30. Chapter 30
30
S he didn’t bother to close the door for fear it would make more noise. She grabbed the railing on the balcony and carefully climbed over it, lowering herself to hang from the roof of the porch. Then she dropped the five feet or so to the ground.
Crouching low, she looked around to make sure no one was watching the backyard. They were all still occupied with the front of the house, where the commotion was coming from.
Kelly crept to the back fence and quietly lifted the latch that opened the wrought-iron gate. She squeezed through and softly closed the gate behind her.
The cars in front of the neighbors’ houses for the next two blocks were all locked, which surprised the hell out of her. Just as she was about to give up and run for it, a pizza delivery car passed by and pulled into the driveway a few houses up.
Kelly ran to catch up to it, then ducked behind a bush. A thin blonde got out, grabbing her pizza bag as she went. She looked ridiculously bored with the evening. Lucky for her, Kelly was about to make things interesting.
The girl left the car’s engine running and slammed the door before walking up the driveway to the house.
Kelly crept up to the car and carefully lifted the door latch. A barely audible click sounded as the latch released. Kelly then flung open the door and jumped inside. She threw the car into reverse and careened out of the driveway.
As she looked up, Kelly saw the girl drop the pizza on the sidewalk and run toward her.
“I’m so sorry!” she yelled, not that the girl would hear her.
She jerked the car into drive and peeled out of the neighborhood, leaving smoke in her wake.
The little car protested as Kelly pressed the pedal all the way to the floor. The engine whined and revved at an unhealthy level before it shifted into third gear. The poor car was not meant for this kind of mission.
“Come on, baby, you can do it.” Kelly cheered it on.
She made it out of the neighborhood and headed toward downtown Dallas. Her months on the street were about to pay off as she easily navigated the streets of the city. It would be no trouble to make it from Highland Park to downtown. The challenge would be making it there before Kade flew in to stop her.
She didn’t dare reach out to check on him now. If he felt her poking at his consciousness, he might try to push his way into her mind, and she couldn’t let him know what was going on until Ginna was safe.
Kelly pushed that little car to its limit. By the time she reached the tracks downtown and slammed it into park, steam was coming from the hood. The poor thing was done for.
Before she opened the door, Kelly centered herself and collected her thoughts. Feeling her belt, she made sure her karambits were tight in their holster. She even ran her hands over her hair, making sure her bun was smooth. She was all nerves.
Ready as she’d ever be, she pulled the door handle and stood from the car. She didn’t bother shutting the door behind her.
The warehouse was at the side of the tracks, perfectly positioned to load and unload cargo as the trains stopped in front of it.
Checking her surroundings, Kelly didn’t notice anyone watching her. It seemed odd that they wouldn’t have a lookout. Then she remembered she was dealing with Arcane, and they never seemed to worry about others crashing the party.
What it must be like to live without fear, she wondered.
As she approached the warehouse, Kelly noticed there weren’t any lights on. There was no sign that anyone had been there in ages. Police tape still hung loosely from the doorway. People had entered after the raid, but no one had paid it any mind since then.
Kelly walked up the three steps to the entrance and lifted the crime scene tape up to duck underneath it. The handle to the door turned with little effort, and it creaked as she pushed it open.
She straightened as she stepped inside. The air was thick with dust. The musty smell of old boxes and mold assaulted her now sensitive nose. The Dallas humidity had wreaked havoc on whatever had been left in the building.
The door groaned as it closed, then latched shut with what seemed like the loudest click Kelly had ever heard in her life.
She took two steps in, then stopped as something scurried on front of her with a tiny squeak. Rats, eww. Shivers crawled up her arms, and she shook involuntarily. She would never be okay with rodents in a dark and gloomy place. Just no.
“Hello?” she called out.
Something seemed off. She knew this was the place they meant for her to go—the warehouse where those girls had been found.
No answer came, and she called out again, this time feeling stupid for it.
“Hello?”
A dark chuckle sounded from the back of the open room. “Don’t stress, Kelly, we’re here. So nice of you to join the party.”
She’d know that snide voice anywhere.
“Eric. I should have known.”
“Come now, don’t say it like that. We’ve had some great times over the past few weeks, if you ask me.”
“I’m not asking you.” She straightened her back and continued walking into the warehouse. “Where is Ginna?”
“Your mentor is around. She’s just fine, although she’s much too feisty for my taste. You sure know how to pick ’em.”
She ignored the last part of his statement. “Let her go then, and I’ll come with you.”
“Let her go? Where would the fun be in that? I’ve come to like her in a way.”
“Stop with the fucking games, Eric. I know you want me to come with you and leave Kade’s crew behind. If you want me to do that willingly, then let her go.”
“She could come with us and continue to train you.”
“No. Just me, or nothing.”
She couldn’t see him completely, even with her improved vision, but he seemed to be pouting.
“Fine, then. Camille will not be pleased.”
“Fuck Camille.”
“Enough, enough. Your mentor will go free, and you will come with us. We have a deal?”
“Maybe. I’m not performing any sexual favors or crazy acts, and I won’t kill anyone.”
As he stepped forward, the moonlight from a window shone on his face. He raised his eyebrows in invitation. “You may change your mind later, but fine.”
If he said “fine” one more time, she might run up and slap him. “Great, deal. Where is Ginna? Let her go.”
“She’s in a car just down the street from the house. I’ll have her returned now.” He pulled a phone from his pocket and started a call.
Mother. Fucker.
Kelly immediately reached into that bucket of shame her “mother” had created for her and pulled out a handful of stupidity. How could she be so naive?
Eric chuckled. “A deal is a deal, Mage.”
That seemed odd, Kelly thought, he called her a mage and she wasn’t bonded yet.
“Right, what now then?”
“We have a car out back waiting for you.” He gestured behind him to the back of the warehouse. “Right this way.”
He was so smug it almost made Kelly sick. She rolled her eyes and started her walk of shame.
She was about to give in to this new reality when her mind began working full force again. Kade, she could reach Kade. She had to buy time, though.
“Wait, I’m not going with you until I have confirmation that you released Ginna.”
Eric’s head snapped back in exasperation. “How in the hell do you want me to prove that? I just called my guy and told him to release her.”
“You could have called anyone. A photo of her leaving them, something. I want to see it now.”
“You know, I could just take you by force.” His tone said he was seriously considering it.
“You aren’t sure if you can take me. Show me or I’m out of here.”
Eric tapped his phone and typed furiously at the screen.
Kelly reached out to Kade with full force. KADE! I fucked up, I fucked up really bad. Please help. I’m at the abandoned warehouse at the train tracks downtown. The one where the child trafficking ring was busted a few years back. I’m so sorry, please help.
Kade staggered back as her message hit him with full force. The worry and anguish he felt at her absence hit her just as hard, and she had to make an effort not to show it to Eric. He was relieved to know she was in contact, though. That was something. Then, a bit of anger came through with the realization that she’d purposely left.
We’re coming. How many are there?
I don’t know. Eric is the only one I can see, but he wants to leave now. I’m trying to stall him. Is Ginna there? Did they let her go?
Aye, she just walked in the front door. Damn it, Kelly! Pure anger seeped through their link like poison.
She pushed his anger aside, trying to focus on the issue at hand. She opened her mind completely to Kade so he could see Eric.
“It’ll be a minute. I just asked for confirmation. You know, to an Arcane, a person’s word is their bond. When it comes to making deals, we don’t lie about things.”
“Forgive me if I don’t trust you. You’ve been after me from the moment Kade’s plane landed in Edinburgh.”
“I have, but I never hid that from you, did I?”
No, he hadn’t. “I still don’t trust you.”
His shoulders raised in a shrug. “I don’t really care if you trust me or not. Frankly, I’m just not in the mood to overpower you in a fight you think you can win.”
“I’ve won before, haven’t I?”
He laughed. “No, your Guardian came to rescue you. He’s not here now, though. Let me guess, you planned this just right so they wouldn’t stop you? You don’t have your phone on you, and you didn’t take one of their vehicles. You wanted to make sure they wouldn’t interrupt your plans to save your precious mentor.”
Someday, she’d make him beg for his life. Someday. “Yep, congratulations are in order. You read me like a fucking book. I’m fresh out of candy and cookies, rain check on your prize?”
“I don’t deserve a prize for that. You were raised in the human world, and they’re all the same. Emotions always cloud their judgment because life is so short. They’re always sacrificing themselves for the greater good, whatever that is.”
Kelly felt Kade’s bitterness over Eric’s words.
Eric’s phone chimed, and he glanced at it.
“Here”—he held it up for her to see—“your mentor walking away from the car. She’s flipping them off, if you can’t tell. That’s proof it’s her.”
Kelly walked closer until the photo came into view. That was Ginna, all right. Now, what would Ginna do if she were here?
Just go with him. If ye delay any more he’ll get suspicious. We’re on the way and I can feel yer location.
“ Thanks for that.” She nodded to Eric as she walked past him through the back door to the warehouse.
The stagnant, humid air hit her when she walked outside. The metallic scent of train tracks and industrial equipment accosted her nose as she entered the night. There was something about this area of town that would always bring dread to her. It made her skin crawl and the hairs on the back of her neck stand straight up.
A car waited for them with a man standing beside the back door. He looked quite the part in a suit and glasses, even in the dark.
The way Kelly saw it, she had two choices here. She could fight Eric and hope Kade arrived in time to help, or she could get into the car and chance him never finding her again.
Her link with Kade told her he was close.
Get in the car, Kelly. We’ll get to ye, Kade ordered.
Orders. Kelly didn’t like orders.
Folding her arms behind her back, Kelly hooked her pinkies into her karambits. At the same time, she channeled her power and reached for everything she could manage.
Kelly whirled on Eric, slashing at him with the karambits. She caught him off guard and sliced his cheek from his ear to his nose.
Fury replaced satisfaction on his face as he attempted and failed to dodge her attack.
Eric held a hand to his cheek. “Come now, Kelly. A deal is a deal. You agreed to come with us if we let your mentor go.”
“I changed my mind.”
Eric came at her with blinding speed, and Kelly dodged to the right, slicing her left karambit back, catching the back of his arm as she did.
Eric growled in anger as he spun around to face her again. “You stupid bitch! There are two of us and one of you. You’ll never win this.”
“I might not, but I’ll die trying. I’d imagine Camille wouldn’t be too happy with you for that.”
He snarled at her and lunged forward, fangs bared.
Kelly jumped straight up and spun, landing behind him before Eric comprehended her movements. She slashed at his back with her blade, then drew back again.
The vampire who had been standing next to the car joined the fight now. He stepped behind her and wrapped his arm around her neck in a chokehold, cutting off her airway.
She jammed both karambits back, stabbing deep into his thighs. He grunted in her ear but didn’t loosen his grip.
Kelly stabbed at his thighs again and again to no avail. He wrapped his other arm around her so she couldn’t move her arms.
Eric walked toward her with a cool and confident stride, knowing he’d win now that the brute had her.
She stopped struggling and went still, thinking about her next move. She had so much more strength now that she took Kade’s blood, but not as much as a 300-pound vampire.
Kelly tried to struggle against the vampire again, but it was no use.
“You think you’re so strong. You’ve barely got enough power to make a spark, much less fight me. Then, you add Robert here, and you haven’t got a chance. I pity you, really.”
He touched his cheek again. It still bled from the silver in her blades. Eric held up his finger and looked at the blood, then wiped it across her lips as a devilish smile spread on his face.
His blood smelled metallic, something in it was off.
“Since you went back on your deal, I can go back on mine now. Maybe I should have a little fun with you before we leave. What do you think, Robert?”
Robert let out a grumble that was meant to be a laugh. “I think that’s a fine idea, boss.”
Eric’s face was only inches from hers now. His fangs were long, and his smile was pure evil. He leaned in to her face, and his cheek touched hers and covered her in blood. Then, he leaned down to her neck and inhaled deeply.
“You let that sorry excuse for a vampire drink from you.” He raised his head and looked at her. “You won’t mind if I do then, will you?”
Kade’s rage poured into her as he saw what Eric was doing. She knew then he wouldn’t make it in time.
Eric took one more step forward, closing the gap between them, and Kelly found herself pinned between the two vampires. Eric’s hands went to her waist, grabbing hold of her with bruising force.
Her heart beat loudly in her chest, and Kade’s rage filled her with more power than she’d ever felt before.
Eric’s hands moved roughly up her stomach, and he grabbed her breasts with an unhealthy hunger. The pain from his touch was intense, and she used it to fuel her power more.
Kelly pushed the two men from her mind and focused deep within herself. She found her power and forced it out from her hands, calling every ounce of water she could muster to her. If she drowned them all it would be better than what Eric had planned for her.
She felt the power build strong and steady, then it rushed from her fingertips with such force that it burned them as it left her body.
She squeezed her eyes shut in anticipation of a wave of water, but the water never came.
Her heart beat loudly in her chest, but no other sounds met her ears. Eric froze, his lips on her neck.
What the hell was going on? She still felt her power wrapping around all of them, but nothing else happened.
Kelly opened her eyes, only to see Eric frozen in front of her. His eyes were wide, and his lips curled back from his fangs, ready to bite. His hands were still on her breasts, and Roberts arms were still wrapped around her, but nothing moved.
She blinked rapidly and looked from side to side. It was like she was caught in time.
Oh fuck. Fucking fuck! She really was caught in time. She’d managed to tap into her timekeeper abilities.
Panic threatened to take hold, but she pushed it back. She could think through this.
Kelly pushed at Robert’s arms, and they gave slightly. She wriggled downward and carefully freed herself from his grasp, being sure to focus on her power and not let it slip.
She stumbled as she finally broke free of his hold, then caught herself and slowly stood to face the two men. They were quite the pair in that moment. Robert’s arms still appeared to be wrapped around an invisible woman, and an eager smile was on his face. Eric was menacing as ever, but he looked like he might bite Robert instead of said woman. His hands were still stiff as if he cupped her breasts.
Laughter almost overtook her, but she held it in. Kelly would remember this moment for the rest of her life.
She wanted to reach out to Kade but didn’t in case she lost control of the time she held on to.
Turning to face the warehouse, she went back inside and ran to the front. She prayed to the powers that be for a quick return back to her normal timeline after she pulled her power back in. The last thing she needed was to land in 1920 and be lost forever.
Even running near vampire speed didn’t feel fast enough. She wanted nothing more than to be free of the warehouse, of Eric and Robert and this entire night.
She turned the handle to the front door and burst through it as fast as she could. The door hammered against the outer wall with a loud crack.
Kade wasn’t there yet, so she kept running. She ran to the entrance of the rail yard, not daring to look back for fear she would see Eric coming after her.
Somewhere between the warehouse and the entrance, Kelly realized she hadn’t let go of her power yet. She pulled it back into herself, and the force of it sent her careening toward the ground. She landed on all fours and took a moment to catch her breath. The sting of scrapes on her hands and knees told her she was at least alive, in her own time or another, and she gave thanks for that.
Tires screeched in the distance, giving her hope she was still in the same timeline.
She reached out to Kade and found him through their link.
Oh, thank fuck you’re there.
Aye, we’re here, lass.
Engines revved in the distance, growing closer to her, and she felt Kade approach. It was them; they were almost to her.
Kelly suddenly didn’t have the energy to move another inch, and she collapsed on the hard gravel beneath her. The cool earth seemed so welcoming.
Kelly’s vision failed her as her consciousness began to fade.
“Kelly! Kelly! Lass!” Kade landed next to her. He rolled her over and pulled her onto his lap.
A tear sounded as he ripped the skin on his wrist. He held it to her mouth. “Drink, lass, fucking drink.”
Kade’s words sounded slurred, and his face was blurry at best. The taste of his blood woke something deep within her though, and she locked onto his wrist with primal fury, holding it to her mouth. That sweet, cinnamon-clove nectar ran down her throat with each gulp, bringing life with it.
She heard Eric curse in the distance, then his coat flapped as he took off in flight.
Light illuminated the ground and gravel crunched underneath car tires as their people approached.
Car doors opened, and Fabian was suddenly at their side. “What happened? I do not feel anyone else around.”
“I dinnae ken. I just heard Eric take off, but I dinnae think there were any others. Will ye toss me a couple of bags of blood? She just about drained me dry.”
Kelly’s mind cleared enough for her to make sure she wasn’t still drinking from Kade’s wrist, but she’d apparently stopped at some point, and his hand rested on her shoulder.
Red appeared above her as Kade tore into a bag of blood and drank it in seconds.
“I will go check the premises.”
“Thanks, Fabian.”
Kade’s blurry face looked down at her again. “Dinnae ever run off like that again, lass.”
Anger seeped through their link, but it was weak at best. She felt herself fading.
Kelly opened her mouth to tell him she was sorry, but the words never came out.