Lileta gave him a pained look. “If I could remove them I would have taken my own off. The best I can do is provide you with a way out.” She shifted toward the door. “I need to go check on your mate, wait here.”
Marcus paced the small room. He needed to see Cassie, hold her in his arms, and beg her forgiveness. He stopped mid-step when Lileta returned.
“Where is she?” His voice panicked.
Lileta wrung her hands. “She is gone, Odage has taken her already and started moving the others. We must hurry before he looks for me.”
“Fuck,” he growled.
She moved back toward the door and peered out. “We need to get you out of here before they discover you’re missing as well.” She motioned for him to follow and led him to a room filled with racks of wine.
“He has a fucking wine cellar?”
She turned her head to gaze at him. “Yes, he gives the women blood wine to control them.”
“Rotten bastard.” He stopped when Lileta pressed her hand against the back wall and opened a secret passage. “Nice.”
“I don’t think Odage even knows it’s here. I discovered it a few weeks ago myself.”
“How the hell did you find it?” He gained a whole new respect for this demon. She proved resourceful, even with her power hindered by the silver. He only wished Cassie was with him.
“I was looking for it. I remembered these caves once belonged to Drayos, and it made sense that he would have several hidden passages.” The door closed, leaving them in complete darkness. At least his vision didn’t seem to be impaired by the silver.
“This is as far as I can go. I’m sure if you follow the tunnel, you will find a way out.” She turned to walk away, but he grabbed her wrist.
“You’re not coming with me?”
“No, he can track me and will kill us both. Besides, the women need me, just promise you will find us.”
“I swear it. But what is Odage up to?”
“He is keeping human women to bear his children. His first child was born only a few days ago. The mother is dead.”
He ground his teeth, his fists clenching into tight balls. “I’ll kill the fucking bastard.”
“He has also bound himself to a memory ghoul. She seeks the amulet of Tobor for him.”
“What the hell does he want with the amulet of life?”
“I don’t know, I can only say he is being controlled—” She shivered. “—by someone very powerful.”
He kissed her cheek. “Thank you for everything, but I must ask one more favor of you.”
“What is it?”
“Please watch after my mate, she carries my child. And...and tell her I love her.”
“I will.” Then she disappeared back through the door.
He prayed she wouldn’t be found out and punished for her role in his escape and Cassie remained safe until he could find her.
A roar shook the entire mountain, rocks spewed into the air like a dog shaking off fleas. The villagers who lived at the foot of the mountain made the sign of the cross and ran for cover. Steam escaped his nostrils as he took one breath in then exhaled. Odage’s vision burned red with fury. The vampire was gone. There was no way he had escaped on his own, someone helped him. He stormed through the caverns, smashing fists into walls as he went. His body hung in a state of metamorphosis, stuck between man and dragon. His mind, in such turmoil he was unable to make a complete shift to either form.
“Roman!” Two voices echoed out. The timbre of the beast lower and grating against the skin.
“Y-yes, my liege?” Roman came forth and knelt before the half beast.
Odage moved in front of the minion, lowered his head to within inches of Roman’s. His fangs exposed, spittle flew into the man’s face. “Where. Is. The. Vampire?”
Roman’s body trembled, his eyes cast to the floor. “I-I don’t know, my liege. H-he was there when I last checked on him.”
“And when was that?”
“Only a few hours ago...my liege.”
“You are such a disappointment, minion. You let the vampire escape.” The crimson body of his dragon emerged. A long tail snaked around the room, and claws sprouted from each toe. The shift complete. He sucked in a breath and let out a roar of flames, burning the man who knelt in front of him. His tail flicked the charred remains across the room.
He continued to move to the upper level of the cavern slowly, as his body morphed back to its human form. Caleb, come to me.
His commanding officer formed in front of him. “Yes, my liege?”
“Caleb, status report.”
“Camp is set up, the women moved, and the men are ready to dig on your command.”
Odage stopped in mid-stride. “Excellent, I can always count on you. Let us leave here then. Have a few men stay behind and search for the vampire.” A wicked smile snaked across his lips. “He won’t go far, I have something he wants.”
Caleb bowed. “As you wish, my liege.”
Marcus followed the passageway’s twists and turns as it led up the mountain. Light could be seen ahead, but he would have to wait for the cover of darkness before he dared make his escape. He hated like hell to sit and do nothing while Odage got away with Cassie, but between the knife wound and the silver, he was too weak to help even himself. He crawled into an alcove and went to sleep.
His eyes snapped open, and he had no idea how long he’d been asleep. He crawled to the front of the alcove and peered out. A faint light with pinkish hues danced off the rock. The sun was almost down, it was time to leave. Once outside, he found himself planted on a narrow ledge with no way to detect his enemy. The silver blocked everything. He would have to fight the old-fashioned way.
He crawled along the ledge for several yards until he spotted a Draki walking toward him.
Grabbing a rock, he crouched, and when the Draki walked past, he jumped on his back, smashing the pointed end of the rock into the back of the man’s skull. The shifter slipped to the ground, the trauma not enough to kill him so Marcus rolled him off the edge of the cliff. He’d still live, but it would take him days to regenerate from the numerous broken bones the fall would leave.
He stood, looked around and saw no one else, so he moved forward down the trail, certain there would be at least one more Draki on the mountain. He stumbled and nearly fell, the knife wound leaving a trail for the enemy to follow. In his weakened state, he wasn’t even sure where he was going. Only that he needed to get off the mountain. Maybe I can get back to the forest and at least catch some game for nourishment. It was his only hope.
A Draki jumped out and swung his sword. Luckily, Marcus’s reflexes were quick enough he was able to duck before losing his head. However, the motion had set him off balance, and he fell to the ground. Weak and without weapons, he would never survive a direct assault. The Draki flexed his arms to make another swing. Marcus was too weak to roll out of the way, but he made eye contact with the dragon.
“I’m not your enemy.”
“Tell that to my brother who lies in a broken heap at the foot of this mountain.”
Marcus coughed up blood. “I only defended myself. We did not start this war with you.”
The Draki’s eyes swirled dark. “You started it by accusing our leader of murder. We will finish it.” He swung but never made contact. His head flew through the air.
Marcus looked up at the hand held out to him. “It’s about fucking time you showed up.”
“Such gratitude, my friend,” Aidyn replied.
He accepted the king’s hand and stood. “I need to get these off,” he said, holding out his silver encased wrists.
Aidyn flashed a wicked grin. “Lucky for you we have just the tool for that.”
“Figures you’d be lying around on the job while we do all the work.” Baal stepped from behind Aidyn.
He let a breath escape. “Am I ever glad to see you.” He held his wrists out to Baal who placed his hands on the silver, chanted and the cuffs fell to the gro
und.
“Thanks, I owe you one. Would you mind taking care of the other ones too?”
Baal scowled. “You just want me to kneel at your fucking feet.” The demon dropped to his haunches and repeated the process with the ankle cuffs then stood. “Now, shall we go get your mate?”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Marcus paced Aidyn’s office while the other warriors sat and watched. He had taken blood and was almost back to normal. Now he needed his mate. He was edgy and ready to snap. He needed the fight. The blackness in his soul shifted as if to agree.
“I need to find Cassie.”
Aidyn looked up from his desk. “As soon as Baal gets back with the intel we need.”
Marcus snarled then sighed. “Aidyn, I need to speak with you privately.”
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 worked his jaw. “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 allow his friend to 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, Aidyn 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?” Marcus 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.” Baal delivered the bad news.
“Mother fuck.”
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 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.” Then 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?” Why did she insist on asking stupid questions?
“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 Eliza 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 all right? “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. “Quadira!”
Within seconds, a woman flashed into the room. Quadira—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. The emerald green of her gown bringing out 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 knitted her brows.
“Seems to me, husband, one of your children has removed her from this realm."
Everyone knew Quadira had created the dragons. Long before any immortal or human walked the earth, dragons filled the skies.
“Fix this,” Zarek commanded.
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 brushed a kiss on her forehead. “We will prevail,” he whispered.
“What about my mate?” Marcus yelled out.
Zarek stepped aside, and Quadira 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. She 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?”
“Twenty-four hours.”
Fuck. That wasn’t much time 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.
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