Fading Light: Shadow Born, Book 2

by Angela Dennis

  “You’re a mess,” Brenna said, ignoring the exchange. “Can you make it to our room?”

  “Sure.” He limped to the first step.

  His posture was tense, and he winced with every movement. But he wouldn’t ask for help. God forbid he show weakness, even to her. And if she offered help, he would refuse. So she let him stumble his way into their bedroom to save his male pride. Once they were inside, the door firmly shut, she motioned for him to lie on the bed. “Take off the robe first.” She tossed it into the burn pile at the side of the room. It was too blood-stained to salvage.

  Nude he stretched across the bed on his belly. Deep narrow cuts slashed across his lower legs. Her magic at her fingertips, she ran her hands across the expanse of his body. She would need to sneak past his defenses and put him into a magical sedation. She needed him to hold still, and no one, no matter how powerful, could withstand the amount of pain she was about to inflict.

  “I’ll be right back,” she said, rising from the bed. “Try not to move.”

  After she left the bedroom, she walked to the bathroom and pulled a metal basin from beneath the sink. Once it was filled with hot water, she poured in two cups of purified sea salt. As it bubbled, she opened the medicine cabinet to grab several containers of herbs. She dumped them into a glass, murmuring an incantation as she filled it with water. The herbs should relax him so she could spell him to sleep. Otherwise Keegan and Sam would have to hold him down. And none of them wanted that.

  Basin in one hand, glass in the other, she made her way back to the room. Gray was lying so still that for a moment she wondered if he had passed out. But then he jerked, his sweat-dampened hair strewn across the pillows. Although the room was cold, beads of perspiration had formed on his body. The sheets beneath him were soaked.

  What had he been thinking?

  She placed the basin beside the bed. “I need you to sit.” She brushed her fingertips across his burning forehead. When he did as she asked, she sank onto the damp bed behind him, and pulled him against her chest. She held the glass to his lips. “Drink.”

  He sucked down the water with one gulp and sputtered. “What was that?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” She pulled him closer. “Try to relax.”

  He settled, and Brenna wrapped her magic around him. It sank beneath his skin and into his blood. Murmuring beneath her breath, she willed him to sleep. When, finally, he relented, she eased from beneath his body. Casting a quick spell to warm the water, she took a deep breath and went to work.

  A few hours later, Brenna staggered into the kitchen. She had left Gray in the bedroom to rest. The spell she had cast was strong, but if he woke too soon, he would destroy all the good she had done.

  “You look like hell.”

  Seraph leaned against the table. He was dressed in fatigues, his face smeared with blood. As she walked into the kitchen, he handed her a cup of black coffee. Fighting the urge to hug him, she took a long drink instead.

  She slumped into the closest chair and closed her eyes. “Any luck?”

  With a sigh, he sat on the table beside her. It wilted beneath his weight. “I sent a team to investigate the airport. There’s a few dozen demons making camp. No sign of Adare.”

  “It’s a start.” She took a long drink. “Any humans or deviants?”

  “A few hundred deviants. The demons all have hosts. Other than that, no humans,” he replied. “I don’t think we can save the hosts. The demons have been riding them hard.”

  “Damn.” She shook her head. “It keeps getting worse.”

  “That’s not the best part,” Seraph continued. “There’s a rumor going around the humans bombed the Underground. If it’s true, the casualty rate will be in the hundreds. It could be enough to incite the deviants to action.”

  “That doesn’t make sense.” Brenna considered. “The Underground is sealed by a layer of powerful spells to protect it from human discovery. The humans couldn’t get in, much less bomb it.”

  Keegan walked through the swinging wooden door. “Downtown is a blood bath. The deviants who survived the Underground are killing everything that moves.”

  Brenna groaned. “And so it begins.”

  “No.” Seraph stood. “The deviants attacking are criminals. If we can get to the other deviants before they riot, we can stop this.”

  “You better get on that.” Keegan sank into the chair at Brenna’s left. “But it won’t matter if Adare sends his demons.”

  Brenna ignored him. “What about Sam and Mira’s team? Have they been effective?”

  Seraph grimaced. “I hate to see what things would be like without them. If I put more hunters on the street, it could be misinterpreted by either side. The deviants would lump us with the humans, and the humans would see any kind of aggression as proof the deviants are out of control.”

  Brenna sighed. “Let’s start with what we can do. Someone is leading the demons at the airport. They have to know where Adare is.”

  “I’ve already got a team ready to attack.” Seraph began to pace. “But we’re outnumbered. It’ll be a blood bath.”

  “If Gray, Keegan and I go, it should even the odds.” She glanced over at Keegan. His eyes had lit up, and he was rubbing his hands together.

  “It might,” Seraph conceded. “But Gray is injured, and you’re weak from healing him.”

  “And we’ve got bigger fish to fry,” Gray said as he hobbled into the room.

  “Why aren’t you in bed?” Brenna leapt from her chair and grabbed his arm. “Sit.” She guided him into the seat she had vacated. “If you break open your wounds, I’m too weak to heal you. Use some common sense.”

  “Love you too.” Gray grinned.

  Brenna forced herself to leave him alone. To keep herself in check, she walked over to the sink and poured another cup of coffee. If he reinjured himself, that was on him. She had done everything she could. He didn’t want to listen. He could pay the price.

  “I know what Ga’loh wants.” Gray’s words echoed through the room, bringing them all to attention.

  Brenna slammed her cup into the sink. “You played right into his hands.”

  Gray cursed. “I realize that, Brenna. You don’t have to remind me.”

  Keegan snorted. “Get over it already. Go have some sex and play nice. We’ve got a war to fight.”

  Seraph walked over to Brenna. He squeezed her arm, letting her know he was on her side. Turning, he addressed Gray. “What does he want?”

  “To be healed. Adare could break the curse, but couldn’t heal the biological damage. He thinks Brenna can.”

  Brenna turned to Gray. “What are Ga’loh’s terms?”

  “You heal him, he’ll give us what we need for the cure. You refuse to heal him, he kills every human he can find and continues working with Adare. We have two days to decide. He’s in the caves at Red Rocks.”

  “Glad he’s playing nice.” Brenna ran her hands through her hair, massaging the ache in her head. “We have to find a way to get what we need from him then send him across the Veil. When Agnes gets here, she should know a way to bind Ga’loh. She said they’ve been trying for years to find a way to send him back. The coven isn’t powerful enough to do it on their own, neither are we, but we might be together.”

  She poured another cup of coffee. “Two days is plenty of time. But we’ll need a map of the area.” Her mind was spinning. If she planned it right, they might be able to pull off a coup. Losing Ga’loh would weaken Adare. And leaving Ga’loh on this plane was unconscionable. They would heal him, get the cure, and send him on his merry way.

  It sounded far easier than it was. Success would require everyone to bind together against the demon, and it would weaken them considerably. If Adare attacked soon after, they wouldn’t have much of a defense.

  “I need to get back to headquarters.” Seraph move
d to the door. “Call me as soon as you touch base with Agnes. In the meantime, I’ll get one of my men to map out the area.”

  Keegan rose. “I’m coming with you. I need some action. Put me to work.”

  Seraph glanced back at him with a long-suffering sigh. “Don’t get in my way, and don’t threaten any of the other hunters.”

  Keegan placed a hand over his heart, an innocent look on his face. “Me?” He grinned. “I’m an ideal employee. I always do what I’m told.” He paused. “As long as I agree.”

  Brenna waited until they disappeared through the doorway before she turned back to Gray. “We can pull this off, but you need to be at full strength. Let’s get you back to bed.”

  He stood and gave her a quick salute. “Lead the way.”

  They somehow managed to get to the bedroom without his cuts breaking open. Once they were inside, Brenna left him on the bed and walked over to the window. Staring at the courtyard was always soothing, even though it was like looking at an army of dead trees. She didn’t want to rip into Gray—the night had been stressful enough—so she continued to stare.

  He moved across the wooden floor. His footsteps were heavy as he was dragging one leg. She tensed as he began to massage her shoulders, his callused hands rough against her skin.

  “I didn’t mean to scare you,” he began.

  She turned, pressing a hand against his lips. “Stop talking,” she ordered. “I’m stressed beyond my limit, and anything you say is going to start a fight.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she reached on her tiptoes to taste his mouth. “We can fight tomorrow.”

  His mouth was hard against hers, his kiss a little desperate. He smoothed his hands up her neck, pulling her head back so he could trail his lips against the vulnerable skin. She arched beneath his touch. Her body trembled when he licked her pulse point, then sank his teeth into her skin.

  There was nothing she wanted more than for him to taste her, to use her blood as the healing agent for his body. It was what they both needed.

  She twined her fingers in his thick hair and held on as wave after wave of pleasure rolled through her.

  The bond between them had strengthened, and, for a moment, she reveled in their connection. She was done running. She would see this to the end. Despite that, she would not complete the oath until she knew she could trust him.

  When he released her, she pressed her face against his chest and watched it rise and fall. Her blood coursed through him, healing him from the inside. As she watched, the wounds on his legs began to diminish, the bruises lightened.

  “I like your approach to healing.”

  She smiled. “I thought you would.”

  “I don’t want you to heal Ga’loh.”

  And just like that he shattered her afterglow. She pushed away from him and moved to the bed. “It’s not your decision,” she replied. “I can’t let the human race be destroyed. I’ll get the cure from him, then we’ll banish him. There has to be a way.”

  “It could be worse if you restore him.”

  She shook her head. “Not if we send him back to hell.”

  “If we can.” Gray grabbed her arm, pulling her to face him.

  She shook her head and yanked free. “I’ll be fine. I’m not going against Ga’loh on my own like some vigilante pumped up on steroids.”

  “I didn’t—”

  “Yes. You did.” She swung her legs off the bed and stood. “You didn’t think twice about how I would feel if he killed you. He’s a freaking demon prince. Did you think you could yell poof and he would disappear?”

  “That’s not fair. I only went to talk. And I know he’s dangerous. That’s why I didn’t let you come with me.”

  She paused, not quite believing he had said that. His eyes widened as he realized his mistake. He sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed. “Brenna, I didn’t mean–”

  “Yes, you did. What happened to being a team? You have no idea how strong I am, Gray. You almost died twice because you refused to listen to me. How does that make me the weaker link?”

  It was better Gray didn’t respond. She was close to losing her temper, and anything he said would have put her over the edge. “You need sleep. If you move from this room before I say you’re ready, I’ll spell you to this bed.” She shook her head. “We’ll see who’s stronger.”

  “Brenna—”

  “Save it, Gray.” She tossed him the pillows that had spilled from the bed. “You need your strength.” She left the infuriating man with his mouth half-open, but no words to say.

  Mira opened her bedroom door at the first knock. She took one look at Brenna’s face and stepped aside. Brenna stormed by her and plopped on the bed.

  “Care if I bunk with you tonight? I’ve got an incapacitated jackass in my bed.” Brenna settled back against the headboard.

  “You’re bunking with the shifter now? What happened to Gray?” Mira grinned. Moving Brenna’s legs aside, she sat next to her.

  “Funny,” Brenna shook her head. “I forgot about Louie. How is he?”

  “Alive.” Mira laughed. “Keegan hates him being here.”

  Brenna rolled her eyes. “He’ll get over it.”

  “I hope not.” Mira shrugged. “It’s entertaining.”

  Brenna let out a breath. The vampire had a strange sense of humor. “Any luck with the humans?”

  “Are you kidding?” Mira jumped from the bed and began to pace. “Sam can twist their emotions like puzzle pieces. Beside him, I’m useless.”

  “I doubt it.” Brenna yawned. “Can’t you put them in a trance or something?”

  Mira’s look spoke volumes. Apparently, that was some kind of vampire myth.

  “Hilda said we had a lead on Adare’s location.” Mira turned, her gaze intense. “When are we leaving?”

  Brenna shook her head. “Eventually. It’s not the first thing on the agenda. We have to deal with Ga’loh and stop this contagion.” At Mira’s confused look, Brenna explained. Apparently Hilda hadn’t bothered to fill her in.

  “The disease-ridden war mage is actually a demon.” She shrugged. “Seems appropriate. Why didn’t any of us figure it out?”

  “That would be the question of the day.” Brenna sat back and crossed her arms. “Once we deal with the demon prince, we’ll go after Adare.”

  “Not good enough.” Mira continued to pace. “If Adare’s at the airport, we need to get him before he leaves.”

  Brenna took a long breath. “I want Adare as bad as you. You have to trust me.”

  Fire danced in Mira’s eyes. “He killed my granddaughter.”

  “I know.” Brenna grabbed her arm. “But he’s strong. If we don’t do this the right way, it won’t work. I promise you’ll be on the front line when we go after him.”

  “You say that now.”

  “I mean it, Mira.” Brenna wiped the bloody tears from her friend’s cheeks. “We’ll kill him together.”

  Mira pulled back and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. “You better keep your word.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Headquarters was unnaturally silent when Brenna stepped through the glass doors into the lobby. As she walked past the front counter, Lucy growled something nonsensical and slammed her window closed. Someone hadn’t had their three pots of coffee today.

  Brenna moved down the narrow corridor in search of Seraph. The sterile hall with its white tile and white walls was such a stark contrast to the bright crimson entry way, it took a second for her eyes to adjust. When they did, she was standing in front of Damien’s office.

  She stopped at the door and played her fingers across the bright orange tape that covered the frame. Although she had barely known Damien, he had seemed like a good guy. As a human among deviants, he had been like a fish out of water. But he had made the best of it. He hadn’t deserved to die y
oung. And he sure as hell hadn’t deserved to be drained by a demon.

  “You made it.” Seraph moved toward her down the long hall. “Will you walk the scene?” he asked as he stopped beside her. “It’s been a few days, but you might be able to sense something we missed.”

  “Of course.” Brenna nodded. It didn’t matter how much time had passed. Death magic was similar to her magic, just on the opposite end of the spectrum. She could sense the residue years later.

  Seraph pulled a switchblade from the back pocket of his jeans and cut through the tape. The metallic smell of dried blood and death had lingered. Damien’s desk was pristine, every pencil and notebook perfectly in its place. No blood splattered across the scratched mahogany surface. She ran her fingers across the wood, but there was no psychic residue. Fear left a strong aftertaste, and it always left a mark.

  She glanced at Seraph. “Who was the last person to see him?”

  “No one knows who he met with.” Seraph trailed behind her as she walked the room. “He didn’t have an assistant or keep a schedule. But he wasn’t stupid, and he didn’t take unnecessary risks.”

  “You liked him.” The observation surprised her. Seraph wasn’t a human sympathizer. He had been irate when Damien had been forced onto the team.

  Seraph shrugged. “He earned it.”

  She sensed the pain behind his bravado. Damien had been a friend. Another of theirs lost to Adare. It intensified her desire to find his killer. Closing her eyes, she let out a long breath to clear her mind. Every magical death, even if it wasn’t violent, left residue.

  She stopped at the stained white couch in the corner of the room. Dried blood splattered the cotton upholstery. She placed her hand on the largest spot and called forth her magic.

  In times like these, she wished her powers were more refined. It would be so much easier if she could slip back in time and view the murder as it happened. But she could only sense the cause of death. Damien’s death had been painless, the life sucked right out of him. “You’re right. It was a demon.” She opened her eyes. Pulling a black handkerchief from her pocket, she wiped the blood from her hand. “How many do we have on the IRT?”