Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity)

by Alexandra Ivy

  Not only because she’d spent the past six hours struggling not to kill hapless motorists as she’d driven to this remote location, but she’d been on constant edge that Caine might somehow manage to pick up her trail and follow her.

  Now that she was here, however, with no sign of the Were who’d become a vital part of her life, she felt . . . what? Hollow. As if she was a mere shell that was going through the motions.

  Where was Caine? Was he still searching for her? Perhaps tormenting himself with blame that she’d disappeared?

  Or had he at last decided he’d had enough of her craziness?

  He certainly had every right to walk away in disgust. After he’d sacrificed everything to become her guardian, she’d just disappeared with no warning, no explanation. What man in his right mind wouldn’t decide she was more trouble than she was worth?

  She clenched her teeth against the pain that sliced through her heart. Dang it. So what if she felt like she’d lost a part of her very soul? As long as Caine was safe, nothing else mattered. Nothing.

  Forcing her stiff muscles to move, she stepped out of the Jeep and started cautiously toward the house. The last time she’d visited the lair, Caine had altered the hexes to recognize her. But it had been weeks since she’d last been there. Would they remember her?

  One way to find out.

  Sucking in a deep breath, Cassie moved through the hedge and followed the narrow pathway. When she wasn’t zapped or skewered or turned into a newt, she continued forward, climbing the steps of the wraparound porch.

  She paused, taking a last glance around the empty yard, which was surrounded by a heavy line of trees, before pulling open the heavy oak door and stepping into the living room.

  It was a plain room with rustic furniture and towering bookshelves that were stuffed with leather-bound chemistry books. A wistful smile touched her lips. The house was a painful reminder of Caine.

  Gods, the very air smelled of him.

  The thought had barely crossed her mind when the door was slammed shut behind her and she whirled to discover a blond-haired Were leaning against the wall, his arms folded over his chest and a mocking smile on his lips.

  “Hello, pet. Miss me?”

  Her mouth literally dropped open.

  Caine.

  But . . . it wasn’t possible, was it?

  He couldn’t be here when she’d left him miles behind.

  “Are you a trick?”

  “No trick.” He shoved away from the wall and prowled toward her stiff form, wearing a casual pair of jeans and white T-shirt. “Surprised?”

  She gave a shake of her head, struggling to come to terms with the fact he was really there and not just a figment of her imagination.

  “How?”

  He arched a brow. “How?”

  She cleared her throat and tried again. “How did you get here?”

  Without warning, he grabbed her upper arms and spun her around so he could press her against the wall. Only then did she realize that beneath his sardonic composure he was seething with fury.

  “That’s not the question.”

  The heat of his anger seared over her skin, his grip careful not to bruise, but tight enough to warn she wasn’t getting away.

  “Caine.”

  The sapphire eyes glittered in the gathering gloom. “The question is why the hell you took off without me.”

  His words seared away the stunned shock fogging her mind. He was right. It didn’t matter how he’d found her. Or even how he’d managed to know where she was going and get here ahead of her.

  All that mattered was getting rid of him before it was too late.

  She turned her head to stare at the rolltop desk set near the window, desperate to hide her all too expressive face. “I would think that would be self-explanatory.”

  “Do you?”

  “Yes.”

  He snorted, his hands cupping her chin and forcing her face back to meet his narrowed glare. “Obviously I’m particularly dense because I don’t find anything self-explanatory about being abandoned at a rest stop by my lover.”

  She licked her lips, floundering beneath his penetrating gaze. Who knew that lying would be such a vital skill? Or that sucking at it might very well get Caine trapped in hell.

  Crap. She had to do this. And she had to do it well enough to make sure Caine walked away and never returned. With an effort, she plastered something she hoped resembled a smile to her lips. “I decided that I’d had enough.”

  “Enough of what?”

  “Enough of us.”

  “No.”

  “What?”

  “Try again.”

  She frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “A woman doesn’t give her innocence to a man when she’s ‘had enough,’” he challenged.

  “I don’t know why you’re making such a big deal about my virginity,” she muttered.

  His simmering anger that she’d hope to provoke into a don’t-call-me-I’ll-call-you rage abruptly faded to be replaced with a heart-melting tenderness.

  “Because it was a big deal to me.” His thumb traced her lower lip, a ready passion darkening his eyes. “It’s a gift I’ll always cherish.”

  She swallowed a sigh of frustration. What was wrong with the man?

  “Well, it was nothing more than a burden to me,” she said, adamantly refusing to shiver at the exquisite sensation of his thumb tracing the curve of her lip. “Now it’s gone I can move on to . . .”

  Something that might have been amusement glinted in his eyes. “To what?”

  “To someone else.”

  That should have been it. What man could stand to be told his female was leaving his bed and going to another? Instead, that annoying amusement only deepened.

  “And you thought you would find this mysterious someone else in my lair?” he drawled. “That doesn’t really make any sense, does it, pet?”

  “Of course not,” she snapped. “I needed somewhere to stay until I can find a lair of my own.”

  His gaze lowered to where his thumb continued to stroke over her mouth. “Surely, your next lover will provide you with a lair? Or at least a bed.”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “It is if you intend to use my private lair for your orgies.” A wicked smile curved his lips. “I should at least be allowed to participate.”

  She shivered, a deep yearning threatening to undermine her noble intentions. “Stop that,” she hissed, batting away his tormenting hand and reminding herself the cost of failure.

  His amusement vanished as he slammed his hands against the wall on each side of her shoulders, caging her with his body. “Tell me why you’re here.”

  She turned her head, frightened by the grim resolve etched on his beautiful face. “Because I wanted to get away from you and I thought this would be the last place that you would look for me.”

  “It has nothing to do with your vision?”

  “No, now go away.”

  “Never.”

  “Then I’ll leave.” She grabbed his arm, frantically trying to push it aside. “Dammit, let me go.”

  There was a tense silence and she could feel Caine’s gaze searing over her rigid profile. Then, without warning, he dropped his arm and stepped back.

  “Fine. You’re free to go.” He said nothing as she stood there, trembling from head to foot. Finally, he reached to brush a gentle hand down her cheek. “You can’t, can you?”

  She dropped her head, her hands covering her face as her eyes filled with tears. “Please, Caine.”

  She felt him wrap his arms around her shivering body, pulling her against him and pressing his lips to her temple.

  “What?” he pleaded. “Talk to me, Cassie. I need to know what’s going on.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Was it the vision?”

  She resisted for another long moment, before conceding defeat. There was no way she was getting rid of the stubborn Were. At least not unless sh
e could prove to him it was too dangerous for him to stay.

  Something that was as likely as her sprouting wings and flying.

  She heaved a resigned sigh, resting her head against the welcome strength of his chest. “Yes.”

  His hands glided up and down her stiff back in a comforting motion. “Can you tell me?”

  “It’s you.”

  “Me?” He stiffened, obviously shocked by her confession. “Do I do something wrong?”

  “No, you’re captured.” She shuddered, the memory of her vision painfully vivid. “We both were.”

  “Captured by whom?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Where were we being held?”

  “I don’t know.” She gave another shudder. “We were surrounded by a white fog.”

  There was a long pause.

  “So you took off because a vision revealed I’m going to be captured?” he asked softly.

  “Yes.”

  She heard his low growl a mere heartbeat before he was roughly pulling away, his jaw clenched and his eyes glowing with the power of his wolf. “God dammit, Cassie,” he barked. “What the hell were you thinking?”

  Caught off guard by his unexpected attack, she blinked in confusion. “I was trying to protect you.”

  “No.” He pointed a finger toward her, the veins on his neck visible as he struggled to contain his outrage. “That’s not allowed.”

  “Not allowed?”

  “It’s not your job.”

  She scowled. “But it’s fine for you to protect me?”

  “Yes.”

  His blunt response left her tongue-tied. How did you argue with someone who didn’t bother to be reasonable? “How is that even logical?” she finally managed to inquire.

  “You’re the prophet.” His tone was hard, unapologetic. “And whether you like it or not, you’re number one on the most wanted list right now.”

  “I don’t like it.”

  He ignored her childish outburst. “And for whatever twisted reason, fate has chosen me as your protector. That’s just how it is.”

  She stepped forward, desperate to make him understand the danger he was in. “I couldn’t bear it, Caine.” She framed his face in her hands, her voice thick with fear. “You were . . .”

  He swooped down to capture her lips in a fierce kiss that stole her words.

  “Hush,” he commanded softly, pulling back to regard her with a somber expression. “I don’t care if I was dead, you will never again try to leave me.”

  She shook her head, her fingers tightening on his face. “I won’t let you be hurt.”

  “Think, Cassie. You said yourself it’s too dangerous to try and alter fate.” He peered deep into her wide eyes, his hands lightly encircling her wrists and his thumbs rubbing over her unsteady pulse. “What if your misguided attempt to keep me safe has tilted the balance of power to the Dark Lord?”

  “I don’t care.”

  He went still at her harsh words. “You would sacrifice the world for me?”

  She didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

  “Cassie.” With a groan, he leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. “Gods, you never fail to astonish me.”

  She made a sound of exasperation. She didn’t want to astonish him. She wanted to make him flee in fear.

  “Please, please go, Caine.”

  His jaw jutted. “No way in hell.”

  “Which is quite likely where we’re going,” she snapped.

  “I always knew it was inevitable.”

  She hissed at his flippant retort. “This isn’t funny.”

  “Actually, I would say that it’s the greatest cosmic joke in the history of the world,” he added, a humorless smile twisting his lips.

  “What does that mean?”

  “Those visions of yours are bigger than both of us.” He turned his head so he could plant a kiss in the center of her palm. “And right now I’m all you’ve got to guard you from the bad guys.” He gave a sharp laugh. “The gods help us.”

  Chapter 11

  Gaius’s lair in Louisiana

  The female wasn’t as adequate as the last. Her dark hair was too short and her skin too pale, while her curves were on the wrong side of lush. But beggars couldn’t be choosers, and shuddering to a climax beneath the skilled stroke of her mouth, Gaius grasped her by the hair and jerked her upright.

  Her dark eyes were drenched with adoration as she rubbed her naked body against him. “Was it good, baby?”

  Gaius grimaced, roughly turning her around as he straightened his black slacks that he’d matched with a crisp white shirt. Then, pressing her against the paneling of his private bedroom, he tilted her head to strike deep into the flesh of her throat.

  “Oh yeah,” she groaned, writhing in pleasure as he drank deeply of her blood. “More.”

  He continued his meal even as he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. It was only when the sharp knock rattled his door that he at last pulled out his fangs and licked shut the female’s tiny wounds.

  “Wait,” he commanded, stepping back to smooth down his hair and adjust his black silk tie.

  Without warning the female turned to toss herself against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “No, don’t stop.”

  He hissed, his lips curling in disgust. “Release me.”

  The dark eyes were filled with mindless need. “Please, fuck me.”

  “Watch your language.” Raising his hand, he slapped her hard enough to slam her head against the wall. With a low groan she crumpled to the floor and Gaius turned toward the door. “Enter.”

  The door was pushed open to reveal Sally dressed in her usual uniform of tight black leather skirt and red bustier with her hair in pigtails. Instead of heels, however, she was wearing black combat boots that laced up to her knees, with spiderweb stockings peeking between the top of the boots and the hem of her too-short skirt.

  Her heavily lined eyes widened as she stepped into the room to discover the unconscious female sprawled at his feet. “Did you kill another one?”

  “She lives,” Gaius said with utter indifference. “Why have you interrupted?”

  The witch licked her black lips. “You said that you wanted to know when I was ready to scry for Cassandra.”

  Gaius paused, making certain he was at his full strength before he gave a short nod. There was no way in hell he was agreeing to go after the prophet unless he was confident he could keep himself protected.

  “Fine.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Get the curs in place and I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

  With a last glance at the motionless whore, Sally left the room, pulling the door shut behind her.

  Once alone, Gaius reached beneath his jacket to pull out an antique gold locket. Pressing the hidden lever, the locket sprang open, revealing the miniature portrait of Dara.

  His unbeating heart warmed at the sight of his mate. Her pretty features. Her satin-smooth hair. The proud tilt of her head. And the piercing sweetness of her smile.

  His fingers tightened on the locket, the aching void in his soul so large he thought at times he would fall in and never crawl back out.

  “I know you wouldn’t approve of my methods, my love, but I do these things for you. For us,” he whispered. “I can’t bear this life without you and since I’m too much a sinner to join you in heaven I must return you to my hell. Please, my love, forgive me.” He pressed the locket to his lips. “Forgive me.”

  Reluctantly replacing the locket, Gaius headed toward the door, allowing his anguish to transform back to the frigid anger that kept him from sinking into complete madness.

  Soon Dara would be returned from the grave, he reassured himself. And he would forget the vile cost of having her back in his arms.

  As if to remind him that the vile costs weren’t over yet, the scent of fairy blood filled the air. With a hiss, he moved with fluid speed to enter the kitchen, not at all surprised to discover a circle of flickering candles on the flo
or with a wooden bowl set in the center filled with thick blood.

  Black magic always demanded a sacrifice.

  The greater the magic, the greater the sacrifice.

  Without hesitation he charged around the circle to grab the witch by her neck. “I told you to wait.”

  “Hey, it’s not me,” she squeaked, her eyes wide with panic. “Do you think I could kill and drain a full-grown fairy?”

  His fangs burst from his gums as he dropped the female and whirled to prowl toward Dolf, who tried to scramble backward. “What the hell are you doing?”

  “Preparing a spell.” He gave a yip of pain as Gaius slammed him against the wall. “Shit.”

  Keeping the cur pinned to the wall with one hand, Gaius lifted the other to point a finger directly into Dolf ’s flushed face. “You’ve obviously forgotten the first rule of this household.”

  “What rule?”

  “No magic without my permission.”

  “I wasn’t going to cast it,” Dolf hastily assured him. “At least not yet.”

  “No. Magic.” His power was a tangible force that blasted through the room. “Is that clear enough?”

  Blood trickled from Dolf ’s ear from the explosive burst of power, but with a dogged determination, he refused to back down. “Let me explain.” He grimaced as Gaius’s hand pressed against his chest with enough pressure to crack a rib. “Please, it’s important.”

  Dio. Gaius dropped his hand and stepped back. Obviously the stupid dog wasn’t going to be satisfied until he’d pleaded for his cause. “Make it quick,” he snarled.

  Dolf sucked in a shallow breath, his expression wary. “We have to assume that Caine will be protecting Cassandra.”

  “And?”

  “And unless you plan to get your hands dirty, we’re going to need a weapon to keep him out of the fight.”

  The bastard had a point. If Gaius was forced to use the medallion to take them to the prophet, he would be weakened and not about to risk a battle with a pureblooded Were.

  That didn’t mean he had to like it.

  “A spell?” he managed to spit out.

  Dolf fumbled to grab the crystal hung around his neck. The clear stone glowed with a disturbing green light. “Yes.”