We exited the cottage and hurried back to the meeting place.
“I know what your glitch is,” I said as we ran.
Evadne’s lip curled. “What?”
“You have no humanity.”
Evadne seemed unperturbed. “Humanity is overrated.”
“That witch needed our help,” I said.
“And we needed information. It was a win-win.”
I shook my head. It was going to take a lot more than a single conversation to change Evadne—if change was even possible.
“You’re too soft. If you intend to be a member of Pandora’s Pride for any length of time, you need to toughen up.”
“If toughening up means losing my humanity, I’ll turn in my laminated schedule tomorrow.”
We slowed as we reached the spot, but there was no sign of Saxon or Liam.
“You’re so dramatic, Callie. Were you always like this or is it because your dad was murdered?”
The sound of crunching leaves prevented me from bludgeoning her skull.
“Saxon?” I called. “Liam?”
No answer.
I heard the chirping of several birds but no more leaves.
“Something smells off,” Evadne whispered.
I’d been thinking the same thing. Before I could respond, a figure stepped out from behind an oak tree and I immediately reached for the dagger hooked to my belt. He was dressed in an outfit that shimmered like a suit of silver armor but was too flexible to be made of metal. His face was obscured by a helmet made of the same strange material.
He withdrew his sword from its sheath and smiled. “At last.”
“At least introduce yourself before you whip it out,” I said. I spun to the side and stabbed his hip. The dagger cut straight through the fancy material. Good to know. Unfortunately, I failed to penetrate his skin.
He turned and lunged forward with the blade extended, narrowly missing my torso.
“You’re not properly trained,” he said, sounding surprised.
“My father would be very offended to hear you say that. He took great pride in his work.”
Evadne rolled up her sleeves. “Do I need to shift or can we handle this the sword and sorcery way?”
I kept one eye trained on our shimmering opponent. “Weapons should do it. I’ve fought a few feral supers in my day. Their moves are far less calculated, harder to deter. Educated moves are much easier to anticipate.”
He didn’t seem to like my assessment. “I am an elite warrior,” he sniffed.
“I’m sure you are, sweetness,” I said. “I’ll be sure to send your blue ribbon over as soon as you give me your address.”
He scowled and charged.
I ducked beneath the blade and whirled around to kick him in the back. Where were Saxon and Liam?
Distract him long enough so that I can use magic, I said.
Aw, you’ve taken our relationship to the next level and let me in your head.
Don’t get used to it. This offer is for a limited time only.
Evadne launched herself at the self-proclaimed warrior with claws and fangs exposed. She knocked the sword from his hand and sliced his arm. She smiled as blood bloomed on his sleeve.
“Who are you?” I demanded. Not a nuisance demon, although he was a nuisance. “Are you helping Dasim?”
“I have no knowledge of a Dasim.” The warrior retrieved his sword and was back in battle mode. He raced forward and struck a glancing blow off my shoulder. I winced and averted my gaze. If I didn’t see the blood, I didn’t have to acknowledge the injury.
Evadne and I exchanged glances. What was he doing here if he wasn’t involved with Dasim?
“Why do you not use the full extent of your powers?” he asked with narrowed eyes. “Do you think I am not a worthy opponent?”
“Is this an ego issue for you? Because there are healthier ways to boost that—without bloodshed.”
His lip curled in a snarl. It seemed the warrior didn’t have much of a sense of humor. “You’re a disgrace.”
“Who are you?” I demanded again.
“More importantly, why in the hell are you stupid enough to fight us?” Evadne added.
I glanced at her. “I don’t think calling him stupid is going to make it better.”
She shrugged. “It makes me feel better. Doesn’t that count for something?”
He ignored us and continued his advance. Evadne made a seamless transition to wolf form and leaped onto his chest, toppling him to the ground. The warrior didn’t appear scared or intimidated. Instead, he seemed—angry. Disgusted even.
I scooped up his sword and pointed the blade at his neck while Evadne kept the full weight of the wolf on his chest.
I pressed the tip of his sword deeper into his skin until I drew blood. “What’s your name, friend?”
His hooded eyes glimmered with the bitterness of defeat. “Naois,” he replied. “And I am not your friend.”
“No, I gathered that from the way you attacked us,” I said.
“You do not belong here,” he seethed.
Evadne growled in his face and saliva dripped from her powerful jaws onto his cheek.
“We’re just passing through. No need to be territorial.” I pierced his skin again and watched the blood trickle down his neck.
The close proximity to blood must’ve been too much for Evadne even in her wolf form because she shifted back, her fangs glinting in the dim light of the forest.
“Get off, you foul beast,” he sneered.
“You’re awfully bossy for a guy with two weapons inches from his neck,” she said.
I want him to talk, I said. Can you not kill him?
She rolled to the side and hopped to her feet.
I placed a boot on the warrior’s abdomen. “Why are you attacking us?”
He started to laugh. “You really don’t know, do you?”
I smiled. “That’s usually why we ask questions, Naois. When we want answers we don’t already have.”
His expression turned stony. “You are nothing but a lark.”
I flinched at the mention of my nickname and pressed the blade harder into his neck. Blood bubbled along the angry line that formed on his skin. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Rest assured, we will destroy you,” he ground out.
Before I could try to force him to answer my questions, a portal opened up behind him. I was so dazzled by the glowing green circle that I lost my focus. Naois seized the opportunity to scramble out of reach and disappeared through the escape hatch. I glanced at his sword still in my hand. At least I got a parting gift.
“A portal,” Evadne said, gaping at the empty air. “Did he seem fae to you?”
“I don’t know, but this is one fancy sword. I’ve never seen a hilt like this one.” It was an intricate design with a tree in a circle. “I don’t think he could read minds.”
“No, me neither.”
“Abra isn’t going to like this.”
“It’s not like we invited him to party with us.”
Footsteps pounded the dirt behind us. “Did someone say party?” Liam appeared clutching a roasted chicken leg in his hand.
“Let me guess,” Evadne said. “While we were getting the location of the tomb and fighting for our lives, you and Saxon were enjoying someone’s generous hospitality.”
Liam tore off a chunk of chicken and chewed. “Turns out our house wasn’t empty.”
I glanced at the small house in the distance. “Neither was ours.”
“Where’s Saxon?” Evadne asked. “We need to get moving or we’re going to miss our ride.”
“I’m right here.” The hybrid landed behind us with his black and grey wings expanded. “Is Emil’s portal here already?”
“Not Emil’s. Mine.” Evadne smirked. “Buckle up, boys. We’re going to Egypt.”
Chapter Sixteen
The four of us stood at the edge of a stone quarry in Elephantine, Egypt. The air was thick with humidi
ty and strong winds gusted around us. I was relieved that Evadne’s portal had delivered us close to Tefnut’s tomb. Now if Saxon could wield his celestial fire with the same level of accuracy, we’d be golden.
We crouched behind a small hill of stones to observe the quarry before we made our move.
“I don’t see any sign of the Tengu,” Saxon said.
“Maybe the disco demon isn’t here yet,” Liam said. “This is one helluva a trek from Virginia without a portal.”
Evadne started to venture further, but Saxon called her back. “Not yet,” he said. “Let me get an aerial view and find the entrance.”
I looked at him askance. “And risk being spotted?”
“She’s right,” Liam said. “You spread those big black wings overhead and you’ll blot out the sun. That’ll definitely get their attention.”
“Let Callie go,” Evadne said. “She’s got the invisibility card.”
I saw a flicker of hesitation in Saxon’s eyes, so I saved him from making a decision. “I’ll see what I can find.”
I activated The Magician and climbed across the quarry, keeping my eyes open for any sign of the tomb’s entrance. I seemed to be surrounded by piles of rocks no matter which way I turned. I felt like a giant in a mountain chain.
I climbed over another tower of stones and peered down at a watering hole. The water was surprisingly clear and blue, but that wasn’t its most striking feature. That honor went to the monstrous crocodile that appeared to be sunning itself on a cluster of rocks that jutted out of the water.
Sut.
I noticed a row of rocks that trailed behind the monster, visible just beneath the water’s surface. I skimmed over the rocks until my gaze rested on a crevice between two boulders.
My stomach plummeted.
I glanced back at Sut and realized that the creature wasn’t sunning itself after all. He was asleep. Subdued by the Achet.
Dasim was already here.
I raced back to the team and deactivated the tarot card. “He’s here.”
Evadne brandished her sword. “Point me in the right direction so I can point this right through his ugly face.”
“Unless that blade is burning with celestial fire, it won’t kill him,” Liam reminded her.
“Oh, I know, but it’ll make me feel better.”
“Put the sword away,” Saxon said. “If we end up with Tefnut too, I’ll need you to shift.”
I guided the team back to the watering hole and showed them the underwater steps that led to the tomb.
Liam’s eyes widened at the sight of Sut. “Look at that tail. It really is a serpent’s head.”
“Why do you sound so surprised?” I asked.
Liam shrugged. “It sounded so hideous that I figured it had to be an exaggeration.”
Saxon frowned at the werevamp. “All the ugly things you’ve seen and this is hideous?”
“Seriously, try a mirror,” Evadne said.
“Look on the bright side,” I said. “Sut is one less obstacle for us.”
“I don’t think that side is bright enough if it means Dasim is already inside,” Saxon said.
Fair point.
“Remember, the goal is to prevent Tefnut from regaining her physical form,” Saxon said. “She gets loose too and we’re looking at war and famine.”
Liam blew out a breath. “Jewelry and a bad attitude. Typical woman.”
I glared at him. “We’ll deal with your misogyny after we survive this.”
“Who’s up for a swim?” Liam asked.
Saxon spread his wings. “You can take the underwater steps if you want, but you’ll probably fight better if you’re not waterlogged.”
“Me first,” Evadne said.
The hybrid scooped her up and ferried her across the watering hole to the tomb’s entrance. I kept one eye trained on Sut in case he stirred. The information only said that the Achet subdued the monster crocodile; it didn’t say for how long.
Saxon returned to ferry Liam across and then came back for me. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down my spine. “Is anyone ever ready for a situation like this?”
He looked as though he wanted to say more. Instead, he picked me up and soared across the water. I squeezed through the crevice and let my eyesight adjust to the darkness and the damp smell. Apparently the goddess couldn’t afford a homey pyramid with scented candles.
“The Achet is useless now,” Saxon whispered. “Go for the book or the Ab.”
“The Ab is the black one, right?” Liam asked.
“Yes, like Tefnut’s soul,” I said.
“Or her heart,” Evadne said.
“You would know,” Liam shot back.
The tomb was comprised of several chambers. Each one was filled with personal possessions, Tefnut’s presumably. There was no sign of the Tengu. Maybe Dasim wanted a romantic reunion with the goddess.
“I summon thee, Lady of the Flames,” Dasim’s voice rumbled. It was so deep that it shook the interior of the tomb, causing debris to scatter to the ground.
We exchanged glances.
“Sounds like the ritual is in motion,” Liam said.
I held up The Magician card. “Recon?” I asked quietly. He wouldn’t be able to read my lips in the dimness of the tomb.
Saxon shook his head. “No time. We need to stop him now.”
“On it.” Liam’s transformation was astonishingly swift. His wolf form was larger than the average werewolf’s with the added bonus of vampire fangs. Although he wasn’t as hideous as the monster crocodile, he was no less frightening.
Evadne followed his lead and shifted. Her wolf form was as black and sleek as a jaguar and her coat shimmered with green light that I recognized as fae magic. In wolf form, her vampire fangs reminded me of a saber-toothed cat.
The wolves tore past us, growling and snarling.
I bolted behind them and skidded to a halt in the main chamber. Tefnut’s sarcophagus wasn’t the beautiful golden case I expected. Instead it was covered in some kind of black slime.
Dasim stood at the base of the sarcophagus with the book open and resting in front of him. The demon had traded his sleek red jacket for a black robe. He held the scepter in his left hand where the Ab was safely nestled. The stone was lined up with a crack in the ceiling where a pale beam of sunlight filtered through. The light caught the stone and I gasped as the stone cracked and I realized what was about to happen.
The wolves lunged for Dasim in tandem. The demon whirled around and tried to block them with the scepter. They knocked him onto the sarcophagus and he slid to the ground.
Fire sparked and I watched in horror as the sarcophagus broke open like a cocoon during metamorphosis. Unfortunately the occupant was no butterfly.
“You’re too late,” Dasim said, rising to his feet.
A hissing sound diverted my attention and I looked up to see at least twenty king cobras sliding out of the cracks in the stone walls.
I blew out a breath. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Saxon grabbed my hand and tugged me out of the chamber. We ducked into the adjacent room filled with dusty artifacts.
“Let the wolves clear the snakes,” he said.
“I can help.” I started forward and he grabbed me around the waist.
“No, Callie.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “This is exactly what you wanted to prevent, remember? We’re a team. You can’t protect me at the expense of the others.” That wasn’t how we’d beat the demon and his corpse bride.
“You have to trust me,” he said.
Before we could argue any further, Liam darted into the chamber back in human form. “Do you want the good news or the bad news?”
“Good news,” I said quickly.
“Cobras are dead and…” He held up a shiny red stone. “I got the Achet.”
Saxon pressed his lips together. “That’s the useless one, remember?”
�
�Oh, right.” Liam shoved it into his pocket.
“The powers of Ra are hardly useless,” I said, thinking of the devastation in New Asche. “We need to make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.”
“Okay, so now the bad news.” Liam scratched the back of his head. “Remember that whole thing—whatever you do, make sure Tefnut’s body doesn’t get reunited with her soul?”
A shadow passed over Saxon’s face. “Don’t tell me, Liam.”
“Fine, I won’t tell you then. I’ll mime it.” He puffed up his body like he was rising from the grave and roared.
“What’s with the roar?” I asked.
Liam cringed. “She’s got the head of a lion.”
“Why are you in here if Evadne’s in there fighting alone?” Saxon asked.
“Because Dasim can’t turn us against each other if we’re apart.”
It actually made sense, but there was no way Evadne could take on both opponents by herself.
A howl erupted from the neighboring chamber that made my blood run cold. I fled the safety of our chamber with Saxon behind me. A low snarl stopped me in my tracks and I turned to see Sut’s monstrous body blocking the corridor. It seemed that his subdued state was only temporary.
“I’ve got this,” Liam said, jumping between us. “I’ve always wanted to wrestle a monster croc. It’s been on my bucket list for years.”
Saxon and I rushed to the main chamber to help Evadne. Her wolf form had Dasim pinned to the floor and her elongated fangs were busy tearing into his flesh. Unfortunately that wouldn’t be enough to kill him.
The goddess was in a seated position, still in the sarcophagus. Her lioness head had been replaced by that of a human woman with russet brown hair and bronze skin. I spotted two halves of a lioness head on the floor and realized it must’ve been her death mask.
“Evadne, move!” Saxon yelled. He needed a clear path to Dasim to use his celestial fire.
Tefnut climbed out of the sarcophagus and swiped the golden scepter from the floor. In one swift movement, she swung the scepter at Evadne’s back and knocked the tri-brid against the stone wall.
I grabbed Saxon’s arm before he could unleash the fire. Evadne was still too close. We couldn’t risk it.
Dasim rose to his feet and bowed in front of the goddess. When his flaming eyes shifted to me, the world faded. Instead of the demon and Tefnut, Leto now stood in front of me with blood dripping down his body.
High Stakes and Vampires (Pandora's Pride Book 2) Page 17