by Nikki Landis
“All ready?” I asked, eyeing the two with humor.
You’d think we were on our way to an African safari or were extras in the next Indian Jones movie. Both men were dressed up in ridiculous outfits, strapped down with knives, ninja stars, and swords. Gabriel had a whip attached to his hip and wore a wide hat, the brim low over his piercing blue gaze. Ryder’s hazel eyes gleamed that unearthly tint as his grin widened. He was holding a riding crop and tapping it against his knee-length black leather boots.
I admired both men and the attractive way their clothes fit over their muscular physiques, not sure if I should laugh or commend them on their choice of attire. “You both seem well prepared.”
A whoosh of air next to me proved one other had joined us.
“I’m here. Don’t even think of leaving without me.” Damian’s voice entered my head after he spoke aloud. ‘I’m not letting you go unless you agree.’
I sighed aloud, annoyed but secretly glad he chose to join us. “Fine.”
This trip was dangerous and I was grateful to have all three of my Cosan at my side.
‘Don’t worry. I bite for pain, pleasure, and to kill.’
‘I’m well aware of that fact, Damian.’
His green eyes brightened and I couldn’t resist a small smile in response.
‘You know you love having me around.’
I guess there was no point in denying it. ‘Maybe.’ I winked in his direction and he laughed.
His expression hardened when we both felt another presence joining our own.
“I think we should get moving before we have any more surprises.”
Aunt Gwen and Gypsy began to chant, the low glow of white candles, each anchored to the four points – north, south, east, and west – rising higher as I joined in. Gabe, Damian, Ryder, and I all held hands in the middle of the five-point star. The trees, my aunt and cousin, and the chirping of birds began to blur. Falling into the background, the only sounds was my steady voice as I continued the spell.
At the last second, I turned to the extra aura and gasped when I saw the mysterious latecomer.
Kayde.
Chapter 7
Why the hell was the witch hunter with us?
Kayde didn’t really have a reason to be here and he made it perfectly clear he didn’t have the desire, so why was the grumpy and sarcastic man joining our little expedition at the last minute? Was he actually feeling guilty?
We landed as a group in the same location I entered last time. Apprehension and sudden fear gripped my body so tightly I trembled. Total darkness surrounded us as I felt a hand grab my own and squeeze lightly. I couldn’t tell if Gabe, Damian, or Ryder was the one giving me reassurance but I instantly relaxed and lost some of the tension in my shoulders.
I could do this.
“Lumos,” I chanted as the ball of light bounced around my head and twinkled lightly in a brief hello.
Gabriel stood a few feet in front of me, his Lycan eyes adjusting easily to the dark. Ryder didn’t seem to have any trouble either as his own began to glow a translucent pale greenish color. Damian was right at home and I knew the vampire was as familiar and comfortable as a bat.
This only left the jackass who was standing next to me.
It took all of three seconds to figure out he was the only one close enough to have reached for my hand. No way . . .
My gaze locked onto his brown eyes that instantly seemed distant. I must be imagining things. There’s no way Kayde could have felt my fear and apprehension and actually cared. Right?
I realized the others were waiting for me and I cleared my throat. “Let’s go. I want to get this over with as quickly as possible.”
Five minutes into our little expedition and my right arm and shoulder began to throb, the exact location of the bite. I winced as I missed a step and paused, placing my hands on my knees.
“Cassie?” Gabriel’s hand met my back as I glanced up, all four men staring at me intently.
“It’s the bite.”
‘It stings?’
“Yes, it stings and throbs.”
“I was hoping this wouldn’t happen,” Ryder answered as he placed a hand on my arm. Our eyes met and I felt the pain begin to ebb and fade.
“Ryder, did you . . .?”
“Yes,” he pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I can absorb most of it.”
“Because of the bond?”
He nodded. “Yes. Let me know if it gets worse again, alright?”
“Okay.” I gave him a quick hug and separated. “Let’s move.”
The path ahead was exactly the same as my visit before. Nothing seemed different for several long minutes . . . until nothing was the same at all and everything changed. The Ether morphed into another nightmare and this time I knew the cause was related to the rogue witch, Samhain, and the evil presence in Mystic Hallows.
I was being purposely targeted.
A flurry of feathers reached my ears and I turned to my left, fascinated by the plump raven that landed only a few short feet away. The bird tilted its head to the side and cawed loudly before flying back up again and perching on the branch of nearby tree.
A low fog rolled in gentle waves across the asphalt and began to grow, puffing as it climbed higher and visibility became nearly nonexistent. The thickened air seemed to inhale and hold its breath as if waiting for someone . . . or something. A rattling sound could be heard behind us and off to either side. The ground rumbled lightly as I turned, trying to peer into the heavy darkness and dense air.
“Guys?” I asked, keeping my tone low.
Knocking raps seemed to bounce off the hard ground and were eerily similar to rattling bones. I almost lost my balance as the ground shook and noises like mini explosions filled my ears.
The caw of the raven caught my attention again as it hopped a few trees away in the opposite direction of the encroaching noises. I wondered briefly if the bird was trying to beckon me to follow.
How odd.
“Cassie?”
Gabe’s voice sounded too far away.
“Guys?” I repeated, worried for the first time.
That’s when the battering ram slammed into my shields as I screamed, my head pounding with each brutal hit. I knew it was the rogue witch instantly. The familiar weight and heavy burden of evil blanketed my body and I couldn’t stay upright. Falling to my knees, my hands rose to either side of my head as I began to chant.
“Ancestors, hear my call. Come one, come all. Banish darkness, harness light, fill me with the strength to fight.”
A surge of adrenaline and power hummed along my skin with a velvety violet spark and I hopped to my feet, no longer tortured by the consistent banging and hammering of my shields. Spinning as I heard a commotion behind me, I turned in time to see the fog lift and dozens of skeleton soldiers approach. They were armed with long broadswords and fat round shields made of wood and reinforced with steel. I was tempted to laugh as the bone men grinned a macabre display of faded white and yellow teeth, some gaping with empty spaces.
I stood my ground.
It would take more than this to defeat me.
Their bones rattled as their bodies swayed, each skeleton swinging their pointy sword with a surprisingly accurate and skillful display. Their deadly aim cut too close as I stepped backward and narrowly missed my entrails spilling onto the ground. Several swipes zipped through the air as I took another step back, raising my hands and conjuring the elements.
Lightning and fire blasted the ground and pounded the skeletons. Some fell to the ground as they were defeated while others continued to fight. The sordid air burned my nostrils as the heat of the flames scorched the bare earth.
Where was my Cosan?
“Gabe? Ryder? Damian!”
It was as if they disappeared or never came with me. I couldn’t hear any of their voices. None of their tall muscular frames were close. Not even the scent that had become so familiar for each man lingered in the air.
What
was this? Sorcery? Blood magic?
More voodoo?
Just when I thought this nightmare couldn’t become worse . . . it did.
A hissing sound filled the air as I spun, coming face to face with a giant serpent. Green scales slithered along the ground as the tail rose and rattled, the sound frighteningly loud as I screamed and hurled fireballs into the main section of its massive body. The forked tongue darted from its mouth right before giant fangs glistened in the flickering flames.
The serpent moved closer as I blasted everything I had into the creature with the hope that I could slow it down. My mind blanked as I jumped and missed the tongue as it darted forward, saliva dripping from those deadly pointy fangs. The snake coiled its body as I backed slowly away, the misty air swirling as it thickened the air once more.
With the body tightly wound, the snake's head watched me intently. It was an eerie sensation as my skin prickled. The snake's posture wasn’t all, it audibly shook its tail, the rattling sound proof the serpent was preparing to strike. There was no warning. The creature moved faster than the blink of an eye, whipping its head forward so quickly there was nothing I could do to prevent or stop its attack.
I screamed as I realized I was about to be bitten.
My arms rose defensively as I heard a primal roar, followed by the voice of the witch hunter as he uttered a single word, spoken as if some ancient chant or ritual. “Muerte.”
The serpent stopped its strike in midair and fell to the ground, writhing and disintegrating before my eyes. The body decayed rapidly before the bones turned to dust and blew away.
I fell to my knees in relief as my champion dropped in front of me.
“I’ve got you.”
It wasn’t Ryder, Gabe, or Damian’s voice that I heard as I trembled and fell into strong arms. “Kayde,” I choked out, partially shocked at his sudden appearance.
“It’s okay, Cassie.” He pulled me into his chest as the tears fell down my cheeks, exhausted and upset with the knowledge that we hadn’t come far at all. We weren’t any closer to the Thrall nest and only traveled about fifteen minutes before the chaos began.
“No, it’s not.”
He chuckled lightly as his hand rose and swiped across my face, brushing the tears away. “Cease those tears. No fierce witch lets something so trivial ruin their mission.”
I didn’t know what to think of the way he was staring at me or how he seemed to be holding me close and enjoying it. “You’re kind of scaring me right now,” I admitted.
“Why?”
I opened my mouth to answer but shut it again, knowing this conversation was hopeless before it began. “It’s not important.” Pushing back, I managed to disconnect our limbs and inhaled a deep shaky breath.
“Cassie?”
Our eyes met as he leaned in. “I think –”
‘Hey there, pet. Miss me?’
“Cassie!”
“Oh, angel, you nearly gave this Ghoul heart palpitations!”
My Cosan. They were here.
Jumping up I ran into the guys’ open arms as we hugged, all three embracing me tightly. Even the aloof vampire.
‘Try not to do that again, precious.’
‘Don’t worry. I’m not planning on it.’
A low growl erupted in Gabe’s throat before his lips pressed to mine, squishing us close as his Lycan strength surrounded me in a protective barrier.
“I’m alright. Kayde saved me.”
All three of my Cosan turned to the witch hunter with equal looks of surprise and astonishment.
“What?” He asked testily, his shoulders stiff. “I was the only one who could remove the magical barrier and stop the serpent.”
Damian shrugged, not caring in the least what Kayde’s motivation was.
‘Right you are, pet.’
Gabe nodded his approval. “Well done, Kayde.”
Ryder slid his arm around my shoulders and smirked. “She kind of grows on you, doesn’t she?”
Muttering under his breath, Kayde turned his back on all of us, gesturing ahead. “Time to move and save the vulnerable little witch.”
Chapter 8
“You’re bleeding,” Ryder touched a hand to my shoulder and I winced.
“The bite is getting worse,” I admitted. “The pain doesn’t seem to stop.”
“We must be close to the nest,” Gabe observed. “Can you make it?”
The sincerity in his voice was genuine. “Yes, I’ll be fine. This is nothing.”
Kayde snorted but didn’t say a word.
“What are we looking for exactly?” Damian flashed ahead, disappeared, and came back within a few seconds. “I see nothing but feel the sinister presence of the demons closing in.”
“I’ve taken all the pain away that I can, angel. What’s left you’ll have to endure until we kill the Thrall.” I nodded as he continued. “We’re looking for a nest. Piles of bones and rotten flesh, the scent of death and decay, and the heavy oppressive feeling you were describing Damian. Blood trails will lead in all directions and probably half eaten or consumed corpses – by flesh or their aura. The Thrall feed both spiritually as well as physically.”
Damn. “No wonder they’re so dangerous.”
“Yes, so stay close. No one ventures off alone, period.” Kayde gave the order and surprisingly, no one contradicted or argued with his edict.
The farther we walked, the heavier the air felt around us. My limbs weakened and I fought for every step that I took. Strange lights began to glow in various places. At first, they were sporadic, but as we continued forward they became more numerous.
Black iron lanterns held glowing orbs that danced inside, often bumping into the glass as if they were trying to escape. Exhausted, I sank to my knees and reached for one. The lantern was lightweight and the mysterious glowing light turned from a somber pale amber to a bright aqua surrounded by a halo of white.
“Don’t open the lantern, Cass.”
I turned to Kayde in curiosity. “It’s so pretty, I just want to –”
“Don’t. You can’t. These souls are already tainted.”
Sadness engulfed my heart as I stared at the light. “They want to be free.”
“I know, little witch. We can set them free only once the Thrall have been destroyed.”
“Will the taint be erased?”
“Yes, if the original demon is killed the soul is washed clean.”
I didn’t ask how he knew this information. Kayde offered his hand and I let him pull me to my feet as a small smile hovered on his lips for a brief second and then vanished.
“We have work to do.”
We left the lanterns behind as Kayde held up a hand. “Shhh.”
Damian appeared by my side and leaned in close. ‘What were the lanterns? Souls?’
I nodded in confirmation. “Yes,” I whispered, “I guess the Thrall trap them.”
Damian slid an arm around my waist. ‘Oh, pet, they don’t trap the souls. Thrall consume them.’
‘Well, shit.’
‘Yeah, shit. Don’t get too close. I bet you taste good.’
The double meaning wasn’t lost on me. ‘You missed your chance to find out.’
He turned to me suddenly, anger visible on his face. ‘He fed, this I know, but tell me Dmitri didn’t taste you intimately.’
‘He didn’t.’
Damian was still tense. ‘Did he fuck you?’
I sighed aloud. ‘No penetration. Happy?’
His answering embrace confirmed the answer to that question was yes. ‘Pet, you’re mine. He’s not allowed anywhere near you.’
‘When was this decided?’
‘The moment we met and I claimed you in front of Howe Manor.’
“Damian,” I breathed as he leaned in and kissed me with a passionate but brief pressure. ‘Isn’t that possessive?’
‘Perhaps.’
The way we could communicate so effectively and yet without a word spoken aloud was both intoxicating
and addictive.
‘I agree, precious.’
“Did you hear that?” Gabriel asked, his body crouched as he turned to the right.
A few seconds later the ground began to rumble and shake like a hundred horses were galloping forward at the same time.
Gabriel roared aloud, his bones cracking and popping as he began the transformation. His face distorted as his bones elongated. Large teeth poked through a long wide mouth as he snarled, saliva pooled in his mouth and slithered down his chiseled body. Wide-eyed, I couldn’t tear my gaze away. Claws developed on his hands and his legs lengthened, gaining him another two feet in height. Pulsing flesh rearranged on his body. Feet and legs continued to twist and contort as Gabe’s clothes ripped apart on his massive frame. The muscles of his body rippled with strength as his skin grew a light gray fur, short but still obviously not human.
The werewolf transformation was complete.
Damian quickly followed his lead and stood in his true form, his glamour dropped. The giant ebony wings spread behind his back while sharp talons poised ready to rip and tear the Thrall apart until nothing remained. Both men towered above me, easily over seven foot.
Ryder saved the best for last.
My handsome Ghoul transformed into the bloodthirsty beast I remembered, from a live person to some demented looking half dead creature that resembled a zombie. He wasn’t alone.
Ryder whooped in excitement just like he did before he feasted on the zombies from the cemetery back home but this time dozens of figures appeared – and they looked just like the demented horror standing in front of me. Ghoul souls were here to aid in the fight against the Thrall. They weren’t in danger – these spirit soldiers didn’t possess physical flesh. The came in their true form. The same as I saw when Ryder and I bonded and I touched his thread.
Ryder’s brethren began to spread around us and holler, whooping and stirring up such a loud ruckus that if the Thrall weren’t sure we were here before, they knew now.
Damian and Gabriel laughed, joining in with their own growls, howls, and rumbles of pre-war courage and excitement. I’m not sure that any of this was funny, especially once the Thrall actually reached us, but for now I joined in and let out an echoing roar into the air.