— Eveline —
My body got shoved hard and I hit the floor in bone-shattering strength, and got dragged sideways in the blink of an eye.
I was dazed. My head had hit the floor hard enough to see stars, my mind confused for a moment.
"NO!" said Mads more firmly in a half-scream. "You touch her and you're dead. You're all dead."
Mads got me out of the way?
I moved my hands confused over my body, looking for injuries.
I found blood, a lot of blood, but not the pain that should've been associated with it.
It was probably Mads' blood. He was too injured to move like that.
I tried to move a little confused, but he was holding me in vices on the ground. I could probably fight him, but I didn't want him to get more hurt. He could barely hold himself in a sitting position. His hands that were holding me down were probably also helping him to stabilize himself.
I saw Number Four move a little forward at Mads' statement.
"You're a dead man," told him Number Two. "You'll do nothing."
He was about to shoot Mads, I knew it.
"She's the Hellhound's sister," Mads said rapidly.
But not fast enough.
The gun barked again, but this time the mussel flash was shoved towards the floor.
Number Four moved in so fast, and pulled Number Two's gun down.
"WHAT THE HELL MAN?" Number Two cried, shoving at Number Four's chest, but it barely made him sway.
"You the Hellhound's sister?" Number Four asked me, ignoring Number Two.
"This is the last time you do shit like that," said Number Two to Number Four, his voice lower but still audible. "You want a pay, you're gonna have to find something of value here."
Number Four said nothing at that and kept his eyes on me, but I think I saw in the shape of his face something around his jawline. Clenching his teeth maybe. Is there discord in the ranks?
"Yes," said Mads, is voice fainter, croakier. He could barely talk. His breathing was laboured.
I put a hand on one of his and squeeze. I knew. And he knew that I knew what would come next for him. We both kept our eyes on the men, but there was this wordless communication going between us.
He lowered himself slowly back on the ground next to me, and squeezed my hand back. I shifted my weight a bit to look at him.
He was at the end of the line. I could see a spiderweb of blood radiating from a point not far from his collarbone. He took the bullet for me.
I was covered in his blood. His face was paler than cold ash, his eyes sunken.
"It changes nothing," Number two said to his men.
"It changes that the Hellhound is coming after us for revenge," said Number Four.
"Not if he doesn't know," said number Two.
"He knows," I said to them, my voice soft, my eyes on Mads. I kissed his temple. He nodded.
I understood.
This was the best strategy for me now. If I'd attack, I might have taken some down, but I'd be dead. But if I survive this, I could aim Kaden at where it's gonna hurt. And at least one of us could possibly make it out alive.
"He's on his way," I told them. Knowing for a fact it was true. "All the hounds of Hell are coming. You're all dead already, you just don't know it yet," I said with confidence. My voice calm.
I couldn't stop my tears from falling, but I didn't hear them in my voice.
I mouthed the words 'thank you' to my friend, my protector. Mads tried to raise his hand to my cheek, but he didn't have the strength. So I grabbed that hand too, and brought it to my lips to kiss it.
I saw his eyes go out of focus. A few seconds later there was a soft rattle, and it was the last breath he ever released.
I heard the men argue about me in hushed voices.
"How do we know it's not bullshit?" asked a new voice. As I heard no one new coming in, I guessed it was Number Three.
"She is," Killian croaked at them.
"Let me handle this," said Number Four. "I'll take care of this. You do … whatever."
"Fine, now fuck off," said Number two.
"Hellhound girl," said Number Four to me. "Come with me, we'll call your brother."
"Wait! Is that a good idea?" asked Number Three.
I closed Mads eyes and wiped at my tears, probably smearing blood all over my face.
There were still other people in here. Most probably Omegas. I was not comfortable in leaving them here, but I didn't know what else I could do.
"We're gonna have to deal with him anyways," said Number Four to Number Three. "Up!" he said to me.
I slowly got up.
I saw both guns move swiftly to me, locking on me with their light. Good, they're nervous. They should be. I didn't see a gun in Number Four's hands, but I could see the shape of weapons against both of his thighs.
I moved with my hands clearly visible on either side of me, so not to look menacing and give them excuses at being trigger-happy. I mean, more than they already are.
I walked to them, occasionally raising my leg over someone's legs, as everyone else was sitting down on the ground.
I tried not to look at the body of Aisling or her children. Two of the men moved out of my way on either side of the door. Number Four retracted in the corridor, giving me place to move, while staying out of arms reach.
The moon was bright tonight. There was enough of its light basking the walls in the corridor. At the door, I turned and looked at Mads body. If it wasn't for all the blood and injuries, he could have been sleeping. I wanted to hold him in my arms and bring him back home.
We will get back for him. I'll make sure of it.
Number Four made me walk ahead of him, giving me short orders as to where to go.
I wasn't sad to have left that room. The fear of everyone in there was so palpable that it had turned into a stench so thick I could taste it on my tongue.
We eventually landed in a room I'd never seen. There was a couch, two large chairs, and a coffee table in front of a large fireplace of ornate wood. It was a beautiful room, cozy, welcoming. But it felt hollow, as I knew that those who most enjoyed it would never come here again. I knew Killian would not be kept alive long. The only reason he was still alive was probably to find the shield, which was all they wanted, I was sure. And after witnessing the annihilation of his family, I didn't think there was much fight left in him.
This room was probably warm when a fire would dance in there, shrouding the surfaces in shades of gold and orange, dancing, caressing all that it touched. But to me, this room had the coldness of death. It was an empty carcass left only for ghosts. There were probably many of them here. Generations upon generations of lives filling it with joy, sadness, love, and then death. Until the next generation came to light it up again.
Number Four closed the heavy wooden door behind us, shutting us away from the rest of them. We were so far, than even if he didn't, I don't think they could have heard us. I probably could scream and not be heard.
He switched the light on. My eyes recoiled at the aggression for a few seconds until my irises adapted to the change in lighting.
He was taking his phone out, and gave it to me, unlocked, ready to signal.
I put in Kaden's cellphone number.
I've never been good with phone numbers. I never remember any. That's why I rely on my contact directory, like most people nowadays, I suppose. But I always made sure I remembered one number.
Tonight, I was glad I did.
I heard the phone ring.
Number Four extended his hand to me, palm up. I put the phone in it as the line connected.
He put it on speaker and nodded upwards at me, signalling me to talk.
He was not bad looking, a little ragged. He had a long pale scar going from above his left eyebrow and on his cheek, barely missing his eye. I could see another scar like a small flower on the right side of his neck. They were old scars, faint, not angry red, but pale white. His eyes were brown like mine, his hair a pale brown with golden highlights, like a dark shade of brass. He was tall, maybe a few inches over six feet. He wore dark practical clothes, and had a number of weapons strapped to him, but he seemed in no hurry to get one in his hand. He had the posture of someone relaxed, careless, but his eyes were aware, seeing everything at once.
"Yes," said my brother."
"Kade," I said. My voice sounded smaller and more vulnerable than I wanted it to be.
"Eva?" he asked, his tone morphing into something hard for me to decipher.
"I'm here. I'm alive," I said.
"What's going on?"
Number Four didn't stop or tried to make me say anything, so I didn't restrain myself.
"Ghealach has been attacked. They came for the shield."
"The shield?" my brother asked.
"An old shield of historical significance that was wielded by an Irish demigod and a mythical battle. Or so I heard," I said looking at Number Four. He showed no reaction.
"Do they have it?" Kaden asked.
"I don't think so. Last I saw, they were torturing Alpha Killian Byrne for it."
There was a low growl coming from the phone.
"They killed his wife and children," I said. "They killed Mads." I choked on the last word. I took a few long breaths to push back the tears, but I began to shake. I'd seen it before. Was it the slow aftereffect of adrenaline rush? I don't think I ever felt this. Not like that. not this strong.
I heard Kaden's indistinct voice talking to others, ordering them.
"Are you safe?" he asked me.
I looked at Number Four. "No," I said truthfully.
"Tell me what you see, so I can guide you to safety."
"You can't," I said.
"Someone's there?" he asked, then paused for a few seconds. "They made you call me." Realization about my situation now clear to him.
"Yes."
"Make sure they hear," he told me.
"He already is."
"What are your intentions?" my brother asked the man.
"Are you the Hellhound?" he asked him.
"Whether I say yes or no is not something you can verify."
"True. But I'd like to hear it nonetheless."
"I am." There was darkness in Kaden's voice I believe I've never heard before. He made it sound like a threat. My captor either didn't hear or didn't care.
"You're on your way?"
"I am."
"Good."
I blinked. What?
Kaden's tone changed. "And why is that exactly?"
"Because they're a bunch of backstabbing psychopathic puppets, and I'm gonna enjoy seeing them fall."
"Why? Because they're not paying you anymore?" I asked him.
"I may be a merc," he told me. "But I have principles. They are not respecting them. I don't kill children. I don't massacre civilians. I may have low morals, but I have my word and I keep it. They are cheating me of my money now. My loyalty has a price, they are not paying it."
"So you want to betray them?" I asked.
"No. They betrayed me. I'm not falling with them."
"You think that makes a difference," asked Kaden.
"It does. I saved your sister's life, and I will keep doing it."
"For what price?" he asked.
"I'm not part of that group. I'm a hired gun. Don't come after me, and I will not let them come after her."
Kaden thought for a few moments. "Deal," he said. "But you get her out of there."
"No."
"Why?"
"With all due respect, I'm gonna be far by the time the two of you duke it out, I'll get her out of the way, but that's it. You go get her."
Kaden growled in annoyance.
Then, Number Four's face shifted, like he'd just realized something.
"Unless…" he began.
"Unless what?" asked my brother.
"Are you hiring?"
I blinked again. Wait, what?
There was silence for a few heartbeats.
Is this man a masochist?
"Are you asking me to hire you?" asked Kaden.
"I'm tired of the lone wolf gig. But I'm not exactly barista material. I can't imagine myself work somewhere that requires a paper hat. I'm good. There are not many packs who'd be interested in someone of my talent. But you're different. You have your own personal army. You send warriors all over the place. You fight battles at least every other month.
The idea of setting roots somewhere is enticing. That and a regular paycheque. No more bouncing checks, no more looking around to try and find a decent gig. You use me and I use you. Sounds fair. You can send me wherever, and I'll do what you ask as long as the pay keep coming.
You do that, and I'll get your sister to you. Even better, I'll tell you everything you need to know about the jerks. How many there are, how they operate, and anything I know about the puppet master. I'll even help you deal with any of them."
"And how would I know you won't back stab me?"
"The same way I know you won't. It's not your reputation. Look up Black Dogs. You know of them?"
"Order of mercenaries."
"Bingo," the man said. "Asked them about Vanargand."
"I see."
"You heard of the name?"
"It's another name for Fenrir, monster-wolf of Norse mythology."
"I thought using Fenrir could be copyright infringement, or just piss the guy off."
"That would be unwise."
"It would."
Given the shift in Kaden's tone, I guessed he heard the name from outside of mythology too.
"Now, I do like a good party, but we have to keep it a surprise, so take another phone, one that can't be traced. I'm sure you have some of those around. Text this number as Vanessa, my scrumptious party-mate that can't wait for me to get off work so that we can meet and raise Hell together."
I heard Kaden ask Ylva to get him a clone phone then to text the number Vanargand asked.
"Oh," he said. "An actual woman texting me. You're making my day."
"I will not tell you against such comment because she's not fond of being patronized and it would rob her of the chance to have a proper excuse to cut your balls off, cook them, and make you eat them," said Kaden matter-of-factly. I never hung out with Ylva, but I knew it would be the least she would do.
Vanargand saw my expression and his smile widened. "I just knew you'd get me to meet the best folks."
I shook my head. He's suicidal, he's gotta be.
"Now," Vanargand said. "If I contact you on this phone again, it's gonna be to try to extort a massive ransom out of you."
"Sure," said Kaden. "But don't go on thinking it's gonna be paid."
"It will be," he said.
Oh, I know. His a masochistic suicidal. He's gotta be.
"I want a beer. A good one. Cold."
Kaden barked a humourless laugh. "Anything else will be paid in body parts. And she will be unarmed."
"She will be no worst that she is," he corrected my brother.
"Eva?" Kaden asked.
"I'm fine, just a lump on the head."
"Who?" he asked dangerously.
"Mads while getting me out of a bullet's trajectory."
He sighed. "We will land soon."
"We'll keep in touch Vanessa darling," said Vanargand and shut the line.
I looked incredulously at him.
"I don't think you understand who you're antagonizing here," I told him.
"No one has a sense of humour. I'm completely unappreciated here."
"What's your real name?" I asked him.
"Mishka," he said.