by Scott, J. S.
“Drew?” Talia’s confused voice sounded weak in the large cavern where the cages were arranged.
The whole area was dimly lit, a gloomy environment that was enough to make him rush back to her and kneel beside the bench. Her eyes were open. Drew stroked her face with the back of his hand as he questioned protectively, “Are you hurting?” Kat had suffered a reaction to demon toxins when she and Zach had been attacked. They may or may not have injected them into Talia’s system, and he wasn’t certain he could stand to see her suffer that kind of pain.
“No,” she answered more clearly, moving up into a sitting position on the bench. “What happened?”
“We’re in the demon realm,” Drew answered, his voice dripping with anger.
“I remember now. There was a loud noise, a diversion, and then I passed out.”
“You were transported too fast.”
Talia lifted her sweater to her face, breathing through the garment. “God, it stinks.”
Drew wanted to tell her to breathe through her mouth, but the stench was heavy in the air, and he wasn’t sure what toxins were flying around in the room. He also wasn’t sure if allowing the fetid air a direct path to her lungs was such a good idea. “I know,” he answered simply.
“Are we stuck here?” she asked calmly, lowering the sweater and looking straight into his eyes.
“No,” Drew answered, irritated. He refused to believe they were stuck in this shithole indefinitely. He’d find a way to get her out. “I’ll figure out something. But I’m powerless here, Talia, much like a human.”
“Then we’ll think of another way,” she answered as she got up and strode to the door of their cage.
Drew marveled at the fact that Talia’s mind was racing through their options and collecting data as she retrieved every bit of information she knew about the demon realm. She wasn’t panicking or whining; she was trying to find a solution in that quick brain of hers. “You aren’t freaking out?” he asked, unable to stop himself. Any other human, male or female, would be pissing themselves right now, and for good reason. But not his woman, and he should have known better. Her lack of fear was one of the things that scared the shit out of him.
“Would it help either of us if I did?” she asked reasonably. “Drew, I’ve dealt with paranormal entities my entire life, and I’ve even dealt with Evils. I can’t say that I’m thrilled to be here, and yes, I’m concerned. Evils might be cunning and power-hungry, but they aren’t particularly intelligent. There has to be a way to outsmart them.”
“I’d rather have my powers so I could take their heads off,” Drew grumbled, amazed by Talia’s incredible composure.
This was the woman who was chosen as his mate. Not only was she beautiful, smart, and talented, but she was also fearless in the face of adversity. And he felt humbled once again by what fate had given him, a gift he didn’t think he deserved, but one he wanted with every fiber of his being. And she wanted him as well. What a lucky bastard he was. Now, if he could just get Talia the fuck out of this hellish place. “I don’t get how they even got us here. It shouldn’t be possible,” he contemplated. “They need a bargain to take you, and they can’t bring Sentinels here. They can only kill them in the human realm. They’re limited by rules, fewer rules than Sentinels, but they still have a few that are unbreakable.”
“But they’re evolving just like the Sentinels. They must be. They’re powerful. I can sense it when they get close enough for me to feel them,” Talia answered, turning to face Drew.
“The elders are more powerful than the others. The Evils you dealt with aren’t elders. The elders rarely leave the demon realm.” But they had left when they came to the human realm to attack Kat. Drew and his brothers knew the rules were changing; they just weren’t sure why.
Talia started as the door of the cell rattled, the metal giving way and suddenly swinging open. She jumped into Drew’s arms, moving away from the door.
“You need to leave. Now,” a low baritone commanded, the figure unrecognizable in the dim light.
“Kristoff?” Drew said cautiously, tightening his arms around Talia. Maybe she wasn’t terrified, but she wasn’t stupid either. She’d moved like her ass was on fire the moment the door gave way.
The Sentinel king stepped into the dim light, his expression grim. “I’m sending you back to the human realm. Before you leave, I need you to give some information to Hunter,” Kristoff demanded, his ice blue eyes shimmering in the darkened space.
Drew felt information transfer into his mind, sent to him by his king. “They’re coordinates. What’s there? And how can we leave here?”
“Hunter needs to find a…woman.” Kristoff’s voice tripped over the last word uncomfortably. “She’ll explain when he’s there. But it’s imperative that he gets there. And I’ve arranged a trade with Goran for your release. I may not have been able to take Hunter’s punishment in the human realm, but I can do a trade here.”
A trade? What the hell would Kristoff trade to get them released?
“You’re staying?” Drew couldn’t think of any other way Goran would have agreed to release them. What was better than a Sentinel and a special radiant? There was only one thing better, more powerful, and it was having the king of the Sentinels as a willing prisoner.
Kristoff inclined his head slightly. “You and Zach are in charge during my absence.”
“How long?” Drew asked impatiently. “How long are you going to be here in order to get us free?” He took Talia’s hand and they left the cell to stand in front of Kristoff.
“I don’t know,” Kristoff replied gravely. “As long as it takes.”
“We need you. You can’t do this. Take Talia out of here and I’ll stay if you need a casualty. Just get her to safety. The whole damn world is falling apart. You can’t be a prisoner here.” Drew’s frustration was rising. No way in hell was he leaving his king to be slaughtered here.
“I don’t die easily, Drew,” Kristoff said with a slight smirk. “They can hurt me, but they can’t kill me without difficulty. I can’t say the same for you. Take Talia to safety and bind her to you. Once she’s bound and her power is released, they won’t pursue her. They want her because she has a very dangerous radiant ability that hasn’t yet been released.”
“What?” Drew asked desperately.
“I don’t know for sure, but something bad enough for them that I almost couldn’t get them to agree to a trade.”
“Why trade at all?” Talia asked, her brow furrowing in concentration. “You’re the king, and we’re small comparatively.”
“You’re far from insignificant to the survival of mankind, Talia,” Kristoff informed her. “You’re the future of the Sentinels and of humans. Your power is essential in the righting of the balance of good and evil.”
“Why?” she asked inquisitively. “And how do you know that?”
Kristoff’s gaze softened as it landed directly on Talia. “Because you’re my daughter.”
“That’s not possible.” It took Drew a moment to even comprehend what Kristoff was saying, but when he did, he balked. “Sentinels don’t have children unless they’re mated. Are you saying that Talia’s mother was your radiant?”
“Regretfully…no. I met her mother only once, but I was enchanted with her. I never knew that she was pregnant, and I didn’t know I had a daughter until today. We’re forbidden to have real relationships with humans, but I never forgot your mother, Talia. I wish I’d known you were my daughter.” Kristoff’s eyes shone with remorse as he looked at Talia. “I…learned that her pregnancy was foretold in the prophecies, but it was unrecognizable and vague. It was only discovered recently.”
“H-how did you find out? And why did it happen at all?” Talia was visibly shaken, her fingers trembling as she nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ears.
Drew looked from Kristoff to his woman, the
emotion between the two of them almost palpable in the toxic air around them. Talia looked vulnerable, shaken, her emotions conflicted. Her thoughts were racing along with her emotions, the questions shooting through her mind like lightning. But underneath the logic, Drew could feel her longing for the father she’d never had.
Kristoff appeared remorseful and Drew could sense that his king’s longing for his daughter was as great as Talia’s.
“I told Drew your connection to a demigod was probably strong. It is. I was a demigod before I became the Sentinel king. Although I’m a Sentinel, I still retain my powers as a demigod. I still shouldn’t have been able to father a child, but it was fated,” Kristoff admitted, his eyes never leaving those of his daughter’s. “I’m sorry, Talia. I don’t regret that you exist. I only regret that I never knew.”
“If you didn’t know, then it isn’t your fault,” Talia told him reasonably. “My mother was never bitter. And she didn’t hate you. She just never had much to tell me about you because she was only with you for one night. But I wondered.” Talia fidgeted nervously. “Are you disappointed? I’m not beautiful like my mother, and I don’t resemble you at all.”
Drew had to hold back a growl. Talia was beautiful. She just didn’t realize it.
“No,” Kristoff said in a low, husky voice as he moved closer to Talia. “You’re unique, wonderful, and smart. I’m proud to call you my daughter. When you started investigating the Sentinels, I started paying attention. I watched you, fascinated by the way your mind worked, by your intelligence. I was drawn to you for some reason, and I’m fairly certain that my close proximity was probably what set off your compulsions to research. When Drew mentioned them, I suspected that almost immediately. I assumed it was because I still had demigod blood and the way I watched over you so closely just kicked in your instincts. I didn’t know you were my daughter, but I should have suspected something wasn’t right. I felt the connection, but I never would have imagined we were related that way. I did know you were a special radiant, but I had no idea you were my child.”
“You knew she was my radiant,” Drew answered adamantly. “That’s why you sent me after her.”
“Let’s just say I had a strong suspicion,” Kristoff replied vaguely.
Strong suspicion, my ass. Drew knew that Kristoff had known exactly what he was doing when he’d sent Drew after Talia.
Drew watched as Kristoff placed a gentle kiss on the top of Talia’s head. “You’re my daughter.” Kristoff’s voice was rough with emotion. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you now. Go back to the human realm with Drew. The future of the Sentinels and humans depends on you being there.”
“What about you?” Talia asked tremulously, a lone tear rolling down her cheek. “We can’t just leave you here. We can’t. I just found you. I have so many questions—”
“Save them for later and I’ll answer every one. Right now you must go,” Kristoff said forlornly. Looking at Drew, he ordered, “Don’t return. Do what you can about the chaos happening on Earth with the humans, but don’t come back here. Both of you will be sick from the toxins here, but it won’t be as severe as Zach’s illness. Unlike Zach, you came here unwillingly, and the penalty for being here won’t be severe. But don’t come back. The Sentinels have no immunity and no powers here. Coming here would be suicide for them. Keep them safe. I expect you and Zach to obey my last command. And get Hunter to those coordinates.”
Last command? “You are coming back, right? After the sentence is over?” Drew didn’t like the sound of Kristoff’s voice, the resignation he could hear in his king’s tone.
“Until I return, I expect you and Zach to lead the Sentinels.” Kristoff drew a ring from his finger, never completely answering Drew’s question. “This is the ring that was bestowed on me when I became king. Wear it. The Sentinels will follow you.”
“Why? You’re coming back.” Drew took the ring reluctantly.
“Until I do, I need you and Zach to assume leadership. This will allow you to rule in my absence,” Kristoff said calmly. “Take care of my daughter,” he added.
Talia broke her pensive silence with a small, plaintive cry, throwing herself into her father’s arms. Kristoff’s eyes closed as he held his daughter close for a moment, stroking her hair with one of his large hands.
“Come with us,” Talia begged desperately. “The Evils have already broken the rules. Don’t stay here. Please.”
“I can’t,” Kristoff said gruffly. “The Evils may break the rules, but I’m Sentinel, and we are still bound by our honor and our vow. I can’t leave here now.” Kristoff opened his eyes and slowly moved Talia back to Drew’s side.
As Talia’s body disconnected from Kristoff’s, something dropped out of the pocket of his leather jacket, landing silently on the dirt floor. She bent and picked it up, examining the scroll. “What’s this?”
“Prophecies,” Kristoff answered. “The demon prophecies. A bunch of gibberish that nobody really understands—even me.”
“May I keep it?” Talia asked hesitantly. “I’d like to examine them.”
“It’s yours,” Kristoff agreed, smiling fondly at Talia. “I already know them all by heart, even if I don’t always understand them until after the fact. Make of them what you will.” He slapped a hand to Drew’s shoulder. “Stay safe and protect Talia.”
Drew opened his mouth to reply, but in an instant, he and Talia were swept back to the human realm, leaving Kristoff behind.
Kristoff watched as Drew and Talia disappeared, his sense of relief greater than the dread of any punishment that awaited him. When he had made the agreement with Goran to let his daughter and Drew leave in return for his own imprisonment, he’d already known what his fate would be. Even if Talia hadn’t been his daughter, he would have made the same deal. Drew and Talia were key to unlocking the mystery of how the Sentinels could once more reclaim balance with the Evils. Goran might think that he had gotten the better deal by taking the Sentinel king, but Kristoff knew he hadn’t. His only regret was that he might never get to know his daughter. Chances were, he’d never see her again.
He blinked as he heard Goran’s summons, the beckoning making him tear his eyes away from the spot where Talia and Drew had disappeared.
He’d made an unbreakable vow and he’d honor it.
Turning solemnly, Kristoff walked away, knowing it was time.
Talia arrived at Kristoff’s home a mess, her limbs tangled with Drew’s. But at least she was coherent. Her head was only spinning slightly, and she disentangled her legs from Drew’s to lie next to him on the enormous bed that she had seen before she disappeared. She wondered if their landing site was a not-so-subtle hint from her father. “He’s my father,” she whispered reverently, propping herself up on one hand to look at Drew. “What will they do to him?” She was afraid she didn’t really want the answer to that particular question, but she needed to know.
Drew looked up at her from his position flat on his back. “I don’t know. I’m not certain what kind of bargain he made with them. We’ll get him out of there somehow, Talia. I swear.”
“Maybe the answer is in the prophecies,” she wondered aloud, gripping the scroll her father had let her keep. “We can’t leave him there.”
“He isn’t helpless, Talia. He’s a damn demigod, a fact that he conveniently forgot to share with his friends,” Drew told her, his voice sarcastic. “Why didn’t he tell us?”
Talia could read the hurt underneath Drew’s rancor. The fact that their king had been holding back information hurt him. “I’m certain he had his reasons,” she assured him, running a soothing hand down his chest because she couldn’t stop herself from touching him.
He caught her hand and entwined their fingers on top of his chest. “I can’t believe he’s your father. Are you feeling okay about that? It was a shock for me. I can only imagine how you feel.”
“Well, other than the fact that he looks the same age as I do, and the other fact is that my father is a demigod and a demon, I guess I’m okay with it.” She smiled at Drew tremulously. “Honestly, I don’t know what to think. I’m worried about him.”
“He’ll be fine. We’ll find a way to get him out of there.” He raised their joined hands to his mouth and gave hers a gentle kiss before letting them fall back to his chest.
Talia’s head started to pound, and her stomach began rolling. Putting the back of her hand to her forehead, she could tell she was burning up. “I’m not feeling so great.” Her body felt like it was on fire, and the sudden onset of flu-like symptoms was unsettling. What the hell was happening to her?
“Toxins,” Drew answered gravely. He cuddled her close to him and rested her head gently on his chest. “Sleep. Hopefully it won’t last long.”
“Are you sick?” she questioned, lifting her head to look at his face. She could tell he was feeling the symptoms, too.
His skin was damp and he was pale, but he answered, “No. I’m fine. Rest now.”
Talia was consumed by exhaustion, her muscles screaming with pain. But the steady beat of Drew’s heart underneath her ear calmed her, and finally lulled her into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The two of them lay like that until the next afternoon, entwined together in a healing slumber until they could function again.
Talia awoke disoriented and groggy, feeling as if she had a whopper of a hangover despite not having had a drop of alcohol that night before.
“It’s daytime,” she whispered under her breath, seeing the light seeping through the blinds of the window.
Everything that had happened rushed back into her mind in a heartbeat, and she sat up, searching for the scroll her father had given her, finding it next to her pillow. There was only an impression and tussled covers where Drew had slept. One glance at the clock beside the bed had her groaning and realizing that Drew was probably already awake. It was almost three o’clock in the afternoon.
