Grimm: A Novel In The Nate Temple Supernatural Thriller Series (The Temple Chronicles Book 3) (27 page)

A leader was more than just the guy giving commands. He was the candle in the dark, the little light of fire that kept the team focused.

I must have done a decent job, because only the women seemed to see the truth. As was always the case. Ashley and Indie had several silent conversations with only their eyes. Tory and Misha jumped in on a few of these exchanges, learning the same information by estrogenic osmosis, and each of them silently proceeded to take care of the men, encouraging us, congratulating us, and generally building our self esteem for round two, fueling our fires rather than putting them out with doubts and fears.

It was kind of magical.

I didn’t let on that I knew their superpower, but Indie saw me watching and shrugged. “It’s what we do.”

“Hey, don’t belittle yourself. You also bake cakes and clean the kitchen.” Her eyes turned playfully aggressive. I grinned.

“If you weren’t injured…” She growled jokingly.

My injuries had slowly faded after eating what felt like a cereal bowl of painkillers, but I knew they would come back to haunt me soon. Indie grabbed my hand and we began to walk the halls of
Chateau Falco
, simply enjoying each other’s company as we made our way to my office. I was anxious to get to the Armory and verify that all was safe and that hopefully the mysterious ward was down. Everyone else had gone to bed, leaving Indie and I to secretly check on the Armory and hopefully gain some insight into the Grimms from Pandora and my parents. As long as the door would open this time. I hadn’t had time to really ponder that but it bothered me. It had never happened before and I didn’t like surprises, especially when those surprises coincided with the Grimms’ arrival.

We passed a small reading room to find Tory and Misha snuggling together, fast asleep. I smiled, nodding to Indie. She grinned back in silence. As we took another step, Misha opened one eye to appraise us, no doubt making sure everything was safe for the woman in her arms. I wondered if she had even been asleep in the first place. Seeing it was just Indie and I, she winked and closed her eyes. Tory snuggled in closer to her chest with a sigh. Misha pulled a blanket over her shoulders and settled deeper into the couch, wrapping her arms around the ex-cop with a gentle kiss to the back of her head. I gently tugged Indie’s hand, signaling for us to leave them in peace.

As we continued down the hall, I peppered Indie. “That’s why I do this, Indie. To keep people like them safe from the Grimms.” She nodded, eyes misty. We continued on for a few seconds in silence before I poked her playfully in the ribs. “You were saying something about me being injured…?” I teased, seeing the office just ahead.

She grinned mischievously. “I was saying that if you weren’t injured, I’d have the sprite come over and remind me about the time you two met.” My face turned red. “Then I would let her show me a few of her tricks for the next time you got out of hand.” She winked darkly and I shook my head.

“I’d like to see you try that, woman. After you finish with the dishes, of course.”

She lunged, chasing me, but I quickly darted into the office, pausing just past the threshold for her to catch me, so that I could possibly sneak in a kiss or two in private.

I had expected her to latch onto my shoulder, but nothing happened. I slowly turned and noticed that she was frozen in midair, arm outstretched to catch me. She was in the office, but completely immobile, still featuring a predator’s grin as she reached out a playful hand, her eyes dancing with mischief. My good mood evaporated.

Indie was frozen, which could mean only one thing. Grimms.

I spun, fumbling to latch onto my power. We were under attack. And I hadn’t activated the
Guardians
, fearing any misunderstandings with so many guests present.

I found the chair behind my desk slowly turning to face me. I didn’t give him a chance to react. I launched a spear of ice directly at his cold, heartless chest, staring into his inky black eyes. I would finish what my ancestor started.

Here.

Now.

He waved a hand and the spear disappeared. He wiped off his hands with a smirk.

“Nate.”

“Jacob.” I acknowledged, forming another, more violent strike.

“I wouldn’t.”

“I would.” I growled, tossing another lance of power, twice as strong.

The same thing happened. He wasn’t even breathing hard. “We could do this all day. Or we could talk. I’m sure you’ve realized by now that I can duplicate all that you can do. Probably do it better, seeing as you don’t yet know how to use your power, whereas I hold the knowledge of how to use it to it’s utmost potential.” He held out a hand, palm up, waiting.

I grunted, flicking my head at Indie. “She’s not a part of this.” I warned.

“Why do you think I froze time?” He asked. His eyes slowly shifted from shiny black orbs to their normal blue shade as he stood. He shook his head. “Been a while since I had to deal with that.” He approached me warily, not afraid, but as one would approach a skittish horse. It pissed me off. As if I needed to be calmed down. He was a murdering murderer. Of course I was on edge. He carefully stepped to the side, studying Indie thoughtfully, not in a creepy way, but as if to see her for himself. “So, this is the one who shot my brother.”

“Yep.” I answered snidely. “And if Ichabod wouldn’t have been there, boy would his face have been red.” I clapped a hand over my mouth and whispered pantomime. “Whoops. Too soon?”

He waved a hand, smirking. “Not at all. Wilhelm has always been… eager.” He finally answered, face thoughtful. “It’s why I lead. My younger brother can be very willful.” He looked at me as if to give me inside information. “And he’s very interested in taking your woman. As recompense.” He watched me. “And that would be unpleasant for her.”

“Yeah, well, that’s not going to happen. I skipped class the day they taught
sharing
.”

He blinked. “If he had his way, you wouldn’t really have much say in the matter. Your body would be cold, providing sustenance for the worms.” He added matter of fact.

“It wouldn’t pan out like that,” I said neutrally, letting him take what he would from my words. I was beginning to feel a little on edge. Why was he being so cordial? This was nothing like the monster I had first met several years ago.

He grunted. We studied each other. He was tall. Really tall. Well over six feet, and his hair was,
wait for it
, as white as snow, belying his true age. Harnessing the powers of a vampire in his past had definitely agreed with his aging factor, because I spotted not a wrinkle. His features were long, harsh, and angular, as if he had recently vacated a sick bed, despite the healthy glow in his blue eyes. His long, bony fingers reached out from the sleeve of his black trench coat like a skeleton as he offered it to shake. I spat at it, hitting his palm with a satisfying
smack
. He frowned, shaking it off and then using a handkerchief to wipe it off. He tossed the soiled white kerchief on the ground.

“You surrendering?” I sneered.

He burst out laughing, patting his knees in amusement with those huge hands. They could very easily fit around my skull, which I wasn’t interested in testing. “And why would I do such a thing? My…
B team
ate your lunch today, and you thought you were in
control
of the situation, setting a
trap
of all things. Cute. I see you’ve healed up a bit from my younger brother’s…
ministrations
.” He smiled in amusement, acknowledging the injuries Wilhelm had given me. “That’s nice, but we can heal better.” He tapped his knee with a finger. “So, I must ask. What more could you
possibly
throw at me? The Minotaur? The turncoat vampire?” He smiled, not necessarily mocking me but instead asking with genuine interest.

I studied him thoughtfully. “You seem less…
psychotic
this time.”

He nodded, eyes growing distant at the memory of our first meeting. “You must remember. The first time we met, I had been spending centuries in darkness.” He watched me for a moment. “
426 years
to be precise. You should remember that number.” He added cryptically with a twinkle in his eyes.

Oh, I remembered. Thanks to my ancestor their prison sentence had been extended through time itself. Poor guys. I was mildly curious how he had figured it out though. Because for all he knew, they had never traveled through time, so if he was looking at time by merely counting years then it had only been
186
years. But I didn’t want to press too many of his buttons. If he didn’t know, that was his problem. Maybe he had counted tally marks on a wall or something.

He continued. “And the first thing my eyes saw of my lost world was an abomination. Sorry, a
Freak
, as society rightfully calls you creatures these days.” He waved his hand. “And not just any Freak, but a
Temple
. Ho’ boy! An ancestor of the very man who put us in prison in the first place! I was a little… off my game.” He smiled at the understatement. For all I knew, that first meeting was
on his game
, and this was merely a ruse. He waved his hand, motioning towards the fireplace, inviting me to sit. I complied, not knowing what else to do. I was essentially at his disposal; totally impotent to stop him from doing whatever it was he was trying to do. After all, if he had wanted to kill me he would have done so by now, and I didn’t think I would have been able to stop him. He was right. He knew how to use the power of a Maker. I didn’t.

Which blew.

So I sat. With dignity. Realizing that with all my power and reputation, I was but a child to this legendary killer. My wrist ached. As did my ribs. Courtesy of his brother. I let none of it show. Let him think what he will.

He duplicated my motion, sitting across from me, steepling his fingers as he watched me like a bug in a box. “We have the book.” He held up a finger. “We bested you in battle. Well, not
we
, but my brother.” He held up another finger. “You and your motley crew of Freaks are injured, broken, and
you
don’t even know how to properly use your power.” He waited for me to argue, but I didn’t. “There is a price on your head for me to take you out, which I had been planning on doing anyway.” He held up a third finger, which was becoming damn annoying. “But you’ve done me a favor.” He took a finger away. “And you have something else I want.” He took away another finger. His gaze traveled to Indie, and he added as an afterthought, “And something my brother wants.” He folded the last finger, and rested his palm in his lap. Then he waited.

“I don’t understand.”

He chuckled, nodding as he leaned forward. “I know.”

I stared back, and decided to play my trump card. “You know I took out two of you single-handedly at the hotel.” But he simply shrugged.

“A minor loss. They were hotheads, unworthy of life if they couldn’t best you.”

I hid a shiver at his callousness. “I have access to The Armory…” I stated, wondering if that name would mean anything to a man locked away for a few hundred years.

He clapped his hands. “Oh, you’re not slow at
all
. That is
precisely
what I am speaking of!”

“And I could decimate you and your brothers with the weakest of toys from inside. Out of courtesy, I didn’t bring them out to play today.” I warned, smiling gently.

“Oh?” He asked, smiling.

I pressed on. “Yes. It really isn’t even a question of the outcome. It’s merely who you would like to sacrifice as cannon fodder.” I said, tone neutral. “I’m willing to play. Are you willing to play, Jacob?”

He nodded eagerly, leaning further forward. “Oh, yes.” Then he waited, watching me.

“Well, not this second.” I finally said, growing frustrated.

“No, please. Go ahead. I will wait.” He glanced at Indie thoughtfully, a frown growing on his face. “Oh, dear. I see now. You don’t want to leave me with her. Wise choice.” He tapped his lip thoughtfully before thrusting a finger in the air. “Ah! I could come with you and choose the weapon for you to slay me with.” He offered.

I laughed. “Like I would show you where-”

He stood, leaned towards the mantle above the fireplace, and clicked a button I didn’t even know existed. The fireplace roared like normal and he disappeared inside. I blinked, jumping to my feet a second later and rushing after him in a panic, torn between leaving Indie or leaving Jacob unattended.
How in the holy hell
…

And the bastard had moved so
fast
.

I landed in the familiar secret passageway ready to sprint and chase the fucker down, but found him casually leaning against the wall. “One hundred feet down, through the open room, second hallway on the right, last door on the first left hallway.” He said laconically, smirking.

I blinked at him, not even attempting to hide my surprise. “How did you…”

“Yes, that is the proper sequence of words in the question, and ironically, my answer will start with the same three words.” He maintained his smile as he continued. “How did you…
think we got here in the first place, Nathaniel Laurent Temple
?”

He strode past me with a whirl of his coat, rubbing his arms for warmth as he jumped back into the portal leading to the office. I blinked several times, then quickly followed, growing beyond agitated that he seemed to be one step ahead of me at every turn, but not wanting to leave him alone with Indie for one second.

When I appeared in the office he was already back in his chair waiting.

I calmly sat down, checked on Indie, who remained frozen, and then stared into the fire. “What did you mean, Jacob?” I asked, voice dry as dust.

“The Armory. It was how we found our way back. Power calls power.” He answered cryptically. Seeing my frown, he elaborated. “The fates would have it that you used it in recent months, and not just used it, but destroyed an existing gateway connected to it. Like all magic, power cannot be created nor destroyed, so the Armory sought out another gateway to connect to all on her own. Lucky for me, our calls coincided with her need and she let us link.”