Chapter 1 Jade Dragon Mountain 21 страница

As I sit up in the bed, I want to scream his name so that he will come back and take me with him. This is insane. I’m insane. Revenge is not as important as Reed, I think, resting my forehead on my drawn up knees. But this is more than just revenge. This is destroying Casimir before he destroys anyone else that I love.

I rise from the bed and walk to the table. As I open the carton on it, the aroma of gourmet mac and cheese assails me. A box of Twinkies is lying on the table, too. I set down the mac and cheese and pick up a Twinkie. Unwrapping it, I try not to let tears fall from my eyes as I bite into it.

CHAPTER 21

Plans Within Plans

“I still say me plan has merit—it lulls dem into a sense of complete control, and who could resist her naked body?” Eion asks from across the table, while gesturing towards me with a flick of his hand. “Dey would be fighting each other ta get inta da mirror and through da portal ta her.”

“I’m not opening the compact completely naked, Eion,” I say, rolling my eyes at him. “How am I supposed to fight back naked?”

“I do na know, but ’twould be interesting ta watch,” Eion replies, grinning wolfishly.

“Maybe ye do na have ta be naked…jus da illusion of being naked would do,” Brennus says in a thoughtful tone.

“You guys just want to see me nekkid,” I say suspiciously, watching their faces grin nefariously.

It’s a larger group than I’m used to seeing for a meeting in the Knights Bar. In addition to Brennus, Finn, Declan, Eion, and Faolan, we now have Goban, Lonan, Ninian, Alastar, and Torin sitting with us at the tables we pushed together in the kirk. But, even with the new faces, I’m exceedingly aware that one face is missing among us: Lachlan.

“I still say we should use a clone instead of Genevieve,” Declan says.

“A naked clone?” Eion asks, seeing Declan scowl at him.

“Na a naked clone, jus one of her clones. Dat way, she can be safe somewhere else while we sort out da Sheol Shiners for her,” Declan says, looking from Eion to me and seeing my scowl.

“I’m not useless, Deck. I can do this,” I say angrily. “I want to be there if Casimir comes through.” I want him to know why he’s dying—that it’s personal for me, too.

Declan gives me a wary smile. “Dere is no question dat ye are useful. Ask da Werree and dey will tell ye dat, but I still do na like it. Dese are aingeals we’re talking about, na Werree—auld and ancient aingeals. I’d still be nervous if yer body was made from iron and yer heart of steel,” Declan replies, looking me over as if I am made out of paper. “Dis is na a game, lass. Dese tings are da very embodiment of evil,” he says, shaking his head.

“Thanks, Deck, but I just put on my boots, so I’m not very concerned where I put my foot,” I reply, hearing the fellas try to suppress their laughter. Declan glances upward, like he is looking for guidance from above.

“Ye’re starting ta sound like one of us,” Finn says, shaking his head at me with a wink.

“Da more I tink about Eion’s plan, da more I like it, mo chroí,” Brennus says, bringing us back to the discussion of how to use the compact that Casimir sent to me. “It makes ye appear naïve and vulnerable, two tings dat are almost irresistible ta dem. ’Tis my favorite kind of trap—lust, being caught in a web of desire,” he says in a seductive tone. “Da place is small and intimate, too. ’Twould appeal ta Casimir’s nature…’tis sensual and erotic…” Brennus says, watching my cheeks flush wi’ color as I squirm a little.

I rub my forehead in frustration. “Can’t we just open it in the war room and when they come out, we throw the kitchen sink at them?” I mutter, seeing them all look confused by my comment, because sometimes they are all so literal.

“Whah…Why would we trow a sink at dem when we have charmed automatics and missile launchers?” Ninian asks in confusion. “Faolan, I tought ye said ye showed her da weapons room. Ye said ye taught her how ta break down da armor piercing fifty calibers and rebuild dem. Why is she talking about sinks?” he asks, stabbing his finger at Faolan accusingly.

“FINE!” I say, holding up both my hands so they won’t begin to argue. “We will do it Eion’s way, but it will have to be the ‘illusion of naked’ and we have to do it soon—tonight. I don’t want Casimir to get suspicious as to why I haven’t opened his gift. The sooner the better.” I’m running out of time. Reed said forty-eight hours and several of those hours are already gone.

“’Tis da plan den?” Brennus asks me for verification. I nod, feeling fear beginning to set in now that I have a course of action. I don’t know what makes me more terrified, failing or succeeding. Failing means Casimir survives to hunt my friends and me. Succeeding makes me a true killer. Once I cross the line into the realm of stalking my prey, I can’t go back. I will no longer be hiding. I will be hunting.

“Dere are a few hours of light left. We execute when darkness falls,” Brennus says, scanning our faces. His eyes remain on my face as the others get up from their seats. “Go and feed. We meet in da North Tower when ye are finished,” he says, watching me as I remain where I’m seated.

“Aren’t you going with them?” I ask, feeling edgy. I rise from my seat and push it back in before heading for the door.

“Na now,” he says, smiling slowly and following me to the door. “Ye need a distraction. Ye are too tense. Ye will have ta relax or Casimir will sense dat dere is someting wrong. Yer body language will tell him all he wants ta know. Ye have ta make him trust dat ye do na know dat he is watching ye when ye open da portal.”

“How am I supposed to do that?” I ask as I turn to look at his face. Grinning at me, Brennus takes my hand in his, bringing it to his lips. I lean against the door to the Knight’s Bar biting my lip. I want to pull my hand back, but it will make him angry.

“I know several ways ta make ye feel very…” he kisses the palm of my hand, “very…” he kisses my wrist, “relaxed.” He says, kissing the sensitive skin at the crook of my elbow.

“Oh,” I breathe, feeling my body reacting to Brennus’ touch. “I had a soccer coach, growing up, who always said it was better to play with an edge,” I whisper. Brennus ignores my comment, pulling me into his arms and kissing me with just a whisper of a touch to my lips.

“Wait,” I murmur breathlessly against his mouth, trying to find a way to stop him from kissing me. “There is one thing that you promised me that you haven’t given me yet…” I pull back from his mouth and see his sexy smile, his eyebrow goes up like he is intrigued.

“Whah have I promised ye dat I have na given ta ye?” he asks, toying with a piece of my hair. I can feel the cool air between his body and mine, touching me like a caress.

“You haven’t shown me how to use the weapon you gave me,” I reply, referring to the axe he gave me in the archive.

He shakes his head and closes his eyes. His smile turns into a small grimace. “Ye want ta fight wi’ me now?” he asks, seeing me nodding my head with a devious smile.

“Yes, I need to break something and you look like a fragile, little flower—you smell like one, too” I add, sniffing the air around him teasingly, trying to find a way to redirect him. “Maybe I should get Finn to show me instead,” I say, raising my eyebrow to mirror his.

I feel energy in the room shift. It should have prepared me for the ring of thorny rose bushes that are magically growing out of the floor, encircling us. Startled, I move nearer to Brennus, hearing him chuckle as his arms go around my waist. “Even flowers can be deadly, mo chroí,” Brennus says, reaching over and plucking a deep red bloom from the foliage. Holding the flower to my cheek, he strokes the pedals over it sensually. “Tell me dat ye love me,” he says, allowing a thorn from the stem to trail threateningly, but not painfully, over my neck as he brings it lower.

“Why?” I ask, feeling restless and cornered, but underneath that, a thrill of danger courses through me like a drug.

“Because I want ta hear ye say it,” he replies, allowing the petals to trail a path over my clavicle. “I need it.”

“You don’t need anything, Brennus. You have proven that to everyone for centuries,” I reply, resisting his will, but there is something inside of me that wants to give in—to give him anything he wants. Everything he wants.

“Say it…” he whispers, leaning near my ear and causing my heart to contract.

“Brennus,” I sigh, trying to sound aloof, but feeling my heartbeat pounding in my chest.

“Why will ye na tell me?” he asks, his mouth inches from mine. “I know dat ye love me. I can feel it when ye look at me now. I can see how yer eyes follow me.”

“Maybe I’m making sure that the scary monster in the room isn’t in a bad mood,” I reply, taking the flower from his hand and touching the petals lightly with my fingertips.

“Ye lie. Why?” he asks, lifting my chin to look in my eyes.

“Go to the South Tower. The wans will line up to tell you how much they love you,” I say, surprised and disconcerted to hear jealousy in my tone.

“’Tis meaningless, Genevieve. Dat is intoxication and lust,” he explains with a darkness growing in his eyes. His thumb traces my jaw, but my jealousy has softened his eyes, making him look satisfied.

“I don’t want to love you,” I whisper honestly, pulling my chin back and looking down, seeing that I have crushed the silky petals in my hand.

“Dat does na change da fact dat ye do,” he replies with a sultry smile.

“How can I possibly describe what I feel for you, Brennus?” I ask, shaking my head and feeling the painful ache inside of me. “This isn’t like the love I have felt before. Whatever it is, it’s painful. If this is love, then I love you the way creatures like us ought to be loved—secretly and unwillingly, within the dark shadow between my heart and my soul.”

“’Tis how it starts, mo chroí. ’Twas like dat for me, in da caves,” Brennus replies, his arms encircling me again. “’Tis da kind of love ye want ta destroy, but it grows inta something much, much more powerful den ye can imagine, if ye let it.”

“I don’t want it to grow,” I reply, looking away from him again. “It will only bring me pain.”

“’Twill only if ye resist it,” he breathes against my cheek. “Let me teach ye about da pleasure within dat pain,” he says, stroking my arms. “Let me hear ye cry out jus for me.”

“Brennus,” I say exasperatedly, “I don’t want pleasure. I want to smash something,” I say, frustrated by the tumult of emotions within me. A shiver passes through me, fearing that I won’t be able to stop him if he wants to follow through with that thought.

“Ye have so much ta learn, ye have no idea,” Brennus groans. “Soon, I will show ye whah I’m saying.”

“Seeing is easier than saying?” I ask ruefully, looking up at him and trying to make light of it all.

“’Tis,” Brennus agrees with a reluctant smile. “I jus have ta keep in mind dat ye are an eternal being, so dere is time for all da tings I want ta teach ye.” I lower my eyes from his, trying not to let him see that he may not be right about that.

“There are some things that she doesn’t need to learn from ya,” Russell says, while strolling right through the rose bushes like a ghost. “Roses?” Russell scoffs. “Don’t ya think that’s a little cliché? She’s more of a Bird of Paradise—somethin’ exotic and unexpected.”

“Russell!” I gasp, feeling my face flush, while wondering how much of our conversation he overheard. I know I’m seeing his clone, but I can smell his clean scent and see his smart-ass smirk that I know is his “game face.” I want to run to him, but I know I can’t do that.

“If you want to teach her somethin’, you should take her to the South Tower. But, I can see why ya wouldn’t want her to learn ‘bout what goes on there, right?” Russell asks Brennus, but his eyes are on me. He is making sure that I’m okay and his concern for me is enough to shake me up a little. “You should see it, Red, it’s like a strip club without the money…oh, and of course, all the women are strung out and bleedin’.”

I feel myself go pale. Why do I keep forgetting that they kill people? I wonder to myself, feeling the line between right and wrong move again and distort.

“Da other. I knew dat I should have killed ye, but I tought maybe ye had more sense dan ye do,” Brennus says, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand, then he shrugs, like it’s of little consequence. “’Tis time I made ye a priority again. I should know better dan ta na follow tru wi’ da killing.”

“And I should’ve known better than to come here without an air freshener, but here we all are, together again,” Russell agrees, looking around at the interior of the Knight’s Bar and the beautiful rosette windows.

Brennus’ arms encircle me again, pulling me into his embrace. Nuzzling my neck, Brennus says to Russell, “Ye are na really here, are ye? If ye were, I doubt ye would be saying much right now and we both know dat. So, ye should tell her whahever ’tis ye came here ta say. We have plans dat do na include ye.”

“I’m here to see you, vampire,” Russell sneers, watching Brennus’ fingers trace a line up my arm, caressing me and causing a shiver to pass through me at his cool touch. “Yer place in India has been infiltrated by the Fallen. That is where all y’all were headed next, right?” Russell asks rhetorically.

Brennus pauses, his eyebrows drawing together. “Why are ye telling me dis?” he asks, not letting me go, but no longer kissing my neck either.

“’Cuz ya have my girl,” Russell replies with his hands balled in fists while he watches Brennus touch me.

“She’s na yer girl,” Brennus says.

“Naw, she’s not yer girl, stalker,” Russell counters. “Yer a pretender. Ya pretend to be good—to be her family, but yer nothin’ more than a vampire and she needs to wake up and see that.” Turning to me, Russell barks, “Wake up, Red,” making me jump a little at the anger in his tone.

“She is awake. Whah do ye want from her? Ye want her ta kill herself for ye, is dat it?” Brennus counters, his fangs engaging as he lets go of me and walks with stealthy grace around Russell’s clone, looking for a way to hurt him. “She already tried dat, remember? Ye want ta see her die for ye? She can na stay wi’ ye. Ye will get her killed—or worse.”

“Naw, that’s what yer gonna do,” Russell replies. “The Fallen have been all ‘round this place, watchin’ all y’all.”

“Dat is na surprising. So, ye have been killing dem off for us?” Brennus stops circling Russell, coming to stand in front of him. “We’re able ta protect her from dem. We do na need ye ta do it for us.”

“Now it’s yer turn to wake up, Dracula,” Russell says between his teeth. “They want her.”

“Den let dem come and try ta take her. Dere is no reason ye should have all da fun,” Brennus replies, sniffing the air around Russell. He is processing all of the attributes of Russell’s clone, trying to find a weakness.

“She’s not a pawn,” Russell says with menace, leaning towards Brennus.

“Tell dat ta da aingeals wi’ ye. Dey would like nuting better dan ta use her ta bring da Fallen ta dem ta heat up deir war,” he says with an ironic twist of his lips, smiling at Russell and showing him his wicked fangs.

“Yer wrong. We’re gonna protect her when we get her back,” Russell argues sharply.

“Ye try ta take her and dere will be no place for ye ta hide from me,” Brennus says with deathly calm.

“Who’s hidin’? We don’t have to hide anymore. She fixed that when she went to Dominion. Y’all actually helped, too.” Russell replies with a smug smile, crossing his arms in front of his chest with a look of pure satisfaction. “When ya blew the crap out of Dominion, they got on board with whatever Reed wants—an army of angels. They think she’s a gift from God now…so, thanks.”

“So ye’re here ta convince me ta let her come back ta ye,” Brennus asks incredulously.

“Naw, I’m not stupid. I know ya will never willingly let her go,” Russell says sullenly. “I’m here to ask ya not to be a complete idiot with the Fallen. Don’t take chances with her life. Casimir is too powerful to take on alone—we’ll help you, if it comes down to her life.”

“So, ye’re da olive branch?” Brennus asks with a skeptical look.

“Naw, I’m the guy that’s gonna whoop yer ass if you let anythin’ happen to her,” Russell replies, pointing his finger in Brennus’ face.

“Ye sound like someone wi’ a plan,” Brennus remarks, not flinching at all at having Russell’s clone so near to him. “Are ye really so confident dat da soldier ye captured from here can be persuaded inta biting her?” he asks with a speculative look. “Ye should really reconsider dat move. Leif knows dat da moment he does so is one of his last moments. Either ye will kill him or we will. He may well refuse ta do it. Den, whah will ye do? Will ye bring her back ta me?” he asks, raising his eyebrow.

Russell’s eyes widen minutely, enough to let me know that he’s surprised that Brennus knows what they have planned. He glances at me, maybe wondering if I told Brennus the plan. A stab of pain hits me at Russell’s distrust of me. “He’ll bite her, ‘cuz he knows that we will kill him quickly after he does. And anyway, all he needs to do is see her and he will be beggin’ us to taste her. You know I’m right,” he says, looking back to Brennus. “You can imagine the torment it would be for him not to, ‘cuz he has the same look on his face when I talk ‘bout her that ya did in the caves when I took her from ya last time—pure agony.”

“I still owe ye for dat,” Brennus says, his jaw clenching.

“C’mon and find me then, what’re ya waitin’ for? All y’all keep countin’ me out and I can’t understand why that is. You see how powerful she is becomin’. I’m just like her and soon I’m gonna be yer worst nightmare,” Russell says, grinning as he watches Brennus’ brows pull together in a scowl.

Brennus loses his scowl after a few moments, while retracting his fangs. His face changes to mirror Russell’s grin. “I tink dat I can see why she likes ye. Ye really are amusing, but ’tis easy ta be tough when ye’re na really here. Da next time ye want ta parley wi’ me, come in person, like ye did da last time. Ye will get more respect dat way,” Brennus says patiently. “Goodbye, da other.”

Lifting his finger, Brennus touches it to Russell’s clone, making him disappear instantly. Brennus stares at his finger for a moment, and then he smiles before he turns back to me. It‘s taking everything in me not to show any emotion over Russell leaving. I know I chose to stay, but that decision is haunting me now.

“Ach, I give him points for style. I really like dose clones. I wonder if I could replicate someting like dat wi’ a spell?” he says, looking amused by what just happened with Russell.

“You’re not mad that they are here?” I ask in shock, seeing the amusement on Brennus’ face, while trying to figure out Reed’s strategy for sending Russell now.

“’Tis na unexpected. I know dat dey are here from time ta time, checking on ye.” Brennus replies.

“Will you let them help us, if we need it?” I ask, allowing him to take my arm as he uses his magic to shrink the rose bushes into nothingness.

“I will do anyting dat keeps ye from being harmed,” Brennus replies, leading me out of the Knight’s Bar. “But, one day, ye will na need a security blanket because ye will be very powerful. Whah will ye do den?” he asks as we stroll together down the corridor towards the North Tower.

I exhale a breath slowly, not really believing that a day like that will ever come. “I don’t know. I’m so used to being afraid all the time, I have no idea what I’ll do if that all goes away.”

“Ye hide yer fear well,” Brennus replies, frowning and squeezing my arm.

“Do I?” I ask with a grimace.

“Ye do. ’Tis one of da tings I admire da most about ye. ’Tis dat, and da fact dat ye are able ta act even when ye’re filled wi’ fear,” he smiles. “Ye faced down an Ifrit wi’ little more den yer bare hands. Ye canna teach dat kind of courage. Ye either have it or ye do na.”

“You know what I like about you?” I ask, seeing the light enter his eyes as he shakes his head.

“I like the way that you tell me things, like we’re equals—partners. I like that you include me in the strategy meetings and don’t try to shut me out, like I’m not strong enough to handle what’s happening,” I reply.

“We are partners. Ye’re me queen,” Brennus replies. A flush stains my cheeks partly from the embarrassment of the title, but the other part of me is flattered by the way he sees me as someone able to make decisions and contribute to the mission.

As we near the North Tower, a couple of fellas approach Brennus. I recognize one as being Cavan. Cavan gives me a tentative look, and then he leans to Brennus, whispering something in his ear. I hear the word “wans.” Brennus scowls at him, and then he casts a glance at me and says, “Mo chroí, dere is someting I have ta take care of before we go ta da North Tower. I want ye ta stay here wi’ Cavan while I attend ta it. Ye can wait in da alcove over dere. I’ll be right back for ye.”

Brennus escorts me to the alcove where there is a small settee beneath the windows. I ask, “What is it?”

“Nuting but a headache, me sweet. ’Twill only take me a moment,” he replies, before kissing me on the cheek. To Cavan, he says, “She stays here and no one nears her until I come back.” Cavan nods and Brennus is gone in a fraction of a second.

I step back out into the hallway and pace in front of the alcove, wondering what is going on. Cavan walks down the long corridor and guards one end, while a fella that I don’t know is guarding the other end. I hear voices coming towards Cavan’s end, so I turn to see him intercept three young women from wandering towards me.

Reaching Cavan, the women ask him with sultry voices, “Where is my king? Where is Brennus? I want him—he’s been away too long.” They are dopey, walking around with little more on than silk robes.

“Ye know ye are na ta be out here. Go back ta da South Tower. ’Tis where ye will find him,” Cavan says in a chiding tone, touching each of their cheeks and trying to direct them back towards the South Tower. A chill runs through me watching Cavan herd the young ladies away from me.

I glance in the other direction; the other fella is having a similar problem. A flock of females is attempting to come down the hall in search of Brennus. Goose bumps rise on my arms seeing them all. Am I becoming one of them? I wonder. Am I blind to what he is? Just as that thought hits me, fluttering in my abdomen rapidly overtakes any other thought.

Black, armor-clad arms encircle me, instantly lifting me off the floor and pulling me back into the alcove that shrouds us from being seen by the fellas at either end of the hall. A soft gasp escapes me as I turn to face Reed. I manage to put my arms weakly around Reed’s neck and press my lips to his before I go completely limp. His charcoal-gray wings frame him, making him look like the most powerful being in existence.

My arms slide from his neck, but Reed holds me tight against his body as he breathes in my ear, “I used my persuasion to get the humans to leave their tower. I needed a diversion so that I could see you. We don’t have much time because my thrall doesn’t hold up for very long to their addiction to the Gancanagh. The women will end up trying to be touched again and once they are, they will obey every command,” he says, stroking my wing.

“I need to tell you something very important. The Fallen are near and we are seeing unprecedented numbers of them. They are mostly fallen Archangels and Powers, but a few are Seraphim. They are organized and we believe they are preparing to attack within the next few days. I need to get you out of here before that occurs. We know your plan is going to be executed at nightfall,” he says rapidly, briefing me. “Be prepared to leave shortly afterward.”

“I need to make sure you know that the portal works both ways. Do not, for any reason, enter the portal Casimir gave you. If Casimir gets back in it somehow, you cannot follow him. I mean it, Evie. Let him go because if he can pull you into Sheol…” Reed’s tone is stern, but he trails off and squeezes me to him ferociously, before brushing his lips over mine.

“I know that you are capable of doing this,” he breathes against my mouth, closing his eyes tight as if in pain. “You were created to protect and destroy. I want to help you do it,” he adds, before opening his eyes so I can see the perfection of them. “Just be cautious. Please remember that you are the only thing that matters. I will be here for you, should you need me, my love. I will not fail you again.”

My heart twists in pain because he has never failed me. Never. I just don’t want to risk losing him. I want the Gancanagh to destroy Casimir with me, so Reed will be safe, so that there will be no risk to him, I think. That is my plan. If he intends to help then he is in danger from the Gancanagh and the Fallen.

Reed leans his forehead to mine, whispering, “The next time you see me, we are going home, even if your mission is incomplete. Then, you can tell me everything that is in your heart and I will show you all the love in mine for you. Until then, Godspeed, Evie.”

Brennus’ voice barks out orders to Cavan at the end of the hall. At the sound, Reed stiffens before placing me tenderly on the settee. Reed’s fingers trail over my fingers until just the tips of them are touching, and then in the next instant, he is gone.

“Genevieve?” Brennus says from the archway of the alcove. “Are ye well?” he asks, seeing me rise shakily to my feet. He comes to stand next to me, taking my elbow and leading me back towards the North Tower.

“Of course,” I reply, trying hard to hold a smile for his benefit. “Did you take care of the problem?” I ask, trying to distract him.

“I did,” he says, his mouth pulling down in the corners. “We will be leaving here as soon as we sort out da Fallen. Our position has flaws. We still retain a superior edge, but ’tis because our enemies are reluctant to attack us. Dat will change soon.” Brennus says, guiding me up the winding staircase. “I spoke ta Finn; he is making all da necessary arrangements. Ye fancy a warmer climate?” he asks and I nod my head, trying not to let him see the worry I feel.

What if something goes wrong and the angels lose me again?

“Won’t that make it harder for you to blend in with the locals?” I ask with a teasing smile, running my finger over the pale skin of his forearm. “We might have to get you some spray tan.”

Grinning at me, Brennus says, “Dere is a solution for everyting. Ye are waking me up ta all the possibilities.” He reaches over to tuck my hair behind my ear so that he can see my profile better as we stroll down the hallway together. “Ye take away all of da emptiness of death, mo chroí. Ye make da possibility of a true death seem less important den losing ye. Ye have become da only ting dat matters ta me and I know ye are na aloof ta me.”

His words make the air feel thin, like it’s getting harder to breathe. I want to deny what he is saying and run away from the truth in his words. As we reach our room, he holds the door open for me and closes it securely behind us. He pulls me into his arms, kissing me with a passion that I am wholly unprepared for, while picking me up in his arms and carrying me towards the bedroom.

Дата добавления: 2015-09-30