Shadow Queen Read online

“It happens when you’re the daughter of a Valkyrie lord who constantly surrounds his own with guards outside her door, trains the female servants in martial arts who host her, and trains her in combat sparring since she was eight.”

  Calum swallowed this down before saying, “At least I know where you stand G.I. Jane. I just hadn’t seen this side of you this far...militant.”

  “Consider yourself informed. If I’d known then what he was preparing me for, I’d have never stepped in the ring.”

  That got all of their attention. It was the fervent truth. I didn’t want to wage war on anyone.

  “Let’s give the watchdogs a little assistance,” Calum slapped his bow across his back and armed himself with knives and other weapons I saw disappearing in places I shouldn’t be looking at.

  Cord’s voice went to a strange high pitch as he cursed Calum for his comment. It really did sound like a dull whistling tune you'd expect to hear when calling a dog.

  Szar’s unfailing humor rang in, “Um, the dog on watch heard that one,man.” With my puzzled looked he added, “Built in dog whistle.”

  I burst with laughter. That was a good one.

  Cord wasn’t taking it that way, but who cared about him and his arrogant butt ways anyway, right?

  We headed out all following each other. The ride was silent being that we’d been through this several times. I went over in my head the various means with which our “marked” likenesses have acquired.

  If the dirty deeds went down today I had Calum’s buzzing electric current we could zap with. Cord could heal, but only himself and I it seemed so far. Cas and I could communicate as well as predict each other’s moves. In sync as I called it. And more so with my blood in his system. That left Szar, who undoubtedly could fight through anything with weapons and words alike. Sometimes I thought his sarcasm won him more fights than his weapon’s skills.

  Without a doubt, the place was surrounded. Like cockroaches, Elves came from every direction and though they were not heavily armed, there were many of them. Their swords looked ancient, their teeth, not so much. Sharp and ready to bite. While I’d not been bit previously, and would probably heal quickly enough, I didn’t exactly want to be privy to the sensation. I gave myself an inner shudder just picturing the Vampire Elves at the shack.

  As was the standard entry for each camp, the six hundred feet of drive led up to the cabin we'd just spent over a day habitating. Partitioned wooden columns framed the welcome committee. It stationed the Were symbol like all factions held. It was displayed openly and at first appearance, looked as the alphabet letter, W. But, in fact, was a double set of V's like the Roman numeral for five. I laughed when Calum asked if the W meant Werewolf.

  Cord, instead of getting angry, laughed with him saying he asked the same when his father first took him to the manor. They both flipped their heads opposite directions when I suggested the similarities between the Were and Vampire factions' symbols. Their reversal of the same symbol suggested a unity at one time, but also a time when they were at true odds.

  The funny thing about the Weres of the past, they were most adamantly against the Vampires. If any of the factions were enemies, it was those two. So for them to have opposite symbolisms was a cruel irony. Maybe it's a sign the first division of the factions could see we needed to come back together in one accord.

  vv

  On the steps, out in the open for intimidating purposes only, were Borgon, Lee, Nara, and Granite. In some ways it seemed my enemies had grown rather than diminished.

  Nara’s devious snarl was evident even without hearing it. I stepped out of the Hummer keeping my eyes on her the entire time. Borgon stood next to her with the Godslayer in his former Hunter hand, but I still felt compelled to keep troll girl in my sights. Funny calling her that, the girl was absolutely model beautiful in a rugged jungle girl kind of way. Her eyes were bright yellow, her fangs extended. Not a malicious thought in her, right?

  Lee’s face didn’t change. I checked it carefully before I focused back on Nara. He was defined as a total Hunter now by his growth, his alliances not so much. No matter who spoke about him, they believed him to be on their side. Me, not so much.

  All of out the vehicles, we joined as close as a team could get looking awfully like something out of a superhero final countdown scene. I markedly noted when we were leaving that we’d all dressed in combat black. If that didn’t scream badass, nothing did. If I had a picture, I’d turn it into a poster and pretend we won and it was all over. Wishful thinking.

  The five Were guards were in animal form on either side of us now. We weren’t too sure of the nature of the little showdown so we only arranged twenty of the Were guards and thirty or so Vamps to help out. My father was on call, as well as Lord Green, Calum’s father who took over the Hunter court.

  I tossed a quick glance back to the Weres. I’d learned they could heal when they were in animal form as well as stronger. Cord explained this to me since he had the ability to heal me and himself alike in human form reasoning that it must be because of the Werewolf inside. Maybe. Who knows?

  The mothers probably...but they weren’t much for details at my disposal.

  Borgon took a forced step in our direction bringing the sword above his head. Not wasting a moment’s time, his feral growl rivaled the Weres, he called my full name like it was a disease.

  “Anastacia Anat Hathown, daughter of whatever demon goddess that brought you, I intend to end you this day.”

  Since that was more words than I’d heard from the man in one setting, I was pretty impressed with his confidence. Granted, he held a sword that supposedly could kill me with the simplest of injuries, but that didn’t make it any less a wow factor.

  “Ted Borgon, defector of the Hunter faction, I intend to survive this day and live to remind you why there is still good in the world.”

  “Good! You’re a fool of a girl then. Even those who call themselves loyal will take from you all that is good. And I aim to take it from them just to prove it.”

  Prove what? That losing his family to the Elves was our fault. He’s the one who betrayed them. Not that murdering his family was excusable, but he brought it on himself.

  “Let’s move this on. What do you hope to achieve today?”

  He scoffed, showing crooked yellow teeth. Golum came to mind. He changed when something evil and bad overtook him too. “Are you daft?”

  Apparently in his eyes. “And if it isn’t achievable is it your intention only to end me or do you plan on leading the Elves into a peaceful rule at any given time?”

  Another snarly exposing of teeth befell us before he said, “They aren’t my problem. I’ve done what was asked and when you’re extinguished my part is over.”

  Over? I thought he was planning to be their leader. “It was my understanding that they expected you to lead them.”

  He bellowed out a laugh that took his eyes off me for a brief second. “Not hardly. I aim for larger treasures.”

  “And that is?” I asked.

  “Good try, Princess. I’m tired of the yakking. Would you like your head on a platter or staked in front of your father’s window?”

  I was sure I didn’t care for chatty Teddy now.

  Two Weres on my left padded forward. Without hiding it, I put one hand on my stomach feeling my #1 knife. I mentally went through the motions of where they would land as the four descended the stairs. I’d leave Granite for someone else. I honestly still had a hard time thinking Lee intended to kill me. But Nara and Borgon seem to be in hate with me equally.

  Lee and Granite are on the right. I thin—

  I’m not letting that sword near you, Anastacia.

  Agreed. Just make sure someone is going for them.

  “Anastacia,” Lee called out.

  My name was being overused. I let my eyes swing left to Lee keeping Nara in my field of vision.

  “Can I speak to you for a moment?” He swung his sword above and around, showing off his skill. I knew h
ow good he was with a sword. Only Calum could match him in the ring when they were both in a groove. And Calum was the best.

  No!

  Cas! I stopped his arm that shot out across the front of barring the way up the steps where they stood. I don’t intend too. Lee warned me of this ahead of time, remember?

  Cas’ head jerked to me and back from sheer reaction. His arm was like a brick. It was a good thing my stomach muscles were trained for impact. I pondered heavily the acceleration of speed and strength Cas or I might hold if we shared blood.

  He told me to defy anything he asked of me.

  “It will make this easier if you come with me,” Lee tried again.

  In a word, NO!

  I narrowed my eyes for effect, but inside my heart burst. Lee was on the opposing team, but my heart screamed he just couldn’t be the enemy. He was being tested too.

  Let me handle it. “I wouldn’t go anywhere alone. I assume you mean all of us.”

  “Just you.”

  “No dice.”

  Lee smiled with boyish charm, “Please.”

  Not here. He hasn’t smiled like that, and certainly not in my presence, since leaving my father’s court those many years ago. When he proved a traitor, I hadn’t seen him until I went to spy on the Hunter school and didn't know of his betrayal. Even then, I didn’t recognize him. It had been four years, he had long hair unlike now, and he was half his size. And he most definitely never smiled now. He should though. A girl could melt in it.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  …KILLS without drawing blood.

  “No Lee. I don’t see negotiations taking place with this crew.”

  He dropped the smile almost robotically. I noticed then how tired he looked. The circles under his eyes made me sad for him.

  Cas twisted around to nod at several arriving guards from his faction. I recognized several hoping we wouldn’t lose any friends today.

  “The gang’s all here. Still want to do this Borgon?” Cas offered.

  Nara cackled. “Still time to come over to the right side Thorn, my lover. I won’t hold it against you.”

  I started forward but he caught my hand. You know she is just trying to set you off so you’ll strike first. Hold your position.

  Funny, I’d just told him the same.

  I don’t want you near her.

  Nor you.

  Deal.

  Liam is well aware of her weaknesses. He has already agreed to strike her the second she nears you if I’m not in commission.

  Not that I like that later outcome, but I liked that he’d asked Liam to help.

  “She can’t handle our kind, baby. Let me remind you what a real woman can do.” Nara licked her fangs like she thought it was sexy or something. Didn’t she know the snarl on her face made her nose crooked and her eyes crossed? Maybe her beauty was there at first sight, but she had a way of making one see the nastier side of her. I guess beauty is less than skin deep in her case since it seems to be fleeing with everything she says.

  I took my turn holding back Cas. I may be strong, goddess strong, but holding back a six foot two all muscle and then some Vampire wasn’t easy.

  “That’s right. Let him go, bitch. He wants to cross over to the darker side of having it all the way.”

  She was just gross. Maybe this is what the guys meant by her less than appealing side of herself.

  Refusing to add fuel to the fire, we held our ground. When it seemed like all would stand there waiting for the proverbial pin to drop, Nara let out a barbaric yell and came my way. Bracing for impact, I set two knives free and lodged one in her shoulder and the other in her thigh. Still coming, I felt the wind woosh beside me as Liam shot forth covering my body. With the action, ole fang girl stilled. Midflight, she held her larger than a hunting knife in the air and comically held her face elongated in shock.

  “You mutha ‘effing sack of ‘it. You dare side against me.”

  “I am sworn to protect her, Naracrissa. You are the one in the wrong,” Liam stood sword drawn and voice stronger. Wow! The human Secret Service needed him for the human head honcho dude.

  Naracrissa is a crappy name. Fits her justly.

  Cas chuckled beside me.

  “Stand aside brother kin,” she said this first to Granite and then to Liam, “Let me take care of the so called damned goddess.”

  “Not without me first,” Liam ground his feet firmly in position.

  Nara laughed maniacally and shrugged, “So be it.”

  Her fast whips of the elongated knife swished through the air making a gushing sound when it sliced through Liam’s ribs. His cry was small, his retaliation was not. He jabbed his sword into her underarm for lack of a better description. It went in and back out like a crane spearing a fish.

  At the same time, Granite charged forth as did Borgon. Without a second’s hesitation, I yanked out two more knives and landed them both in Granite’s chest. The next one landed in Borgon’s chest, but not equidistantly deep enough to cause him to panic. He pulled it out with a laugh and aimed it back at me. I could see by the way he closed one eye he calculated the target for my head.

  Landing in my hero’s forearm, Cas eased it out and stood up again. Within seconds, his skin was sealed with dried blood all around it.

  Borgon’s obsessive scream let out and came at me again, this time with the Godslayer. I ducked under Cas and let him side kick an Elf pressing in from the right side. The animal form Weres and Vamp faction guards were battling just outside our little circle and sadly, making better progress than our superhero crew. I gained two of my knives back in my limited space ready for the next wave.

  Cas, upright again, flattened across the front of me though I couldn’t see around him. I moved, he moved with me too much in sync at the given moment. I looked for another outing. Cord moved unfavorably close to my backside and Calum crowded in from the left. Walled in by man flesh, I pulled two more knives from my boots and squeezed to standing again. I could hear Borgon making advances and it was killing me that Cas might be taking a hit for me. I’d lost sight or sound of Naracrissa, the cackling she witch.

  Cas’ arm raised enough I caught the glint of dark green flashing across the porch. Lee still stood rooted in the spot where we all started...watching. For some reason, that made me angry. He was watching me stand here and possibly die. I slipped a knife through the arm opening with enough force to land it straight through his shoulder blade where I contracted it to be. His green eyes wide, he had the gall to show hurt in his eyes. Forget angry, I was furious.

  Wrapped up in the fury, I didn’t see the sword slide in through the wall’s crack. It disappeared and before it could make it’s way back I slithered through the wall and started fist pounding the perpetrator. Her face flying back and forth with my throws, I sat on her hands lucky I landed that way. I felt the sword fall from her grip as she screamed obscenities between pops. Cas was aiming to hack off her hands before it fell. My thighs gripping her sides with everything I had, I screamed out Calum’s name. Instantly, he was there. “Touch me now. NOW Calum. NOW!”

  His eyes changing colors with my demand, I felt the zing of pain before his fingers neared. Psychologically or not, it worked. The amount of anger built up in all of us was enough to level a building probably. Convulsing like a rabid dog, Nara shook loose of my thigh grip and rocked back like a limp fish. She was out cold. HA! Take that troll girl. Somehow her hair looked even frizzier. Static cling had its advantages when it comes to revenge.

  One down. Free of my cage, I looked around for Borgon.

  Calum used the rush to free throw more than a couple of Elves. The distance thrown was more than a fair six feet and veered towards a rag doll status. The electricity thing held its worth. Whether the rings were glowing, I never take care to look. My theory worked.

  Our ability to work together was increasing with every move we made. The training sessions have helped, but today, we synced better with our added skills.

  Remembering the
Godslayer, as if it could leave my thoughts, I searched for the ethereal glow that it emitted knowing it was removed from her side. I memorized the carving as it stilled in the second I saw Cas above gaining momentum with his forward slash. It was the Elvish symbol we all knew well. It was carved into every vault known to humans, blacksmith who still practiced, and every practicing faction on the earth. Whether believing in the Elvish faction or not, all have attributed them to great weaponry. "The eye of those who came before us watch over thee." I'd read that story more than any tale in my younger years, enthralled with the hope of one day being lucky enough to touch one. The "eye" that sees all, claims all. The eye of the Elves. If bets were my thing, I'd be willing to lean on the fact that the eye was above the dilapidated neglected Elf Manor.

  <>

  Growls of an animalistic nature stopped my search. Cas fought off an Elf just above me. Calum was still "throwing" Elves out like trash to a bin. Szar ran by with the Vampires towards an enemy I couldn't see.

  He was three feet behind me fighting off one of the larger than a small bear sized Weres. No, not fighting against, fighting aside. I couldn’t tell who was growling at who with teeth being bared by animal and man alike. The sword swooped in forcing the Were to right a front paw. They were fast in animal form, but they were bulkier too. I could see the next move coming before it got there. The Godslayer thrust forward and plunged straight into the heart of the Were I had no idea who was. My head blurred in fear searching for Cord knowing I told him not to change. I couldn't tell him apart, but who else would challenge the man so openly.

  The beast’s eyes found mine. I watched his eyes roll back into his head. His last breath fell out of him as he hit the ground.

  My eyes searching, my heart pounding, I scrapped against Cas’ clothes to climb to standing again. Another Were was gurgling loud now with the signs of death and not a second to lose, I climbed on the back of Ted Borgon and started squeezing the life out of him with my hands to his neck. In my fear induced frenzy I saw the Godslayer hit the ground without the sound hitting my ears, Calum snatch it and ran backward leaving Cas to aim a sword at Borgon’s face.