by Nina Bangs
Sparkle met Mistral’s gaze. “We came through the portal together, but then you know that. We were holding hands.” Even after all the years, she could still feel his hand. The warmth and strength of it had made her feel safe, even in the midst of terror and chaos. But she hadn’t been safe, not even a little.
He inhaled sharply. “I don’t remember any hand-holding.”
She didn’t care if he remembered or not. Sparkle knew it was true. “I was naked, terrified, and confused. My memory was as dark as the forest around us. I stumbled a few yards, tripped, and fell into a hole. Not a really big hole, but one I couldn’t climb from.”
“And I pulled you out?”
Mistral’s tight smile hinted he didn’t believe his words. Sparkle knew her smile must be grotesque. “You leaped over the hole, shifted into a wolf, and kept running. I saw you disappear into the forest. You didn’t return, brother.”
Amaya clapped her hand over mouth, her eyes wide. Mede just growled.
Mistral raked his fingers through his hair. He didn’t meet her gaze. “I don’t remember any of that. Look, I was crazy for a long time after we came through that portal. Maybe you should cut me a break.”
Wasn’t going to happen. All her suppressed rage boiled up. “I would never have left that hole. I would’ve burned to ashes in the fire of my uncontrolled power, dead before I ever lived.” Calm, calm. “But an old woman found me that day. Over the years, she’d helped two other troublemakers. She didn’t know what we were, but she understood herbs and how to keep me quiet until I could shape and bend my power to my will. She saved me. I lived in her hut for the few years left in her life.”
Sparkle closed her eyes, recalling that moment when the old woman had died. “Humans always die, don’t they? Hers was the hardest death I’ve ever had to face. Learning someone you love will leave you forever shatters the soul.” She shrugged. “Ever since then, I’ve tried not to care too much about humans or troublemakers.” Not always successfully lately. “Humans don’t last long enough”—she threw Mistral a pointed stare—“and troublemakers always end up moving on.” Except for Mede.
She mentally shook herself from that past. “A few years later, I saw you again, Mistral. You saw me, but your gaze passed right over me. Maybe that was because I was a beggar in a dirty alley in a city whose name I don’t even remember. I still didn’t understand the extent of my power. Why would you stop for me? I couldn’t give you anything.” Bitterness coated her tongue, her words.
“I swear I didn’t recognize you, Sparkle.”
She ignored the sincerity in his voice. Sparkle didn’t want him to be telling the truth. She wanted to roll around in her righteous hatred. “But then, oh maybe three hundred years later, here you came. I’d finally conquered my power. The people in my clan called me goddess. And finally, you called me sister. After all, now I was in a position to help you.”
“It wasn’t like that.” Mistral sounded desperate.
Mede stood. He didn’t look friendly.
“It was exactly like that. From then on, you only showed up when you wanted something. And always with your claim that you were my brother. Forgive me if I didn’t believe you.”
So what was all this rage at Mistral covering up? Sparkle dug deep, beyond thoughts and memories to pure feelings. What had really kept her from accepting Mistral as her brother? A just-out-of-reach memory. A sense of horror. The echo of a scream. She shook the feelings away—they meant nothing—and returned to her grievances. They were easier, more clear-cut.
She moved away from Mistral, from all that old anger, until she stood beside Mede. “Only Mede has remained a constant in my life.” She hoped her eyes told him how much she loved him. “We may not have always lived together, but I knew he’d be there if I needed him.”
Mistral threw up his hands. “Okay, got it.” Frustration bled from him.
Amaya sneered. “Not much left if you’ve signed off on humans and troublemakers.”
“Sure there is. Beautiful shoes. Expensive jewelry. Awesome clothes. Oh, and perfect nails. Of course, I also had lots of job satisfaction along the way to compensate for my lack of interpersonal relationships.” Sparkle offered the kitsune her biggest smile, the one that showed all her teeth.
“You’re incredibly shallow,” Amaya volunteered.
“Exactly.” Amaya had cut to her inner core. She ‘got’ Sparkle.
Mede finally chimed in. “Not really, Amaya. Just scared. Shoes get old and worn and you toss them in the trash. Then you get another pair. No deep scars.”
Sparkle took a deep breath. She lifted her chin. “Not scared. Smart. Shoes don’t cling to you with sticky fingers of emotion.”
And just like that, there was just the two of them. Mede met her gaze, and…understood. “I never realized you felt this way. I promise to never wear out so you have to find someone else.”
Sparkle knew that not even Prada could ever replace him. She looked back at Mistral. Time to find out if she’d completely alienated him. “So will you stay to help fight Zendig even after everything I’ve said?”
Mistral watched her from hooded eyes for a few moments before answering. “Maybe this time will be different.” Then he changed the subject. “What’re your plans to beat the bastard?”
Thankful to abandon the subject of her so-called fear and his lack of brotherly love, Sparkle led everyone up to her suite. Mede stopped long enough to drag a reluctant general away from his cowering army. She had to admire the guy. It took a lot to make troublemakers cower.
Once inside, she dug out chips, dip, and drinks for everyone along with ice cream for Mede. Then they sat and talked and talked and talked. Well, the general did most of the talking.
“Two of the troublemakers can control weather and sound. I’ve stationed them on the wall-walk. One will cover the island with a fog to hide the battle from humans.”
“Won’t it also hide Zendig from us?” Sparkle met Kadar’s glare. She shrugged. “Just saying.”
The general chose not to honor her question with an answer. “The other one will dampen sounds coming from here.” He glanced at Sparkle. “Any problem with that?”
Sparkle offered him her sweetest smile. “A brilliant idea, General.” She watched his ego expand. Now she was acting as he probably thought her kind of woman—one who loved beautiful things and didn’t think wilderness camping while fighting off grizzlies was great fun—should respond to his superior battle tactics.
Mede saw his chance and cut in before Kadar could continue talking. “Now that Amaya is here, we can build that cage to fool Zendig into thinking we’ve corralled Bourne for him. Zendig’s people already believe the conspiracy against Bourne worked. They think Conall and his team eliminated the opposition and that all their boss has to do is show up to kill Bourne. But he needs to pay up first. Zendig will want to see the goods before he pays.”
The general frowned. “I suppose the plan could work. We’ll hide our people inside the Castle, and then when he steps inside, wham.”
Sparkle noted that the wham made Kadar smile. He was a wham kind of guy. But she did have one tiny, teeny question, “Zendig will probably send his people in first to make sure there’s no resistance.” Something else occurred to her. “And what if some of his people are innocents recruited like Mede’s father? We could find ourselves fighting relatives.”
Mede nodded. “We still have some kinks to iron out. I just hope Zendig gives us enough time to do it.”
They didn’t get a chance to do any ironing, though, because Mede’s phone pinged. He retrieved it from the counter and read the text. Then he returned to his seat beside Sparkle. His expression said they were in deep trouble.
“That was my dad. He only had a few seconds to text. Zendig’s forces are about two hours away. Guess he didn’t have time for details. We’ll have to ditch the cage idea.”
Mistral spoke. “No, we won’t. I’m going to be right there to protect Amaya when she becomes Bourne. So I�
��ll be the cage.” His smile was all things evil. “Zendig better keep his fingers and head away from my bars.”
29
“Nazari.” Ganymede caught up with him before he left the room. The general scowled at him. Guess he was ticked because Ganymede had omitted his title. Or maybe that was just his default expression. “You have two hours to get everyone concealed and ready for battle.”
“Right. And for my next miracle, I’ll make it rain what-the-fucks. You’re expecting the impossible.”
Ganymede wanted to get in his face and shout, “You don’t want to see me pissed off, so cut the attitude.” Instead, he took a deep calming breath. Time for some diplomacy, not that Ganymede had much practice at it. “Hey, you didn’t get to Brigadier General without some serious military talent. We’re all counting on you.”
Nazari’s scowl turned into a look of resignation. He nodded then left without another word. He slammed the door behind him. Ganymede took that as a, “Yes, it will be done as you command, O Supreme Leader.”
Ganymede turned back to the others still in the room. “Let’s go down and get our captive settled into her shiny new cage.” He didn’t meet Mistral’s gaze. The urge to punch the shapeshifter was tough to resist, but giving into temptation might mean Mistral would walk away. As much as he hated to admit it, the Castle needed the butthead.
Ganymede trailed the others down the winding stairs, mentally swatting at the worries buzzing around him. How powerful was Zendig? What form had he taken? Who and what accompanied him? And how would they attack? Pouncing on the castle from above made the most sense for a surprise assault. Ganymede cursed the fact he knew zero about the bastard and his host of flying monkey crap. A thought: If they were airborne, Zendig would have a tough time avoiding detection by either radar or humans just staring at the sky. So, not by air.
He tried to ignore the questions as he followed everyone to the center of the great hall. Someone bumped into him on their way out to the courtyard where Ganymede could hear the general shouting. He decided to be nicer to Nazari. That would be him out there yelling if the general hadn’t shown up. Sparkle’s voice brought him back on task.
“Holgarth, get everyone out of here so we can have some quiet.”
The wizard hovered on the edge of their small group. “Of course. I’ll clap my hands and make it happen.” He clapped his hands. The crowds still hurried to and fro, ignoring him. “I’m shocked. Shocked. There are still people here.”
Holgarth’s expression of fake surprise was the tipping point for Ganymede’s temper. He wasn’t in the mood for the wizard’s snark. He gathered his power and wished everyone except for the four of them elsewhere, and they were…elsewhere. He smiled. The mental picture of Holgarth standing in his shower with cold water dripping off his pointy beard raised his spirits. Ganymede had treated the rest of the mob more gently. They’d reappeared in the hotel lobby. Ganymede hoped they’d take the hint and stay away from the great hall for a while. He turned to find Mistral’s gaze on him.
The shapeshifter shook his head. “I’m always amazed by how many powers you have.” He shrugged. “I guess you were Zendig’s first. He must’ve given you more of his own power than he gave the rest of us. Add that to what you’ve gained since arriving and you have…you.” He didn’t make the “you” sound like a compliment.
Sparkle made an impatient sound. “Let’s get this done. We don’t have much time. I still have to gear up for the battle.”
Ganymede knew from past experience that she took “gearing up” to a whole new level. “Sure.” He looked at Mistral and Amaya. “Ready?”
Amaya started to nod but then stopped. “Wait. I have to visit the lady’s room. I might be in that cage for a while.” She ran toward the nearest sign.
Everyone sighed. Mistral took the moment to speak to Sparkle. “You know, I really didn’t hear or see anything once I came through that portal. No memories, no thoughts. Just the instinct to escape. And I honestly didn’t recognize you in that alley. Anyway…” He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for being a bastard. Yeah, it’s always been about me, but that’s how I roll. I honestly do believe you’re my sister, though.” He shrugged. “No scientific proof, just a gut feeling. Maybe helping to defeat Zendig will start to make up for things.”
Ganymede knew he should give them some privacy, but the hell with that. He did his best looming-with-murderous-intent impression.
Sparkle didn’t say anything for a few moments. Then she nodded. “Maybe. A little. It’ll take time, though, and a lot of ‘making up’ by you.” She studied her nails, refusing to meet Mistral’s gaze. “Knowing we all might be dead by tomorrow makes my grudge not so important in the grand scheme of things.”
Ganymede snorted. He would’ve gone to his grave hating Mistral. But that’s the way he rolled. He turned in time to see Amaya hurrying back. “We need to get moving. We’ve wasted enough time on chit chat and potty breaks.”
No one argued. Amaya pulled over a chair from the banquet table because, “I may as well be comfortable while I’m doing this huge favor for Mistral’s undeserving sister.” She sat. And then she became Bourne.
Sparkle chose to ignore the dig. “Amazing. Every detail is perfect right down to those ugly, cheap-ass shoes he loves so much.” She blew a kiss to Amaya.
“Of course I’m perfect. I’m a kitsune. Oh, and before Mistral and I came here I contacted some of my friends. They’ll be here soon. Kitsunes love to mess with people.” She smiled. “And as long as they concentrate on the enemy, it’s all good.”
Ganymede couldn’t get over how weird it was to hear those words in Bourne’s voice.
Mistral smiled at Amaya. Then…he wasn’t there, and Amaya sat inside something that looked like a huge, golden birdcage. Ganymede had to hand it to the guy. He was the best at what he did. No shifter he’d ever known could change himself into an inanimate object. The cage had no door. Good. They didn’t want to make it easy for Zendig to get at Amaya.
“I’m going upstairs to get ready.” Sparkle slid her fingers over his arm.
As he watched her walk away, Ganymede pondered the truth that even in the midst of an apocalypse her touch could stir him to thoughts of a thousand nights of future loving. Ganymede just had to make sure it happened. That meant keeping her safe without her realizing he was doing it because, well, she had a thing about him being an overprotective jerk.
Forcing his thoughts away from Sparkle, he went in search of Conall. He found the immortal warrior out in the courtyard listening as the general told each troublemaker where to hide. Ganymede beckoned to Conall, earning himself a glare from Nazari. He ignored the general as he drew Conall into the great hall.
“Wow. How’d you do that?” Conall was staring at the cage with Bourne inside it.
“Amaya is Bourne and Mistral is the cage. Now pay attention.” He waited impatiently until Conall focused on him. “Get Holgarth and Zane to ward the cage against anyone trying to mess with it. Then I want you and your team stationed around it. When Zendig shows up, send Edge out to explain how you captured Bourne and killed everyone loyal to him. Tell him the cage is spelled so Bourne can’t escape. Invite him in to see for himself. Once he’s inside, make sure he doesn’t try to kill Amaya before we attack him.”
“Done. He won’t get past us.” Then Conall walked over to inspect the cage. He glanced back at Ganymede. “Mistral’s brilliant.”
“Right. Brilliant.” Ganymede almost expected the cage to swell and shatter from the shifter’s glut of pride. He left Conall admiring Mistral and went out to speak to Nazari. The troublemakers and assorted other nonhumans were scattering as they headed for their assigned places of concealment. The general didn’t look glad to see him. Too bad. “What about lookouts?”
“I have people watching wherever Zendig is likely to enter Galveston. But we’re only guessing since we know almost nothing about him and his army.” His expression said that was all on Ganymede’s head. “The fog-maker and t
he woman who’ll take care of muting the sounds of battle are already on the wall-walk.” He nodded to where Zane stood in front of the gargoyles that flanked the great hall doors. “The sorcerer is waking your park’s protectors. Not sure they can do much against Zendig’s power, but they can’t hurt.”
“My father is trying to get info to us, but he has to be careful.” Ganymede didn’t want to lose his dad so soon after finding him.
Nazari nodded. “Let’s hope we have a few minutes’ warning. We’re not prepared. How did this happen?”
Ganymede didn’t want to go over the whole thing about Bourne flinging himself through the portal and what came after. What was done was done. “Bad timing. In the end, though, it’s all about power. His against ours. We’ll just have to be better.” Time for complete honesty. “I’m a loner. Never had to pull this kind of thing together. I trust that you can, General.” He only hoped his trust wouldn’t prove to be misplaced.
He left Nazari mulling that thought as he headed up to where Sparkle was getting ready. If the toughest fight of his long existence was coming, he didn’t intend to meet it on an empty stomach. Battles had never made him too nervous to eat, because he always won. This one? Maybe it had him a little edgy. But he intended to annihilate Zendig. He couldn’t lose, not with Sparkle waiting to begin their future together.
She’d left the door unlocked for him. With life and death on the line today, he entered his home with renewed appreciation for the sexy paintings, the erotic sculptures, the air lightly scented with something sensual. It was all Sparkle, it was where he belonged. He knew that now. Ganymede hoped he hadn’t learned his lesson too late.