“Give me a moment.” Ben pulled a cell phone from his pocket, and tapped in a message. He held it up for Raze to see. It simply read, Sorry. “It’s to Gareth.” He tossed the phone aside, into a snowdrift. “There. Now they can’t trace me. What now?”
“Now we get out of here and find somewhere safe, so I can phone Jude. Then we need to make plans.”
Ben got back onto the griffin and held a hand out to Raze. She climbed on behind him, the sword still clutched tight in her fist. The griffin was deliciously warm against her chilled body. As she wrapped an arm around Ben’s waist, he said, “Are we really giving Shade Raven the Night Blade?”
“I don’t know.” Something unfamiliar prickled inside her. Hope. “Maybe,” she told him. “Maybe not. I… have an idea, but it might be stupid. And dangerous.”
The griffin opened its wings and beat them twice. It took a running leap and launched itself into the sky with a triumphant shriek. Ben flashed her a grin over his shoulder. Raze smiled back.
“Does it feel good to be a rebel?” she asked.
“Hell, yes,” he answered. “Let’s go and do something stupid.”
***
Raze huddled against the heating vent on the grocery store rooftop, hands tucked under her armpits and nose buried under the neck of her long-sleeved shirt. She missed the griffin’s warmth. As soon as they had landed, Ben had released it, and it had shrunk into charm form again.
She had eyed the charm, impressed. “That was really cool. Can’t we keep it full-sized?”
“Sorry,” Ben had answered. “I’ve been feeding it tiny amounts of magic to keep the bond strong. I’m pretty much at my absolute limit. I need to let my magic build up again if we’re taking on Jude Raven and rescuing your grandparents.”
That had been a good half-hour ago. They’d dug into the last of Raze’s rations and rested, watching the fog roll in until it blanketed the entire area they’d set down in.
They had chatted quietly about nothing in particular — books, movies, music. Finally, silence had fallen, punctuated by the low burr of rooftop machinery.
Raze pushed her back closer to the residual heat in the vent and touched her fingers to the tender bruise on her cheek, a souvenir from Baron Winslow’s vault. Next to her, laid out neatly on the rooftop, waiting, her cell phone seemed to mock her cowardice. Raze turned away from it, staring into the mist that washed up against the rooftop like an encroaching tide. She really, really didn’t want to talk to Jude. When she turned back to Ben, he was watching her.
“So, are you going to call him?” he asked.
“Yeah. Can’t really put it off any longer, can I?”
She picked up her phone and turned it over and over between her palms, gathering courage. Then she dialed Jude’s number, fingers jabbing the keys viciously as though that might solve some of her problems. The phone rang once, twice, and then picked up on the other side.
“Rose.” It was Jude. “I take it you have it? The sword?”
“I have it. Put my grandmother on the line.”
“Playing hardball, are we?” He sounded amused. “Very well. One moment.”
Raze waited on the line. “Hello?” It was a woman’s voice, weakened by age and suffering, but backed by steel.
“Is this Agatha Pietrowicz?” she asked cautiously.
There was a brief silence. “I’m Agatha. Are you the one they tell me is my granddaughter?”
“I… yes. I am. I’m Jonathan’s daughter.”
“I have no son by that name.” The steel was more evident now. “He has been stricken from the records. Do not bother with this foolish rescue. I will not recognize you as my kin.”
Raze gaped, surprise quickly overcome by anger. But before she could retort, the strange alien mind-voice intervened. Little Thief, are you not the trickster? Listen to what is unspoken.
The old woman was giving her a way out. Offering her life. Warning Raze away. “I understand,” she said, her voice softer than she’d meant it to be. Before her grandmother could answer, the phone was back in Jude’s hands.
“Tell me where you are,” he said. “I’ll send someone for you.”
“Oh, no. No way. If I’m doing this, it’s on my own terms. I pick somewhere, you bring them to me.”
“I think you misunderstand who’s in charge here.” Jude sounded irritated. Good. She wanted him off-balance.
“I know exactly who’s in charge here. I am,” she said, confidently. “You want the Night Blade? You can have it. But we’re doing this my way.”
“Your grandfather is dying,” he answered bluntly. “Are you trying to finish him off?”
She almost faltered, too furious to even speak for a moment or two. She took a deep breath. “I’m trying not to get stuck in your mind games and traps. You’re resourceful. Steal an ambulance or something. Find a way. I’ll text you the meeting point in a while.”
There was a tense silence as Jude considered her proposition. “Very well,” he said. “But you have to come alone.”
“Really? Really, Jude? You know what I’m doing here. You know what I’m giving up, who I’m betraying. What, you think I have backup? Of course I’m coming alone. And you’re a dick. But you know that, too.”
Unexpectedly, Jude laughed. “Yeah, I know. It’s kind of my trademark. I’ll be waiting for your text. See you soon, Rose.” She could hear the smirk in his voice. She didn’t bother replying. She hung up and turned to see Ben watching her, a weird, measuring look on his face.
“So, just how well do you know Jude Raven?” he asked.
“We’ve met. A couple of times.”
“A couple of times. You mean recently? To blackmail you into this?”
“And before, last summer. Not exactly one of my happiest memories. He was threatening someone else I care about, that time.” He’d almost taken Dan from her, and now he had her grandparents. Her wolf side wanted to sink its teeth into Jude Raven’s pale neck and rip his throat out. She had to make a conscious effort to uncurl her fists.
Ben frowned. “So that’s why he chose you as his target. He knows your weaknesses.”
“It’s not a weakness to care, Ben. And if it is, then you’re guilty, too. Who was it who wouldn’t abandon Lix to the fire?”
“Yeah. You’re right. We’re a couple of fools, aren’t we?” He gave her a small smile, which quickly faded. “What the hell are we doing? Going in alone, against Shade’s pack. The two of us, that’s not enough, Raze. We need more help.”
She closed her eyes. Ben was right. This business with Jude had “trap” written all over it. They needed help. The thought of reaching out terrified her. She really didn’t want to face her godfather’s disappointment. But her grandparents’ lives were on the line. Perhaps it was time to swallow her pride, and admit she couldn’t handle everything on her own.
“Fine.” She opened her eyes and grimaced. “I have backup I can call in.” She pulled out the spare cell phone Alex had given her and began punching numbers in.
The other side of the line picked up. “Alex?” Raze said. “We need to talk.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Alex
Alex waited for Raze to pause and take a breath. “Okay, so let’s focus on the main points,” he said. “You’re safe for the moment — you and the Night Blade — though I wouldn’t be surprised if Jude has already traced your location. Where exactly are you?” he asked.
“On a grocery store rooftop, on the outskirts of Albany,” Raze answered. “And don’t worry, I’m using a different phone to talk to you, just in case he can track the calls I make. Listen, I’m sorry, Alex. I’m really sorry. I should have told you. But…” Her voice trailed off.
Alex sighed. “But you didn’t want to risk it. I get it. And I’m sorry, too. Perhaps if I’d told you about your family, you would have trusted me. Did you really think I wouldn’t find a way to help you?”
Raze was silent. Alex ran his fingers through his hair. “Raze, we’ll get
them back. We just have to figure out how to do it without compromising the Night Blade. We can’t let Shade get her hands on it. You said you’re in Albany? That’s only an hour away from here. Less than that, if I break a few speed limits. It’s as good a place as any. Hang on, let me get my laptop out. Let’s find a good meeting point that you can give to Jude. At least now I know why he hasn’t shown his face at the Moot!”
He opened his laptop. Daniel was listening in, eyes narrowed. Alex gestured for silence; the last thing he needed was Raze getting spooked and deciding to handle the whole thing by herself.
“Right,” he said. “So how did you get there, did you drive?”
“Uh, not exactly? We flew here. On a griffin.”
“A griffin? What— No. You know what? Save it for later. And who exactly is ‘we’?”
“I’m with Ben,” she answered. “Ben Kelley. He’s helping me. I think you might need to offer him Sanctuary, though. I don’t think Livia Reis will be happy about this. Or the High Baron, either. We kind of trashed his house.” She added hastily, “But I’m okay! I’m fine.”
“Clearly we have a lot to talk about,” he answered dryly. “Tell Ben I’ll discuss Sanctuary when this is all over. Raze? Give me your address.”
He found the grocery store easily. It was in a quiet area with plenty of trees surrounding it. It would do. “I think you’re in the ideal spot. Give Jude the address, and find out how long he would take to get there. Set the meeting for two hours from now, to be on the safe side. And stay out of the way of any security cameras. Jude’s too clever for his own good. I’m on my way. Don’t move!”
“Bring warm clothes. And gloves!” she shouted before he could hang up. “We kind of had to leave in a hurry after torching Winslow’s house, and it’s freezing out here.”
“Torchi— Ugh. We are definitely having a long talk when this is over. Fine, I’ll bring clothes. And like I said, stay put and wait for me to get there.”
He hung up and closed his laptop, turning to Daniel. He raised a hand, forestalling the inevitable rush of words. “No. You can’t come. You need to represent me tomorrow if I don’t make it back in time. The Guild can’t just disappear overnight, it would look suspicious.”
“Alex—”
“I know. She’s your goddaughter, trust me, I know. But you still need to stay. I’ll get her back safe and sound. Perhaps you could pack up the room? Depending on how things go, I may return directly to the Chapterhouse.”
“Fine. I don’t like it, but… How will you get there? Last time I checked, vampires aren’t griffins.”
“Very funny. I’ll take Deacon’s rental.” Alex had been gathering his things as he talked — his winter coat and gloves, a dark knitted hat. A spare fleece, and an overlarge sweatshirt Daniel held out wordlessly. Daniel’s gloves and hat. He shoved them all into a backpack, along with the gun he’d smuggled in — Court peace be damned. And then he strapped Redemption to the side of the bag, making sure the sword was snug in its scabbard.
He slipped quietly out of his room and knocked at Deacon’s door. The sentinel opened it a moment later, face sleep-rumpled but alert. “What’s going on? Is there trouble?”
“Not here.” Alex held out a reassuring hand. “But I need to get to Rose, and fast. Can I take your car? If I’m not back by the end of the Moot, the Guild will arrange transport for you.”
“Of course. Hang on…”
When he returned with his keys, Ash was behind him with a barrage of questions. “What’s the matter? Where are you going? Is it Rose?”
“Why Rose?” Alex asked sharply. “Ash?”
“Uh.” The boy looked wildly from Alex to his dad, gaze settling on Alex again. “Del has been going on about Rose. She seems to think she’s in danger. No, not Del, exactly. The Heart Blade thinks Rose is in danger.”
“Well, it looks like the Heart Blade is probably right.” Alex took the keys and clapped a hand to Deacon’s shoulder. “Thanks.”
Deacon shut the door and Alex made his way to the elevators. If anyone asked, he’d simply say he had business to attend to. No subterfuge needed. There were no rules that said guests couldn’t leave the premises. Still, he kept his footsteps light and hushed. No reason to feed the gossip mills, or risk word getting back to Jude.
The elevator doors were just closing when he heard someone running down the hallway. Someone called out, “Alex!” He stuck his hand in the gap and the doors opened again, setting him face-to-face with Del. She was wild-eyed, dressed for the outdoors. She threw herself into the elevator car and the doors closed behind her.
“Is everything all right?” he asked, alarm spiking at her disheveled appearance.
“Yes. No! I’m coming with you.”
“What?”
“I don’t know where you’re going, but the Heart Blade wants me to go with you. I can feel it. I’ve been feeling it all night. Danger. At first, I thought it was danger to me, because of Reis and Shade. But it isn’t, is it? Alex, where’s Rose? Where is she really?”
The elevator reached the underground parking lot. Alex frowned. “This is all very noble, but I can’t take you with me. It’s not safe. Jude Raven will be there. I’m not delivering you into his hands. Go back to bed, Del.”
“No.” She stuck her chin out stubbornly. “I’m meant to be there. I know I am.”
“Del—” He never got a chance to finish what he was saying. A flicker of movement danced at the edge of his vision and he dodged instinctively, pulling Del with him. An instant later, green fire blasted the spot they’d been standing on, hitting the elevator doors head on. The witches had found them.
Alex cursed under his breath. There was no retreating. The metal of the elevator doors was a crumpled ruin. The stairwell was too far back, and too close to their attacker. His hand itched for Redemption, but his sword was no use at the moment, tightly bound to his backpack. He pushed Del behind a tan SUV and dived after her. Another blast of fire caught the wing mirror, which exploded in a spray of metal and glass.
He looked up, searching for the nearest security camera. It was dark, with no telltale blinking light to show it was operational. It was most likely hexed. Reis’ people were making sure no one disturbed them.
He darted up and looked for Deacon’s SUV. “Come on, we need to get to the car,” he said, dragging her behind him as he ran from one car to the next. “It’s the black one, second from the front, on the other side.”
“You’re taking me?”
“Right now, I don’t have a choice,” he said, teeth gritted. The fire-throwing witch was still gleefully peppering the cars with magic, and they stopped behind a racy sports car in time to feel it shudder under the blast impact.
Someone’s going to be very unhappy tomorrow, he thought, resting a hand on the car’s polished bumper. He’d love to stay and see the witches at the Moot try to explain away the obviously magical damage in the garage. Perhaps Livia would finally get into the trouble she was courting so ardently.
They’d made it almost to the front of the garage. Now they had to cross the open space between the parking rows. Alex went still, evaluating the terrain. Up ahead, right by the exit, two more witches waited. There was no cover left. They were going to have to make a run for it.
Del saw him looking at the space ahead of them. “We can do this. I can heal us if we get hurt.”
“Very well.” He untied Redemption from the side of his bag. “Stay on my right, away from them, all right? Ready?”
Del nodded, and Alex ran for the other side, Del at his far side. He caught a burst of green on his blade, and heard an exclamation of surprise from the witches as the spell was absorbed by his sword. There was another rapid explosion of magic that took Alex in the shoulder — some sort of hex that sliced through his skin and sent a violent flare of pain across his body.
He ignored it. He was good at compartmentalizing pain. His body did it automatically by now — brain cataloguing injuries and filing them away, vampi
re healing taking over and doing its best to repair the damage. Steps rang out on the concrete floor just as they reached the SUV, and Del cried out as a jet of spellcast fire caught her in the arm.
Alex opened the doors and they flung themselves inside. He jammed the key into the ignition, started the car, and accelerated, speeding past the witches as another bolt of the slicing hex struck the SUV in the side, rocking it forcefully.
The car punched through the witches and emerged from the garage into the Court gardens. Alex shook black spots from his vision, and tucked the pain away in the back of his mind. He picked up speed as they raced down the winding driveway, past the open gates, and away from the estate. Soon the elegant property that housed the Court of the Covenant disappeared behind a bend in the road, and the light mist that wreathed the bare trees and shrubs wrapped the SUV and hid it from view.
Alex went as fast as he dared along the wood-lined curves of the Adirondack roads, praying the witches wouldn’t follow. But after five, ten, fifteen minutes passed, they were still alone in the misty night. The witches were clearly smart enough to realize they’d missed their window of opportunity. Alex would have to make sure they didn’t get another one.
He startled when Del reached around to touch his damaged shoulder. “I’ll heal,” he told her. “I’m already healing.”
“I know. I can feel it. But it’s not fast enough.”
He glanced down at her, and caught her watching him, her face serious, intense. “What about your arm?”
“It’s fine. It just stings a bit now, as if I scraped the skin and then sprayed antiseptic across the whole thing. Let me do this, Alex.”
“Very well. But afterwards, you should call Ash. Someone needs to know you’re with me.”
“Deal.” She touched his shoulder, and suddenly he could feel the Heart Blade’s presence rippling through his body as Redemption sang to its sister sword. I hope you know what you’re doing, he silently chastised the Heart Blade. I hope you know what you’re leading your Bearer into.
Night Blade: Blade Hunt Chronicles Book Two Page 25