The High Priestess (5 page)

“Assault you? I’ll show you a Ba’al-damned assault.”

Two steps and he was at the cot’s side, fingers flying over the magcuffs’ controls. They gave way with a muted
click
, falling from her wrists. Marianna barely had time to relish the air on her chafed skin before he grabbed her shoulders and hauled her off the mattress. “Get up.”

He let go of her so quickly, she stumbled, catching herself on the wall. Now, standing across from him with nothing but a small sink and a cabinet to use as distraction, a thread of doubt wound its way through her. What if she was wrong and he truly intended to hurt her? Marianna smothered the feeling before it could take root, lifting her chin. Nothing had changed.

He towered over her, easily a head and shoulders taller and twice as wide. “You are an idiot.”

“Am I?” She lifted her chin higher, hands fisting at her sides. “I am not the one who murders innocents.”

“And yet here you stand, so very alive.” Gerard moved closer, bringing them nearly chest to chest. “You’re playing in dangerous waters. Do not test me.”

“Again I ask—why not? There is nothing you can do that’s worse than what awaits me.”

His short beard should have hidden those tempting lips. Instead, it only framed them to perfection. Dangerous, tempting thoughts circled her head—thoughts mirrored in his eyes. Gerard’s mouth quirked, the sudden change of expression doing odd things to her stomach. “And again I say that you’re a damned idiot.”

Marianna licked her lips, achingly aware of the way his gaze sharpened on her. “You will not harm me.” Perhaps she truly was a fool for believing in that so strongly—even if he didn’t harm her, he would still stand by and watch her burn.

Unless she could convince him otherwise.

A perfectly mad thought blossomed in her mind. But this was the time for mad thoughts—they were all she had left. Marianna inhaled, her breasts rubbing against Gerard’s chest. She didn’t miss the way his breath caught at the touch. Perhaps it wasn’t such a mad idea after all.

Instead of moving back, she ran her hands up his torso, careful to avoid his side, and slid her arms around his neck. When he didn’t immediately resist, Marianna went up on her tiptoes and kissed him.

He swiped the back of his hand across his mouth, but it did nothing to take away the taste of her. “Don’t mistake me for a friend, Marianna.”

Against the paleness of her skin and hair, her wide violet eyes stood out in stark contrast. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Her admission shouldn’t have felt like a kick to the chest, but it did. Maybe it was him who was the idiot after all. Gerard pointed at her. “Don’t make any trouble.”

“I promise I won’t try to escape again.”

It wasn’t quite the same thing as promising not to make trouble, but he chose to let it go. There were some battles he couldn’t win, and if his instincts were correct, this was one of them. Gerard slid sideways to the door. “I’ll have one of the men bring you something to eat soon.” Any of the men but Adam.

“Thank you.” She still hadn’t moved from her spot on the bed.

“Don’t thank me. You’re still going to be purified. Nothing you say or do can change that.”

Something sparked in her eyes—whether it was defiance or acceptance, he couldn’t be sure. “I would expect nothing else from you.”

“Good.” Before he could make a bigger ass of himself—or kiss her again—he turned and walked through the door. After locking it, Gerard leaned against the wall and desperately tried to reclaim his calm. “Purity will protect you. T-Through the darkness of space. Only Ba’al’s light will…” He searched for the next words but they eluded him, replaced by the memory of how good Marianna felt in his arms. Damn her.

He ground his teeth, wishing he could grind away his thoughts as easily. But they were still there, as persistent and nagging as the wound in his side. He sighed and went in search of Fisk.

The corridor stretched out before him, immaculate and shining. There was only one hallway on this deck, leading to a lift that ran from the engine room, all the way up to the hub. Gerard bypassed the lift, heading for the door to the stairs. After his encounter with Marianna, he needed to stretch his legs. The newly mended patches pulled slightly with each step. He ignored them. The gash in his side would be healed within three days or so, but in the meantime the damn patches were going to itch like crazy and drive him nuts.

Just as he expected, he found Fisk in the engine room, pacing. His arms were marked by grease all the way to the elbow, which meant he’d been working on something down here before he heard Gerard’s approach. Fisk looked up, shoulders squared as if he expected a fight. “It’s wrong.”

There was no question as to what he meant. “She’s a Diviner. It’s the law.” Gerard waved a hand when it looked like Fisk was going to argue. “It doesn’t matter now—we’ve gone too far to turn back.”

Fisk clenched his hands. “Fine. But I’m not going to watch it happen.”

“Stop worrying about the future. Right now, what I am telling you to do is bring her food.”

“Me?” He raised his eyebrows. “Since when am I on nursemaid duty?”

Gerard leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. “Since Adam can’t be trusted, and the new guy isn’t prepared for something like this. He might give in to temptation.” Just like Gerard almost had. The thought of Blaine pressing even so much as a single finger against her skin made him want to break something.

“And what’s stopping
you
from doing it, oh fearless leader?”

“The fact that I’m the leader of this squad and you’ll do what I say.” Gerard allowed himself a tight smile. “But you’re my friend, so I’m asking instead of commanding.”

“Well that’s something I don’t get to hear often.” Fisk grabbed a nearby rag and wiped down his arms. “Don’t suppose I can get this in writing?”

“Don’t push your luck.”

“Fair enough. I’ll take care of the girl.”

“Good.” Gerard pushed off the wall, wincing when his side twinged. “Don’t take too long, though. I want a meeting within the hour.”

“Then I’ll get going.” Fisk tossed the rag aside and strode from the room, moving toward the lifts. Gerard watched him go, wondering if this was all a grave mistake. Maybe he really should have let Marianna go before they ever made it to the ship.

…

Marianna wasn’t sure what to expect when Fisk came into her room a second time, but the delicious smells wafting over from the covered tray he held chased away most of her misgivings. Still, she chose to be prudent and keep the cot between them as the dark man set down the tray.

They stared at each other a long, awkward moment before she cleared her throat. “Ah, thank you.”

One corner of his mouth tweaked up. “There’s really nothing to thank me for.”

“All the same. Thank you.” She stared at him, trying to place her finger on what it was that lulled her into a sense of false security. Certainly not his bulky fighter’s body. Nor the haphazard haircut that was worn longer than the other members of their squad. No…it was something else.

He glanced over his shoulder as if he expected someone to have come through the door in the last ten seconds. “I brought you something, but it’s best we keep this our little secret.”

“Of course.”

When Fisk pulled her cards from his side pocket, it was everything she could do not to burst into tears and profess her undying devotion. Instead, Marianna smiled and did the next best thing. “Would you like a reading?”

He jumped as if she’d electrocuted him. “What?”

She would have to tread carefully here, but instinct whispered for her to keep pressing. “I’m incredibly grateful to you for bringing my cards. I would like to give you a reading…if you’ll allow it.” While she waited for his answer, she found herself holding her breath. So much rested on this moment, Marianna was sure of it.

After one last look at the door, he turned back to her. For the first time, his expression thawed, a sliver of warmth showing through. “I’ve heard that your kind is never wrong with these readings.”

“Our goddess speaks through the cards. There is some interpretation involved, but no, the cards never lie.”

He gave a nod as if it was the answer he expected. “Then I would greatly appreciate a reading.”

Taking a seat, Marianna patted the cot next to her. “It might be easiest if you sit. Would you like to know the past, present, or future?”

Fisk gave a low laugh. “Does anyone really pick the past or present?”

“It does occur from time to time, but generally people come to me looking for their futures.” She shuffled the cards, each breath taking her deeper into herself—and closer to the Lady. Peace settled around Marianna, soothing away her fear and anxiety. “Please cut the cards, wherever you like.”

Fisk cut them gingerly, as if he expected them to bite. “Gerard isn’t a bad man, you know.”

She went still. Where was he going with this?

“I’ve known him since we were kids in the academy. He’s a true friend, a man of honor.”

Setting the cards in front of her, Marianna met his gaze. “How did the two of you meet?”

“I’ve always been on the small side—especially when I was a boy—and my knack for not knowing when to shut up hasn’t changed either. It got me in over my head, and he showed up in the nick of time.” He sighed. “That idiot took on five boys who were all twice his size.”

She found herself leaning forward, drawn into the story. “Did he save you?”

“Ba’al, no. He got his ass kicked right alongside me.” Fisk shifted, lowering his voice until she had to lean forward to catch his words. “But he’s saved my life half a dozen times since then. You have to understand that, while I don’t agree with this, I owe him my life.”

“I understand.” And she did. Fisk owed Gerard in the same way she owed Darla. If the redhead needed her, Marianna would move every one of the heavens and hells to help her. How was his supporting Gerard any different? It was something to remember.

Marianna motioned to the cards. “Shall we?”

“Yes, of course. I apologize for rambling.”

She flipped over three cards, face up. Marianna took them in with a glance, then did a double take. No, no, no. This couldn’t be right. But there was no mistaking their meaning. In a desperate attempt to give lie to the reading, she turned the deck upside down to check the influencing card.
Death
. Dread spiraled up her spine, radiating outward. “Lady save you.”

“What?”

She grabbed his wrist, realizing her mistake too late when he jerked away. Marianna made an effort to compose herself as Fisk stood, brushing nonexistent dust from his pants. “Please. Don’t go before I give you the reading.” She hurried on before he could change his mind. “There’s a jealous woman in your life, someone ruled by her emotions and extremely high-strung. You will have a terrible fight, perhaps over an infidelity, perhaps because of a perceived infidelity.”

Lady, she was losing him. Marianna could see it in the way Fisk shook his head, his expression icing over. “Listen.
Please
. She’s going to try to hurt you—maybe even kill you—through nefarious means.”

“Isn’t all murder nefarious?” His joke fell flat, hanging between them.

Marianna sat back, pulling her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. “I know you don’t believe me, but please be careful. She’s going to try to kill you.”

“Leandra would never—No. I’m not discussing this with you. Thank you for the entertainment, but I will be going now.”

“It is always a pleasure doing the Lady’s work.” Marianna waited until he left before she touched each of the cards in turn. Queen of Cups, Ill-Dignified. The Tower, Ill-Dignified. Five of Swords, Ill-Dignified.

All under the influence of Death.

The reading made her want to step into a sans shower to wash away the dread clinging to her soul. She placed her hand on the deck and closed her eyes, sending up a prayer to her goddess. “He might be a member of Sanctify, but he’s not an evil man. Please, please, help him to heed the reading.”