Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity)

by Alexandra Ivy

  “You know nothing,” the vampire blustered. “The mistress has favored me above all others.”

  Styx shook his head as he heard the desperation in the man’s voice. He was wasting his time. This idiot was nothing but another meaningless minion that had believed the promises whispered by the Dark Lord. Pathetic.

  “You’re the one who knows nothing,” he growled, lifting his sword. “Which means I have no reason to keep you alive.”

  Realizing that Styx had every intention of chopping off his head, Kostas backed up until he hit the corner of the table. “You can’t do this.”

  “Actually, I’m pretty sure I can. Do you want me to demonstrate?”

  “No.”

  Styx smiled with anticipation. “It was more of a rhetorical question.”

  With a futile effort to halt his inevitable death, the Hunter vaulted over the table, his gaze lifted heavenward. “Hear me, blessed mistress.”

  Styx rolled his eyes. Idiot. “You don’t actually think—”

  His mocking words were interrupted as a sizzling heat seared through the room.

  With a grunt of surprise, Styx gripped his sword, sensing the approach of something . . . big.

  Something big and bad and evil.

  Had the bastard actually managed to call the Dark Lord? It would be just his luck that of all the pathetic pleas, the treacherous bitch would choose to hear Kostas. If only to screw with Styx.

  He took an instinctive step backward, warily watching the shimmering line that formed directly over the table. The long, thin streak didn’t look like a portal, although he was no expert.

  Actually, it looked like the air had been sliced open.

  Kostas continued his crazy babble, but Styx kept his attention pinned to the wavering line. Slowly it began to widen, as if the air was being ripped open by a profound power. Gods, was this it? Was this the moment of the Dark Lord’s return?

  He briefly considered yelling for Jagr and Jaelyn, only to squash the impulse. What was the point until he could be certain he wasn’t calling them to certain death?

  The heat intensified, bringing with it the stench of burned sulfur. Styx shuddered, but he refused to budge another step. The time to run was gone.

  He would take a stand and pray for the best.

  As if mocking his spurt of bravado, the heat that seared against his skin became laced with electric jolts of pain. As if he was being skewered by unseen lightning.

  Holy . . . shit.

  He felt like a shish kebab being grilled over an open flame.

  The rift spread wider and with a low moan, Kostas fell to his knees. “Mistress, you have heard the pleas of your most loyal servant.”

  The stench of burning sulfur thickened, nearly making Styx gag. Kostas, however, had an expression of euphoria as a light spilled through the rip in space to spill over him.

  “The sacrifice,” a voice pulsed through the air, nearly driving Styx to his knees.

  “What?” Kostas appeared momentarily confused. Then, his puzzled gaze shifted to the fairy who had been wise enough to faint. “Yes, of course.”

  Scrambling to his feet, Kostas darted across the room and scooped the limp female in his arms. Styx took a step forward, his first thought to protect the fairy from the evil that blanketed the room. But even as he moved, the blazing light flared toward him, driving him backward.

  Blinded, Styx lifted his sword, hearing Kostas cross the room and the sound of the fairy being dumped on the table.

  “Here,” the vampire said. “My offering for you.”

  Styx’s eyes cleared in time to see a glowing hand reach through the rift to grasp the fairy by her hair, yanking her into the black mist that swirled on the other side of the opening.

  “You have served me well, Kostas.” There was a low laugh that sent shards of agony shooting through Styx’s brain. “A pity you shall not survive to appreciate your efforts.”

  “No.” Belatedly realizing he was about to be abandoned by his faithless mistress, Kostas leaped onto the table, his hand reaching through the opening. “Wait.”

  Styx had only a moment to appreciate the sight of the once-smug vampire’s groveling before the black mist boiled from the rift. In the blink of an eye the darkness was crawling over the screaming Kostas, consuming him on a cellular level.

  “Christ.” Styx leaped backward, watching in horror as the powerful vampire became nothing more than a stain on the table.

  He half expected the mist to continue pouring into the room, destroying everything in its path. Instead, it retreated back through the opening.

  Styx had a brief second of relief. Just enough time to believe he’d dodged a bullet, he wryly conceded as all hell broke loose.

  Quite literally.

  Even as the black mist receded, Styx caught a glimpse of a crimson-tinted landscape with black, razor-sharp rocks that were dissected by rivers of flowing lava. The opening had shifted from the Dark Lord’s prison to a hell dimension—whether by accident or intent, he didn’t know. All he was certain of was that a creature that looked something like a troll with a large, muscular body covered in a thick, hairless hide and a large head with beady crimson eyes and a snout with protruding fangs was crawling through the opening.

  The creature smashed the table, his clenched fists the size of a sledgehammer. And no doubt they would cause as much damage if they happened to be aimed at Styx’s face.

  Something he didn’t intend to find out.

  “Jagr,” he roared, his feet spread wide and his sword lifted to strike. “Jaelyn.”

  Chapter 18

  Cassie cursed as the portal that Gaius had created abruptly collapsed, leaving them trapped in the white mist.

  Although . . . She frowned, scanning the swirling fog. It didn’t feel as if it were the same white mist. She couldn’t see more than a few inches in front of her face, but the scalding pain from the Dark Lord had faded and the sense of endless space had narrowed to the sensation they were in a long corridor.

  Odd.

  Equally confused by their surroundings, Caine released his bruising hold on Cassie to rise to his feet with a low growl.

  Swift to take advantage of his momentary distraction, Cassie scooted away, warily straightening as she considered her extremely limited options.

  She could run, but Caine would swiftly catch her. And rousing his predator instincts seemed like a bad thing right now.

  She could try to overpower him, but it would be a wasted effort. His strength had been increasing at an accelerated pace since he’d been turned into a Were. She would be no match for him now.

  And in his current state he was beyond trying to reason with. Which left what?

  She didn’t have an answer, but even as Caine started to turn back toward her, the unmistakable scent of vampire filled the air.

  Cassie froze, scanning the thick mist. Could it be Gaius? No. Not Gaius. But the scent was familiar.

  Caine growled, preparing to attack as the mists stirred to reveal a large vampire with a black mohawk and honey brown eyes. Tane. The vampire Charon that she’d met a few weeks before. And behind him was his mate, Laylah, the tiny half-Jinn with short, spiky red hair and black eyes.

  “Stop,” she warned, knowing that Caine was on a razor edge. The least provocation and he would strike. “Don’t come any closer.”

  “Harley?” Laylah asked in shock, then her eyes widened with comprehension. “No. Cassandra. And . . .” The female grimaced as she caught sight of the hulking beast nearly hidden by the fog. “Caine?”

  Cassie nodded, not entirely certain whether to be relieved or concerned. The Dark Lord had already implied that there was more than one vampire willing to betray their people.

  “How did you get here?”

  “I’m half-Jinn. I can shadow-walk,” Laylah explained. “How did you . . .”

  Her words broke off in a scream as Caine suddenly charged toward Cassie, perhaps fearing that the two intruders were about to steal away his pr
ize.

  Cassie braced herself as Caine grabbed her in a punishing grip, yanking her against his chest as he howled in warning. At the same time, Cassie heard Laylah commanding her mate.

  “Tane, do something.”

  Cassie hissed as she felt her ribs crack beneath Caine’s tight grasp, but she held up a hand as Tane moved to rescue her. “Don’t hurt him.”

  The vampire faltered in confusion. “Are you kidding me?”

  She struggled to breathe. “Don’t. Hurt. Him.”

  “Dammit.” Tane stalked forward, and then with shocking speed he lifted his arm and slammed his fist into Caine’s elongated jaw. The crazed Were gave a grunt of pain, and then tumbled backward as he was knocked senseless.

  Cassie was thrown from Caine’s arms, but swallowing her groan of pain, she crawled back to his side, her hand reaching to wipe the blood from his mutated face. “What have you done?” she breathed.

  Tane folded his arms over his bare chest. He was wearing nothing more than a loose pair of khaki shorts. Well, unless you counted the humongous sword strapped to his back.

  “It was that or kill him.”

  Logically, Cassie knew he was right. Caine might very well have squeezed her to death if the vampire hadn’t interfered. But that didn’t make it any easier to see Caine lying injured on the ground.

  She felt a hand lightly touch her shoulder and she glanced up to discover Laylah standing next to her, an aching loss in the black eyes.

  “Cassandra.”

  “What?”

  The half-Jinn hesitated, as if afraid to ask the question hovering on her lips. “My baby,” she at last breathed.

  “Maluhia.”

  Laylah pressed a hand to her heart as her mate moved to wrap a protective arm around her shoulders. “Have you seen him?” she asked.

  Cassie gave a reluctant nod. “Yes.”

  “Where?” Laylah’s eyes filled with tears as she read the regret that was etched on Cassie’s face. “The Dark Lord has him?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  Laylah leaned heavily against her mate, but her face hardened with a grim determination that only a mother could claim. It warned she would move heaven and earth to get her child. And kill anything that stood in her way. “I have to get to him.”

  Cassie bit her lip as she debated the wisdom of concealing the brutal truth from the poor woman. Then accepting it would be worse to give false hope, she slowly straightened. “The mists are impossible to penetrate without Gaius’s magic necklace.”

  “Gaius.” Tane muttered the name as if it were a curse. “Where is he?”

  “The Dark Lord has him.” Cassie frowned, thinking back to the vampire who had opened the portal. “He sacrificed himself so we could escape.”

  Tane scowled at the confession. “Why would he do that?”

  “I don’t know. I doubt we’ll ever know.” Cassie shrugged, not prepared to care what had prompted the vampire to help them. Gaius may have opened the portal, but he was responsible for Caine’s hideous transformation. Not to mention, forcing them to the Dark Lord’s prison. No. She didn’t give a damn why he’d helped or what he might be suffering for his betrayal. “We have to get Caine to Salvatore.”

  Tane gave a sharp nod, turning to glance at his mate. “Laylah?”

  The half-Jinn closed her eyes in concentration. “He’s at Styx’s lair in Chicago.”

  Cassie didn’t take time to wonder why the King of Weres would be in the lair of the Anasso. “Can you take me there?”

  Laylah gave a slow nod. “As near as possible, but I must continue my search for Maluhia.”

  Cassie squeezed Laylah’s hand, her expression filled with sympathy. “Of course.” She glanced toward Tane. “Will you help me with Caine?”

  Tane moved to bend over the still unconscious Were, pausing to send Cassie a troubled glance. “Cassandra.”

  “No.” She knew what he was going to say. He was going to tell her that Caine was beyond the point of help. That he’d been lost between the worlds of animal and human without hope of returning to either. “Don’t say it.”

  With a grimace, the vampire grabbed Caine and tossed him over his shoulder. Then, balancing the considerable weight, he rose to his feet and nodded for Laylah to lead them through the mists.

  They walked in silence for several long minutes before Tane spoke the question that had no doubt been on his mind since crossing paths with Cassie. “I don’t suppose you have any clue at how we’re supposed to halt the Dark Lord.”

  Cassie gave a helpless lift of her hand. “We must be united.”

  “United?”

  “A wall must have no cracks.”

  “That’s . . .” Tane struggled for the proper word. “Vague.”

  Laylah glanced over her shoulder with a frown. “Tane.”

  “I’m sorry,” the powerful demon muttered. “I just hate being constantly one step behind the evil bitch.”

  A bitter smile touched Cassie’s lips as her gaze lingered on Caine. “Knowing the future doesn’t help prevent it.”

  Her soft assurance brought an end to the conversation and they continued through the mists without talking. None of them were in the mood for chitchat. Not when they were each desperate to save the ones they loved.

  At long last Laylah came to a halt. “Here.”

  Cassie gave a lift of her brows. All she could see was mist and mist and more mist. Certainly, there was nothing to indicate they’d arrived at a specific location. “How can you be certain?”

  “It’s a feeling.” Laylah wrinkled her nose. “I really can’t explain how it works.”

  “Oh.” Cassie offered an understanding smile. “I get that.”

  Lifting her hand, Laylah formed a doorway in the swirling fog. Cassie took a step forward, only to halt when Tane shouldered his way past her.

  “Wait,” he commanded. “Let me go through first.”

  As if she had a choice?

  Cassie shared a glance of feminine exasperation with Laylah before she leaned forward to place a gentle kiss on the female’s cheek. “Don’t lose hope,” she urged. “Sometimes it’s all we have.”

  She stepped through the shimmering opening, giving the manicured parkland and nearby mansion a cursory glance before turning her attention to Tane as he lowered Caine to the ground.

  The vampire studied the unconscious Were with a frown. “You need to get him locked up ASAP.” He turned to meet her mutinous expression. “It’s the only way to protect him.”

  “Don’t worry,” she promised. “I will do whatever necessary to keep him safe.”

  “That’s my worry.” He grabbed her chin to force her to meet his honey gaze. “You’re the prophet. You can’t put yourself at risk.”

  She made a sound of disgust. Right now she didn’t care if she was the prophet, or that she was expected to save the world. All that mattered was that Caine was in trouble and she would sacrifice everything to help him.

  “Return to your mate,” she said. “She needs your strength.”

  “And we all need you and your gift,” he persisted. “Don’t do anything foolish.”

  She gave a weary shake of her head. “Go.”

  Realizing she’d made up her mind, he gave a solemn dip of his head and swiftly disappeared back through the portal.

  She felt the air pressure shift as the doorway was closed, but even as she turned toward Caine there was a blast of frigid air and a pair of matching vampires stood less than a foot away.

  And what a pair they were. Cassie blinked, wondering if they were a mirage. Certainly, they looked too magnificent to be real.

  Identical twins, they were tall with skin polished gold by a long-forgotten sun. Their faces were chiseled perfection with features that were a gift from their Egyptian ancestors. High cheekbones that you could cut paper on. Hawkish noses. And noble brows.

  Their almond black eyes were outlined in heavy kohl and their full lips were touched with color. Long, ebony hair was pulled
into a braid that hung down their backs.

  And their insanely beautiful bodies were covered by . . .

  Good god, were those loincloths?

  One of the two stepped closer, a gun in his hand. “Don’t move.”

  Cassie held up her hands. “Please, I need to speak with the King of Weres. Is he here?”

  The almond eyes widened as the vampire took a closer look at Cassie’s face, belatedly realizing she had a few twins of her own.

  One of which was the Queen of Vampires.

  “God almighty,” vampire one muttered, glancing over his shoulder at vampire two. “Get Salvatore. Now.”

  The warehouse

  Styx had killed two of the troll-like demons and was watching a third crawl through the rift when Jagr dashed into the room. Thankfully, the opening had remained narrow enough that only one creature could crawl through at a time, but Styx was suffering from a dozen small wounds and it wouldn’t take long for him to become too weakened to hold back the slow tide of evil.

  “What the hell?” the vampire muttered.

  Styx swung his sword at the demon’s thick neck, having discovered after several futile attempts that their hearts were covered by a layer of bone armor that was impossible to penetrate.

  “A rift has been opened,” Styx growled, lopping off the head of the demon and kicking its body back through the opening. The things were not only ugly, but they reeked.

  There was a momentary silence as the rift remained empty, although he could catch glimpses of various creatures that prowled through the hell dimension. He didn’t doubt that once they discovered there was an open doorway they would eagerly try to enter this world.

  Jagr moved to his side, grimacing at the gaping rip in space. “Can you close it?”

  Styx snorted. If he was as omnipotent as people expected him to be, he’d be wearing a cape and leaping over tall buildings. “No. We’re going to need backup.” He grimaced, barely able to form the words. “Get Levet.”