Ebony Fight (The Guard Duet Book 2) (13 page)

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Arthur lifted his arms wide with a shrug. “I have no clue.”

Becca stared at him, dropping her arms at her side. “Thanks. Seriously, sometimes you don’t make sense.”

“Yip, until I do.”

Becca shook her head at him while he pushed off the jetty. Deciding the oracle had confused her enough for now, she asked her friend, “Do you need anything? Should I come by soon?”

“I don’t need anything, sweetheart, but I’d never say no to fine-looking company. You know me.” That she did, and loved him for it. “Also, I want to hear about the crush the girl’s developing on our Quinn.”

Now it was Becca’s turn to grin. “You think she is? I was wondering about that.”

Arthur shrugged as his boat drifted away. “In my time blushing was always a good sign.”

Becca smiled. A picture of the future was forming in her mind, and warmth spread like a comfy blanket at the possibilities. “It would be good for them to discover something as amazing as love.”

“Sounds like the voice of experience to me.” Becca blushed and Arthur laughed hoarsely, the sound ringing clear and bright on the glittering water. “Those rosy cheeks suit you, girl. Good to know I’m not that out-dated.”

After a wink and wave Arthur started the little motor. The puttering sound of the boat his only companion now, he quickly disappeared from view.

TWENTY

Abby was relieved to see that Dave was well on his way to getting better and seemed to act his usual self again. It was lovely to watch everyone gather together, enjoying the quiet part of life and each other’s company. It warmed her heart that even Sli was becoming more comfortable with doing things that didn’t serve a specific purpose. The girl looked relaxed as she sat cross-legged on the floor, playing another round of backgammon with Quinn. That was life, she thought with a smile.

However, Abby was also glad when she finally got a minute for herself as she made herself a cup of coffee and stole onto the patio. Since Megan’s attack she hadn’t been able to just think properly for even a minute.

So much had happened.

Abby breathed in New Orleans’ mild evening breeze and her heart sighed. Three years ago she’d been an ordinary girl, happy in her small home town outside of Chicago. The only thing she’d worried about back then was how she would survive being apart from her high school sweetheart as they prepared to head off to different colleges - until she’d found out that he was cheating on her, that is. When the angels turned her life upside down, it could not have been at a better time. She was ready to kick some ass, and after their first battles she’d quickly resigned herself to the fact that she would probably never find love again.

Love was a shrewd thing though, and seemed to have different plans for her entirely. It crept up from behind, and instead of tapping you on the shoulder it reached inside to squeeze your heart in a tight grip. It left you reeling with shock until you finally relaxed and realized that your heart was safe in its embrace.

She had reached that safe place and it opened up to an endless field of blossoming hopes and dreams - only to have them trampled by the man she loved. Anger at how Sam had treated her flooded again, its energy vibrating through tired bones.

Yes, she was an Ivory and her average life expectancy rivaled that of a koi, but she knew now that it didn’t bar the chance at a fulfilled life. Love was out there, within reach, and she would fight for it. Determined to give Sam a not-so-pretty piece of her mind, Abby turned to head back inside. Before she could reach the slider, her feet suddenly stopped her in her tracks. Voices she hadn’t noticed before finally registered.

Her heart skipped a beat when Sam spoke. “What the hell is going on, Wes?”

“Funny enough I was about to ask you the exact same thing.” Wes sounded angry.

She suddenly became aware of the sound of her own breathing.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Abby.”

She started, fearing she’d been discovered, but then Sam replied, “What about her?”

Abby winced at his blank tone of voice.

“It’s as clear as day that you went and fucked it up.”

“That’s none of your business.”

Wes laughed without a trace of humor in it. “On the contrary. I know Abby’s supposed to be part of Lillian’s Guard, but you can’t deny that things have changed during the last few weeks. She belongs to us and makes us…whole again. I love her like a sister and I won’t stand back when some prick hurts her - even if he’s my best friend.”

Abby clamped a hand over her mouth to hide her gasp, and a smile curled her lips. Ever since she’d met the guys, she had felt a particular friendship towards Wes. Filled with teases and nudges and pokes, it was a balm for her soul on weary days. However, like so many others she too had underestimated him, and at first had simply seen him as the clown of the group. Now she knew that the jokes and the cocky way he walked through life was his manner of honoring it.

“Prick?” Sam didn’t sound too pleased.

“Yes. You most definitely are one if you let the best thing that has ever happened to you walk away. And you’re a freaking dumbass if you
push
her to do so.”

Deafening silence greeted her as her blood rushed in her ears. Abby almost stumbled, realizing she’d leaned forward in anticipation of a response.

But none came.

Wes sighed and went on, “You treat her like a yo-yo, man. One day hot, the other cold. She doesn’t deserve that.”

“Sarah trusted me to keep her safe, and we all know damn well how that turned out.”

Wes snorted. “Don’t. Don’t come and use the Dave-excuse. Abby can take care of herself, dude. You keep forgetting that you’re our leader, not the local baby sitter.” He was in his element, trying to hammer home his point, “Life is short, Sam. So why the hell don’t you embrace it? You’re hiding behind excuse after excuse. For what? You’re scared, I get it, but guess what…so is Abby. Treating her like shit because of it isn’t fair to anyone. Look at Sarah, look at Dave…life isn’t made to go through it alone, but to cherish it and share it with the one who makes it
more
. Don’t be a freaking fool, man. You love her! So…” Wes took a deep breath. “Show her. Or I’ll pummel you to a pulp. I mean it.”

Tears burned at the back of her eyes. She could kiss Wes. Her heart flooded with warmth, realizing that she wasn’t alone even if Sam didn’t want to be with her.

You love her
, echoed through her mind.

Belatedly and numbly, it dawned on her that Sam hadn’t protested against Wes’ claim - at all. Shell-shocked, Abby didn’t know what to do when she suddenly heard footsteps approaching. Before she could figure out what to do, Wes was in front of her.

Frozen to the spot, she could only stare wide-eyed.

His eyes took her in and a small smile played at his lips. He saw it all, she guessed. Her love and worry and fear. Without a word he simply pulled her into a tight hug.

“Go get him, girl, if that’s what you want. But…if he should ever hurt you again…”

“I know, you’ll kick his ass.”

Wes’ smile grew wicked. “Actually, I was hoping you would do that…and send me an invite to watch.”

Despite all that had happened, Abby laughed and was grateful for it. Rising on her toes, she kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Wes.”

“No problem. Now go.” With a wink he disappeared into the night.

Rubbing clammy hands against her jean-clad thighs, Abby gathered all her courage. Going into her first battle had been easier than this, she thought as she swallowed her rising panic.

Sam seemed lost in thought, but his head snapped up the moment she stepped inside. Leaning against the counter, his hair tousled and his eyes tired, he looked more handsome than ever. There was something raw and vulnerable about him that tugged at her.

She tried for a smile but wasn’t sure whether she managed one. “Hey.”

“Hey.” His gaze went from her to the darkness of the patio beyond her. “You heard?”

Abby bit her lip and then simply nodded, not trusting her voice.

Sam shook his head and sighed, a sad laugh escaping him. “I never would have thought that I’d be handed my ass on a platter by Wes…especially concerning matters of the heart. Seriously…of all things…of all people.”

He looked up and their gazes locked. He shifted closer until he was right in front of her. Abby’s heart was a drum inside her chest, when first his eyes and then his fingers caressed her face. A sigh escaped, after she’d yearned for his touch for so long.

“He’s right. I treated you like shit, and you deserve so much better.”

“I don’t care about deserving - who is to say what I do or don’t.” With her heart and soul bared, she confessed, “All I know is that I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

He leaned his forehead against hers, the sweet gesture so infinitely intimate. His voice was soft, his breath a warm kiss on her lips, “I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m scared. I couldn’t stop wondering what would happen if I lost you too. And one day that thought was just…unbearable.”

Her heart broke for him. “It’s okay. I understand that now.”

“No. What
I
didn’t understand was that whatever time we have left is best shared.”

Music drifted from the lounge then, probably from whatever movie the others were watching. The melody was a soft whisper of love and longing. Wrapping one of his arms around her waist and taking her hand in his other, he swayed gently.

Lost in him, the rest of the world disappeared as he drew her even closer. Reveling in his warmth, she rested her head on his shoulder.

Sam bent his head, his warm breath was a whisper at her ear, raising goose bumps, “I love you, too, Abby.”

Smiling up at him with tears in her eyes, Abby knew she was finally home.

TWENTY-ONE

Stone stepped through the hellhole and the world bled, turning from a deep pink to the color of wounded flesh. The heavy beat of music greeted him, accompanied by guttural moans coming from the shadows of the alley to his left. The scent of cheap sex filled the air.

Home sweet home, Stone thought as he took in the streets of the slums. Anyone and anything was on offer here. Not wasting another moment, he boosted himself up into the crimson sky and flew downtown towards the marquis’ tower rising up in the distance.

The wind embraced him like a lover as he cherished the power of his wings. Within seconds the city spread beneath him, its streets like pumping veins that lead the way to Hell’s heart. It was an endless maze of glittering lights caged only by the horizon. In the crimson darkness, it could almost be described as beautiful, but something was missing to make it complete. He was stunned to realize that he’d grown accustomed to the flavors of New Orleans. Here the air was dead, either as dry as bone dust or sticky with the taste of copper. No moss, no humid heat, no lush greenery. No life.

Still, Stone relished the thrill as he dropped night’s cover, tucking his wings close to his body while he arrowed down towards the ground. When the maze of cracks in the pavement became visible, he spread his wings like a chute and landed safely right between two geryons. The centaurs weren’t too happy about being caught off guard and reared up, their poisonous hooves kicking wildly.

Stone ducked them easily, and merely flashed them a smile. “Relax guys, I have an appointment.”

After walking in through the revolving doors, he approached the front desk. “The Marquis wishes to see me.”

“We’re glad to have you back, Mr. Stone.” The succubus’ voice was made to seduce, just like the rest of her.

With a hint of amusement he remembered that not long ago he’d considered the disguised offer, but now it didn’t rouse him at all. Curious, he looked at the woman more closely. A bow of a mouth that promised pleasure and big eyes in which a man could drown. Her finely sculptured face was framed by a curtain of dark brown locks that begged to be laid out on a pillow, or a man’s groin. Yes, it was all meant to entice. However, it failed to do just that. Over the top and too perfect, Stone realized. There was no fun to be offered in discovering the perfect imperfections. Her body was ideal, but to him it sparked about as much interest as a plastic mannequin, and her smile was just another weapon in her arsenal.

Not like Becca’s at all.

“He’s ready to see you. Just take…”

“I know the way, thanks.”

Something inside of him squeezed painfully when Becca’s face flashed in front of his eyes. Stone’s feet carried him to the lift while his mind drifted back to the witch gone rogue. To her big brown eyes that took on the world and a laugh so contagious it made even him want to smile. But the most beautiful of all was her spirit. Bubbling and free, it had turned into a light in his darkness. She was always ready to help and willing to give whatever she could, in whatever small way. How ironic, Stone thought. At first he’d thought her selflessness to be her greatest weakness, now he admired it the most.

The elevator spat him out on the top level and once again Stone faced the wooden doors to the Marquis’ office. His gaze went to his inner wrist where the same symbol carved into the doors was marked on his skin. A dagger rising from the depths of Ebony wings. Every one of them a weapon in their own right.

Icy fingers played along his spine as the hairs on his nape stood on end.

Stone turned to scan his surroundings. Had he been too distracted? Not paid attention?

No.

There was no one else in the passage but him, and the doors of the lift were still open, revealing nothing more than their plush interior. Not one to ignore his senses, Stone ordered himself to stay alert when he finally knocked on the wooden doors.

They opened immediately and he was surprised to find that Andras wasn’t alone.

An all too familiar woman was pacing the room, her arms crossed over her ample chest while Andras watched from the comfort of his chair behind his desk. Both of them stopped looked at him when he entered the office.

“About time,” hissed Verin, his demon lord and the one who got him into this situation in the first place. Although, the way things were going, Stone mused he should probably thank her for it.

She came closer, almost slithering with a slow sway of her hips. Her yellow, reptile eyes shot daggers at him while the tip of her tongue peeked out between her lips as if she could already taste him. Some considered her beautiful with those eerie eyes and the stretch of dark scales that ran from her cheekbones down to her neck, but Stone was glad he’d never discovered their entire path. He knew Verin was a snake in appearance
and
character.

His gaze went to Andras. “I received your summoning and came as quickly as the situation allowed.”

Andras inclined his head in recognition, but Verin snorted at that, one of her feet tapping against the wooden flooring in irritation. She wasn’t the demon of impatience without a reason. The Marquis ignored her like an annoying child, and so Stone decided to follow suit and focus on him instead.

The man leaned back in his leather chair, linking his hands behind his head. “What have you learned?”

“As you know, the witch is spreading rumors about change, and quite successfully at that. However, I found out that they’re based on truth.”

“Ridiculous,” Verin hissed.

Andras silenced the woman with one glance before facing Stone again. “What truth?”

“It seems that the guy upstairs is of a mind to change the rules.”

“Elaborate.”

“A fair judgment based on actions and not birth for all of us, be it human, Ivory or demon. Everyone has a chance to go to Heaven.”

The Marquis shifted forward, his chin elegantly braced in his hand. “Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Stone watched as Andras fell silent, his mind obviously racing as he took in the news and considered the enormity of the consequences.

“She has to die,” Verin cut in.

Although Andras didn’t seem too happy about the interruption, he inclined his head. “For once, I fear she’s quite right. That kind of change…” The Marquis shook his head, the bat within him surfacing for a split second. “We can’t afford to lose that amount of souls.” His gaze was hard when he added, “Kill her.”

“Yes, my Lord. Any conditions?”

Andras pursed his lips, thinking, and suddenly a careless smile curved his lips. “Actually, yes. I do guess it’s better for the other side to be blamed and not us, right? It should put an end to those irritating rumors of hers.”

Relief was a palpable thing in Stone’s heart. “Right.”

“Can you do it?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then take care of it.”

“It might take a while. The witch has many powerful allies.”

“Oh.” Andras looked intrigued. “And who might that be?”

“Not just demons, but also Ivorys, angels. And even an oracle.”

The Marquis’ brows climbed with curiosity. “An oracle?” He turned to Verin, “Who the hell might that be?”

The demon lord frowned, then her eyes widened. One finger wagging, she smiled. “I have an idea. There was an oracle…” Her voice turned gleeful when she added, “One of Balan’s, I think. He slipped away years ago.”

Andras eyes lit up. “Oh yes, I remember now. I thought he’d be dead by now.”

Stone chuckled, “Oh, believe me. He won’t make it much longer.”

The Marquis nodded, a hint of an approving smile twisting his lips, “Well, then I guess he won’t be much of a problem, will he?”

“No, he won’t.”

“Good. Just don’t let any blame fall on us. That’s all I ask of you.”

Stone gave a sharp nod. “No problem, my Lord.”

“I think we’re done here, then.” The Marquis leaned back in his chair, dismissing him.