by K. F. Breene
Donovan started transferring bacon and potatoes into a warm oven as he prepped for a batch of scrambled eggs. I stepped in to help and was promptly shooed away.
“Regarding the Lightning Rod”—I stood at the island instead—“we know how to kill him, but sneaking up on him won’t help if our objective is to talk to him. He might kill us where we stand before we can say three words.”
“Not if you meet him in a public place,” Zorn said. “If he uses his power around Chesters, they’ll react. Whatever magical government is closest will be alerted so that he can be extracted. His cover will be well and truly blown. He will know that. He won’t want to rock the boat.”
“Except he’s a recluse on a mountain,” I said.
“So was I, and the nearby village knew about me, as I said before,” Jerry said, back to looking out the window. There was no telling what he thought of our dysfunctional family.
“Everyone knew about you—you didn’t fake your own death,” Bria said.
“This guy might be a different character, but he’s in the same play,” Jerry replied. “He has to get supplies from somewhere in order to live. I don’t know of any high-powered magical people who were brought up in the woods. When you’re not accustomed to living off the land, you don’t have the tools to make it work. He’s hiding in plain sight because he’s in a non-magical zone, but mark my words, someone’s noticed him.
“Another thing trained magical people can’t live without is their magic. On days of no activity, I still felt the need to flex my magical muscles. It was an itch that I needed to scratch. If this guy’s bag is lightning and thunder, then we’re looking for freak or particularly violent thunderstorms. The kind that freak Chesters out and make the papers. That, or you’re—we’re, I guess—looking for a place where the weather can cover up his rushes of magic. We have plenty of clues to go by.”
“When did Jerry turn into Sherlock Holmes?” Thane said with a grin.
“Jolly-oh, guvna,” Donovan retorted, his accent on the wrong continent.
Zorn shook his head and flipped another magazine page.
“If that Thundercunt is on a mountain,” Jerry said softly, as though to himself, “it doesn’t matter what he can do. I own him.”
All activity in the kitchen stopped. Donovan turned from the stove to look at Jerry, a smile blooming on his face. Thane’s eyes widened. Even Zorn looked up, respect in his eyes.
Jerry must’ve noticed even though he hadn’t turned away from the window. He shrugged. “I was made for battle. Stone does not conduct electricity. I’m safe from his magic.”
“Looks like we’re going to play a game of rock, paper, lightning, eh Jerry?” Boman asked, beaming.
“Who’s paper in that scenario, I wonder?” Bria scratched her chin.
“Alexis,” Jerry murmured.
Shivers coated my body. He wasn’t wrong. I could take the Lightning Rod out if he ventured close enough, but he wouldn’t face the same limitation. It was a good reminder that my magic did not trump all. I could be beaten like anyone—it just took the right magic.
This stranger would have that magic.
“What are you going to do, make a rock suit or something?” Daisy asked Jerry, breaking through the churning of my thoughts.
Donovan tsked as he turned off the burners. “You’re showing your ignorance, princess.”
Daisy scowled at him.
“She didn’t know the size of a giant, she doesn’t know anything about their magic—my, my, she is behind,” Boman teased.
“Boman, why don’t you get that duct tape out of your pocket and make a gag for yourself,” Daisy clapped back.
Donovan barked out a laugh. “Hey, Boman, why don’t you get some more fashionable pants out of your pants pocket?” he said, starting to pull things out of the oven to put on the table.
“Hey, Boman, why don’t you find a new personality in one of your pockets?” Jack said with a grin, still monitoring Donovan’s efforts.
I repeated it for him. The guys around the table started laughing, and Jerry turned away from the window again, his eyes darting around. Big, tough giant was just like everyone else—skittish at the thought of spirits walking among us. At least when those spirits weren’t Caily.
Jerry zeroed in on Daisy for a moment before turning away. “My skin can harden to stone, princess.” Donovan’s eyes widened and his smile stretched. Jerry just might have a dry sense of humor under his rough exterior. “Most weapons can’t penetrate it, and certain magics don’t work against it. My movement is severely cut down, though, so it’s best to use it within a battalion.”
Daisy narrowed her eyes, clearly at the name he’d called her, but nodded. I knew she’d file that away and probably think of ways to counteract it.
A light bulb went off as everyone took a seat. “That’s why he told—um… That’s why a flash of brilliance struck me, randomly, after Jerry agreed to come aboard,” I said. “Jerry has a natural defense against the Thunderstroke’s magic. He can greatly help us bag him. Why wouldn’t he just say that?”
“You lost the thread of keeping your mouth shut,” Zorn said.
“Now do you see why we said she doesn’t lie?” Bria asked Jerry, who still hadn’t gotten up to join us at the table. “She’s terrible at it. World’s worst. Don’t tell her a secret if you want her to keep it.”
“I mean, this situation isn’t normal. Obviously you know I didn’t randomly come up with this info,” I said. “Jerry, come on. Food’s getting cold.”
“Come on, Jerry,” Thane said in mock annoyance.
“Yeah, Jerry, come on,” Donovan said.
“That’s going to get annoying,” Daisy grumbled.
“Hopefully the giant will give them a thump,” Mordecai said.
“Yeah. I’d like to see that,” she replied.
Kieran turned in his seat so he could see the giant. “When we are together, we share a meal together. Please, join us.”
Jerry nodded stiffly. He probably felt uncomfortable being around all these people in an enclosed space, after having a mountain to himself for so long. But he did as Kieran asked, choosing a seat between two vacant chairs, still a little removed from the group.
“Let us take a moment and give thanks that we are all safe and together,” Kieran said, “and ask that the next leg of our journey, whatever it may be, does not lead us into harm’s way.”
Shivers ran across my skin and I knocked on wood.
9
Alexis
Halfway through the meal, I paused in buttering my toast.
“Someone is walking toward the front door,” I said, feeling the soul come nearer. It burned a strange sort of…neutral. That was the only way I could describe it. Not a bright, glowing orb, like those seated at the table around me, but not a dull, listless, or bland sort of soul, either, which usually denoted questionable morals. This one just kinda…was. I’d never encountered that before.
The person in question stopped at the front door. I waited for the doorbell. Everyone at the table watched me, clearly expecting more info.
“Seems like they’re just waiting there,” I said. I told them what I’d gleaned about the soul.
“They are just standing in one place?” Kieran asked, rising.
“Yes.”
He nodded and headed for the door. “Our visitor is fluent enough in your magic to expect they won’t go unnoticed. They are either testing us to see if we’re paying attention, or seeking acknowledgement for knowing they don’t need to ring the bell.”
“Valens did train you well,” Jerry murmured.
“That’s nothing,” Bria said as Red stood. “Wait until he tries a little. It’ll blow your mind.”
“Doubtful,” Jerry replied, standing as well.
“Bet you a hundred bucks, and where are you going?” Bria asked.
“I’ve finally chosen to leave the mountain. It would be too much to ask that this is a coincidence.”
Bria lau
ghed and forked some eggs. “You might’ve been the most exciting thing on that mountain, giant, but you are not the most exciting thing in this room. That title goes to Alexis.”
“If only it were a title worth having,” I said, slinking out of my chair and following Kieran toward the front door. He didn’t actually need backup, but solidarity looked good. If the visitor knew I could sense souls, they probably also knew about my other abilities.
Kieran pulled open the door to reveal a striking beauty with large onyx eyes, silky black hair, and plump red lips. Her thin, muscular body sported sleek curves and an ample bust, her figure displayed to perfection in leather pants and a tight, ribbed bustier. A knife hilt peeked up from between her breasts, a gun holster hugged her right thigh, and I got the impression there were at least seven other deadly things hidden from view. She had the easy confidence of someone who knew they were lethal.
The woman spared me a glance, her face devoid of emotion or even interest. She looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place her.
“Amber,” Kieran said, his tone completely flat, not giving anything away, but surprise and wariness swirled through our various links. He clearly knew her, and he was not pleased to see her. The name tugged on a memory, but before I could latch on to it, it was gone.
“Demigod Kieran, long time,” she said in a sultry voice. She was, quite possibly, the sexiest scary woman I’d ever seen.
“Not long enough,” he said.
“I wondered if I might have a word.” It was not a question—it was a statement of what would come next.
Kieran paused for a moment, his wariness eating through our links, before stepping back and angling to the side, silently admitting her entrance. He led her to the sitting room, which doubled as a game room for vacationers, with a pool table, poker table, and a collection of couches and chairs.
Amber chose a chair in the corner farthest away from all exits. I had a feeling that meant something. Kieran sat on the loveseat opposite her and crossed his ankle over his knee. His guys and Red filed in, spreading out around the room, and Bria, Jerry, and the kids hovered with me near the door, watching. If Amber had wanted privacy, she didn’t show it.
No one spoke, the air ripe with hostility and unsaid words.
“They’re waiting for you to sit with them,” Bria whispered to me.
“Me?” I frowned at her before seeing Kieran’s subtle nod. “Oh.”
What did I have to do with this? Even so, I joined him on the loveseat, hoping it would help get the show on the road.
“Amber was in my father’s Elite,” Kieran told me. The Elite was what Valens called his inner circle, those who were good enough to warrant the blood oath. Now I remembered where I’d seen her—battling against us on that beach in San Francisco. “She was in charge of his intel gathering. She was the one who first brought his attention to you and Bria. And she battled against us on the beach when I challenged my father.”
She inclined her head, clearly not feeling the need to defend herself.
“Why are you here?” he asked her.
“I’ve kept an eye on you. I wanted to see if your defeat of your father was luck, or something more.”
“You should’ve known better. You helped design some of my training, after all.”
Her lips pulled up at the corners just a bit. “You are a young playboy suddenly in charge of a large, prosperous territory. Training means nothing without the maturity to use it. Looks like all you needed was the love of a good woman.” Her sensuous gaze flicked to me, and despite myself, my face heated. “I’ve had countless offers of employment after Valens’s passing, as I’m sure you can guess. One of my would-be employers attempted to kidnap me after I turned down his offer. Demigod Aaron is starting to get desperate, it seems. He’s like a child throwing a tantrum. He’s too used to getting what he wants—or maybe he just hasn’t wanted anything this badly for a long time. His obsession with your pretty little Soul Stealer is eating away at him. He clearly thought I could help him with that.” She paused, and I knew that in itself was a comment of some sort. “You know my qualifications, do you not?” she finally asked Kieran.
“One of the top three best spies in the world. Excellent at espionage and absolutely deadly. You could get placement with any Demigod in the world, or so my father always claimed. You were his pride and joy.”
“I was a prized employee that he treated very well. I was not seduced or beaten. I was listened to, paid handsomely, and given every convenience. In return, I did my best work for him.”
“You killed and tortured people on his behalf.”
“I found and captured the people he desired. Someone else did the torturing.”
“Why are you here?”
“You have the potential for greatness, beyond even what your father predicted. You could be one of the best in the world, and so far, you are building an outstanding force of Elite to make that happen. You have seen qualities in magical people that others have missed. Quite simply, I want to be on the winning team. Henry is great, and a real asset, but I am better. With my direction, I can take your intelligence operation to the next level. I’ve identified five people we could get that would make your Elite sing, and have word on a dozen more that could be a great second string. More importantly, I can start stockpiling information on the Demigods of Hades and come up with strategies for dealing with them. I am excellent at what I do, Demigod Kieran, you know that. I can make you stronger.”
“I killed your boss less than a year ago,” Kieran said. “Why would you possibly want to work for me?”
“Working for Valens wasn’t personal. Working for you wouldn’t be, either. The arena of Demigods is a cutthroat snake pit. I understand that better than most. You don’t deal in secrets without knowing the risks. I want a challenge. I want to be with the best, with the most ambitious, because complacency bores me. With Alexis on your team, you don’t have the luxury of complacency, particularly given how you got your start. You’ll constantly be fighting, probably for years to come. I want to win that fight, starting with the Magical Summit. The blood oath will give you a leash that should quell your concerns. I’m happy to take it immediately. You know I’m not making this offer lightly—I’ve done my homework.”
“That explains the somewhat neutral soul,” I said, her gaze making me squirm uncomfortably. It made me feel like she had stripped off my outer layers and was looking at the vulnerable, squishy stuff hidden inside. Like she was gleaning all my secrets without my permission. A leash was definitely a good idea for her. “She goes where the wind takes her.”
“She doesn’t have a moral compass,” Kieran said.
“Correct,” she replied. “I am the perfect employee. My compass is defined by my employer. They take the fault, and glean the benefits, of my actions. I am simply the vessel.”
“Thank you, Amber. I’ll take it under advisement. Give your information to Henry and I’ll let you know.”
She stood gracefully, followed by everyone around the room that had been sitting. The way cleared as she passed. At the front door, she stopped and turned. “I will inevitably accept placement somewhere. If I don’t take it with you, I will take it against you. On the dark offer boards, you can see who is offering what. That might help you make up your mind. I look forward to hearing from you.”
Her sleek, graceful walk entranced me as she made her way to a plain Kia that in no way fit with her personality or her outfit. I had expected a sports car at the very least. Something exotic and fast.
When the door closed, I let out a breath I hadn’t known I was holding.
“Henry,” Kieran said, walking back toward the breakfast table. “Find that dark offer board.”
“On it.” Henry jogged out of the room, heading for his computer.
“Everyone, sit. We can contemplate this as we finish our breakfast.” Kieran resumed his seat, and the rest of us followed suit.
“She was like a sexy viper,” Daisy whispered. “I can
’t tell if I have lady wood or am envious.”
“She’s a little light on morals, though,” Mordecai said. “She’s not someone I’d want hanging around.”
“Oh, she’s totally morally bankrupt. You heard her, though—the Demigod arena is like a snake pit. Demigod Aaron tried to kidnap her. Obviously she doesn’t need to concern herself with morals.” Daisy jabbed a piece of cantaloupe. “I loved her vibe. Didn’t you love her vibe? She’s vicious and lethal and smart, and she doesn’t give two fucks about being the villain.”
“Daisy,” I reprimanded.
“Sorry. Two craps,” she said. “That one got away from me.”
“My knee-jerk reaction is that I don’t want anyone that worked with my father,” Kieran said, lifting his plate and heading to the microwave. “But that is emotion speaking, not logic.”
“You’re sure the blood oath gives her a leash?” I asked, pushing my half-filled plate away. I was no longer hungry.
“A blood oath forces the oath taker to put my best interests first. I can also control or curb her actions as I see fit. Demigods alter the amount of leeway on a person-by-person basis. Amber was allowed a lot of leeway by my father. As far as I know, he never had a problem with her, and he kept his dick in his pants to ensure they didn’t have any personal distractions. Something he didn’t do with many of his more attractive staff members.”
“How much leeway do you give your…all your blood oath people?” I asked, knowing he didn’t think of the newer members of his inner circle in the same way he did his Six, the original oath takers and his friends. His family.
“I’ve never used the blood oath to rule the Six,” he said, confirming my suspicion, “but I’m keeping stricter control over the newer members until we establish a firmer trust.”
“We all know how good she is,” Boman said.
“If she is wanted as badly as she hinted, and still has her freedom, she is exceptional,” Jerry said. He’d barely been back in his seat for half a minute, but his plate was clean. The guy had inhaled his food. “If your goal is forming the best team possible, she’d be a good addition. But if you think she can’t be controlled and might find a way to wiggle within the blood oath just enough to create problems, then the danger is too great.”