Fire Kissed (20 page)
“Hello?” he said again.
The decision was made already; she’d made it in the cellar yesterday, looking down at the angel, and she’d affirmed it before, during, and after being with Ferro last night.
She was building her House. If her plan had any chance of succeeding, she had to make it strong.
“It’s Kaye Brand,” she said to Sigmund. “I’ve reconsidered.”
A pause on the line. Had they found another to take them in? Was she too late?
“It’s our honor to serve Brand, and always has been,” Sigmund said at last. “And may I congratulate you on your recent joy.”
Less than twenty-four hours and even he knew.
“We need to meet as soon as possible,” she said, “to make this formal. But I’d rather not tell Mr. Grey just now. This is between Lakatos and Brand alone.”
Another pause while he considered his loyalties. Then, “I imagine there are a number of matters a lady might keep from her intended.”
Very diplomatic.
“If we do this then you answer only to me.” That had to be understood. She was not a gateway to Grey. Lakatos would be hers.
“If I’d wanted Grey, I would’ve approached him instead. He likes people on their knees.” Which she knew was a warning to her too.
“All right, then.” This was crazy. “Our meeting. Tonight.”
“I’ll come to you, Lady Brand.”
“Come here?” Her pulse leaped.
“It’s the easiest way.” He spoke with a tone of experience.
“How will you get in?” Impossible. “Even if you have a key, the wards will keep you out.”
“Lakatos is just our modern name, my lady, and locksmith the modern way we ply our trade. But our power is really to cross boundaries that shut others out.”
Cross boundaries. “You’ve been into Twilight.”
“Yes, I have.”
“With that power, how could you possibly have been stray?” He was playing her. “Any House would take you in. Why mine?”
“I didn’t want just anyone. We’ve always been loyal to Brand.”
Nightfall. Jack looked at Grey House from the same spot he’d observed it the night of Kaye’s party. Where he’d been beaten as a message to her, the Match Girl with visions in her fire. Now she was selling her fire again.
He’d been eager for her to access her Brand roots. He’d been a fool.
Where is she? Is she safe? Is Grey touching her?
A roar of fury built within him.
Laurence, at his side, shook his head.
I’m sorry, friend. You could choose to ascend to the next circle, and with it gain knowledge. It gave me peace.
I’m sorry, friend. You could choose to ascend to the next circle, and with it gain knowledge. It gave me peace.
Too high up and the seraphim go silent, too much knowledge. I belong on the ground.
But Laurence was right. He couldn’t go on like this anymore.
This will be my last tour.
This will be my last tour.
There was too much trouble in Jack’s heart to contemplate another. Something was wrong with his soul. Had been, long before this assignment. Secretly, he hoped it was Shadow. No, he knew it was Shadow. He’d had too much of it over the centuries. Madness wouldn’t be so bad. It was better than thinking.
I guessed as much,
Laurence returned.
Laurence returned.
A flash of shame overtook Jack. He should probably ask to be replaced, but he wouldn’t. Not now. No. Some curse had turned him into stone and forced him to stare up at those windows. The Order couldn’t drag him from here if they tried.
What is she doing? Is she safe? Is Grey touching her?
Laurence turned to him and smiled with warmth and pity.
Shadowman ripped the veil open for love of a woman, and so shall the world fall.
Shadowman ripped the veil open for love of a woman, and so shall the world fall.
And Jack knew he was utterly doomed. Doomed and damned and ripped to pieces. His soul was lost, the future bleak, his passion turned to rage. Because after eleven tours among humanity, he’d learned a few things about human nature.
Love was the most destructive force of them all.
Take him, for example.
Kaye headed to the kitchen to get herself a drink, but really she was walking the house to become familiar with the layout. The place was massive, with no regularity to anticipate what might be around the next corner. Formal rooms up front, still littered with candles. Some spaces beyond the foyer on the main-floor midsection were open, where Shadow deepened in the corners, strange patterns moving within. Ferro had a pool table in the middle of a pillared great room, with upholstered benches and high-backed couches. A nook highlighted the electric guitar of a mage rock star forced into retirement by his popularity.
She actually could use a little of that
bow-pow sexxxx
driving beat right now. She’d thought the walk would get her blood moving, but she still felt low, sad, frightened. She kept moving.
bow-pow sexxxx
driving beat right now. She’d thought the walk would get her blood moving, but she still felt low, sad, frightened. She kept moving.
That way led to Ferro’s offices and the basement below; that way to the workout center, pool, theater. An alternate staircase was tucked behind that recessed door, a side exit, due east.
... come come come come ...
And fae everywhere.
They were the voices of her childhood, imaginary friends and tormenters, out of sight like hide-and-seek. They’d kept her company day after day, listening to her complaints and outrages. She’d never seen a fae head-on, not even in the darkest rooms when she’d begged them to take her away. But they’d also gotten her into trouble. And no one, not even her father, had believed her claims that “the fae did it.” Everyone knew the fae couldn’t cross. She wasn’t so sure.
... come come come come ...
As she had in the past, she followed the whispers. “This way?”
Not that they would answer. She had to imagine a response for them.
... won’t let anything hurt hurt hurt you here ...
Exactly what she wanted to hear. They knew she was scared. “I missed you.”
... missed you missed you missed you ...
She rounded a corner and found a side hallway blanketed with dark. Interesting. Faint electric glows made a shoulder-high landing strip down the passage but didn’t illuminate. She lit a fire in her palm and proceeded anyway.
... can’t can’t can’t ...
She passed two figures, her light reflecting off their eyes, but their identities concealed by Shadow.
“Can’t let her ... childless ... can’t let him ... get an heir on her.”
Their black gazes followed her as she passed. She hoped she didn’t give Grey an heir either. Hope was the worst form of contraception. Extreme body heat, however, had always worked well for her.
... this way ...
The Shadow thinned to nighttime murk. She entered a series of side pantries superstocked for some kind of Armageddon. A couple of large boxes stamped WHEAT had been recently delivered, dolly waiting.
POWDERED MILK.
Four big boxes. Kaye could guess why it wasn’t stored in the cellar. And she thought that if the world was to come to an end today, Grey House was where you’d want to be.
POWDERED MILK.
Four big boxes. Kaye could guess why it wasn’t stored in the cellar. And she thought that if the world was to come to an end today, Grey House was where you’d want to be.
A flapping door led to a massive stainless-steel kitchen that could have served a hotel. Nothing stylish here. This area was for staff and utility.
Kaye halted when she spotted Gail, the woman who’d challenged her at the party. She was wearing jeans and a slouchy sweater and reading the paper at a scarred worktable. Bulky long sleeves covered her arms, bandages visible at the wrists. She had a red carry-on at her feet, coat flung over the handle. A nice bag hung off the back of the chair.
“Going somewhere?” Did Ferro know?
Gail glanced up, then retreated a fraction in her seat. “I don’t want any trouble.”
“I’m not the one who caused trouble in the first place.”
“I’m leaving. You don’t have to worry about me.” Gail made a face, as if conceding a point. “Not that a woman like you ever has to worry.”
A woman like you ...
Kaye felt like burning her again.
Kaye felt like burning her again.
... burn her burn her burn her ...
Shhh,
thought Kaye. Not yet.
thought Kaye. Not yet.
“I’ve been called home,” Gail continued. “I’ll be out of your hair as soon as the cab arrives. I did my best. Truth is, I’m just not sexy. You, on the other hand ...” Her eyes went wide, eyebrows up. “Anyway ... my House thought I had a chance since my Shadow has some unusual properties. But Ferrol just wasn’t interested.” Another face. “I also talk too much, especially when I’m nervous. So don’t mind me. I will read the paper and giggle at how hopeful the news is. Can they not see the Shadow everywhere? I swear humans are blind. And then there’re the mages who—”
“Wow,” Kaye said. “You do talk a lot.”
“No filter,” Gail said. “Which was why I was so rude at your party. I’d just been chewed out pretty bad by my great aunt and then some stylist put me in that horrible dress and I couldn’t breathe, but I still managed to drink ... and so that’s what I did.”
“The Moll?”
“Made me stupid.”
Gail was supposed to have seduced Ferrol for her House. Kaye got it, the trap the woman had been in.
“Moll is dangerous stuff,” Kaye said.
“I have the scars to prove it,” Gail said, lifting her arms, then flushed with embarrassment as she flicked her gaze to Kaye’s cheek. “Sorry.”
Kaye walked over. Dragged out a seat. Lowered herself like an old woman, she was so tired. “I’m not sorry, not anymore. My scars scare people, make them think twice. If you wear yours right, they’ll do the same thing for you. Show them off like you’re a crazy bitch who doesn’t give a shit as long you draw blood.”
Gail’s throat worked in a gulp. “Dang. You’re twisted.”
“A wraith had at me,” Kaye explained. “Are you going to be okay? With your House? Your aunt? Can I help?”
Another face. No filter or control there either. “Why would
you
help
me
?”
you
help
me
?”
Kaye shrugged. “I like a distraction.”
Gail pressed her mouth into a frown, considering. “Look. You might be a good person, I can’t really tell, but if you are, then really ... this place”—she shook her head—“it’s not the most fun I’ve ever had.”
“I’m not here for fun”—Kaye smiled—“or couldn’t you tell?”
She got a return grin from Gail.
Headlights flashed before a roll of tires sounded on the pavement outside. Cab. Gail stood and put on her coat. Relaxed and casual, she was beautiful, not like the caricature she’d been the night of the party. And she was getting out; anywhere would be better than here.
Gail shouldered her bag and pulled out the handle on her rolling suitcase. She stood there looking conflicted, then leaned in, eyes skating left and right to the doorways looking for eavesdroppers, and delivered a warning: “Girl to girl, you should know that he can take your Shadow.”
“The ring thing.” Kaye had already seen its effects.
“He doesn’t need the ring to do it,” Gail said, then bit her lips. Probably to keep everything else she knew inside.
Kaye’s heart thudded. “Thanks.” Her turn to swallow. Then, “Sorry I burned you.”
She hadn’t been sorry before. The fire had been self-defense and it had won her the respect of Grey. But now ...
“It’s my fault.” Wry smile. “When I’m done healing, I’ll wear the scars like I mean it. Thanks for the tip. I needed a little badass anyway to make up for my lost dignity.”
“Hard way to come by it.” Kaye knew from experience.
Gail pushed open the door to the rear drive. She looked back over her shoulder. “Luck.” And then climbed into the cab.
“You too,” Kaye said as the car drove away, wishing Gail wasn’t going. There were fae whispers everywhere, mage talk in dark corridors, a castle ready for war, and now Gail. She and Kaye were the same, which was the strangest thing Kaye had discovered so far.
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