Sweet Reckoning

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX SIN CITY

It was six p.m. when I got my first glimpse of the infamous Vegas Strip. Tall buildings and hotels crammed together in a tight cluster amid the arid landscape. I ignored my cravings at the sight of people walking the streets openly with alcohol, some carrying full cases of beer. I kept myself numb to the barrage of signs that advertised women for sale. Pharzuph chuckled from the driver’s seat.

“It never gets old.”

As we pulled up to The Venetian Hotel, Pharzuph turned to Kai, who sat next to me in the backseat. “Untie her, but hold her hand and don’t let her out of your sight until you get to the room.”

“Yes, sir.”

Kaidan untied me, and I rubbed my wrists. He pulled me from the car, taking my hand securely in his while he held his duffel bag in the other. A valet took the black sedan, and the three of us made our way inside the hotel. Though Kaidan came across as cold, his hand was warm and I was glad to be touching him.

Pharzuph bypassed a long line of people waiting to check in at the giant, fancy lobby. He smiled warmly, and nobody complained. It was amazing to watch his willful influence in action. The check-in clerk was blushing and laughing as she placed the key cards in his waiting hand.

He strolled handsomely back to us, winking at the tallest, slimmest woman I’d ever seen. She wore a silver, slinky dress, and was on the arm of another man, who didn’t notice as she turned and stared brazenly at her tempter. He was much younger than some of the women checking him out, but that only added to his allure—young, confident, handsome, built, and rich.

“I love this city,” Pharzuph said to himself. He handed a key card to Kaidan. “Keep to your room. I’ll send someone for you when it’s time for the summit. It’s likely to be late in the night before everyone gets here. We’re planning for the witching hour—demon hour if we must.” Pharzuph looked me up and down, a sneer on his lips. “She can’t get into the club dressed in that. Find something more appropriate.”

“Yes, Father.”

Without another word, Pharzuph strode away. My back relaxed as distance was put between us, but I stretched my hearing to him, determined to listen to where he was going and what he was planning. I knew Kai would be listening, but I wanted to hear for myself.

“Come on,” Kaidan said, tugging my hand.

It was a relief to be out of Pharzuph’s presence. I was quickly taken in by the hotel’s ambience. It was like a hotel, high-end mall, and entertainment gallery combined. We walked down a wide corridor full of the diversity of humanity and the army of guardian-angel soldiers, who focused with total devotion on their jobs. I wondered if all of these angels knew the dangers that were in store for their humans’ souls tonight. I still tried to keep tabs on Pharzuph, placing a bubble of my hearing around him, but I had to shift it every time he moved, and it took great concentration to focus on his voice and footsteps, especially with all the sensory distractions.

The Venetian was home to an indoor waterway that replicated a canal in Venice, Italy. There were gondola boats and singing “Italians” in red-and-white-striped shirts. The rounded ceilings were painted to look like a summer sky above the Piazza San Marco, as vivid as the real thing, if only the sounds didn’t echo off the storefronts lining the walkways.

Kaidan tried to lead me into a boutique dress shop, but I noticed the window display in the next store and stopped.

Leather.

I bit my lip, and pulled him in that direction. He made a face, confused, but took my lead and let us walk in. One look at the badass female mannequin in front of me, and I knew. I was not wearing a dress tonight. Kaidan raised his eyebrows, but didn’t stop me as I approached the racks and made my purchases, hoping the clothes were true to size.

Back in the hall we had to squeeze through a ton of people to get a better look at the waterway and sky scene. It was so crowded that we were well hidden from anyone who might be trying to get a look at us. I pulled my hand from his and signed a question to Kaidan, keeping my hands low: What are the witching hour and demon hour?

Witching hour is midnight. Demon hour is three a.m., he signed back. He again entwined his fingers through mine without looking at me. We could only stand there for a moment, pretending to be a normal couple, before it was time to get back to our room.

Knowing what would go down that night, it seemed like everything around us took on a strange distortion. The happy faces surrounding us were like mocking carnival masks. We shuffled quietly through the crowds, then elevators, and the long halls. The hotel felt like a maze, but Kaidan seemed to make sense of it.

I could still hear Pharzuph, his loud footsteps, and his occasional words. I was proud of myself for keeping up with him while we were on the move in such a busy, large place.

I listened as Pharzuph walked two floors above us down a quiet hall on the other side of the hotel. He had been silent for some time now, so I had to focus on the sound of his footsteps against the carpets. He stopped. Now I heard him knocking and the sound of a door opening.

Kaidan and I turned down our hall.

“Brother Pharzuph. Didn’t I just see you on the slopes in Switzerland?” The man laughed, and I recognized the rough English accent as belonging to the Duke of Adultery. My stomach dropped. Kaidan’s hand squeezed mine.

What was Astaroth doing in Vegas already? Coming from London would have taken at least ten hours. He must’ve been closer for some reason. Then it dawned on me—he probably headed to the U.S. when he heard about the Sword of Righteousness, knowing that if they caught me there’d be a summit.

“Ha,” Pharzuph said. “Yeah, well, this summit’s going to be much more enjoyable. Let me in.”

Astaroth chuckled low as he let Pharzuph in and closed the door. “Do you have the sword?”

“No. She’s hidden it. That’s not why I’m here. I need a favor,” Pharzuph said to him. Kaidan and I slowed our pace to listen better. “It will only take a moment. I’m curious about a possible bond between two people, though there’s probably nothing there. I’ve just got a nagging feeling and I want to rule it out.”

“Ah. A possible conquest?” Astaroth asked, sounding interested.

Pharzuph paused, and when he spoke again it was in fluent Russian.

Chill bumps flew across my skin.

Kaidan and I stopped where we were in the long hall and looked at each other, both listening to the foreign conversation taking place between the two Dukes now. I didn’t know Russian, and I was guessing by Kai’s wide eyes that he didn’t either. Pharzuph had chosen to speak in a language he knew we wouldn’t understand. There was only one reason he would’ve done that.

He didn’t want us to know he was bringing Astaroth to our room to check for a bond between us.

We forced ourselves not to run the short distance down the hall to our room, keeping our steps as light, but quick, as possible. Pharzuph would be listening, and our sudden rushing would only rouse his suspicion further. I followed Kaidan’s lead until we were at the room, sliding through the door. What were we going to do? I felt caught, caged, one breath away from flipping out.

Kaidan strode fast past the bed, jumping over the three steps down into a sunken living room area, and tore open the small refrigerator on the floor. Yes! Alcohol would blur the bond between us! I rushed down and squatted next to him. He signed, One of us has to stay sober to listen.

I pointed to him. He was better at the listening. Even now, I’d lost Pharzuph in my panic and had no idea how close they were. But that would mean I had to drink. My heart thumped and my hands shook. I looked at the row of small bottles. I hadn’t drunk in a long while. I wasn’t sure how high or low my tolerance was now. I had to drink enough to hide the bond, taking into account the fact that my Nephilim blood would burn off the alcohol at a fast rate. But I couldn’t drink so much that I might lose control and say something stupid. We couldn’t afford a slipup. I would drink the absolute minimum amount to hide our bond, then they would leave and I could sober up quickly. I could handle that, couldn’t I? I had to be stronger than the alcohol, and Kaidan would be there to make sure I didn’t get out of hand.

He took a bottle of clear liqueur with golden flecks floating around, untwisted the cap, and passed it to me. I got a whiff of cinnamon as I brought it to my mouth and tipped back my head, chugging the thick, hot, sweet syrup. I blew out a long breath. Kaidan was ready with the next bottle. I could physically feel where the alcohol touched the inside of my body. It was on fire, down to my empty stomach.

I quickly drank the next bottle of liqueur he offered. It was too sweet. Kaidan’s eyebrows were crinkled together as he looked at me. I was feeling nice and warm, even a tiny bit more relaxed. I tapped my wrist to see how much time we had. He made a three and a zero, thirty seconds. I was expecting to feel something more from two bottles. Alcohol usually hit me fast.

He tried to hand me the amaretto, but I shook my head and reached over his lap. No more sweet stuff. I grabbed the bottle of golden tequila, screwing off the top and draining it fast.

What if the bond was still visible? I was so nervous. What would Pharzuph do to us if Astaroth saw something? He wouldn’t kill me because they needed me for the summit. Kaidan was a different story.

Fear struck and I stuck out my hand for another bottle, just to be on the safe side. He passed me the vodka and I made a face. I hated vodka, but I tilted my head back, slapping the carpet as the vodka burned its way down my throat. I held out my hand for another.

I stared at his hands as he signed, Are you sure?

It took me a second to comprehend what he’d said, and I nodded. He passed me the rum and I downed it, hardly feeling the burn this time.

I moved to adjust the way I was sitting, and swayed. Out of nowhere a giggle escaped me, and Kaidan’s eyes widened. Whoa, that was weird. I looked to the row of bottles, already wondering which I could have next, and he made a slashing movement of his hand across his throat to say I was cut off. A moment of panic overtook me. I realized, too late, that I’d had more than I probably needed. The alcohol was strong inside me, awakening and taunting the beast I worked so hard to keep tame.

Kaidan’s head turned to the door five seconds before the knock came. He looked at me, pleading with his eyes, bringing a finger to his lips before he got up to let them in. I was feeling at ease, not nearly as nervous as I thought I’d be when they got here. I would sit like a good girl and be quiet until they were gone. That was my big, brilliant plan.

I sat there in front of the open fridge while they walked down into the living room area toward me. Pharzuph and Kaidan stood side by side, feet apart, arms crossed. I covered my mouth and looked up at Astaroth.

He was as rugged as ever with his romance-novel-cover long golden hair and face made of jutting angles. He looked between me and Kaidan, his eyes landing on me with a severe frown.

“This one’s piss-drunk. I can’t get a reading.”

“A reading on what?” Kaidan asked in a hard voice. Nobody answered him.

I realized then that I should probably stand in the presence of the Dukes, but when I lifted myself from the floor, the alcohol hit me full force. Holy Moses! My balance was completely gone, and I tumbled into the arm of the couch, which was absolutely hilarious, and I couldn’t hold back the laughter.

“You don’t waste any time,” Pharzuph said to me.

“There’s more, see?” I pointed to the open fridge. “I didn’t drink it all. Want some?” It couldn’t hurt to be nice. Patti would be so proud of me.

“I’ll pass,” Pharzuph said, “but I think you should have another.” He smiled.

I smiled back because, well, that was awfully kind of him, and I agreed that another sounded like a wonderful idea.

I dropped to the floor in front of the mini fridge. I picked out two bottles, looking them over and finding the letters all sort of jumbled, so it took me a second to read them. I turned to the three men who were watching me. I wondered why Kaidan, my beautiful Kai, looked so friggin’ mad. I smiled up at them.

“If you don’t need me for anything else, I’ll just be on my way,” Astaroth said.

“Nothing more,” Pharzuph told him. “Maybe later. Thank you, Brother.”

Astaroth left the room.

“They need more tequila in these minibar fridge thingamajigs,” I said, settling on the gin.

Pharzuph laughed and looked at Kaidan, who was now leaning against the entertainment center with his arms crossed.

“I told you,” Kaidan said to his father. “She’s a lush. An idiot. I can’t believe you’d think there’d be a bond between us.”

Pharzuph chuckled at his son’s anger, and his smile was handsome. “Eh, you can’t really blame me for wondering when you wouldn’t even bang the stewardess today. You’re usually all about the cougars.”

“Eww!” I squealed. I wanted to claw those words from my ear canals.

“See,” Kaidan said. “Completely immature.”

I felt suddenly upset, though I couldn’t place why. I unscrewed the bottle of gin.

“You’re trashed,” Kaidan said. “You don’t need any more.”

“Oh, shut up.”

He tried to swipe my drink, but I yanked it back and took a glug.

“No touchie the drinkie. That’s bad, bad, bad.” I waggled a finger at him. “Why’re you being so grumpy, anyways? We’re in Vegas, baby!”

I stood up, grabbing the top of the fridge when I almost fell. A laugh erupted from my throat and I felt hyper. I wanted to jump on the bed and run down the halls!

“You are being obnoxious,” Kaidan said through clenched teeth. “It’s bad enough I have to babysit. I’m not holding your bloody hair if you puke.”

He looked severely angry, which made me laugh again because I was pretty sure we were playing a game.

My words dragged out when I tried to talk. “It’s funny to annoy you.” I poked a finger into his chest, which was yummily hard. I leaned into him, even though I was trying to stand straight. “You’re, like, sooo hot when you get mad.”

“I’d watch it, if I were you,” Pharzuph purred into my ear from behind. I jumped because I’d forgotten that he was still here—the guy who made me feel gross. I felt his hands on my waist and his mouth at my ear. “He can get pretty rough when he’s upset.”

Something inside me screamed that I was supposed to be careful and scared, but for the life of me I couldn’t remember why. I pulled away from Pharzuph’s embrace. Both of the guys were giving me menacing stares. I tipped back the rest of the gin and threw the empty bottle on the floor. These guys were getting annoying. I wanted to have fun.

“Whur’s the music?” I spun, looking for a radio, and everything blurred.

Pharzuph stepped close, grabbing my arms and getting in my face. “Where’s the sword?”

For some reason an image of the sword in the stone came to mind.

“I ain’t got a swoooord, crazy ass.” I laughed.

“Don’t talk to him like that,” Kaidan warned, moving toward us.

Pharzuph chuckled, but he didn’t look happy. “We’ll see, little girl.”

“Yeah, we will!” I said, laughing gleefully and throwing myself onto the couch. I clutched my stomach as an onslaught of giggles overcame me. “What the heck are we even talkin’ ’bout? I thought we were gonna dance.” I rolled off the couch and crawled to the fridge. I needed another drink. And maybe I could make drinks for the guys since they weren’t happy.

“I make the bestest drinks, guys. I’ll make you sooo happy.”

“Not likely,” Kaidan mumbled.

Pharzuph slapped him on the shoulder and jutted his chin toward me. “Yeah, good luck with that. And be careful. I wouldn’t put it past her to use your lust inclination as a distraction to escape. Don’t let her get the upper hand, you know what I’m saying?” He winked, and Kaidan nodded. “Don’t leave the room, and don’t let her out of your sight.”

“Yes, sir.”

Pharzuph watched me again.

I cracked open a beer, throwing the bottle top with amazing accuracy at Kaidan’s face, but he snatched it from the air before it hit him. I fell back onto the couch and kicked my legs in the air. Kaidan pressed his fingers to his forehead.

“Aw, c’mon, Kaidan Rowe, hottie-boom-bottie. Let’s play.”

Dang, I was funny.

“I see what you mean now,” Pharzuph said to Kai, eyeing me with disgust. “It does seem ridiculous that we thought she was the one. Still. We need to find out what she knows.”

Kaidan nodded. My head turned in slow motion as I watched Pharzuph leave. Kaidan raised his arms and shot both middle fingers up at the closed door. He then leaned back against the wooden entertainment center and shoved his hands through his hair before crossing his arms. He looked angry. And sexy.

H-O-T-T.

I wet my lips, feeling bold and single-minded when I realized we were alone. He slowly shook his head back and forth at me. I set my beer on the coffee table, stood, and walked to him, wishing good riddance to the last shred of my inhibitions. I was invincible. I could do anything I wanted. But what I chose to do was the most dangerous thing of all.