Claiming Trinity (19 page)

“For what reason?”

“What better way to drive someone mad than to make them believe they have misplaced everything?” Yellow Snakes cackled. Her malicious giggle crept down Trinity’s spine.

“And to steal their memories, don’t forget, dear sister,” the hag with black serpent hair declared.

“Why are you doing this?”

“We follow our masters’ orders. You shall die by your own hand,” the yellow one bit out.

“I know all about my grandmother Aileen, and my grandfather is crazy. This ends now.”

“A banshee who bedded the mortal empath; ’twas unfitting of a Bean Nighe.”

“So you go around and punish the innocent because a jealous psychopath said so?” Trinity spewed with hatred.

“We serve the justice, but it is the curse handed down by a begrudged husband. You are the last of your mixed line. Once you are dead, no other shall live, and the curse will be done,” the one in front of her snarled.

“I know everything now. You have no more power over me. You can’t drive me mad anymore.”

“Oh, but we will, my pretty,” the yellow one taunted. “We have plans for your brooding para hunks, too.”

Desperation mounted.
Not them, too. Not because of me.
A bleak possibility clouded her weary brain. “If I don’t fight you, if I let you punish me for the sins of my grandmother, will you leave Arawn and Kane alone?”

“That, we cannot.” The black snaked one scowled.

“Why?”

“More justice. It is no concern of yours.”

“The hell it isn’t,” she roared. “Tell me now. How can I end this?”

The red serpent-haired sadist waved her triangular ring toward Trinity and let out a venomous hiss. “Die.”

A flood of crimson washed over Trinity’s vision. Fire burned through her head and her chest. Flashes of her immortal and her gargoyle saturated her brain with stabbing pain. Images of a bloody massacre, skin peeled from their bodies sliced open from neck to sternum, the hounds of hell with red ears, feasting on their flesh.

Driven by instinct, she crouched on the branch and outreached her shaking hands. From deep in her solar plexus, she let out a horrific wail. She screamed so hard and so loud, her eardrums nearly shattered. Heated wetness trickled from her eyes and streamed down her face. Her locked muscles loosened as she expelled the last of her cry. Trinity panted for breath and hugged the trunk of the tree. Her throat stung from the wail.

No,” she screamed. “Not them, by the gods, not them.” She wept hysterically.

“Trinity?” a deep voice roared.

“It’s him again,” the red one sneered.

“No mind, the deed is done. She has foreseen the death of both her mates. Leave her to him.” They took off, flying into the air, leaving Trinity grief-stricken.

Her mind spun. Her vision faded, and she lost her balance, toppling over and dropping out of the tree. Her stomach bottomed out as she plummeted, but a sudden grip around her waist halted her in midair.

“Trinity,” the deep husky voice called to her.

She glanced up to find a gray-winged mass encased her. “Kane,” she whimpered.

“Your eyes,” he growled. “Hang on.” He swooped down with his massive wings and carried her to the field. Her vision cleared as the red faded away. Her chest tightened when Arawn ran over and scooped her up into his arms. She glanced back to find a huge gargoyle staring at her, his eyes filled with sadness.

“Rekkus needs you for air support to make his plan work. You’re the only wings we have right now, Kane. She’s been hurt, badly.” Arawn’s voice was strained.

“Stay here in the open.” Kane hovered as he looked her over.

Arawn radioed in. “Rekkus, we’ve got Trinity, over.”

“Copy that,” his voice crackled. “Kane, be advised, we have it ready, over.”

“He’s on his way.” Arawn clutched the radio and wrapped his arm around her.

“I’m close by. I have you in my sights, I swear it.” Kane stared at Trinity then darted back into the air and flew away.

“Are you okay?” Arawn cradled her in his arms and whispered into her ear.

“Stay away,” she sobbed hysterically. “You’re going to die because of me.”

“Princess, your eyes, you’re bleeding.” He traced her cheek then showed her the bloodied pad of his finger. “Are you hurt?”

Trinity’s head stabbed with pain, her chest constricted, and she wheezed for air. Then, his words sank in. “My eyes? Tears of blood?” A sudden angry calm washed over her, and she sat up. She swiped her finger across the wetness lining her eyes and trailing down her face. She examined the crimson, a flash of her parents and grandmother piercing the foggy veil of panic encasing her mind. “Banshees don’t cry tears of blood, but the Furies’ eyes drip with the blood of vengeance,” she recited.

“Yes, you gave the banshee wail…. Are our deaths what you saw?”

“Those evil bitches.” She clambered to her feet and bellowed, “It’s not going to work, you hear me, you sadistic hags?”

“Whoa, stay with me,” he pleaded and tugged at her hand.

“I know your trickery, I’m done with you, come out and face me, you wretched cowards.” She thrashed her fist in the air.

“Arawn,” Rekkus called over the radio. “I need you both to head back into the forest, over.”

Trinity spotted three dark shadows dart across the sky, way up in the gloomy clouds.

“Copy that,” he hollered into the walkie-talkie. He grabbed Trinity’s hand. “Can you run?”

“I think so.” Her upper arms stung. She glanced down to find several puncture wounds across both her biceps. Her knees were weak, but adrenaline coursed through her veins. “I’m fine.”

“Come with me. Let’s end this now.” He bolted toward the trees.

Trinity’s legs strained to keep pace with him. Mere seconds into the clearing, the shadows overhead darkened. The Furies made a frantic descent toward them. Their claws extended, they dove down fast.

“Arawn, I’ve got her,” Kane cried out from up ahead. Just before the winged hags reached her, he swooped down and clutched her in his grasp. “I’ve got ya, darlin’,” he called out in a voice much deeper than usual.

Trinity glanced back to find Arawn face down on the ground, the Furies in hot pursuit of her and her gargoyle. He flew fast and furious toward the treetops.

“Kane?” She gripped his arms with fright.

“Don’t worry. This is gonna work.” He wrapped his leathery wings around her and spiraled toward a small gap between treetops. “Now,” he roared.

A clatter of branches cracking and leaves rustling sounded behind them, but from inside his protective wings, she saw nothing. Hideous screeches cried out. Kane opened his wings and landed on a thick limb of a tree. He set her down.

“It’s over,” he rumbled and nodded down toward the ground.

Trinity glanced down to the sea of lavender, a massive heap of netting entangled over the hags.

“Got ’em.” Kane scooped her up and headed down to Arawn.

Sitting on a bale of hay inside the entrance of the kennels, Trinity cringed at the sting of topical treatment Arawn applied to her open wounds. “Ouch!”

He winced. “Sorry. Almost done, babe.” He bandaged her arms with skill and precision. “Good as new. Now, Sage told me to make sure I give you this.” He held up a small brown bottle and removed the squeeze top to reveal a dropper filled with dark-gold liquid.

“What’s that?”

“Oil of oregano. The puncture wounds could be contaminated. Who knows what infestation those hags are filled with? It goes under your tongue.” He aimed into her open mouth and released three drops. “She called it nature’s antibiotics.”

A sharp sting spread through her tongue, and spice tingled over the sensitive skin of her mouth as the pungent flavor overtook her senses. “Oh, gross.” She shuddered.

“That’s my girl. It’s no ouzo, but it will help fight infection.” He twisted the cap back on and placed it along with the bandages back into the first aid kit.

“So, explain to me what in Tartarus just happened.” She willed away the residual nip of the oil.

“Rekkus and Kane set a trap for the Furies.”

“I missed most of it.” Confusion rolled over her fatigued brain.

“He had Sarka and her coven weave netting made from hemp. They anointed it with rosemary and dragon’s blood oils, a magical assist, if you will. Kane flew up to help set the nets in the trees.”

“How did Rekkus know they would be there?”

“Myron saw it in the cards.” He grinned.

“Of course she did,” she snickered.

Kane skulked into the entrance of the kennel, stood by the door, and avoided eye contact with her. “Are you okay?” His voice was low.

Trinity studied him. Now in his human form, his aura held a faded gray of worry and fret. She joined him. She permeated his thoughts which she found, sadly, filled with shame.

“Kane,” she murmured. “I do see you differently since I’ve witnessed your shift.”

“I know. It was a chance I had to take. I couldn’t let them hurt you.” He turned to leave.

“Wait,” she demanded and pulled at his shoulder. “Face me.”

Kane complied but cast his gaze to the ground.

Trinity cupped his handsome face between her hands and prompted him to make eye contact with her. His brilliant emerald orbs had dulled with sorrow. “I see you as even more beautiful than before.”

He arched his brows. “What?”

“I’m a banshee, you’re a gargoyle, and he’s an immortal. We are one hell of a team.” She stood on her tippy-toes and stole a tender kiss from him. “You don’t frighten me.”

“I don’t?” His worry lightened, and the corners of his full lips curled upward.

“Not at all, Kane. You excite me. You keep me safe, and you make me feel…alive.”

Her gargoyle wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her tight. “Thank the gods. You’re incredible,” he whispered into her ear.

Trinity pulled back to find his eyes glistening. She rested her hand on his chest and cherished the thumping of his heart against her palm. “Arawn?” She called him over, and he joined them.

Flashing a mischievous grin, Trinity faced her handsome men. “If you’ll have me, I consider you both my mates.”

Arawn glanced at Kane and winked. “We wouldn’t have it any other way.” He planted a feathery kiss on her lips.

“Looks like you’re stuck with us, darlin’,” Kane concurred then stole his sweet kiss.

“But before we get to the good stuff”—Arawn nodded toward the entrance where Rekkus and Cyrus entered—“we have some loose ends to tie up.”

The men approached. “Arrangements have been made,” Cyrus noted. “The Furies are contained in iron cuffs and chains, in a cell in the kennel here until they can be safely transported through the portal to Kaleb.”

“Kaleb?” Trinity glanced to Arawn.

“Para Elite Forces. He’s the boss who sent us here for training this week, and Serena’s husband.”

“Remind me to thank him later.” She bit her lips to conceal her giddy grin.

“Arawn, you lead the interrogation since you know more about them personally. We’ll listen, and you’ll need this.” Cyrus handed him a crudely fashioned square.

“What’s that for?” Trinity studied the unimpressive box.

“Iron can confine any enchanted tools. They need to be disarmed.” Arawn tucked the box under his arm. He motioned to the kennels. “Shall we?”

Trinity stuck close to Arawn’s side, hesitant to say anything. The cell of cinderblock walls was enclosed with an iron gate, the cement floor strewn with straw. The three repulsive hags sat side by side, chained to chairs as they awaited confrontation. Their chains were anchored to the walls. Tiny rays of sunlight beamed through a miniscule window at the top with more iron bars which allowed air and light in but no promise of escape. A bleak, dank encasement for her now helpless tormentors, which still didn’t fit her idea of the persecution they very much deserved. Not just because of what they did to her and her family, but how they’d used and tormented young Brody to do their bidding. The word evil didn’t do them justice.

Arawn started out with a stern glare. “Who sent you?”

“You’ll find out soon enough,” the yellow-snaked one retorted.

“Let’s face it, Arawn.” Kane donned a cocky smirk and circled the hideous creatures of olive-gray flesh. “They don’t know anything. They’re hired hands, with no minds of their own.”

“We know everything we need to know, stone creature,” one snapped. The red serpents in her hair hissed and slithered around her hideous head.

“Traitor!” the black serpent-haired one barked. “Retribution will crash down upon you.”

“Traitor?” He chuckled. “You think you know me?”

“We know each and every one of you. You shall all perish at the hands of the Rescission.” Red glared and bared her jagged green teeth.

“The Rescission?” Arawn pursed his lips. “So that’s the name they go by?”

“Shut up, Tisphone!” the black one sneered.

“I am sick to death of your nagging, Alecto!” she barked back and struggled to break free.

“Alecto. Then that means the yellow-snaked freak here is Megaera?” Kane smirked. He had successfully manipulated their resolve to stay silent. He took his place at Trinity’s side.

“Now we have our introductions finished, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.” Arawn stepped closer. He honed his attention on the red one. “Why did they send you after Trinity?”

“Burn in Tartarus,” she hissed.

“That much, I can tell you,” Trinity spoke up. “My grandfather is the sovereign of the banshee.”

“You are of no blood to the sovereign,” Tisphone, the red one snarled.

“No, I’m not, I’m thankful to say, because the sovereign was infertile.” The truth she learned of her family history offered Trinity a sense of strength. She knew this entire nightmare had been manufactured by a flawed being who didn’t measure up as a man in his own eyes. “When my grandmother couldn’t conceive his child, he threatened to kill her, so she strayed with an empath, and my mother, Lila, was born.”

“An impure spawn who had to be destroyed.” Slime oozed down Tisphone’s grotesque teeth as she spat her hateful words.

“They managed to hide my mother’s true paternity until her empathic talents emerged in her teens. My father saved her life and hid her away in the mundane world, while the sovereign murdered both my grandparents and cast a curse on my bloodline.”