Vanquished Read online

  “We’re looking for Darquiel.”

  “Not here,” he grunted.

  Kat slid a coin across the counter. “When?”

  “Later tonight.”

  When he grabbed the money, she placed her hand on top of his. “Are you sure?”

  “Comes in every night. Sleeps all day then comes here,” he retorted as a shiver raked his body.

  “I’ll give you three more if you tell me where he sleeps.”

  The barkeep snorted. “Don’t know Darquiel if you ask me that.” Sliding the dollar coin out from Kat’s palm, he dropped into his pocket and moved away from them, down to the end of the bar.

  Kat raised her glass in salute to the bartender and tossed back the drink. She looked over at Damian. “Long time till nightfall.”

  Lifting his lips in a sexy sneer, Damian remarked, “I can think of a few things we could do ‘till then.” He moved his fingers up her thigh.

  “Barkeep. Is there a place we could rent a room?” Kat growled.

  * * *

  When darkness settled in, Kat and Damian returned to the little tavern. Business had picked up. Now all ten tables were occupied and every stool at the bar was taken. Some people stood at the counter, leaning on it for comfort and support.

  Heads turned when they walked in. Two people dressed in black leather, as they were, always meant trouble. Treasure Hunters were not well liked. Some frowned on their pursuit of profit, even calling them thieves. Kat liked to think of herself as an archaeologist--bringing the past to the present to ensure her a place in the future. It was all a matter of supply and demand.

  They sauntered up to the bar. Two patrons made room for them, squeezing in next to their neighbors. Kat slid some coins onto the counter. The same barkeep from the afternoon eyed them, with reluctance swimming in his dung-brown eyes.

  “Three vodka shots and you-know-who.”

  The barkeep poured their drinks and took the money. “In the corner,” he said under his breath.

  Picking up their drinks, Kat and Damian turned around and scanned the room. Kat’s eyes rested on a dark corner. A lone patron sat at a table, slumped forward, a half-empty glass in the middle of the worn, scarred surface.

  Kat headed toward the table.

  “Can we join you?” Kat asked, eyeing the empty seats.

  No answer. Not even a movement. All she could see was bone-white spiky hair, and motionless thin pale hands resting on the wood. Kat and Damian sat down on either side of the table, surrounding the silent individual.

  “Thought you could use a drink.” Kat set a drink by the stranger’s hand, keeping one for her own consumption.

  Abruptly, the head lifted revealing a gaunt face so pale that blue capillaries showed underneath. Surprise caused Kat to lean back in her chair. Damian jolted, his vodka sloshing over the rim of his glass.

  The girl’s eyes were a color so dark that they blended into one complete black circle. Full lips that might have been attractive were dry, cracked, and colorless. She appeared to be the ghost of a woman who had once been considered dainty and ethereal.

  “Do I look like I need a drink?” Her voice was soft and quiet, barely audible over the din of the crowd in the tavern.

  “Yes.” Damian spoke before Kat could open her mouth.

  The girl turned, fixing him in a dark stare.

  Damian blushed. A thing Kat didn’t think possible.

  “Are you Darquiel?” Kat asked.

  The girl turned to Kat and picked up the vodka shot, tossing it back in one gulp. “Darquiel is the angel of peace and understanding. I am no such thing.”

  Kat smirked and set a small leather pouch on the table. “We are in need of a guide into Van. We were told you would be of service.”

  “You were misinformed.”

  Kat upended the pouch onto the table. Gold and silver coins spilled out. “Are you sure?”

  Darquiel never looked away from Kat. “No amount of money could make me go back.”

  A large shadow enshrouded them. A black leather pouch plopped onto the table. “How about that much?”

  Kat didn’t need to peek behind her to know who had joined them. She had been expecting him, and was surprised it took him so long.

  “You’re too late, Hades. She already agreed to an arrangement.”

  Kat turned in her chair to glance up at him. A twinge flared in her gut as she examined him. He was more than she expected. She knew he would be tall and wide, but that was an underestimation. Easily 6’3’’ with broad shoulders, Kat bet he had to come in sideways through the door. He was muscular like “Melvin the Muscle” but not as bulky. He had a neck at least.

  “Nice try honey, but I don’t think so.” He winked.

  The twinge flared again. This time it was a little lower. He had a sexy smile, an even sexier dimple in his cheek, and nice straight teeth. Rare things these days. But it was his eyes that ignited her fire. They were so blue it hurt to gaze upon them. Like peering into the hottest part of a flame. Framing them was impossibly long dark eyelashes. He was bald on top. His head was completely shaved, and a long white scar curved down from the crown to just above his right eye.

  Kat found that extremely erotic.

  Standing up, she stepped in close to him. “Did you just call me honey?”

  In a slow thorough perusal, Hades did nothing to hide his obvious approval of her body. “You know, Hell Kat, you’re not as ugly as I thought you’d be.”

  She smirked, and cocked her eyebrow. “And I thought you’d be bigger.”

  They stood toe to toe like boxers across a ring, gauging each other, searching for weaknesses.

  By the way Hades gawked at her, Kat imagined he was drinking in his fill of her long firm legs and round ass molded seductively in her leather pants. Kat knew he liked what he saw. Her cloak was long and covered most of her, but she was sure he caught a glimpse of ample cleavage. Someone once told her she had been built for sex. That her midnight hair was meant for pulling, and her full ruby lips for kissing. By the glossy mien in his eyes, she assumed that was exactly what he was thinking. Too bad, she’d have to disappoint him. The last thing she was going to do was give him the satisfaction of finding out how true those statements were.

  Darquiel bristled in her chair breaking the spell. “I never agreed to anything.”

  Damian set a hand on Darquiel’s arm and patted her. “Don’t waste your breath. They’re not listening.” He downed the rest of his drink. “Besides, it’s not about you anymore.”

  Darquiel studied Kat and Hades. “They’re not going to fight are they?”

  “Most likely,” Damian answered.

  “But he’ll pulverize her,” she sputtered.

  Damian chuckled. “Not my Hell Kat, he won’t. He may be big, but she’s a whole lot of mean and nasty.”

  “What do you say Hades, I’ll flip you for her?” Kat pursed her lips into a sexy pout.

  “How ‘bout I flip you for her. I don’t think you could lift me.”

  Kat laughed. He was a cheeky bastard. But she did notice the affect she was having on him. Was that a bulge in his pants, as he shifted his stance?

  While his eyes did another broad sweep of her female form, she took advantage and drew her blade, pressing it to Hades’ throat before he had time to blink.

  The crowd in the bar fell into a quiet hush. Perched on the edge of their seats, Kat imagined each secretly wished for bloodshed.

  “Concede, and I will let you live,” Kat demanded, her hand sure and steady at his neck.

  “Are you kidding? I’m having too much fun.”

  Hades grabbed her arm, twisting her around so he pressed into her back. Her knife arm was pulled tightly against her stomach, and his other arm was snug around her neck.

  Kat swore under her breath. She hadn’t anticipated the move. Her mind was clouded by too many pheromones. The throb at her center intensified as she felt his hot breath on her ear.

  “Concede, and I will let you lea
ve with your,” he paused to nuzzle against her ear, “honor still intact.”

  The rigidness of his erection pressed into the small of her back. It felt as hard and big as the rest of him. To stop the groan that wanted so desperately to escape her throat, Kat bit down on her lip.

  “You arrogant bastard!” she stammered through clenched teeth. “I’d sooner fuck a dead Raider!”

  Hades chuckled gruffly. “I love it when you say fuck.”

  Darquiel leaned over to Damian. “She’s done now.”

  “Nope. She’s just getting started.”

  “You like that?” Kat teased.

  “Oh yeah,” Hades groaned.

  “You like this, too?” Kat pushed her ass into his crotch and moved slightly, rubbing against him.

  Kat could tell by the way he grit his teeth that he was suppressing a moan of pleasure. What he failed to say with words, she could hear in the way his body responded to her. Poor sap. He didn’t stand a chance.

  “Of course. Who wouldn’t?” He tried to make his voice sound casual, but she heard the strain.

  “Well enjoy it,” she hissed, “because this is the last time you’ll ever have my body touching yours.”

  He bent his head down and blew across her neck. “Well now, Hell Kat,” he crooned, “You don’t really mean that do you?”

  Her body stiffened at the intimate contact. She was just as responsive to him as he was to her. Damn hormones! But she wasn’t going to let the fact that she thought about lying beneath him, her legs wrapped around his waist, defeat her main agenda. She would show Hades that she was not some tart he could play with.

  Taking a deep breath, Kat stepped back and jammed the heel of her boot into his shin. With her other hand she reached up high over his head and grabbed him around the neck. She pushed back and bent forward.

  Kat didn’t know if the move would work. But he had his height against him. All she had to do was set it in motion. As she considered him, sprawled out on the hard tavern floor, she thought the pain in her spine was well worth it. Hanging inconspicuously around her shoulder, she slung the sawed-off shotgun forward.

  She cocked it and pointed at Hades shocked face. “Are we done?”

  Hades stared up at her and into the barrel of her shotgun. She wanted to laugh at the shock on his face. He was probably asking himself how he could have missed seeing the weapon on her. Most likely, he had been thinking with his cock and not his head when he assessed her and failed to spot the shotgun cleverly concealed under her cloak.

  “Okay. I’ll share the prize with you,” he offered.

  “What?” Kat shook in head. He couldn’t be serious. Well, she supposed that if he gave up so easily, he wouldn’t have the reputation he had. She heard that he never walked away from a treasure hunt.

  “We split the cost of paying the guide, and we split the treasure,” he suggested.

  “I don’t play well with others.”

  Hades motioned toward Damian, who was now standing, excitement flushing his face. “What about him?”

  “He’s different,” Kat stammered.

  “I could be different, too.” He gave her a half-cocked smile, that sexy dimple winking at her.

  Kat had to resist the urge to smile in return. Damn the insufferable bastard, he was just too sexy.

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Okay. Think about this,” Hades offered. “There’s going to be a lot of others out there looking for the same thing. Others who aren’t as cordial as I am. I would be mighty helpful in a fight.”

  “I can look after myself.”

  “Granted. But it will be hard to protect a guide, a partner and the treasure all by yourself.”

  Kat had considered the possibility already and was trying hard not to think about it. She didn’t want to believe that anyone on this trip was expendable. But the reality of it was that someone might be. And she didn’t want to delve into the likelihood. The thought was far too frightening to her conscience.

  Sighing, Kat flicked on the safety on the gun and let it fall to her side. “We go by my rules or you can forget it.”

  Hades sat up and brushed the dirt off his leather coat. Standing, he swept at his pants. “Sure, whatever, babe.”

  “Rule number one. No babe, honey, sweetheart, or anything else related to gender. And no sexual innuendoes.”

  “Damn, you might as well just rip out my tongue.”

  Kat shot him a nasty look. “Is that a request?”

  In answer, he bowed arrogantly, his arm swept to one side.

  Damian grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. “You’re not serious?” He spoke quietly into her ear. “He’ll kill us all after we get the treasure.”

  “It’s a chance we’ll have to take. We need him to ward off the other scavengers and worse things we’ll find in the city.”

  Damian searched her face. “You’re not attracted to him, are you?”

  “No.” She yanked her arm free. “He’s repulsive.”

  “I know you, Kat, and the flush on your face is not from anger.”

  Kat peered into his eyes. “Damian, if you have a problem, you can stay here. I'll still share the bounty. If you’re afraid…”

  “I’m not afraid.”

  “You should be.” Everyone turned toward Darquiel. She sat in her chair, staring out, but not at anything they could see. “I will not go back. Your fight over me was for nothing.”

  Kat raised both leather sacks. “You’ll have enough money.”

  “Your money cannot take my pain.”

  “I could ease it with a bullet.” She raised her shotgun, pointing it at Darquiel.

  Darquiel turned and gazed at Kat, her eyes black and lifeless. “There are more frightening things than death, and I have seen them.”

  Kat saw the pain and suffering etched in Darquiel’s pale face. Obviously, the girl had seen too much, experienced things too agonizing to explain. Kat dropped the gun and took her leather sack, emptying a few coins out on the table.

  “I’m sorry for your pain, but I am going into Van with or without you.” Kat tied her pouch and slipped it into her cloak. “Those are for your trouble.”

  She grabbed Hades pouch and tossed it to him. “Looks like the deal’s off. First one to the Monolith wins.”

  Hades caught it and tucked it into his jacket. “It’d still be better if we go as a team.”

  “Why? Are you afraid, too?”

  “No, but I’m cautious. As you should be.”

  “Fuck caution. I wouldn’t be a hunter if I was cautious, and the Hades I learned to respectfully despise isn’t either.” Kat turned on her heel to leave. “C’mon Damian.”

  Damian hesitated glancing down at Darquiel. She regarded him with longing on her strained face.

  “I’m going to stay for another drink.”

  Kat turned and glared at him. She glanced down at Darquiel, then back at him and sniffed. “Suit yourself, but we’re leaving at dawn. So be ready.”

  Before she could make her escape, Hades grabbed her by the shoulder. “The Hell Kat I heard about is not a fool. Why are you acting like one now?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “The Vanquished City is not the outer rims. It is nothing either of us has faced before.”

  “I never thought you, of all people, would listen to fairy tales designed to frighten children.”

  Darquiel stood up. “They’re not stories.”

  “Look,” Kat acknowledged. “I don’t deny your pain and suffering, but I refuse to believe it was at the hands of something otherworldly. I don’t believe in ghosts or ghouls.”

  “Your disbelief does not make them less real,” Darquiel declared.

  Kat looked up at Hades, her brow cocked. “Don’t tell me you believe in the bogeyman?”

  “Not the bogeyman, Kat. But think about it. Van City is at ground zero. Who knows what the radiation has done to the animals,” Hades paused, and then added, “and people over the past two hundred years.�
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  “Fine.” She scanned the three faces. Looks of worry and apprehensive filled them. “Meet me here, outside, at dawn. No later.”

  Hades let go of her arm, nodding his assent.

  Kat glanced at Damian one last time. He did not meet her gaze. She turned and walked out of the tavern, not allowing the hurt of his refusal to join her to worm its way into her heart.

  Chapter Four

  Kat stirred at the first signs of dawn. The early morning glow peeked through the grime and dirt of the hotel room’s cracked window. Stretching, she turned over to wake Damian.

  The bed was empty and cold.

  Sitting up, she looked around the small cramped room. Damian was busy in the corner, shoving worn clothes into his pack.

  “Did you just get in?”

  Damian didn’t peer back at her, but nodded slightly.

  “Did you sleep?”

  “No.”

  Throwing off the bed covers, Kat extended her arms over her head. “Eat some coffee beans. You’ll need the buzz to keep up.”

  Damian stopped his packing and stared at her as she stretched out her back and legs. His look of contempt spoke volumes to her.

  “What?” Kat questioned.

  “Nothing.” He turned away.

  She straightened up and grabbed her pack. “If you want me to be mad, I won’t. You’re a big boy. I don’t own you.”

  “Don’t you?”

  Glancing up she met his gaze. Something had changed in his eyes. After taking out a fresh shirt from her pack, she stripped, talking while she pulled the new cotton over her head. “Maybe at one time. But you worked off your debt to me. You’ve been free to leave for a long time.”

  Grabbing the water flask, she took a big gulp, gargling it then swallowing. She turned and studied Damian in earnest. He seemed lost and guilt-ridden.

  “Is that what you want? To leave?”

  Damian shook his head. “No.”

  “Then this conversation is pointless. Hurry and finish. I refuse to be late.”

  She eyed him as he continued to shove his gear into his bag. Something had changed. Something in him. It wasn’t an obvious physical change. Not anything a person could point out just by glancing at him.