Darkness Returns

by Alexandra Ivy

  “Easy, amigo,” the Were murmured.

  Chiron dug his fingers in his friend’s arm, his horrified gaze on Lilah. “Stop her,” he rasped.

  “She’s not leaving,” Ulric tried to soothe, as if afraid Chiron’s mind had been compromised by his sunbathing session.

  “She’s going to break the spell,” he croaked.

  There was a flutter of wings as Levet abruptly appeared from one of the tunnels.

  “What spell?” the gargoyle demanded.

  Chiron ignored him, cursing his weakness. There was no way he was going to be able to reach Lilah before she did something stupid. “The one that’s going to kill her.”

  The words had barely left his lips when there was the faint sound of a pop. Everyone froze as the air in the cavern grew heavy. Like the ominous pressure right before a thunderstorm.

  Lilah made a strangled sound, her head tilted back as if she was capable of seeing something that was hidden from the rest of them. Then her hair suddenly stirred, although Chiron couldn’t detect a breeze.

  “Mon Dieu.” Levet shuffled forward, his own gaze locked on the ceiling.

  “What is it?” Ulric demanded, his voice thick with the power of his wolf.

  The danger prickling in the air had them all on edge.

  Levet’s tail twitched. “Something’s coming. Something…powerful.”

  Chiron grimly tried to take a step forward. If Riven thought he could harm Lilah, the merman was going to have to go through him.

  Refusing to acknowledge he could barely stand, let alone fight a mysterious fey creature, Chiron took another step. Nothing was going to stop him.

  A brave goal, but it turned out to be a waste of effort as a blast of frigid power rocked through the cavern. Chiron flew backward, landing against the wall with enough force to break a couple of ribs.

  Shit. They’d just healed.

  He groaned, lifting his groggy head to peer around. Ulric was next to him, clearly knocked out. On the other side, Levet was already on his feet, wiping dust from stubby horns.

  “Stupid vampires,” the tiny creature groused.

  Chiron jerked in shock. The gargoyle was right. That blast of power hadn’t been from a merman. It had been a vampire.

  And he knew which vampire.

  Tarak.

  Lilah had released him from his prison.

  His gaze made a quick survey of the cavern. He didn’t know if his master had actually entered the caves, or if he was somewhere else. Wherever he was, Chiron couldn’t sense him.

  And right now, he wasn’t concerned about Tarak.

  Instead, he was focused completely on Lilah, who was collapsed on the floor next to the altar.

  “Shit.” Not bothering to risk standing, Chiron crawled on his hands and knees across the hard ground. It felt as if it took an eternity before he was at last able to gather her soft body in his arms. “Lilah.”

  He cradled her head in the crook of his elbow, her curls tumbling over his arm. His heart clenched as he recalled the first time he’d caught sight of her.

  She’d been so vibrant. So full of lush, glorious life.

  Now her exquisite face was pale, and ghastly still. A sound of unbearable pain was wrenched from his lips. No fate could be so cruel as to give him a taste of paradise and snatch it away.

  There was the sound of claws scratching against the floor before Levet was standing next to Chiron.

  “What is wrong with her?”

  Chiron instinctively tightened his hold on Lilah, his fingers threading through her silken curls. He didn’t want the creature near his mate. Not when she was weak and vulnerable.

  “A curse,” he rasped.

  Levet gasped in surprise. “Why would you curse her?”

  “Not me, you idiot.” He lifted his head to glare at the aggravating demon. “A merman cursed her.”

  “Ah.” Levet wrinkled his tiny snout. “Merfolk are tricky creatures. And that Inga is the worst.” He planted his fists on his hips, his tail twitching. “Did you know she locked me in the dungeon? And then—”

  “Not now,” Chiron snapped.

  Levet sniffed. “You are a crabby pants after a morning in the sun.”

  Chiron released a furious roar. If he hadn’t had Lilah in his arms, he would have reached out and ripped off the gargoyle’s head. “My mate is dying.”

  Seemingly unaware that he was stomping on Chiron’s last nerve, Levet leaned forward to sniff Lilah. “She is your mate?”

  Chiron bared his fangs. Yep. He was definitely killing the gargoyle.

  “We didn’t complete the ceremony. But yes, she belongs to me,” he warned in a harsh voice.

  Levet furrowed his brow. “Then why don’t you just finish it?”

  Chiron glared at the gargoyle in confusion. “What are you babbling about?”

  Levet spoke slowly and concisely, as if Chiron was too thick-skulled to understand simple words. “Complete. The. Mating. Ceremony.”

  Chiron stared at the gargoyle in amazement. How the hell had he survived for so long?

  “I swear, I am going to rip you apart limb by limb,” he finally managed to choke out.

  Levet spread his arms, the flap of his wings stirring the loose dirt that covered the floor. “Are all vampires so ignorant of curses?”

  Chiron swallowed his infuriated words, studying his companion with a sudden sense of urgency. There was something in Levet’s voice that suggested he knew something Chiron didn’t. Something that might save Lilah. “What do you know about them?”

  Levet pointed toward Lilah, who was no longer breathing because her life was being sucked away by the dark magic.

  “The curse bound her to Riven.”

  Panic thundered through Chiron. They were running out of time. He had to find some way to break the curse in the next few seconds or she was going to die.

  “I know that,” he rasped.

  Perhaps sensing Chiron’s pounding fear, Levet’s expression softened with compassion.

  “Once you complete your mating, it will break the curse,” he said, managing to avoid his usual snide comment. “She can’t be bound to two different creatures.”

  A faint hope stirred in Chiron’s heart. It made sense. A mating created a bond that was soul deep. It overrode any loyalty to clan or family. And it was unbreakable.

  Still, Levet was right when he claimed Chiron didn’t know a damn thing about curses.

  “You’re sure?” he demanded.

  Levet waved his hands in a dramatic motion. “Love triumphs hate. Everyone knows that.”

  Chiron hesitated. He didn’t fully trust the idiotic gargoyle, but what did he have to lose? Bending down, he gently brushed Lilah’s curls away from her face. Her skin was already growing cool to the touch. Shit. His terror charged through him with enough force to make it difficult to think. Thankfully, his most primitive instincts knew exactly what to do.

  His fangs lengthened, and with lightning speed, he slashed his teeth across his wrist. Blood spurted and ran down his fingers. Quickly, he used his thumb to part Lilah’s lips before he allowed the thick liquid to drip into her mouth.

  The exchange of blood was all that was needed to complete the mating ceremony.

  For what seemed like an eternity, she remained motionless in his arms, her body limp. Refusing to dwell on her fading heartbeat, Chiron instead allowed the blood to continue to fill her mouth. It was the sudden heat that burned a path up his inner forearm that made his unbeating heart leap with hope. He didn’t need to look to know there was a crimson tattoo appearing on his skin. It was the mating mark. A visible symbol that he was claimed by Lilah.

  At the same time, he heard her draw in a shallow breath. She was returning to him. Bless the goddess.

  Releasing a choked sound of joy, Chiron bent his head to place his lips against her forehead. Her skin was still cool, but he could already feel it starting to warm.

  Minutes passed before Lilah finally gave a small cough, then reached
up to touch his face. “Chiron?”

  Lifting his head, he stared down at her with a sense of massive relief. Nothing had ever been more beautiful than the sight of her bright, fully focused eyes.

  “Don’t ever do that again,” he chided in a harsh voice.

  She blinked, her brow furrowed with confusion. “The curse…”

  “It is broken.” Levet intruded into their tender moment, bending over Lilah with a wide smile. “You may thank me later.”

  “You?” Chiron growled.

  “You would have sat here and watched her die if it was not for me,” Levet insisted. “I am once again the hero.”

  As if trying to avoid the inevitable battle, Lilah smoothed her fingers down Chiron’s throat.

  “What about your master?” she questioned. “The barrier is down. He should be free.”

  Chiron shrugged. “I felt his power, but I’m not sure where he is.”

  “You should go look for him.”

  “Later,” Chiron said. As much as he wanted to ensure that Tarak was free and hopefully sane, he was far more concerned with taking care of his mate. “I’m not leaving your side until I’m certain you’re fully recovered.”

  “Okay,” she agreed, then, with a small frown, she studied her arm. The sleeve of her robe had fallen down to reveal the crimson tattoo that scrolled from her inner wrist to her elbow. “What’s this?”

  The joy that had been muted when he feared for Lilah’s life exploded through him. He had his mate. And she was the most glorious creature he could ever have imagined.

  “I’ll explain when we’re someplace private.” Keeping her wrapped tightly in his arms, Chiron rose to his feet. He was going to find a dark, quiet spot where they could spend the day in peace. Pausing, he glanced over his shoulder at Ulric, who was loudly snoring. Thankfully, the Were’s skull was thick enough to withstand a few knocks. He would no doubt wake with a headache, but he would be fine. “You stay here and watch over Ulric.”

  Levet scowled. “Why moi?”

  Chiron ignored the question, heading toward a nearby tunnel with Lilah cradled against his chest.

  There’d been one barrier after another separating him from his mate. For the foreseeable future, he intended to savor the knowledge that nothing would ever stand between them again.

  Chapter 20

  Lilah sensed that darkness was spreading over the swamp despite the fact that they were in a small cave that was far enough belowground to block out any stray bits of sunlight. It was in the stillness of the air, and the enthusiasm with which Chiron had just made love to her. He was a nocturnal creature, which meant he did his best work at night.

  And his best was fabulous.

  Releasing a sigh of utter satisfaction, Lilah rubbed her hand over the crimson tattoo that ran the length of his inner arm. Currently, they were snuggled in the corner of the cave, where they’d spent the day sleeping and recovering from their mutual brushes with death.

  When she’d awakened, Chiron had explained that it had been the completion of their mating that had destroyed Riven’s curse. He claimed that love conquered all. Right now, Lilah believed him.

  “Yep, they’re still there,” she breathed.

  Chiron brushed his lips over her damp forehead. Because she wasn’t a vampire, their energetic sex had left her hot and flushed and dripping with sweat. Chiron, on the other hand, looked like he was ready for a GQ photo shoot.

  “What’s still there?” he asked.

  “Fireworks.”

  He lifted his head, studying her with a searching gaze. “I’m afraid to ask.”

  “The first time you kissed me, I felt fireworks,” Lilah told him, her voice soft at the memory.

  It seemed a lifetime ago, and in some ways, it was. They’d both changed. Chiron had found…and lost…his master. Finally, he could purge the guilt that had festered inside him like poison. And she was slowly regaining the memories that had been stolen from her.

  And, of course, the biggest change of all. Her fingers continued to stroke his tattoo.

  “Did you think the fireworks were a fluke?” he demanded.

  “Well, we’re an old mated pair now,” she teased. “I was afraid the magic might be gone.”

  He pretended to be outraged by her words, his hands skimming over her naked body.

  “The magic will never be gone.”

  She shivered. His touch was cool, but it heated her blood until it felt like lava was flowing through her veins.

  “Is that a promise?”

  “I’m mated to a witch,” he rasped, lowering his head to scrape the tip of his fang down the side of her neck. Lilah groaned. She loved the feel of him feeding from her. It was intoxicating. “Fireworks and magic are guaranteed.”

  “Mmm.” She tangled her fingers in the soft silk of his hair. “It still feels like a dream.”

  He kissed a path over the upper curve of her breast. “Because you can’t believe your astonishing luck in having a gorgeous, successful, highly intelligent vampire as your mate?”

  She chuckled. There was nothing wrong with this male’s ego. “Something like that.”

  “Why does it feel like a dream?” he demanded, using the tip of his tongue to trace the line of her collarbone.

  “I thought I would be alone forever,” she whispered, as if she said the words too loud she would wake to find Chiron was gone. “That I would be isolated here until I died.”

  Easily sensing her lingering fear, Chiron wrapped her tightly in his arms and pressed a kiss on the top of her head.

  “You’re free now,” he assured her. “No barrier, no curse, and no damned ogress wiping away your memories.”

  She snuggled against him, absorbing the icy power that pulsed around him. It made her feel protected. As if nothing could harm her as long as she was in his arms.

  “Thank the goddess, I never want to forget you,” she murmured.

  He stroked his lips over her forehead. “No danger of that. As soon as you’re fully healed, I intend to take you around the world to visit our hotels and casinos. I want the staff to admire my exquisite taste in choosing a mate, plus I want your input on how we can improve the Dreamscape Resorts.”

  Lilah sucked in a startled breath. “Seriously?”

  He lifted his head, his expression puzzled. As if he was confused by her astonishment.

  “We’re partners now. Right?”

  Pleasure exploded through her. It was one thing to accept that this astonishing, wonderful male was now her mate. And that he seemingly adored her beyond all reason. That was biology. Splendid biology. But his eagerness to include her in his business revealed a respect for her talents in running her hotel.

  That touched her in a way that made her feel oddly vulnerable.

  She flushed, unable to put into words her tumultuous emotions. Instead, she turned her attention to the problems that still lurked outside the small, secluded cave.

  “Yes, but—”

  He dropped a quick kiss on her lips, interrupting her protest. “No buts.”

  “Bossy,” she chided, refusing to be silenced. “But what about Tarak?”

  “Ulric is on his trail,” he reminded her. “No one, not even a vampire, can stay hidden from a pureblooded Were. He’ll have Tarak safely brought back here before we leave.”

  Lilah could only trust that Chiron was right. Poor Tarak had endured enough suffering. She hated the thought he might be out there, lost and confused.

  “And Inga?” she demanded. “We can’t leave her trapped forever.”

  He scowled. “Why not?”

  Pain sliced through her heart at the thought of her devoted companion. She hadn’t wanted to hurt the older female but had to protect her mate.

  “Chiron, she’s no guiltier than I am. We both were responsible for imprisoning your master,” she reminded him. “In fact, I’m worse. Inga was manipulated into agreeing to help Riven. I did it out of pure vanity.”

  His scowl deepened, but staring dow
n at her stubborn expression, he clearly realized she wasn’t going to budge.

  “Fine, we’ll decide what to do with your nanny.” His head started to lower. “Later.”

  Well aware that once he started kissing her, she would become lost in a world of sensual pleasure, she placed a hand in the center of his chest.

  “But—”

  He made a sound of frustration. “Another but?”

  “I haven’t used my magic in a very long time,” she reminded him. “I can’t guarantee the spell will hold for the entire night.”

  It took a full minute for Chiron to leash the desire that Lilah could see smoldering in his eyes. Then, with one fluid movement, he was on his feet.

  “I’ll find someone to keep an eye on her,” he told her, a wicked expression on his face. “And I know the perfect demon.”

  Lilah sat up, watching as he headed toward the entrance. “Chiron?”

  “Don’t move from that spot,” he commanded. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Where are you going?”

  He flashed a smile filled with lots of fang. “To kill two birds with one stone.”

  * * * *

  “Why moi?” Levet groused, glaring at the vampire who was regarding him with an arrogant expression.

  Night had fallen, but even as Levet had prepared to head into the swamps to enjoy a few hours with a lovely water sprite, Chiron had grabbed him by the horn and carried him back to the hotel. They hadn’t halted until they were in a strange room filled with paintings. As well as a large ogress who was standing as still as a statue next to the window. It had taken a few minutes to realize Inga was being held by a web of magic.

  Then, Chiron had commanded that Levet stand guard, as if he had nothing better to do.

  “What’s your problem?” the vampire demanded.

  “I do not want to guard the ogress,” Levet protested, pointing a claw toward Inga. “I do not even like her.”

  “Tough,” Chiron said with a rude lack of sympathy. “Ulric is busy hunting for Tarak.”

  Levet wasn’t impressed by his explanation. “And why can you not stand as a guard?”

  A slow, smugly satisfied smile curved Chiron’s lips. “I have more important matters demanding my attention.”