At Death's Door (Deadman's Cross Book 3)

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

  Shrieking, it transformed into a demon, then vanished.

  Valynda gasped. “What was that?”

  “Not sure.”

  “Where do you think it went?”

  He gave her a droll stare. “Having the same amount of information you do, I can honestly say I have no idea.”

  “That’s not a good thing, is it?”

  “Again, same information, but based on past experience, I can practically guarantee that it won’t be good.”

  Lovely.

  “We should probably tell the captain?”

  Xuri frowned. “About our having sex? I should think he wouldn’t care.”

  Valynda groaned at his off-beat sense of humor. Popping his arm, she growled at him. “That shadow stain dancing about his boat, you daft loon.”

  “Ah, that. Aye. You’re right. He’d most likely want to know about the demon, as opposed to me getting handsy with his crewmate.” Nibo led the way toward the ladder.

  Adarian growled at the trollop on his crotch as she started to pull away the instant the demon appeared in his room. “Keep about your business if you want to be paid!”

  And if she wanted to live.

  Grabbing her hair, he held her in place and shifted his hips slightly as she returned her lips to his cock.

  Then he slid his gaze to the demon. “What?” he snapped.

  “As you feared, my lord, she has betrayed you.”

  He arched a brow at that. “What?”

  The demon’s glowing eyes turned deep black. “Valynda. She is back with Nibo and someone made her human again.”

  Adarian grew still at those words as he realized what the demon was saying.

  Damn it. He needed that staff and the power it held.

  Furious, he shoved the prostitute away, then fastened his pants. “Summon the others.”

  If Valynda had turned on them, then he would sink that ship and reunite Bane with his first wife at the bottom of the ocean.

  It was time for the Deadmen to earn their name and become so dead that not even Thorn could reanimate them.

  “Ah, bloody hell and all their handmaidens and hairbows!” Will took a deep breath, then, louder, shouted to the crew. “Avast! Demon to port bow!”

  “Demonssss,” Bart corrected with an exaggerated s to make sure the crew understood they were under siege from a large group of those beasts headed straight for them.

  “And they don’t look happy to see us.”

  Bart snorted at Jake’s additional comment. “Beg to differ, mate. They look deliriously happy to see us.”

  “And hungry,” Will added. “They look exceedingly hungry.”

  “Would that make us seafood, then?”

  Will scoffed at Bart. “Seriously, mate? You had to go there?”

  “It’s that or piss me britches. Which would you rather?”

  Will moved away from him and put Jake next to him. Just in case he was voicing a prediction about his bladder. Then took an additional three steps more. “That should do. Anyone seen Sallie? Uncork your bottle, man! We need your better half to come kick demon arse! Armor up!”

  Valynda ignored them as she saw what was coming. “Xuri!” she called, grabbing a sword. They could definitely use his crook and reinforcements.

  She felt the air behind her stir. But as she turned toward it, her smile faded.

  That wasn’t Nibo.

  Identical in looks he might be, but he was definitely not her lover. This one held a sinister air and aura about him that wasn’t quite right, and it wasn’t just the black overcoat and breeches he wore. Or the black tricorne that was decorated in red and gold.

  This man didn’t carry himself the same. He bled pure malice and discontent. While Xuri drew her in like a beacon in a storm, this man repelled her more than Benjamin had. Her very flesh crawled in his presence.

  “Who are you?”

  “Don’t you know?”

  “Qeenan,” she breathed the obvious answer. Baron Kriminal. The man who’d killed Nibo out of petty jealousy.

  Her blood ran cold.

  “What are you doing here?” He’d never been interested in meeting with her before. Indeed, he’d gone out of his way to avoid her entirely.

  And now she was grateful that he’d never shown her any interest, except for the fact that she was now meeting him.

  Why?

  “I heard a rumor that you were back and I was curious. What is it about you that my brother finds so damn intriguing that he can’t stay away? But then I’ve never understood his mind or his taste.” He raked her with an offensive sneer.

  Valynda scowled at the ogre. Now? He had to ask about this now?

  “As you can see, I’m a little busy.” She started to leave.

  Qeenan grabbed her arm. “It’s just a few demons. Surely you’re not afraid.”

  She twisted away from him. “Not afraid. The word is busy, as in my hands are full.” To illustrate the point, she held out her right hand that had a sword and the left one that held her skirt. “Literally.”

  Valynda took a step back and gave him a cold smile. “Now if you don’t mind, I think you can understand why I don’t want to turn my back on you. So … if you’ll leave?”

  His gaze turned cold at her dig against him for his unwarranted attack on Nibo. “You should be careful who you insult, little girl.”

  “Don’t call me little girl.” She tsked. “You asked what it was Xuri saw in me, Mr. Kriminal. That’s it. It’s my fearlessness and audacity. The fact that I’m willing to call things like I see them.”

  “And you see me as a killer?”

  “That is who and what you are, is it not? A creature who struck his brother when his back was turned and he was unarmed?”

  He actually smiled at that. “That I am. Killing is the one thing I’m good at.”

  “Then perhaps you should pursue new hobbies. Not sure that’s much of a bragging point, but very well. Take your win where you can.”

  “Ah, chère,” he said in a tone that was so close to Nibo’s it made the hairs on the back of her neck rise. “Be glad that I don’t take your head.”

  And with that he vanished, an instant before a demon attacked her so fast that she barely had time to defend herself. Valynda caught the demon with her sword. Forcing it back, she realized how much harder it was to fight as a human than in her straw form. For one thing, she could now feel every blow rattle through her body. For another, her center of balance was off, as were her senses. Not to mention her hair kept getting in her eyes.

  Ugh! This was impossible. Well, not impossible. Just harder.

  Valynda finally caught her footing and stabilized, then stabbed the beast through his left eye. She took a moment to glance around the ship. Demons were all over, and not just one kind.

  Some could fly. Some stayed to the shadows. Others were locked to the ground. Dramonks and sea cronks. It was as if the Malachai had summoned every kind he could think of.

  Which meant he must be furious over what she’d done.

  I’m the reason for this. …

  Her stomach shrank as she realized why there were so many what had been unleashed against them. While it wasn’t unusual for their crew to be attacked, and viciously so, even this was excessive.

  He knows.

  She had no idea how that could be other than he was the Malachai and those beasts had unique powers unlike any others. Damn him for it.

  And damn her. At least now she understood what the stain on the wall had been earlier. It must have been a Malachai spy.

  Guilty over what she’d done, Valynda glanced about. Belle was fighting off two more demons while Captain Bane held off three. Will used his flintlock to shoot one between the eyes before he went after another with his sword. More gunfire rang out as others fought with whatever they could. Her friends were in such grave danger because of Adarian’s wrath.

  Nay, because of her stupidity and gullibility where none should have existed.

  The sea around
them churned as Marcelina struggled to keep the ship as level as possible against the waves. Kalder was in the sea below, fighting against a giant squid.

  This looked hopeless. And she felt that deep in her heart.

  How were they to take down all the forces of evil with just a single vessel? With just this meager crew? What had Thorn been thinking? Why would he ever send so few on such an important mission?

  Had this been its own form of cruelty?

  Stop that!

  Had she learned nothing from her doubt of Xuri? Those thoughts came from a deep, dark place in the mind. An unsettled place. Thorn, like Xuri, had never done anything to make her doubt him or his motives. While his words could be caustic, his actions were true.

  Actions speak louder than words.

  Of all people, she knew that. And until he gave her reasons to doubt, then she would give Thorn her faith. True and unyielding.

  See, I can be taught!

  Suddenly, a new rumbling began. One that came from deep below. Crisp and clopping. Gurgling and churning. It sounded vaguely like running horses and it caused a rushing funnel in the sea that began to twist the ship about. The wooden boards creaked and moaned in protest.

  “What fresh bloody hell is this?” Bart grabbed a rope before he was thrown overboard.

  Kalder reached for the anchor ropes and quickly climbed to the deck before he was harmed. And still the rushing came. Thick and steady.

  Unrelenting.

  Valynda caught herself against the rigging as her stomach heaved and she feared she’d be sick from the rocking motion—another thing she hadn’t missed about not having a human body.

  A dark, gargantuan shadow rose up from the sea. Blue fire lit up the sky. Thunderous claps resonated as the demons began to scream and vanish.

  More demons ran for cover, only to be vaporized.

  “Ah shite.” Will’s tone was laden with disgust. “You know it’s a bad omen when the scariest of things be heading for cover at the appearance of this and then get eaten. Be damned we are now, mates.”

  And that was how it felt as these new beasts turned out to be two dozen dragons. Gigantic beasts that rolled through the blue fire, circling through the air in a beautiful dance as they devoured the demons.

  Except for the blood and entrails that rained down on them. That she could have done without.

  Especially some of the grislier bits that fell around her. But at least it got their enemies off them. None of the demons cared about them at all. They were too busy trying to escape the dragons and their talons or fire. Trying to evade becoming a part of their menu.

  Not that she blamed them. It wasn’t something she’d want either. Which wasn’t her concern until all the demons were gone.

  Then the dragons began to whistle and turn their attention toward them.

  Bart glanced to the captain. “Should we run?”

  “Where to, Mr. Meers?” he asked simply. “The ocean’s all yours.” He gestured toward the open sea.

  Valynda would laugh, but this wasn’t funny. As noted, they had nowhere to flee.

  The dragons swooped in and her stomach shrank. This was it. …

  They were sitting Deadmen.

  One by one, the dragons rushed down from the sky, heading straight for their main deck. She knew they were coming for them as there was no doubt. Their eyes remained focused and unwavering. They kept their wings wide open.

  But instead of eating them or attacking, they landed gracefully on deck, then turned into men and women.

  Near the mainmast, they formed a small circle with their backs to each other so that they faced the crew.

  Confused by their actions, Valynda exchanged a scowl with Belle, who seemed every bit as perplexed by them as she was. How weird was this? Never had she seen the like.

  They stared out at the Deadmen as the Deadmen stared at them.

  All of a sudden, a hand touched Valynda’s shoulder.

  She spun about to attack.

  Nibo ducked her blow with a charming grin. “Easy, me love. It’s just me. I heard your call and brought a few reinforcements.” He kissed her cheek, then took her hand and stepped forward. “Bane, you bastard, come and meet my friends. They’re sea dragons and should be keeping you afloat for a bit longer.”

  The tallest of the male dragons moved toward the captain as Nibo made the introductions.

  “Nazar, meet Captain Devyl Bane.”

  There was something ethereal and otherworldly about Nazar. He seemed more elfin than dragon. His eyes were the strangest shade of green Valynda had ever seen. And like an elf, he had pointed ears and shoulder-length brown hair that fell around a handsome, masculine face.

  “Pleasure to have you on board.” Bane extended his hand.

  Nazar inclined his head and shook the captain’s arm.

  “Don’t be insulted if they don’t speak much. It’s part of their nature, as they don’t trust humans or former humans much. It’s what drove them to the sea.” Nibo jerked his chin at the small group that continued to eye the crew warily. “Luckily, they owe me a favor, and will stay with you until you see this hell-bent venture finished.”

  Nazar stepped over to whisper in Nibo’s ear.

  “Nay, you won’t have to sleep on board the ship. You can follow after them, if you’d rather. Just keep the Malachai and his spies away from them. Whatever it takes.” Nibo looked back at Bane. “Adarian isn’t playing by the rules. So, we won’t either.”

  Nazar used his hands to signal to his people. All but two jumped from the ship, into the waves, where they vanished.

  Nibo smiled at Valynda. “Two of them will remain among the crew and they’ll rotate out. The rest will be nearby should they be needed. Try not to panic or attack if you see the others. Remember that they’re friends and they’ll take it rather personally should one of them be harpooned.”

  Bane let out a low whistle as he watched one of the dragons skim the surface, twist, and then spiral back below the waves in a shimmery show of red scales. “Would have loved to have had some of those in me army back in the day.”

  “Aye, you would.” Nibo winked.

  Thorn nodded in agreement. “As would I. How old are they?”

  “Older than you, demon,” Nazar said in a voice so deep, it seemed to rumble. “And we don’t serve your kind.”

  By the captain’s face, he understood the dragon’s sentiment. “What can we do to make your stay among us comfortable?”

  “Nothing. We’ll sleep on deck and stay out of your way.” And with that, Nazar gestured at the younger of the two to leave, but the young dragon gestured back in a most animated way.

  Valynda smiled at Nibo. “Brother, son, or something more intimate?”

  “Brother who doesn’t listen.” Nibo laughed at Nazar, who was quickly losing his patience. “You might as well send Flaxen back. Karawan isn’t going to give on this and you know it.”

  Nazar let out a sound of deep aggravation. “Fine.” He gestured for the woman to leave them. Then made several harsh, erratic gestures toward his brother.

  The gesture back must have been profane, judging by the tenseness of Nazar’s expression and Nibo’s increased laughter.

  But Karawan didn’t say a word. Whereas his brother was tall and lean, he was bulkier in muscle tone and had dark curly hair and amber eyes. Something about him almost reminded her of Nibo.

  Which sent a bad feeling over her.

  “Just how close are you to them?”

  “Get your mind away from that. Not at all what you’re thinking, love. We are friends. Nothing more.”

  Nazar scowled at her as he raked a curious stare over her body. “This is your Vala?”

  Nibo nodded.

  “Ah.”

  She wasn’t sure what to make of that. “Ah?”

  Karawan came over to eye her as if she were the most curious specimen he’d ever beheld in his life. So much so that Nibo pushed him back.

  Laughing, Karawan took it in stride.
“We’re both older than Nibo, my lady.”

  That made her feel better. Sort of.

  As did the fact that Nibo hadn’t abandoned her. “Thank you, Xuri.”

  “For what?”

  “Bringing them to us.”

  His features softened. “Of course. I’m only sorry it took so long to reach you. We came as soon as we could. But with dragons, they often drag their wings.” His gaze went past her to Thorn. “There’s a storm brewing.”

  “We know.”

  “Nay, not the one you’re thinking, old man. This one is much darker and deeper. The petro are defecting to the Malachai.”

  Thorn’s expression turned to stone. “Beg pardon?”

  Nibo nodded. “It’s why I summoned me friends. Qeenan and the others plan to raise up Apollymi the Destroyer. They’re after the world and intend to take it over.”

  “With Adarian? Are they out of their minds?”

  Now Nibo had the attention of the captain and the rest of the crew.

  “Not with Adarian. They plan to replace him.”

  Thorn shook his head. “This plan gets dumber and dumber. Have they any idea what they’re asking?”

  “They think they do.”

  “And how do they plan to do it?” Bane asked. “Apollymi isn’t exactly known for her people skills or her great sense of cooperation.”

  “Kill the Dark-Hunter leader, Acheron.”

  Thorn scowled at his words. “How are they going to do that? No one knows where he is. He travels all the time and seldom stays in one place for more than a day or two.”

  “That’s normally true, except for when he’s training a new Dark-Hunter.”

  Thorn lost color in his cheeks. “Come again.”

  Nibo sighed as he glanced toward Valynda. “Qeenan learned that Acheron is here and that he’s been training Jean-Luc Tessier. Captain St. Noir. So, his plan is to kill him and raise the Destroyer.”

  Thorn sat down and then spread out on his back. “That’s it. I quit. Take me, Bane. Pierce me heart and have done with it.”

  “Get your arse up, Leucious, I’m in no mood. You’re the one what got me into this with your stupidity. Be damned if you’re going to quit on me now.”

  Thorn looked up at him. “You are a contrary bastard. For centuries you tried to kill me. I finally lie down to let you do it and you refuse.”