by Nina Bangs
All the emergency lights in the stairwell shattered. But they weren’t in complete darkness. Ganymede’s amber eyes glowed, the promise of death in their depths. This was the badass Dacian had always suspected hid behind the easygoing fat-cat persona.
“Oh, I know him. And yeah, I did a piss-poor job of putting him back together again. I won’t even try this time.” In one leap, he cleared their heads and landed on the step below them. “We’re meeting in the greenhouse. I’ve sent out a call already. Only the people I trust. Go get some shoes on, vampire. I don’t want one of those assholes taking you out by stepping on your toes.”
Dacian opened his mouth to say, no, he wasn’t leaving Cinn. But Ganymede beat him to it.
“Take her with you. Taurin, Eric, and their wives have risen. They’re waiting at your door.” And then Ganymede was gone.
“The night feeders are in the castle, aren’t they? The…person who took Sparkle is controlled by Stephan, isn’t he?”
Cinn sounded calm, but her hand shook in his as they hurried to his room. He squeezed her hand to give her confidence, a confidence he wasn’t sure he felt himself. He’d planned to use the nonhumans in the castle to help him. Now Sparkle was gone. Had he made the right decision? Maybe he should’ve tried to lure Stephan somewhere else for their showdown. What showdown? You can’t kill your own maker, and Taurin isn’t strong enough.
His brother and Eric, along with Donna and Kristin, were already in his room. The two women sat on his couch, Eric paced, and Taurin leaned against the wall. At another time Dacian would’ve made a sarcastic comment about their coming in without an invite, but not now.
“You know everything?” Dacian glanced around.
“Yeah. Ganymede filled us in.” Taurin pushed away from the wall.
Cinn dropped onto one of his overstuffed chairs. “Ganymede seemed to know who took Sparkle. What does that mean?”
“It means that not only has the enemy breached the castle, but Stephan has pulled in a few helpers who aren’t night feeders.” Dacian knew his expression was as grim as his thoughts.
“No chance that Sparkle’s kidnapping isn’t related to Stephan, that it was just an unfortunate coincidence?” Donna watched Eric pace, her eyes troubled.
“Not likely.” Eric didn’t stop pacing.
Dacian yanked a sweater over his head and pulled on his boots. “We’d better get our butts moving. Ganymede will be waiting.”
No one spoke as they hurried to the greenhouse. Once inside, Dacian made sure Cinn was still at his side before glancing around.
“No one challenged us at the door. Anyone could’ve come in.” Two centuries of hiding from Stephan had taught Dacian the value of caution.
“I’ve put a ward around the greenhouse. Only those Ganymede named are permitted through.” Holgarth cast a dismissive look at Cinn. “I would advise Ms. Airmid to stay in here with her plants during the battle. I doubt she or her ‘weed warriors’ will be of much use against the night feeders and whatever ilk they’ve brought with them.”
A glance from Cinn stopped Dacian from pointing out that if Holgarth’s gargoyles had done their job, there wouldn’t be any “ilk” in the castle.
Ganymede hadn’t arrived yet, but otherwise it was the same group as before, except for three new men…no, not men. Demons. They stood next to Bain, scanning the room with predatory glances. The gazes of all three stopped at Cinn. One of them licked his lips.
Dacian growled low in his throat. The demon looked at him and then glanced away. But not before Dacian saw him smile. “Bain. I hope you have a tight leash.”
Bain shrugged. “These three are lesser demons. Vicious fighters, but not too selective. They’ll stay with me, and I’ll point them in the right direction. They were the only ones I could get on short notice.”
“Demons? They don’t look as…human as Bain.” Cinn sounded uneasy.
“Bain is more powerful, so he can put on a better show. But never doubt that underneath he’s as merciless as them.”
Bain smiled at him. “A compliment, Dacian? I get so few of them. See, now you’ve made me feel all warm and friendly.”
“How did your demons get past the gargoyles?” Holgarth seemed to have pulled himself from his funk. His gaze was clear and sharp.
“They walked past. Your gargoyles are confused, wizard. They’re not stopping anyone from coming through.” Bain’s smile hardened. “I wonder who was responsible for that trick?”
“The sorcerer.” There was no doubt in Holgarth’s voice.
“You mean the wizard who tried out for your job and woke the gargoyles?” Edge spoke for the first time.
“I prefer sorcerer to wizard. I’m sure there’s black magic involved in his power.”
Dacian figured that was what Holgarth wanted to believe. He could use that explanation to excuse the butt-kicking the stranger had handed out.
Holgarth straightened his hat, and Dacian wondered why he didn’t get one that fit his head. Wait, maybe they didn’t make them that big.
“I assume he wove a spell into his awakening of the gargoyles that countermanded my orders.” The air seemed to go out of Holgarth, leaving him once again deflated and morose. “I should have sensed what he was doing.”
And even though Dacian had no liking for Holgarth, he found himself trying to divert attention from the wizard’s obvious pain. “Where’s Ganymede?”
The greenhouse door crashed open with so much force that the whole greenhouse shook. And everyone’s gaze was riveted on the figure standing in the doorway.
Chapter Seventeen
Silence. A shivering sliver of deadly quiet. Outside, the wind howled and blew the snow into drifts that formed strange shapes against the greenhouse walls.
But inside, everyone waited. And those who had breath held it. Cinn thought she might never breathe again. Because breathing required a heartbeat, and she was sure hers had stopped the moment the door opened.
A man stood in the doorway while a cold blast of air and driven snow blew into the room around him. Then he slammed the door shut.
That seemed to jump-start everyone in the greenhouse.
“Who the hell are you? If you’re not on Ganymede’s list, you’re dead.”
Cinn had never seen Edge look this dangerous. Not exactly a hearty “Welcome, stranger.”
“Cut the drama. It’s me.”
More silence.
“Ganymede.”
“No way.” Bain said it for all of them.
Ganymede was a chubby cat with a huge appetite. This man was…
Cinn wasn’t sure she had words for what he was. Tall, about six five. Muscular with broad shoulders that tapered down to narrow hips. Strong-looking legs. He wore jeans tucked into calf-high boots that looked well broken in, a white T-shirt, and a tan suede jacket. His hair was a little too long and it curled, framing his face, making him look like a fallen angel who was enjoying the dark side a whole lot. The color wasn’t just blond blond. It had a richness, shine, and depth to it that would make any woman want to rake her fingers through it over and over and over.
“What do you think, wizard?” Eric looked as though he wasn’t sure whether to attack or accept.
“The voice belongs to Ganymede.” Holgarth scowled. “Only Sparkle would know for sure. But this could be the nefarious work of the sorcerer.”
“We don’t have time for this crap. My babe is in danger. You want proof, wizard? How about if I drive your pointy hat through your thick skull? That proof enough for you?” The air vibrated with the power of his anger.
“Why did you take human form?” Cinn didn’t know if this was Ganymede or not. But the woman in her couldn’t look away from his face. The amber eyes were a given, but the rest of his features were a total surprise. The Ganymede who spoke in her head should have rough-hewn features, maybe a beard, probably bushy eyebrows and a jutting jaw. A scary tough guy.
“I need opposable thumbs so I can choke the life from Rabid when I fin
d him.”
Okay, so the scary part was still a go. But what an incredible face. Its spectacular lines and angles, combined with a sensual mouth and amber eyes framed by long lashes, should have looked almost too beautiful. But instead his face was strongly masculine.
Even though Cinn thought Dacian was the most gorgeous guy she knew, she was still part of the collective “woman.” And that part of her couldn’t help admiring Ganymede. She hadn’t understood Sparkle’s love for him before. Now she did. And yes, Sparkle would applaud her shallowness.
“Who is this Rabid?” Taurin seemed to have accepted Ganymede.
“A rogue cosmic troublemaker.” Ganymede threw Dacian a pointed stare. “He creates insane rages in his victims.”
Dacian made the connection. “He works with Stephan. He’s the one who’s causing my problem.”
“I don’t mean to change the subject, but Airmid is near. I sense her. She’s waiting for the battle to begin so she can slip in here and destroy the plants while everyone is occupied elsewhere.” Asima was lying next to Teddy. The cactus seemed calm tonight. “I’ll remain here to protect the plants.”
Ganymede nodded. “If we need you we’ll call. Luckily, we don’t have as many rooms as a regular hotel, so Stephan probably only got in a couple dozen of his vampires.” He scanned the rest of his small army. “I asked Holgarth to check on something before he came here.” He nodded at his wizard. “Tell them what you found.”
“Almost all of those who’ve checked in during the past few weeks have been in groups of three. No nonhumans were around when they checked in so we can’t verify if they are indeed human. I suspect not. Only one member of each group has eaten in the restaurant regularly. Perhaps the other two have eaten at another restaurant. I doubt it. During the time they’ve been here, they’ve asked that they be allowed to clean their own rooms. Fresh linens have been left outside their doors.” Holgarth glanced at Ganymede.
“Translation: The night feeders checked in and brought their own takeout with them. They stayed in their rooms and their sorcerer wove some kind of crappy spell so we wouldn’t sense their presence.” Ganymede looked grim. “The night feeders alone wouldn’t worry me too much, but they brought along two big guns. We can’t even guess at how powerful their sorcerer is.”
“And Rabid? What’s his range of power?” Edge’s expression hinted that he’d heard of the rogue.
“Not wide enough.” Ganymede smiled, and everyone backed away from him. “We both go back almost to the dawn of time. I kicked his ass then, and I’ll do it again. If he hurts my woman, I’ll do it slowly and painfully. And if he kills her…”
The emergency lights flickered and went out at the same time the whole greenhouse shook and rattled. The power flowing from Ganymede seemed to fill the small space and expand outward. Cinn expected the greenhouse windows to explode in a shower of glass.
Ganymede’s voice deepened, seemed to pulse with deadly energy as he spoke into the darkness. “I’ll destroy him and drag his body into the bowels of the earth to rot like the piece of shit he is.”
“The Big Boss destroys any cosmic troublemaker who takes the life of another of his kind.” Edge sounded as though he were repeating a rule he’d memorized.
“To hell with the Big Boss.”
Cinn didn’t even know who this Big Boss was, but she instinctively cringed, waiting for the lightning bolt to take them all out. Nothing happened.
Suddenly, the emergency lights came back on. Ganymede looked calm, his eyes giving away none of the intense emotion that had manifested itself physically a moment ago. Cinn wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end when he finally released all that repressed rage.
Holgarth filled the silence. “Oh, one more bit of information. The Mackenzie vampire, Kyla, checked in several nights before you brought Dacian to the castle. And a known night feeder left at the same time she checked in. I looked at the surveillance tape for that time period and found several frames showing them talking together in the parking lot.” Ganymede let the implications settle in.
“She betrayed our clan.” Eric sounded suddenly weary.
Taurin looked stricken. “All that talk about being worried about Dacian. Lies.”
Dacian remained silent, but Cinn felt his anguish. She’d expected to feel triumph if this moment happened. Instead she just felt sadness for the three men who’d trusted Kyla.
Donna wisely changed the subject. “So what’s the plan to kick their butts?”
“We’ll keep it simple.” Ganymede’s expression said that ice cream and chips weren’t anywhere on his radar now. “Rabid is mine. I’ll find him and get Sparkle back. Everyone else stay away from him. Once he locks onto you, he can trigger the rage.”
Ganymede met Dacian’s gaze. “Sorry. Can’t help you. He’ll probably take you out right before they attack so you can’t fight against them. And this time you won’t get the usual warning from Stephan.”
“I won’t let you guys fight a battle that should be mine while I’m locked in the dungeon.” Dacian spoke through clenched teeth.
Ganymede looked thoughtful. “I agree. That’s why I’m bringing the chains here.” Without warning, manacles and chains attached to an upright post appeared by his side. “At the first twinge, get yourself chained to that post. Yeah, I know the chains won’t hold you for long, but let’s hope they’ll last until some of the killing frenzy fades.”
Cinn was so busy being amazed by Ganymede’s magic that she didn’t realize he’d switched his attention to her.
“Cinn, stay here with Asima and Dacian. If for some reason you can’t get the cuffs on him, Asima will try to control him until he comes around.”
Try was the operative word. Cinn didn’t want to believe Dacian would hurt her, but she’d seen the emptiness in his eyes that first time. No one home. She nodded.
“The rest of us will split up into pairs. Eric and Donna, Taurin and Kristin, Bain and his three demons, Holgarth and Edge—”
“Whoa, wait, stop.” Edge raised both hands in the air. “I work alone. No wizards.” He glared at Holgarth. “He’d run his mouth at me, and I’d end up killing him.”
Once again the building shook as Ganymede visibly fought to control his temper. “Did I give you a choice? Don’t remember that happening. Probably the most powerful weapon Stephan has is that freaking sorcerer. You think that’s a real snowstorm out there? Bet our sorcerer friend whipped that up while he was brushing his teeth this morning. What do you think he could do if he really concentrated? Oh, maybe drop the castle on our dumbass heads.”
Cinn swore she could hear thunder rumbling as Ganymede worked himself up.
“You think you can take him all by yourself, Edge? Bet you do. But you know something? I think you need Holgarth to help you. Neither one of you by yourself can bring him down. Holgarth’s already tried.”
Dacian evidently saw what she saw. Edge was working on his own power source, and he might explode into violence at any second. None of them needed the two cosmic troublemakers going at each other.
Dacian interrupted their stare-down. “Are there any humans left in the castle? If so, we need to do something with them. They won’t survive the night feeders. Stephan’s forces are always looking for an energy bar to keep them going.”
Ganymede closed his eyes and cursed. “Damn, hell, shit, fuck, and son of a bitch. I forgot about them.”
Edge evidently couldn’t help getting some of his own back. “Thought the Big Boss banned your swearing. Bet you just pissed him off big time.”
Ganymede opened his eyes and just stared at Edge. The other cosmic troublemaker subsided.
“Holgarth, bring them here. Tell them since we had to cancel the regular fantasies, Cinn will entertain them with tales of her amazing plants. Maybe even manage a surprise fantasy.”
“She will?” Cinn knew she looked horrified. What tales?
Bain winked at her. “I could give you a few.”
Dacian flashed fang.
Cinn widened her eyes as another thought hit. “You can’t bring a bunch of humans in here. It’s too dangerous.”
“Tough shit. You think they’ll be safer in the castle with all those vampires running around? When the bloodlust hits them, they aren’t too selective about whose throat they rip out.” Ganymede’s expression said his decision stood.
Bain was still thinking about Cinn’s plants. “You could tell them about the plant that—”
“Forget it.” Dacian glared at Bain until the demon shrugged and glanced away.
“Do your three demons talk?” Cinn knew this might not be the time to ask, but she needed to steer the conversation to something safer.
Bain checked out his demon friends. “Nope. They just kill.”
“Oh.” Well, that was short and not so sweet.
“Okay, you all know what to do. Eric, create nightmare fantasies for them. Donna, take their heads.”
Cinn wished Ganymede would be less graphic. Donna had just gone three shades paler.
“Taurin and Kristin, work as a team. You know how night feeders think.”
Cinn could see worry for his brother in Dacian’s eyes. God, she hoped this didn’t end with one of them dead, not after they’d finally found each other.
“Holgarth and Edge, you might have the toughest job of all. Don’t know what to tell you about the sorcerer.” Ganymede turned toward the door. “If any of you need me, give me a mental shout-out.”
“Some of the Mackenzies are on their way, but something’s blocking my mental messages. And with cells and landlines dead, I don’t know how close they are.” Eric looked frustrated.
Ganymede shrugged. “We go with the people we have now. We can’t count on getting help.”
“Who’ll be helping you?” Cinn knew she was probably the only one who could ask that. Ganymede wouldn’t expect a human to have any sense.
Ganymede looked at her from eyes that shone with bloodlust. “I hunt alone, babe. I’ll find Rabid. And I’ll find Sparkle. Don’t doubt it.” And then he was gone.