“Just a temporary one.”
Basq couldn’t see Chaaya’s expression, but he could hear the hint of sadness in her voice.
“Why was she there?”
“To warn me not to trust Greta.”
Basq grimaced. Her mother finally showed up and that’s what she wanted to tell Chaaya? As if anyone with a brain wouldn’t realize Greta was a treacherous bitch.
“Better late than never, I suppose,” he said dryly.
“She…” Chaaya stopped, clearing her throat. Was it the thick dust that choked her up, or the thought of her meeting with her mother? Basq felt a blast of fury toward the woman who’d sacrificed her own daughter. “She also explained how she was given a vision that revealed the beast destroying the world. And that her daughter would be the only means of stopping Armageddon.”
“Did you believe her?”
“Yes,” Chaaya said without hesitation. “For my entire life I assumed my mother handed me to the witches because I was disposable. Now I understand.”
“Understand what?”
“That sometimes duty has to come before love.”
Basq frowned. His anger remained. A churning, soul-deep fury that anyone would dare to harm the female cradled in his arms. But at the same time, he sensed a newfound peace deep inside Chaaya. As if an ancient, nagging wound had been healed during the time that he’d been unconscious.
And there was something else…
“What are you trying to hide?” he muttered, using their bond to absorb her various emotions. He couldn’t read her mind, but he could tell that she was trying to hold something back. Then he came to an abrupt halt. “Shit. You could have escaped.”
Her arms reached up to wrap around his neck. “Not without you.”
“Dammit, Chaaya.”
She squeezed tighter, the tip of the spear she still held in one hand pressing into his back. He barely noticed. The mere thought that Chaaya had an opportunity for freedom, but she’d chosen to stay. For him…
“Did you know that Tarak and Waverly were trapped in the prison he’d just escaped after five centuries?” Chaaya demanded, interrupting his troubled thoughts.
Basq grunted. Tarak hadn’t been willing to discuss his years being held captive by the King of the Mer-folk. The powerful vampire had been determined to put the past behind him and focus on his new mate. But he had described in detail how he’d savagely destroyed the male responsible for the endless centuries of torment.
“Yes, it was only one of the many reasons he took such pleasure in ripping out Riven’s throat,” Basq said.
“When Waverly told me what had happened to them, I swore I would rather die than be trapped again,” Chaaya continued.
Basq’s gut clenched. Enveloped in the darkness, it was impossible to see the bleak landscape or the approaching beast. But no darkness could keep out the evil that beat through the air like a predator hovering over them, ready to swoop down and consume them. Chaaya had known what was waiting for her, but she’d still chosen to come here.
“Then why?” he demanded.
“Waverly said that it wasn’t a prison as long as she was there with her mate. I thought she was crazy. But when it came time to choose a life of freedom without you or being stuck in this place forever,” her head nestled in the hallow of his shoulder, her sweet scent driving away the noxious odor of the beast, “being with you wins every time.”
Her soft words sent shock waves of intense joy through Basq. The sort of joy that overcame the clinging evil and the horrifying fear that they were trapped in this place forever.
“And you claimed that I was the one with terrible timing,” he chastised in teasing tones.
His head started to lower at the same time a piercing scream split the air.
Greta.
Obviously the druid priestess was becoming personally acquainted with the beast.
“Actually, my timing seems to be perfect,” Chaaya said, her voice hard with satisfaction as the screams faded to whimpers, and at last to a dreadful silence. “Now all we need is my cottage.”
Chapter 25
Levet grasped his tail, anxiously polishing the tip. The clinging dirt felt polluted even after the beast had been driven out. Plus, he always rubbed his tail when he was nervous.
“Non,” he said in pleading tones. “You cannot do this.”
Brigette flattened her lips, her fingers closing possessively around the brooch. “You just told me the stone will give me any wish I want.”
“But never in the way you desire.” Levet clicked his tongue. It was discouraging how many creatures were willing to believe that a silly stone could offer them happiness. Life, especially eternal life, was a series of choices. Some good, some bad, most of them somewhere in between. “There is always a cost to the magic. Usually an awful cost.”
Brigette released a short laugh, pointing toward the devastated village. “What could be more awful than this?”
Levet shuddered. “We do not want to find out.”
She bit her bottom lip, as if considering his words, then a stubborn expression settled on her face.
“I have to bring them back.”
“And if you do and they are destroyed in a devastating plague?” Levet pointed out. “Or another roving band of goblins appears to kill them?”
“At least it won’t be my fault,” she hissed.
Ah. Now Levet began to understand this female’s fierce determination. This was why she’d been willing to follow a strange voice whispering in her head and to ignore her opportunity for freedom.
“Not all the wishes in the world can truly change the past,” he said in a sad voice. “Not in your heart.”
She made a choked sound as if battling back an emotion too large to stay contained.
“If I could just see them again…” Her gaze lingered on the broken foundation of her old cottage. Was she imagining they were standing there? Perhaps waiting for her to join them. “I have to tell them how sorry I am.”
Levet reached to gently touch her hand. “They know.”
“They don’t,” she insisted.
Levet cleared his throat. “It occurs to me…”
She turned her head to glare at him as he allowed his words to drift away. “What?”
“That your wish is rather selfish.”
Her brows snapped together. “What the hell are you talking about? I’m not wishing for riches or fame. I’m doing this for my family.” She waved her hand toward the empty village. “For my pack.”
Levet shook his head. “You are doing it to ease your guilt.”
She flinched as if his words had struck a nerve. “So what do you expect me to do? Walk away from the chance to rewrite history?”
“You cannot change the past,” Levet insisted. “But you can change the future.”
“What future?”
“As we were leaving the druid whackanoodle—”
“Whackadoodle,” Brigette absently corrected.
“Oui, oui.” Levet waved a dismissive hand. “I could smell Chaaya entering just as we were so rudely shoved out.”
“Good,” she said in hard tones.
Levet clicked his tongue. “I thought you were attempting the whole new leaf thing.”
“She wants to kill me.”
“Not if you are no longer evil.”
Brigette glanced down at him, disbelief etched on her face. “You want me to waste my wish on a female who means nothing to me?”
When she put it that way, Levet had to admit that it was asking rather a lot. Still, he had to do something to try and save Chaaya.
“Do you want to prove to your pack that you have become a better wolf?” he insisted.
“I…” She grimaced.
“A good demon puts others before themselves,” Levet told her. “
Wish for Chaaya and her vampire to be safely returned to their home.”
“I thought the wishes were always twisted,” she tartly reminded him.
“Not if they come from a pure heart.”
“Pure heart.” She snorted at his words. “That’s a joke.”
“Non, that is the only way to achieve what you truly want.”
She frowned. “And what’s that?”
“A new start.”
Brigette faltered, glancing down at her hand. Slowly she opened her fingers to reveal the brooch. Time ticked past as the Were considered Levet’s words.
“I suppose there would be one benefit if I do as you ask,” she at last said in gruff tones.
“What is that?”
“I would never have to listen to your babbling again.”
Levet parted his lips in outrage. “I do not babble.”
A sad smile touched Brigette’s lips; then, without warning, she leaned down to place a soft kiss on his cheek.
“Say hello to Inga for me.”
Levet furrowed his brow in confusion. “Inga?”
Brigette stepped back and held up her hand, then closing her eyes, she made her wish.
* * * *
Troy leaped off the dais and grabbed the treacherous Riza by the neck. Enough. He was done playing with these fools. He wanted the truth and he wanted it now. Tightening his fingers, he lifted the merman until his feet dangled off the marble floor.
“Start talking,” he commanded.
“Keep your mouth shut,” Jord snarled.
Troy pointed his dagger toward the guard who was still on his knees. “One more word and I’ll slice out your tongue, got it?” The male glared at Troy, but he was smart enough to snap his lips together. Troy returned his attention to Riza. “Well?”
Riza licked his lips, his eyes bulging with fear. Or maybe it was because Troy was crushing his throat. Hard to say.
“Jord came to me—”
“When?” Troy interrupted.
“A couple weeks ago. I don’t know the exact date. He told me that he’d been contacted by a friend of Riven’s.”
Troy heard Inga suck in a harsh breath. Most of the mer-folk had celebrated the death of the former king, but there were a few who thought Inga was a usurper.
“What friend?” Troy demanded.
“That’s all he would tell me.”
Troy turned his head toward Jord. “Who was the friend?”
“I don’t know.”
Rimm used the butt of his trident to smack the traitor on the back of the head. “You were asked a question.”
“She said her name was Greta,” Jord groused. “She told me that she’d given Riven the medallion that allowed him to control the Tryshu. She promised me the same medallion.”
Troy exchanged a glance with Inga. Who the hell would have a wizard’s medallion? Or had it just been a lie to get the merman to do what the mystery Greta wanted?
Muttering a frustrated curse, Troy turned his attention back to Riza. So far, he had more questions than answers.
“You released Brigette and led her through the tunnels to the throne room?”
The male nodded. “Jord said that he had to be seen so no one would know that we were working together.”
“Why?” Inga asked.
“To make Chaaya return to the castle.”
Troy blinked in surprise. “Chaaya?”
“The voice told Jord that the price of the medallion was making sure that the ghost girl was here when the Were escaped.”
Well, well, well. That was a twist that Troy hadn’t been expecting. “So it was a trap.”
“But not for me,” Inga muttered.
Troy shook his head. “Why did—”
His words were cut short as a powerful magic blasted through the air. On instant alert, Troy tossed Riza aside and held his dagger toward the portal that was forming in the middle of the room.
“Protect the queen!” Rimm commanded, motioning the guards to stand in front of the dais.
As they scrambled forward, Jord took advantage of the confusion. Surging upright, he snatched the trident from Koral’s hand as she passed by. Then, with a triumphant shout, he lunged toward the portal. At the same time something tumbled through the opening.
A small, gray object with sparkly wings and a squeal like a pig.
Levet.
Belatedly realizing the prisoner was about to make his escape, Rimm ran forward. Jord leaned down, grabbing Levet by the horn to dangle the creature in front of him.
“Stay back or I’ll kill the gargoyle,” Jord warned, pressing his trident against the side of Levet’s head.
“No,” Inga cried out, rising to her feet.
Levet, however, was clearly in a mood, sending a sour glare toward the merman holding him hostage.
“Not again,” Levet muttered, waving his hand over his head.
Troy grimaced, crouching low as he placed his arms protectively over his head. He was too accustomed to Levet’s magical mayhem not to prepare for the worst. Jord, however, was obviously ignorant of Levet’s ability to cause utter chaos. The idiot ignored the fireball that flew from Levet’s fingers and over his head as he continued to back toward the portal.
Instead, he smiled with anticipation. He truly thought he was about to escape. Instead, he only inched his way closer to the concussion zone as the fireball smacked against the closing portal.
There was a loud sizzle, then a tremor shook the throne room. Next…all hell broke loose.
Jord screamed as he was tossed like a rag doll through the air, hitting the high ceiling with enough impact to break several bones before dropping like a stone. A second later Rimm had him pinned to the floor with his trident.
Levet escaped the worst of the explosion, skidding over the slick marble to land at Inga’s feet.
The large ogress gazed down at the tiny pest, her face soft with adoration. “My hero.”
Troy tumbled backward, his laughter echoing through the throne room.
Epilogue
Chaaya was ready when Basq returned to their rooms in the basement of Dreamscape Resort.
It’d been over two weeks since they’d been mysteriously returned to Vegas. Levet claimed it was Brigette who’d used some strange wishing stone to release them from the hell dimension, which was the only reason she hadn’t gone on the hunt for the missing female Were. But while they’d settled into a comfortable routine, Chaaya was still celebrating their escape. Each night was a gift. And she had no intention of taking them for granted.
Tonight was no exception.
Turning the lights on low, she arranged the round table in the center of the living room. It was a huge room with smoky gray furnishings and a black carpet. It was perfect for her and Basq, and even when Chiron had offered to build a larger apartment for them, she’d politely refused. This place had somehow become home to her. And as long as Basq was at her side, she never intended to leave.
Leaning against the table, she smiled as Basq stepped through the door. She was wearing her usual leather pants, but her top was a lacy halter that showed more skin than usual, and instead of her heavy boots she wore a pair of red heels.
A sharp chill swirled through the air, a certain sign that Basq liked what he was seeing.
“Very nice.” He carefully closed the door, staring at her with avid appreciation. “Where are we going?”
Chaaya spread her arms wide. “Right here.”
Basq arched his brows as he strolled forward. “I thought you wanted to spend your evenings gambling away my fortune and causing bar fights,” he reminded her. “So far we’ve barely left these rooms.”
She flashed a wicked smile, her gaze skimming over his lean body that was hard and perfect beneath the black sweater and slacks.
What
woman in her right mind would prefer to be in a crowded, noisy bar when she could be spending time alone with this delectable vampire?
“There will be time for that,” she assured him. “But first I made a promise.”
He continued forward, his eyes glowing with a white shimmer. “What promise is that?”
Chaaya stepped aside, revealing the stack of cards and chips she’d placed on the table.
“Teaching you how to play poker.”
His fangs lengthened in anticipation. “Strip poker?”
Chaaya chuckled, savoring the frigid power that brushed over her exposed skin. She was well and truly addicted.
“Is there any other kind?”
He lifted his hand to cup her cheek in his palm. “I warn you, I’m a quick learner.”
“I warn you, I cheat.” She ran her fingers over the soft cashmere of his sweater. “Get prepared to lose those clothes.”
“The sooner the better.” Without warning, he kicked off his shoes.
“Hey,” she protested. “I haven’t taught you how to play yet.”
He smiled, revealing his long, sharp fangs. The memory of having them plunged in her neck while Basq thrust deep inside her made Chaaya shiver with an aching need. It didn’t matter how many times she had this male in her bed, in her body, it was never enough.
“We can discuss the rules as we go along,” he assured her, grabbing her lacy halter and jerking it off.
She should probably have been mad. It was a new top. Instead, anticipation sizzled through her.
“I like how you play, vampire.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she wiggled her hands beneath his sweater to explore his bare skin.
Mmm. Smooth and cool as satin.
He bent his head, scraping his fangs along the curve of her neck. “I like how you taste, mist sprite.”
Chaaya smiled. Mist sprite. Someday she would go in search of any relatives she might have among the fey creatures. Until then, she was content with the peace she’d made with her mother.
“And half druid priestess,” she reminded him.
Without warning, Basq scooped her off her feet, heading toward the back of the apartment.
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