Courage Page 14

  And I got this terrible sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, like I'd swallowed a cat and it was trying to claw its way back up my throat, scratching and biting all the way. Because even I could tell that Courage's older brother was lying. And I felt my heart breaking for Defiance and the girl he got misty-eyed about.

  And that was bad enough. But I felt worse for Courage because he'd thought he was being noble and giving up his future for Defiance and me. He hadn't known he was taking his brother down with him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Horror darkened Courage's gaze as he searched his brother's face.

  Defiance shook his head. It was a hopeless gesture. At that point, he must have known he hadn't convinced anyone of anything. "We had to wait," he said quietly. "I promised her father. I couldn't—"

  "I'm sorry," Courage whispered hoarsely. "I…I've really screwed this up."

  Defiance shook his head again. "Nay, don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. I'd do the same thing. I wouldn't stand by and let that monster put fire to a young lass. It's a sacrifice we have to make. And Whit will always know…she'll always know how much she means to me."

  But despite Defiance's heroic words, the two boys looked broken. And I couldn't help but feel responsible. They were doing this for me, giving up their futures so Olivia wouldn't hurt me. And it was all so hopeless because I was pretty sure Olivia wasn't going to set me free when she was wearing the boys' runes. After she got what she wanted, she'd probably bury me somewhere in her huge back yard.

  As I watched the two brave brothers, a growl built in my chest. And while Olivia's back was turned, I lashed out with the toe of my boot. I'd like to say I lashed out without thinking—a heroic act of defiance—but I was thinking. I was thinking about that mistake Defiance had promised me. And I was thinking if I could kick that white-haired witch hard enough, she might fall and hit her head like the guard had.

  Maybe I could knock her unconscious.

  It almost worked. The toe of my boot caught her in the back of the head. She stumbled and lost her balance. For a moment I thought I was gonna get lucky. But Olivia managed to right herself before she went down.

  Her face contorted into something ugly and inhuman as she rounded on me and smashed her fist into my face. And in that instant, I could see her harpy heritage overriding the polished, sophisticated appearance she normally presented to the world. Her hand was big for a woman—even a tall woman—and I swear she hit as hard as any professional boxer.

  I couldn't do anything to protect my face from the rain of vicious blows. I could only kick out. I managed to connect a few times before she ripped off my boots and flung them across the room. But I hope I flattened her ego—and her chest—a little before we were done. That said, I definitely didn't come out ahead. And when Olivia finally took a break, I couldn't breath through my nose anymore, one of my eyes was swollen shut, and a thin stream of blood dripped from my mouth down onto the blackened dress that Courage had once loved.

  And while all this was going on, Rage was screaming my name. It was all I could hear. And for the rest of my life I'll probably wonder how you can scream in raw-throated horror and terror and panic…and still make it sound like pure, electrified love.

  I hadn't recognized it for what it was because I didn't think anyone could feel that way about me. But Courage loved me.

  Panting slightly, Olivia studied me through eyes like black slits.

  I snuffed out a whimper of pain and watched her right back.

  A shining trail of drool slipped from the corner of her mouth and started down her chin. She lapped it up with a dark, pointed tongue. Like I said before—inhuman. Clearly, Olivia got a whole lot more than Olympic strength from her mama.

  Finally, she spun away and rolled her sleeve a little higher. "Let's get started," she growled.

  Defiance seared her with a narrow look of utter loathing. "The runes won't change the way we feel about you," he snarled. "We'll be bound to you but we'll still hate you."

  Olivia jerked her shoulders upward. "I can live with that," she spat.

  "But we can't do it right away," Courage argued hoarsely, talking to Olivia but searching my face…probably for a sign of life.

  I tried to smile to let him know I was okay but it probably looked more like a grimace. And I couldn't help but think about the day I first saw his scars. I wanted to tell him his poker face wasn't any better than mine but my lips felt so thick and useless I wasn't sure I could form the words.

  His frantic gaze scoured my face as he told Olivia, "You'll have to spend a few weeks building up a resistance to the poison."

  Olivia's chuckle was a smooth ripple of sound. "Oh, were you counting on that little ploy to buy you some time? Well, let me bring you up to date since you obviously weren't paying attention when I talked about my harpy bloodline. Your venom doesn't hurt me. I thrive on it. It makes me who I am. It makes me beautiful." She unbuttoned her high collar and loosened it, pulling the fine white silk aside so we could see four puncture marks in her neck. They were spaced about an inch apart, obviously made by a gargoyle's barbs.

  Olivia was immune to the poisonous effects of gargoyle venom.

  "Rage," I whispered, finally getting my puffy lips moving. "Isn't there another way?"

  His eyes latched onto mine when I spoke, his expression a terrible mixture of relief and despair. "The only other way involves somebody's death," he said in a low voice.

  "There's no hope?" I asked.

  He made a fist with his bloodied hand and four short spikes shot from beneath his knuckles. He looked down at the venom coloring his barbs in beautiful shades of blue and green. And as he gazed at the sharp talons, his eyes narrowed in thoughtful concentration. "There's…always hope," he said quietly and stole a quick look at his brother.

  I followed his gaze.

  A ridge formed between Defiance's eyebrows as he studied his brother's thick knuckles. I saw his eyes flash to Courage's face with a questioning look. Then his expression cleared before Olivia could notice the silent exchange the two boys had shared.

  I had no idea what was going on. I was just hanging helplessly from a hook in the ceiling, waiting for Courage to sign his life away to that monster. "No," I groaned. "Rage, please don't. Don't give in. Don't give Olivia your rune. It should be…mine. Keep it. Save it for me."

  "It should be yours," he agreed in a rasping whisper.

  But it didn't make any difference. Courage was going to give Olivia his rune and there was nothing I could do about it.

  Since his wrists were chained so closely to the wall, he couldn't anchor Olivia's arm with one hand and use the other to mark her. He could only hover his fist over her skin before scratching his rune onto her arm.

  Olivia took her place in front of Courage—well beyond the reach of Defiance's arms. No doubt, she was counting on her harpy strength to stop Courage from trying to overpower her. And it would probably work.

  But Courage didn't try to fight, and it reminded me of that day at the diner. He'd told me he'd avoid a fight if he could. But he'd also told me he wouldn't give someone a second chance to hurt me. And I knew if he got an opening, he'd kill Olivia.

  Only, it looked like he wasn't going to get the opening he needed.

  Acting quickly, Courage made the first deep slash. The aqua venom welled up in the wound. And for half an instant, the look on Olivia's face was one of supreme satisfaction. And anticipation. I guess the rush of venom through her veins was something she enjoyed. Relished. A look of rapture crossed her features.

  Courage made the second straight line.

  I held my breath. His rune was made up of five lines, total. There were only three strokes to go before he belonged to Olivia…forever. A salty tear ran into the corner of my mouth. It tasted different than the blood. Warmer. Less metallic.

  Courage positioned his barbs to make the third stroke, a curved one.

  "Wait a minute," Olivia muttered. But the low sound had a sharp edge. "Som
ething's wrong."

  A slight smile touched the corner of Courage's mouth. "Is it?" he murmured and carved the next line into her skin before he gripped her arm in his fingers.

  Olivia squirmed in his grasp. "It's burning," she screamed. "Oh, God! What's wrong? Why does it hurt? Why is it burning?"

  "Does it?" he asked coldly, and jerked her face close to his. "Does it hurt? Do you think it hurts as badly as you planned to hurt Lorissa?"

  "Let me go!" she shrieked, pulling away from him and almost breaking free.

  But just as Defiance had predicted, Olivia made a mistake. She was outside the reach of Defiance's arms but that wasn't enough. Now Defiance unraveled his wings and reached for her.

  Together, the boys trapped Olivia against the wall while she struggled against the darkness that closed in around her. Because maybe she was stronger than a single gargoyle but she wasn't stronger than two of them.

  "My venom's different," Courage told her informatively, like he was being interviewed for a documentary. "It has something…extra."

  "What do you mean?" she screamed, her eyes wild and staring.

  Courage shot a narrow look at his brother. "Rattlesnake poison," he answered.

  A hard smile shaped Defiance's mouth. "Do it," he growled. "Finish her."

  And while Defiance held Olivia in the black snare of his wings, Courage released her arm and plunged his barbs into her neck.

  Olivia's dark eyes bulged in startled realization and fear. And dread. She opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out. She tried to tear from Defiance's grip but maybe the poison had drained the harpy strength she had been counting on. His wings held strong. And with his mouth set in a line of steel, Courage surged his tainted venom into her jugular.

  He lowered his lips to her ear and spoke. There was no regret in his voice. Not a trace of doubt or remorse. Only cold dark determination as he said, "I'm sorry, Olivia, but I won't let you live to threaten the lass I love."

  He pulled out his barbs and Defiance released her, like he couldn't bear to touch her any longer. Olivia dropped to the ground, her head bouncing once on the hard concrete floor, her eyes fixed and staring in the terrified realization of her own death. The look on Courage's face as he gazed down at her was one of complete disgust.

  He lifted his head and looked for me, the lust for violence still smoldering in his eyes. And if I hadn't been hanging from a hook in the ceiling, I think I might have stepped back a few paces. The killer instinct that burned in his gaze was hard to reconcile with everything else I knew about him. Because I knew Courage didn't lose his temper easily. And I knew he avoided a fight when he could. But one thing was equally certain. Sometimes deadly is the only thing that can get the job done.

  "Did you…know that would happen?" Defiance asked his brother.

  "Nay," he answered, looking suddenly exhausted. He slumped back against the wall and hung his head. "But when I saw the color of my venom, I hoped…"

  "Well," Defiance muttered. "At least our secrets are secure."

  Courage shook his head and stared at the floor. "I'm sorry, Defiance. I thought your rune was given. I would never have offered my rune if I'd known. I thought you'd be safe from her."

  Defiance smiled grimly. "I am now. We all are. You did the right thing, Courage. None of us were safe while she was alive."

  Courage lifted his head and found my face. A look of deep sorrow was etched into his expression. "Lissa," he whispered. "I hope…I'm sorry…Do you think I'm a monster?"

  I searched his blue eyes. Did I think he was a monster? For killing that wretched harpy spawn? For saving his brother? For saving me? For offering his entire future in return for my momentary release from pain? I cleared the tears from my throat. "I can answer that question with three words," I whispered.

  "Three words?" he rasped.

  "Uh-huh," I answered with a nod. "Truth or Dare."

  I watched as a thin glimmer of hope filtered into his gaze.

  "And I'll take the dare," I added, just to make things perfectly clear.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I don't want to suggest that our escape from Olivia's lair in southeast Denver was a walk in the park. But compared to everything else we'd been through that day—yeah—it wasn't the toughest thing we had to do. I was able to swing my legs and knock over the high-backed stool that the keys rested on. There were a few tense moments after the coffee mug crashed and splintered on the floor, but none of Olivia's guards showed up to check on us. Maybe Olivia had given them orders to leave her alone with her captives. I think there were a lot of things she didn't want her men to know about gargoyles. That would certainly explain why the basement cell wasn't rigged with a camera or a sound system.

  Anyhow, the keys fell to the floor, a little closer to the boys than they had been—close enough for Defiance to snag them with his wingtip. And working together, the guys managed to open the locks on their shackles.

  When Courage lifted me from the hook, he immediately crushed me in a hug.

  "It's okay," I told him, thinking we didn't have time for long hugs and tearful reunions. "It's okay," I murmured. "We're gonna be okay. We're gonna get outta here. But right now, I can't feel my fingers."

  Working quickly, he peeled the tape away from my wrists and rubbed my hands while Defiance glided up the stairs and tried the door, which was thankfully open. When feeling started returning to my fingers, I wished it hadn't.

  "Bracelet," I muttered, wanting that wooden band back on my wrist just as soon as possible.

  Courage headed for the far corner of the room where the bangle had been tossed by one of the guards. And with the bracelet back in place on my wrist, I basically brought down every piece of electronic equipment in the house. Naturally, I jammed all of the guns, too—just to be safe. Then with my boots back on my feet and Olivia's jacket tied around my waist to cover the missing parts of my dress, we raced through the house and took off as soon as we got outside.

  Once in the air, we never looked back.

  Happy endings all around, right?

  Right.

  Except it didn't take long for the two brothers to start arguing. Defiance wanted to go to Force's girlfriend's apartment in Denver because it was close and we could get there quickly. Courage insisted on taking me all the way home to Limon because he didn't want Kellen to worry about me.…which turned out to be a waste of time since my brother wasn't even there when we reached the ranch at two in the morning.

  When we got to the house, there was more arguing.

  Courage whisked me inside and sat me down on a chair in the kitchen. With his hand cradling my chin, he turned my face and checked out the damage. Judging by his expression, I would guess it was not a pretty picture.

  Of course, my face couldn't have been much worse than his wrists, and I pointed that out. But you know how guys are. Courage acted like the ragged wounds were little more than scratches…which was cute because—let's face it—there isn't a girl alive who can resist a genuine tough guy. But I was thirsty so I motioned toward the fridge and asked Defiance to pour up some lemonade.

  Courage sent a glare in his brother's direction. "You should never have taken her to Olivia's," he growled.

  Defiance opened the fridge and poured out three glasses of lemonade, setting two on the table and lifting the third one to his mouth. "You shouldn't have gotten yourself captured," he countered after taking a long swallow.

  "It's kinda hard to outrun a dart gun," Courage muttered as he stalked across the room and pulled open a drawer. Reaching inside, he pulled out a soft washcloth and ran the warm water over it. "As I recall, you didn't have any more success than I did."

  "Yeah, but you just got caught. I got caught when I was on a rescue mission to bring you back."

  "And you shouldn't have involved Lorissa," Courage yelled as he wrung out the washcloth and headed back in my direction.

  "She wanted to go," Defiance shouted back…just before the glass of lemonade exploded in his ha
nds, showering juice and glass all over the hardwood floor.

  Defiance stared at his empty hand, then down at the floor, then back up at me. "Did…you do that?" he asked.

  "I'm sorry," I muttered. "I didn't mean to. I was just wishing you guys would stop arguing."

  Defiance looked at his brother. "Well, it worked," he snickered, and set about cleaning up the mess on the floor while Courage knelt in front of me and lifted the warm cloth to my face.

  Courage cried as he cleaned my face in the kitchen. Well, he didn't cry, exactly. At least he says he wasn't crying.

  "It will heal," I told him gently, pretending that I couldn't see his tears. "Maybe I can even use my magic to make it heal. Because that would be like a selfish wish, wouldn't it?"

  He shook his head. "It might be selfish but it wouldn't be bad so it wouldn't work."

  "Well, one way or another, it will heal so…don't be sad."

  He shook his head again and forced out a tight laugh while rubbing his eyes into his forearm. "I'm sorry. I'm a mess, aren't I? I never have figured out why my mother named me Courage. I really don't deserve the name."

  "Oh, you deserve the name," I told him fiercely, thinking that he was the toughest, most heroic mess I'd ever run into. I shot a glance at his brother. Defiance had finished cleaning the floor and was slouched in a chair on the other side of the table. "Tell him, Defiance."

  Defiance studied the ceiling for a few seconds. Then he roused himself enough to straighten in his chair. Leaning forward, he propped his elbows on the table and clasped his hands loosely in front of his chin. "Force and I were always a little jealous of the name our mother gave you," his brother finally started in a slow drawl. "You were Courage. We were just Force. And Defiance."

  Courage shrugged impatiently. "I was just a baby when she named me. She couldn't possibly have known how I'd turn out."