Assassin's Kiss

by Sharon Kay

  Illusion? Holy fuck. The dragon towered, as tall as the oaks around them. Its scales glowed green and its fierce roar shook the ground. Worse, it breathed fire, just like dragons of legend.

  Fire, one of the few things that could kill a Lash demon.

  Whysper and Melixa were trying some kind of spell, but it wasn’t having any effect. The creature blasted a jet of fire in a semi-circle, aiming for as many of their group as possible.

  Fuck. Scorpio signaled to Brenin and Aleksai, who joined him. “We need to get on its neck or back and slice its carotid artery. Maybe two Watchers. Maybe three, who knows.”

  “On it.” Brenin leaped up and signaled to two of his men, who immediately climbed the trees behind the dragon.

  The dragon’s thick scales would make the job tough but not impossible. A distraction would help, though. Scorpio leaped to his feet and ran in front of it, inciting the beast to spew a fresh line of fire in response. He ducked to the side just in time. Brenin followed him. “Nothin’ like a good brawl.” His friend actually grinned.

  Scorpio tracked the Watchers in the trees as they dropped, one onto the thick neck, one onto its back. The dragon paused as it realized it had company, then gave a massive shake of its whole body. Neither man stood a chance, flying into the trees.

  “Goddamn son of a bitch,” Scorpio growled. “I’m going up. Tell Whysper to do a spell to make me stick to the thing.”

  He ran around to the tallest tree that one of the other men had climbed. Moving up quickly, he crawled out onto a branch above the dragon and looked down, trying to see Whysper. He wasn’t completely sure she could do what he asked, but she was here for a reason. She had to be able to do something against this massive beast.

  She gave him a thumbs up from her spot back behind two of Aleksai’s men.

  Scorpio dropped onto the dragon’s neck.

  It roared and swung its neck from side to side in an attempt to shake him off. He wrapped his legs around it, squeezing as tightly as he could. He shoved the point of his sword under one scale and pried up with all his strength.

  It was like lifting a two ton weight, made even more difficult by the roaring, writhing creature attached to it. The scales weren’t meant to come off except by natural causes.

  Somehow, Scorpio didn’t lose his grip, no matter how the dragon moved. Far below him, he saw the Bronwy witches using spells and their own blue witchfire, aimed at the dragon’s belly.

  Good. Any diversion would help. With a momentous shove, Scorpio pried up the foot-long scale. It popped free and fell, bouncing down the creature’s back.

  Now with a section of leathery flesh exposed, he could strike deeply. The dragon’s skin wasn’t easy to pierce, but it was better than hacking through the damn scales. With an angry thrust, Scorpio’s sword plunged through muscle and tendon.

  The dragon bellowed and renewed its effort to shake Scorpio, but to no avail. Scorpio sawed and pushed, knowing he was close to his target. And in seconds, the dragon’s scream turned to a gurgle. Witches and demons below ducked as a fountain of red cascaded down.

  Scorpio kept up his assault, knowing the dragon was tough. If the artery was only nicked, it could probably escape and recover. It might be grisly, but he had a mate to rescue, and this predator needed to die.

  With a wobble and a teeter, the dragon lost its footing and tilted to one side. Scorpio released his grip on its neck and rotated, gauging when the thing would land and how he could avoid being crushed. With an earth-shattering slam, it hit the ground.

  Scorpio jumped free, breath sawing in and out of his lungs. He stepped back from the body, under which the forest floor was rapidly turning a deep crimson.

  “You okay?” Melixa asked as he rejoined the group.

  “Yeah. Everyone else?”

  “Fine or recovering fast. All ready to go,” she said. “That was pretty cool.”

  “All thanks to the spell you guys did. The thing tried its best to shake me off.”

  “We need to keep moving,” Hallon said. “They must know we’re here by now. No one could miss that roar.”

  The group set off again at a faster pace. Ten minutes later, Aleksai called a halt. “Our break off point is here.” He nodded at the ground. “According to the maps, anyway.”

  “Yes,” Hallon said. “From that point, that boulder, you can dig down to the access tunnel.” He frowned. “Be prepared for anything.”

  “Of course.” Whysper looked delighted to face another challenge. “Melixa? Let’s start the excavation spell.”

  “Good luck,” Brenin said as they left Aleksai’s team of five men, plus five from Bronwy, with their own two witches.

  In another minute, the stone façade of Damien’s home came into view. Gray and bumpy, it rose from tangled vegetation to a massive height of seventy feet. The only windows were near the top.

  “There is a door at the base, in the center, even though you can’t see it,” Hallon said.

  “The one in the building plans.” Scorpio glared at the sturdy structure. I’m coming for you, Tessa.

  “Yes. I’m sure it’s warded, but we should try that first,” Hallon said. “If we can’t break the wards, there’s another access tunnel running the length of the building.”

  Scorpio nodded. “Let’s go.”

  C

  HAPTER 31

  TESSA SAT ON A PADDED bench in the sumptuous bathroom of the suite while Zeebi arranged her hair into an elaborate style. With each twist and curl, Tessa’s stomach churned harder. Too soon, this day was upon her, but she forced down her fear with thoughts of Scorpio. She willed herself to be as strong as her warrior. She would make the best of her situation.

  She perched on the soft cushions clad only in her undergarments, having been warned not to sit down wearing the monstrosity of a wedding dress, lest she crush it. “Really?” she had scoffed at Zeebi. “Don’t you just have a spell to get the wrinkles out?”

  Her comment had fallen on deaf ears. In fact, her friend didn’t seem in a talkative mood at all. Zeebi worked with an efficiency that bordered on anger, even though she radiated svelte gorgeousness in a deep purple gown. Not as fussy as Tessa’s, but created in the same style, with a full skirt of cascading layers.

  “What happened to you, Zee?” Tessa now asked softly.

  “I told you.” Zeebi released a lock of hair from her curling iron. “I got smart.”

  “This isn’t smart.” Tessa watched Zeebi’s deft hands in the mirror. “This is crazy. You’re not looking at the big picture.”

  “Obviously, neither are you.” Zeebi’s voice oozed sarcasm.

  “Do you still wish there was a guy who’d look at you like you’re a goddess?” Tessa probed.

  “I should never have said that to you,” Zeebi muttered.

  “If you do, I don’t think you’ll find it here,” Tessa said. “There’s too much darkness to know what’s real.”

  Zeebi snorted. “You’re about to get a lesson in what dark magic can do for you. Then you’ll have a better idea of what’s real.”

  “I know the real Zeebi is still inside you, somewhere,” Tessa whispered, desperate to try one last time, before this awful ceremony, to reach the friend she loved. “Even if you’ve lost touch with her temporarily.”

  Zeebi scowled fiercely and blinked. Was she trying to hold back tears? But Tessa never had a chance to ask, as Zeebi turned away. “You’re done. Time for jewelry.” She marched out and returned a few seconds later with jet black dangly earrings and a matching necklace. The shimmering onyx beads formed a reverse triangle, narrowing as it descended, and dipped down into her cleavage.

  The unmistakable presence of magic hummed as Zeebi fiddled with the necklace clasp. “What is this?” Tessa slid two fingers under the piece, lifting it off her skin.

  “Relax. It’s only a tracking device.” Zeebi turned Tessa forward with surprising force. “Damien doesn’t want you to be a runaway bride.”

  Wow. The man’s paranoia was out
of control. “I wouldn’t do that.” Tessa ran her fingers over the smooth black beads. “I follow through with what I say.” Even if I have another motive.

  “Hmpph.” Zeebi handed Tessa the earrings and watched her put them in. “Not my decision. Okay, that’s done. Time for the gown.”

  Tessa got up and walked to the bedroom where the dress hung like a vulture from the armoire door. Zeebi took it off the hanger carefully and held it out to Tessa. “Step in,” she ordered.

  Tessa complied, tugging the thing up over her bra. Zeebi zipped it behind her. It fit perfectly. Tessa didn’t bother to ask how. She was sure that gathering measurements was the least of what the witches here could do.

  She slipped into the black strappy heels that had been designated by Damien and turned to Zeebi. “Is that it?”

  Zeebi shot her a strange glance. “Don’t you want to look in the mirror?”

  “No.” Tessa shook her head. “I don’t need any more visuals than what I already have.”

  “Suit yourself.” Zeebi scowled. “Let’s go.” She yanked open the door.

  The same two guards as yesterday stood outside. Do they seriously think I’ll run away in this thing? Tessa ignored them and walked to the end of the hall.

  “Wait.” Zeebi strode to a table near the railing and grabbed a bouquet of deep red roses wrapped with black ribbon. She peered over into the foyer, and appeared to signal someone. She turned back to Tessa and brought her the flowers. “Your bridal bouquet.”

  “Thanks.” Tessa half expected gloomy organ music to start playing as she descended the stairs. “Will you stand with me?”

  Zeebi looked at her like she was stupid. “That’s not part of Damien’s plan.”

  “We can change that,” Tessa whispered. Be stronger, Zee.

  But Zeebi’s face remained cold. “Time to go.”

  Tessa hadn’t really expected a rush of warmth, but still, the rejection hurt. “Fine,” she said coolly, tucking her emotions aside for the moment. She’d have to work on Zeebi later; for now, Damien was the bigger problem.

  “Can you walk or do you need assistance on the steps, mistress?” one guard asked.

  About to mouth off that she was perfectly fine, Tessa reconsidered. Maybe she could pretend to wobble and then pick the guard’s pocket for a weapon. “Um…could you help me?” She smiled, hoping she appeared innocent enough.

  He remained as expressionless as ever, but held out his arm for her to grasp. She took it and they started a slow walk down the stairs.

  The strains of violins reached her ears, which may have been pretty under other circumstances. As they stepped lower, Tessa could see that the gathering room was full, and people had turned to stare in her direction. Crap. If she was going to try anything, it may as well be now.

  With a waver, she purposely wilted into the guard and leaned extra weight on the arm he supported. She gave a little murmur, as if she were tired or overcome, and he reflexively used his other hand to steady her. She sagged into him, reaching into his black jacket sleeve, hoping for a knife concealed there…and found nothing. Damn it.

  She blinked and straightened. “Oh, wow. I didn’t know how intense this would be. I’m so glad you’re helping me down these steps.”

  He grunted, and kept her moving.

  Great, the guards here were like robots.

  They reached the bottom of the stairs and he steered her to the rear of the room, behind all the chairs. Damien waited in a black-on-black tuxedo. His cold eyes glimmered with excitement and he took her hand as she neared. “You look absolutely stunning, darling,” he whispered.

  She pasted on a smile and made herself remember that many, many women found him irresistible. “So do you,” she lied in response.

  He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and they began a slow walk up the center aisle.

  Scorpio and his group approached the entrance at the back of the building. After the duplication spell, and the Tessa-turned-dragon illusion spell, he was ready for anything to happen once they reached that door.

  They didn’t even make it that far. At ten feet away, the door burst open and a dozen Vespera mages poured out, shouting spells, flinging blue fire, and weapons raised. They were mixed among the Watchers in an instant. No time to do anything but react.

  “I’m ready to take these assholes down in a real fight.” Scorpio muttered to Brenin, before pouring on a burst of speed. He was at the first mage in seconds, his sword plunging deep into the man’s heart. The man never got a chance to finish his spell.

  Since these were mages, not predatory demons, they could be killed by a precise stab wound. It didn’t have to come down to beheading or immolation. And since the two forces had clashed in seconds, magic lost ground to the brute force and speed of the Watchers.

  The man crumpled, but Scorpio was already on to the next one. Brenin, the fastest swordsman Scorpio had ever seen, plunged into the fray beside him, slashing one mage’s throat while sending a fire ball into another’s chest.

  The Vespera rushed to defend against the blur of angry Watchers, but they simply didn’t have the same speed. In minutes, the dark mages lay dead.

  “Come on.” Hallon urged them forward “They’ll send more when these ones don’t report back in.” He ran to the door and ducked inside.

  Scorpio was right on his heels as they jogged into a stone corridor. Instantly, Tessa’s sweet scent called to him. It was only a trace, as if she hadn’t been down here; rather, it indicated she was in this building. Additionally, he had a sense of knowing that his mate was close.

  Gods help him. Did she feel that same pull?

  Rough gray bricks lined the walls and one lone fire bulb hovered above. The darkness didn’t seem to slow down the Bronwy leader. “This way.” He turned a corner and stopped so abruptly, Scorpio nearly slammed into him. Scorpio held up a hand to signal those behind him to stop.

  Hallon ran his hands along a ridge of white mortar between the bricks. “There’s a secret passage entrance here, if they haven’t walled it up.” Hands roaming, he cursed and then moved a foot to the left and repeated the process. “Got it.” He jiggled a brick loose, slid it free, and reached inside.

  With a barely audible groan, a section of brick that formed a door swung inward. “This has two possible exits. One is in the kitchen, the other leads up the foyer. Right by the main door. ”

  “Not sure charging into the foyer is the stealthiest idea.” Scorpio scowled.

  “We can split up,” Brenin said, standing behind him. “Check out each path.”

  Scorpio nodded. The plan had been established even before they had all sat down yesterday to pore over those maps. Get Tessa. Get Zeebi, if she wanted to return. If she were willing and didn’t try any shady crap.

  And eliminate Damien.

  The rest of the coven would be dealt with on a case by case basis. Since many of them had been seduced by the dark ley lines, there was a chance that they could return to being good, once the lines were buffered with Whysper’s magic.

  And the sooner Whysper did her thing, the easier the Watchers’ jobs would be.

  “In,” Scorpio muttered.

  Hallon stood to the side, gesturing for him to go in first. “For the foyer, take the fork on the right.”

  Scorpio entered and paused, letting his emotional sense dictate which way would take him to his mate. And just like he knew she was in the building, he knew to go right. “Foyer.”

  “I’m right behind you,” Hallon said.

  “Three of my team will follow you. The rest, I’ll take to the kitchen and we’ll handle the back of the house.” Brenin stood by the door, all business. “We’ll find her.”

  Scorpio nodded and headed to the right, easily navigating the pitch black rough stone stairs. Tessa was in the building. So close. His muscles buzzed with fury at her being taken from him.

  In less than a minute, he was at a wooden door. Anger cascaded down his spine. On the other side, there was a large nu
mber of people. He could hear them murmuring, hear them breathing and shifting their weight. They were mostly quiet, and that worried him.

  “A crowd is gathered. Close by,” he said to Hallon, who stood behind him.

  The chief scowled. “There’s a large room used for events. It’s right off the foyer.”

  Events…motherfucking son of a bitch. “Like for a wedding?” Scorpio could barely get the words out around his ire.

  Whysper’s words came back to him. You must use caution at all times. Goddamit. As much as he wanted to run and find Tessa, demonfire blazing, he couldn’t take foolish risks. Who knew how many creatures skilled in dark magic sat on the other side of this door? And Tessa might be in the middle of them all.

  Hallon nodded grimly. “The release for this door is right there.” He pointed to a small rectangular panel in the wall.

  “We don’t know how many witches are here to simply watch the event and how many are guards,” Scorpio muttered. “Do the civilians receive the same level of magic training?”

  “I’d like to say no, but I don’t know for sure,” Hallon said.

  “That means once we open this door, be prepared for chaos.” Scorpio glanced back at the other Watchers behind Hallon. “You remember what the guards’ uniforms look like?”

  They all nodded, having covered that detail when they discussed Vespera’s layout.

  “Then we take them out first. Let’s go.” Scorpio pressed the panel and stepped back to let the door swing on its inward trajectory. The place may be full of the enemy but goddamn it, he had a wedding to stop.

  Two black-clad guards were in the doorway even before it fully opened. Scorpio lunged at one, grabbing his neck and twisting hard. The second one, blade in hand, tried to strike Scorpio by reaching beside his comrade. Bad idea. Scorpio grabbed the male’s hand, wrenched it backward until the wrist bones popped. The guard shouted in pain. Hallon ducked under Scorpio’s arm to plunge his own dagger into the man’s side.