Vivienne did not stop. Cassie did, peering at her twin in confusion, but Vivienne continued, her voice strong, waves of darkness rolling off of her.
“No!”
“Viv, what are you doing?” That was from Cassie, who looked from Vivienne to an increasingly agitated Alexander.
She continued chanting, and with a fierce roar, Alexander dropped the force field around them and blasted her.
***
Conall had been waiting for an opening, and when it came, he was the first to charge through, his eyes set on Maximilian Cronin. The grand wizard had barely had time to process the fact that a raging Alexander was storming over to him before something tore into his shoulder painfully and he was forced to the ground. The attack was so quick he’d barely rolled over before he noticed the snapping jaws of the wolf lunging for his throat. Without a second to spare, he projected away, emerging at the other side of the circle. The grand wizards were all confused, unsure of what they were supposed to do.
Maximilian was about to give the order to kill Alexander and send the druids back to the hell from whence they came, when something gripped him and his entire body ran cold.
Ahead of him, he could see the black wolf heading in his direction. From his side, Alexander was burning a hole through him with his glare. The druid seemed torn whether he should go for him or try to help his people. The portal was closing. But whatever was behind Maximilian…had literally frozen him.
He tried to turn, but failed.
“Who are you?” He swallowed, moving his eyes from side to side in hope of finding out who held him immobile. The sound of wet grass crunching under his assailant’s feet alerted him that the person was moving. Calling on his powers, he tried to project away. Helpless. Utterly helpless.
The first thing he noticed was the pale blue skin, the next the startling electric blue of the eyes, and his hair, that ink-black color that seemed a shock to his complexion.
“Max?”
“Hello, Father.”
The chill going down his spine turned into a freeze. He tried to shake his son’s hold, and failed. Max had always been strong, but not this strong.
“Max, what are you doing?” He stilled the quake in his voice and added authority. “Release me immediately.”
“After all you’ve done?” Max asked softly.
There was something different about his son, and Maximilian briefly wondered if his memory had returned. He’d never heard of that happening, but had it?
“What do you mean? All I’ve done is love and protect you, son.”
“You locked me away, tortured me.”
“You gave me no choice! I didn’t want to do any of those things, Max. You’re my son, my heir.”
He broke off when something in Max’s eyes hardened. He hadn’t known. He’d baited him into revealing that.
“So you did torture me?” Max asked slowly.
“Max, you don’t understand—”
“You tortured me, and you tortured Drew.”
Maximilian’s eyes widened. That human girl who’d told him nothing. Max had escaped with her and the other warlock. “Son—”
“I am not your son.”
“Max!” His words left him in a rush as a cold seemed to reach into his body and pull something out. He closed his eyes against the blinding pain, before blinking them open once more.
Max was taking his soul. His own son….
“Don’t, Max. You won’t—be able—to live—with yourself.”
He could feel his life slipping from him. Every breath Max took was a breath lost.
“Max, I’m…your…father.”
Except for the slight narrowing of his eyes that refuted the claim, Max didn’t respond. He just continued his deep inhale.
Maximilian was almost certain of his demise when something grabbed him, a warmth to counter the coldness that was Max, and pulled him away. He collapsed against his savior, barely aware of Max’s scowl, of Conall hovering nearby to attack.
“That is enough.”
A female. A female was his savior.
Max spoke, but he couldn’t make out the words.
He was turned and Maximilian prepared to thank the woman, when recognition dawned. It couldn’t be. It wasn’t possible.
“Kill me, Max,” he said softly, trying to get away from that haunting green gaze. Centuries ago she’d sworn she would have her vengeance and that it would be sweet. But she’d been banished. “Kill me. Now!”
“Hello, Maximilian. I am only following through on a much-deserved promise.”
“Nicolette….”
“Yes. I will show you the same the courtesy you showed my daughter.”
Annabel.
“Max, please—”
“Where you are going, no one will be able to save you.”
He shook his head, feeling it grow light. “Nicolette, no….”
In a matter of seconds, he fainted away.
***
He was running against time. No portal stayed open for long, and this one was slowly, but surely, closing.
Alexander looked to Cassie, who knelt over Vivienne as she held her midriff. He hadn’t wanted to hurt her, but her spell would have sent his people back to the forbidden realms permanently, and he could not allow that. Cronin had betrayed him, and for that, the grand wizard would pay, as soon as he did right by his people.
Moving to the pentagram, he began to chant, hoping he would be enough to permanently resurrect them. After a few moments, he recognized he wasn’t. He still needed her, and he doubted she would do anything willingly for him anymore.
Still, he tried the mental connection he had with her.
Cassandre….
“Get out of my head!”
Though she was a distance away from him, he could hear her screech. He sighed, and shook his head.
I had no choice but to do as I did, Cassandre. Your sister would have closed the portal permanently.
She didn’t respond. It was almost as if she’d tuned him out. He looked over to Cassie. She was helping Vivienne stand. Her twin was no longer clutching her midriff, but she wore a grimace of pain on her face.
Cassandre, please. They are innocents in this all, and they are close enough that they can almost touch their freedom. Don’t send them back.
Lifting her eyes, she looked directly at him. You hurt my sister, after promising that no harm would come to my family. I don’t trust anything you say, and I hope to God you rot somewhere in Hell for the rest of your days.
He nodded solemnly. If that’s what you want, I will give it you, Cassandre. You have my word. Resurrect my people and I will spend an eternity in hell.
She swallowed, and then she turned to look at the portal. A look of pain crossed her features, and even before she spoke, he felt his hope float away.
No. I can’t take that risk.
***
Cassie tried to blot out the faces across the portal and Alexander’s look of anguish as she led Vivienne over to one of the stones. She’d thought he killed her sister, and had known pain she’d never felt before as she ran to her twin. Her relief had been palpable. She’d found that Vivienne was only injured, and healing quickly. But he’d hurt her. He’d promised not to, but he had.
Once Vivienne was sitting up, she turned to look back to Alexander. He’d stepped from the pentagram and was now as close as he could stand before the portal. A small girl, pale with mousy brown hair, was at the front, reaching out a tiny hand. He knelt and did the same, until it seemed like they were touching.
Something tugged at her heart. She wanted to trust him, but how could she?
“Help us, Cassandre.”
Spinning around, she noticed the same woman she’d seen before. The apparition. The only difference was that now she appeared real. Instead of a pale, almost luminous complexion, her skin seemed to exude life. And she was strikingly beautiful. Tall and lithe, with spirited eyes, and an easy smile.
Vivienne stared at the wom
an in confusion as well. Conall rushed over, burying his muzzle in Vivienne’s lap. Her twin turned away immediately, hugging the wolf closer, despite the tenderness of her ribs. They remained like that for a few seconds more before Conall positioned his body before Vivienne, and eyed the druid.
“Nicolette?”
“Yes, Cassandre. I told you that you would have to follow your instincts.”
“Every cell in my body is telling me I shouldn’t trust him…or you.”
The light in her eyes dimmed briefly, but she replied, “Because you think he betrayed you?”
“He has.”
“No. In order to perform a resurrection, there has to be a gathering of powerful immortals: witches, druids, warlocks. There would have been no way to resurrect the druids unless the grand wizards helped.”
She looked over her shoulder at Alexander. Another little girl had stepped forward and she, too, was reaching for him. The adults seemed to hold back, as if refusing to get their hopes up.
“Why didn’t he tell me that?”
“Would you have allowed it to happen?”
Cassie chose not to answer. No.
“How are you here when all of the druids were banished?”
Nicolette smiled sadly. “I, too, am banished, but my mother took pity. That is why my time has been so limited. I cannot remain on earth for more than a few minutes. It’s different tonight, because we are at a crossroads between banishment and resurrection. The decision you make will be difficult, and one you must live with.”
There was something else on her mind, and as Cassie stared at Alexander, looking quite defeated before the closing portal, she asked, “Why do you look familiar?”
“Because you and Vivienne are my descendants, Cassandre.” Cassie looked to the woman at that revelation, knowing instinctively she told the truth. She was familiar because she reminded her of her mother. Oh God, where was her mother? “She’s safe, Cassandre. I’ve removed her to a safer place for the time being.”
“Where?”
“My mother is caring for her.”
“But your mother is a goddess?” Selene…House of Selene. Artemis.
Nicolette nodded. “Yes. As I said, she is quite safe at the moment.” The druid returned her attention to the portal. “Time is running out, Cassandre. Before you know it, the decision will be made for you. We have waited for you for many centuries. At least give us the benefit of your decision.”
She gave her a little smile, turned to Vivienne and Conall, staring from one to the other for a brief moment, before disappearing.
***
“What do I have to do?”
Alexander thought he was imagining things until he looked up and found Cassandre standing beside him. Her hair had come undone, and curly ringlets pushed forward into her face.
“You will help them?”
She nodded. In an instant, Alexander popped up and led her back to the pentagram. Once they were both inside, he said, “Recite the spell, Cassandre. No matter what happens, recite the spell.”
Cassie nodded and began the spell, praying she was doing the right thing. Nicolette’s words, coupled with the sea of faces staring out at her, had made it impossible for her to turn away. Cassie’s voice grew louder, and she heard Alexander chanting along with her. A different spell. His voice was joined by another, and she didn’t need to look to know it was Nicolette. Their voices blended together, and Cassie closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the need to do so. She began chanting words she hadn’t learned, lifting her arms above her head, moving out of the pentagram only to move back in.
Her druid fell silent, and she opened her eyes to find Alexander standing directly before her, a dagger held out to her. She looked from his face to the dagger, and shook her head. Not again. No, she couldn’t. She hadn’t done it to a stranger. What made him think she’d do it to him?
“No, Alexander, you will—” Nicolette was silenced by a firm look.
You must, Cassandre. This is the only way to resurrect them and to keep my word to you.
Your word? He wasn’t making any sense. She took a step back but he reached out and touched her shoulder.
I gave you my word that if you helped me, I would do whatever it is you wished. You wished me to spend eternity in Hell.
He indicated the dagger. Please, you must hurry.
“Are you shitting me?” Cassie burst out, briefly looking over his shoulder to the people in the distance. “I didn’t mean it literally. You’re kidding, right?”
His brows drew together.
So you don’t want me to spend an eternity in Hell?
No! No! I was angry.
The dagger in his hand, the golden one with the trident etched into it, disappeared and another one, a plain black-handled dagger, appeared in its place.
Then use this.
“I can’t.”
He sighed and gently gripped both of her shoulders. “If you don’t do this, it all will have all been for nothing. Without a sacrifice, they will never be able to walk the earth.”
“What about Cronin?” Nicolette asked from behind them.
Cassie lifted a brow.
Alexander’s mouth hardened and he replied, “He isn’t powerful enough. I suspected he might try to betray me, so I only allowed him a fraction of his power when I broke the curse.” He focused on Cassie once more. “Do it, Cassandre. Only you can do it.”
Reaching down, he took her hand and pressed the hilt of the blade against her palm. His fingers traced it lightly before he blew out a breath, and nodded. “I’m ready.”
Her hand trembled. She shook her head.
“I won’t die, Cassandre. This has happened before. I’ll come back.”
“Do it, Cassandre. You must hurry,” Nicolette said urgently from behind her.
“Please don’t die,” she whispered fiercely, and he gave her a quick nod and a smile.
Alexander held out his wrists, and she sliced them, wincing even though he didn’t so much as flinch. She looked to his neck and shuddered. Wrists were one thing, but she really couldn’t do—that. As if sensing her refusal, he reached down with a bloodied hand and took hers, lifting it to his neck, his pale eyes never leaving hers.
He brought the blade against his throat, and Cassie kept her focus on his eyes. His hand moved hers rapidly, and his mouth opened on a brief gasp. Her attention went to his lips as he breathed out, “Keep chanting.”
Alexander stumbled and Cassie reached forward, gently lowering him to the ground. Thunder roared in the distance and lightning flashed across the sky. Though it wasn’t possible, Cassie swore she heard the sound of crashing waves.
“Chant,” he whispered, and it took great effort not to focus on the blood that seemed to be everywhere.
Tears sprang to her eyes but she did as he asked. The wind picked up and the sky burst open, pelting them with cold, almost punishing rain. She chanted until the words died away, until her voice felt close to gone, until she could do so no more. All was silent. The rain had stopped. Slowly, she blinked. The haze had fallen away, and the druids huddled silently against each other, clothing wet and eyes wide, as if afraid to speak.
Nicolette moved from behind her, and she watched as the druid strode over to where those of her race stood. She walked with her arms outstretched, and once contact was made, noise erupted. Cries of jubilation went up as families and friends embraced one another. Nicolette was swept into the midst and lost among them.
Cassie smiled briefly, and looked down to where Alexander’s head lay against her leg. His eyes were open, but sightless. A slight smile played over his lips. Gently, she ran a hand down his face, the only part of his body that wasn’t covered in blood, closing his eyes, and brushing damp locks of blond hair away. She clutched his lifeless body closer to hers.
He’d risen once before. He would do so again. He had to.
Chapter Nineteen
He awoke disconcerted. Shaking his head to clear the cobwebs, he pushed himself to his feet
. As his eyes adjusted to the dark, orangey glow around him, he wondered where he was, how he’d come to be there. Immediately, his memories flooded back, and he remembered Max—his own son—and Nicolette.
“So you finally awaken?”
Maximilian Cronin spun in the direction of the deep, masculine voice, but found no one. He blinked rapidly and drew in a deep breath, gagging when the smell of sulfur invaded his nostrils and settled in his lungs.
“Who are you and where am I?” he demanded with false bravado. Nicolette had promised him painful retribution when he’d ordered Annabel branded traitor for taking up with the werewolf.
“Some call me the devil, or Satan, but I despise those names, so I will give you the one by which you will address me for the rest of your rather long life. Master. Lord and Master.”
Spinning once more, he attempted to find the person who’d spoken. Despite his fear, he was reassured by the surge of his powers beneath his fingertips. As long as he was not dead, he still had a chance…. “Show yourself. Or are you afraid of what I will do to you?”
Laughter greeted those words, and Maximilian swallowed at the depravity he heard in it.
“I fear no mortal, nor immortal, yet they all fear me.” The voice was amused.
“If you don’t fear me, prove it and show yourself!”
A tall, cloaked figure appeared a few feet from him, and Maximilian took steps away.
“Why do you back away, Grand Wizard?” he taunted. “I am over here.”
“What is this place?”
“Tartarus. Your new home.”
Tartarus? If this was Tartarus, then he was…. It couldn’t be. No. It couldn’t.
He continued to back away. “Why am I here? Am I dead?”
The cloaked figure chose that moment to laugh, a deep rumbling sound that was as frightening as anything Maximilian had ever heard before.
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