Gideon's Promise: Final Judgment, #2

PART I

Chapter 1

There were three things a smart man ought never to say to a woman, especially when that woman collected sharp, deadly instruments the way most women collected shoes. But then no one would ever accuse Gideon Maxwell of being a smart man. He was a man of action first, consequences second, and retaliation when it counted third. Besides, anyone watching could clearly see he’d been provoked. Practically framed.

Women were such conniving creatures.

Next to him, shifting uneasily as they were closed in from all sides by no less than two dozen heavily armed bikers, Regulus cleared his throat.

Maybe we should leave.

Oh hell no, he wasn’t leaving. She wanted to play, well, baby, he would play.

Gideon cracked all ten fingers and eyed the crowd with a glint of challenge in his eyes. He smirked coldly at the woman on the other side, perched on a stool at the bar, long, leather clad legs crossed in a way that was sure to send a man’s blood roaring. She raised the martini glass in her hand in a sort of salute before bringing it to her red lips.

Oh, it was so on.

Gentlemen, he spread his hands, but there was nothing peaceful about the gesture. Return to your drinks and save yourselves a beating.

A few snickered, stupid for not taking his fair warning seriously.

Ah well, he tried.

He swung.

The initial crack of bone on bone stilled the room for as long as it took for the others to watch as their companion’s entire body went soaring as though weightless and slam to the ground a full three feet away in an unconscious heap. Then the madness struck in a full blown cacophony of rage.

Vaguely, he heard Reggie swear, but everything was lost in a war of flying fists and battle cries.

Gideon was in his element.

With every slam of his knuckles into flesh and meat, it sang up his arms in a sweet rush of bloodlust. Octavian would have his head for letting his temper rule his better judgment, but in that moment, there was nothing but the freeing sensation of proving a point. In all honesty, if anyone was to blame, it was the vixen at the bar, watching the brawl with quiet deliberation. She was his main focus, the reason he was making a clear path across the room. She was responsible for letting the beast out.

A dirty uppercut got him in the gut and sent splinters of pain and fury shooting up into his lungs. He doubled over, his breath escaping in a snarl. His fingers curled even as the cackling chuckle of his opponent reached his ear over the din.

Gideon straightened. He turned his body to scrutinize the hulk of a man looming a good foot taller than him, which was an impressive fact considering Gideon was six-three.

The man leered around yellow, rotted teeth. He stood the way men stood when they were so sure they’d won, with confidence a shiny cloak draped over their shoulders. His broad shoulders were braced with his wide stance. At his sides, his ham-sized fists were clenched. The veins along his forearms rippled, making the snake tattoo wrapped up each arm wiggle. Asshat had no idea that Gideon fought things bigger and stronger than him on a daily basis, which was why, when Gideon backhanded him, holding nothing back, he flew into a cluster of tables as though he weighed no more than a small child.

That seemed to calm the natives. Everyone in the room stopped. They turned to watch as the man fought to untangle himself from the mess of splintered pieces of wood. A nasty flow of blood gushed from his nostrils and trickled down to mix with the gash in his bottom lip. It all oozed down to color the front of his blue t-shirt.

I would really stay down, Gideon warned him when he hefted his heavy frame to his unsteady feet.

Gideon...

He ignored the warning in Reggie’s tone.

His hands curled at his sides. His feet braced. He waited for the bull to charge and wasn’t disappointed.

With a vicious roar, the gorilla charged. 

Ready for him, Gideon twisted his body, hooked his arm around the back of the man’s neck and flipped him seamlessly. They both went down in a glorious crash of shattering glass and splintering wood.

Wrenching around, he locked both arms around the man’s throat even as the bigger man thrashed and tried to throw Gideon off. It took no time at all to incapacitate him, even with all his struggling. It would have been just as simple to snap his damn neck. But despite the fight, Gideon wasn’t actually allowed to hurt humans. And technically, he hadn’t started it. If anything, he was defending himself. After all, it had been two against twenty four. Hardly a fair fight; the humans never stood a chance.

Gideon!

Reggie, looking only slightly tussled, surged forward, probably to try and drag Gideon off the ox. But Gideon had already let go and was getting to his feet, dusting himself off.

I’m done, he told his brother as he yanked down the collar of his favorite coat. The worn leather gave a familiar, comforting rustle.

He faced the rest of the room, surveying the faces more than the damage, which was immense. When no one made a move towards him, or Reggie, Gideon grinned inwardly and moved to the cause of all his problems.

Valkyrie Devereaux watched him, her blue eyes bright against the smooth, pale contour of her breathtaking features. Her hair was down, spilling in a sleek, dark sheet around her bare shoulders and over the leather vest-type top she wore that delved deep between her breasts and left her stomach bare. The ends curled at her hips, just inches from where her waistband began. Blasted woman was clad entirely in leather, his number one weakness. There were times he wondered if she did it just to torment him. It was a very real possibility. Most everything she did was for the sole purpose of driving him insane so it wouldn’t have surprised him.

Enjoy the show?

He stopped a safe two feet from her. Any closer he couldn’t be trusted not to grab her and ... he gritted his jaw.

She took a casual sip of her drink, those unfathomable baby blues watching him over the rim. Then she ran the tip of her pink tongue over her upper lip and Gideon had to fight not to shatter his teeth when they creaked under the force of his resolve. It took a lot of willpower not to do something insane, like groan.

Hardly. She set her glass down on the bar. You’re still here.

His feet moved without a single shred of consent from his brain. He closed in on her personal space, trapping her with an arm on either side of her, caging her between the bar and his body. And even as every bit of common sense in his head screamed for him to back away, he found himself leaning even closer still.

Damn if she didn’t smell like sin, forbidden and delicious.

"Baby, I am always going to be here. His traitorous gaze dropped to her mouth, full and red. Like it or not, he followed the smooth curves of her pink cheeks to anchor in the deep oceans of her eyes. You’re stuck with me."

Maybe it was because he was mere inches from her, or maybe it was because he was falling so deeply into her eyes, but he didn’t miss the pulse of her irises, nor did he miss her sharp intake of air.

His fingernails gouged into the scarred wood as that single sound slammed square into his chest.

He could kiss her. Damn if he didn’t want to. He wasn’t stupid enough to deny it. But he was also not stupid enough to actually do it. Not only would she probably gut him with the daggers she carried in her sky-high boots, but he knew who she was, knew what she represented, and that scared the holy fuck out of him.

Instead, he shoved away from her, finding a small ounce of sense and grinned at her with much more arrogance than he felt.

Better luck next time.

With a wink he knew would get him slapped, he whirled on his heels and marched back to where Reggie stood, waiting for him with a deep scowl of disapproval.

He smacked his baby brother on the shoulder in passing as Gideon stalked from the bar into the cool, spring night.

The place reeked of urine, vomit, and sweat, even on the outside, but there was something almost comforting about it. Gideon couldn’t put a finger on it, but he didn’t try. He just let the moment wash over him as he moved towards his Rolls-Royce gleaming like a giant, gray ship amongst a sea of shiny black motorcycles. His keys jingled as he fished them from his pocket. He was distantly aware of Reggie’s boots crunching gravel behind him. He could also feel his brother’s disapproval beating against the length of his spine. It surprised him that the younger man restrained himself until they were seated in the warm leather before unleashing the annoyance wafting off him in dark tendrils.

That was stupid.

I didn’t start it, Gideon reminded him as he stabbed the keys into the ignition and started the engine.

But you instigated it, Reggie argued. You deliberately pushed Valkyrie—

Gideon arched a brow. "Have you met Valkyrie? You can’t push her to do anything that she hasn’t strategically thought to death first. He turned out of the driveway and pitched into the night. I mean, she’s the one that got those guys on our asses."

Because you attacked the guy she was talking to ... for no reason!

Gideon snorted. He kept his gaze fixed doggedly on the road as the bitter tang of annoyance and anger tainted the back of his throat. The leather bound wheel creaked beneath his fierce grip. He relaxed his fingers.

That wasn’t talking. He squinted hard at the windshield. He was all over her. I did him a favor.

"Well, I don’t think she saw it that way. Reggie faced his window, missing the flex of his brother’s jaw. I should have known you were up to something when you picked me to tag along with you tonight. Magnus would never have let you go in there and neither would Octavian."

It was the hurt in his voice that made Gideon groan inwardly and let go of his own irritation.

It was true. Magnus and Octavian wouldn’t have let him go in. The minute they saw Valkyrie, they would have grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and dragged him out. They knew the two of them in the same room was like gasoline near an open flame. Reggie, well, Reggie was easier to convince, easier to stronghold into doing what Gideon wanted. True, he felt horrible about using his brother like that, but it was for the good of mankind.

I asked you to come along because we never spend time together anymore. It wasn’t entirely a lie.

He hadn’t seen much of his baby brother. They were always busy with their Caster duties, or manning the bar, or whatever else needed seeing to. So why not kill two birds with one stone, he’d thought. He’d take his brother out, have a few drinks, and if they happened to come across Valkyrie ... well ... he could hardly be blamed for that. Besides, how could he have known she’d sick the entire club on him for beating the shit out of that gangly asshole pawing at her? That had just been uncalled for.

Maybe. Reggie said, pulling Gideon out of his woolgathering. Then he turned and asked the one question Gideon had no intention of answering. What’s the deal with you two anyway?

Only Magnus knew the truth. His twin was the only person he felt like he could trust not to blow the whole thing out of proportion, the only one who would be logical about the disaster. After Riley and Octavian, and Daphne and Reggie, the last thing he wanted was to fall into that death trap with an infuriating woman that made him want to bite the head off a kitten.

There’s no deal, he replied evenly.

Seriously? He didn’t have to look over to know Reggie had an eyebrow raised. You two can’t even walk into the same room without going into full battle mode.

Can you blame me? He tossed his brother a quick glance before facing the road once more. That woman is a pain in the fucking ass.

Uh huh.

He highly disliked the amused disbelief in the other man’s voice.

Asshole.

What did he know anyway? He had Daphne, a girl that was crazy about him, who would drop everything to be with him ... happily. Valkyrie would just as soon stick a dagger into Gideon’s heart before even considering the possibility of being his for all eternity, which he told himself suited him just fine. He wasn’t a masochist. He didn’t exactly thrive on pain and boy was that woman a pain.

It took no time at all to get home. Reggie rolled out before Gideon could even eject the keys from the ignition. The two crossed the gravel lot and stomped up the front steps to face the doors of judgment. Gideon didn’t know the history behind the bronze emblem. He didn’t know where it had come from, except it had been there when they’d been given Final Judgment as their home. The house itself had been built on the grave of more lost souls than any in the world. It was the very doors of hell and every time he passed through, he felt a chill go down his spine.

The night was winding down to a few stray stragglers hoping against all odds that tonight would be their last night there. He didn’t know why they bothered. If their name hadn’t been called by the first hour, it wouldn’t be, at least not that night. Yet they stayed, hoping. It was ridiculous.

Across the room, behind the bar, he spotted Magnus mixing drinks. He looked up when Gideon and Reggie strode in.

As twins went, they looked nothing alike, which threw a lot of people off at first glance. Magnus was tall, dark, and harbored a perpetual scowl that only intensified the angry scars slashing the side of his otherwise handsome face. He wasn’t the friendliest of the brothers. Truthfully, he wasn’t friendly at all. It amazed Gideon how someone so surly could be related to him at all, never mind actually having shared a womb at one time.

He’d begun to grow his hair out, letting the once neatly clipped strands curl around the back of his collar and around his face. He never said, but Gideon knew it was to hide the scars. He also knew it wasn’t vanity. Magnus didn’t give two shits about what anyone said, or thought. But even he had to admit the change gave his brother an almost pirate appearance, which suited him. It was wild, dangerous and, well, very dangerous, which fit Magnus to a T. Aside from being gruff, he was the brother most people feared. Despite his calm demeanor, Magnus could make a grown man cry just by looking at him. The fact that he had no qualm about taking the law into his own hands didn’t help the ruthless reputation he carried like a badge. Magnus just didn’t give a shit. That’s what Gideon loved best about him.

Hey. Gideon took a spot at the end of the bar and was passed a small shot of vodka, just what he was dying for. He threw it back greedily and hissed as it poured with a beautiful burn down the center of his chest to brew welcomingly in the pit of his empty stomach. Satisfied, he sent the glass skidding across the table back to where Magnus stood wiping the counter. Where is everyone?

Where else? Magnus muttered without looking up.

Pushing away from the bar, Gideon made his way to the door across the room, the one leading into the kitchen. Reggie followed him.

The kitchen was dark, except for the single bulb over the preparation table and the light spilling through the open staff room door. Low whispers followed the warm glow, floating through the semi darkness. Gideon followed the sound and stopped in the doorway.

Inside were Octavian and Riley, lost in the cocoon that perpetually surrounded them when the other was in the room. Riley was perched on the table with her arms around Octavian’s neck as he nuzzled into her, murmuring something in her ear that had her giggling. It was a disgusting sight.

Don’t you two have a room? Gideon interrupted with a little more bite than was necessary.

It wasn’t that he didn’t love his eldest brother and the pint sized woman he loved more than life itself. But damn it all to hell! What did a man have to do to walk freely through his own home without stumbling in on things he would rather not see? Like his brother’s naked ass.

It had been the same ever since Riley had been turned into a strigoi and Octavian had given his soul to the devil to keep her. That had been almost three months ago. Gideon had hoped things would cool down between them. It hadn’t. Not even an inch. If anything, they seemed even more desperate not to let a single moment pass them, like they were afraid if they didn’t touch, kiss ... screw every chance they got, something bad would happen and they’d be torn apart. As if Octavian would ever let that happen. Hell, even Gideon wouldn’t let that happen. Riley was family. He loved her as much as he loved his brothers. He’d be right there next to Octavian, fighting to keep her safe if it ever came down to it, just as he knew Magnus and Reggie would, which was why he wanted to hit the two with something blunt.

You’re back. Riley smiled at Gideon as Octavian eased her off the table. The dull light sparked off her needlepoint fangs and glinted in her red eyes. Did you guys have fun?

Standing just behind Gideon’s shoulder, Reggie snorted. Oh, loads.

Giving Gideon a shove, he walked away. A moment later, Gideon heard the door leading upstairs open and shut.

Something happen? Octavian asked.

Gideon sucked in a deep breath, held it, and then released it in a single rush. Nope. Night.

With a salute, he turned on his heels and stalked out of the room, following Reggie’s retreat.

In his room, he shut the door and kicked his boots into a corner. He shrugged off his coat and tossed it over the armchair by the door. Then he started the mundane process of undressing, letting everything just slip off him and fall where they may. The brawl had taken more energy than he liked using in a single night, unless it was to fight something worthwhile.

He dropped across the cool spread of his bed and shut his eyes against the world. Usually, this worked. Usually, he’d pass right out and stay asleep until dawn. He probably would have this time, too, if it hadn’t been for the blood curdling scream that ripped through the manor.

In a single powerful lunge, he tore off the bed, snatched up his jeans and tugged them on as he half ran, half stumbled to the door. He paused only once to grab his angelic blade from his coat pocket.

His bare feet pounded as he raced down the corridor in the direction of the sound of female anguish. His blood roared in his ears as he imagined all sorts of horrific things happening to Riley or his mom and what he would do when he got his hands on the person responsible.

At the bottom of the stairs, he nearly collided with Magnus running up. The angelic blade in his hand glinted in the feeble moonlight spilling through the stained glass showing a seriously pissed off Michael in all his angelic glory.

Where’s that coming from? his brother demanded.

Gideon shook his head. Not downstairs?

Doing a turn on the steps, Magnus growled in his throat. Find Mom! I’ll find Riley.

What is that? Reggie appeared at the top of the stairs. He’d clearly had the idea of going to bed as well, because he was topless and his fly was open to reveal white boxers. His brown eyes shot from Magnus to Gideon. Where’s Mom?

Split up, Magnus ordered, taking charge. I’ll take outside. Gideon, upstairs. Reggie, down here. Shout if you find anything. Where the fuck’s Octavian?

With no way to answer that, they shot off in separate directions.

The wails continued, seemingly endless and without pause. It swept through the manor, a hollow sound of unbearable pain, and the longer it continued, the more desperate Gideon became. His heart hurt. It was as though his very soul was being wrenched. The anguish tore and twisted through him until he wanted to curl up where he was and weep.

Mom! He pounded a fist on his parent’s door. Dad?

Without waiting, he wrenched open the door and stumbled inside, something he hadn’t done since he was a kid escaping a nightmare.

The bed was empty, as was the rest of the room.

Swearing, he pivoted on his heels and ran for Octavian and Riley’s room. He didn’t bother knocking. He didn’t care if they were buck naked and fucking so long as Riley was okay.

Riley? He shoved into the room.

Nothing. Not a single soul in sight.

Heart thrashing, he turned and dashed downstairs.

Gideon! Reggie crashed into the room from the front room. The doors swung violently with his attack. His wide, frantic gaze met Gideon’s. Anything?

Gideon shook his head. I can’t find anyone. Where’s Magnus and Octavian?

Looking as terrified as Gideon felt, Reggie shook his head wildly. I don’t know!

Okay. He put his hand up, the one not holding his angelic blade. We stay together. Magnus went outside. Octavian and Riley were in the staff room. Did you check there?

Reggie squinted at him like he was insane. Of course I checked there! He tipped his head back and looked at the ceiling as the screeching pooled over their heads, weaving through the air like a solid force. Where is that coming from? It’s everywhere.

He opened his mouth to tell his brother he had no idea when the kitchen doors slapped open and Octavian marched in, dragging a wide-eyed Riley in after him.

Gideon expelled his first breath of relief. She’s with you! Thank God.

What the hell is going on? Octavian demanded. Where’s Mom?

We have no idea, Reggie answered. We’ve looked everywhere. Where were you two?

The conservatory, Octavian answered. We heard the screams and came running.

Some genius had built the conservatory away from the manor so one would have to go out the backdoors and around the house to get to it. Gideon never cared as he never went there. His mom, however, loved it and kept the place brimming with blossoms during the summer. Recently it had become yet another place for Octavian to get Riley naked and give Gideon all the more reason to stay away.

Did you see Magnus? he asked. He went out there looking for you guys.

Octavian shook his head. We haven’t seen anyone, except you two.

It’s so sad, Riley murmured, crimson eyes fixed on the ceiling. We have to find them.

Octavian touched her cheek. Go to the bedroom. Lock the door and stay there until—

Riley, as Gideon expected, shook her head, nose wrinkled in outrage. I’m coming with you. I’m the strongest one here, she said when Octavian started to protest. You need me.

Hey! Gideon muttered. I resent that.

She’s right, Reggie said. Not about being stronger, I mean, she is, but we need all the help we can get. If something has Mom...

It’s not Mom. Magnus barged in through the backdoors, followed closely by both their parents.

Gideon’s knees nearly buckled. He stomped across the distance and yanked his mother into his arms.

You okay?

His mom chuckled and patted his back. I’m not the one screaming if that’s what you mean.

Then who is? Octavian demanded.

No sooner had he spoken when the sound abruptly stopped.

That’s not weird... Reggie murmured hesitantly. Or creepy.

I’m guessing this isn’t normal? Riley mused.

Not at all, Liam Maxwell replied evenly as he swung his silvery eyes over the room. Has everyone left? The question was directed at Magnus, who nodded.

I locked up.

Okay. His father turned to them, face set. Octavian, you and Gideon stay here and keep close to Riley. Magnus, you and Reggie come with me. He turned to his wife. "Stay with Riley, mo chroí." He touched her face, murmuring my heart in Gaelic. I’m going to search the grounds and return quickly.

Kyaerin Maxwell nodded without argument. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze and stepped back.

Gideon watched the trio stalk out the back door and disappeared from sight.

We should go into the next room, Octavian suggested. I don’t like how blindsided we are here.

But we’ll be in the open out there, Gideon argued.

Better than being ambushed, Octavian countered, already moving towards the door with Riley, leaving no room for further argument.

Their mom followed, giving Gideon no choice but to take the end.

Octavian made Riley and their mom sit at a table, the furthest one from the door and left them there as he hurried to the bay windows and peered into the darkness. Gideon stayed close to the women, not because he thought they would need his protection, but whatever wanted to hurt them, would have to go through him first. He tightened his grip on his blade.

I don’t see anything, Octavian said, a note of impatience in his voice.

Maybe it was the wind, Riley suggested. I saw a documentary once about abandoned castles and how the wind through the cracks sounded like ghosts.

It made sense, except it didn’t explain the sense of utter gloom that had followed, or the fact that that was the first time any of them had ever heard such a thing. But no one corrected her. Gideon was too busy listening to every whisper, rustle, and creak. Maybe he was listening a little too attentively, because when the front doors opened, he nearly jumped out of his skin.

Octavian was next to him in a flash, guarding the women as their mother dragged Riley out of her seat and drew her back, away from the doors.

Who’s there?

Being the only one with a weapon, Gideon stepped forward.

A small, pale face poked in through the opening. Bright, green eyes blinked at him, then at Octavian. It was a girl, eighteen-nineteen at the very most, with hair the color of moonlight and an expression torn from every heart wrenching novel he’d ever read, sorrowful and afraid.

Who are you? Octavian demanded when she continued to stand huddled by the door.

She wore a dark cloak that formed a puddle around her feet. It made Gideon suspect that it wasn’t hers; it was much too big for her tiny frame and designed for someone taller, a man perhaps.

I ... I’m sorry, she whispered, looking close to tears. Small hands unfolded from amongst the miles of fabric and wrung anxiously. I didn’t know where else to go.

Gideon. His mother appeared at his side. She rested a tender hand on his arm, lowering his weapon.

Mom—!

She pursed her lips at him, warning him not to argue. She’s just a little girl.

So was the devil! he retorted. We have no idea who she is. She could be dangerous.

He’s right, Octavian agreed, never once taking his eyes off their guest. We can’t ... Riley!

It was too late. The redhead was already across the room and guiding the girl inside. The door was shut behind them and they were all trapped with a possibly very cleverly disguised threat.

You’re freezing! Riley slipped an arm around the girl and ushered her towards the kitchen. I’ll make you some hot chocolate... she paused, grimaced. You can drink hot chocolate, right?

The girl showed the first signs of a weak smile. Yes. I love it.

Relieved, Riley beamed, and together, the two disappeared through the swinging doors.

For a moment, the three of them simply stood there, not fully understanding what just happened. Then Octavian was gone in the blink of an eye with only the clack of the kitchen doors as indication to his destination. A second later, they heard Riley’s outraged protest and the violent clang of a pot striking marble.

Exchanging a bemused glance with his mother, Gideon went to join the party.

The girl was cowering on one side of the preparation table. Riley was on the other with Octavian standing between them as big as life and as mean as a prodded bear. He wielded no weapon, yet the sheer size of his balled fists was enough to scare most people. Gideon had large hands, but Octavian was just massive all around and when he was pissed, most smart people ran.

You better start talking, Octavian was warning the girl in a tone that suggested there was no other option.

Octavian, stop it! Riley snapped at him. You’re scaring her!

I’m going to do a whole hell of a lot worse if she doesn’t answer my question, his ever gracious brother shot back.

Whatever color the cold had bit into the girl’s cheeks had receded, leaving the hills ashen with a hint of gray that made Gideon edge closer just in case she fainted.

P ... please... Her voice broke with terror.

Octavian, enough! Their mother moved to stand next to the girl. Her arm eased around the tiny creature’s thin shoulders and she was propelled away from a furious and glowering Octavian. What’s your name, sweetheart?

Wide, green eyes darted nervously between Gideon and Octavian. Imogen ... I’m Imogen.

His mother smiled. She smoothed the girl’s hair away from her tear stained face. That’s a beautiful name. I’m Kyaerin. These are my sons, Gideon and Octavian, and Octavian’s wife, Riley. We won’t harm you. You have my word. With a last comforting smile, his mom turned to the rest of them. Octavian, stop terrifying the poor thing and get your father and the others. Gideon, can you get a seat for Imogen please? She must be exhausted.

I am not leaving you or Riley alone with her. Octavian folded his arms as though to infuse his defiance. Not until I know why she’s here.

Their mother looked about to put the law down, but Imogen beat her to it.

I didn’t know where else to go, she said softly. My mom always told me that if anything ever happened to her that I should come here and you would help me.

Help you? His mom stole glances towards Gideon and Octavian before returning her attention to the girl. Help you with what, sweetie?

Silver tears rained down her pale cheeks. Her face crumpled and her entire body heaved. But unlike the delicate sobs they were all expecting from someone so small, they were rewarded with an earsplitting screech that shattered every piece of glass in the room.

Chapter 2

The room imploded. Pieces of pottery exploded, sending sharp shards in all directions. Light bulbs burst overhead, showering them with glittering fragments and the ground shook beneath their feet. Gideon was sure his own brain had combusted, but he couldn’t think to check and see if blood was seeping from his ears.

Across the table, Octavian had pulled Riley into his chest, protecting her from the bits of debris flying around them in a whirlwind of chaos. His mother was on the ground, clutching at her ears, face morphed into one of agony as the girl wailed. Not knowing what else to do, Gideon marched over and clamped a hand over her mouth, smothering the inhuman sound.

The girl, terrified once more, stared up at him with those enormous eyes of hers. Her damp lashes were sharp star points around the wide contour. She sniffled, but didn’t struggle.

Stop. He commanded softly. He released her when she blinked and bent to help his mother off the floor. You okay?

She nodded, shaking the bits of glass from her hair. Yes, I wasn’t expecting that.

I don’t think any of us were, Gideon muttered, eyeing the girl.

I’m sorry, Imogen whispered, looking on the verge of crying again. I didn’t mean to...

His mother turned to her automatically. It’s all right. Why don’t we get something hot inside you and you can tell us what happened, okay?

Imogen said nothing.

At least she wasn’t crying again, Gideon thought.

Riley pulled away from Octavian and tipped her head up to peer at him. Are you okay?

He gave the slightest of nods. You?

Yes. She touched his chest before moving to pick up the sauce pan she’d set aside.

No sooner had she filled it with water from the tap when the backdoor flew open and his father, Magnus, and Reggie marched in. They came to an abrupt halt when they spotted the disaster that had become the kitchen and Imogen.

His father came out of his surprise first.

Who’s this?

One arm still securely fastened around the girl, his mother replied, This is Imogen. She’s what we heard earlier.

Glass crunched under his father’s shoes as he crossed the distance and moved to join his wife and the imp held securely to her side like a lost waif.

Hello Imogen, he said gently. Are you hungry?

Imogen shook her head.

With a kind smile only a man like his father could pull off in the face of everything that had happened, he instructed Reggie to grab a stool from the other room. He then motioned Imogen into it when Reggie placed it at the preparation table.

Like Octavian, his father was a big man that somehow appeared gentle and harmless at first glance. But Gideon had seen his father in battle, had seen the ruthless way he struck down whatever was in his path. It was a side of him he kept very carefully tucked away for his wife’s sake. Unlike her sons and her husband, she was naturally a gentle person. She was the sort to run to the aid of her fallen enemy rather than see them suffer. Of all the women Gideon had ever known in his many eons of existence, his mother was a rare gem that needed protecting at all cost.

There you go. Riley slid a mug of rich, warm chocolate in front of Imogen, who took it gratefully and wrapped thin, white fingers around the ceramic.

Gideon studied the girl, trying to determine what she was. It was clear she wasn’t human. But she wasn’t a Caster, nor was she a strigoi. He considered possibly a demon, but then they would see her true demonic form. There was no concealing that from them. She had to be a veil creature. It explained why she hadn’t returned with the other demons back to hell. Unlike demons, veil creatures were free to roam the earth because of their partial soul so long as they didn’t harm the humans. Unfortunately, there were so many different kinds that it was impossible to tell what race they were unless asked, which was, ironically, rude.

Why don’t you tell us what happened? his mother coaxed gently once Imogen was comfortable.

The girl stared at the ripples of her own reflection in the drink, seemingly not hearing the question. His mother opened her mouth to repeat it, when Imogen spoke.

My family was attacked tonight, she whispered. I’m the only one left.

Attacked? His mother exchanged a horrified glance with his father. By whom?

Imogen sniffled. Strigoi, or at least I think ... it was dark and they waited until everyone was sleeping. I ... I was under the stairs. Her bottom lip quivered. I like to read down there. My sister hates ... hated... Her voice hitched and Gideon braced himself to lunge for her if she started shrieking again. She hated when I kept the lights on so I always snuck downstairs. I woke up to my sisters screaming. My dad found me. He told me to run and come here. He said you would know what to do. She looked at them then and Gideon was struck by the full force of her desperation, of her hope and terror. You will help, won’t you? Please!

Of course we will! his mom said at once. But let’s get you cleaned up and in bed. We’ll talk more in the morning once you’ve rested.

I can’t rest, the girl protested. My family needs me to save them.

The tense silence could have been cut with a knife. No one in that room believed her family required saving anymore, not if it was as she said. Otherwise, one of them would have already arrived. The fact that she was alone was proof of that. Yet no one had the heart to tell her as much.

We will go to your home, his father said gently. If there is anything we can do, we will. I promise.

This seemed to comfort her. She relaxed and gave a grateful nod.

In the meantime, why don’t you finish your drink and I’ll take you upstairs, his mother suggested.

While Riley and his mother fussed over Imogen, his father motioned for the rest of them to follow him into the other room.

I don’t think there’s anything any of us can do for her family, Magnus said at once. If they were attacked by a strigoi, they are dead.

But it is still our job to find those responsible and seek justice for her, his father replied curtly.

Why would a strigoi attack her family? Reggie wondered. They don’t hurt other non-human creatures. It’s not like they can drink their blood.

Maybe it wasn’t a strigoi, Gideon voiced. She never said she saw what it was, only that she heard her sisters screaming. It could be anything. A demon, perhaps.

Still doesn’t explain why, his father said.

Maybe her father owed them and didn’t pay, Magnus supplied.

We can stand here and assume all we want, Octavian intervened. We won’t know unless we go there and see for ourselves.

Their father nodded. Octavian’s right. Gideon, you and Octavian—

I’m staying here, Octavian interrupted. Whatever attacked her family could be tracking her. I’m not leaving Riley.

Riley’s stronger than you, Magnus pointed out. I think she can take care of herself.

I don’t care, Octavian snapped back.

Their father raised his hands for silence. Fine. Octavian, you and Reggie stay here and make sure everything’s locked up tight. I don’t think anyone is stupid enough to attack us here, but I’ve been wrong before. He winced when he realized what he’d said. Forgive me...

Octavian shook his head, his jaw muscles set. Exactly why I won’t leave her alone, he said tightly. Duncan may be dead, but there are still too many things Riley doesn’t know and until she does, she’s not safe.

Their father and Octavian were both right. Not many were stupid enough to attack the manor, not when the Black Laws were in effect. But that hadn’t stopped them from being attacked. Duncan, the strigoi that had killed Riley was dead, but not before putting Octavian through hell first. Being unable to protect her was a guilt Gideon knew his brother wore heavily around his shoulders.

I understand, their father said.

Magnus didn’t say as much, but his expression stated very clearly that he didn’t understand. The ways of the heart eluded his brother. Fighting and being Casters, in Magnus’s opinion, was the only real important thing in life. But Gideon would give him this: Magnus didn’t trust easily, didn’t love easily, but when he did, it was with a fierce, almost frightening passion. There was nothing he wouldn’t do, no law he wouldn’t break to protect the small group of people in his life.

We should go, Magnus muttered. If there are any survivors, they may need help.

The group dispersed without a word.

Gideon left to get dressed as his father filled his mother in on the plan. It was clear that no one was getting any sleep that night.

The directions Imogen gave led them nearly six miles out of town. Gideon couldn’t fathom how she managed to walk that distance in nothing but a flimsy nightgown and bare feet, but she had, desperate to save her family. In the end, it had been for nothing.

Thick, black smoke coiled off the pile of singed wood. It rose into the air, leeching into the crisp predawn. Around the clearing, tops bowed as though in mourning, the trees shivered with the cold wind. Gideon stood away from the others, studying the scene with a sense of great burden falling onto his chest.

They hadn’t been fast enough.

Whoever had done the deed, had left eight scorched bodies in a neat row just far enough away from the calloused structure to leave no doubt that they’d been burned first. Then the house. They had gone so far as to place them by size, a sort of sick stepping game from largest to smallest, which looked to be a child of about six.

Who would do this? he heard himself say to no one in particular.

Whoever they are, Magnus moved to stand over the bodies. They covered their tracks. There’s no way we’ll be able to identify cause of death with the bodies like this and the house in ruins.

But why? Rather than face the house, their father was scanning their surroundings. Why this family? Look at this place. He waved a hand over the dirt road they’d come up. It’s completely isolated. Not a neighbor in sight. The clearing is small, so the house would have been even smaller to give them enough room for the vegetable garden in the back. These were people who wanted to keep to themselves.

Magnus turned away and sighed. I think we need to have a talk with our visitor.

The sun was making a slow rise to noon by the time they arrived home. The front room was empty, as was the kitchen. They found the group in the parlor upstairs. His mother was at her desk, pouring over demon applications. Reggie sat in the far corner with a book open in his lap. Octavian was by the window. He must have told the others of their arrival, because no one looked surprised when the trio trudged into the room.

Imogen leapt to her feet off the sofa where she’d been sitting with Riley and turned to face them. The hope on her young face was devastating.

Is my family all right? she asked, gaze darting anxiously from face to face.

Gideon couldn’t do it. He dropped his head forward, turned on his heels and walked over to lean a hip against his mother’s desk.

Darling. His father motioned his mother over.

He didn’t even have to say another word. She was at Imogen’s side in an instant. Her arms slipped around the girl’s small shoulders and she guided her back down onto the sofa as his father moved to take the sofa across from them.

We went to your house, he began slowly, his voice reflecting the anguish on his face. I’m sorry, my dear. There’s nothing left.

For several rigid seconds, no one spoke. All eyes were on Imogen who was watching the man peering back at her with devastating heartbreak mirrored on his face.

I don't understand, she said at long last. They can't all... She dampened her lips. Not all! You have to be wrong.

We're not.

Magnus!

Magnus, ignoring his mother's sharp retort, moved deeper into the room. He stopped when he was in danger of walking into the armchair facing the twin sofas.

There were eight bodies, now if you tell me there's one missing...

Jesus Christ, Magnus! Gideon snapped, genuinely horrified by his brother's callous disregard.

Exasperation blazed white hot across his brother’s face. She came to us for help. We can’t help her if we don’t stop pussy footing. We need answers if we’re going to catch the sons of bitches.

I don’t know! Imogen exclaimed. I didn’t see anyone.

Magnus waved dramatically towards her as though to say, there. See? Hopeless, before whirling on his heel and stomping across the room to toss himself down in a chair far away from everyone else.

Then there is nothing we can do for you, he grumbled, staring hard out the window.

Magnus, that is enough, their father said with an authority that had rarely ever been used. It is our job to find those responsible, yes, but we are also here to give comfort to those who need it.

Magnus said nothing, but Gideon could see the slight tick just beneath his right eye. Hardly anyone ever noticed the subtle twitch, but Gideon knew his brother well enough to recognize the concern Magnus was trying very hard to conceal.

What’s going to happen to me now? Imogen asked.

You’re going to stay here, of course, his mother said at once, without even an ounce of hesitation. There are plenty of rooms and we can always use another girl around.

On Imogen’s other side, Riley nodded as well.

It was pretty evident that the women had already made up their minds. Neither one seemed to care that they didn’t know a damn thing about their guest, not even her race. It only