Crimson Truth (Onyx Assassins 4)

“Oh, I’m going to find her,” I said, hopping off the bed as a new wave of adrenaline coursed through my body. “And I’m going to filet the bastards who took her and poisoned me.”

“Just be careful,” she said. “I miss you already.”

“Miss you too,” I said. “And I’m always careful.”

She snorted at that, knowing it for the lie it was. Too bad Benedict wasn’t around to get the new tattoo. The thought of messing with him only made me that much more excited to get started.

“I love you,” I said.

“I love you too, sister.”

We hung up, and I pocketed my cell, amazed at the reception I got inside the stone walls. I stretched my arms wide, a deep yawn ebbing out of me.

“Switching to night hours can be a bitch,” a familiar voice crooned behind me, and my grin widened.

I whirled around, practically sprinting across the room to throw my arms around Valor’s neck. She laughed, hugging me back before I released her. “How do you manage it?” I asked her, shaking my head. It had to be two am and she looked as fresh as if she’d had a full night’s sleep. Or day’s sleep. Whatever.

“You’d be surprised what you can adjust to when you have a mate as motivation,” she said, smiling.

I eyed her, pursing my lips. Our friendship had bonded when I’d helped her outrun that mate for six months straight. I’d immediately loved Valor’s spirit, and considered her a close friend within a matter of days. “Hard pass,” I said. “Being bound to one person for the rest of your life? The power they have over your emotions, your motivations?”

“The way they love you without conditions and worship your body like it was made for them?” she countered, and I laughed. “We make each other stronger,” she said, leaning in my opened doorway. “I know you helped me fight it in the beginning, and for that, I’ll never be able to repay you.” I waved her off. “But, I’m the best version of myself because of Lachlan, and vice versa.”

“You’re still human,” I said, and her eyes flared.

“You never like to beat around the bush, do you, witch?”

I gave her a Cheshire grin. “Where is the fun in that?”

Valor glared at me for a moment before her eyes softened. “We’ve talked about it,” she admitted. “Transitioning me. It’s an ongoing discussion.”

“Do you want to transition? Can you?”

She shrugged. “With the drop of vampire blood in my ancestral line? Most likely. But…”

“But…”

“Lachlan worries. Over the risk. The idea of losing me kills him as much as the idea of me losing him.”

“Mates,” I sighed, then smiled. “You have time.”

“That’s what Lachlan keeps saying.”

“It’s true,” I said. “No need to rush a decision that big.”

She rubbed her palms over her face. “You’re lucky you’re a witch,” she said. “Don’t have to think about the finality of human life.”

“It has its perks.”

“I’m worried,” she said, and I nodded, not needing her to clarify what she was worried about.

“I’m going to find her.”

“That’s what Hawke keeps saying. The Assassins…” A shiver ran through her. “I’ve never seen them like this, and I’ve seen them take on my horrid brother and the Sons of Honor. This is different.”

“It would be,” I said. “Betrayal by your own kind? That’s a level of dirty I’ve never seen before either.” Usually supernaturals only betrayed opposite species, and that was rare because of the political paperwork and blood spilling that ensued. I couldn’t imagine being betrayed by a witch, let alone someone who was supposed to be close to me like the Hunters were to the Assassins.

Valor nodded, her eyes going distant for a moment before she locked onto mine. “I came by to see if you wanted to train tonight.”

“Against you?” I asked, shocked.

She laughed. “Hell no,” she said. “I’d never fight you. Against the trainees. I try to stay up to date on my hand-to-hand skills, not that you need to, being a badass witch and all,” she teased.

“I’d love to,” I said, following her out the door. Anything that would help me fight the bastards that took Avianna was time well spent in my book. I knew they were ancient and powerful, but I just didn’t give a fuck. They took my friend. And I wanted her back.

“I’ll just be over here,” Valor said as she led me into a massive training room complete with workout mats, walls of weapons, and a viewing area to boot. “You know, training with my mate because he won’t let any of the newbies touch me.”

“It’s not about that,” the highlander said from his position on one of the many exercise mats in the room. His shirt was off and there was a whole lot of muscle and tattoos to look at, but it was the look in his eyes that made me feel like I’d walked in on him and Valor having sex. I mean, Goddess the way he looked at her—like she was the answer to every question and the key to any and all pleasure. “I want you training with the best,” he continued as she met him on the mat. He raised his arms, a smirk on his lips. “I’m the best, so—”