Dragon's Gift - The Valkyrie- Complete Series Page 14

  I pulled my sword from the ether as Ricketts dug into the pocket of his flowing coat. He pulled out another potion bomb.

  Shit.

  I swung the sword for the mist that surrounded me, hoping I could cut through the stuff. Ricketts chucked his bomb. I dodged as best I could, but with my legs trapped, I couldn’t go far.

  The acid bomb nailed me in the shoulder.

  I shrieked as the pain tore through me. “Bastard!”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  I hacked at the mist surrounding my legs. The grip loosened, until finally, I slipped free.

  Ricketts dug into his pocket, then flung another potion bomb. I dove left, avoiding the bomb but not the backsplash. The thing exploded against the wall, spraying me with a freezing cold solution that burned my skin.

  “I haven’t tested that one yet,” Ricketts said. “What’s the verdict?”

  “That you’re a two-bit egg sucking rat bastard.” I scrambled to my feet.

  I lunged for him, sword raised.

  He stuck his hand into his pocket, but before he could pull anything out, the desk beneath him rocked, rising up from the ground and throwing him off it.

  Right into me.

  I collapsed under him, but not before my sword sliced his arm. He hissed and rolled off me.

  Behind him, the big demon who’d turned into a house cat climbed out from behind the upended desk. The spell had worn off while he’d been hiding under it.

  Cade landed a killing blow to his massive demon—a stab right to the neck—then leapt for the demon who was no longer fabulously fluffy.

  I scrambled to my feet and raised my sword, going for Ricketts.

  He threw a potion bomb to the ground in front of him. It exploded and magic surged up, a pearlescent shield. My sword collided with it.

  “Ah, ah, ah.” Ricketts gave an evil smirk. “Not through my shield.”

  “I’ll just wait it out. Or Cade might get you.”

  “He won’t. But I will get you.” His eyes glittered with promise.

  “Pretty hard to get me when you’re outnumbered.” Behind him, Cade beheaded the last demon. “And yep, there goes your last guard.”

  “Oh, there’s more than one way to get you. And now I have the means,” he hissed. Then he threw something on the ground.

  I caught sight of a black pebble right before a silvery cloud burst up.

  “No!” I screamed, lunging for him.

  I slammed into the barrier, getting a miserable electric shock for the trouble. Pain surged.

  He stepped into the transportation charm and disappeared.

  “Damn it!” I nearly threw my sword to the ground, but I’d never do that. No amount of frustration would make me let go of my weapon. But it was close. “Damn it, damn it, damn it!”

  Squido looked up from his demon, who’d almost entirely disappeared. “Missed?”

  “Yes.” I scowled. “But we’ll get him, Squido. I promise.”

  Squido nodded. “You’d better.”

  Cade wiped his blade off on one of the demon’s shirts. “Are there any more in the building, Squido?”

  “I think not. But more may come. He has more.”

  “We’ll take care of them.” Cade looked toward me. His chest and arms seeped blood, but otherwise, he looked as dashing as an ancient Celtic warrior. Which he was, basically. Except for the ancient part. “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah.” I stepped toward him, then immediately stumbled. “Okay, no.”

  Adrenaline had kept me going, but now I was starting to feel my wounds. The acid bite on my shoulder, in particular.

  Concern darkened Cade’s features and he approached, studying my shoulder. “The acid has stopped eating your flesh, at least.”

  “You really know how to soothe a girl.”

  “Sorry. But your leather jacket protected you.” His gaze met mine. “Let me heal you.”

  “You can heal?”

  “It’s the other side of the battle power. Wounding and healing. That gives my power balance. I don’t use it often, though.”

  “Wow.” That sounded great, but… “It’s not that bad. Let’s get out of here and deal with it. I don’t want Ricketts coming back with reinforcements. We really only had a chance when we had the element of surprise. And we need to get these antidotes to Hedy so she can identify the proper one.”

  “I’ll call Emily, the transport mage. She can meet us at the safe house.”

  I nodded, then turned toward Squido. “Can you lead us out of here so we don’t get drowned or destroyed by skeletons?”

  Squido nodded. “Yes, yes. Come.”

  We followed him out of the room. Cade grabbed the bag of antidotes from where he’d stashed it, then we headed down the boardwalk. Though there wasn’t supposed to be anyone here, my senses were on high alert.

  I couldn’t wait to get out of this underwater death trap.

  When we reached the crossroads in the hall—one direction leading out, the other leading to the potions room—I stopped and looked at Cade. “You think we can clean him out in sixty seconds?”

  He nodded.

  “Good.” I looked at Squido. “Hang on a moment.”

  We ran to the potion room. The man was still bound in the corner.

  “I’ll send someone down to pick him up,” Cade said. “We’ll give him to the Order.”

  “Good.” I didn’t like the idea of killing non-demons. Even bad ones.

  We grabbed up several large sacks and filled them with as many potions as they would hold. Probably got ninety percent of the stash. Call me greedy, but I liked the idea of cleaning him out. It’d also give him less weapons.

  My shoulder burned as we carried our booty back to Squido, who waited for us.

  “Good.” He nodded, then turned and hurried down the hall.

  It didn’t take long to make it back, not with Squido knowing just how to get us through the enchantments.

  At the stairs, Squido said goodbye.

  “We’ll take care of the rest,” I promised, meeting Cade’s gaze.

  He nodded.

  “Good.” Squido waved, and we hurried up through the quiet church.

  “Where now?” I asked once we made it out onto the front steps of the church.

  “I’ll find out.” He pulled a cell phone from his pocket, then gestured for me to follow.

  We hurried through the narrow, darkened streets of Venice. I listened as he talked to someone—presumably someone from the Protectorate—and made arrangements to meet.

  He hung up as we reached the speedboat, and carefully lowered his sacks of potion bombs into the cockpit. I did the same with mine.

  We hopped in, and he pulled away from the dock, the engine at a low rumble.

  “How are those wounds?” he asked.

  “Fine.” They burned like hell, actually, but I wasn’t going to complain. Wouldn’t do any good, anyway.

  The moon hung heavy and full in the sky, glittering on the canals.

  “We’re going to a Protectorate safe house,” he said. “Emily, the transporter, will meet us there.”

  “The transporter?”

  “Yes. She’ll take the potions back so that Hedy can determine the cure.”

  “Perfect.” We’d lose very little time that way.

  The smaller back canals were dead silent as we motored through the town, passing historic buildings with baskets full of flowers tumbling from the windows. Despite the quietness of the back canals, the Grand Canal was still bustling with party life. People in costume were singing and dancing.

  I slouched low in the seat, not wanting anyone to see how beat up I was. I didn’t know how alert the cops were here, but we didn’t need to get caught by humans. Any delay was unwelcome, since I was beyond ready for some dinner and a shower. And maybe a bit of that healing Cade had promised.

  When he pulled the boat up to a massive white mansion at the edge of the Grand Canal, I looked at him. “You have got
to be kidding me.”

  10

  “Not a joke.” He pulled the boat into the garage—boathouse?—that was on the first level of the four-story mansion.

  “This is really the Protectorate’s safe house? One of the biggest mansions in Venice?”

  “Aye. Ricketts may send his goons after you, but they won’t get through here.” He cut the engine and tied the boat off to the dock, then climbed out. He reached a hand down.

  I took it with my good arm and let him haul me up, then helped him gather the bags out of the boat. I followed him to the stairs, wincing as the protective magic prickled over my skin.

  “Let me go first,” he said. “The magic will recognize me and disengage.”

  I swept an arm out. “Age before beauty.”

  He chuckled, then disengaged the charm locking the door and started up the stairs. We passed the first three floors entirely. By the third flight, I was panting, exhausted from the day’s endeavors.

  “These floors are empty,” he said. “Security.”

  “What kind?”

  “Statues that come alive on the first floor, poison gas on the second floor, and giant snakes on the third—they’re just magic though. Otherwise, it’d be inhumane.”

  “Snakes don’t like mansions in Venice.” I nodded sagely. At least, I was aiming for sagely. “Everyone knows that.”

  “Precisely.”

  I grinned, liking how he went along with my silliness. It was the only thing keeping me from tearing up over the pain in my shoulder.

  He let us onto the fourth floor, disengaged another locked door, and my mouth immediately watered at the scent of pizza. The lights were already on, illuminating an amazing living area that looked like something out of a fancy old movie.

  “Took you long enough.” Emily grinned, stepping forward out of the living room, which was done entirely in cream and pale gold. Several pizza boxes sat on the table. “Brought you food.”

  “Thank you,” Cade said.

  “You’re a saint.” I beelined straight for her, handing over the box containing the antidotes. “The cure is one of the potions in here, but Hedy will have to test them. And seriously, thank you for the pizza.”

  She nodded, and I didn’t waste any time, leaving her to chat with Cade while I went for the pizza. I chowed down on pepperoni, trying not to pay attention to my arm or the pain in my chest.

  I prayed that Hedy could identify that antidote soon.

  “See you later!” Emily called. Then she disappeared.

  I swallowed the last bite of my third piece of pizza as Cade joined me. I gestured to the fancy room, and the huge arched windows that gave a view of the Grand Canal. “The Protectorate sure likes it fancy.”

  “Not always. But when in Rome… Or Venice.” He sat next to me, his big form taking up a good bit of sofa real estate. He leaned in to inspect my arm and shoulder. “It still looks bad. Can I do something about it?”

  “Like what exactly?” I swallowed hard. He was so close that I could see the different colors of green in his eyes, the small muscles and veins in his hands. Against all odds, he still smelled good.

  Heat flushed through me.

  “My healing power is the opposite of death. I’d give you a small amount of my power. Of life. And your wounds would disappear. It’s a last resort, something I do rarely.”

  “Um, okay.” I shifted so that my shoulder was near him.

  He raised a big hand and hovered it over the acid burn. He was even closer now. So close I could just lean in and kiss him.

  I hadn’t been attracted to someone in ages. And Cade was…well, a freaking war god. And as handsome and strong as you’d expect one to be. I swallowed hard, trying to focus on anything else.

  Then his power began to flow into me, strong and bright. I gasped. It filled me with light. With warmth. And I felt him.

  Not physically, but who he was. Like, the qualities that made him unique.

  Bravery, honor, pure goodness. A little bit of danger and ruthlessness. Each quality felt slightly different but was so distinct.

  Then heat ran through me, shivering along my skin and into my bones.

  Desire welled up.

  His for me? Or mine for him?

  My gaze darted to his. The green of his eyes blazed with warmth, his lids slightly lowered. His full lips parted.

  Warmth surged through me. The pain had faded from my body, and pure want had taken its place.

  His gaze dropped to my lips. He gripped the edge of the table tightly, his knuckles turning white. The one that hovered in front of my shoulder trembled slightly.

  Oh fates. Did he want to kiss me?

  From the heat in his gaze—yes.

  I leaned in slightly, more of a sway than a conscious movement.

  He swallowed hard and removed his hand that hovered over shoulder. “It’s better.”

  The spell broke. The connection severed.

  I gasped, leaning backward. The heat was still there, the desire. But the connection was gone. I almost vibrated with the loss.

  Had he really wanted to kiss me? Why hadn’t he?

  Not that it mattered. Get it together.

  Finally, I composed myself. “What happened there?”

  His brow creased. “That’s unusual.”

  “I could feel you.”

  “Me too.”

  “Really?” My heart thundered. “What did you find?”

  “Honor and love. Fear and bravery.”

  “Fear?” My gaze snapped to his.

  “Aye. I could sense it back in the crypt, too. Anytime we were about to face a new challenge. But then you’d throw yourself right into it.”

  “Well, yeah. Of course I was scared. I’m not a freaking idiot. I’ve got a highly developed sense of self-preservation.”

  “But you jumped into the fight anyway.” His green gaze searched mine, assessing.

  The heat still hadn’t faded, but the strangeness of talking about myself on such a…a personal level, was starting to drive it off.

  “Why’d you jump in if you were so afraid?”

  “Gotta get the job done.”

  “So as soon as you get scared, you leap into the fray.”

  “Yeah. I’m like Pavlov’s dog now. Scared, fight. Scared, fight.” I shrugged. “It’s worked out well for me so far.”

  “I’d say so.” He nodded, eyebrows raised and his expression clearly impressed. “I’ve been with many people in battle. Thousands. Not just what I’ve seen myself, but a sense I get. Like I’ve known all the warriors who’ve ever lived. Many of them lack fear.”

  “Ha, well, not me.”

  “That’s what makes you braver than most.”

  Heat singed my cheeks. “Let’s change the subject.”

  “All right.” His gaze sharpened. “You developed new magic back in the tomb.”

  “Actually, let’s talk about how brave I am.”

  His keen gaze pinned me like a bug. I swallowed hard, the heat inside me intensifying into a searing discomfort.

  I was majorly attracted to a guy I couldn’t trust.

  Sure he was honorable, but where did that honor lie?

  Not with me. He barely knew me.

  And sure, the Protectorate said they wanted me and Ana, but would they still want us when they learned what we were? They wanted our skills and power, but they didn’t know where that magical power came from. Even we didn’t know that. But my mother had sure put the fear of discovery into us.

  “Bree. You can tell me.” His deep voice was soothing.

  Except that it did just the opposite for me. “Not much to tell.”

  “You have serious power. Magic that you need to learn to control.”

  “I will.”

  “I understand that you’re wary,” he said. “I’ll help you.”

  “Okay.” Yeah, right.

  “I mean it.”

  “Hmmm hmmm.” I stood and wandered over to the window, knowing that I was blowing this. I
wasn’t doing a good job at deflecting his interest or attention, but I wasn’t used to having a real conversation with anyone besides Ana. Or Rowan, when she’d been around.

  The rest of our life was fighting and bullshitting with our clients. This ‘up close and personal’ stuff was like a dog trying to speak English. And I was the dog.

  “You should eat. The pizza is getting cold.” I pushed open the window and leaned out, sucking in the warm, fresh air.

  The sight below was breathtaking—the wide Grand Canal stretched out in both directions, moonlight glittering on the water. Huge mansions lit by golden light loomed on either side, and colorful boats floated below.

  It’d be really romantic if I weren’t scared for my life. And Ana’s.

  That was my priority right now. Then figuring out if we’d stay at the Protectorate. I was scared of revealing what I really was, but I was also scared of my new powers.

  So, which was more frightening?

  I had no idea.

  I turned back to Cade.

  He was eating a slice of pizza and watching me, a ridiculous activity that he somehow managed to make look sexy.

  Oh, I was an idiot.

  “We need to figure out where Ricketts went,” I said. “If he has another bolt hole.”

  Cade nodded. “We will. But first, we’ll rest. You look like you’re about to fall over.”

  I felt like it, too. But now that an antidote had been found, the worst of our time crunch had passed. “Okay. Tomorrow we’ll get started.” I turned and inspected the large room. “Which way to a bedroom?”

  He pointed left, to a doorway near the windows. “Take that one. There are women’s clothes in the armoire. And I’ll see you in the morning.”

  I nodded, not bothering to say goodnight, then turned and headed to the bedroom.

  I flicked on the light, getting a glimpse of a bedroom that looked like something a king would sleep in—all ivory and gold again—and immediately headed for the bed.

  I barely made it out of my dirty clothes before falling face-first onto the downy mattress. As I drifted off, images of Cade flashed through my mind, along with snippets of the conversation I’d heard through the door at Ricketts’s headquarters.

  Hours later, I shot awake, heart pounding