Mark of the Bear

Chapter Twelve

Chanting. It was faint but it was there. The Lady cocked her head to one side and listened intently. She no longer felt the blistering heat on her bare flesh. What clothing she’d worn had long gone to dust. She could manifest more but didn’t want Hades to know her power was slowly returning to her.

Her long hair blanketed her body, offering slight protection from the sharp rocks protruding from the walls. She closed her eyes and swayed to the music that filled her ears. It was beautiful, a song of peace and rebirth. What she wouldn’t give to lie naked in a mountain meadow, smell the sweet perfume of the wildflowers, feel the cool breeze against her skin and the warm earth beneath her. To watch the birds soar in the sky and the forest animals run free.

Her eyes snapped open as she heard a sound and she peered around her. The darkness seemed to swallow everything in its path. The tunnel she was in was narrow and rocky, hot with barely enough air for her to breathe. In the distance, a light flared.

She couldn’t for a moment forget where she was. Such forgetfulness led to death. None of Hades’ demons could touch her, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t try to throw obstacles in her way.

She knew when Hades was watching her. She also knew when he wasn’t. Sometimes some of his minions kept an eye on her, but not always. Sometimes she was utterly alone in this putrid realm of Hell. Right now, she could feel a set of malevolent eyes watching her every move.

Keeping her head down, she put one foot in front of the other. The skin had been burned and ripped from her soles, leaving bloody blisters behind, but she didn’t care. Pain meant she was still alive. The flickering light of the fires of Hell and the cries of its prisoners meant she was no longer buried in the bowels of the earth but moving closer to freedom.

The chanting seemed to come from the left. It gave her comfort and hope and she felt the urge to move toward it. She flexed her right hand beneath the cover of her hair, feeling the skin healing and the blisters disappearing. It also seemed the song was healing her, giving her a much needed boost of strength.

She would not stop now. Not ever. Events had been set in motion and nothing could stop them. One by one, all the warriors would be released. Whether or not they survived was entirely in their hands. Well, not entirely. The special women chosen to help them in their mission held the lives of the immortals in their hands. The bond between man and woman needed to be strong if both of them were to survive.

Stay strong. She didn’t say the words aloud but thought them, pushing them toward Marko. He needed to protect the woman and himself in order to be free of Hades.

She was not worried about herself. She would find a way out of Hell or she would perish here. Either way, her imprisonment would end.

With renewed determination, she ignored the three-headed demon watching her from the corner, ignored the cries of the damned and slowly edged her way down the dark, winding path.

“She’s reached the second level.”

Mordecai ignored Brittany’s observation. The succubus was clinging to his left arm and running her free hand over his chest. He forced himself not to shiver with revulsion. The image she projected was one of youth and beauty, but he could see the real creature beneath the glamour and it wasn’t pretty—thick, leathery skin and glowing red eyes, short horns protruding from the top of her head, sharp teeth protruding from her gums. He’d rather use his hand to get himself off than sleep with such a creature.

That he’d never had sex with any of the demons annoyed them greatly. They’d made it into a challenge of sorts to see who would be the first to break down his resistance. He could have told them they were wasting their time. He had bigger worries to contend with than who he was having sex with, or not having sex with in this case.

He was taking a risk by being in Hades’ chamber when the god wasn’t here, but it was one he was willing to take. He had to find the bear and Kellsie before Hades arrived for the next act in this unfolding drama. The only way to do that was to use the ancient bronze mirror on Hades’ wall. It was spellbound and allowed the god to see any part of his realm at any time, but it also allowed him to see into other worlds for one hour every turn of a day. Hades used that power sparingly.

After discovering that Marko and Kellsie were headed back to the carnival, he’d been unable to resist checking on the Lady. He stared at the mirror that allowed him to see any part of Hell at any given moment, watching her stagger through the dark corridors, inwardly wincing when she stumbled.

He was the only other being in this realm who could access the power of the mirror. Being in Hades favor came with some perks. It was also a very precarious position to be in, as Hades wasn’t known for his loyalty to his minions. If he thought for one minute Mordecai might be getting too powerful, Hades would not be happy. He might even destroy Mordecai.

He couldn’t let that happen. He had plans for his life, if you could call his current existence actually living. He fought the urge to clench his hands into fists. Anything was better than the imprisonment he’d endured.

“Are you listening to me?” She tugged at his arm.

He turned his head and peered down at her. “Unfortunately, yes. It’s impossible not to hear you.”

“Well, should we tell Hades?”

Mordecai almost felt sorry for the simple creature. Almost. She was a viper in an innocent package and had lured many a man to his doom. He shook his head. “You think Hades doesn’t already know? He’s probably simply taunting the Lady with the hope of release. All the better to squash her spirit when she almost reaches her goal.” He knew all about that.

He pushed away the thought. He’d shattered his own hopes and goals. Destroyed his own honor. On purpose. He’d made his choice and would live with it. In the meantime, he had plans to make and a war to win.

He shook off Brittany, annoyed by her clinging. Usually he found it amusing, but not today. The game was afoot and needed all his attention, especially after what had happened with Roric. Hades would not take another defeat lightly.

Mordecai had a feeling this was going to be a hell of a long day. He laughed at his own joke, but there was no humor in it. He’d made his choice and had to live with it.

“Come,” he told Brittany. “It’s time to return to the carnival. The woman and the bear are getting closer.”

“Goodie. I can’t wait to see that smiling bitch fall.”

For some reason, Brittany hated Kellsie. Not that she needed a reason. But Mordecai assumed it was because Kellsie was a beautiful woman and he was attracted to her. Brittany was also jealous of the attention Kellsie received from all the other demons. All of them wanted to be the one to bring her down and gain Hades’ favor.

Brittany walked ahead of him, her blonde hair flowing down her back to her shapely hips. He shook his head. Superimposed over her form he could see her real body—the hulking legs and overly long arms. Not a pretty sight.

He glanced over his shoulder and into the dark mirror one final time. In the farthest part of the glass, he could see the Lady shuffling forward, one inch at a time. She stopped and turned her head toward him. He pulled back into the shadows, unwilling for her to see him even though he knew there was no way she could. He was, after all, viewing her through an enchanted mirror.

The Lady raised her hand in his direction. Her blistered fingers stayed raised for a moment before slowly falling back to her side.

Mordecai spun on his heel and followed Brittany. He had work to do and not much time to achieve his goal if he hoped to save his own skin.

Marko and Kellsie crouched behind some thick bushes just beyond the edge of the carnival grounds. The sun was up high in the sky. Marko had been watching the area for several hours. There were a few people stirring and the carnival was beginning to come alive. He could smell food coming from a large tent at the far end. That seemed to be where most of the people were heading.

He didn’t like it. It seemed too quiet. There were no guards in sight.

“Well.” Kellsie sat beside him, her impatience palpable. Not that he could blame her. This lack of activity, of action, was making him uneasy.

“It’s too easy. It has to be a trap.”

Kellsie released a pent-up breath. “Maybe it’s too easy because it’s just a movie set and these are just normal people.”

He turned and scowled at her. She frowned back at him, totally unrepentant. “I thought we’d gotten past that. You know this is real.”

“I know it’s real. I just wish it wasn’t.”

There really wasn’t much he could say to that. He wished for her sake that it wasn’t real, but for his own sake, he was glad to be free from the curse, even if it meant having to face Hades and battle for his very life and soul. He just wished he could protect Kellsie from having to be involved.

She’d been amazed once again when he’d sent the cloak away as easily as he’d brought it into existence. With the sun rising she’d no longer needed it and it was rather bulky. She needed her arms and legs free in case she needed to run or protect herself.

She sighed and rubbed at her eyes, leaving smudges of dirt on her cheeks. Her hair was a tangled mess even though she’d tried to fix it earlier. Her shirt was filthy. Her jeans were no better.

She was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever set his eyes on.

“What?” She scrubbed at her face but only managed to spread the dirt.

He reached out and rubbed his thumb across her cheek. “You’ve got some dirt here.”

“Oh.” She grabbed the end of her shirt and used it to clean her face. A slender swatch of skin was revealed when she exposed her belly. He’d seen it before. There wasn’t an inch of her he hadn’t seen, but it still had an immediate effect on him. His shaft swelled and his balls ached. He turned away, unable to watch any longer. If he wasn’t careful, Hades and his crew would ambush them while he was busy watching Kellsie.

She was a problem. She distracted him, turned his attention from the job at hand. He’d be better off leaving her to her own fate while he fought for his friends’ freedom. After all, he barely knew her.

But that was his logical mind speaking. Every cell in his body rebelled at such thoughts. His bear roared and lashed out at him in reprimand. He could try to justify it any way he wanted but it didn’t make it true. He knew Kellsie. Deep down on a level that defied all rational explanation, he knew she belonged to him, and he to her.

It was as simple and as complicated as that.

His mission was no longer about just staying alive and freeing his comrades and the Lady. It was about protecting Kellsie. And he was afraid that part of his mission had just taken top spot.

She touched his shoulder lightly. Such a simple touch, yet it rocked him to his core, shaking the foundations of his beliefs. Nothing was more important than protecting Kellsie. Nothing.

Marko squared his shoulders as resolve settled upon them. He could do this. He would do this. He would protect Kellsie at all costs.

Stay strong.

The words echoed through his brain but they weren’t his thoughts. He cocked his head to one side listening. He hadn’t heard that voice in thousands of years, but he recognized it. The Lady was calling to him. His heart pounded and he caught his breath, savoring the sound. It had been so long.

He glanced at Kellsie. She hadn’t heard a thing. Or if she had, she wasn’t going to say anything about it, any more than he was.

“My trailer is over there by itself.” She pointed out a small silver trailer. “We could sneak in and I could get some clean clothes. I can get my netbook too and my cellphone. Maybe we’ll be able to get some service and call for help.”

He could hear the hope in her voice. He didn’t want to dash her hopes about being able to contact anyone. Hades usually cut off all avenues of communication. That was the point of choosing isolated locations.

But they had to do something, and maybe his power would be able to bump up the signal enough for her to be able to contact Roric by email. He nodded. “After that, we’ll try to find the carousel.” He took one last look around before heading to the left. “Stay low and keep behind me.”

He thought she might have muttered something about stubborn males but he ignored her, focusing all his attention on their surroundings. Raising his face to the wind, he sniffed and sorted through all the smells. Human mingled with demon. So there were some actual humans in the mix. They had to be willing accomplices. Marko didn’t think Hades would do anything to attract undue attention, not with his end goal so close in sight. And kidnapping and possessing innocents would certainly do that.

With his ears searching for any unusual sounds, he led the way through the bush, not making a sound. Kellsie was much louder, even though she was doing her best to be quiet. She had to be exhausted and hungry. Certainly, she was cold and dirty and confused. Yet not a word of complaint crossed her lips. She shamed him with her courage.

He stopped and faced her. She stared up at him, confusion and concern on her face. “What?” she whispered.

Marko shook his head, unable to put into words what he felt at this moment. He wasn’t certain he quite understood it himself. All he knew was his heart swelled at the sight of her. He leaned down and touched his lips to hers, a gentle pressure that deepened slightly before he pulled away. “Be careful and keep watch. Don’t let your guard down for a moment,” he cautioned.

She nodded. Her fingers came up to touch her lips. When she realized what she was doing, she scowled and dropped her hand. He didn’t smile, not until he’d turned away and resumed creeping through the woods. He didn’t want her to think he was laughing at her, but there was something about simply being with Kellsie that lightened the burden pressing down on him.

When Marko was behind the trailer, he paused and listened once again. All was quiet in the surrounding area. Her trailer was wreathed in the shadows of several large trees, keeping the morning sun from penetrating. “Move as quickly and quietly as you can. Get changed but don’t try to shower. You don’t have enough time. I’ll keep watch.”

She nodded and slipped in front of him, hurrying toward the door of her trailer. He watched as she eased the door open and disappeared inside. All the curtains were pulled and, try as he might, he couldn’t see inside the trailer. It was all too easy to picture Kellsie hauling off her clothing. The image of her naked body was burned into his brain for eternity.

He shook himself and turned away, keeping watch on the carnival and the surrounding woods. Several minutes passed. They had to hurry. The longer Kellsie was inside the more chance there was of someone catching them here. Marko didn’t want that to happen.

A twig snapped behind him. Sensing he didn’t have much time, he glided toward the trailer door. He opened it and slid inside, pulling the door gently shut behind him.

Kellsie kicked off her sneakers and ripped off her clothing the minute the door closed behind her. For once she didn’t worry about her belongings or being neat. God, her life had changed so much in the past twenty-four hours. Done a complete one-eighty.

When she was naked, she hurried to the bathroom and used the toilet first. When she was finished, she wet a cloth and dragged it over her body. She might not be able to get a shower, but she could certainly get a quick sponge bath. She cleaned herself up as quickly as she could. Marko wouldn’t wait for long.

She grabbed her brush and dragged it through her thick hair. Several twigs and some dust flew to the floor around her. She cast a longing glance at the shower but fought the urge. Instead, she braided her hair and slid an elastic band around the bottom to hold it in place. It would have to do.

Fearing he would step into her trailer at any minute, she hurried to her closet, pulled out some fresh underwear and donned it quickly. Black jeans and a dark, long-sleeved shirt came next.

Her heart was racing from the blast of adrenaline and fear charging through her. When they were outside, she’d heard something, a voice on the wind, chanting and singing. Maybe she was nuts. Marko certainly hadn’t acted like he’d heard anything at all.

She almost laughed aloud at her observation. Of course she was nuts. This entire situation was out-of-control crazy. Her breathing was getting dangerously fast. Any quicker and she was in danger of hyperventilating.

Kellsie took a deep breath and held it for a moment before slowly releasing it. Then she did it again. She had to calm down and get control of herself. No one knew they were here.

But that didn’t mean someone couldn’t come along at any minute. The sun was up and the set was coming alive with people. The director would be back today. Assuming there really was a director and everything Brittany had told her wasn’t all lies. At this point Kellsie didn’t know what was truth and what was fiction.

As crazy as it was, she trusted Marko.

“I’m nuts,” she muttered as she sat down on the side of her bunk and tugged on socks before pulling on her sneakers. She stood and grabbed a hunter green jacket and slipped her arms into the sleeves. She didn’t want to be caught on the run without a coat.

Glancing around, she tried to decide what else she might need.

The door handle didn’t make a sound but Kellsie suddenly knew someone was in the trailer with her. She started to spin around just as a large male hand clapped over her mouth. His hand was so large it covered her mouth and the entire lower half of her face.

Terror filled her and she struck out without thought, driving her foot back in an attempt to kick whoever was behind her. The angle was awkward and she couldn’t get much force behind it. He shifted, wrapping his free arm around her torso, effectively changing him to her.

Shit. Someone had found her. And where was Marko?

She drove her elbow back at her attacker. She struck solid muscle. There wasn’t a sound, not even a grunt from whoever was behind her. Okay, now she was officially beyond scared shitless.

A low noise finally penetrated her panic.

“Shhh. You must be quiet, Kellsie.”

She sucked air through her nose and caught a whiff of earth and trees and familiar male. Marko. She slumped in his grasp and he let his hand fall from her mouth. A flood of relief was quickly followed by a torrent of anger. He’d scared her half to death for no reason. She tried to turn in his arms. She was going to blast him for what he’d done. He was crazy and she was even crazier for believing his over-the-top story.

But he tightened his arms around her, keeping her back plastered to his front. “I’m sorry,” he said in a toneless whisper. “But there’s someone sneaking around outside.”

Kellsie froze and listened. She couldn’t hear anything, but she knew Marko could. He’d surprised her time and time again during their hike through the woods with his ability to smell and hear things that weren’t visible to the naked eye. She knew it was the animal part of him. The bear.

She heard it then, footsteps walking slowly around the trailer. Behind her, Marko tensed. He lifted his right hand and a four-foot sword appeared from out of thin air. Kellsie’s knees went weak. For as much as she’d seen, she was still having a hard time with his poofing things out of thin air. She only wished he could do the same with them and get them out of here. But that, she surmised, was probably beyond his abilities at the moment. Otherwise he could have poofed them back down here without them having to walk.

Tension rose around them until it filled the tiny trailer with its stench. God, she was so afraid. She didn’t want to die. There were too many things she hadn’t done yet. She’d wanted to travel across the country and visit every single state. She wanted to write her book. And as much as she’d like to deny it, she wanted to fall in love and maybe even have a family someday. It wasn’t too late. She wasn’t too old or cynical…yet.

Marko’s forearm pressed against her torso just beneath her breasts. She rested her hand on top of it for balance. His muscles were taut and ready. She could sense his determination. Feel the power coursing through him like magma flowing through a volcano that was ready to blow at any moment.

The footsteps paused just outside her trailer door. She held her breath, not even daring to breathe. Seconds ticked by. Her scalp prickled and a bead of sweat rolled down her back.

Marko didn’t move a muscle. His sword was held high and ready. The thing had to weigh a ton, yet his arm didn’t waver. It was rock solid, just like the rest of him. If anyone could get them out of here alive it was Marko.

Kellsie had no idea where such blind faith came from. It was diametrically opposed to everything she thought or believed in. She didn’t trust anyone, not completely. Okay, maybe her agent, Maury, but that was it. Yet she was trusting Marko with her life. She had every confidence in his abilities and his determination.

And she wasn’t exactly some weak-willed female. She might not have his strength or skills but she would fight. She’d grown up in foster homes and on the streets and was a scrapper and a survivor.

After what seemed like an eternity, but in truth was probably only a few seconds, a voice rang out and whoever was outside the trailer moved away. The footsteps receded into the distance.

Kellsie let out a sigh of relief, all her muscles turning to jelly as she slumped in Marko’s embrace. He was still staring at the door as if he could see through it. He didn’t believe the threat was passed.

Tension crept back into her limbs as they stood there waiting. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Marko’s sword disappeared and he slowly released her.

She dropped back onto the side of her bed, her legs unable to hold her without his help. She took a deep, calming breath. “That was…intense.” And that was an understatement.

“We have to go. We can’t afford to get caught inside.” He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip, leaving a tingling behind.

“You scared the crap out of me,” she told him as she stood and gathered her tote bag. Her netbook was inside, along with her wallet and keys. If they could get to the parking lot without being seen, they could take Betsy and get the hell out of here. She didn’t care if she never saw her clothes again. She could replace all that stuff easily.

Kellsie opened the mini refrigerator and pulled out the last bottle of water there. She twisted off the cap and drank half of it before passing what was left to Marko. He tilted back his head and drank. When he was done, he set the bottle on the counter. “We must go.”

He didn’t seem the least bit concerned that she was still pissed with him. His expression was a cross between impatience and inscrutable warrior. “Come.” He held out his hand, fully expecting to be obeyed.

Her independent female side bristled at his command. The sensible part of her brain reminded her that in this situation he was the expert. She wasn’t a professional fighter or bodyguard. He was. She could assert her independence later.

If she survived.

His hand swallowed hers whole as their fingers entwined. Marko towed her behind him and stopped at the door. He put his ear to the metal and listened before turning back to her. He kept his voice so low she had to practically strain to hear it. “We’re going straight out and around the back of the trailer. From there we’ll work our way to the far side of the carnival to the tents.”

Where the carousel had been. She nodded, knowing now was not the time to talk. She could add her two cents worth when they were in a safer location.

Marko slowly turned the handle of the door and eased it open. He slid out and pulled her behind him. He closed the door and headed straight for the woods. Kellsie kept her head down and followed him, trying not to let her feet make any noise as she stepped across the forest floor.