“Touch her,” Simon shouted from Marduk’s back.
Guntram reached down and clasped her shoulder. Her eyes cleared, focusing on him, and he realized there really was power in the crystal strung around his neck. “Keep your hand on me, Gabriella.” Then he turned back to wait for Simon.
When Simon made the leap, he hugged the side of the cave. “Give Marduk room.”
“He’ll never make it,” Guntram said. “He’s too damn big.”
But Marduk seemed to have no such qualms, flying upward, then curving down again, swooping toward the entrance. When he thrust his head and forearms inside the opening, he transformed.
With Gabriella’s hand planted against his back, Guntram rushed forward to catch Marduk by the arms before he slid off the shelf. He pulled him into the cave.
“Guntram,” Simon said softly, “we’re going to need that sword.”
Guntram had noted the V-formation flying straight toward them. “I know, those damned harpies are coming.”
“Don’t piss them off. But they aren’t who I’m worried about.”
Guntram heard the steely edge of Simon’s voice and turned slowly. Flat, reflective disks, a matched pair, shone from the back of the cave. Then a low, ominous rumble reverberated, shaking stones from the ceiling.
“Simon?” Guntram whispered harshly.
“This is an anzu den.”
“And you didn’t think to mention it before?”
“It didn’t matter when we arrived because I knew we wouldn’t meet a bird when we arrived.”
As the creature neared, its paws, then its fierce lion’s head, entering the moonlight spilling into the cave’s entrance, Guntram lifted his sword, swearing. “If I keep it occupied, you might be able to slip past it.”
“It’ll kill you,” Gabriella said, coming around his side. “I’ll transform to help.”
Guntram stepped forward, shoving her behind him as he eyed the creature slinking ever closer. “You’ll do no such thing. I didn’t come this far to lose you like this.”
Simon turned to Marduk, who nodded. “You’d better get against the walls again,” he murmured.
Marduk stepped past Guntram to stand in the center of the tunnel. He held the creature’s gaze and stretched out his arms, hands extended palms up. He closed his eyes, and a light blinked beneath one upraised hand, then flickered and glowed strongly, subduing the shadows pressing around them.
Marduk opened his eyes then and stared at the creature creeping closer, then drew back the hand wearing the ring with the seal and slammed it forward. A sound like a sonic boom exploded all around them, and the anzu fell flat, whimpering, against the cave floor.
Marduk gasped and dropped his hands. The light surrounding his hand faded.
“You didn’t kill it,” Guntram muttered.
“It’s not inherently evil. Just hungry. Something to remember,” he said, aiming a sharp glance at Guntram.
Guntram nodded his understanding, then turned as shrill cries from outside the cave entrance grew in volume. “This cave’s getting crowded.”
“Best plan I could manage,” Simon said.
“Glad you think you have it all figured out. What are they, anyway?” he asked, eyeing the dark creatures who lightly touched down before them one by one.
“Lillum. Vicious demons. If they get close enough they’ll rip your throat out.”
Guntram thought they looked like creatures from a nightmare. Completely black, their shiny skin reflected the moonlight. Long black hair hung in tight ringlets down their backs. Their breasts were small, their nipples cone-shaped like a young girl’s. Their expressions were also girlish in a frightening way. Girlish even when black incisors slipped over the edges of their lips.
One stepped forward, as graceful on land as in the air, her naked body swaying. “Master,” she said, her gaze locking with Marduk’s. “Why have you betrayed us?”
“Aya, darling,” he said softly. “It’s time for me to leave.”
“Don’t you love us anymore?”
“I will miss you.”
Her head canted as though listening to something buzzing beside her. “Our queen has asked that we sever your hand and retrieve the ring. Already Dumuzi leads her army. She will give him power over us.” Her eyes grew wide. “Who will protect us?”
“My hand will stay where it is. And if you let us pass, I promise a replacement who will please you every bit as much as me.”
“But will he love us?”
“You will have to show him the way. You enjoyed training me, did you not?”
Aya grinned. “Do you think to sway us? Even Nergal has left his bed. Even now, more anzu are winging their way here.”
Guntram peered toward the sky. More lion-headed birds soared toward them, their wings flattened as they arrowed downward.
“Stay clear of my fire, Aya. For the sake of our love, I wouldn’t want you singed.”
She laughed, then spread her wings and leapt off the ledge, spiraling upward, the others of her flock following.
“I don’t like this,” Guntram said. “We’re trapped. Simon, go get that damn bag.”
“We must do something first,” Simon said quietly.
Guntram looked to Marduk, who nodded, then lifted his hands. He tugged the ring past his knuckle, his chest lifting as though surrendering a great burden, and handed it to Guntram.
Guntram looked at the ring lying in his palm, then lifted his gaze to Gabriella. She was shaking her head, her eyes filling. “No. No!” she said, turning to Marduk. “You promised that if I stayed you’d let him go.”
Guntram glared at Marduk. “He promised that if I took his place, he’d help you get back.”
Marduk shrugged. “I made two agreements, each better than the last. You may come with me Gabriella. Guntram has given you into my care.”
Guntram fisted his hand around the ring, unable to meet Gabriella’s eyes. “You’d better get going. Now.”
Gabriella grabbed his forearm. “I can’t. I’d rather stay here with you.”
His heart slowed, pounding purposefully as he looked into her face one last time. He cupped her chin in his palm. “Don’t make this sacrifice count for nothing. Go. You may even now be carrying my children. I don’t want them born in this place.”
Simon cleared his throat and stepped into their tense circle. “Sorry to disappoint you both, knowing how much you want to prove you love each other, but the ring is meant for me.” He cupped his hand over Guntram’s closed fist. “I hoped I’d make it this far. And if I did, I made arrangements. I will remain as Master of the Demons. You will both take your places in your clan.”
“Simon …” Guntram couldn’t believe it. “Why?”
“My job is done. Alex has been prepared, his place in the Nation affirmed. Gabriella needed a strong mate at her side. Don’t let your bitterness over this unfortunate chain of events cloud the fact that you and Alex will need each other in the future. Don’t burn bridges.” His lips quirked. “Don’t make my sacrifice worth nothing,” he said, stealing Guntram’s words.
Guntram’s jaw clamped tight, and he drew a deep breath. He unclasped his fist.
Simon plucked the ring. “Now, let’s go. We haven’t much time. I’ll not activate the ring until you’re gone.”
Taking Gabriella’s hand, Guntram forged ahead into the darkness, waiting for the telltale sounds of the arachnids’ arrival. “Be sure to keep moving your feet.”
When light began to glimmer all around them and the faint chirping sounds grew in volume, Gabriella squeezed his hand.
“Keep moving, they won’t harm you if they can’t swarm you.”
They reached the boulder where Simon had stashed the crystal orb.
The mage quickly unwrapped it and tossed away the canvas bag. “As soon as I’ve opened the portal, I’ll give this into your care, Guntram. It belongs to Alex now. He’ll know what to do with it.”
“Why shouldn’t I just smash it? Isn’t it too
risky to let it exist?”
Simon glanced up. “Haven’t I proven you can trust me?”
Guntram ground his jaws but nodded. “I’ll do it.”
Then Simon was standing still, spiders running up his leg, but the light was already beginning to flicker inside the clear stone. When the rays burst and curved and the shimmering circle shone, Guntram shoved Gabriella through, then waited for Marduk, who didn’t look back to enter it.
Glancing back, Guntram gazed at Simon’s lonely figure. “Thank you,” he said, his throat tightening.
Simon’s smile was strained, but his expression was serene. “She’ll have twins, you know.”
Guntram smiled as moisture blurred his friend’s figure, and he thrust out his hand. “Until we meet again.”
Simon nodded. “Better go.” Then he handed him the crystal and the claw base.
Guntram hugged them close to his chest and stepped through the portal.
When the light blinked out behind Guntram, Simon swiped the spiders off his hair and shoulders and trudged toward the entrance of the cave. A large male anzu was stalking into the entrance.
Simon slipped the ring onto his finger. “Must I invoke its power to subdue you?”
He sent the message telepathically. One of the gifts of the Master—the gift to communicate with all the creatures in this realm.
The anzu hesitated, its head shifting left and right and sniffing at the air. Then its gaze zeroed on the beast still whimpering on the floor. The anzu-bird gave another low, ominous growl, but backed up a pace. Finally, it lowered its head to the floor and knelt on its forelegs.
Simon understood even though no answering thought entered his own mind. He strode forward, unafraid, and slid a leg over the back of the beast, gripping its thick mane.
The beast pivoted quickly, rushing toward the cave entrance. It leapt outward, its wings extended, catching the air beneath its golden feathers and taking to the skies.
Soaring upward, Simon felt his heavy heart lighten just a smidge. Madeleine was lost to him forever. Turned human at last. Alex, whom he’d loved like a son, had his own destiny to fulfill. He, Simon the former Knight Templar, had his own new destiny to chart. One handed down from God to Solomon. Here, he’d guard against intrusions into the other realm while Alex kept watch over his expanding family. Although separated, they’d both serve the greater good until the dark day when hell unleashed its demon hordes in the final battle.
With a phalanx of anzu and lillum waiting to escort him, Simon Jameson entered Kur-gal as the Master of the Demons.
CHAPTER
20
Guntram felt the tip of a blade prick his throat as soon as he stepped through the portal. Light burst behind him, then blinked out, leaving splotches of color dancing before his eyes. He blinked his eyes as they adjusted and drew in a familiar scent.
“I’ll take that,” Alex said softly, holding out his hand.
“The sword or the rock?”
“Don’t be an ass, now. We have Gabriella and that demon you brought among us.”
Guntram held the orb away from his chest.
Alex grabbed it with his free hand and gave it immediately to one of his men. “The sword?”
Guntram dropped it beside him.
Alex slid something from his pocket and held it in front of Guntram’s face. A linked silver chain. “Just until you’re out of my territory. A precaution, you understand.”
Guntram scanned the room for Gabriella and found her standing beside Marduk, two spots of furious color on her cheeks. Both wore similar collars. “Alex …” she said, her tone low and deadly.
“Sorry, love. You’ll remember whose foolish action started your little adventure. I just want to make sure that you arrive back in Wolfen territory without incident.” When he turned back to Guntram, he lifted a brow. “Will you do it, or shall I have my men hold you down?”
Guntram grabbed the chain and dragged it over his head, allowing Alex to fix a small lock at the side. “Is this really necessary?”
“I have work to do. This allows me one less worry.”
When he was done, Alex stepped back and faced Gabriella. “You’ll have the trade agreements your clan wanted and more. Free movement inside my territory to escort your shipments to the docks. Will this satisfy you?”
Gabriella’s lips firmed, then her glance strayed to Guntram.
Guntram cleared his throat. “It satisfies me.”
Alex’s eyebrows rose, and his glance slipped between them. “Congratulations are in order.”
Guntram didn’t ease his expression, waiting to see if the bastard would add something about being glad he’d taken his advice. The last thing he wanted to explain to Gabriella was that he’d listened to anything Alex said about wooing her.
But Alex stayed silent, his only acknowledgement a subtle curving of his mouth. “Your men are being loaded on a transport. I have a limousine to take the two of you wherever you wish to be dropped across the border, so long as you promise my men safe passage back.”
Guntram gave him a stiff nod. “What about him?” he said, lifting his chin toward Marduk.
Alex lifted the orb. “I’m sending him back.”
Guntram grunted, liking the idea—a lot. But Gabriella shook her head.
Guntram heaved a sigh. “You can’t. Simon agreed to take his place to allow him to leave.”
“Simon made whatever agreement he had to make to assure both you and Gabriella were returned safely. That was his sacrifice.”
“Marduk isn’t evil,” Gabriella said heatedly.
Alex gave her an exasperated look. “He’s a demon.”
“He can be useful,” she replied, her chin lifting another notch.
“I can’t risk it.”
Guntram eyed the choker around Marduk’s neck. “Do you think that chain can restrain him?”
“No, but if he transforms, he’ll sever his own head.”
Marduk shrugged. “He’s correct. I am at his mercy.”
Gabriella stepped in front of Marduk. “I can’t let you harm him.”
“Gabi,” Alex said. “You know what he is. What he’s capable of … Did you let him seduce you? Are you in his thrall now?”
“She did what she had to do to survive,” Guntram said before either Gabriella or Marduk could respond. “And he acted honorably toward her, toward both of us. Simon said we have need of strong alliances. What better, stronger ally than him? He’s walked in their world. He knows their every manifestation.”
Alex raked a hand through his hair. “I won’t have him in my territory.”
“I’m not so eager to have him in mine,” Guntram muttered, “but he can find his own way, his own place on this earth.”
Alex eyed Marduk, who held himself still beneath the inspection. “Do I have your word you won’t intrude on our affairs?”
Marduk stared back for a long, charged moment. “You have my word. I want only to visit my old home and try to find what I lost long ago.”
Alex nodded slowly. “All right then. You’ll accompany them to their territory. After that, I’ll leave your travel arrangements to Guntram.” Alex returned to Guntram. “Your transport awaits.”
With the security force forming a gauntlet of grim-faced vampires, Guntram led the way out of the conference room, across the tiled foyer and onto the veranda. A long black limousine awaited them at the bottom of the steps.
As they began to descend, another car pulled in behind the limo, a small low-slung sedan, and three females climbed out: the blonde Born he’d wrestled in the woods outside the gates when his wolves had been captured, a slender dark-haired woman, and Alex’s redheaded phoenix.
Marduk sucked in a deep breath, halting on the step beside him.
Guntram shot him a glance, then, noting his frozen expression, followed his gaze to the redhead.
“Zara,” Marduk whispered.
Gabriella nudged him. “Of all the billions of women on this planet …” she said,
worry pinching her brows together. “You can’t,” she whispered fiercely. “You gave your word. She belongs to Alex.”
Marduk tightened, and Guntram knew he was about to lunge. He grabbed his upper arm. “I don’t know what this is about, but don’t even flinch. They’ll take us all down. Get in the car.”
Marduk shook his hand off his arm and continued down the steps, sliding into the backseat, his gaze still following the woman as she climbed the steps and entered Alex’s arms.
Guntram eyed Gabriella, who gave him a tight-lipped shake of her head.
When the door closed, Gabriella lifted her chin toward their driver, reminding him they weren’t alone. “Later. I’ll fill you in later.” Then she reached for Marduk’s hand, which was wrapped around his knee, the knuckles white.
“Sometimes, we have to let go,” she said softly. “It’s been so many lifetimes since she knew you. She has a new life. And no memories of you.”
Marduk’s jaw clenched, and he turned his gaze to stare at the trees lining the long drive out of the estate. “I held to that one hope …”
“I know. But she is happy.”
He nodded, not looking back.
Guntram caught her gaze. Her eyes softened immediately, and he remembered what Simon had said. Twins.
As they pulled away, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, a quiet promise to trust and honor her. Her hand might rest inside Marduk’s at the moment, but he had no doubts he held her heart.
“Maybe we should take him to the forests with us before we load him on a plane,” Guntram said, not believing he was making the offer. “Think he might like to breathe pine trees and green grass after sucking down sand for three thousand years?”
Gabriella raised Marduk’s hand and kissed his knuckles. “Would you stay with us for a while?”
Marduk’s gaze left the scenery and scaled the interior of the car. He blinked. “I think I should take some time to acclimate. I thought I’d kept abreast of the changes …”
“I understand,” she said smiling gently. “And there’s all the time in the world.”
Alex fed the kestrel a bite of steak, which he’d sprinkled with the powder Simon had left him. He’d administer a dose of humanity every day for a week. When she transformed, he’d give Madeleine the news that she was alone.
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