She wont awaken, I promise. Anyway. As my time has not yet expired, maybe I can
As Olivias words trailed off, he stopped, pivoted. She knocked into him and humphed. Even though hed felt her only briefly, he savored the contact. Soft, warm. Exhilarating. Thats all his body needed to ready itself. Again.
Mine, Wrath said.
I know. Youve told me. Over and freaking over again. And Aeron had let him, had stopped caring. BecauseNo. Dont go there.
A moment passed in silence, their breathing the only sound. The air was musty, thick with age, dust and death, but he wouldve been content to wait here forever. Here, she was safe. Here, they were together.
Can what? he finally prompted.
This. Pinpricks of light flickered.
He blinked, rubbed his eyes. Those pinpricks were actually sparking off her skin, he realized, blending together and growing in intensity. Growing so much she was soon chasing away the shadows and his eyes were tearing.
How
Slowly she grinned, her beautiful face illuminated, shining like the purest star, those dark lashes framing those sky-blue eyes. He could have kissed the breath right out of her. Dont you dare. But now that he knew her taste, now that hed felt her rub against him, how was he supposed to resist?
Legion. Lysander. Freedom.
Oh, yeah. He could have cursed.
Humans were sometimes trapped in darkness, and I had to show them the way out. Olivia shifted from one foot to the other, and motioned behind him with a tilt of her chin. Scarlet is just around the corner. I can sense her.
Thank you. Motions stiff, Aeron forced himself to turn away. His eyes immediately mourned the loss of her.
Wrath, too, howled in protest.
Calm. Were still with her. Aeron led his charge down the correct dirt path and soon found himself standing in a makeshift bedroom. Pikes sprung from several places in the floor, gleaming sharply and anchored firmly by concrete. Between them were trip wires, and at the far end of the room, guarded by the entire fun zone, was a coffin.
Why a coffin? Because she could close herself in for better protection? Smart woman, if so.
He palmed a blade and closed the distance, dodging those pikes. Olivia stayed close to his heels, every step measured.
Careful, he muttered. Stay behind me. He flipped open the lid, halfway expecting a fight.
Nope. As Olivia had promised, Scarlet slept peacefully, completely unaware of his intrusion. He studied her. Silky black hair framed her seemingly delicate face. She hadnt looked delicate before, when shed cornered him in that alley. Her lashes were longer than hed realized, like feathered fans reaching for her cheekbones. She had a small nose, and her lips were redder than before.
She wore a T-shirt and jeans, both black, and weapons were strapped all over her body. She didnt disarm, even to sleep. Interesting. Even he removed his blades before crawling into bed. He kept them nearby, of course, but not on him.
Relaxing, his gaze shifted. The walls were dirt, just like the floor, and there were blades peeking from several locations. Anyone who fell, either into the wall or onto the floor, would tumble straight to their death.
Nightmares could have placed traps at the doorway or even on the steps leading down here, but hadnt. Why? Perhaps shed known the unerring gloom would frighten most peoplemost innocentsaway. But the ones who persisted, the ones who kept going, would clearly have more sinister intentions. Perhaps those were the only people she wanted to hurt.
If that were the case, that would mean she killed discriminately. That would mean there was a line she wouldnt cross. Or perhaps she just liked the kills to be made nearby, so that the first thing she would see when she awoke was blood and death.
Either way, the woman was serious about protecting herself.
He almost hoped she would rouse and attack him. He needed a battle. His nerves were on edge and bloodshed would have calmed him. Too many things were happening, changing. Too many things were going wrong.
Badens demon finding a new host, thanks to Galen. Discovering Cronus and Rhea were possessed. Everything with Olivia, of course, and her naughty clothes and searing kisses, with her irresistible suggestions (just then, he almost missed the voice) and her attempted seduction of another man, all of which were like matches on the kindling of his arousal. And jealousy. And anger.
Yes, he needed to kill someone today.
And if all of that wasnt enough to deal with, Legion looked at him the way he wanted Olivia to look at him. Shed made a pact with the creator of evil, and shed blatantly lied to him about it. There at the end, just before leaving her behind, thered been no more deluding himself about that. Sly determination had practically poured off her.
What was he going to do about her? How was he supposed to handle her? He still loved her like a daughter, still planned to keep her in his life. No way would he abandon her. There justthere had to be a solution.
Dont think about that now. You have a job to do. The job. Right. So. Back to Scarlet, the problem at hand. Did Galen know about her?
She used to live in a church, Olivia said guiltily, before he could tell her they needed to leave. But that didnt work out for her.
Why the guilt? Because shed led him here? Probably. Careful. He couldnt let her guilt spark his own. I believe I asked you to be quiet.
I told you. Shes not going to wake up.
How do you know? Silly question. Olivia knew everything, it sometimes seemed. Which meant Sabin was going to love her. Information was the mans best friend. Thank Olivias One True Deity she would be gone before the warrior returned. Aeron would hate to have to stab his friend for interrogating his woman.
At the thought, Wrath chortled with glee.
Well, maybe he wouldnt hate stabbing the warrior. He owed Sabin, after all. And shes not your woman! Never mind. It doesnt matter. We have to hurry before we run into other visitors.
Like who?
Like Hunters.
Oh.
Aeron might have craved a battle with Nightmares, but not with Galens army. He didnt want Olivia involved in something like that. Hed show her the horrors of his life another way. From a safe distance.
Scarlets crypt was a good distance from The Asylum, so that was a point in their favor.
so dark, an unfamiliar voice suddenly said, the words echoing from the concrete steps above and reaching into the small enclosure.
My flashlights not working.
I cant see anything.
Just keep inching forward, damn it.
Well, hell. This day could indeed get worse. Hunters were here, just as hed feared. Had someone followed him? Used the Cloak of Invisibility?
Was someone watching him, threatening his woman, even now?
Aerons hands curled into fists. He scanned the crypt anew, but saw nothing out of place. He glanced at Olivia, who was still glowing but frowning now. Next he glanced at Scarlet, who was still sleeping. After that, the doorway.
That dark, open space was the only way out of here. And to reach it, theyd have to run straight through the humans. The most likely armed humans.
Those humans couldnt see through the darkness, but then, Aeron wouldnt be able to, either, without Olivias light. But with her light, everyone would be able to see everyone else.
There was only one thing to do. Only one option that kept Olivia safe.
Aeron slapped a blade into her hand. Keep it pressed to the girls throat, he whispered. If she moves even a little, dont hesitate to cut her.
Not giving her a chance to reply, he gripped Olivia by the waist and hefted her into the coffin beside Scarlet. The sleeping female remained exactly as she was, but Olivia gasped. Immediately he clamped a hand over her mouth and shook his head. She gulped in fear, but nodded that she understood what he wanted of her. Silence.
Kill the light.
Again she nodded, and the glow of her skin washed outdimmedthen disappeared completely. The shadows must have been waiting for just such an occurrence because they raced forward, enclosing every inch of space with that suffocating gloom.
Shit! Watch where youre going.
Sorry.
The voices were closer.
Big as Aeron was, he knew he wouldnt fit inside the coffin to act as Olivias shield. Not without crushing her. Instead, he flattened his hand on her shoulderor what hed thought was her shoulder. He jerked that now-burning hand away because hed actually cupped her beautiful breast. And her nipple had instantly pearled.
Mine. Protect.
Careful this time, he aimed higher. Shoulder. Good. Trembling. Not good. That meant she was as overcomeand distractedby the mistake as he was. Or afraid. He preferred the thought of her overcome.
Clearly, he was the distracted one. Jolting back into motion, he pressed her to lie down and stay still. Thankfully, she didnt resist. Whether she did as hed commanded and placed the tip of the blade at Scarlets throat, he didnt know. Just to be safe, he angled his other hand over Nightmaressface. Good. She was still motionless, her breath trekking onto his skin, warm, even.
He hadnt seen any traps around the coffin itself, so he inched his way to the front end, away from the corridors entryway. Not once did he remove his touch from either woman. He wanted Olivia to know he was here, that he would guard her. Always. He would have closed the lid, but wanted access in case the girl did, in fact, awaken.
Wait, one of the men said. Stop.
What?
Air. Do you feel the breeze?
We must be close to an opening.
Closer still.
There was a shuffling of feet. Multiple sets. Olivias trembling increased, and he squeezed her in reassurance.
Its gotta be a room. A pause. A crackle. Yes. Yes! Theres too much space for this to be another hallway.
She cant be here. She couldnt have found her way inside.
Shes possessed by the fucking demon of Nightmares. Of course she could have found her way. Justfeel around. Shell be asleep. If you encounter warm skin, just start shooting.
How did they know so much? Had Cronus told his wife? Or again, had someone made use of the Cloak and listened to private conversations?
Hell, no. No shooting. Well just shoot each other.
Thats better than allowing a demon to go free.
There was a beat of shocked silence as the other Hunters absorbed the mans death wish.
We either cut her, or Im out of here, someone finally snapped. I didnt sign up for a suicide mission.
Then cut her, damn it, but make sure you incapacitate her so we can cart her out without fearing shell be strong enough to attack. Every bad dream weve ever had is her fault. Every bad thing weve ever endured is her doing.
More shuffling. Aeron tensed, waiting. If any of them managed to make it to the coffin, he would have to
A man screamed.
What the hell
Another scream. A gurgle. Followed by another and another.
There would be no one making it to the coffin.
Nightmaress traps would see to that. Several of the Hunters discharged their guns, despite their fear of friendly fire, but the darkness hid the sparking of the powder. One of those bullets slammed into Aerons shoulder, knocking him backward.
He caught himself as several more human screams rent the air. Though he didnt want Olivia trapped with the girl, unable to protect herself, he didnt want her shot, either. He slammed the coffin lid shut.
Whats happening?
Cut, someone managed to say between coughs.
Another scream, this one blending with the rising tide of pained moans and the wafting scent of fresh blood.
Retreat, someone wheezed. Re Argh!
There was even more shuffling, but the number of moving feet had severely decreased. And then, as more screams and moans abounded, the shuffling ended entirely. Over. Done. It was the battle hed wanted, craved, yet he hadnt had to lift a single finger to win.
He waited until silence reigned before tossing back the lid and saying, Light.
Immediately Olivia obeyed. Once again that nearly blinding light glimmered from her, grew, and conquered the darkness, and he saw that she was pale but unharmed. Scarlet still hadnt moved.
Aeron, I was so Olivia sat up and twisted to face him. Her expression immediately became pinched. Youre hurt.
He gazed down at his wound. There was a hole in his shoulder; crimson seeped from it, riding the ridges of his stomach, each drop absorbing into the waist of his pants. Now that his concern for Olivia had faded, and his adrenaline had decreased, he realized it hurt. Fire spread, quickly, surely, as if his veins pumped gasoline rather than blood.
Didnt matter. Ill be fine, he said. Been injured worse, so its nothing to worry about.
I cant help it. Chewing on her bottom lip, she reached out and traced her fingertips over his jaw. Im worried.
The touch was meant to comfort him. But as always, the feel of her tormented him. He needed more. Wrath needed more, whimpering inside his head.
Now isnt the time. Bleeding bodies were piled upon bleeding bodies, blades protruding from each of them. Some had fallen face-first, and others had landed backward. Each had died. He would have to thank the girl for her decorating skills. They, rather than he, had saved Olivias life.
He didnt know if any of the Hunters had managed to escape this room of terror, but he wasnt going to wait around to see if they returned with backup. After helping Olivia to her feetshit! and causing his wound to splithe hefted Nightmares into his arms as hed wanted to do before they were interrupted.
Stay close, he said. Only step where I step.
I will.
He made his way to the open doorway, darting around bodies along the way, grimacing as the fire inside him intensified.
Hurt, Wrath cried.
His lips curved into a frown. You, too?
Bad.
Well go home. Rest. There were no trails of blood on the stairs, not even a speck. Which meant no one had made it out. Excellent. Exceptby the time he reached the top of the stairs, he was trembling. Weakening. His eyes were glazing over, creating a fog everywhere he looked.
Wrath moaned.
The fire finally diedonly to be replaced by a frigid ice.
Aeron?
He slowed, his motions sluggish, his feet tripping over each other. Reach into my back pocket. Grab my phone. At this rate, he wouldnt have the strength to fly both women to the fortress.
Whats wrong with you? Olivia asked, doing as hed requested. Is it your injury? You told me not to worry!
He ignored the question and the concern. He didnt want to lie to heragainand tell her everything was going to be fine, but he didnt have an answer, either. Neither he nor Wrath had ever reacted this way to a simple gunshot.
Do you know how to text? They rounded a corner.
No. Ive seen humans do it, but Ive never tried it myself.
What about making a call? Up ahead, he could finally see the sunlight pushing its way into the crypt. Sweat beaded every inch of him, yet that did nothing to melt the ice. His motions were slowing further, dragging.
No, she said again. Im sorry.
Damn. If he released the girl, he wouldnt be able to pick her back up. That, he knew. Damn, damn, damn.
There were only two possibilities that explained this reaction, he realized. Either the Hunters had used some sort of special bullets or he hadnt truly recovered from their last attack, as hed assumed. Neither boded well for him.
Outsidefinally, blessedlyhe searched for waiting Hunters. He didnt see any, but wasnt sure if that was because they werent there or because his vision continued to fade. No one jumped out at them, at least.
Flying or not, he wasnt going to make it home.
He searched his surroundings once more, this time looking for a place to hide. There, a few yards ahead, was a large headstone, flowers of every color perched all around it, forming a hidden alcove.
This way. He lumbered forward, weaker with every step.
Olivia wound her arm around his waist, acting as his crutch. Here. Lean on me.
He didnt want to, was embarrassed that he needed to, was even more embarrassed that he actually liked having someone take care of him, but with her aid, he managed to make it. Thank you.
He tried to ease Scarlet down, but his knees gave out and the two of them just sort of tumbled forward. She flopped unceremoniously to the ground, and he next to her. Not a peep did she make.
Nor did Wrath. The demon was silent now. Eerily so.
Aeron rolled to his side. Olivia, he saw, was busy rearranging the flowers to pin them in and shield them from prying eyes. Goodgirl, he told her.
The smile she flicked him was all bravery and iron will. It caused his heart to skip a damned beat. And either he was seeing things that werent there or butterflies were actually floating around her head. Squirrels sat at her feet, as well, and birds picked at the grass around her. All of them were watching her, as though waiting for her attention.
Surely he was hallucinating. Which meant he was even worse off than hed thought. Since he knew he wouldnt be able to read the numbers on his phone, he told Olivia what to dial.
Ringing, she said, and pressed the device to his ear.
Torin, he said after his friend answered. Follow signal. Come getus.
He didnt hear the warriors reply. A darkness very similar to what hed suffered inside that crypt closed around him, and this time, he could only welcome it.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
AFTER OLIVIA TORE a strip of cloth from the bottom of her robe and wrapped it around Aerons shoulder, she withdrew one of the blades from the sheath anchored to his ankle. I will protect him. No matter the actions necessary. Just as hed done for her. She crouched in front of him, waiting for his friends to arrive. Or Hunters. If anyone besides a Lord approached, she wouldnt hesitate to attack.
Never had she felt more like a warrior, more confident in herself, yet more afraidfor the man beside her. Hed taken bullets before; shed seen him. Hed been stabbed, beaten and cut with knives and arrows. Yet he hadnt reacted like this. He hadnt gone pallid, hadnt moaned and trembled. Hadnt continued to bleed and weaken.
Minute after minute passed, and there was no change in him. Where in heavens name were those Lords? They had better hurry, and not just for Aerons sake. If they waited too long, dusk would arrive and Scarlet would awaken. And she would be very, very angry.
No one would survive.
At least that tempting voice had shut up the moment shed left the fortress, and stopped urging her to do those vilewonderfulthings. Hardly a silver lining, though. Nothing was. The animals were even now crowding through the flowers and bushes, perhaps drawing the attention of passersby. Trying to get closer to her? Or Aeron? She didnt remember them ever approaching Aeron before, but couldnt figure out why the squirrels, rabbits, birds, cats and even a dog would seek her.
Scat, she whispered, not wanting them hurt if a fight did, in fact, break out.
They didnt budge. No, they inched closer. To her. So she was the draw. Why?
You have to leave now
A twig snapped, quieting her.
The dog growled and the cats hissed, but none ran away. They crouched, ready to leap into attack.
Her lips pressed together, every muscle in her body freezing. She even stopped breathing. Who was here? Lords? Or Hunters? The hand holding the blade trembled. For Aeron, she thought, readying like the animals. She was suddenly glad theyd stubbornly stayed with her.
Two men stepped past the foliage and at first, she didnt recognize them. She was too prepped, too determined to save this man sheloved? But just as she launched herself at one of them, the dog sprang forward, beating her to the target.
Ow! Get off me, you mangy mutt, he gritted out.
She recognized the voiceWilliambut didnt lower her blade in time, her momentum too swift. Just before contact, a hard hand wrapped around her wrist, jerking her to the side before stilling her.
Whoa, there, Liv, he said with a laugh. His voice was familiar, too. Paris. I can call you Liv, right? Drop the blade for me, yes?
Relief pounded through her, and she released the weapon.
Now tell this mutt to let go! William shouted.
Theyre friends of mine, she told the dog. Im safe now.
The dog removed its teeth from Williams ankle and each of the animals dashed away as if that was all theyd been waiting for. The assurance of her safety.
What little darlings. Thank you, she called gratefully.
Now that Williams been properly welcomed, Paris said with another laugh, we should get this show on the road. Concern lit his beautiful face when he spied Aeron. He bent down, slid his arms under the still-sleeping warrior and hefted him over his shoulder. How longs he been like this?
Too long.
William limped to Scarlet and did the same, only he cradled her in his arms as if she were a precious treasure. At least I get the pretty package.
Yeah, good luck with her, Paris replied. Id say I got the better end of this deal. Apparently shes possessed by Nightmares.
William rolled his eyes. And thats a bad thing?
If you dont like having your balls handed to you, then yeah, Id say its a bad thing.
Come to Daddy, William said, holding Scarlet all the tighter.
Olivia listened to their banter, head zinging back and forth between them. Enough. There were Hunters here, you know. This is a dangerous location. More than that, somethings wrong with Aeron. I want him in bed.
Sure, sure, William told her with a nod. Weve known that from the beginning. But youre going to have to wait until he wakes up for that kind of sport. When you finish with him, though, Id love a go at you myself. Show you what its like to be with someone who knows what theyre doing, and all that.
Her hands fisted. Did he take nothing seriously?
Were parked over here. Paris jerked his head to the side.
Finally. Lets go.
Together they broke through the bushes, and each man went on alert. In the span of a single second, it was as if they were different people. Hidden, theyd joked with each other and teased her about wanting to bed Aeron. Now, they were soldiers, hardened, capable of anything.
So many times, shed watched the same change overcome Aeron. Until now, she hadnt truly appreciated it.
Aeron. Brave, injured Aeron. When her nine days ticked away and he was taken from her, where would she go? What would she do? She doubted these men would invite her to remain with them. And would she want them to? Aeron would no longer be there, the memory of him taunting her from every corner.
For the second time, Olivia found herself upset with the short amount of time she and Aeron had. Maybe there was a way to save him. Maybe there was a way for them to be together forever. Yes. Surely. Her Deity was the creator of love. Actually, her Deity was love. He would want two people who loved each other to be together. Right?
But she still wasnt sure beyond any doubt that she loved Aeron. Admired him, yes. Was aroused by him and craved his touch, oh, yes. But die in his place? she wondered again. Again, she wasnt sure. Shed given up everything to be with himeverything except her life.
Could she?
Plus, in dying for Aeron, shed have to die for Legion, as well. Because she knew, knew, Aeron wouldnt be happy without the littlebig nowtyrant. And if Aeron was going to live, she wanted him to be happy while doing so. Yet the thought of dying for such a lying, conniving brat didnt settle well.
More than that, Aeron would have to love Olivia. Right now, there was no question that he didnt.
Olivia sighed as she climbed into the SUV. Aeron was laid across the backseat, and she cradled his head in her lap. Paris took the wheel and William flopped into the passenger seat with Scarlet still in his arms. Her first time in a car, something shed looked forward to, but now she didnt care. Her mind whirled.
Death wasnt something shed ever considered for herself. Not really. Shed just always been and had known she would always be. Now she could die. Not to save someone, but just because, say, a car hit her. How did she feel about that? She didnt know. All she knew was that dying, without experiencing everything she wanted, was abhorrent. But afterward? Being without Aeron would be far more so.
Shed seen thousands, millions, of humans die. Not one of those deaths had ever affected her, for they had simply been part of the circle of life. Every beginning had an end. Perhaps thats why she hadnt mourned the thought of ultimately losing Aeron at first. It would be just another death in a long line of deaths shed witnessed.
Now, his was personal. She knew him intimately, had kissed and tasted him. Had experienced the ultimate pleasure with him. She had slept in his arms, curled into his side. He had protected her. He could have climbed inside that casket himself, but he hadnt. Hed placed her inside, ensuring she walked away unscathed rather than himself.
Therefore, hed been willing to die for her. Why? Again, she had no illusions that he loved her.
She heaved another sigh and ran her palm along his scalp. As short as his hair was, the spikes tickled her skin. Later, she would summon Lysander. She would ask him about all of thisand also why hed visited Aeron before. He wouldnt be able to lie to her. And if what he said was bad, destroying her hope for a future with this amazing man, shedwhat? She gulped.
We shouldnt leave Gilly in that apartment, William said suddenly, drawing Olivia from her thoughts. Not with your enemies buzzing around like flies.
One, Aeron needs to get home. Two, shes better off there, disassociated from us. Paris fiddled with the rearview mirror, gaze darting in front of and behind him. The Hunters have no idea
William slapped a hand on the console between them. I beg to differ, Sex. They knew about Scarlet, and what contact have we had with her? Almost none. How much have we had with Gilly? Too much. And with Rhea on Team Dumbness, we cant leave Gilly out there on her own. Besides, Aeron is immortal. Hell keep. So again, we cant leave her out there on her own.
Shit. Youre right.
I always am.
Well pick her up on the way to the fortress.
Shell be at school, William said, and Paris cursed as he made an illegal turn, the tires squealing.
Olivia thought about complaining. She wanted Aeron safe and doctored as soon as possible, but the men were right. Gilly was human and needed protecting.
Shit, Paris repeated. Shes at the American International School of Budapest, and its located in the Nagykovácsi Campus. I think. Pretty good distance weve gotta go.
Worth it.
There was an odd tenderness in Williams voice when he spoke about the girl. She was too young for him, though. Too young for any of the men at the fortress. If Olivia had to warn the warrior away, he wouldnt like her methods. Theyd involve a knife and a small plastic bag.
Embracing the warrior life you once so easily discarded?
I doubt that shell be happy to see us, Paris said.
Speak for yourself. Anya says she has a crush on me. William sounded proud about that.
Shes just a child, Olivia reminded him. And I dont care if Im considered a warrior or not, I really will borrow one of Aerons knives.
William twisted in his seat to face her, hardly disturbing Scarlet at all. His lips were lifting in a naughty grin. I know that, but when it comes to my appeal, youll find that age doesnt matter. Gender, either. Im irresistible.
What are your intentions toward her?
He rolled his eyes. I have no intentions. I like to be admired, and she likes to admire me. Thats the extent of it.
Good. Olivia didnt hear a lie in his voice. Still. She wasnt taking any chances. Not with Gillys well-being. Shes led a difficult life. Her moms husbanddid things to her. Perhaps she shouldnt be spilling Gillys secrets, but she knew how the memories festered inside the girl. Finally bringing them into the light could be the first step to healing. She told her mom, but the woman refused to believe her. Even accused her of trying to destroy her new, wonderful life.