Claimed by Light (13 page)

Chapter Seventeen

“This is much better than France, no offense, Halena.” Yvonne twirled, arms out, basking in the sun. At least the few parts of her skin that were exposed.

Halena smiled. It was amazing how Yvonne embraced life despite her circumstances. Besides her Mate, Justin, she couldn’t touch any living thing without it turning to dust. So yeah, they were often touching.

Theo led the group of Shomrei plus one Oracle around the tiny, not-even-on-the-map island Slade had seen in his vision. Sadie had tracked this place down on an ancient map in a box of goodies she and Theo had stumbled upon over the months hunting down the Artifacts.

“I can’t believe you found this place.” Slade walked beside Halena.

She looked down at the sand coating her boots. It would be much more fun frolicking barefoot along the sandy beach with Slade and under much different circumstances.

“The Great One provides,” Theo said.

Slade glanced at Halena. “You believe in Him?”

“He made me. Kind of comes with the territory.”

“Not sure I buy this Great One who’d allow such shitty things to happen.”

Thoughts of his mom and dad swarmed through Halena’s mind, and then the images of Addie and demons.

“It’s the journey, Slade. If we can make it through, we’re better in the end.” She sighed. “At least that’s the theory.”

Consumed by anger and frustration after losing her Companion, Halena had almost forgotten that The Great One had a purpose, a plan, and it was the journey that got her here—to this very moment with Slade.

Where had her faith gone?

“Anything feel familiar about this place?” Justin asked Slade. “I’m getting sand in all kinds of uncomfortable places, buddy.”

“Well, if you’d stop playing grab-ass with your Mate for five seconds…” Halena kicked sand in his direction.

Yvonne laughed.

“Maybe if you played a little more grab-ass—”

Slade coughed, interrupting Justin, but he was smiling. “Not recognizing anything yet. I mean, the atmosphere feels familiar. But—”

Slade flinched, and Halena steadied him by his shoulders. “Open your eyes.”

White orbs peeked out from beneath his eyelids, but he didn’t collapse like before. Even more interesting, she wasn’t in the vision.

The rest of the Shomrei gathered around. “Good,” Theo said. “Can you show us, Slade?”

Halena brushed the hair off his forehead, willing her energy to him. “This is different, guys. He’s…awake, and I didn’t get pulled in with him. Slade, can you hear me?”

“Lena,” he whispered. “Come with.”

“I think that’s up to you. Let me in.” She held on, but nothing happened.

“Can you lead us?” Theo asked.

Slade offered a slight nod, almost as if distracted. He must be seeing something. Damn, she wanted in there with him.

“You’re fine. Show us, Slade.” The fact that he was getting a vision at this moment meant they were where they were supposed to be.

And Slade wasn’t Black Eyes, so the faster they found the Artifact, the quicker she could kick that image of Demon Slade out of her mind. That sight had been disturbing on more levels than Halena wanted to consider.

“A splice just opened. Whose territory is this?” Theo asked.

“Or is it unmanned since it’s not even on the map?” Yvonne asked.

“No. It’s manned,” a deep voice said from behind the group.

Theo whirled around, Mavet in hand and fangs down.

“Be calm, Theophilus.” The tall man smiled. “I see you brought a little metal detector with you.” He nodded at Slade. “Nice eyes.”

Halena stepped in front of her Mate. “Who are you?”

“Name’s Brenton Rutgers.” He flashed a wide smile. White teeth glowed against his ebony skin. Dreadlocks laced with multicolored beads rested on his shoulders. Green eyes the color of the shallow areas of the ocean nestled deep behind long, thick lashes. “And you, lovely, are the formidable Halena Girard, guardian of the European quadrant, based in France.”

“Oh. Yes. Mother mentioned you,” Theo said. “Newly formed Gatekeeper for the Caribbean.”

“Lots of trouble in this neck of the woods recently.” He offered his hand to Theo. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“You’re based in Jamaica, right?”

He dipped his head, the beads offering a little harmony of their own as they clacked together.

“I hadn’t heard of you.” Halena flashed Theo a look.

“You’ve been…distracted these past few weeks,” Theo said.

“Ha! New blood,” Justin said.

Still in his trance, Slade slowly moved forward. They needed to get to that Necklace before the demons. Who knew if they had the Gem already.

“What’s with White Eyes? He Shomrei? I don’t sense that he is,” Brenton asked.

“Not yet,” Theo said.

Halena hissed.

Theo coughed. “He’s an Oracle. Possibly leading us to the Necklace. He’s new with the visions, so we’re working in unknown territory at the moment.”

“And a splice just opened. So we’re not the only ones after the Necklace. You’re sure it’s here?” Brenton’s deep voice thrummed, and his smile widened.

Halena remembered that tingly anticipation and excitement from when she’d just become Shomrei. Over eight centuries ago, she’d been a newbie on fire for the cause and ready to jump into the thick of things.

“Slade had a vision earlier about this place and is currently having one again. Now demons are here, so I’m thinking that’s a big
hell yeah
, it’s here,” Justin said.

“Hey, mon, I’ll help.” Brenton had retrieved his Mavet daggers from his thigh holsters. “Let’s do this.”

Slade tugged at Halena. “Left. See it?”

“Yes.” A football-field-length of sand separated them from a cave. It looked familiar, only in Slade’s vision they’d stood on grass.

Waves crashed on the beach and warmth cascaded along Halena’s face. A hint of salt laced the fresh air.

“The splice is near,” Brenton said. “We should vanquish the demons while you go get your Artifact.”

Slade led onward as Theo said, “Brenton and I will go. Yvonne and Justin, stay with these two.”

Yvonne took off her long gloves and unzipped the legs of her pants. She balled them up and tossed them onto the sand.

“Sweet!” Brenton said.

“Yeah, just don’t touch me and you’ll be fine.” She smiled.

Brenton frowned. “I wasn’t going to—I—”

“Relax,” Theo said. “I’ll explain everything. Come on. I’m anxious to hear how Mother is doing.”

The two ran up the sand toward the edge of the foliage that hemmed the beach. There weren’t any humans here, just an empty, deserted island. Seemed so strange for some reason.

“Ready, cradle robber?” Justin asked.

“Ass.” Halena urged Slade forward.

Slade…
Votar’s voice whispered along the air. Slade tensed. “You hear that?”

“Sure did.” Halena squeezed his hand, confused that she wasn’t in the vision, yet she was hearing it. “Keep going.”

“Hear what?” Justin asked.

“Votar’s in our heads.” Less than ten feet separated them from the mouth of the cave now. “Still not sure why I’m not in the vision.”

“Easy,” Yvonne said. “You need to protect him while he’s…how he is.”

Staring straight ahead, Slade walked as if in a daze. Of course. He was vulnerable like this. Before, they’d been in the bedroom at Theo’s cabin—a safe place.

“Nice call,
szép,
” Justin said.

You backed out on the deal, Slade. Addie’s mine to enjoy for eternity.

“Just stay focused, Slade. He’s messing with us. He won’t get Addie.” Halena glanced over her shoulder. “Justin, Yvonne. Stay alert.”

They stepped into the cave. Up ahead, flickering lights danced along stone walls, just like in the first vision. She didn’t sense any demons up ahead. Slade wasn’t black-eyed, so they were safe there. Something felt off, though. This new type of vision, how easily they found—

“Hello, Slade. And you brought guests.”

Slade tensed at the sound of Votar’s voice. Halena pressed Slade against the cave wall and positioned herself in front of him. Justin and Yvonne stepped forward.

Three more demons materialized from the darkness behind Votar.
Shit.

Slade shook his head, and his eyes went brown again. He palmed his temples and groaned, melting to the floor.

“How’d you know we’d be coming?” Justin asked, probably figuring things out a little more quickly than Halena, considering her mind was whirling. Daggers in hand, she stepped toward the towering demon.

“We have other Oracles, you know. Though they aren’t nearly as strong as this one. Time to come home, Slade. We need you for the next Artifact.”

A growl thundered through Halena’s chest. In unison Yvonne, Justin, and Halena charged.

But Halena aimed for Votar. She had a score to settle with him for what he did to her and to Slade. Not to mention Addie.

Her fangs dropped, heat blooming deep within her chest. Votar dropped the Necklace into his pocket.

Mental note: rip that bastard to shreds and grab that jewel.

Smiling as he held a dagger in each hand, Votar’s fingers waved her to him as a challenge.

She lunged but couldn’t dust him until she had that jewel. Couldn’t chance it vaporizing when she said the vanquish. But stabbing him with the Mavet to paralyze him would be fun, too.

He swung his blade, and Halena ducked. She rolled and hopped to her feet.

“I see you finally touched him.”

“Fuck you.”

“Even with the French accent, that talk doesn’t become you, sweets.” He licked his lips. “And you are sweet.”

Her stomach contracted at the memories of him torturing her. The hesitation cost her, though. Ducking a fraction of a second too late, his dagger caught her shoulder.

Spinning, she took in the scene.

Justin and Yvonne had their hands full with three demons, but ash flew, so Yvonne must be getting her hands on some.

Only three left?

A whirl of wind whipped around Halena, followed by Theo’s roar. A dagger zipped past her and sank into Votar’s shoulder. “
Reverto ut—
”

“No!” Halena drew out the Mavet with one hand while she ripped off the pocket of Votar’s leather pants.

“Halena, what are you—?”

Votar slammed her against the cave wall, pinning her by the neck. Slade shot to his feet, and Theo stalked toward Halena.

“Let her go,” Slade ordered. His eyes flashed white.

Theo. Necklace in my right hand
.
On three.

Copy
.

“Of course I’ll let her go,” Votar said to Slade. “If you come with me.”

No, Theo. Don’t let him. He’ll turn if he goes. Saw it in a vision.

Theo put his arms out, blocking Slade’s advance.

He can’t kill me, Slade. Stay with Theo
.

Justin nodded. Theo must be filling him in.

One.

“Votar. Let her go!” Theo ordered.

A warm tongue slid along her cheek.

“You’re so disgusting.” Halena squirmed, positioning herself to be able to toss this treasure to Theo.
Two
.

Throw it to Justin on three
, Theo said, then he vanished in a splice he’d created.

Votar tensed. “What the—?”

Three
. Halena looked at Justin. He dove toward Slade, who had stumbled forward when Theo vanished.

Halena flicked the handful of fabric toward Justin. He palmed it, then tackled Slade to the dirt floor.

Votar grunted and thrust Halena forward, and she fell onto her stomach. She scrambled toward Slade and Justin but cast a look over her shoulder as she did. Theo held the demon from behind, dagger poised and ready to impale him in the neck.

In a move so fast, Votar yanked a dagger from his side pocket and swung. It sliced through Theo’s wrist, and his hand holding the Mavet flopped to the ground.

Theo roared, snapping at Votar’s neck. The demon rammed his elbow into Theo’s gut. Yvonne leaped, hands at the ready to vaporize him. He kicked her in the chest and ran deep into the cave, leaving a howl in his wake.

Theo crumpled to the ground holding his arm. Blood spurted onto the sand.

“Justin. Help me.” Yvonne couldn’t touch Theo without her gloves.

“Go.” Halena reached for Slade so Justin could help his Gatekeeper. “Where’d Votar go?”

“Splice.” Theo fought for breath. “Deep in cave.”

“He’s gone.” Brenton came into view, black demon blood coating his once-tan shirt. “I got the other two coming into the cave.” He gave the area a once-over and sheathed his weapon. “Meeting with you all has really upped my on-the-job training.”

“Shut up.” Halena and Slade stood. “Justin, get Theo home to Sadie.”

A splice opened, and Theo gasped. “Can’t hold it long.”

“Go.” Halena gathered Slade to her. “Brenton, we’ll stay with you and investigate things here.”

Theo, Justin, and Yvonne stepped into the splice. At least they had the Necklace. It would be safe now. Maybe there was something here that would give them a clue to the Gem.

Halena glanced at Slade, and he cupped her face. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.” Or not. Felt like a cat with razor-sharp claws had mistaken her for a scratching post.

Leaning in, he said, “I can help your injuries, right?”

She held her breath as his face drew nearer. Those full lips… She’d held that pouty bottom lip between her teeth before the Ahavah had surfaced. Felt the frantic strokes of his tongue against hers.

A line of heat streaked across her abdomen. Frenzied heartbeats rapped against her chest. Less than three inches separated their mouths. Her body ached, but not only from battle.

It ached for him. Her Mate.

Sagging into his arms, Halena closed the distance. A breath before their lips would touch, Slade turned his head and rested his cheek to hers. His fingers tunneled through her hair, releasing it from its ponytail as he massaged her scalp.

Why had she asked him not to kiss her? Even more, why’d he have to be so honorable and keep his end of the agreement? In the heat of this moment, this situation, she never would have resisted. Hell, she
wanted
the kiss.