Immortals of Indriell- The Collection

by Melissa A. Craven

  “Take it one day at a time, Sash. And when it seems like that isn’t working, remind yourself that Quinn is a powerful guy. He will take care of himself. And he will come home.”

  “But what if he doesn’t?”

  “Then we never stop trying.”

  ~~~

  As they drove across the Veterans Memorial Bridge into the city, Allie felt both nervous and excited for the evening ahead. The fights would last all evening and then the party would end at dawn. She couldn’t imagine where something like that could take place within the city that wouldn’t attract unwanted mortal attention.

  Allie pulled into the parking garage at Darius’s apartment building and found him waiting for them near the entrance. He was dressed in black from head to toe, and Allie had a hard time not staring.

  “Your brother’s looking hot tonight,” Allie muttered.

  “Ew.” Sasha laughed.

  “What? I’m single, I can look.” She was attracted to Darius in a weird way, but the thought of actually being with him was laughable. Her feelings for him were at such opposite sides of the spectrum, it just didn't make any sense.

  “Thanks, Red.” Darius winked and she turned bright red.

  “Damn his ears.”

  “We gotta go to the West Bank,” he said as he hopped in the back seat. “We’re meeting the others over by Nautica Pavilion, then we’ll get an update on where to go from there.”

  “We still don’t know where this place is yet?” Allie asked.

  “Graham should know soon,” Sasha said as they headed back across the bridge to the West Bank of the Cuyahoga River.

  The parking lots around Nautica were full and the sidewalks were packed with people heading off to dinner and a night out at the clubs. Dressed as they were, Allie and her friends blended with the crowd.

  “Arm up,” Darius said before they exited the car.

  Allie strapped on her weapons belt and tugged her sweater down over it. She tucked her sai into her boots and slipped her quarterstaff into the loop at her hip.

  “This way, guys.” Graham waved them over to where he and the others waited. “We have to head down to the old bridge on Center Street,” Graham said. “It’s going to be a challenge to get into this place.” His grin sent a wave of dread through her. If Graham thought it was fun, she was sure to find it terrifying.

  The walk down to Center Street was a short one, but they were in the industrial part of the city now. The crowds thinned as they approached the old rail bridge.

  “Well? Where is it?” Aidan asked.

  “We’re going up there.” Graham pointed to the Veterans Memorial Bridge towering high above them.

  “What do you mean, up there? We were just there,” Allie said.

  “Keep your hair on, Red. We’re climbing,” Graham announced to the group.

  “Of course, the old subway tunnel,” Darius said. “The bridge has two levels and not many people know the lower level used to be a subway. It’s been closed since the early fifties. It’s perfect for Amrita. The noise of traffic will mask the sound of the fights, but it’s right here in the midst of everything.”

  “How’re we getting up there?” Allie asked. She knew there would be risks involved in the fights, but she hadn’t expected getting into the club would be such a challenge.

  “We’re supposed to head under the big bridge. It’s a ghost town down there so we won’t be seen.”

  “And the party? It’s up there too?” Sasha asked.

  “It’s in the lobby entrance to the tunnel. It’s supposed to be some huge Art Deco relic of the twenties,” Graham said.

  “All right, I’ll climb a bridge to see that,” Allie said.

  “Really?” Aidan gave her a wary look. “I expected lots of whining.”

  “I do not whine. Besides, you had me at Art Deco. Oddly, I’m okay with the climbing part. I’m more worried about the getting-caught part if some mortal sees us hanging off the side of a bridge.”

  “I’m sure it’s hidden,” Graham said. “Someone with a gift like Imogen’s or Quinn’s will probably mask us while we climb.”

  Just the mention of Quinn’s name was enough to chase any worries from her mind. That was why they were here tonight. “Let’s do this, guys,” Allie said. They headed across the old rail bridge that was completely eclipsed by the massive Memorial Bridge that towered over the industrial part of the city. Allie glanced back to see if anyone followed. Surely other young Immortals were making their way to Amrita tonight.

  “Wouldn’t it be easier to go up top and climb down?” Chloe asked.

  “We have to perform the challenge to get in. There are several entrances to the old subways, but we have to go the way we’re told,” Graham said, checking his phone again.

  “How are you getting this information?” Allie asked.

  “I’m not the only techie out there. We have websites with encryption mortals couldn’t even dream about.”

  “Immortal net? Really—?”

  “She’s about to make a Harry Potter analogy,” Aidan said.

  “—It’s like wizard radio.”

  “And there it is.”

  “What are you babbling about?” Darius looked at Allie like she’d lost her mind.

  “She’s been re-reading Harry Potter lately and she’s been making comparisons ever since.”

  “Such a weird little mortal girl.” Darius shook his head. “Come on, killer. Let’s do this. And you owe me a dance before this is all over.”

  “Lead the way.” She followed him into the shadows of the bridge.

  Allie gazed up at the enormous structure towering above them and wondered how she would manage to get up there without freaking out. When she looked back down, she halted when she saw five strange men waiting for them ahead. It startled her when she realized they were Immortal.

  “It’s just the guards,” Darius whispered.

  They aren’t very powerful, Lex. That’s why you didn’t notice.

  I should be more aware!

  Well, we’re all used to being around some of the most powerful of our kind.

  That could be dangerous, Aidan. Getting too complacent.

  They couldn’t touch you. You’d have them on their asses before one of them managed to lay a finger on you—if they even dared to try.

  Still, I don’t like getting startled like that. Not after last year. Look at them. They’re all shifty and nervous.

  Because the six of us together are not exactly a comforting sight.

  Oh, right.

  Yeah, remember, our friends are pretty scary too.

  What does that make us? To them, I mean.

  Legendary.

  “Ix-nay on the elepathy-tay.” Darius elbowed her hard in the ribs.

  “Ouch.”

  “No names, no phones, kids,” the first guard called in a shaky voice. “Show us your weapons.”

  “Stay here. I’ll go first.” Darius stepped forward, drawing his Italian sword from its sheath at his back and his dagger from his hip. A double-bladed Bo staff followed, and then brass knuckles and a dozen throwing blades.

  “I’ll just need to touch each of you briefly on the shoulder to mark you,” the man said hesitantly.

  “Explain,” Darius said flatly, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

  “It’s like a wristband or a stamp you would receive at any nightclub. The Amrita staff will see my mark like a beacon that tells them which opponents have been selected for each match. We will watch over you carefully until you leave the vicinity of the club, and then my mark will fade and you’re on your own.”

  “Will it fade?” Darius was not pulling any punches and he sounded exactly like a cop. He wouldn’t get very far tonight if he kept that up.

  “Yes sir, you will see it fade. I am not strong enough to sustain the mark for more than a short radius. And I am no longer drawn to the mark after a few hours.”

  Is that like a weaker version of Liam’s gift?

 
Exactly, Aidan said.

  “Fair enough,” Darius finally relented.

  “All right, weapons out, kids,” the man called, waving them all forward.

  It was comical, really, how many weapons Sasha managed to pull off her person. Even the burly guard eyeing her cracked a smile. “Going to war, sweetheart?”

  “You never know.” She shrugged.

  “This one looks like she’s seen her fair share of battle.” The guy in charge nodded at Allie. Her hand drifted to her throat in a self-conscious gesture. The comment caught her by surprise. She was used to most people in her life not seeing it or acknowledging it.

  “Battle scars are a matter of pride, girlie,” he said in a gruff tone. “I trust you made the Coalition bastard who gave it to you live to regret it?”

  “Yes sir. My brother and I did,” she whispered, remembering clearly just how much her captor deserved what he got. First from her and then finally from Liam. If she had been quicker to retaliate, Quinn would be here with them now and they might be attending Amrita completely for the fun of it.

  Allie watched as the man in charge touched them each briefly on the shoulder. He shuddered when he touched Aidan and again when he marked Allie with his gift.

  Is this a good idea, Aidan? Letting so many people see how powerful we are?

  Definitely not, but Amrita has a strict ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy when it comes to that.

  That may have been so, but Allie had a bad feeling about the way the guards were looking at them.

  “Who’s paying?” one of the guards asked gruffly.

  “Here,” Darius pulled an envelope from his pocket.

  “Twelve grand. You’ll forgive me if I count it?”

  “Twelve—” Allie gasped. That was two thousand dollars each!

  Did you think it was free? Aidan rolled his eyes.

  “Through the arch and into the shadows. You’ll find another patrol waiting for you. When you reach the subway tunnel, head back toward the East Bank and you’ll find the arena. The lists will be announced once everyone has arrived.”

  Allie took her weapons back, tucking her collapsible quarterstaff at her hip and her sai into her boots. The late afternoon light was tinged with that eerie green light she associated with her clairvoyance.

  Anything in particular I should know? Aidan eyed her carefully.

  No, but we’re definitely on the right track. Be careful tonight, Aidan. I’m not sure what this is going to cost us.

  ~~~

  CHAPTER

  NINETEEN

  “Up here, kids.” The Amrita patrol instructed them to follow as they passed under the shadow of the massive arch. This side of the bridge was completely deserted. Allie looked over her shoulder to the salt distribution plant several blocks away.

  It’s just over there. Aidan gestured down the hill to the hat factory where she was held captive just six months ago.

  Seems like a lifetime since then.

  Full circle, I guess. We’re back here now, still looking for the one we lost that night.

  Right. Let’s do this. That was all the resolve she needed. Allie gazed up at the mountainous bridge. It would be a long climb, but she knew she could do it. A year ago she would have been quaking in her boots, but she had a lot more confidence in herself now.

  “Careful, kids. No one falls. You fall, I lose my bonus, so don’t make me have to catch you.” The guard gestured them forward. “One at a time till you get halfway and then the next goes. Plenty of foot and handholds, so up you go, and be quick about it.”

  Aidan went first and he didn’t hold back as he scrambled up the massive stone pillar between two arches. He moved confidently. As soon as one foot found purchase, he reached for the next handhold.

  “How high is this thing?” Allie watched him shrink in the distance.

  “Oh, about twenty stories,” Graham said.

  “Wish I hadn’t asked.”

  “Who’s next?” the guard barked.

  “I’ll go,” Allie muttered, wanting to get this part done. As she looked up, Aidan was nearing the halfway point and seemed to be slowing down. You all right?

  It’s really windy up here. Be careful, Lex.

  “Sasha, next time we talk about footwear, I’m not listening to you.” Allie placed her foot on the first foothold she could reach and carefully made her way up, one step at a time, until she found her groove. She kept her eyes on the wall in front of her and refused to look down as she began to move faster.

  You behind me? Aidan asked.

  Yeah, how much farther?

  You might be nearing halfway by now. I’m not looking down to check. It turns out I’m not crazy about heights and lake-effect wind.

  Oh, so I have a case of mortal brain when I don’t like tight spaces, but you get to be scared of heights?

  Apparently I have a case of mortal brain. I’m not exactly afraid of getting hurt, although I’d like to avoid the long recovery. It’s the whole falling part with the sudden stop at the end that has me totally freaked out.

  But you jump off my tower all the time!

  That’s like twenty feet, max. This is ten times higher, windier, and scarier.

  This was an odd twist for them. Aidan was never afraid of anything. Hearing and feeling how vulnerable he was caught her completely off-guard. He was always such a rock.

  Let me introduce you to that pedestal you put me on … it seems I’m about to fall off it. Literally.

  Just keep moving, Aidan. I’m right behind you. We’ll do this together. Allie moved faster, closing the gap between them until she was right beside him.

  “Hey, so this is high as shit, isn’t it?” She looked down nervously.

  “Funny.” His face was white as he reached for the next handhold. He wasn’t exactly frozen with fear, but he clearly wasn’t enjoying this either.

  “Don’t look down, Aidan. Just look at me. If we fall, it’ll suck, but maybe it’ll be a fun ride down and they might even manage to catch us.”

  “Don’t you dare fall, Allie.” He moved up a few more feet with the next step.

  “Then let’s get off this bitch, okay?”

  “Yes, let’s.”

  “You’re right, you know,” she said, grasping for anything to distract him from the height and his embarrassment. “I see it now.”

  “See what?” He inched up slowly with her.

  “I had no idea I put you up on a pedestal too, but I totally do.”

  “Nice to see my failure is doing some good here.”

  “It’s not a failure to struggle, Aidan. It’s human. I don’t care if you’re mortal or Immortal. It’s a failure to give up and go home. But it’s never even crossed your mind to not conquer this wall.”

  “The alternative is falling.”

  “I’m just saying, it is really nice to see you aren’t perfect,” she said in a teasing tone.

  “Never said I was.”

  “You’re an intimidating guy, Aidan. On the surface you seem to have it all together. Everything’s figured out and the world is at your feet, just waiting for you to come into your own. I have a front-row seat in your mind, and you’re so damned confident. And you’re only seventeen! I can’t fathom what you’ll be like once you’re Proven.”

  “Look at me, Lex.”

  She glanced over to see him clutching the ledge with white knuckles. She reached out to stroke his hand. He needed to relax his grip or he would crush the handhold.

  “Whenever you look at me and you think you see perfection, you remember this guy right here. Remember how you had to talk me up this wall.”

  “You aren’t moving. Aidan.”

  “I can see that, but I can’t seem to make my hand move.”

  “Here, give me your hand.” She tried to help him release his grip. “Let go. I won’t let you fall.” She pried his hand off the ledge and laced her fingers over his, placing his hand on the next ledge.

  “Let’s just do this, okay?” He moved forw
ard.

  “Look, we’re almost there!” She pointed up. They were nearly at the top.

  “Come on, babe, get me off this wall.” His tone was full of relief.

  “See, we’re not really moving slow; it just feels like it. We did that last fifty feet quick.” She babbled, looking for anything to keep him talking.

  “I can’t believe you’re doing this in those ridiculous shoes.”

  “I blame your sister for that.”

  “Almost there, kids!”

  Allie looked up at the strange voice to see another Amrita guard waiting to pull them up.

  Just a few more feet, babe. You got this.

  Ha! You totally just called me, babe. Aidan grinned.

  Did not.

  Did too.

  Oh, just go already. She watched as he grabbed the guard’s hand, grateful the man was there to pull them up over the edge.

  Allie collapsed on the cool stone floor, leaning against the wall beside Aidan. They were perched on the outer ledge of the subway level now, with Chloe and Graham not too far behind.

  “Oh my God.” Aidan peered over the edge. “Tell me we don’t have to climb down to get out of here? If we do, I live here now.”

  The guard chuckled. “No, son, the climb’s just part of the price for admission. I can’t decide if you kids are all stupid or brave.”

  “Stupid. Definitely stupid.” Aidan laughed.

  Even in his embarrassment and fear, he owned it and didn’t try to hide it to save his male pride.

  I’m back on the pedestal, really? After that?

  It has that dusty, lived-in look now. Besides, we’re equals, remember? When one of us falters, the other stands up and takes point. Allie held out her hand for him. And that doesn’t always have to be you. She pulled him to his feet.

  His arm slid around her waist and he pulled her close. “That is an incredibly comforting thought. Thank you,” he whispered.

  She shivered at the feel of his warm breath against her ear. It was getting harder and harder to resist the pull of Aidan. Sometimes she couldn’t quite remember all the good reasons why it was such a bad idea for them to be together.

  ~~~

  “Everyone here now?” the Amrita guard asked.