Redeemed (House of Night #12)(28)

“No doubt about it. I was there. I saw it up close and way too personal. The first shots fired at her all hit the officer who had offended Neferet—but only in places on his body that his Kevlar vest didn’t protect. The next shots wounded several other uniforms, but killed the chief of police—the man responsible for giving the order to storm the building,” Marx said.

“Lenobia, have you ever heard of such a thing?” Thanatos asked.

“Never.”

“Then call in the cavalry,” Marx said. “Get the Vamp High Council involved. Maybe they can help us figure out how to stop Neferet.”

“The High Council has refused to aid us,” Thanatos said. “We are the cavalry.” She stood. “So, Detective Marx, let’s go to the Mayo and see exactly what we’re up against.”

The rear door to the Council Chamber opened and Kalona, bare-chested, with amber eyes flashing in anger, strode to Thanatos. “It is time you call in the full cavalry. I am Death’s Warrior—so where you go, I go. Humans and consequences be damned.” His black wings unfurled and seemed to encase the entire room.

Detective Marx’s jaw dropped open. Literally.

“Holy shit,” Aphrodite whispered.

“Ditto,” I said, wondering what the hell would happen next.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Detective Marx

The guy was huge. And he had wings. Gi-f*cking-gantic wings. Marx was glad he was already sitting because just looking at the … whateverthehellhewas … made his knees feel like rubber.

First the crazy-assed vampyre/goddess and the bloody black curtain at the Mayo. Now a winged giant who said he was Death’s Warrior.

Was he f**king dreaming?

Well, if he was, the dream kept on going and going, because Thanatos was talking to the winged giant and Marx damn sure wasn’t waking up.

“Go with me? To downtown Tulsa in full view of the—”

“What will you do if Neferet’s threads of Darkness attack you? I understand this manifestation of Darkness. I battled it over and over again in the Otherworld.” The giant’s powerful voice shot out: “Which would the humans fear more, the incarnation of evil, or the presence of a god battling it in the streets of Tulsa?”

“Humans don’t believe the gods walk the earth anymore,” Thanatos said.

“My point exactly!” said the winged giant. “Neferet’s actions have negated the norm. It is past time humans take their heads from the sand and realize this world is filled with magick and mystery and danger. It is also time I do what I was created to do—be a Warrior and battle Darkness.”

The High Priestess bowed her head ever so slightly in acquiescence to the winged man. Then she turned to Marx. “Detective, I would like to introduce you to my Oath Bound Warrior, Kalona. He is my protector, as well as this House of Night’s Sword Master. He will be accompanying us to the Mayo.”

Marx hesitated a moment and then did the only thing he could think to do—he held out his hand to the big guy. “Good to meet you, Kalona.”

Kalona gripped his forearm in the traditional vampyre greeting. “And you as well, Detective.”

“You aren’t a vampyre, are you?” Marx couldn’t help asking.

Kalona’s smile was sardonic. “No. I am not.”

Marx glanced at the guy’s wings, which now were tucked against his back. The damn things were so long they actually brushed the floor. “What are you?”

Kalona’s smile widened and seemed to turn genuine. “There is a complicated answer to that, one I promise to give you after we have dealt with Neferet.”

“I’ll hold you to that promise,” Marx said, trying not to look directly into the guy’s eyes because doing so made his head feel woozy and thick, like it was filled with cotton balls.

“You won’t have to, Detective. I’ve learned the hard way that it is best that I hold myself to my promises.”

“So we’re actually all going to the Mayo?” Aphrodite asked.

“No. Kalona and I are going, as well as Zoey, Stark, and her circle. Darius, Aurox, and Aphrodite—you will remain here with Lenobia. The two of you will call a school assembly. Fill in the professors, Warriors, and the student body. Give them the basics and no more. And put the school on high alert. We have no idea what Neferet’s next move may be.”

“Do ya really think everyone should know what’s goin’ on?” Stevie Rae said, echoing Marx’s thoughts.

Zoey spoke up before Thanatos could. “I’m thinking that Darkness hates to have light shined on it, so let’s shine a big ol’ spotlight on what Neferet’s up to.”

“That’s damn sure one way to find out who wants to slither back under the rocks with Neferet and who wants to stand up and fight her with us,” Stark said.

“The two of you have echoed my thoughts exactly,” Thanatos said.

“Well, all right, then. But I’m calling in Kramisha to help me. She always knows who’s up to what,” Aphrodite said.

“It is a wise Prophetess who gathers to her others gifted by her Goddess,” Thanatos said, giving her approval.

“It’s also a wise Prophetess who keeps her cell phone close by. Call if all hell breaks loose—literally or figuratively,” Aphrodite said.