Betrayed (11 page)

My mind raced as I connected the dots. “Like where Valafar kept Grampa? There were hundreds of barrels and crates.”

Bran nodded. “Exactly. From there, they’re shipped to secret dungeons around the world. When a person dies, the contract self-destructs. Coronis had the largest database of contrasts and she trusted only one person with her List, Damien. He was her accountant, her record keeper.”

“So why aren’t we going after the contracts?

Why the List?”

“It’s easy to transport. Imagine mil ions of names in a rol ed-up parchment the size of a regular paper towel rol . Al a demon has to do is read out a person’s name or have the person touch their name on the List to retrieve the contract.” The image of possessed humans searching through computers, yanking out hard drives and wal s flashed in my head. “Then what were the Lazari doing in that office in Seattle?”

Bran chuckled and tucked my head under his chin. “Trying to find Damien. He must communicate with his employees, who are al human. E-mails and wire transfers leave an electronic trail. This was the third office we raided in the last few weeks and the first time I encountered the Lazari. Valafar must think like us—find Damien, find the List. Unfortunately, no one knows where he lives. Not even the CEOs who run his companies. But I have an informant who knows how to track Damien’s movements.” I lifted my head to look into his eyes. “When you say we, do you mean Gavyn has been helping you?” I asked hopeful y.

“Only this time. Your grandfather and the Cardinals directed me to find the List.” The inflection in voice indicated how much that meant to him. “I work with Remy and the others. Because I didn’t trust the last intel from our informant, I didn’t want the others involved. I was right. It turned out to be a trap.” His eyes narrowed. “When I catch up with Zedekiah, he’s going to be sorry he double-crossed me. He’s playing games and I hate people who play games.” So did I. “How do you contact him?”

“We leave messages for each other with a concierge at an inn outside Vegas, but tonight, he’s in Vegas. Zedekiah’s a creature of habit. I even know where he’l be staying.”

That meant they were going to Vegas tonight.

Would Haziel let me go too? “Just how many offices are owned by Damien Corporation?”

Bran shrugged. “I don’t know, but there’re many al over the world. He’s into real estate and banking, manufacturing, and shipping, which probably makes it easy for him to transport the contracts. ”

“So whoever finds these facilities can claim the contracts?”

Bran nodded and smiled. “Imagine if we got the List. More souls spared hel and more Guardians get their glory back.” The smile disappeared from his lips. “But if a demon claims the souls, he or she wil succeed Coronis and become the new leader.” So it was us against power-hungry demons.

No wonder Valafar didn’t want us going after the List. He wanted it for himself. “But what did Solange mean by if they found it you’l have to join them?

What does this List have to do with you?” Bran shrugged. “Other than the fact that we want it too, I don’t know.”

That didn’t make sense. I couldn’t explain the That didn’t make sense. I couldn’t explain the foreboding feeling brewing like a tempest in my stomach either. There was more going on here than we knew. Valafar was plotting something, I just knew it, but contacting him was impossible without his phone number. I real y needed to find that present.

6. Spirit Guides

“When are we leaving?” Celeste cal ed from the foot of the stairs, interrupting Bran.

“Five minutes,” he responded and went back to the passage in
Pride and Prejudice
without missing a beat. “‘Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eyes, she might have seen how wel the expression of heartfelt delight diffused over his face became him; but, though she could not look, she could listen, and he told her of feelings which, in proving of what importance she was to him, made his affection every moment more valuable.’”

“You said you were doing physics,” Celeste griped, moving closer.

“Lil wanted to read first and do physics later.”

“And you are okay with it? You always insist I do the subjects I hate first.”

“You’re my sister, pint. She’s my girlfriend.” He grinned when she glared at him.

“He has a beautiful voice,” I added, sitting up.

I could listen to him forever, but from Celeste’s annoyed expression, she wasn’t in the mood to hear that. “If you guys need to go…go ahead. I should be getting ready for my session with Master Haziel anyway.”

Bran gripped my waist and stopped me from getting up. I had been sitting on the recliner between his legs with my head on his chest.

“We’re not done yet.” He turned his gaze to Celeste. “Be a good little sister and wait upstairs. I’l be right up.”

Celeste crossed her arms and jutted her chin.

“No, you won’t. You finish whatever it is you plan to do and we’l teleport from right…here.”

“Celeste,” he snapped, eyes narrowed.

“It’s not like I haven’t seen you two make out or anything, or eavesdropped on your thoughts whenever you wear a dopey—”

“Celeste!”

“Bran,” she retorted. “And stop cal ing me pint.”

I tried to get up again, but Bran wouldn’t let me.
Be nice to her,
I scolded.

She drives me nuts.
He sighed. “Okay, pint.

Stay and find a book to read to Gavyn.”

“Why? He’s in a coma.”

“Coma patients can hear.”

Celeste glanced at me. “Is that true?” I nodded. “They say talking to them is good.” She looked at the two bookshelves that covered the north and south wal then back at us.

“Gavyn doesn’t read anything but sports stats and comics. Cardinal Falcon doesn’t col ect comics, does he?”

“No sports or comics,” Bran instructed. “Get something that wil give him a reason to fight and come out of the coma.”

I didn’t get his reasoning. I tilted my head to look at him. “What reason?”

“To beat me to pulp. He’l know I’m behind the selection.” He grinned as though relishing the thought.

“You’re mean.” Celeste stomped to the first shelf.

“I agree with her,” I added. “You’re supposed to be nice to people in a coma.”

Bran didn’t respond right away. He kept his gaze on Celeste until she sat cross-legged on the carpeted floor and started pul ing out books from the shelf to read the titles. “My brother doesn’t need nice now,” he explained in a low voice, obviously so his now,” he explained in a low voice, obviously so his sister wouldn’t hear. “He’s been moping around the house for months like his world has come to an end, lounging in bed watching ESPN and betting on teams instead of going to work. He even hired a manager to run his club. The Gavyn I knew would never give someone control over his business. Now the only time I get a reaction out of him is when we fight. I want to give him a reason to come back to us, Lil. I’d yel at him to snap out of it, but she,” he nodded toward Celeste, “would hate me.”

“Tel him Celeste is in danger. That the Lazari Tribunal is after her and you can’t protect her on your own.”

He grinned. “Bril iant idea, except I’d have to do it when she’s not around.”

I wondered if Gavyn had any idea how lucky he was to have such a loving brother. Bran would do anything for his family. Turning and kneeling on the recliner, I took the book from his hand and threw it on the table. As if he knew my intention, a tiny smile lifted the corner of his beautiful lips and his hands came to rest on my waist.

Slowly, I lowered my head until I was a breath away then stared into his emerald eyes. Everything else became blurry except his face. I could stare at his face forever. That was how much I loved him with every breath I took and every cel in my body. Not caring that the ever curious Celeste was probably watching us, I brushed my lips against his.

Leaning forward, his hands left my waist to cup my cheeks. I closed my eyes with anticipation.

He kissed my forehead, eyelids, nose, trailed tiny kisses down my face until he reached my lips. The gentle nibbles on my upper lip, then my lower one, made me smile. We exchanged a breath, so sweet and intoxicating I thought I’d die right then and there.

Then he angled his head and deepened the contact.

Time stood stil , yet I soared to greater heights, heart pounding and blood rushing through my veins. I was lost in the moment, loving every minute, never wanting it to end.

When we pul ed apart, an expression I didn’t understand crossed Bran’s face.

Don’t ever stop loving me. No matter what,
he telepathed.

His cryptic thought made no sense.
Of
course, I won’t.

He pul ed me down and held me tight.

I frowned. He was in a weird mood. “Wil I see you tonight?” I whispered.

“Yes. I’l stop by after I talk to the Cardinals.” His voice grew grim. “They always need an update on our progress.”

Celeste cleared her throat loudly and drew our attention. When she tapped her watch, we slowly got up. Bran squeezed my hand and let it go before walking to where she stood. “Found anything yet?” Celeste showed him the cover of a book.

“
Romeo and Juliet?
Haven’t you read this, like, a gazil ion times?” he teased.

She bristled. “It’s a beautiful love story, even the tragic ending. This one?”

“Hmm,
The Count of Monte Cristo.
Not bad, but you need something that packs a punch.

Something….” He peered at titles and pul ed out a different book. “Like this one.”

Celeste gasped. “The Holy Bible?” She hit him on the arm with the book in her hand.

“Okay, fine. You win. Choose whatever you like, and I’m sorry for teasing you.” He put the Bible back on the shelf and opened his arms wide.

“Forgive me?”

She glared at him.

“We’re not leaving until I get one and you know I can wait for hours.”

She sighed and hugged him. His arms closed around her in a bear hug.

“You’re crushing my ribs, you big bul y,” she protested, but laughter tinged her voice.

He gave her temple a resounding smack of a kiss, stepped back, and pointed to his cheek. “Give me one right here.” She shook her head and planted a kiss on his cheek, then playful y hit him again with the book. “You’re the best sister a brother could ever ask for,
pint.”

“And don’t you ever forget it,
junior
.” She ran out of the room when he growled and lunged for her.

Bran hated being cal ed
junior.
The Cardinal Guardians used the nickname because Bran resembled his grandfather, Tariel, whom they hunted with for years before Coronis kidnapped him. Sykes tried to use the nickname once, but after one look from Bran, he stopped. Celeste was the only one who got away with teasing him about it. But then again, their relationship was special. Bran had again, their relationship was special. Bran had risked being vanquished when he sneaked into our val ey and sought the Guardians’ help to rescue her.

That was how he and I met. I became a go-between for him and the Cardinals and fel in love with him in the process. Soon after Celeste’s rescue, they settled in Park City. I visited them regularly and got to know Celeste. Jumpy and scared of her shadow couldn’t begin to describe her then. She’s come a long way since.

“You’re amazing with her,” I said, wrapping my arm around his.

Bran stopped smiling. “She’s the amazing one.”

“You helped too,” I insisted.

“And you. She was intimidated by you at first.” He pushed his hands in the front pockets of his pants. “The girl who defeated Coronis…the wielder of the Kris Dagger…the one destined to unite the Nephilim.”

I bumped him with my shoulder. “Quit with that.”

He grinned. “But she now considers you her best friend.”

Celeste was like the sister I never had. Even Grampa treated her like she was his grandchild. I liked that she and I could talk about anything, including her brothers when she was pissed at them and boys in general, which I was no expert on. She didn’t understand why guys weren’t like characters in books and movies.

“She hugged me today,” I added.

Bran laughed. “That’s great. If only Gavyn….” Laughter disappeared from his face.

“Gavyn wil come around too.”

He snickered. “He’s a stubborn idiot.”

“But so are you.” As long as he continued to show his brother good trumped evil, Gavyn would come around. “Come on. I don’t want to keep Leather Face waiting.” I angled my head as voices drifted downstairs. “I think Grampa is home.” Grampa’s deep baritone mingled with Celeste’s high-pitch giggles and Aunt Janel e’s husky chuckles. Janel e wasn’t real y my aunt, although I wished we were related. As the Cardinal Earth Guardian, she had worked side-by-side with Grampa for decades. Though she never married, she dated many men, most of them human. Lately though, I’d seen longing in her eyes whenever she glanced at Grampa. I wish they would hook up.

They’d be great together.

A whiff of something yummy drifted toward us as we took the stairs leading to the kitchen, where Aunt Janel e removed white boxes of food from brown paper bags while Celeste placed them in the refrigerator. Grampa sat at the end of the counter, eating from one of the cartons.

“Hey, the lovebirds final y made it upstairs,” Janel e teased.

My face warmed as I walked to her for a hug.

She was about an inch or two shorter than I with an oval face and, despite being as old as Grampa, a body of a twenty-something dancer. Adding to her aura of timeless beauty were the coppery highlights on her brunette hair, which she wore short and stylishly.

She winked at Bran. “And how’re you doing, junior? We missed you today. Hope you’re treating my
Luminitsa
right.”

Bran grimaced. “I try, ma’am.”

“Try?” She leveled him a stern look. “Young man, you do not try with a girl like Lil. You do.”

“Where’s the food from this time, Aunt Janel e?” I asked, hoping to distract her. Whenever they teleported in from a hunt, she often brought food from some exotic restaurant.

“A little restaurant in southern Italy.” She col apsed the paper bags and placed them under the sink in the recycle bin. “We were helping the Guardians down there with a den of pesky Lazari.