The Hunted (Guild of Assassins Book 1) (2 page)

What is it with you and early mornings?

Leigh Simon glared at her diminutive companion curled in her arms. “You’re such a grump, Ola. Can’t you, for once, just stop and admire the beauty around you?”

The silver and black ferret wiggled her nose, onyx eyes sharp with intelligence.
I am not grumpy.
Her affronted tone moved through Leigh’s mind like a warm caress.
I just don’t see any appeal. It’s cold, and this fog makes my fur wet

“You always have an excuse no matter the weather, and yet you still insist on coming with me.”

Of course, that’s what friends do. The little beast actual sounded smug.

Leigh just barely held back her amusement as Ola snuggled closer. With a tiny shiver, she turned her attention to the earth welcoming her to watch the sunrise. Here, standing in the wooded glen, everything seemed to make more sense to her. Immersed in the wild untapped magic of the earth as it sparkled with an effervescent energy as heady as the finest champagne, she was home.

A swirling shimmer of fog covered the ground, wrapping around the thick trunks of tall eucalyptus trees, blanketing the forest and earthen floor, carrying the scent of brine from the nearby sea. The sun, made its appearance, lightened the darkened sky to shades of blue and pink. Golden fingers of light stretched across the dimming stars from the east announcing the sun’s spectacular arrival. She loved mornings filling her with a sense of perfect peace, she never would have guessed the drastic turn her life would take.

The appearance of Amaya, her mentor, and the woman who’d raised her should have given her pause. Amaya never ventured out this early from her home, stating her old bones couldn’t handle sitting on the damp ground waiting for dawn to break. “Máthair, what brings you out so early this morning?” Leigh addressed the older woman with the Gaelic term of mother.

Amaya stopped in front of Leigh. Her pure silver hair was piled into a messy bun, long tresses curling around a strong face kissed bronze by the sun and the many hours spent outside tending her plants. Deep lines had formed around her eyes and mouth, but instead of making her look haggard, they gave her an air of wisdom and quiet strength. Bright blue eyes flashed with an intense knowing, as if she could peel away a person’s innermost secrets for inspection. Most were drawn to her like a magnet, her considerable power tempered with loving patience. The five-foot leader easily captivated even those who opposed her decisions for the druidic guild. Never once had Leigh ever heard Amaya raise her voice in anger. It was just not her way.

Leigh noticed a brief tightening in Amaya’s jaw, and her eyes darkened with a deep sadness. Leigh’s stomach knotted in apprehension, her mouth suddenly going dry as dust, instinctively knowing this visit would not be pleasant. Ola must have sensed the tension too. She squirmed out of Leigh’s arms and wrapped around her shoulders, dark eyes intent on Amaya.

Amaya’s next words confirmed Leigh’s unease. “I fear I have distressing news for you, my dear.”

“What is it?” The question came unbidden, and suddenly, she wished she could take it back, not wanting to know.

Amaya’s lips parted. Each word she uttered was a dagger tearing at the flimsy fabric of Leigh’s idyllic existence. “It’s your blood mother. She…she, well. There is no easy way to put it now, is there?” She puffed out a small breath. “What I’m trying to tell you, dear, is she has crossed over to the ethers.”

As always, the mention of her biological mother made anger burn through her veins like acid. “And this should concern me? She abandoned me as a babe. I have only one máthair, and that is you, Amaya. I don’t know why you always find it necessary to defend her to me.”

“Because there is always a reason behind every action. You simply do not know the reason she left you here with me, but that is not why I sought you out so early this morning. The Polariate for the Guild of Isis requests an audience with you.”

Leigh struggled against a mixture of shock, curiosity and the profound sense of inevitable change shimmering in the air, on the cusp of becoming reality. “An audience? Why, when?”

Amaya held up one long weather-worn finger in the air. “Center yourself child. She approaches now.”

No sooner had she spoken when Leigh spied a faint pulse of blue light amid the fog-shrouded trees. The fine hairs at the nape of her neck rose in warning, her instincts screaming at her to run while she could.

Ola scrambled down Leigh’s shoulder to the ground and watched her friend scamper under the brush. Only her twitching nose poked out from the leaves.

“Little coward,” Leigh said. “Thanks for the support there, Ola.”

What do you expect from a ferret? I’m more of a laid back, hanging-with-the-homies kind of friend.

Leigh shook her head, opened and closed her mouth a few times before expelling a heavy sigh. She didn’t have the time or the energy to give Ola a caustic reply.

Turning her attention back toward the trees where she’d seen that dim light, she gasped to find the now quite clear blue orb rush at her. It stopped hovering inches from where she and Amaya stood. Squinting at the sudden brightness, she watched more than a little creeped out as only the face of a woman took form. Pale eyes seemed to stare right through Leigh with remote aloofness, and she fought the urge to cringe under the perusal.

Recognition flashed through the Polariate’s glacial stare as it settled on Leigh. “You look so much like your mother, child. I know she would have wished to see her only daughter one last time. Alas, Aegis Doreen Simon will never have that moment with you, and I am truly sorry for that loss.”

Leigh blinked at the image before her as anger coiled tightly in her chest. “Really? I know nothing about that woman. She abandoned me as an infant. How can I feel loss for a stranger?”

“We all must make sacrifices in this life for those we love, child. Your mother never forgot you and only wanted you far from the life she lived.” The woman’s voice echoed hollow and emotionless through the quiet forest, making Leigh reckless in her anger.

“Ah, I guess that makes everything all right then.”

“No, but perhaps you will understand in time, when you have your own child, what you would do to keep that child happy and safe. Nonetheless, you are sole heir, and as such, her possessions pass on to you.”

“Again thanks, but I’m not interested.” Leigh moved to walk away, having heard more than enough about the woman who bore her. Her “possessions” could rot in hell for all she cared.

“Halt!”

Leigh found her legs stuck in place, unable to move away.

Fury bright and hot flared through her, burning her blood as she glared at the hologram. “Let me go now, and I’ll forget all about this.”

The Polariate laughed. “And what do you think you can do to me? I am blessed with the power of both Isis and Bast. Have a care on your next words, child, for I assure you, you do not want to offend either goddess.”

“Leigh,” Amaya warned in a low voice. “This is not the time or place for this. Reign in your temper.”

“A very prudent suggestion. One I strongly advise you take.”

Leigh gritted her teeth and swallowed the hot words rushing up her throat.
Only for Amaya.
Closing her eyes, Leigh took a deep cleansing breath and let it out slowly. She lifted her gaze only when she had banked the rage to smoldering embers.

“Very well,” Leigh said, “send me her things.” She could always burn them once they were sent to her. She found the idea very appealing.

“Well, about that, there is one small snag. Easily remedied with just a yes or no.” The woman’s words were just a touch too casual for Leigh’s liking.

Warily, Leigh glanced over at Amaya who gave a small nod of encouragement. “And what small snag is this?”

“Among your newly acquired acquisitions, you may have one little demon tied to a beholden vow.”

“I have a what?” Leigh screeched in disbelief.

“Oh, no, this cannot be.” Amaya’s face paled, eyes wide with horror.

“Sadly it is, but it is simply remedied. All I need is for her to refuses ownership, and we will eliminate it. It’s as simple as that.”

Simple? Leigh frowned at the woman’s image. She’d been raised as a druid, lived by their laws, prayed to their gods. Even her magic was druidic in nature and intent. She respected all things within the natural world she lived in, and she did not enslave another, no matter the reason.

True, she knew the arrival of the demons marked one of the bloodiest times in history. Their leader, a power-mad and cruel being, met any opposition with torture and death. Even his own people. Did the actions of one make the subjugation of all right? Hell no! The very thought of it was abhorrent to her on a cellular level. She knew only little about the race of beings who had fled their dying world of Demos to live here on Gaia, never even seen one in person, but she’d heard how their image brought out old fears and superstitions. The violence of their arrival only bringing those fears to the surface. Even in this modern day where humans lived in peace with witches, druids, angels and other supernatural beings, there still was the pall of prejudice.

Would the people of Gaia greet them differently if they came in peace? She didn’t think so.

But it was the last part of the woman’s comment which left Leigh with a ball of dread sitting in the pit of her gut. “What exactly do you mean when you say you will
eliminate
it?”

“He will be put to death of course.”

Outrage suffused her, making her body heat and hands tremble, yet her voice held steady. Thank the gods. “And if I choose to free him instead? If what you say is true and this demon is mine, I can do as I wish.”

“Not entirely true. There are laws in place for the Enfertiti, safety precautions for the populace, which are clear in regards to dealing with this situation.”

“Safety precaution? There are free demons, Infernals as they call themselves, who live among us and have posed no problem.”

“That we are aware of. The Infernals are few and protected by the high mages of Alexandria guild and Hunters guild. Even the House of Shades have many under their protection so cannot be touched.” The woman’s voice snapped with irritation. Clearly, she did not like having to explain herself.

Well, too bad.

“The Druidic stance regarding Enfertitis is simple,” Leigh said. “We don’t condone the practice of keeping any sentient being under the yoke of slavery. The very thought is abhorrent. It is against the basic tenants of our laws. So set him free.”

“And that is something I cannot do.”

“Can’t or won’t?” Leigh challenged.

“Wait!” Amaya took a step between the two. “Surely there is some compromise. Isn’t there something to be done to settle this without bloodshed?”

“There is only one alternative open if Ms. Simon is determined to free the Enfertiti.”

Leigh folded her arms over her chest. “I am.”

“Then prepare yourself to be tested. Leigh, I strongly urge you to reconsider this foolish action. Your mother would not want this for you. There is a reason why the last hunt was a century ago. It is brutal and barbaric. Your chance of survival is slim to none. Please do not throw your life away for a beast who would just as soon slit your throat then aid you. You have less than two days to make your decision. Think this over careful child, if you appear at the Temple of Isis by sunrise on the second day, I will have no other choice but to convene the hunt. You will be up against trained assassins who will show no mercy. Is the animal worth it?”

She wanted to scream at the woman’s arrogance. How could someone touched by the divine wisdom of not one but two goddesses be so callous? Well, Leigh would delight in making the Polariate eat her words.

“Yes,” Leigh said, “all life is worth it. What happens should I lose?”

“Death for you and your beast.” A smug smile tugged at the woman’s lips.

“And should I win?”

“Life with your animal to do with as you see fit.”

“You don’t like the idea of that do you?”

“Don’t be silly. I am merely calculating the odds, and I must inform you, there is a high probability you will lose.”

“Fine. Whatever. Give it your best shot.”

Give it your best shot? Really?

Leigh inwardly groaned, regretting the sheer stupidity of her words. Rarely did she lose her temper, yet the Polariate had gotten on her last nerve with her haughty attitude and callous disregard for all life, something Amaya’s teachings had instilled in Leigh at an early age. Remembering their parting hours ago, Leah blinked back the burning tears that threatened.

She’d found Amaya waiting for her in the fog-shrouded glen where Leigh always went to greet the day. “So, you will go through with this?” Amaya had said.

“You know I must. It is the right thing to do, what you taught me to do. Please, máthair, you must understand why this must be done.”

“I do, my sweet girl. It’s just…” She sighed, reaching out and grasping Leigh’s hands tightly. “I do not want this for you. I don’t want you traveling from your home alone, and I certainly do not want you being in harm’s way. You are so ill prepared for what is awaiting you.”

Leigh’s eyes stung with unshed tears, and fear threatened to paralyze her. “Don’t you think I know that?” Her voice cracked, but she pushed on, wanting, no needing Amaya to understand. “I know of no other way to save this demon. If there was, don’t you think I would do it? I am not a warrior, but this is so wrong Amaya. I have to do everything in my power to right this put right.”

“You can’t save everyone. The world will have its view, and there is nothing you can do to sway so many.”

“I don’t want to save everyone. Just this one. It’s what must be done, and I am the only one who can do it.”

“Why, Leigh? Why you?”

She took a deep breath and stared straight into Amaya’s eyes. “Because it was my damnable mother who left this mess on my proverbial doorstep. With her death, this responsibility has shifted to me, and I will not take the easy way out and have the blood of an innocent on my hands.”

Those were the last words Leigh had said to Amaya. Possibly forever.

Saying goodbye was the hardest thing she’d ever done. Firming her shoulders turned her back on Amaya and resolutely walked away from all she’d ever known and headed toward an uncertain future. Every step brought an ache to her chest and hollowed her gut. She moved from the worn dirt path and onto a near-deserted roadway and headed north, toward the spires of Isis which rose toward the skyline like the greedy fingers of a malignant beast.

It took her hours to arrive at the Temple of Isis. A massive stone and concrete monstrosity, ornately carved with the hieroglyphics of the goddesses Isis and Bast. The arena reminded her of pictures she’d seen of the Colosseum in ancient Rome. Marble pillars bracketed the entrance, and what she assumed were female guards dressed in some sort of black uniform, swords strapped to their backs, flanked the wooden double doors.

As she entered the arena, led by one of the guards she’d spoken with at the entrance, the harsh clash of a hundred voices assailed Leigh’s ears. The woman looked bored as her gaze flicked over Leigh’s simple jeans and plain blue tank, apparently finding her lacking. People were crammed into the seats, once again reminding Leigh of the stories she’d read as a youth about the gladiatorial games so popular at the time.

Barely controlling the unease urging her to turn and run, she took a long deep breath in and out to slow her speeding pulse rate. Why hadn’t she, for once, kept her mouth shut? What was one demon in the scheme of things? The thought brought a wave of guilt with it. One life, despite its origin, was still considered precious by the druids, as she’d made clear to Amaya only hours ago.

As she neared the very center of the arena, all thoughts fled her mind, and she gaped at the huge man standing straight and proud. Thick chains wrapped around his neck, running to a metal pole. Obviously, they wanted to prevent him from escaping. The sight made bile rise in her throat. How could people be so heartless? And judging by the rude comments being hurled in his direction, it seemed humanity, as a whole, was not close to rising above the cruelty of their nature.

For the first time in her life, she felt ashamed to be considered a part of the human race.

She couldn’t help but stare at the curve of dark horns on each side of his head. His hair, pale as summer wheat, brushed his wide shoulders in a thick wavy mane. His wide forehead, straight nose and full lips were male perfection.

High cheekbones and the strong jut of his jaw spoke volumes to his stubborn and proud nature.

Everything about him was positively balls-to-the-walls, trip-over-your-tongue, pant-like-a-dog gorgeous.

A tall blonde woman in a similar black uniform as Leigh’s escort moved from a raised dais where the familiar form of the Polariate watched with cold blue eyes. The woman may as well have been carved in stone for all the emotion she showed. The guard sent her a hate-filled glare which promised all kinds of pain. She was only a few inches shorter than the demon’s impressive height of around six and a half feet give or take an inch. At five feet eleven, Leigh considered herself to be tall for a woman, but between the blonde and him, she looked petite.

The woman closed the distance, gripped a handful of his thick hair and yanked hard. His head jerked back, a snarl twisting his lips.

“Stop it
,
” Leigh snapped out before she could prevent it.

The woman’s beautiful face twisted into something ugly. “So you think you got lucky, animal? Think you’ve been saved? Well, guess again. You just earned a long and painful death along with this…druid.” She spat the words out as if she tasted something sour.

Leigh’s face heated as she glared at the other woman. “Hello, right here in front of you. Do you think you can be more of a bitch?”

“Beatrice is not very versed in social graces,” he said. The deep timbre of his voice washed over her in a wave of heat that had nothing to do with anger and everything to do with wrapping her limbs around him and rubbing the ache which settled between her legs. Oh, damn this demon could be a very dangerous distraction, one she could not afford if she wanted to live to see the next morning’s sunrise, which was approximately how long this hunt would take—or so she’d found out from Amaya.

If she survived.

His insult did not go unnoticed by the woman. Omitting an assassin’s title of Aegis was considered a grave offense, one which could be punishable by stoning. The assassin’s lips thinned into a sneer as she tugged harder on his hair, exposing his throat. To his credit, he didn’t even wince at the discomfort as she landed a savage kick to the back of one of his legs, forcing his knee to hit the dirt with a painful thud even Leigh could hear over the din of the crowd.

“You will give me respect, dog, or I’ll slit your throat right here and now.”

Leigh couldn’t help but interject, her hands bunching into fists at her side as rage at the unfair treatment filled her. “As I see it, respect is earned, and you have done nothing that warrants it.”

The blonde guard’s attention focused on Leigh with laser precision. Her hate, a palpable miasma hanging in the air, charged with violent intent. Oh yeah, not the brightest move Leigh had ever made and one which could very well prove fatal for the demon as well as her.

“Release the demon at once, Aegis Beatrice.” The order cracked through the air like a whip as the Polariate rose from her chair. An aura of command crackled in the air.

“I petition for grievance,” Aegis Beatrice demanded, releasing her grip on the demon. “I have been insulted by this animal and ignorant…
child
.”

A hush fell over the crowd as all attention narrowed in on the four of them. Just when Leigh thought things couldn’t get any worse. The gods were obviously having fun. At her expense.

~*~

Was the female insane?

Taren found himself at a loss on whether to admire her courage or choke her. Did the woman not know how precarious their situation truly was?

Of course not.

Even with her standing a few feet from him, he could almost taste her innocence. So pure. Addicting. Deadly. All in an enticing, curvaceous package he would have to be blind not to appreciate. Her jeans molded against her long legs and round hips, and a pale blue tank top with spaghetti straps covered her full breasts. His beholden vow vibrated through his matching tattoos, recognizing this was the only one who could free him.

His brain screamed “enemy”, yet his body refused to listen, the grip of attraction pulling at him. With a low growl, he wrestled instinct under control. No matter how beautiful the woman was, he would not be moved.

He stood, ignoring his body’s need and faced the bane of his existence. Beatrice. Since the Polariate’s visit, the female had spent every second tormenting him. When she couldn’t entice him with her body, she tried to break him with her fists. He found a twisted amount of joy in thwarting her, even if the cost was paid out in the multitude of bruises concealed beneath his jeans and black T-shirt. It made no difference to the Polariate to know how her precious assassins treated their slaves, yet she’d declared that he not have one mark upon him. Not out of some sense of humanity, the Polariate held only contempt for his people. No, the reason stood before him, a dark-haired enchantress with a body made for sin. For some reason, the Polariate cared for the girl enough to keep him from being a handicap in the hunt. So Beatrice had taken special care where she’d placed her strikes.

“I will break you yet, demon, and after I do, I will have this silly fool bleeding at my feet,” Beatrice whispered in his ear before addressing the Polariate. “I demand, as appeasement, the drawing of first blood before the hunt begins.”

Taren could smell the sharp stench of excitement in the air as the crowded arena erupted in a chorus of hoots and shouts. He snarled his defiance, rising to his feet, standing as straight as his bindings would allow, every muscle in his body held taut.

The Polariate kept her face emotionless, only her pale eyes showed her displeasure. “Very well. Aegis Beatrice, your petition of grievance is granted. First blood is yours.”

Another assassin moved into the arena, a long curved sword in her hands and presented it to Beatrice. Taking the proffered weapon, she turned, a nasty smile playing on her thin lips. He growled low in warning as she neared. The urge to attack almost overwhelming as he forced himself to remain still.

“This is barbaric,” the druidess said.

He blinked in surprise as she stepped in front of him, giving him a nice view of her shapely ass. Her scent swirled in the air as her hair brushed against the stubble of his chin in a soft erotic glide. He breathed her heady aroma deep into his lungs.
Vanilla and green grass.
His willful body hardened in response to her nearness, regardless of what his mind thought.

“I will not stand here and let you abuse this man,” the druidess said.

“Can you truly be that naive?” Beatrice snarled, eyes gleaming with a sick sort of excitement. “That is not a man, it’s a demon. A beast with no soul. It lives only for the chance to destroy us should we be foolish enough to give it the chance.”

“Enough!” The Polariate’s voice whipped through the arena, bringing a heavy silence in its wake. “Stand aside, Leigh.
Now.
”

Disbelief held him immobile. Never in his life could he remember anyone ever coming to his aid before. Yet this woman, Leigh, was willing to save him from an assassin’s blade. It confused him, made him wary. What did she hold in store for him? For surely this must be another form of torture.