Her little chin lifted, a bit pointy, but balanced by the lush mouth and full cheeks, that altogether gave her face a heart-shaped appearance. “I don’t know what others you’re talking about.”
Nemesis mock shook her head, giving a theatrical sigh. “Ah, darlin’, you’re breaking my heart. One lie equals one strike, and I don’t allow two.”
This gave the elf pause, and a calculating expression bloomed over her face. It was artless, though. Obvious and without any attempt to cover it up. “Why do you think they’re after me?”
“Now you’re learning. Can’t say you’re lying if you’re asking me a question. I know they’re after you because of the blood on your shoe.” Nemesis held the female tighter, correctly guessing how she would startle with that news. “No, don’t look down. You’ll only draw attention. Now here’s what’s going on – I’m going to ask you questions, and you’re going to answer them. Lie to me, and I’m gone, and even if I see them carrying you past me, I’m not going to do a damn thing to stop them. I suggest you not let me think you’re lying and answer me quick when I ask. I’m real sensitive about my questions being left hanging.”
Panic subsided, leaving the elf pale, but that chin stayed lifted. “I’m ready.”
“How many are after you?”
The elf’s eyebrows furrowed, telegraphing that wasn’t the question she expected. “Don’t you want to-”
“I want to know what I ask,” Nemesis interrupted. “Don’t try to think the questions. Just answer them.”
She drew in a deep breath. “I’ve seen four, but I believe there’s more.”
“And where are you from?”
“The Forest at the End of the World.”
It was said in such a grandiose manner Nemesis couldn’t help but snort. “You elves are some of the most dramatic bastards alive.”
The elf seemed to take some umbrage at this, if the thinning of those full lips was any indication. “Like you’re one to talk. Are you telling me you haven’t named your weapon?”
Nemesis gave the elf a surprise spin, using the movement to look around the club. Another pursuer was now in the club, bringing the total to three, and this one was hiding something big. Her usual cast iron stomach roiled when she was hit with the aftereffect of its magic.
Best not to bring the elf’s attention to it. Her panic had subsided, but was still simmering under the skin. With the elf settled back in her arms, she asked, “Who says I have a weapon?”
The elf was gaining confidence, her body now more languid as it moved with Nemesis’s, moving in beat with the music and daring Nemesis to follow. “You’re a warrior, and that means weapons.”
Nemesis breathed deep, ostensibly to grab some control, but even if that was truth, it didn’t work. All breathing did was bring the delicate scent that clung to the elf straight into the pleasure center of her brain. It was flowery and heady and it complimented the ethereal elf. It also made her stupid, because right now? She wanted to pretend evil bad guys weren’t crawling over the club and concentrate on the female in her arms. “Hate to disappoint, but I haven’t named ‘em.”
The elf twisted her hips, and Nemesis closed her eyes at the brazen movement. “Then you’ve named what? Your car?”
Dammit, she so liked a little attitude. “Leave Sylvie out of this.”
The elf laughed, the musical sound relaxing Nemesis’s guard, which was an absolutely huge mistake and something she should not be doing right now. “What’s your name?”
“Emrys.”
Good. No hesitation at answering, which meant unless the elf was a practiced liar, it was probably true. “Pretty.”
It was cute how she lit up at the compliment, as if she wasn’t currently on the run from something. “Yours?”
“Nemesis.”
“Not pretty.”
“No.”
Emrys pushed her arms up so she could rest her hands on the back of Nemesis’s neck, the fingers burying themselves into Nemesis’s dark hair. “Fierce.”
One of Emrys’s pursuers was glancing at the dance floor, and Nemesis twisted so Emrys was out of sight. “I’ll agree to that.”
“And I was right about you being a warrior.”
The club was large, but not so large that the three would be much longer in their search. Jenya was neutral, and wouldn’t do anything except to get it out of her club. Laire was a wildcard, and there were no guarantees she would help, or even if she’d be able to help. Which meant the best chance of safety was getting Emrys and her companion out of her as soon as possible.
Damn if Nemesis wanted to leave though. The woman in her arms felt like sin and smelled like heaven, and it probably said much about Nemesis’s mental state that the woman who gained her attention was on the run for who knows what.
“I’m not uncomfortable.”
It took a moment for Nemesis to rewind the night’s conversation to register what Emrys was talking about. When she did, she lightly nuzzled the top of Emrys’s head. “Good to know.”
“It’s my first dance with a woman.” Emrys’s slim arms overlaid where Nemesis’s wrapped around her waist and she snuggled back, moving that delicious body to fit their curves together just right.
“Will it be your last?”
The smile on Emrys’s face was pure seduction, the same one that had those men panting around her. “That depends if you come to my rescue again or not.”
“Am I going to need to?” Of course she was going to need to. This one is trouble.
Emrys shrugged. “Who knows what the future holds?”
“Don’t say that around the Oracle. She’ll get a bit offended, and an offended Oracle means we all suffer.”
There was that laugh again, hooking Nemesis and reeling her in. “Good to know.”
“Why are they after you?” It was the million dollar question, and the answer would determine if Nemesis threw her lot in with this woman caught her attention like no one else had in a very long time.
Damn if that was a good enough reason.
Damn if it wasn’t the truth.
“I’m to get something, and they don’t want me to get it.”
Nemesis waited, but nothing else was forthcoming. “That’s it? Darlin’, I’m going to need a little more here.”
Emrys chewed on her bottom lip, and that should not make Nemesis consider helping her out after such a weak explanation. “The blood on my shoe? It’s from a man who died so Paul and I could have a head start and escape. I want to believe you’re what you claim, and I think you are, but I don’t know. And until I know, it’s not my place to say anything else.”
There it was. That backbone. It was what shown through when a terrified woman raised her head high and acted like she owned everything in her sight. It was a flame, and Nemesis hadn’t had her fingers singed in a long time. “We’re going to collect your friend and escape out the back. Follow me, remain quiet, and let’s hope it all goes so smooth you don’t have to find out if I’m telling the truth about the whole weapons and naming ‘em thing.”
Chapter Three
They collected the man and slipped through the other dancers to go into the darkened recesses of the club, then further back, past the tables and hidden couples, to a hallway where Nemesis opened an unmarked door which led them to the alleyway.
The air was brisk and cool, the outside roughly as dim as the interior of the club they just exited, but the dimness didn’t quite conceal the figure at the end of the alleyway. They were shadowed, but their wide-legged stance and outstretched hand was unmistakable. Magic user. What type?
“One warning. Step away from the girl.” The voice was feminine and young, with a tremor so faint anyone without a warrior’s training would convince themselves it didn’t exist. Nemesis moved with slow progress toward the shadowy figure, keeping her body in front of Emrys and her hands up where the person could see her.
There was some nervous shuffling, the girl’s small, awkward movements confirming how inexper
ienced she was in battle, how new this was to her.
“I’m unarmed,” Nemesis said, always moving closer, always keeping her hands up. “I don’t know what’s going on. We were just dancin’, and my companions here suggested we get some air.”
“Stop where you are.” The tremors in her voice and hand were worsening, but the girl’s back stiffened, a bad combination.
“I’m not trying to start anything, darlin’. I’m out for a good time, like I’m sure you are. Wanna get a drink? Don’t worry – identification not required. I don’t think either of us really cares to follow the rules.”
Nemesis was now a dozen feet away from the girl, and with sudden ferocity the girl slashed through the air with her arm, throwing out a spell, the magic a jade-green streak through the sky.
With three quick steps Nemesis grabbed the magic out of the air, the jade-green becoming a furious ice-blue flaming in her hand. One more step, and now she was before the girl, punching the magic into the girl’s chest. The girl crumpled to the ground, the only sound made was the dull thud when she hit the ground.
Nemesis turned to Emrys’s wide eyes and stunned, open mouth. Now was not the time to answer the obvious question written over her expression. Nemesis grabbed her wrist, pulling her along. “Come on.”
Nemesis half-dragged Emrys the several moments before the elf pulled herself together and began to move on her own, her friend bringing up the rear. Without comment they barreled into the car Nemesis motioned towards, and Nemesis drove away.
Emrys waited until they were in motion before speaking. “What did you do back there?”
“What, darlin’? Did you think I was just a pretty face and doubted I’d be able to back up my words about helpin’ ya?” Nemesis glanced over and threw a wicked grin to the elf, who averted her eyes, a pretty flush extending from cheeks to chest.
Attention fixed decidedly out the window, Emrys said, voice low with an unsure flirtation behind it, “No one with a working brain cell would doubt you could back up your words.”
Nemesis resisted reaching over to drag the back of her finger down the elf’s cheek, to find out herself how heated that particular shade of pink made the skin. “Very kind of you to say.”
The address Paul gave her was to the warehouse district. A former business district trying to become a more urbane environment, it wasn’t one of the best neighborhoods, but was currently undergoing redevelopment and slowly becoming more respectable.
Paul seemed content to stay silent and keep a lookout. Between Emrys and Nemesis was easy silence, with Emrys glancing towards her, each glance lingering longer and longer. “Is it a secret, what you are?”
Nemesis shook her head, her mouth twisting at the corner, a smirk designed to show how there was nothing to hide and it was a bit ridiculous to think so. “Anyone who knows of me knows what I am. I just don’t think your fan club is in the know about happenings around here – at least that little girl wasn’t.”
“And that is…?”
“It’s cute, how you’re voice trails off in question.”
Emrys hmphhed. “And it’s a little annoying how you’re trying to prolong the mysterious act.”
Stifling laughter, Nemesis once again nodded. “I think I enjoy rilin’ you a little bit. No, no,” Nemesis said, holding up her hand when Emrys looked to say something else. “I’ll answer. My ability has a couple different names to it, but I’ve been labelled with Usurper.”
“That’s a mouthful.” Emrys’s eyebrows were drawn, her lips shaping the word as if to verify her words.
“It’s kinda funny when people yell it at me during battle. I keep waiting for the stutter.”
Emrys ducked her head, covering her mouth with the palm of her hand to keep from smiling. When she had it under control, she pulled her hand away slightly. “And what exactly does an u sur per do?”
“Glad you’re givin’ me the proper respect.” The buildings were getting further apart, and Nemesis’s attention was now more on the road and mirrors. “Short and obvious answer was what you saw – I usurp magic. I absorb the spells from wizards and mages and use them for my own purposes.”
“That seems like an uncommon ability.”
“Fairly, but more the problem is it’s a difficult ability, to master and to use. Most of those like me don’t survive long.”
Turning her body so she was facing Nemesis, her eyes wide with questions, Emrys asked, “But you’re not in any danger, right? What happened in the alleyway was fantastic.”
“Thank you.” Drawing in a deep breath, the explanation came forth. “I’m not a wizard or a mage. I have no ability to create magic. I can only use what’s thrown at me. So when I ‘catch’ the magic, I only have a moment to figure out what I’m dealing with and decide what I need to do with it. A lot of times the answers aren’t great.”
“How so?”
“Pros and cons to everything. The easiest and simplest thing to do is dissipate the magic. Always an option, but that means I have no powers in a fight beyond my own punch. Don’t get me wrong, my right hook is second to none, but it’s a lot nicer to have some magical oomph behind it.”
“In the alley, you kept the magic.”
A quick glance showed Emrys still wide-eyed and entranced. “I transformed it into energy. Does a lot more damage when I land a blow.”
“But can you keep the spell and use it like it was intended?”
“Yesssss.” The word was drawn out, with the lilt of a question at the end. “That one is little more complicated. There’s always something missing, just a bit. It depends on the magic, how strong it is, how strong the mage is. Smaller spells from less powerful magic wielders are easier for me to handle. As things get stronger, I have more problems.”
“Such as?”
Nemesis gave a deep inhale, the breath slow and steady before she continued. “Where a mage could send a fireball across the city, I might only be able to toss it across the street. Or if the spell was meant to cover the size of a football field, I might only be able to cover a small room. And I don’t know any of that in advance. I don’t know what the magic is until I touch it, and until I touch it, I don’t know what I can do with it.”
Emrys was nodding to the words, her expressive little mouth puckering and tilting as she considered Nemesis’s words. Finally, she asked, “Are there spells too powerful for you to catch?”
“Yep,” Nemesis didn’t even hesitate in the answer, popping the p at the end.
“What happens then?”
“The spell would do what it’s meant to do, meaning probably I’d die.”
Emrys gave a small jerk, rearing against the easy acceptance in the words. “What spells can hurt you?”
To combat the horror on the elf’s face, Nemesis reached over and gently grazed her hand over Emrys’s shoulder and down the first few inches of her back. “Don’t worry. So far nothing’s been able to trip me up, and I’ve dealt with some mean sonsabitches. I doubt anything is getting me tonight.”
There was a quick moment of Emrys leaning into the touch before she pulled away, folding her arms around her stomach and once again turning her attention to the outside. “Are we here?”
“Yes we are.” Nemesis parked in front of a seemingly abandoned complex. “Stay close to me.”
Chapter Four
The inside gave lie to this place being abandoned. As they entered, six pairs of eyes shot to the door, the confusion in them as they gazed upon Nemesis changing into delight as Emrys entered.
Wait. Delight wasn’t the right word. The more they looked at Emrys, the more their expressions firmed into wonderment, as if they were beholding some sacred. It got Nemesis’s back up, and she fought the urge to grab Emrys and walk back out the door.
“Emrys! Paul found you, thank the gods. Where’s Benna?” An older male elf was rushing forward, with a young elf only half a step behind him, their features so similar the younger one had to be his son. The male faltered only slightly as he took in
Nemesis, a reserved acceptance entering his bearing. “Benna didn’t survive.” It wasn’t a question.
Emrys stepped forward, holding out her hands, which the elf took. “I’m so sorry.”
“He knew the risks. He would say it was worth it to have you here safe.”
Emrys squeezed his hands, a moment of solemnity passing between them. Then she let go, and she reached out to Nemesis, her fingers curling around Nemesis’s upper arm. “I’d like to present Nemesis. She’s the reason we’re here safe.” With the introduction, Emrys turned her face and beamed up at Nemesis.
Green. Her eyes were the pure green of spring grass, the green of new growing things, and the world in the first flush of rebirth.
“You’ve done your part. You can leave now.”
The words were from the younger elf, animosity stamped into his so pretty but definitely a male features that most male elves seemed to possess.
Jealous. The boy was jealous, though probably it was upset that she possessed the savior role and had Emrys’s attention on her.
Well, that wouldn’t do. If he was going to be jealous, let it be because he knew she was a rival. She stepped closer to Emrys, bringing Emrys into the shield of her body. “I’ll be leavin’ when I know Emrys is safe, and not before. As you haven’t exactly shown me you can protect her yet, that means I’ll be here for a little longer.”
The elf’s eyes lit from within, though at this point Nemesis wasn’t quite sure if it was magic or rage behind the change. Before she could poke at him again, though, the older elf spoke. “Adan, she has given us a great service. This has been a trying night for us all, but please show respect.”
Her attention now focused on the older elf, whose gaze was steady on her, the weight of knowing a mantle on his frame. So, this one recognized her name. True, she wasn’t a secret – in fact almost the opposite, used as a boogeyman to some degree – but the fact he knew the name of an enforcer of the Seven Houses meant he had some connection to rarified circles.
Nemesis Underground (Entwined Realms Book 6) Page 2