“At least it’s not getting any worse,” Azriel said, examining the slice to my forearm.
That wasn’t saying much. I’d never had a wound that didn’t heal fast. The fear of what the blade had been laced with scared me more than the damned gash. What could have damaged my inhuman skin to such an extent?
Azriel’s expression didn’t give me ease. His eyes shone with knowledge, something his mouth had denied.
“Plant extract? Rat poison? What do you think it was?”
“I told you,” Azriel replied, his tone more than simply annoyed. “I have no idea.”
“You said a magic blade can kill us. What if-”
“No.”
“Can you be sure?”
Azriel wrung the soaking cloth from a basin of water and dabbed at my arm one more time before wrapping it with a white gauze bandage. “I’m sure. The bastard was human, after all. No reason to believe he knew what you were. Damn it, Darian, you’ve got to be quicker than that. You don’t have time to contemplate the morality of your actions. Draw your blade and cut. End of story.”
He was angry with me for hesitating, but only because he cared for me and didn’t like to see me hurt. I should have done as he’d told me and struck with speed. My hesitation would be my downfall someday, and I didn’t want to disappoint him again.
“Another postcard came today,” I said as Azriel pinned the bandage in place. “From Dallas.”
“Hmph,” Azriel grunted, carrying the bowl of bloodied water to the door and throwing the contents out onto the street. “He’ll stick out like a sore thumb there. Better for Lorik if he returns to Europe.”
“You said yourself it’s not safe for him there.”
“Nowhere is safe for him. His father’s indiscretions have guaranteed that.”
“What is he to you?” I doubted Lorik’s postcards were meant for me, even though they were addressed to me. We’d never been what you might call close. “You’ve taken an unusual interest in this human.”
“That,” Azriel said, kissing the tip of my nose, “is none of your concern, my love.” He pulled the sleeve of my dress back into place, refastening the button. “Now, come lie with me for a spell. Let us watch the rain as it runs down the windows. I have need of the feel of your body against mine.”
I smiled, my entire being responding to his words. “That sounds lovely.”
He’s getting worse, I thought as I shook myself from memories and hung up the phone. This time, Tyler had to be escorted off Xander’s property after he’d nearly knocked the door down because he’d thought I was somewhere inside the house. The Grim Reaper couldn’t have sounded bleaker than Raif as he’d given me the play-by-play of Ty’s extraction from the mansion. And apparently, the cut on his upper arm was a scratch compared to what Xander’s guards had wanted to give him.
I barreled through the entryway to my apartment, forgoing the pleasantries. I still wasn’t completely unwound from my meeting with Fallon, and the news of yet another outburst wasn’t doing much for my nerves. “Does this have something to do with our bond?” I demanded as I walked in. “Ty, this jealousy routine is getting old-fast. You’re acting crazy, for Christ’s sake!”
“He wants you to stay close.” A sound not unlike a snarl tore from Tyler’s throat. “To him.”
“I’m not going to get into this with you again.”
“You’re mine,” he said, low.
The apartment was dimly lit, the glow from the television illuminating Tyler’s features, making them look sharper, less like the man I loved. I curled up next to him on the couch, taking note of his bandaged arm before I rested my head on his shoulder, sighing. “What’s wrong, Tyler? This is not you. I mean, if you’re going to be jealous of someone, Xander’s armed you with plenty of ammo. Why Raif?”
“You smell of him,” he said as he stroked my hair absently. “I can’t stand it. It’s driving me crazy.” He pulled away and studied my face. “You’ve been a busy girl tonight. I sense your fear too. And all kinds of other nastiness. Where’ve you been?”
“Working for Xander.” Sort of. A vision of Fallon stroking a bed full of lovers invaded my thoughts, and I ran my fingers through the silky strands of Tyler’s hair to keep them from trembling. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Strange. Xander didn’t seem to have a clue where you were. I couldn’t feel you wherever you were tonight. It was like something was blocking our connection again.”
“I’m…” God, I so didn’t want to drag him into this. “I’m following a lead on Brakae. Xander doesn’t exactly know about it. I’m just using my royal connection as an in.”
Tyler tried to seem light and laughed. A weak attempt, the sound barely carried from his chest. “I should’ve known you’d never be a low-maintenance girl. I don’t care. You’re worth all the trouble and then some.”
And he was getting that “and then some” in spades with me.
“I don’t think I can handle being around Raif, though, He shouldn’t come here for a while either, Darian. It’s for his own good.”
I pictured what it must have looked like when Tyler burst through the door and threw Raif against the wall, his forearm pressed tight against my mentor’s windpipe while he demanded to know where I was. Distance sounded like a damned good thing-at least, for a while. “Fine. I’ll tell him.”
“Darian, I know I’m being an asshole. Don’t think I can’t tell something’s wrong here. But until I can figure out why I’m feeling this way, it’s going to be better for him to keep his distance. I know you can’t do the same, and I’ll deal the best I can. This has never happened before. I feel like-I don’t know-like he’s what’s interfering with the bond.”
“You know that’s not true, though.” There was no way Raif could accomplish it even if he’d wanted to. I knew the rules. No one could break our bond but me.
“I know, but until I can sort it all out, best to tread carefully.”
“What about the friend you went to see? Couldn’t he help you?”
Tyler stiffened. His voice dropped to almost a whisper. “I’m afraid we’ve gone farther than a simple fix will allow.” I’d never heard him sound so pessimistic, and my heart raced at his words. “Don’t worry, Darian,” he said, stroking my cheek. “Nothing is going to touch you.”
I wanted to scream. The kind of soul-cleansing sound that rips through your chest, scalding all the way up. But I couldn’t muster the anger to bring forth my voice. Tears stung at the corners of my eyes, and I held them back. I forbade myself from filling up with sorrow. All he cared about was me and not one bit about the fact that he seemed to be losing his mind, his health, his grip or that we had no idea who was causing this trouble. That aspect of the bond drove me to the brink. I couldn’t stand the way he disregarded his own safety to protect me.
“Tyler, the way you’ve been feeling lately, this is happening because you’re protecting me, isn’t it?”
He kissed my head, the gesture as good as a yes.
“I can’t let you do this. It’s killing me to see you this way.”
“You don’t have a choice, love.” His voice was like a soft caress. “My protection isn’t like a light switch, something to be flipped on or off. It’s uncompromising and something I can’t control.” Laughter rumbled in his chest again. “Whoever has it out for you-they’re powerful. Big mojo. Don’t worry about me. I’ve got big mojo too. And as long as I breathe, no one will harm you.”
Tyler relaxed beside me, his arms sliding away from me. “I’m tired.” He pushed himself up and moved to the bed, pulling me with him. “Just lie with me, for a while. Let me hold you, touch you.”
Hell if I know why, but I did as he asked. We should have been out searching every dark corner of Seattle for whoever was wreaking this havoc on our lives. I should have been out there, finding whoever had it out for me, no doubt the same person who’d been fucking with Tyler. He’d die to protect my life. Well, I’d kill to save his.
I curled up against him, listening to the sound of his slow and steady heartbeat against my cheek. He seemed weak-even his scent had lost its usual sweet potency, as if it were taking everything he had to protect me from whatever threatened my existence. He might as well have had a fucking target on his back. Murder attempts, magic bonds, theft, secrets, conspiracy all around, and I’d brought it to his door. I had managed to dig myself a damned big hole; if I didn’t get my ass in gear, I’d be buried alive and I’d take him with me.
Assuming my incorporeal form, I snuck out of bed with ease once I was sure Tyler was asleep. I sent Raif a text and waited until I saw him appear on the street below my apartment. Raif stood under a streetlamp, the fluorescent light casting the shadow of his corporeal body as a long black gash in the gray sidewalk. I stood next to him, watching my own shadow become one with his. I felt as close to him as our shadows, but my affection for Raif was nothing more than familial. What-or who-could be causing Ty to sense otherwise? I waited beside him and counted the seconds pounding away inside me until he was ready to speak.
“Please tell me this has nothing to do with my daughter.”
“Okay, I won’t.”
“Darian,” Raif said with exasperation, “what have you gotten yourself into?”
“Do you know what it’s like to be lonely, Raif? Truly alone? I do. I was an only child, ignored by my socialite parents, an abused wife, regarded as worthless. Azriel made me keep myself hidden from the world, and aside from the people I killed for, I had nothing. No one. Tyler made me feel like a woman again, made me feel loved. But you…Raif, you pulled me out of the dark. Not Azriel, not Xander, and not Delilah and her revenge. You. You’re my friend. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
Raif closed his eyes, and his head dropped. I was all about the heartfelt words tonight. Must have been Fallon’s lack of decency that spurred me to such emotion. But even I had a breaking point, and I wasn’t willing to let Raif reciprocate. Or maybe I was afraid he wouldn’t. Whatever my reason, I spoke up again before he could open his mouth. “Ty didn’t hurt you, did he?”
Raif’s brow rose in question, his blue eyes glowing in the dark. “He’s strong. Surprisingly strong. I think he broke a few of my ribs, but I’ll be fine. Don’t worry,” he said as I opened my mouth to speak. “I know this isn’t his fault. But if this threat to your Jinn’s sanity or the attempts on both your lives has anything to do with Brakae, maybe you should abandon this quest. I’ve come to terms with my loss. Looking for a ghost isn’t going to do any of us any good.”
“If any part of what’s going on has to do with her, then she’s not a ghost, is she?”
“Perhaps not.” The hope in his voice made him sound so much younger. Vulnerable. “But is it worth the risk?”
“I think you can answer that all on your own,” I said.
“Yes,” Raif said, “I suppose I can.”
We stood side by side, watching the traffic for a while in utter silence. “What do you know?” he asked. I had a feeling it had taken a huge leap of faith for him to make the transition from resignation to hope.
“Very little at this point. I’m going out. I have some things to take care of. Can I count on you if I need help?”
“What about your Jinn?”
“I need to keep him out of this if I can. It’ll be safer for him the less he knows.” Then again, as I thought of Delilah’s warnings and my strange dreams, someone could be fucking with Ty and me for an entirely different reason. I hadn’t forgotten about the mysterious Man from The Ring. And if he was truly coming for me, I’d handle that little problem all by myself. “If I need you, I’ll call.”
Raif answered with a nod, and I joined with the shadows stretching beyond our feet before he might be tempted to follow me.
I walked into The Pit, armed to the teeth and carrying a wad of cash. Levi waved and flashed his boy-next-door smile, pushing up the long sleeves of his rugby shirt. A flock of girls turned from the bar to see what had snagged their eye candy’s attention, and a few of them sneered. If I’d been feeling more playful, I would have given them a real show. Instead, I let my natural charm shine. “Back off, ladies,” I said, and sidled my way into the middle of their little group. “He’s got an appointment. You can come back and drool all you like after I’m done with him.”
The downtrodden groupies gathered their drinks and scattered. Guess I’d burst their balloons. Misery loves company. I felt like shit-so should they.
“You’re in a mood tonight,” Levi said, sliding a Malibu and orange juice toward me. “And thanks for ruining my chances at a good mood.”
“They’ll get over it. And so will you. You can have a one-nighter some other time.” I downed half my drink before fishing in my pocket. “Besides, I brought more engaging company. His name’s Ben, and he’s got a lot of brothers.” I slapped the roll of hundred-dollar bills into his hand.
Always smooth, Levi didn’t even flinch as he stowed the money. He took my glass and freshened it up before pulling a couple of imported beers from the fridge below the bar. “I haven’t found anything out about your ring man.”
“That little project is going to have to go on the back burner for now. What I need tonight is information about a couple of Sidhe.”
“Playing with the big boys, huh?” Levi motioned to one of the cocktail waitresses. “Can you watch the bar, Monique? I need ten or fifteen minutes.”
Monique looked as though she’d walk out into traffic if Levi asked her to. And fortunately, the bar wasn’t very busy. I followed as Levi led the way to a quiet corner. He took a seat and I followed suit, sipping the drink he’d made me when what I really wanted was to abandon it and go straight for the bottle.
“Sidhe are the oldest of the Fae lineage. Their magic is the strongest too. Time hasn’t been kind to the nonhuman population, Darian. But the Sidhe have held on to their ways and shunned humanity for the most part. They’ve got power and then some. Are you sure you want to get involved with them?”
No, but it was too late now to rethink my decisions. “Honestly, Levi, I don’t plan on making friends. Besides, I’m only interested in two Sidhe. A sister and brother called Moira and Reaver.”
Levi let out a low whistle. “Might as well douse yourself in gasoline and light the match, Darian. Why in the hell would you want to tangle with them?”
Oh fucking fuck. How did I always manage to pick the baddest of the bad to get involved with? I couldn’t tell Levi why I was interested in the siblings. Letting everyone in the city know I was out to steal from them wouldn’t exactly help me in the burglary department. But I had to know who and what I was up against. Fallon’s request smelled like a trap. Either that or he knew it was a suicide mission and was hoping I’d at least get my hands on the merchandise before they killed me. In which case, he wouldn’t need to bother with Delilah or lifting the spell. “Levi, I gave you a shitload of cash. Let me worry about my own ass. Moira and Reaver,” I said slowly, “tell me about them.”
Levi sighed and looked around as if afraid someone might overhear our conversation. “From what I’ve heard, Moira is the more dangerous of the two. She’s got a lot of magic up her sleeve. A Healer, I believe. And a Herald.”
“What’s that?”
“A Herald is someone who can talk to the dead or the crossed over. Most of the supernatural don’t view death as a finality. They tend to see it as an evolution or a passing into another realm. They don’t harbor the spiritual existence as a joining with God or going to heaven. Think Avalon. You don’t die die. You just leave this realm, and your soul takes up residence somewhere else. But I guess I don’t have to tell you that.”
I knew Shaedes didn’t believe in conventional death. Xander said our physical bodies might die, but we would forever live in shadow. And apparently this Moira could speak to our dearly departed brethren. “What about Reaver?”
Levi leaned close. “Reaver is called the Keeper.”
I knew that much already. “Do you know what he keeps?”
Levi gave a nervous chuckle. “I don’t have a fucking clue.”
Well, I knew something Levi didn’t. The thing that Reaver “kept” was the exact thing Fallon wanted me to steal. If Levi was corroborating Fallon’s information-that Reaver was, in fact, the Keeper-then at least I knew he hadn’t been playing me. It didn’t matter that Levi didn’t know what the Sidhe kept. Fallon knew. “Do you know where they live? How I can find them?”
“I don’t know about Moira, but I’ve heard Reaver likes to hang out at a place called Atlas. It’s a high-end, private club. Caters to nonhuman clientele only. Very exclusive.”
“Where is it?”
“Don’t quote me on this, but I think it’s underground. Industrial District, maybe. They’re only open at night; watch for the flow of luxury traffic-should lead you right to him.”
I left The Pit a thousand dollars lighter but rich with information. Levi was good for it, I had no doubt. That preppy bastard knew more about the supernatural world than I did. The waterfront called, and I was itching to check out the Industrial District for any sign of the esoteric supernatural hangout, but the gray-streaked eastern sky told me I’d have to wait another eighteen or so hours before I could begin my quest for the Keeper.
Sandpaper would have been softer than my eyelids as I blinked. God, I was tired.
I hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in…I couldn’t even remember how long. When this was all over and done with, I was going to sleep for a month. I headed toward downtown and my apartment, when the sound of wings flapping drew my attention. As I looked skyward, a golden red form swooped down, nearly clipping my head with its talons. A falcon, the same falcon that had given me the pendulum, dove and spun, twisting in midair and digging at my pocket while it beat against me with its wings.
Insistent shit, I thought as I batted it away. Gaining altitude, the falcon regrouped and began anew, clawing at my pocket and tugging with a swift flapping of wings. I fought the bird off with my left hand while my right ventured to my pocket, which had begun to grow warm. Strange. Since I’d returned from my little field trip, the gem had been dormant, its warmth and otherworldly light seeming to have disappeared. But with the appearance of the falcon, it had awoken. The emerald pendulum pulsed with bright green light as I drew it out into the open air, watching as it swung to and fro before my eyes. With a parting screech, the falcon soared into the sky and out of sight. Guess it had delivered its message.
Two days I’d been gone the last time I had allowed myself to become drawn into the pendulum. And I’d kept the damned thing tucked in my pocket ever since. But I pulled it out of its hiding place and stared into its depths anyway, unable to tear my gaze from the fathomless green light. The gem swung toward me, pulled by some unknown force of gravity, and I leaned toward the light, mesmerized by the sudden peace and unequivocal quiet it offered. Seconds slowed, the pulsing beat of time came nearly to a halt, and I felt a strange tug at my center, urging me toward something I couldn’t identify. I allowed my eyes to drift shut, and when I opened them again, I no longer stood on the gray Seattle streets but at the top of the knoll, looking down into the green valley and at the dark-haired woman who waited for me.