Night Finds (17 page)

“I am killing her this time,” Sebastian says. He is fighting the urge to grab my knife away from me and run for it. I will give it to him when the time comes because I am not letting her get away this time.

“You have my blessing. Ben is going to be one dead demon when I find him. Why would he let her go? He knows she wants to kill me. You would think Lucifer would step up and put a tracker bracelet on her.”

“You know Lucifer? Just what have you done in our time apart?”

“Lucifer is my mother, so yes I am unfortunate enough to know her. I have spent my time helping others, finding out where I came from, and letting Sebastian poke his sausage in me enough times to create the wonderful child inside of me that is in the process of escaping.” I am getting tired of the conversation and I don’t really have the time to stand here in play catch up.

“I see you are ready to get moving, but I am going to bring up what you just said when we get back home and things have calmed down. With the demon on their side, your disguises aren’t really necessary. She will be able to tell them who is who,” Ryan says. “I assume she has that ability anyway.”

“Our plan didn’t even consider they would have that kind of extra help. Might as well make everyone themselves again,” Hilda says. “Contrárthra.”

I look down and verify my fingernails are back to their usual short, broken state. “Plan A is out, what do we have for plan B? How long has Candace been hanging around?”

“I don’t know for sure. I saw her the first time two days ago, but I got the feeling she had been around stirring up stuff before then. The camp is about two miles north of here. It won’t take but a second to get there, but they have people everywhere around the cabin waiting to send word back that you have arrived.”

“Just how bad is everyone here itching for a fight?” Hilda asks.

“With the threat of Nyx and Sophia being injured, I would like to see things go as smoothly as possible. Against one hundred people ready to fight, we don’t have much choice,” Alex answers. Sebastian is too busy sticking a knife into Candace over and over in his mind.

“Mr. Angel could make things really simple for us, but I know Gabe likes to watch things play out. Let me look in my bag of tricks real quick. Fae Knights, why don’t you guys join me? We still have thirty minutes if my internal clock hasn’t been jerked around. I know I didn’t bring anything demon specific. We are pretty much screwed on that front.”

Hilda takes the Fae over to discuss what magic she can throw together on short notice. I thought she could just conjure stuff to her and whip up a five course meal. I wonder if us being in another world limits her power.

“Carl and I have been working to spread the antidote to the other altered wolves. We have had to do it in really small doses to not alert anyone. If everyone started being mellow, it would have been suspicious. I am pretty sure the succubus only has her tentacles into Frank, but I have been gone for a couple of hours. She could have made her way through the rest of the troops by now.”

“The wolves won’t be an issue,” Hilda says already returning. “How are the contractions coming, Sebastian? Gabe said we need to get a move on it before he took off.”

“What?” I look around and find we are down a man. “Where did he go? He said he was going to be my backup.”

“Do I look like his, or anybody’s, secretary? He probably forgot he left some turnovers in the oven and had to go check on them. Angels are flighty that way. Sebastian, contractions?”

“They are becoming more frequent, still not much pain,” he replies. “I don’t think it would be appropriate to check how far she is dilated, but the quicker we get home the better.”

“Perfect. I don’t care how good Sophia is being about making things not hurt; unless she comes equipped with a bucket of Novocain, when the time comes you are going to feel your body try to turn itself inside out. The Knights and I were able to whip up a sleepy time potion. The forest is severely lacking the herbs and botanicals I usually use, so we had to improvise. I just have to finish twisting the spell when we get there and those not under the influence of the arugula sniffing biscuit eater will take a nice little nap.”

“Arugula sniffing biscuit eater, I like that one. I think I will keep it in mind for later. Let’s go. I am ready to get this over with. If I have to say that one more time today, I promise someone is getting shot.”

I am having trouble believing how things have been dragging along today. I left the house hoping this would be an easy in and out deal. I am well aware that is one of the most unrealistic thoughts that has ever swam around in my melon. I am sure that I haven't had to repeat myself more times in my life as I have had to today. It has gotten so bad that my mind is doing one of its rambling things.

Ryan starts leading us in the direction of my father. I am still on the edge of trusting him. His attitude has vastly improved and that scores big points. However, it could all be an act. Frank would know firsthand how close me and Ryan were in old days. They may be plotting together to get me back under their control.

“At the first sign of betrayal, I will glory in ripping his head from that body of his and if Sophia is a really good girl, I will give it to her as a present,”
Alex says while he tries really hard not to envision the task, but fails miserably.

“Clyde would be a proper recipient for that gift, not our daughter. Jeez, how demented are you hoping she will be?”

I am afraid of his answer so I try to move the conversation elsewhere. “Ian, how does Faerie time work? Is it independent from outside elements or can it be controlled?”

“That is one of the reasons I hate visiting here, love,” Sebastian replies before the Fae gets a chance. “It all comes down to the Queen's whims. It works out well for her, and her subjects don't seem to mind, but most visitors get a little discombobulated.”

“It is nothing if you stay longer than a week, but I could see it taking some getting used to,” Hilda adds.

I had a feeling that was the case. All the more reason to get out of here. The lifeless forest we are walking through is another great reason not to stick around.

We don't travel far before Ryan draws us to a stop. “It is just through those trees,” he says pointing just off to the right of dead ahead.

“Great,” Hilda says. “Dul a chodladh.”

Ryan immediately drops to the ground in front of me. “Was that necessary?” I ask trying to see if he hit his head on anything sharp. Not being able to bend down makes the task pretty much impossible.

“I didn't trust the look in his eyes and he was agitating Alex. I had to say the spell now anyway. Adding one more wolf to the mix doesn’t even cause me to break a sweat.”

“Are we just leaving him here?”

Alex walks over and kicks his leg a little. “Sounds like a great idea to me. We can pick him up on our way out of town. Maybe the Grim will come along and play with him until we get back.”

“We will take him back with us, ruthless mate. Everyone here is protected from Candace, right?” I know my core group doesn’t take their charms off even to shower, but the Fae and the regular guards may be a different story.

“Sadly, I don’t think that will be an issue,” Frank's voice calls. Duh. We are close enough that if we were smart we would be listening in on what they have to say. “Why don't you guys just send Nyx on over. I will release Aaron as soon as I have her in my arms.”

I guess it is time for negotiations. My do what I want, when I want attitude makes me a horrible negotiator. Clyde would do a better job and his technique would probably end up with him walking up to the other person and peeing on their leg.

Chapter 16

Something happened, I just don’t know what

“Where did your little pet succubus go?” Hilda asks before anyone makes a move. “You should be taking a literal dirt nap if she isn't around.”

“Sorry to disappoint, but Candy was able to give us some last minute protection before the dude with the gigantic sword showed up. I still have sixty able body men ready to bring our girl home. The Collective has some big plans for her and they aren't going to be denied. Make it easy on yourselves and just give up. You can go on pretending you will eventually grow the balls to overthrow us.”

“Daddy, are you okay?” I ask. We still don’t have any kind of visual on what we are up against. I think we have the advantage here without Candace helping and controlling people.

“Mmm mmmm mmm,” I hear a muffled voice say.

“Duct tape, honey. I believe you have a fondness for the stuff. I am tired of hanging around here. Get your snarky self over here and we can be done with this. I will even let your biological father live.”

“I like the idea of us just coming over there to retrieve Aaron and killing everyone that stands in our way,” Alex says and it sounds like a great plan to me.

“If I so much as sense any of you getting ideas and coming closer, other than Nyx, I will kill Aaron,” Frank replies. “And if I don't hear my adoptive daughter on her way over here within the next thirty seconds I will start cutting off body parts.”

“Mhmm hmm mmm,” Dad mumbles. I pretend he is commenting on the adoptive daughter part. I know he hates the fact that Frank raised me. In reality, he is probably telling me he was going to dismember me if I even think about making the deal. Unless Hilda or the Fae can think of something, I think I have to give myself over and wait to be rescued.

I don't like the idea of having to be rescued. I wish I knew how to use my angel powers. I don't know what kind of offensive weapons I have in that arsenal, but I bet there are some really wicked death rays available.

“Do we want to make bets on how fast you guys can find me?”
I ask the guys making sure they realize this is going to happen.

“Can one person accompany Nyx? Her present condition is even more delicate than you are aware of and I would really like to be there for the birth of my child,” Sebastian hollers to the trees.

“What? No, you are supposed to come to the rescue, not dig yourself in with me.”
Doesn't he know he is my knight in shining armor?

“I would prefer we just run in and kill everyone, but Frank most likely has a knife or gun on your dad. No matter how fast I am, I don't think I could save him. Plus, your contractions are really getting strong. We don't have a lot of time,”
he explains. Alex hands the baby bag over to Sebastian, who in turn puts it over his neck and slings it across his body. Having his hands free is a good move.

“You know my thirty seconds has already past. Are you looking for a finger or a toe?” Frank replies.

“You sadistic son of a donkey. I am on my way, leave the appendages in place.” I go ahead and start walking. Him and Sebastian can continue their discussion on someone else's time.

“She is in labor, Frank. I will carry her if you want my hands to keep busy, but I need to be there to help. We haven't checked down below, but the contractions are coming every couple of minutes now.”

Nice of someone to tell me about that. How in the world is that even possible? Just a little bit ago he said they were spaced out quite a bit. Now, all of a sudden, they are ganging up on me. Not cool, Sophia. You were supposed to wait until we got home.

I hear Aaron pretending to talk again and I don't even try to make out what he is saying. I am a good twenty yards away from everyone in my group now. I can vaguely see a cabin and some shadowy people standing around.

“Might as well come along, deYork, but you better watch yourself. My men wouldn't have the foggiest idea about what to do if the baby comes, so we will leave that up to you. No one else though.”

Sebastian is next to me in a second grabbing on to my hand and lifting me up. Great. I am a pregnant invalid. It takes all my dignity of being a martyr away.

Sebby speeds us over to where Frank is standing with a knife to Aaron's throat. Daddy has some dried blood caked to his head from what looks to be a bash to his left temple, but nothing else that is obvious. His eyes go from murderous upon seeing me, to caring when he sees my belly, and back to murderous when our eyes meet.

“Surprise,” I say cheerfully, even though my face remains glum. “Let's go ahead and let him go meet with the others, so we can get on our way.”

“Did you really think I would just let the one person who could bring down the Collective go?” Frank asks and I see his knife dig into Dad's throat. “What kind of idiot do you think I am?” It is probably best that I don’t answer his question right now.

Sebastian tenses under me. I want to glance around to see where Frank's troops all are, but I cannot make the effort.

“I wouldn't do that if I were you. I am two shakes from becoming a full angel and these new powers have a way of manifesting themselves at the oddest times. You know, like when someone really pisses me off,” I say hoping to bluff us out of this.

I don't think it has the desired effect because Frank starts laughing; at least he is the only one. If the whole group started up, I really would do my darndest to make my prophesying come true.

“Not only are you about to burst like a water balloon, but now you think you are an angel. I have seen your blood work and have known you since you were a baby. There is no way you are part angel. If you claimed to be part demon, I would take a second to think it over, but an angel is next to impossible,” Frank says in between his laughs. He needs to watch how he is pushing on that knife. I can see Dad trying really hard not to wince, but the blade is making contact.

“If I can prove it to you, will you let Aaron go home with Alex?” I ask.

“Why would you believe me if I said yes? I told you I would let him go before and I have already mentioned I find the notion too dangerous,” he replies.

“Because of the man that showed up to scare Candace off. I am pretty sure that was Gabe, my angel tutor. He was with us up until he heard there was a succubus in the woods and he took off. If he elicits that much fear in a demon, just imagine what I could do to the likes of you.”