Mortal Obligation (32 page)

They continued walking the streets for another hour, but they didn't encounter any more Dark Ones. Roland had still not caught up with them by the time they had reached the City Market. Sophie checked her cell phone and stopped their little group near the pub owned by Paden’s family.

“Why don't you guys head in there for a bit while and I try to reach Roland?”

Ree's stomach dropped as she looked around the Market. Goose bumps erupted along her arms and sent a shiver down her spine. Someone or something was watching them. She looked at Sophie to see if she had felt it as well, but the Immortal wouldn't meet her eyes. “If Roland and I don't show up then you keep yourself in that pub until daybreak. Is that understood?”

“But – ” Ree started, but Sophie interrupted her.

“I doubt anything is wrong. It's just a precaution, okay?” She watched them file in to the pub and was gone by the time Ree turned to look out the stained-glass window.

An ear-splitting squeal made Ree wince, and she turned around just in time to see a small girl launch herself at Paden. He laughed loudly and spun her around.

“I thought you said you wouldn't be at the pub tonight!” Claire punched him in the arm before turning to Ree and giving her a really big smile. She was an adorable freshman with soft, wavy brown hair that almost reached her waist. The O'Rielly green eyes filled her delicate face, making her look almost like a fairy. 

“Oh my gosh, did you guys see him?” Claire grabbed Ree's arm, practically jumping up and down with excitement.

“See who?” Ree laughed.

“If you had seen him, you wouldn't ask that,” Claire said, disappointed. “Of course, that just means that he’s all mine! Total hottie with blond hair, blue eyes to die for and lips that make me want to scream.” She squealed again, and Melanie and Ree died laughing.

“Lips that make you want to scream?” Paden frowned and looked around the pub as if he could spot the guy that was tormenting his younger cousin.

Weylin shoved past him and headed for the bar. “I'm starving.” Throwing himself onto a bar stool, he grabbed a menu which was promptly snatched back out of his grasp by the bartender.

“Underage kids sit at the tables.” Sue pointed at an empty table. It was almost two in the morning and the pub was getting ready to close, but there were a few stragglers huddled in the corner playing darts and talking loudly over the Irish music that always played in O'Rielly's.

“But Sue! I'm family,” Weylin pleaded, throwing in puppy dog eyes for good measure.

Sue had passed her genes straight to her daughter, Claire; same hair, dark green eyes and lithe build. They also shared a sense of humor and temper. “Not my family, and you might as well give it up on the moon eyes. They haven't worked on me in years.” She jerked her chin toward the table, and Weylin dejectedly walked to it, his head hanging as if he had been beaten.

“You know, I'm hungry too.” Ree pulled out a chair waved at one of the waitresses. Shirley maneuvered through the mess of chairs and tables.

“Sorry, guys, Liam closed the kitchen just before you came in.” She flopped down in a chair next to Ree. “But I can see if he has any leftovers and bring you some drinks. Paden, when are your parents due back?”

“Thanks, Shirley. I think they should be back in a couple of days. Tomorrow, maybe? The days this week have run together.”

She heaved herself out of the chair and smiled at them. “That’s what happens when you don't have to go to school. A big blur of pointless time.” She winked and headed for the kitchen.

The others sat down and made themselves comfortable.

“Hey, Melanie, is that blood on your shirt? Are you okay?” Claire pulled one of the bar stools over and hopped onto it.

“Oh, yeah. Some drunk fell off the curb and I helped him up.” Mel pulled at her shirt and made a face. She looked at her friends and grimaced. They might have to find a way to bring extra clothes with them for when they went hunting.

“Ew, we've had a ton of drunk people in tonight. Mom wasn't going to let me come in and help, but Callie called in again. I think Mom’s going to fire her if she shows back up. That’s the second holiday she’s skipped out on.” Sue was a tough but fair boss and if one employee didn’t cover their share of holidays she didn’t put up with it.

Shirley showed up with a tray full of cokes, sweet tea, and a big basket of assorted leftovers. Primarily there were chicken fingers and fries, but there were a few hush puppies, too. Ree grabbed one before anyone else could. They were a specialty of the house and everyone loved them. The guys dived in, shoving food into their mouths and slurping down sodas. Ree half-listened to Claire talk about the people that had been in tonight while she filled her stomach with fried foods. As the time passed she became more and more worried about Roland and Sophie. She was surprised the Immortal had left her with just her friends as protection.

“So, what have you guys done tonight? Was there a party or something?” Claire stuck a french fry into a puddle of ketchup and then popped it into her mouth.

“I wanted to see the fireworks.” Juliette chimed in, her head lying on Bryce’s' shoulder.

Ree was starting to feel irritated with all of the chatter Claire was supplying. It wasn’t really the younger girl’s fault; Ree just couldn’t process all of the gossip after everything they had gone through. The happiness she had felt after saving the young family was evaporating quickly. Goose bumps still littered her arms and back, while worry had her twisting her straw wrapper into odd shapes. She excused herself to go to the bathroom and take a few minutes to regroup.

Splashing a handful of water on her face did nothing to ease the tension cramping her shoulders. Her reflection in the mirror over the sink was haggard and tired. Spiraling silver worked through her pupils as she stared at her face. Reaching out with the power around her she realized why Sophie had felt comfortable leaving her at the pub. Threads of glowing green and silver lined the entire bathroom with the intent of protection.

She traced her hands over the lines along the sink and lost herself for a moment as she tried to learn just how Sophie had managed to put so much intent behind her work. There were layers upon layers that suggested she had been in the pub several times. A small voice in the back of her head nagged at her as she played with the power wrapped through the bathroom. Reaching further through the pub she was awed by the amount of work the Guardian had put into the building. That was when she felt the cold spots surrounding the pub. There were a group of Dark Ones behind the pub in the alley that led to the trash and there were several spread through the streets of the Market.

Her fingernails scraped along the Formica of the bathroom counter as she steadied herself from the shock. How could she have been so lax as to not keep searching for Dark Ones while they were out in the city? Her eyes closed in frustration. No wonder the glow had returned to her pupils while she hadn't been holding the power. Her body had been reacting to its natural enemy. Taking a calming breath she left the bathroom and tried to not draw any attention to her emotions as she took her seat back at the table.

The closed sign was hanging on the door and all of the chairs except for the ones they were using were turned upside down on the tables while Shirley mopped the floor.

“What's going on, Ree?” Paden’s eyes were trained on her as she took another breath, hoping her eyes were under control.

“There are Dark Ones surrounding the building.”

Paden cursed under his breath while the hand resting on the table clenched into a fist.

“How many?” Mel asked. Her head twitched to the side as her eyes scanned the windows.

“There are at least four out front and in the streets through the market. And maybe two or three right outside the back door.”

All of the color drained from the faces looking at her and Paden launched himself from the table and flew through the swinging door to the kitchen.

“Paden!” Her foot caught the leg of her chair slowing her even more as she stumbled after her friends, but Bryce was right beside Paden. “What’s going on?” Ree demanded as she scrambled forward.

“Claire just took the trash out,” Melanie yelled as she reached the swinging door and flung it open.

“Oh my god,” Ree said, her mouth suddenly dry.

By the time she had shoved her way out of the kitchen and into the back alley, all hell had broken loose. There were two Dark Ones, a male and a female, putting up a good fight. Paden and Bryce were fighting one that held a deadly-looking, curved sword. Bryce had his hands wrapped around a short sword Ree had not seen before, and for the briefest of moments she wondered where it had come from. All sidetracked thoughts were forgotten when she saw Melanie join Weylin and Juliette who were fighting the female, blonde from earlier that night; the very monster that would have eaten two little children was trying to kill her friends.

Unprepared for the anger that washed over her, the power matched the red-hot fury and flew out of Ree, knocking everyone over. Instead of being taken aback, she rolled with it and in a move that was much more graceful than she would have thought herself capable of, she pulled the dagger from her boot and launched herself at the female Dark One on the ground.

For a moment the Dark One was still so stunned from being knocked down, she didn’t seem to understand what was happening. Thankfully, Melanie still had her sense about her and was right behind Ree. Grabbing the blonde around the shoulders, she pinned the monster down. Ree didn’t stop to think about it and did her best to thrust the blade in her hands under the woman’s ribs. The dagger scraped across the bone and jarred her arm, the blood that rushed out made the handle slippery and hard to hold, but Mel put her hand over Ree’s and shoved it all the way in. For a moment she met the girl’s eyes and gritted her teeth, expecting to feel disgusted, but instead she was still angry and afraid for her friend. The blonde wailed while Juliette dragged Ree off of her. Without taking the time to watch her disintegrate Ree shoved the hair that had escaped from her ponytail out of the way and looked around the dark alley for Claire.