The apartment door flew open and banged against the wall as Lucan strode inside. A wave of his hand and he shut the door.
Reynner glared. He hadn't forgotten what the bastard had put Eve through. “The door’s there for a reason,” he muttered. “Pity it can’t keep you out.”
Lucan cocked a brow at him before he turned to Aerén. “Where’s North?”
“Grounding at Exilum.”
“Damn. A power spike has occurred and it doesn’t feel right. Go check it out.”
Reynner didn’t care about the spike of power. He wanted to go get Eve. Another hour and he was outta here.
The moment Aerén had left, Reynner staked Lucan with a flat-out warning, “Don’t ever speak to Eve about our relationship again.”
“You’re complaining because?”
“You have no damn clue what your ‘little talk’ did to her, do you?” Reynner shoved his hands in his pants pockets so he wouldn’t punch Lucan in the face and vent the frustration prowling through him.
Lucan strolled over to the window and glanced outside. “You are with her, are you not?”
“Should I thank you for crushing her? For making her think I didn’t care?”
Lucan turned, asked coolly, “Did you?”
“Piss off, Luc,” he growled because the mage was right. He was the one who’d hurt Eve, pushed her away, not Lucan.
“Shouldn’t you be with your mate?”
Lucan, it seemed, wanted that punch. Even if Reynner didn’t agree with the smug bastard’s method of bringing them together, his words held a damn lot of merit. But he didn’t want Eve to ever feel trapped. He knew how that could destroy a person. Yet, it didn’t stop him from wanting to go over to her friend’s and haul her back to him where she’d be safe. Being parted from her was steadily eroding his sanity.
He stiffened. Pain speared through him, filling his mind, his chest. Reynner gritted back a curse. What the hell? This was nothing like the shit Inanna tortured him with. His soul hurt as if—Eve!
“Something’s wrong!” He opened his mind-link to her. Eve, what's wrong?
As he asked the question, he dematerialized to her friend’s apartment, taking form in a quiet backstreet. With inhuman speed, he tore to the front, only to be faced with the commotion across the street near the flower stall. He raced over, dodging cars and a crowd of shocked onlookers. Scanned the ruckus of people and found Eve’s redheaded friend. “Where’s Eve?”
The shocked expression on Kataya’s pale face had dread fisting his heart.
“Eve—” she babbled. “There was an accident.”
“Where is she?” Lucan demanded, having followed him.
“I don’t know—I don’t know.” Kataya pushed back her tangled hair with shaky hands. “She and Brenna crossed to the flower seller, then everything happened so fast. There was a flare—a wave of light. It slammed into us. And Eve, she—she just disappeared.” She glanced wildly about her. “Oh, God—oh, God—Brenna!” She darted forward, shoving the crowd apart with her hands.
Then Reynner saw the other female lying on the sidewalk, bleeding from a head wound. Flowers and metal containers were spilled all over the place. The noise escalated as more people gathered.
“I’ll take care of this,” Lucan said.
Reynner scanned the streets. Eve? he called through their telepathic link… Nothing.
Dammit, he’d never explained to her how to keep connected to him because he’d been keeping her safe from his pain. He tried again, but only silence answered him.
“She’s not responding.” Reynner tried to keep calm. “I can't sense her. Luc, that power spike you felt—Darkreans?”
“No. It’s different.” Lucan’s irises swirled with flames of blue and green. He was keeping his powers contained in front of the humans who persisted in lingering at the site of the fracas. “What I feel here…the essence of the power has the same signature strains as the one that comes off you.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Fuck. Reynner cursed viciously, his anger exploding.
Inanna.
***
Reynner stormed into Inanna’s temple, his temper on a thin leash.
She lay on a chaise lounger. Two handmaidens attended her, putting her hair up in an intricate style.
“Reynner!” A wide smile curved her mouth when she saw him. An impatient wave of her hand and she dismissed the females. They scurried past him, but not before sending him a seductive look from beneath their lashes.
“What the hell did you do?” he snapped. “You dare harm a mortal?” He knew better than to tell her what Eve was to him because then she’d tell him squat.
He shoved his fists in his pants pockets and encountered Eve’s earring. His chest tightened, unable to breathe past the pain, knowing his mate was in danger and he had to beg this accursed female to tell him where she was.
Eve, answer me. Nothing. Just unending silence.
Inanna sat up on the low divan. The strap of her gossamer blue gown slipped off one shoulder. She patted the spot next to her, completely disregarding his question. “Come sit, lover.”
He ignored that. His fingers fisting around the small hoop, he struggled to keep his fury checked. “I asked you a damn question.”
She scowled. “I warned you.”
Pushed beyond endurance as his fear for Eve grew, he hauled her off the divan and thrust her against the wall then snatched a scimitar displayed above her head and pressed the lethal blade to her throat. A thin trickle of blood seeped from the gash. Her laughter echoed in the chamber. “Yes, lover, harder.”
He should have known nothing scared her. Taking a couple of deep breaths, he flung the dagger aside. “Pray to whoever the fuck you do, Eve is not harmed. We’ve waited eons to find her to aid our realm. Anything happens to her—you can be sure the Sumerian pantheon will no longer exist after we’re done.”
Wariness entered her eyes at his promise of Empyrea’s reckoning.
“Don’t fret, lover.” She waved a hand over her neck, healing the wound. “I just made it known to that foolish mortal she stood no chance with you. I didn’t take her,” she grumbled. “Some male—one of your kind did.”
Darkreans.
His gut knotting, Reynner flashed out from the chamber. If the Darkreans touched a hair on her head, Heavens help them, he would make Sebris and his band of assholes pay before he destroyed them.
***
Eve blinked bleary eyes as she came to. And felt like someone had hammered steel spikes into her skull. Gingerly, she touched the painful spot on her forehead and winced. She swiped the blood trailing down her face. Rubbing her hand on her jeans, she glanced around the unfamiliar, musty smelling place. Stringy cobwebs decorated the corners.
A little light coming in from the ceiling-high windows revealed it was still day. The soothing sounds of water drew her attention. Exilum? No, the aerie was pretty—this was dusty, grimy. Vague memories flittered through her mind…she’d been searching for her cell phone in Kataya’s car…a woman warning her…
Inanna.
Eve cursed and inhaled a sharp breath, the spikes in her head digging deeper.
That malicious witch had tried to warn her away from Reynner and then slammed her with a blast of power. A man had picked her up…
Eve looked around again…oh, no, no, no! Her chest constricted with fear. She was in a basement and lying on a thin mattress on the cold, cement floor.
Oh, God, Reynner, he’d be frantic by now—her friends! She pulled her cell from her pocket—
The door to the basement creaked open.
Her heart racing to her throat, Eve pushed to her feet, biting back pain from limbs that seemed to have contracted rigor mortis. Light flooded the now gloomy place, making her blink. Three striking goth-like men with tatts and piercings entered. The one in black jeans and a tunic style shirt stepped forward.
His hair, like polished sheets of nickel bronze, fell from a distinct
widow’s peak in careless disorder to brush his shoulders. His angular features appearing carved from the same ice reflected in his onyx eyes. But beneath the cool exterior, Eve sensed the cold calculation as he studied her.
She shrank against the wall.
“That won’t help you”—he nodded to the cell she clutched—“this place is protected with a spell. If you're concerned, we won’t hurt you.” His low tone sent wariness trickling through her. “It seems we have been lacking in manners. When I said keep her under lock—I didn’t mean the cellar.”
“My apologies.” The man with the white-tipped brown mohawk spoke in an even tone—again, devoid of emotions. A hint of black streaked through his amber-blue irises. Wide leather cuffs with strange writings embedded in them circled his wrists. Some kind of tattoos scrolled up his arms to his neck.
So, he was the one who’d tossed her hide in here, then. Eve rubbed her damp palms on her jeans.
“We do not mistreat our guests. Come,” onyx-eyes said.
Despite her wariness, Eve had to know. “Did she ask you to kidnap me?”
His expressionless gaze came back to her. “Who?”
“Inanna.”
“Now why would a goddess want to do that? Did you take something of hers?” A smile curled his lips, one that didn’t reach his detached eyes. “Ah, yes, the Empyrean.”
Eve’s breath caught in her throat. If that crazy witch wasn’t behind this abduction, then that meant only one thing.
Oh, crap. Talk about a double whammy. Straight from her confrontation with that vindictive cow, she’d fallen right into the Darkreans’ waiting arms.
“She happened to mention she knew where you were, and without your protector. I saw no reason not to act. We merely waited until you showed up.”
Her stomach knotted. She’d walked right into the spider’s trap, manipulated by the awful goddess. Reynner was going to be so angry. Not only had she broken her word and went off elsewhere, but she’d been outside and in a place where both his enemies had accosted her.
Swallowing her trepidation, Eve followed him and took comfort in the fact that once out of this dank basement, she’d be able to make a break for it.
Pushing her cell in her pocket, she eyed the blond man on her right. Tall and lean with ink-work on his biceps, he appeared equally remote. Mohawk on her left had the same inaccessible expression.
Strangely, she sensed nothing from them, not hatred or curiosity. Absolute nothing. Their very presence made the temperature in the cellar drop several degrees.
Uneasy, she limped up the few stairs and had to bite back a whimper at the pain shooting up her hips. Once they entered the main part of the house, Eve was dumbstruck. Had to be from watching too many movies where the bad guys always had a dilapidated, rundown shanty. And locked in a cobweb-infested cellar, she had no reason to think otherwise.
This place was a freakin’ mansion. Cream walls meandered in front of her with some serious cachet of paintings. The decor boasted classy, period furniture, fancy light fixtures…nothing at all like the granite splendor of raw mountainous beauty where Reynner had excavated his home.
A pang of misery overrode her bravado. She missed him, had no idea how much time had passed. It felt like years.
The leader opened the door and led her into a very masculine room—a study with dark, paneled walls. An enormous desk occupied one corner. Deep brown couches and chairs were placed around a low coffee table.
How come this place doesn’t look like evil beings reside here? she wondered.
“I am Sebris,” onyx eyes paused. Eve said nothing. “From your lack of surprise, I see you are aware of us. Good. Explanations can be so tedious. You’ll be given a room during your stay with us.”
That’s what he thought. She was fleeing the first chance she got, even if she had no idea where the heck she was. That could be learned later, she figured, after she’d escaped.
“I wouldn’t advise running. My warriors guard the perimeter of this property. We are not human, little mortal. I will know if you attempt to leave.”
“What do you want?” Christ, had she lost her mind at her foolish demand? Of course, she knew what they wanted.
“There’s a seat. You appear in need of it.”
Her woozy head and sore hips took the choice from her. She eased into the armchair behind her but kept her gaze fixed on him. Their lack of emotions terrified her. He’d showed no remorse at her discomfort and pain. They were just words carried off with the right expressions, because nothing ever touched his eyes.
Reynner made no mention of just how cold and emotionless these men were. They’d probably end her life and think nothing of it. Warily, Eve glanced around the silent room. The others had disappeared. And she was alone with this robot.
“What are you called?” Sebris asked. He strolled closer, looking like he had all the time in the world for this conversation.
“Eve.”
“Eve,” he repeated softly as he strolled around her chair. “We can make this easy or hard, all depends on your answer.” He stopped in front of her, his hands slipped in his jeans pocket. “What did the Empyrean find out about the artifact? Enlighten me. If I like your answers, you may get your wish to leave.”
Was he reading her? Eve tried to erect a wall around her thoughts. This kidnapping fiend would demand answers when Reynner had worked so hard, spent centuries trying to find the artifact.
“Even if I knew where the Stone was, I wouldn’t tell you. Why aren’t you looking for the artifact if it’s that important?” she demanded, despite her quaking insides. “You seem to want it bad enough. Is it so you can rule Empyrea? The Stone’s magic should benefit all of Empyrea—not just one person.”
Instantly, his eyes took on the appearance of black diamonds. Eve shivered. Crap, had she just said that? What’s to stop him from killing her?
Calm down, calm down. He needs you to find the Stone.
“Little mortal, it would bode well for your future if you refrain from making comments about a world you know little of. You make us out to be the villains—perhaps we are.” Another cold smile crossed his face. “Become difficult, and my courtesy will be rescinded. Your stay in the cellar will appear like paradise. Now we wait.”
“Wait for what?”
“Until the Empyrean arrives.”
Eve stiffened. “You think to use me to trap Reynner—to bargain for the Stone?” Her fear fled, she glared at him. “It will never happen.”
“Don’t waste your time with him, little mortal,” he drawled. “Immortals don’t consort with mortal females on a permanent basis.”
Jesus, why her? She’d left one prejudice-minded mage to land with their equally opinionated enemy. She said in a stony voice, “I'm glad we were put here for your amusement.”
“You are angry. Emotions are overrated, you’ll find.” He indicated the sideboard set against a window, laid out with a coffee pot and a covered plate. “Eat.”
“I’d rather eat with the devil.”
“Your wish is granted.”
Eve scowled. She clamped her lips shut and made her decision. She had to touch the fiend, find out what he planned to do, and prayed she wouldn’t black out in the process. No way would she allow Reynner to walk into a trap.
***
Sebris bit back on the pain mowing through his bones like acid. Taking a deep breath, he studied the seated female. He found it interesting the angry red flush streaking her face at his promise of trapping the Empyrean.
“Enlighten me,” he said, his gaze traveling down her body and back up again. There was something different about her. He couldn’t quite decipher what it was. “You’ve been with the Empyrean a while now. What does he do?”
In response, she got up and headed for the sideboard only to stumble. She let out a strangled gasp, her body shuddering as she fell against him. Sebris caught her.
What was wrong with this female? Was she defective?
Humans. So damn frail.
His gaze lit on the wound near her hairline. A wet scab had formed over it. Yes. Her blood would tell him the truth.
“Sorry,” she mumbled.
He dumped her back on the chair and willed the gash to start bleeding. Swiped a finger over the blood trailing down her forehead.
She gasped and jerked away. “What are you doing?”
He licked the trace of red on his finger. Said coolly, “Tasting your blood.”
Color drained from her face. “Why?”
“Because I can.” A coppery taste coated his palate and a slight hum rose in him only to dissipate. This wasn't what he picked up when he nabbed her from that street. She was mortal, yes, but no hint of the power that roiled so furiously through him and made his body tighten.
He stilled, his heightened senses picking up on the disturbances outside.
He headed for the sideboard, poured a shot of vodka in a squat glass and sucked back the liquor, enjoying the blistering trail burning his throat. It blurred the pain for a brief second, but it crawled right back into his bones again. He’d come back far too soon, didn't equate long enough.
And for what?
This human had too little of the magic in her. Which meant he’d taken the wrong female from the chaos. And yet the Empyrean guarded her like a rabid wolf.
Turning, he leaned against the sideboard and studied her. She shifted warily in her seat. He recalled the blood scent, that strain of magic hitting him square in the chest. No, it wasn’t from this female. Another was on the street, hurt—the only thing that made sense.
Sebris retrieved his cell phone and made a call. Keeping the conversation in his language, he told Paxyn what he required then slipped the device back into his pocket.
Time to end this and face his enemy.
He glanced at the female he’d wasted valuable days trying to capture because the Empyrean got her first. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 25
Darkness Undone Page 27
