Simon held the blade so the length faced toward me. "Look through this."
I turned my head so I could view my neck. There, draped over the two puncture marks like a thick tattoo, lay a small picture of a dagger. I winced and my eyes flickered up to Simon. "What's it mean exactly?"
He pulled the weapon away and tucked it into his coat. "It means Death's messengers intend to cut your soul from this life."
I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered. "Can't Death be depicted by a fluffy bunny or kitten?"
Simon studied me for a moment. "Are you cold?"
I shrugged. "I guess. Why?"
He pulled off his coat and draped the heavy garment over my shoulders. His slight body warmth still lingered in the interior, and the thick cloth gathered my own body heat around me.
I gave him a shaky smile. "Thanks. I guess all this talk of death is giving me the chills."
He shook his head. "No. The chill is merely a warning that Death's messengers approach."
My heart dropped into my stomach. The chill inside me strengthened until I had trouble keeping my body from shaking. "Please tell me there's a way to keep them away for longer than ten minutes."
He nodded. "Opposing spells will keep them at bay. The penthouse has several. Otherwise,-" he drew the dagger from the coat I wore, "-this and awareness of your senses must suffice."
I half-turned toward the cabin. Certus stood against the wall some thirty feet from us. "If this thing's so dangerous than why aren't we inside?"
Simon shook his head. "The close quarters would give the advantage to their incorporeal forms."
I shivered and returned my attention to him. "So what am I supposed to be sensing for? Besides the cold, that is."
His eyes wandered down to my neck. "The mark should feel warm to the touch, and if a breeze was to be blowing it would still. The sounds of animals would also cease, as they, too, can sense the messenger approach."
I closed my eyes and listened. The gentle breeze off the waves calmed. I reached up and pressed my hand against my neck. The mark was warm to the touch.
"It's coming," I whispered.
"It is here," he replied.
I opened my eyes and looked out on the waters of the bay. Above the waves some ten feet in front of us hovered the black-cloaked fiend. Its white, glowing eyes glared at us. The dagger was already out and against its chest.
"Give her to me," it hissed.
Simon pulled me back and crossed his own dagger over his chest like the messenger. "I will not."
The fiend's eyes fell on the dagger. It gave off a deep, hollow chuckle. "You will lose this battle, Simon Cruor."
"But not the war," he quipped.
I noticed the creature's eyes flickered to its right. I turned my head just as a second cloaked figure flew out from beneath the deck and lunged at me with a dagger. The first Phantom also attacked, distracting Simon. A figure came from behind me and threw themselves into the path of the dagger.
It was Certus.
I screamed as the weapon sank deep into his chest. Certus pulled out his own silver dagger from his prim coat and swiped at the Phantom. The blade cut across the throat of the cloaked figure. A terrible, gurgling scream emanated from the unearthly creature. It flew back, its skeletal hands clawing at its open throat. White light spilled out instead of blood. The creature dropped backward over the railing and disappeared from sight.
Simon swiped at his target, but the creature flew back out of his reach. It hissed before it melted into the darkness of night. I covered my mouth with my hands as Simon spun around to face Certus.
"Certus!" he yelled.
One of Certus's hands clutched his chest over his heart. He took a step forward, but his legs failed him. He fell to his knees. Large globs of blood dropped onto the deck beneath him.
Simon rushed to his side and knelt beside him. I walked over to his other side. My eyes widened as I beheld the Phantom's knife that still stuck out of his chest.
Certus grabbed the hilt, but Simon grabbed his hand and looked him in the eyes. "Do not remove the knife or you will bleed to death."
Certus smiled and shook his head. "It. . .it is of no use, my master. The knife has stabbed my heart. I-" A harsh, bone-wracking coughing fit overtook him. Blood dribbled from his mouth and down his chin, but his smile returned. "It. . .it was a pleasure to serve you, my Master." Simon pursed his lips, but nodded. Certus leaned his head so he faced me. "Forgive my short temper with you, Miss Luvena."
Tears sprang to my eyes. I swallowed the lump in my throat and shook my head. "There's nothing to be sorry for."
Certus bowed his head. "Thank you."
Certus wrenched the blade from his chest. Blood poured from the wound. I covered my mouth to stifle the vomit that flew up my mouth. Certus's eyes closed and his head rolled back. His body fell limp in Simon's arms. The knife in his hand slipped from his fingers. It vanished before it hit the deck.
Simon bowed his head. His shoulders shook. Soft, silent tears slid down my cheeks. I took a step forward and reached out for him. "Simon, I-" He stood, and in his arms he held Certus.
I shrank away from the fury in his blood-red eyes. The front of his shirt was covered with Certus's blood. His voice was a soft, terrible whisper. "He will pay. They will all pay for this."
I gulped. "Who will?"
His gaze fell on me. The look softened and he shook his head. "No matter. We will take Certus home and carry on with our plans."
I pursed my lips. "Are you sure-"
"Would you waste his sacrifice?" Simon questioned me.
I turned away and shook my head. "No, but I-" I shut my eyes, but in the darkness the images of Certus's dying moments were replayed. I looked up at Simon. The hot tears left trails beneath my chin. "I don't want the others to die for me. I don't want you to die for me."
Simon studied me for a long moment before he closed his eyes and shook his head. "No one else will die for you tonight." He opened his red eyes and caught my gaze. "You have my word."
My heart sank, but I nodded my head. The job was still on.
CHAPTER 5
The boat reached the docks and we were escorted to the off-loaded car. No one questioned the limp body in Simon's arms, or the blood that covered both of them. It made me wonder if they saw this stuff all too often.
We were driven back to the penthouse building and dropped off at the elevator door. The ride up was long. I stood beside Simon and his precious burden.
My eyes flickered to Certus's body. "Will he disappear when the sun rises?"
Simon shook his head. "His body will not fall to dust unless the sun touches him. Otherwise, the natural rate of decomposition will take its course."
I cringed and looked away. Me and my stupid curiosity.
We reached our floor and stepped out. The doors beyond the lobby were shut, but voices drifted from behind them.
"Humor them as best you can," Simon instructed me. He glanced down at Certus's face. "There are chores I must perform."
I nodded and followed him through the double doors. Seated in the living room area were our three acquaintances from heists past. Maeve and Specter sat on a couch. Well, Specter floated above the cushion beside Maeve. Dolf was seated opposite them in a chair. They all glanced at us as we entered.
Their smiles wiped off their faces. The two living people jumped to their feet and Specter floated higher.
"What happened?" Maeve asked as she hurried to Simon's side.
Dolf sniffed the air. "And why don't I smell him?"
"Faith will answer your questions," he told them as he hurried to the bedroom on the left-hand wall. He shut the door behind him and all eyes turned to me.
Maeve set her hand on one of my shoulders and led me toward Simon and my bedroom. Her voice was soft like her eyes. "Follow me and we'll get you cleaned up first. You're covered in blood."
I managed a small smile and nodded my head. "I could use a shower."
Maeve helped me with my clothes, and gave me a gentle push into the bathroom. I turned on the shower head, but paused before the bathroom sink. My pale reflection showed the specks of blood on my face from Certus's coughing fit. I turned my face away and shuddered. Suddenly I'd lost all interest in a shower, so I washed the blood off and shut off the water.
I came out wearing a bath towel. Maeve sat on the bed and studied me. She pursed her lips. "It doesn't take a witch's skill to know you didn't take a shower."
"The blood's off," I defended myself as I dressed.
Maeve stood, and together we walked out into the living room. Specter and Dolf stood so they had clear advantage of both doors. Maeve and I joined them. Nobody sat down. All eyes lay on me.
I cleared my throat and began my tale with the attack of Basileus's men. The story finished at Certus's own conclusion. "Certus. . .Certus jumped in front of me and took the dagger for me," I told them.
Dolf whistled. "So the big Trica's involved in all of this. I guess that explains why Certus doesn't have a scent anymore."
Specter floated around our more lively group. "So when's the cremation?"
Maeve glared at him. "That's a terrible thing to say!"
He shrugged. "You know it's gotta be done."
"Not before the job is finished," a voice spoke up. We turned to face the spare bedroom. Simon stepped out and closed the door behind him. He walked over to us with a smile and gestured to the living room furniture. "If you would all make yourselves comfortable I will explain the details of my plan."