Morrigan's Cross - Circle Trilogy 1 Part 12

"No. Now. As soon as it can be arranged.

I've got a pa.s.sport, but we have to figure out how to get Hoyt out of this country and into another. And we'll need a place to set up, to stay and to, well, train and practice."

"Peas in a pod," Cian muttered, pouring her a gla.s.s of wine. "It's not a simple matter, you know, to delegate responsibilities for my businesses, particularly since the man I trust to run the club downstairs is bound and determined to join Hoyt's holy army." "Look, I spent a lot of my time today packing, transferring my rather limited funds so I could pay the rent on my place through October, cancelling appointments and handing off a couple of what would be fairly lucrative jobs to an a.s.sociate. You'll just have to manage."

He retrieved his own gla.s.s. "And what is it you do? These fairly lucrative jobs?"

"Greeting card art, of the mystical variety.

I paint. And do some photography."

"You any good?"

"No, I suck. Of course I'm good. The paying photography is mostly weddings. More arty stuff for my own pleasure and the occasional sale. I'm adaptable at keeping the wolf from the door." She lifted her wine. "How about you?"

"Can't survive a millennium otherwise.

So, we'll leave tonight."

"Tonight? We can't possibly-"

"Adapt," he said simply and drank.

"We need to check on flights, buy tickets-"

"I have my own plane. I'm a licensed pilot." "Oh."

"A good one," he a.s.sured her. "I've several decades of air time, so you needn't worry on that score."

Vampires who drank blood out of pricey stemware and owned planes. No, what did she have to worry about? "Hoyt doesn't have any identification, no pa.s.sport, no papers. I can work a charm to get him through Customs, but-"

"No need." He crossed the room, opened a panel on the wall she hadn't detected, and revealed a safe.

Once he'd unlocked it, he took out a lock box, and coming back set it on the counter and flipped the combination. "He can take his choice," Cian said and pulled out a half a dozen pa.s.sports.

"Well, wow." She plucked one, opened it, studied the picture. "Handy you look so much alike. The serious lack of mirrors in this place tells me the lore about no reflections hangs true.

No problem being photographed?"

"If you're using a reflector camera, you'd have a moment, when the mirror engages when you'd be very puzzled. Then it disengages as you shoot-and there I am."

"Interesting. I brought my cameras. I'd like to try some pictures, when there's time." "I'll think about it."

She tossed the pa.s.sport down. "I hope that plane of yours has plenty of cargo s.p.a.ce, because I'm loaded."

"We'll manage. I've calls to make, and packing of my own to see to."

"Wait. We don't have a place to stay."

"It won't be a problem," he said as he left the room. "I've something that will suit."

Glenna blew out a breath, looked back at the pot on the stove. "Well, at least we'll get in a good meal first."

It wasn't a simple matter, even with Cian's money and connections laying a path. The luggage and cargo had to be transported the ordinary and laborious way this time. She could see all three of the men she'd hooked her fate with looking for a way to cut down on her load.

She cut that route off with a firm: It all goes- and left it at that.

She had no idea what Cian had in the single suitcase or the two large metal chests he packed.

She wasn't sure she wanted to know. She couldn't imagine what they must have looked like, the two tall, dark men, the enormous black man, and the redhead with enough luggage to resink the t.i.tanic.

She enjoyed the privilege of being female, and left it to the men to do the loading, while she explored Cian's sleek and elegantly appointed private jet.

He wasn't afraid of color, or of spending his money, she had to give him credit for that.

The seats were a deep, rich blue in b.u.t.tery leather, and generous enough to be comfortable for even a man of King's proportions. The carpet was thick enough to sleep on.

It boasted a small, efficient conference room, two sophisticated bathrooms, and what she initially took to be a cozy bedroom. More than that, she realized when she noted it had no windows, no mirrors, and its own half bath. A safe room.

She wandered into the galley, approved it, and appreciated the fact that Cian had already called ahead to have it stocked. They wouldn't starve on the flight to Europe.

Europe. She trailed her finger over one of the fully reclining seats. She'd always planned to go, to spend as much as a month. Painting, taking photographs, exploring. Visiting the ancient sites, shopping. Now she was going, and getting there well above the first-cla.s.s level. But she wouldn't be wandering the hills and the sacred grounds at her leisure.

"Well, you wanted adventure in your life," she reminded herself. "Now you've got it."

She closed a hand around the pendant she wore and prayed she'd have not only the strength but also the wits to survive it.

She was seated when the men boarded, and making a show out of enjoying a gla.s.s of champagne.

"I popped the cork," she said to Cian. "I hope you don't mind. It seemed appropriate."

"Slainte." He moved directly to the c.o.c.kpit.

"Want the two-dollar tour?" she asked Hoyt. "Want to look around?" she explained. "I imagine King's flown in this little beauty before and is thoroughly jaded."

"Beats the h.e.l.l out of commercial," King agreed, and got himself a beer in lieu of champagne. "The boss knows how to handle this bird." He gave Hoyt a slap on the shoulder. "No worries."

Because he looked far from convinced, Glenna rose and poured another gla.s.s of champagne. "Here, drink, relax. We're going to be in here all night." "In a bird made out of metal and cloth. A flying machine." Hoyt nodded, and because it was in his hand, sipped the bubbling wine. "It's a matter of science and mechanics."

He'd spent two full hours reading of the history and technology of aircraft.

"Aerodynamics."

"Exactly." King tapped the beer bottle to Hoyt's gla.s.s, then Glenna's. "Here's to kicking some a.s.s."

"You look like you're looking forward to it," Glenna commented.

"d.a.m.n straight. Who wouldn't? We get to save the frigging world. The boss? He's been restless the last few weeks. He gets restless, I get restless. Ask me, this is just what the doctor ordered."

"And dying doesn't worry you?"

"Everybody dies." He glanced toward the c.o.c.kpit. "One way or another. 'Sides, a big b.a.s.t.a.r.d like me doesn't go down easy."

Cian strolled in. "We're cleared, boys and girls. Have a seat, strap in."

"Got your back, Captain." King followed Cian back into the c.o.c.kpit.

Glenna sat, offered a smile as she patted the seat beside hers. She was prepared to soothe Hoyt through his first flight. "You'll need your seat belt. Let me show you how it works."

"I know how it works. I read of it." He studied the metal for a moment, then locked the pieces together. "In the event there is turbulence.

Pockets of air."

"You're not the least bit nervous."

"I came through a time portal," he reminded her. He began to play with the control panel, amus.e.m.e.nt crossing his face when the back reclined, came up again. "I think I'll be enjoying this trip. b.l.o.o.d.y shame it's got to be done over water."

"Oh, I nearly forgot." She dug into her purse, pulled out a vial. "Drink this. It'll help.

Drink it," she repeated when he frowned at the vial. "It's herbs and some powdered crystals.

Nothing harmful. It may help the queasiness."

The reluctance was clear on his face, but he downed it. "You have a heavy hand with the cloves."

"You can thank me when you don't have to use the barf bag."

She heard the engines hum, felt the vibration beneath her. "Spirits of the night, give us wings to take this flight. Hold us safe within your hand until we touch upon the land." She slid her eyes to Hoyt. "It never hurts." He wasn't ill, but she could see that her potion and his will were fighting a hard battle to keep his system steady. She made him tea, brought him a blanket, then reclined his seat, brought up the footrest herself.

"Try to sleep a little."

Too ill to argue, he nodded, closed his eyes. When she was sure he was as comfortable as she could make him, she moved forward to join the others in the c.o.c.kpit.

There was music playing. Nine Inch Nails, she recognized. In the copilot's seat, King had kicked back and was snoring along with the beat. Glenna looked through the windscreen and felt her heart do a little dance of its own.

There was nothing but the black.

"I've never been in a c.o.c.kpit before.

Awesome view."

"I can kick that one out of here if you want his seat for a bit."

"No. I'm fine. Your brother's trying to sleep. He's not feeling very well."

"He used to turn green crossing the Shannon. I imagine he's sick as a dog by now."

"No, just queasy. I gave him something at takeoff, and he's got an iron will to add to it. Do you want anything?" He glanced back. "Aren't you the helpful one?"

"I'm too revved up to sleep, too restless to sit. So, coffee, tea, milk?"

"I wouldn't mind the coffee. Thanks for that."

She brewed a short pot, brought him a mug of it. Then stood behind him, staring out into the night sky. "What was he like as a boy?"

"As I told you."

"Did he ever doubt his power? Ever wish he hadn't been given the gift?"

It was a strange sensation, having a woman question him about another man.

Generally if they weren't talking about themselves they were asking about him, trying to nudge aside what some of them saw as a curtain of mystery.

"Not that he ever told me. And he would have," Cian said after a moment. "We were close enough in those days."

"Was there someone-a woman, a girl- for him back there?"

"No. He looked, and he touched, and he had a few. He's a sorcerer not a priest. But he never told me of one special to him. I never saw him look at any of the girls as he looks at you. To your peril, Glenna, I'd be saying. But mortals are fools when it comes to love."

"And I'd say if you can't love when you're facing death, then death's not worth fighting. Lilith had a child with her. Did he tell you that?"

"He didn't, no. You need to understand there's no sentiment there, no softness. A child is just easy prey, and a sweet meal."

Her stomach turned, but she kept her voice even. "Eight or ten years old, I'd say," she continued. "In the bed with her, in those caves.

She'd made him like her. She'd made that child like her."

"That shocks and angers you, well, that's fine then. Shock and anger can be strong weapons in the right hand. But remember this. If you see that child, or one like him, put your pity away, because he'll kill you without thought or mercy unless you kill him first."

She studied Cian now, that profile that was so like his brother's, yet so completely his own. She wanted to ask if he'd ever turned a child, or fed on one. But she was afraid the answer might be unforgivable, and she needed him.

"Could you do that, destroy a child whatever he'd become?" "Without thought or mercy." He glanced at her, and she saw he'd known the other question running in her mind. "And you're no good to us or yourself if you can't do the same."

She left him then without a word and went back to stretch out beside Hoyt. Because the conversation with Cian had chilled her, she pulled her own blanket up to her throat, curled toward Hoyt's body heat.

And when she slept, finally slept, she dreamed of children, with sunny hair and b.l.o.o.d.y fangs.

She woke with a start to find Cian leaning over her. A scream clawed up to her throat until she realized he was shaking Hoyt awake.

She pushed at her hair, skimmed her fingers over her face for a quick glamour. They were speaking in low tones and, she realized, in Irish.

"English, please. I can't follow that much, especially with the accents."

Both turned vibrant blue eyes on her, and Cian straightened as she brought her chair up.

"I'm telling him we've about an hour flight time left."