Kiss of the Betrayer (A Bringer and the Bane Novel) (7 page)

Her meaning jolted him. By all accounts he
was
a weapon, only he didn’t know how to use his newly gifted powers.

Anger flared. Over the past two weeks Rhys had casually discussed his own transformation to a Shield. Luc had listened to the stories but hadn’t taken the details to heart—hadn’t realized his friends were setting him up to also be changed. He pushed his resentment away. Betrayal was a distraction he couldn’t currently afford.

He sifted through his and Rhys’s conversations, searching for something he could use. Shields were protectors and their powers engaged when others were in danger.

Nice and vague.

With the Bane he felt the prickles of fire under his skin. Now all he felt was a heavy awareness of danger, but no sudden intuition on how to transform or even use his abilities. It seemed being brought to full power didn’t automatically give him instant knowledge.

A large man stepped forward, dragging a woman behind him. She fought his hold, but her feeble attempt was no match for his brutal grip. He thrust her forward and she crumpled to the ground a few yards from Luc, wrapping her arms protectively around her waist and folding in upon herself. Familiar brown eyes stared up at him.

“I’m—” Small whimpers hiccupped from the woman. “Sorry.”

Luc recognized her immediately. The dock whore.

“Shut up!” The man kicked her, the toe of his boot catching her in the stomach.

She gasped and doubled over, slowly sliding to the ground, where she lay struggling for breath.

An unfamiliar heat surged through Luc and engulfed him. His body shuddered from the force of the fire pouring through his veins. At that moment, all he wanted was to beat the man until rivers of his blood soiled the ground. Shocks pricked his fingertips. He flexed his fingers against the unfamiliar sensation. Jade took a tiny step toward him, pressing her back to his chest, as if she knew his intent. The warm presence of her body kept him rooted, dousing the rage, and preventing it from overpowering him.

“Saw how generous you was to her today, my lord.” The large man nodded toward the whore. “Ya seemed rather lonely at the tavern and I thought, now there’s a nice fellow who needs a friend. So I had Shillings here…” He flicked his head toward the skinny lad to his right. “Follow ya.” He slapped the young man on the back and smiled. “Best tracker this side of the Alba Sea.”

Shillings gave his master a gapped smile that betrayed his dim-wittedness but also held a hint of maniacal pleasure.

Luc’s mind raced for a way to protect both women. “If all you wanted was to rob me, why bring the whore?”

“Call her insurance.” A gapped and rotting smile stretched across his thin lips. “Since whether she lives or dies depends on your answer, I figured you’d be less inclined to refuse our kind offer.” Laughter rippled around the circle of men. “So what do ya say, my lord? Want to be our friend? All it will cost you is your purse.”

Luc trained his gaze on the leader of the group, but as the heat circulated through him, his other senses heightened. Awareness of each thief’s movement and position aligned itself within his consciousness. He knew despite the leader’s posturing, the man was not the most dangerous of the lot. The need to protect Jade rivaled the urge to batter each of these ruffians to a bloody pulp, protecting the whore only slightly lesser.

Luc kept his voice low and his meaning clear. “I have enough friends.”

“Well now, that’s too bad.” The leader wrapped his hand around the hilt of the dagger sticking out of his pants and pulled it out. “But I’ll be takin’ your purse just the same.” His eyes drifted to Jade. “And the woman.”

Blistering heat coiled through Luc’s hands. He squeezed his fingers in an effort to stem the flow. The fire pushed back, painfully demanding its release. “Leave now before I lose my temper.”

The men erupted in laughter. Sweat beaded on Luc’s skin, his powers fighting against the weak rein he had on them.

“Thanks for the warning,” said the leader. “But we’ll take our chances.”

The circle of men tightened. Jade pressed flush against him. There was no way to protect her. Knives and daggers were pulled from the thieves’ hidden pockets and sleeves. Back near the trees, another thief notched an arrow.

“Do something,” Jade said, making no attempt to keep her voice low.

The fear in her words pushed at Luc. Opening his hands, he let the fire pool in his palms. The freedom that releasing his fire caused was unexpected and euphoric. He fought for control, barely maintaining his command over the energy. A hundred battles never prepared him for the heady rush of knowing he couldn’t lose this fight.

He pivoted and flung two balls of fire at the men positioned behind him. Like dry timber, the flames engulfed their layers of clothing. Screams filled the woods. They pulled at their garments, unsuccessfully trying to rip the flaming cloth from their bodies. Seeking help, the burning men ran open-armed and flailing toward their comrades. The other thieves dove out of the way in an effort to avoid the flames. Luc saw two men duck back into the forest and disappear. Nobody moved to help and finally, the human torches fell to the ground, where they continued to burn, unmoving.

The smell of charred flesh assaulted Luc. One of the watching attackers fell to his knees and vomited. Jade spun, but Luc stepped aside in an attempt to block her view of the horrific scene.

She darted around him and froze. A look of shock blossomed on her face. Too late, he grabbed her arm, trying to pull her back against the protection of his body. A heavy thump sounded and Jade convulsed. She stumbled backward and slammed into Luc, her knees buckling. As she crumpled, he caught her in his arms.

“Jade?” He cradled her to him. “Jade?”

Her eyes grew wide and Luc followed her gaze. The shaft of an arrow protruded from her chest. Her mouth opened and shut a few times before forming words.

“I’m hit.”

He lowered her to the ground, trying not to disturb the arrow. Anger rolled through him like a dust storm across the desert plains of Alba. He looked up, his sight narrowing on her attacker. Rage took over, blotting out any thought for his safety. Without hesitation Luc jumped to his feet and cast a ball of energy toward the archer. The strike veered wide, blasting a tree into a hundred pieces. The man dove, but gained his feet to flee into the shadows.

Unable to stem his fury, Luc blasted anything that moved, sending fire into the dark recesses of the forest. Flames erupted around them. The thieves scattered, leaving the whore, who still cowered on the ground.

The uncontrollable lust for destruction roared through him. He searched the clearing for his enemies but saw no one. His gaze fell on Jade, the need for conquest instantly bleeding out of him. He knelt, forgetting the thieves and growing flames. Shivers racked her body.

“Don’t worry, Jade.” He smoothed her hair from her face. She looked ghostly white in the fiery glow. He glanced at the spreading fire. “It’s going to be all right.”

She mouthed something he couldn’t hear and reached a trembling hand toward the arrow. Not wanting her to tear open the wound, Luc stayed her hand.

With as much care as his panic would allow, he scooped her into his arms, making sure not to bump the protruding shaft. The whore stumbled to her feet, clutching her arm, and approached them. Fear flared on her face—whether from him or the growing fire, he couldn’t be sure.

“The fire spreads,” she said.

Smoke billowed around them, thickening the air. Jade coughed and cried out. Luke laid her on the ground again and gripped the bottom of her tunic. He yanked, tearing a wide strip of material, and tied it loosely over her mouth and nose. Following his lead, the whore reached for the bottom of her skirt and did the same.

He glanced around, looking for some familiar marking to guide him out. Nothing was recognizable. Flames licked the surrounding trees. Best to head the direction the thieves fled. He lifted Jade again and looked at the whore. “Follow me.”

The woman nodded and fell into step behind them. If she remained calm and obeyed him, she’d survive to see her children. Heat seared his skin as the underbrush caught fire and swept across the ground like spilled wine. He hoisted Jade higher and breathed into the crook of his arm, the smoke nearly choking him. In an effort to stay ahead of the flames, he wove his way around the twisted trees and gnarled brambles.

He stopped and looked around. “Damn it.”

Though these woods were not unknown to him, the fire distorted their path. Loud pops echoed through the treetops.

“These flames are spreading faster than gossip travels through court.” The woman’s voice was steady despite the growing danger. She stepped around him and veered to the left of their previous direction. “There’s a dirt path not too far ahead.”

Luc followed, surprised by her calm demeanor and quick pace. Blood spread across Jade’s tunic. Each breath rattled in her chest. He
had
to get her to the boat. Ravyn could help her. Ravyn
had
to help her.

Within minutes they stepped onto a narrow trail. A blaze of orange illuminated the treetops, turning each leaf into a small light. The footpath glowed for several yards before plunging into darkness. Obviously familiar with the forest, the whore guided them out into the cool, black night.

The crackle of the now-raging forest fire sounded behind them. Luc didn’t have time to worry about the destruction he’d caused. His Shield instincts to protect and save replaced his anger and guilt about his and Jade’s current situation. She needed help. Town was far enough away to not be in danger from the blaze, but some of the closer huts might suffer.

The three traveled in silence. The whore ran from hut to hut, beating on each of the doors and giving warning. Luc didn’t stop, pushing forward to get Jade to the ship. Each time the woman caught up with them and took the lead.

She led him through sections of town Luc had never been in before. The strong smell of the sea sent waves of relief through him and signaled they were close to the docks. Despite his urging, the whore wouldn’t leave, following him onto Rhys’s ship. He’d deal with her after he took care of Jade.

“Ravyn?” Luc’s voice billowed across the deck of the ship. “Ravyn!”

The door to the captain’s quarters flew open. “Luc? What happened?” In seconds, she was at his side. “Oh no.” She stepped from his path. “Lay her on the bed.”

He carried Jade to the same bed he’d occupied only a day earlier. Despite the warm glow of candlelight, nearly all the color had bled from Jade’s complexion.

Ravyn followed him into the chamber and knelt beside the bed. The whore hovered near the door, but didn’t enter.

“What happened?” Ravyn said.

“Thieves.”

He kept his answer short but knew Ravyn would not let the subject go so easily. His sins pressed around him like a pack of wolves from which he couldn’t escape. To tell her about Esmeralda would not only lay open his failing, but betray Jade and her sister a second time.

He stared at Jade’s still form, now so frail and near-death. She was a colossal tyrant stuffed inside the tiny body of a woman. She annoyed him, had always annoyed him, even as a child. He didn’t trust her, but he wouldn’t fail her again, even if that meant lying to Rhys and Ravyn.

“Can you save her?”

“This is a grave injury.” Ravyn turned and stared at him as if searching for the answer to some unasked question. “What are you not telling me?”

Curse her new Tell intuition.
The greatest talent of the Bringer Tells was knowing when someone lied. After she’d been brought to full power, Ravyn had developed an overabundance of the gift—or curse, depending on whether he was on the receiving end of her scrutiny.

“Nothing.”

“You’re lying.” Her eyes narrowed. “We’ll speak later.” She flicked her head toward the door. “Take the woman and wait outside.”

“I’ll stay and help.”

Ravyn shook her head. “I can’t concentrate with you here.” She lowered her voice. “I’m still learning to control my powers and right now my Tell instinct is screaming that there is more to this story than you’re telling me. I can’t focus.”

She looked at Jade and examined the entry point of the arrow. Luc stood and backed away.

“Close the door behind you,” Ravyn called over her shoulder as she slipped her immortal dagger from her boot.

C
HAPTER
S
EVEN

A heavy chill enveloped Rell, pulling what felt like the last bit of heat from her body. Rarely did she venture into the lower regions of the Shadow World. When raising Jade, it had been safer to live near the surface in warm caverns, far from the concentration of the Bane. Most demons never hazarded beyond the main level of the throne room, choosing to exist near the king.

She shuddered from the heavy presence gathering around her, like being watched when she could see no one. The dark, narrow corridor appeared empty, but one could never be too sure in the bowels of the Shadow World.

She ran her hand up her arm, attempting to rub away the ominous foreboding filling her. The action helped stay her impulse to skitter back to the surface and hide in the safety of her hidden caverns, where hot pools bubbled and warmed an otherwise bitterly cold world. She focused her thoughts on Luc and fed off her desperation to exact revenge.

Icy rivulets of water oozed down the rough slab walls and disappeared into thin cracks along the base, cut by eons of constant dripping. The crisp air burned her nostrils with each deep breath. She exhaled, trying to calm her rapid heartbeat. Dampness seeped through her muscles and into her bones, causing them to ache.

She wouldn’t be here if not absolutely necessary. This section of the Shadow World resonated with everything she hated about being a Bane, everything she could never accept about the change that had been forced upon her. This was the true demon realm.

Only twice had she followed Icarus to the lower levels, needing to satisfy her curiosity about where the deadly demon traveled. Protecting Jade had required her to ferret out secrets and know who moved where in the netherworld.