Inferno (20 page)

“What is it?” Dante frowned at her.

“I’m not sure. Something’s not right here.”

Duncan took up a position on her left, Dante on her right as they looked more closely at the books. Both were careful not to touch anything.

“It felt like an electric shock running up my arm and it hurt,” she explained as they retraced her steps. “I think it was right about here.” She lifted her hand to point at a cluster of three hardcover books and drew her hand back sharply, grimacing as whatever it was shocked her again.

“Oh, this is good. Megan, you must be more sensitive than I thought.” Duncan stepped in front of the rather plain books. Dante drew Megan back a step or two to let Duncan work. “Yes, very good,” he seemed to say to himself. “She hid this well. I don’t think I would’ve seen it without your help.”

“Is that—?” Dante didn’t get to finish his question as Duncan nodded.

“A grimoire. Actually, a set of them.” He waved his hand and it looked like the plain covers faded away to reveal ancient looking textured leather bindings with golden letters that glowed under Duncan’s influence. “Oh, this is impressive…and very, very dangerous.” He took a few more precautions, then pulled the books from the shelf. “These are coming with us.”

“Why?” Megan asked. She didn’t know what good a few old magic books would do in defeating Siobhan.

Duncan turned to her, and she was struck once again by the gleaming silver armor that encased him. He was an imposing figure at his most intimidating as he met her gaze.

“These are books that should never have been written. They specify methods for calling demons from other realms that do not belong here. This knowledge is not for mortal mages. I will take these books and destroy them as I have destroyed other copies I’ve come across in the past.”

“Okay.” She held up her hands palms outward, surprised by the vehemence in his tone. “I was just wondering.”

Duncan softened then, sending her a small smile. “Sorry, this is something I’m passionate about. Some knowledge is not meant for this mortal realm.” Dante reclaimed their attention as the computer started beeping. He’d started the system while Duncan was working on the books and now had it up and running.

“Most of this is password protected on several levels. However, I did manage to access a few functions including her calendar. Siobhan is out of town. She left yesterday and according to this, will be gone until the day after tomorrow. It says she’s gone to visit her parents. I looked in her address book and found a listing for them. It’s in Chappaqua, a very expensive, old money neighborhood in upstate New York.”

Dante took a sheet of white paper out of the printer and scribbled down the address as he spoke.

Duncan, meanwhile, had apparently conjured a satchel from somewhere and put the grimoires within. The fabric of the bag glowed faintly, giving her no doubt as to its magical origin as he fastened it securely to his back. She supposed such magic was necessary to contain—and perhaps to hide—the presence of those ancient and dangerous tomes.

“Does her calendar say anything about appointments after she gets back?” Duncan asked as he continued to search the office.

“Not much. She doesn’t seem to plan that far in advance. Instead, she seems to be rather rigorous about accounting for her time after the fact.” Dante continued to search the computer files. “Besides, she’s going to know we’ve been here. Chances are, she’ll change her plans just in case. I know I would.”

“Good point,” Duncan agreed. “I think that’s all we’ll find in here. You two finish up, and I’ll go check the rest of the rooms. Meet me at the entrance, and I’ll guide you through the rest of the house.”

Dante browsed a bit more, then began to shut down the computer system, leaving no trace that he had been scanning it while Megan sorted through some papers and looked at the rest of the bookshelves and cabinets.

“You know, for an old guy, you’re surprisingly good with computers.” She felt comfortable enough to tease him as he stood. He paused for a moment in front of her.

“I used to have a lot of time on my hands to learn new things before I met a puzzling little
were
wolf.” He lifted his hand to caress her cheek as they looked deep into each other’s eyes. She wanted him to kiss her.

His head lowered…

A crash sounded from the other end of the house, breaking them apart. The clash of steel against something no doubt equally as hard rang out a split second later. Dante was already in motion, a preternatural blur of speed as he raced to his friend’s side. Megan wasn’t far behind, but her
were
speed was no match for the vampire.

She discovered Duncan on the threshold of the kitchen, battling against what looked like a dozen heavily armed ghost figures. They were darkly transparent, wearing plate armor of a bygone age. Megan didn’t understand how, but she thought she might be looking at the ghosts of dead warriors, somehow held in thrall by the sorceress.

She froze, uncertain what to do. Duncan was holding them off¾barely. They came at him one at a time through the kitchen doorway. When they saw Dante arrive on the scene, they started walking through walls.

Megan screamed when one lunged at Dante with his blade, coming right through the paisley wallpaper, taking him by surprise. He grunted with the impact as the ghostly sword stabbed into his abdomen. Blood shone wet and slick against his dark clothing. Megan feared for him and for Duncan. She called on her wolf and halted in half-shift. The quarters were too tight for her to be able to do much. Her half-shift form was just too big. The ghost warriors had no problem maneuvering through walls, but she sure as hell did.

“We have to get out of here!” she roared through elongated teeth. A sword poked through the wall to her left, and she swiped at the ghost’s hand with her claws. They went straight through the incorporeal being, much to her dismay. Dante, likewise, was having little effect on the ghost warriors. Only Duncan’s magical sword seemed to have any staying power against Siobhan’s gruesome army.

“Retreat!” Duncan shouted, covering Dante as they ran for the door. The phantoms weren’t far behind.

Megan burst through the door only to find more ghost warriors converging on the path to the gate. Even with all their speed, it would be close. Dante was clutching his side and leaning heavily against Duncan as he did his best to fend off further attacks. Megan bared her teeth, leading the way to the gate that was their only hope.

She took point, moving fast, gauging how quickly she thought Duncan and Dante could follow.

She didn’t want to get separated from them. These phantoms would take advantage of any mistake. If it came down to it, she would cover Duncan’s back as best she could if they had to make a stand.

If it took magic to touch the phantoms, she would call on her own. She’d struck out at that first one using her claws alone. That was usually more than enough. But if she had to confront any others, she’d expend the precious power to put a magical whammy behind her strikes. It would drain her and it wouldn’t be much magic compared to what Duncan was throwing around, but it was the best she could do. It would have to be enough.

They ran for the gate, the phantoms gaining on them with every stride. Megan reached it first, hitting the latch with all her half-shift strength. It resisted at first, then slid open as she put her magic behind it. She burst out onto the sidewalk, jumping over the cracked square directly in front of the gate, just in case. She held the door for Duncan and Dante, then slammed it shut behind them once they were clear. Thankfully, the ghost army couldn’t get through the fence.

She breathed a sigh of relief until she realized she was on a public street in half-shift. Looking both ways, she leapt into the shadow of some trees and returned to human form. Her stretchy clothes were a little misshapen but still decent as she went to Dante’s side, tucking herself under his arm. Together, she and Duncan helped him to the car, assisting him into the back seat.

“Give me the keys,” Megan requested. “I’m taking us to my place. He’s hurt too badly, and it’s too close to dawn. My house isn’t far. We can stay there for the day.” Duncan took the keys from Dante’s pocket and handed them to her solemnly. He said nothing as he climbed into the back seat beside his friend, applying pressure to the wound that still bled in Dante’s side.

They rode in silence for about twenty minutes. Megan was never more thankful to see her small house set in a small patch of trees. The old bungalow was located on a half acre her mother had bought as an investment many years ago. Her family had never lived in this house, but it felt like home because of the family connection.

There were neighbors on either side. Luckily, they were most likely asleep at this late hour.

Megan pulled into the gravel drive and parked the car as close as she could to the door. Between the two of them, she and Duncan managed to get Dante out of the car and into the small house.

“Please come in,” she invited, remembering Dante’s need for tradition as she entered her home.

“Bedroom is to the left. I’ll get the first aid kit.”

Megan rushed around her house gathering supplies. She had a first aid kit under one arm along with a roll of paper towels, a box of wet wipes and one of the few bottles of wine she’d had tucked in the back of her refrigerator. It wasn’t anything like the rare vintages Dante kept, but it would do in a pinch.

She brought everything into the bedroom. Duncan helped Dante to the bed, releasing his heavy weight onto the springy mattress. Dante bounced with a groan as he held his side, which had started bleeding again.

He grabbed the bottle of wine without comment and pulled the cork out with his teeth, swigging straight from the half-full bottle. His usually impeccable manners were no doubt on hold due to his injury.

Draining the bottle, he gave a long sigh and rested his head against the padded headboard, closing his eyes as Duncan began cleaning his wounds. He said not a word while Duncan went about the painful business, merely enduring what had to be endured.

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Duncan reassured her. “He could probably handle this without my help, but after all the traps we found in and around that house I want to be sure nothing snuck in under our guard when we weren’t looking.”

“Like what?” Megan was almost afraid to ask.

“Silver, for one thing, though he probably would have had a violent reaction by now. Of course, there are delayed methods of delivery, which is why I’m checking every detail. There’s also a possibility of magical contamination. When you’re dealing with a dark mage, especially one that dabbles in the black magics of other realms, you can never be too careful.” Duncan continued his work with Megan’s occasional assistance. She handed him things and fetched whatever he needed when asked. It didn’t really take that long, yet it felt like ages before Dante was patched up and resting comfortably in her bed.

She’d brought him another bottle of wine from her refrigerator and he was drinking it—more slowly this time, which she took as a good sign. Duncan spent a few minutes in the attached bathroom, cleaning the few small cuts on his hands and face. The rest of his body had been protected by that amazing glowing armor.

He reentered the room and sat at the foot of the bed. She was glad she’d opted for the king size.

Even so, the two big men dwarfed even that giant piece of furniture. She’d never quite realized how small her bedroom was before seeing these two in it.

She sat on the edge of the bed at Dante’s side, glad for a minute of quiet after the crazy night they’d just had. He’d been amazing through it all, steadfast and brave. He’d impressed her even more than before, and Duncan had blown her right out of the water. The armor, the sword, the incredible magics he had wielded. She’d never really seen him in action before, and his capabilities boggled the mind.

“So what are you, really?” She voiced the question uppermost in her mind. “I mean, what’s with the magical armor and that wicked sword? That’s like nothing I’ve ever even heard of before.” Duncan regarded her with serious eyes. He seemed to consider before finally responding.

“I am a
Chevalier de la Lumière
.A Knight of the Light. We are an ancient order sworn to serve the Light and preserve what is just and good against those who would prefer the darkness of evil.

We serve the Lady in all her forms in the many realms we inhabit. Most of us are fey and spend our time in many different realms. There are a special, chosen few in each realm who take the oath and serve the Mother Goddess and the cause of good. It is a special honor and a charge that lasts until death.”

“Wow. So that’s how and why you were able to test Dante when you first saw him again.”

“You’re quick,” Duncan complimented her. “Yes, I had to make absolutely sure he was still on the right side.”

Megan looked from Dante to Duncan and back. “You took a big chance.”

“He’s worth it,” Duncan said casually, but she could feel there was nothing truly casual about his words. They made Dante sit up straighter, despite his wounds.

“You’re just lucky I didn’t turn on you,” Dante chided. “In the intervening years I could’ve become Satan himself for all you knew.”

Duncan smiled easily. “I had more faith in you than that, my lad. I was willing to bet my life on it, and you didn’t disappoint me at all.”

“Thank the Lady,” Megan breathed. The extent of the men’s relationship was driven home to her.

She’d thought they were close friends, but before tonight she hadn’t fully grasped the fact that they were longtime comrades in arms. They’d put their lives on the line for each other many times in the past and would do so again if the situation called for it.

They had a deep bond. They were as close as brothers, willing to sacrifice themselves for one another. They had each other’s backs.

Megan had heard of such deep friendships. Of course, she’d never experienced anything even close in her solitary prowl through life. It was a privilege to observe and an even deeper honor to be included—just for this short time—in their lives and work.