Edge of Night, page 18
Now Ilya stared at him. “You have these connections?”
Maxim smiled and nodded. “This house is one of the most important, though newest, house in the country. They have resources and power. I can’t promise, but if anyone has the ability, these are the people to ask. Come sit, and I’ll ask Ben to assist.”
The man staggered to the chair as the door opened. Ben and Pippa entered, hands filled with trays and plates. “I thought some refreshments might be in order,” Ben declared while Pippa busied herself laying out the pastries.
“Pippa?” Maxim called, and she turned, surprise on her face. “Would you come here please? I’d like you to meet Ilya. He’s Mischa’s father.”
Ilya’s brow furrowed.
“This is Pippa, the woman I plan to marry someday. When she’s ready.”
Ilya extended a hand, and while Pippa and Ilya exchanged pleasantries, Maxim crooked a finger to Ben. “A friend of mine is trying to escape Russia with his wife, children, and a number of orphans. The Russian army has invaded the town they were in, looking to find and kill paranormals. The children are all special. All paranormals. I need to find somewhere safe for them.”
Ben’s eyes grew round. “I can’t make that kind of decision.”
Maxim hadn’t expected him to. “No, but who can? We’ll need help to get them here safely.”
“I’d need to talk with Cressida’s people, or Daniel at the very least. He could…” Ben tugged a notepad from his back pocket. “How many? Ages? I’ll need details.”
“Ilya? Could you come assist Ben with details?”
Ilya nodded and smiled one last time at Pippa, then stepped over.
Ben relayed what he needed to know, and Ilya used a mix of halting English and the rest Maxim translated. Ben collected the information then gave a small bow. “I’ll make contact with Daniel and Cressida’s people immediately and see what resources they can make available.” Then he left.
Ilya stared at him. “You’ve changed, Maxim. Grown into a strong man. Mischa would have been proud of you. As am I.”
Those words, spoken quietly, settled the final threads of grief to rest.
Chapter Twenty-Two
THREE DAYS LATER
Pippa quaked as the family massed. Aunts, uncles, and even cousins, who chattered loudly. Peter was in his element, meeting, shaking hands, while she hovered on the sidelines. She was out of her depth, with more people than she’d ever seen in one place crowded together. The noise was deafening, but it was the sea of bodies that left her unbalanced.
“It’s okay, Pippa,” Maxim said. “I’ll be here all the way through.”
She looked over her shoulder at the man beside her. Her lover. Her friend. Maxim.
“I’m afraid they’ll die, and I’ll be left alone,” she whispered.
“You won’t be. I’ll be here with you,” he said, and his warmth melted some of the chill which had taken up residence in her chest.
Her gut knotted. “But what if you die, Maxim? I don’t think I could—” Her fingers curled, and hot tears stung.
“Shh, malysh. I have no intention of leaving you. But you must find a point within you to focus on. Something positive. They are willing to fight for you and Peter. To give us a chance, and you must show them that you’re strong and want this. That will give them heart and the power to fight. And they’re not alone? See?” His hand swung left to right, showing her that there must be at least a hundred waiting for the call to action.
He indicated to the lycans who’d dribbled in during the day, some in trucks and others hidden from view, thanks to the work of the witches of the nest. Celina and Javed stood proud on the corner of the field, their vampires massed, ready, while the witches moved within the crowd, placing enchantments and handing out amulets to those who’d participate.
The orisha, her family, had also come. Nearly thirty of them, some carrying what looked like farming equipment, some brawny and sun-bronzed. Women and men of ranging ages and physiques. Yet they were all here because a family member had called for assistance. Beatriz and Philip stood on the sidelines, hands in pockets. They wouldn’t fight, but would be assisting with the strategy, as would Niamh, who looked pale and strained.
They’d spent the day going over the plan to have Maxim, Pippa, and Peter exiting the house, as if they had a meeting to attend. They’d be shadowed by bodyguards made up of witches, vampires, and Simon himself, all invisible—a barrier to ensure Roger didn’t get near enough to either Peter or Pippa, nor would Roger’s cohort.
“But it could go wrong,” she whispered.
“Malysh, look at me.”
She turned toward him and let him see her terror holding her frozen in place. “I know what he can do. I’ve seen him,” she breathed and quaked.
Maxin wrapped his arms around her. “I know, but we must defeat him, otherwise we can’t build a life, Pippa. You must trust in the people here and what we have achieved. They will fight, and I believe we’ll win. But you have to believe that too.”
She wanted to. But Roger and his ilk were strong. What if they were wrong? Would she become like her mother if he got control of her?
“Come, it’s time,” Maxim said, propelling her forward as the heads of the massed forces stepped to the middle of the field.
Celina handed the three of them rings. “Put these on. It will allow us to monitor your location and maybe to remove you from the field if things become difficult.”
Javed stared at Maxim. “You’re sure you’re ready?”
Maxim shook his head. “I doubt anyone would be, but we need to bring this to a head. They cannot be expected to live in fear forever.”
Javed nodded. “Then we should prepare for the battle.”
The three moved to the small car, Maxim’s arm wound around Pippa. He didn’t mention the satchel he’d stashed in the back earlier, but she knew what it was and why it was there.
Her hands shook, but she climbed into the seat in the front, just as they’d agreed. A small pistol resided in her pocket, the weight of it significant enough that she couldn’t ignore its existence, and while she didn’t consider herself a reasonable shot, it should give her enough time, if necessary, to put distance between her and a wendigo if it was used.
Simon roared as he transformed, and Pippa blinked, the flash of momentary magic washing over her. Then one by one the bodyguards winked out of sight, but she felt them, the lick of magic a thread winding around the car.
“The magic is tied to your location and determined by your amulets,” Celina reminded them through the window then stepped back to allow the vehicle to pass.
The grey fog of the wards had been reinforced in the past two days, obscuring the movements of those within the nest. Those not involved in the coming battle had been warned to remain either inside the house or in their homes. As they passed the building, Pippa cast it one last look, hoping it was where they would return to later in the day.
She shook as they made their way through the fog.
“It’ll be okay, Pippa,” Peter said behind her.
“Quiet now,” murmured Maxim. They’d all agreed that not discussing the plans would give them the greatest chance of surprise.
As they exited the fog, she looked forward and gasped. Standing in the way were five ferocious creatures, blood splashed all over the gates, and if she looked closely, the remains of the guards.
Maxim’s face took on a grim visage. “Hold tight,” he growled and gunned the engine.
None of them had expected this sight, but it didn’t really surprise her either. These creatures were evil.
Maxim steeled himself, aware that outrunning the wendigos was not an option. But he needed to give them a chance to climb from the car; the longer they were within, the more danger.
“Be ready to jump,” he muttered as the car sped forward, his gaze narrowing in on the smallest creature and guiding the vehicle toward it.
Claws ripped at the vehicle, and the car skidded, while he held it using all his skill and weight to keep it on track, his foot floored the pedal.
The scream of metal rent the night, and he hoped like hell they’d manage to impact… “Jump now!” he bellowed, and with one hand on the door, he pushed himself out.
His body flew out onto the gravel as the first wendigo screeched. The sound of feet thudding toward him was the only warning as he rolled and pushed forward, found his feet, and spun.
The wendigo was almost upon him when a wolf winked into view and collided with the creature, jaws clamping down hard and blood spurting.
“Maxim!” screamed Pippa as she pelted toward the gate, another creature lumbering after her, and he was up, legs pumping as his wings erupted from his back.
He gathered speed, and as the wendigo reached out to grab her in its meaty claws, Maxim plucked her up, shooting into the sky.
She squirmed in his grasp. His fingers worked hard to hold her, but they faltered, and she dropped away. Moving into a dive, he caught her just before another creature could rip her from the air.
Voices and roars echoed as the others joined the fray. Maxim looked for a safe location to place her, and he noted Peter fending off a smaller creature with a stick. Maxim grunted. “Peter needs help,” he shouted to Pippa.
“Go!” Pippa yelled.
Beyond the barrier there was a clear space, and he left her there before winging upward, his wings beating a wild refrain. Then he changed direction, arrowing down again to pick Peter up as claws reached to rip through his belly.
Even as Maxim dropped down, he was counting the creatures again—one, two, three, four, a deceased one. The four fighting were surrounded, and Maxim felt that they were about to turn the tide.
Peter’s feet touched the earth as did Maxim’s when a scream cut through him, curdling his blood and freezing the marrow of his bones.
“So kind of you to drop in, Phillipa,” growled Roger as he stepped from the shaded underbrush. “Did you miss me, dear? I really missed you.”
She stepped back, eyes blinking as terror clawed at her.
“Your mother joined me for dinner for a last time.” He grinned, teeth razor sharp in the moonlight, and licked his fingers. “It was delicious.”
Nausea swamped her as she stepped back again. With each backward move he advanced a little more. His hands reached out.
“Come now, you know you belong with me. To me.” The last two words erupted as a hiss.
His eyes glinted with the madness she’d seen so many times before, and she stumbled, her jacket splaying, and she caught sight of the shiny, black butt of the pistol. Her fingers gripped it, damp with the perspiration of her fear.
He barked a laugh. “That can’t kill me!”
She squeezed the trigger, just as Maxim had shown her, and the recoil had her falling backward.
He jerked before her, reaching down, and she screamed, the sound shrill.
A roar echoed, another, then a third. Chanting started, and a bright light illuminated were Roger stood.
“What have you done?” Feral eyes squinted at her as he fought the invisible bonds surrounding him.
The beating of wings had her looking up as Maxim descended, landing between the two, his body obscuring her view, wings tinged with black and grey. “She’s not yours. She’s free of you,” Maxim declared as he stepped forward, menace emanating from his jerky strides.
“You think you can save her, stupid fairy?” She heard the hiss of Roger’s words.
“That’s not my role, wendigo. It was purely to draw you out so they could finish you.” Now Maxim stood aside, stepped back to reach down to Pippa. Helping her up and holding her close to his side.
Advancing were Celina and Javed, Simon, and Beatriz and Philip. The sound of battle stilled.
“You took what was ours. You killed one of us, now we demand reparation,” Beatriz drawled, and terror lit Roger’s eyes. His eyes glowing in the darkness, bright white orbs.
Roger looked around, and Pippa followed his gaze. All his creatures were dead. Blood draining onto the ground as the witches dowsed the remains with infused powders. They’d agreed the bodies would be burned once the battle was done, but Roger was the strongest. The dangerous one, and it wouldn’t be over until he’d been defeated.
“You aren’t strong enough,” he growled.
Javed smiled and Celina gave a nod. “Not by themselves, but we are more than one. We are many.” And even the trees quaked as Celina’s voice boomed. She lifted her hands, and fire rained down on Roger.
He screamed as he caught fire, heat shocking with intensity as the circle sparkled, struggling to contain the conflagration which burned hot and fast. Consuming what remained in the circle.
Then it was done. The witches and vampires working together, dragging the bodies to form a pyre as Maxim held Pippa close. “I’m needed in the field,” he said.
She cupped his cheek, understanding that he now had a part to play in healing those who were injured. Peter crowded in as she looked at Maxim. “Go. Do your thing,” she said and watched him reach into the wrecked car to retrieve the satchel of medical supplies.
“That was…wild, I guess,” Peter said.
Pippa looked at her brother, his features pale but set. “I was terrified, Peter. But we survived.” That amazed her. Just short months ago there’d been no hope for her. For them. Now? There were opportunities aplenty. All she needed to do was decide which would give her what she craved the most.
“I’ve been offered a job, sis. One of the contractors is looking for an assistant. He said I’m pretty handy, and if I’m prepared to do the study, he’d take me on. Give me the opportunities I need to gain my qualifications.”
“Will you stay here?” Pippa asked, but she had a feeling the answer wasn’t yes.
Peter shook his head. “I’d be moving away. You could come with me…” He watched her as she considered the man before her. For years she’d held herself responsible for his safety, but he’d saved her really. Maybe it was time to let go, she thought.
“I have things I need to do, Peter. Things I can only do here.” And a chance at belonging. Really belonging, not as a chattel, but as a person and part of a larger future.
“Maxim?” Peter nodded at the man who was kneeling beside the wounded, inspecting their injuries and cleaning away blood.
“I can’t leave him. It’s not that he’s holding me here, but I need to work out what we have. What I want is…complicated, I guess.”
Peter laughed. “Not really. You love him. Sure, our experience is pretty crap, but look at Simon and Niamh, or Celina and Javed. That’s love, Pip. And Maxim loves you. Can’t miss that. He always puts your needs first, and from the very first moment, he was committed to you, even though he didn’t want it.” He shrugged. “I like him. He treats me like an adult, and he… He doesn’t lie, he doesn’t stink, and he doesn’t eat people. In my book those are all pretty important factors.”
Pippa laughed at his list. “True to all those things.” In that instant she knew. Maxim wasn’t just a good man as Peter had said. He was the one she loved.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Maxim’s back ached, and he yawned as he climbed into the shower. Pippa waited on the other side, her green eyes alight as she rehung the towel she’d used. “What?” he asked, watching as she almost danced on the opposite side of the glass shower door.
“You’re pretty sexy, Mr. Fairy.” She smiled and waggled her eyebrows up and down in a suggestive manner. “But you need to dress and come upstairs.”
“Why?” He wanted to go to bed, hold onto Pippa, and maybe enjoy the heat they both created.
“You have a visitor. Or several visitors.” Her smile widened. “It’s the best surprise ever! Now, come on!”
He finished the quick shower, and as soon as he stepped out Pippa shoved a towel at him and watched as he dried off.
Three days since the battle with the wendigos and four nights of loving had turned Pippa into a woman who was unconcerned about nudity coupled with Maxim’s nearness. What would a year bring, he thought whimsically. Every day and night brought them closer together, something he wanted so badly…
“Come on, Maxim. I’ve grabbed some clothes and put them on the bed for you,” Pippa called as she stepped beyond the bathroom and into the bedroom that had become theirs.
He dressed quickly and waited as she did the same, then Pippa came over and grabbed his hand. “It’s a good surprise, I promise you.”
Her hand shook a little with nerves, he guessed, but she’d said it was good, so he followed her to the door, along the hallway, and up the steps. They’d agreed never to lie, so he’d take her words at face value, and he felt the tiniest of smiles ticking up the corners of his lips.
Noise echoed—the laughter of children and chatter of voices. Russian voices. The door opened and there was Gregori, Katya, and the children.
Now he turned to Pippa. “How?” His chest was full, and his voice choked. “How did you manage this, malysh?”
“It wasn’t really me, my love. I can’t take all the credit.” She hugged him around the waist. “Cressida sent a private plane to get them after her vampires tracked them down. That part was pretty quick, and Cressida’s people were able to arrange protection visas for them.” She ticked off the facts on her fingers. “Daniel has a house he’s inspecting today for them, with enough bedrooms and facilities and near to schools and hospitals with the prerequisite needs.” She waved him toward the knot that was waiting and watching. “My job was purely to get you here without giving it all away.” She laughed. “Now go.”
But he didn’t leave her. Instead, he grasped her hand and dragged her forward to welcome his friends and family, making introductions.
Pippa rolled against Maxim, waiting for the rapid beat of her heart to slow. “Maxim?”
“Huh?” he answered, sounding groggy in the post-sex afterglow.
