“My princess, I––”
Sabin waved her hand. “Why do you call me that? Is my grandmother not dead?”
“Yes. Many years gone.”
“Then if I am the only living heir, that makes me queen.”
Tieressa blinked and seemed confused. “As you wish, of course. It’s simply that our people prefer not to have a queen.”
Sabin already tired of this conversation. “Why is that?”
“Centuries ago, we had a queen who reigned terror over the Targral. Since that time, they decreed that the royal house would hold no more power than princess and prince. It is our way of keeping balance.”
“Then it is time to change that. Call the people here. I wish to tell them that soon, we will concur every realm in existence and I will rule them all.” She leveled a glare at Tieressa. “Does that sound like a princess to you?”
“No.” The priestess rose and gave a deep curtsey. “As you wish, my queen.” And then she rushed off leaving Sabin alone with her grand thoughts.
She glanced down and noted she was still wearing jeans and a tee. That would not do for a woman of her stature. With a snap of her fingers, her attire became much more befitting a person of her station. A black gown with gold threads that wove an intricate pattern. The neckline dipped to reveal ample cleavage, and the sleeves hung off her shoulder and revealed enough skin to make any man beg for mercy. Black pumps and a teardrop diamond choker completed her ensemble.
“Hmm.” She touched the top of her head. “Every queen needs a crown.” It would lend to the authoritative figure she wanted to portray to her people. There would be no questioning her orders. To do so would prove fatal.
Lucan was just about to head back to the guardians’ compound when the Targral priestess appeared in front of him.
“What are you doing here?” Fear rippled across his skin. “Is Sabin okay?”
“No. Something is wrong with her. That is not the same woman who came to see me earlier. That is not our princess.”
“What do you mean?” He knew but wanted to hear from the priestess what she had experienced.
“This traitor wants to become the ultimate queen. Rule the world. She is not the same innocent light who came to me seeking her destiny. Evil possesses this woman.”
Someone just flipped on the light and it cut through the darkness. Why had he not thought of this? Or Sidara for that matter? “Possessed?” He gripped the female by the arms. “Is it possible her brother took possession of her?”
Her eyes widened then turned to narrow slits. “I am not an expert in this area, but I would put nothing past that sadistic bastard.”
“I can’t believe Sidara didn’t see that and yet you did. Both she and Hades told me Sabin had turned evil, and I was to kill her or contain her.” His anger sprang to the surface.
“I do not know this Sidara, but I am surprised at Hades. However, I hold a special connection to my princess and noticed it right away. Not to mention her personality is different.”
“Sidara is our local voodoo priestess. Hades is an ass,” he growled.
“Voodoo? How do we locate her?” It wasn’t hard to miss the sudden excitement in Tieressa’s voice.
“I can text her. Why?”
“A voodoo priestess deals more in the darker elements. Maybe, between her and myself we can see exactly what is going on with my princess.”
He studied her as he pulled his phone from his back pocket. He quickly tapped out a message and received a prompt reply. “We are to go to her home at once.” He offered his arm then flashed both of them to the other side of New Orleans. Sidara swung open the door the moment their feet landed on her porch.
“Come.” She motioned and stepped aside.
Lucan allowed Tieressa to enter first then followed. “Sidara, this is Tieressa, the Targral priestess.”
Tieressa held out her hand and the two women shook.
“Please, come into the kitchen. I was about to pour some sweet tea. Can I offer either of you any?” Sidara led the way, her red gown swishing as she walked.
“Nothing for me.” Lucan only wanted to move things along and figure out a way to save his mate from whatever evil consumed her.
“Thank you, that sounds wonderful,” Tieressa replied.
“What can I help you with?” Sidara asked as she poured the tea and set the glasses on the table.
“I believe my princess has been possessed.” Tieressa stated.
Sidara lifted a brow. “Interesting. I can’t believe I missed that. Of course, you would have a special connection to Sabin.”
The Targral nodded. “Yes. Not only did I sense her change, but I can see it. Something is wrong, so I concluded a possible possession.”
Sidara set down her glass so hard Lucan feared it would shatter. “Then we go and see for ourselves what happened.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Lucan started tapping his fingers on his thigh to keep himself busy.
“You are darkness, Lucan. The shadows can show us, we only need to go to where the death of Lowan occurred.”
“Son of a bitch!” Why had he not thought of that himself? “I am not sure of the exact place, but Aidyn knows.”
“Then we shall summon him here so he can take us to the location,” Sidara announced and rose from her chair.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lucan, Aidyn, Sidara and Tieressa all stood next to the altar where Lowan had tied Sabin down and tried to rape and kill her. The fury inside Lucan welled to the surface, and he was having a difficult time controlling it.
“Vampire, put that anger to better use and show us the events that unfolded here,” Sidara commanded.
“I was here and witnessed them myself. I already told you what happened,” Aidyn said.
“Perhaps. But we can watch the events in slow motion. Also, Tieressa and I might see something you missed.” Sidara touched Aidyn’s arm. “No offense, Pyros.”
“Please call me Aidyn. I don’t wish to be treated any differently than I was before.”
Lucan almost wanted to laugh except the situation was dire. He wasn’t sure if he could treat his fire god the same as before. He missed his friend though.
“Lucan, are you ready?” Sidara jerked him from his thoughts.
“Yes.”
He closed his eyes and dove deep into the dark recesses of his mind. The inky spot––the one Drayos had left on his soul––never stirred as it did when he called out his darkest shadows. Sabin had snuffed it out. His mate had cured him and it made him even more determined to save her.
The shadows swirled around the group. Wind whipped his hair and slapped his face. “Show me the last events that took place here,” he commanded.
The darkness obeyed and in slow motion they began to pull history from the surrounding space. Lucan watched as they forced his mate to the slab. Lowan tied her legs and Sabin begged the god who pinned her down to help her.
Lucan growled.
Storm clouds covered the stone ceiling above them. The thick, gray mass grew darker by the second. A voice pierced through his nightmare.
“Lucan. It is the past, don’t let it consume you, my friend.”
He swung his gaze to Aidyn. The man who had held his mate to the stone and made threats. In the present he wanted to beat the living fuck out of his king. Former king? He had no damn idea where any of them stood now that Aidyn was Pyros and a god.
“You let him touch her.”
“I had to get both of us close enough to get the job done. I feared him going into hiding. Later, after your mate is safe and back to normal, you can kick my ass.”
Aidyn spoke like the king he remembered. “You can count on it.” Lucan forced his gaze back to the unfolding events. Sabin had just shoved the blade of Embara into her brother.
“There,” Sidara yelled. “Did you see the transfer? He used the blade.”
“I saw it,” Tieressa replied.
“That tiny spark of light?” he
asked.
Sidara nodded. “Yes. Lowan transferred his soul to Sabin through the blade. He had to have suspected this and been prepared.”
Lucan let his power idle down, and the shadows subsided. They had what they needed, and he didn’t care to see any more. “That fucker just refuses to die. What now?” He prayed it was a matter of forcing Lowan's energy out.
“Tieressa and I can work on a spell to force Lowan free of Sabin’s body. We need a vessel to snare him, otherwise, he may claim another,” Sidara said and the Targral priestess nodded in agreement.
“Fine. Tell me what I need to do and let’s get this done. I want my mate back before she hurts anyone.”
“We need you to contain her while we work the spell. She will be powerful on her own and Lowan will fight with everything at his disposal. It’s risky, but you may need to ask Ranata for help,” Sidara answered.
Baal’s mate, Ranata, was fae queen. Fae had a way of using the power of others around them and making it their own. “Baal will not like this, and I’ve already called in my last favor from him.” He scrubbed his face in frustration.
“Don’t worry about the demon. We will speak to him together,” Aidyn said.
“Thank you. Let’s go.”
Sabin clutched the arms of her throne while pain racked her body. What was wrong with her? Immortals didn’t get sick, yet she wanted to throw up even though her stomach was empty. Something was wrong. As her people filed into the large room, she pulled herself together. Straightened her spine and laid her hands in her lap, yet she could not force a smile even though she tried to keep happy thoughts. Thoughts of her new life. Her freedom and her mate, yet her mind kept wandering back to plans of grandeur. Of how everyone would bow to her and obey her rule. Once the room was filled, Tieressa appeared at her side.
“My queen.” She curtsied. “I have informed everyone to address you as their queen.”
“Good. How many men do we have?” Only the females had entered the room. The men were not allowed at these gatherings.
Her priestess sat in the chair next to her. “We have two hundred males and four hundred females.”
“Seems we are lacking a decent army. Very well.” She rose. “We can discuss this later.”
Sabin smoothed her gown and walked to the end of the dais. “My subjects, I am very pleased to finally be here to guide you. The first thing I wish to do, is lead you into a new world. One where immortals take their rightful place and mortals bow to us. To do this, I will take over my brother’s cause. I will command what is left of his army and build my own. I will expect every able body to fight for the crown.”
They met her with what she considered a rather lackluster round of applause.
“Go make preparations. We will leave for the human realm in forty-eight hours.” She didn’t bother to watch as everyone filed from the room. Instead, she crossed the dais to the right and headed into a room filled with maps and a long wooden table.
“My queen, I have word that your mate will be arriving shortly.”
“Excellent.” She couldn’t wait to see him. Lucan would be a great asset in the planning stages of her little war games.
“Not a fucking chance in frozen Hell.” Baal stared Aidyn down. “My mate is not placing herself in danger.”
“What danger? What are you discussing that involves me behind my back?” Ranata walked to Baal’s side and gave him a leveled stare.
The demon shook his head. “Don’t even go there, Ranata.”
The fae queen smiled. “Very well. I won’t go there with you.”
“Thank you.” Baal grinned like a typical male who had just won a great battle.
Ranata turned to Aidyn and Lucan. “What danger is he talking about?”
Lucan grinned. Smart woman, Baal’s mate. She knew that her station as queen of the fae would evoke a reply from the god.
“We believe Lucan’s mate has been possessed by Lowan. In order to force Lowan’s energy from Sabin, Lucan here needs a strong fae to help keep Sabin locked down while we perform the ritual.”
She cast a soft gaze to Lucan. “Done. Whatever you need from me, I’ll be there.”
“Gods damnit, Ranata.”
She moved in front of Baal. “You know if you were in this situation, you would do anything to help me.”
“Not fair,” the demon replied.
“Life is never fair, but all we have is each other in this world. I will do whatever I can to help those in need. You were all there for me, now I will be there for all of you.”
“I hate it when you make sense.” Baal took her hand. “I will be beside my mate when this takes place.”
“I would not ask you to do otherwise,” Lucan said.
“So, what’s the plan?” Baal asked.
“We will have to take Sabin by surprise. Both Sidara and the Targral priestess are working on a plan to force Lowan from Sabin’s body and trap him. Ranata will have to use Sabin’s power to restrain her. Do you think you can do that?” Lucan asked.
“I used the power of my entire army to defeat Zarek, I’m sure I can handle a demigod without issue,” she reassured.
“I can’t thank you enough. I only hope this works. Meet us at Sidara’s place in one hour.”
“We’ll be there.” Ranata touched Lucan on the arm. “This will work, I’m certain of it.”
“I hope so.” Then he and Aidyn flashed away. Where the god went, he had no idea but Lucan headed back to his shotgun home. Sabin’s scent permeated the air and sadness came over him. What would he do if they failed? Would he kill his mate? Confining her would only breed hatred between them. He took in a deep breath and decided not to think about his choices until he was forced to make them. Instead, he went to his desk, pressed the button underneath and popped open his secret drawer. Inside he found precisely what Aidyn had told him would be there.
The blade of Embara.
Lucan swallowed. Picked up the dagger and slipped it into his boot. He hoped this was the last time he ever saw this cursed blade. Aidyn explained that he had slipped it into Lucan’s hiding place after learning about Sabin being possessed.
Gods help them all if he was forced to use it. It was likely he would shove it into his own chest to end his misery.
He flashed from his home and directly to Sidara’s. He didn’t even bother to enter from the outside, but flashed straight to her kitchen.
“Vampire. We have just finished our spell.” Sidara held up a small, plain clay pot. “We will force Lowan into this vessel and seal him in.”
“Did you get the fae queen to help?” Tieressa asked.
“Yes. She and her mate will meet us here shortly.” As soon as the words came out of his mouth, there was a knock at the door. Sidara glided across the floor and soon Lucan heard the voices of Baal and Ranata. Once everyone was gathered back into the kitchen, they started going over the plan.
“Sabin has given my people forty-eight hours to prepare for battle. She plans to gather up what’s left of Lowan’s army and added to her own, make her first move,” Tieressa said.
“What is your plan?” Baal asked as he pulled out a chair for Ranata then took the one next to her.
“We figured Lucan and the two of you could go together to Sabin. Use the pretense that Ranata and her people will back Sabin. Tieressa will already have Sabin in an area where no one else can interfere. The last thing we need is someone stepping in and fouling up our plan.” Sidara grabbed a velvet pouch and pulled a stone from it.
“What’s that?” Lucan stared at the round, black, quartz-looking stone.
“We need you to get this on your mate somehow without her becoming suspicious. It’s what will help force Lowan out once we start our spell. Not only do you need to plant this on her, you need to get her to unleash her power so Ranata can work her magic.”
Sidara put the stone back into the pouch and handed it to Lucan. “Once Ranata has taken Sabin’s power, Tieressa and I will step in and begin performing the s
pell. We will force Lowan free and into the vessel.”
It seemed like a sound plan. Now to execute it and get his mate back.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tieressa led Lucan, Baal and Ranata into a vast cathedral-style room where Sabin sat upon a throne. Lucan flared out his senses and didn’t detect any living beings in close proximity. The priestess had assured him that the Targral people were moved a safe distance away. She had also informed him she had performed a spell that dulled their power. It wasn’t enough to cause Sabin to notice, but when she went to draw on it, the power of her people would be severely weakened. That meant they would only have to deal with his mate’s demigod powers, whatever she had gained from him and her own guardian power. As if all that rolled into one wasn’t enough. He prayed Ranata was up to the task and gods help them all if anything happened to Baal’s mate. The demon would rip the universe apart.
Lucan approached and kissed Sabin on the cheek while he slipped the stone Sidara had given him into a small pocket in his mate’s gown. “I have brought the fae queen and her mate with me. They wish to pledge their alliance to your cause.”
She glanced up at him, her eyes vacant of any emotion. “Excellent. Have them approach.” There was no mistaking the ripple of power that danced across her skin. This was a good thing, as she was already on edge. All he had to do was push her over so she would unleash her fury on him. Knowing that Lowan was in control, he was certain the task would prove to be a cake walk. He followed Tieressa’s advice and took up position in the seat next to Sabin. The one held for the priestess.
His mate cast him a lethal glare, but remained the modicum of decorum.
He motioned for Baal and Ranata to come forward, another slip that would piss off his new queen. Sidara was in position in the back and Tieressa moved to the side. It was now or never.
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