That was when Thane realized the truth. Demons of strife were here, infecting humans. Probably obeying their leaderone of the six that had killed Germanus.
So, Thane had gone out, hunting the minions. Within half an hour, hed found eleven, roaming the streets like hungry lions searching for gimpy prey. Hed initiated battle and immediately killed two. One had gotten away. The other three hed managed to injure so severely that they werent able to run. Hed scooped them up and brought them back here, to his cave.
Hed spent the past few hours doing things that had once been done to his friends. Terrible things. Horrendous things. The only things that brought Thane any measure of peace. But no matter what hed done, hed gotten no answers.
Where was the leader?
Frustrated, he flew up, up, up to the opening of the cavern, then flattened out to dart through the narrow passage. Light spilled inside, chasing away the darkness and showing the way to the surrounding forest. Within minutes, he was outside, in the air, soaring above the rushing river, the tall, lush trees and the snowcapped mountains.
The scent of sulfur dissipated and the crimson stain of blood vanished from him, his robe cleaning itself as well as his body. The heat dropped off him like a winter cloak, cool air slapping against him. But nothing could wash away the feel of defeat.
A rustle sounded behind him.
He summoned his sword of fire as he turnedbut there was no one there. The sun was in the process of setting, casting rays of pink and purple, the sky a darkening blue. The clouds were thick and white, the stars just becoming visible. He hovered in the sky, wings lifting and falling slowly, gracefully, his gaze tracking the surrounding area. But...again, he found no one.
Come out, coward, he commanded. Fight me.
Silence.
Irritated, he darted higher at top speed. Then, he leveled out and searched the clouds for any sign of movement. To his right he heard a whoosh.... He frowned. What was that? Whatever it was, the sound of laughter quickly followed. He changed course, only to find four winged warriors playing ball in the clouds. One threw the ball, while another tried to stop him. One caught the ball, while another tried to stop him.
Football. In the skies. Who would ever have thought? But...how happy they appeared. How content.
They werent part of Zacharels army, but Lysanders. Thane recognized one of the males. Brendon was his name, and he had frequented Thanes club on many occasions.
Thane stopped, hovering in the air some yards away. Perhaps they had heard something about the highly ranked demon that he had not. He called out a greeting.
The game paused, and all four looked over at him. At first, they smiled. But those smiles quickly faded as his identity was discerned.
Youre part of the Army of Disgrace, one said.
Thane was beginning to despise that name. I am.
What are you doing here? another snapped. This is our territory.
Your kind isnt wanted, Brendon said, peering down at his feet.
The fourth remained silent, but his glare spoke volumes.
Judgment and disdain, from his own kind, when they had no idea what had shaped him into the man he was. They had no idea what hed had to do to survive. They had no idea the pain and guilt and shame that constantly stalked his every stepeven though he told himself he enjoyed his life, that he liked what he was. And he did.
He did. Because he had to.
The four closed in around him, forming a circle, blocking him in. He could have mentioned Brendons own proclivities and called him a hypocrite, and the others would have believed him. Like all Sent Ones, his voice possessed the ring of truth. But he remained silent. He had many, many faults, but he would never ruin another mans standing with his friends.
He knew how important those friends could be.
You dont want to fight me, he stated calmly.
Oh, yeah? The leader raised his chin, all aggression and assurance of success. And whys that?
I have no honor, and you wont like what I do to you. To prove it, he kicked out his leg, nailing the leader in the stomach and making him hunch over for breath. At the same time, he twisted his upper body and, grabbing a sword from the air pocket at his right, swung out. He clipped the bottom of one of Brendons wings.
The warrior dropped from the sky, forcing the others to dart after him to prevent him from ultimately going splat. Thane wanted to laugh, but couldnt force a rise of amusement. He hated that he only received respect inside his club. He hated that everyone outside it mocked him, and drove him to such violent behavior.
As if he needed to be driven.
Theyre better than you. They can do whatever they want. He couldnt even remember what it was like to be untainted by the evils of life.
Whatever. He sped back into motion.
Any luck? he projected into Bjorns head. They were bonded so surely, so solidly, distance never mattered.
None. You?
None.
Any luck? he projected into Xerxes head.
Yes. Bad. You?
The same.
He had to find and stop Strife before any other human lives were ruined. Unlike some of his brethren, he understood the humans. He sympathized with their weaknesses. He wanted to protect them from the very pain he had endured.
Thane increased his speed. He needed to figure out his next plan of action. To clear his head. To think. Sex was his usual method, but he was used to finding his women in the club. They knew a little about him, what he expected, and he knew they were already on the road to ruination. He didnt have to worry about destroying their innocence.
But he didnt have time to fly to the club and fly back here. He would have to risk going to a human club, then. Yes, he decided. He would go to a human club. He would find a woman, the wildest one, have her and figure this out. Surely.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CANT FLASH, Nicola heard Koldo say, his voice dripping with all kinds of rage. You have to continue the hunt on your own.
He couldnt flash? Shed just turned the corner into the kitchen, where the men were located, but hearing him say that, she froze in the doorway.
I dont mind doing that, Axel replied. But I gotta tell you. Im getting nowhere. Your father leaves zero tracks.
Hes been planning this a long time. Before approaching us, he would have come up with a way to avoid detection.
Neither man noticed her. They sat at the table. And how odd they looked. Two primal warriors, seated so domestically at a hand-carved table, white-and-black-checkered curtains covering the bay window behind them.
But hes not smarter than me, Axel said. Or is it than I? I always forget. Anyway. Ill find a way to draw him out.
Hungry? she asked, finally earning their notice.
Axel squared his shoulders, at attention. Koldo raked a hand over his scalp, as if he were embarrassed. How adorable.
They were wearing identical white tops and pants, the material loose, and they both looked adorable. Like best friends who had made a pact to always do everything togethereven dress.
Say that aloud. I dare you. Well? she prompted.
We can feed ourselves, Koldo said at the same time Axel said, Im ravenous.
Well, my answer matches Axels, she said. Therefore, Ill make something. These past few days shed spent a lot of time puttering around in the kitchen, trying new recipes brought to her by Koldos friends, and it had been wonderful. Shed discovered a blooming talent she hadnt expected. Lack of time and money had never allowed her the luxury of even trying.
Axel smirked. Koldo scowled. She gathered dishes and cutlery and the appropriate ingredients for an avocado-and-strawberry salad, and all the while she could feel Koldos gaze on her, two white-hot pings drilling into her back.
Was he thinking about last night?
She was. With every glance, every touch, shed felt the depths of their connection. Something deep, inexorable.
Id like to hire you at my place, Miz Nicola, Axel said. I have a benefits package I know youll love.
A shuffle of clothing, the squeak of a chair. The pound of bone against bone.
Nicola turned and watched as the two men slammed together and propelled to the ground.
A growl from Koldo. Shes mine!
A laugh from Axel. And I cant tease you about her?
No.
Children! Enough, Nicola said, clapping to claim their attention.
They broke apart, Koldo huffing and puffing, Axel grinning.
Your jealousy is so cute, Axel said.
Just try to leave me, Koldo threw at Nicola.
I wont roll my eyes. Sit.
Instantly the men obeyed, reclaiming their chairs at the table.
She tossed all of the ingredients in a large bowl, then set smaller bowls in front of the guys. When she attempted to ease into the seat between them, Koldo took her by the arm and tugged her onto his lap. The warmth of his body and the sunshine scent of his skin instantly enveloped her, holding her captive.
He glared at Axel.
Axel grinned.
So...you cant flash, she said to Koldo.
He stiffened. No. I tried again this morning. I failed.
Whats wrong?
Something was done to me during that last fight. Koldo finished his meal in a hurry, stood, moved aside and urged her back into the chair. Stay here. Eat. He gave her a swift, hard kiss and tugged Axel from the room.
But Im not done with my food, she heard the black-haired warrior whine.
You are now.
The back door slammed behind them, cutting off any reply.
What am I going to do with that man?
She padded to the window and watched as he led Axel inside the small building theyd erected last week. Was Koldos dirty little secret in there? If so...what could it be? Another woman?
No, he wasnt the type to cheat. He had far too much honor.
Refusing to dwell, she fixed Laila a bowl, rinsed the rest of the dishes and placed them in the washer, then strode to her sisters bedroom. Her twin was pacing in front of the bed, her hands wringing together.
I made brunch, Nicola told her.
Im not hungry. Lailas skin was pale, her motions stiff.
Well, you need to eat.
There was a tinge of desperation to her sisters tone as she said, We were almost killed, Co Co.
But we werent. We survived.
What if were attacked again?
What if were not? You shouldnt worry about whats going to happen, La La, but you should expect to be protected when something does. So far, her sister had wanted nothing to do with Koldo, the tattoos or anything hed saiddespite knowing he was right!
You really believe that?
I do.
And I want to be like you. I do. I just... I have trouble trusting it all. I mean, staring at a bunch of number tattoos is going to help me? Please!
Trust is a decision, not a feeling. Just like forgiveness. Give it a shot.
I just... Im sorry. No. I cant.
Nicola could have curled into a ball and cried. But instead, she rallied, determined. Youll continue to worry and that worry will kill you. Is that what you want?
No. Her sisters shoulders drooped.
Nicola reached out, squeezed her hand. Lets do something to distract you. Something to improve her frame of mind. Books wouldnt cut it, and TV might exacerbate the problem. All that left was... Ugh. Something that sounded like torture. We can, I dont know, work out or something. Get our bodies in shape.
I dont know. I
Please. For me.
Laila massaged the back of her neck. Im not in the mood.
Neither am I, but we could both use the exercise. Before her sister could issue another refusal, she added, Ill be in the workout room. Join me, okay?
A pause, a sigh, then, Okay. Maybe.
Definitely. Nicola clomped into her bedroom and changed into a sports bra, tiny skintight shorts and running shoes. Her first pair. Well, the first pair she would actually put to use.
She entered the workout room and looked around. Machine after machine greeted her. All large. All intimidating. The only piece of equipment she recognized was the treadmill.
That would have to do.
Nicola set a slow paceat first. But the sweat began to roll, and her heart began to pound, her muscles to burn, and she liked it, so she raised the incline and kicked up the speed. Soon she was jogging. And jogging and jogging! Shock filled her, but the exercise felt so good, too good to stop, invigorating her, and she thought she could go on forever, and that if she were outside, she could run across the entire world. There was so much oxygen in her brain, her thoughts were actually fizzing, her blood popping and crackling and her ponytail swinging back and forth, slapping her in the face, and oh, even that felt good, because she was free and she was healthy and nothing could stop her, and
Im pleased.
Her attention jerked to the left. Koldo stood in the doorway, his expression satisfied, his hands fisted on his hips. The action jolted her, and she missed her next step. The treadmill was unforgiving, and she stumbled, flying backward and slamming
Into Koldo.
His body was big and hard, and she lost her breathbreath that had already gone thin and raspy. Suddenly light-headed, she hunched over. Or would have. Koldos arms banded around her, holding her upright.
Im sorry, he said. I didnt mean to startle you.
Dont worry about it, she wheezed. And okay, wow, the workout had affected her more than shed realized. You should probably let me go. Im sweaty.
His pupils expanded, gobbling up the golden color of his irises. I like you that way.