Brimstone Prince by Barbara J. Hancock

Author:Barbara J. Hancock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-10-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

The rocks were high on a rise above the road, but accessible by a worn slope others had used before. Michael was able to park on a level area behind the formation so that the sedan was hidden from passing vehicles. With midday approaching, it was doubtful anyone would stop for photographs, as heat already shimmered in waves above the golden-brown earth warmed by a cloudless sky and glaring sun.

The largest boulder was roughly triangular in shape and Lily decided to utilize the shade it provided for her circle of kachinas. Michael stood with his back to her also sheltered by one of the rocks, but facing the road. He would see if anyone paused or turned their car onto the slope they had taken up the hill. Grim, revealing his true hellhound nature, had winked out of existence only to materialize on the rock nearest Michael. He was undeterred by the fact that its surface must have been as hot as the griddle they’d left back at the waffle house. He lay in the shadows created by taller boulders against the one he was using as a perch, looking like a shadow himself. He watched the road as well.

Lily left the Fire kachina wrapped and in her bag. She was hesitant to use it again so soon. It had become her most powerful element, one she wasn’t sure she could control. She also left the warrior angel wrapped, but she did allow her fingers to touch it lightly as she gathered the other dolls. Its coolness soothed in the heat. The sudden tingle in her chilled hand felt like a hello. But she didn’t want to antagonize Michael so she left it in the bag. Controlling his Brimstone was so important to him. He wore his scars like a constant reminder of what might be if he embraced his heritage. She didn’t want him to think she consciously threatened that control. He had worn the wings to save Grim, but he hadn’t worn them since. Just like her, he was led by instinct and experience. For some reason, he still rejected the wings even though he had worn them so well in that moment to save his loyal hellhound friend.

She didn’t want to remind him of wings and daemon expectations. She didn’t want to remind him that she might ultimately be a part of his capitulation to the daemon king’s plans.

This was a simple ceremony she’d performed many times. She was asking her ancestors and her elemental spirits to help her find an open sipapu. One she promised to sanctify and seal when she was finished. To protect the old places. And to limit Rogues’ abilities to travel to and from Ezekiel’s kingdom.

Often the sipapu she found were amid nothing more than rubble and rocks in a long-ago-looted site. But a couple of times over the summer she’d managed to rediscover pueblos that had been forgotten. She’d been happy to point Native archaeologists to historic places for study and preservation.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.