Blood Lust - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,27
little girl was at first reluctant to leave, terrified she wouldn’t get to see her mother again. But once they’d promised that it was only for a short time and they would be reunited after Myst returned to Kansas City, she was eager to see Valhalla.
Plus, it didn’t hurt that Lana had tumbled instantly in love with the little girl, and even the cold-eyed Wolfe had melted at Molly’s first dimpled grin.
Bas was resigned to the knowledge that Molly would be utterly spoiled before he could return her home.
Then he’d had to wait for the Mave to spread the word that he wasn’t on the top of the most-wanted list before he and Myst were headed toward the nearest monastery.
Now they were standing in the small antechamber built of gray stone with narrow windows that allowed a glimpse of the early afternoon sunlight.
Like most of the public areas of the abbey, it was a stark room with nothing beyond a few wooden benches and a woven rug on the stone floor. The monks didn’t provide comfort because they didn’t want visitors to linger.
And even the sections used by the acolytes tended to be barren. Sentinels-in-training were fortunate if they were given a cot and a blanket to sleep with at night.
But deeper in the abbey were beautiful libraries, exquisite woodwork and stained glass windows, as well as galleries filled with artwork created by the Sentinels. Each warrior was trained in some craft to teach him that he had more than mere violence to offer the world.
All except assassins like Bas.
They’d been the baddest of the baddest.
The secret weapon of the monks who’d been disbanded years ago.
He was honed for death.
And the only thing of beauty he’d ever created was Molly. Of course, he hadn’t created her alone. No. He had to thank Myst for her very vital role in Molly’s birth.
Bas glanced toward the woman who was standing at his side, ensuring she was fully covered by the heavy robe he’d demanded one of the monks provide for her.
When she’d emerged from the bedroom of his hotel wearing nothing more than a floaty white sundress, he’d wanted to protest. The dress revealed far too much skin for his peace of mind. Her beauty was startling enough to cause talk without adding in a sneak peek of her perfect body. The fewer people who knew where she was, the better.
Or at least that was the reason he’d given Myst when he’d wrapped her in the heavy material.
Ignoring her puzzled gaze, he turned to watch a bald man in a robe similar to Myst’s poke his head out of a narrow opening at the back of the room.
“The guardian is prepared to travel.”
The monk disappeared and Bas reached to capture Myst’s fingers in a tight grip.
“Wait here. I want to have a last word with Kaede,” he told her softly.
He sensed her surprise.
“He’s not coming with us?”
“No, I need him to take care of another project,” he said. “He’ll be travelling with a different guardian.”
She tilted back her head, her expression troubled. “Does it have anything to do with me?”
Bas hesitated. His instinct was to lie. The last thing he wanted was for Myst to be distracted when they were about to meet with the Keeper of Tales.
But logically he knew it was unfair to try and keep her out of the loop. Besides, they would need her help.
“Wolfe mentioned that they’ve been trying to keep a close eye on the Brotherhood,” he admitted, his tone pitched to make sure it wouldn’t carry.
“They have a spy in the Brotherhood?” she demanded.
“He wasn’t willing to share any specifics,” he admitted, his expression wry. “You would think he didn’t trust me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Imagine that.”
He shrugged, not particularly concerned with the Tagos’s opinion. He was, however, extremely concerned with the intel Wolfe had grudgingly passed along.
“According to their . . . informant, there’s been an increase in chatter over the past twenty-four hours.”
Myst frowned. “I don’t know what that means.”
“From what Wolfe could figure out, it seems as if the Brotherhood is buzzing with word that some long-awaited prophecy is about to be fulfilled.”
She stiffened, the color draining from her face. “It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with me.”
“I would usually agree.” He grimaced. Shit, he hated having to add to her fear. “The Brotherhood is full of crazy-ass prophecies and predictions. But Wolfe specifically mentioned that the center of the talk was coming out of Wyoming.”
“Crap,” she breathed, her eyes suddenly