A Job From Hell (15 page)

"Layla wil kil him out of spite," Kieran said.

"She won't," Clare said.

"She's kil ed others for less." Kieran again. "You know she doesn't like competition. Why would she want to keep him alive now he's found his mate? And don't tel me I'm imagining things, because I've seen the way he looks at her."

Clare made a noise that sounded like an exaggerated sigh. "I'l talk to Queen Deidre. Maybe she'l know a way to get him out of there."

"No freaking way," Kieran said. "That Shadow kid's a vile liar and manipulator. She'l definitely want something in exchange."

"Cass wil know what to do," Clare said.

"It's waiting game now," Blake said. "The sun's rising soon."

I peeled my back from the wal and tip-toed up to my room, avoiding the creaking floorboards, then locked the door behind me. Stil dressed, I dropped on my bed and forced my mind into thinking mode while watching the moon disappear outside.

I flinched as a cry pierced my mind. Was I going crazy, developing schizophrenia? Someone whispered my name. Turning, I scanned the room.

No one there. Kieran said Aidan had found his mate. Could he have meant me? It sounded so animalistic, and yet so right. Fact was, if I didn't give in to Dal as's stupid plan and steal the gemstones, Aidan wouldn't be trapped somewhere in a dungeon, fighting the chains that couldn't kil a vampire but destroy his wil to battle a fate worse than death.

Wait, how did I know that? I sat up with a jolt as pictures flooded my mind: Aidan chained to a wal , blood oozing from deep cuts across his torso and legs as cowered shapes clad in flowing dresses prodded his wounds. The room smel ed of something pungent that made my stomach churn.

The moment he raised his head with a glint of recognition in his eyes, I knew he could sense my presence.

I stretched my arm to help him, but no matter how far I stretched I couldn't reach him. The il usion disappeared. Sudden weariness gripped me, and I let go in the knowledge that I'd find a way to save him from those things, even if it meant sacrificing my own life. It was al my fault, and I wouldn't let him die.

The sun stood high on the horizon when I jumped out of bed exhausted, my head reeling. I'd survived the night with a bunch of vampires in the house. Another night or two, and I might put them on my friends' list.

After taking a shower and changing my clothes, I shrugged into my coat and left the house through the backdoor. Clare had said something about waiting up for Cass. Could a vampire do that? I had no idea and no intention to find out. I sprinted for the gate and stopped right in front of it, peering beyond the empty street and into the surrounding thickets and trees. Were the Shadows stil hiding here? I hoped so because I knew no other way to contact them.

"Hey, guys. I'm here to talk." I kept my voice steady, hiding my trembling hands behind my back. With the tal trees around me, I felt as insignificant as greenery, but I knew I wasn't. I was carrying the prize that everyone wanted, and now I'd trade.

The street remained quiet. If the Shadows were around, they were probably waiting for me to leave Aidan's property. Or they gave up after the kidnapping failed. "Come on, you can't blame me for making a run for it. You could at least listen to my proposition. It might just blow you away."

Smirking, I peered down the winding street. Nothing stirred. "Fine, then. I'l give it to someone else."

I sat down on the cold ground, the freezing midday wind creeping into my bones. A cold wouldn't benefit my rescue plan. With the Shadows not showing up, there'd be no plan, I reminded myself.

Standing again, I jumped up and down to soothe the freezing sensation in my numb toes. "Come on, guys," I muttered. One last look at the closed gate and I returned to the house, hesitant to give up on my quest. I entered the hal and flicked open a leather-bound address book. Even though Aidan didn't like the Shadows, he might've jotted down their phone numbers. It was something people did, or so I figured. I didn't like my mother's aunt, yet I stil sent a Christmas card every year. Not that the old lady ever bothered with a reply.

Apart from Greta and Harry's number, there were the usual emergency hotlines, which came printed on the diary. Nothing else. I frowned and flicked the book across the table. How did these people communicate with one another? Via carrier pigeons? I strained to listen for any cawing sounds, feeling stupid for even considering that option.

A car pul ed up on the gravel in the driveway. Before I had time to peer out, the door burst open and Cass walked in, dressed in her trademark oversized jeans, what looked like an orange dress reaching down to her knees on top of the jeans, and a military style jacket that wouldn't be too bad were it not scorched in several places. I gaped in awe. Cass's outfit was so ghastly it could easily pass as art.

Cass grinned. "You think? Thanks, mate." For a minute I didn't register Cass was reading my mind. How could I forget that tiny detail? "So, what's cooking?" Cass strode to the living room and dropped on the sofa, making herself comfortable. "Rumour tel s me your boyfriend's gone."

I sat in a leather chair, facing her. "He went to some sort of court and never came back. Clare should be here. She said she'd wait up."

Cass straightened and tilted her head to the side as if to listen. "Nah, she's snoozing like a stone." She slumped down again. "Are you sure he isn't just making a run for the hil s? You know the usual excuse, going to buy milk, cigarettes, or whatever, and never bothering to come back."

"What?"

"Oh, goodness," Cass said. "I see I hit a soft spot. Didn't mean too. Who's Cameron?"

I grimaced. "Somebody I never want to see again."

"I was just messing with you, mate. Want me to send out a few demons to track Aidan down?"

"No need. Don't ask me how, but I think I know where he is." I ignored the demon remark. Nothing surprised me any more. Besides, no mortal I knew could read thoughts and carried two horns on the head. "At the beach house, I met two Shadows."

"Connor and Devon," Cass said. "You're playing with fire, mate."

I peered at her intently. The girl was strange, no doubt about it, but she also had something likeable about her. Could she keep her scattered mind to herself so the others wouldn't find out about my plan?

Cass clapped her hands excitedly. "Try me, try me, try me."

Oh, sod it. I had nothing to lose. "I want to meet them."

"Wow, Aidan's gone, like, five minutes, and the next guy's already peeping around the corner? Naughty." She shook her finger, laughing. The next instant, the smile disappeared and she looked embarrassed. "Sorry. It's not my style being rude and al . I just can't keep it in. It's my—" She shook her head. "There's this—never mind."

"I have a plan, but Clare & co. mustn't know," I whispered.

"You want me to keep this a secret from the others." She leaned closer, eyes gleaming, her cheeks turning a pink shade. "That's a good one.

Pure chaos. Even better than chocolate. I like you."

It seemed as though I was making a pact with the devil herself. Was that good or bad?

"Definitely good." Cass winked. "I could be your go between. Aidan's hooking me up with this cool ambassador gig. Yeah, I'l be a diplomat."

Her eyes lit up again. "Who would've guessed, right? I'l make you my first mission."

"Promise you won't tel anyone," I said.

Cass raised her right arm to her chest. "I promise I'l keep the secret as long as my scattered brain can keep it in. After that, it's pure chaos."

I sensed that was about al I'd get. "I'm going to strike a pact with them to help me save Aidan."

"You're real y into him. Going after Layla with the Shadows' help." Cass literal y glowed. "That's going to be major drama. Hope Aidan got me my ambassador position so I can watch it al live."

"Let's do this thing now. Do you know how to get in touch with them?" I didn't want to sound impatient, but something told me Cass could chat for hours.

Tucking her legs under her, Cass pursed her lips and straightened. She closed her eyes and started rocking back and forth, murmuring something that sounded like an incantation. I stared at her. Clearly, the rich kids had other ways to get in touch than pigeons.

"You're just too gul ible, mate. You've got to meet my dad. He'd love you." She pul ed a silver phone out of her oversized bag and dial ed, her gaze fixed on me as she spoke, "Hey babes, it's me, listen—" she paused and tapped her chewed fingernails on her thigh "—al set? Aidan's girl wants to talk to you. Pop over now before she changes her mind. You owe me. Cheerio."

"What did they say? Are they coming?" They simply had to. Aidan's life depended on it.

Cass nodded. "They'l be here in a flash. Do you want me to negotiate? I'm quite good at it. Always get the best deal, or so Dad says."

I shook my head. "It's a tempting offer, but I have to do this myself."

Cass shrugged and jumped up. "Got it. Just a word of advice since we're now chums and al , stay within the gates. That gift of yours is quite handy. Some people would kil for it—literal y. So try to stay out of the fire, okay?"

"You were right about the vampire thing," I said.

"You didn't believe me?" Cass shook her head, laughing. "Do you see angel wings on my back? I'm far from perfect—maybe beautiful y flawed

—but I don't lie."

"Thanks for fil ing me in. If it weren't for you I'd stil be in the dark."

"Us girls have to stick together," Cass said.

Okay, I had to ask, now or never. "You're not one of them. What are you?"

Cass pointed at the floor. "You know the big guy downstairs who loves to steal the souls of naughty people? Wel , that's my dad."

Her father was the devil himself? I blinked. Why not? I was wil ing to take on vampires, so why not believe in good old Lucifer too? "This is too weird. Talk about getting al wrapped up in your new guy's world."

"The shock wil wear off soon."

I accompanied Cass to the door and gave her a brief hug, murmuring a thanks.

"No problem, but you owe me," Cass whispered. Waving, she jumped into her huge, black truck and sped off.

Terrified, I leaned against the gate to wait. A strong gust of wind blew my hair in my face. It'd rain any minute now. I wished I had brought an umbrel a because, whatever the Shadows were, I wanted to see them clearly, not half-blinded by water pouring down my front.

Cass left only minutes ago, but it already felt like hours. I wiped my damp hands on my coat and peered around, listening for any sounds. Were the Shadows nearby? How long would it take before they arrived?

Devon's tal figure, appearing out of nowhere inches away from my face, made me jump. I bal ed my fists. A shriek remained trapped in my throat.

"Amber." He held out his hand as if to shake mine through the thick metal rods. I regarded it, unsure whether to squeeze my hand through the rods and touch him. Then decided against it in case he had some sort of magical power up his sleeve. Devon pul ed back. If he was annoyed he didn't show it. "I understand your hesitation. You've probably heard nothing but bad things about our kind."

I raised my chin, the memory of the failed kidnapping stil vivid in my mind. "I haven't heard much about you. My opinion of you is based on a previous encounter."

Devon's eyes locked with mine, the black of his iris shining unnatural y bright. "Fair enough. I must apologise for my brother. He's too heated for his own good. He acted without our queen's consent. He's received his punishment already."

There was something strange about Devon that I couldn't quite pinpoint. He was too charming, too perfect, and I didn't believe a word he said. I curled my lips into a fake smile, hoping it looked genuine enough. "I've a proposition to make. You want my gift, and I'm wil ing to share it with you if you do something for me in return."

He didn't hesitate with an answer. "If it's in my power to grant your wish, I'l do it." No blink, no sudden movement, nothing. He was plain eerie.

And probably lying.

I quivered inwardly as I forced myself to meet that liquid black gaze. "Aidan's disappeared. We suspect Layla's locked him up. I know you can help free him."

Thunder roared across the sky, making me flinch. Dark clouds gathered in the distance. Devon's face remained expressionless. "With a boss like that, he needs to consider a career change. He used to be her favourite pet. What did he do to piss her off?"

"It doesn't matter." I squeezed a hard edge into my voice. "Are you going to help or do I need to take my proposition to someone else?" I crossed my fingers in my pockets, praying he'd take the bite. Truth was, I had no idea who else to contact. The Shadows were my only option.

"We'l do it." A smile crossed Devon's lips, disappearing just as quickly. "He'l be free by tonight, but you'l have to come with us."

I shook my head. "No way. I'm not going anywhere with you. I'd rather be struck by lightning. Just take the gift out of my mind. Put your hand on my forehead and just zap it out, or whatever you do." I shuddered at the thought.

Devon hesitated. "It's not that simple."

I didn't like the sound of that. Were they going to whisk me off to some laboratory and have a mad scientist cut it out of me, turning me into a modern-day Frankenstein? A chil ran down my spine. Oh, Dal as, messing up as usual. If I died, I silently vowed to come back and haunt my brother for the rest of his life. I gripped the metal bars as I inched closer. "So how does it work then?"

Devon shook his head. "It's complicated, but I can assure you that you won't be harmed. Why don't you open the gate and come out so we can talk face to face?"

How stupid did he think I was? "Trust is earned."

He raised his brows. "It goes both ways, sister."

Tiny drops of rain started to pour again, soaking my clothes. Devon winced as though the water hurt him. I pushed my wet hair out of my face and yel ed over the howl of the wind, "Are you okay out here with the rain?"

He smirked. "Do you think I'm going to melt?"

"I just thought because you're a Shadow, you might need sunlight and—" I waved my hand about "—you don't look comfortable. Never mind. So you'l just take the gift and let me live?"