Though Kell's venom was a fast car, there were enough speed traps and construction zones that they couldn't really make use of the speed. Still, since it was summer and the sun went down around 8:30pm and it would take at least five hours to get to New Orleans; they only had a few hours to deal with anything that might go wrong.
"Why don't you lean the seat back and get some sleep. I will have us there as fast as possible." He prompted as he pulled the car out to the open road.
Lily's fingers slid over the leather of her seat edge. "I am scared to sleep. I don't want any more dreams. Can you just talk to me?"
"Sure. What would you like to talk about?"
She hummed as she thought. "I would really like to learn more about you. I know what that brand on your thigh really means and if it has another purpose. I want to know."
Kell's head dropped. His past wasn't something he liked to talk about. However, she already knew the nuts and bolts. The brand was from the Ludus Dacicus, a gladiator school in Rome specifically for taking Dacian prisoners and training them to be gladiators for the Colosseum. She knew that. That brand told her everything she needed to know about where he was from and the life he led.
Kell squared off his shoulders to prepare for the confession. "You were right. I fought as a gladiator from 108 to 117 A.D., under the rule of Emperor Trajan. I was a Dacian farmer before Roman soldiers killed my wife and children and dragged my brothers and I to Rome."
Lily's hands covered her mouth. "Oh God. Kell, I am so sorry. And, I talked so much about the history that I study… how insensitive. I should have realized."
He shook his head. "You were fine. I did alright for myself until I faced a battle where we were promised freedom for whoever won. However, Trajan didn't like the idea of letting one of the Dacians free. He manipulated the games. Both of my brothers died that day. But, when I won, he refused my freedom. In my anger, I kind of speared him to his seat. Damn bastard lived despite the wound. But, months later died of organ failure, most likely from blood poisoning when I speared him. At least I hope I played a role in his death. Either way, I was executed immediately. Artemis brought me back as I am now."
Lily didn't know what to say. She knew it was a horrible life. She had never experienced anything close to that kind of hardship. It made her feel foolish for having her insecurities and sore spots.
Kell watched the emotions play across her face. They showed concern, understanding, compassion. He could understand those. Yet, he couldn't understand the regret that he saw at the end. "What about you?" He asked.
Brown eyes looked up at him in confusion. "What about me?"
"Why did you choose to follow your father and uncle into ancient weapons and armor as a field of study?"
She shrugged. "I guess that I always thought that the real history was far more fascinating than how Hollywood portrayed it. Every movie my parents worked on, I would help with the research and just get lost in the complexity that a film simply couldn't capture."
"It sounds like you would have had a great childhood around all of that if it wasn't for the assholes."
"I did have a good childhood. My parents are wonderful people. And I got to meet people and do things that other kids could only dream of. Like being friends with Aiden O'Conner. Or learning how to drive from stunt drivers. And learning some moves with a sword." She grinned.
He smiled as he remembered that she did fight off the demon. Barely. And she didn't know offensive moves. But, it as a start. "I still can't believe that you were hurt so badly by the people there."
"Hard not to feel hurt after years of criticism, or when someone says that the only way a man would touch me is if he closed his eyes and pretended I was someone else." Lily mumbled as she turned to look out the window. She didn't know why she confessed that part. She had never told anyone what Kevin had said to her when she wouldn't have sex on the first date.
Kell nearly lost control of the car when he heard that. How could anyone say such a thing? He fought with everything he had not to yell and scream until she told him the bastards name so he could truly kill him. "Who was he?" His voice remained controlled.
"He was a moron." Despite how much it hurt her, she wasn't vindictive. She kept the information vague on purpose. Her lack of hatred for the men that hurt her only made his heart warm to her more. She had the most beautiful heart. He couldn't believe that she had opened up to trust him with her pain and her safety.
"You are beautiful to me Lily." He whispered.
Kell's hand dropped from his stick shift to caress her knee. It seemed they both needed the contact.
"So." He finally spoke into the silence that had lingered for a moment. "I should probably warn you about the people you are going to meet."
Lily's eyes snapped to his face in worry. What kind of people needed warning labels?
Kell chuckled. "Not that kind of warning. It's just that, well you are the only woman that I have met outside of my world that would already know who they are by name." He paused. "We are going to stay with my friend Kyrian Hunter."
"Kyrian? Named after the Thracian prince?" Lily asked.
"Kyrian as in the actual historic prince of Thrace."
Lily's jaw dropped. "No fucking way." She breathed.
Kell chuckled. "Yeah. That is why you get the warning. Kyrian would be flattered with the response. His wife might get a little jealous."
"And who is she?"
"Amanda. She was human when she met Kyrian several years ago. Just like you. Though, somehow the two are now immortal together. Never got a clear answer on that one." Kell shrugged. "Anyway, Kyrian is still around, Artemis brought him back after he was crucified by the Romans. His best friend, Julian of Macedon apparently disappeared from history because his dumbass half-brother cursed him into a scroll. His wife released him from the curse and now they are married with tons of kids. Though, you might have met him in your circles already. He goes by the name Julian Alexander now."
Lily clutched her chest. "Oh my God. My greatest academic crush is the same man as my greatest historical crush. My head is exploding."
Kell growled. He couldn't help the spark of jealousy at how Lily fawned over Julian.
She shook her head. "What I wouldn't kill for half of the knowledge stuffed into that man's head."
"Apparently I'm chopped liver." Kell's hands tightened on the steering wheel.
Fingers slid along his thigh, pulling him away from his anger. "I am still learning about you. But, give me some credit. I have no interest in going after a married man. It's just that Dr. Alexander gave a lecture several years ago about the Thracian Wars. It was what helped push me to to pursue this academically. I will always be grateful to him for that inspiration."
The anger and jealousy melted at her touch and her honesty. Her head leaned against his shoulder. "When we get through all of this safely, I do plan on drilling you for history info mister. You are not off the hook on that."
That broke the last of his tension. Kell laughed as he leaned down to kiss the top of her head. "Deal."
"So, who else would I know of?"
Kell told her about his friend Samia, who had been an Amazon queen and had escorted Helen of Troy back to Sparta. He also let her know about Valarius Magnus, the grandson of the man who had crucified Kyrian. Though, the Kyrian and Valarius had managed to form a sort of truce since their wives were twin sisters.
Before long, Lalita had drifted to sleep listening to Kell talk about his world of immortal warriors and shapeshifting sorcerers.
A couple hours into the trip, the weekend rain returned. It was heavy enough that there were several accidents and visibility was low. So, Kell pulled off the side of the highway to get gas and hope things slowed down soon.
Lily woke up and headed inside to use the restroom and get a snack. As she walked out, a truck drove by and slashed her with a huge puddle of muddy water.
She was drenched!
Kell broke out in laughter. She pouted and then ran up to give him a big wet hug.
"Even though, I will always like to feel your body pressed against mine, I don't want all of that water on my leather seats." He grumbled and kissed her nose.
Her eyes went wide. "I forgot my backpack with my change of clothes." She looked around and saw the Walgreens across the street. "They usually have some clothes and shoes."
Kell handed her some cash to get something dry to wear while he went into the gas station to replace her snacks. It was the least he could do since he was the one making her change to protect his car. Once he was done, he drove across the street to pick her up.
A few minutes later, she walked out looking very uncomfortable. Then he realized why. Apparently, all she could find was a grey skirt that went to her knees and a black v-neck t-shirt that was a bit clingy. And she wore no bra.
His mouth watered at the sight of her once again braless, in the rain, with those hypnotic nipples that puckered out to capture his attention.
Lily quickly pulled an arm across her chest as she saw him stare with a very sexy smirk on his face. "My bra is soaked and they don't have any." She whined.
"I don't mind at all." Kell's voice was low and gravely. Filled with lust.
She shivered at the sound. But, did her best to ignore the awkwardness as she got into the car.
Before headed back out to the highway, they drove through a coffee shop chain. Kell ordered a large black, dark roast coffee.
"No sugar or milk?" She asked.
His lips curled at the thought. "No. Just black."
"Is black an obsession for you? All your clothes, your car, your coffee."
He grinned. "It helps to hide from the things we hunt. But, I really like you, and you are very pale." Lily blushed.
Eventually, they returned to the driving. The rain let up, but the traffic was horrible. And they only had so many hours before the sun rose. They needed to keep moving.
Kell pulled into a rather quiet gas station for the third time during their trip. The Venom was fast, but burned through the gas. That stop should have been the last one needed before they would make it to their destination.
Lily had slept the whole way once she drifted off. She whimpered a few times from her dreams, but had not said anything. She calmed once he caressed her in her sleep. Kell was worried about what they were facing. Her dream said they took the Harpe to Acheron, so he knew they were going to the right place. However, she said they got attacked a lot. So, others knew where they were headed too. It made him anxious. The prediction of his death didn't help much either.
The tank was full and Kell sealed up the gas cap just as bolt-hole, a magical portal used by daimons, opened up next to the station and several daimons ran through for the attack. How in the fuck did they know where to find them? Kell looked around and saw a tall blonde working inside the damned station. Fucking daimons were everywhere!
Kell pulled two blades from his shoulder holster as he faced the dozen blonde freaks. However, they held back until one stepped through with short black hair and swirling silver eyes like Acheron's. "You don't have to die today Dark-Hunter. Just give us the Harpe."
"Like hell that is gonna work." Kell scoffed. Lily had said that they were attacked several times. Please gods, let that mean he survived the third one.
Two men moved in for the attack. Kell twisted and rolled to avoid their weapons as he whipped his own around for the attack. It was a symphony of moves, he could almost appreciate it if it wasn't his life on the line. He turned in time to swing his arm back and into the inky black spot on one daimons chest, the point where the souls of the humans collected. At the puncture to the spot, the daimon exploded into a cloud of gold dust.
Kell didn't even pause to watch the effects, he twisted again to stay clear of the blade that headed toward his gut. The movement allowed him to grab the next daimons arm and pull him into Kell's blade. Another explosion of gold dust.
Lily woke to the sound of fighting. She looked out the window to see Kell outnumbered. Damn. He was fierce and impressive. The whole thing looked like one of the movies she watched being filmed. Only, this time; it was fast, unchoreographed, desperate… it was real. And Kell's life was on the line.
Her gasp drew his attention just enough that another daimon managed to slice into Kell's arm. Damn it. But, he refocused on the fight and killed three more quickly until he heard the engine of his Venom. He looked up to see Lily had climbed into the driver seat and was pulling away.
She wouldn't.
Gods, please. She wouldn't leave him. Would she?
A cackle of laughter rolled in the humid, summer night air. "Women are so fickle. I almost feel bad for you." The guy with black hair sneered. But, then his face dropped. Kell could hear the sounds of his Venom as it raced back toward them quickly.
Lily didn't want to hurt anyone. But, fucking hell, those tall blonde assholes should have run while they had the chance. She quickly pulled the emergency brake and turned the wheel; successfully flipping the car around and running down a bunch of daimons in the process. She then moved forward enough for Kell to jump into the passenger seat. Then she gunned it back onto the highway.
Kell stared at the girl next to him.
Lily glanced at him a few times. "What? A thank you might be nice since I just saved your ass."
Lips moved but words just could not form. Kell was stunned.
Her eyes rolled. "Calm down, I am not going to damage your expensive car much."
That snapped Kell back. "Much?"
She blushed. "I did tell you I grew up in Hollywood, right? Around all of the effects and stunt guys. The ones who taught me how to drive when I turned sixteen." She smiled.
Kell ran a hand over his face. Fucking hell. That girl was full of surprises. "Let's get one thing clear. This isn't just an expensive car. It is a limited issue type of car and costs a hell of a lot. So, let's try not to do any more damage. Please."
"Would you rather fight those daimons and get stabbed some more; or have a few small dents pounded out?"
"I'd choose a few more wounds over the dents. Thank you very much!" Kell growled halfheartedly. He didn't want to admit that it was fucking hot to watch her drive his car like a pro. And the part about her saving him certainly added to the pain between his legs.
The fight had delayed things more than they already had been after they passed five different accidents that backed traffic up for miles. It was already 5am and they had another hour to drive. Kell knew they were going to cut things close. So, with his injured arm, he let Lily drive the rest of the way. She didn't go quite as fast as he would have, but still made good time.
