The king arched a brow. “Now?”
“Yes.”
Aidyn waved his hand in the air, indicating everyone was to leave. “What is it?”
“Eliza is alive and in league with Odage.”
Aidyn’s jaw popped. “Explain.”
“She captured me. Said she'd loved Drayos. Apparently he used some kind of magic to change another into looking like her three hundred years ago. I killed the replica.”
“I am sorry for all the pain my sister has caused you. I can’t understand how or why she turned, but I will kill her myself this time.”
“I can’t let you do that.” There was no way in hell he’d let his friend bear that burden. It was bad enough when he did it the first time, when Eliza had been his mate. Now, he would have no problem taking her head.
His friend held up a hand in protest. “No, it is my duty. You have Cassie and a daughter on the way. I will do this.”
“But…” Marcus was cut off before he could continue.
“No.” Aidyn’s eyes flickered to black. “I command you to step down.”
Shit, he pulled rank. He tipped his head. “Yes, my lord.”
“Good.” Aidyn walked to the door and summoned the rest of the team. This time, Baal entered with them.
“I’m glad to see you back among us, Marcus,” Baal said.
“How is it that you’re here? I heard you were captured.”
Baal’s lips curled into a wide grin. “Aidyn came up with a plan just in case I was captured. I gave him my blood; therefore, he could track me. Once I was sold, Aidyn came with a “get out of jail free” card and sprung me.”
Marcus frowned. “I don’t understand. We can’t drink Kothar blood, and what the hell is a “get out of jail free” card?”
Baal laughed. “Seems your king can drink anything. When he,” pointing a thumb in Aidyn’s direction, “showed up, he kicked some serious ass. Leveled the compound and killed—wait for it…a fucking Wendigo.”
Marcus clenched his jaw, his teeth ground together so hard he thought they might turn to dust. “What the hell were you thinking?” He glared at Aidyn, almost daring him to a fight. “You could have been killed!”
Aidyn shrugged. “I wasn’t.”
Marcus threw his arms in the air. “Oh for fuck sake. You’re the king, and it’s my responsibility to see to your army, such that we are.” He held up his hand. “Yes, I know I was…detained. Still, Lucan is next in command when I’m not here. You should have sent him in your place.”
“If you two ladies don’t mind, I’m afraid I have bad news,” Baal said.
Marcus braced himself for the worst. No, he would know if Cassie was dead. “What?”
“They have taken her to hell.”
* * * *
The air grew thick with heat. Cassie looked around and realized she was no longer in her cell, but now walked through a tight, dark corridor. Small beams of light burrowed through tiny holes in the rock, giving off a faint glow. When had she left the prison cell? Oh yeah, now I remember. That bitch Eliza had come for her. She scrubbed her face, and the fog in her brain finally lifted. How long had they been walking?
“Where are you taking me?”
“I told you before, hell.”
“Why?”
Eliza sneered at her. “You ask too many questions.”
Bitch.
They walked for another hour in silence. Exhaustion wore on her. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten, or slept, for that matter. Her feet were killing her, and she was unsure of how much longer she could continue.
Finally, they exited the small corridor and moved into a lush, tropical forest. Exotic flowers in vibrant reds, oranges, and purples bloomed near a booming waterfall. Her mouth watered, she was dying of thirst. As if on cue, Eliza produced a bottle of water from a pack she carried.
“Here,” she said, handing Cassie the bottle. “We will rest for a while.” She led her to a patch of grass near the water where she tossed the pack to Cassie. “There’s food in there, take what you want.”
She gave Eliza a suspicious glance, wondered if she should trust her. She opened the pack and found some energy bars, apples, oranges and more water. Deciding on a bar and an orange, she sat on the grass and pulled the wrapper from the bar. Taking a bite, she moaned in delight. Who knew a piece of cardboard could taste so good?
She wiped the sweat from her brow. “Feels like hell, but it’s not what I expected it to look like.”
Eliza’s lashes fused together. “Stupid human, this isn’t hell. It’s a gateway meant to fool the souls passing through.” She pointed a finger at the water. “Look down there.”
Cassie’s gaze followed the bony finger. In the translucent water swam what looked like mermaids. She frowned and leaned forward. When one jumped from the water, she scooted back in horror. The bottom half of the body was fish and covered in green scales. The top half was a red, leathery texture. They lacked hair on their heads, which accentuated the large, pointy ears. When one jumped close to her, it snarled, exposing a full set of razor sharp fangs.
“Care to go for a swim?” Eliza laughed.
She clutched her chest. “I think I’ll pass. What are those things?” Like she really wanted to know.
“Those are your worst nightmare. If you happen to decide on a swim, one will latch onto you, pulling you into the depths and devouring your flesh over and over again for eternity.”
And to think, she had considered Eliza her worst nightmare. “I thought people were already dead when they came here.”
“Yes, but the soul can still feel, still hurt.” Eliza stood. “We must go, you will carry the pack.” Then she jerked the rope around Cassie’s waist, dragging her to her feet.
* * * *
All the warriors including Marcus swore. They were forbidden to enter hell ever since the curse Drayos placed on them. Going there would call to the darkness in their souls, causing the evil to emerge. Once in hell, they would never come out.
Marcus yelled, punched the wall beside him. His heart shattered into a million pieces. Was she alright? “What the fuck am I supposed to do? I can’t stand around here and do nothing. Who knows what they are doing to her.”
“Zarek!” Aidyn bellowed.
Marcus threw his dagger across the room, sticking it to the wall. He then stalked toward it, pried it loose, turned and tossed it again. He had just invented a new way to pace the floor.
Zarek flashed into the room, his features as violent as a spring storm. “Your mate is in hell.”
“I fucking know that, how do I get there?”
Zarek clenched his fists. “Qadira!”
Within seconds, a woman flashed into the room. Qadira—the goddess of fire, Zarek’s wife, and the mother of the dragons—stood before them. Her burnished copper hair hung in a braid down her back. Her gown of emerald green matched the color of her eyes.
“Why are your children not kneeling before me?” She looked at Zarek, her fangs bared.
“Because wife, your children are not playing nice in the sandbox. One of your own has stolen a mate who also happens to be with child.”
She kitted her brows. “Seems to me, husband, one of your children has removed her from this realm."
Everyone knew Qadira had created the dragons. Long before any immortal or human walked the earth, dragons filled the skies.
“Fix this.” Zarek said.
Her peaches and cream skin turned pink. “It is forbidden for us to interfere in their games.” She crossed her arms over her large breasts and lifted her chin in defiance.
Zarek moved in front of her. “Those are my rules, and I will break them any damn time I wish. Do not forget, my dear, that all gods, including you, bow to me.” He brushed a finger down her cheek. “Now love, you, as well as I, know the importance of the guardian's mate.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I have lost control of Odage.” She bowed her head. “I am sorry.”
Zarek pulled her to him and br
ushed a kiss on her forehead. “We will prevail,” he whispered.
“What about my mate?” Marcus yelled out.
Zarek stepped aside, and Qadira motioned to Marcus. “Come.”
He slid in front of her in two steps, his eyes leveled on her. If she expected him to kneel, she could go fuck herself. She was to blame for this mess as far as he was concerned.
Her fingers touched his shoulder. Heat seared his skin and caused it to blister. The darkness screeched and tried to move deeper into his soul. “What the fuck did you just do to me?”
“The only thing I could. I have forced back the darkness, but it is temporary. You can enter hell, but your time will be limited.”
Marcus blinked. “How long do I have?”
* * * *
He only had twenty-four hours to find Cassie and get back before the curse completely overtook him.
“I know Baal is going with you, but I would feel better if I could go as well,” Aidyn said.
“I will go with him.” A rough voice spoke from behind.
Everyone turned with weapons raised. “Who are you?” Marcus asked.
“I am Gabriel, I was sent here by Zarek to accompany you to hell.”
Marcus narrowed his gaze on the man who stood across the room. He was taller than anyone there, his dark blond hair streaked with golden highlights and messed into spikes on top of his head. He wore only a pair of faded blue jeans and black boots. His chest was bare, showing off corded muscles and sinew. His left bicep bore a black tattoo of Anubis’s head, the only color was in the eyes. They matched the same icy blue as the man who now stared at him. The most important feature this stranger had was the pair of black wings that arched high from his back and reached down to the floor. The feathers shimmered with colors of black, blue and purple.
“Why did he send you?” He’d heard of Gabriel, but in all the years he'd lived had never met him. He was Zarek’s personal protector, a winged warrior of death, a being that could walk between heaven and hell.
“I am to aid in your mission. If you fail then I am to kill you.” A burst of power rolled across the room as if to make his point. Oh yeah, he got it, loud and clear. Well, at least the angel didn’t mince words. He had to admire him for that, although he wasn't sure if he liked anything else about him.
Marcus turned to Aidyn. “If I don’t make it and angel on steroids here—” He pointed a thumb in Gabriel’s direction. “—comes back with only Cassie, promise you’ll take care of her.”
Aidyn clasped him on the shoulder. “You will come back, but yes. She will be protected and so will your daughter.”
Relief washed over him. “Thanks.”
Aidyn stepped out of the way and allowed each warrior to say goodbye and wish him luck. Gwen was the last to approach him. “Brother.” She hugged him. “I love you and wish you well. You will be successful.”
“If you’re done with the sappy stuff, we should be leaving. Your clock is ticking,” Gabriel said.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Odage watched from the tent while his slaves dug through the sand. He slipped on a pair of sunglasses and stepped outside to take a closer look. “Gods, I fucking hate sand.” He muttered under his breath.
His gaze caught sight of raven hair flowing in the hot breeze. Oroumea, his wife, was in the thick of things, moving amongst the slaves and trying to locate the amulet. She was proving extremely useful.
“My liege.” Odage snapped out of his thoughts and turned toward the silken voice. Lileta stood before him with his babe wrapped in a blanket. Odage reached out and took his son from her arms.
“Leave us,” he growled at her. He knew fucking well she was responsible for helping the vampire escape. For now, it was his own little secret until he decided on a fitting punishment.
“Ah, my son, look up there.” Odage pointed at the numerous dragons that filled the sky. Erebos’s eyes followed his father’s finger, and the babe smiled. “Yes, Erebos, one day you will be able to take flight and soar with your kind.” Even though the child was only a week old, he had already shown signs of partial shifting. At the rate he was growing, it wouldn’t be long before Odage could teach him to fly.
The babe watched as a majestic blue dragon hovered in front of them then landed gently in the sand. When the dragon’s massive head reached down and nuzzled Erebos in the belly, the babe squealed with delight.
“Caleb, I think he likes you. When the time comes, you will teach him to fight.”
Caleb shifted into his human form. His immense body stood level with Odage, and his bronze skin glistened in the sun. Caleb was a callous man but loyal to a fault, which was why Odage had made him second-in-command. He noted how Caleb’s dark blonde hair was in total disarray, sticking out here and there and in some places plastered to his face.
Caleb bowed his head. “I would be honored, my liege.”
“You look like you have been fucked hard and left for dead.”
Caleb’s brown eyes swirled with flecks of emerald. “That would be putting it mildly.”
Odage knew if anyone deserved it, it was Caleb. The man had lost his mate during the war with Drayos and had since become a coldhearted bastard. “Did you at least leave any women for the rest of the men?”
Caleb grinned. “Oh yes, my liege, I don’t think that will be a problem. The women here are extremely giving.”
Odage rubbed his chin. He might have to make a trip into town later. If his ghoul of a wife thought him to be faithful then she was going to be disappointed. Odage would use any female that caught his attention. As a dragon overlord, it was his right to take whatever he wanted.
“Good. Now make sure no humans come within fifty miles of this camp. We would not want anyone to stumble onto our little dig here.”
“As you wish, my liege.” Caleb shifted back into his dragon and took to the sky. Once again, Erebos cooed as he watched the dragon take flight.
Odage smiled at the boy. “Soon, my son, soon.” Then he turned and walked back into his tent. He laid Erebos down on the bed. It was time for his feeding. Odage bit into his wrist then held it to the babe’s mouth. Erebos suckled with enthusiasm until his eyes grew heavy and finally closed. Odage sealed his wound then left the babe to sleep.
Suddenly, darkness closed in around Odage, and a chill snaked up his spine. Fuck! He knew what was coming next, his master would be wanting an update on the amulet.
“Odage,” the darkness whispered.
“Yes, my lord?”
“Where is the amulet?” The darkness now wrapped around him and squeezed.
“It is here, my lord, we only need to uncover it.”
“Excellent. I understand you lost the vampire, Marcus.” The darkness reached into his chest and grabbed his beating heart. Shit! Sweat trickled down Odage’s nose. Surely, he wouldn’t kill him when he was so close to the amulet. Or would he?
“One of my slaves helped him escape. She will suffer considerably for her foolishness.” Odage now regretted not killing her on the spot. Perhaps if he had done that, it would have appeased the darkness.
“You should be more mindful of your servants. Perhaps you need a lesson on how to punish them?”
“I will deal with her, my lord, make no mistake about it.”
The darkness continued its hold on Odage’s heart. “The vampire’s mate is on her way to me. Once I have the amulet and the girl, I will be able to leave this realm."
Odage shuddered, not sure he wanted to meet the darkness. “I look forward to it, my lord.” He knew once the amulet and Cassie were together, her sacrifice would open the gateway allowing hell to pour into the human world.
* * * *
Odage stepped outside the tent and summoned Oroumea.
“What is it, my love?” she asked, brushing sand from her feet before entering the tent.
“Stay here with the child. I have work to do.”
Oroumea wrinkled her nose. “I am not a babysitter. Call your servant to take care of t
he child.”
He pulled his wife close. “I know you’re not fond of infants, but I need this favor.” He kissed her neck, hoping a little seduction might help.
She rubbed against his erection, making him clench his teeth. “Very well, I take it the slave is to be punished for her deceit?”
“Yes.” He pushed her aside. “I must go.” He pushed his sunglasses up his nose and exited the tent. His booted feet left deep impressions in the sand as he strode toward Lileta’s tent.
Caleb. Odage wanted his right-hand dragon there, as well. She would fear them both before this day was done. He would also have to find a new slave to care for Erebos, lest Lileta dare to take her anger out on the boy.
Yes, my liege?
Come down here and bring the dirise. We have some punishing to do.
I’ll be there momentarily.
Seconds later, Caleb landed beside Odage, taking his human shape. The dirise hung from a leather holster on his hip. Odage noted that Caleb looked more refreshed, his hair at least combed this time.
“Bring the slave to me,” he commanded, taking the dirise from Caleb.
Caleb disappeared inside the tent and seconds later, exited with Lileta being dragged behind him.
He stopped in front of Odage and pulled the slave to stand before him, pinning her to his chest, facing Odage. “Here she is, my liege.”
Odage grabbed her chin and squeezed. “I should kill you for your betrayal. I may yet.”
Lileta pulled from his grasp. Her golden eyes glowed with fire and her breaths came in rapid succession. “Do me the favor. I would rather die than remain your slave.” She spit on his boot then tried to wrestle free of Caleb, but he held tight.
Odage looked down at his boot then back at Lileta. “You wish to die? Then I think you shall live and suffer every day for it.” He met Caleb’s gaze. “Tie her to the whipping pole.”
Caleb dragged Lileta over to a tall wooden pole sunk deep in the ground. He reached for the leather straps that were fastened at the top of the pole and tied her wrists over her head. He looked to Odage for further instructions.
“Rip her top off,” Odage snarled while he swung the dirise back and forth. Caleb did as directed. He extended a claw and sliced off the pink T-shirt she wore. Leaving her with only a pink lace bra.
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