Kiss of the Betrayer (A Bringer and the Bane Novel) (11 page)

“It seems you got your wish.”

“I always imagined it to happen differently.” She curled her hands into fists. “With less pain.”

A sad smile tugged at Luc’s lips as he tapped his index fingers together. “We have more in common than you realize.”

She didn’t like the comparison. “How so?”

“We are both newly brought to power and we are the only ones who know about Esmeralda.”

Jade’s breath caught. “But if I’m a Bringer, so is Rell.”

“So
was
Rell,” Luc corrected.

“What are we going to do?”

Luc shook his head. “I think we need to tell Rhys and Ravyn about your sister.”

“No.” Jade straightened and cringed, her muscles protesting the quick movement. “You promised not to betray us.”

“It wouldn’t be betrayal, Jade. We can help you—help her.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees again. “Esmeralda is dangerous, maybe more dangerous than one Bringer can handle.”

She glared at him. “So you mean to hand her over to the Bringers.” She swallowed hard, wondering how much she should reveal. “What guarantee do we have that they won’t kill her?”

“I won’t lie to you. I can’t guarantee anything, only that
not
dealing with Esmeralda will be detrimental to us all.”

“I won’t betray my sister.” She turned away to stare out the small window. “I am done talking. Please, get out.”

Silence filled the room, stretching the tension between them, until finally his chair creaked. She resisted the urge to look at him when his footsteps thumped across the floor and stopped.

“Ravyn left clean clothes for you on the desk.” He paused. “I will give you time to think on it, Jade, but if you don’t tell Ravyn, I will.”

Her head snapped around. “Traitor!”

“Yes, I am, no matter what course of action I choose.”

Luc pulled the door closed behind him. She flexed her palms and stared at the emblazoned suns. A Redeemer—her. The idea seemed preposterous, yet the proof stared back at her. She knew from Luc’s expression that the tattoos were real.

Being a Redeemer changed everything. A tiny shudder of excitement rippled through her. A Redeemer—
her
. Not just an orphan or an outcast sister of a demon. The marks meant she had a purpose beyond revenge. What would her sister say when she found out?

Foreboding doused her bit of excitement and she inhaled against the growing uneasiness. Rell wouldn’t see her new powers as something good. Jade clenched her jaw and fisted her hands, ignoring the pain. Her powers would be a source of jealousy or corruption and Esmeralda would find a way to use them for her own selfish purpose.

Maybe Luc was right. Maybe she should tell Rhys and Ravyn. Her sister could be unpredictable. Jade sighed. One day Rell would turn on her, the only person in the world who truly loved the demon. Doubt plagued Jade. Maybe this
was
the time to ask for help.

She sighed. How could she accuse Luc of betrayal when she contemplated it herself? The thought renewed her waning loyalty to Rell. No, she’d find a way to help her sister without letting Rell know she’d been brought to full power. First she needed to speak with her—alone. A difficult task with Luc sniffing around.

Another thought occurred to her. How had she been brought to power? Had it been Luc? Or was Ravyn the key?

Jade drew back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. The room spun and slowed. She contemplated the possibilities and decided not to ask—yet. The information would be another bit that Rell could twist and use. Until Jade figured out where all the pawns stood, she’d rather keep her strategy a secret.

She glanced at the tattoos. There was purpose in her life now. For the first time that she could remember, she felt happy. But she couldn’t let Rell destroy her future, nor could she leave her behind.

Jade slowly stood, gripping the wooden post. The scope of these new revelations threatened to overwhelm her. What she needed was a plan, just the first step of what was bound to be many. She needed to get a message to Rell.

With wobbly steps, she made her way across the cabin to the desk and sifted through the pile of clothes. Favoring her injured shoulder, she slid on a white undershirt and a clean brown tunic. She still wore her pants from last night, but decided it was easier to leave them on, despite the blood.

Careful not to disturb the items on the desk, she searched for parchment and quill. A book lay atop a stack of papers. Her hand hovered above the thickly bound tome, her eyes growing wide with recognition. A line of three golden swords embellished the leather cover. The familiar symbols stared back at her and a sick feeling grew in her stomach.

With shaky fingers she opened the book. As she’d suspected, each page was filled with the same ancient script she’d seen inside a book she’d found in the chapel—a book she’d sold to stave off hunger. Silent curses tumbled from her mouth. She’d assumed the book had been left behind or hidden away by someone from the Order of the Saints. Up until now, she’d foolishly thought it a gift from the Saints watching over her.

She glanced at the door. Maybe the curiosity shop owner hadn’t sold it yet. Maybe she could get it back. Uncertainty swirled through her mind. If she found the book, should she turn it over to Rhys and Ravyn or keep it for leverage against Luc’s threat to reveal Rell?

A dull ache throbbed around her arrow wound. She placed her hand against it and closed her eyes. Seconds passed and no great Bringer secrets were revealed.

She opened her eyes and gave an unladylike snort. “Some Redeemer you are. Can’t even heal yourself.”

She released a heavy breath, her shoulders slumping with the weight of the latest events. Things were happening too quickly. What she needed was a plan. The three most pressing issues were talking to Rell, keeping Luc from betraying them, and finding out if the shopkeeper still possessed her book. The last would be the easiest to check on. She’d do that before going to see Rell. First she had to get a message to her sister.

She scrawled a quick message on a small sheet of parchment. Opting against sand, she pressed a blotting paper to her message, trying to absorb the extra ink. She pulled the paper free and set it on the desk. Scared Ravyn would walk in and find her at the desk, she blew on the note, folded it, and shoved it into her tunic pocket. Now all she needed was to hand off the note to one of the street couriers she normally used to get messages to Rell.

The dark wood walls of the cabin seemed to press around her, making the room oppressive. She had to get out of there. Sunshine and fresh air always made her feel better and seemed to lessen any burdens plaguing her.

When she pulled the door open, a squeal of excitement greeted her. A small boy raced past, followed by a much older girl. The two thundered up the steps to the helm, disappearing from sight.

Jade craned her neck around the corner, ensuring another stampede of children wasn’t about to trample her. The coast was clear. She stepped out and closed the door behind her.

“Jade.” She hadn’t noticed Ravyn and the woman from the forest sitting on two low barrels. Ravyn rose and walked to her, wrapping her in a gentle hug. “How are you feeling?”

Two things about Ravyn immediately caught Jade’s attention: the black line running from her lip to her chin and the black suns that flashed on her palms when she reached to hug her. They were the same suns she now possessed. Jade said nothing of it, stilling her impulse to grab her friend’s hand and demand an explanation about everything, the tattoos, her new powers, her new life.

She returned a quick hug and let go. “I’ve been better.”

The whore from last night sat staring at her. Jade discreetly slid her hands into the pockets of her tunic. The fact that the woman was still with them barely raised Jade’s curiosity. Of all the things that had happened since last night, this was the least peculiar.

“And you’ve been much worse,” Ravyn said with a warm smile. “You’re lucky to be alive.”

“Do I have you to thank for that?”

Ravyn gave a noncommittal shrug. “In part. Thank Delphina. She helped Luc get you to me in time.”

“Who?”

“Come.” Ravyn hooked her arm in Jade’s. “Let me properly introduce you.”

She led her to the whore. The woman stood and absently rubbed her hands against her thighs. “Jade, this is Delphina. After you were struck with the arrow, she led Luc out of the forest.”

The woman stared at her as if waiting for Jade’s response.

“It seems I owe you my life.” Jade dipped her head. “I’m in your debt.”

Delphina’s posture relaxed slightly. “It weren’t nothing, my lady.”

“It was to me.” Jade smiled.

The woman gave a quick lift of her eyebrows. “Suppose it was at that, but I feel responsible for what happened.”

Jade shook her head. “Please do not take responsibility for those men’s actions.”

“I told her the same thing.” Ravyn gave her an approving smile. “Delphina and her children have agreed to stay on the ship. With all the repairs needed, having her act as a liaison with the laborers will save us time better spent on other matters.”

Jade didn’t know what the other matters Ravyn spoke of were, but she would certainly try to find out. “Wonderful.” She scanned the deck of the ship. “I believe I met your children a few moments ago.”

“Those are my two oldest, Serena and Hayden. Jenna is sleeping right now.” Delphina held up her hands to the sky. “Praise the Sainted Ones. Cuttin’ teeth. Some nights she keeps us up all night with her crying.”

“I was just about to send Luc to the market for supplies,” Ravyn said.

Delphina’s posture took on a light rigidness. “Like I said, my lady, I can go myself.”

Ravyn patted her arm. “Better to not chance Pascal finding you if he and his men are still around. The ship is safe and in the evening you can pull up the gangway.” She smiled as if expecting no argument. “Besides little Jenna’s complaints, you should have a peaceful and safe night’s sleep.”

Delphina worried her lower lip and gave an unconvincing smile. “Thank you, my lady.”

“Supplies?” Jade said, getting back to the subject at hand.

“Clothes, food, everything she and her family will need.”

Now Jade understood the woman’s reaction. Pride. She possessed enough of the cursed stuff to know it when she saw it. “You’re sending Luc?”

“Yes. I need to meet Rhys, and Luc kindly offered.”

Jade snorted. “And you expect him to purchase material?”

“Yes.” Ravyn drew out the word as if reconsidering her decision.

“I’d stake my reputation that his knowledge of women’s apparel does not extend beyond lace and satin.” She pasted on a contemplative expression. “Perhaps I should go.” This would give her a chance to get a message to Rell. “I doubt he knows linen from wool.”

“I see your point.” Ravyn tapped her finger to her lip. “Still, are you sure you’re up to the task?”

“Positive. I’m a little sore, but it will give me a chance to stretch my legs.”

Ravyn gave her a hard look. “No.” She shook her head. “I don’t feel comfortable sending you alone. You’re still weak.” She looked toward the helm. “Luc!”

He appeared above them, holding a squirming Hayden by the waist. “What?”

“Jade is going to accompany you to the market. Let her select the clothing. You get the other supplies.”

He stared at her in a way that made Jade slightly uncomfortable, his reaction difficult to fathom. “Fine.”

The boy wiggled free, preceding Luc down the steps. Jade cursed her bad luck. How would she get a message to her sister with him lurking about? “I really don’t need an escort, Ravyn.”

“I’d feel better if Luc was there to watch over you. At least for today.”

Having him
watch
over her smacked deeply of irony. As she held Ravyn’s gaze, the impulse to agree overwhelmed her. Her head nodded without her conscious effort.

“Wonderful,” Ravyn said. “I appreciate your help.”

Luc passed her and stood at the gangway. “Ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Jade mumbled under her breath.

Delphina gave her a sympathetic smile. The woman was observant. How far Ravyn intended on including her, Jade was curious to know. Truth be told, she wondered what her own role within the Bringers would be.

She trailed in Luc’s wake as he pushed their way through the crush of the open market. His broad body blocked most of the jostling crowd but made it impossible for her to scan the marketplace for one of the many children she used to get messages to Rell. Usually they lurked in the trees near a crowd or in a shadowed doorway. Somehow she’d need to lose Luc and search the messengers’ typical spots.

Before she could duck away, an argument over the last haunch of mutton broke out between two large women. The disagreement quickly escalated. Neither woman appeared to have ever missed a meal, but both seemed determined to claim ownership of the meat.

“It’s mine,” the larger of the two women yelled.

“Liar!” The other said. She turned and wrapped her arm around the bulky end of the mutton, tucking her prize into her armpit. She leaned forward and dragged her foe several feet. “I saw it first.”

A circle formed around the women. Shouts erupted. Silver ducats were waved in the air as the onlookers placed their bets. Each patron gripped the haunch of the meat and dug their heels in, tugging in the opposite direction, grunting like two oxen dragging a cart through the mud.

Luc grabbed Jade’s upper arm and hauled her to him. She flinched against the flare of pain in her chest where the arrow had pierced. Her breasts pressed against the left side of his body and a protective arm cradled her to him. The vendor launched himself toward the coveted meat, but the crowd squeezed him out, nearly knocking Jade over in the process. She snaked her arms around Luc’s lean waist and held on for dear life. Falling in a crowd like this would probably mean death, crushed by a hundred trampling feet.

“Don’t let go,” he said over the mayhem.

Still holding her against his left side, he inserted his right shoulder into the ever-tightening crowd and leaned into the wave. She buried her face against his body, letting him practically carry her through the crowd. He smelled good, like leather and
Clovilla,
a local delicacy of warm, spiced cider. It reminded Jade of her childhood, of days before the Bane. Her arms tightened around him.