Alliances and Duplicity: Keeping the Faith, #4

By Kit Bladegrave

The only thing more dangerous than their enemies is the truth.

Faith's quest to master her burgeoning wizard powers becomes infinitely more perilous when a shocking revelation about her family past turns her world upside down. Just as she starts to unravel sinister secrets kept from her for decades, a vicious magical curse leaves her fighting for her life.

To save Faith, half-demon Ronin must confront painful demons of his own. When a chance encounter finally provides a clue to the location of Ronin's long-lost twin sister, the two set off on a do-or-die mission to infiltrate the sadistic sorcerer's lair where she's being held captive. But awaiting them is a terrifying trap.

Outmatched and outgunned, Ronin and Faith find themselves in the fight of their lives against the depraved magics of a demonic warlord. Their only hope of survival lies in Faith embracing her full power potential—and the long-buried truths that come with it. Only by confronting the sinister forces that have deceived them both can Faith and Ronin hope to protect their loved ones and forge a future free from the shadows of the past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: KitBla
• Release date: Nov 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223127451

Book preview

1

Water dripped onto the living room floor. A puddle had formed beneath each window. The storm clouds had broken with the new dawn. Bloodred skies pushed away the dark of night. And the water kept dripping. There wasn’t a rhythm to it. If I shut my eyes, it still sounded as if it were raining.

Part of my apartment was soaked from the storm I’d let in. Hard to block out the rain with shattered windows.

Glass covered the floor. Jagged shards stuck out from the sides and the tops of the frames. One of them was large enough for a face to appear in.

Amari’s face.

The bastard was grinning at me. I snapped my fingers, and a tiny jolt of energy shot across the gap, breaking the glass. It hit the window ledge and cracked into pieces. More of a mess I’d have to clean up if I could ever get myself to move again.

My ass had gone numb sometime during the night. I hadn’t moved off the coffee table. The empty bottle of whiskey was in my hand. I’d watched the storm roll over the town, willing it to take me with it.

But I was still here. At some point, I’d have to face the truth beyond my front door.

Outside, raised voices reached my ears. Men’s voices. I knew both. Teddy, my landlord, and Leo, my—

Shit.

My father, I whispered to the broken windows.

Looked like I’d be facing that truth far sooner than I wanted to.

Leo was my father, and he was here. I raised the whiskey bottle, wishing it wasn’t empty. Wishing I’d gone with Ronin last night instead of to the church. Wishing I hadn’t used that spell to understand the dream I’d been having. No, not a dream. Memory. Mom’s memory.

A loud knock came from the front door. Faith? Leo called out.

I should’ve gotten up. I should’ve responded. But it wasn’t just my ass that had gone numb. The rest of me had, too. Everything Leo had told me since I’d learned I was a wizard was a damn lie. All of it. Everything since he found me after my mom and the man I’d thought was my dad had been burned to death in that house.

Faith? He knocked louder. Faith, are you in there?

I opened my mouth to reply, but no sound came out. The numbness was giving way to the emotions I’d struggled not to let myself feel. Fury on behalf of Ronin watching his friend die in his arms last night. That gave way to the confusion and uncertainty I had now when it came to Leo and everything he’d ever told me.

A key turned in the door. I forgot he had a spare. The door opened, and footsteps started forward before abruptly stopping. Faith? God, what the Hell happened here?

Storm. I pushed the word out, knowing I couldn’t sit here in silence forever.

Why is there blood all over the floor? he asked in a panic.

Right, how could I forget? Olan, Ronin’s demon friend had shown up at my apartment bleeding out from wounds that wouldn’t heal. He’d had news about Remy, Ronin’s twin sister. Then he’d died, and Ronin had taken off for the night. I needed to check my phone and see if he’d texted me. He hadn’t told me where he was going last night. He’d only said he’d be back sometime today and not to worry. But I did worry. I worried about him.

I also worried about going off on Leo if I had no one here to hold me back.

Footsteps came closer, and Leo’s shadow appeared on the floor beside mine. Faith? Why is there blood on the floor? he repeated more urgently. Are you hurt?

It’s not mine. It’s from a demon.

What?

He hurried around to stand in front of me then and crouched down. His brow was heavily furrowed, and his beard was messy as if he’d been running his fingers through it all night long. I wondered how long Abraxos had hung around while they talked about my mom. While they talked about me. The lines around his eyes were more prominent this morning, too. It had sounded like a stressful conversation. I wondered how it would’ve turned out if I’d let him know I was there.

I probably would’ve shocked him into next year.

Faith?

I looked at his face again. I’d seen it so many times before. Now, though, I strained to find any hint of myself in it. He’d told Abraxos I looked like my mom. But I had some of his subtle features, too. I’d never noticed it before. I never had a reason to. We had the same cheekbones, and our eyes were the same shape. Even our noses looked similar.

I understand you’re pissed about our fight, he said softly, but I need you to tell me what happened here. Where’s Ronin?

Fight? Oh, that fight. We’d gotten into an argument about Amari. I’d almost forgotten that after I’d had the nuke of all truths dropped on me last night. He was my father. He was friends with Abraxos, the fucking angel who’d stabbed me and placed the binding on me. He knew Amari had been alive the whole time. He knew the truth about the Church. He knew—

Faith, he snapped my name and reached for my hand clutching the empty whiskey bottle. Say something. Talk to me. What happened?

A friend of Ronin’s showed up, I heard myself reply, then told him the rest of what occurred.

After, Leo let out a sigh of relief, I assumed because I hadn’t been the one bleeding last night. He stood up and motioned to the empty window frames. And the storm broke the windows?

Yeah.

He looked like he wanted to call me out for the lie but turned his back to me instead. We’ll have to board these up. It’ll probably be a few days before Teddy can get them replaced.

I can take care of it. And the blood. I should clean that up before Ronin came back.

Leo was crouching in front of me again. He reached for the whiskey bottle, but I jerked back. A flicker of hurt confusion passed through his eyes before he composed himself. Did you sit there all night?

So what if I did?

Say it, Amari’s voice whispered through my mind. Call him out for his lie. Do it. You know you want to. He’s done nothing but deceive you.

Coming from the fucker who murdered my mom, I shot back. Get the fuck out of my head.

Amari went silent, but I sensed he’d be back. It wasn’t going to be that easy to get rid of him.

Why are you here? I asked Leo.

Was it possible Abraxos had convinced him to tell me the truth? I held my breath, waiting for him to say the words. He straightened again and crossed his arms.

Teddy called. He said your windows had been broken.

Why didn’t Teddy come and check on me?

Because I said I’d do it for him. Red colored his cheeks. I understand we have much to discuss regarding what happened yesterday.

There’s nothing to talk about. You can go.

I’m staying. I’ll help you get the windows boarded up and get everything dried. Then you can get your ass to bed and sleep.

I don’t need you looking after me.

He worked his jaw. Here it was, a chance for him to be honest with me. I’m your mentor, he said, and my heart sank. It’s my job to look after your well-being. I’ll go and see if Teddy has any plywood around that we can use. He left my apartment, shutting the door softly behind him.

I slumped over. The bottle hit the floor with a dull thud. Burying my face in my hands, I fought back the urge to scream at the top of my lungs. Phone. I needed to find my phone and check on Ronin. Then I had to get my apartment put back together before he came home.

Move, I ordered myself. Just get your ass up and move. You can’t sit here forever.

Dragging my hands through my hair, I tore out the messy bun I’d put it in last night. My fingers became stuck in one knot after another. Grunting in frustration, I stopped trying to finger-comb it and pushed up off the table. My legs and back throbbed in protest. Stiffly, I made it to the bathroom, dragged a brush roughly through my hair, and put it back up in a bun. I wore the same clothes I’d had on yesterday. They’d been soaked after I’d stood out in the rain and screamed like a banshee with the storm. Chucking my jacket over the back of the couch, I grabbed yoga pants and a clean shirt, then ducked back into the bathroom to change. Since there was glass on the floor, I pulled on a pair of my slip-on sneakers and wondered where the hell I should start.

I sought out my phone first and checked it for messages from Ronin. There weren’t any. I sent him one, asking if he was holding up alright and when he thought he’d be back. It only took a few seconds for the speech bubbles to pop up, saying he was responding, but my heart had been in my throat the entire time. He told me he’d be there soon. He was doing another check of the town. I didn’t point out how he ignored my first question. He’d talk to me when he was ready. I set my phone on the kitchen counter, then set to work getting my apartment back in order.

I grabbed the broom and dustpan tucked away in the closet near the front door. The glass hadn’t gotten on my bed, but it needed to be stripped and changed anyway, thanks to the rain. Once the glass was picked up, I removed the bedding and tossed it toward the closet where my stackable washer and dryer were. Carefully, I double-bagged the trash with the glass in it and set it by the door to be taken out.

Slowly, I stepped over to where Olan’s blood stained the floor. There was no easy way to scrub that out. More had been smeared on the wall. I tried not to think about them, but his wounds appeared before my eyes, gruesome and refusing to heal. Mauriel’s dog had done that to him, whoever the hell that was.

Olan’s body, splayed out on the floor and gushing blood, was before me again. I scrunched my eyes shut to erase the image, but it had been burned into my mind. I opened my eyes, and it wasn’t Olan there but Ronin.

I stumbled forward and fell to my knees, ready to staunch his wounds. He gasped, struggling to breathe. I pressed my hands to his body, but they passed through him. The illusion vanished, and I was left sucking in air on all fours. Izrail’s cackle echoed through my mind. No, he was gone. I killed him. He wasn’t here to torture me anymore. Ronin was alive. I knew he was alive. This wasn’t his blood.

Are you sure about that?

Izrail’s voice sounded in my ear. I flinched, but I was alone in the apartment. I knew I was alone, and the angel was dead. I pushed myself to my feet and glowered at the bloodstains. They weren’t Ronin’s. He was alive. Whatever tricks my sleep-deprived mind was playing on me were only that. Tricks. Too much had happened over the last few days for me to think straight. That was it.

Ronin’s lullaby flowed through my mind. I hummed the tune the best I could and closed my eyes. I had to stay in control.

A rattling breath cut through my humming. I opened my eyes, and Ronin’s body was once again laid out in front of me.

Sparks of energy ignited at my fingertips. Biting back the scream that wanted to spill from my mouth, I shot them forward, charring the wood floor until the bloodstains were gone, taking the horrid image of Ronin dying with them.

Smoke was still rising off the floor after Leo returned, a piece of plywood in hand.

Faith? he asked tentatively, as if worried he’d startle me into shocking him.

The thought crossed my mind. I could give him a few jolts until he gave in and admitted the truth. Curling my hands into fists, I smothered my magic and shrugged. I needed to get rid of the blood stains. I ignored his concerned look and went to grab a rag and soap to scrub the blood from the wall.

The rush of heat that flowed through the apartment came seconds before the door opened, and Ronin rushed inside. What happened? he demanded, coming straight for me.

I was near the windows, helping Leo get the last piece of plywood hung up. He put the final screw in place, and I stepped back. Ronin pulled me into his arms.

The storm blew the windows out, I told him. I’m fine.

The heat rose, and his grumbling growl said he saw straight through my lie. I was more worried about him, anyway. My problems could wait. Ronin’s eyes were wild while he searched my face. He hadn’t slept from the look of it either. From the way he kept clicking his claws together, too, he was ready to slip into a rage. I held his hands, not sure I was enough to stop him from losing it.

And here I was, adding to his worry. You need to sleep, I told him.

Later.

Ronin, you can’t do anything if you’re running on fumes.

She’s correct, Leo spoke up from behind me.

I stiffened at the sound of his voice, noting how Ronin’s eyes narrowed on me. She told you? he said to Leo.

Yes. I’m sorry about your friend. Leo set down the tools he’d brought up to place the plywood over the windows and came closer. I couldn’t get myself to turn and look at him. I hear he brought you information about your sister.

He did.

Great. When are we going to Arizona? I asked.

Arizona?

Ronin nodded at Leo. Olan learned my sister is being held at a compound in the mountains there. Or that was where she’d last been, at least. It’s the only solid lead I’ve had in years.

What’s this compound? Leo asked.

Ronin’s eyes burned like quicksilver tinged with blood. One of Mauriel’s retreats. He keeps it for his most prized possessions. And by possessions, I mean living beings. Humans, mostly, but other beings, too.

I wanted to push him for more answers. The harsh growling coming from him and the way he glared at the far wall stopped me. Even if I asked, I doubted he’d tell me the truth. Whatever happened at this compound wasn’t a vacation for those Mauriel placed there.

So, when are we going? I asked again.

We are not, Ronin stated.

You’re not going without me, I argued.

You have no idea what that place is like. No idea what you’d be walking into. Ronin straightened to his full height and scowled down at me. You will stay in Rolling Hills and far away from that fucking place. I won’t have you going anywhere near it.

You don’t get to tell me what to do, I snapped and poked him in the chest. Energy coiled around my hand, ready to send a shock through him. You’re not going without me.

This is not up for discussion.

The fuck it’s not. Do you honestly believe I’m going to let you go alone?

I have ways of ensuring it, he reminded me, baring his fangs while he spoke.

Yeah? And how well did that work out for you the last time you attempted to leave me behind?

He opened his mouth wider and snarled. My magic crackled louder in reply.

A phone ringing shattered the tension rising between us. Leo whispered an apology and checked his phone. Damn. I have to get to the hospital. Ronin, if you require my assistance, you have it. I’ll be at the church. He sucked in a breath, and I sensed his gaze land on me. Faith. I expect we’ll talk soon.

I said nothing and continued to glare at Ronin. Leo muttered under his breath, then stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door shut behind him.

What happened? Ronin asked in the silence left behind.

Don’t change the subject.

The discussion is over. You’re not coming with me.

And you’re not going alone, I shot back.

I never said I was. You are going to stay here where I know you’ll be safe.

Seriously? I scoffed. Why are you being such a pain in the ass about this? Why?

He raked his claws through his hair and stomped away from me. Can we not do this now? Please? For once, can you just trust me and listen to me when I ask you to do something?

Not when it’s asking me to let you walk straight into danger that might get you killed. I went to him, grabbed his shoulder, and yanked him around to face me. Don’t ask me to stay behind. I can’t do it. I can’t just watch you leave not knowing if you’ll come back.

My gaze flicked to the charred floor where Olan’s body had lain only hours ago. The place that had been stained with his blood. The illusion that had taunted me earlier threatened to return. My hands curled into fists, and energy roiled over them and up my arms. I swallowed hard, trying to speak, but the words were stuck behind a furious scream wanting to be unleashed. It had been horrific enough to be forced to watch a fake version of Ronin die over and over.

If he truly died, if I lost him because I hadn’t been standing by his side—I couldn’t do it.

Don’t ask me to stay behind, I whispered, my voice pleading and shaky. Please, don’t ask me to do that. I can’t. I just, I can’t.

Ronin’s warmth surrounded me for a second before he hugged me. One hand pressed against my back, and the other buried itself in my hair. He kissed the top of my head while he held me close. I squeezed him back, overcome with the overwhelming fear that I was going to lose him. There were forces at play I had no hope of fighting off. I was too late to the game. The sensation of becoming trapped between the evil of the Church and that of the Demon Lords slammed into me. How was I supposed to fight against both fronts?

By remembering you’re not alone. You have Ronin, but you have Leo, too.

Leo, who’d lied to my face. I cursed and pressed my face against Ronin’s chest, wanting nothing more than to vanish into his warmth and never leave again.

Fairy, he murmured, trying to tilt my head up. Faith, look at me.

No.

He unwound his arms from me, gripped my shoulders, and forcefully set me away from him. What happened while I was gone?

Nothing.

You’re lying.

So what if I am? I snapped. You just watched your friend die. And now you have a lead on your sister. I’m not about to dump any more of my problems on you, alright? Not now. I wrenched myself out of his grip and stalked around the apartment.

Faith—

I don’t think I can get the words out yet, I cut him off, trying to keep the anger from my voice. I wasn’t furious at him. It wasn’t fair to take my anger out on him. I’m going with you to this compound to try to find your sister. I need to do something, so give me this. Let me help you.

He came up behind me and gently spun me around. His brow furrowing, he reached up and held my cheek. Questions brewed in his steady gaze. If he kept asking me, the truth would spill out, and I wasn’t ready to face it yet.

I’ll tell you, I promise I will, but not today, I whispered. And if you try to tell me to stay behind again, I don’t care what magic you use against me, I’ll come after you.

The heat around me intensified. I braced for the argument, but he sighed. I need a week at least to plan, he said. Then we’ll go to the compound and see what we can find out about Remy. He brushed his thumb over my cheek, then moved in and slanted his lips over mine.

When he withdrew, his shoulders slumped, and he blinked rapidly like he was trying to stay awake. I gave him a nudge toward the bed. I’ll get it made up. Then you can get some sleep. I doubt you’ve eaten anything yet today either.

I’ll be fine.

No, you’re going to get some fucking rest, I scolded. When you wake up, you can eat.

Ronin’s lips curled into a smirk. So demanding for a little fairy.

I went to the linen closet, pulled out fresh sheets, and tossed them at his head. You can make up the bed. I think we’re out of food anyway. I’ll be back in a few. You better be sleeping. I started to look around for my wallet. Then I was back in Ronin’s arms. His hungry, heated kiss caused my magic to spark and crackle around my hands while I clung to him.

Maybe sleeping and food could wait a little longer.

2

Ipicked up the takeout bags off the counter of the bar at the Ye Old Tavern and set off into the evening. There was a chance for storms tonight, but I’d decided to walk anyway. I needed the excuse to get out of the apartment and get some fresh air in my lungs.

The last few days had been eventful for more than one reason. With the revelation about Leo still bouncing around inside my skull and the huge risk