I tried to squelch my noisy breaths by sucking in air through my nose instead of my mouth. It only made me sound like a winded horse instead of a winded human. Adrian rolled his eyes, keeping low as he ran across the ice to the mainland. Deciding that meant speed was more important than silence, I followed him.
Light from nearby igloos meant I could see the figure that strode toward Adrian when he reached land, the guard holding out his hand in the universal gesture for stop.
Hondal the minion began, but didnt finish the word. Two short coughing sounds later, the guard dropped like a stone. When I caught up to him, I glimpsed a gaping hole in his forehead before his body dissolved into ashes. In an attempt to cover the evidence of what had happened, I kicked at the ashes, hoping theyd blow away before someone found them.
Ivy! Adrian hissed, waving his gun impatiently at me.
I dashed toward him, my thighs burning from running while trying to stay low. A few minutes later, Adrian stopped. I didnt see anything, but I braced myself when he clasped me to him and then threw the three of us backward.
We tumbled through the gateway into our world, coming out at the base of the split tree trunk. My relief at the embrace of warm temperatures was cut short when I saw how dark it was.
What? I rasped. It still hurt to talk, damn him. Weve only been in the realm two hours, and we entered it at noon!
Adrian pulled me to my feet after adjusting his grip on the boy. Time moves differently there, he said, leading me through the woods. Sometimes faster, sometimes a lot slower. Costa told me he and Tomas waited two days in the desert for us in Mexico.
Two days? That seemed impossible, but then again, so did everything associated with the realmsmyself included. Id shot someone in cold blood, and I didnt feel the slightest bit bad about it. In fact, it was the only memory I wanted to keep about the glittering, icy realm.
Somethings not right, Adrian muttered, his pace quickening. That was easy. Only one guard stopped us, and I expected to kill at least half a dozen minions on our way out.
We were lucky, I almost said, and then I paused. We were never that lucky. I looked behind us, seeing nothing except trees and darkness, but that didnt mean we were alone.
Whats the plan? I whispered.
Get more guns, he replied grimly. Now.
We ran past the now-closed Visitors Center to the parking lot. Adrians car was still in the back, and Costa stood next to it, an overhead streetlight revealing the automatic weapon hed set on its roof. That wasnt what made Adrian stop, yanking me to a halt with him. It was the woman next to Costa, her arm almost casually draped over his shoulder, head cocked in apparent curiosity as she looked us over.
I recognized her at once. Those long, ebony-copper locks were unforgettable, not to mention that dazzlingly perfect face and the pale skin she was showing off in her low-cut dress. Full red lips drew back into a chilling smile as topaz eyes flicked over me, Adrian and the boy he held.
So, the gorgeous demon from Mayhemiums realm said, her voice as sensual as her appearance. Which of you three is the Davidian in disguise?
chapter twenty-two
chapter twenty-two
I am, Adrian stated.
My gaze swung to him in disbelief. Adrian flashed the demon a hard little grin as he let the boy slide from his grip, stepping away from him once he slumped on the ground.
No, hes not, I snapped hoarsely. I was going to tear Adrian a new one later for choking me, but no way was he sacrificing himself now. Im the Davidian!
The demons gaze gleamed as she looked between Adrian and me, seeing nothing except an old man and an unfamiliar young one due to our Archon glamour.
Whos a noble liar, and whos the would-be savior? she mused aloud.
Im not a liar, Adrian ground out as if offended.
You lie your ass off all the time! I countered, words coming easier due to my anger. Heres a surefire Whos the girl? testgive him to the count of three to name a brand of tampons.
Adrian shot me a furious, if disbelieving, look. The demon laughed throatily, her features softening into something that resembled affection when she looked at Adrian. Then they turned flinty as she looked at me.
Ivy, isnt it?
Her accent held the harshly musical cadence that denoted her first language as Demonish. I hated hearing that accent from anyone except Adrian, and I put all my revulsion toward her kind into my gaze as I stared back at her.
Ivy, I repeated, wondering if I could shoot her before she hurt Costa. So unpleasant to meet you.
Bloodred nails dug into Costas shoulder. He let out a yelp, which only caused the demon to jab them in deeper.
Dont, Obsidiana, Adrian said quietly.
I was wondering where Id heard that name when the demon inclined her head. Give me what I want, and Ill release him.
You know I cant, Adrian said, still in that low, resonant voice.
Obsidiana managed to make an evil chuckle sound sexy. Oh, but you can, my love.
My love? I almost got whiplash from how fast I looked at Adrian. You didnt tap a demon, I gasped out.
The way his expression closed off said that he had, and a lot. Now I remembered where Id heard her name! Demetrius had said that Obsidiana missed him when hed urged Adrian to come back home. From the way Adrian had stopped dead when we ran into her in Mayhemiums realm, part of him had missed her, too.
I could guess which part, and it was all I could do not to kick it. Me you keep pushing away, but a demoness is good enough for you? My glare was withering. Nice.
With how plain Demetrius said you were beneath that disguise, Im not surprised was Obsidianas smug response.
Hey, Id been hot as a glamoured blonde! Besides... Beauty fades, but Evil Bitch is forever, I snapped.
Obsidiana flung Costa to the ground. Adrian grabbed her before she reached me, his arm like a vise around her neck.
She stilled at once, her topaz gaze sliding up to look at him. You would harm me? Over her?
She actually sounded surprised, and Id heard people refer to feces with more respect than the way she said her. I told myself it wasnt jealousy or spite that made me hope he ripped her head off. She was evil.
I cant let you hurt her, Adrian said grimly.
Obsidiana seemed to sag in his arms. When I heard someone had killed two of my people, I knew youd come to my realm. Thats why I came alone to see you. Her voice deepened with apparent distress. It wasnt even to capture the Davidian! I thought if you would finally speak to me, youd let go of your anger. Does nothing matter to you except this fruitless quest for revenge? Dont you love me at all anymore, benhoven?
Does this answer your question? Adrians arm whipped back, snapping her neck with an audible sound. If she were a minion, shed start turning into ashes, but all she did was go limp. I glanced away when he ripped something pulpy out of her throat. I hated Obsidiana, but my gross quota had already been exceeded today.
Why do you do that? I asked, busying myself by helping the boy up.
Keeps them out longer, he replied, dumping Obsidianas limp form in the grass. Demon physiology is different. Their version of a heart is in their neck.
The vindictive glow I felt was not because hed metaphorically ripped Obsidianas heart out, I assured myself. It was because now we had more time to get away.
Costa, are you okay? Adrian asked, striding over to him.
A groan was his response. Adrian lifted him up, depositing Costa in the passenger seat. Then he cranked the drivers seat forward so I could climb in behind it.
Is he okay? I asked, half lifting the boy to the car.
Just a concussion. A little manna, and hell be fine, Adrian said. It didnt escape me that he sounded pissed, as if he had a right to be. When we were all loaded into the car and driving away, he started in on me.
Why did you bait Obsidiana? Adrian demanded. Were you trying to give her more reasons to kill you?
What was I going to say? That Id been so insulted over the bitchs comments and learning about their past relationship that Id almost forgotten my life was in danger? Ah, noooo. That was too stupid. And humiliating.
I did it to bait her, I said, widening my eyes for increased innocent effect. I was trying to get her to charge me so shed let Costa go!
Adrians stare said he wasnt buying it. Time for another tactic. I tossed my hair, letting out a scornful laugh. You really think I care that you used to get it on with her, or anything else I said? Please.
Costa muttered something in Greek as he pressed a handful of manna to the gash on the back of his head. Whatever it was, Adrian let out a snort of agreement. When he looked at me, his expression was less stern, but no less intense.
Unlike me, youre a terrible liar, but since we didnt have a better plan, Im glad what you did worked.
Did that mean he believed Id been faking jealousy? Or did it mean he knew I was lying now? Asking would only show how much I cared, so I focused on the boy. He was slumped in his seat, most of his body tucked into the parka except his feet. He still wasnt reacting to anything going on around him. Was it shock, or did he have something physically wrong that we couldnt see?
We should take him to a hospital, I stated.
Thatll do more harm than good, Adrian said, with a sardonic glance back at me. Remember being told you were crazy your whole life? What do you think theyll tell him, once he starts talking about demons, minions and different worlds?
I winced. True, but he needs the kind of help we cant give him while were looking for the weapon. Besides, he might have family thats worried sick about him.
Next time we see Zach, Ill ask him, Adrian said, his tone roughening. He always knows about kids families.
I tried not to let that statement affect me, but it did. Your real mother didnt leave you because she was running from the police, Zachs voice whispered across my mind as if he were here. She did it to save you, just like your dream revealed....
I forced those thoughts back. One monumental crisis at a time, thank you. Until I found this weapon, it didnt matter why my birth mother had left me beside that freeway. If I was the last Davidian, then whatever her reasons, she was dead. Gone forever, just like my adoptive parents I hadnt even been able to say goodbye to because that detective tried to kill me before I could give them a proper burial....