The Dark Calling (The Arcana Chronicles #5)(78)

Forever screwed, Eves.

Making his tone light, he said, “As long as we’re talking about the elephant in the room . . . You’ve been with two beaux, and one of ’em is a supernatural knight.”

I saw where this was going, but a comparison between the two was futile. What I’d shared with each man was different—yet perfect in its own way.

And perfect for me couldn’t be bested.

“How’d ole Jack compare?” He was partly teasing, but kind of serious too.

His rare show of insecurity made me want to wrap him in my arms and never let go. “You were amazing, and you know it, you cocky Cajun.” I found myself grinning, before I shut down.

“No, doan you dwell. Enjoy this peace with me.” In a gruff voice, he said, “Being with you is the only thing that makes me feel this way, but it’s no good if you doan feel it too.”

“I did. Earlier. Now I’m just confused.” I didn’t regret having sex with him, and surely that made me a bad person. An unfaithful wife. “Jack, I promised Aric forever.”

He sat up on the pallet, his scars filling me with equal parts sadness and tenderness. “You made that promise to him when you thought I was dead. And you promised me always, long before he was ever in the running.”

“I know, I know.” At least in this life.

His broad shoulders rose and fell on a breath. “I’m about to feel a heap of guilt myself.”

“Why?”

“For taking advantage of you. The only reason last night happened is because I almost went into the drink. You would’ve gone your whole life faithful to him, but you relived when you lost me last.”

That was true. Still . . . “Maybe I took advantage of you. You were freaked out because you almost died. Didn’t you believe you were done?”

He admitted, “Ouais.”

“Don’t forget I’m supposed to be this minxy seductress/mesmerizer. A mere mortal like you stood no chance.”

His lips curled. “So what do we do now, séductrice?”

Despite Jack’s efforts, I couldn’t relax. I sighed. “After nearly two months, I need to accept that Aric’s not coming for me. And saving him from Paul seems even more impossible when we can barely keep ourselves alive.” My eyes went wide. “What if that woman from the platform tells others what she saw?”

“We can’t stay here anyway. That first liner has never gone down before. The infrastructure’s toast.”

“What will we do?”

“When our podnas get back, we’ll teleport the truck to the cave to load up. If we can talk Kentarch into searching a new area, the four of us’ll head south to the Gulf. There might be a similar situation with ships off the old coast of Louisiana.”

“What’s taking the guys so long? They’ve never been gone a whole night before. What if Paul’s sphere caught Kentarch?” Another Arcana trapped?

“You’re not supposed to be borrowing trouble, supposed to be relaxing for the kid.”

“Is that possible A.F.?” No sooner had I made the comment than Jack stilled, cocking his head.

“We got company.” We both leapt up, snatching on jeans, dressing in a hurry.

“Is it the guys?”

“Uh-uh.” He stomped into his boots.

As I reached for my own, I caught sight of my former wedding ring lying on the floor. With a pang, I pocketed it.

Someone banged on the door. “Open up! It’s the Ciborium.”

I hissed, “That widow must’ve ratted me out.” I tied my boots. “Do you have any weapons hidden?”

“Non. We stole ours back from the arsenal, but then we stashed them in the cave. Look, we’ll get through this, Evie. As long as we’re together, we can handle anything. Remember?” Once he’d yanked on his coat, he tossed me mine, then marched to the door. A glance back at me. “You ready?”

I nodded, and he opened up.

Five Ciborium guards stood outside with their guns pointed at his face.





36


Death


Hundreds of miles from the sphere





My stalwart mount ultimately buckled under the strain. I abandoned him and began to run east.

When I’d first regained my mind, the need to return and slaughter Paul had nearly consumed me, but I could never enter that sphere again.

Besides, time was now more of a threat than the Hanged Man.

I couldn’t govern my emotions, chaotic thoughts overwhelming me.

My wife has been vulnerable out in the Ash. Starving. Nearly dying. Now in danger once more—because of Paul. He will die bloody. She and I are going to have a son—if she survives long enough.

I saw her demise. Will the Fool’s vision come true before I can reach my beloved wife and child?

I ran into the night. I ran for their lives . . . .





37


The Empress





Surrounded by Ciborium guards, we entered the MSY Calices, heading for an audience with Lorraine herself.

The men hadn’t taken their fingers off their triggers. They weren’t treating us like suspected criminals—but like convicted ones.

Was the plank in our future?