Betrayed (47 page)

“Can’t I just freeze her like last time?” I asked.

Bran shook his head. “No. Her insides wil shut down and trap the gel. You need her awake.” He turned his attention to the others. “We’l need one person with us to watch our backs while the rest of you keep an eye on her friends.

Remember, we’re here to get Solange and the traitor, not to start a fight with the Nosferatu. The Specials said Solange met with the Guardian out here. Knowing Solange, she won’t come alone.”

“My target is the Guardian,” Izzy said shortly.

“So I’m staying.”

“I’l watch Izzy’s back,” Sykes said. “Besides, I want to check out this Solange babe,” he added, smirking.

Kim made a disgusted sound. “I’l go inside with Lil and Bran.”

Bran looked at Remy then got to his feet.

“Let’s do this then go home,” he said in a low voice, sounding tired. Or maybe he’d given up. We were close to finding out the whereabouts of the List. I thought he’d be pleased.

Adrenaline raced through me as we left the shadowy parking lot and approached the entrance.

Bran detoured and knocked on the driver’s window of the second SUV. The window rol ed down to reveal a blonde with porcelain skin and topaz eyes.

She hissed, baring her fangs. “What, Llyr?”

“We’l fix her up then come out. Only then can you go inside to get her. You make any attempt to come inside before we’re done, we’l kil her,” Bran warned her.

“You hurt her, and I’l personal y hunt you down,” she snarled at Bran then rol ed up the window.

“I counted only four,” Bran said as we continued to the building, “but knowing Nosferatu, there are more nearby. Don’t heal her until we’ve talked to Zedekiah.”

The inside of the hotel looked decent enough

—eggshel wal s, tan and brown checkered carpet that matched the curtains, brown leather chairs by a huge fish-tank, and landscape paintings on the wal s.

There was no front desk, just windows to the office, which was empty. Bran didn’t even slow down since he’d already been inside and knew exactly where Lottius and Zedekiah were holed up.

We fol owed him down a hal way. A strong stench of air freshener mixed with stale cigarettes hung in the air. Kim made a face like she’d tasted something bad. I wrinkled my nose and just grinned at Kim’s discomfort.

at Kim’s discomfort.

Bran stopped outside a room.

Kim positioned herself beside the door, her back to the wal and arms crossed. “I’l stay out here.

If you need me, just let me know.”

He banged on the door and yel ed, “Open up, Z.”

“Is that you, Llyr?” Zeke responded from inside.

“Who else cal s you Z?” Bran snapped.

The door opened to reveal the short guy. He’d ditched his coat revealing a gray suit and light blue shirt. His black hair was greased back, and a trimmed moustache rested above his upper lip. His sal ow skin said he didn’t spend that much time outdoors and he didn’t look us in the eye.

“Thank God you’re early,” Zedekiah said.

“The vamp’s been threatening to feed on me if I didn’t shut up. I came here of my own free wil . Hey!

What are you doing?”

Bran had grabbed the shorter man by his col ar and lifted him off the ground as if he weighed nothing. A serrated blade jutted from his clenched fist as he raised his other hand.

“Don’t talk to me about your free wil , you piece of filth,” he said in a cold voice. “I want to know why you set me up.”

Shocked into immobility, I gawked at the scene.

“I didn’t. I swear, I didn’t,” the man screamed, arms crossed in front of his face.

Bran shook him. “We were ambushed. My brother is half dead because of you. Give me one reason why I shouldn’t finish you here and now.” Bran’s hand rose, the knife in his hand gleaming as it caught the light.

“I was fol owing orders. Lord Damien’s,” Zedekiah stammered.

“Lies! That’s what you’re good at, Z. I ought to let the vamp finish you.”

I reached out to touch him, maybe calm him down.

Kim caught my wrist. “Don’t.”

I snatched my hand away.

“What do you mean
don’t
? Angelia said Zedekiah had something to tel us.”

Kim made a disgusted sound. “Tel ? Sleaze bal s like Zedekiah are bought by the highest bidder.

They don’t tel anyone anything unless the price is right. Right now, it’s his life. Let Bran do his thing while you take care of Lottius.”

Bran walked further into the suite, hauling Zedekiah behind him past a table and some chairs, toward a couch in front of a television and a chest of drawers. The man tried to stand up, but he was no match for Bran’s longer strides. He tried to pry Bran’s fingers loose from the chokehold grip on his col ar, his face red and sweaty. Bran threw him on the couch and leaned over him.

“Start talking,” Bran snapped. “Tel me about the deals you’ve been making—who has the List, and where is the mortal combat taking place?” I nodded at Kim, closed the door behind me, and fol owed Bran and Zedekiah, but a moan drew my attention to the bedroom. Lottius was curled up near the edge, her eyes closed. I tuned out the exchange between Bran and Zedekiah and walked to her side. Her skin looked grey and her body quivered every so often. The convulsions were so fast she became blurry. I touched her shoulder when a spasm passed. She twitched and opened her eyes.

“Please, take it out of me,” she begged.

“Not yet,” Bran cal ed out. He shook his head when I looked at him.

Feeling sorry for Lottius even though I knew I shouldn’t, I stepped back.

“Just a second and I’l take care of it,” I reassured her then moved to where Zedekiah cowered on a chair.

“I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” he said, speaking fast and gesturing, his eyes vol eying between me and Bran. “I’m a broker. A damn good one. Some would even say I’m successful, but what I have is nothing compared to what the man offered me.”

“Demon,” Bran snapped.

“I didn’t know that until later. Okay? He offered me five mil ion dol ars to convince four different groups to sign a contract for a deal he was offering. I had no idea I’d be dealing with the supernatural world until the contract appeared in his hand out of thin air.”

“And when you found out, you tried to get out of the deal,” Bran said with a snicker.

“He sent hel hounds after me,” Zedekiah

“He sent hel hounds after me,” Zedekiah said, crossing himself.

Bran closed his eyes and sighed. “I don’t care how or why you sold your soul, Zedekiah. Just answer my questions.”

“But I want you to understand why I did it, Llyr.

I’m not a greedy man, but five mil ion dol ars is five mil ion dol ars, and now I won’t get a cent if you don’t make it to the negotiating table.”

“Why should Bran sign it?” I asked Zedekiah.

“Give him the contract, you stupid man, before I change my mind and cal my friends to finish you off,” Lottius yel ed from behind us, then another shudder shook her. They were becoming more frequent.

“See what I’ve been dealing with the last hour,” Zedekiah whined. “Make that the last two weeks. Threats to be sucked dry by vampires, eaten by creatures that make werewolves look tame by comparison, nearly mauled by invisible dogs—”

“Or instant death by my knife if you don’t stop whining,” Bran snarled and waved the blade. “Where and when are the negotiations taking place?”

“Tomorrow night. It starts at midnight on Jarvis Island, South Pacific Ocean. They cal the negotiation a mortal combat.” Zedekiah laughed.

“Funny, isn’t it? Like the video game, only there’l be no fighting.”

“Stupid human,” Lottius mumbled. “There’l be fighting al right. The kind our world has never seen.”

“Ignore her. That’s pain talking.” Zedekiah rol ed out a brown, old parchment that looked like an animal skin. The edges were uneven and blackened as though someone trimmed it with fire. “Al you have to do is sign this,” the broker added in a silky voice.

Bran took the parchment and read it. I inched closer, stomach roiling. The slanted words were written in black. Blood drained from my head as I read the first sentence.

This is a binding contract between Damien and Bran Llyr of the House of Lazari. On this day, the 20th day of the 5th moon in the year of our Goddess 6992, Bran Llyr wil ingly consents to enter the mortal combat to be held on Jarvis Island. If Bran Llyr wins, he wil be awarded the List as his property and wil be free to do whatever he wants with its contents. If he loses, he forfeits the contents of the List forever, which revert to Damien.

“You can’t sign that,” I cried, my eyes on Bran’s face, not liking the expectant look in his eyes one little bit. “You’re a Guardian, not a representative of some stupid House of Lazari.”

“Aren’t I?” he asked calmly then glanced over at Lottius who watched us with a spiteful gleam in her eyes. “Someone told us the combat is on Friday.

Zedekiah says it’s Saturday. Which is it?” Lottius laughed softly. “It starts after midnight on Friday, so Saturday it is. Sign it already so I can get the hel out of here.” Another convulsion shook her.

“Don’t,” I insisted, a sob catching in my throat.

Images of demons the size of Dante flashed in my head. I didn’t want to lose Bran.

“They’l kil you,” I added in a whisper.

Bran’s gaze locked with mine. “I can’t afford to worry about my death, Lil.”

“What a terrible thing to say,” I cried. “You promised me we’d always be together.”

“My soul is at stake,” he said softly as though begging me to understand then prickled the tip of his finger with the dagger. “My soul, Lil,” he added firmly, our gazes connecting. “I battle demons everyday to save the souls of Guardians. Why can’t I fight for mine?”

I had no response for him, my chest hurting with each breath I took.

“That’s right,” the broker urged. “Sign up so I can leave this roach infested room.”

“Shut up, Zedekiah, or I’l kil you myself,” I yel ed, my gaze locked with Bran’s, panic the size of a tsunami slamming through me. “Please, don’t do this. Valafar said he’d help.”

Lottius laughed again. “You’re such a fool, Lilith.”

“Shut up, or the
hellgel
stays inside you,’ I snapped then repeated urgently, my eyes on Bran’s face, “he promised he’d help.”

Bran sighed. “We’ve gone over this, Lil. I don’t trust Valafar. I must do this. It’s the only way.” He spread open the parchment with one splayed hand and pressed the finger he pricked until blood pooled on the tip.

Everything slowed as the red blob dropped down, down, down… So many thoughts zipped through my head. A feeling of impending doom through my head. A feeling of impending doom washed over me. The blood hit the paper and was immediately absorbed. The point where it landed smoldered, then the fire spread and consumed the paper, leaving behind nothing, not even ashes.

24. Ambushed

I stared at Bran slack-jawed. He didn’t look away, his eyes narrowed in defiance, his belief in his action unwavering.

“Help her so we can leave,” he ordered, but his eyes begged me for understanding.

I understood al right. He was determined to save his soul. Then why did resentment coil my insides? The Nosferatu whimpered and drew my attention. Giving Bran one last glance, I faced her.

“Lie on your back.”

Her tremors were stronger but Lottius straightened her limbs. A flick of my wrist and the buttons of her top popped. Another wave and the lapels moved apart. Ribbons of veins snaked from the middle of her stomach and radiated to the side.

They looked garish under her skin, like long blue worms. Shuddering, I pul ed out the dagger and brought it close to her skin. She whimpered, her eyes changing from amethyst to red.

“If you move and the dagger touches your skin….” Bran warned her.

“I know that,” she growled through clenched teeth. Another convulsion shook her.

Using the dagger was out of the question. I was in no state to be careful and she was scared.

Putting it away, I looked into her eyes and focused on her psi energy. She fought back, her eyes frantic.

I’m going to try something different. It’s okay. I’m not
going to hurt you.

“Like I’d trust a Guardian. The only reason I’m letting you near me—”

Shut up.
Trapping her energy, I placed my hand on her stomach and searched for the
hellgel.

Her skin was cold, the veins pulsing. Another spasm shook her, but she watched me as if I were the executioner, eyes darting between my face and the hand on her bel y. I locked on the crystal and careful y brought it to the surface until it formed a bump under her skin. She whimpered.

I froze her then nodded to Bran. “Open her up.”

“You know I have to do this, Lil,” he said slowly in a subdued tone while removing the blade he used before.

“I know that. How else would we remove the gel?” I mumbled.

He sighed. “I’m talking about the combat.” He leaned toward Lottius and made an incision across her stomach, right by her bel y button.

She hissed in pain. The
hellgel
slid out like a slug, gooey and slimy. It also appeared smal er than when we first put it inside her. Bran waved a hand and water drained out of it and into the cover on the bed, leaving behind ashes.

“It’s the only way to get my hands on the List,” Bran added.

“Why won’t you give Valafar a chance?” I begged him. “He could stil get your contracts.”

“I don’t trust him, and you shouldn’t either,” his voice rose.

I shook my head, frustrated by his inability to look past Valafar’s faults. He was trying to be nice.

“Fine, but I wish you had talked to me first.” The radiating blue veins on Lottius stomach started to fade along with the wound. The process picked up speed as soon as I unfroze her. I glanced at Bran from the corner of my eyes. “How would you like it if I made a decision about something that dangerous without talking to you first?”

His shoulders drooped, and he forked his hair His shoulders drooped, and he forked his hair with his fingers. “I’d try to see it from your point of view,” he said in a voice that was both sad and tired.