by Lexi Ander
"Stan was attacked and now pursues the person who stole Tristan's hatchling," Saéna told him, her voice cold.
The hawk-headed lion screamed again and I covered my ears to protect them from the piercing sound. "Come warrior, climb on and we will track down the fiend who dares poach in my territory."
I was incredulous. I couldn't fly to Georgia. "I must decline. I have to get to Sanctuary, so I'll use the gateways. With luck, I'll be able to take the children back before Inanna arrives. Thank you for the offer."
"Tristan goes to battle with the Goddess?"
I didn't have time for this. "Yes, excuse me."
Corleone stepped in my path, wings held wide and his tail lashing back and forth. "No gateways are a match for my speed," he said haughtily, beak raised high. "We will arrive together and strike at our enemies. Tristan will not hoard all of the excitement of battle to himself again."
"Go with him," the Simurgh urged me. "He can take you there faster than hopping from gate to gate. Be careful. Just because Tristan now has the power to fight a God doesn't mean you do." With those final words of caution, Saéna returned to the house. An audible click told me the door had been locked.
If Corleone could fly faster than gate travel, then I'd take the gamble. Climbing onto the back of the hawk-lion, I straddled his neck. I wasn't sure what to hold on to, and had the same thoughts as when I'd ridden Brian. Thank God for horseback riding. Only my legs kept me from falling off when Corleone launched into the air, his powerful wings taking us high above the rooftops in one downward swing.
What amazed me was that once we were high in the air, we encountered several other Shirdal. Usually only two or three flew the skies above the ranch. Where did they come from? Corleone circled above the tents and gave a peculiar cry, resulting in the warriors who were not wounded running toward the main house. When the other Shirdal answered the call, the world around us blurred, much like gate travel but without the stops.
Wind buffeted my face, causing my eyes to tear. Corleone didn't make any sudden moves to knock me off my precarious perch. Before I knew it, we were circling the sky over Sanctuary. I didn't know if Corleone could hear me, much less understand me if I spoke aloud. Instead, I pointed to the ziggurat and he circled closer. One of the Shirdal dropped to the ground to investigate a prone figure, but Corleone landed on the top tier of the King's Tomb.
I gave a hasty thank you before taking the stairs down two at a time. Corleone was gone in a flurry of wings, joining the score circling overhead. There was no time to gawk at the unusual sight. I could feel the sands slipping away, and I refused to lose Little Brian or Justus.
At the top of the final steps to the ground I hit Justus's scent and then Nathan's wounded one. I turned to follow them and found the open door into the tomb. Dread curled in my gut. Drawing one of my swords, I crept inside. The trail of lit torches was a dead giveaway as to which direction my quarry had gone. Every few feet I had to stop and listen, sticking close to the deeper shadows.
"I can smell you, little pup. Come out and say hello to your Goddess. You know you must pay homage to me. The longer I have to search for you, the unhappier I will become. Terrible things happen when I am displeased."
I could only guess who the singsong voice belonged to, and I thought of Saéna's warning. The room echoed with her words. Since I'd been here earlier, I knew how vast the main floor was. I wasn't certain to her location but—
The grinding of the stone was loud. There, deeper in the shadows, I caught sight of a white cowl. If I had any doubts about Nathan being an Ophidian assassin, the fact Justus's head was wrapped in the color of innocence sealed the deal. Inanna's voice grew closer, no doubt drawn by the sound of the small doorway Justus had just opened. Whether by accident or design, he'd found a secret of the tomb. I waved for him to hurry. For once, he didn't argue with me and slipped through the opening. The grind of the stone started again and I stepped out of the shadows.
If Inanna could smell Justus, then I had to give him enough time to escape and hopefully find Tristan. A simple wall wouldn't keep her away from him. Neither would I if I stood in her way, for I was a mere mortal and she a Goddess. Despite the probable outcome, I refused to step aside.
I wasn't sure what I expected. Inanna was a mixture of a bird and human, the lustrous hair falling to her shoulders was nothing but a wig, and she wore more jewelry than actual clothing. Upon seeing her, I drew my second sword, shifting to stand sideways.
"Do not be foolish, Lycan. Give me the pups and I will leave you be." The for now was apparent in her cold, beady glare.
"If I were you, I'd worry about being able to leave Xenres Tristan's territory unharmed. You trespass. And you won't be taking any pups with you." My palms sweated. I didn't have the luxury to wipe them off.
"You dare to defy me?"
"I serve the God Shamash and the Goddess Anat. I do not spare attention for spoiled children," I taunted.
She made a nasty noise that caused my stomach to turn, but I didn't react. I goaded her to distract her. Unfortunately, she wasn't one to allow the insult to pass.
"You dare?" She asked as if she couldn't believe I'd talk smack to her. She deserved it with all of the you dares.
"Every day of my life."
The deceivingly haphazard look to the place gave the illusion that someone didn't have a plan when they arranged the storehouse. I had no hope the layout would help me, but there were spare armaments sitting in clusters if I lost mine.
Inanna grabbed a double-headed axe from one of the piles and swung it as if she had some knowledge how to wield the weapon. Tristan believed the only reason she was sometimes called the Goddess of War had to do with her borrowing the Queen of the Underworld's army. But she'd fought in the Igigi War against the Goddess Tiamat, so she was no stranger to battle.
Suddenly, Inanna lunged and bought the axe around in a wide arc. Dodging, I slipped under and sliced at her body on my way by. She tested me again and again. Toying with me because we both knew she was stronger and faster than me. I couldn't engage her head-on, and had no hope of surviving for long. Even I knew there was only one possible ending between us. But I wouldn't just lie down and wait for the inevitable. I'd make her work for her victory. And give Justus time to get away.
Every time I dodged, I attempted to slide under her guard. Any wounds I caused healed fast, and she reacted as they were mere insect bites. I was surprised she didn't talk to me or even monologue a little. She was a vain Goddess and, well, she created and molded Daniel into the narcissistic creature he'd become. I'd expected him to be a mirror image of her, personality wise.
In a stunning turn of events, Inanna's axe went flying. My hit was a one in a million lucky shot. For a split second too long, I contemplated escaping. Inanna grabbed a spear and lunged, her beautiful face twisted into an ugly mask of rage. The tip grazed my side because I couldn't move as fast as she did. Instead of dancing away, I rushed forward, plunging both my swords through her chest.
She screamed in agony and I glared a wolfish grin a her as I twisted the blades. "Perhaps your prophecy is wrong. Are you sure Tristan will be the death of you?"
I wasn't prepared for the backhand that sent me flying. Too fast for my eyes to track, she stood over me, my own bloodied swords in her hands. "No one, least of all you, can defeat me."
The shock of being stabbed through my torso turned into a burning agony. The bellow of pain it tore from me echoed back in a haunting chorus.
"You will die slowly just like the trickster, Nathan. As you fade, your last thought will be of me and the pain I've caused you and those you care about." She spat before heading towards the stairs and the only open exit.
I bared my teeth at the back of her head in a feral grin. She thought she'd won, but the victory was mine. Justus and Little Brian were safe. And I had no doubt Tristan would take care of her once and for all.
Beneath me, my clothing became wet and I shivered with a sudden bone-deep chill. I had to g
et to Nathan, remembering Inanna's sneer of triumph when she said he was dying slowly. But when I moved, the swords didn't. Screaming again, I realized I'd been pinned to the floor like an insect specimen. The handles were awkwardly high, negating my ability to pull them out. Sweat pooled off me as I struggled to discover a way to rise. Choking back an angry sob, I didn't give up. Perhaps, if I could just remove the blades my body would start to heal. I could still survive, but with each passing minute that outcome became less likely. I was losing too much blood.
After all the struggling, I lay gasping, thinking about Theo. How unfair would it be to lose him when I'd finally claimed him? A sort of calm came with the knowledge I'd find him again in my next incarnation.
The familiar screech of the firebird echoed through the room. Thank Goddess, Theo could help Nathan. The brilliantly feathered raptor circled overhead before he dove to land, transforming before his feet touched the ground.
"Hey, beautiful," I wheezed.
Theo's stricken expression made my eyes water.
"What happened?" He quickly kneeled, his hands not quite touching me even though I could tell he wanted to.
"Daddy?"
I turned my head in the direction of the young voice. Justus peered at us from behind a gold laden chariot. How he'd come to be there when I hadn't heard the grinding of the hidden door told me either I'd been really out of it, or Justus somehow knew this place better than anybody else. If the second option was correct, then I wasn't really surprised. If he could open an Earth gate directly into Irkalla, then as the reincarnation of Enkidu he could have an inherent knowledge of the King's Tomb. The tomb had been built by Gilgamesh's grandfather and I imagined Enkidu would've been just as familiar with its secrets as Gilgamesh himself.
"Justus," Theo called gently and the pup took that as an invitation, hurrying across the distance with Little Brian clutching him.
Justus's bottom lip trembled as he collapsed into Theo's arms. "Stan saved us from the ugly bird woman, Daddy."
His white cowl was streaked with dirt and cobwebs. Theo soothed him and took off the material. After putting Little Brian on the floor, Justus sobbed when he looked at me. "Are you going to die, Stan?"
"Yes."
"No!" Theo spoke over me, his denial vehement. "Do you think I'd let you go?" Hot anger tinged his voice. "You're my Twin Flame. I'd move Heaven and Earth for you."
"You can't. Nathan is somewhere in here dying. You have to see to him first." Breathing was becoming harder and my eyelids felt as if weights hung from them.
"Brian's snake accidentally bit Uncle Nathan," Justus added, sounding as if he'd just remembered.
My heart sank. The probability Nathan still lived was small. "All the more reason for you to see to him first. Someone else can take care of me."
A blanket of lethargy covered me and I closed my eyes, resting them.
"Oh no, you don't!" Burning hot hands cupped my face and I moaned. The heat felt so good against my cool skin. "Open your eyes, Stan. Please, I need you to look at me." The way his voice cracked, the desperation I heard pushed me to fight a moment more—for him.
When I opened my eyes, his baby blues were only inches away. "I think I fell in love with you the moment I saw you," I confessed. "I was so jealous of Tristan because he had you."
"You have me now, love. Please don't leave me." Huge teardrops fell from his eyes and I made a wounded noise knowing I caused them.
"I'll find you in every reincarnation," I promised. "Go help Nathan."
Justus cried hard, and I heard Little Brian join him. But Theo would be there for them. The pups had an impressive family, a group of people who'd love and support them. I couldn't ask for more.
Theo pressed a warm kiss to my chilled lips. I attempted to respond, but my whole body had gone completely numb.
Breaking away, Theo whispered into my ear, "I'm still a selfish man. I hope you can forgive me."
When he sat back up, he grasped the sword handles. "Turn your head away, Justus."
The denial, the command for Theo to stop was on the tip of my tongue when he forcibly removed the swords from my chest. The metal grating against stone was covered by my agony-filled yell.
"You're mine, Stanley Kendall. Not even death can have a piece of you." His gaze was filled with fire, then his whole body glowed. His touch was a brand against my skin, stealing my breath, gripping my heart, and searing my blood. "Mine!" Theo snarled before unconsciousness dragged me under.
Chapter Thirty
Gregori Borchetta
Trepidation was my companion as I ran to the hut where Randy had been staying. The couple of days here at Sanctuary had done wonders for his health, but he still wasn't well enough for battle. I prayed Stan had been wrong, but when I stopped outside the low building, I knew Randy was gone. I called his name without receiving an answer.
I almost changed into my wolf to track him faster, but as I crisscrossed over the area, scenting the air, I picked up his fresh trail and ran. Overhead, the sky suddenly filled with Shirdal. If anyone needed an omen a war was coming, they now had one. The screams of the hawk-lions made my skin crawl.
Randy's scent grew stronger and I increased my speed. Coming around a large pillar, I spied him ahead. He leaned against a statue of what looked like a kraken.
"What do you think you're doing?" I stopped in front of him, breathing hard.
"Justus is here." Randy's dark eyes beseeched me. The gauntness in his face had disappeared, the harsh edges rounding out for a fuller look. His curly black hair looked as if he repeatedly ran his hands through it, tugging the ends. "I can sense his distress. I don't know how, but you have to believe me."
"I do."
My agreement startled him. "What do you know?"
I considered dodging the question, but the hopeful light in his eyes caused me to spill. "An Ophidian assassin is with him and Daniel. Stan said the Vikrum would protect Justus until Stan reached them."
Before I'd left to find Randy, Bixx made us vow not to reveal Nathan was the assassin.
"Daniel has him?" He pushed off the statue only to nearly fall to his knees. I lunged to catch him. He was as weak as a newborn pup, the stubborn ass! Arranging my shoulder more securely under his arm, I helped him to stand.
"Stan went after him and probably has him by now." Or so I hoped.
Randy resisted returning the way we'd come. "No, Gregori, I have to go to him, see with my own eyes he's all right. Daniel terrorized Justus. He'll carry the scars of that dog's brutality for the rest of his life."
"I understand, Randy, I do. But both Bixx and Stan swore Justus is as safe as he can be with the Vikrum. And like I said, Stan went to bring him back." Being more forceful, I practically dragged a reluctant Randy in the opposite direction of the ziggurat.
"How did Daniel get him? He was supposed to be with Stan? What aren't you telling me?" Randy grabbed the bottom of the kraken's trident in a steely grip I couldn't budge without injuring him.
"Stan was ambushed when they reached the ranch. Daniel not only kidnapped Justus, but Little Brian as well."
"No." Randy made a pained noise. "We have to help them."
My patience was wearing thin. I understood his worry, I did, but I snapped at him anyway. "And what can you do?" He winced as if I'd slapped him and immediately I felt contrite. "I apologize, that was uncalled for."
"But true. If I go back to my hut, will you help Stan?"
I sighed with relief. "Yes." I hated fighting and arguing, especially when it was unnecessary.
As one the Shirdals shrieked, I cringed. Randy and I glanced up to where the hawk-lions circled overhead. More accurately, over the King's Tomb. On the edge of the second tier stood a lone figure with dove colored wings.
"Inanna," Randy gasped. My blood ran cold.
As if she heard him, Inanna turned her gaze on us.
"We have to get you out of here." But before we could move, she dove off the ziggurat, wings outstretched as she glided our w
ay.
"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Glancing around, I came up with a pitiful lack of places to hide Randy.
Before I could devise another plan, she landed twenty feet away. She was decorated with blood splatter and I could only assume the worst when I caught both Nathan's and Stan's scents mingling with hers.
"It has been centuries since I laid eyes on you." She stared past me to Randy. "Did you come to see your progeny bow at my feet?"
Randy made a low pained noise as she smeared the blood into her breast. "Tristan submits only to Tiamat. He'll never prostrate himself before another."
Her cold gaze snapped with anger. "You have a high opinion of his ability to resist me. I always win. You should know this by now, Gilgamesh. I'll take him from you just as I laid low your lover."
"Randy, you need to run," I said, drawing on my internal magic.
The Goddess Inanna moved faster than my eyes could track. Suddenly, I was flying through the air, Randy calling my name.
With as hard as I hit the stone pillar, the breath was knocked out of me. I coughed, gasping for air.
"I don't think so, little Magi. I just finished teaching another what happens to those who challenge me. I'm not in the mood to play again."
The jewel-toned python wrapped around the upper reach of the column flicked its tongue at me. Warmth flooded through my body, easing the sharp pains of my injuries. Why wasn't it doing anything? I thought the serpents and dragonets were the guardians of Sanctuary. Before I could move to defend myself, she pounced on me again.
"I'm tired of you Lycans not giving me the respect I deserve." She grabbed me by the hair and flung me across the small clearing. This time when I slammed into the pedestal of the kraken statue, my leg caught at an odd angle. I heard the distinct snap before the pain washed through me, forcing out a yell.
"You will come with me and witness the destruction of the scourge you and your wild man brought about." Inanna snarled at Randy.
"Inanna, stop!" Randy moved, but she reached me first, yanking me up and pressing her breast against my back. She stood easily a head taller than both of us.