“That is not, technically, the right term for what they would be doing,” Vayl said.
Cole flashed him an irritated glance. “Would you please stop messing with my rhythm?”
“Sorry.”
The younger women weren’t impressed. I could read the thoughts on those expressive faces. So what? Big deal if the whole world turns against us. That’s what attracted us to this practice in the first place!
Their elders took more time to raise the rebel flag, but they knew they’d dug themselves in too deep to climb out now. Their eyes, showing lots of white as they darted toward Samos, confirmed that his venom had spread through them all. And with nobody shifting toward mutiny . . .
“Vayl?” I whispered, so softly only his enhanced senses could pick up my worû pi . ds.
“Yes.”
“Is it time?”
“Not yet. Albert is still too vulnerable. We must keep talking, seem to be conspiring until—”
“You two!” yelled Samos. “I want you walking on separate ends of the line! Vampire—to the front!”
Casting me a slow wink, Vayl jumped the ravine and strode to the forward edge of the column the Scidairans had begun to form. Not a smart move on our enemy’s part, because it put him within reach of Albert and Jack.
I helped Cole to his feet as Samos crowded us into the gully. He didn’t carry a weapon that I could see. But we both sensed waves of dark energy emanating from him, power he could focus on us anytime he pleased, and likely would as soon as he had the protection of Clava Cairns’s diamonds. For a second, standing at the bottom of that narrow gorge with muddy walls ahead of and behind me, I had a vision of a mass grave. This was just the kind of place soulless pricks like Samos shoved their enemies into before blowing their skulls to pieces. I felt the skin tighten on my scalp. Too easy to imagine an entire row of gunmen standing at the ravine’s lip, rifles at their shoulders, ready to make me into another statistic.
No. Not today. I scrambled out of that hole like I’d been goosed by the Midas Man, yanking Cole up after me. Leaving Grief lying there felt like desertion. But I was quickly distracted by the fact that I’d grabbed Cole’s mauled arm, and the moan that jerked out of him as he stumbled into the back of the Scidair at the rear of the line was totally my fault. She glared at him with that polite, contained rage he might inspire if he’d poked his finger into the middle of all the cupcakes she’d baked for the PTA meeting. Viv ran to him and put her shoulder under his arm.
“Thanks,” he said gratefully. He pulled back. “Wait a second. I don’t think I’m supposed to be nice to you.”
While she signed something that made him huff I stole a look at Vayl. To anyone else his expression would seem blank. I read his message clearly. Now is the time to strike, while they are still milling. Before Samos takes complete command of that temporary body of his.
I lowered my lashes, which he’d interpret as a nod. I slipped my left hand into my pocket. Wrapped my fingers around the ring that sat there like an omen.
“What are you doing?” Samos demanded.
“My head is killing me so I was getting a couple of Advil from my pocket,” I moaned. “Are you stirring up some sort of spell?”
“Not yet,” he chuckled. “But just wait until you see what I have in store for you, little imp. A headache will seem like bath bubbles compared to the tortures I have been planning these past decades.”
“You’ve only been dead a few weeks.”
“Hell runs on different clocks.”
“Oh.” I squeezed my fingers around the pear-shaped emerald Matt had given me. Cocking the side of my thumb against the setting I jammed it down as hard as I could as I drew it fast across theûfasthe spiked metal tips that held the jewel in place. Blood welled into the material of my pocket. Not much, but enough. I thought, Brude. I have a present for you.
A breeze wafted through the glade, lifting my curls off my shoulders, drying the sweat that had begun to bead on my forehead. When I felt it raise the hem of my shirt, I knew it wasn’t a natural phenomenon.
Keep your hands to yourself, you son of a bitch, I silently snarled.
How did you know about my mother?
I had a feeling.
I knew if I waited long enough you would call. His triumphant laugh was the first clue to anyone else that visitors had entered the clearing. It rang like a mallet off a gong, sending shivers up the spine. The Scidairans began to fling their lights back and forth like they needed to direct a plane to the runway. As in the castle, the rays glinted off human-shaped figures. A whole crowd of them, grouped on either side of Samos’s line, holding weapons that towered above their heads. Could a ghost spear kill a Scidairan? I sensed I was about to find out.
Dimly at first, as if they were still marching on us from a distance, we heard the stomp of booted feet steadily advancing. As the sound got louder, a white mist rose from the ravine and spread its fingers over the ground.
“Get them out of here!” shouted Samos.
The Scidairans prodded Vayl and Albert. But the women were so busy looking over their shoulders, they barely noticed when my guys took a single step and then stopped again. Because the mist had begun to rise. And as it did, like a slow theater curtain, it revealed the legs, torsos, weapons, faces of Brude and his phantom army.
They were dressed like they’d been when they died. A mishmash of costumes, ages, and sexes. They didn’t even line up in formation, but stood where they pleased, poised to move, their expressions fearless and eager. This was no ordinary army. Brude had raised a horde. They’d kill and enjoy it. Aim to maim and laugh when the screams made their ears pop.
Brude stood at the head of the group that had appeared on my left, holding his staff at his side.
“What is your deal?” I had to ask as he surveyed the Scidairans with a mocking smile on his face. “Watch too many hangings as a kid? I mean, Christ, where do you find these creeps? You’re like some kind of Dark Age gangsta. And that is seriously not a compliment,” I added as he started to pose.
His frown, as quick and unappealing as instant coffee, made the women closest to him back up a step. “Watch your tongue, woman. Or I may reconsider and leave you here to perish.”
“You will not.” When his eyebrows arched at me I explained, “Whatever Samos has in mind for me doesn’t include a trip to your world after I buy it. In fact, I’m pretty sure his contract calls for some eternal tortures only his new boss could arrange for me. You and I both know that, or you wouldn’t be here.” Light dawned in my overworked brain, making the menagerie that manned it cheer. “In fact, that’s why you led Jack to his old harness. Isn’t it?”
“I never do anything for a single reason. You should know that if you are to be my queen.” Brude turned to Samos. “I cannot allow you to harm my woman.”
Vayl’s reaction came ringing across the glade like a challenge from one stud bull to another. Brude spun. Raised one muscle-bound arm and pointed at my boss. “You are next, Vampire.”
“So glad you have your priorities straight,” I snapped. “You did notice these bitches have my dad and my dog at a steep disadvantage, didn’t you?”
I jerked my head in their direction. To be honest, they didn’t seem to be in much danger at the moment. The sword-wielding blonde looked like she was about to pass out. And the professor who’d been holding Jack’s leash dropped it the second Brude’s eyes fell on her. Plus Vayl stood ready to kick ass should anyone make a truly threatening move.
Brude raised his hand almost neglectfully. “Now,” he said.