He gave her a funny look. “What? You kicking me out already?”
She slid her arms around his neck and gazed up at him. “No. I simply mean that you’re a warrior and I know how much fighting means to you. You’re needed so you should go and help.”
He pulled her close, his arms around her waist. “And what will you be doing?”
“I plan to visit a certain god and do some snooping. Something tells me there is more that I can learn. Maybe something to help us.” She rested her head on his chest and listened to the sound of his heartbeat. “I need to find out why my father hasn’t risen yet.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I would like to go and see what’s going on. Are you sure though? I mean, aren’t we what you call newlyweds?”
She leaned back and planted a kiss on his lips. “Yes, but we’ll meet up later. I guess there are some things we should discuss too like where we will live?”
“I don’t care, as long as it makes you happy. Gods knows you deserve it after all you’ve been through.” He kissed her. “I’ll go now, but keep communication open so I know you’re safe.”
She smiled. “I will.” He vanished and she suddenly felt cold without him.
Don’t fret, baby. I’ll always be with you no matter how far apart we are.
A surge of love swept over her and at that moment she realized just how lucky she was. I love you too. Then she flashed to where Argathos would be.
The god lounged on a brown leather sofa watching a sixty-inch flat screen in only a pair of faded jeans. His brow quirked up and he stared at her.
“I expected you sooner.” He pointed to the other end of the couch as he sat up.
“Really? I didn’t know you were expecting me at all, but then again I understand you are the god of vision.” She plopped down on the supple leather.
“That I am and you seek answers.” He flashed white fangs.
“Well since you know why I’m here then you can save both of us some time by not making me ask the questions.”
He shrugged. “I suppose. You want to know who we are and where we came from.”
She sat back and crossed her legs. Suddenly realized she was still in her gown, but whatever. “I’m dying to hear the story.”
He sighed. “You made a beautiful bride today.”
She studied him and realized he seemed sad. “Why do I sense these ceremonies don’t make you happy?”
“Oh, I’m happy for all involved.” He looked away and stared across the room at nothing. “I had a wife once and I’m reminded of how lonely I am.”
“What happened to her?”
“She was killed.”
Katie sucked in a breath. “I’m so sorry. It was the war, wasn’t it?” She chewed her bottom lip. “I’ve been given all these memories, but I can’t make sense of everything.”
He rose and walked to the archway that led outside. Spread his arms to press his palms against the wall and stretched. Even mated, Katie appreciated every muscle that flexed along his spine.
“Yes, it was the war. A fight for all of our lives. We once lived in a different solar system. Our home was called Vandeldor.”
“Oh. Then that’s why the guardians’ realm holds that name?”
He looked over his shoulder at her. “Yes.” He sighed and turned, headed back to a chair opposite where she sat. “There were two classes of people. Those like us who held great power and those who were weaker and had either little or no power. They were considered commoners and many were enslaved to those more powerful. Most of us treated the commoners with kindness and they wanted for nothing. We didn’t agree with differentiating between us and them.” He tapped his finger on the arm of the chair.
“The war started over a marriage to a slave. I fell in love with Brianna and made her my wife. There were those who thought she was beneath my station and slit her throat while I was away.”
Katie brought her hand to her mouth. “Oh, dear. Didn’t you see what would happen?”
He curled his lip. “Love is blind no matter who you are.” He stared at the floor. “Our people were separated, brethren fought brethren. Zarek and your father were the most powerful among those on my side, yet we lost your father. In the end, our home was destroyed and the only survivors are the gods you see here today.” He looked back at her, his eyes cold as death. “We vowed when we came here that the life we created would be given free will. It is also why we have the rule to never raise arms against each other again lest an entire race should cease to exist because of someone’s arrogance. It was also why Zarek created the guardians. Everything must be balanced. You can’t have good without evil and we knew the scum of the universe would eventually end up here. They will always be where we reside.”
Her mind was numb. “Wow. I...umm.”
He held up his hand. “There is a lot to soak up. Let this sink in for now.”
She rubbed her temples. “I feel overwhelmed. I thought it was bad enough there were demons, but to find out there are beings who can shift into dragons and a bird of fire and–Oh, why does everyone have fangs and drink blood?”
He chuckled. “Blood is the essence of life and holds great power. It’s also what we were all created with...fangs, that is.”
She stood and smoothed her dress. “I can’t thank you enough, but one more thing.”
“No, there are some things even I can’t see. I have no idea the outcome of this battle, but it was what your mate and his brethren were created for. I am confident they will prevail.”
At least that made her feel somewhat better, but there was one question that hadn’t been addressed. “Why has my father not risen? Did I miss a step?” Argathos stared at her until she wanted to fidget, but she refrained.
“Your father has already begun to stir, but it will take him some time to fully awaken. Even then he will not be able to reveal himself.”
“What? Why? I mean he will at least send the demons back to Hell once he’s awake. Right?” Otherwise what was the point of everything they’d been through?
“Not until another close to him makes the ultimate sacrifice. Only then will he be fully reborn and possess all of his power.”
“Oh, for the love of...” She fisted her hands at her side and watched his brows rise. “I don’t suppose you can reveal who and when?”
He rubbed the dark stubble on his face. “I can’t say who and even I don’t know when or if the sacrifice will be made.”
“Well, this is just great. What happens to him if the sacrifice never happens?”
“He will never regain his full power.” He leaned forward, his brows slashed downward. “I will tell you this much. Keep his dagger hidden well. It was that very blade that killed him and I don’t need to tell you what will happen should it fall into the wrong hands. Again.”
She shivered. None of them would be safe from a blade that could end an immortal’s life.
Chapter Thirty
Katie had flashed back to her father’s palace. Changed into a pair of jeans and a yellow tee before she searched for a better hiding place for the dagger. After chatting with the god of vision, she’d decided the best thing to do was never carry the blade again. Hopefully it would stay safe in hiding until her father returned to reclaim it himself.
Next on her list was to go back to the human realm and snoop around. There was nothing said she couldn’t try and figure out who her father was and move things along. She was a goddess after all. It should all be easy stuff. First, she wanted to visit her other father’s grave so she flashed directly to the cemetery. It was already dark and everything was quiet. She’d checked in with Seth and discovered the meetings with the Pope had gone better than expected. Next, the Pope would hold a public broadcast and introduce Aidyn and Gabriel. She gritted her teeth, still wanted to kick the angel’s ass and just might after this mess was all over.
She crossed the path to the gravesite and stopped in front of his headstone. The dirt was still fresh, but the flowers had faded
so she flashed them away and brought in a colorful bouquet of Tulips to place in the vase.
“Poppa, I sure do miss you, but I hope you’re with mom now.” She wasn’t going to cry, instead took in a deep breath. “I married the angel, I know that will make you very happy. I’m also a full-fledged goddess now.” She let out a laugh. “Not that I know any more than I did before, but I’m safe finally.”
“I wouldn’t be so certain of that.”
Katie spun, ready to defend herself and faced the deep voice that spoke from the darkness. What met her gaze was a man taller than any of the guardians she’d met. He moved out of the shadows and stepped under one of the lamps that dotted the cemetery. He was most certainly not human. His black eyes a clear indicator of that.
“Who are you?”
His lips curled into a sinister smile. “Why goddess, let me introduce myself. My name is Lowan and you have something of value to me.”
Seth slipped through the darkness and rounded the back of the next townhouse. At the rate he was going it would take him until morning to mark every home on the street he’d been assigned. Lucan had made it back with the water from the caves and it was decided they would wait until nightfall and try to mark as many homes and churches as possible without being seen. Of course, nothing was mentioned about what people would think should they leave their homes in the daylight and find a bloody cross on their front door. Aidyn had said it didn’t matter where the cross was placed so Seth had tried to put his in an inconspicuous location. At any rate, he doubted many people would be leaving their homes with all the activity going on. Tomorrow, Aidyn would broadcast to the world they were here to save them, but it was going to take a helluva lot more than his blood and that of his brethren's wiped across some aluminum siding to stop the madness.
“How’s it going?” Lucan’s voice flowed out of the darkness before he appeared next to Seth.
“This is never going to work. What we need is a fucking miracle,” Seth snarled.
“I agree. There are not enough of us and well, the last time I looked in the mirror I certainly didn’t fit the image of the humans’ vision of an angel.”
Seth snorted. “You’re more likely to sprout horns than wings. This is going to go down in a real bad way. I can feel it in my bones.”
“What I want to know is where are all Lowan’s henchmen? I haven’t seen a single demon all night.”
Lucan was correct, neither had Seth and it had him worried. “Where do you suppose they are?” After all, they were on the edge of Chicago and the city had been filled with them earlier.
Lucan rubbed his chin. “Wish I knew. We need to remain on high alert. Something is going down and soon. I better move on.”
Seth nodded and watched the dark one disappear into the night. He needed to touch base with Katie, even though she was a goddess she was still not at full strength.
Hey, baby.
She didn’t answer.
Katie, now is not the time to ignore me.
I’m not.
Are you okay? Where are you?
I’m fine. Just...umm a bit busy.
You don’t sound fine. I’m coming to you.
No!
Seth ignored her and flashed to her location. What greeted him made his blood run cold. Lowan had his arm around her waist and a blade to her neck.
“Well, vampire, I knew you’d come. Now we can get this party started.”
“Let her go,” Seth demanded.
Lowan glared and let his fangs drop. “You are not in a position to make demands.” He ran his tongue along Katie’s neck and Seth had to keep his feet planted firm to the ground while he gritted his teeth.
Can’t you zap him with your power?
She twisted her wrist and something flashed in the light. It seems since I mated you I’ve become allergic to silver.
Son of a bitch! Woman, I swear to the gods...
What? How was I supposed to know? She pinned him with a death glare. He had to admire her. Even with a blade stuck to her neck she was still a firecracker.
“What makes you think you can harm my mate and live?” Seth sent out a message to all his brethren. No way was he foolish enough to jeopardize her safety. He received back the answer he expected, they were on their way. Now he needed to form a plan.
“You know she is a goddess and a simple dagger will not kill her.” He feared the reply that would come, but needed confirmation.
“You foolish man. Your friend Lucan would have died by this blade had it not been for the interference of your guardian healer.”
Seth scanned the area. He detected demons, but couldn’t see them. If he had to venture a guess there were at least fifty if not more scattered about the graves. So, this is why it had been so quiet. “Take me. I’ll come with you if you set her free.”
Lowan laughed. “I want the dagger of Embara. Bring it to me and I might consider letting her go. Cross me and I’ll bend her mind until it turns to gel. One way or another I’ll get what I desire.” He grabbed a handful of hair and jerked her head back and kissed her cheek. “Maybe I’ll show her what a real man is capable of.”
Would you kill this bastard already!
Believe me I’d love to, but it’s not that simple. Not when he has a knife to your throat. Between the silver that weakens you and the poisonous blade, I refuse to take chances.
“You know it’s against the rules to kill a goddess,” Katie ground out.
“Do I look like a man who follows rules?” Lowan scoffed.
“Lowan, you know I’m an ancient. Imagine how much power my blood could give you.” Seth prayed Lowan would make the exchange and tried to keep his emotions cooled when the Dark Lord’s expression changed.
“You are indeed very old. Minions!” Two Wendigos appeared.
“Yes, my lord?”
Lowan shoved Katie at the demon closest to him. “Watch her and bring me the vampire.”
The other Wendigo was at Seth’s side in two steps and grabbed him by the arm. Seth jerked free. “I can walk on my own.” He moved toward Lowan.
Seth, no. He noted the panic on Katie’s beautiful face, but he refused to speak. He had a mission and it was to save her.
Aidyn, you better fucking hurry. If you have to take me out to get to Lowan then so be it. Just be sure Katie is taken care of.
You’re not going to die, Aidyn shot back.
He stopped in front of Lowan and spread his arms wide. “Disarm me.”
The Wendigo that had followed Seth patted him down. Dislodged the blade from his boot and the one sheathed at his hip then shoved him at Lowan.
“He is disarmed, my lord.”
Lowan sent out a jolt of power that froze Seth in place. The Dark Lord then circled like a cobra ready to strike. Lowan flashed his fangs, then grabbed Seth by the hair and snapped Seth’s head back. Lowan’s fangs sank deep into Seth’s flesh. Katie screamed as Seth’s knees buckled and pain shot through his entire body.
Fire burned him right to his bones as his lifeblood was drained. Lowan greedily drank and Seth felt his heart slow. Through the ringing in his ears he heard Aidyn yell. At least he could relax in the knowledge that his brethren were here and they’d save Katie.
Katie swallowed her panic as she watched in horror while Lowan drank from her mate. With their connection she felt his pain and knew his heart slowed. He was immortal, but what happened if Lowan drained him? Certainly, that could kill him.
I’m a damn goddess. I should be able to help him. Yet she hardly had enough strength to fight the demon that held her. She couldn’t even help herself.
A sudden flash of light lit up the night’s dark sky and before she could even comprehend what was happening, a bolt of lightning zinged through the air. It shot into Lowan’s back causing the Dark Lord to screech before it exited straight into Seth’s chest and out the other side. There was a flurry of movement and somehow, she was knocked to the ground, but her focus remained on Seth who lay several feet away. She tri
ed to crawl toward him, dug her nails into the cool dirt, but every movement was like lifting dead weight. A Wendigo’s head rolled past her and smoke burned her lungs. With no care to what was going on around her, she continued to pull herself forward.
Someone grabbed her by the waist and flashed her from the battle.
“Let go of me!”
“Shhh. Everything will be fine,” Gwen whispered in her ear. “As soon as we have a Kothar or Draki in the room they can remove your silver. Luckily, it doesn’t appear to have any Kothar magic weaved into it or we’d be in deeper shit.”
Katie settled into a chair and it was then she noticed they were back at the guardians’ command center. “Where’s Seth?”
Lileta flashed into the room and ran for Katie. She placed her hand on the silver and the band fell to the floor. “He is right behind us.”
Aidyn appeared with Seth tossed over his shoulder and was quickly followed by Marcus and Lucan. The men shoved all the contents on the conference table to the floor and Aidyn laid Seth across the wooden surface. With the silver gone, Katie was already beginning to regain her strength.
“His heart stopped,” she yelled. Had felt its last beat back at the cemetery. She approached and ran her knuckles across his still warm cheek. A tear slid down her own.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got him,” Marcus spoke across from her. She lifted her head to meet his gaze and he smiled at her. “He’s gonna be hungry though so be prepared.”
She watched as Marcus closed his eyes and laid his palms on Seth’s chest. Golden light encased her mate and became a bright pinpoint near his heart and suddenly she felt the stir of the first beat. His lids snapped open and Marcus took two steps back.
“Son of a bitch that hurt,” Seth whispered.
“Take him to your home and feed him. He’ll be back to his normal pain-in-the-ass self in no time,” Marcus said.
Katie let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.” She touched Seth to flash them away, then stopped. “What about Lowan? Did you kill him?”
Aidyn shook his head. “He vanished. He’s stronger than we thought. I’m afraid this nightmare has only begun.”
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