The Darkest Kiss

by Gena Showalter

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

 

  LUCIEN SETTLED HIS SPIRIT ON the creature's back. She paid him no attention, was focused solely on Anya - who was splattered with blood, cut and bruised, and looked like an Amazon warrior willing to do anything to win the battle.

  He reached into Hydra's body with a ghostly hand and grabbed on to her spirit. She roared, making him cringe. Would have made his ears bleed if he'd been in corporeal form. In a panic, she lunged at Anya, but he jerked on her spirit again, holding her in place.

  Since her body was alive, he knew what he was doing hurt her. She screeched again, but remained in place as if tethered. Anya leapt, higher and higher, and quickly cut off one of the creature's heads. As it tumbled to the ground, as Hydra screamed, flames erupted in the center of Anya's hand. She slammed that fire into the wound just as another head formed.

  Orange-gold flames melted the skin, sizzled it, destroyed it, and cauterized the wound. Hydra spasmed and jerked in rage. Furious now, she used the last of her strength to chomp at Anya. Lucien kept a firm grip as his woman twisted out of the way and swung her sword yet again.

  Contact.

  The second head fell. Anya produced another fire and burned the wound, even as two of the snakes bit her arm. She cringed, but maintained the flames. Roaring, the creature went limp and collapsed into the water. The sound of that final roar continued to echo until finally, blessedly fading.

  He hovered there for a moment, awed. They'd done it. They'd won!

  Anya fell to the ground, panting but grinning. Lucien floated to the ground himself and tried to enter his body - but it was as if a shield separated the spirit from the corporeal. He frowned. Tried again. Failed again.

  Why could he not enter?

  You're too weak. The thought slammed into his mind. He was weak, yes, but he should be able to enter. If he couldn't. . . Scowling now, he tried one last time to slip into his body. Nothing.

  He could only hover there, powerless. He glanced over at Anya. In the circle of grass beside his body, she dropped to her knees.

  "Get back here," she said, glancing up at his spirit. She gave him a tired grin. "I'll doctor your wounds. "

  He tried again. He did. He had to touch her at least once more, this woman who'd given him more happiness in a few weeks than he'd experienced in thousands of years. But he remained exactly as he was.

  "Lucien," she barked, and there was worry in the under-tones. "This isn't funny. Get back into your body!"

  "I can't. "

  A moment passed before she gave any kind of reaction. Violently she shook her head. Her features gleamed with panic and disbelief. "You can. "

  "Anya. . . " It was best this way. He'd known it days ago, knew it now. His body would die and there would be nothing Cronus could hold over her head. She would be free, the key hers and hers alone.

  "Don't give up," she said, once again shaking her head. A sob bubbled from her throat. "Keep trying. "

  "Anya. "

  "You're not going to die. Do you hear me?" Her eyes filled with tears as she stared up at him. "You're not going to die," she uttered brokenly. "I won't let you. Help me, William!" she shouted, her anger at the man clearly forgotten, but the warrior had passed out. She began to pound at Lucien's chest, trying to force his heart into motion.

  "Anya. Please. " Seeing her like this tore him up. He floated to her and attempted to push a hand through her hair, but the only thing he felt was the warmth of the air. "I love you. "

  Even as he spoke, Death roared with far more fury and pain than Hydra had. Lucien suddenly felt as though he were burning, his insides kindling to a thirsty fire. He, too, began to roar. The pain, too much. He was being ripped in half.

  Gods. Man and demon were separating, he realized. Pulling apart.

  "Lucien. What's wrong?" Anya shouted, pausing her ministrations to his physical form. "You're going to be okay. I'm going to give Cronus the All-Key. You're going to be okay," she repeated.

  He wanted to respond, wanted to tell her to stay away from Cronus, but the burning increased and the words melted in his throat. If he and Death divided completely, Lucien would die in truth. Just as Baden had. Wouldn't he?

  "I'll take care of everything. " Anya disappeared. Before he could panic, she returned to that patch of bloody grass beside his body. Her eyes were luminous pools. "Tell me what's happening to you. Let me help. "

  Fighting the pain, trying to hold on to Death, he reached out again. Once more his fingers ghosted through. Tears were pouring from her now, and the sight broke him. "I love you," he finally managed to work out.

  "Cronus," she screamed.

  "Stop. " He doubled over. Any moment now, Death would be completely free. Funny, he'd spent so many years wishing for a life without the demon, yet now they both were trying to cling to each other with what little strength they had left.

  "Cronus!"

  Lucien opened his mouth to speak again, but no sound emerged. His last tie with Death broke, and he knew nothing more.

  ANYA THREW UP THE MOMENT Lucien's spirit disappeared. When her stomach was completely emptied, she screamed for Cronus again. "I'm ready to bargain. Do you hear me? I'm ready. "

  As always, he appeared in a blinding flash of light. She blinked against it and pushed to shaky legs. Lucien's spirit was still gone. Gone! Oh, gods. She'd seen the skeletal image of Death rip from him, howling - oh, gods, the howling - before it, too, disappeared. Please, don't let me be too late.

  She closed her eyes and tried to reverse time, but failed. She'd done it once before, for Maddox and Ashlyn. Why couldn't she do so now? Why?

  "I'm listening," Cronus said, and she felt him gliding toward her, his white robe brushing the thick grass.

  She peered up at him, vision blurred through her tears. "The key is yours. Willingly given if you'll swear to bring Lucien back to life and leave us both alone. "

  "I want the cage, as well. Where did you hide it?"

  Fighting the sense of urgency running rampant inside of her, the sense of loss and panic, she shook her head. "You can't have it. That belongs to Lucien. You only get the key. "

  "Do you want your lover to live?"

  "If he dies, you will never get the key!" Tears falling freely, she scooped her hands under Lucien's head and lifted. She placed a soft kiss on his lips. I love you. I'll make everything all better. Please, please, please, let this make everything better.

  "Much longer, and even I will not be able to bring him back," Cronus said cruelly. "As weak as he was, it took considerable effort to twine him and the demon together again to sustain Lucien's life a bit longer. Without the key, I will gladly pull them apart again. "

  Though she experienced a surge of hope that Lucien truly could be saved, her narrowed eyes flicked up at the god. "I will not cave on this. You may have the key. The cage belongs to Lucien. You once gave me a choice, Lucien or the key. Now I'm giving you the same choice. That is fair. That is just. And I will not budge on this. "

  He met her piercing stare with a scowl. What tumbled through his mind, she didn't know. Then he nodded, as though he sensed the absoluteness of her determination. Or perhaps he'd known all along that's how it would be, and had only hoped for more. "Very well. "

  "A deal is reached then. Lucien's life for the key. " She was taking a terrible gamble, trusting a being she hated, who probably hated her. "If after this you take the cage from us, immortals far and wide will know of your dishonor. The Lords of the Underworld will turn against you and do all that they can to free the Greeks. There will be a war at a time when you seek only reverence. I know you consider yourself untouchable and stronger than mere immortal warriors, but know what? You were defeated once. You can be defeated again. "

  Cronus was silent as he raised his arms high in the air. A second later, they were inside Lucien's room in Budapest. Lucien lay on the bed. She could see the rise and fall of his tattooed chest. He was naked, and his wounds were gone. His skin was healthy and tanned,
and she could sense the demon nestled safely inside him.

  Cronus stood beside the bed.

  Without a word, Anya flashed to where her mother and father were in hiding, an island near Anya's Hawaiian home. Dysnomia was standing in front of the cage, frowning down at it.

  "Sorry, Mom, but you don't need to watch it for me after all. "

  Pretty Dysnomia gasped at the intrusion, her dark hair swaying at her shoulders. She smiled when she realized it was Anya. "Hello, darling. "

  "I know what you're thinking. Two visits in one day when I swore to stay away from you to keep the Titans off your trail. But you're still safe, so don't worry, okay?" Anya kissed her soft cheek. "Tell Dad I said hi and that I'll visit again soon. Promise," she said and, grasping the artifact, flashed back to Lucien.

  Cronus stood exactly where she'd left him.

  She placed the Cage of Compulsion against the far wall. Anya had to admit, she was surprised when Cronus merely raised an eyebrow rather than attempting to take it.

  "I have kept my end of the bargain," he told her.

  Now she would keep hers. Suddenly nervous, Anya kissed the sleeping Lucien and flashed herself inside the cage. "I'm ready," she said, gripping the bars.

  The god blinked in surprise and confusion. "You want to be locked away? Without the All-Key, you will not be able to escape and anyone who steps inside this room will be able to command you to their will. "

  "I know. " But this way, if she lost her memory of Lucien when the key left her body, she wouldn't be able to run from him, hurting them both because of the bond between them. He would have time to win her heart again. "I love him. "

  Cronus stroked his beard in puzzlement. "Astounding. And unexpected from one such as you. "

  She let the "one such as you" slide. Loving Lucien was the best thing she'd ever done, and she'd do anything for him. "Let's get this over with. " She gulped, pushed out a breath, then uttered the necessary words. "I, Anya, known across the ages as Anarchy, freely give Cronus, king of gods, the All-Key. I do this willingly and with no reservations. "

  Humming with anticipation, Cronus reached inside her with a ghostly hand, just as she had seen Lucien do to the dead all those many times. Her chest burned. . . burned. . . . A sharp ache erupted as he pulled his hand back, and then a bright amber light was pulsing in his palm. Anya's knees gave out and she collapsed. Closing his eyes, Cronus placed that light over his heart.

  His smile of satisfaction was the last thing Anya saw before her entire world went black.

  "LET ME OUT!"

  Lucien had never felt so helpless. He simply didn't know what to do. Anya had been locked in the Cage of Compulsion for four days. Despite their bond, she had no idea who he was. She possessed only the memories of her time before accepting the key inside her body. Constantly she demanded he release her. But he didn't. He couldn't. She would leave; she might even try to kill him.

  She'd threatened it often enough. And he could still sense her emotions, so he knew that she meant it. She, too, could still sense his emotions and asked him daily why he loved her. Always she asked with confusion, as if they were strangers and he should view her with revulsion. Certainly she seemed to view him with revulsion.

  Like a chained, hungry animal, he paced the length of his bedroom. She'd given up the All-Key for him. He hated that she'd done so and wanted to spank her and hug her at the same time. She'd lost her memories, but at least she hadn't lost her strength. He liked to think it was because of their bond. She'd once given him strength and now he was returning the favor.

  If only he could make her remember him.

  "Let me out of here!" she shouted at him. "You have no right to keep me. How did you move me from Tartarus without my knowledge?"

  He stopped and stared over at her, his chest tightening. He hated what she'd given up for him, yes, but more than that, he hated to see her suffering. "Anya. We are bonded. Why do you not remember me?"

  "Bastard. " She reached through the bars and scratched his chest, drawing blood. "Come near me and feel pain. You got me? The captain was bigger than you and I killed him without blinking. "

  He sank to the floor in front of the bars, the last few days playing through his mind. When he'd woken up in his bedroom, alive, once again merged with Death, he had been overjoyed. Then he had seen Anya sleeping in the cage. Then she'd woken up and looked at him as though he were a stranger. Cursing at him. Hating him.

  Would nothing go right?

  It seemed a pall had settled over all the warriors. He'd learned that Paris had returned from Greece a broken shell of a man. Paris refused to talk about it, though, so no one knew what had happened. The warrior would soon be leaving for the States to join Gideon as planned, but Lucien couldn't help feeling guilty that he was the one who'd told the others not to worry about Paris. With the delay, that haunted look, something had clearly gone wrong.

  Aeron and Reyes were in the States themselves, though no one had spoken with either and didn't know what was happening with them. Which, in turn, meant no one knew what had happened to Danika and her family. Lucien sighed. The other warriors were still searching for signs of the other Hydras. So far, no luck.

  Lucien should be out there, searching with them. At the very least, he should be helping Paris recover from whatever had happened to him. That's the way things had always been. Something happened, and Lucien fixed it as best he could. But he couldn't leave Anya. Wouldn't. She was his life.

  Unfortunately, he could not seem to fix her, either.

  She remembered neither Maddox nor Ashlyn, though the couple visited her every day to thank her for what she'd done for them. She would listen, seem to soften for a heartbeat, but still her memories did not return. He'd even given her the lollipops she loved to no avail. What more could he do?

  "I love you," he told her.

  "Well, I hate you. Let me go!" The bars rattled as she shook them.

  He dropped his head into his waiting hands. "You are not going to remember me, no matter what I do. Are you?"

  "Go fuck yourself. " She slammed her fist through the bars and into the back of his skull. "I will not be your slave. Do you hear me! I'm no one's slave. "

  With a heavy heart - and wanting to die all over again - he stood and unlocked the door.

  At first, she simply stood there, looking at him. "Why are you so sad? Why are you freeing me?"

  "I cannot bear to see you imprisoned. "

  "Why?" Not waiting for his answer, shaking her head and keeping as wide a berth as possible between them, she stalked from the cage and turned narrowed eyes on him. "What's wrong with me? Why do I hurt at the thought of leaving?"

  Tears ran down his cheeks, and he scrubbed them away. He didn't dare hope. Not yet. "I am your mate. "

  "I have no mate. " She marched toward him, fury in her crystalline eyes. Along the way, she swiped one of the daggers he'd set on the nightstand. "You're going to pay for locking me up. "

  Seeing her like that, a memory clicked into place. She'd once stood before him exactly like this, telling him about the cage. Whoever was inside had to do exactly as the owner commanded.

  Even kill yourself? he'd asked.

  Yes, she'd answered.

  It was so simple, really. Scowling, she lunged at him. Careful not to hurt her, hopeful for the first time in days, he knocked the blade from her hand and grabbed her, flashing into the cage, then flashing himself out before she knew what was going on.

  She screamed at him as he locked the door. "I'll kill you for this! What kind of sadistic mind game are you playing?" Her gaze snagged on his tattoo, which was pulsing black and red. She blinked as though mesmerized, lost some of her fury. "Pretty. "

  Maybe she was remembering. Hope intensifying, he gripped the bars and stared at her. "Sit down, Anya. "

  She fell on her ass and glared at him, resentment back in her eyes. It was working. She opened her mouth to yell, but he said, "Be silent, Anya. "

  H
er lips pressed together. The resentment became utter fury.

  If this failed. . .

  "Remember me, Anya. Remember our time together. I command you to remember. "

  Her eyelids squeezed shut, and she gasped. Her features contorted, as if in pain. She fell to her back and curled into a ball, clutching at her temples.

  "Anya!" he shouted, concerned, swinging open the door and crouching beside her.

  A long while passed as she writhed, moaned and cursed, clawing at her head. He held her, muttering soothing words, hating himself. What have I done to her? The woman had given up everything for him.

  Finally, though, she stilled. A fine glaze of sweat slicked her skin. Shadows had formed half-moons under her eyes.

  "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I'll let you go, but don't expect me to forget you. We're bonded. I'll be on your trail, doing everything in my power to win and romance you. So prepare to see a lot of me. I love you too much to let you go. "

  "Like I'd ever allow you to let me go. You're mine. I love you, too, Flowers. " Her dark lashes swept up, her eyes suddenly shining with love. "Gods, I'm so glad that you're alive. "

  Such astounding happiness skipped through him, he was shaking as he crushed her against his chest. "Anya, sweet Anya. "

  "I love you so much," she said.

  He buried his head in her neck, inhaling her strawberry scent. "Thank the gods, Anya. I was dying inside every time you looked at me as if I were a stranger. "

  She kissed and nipped at his face, her hands tangling into his hair. "I thought I'd lost you. "

  "You gave up everything for me. "

  "Well, that's because you're the most important thing in my life. "

  He squeezed her tightly and flashed onto the bed with her still in his arms. Somehow, some way, he would find a way to restore her powers. Maybe putting her back inside the cage and commanding her to regain them would work. If not. . . "I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. "

  Grinning, she wound her legs around his waist. "That was always my plan. Now, catch me up on what's been happening. "

  He, too, grinned. Never, in all of his life, had he been so happy. He told her what he knew about his friends. "William escaped the mountain and has healed. He followed us here and wants his book. I have not allowed him inside the fortress, but he calls me every day. "

  Her eyes narrowed. "Oh, I'll give him the book, as promised. Later. I might rip out a few pages first, but accidents happen. "

  "He has apologized countless times and his sorrow seems genuine. Mostly, I just want him gone, and he won't leave until he speaks with you. "

  "Later. Right now, you're going to make love to me. "

  Lucien's grin widened as he slowly stripped her, savoring the sight of her luscious curves and creamy skin. "You're going to wed me, yes?"

  "Oh, yes. "

  "Good. I know the perfect spot for our honeymoon. "

  "The paradise where you almost died?" Her hands worked desperately at his clothing.

  "No. Paradise is right here. " He slid two fingers deep inside her.

  Moaning, she arched her hips into him. "Then where?"

  "There are three more artifacts to find. Most of the warriors are out searching for them. Except for Reyes, who went in search of Aeron and Danika. " In and out he pumped. "Are you up for another treasure hunt?"

  "Always. " She rolled him over and impaled herself on his shaft. Both of them groaned at the heady pleasure. "But I've already found the only treasure I'll ever need. And speaking of treasures, what are we going to do with the cage?"

  "Keep it. Now that you remember me, there are a few things I'd like to do to you inside it. "

  "Mmm, me like. And maybe later we can try and help my dad regain his memory. He and my mom deserve a little happiness after all they've endured. "

  "A noble idea. "

  "Enough talking. I believe you had some plans for me. . . . "

  He was grinning happily as he worked them both over the edge.