A moment passed. Finally, determination hardened her features and she removed her sweater, rolled up her shirtsleeves. Very well.
Relief and satisfaction collided, and he wanted to pound his fists into his chest. She trusted him fully, nothing held back. That was a first, and he would do everything in his power to earn what shed bestowed upon him. I wish I could tell you otherwise, but this will hurt, Nicola.
I had a feeling, she said drily.
Before she could change her mind, he got to work. At first, as the needle pounded into her skin, she cringed and she gasped. Twice he almost stopped, but both times he reminded himself that this was for her good. This was necessary.
Distract me. Her voice was strained. Please.
How?
Tell me...how you age. Or if you ever will.
I was a little boy once, a child to my parents. Now, he and his mother looked to be the same age. I matured normally, like a human, until reaching the age of thirty. After that, my appearance remained the same. And as long as I live, my appearance will stay this way.
That was true of most supernatural races. The Nefas, however, aged to fifty before stopping. He supposed it was because the vileness of their deeds rotted their souls, and rotted souls produced rotted flesh.
Koldo was glad the characteristics of the Sent Ones were stronger than those of the Nefas, allowing him to have hair, diffusing the black smoke.
So...one day Ill be an old lady but youll still look like a young, virile Viking?
A Viking? Thats how she saw him?
And...she was right about the age thing, he realized. Hed never given the notion any thought because hed never imagined himself with a human. But there was a way to prevent such an outcome. Zacharel had tied his life to Annabelles, ensuring she no longer aged. But if one died, the other would immediately follow. Koldo couldnt make that same commitment to Nicola. He would have to share a piece of his tainted soul, and that he would never do.
And why should he bother sorting out his feelings on the matter now, anyway? She was interested in another male.
Yes was all he said, and left it at that. Is there anything else youd like to know?
Nicola sucked in a breath as the gun glided over a sensitive tendon. Will you do this to Laila?
If she will allow me. He leaned back, studied the etchings. The scripted numbers began at her elbows and coiled all the way to her wrists.
161911213327.
219113215122231.
2209131520825418.
Done, he said, pleased.
Nicolas head tilted to the side as she looked over the red, swollen flesh. Is that some sort of code?
It is.
And what does it mean?
That you are protected by the Most High, and His strength is yours.
Very cool. She traced a fingertip over several of the numbers. Theres something so mesmerizing about each one, isnt there? Almost as if theyre alive, holding my gaze captive.
Thats because they were, on both counts. The next time you see a demon, simply stare at the numbers as youre doing now.
Stare? Really? And that will...what?
Save your life.
Well, all right, then.
The cinnamon and vanilla scent of her wound around him, melding with his skin, claiming his attention. Nicola? he rasped.
She glanced up at him, licked her lips. Yes.
Whatever hed meant to say, he forgot. He found himself stalking around the counter, standing just in front of her, between her legs. His hands tunneled through her hair, the strands soft, silky, tickling his skin.
She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.
He wanted to kiss her. But he couldnt. Not again. Every time he neared her, the desire grew. He wasnt sure how he would react if it grew any more.
Throw her down and take her? Kill the man she actually wanted?
Will you move to Panama with me? he asked.
She licked her lips. Youll be there with me?
Yes. He dared anyone to try and pry him away.
And youll be happy to have me, even though I have nothing to offer you?
Nothing to offer him? She was the gentle touch hed always craved. The acceptance hed never before had. And when she looked at him, he never felt as if he was a nuisance, as if he was beneath her. He felt...empowered.
But all he said was Ill be happy.
Then I would love to, she replied without a single beat of hesitation.
Good.
On two conditions, she added, blinking open her eyes.
He stepped back, increasing the distance between them. And those conditions are?
She gulped and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. You have to bring us back on Saturday. We, uh, well, we have a double date.
Hed known, but hearing the words from her lips caused every ounce of his earlier fury to returntimes ten. Youll not be going on any date, Nicola.
Her mouth fell open, snapped closed. I already said yes.
And now youll say no.
A moment passed in stilted silence.
Is that so? she said with a quiet fury of her own.
Thats so. You must do what I say, when I say. Remember?
She drummed her fingers over the counter. You once told me to do whatever was necessary to remain calm. You once told me to do whatever was necessary to find peace and sow joy. Well, the date seemed like my best bet at the time. So which would you have me do? Please you, or save my sister and myself?
He clenched his jaw painfully. It was just as hed suspectedand no matter his feelings, he couldnt take this away from her. Very well. Go on your date. The concession scraped his throat, left it raw and burning.
Perhaps, while she was out with the male, Koldo would return to the Downfall. Perhaps he would allow the Harpy to dance for him. Perhaps he would kiss and touch the Harpy, and forget everything Nicola had ever made him feel. He wouldnt ruin the Harpy, and the Harpy wouldnt blame him for her troubles.
Yes, thats what he would do, even though every cell in his body rebelled at the thought.
Whats the second condition? he demanded.
She exhaled with force. You have to take me to my job at Estellä every weekday morning, and pick me up every evening.
Yet another blow he was unprepared to deal with right now. You wont quit?
No. I have to make a living.
Was that all? Ill pay you to live with me.
Again her mouth fell open. No. You wont.
Im paying your bills. One is the same as the other.
Actually, no, it isnt. I wont be dependent on you for my future.
Understanding took root, and it didnt sprout a pretty flower patch. It had gnarled limbs and dripped with blood. She would allow Koldo to clean up her past, but she was afraid he would muddy up her futurethe one she planned to share with another male.
Very well, he said stiffly. I agree to your terms. And he would do more than take the Harpy. He would take others. So many others! As many as it took to find someone who made him feel the way Nicola did. Or had. Right now, the only thing he wanted from her was distance. And, all right, an apology.
Now I know youre related to the guy in the park, she said snippily. You look just like him when you glare like that.
Guy at the park? He didnt allow himself to leave. What guy?
Well, the demons were with some very scary people. People as tall as you, with bald heads, even the girl, and fangs and a terrible black mist that rose from their bodies. And the first one I saw looked like an older version of you.
At first, he was too stunned to react. But as he breathed, his thoughts aligned and the shock gave way to dread.
His father had survived the bombing.
His father was here in Kansas.
His father, he thought, dazedthe vilest male he had ever encountered.
Did any of them touch you? he demanded.
No. They just looked at me and smiled the meanest of smiles.
He should be relieved, but his emotions were simply too volatile. His father had approached Nicola. His father could have harmed her in the worst of ways. He could have absconded with her, and Koldo wouldnt have known what had happened to her until too late. But Nox hadnt done any of that. Hed wanted Koldo to know of his return.
How like the man, to deliver fear before the battle. And there was no question there would be a battle. Nox was here for revenge. After all, Koldo had destroyed the males entire camp. His harem of lovers, both slave and free. The best of his warriors. The bulk of his allies. Now, he hoped to hit Koldo where it would hurt most. Destroying the first female Koldo had ever taken under his care.
Well, I wont let him. Koldo would have to find a way to strike first. To end this. Now. Forever.
He tugged Nicola to her feet. Get your sister. I want you installed in my home within the hour.
* * *
KOLDO FLASHED NICOLA and Laila to the living room of his ranch. Look around, he said, doing his best to mask his growing tension. Probably failing. Change whatever you want. Eat whatever you want. Ill be back.
He hated to leave them so abruptly, without any more of a welcome, but his next task couldnt wait.
As Nicola sputtered out a protest, he flashed to the cavern where his mother was stashed. This time, he didnt hang around outside but stalked inside. With a single glance, he had the details memorized. Cornelia was dirtier than before, her robe stained with mud and blood, the hem frayed. Her short hair was matted at the sides. She sat in the corner of the cage, and there was a rat perched on her handa rat she was feeding a piece of grain.
She spotted Koldo and cursed. Cant you just leave me alone?
Your precious lover is stalking my woman.
I have no lover, she spat.
Oh, but you do. My father, the man youve pined for all these years, thinks to strike at me.
Cornelia stiffened as she absorbed his words. The moment she accepted them as truth, she actually tossed the rat at him, the creature screaming along the way. Koldo caught him, set him down and watched as he scampered away.
Your first mistake was assuming she had a heart, little guy.
Cruel even to your pets, Koldo said.
She trembled, visibly fighting to keep her temper under control. If he wasnt mistakenand he had to be mistakenthere was a gleam of regret in her eyes.
I thought he was dead, she whispered.
As did I. We were both wrong.
Watching him intently, Cornelia stood on unsteady legs. If hes after you, youre doomed. Hes crafty, and theres nothing you can do to stop him.
I can kill him.
And that worked so well for you before? she mocked with a hard laugh. Especially now that you have a woman, did you say? Im surprised one can actually stand to look at you.
His woman. Thats what hed called Nicola, wasnt it? He would have to better guard his words, for the human was not his, not in that way, and now, she would never be. She had chosen another male. And Koldo couldnt really fault hereven though he was still so angry he could tear this cavern apart rock by rock. She would be better off with one of her own kind.
You should probably say goodbye to her. Cornelia traced her fingertip along the bars beside her and grinned happily. Hell do the most horrendous things to her, and hell force you to watch. But you share his bloodmaybe youll like that, huh?
Koldo punched the cage so forcefully the reinforced steel bent backward.
Cornelia paled, backed away.
He had been forced to watch such behavior while chained inside Noxs tent, and he had vomited every time. Had even tried to behead the man the first hundred times he was allowed to walk freely through the campand he had always been disciplined for his efforts. He would nevernever!enjoy watching such treatment.
I protect whats mine, he gritted out. But you protect no one. Did you witness such events when you were with him, huh, Mother? Did the two of you discuss it while you were snuggled in his arms?
Shut up! She changed course, stomping forward. When she reached him, she gripped the very bars hed harmed and attempted to shake them.
I bet you did. I bet you were eaten up with jealousy when he turned his attentions to another.
You know nothing about me!
I know youre exactly like him, a pretty face hiding rotten bones. And just so you know, I will kill him before he hurts the girl. He should shut up. He should leave. His temper was overtaking him. If he wasnt careful, he would erupt. But his feet felt anchored in place. Youll help me. Not because you love me, but because you want him to suffer for abandoning you. Isnt that right?
She popped her jaw, some of the anger leaving her. I do want him to suffer.
Then tell me. What are his weaknesses?
You spent the most time with him. You should know.
He should, shouldnt he? But then, to him, Nox had been the pinnacle of strength, an unstoppable force. Koldo had been surprised to deliver the deathblow, especially from a distance.
Should have chosen up close and personal, as I craved.
Then, he should have taken the time to identify all of the remains. But hed assumed Nox had been burned to ashhad wanted to believe it so badly.
Mistakes, he realized now. He wouldnt make another.
Will you help me or not? he demanded.
Cornelia lifted her chin, haughty despite her circumstances. I will not.
Not even for a human?
Oh, Ill help a human. Any but yours, she added.
Koldo tried to calm his raging nerves. A thousand times these past few weeks, he could have killed this woman. But hed never even bruised her.