How do I use each artifact properly? Cameo insisted.
What are you talking about? How should I know? Ive never used them. And besides, while I know everything, I sometimes like to be appreciated for more than my magnificent brain. As she spoke, she bent down to peer into the crystal at the end of the Rod. Oh, a pretty, she breathed, appearing entranced by her own reflection.
She reached out. Made contact.
One second she stood beside Cameo, the next she was gone.
Silence filled the room.
Viola, Cameo said, spinning, but there was no sign of the girl.
Heartbeat picking up speed, Cameo focused on the camera in the far right corner. Did you see that? Did what I think just happened really happen?
There was a crackle of static before Torins voice flowed from strategically placed speakers. Yeah. The moment she made contact with the Rod, she was adiosed.
What should I do? she demanded.
Nothing. Im going to do a search for info and see what I can find.
No. She wasnt content to do nothing. Besides, hed been searching for info since theyd gotten the thing, and hadnt found anything.
Moving swiftly, Cameo unfolded the Cloak.
Hey! What are you doing? Torin demanded. Stop that right now.
Make me. He was the keeper of Disease. One touch of his skin against anothers and a plague would start. The poor guy spent most of his time alone in his bedroom, watching the world from a distance.
In a moment of weakness, they had begun a hands-off relationship, but just like with Kane, the sparks had quickly fizzled and theyd realized they were better off as friends.
Cameo. Dont.
He was concerned for her. She knew that. She also knew he liked to think before acting. To plan. To test. Most of the warriors living in the fortress were like that. Not Cameo. The longer she waited to do something, the more useless she became, the demons misery filling her, consuming her.
More than that, Viola could be in pain. Cameo didnt like the girl, but she wasnt going to let her sufferno matter what shed planned to do to her. She had to try to extract her.
Cameo reached out with a shaky hand.
Dont you dare do what she did, Torin shouted over the speakers.
She paused. Maybe there was another way. Maybe
Maddox! Torins voice boomed. Youre needed in the artifact room. Now! Reyes, you, too. Anyone. Cameos about to make a huge and possibly fatal mistake.
No time to reason things out.
Trembling, Cameo set the painting in the cage, grabbed the Cloak, and entered. She shut the door, and the lock automatically engaged. The moment she heard the soft click, she felt as though a heavy ring of metal had wrapped around her neck, wrists and ankles. But when she looked, she saw only the tan of her skin.
Im commanding you to stop, Cameo, Torin said.
The Cage clearly didnt consider him its owner, because she felt no compulsion to obey him.
She wrapped the Cloak around her shoulders and reached through the bars, intending to latch onto the Rod. Just before contact, her gaze locked on the painting. She froze. In an instant, insignificant details were wiped away. She saw the box, and in the shadows behind it, a man. He was of average height, with a thin build.
She couldnt make out his features, could only see the red glow of his eyes. Who was he? What was he? Would he be friend or foe? Was he guarding Pandoras box? Trying to prevent her from destroying it?
With so little muscle mass, hed never stand a chance.
Find Viola. Find him.
Footsteps echoed inside the room. Hinges on the door creaked.
Maddox stormed inside, violent anger radiating from him. Dont you dare
She grabbed the Rod before he could finish his sentence, just in case, and felt the coldness of the crystal against her skin.
And then she knew nothing more.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Séduire
CURRENTLY, JOSEPHINA WAS the ketchup in a beefcake sandwich. Two palace guards held her in a viselike grip, preventing her from running away. They were beautiful men, tall and strongthough not as tall and strong as Kanewith looks typical of the Fae. Each had white hair, blue eyes, pale skin and red lips. They wore fitted violet overcoats, and had several medals pinned along their shoulders. Their pants were white, without a speck of dirt, and practically painted on. Black boots stretched to their knees.
Oh, yes. They were beautiful men, but they were the proud owners of cold, dead hearts. They knew what would happen to her, but wouldnt let her go. They held her all the tighter.
So close to freedom, she thought, fighting a wave of despair. And yet here I am.
At least the hatred and evil shed borrowed from Kane had left her and returned to him.
The royal dais loomed in front of her. King Tiberius sat upon a lavish throne carved from a single block of the purest gold, his hand curled around the center of a bejeweled scepter. On his right was a smaller throne, and perched there was the elegant Queen Penelope. On his left was yet another throne, this one for the flawless Princess Synda.
Behind the trio was a higher tier. Higher, yet still it seemed the area was nothing more than an afterthought. There sat Prince Leopold. Even as much as he claimed to want her, hed wasted no time escorting Josephina to the guards and abandoning her to their care.
The Opulens stood behind her. Dressed in their finest, they had gathered here to watch her newest chastisement. The women wore elaborate gowns with fitted bodices and wide, flaring skirts. Bold makeup decorated their faces, the colors dusted with diamond powder. Their hair was partially hidden by large, bejeweled headdresses that fanned out to form half-moons. Metal necklaces circled their throats and dripped beads down their shoulders and cleavage.
The men wore velvet jackets in every color imaginable, metal pieces sewn into the shoulders, elbows and hem. Their trousers were looser than what the guards wore, but still managed to mold to hard-won strength.
In Séduire, beauty mattered more than brains and clothing mattered more than food. Political intrigues were always in full swing. An open mouth was a lying mouth. Power was just as valuable as cash. Lust, greed and torture were always on the menu.
Josephina hated it here.
Every Fae wielded some type of extraordinary abilitythough she actually wielded twobut some were better than others. The king was doubly gifted, like Josephina, able to bequeath abilities to others, as well as form a protective shield around his body. The queen had the power to touch an object and know its complete history. Leopold could cause pain in others with a single spoken word.
Any ability Synda possessed had been buried when shed obtained the demon. Josephina had heard stories, though, and thought her half sister had once been able to turn any inanimate object into gold.
The king looked Josephina over with those eyes of crystal blue. Oh, how she despised the color. She much preferred Kanes eyes, jade and amberand she had to stop thinking about him, didnt she? Their association was over. She wouldnt be seeing him again. He wouldnt want to see her. Not after what shed done to him.
Regret clawed at her. Already she mourned the loss of him. The strong, beautiful warrior whod come to save her.
A small cry parted her lips.
Have you nothing to say for yourself, Servant Josephina? King Tiberius demanded. You caused us all kinds of trouble.
Yes, you should be on your knees right now, Queen Penelope said, flicking an invisible piece of lint from the skirt of her dress. Begging for our forgiveness.
Ignoring the burn of rejection accompanying those words, Josephina kept her gaze on her father. Though he was hundreds of years old, he looked almost as young as she was. He had silver-white hair, unblemished skin, and enough muscle to snap the bones of any man.
Im angry with you, girl. You didnt return on your own. You had to be hunted, wasting time, energy and resources.
I was being chased by demons. It was the truth.
He flicked his tongue over an incisor. Excuses arent to be tolerated.
She gulped, and wisely kept her mouth shut.
However, I am feeling benevolent, and will not punish you. This time. But if you ever again try to deprive my precious daughter of her blood rights, whatever the reason, Ill be forced to hobble you for the rest of your life.
Im your precious daughter, too, her heart cried. The only difference was, the queen wasnt her mother.
Murmurs of excitement erupted behind her. The people wanted to see her hobbled.
The queen petted the ribbon of fur hanging from the collar of her gown. We sent guards to await you at the exit to hell. Did you kill them?
No. The demons must have done it, because there was no one waiting for me.
Ugh. Demons, said Princess Synda.
Josephina met her sisters gaze.
The girl blinked. All innocence. Zero remorse.
A quintessential Fae, Synda had her white curls twined with a wide, arching headdress of crystal spears. Her luminous eyes were framed by sharp sweeps of sapphire shadow, and currently without any hint of the red the demon caused when it acted up. Her cheeks were brushed with the dust of rubies, and her lips with the flakes of diamonds.
She displayed moments of utter sweetness, like now, followed by looong stretches of utter nastiness. She obeyed no rules, not even her own, and always acted without thought or concern for anything or anyone.
Josephina was younger by several hundred years, and at the time of her birth, Synda already contained the demon. The stories shed heard about the princesss past, about what the female had been like before the possession, had shocked her. Apparently, there had been no one more kind, concerned and happy.
How much had Disaster changed Kane?
Youre thinking about him again.
Tiberius slammed the scepter into the floor, a loud boom shaking the entire room. You will concentrate on the proceedings, Servant Josephina, or Ill have to make an example out of you.
Maybe she likes it when you punish her, the queen said with an evil grin. Maybe thats why she tempts you to give her more.
Josephina shuddered. Just...let me go. Please.
The king leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. Have I not been good to you? Have I not given you a home? A worthy purpose?
The queen smirked.
Synda selected a pastry from the tray beside her.
Leopold shook his head in regret.
I wont cry. Not again.
Tiberius sighed. Take her to the dungeon. I can see the desire to run in your eyes, girl. You will be locked away until youve realized how well Ive treated youand how much worse it can be for you.
The Opulens cheered.
She opened her mouth to protest, but closed it with a snap. Speaking after judgment had been handed down would only earn her further chastisement.
As she was dragged away, she heard another guard say to the king, Two immortal warriors were following Servant Josephina. We left them in the forest, but placed a tracker on their equipment. What would you have us do with them?
Though she didnt hear the kings answer, Josephina mewled with dismay.
* * *
THE WHOOSH OF a whip sounded, followed by screams of pain. Josephina flinched as every blow landed on the man on the other side of the crumbling stone wall.
Her poor arms were chained over her head, her fingers ice-cold from pitiable circulation. Once again she was sandwiched between two men. Only, these two werent guards. They were prisoners, like her, and theyd made the grievous mistake of owning land the king wanted for himself.
They, too, had their arms chained over their heads, but they were either unconscious or dead. They had been deprived of food for so long, their bodies were emaciated. And they had gone unwashed for years. Oh, the stench...
Footsteps pounded, and the dungeon master stalked around the corner. Prince Leopold smiled at her, genuine affection gleaming in his crystalline eyes. Like Princess Synda, he had curling white hair. Unlike Synda, he was tall, taller than their father, and leanly toned. Eligible Opulens were always drooling and panting for him.
He stopped in front of Josephina and pinched a lock of her hair between his blood-splattered fingers. Did you miss me, little flower? he asked, warm breath fanning over her face.
Not even a bit, she replied truthfully. If you want the brutal truth of the matter, it was my hope wed never see each other again.
A muscle ticked in his jaw, a testament of his anger. First point, Servant Josephina. Give yourself to me, and the king will no longer use you as Syndas substitute.
Id rather dieobviously. Even if that were true, which its not, my answer would be the samenever. Does that work for you?
His lashes fused together, leaving only tiny slits. Why dont you want me? Im desirable.
Where to begin? Oh, yeah. Youre my brother.
Only by blood.
Was that all? Well, you disgust me. How about that?
He leaned in. I would be good to you. Very, very good.
She stiffened, gritting out, Stop. Im not interested.
Just give me a chance.
Josephina turned her head away. Her body ached in the worst way. Her mind was foggy from hunger. She couldnt deal with him right now.
He took her chin in a firm grip and returned her attention to him. I could force you. You know that, dont you?
If hed wanted her that way, he would have taken her years ago.
She remembered the first day theyd come into contact outside the throne room. Shed been walking through the royal garden, plucking the prettiest of the flowers for her mother. Back then, her mother had been the kings favored concubine and Josephina had been free to do as she pleasedwhen she wasnt being punished for Syndas crimes, of course.
Yes, the king had used her that way even then, despite her mothers protests.
Leopold had just achieved his immortality, never to physically age again, and he had been celebrating in the garden with two female slaves. Josephina had stumbled upon the group, seen them doing things that still made her blush; hed heard her startled gasp and looked up. Shed backed away, afraid he would tell his mother she was a spy, and the queen would have her whipped. Again.
But Leopold had smiled, commanded Josephina to stay where she was, then righted his clothing and sent the females on their way. Hed gently teased her about her blush, picked up the flowers shed dropped and gallantly presented them to her, as if she were an Eligible and worthy of his attention.
For the next few years, hed met with her often, purposely, talking with her, laughing with her, and for the first time in her life, Josephina had felt a kinship with someone other than her mother.
But the day Josephina had achieved her own immortality, though so much more fragile than those of full blood, the focus of Leopolds attention had changed. Hed gone from brotherly to amorous, charming to persistent, and had even tried to kiss her. At the time, shed run away from him.
Hed been chasing her ever since.
Things had never been the same between them, and never would.
You wont, she said, confident.
The prisoner across from her snickered over her continued rejection.
Leopolds cheeks reddened the slightest degree. He released her and stomped over to the offender. Rather than rain his fists in a fury of punishment, he tilted his head to the side and said, Agony.
The man screamed in sudden anguish, his entire body shaking. Blood soon leaked from his eyes, his nose, and the corners of his mouth.
Stop! Josephina cried. Stop it, Leopold! Please.
He did. When the man was dead.
Bile burned her chest, and collected in her throat.
Leopold spun to eye every male in chains. Anyone else have anything to say?
Only the rattle of chains could be heard.
The scowling prince locked gazes with Josephina, spit on the ground at her feet. Its only a matter of time before Princess Synda commits another crime. Youll be whipped in her place. Or worse. Let me protect you.
Even if you could save me, Id never consider you the better choice, she replied raggedly.
Well see about that. I leave to capture the men hunting you. One of the imperial guards will be in charge of your care. I doubt hell be as gentle. With that, he stalked from the dungeon.
A bitter laugh escaped her. Kane had wondered why she wanted to die. Kane had wanted to know what he could do to help her. Well, here was why. And clearly, there was nothing he could do. Just as shed known.
There was nothing anyone could do.
But I can help him, she thought. She could use the second ability she possessed and warn Kane about the tracker the guards had placed in his equipment. That way, when they found him, he wouldnt be caught unaware. He could fight. And he could win. Or run.
It was the least she could do, and had nothing to do with the fact that she wanted to see him again. Really.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Texas
The Teaze
ROCK MUSIC POUNDED through the nightclub, shaking the floor, rattling the walls. Strobe lights flashed all the colors of the rainbow and spun, creating a dizzying kaleidoscope that somehow lowered inhibitions. Immortal men and women flailed on the dance floor, walked the aisles in search of fresh prey, or sat at the tables, flirting in between throwing back shots of the beauty maker.
The world might be ugly before you drank a glass of ambrosia-laced whiskey, but it sure was beautiful afterwards. At least for a little while.
Kane wanted to leave, memories of the last time hed been inside a nightclub playing through his mind, sickening him, but hed texted Torin for information about Tinker Bell, and for some reason, the warrior had sent him here.
As usual, William was off trolling for women.
Kane pushed a vampire out of the chair he wanted, and claimed a place at the bar. The guy didnt protest, just took one look at him and rushed away. Kane ordered a shot of the beauty maker. Anything to dull his riotous emotions.
Where was Tinker Bell?
Was she okay? Safe?
She no longer had custody of Disasterif thats what had happened, and he suspected it was. There was no other explanation. The demon had come roaring back to Kane a few hours after hed left the forest. Hed been disappointed for himself, but relieved for her. He didnt like the thought of such a delicate half immortal going against such evil.
But at least he had an answer to one of his questions now. The Greeks had indeed lied. The demon wasnt as much a part of him as his lungs and his heart. Kane couldnt survive a single moment without the organs, but he could survive a few hours without Disaster. Maybe more.
Hate you, Disaster growled.
Assure you, the feelings mutual.
One of the legs on his chair snapped, and he nearly hit the floor. He brutally kicked the broken stool out of the way, and decided to stand.
About time you got here, a female said.
His gaze snapped to the left, where a tall, lithe blonde stood. She was exquisite, with long hair that tumbled to a perfectly curved waist and snow-white skin covered in makeup to mute its luminous power. Blue eyes held his stare without wavering or fear.
Shes mine, Disaster shouted. All mine.
Kane ground his molars together. Just how many mines were they supposed to have?
Taliyah Skyhawk, he acknowledged. She was Sabin and Striders sister-in-law, as well as a Harpy known for her cold-as-ice demeanor. You knew I was coming?
Torin gave me a heads-up.
His focus sharpened on her. Well, okay, then. You got info for me?
She motioned to the bartender, and waited, silent, for a bottle of vodka to be slid in front of her, as if Kane werent suddenly vibrating with impatience. This belongs to him, she said, hitching her thumb in his direction.
Knowing Harpies couldnt eat or drink anything without stealing or earning it, he threw a few bills on the counter without complaint. Anytime would be great, Tal.
She drank straight from the bottle, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and faced him, her expression impassive. Theres a Phoenix chasing your Fae. Her names Petra, and shes a vicious little troll.
Not exactly a news flash. So, how did you know that?
You remember when my friend Neeka the Unwanted was given to the Phoenix, even though shes a Harpy, to save my sister? Well, little Neeka keeps getting stolen from different clanseveryone wants a piece of her, which is so wonderfully ironic, considering her name. She gets bored between travels and spies for me. I knew the stuff about Petra would be important to you because my sisters told me about your encounter with the Fae.
Sabin and Strider were such pansy blabbermouths.
Anyway, Taliyah continued. The rest of the information is going to cost you.
He arched a brow, saying, How much? Whatever the price, hed pay it.
I want the fortress in the Realm of Blood and Shadows.
A thirty-thousand-square-foot monstrosity for a few words? A fair exchange, in his opinion. He wasnt sure his friends would agree. Theres a problem. The place isnt mine to give.
Taliyah drained the rest of the bottle with a grace matched by few. Too bad. It would have been nice doing business with you, Kane. See you. She walked away from him without another word.
Coldhearted. As always.
Kane leaped into action, dragging her back to the barand she let him. She had more at stake than she wanted him to believe, then. Its yours, he said to her. The fortress is yours. When do you want it?
Winter-blue eyes sparkled triumphantly. Three months and two days from now. No sooner, no later.
Fine. Ill kick my friends out myself.
Even my sisters?
No, he said, thinking that was what shed want to hear. They can
Deals off. Sorry. Once again she walked away, and once again he had to drag her back.
Fine, he rushed out. Ill kick them out, too. Theyd want to stay with their husbands, anyway.
She nodded, satisfied.
Why cant you stay there with everyone else? he grumbled. She had before.
Youre not going to tell anyone Im there. You do, and Ill hunt you down. Immortal races will be talking about the things I did to your entrails for centuries.
Harpies, man. They actually had the strength and stomach to back up their threats, and that was a serious downer when the women werent on your side. What do you need the fortress for?
None of your business. Now, do you want the information Ive got or not?
I do.
Okay, so, apparently, a Sent OneThane, I think his name issuddenly appeared in one of the Phoenix camps a few weeks ago. He threw a big fit, and killed lots of the warriors. One of them was the king. The Sent One was eventually subdued, and a new king took the throne. This new king was finally able to claim the woman hes been craving for centuriesthe dead kings wife.
Whats this got to do with anything?
Im getting there. The new king took the widow as his concubine, but only a few days later, this Petra girl killed her. As punishment, she was cast into the Never-ending. And now that Petras on the loose, the new king wants her back. Like, bad. The things hell do to her when he finds her...its going to be legendwait for itdary. Oh, and the concubine was Petras sister. Meaning, theres no line this troll wont cross. If your Fae is on her radar, shes in trouble.
He would get to her first.
The glass shattered in his hand, cutting his skin.
Stupid demon.
He dabbed at the wounds with a napkin.
He waited, but Taliyah said nothing more. Thats all you have for me?
As if Neeka is that poor of a spy. I was just waiting for you to digest. So get this. Petra was seen buying a key to Séduire.
Séduire. The kingdom of the Fae, though many humans lived there, located in a realm between realms. Some immortals could flash there, moving from one space to another with only a thought. Most could not. Kane was among the could-nots, so, for people like him, a special key was needed to open one of the invisible doorways.
If this Petra is following Tinker Bells scent, and she bought a key, Tinker Bell must have returned to Séduire, Kane said, thinking out loud. Finally, he had a location.
Tinker Bell?
Disaster growled.
William scooted into the seat beside him, saving him from having to answer. The warrior was without his usual random woman (or six) and scowling. What are you doing here, Ice Witch, and how did you find us? Were on a boys-only vacay.
Taliyah rolled her eyes. I just answered those questions for Kane and wont do it again for the likes of you. And what a way to say hello, Man Whore.
So. The two hated each other now. Interesting.
William looked at him, and Kane could see the excitement banked in his eyes. Youre just going to let her talk to me like that? I should pack my bags and leave you.
I should be so lucky. Kane signaled for another whiskey. The glass shattered as he downed the liquid inside it, and he choked on a shard. Coughing blood, he stood. Ive got to find a key. Dont call me if you need me.
What are you doing? Disaster demanded. Dont leave the Harpy. Shes mine. I want her.
Taliyah reached out and grabbed his wrist. He...felt no pain, he realized, and no desire, either. Apparently no ones touch affected him like Tinker Bells. Remember what I told you.
Yeah. He remembered. No one could know she wanted the fortress.
What did you tell him? William demanded. You might as well confess. Ill just bug the answer out of him if you dont.
Kane rolled his eyes, knowing hed be dodging Williams annoying prods for weeks, but walked away before the Harpy could respond and never looked back.
* * *
THE MOMENT HE was outside, Kane whipped out his cell phone. Yesterday, hed taken a snapshot of Danikas painting and saved the image as wallpaper.
In it, he was on his knees, tears streaming down his face, hands lifted toward the heavens. A blonde female lay in front of him, a hole the size of his fist burned into her chest. Her face was turned away from him, so he had no idea who she wasand wasnt sure he wanted to know.
The painting was a problem that would have to wait.
He called every black market contact he had, looking to buy a key to Séduire. He would also need a guide, since he had no idea where to find a doorway. But one call after another proved unfruitful. No one was able to help him.
A sense of urgency drove him, and he paced toward the darkened alleys about a mile from the club. There, immortals would be peddling their wares. Drugs. Sex. Anything and everything. Even if he couldnt find a key, he could find someone who knew someone else with the contacts to help him.
A thick white fog suddenly rolled in, and he paused. Through the density, he could just make out the shape of a...woman? Oh, yes, definitely a woman. She glided toward him, and he could see she was wearing a glowing white dress. Long, dark hair fell over one delicate shoulder, reminding him of...
Tinker Bell? he asked, shocked to his core.
Disaster banged against his skull.
Kane raced to her, tried to grab her despite the pain it might cause him, the unwanted desire, and whatever shed done to him in the forest, but his hands ghosted through her.
Her eyes were as white as the fog and as luminous as the most expensive diamonds. Would you please stop calling me that? she said, exasperated. As freaky as she looked, the normalcy of her voice surprised him.