He paused, staring in the direction of the pool but his gaze had clearly landed on nothing in particular. He looked like she’d punched him in the gut. “Why?”
Now that was the exact question she couldn’t answer. What would she say? ‘Because I had a vision you were going to die, so I’m sending you to your death.’
Instead, she told the other part of the truth. “Because I need you to form a special ops team, and to lead that team. You’ll be heading to Third with Duncan.”
He frowned. “Shit.”
He added the last of the steaks to the platter and didn’t say anything more as he headed to the door that led inside.
Endelle moved forward quickly, holding the door for him. Through the long hall, she could see that some of the men had already clustered in the kitchen. Medichi was scooping several quarts of potato salad into a large ceramic bowl. He had some of his famous Limoncello that Santiago poured into small glasses and passed around. Rachel was hunting for linens and silverware.
The villa was often the off-hours center for the brotherhood these days, especially if women were involved. Parisa, Medichi’s breh, had made it a habit to invite all the men and the bonded women over often just to socialize. Parisa would be here now, as well, but apparently she was at Vela’s house, mentoring her, maybe.
Endelle had received numerous invitations over the months to join in, but she understood quite well that her presence caused a kind of stress that didn’t help her men. So she rarely attended.
Luken handed the platter of steaks to Antony. He didn’t go into the kitchen, however, but remained with Endelle. She led him into a small, nearby garden room that had a view of the front lawn and the olive grove beyond.
Luken shifted to face her, his back to the kitchen. “And what exactly is the special ops team supposed to do?”
“I don’t know exactly, and Merl will be on the team as well, though I haven’t told him yet. But for starters, Rachel will need to be protected as well as Duncan.
“You’ll train with the wrecking guns and Merl can teach all of you what you need to know about the darkening grid. Rachel has already asked him to teach her how to fire a wrecking gun.”
At that, the mulish look to Luken’s jaw left him. “She did?”
“She’s not an idiot; the woman knows she’s in trouble. She’s a goddam target, for Christ’s sake.” She shook her head. “But I know from the vision that the darkening grid won’t be the end point. The action will be on Third.”
“Did you see this team in your vision?”
She shook her head. “No, not exactly. Mostly just Duncan. The team is my idea based on what I think could head off disaster. But there is a job to do, something that must be done if we’re to save Second Earth.”
Luken lowered his voice, the sound heartbreaking in the small space. “I’ve been feeling it for a week or so that something was coming. But I never thought it would be about Third Earth. Endelle what are you telling me? Am I not coming back because I would swear to you that I’m not in a process of ascension to Third.”
Moving from dimension-to-dimension was the natural order of things, but usually involved a call to ascension, so she understood Luken’s question extremely well. If he, or any of the team for that matter, weren’t in a process of ascension, then why were they going to Third Earth at all?
The vision of Luken falling to earth from high up in the atmosphere hit her once more and tore at her heart all over again. How could he survive such a fall?
But still, she answered with just an edge of hope, “I swear to you that I don’t know. I don’t know what the future holds.” She shook her head several times, her throat tight. “I just don’t know.”
“Jesus, Endelle, you’re scaring the shit out of me.”
But his response made up her mind to forget about that part of the vision and to act to the contrary, to believe that he would make it back alive … somehow. “Stop looking at me like that. I don’t have all the answers. I never did. I’m just the oldest asshole on this planet so I’m stuck with this fucked up job. And I’ve never had a vision before so I don’t exactly know how to interpret any of this shit, got it?” Her hair started writhing once more.
He lifted both hands. “Okay. Fine. Got it.”
Medichi called them to dinner and Endelle left Luken with, “Stick close because we’re getting this going right away. There’s no doubt in my mind that Yolanthe is already plotting her next move.”
CHAPTER THREE
The path of the river alters
When the storm comes.
Collected Proverbs – Beatrice of Fourth
Luken ate his steak in silence, laughing perfunctorily to Santiago’s jokes even though the brother had Rachel in tears she was laughing so hard.
Antony sat next to Luken and elbowed him softly. “You’re quiet.”
Luken looked at him, holding his gaze. “I’m screwed. We’ve got a new plan hatching and I’ll be heading to Third.”
“No shit?”
Luken nodded and sliced off another bite of steak that he simply couldn’t taste, not even a little. “A special ops team, the objective as yet undefined.”
“Well, I hope you won’t be working with Merl. That bastard bugs the shit out of me.” Endelle sat at the head of the table, her back to the window and Merl was on her right, still chatting her up.
“I’m out of luck on that front as well.”
“Aw, well, you’re fucked, then.”
“That’s okay. I think I’ll just kill him in his sleep and be done with it.”
Medichi laughed, a sound that eased Luken.
After the meal, when Medichi brought out coffee and baklava, Endelle let them in on her new directive. When she was finished, all eyes fell on Luken. He knew he needed to say something, but words wouldn’t come.
He’d be going to Third and he didn’t have a lot of confidence that he’d be coming back.
Zacharius summed it up. “I’m getting sick of all this change.”
A grumbling ran around the table.
Endelle then turned to Rachel. “You’ll be on the team as well, missy, since you’re Duncan’s shield.”
Luken just shook his head. He loved Endelle for many reasons, one of which was simple: Endelle was willing to die for Second Earth. But her people skills sucked. She was also the first to admit it, which was one more reason he loved her; the woman didn’t hesitate to admit her failings.
Rachel rose and stared down at the woman with the scorpion shoes that jangled even now. She held out her hand and the next moment a gardening claw, with three sharp prongs, appeared in her palm.
She held the tool up for Endelle’s inspection. “I’ll make you a deal; I’ll join the team the day you shove this up your ass. How’s that?”
The table fell silent except for an almost uniform intake of breath from every warrior present.
Rachel didn’t wait for a response, either, but moved into the adjacent foyer then out the front door.
Endelle, not surprising, followed after her, the metal scorpions on her stilettos making clipped, rhythmic noises in response to her quick stride.
Luken rose as well and asked everyone to let him handle this. He didn’t get a single protest.
The women stood out on the lawn facing each other. He heard Endelle shout, “Why, you fucking prima donna, sitting out the war because you don’t want to get your hands dirty. Well let me tell you something—”
Rachel had tears on her cheeks, her arms crossed over her stomach as she cut Endelle off. “I’m not serving on any goddam team. I’m going back to Mortal Earth to live my life. You can’t make me do this. I won’t do it.”
Luken felt Endelle winding up for a shout-down, so he put on some speed. He caught her elbow, turning her to face him. “Hey, let me handle this.”
Endelle was in a state, her face red, hair writhing. “You know I can’t stand anyone who won’t face up to their duty. I hate that above anything. So, let go of me. Rachel need
s to hear what I have to say.”
Luken maintained his hold on her arm. “No. Not until you hear me out.”
Endelle’s wooded eyes flashed fire. “You’d better talk fast or I will pulverize your nuts with both hands and don’t think I won’t do it.”
“Fine, but let me ask you this: Did you or did you not just put me in charge of this team?”
She ground her jaw. “I did.”
“Then let me run it.”
“But she—”
He turned her toward him and gripped both of her arms gently but firmly. “I know, but you’re not helping. And you can’t browbeat anyone into service. That’s not how it works. We come willingly. We choose to serve or not to serve. Period.”
“But I’m just so mad.” And suddenly tears were on Endelle’s cheeks as well. Something that never happened. Her next words were cryptic. “Oh, Luken, not you.”
She lost her stilettos and the next moment she threw her arms around his neck and he held her fast. Who did the woman have in her life to offer her comfort? Merl? Not likely. Essentially, she had no one and this was the least he could do.
But she’d also just confirmed his suspicion that Endelle knew the Third Earth team was a one way ticket for him and his throat tightened.
His mind slid back to being in Havily’s office and having a terrible feeling he wouldn’t be seeing her again. The friendship he’d enjoyed with her, even the unrequited nature of his feelings for her, had come to an end.
Rachel was quiet now, having moved a few feet away to palm tears off her face.
After a long moment, Endelle pulled out of his arms. “Sorry I lost my shit.”
“You’re allowed.”
She patted his chest. “Don’t read too much into any of this. Like Zach, I’m sick of all this change.”
“I won’t. So, will you let me run the team the way I want to, the way I feel I’ll need to?”
“Of course. What do you think I am? A moron?”
He shrugged. “Sometimes.”
At that, she laughed and folded a couple of tissues into her hand and wiped her face. She folded a few more and closed the distance to Rachel, handing her the rest. “I’m turning you over to Luken. And … I’m sorry for being such a pain.”
Rachel looked stunned, her blue eyes wide. She ought to be. Luken couldn’t remember the last time Endelle apologized for anything.
Straightening her shoulders, Endelle said, “I’m heading home. I’m going to soak in a cool bath and drink lots of tequila.”
Before Luken could say anything else, Endelle lifted her right arm and vanished.
He drew close to Rachel. “I’m sorry about all that. She means well.”
“I know she does, and I admire her commitment to our world, but she’s just so freaking hard to take.” She pursed her lips. “The thing is, Luken, I’m serious here. I’m not going to serve on this team.”
“Listen, I don’t want you even thinking about that right now. We have something far more important to deal with and that’s keeping you safe. So long as this woman, Yolanthe, is after you, your security is my priority. And I suggest we start by training you with the wrecker guns.”
At that, her eyes brightened. “That’s exactly what I told Merl. I asked him to teach me.”
“See, we’re already on the same page.” He took her measure and leaning close, said quietly, “Between you and me, I’d much rather not have a woman on the team.” He’d said those words for a purpose and the hard light that entered Rachel’s eye meant that he’d gauged her exactly right.
“Oh, really.” She planted her hands on her hips.
Luken shrugged. “Well, what does it matter to you, anyway? I just know that a woman brings a different kind of tone to a squad and that can make things … well … difficult.”
Rachel’s lips grew crooked. “You’re yanking my chain, aren’t you?”
Luken grinned. “Yes, I am.”
~ ~ ~
Duncan had a fast food bag on his lap, curly fries covered with ketchup, and a double cheeseburger held in a death grip in his right hand. He’d never been so hungry in his life and wasn’t sure how his body was managing both the steak and potato salad from the meal at the villa and now some fast food that tasted like heaven.
He sat outside at Militia HQ watching Luken teach Rachel how to fire a wrecker shotgun. She wore a padded shoulder guard to keep from getting bruised all to hell and looked like a natural as she pressed the butt against the pad, then fired without flinching.
The noise was deafening even though she hadn’t yet learned how to add her preternatural power to the shot. Once she did, the size of the resulting explosion would add a whole new decibel to the mix.
But right now, Duncan didn’t care about the noise or anything. His body had been deprived of food, setting his digestion on warp-speed and demanding more and more. He thought it possible even his bones knew he needed to pack on more muscle mass because his world was in deep shit.
He had another need demanding satisfaction as well so that his gaze rarely strayed from Rachel. Her white cotton dress hung to mid-calf so that he only had a limited view of her ankles. But his memory worked just fine and he kept flipping mentally through the images of the last time he’d made love to her.
Rachel liked to ride him and he liked to watch her breasts swaying with the movement. He would hold her waist and help her sustain the rhythm as she took pleasure from his cock. She’d bring him like a strike of lightning.
Beyond his hunger and his need for sex, however, it bugged the shit out of him that Luken kept touching her. The rational part of his mind understood how necessary it was for Luken to adjust the angle of the weapon, her stance, her hold on the wrecking gun.
But more than once he’d shouted in Luken’s direction to get his hands off her.
To his credit, the leader of their newly formed Third-Earth-bound black ops squad would toss up his hands in a motion of surrender and step away from Rachel. Luken would eye him until Duncan had calmed down enough to lift his chin and allow the powerful warrior to continue.
Luken had been through the breh-hedden drill plenty of times so he got it. Eight warriors had gotten struck down by the myth-that-wasn’t-a-myth and now it was Duncan’s turn.
Each time he shouted at Luken, Rachel would turn to look at him, but not in disapproval. Instead, a flare of her rich garden scent would roll in his direction so that he understood he wasn’t alone in his need. He kept envisioning taking her back to his Paradise Valley home, and having her in his bed.
For now, he tried to control his impulse to beat the shit out of Luken. But that made him smile. He knew damn well Luken would be the victor even if Duncan had increased Warrior of the Blood power.
Duncan liked and trusted Luken. He had all the muscle mass of Hercules, but the soul of a saint. His long, blond, wavy hair hung from his cadroen in a horse-like mass halfway to his waist. Because the battle vest only had a single leather strip down the back to allow for wing-mount, the sheer breadth of Luken’s shoulders made Duncan shake his head.
Needless to say, Luken had all the tail he could want at the Blood and Bite, the Mortal Earth club Endelle had instituted for all the warriors. And women flocked to him.
Another shot shattered the airwaves.
Duncan took a third and fourth bite one after the other.
At least Merl wasn’t around. Duncan didn’t think he could have handled that bastard near Rachel even though Merl had the greater experience as a wrecker.
But Luken had been one of the group that had helped Samuel and Vela rescue Duncan from Sharav’s torture cell, so the warrior knew what he was doing. Luken had also been practicing for the past two weeks with the weapons and helping Santiago and his crew develop wrecker guns of their own.
The events of the past three weeks, from the time Sharav had abducted Duncan, had left no one in doubt that the modified shotguns were a necessary weapon moving forward.
A voice called out from the b
uilding behind Duncan, some thirty yards away “So you’re really back?”
Duncan turned around and there was the warrior who had saved his ass from Sharav.
“Samuel!” he shouted in return. He hadn’t seen him since before the abduction from New River. He set the remnants of his burger on the fries, rose up, and settled the bag on the chair.
From the time Duncan had rescued Samuel from a decade of torture, also at Sharav’s hand, the warrior had become a good friend, someone Duncan trusted with his life.
He met him halfway between his camp chair and the armory. A hug followed accompanied by a tightening of Duncan’s throat. “Thank you,” he said, gripping Samuel hard, pounding his back with his fist. Pulling back, he shook his head repeatedly. “I heard what you and Vela did for me. How the hell am I ever going to repay you?”
Samuel’s smile was crooked. “Have you forgotten that you rescued me from a decade under that same bastard’s thumb?”
“Yeah, I guess I did. I mean, yes, of course.”
Duncan stared at him for a long, long moment and Samuel returned the favor. They were brothers-in-arms and had been through hell, a shared experience that had brought them even closer.
“So, you’re a Warrior of the Blood now,” Duncan said.
“I am and I have to say the power boost rocks. I can kill more death vampires when I’m battling and that means everything to me. But what the hell is going on with you? I heard you’ve advanced up the food-chain as well.”
Duncan nodded. “Looks like it.”
Samuel clapped him on the shoulder. “Excellent. We could use you at the Borderlands.”
Duncan felt suddenly somber as the reality of his new path hit him hard. “I won’t be staying here.”
“Wait a minute, are you headed into the Third Earth darkening grid? Do you want me on board?”
Duncan turned to glance in Luken’s direction. “He’s in charge of the squad, but it won’t just be the darkening. Looks like we’re going to Third.”
“What the hell for? Because you’re talking Third Earth death vampires and I’ve heard they’re almost impossible to beat, even for a What-Bee?”