For a moment, she was at a loss for words. Every time she thought she had things figured out, something else popped up to surprise her. “Can you tell me anything else?” She tried to hide the hope in her voice. “Maybe how all this goes down?”
Gwen cast her gaze to Aidyn then back to her. “I’ll not lie. I know that you will save Seth and he will assist in your transformation. I don’t know if you survive. I can only see your body in flames.” Sympathy filled her brown eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
So was she. She knew there was a chance she wouldn’t survive, but hearing this only slammed it home.
“Katie?”
“Huh?” Strong hands gripped her arm and she realized Aidyn was speaking to her.
“I have to trust that if you are to save Seth then you will survive. If your mating is completed and you were to die, it would destroy him. Losing you makes no sense.”
Gwen nodded. “What he says is true, I just wish I could give you a definite answer.”
She cleared her throat. “I understand that once immortals are mated, the death of one of them can be detrimental to the other. But, is there a chance Seth would survive should I die?” She looked between the two, waiting. Finally, Aidyn spoke up.
“If you had completed the bond, and if as Gwen predicts it reverses the curse, then it is possible. Though in many cases the survivor chooses to join their deceased mate. It’s why we lost so many during the last war.” He rubbed his chin. “Though you can still bond but not mate. Meaning the mating ceremony will bind you together heart, body and soul. The chances of surviving after that is completed are slim to none.”
Katie stood tall. “I think the first thing is to get my blood in him and see if he will come around. The two of you need to promise me to never tell him of your vision of me going up in flames.” She sucked in a deep breath. “And if I don’t make it, you have to promise to not let him die. My death can’t be in vain.”
“You have my word,” Aidyn replied.
The cell door opened and a woman walked through. Seth picked up his head to study her and recognition hit.
Katie.
The redhead turned to look behind her. “Lock the door and don’t come back until later.” The gate slammed shut and they were left staring at each other.
“Are you here to feed me?” he snarled. The need to have her gone pulsed through his veins. He would show her his darkest side if need be, even though he hated like hell that this would be the way she would last remember him.
She tipped her head and blue eyes flashed at him. “I’m here to save your sorry ass.” Her gaze narrowed and she thrust her hands on her hips. “If you think you can fool me into leaving you, then you’ve got another think coming mister.” She stepped closer. “How dare you! I need you to help me so I can set events in motion. If you want to drop out of the picture then you do it after you meet your obligations.”
“You are as crazy as I am.”
She raised her chin. “You bet your fucking ass I am. We make the perfect pair. Now, you gonna play by my rules?”
He let a slow smile curl upward and his fangs dropped. “You should fear me, because once I get my hands on you I will relish pinning you down while I take every last drop of your blood. Your body will be left here on the concrete floor to grow cold while I gain strength.” He laughed. “Do you really wish to unleash my thirst on the world?”
The voices started chanting. Kill her. Kill her. One rose above the others and demanded silence then whispered, Lure her in. You can finally have what you desire.
Yes, yes he could and for once he had to agree. His hunger twisted his gut into a burning knot. He licked his lips. “Very well. Come closer and I will let you save my sorry ass.”
She took a hesitant step and her fear slammed into him causing saliva to fill his mouth. He remained still, had to allow her to come to him then he could pounce. He would have to be quick because he was sure this was all a trick, but maybe he could use her to bargain his way out.
Their gazes never left each other and before he knew it she was within reach. He grabbed her arm, swung her around and jerked her to his chest. His cock stiffened when her tight ass brushed against him. He pushed her hair aside and exposed the silky flesh of her neck. He wanted to sink his fangs, instead he kissed the soft skin and she moaned, which caused him to harden further.
He suckled, taking care to bring the smaller vein closer to the surface all while the dark one screamed in his head to hurt her. He managed to hang onto the small thin scrap of sanity he had left and fight back. When he could stand it no longer, he pressed his fangs against her skin and let them slide into her vein. Sweet strawberries coated his tongue, then the back of his throat. His gut rumbled as the nectar reached it and his cock throbbed.
He’d never tasted anything so intoxicating in his entire existence. Even the voices sighed in relief at finally being fed. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her firm to him. His mind hardly registered the moans that escaped her as her body experienced orgasm.
Her blood continued to flow, brought strength to weakened muscles. She struggled against his hold, but he pinned her in place not wanting to give up her taste. It was better than the addicts he had drank from and much more preferable to the blade he’d substituted in its place.
Realization smacked him, her heartbeat weakened and images of Vivian lying dead on the ground assaulted his memories, yet he still drank. Then something zinged through him and his body tingled. He lost his grip and Katie shoved herself away and turned to face him, blue eyes glared. Blood still trickled down her neck from the twin punctures and he wiped his hand across his mouth. Then dawning.
He’d tried to kill his mate.
Chapter Nineteen
“Well I’d like to say that was fun but...” Oh, who the hell was she kidding? “Okay, I can’t lie. It was until you tried to kill me.” Katie reached up to touch her throat and wipe away the blood. The orgasm had been off the Richter scale and she was positive every immortal within twenty miles heard her. Not that she cared.
Seth stared at her with horror in his eyes then the mask changed to raw anger. “Are you stupid?”
“Well, love you too.”
He snarled. His muscles bunched under the black tee he wore and the bindings that held him in place snapped. Katie took a step backward, never had she seen him look fiercer. She held up her hand.
“I’ll zap your ass again if I have to.”
“That’s what that was?” He was to her in two steps and grabbed her by the waist before he flashed them from the cell.
Katie’s head swam when they reappeared back in the main room upstairs. The chatter grew silent as several people looked at them, mouths gaping. Seth released her and marched to where Aidyn stood and got in his face.
“You fucking put my mate in harm’s way,” he spat.
Aidyn never flinched, only met his stare head on. “Can I assume it worked? Though I must admit I didn’t expect her to release you this fast.”
Katie cleared her throat. “Not me, he broke free.”
That caused Aidyn’s mouth to fall open. “Really? Her blood gave you the ability to free yourself from a bond that would leave the rest of us helpless?”
Seth flexed his fists at his side. Katie feared he’d do something stupid so she moved in next to him. Placed a hand on his arm and he appeared to relax, slightly. “Seth, don’t do something you’ll regret later. I was the one who insisted on this and there was nothing he or anyone here could do to stop me.”
He jerked free of her. “You should have left it alone.” He turned his fury back to Aidyn. “You should have taken my head and left me to finally be in peace.” He flashed from the room, but his anger still clung to the air.
“Wow, what the hell just happened?” Katie asked.
“I’d say he was worse off than we thought. I knew he wanted to die, but I thought once you gave him your blood he would come around.” Aidyn sighed. “I have to assume it worked, but to wha
t extent I’ve no idea. Tell me exactly what happened down there.” He motioned to a chair at the conference table.
Katie hesitated. “I should go after him.”
Aidyn shook his head. “I need to know what happened first.”
She took a seat and the others moved in to settle in their own. All of them held a look of concern. It was evident they worried for their comrade.
“Not much really. I offered my blood and he took it, but I did have to zap him. He wasn’t going to let me go and I was growing weak. I don’t think he had control over himself. Once I was free he seemed to come back to his senses, grabbed me and that’s when we showed up here.” She leaned back. “Oh, he snapped those restraints like they were rubber-bands.”
Marcus rubbed his chin. “Interesting. I’m going to guess your goddess blood is more powerful than most.”
Aidyn nodded. “Indeed. I doubt any of the rest of us could break those.”
Katie crossed her legs and jiggled her foot. Her nerves were shot and time was running out. Heat crept through her blood and a migraine threatened. “What now?”
“We search for him,” Aidyn replied. “Problem is, he has gone off grid again and I can’t link to him.”
She rubbed her temples. “Fucking great. When you locate him, I have a desire to kick his ass into next week. In the meantime, I need to lay down for a bit.”
Gwen jumped up. “Let me take you to one of the guest rooms.”
“Thanks.”
She followed Gwen through the sterile corridor. “Tell me, is this how your vision went?”
The woman shook her head, her darks curls bounced. “No, but I didn’t really see much. Only that you were the one to save him.”
Katie sighed. “But not that he would save me.”
Gwen opened a door and flipped on a light switch. A floor lamp in the corner lit to reveal a bed, couch, flat screen and a small table. It was by no means elegant, but it was clean and the bed called her name.
“I’m so sorry. I’m positive once he’s had some time, he’ll be back.”
She threw on her best fake smile. “I’m sure you’re right. I think a shower and a nap will do me some good.”
“I’ll leave you.” Gwen pulled her into a hug. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks again.”
Gwen headed out and closed the door behind her. Katie decided she was too tired to shower and crawled into bed. Later, she told herself, she’d clean up. She curled up under the covers and didn’t bother with removing her clothes. If she had to venture a guess, the blood loss was making her tired. She closed her eyes and tried to conjure visions of Seth. Wished his warmth were next to her so she could curl into him. It was crazy to want him so badly, especially when he seemed to fight his desire for her every step of the way. Maybe after a nap and shower she’d go searching for him if he hadn’t come back yet.
Seth sat with his elbows on the bar and listened to the two drunks behind him argue over who was cheating who at pool. His head pounded and since he didn’t get headaches he knew it must be Katie’s. Anger still radiated off him that they had interfered. He’d been ready to leave this world. Had enough of fighting with his own internal enemies every second of every day. Granted, his mind had been quiet since he’d drunk her blood and while it should make him happy it didn’t.
He set his glass on the scratched up wooden bar. “Another.” He wished he could drown his sorrows in alcohol, but unlike the humans surrounding him it wasn’t possible. Now that the voices had vanished, the pain of Garin’s death haunted him even more.
I would give up my sanity and my life if it would bring you back, my friend.
The bartender grabbed the bottle of whiskey and filled his glass. She didn’t speak, but he could imagine his mood was evident. “Don’t fuck with me” was written all over his face. When he’d entered through the front door of the tiny hole in the wall, people had rushed to get out of his way. He just needed to be alone and his brethren would never search a wooden shack of a bar in the remote hills of South Dakota. Only the bottom of the barrel came here and if someone was itching for a fight, Seth was in the mood to provide it. It was also a place where he and Garin had spent much time together. They never had to speak a word to understand how the other had felt.
“Thought you might be here.”
“Son of a bitch.” Seth turned to meet the golden gaze of Baal who’d sidled up next to him. “Demon, you’re a damn pest.”
Baal flashed a wicked smile. “I aim to please.”
“Can I get you something?” The gal behind the bar stared at Baal like she wanted to lick him from head to toe. It was the typical reaction most Kothar men received.
“Sweet cheeks! You must be new here,” Baal replied.
“I started last week.”
“Well then, we’ll have to get better acquainted, but in the meantime I’ll have whatever’s on tap.”
“Coming right up.” She moved off to grab a glass.
“Charming. If you want to fuck the bartender, you can move to the other end,” Seth growled.
“You want her?”
He pinned the demon with a death glare. “Get serious. How did you find me anyway?”
Baal snorted. “I thought of the most remote place I’d go for a drink and here I am. Do you think you’re the only one who has ever wanted to escape reality?” He looked up and thanked the bartender who set his mug of beer in front of him then took a long pull. “Question is. Why you here? You’ve got a woman back home and can I assume you’re feeling better now?”
Was he? That seemed to be the big debatable question. “I just lost my best friend and I haven’t a clue who I am anymore.”
Baal sucked back half his beer. “I’m sorry about Garin, he was a good man. Tell me, have the voices left?”
Seth swirled the copper liquid in his glass, wishing he could drown in it. “They have.”
“Then what’s the fucking problem? I get you lost a friend, hell we all have in our long miserable lives.”
He felt the demon’s gaze burning a hole into him, but kept his eyes on the mirror behind the bar. His reflection stared back at him. “I don’t know how to be normal anymore. I’ve lived for thousands of years and I was ready to leave.”
“Even after meeting Katie?”
Seth sucked back his drink. “She would do any man proud, but I don’t deserve a woman like her and gods knows she deserves better than me.”
Baal tipped back his mug and drained it before setting it down and pointing a finger at the empty glasses. “Cupcake. Another round here.” The girl smiled and grabbed clean glasses. Poured whiskey into one and a draft into the other then set them on the bar. Picked up the dirty ones and walked away.
“Seems to me that fate decided you were good enough for her so maybe you should stop fighting.” Baal sipped his beer then wiped the foam from his mouth. “You love her?”
Seth stared into his glass. “I think so, but how can I be sure when I’m not even sure I’m sane?” When had he started falling for her? There was a spark of interest when he’d saved her that night on the docks. When he’d taken her in Egypt he’d lost another piece of his heart. Would he be able to give her all of it? Truth be told, it scared the shit out of him.
“I think what we need is to tie one on and then I need to fuck that bartender,” Baal announced snapping Seth back to reality.
Seth simply shook his head. “You ever get tired of jumping from one bed to another? Oh, and in case you have forgotten, drunkenness is impossible for us.”
Baal reached in the pocket of his black leather jacket. “To answer question one. No, I thought you knew by now I am a man whore. Two.” He produced a small packet with a couple of tiny purple pills. “Our good friend the voodoo priestess has made a concoction that will allow us to enjoy alcohol the same as a human.”
He raised a brow. “What will that woman come up with next?”
Baal waved a little purple pill in front of Seth. �
��Care to give it a try?”
Seth held out his hand. “Why not. I’m used to torturing myself. This could be fun.” Hadn’t he just wished to drown his sorrows? The demon was becoming a close friend so he held out his hand and let Baal drop the pill in his palm. Seth swallowed it followed by a whiskey chaser. “How long does this last?”
“Three hours after you drink your last one.” Baal flashed a wicked smile. “Let’s close this place down.”
Lowan and Chaval strode through the rock corridor, blood coated their clothing and dripped from their weapons, but the Dark Lord wore a smile. “Chaval, we may have been hit hard, but taking the head off that guardian made every second I have been trapped in Hell worth it. Tell me. Were you aware of what Raven was when you brought her to me?”
Chaval gave him a sideways glance. “A Satan worshipper.”
“Ah, but she is much more than that. She’s my ticket into the human realm.” He stopped and turned to face his servant. “She is a virgin and chosen to serve me. Do you know what that means?”
Chaval tipped his head in thought. “I’m sorry, my lord. I’m afraid I don’t.”
“My good man, an offering of a virgin as a sacrifice to the gods brings great power. Already her blood courses through me and I can feel my body pulsing with so much power it’s like I’ve been struck by lightning and the voltage is ready to be unleashed. When I take her virginity tonight, there will be nothing to stop me.”
The demon showed no emotion. “This is a good thing then.”
“Yes, it is and once we are in the human realm you will round up all of these devil worshippers and bring them to meet their new king.”
“As you wish, my lord.” Chaval bowed.
Lowan continued his trek back to his suite, anxious to bathe and take the virginity of the fair Raven. When he entered his room, she was there to greet him wearing only a red, silk robe. The fabric against her tan skin and black hair made a stark contrast. Her eyes were lined with heavy black liner and lips the color of ripe, red cherries.
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