Shadowed

Chapter 26

An hour after christening the bed with Jase, Brenna sat on her new chair gazing at the three people currently trying to blow her mind to bits. Moira, Dage, and Jase all sat on the sofa, sending powerful vibes her way. “This isn’t fun, and I’m tired.”

Moira rolled her eyes. “It’s not supposed to be fun, and you can sleep later. Now, we’re going to hit you with power again, and I want you to block it completely.”

“But I don’t want to block the power from the comet, I want to use it.” She eyed Jase. “I can feel vibrations from you. I mean, when you send out power, I can actually sense it. Can everybody, or is it just me since we’ve mated?”

Jase shrugged. “Dunno.”

Dage glanced at his brother. “I can sense power, but I can’t feel it.”

Brenna could sense tension between the brothers. At some point, they were going to explode if they didn’t talk it out. “Maybe you two should spend some time figuring it out.”

“We’re fine.” Jase kept his focus on her. “Block, Brenna.”

So he was back to bossy Jase again. While she wanted to tell him to stuff it, she really needed to practice in order to harness the power from the comet and the solstice. “Fine.”

They’d practiced for hours, and now she could decipher the individual energies. Moira’s was fiery and feminine, a hard hit with an aftershock. The king’s was smooth and deadly, yet ruthlessly contained. He didn’t want to harm her.

Jase’s was the most interesting in that his energy came in bursts of controlled power, with masculinity and passion throughout. She hoped the passion came from the fact that they’d mated. If he could throw power, maybe he could control the elements again soon.

She imagined great shields of steel rising between her and the three immortals.

“Nicely done,” Jase murmured, pride filling his eyes.

“Excellent,” Moira agreed, her shoulders relaxing.

“Good enough.” Dage stood and assisted Moira up. “The power from the comet will be different from our individual power, so only Jase can train you on that. You can block Moira and me, but you can’t take our power in. It’s impossible. Jase is a different story, but good luck with him.”

Brenna frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“You can take my power into your system,” Jase said quietly. “The same way we should someday be able to use each other’s gifts.” He stood and escorted Dage and Moira to the door. “Thanks for the help.”

They nodded and left quietly after Dage leaned down and murmured something to Jase. Jase shut the door and leaned back against it.

Brenna stretched her legs onto an ottoman. “You and your brother need to have a heart-to-heart before one of you explodes.”

“Something to think about another day.” Strong and graceful, Jase prowled toward her, sitting on the ottoman and placing her feet on his lap.

“What did Dage whisper to you?” she asked.

“Nothing.” Jase’s eyes veiled. The tension in his neck said otherwise.

“Tell me.”

He exhaled. “The demons have doubled the bounty on your head, and changed it to dead or alive. They just want you taken down.”

Fear and anger crashed into her stomach. “Because of the solstice?”

“No.” His jaw snapped shut. “Because of me.”

She slowly nodded. “They won’t get me.”

“I know.” He flipped off her shoes and ran nimble fingers along her arch. “Now, I’m going to send power your way, and I want you to draw it in.”

She bit back a moan at the wondrous foot massage. “I’m confused. You can send power my way, but you can’t control the elements? How is that possible?”

He stilled, gaze raking her. His eyebrows slashed down. “Your ankle hurts.”

She started. “Um, yeah. I twisted it earlier when we were moving furniture.” A dull ache continued to pound through her tissues. Then she tilted her head. “You can feel that pain? I mean, since we mated?”

“Yes.” Gingerly, he swept his hand along her injury. The pain instantly disappeared.

“No way.” Brenna leaned forward and poked her ankle. “You took away the injury.”

“Mates can do that usually.” His grin showed relief and charm. “Dage always takes away Emma’s headaches.”

“Oh.” Now Kane’s plan for Brenna to mutate the virus somehow made more sense. “So, if I can weaken the virus, maybe vampires can remove the virus from their mate’s chromosomes.”

“Exactly.” Jase’s breath caught. “We hoped something like that would work on your illness, too. I have an idea—try to center yourself.”

“All right.” Digging deep, she forced calmness through her body. A tingling glide of power poured through her blood, inside her veins, roaring among her tissues. Her lungs expanded, and her brain relaxed. “Oh God.” Her eyes opened wide.

Jase blew out air, his hold tightening. “I think I felt it.”

Tears filled Brenna’s eyes. A song sang through her body—a song of healing and ultimate health. “I felt that . . . like you took a little of the poison.” The mating had worked, and maybe someday he’d be able to completely expel the poison from her system. “Is it in your blood?”

He nodded and closed his eyes. The sense of vampire healing vibrated off of him in waves. Several minutes later, he relaxed and opened his eyes. A smug grin lifted his lips. “I know I was only able to take a tiny bit, but I got it. There’s hope.”

Gratitude slashed through her along with love. “Thank you.” There really weren’t any other words.

“Of course. Soon I’ll be able to mess with the elements again. Just think what a power couple we’ll be.” Good nature filled his eyes. “I hate to push you further, but we need to train. Let’s see what you can do now.”

“Okay.” Brenna centered herself. “Send energy my way, and I’ll see if I can draw it in.”

He grinned and soon a warmth slid along her skin. She drew the heat in, her lungs expanding. Going on a whim, she focused on the air molecules around them. Droplets instantly fell to the floor.

She gasped in surprise. “I changed the elements with your power.” Her grin even felt happy.

He smiled back. “That’s amazing. If you can do it, maybe I can, too.” He eyed the droplets on the floor and concentrated.

Nothing happened.

He sighed. “Well, it might take more time. But I think I’ll get it.” Then he shoved heat her way mentally. “Take the warmth and try to cool it off. Imagine ice cascading around the heat.”

She nodded. The power from the comet would most likely be hot. Concentrating, she tried to imagine ice around the mental heat sent by Jase. The heat slowly cooled. She sighed and leaned back, her hands trembling. Damn, enough for the night.

“Good.” Jase rubbed her other arch. “You’re getting too tired, and I don’t want to overload you.” A knock sounded on the door, and Jase turned, his body stiffening. “Come in.”

Janie Kayrs opened the door, her eyes huge in a pale face. “I’m sorry to bother you.”

Jase’s shoulders went back. “You had a vision, Jane?”

“Yes.” Her gaze flicked to Brenna and back. “It was hazy and surreal, but I saw the demons take Brenna. Somewhere dark and in the earth.” Janie blanched. “I’m so sorry, but I really wanted to warn you.”

The handsome vampire who’d rubbed Brenna’s feet disappeared to leave a stone-cold killer in his place. “Thanks for letting us know.”

“Of course.” Janie paused, her hands clasped together. “The witches have a book based on the Prophecies of Arias, right?”

Brenna lifted her chin, her mind spinning. “If we do, that’d be top secret. How do you know about it?”

Janie nodded, her eyes darkening. “I had another vision about the book—it’s full of prophecies regarding the current war. I need that book, Brenna.”

Brenna kept her expression neutral. It was treason for her to talk about the hidden library owned by the Coven Nine. “I don’t know about any such book, but if I did, and if you wanted to see it, I’d contact my people to determine if it were possible.”

“Thank you,” Janie murmured. “Sorry again about the frightening vision.”

The poor woman didn’t have a choice with the visions, now did she? Brenna forced a smile. “It’s better to have the information, and I appreciate your letting us know. Get some sleep, Jane.” The woman rarely seemed to rest.

Jase waited until his niece had nodded and shut the door behind her before focusing on Brenna. “We need to up your security.”

Wait a minute. She was a witch just coming back into her powers. “No, I—”

“Don’t argue with me.” He reached down and pulled her up. “It’s late, we’ve trained enough tonight, and we’re getting some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll fight about security and safety.”

Brenna stumbled along with him toward bed, her ears ringing. How in the heck could she get through to him when he went cold like this? She shivered, hugging herself. Sometimes she didn’t know him at all.

Jase kicked the sheet off his legs and struggled to force the dream into nothingness. He’d wanted to leave Brenna in bed and go for a run, but she’d asked him to stay. Feeling like an ass for the way he’d shut her out earlier, he’d stayed in bed. He’d slid into the dream he most hated within an hour.

Underground again, he found himself in the cell formed of rock and earth. A small window up above let in meager light, and dripping water echoed in a cadence guaranteed to drive him crazy.

He glanced down at his wounded, gaunt body. Burns and cuts marred every exposed inch of skin. Heated blood coursed from his ears, nose, and eyes from the most recent mental attack.

The rock wall morphed into a face. Long, sober, it was a familiar face. “You need to kill him,” the face said. “Kill them both.”

Jase coughed up blood, shock weighing down his limbs. The face talked. “Suri and Melco will die. I promise.”

The face spit out rocks. “No. It has to happen now. Their plans will destroy the world, not just you. Before the solstice . . . make it happen. The young prophet’s vision is true . . . they’ll kill your Brenna. They will take your witch, and they’ll kill your family. Trust me. It’s now or . . . it’s hell forever.”

Did he say solstice? Jase tried to shove to his feet and stumbled against the wall. “This isn’t real.” Digging deep, he forced himself to wake up.

His heart pounded, and his sweat soaked the sheets. Brenna lay on her side next to him, sleeping quietly. The moonlight caressed her smooth skin. In sleep, she looked so young and at peace.

Careful not to wake her, he slid from the bed and buried his head in his hands. The dream was another mind-fuck, but the sense of urgency wouldn’t leave him. Nothing was going to happen before the solstice, but it was time to end this. Janie’s visions were never wrong. If he didn’t kill the demon leaders, they’d kill Brenna.

He stood and slipped into the closet to don jeans and a shirt. Grabbing his boots, he crept out of the room, grabbed supplies, and left the house. A quick jog took him to a back entrance to the main lodge. Thank God the tunnels in the underground headquarters weren’t fully repaired yet, or the prisoner would be too far down to reach.

But aboveground? The demon was fair game.

One guard manned the control room. “Hi, Chalton,” Jase said, smoothing his face into calm lines. “I came to see the demon.”

Chalton wore his customary frown. “Dage wanted the guy on ice until the morning.” He reached for a phone.

Jase was on him before he could dial. Tucking his arm under Chalton’s neck, he slowly tightened the hold until Chalton flopped like a fish, shooting elbows back. “Sorry about this,” Jase muttered. He would’ve never gotten close enough had Chalton not trusted him. “Really sorry.”

Grabbing the zip tie from his pocket, he fastened Chalton’s hands behind his back, then secured him to a post in the corner. Even if the vampire woke up, he wasn’t going anywhere.

Jase hit a button to unlock the door and jogged down the steps to reach the cell.

The demon lay on a cot, staring at the ceiling. He turned and stood, black eyes filling with purple.

Jase slipped his gun from his waist. “Where’s Suri?”

“Fuck you.” The garbled tone proved the soldier was purebred demon. The silver hair was a good clue and matched the row of many medals across his uniform.

“Not interested.” Jase shot him in the gut.

The soldier doubled over with a muffled oof. Straightening up, he grimaced. With a grunt, the bullet dropped out of his flesh to ping on the cement floor.

Images of death and destruction ripped into Jase’s brain, followed by slice after slice of pain. He smiled.

The demon’s eyes widened. “What the hell?”

“Your attacks don’t affect me.” Not true, they still hurt like hell. But he could deal and still function. “Years of countering them, I’m afraid.”

The soldier lifted his chin. “You’re the youngest Kayrs brother.”

“Sure am.” Jase pointed the gun at the soldier’s head. “We haven’t met, have we?” Many of his torturers blended together until they all looked like Malco.

“No. Not my thing.” The demon brushed dirt off his medals. “Though I could definitely have broken you.”

“You’re still welcome to try.” Jase shot him in the cheek.

The demon’s head twisted, and blood sprayed. He growled and turned back to face Jase. The bullet dropped out of his flesh, and the hole slowly closed. “That all you got?”

“No.” Jase unlocked the cell door and stepped inside, drawing his knife. The idea of torture turned his gut, but he needed answers to stop the people who’d kill his family. There wasn’t a question in his mind that the demons would come after Brenna just to hurt him. They’d tortured him for fun, but he’d torture for necessity. Unlike the demons, he’d get no pleasure from the act. “That was just foreplay. Now we get to the good stuff.”

It took nearly three hours to break the demon. Finally, Jase wiped the blood off his blade and returned to the control room. Chalton sat in the corner, fury in his eyes.

Jase paused. “I said I was sorry.”

“Unbind me, asshole.”

Jase grimaced. “Not quite yet. You’ll call Dage, and I need a head start.”

Chalton eyed him from head to toe, eyes widening.

Jase groaned and glanced down at the massive amount of blood covering his clothing. Some was his from the demon’s mental attacks—his nose had bled for hours. But most belonged to the demon.

Chalton growled. “Is he dead?”

“Unfortunately.” Jase hadn’t intended to kill him, but the guy was stubborn.

“Did he give you the information you wanted?”

“Yes.” The prisoner had finally given up the demon stronghold in Nevada, but he hadn’t been able to confirm how long the leaders would be on site. Most would be leaving within the day, apparently. Time was too short. “I’ll send word back in a couple of hours for somebody to release you.”

“I’m going to kick your ass, Kayrs,” Chalton growled.

“You’re probably gonna have to stand in line.” Jase exited the room, shutting the door tight. Chances weren’t great he’d return from the demon stronghold, but at least he’d take out the leaders there. The demon he’d tortured had confirmed that the demons had plans to attack the vampires on the solstice.

So was the dream a coincidence or some odd vision? Chances were a coincidence. Visions had never plagued Jase, unlike nightmares. Those would always find him.

The moon was dropping low in the sky, and soon dawn would arrive. He’d be on his way before then but first needed supplies and fresh clothes.

Opening his front door, he stopped short at the sight of Brenna sitting in the moonlight with a sketchbook in her hands. Several drawings surrounded the spot where she sat on the floor near the open wall.

She looked up, shock filling her face as she scrambled toward him. “Is that your blood?”

“No.” Heat filled his lungs—an odd sort of panic. “I’m fine.”

She frowned and fingered his wet sleeve. “I don’t understand.”

He pulled his arm away, not wanting demon blood to touch her. “Why are you up?”

She stepped back. “I woke up and you weren’t there. Where were you?”

He shrugged and avoided her gaze. “I have work to do, but I’ll be home later.” Turning, he headed for the armory off the kitchen to change.

She followed him. “Jase, what’s going on?”

“Nothing.” Why did she have to be awake, damn it? “Everything is fine. Go back to sleep, and we’ll celebrate your birthday later.”

She ignored his offering and grabbed his arm. “Did you torture that demon?”

He shook her off and yanked the bloody clothes off his body. “I did my job. You knew it wasn’t pretty.” Grabbing combat gear, he quickly suited up.

Brenna lifted her chin. “You’re going after the demons.”

“Yes.”

“By yourself?” she asked, edging toward the door.

He grabbed her shoulder. “Yes.” Lowering his head toward hers, he gave her his fiercest expression. “You’re not to call anybody. Understand?”

Fire flashed into her eyes. “Aye, I understand. I’m to let you go off on your suicide mission without lifting a finger.”

“Yes.” He tugged a bulletproof vest over his head.

She wrapped her arms around her waist, hugging herself. “What about the solstice tonight?”

He paused. “I’ll be back.”

“If you’re not?”

“Then Moira and Conn will help you.” The disappointment in her eyes cut through his heart like a sharpened blade.

“I need you.”

The words slashed deeper than her expression.

“I’m sorry, Bren.” And he was—with everything in him. But this was his last chance to get Suri and Malco before they disappeared again. “Please understand.”

“I do. I fully understand.” She turned and headed into the kitchen. “I’m going home. Don’t try to contact me again.”

He stood in the armory, indecision halting his movements. For years he’d dreamed of this moment, he’d planned for it. Not even for Brenna could he give up his need for revenge. “I’m sorry.”

“Me, too,” she whispered, slowly moving out of sight. Out of his life.

He turned and grabbed another knife, shoving all emotion away. If he survived, he’d bring her back.

Doubt filtered through him, and he shook it off. One battle at a time. For now, he needed to grab the Degoller Stars from his gym. It was way too late to fight fair. Slipping out the door, he ran under the cover of darkness to his gym.

Stepping inside, he stopped short at the sight of Dage leaning against a far wall. Rage had lit the king’s eyes a vibrant blue, cutting hard lines in the sides of his mouth.

Jase swallowed, his anger rising. “Chalton freed himself.”

“Yes.” Dage twirled a star in his hand. “You killed the demon.”

“I plan to kill several more.” Jase eyed the two remaining stars on the top shelf.

His older brother waved a hand, and locks engaged on the large door. “I don’t think so.”

Temper heated Jase’s lungs, even as he measured the holes in the metal from Brenna’s fireballs. Not one was big enough for him to jump through. “Unlock the doors.”

“Fuck you, Jase.” Dage threw the star, and the weapon stuck in the far wall.

A roaring filled Jase’s ears. “Fuck you, King.”

“Ah, there’s the anger I’ve been looking for.” Dage angled closer, his voice softening to a deadly tone. “No more brave stoicism, huh?”

Jase’s fingers clenched his hands into fists. “You don’t want to do this.”

“Oh, but I do.” The king stepped close enough to hit. “Let’s talk about that anger, shall we?”

“I’m angry at the demons, which is why I have to go. Now.” Panic had Jase stepping back.

“No, you’re mad at me. It’s time for you to stop being such a chicken-shit and deal with it.” Dage angled to the side, effectively blocking Jase’s way to the exit.

“I’m not mad at you.”

“Well, I’m pissed as hell at you.” The smile the king flashed lacked humor.

“I know. I’ve been a pain since I got back, and as soon as I take care of the demons, I’ll work on the attitude.” Jase tried to shove down the anger, but fury rose up like furious insects finding a hole in the surface.

“No. I’m pissed because I spent half my life training you, and you failed. You allowed the fucking demons to capture you, and then you let them almost break you.” Fire crackled along the king’s arms.

“What?” Jase stepped back, the sense of betrayal chilling him. “You think this is my fault?”

“Hell, yes.”

Jase saw red. He jumped for the king, slamming him to the ground, not even registering the relief sliding across Dage’s face.

He punched with full strength into Dage’s jaw, trying to reach the floor.

Dage’s head slammed against the concrete, and he reared up, throwing Jase into the door.

Pain lanced down his spine. He came out swinging, going for blood.

Dage caught him with an uppercut, not holding back. Jase flew back into the wall, knocking the stars to the ground. His vision wavered. In his entire life, Dage had never tried to hurt him.

Until now.

“This is your fault, King,” Jase growled, circling his brother, fury burning him from the inside. “You sent me to fight as a kid, and then sent me to the demons. You’re more king than brother.” He swept out a foot and nailed Dage’s knee.

Dage pivoted, swinging wide to break Jase’s ribs. “I thought you could handle it. I was wrong.”

Jase punched Dage’s sternum, satisfaction lifting his chin when bones shattered. “I handled it.”

The king’s fangs dropped low. “Bullshit. I should’ve sent one of the women.” He kicked Jase square in the jaw, sending his head crashing back.

Jase growled and lost all control, arms swinging.

Dage met each hit, each kick, with one of his own.

Heavy fists pounded on the door.

They ignored them, both looking to draw blood.

All of the rage, shame, and fear Jase had been living with rolled through him, strengthening his hits. The agony flowed out of him inch by inch. Blood sprayed, bones shattered, and emotions ruled.

The pounding on the door got louder, and a drill sprang into action.

An hour passed. They both fought as if they had nothing left. Finally, Jase knocked his bloodied brother to his knees. Gravity yanked him right down, and he kept going until he lay prone. Blood poured from his body in several places.

He coughed up blood. The ball of fire that had been living in him disintegrated. Gone for good.

Dage slid onto his back, his broken bones rattling. “Feel better?”

Jase tried to see out of his swollen eyes. “Yeah. You?”

“Much.” Dage wheezed out air.

Jase didn’t know what organ to heal first. “Are we going to be all right?”

“Yes. Of course. We just needed to exorcise the demons. Ha-ha.” Dage coughed, the sound echoing like death. “Are we all right?”

“Yes—we’ve always been all right. I’ve just been angry.” So angry sometimes he couldn’t even think.

“That’s what I figured.” Dage groaned. “You blew up my spleen.”

“Sorry.” Jase’s lung collapsed. “Ow.”

“Tell me now. Everything,” the king wheezed, the drill continuing outside.

So he did. Lying in blood next to his damaged brother, Jase let loose the truth. His fears, his pain, his guilt.

Dage listened quietly until he wound down. “I missed you.”

Jase sighed. “I missed you, too.”

The door flew open. Talen, Kane, and Conn ran inside, panic on their faces.

Dage chuckled and then groaned. “Our rescuers.”

Jase opened one eye. “The see, hear, and speak monkeys.” His laugh made him groan with agony.

Kane dropped between the two, his fangs slashing into his wrist before he stuck it to Jase’s mouth. Talen did the same with Dage.

“I’ll get Max. We need more blood,” Conn said, turning and running from the building.

Kane’s blood exploded down Jase’s throat. “What the hell?”

Jase swallowed. “We had a disagreement.”

Kane lifted one eyebrow. “Is it settled?”

Jase exhaled. “Yeah. It’s settled.” And it was. For the first time since being rescued, he felt whole. He turned his head to view his battered and bruised older brother.

Then he smiled.