Hunted

- 22 - WE MEET AGAIN

My stomach roiled. It couldn’t be true. The conversation with Gavyn and Solaris flashed in my head like a nightmare. Despite the twins’ claim, I hadn’t really believed my father could still be alive.

“Are you sure?” Bran asked in a harsh voice.

Angelia nodded. “The demons who took her said so. They took her to an old hotel they’re fixing up.”

“Where?” Bran said.

“I don’t know. It was an old hotel with the words ‘Lee Plaza’ on the front.”

“The Lee Plaza. That’s in Detroit.” He glanced at me. “It’s the Order’s headquarters. Did you go inside?”

“No way,” Angelia said. “As soon as I heard the guards say, ‘Lord Valafar will be happy. Now he has leverage.’ I got out of there. I don’t know what ‘leverage’ means, but it sounded bad.”

“This changes everything,” Izzy said, shaking her head, curly ponytail swinging back and forth. “We have to tell the senior Cardinals. Kim might not want them involved, but we’re dealing with the devil’s spawn. Sorry, Lil.”

“No,” I said.

Izzy’s eyes narrowed. “No?”

“I know Valafar is evil and unscrupulous, but I meant, no, we can’t tell the senior Cardinals. My grandfather is not going to let me go anywhere near Valafar, and when he takes that position, everyone will think he’s throwing Kim under the bus to protect me. Worse, we go in with the others and there will be fighting and killing. We use powers, and the archangels will find us. I have to do this.”

“I know what you are planning, and I’m not letting you do it,’ Bran said, emerald eyes flashing.

“You are acting the way Grampa would,” I shot back. “I’m the one he wants. Not Kim. I will not allow him to hurt her to get to me.” I glanced at Izzy and Remy. They didn’t meet my gaze. “You all know I’m right. I have no intention of staying with him. As soon as Kim is safe with you guys, I’ll escape.”

No one spoke, but their refusal to agree or disagree said a lot.

“You are not meeting with him without us,” Bran vowed.

“Of course not.” Somehow I had a feeling Valafar was behind Gavyn’s invitation to join them. Would he listen to reason? Maybe agree to call off the archangels if I agreed to have some sort of a relationship with him?

“What do we do about them?” Remy asked, slanting his head toward the Specials and their entourage.

One of the women detached herself from the group and approached us. “I am Aurora, Daryl’s mother,” she said. “We didn’t know you hadn’t offered us sanctuary. The children…” she glanced at Daryl and blinked. “If you want us to leave, we will leave.”

With them back in the Brotherhood compound, we wouldn’t have to worry about them. Unfortunately, Angelia already believed we were liars. Sending them home now would only confirm it.

“No, you don’t have to leave,” I said just as a familiar black SUV pulled off the highway and onto the parking lot. Sykes stepped down from behind the wheel. The passenger doors opened and out stepped Esras, Lunaris, Solaris, and Lucien.

“What are they doing here?” Remy asked.

Sykes raised his heads. “Don’t worry—everything is under control. Master Haziel sent them. He ordered them to help us.”

No one bothered to ask how he’d known.

“Cardinal Sykes told us about Kim being missing, but not them.” Esras indicated the children and the women with a nod.

“We’ll explain later,” Bran said. “Right now, we have to get them out of here and indoors. The glamour won’t hold for long.” His gaze followed a car as it zipped past us, then he glanced at Remy. “They can’t teleport or the Psi-dar will lock on them. Any ideas?”

“I’ll get transportation…buses. Esras, come with me,” Remy said.

“Where are we getting buses at this time of night?” Esras asked.

“The local transit bus depot,” Remy said impatiently. “We’ll borrow two. Lil, we’ll need drivers. Ask Kylie and Cade. We’ll take their truck and leave it by the grocery store next to the depot. They can pick it up when they return the buses. If they say no, compel them. We. Need. Them.” He nodded at Sykes. “Find a local hotel that can accommodate all of them. Each room can have an adult and two children. The teens can room in groups of two or three. Come up with a good cover story.”

That was the Remy I knew. Confident. Decisive. Unstoppable.

Sykes snapped his fingers. “Already got a cover story. They are exchange students from Europe touring the country with their parents, and the valley is their next stop.”

“Good. We’ll be back in a few.” He and Esras took off in Cade’s truck.

“I need a cell phone,” Sykes said, looking around. “Anyone got one?”

My eyes connected with Bran’s. I’d felt his gaze on me ever since we discussed Valafar. He wasn’t too happy with my decision, but he knew there was no way out.

How are you holding up? he asked.

I’m trying not to think about it. “Kylie might have a phone,” I said and moved away. She still held Cade on her lap and watched me with a weird expression as I drew closer. “How’s he doing?”

“I don’t know. Can you wake him up or something?”

“I will. Just give me a second. Can we borrow your cell phone?”

She pulled her cell phone from her jacket pocket and shoved at me. “Then come back and take care of him, Lil. We are going home. This…” she looked around and shook her head. “We didn’t sign up for this. I want out.”

I should have seen that coming. Despite the fear of what was to come, namely meeting my father and negotiating Kim’s release, it annoyed me that she was bailing out on me. “Okay.”

I took the phone to Sykes. Bran had taken over where Remy had left off and was issuing orders. It was amazing how well they worked as co-leaders.

“Lucien, you’ll go with the Specials and keep an eye on them until we return. The rest of you,” Bran nodded at Izzy, Solaris, and Lunaris. “Reassure the children. They’re scared.”

“Just because we are women doesn’t necessarily mean we’re better equipped to deal with the children,” Solaris grumbled.

“Then don’t do anything until we get to Detroit, Solaris,” Bran said without any hint of anger. Then he nodded at Aurora. “Gather the women. I need to talk to them.”

Everyone got busy, even Solaris. I made my way back to Kylie’s side.

She stared at me with sad eyes. “I know you are not going to like this, Lil. I thought I could be in your world, help even, but tonight I learned I’m not ready for this. I want us to stay friends, but you must ask your grandfather to erase everything I know about you and your world.”

Things would never be the same between us. Not for me. “And your abilities?”

She was silent for a long time, and I was sure she wouldn’t answer. “If I’m meant to be a medium, I’ll tap into my powers again.”

“Could you do us one last favor?” I explained about the buses Remy and Esras had gone to get, and needing drivers. “Remy said he’ll park your truck by the bus depot, so you can pick it up when you return the buses.”

She blew out a breath. “Okay. But what if we get busted?”

“We’ll bail you out, expunge your records, and erase the cops’ memories.”

“You can do all that?” Cade mumbled in awe.

I looked down. When had he regained consciousness?

“You’re okay,” Kylie said, touching his face, then she helped him to his feet.

Cade looked around. “Who are these people? And don’t tell me Gypsies. I regained consciousness earlier in the cave and saw those children create balls of light out of thin air. They did something to me again and knocked me out. Again.”

“Energy balls,” Kylie corrected him, then stared at me with saucer eyes. “What are you going to do?”

I had no idea. Telling her the truth about us had been necessary because she was a medium. Cade was just your average teenager with an active imagination and a truckload of curiosity.

“Tell him what he needs to know for now,” Bran said from behind me. “Remy and Esras are bringing two buses, which means we’ll need both of you. Lucien is not used to dealing with humans and will need your help too.”

“Humans?” Cade asked with a weird inflection in his voice.

“Yes, humans,” Bran said impatiently. “Lil, you want to explain?”

I shook my head. Once was enough. Despite understanding Kylie’s reasons for bailing out on me now, I was hurt and disappointed in her.

What happened? Bran asked, studying me.

Kylie wants out. Explain everything to Cade. I’ll go and see if the others need help with the children.

No, stay. Bran gripped my arm and moved closer to Cade, eyes narrowed. “We are entrusting you with something sacred, Cade. No humans around here know who or what we are, except Kylie. And even she can’t handle it and wants out. If you tell anyone about what I’m about to tell you, I will make your life so miserable you will kill yourself to escape me.” He paused. “No, I will teleport you to a Nosferatu den and let you be their blood supply for a year. Do you understand?”

Cade nodded. “What is a Nosferatu?”

“Vampires,” I explained, then glared at Bran. “Don’t.”

“No, he needs to understand why keeping our secret is important and the consequences if he doesn’t. We are Guardians, Cade. Half-angel and half-human. We have been called different names by humans, been worshipped and revered. The evil branch of our family is what you guys call demons. We are the good guys. They are the bad guys. They want to take over the world and be worshipped again. We couldn’t give a rat’s ass about such things, so we hunt them down. Some kidnapped Kim and we are going to get her back. Questions?”

Cade shook his head, but I’d never seen a man so scared. I gave Bran’s hand a squeeze. Valafar’s return had him more rattled than it had me.

“Good. The rest isn’t important,” Bran said then focused his attention on Kylie. For one brief moment, I thought he was going to be mean to her too. Instead, he exhaled and said, “You have been a true friend to Lil this past year, Kylie, and an ally to all of us. For that, we’ll always be grateful. You want out, it’s your choice and Cardinal Falcon will see that you get your wish. In the meantime, do you think you could help Lucien when you get to the hotel?”

Kylie nodded. “Sure.”

“Thank you. Sykes will give you the name of the hotel and the group’s reservation number. You and Lucien will stay with the Specials and their parents until we get back.” Bran glanced at his watch, then his glance volleyed between Kylie and Cade. “If we are not back by morning, keep an eye on the Specials while Lucien goes to the enclave to talk to Lil’s grandfather.”

Kylie gave him a wobbly smile. “Okay.”

“I’ll check on the others.” Bran squeezed my hand, then walked away.

“I’ve never seen him so…intense,” Kylie said.

“Did he mean what hejust said?” Cade whispered. “About making me kill myself and the vampires?”

“Every word,” Kylie said, sounding a little shaken too. “They don’t hurt humans.”

“Thanks, guys.” I gripped their hands. “I’ll talk to Grampa about the memory thing.”

Kylie nodded. “Later. Right now focus on finding Kim. I hope she’s okay.”

“Me too,” I said. “My father should know better than to kidnap a Guardian.”

Kylie blinked. “Oh, Lil.”

I gave her a tiny smile and walked away.

“Her father?” I heard Cade ask.

I joined the others just as Esras and Remy pulled up with the buses. We got busy helping the children into their seats. The last to go in were Daryl and his mother, who had her arm on the skinny boy’s shoulder. Angelia was already inside the bus, her face pressed against the window as she stared at us. Her anger had lessened but she still couldn’t look at me without glowering. I wished there was something I could do or say to make her happy. I tried to catch her eye, but she stuck her chin in the air and ignored me.

“She’ll come around,” Daryl said from beside me. “Bran explained to her and she understands, but…” he shrugged.

She felt I had betrayed her by not telling her myself. Sighing, I smiled at Aurora, Daryl’s mother. “We will be back before dawn, but if you need anything—”

“Lucien and your two human friends will help,” she finished. “Cardinal Bran told us. We have credit cards and some money with us, so don’t worry. You go and rescue your friend.” She cupped my face, surprising me. I had thought she would hate us for refusing to give them sanctuary. “Thank you for rescuing our son from Coronis Isle.”

Daryl rolled his eyes. “Come on, Mom.”

Within minutes, the buses pulled out. No one spoke until they were out of sight. We left the SUV in the parking lot and trekked up to the cave. Despite being a local attraction, the inside was dark and dingy. Sykes created energy balls so we could see clearly. Solaris and Lunaris added more.

“Did you guys bring weapons?” Bran asked, his gaze moving from Esras to Solaris and Lunaris.

“Just the usual,” Esras said, pulling a dagger from his boot. Solaris removed a whip. The tip was split into two with jadeite metal tips. Lunaris had a set of knives.

We changed, piling our regular clothes and shoes in the satchel Remy had carried. Then we slipped weapons into hidden sheaths under our coats and boots. Esras and Remy turned some of the knives and sheaths into swords and scabbards. Even though the Kris Dagger was inactive, Remy had brought it. He must have remembered what I had told them, that Master Haziel had insisted I must always carry it.

“Remember, we are going to talk, not fight, which means you don’t attack unless you get attacked. And no matter what they do, don’t use your powers. The last thing we need is Raphael and his tribe descending on us.”

“I don’t get it,” Solaris said. “They have one of our people and we’re going to talk?”

Our people? Her tune had changed.

“Valafar has her, Solaris,” I said. “The Specials told us his men took Kim to the Order’s den in Detroit.”

A strange look crossed her face. A mixture of anger and excitement, I thought, but I could have been wrong.

“Let’s pair up,” Bran said. “Lil and I will take the lead. I know exactly where the Order is holed up. Sykes—”

“I’m with Izzy,” Sykes said, taking her hand. He still couldn’t stand the twins and didn’t care who knew.

Bran nodded at Remy and Esras. “Take the rear, guys.”

“What if Valafar doesn’t agree to a trade?” Solaris asked.

Bran glared at her. “There’s not going to be a trade. We’ll get Kim and we’ll all come home.” Talking only seemed to make him angrier. He grabbed my hand. “Let’s go and get this over with.”

We appeared in a field of some kind, across the street from a hulking, abandoned building. Street lights showed three arches with columns framing what once had been a grand entrance. Bricks now replaced the large, lower glass windows, while the ones on the floors above it gaped vacant like unseeing eyes. Above the smashed cinder block door were the words, “The Lee Plaza”.

Sirens resounded in the distance and loud music blared as an occasional car zipped past on Grand Boulevard. The tingle on my lower spine kicked into gear as we started toward the building, our amulets lighting up like stars.

“So this is the abandoned city,” Solaris said.

“Not for long,” Bran said. “Demons are moving in. Although they are adding sub-levels while doing very little to the surfaces.”

As we moved closer to the building, the warning tingle on my back went crazy, sensing the humming energies of demons. Inky writing etched under my skin before the two dozen demons surrounded us. I controlled my powers with some difficulty.

“We are here to see the Order,” Bran said.

“Why?” a woman called and stepped forward, the street light bathing her pale face.

Whatever hopes I had of the meeting going smoothly disappeared when I recognized Lottius, a Nosferatu girl with a bad attitude and a powerful father. We’d tortured her for information months ago. Dressed all in black like her gang, her black hair no longer had a streak of white in it.

“Lottius, you have a Cardinal Guardian and we’re here for her,” Bran said.

“Nice to see you again, Llyr. I see that being hunted like animals hasn’t humbled you yet,” she said, walking toward us.

“They have to catch us first,” Bran retorted.

“Be careful what you wish for, gorgeous.” She glanced at me and her eyes flashed. “The princess returns. Are you going to give yourself up and stop this madness?”

“We are here for our friend,” I said, refusing to be drawn into a discussion about me.

“My father is the head of the Order,” Lottius said. “We are part of security now, so before we can let you through, we must discuss—”

Bran was behind her, a sickle wrapped around her throat before she finished speaking. “We’re done discussing,” he said rudely. “Take us to your father.”

“Do you have a death wish? A signal from me and the guards will finish your team.” She tried to push his hand, but he pressed the dagger into her skin. “Unhand me.”

“No, walk and lead us to the entrance,” Bran snarled. He could be such a badass, and he’d been in an ugly mood since we’d learned of Valafar’s existence. “Any move from any of you,” he added without glancing at the demons, “and I’ll show you how sharp this baby is.”

The demons stopped, then fell back as we moved toward the building. The wall shimmered and disappeared to reveal a wide, arched hallway filled with debris. The elevators lining the arched hallway were all unusable, except for the one that suddenly appeared to our right, its steel doors new and shiny.

You sure you want all of us down below? Esras asked. Shouldn’t some of us stand guard?

We stay together until we find Kim, Bran said.

The elevator door opened to reveal mirrored walls and a burgundy carpeted floor. Soft music played in the background. The demon guards glowered as the door closed on their faces.

“The atrium,” Lottius said.

The elevator descended. Lottius glanced at me from the corner of her eye and shifted away. She was more scared of me than the knife at her neck. The power radiating up and down my back couldn’t be the cause. I had it under control.

Had I turned her? During our last meeting, she’d tried to kill me after we released her, and to punish her, I’d compelled her to fight evil—a death sentence for any demon.

“Let her go,” I said.

Bran frowned. “Why?”

“She won’t try to escape or hurt us. Isn’t that right, Lottius?”

Lottius rubbed her neck. “You cursed me.”

“I compelled you to do good, hardly a curse.”

“I’ve had to hide how I feel, sneak behind my friends and family to help humans,” she said through clenched teeth. “If my family finds out the things I’ve been doing, I will be banished. Remove your voice from my head, Guardian,” she spat.

“It’s called a conscience, Lottius, but I will remove it if you do us a favor.”

“I’m not helping you in my father’s…” She scrunched her face, as though battling herself, then snapped, “Fine, what is it?”

“Teleport to the top of Treasure Planet Casino and tell Dante and Kael we need them.”

Her eyes widened. “They’ll kill me before I open my mouth.”

“Then you’d better talk fast when they appear.” The elevator door slid open to reveal the guards from upstairs. Under their watchful eyes, we stepped into a hallway. Gold accents, plants and chairs along the hallway, chandeliers and light sconces, it was a replica of the decaying hallways upstairs.

We followed Lottius to the atrium and paused to gawk. There had to be hundreds of demons, all dressed for some kind of a ball. Music played in the background and trays of champagne and finger foods floated around.

“They kidnap one of us and celebrate?” I said through clenched teeth.

“Un-freaking-believable,” Sykes muttered.

“Not everything is about you guys,” Lottius retorted.

“They just spoiled 18th-century fashion for me,” Lunaris threw in.

The females wore flowing gowns and fancy upswept hairdos while men actually looked dashing in waistcoats, embroidered frock coats, and stockings. I wondered if the swords on their sides were real or part of their costumes. Was my father hiding among them? The masks and wigs made it hard to tell. Not that I expected Valafar to do something so mundane. He was too arrogant to dress up for a masquerade party. Besides, their psi energies said these were mainly mid-level demons, mixed with a few upper ones.

The ones closest to us noticed us first and silence fell like a wave across the room. The music stopped. The tingle near my spine reached a fever pitch, but I held it back through sheer will, my heart pounding with the effort, sweat starting to run down my back.

“This way,” Lottius mumbled.

Eyes followed us, Lottius, and her guards across the rectangular indoor court. It looked nothing like the hotel lobby above. It was huge, about half the size of a basketball court. A set of grand stairs coiled to the second floor, then to the next ten floors. From the glass doors and walls, and the wide patios with potted plants and flowers, this wasn’t a business establishment. This was their home. The ceiling had a huge painting of the sky with a few clouds adrift, giving the illusion of outdoors.

We appeared to be headed toward a double door with wicked etchings. It reminded me of the doors to the Guardian Academy, except it was twice as big and twice as wide. They opened to reveal a large room with a vaulted ceiling, dominated by a large round table with twenty-four chairs at one end. Half of the chairs were occupied.

The room pulsed with demonic energy. The arrogance on the faces of the seated occupants indicated we were in the presence of the Order. None was my father. Disappointment washed over me. Annoyed with myself, I tried to remind myself that he was behind Kim’s kidnapping.

Unlike the demons with masquerade masks, the members of the Order made no attempt to hide their faces or hair. Horns, cat eyes, pointed batlike ears, hairy or scaly faces looked almost comical against their outfits, which were similar to those of their guests. At the end of the table was a tall, pale man with pitch-black hair tied in the back.

Lottius walked to edge of the table. “Father.”

“Thank you, daughter. You can leave us now.”

As she walked away, my gaze connected with her father’s. He didn’t offer us seats, just watched me with cold yellow eyes.

“You should not be here,” he said.

Bran stepped forward, “Gabreel, we—”

“Silence!” the demon hissed. “You don’t speak until I give you permission.” He turned his attention back to me. “And you can address me as Lord Gabreel.”

I didn’t respond.

“We gave you a chance to make a deal with us, Lilith, but you ignored it. Why?”

“We are here now.” The door closed with a loud click, bolts sliding into place. We reached the same conclusion: a trap. Hands reached for waists and thighs, and came up with daggers, sickles, knives, and a whip. Heat shot up my back then down my arm, the writings etching themselves under my skin. I’d expected that. The surprise was that they flowed to the Kris Dagger, which began to glow. My gaze connected with the others. They were all grinning.

The Kris Dagger was back!

The scraping of chairs on the floor filled the room as the members of the Order scrambled to their feet and tried to put distance between them and my dagger. Gabreel grew paler. Our grins probably made us appear crazier than the Mad Hatter.

Lord Gabreel cleared his throat. “Lilith—”

“Cardinal Lilith,” I corrected him, slipping the dagger into its sheath. I tried to release the hilt, but it clung to my palm, the writings racing from the blade back to me. Weird. The flow of power had changed. “I believe Cardinal Bran was about to explain why we are here, Lord Gabreel. Oh, and if you think you can trap us in here…” I turned and pointed at the door. Blasting it with a lightning bolt would have proved my point, but that would have drawn the archangels. I opened it, turned, and faced them.

The demons walked back to their seats.

“We are here for Cardinal Kim,” Bran explained.

“She is not here,” Lord Gabreel said.

“I think you misunderstood my words, Lord Gabreel. We know she is here, so bring her out or we’re burying all this,” he indicated the building, “along with every demon in it.”

Mocking laughter resounded in the hall from behind us and we turned to look as a woman entered the room. Wearing tight leather pants and high-heeled boots, black hair cascading behind her like a waterfall, and bright red lips, I’d recognize her anywhere.

Solange. My half-sister.