First, how desperate did she sound? Unbearably! Shed known this would happen if she made another play for him. And yet, shed done it anyway. Like Pavlovs dogs, she drooled every time she spotted Strider, abandoning her pride for any scrap hed toss her way.
Second, thinking of this man with someone else had her claws elongating and her Harpy screeching. Her wings flapped to the same staccato rhythm as her heart, causing her shirt to lift and fall, lift and fall.
If she wasnt careful, her Harpy would take over, control her actions. Her vision would go black, and a need for blood would consume her. She would stalk the night, hurting anyone who got in her way.
Only Strider would be able to calm her down, but he didnt know that. Even if he did know it, he clearly didnt want the responsibility. He was doing everything in his power to push her away.
I wont be sleeping with one of your friends, he said flatly.
The hottest threads of tension drained from her. Good. Thats good. All of my friends are ugly hags, anyway. They were gorgeous, every one of them, but if hed taken her up on the offer, she would have cut them loose in a heartbeat and gotten new ones. Repulsive ones.
Kaia. Theres nothing you can say to change my mind. I like you, I do. Youre beautiful and smart and funny as hell. Youre strong and courageous, too, but nothings ever going to happen between us. Im sorry, I really am. Im not meaning to be an asshole here, just truthful. Were just not good for each other. Not a good match. Im sorry, he repeated.
They werent good for each other? What he really meant was she wasnt good enough for him. After she had chased him, lost a fight to protect him, threw herself at him time and time again, she wasnt a good match for him. And hewassorry
Suddenly she wanted to claw his face. Drink his blood.
Dont forget the upcoming games. Hurting him would hurt her, and she needed to be at her best.
She drew in a deep breath, held it, held, her lungs burning, blistering, before she slowly released every molecule, singeing her throat, her nose. She might have thought Strider deserved something, someone, better, but she deserved better than this. Right?
He finished lamely, I hope you understand, completely unaware of the havoc hed created. Or maybe he just didnt care.
He needed to learn the proper etiquette for dealing with his Harpy.
She needed to teach him.
She should close the distance between them and trace her fingertips all over him before he had time to dart away, all the while pressing her curves against him. Anything to arouse him. Anything to force him to see her as more than the beautiful, smart and funny girl who had nailed the keeper of Promiscuity. Then, as he begged for release, she should walk away.
He wouldnt be harmed, but he would leave with a better understanding of how rotten denunciation felt.
Kaia couldnt bring herself to take a single step, however. She might just find herself on the receiving end of rejection and failure yet again. He might push her away before she could make her move. And really, a thousand other rejections and failures awaited her in the coming weeks.
So much for giving him countless chances.
I do understand, she whispered. Justhave fun on your trip, okay. A dismissal. I plan to have lots of fun on mine. A lie. Although she did plan to hold her head up high and kick as much ass as she could. So much ass, in fact, that her clan would have to rethink her title.
Kaia the Disappointment no longer. Maybe shed become Kaia the Stompalicious. Or Kaia the KillYouDeadatron.
Soyoure going on a trip? he asked, and he sounded relieved.
Do not react. Yep. I sure am.
Still he didnt face her. Where? When?
Dont you dare react. In four days, I leave foroops, never mind. She moved around him and sat at the table. You dont want to know, remember? Doing her best to appear nonchalant, even smug, all while the bastard ripped her heart out of her chest and danced on the pieces, she opened a bag of chips.
Youre right. Justbe careful, and Ill see youjust be careful, okay?
Hed stopped himself from saying later. Ill see you later. Because he had no plans to see her again. Ever.
I will, she said, as she fought tears for the second time in her life. She deserved this, she supposed. Punishment for the Unfortunate Incident, for Paris, hell, for all the rejections she had dished out over the centuries. You, too. Much as she currently despised him, she wanted him healthy, whole.
I will. He strode out of the kitchen, out of her home, out of her life, the front door banging ominously shut behind him.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE NEXT DAY, STRIDER SPENT his morning roaming the Budapest fortress, checking on his friends. Anything to distract himself from thoughts of Kaia and how sad shed sounded just before hed left her. Not to mention how hed longed to pull her into his arms, hold her, comfort her. Devour her.
Not going there.
Legion, a spoiled full-on demon minion turned spoiled human with a porn-star body turned tortured prisoner of Lucifer turned subdued, silent bed-bound damsel in distress, rolled to her side, facing away from him when he entered her bedroom.
Physically, she had healed from her hellish captivity. Mentallyshe might never heal. Shed spent several weeks being passed from one demon High Lord to another, raped, beaten and gods knew what else. No one knew because she refused to talk about it.
Hey, there, princess. Strider eased beside her on the bed and patted her shoulder. She flinched, jerking from the touch. He sighed, removed his hand.
He didnt like visiting her. Oh, he liked her as a person, for the most part, and ached for the trials she had endured, but he was afraid Defeat would view her emotional distance as a challenge and force him to push her for more. More she wasnt ready to give.
She needed help, and her closest friend, Aeron, and his joy-bringing angel, Olivia, were trying, but so far Legion hadnt responded positively to anyone. She wasnt eating properly, and was slowly but surely wasting away. Strider knew there was a guardian angel keeping watch over her, even though hed never gotten a peek at the guy. What he did know: the invisible bastard wasnt doing his job.
Yeah, Legion had been a selfish pain in the ass before, but she didnt deserve this. And actually, Strider had liked her better the other way.
What happened to you has happened to a few of the guys here, did you know that? A few times to Kane, in fact. Since hes possessed by Disaster, hes like a magnet for that kind of thing. And Im not gossiping or sharing private info. When we lived in New York, he ran a support group to help others. Maybe you should, I dont know, talk to him or something.
Silence.
Her blond hair was tangled and matted, her skin sickly with a grayish cast. Underneath the thick white fabric of her nightgown, he could tell her shoulders were frail.
One time Paris and I evenwait. That is gossiping. Never mind. Youll have to ask Paris if you want to know that little tidbit.
Silence. From her and his demon. Most definitely she presented a challenge, and yet, Defeat was letting the indifference slide.
He tucked the covers higher, just under her chin, and saw a glistening teardrop slither down her cheek.
Okay, then. I just wanted to check on you, but I know youre not comfortable with me so Ill go, he said gently. She couldnt relax with him here, and he didnt want to make things worse for her.
More silence. He released another sigh as he stood. Call me if you need anything. All right? Anything at all. Im happy to help.
Again, no response from either Legion or his demon. He wondered what was up with hisdistracted? hiding? uncaring?companion as he strode to his next stop. Amuns room.
Despite the fact that he and Amunand hell, even he and Haideewere on good enough terms, hed avoided contact for over a week. Just seeing her caused little sparks of pain to dance through his chest. Not because he still wanted her, but because hed lost her, could never have her, and his demon couldnt forget what theyd endured because of her dismissal.
Haidee opened the door, and he studied her out of habit. She was average height, her pale hair streaked with pink. One of her eyebrows was pierced, and one of her arms sleeved in tattoos. Dressed in a Hello Kitty T-shirt and ripped jeans, she would be carded at any bar.
When she saw him, she frowned and moved out of the way, allowing him inside. Despite that frown, she appeared lit up from the inside out, pulse after pulse ofhe grimaced. What the hell was that?
If he were fed the muzzle of a .40 and told to guess or die, Strider would have said love in its purest form seeped from her pores. Almost hurt to look at her, she was so radiant.
Shit. Are you pregnant?
No. A secret smile curved her lips. Well, well. Picking up Amuns all-things-are-a-mystery vibe already. Whats up?
Strider rubbed a hand over his heart, expecting more of those flickers of pain, especially with that glow blasting at his corneas, butnothing. Not even a skip in the organs beat. Okay, fine. Whatever. He could roll.
His gaze swept through the room. Haidee had taken over the decorating, so the place was no longer like vanilla ice creamplain, unadorned and completely lacking a personality.
Haidee favored contemporary styles with a Japanese flair. He tried not to cringe. Lanternlike lights hung from the ceiling. The walls were now brown and orange, each color staggered to form a boxed pattern. Bonsai trees seemed to grow from every corner, and white shag carpets stretched under three glass nightstands. White carpet. Had she not seen the amount of dirt a warriors boots could track in? The comforter on the bed was white, too, with beaded orange pillows.
If shed tried this shit in his room, they woulda had a serious beef. A man needed to feel comfortable in his surroundings or he couldnt relax. This wasnt comfortable.
Only once had Strider lived with a woman, and only because shed challenged him to move in. I know I can make you happy if you come home to me every night. Can you make me happy, though? I guess well find out.
After a few weeks of cohabitating, hed willingly accepted defeat. He could not make her happy because he didnt want to make her happy.
He thought back to Kaias house and her decorating flare. Now there was a woman who knew how to make a place comfy and fun. Seriously, shed had a toilet painted to resemble an open mouth. I want.
Haidee cleared her throat. Strider?
He turned to face her. What? Her expression was expectant, all soft and gooey with whatever pulsed from her, and he recalled that hed come to her, not the other way around. Yeah, uh. Wheres Amun?
Cronus summoned him to the heavens.
Why?
Another secret smile. Dont know yet.
How longs he been gone?
Three hours, nine minutes and forty-eight seconds. Not that Im watching the clock or anything. Can I help you with something?
Nah. Hed just wanted to see the guy, he supposed. After everything Strider had done to himtrying to keep Amun and Haidee apart Guilt, man, how it ate at him sometimes. Ill just, uh, catch him later.
Her brow furrowed with confusion. And concern? Yeah. That was concern. You sure?
He shouldnt have been surprised, butshed killed Baden, keeper of Distrust. Shed tried to kill Strider. And shed had very good reason for both. Long, long ago, theyd helped slaughter her family, destroy her life. Hell, because of a demon, shed been killed time and time again.
Each time shed come back, shed remembered only her hate, knew only about the deaths of those shed once loved. Sought only vengeance. Made sense, since shed been possessed by a piece of the demon of Hate. And maybe that was another reason Strider had wanted her. That piece of Hate had caused other people to dislike themselves and even her. Strider had gotten over that quickly, had defeated that, which was why he suspected being with her had been a bit of a rush for both him and his own demon.
That she now adored Amun, that she now supported the Lords and their cause, well, it was a miracle Strider needed to stop questioning.
Yeah. Im sure. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Never before had he initiated contact that didnt involve knives. See you around, Haidee.
Her mouth fell open, and she sputtered. Yeah. See ya, she said weakly. Hed never been quite that nice to her, either.
He must be softening in his old age.
Next he found himself standing in the doorway of Sabins bedroom, eating handful after handful of Red Hots. He had a stash of his favorite candy hidden in every corner of the fortress. He watched his friend toss all kinds of shit into a suitcase. His wife, Gwen, bustled around him, making a halfhearted attempt to fold the mountain of clothes Sabin had wadded into balls, stack the weapons he had only partially sheathed and remove the bullhorn from the case for a third time.
Once, the Harpies had called her Gwendolyn the Timid. Strider didnt know what they called her now, but the moniker certainly didnt fit anymore. The little firecracker had come into her own and kicked even Kaias ass, locking her in the dungeon below to prevent her from peeling Sabins skin from his body and wearing it as a victory coat.
Kaia.
His heart skipped a stupid beat, making him feel like a schoolboy with a crush. Something hed never been. Zeus had created him fully formed, a weapon ready to be unleashed upon anyone who threatened the former god king and those he loved. Even then, before Strider had been given his demon, he had liked to win, railroading anyone who got in his way.
What joy could be found in defeat? None.
His demon grunted in agreement.
Strider refocused on his surroundings before the little shit began pushing him around. As he continued to watch Gwen, he noted how much she resembled her older sister.
Kaia.
Here we go again. Gwen had a thick mass of blond hair streaked with redthe same shade of red as Kaias. If he were being honest, though, Kaias was prettier. Wavier, silkier. And while Gwens eyes were a startling mix of gray and gold, just like Kaias, Kaias were still lovelier. On her, the gray veered toward liquid silver and the gold, well, the gold flickered like fireflies.
What are you? A wuss? Stop weaving poetry.
Anyway. When Kaias Harpy took over, her eyes went completely black, death swimming in their depths. But, if he were still being honest, even that was sexy.
Gwen and Kaia shared the same button nose, the same cherub cheeks. Same stubborn chin. Yet somehow Kaia was sin incarnate and Gwen was innocence walking. Made no sense. Even still, the resemblance affected him, heating him up.
He willed his body to remain unaffected. Sabin would fuss if Strider sported a hard-on around his precious. And of course, fuss meant Strider would find his intestines wrapped around his neck, breathing a thing of the past.
Bring it, he thought.
Defeat chuckled, startling him.
On edge, he waited for a challenge to be issued. It never came. Sweet gods above, hed have to be more careful. No more close calls.
What was he doing here, anyway? He should be in the heavens with Paris. He should be in Nebraska with William, torturing the family who had abused Gilly, a human theyd befriended. He should be out there killing Hunters. He should be in Rome, bargaining with the Unspoken Onesmonsters who were chained inside an ancient temple, desperate for freedom.
Hed given them one of the four godly artifacts needed to find and destroy Pandoras box. A relic the Hunters were searching for, as well.
The Unspoken Ones had the Paring Rod and the Cloak of Invisibility, and the Lords had the Cage of Compulsion and the All-Seeing Eye. So. Lords 2. Hunters 0. Boo-yah.
Unspoken Ones werent interested in the actual artifacts, though. They were interested in what they could trade for the artifacts. Whoever presented them with the head of the current god king (minus his body) would earn the Paring Rod in return, leaving only the Cloak to claim. The Cloak Strider had once owned but had exchanged for Haidee.
At the time, he hadnt minded making the exchange because hed been pretty damn confident the Unspoken Ones would keep the thing to bargain with him later. Still was. Hed have to pay through the nose, he was sure, but that was better than allowing Haidee to escape him and reveal his secrets to her Hunter friends.
And hed meant to go back long before now, but losing her to Amun had knocked Strider on his ass for over a week, his demon a writhing, seething cauldron of pain.
Maybe that was why hed been unable to let go of the idea of being with Haidee, he mused now. The echoes of that pain. Maybe that was why he still resisted Kaia.
Dont think about her anymore, you nutcase. Youll start foaming at the mouth. He resisted her because she would ultimately trample his pride, his well-being and probably even his will to live.
Did he really need another reminder of that?
He forced his thoughts back to the artifacts. Strider had vowed to recapture the Cloak. And he would. Soon. Because whoever found Pandoras box first would win the war, and more than he wanted Kaia, not that he was thinking about her, he wanted to win the war against the Hunters.
Talk about the ultimate victory. The pleasure he would feelgods, he could only imagine. Better than sex, drugs or rocking hos.
Anyway. Instead of all of that, he realized hed purposely cleared his plate this morning, visiting everyone, making amends just so he could leave and Shit! Not good. This was not good at all.
Just so he could leave and check on Kaia. He had to make sure she was okay. Even if that meant putting his obligations on hold again.
Dude. You cant do that. And he wouldnt. No damn way. Now that hed realized his intention, he could put a stop to it.
Why the hell are you just standing there? Sabin suddenly lashed out. State your business and leave, Stridey-Man. Youre turning Gwen into a raving lunatic.
Youre turning me into a raving lunatic! she growled, removing the bullhorn from the suitcase yet again. We dont need all this stuff.
How do you know? Sabin demanded. He scrubbed a hand through his dark hair, the gold in his eyes lighter than usual. Youve never participated in the Harpy Games before. And goddamn it, you shouldnt have to participate in them now!
You heard Bianka. Every single one of Tabitha Skyhawks daughters have been summoned. And even if we hadnt, even if only a handful of clan members had been summoned, I would still be going. Theyre my family.
Well, youre now part of my family.
Actually, youre part of my family, and as Im the General, the Captain and the Commander, you go where I go. And Im going!
Fuck. Sabin plopped onto the edge of the bed and put his head between his knees.
That bad, huh? Strider asked, doing his best to sound casual. Im not dying of curiosity. Really.
Kaia had tried to hide her fear yesterday, but she hadnt quite managed it. He had mentioned her trip, and she had trembled, paled. He shouldnt have noticed. Hed had his back to her. Except thered been a crack in her curtains, allowing him to study her reflection in the windowpane. And oh, had he studied.
She had sparkled like a diamond, drawing his eye automatically, and hed been so eager to touch her that his body had been on fire.
Harpy skinthere was nothing more exquisite. Nothing. Funny, though, that hed never wanted to stroke and taste Gwen, Bianka or Taliyah the way hed wanted to stroke and taste Kaia.
Not that he was thinking about her anymore.
Defeat uttered another of those chuckles, and Strider tensed. When the little shit made no reply, accepted no challenge, he relaxed somewhat. Damn it. What the hell was going on with his demon?
Gwen chewed on her bottom lip. Bianka told me the games are so violent that half the participants end up dead or praying for death. And once, about fifteen hundred years ago, far more than half died. Like, nearly all of them.
Strider straightened, his blood chilling. What? Why?
She didnt tell me more than that, so dont look at me like youll cut my throat if I dont fess up. Anyway, she wasnt exaggerating, Gwen continued. Oh, wait. She did tell me a bit more. Apparently the Skyhawks havent been allowed to participate in centuries because of something Kaia did, not that anyone will tell me what. No one in our clan has ever spoken of it, and I was never really around other clanswomen. Theyve always shunned us. But now, suddenly, theyre welcoming us back with open arms. Its weird, and I dont like it, but Im not sending my sisters into hostile territory alone.
Striders mind snagged on one detail only. Kaia had caused the turmoil. What had the gorgeous troublemaker done?
Oh, and one other thing. Bianka thinks this is a trap. Gwen angled Sabins head up and sank into his lap. Automatically the warrior wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. She thinks the Skyhawks, Kaia especially, will be targets, everyone out for revenge.
Kaiaa target for every Harpy with a grudge Now his blood heated for a different reason, the need to rage an inferno inside him. Men are allowed to go?
Consorts and slaves, yes, and theyre more than allowed, theyre encouraged. Blood is medicine to Harpies, and those consorts and slaves help the injured participants heal.
Does Kaia have aslave? He croaked the question. On one hand, he wanted her to have one, to be safe. On the other, he already wanted to murder the ugly prick.
Defeat snarled, no trace of amusement in the sound. Or his usual fear.
This isnt a challenge, buddy. Or was his demon upset by the thought of someone besides Strider hurting Kaia?
In a sick, twisted way, that kind of made sense. His sense of possessiveness was highly developed, with his enemies especially, but even with friends. Kaia was a bit of both.
Thankfully, Defeat offered no reply. Strider didnt need the added complication of fighting Kaia and/or anyone who challenged her. She wasnt his responsibility. She wasnt his problem.
No, Gwen finally said, sadness creeping into her tone. Kaia doesnt have a slave.
Relief, so much relief. Well find her one, then. Fury, so much fury.
No. Those strawberry-blond tresses slapped her face as she shook her head. She thinks you are her consort.
Yeah, once upon a time Kaia had said something like that to him. Hed believed that she believed, but hed also believed she was mistaken, that she was letting simple attraction confuse her. Not that there was anything simple about her attraction to him. She wanted the best of the best for herself, and he couldnt blame
Ego check. He massaged the back of his neck with his free hand. Rephrasing: she wanted someone strong, capable and handsome. Shit. Ego check, he thought again. Shed wanted someone somewhat handsome.
No. That didnt work. When a fact was a fact, there was no getting around it. Shed wanted someone extremely handsome, and he fit the bill. But
Paris was handsomer.
Handsomer wasnt even a word, damn it. Was it? Yeah, it probably was, and had most likely been coined because of Paris. So? he said with more force than hed intended.
So, she wont take anyone else, Sabin blurted. Harpies are territorial, possessive and stubborn as hell. Meaning, theyre just like you and cant compromise worth shit.
Gwen frowned. Hey!
Sorry, baby, but its true. Then, Kaia will take you or no one, he said to Strider. Thats just the way its sliced.
Which is why Gwen inhaled deeply, exhaled slowly, her gaze locking on Strider with menace. You know I love you, right?
He gave a stiff nod. Shit, shit, shit. Him or no one. A blessing and a curse. He didnt have time for this. He didnt want this. He couldnt spend any more time with her. Had already said goodbye to her.
A goodbye that had come close to rousing his demon. With every step hed taken from Kaias home, Defeat had prowled through his head, wanting to act, to pin her and take hervictory would be so damn sweetbut not allowing himself to do so. Loss would be so damn painful.
Strider had never been happier that the demons of Pandoras box were afraid of the Harpies. And with good reason. They were descendants of Lucifer, the master of all things demonic.
Plus, Defeat had seen Kaia fight. No matter what weapon she usedgun, blade, claws, fangsshe blazed through her opponents faster than the eye could track. Nice qualities in a date, sure, and definite aphrodisiacs. If your very existence didnt depend on your victories, as his did.
Strider finished off the last of his candy, and chucked the empty box into the trash bin beside Sabins desk. Swish. Two points!
Defeat purred his approval, little sparks of satisfaction shooting through Striders veins.
listening to me? Gwen asked.
Yeah, sure, he lied, gaze quickly finding her. She was no longer perched on Sabins lap. Now she stood a few inches from Strider, her legs braced apart, her hands fisted at her sides. He recognized that pose. But, uh, give me a refresher. You were saying
She rolled her eyes. I was telling you that you only have two days to take care of any pressing business you might have. Because even though I love you, Im going to make sure you attend the games. Kaia needs you, and you will be there for her. Or else.
His attention flicked to Sabin, all what-are-you-going-to-do-about-this. Sympathy filled every curve and hollow of the mans face, but there was no hint of determination or ire. Okay, so. His fearless leader would be doing nothing. Perfect.
He glared at Gwen. Dont even think about challenging me, he snapped. I wont hesitate to retaliate. Of course, one little scratch on the girl and Sabin would attack him. Hed have to go berserker on his boss, but two victories for the price of one? Bring it.
As if I would ever use your demon against you, she replied, startling him. God, I cant believe you think so little of me. She truly sounded offended. Just as he opened his mouth to apologize to her, she said, Im only planning to beat the crap out of you, tie you up and have Lucien flash you to where the first meeting is being held. Jeez! Cut me some slack.
Only planning, shed said. He pursed his lips. You do realize that beating the crap out of me and tying me up would be, what? Using my demon against me. The loss would destroy me.
Oh. Her features fell. I hadnt thought that far ahead. Then she raised her chin, reminding him of Kaia all over again. Ill still do it, though. Just make this easier on yourself and agree to go with her. Please.
Begging doesnt work on me. Neither does crying, just so you know. Once upon a time when hed done the dating thing, hed learned that begging and crying were forms of feminine warfare. Women wanted something, and they did anything to get it.
Admirable, but it hadnt taken him long to harden his heart against such wiles. Or to decide that long-term relationships simply werent for him. As easily as hed learned about his partners ploys, theyd learned about his.
He had to win, and they always tried to use that to their advantage. How many times had he heard some variation of, Bet you cant spend the whole day with me and like it? Countless.
Well? Gwen demanded. Yes or no? Easy way or hard way?
How long? he gritted out.
Four weeks, she replied, clearly hopeful.
She could have said eternity, so emphatic was his reaction. Four weeks. Four damn weeks with Kaia. Feeding her, protecting her, guarding her with his body if the opportunity presented itself.
His cock twitched with eagerness. This isnt something to look forward to, you idiot. Hed guard her with his body if circumstances demanded. But even with the rephrase, this had trouble written all over it. Getting in and getting out as swiftly as possible was his M.O. now, and one that worked for him. No one had time to learn his quirksor use them against him.
Kaia, though, she already knew, and she never hesitated to challenge him. Part of him liked the thrill of that, yeah. You couldnt win if you never entered the game, and she was all about the game. On the flip side, you couldnt lose, either.
What about our war with the Hunters? he asked Sabin. If there was anyone who liked winning as much as Strider, it was Sabin. Dude would have sold his mom on eBay just to fund a battle. If hed had a mom, that is.