Redemption (23 page)

Luscid was waiting for him in the doorway, arms folded, scowling. That was never a good sign.

“What’s happened?” Bastion asked.

“We have another player to contend with,” Luscid answered, stepping forward and keeping pace with Bastion.

“Who?”

The two began walking toward the building’s exit. The cold air hit them as soon as the doors swung open. Though unaffected by the elements, a chill ran up Bastion’s spine as he waited for Luscid’s answer.

“Rhys,” he said.

“Lucifer is getting desperate if he sent Rhys,” Bastion commented. “He’s so unpredictable, so uncontrollable, so -”

“Involved with Mara.” Luscid cut him off. “He must be here to manage her. The stakes just go a whole lot higher, Bastion.”

He nodded. “I know. Two of them will be more difficult to take down.”

Luscid stopped walking and shook his head. “That’s not what I mean. We can handle those two, but Lucifer is opening gates all over the place. Lessers are joining in, causing pockets of trouble all over the town. He’s trying to divide us, keep us busy putting out the little fires while they gain closer access to Bryan and Cassidy.”

“Cassidy? They’re after her now?” Bastion asked.

“She’s become too much of a threat, and her abilities are too powerful. They don’t want her for themselves; they just want to destroy her.” Luscid’s eyes glowed as he spoke. “We cannot leave their sides, not for a moment. In thirty years I’ve not let her down once. I’m not about to start now.”

“I agree,” Bastion began. “You go to Cassidy, stay with her. I’ll stand guard outside Bryan’s room. It’s still warded, so entry is impossible. Still, there are many places to access him between here and there.”

Immense wings spread behind Luscid as he spoke, “I’ll contact Vizuhn and Feyth, as well. We’ll meet later to discuss the steps that must be taken.” He lifted into the air and sped away in the direction of the Mayer’s house.

While there were times for the old ways of travel, and wings were very useful, Bastion preferred the speed of flashing. He transported himself to the hallway outside Bryan’s room and took up a guard’s position at the door. Whatever might try to get to him wasn’t going to find it easy to do. He removed the Kodachi sword he carried at all times from beneath his coat. It was one of his favorite weapons - too small to be considered a long sword, but too large to be termed a dagger. And just right for close combat.

Bastion grinned, his blue eyes casting a glow around him. Let Mara and Rhys come. Getting past him to Bryan would not be an easy task. Not easy at all.

C
assidy stared at her phone, willing it to ring. It had been several hours since Bryan left, and she was hoping that he wasn’t getting himself into trouble. Nick returned seeming angry, and he and Carrie had retreated to another room.

Inevitably to plot and scheme,
she thought, frowning. She didn’t remember her cousin being such a busybody. And Nick needed to dial down the big brother act.

She picked up a book, tossed it aside, played with the pendant she wore around her neck, and then decided on more willing of her phone to ring. She was in serious trouble if it was this difficult to focus after just a few hours apart.

The Aventurine in her necklace grew warm and began to vibrate, which was a new sensation. Cassidy held it tightly in her hand and looked around the room, nervous. A soft glow emanated from her pendant, but she was too distracted to notice. Her aunt and uncle were in the living room, her cousin was still in seclusion with Nick, and she was the only one in the library. Still, there was
something
in the air that she couldn’t quite place. An energy.

Cassidy inhaled deeply. And lotus. That was familiar; she’d smelled it outside Bryan’s room, too. She tilted her head to the side and narrowed her eyes, trying to sharpen her vision. A smoky form slithered from one corner of the room to the next. Though the fireplace was burning, this wasn’t any normal smoke that had backed up into the room. This moved like it had substance. Like it was alive.

And it was seriously creepy.

“What are you?” she asked the smoke as it slinked closer to where she sat.

A low chuckle emanated from where its mouth should be, causing it to vibrate. It quickly darted to the other side of the room and stopped, almost seeming to recline against the back of one of the armchairs. Cassidy sat rigid. Whatever the creature might be, it was most definitely watching her. She saw it tilt its smoky head as though studying her.

Do not shake. Do not show fear.

It swept through the room, inspecting as it went. Cassidy was certain she saw something (an arm?) extend from the figure, skim along her uncle’s desk, and return to the mass from which it had come. The creature continued to make its way toward her, and Cassidy could feel her heartbeat racing. She wasn’t sure what she was witnessing, but one thing was perfectly clear: it did not like her. She clutched her pendant more tightly.

“What does he see in you?” it asked, hissing.

Cassidy sat up straighter, bracing herself for what might be coming. “I asked you a question,” she began, forcing her voice to remain steady. “What are you?”

The smoke hovered in front of her, then bent low toward her face. “Your worst nightmare,” a voice whispered. It laughed wickedly and then vanished, taking the scent of the lotus with it.

Cassidy shuddered. “That was-”

“Something you need to stay away from, Cassidy,” Luscid stated firmly, interrupting her.

“I’m not the one who went looking, Lu. That
thing
came to me.” She narrowed her eyes. “And you know what it was. Tell me.”

“I told you, there is great evil attached to Bryan. Bastion and I are working with others to break the hold it has on him, but it’s difficult. The attachment is strong, Cass; and,” he paused, placing a hand on each of her shoulders and lowering his face so their eyes met, “you are a threat to it. I cannot stress it enough when I say that you must be careful.”

“Great evil, be careful, blah, blah, blah. I get that, Lu,” she responded, annoyed. “Tell me who was just in this room with us.”

“She has a claim on him,” Luscid began. “She will not let him go without a fight.”

“She. So it’s a female demon?” Cassidy asked. “That explains a bit.”

He nodded. “She is the Demon of Apathy, Cass, and she has very powerful friends.”

“Friends who are working with her against Bryan.” Her tone was flat.

“Yes, and against you as well.” Luscid explained.

Cassidy blew out sharply. “Super.”

“I don’t think you understand how powerful you are to the Circle, Cassidy. You can see us, which means you can see them, as well.” He pointed to the spot where the smoke had disappeared. “They do not want to be seen; it complicates what they try to achieve. No edge. Also, Miranda and the others need you. She may be the one to pull everyone together, but you will be the one to keep them there. You embody His peace.”

“I know that, but I’m not feeling very peaceful
right now, in case you’re wondering.” She frowned. “A few months back, you said there was more to my move than just reconnecting with family. You also said that it had to do with the Circle and that you’d tell me more when the time was right. I think that time has come. You need to tell me more about this Circle, Lu.”

Luscid sat on the plush armchair next to hers. “Soon, Cassidy. Very soon.”

 

Bryan was lying on the bed, one arm across his eyes, working up the courage to call her. The words Bastion had spoken to him left his brain spinning, and seeing Mara’s photograph had him wondering just what the heck was going on in his life. Six months ago, all he’d wanted was to fly home, reclaim Miranda’s love, and live happily ever after. It should’ve all worked out, but it hadn’t.

And then Mara walked into his life. With her carefree, anything-goes lifestyle, she’d been the perfect diversion for his broken heart and wounded ego. Beautiful, smart, sexy beyond belief, and all his. But their time together had always left him feeling empty and hollow. Nothing about being with Mara made him want more from life. In fact, the more time he spent with her, the more he found he lost interest in living. He hadn’t noticed that before. That couldn’t be a good thing.

Cassidy was unexpected. He didn’t deserve her friendship, and he deserved her love even less. Yet, there she was. She’d managed to pack more meaning into the last few days than he’d felt in years. Even before Mara. Even before Miranda discarded him. Every inch of his body and soul screamed to be near her. Everything in his mind told him to stay as far away as possible.

And now Mara was here? He wondered why she hadn’t just come to the hotel right away. What game was
she
playing? He decided to keep this bit of information to himself until he saw her and found out.

Bryan propped himself up on one elbow and reached for his cell. He pulled up Cassidy’s name and stared at it for what seemed an inordinately long time. Then he shrugged and pressed send. He needed her; he’d worry about undoing the damage later.

“Hi,” Cassidy said after a few rings. She sounded as though she’d expected it to be him. As if she’d been waiting for him.

“Hey.”

“So, staying out of trouble or causing it?” Her smile could be heard in her words.

“Maybe a bit of both,” Bryan said honestly. “Were they awful after I left?”

“I wouldn’t say awful. Besides, I ditched them for some privacy and reading. You should’ve stayed; we could’ve hidden in the library together,” Cassidy paused. “I’m sorry they were so rude.”

“Eh, Cass, I’m used to it. Nick’s not a bad guy - I know he isn’t. He’s just very protective and concerned when it comes to me and the women he cares about.”

“It doesn’t make it right. And I’m capable of deciding these things for myself.” Cassidy replied. She walked over to the chair nearest the fire. Remembering the demon that only a short while ago leaned against the same chair made her uneasy. Suddenly, the room seemed several degrees cooler. She wished Bryan were there with her. “I don’t really know anyone but my family here; and when Carrie is away on her honeymoon, I’ll know even fewer people. You’re basically my only friend, Bry. Maybe I should follow you back to California. Better yet - maybe you should just stay here!”

If only I could,
he thought.

“That’s nice of you to say, Cass. We’re quite a pair, aren’t we?” he asked. “Like in that
Titanic
movie. You know, the one with DiCaprio? No one wanted him around that rich chick, either.”

Cassidy shivered. She paused before speaking, remembering that she’d thought of something similar while they were together Saturday night. “Yeah. Rebels. That’s us. His character was kind of artistic, like you. Except that he drew people and you photograph them. But, well, I guess that would make sense for the time period. We’re one up on them, though. Our ship made it safely to shore.”

“You know, I could always take a-” Bryan began.

“Don’t you even dare to finish that sentence, Bryan Roemer. I know what scene you’re thinking of. Not happening.” Cassidy laughed at him. “You’re impossible.”

Bryan chuckled. “It’s all part of my charm.”

“Oh, it’s part of
something.
I’m not sure I’d call it charm.”

“You want to go out someplace, cause a little trouble?” Bryan asked.

Say yes. Want to be with me. Even if it’s just for a while.

Cassidy looked at the time. She should say no, tell him that she needed to go in to the bookstore tomorrow morning for some sort of orientation, say another time, thanks, and turn in for the night. There were any number of reasons why she should most definitely not go out to cause a little trouble with Bryan Roemer. Instead, she heard herself saying something quite different.

“I’ll be ready in ten minutes.”

 

Since the sun had set, the temperatures had dropped even lower. Bryan flipped up the collar of his coat and tugged it closed. He did not miss winter in Jersey. He jogged to the spot where he’d parked his Jeep earlier that afternoon and pressed the button to unlock the door. The chirp seemed to echo in the stillness of the night. Before climbing in, he leaned forward, steadying himself with both arms. He closed his eyes, and all he could see was Cassidy.