They continued to laugh then it faded as they left. Killian sat at his desk again and picked up the file he had been reviewing earlier, before going after Storm. He read through the reports of sightings of Blagden, checking off the ones that had already been completed by those who knew the reason behind the man going rogue. Killian flipped the page then frowned as he read the line again. He put it down and typed in his computer. He opened the protected research files they all shared on Blagden, the previous Shadow King. Killian realized no one had followed the lead. He rose and decided to go. For a moment, he thought of getting Storm to go with him but dismissed it. The leads they had been chasing hadn’t netted anything—this was probably another dead-end and would only take moments to check.
Killian thought of the location he wanted to go to and transported himself there. In seconds, he reshaped his form and stared up from the earth below to the majestic Statue of Liberty. He smiled, wondering what the humans of this world would do if they knew she was actually one of the most powerful weapons of this world. He lowered his head and went toward the entrance. He could have popped to the crown but decided to make the trek upwards as it had been a while since he had been here. As he melded with the crowd, a coldness suddenly filtered across his skin. He stopped and pushed out with his power, moving those before him from his path. A man exited the statue and Killian’s eyes narrowed. The man lifted his head, met Killian’s gaze then smiled.
Killian glanced at the body he held in his arms, her hair flowing down to the ground. He clenched his fist, preparing for battle.
“Blagden, I can’t let you take her.” Killian pitched his voice so only Blagden would hear and shut off the view of the humans to what was happening.
Blagden lifted her and set her to float before him. Killian stared, surprise filling him as he watched the woman who seemed to be in some sort of stasis. They had mentioned that she looked exactly like Eve but it was eerie to actually see it. If he hadn’t known better, he would think Blagden had Eve. However, in his gut he knew it was her sister. Her eyes were open but she was in a coma. Killian sent a blast of power to send her to the agency—it didn’t work.
“A’rm Ageddon is mine. And soon she will live again.” Blagden flicked his hand and she floated to the side. “Then all of you will be dead.” Blagden threw a bolt of power at him.
Killian caught and returned it, enforcing it with his own power. Blagden captured it then held it, staring at him.
“Strange I couldn’t tell what you were at first, but now I know. An Amazonian Warrior.” Blagden smiled. “This will be fun, especially how it will hurt Niya. She and that bitch Eve are best friends. How shall I kill you, warrior?” Blagden threw the energy between his hands as he strode toward him, pushing people out of his way. “But first, give me your name so I can send a condolence card to Niya.”
The humans went about their way, unaware of what was going on in their midst.
“I’ll make sure to give your son your ashes.” Killian lowered his head.
Blagden stopped briefly and his expression morphed into rage. “He thinks he can usurp me. I am Shadow King.”
“Not anymore.” Killian strode toward him and materialized his sword then lit it with white light.
Blagden’s eyes narrowed then he whispered, “There is something familiar about you but I can’t place it.”
Killian didn’t want him to know who he was, not yet. He was an Amazonian Warrior, but more importantly, he was his mother’s son, imbued with the powers of the earth.
“
Ailllellelell Detetetethhh Crulliiie
!” Killian’s war cry filled the air, making the atmosphere pause then pulse. He flew straight up before pushing himself across the clearing, heading right for the center of Blagden.
Chapter Two
Blagden stood still and Killian knew he wanted him to advance. He continued but tempered his power to meet him. When his sword tip touched Blagden, he shifted to smoke. Killian smiled at the expected response. He briefly recalled the test he’d done when Lennox, a Shadower who worked for the agency, had done the same thing. Killian shed his skin and met Blagden with his light. Blagden paused and Killian felt his shock then tasted his fear.
“Niya’s son,” Blagden whispered. “It is not possible. We had you killed.”
Killian stopped. They had only known his aunt and someone who worked in the agency had plotted to kill him and Kaitya. This was the first he knew of Blagden’s involvement. Blagden lashed out with his power and Killian skidded back. Killian brought up his hands, slapping his palms together, and pushed out with his power. Blagden roared and his shadow rose, rushing Killian. Seeing the swirling mass, Killian was sure he would defeat Blagden no matter what it took. He would not let this man hurt anyone else he cared about, even if it meant giving his life to take him with him. He cut off his connections with everyone so they would not know what was happening then attacked.
He released all he had and pushed it into Blagden, who moved back, causing deep furrows in the ground as he shifted under the power of Killian’s wrath. The earth whispered to Killian and he embraced her and shoved it up to enfold Blagden. As the dirt flowed over him, Killian started at his shocked gaze. Blagden suddenly smiled then he flowed out of the shadows before he rematerialized whole.
“Good try, young man.” Blagden brushed off his clothing as he strode to him. “But with age comes wisdom. Let me school you in the ways of battle.”
Killian held back a mocking laugh. This man thought to teach him something—he was mistaken. Killian had learned from the most fearsome warrior—his mother, Niya. Blagden shifted his hands in an elegant motion, whipping power up, then he pushed his palm out. It raced to him and Killian stood straight, waiting.
* * * *
Storm glanced up from her work and rose, looking around. She didn’t know what had made her skin crawl and fear fill her. Reaching out with her senses, she couldn’t find anything amiss in the building. She searched again then paused, realizing that Killian wasn’t there. Using the path they shared, she tried to reach him telepathically and winced at the block that ejected her out of his head.
“That fucker thinks he can kick me out.” Storm drew her
Zuri Maji
powers and sent them seeking over the city. Finding him, she scowled. “What is he doing at the Statue of Liberty?” She opened her seer powers and her eyes widened as she saw him in battle.
Not even considering calling anyone, she made her body fade then moments later she came into form. She stared as Killian and another man fought. They were fierce and the power made her skin ache from how strong it was. Storm saw the people and she sent a subliminal message to send them away. Storm made sure they were unaware of what made them have the sudden desire to be elsewhere—some went inside and others on the boat to leave. When the area was clear, Storm glanced at the body floating to her left. She moved to stand before it and whistled.
“Now that is freaky.” Storm studied the woman who could bring the end of the world. “So you’re A’rm Ageddon, the one who is the big bad.” Although the woman seemed to be comatose, Storm saw a flicker in her eyes. “You’re not fully asleep. It must be hell being like that and not able to at least say fuck off.” The woman’s gaze heated, making Storm chuckle. “Yeah, I know, a good ‘fuck off’ makes me feel better too. But you know, A’rm Ageddon, we can’t let you come fully awake. You’re this big bad who can bring the world’s end. So although I hate to disappoint your crazy assed boyfriend over there, you’re staying as you are.” Storm reached for her then hissed as power started to rise up her arm.
Storm scowled then started to peel the energy off as it rose. “Now, now, that is just mean.”
“Who is that woman?” someone asked.
Storm glanced over her shoulder and saw that the man held Killian off as he glared at her. Storm pivoted and strolled toward the battling men.
“I’m Storm. And you are?”
“Blagden.” The man scowled then said, “Why am I even replying to you, puny human?”
“No need to be rude.” Storm continued closer to Blagden but still felt the power from the body climbing up her arm stretch as it followed her.
“Rude.” Blagden glanced at Killian. “This human is your back-up. You have to be kidding.”
“So you’re the other big bad.” Storm slid her hands into the pockets of her jeans. “You don’t seem all that awful to me.”
The man looked at her. Storm stifled her laugh at his expression—it was one she was used to from most people. They thought she was a few bricks shy of common sense.
“You’re kind of short.” Storm snapped her fingers. “Oh, I get it. You have a Napoleon complex. There is no reason to be peevish because you’re short.” She deliberately looked down her nose at him.
Blagden blinked then threw his head back and laughed before he stopped as suddenly as he’d started. “I won’t kill you, human, for your impudence. I’ll keep you as a pet for A’rm Ageddon. She will find you amusing.”
“A pet.” Storm smiled.
“Yes. Humans can be very great pets, if trained correctly. Although their longevity isn’t that good.” Blagden pushed out with his power and Killian flipped in the air before coming to float a little away from them.
Blagden turned to Storm. “Now, human, tell the warrior bye.” He lifted his hand and shot power at her.
“That was your first mistake.” Storm quickly pulled her hand out of her pocket, creating
Maji Stars
and throwing them in quick succession. “Assuming I am human. It’s fairly new to me too. Not being human any longer.”
Blagden staggered back as a star caught him in the shoulder and he twisted out of the way to avoid the others. Blood flowed from his wound and his gaze narrowed.
“
Zuri Maji
.” Blagden scowled. “Phoenix Intelligence Agency doesn’t have any
Maji
.”
“Your information is outdated.” Storm made more stars and threw them.
Blagden skirted out of the way, heading right for her. Storm smiled then held her hand up, wiggling her fingers at him to come on.
“Storm, are you fucking crazy? Don’t—”
Killian spoke in her thoughts.
“
Wait for it then get A’rm Ageddon out of here.”
Storm flicked her gaze to Killian, who was floating fast to get to them.
She focused on Blagden then flung open her seer and empath abilities to push into his thoughts. Storm gasped as his anger, hate, and the need for destruction flooded her. Then his thoughts and plans filled her mind. Blagden stopped, eyes wide, and dropped to his knees just before her. Storm mirrored him, their knees pressing against each other on the ground. She lifted a hand and touched him just under the eye, using the contact to push further. She held him effortlessly in her power as she searched through his mind. Blagden pulled in his power to counter her.
“Take her now.”
She felt the shift of air as Killian sent A’rm Ageddon
away.
“No.” Blagden roared and lashed out with his shadow.
Storm whimpered as he attacked her but stubbornly held on, sucking in the information from his mind. He started to slide into the shadows and she refused to let him go even as she was sucked in with him. His yanking her from the earth to the shadows caused a wrenching sensation along her skin and it felt like it was being peeled away. She refused to give him the satisfaction of screaming.
On earth, Killian grabbed her and she barely recognized his muffled voice as he screamed, “Let him go.”
Storm held on and went into the shadows. Blagden in the shadows pulsed various shades of red that hurt her eyes.
“You are mine. He took her and I will have you.”
Storm smiled, shaking her head. “You can’t keep me. I already have someone who wants to do that and even he can’t keep me.” She touched one of Killian’s hands on her shoulder then turned her head.
Seeing the white mixed with amber shadow, she gripped Killian’s hand, absently noticing that her shadow was hazel-green with amber. She wondered briefly at the mix then was yanked from the shadows and back onto earth. The head-rush it gave her made her gasp before she laughed and glanced at Killian.
“Now that is what I call fucking with Mr Big Bad’s head.”
Killian’s eyes narrowed. “Do not ever do that again.”
His roar made her blink.
“Wh—”
Killian jerked her closer then covered her mouth with his. Storm stiffened at the plundering of her mouth. He claimed her as if she was his and her thoughts went blank as she gave in to the passion. She moaned, opening wide and gripping him, pressing against him. Killian cupped her ass, pulling her against him then suddenly he let her go. Storm stumbled back and lifted her hand to her mouth in shock. Killian’s cold, detached expression made her lower her hand and clench her fist.
“What the hell was that?”
“We need to report.” Killian faded.
Furious, Storm couldn’t believe he’d left her without an explanation. The hairs on her arms stood up as his power surrounded her and she felt herself disintegrate then come back to form.
“Fu—”
“Storm, as always it is interesting to see you,” someone with a silky, masculine voice said behind her.
She turned and glared at Christos Shalamr, the head of the Phoenix Intelligence Agency. “I’ll be with you in a second.” She returned her attention to Killian. “We’re going to talk about what happened. Soon.”
Killian didn’t reply or acknowledge what she’d said. She clenched her fist again then lifted her hand and pushed her hair behind her ear. Killian watched the movement and, although his expression didn’t change, Storm felt he was trying not to laugh. She blew out a breath and turned to face Christos. The amusement on his face was plain to see.
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” Christos looked between Storm and Killian. “The partnership between you two looks good. M—”
“Christos,” Killian said warningly.
Storm watched the two men—she was unsure about the undertones in their conversation.
Christos smiled then inclined his head. “I’ll leave it for now, my friend.”