Inferno (35 page)

“Never!” Siobhan spat, dragging out a small dagger that must’ve been hidden at her waist with her free hand. She swiped at Megan’s head. Only a quick dodge saved her from losing an ear.

The reflexive counterstrike to Siobhan’s exposed throat was the killing blow that ended the sorceress’s life.

Siobhan dropped to the carpet as Megan released her, lifeless.

Megan looked down at her with satisfaction as her wolf retreated, happy now that the threat to its mate was ended. In human form, Megan went to Dante, leaving Duncan to deal with Siobhan’s residual magic.

Dante sagged in her arms as she helped him to the bed. He was weak and bloody, but rallying now that Siobhan’s magic was dissipating. Megan ripped off his shirt to expose the slashing wounds on his chest and arms. There was also a deep puncture wound very near his heart. Her fingers paused as she touched the skin above his beating heart.

“So close…”

Dante’s hand covered hers, drawing her gaze to his.

“She missed. I woke up a scant second before she struck and was able to flinch just enough to make her miss.”

“Thank the Goddess.” Megan leaned in to kiss his damaged chest. “I couldn’t live without you, Dante.”

“It’s the same for me, my love.”

Duncan appeared at Dante’s side. Megan took a quick look back and saw that he’d sent Siobhan’s body…elsewhere. Probably Underhill, until he could get a chance to deal with it properly. That was the least of Megan’s worries now though. Dante was in bad shape.

“The silver blade burned as it sliced,” Duncan said after a quick examination. “Luckily, there is no silver in the wounds. They will heal in time.” He sat back on the bedside as he looked from him to Megan and back again. “How do you feel?”

“I’ve been better, but I’ll live.”

“How about your strength? As Siobhan reminded us, it’s high noon outside. You seem rather perky for this time of day, my friend.”

Dante laughed. It turned into a wheeze punctuated by a dribble of blood from the corner of his mouth. No doubt the knife had hit his lung, but with his immortal constitution, he was already on the mend. Still, the silver of the blade would make it a comparatively long and painful healing process.

“I feel good, actually. Better than I have in a long time while the sun is high.”

“And what do you attribute that to?” Duncan’s raised eyebrow went from Dante to her.

“My lady, I’m sure. She gives me strength.” Dante’s hand clasped hers tightly as his gaze shifted to her. She felt the love behind his words and echoed it right back to him.

“More than you know, my friend,” Duncan murmured, drawing their attention.

“What do you mean?” Dante asked.

“Megan is part fey, among other things. I believe her unique blood will give you abilities few of your brethren can claim.” Megan looked at Dante hopefully. She loved the idea that he’d be stronger for their love. “There’s more, and I believe you are finally ready to hear it.” Duncan’s strange words drew their attention back to him. “Siobhan knew of the seer’s words at your birth, Dante. Apparently the
Venifucus
took those words to heart and that’s why you’ve been targeted these many years.”

“I don’t understand why, Duncan. I was a knight of the realm. I fulfilled the midwife’s vision.

Why should the
Venifucus
care?”

“Because you did not fulfill the vision.” Duncan’s words were weighty and deliberate. “You were meant for greater things than serving your king, Dante. You were meant to serve the Light, to be my brother, my comrade in arms, a fellow
Chevalier de la Lumiere
.” Shock rode Dante’s handsome features as he sat up, clutching his wounds. His full attention was on Duncan and his startling words.

“Don’t toy with me, Duncan.” Dante looked at his old friend sideways, as if not entirely sure if he was kidding or not.

“I never joke about the Order.” Duncan stood at the bedside, a shimmering glow suffusing his being as he called his power. Megan felt the surge in magical energy. When her eyes adjusted to Duncan’s glow, he wasn’t clothed in the armor she’d expected. Instead, he wore a tabard and coat of arms she’d never seen before.

The symbol of the eternal flame and the all-seeing eye were prominent, as well as some sacred geometry in the design. It stretched the limits of her arcane knowledge. All she could really tell was that it was immensely powerful. She could feel it first hand. It shimmered in white and gold, as did his entire being. This was a Knight of the Light in full, formal regalia.

Dante tried to rise, but Duncan’s hand stayed him. “Many Knights have been made in their hospital beds after proving themselves in battle. I see no reason to alter the tradition in your case, my old friend.”

“You would make me a Knight?” Dante was clearly stunned. “I’m not worthy of the honor, Duncan, as you know firsthand.”

“I beg to differ.” Duncan stood tall at the bedside, his expression full of compassion and care for his friend. “I’ve watched over you for many years, Dante d’Angleterre. Since returning to this realm, it’s been my honor to discover that you are more worthy than ever for the space reserved in your name since the moment of your birth. That old wise woman saw far more than I’d realized, and it took our enemies to make it come clear.”

“Think before you act, old man. This cannot be undone,” Dante warned.

Duncan only smiled. “Spoken like a true Knight. I should have seen it sooner. My only excuse is that we had been parted so long, I was afraid you’d changed too much. Or perhaps the world had changed too much for me to deal with so quickly. Forgive me for taking time to see the truth.”

“What truth?”

“That you are—and always have been—on the side of Light, Dante. Now, with Megan by your side, you are even stronger. The Goddess would not have trusted you with such a mate if she did not believe in the goodness of your soul through and through. You are a Knight of the Light. It only needs Naming, and you will gain the power you were born to wield.”

“Duncan…” Dante was at a loss for words. Megan could feel his worry, his wonder and his brimming hope. He wanted to believe Duncan’s words but felt unworthy. She sent her love to him through their connection. She knew his heart and if any man was worthy of such an honor, it was Dante. He was the best of men.

“I name you, Dante d’Angleterre,
Chevalier de la Lumiere.
” Megan felt the same white and gold power coalescing around Dante as Duncan spoke. “Your compassion, even for your enemy, your strength of will and character. Your unfailing honor and willingness to do what’s right even when tempted beyond reason. Your steadfast belief in the Light. These are the things that make you a Knight, Dante. Do you vow to fight for all that is right and good for the rest of your days?”

“I do.”

“Then welcome, brother.” Duncan made a glowing sigil in the air that floated between them before sailing toward Dante to be absorbed into his chest. The wound closed before Megan’s eyes as a tear tracked down her face.

A glimmer of light in the background caught her eye, and she turned to see the ghostly outlines of several men—all clad in similar white and gold tabards—as they flickered into existence, filling the room.

“They project their images here to welcome you, Dante. Our newest brother in the Order.

Others will come in time, to teach and train, though I will begin your initial instruction as soon as you are fit.” One by one, the men nodded or raised a hand in an informal salute, then winked out of existence. Megan had witnessed more than a few fey faces in the mix of solemn men.

“None of them were bloodletters,” Dante observed when the last presence had left and the glow around Duncan eased. His formal wear went back to wherever it had come from, leaving him clad in his normal clothing.

“You are the first of your kind to join us in many centuries. In fact, you are the first Knight created in the mortal realm since the last time Elspeth threatened this place.”

“That’s sobering news.” Dante reached for Megan’s hand. “I’m concerned by what it might mean for our future.”

“As you should be,” Duncan agreed. “Lately all the signs point to preparation for the worst.

Hopefully, with your help, we’ll be able to avert that disaster from happening. I think, with you on board, we’ll be able to do it.”

“I’m honored by your confidence in me.” Dante looked at Megan and squeezed her hand. “But what about my lady? We’re joined. What I know, she also will know. There are no secrets between mates among bloodletters.”

Duncan looked at her with kind eyes. “Women cannot be Knights. However, they too can serve the Light. It is not for me to induct a
Dame de la Lumiere
, however. I leave that to my counterparts in that even more secretive organization.” Duncan winked at her. “If I’m any judge, they are already aware of you, Megan, and will be watching your progress closely.”

“I’ve never heard of them,” she whispered, suddenly wary of more spectral people visiting them.

“As it is meant to be. They are the best of spies. The most covert of operatives. They are our counterparts and our better halves, though by no means are they all mated to Knights. Many of us remain single. But the Dames are special women who work behind the scenes to aid us.” Duncan’s voice held his utter belief in their service. “I think, however, inducting someone like you will change their Order significantly. I can’t blame them for thinking it over before they take that final step.” He chuckled to soften his words, and she joined in.

“It doesn’t matter, Duncan,” she said honestly. “I am Dante’s mate. I’m done spying for bad guys, even though I didn’t know I was doing it at the time. From now on, we’re both on the right side of things.”

“I know,” Duncan said with gentle respect. “And I finally understand why the
Venifucus
targeted you both. Nothing is more powerful to them than a good person gone bad. If they could have manipulated Dante—or you, Megan—to their side, they would have gained a powerful weapon.

Left to follow your destinies, you are weapons for good. They either wanted to control you or kill you. Thank the Lady, they’ve managed to do neither. My guess is, now that you’re joined and you have the strength of the Order behind you, they’ll scale back their overt attacks on you.

They failed to stop you. You’ve already achieved that which they wanted to subvert.”

“That’s some good news, at least,” Dante muttered, bringing her hand to his lips for a kiss. “I wonder if the Vabians will cut their losses as well?”

“Only time will tell,” Duncan said as he headed for the door. “If they’re wise—and I have to believe they wouldn’t have risen so far in their organization if they weren’t—they’ll know when to quit.” Duncan turned when he entered the doorway. “I’m going to see what happened to the
were
who were supposed to be guarding us outside. I fear the worst for them since we received no warning before Siobhan’s attack.”

Megan recalled the wolves and selkies who were supposed to be on watch, and her heart clenched. She’d hate it if one of them was hurt or killed in this mess.

Dante stood, healed of the worst of his wounds, and tugged her in for a quick hug as Duncan left the room. He kissed her lightly, reassuringly as he allowed his love for her to bathe her senses through their link.

“Go help him, sweetheart. I’ll start putting the indoors to rights while you assist with the shifters. He might need your help, and I can feel your concern for them.” She leaned up to kiss him softly. “You’re the best of mates.” She kissed him once more, then drew back. “I just want to be sure they’re okay. I can let you know what happened through our link, so you won’t have to wonder.”

“Handy thing, this link,”
Dante smiled at her, holding her close. He also sent images of what he wanted to do with her as soon as they had some time to spend alone.

“I like the way your mind works.”
She moved out of his arms as he let her go. “Hold that thought. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

They discovered the
were
who had been stationed on guard outside the brownstone and treated their injuries. Siobhan had attacked them first, putting them out of commission. In fact, one of them nearly died, but with Duncan’s help, he was expected to make a full recovery as well.

The selkies weren’t easy to find. They’d stationed themselves in well-hidden places—one on a rooftop across the street, the other in the sewer. Both were unconscious when Duncan finally located them. They’d been taken out by the same spell that had shattered every window in Dante’s home. Blood trailed down their ears, and Megan feared they’d been permanently damaged.

Duncan worked his magic, placing his hands over their heads, one by one, cupping their ears and chanting in a low, melodic voice for over an hour. The selkies were semiconscious during the treatment, obviously in great pain. Duncan soothed them, restoring them at great cost to himself.

Megan tucked Duncan into a guest bedroom when he’d finished, and he slept for two days. He slept right through the muted hammering of the construction crews who replaced every single window in record time. He slept through visits from three
were
Alphas, including Kevin and a number of his pack members. He slept through a visit from the Master and Mistress of the New York vampires. And he slept through the vigil held by the recovering selkies, who refused to leave his side. They guarded him day and night, which Megan found oddly touching.

Days later, when Duncan was better, the selkies had left and things were as back to normal, or as normal, as they were going to get, Duncan broached a subject that had been preying on Megan’s mind. She loved Dante, but he was still holding their connection closed. He also refused to talk about turning her.

Duncan was telling her about her fey heritage. He’d also begun teaching her about magic.

“Fey magic resides in the fey realm. However, being half-fey, I can call it forth in any realm.

My half-fey blood connects me to the fey realm at all times. I’ve been wondering if it does the same for you, or if your
were
side somehow interferes?”

“During the battle, I felt your magic. I’ve felt it every time you’ve called it. It buzzes along my skin and reverberates through my bones,” she admitted. “I wondered if I could use it to break through Siobhan’s shield. I figured between being part fey and my
were
blood, I could get through. Thankfully, it worked.”