rogue shifter 06 - torn apart (32 page)

"I summoned..."

"Without waiting for me?" He looked around. "Only Farrell is here? Where's Liam? Where's Charlie?"

"Don't start sending for reinforcements. Charlie is in Faerie with Aislin. Farrell forced himself on me." Farrell snorted out an un-fae-like laugh."I meant to have all of this finished before you got up."

"Finished?"

"Isaiah gave me her summoning name. This is between Bridgett and me."

Bridgett fisted her hands on her hips. "Isaiah's going to be fed to Granny's dogs real soon. Send me back or get me the fuck out of this circle." Bridgett's mood was not improving.

Sasha appeared next. "Hello, Bridgett."

"Asshole." They'd never gotten along.

I moved a few steps closer, trying to put a little distance between me and my backup. "I'm going to release you."

"Good. Then I can whip your ass and go back."

"You're never going back." I took one more step.

"What?"

"You told me you're going to raise an army to kill my son and my mate. Why would I let you return?"

"You can't stop me. If you don't send me back, someone there'll summon me back."

"Isaiah and I are the only ones who know your summoning name. He doesn't want you back in the DR. I don't want you here."

Her eyes were a solid orange, heavy with rage. "So you're handin' me over to your fae buddies to be executed, right? Don't have the balls to do it yourself, do ya, sis?"

"The monster you've become is my responsibility. I brought you into our lives and now I intend to take you out of it."

"You and your flunkies?"

Garrett and Farrell were still flanking me, but not too closely. Sasha stood behind Bridgett, leaning against a tree in his casually dangerous way. "Me against you. One on one." I waved my hand, throwing up a clear barrier isolating Bridgett and me from the others. It was a neat little trick Isaiah had taught me and this was the perfect time to use it.

Garrett was startled, then fuming. "Jacqueline..."

"We have business." I scraped my foot across the salt circles, releasing her.

"Lets do it." She was impatient as always.

We took our time circling each other, our eyes burning orange, both of us reaching inside for our demonic magic. Long claws sprouted from two pairs of hands, mine a shiny black, hers with a sheen of silver. My new blade was hidden under my loose tee shirt, but I began my battle with claws alone, angry enough to want to see her bleed from the cuts I'd make in her skin.

Our speed was amped up by our training and our cheetah abilities, so a non-supernatural never would have been able to see us as Bridgett attacked first and I countered with defensive moves. One of my first trainers, Sasha, taught me that if you had the opportunity, you should get your opponent's measure before you attacked full out. Watch their timing, their stance, their balance, their speed. Watch for tells, motions they'd make right before they moved left or right, forward or backwards. Then, when you'd found their weaknesses, go in for the kill.

"Are you just gonna keep moving away, or are you gonna come at me?" She created a sword and took a swipe at me, hoping the longer weapon would work where the claws hadn't.

"Anxious, little sister?" Because of our demon blood, we were both capable of using our magic to create any weapon we chose to use, but because I'd only trained using my Arcane blade and my warrior claws in the DR, I'd decided to stick with what I knew. Of course my cheetah had learned a few tricks over the years as well, thanks to Liam, and Rob, trainers Bridgett had never worked with. When she got too close, I pulled in ley line energy and shoved her fifteen feet into the barrier. Her head thumped against the hard surface, stunning her slightly, but three seconds later she was back at me again, her silver claws cutting through the air and fortunately, not my throat.

Bridgett had been trained well by Isaiah and was a more aggressive fighter than I was. I fought conservatively at first, always thinking about the people I'd leave behind if I was killed. My twin threw caution to the wind and kept her attack constant, a furious alley cat, hissing and scratching, getting in close for a pounce. She surprised me by changing direction unexpectedly, managing  a couple of good swipes with her claws which had the right side of my tee shirt shredded and my shoulder and arm bleeding. I ignored the pain and healed myself faster than ever before, as fast as any vampire. My multiple personalities seemed to be getting along, the demon feeding the healer without having to take from the ley lines.

As my skin knit back together, she laughed. "Neat trick. Too bad you won't be able to reattach your own head."

I was trying to fight smart, the way I'd been taught, conserving my energy for when I'd need it the most. I kept pushing her away so she'd run back at me, avoiding most of her strikes by using vamp speed, making her frustrated and angry. Wearing her down.

I hadn't hurt her yet, because I wanted it to be a clean death. I wouldn't end her life with more pain than was necessary. I was a healer, and although my demon and cheetah had their claws out and their fangs bared, they agreed with me on this.

In my last move, I'd misjudged and raked my claws across her back drawing several lines of blood. She dissolved and reappeared on the far side of the little arena. We took a moment to catch our breath and I asked, "What do you think will happen after you get your revenge on the fae, Bridgett? What will Grandmother do?"

"She'll keep me as her commander. Maybe we'll take over a nice little section of the US. She likes to play with humans. Maybe she'll give me that territory when she steps down."

It was more obvious than ever that she was delusional, brainwashed by a creature more evil and powerful than the faerie queen she despised. "Grandmother will never step down, She killed three of her own daughters to keep them from taking over and she'll eventually end up killing her sister, too."

"Yeah, but I'm gonna win the war for her."

"She'll kill you when it's over. She always kills the females."

Bridgett snarled. "Shut up!" Her clothes began to shred as my twin's body grew larger, sprouting horns and long fangs. Her blue leathery skin shone in the afternoon sunlight as she stepped toward me with clawed feet. Over eight feet tall, she swung at me with hands that could have ripped me in two or pummeled me into the ground if she got hold of me.

But she moved so slow compared to my vamp-like speed, and she had no weapon, other than her strong body and much longer claws. She seemed awkward, unused to fighting in this form. Although physically more powerful, unless she could get close enough to do some serious damage, she was just a scary-looking bigger target.

I pulled my blade and ducked behind her, cutting through both hamstrings as if they were made of liquid and not muscle, then running to the far edge of my clear barrier. You know that saying...the bigger they are the harder they fall? It's pretty much true. I didn't want to get squashed when she fell.

As she toppled, I had a chance to look at my supporters. Farrell, with his hand still on his sword, stood at graceful attention in the way of all fae guards, but I caught the faintest glimmer of excitement in his eyes as he watched. Sasha was full-out grinning at me, proud of his pupil and happy to see Bridgett taken down a peg. Garrett...well...he was pacing like a cat, testing the barrier for weaknesses. Our gazes met and judging by his, I was in for an angry lecture and maybe another night alone. Although, I hoped not. If I killed my sister tonight...
when
I killed my sister tonight,  I'd need him.

He must have read my mind because, with a concerned smile, he sent, "
Je t'aime. Stay safe and end this."

She was kneeling and roaring with anger and pain. She swiped out with her long claws drawing two lines of blood across my chest. "Next time the head comes off,"  she growled. "When I finish you, I'll find your precious son. Grandmother will enjoy him."

Getting one leg underneath her huge body, she attempted to stand, but was thrown off balance when she twisted to avoid my attack. In a second sweep, I ducked in close and struck out with my blade, meaning to stab her in the heart and end the battle.  Instead she twisted again and my dagger dug into her stomach, a much more painful way to die. Blood began to pour from the deep gash, spilling onto the ground by her knees. She shifted back to her human form...her true form...and I clenched my fists in frustration. My healer wanted to go to her...to help her, but my demon/cheetah dug in her claws.

Bridgett had taken away my choices with her threats and her actions. If I showed her mercy, Charlie would die. I was left with no illusions. If it was me, injured and on my knees, my head would already be rolling in the grass.

Curled on the lawn, her hands wrapped around her injury. Her eyes had gone back to the green that matched mine."You were there when Liam killed my dad." She choked out. "It fucked me up...traumatized me. I've been having panic attacks like you did. You know how bad they can get. Maybe if you heal me and I got some therapy..." She coughed up more blood.

As she rattled off this list of excuses out loud, she was also in my mind, whispering about a plot against my son that made my whole body tremble.

"You're lying."
What she'd told me couldn't be true.

"Ask Isaiah, if you don't believe me."

Too many lies. I took a step closer, lengthening my Arcane weapon with my demonic magic, intending to end her life with one clean stroke.

Will was suddenly between us, cradling her face with great tenderness. "I love you, Jet. I'll find you. I promise. I'm sorry." He stabbed her through the heart with a short sword, then clutched her body to his chest. "Forgive me." He kissed her hair, then removing the sword, sliced off her head with a sweep of his arm.

He knelt by her body, then faded to nothing, finally free.

I collapsed onto the grass, sticky with my sister's blood, and sobbed.

When my barrier disintegrated, Garrett clenched my body to his, muttering in French. Some of the words I recognized as curses. He shook me by the shoulders, trying not to rattle me too badly. "You are the most frustrating female ever created. I want to wring your neck and kiss you at the same time."

"Option...two." I managed to choke out the words between sobs.

"You don't get a vote."

Sasha knelt beside us, looking dazed. "Will took my Katana right out of the sheath. I didn't even know he was here." He grinned. "The little shit took it without me feeling anything. He did good."

"He saved me... from...from having to...."

"You were ready to take her out."

I could only nod, because it was true. I was ready to end her life.

"Like I said, he did good." Sasha gave my shoulder a squeeze. "Summoning her was the right thing."

Garrett kissed my forehead, then kissed away some of my tears. He clasped my chin firmly and tilted it up, so I'd look at him. "I swear...if you ever...if you ever again block my ability to protect you when you're in danger, I'll..."

Farrell interceded. "Forgive me, Garrett, but this was a battle of honor, between two enemies. Your mate protected those whom she loves with courage and skill. You are a fortunate male. She kicked butt." Smiling, he knelt by me. "It was an honor to witness. Will you allow me to take her body to Faerie? We'll hold it there until you are ready."

"Thank you." I nodded, but didn't choose to watch as Farrell disappeared with her remains.

Amidst all the chaos, my inner cheetah and demon girl preened at his compliment. I started to laugh, although it sounded more like hysteria. "You know, we did kick butt."

"We?" Garrett asked.

"Later."

Garrett rose with me in his arms and carried me into the house. I was covered in blood, so he turned on the shower and asked if I needed help. I shook my head and he said he'd wait for me on the upstairs balcony, our favorite quiet spot.

A few minutes later, dressed and clean, I stood in the doorway and asked, "You mad?"

"You might say so." He was sitting on the wicker couch, so I sat next to him.

"Oh."

"That wall of yours will never make another appearance unless I'm on the same side as you."

I tried to ignore his angry tone and pulled him closer. "Mmm hmmm." I nuzzled up against his neck because he just smelled so amazing I couldn't help myself. The full effects of what had happened hadn't really hit me yet.

"Jacqueline..." His voice had gotten kind of husky. "Stop trying to distract me."

"You don't really mean that."

I felt him smile against my head. Then he sighed. "When will you take your safety seriously?"

"When the world stops trying to kill our kid."

He stroked my face. "You can't take on the entire world by yourself."

"She was mine to deal with, like Eleanor was yours. In case you haven't noticed, I'm just as territorial as you are. I bet your mom and Marie were protectors too."

"When Father and I were off hunting one weekend, they killed an enormous bear who attacked our sheep, a real one not a shifter. They did it working together in cheetah form, even though they were out weighed by five hundred pounds. When we got home they'd already skinned and dressed it and were cutting steaks."

"We shouldn't tell Jay that story." Charlie's friend, Jay, would shift into his bear form a couple of years after puberty.

"Knowing Jay, he'd think it was cool. Then he'd swear off eating lamb."

"I'll always fight to protect my males the way you fight to protect us." I looked up, happy to see that his beautiful blue eyes reflected only his love and concern.

"My head understands and even agrees with you, but I still want to lock you up in a high tower where your only visitors will be Charlie and me."

"Ugh. I'd go nuts if I couldn't run on the beach or hunt in the mountains."

He sighed. "And so my stress-filled life continues on..."

"Such a martyr. What can I do to ease your mind?" That was one of those rhetorical questions that lifemates ask each other when we want to be kissed until our toes curl. It worked.