Avenger (11 page)

Her head was hot, her ears were ringing, and if she didn’t get away she was going to scream or faint. The tiny black spots in front of her eyes suggested the latter.
He tricked me
. Boiling anger chased the spots until they all but disappeared in the periphery of her vision. All that time, she’d been frustrated with Mace’s slow instruction. Now she understood he was the only one actually trying to help her. And just that quickly, she made a decision. “I’m going back to Viennesse.”

Raven grabbed her. “Nikki, you can’t. They’re on their way here. I was trying to help you back on the boat. I wanted —”

She pulled away from him. “To trick me into thinking I have a weapon I don’t? That’s not help, Raven. My life is on the line.”

He grabbed her again, this time harder, so she couldn’t even thrash. “You think I don’t know that? Look, I wouldn’t have done it if I’d had any idea this was going to happen.”

“Oh, right, because it’s so unlikely I’d be hunted and chased by people and things wanting to kill me!”

“I figured if you held the faith ball and believed in it enough, it would become a part of you.”

“You
figured?
Well, thanks for gambling with my life.”

Kaylyn stepped between them, and Raven let go. “This isn’t
helping the situation. The fact is, Nikki, whether you have faith or not right now, you better find a way to tap into that well inside you. Layton can help you do that.”

Nikki swallowed, and Raven’s betrayal slid down her throat with all the other emotions that were bubbling to the surface. She was just so tired of being a victim, being hunted. First by hell hounds, then by evil men and demons, now by a monster from hell. It wasn’t fair to release all her anxiety on Raven, she knew, but at the same time what he did was almost unforgivable.

Kaylyn’s bright blue eyes were now pleading. “Let Raven take you to Philadelphia.”

After a long time, Nikki gave a reluctant nod. What choice did she have? She couldn’t fly, and she clearly couldn’t protect herself on her own.
Why is it even a rebel like Raven has more spiritual power than me?

“Before you leave, I’m going to need some of your blood.” Both Raven and Nikki gave Kaylyn a quizzical look, but she was too busy inspecting items along the table to notice. “You’re headed to Philadelphia, we’re headed out West. Miles and miles of desert.”

Nikki and Raven exchanged shrugs, as if it was the only form of communication they could now share.

“Ah, this should work.” Kaylyn brought an empty Perrier bottle to Raven then held out the dented cap. “Bend it back?”

Raven took the lid and smoothed out the crease.

Kaylyn slid the cap back onto the bottle and gave it a couple of shakes; apparently, it needed to fit snugly. She smiled sweetly, turning to face Nikki. “About that blood …”

Chapter 9

I
don’t think it’s a good idea, Kay.”

Nikki noticed the nickname and Raven’s tone of voice as he said it. It raked against her spine.

“Raven, it might buy you more time. We’re leaving within the hour, and I can drop the bottle out in the desert. The seeker likely won’t pick up the scent until the blood touches the ground.” Kaylyn placed her slender hand on Raven’s arm. “Nikki
needs
time.”

That seemed to be enough motivation for him. His eyes caught Nikki’s as she began to say no.

“Nikki, I’m not going to argue about it.” Raven’s voice rose a little.

“I’m not giving her blood. No way. Too dangerous.”

Kaylyn and Raven shared a sort of conspiratorial look, then the blonde singer was back at the table.

Nikki started to move away, but Raven’s arms surrounded
her. When Kaylyn swung around with a cheese knife in her hand, Nikki screamed and tried to wriggle free.

Cold first, then a burning sting as the blade sliced her arm. It didn’t hurt that bad, but emotion welled in her. Maybe because these two were putting their lives on the line while she tried to stop them—just like a bratty kid would stop her mom from pouring peroxide on a wound to clean out the infection. Tears stung her eyes and her nose tingled. Ugh. She hated that. She looked away, off to the left, as if courage was hiding in the corner and she only had to make eye contact to possess it. But no courage came, so she bit her bottom lip while Kaylyn held the bottle to the edge of the cut, where a fine line of blood flowed.

Kaylyn’s voice was annoyingly soothing. “I’m sorry we held you down, Nikki. But if you’re anything like the girls Raven usually goes for, it was the only way.”

Just when I figured I couldn’t possibly feel any worse …

Kaylyn pressed her shimmery lips into a straight line. “I appreciate that you’re worried about my safety. But believe me, I can handle myself, and I won’t take any stupid risks.”

Not trusting her voice, Nikki gave a quick nod and uttered a thank you.

“Okay, you guys need to go.”

Raven bent and kissed Kaylyn on the cheek. The whole exchange made Nikki’s world tilt. Kaylyn was trying to help, but again, Nikki’d been bullied into doing what she didn’t want to do. Was she ever again going to have control over her life?

Yes. One day she would. Deep in her soul a promise bloomed, and she knew with absolute certainty that one day she’d choose her own destiny. Awareness filled her. She didn’t deserve the people she’d been given, and yet here they were.

She didn’t deserve the unmerited favor that surrounded her on every turn. And yet, it sought her like flowers seek the sun.

The sensation overwhelmed her. Something deep within her was changing. Her gaze trailed to Raven first, then to Kaylyn. It gurgled in her stomach and rose to settle in her chest.

A bit confused by it, she stood statue still as waves seemed to flow both outward and inward at the same time, washing over her flesh and splashing through her system.

The green room looked a little brighter. Had someone turned up the light?

“What is it?” Raven’s voice reached her through the veil.

She whispered, “Faith.”

Kaylyn clapped her hands. “Raven, she’s tapping in.”

By the time they made it to the church in Philadelphia, Kaylyn had contacted her friend Pastor Layton. The forty-something man ushered them in and closed a massive door behind them. Nikki recognized his face, especially the dark hair and green eyes, from TV, although she hadn’t known his name. He was probably on some church show she’d flicked past a thousand times on Sunday mornings.

A gargantuan sanctuary swallowed them, lit only by some dim overhead lights, and she took it in as they walked. At the edge of the chair-filled room a door was propped open, spilling bright light into the space.

Nikki chewed on the inside of her cheek.
Guess they didn’t have such a great turnout for the prayer meeting
. But as they moved to the door, a low rumble of voices grew louder. Pastor Layton turned and addressed Nikki with a smile. “I’d like you to meet your intercessors.”

“
My
intercessors?”

Pastor Layton grinned. “Yes, they’ve been praying for you for months. But yesterday I felt an unction from the Throne to call them together. I also called Kaylyn. Can’t say why, just felt like I needed to talk to her. I mentioned we’d be having the prayer meeting.”

“Kaylyn knew we would come here?”

He shook his head. “Nope. Sometimes with the Throne, we’re on a need-to-know basis. You just pray and listen and do what you see yourself doing. Often, you don’t know the details. I had no way of knowing Raven would take you to her. But the prayer warriors here have been keeping you covered with prayer for some time.”

She frowned. Had they just entered some weird alternate reality? “How—How would they know me?”

“They didn’t know you in the flesh, but the Throne placed you on several of their hearts. It will be nice for them to have a face to put with the name.”

“My name?” she asked, which felt like the stupidest thing she’d ever uttered. But really, spiritual stalkers?

“Yes. Nikki Youngblood. They also sometimes refer to you as Freedom.”

Nikki’s gaze shot to Raven. “Did you put him up to this?”

Pastor Layton placed a hand on her shoulder. “Freedom is your Halfling name.”

It was also the nickname Raven had given her. She hated it, now more than ever before. Because of all the things she felt right now, free wasn’t one of them. She opened her mouth to speak, expecting words to form as she did, but none materialized.

“I’m sorry, Nikki. Perhaps I shouldn’t have revealed that to you.”

Raven tossed his hair from his face. “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about it. She’s so stubborn, she probably won’t believe you until she’s heard it about a dozen times.”

Pastor Layton threw his hands in the air. “In that case, no harm done.” He turned and led them into a room where about fifty men and women were praying. Warriors, Kaylyn had called them. Hearing the fervency of their prayers, Nikki agreed.

For the first time since the angel arrived and announced that a seeker had been sent for Nikki, Raven was able to rest. Nikki was safe here. Even if the seeker came, it couldn’t gain entrance to the church as long as the intercessors were praying. Raven leaned back on the dark leather couch in Pastor Layton’s office and was almost asleep before the next breath left his lungs. His eyes burned from too many hours awake and watching, refusing to wonder what would happen if he let his guard slip.

A gentle rapping at the door pulled his attention from the drowsy haze. “Come in,” he said, but the words were thick with sleep.

It was Nikki. She pushed the door open and slipped inside, then stood there for a moment, leaning her back against the door frame and giving him a smile that would fill his dreams. A blanket was hanging over her arm. “I need to apologize.”

Ahhh. That was nice
. He closed his eyes, imprinting her image. “Then do it so I can get some sleep.”

“Raven, you’re not being very gracious. I’m trying to say I’m sorry.”

He tilted his head and peered at her through one open eye. “Trying. Not succeeding.”

She tossed the blanket at him hard. It landed in a heap on his gut and an unexpected
oomph
followed the thud. “Wow, you really need more practice at this apologizing thing.”

She crossed the room and he scooted just enough for her to sit on the edge of the couch. “I know you would never do anything to hurt me.”

Why hearing her say that caused the icy-hot sensation through his body, he didn’t know. He opened his eyes fully, because, seriously, with her so close, filling his nose with her scent, it wasn’t like he’d be able to sleep now. His hand reached to the soft skin on her face, fingertips memorizing every curve, every smooth line. He paused at the edge of her mouth. Soft lips, waiting to be touched. But he didn’t run his hand over their smoothness. Instead, he reached to either side and squeezed gently. His voice came out in sync with the motions of his hand, ventriloquist style. “I’m sorry, Raven. You are
always
right and I am
always
wrong.”

This elicited a true smile on the mouth he held, encouraging him to say more. “Raven, you’re awesome and amazing and the bravest guy I’ve ever met. And did I mention hot?”

Nikki giggled and grabbed his hand in hers. “Okay, that’s enough. Seriously, I’d hate to vomit on you after such an elaborate apology.”

Raven’s face slowly dropped the smile he’d worn as her fingers twined with his. And for a while the two of them stayed there, staring into each other’s eyes. They really didn’t need words. She had this kind of closeness with Mace too, of course, one they’d both built with her while facing the threat of death over and over, experiencing the effects together. But with Raven, it felt more like a mutual connection. He needed her as much as she needed him. Mace needed no one. By nature,
Mace was the quintessential leader — the kind people followed, the kind that never wavered. Hadn’t she seen that so clearly at the train crash? The day she fell in love with him all over again. His very personality bred loyalty. Mace was whole. And Raven was damaged. Like a broken flower pot, still working to hold the flowers, trying to keep up, hoping to hold it together — at least until roots worked their way through the clay and caused it to crumble.

And weren’t people always drawn to help what’s broken? Nikki was. She’d proved it when they’d first connected in the art gallery, shown it through the painting she’d created. She needed Raven. He needed her.

Chapter 10

T
hey were readying to leave when the first bits of apprehension trickled over her shoulders. Raven was unfazed, so Nikki cast her unease aside. “You look rested.”

He smiled. “Yeah, I had sweet dreams. You?”

She didn’t try to hide the smile. “Yes. Pastor Layton’s wife let me sleep in an ultra-comfy recliner in her office after they gave me some instruction about faith and how to fight the seeker.”

“Great, you can fill me in on all the details after we go.” He gave her his full attention. “What’s the main thing you learned?”

“To pray for peace. Peace is a major key in defeating the seeker.”

“Pray for peace, got it.”

“I wasn’t finished. Pray for peace. But prepare for war.”

Raven nodded. “Sometimes war is the only way to peace.”

Didn’t she know it? Rough roads often had the best scenery. And what she’d learned on this difficult journey was fast
becoming the framework of who she was becoming. That girl who liked drawing and karate felt so far away from her, except, on some deep level, that girl was still there. Not dead, just … transformed. It was as if she’d been reborn, and because of that everything looked different, like the world was spinning in a new way. Pastor Layton and his wife helped to make sense of the craziness and in listening to them, she’d found a new kind of clarity. And maybe a new kind of determination. Faith was no longer the foolish thing she’d imagined it to be earlier — now it was like air.

Relationships with boys, however, was another matter. Raven was busy folding the blanket he’d used. It smelled like him, a scent she loved. She couldn’t deny that. Last night, sitting at his side, holding his hand … it all felt so right. But Mace felt right too. Always. How could this be so hard to figure out? Maybe she never would. Maybe there’d never be a clear picture, and the only answer would be choosing neither.