Andras glanced dispassionately at his unconscious sibling. “Lock him up. I’ll deal with him later.”
Then he crooked a finger at the cowering human and captured his gaze. The human’s eyes bulged in terror, his mouth opened in a soundless scream. Andras smiled. Fear, it spiced up the mortals’ wonderful energy, made them tastier. His eyes aflame, he allowed his true appearance to show. Black scales took over his skin and his face stretched and reformed into a deranged parody of a dragon’s. As his curled black claws embedded into the human’s flesh, Andras slowly siphoned out the mortal’s life force. He had to hold himself back from sinking his fangs into the man’s throat.
Light filled Andras as the stolen soul settled into his psyche, easing the pain in his chest. He tossed the human husk away, basking in the intoxicating light, but already he could feel the dimming of the soul. No matter, soon he would have it all. “Bael? My new lair?”
“Is almost ready,” Bael said.
Andras smiled. “Good. Now, bring me the little oracle.”
***
Sunlight pushed through the cracks in the gray cloud cover, brightening the dull morning over Long Island. Echo floored the accelerator, the roar of the Reventón filling the quiet, tree-lined road. She soon left the island behind and hit the mainland, connecting to Route 25-A.
The instant Aethan had left, so did she, unable to stay a moment longer at the castle. The exhilaration of driving this black beauty did little to ease the ache in her heart. Nickleback pelted out from the digital player and she cranked up the volume, attempting to drown her thoughts.
The smell of leather and wax inside the roadster choked her. She slid the window open and the crisp fall air caressed her face. As she neared the city, the tall dark trees gave way to splashes of warm variegated colors that brightened up the roadside. Living in the city, she didn’t always get to admire the beauty of this season. Nor could she do so today.
Her clammy hands tightened on the steering wheel to still the unsteadiness in them. Far better than pulling over to the roadside so she could lay her head on the steering wheel and let despair wash over her. Besides, she had company.
Hedori sat in the passenger seat, gripping the dashboard as if he was on a runaway freight train to Hell. Too bad he insisted on accompanying her. She didn’t want him picking up on her distress. She far preferred him worrying about her crashing the car.
Anger and hurt warred in her. Echo tried to understand what had gone wrong that morning. Aethan wanted her. He’d told her straight out he did. Just thinking about him, made her body tremble, had her aching for his touch again. He acted like he couldn’t get enough of her. So why did he leave?
Was he afraid of hurting her with his power? Heck, she’d seen it firsthand. Yes, it did scare her, but he’d never hurt her, she knew that. She could still feel the tingles that had overwhelmed her body when the light vibration of his powers seeped through her.
Then what was it?
The thought hurtling into her mind made her heart drop to her stomach like a lead ball. Did he change his mind about her?
The tension of the morning settled along her shoulders and a dull throb started in the base of her head.
“My lady, please!” Hedori cried out, “You cannot drive so recklessly.”
Crap! She’d forgotten all about him. Damn man was as bad as Aethan in telling her what to do. “Hedori, my name is Echo. You call me ‘my lady’ again, don’t expect an answer.”
He grabbed the dash as she overtook three cars. A screech of tires pierced the air as she swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle. Ignoring the irate honking, she slipped back into her lane.
“My la–Missy!”
She glanced at Hedori’s pale face. “You’re immortal. Why are you scared?”
“Aethan will have my head if you get a scratch on you. I’ve promised him I’d keep you safe. But you don’t make my job easy.”
She was a job now?
Her mouth compressed from the hurt. Aethan had had time to contact Hedori this morning, but she wasn’t worth an explanation? He dumped her on his butler instead?
Well, she didn’t need him or his protection. She’d managed fine on her own for the past few years.
“My–Miss Echo,” Hedori amended at her dark scowl. “Normally, I would stay out of this. However, there is something I must say.”
There was such an intense look on his face, her gut clenched in anxiety. Jesus! What more could there be?
“Yeah?”
Hedori leaned back in his seat. “Sire–Aethan. He never speaks about this, and you being his–er–someone who cares about him, I feel it’s best you know.”
Echo had the strangest feeling he had meant to say something else when he’d paused.
“You must understand, my lady, Empyrea is a peaceful place. It has to be. The powers most Empyreans have could easily destroy our world if there was no peace. So, violence is forbidden. It means death or exile if found guilty. To an Empyrean, banishment is worse than a death sentence, since some need the white boulders found only in that realm to Ground their powers.”
She was quiet for a moment as her distressed mind tried to understand what Hedori was telling her.
“That’s harsh. But why do you need to er–ground?”
“It draws off the excess energy of those with immense powers. Makes it less painful and easier to bear.”
“Painful?”
“The downside of those abilities. It’s all about balance. Over the years it becomes easier as complete control is achieved.”
“How do you manage?”
“I do not possess those kinds of powers. It’s the younger Empyrean’s, who do.”
“What do you mean?”
He was quiet for a second, almost like he didn’t want to talk about it. “Aethan’s father arranged a mating-contract for him. It’s like an arranged marriage—”
“Aethan’s married?” Her heart crashed into her ribs as the car swerved violently. God, no wonder he didn’t—
“No, my lady,” he hastened to reassure her. “He is not.”
It took her a moment to collect herself. “What happened?”
“Aethan refused to consider the mating contract, and an argument broke out with his father, Elyon Dandre.
Echo’s eyes skipped from the road back to Hedori. “Elyon Dandre?”
The butler let go of the dash. “Elyon means, most high. He is what you would call a ‘king’ on this realm. Only, he rules all of Empyrea. Aethan is—was his heir.”
Echo hit the brakes and the car skidded. Heart pounding, she pulled off to the side of Northern Boulevard and pressed her fist to her eyes. God, she just wanted today to be over.
“Aethan no longer acknowledges the title of High Prince of Empyrea,” Hedori continued, forcing her attention back to him.
“What are you trying to tell me, Hedori? Just spit it out. Please.”
Hedori sighed. “Aethan was not yet twenty-one, in mortal terms, when politics reared its ugly head. The ruling council wanted the old ways back. They didn’t care for interspecies mating, from which offspring were born with unimaginable powers. They became utterly lethal when their gifts came into being.
“The council decided the young ones were too dangerous. They wanted the old ways back, to make Empyrea safe again. And who better to start the new regime than the prince. Aethan was ordered to mate with an Empyrean from another ruling house. However, he didn’t care for this. He wanted to wait until he found his destined mate, like his father had.
“Elyon Dandre had little choice but to adhere to the new laws decreed by the council, since he, himself, had mated outside his race. He made the betrothal an order. Aethan refused. But Elyon would not be deterred.” Hedori stopped, his expression lost in memories from long ago as he stared out through the windshield.
Echo’s emotions warred within her. Her anger at Aethan made her want to yell at Hedori that she didn’t care, but her longing to understand had her riveted to every w
ord he spoke.
“Aethan has two younger brothers, but thousands of years later a sister was born to them. A gift from the heavens, they called her. Ariana brought joy to the castle, the realm, and she adored her brothers, especially Aethan. She’d sneak out and trail after him, and he indulged her.
“After the altercation with his sire, Aethan left the castle for the warriors’ training ground.” Another pause. Longer this time. Hedori swallowed hard. “My lady, it was the day Ariana died.
“What? Why—how did she die?”
Hedori shook his head. “It’s his tale to tell.”
“But how can she die? She’s immortal,” Echo said, unable to get over her shock.
“No, my lady, Empyrean children are mortal in their early years. She was just five-years-old when she died and Aethan was held responsible.”
***
Aethan materialized at the foot of the Catskill Mountains. Frigid air stung his face as he held out his unsteady hands to open the entrance that led deep into the Earth’s belly.
No! He jerked his hands back. He had to call Echo, see if she was okay, explain he needed time to Ground. He patted the pockets of his sweats. Empty. Where the hell did he leave his cell?
Mind-linking with Blaéz, he shot his message to the other Guardian then stared at his hands. The shit inside him made him glow like he was plugged into every freaking socket in the entire country. Gods, he hated this. More, he hated himself and what he was.
Terror roiled within him at the memory of Echo stumbling to the floor when she touched him and his power hit her.
Please be safe, Echo. Just be safe, until I get back.
He willed the heavy vegetation to part, and a fissure in the rock-face opened into a gaping crack. His molecules shifted. Once he became one with the air, he glided into the mountains. Going deep under, he took form in a cavern no bigger than a closet and stumbled to his knees.
Pain rocked through him as his power spiked, crashing against his shields. He fell onto his back. The musty smell of soil invading his nostrils, Aethan let go of his rigid control. Powerful, lethal flashes brightened the cavern, scorching the rocks. His labored breaths easing, he lay still as consciousness left him and the white quartzite found in the mountain, siphoned off his excess powers.
***
Echo came to the conclusion—that all Empyreans were protective and stubborn—the hard way. After hearing Hedori talk about Aethan’s past, she figured since he was part of Aethan’s family, he’d be as bad. She hated to be proven right.
Hedori wouldn’t leave until he walked her to the door.
She leaned against the doorjamb, crossed her arms and waited for him to finish checking out her small apartment. “You’re sure there’s no one hiding in the bathroom or under my bed? Don’t you want to get inside and do a thorough search? You might have missed something.”
He smiled. “I would know if anyone was here. Your apartment’s safe.”
“Are you sure you were just Aethan’s butler back in the day?”
“No, my lady. It’s a position I took in this realm, since I am not a Guardian.”
At his serious expression, she narrowed her eyes, took in his erect posture and unreadable eyes and could only guess at the truth. “Wait, don’t tell me. Since he’s a prince, you were his protector?”
Amusement glittered in his orange-green eyes. “Back in the day, yes.”
She rolled her eyes at having her own words tossed back at her and held out the car keys. “Here. Thanks for letting me drive the Rev.”
He took the keys, nodding slightly. “That was...quite an experience, my lady.” A smile lightened his tanned face. “I’ll return at four.”
“No, Hedori. I’m not coming back.” Her throat tightened again when she thought of the reason why she was back at her apartment. “I’ll be staying in Greenwich Village, for now.”
Hedori sighed, staring at the keys in his hands. “Very well, I’ll take you to the oracle’s.”
“No. I have my own car, but thank you. Will you look after Bob for me? I’ll—” She swallowed as tears threatened. “Look after him, please. I’ll call when I’m ready to return.”
“My lady—”
She shook her head. “I need some time. Alone.”
***
Echo prowled around her apartment, her despair turning to annoyance, and then to pissed off. Her call had gone unanswered again. A fourth call and she was afraid she’d come off as desperate. Her cell clutched in her fist, she looked at the display once more, tossed the thing on the couch in disgust, and brooded.
If Aethan had waited this long for his destined mate, then, what was she? A passing fancy? She circled around the coffee table and tried to understand, rubbing her arm where the demon had hurt her.
For God’s sake! She was human. Of course she’d be a passing fancy. Had she really been stupid enough to believe, to hope for something more? Not only was he gorgeous and extremely powerful, he was an immortal prince! His mate would be like him, beautiful and special—
Christ, she couldn’t stay here moping. She’d go crazy. Throwing a few things together, she locked up her apartment and headed for Kira’s.
Echo pulled up in front of the brownstone fifteen minutes later. As she parked her Volkswagen Beetle, the front door opened. A black-haired Kira rushed out, a pink streak weaving between the strands. A smile of relief brought out her dimples. She tugged open the car door and hauled Echo into a hug.
“I’m so happy to see you’re in one piece and all better.” Kira looked her over, as though confirming she really was better with no new injuries. Another hug followed. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.” Echo could never tell Kira the horror of almost being hauled into Hell. She reached into the passenger seat and pulled out her overnight bag.
Kira linked her arm through hers as they walked toward the brownstone. “Now, tell me about the gorgeous hunk with the blue hair.” She nudged Echo playfully with her elbow. “Is it real? Man, he’s really into you—hey? How come you never told me about him?”
Echo’s heart dipped at the mention of Aethan. She didn’t want to talk about him and had hoped some time with her friend would help ease her pain and confusion. But faced with Kira’s questions, that wasn’t going to happen. She’d have to tell her friend something. Only what that was, she had no idea.
***
“You’re pacing again,” Kira said, from where she sat on the couch reading her magazine.
“No, I’m just restless. Too much energy,” Echo responded, turning away from the window. She had no idea what it was, except that, like a compulsion, the urge to leave took hold. “I’m going out.”
Kira tossed her magazine aside and grabbed her jacket. “All right, let’s go then, before you wear a hole in the carpet.” She patted Echo’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, you guys will work it out. It’s just a little disagreement.” When Echo didn’t respond, she said, “Come on Echo, even I agree with Aethan. You can’t go hunting for demoniis, not with them looking for you.”
Unable to meet Kira’s eyes, Echo was filled with guilt that she’d lied to her best friend—made up a story that she and Aethan were dating, and they had an argument because he didn’t want her on the streets at nights. The humiliation of telling her friend the truth of why she left—she’d rather have a root canal done, without anesthetic.
Echo drove around, listening with half an ear to Kira, until she found herself in Times Square. “You want coffee?” she asked Kira, parking the car in a no-parking zone.
“God, yes! Need something to keep me warm. Your heater’s busted,” Kira grumbled, buttoning her jacket.
“I know. Damon said he’ll see to it when he gets back.”
Kira snorted. “His idea of fixing is to stare at the thing then call a mechanic.”
Echo smiled. “Back in a sec.”
She hurried across the street to Starbucks. A few minutes later, with a tall la
tte in each hand, she left the coffee house and headed for her car. The edgy feeling that had taken hold of her at the house spiked again. Stopping, she took a deep breath and searched the busy street. Cars swished by, people chatted. The dissonant sounds filled her ears, but still the sensation persisted. Echo glanced back to where she’d parked her car. Her gaze drifted to the dingy side street nearby.
She walked toward the dark gaping maw, as if under a compulsion, and down the bowel-like street with its sweaty buildings. Stopping near a boarded-up office building, she swiveled around searching.
Something didn’t feel right here. She took a few more steps past reeking dumpsters and gasped. Unexpected pain swept through her. Echo cried out and doubled over. The coffees fell from her hands and splattered onto the asphalt.
Dizziness took her hard. What’s wrong with me?
Whatever was in this place hurt her. She lurched into a crate and grabbed onto a dumpster as she stumbled back to the mouth of the alley. Footsteps echoed, growing louder as they hurried to her.
“Echo, what happened? What’s wrong?”
“Help me—”
Kira grabbed her around the waist. “Echo, you’re scaring me. Tell me what’s wrong?”
Echo heard Kira’s frantic words but, unable to answer, she shut her eyes as darkness claimed her.
CHAPTER 17
Aethan materialized at the front of the castle. For once he didn’t bother to scan the estate to check if the wards were still secure. He walked straight into the foyer and hesitated, glancing up the stairs.
Echo must be out of her mind with worry or ready to tear into him for leaving so abruptly. But what choice did he have? If he’d stayed—
He scrubbed a hand down his face, unable to think about how badly things could have ended. He’d rather face her fury.
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