A Job From Hell (20 page)

I grimaced. Not only did he dress like Cass, he also had her strange sense of humour. Must be a hel thing. As soon as we entered the library, Clare's gaze locked on Thrain, and she almost tripped over herself to greet him. "Hi there, I'm—"

"An idiot," Kieran said, rol ing his eyes.

Thrain grinned and shook Clare's hand. "Wel , hel o, Miss Idiot."

She pointed at Kieran. "He's the idiot. I'm Clare."

"Okay, that's enough," I said. "So glad we got the introductions straightened out."

"Cass said you needed my help?" Thrain dropped on the sofa and crossed his right ankle over his left knee. Clare sat down next to him, enthral ed by whatever she found so attractive about his bad boy attitude, oblivious to the reek of ritual and offerings wafting from him.

Kieran sat next to me and leaned in to whisper in my ear, "I don't get it. What does Clare see in a guy who looks like he doesn't know how to commit, is narcissistic, self-absorbed, and in dire need of shave?"

I cocked a brow. "You realise you're describing yourself, right?"

"Feel this face—not one stubble. Only cavemen don't shave. I admit, I might have one or two of those traits, but it's different."

I smirked. "You're a diamond in the rough, bro."

He shook his head. "Look at Clare. I know what she wants with a dude like him—smouldering, volcanic passion. That's an easy fix. I can erupt any time she wants."

I laughed. He didn't just say that. "Whoa, too much information. That's an image I don't need seared in my mind for the next hundred years." I turned to Thrain who didn't seem to mind Clare's gawking. "Thanks for coming. Cass probably told you we need you to get us onto Shadow territory." Kieran snorted and stared ahead, pissed that he wasn't the centre of attention for a change. Blake lurked in the corner, quiet as usual.

Thrain nodded. "You've set yourself quite a goal, mate. That's almost as hard as entering hel without Lucifer noticing."

"We know that. Otherwise you wouldn't be here," Kieran said. With his ego hurt, he didn't seem to plan on turning his hostility down a notch any time soon.

I nudged him in the ribs and turned my focus back on Thrain. "Can you do it?"

Thrain laughed and winked at Clare. "Let's go."

"We should have a plan, just in case he isn't trustworthy," Kieran said.

Thrain just shrugged and leaned back. No temper flares, no fighting back—this wasn't the usual behaviour of a demon. I felt temped to just jump up and go rescue Amber, but my brother had a point. We couldn't burst in there because we wouldn't stand a chance against hundreds of armed Shadows.

"You stay outside. I'm going in with him," Blake said. "I know how to deal with a demon."

I shook my head. "Not happening, Blake. Rescuing Amber's my responsibility."

"Trust your best friends," Clare said. "We've dealt with Shadows before. They wouldn't hurt me. As Blake said, you wait outside, just in case something goes wrong, but don't get too close."

Clare was naïve to believe the Shadows regarded her as some sort of friend. She always thought if she was friendly enough everyone must like her. Even after her turning, she stil didn't understand that by just being cal ed a vampire, half of the paranormal world watched her with distrust, and the other half would kil her in a heartbeat if it weren't for a few Lore rules that kept immortals from attacking each other.

"Amber's my responsibility," I repeated, quietly.

"Your scent's too strong. They'd spot you in a heartbeat because they're probably expecting you to come to her rescue. Look at it this way—"

Clare paused until I glanced at her "—if anything happened to you, she'd stand no chance against them."

Thrain cleared his throat to get our attention. "Not trying to interrupt your touching display of concern for one another, but I'm a busy man. Either we get going now, or I'm off."

"We're going," Blake said. "There's no need to wait. We can discuss the details during the drive."

"Goody. Fol ow me." Thrain headed for the door, cal ing over his shoulder, "And try to keep up."

Kieran laughed. "Ever hear of NASCAR? I invented it."

I glared at him, but he just shrugged and jumped up, car keys dangling from his fingers. Throw in the word 'drive' and Kieran was ready to start the engine.

***

We drove up the Scottish coast, heading north, past one long strip of trees on both sides of the highway. The air smel ed of rain and salt. The moon hid behind heavy clouds in the pitch-black sky.

"We're in the middle of nowhere. No wonder we never found them," I mumbled.

"We're slowing down," Clare said from the backseat. "This must be it."

"Where?" Kieran asked.

Clare pointed at the darkness stretching to our right. "The mountains." The brake lights in front of us came on as Thrain pul ed his SUV onto a track and stopped.

"Don't say anything to piss him off. In fact, don't do anything to screw this up," I said to my brother.

"Come on." Kieran parked the SUV behind Thrain's. "Give me a little credit."

"Give you some credit? If you protected Amber the way you should've we wouldn't be here."

"Drop it, Aidan. You're not helping. Now, let's go," Clare said. I exited after her, lingering near the vehicle.

"We're close. I can smel their faint scent," Blake whispered.

Kieran snorted. "That makes one of us. Al I smel is dog shit."

Leaves rustled. The long grass swayed in the wind. "You know this is the craziest thing we've ever done," Clare said, wide-eyed.

"That you've done," I said. My work as a bounty hunter usual y involved more than trekking through the Scottish Highlands.

"Exactly," Kieran said. "Like Aidan, I live for this kind of stuff. If you want adventure, I'm the guy for you."

"I just hope Thrain doesn't screw us over and feeds us to the wolves," Blake mumbled.

I nodded. "Me too. I can't believe we're putting our lives in the hands of Cass who picked this winner."

"She says he's the best shape shifter there's ever been," Kieran said. "Yeah, right."

"We haven't seen him shift shapes, so quit judging a book by its cover." Clare's blonde hair shifted in the wind, floating around her like a halo, as she turned to stare at Thrain.

Kieran snorted. "The best? I find that rather hard to believe. The dude can't even grow a beard, he's never seen a brush, he's never heard of an iron, and—"

Clare cut in. "Classic bad boy, very sexy."

"I cal it unkempt," Kieran said. "Don't tel me he can't afford a pair of jeans that haven't been put through a shredder. What's taking him so long anyway?"

I cocked my head to get a better view. "He's fumbling around in the glove department."

"I hope he's looking for a map and not a weapon," Blake said, leaning against a tree.

I turned to face him. Blake must be nervous. That was about as much as he talked in weeks. "You don't have to join the mission. I'm not twisting your arm."

Blake pointed at Thrain's car, ignoring my statement. "He's coming."

We watched in silence as Thrain marched over to join the waiting party, eyes glittered in the moonlight. "It's up there," he said, pointing at the dense forest on the mountain behind us. "We need to reach the trees before the clouds clear again."

"A midnight strol —how romantic," Kieran said.

I fol owed the others up the path, pondering over what the demon cal ed a plan: find a way in, save the lass, find a way out. Maybe avoid a guard or two in the process. Didn't sound like much of a plan to me, but I wasn't one to argue as long as we didn't leave without Amber.

"I should've worn my trainers," Clare muttered.

"Don't break a heel," Kieran said.

Thrain laughed. "Stilettos are hot. Just tel me and I'l carry you."

"Thank you," Clare said. "Final y, a guy with taste."

"Since when do tattered jeans equal taste?" Kieran nudged Thrain. "You know I'm dating her, right?"

"Kieran, I said no trouble, remember? You're not even dating her." Groaning, I shook my head. I stood a better chance rescuing Amber with the help of my iPod.

"It's best we maintain silence from here on. We're on a mission, not a dating show," Blake said.

Irritated by their endless banter, I nodded even though I was several feet behind them and they couldn't see me as we hurried up the winding path. The trees looked al the same, but I could sense we were getting closer because the air had started to reek of Shadows.

A few minutes later, we stopped. Thrain dropped to his knees and rubbed soil between his fingers. "We're not far from their main trail. The gate is to the east."

"Keep north until we reach the fence," I whispered.

Thrain shot me a curious glance over his shoulder, before he took off again. We moved at a fast speed through the trees, almost invisible to human eyes, but not undetectable to Shadows. I could already see the fence in the distance, rising high against the dark night. Rebecca had entered once without the demon's abilities, but Rebecca was an excel ent manipulator. She could persuade a mortal to give away their life for her.

The immortal warriors had opened the gates and let her in, unsuspecting of the bloodbath she'd leave behind. That trick wouldn't pul again, which is why we needed a shape shifter to pretend to be one of them and make sure the way was clear.

The fortress was secured by a twenty-foot, barbed-wire fence about fifty feet away. A sign warned that it was electrical y charged. I focused on the gate—two guards patrol ing on the other side, cloaked in black and oblivious to what was going on. Their strong, earthy smel invaded my nostrils. I knew instantly their powers were limited based on their low rank in the Shadow hierarchy. Judging from their position, size and abilities, I could easily take them down if I had to, but I wouldn't. Not before Amber was safe.

Thrain stopped and pointed at the fence, whispering to Clare and Blake, "I'l distract the guards. You jump." He nudged Kieran. "You invented basketbal too? Or just NASCAR?"

"You should see my jump shot." Kieran grinned. "I know you'd feel safer with me around, but Aidan wants me back here. He claims I'm trouble."

"Shame." Thrain shrugged. "I'd have loved a race."

"He'l take you up on the offer another time," I whispered as I watched Clare and Blake disappear through the thicket. Thrain headed for the gate. Kieran and I dropped onto the ground, prepared to wait.

Shooting Angel a timid smile, I stepped through the open door. To my surprise, I realised I was in a thriving terraced garden rather than a room.

Bright rays shone through the glass ceiling, settling on the fal en leaves in a wealth of colour. Dumbfounded, I peered around. How could there be so many plants in bloom in the middle of a bleeding mountain in freezing Scotland? I didn't even know Scotland had this many flowers.

"It's magic," the guard said, turning to face me. I recognised Devon.

"Do you mean magic in the literal sense?"

He shrugged, smiling. As usual, I was kept in the dark. My temper flared. "I thought you'd take the gift out of my head and then let me go," I snapped.

Devon cringed. "It doesn't work that way. You're part of the package."

Where did he get the impression I was keen on joining their little club? "You failed to mention I had a lifetime membership to Shadow Land."

He shrugged. "You didn't ask. Let's put it this way—" he grabbed my elbow and guided me down the cobblestone path "—I did you a favour. The company you kept was a bit shady."

I let out a huff. A Shadow cal ing vampires shady?

Devon continued, "Aidan's not even remotely human. You were flirting with danger. I rescued you, and barely in the nick of time."

I laughed. "So, let me get this straight. You slayed the dragon, jumped over the moat, climbed the tower of the evil king's castle, saved the princess, and rode off with her into the sunset aka Shadow Land. Why, you're my knight in shining armour."

His face remained expressionless as he nodded. "Just switch the castle for the gloomy McAl ister mansion. Aidan doesn't love you because he's stil in love with Rebecca. He'd do anything to raise her from the dead. Or why do you think he participated in the race?"

That certainly explained why Aidan wanted the prize so badly. But usual y, there are two sides to a story. I shook my head, unwil ing to let Devon twist my mind. Or maybe I couldn't handle the truth. "His plans are none of your business."

"What do you see in him anyway?"

"He doesn't leave the toilet seat up." I smiled bitterly, realising I had no idea who Aidan real y was.

"Doesn't your life mean anything to you?"

"Of course it does." I shot him a sideway glance, wondering where our conversation was heading.

"Then why on Earth would you hook up with one of the McAl ister brothers? You would've been dead before Christmas."

"Now you're being melodramatic. Must be part of the Shadow charm—al dark and gloomy."

Frowning, Devon stopped in midstride. "Are you trying to be funny? Do you think your brother and parents would've seen the joke in bringing flowers to your grave every day?"

The thought made my heart skip a beat, dread settling in the pit of my stomach like a heavy stone. "You know my family?"

"Yes, and you bet Aidan's been watching them too. He may seem like a nice guy, sweet and charming and al that, but behind his calculated façade hides a skil ed kil er. He chased you in the woods. You only escaped because other immortals were around and he wouldn't risk exposure."

Avoiding his gaze, I regarded the nearby bushes with their tiny white flowers. I couldn't get the thought of my parents crying at my grave out of my mind. "I put my parents down as my emergency contacts. You know, I never even wanted this job." I took a deep breath. Was it Aidan's mission to kil me al along? It made so much sense, and yet my heart wasn't quite wil ing to buy it. A sil y thing cal ed hope kept clinging to me. I turned away from the tal trees with their canopies of leaves. My gaze connected with Devon's as I tried to read his expression. "Why do you care?"

Devon inhaled and scanned the area behind me, black eyes glinting. "The first night we met I knew I had to save you. I couldn't bear the thought of Aidan ripping your throat out. It took everything I had to just walk away."