Dark Summoner (Relic Keeper Series Book 1) (10 page)

“Cute is
so
not the right word for him, Reagan. I don’t even know if there is a right word. A god might be close enough.”

Voices became stronger and more pronounced as we rounded the corner. The sounds came from a large billiard room at the end of the hall. I glimpsed inside the halfway open door. Reagan reached past me and shoved the door open, the sound of it slamming into the wall and drawing everyone’s attention.

F
ive men turned in our direction, taking my measure in a single moment. Maybe Reagan had been used to being around men like this all the time, but I wasn’t. I had to force myself not to flinch or recoil, reminding myself of what Reagan had said. These men only gave respect to those who demanded it. Now was not the time to show weakness. Not if I wanted answers. Reagan didn’t pressure me like she normally did. She waited for my lead and allowed me to show some confidence. I walked down the three short steps into the lion’s den, and Reagan followed a step behind me.

The room oozed stylish masculinity. An enormous fire within the stone hearth blazed wildly to my left, taking up an entire wall. The rich, spicy scent of expensive Cuban cigars drifted throughout the room, tingling my nose. The flat wood-covered walls were a unique black-espresso color, and in the center of the room was a large, black, slate pool table. To my right, gray suede bar stools lined the edge of the long, sleek granite counter. A huge mirror was encased behind the bar, along with dozens of bottles of top-shelf alcohol. On the farthest wall was a seventy-two inch plasma TV that showcased luxury sports cars. Residing on either side of the flat screen were two, black leather, L-shaped couches, and seated along them were five of the most breathtaking men I had ever seen.

I recognized the two men who sat on the closest couch. It was the surfer blond guy who’d manhandled me last night, and the one with the sunglasses who coincidentally wore them again. I wondered if he ever took them off. The other man I didn’t know. He had deep, brown hair tied back and even deeper brown eyes. His thick mustache and beard, trimmed short, suited him. I hated to admit it, but practically every man in the room was beyond sexy. I understood now how Reagan had been so calm around attractive men. She’d had practice every day with these guys.

The instant the surfer saw Reagan, his demeanor changed. He leaned farther back into the plush cushions, taking his time as he admired her from head to toe.

Did she have any idea that this man wanted her? I noticed her expression remained unchanged. No blushing or glancing away. If she did want him, she knew that acting coy or nervous wouldn’t work. He wasn’t looking for prey; he was looking for another hunter.

On the other couch was the third man from the other night, the one who frightened me. His white hair and even whiter eyes radiated a threat in my direction. He didn’t trust me, but I was fine with that. The dislike was mutual.

Finally, the last set of eyes that reached mine were those of the Dark Summoner. He sat with his legs wide, as he leaned back to one side, his perfect, powerful body even more dangerous and sinfully sexy. He wore a black, long-sleeved shirt open at the top, revealing a tiny portion of his bronzed, firm skin. Deep blue jeans hugged his long muscular thighs, followed by a pair of thick black boots. I searched his expression for some hint or recognition about last night, but as usual, he gave nothing away. The room itself was already hot from the fire, but the moment I saw him again, my skin sizzled.

Reagan led me over to the bar. She patted her hand on the seat and then went around to the inside. She set two shot glasses on the counter and pulled out a large bottle with clear liquid. She poured each to the rim and slid the nearest one toward me. I lifted it to my nose and the rich aroma of tequila rushed my senses.

“To starting over,” she said, raising her cup into the air as she downed the liquid in one swig. I’ve never been a big fan of shots, but I figured I could use the liquid courage. I followed her lead. The dry, warm flavors forged a fiery assault against my throat. Without a lime and salt, I didn’t like tequila all that much. At my request, Reagan refilled our glasses twice over. I’d always been pretty good at holding my liquor, so she obliged me. Three shots wouldn’t make me slur, but it would definitely ease my inhibitions.

I scanned the room for my host. He was still seated on the couch, watching us with mild interest. I turned back toward Reagan.

“Now or never?” I asked her, and she automatically understood. I doubted I’d feel any more relaxed then I did right now. Not that I was actually relaxed. That was the wrong word. I was nowhere near as scared as before by about fifty percent. Getting my odds any higher wasn’t likely, so it was time to prove myself.

With a nod of her head, she grabbed her glass and led us into the center of the room. She stood over the seated men, only barely, and introduced us. “Abby, this is Luca, Marcus, and Mr. Silent over here is Dominic. He doesn’t talk that much.” She used her glass to point to each of them. Luca was actually Surfer’s name. He gave me a warm smile before turning his eyes back to admiring Reagan. Sunglasses turned out to be Marcus, and the guy with the ponytail was Dominic.

She swung around to the other couch. “This exceedingly friendly man right here is Roman,” she said nudging her head toward my white-haired enemy. “And of course, you know Kieron.” She plopped down onto the sofa beside Luca and lifted her feet onto the ottoman, crossing one ankle over the other. “This is the main group. I’m sure you’ll meet the others later.”

“Glad you could join us, Reagan,” Marcus said as he slapped her leg, earning himself a sharp look from Luca. “Things were starting to get boring around here without you.”

She laughed, and they quickly picked up into friendly conversation. When they weren’t being ominous or threatening, these men were fun to be around.

Sharp, seductive eyes watched my every move, causing my body temperature to skyrocket. Beads of sweat slid down my neck and dripped down between my breasts into oblivion.

Now or never, Abby, I told myself over and over. I’d hoped distance and time would melt my desire and amplify my anger, but it had done neither. The moment I saw him, I was right back where I was the first time. Desperate. I hated it. I gathered the last of my resolve and sat across from him. With one last deep breath, I spoke.

“I want you to tell me everything, and I want you to tell me now.”

An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Everyone watched and waited to see what he would do, how he would respond. I knew that making a demand again would have one of two effects. He would either find it entertaining that I hadn’t learned from the first time, or he would be less than entertained and threaten me.

After a tense moment, he leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “Making demands again, I see.”

I mimicked his posture. “I think I’m allowed to make a few demands. Seeing that it’s my life on the line and not yours.”

“Very well, then,” he said, rising back up to rest his back against the leather couch. The muscles of his chest flexed against the fabric every time he shifted.

“What do you think you know?”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Mr. Cross told you about the Relic, yes?”

“Yes.”

“What did he tell you it does?”

“You don’t know?” I said, surprised by his admission.

A predatory smile crossed his face. “I’d like to hear it from you.”

“Well, he said it’s an amulet and it can destroy worlds. He said I was the Keeper and I’m supposed to use the Relic to defeat the Walker. And he mentioned a prophecy from the Diviners. Is that what you’re asking?”

“Anything else?”

I stalled, unsure of how much I should reveal from what Dorian told me. “I think that’s everything. Now it’s your turn.”

He didn’t speak as he watched me squirm under the heat of his stare. I don’t think he believed me, but he let it go for now.

“Much of what he told you is true. The Relic is an amulet with power wielded through its Keeper. However, I’m certain he failed to mention the Council’s interests in the Relic.”

“They want to use it—use me—to destroy the Walker.”

“Is that what they told you?”

“Yes, but . . .”

He waited for me to continue.

“They didn’t seem to believe I was the right person. I’m not sure I am, either. I don’t think I can do what it is they want me to do.”

He was guarded again, unreadable. Why was everything about him so hard to gauge? I couldn’t tell a thing about his thoughts, which left me constantly questioning everything. Some part of me wanted—needed—his reassurance.

“Do you think it’s true? That I’m the Keeper?”

Marcus approached us, placing a wide glass of cognac on the table next to Kieron. He lifted it to his lips and took a slow drink, letting it hover in his hands as we spoke. I watched intently as his tongue slid out to taste the residue left on his succulent lips. Stay on track, Abby.

“Perhaps, but only time will tell.”

I was so sick of all the half-truths and half-admissions that filled this world. Why couldn’t anyone be direct and say exactly what they thought?

“I don’t get it. Why don’t they have you get rid of her?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Well, if you’re this all-powerful sorcerer like Dorian said—”

“Is that what Mr. Cross told you? That I’m an ‘all-powerful’ sorcerer?” He was both curious and entertained by my comments. When I didn’t respond, he continued. “The Black Walker has risen through shadow magic, a power that cannot be manipulated or undone. Not even by me.”

“So she can’t be defeated?” What was all this for then?

“I don’t believe so. But the Council is convinced that the Relic will enable the Keeper to have the power to do it.”

“But you don’t think I can.”

“At present? Absolutely not.”

“What happens now?” I asked, genuinely concerned.

“It appears that we are stuck with one another until you are in full possession of the Relic and its powers.”

“So my first step is to find the Relic?

“No, the Relic will find you.”

It was a bizarre concept—having an object search for me. Everyone talked about the Relic, like it was alive, made choices.

“What happens after it finds me?

“Your life becomes exponentially more difficult.”

“How do I use it? Wield its power?”

He sat back and smiled, taking another leisurely sip from his glass. “That’s something only you can discern.”

“Great. So I’m doomed then.”

“Not necessarily.”

“What if I were to just run away? Hide from all of this?”

“That would be ill-advised,” he stated.

“What if someone kills me?

“An impossible scenario. Under my protection, you will come to no harm. Not unless I will it.”

Somehow that comment did little to comfort me.

“Even from the Black Walker?”

I secretly hoped that he’d say, “Yes. Of course.” But I knew he wouldn’t—perhaps, couldn’t—make that promise.

“There is no easy solution, Ms. Davenport. You have but two options: accept your fate or accept your death. There is no going back.”

I glanced over to Reagan who leaned against the leather cushion. I knew from the look in her eyes, she was telling me to ask him for the help that I needed. I’d hoped at some point during this conversation he’d offer, but I knew better. He wasn’t going to offer me anything. Not unless I asked for it. He wasn’t the kind of man who gave things out.

“So, train me. Teach me everything I need to know.”

He chuckled to himself. “There isn’t enough time in the world to teach someone like you what it takes.”

“And what’s that?”

“Are you willing to compromise yourself?”

“What do you mean? Am I willing to die to stop her?” Right now, the answer to that was no. If anything, I wanted to live. I was trying to find a way to do both.

“No, Ms. Davenport. Dying would be heroic and noble, but it wouldn’t save anyone. I’m asking whether or not you’d be willing to lose your soul? To go against everything you have ever believed in? In order to defeat one’s enemy, one must be willing to go a step further.”

A step further. Further than what? I wanted to ask, but I knew the answer wasn’t simple. The only thing I knew for certain was that either way, the world was no longer safe. I was no longer safe.

“I’ll do whatever you tell me to.”

He raised his brow, intrigued by my appeal. “Whatever I tell you to? Without question?”

I hated to agree to something so blindly, but I didn’t really have a choice. Naughty parts of my mind hoped he’d tell me to sleep naked in his bed. But I had more pressing issues to deal with.

“Without question.”

He waited, his index finger filling the space between his closed lips as he gave me a thorough once-over. “We begin your training immediately. But make no mistake. Your word is binding, and I will hold you to it. It will not be taken lightly if you fall out of line. Do you understand?”

I hated being indebted to him. But what other choice did I have? None. He knew it and so did I.

“Yes.”

“Good. Now return to your room and rest. We must prepare for what comes next.”

“What comes next?” I asked, even though I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

“I anticipate that your presence with me has already become well-known. Soon, they will gather their forces—and then they will come for you.”