Stone Cold Seduction

Chapter Sixteen

Jax gently shook me awake. “It’s time. We can speak while we get ready to move. The hunters will be here any time. Altair might have bought us some time with a few of them, but we still don’t know where your father is, and we need to go.”

And that was all it took to bring me awake in a painful jolt. Four hours had come too soon. I rubbed a hand across my face. “Jax,” I groaned. “Why can’t any of this be easy? Why can’t we have met under different circumstances?”

Well, hell. Might as well jump right in and blurt it all out. “And how did we start the bond?”

Jax sat on the bed next to me and smoothed my hair back. “Life is never easy. If it was, we’d all take it for granted. Death and destruction are meant to make us appreciate life and beauty.” He cupped my cheek and offered his slow smile.

My heart warmed against my better judgment. He still hadn’t answered my burning question about the bond, and I wasn’t going to let him seduce me out of an answer. This time. I didn’t pull away from the hand on my cheek, but I didn’t smile back at him, either.

He got the hint.

“We met before, but you don’t remember all of it. We are together now, and that’s all that matters. I won’t let your history with MacLean or the lack of memories affect us any more than it already has. The bond was created when you opened your mind to the possibility of us.”

Okay, that was hokey. “Opened my mind?”

“At my apartment. That night, you let yourself believe we were meant to be. You acknowledged you were mine. And you believed it.”

He was right; I remembered every word. But it seemed really too simple. Teenagers with hormones would be initiating bonds all the way through high school. “Isn’t there more to it than that?”

“Yes. That was only the start. The bond hasn’t been…completed.”

I noticed his slight hesitation. “Explain, please.”

“There is a ceremony. In order for us to complete the bond, we must exchange tokens—”

“What’s with the tokens?” I grumbled.

Jax smiled and continued, “We must exchange tokens and vows.”

Relief and trepidation flooded me. It was an odd combination. Relief, because I hadn’t taken the final step without knowing. Trepidation, because the thought of a serious commitment on top of everything else scared the hell out of me. “Like a wedding?”

“Yes.”

I wasn’t ready for that. There was too much standing between us. “Why didn’t you tell me you worked for my father when I was a teenager?”

He shifted on the bed as I got up and started scrounging for my boots.

“I work for you,” he said. “You are my mate.”

“And that’s an evasive answer.” I stamped my foot into my boot for emphasis. I wasn’t going to let him off the hook.

“There are things I can’t discuss. Not yet. Not now.”

Unease slithered through me. I grabbed my hairbrush and started a quick once-through. “What does that mean? You can’t or won’t discuss it?”

Jax didn’t answer.

“Aren’t mates supposed to know each other’s secrets?”

He remained silent.

I smacked the hairbrush down on the hotel dresser, ignoring the pain in my chest. I refused to call it heartache. “I guess we’ll talk about it later, then.”

Or maybe we wouldn’t. I left the room as I pushed it firmly from my mind.

I had a library to break into before the hunters caught up to us. Because I was a glutton for punishment.

I knocked on Teryl’s door. He opened it a split second later. “I think we figured it out. Are you packed and ready to go? The Library of Shadows is located outside of Edinburgh. We’ve got to get going.”

“We’re packed.” Jax stood behind me, both of our suitcases in hand. He must have packed them earlier, while I’d had my four hours of oblivion.

I turned back to Teryl. “Guess we’re set. How long of a drive to get to Edinburgh?”

“About three hours. Long enough to plan.” Teryl grinned at me.

I suspected he was having fun. More fun than the rest of us, at least.

“Guess we’d better get going.” I couldn’t drum up any enthusiasm. I could feel the chasm between Jax and me growing wider by the minute. Might as well add a little breaking and entering to the mix. I refrained from asking, “Are we having fun yet?” Barely.

MacLean was waiting with the car. Teryl and I loaded up as Jax checked us out.

Continuing my glutton for punishment theme, I asked Teryl, “How close are the hunters?”

“Falon is only a couple hours away. I would guess he’s flying.”

From the tone of his voice, I guessed Falon was the hunter we really wanted to avoid. “Is Falon worse than the others?”

The frown line on his forehead appeared. I was going to start using that as a warning sign. “It depends on what you mean by worse.”

“Don’t play games, Teryl. I’m not in the mood.”

He sighed. “Falon makes Luke seem sweet.”

I froze. My heart pounded out a painful rhythm. My voice came out a harsh whisper. “I doubt that very much.”

“He’s not sadistic. He’s completely psychotic. And he’s the most dedicated hunter the Council has. He takes every assignment personally. The others can be a*sholes, but Falon is crazy. And stubborn. He won’t give up until the Council calls him off. Or he finds you.”

Well, bully for me.

Jax emerged, and we loaded into the car. Jax and I in the back, and Teryl in the front, with MacLean driving. Road trips had never seemed so unappealing. Here I was, with three attractive men, and I wanted to jump out and run down the street in the opposite direction.

I leaned my head against the window instead. Breath in, breath out.

Teryl launched right into his idea. “Here’s a layout of the Library.” He turned and handed me a printout, tapping the paper. “You’re going to enter here. The fates are kept in different rooms according to the lines, and also your family. The shadow elf rooms are located in the lower levels.” He pointed to another spot on the sheet. “I’m guessing your family line will be located in one of three rooms on the second lower level. Possibly the first level, but I’d start with the second and you could work your way back up. I’ve highlighted them.”

“You guess?”

“The wards work on my abilities, too, Elle,” he said quietly. “I’m doing the best I can, but those wards prevent me from locating a specific object in the building. I’ll get you as close as I can, but you need to understand, there’s no guarantee with this one.”

Chastised, but still frustrated, I nodded. “Okay, sorry. Keep going.”

“You’ll be cloaked from the wards, but still visible, so you’ll need to rely on your shadowing.”

“To avoid the guards?”

MacLean glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “The guards vary depending on the day and shift, but because we’ll hit it tonight, you’ll be dealing mostly with gargoyles and shadow elves. A few oracles are always on staff, but they hire other lines for protection.”

“If I get caught, what would a gargoyle or shadow elf be able to do?”

I saw a muscle under MacLean’s eye twitch. My last hope sank.

“Gargoyles will crush you. Literally crush you. Shadow elves will shadow, and the ones they’ll have guarding the library will have strong shadowing abilities. They’ll try to sneak up on you and use a weapon of some sort.”

“Dirty Harry? The Mighty Sword? Big Bang for a gun, maybe?” I hung on to my humor for dear life.

Teryl snickered. He was the only one who seemed to appreciate my sense of humor.

“Tell me more about being a ward thief. Am I going to break out in ward marks with this little visit?”

Teryl stared straight ahead. “Possibly.”

Oh goody. Somehow, I doubted they made an ointment for ward marks.

“But they’ll be as small as the one you have now.”

That didn’t make me feel better. “My ability of ward thief. Which line is that from? Shadow or light?”

All three men were silent. I waited them out.

“None,” Teryl finally replied. “It’s a trait of Laurre.”

“And she is…?”

“A goddess.”

“Is it common?” I had a bad feeling I knew the answer.

“Not at all,” Teryl said, turning to look at me. I hated the sympathy I saw in his brown eyes. “The last known ward thief died about seventy years ago after unsuccessful attempts to continue the line.”

“What, they had a breeding program?”

“No, he was married with no children. But if the Council knew the extent of your abilities, I don’t know what they’d attempt. You’d be valuable to them.” His voice was quiet, and ominous.

I appreciated and cringed at his honesty all at the same time. And I didn’t want to hear any more.

I dropped my head back onto the seat. No more talking. It was time to take on the Library of Shadows. I studied the map, letting the layout sear into my mind’s eye. Knowing every corner, every hallway, every room, would increase my chances of a quick entry and exit.

And time was of the essence. Falon was on his way.

§

We arrived in Edinburgh in just over three hours. I couldn’t wait to get out and stretch my legs. The rental car was tiny, and I was ready to scream from the testosterone overload.

MacLean drove us to a small hotel on the outskirts of town. The charming, three-story, stone building looked more like a bed and breakfast. Jax insisted on carrying my bag, and I insisted on my own room. I wanted space and privacy for this last hour before darkness fell. I always had jitters before a theft. There was more riding on this one trip than any I’d attempted previously. I refused to think about getting caught. I refused to think about failing.

I would find my fate. I would get some answers. Then life could return to normal. Whatever normal meant for me.

I knew it was ridiculous to assume my life would suddenly and miraculously right itself. But if I gave up hope, I’d lose my nerve. Toward everything. I couldn’t afford that now.

Jax compromised with adjoining rooms. I’d take what I could get.

After we checked in, I decided to freshen up. I washed my face and changed clothes. Black jeans and a dark gray top. It would make it easier to blend in—for humans, at least. My watch said it was already ten o’clock. Almost show time.

I answered a knock at the door, and found Teryl on the other side. He offered me a sandwich. “I know you don’t like to eat much before you do this, but you need it.”

I accepted with a nod of thanks. Roast beef on white bread had never tasted so good. Teryl sat beside me on the small, uncomfortable couch.

“Think I can pull this off?” I asked between bites.

“Yeah, I think you can. What do you think?”

I finished the last bite of sandwich and brushed my hands on my legs. “I hope so. The alternative doesn’t appeal much to me. When are we heading out?”

“Ten minutes. Ready?”

No. Not at all. But I nodded anyway. It was now or never. And if we waited more than ten minutes, I knew I’d opt for never. This situation was so unknown and fraught with potential disaster, I could easily talk myself out of it. That was the last thing I wanted.

“Let’s go.” I stood, ignored my shaking knees, and walked toward the door.

Jax and MacLean were waiting in the lobby, both looking pensive. I could relate. I didn’t say a word, and we made the fifteen-minute journey in silence.

We parked two blocks away. Pedestrians and moderate nighttime traffic would hopefully prevent suspicion.

“What else do you need?”

I tried to smile at Teryl. “I’m good. Let’s get this over with. How long do I have?”

“If you’re not out in forty-five minutes, we’ll come in,” MacLean replied.

I frowned. “That’s a lot of time.”

“The guards do a sweep every hour. Forty-five minutes gives you plenty of time to search a few rooms and avoid them. They’re big rooms with a lot of books.” This from Jax.

“Are the books clearly marked?”

“I’ve never seen them.”

Teryl stared at the building, as if waiting for it to reveal the secrets of the universe. I wondered if he was using his oracle abilities to find the right book, but he still answered me. “I think they are. Each family should have their own book. You’ll need to look for Warlow.”

“What about Fredricks?” I asked softly.

“I don’t know if the demigods’ fates are read. If they are, I’ve never heard of it, and I wouldn’t know where to have you start looking. Besides, it was given to your father. It’s always handed to the paternal line.”

Fair enough. I’d look for Warlow and try not to choke on my hatred. I opened my door and stepped out, taking a deep breath of the crisp, chilly air. “Okay, guys, I’ll be back in forty-five. Hopefully, less.” I tried to instill the appropriate amount of confidence in my voice.

I felt like puking.

The Library of Shadows was huge. A converted castle, it was easily five stories above ground, and had three lower levels. Towers and turrets were highlighted against the light of the moon. The building cast a huge, black shadow. I’m sure the architecture was stunning in the daylight. But at night? It looked like something out of a horror flick.

I strode to the side door Teryl’s map had indicated. Since it opened onto a small, empty alleyway, I walked with a purpose, so passersby wouldn’t think twice. The wooden door opened at my touch. It shouldn’t have. A bad feeling settled into the pit of my stomach.

I had agreed to avoid shadowing unless absolutely necessary, to conserve energy. I set one foot over the threshold, and my entire body was consumed with what felt like an electric shock. Thirty seconds or three minutes, I had no idea how long I convulsed. Unknown words whispered through my mind. There was a hint of recognition in my subconscious. And that quickly, the recognition was gone.

Just like with the book, dozens of chanting voices flooded my mind. I couldn’t translate to English, but I knew the ward. I had no words to describe it, but would loosely translate it as electrocution. If I hadn’t absorbed it, I’d be on the ground, fried to a crisp. No wonder the door hadn’t been locked. Whoever was dumb enough to open that door was in for the shock of their life. Or rather, the shock that would end their life.

When the shaking finally stopped, I took a deep breath and leaned heavily against the stone wall. I used my toe to nudge the door shut. The hinges were well oiled, and it swung shut without a sound.

I felt like a quivering mass of jelly.

Damn wards. I wondered if I’d ever get used to that feeling. And if the tingle or shock of the ward was indicative of the size, I’d just absorbed the mother lode of all wards. My hip felt hot. I pulled the waistband of my pants down. There it was. One more mark. This one was slightly bigger.

Son of a…

How was I supposed to know what the wards were? And why did they have to leave a mark? Pretty soon I’d be able to play connect-the-dots on my body. They’d go so well with all the scars Luke had given me. He’d hidden them in strategic locations. My father hadn’t wanted me marked for everyone to see.

I sighed and looked around. I was in a long, narrow hallway. The building smelled old and a little musty. Not enough to be unpleasant, just enough to remind me the building had stood here for centuries. The stone floor was old, but well-maintained. The ceiling was surprisingly high, and curved in an arch. I stared at the impressive stonework and willed some feeling back into my body.

Three minutes of recovery, and I managed to regain function of my limbs. I took off down the hall, trying to soften my footsteps on the stone as much as possible. I needed to go down two floors, to start. The building was quiet and still. A building this big shouldn’t be quiet and still. Warning bells sounded in my head.

Get in, get out. Get in, get out, I chanted in my head. I could do this.

Moving through the main level would be tricky. The oracle offices were located near the stairs to the lower levels. They were staffed twenty-four seven. This wasn’t your average library. Fates were read and recorded at all hours. I moved into the Grand Room, as Teryl had labeled it. Most lights were off, but I could see shelves and shelves of books, rising two stories into the air. Incredible. Part of me wanted to stand and stare.

I squashed that desire and stayed alert as I neared the offices. I saw faint light flickering under a few doors, and I heard a female voice. An oracle in her office, I guessed. I still hadn’t seen a guard, which made me nervous. I crept toward the stairs, keeping to the shadows and the outer edges of the room.

Footsteps moving at a fast pace were coming toward me. I was only a few feet from the stairs. I touched the small mark for the cloaking ward and silently chanted the words, and pressed against the wall. Please let this work. A split second later, two gargoyles rounded the corner. My mouth went dry, and I was afraid they’d hear my heart pounding, it was so loud.

They were full gargoyles. Their stone feet made dull, heavy thuds against the stone floor. Hysteria bubbled, and I wondered what happened if they got a chip in gargoyle form. Did they ever break a toe or finger off? Wings tucked behind them, horns on their head, they were an awesome sight. Long faces, pointy chins, and bright, glowing silver eyes. No clothes and very, very…naked.

Jax was physically gifted, and it had nothing to do with being a gargoyle. I now had proof. Not that these guys had anything to be ashamed about. But Jax…Jax should be very, very proud.

I brought my gaze back to their faces as they neared the stairs. I held my breath. Silently, they brushed past me, oblivious to my presence. So close, I could have reached out and grabbed their…er…wings. I waited until I could no longer hear their footsteps, before releasing the ward and my breath in a quiet exhale.

I sucked in a deep, shaky breath. That had been far too close for comfort. I made my way down the stairs, one cautious step at a time.

Candle sconces lined the walls. Tiny flames flickered and cast sinister shadows down the curving stairwell. I felt like I was walking down to the dungeons, which is what I’m sure the lower levels used to be. Fear snaked along my spine. I didn’t want to be here.

Which was more motivation to hurry the hell up.

Because of the candle sconces, I couldn’t hug the walls. I crouched down and took the steps as quickly and quietly as I could. Every five steps, I paused to listen. The gargoyles must be faster than I gave them credit for, because I didn’t hear their footsteps receding.

The growing silence strained my nerves. Where were all the guards and oracles MacLean had spoke about? I’d heard one female and seen the two gargoyles. There were five upper levels and three lower levels. I should hear something.

Keeping one hand on the wall, trying to avoid the hot, dripping wax, I made my way downstairs, into what felt like the pit of hell. Was it getting warmer?

I came to the first lower level and paused again. Silence. The spiral stairs continued down, and I started moving. Teryl had said to start with the second lower level. I was almost there, when the next ward hit me. If I’d thought the first one was big, this one brought me to my knees. Literally.

I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t see. I couldn’t hear. Raw energy consumed me. It ripped through me with the force of a tsunami. As quickly as it started, it was over. Huddled on the stairs, I gasped for breath. A twinge in my shoulder indicated where the new mark was.

“The ward is down. Did you hear that?” The low, nasty voice came from below. It echoed in the stairwell. The gargoyles? I didn’t know, but I sucked in one last breath and held it as I strained to hear something. Anything.

Heavy thuds on the stairs had me scrambling to my feet. Shit. They were coming.

Quiet, calm shadow. Quiet, calm shadow, I repeated mentally, squeezing my eyes shut. I held the image in my head, praying it would hold. If I got out of this alive, I’d donate more. Volunteer my time. Be nice to every person I met. No more take-out food. I’d exercise and get enough sleep. I’d…

The two gargoyles raced up the stairs. Fast and agile, they ran right through me. Right through me.

Shock held me still.

Large stone men who were fast and agile had raced right through me to the level above. Holy hell. I sank back to the steps, leaning against the wall for support. I hissed when a hot drop of wax landed on the back of my hand. Glaring at the candle sconce, I shifted so I was out of the danger zone.

I had to get a grip. The newest ward on my shoulder felt hot, and I rubbed it absently. It must have been the reason for the silence. That was my best guess.

Time was running out. Picking myself up, I moved down the stairs, despite the way my legs threatened to give out with each step. Hitting the second level, I ducked into the first room I found. The door swung open easily. Did they lock any doors in this place?

Hoping there was electricity down here, I fumbled for a light switch. Success. I flipped the switch.

With horror, I took in the scene in front of me.

“Hello, Elleodora. We need to talk.” My father’s cultured voice was calm as his hand came around and covered my mouth.

“Hello, Princess.” Luke stepped directly in front of me, and I began shaking.

I couldn’t draw in a big enough breath to scream. Because my father’s hand covered my mouth, the noises I made were muted. I couldn’t shadow because he had a hold of me. If he shifted his hand a little to the right, I could draw on a ward.

Luke stepped closer, eyeing me with speculation.

Jedren put his mouth close to my ear and whispered, “If you scream, I will kill the three men waiting outside. Come with me, and we will settle this. Refuse to cooperate, and you will still come with me, but not until I torture one of them to death in front of you. Do you understand?”

I didn’t believe he’d follow through with his end of the bargain if I cooperated, but I’d have to agree for now and buy some time. I’d have to wait and trust that the guys could take care of themselves in the meantime.

“Elleodora, I have five men watching the car. Your friends will be dead before we step foot outside. Make your choice. Now.”

He waited for me to nod before stepping away. My knees almost buckled, but I managed to stay upright. Sheer will kept my spine straight.

Luke took hold of my arm. I tried to jerk away, but he tightened his grip until tears filled my eyes. I pressed my lips together and stared straight ahead. He wouldn’t get the benefit of my fear. His vile laugh floated around us. Jedren strode up the stairs, and Luke pulled me behind. Somehow, we didn’t see a soul. Lights were still on in the offices in the Grand Room, but I saw no one.

Which meant no help. I was on my own.

We stepped outside and were shrouded in darkness at the same time the frigid air hit my exposed skin. My coat was in the car, inconveniently located on the other side of the building.

With Jax, Teryl, and MacLean, who were being watched by Jedren’s goons.

Luke shoved me into the backseat of my father’s car. I barely missed hitting my head. Violent thoughts filled me, and this time, I welcomed them as Luke took the driver’s seat. They kept the memories and my fear at bay. Sort of.

My father slid in the front seat and fastened his seat belt with deliberate movements. “Not a word until we get to my residence. I’m very angry I had to fly halfway across the world to track you down.” He turned to Luke. “Let’s go to the holiday cottage, shall we?”

I watched the Library of Shadows fade into the distance as we drove away. I was so screwed. But this time, I’d go down swinging.