by Kay, Sharon
“Or not.” A tiny grin played across her face and she held up a pen.
“Hey, um, we’ll see you two in a bit. We’re going back to our room,” Gin said, tucked securely to Mathias’s side.
“In a bit? What’s going on?” Alina asked.
“Operation Sunrise is in play.” Caine guided her back into his room.
“Operation what? What do you mean?” Her eyes widened. “Gin told me what you and Mathias discovered outside the barrier, but I didn’t realize that meant things would unfold right now.”
“Arawn is ready. We’re ready. Elegia’s bringing the fight here.” He watched different emotions flicker across her face: surprise, worry, guilt, and puzzlement. “Talk to me.”
She backed up and sat on his bed, frowning. “How are you guys ready? You just discovered her sneaking around.”
“Arawn’s a planner. For months, he’s had a plan in place to fight something big, either at home or away.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Though no one ever thought shit would go down here.”
She blew out a breath. “I’m the reason it’s happening here. She tracked us.”
“So what if she did? Either way, we’re prepared.” He crouched in front of her. “There are things in life that are certain. And fighting her is one of them. We can change the place or the day. But it was still bound to happen. And you’re here with your sisters. You have the best backup in the realm.” He gave a low laugh. “I’m not just talking about the Watchers. You have the Makara warriors at your back. Everyone is ready. The question is, are you?”
A minute ticked by and she studied him intently. “Yes.” She squared her shoulders. “You’re right. Gin told me almost the exact same thing.”
“And I’ll be at your side. Boss’s orders.” He ran a hand down her back, to the delicate dip at her waist.
“Yeah?”
“Yep. Arawn figured you girls would do your own thing and not listen to instructions from him. So you’re stuck with me.”
A smile tugged her lips upward. “I can live with that.”
“Good.” Gods, he was proud of her. She’d just found out her true destiny and embraced it wholeheartedly. She’d gone from living on the run to finding her place in the world. He knew determination when he saw it, and she wore it now.
Just like when she’d used her power near Ravenbane. Just like when she’d thrown her knife into the targets in the ring. Everything about her distilled down to determination and survival, and she was about to get her most challenging moment yet.
He cleared his throat. Who knew what battle would bring? He needed to tell her how he felt. “Alina, there’s something I need to say.”
The determined set of her eyes changed instantly to one of apprehension. “Oh. Um, right now?” Her voice was higher pitched than usual.
He studied her, concerned by the change in her tone. “Yeah. Before things get ugly.”
“Shouldn’t we go outside and go over fight stuff?” She tried to stand.
He held her by the waist. “No. It can wait a minute.”
She swallowed and looked at him like she was being marched to the gallows.
“What’s that look for? It’s nothing bad.” He took one of her tiny hands. “Hell, we were just talking about the battle and I thought you felt ready.”
“I’m just worried about what we’re about to do. I’ve never fought on a big scale, and—”
“You didn’t seem worried a second ago.” He cupped her jaw. “Right here, right now, it’s just you and me.”
She looked at him with a mix of fear and need that he couldn’t understand. And that made him keep going, to make her understand how much she mattered to him.
“I know we haven’t known each other long. But I’ve never, ever, felt like everything was right in my world since I lost my family. Until you.”
Her breath hitched.
“You’re tough and you’re a survivor. You’re smart and you’re sexy as hell. I want you.” He nuzzled her ear. “All the time. In my bed, in my shower, and it has nothing to do with the season. It’s only you. I—”
“Stop,” she whispered, and it was the saddest word he’d heard her say. “Just stop. We don’t know what will happen out there. Let’s not talk about the future.”
“It’s because we don’t know what will happen out there that I want to talk about the future. Alina.” He stared at her. “You are my future.”
A strangled sob tore from her throat.
What the hell? “I need you to know, now. Before we go and fight the worst things any of us have ever seen. If something happened to me, I want you to know. You’re not just a lay and a pretty face.” He tilted his head. “I’ve never taken anyone to see the butterfly fly-over. No one.”
“That was beautiful.” she sighed, and somehow seemed to shrink in on herself.
“You’re beautiful. From the minute I saw you at Mulvari’s party, I couldn’t forget you. I followed your trail and hated, just fucking hated that you got hurt that night. Then when I saw you at Hell’s Gate, I knew. There was no way I would let you slip away again. And damn if I’ll let that happen out there today.”
She covered her face with her hands. “Caine, stop. I can’t be…that.”
He pulled her hands away, revealing eyes bright with unshed tears. “Don’t have to be anything but yourself, babe.” He kissed her hands, one and then the other. “I love you.”
Her eyes went saucer-wide and her skin paled. She looked…horrified. Not exactly what he expected. Not that he’d ever told a woman he loved her before.
Her mouth opened, then closed. She tried again. “I…um, thanks.” She shot up from the bed like it was covered in fire ants. “I have to go.” She bolted for the door.
What the fuck? He leaped up after her and grabbed her arm. “Alina. What’s wrong?”
A tear trickled down her porcelain cheek. “I can’t…I can’t do this.” She yanked open his door and ran.
“Alina!” He chased into the hall after her, only to see empty space. She’d cloaked herself. Why? Why hide from him, when she knew his sense of smell would always lead him to her? He stalked toward the elevator, determined to get answers. She’d always seemed to enjoy their time together, whether it was in bed, or whether it involved training, or just hanging out. No, she didn’t get to tell him—
His phone buzzed with an alarm. At the same time, the fire bulbs in the hall all winked out, leaving the flashing orange alarm lights. Shit. He was needed at the barrier, and had managed to scare off the one person he was supposed to protect.
Would she keep up this charade of hiding? She couldn’t, not from him. But if she did her best to stay away, and if the fighting broke out in all its ugly glory, he might need someone else to hunt her down. And if she wasn’t visible, they would need a scent trail.
Ducking back into his room, he walked to his dresser. He shoved aside the piles of T-shirts, uncovering the red velvet bag at the bottom. He wouldn’t lose her. But if she was determined to give him hell, he’d make sure one of his brethren was watching her. He tucked the bag into his pants pocket and stalked out, following the fresh scent of moonflower.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
ICY WATER SURROUNDED BROOKE. DARK and deep, it pulsed with energy. She pushed off the dizziness of the portal and welcomed the buzz that always came from being in her element. A warm grip locked on to her right hand. Kai.
You okay, Sprite?
Fine. Her other hand was free, and it had been holding her sister when they stepped into the portal. She looked around, but a watery wall of black met her eyes. Her hair floated in her face and blocked her vision. Where are Nicole and Gunnar?
On your left.
She reached and propelled herself, her hand cutting through the water and finding nothing. I can’t find them! Nicole won’t be able to breathe!
Here. Kai wrapped his arms around her from behind and pushed her until she bumped something solid. Nicole. And Gunnar, one arm wrapped around her
waist. Thank goodness.
Brooke grabbed her sister’s hand and pointed up. Nicole’s blond hair floated around her head and she nodded, eyes wide with restrained panic. Brooke knew her sister was brave and trusted her, but getting zapped into the ocean depths was scary no matter what.
Take us up, she told Kai. She took a breath, using her ability to separate the oxygen molecules from the hydrogen and drew them into her lungs. Kai’s powerful legs kicked beneath them, propelling them up in a rush of bubbles. In seconds they broke the surface. She gulped air, salty and cold, and pushed her hair out of her eyes.
Gunnar and Nicole popped up a moment later. Nicole gasped and clung to her mate. “Oh my gosh. Are you okay?”
“Fine, love,” Gunnar said. “But you better hang on.”
A wave churned toward them and Nicole ducked her head against Gunnar’s shoulder as the swell washed over their heads. When it passed, Nicole took a deep breath. “It-it’s s-so cold.”
“I can heat things up. Well, I never tried to do this in an ocean before.” Brooke gathered her energy, visualizing the molecules that comprised water and instructing them to speed up.
“May not need to, Sprite.” Kai stared in the distance ahead of them. “You see that, G?”
Gunnar turned around. “Sure do. It’s not that far.”
“I don’t s-see anything,” Nicole said.
“Three islands, straight ahead.”
“Is that the right spot? The Orion islands?” Brooke asked.
“Hope so,” Kai said. “There are four, but we may not be able to see all of them from this viewpoint. Let’s head that way.” He shifted Brooke so that she was at his back, arms locked around his neck. “Hang on, baby.”
Kai swam toward the land that only he and Gunnar could see. Brooke had the fleeting thought that this must be what it was like to swim with a dolphin. Her mate was so fast, so agile, and his arms cut through the waves with powerful strokes. She peeked over her shoulder to see Gunnar and Nicole swimming the same way, though her sister had her head down, buried against her mate’s back.
Hmm, I’m going to give us all a boost, she said to Kai. She willed the water behind their group to surge forward in a buoyant wave. It swelled beneath them, carrying them on its watery crest and pushing them even faster than the men could swim.
Brooke looked up at the gorgeous bright wash of stars overhead. Thousands twinkled down on her, accompanied by the twin moons. The wild beauty of Torth hit her full force, and she let out a whoop. For a moment she relished her power, her mate, and her family. Elegia be damned. The Solsti were here. All of us. “That bitch is going down!” she screamed into the surf.
Kai laughed in her mind. I love your attitude, baby.
In a minute they reached the shore of the nearest island. Brooke tumbled from Kai’s back, finding her footing in the gentle waves. She picked her way over dark sand and waited, shivering. Shit, it was cold.
Gunnar and Nicole joined her and Kai. “Ready to dry off?” Brooke asked.
“Y-yes, p-please!” Nicole chattered.
Brooke summoned her power once again, letting energy coil in her fingertips. She raised her hand, and every last drop of water that clung to their clothing and hair lifted up. Thousands of droplets floated above them in a cloud that sparkled with the stars’ reflected light. Brooke moved her hand, and the drops moved out over the waves. With a splash, they fell and joined the sea.
“So cool, sis.” Nicole shook out her now-dry hair.
Brooke smiled, then looked around. A gentle bluff rose behind them, with a scattering of spindly branches sticking out among sand and sea grasses. A gust of wind swept in from the sea and she shivered, despite the fact that she’d just dried them off. “Where should we go?”
“If I lived on an island in the middle of the ocean,” Kai propped his hands on his hips, “I would put my house up high.”
They all looked to the top of the bluff. “Look.” Gunnar pointed.
Again, Brooke saw nothing. “I wish I had your eyesight,” she muttered.
“There’s a trail.” Kai took her hand. “Let’s go.”
With Kai leading the way, they picked their way up the sand and dirt slope. Tall grasses lined the sides, bending into their path and snapping upright again. Waves crashed far beneath them, drowning out any other sounds.
Up they hiked, and passed a tree growing sideways out of the bluff. That’s weird, Brooke thought, and then second later a cloud of tiny wings burst from the bark. She yelped and ducked behind Kai.
“It’s just bats.” He swatted a brawny arm above his head. “That’s our confirmation we’re in the right place. Orion is full of them.”
“As long as they leave us alone,” Brooke muttered.
They climbed a few yards higher and Kai stopped, holding up one hand.
What is it? Brooke asked him.
Incoming. Portal magic. Kai turned to Gunnar and angled his head.
Gunnar nodded. “Few seconds away.”
“Who?” Nicole peered up into the darkness.
“I’m guessing it’s the demons from your dream,” Gunnar said.
“Oh shit,” Brooke said.
“How do they end up on land when we ended up in the water?” Nicole frowned.
Brooke fought back an inappropriate giggle. Nicole and Gin were so logical. She opened her mouth to say something when Kai shook his head. Hear that, Sprite?
Hear what?
It sounds like a giant bubble popping, then a whoosh like a breeze.
Um, no.
That was a portal opening and closing. We’re no longer the only visitors here. Stay close. He glanced over his shoulder at Gunnar and pointed to the top of the bluff. Tall grass formed a wavy fence, and they moved toward it silently.
Well, the men were silent. Nicole and Brooke tried their best. Their mates had instructed them in the ways of creeping quietly, and they were used to stealth on Chicago’s dark streets, but they didn’t come close to the predatory prowl of the Lash demons.
Stay here, Kai told her, then he and Gunnar moved forward to peer through the grass.
Brooke glanced at Nicole, who looked at her and shrugged, then grinned broadly. She raised her hand, and Brooke brought her palm an inch away for a silent high five. Just like old times.
Your dream called it, Sprite. Kai’s thoughts pulled her from her prefight anticipation. Ghazsuls and Vipers. And a small cottage.
Let me—
Fuck! They’re firing flaming arrows. Kai’s voice snarled in her mind, just as a dark figure loomed over the edge of the bluff, blocking out the stars.
“I knew I smelled shit,” it growled around huge fangs.
Brooke froze, taking in her first up close and personal view of a Viper demon. Its form was humanoid, except for its head, which resembled that of a snake. Scaled skin and slitted eyes completed its frightening appearance. Let me drain him, she said to Kai.
“Go ahead, Sprite.” Kai stepped back. “This is gonna get messy,” he muttered to Gunnar.
The Viper snarled and jumped down several feet to where the men stood. Brooke barely registered the too-fast movement as she gathered her power and concentrated on the cells in the creature’s body.
Thud. It landed in front of Kai and took a swing. Kai ducked, narrowly dodging it. The Viper drew its arm back again…then a strangled sound gurgled from its throat. Its body twitched as it stood, then a trickle of water bubbled from its mouth and nose. Next from its ears and eyes.
“Gross,” Nicole muttered beside her.
The water changed colors as different bodily fluids poured out, turning into a sludgy mess of tissue, drawn by the pull of Brooke’s mind. Liquid seeped from beneath its scales, forcing them up. They detached and joined the deepening pool of filth that darkened the sandy soil. The creature dropped to all fours, choking, blinded, and writhing. It convulsed as its shoulders slammed the ground, a lifeless husk with skin hanging loose and wrinkled from its bones.
Brooke stopped,
aware that she had drained her own power the first time she’d done this. Kai was at her side in a heartbeat.
“You okay?” he asked, arms around her.
She took a deep breath. “Yes. I think I am.”
“That was insanely disgusting, but very cool,” Nicole said, wrinkling her nose. “I call dibs on the next one who bothers us.”
“Good idea. I might need the recharge,” Brooke said. “I’ve never done this back to back.”
Recharge? Kai asked with a healthy dose of concern.
Just as a precaution. I really feel fine, she said.
Yeah, I can tell. Nothing but healthy vibes coming through the bond. He kissed the top of her head. “Just one last thing. I need to make sure that guy doesn’t revive. Who knows if the lily would keep him alive through your dehydration? I don’t want to chance it.” He flung a ball of fire at the motionless Viper, and in seconds it was a pile of ash.
“Let’s move,” Gunnar said, reaching for Nicole’s hand. She gingerly stepped over the ashy clump, made a gagging face, and joined him.
Cresting the top, the four of them stopped and stared. Brooke sucked in a breath.
In the time it had taken her to bring down the Viper, Rosa had created the barrier in front of the house. Flames licked the edges of her roof, and Vipers and Ghazsuls paced outside the barrier.
“This is what you saw.” Kai didn’t need to ask it as a question, already knowing from the mental image she’d sent him.
“Yes.” Brooke jumped as bright light flashed from Rosa’s palm, breaching the barrier to strike three Vipers. They crumpled to the ground.
The four Ghazsuls screeched, their voices like jagged shrieks as they chanted. A spell? A rip appeared in Rosa’s magical fence and they poured in.
The wooden board from Brooke’s dream broke free from the roof and fell toward Rosa.
”I got it!” Nicole yelled. She scooped it up with an air current and flung it far out over the beach beneath them.
The Ghazuls and Rosa turned to stare at them. Just like in Brooke’s dream, Rosa’s clothing and silver hair were sooty. But her bright blue eyes flashed in recognition before she turned back to the red-winged demons in front of her. She spoke in Demonish and the air crackled with her power.