Falling Blind: The Sentinel Wars

by Shannon K. Butcher

  “The lights are already on, honey.”

  Rory went still in shock. She knew that voice—remembered it from her childhood. “Mom?”

  “Yes.” That single word was filled with regret and lost chances.

  “I’m dead, aren’t I?”

  “You’re very much alive. Everything is going to be okay.”

  “Rory,” said a deep, cultured voice. “It’s Logan. You’re safe at Dabyr. Your mother is right. You’re going to be fine.”

  Mom was alive. That was so bizarre, Rory couldn’t wrap her head around it. She struggled to make sense, but all she could find was happy relief.

  She clasped her mother’s hand, refusing to let go for fear she’d disappear. “I thought you were dead. Nana said you were gone.”

  “I promised her I’d stay away if she took care of you. She didn’t want my drug problem affecting you. Neither did I. I know I was a horrible mom, but I’m clean now.”

  Confusion swamped Rory, making her head spin. “I don’t understand.”

  Logan said, “We found your mother with the other humans Krag held hostage. We brought her here, drove the toxins from her body and gave her refuge. We had no idea who she was until we brought you here and she saw you.”

  “I dreamed I saw you before but was too high to care. I’m so sorry, Rory. For everything.”

  She followed Mom’s arm until she could pull her in for a hug.

  Rory didn’t care about the past. She’d made her own share of mistakes—hurt too many people. Maybe she was a fool to forgive her mom for the crappy things she’d done, but she didn’t care. Life was too short not to forgive. So she did. She let all the shit fall away, leaving only a bright, clean slate stretching out in front of them.

  As Mom’s scent wrapped around her, the pieces of the puzzle began to click together. Mom had been on the streets for years. She’d probably been at Sister Olive’s shelter. And she’d been there when Rory had been tossed down in that flooded basement.

  Mom was the one who blocked Rory’s visions. She always had. That’s why they’d gotten so much worse after she’d left, and why they’d disappeared from time to time when Rory had been near her without knowing it.

  Happiness settled through her and she let herself feel hope for the future. Instinctively, she reached out for Cain’s mind so she could share her joy with him, only to find him missing—utterly and completely gone. Panic stole over her, sucking her breath from her lungs.

  Rory pulled away from her mom and looked toward where Logan’s voice had originated. “Where’s Cain?”

  “Sleeping,” said Logan. “You drove the poison from him, but he was in bad shape.”

  “Is he going to live?” Please let him live.

  “Yes. He’ll wake soon and I’m sure he’ll want to see you.”

  Relief brought tears to her eyes, making them burn. “What happened? How did we get out of there?”

  “The warriors Joseph sent after Ella and Ethan found you.”

  “Are they okay?”

  “Ethan is fine. His mother didn’t make it. She died protecting him.”

  Rory couldn’t process that right now. She was already dealing with too much. “I want to talk to Cain, but I don’t want him to see me like this—blind and helpless. How long will it take you to fix my eyes?”

  Sadness hung in Logan’s voice. “I’m sorry, Rory. I’ve already tried to correct your blindness. There’s nothing more I can do.”

  Chapter 35

  Cain woke up at Dabyr. Joseph was at his bedside, looking like he needed about a year’s worth of sleep.

  He couldn’t feel Rory. He reached for her, but there was . . . nothing.

  Panic had him jackknifing out of bed. “Where’s Rory?”

  “Take it easy. She’s alive. She’s here. Safe.”

  “I want to see her.” He threw back the covers, finding himself naked.

  Joseph tossed him a wad of clothing. “She’s refusing to see anyone. Most specifically you.”

  “What? Why?”

  Joseph’s gaze hit Cain’s neck with an obvious message.

  Cain reached up, felt his luceria back in place. His lifemark was nearly bare again.

  “Logan kept you asleep while your leaves fell. We didn’t see any point in making you suffer through that.”

  “How long?” demanded Cain. “How long since my luceria fell?”

  “Just over a day.”

  A whole day for Rory to think about changing her mind. And yet she chose to avoid him. “I don’t understand. What did I do wrong? The last thing I remember she was burning the eyes out of all the demons at once. Did something happen after that?”

  “Her mother is here.”

  “Alive?”

  “Yes. She was one of the victims we rescued last spring. Drug addict in Krag’s thrall. The Sanguinar cleaned her up and she’s been living here ever since.”

  “She was the one Rory was looking for,” guessed Cain. “The one who blocked her visions.”

  Joseph nodded. “Your luceria fell shortly after she woke and realized what was going on. She asked me to return it to you.”

  Cain pulled on his jeans and buckled his sword in place. “Where is she?”

  “She doesn’t want to see you.”

  “I don’t give a fuck. Where is she?”

  Joseph sighed. “The suite across the hall. I wanted her close in case she changed her mind.”

  Cain’s legs were a bit wobbly, but he ignored the weakness and stalked across the hall. Joseph was right at his back, yammering, as if he could actually stop Cain from seeing the woman he loved.

  He paused with his hand on the door to her suite as the knowledge sank in, driving away all darkness and doubt. His soul was filled with the blinding light of complete and perfect truth. He loved her—in a forever kind of way—and he was not going to let her go so easily.

  “There’s something you need to know,” said Joseph.

  Cain didn’t care what the man had to say. There was nothing that would change Cain’s mind. The door swung open and Rory stood suddenly, her head turning toward him. She was looking right at him, but there was no hint of recognition. No anger, no excitement or relief. Just empty blankness.

  “Rory is blind,” whispered Joseph.

  The shock of that news hit him hard, but it vanished in a moment, doing nothing to shake his decision. He still loved her. He still wanted her. “It changes nothing.”

  “Cain?” said Rory. She took a step toward him and ran into the coffee table. She caught herself before he’d made it to her side. Shame burned in her cheeks. “Go away.”

  “Not going to happen. You and I are going to talk.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about. I made my decision.”

  “So did I.” Cain turned to Joseph. “Leave.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea. If Rory doesn’t want you here—”

  Cain cut him off. “Then she can kick me out. After we’ve talked.”

  Joseph nodded. To Rory, he said, “I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

  “She won’t,” said Cain.

  Joseph shut the door on his way out.

  Cain didn’t wait to dive in. The longer she was away from him, the worse he felt. And it was more than just his lifemark that was suffering. He missed having her in his thoughts, feeling her so deeply a part of him that he could hardly tell the difference between them.

  “I need you,” he admitted, not giving a fuck about his pride.

  “No, you need someone to fight by your side. That’s all you’ve ever wanted.” Her voice went quiet. “That and a child.”

  “Are you saying you don’t want the same thing? You loved having my power at your fingertips. I felt every second of your exhilaration when you were kicking ass. You can’t now lie and pretend you didn’t love it.”

  “Of course I did. But in case you didn’t hear Joseph, I’m blind. The Sanguinar can’t fix it.”

  “So?”

  �
��So, that makes it pretty hard to fight, don’t you think?”

  “Not for you. Sure, it’s a challenge, but since when have you ever backed away from a challenge?”

  “The stakes are too high. I’ll get someone killed. Maybe even you.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not. What I do know is that without you I don’t have much time left.”

  “So this is about saving yourself. I see.”

  “No, you don’t. But if I have to use pity to get you back at my side, then I will. Whatever it takes, Rory. I love you too much to let you walk away.”

  She went still. “Love? I’m way too fucked up for you to love.”

  He was silent as he went to her. He cupped her face, making her jerk with surprise. Then she settled into his touch, her eyes, fluttering closed in pleasure.

  “Is that what you think?” he asked.

  “It’s what I know. I’m helpless now, Cain. I can’t be what you want me to be—except for the baby mama part, which I’m totally not ready for.”

  “I’ll wait. As long as you need. And if you’re never ready, I’ll still love you. How can I not when you’re so strong and fearless?”

  She settled her hands on his chest, flinching away for a second as she realized he was bare. Tingling ribbons of excitement wove between them. The branches of his lifemark swayed under her touch.

  “I’m not fearless now, Cain. I’m scared as hell. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

  “Take a chance on me. Let me love you.”

  “You don’t really mean that. It’s just the magical bullshit talking.”

  “Is that what you tell yourself? That what you feel for me isn’t real?”

  “It can’t be. Nothing this good is real.”

  “Don’t you want to find out if you’re wrong? Take my luceria again, Rory. Once you do, you’ll see how real my love for you is. I won’t be able to hide the truth. You’ll see it bright and clear, just the way I feel it.”

  “What if you’re wrong? What if whatever this thing between us is goes away? Do you really want to be stuck with a woman who can’t fight?”

  He knew his Rory. She was a fighter at heart. She’d find a way to help them battle the demons regardless of whether or not she could see. One day, she’d realize that, too, but until then, it was his duty—his privilege—to keep trying to show her the truth.

  “If you’re really that worried, then word your vow carefully. You can give me whatever time you choose. I’ll use that time to prove to you that my love is real and not dependent on something you can or can’t do.”

  “I love you, too,” she whispered.

  Her words filled him up, making him feel invincible. He was the luckiest man who’d ever drawn breath, and he intended to spend every day making sure she knew how he felt.

  He took her hands and guided them to his neck. “Then take my luceria, Rory. Give me your vow. You won’t be sorry.”

  Her hands shook as she touched the band. It fell away easily, slipping down his chest into her grip. He took it from her and fastened it around her lovely throat.

  Rory swallowed. Her voice trembled. “I promise to stay with you for as long as you really love me.”

  Every cell in his body rose up, crying out in victory. She was his now. Forever. Because that’s how long his love for her would last.

  Cain hurriedly finished the ceremony, cutting himself, giving her his vow, watching as the luceria shrank close to fit her skin. It immediately deepened to a dark, rich purple that made her skin glow in contrast. The Amethyst Lady. Forever his.

  Her eyes widened with surprise and a smile lifted her mouth. “I can see me.”

  “What?”

  Her smile grew bigger. “I can see through your eyes. And others’. Your power . . . the visions no longer blind me. They let me see.”

  Cain felt her joy shimmer into him, filling him up and making him whole. It was magnified by his own, so powerful he wasn’t sure he could contain it all.

  She hugged him tight and he folded himself around her, knowing that he’d never get enough of her, no matter how many more centuries he lived.

  “What do we do now?” she asked.

  “Whatever makes you happy.”

  “First, I’m going to take you into the bedroom and use you shamelessly.”

  “I like where this plan is going.”

  A fierce growl entered her voice. “And then, when it gets dark, we’re going to go out and kick some demon ass.”

  Cain laughed. He simply couldn’t hold in so much happiness. “Whatever you want, Rory. Whatever you want.”

  Chapter 36

  Sibyl resisted the urge to call Cain. She didn’t want to interrupt his happiness. After all of his years of faithful service to her, he deserved no less.

  She picked up her porcelain doll and laid it on the top of her packed suitcase. The blond ringlets were tangled now, the blue dress marred with smudges of dirt. A few months ago, Sibyl had looked just like the doll, but no longer. She was a woman now, still growing used to her woman’s body and all of its strange quirks.

  “You’re going back, aren’t you?” asked the doll.

  “Yes. I only left for Cain’s sake. If I hadn’t pushed him away, he never would have left my side. He found the woman. I can go home now.”

  The doll’s black eyes blinked, and within that glassy stare, Sibyl saw her sister Maura’s presence.

  “You’re going to try to find me, aren’t you?” Maura’s voice wavered between fear and hope.

  “You can’t be alone. It’s not safe. Come home.”

  The doll’s mouth did not move, but Maura’s voice spilled out all the same. “I have no home.”

  “Mother and Father forgave you. As did I. Others will as well.”

  “Forgiveness is for those who no longer intend to do harm.”

  Sibyl’s blood chilled at her sister’s veiled threat. “Your powers have returned.”

  “As have yours. Unlike you, I can’t help but use them. Eventually.”

  “It doesn’t have to be that way. You can find a man whose power you can use to control yourself.”

  “And what Theronai would have me? Who values his honor so little that he would unite with his enemy? And who can I touch without killing him?”

  Sibyl had no answers.

  “Don’t bother searching for me,” said Maura. “It’s a waste of your time.”

  “You could save a dying man. There is value in that. Redemption.”

  “Not for me. I’m . . . broken.”

  “Mother and Father are dead. Cain has found his mate. I’m alone now. I need you.”

  “You’ve never needed me. You have everything.”

  “Not my sister.”

  “We were never meant to be sisters.”

  “We were never meant to be separated. You’re part of me, as I am part of you. Please. Come home.”

  There was a long, bleak silence. Finally, Maura said, “Don’t try to contact me again.”

  The doll’s eyes lost the sparkle of life, leaving Sibyl alone in her room.

  Maura had been different this time. Insistent. Intent. Sibyl feared that wherever Maura was, whatever she was doing, she suffered. And because of that, Sibyl refused to leave her alone.

  Despite the things Maura had done, she was not beyond redemption. And Sibyl was going to make sure she found it.

  * * *

  Turn the page for a special look

  at the first book in the Edge series,

  LIVING ON THE EDGE

  by Shannon K. Butcher.

  On sale now from Signet Eclipse.

  * * *

  Lucas Ramsey’s target stood out from the swirling masses of perfumed, sequined gold diggers on the ballroom floor. There was something different about her—a watchful, focused quality that none of the other women at this fancy shindig possessed. Then again, there were three other women flirting with the flabby, older man she was hanging on. Maybe she was worried she’d lose her sugar daddy.


  Too bad Lucas wasn’t a rich man, ’cause he’d love to sign up for that job, even if for only one night.

  The weapon in his shoulder holster felt odd through the thin cotton of his tuxedo shirt, and the shiny leather shoes didn’t have the same gripping traction of his combat boots. He was as far out of place here as a man could get, but Sloane Gideon was here, so he was, too.

  She was his last chance to repay a man he owed everything to. And the job was simple. All he had to do was keep her from catching her flight on a private jet in ninety-eight minutes.

  No sweat. Even a washed-up soldier like him could handle that. In fact, Lucas could think of more than one way to make her miss that flight. The Old Man had said to use any means necessary to keep her in Texas, and as the list of the more interesting possibilities formed in Lucas’s head, his body temperature kicked up a couple of degrees.

  There were hundreds of people here, all as well dressed as the room itself. Silk draped the walls, and fine linen cloths covered the tables. No polyester there.

  A tidy crew of unobtrusive waiters wove among the guests, offering an endless supply of champagne in crystal flutes. Live music swelled from the raised platform where a small orchestra played. Elegant harmonies wove their way through the room, and on the far left, couples danced to a waltz Lucas recognized but could not name.

  He was more of a beer and rock-and-roll kind of guy, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t appreciate the finer things in life.

  Like Sloane Gideon. She was definitely fine.

  Sloane was lovely in an untouchable sort of way. Perfect hair, perfect makeup, perfect dress flowing over perfect curves. She was walking perfection, and he’d bet his last dollar that she knew it. Decked out in diamonds and a dress that probably cost more than his car, she was way out of his league. Of course, if a man managed to strip her of all that flash and sparkle, the playing field would be a lot more even. And a lot more interesting.

  All he had to do was pry her off the arm of Moneybags.

  Lucas made his way across the ballroom, through the glittering upper-crust socialites. He ignored the women who glanced his way, and the men who sized him up, staring at him as if trying to calculate his net worth. Not much, he knew, but he’d played enough roles in his life that this one wasn’t much of a stretch. At least here no one was shooting at him, which made this a walk in the park by comparison.