Blood Revolution (God Wars, #3) (26 page)

"Who do you suppose is still in those vehicles?" Bill went to stand beside Opal.

"No idea. What the hell is that thing?" Opal breathed.

"Chimera," Hank said matter-of-factly. He, Jayson, Gavin and Winkler gathered behind Bill and Opal to get a look. "They want to burn this house the same as Jayson’s in San Rafael. They’re looking for him. And for Breanne, most likely."

"How the hell did you get us here?" Trajan leaned down and whispered next to my ear.

"It’s called folding space," I whispered back.

"Pretty damn handy," he muttered.

"What are we going to do about that thing? It’s getting close to the house," Winkler pointed out. "I’m not in any mood to get barbecued, and Gavin sure as hell wouldn’t like it."

"I’ll take care of the chimera. The rest of you take care of what’s in those vehicles," Hank said.

I watched as guns were pulled out and checked. Jayson had a nine millimeter in the back waistband of his jeans, plus a Smith and Wesson revolver in a front pocket. Gavin released his claws and fangs. Trajan, Winkler, Weldon and Trace came out of clothing and became wolf. What the hell?

As if that weren’t enough, Hank became his smaller Thifilathi. Well, no fire would burn him like that. He looked like obsidian scales and death as he prepared to go outside and deal with a chimera.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked.

"Stay here. Guard Mom and Trina," Jayson muttered.

"Jayson, you’re fucking human. Those out there may not be. You could be road-kill in the next five minutes."

"They burned down my house, destroyed my cars, and they’re trying to kill my mom. What do you want me to do?"

"Let him do this, Breanne," Gavin said. "This involves his honor. If he falls, then one of us will avenge him."

Hear that? You must be special, dude. Gavin doesn’t avenge lightly
, I sent to Jayson.

"I can skip us outside, but after that, you’re on your own." Hank’s Thifilathi spoke. Like that, his voice was lower. Almost guttural.
Breanne,
he sent,
keep
yourself safe. These do not need to see you. Understand?

I drew in a breath. Hank suspected something. Might someone else be watching if I came out of the house? I was beginning to worry, and fear made me tremble.
Then make sure you stay safe
, I said.
The others, too
.

Didn't he know that I was much better off doing something, instead of hiding and worrying? I watched as Hank skipped the others outside the house and all hell broke loose.

* * *

Lissa’s Journal

"Norian, Astralan understated the problem," I huffed. "This doesn’t just stink of power, it reeks. If evil has a smell, it might smell like this."

Drew, Norian and I stood on a narrow track shaped from years of vehicles driving through to waiting wheat fields. Tree branches hung over our heads as we examined the abandoned vehicle, last driven by Norian’s brother.

I’d sniffed inside it and detected Reedy’s scent, but that’s all there was of him. He’d been taken straight from the solar-truck and transported elsewhere by power so foul I wanted a bath, and it had been days since Reedy’s disappearance.

"Nori, maybe we should have hauled your brother out of here all those years ago. He might have caused less trouble that way."

"I agree with you," Norian replied grimly.

* * *

Breanne’s Journal

If I hadn’t done as Jayson asked, and gone to guard Trina and Kathleen, they’d have died.

The gunshots, howling, snarling and fighting outside was just a distraction to the real danger to those inside the house. I misted inside the locked bathroom, only to catch sight of the huge snake threatening Trina, who stood in front of a terrified Kathleen.

I recognized the type of snake immediately—its pattern was similar to the friendly snake on Le-Ath Veronis. This wasn’t my friendly snake, though. His pattern wasn’t as nice, and he was a few feet shorter. It didn’t matter, I relieved him of his head the moment he coiled to strike at Trina.

"Fuck that was close," I stared at the snake’s body, which still writhed on the bathroom floor. I watched in horror as the eyes glazed over, and without thinking, I dropped my shields to read him.

Gerilat Berandiff, lion snake shapeshifter that he'd been, lay in two pieces at my feet. He’d done murder too many times to count and he’d assassinated kings, queens, heads of state and anybody else he'd been paid or ordered to kill.

"Where’s Jayson?" Kathleen’s hand shook as she reached out to me.

"Probably in the middle of the fight out front," I said, drawing her and Trina close. "They played the testosterone card and sent me to guard you."

"I’d rather have you in here," Trina stated flatly. "Those claws came in pretty handy."

"What kind of snake was that?" Kathleen’s voice trembled. I rubbed her back gently and shook my head.

"No ordinary snake. Lion snake shapeshifter. From a long way off. I hope he’s the only one they brought with them."

"You all right in there?" A knock sounded on the door. Jayson’s voice.

"Baby?" Kathleen rushed for the door.

"Mom?" Kathleen was in Jayson’s arms the moment the door opened.

"Honey, they said you looked different, but I don’t know what to think," Kathleen drew back and stared at Jayson. "I guess I’ll get used to it," she sighed. "Are you hurt?"

"Nah. I couldn’t get close enough to get hurt. Hank, Gavin, Opal and those werewolves ripped the others apart. I think they were expecting a chimera to protect them."

"They were expecting a big-ass snake to kill your mother, Mister," Trina’s fists went to her hips.

"Snake?"

"On the floor," I jerked my head toward the tile behind me. "I took care of him."

"Hank got the chimera," Jayson lifted an eyebrow as he studied the snake’s body. "You got the snake. The others were human."

"Was that all they were?" I asked.

"Why do you want to know?" Hank was back in human form, his arms crossed over his chest as he asked the question.

"Well, because there are some—uh—beings, that take over human bodies so they can—uh—avoid some of the rules," I quavered. How the hell could I explain to him that half a million rogue godlings had inhabited bodies from Evensun and then chased me through space and time, trying to kill me?

"Breanne," Hank took a step forward and wrapped me in his arms. "It’s all right, baby. Damn, did you kill that snake?"

* * *

"Well, I’m outed, now," Opal had dressed again and she, Trina and Kathleen packed bags before I transported everybody back to Dallas. Bill didn’t feel comfortable leaving them behind, and I felt the same way.

"We’ll move you into the house next door. I own it," Winkler informed Kathleen, once we landed inside his kitchen. Bill, Hank, Gavin and I were to stay in Winkler’s house while Jayson, Kathleen, Trina and Opal took the house next door.

"It’s good to see you again," I hugged Opal before she left Winkler’s kitchen for the house next door. Bill had finally seen the velociraptor, and I think the werewolves were more than impressed.

"Oh, I'll be back and forth," Opal eyed Hank suspiciously, as if she expected him to misbehave in the next five seconds.

"I've been good," Hank held up his hands, proclaiming innocence.

"Yeah, but your ex and that stupid reporter weren't. How the hell did you not know she was following you around? Now Jayson looks like God knows who, his house is charred wreckage, his cars are toast and all because your ex wanted to get back at you—and hurt Breanne—through him."

"I hear the reporter didn't live over it," Weldon Harper held a cup of coffee in his hand. I was learning he was addicted to the brew.

"I think those conspiracy theorists are behind this," Opal huffed. "We can't prove it yet, but this stinks of them. We have no idea who they may have allied with, either, because that pretty blonde bitch was strung all over her bedroom. Like spaghetti."

"Why would they kill her? She'd spewed everything she knew already." I felt ill at Opal's description of Colbi Wayde's remains.

"They may have wanted her for something else," Hank suggested. "And she may not have fit into their plans. I worry that Janine has disappeared, however."

"You don't think she's dead, just like the Wayde woman?" Winkler asked.

"I'm concerned that she may not be, and that doesn't bode well for me or for Breanne." Smoke curled from Hank's nostrils. How had he contained that all this time? With the way things were going, we might have to fight our way through clouds of smoke daily from now on.

"Honey, does that hurt when you do that?" I asked.

"Do what?"

"Blow smoke."

"Oh. No. I'm just allowing my feelings free rein, now, instead of holding them back, as I was before."

"Look, I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow," Opal waved and headed for Winkler's door.

"Breanne, I wish to see you in private," Gavin's hand landed on my shoulder.
Oh, shit
. I'd just called Hank honey in front of my surrogate sire. Well, my actual sire—he just didn't know it yet.

"All right," I turned and followed Gavin as he shouldered his way past Hank, Bill, Winkler, Weldon and Trajan. Trajan winked at me when I walked past. What was I supposed to do with that? What?

* * *

"Breanne, I know you were involved with Hank. And that Bill and Jayson are interested. I will not prevent you from going to them, if you want. Bear in mind, however, that Wlodek will likely entertain offers from vampires when your training is complete. You will have to deal with that when the time comes. I know Charles is very interested, and perhaps he will accept all of this if Wlodek approves his offer. I warn you, however, that the Aristocracy will complain, as Charles has not been admitted to that body, as yet."

"You won't keep me from Hank or Bill?" I asked, blinking at Gavin in surprise.

"Hank informed me earlier that you walk in daylight. I know you were afraid to tell me this. Do not be afraid to say things in the future. These talents only enhance your value to the race."

"I didn't think you'd understand," I stared at the floor.

"It may be difficult to comprehend, but I will not harm you for telling the truth."

"If I eat watermelon, it won't come back up," I said, still not looking at him. Gavin sighed, then lifted my chin with a finger.

"Then eat as much watermelon as you want. If human food sustains you, then I will not force you to take blood. Bear in mind that you should keep this from most vampires—I do not know how Wlodek or the others might react to this information."

"Okay," I said, staring uncomfortably into Gavin's dark eyes. Was I surprised? Yes. This Gavin even Lissa didn't know. This one was gentle and considerate. Even now, he was autocratic with her. I realized he was terrified he might lose her, but there were ways to convey that message that didn't involve bullying. I went back to what I'd seen in him in Wlodek's office.

Gavin had considered suicide by sunlight. He'd felt his life was empty. I'd also seen someone I didn't recognize in Gavin's reading, but the image had been cut off. What had that man looked like in my brief vision of him? As tall as Gavin. Dark hair. Gray eyes. And then the image had stopped, as if Gavin couldn't recall meeting the man. I didn't know what to think about that, or what to think about a nicer sire.

"Thank you," I added. "For understanding."

* * *

V'ili, once high in the aristocracy on Sirena, pulled himself from the water of the heated pool. The pool occupied most of the northwest corner of the new building, and had been built to his specifications. The water was salt and held no chemicals. In his true form, he could breathe it easily. Oxygen was pumped into the water, too, to keep it viable.

"Master," Janine handed a towel to V'ili.

"Kneel when you serve me," he demanded.

"Yes, Master," Janine went to her knees in adoration. It didn't matter that V'ili was covered in scales and his mouth filled with sharp teeth. Her back bore the marks of his teeth from the night before.

"You're so adorable—for a worthless human," V'ili smiled, showing his teeth. "Now rise and beg me to allow you to dry my scales."

* * *

Lissa's Journal

It wasn't Conner who stood before me. She was the Guardian, and that was someone we all knew to hear out.

"I am receiving reports that some who have crossed over are being pulled back," she informed me.

"But that's impossible, unless those from the highest levels do it," I whispered.

"We do not know the full extent of the rogue treachery. Rogues can come from any level, and not just those at lower ranks."

"How many? Do you know?" I was terrified that the worst of the worst would be pulled away from the other side, to continue their paths of destruction.

"Not many, and few of those might cause problems in the expected sense. There are other difficulties associated with this, and not least is that we cannot find some of these doppelgangers unless we have specific information on which souls to search for, and in which timeline. Some may have been pulled away to distract us, too, from those who might cause greater destruction in the long term."