Renegade (10 page)

“Valeria?”

“I don’t know, Griffin. Just go. Now. They have no quarrel with me.” He knew far more than she did about the problems within the Collegium, so his freedom was more important than hers. Somehow, she would talk her way out of this, cover his back. Buy him time.

She tugged him toward the door. “I’ll throw them off.”

“Good luck with that. If they already know I’m here, they’ll kill you.”

“I’ll manage.”

“Like hell.” He yanked his arm free. “I won’t leave you. You come with me, or I don’t go.”

If she left with him, she would also be a fugitive. Was she ready to take that irrevocable step?

“Decide fast,” he said. “If we’re staying, you need to call for backup, report I’m here, and then bash me in the head, before they arrive.”

His grim face meant he was in earnest, that he would sacrifice himself to protect her. If she stopped to think about that, the enormity of it would paralyze her.

“I keep a bag packed.” Even though she now had no job requiring it. “Habit, you know? I’ll grab it.”

“Hurry. They’re about a mile away. The dirt road is slowing them down, but they’ll be here pronto.”

Left alone in the sitting area, Griff erased the whiteboard with a wave of his hand and summoned his staff from beside the table. He and Valeria couldn’t take on a group the size of the approaching one without using lethal force. He already had too many mage deaths on his conscience and didn’t want any on hers. Their best chance of escaping was to sneak clear before the deputies arrived.

Most likely, the approaching units had orders to kill him and secure Valeria, and he’d have no chance to protect her. Unless he pretended to take her hostage, made them listen to him before they started blasting.

Valeria hurried back into the room with a small backpack over her shoulder and her broadsword at her hip. “By the way, Griffin, I won’t let you sacrifice yourself to save me. Not ever. I can look after myself, and I know we can find a way to make the Council listen to us.”

Yeah, right, but arguing would waste time and breath. So would stopping to think about the longing her loyalty stirred in his soul.

They hurried out of the house. Valeria locked the door with a jolt of magic so they wouldn’t have to stop. That lock wouldn’t keep mages out, but it would slow down other intruders.

“You drive my car,” he said, “if you can handle a stick shift. I have things in the trunk I can’t lose. Besides, I can build a stronger screen if I don’t have to divide my attention.” She could probably feel him building it already—a glamour of absence, of transparency and illusion, one layer at a time.

He could fire energy bolts to blast their way to freedom, a tactic he didn’t want her using. He was already an outcast beyond redemption. No sense making her road back any harder than it had to be.

She tossed her bag in the rear seat of his low-slung four-door while he propped her sword between the gear box and his leg, with his staff stuck between the seats in easy reach.

“Leave the lights off,” he said as she started the engine, “and go around your car, down to the water. Head left along the exposed lake bed to your neighbor’s boat ramp. Then pull up a few feet and sit until the Collegium SUVs go by.”

“Then we drive onto the road behind them, moving out while they move in. All without bringing your screen close, where they might sense it.” Shifting into first, she arched a brow at him, her face barely visible in the darkness. “Smart.”

“Thanks. Once we get around that bend up there, out of their sight, turn on the lights and drive like hell. Engine’s a V8, so it’s got muscle.”

What they’d find at the entrance to the lakeside community might pose another problem. No tactician with a brain would leave that unguarded. But they’d swim that river when they reached it.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t hide behind a screen and put up a deflecting shield at the same time. But if the screen worked, the shield wasn’t necessary. He pushed the glamour a little farther out. Slow, steady expansion was key.

Valeria steered between pine trees and down to the red clay edging the water. As she swung left, onto the bumpy surface, his screen brushed something—a tingle—power. Mages coming along the water’s edge on foot. They would feel the screen.

“Shit,” he snapped. “Floor it!”

Her lips tightened. The car surged onto her neighbor’s lawn with a roar, and a bolt of blue-white energy shot past the rear bumper. “I’m going to the road. The ground’s too uneven for us to make time here.”

“I’ll keep the screen up so they can’t peg us exactly.”

Another blue-white streak ripped by, this time in front of them, as a pale green bolt zoomed toward the rear window. The mages must’ve homed in on the screen’s energy. Griff dropped the screen and flung a personal shield around himself and Valeria. The tingle rippling over his skin meant she was also shielding.

The rear window exploded. Shrapnel bounced off their personal shields. They traded a grim look.

“Those shots come close enough to the fuel line and they’ll blow the engine.” She had a white-knuckled grip on the wheel.

“Just get to the road.” He threw more power into his shield.

The nearest SUV was merely fifty feet away. The intense power he felt building inside it had to come from at least five or six mages.

Valeria swerved wildly and careened onto the road. Just ahead, the other SUV was pulling a three-point turn. One closing fast, the other angling to intercept, and the one that had come in from the other direction gaining.

Shit.
Griff aimed his staff out the back window. The runes and end caps glowed. He pushed his power into the staff through the P-shaped rune,
thurisaz
, for pure might, to trigger a blast from the end cap. Using the rune amplified the power but drained him faster.

With an earthshaking, deafening boom that shattered windows in nearby houses and made his shielded ears ring, the gravel surface erupted. The lead SUV flipped.

Valeria gaped at him. “What the—”

A bolt of blue-white sizzled past the car. Way too close.

“Not now.” Griff closed his eyes. Centered. “There’s a kill switch for the engine, that red button by the ignition. Punch it.”

“But that’ll—”

“Do as I say!”

Valeria hit the button. The engine roar died abruptly, but momentum carried the car forward.

He gathered more power, drawing from the grass and trees, the fish in the lake, even the night bugs stirring around them.

“Griffin, damn it—”

“Hang on,” he bit out. His neck hurt. His chest cramped. He centered his power, surrounded the car with it, and reached for the space between life and death.

His control wobbled, felt dangerously shaky. But if this didn’t work, they were dead anyway.

R
eality whirled away with speed that pressed the breath from Val’s lungs. Blind and deaf in the icy cold, she fought terror an instant before realizing they’d translocated. Then the car popped back into reality. Headlights rushed toward them as she discovered they were on the wrong side of a forest road. Yanking the wheel to the right, toward the correct lane, she hit the gas. Nothing.
Hell.

“Key,” Dare gasped as she reached for it.

Brakes squealed. She turned the key and the engine caught, but the other car was veering into the open lane. It passed them with a long, hard blare of its horn and an angry shout.

“Shit,” Val muttered. If she tried to say anything more right now, she’d blow like a volcano. Of course he’d killed the engine before translocating, but she hadn’t realized that was his plan. Nobody she knew had ever translocated an entire car.

She swung into the correct lane and drove forward. There had to be a place she could pull over and get a few things straight. He’d flipped that SUV like a toy. God only knew if the mages inside had shielded in time.

God, she’d trusted him. Started to care, maybe more than—
No, nuh-uh, not walking that path.

“Should’ve…warned you.” His soft voice rasped.

“Should have done a lot of things.” She shot an angry glance at him, and her anger evaporated as her heart plunged into her stomach.

Dare slumped in his seat, eyes closed, head lolling against the headrest. The green glow of dash lights showed beads of sweat on his upper lip and temples. His chest rose and fell in fast, shallow breaths.

No, no, no.
He couldn’t have blown himself out. Could he? “Griffin?”

His throat moved in a hard swallow. “I’m okay. Just…need a minute.” Another swallow.

When she touched his cheek with her knuckles, it felt clammy. Like a ghoul’s—but that was ridiculous. Sick people had cold, clammy skin, too, and he’d drained himself dangerously pulling this stunt.

He caught her hand to kiss it, and her heart skipped a beat. Despite the anger still seething under her worry, she squeezed his fingers before she drew her hand back.

Everything he’d done, he’d done to save her. She would remember that when they talked, but he’d better not order her around like that ever again if he wanted her help.

Of course, she needed his help, too. Val sighed.

Distrusting Gene went against the grain. Maybe he hadn’t always supported her ideas. Maybe she’d occasionally felt as though he were manipulating her, not an unusual move for a politician. Still, he and Zara had treated her as though she were their own. Reluctantly, feeling ungrateful and overly suspicious, she’d left the pendant behind. Just in case.

For better or worse, she was allied with Dare. They had to find a way to make things right.

“Where are we?” she asked. He would recharge faster in a place thick with life, with energy he could safely draw from.

“Should be about a mile from the lake, maybe less.” He ran a hand over his face.

“But I don’t recognize anything, and I’ve explored all around the lake cottage.” Translocating a car a mile would be a record.

He frowned into the darkness. “Then I don’t know where we are,” he said slowly. “Sorry.”

“We’ll figure it out.” He must’ve sent them quite a distance, maybe farther than any mage had ever achieved. Just how strong was he?

“Watch for a road sign,” she said.

He nodded but didn’t look any better. Drawing more power than you could handle could burst a blood vessel or create a systemic effect similar to an electrical short or induce knee-buckling fatigue.

“We need a place to crash,” he muttered. He shook his head and blinked, as though he were having trouble seeing.

“Yeah.” Val kept her tone easy despite the way his gesture pinched her heart. “Once we know where we are.”

She hoped there wasn’t any physical damage from the overload.

“How have you managed to stay hidden these last six years? Have you shielded yourself? Can you shield us now? Or are we busted, with helos on the way?”

“We should be okay.” He fished under his shirt and drew out the pendant she’d felt earlier. “I have warding stones to put around whatever place we stop in for the night. Meanwhile, this is specially warded. As long as we’re within fifteen feet of it, we’re covered.”

She glanced at it. “Is that an eye?”

“Of Horus, the Egyptian god of justice. It’s made of lapis lazuli.” He tucked it back into his shirt. “We should also disable the GPS on your cell phone. You can’t use it, or they’ll be able to track you. I can do it magically if you give me the phone.”

She reached behind the seat, fished in her bag on the floor, and handed him the phone. “The sooner the better.”

If anyone had told her she’d be on the run with a fugitive, she would’ve said they were living in Loony Land.

The headlights struck a green rectangle with white lettering—a road sign, finally!
BICKLEY 3
, it read.

Val gaped at it. “Bickley is twelve miles from the cabin.”

“And you’ve driven, what, about three?” His eyes reflected her astonishment.

“You sent us six miles. Six times the distance any mage ever attained with a freakin’ paperweight, and you did it with a car, two people, and gear.” A chill ran down her spine. “Griffin, what are you?”

“Stronger than I knew, I guess.” Again, he ran a hand over his face. “I don’t know how I did it. My record with a car is about a mile. I just wanted us safe.”

Nothing about him hinted at evasion or deceit. Val blew out a breath. “Okay,” she said. “We’ll worry about it later. One thing at a time, and rest comes first. Beyond Bickley is Abner Wade State Park, a great place to recharge.”

Rest would also give her time to think, something she badly needed if she had to accept that someone she’d trusted for most of her life was a traitor.

“I paid with cash.” Griff climbed back into the car. Valeria looked strained, and no wonder. She’d come to grips with a lot today. “Remember, no credit cards from here out. Those are traceable.”

“Right.” She grimaced as she put the car in gear. “I only have about seventy-five dollars on me. That won’t go far.”

“This place is pretty cheap. We’re in cabin six, on the left side. As for money, I have a couple of hundred, and I can get more.” Through the untraceable account he’d gotten from the Feds. “Don’t worry, Valeria. I’ll get you home soon.”

For now, though, that translocation was catching up to him. His eyelids felt heavy. Gritty, too. Fatigue thrummed in his muscles and knotted his gut.

Worst of all, the ammonia taste in his mouth was so strong, it backed up into his nose.
Shit.
If he turned ghoul, what would happen to her? She’d burned her bridges tonight because of him. His choices had led to too many deaths, including two close friends and the woman he’d loved. Somehow, he would keep Valeria safe.

She backed out of the parking space, and he flipped open his phone. Stefan or Will might be able to clue him in on how the Collegium had tracked them. The message icon appeared on the screen. He checked his voicemail.

“Mages coming,” Stefan’s voice said. “Get out now, both of you. They found you by scrying through Banning’s pendant. The Horus charm mostly blurred your face, but it failed for just a second, enough time to let them suspect who you were. Get rid of her pendant.”

Well, shit.
The Horus pendant’s screen had probably failed when she’d cupped him. His intense reaction to that could’ve broken through. But he couldn’t tell her the truth without risking Stefan’s cover. He glanced at her throat. “What happened to your necklace?”

“I left it at the lake.” She shot him an uneasy glance. “It was the only new thing I had, the only way I could think they might spy on us.”

“Smart move.” He tried to keep the relief from his voice. She’d made a tough choice, and it showed in the unhappiness shadowing her eyes. He longed to comfort her, but hugs wouldn’t solve their problem. After tonight, she’d have no reputation left. He couldn’t let her pay any more than she already was for giving him a chance.

She drove into a gravel parking lot surrounded by a dozen or so small huts. Judging their color at night was tough, but they looked slightly run-down—a bit of paint peeling here, an uneven roof shingle there. They’d definitely seen better days.

VACATION CABINS
, the sign had said? More like garden sheds for the Bates Motel. Still, obscurity was good for fugitives.

He and Valeria climbed out of the car and unloaded their gear. He jammed the key into the lock, turned it, only to have the door stick.
Bates Motel
, he thought again, and put his shoulder to the wood. His weight, more than his strength, forced the door open.

Great, a musty smell. Better not be from the body of a mummified old lady.
Frowning, he stepped inside and found the light switch.

Dim yellow light issued from a floor lamp by the window to his left. Cracked leather armchair on one side of it, worn green-cushioned love seat on the other against the wall by the door. Spindly coffee table in front of the love seat. Kitchenette to his right. Bed across the room.

One bed.

Hell.
“I didn’t think to ask about the beds,” he said. “I’ll take the couch.”

She squeezed past him to set her bag and sword down. “It’s way too short for you. We’ll share the bed.” Her lips quirked up in a wry smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I promise not to molest you.”

If only she would. Even half dead and totally exhausted, his body responded, and he swore silently.

“No argument.” Her firm tone underlined the words.

So the shire reeve still lurked inside her. Good. She’d looked so discouraged earlier. But sleeping next to her was dangerous for his peace of mind. Undecided, he stared at the love seat.

“Can the chivalry,” she said. “I need you functioning. You won’t be, without real rest, and you’re too tall to get it there. Unless you want me to take the couch?”

“No way.”

“Okay, then.” Her stern gaze locked on his face, no yielding in her eyes.

He drew on the last dregs of his strength to firm his voice and almost winced at the spike in ammonia taste, a reminder he was no good for her or any other woman. She deserved better than a fugitive who could turn ghoul at any time. “Okay. Thanks.”

She nodded, but grief darkened her eyes. Helpless to fix it, he clenched his fists at his sides. She probably felt more alone now than she ever had, even when her parents died. A corner of his soul he’d learned to ignore knew that aching loneliness, that desolation of being an outcast. He hated it for her.

“Before we settle in,” she said, “I have to tell you, I was seriously pissed when you flipped that SUV.”

“What, you wanted me to wave toodles?” He fought back a roar of impatience. “I had to stop them.”

“I know.” She blew out a heavy sigh, her eyes tired and pained. “I said I
was
pissed. While you were checking us in, I realized you had little choice. You’ve spent years battling mages who should’ve been your allies.” Her lower lip trembled, but her voice stayed firm. “I need to stop thinking of the Collegium mages as my teammates. They’re not anymore.”

No, and the bastards had been ready to kill her with no questions asked. But his anger wouldn’t help her now. He brushed her hair back gently. “It never gets easy.”

At least the last dregs of his power kept him on his feet, though not for long. And tonight had jacked up his blood venom levels. He not only tasted ammonia but felt rage bubbling in his veins.

“We need to get a couple of other things straight.” Her eyes narrowed. “First, while I’m glad you’ve recovered a bit, you don’t give me orders.”

The hell he didn’t. “Back atcha, babe.” He could do narrow eyes, too.

“Do not
babe
me in that snide tone. Second—”

“You’re not my mother, my nurse, or my boss, so stop acting like you are.” Hell, a minute ago he’d been glad—

“When you’re teetering on your feet, you need at least one of those. Don’t be an ass, Griffin.”

He raised an eyebrow, daring her. His hands balled into fists. “Want to rephrase that? Babe?”

Snapping with irritation, her eyes skimmed over him. “What’s the matter with you all of a sudden?”

Ammonia burned the inside of his nose. Red haze washed across his vision. His fists tightened. His body twisted, left foot edging forward, right arm drawing up and back to punch.

Valeria balanced on the balls of her feet, hands rising. She was set to meet him, but by hell’s bells, he’d teach her not to boss him around. He’d saved her stubborn life. She should be on her knees, thanking him. Stripping for him. Spreading for him. He’d make her beg once he’d wiped that pained look off—

Pained?

Pained.
Despite her set expression, her eyes were mossy wells of aching disbelief. A moment more, he hovered between fury and guilt before the guilt won. The rage abruptly drained.

“Oh, shit, I’m sorry.” He dropped his hand, made his body relax. “Valeria, I’m sorry.”

She kept her ready stance. “In the last five minutes, you’ve gone from looking half dead to threatening to hit me, and now you’re slumping and sorry. Which will it be five minutes from now?”

“Semiconscious, probably, and still very, very sorry. I’m tired from the fight and the car. When I’m tired, my temper is damnably unsteady.” Because fatigue let the venom level in his blood rise, but he couldn’t tell her that now, not after the day they’d had, the danger they’d faced.

The way he’d threatened her.

He owed her the truth, had meant to tell her at the lake. Maybe he was a jerk not to do it now, but if they could pass a peaceful night, maybe she’d be more inclined to trust him, not fear him, when he explained.

She studied him, her face still uncertain. “Okay. This time. Any new insights about how you threw us so far?”

“I don’t know how I did it. I wish I did.” Could it be the venom in his blood? Could there be any benefit to that? “I’ve never done anything even close to that before.”

“Well. We can kick that around in the morning.” She hesitated. “I have pajamas I’d planned to sleep in. Are you okay with that?”