Who is?
The shadows. The pain.
I dont understand.
I think I do, William said, all hint of teasing and self-praise gone. And if Im right, were in trouble, Paris. Never had he sounded more solemn. Hold on to your girl, because Im not sure how many of us will be walking away from this.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
WHERES MY WOMAN! Mywomanneedher
Viola watched as the hulking black-haired giant tore down the other half of the entertainment room. The TV, pool table and an odd assortment of other things had been destroyed already. So had everything in the room next door, and the room next to that one. She knew because Maddox had busted down the walls between them, giving her a clear view into the other side of the fortress. Only rubble remained.
The other warriors jumped on the giant, again, knocking and pinning him down. Still he fought, screaming viler curses than shed ever heard, even from the prisoners locked in Tartarus. Last time, his friends had lost their hold on him. This time, they managed to keep him there. Still, she was kind of scared, a foreign emotion for her.
Where is she? I have to find her!
The last word left him, and he just sort of collapsed into the mess, sobbing so hard his ribs had to be cracking. Tears filled her own eyes, but she blinked them back. He wanted his wife back, the loss of her destroying him.
Well find her, someone said.
She and the babies will be unharmed.
Be at ease, friend.
The warriors spoke calmly, but even she heard the tension and doubt in their voices. Maddox cried harder.
Viola felt like a voyeur. She felt useless. There was too much emotion here, too much loss, and shed never handled this kind of thing well.
Stay calm, we all have to stay calm.
Well have answers soon, and we can head out.
Just a few minutes more.
He has her, Maddox managed to say between shudders. That bastard has her. I dont know where to look. Theres no signnothing Just the feather, just the feather.
One by one the warriors released him, and inched backward. Maddox stayed down by choice, his hand moving over his face to shield his eyes from the too-bright light overhead. How deeply he must love his woman and their unborn babies. Viola had suspected when shed watched them together earlier, but seeing this proved she hadnt realized the limitless depths.
Well go hunting, Cameo said, speaking up for the first time since theyd heard Ashlyn scream and Maddox roar.
Viola wished the female warrior hadnt spoken then, either, and had to rub her chest to ward off the ache Cameos shattering voice always left behind.
Tonight, the one named Reyes growled. There was a deep gouge in his neck, blood dripping from it. No later.
We managed to get hold of Amun, and hes on his way back to Buda. Strider, the fiercest in the room, was actually trembling. His gaze kept returning to his wife, who stood a few feet away with her sister, as if he needed to reassure himself that she was here and well. Hell learn something. Point us in the right direction.
And if not him, Lucien will handle this, Anya said, ever the proud girlfriend. Lucien had taken off to track Galens spiritual trail.
Galen wouldnt dare hurt Ashlyn or the babies. Haidee, Amuns girlfriend, paced back and forth, back and forth, too agitated to remain in one place.
Gideon and Scarlet are coming home with Amun. Scarlet can tell you if the babies are stillstill Aeron scrubbed a hand over his closely shaved scalp. He was supposed to be with the others, searching for Kane, but had remained behind for some reason no one would tell her.
Viola hadnt been here long, but shed memorized the warriors names, faces, demons and abilities. Scarlet was the keeper of Nightmares and by entering the dream world, she could search for a specific persons mental doorway. A closed doorway meant they were asleep. An open doorway meant they were dreaming. No doorway at all meant they were dead. But Maddox and Ashlyn were bonded, one destined to die when the other died, so no one had to wonder about her. The babies, however Dont go there. Scarlet could also murder people while they dreamed, killing them in real life. Perhaps Galen would take his last breath tonight. Then again, perhaps not. If Scarlet could enter his dreams, she would have done so already, but Viola guessed that something blocked her.
I could take him.
Enough of that, she thought with a scowl. Once she hopped on the train to self-love, there was no turning back.
She concentrated. The warriors. Yes. They didnt trust her, and she was a little surprised they hadnt turned on her, blaming her for this catastrophe. She was the stranger, after all, and the kidnapping had happened soon after her arrival. But then Olivia, the angel whod made them relax about her presence the first time around, had said Viola wasnt responsible in any way, and theyd all believed her without question.
Besides Olivia, Scarlet, Anya, the still-pacing Haidee and Danika, who had her arm around a girl named Gilly, there were two Harpies, half-sisters Gwen and Kaia. Gwen belonged to Sabin, and Kaia to Strider. The pair had their heads together as they whispered. Galen was Gwens father, and, if Violas superior hearing was on targetand it always wasGwen planned to hunt him down herself, crack open his ribs and rip out his black, rotted heart. Just her little way of making up for the lenience shed once shown him.
That Torin guy didnt get any recordings of Galen? Viola asked, recalling his wall of computers and monitors.
No one looked her way or paid her any attention.
Her demon scraped sharp, pointed horns against the inside of her temples, and she bit back a moan. Ignoring her was the fastest way to gain Narcis attention. And when Narcis attention was lockedoh, stars above. Trouble followed. Always. Viola didnt want her other half intruding on this heartbreaking event, determined to make everything about her.
No, there are no recordings, a soft, gentle voice said from beside her.
With a gasp, she spun. She hadnt heard anyone approach, but now a tall, slender female with long, blond hair was at her side. The girl looked fragilehaunted. Pain consumed those dark eyes. More pain than any one person should ever have to bear. She watched Maddox, a tear streaking down her pale cheek.
Viola thought shed interacted with everyone in the house, but this girl was new. She had a blanket draped around her, the material clutched tight to her chest, her knuckles without a shred of color. Did you talk to him? To Torin?
The girls chin was trembling too violently for her to speak; she shook her head.
Then how do you know about the recordings? Better questionwho are you?
More tears tumbled. They had to burn, because whatever path they traveled, they left red welts behind. ImIm Legion. Such a soft, soft whisper.
Legion. Ah, yes. Once a demon who had made a deal with the devil. The devil that granted her a human body. A deal shed lost, forcing her to return to hell, where she was tortured in the vilest of ways, raped, abused, passed around and tortured some more.
Viola looked at the girl. Really looked at her, the way only she could. Past skin, past bone, and into soul. Legion was dying. Actually, some part of her was already dead. Her will to live had been obliterated. She was a brittle leaf hanging on by the thinnest thread, the next cold wind all that was needed to pull her loose and finally send her tumbling away.
By nature of her birth, Viola could be that wind. All she need do was reach out, curl her fingers around Legions wrist and draw her close. Not usually so simple, and not usually so easy; but then, willingness made all the difference. A deep breath in, and there would be nothing remaining of Legions soul. She would cease to exist on every level.
Perhaps Viola had stared a bit too long or a bit too intently because Legion began to quake, shifting from one foot to the other, and then, when that wasnt enough, inching away.
I wont hurt you, Viola said.
Legion stopped as if shed shouted. Poor, broken girl. A china doll already shattered. She drew the blanket closer, trying to fold herself within and hide.
Lucien. Anyas relief was palpable, filling the room after the keeper of Death appeared.
Viola turned, watching as the minor goddess threw herself in her mans arms. He hugged her with unyielding strength, their love a tangible thing. Once again Violas chest ached. She wanted that. Wanted that so badly she would kill to have it. But, of course, she could never have that. She was destined to love herself, and only herself.
Everyone else in the room quieted, waiting to hear what the warrior had to say, so tense their bodies were ready to snap. The scarred warrior looked them over, opened his mouth, closed it.
Just say it, Maddox commanded. Hed worked his way to his feet, was checking the clip on one of his guns. Tell me what you learned.
Lips compressed, Lucien gave the room another sweep. This time he stopped on Legion, who had bravely eked her way back to Violas side. Legion, sweetheart, he said, his tone so gentle he could have been talking to a child locked in a closet, afraid a monster waited under her bed, go on up to your room. This isnt for you. All right? Okay?
After everyone turned to face her, and she had wilted under the attention, she spun and ran away. Several agonizing heartbeats passed before Maddox broke.
Tell me. Now.
Lucien drew Anya deeper into his body. Galen didnt try to hide. He knew I would follow his trail, and so he waited for me to catch up. Ashlyn wasnt with him, he added as Maddox opened his mouth to say something. He said I would no longer be able to follow him, that Id found him only because hed let me get that far. And he was right. Afterward, I tried. I failed. Im sorry.
Tell me! Maddox had stashed his gun and now clutched two blades. One of them he held by its body rather than by its hilt, and his palm had already sliced open. He didnt seem to notice as blood dripped, dripped. Finish it.
A stiff nod. Lucien looked as if the words were being jerked out of him, and the jerking hurt. He said shes safe, for now, and that hell send you a video of her to prove it. He saidhe saidif we want her back alive, well trade Legion for her.
Viola wasnt sure anyone else heard the gasp and frantic footfalls beyond that shattered wall, but she did. And she knew. Legion hadnt gone up to her room. Shed hung back and listened. Now, though, she was at last running for her chamber, no doubt seeking sanctuary between its walls.
The warriors argued, words shooting between them with rapid-fire precision.
Where does he want to meet? When? Maddox.
Rome. The Temple of the Unspoken Ones. Tomorrow. Midnight. Lucien.
Take me there. Now. Maddox.
Be sensible about this. Strider. Those bastards are hard-core, and if theyre on his side
I dont care! Get that through your heads. I dont care about anything but my woman and my children. And you will take me there, and I will hunt him down, and when I find him I will kill him. Do you hear me? Take me to that island. You have five seconds to flash me or Im catching the red-eye, and theres no one in this world or the other that can help the mortals who get in my way.
Deciding not to wait for Luciens reply, Viola snuck out of the room. No one noticed, and that once again pricked at Narci.
Be a good girl, she told her other half, and Ill show you how pretty you are.
The demon bounced up and down inside her head. When?
Soon.
Now. A whine.
Soon.
Now. A demand.
Never.
Soon? Another whine.
Soon. You drive a hard bargain. Viola followed Legions spiritual trailLucien wasnt the only one with such a talentflashing herself into the bedroom. The girl was pacing, her hair flying wildly behind her. She hadnt abandoned the blanket, but clutched the material ever closer.
I cant, I cant, I cant. I cant leave. I cant go to him.
Legion, Viola said gently. Yes, she was uncomfortable with other peoples feelings, but shed peered at this broken dolls soul and wanted to help.
How odd. Once, Viola had fed on souls, on their energy. She had drained them, ended them. One day, though, shed taken the wrong soul at the wrong timethe only terrible memory shed managed to retainand found herself imprisoned in Tartarus. Then, of course, she was paired with Narci and the only soul shed been able to feed on was her own.
Like an immortals limb, her soul kept growing back and she kept feeding on it, but it never grew back in its entirety because she never actually stopped eating. For lack of a better word. So, basically, she was half of a person, as well as a spiritual cannibal, and she never ever concerned herself with others.
Why had she come here again? She should leave.
Those dark eyes found her, tears catching in equally dark lashes, and Violas feet rooted in place. I cant. I cant do it. I cant do it. Hell want to touch me. Hurt me. Icant.
Legion raced to her bathroom, hunched over the toilet and vomited. Violas feet tugged free, but still she didnt leave. She walked into the bathroom and held back the girls hair, only to realize she hadnt actually vomited. She had dry heaved. Poor thing. She probably hadnt eaten a decent meal in weeks.
Hours seemed to tick by in endless misery. Between each of her heaves, the girl sobbed. And when she wasnt sobbing, she was shaking so violently her teeth chattered. No one ever came to the door, and Viola decided the Lords had opted not to trade the girl for Ashlyns safe return.
Finally, blessedly, Legions outburst drained her. She slumped over the toilet, her tear ducts tapped out.
Viola stepped away, and those red, swollen eyes followed her.
I really must leave now, she thought. Shed stayed far too long, the sense of unease returning. Ill tell the warriors youre a no-go, okay? Maddox might try and slay her for her efforts, but Narci would dig the attention, so whatever.
I cant go, I cant go, Legion whispered. He was here, I smelled him, knew he was here, but I couldnt make my voice work, havent spoken since I got here, couldnt even scream, even though I wanted to scream and scream and scream. I hid under the bed. I should have screamed, I should have screamed.
Her words were heavy on the guilt, an emotion Viola refused to tangle with. Yeah, so, uh, good luck with that. It was nice meeting you and everything. One step, two, she backed her way out. She didnt do the friendship thing. Ever. With anyone. Especially not broken china dolls that would require way too much time and effort.
Legions tear ducts clearly hadnt dried, because a new waterfall began. I cant leave Ashlyn with him, either. She sniffled, gulped. Ashlyn is so nice, and the babies, she let me feel them kick once. Shes due any day. She needs to be home. Maddox needs her to be home. What should I do?
So badly Viola wanted to reach for her phone, Screech the question and follow the ensuing flood of advice, but much as she yearned to leave this room, she wanted to stay in the fortress.
For all their faults, the Lords hadnt tried to take advantage of her. Hadnt tricked her into looking into a mirror, and they utterly adored her. And okay, maybe that last one wasnt the truth and merely came courtesy of her demon, but nothing was a lie if you believed it. Therefore, the Lords did, in fact, adore her.
I think you should, uh, follow your heart? Oh, ick. That sucked. Like, majorly. The girl didnt know what her heart wanted, which was why she was asking for guidance.
What would you do? Legion asked.
She could weave a pretty speech about always being willing to help others, Viola supposed. The guys downstairs would probably prefer that. Only problem was, lying to anyone but herself created messes. Viola hated messes.
I would save myself, no matter the cost to those around me. But then, Ive only ever cared about myself, so She shrugged. Its up to you. Who do you love more? Yourself, or the ones who took you in?
CHAPTER NINETEEN
STRIPPED AND PINNED to a boulder, Kane gritted his teeth at the humiliation. Hadnt taken the minions long to catch him after hed bolted. His innocent little chosen had been the worst of the lot, ripping out his Achilles tendons, hobbling him.
Now everyone in the crowd took turns attempting to steal what hed refused to give.
He wouldnt give them what they wanted. He wouldnt. But how much longer could he survive the torment? The pressure was building, so intense it was painful.
Youve survived this kind of thing before. He could survive this. Breathe, just breathe. His lids were squeezed together, his blood molten in his veins. All the while, his demon laughed inside his head. Laughed. Enjoying the disaster as it happened.
Maybe surviving wasnt the right path, he thought, the humiliation morphing into rage. Kane had never liked his demon, but now, now he hated the creature with every fiber of his being. He wanted to be free of it, and that meant dying. He wanted to punish Disaster for taking pleasure in his misery, regardless of the fate that would befall him.
And he would. Yeah. He would do some punishing. No matter what he had to do achieve the desired end, he would do.
PARIS CROWDED SIENNA into the wall, leaned down and got in her face. Her breath emerged choppily, her eyes were wild and her pupils dilated with panic. Sex enjoyed the contact, was already begging for more. Paris tuned him out and kept things as nonsexual as possible. Sienna was too upset for more.
You have to hide, she said, the words emerging brokenly. Ill try to draw them to me, away from everyone else. Okay? Yes? But you really, really have to hide.
He cupped her jaw, forcing her to peer up at him rather than scanning her surroundings for a hiding place. As if he would ever hide from an enemy and leave a female to fight for him. Whats coming? Talk to me, baby. He knew she wasnt too keen on endearments from himat least, she hadnt been beforebut then, hed never called another woman his baby. Only sweetheart and honey, meaningless words like that, and never with such a note of affection.
Those lush lips parted on a gasp, and she blinked in bafflement. Baby, she whispered, and he decided she liked it. Thered been a note of reverence in her tone. Calm suddenly smoothed out the panic. The shadows. They dart through the walls, and they feed on us. All of us. Even the gargoyles hide. There are so many of them. Theyll cover you, theyll be all you see, all you know, and theyll eat at you.
Corporal shadows with a hunger for flesh. He thought hed traveled every corner of the heavens, but hed never heard of such a creature.
William had, though, because he muttered, Oh, shit on a brick. This is bad. Exactly what I feared.
Paris met his troubled gaze. What do I need to do?
Just stay where you are. The grim-faced warrior reached up and unsheathed a knife from behind his shoulder blades, then sliced his arm open from elbow to palm. Instantly crimson flowed. He closed the distance, bent down to the floor, and smeared a bloody circle around Paris and Sienna. Dont step out of this, do you hear me? Both of you, stay there. Disobey me, and youll regret it.
He didnt wait for a reply, but sprinted to the entrance of the female immortals room and dashed his wound across the clear shield separating them. The female was too busy clawing at her walls to notice. Before William reached the second room, his wound closed and he had to make another incision. He painted a line of blood over that shield, as well.
He didnt make it to the third room.
Just as Sienna had predicted, shadows burst through the walls. In a snap, it was lights-out, the black so thick oil could have been saturating the air.
The entire castle rattled and shook. Screams echoed, fervent songs of pain and anguish. The darkness inside Paris responded, practically purring with approval the way Sex always purred for physical contact, enjoying every terrible note. Wanting out, wanting loose. Wanting to cause everyone around him to hurt, too.
Paris was on the path to giving in, to stepping out of the circle William had drawn and fighting with the shadows, hell, fighting with William, when Sienna trembled against him. He pressed against her more firmly. Must protect, he thought. Thats why he was here. For her. To be with her. To ensure her safety.
She trembled again, this one worrisome in its intensity. He wasnt sure what was happening behind him or around him or even how long this would last, but she knew, and it terrified her. And yet still she had thought to protect him, he realized. Still she had wanted to hide him. Him, not herself. His warrior core had been offended by that, true, but just then he could only thrill over her concern. She cared about his well-being.
I want her, Sex said. Of course, the purring started up again.
So do I. And he would have a taste of her. Finally, here and now, the circumstances be damned. She was too worried for sexual contact? Hardly. She needed a distraction, and there was nothing better than desire.
Paris felt his way to her jaw, cupping her to hold her steady while luxuriating in the silky warmth of her skin, the delicacy of her bones. Concentrate on my voice, baby. Can you do that?
A jerky nod.
He wished he could see her and discover whether or not color was returning to those delicate cheeks. At her ear, he whispered, Youre so soft. Ive never felt anything softer. And your scent intoxicates me. I cant help but think youll be even sweeter between your legs.
Her breath hitched, her hands finding his chest and flattening over his pectorals.
When I drive my fingers deep inside you, youll be so wet for me, wont you, baby? Ill eat you up, drink down every drop of your honey, and youll scream for more.
Yesss, Sex said on a moan. Pleassse.
Paris, Sienna breathed.
A needy plea for more? Thats what his demon heard in her tremulous tone. Paris found himself leaning down, the rest of the world forgotten, his nose in her hair as he sniffed the heavy waves. He scented the wildflowers and the coconut, now mixed with something rare, a bloom found only at night.
Oh, hell, yes. That was her arousal.
Sex liked it, too, tossing out his own special fragrance. The two combined, the most wondrous bouquet enveloping Paris. Wondrousand torturous. Instantly he was revved up, more than primed, more than ready, desperate to sink inside this woman and thrust his way to orgasm. All he had to do was rip open both their pants and kick her legs apart. Hed drill her deep and sure. She would be hot, dripping and so tight around him.
Sharp little nails burrowed past his shirt and into his skin, as if to hold him in place. He could feel the heat of her, pulsing, seeping into him, blending with his own and lancing straight to his cock. He ached unbearably. Before he even registered that hed moved, hed edged her legs apart with his foot and arched into her, fitting his erection against her feminine core.
Hello, sweet damnation. Either hed just made the biggest mistake of his life, or the best. They fit together like matching puzzle pieces. He rubbed against her, slowly at first, just enough to tease and tantalize them both. The pleasure built, right alongside the pressure. Yeah, he definitely should have taken her earlier. His demon was ready to burst free of his skin.
Paris couldnt gauge Siennas reaction through sound because of the surrounding screams, so he moved one of his hands to her throat, keeping his touch gentle. Nothing could stop him from feeling her moans, and the vibrations were so damn gorgeous.
Paris. Her lips pressed against his ear. Definitely not a plea this time, but not a warning, either. You cant want me.
He circled his hips, pressing, retreating, pressing. What is this, then?
A treat for the only available woman in the room.
The words were like a slap across the face, and his volatile inner darkness responded poorly, rampaging through him and demanding he hurt the one whod harmed him. He bit back the urge and snapped, So a guy like me can only want whats available?
You didnt want me before, in the room. So maybe this is punishment. Anger threaded her tone.
Punishment? His hands clenched in reflex, his own anger becoming an echo of hers.
Sadly, she wasnt done. Believe me, I understand the concept far better than I ever did. Maybe you didnt come here to save me, after all, but to wound me the same way I once wounded you.
He hadnt trusted her, couldnt, no matter how badly hed wanted to, and even told himself he did, and now he saw that she couldnt, wouldnt, trust him, either. Not really. Hed suspected this would happen. That hadnt bothered him (much) before, but it bothered him now. He hated that there were so many barriers between them. Clothes, reservations, doubts and worries.
Im nothing like the women youre used to, she went on. I know that. I know that Im not pretty.
Youre right. Youre beyond gorgeous.
A gasp. A-and my lips are ridiculous.
If ridiculous is the new word for a wet dream.
Her little fists hammered at his chest. Stop! Just stop. You need sex and youre trying to make a sale. I did the same to you earlier, wanting to be with you one last time. I shouldnt have thrown myself at you like that.
His back straightened. She had offered herself to him, not because she had felt guilty, but because she had wanted him. She should not have admitted that. There would be no stopping him now. He would have her, one way or another.
He licked at her lips, saying, Baby, Ive never had to try. I breathe, and the women offer.
The abuse stopped, a mewling sound leaving her. Youreyoure trying to put me in my place, then. Trying to tease me with what I can never fully have.
Oh, you can have it, all right. You know thats not true. Not because you trust me, but because of your demon. Wrath would have been all over any deception on Pariss part.
A pause the agonizing length of three heartbeats. Youreright. How odd, she said, both awed and hopeful. Her nails once again found purchase in his chest. I hated the fact that a demon was placed inside me, wanted to be free of him, ranted and railed and even planned to give him back, and yet Ive begun to count on his ability to read other peoples intentions.
Once possessed, always possessed. For the most part, anyway. So give Wrath back to Aeron? That would be a big fat hell, no. That would kill her. Again. You can believe me when I say that I do want you, Sienna. Youre all Ive thought about for months. Resisting you in that room was one of the toughest things Ive ever done.
A vibration in her throat signaled her moan. Youre really attracted to me, despite everything? Wonder saturated her voice, dripping over him like warm honey.
He had a thing for warm honey.
Yes. Backward, forward he arched, renewing the decadent contact. He wanted to push for more still, but didnt. Not yet. He wanted her focused only on the pleasure, all her fears about ulterior motives assuaged. Let there be no doubt on that score.
Another vibration, this one reaching a deeper part of him. Why me? Her nails plucked free of his chest, her hands smoothing over him. I mean, you could have anyone.
Exactly. I could, and I chose you. For so many reasons. Youre smart.
Debatable.
Youre witty.
No more than a thousand others.
Youre argumentative and cant accept a compliment.
Hey! She reached up and tugged at his hair.
Despite the grimness of their surroundings and circumstances, he found himself grinning. Youre beautiful.
Her fingers slid to his scalp, massaging. Not just beyond gorgeous? she asked dryly.
Youre exquisite, and I dont want to hear you put yourself down again. Do you understand? He had killed others for doing so. Her, he would simply spank. You may or may not be happy with the results.
Why? Are you thinking paddling? Because Im getting a few images in my head.
Well, well. Theres something else to like about you. You understand me.
A snort. One he relished, because he had caused the humor behind it. You must be blinded by horny demon-colored glasses, she said.
And she thought there were thousands of others just as stubborn as she was. Hed just issued an order alongside a threat, yet she had ignored both and continued on her merry way.