by Lisa Kessler
She stared up at him, turning her head to kiss his palm. “You told me that as a god, you had to put the needs of the world before your own. I’m asking you to do that one more time. This is our only chance to stop him. It’s also our best chance to have a future. I wouldn’t put my life on the line if I didn’t think it would work.”
He turned away, rubbing his hands down his face. She would not have to face the consequences if it didn’t work, but he would be forced to endure an eternity knowing he killed her. Knowing he failed. His chest tightened as another crack echoed through the chamber. This time gravel rained on them.
The stone wouldn’t last much longer.
“Issa, we can’t wait.”
He spun around, his voice tight and controlled. “I cannot hurt you, Muriah.”
“You don’t have to hurt me. You just need to make my heart stop.” She walked to the table and held her left hand over the ancient clay vessel, the dagger ready in her right.
“How do you suggest I do that without causing you pain?” He watched her every move, every breath, prepared to stop her from slicing her hand with the dagger.
“Drink from me.” She wet her lips, enticing him. “I can lose myself in you. No pain.”
Her offer brought his thirst roaring to the surface, demanding to be satisfied. He clamped down the desire. “Why are you so intent on giving up your life? I am confident I can carry you to safety. It does not have to end here tonight.”
Desperation boiled inside of him. Memories of sacrificing Ch’en, the Goddess of the Moon, and his own brother, Mulac, haunted him. He couldn’t bear to have Muriah’s blood on his hands, too.
“What about your store?” He hated pointing out reasons for her to go on without him, but living without her was a better alternative than knowing he’d killed her. “What about a family to carry on your ancestors’ legacy? Do those things mean nothing any longer?”
“That’s a low blow.” She lowered the dagger to the table, her eyes shining with tears. “You know they mean everything to me.”
“Then let me save you.” Pain seared his heart, but he bolstered his conviction, taking solace in knowing her life could be spared. “You can still find a mortal man and have a child.”
“You could toss me aside that easily?”
The betrayal in her gaze broke him, but he pressed onward. This was his only chance to save her life. “Nothing about this is easy.” He took her hand. “You can still have everything you desire.”
A single tear slid down her cheek. He held his breath. She wiped the tear with her free hand and shook her head. “I can’t have those things knowing that he’s still out there.”
Issa lowered his gaze, shaking his head. “This is not your battle. Why do you insist on putting your life at risk?”
She tugged his hand, drawing his attention back to her face. “Because I can save you all. I’m the only one here with a mortal life we can sacrifice.” She glanced up as more rocks showered down from above. “If we don’t, we’ll miss our chance.”
Muriah brushed a featherlight kiss to his cheek. “Being a mother was never my dream. Keeping my family legacy alive is what matters to me. I can still have that, and I can keep you safe in the process.” Her gaze bored into his soul. “Make me a Night Walker like you.”
His pulse raced, his fangs lengthening in his mouth. “I am not agreeing, but I need to know how to complete the ritual if it comes to that.”
He made his way around to her side of the table. Closer. She would hate him for rushing her to safety. But she would still be alive.
“In my vision, it looked like once blood from the sacrifice is in the vase, Apep won’t be able to resist. He’ll come for it. The moment my life ends, you need to chant ‘I call Apep. A life for a life.’ Chant until the magic of the sacrifice takes hold. Apep’s body will turn into black vapor, and he’ll be sucked into the vessel.”
More rocks rolled down the stairs, and Apep’s voice filled the room. “Enough hiding. Come out and face me, Night Walker.”
Issa glared up at the stone blocking the entrance. Apep was almost inside.
Muriah gasped beside him, pulling his attention back to her. The rich aroma of her blood flooded his senses. She dropped the dagger on the table, her blood dripping into the vase.
“No.” He grabbed her wrist, yanking her hand away from the clay relic, but it was too late. Her blood pooled inside. Terror bloomed, constricting his chest. “Muriah, no.”
“There’s no other way.” Her eyes welled with tears, and he heard her pulse race, but her will never faltered. “We can do this together, Issa.”
She was entrusting him with her life. Much too high a risk, but she’d rashly left him without options. No other way out. He grasped her shoulders, bringing her so close that her breath warmed his lips. “Come back to me.”
“I will.”
He kissed her, hard, holding her tight. All of his fear and desperation, anger and frustration poured into the kiss, and Muriah returned his passion, her tongue dueling with his. He left her breathless as his lips trailed down her throat.
“You are the light to my darkness. My heart, my soul, and now my blood, will all be yours.” He sank his fangs deep into her neck.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Muriah gasped the moment his fangs pierced her skin. The sting vanished, passion flooding her senses. Their minds opened, bringing her closer, more intimate with Issa than she’d ever been with anyone in her life. He clutched her close to his chest, protecting her while above them, rocks continued to rain down. She struggled to push her fear aside, fisting her fingers tightly in the back of his silky hair.
Images from Issa’s long life filled her head. She saw the jungles and his immortal brothers. Time raced. His feelings flooded her. His love. And the torment he was experiencing at this moment. All the emotions blended into a vivid tapestry of raw emotion.
Survival instincts swelled, but she repressed them. This was the only way. Their only hope of stopping Apep was to be certain she couldn’t be used as a weapon. She channeled her determination and strength toward him. Issa needed to be strong and finish this for both of them.
And when it was over, she would be a Night Walker, too. Her family, her home, her legacy would continue. With Issa at her side, anything was possible. And then it hit her.
I finally found home.
Issa’s deep voice filled her mind, sending heat through her weakened body. Over the rainbow?
A trace of a smile curved her lips. In your arms.
Issa held her tighter, blood tears streaking his cheeks as he drank her into himself. Her memories of her mother, the pain of her father’s abandonment, and her fear of trust were plain for him to see. Her love for him, her trust in him, swamped his senses, but her words brought him to his knees.
Kneeling on the sandy stone floor, he stroked her hair back, pulling slowly at her veins. You are my home, my heart, and I am too weak to give you up. I cannot do this.
Her heartbeat slowed, fluttering, fading.
And above them, the stone split with a deafening crack. A sob caught in Issa’s throat. There was no turning back.
Her final whisper. I love you. Always.
In wol. She was his heart, and the exhaustion and weakness in her voice broke him. I love you, too. Do not leave me behind. Come back to me.
He took one last drink. Her heart stopped.
The late afternoon sun painted the sky over the Pacific Ocean. Exhausted, Gretchen pushed one more time, crying out. Lori caught the child’s shoulders, guiding the tiny body into the world. He was beautiful. Much too small, but perfect.
And silent.
Gretchen’s voice hitched. “Is he…”
Edie handed Lori a fluffy towel. She wrapped the infant, rubbing it gently. Come on little guy. Breathe. Please.
The baby’s chest rose, and finally, he let out a pained shriek.
“The sun.” Lori jerked her head toward the windows. “Edie, close all the shu
tters.”
Her friend raced into action, and Lori did her best to keep the child in the shadows. As she placed the tiny infant on Gretchen’s chest, the glass beside the entry door exploded inward, bringing a man dressed all in black with it.
Issa carefully laid Muriah’s still form on the ground, struggling to bury his emotions, to channel the pain and torment. Muriah needed his blood for the change to be completed, but in order for the ritual to work, her life had to be offered in trade for Apep’s. He couldn’t give her his blood until Apep’s spirit was sealed in the clay vase.
He turned as the God of Chaos reached the bottom of the stairs. Apep looked past him, staring at Muriah’s lifeless body. He grinned at Issa. “Perhaps I didn’t give you enough credit. You are a cold, heartless bastard after all.”
Issa ignored his verbal jab and went to the vase. “Apep, spat out by the Gods, I call to you to keep him. I offer a life for a life.”
Apep growled. “You think you can entrap me?” He stormed to Muriah’s body, lifting her under her arms, her head lolling back.
“Leave her alone!” Issa roared.
“Or what?” Clouds gathered in Apep’s dark eyes. He pressed his ear to her chest and dropped her like a piece of useless garbage. “You already killed this mortal you fancied. Do you hunger for more death, you Mayan monster?”
Issa’s heart ached, but he welcomed the physical pain. He ran at Apep, tackling him to the ground. The Egyptian God of Chaos was strong, but he lacked a Mayan Night Walker’s preternatural strength as the gods from opposite sides of the earth wrestled for dominance. Finally, Issa pinned him to the ground, his eyes glowing crimson as he drew back his right hand, the hand of sacrifice.
Apep continued his assault on Issa’s cells, heat searing him from the inside out. “Do you think ripping my heart out will stop me? I cannot be killed.”
Blood dripped down Issa’s body, his skin blistering from Apep’s chaotic stare, weakening him. “It will not kill you… But it will hurt like hell.”
Issa brought his hand crashing down, snapping through Apep’s ribcage to grip his black heart. The storm cleared in Apep’s eyes, releasing Issa from his assault as he tore the organ free and threw it across the room with a guttural roar. He stumbled to his feet, weakened by Apep’s attack.
While the God of Chaos gaped, thrashing on the ground, Issa grappled for the edge of the table and pulled himself to the vase chanting over and over. “A life for a life. I call to the gods who spat out Apep into the world of man. A life for a life.”
He held up the clay vessel, his voice gaining more power with each repetition. Apep screamed as his body broke down into a fine, black mist. Otherworldly winds circled Issa, blowing his hair around his face as he continued the chant.
Dust mingled with the mist and swirled into a vicious tempest. Issa closed his eyes, clutching the vessel, shouting the incantation until finally the wind vanished. He opened his eyes and placed the stopper into the vase.
His entire body burned, welts and blisters marked his torso as he stumbled to Muriah and collapsed beside her. His fangs lengthened, and he tore into his wrist. Placing his wound to her lips, his blood trickled into her mouth. Her skin was still warm, but he heard no heartbeat. He yearned to hear the steady rhythm of life.
Her mouth filled and blood trailed down from the corner of her lips. He stroked her throat, willing her body to swallow. “Muriah. Come back to me.”
Silence was his only answer.
Lori sprang to her feet at the sound of broken glass. “Edie, stay with Gretchen.”
Her mind whirled. She needed a weapon. She grabbed Calisto’s marble bust of Mozart off the grand piano and started toward their unwanted guest.
The man in black straightened with a dagger in hand. “I do not wish to hurt you.” He had a thick Spanish accent, and his eye and lip were still bruised from their encounter a couple of days before. “That child is the antichrist. He will bring about the apocalypse.”
“You go anywhere near that baby, and you’ll wish the world was ending.” Lori tightened her grip on the bust, gauging the weight. Adrenaline coursed through her body. She wouldn’t hesitate to crack the fanatic’s skull if she had to.
“These people have lied to you. They are not what they seem. My Brotherhood seeks to protect the world. Give me the child, and I will leave you unharmed.”
“Screw you, buddy.” She gave the heavy marble piece a little practice swing and noticed the sunset in the mirror. If she could delay him a few more minutes, he’d be surrounded by Night Walkers.
He lifted his dagger, countering her movements. “I am willing to sacrifice my life to protect mankind.”
“And I’m ready to kick your ass to protect my friends.” She tipped her head toward the front door. “Last chance to get the hell out of here.”
Zafrina, if you’re up. We need you. Now.
The monk rushed her with his dagger raised. Lori swung with both hands. The bust connected with his wrist, sending the dagger flying into the wall. Before she could get a hand up to protect herself, he landed a solid punch to her jaw. Stars lit around the edges of Lori’s vision. She took another swing with the bust, slamming him in the shoulder and knocking him off-balance.
She dropped the bust and shoved him. The monk toppled onto the ground, and Zafrina pounced on him so fast the man squealed in surprise.
Zafrina glanced toward Lori. “I hear others outside.”
Lori rose to her feet, but Kate and Calisto blocked her exit. Kate took her hand. “We’ll take care of them. Stay with Gretchen.”
Lukas was already at Gretchen’s side, stroking his fingers on the child’s perfect cheek. He looked up at Lori. “Thank you for being here and helping her when I couldn’t.”
Lori rubbed her jaw and shrugged. “You’re welcome. Besides, you would have done it for me.” She turned toward Zafrina. The monk was pinned on his back. He stared up at her, his jaw slack, eyes wide. “Is he dead?”
“I took mercy on him.” Zafrina met her gaze. “He will have no memory of this place or this child.”
She pulled the priest to his feet and walked him out. Lori shifted toward Gretchen. “How’s the little guy doing?”
“He’s alive.” Gretchen had tears in her eyes. “He was already immortal.”
Lukas pricked his finger on his fang and placed the wound against the baby’s lips. It suckled. “And already hungry.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Issa carefully lifted Muriah’s lifeless body, carrying her to the bed. He laid her down and stretched out beside her. She hadn’t swallowed his blood. He’d been too late. He stroked her hair back from her forehead as he kissed her cooling lips.
A sob strangled his throat. Issa looked up at the stairs toward the lightening sky and screamed. He’d stopped Apep. The God of Chaos would not gain control over the Night Walkers, but in the process, he’d lost everything.
He’d failed Muriah. She offered her life because she believed in him.
He got up and crossed to the steps. Soon the sunlight would bathe him. He reached out mentally to his remaining immortal brothers, Kane and Colin. Forgive me.
Kane’s strong voice filled Issa’s mind, and although his brother was far away in Paris, Issa heard every word. My brother, there is nothing to forgive. I will come to you at sundown.
If there is any mercy left in this world, I will be gone by then.
Kane grew agitated. Whatever has happened, I will make it right. Rest now.
Issa turned toward Muriah’s lifeless body. Nothing can ever make this right.
He broke the connection with Kane and returned to Muriah’s side. Something she said when they left San Diego came back to him. “Take care of the store for me.”
That had been her one request of him. He’d given his word he would return her there, that she would see that red door again.
He glanced longingly at the stairs. Death would be easy…to go on living would be the real challenge. Groaning, he lay d
own beside her again, burying his face into the nape of her neck, breathing in her scent. She gave her life for his and for those of her friends.
If he were ever worthy of her love and trust, he needed to protect what she held most dear. She treasured her family’s legacy. For her, he had to live.
Blood tears stained his cheeks as he carried the bed into a deeper chamber, away from the desert sun. His body weakened, slowing, but he struggled to cover her with a blanket before sinking to the ground as a final breath left his lips.
Zafrina marveled at the tiny immortal baby. This was Mulac’s heir. The Night Walker she had loved and grown to loathe. This tiny child would grow to be the mighty God of the North, upholding the mortal world beside his three brothers. She cooed to him in her native Mayan tongue, smiling as he grasped her finger in his small hand.
“He’s amazing, isn’t he?”
She looked up to find Lori standing beside her chair. Zafrina smiled. “Not nearly as amazing as the mortal woman who defended him from the monks of the Fraternidad del Fuego Santo.”
Lori’s swollen lip curved into a lopsided smile. Zafrina’s heart swelled in her chest. “I only had to hold him off until you woke up.”
Zafrina rose to her feet and brought the babe to Lukas. “Take care of him.” She bent to press a kiss to Gretchen’s forehead. “You saved us all.” Glancing at Lukas, she added, “Stay alert. Apep could still be coming for the child. I have not heard from Issa.”
She straightened and took Lori’s hand. “Come. Let me attend to your wounds.”
Once they were alone on the deck, Zafrina brought her fingers under Lori’s chin, gently tipping her face up. Lori stood only an inch or two shorter than Zafrina, perfect. “You are a lioness for those you care about.”
Lori chuckled. “I’ve been called a bitch before. Lioness is a much nicer way of putting it.”
Zafrina raised a brow and brought her hand to her lips, sinking her fang into the tip of her index finger. The moment her blood mingled with the wound, Lori smiled.