Coming Darkness

Two-3

“What would you suggest?”

The guard dropped his eyes and looked away.

“If you can't ask for it, you don't deserve it.” With a dark smile, Kai turned and walked away, the sounds of the guard's soft sobbing at his back.

Torturing mongrels before killing them was a favorite pastime The idea that he could actually kill one without even a little bit of t*****e had been truly absurd. He chuckled to himself, holy water was like acid on mongrel flesh and even if washed away would still poison them to death. He satisfied himself with the knowledge that the guard's death would be slow and painful, even if he wouldn't be around to see it.

Uriel was waiting patiently for him at the door. Kai felt rather than saw the archangel's amusement.

“What?” he asked, unable to suppress his smile.

“Are you quite finished? There is no need to rush on my account.”

Kai laughed outright. Mongrels were vermin; Uriel understood his mindset. They entered the building together. As soon as he crossed the threshold, Kai could feel the magic, old and hanging with oppressive weight in the air, but he couldn't account for its origin. Uriel pointed out the statues along the corridor. Kai looked to him in question.

“To make the uncommon seem common, to confuse and confound the mind into not asking questions,” the archangel replied in explanation.

Kai instinctively wanted to smash them. Uriel saved him the trouble, launching arrows and destroying the statues as they passed. No more guards came running at the noise, which was surprising. The thought that there would be no more obstacles was slightly disappointing, until they turned the corner.

“Ronin.” Kai's spoken word met an accompanying surprised breath from Uriel. Six tattooed fighters stood halfway down the hall, blades drawn. How could Te not have known that Gregory had Ronin guards?

“I cannot help in this fight,” Uriel answered his unasked question. “I can do this, however.”

A sword appeared in Kai's hand. He hefted it and took a few practice swings, finding it not only beautiful but nicely balanced. When he looked up at Uriel and whispered his thanks, Kai was surprised to see what looked like compassion in Uriel's copper eyes, although he said nothing. Kai turned his head back toward his opponents and took a step forward, searching his memories for everything his master, who had been Ronin-trained, had ever told him about fighting them.

First, of course, was to never engage them in a fight, because he would lose. Second, engage briefly while searching for any opportunity to run. The Ronin code of honor forbade chasing a retreating opponent. Fear drew his nerves tight and beat around his gut. Neither he nor his master was a coward, but facts were facts. Ronin were unbeatable.

The fact that Gregory had this ancient race as guards was surprising. Finding someone who actually knew the Ronin rituals was practically impossible, and even if you did, their rituals were highly precise and convoluted. One misstep and it was over—the seeker was either dead or dissuaded from continuing so thoroughly that they were unable to even speak of the experience.

Ronin never turned their violence against each other. Stories of them leaving the battlefield when opposing sides commanded them to fight each other were legend.

They were telepaths, masters of every imaginable weapon, and possessed supernatural strength, speed, and stamina—killing machines. Even the Kazat knew enough not to tangle with them.

Kai breathed deeply and let his instincts take over. His last thought, as he took another step forward, was to wonder if Luc had listened to him and not put an anti-beheading sigil in place, because he would surely die if he did.

Walking down the corridor, one Ronin broke from the group to meet him. Their code dictated that if they outnumbered a foe, they would only fight in numbers with matched opponents. Since he was alone, it was one at a time, a small mercy.

They stopped a few paces apart. Kai bowed as was appropriate, not missing the look of pleased surprise on their faces before the bow was returned. A beat later, he raised his sword and engaged. The two circled each other, testing skill. Each thrust that was parried, each swing ducked, brought them closer to the actual fight. Kai relaxed into each posture and move, muscle memory making him more confident in his skill.

Too soon, the testing phase was over, and the fight ramped up. He managed to duck a swing to his head, and followed up with a thrust to the gut that was gracefully sidestepped. Trying a disarming move, he caught air as the Ronin disappeared and reappeared behind him. He recovered, barely managing to prevent being split in two. They continued, neither gaining ground, nor Kai losing any.

“Enough.” His opponent immediately stopped, bowed to him—deeper than before, Kai noticed—and stepped back.

The one who had spoken stepped forward. Kai had the distressing thought that since he could not beat the other, he would have to fight this one, and on and on until his strength was gone. His earlier confidence evaporated, leaving him saturated with uncertainty.

“You are Ronin-trained.”

Taken aback, it took Kai a moment to answer. “My master, Aram, was, yes. He, in turn, taught me.”

The Ronin nodded, a look of admiration and amusement on his face. “Aram. Ronin remember him to be disciplined and diligent, a fine student. You honor him.”

Kai bowed at the acknowledgement, unsure as to where this exchange was going, even as the mention of his master tightened invisible fingers around his heart.

“The reason for your presence has been ascertained. You may pursue your objective.” At Kai's bewildered look, the Ronin explained, “Lord Te is a friend. Ronin will not interfere.”

Once again, they bowed deeply to Kai and passed by him on the way to the exit. As one, they stopped in front of Uriel, bowing deeply once again. The one who spoke to Kai stepped up and spoke so quietly that even Kai's sensitive hearing could not catch it. The archangel stood still, a look of astonishment on his face before he quickly schooled his features, inclining his head at the Ronin as they then passed him, exiting the building.

Kai knew better than to ask Uriel what the Ronin had said, even though he was bursting to know. He contented himself with seeing respect light Uriel's eyes when he joined him in the middle of the corridor. Kai believed Uriel no longer saw him as just Lucifer's pet or Te's errand boy, but as a warrior, and pride bloomed inside of him. Uriel could have his secrets.

They headed straight for the inner office and opened the door. Gregory, deep in a telephone conversation, looked up and frowned at the interruption.

“Who the hell are you, and how did you get in here?” he barked. “Starr? Where is she?” he asked, looking out into the office. “Pierre, I'll have to call you back,” he said into the phone before hanging up. He sprang out of his chair and pushed past the two intruders to the outer office. “Starr,” he called again, even though it was obvious that she wasn't there. “Stupid woman, where did you go?” he muttered under his breath. He peeked out the door, “And where the f**k is my security?”

Kai and Uriel moved farther into his office and waited for him to return, which he did almost immediately.

“I should have known those Ronin were too good to be true. Undefeatable my a*s,” he said, as he marched to his desk and sat down.

Although Kai knew he was far older, Gregory appeared to be a vibrantly healthy man of about fifty with a thin build and a full head of salt-and-pepper hair.

Now that the surprise had worn off, he looked them over with shrewd, brown eyes. “Well, what do you want? Who sent you? Was it the Saudis? The Russians? Whatever they're paying you, I'll triple it.”

Uriel scoffed at him from his place by the window.

“I was sent by the only one who should matter to you,” Kai replied, placing his sword carefully on the desk. Gregory looked at him, considering, and then continued as if he hadn't heard.

“Well, hell, you obviously bested my men. How would you like a job? Apparently I need new security.” He laughed.

Kai placed his hands on the desk and leaned over it. “Lord Te is very upset with you.”

At the mention of Te's name, Gregory's eyes grew wide, and his skin paled with sudden understanding. “There must be some mistake. Let's get him on the phone. I'm sure we can straighten this out.” He reached for the phone, and Kai grabbed his wrist, trapping it on the desk.

“No, there's no mistake. Apparently, you've gotten greedy in your dotage. Shortages in tributes, I believe.” Kai squeezed Gregory's wrist, pressing it against the desk, making the man wince. “Did you think Lord Te wouldn't notice? He has, and I've come to collect his due.”

“Of course. Let me get to my safe. You can have it all with my sincerest apologies.”

Kai slowly shook his head, a cruel smile distorting his features. “In exchange for wealth, power, and immortality, you promised certain things. You signed a contract. A contract you have since reneged on. You think you can simply open your safe to make things right? You of all people should know that the time for such an easy resolution has passed.” He seized Gregory by the neck, drawing him up close to his face. “The payment that's due now? Flesh and, at my discretion, blood,” he said, l*****g elongated fangs.

“Wait, wait, let's not do anything rash.”

“Rash? You mean like this?” Kai grabbed a flailing forearm and squeezed, breaking bones.

Gregory screamed. “Please, please, I'll do anything, just—just let me go. Say you couldn't find me. Please!”

“No.” Kai shook him, and he went limp. “That's it?” He shook Gregory again, and the man flopped like a rag doll. “After all this trouble—you had me fight Ronin.” He shook him again. “And for what?” He dropped the man, who cradled his arm and crumpled at his feet. “Sniveling. You don't deserve Lord Te's consideration, much less his mercy.”

Rage, hot and insidious, bubbled within Kai on the heels of his dissatisfaction. He thought he'd have to do a lot more convincing, spill a little blood even. Anything but have this pitiful excuse for a mogul show his belly so easily. He noticed a picture on the desk, and an idea began to percolate. For all the trouble he'd gone through Kai wanted—no, needed his pound of flesh, and he figured he'd found a way to get it.

“Is this your wife?” Gregory looked up at him with dawning horror. “She benefited from Lord Te's generosity as well, didn't she? I think I'll bring her in as a bonus.” He didn't try to conceal his glee at the man's terrified scream.

“No!” he shrieked with renewed vigor. Kai planted a booted foot on his back, pinning the now struggling man to the floor. “I won't tell you. I don't care what you do to me, but not her… not her.”

Finally, some life, some fight. Kai took in the trapped and sobbing figure, mentally reviewing the damage he could inflict that wouldn't be fatal, when he realized they weren't alone. Looking up, he saw a woman standing in the doorway, transfixed.

* * *

Stepping in the doorway, Roberta stopped cold. Standing in the middle of the spacious office were two men. The one dressed in black had a dark, olive complexion, long, black hair, and tattoos on his face that trailed down his neck and under his collar. The other had brilliant red hair and looked like he stepped out of a fairy tale, and was that a bow and quiver on his back?