“What are you doing?” Her voice sounded even more distant.
He tried to answer, but it seemed to take too much energy to speak. His tongue felt too thick and heavy to move, but he kept his focus on her, drawing out the rest of the poison.
Vlad. Get out of her. Maria’s voice was bossy and commanding in his head, even as her energy continued to pound him ruthlessly.
Not yet. Almost there. Almost done. He found the last little bit of poison tucked in behind Sophie’s heart, and he dragged it out of her, taking it into his own body. Done.
He broke the connection with Sophie, and collapsed beside her on the hard stone, gasping for breath as his lungs began to shut down. He’d pushed it too far. He knew he had. Maria wasn’t going to be able to save him.
And he was okay with that.
Sophie was going to survive, and that was what mattered—
But just as he thought it, just as he was letting himself go, he felt another push of demon energy.
They were back.
Swearing, he shoved himself back to his hands and knees. “Sophie,” he whispered.
Her eyes flickered open. “Vlad?” Her voice was slurred, and he put his hand over her mouth.
“The demons are here,” he whispered into her ear, struggling to stay conscious. He would not leave her. He would not leave her. He could feel Maria inside him, still battling the poisons, but he didn’t care. He just had to make sure Sophie was safe first.
Her eyes widened, and she turned her head, looking toward the waterfall. She then looked around, searching their cavern.
“What are you looking for?” The room was spinning, and he swayed. He reached out with his psychic energy toward the demons, and this time, he felt their readiness for his attack. Their mental shields were up, and he felt their energy swarm his, trying to track where he was. Swearing, he broke mental contact, keeping his energy focused on their physical being. He pushed at them, holding them back from the edge of the water as they neared it.
He closed his eyes, willing all his energy into the energy shield he was creating. “Find a way out,” he said. “Now.”
Sophie moved behind him, falling against his side as she tried to sit up. He knew she was as weak as he was, but at least she was on the right side of the poison. “There’s a crevice. Come on.” She tugged on his arm, but he didn’t move.
“I’ll hold them off. You go.”
“What? No.” She pulled harder, but he couldn’t muster the energy to rise. “Come on, Vlad.”
The poison was encroaching on his heart. He could feel Maria battling with it, but it was too late, too little. “You go.”
“Really?” Her voice was next to his ear. “Listen, Vlad, I know that you said you wouldn’t help the women because you knew I wouldn’t try to stay alive if I was certain you would take care of them. You were right, and you saved my life.” She took a shuddering breath. “Thank God you can be such a convincing ass sometimes.”
He managed a half smile. “Smart woman.”
She tightened her grip on him. “Here’s the thing, Vlad, the demons outside aren’t the only ones after me. If I get away from them, Lucien and Rikker are still hunting me. The threat doesn’t end until every demon in this kingdom is dead, or I’m in the earth realm. You do realize that, don’t you? If you die, I’m on my own.”
Vlad swore at her words, realizing that she was right. He could still feel the burning of his ring finger, indicating that she was still in danger. Son of a bitch. Maria, you better make this work. With a muffled groan, he rolled onto his side, still keeping the demons pinned back from the pool.
His vision swam in and out of focus, as he let Sophie half-pull him across the floor of the cavern. There was a slim crack in the wall, and as he watched, she placed her hands on it. The rock seemed to disappear, along with her, revealing a narrow tunnel that ran alongside the cavern they’d been hiding in. He didn’t hesitate. He knew the drill by now. He just dragged himself through it on his elbows, every muscle in his body screaming in agony. He had just gotten his feet through it when the rock wall reformed, with Sophie standing on his side of the wall, her palms pressed to the rock.
The minute the rock was sealed, he lost contact with the demons. How long until they found their hideaway? How long until they broke through the wall? The moment the wall formed, Sophie stepped over him, and pressed her hands to the rock on the opposite side of the tunnel. Again, the stone disappeared, creating another opening. This one was small, just a cavern, no tunnel. It was a dead end, and a trap, a hole that she’d created for them.
“Come on,” she whispered.
He heard the demons on the other side of the wall now. They were already in the cavern that he and Sophie had just vacated, trying to figure out where they’d gone.
In their weakened state, he and Sophie had no chance of outrunning them. Their only hope was to outsmart them. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he dragged himself through the opening, and collapsed on the floor of the tiny cavern. Sophie took her hands off the wall, then turned toward him. “Call me back.” Before he could answer, she turned away and then sprinted down the tunnel.
Hell. What was she doing? Trying to create a false trail?
The demons were pounding on the stone now, clearly trying to break through. She wouldn’t make it back in time. Call her back? Suddenly, he realized what she’d meant. She wanted him to use his magic to drag her back at warp speed before the demons broke through, after she’d set a trail for them to follow.
Sweat trickled down his back as Vlad rolled onto his side. The rock wall on the other side of the tunnel shuddered, and tiny fragments fell as the demons started to hammer on it. He closed his eyes, pointing his index finger in the direction Sophie had gone. He reached out with his mind, searching for her. His focus faltered, and he swore. He didn’t have the strength to reach that far. Gabe. Give me some of your strength. Can you do that?
Yeah, I think so. Gabe’s energy surged through him, the demon-laced strength of a Calydon warrior. Vlad bolted upright just as a tip of a blade broke through the wall. His psychic energy surged outward, and he found Sophie instantly, already a mile away, running at lightning speed. Unlike the last time, when he’d been unable to find living cells in her body, this time, she was vibrant with life and in solid form. He locked onto her, and then flicked his finger, jerking her back off her feet.
The tip of another blade broke through, creating a second hole. Vlad kept his focus, using more of Gabe’s strength as he called Sophie back to him, moving her faster than he’d ever moved anything in his life.
Another crash on the wall, and then Sophie careened around the corner. He held up his arms and caught her as she slammed into him. She spun around and slammed her hands down on the rock, disappearing into mist, and then, just as fast, the rock wall took shape again, cutting them off from the demons.
She collapsed against him, both of them going utterly still as they heard the demons break through. They were so close that Vlad could hear the murmur of their voices, and the scrape of their axes on the stone. He and Sophie were both utterly drained. They’d no chance to defend themselves if the demons found them.
They were milling around in the tunnel, no doubt trying to figure out which way to go. Vlad tightened his grip on Sophie, his mind going frantically as he tried to figure out an option if the demons broke through. Gabe.
Yeah.
If they come after us, you need to help me hold them off until Sophie can get away.
I don’t have much left. I’m feeding life force to Maria while she drags that shit out of you.
Without Gabe’s infusion of strength, they had no chance to fight the demons. Vlad swore under his breath, staring at the rock wall. Sophie stayed still in his arms, both of them waiting…waiting…waiting…
Then, suddenly, mercifully, the voices of the demons began to fade, as they headed down the tunnel, following the trail Sophie had left for them.
Sophie collapsed against
him with a small groan. “We should move further. I can make a couple more holes.”
“Do it.”
Somehow, they both managed to drag themselves through three more holes she made in the solid rock, until finally, exhausted, they both collapsed. They could go no further. It would have to be enough, even if the demons backtracked. She’d refilled each of their caverns with the rock from the new one, so there was more than ten feet of solid rock between them and the tunnel.
It had to be enough.
I’m pulling Maria off you. Gabe’s voice brushed over his mind. She says you’ll live, but she’s in trouble now. How come I’m the only one who can strip poison without getting affected? Clearly, I’m a god. Let’s touch base in a few. You good?
Vlad closed his eyes as he pulled Sophie against him. She sagged against his chest, her exhaustion beating at him. Yeah, we’re okay. For now.
Chapter 24
Maria lay on her side, tucked up against Gabe’s naked body, too exhausted to move. The healing of both Sophie and Vlad had nearly killed her, and the lovemaking needed to save her had been more intense than anything she’d ever experienced. Through it all, Gabe had stayed sane and focused, concentrating on taking care of her.
This incredible warrior who was so dedicated to his mission and so skilled at what he did had enabled her to reach beyond her capacity in her healing, and he’d made it safe for her to rebuild herself.
She had never had the luxury of resting in a man’s arms, of being cradled against his chest, of being able to sleep and relax and feel safe, but Gabe gave it to her.
“How are you doing?” His voice was quiet, but it was sharp and alert. She knew that despite the exhaustion he must be facing from the numerous orgasms they’d both had, he was on guard, watching out for her so she could heal.
Her back was up against his chest, tucked tightly against him. His thigh was over her hip, and his arms were wrapped tightly around her, his forearm resting across her breasts. She felt cherished and protected, like a woman, not like a lust-driven lunatic willing to sell herself to any male who could feed her. “Sex is different with you,” she said softly, running her hand over the soft hair on his forearm. The hook sword branded on his forearm was intricate artistry, so lethal, but so beautiful as well.
“Good.” He pressed a kiss to her hair, making her smile.
It hadn’t been a kiss of sex. It had been a kiss of intimacy, something she’d never experienced before. She moved her arm so she could see the markings on her skin, smiling at the sight of his brand forming on her arm. She couldn’t believe she wasn’t freaking out at the idea of being linked to him, but it felt good. Maybe it was because being connected with Gabe actually gave her freedom and self-respect that she’d never had before. “What’s the deal with the sheva bond?”
“Five stages. Sex, which we did. The blood bond, again completed. The other three are transference, when you are able to call my weapon—”
“Really?” She sat up, excitement pulsing through her. “I can call your weapon?”
He raised his brows, amusement flickering across his face at her excitement. “When you need it, yeah. It won’t come so you can admire it.”
She grinned. “I like that.” She held out her hand, flexing it. “Imagine what I could do with a Calydon weapon? I bet that could take down any demon.”
He grinned. “You’re so bloodthirsty. That’s sexy as hell, you know.”
She beamed at him. “I love that you think it’s hot that I’m not a girly girl. I’ll always be a protector, you know.”
He nodded. “I like it.”
Her smile widened. “What are the other stages?”
“Trust, where we give one another the power to kill each other, or entrust the other one with our greatest secret.”
“Trust?” She wrinkled her nose at the thought of having that kind of faith in anyone. Sophie, yes, but a man? “Sorry, but with the exception of Sophie, I don’t really trust anyone, especially men. So, I don’t think we need to worry that I’m going to be pouring out my innermost secrets to you.” She almost felt a little sad. The idea of being fully connected with Gabe appealed to her on some level. Maybe it was because she’d been on the outside, struggling to survive her whole life. She’d never felt safe or balanced, but Gabe made her feel like she could be. He gave her a place to breathe, to respect herself, to be herself, whether that was courageous, a warrior, or too exhausted to even move.
She’d collapsed, and he’d carried her for miles to get her to safety, then he’d made love to her until she was better, and then helped her save her friends. With Gabe, she had someone to share the burden, and it felt good. It wasn’t that she trusted him, but…he’d given her faith in humanity that she’d never had before.
He made the world seem a little more three dimensional than it had been before, and she liked it.
Gabe didn’t seem concerned about her lack of trust. He shrugged. “We’ll just take it as it goes. Do what needs to be done. I’m not worried.”
She smiled, running her fingers over the corded muscles in his forearm. After all her time with demons who tried to control everyone in their path, it was incredible and unexpected to meet a man who wasn’t the least bit concerned with trying to manipulate her behavior. “What’s the last stage?”
“Death stage, when we kill to save each other, or offer our own lives to save the other.”
“Death?” She thought about that. “Trust may not be likely, but that stage probably is. I’d have no problem killing to save you…” She grimaced, realizing how that might have sounded. “I mean, I’d kill to save anyone from a demon. It’s not like you’re special or anything.” She then grimaced again. “I mean, not like you’re a fungible good that could be traded for anyone, or that it wouldn’t make a difference if you were the one in trouble, because it would matter, but not that much…” Crap. What was she trying to say?
He laughed, a deep, warm laugh that resonated through her. “It’s okay.” He rolled onto his back and tugged her on top of him, dragging her onto his chest, amusement dancing in his eyes. “I know I’m the best lover you’ve ever had in your bed, and you’d be devastated if you lost me.” He took her hand and pressed his lips to her fingertips, mischief dancing in his dark eyes. “You can admit it. I won’t use it against you.”
Embarrassment flushed her cheeks. “I wouldn’t be devastated. I don’t need you.”
He cocked an eyebrow, making himself look so cute that her heart fluttered. With his mischievous expression, he didn’t look like a hardened warrior. He looked like a guy who was flirting with her, and that made her heart tighten. No one had ever flirted with her in her life.
“So, you wouldn’t kill to save my life?” he teased.
She was completely flustered. “Of course I would—”
“Of course you would.” He grinned and kissed her, a hot, playful kiss that made her giggle as he began to nibble his way along her jaw. “I really appreciate your willingness to kill on my behalf, and I mean that. Any warrior likes to know his partner has his back.” He bit her neck lightly, and she couldn’t suppress the ridiculously girly squeak in response.
He laughed, and bit her again, his amusement rumbling through her. “But here’s the thing, babe.” He pulled back to look at her, his face so deadpan that she started giggling.
“Babe?” she repeated. “You’re calling a half-demon princess, babe?”
“Hell, yeah. Babe translates to ‘deliciously sexy goddess that is mine and I like it that way,’ so, yeah, babe.”
She swallowed, annoyed by the excitement that shot through her at his claim. “I’m not yours.”
“As stated by the woman who has my brands on her arms, right? Right. Got it.” He kissed her again, before she could argue, but as soon as she started kissing him back, he broke the kiss. “So, as I was saying, I appreciate your willingness to shed blood on my behalf, but you should know that I’m one of the most badass warriors ever to walk the earth. There�
��s no way I could sit back and enjoy a beer while you were doing the killing. I’m a frontline kind of guy. You’re not going to kill anything in defense of me, because I’m going to be doing the killing.”
She cocked her head. “It’s really too bad you don’t have any self-esteem, you know?”
“Arrogance is fantastic. It makes every day better.” He kissed her again, a playful kiss that quickly turned into so much more. Heat poured into her, escalating as his hands roamed over her body, igniting the nerves on every inch of skin he touched.
She’d never had a man caress her. She’d never experienced foreplay. She’d never known about long, sensual kisses that pulsed deep inside her, awakening the parts of her soul and her femininity that she’d never even realized existed.
“Close your eyes,” he whispered, as he caught her around the waist and gently flipped her onto her back on the rough blanket. “Just feel for a moment.”
She did as he suggested, tangling her fists in the tattered fabric beside her head as he began to kiss his way down her body. Along her neck. Across her collarbone. Long, sensual strokes of his hands along her sides and over her hips, as his lips pressed kisses over the swell of her breasts. She shifted, her body aching as he slid his hand slowly down her thigh, to the back of her knee, and then clasped the back of her calf, his thumb moving in sensual circles along her skin.
She expected him to part her legs and touch her intimately, but he didn’t. His mouth traced sensual designs along her ribs and across her belly, while his hands moved over the curves of her legs, her hips, her arms. His touch was leisurely and deliberate, decadently sensual, and yet, at the same time, there was an innocence, for both of them.
She’d never been touched the way he was touching her, and she was pretty certain it was the first time he’d ever explored a woman’s body that way. A first for both of them, a first that took her breath away and made tears burn in her eyes. “It’s beautiful, how you touch me,” she whispered, almost afraid to say it, to admit how much she liked it.
It scared her to admit it. It made her feel vulnerable.
Hunt the Darkness (Order of the Blade Book 11) Page 22