Rylee Adamson: Shadowed Threads Part 11

His eyes flicked to me and gave me a slight nod, maybe confirming what I was suspecting? This bond thing was weird; I didnat like it. Blaz gave me a grin and a wink, but then he lifted his head and stared out behind me. Like there was someone there.

I spun, yanking a sword from its sheath to see Faris standing ten feet behind me.

aQuite the army youave put together.a af.u.c.k, donat sneak up on mea"usa"like that.a He spread his hands in front of his body. aHardly sneaking up on you. Tell me, how do you acquire all these creatures? I donat think Iave ever seen anyone with a grouping quite like this.a aWhat do you want?a aIam here to help. I told you that you canat do this on your own. Thereas no way you will be able to get in and out without help.a I slid my sword back into its sheath. aIam going after Jack.a aAnd the Child Empress?a I said the only thing that I could. The truth.

aIall do what I have to, Faris. From everything Iave seen, this Child Empress is one problem our world doesnat need.a Farisa eyelids flickered ever so slightly. aAnd you would swear an oath on this?a aWhat the f.u.c.k would I need an oath for?a I glared at him, trying to figure out what he was up to. Because even though he hadnat lied to me about Berget, I still didnat trust him.

I just couldnat shake the feeling that he was maneuvering me into whatever position it was that he wanted.

aYou need to be committed to this path. Completely. Or I will not help youa"and you wonat be able to manage this without me.a His eyes never left mine, as I continued to glare at him.

aShe doesnat need you.a Pamela said from behind me. aShe has us.a I didnat turn around, but I had no doubt her hands were on her hips as she stood up to the vampire who, I knew without a doubt, terrified her. G.o.ds, she was going to be a strong woman when she got older. She was already stronger than most adults now, at fourteen.

Faris gave me a small smile. aYou will be facing vampires and their pets, who happen to be imbued with their masteras strengths. Rylee, you know you arenat fast enough.a f.u.c.k, he was right, but I had to find a way around this. I wracked my brain, but no way that I looked at it could I see around the fact that we were outcla.s.sed, speed wise at least, when it came to the blood drinkers.

Maybe Faris saw the uncertainty in my eyes, because he smiled and stepped closer to me. aIf we go back to London, if we re-group, then I can pull together those of my brethren who would stand with mea"then perhaps we can make an a.s.sault on the Child Empress.a aAnd Jack?a I already knew the answer though, at least what Faris would say.

aHe will die. But there are casualties in war. And make no mistake, Rylee, this is war.a Be very careful, this one is a tricky b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Even the Dragons have heard of him. But he is better than the Child Empress; anyone would be better than that one and her twisted mind.

aWe donat have time to go back to London,a I said, a plan already forming in my mind, though I hated what it would take to make it happen. G.o.ds, if it meant I could bring Jack out safely, if I could keep the others safe a aFaris, I need to speak with you.a I motioned for the others to back away, to give me some room. OaShea was watching me closely, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. He would understand, he would have to; I had no other choices left to me.

Lesser of two evils, thatas what I was doing, or at least, that was how I soothed myself.

aYou are ready to swear the oath?a My jaw clenched of its own volition, irritation and a little bit of fear trickling through me.

I kept my voice low. aI will swear it, if you will do something for me.a He leaned in close, his mouth next to my ear, cool breath tickling along my neck. aWhat would you have of me a Tracker?a I closed my eyes, reminded myself that Jack needed me, and Iad promised him I would come back to London so that either he wouldnat die alone, or I would make sure if head died that he was taken care of. This was no different, only now it wasnat London, it was Venice.

aWhen we get close to Venice, I want you to bite me.a I lifted my eyes to his, just as his widened.

aRather inappropriate timing, donat you think?a aYour bite just before the zombie attack, when you aa G.o.ds, what was it that head done?

aI invoked the bite in order to heal you.a His voice was soft and his hands had found their way to my waist. I pushed them off.

aKnock it the f.u.c.k off. Bite me now then, and invoke it when we get close to Venice. That work for you?a The grin that stretched across his face said it all. aYouare going to enjoy this.a I snorted. aNope, Iam not. Iave told you, Iave got a thing for a wolf.a Faris frowned and from behind us Alex gave a woof.

aThe troops are getting restless,a I said. aSo either do it or donat.a aSwear the oath.a I gave a growl, which OaShea echoed back to me. Clearly he had been getting the gist of what was going to happen and wasnat happy about it, either.

aI swear to you that I will do all I can to kill the Child Empress.a aSwear it on the blood of the lost.a A chill rippled through me.

I swallowed hard, suddenly nervous. aI swear it on the blood of the lost.a He didnat give me any warning and I reacted even though I had asked for him to bite me. I tried to jerk away from him, one hand pus.h.i.+ng him away even as his arms snaked around me, and his mouth slammed into the side of my neck. His fangs dug in deep, and I knew I was going to have bruises after this. The bite was not like the one Doran had given me, but there was again a memory that wrapped me in it and sucked me down deep, even though I felt Faris fighting it alongside me, a hum of pleasure sharp and sweet singing along my veins, distracting me.

Whatever the memory was, he didnat want me to see it. My interest piqueda"maybe Iad finally find out what head been hiding from me all this time.

I wasnat disappointed.

I recognized where we werea"where the memory took placea"almost immediately.

Deerborn Park.

Laughter circled up around us, Bergetas six-year-old laughter. f.u.c.k, f.u.c.k! How was it that this was Farisa memory? Was it somehow mine and head been pulled into it? Was that even possible?

No, I stood in the shadows of the trees on the edge of the park, staring out over the heads of two vampires as they watched Berget play.

She was on the swings, legs pumping hard, stretching out her toes, reaching them as far as she could. Blonde hair streamed out behind her in two long braids as she pushed herself higher and higher.

aRylee! Iam going to flip over!a aNo, you arenat.a That was my voice, but I hadnat said a word. My eyes fell on my teenage self, long auburn hair hanging down around my face as I lay on my belly, reading a book next to the swings. I knew without seeing it that the book was Of Mice and Men, and I knew even the part I was at, what exactly Iad been reading. Lenny had pet the puppies too hard and was about to get busted. Bile rose in my throat. Iad never been able to finish the book, though I knew how it ended. Just like life. Badly.

The two shadows I stood next to worked their way closer, the one on the left a woman.

aDo we take them both?a The other vampire turned his blue eyes toward her, his face the same then as it was now. aNo, we take just the child. Only the child.a I screamed, fury lighting me up like nothing Iad ever felt. Faris had been the one, head stolen Berget, head been the one to take her away to Venice, the one to lead me on to make me think he would have saved her. To make me feel like Iad been the one to blame, to then lull me into trusting him.

I snapped out of the memory, screaming and punching. A wild rage that I couldnat control spun through me. Farisa mouth was covered in my blood and his eyes were locked on mine. He was trying to enthrall me; I could feel it pulsing against my skin, his power drawing at my soul, trying to get to me through my eyes.

aYou f.u.c.king piece of s.h.i.+t! You stole her from me!a OaShea went from being across the clearing to at my side in half a breath. I buried my hands into the thick fur of his neck, clinging to him like a life raft in a stormy ocean. Calm slid through me and I knew without looking that Blaz was using whatever bond was between us to mellow me out.

aDonat, Blaz. I want to be f.u.c.king angry.a Anger can be used, you know that. Use it to find your friend, to kill the Child Empress. There is more good in those things than in fighting with one vampire, or losing your life to him.

I glared at Faris, who was breathing hard, but he wasnat coming after me. Nor was there any sign of shame in him. Not a drop.

aYouare an a.s.shole.a I spun on my heel and strode across to Blaz. No one said anything, not even Alex. Pamela sat in front of me on Blaz, and OaShea jumped onto the dragonas back, wedging himself between two of the dragonas back ridges as if head been flying by dragon all his life.

Eve gathered up Alex and the two winged creatures launched into the air, one right after the other.

Wead been flying for about ten minutes before anyone said anything. And it was the Dragon who decided to try and draw me out.

Once we are in Venice, where are we going?

aIall tell you when we get there.a I bit the words out, gripping the whip handle. How the h.e.l.l could I have ever thought Faris was on my side? That he was here to help me? I closed my eyes and tipped my forehead down until it was pressed into Pamelaas shoulder. Faris. My whole world had been turned upside down because of him.

aRylee? Do you have a plan this time?a Pamelaas voice made me open my eyes.

aJack is first. When we find him weall send him home with Eve right away.a aAnd after?a She knew that I was going to try and kill a child, which went against every oath Iad ever made. Then again, a vampire child would look young, but that didnat mean she would be young. Probably hundreds of years old, trapped in a childas body.

aI donat know, Pamela. If I can, Iall find the Child Empress.a She twisted around to look at me. aAnd?a Pamela had no idea, had no f.u.c.king idea what was being asked of me. aYou know the answer to that.a Her eyes watched me, like she was trying to see if I was serious.

af.u.c.k, kid. This isnat a G.o.ds-be-d.a.m.ned Disney movie. You canat save everyone, and not everyone deserves to be saved.a Her chin trembled, but she nodded, her jaw tightening and stilling the tremble.

Yeah, good job with the mentoring there, Rylee. My own voice in my head mocked me. Then again, it was the truth. A hard truth that she would have to learn at some point. Better that I tell her, than she learn it first-hand.

f.u.c.k. What a mess.

Yes. A mess for f.u.c.king sure.

I rolled my eyes.

Donat roll your eyes at me.

I clamped my jaw shut, since I had a sneaking suspicion that Blaz was only speaking to me.

I am only speaking to you.

I wished that I understood how the bond worked, or if it was just a pain in the a.s.s.

Yes, it is a pain. But it means that no matter how far you are from me, we can communicate like this. It means that what you feel in terms of pain or strong emotions, I can feel them if Iam close enough. Fortunately, the bond doesnat work both ways, at least not for the most part. You can only get some emotions from me, but you canat read my mind as I can read yours.

I wanted to groan and cover my face. Just a f.u.c.king fantastic.

My thoughts exactly.

CHAPTER 19.

WE FLEW THROUGH the night, stopping every hour or so for Eve to give her wings a rest. They had healed, but were still weak from the damage Blaz had inflicted on them. However, she wouldnat stop unless Blaz stopped first, much to his displeasure.

aWhat does it matter who stops first?a I grunted at the third stop, stretching my legs.

Eve glowered across at Blaz, but wouldnat say anything. Maybe it was some sort of code of conduct. Who the f.u.c.k knew?

The eastern coast of Italy, at the top of the boot, stared out across the Adriatic Sea and the so-called afloatinga city of Venice lit up the sky. We stopped there just before sunrise. Eve was sucking wind hard and landed in a heap, her legs buckling under her.

as.h.i.+t, Eve. We could have stopped earlier.a I ran to her side, but there was nothing I could do to help the thousand-pound Harpy.

aIam fine.a She pushed me away with her beak and I considered that again, this had more to do with some code I was unaware of. I shook my head. Pride and supernaturals went together like peanut b.u.t.ter and chocolate. I should know, I was as bad as the rest of them.

aWeall wait here until the sun is fully up; if you can find something to eat without resorting to eating one another, do so.a I looked around, giving them each a hard look.

The beach wasnat far and I found myself working my way down to the wateras edge. Waves rushed up over the sand and rocks, the sibilant whisper of the tide pulling at the earth. I sank down, dropping my knees to the soft wet sand. I trailed my fingers in the water and lowered my chin to my chest. I was about to go into battle with a bunch of young, half-trained supernaturals. But they were all I had and I needed their help to get Jack out. For one of the first times in my life, I wished that Iad been cursed with a better ability. Something that could save lives, rather than just find them.

A warm body pressed up against my side, OaShea coming to sit beside me, as Alex went spinning by me like an out of control top into the water. So much for a moment of contemplation.

aI wish you were here. Really here, Liam,a I said softly. He put his chin on my shoulder and stared out across the water with me, watching the sunrise over Venice. Beautiful, haunting, surreal. All those words applied and yet, they seemed d.a.m.n inadequate.

Jack was in the city, his life threads hummed alongside my own. Not strong, but not dead. With Jack that was as good a sign as any. I reached up and curled my arm around OaSheaas neck, holding him to me. What if this was all Iad ever have of him? What if Milly was right and there was no bringing him back? f.u.c.k, I wouldnat let that happen.

Alex was doggy paddling out into the deeper water, oblivious to the cold and the severity of the situation.

I held OaShea tighter. He wasnat like Alex, even though he too was trapped inside a wolf body. OaShea was still a OaShea. Even if he was stuck, even if he couldnat talk, head retained so much of his personality.

I closed my eyes and OaShea let out a low whine.

aIam still here.a G.o.ds, what I wouldnat give to have his arms around me.

There was the crunch of sand and gravel, and then Pamela sat on the other side of me. aIam sorry, about what I said up there.a aForget about it.a aI canat, I just a .a She brushed her bangs off her forehead. aI know there are people out there who are bad people. But you saved me. What if this Child Empress isnat a bad kid, what if itas the people around her?a Now that was not a question Iad even considered. as.h.i.+t. Well, I guess Iall deal with that when I get close.a aAnd how is Faris going to invoke your bite if heas asleep? It will be daylight when we go in, wonat it?a I let out a groan. ad.a.m.n it all. I hadnat thought of that.a OaShea gave a grunt and pushed me with his nose. Like an aI told you so.a Screw this.

I stood up. aCome on. Weave got Jack to rescue and a vampire to kill.a Pamela scrambled to her feet, and Alex came slos.h.i.+ng into sh.o.r.e, looking like a drowned rat. He was grinning from ear to ear. His body was thin under all that hair; no wonder he was hungry all the time. Next to OaSheaas bulk, Alex was a scrawny, gangly teenager.

I strode back to Eve and Blaz. Blaz let out a bone-cracking yawn, and Eve glared at him from where she sat, feathers all fluffed up. At least he wasnat trying to eat her.

I said I wouldnat.

aStay outta my head, Blaz.a You donat want me listening in on your l.u.s.ting after the wolf? He grinned at me, a big, lecherous grin and gave me a wink. f.u.c.k, that was the last thing I needed. I took a deep breath.

aShut your pie hole, dragon. Before I turn you into a pair of new boots.a Eve let out a cackling laugh and flapped her wings. aI want a purse if you get new boots.a An image of Eve packing around a Blaz-colored purse flitted through my head, and he frowned at me, scales catching the morning light.

Not funny.

We mounted up again and Blaz launched into the air first, Eve close behind him. I tapped into Jackas threads and, through me, Blaz quickly honed in on the Tracker. That was f.u.c.king handy, I had to give him that.

Yes, I suppose there are a few benefits. But not enough to be warranted other than on this trip.

aAnd whenever you decide to have me do some Tracking for you.a That too.

Across the water we flew, skimming close to the ocean. Eve flew higher than us and I could see her labored efforts, see the strain of holding not only her own body aloft, but Alex too. s.h.i.+t, this was going to get bad if she had toa"

Eve stumbled in midair, her wings just giving out.

Blaz cut sideways and the three of us clung to his back as he grabbed Eve out of the sky. Like plucking an apple off a tree, it was just that easy for him.

Now we had a problem.

Yes. I will drop you, the witch and the wolf off and take the Harpy, and the other wolf back to the forest, then I will come back for you.

There was no other way to make this happen.

I leaned over the dragonas side. aEve, Blaz is going to take you and Alex back to the shack.a aIam fine, just tired.a I can feel her wings, they are still fractured, probably just the strain of flying too soon.

d.a.m.n it, I shouldnat have let her come with us so soon.

Not your fault. She knew and she let you believe she was better. Harpies can be like that. Stubborn and prideful. Not like Dragons. Itas why we kicked them out.

aWhat?a I couldnat help the question that popped out of me.

Pamela cranked around to look at me, her eyebrows raised. I shook my head, clearing it of everything but Jack. We were just coming up to the first ca.n.a.l, and with Blaz feeling what I was feeling he flew straight toward Jack.

We kicked them out of the Winged. That is partly why they hate us and we hate them. Or in my case, eat them.

Banking up, the dragon flew about a hundred feet above the tops of the buildings.

aI canat believe people donat see him, heas b.l.o.o.d.y well huge!a Pamela pointed at the people moving about their business below, and I shrugged.

aMost humans never see whatas right in front of them, though some do.a I pointed to a single person who stared up at us from the street, his hand in the air pointing at us.