Crimson Mist

by Rachel Jonas

  “Drift right and slow down,” she warned, prompting Paige and I to do just that, following orders.

  The next second, a shot rang through the air and the sedan nearest the limousine lost control, the result of one rear tire being blown out. Smoke rose from the pavement as rubber screeched and streaked a black trail across the lanes. Despite the brakes being jammed almost the instant the bullet made contact, the car spun out of control. It was as though Corina had seen into the future, knowing what was best before anyone else possibly could have.

  “Nice call!” Paige shouted. It was a known fact that she lived for this sort of thing—the action, close calls where all parties involved narrowly escape with their lives.

  “Keep a lookout,” Corina cautioned. “I’m taking out the other two.”

  She didn’t hesitate to aim the barrel toward the next target, and then pulled the trigger. With expert precision, she hit her mark, and I found myself wondering how many times she’d handled a gun out in the field.

  I smirked beneath my helmet. There was just something about watching a woman wield cold steel—accurate, unapologetic, deadly.

  “Looks like you know what you’re doing with that thing,” Paige piped up again, seemingly unaware of the tons of steel currently flipping and rolling past us before taking a nosedive down the ravine.

  “Something like that,” Corina answered with a chuckle, mere seconds before a deafening explosion preceded a gigantic ball of fire billowing up from the canyon.

  She didn’t even bat an eye, as if she saw things like this every day. Then, I remembered who I was dealing with and considered that might actually be the case.

  There was still one enemy on the road, and I didn’t know what Corina had planned when she tucked my gun away.

  “You’re not shooting the tires out?” Paige inquired, matching my confusion.

  “Can’t,” Corina replied. “With their position, and with that nasty curve up ahead, they’d likely take your guests right down into that canyon with them. I have to try something else.”

  “Like what?” It wasn’t lost on me that my tone came across sounding far more concerned than I meant for it to.

  “Let’s just say whoever you have in that limo better be worth saving.”

  She had no idea.

  “Just … be careful,” I warned, keeping close watch as she lowered her body toward the bike, and then took off at high speed.

  Paige passed me a look, but I couldn’t see her expression through the helmet. If I had to guess, though, she likely thought Corina was just as insane as I did.

  “I’m gonna try to get a clear shot on the gas tank,” she finally revealed.

  “How’s that safer than shooting out the tires?” There I went again, using that desperate tone from before.

  “Guess you’ll just have to trust me,” she answered cheekily. “At the very least, I’ll be a distraction and it’ll slow them down, create some distance between them and the limo. If that’s the case, you can take the shot and blow out their tire. That is, assuming you have another gun.”

  I lifted the front of my shirt and jacket, revealing a backup tucked at my waist.

  “If you have to use it, just give me a heads up first,” she instructed.

  “Copy that.”

  There wasn’t much time to protest her plan because she’d already reached the broadside of the Sedan and aimed the nose of the gun. Despite three shots fired almost directly at her, the barrel of the gun she held stayed trained on the tank, her finger barely resting on the trigger. If I hadn’t known it before, her nerves of steel would’ve made it crystal clear—she was the most fearless woman I’d ever met.

  “Corina!” Paige’s panicked voice ringing out through the com triggered one of my abilities, and the world seemed to downshift into slow motion, allowing me to witness the scene unfolding at a fraction of the actual speed.

  The tinted rear window of the sedan lowered, and the glint of a high-powered machine gun aimed square at the side of Corina’s head. There was no time for her to see it and react, but there might have been a chance that I could do something.

  Little thought went into my next action, as I gripped the handlebars tightly and brought both feet up onto the seat of my bike. Every ounce of power within me exploded through my legs, launching me into the air as I leapt toward her.

  Just as the first stream of glowing bullets were fired, I took her into my arms, shielding her body with my own. We tumbled to the pavement. It wasn’t the most graceful maneuver, but my only goal was to save her life.

  Time sped up again and I now felt the sting of searing-hot metal in my shoulder. But more importantly, Corina was still alive.

  But, not merely alive, her focus was impeccable. She sprang back onto her feet in a way I hadn’t expected.

  “Paige! Brake!” she screamed into the com.

  A high-pitched screech rang out into the air as Paige followed orders without question. The moment my second in command was out of harm’s way, a single shot was fired, and the explosion that followed sent a wave of heat roaring our way. Hunks of metal and rubber scattered across the road, and down the ravine as it became clear our side had just scored a victory.

  Thanks to Blackbird.

  My gaze shifted to her from where I lie in the middle of the road. Relief swept over her and her shoulders slumped as she breathed deeply before falling to her knees, winded.

  Paige leapt from the seat of her bike, ripping off her helmet in a fit of excitement made apparent by the loud, triumphant howl that bellowed from her throat.

  “Tell me that wasn’t awesome!”

  Letting my head fall back to the pavement, I could only laugh. “Yeah, that’s one word for it.”

  She quickly rushed toward Corina holding her fist out. First shaking her head, Corina laughed through the com, and then bumped Paige’s knuckles.

  “Woman, you’re insane, but I love it,” Paige declared before turning to scream out into the canyon this time. “I love it!” she declared again, now heading toward the limo that had come to a stop at the side of the road.

  The only part of me that readily moved was my hand. Lightly touching the side of Corina’s arm, the contact seemed to startle her. She turned now that I had her attention, finally removing the helmet. The length of her dark ponytail fell onto her shoulders and I was grateful the tinted shield still hid my face. My mouth had fallen slack, as if only really seeing her for the first time.

  “You’re … not injured, are you?” I managed to force the words from my mouth.

  A weary smile touched her lips and I swear the sight of it ignited something deep within me.

  “Nothing a little ice won’t fix,” she replied. “But we should see about your guests.”

  I’d nearly forgotten all about them, before being reminded we weren’t the only two people in the world.

  “Right,” I groaned, sitting upright. To my surprise, Corina offered me a hand. I took the help, of course, forcing myself not to look into her eyes.

  “And … thanks,” she said quietly. “For taking that bullet for me and, you know, saving my life.”

  I smiled a bit as I stood straight, lifting the helmet from my head. “I couldn’t very well go down in history as the man who allowed the infamous Blackbird to perish in a mission, now could I?”

  She laughed—a sound I was admittedly growing fonder of by the second. “No, I suppose not.”

  We took labored steps together, thanks to having gotten intimate with the pavement only moments before. We made it to the limo just as Paige helped Glenn from the backseat, at which time he handed me a shattered com, and then pointed at the thin trickle of blood streaming down from his ear.

  “One of the bastards sucker punched me, broke the dang thing,” he explained.

  I brought him into a rough hug. “The important thing is you got through to Paige before it was too late.”

  We separated and he offered a nod. “Suppose so.”

  He stepped as
ide and I didn’t miss the curiosity in Corina’s eyes when a procession of well-dressed, human women began to file out of the vehicle. Each one kept their eyes trained on her as well, smiles set on their lips as they somehow managed to hold their composure.

  And for good reason.

  Their handler insisted that they be poised and ladylike at all times. After all, it was part of the characters they played—the most prized possessions of elite Ianites throughout the Capitol.

  The Black Key Society.

  Corina’s gaze settled on the iron pieces the ladies wore like badges of honor, because that was exactly what they were. They held some of the most valuable positions within the Dynasty. They were our backdoor into the homes and intimate corridors of the most powerful men on Earth.

  An expensive high-heel pressed into the gravel and all sound ceased. The dolls all clasped their hands at their waists in unison, focusing their attention on the limo as the hem of a dramatic skirt lowered. Next, a gloved hand took the driver’s when he offered it, and then I practically heard Corina’s mouth fall open when I was certain the last woman she imagined to lay eyes on stood from the vehicle.

  “Greetings, Empress Westower,” Paige uttered amidst a shallow curtsey.

  I bowed and the dolls of the Black Key Society lowered their heads as their handler passed them with a slow stride. Corina stood motionlessly, breaking one of the cardinal rules in the Dynasty by not showing the Empress the respect she was owed—in ways very few would ever understand she had earned it.

  The two were standing toe-to-toe now, and had it not been for the gentle breeze passing through the canyon, there wouldn’t have been any sound at all.

  I was mildly aware of the two having had nearly as tumultuous a first meeting as Corina and myself. I only picked up on the bits and pieces I overheard the Empress ranting and raving about during an argument with Glenn behind closed doors. However, at that time, we were still mostly under the impression Corina was nothing more than a troublemaker, one who infiltrated the royal family and disrupted our plans to take down the Dynasty.

  It infuriated the Empress when Glenn pushed her into caving, insisting that she bring Corina into the Society, based solely on a hunch. She feared how it would, one day, implicate her son—whom she always tried to protect. Some would say to a fault, and at times to the point of putting his wellbeing over that of the mission as a whole. But now, as our dealings with one another came into full view, I held my breath wondering how this encounter would play out between these two notoriously formidable women.

  The Empress’ stern glare settled on Corina and no one spoke. But then, with one shockingly uncustomary action, the order of things became crystal clear.

  Corina’s eyes widened when the wife of the leader of the free world curtsied before her. It was a lengthy, meek gesture that seemed to have stolen the breath of all who witnessed it.

  “It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Blackbird,” Empress Westower confessed. “It is both humbling and a great pleasure to stand before you.”

  I was absolutely speechless.

  When Empress Westower stood upright, only to reach for Corina’s hand with both of her own, a tear glistened in the corner of Her Majesty’s eye.

  “I cannot put into words how grateful I am for you three coming to our rescue today. Nor can I express how sorry I am for the way I behaved during our first meeting. As I’m sure you can understand, my love for my son—”

  “As someone who loves your son very deeply, Your Highness,” Corina cut in, “there is no need to explain.” A warm smile shared between the two erased the last traces of tension.

  “Then, in that case, I’m sure you can guess we have much to discuss.”

  Corina offered a dutiful nod, sealing a historic alliance with that one, seemingly simple gesture.

  The shape of the Resistance had changed in an instant. What had once been nothing more than a band of dreamers who imagined a world where all were equal and free, was now a deep-reaching organization with roots in some of the most prestigious facets and households throughout the Dynasty.

  For the first time in centuries, there was a light at the end of this long, dark, winding tunnel. And in our case, that light had a name.

  Corina.

  Chapter Eleven

  Aaric

  A candelabra perched on a stand near the window provided our only source of light. I returned from the kitchen carrying a cloth filled with ice, only to find Corina hadn’t moved an inch while I was gone. She sat with both knees drawn to her chest, gazing out through the glass with her stare fixed on the full moon.

  My steps echoed through the house—a colossal mansion on the compound my team and I now called home. The oversized rooms were mostly dark voids that lacked ambiance and life, except on the rare occasions when one or two of us ventured down to the common areas this late. Tonight, it was only Corina and I that brought a sense of purpose to the parlor. Although, the mood our presence would bring to this space was still yet to be determined.

  “Thank you.” She spoke quietly, peering up when I handed over the bundle of ice.

  “It was no trouble. Hopefully, it brings you a bit of relief.”

  I dropped down onto the sofa beside her, but not too close, for fear of making her uncomfortable. After all, it had been less than twenty-four hours since I’d freed her from a cell I, myself, had locked her inside. We had made incredible strides in the hours that passed, but I knew better than to push my luck.

  But she, too, seemed to have forgotten the lapse in time, as she slowly eased the thin cotton t-shirt up her back. Once the material was gathered at the nape of her neck, she lifted it over her head, revealing the narrow straps of a silk, navy-blue bra.

  Most women would have been chaste under such circumstances, but she didn’t even seem to give it a second thought. I stared, but not because my imagination had gotten away with me. What held my attention was the angry, purple bruise near the center of her spine. It must have been as tender as it looked, because it had her wincing with nearly every move she made.

  Reaching crosswise over her shoulder, she attempted to position the icepack, but it was no use. Not with the pain the maneuver seemed to bring her.

  “Here, let me help.”

  Before she could protest, and before I could convince myself it was a bad idea, I took the pack again and turned to face her with one knee pressed into the cushion.

  A sharp breath hissed between her teeth when I laid the pack on the contusion, but she didn’t arch away from the contact. She’d been down this road before. I imagined that accounted for her lack of discretion. She and her team likely had little regard for privacy, having lived together for so long, and having been forced to tend to one another’s injuries whenever the occasion arose. However, I believed there was a second factor that came into play.

  The blood bond.

  It had been the cause of so many awkward moments between us that day—glances that lingered just a bit too long, unruly feelings that seemed out of place.

  “Is it bringing any relief?” I asked when things became too quiet.

  First, she nodded, and then her shoulders lifted with a shrug. “A little, but a strong drink would probably work faster,” she teased.

  “Say the word and I’ll bring out the good stuff.”

  “Duly noted.”

  She laughed and it was a light, airy sound that didn’t quite fit the setting in the room—dark, macabre, heavy.

  “Your team’s pretty amazing.”

  The comment brought a smile out of me, because it was overwhelmingly true and I was, admittedly, relieved that she saw it too.

  “I’ll have to agree with you on that one. Without Glenn, Tomas, Jax and Paige, we would fall apart. Empress Westower has also been vitally important to the operation.” I paused to smile when a thought entered my mind. “Even if she did recently threaten to gouge my eyes out with her fingernails, and then feed them to me. Guess I deserved that, though, seeing as how I wil
lingly took her son’s life into my hands with this bond.”

  Corina chuckled. “Did she really say that?”

  “Oh, that and much, much more. If I recall correctly, one threat in particular would render me unable to produce children, and I quote, ‘begging for death to swiftly pluck me from this Earth.”

  Her light chuckle was full laughter now as she hugged both knees against her chest.

  “I’ve seen firsthand how she can be about Julian,” she shared. “Although, I don’t blame her. He’s wonderful.”

  It was strange, knowing her history and all she stood for, hearing her say something so heartfelt about our reigning Emperor’s son. However, it was because of that same history that I trusted her perception of Julian, and two of the other princes as well.

  “You mentioned Jax, but I didn’t see him today,” she spoke up. “Not that I particularly want to lay eyes on the guy again.”

  I smiled at that, imagining he’d left quite the bad taste in her mouth after their first meeting. Then again, if she’d found it in her heart to forgive me, there was hope for my friend Jax yet.

  “He’s got orders to guard Abigail and her daughter full-time, which means he was on babysitting duty today while she came out to meet you.”

  Corina passed a dark gaze over her shoulder, hitting me with an incredulous look. One that matched her smirk. “You trust that goon around kids?”

  I moved the ice over a few inches before answering. “You two got off on the wrong foot, and I admit he’s a bit rough around the edges. However, I assure you, Jax is among the best of us.”

  She was quiet, probably still not buying it.

  “He hates crowds, and actually loves kids, so he wasn’t angry when I assigned him to keep watch. Hopefully, one day soon, you’ll get to see the real him.

  She shrugged and asked no further questions about him. But that isn’t to say the questions, in general, ended there.

  “Paige seems cool,” she said next. “I take it you rely on her a lot. Kind of like I do with Felix and Liv.”

  I knew those names well but had never revealed my own to either. We’d been in communication on several occasions, coordinating missions. Still, we had never come face-to-face.