fan. Although you are no longer with me I know you are smiling down at me getting published. To Marilyn, my sister and second mother, who has always believed in me. To my lunch buddies who listen to me ramble on about my writing ideas.

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Mercedes: Daimler Chrysler AG Corporation

  Chapter One

  With a smug grin, Yadira Akridge looked at what she had come for. The gold of the chain surrounding it glinted although it was dark in the cave. She hadn’t even needed to tap into her Zuri Maji powers to find it. Laughing, pleased with herself, she reached in and pulled it out. With a slight popping sound it came free. It flared when it hit open space. Swearing softly, Yadira knew her night vision was shot. After closing her eyes for a moment to re-assimilate herself, she opened them then looked at the Blue Giant of the Orient. It was the largest blue sapphire in the Earth realm. She knew that it was over six hundred carats originally and when it was fashioned into a jewel it went down to four hundred and sixty-six carats.

  Shaking her head, she wondered why anyone would mess with the gem. It had been lovely as it was. She placed the gem in her pouch. At least the American jewel and art collector who hired Rarities Incorporated, the company she worked for, would be happy to get it back. As she turned to leave, she stopped and stilled, taking in the people who stood between her and the mouth of the cave. Yadira knew that her bosses would be furious at her for being reckless and not checking things out first. She understood there was no excuse but she was tired after chasing the stupid sapphire for eleven frustrating days. Eleven days trekking through swamps, cold temperatures, wind, mud pits and places she would rather forget.

  The man closest to her signaled and Yadira watched as the group moved nearer. Sighing, Yadira widened her stance. A crackle filled her and in each hand she felt the chill touch of metal. Bringing her arm forward she crossed her swords in front of her. She looked up at them and felt cold purpose fill her. They stopped and looked at her, shocked.

  “Shit, you didn’t say she was a Zuri Maji,” a male voice said.

  Yadira could hear the fear in his voice. She looked out at them through glowing eyes, smiling as she saw first fear on their faces, then speculation. She saw their intent in their eyes a second before they rushed her. In a blur of motion she moved, taking out the first set that came at her. Knocking them back and across the cave with the dull side of her sword she heard them hit a wall, then silence. She wasn’t trying to kill them, just incapacitate them so she could leave. She would let the Rarities Incorporated protector agents deal with the clean up. She flashed her swords in a quick slicing motion making the three remaining men stumble back from her. Yadira watched them.

  One man sneered, “You missed.”

  Smiling, she replied, “I didn’t.”

  Even as she said it their shirts fell off them in tatters while their pants dropped to their ankles.

  Looking down, Yadira tsked. “Big egos and little penises.”

  Fury washed over the faces of the men. Then they bulked up. Surprised, Yadira realized they were vamps. Having already pegged the others knocked out against the wall as shifters she wondered what they were doing together. A sound behind her made her turn. As she jumped back from the reaching claws she felt them nick her. She saw blood well and start to drip down the side of her now-gaping vest and shirt. Furious, she looked back at the shifter who had snuck up on her. Sizing them up, she knew they would not be taken off guard so easily.

  “Bring it,” Yadira growled.

  “You shouldn’t turn your back on your adversaries.” With her head thrown back the woman laughed—an ugly sound that made her beautiful face go savage.

  Twisting out of the way, Yadira eluded the arms of the vamps behind her. She used her powers, ran to the wall and ran up it until she rested with her feet planted on the ceiling. The attackers looked at her and they started to climb the walls. Yadira felt a strange sensation then tumbled from the ceiling. She tucked herself into a ball, spun and landed on her feet. With a silent swearword, Yadira acknowledged that she had to make quick work of them. She reached behind her back and touched the tattoo at the base of her spine, felt it heat and, bringing her hand up, she threw the Maji Stars at the men. They each exploded in a rain of ash. With a twist she threw the last one at the woman coming up behind her. The woman shifted out of the way and it nicked her in the shoulder.

  The woman’s look was furious as she wavered and then was gone. “We’ll meet again, Maji.”

  Yadira, unable to believe what she had seen, walked over to where the woman had been standing. The woman should not have been able to withstand even a nick from Maji Stars or shimmer out. Only a few races could do that and shifters weren’t one of them. Hearing a sound Yadira turned swiftly.

  The man looked at her blandly. “Always in trouble, Yadira.”

  Striding past him Yadira replied, “Fuck you, Tyr.”

  Tyr made kissing noises. “Anytime, Yadira. Anywhere.”

  Laughing, she continued on her way past the others of Tyr’s security team. Tyr was one of the few protector agents she could abide.

  “Yadira,” Tyr called.

  “What?”

  There was a wicked grin on his face. “Dilana wants you in her office now.”

  Swearing ripely, Yadira looked at him. “You haven’t seen me.”

  He shook his head. “Uh-huh that’s between the two of you. No way am I getting between the two of you. Well except in bed, maybe.”

  Yadira snorted. “In your dreams.”

  “Ahh, but a man can dream can’t he?” Tyr laughed and went to work.

  Yadira turned and continued outside. Once out of the cave she saw that it was already morning. Sighing, she knew that it was useless to avoid going to Dilana. She walked over to her bike, got on and revved the engine. Putting on her helmet she kicked the bike off its stand and zoomed away. She’d just take the scenic route. On her way though the area she saw destroyed homes being rebuilt. As she rode down Bourbon Street in New Orleans Yadira mused on how, despite the devastation, there was still a feeling that was unique to New Orleans filling the streets. Banking as she rounded a corner, she saw the swirling mass in front of her too late to stop. It sucked her in.

  Yadira had a brief feeling of displacement, then it cleared and when she could see again she was in front of Rarities Incorporated headquarters in New York. Groaning, she didn’t even wonder how she had gotten there. The weird swirling silver filled the air then enveloped her again. Swearing to herself, Yadira found herself standing across the desk from Dilana Storm, one of her bosses. Dilana sat back and watched her.

  Yadira stepped back and slumped into the chair in front of Dilana’s desk. “I was coming.
You didn’t have to get Zarya to summon me here.”

  Dilana was not amused. “You’re a Rarities Incorporated finder agent, Yadira. Not a protector. If you want to be a part of the protector unit go and see Jordis.” Dilana’s usually calm, husky voice was harsh.

  Yadira winced and said nothing, knowing Dilana was right. She also knew that besides being her boss, Dilana was upset because she was her friend. She saw the lines of stress between Dilana’s brows and was sorry she had caused it. Yadira also knew if she chose to change from the division of finders to protectors Dilana would have no hard feelings and Jordis Malik, the head of the Protectors Division of Rarities Incorporated, would welcome her. She couldn’t do it. She enjoyed working as a finder and found it more thrilling than protecting some artifact or person. The protectors were mostly made up of stuffed shirts anyway.

  “No, I want to stay as a finder. I had it under control,” Yadira stated firmly.

  Dilana’s look was bland. “Your power faltered, Yadira. What happened out there?”

  Uneasiness filled Yadira. “I don’t know.”

  Dilana looked at her. Yadira didn’t have an answer for what happened. She had known when she fell from the ceiling her power had failed. It had never happened before and it frightened her.

  Dilana spoke, breaking in on her thoughts. “If we didn’t need you to go out again I would send you to Kali for testing.”

  Yadira felt fear fill her. Although she had nothing against Dilana’s sister Kali, she hated doctors in general. She hung out sometimes with Kali and Dilana but was never quite comfortable around Kali knowing she was a doctor. Dilana teased her about the phobia all the time. Being a Zuri Maji she rarely got sick, for which she was thankful and those times she did become ill she hid so none of them could find her.

  “I’m not going to Kali.” Yadira’s mouth was dry.

  Dilana lips twitched. “I know.”

  “What?”

  Dilana shook her head. “You need to get over this unreasonable fear.”

  Yadira shrugged. “I’m not afraid, just cautious.”

  Dilana looked at her and laughed. “It’s fear. Anyway, it was a special request that you go out again.”

  Yadira frowned. “Someone requested me. Why?”

  “I don’t know. It came through Zarya.”

  Yadira was surprised. Usually Zarya Burked didn’t get involved with the other divisions. She focused on her own creators and restorers group. For her to step in it had to be big.

  Anticipation filled Yadira. “What am I to find?”

  “The Eye of Ra.”

  Yadira looked at her, waiting for the punch line. Seeing Dilana was serious she tried not to laugh.

  “Come on, ‘Lana that’s not real. There is no such thing as The Eye of Ra. The Gods and Goddesses only made it up to keep us in check. Sekhmet has been dead a long time,” Yadira laughed.

  Dilana didn’t smile in response, just looked grim. “Sekhmet is dead and buried as she should be but The Eye of Ra is very real. Anyone who finds it will be able to find the path to the City of the Dead and the home of the long-forgotten Gods and Goddesses.”

  Yadira didn’t even want to think of what would happen if The Eye of Ra came into the wrong hands.

  Standing abruptly, Yadira said, “I’ll get on it right away. I’ll get Laila searching.”

  Dilana shook her head. “Laila started her vacation a few days ago. And Sonya is still away.”

  Yadira bit off a swearword. Sonya and Laila also reported to Dilana and they were in charge of the best research and development team Rarities had. For both of them to be away at once at a time like this was frustrating.

  “Call Laila back from vacation.”

  “I can’t.”

  Yadira looked at her. “Why not?”

  Dilana face became shuttered. “Leave it alone.”

  At her tone Yadira knew to back off. “Fine, I’ll do my own research.”

  Dilana shook her head again. “We have a researcher for you who will also be your partner.”

  Dread filled her. “Absolutely not. I don’t do partners, especially one of the Crazy Z’s.”

  Dilana laughed. “Only one of them is crazy and you won’t be working with them both. Just one.”

  “No.”

  “Yes.”

  “Fuck you ‘Lana. I won’t do it.” Yadira stuck out her chin stubbornly.

  Dilana met her look with one of her own. “It’s an order or you go see Kali.”

  Yadira’s shoulders slumped. Glaring at her she wondered if she could make a run for it. Reading her perfectly, Dilana pointed to the chair Yadira had been sitting on. Silently, she sat. She could see Dilana stifle a chuckle.

  Not pleased at all with the way things were working out, Yadira narrowed her eyes and looked at her. “Why don’t you get a man so you can torture him with your bossiness?”

  As soon as she said it Yadira wished she could undo it. Dilana’s face went blank. Yadira quickly went around the desk, ignoring Dilana’s stiffening body and her turned-away face. Touching her shoulder, she encouraged Dilana to turn to her. Seeing the pain on her face Yadira wished death on Dilana’s fool of an ex-fiancé.

  “I’m sorry ‘Lana.”

  Dilana took a deep breath and looked at Yadira, her gaze bleak. “It doesn’t matter.”

  Yadira opened her mouth.

  “No, leave it alone.” Dilana’s tone had an edge.

  Swallowing what she wanted to say, she watched as Dilana calmed then went back to business. “Zarek was a top notch researcher before he became a protector. In this case you will need both.”

  “I don’t want a partner,” Yadira protested.

  Dilana looked at her. “Live with it. Now let me brief you on what we have so far.”

  Going back to her seat Yadira asked, “Well if I’m working with him at least tell me what the hell he is.”

  Dilana looked at her, a wicked smile on her lips, a twinkle in her eyes. “Figure it out yourself.”

  Rolling her eyes Yadira grumbled, “Which one do I get, the crazy one or the grim reaper?’”

  The twinkle in Dilana’s eyes intensified. “Figure it out.”

  Yadira snorted then sat back and listened as Dilana filled her in. She didn’t care which one it was as long as they came to an understanding that she was in charge.

  * * * * *

  Dimitri Zarek stared across the desk at Zarya Burke. He knew she was waiting for him to fly off the handle but she was in for a surprise.

  “No. I work with no one but my brother.” His tone was calm.

  His brother was the only one he could trust at his back. Smiling grimly he shifted, feeling the marks on his back that reminded him of that fact every day. That they were a team was understood when they came to work for Rarities Incorporated over three years ago and there had never been a problem with it before. Zarya’s silver gaze was cool. He admired her yet knew when he had walked into Jordis Malik’s—his boss’—office and seen her that he wouldn’t like what she had to say. Usually Jordis, who was in charge of the Protector Division of Rarities Incorporated, handed out assignments and she knew both his and his brother’s strong preference for working together.

  “You really don’t want to go against me on this Dimitri,” Zarya replied, a silken threat clear in her smoky voice.

  He laid his hand on his brother’s arm in caution. Dominic, who was sitting next to him, was like him and had no qualms about fighting anyone who got in their way. Dimitri was a planner while Dominic reacted. Not saying a word, Dimitri stood and felt his brother join him.

  Looking directly into Zarya’s silver gaze Dimitri said in a quiet tone, “We quit.”

  Turning as one they headed for the door.

  “We need you to look for The Eye of Ra.”

  Zarya’s words made him stop and the blood in his veins freeze.

  Chapter Two

  Hearing the hum he knew only he or his brother could hear, Dimitri blocked him from Zarya’s view.
Reaching down he gripped his hand over the blades Dominic held. Looking across into Dominic’s gaze he saw killing rage. Uncaring of what Zarya thought he pulled Dominic into his body, making sure to keep the blades out of view.

  Leaning into Dominic he whispered. “Blious cremious slio.”

  Dominic looked at him and the rage was receding. “I’m fine, Dimitri. She startled me.”

  Knowing his brother would be fine now, Dimitri stepped back as the blades on Dominic’s hand receded. In his peripheral vision he saw the knowledge and grim look in Zarya’s eyes despite his blocking her view.

  “Tell us,” Dimitri barked in a harsh demand.

  Zarya’s eyes snapped with anger yet she replied coolly. “It has been taken and you must find it before all hell breaks loose.”

  Nodding abruptly, Dimitri listened absently as she filled him on what they knew. He met his brother’s gaze. There was only one thing he could think of to protect Dominic while he worked with someone else.

  “Dominic will stay here and research for us. He is to go out with no one else. Those are our terms.” Dimitri waited.

  Zarya nodded. “Fine. Your partner will meet you in conference room A.”

  “Who?”

  He could swear Zarya stifled a smile. “Yadira.”

  He didn’t let anything of what he was felt show. Of all the partners he could have gotten why did it have to be her? Dimitri knew her reputation for finding was exemplary but it was her recklessness that concerned him. People might think that Dominic was crazy but he would go into any case or battle with his brother. Dominic was merciless in battle and a brilliant strategist. They both were. They would fight through thousands and never exchange a word. That’s what made them feared and revered by other Rarities agents.

  He went out the door with his brother following. They were silent as they walked down the hall to the conference rooms. Opening the door, they stepped inside. It was empty. Dimitri looked at Dominic. Dimitri reached out with his left arm and waited until Dominic gripped it. They held each other’s arm with their fingers around the elbow.