by Kelly Hall
Rebekah’s gaze moved up the large page that took up most of her desk and found the highest tower. That was where she’d been kept. The small marking for the window reminded her of the moon shining into her cell and the mysterious man who had come to visit her.
There was one thing she couldn’t get over. It hadn’t occurred to her until recently, but with all of Ignis’s confessions, she had begun to map out her life in a way that filled in the missing pieces.
And while Kayne could say he loved her, he had still done something that she could never overlook or forgive.
Before her mind could go back to being a prisoner, a bell rang from the courtyard. “Breakfast is ready,” said Ignis, poking his head in. He glanced over at the desk. “What’s that?”
“The plans for Arcadius.”
“I remember those,” he said with a weary look. “I hate that you were put there. Don’t tell me you’re reminiscing.”
“No, plotting is more like it.”
Ignis walked into the room and stood behind her to lean in over her shoulder. “Any luck?”
Rebekah sighed. “Yes. At least I think.” She knew better than to get her hopes up.
“Well, maybe you will feel better after a hot meal and some good news.”
“What’s the good news?” she asked.
“I have found the vampire blood we need.”
“What do you mean? Kayne’s?”
“Let’s just say, I have a few connections. Made a few deals.” I won’t even have to sleep with anyone, he wanted to say but knew better while she had fighting on her mind. “It’s not Kayne’s but good enough to do what I need to do.”
“That does make me feel better. Let’s eat.” As he moved away from her chair, she pushed it back. Then he took her hand and walked her out into the hall where Brock stood waiting.
“I was just about to come for you,” he said, eyeing Ignis. “I didn’t want you to miss out.”
“Thanks,” she said. “I’m glad you’re here. I have a mission we need to discuss.” She walked down the hall with both of them. Ignis was quiet at her side like he had a lot on his mind, and Brock was to her right, looking like he was ready to kill for her.
They entered the dining hall, and Rebekah took her place at the head of the table, while Ignis waited by the chair to her right. Brock, who had already secured the empty seat to her left, pulled out her chair as the others in the room waited for her to sit.
She lowered herself to the chair and gave a nod. “Please join me,” she said, and the other hunters wasted no time sitting down. “Thank you all for being here.”
“If you will allow me, Huntress, I’d like to present my men to you.”
“Certainly,” she said, giving him the floor.
Brock nodded at the men, who were all sitting at the end of the table. “This is Trillion,” he said, gesturing at the 2K hunter who was sitting nearest him on the other side of his son.
Trillion stood up. His long black hair was swept back from his shoulders, showing his handsome face. One of his eyes was permanently dilated, and he appeared to have a gold tooth as well, but it all somehow worked. Rebekah could imagine how handsome he must have been before time and battle had gotten the best of him. “Huntress. It’s my pleasure to serve you. Thank you for having me and my brothers at your table.”
“This is Ricky,” said Brock, pointing to a hunter who was not as verbal as the last. He stood to give a respectful salute, his fist over his heart, his head bowed, and then he uttered three words. “Thank you, Huntress.”
“I think you all know Kyle. I’ll let you two catch up later.” Brock was about to breeze past the boy when he got to his feet. He swayed unsteadily with his head bowed.
“Thank you, Huntress, for having me at your table,” he said. Then he looked her in the eyes. “And I’d like to ask for your forgiveness and the forgiveness of my peers for my decision to follow Grady and the others.”
“Forgiven,” said Rebekah. “Some lessons are learned harder than others. The next you learn could be with your life. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“Yes, Huntress.” He looked around at the others and then took a seat when no one spoke.
Rebekah knew the young man would have to deal with his peers on his own time.
Brock continued. “I believe you might remember Hemp.”
“It’s good to be here, Huntress. Thank you.” He stood quickly and took his seat again. Then he gave her a big grin that showed his chipped front tooth. He was strong, tall, wiry, and built a tad leaner than the rest of them.
Rebekah responded with a polite smile, and then Brock was already onto the next. “Jones is one of my best fighters. He’s good at tracking, probably the best of any I’ve met.”
The tall, African-American man stood and gave his regards. “Thank you for your hospitality,” he said with a big grin. He gave her a wink, and then Brock quickly moved on to the next.
“Crest joined the 2Ks when I did. He’s one of my oldest buddies.” The man stood up. He was the same size as Brock and had so many tattoos that if he’d had another, he would have to hold it in his hand. His black hair and beard were longer than any other man’s at the table, and almost every female, except for Rebekah.
He got to his feet and nodded, his fist closed over his heart. “Thank you, Huntress.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I appreciate you all. Let’s now serve breakfast. I’m sure you’re all very hungry from your long trip.” She was famished, her stomach pangs growing more frequent as the smell of Lulu’s meal wafted from the kitchen.
Just then, the double doors from the kitchen opened and out came Lulu with a cart. Frankie came out behind her. Rebekah smiled at the young woman who had been such a blessing to her and then at Lulu, who was irreplaceable in the Huntress’s eyes. Both had worked so hard to make the meal happen.
As they served up the food, which was a healthy portion of sausage, eggs, and sweet-buttered toast, the hunters chatted amongst themselves and began to eat.
They made small talk about Brock’s trip, but she could tell there was so much more on his mind. When the conversation lulled and the food ran out, Brock gulped down the last of his juice and then turned toward Rebekah. “So, what’s this mission? My men are ready to fight.”
“I need to go to Arcadius. I’m in desperate need of information, and I have it on good authority that there is a secret records room below the prison. It was moved there when the Great Cathedral was being renovated.”
“We’ll prepare. When do we leave?”
Rebekah put her hand on his arm. “Brock, I’m afraid I won’t need all of them. Only your best. I’d like the others to stay behind in case anything happens.”
Jarreth had overheard the conversation and gave Rebekah a grim look. “Are you only bringing his men?”
“You’ll come. I figure you and your father and maybe two or three of his men. I want to be strong, but I really need some muscle left behind as well. No sense in putting all of my strength in one place.”
“I hear you. I’ll have Trillion, Crest, and Jones help us. The others can stay behind and hold down the fort.”
“Whatever you think is best,” said Rebekah. “I trust your judgement on your men. I want to leave first thing in the morning.”
“We’ll be ready.” Brock’s confidence was reassuring, and Rebekah appreciated his enthusiasm. It was the first time in a long time she felt nostalgic for the old ways and the days when a campfire was an every-night necessity of life.
Delilah cleared her throat. “Rebekah?” she asked in a soft voice. Rebekah waited for her to protest the fact that she wasn’t going along, but instead, Delilah smiled. “You said you would tell us about Liam.”
Rebekah’s heart sank. “He’s alive, Delilah.”
“And? How’s he doing? Did you see him? Was he upset?”
Rebekah looked at Ignis. “You might as well be honest, Bexy. They are liable to run into him in the field, and then you ne
ed them to be prepared.”
“Prepared for what?” asked Canter.
“Does he look stupid with fangs?” asked Jarreth, causing a few chuckles around the room. He laughed until he looked over at Rebekah’s face. “Dammit. I knew it was a bad idea.”
Rebekah decided to explain. “Young vampires are often difficult to deal with, and Liam was no exception. I’m afraid he’s not happy with me or the decision.”
“But we saved him,” Delilah said. “He can live a longer life.”
“Well, as it turns out, he’d rather be dead.” She took a deep breath as the faces around her were masked with shock. “He is shaping up to be a real problem, and if you meet him anywhere, do not let your guard down. He is no longer our friend as we knew him.”
“I knew it,” said Jarreth, slapping the table. “I warned you all about this. But you didn’t listen. Now we’ve got one more problem vampire to deal with.”
Brock leaned in to the table. “You mean, you sent him to turn? You didn’t put him out of his misery.”
“It was my fault. I begged Rebekah to do it.” Delilah swelled up with tears. “I’m so angry with myself.”
“Don’t be,” Rebekah said. “We all wanted what was best. And just so we’re on the same page, yes, I sent him away to change, and while I might regret it, there is no need to dwell on it now. Let’s just keep on guard. If you see him, I’ll let you each make up your mind how you want to handle it.”
All was quiet around the table but for the 2Ks, who were finishing up their meals, their lips smacking and their forks scaping their plates like they hadn’t heard a word.
She glanced over at Brock, who gave her a sideward look. She wasn’t ready to hear his opinions on Liam, and thankfully, he spared her, opting to talk of fighting instead.
“You are looking for information on the stigmata,” he said.
Rebekah nodded, even though it wasn’t quite a question.
“Are you sure it’s in the prison?” he asked.
“Almost positive,” she said.
“And so you know a way in?”
“I do, and as long as nothing has changed, we shouldn’t have any problems.”
“Cool,” said Brock, looking around the table. He hated to see Delilah upset, and Jarreth’s miserable puss reminded him of his ex-wife’s when she didn’t get her way. He had to do something to boost morale. “Would you mind us having a fire tonight? A little pre-battle gathering to unwind and cure our woes?”
Rebekah understood Brock’s ways, and it was much like back in the days at camp when the hunters would unwind around a fire before a battle. “It’s fine with me, as long as you keep it on the other side of the chapel, just outside of the cemetery.” The lawn was already shit on that side of the courtyard, and with any luck, it would keep the smoke out of her house.
“Let’s consider it a party.” Brock smiled as his men cheered. The rest of the house had no reason to rejoice.
Chapter 22
By nightfall, Brock had talked up the party and boosted morale by having his men make a beer run. The entire castle was sitting around the fire in far better spirits than they had been at breakfast but still not as lively as Rebekah had seen them in the past.
Even Lulu sat in a chair, the firelight flickering across her face, a plastic cup filled with Ireland’s strongest ale clutched tightly in her fist. She took a hearty swig and made a face. “I’ve survived all these years to be taken out by this cup of rust water,” she said to Rebekah.
“Careful with this,” said Brock to Delilah as he passed her a cup. “It will put hair on your chest.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” She took it from him, turned it up, and made a face. The ale was much stronger than she was used to.
Brock looked around at everyone gathered. The full circle around his bonfire was looking pretty grim, aside from his men who were busy sharpening their swords and cleaning their weapons. “Come on,” he said with enthusiasm. “Liven up!”
Jarreth gave a half-hearted smile to his father and glanced over at Canter, who was staring into the fire as if he wanted to jump into it. “This feels a bit off. Like we’ve no reason to party or celebrate.”
“Did you wake up this morning?” Brock said. “Because I’m sure those who didn’t would be rightly pissed that you’re wasting the time they no longer have by being sorrowful.” He glanced over at Canter. “You think your Katie would want you to spend your life sitting around moping? No, I met the girl. She was full of life and spark, and she’d be kicking your ass.”
Canter looked up and gave a nod. “You’re right about that.”
Delilah laughed. “I remember the looks she used to give. She could make anyone fear her, even if she wasn’t any bigger than me.”
“I know she gave me a few looks that left a mark,” said Jarreth. “I got in her way at training on, like, our second day, and we got into it a bit, back and forth. You know how she wasn’t going to let me get in the last word. Well, then she pushed me. Man, I didn’t know what to do. I’d never had a girl be so aggressive. Even Del always took it much easier on me.”
“You weren’t tough enough for her,” said Canter.
Delilah reached over and put her hand on Canter’s. “But you were. That’s why you two worked.”
Brock chuckled. “I tell you, Jarreth’s mother used to have that kind of look.”
“Mom? She’s sweet. Wouldn’t and couldn’t harm a fly.” Jarreth had never seen his mother’s full wrath.
“She whipped me into shape,” Brock said. “Granted, I needed it.”
Jarreth hadn’t heard his father talk about his mom in a long time without saying something horrible. He hoped it meant the worst was behind them all, now that the divorce was in progress, and maybe both of them would have everything they wanted out of life.
He glanced over at Delilah, squeezing her hand. He couldn’t imagine her leaving him. She leaned into him where they both sat on the ground, and Jarreth leaned back on an old fencepost as she snuggled closer.
Brock took another swig of ale. “I say we cast our worries to the fire. Let the flames devour our troubles so that we are forged with the strength from what we’ve endured. Let it make us stronger like steel, and aid us in battle.”
“Let’s hope there isn’t a battle,” said Rebekah. “Arcadius is heavily guarded, but most of that is technology.”
Ignis sat next to Rebekah, poking a stick in the fire. “I helped them with their security several years back. The beauty of technology is how quickly things become obsolete. I will leave instructions on how to disable their security cameras without opening every cell. They’ll scramble to fix it, of course, but I’m sure you can get in by the time they do.”
Rebekah turned toward Brock. “I have the blueprints of the prison.”
“Along with an updated version,” said Ignis.
“Updated?” Rebekah’s surprise made Ignis feel bad for not telling her sooner, but he had to make sure he still had the updated plans or else risk disappointing her.
“Yes,” he said. “I called in a few favors when you were incarcerated. I wanted a backup plan, and that meant I might need to go in.”
“Even though I told you not to.” She had no idea what the Church had been doing behind her back all of those years or what they knew about capturing Ignis. All she knew was that they wanted him gone.
“A little late to bitch about it now, Bexy. Besides, it’s come in handy.” He glanced over at Brock. “You’re welcome.”
Brock chuckled. “We’re ready for anything that comes our way as always. Right, men?” He raised his glass, and the others gave a shout before downing their drinks, all but for Kyle Cross, who yelled out a second too late and took more of a sip than a swig from his cup.
Rebekah sensed he was trying to fit in but still a tad uncomfortable. He also couldn’t keep his eyes off of Mace. She wondered if the young woman could tell.
“Have a drink,” said Brock.
“No thanks.
I never indulge before a battle, and I’d like for you and your men to be in top shape, so don’t let the Irish ale get the best of you.”
“We can handle it,” said Brock.
Trillion laughed. “We’ve handled a lot worse. Most of the wine and beer we drink back home is brewed at camp.”
“Just like the old days,” said Hemp. “Right, Huntress?”
“Yes, just like the old days.” She smiled fondly, but the only thing in her past that had her attention was Kayne. And that led to other thoughts that were much less appealing. Something had stuck in her brain, and she couldn’t get it out. She needed to know why, and yet, she didn’t think she’d ever get up the courage to ask him. She wondered if he was in her head now and gave him a firm order. Get out. You don’t deserve to hear my thoughts.
“Are you okay?” asked Ignis, leaning in closer, his voice barely a whisper.
Rebekah came around and turned toward him. “Of course.”
The others were going on about their mission and talking amongst themselves, and it didn’t seem like any time had passed, but maybe it had. She had fallen into her mind and didn’t need that happening while she had too much to focus on.
“Have some fun, Bexy, at least for the next few hours.”
Hemp pulled out his harmonica and began playing old camp tunes. They were lively and festive, and some of the others clapped along, nudging the others to join in. Soon, the camp was singing as if there wasn’t anything looming over them and they didn’t have an impossible task ahead.
Most of them were heavily armed, and if anything came their way, they weren’t sitting ducks. Hardly. And Rebekah admired that they didn’t let anything stop them from having a good time. Suddenly, as Hemp continued to play, Crest stood.
He walked over to where Lulu tapped her foot, and he offered her his hand. “May I have this dance?”