Ive already talked to Cronus, Sabin replied. Galen is currently out for the count, too injured to cause trouble, and Rhea is missing.
Galen, the immortal warrior possessed by the demon of Hopealso, ironically, leader of the Hunters. Rhea, the biggest bitch of a god queen ever to control half the heavens. Both topped his long list of enemies.
Missing? Still? Hed known she had disappeared, but hed kinda figured shed gone into hiding, since her husband had discovered her most recent treachery against himconvincing her sister to act as his mistress and spy on himand wanted to punish her. Is foul play expected? Not many beings could successfully abduct a goddess.
Yeah, though Cronus wont share any deets.
Maybe because he didnt have any. That might explain why Cronus had summoned Amun. No one was better at obtaining answers than the keeper of Secrets. This is the perfect time to strike the Hunters, then, he forced himself to say.
No, actually, its not. Sabin cocked a brow. Remember that girl we saw, the one who accepted the demon of Distrust into her body?
No, Sab. I forgot, he said dryly. Theyd both been in the Temple of the Unspoken Ones, and watched as the beings manipulated the air to reveal what was happening an entire continent away.
Galen had somehow found the unfindable. The lost demon of Distrust, crazed and worked into a frenzy. Hed then trapped Distrust inside a room and convinced the beast to possess someone else. A female, a Hunter.
Though theyd made inquiries, theyd never learned anything more about the girl. Not her location, not her condition.
Attitude. Sabin tsked under his tongue. Anyway, Cronus has decided he wants her. Hes got Amun looking into it.
Ah. So thats why Amun had been summoned. Rhea be damned, he supposed. But if Sabin knew this, that meant Haidee had known. Which meant she hadnt wanted to share the information with Strider. A little punishment, he was sure, and he couldnt blame her.
What does the girl have to do with us kicking some Hunter ass now? he asked.
The Hunters will be scrambling to keep her hidden and too busy to attack us.
So you hope. But again, if thats the case, theres no better time to strike.
If we can find them. Without Amun, we have to rely on our lame-ass detective skills.
Hardly. Weve got Ashlyn. Maddox, the keeper of Violence, had married a woman with the ability to stand in one location and listen to all the conversations that had ever taken place there. No one could hide from her.
Havent you heard? Shes currently bedbound. The twins shes carrying had a sudden growth spurt. Shes so big, she needs help getting to the bathroom. Maddox thinks shell deliver soon.
Poor bastard was probably going crazy with worry. Ashlyn was (mostly) human, and therefore as delicate and fragile as a glass vase. Nothing like Kaia, who could Do not go there. I dont know about you, but Im a damn good detective.
Sabin shrugged. Okay, think of it this way. I had a choice to make. Take advantage of our advantage, or take care of my wife. Guess which one I picked?
When had Sabin become such a pussy?
At least we dont have to worry about our boys being hurt because we left them behind.
As if theyd have to worry about that, anyway. The boys were as competent as Strider. Not to mention the fact that they were possessed by baddies like Pain, Disease and Misery. They were all but feral and had no need of babysitters, battle forthcoming or not.
Well, I still cant go. I have plans, Strider said. And I cant waver, thats all there is to it. I promised Paris Id help him in the heavens.
Help him later, Gwen said, butting back in to the conversation. Kaia needs you now.
His body reacted instantly, skin prickling with awareness Kaia needs youcells awakeningKaia needs youshaft thickening, hardeningKaia needs youneeds you to touch her, strip her, fill her up.
Ill think about it, he said raggedly, then strode into the hall and headed to his own bedroom before Gwen could threaten him a second time. Once there, he shut himself in and moved to the rooms center, gaze locked on his walls, mind buzzing.
He and Kaia had the same decorating tastes. Weapons had covered her walls the same way they covered his. He wondered if, like his, each piece in her collection belonged to the humans and immortals she had defeated over the centuries.
Kaia. Defeat. Two words that had become synonymous to him.
Harpies were all about survival of the fittest, and that he could dig. Because of Gwen, he knew that sleeping in front of humansor anyone but their consort, for that matterwas forbidden. He knew they were not allowed to reveal a single weakness to anyoneeven their consorts. And they were never, ever to steal from their sisters. If they broke any of those rules, they were punished.
Damn it, what the hell was he going to do about her? She could take care of herself against anyone except another Harpy. Plus, Kaia would need every advantage she could get. Like, first and foremost, resting. She would need to rest between games, whatever those games might be. She thought Strider was her consort, so she would only rest with him at her side.
Second, she would need someone to ensure she ate properly. Look how shed allowed herself to waste away in jail.
Third, she would need someone to guard her back if she stole anything, and knowing her, she would steal a lot of somethings. Preferably someone who didnt have to guard heror hisown back, as well.
Half the participants usually died, Gwen had said. Half. Harpies showed no mercy, took no prisoners. For whatever reason, Kaia would have a bulls-eye on her back.
If he did this, if he went with herhe would have to find a way to steel himself against her appeal. Because, no matter what, he couldnt sleep with her. Not just because of Paris, but because she would view any intimate contact as a commitment, as a Harpy/consort bond. A forever kind of bond. No way was he signing on for a lifetime sentence.
Could he resist her, though?
Better question: Could he protect her? If her enemies learned who he was, they could use his demon against her. They could challenge him to hurt her. They could challenge him to destroy her.
Win? Defeat said, raspy voice drifting through Striders head.
Shit. I stopped myself from going there, so you do the same. Please.
Win, the demon repeated, a demand this time. A demand that held a tinge of fear.
Too late, he thought. Defeat had gone there, and thered be no backing off. Win, against any Harpies who try to hurt Kaia?
WIN.
Yep. Against the Harpies who tried to hurt Kaia. Why? She isnt your favorite person. Why have me protect her?
Win, win, win.
Why hed expected an answer, he didnt know. Unlike some of the other demons, his had a very limited vocabulary. Guaranteed, hed gotten the short end of the stick. Butmaybe Defeat recalled just how good a victory over Kaia felt, and wanted more. If she died, he couldnt have more. Or maybe, possessive as even the demon was, Kaia was their personal battlefield, and others werent allowed to play there. Ever.
What he did know? He was going to the Harpy Games.
CHAPTER FIVE
KAIA LOVED WATCHING MOVIES, but right now, she felt like she had the starring role in a horror flick called Slumber Party Massacre. Only instead of a sleeping bag and a teddy bear, she carried a hatchetcall her sentimentaland a serrated blade.
She strode with her sisters down a long, dark hallway, seemingly alone, weapons clutched in their hands, too. Weapons were also hanging from their waists and rising from their backs. If the Bad Guy truly had been watching from the shadows, waiting to strike, he probably would have seen them moving in slow motion, their hair blowing in the breeze. Also, scary music would have been playing in the background.
Too bad this wasnt Hollywood.
Taliyah was in the middle. She was the oldest among them by far, as well as the strongest, the deadliest. Tall, slender, pale from head to toe, she looked like an elegant ice queenand had a personality to match. Emotions were not something Taliyah allowed herself to experience. While Kaia had always striven to be like their mother, Taliyah had opted to be the opposite. Logical, level-headed, a planner.
Bianka and Kaia flanked her sides, with Gwen on Kaias left. At one end of the Estrogen Brigade was Sabin, at the other was Lysander. Typically at events such as these, consorts were supposed to trail a few feet behind, but these men were hardly archetypal. They were equals. Beloved. Determined to protect.
Each of the women radiated a white-hot tension that blended perfectly with Kaias own. All thanks to the very stupid Strider. He wasnt going to support her. Earlier today Gwen had led her to believehad made her thinkhopecraveoh, well. Strider hadnt shown up, even though she and her sisters had waited outside for half an hour and were now late to the meeting.
Stupid, stupid Strider.
Doomed, doomed Kaia.
Well, she had finally written him off and admitted that she was better off without him. He was rejection, humiliation and heartbreak wrapped in a pretty package. She could find another pretty package without all the extras, thank you.
At least Bianka and Gwen would be well-guarded, and that eased her stress somewhat. But if anyone so much as threatened them because of what Kaia had once done, she would turn the Slumber Party Massacre into Blood, Bath and Beyond, a documentary by Kaia Skyhawk.
And if anyone teased Bianka about dating an angel, well, they, too, would have a starring role in that documentary. Sadly, she had a feeling there were going to be a lot of starring roles.
At first glance, Lysander looked every inch the do-gooder. His hair gleamed as if the strands were gold silk. His skin was just as pale with only the faintest hint of rose. He wore a long white robe, his golden wings tucked in, the tops arching over his shoulders. He had no visible weapons. But then, he didnt need them. He could create a sword of fire from nothing but air. Only after a second glance would the Harpies realize he was a warrior through and through, muscled and brawny, with a ruthless determination to protect what was his.
By then, itd be too late.
Sabin, well, everyone would know what he was the moment they spotted him: a badass lacking any type of moral compass. He had brown hair and ocher eyes, his features a study of harsh planes and sharp angles. More weapons spilled from his six-foot-seven frame than an entire human army could carry, and his every step reminded her of a dying heartbeat. Thump. Pause, pause. Thump. But, uh, what was with the bullhorn in his hand?
Thered be no teasing Gwen about him, but her little sis would probably have to beat the ladies off him. Sabin was everything Harpies admired. Wicked, ungoverned by societys rules and way beyond dangerous.
A danger readily apparent, even though he wore a T-shirt that said Im Not a Gynecologist, but Ill Take a Look.
Kaia wanted to buy one of those for Strider.
Finally they reached the doors to the auditorium of the elementary school. Yes, an elementary school. In Brew City, Wisconsin.
Only this morning had the texts gone out, informing everyone where to go for Game Orientation, and the location had puzzled her. A million years ago, orientation had been held in a wide-open field several miles from civilization. Sure, times had changed. But an elementary school? Really?
After expressing his own puzzlement, Lucien, keeper of Death, had flashed her and Gwen, dropping them off at the schools front doors. Lysander had flown Bianka in, and Taliyah had simply materialized from what looked to be a thick, dark mist. Girl had developed a new ability, apparently, but when questioned, had refused to give up the deets. Like what the ever-loving hell could she do? Kaia had never, in all her centuries, seen anyone step from a misty doorway of their own creation.
Wasnt fair, either. Taliyah already had a kick-ass ability. She could shape-shift. Not that she ever used the ability. But now she could do this, too, yet Kaia couldnt do anything cool.
Pouter! Kaia stopped when she reached the auditorium doors. They were closed, a murmur of voices drifting through the tiny crack between the metal slats. A tremor slid down her spine, vibrating into her limbs.
Taliyah stopped, too. She sheathed her weapons and placed a firm hand on Kaias shoulder, her crystalline gaze pointed. You know Im with you, no matter what. Right?
Her heart swelled with love as she shoved the hatchet and blade into their holsters. Yeah, I know. Her mother might have written her off, but her sisters never had. They supported her. Through anything, everything.
Good. Then lets do this.
Taliyah pushed open the double doors, the hinges squeaking in protest. Without the barrier, the murmurs became full-blown conversations. Conversations that died as all eyes swung to the newest entrants.
Kaia searched the sea of faces she hadnt seen in centuries, but didnt spot her mother. Or any other Skyhawk for that matter, despite the fact that there were close to a hundred females watching her through narrowed eyes. She raised her chin. Several of the ladies reached for sword or dagger hilts, but none so much as stepped toward her.
All that hate-filled attention should have intimidated her, she supposed. However, Kaia found herself delighting in it. She was strong, stronger than ever, and she would prove herself. Finally.
Finally they would know she was worthy.
Tabitha could take her almost improved and shove it up her
Well, well. Look who decided to join us, everyone. Kaia the Disappointment. And company, of course. The familiar voice echoed from the walls. Juliette the Eradicator. What a surprise. We thought youd opted not to enter, which would have been a very smart move on your part. But then, youve only got half a brain, isnt that right?
Annnd here were the twins-only-got-half jokes again.
Juliette went on, I feel obligated to warn you that you will lose, and you will not have fun when you do. Or survive. Not that Id know anything about that. Ive taken home the gold in the last eight games. But I guess you wouldnt know that, seeing how you werent invited to them.
Bianka growled, Taliyah tensed and Kaia gritted her teeth as she faced her nemesis.
Juliette stood in the center of the stage. Tall, toned and stunning, she had shoulder-length black hair and eyes of the purest lavender. She wore a tank top and a short skirt that revealed the tattoos inked into her legs. Ancient godly symbols that bespoke revenge. Loosely translated, each one meant the redheaded bitch must suffer. Nice.
Pretty soon, youll have to kiss your gold goodbye, Kaia told her. Its mine this time around.
Juliette grinned slowly, smugly. Actually, no. No, I wont. In case you didnt know, I wont be participating this year. Im running things. In other words, Im top dog. The elders met, decided, and I am now the be-all and end-all.
That so did not bode well for Kaias victory. As the woman who called the shots, Juliette would decide who broke the rules and who didnt, and in the end, she would tabulate the final scores. No wonder Kaia had been invited to participate. Nothing was stacked in her favor.
Well, youre definitely a dog, she managed to say through her apprehension. How many times over the centuries had she apologized to Juliette? Innumerable. How many fruit baskets had she sent? Hundreds. What more could she do? Nothing. And she was sick of trying when this was the result.
Rage flickered in those lavender eyes, but Juliette offered no retort. Your men must sit with the others. Motions jerky, she pointed to the back of the auditorium, where a large group of men perched side by side in the balcony, mere spectators.
Actually, our men stay with us. And that is not something we will discuss. Taliyah stalked forward, every inch the predator. Now, you may continue with the meeting. The command was not lost despite the polite delivery.
I will, Juliette huffed. Have no worries on that front. She launched into a speech about proper behavior before, during and after the games.
Ignoring her, Kaia and company followed her oldest sis. They stopped to the right of the stage, beside another clan. The Eagleshields. Juliettes family. Her chin lifted another notch. Every member stepped back, away from her, as if she had a contagious disease they didnt want to catch, and a blush heated her cheeks.
No, not every member widened the distance, she realized a second later. Neeka the Unwanted had stood alone on the groups fringes and now stepped forward, closer to the Skyhawks. She was grinning.
Taliyah. Neeka inclined her head respectfully. She was deaf, having been stabbed in the ears during a raid. Shed been a child and hadnt healed from her wounds, and her own mother had later tried to slay her for daring to live with such an infirmity.
The woman must have trained at the Tabitha Skyhawk school of Mothering.
The two females embraced, patting each other on the back once, twice. When they parted, Neeka looked at Kaia. Shockingly, her grin of pearly whites remained in place. She had hair on the softer side of jet and rich brown eyes. A few freckles dotted her nose, darker than her mocha skin, the only flaws in an otherwise too-perfect face.
All grown up now, Neeka said in a perfectly modulated, very soft tone.
Yep. She waited for the insults to start flying.
None were forthcoming. I hope youre as lethal as gossip claims.
Wait. What? Probably more so, she said modestly. Well, modestly for her.
The grin widened. Clearly, Neeka had taught herself how to read lips. Good. Thatll make the next few weeks bearable. So, tell me. About a year ago, someone mentioned you hung a human outside a sixty-story building. By his hair. That true?
Well, yeah. And she wasnt sorry. Gwennie was missing, and he was the last one to see her. She shrugged. I wanted answers.
Rock on. What about
Enough, Juliette snapped. You are wasting our time with your exaggerations when you should be listening to me.
Exaggerations. Please. Rather than defend herselfand look as though she protested too muchKaia repeated what had been said. Juliette was behind Neeka, so the poor girl had no idea everyone now watched them, quietly waiting for their cooperation.
The admonishment didnt send Neeka back to her clan. She remained beside Taliyah. Odd. What was
From the other side of the spacious room, another set of double doors opened. And then Kaia was staring across the distanceat her mother. Tabitha the Vicious. Juliette quieted as gasps of awe abounded.
A legend had just arrived.
Kaias stomach knotted, and she gulped. Shed known this moment would come, had thought she was prepared for it. But Oh, gods. Her knees knocked together, and she had to press her weight into her heels to steady herself.
Damn it, her sudden case of nerves needed some outlet. Her skin prickled as though little bugs with white-hot legs were crawling all over her.
Over a year had passed since shed last spoken to her mother, and that final conversation had not been pleasant.
I dont know why Ive stuck by you as long as I have, Tabitha had said. I push and I push and I push, yet youve done nothing to redeem yourself. You remain in Alaska, fighting with humans, stealing from humans, playing with humans.
Kaia had gaped. I didnt realize I needed to prove myself to you. Im your daughter. Shouldnt you love me no matter what?
You have me confused with your sisters. And look where their indulgence has gotten you. Nowhere. The other clans, they still hate you. I have guarded you, protected you all this time, never allowing them to act against you, but that ends today. My indulgence has gotten you nowhere, as well.
Their definition of indulgence varied greatly. And, to be honest, that variation cut her so deeply she didnt think shed ever heal. Mother
No. Say no more. We are done here.
Footsteps had echoed as her mother walked away. For good. Thered been no phone calls, no letters, no emails or texts. Kaia had simply ceased to exist. Juliette still hadnt attacked her, so she had assumed her mother had continued to protect her despite that fact.
Maybe shed assumed wrong.
Maybe thats why she now found herself in this place.
And yet, even knowing Tabitha might want her hurt and broken, her gaze drank her mother in, her first glimpse in all these months, unbidden though it was, and gods, Tabitha was lovely. Though shed lived for millennia and given birth to four (beautiful) daughters now past legal drinking agewaaaay pastshe appeared to be no more than twenty-five. Beautifully tanned skin, a silky mass of black hair, amber-brown eyes, and the delicate features of a china doll.
A few times over the years, shed dyed her hair red and Kaia had thought, hoped, that meant But no.
Tabitha Skyhawk, Juliette said, her tone reverent. She inclined her head in greeting. Welcome.
Thats your mother? Sabin suddenly demanded of Gwen. I mean, you told me she hated you and thats why she stays away, but that woman looks like she only hates broken nails and stocking runs.
Shes only my mom by birth, so dont hold it against me, Gwen replied. And I assure you, shed break your face without a thought to her nails.
Gwen had always been the sensitive one, the one in need of safeguarding. Yet she hadnt cried the day Tabitha had called her unworthy. She had simply shrugged and moved on. Not once had she looked back.
She cant be all bad, Sabin said. Not with those legs.
Men. She has the heart of a child, you know. Yeah, its in a box beside her bed. And guess what? Its mine!
After the Unfortunate Incident, Kaia had dogged Tabitha for centuries, desperate, willing to do anything, battle anyone, to earn back her mothers respect and love. She had failed, time and time again. Finally shed realized the fruitlessness of her efforts and turned her attentions to the humans. An act that had once again earned Tabithas castigation.
You remain in Alaska, fighting with humans, stealing from humans, playing with humans. The words ran through Kaias mind a second time. Among humans, she was a prize among prizes, thought to be lovely, courageous and fun. Of course shed played with them.
Youre over the rejection, remember? You dont care.
Her mother entered the room the rest of the way, nine Harpies filing in behind her. When the doors shut with a soft whisk, the group stopped and surveyed the room, the occupants. All ten gazes zoomed past her without even the slightest pause, as if she were invisible.
Look at me, she thought frantically. Mother, please. For those few, pregnant seconds, she felt like a needy little girl again. Of course, those golden eyes never returned to her. Worse, they landed on Juliette and sparked with pride. Pride. Why?
Did it matter? A bitter laugh welled in Kaias throat. Then she noticed the matching medallions hanging from each of their necks, and the laugh escaped on a choke. Small wooden discs, intricate wings carved into the centers, the precious symbol of Skyhawk strength. Kaia had always been fine with the fact that her mother had trained Juliette, as well as other members of allied clans. But giving someone other than a Skyhawk a medal? Oh, that burned!
Another memory surfaced. Suddenly she felt the scrape of leather against her nape as her necklace was ripped from her.
Our flight was delayed, Tabitha explained, her hard voice echoing from the domed ceiling. We apologize.
Even so stiffly utteredan apology? From Tabitha the Vicious? That was a first. Was Kaia dreaming? Had she entered some sort of parallel universe and just didnt know it? No, she couldnt have. If so, Tabitha would have smiled at her. She hadnt.
So the apology had happened.
Her knees started knocking again, and there was no stopping them.
Sorry Im late, a husky male voice said from behind her.
And back to the dream theory. No way Strider was here and apologizing. That would mean he was her lifelinea line to more than just insanity. Kaia whipped around, certain there would be no change in her surroundings. To her eternal shock, her eyes supported her ears.
Strider was here in all his warrior glory.
A smile from Mother Dearest or not, she had entered a parallel universe. There could be no other explanation. Could there? What are you doing here? The scent of cinnamon wafted from him, and as she inhaledpanted, reallyher heart skidded into an uncontrollable beat.
Thank gods, Sabin muttered. Gwen almost had my balls for breakfast when she heard Id let you leave the fortress this morning.
Gwen blushed. Sabin! Now isnt the time to spill our bedroom secrets.
Bianka chuckled behind her hand. I dont think thats what he meant, Gwennie-bo-Bennie.
As she spoke, Lysander inserted himself between her and the two demon-possessed immortals. He might have agreed to a truce with the Lords of the Underworld, but that didnt mean he liked them. And as hed cut off their good buddy Aerons head, the Lords werent his biggest fans, either, and he clearly didnt want them taking out their dislike on Bianka. As if they would. Demon-possessed or not, the warriors treated the Skyhawk girls like family. Irritating cousins whod overstayed their welcome, but family nonetheless.
Another round of gasps suddenly echoed. The men had finally been noticed, really noticed as more than blood donors and carnival ponies, and murmurs of angel and lords arose. The first was filled with amusement, as Kaia had feared, the second with jealousy.
Jealousy. For her. She tried not to puff up like a peacock.
She failed.
What are you doing here? she repeated in a low whisper. To Strider. Who was here. Here, with her.
Ask me tomorrow, and I might have thought up an answer, he replied dryly.
Once again, she found her heart swelling. Not with love, not this time, but with equal measures of lust, joy and relief. He was sexier than ever in a bloodstained white T-shirt and ripped-up jeans. Dirt streaked his fallen angel face and his blond hair was plastered to his scalp and dripping with sweat.
I would have been here sooner, he added, but my final perimeter check at the fortress proved fruitful.
Hunters?
Yeah. Bastards. Always trying something sneaky.
You killed them all?
His blue eyes glittered, revealing hints of the victorious demon inside him. Every last one.
Thats my man. Good girl. Yes, she had just called him a girl. And he was here. He really was here. She couldnt get over that amazing fact. Did that mean hed realized they belonged together? Had he forgiven her for sleeping with Paris? She fought the urge to throw her arms around him, to hug him tight and never let go.
He must have read the questions and desires in her eyes because he said, Just dont get the wrong idea, spoiling everything. You needed a medicine cabinet, so here I am. As soon as the games are over, Im gone. I dont tell you that to be rude, but to be honest. Gentle, so gentle. Okay?
Yeah, sure. Th-thanks. Not wanting him to witness the withering of her joy, she turned back around. I will not cry. Her mother hadnt broken her (for the most part); he wouldnt, either (not again).
Once more she was the center of attention, every gaze fastened on her. She raised her chin exactly as she had the first time, refusing to reveal her upset.
So whatd I miss? he asked.
See the rocking brunette over there? Sabin pointed to Tabitha. Thats their mother.
Thats their mom? Strider gasped out.
Kaias hands curled into fists, her sharpening nails cutting past skin. Warmtoo warmtrickles of blood slid between her knuckles before dripping onto the floor. If you arent careful, Im going to There was no threat mean enough. Justdont compliment her.
Dont challenge me, Red. You wont like the results.
Red. From anyone else, that would have been a term of endearment. From Strider, it was a curse. Why? You planning on spanking me?
Ill leave. The words were firmly stated.
She pressed her lips into a mutinous line. His absence was the one thing she wasnt willing to risk. Whether she liked him or notcurrently not. He might be a pain in her ass, he might be stubborn and sometimes hateful, but he was the best chance she had of winning this thing, and she knew it. With Juliette in charge, she needed someones head on a swivel, watching her back 25/8.