Refracted (The Celadon Circle Book 2) (20 page)

He couldn’t show up without the book. Nathan and Case were tied up and would be no help. Quinn had had worse odds than three on one before, but not when a family member’s life hung in the balance.

He took a few cleansing breaths and put the car in gear. Just as the house came into view, Gabe reappeared in the passenger seat. Quinn yelped and slammed on the brakes.

“Shit! Wear a bell or something, Gabe.”

The angel’s face was bleak. “You have to get out of here.”

“I know it’s bad but surely we can take down three rednecks.” In Quinn’s opinion, Gabe more than tipped the scales in their favor.

“If it was just Lucas and his sons, then yes, but they aren’t alone.”

“Who’s with them?” 

“Illyria.” Gabe cursed under his breath and Quinn sat up straighter, peering through the inky blackness toward the house. “She’s Michael’s first in command – a ruthless Aeon who would gladly kill Casen and Nathan just for a rush.”

“Why is she here?” Quinn asked. Just what they needed, an angel who was mad as March with a penchant for thrill kills. Michael sure knew how to pick ’em.

“From what I gathered while spying, she pretended to be a demon. Michael’s plan was for her to keep your family busy by sending you to chase red herrings while other members of his army looked for Jordan. She recruited Lucas and his boys to help.”

It didn’t make sense. As much as he detested Lucas, Quinn didn’t think he would help the angels unless…

”What’s in it for him?” he asked.

“Michael promised to bring his wife back.”

Quinn grimaced. “Really? Angels do that?”

“It has been done in the past, but only in special circumstances.”

If Lucas was promised his wife, there would be no persuading him to change his mind.

There’s a bit of darkness in everyone – makes no difference who or what you are – and desperation reveals it every time.

Those were the words Lucas spoke the night he called and offered his
help
to find Jordan. He’d been referring to himself.

“So, what now?” Quinn looked at Gabe, whose face was partially hidden in shadow. “I can’t take off and leave Case and Nathan. If that angel is as demented as you make her sound, she might kill them.”

Gabe grabbed his arm. “Listen to me. She can’t get
The Oraculum
. Michael could use it to find Jordan and much more. Leave. Hide the book. I’ll take care of Illyria and her hired hands. I’m protected by the ward so she won’t detect my presence. I’ll surprise her.”

“How did she even find out about the book?”

“I don’t know. That’s not important right now. If she told Michael – and I’m sure she did – it is imperative that we keep it out of his hands.” Gabe squeezed Quinn’s arm. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to our family.”

The porch lights blazed to life, bathing the yard in a sickly yellow glow that didn’t quite reach the car. Quinn squinted against the glare, looking for movement.

The front door opened and a woman stepped out. Lavish brown hair fell like a river down her shoulders, and a black bodysuit hugged every curve. A scabbard hung across her back, the handle of what could only be a sword peeked from the top. She stared at the car.

“Is that her?” Quinn asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes.”

“I bet you could bounce a quarter on that ass.”

“Why would you do that?”

If they weren’t in such dire straits, Quinn would have laughed. “I just mean that she’s hot…you know, nice to look at.”

“Oh,” Gabe said. “Yes, I suppose she is attractive but I don’t see what that has to do with American currency.”

There were no words.

“Go – before she gets impatient and decides to come for you. She won’t wait much longer.” Gabe shifted slightly. “I’m going to teleport behind Case’s car. When you leave, she’ll more than likely give chase. I’ll intercede.”

Quinn ran scenarios of
what if
through his mind, weighing the pros and cons. None of them ended well. “I can’t, Gabe. If you all die, I won’t be able to live with myself.” He looked at the porch. The angel paced like a tiger. “I’d rather be gutted with that sword than run away and leave it all on your shoulders.”

The archangel smiled. “Families depend on each other – trust each other, right?”

Quinn nodded.

“When I walked away from orders, I hoped to have a chance to prove this is where I belong. Don’t take it away from me.”

Illyria started down the steps. Time was up.

“Go now, Quinn! Get as far away as you can and hide that book. As soon as I take care of things here, we’ll call you.”

Gabe disappeared in a whoosh of invisible wings and, before the reality of what he was doing came crashing down, Quinn revved the engine and made a U-turn in the yard. Clods of dirt and grass flew into the air as the Mustang’s tires chewed up the ground. In the rearview, he saw Lucas and his sons rush outside. 

In the fading gleam of porch lights, the lines of hate etched into Illyria’s face were unmistakable. Her eyes narrowed at the retreating car. Quinn shuddered and pressed the gas harder to the floor.

As he rounded the curve in the driveway that hid the house from view, the rearview showed two glowing figures facing off. Gabe had made his appearance. Quinn sent up a silent prayer for his family’s safety, switched gears, and sped away.

He had no idea where to go.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Jordan

Jordan rubbed her weary eyes. It was late and she was dead on her feet. While she had been talking with Gabe and Quinn, Mazie had called Ivy. During their conversation, the name of the hotel had been mentioned. That was all the information their youngest sister needed to find them. 

Before a call could be placed to Aamon, he called them. Ivy calmed their father while Jordan shot daggers at Mazie, who at least had the good sense to keep quiet. When she ended the call, Ivy pointed at the young girl and said, “Go home. Dad said if you are not there in five minutes, you’re grounded until the next great flood.”

“I’m not going back.” Mazie said from her perch on the couch.

Ivy snatched the girl’s X-Men book bag from the floor and dropped it in her lap. “Oh, yes you are. Gina’s gone – Dad kicked her out. There’s no reason you can’t stay there.”

“She could come back!”

Jordan sighed. “What happened?”

Mazie’s brown eyes pleaded with her. “Gina threatened me. She told me I’d better watch my back – that you wouldn’t be there to protect me anymore.”

“Why didn’t you tell Aamon?”

“He wasn’t there.”

Ivy tapped her foot. “He was there yesterday and today. Don’t bullshit us. You had plenty of chances to tell him.”

“Not to mention I tried for two days to talk to you,” Jordan interjected.

Mazie’s shoulders slumped. “I was mad,” she whispered.

“And I was worried sick about you!” Jordan pursed her lips, breathing as hard as a bull. “You know what? I’m tired. I don’t care what you do. I’m going to bed.” To Ivy, she asked, “Will you call Aamon back and deal with this?” She massaged her temples. A headache was coming on strong. “I need to lie down.”

Ivy frowned. “Sure, no problem. You okay?”

Jordan’s faint smile transformed into a grimace as pain thumped behind her eyes. Cambions didn’t get sick or experience headaches. “Yeah, I just need some rest. I haven’t slept well the past couple of nights.” She threw Mazie a dirty look.

Xander took over. “Go get changed. You can sleep in my bed tonight and Mazie can stay until morning. I’ll crash on the couch.”

Jordan wanted to argue that it wasn’t fair for him to give up his bed but her head pounded in time with her heart. She nodded. “Thanks.”

After changing into a long T-shirt, Jordan crawled into the comfortable bed and swaddled herself in the comforter. A soft knock came at the door. If it was Mazie, she would spank her butt. Dammit, she was exhausted.

Xander opened the door, a glass of water and some Ibuprofen in hand. “I got these at the front desk,” he explained.

Jordan ripped open the packs, popped all four pills into her mouth, and washed them down with the cold water. “Did Mazie leave?” she asked.

Xander took her glass and set it on the night table. He pointed to the pillow and she lay back, allowing him to pull the covers up and arrange them just so.

“She’s staying for the night. She and Ivy went to bed.” Jordan sat up, but he gently pushed her back down. “We’ll deal with it tomorrow. Get some rest.”

Her headache flared, pulsating as if something alive wanted to burst from her skull. She gripped her head, willing it to fade.

Xander watched from the door. Jordan knew he was concerned. She was, too. She hadn’t experienced any headaches since her visions stopped.

Suddenly, she didn’t want to be alone. It was irrational, she knew, but the pain in her head paired with talking to Quinn for the first time in months, the added stress of Mazie’s arrival, and the upcoming hunt made her feel small, vulnerable.

“Can you stay with me for a while?”

The words left her lips before she could think and Jordan wished she could reel them back in.

“Sure.”

Xander crossed back to the bed and stretched out beside her on top of the comforter. Grateful that he didn’t make a big deal about her request, Jordan allowed herself to relax. After all, she just wanted some company – at least, that’s what she told herself.

Xander turned the television on, but kept the volume low, and switched off the lamp. The lack of bright light along with his closeness did wonders for her headache. Jordan closed her eyes, grateful for the relief.

She had no idea when she dozed off. One minute she was listening to murmurs from the television and the next, she stood in a bedroom she didn’t recognize. A four-poster bed covered in a rich, terracotta quilt was decorated with throw pillows of green and gold. An antique dressing table stood against the wall. Jordan lightly ran her fingers over bottles of different lotions, rosewater, and a silver comb and brush that sat on the crackling finish.

Two windows let in brilliant light. She pulled aside the sheer curtain and looked out. A garden filled with a multitude of flowers and trees with gorgeous, autumn leaves garnished a perfectly trimmed, green lawn. In the distance she saw a desert dotted with cacti and scrub brush. Jordan realized where she was.

Purgatory.

She raced to the door and twisted the knob. Not only was it locked, it was also wired. When her hand came in contact with the cool metal, a blue arc of electric current knocked Jordan off her feet. She landed hard on the polished hardwood floor.

Footsteps sounded in the hallway outside. She held her breath, watching through blurred eyes as the silver doorknob turned. With no hesitation, Orias stepped into the room. All thoughts of escape disappeared when Jordan’s eyes met his.

He helped her to her feet and pulled her close, pressing his lips against hers. Euphoria filled Jordan, lifting her body to heights that made her swoon. Deep down, she knew it was wrong. Like scum on a pond, thoughts of disgust slowly rose to the surface and Jordan tried to pull away.

Orias’ grip was iron tight. He gently used his tongue, running it over her bottom lip, sending shivers through her. Helpless, Jordan’s lips parted and he deepened the kiss while his fingers sent a white-hot trail of heat down her collar bone. She moaned.

He pulled away and she could think again. Her mind screamed for her to wake up, but Jordan’s feeble protests went ignored. In one swift movement, Orias swept her up and carried her to the bed. The blankets felt like clouds beneath her and Jordan drifted, floating.

Orias loomed above her, breathing hard. He pinned her arms above her head, then brought his mouth to her neck. Inching north, he found a sensitive spot under her ear and worked it lightly with his lips and teeth, nibbling, sucking, sending fire throughout Jordan’s body with every trail of his tongue. Her arousal returned with a vengeance.  

His fingers deftly unbuttoned her shirt. Jordan’s skin sizzled beneath his touch. Cool air raised goosebumps on her exposed flesh. She arched her back, wanting more.

He obliged. 

His mouth moved slowly down, tasting every part of her. She couldn’t think, only
feel
. Jordan twisted her fingers in his soft curls and then explored the contours of his strong shoulders and back. When Orias groaned, clearly enjoying her touch, her body screamed.

He hop-skipped back to her swollen lips, and they parted for him like water. Orias’ fingers never stilled, lighting fires everywhere they touched. She clung to him like someone dying.

“Give this to me,” he whispered.

She’d give him anything.

“I need it,” his raw voice vibrated against her, causing ripples of feelings so intense Jordan couldn’t breathe.

“Say you’ll be mine, Jordan, only mine. Let me show you how good it can be.”

His promise was too much. Her body trembled in anticipation. “Yes,” she said, pushing away the unpleasant visions her mind thrust upon her. “Take it.”

His eyes flashed, triumphant. Jordan shivered, her body as weak as a newborn’s, powerless to stop him now.

Relishing the feel of his lips on hers, she watched through half-lidded eyes as he produced a ceremonial knife from thin air. The blade glinted, throwing flashes of light against the walls, the hilt bedecked with colored jewels.

“Are you ready?” Orias asked. There was no mistaking his hunger. He drew the tip of the blade down her neck, teasing her, and she tossed her head from side to side, wanting him so badly she ached.

There was no going back. This was where she belonged.

“Hurry,” she begged, baring her neck to make it easier. She couldn’t hold on much longer.

His kiss was hard, promising and demanding. Jordan rode the high.

“Close your eyes, darling.” He ran the tip of the blade lightly across her exposed breast and she sighed. “Let me love you.”

The knife grazed her skin and stopped at her neck. The cut was deep. Jordan gasped at the pain and opened her eyes. Orias produced a clear vial and held it against the wound. Blood, warm and sticky, streamed like red ribbons.

Jordan’s vision grew fuzzy around the edges. Objects in her line of sight became dark and her heartbeat lagged. Finally, the vial was filled. Orias set it aside and then, almost lazily, licked the trail of blood on her neck before clamping his mouth over the wound. Gently, he began to suckle, stoking the dying embers of desire.

“Yes,” she whispered.  

Jordan closed her eyes as Orias’ hands moved over her like a pianist, lighting in places she’d never been touched before. In her mind’s eye, great fires burned, scorching the earth. The smell of death hung heavy in the air, mingling with smoke and ash. Demons and angels clashed. Weapons flew, creating sparks that were quickly extinguished by sweat-drenched bodies. Piles of humans, disfigured and covered in gore, lined deserted streets like trash waiting to be collected on Tuesday. Members of her family struggled with hideous creatures born of nightmares and Hell as they fought for their lives. On a distant hill, Xander and Ivy waged their own battles against a multitude of demons. Their tired voices called out, urging her to wake up. Jordan watched it all, uncaring, with Orias by her side.

“Look at what you’ve created.”

Jordan turned to him. Her eyes shone pearl-white while his were the honest blue of sapphires. From Orias’ shoulders, a pair of glorious white wings fanned the flames.

<><><>

Gasping, she sat up. Something trickled down the back of her neck and Jordan wiped at it, sure her hand would come back red with blood. Flickering images from the television caused shadows to move along the walls and she flinched. Her chest heaved, desperate for cool, untainted air.

“Are you okay?”

Beside her, Xander’s eyes were wide, scanning the room for threats. She wondered if something followed her out of the nightmare.

Oh, God. It hadn’t been a dream, but a vision – not of something happening now, but something that
could
happen.

“Jordan?” Xander’s hand brushed her leg and she swallowed a scream.

Unable to answer, she stared at her hands, wondering how she could possibly bring on the end of the world, and why.

<><><>

The next morning, Jordan sat at the small breakfast table and picked at her food. Ivy and Mazie sat in silence across from her. Every once in a while, Ivy glanced at her when she thought she wasn’t looking, eyebrows drawn in worry. Jordan pretended not to notice.

She replayed the night before over and over in her mind. She’d told Xander she had a nightmare. He had stayed with her the entire night, wrapping Jordan in his strong arms. His closeness eased her abraded nerves. It wasn’t until the sun peeked over the mountains outside the window that she was finally able to sleep again.

The door opened and Xander came in with a large manila envelope. He placed it beside her take-out box which held a large cheese omelet and toast, then poured himself some coffee. She picked the envelope up but he placed a hand on her arm.

“Eat,” he said. “News from Orias can wait until you’re done.”

Just hearing his name made Jordan cringe. The smell of grease and cheese was suddenly nauseating and she pushed the box away, drinking her coffee instead.

Xander shook his head and sat in the chair beside her. Jordan smiled apologetically, and then slid the envelope across the table to Ivy.

“Will you open it?” she asked her.

“I will!”

Mazie reached for the document and Ivy slapped her hand away. “Finish eating,” she said, running a fingernail under the tape on the envelope. “You’re going home soon.”

Pouting, Mazie picked up her fork and stabbed the pancakes in front of her.

Ivy slipped a piece of paper out of the sleeve and scanned it while Jordan and Xander waited.

“Our demon has been spotted in St. Paul.” Ivy fiddled with her cell, pulling up directions. “It’s gonna take about three hours from here if the traffic cooperates.”

“Where in St. Paul?” Jordan slid her uneaten breakfast to Xander and got up from the table. He gave her an exasperated look before digging in.

Ivy shrugged. “It says more information will come later.”

Jordan nodded. She pointed at Mazie. “You, go home.”