Marked For Death: A Dark Urban Fantasy Novel by Becca Blake (english novels to improve english .txt) 📕

lips formed the word help, but the rest of the noise in the basement drowned out the weak sound of her voice.

“Riley!”

I tore my gaze away from her to look up at Jacob, who stood on the top step and waved frantically for me to come back upstairs.

I muttered a curse as I returned my attention to the girl in front of me. “I’ll be back soon. I’ll get you out—I promise.”

The girl let out an anguished sob as I left her behind.

Jacob brought a finger to his lips to shush me, then pointed at the other doorway. He cracked the door open so I could peek out into the sanctuary.

The narrow opening limited my vision to the front of the church, where a man with dark hair leaned against what was left of the altar. He wore black pants, along with a long black robe that flowed to the ground and left his bare chest exposed.

The hooded man we saw outside stood in front of him, still clutching the messenger bag tightly to his chest. From my angle, I still couldn’t get a look at his face, but I didn’t dare open the door wider.

“The emerald? Did you bring it?” The man leaning against the altar repositioned, and his silky robe swayed with his movement.

“Why do you need it?”

My heart sank with recognition as I inched forward, desperate to get a better look. I hoped I was wrong, but I knew I wasn’t. I knew that voice too well.

What was Orion doing here?

“It’s the only way to begin the sacrifice that Lord Raxael demands. I need an artifact from the infernal plane to begin this ritual. So unless you have another one lying around…” His voice trailed off, and he spread his arms in a wide shrug. “We have time before things get started, you know. I’m feeling nostalgic for old times.”

“Put some damn clothes on, Jay. I’m here on business. And if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be crawling in bed with you. You’d be dead.”

Jay—that was Maki’s first name, wasn’t it? It made sense that the man sitting at the head of the church was Maki, but I still couldn’t figure out why Orion would be here speaking with him.

Then again, I hadn’t seen the man’s face yet. I could be wrong.

Maki’s laughter rang through the hollowed out church. “You really believe I’m the one who killed Owen?”

The hooded man—not Orion, please not Orion—drew his sword with a sharp clink of steel. “I know you are. The Council showed me the debrief from their investigation. You were the last one to contact him. He ran off to meet you.”

“You still trust the Council? After everything?” Maki shook his head. “Come on now, Orion. You’re smarter than that. It’s true that I contacted Owen, but he never made it to me.”

“What’s going on?” Jacob’s whisper was right beside me and a thousand miles away all at once. “What are they talking about?”

My breath caught in my throat, and the room spun around me. I gripped the wooden door frame for support.

I had the same questions. None of this made any sense.

“Orion. The man talking to Maki is Orion,” I managed.

“So, what, I’m supposed to trust you instead of the Council? Of all people, you expect me to believe you?” Orion snarled. “You’re a liar, a traitor, and a murderer, and I’d kill you right now if I didn’t have orders not to.”

“I can’t blame you for not trusting me, but you really haven’t realized that trusting the Arbiters is just as bad? What a shame.” Maki’s robe billowed around him as he walked toward Orion. “Well, then. You have your orders, and I have my terms. And unless you hand over that emerald, I suppose we’re at an impasse here. I’m assuming the Council won’t be too thrilled if you return without completing your mission, will they?”

My body shook, and my fingers twitched above my sword. Jacob’s firm grip on my arm grounded me in the present. He was the only thing stopping me from rushing in to demand answers from both of them.

Orion took something wrapped in cloth out of his bag and held it out for Maki. “Don’t make me regret this.”

Maki laughed. “If I betray you, you won’t live long enough to regret it.”

“This concludes our business, then?”

“There is one more thing I’d like to discuss, actually.” Maki tucked the package away in his robe. “You were supposed to come alone. Would you mind explaining to me why you brought Owen Collins’s daughter along with you?”

“What are you talking about?” Orion asked.

Maki pointed at the doorway to the office, right where we were hiding. Energy exploded from his fingertip, and as the door flew off its hinges, Jacob and I went tumbling into the desk behind us.

Chapter Thirteen

Pain shot through my body, and my ears rang from the blast. Through blurred vision, I could just barely make out the shape of Jacob next to me.

“You thought I wouldn’t notice someone crossing the threshold of one of my wards?” Maki asked. “Honestly, Orion. I’m insulted.”

Just as I managed to sit up, the next burst of magical energy sent me rolling across the room. I groaned as I gripped the edge of the desk and tried to pull myself upright.

“That’s enough!” Orion shouted. “They weren’t supposed to come inside unless I called them in. I’ll talk to them.”

Maki reluctantly lowered his hand. “Why is she here?”

“I brought them along as backup in case you tried something stupid.”

“Yes, but why did you choose to bring her, specifically?” Maki asked. “Considering the lie the Council told you about what happened to Owen.”

“She’s one of my best hunters,” Orion said, shooting a glare in my direction. “I can always count on her to do as she’s told.”

Maki settled back against the altar and crossed his arms. “Fine—deal with this. I’ll be waiting.”

“Just give me a minute.” Orion stormed into the back room with furious strides and a deadly expression. “Outside. Now.”

My