Grimm: A Novel In The Nate Temple Supernatural Thriller Series (The Temple Chronicles Book 3) (21 page)

Sneaky bastard.

I fell to my back and heard Alucard land lightly on his feet. His footsteps approached closer as I struggled to breathe, my vision dwindling to a single point as a loud rushing sound began to fill my ears like ocean waves breaking over rocks.

I beckoned him closer. He watched me for a second, hesitating. “You promised me to give you a chance to speak. No sucker punches, right?”

I nodded weakly. He shook his head, as if doubting his own sanity, but leaned over me, placing his ear near my lips. I whispered a few words. He leaned back with a frown, looking skeptical, but finally nodded. “Okay. I’ll do it.” He answered doubtfully. He watched me as I began to choke on my own blood. “Want me to make it clean?” I shook my head. I managed to speak louder than a whisper through another gurgle of blood.

“If I really die… bury me upside down,” I gasped a short breath. “So the Grimms can kiss my ass.” And I flashed him a peace sign before the world winked out to nothing.

Chapter 21

I
woke with a choked gasp, lurching into a coughing fit as my fingers instinctively flashed to my throat. I caressed the skin in a panic, practically hyperventilating as I tried to keep as much blood inside me as possible. I needed help. Immediately.

Then I paused as the pads of my fingers transmitted their observation to my brain.

My skin was perfectly smooth.

And not slick with blood.

Then I remembered. I had been at the
Dueling Grounds
with Alucard. And…

That polite southern bastard had killed me!

I managed to feel slightly betrayed and disappointed in him. He had displayed a level of genteel etiquette that was nonexistent these days. Just like my parents had tried to teach me. I had sensed potential camaraderie in him. A kindred spirit. A similar flavor of craziness.

But then I remembered seeing the beast in his eyes, the hunger for blood and vengeance. He was a
monster
first.
Human
last. I needed to remember that. People weren’t always what they seemed. Or what we made them out to be. My breath had calmed down to the point where I merely felt like I had finished a brief jog, but my heart was still racing. I tried to let out a laugh, but it turned into a coughing rasp. I leaned back, contemplating my situation as I regained my breath.

The Minotaur had once told me that one couldn’t truly die at the
Dueling Grounds
, but then again, he was also a monster. He could have been playing a long con on me.

I slowly stretched my neck, testing the motion, fearing that any second my head was going to just fall off. It felt like I had only just closed my eyes at the
Dueling Grounds
before abruptly waking here in my bed.

Wait,
my bed
. I was at
Chateau Falco
!

I lurched up to a sitting position. My eyes darting about wildly. I touched my throat again subconsciously, remembering the fiery slash of Alucard’s claws and the sensation of drowning in my own blood. But now there wasn’t even a tender scratch.

I jumped to my feet, testing my voice again.

“Tis’ but a scratch!” I ran from the room, hooting and hollering as much as my throat would allow. “I’m invincib-” and I pummeled straight into Dean, tackling us both to the ground in an eruption of spilled cocktails, olives, and mint leaves. I sat up, coughing and wiping the booze from my face. “Where did
you
come from? Didn’t you hear me yelling?”

He stood, brushing off his shoulders. “Yes, Master Temple. Of course. My apologies. I was just on my way to awaken the
Guardians
after I heard screaming and shouting erupting from a room that was empty when I passed by less than three minutes ago to gather refreshments for your guests. If you don’t mind, I’ll just be on my way to activate them now and exterminate the vermin.”

“No one likes a wiseass, Dean. Unless it’s me. I’m adorable. And apparently
invincible
!” He leaned to his right, peering at the side of my head as if checking for a head wound.

“Of course, Sir. Invincible. Quite right.”

“I just
died
!”

“I’m sure it was most unpleasant. What would the Master Necromancer like to drink? Your undead servitors are waiting.” He said deadpan.

I scowled, not appreciating his lack of astonishment. “Water will suffice.”

“Of course, Overlord. The Prince of Darkness may want to change. He’s soiled himself.” He plucked up the tray and turned on a heel, still brushing off his coat as he left. I didn’t let his negative attitude kill my vibe.

But I did go change.

After a quick rinse I headed to the office, anxious to share my plan with the team. I was sick of running. The Minotaur had been taken off the field, just for spending a bit of time with me over the past few years. Who would they go after next? I couldn’t risk anyone else’s life by waiting. It was time to bring the fight to the Grimms. It felt nice to finally have a plan. Once this was off my to do list I could go visit the wolves to get my ring back. The way things were going my proposal would go off without a hitch after all.

My phone rang.

Achilles
.

I groaned, sending it to voicemail with a nervous finger. One did not ignore a call from Achilles lightly. I waited for him to suddenly appear before me with a spear aimed at my throat, but nothing happened. I let out a sigh of relief. I would have to take care of him soon. He no doubt wanted an update on the vampire and bartender situation. Either that or he was checking to see if his ploy to have me killed had worked. I just didn’t know whom to trust anymore, so I figured stalling was my best bet, short term.

Plus, the time on the screen told me we were running on a tight schedule.

Everyone turned to face me as I pocketed the phone and opened the office door. No one spoke, merely staring at me incredulously. Ah, they had heard about the vampire. Or the Grimms. Or both. I spotted my satchel on the ground near the door and picked it up, digging inside before letting out a sigh of relief. The amulet and books were safely tucked away inside. I nodded at Ashley as I approached. “What happened?” She asked carefully.

“I died. But it’s okay. I was at the
Dueling Grounds
. You can’t really die there. Vamp didn’t know that though. Boy is he going to be in for a surprise.” Gunnar jumped to his feet, as did Indie. “What?!” They yelled in unison.

I waved them off. “No time. Drink up quickly. We’re going on a field trip in ten minutes. I’ll meet you outside by the stable.” By now my friends knew
stable
meant
garage
. It was, after all, a converted stable. And it
had
temporarily housed a horse of the St. Louis Mounted Patrol Unit named Xavier in recent months. “I’ve got to round up a few things. Arm for bear.” I thought about that for a second. “No. Liger. Arm for liger and intelligent apes.” I nodded once to no one in particular, and then left the room without another word.

I made it a dozen feet before a hand latched onto me from behind, jerking me to a halt. Indie was breathing heavily. We didn’t have time to stop and chat so I motioned for her to follow. She did, folding her arms and glaring at me.

“How have you been today?” I asked softly, wary of the apparent outburst forming behind her fiery glare. I knew I was treading on thin ice, but I needed to keep my head in the game if I was going to save everyone’s lives. This was the biggest challenge I had ever encountered. I couldn’t afford distractions.

“Oh, you know, I didn’t die. You?” Her tone was arctic.

I gulped. “Yeah. It sounds worse saying it out loud. It really wasn’t a big deal.”

“What about the liger? Or the Ape? Did they attend your meeting? Give a rousing presentation on the African Savannah?” Her words were clipped, precise, and full of venom. “You promised to call me after the meeting.”

I groaned. It had completely slipped my mind after the attack, gutshot, and then race to Kingston’s field. Then my duel with Alucard. “Listen, you’re right. It’s been kind of nonstop since the meeting. Some company from Germany wants to buy Temple Industrie-”

“I know. It’s all over the news. I found out like that, rather than from my boyfriend, who attended the meeting, since, you know, it’s
his company
.” She sounded hurt.

“Right,” I sighed in defeat, “Well, we were attacked on our way out the door by-”

“Shapeshifting Grimms. Yep. Heard that from Ashley. And Mallory, who I sent to look after you by the way.”

“Oh. Um. Thanks. I got scratched up a bit, but-”

“Nate…” She warned.

Crap.
Mallory, you loose-lipped bastard
. “Okay. I was shot. Mallory stitched me up.” I patted my stomach by reflex and immediately froze. I tugged up my shirt…

And saw not a blemish. Nothing. “Huh…” I muttered lamely, thinking furiously.

Indie glanced down and frowned. “Are you saying Mallory lied? No, wait. You just said you were shot too.” Her face contorted in confusion and she rubbed her temples. “Nate, tell me what the hell is going on. My boyfriend is getting in fights anytime he leaves the house and I’m hearing about it from everyone but him. Then the dire wound I hear almost killed him suddenly disappears. Then you come in the office idly mentioning you died, but you’re obviously not dead.
What. The. F
?” She folded her arms, scowling.

“I’m not really sure.” I answered honestly.

And I wasn’t.

Why was I healed? I mentally checked myself for all the scrapes and bruises from the last day, my astonishment continuing to grow. They were all gone. Did losing the fight at the
Dueling Grounds
ironically grant me a clean bill of health? I had bumped my shin two days ago on our bedpost. I checked it. Still there. Huh. “I think dying at the
Dueling Grounds
carried an undisclosed perk. It healed me.” I answered, amazed.

“Like twenty-four hours worth, or one night to the next, or back up to a specific time?” She asked, thinking academically.

“I have no idea.” I answered. I showed her my bruised shin. “Didn’t cure this.”

She pondered that. “We should probably find out.” She grasped my hand. “Nate…”

I held up a hand to forestall her. “Indie, I’m going to be blunt. You mean the literal world to me, and I’ve kept you in the dark. I’m a big fat jerk.” She nodded like a cat acknowledging their existence as the center of the universe, unimpressed. “Here’s the thing. These guys are legendary. They never lose. And whoever hired them also ordered a hit on every one of my friends. That means I need you safe, but I have to be in the thick of battle on this one. Somewhere you can’t be. I’ve been running around responding so far, trying to eliminate the problem before they come for
you
. That would…” I trailed off, my vision briefly flashing blue before I managed to calm my rage, “
End me
. I would let them do
anything
to me if it kept you safe.” I paused. “Even let them kill me.” I added softly.

She hissed. “Like hell you will.” She growled, yanking me close into a hug. Her head tucked into my shoulder, the perfect height for a hug, just slightly shorter than me. I squeezed back with a sad smile. But I had been telling the truth.

I would do anything for this sweet, passionate, violent young woman.

I spoke into her hair. “That’s why I’ve kept you back. I don’t know what to do. Keep you locked away so you’re safe until I can deal with them? But what if they take you while I’m away?” I shook my head in frustration, suddenly venting my impotent frustration with the only woman in the world I felt I could unconditionally trust. “I don’t understand where they get their powers. Two could obviously shapeshift and use glamour, but that doesn’t make any sense. They abhor freaks. So how can shifters also be Grimms?”

I continued before she could interrupt me. “Or do I keep you close, stuck to my hip while bullets, fangs, blades, claws, and magic fills the night? You wouldn’t survive.” She began to argue, but I shook her gently. “Indiana Rippley.
Listen
!” I commanded, using her full name to get her attention. She blinked at me in surprise. “You
know
I’m right. That’s not saying anything bad about you. Hell, I don’t know how any of
us
can survive these guys. They never lose. Ever. It’s why a whole nation of Freaks teamed up in secret to lock them away. Because they couldn’t survive one by one. These groups
hated
each other,” I paused for emphasis and she leaned back to stare at me through tear-filled eyes, frustrated at her helplessness. “
But they still teamed up to take the Grimms down
.” I finally said.

She was quiet, sobbing softly. After a second, she nodded, and gently tugged my arm until we were walking again, headed towards the stable. Her voice was a venomous hiss, like the words of an ancient prophecy come to life. “You gather an army then. You’ve done it before.” She said resolutely. “You’ve helped enough people. They owe you. Call in the banners, and
destroy them
. Let them know their place. With extreme prejudice.”