Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity)

by Alexandra Ivy

  “Can you get us out of here?” she rasped.

  The vampire clutched the pendant hung around his neck. “Yes.”

  He closed his eyes, as if concentrating on his powers, at the same moment a singsong voice sliced through the air.

  “Gaius.” The approaching female purred, a searing heat blasting against Cassie and nearly sending her to her feet. “Where are you, you naughty vampire?”

  Caine tilted back his head to howl, whether in fury or fear it was impossible to say. Gaius, on the other hand, kept his eyes tightly shut, a shaken expression on his pale face.

  “Cristo,” he muttered. “We are out of time.”

  “Concentrate,” Cassie urged, gritting her teeth as blisters began to form on her skin and Caine whined in sudden pain.

  In answer, Gaius grasped her arm in a punishing grip. Cassie flinched before she realized that the world was beginning to fade to black.

  “No . . .” She struggled to break from his grasp. “I won’t leave without Caine.”

  Gaius scowled, refusing to release her. “Are you insane? He’ll kill you. If the Dark Lord doesn’t manage to do it for him.”

  “I don’t care.” She grimly yanked herself free, immediately returning to the fog and searing hot agony. “I won’t leave without him.”

  “Stupid dogs,” Gaius muttered, giving a wave of his hand.

  The barrier was removed, but the pulsing heat had driven Caine to his knees, making his animal cower in pain.

  Thank the gods.

  Moving to crouch at his side, she held out her hand toward Gaius.

  “She’s coming,” she warned the vampire as he appeared to hesitate.

  Like he couldn’t feel the jagged shards of power for himself.

  Then, with a resigned shake of his head, he grasped her outstretched hand and the darkness once again began to form like a bubble around them.

  In the distance, Cassie heard a shriek that nearly shattered her eardrums.

  “No. What are you doing, you fool?” The fog parted to reveal the slender young female with eyes that glowed with a fiery crimson. “You will not escape me.”

  The darkness continued to thicken, but not swiftly enough. Cassie quivered as the female was flowing through the mists, her pretty face twisted with an unholy fury.

  With a speed that was nearly too swift to follow, she was at their side, shoving her arm into the rift that Gaius was forming and grabbing the vampire by his hair.

  “Gaius,” Cassie breathed in terror, feeling the bubble begin to falter.

  The vampire’s dark eyes widened with a bone-deep fear, but surprisingly, he gave her a shove toward the center of the rift.

  “Go,” he commanded.

  Cassie wavered, realizing in astonishment that the vampire intended to sacrifice himself to save them.

  But why? Hadn’t he been the one to hunt them down, torture Caine with the cur’s hideous spell, and then haul them to this mysterious dimension so he could offer them to the Dark Lord?

  Why would he betray his mistress now?

  The question had barely formed when it was crushed beneath a powerful vision that blasted through her mind. She groaned. The vivid image was there and gone before she could fully process it, but she did comprehend enough to know that it was a warning.

  Not for her. But for the vampire who was being yanked out of the rift by the infuriated Dark Lord.

  “Gaius, listen to me,” she shouted over the evil deity’s screams of frustration. “A face, no matter how familiar, can be a lie.”

  His head was bent backward, blood running down his forehead, but he managed to send her a puzzled frown. “What?”

  “Don’t trust your eyes.”

  Still regarding her with confusion, Gaius was sharply jerked out of the bubble and tossed aside. Cassie caught a glimpse of him lying in an unconscious heap before the arm was shoved back into the contracting darkness, reaching toward Caine.

  “I will not be denied my sacrifice,” the Dark Lord snarled.

  Clearly sensing the danger, Caine growled low in his throat, his teeth bared. The female ignored the threat, grabbing Caine by the scruff of his contorted neck.

  Cassie wasn’t certain if the Dark Lord assumed Caine was incapable of hurting her, or if she thought she was the big-bad scary and nothing had the courage to fight back.

  Whatever her logic, she grossly underestimated the level of Caine’s crazy. Even as her fingers dug into his fur, the frantic Were turned his head to sink his teeth deep into her forearm.

  Cassie wasn’t foolish enough to believe that Caine could truly hurt the powerful creature, but he did provide a distraction. No doubt the only one they were going to get. Which meant escape was now or never.

  Without giving herself time to think, Cassie rushed forward, taking full advantage of the element of surprise as she slammed her body straight into Caine.

  Her intention had merely been to knock him away from the Dark Lord. After that . . . well, the truth was that she didn’t really have a plan.

  But her unexpected attack made Caine stumble awkwardly, his teeth ripping deep gouges in the Dark Lord’s arm as he fell backward. In the same motion, he wrapped a thickly muscled arm around Cassie’s waist, pulling her down with him.

  There was another screech from the Dark Lord as the darkness flowed around them, sucking them through the still open rift.

  Cassie groaned as Caine’s claws dug into her back, but there was no breaking away from his ruthless grip as they fell through the empty space. Besides, she didn’t want to get free.

  For the moment they were falling farther and farther from the infuriated Dark Lord.

  She didn’t care where they were going.

  It had to be better than where they were.

  The middle of nowhere, Illinois

  After running nonstop for the past two hours, Styx came to a sharp halt in the center of the narrow road, which was rapidly being overtaken by weeds. In silence, he studied the empty factory that was shrouded in shadows.

  It took a minute to realize why the dilapidated building had caught his attention. There was no blinking arrow pointing to it with the words “Evil Minion Lair.” Or nasty creatures peering out the shattered windows, wearing bad-guy uniforms.

  Just the opposite.

  At a glance, it would be easy to assume that nothing had disturbed the crumbling pile of brick and steel for years. There were no footprints, no animal droppings, not even a spiderweb.

  But to Styx it was the very lack of trespassers, both human and animal, that proved there was something very powerful that lurked in the area.

  “Wait, Levet,” he commanded.

  The stunted gargoyle came to a grudging halt, turning to glare at him with obvious impatience. “Pourquoi? We are finally gaining on him.”

  “Kostas is near.”

  “Non.” The tiny demon shook his head, pointed down the isolated road that headed toward the distant lights of St. Louis. “His trail continues into town.”

  Styx pointed toward the silent warehouse. “He doubled back.”

  Darcy moved to stand next to him, her head tilted to the side as she studied his stubborn expression. “How can you know?”

  “It’s what I would do.”

  Levet’s wings fluttered as he stomped back toward Styx. “And that is all the evidence you have?”

  Styx ignored the aggravating pest, lifting his hand to bring Jagr and Jaelyn from the shadows where they were standing guard.

  “Jagr, circle to the back of the building. Make sure nothing escapes.”

  “You got it.”

  The massive Goth disappeared in a blur of speed, his sword already drawn and his fangs flashing in the moonlight.

  “Jaelyn.”

  “Yes?” The tiny Hunter stroked the stock of her sawed-off shotgun, her eyes shimmering with anticipation. She more than anyone had suffered beneath Kostas’s arrogant harassment. Hell, the bastard had wanted to execute her. It was no wonder she was anxious
to get her hands on the ex-Ruah.

  “On the roof.”

  She was off with the same blinding speed as Jagr, blending into the darkness. Still Styx remained at the edge of the road, forcing himself to wait until his soldiers were in place.

  Restlessly his gaze skimmed over the two-story building. The bricks had faded to a dull shade of rust with occasional rods of rebar sticking out like thorns. The roof was sagging and the window frames were rotted beyond repair. Closer at hand, the parking lot was cracked with large clumps of grass growing wild.

  There was, however, a new lock on the double steel doors and the faint hint of fairy that lingered in the air. Kostas had no doubt brought dinner with him.

  On the point of heading into the warehouse, Styx was halted as Levet waddled to stand directly in his path.

  “What of me?”

  He bit back a curse of impatience. “Keep an eye on the road. I don’t want anything or anyone sneaking up on me.”

  “Bah.” Levet’s tail twitched. “My talents are wasted out here.”

  Styx scowled. “What talents?”

  “I believe he’s referring to his magic,” Darcy gently reminded him, a faint smile curving her lips.

  “Exactly.” Levet pointed a claw toward Styx. “You are just trying to be rid of me.”

  “Fine.” Styx folded his arms over his chest. “If you want to fight one of the most powerful vampires to walk the earth, who has not only trained for the past millennium to become the ultimate assassin, but has recently sold his soul to the Dark Lord, then you can take the lead.”

  “Ah.” The gargoyle cleared his throat, scratching one horn as he glanced toward the deserted road. “Perhaps it would be best if I keep guard out here.”

  “Good choice,” Styx said dryly. Then, knowing the next battle wasn’t going to be so easily won, he turned to study his stubborn mate with a warning glare. “You,” he growled, cupping her chin in his hand. “Stay here.”

  Any other creature would have fainted in sheer terror. Styx was a demon who put the bad in badass.

  Darcy, of course, rose on her tiptoes and poked her finger into the center of his chest. As badass as Styx might be, he was no match for this tiny Were.

  “And let you go in there alone?” Her eyes sparked with emerald embers. “No. Way.”

  “Darcy.”

  “Don’t you Darcy me.” Poke, poke, poke. Her finger nearly drilled a hole through his chest.

  He grabbed her hand to lift it to his lips, as much to end her painful prodding as to offer her comfort. “Angel, we both know that Kostas is foaming at the mouth to get his hands on me after I demoted him.”

  “Which is precisely why you shouldn’t be the one to confront him,” she pointed out through clenched teeth. “He’s obviously gone over the edge.”

  Styx shrugged. “He’s also involved with the plot to return the Dark Lord. It’s my duty to stop him.”

  “Hasn’t he already done his part?” Darcy demanded with a scowl.

  Styx growled at the unwelcomed reminder. His fangs ached for blood. Kostas’s blood. The bastard had snuck into his lair and stolen the precious baby who had become as beloved to him as if he were his own son. And why? Because his bloated pride had been dented at being removed as the head of the Addonexus.

  “One part. At least, that we know about,” he said. “I need to know if there’s more. And just as importantly, I need to know if I have more traitors among my people.”

  Darcy froze, their bond allowing her to fully feel the sense of unbearable failure that pulsed through him. “You think he’ll confess the truth to you?” she asked softly.

  “He believes he’s beaten me. He’s too arrogant not to boast.”

  “And if he doesn’t?”

  “I’ll kill him.”

  She heaved a resigned sigh, her beautiful features somber as she stepped forward to lay her head over his unbeating heart.

  “Be careful.”

  Styx pressed his lips to the top of her head, savoring the feel of her warmth seep into his chilled blood. How the hell had he ever survived without this astonishing female?

  “Aren’t I always?”

  She harrumphed, pulling back to reveal her frown. “Being immortal doesn’t mean you’re immune to death.”

  “Don’t worry, angel.” He brushed his lips over her forehead. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

  “Styx,” she muttered, needing to be reassured that he wouldn’t allow his desire for revenge to overcome his common sense.

  “I will take the greatest care, I promise,” he swore, stroking another kiss over her forehead before shifting his gaze toward the hovering gargoyle. “Take care of her.”

  Levet gave a solemn dip of his head. “Always.”

  Pulling away from his mate, Styx turned to cross the empty parking lot. It was too late for a stealth approach. Thank the gods. Six-foot-five Aztec warriors didn’t do sneaky. At least not very well.

  Of course, they did do destruction quite well, he consoled himself, slamming his foot against the steel doors. With an ear-piercing screech the doors were wrenched off their hinges and flying across the narrow lobby.

  Styx didn’t hesitate. Jogging across the peeling linoleum, he ignored the doors that opened into the warehouse floor and instead headed for the stairs that led to the basement. The air was edged with a distinct chill as he descended into the darkness, and pulling his sword from its scabbard, Styx followed the thickening scent of fairy.

  The traitor was near.

  Pressing his back against the wall, Styx inched his way down the narrow corridor, slowly entering the room at the end.

  A swift glance revealed that it was little more than a six-by-six cement box that had been stripped of everything but a long wooden table that was stained with blood.

  An altar?

  It would explain why Kostas had run to this location. He no doubt hoped his new mistress would protect him from Styx’s wrath. Where else would he go to seek her assistance, but to the shrine where he worshipped her?

  Curling his lips in disgust, Styx stepped through the doorway, briefly glancing toward the fairy who was cowering in the corner. The poor creature was shivering in obvious terror, her deep red hair hanging in tangles around her tear-stained face and her arms wrapped around her naked body. It was her wide gaze, however, that captured Styx’s attention.

  Following the direction where she stared in obvious terror, Styx moved to stand directly beside the altar.

  “You can drop the shadows, Kostas,” he commanded. “I know you’re here. I smell your worthless ass.”

  The musty air stirred, and then the darkness in front of him faded to reveal Kostas.

  Wearing a too-tight T-shirt that matched his cammo pants, the vampire gripped a large dagger in his hands. Another dagger was strapped to his waist with two guns holstered on each side of his chest. He looked like a paranoid Rambo on steroids.

  With a snort, Styx move forward, his lips twisting with amusement as the large Hunter took a hasty step backward, his hands curled into tight fists. Then, realizing what he’d revealed, the vampire squared his broad shoulders and glared at Styx.

  “Did your nasty little pet rock manage to lead you here?” he mocked.

  Styx shrugged. “Does it matter?”

  “You should be ashamed,” Kostas sneered. “No self-respecting Anasso would need the talents of lesser demons to fulfill his duties. Especially not a stunted gargoyle that has been banned by his own guild. You are a disgrace to vampires.”

  Styx flashed his fangs. The savage desire to slash open the bastard’s throat pulsed through him.

  It was only the knowledge that he couldn’t afford to destroy the traitor until he was convinced he didn’t have any information that could help to rescue Maluhia that kept him from striking the killing blow.

  Then . . . oh then, the bastard was going to become up close and personal with a whole world of hurt.

  “You dare to claim that I’ve
disgraced myself when you are one who has betrayed your own people?” he accused with frigid disdain. “And for what?” He pointed his sword toward the center of the barren room. “This?”

  “You will soon discover.” The dark eyes glittered with a feral hatred. “The child has been delivered and nothing can halt the return of the Dark Lord.”

  Styx hissed in pain despite having suspected that Maluhia was in the hands of the evil bitch. Someday very soon he intended to obliterate everyone responsible for the kidnapping. For now, however, he could only try to provoke the traitor into revealing what information he might possess.

  “Then shouldn’t you be out celebrating instead of lurking in this filthy basement?” he drawled.

  “In good time.”

  “Are you sure you haven’t been tossed aside now that you’ve served your purpose?”

  Kostas’s grip tightened on the dagger, but he wasn’t stupid enough to try and attack. They both knew that in a fair fight Styx would kick his ass.

  “I shall soon have my rewards.”

  “When?” Styx continued to prod. “Why the delay?”

  “Do you truly believe I would be idiotic enough to reveal the Dark Lord’s plans to you?” the Hunter snarled.

  Styx’s scornful laugh filled the room. “No, because you don’t know his—” He stopped with a grimace, silently reminding himself that the Dark Lord was no longer a he. “Her plans. At least no more than any other bottom-feeder might have picked up.”

  Kostas puffed out his chest, but Styx sensed his taunting words had hit a nerve. The vampire wasn’t nearly as confident in his new mistress as he wanted Styx to believe.

  “A bottom-feeder wouldn’t have been able to steal the babe from beneath your nose.” He deliberately reminded Styx of his failure. “You and those Ravens who think they’re better than the rest of us. Arrogant SOBs.”

  The vampire’s jealousy of Styx and his Ravens was a tangible force in the air. Christ, it was no wonder that his festering bitterness had driven him into the service of the Dark Lord. The only surprise was that it took so long.

  “But that’s it, isn’t it? You’ve been used and discarded. Not a surprise.” Styx flicked a dismissive gaze down the man’s stiff body, lingering on the weapons before returning to meet the dark, resentful glare. “You have always had an overly bloated opinion of your worth.”