A Dark Seduction

by Grant, Donna

  Gabriel waved his words. “No need. Let’s go then.” Cole turned to Aimery. “Keep her alive.”

  He didn’t wait for Aimery to comment but hastened after Gabriel.

  Aimery watched them race towards the castle. Every fiber of his being yearned to go with them, to fight the evil that raged inside the castle walls.

  But he was forbidden.

  Suddenly, he smiled. He might not be able to fight alongside the Shields, but he could help in other ways.

  * * *

  Shannon huddled in a ball in the dark, dank room. She was going to die. She knew it as surely as she knew she loved Cole. She still couldn’t believe she hadn’t escaped the guards, never mind that there had been ten of them surrounding her.

  Her fear kept her shaking, her mind frozen in disbelief. Where was Cole? Had he been killed? Taken prisoner? Those were the only explanations as to why he hadn’t come for her. He had given her his word, and only death would keep him from keeping it.

  But she refused to believe he was dead. Injured he might be, but Gabriel would be able to heal him. He had healed the black magic that had nearly taken Cole.

  She tried to think of the many reasons Cole hadn’t come for her, but none of it made a difference. He and Gabriel had tried their best to keep her safe, and if they had known earlier she was one of the Chosen to help fight the evil, she wouldn’t be in this predicament.

  Tears stung the back of her eyes, but she refused to give in. How many times in her life had it looked like she was down for the count? Many, and yet every time she had managed to scrape through using her wits and resources.

  But this wasn’t the twenty-first century. This was Medieval England, and she didn’t know what resources to use. Gyles and whatever evil was out there wanted her dead. They had gone to great lengths to ensure her death, and nothing short of a miracle was going to save her now.

  She put her head down on her knees and let the tears flow. The only regret she had was not telling Cole she loved him. It wouldn’t have changed anything, but she would have at least let him know how he had changed her life.

  The sound of boot heels against the stone floor reached her. Someone was coming.

  * * *

  Cole and Gabriel approached the castle gate, ready to scale it if needed. No sooner had they reached it than the chains rattled as the gate opened.

  They exchanged a glance and palmed their weapons. Gabriel readied his bow, and Cole let his two axes hang by his side.

  “No guards,” Gabriel whispered.

  “They’re here. They’re just not showing themselves, but I can feel their gazes.” Cole and Gabriel walked through the gate into the bailey, turning and looking around them to ensure no one tried to sneak up behind them. Once they were through the gate, it closed with a loud bang, signaling finality.

  Cole stared at the gate a moment before he lifted his gaze to the castle. Shannon was somewhere inside, and he was determined to find her.

  “Lay down your weapons,” a voice ordered.

  Cole and Gabriel both searched the castle and surrounding battlements but found no one.

  “It’s another trap,” Gabriel warned.

  Cole chuckled. “Of course it is, but this time we’re prepared for it.” As soon as they laid down their weapons guards surrounded them. Cole didn’t flinch as the tips of swords jabbed into his skin. They might make him feel pain now, but it was nothing to what he would do to them once he found Shannon.

  “Here are the rules,” an older man said as he stepped forward through the guards.

  “You will be put separately into the maze. ‘Tis up to you to find your way out before the beast finds you.”

  Cole glared at the older man, clearly the steward of Gyles’. “I suppose we go weaponless.”

  “Of course,” the man said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “We want you to die, not kill the beast.”

  “What beast is it that you hold?” Gabriel asked.

  The man cackled, his bald head shining in the moonlight. “You will discover that soon enough.”

  Cole was grabbed and shoved toward the castle. He gave Gabriel a look, they knew what they had to do, and they would make sure it was done, weapons or not. There wasn’t time to share words as the guards took Cole one way and Gabriel another.

  Cole made sure to recall everything to memory as he was rushed through the great hall, down a long dark hallway to stand before another gate, this one half the size of the castle gate. His heart thumped almost painfully as he readied himself to discover what creature waited for them.

  The door opened and mist swirled through the opening to hang onto Cole like a damp cloak. He lifted his foot to step through the gate when the steward’s voice stopped him.

  “Oh. I almost forgot to tell you, the wench is already inside. Of course, the beast may have already gotten to her by now. Either way, you’re all dead by dawn.” Rage erupted in Cole, and he lunged at the steward, but the guards shoved him through the doorway and closed the gate. He clenched his hands and turned to face the maze.

  Thick, dark gray stone walls stood before him. Night had fallen, leaving only the stars and moon as a guide. Cole stood and listened, hoping he would hear either Shannon or the beast but heard only silence instead.

  “At least this creature doesn’t fly,” he mumbled to himself as he turned to the right.

  * * *

  The door creaked open, and Shannon found herself staring at Gyles, his sinister smile brought bile to her throat.

  “Did you honestly believe you would escape?” he asked as he shut the door and walked towards her. “After all the trouble that we went through to bring you here, did you think we would allow you to leave?”

  Frankly, Shannon didn’t give a damn what he thought. She shrugged and watched as he squatted in front of her.

  “You’re going to die. Tonight,” he said, a smirk on his young face.

  The first time she had seen him she had thought him sort of attractive. He wasn’t short or tall, just average, his build was average and his blonde hair and blue eyes looked good at first glance. Then she got to see his creepy personality and recognized him for the evil that he was. No amount of fair looks could hide that.

  “People like you always get their comeuppance.” He threw back his head and laughed. “Not people with the power I have. Do you know exactly what I have in the maze?”

  She was almost afraid to ask, but maybe if she found out she could tell Cole.

  “What?”

  “A minotaur. A fearsome beast twice the size of a man with strength that could crush your skull with his bare hands,” he said as he lifted a hand and fisted it. “Horns that will gullet you with one swipe and hooves for feet that will mash every bone in your body with one kick. He feeds on human flesh.”

  “I suppose I’m to be his meal tonight.” She tried to sound brave, but it came out as a squeak.

  Gyles smiled and pulled a strand of her hair through his fingers. “Aye, but as of this moment, he is about to dine on two of your friends.” Shannon felt all the blood drain from her face and pool at her feet. “No,” she whispered. Surely Cole would never go into the maze not knowing what he faced.

  “Oh, I’m quite sure of it. Saw my men put both Cole and Gabriel into the maze.” He laughed as he rose to his feet. “They think they are going in to save you.” Shannon couldn’t believe her ears. “Why? You already have me.”

  “Aye, I do,” he said as he stopped and leaned against the door. “I also know who Cole and Gabriel are. They are here to kill the Minotaur and destroy the stone that gives me the power. I cannot and will not allow that to happen.”

  “You’re a monster, and if Cole and Gabriel fail, there will be more Shields sent.” Gyles ran a finger along his chin. “Probably, but then I’ll have killed one of the women needed to terminate the evil threatening this realm.” She closed her eyes and fought back more tears. She would not allow him to see how fri
ghtened she was, not just for herself but for Cole, Gabriel, and Earth.

  “Why would you want to destroy your own realm?” she asked him.

  He shrugged. “Why not? What has it brought me? Besides, my loyalty to the Master will be rewarded.”

  Shannon had heard enough. She rose on shaking legs and faced him. “Get it over with. I’m tired of hearing your talk.”

  She thought he might laugh at her and tell her more tidbits. Instead he pulled out his sword as the smile dropped from his face. But she wouldn’t back down now. Cole and Gabriel faced impossible odds and did it with courage. She could at least attempt to do the same.

  Gyles raised his sword, his eyes glittering in anticipation. But before he could swing the mighty weapon, a bright light flashed in the room, nearly blinding them.

  Shannon brought her arm up to shield her eyes and found a dagger about a foot in length with a wickedly curved blade in her hand.

  She looked to her left and spotted a man so gorgeous he couldn’t possible be real smiling at her. His long white blonde hair fell down his back, but it was his amazing blue eyes that held her captive. Her gaze shifted back to Gyles to find his eyes widening and his mouth hanging open as he stared.

  “You won’t stop me,” he shouted as he lunged at Shannon.

  But she had been ready for him. She ducked and pivoted and brought the dagger up and over her shoulder. The sickening feel of the blade sinking into skin met her arm.

  She refused to look at Gyles. Instead, she loosened her hold on the dagger and straightened.

  She kept her gaze on the man who had suddenly appeared in the room, afraid that if she saw what she had done she would crumble since she held onto her calm by a very thin thread.

  “He’s

  dead.”

  She nodded. “Who are you?”

  “I’m Aimery, commander of the Shields and the Fae army.” Shannon lowered her gaze and sighed. “I’ve never killed anyone before.” She felt more than saw Aimery move toward her. “You didn’t have a choice.

  Now,” he said and raised her chin with his finger. “We have to hurry.” They had just reached the door when they heard it.

  The

  roar.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Cole ran through the maze calling out for Shannon. With every turn he rounded, he just knew he would find her.

  “Shannon. I’m coming. Just hold on for me, sweetheart,” he yelled. If nothing else, she would hear him and know he hadn’t abandoned her.

  The crunching of footsteps behind him made Cole draw up against a stone wall and wait. He had no doubt it was the creature since he had been hollering for Shannon since the moment he entered the maze.

  He readied himself to kill the creature so he could concentrate on finding and freeing Shannon. When Gabriel stepped around the corner, Cole was more than a little surprised.

  “You

  found

  me?”

  Gabriel raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “Everyone on this realm could hear you shouting for Shannon. I just followed your voice.” Cole raked a hand through his hair and leaned his head against the stone. “Have you seen the creature?”

  “Nay, and that disturbs me.”

  At that moment they heard the awesome roar. Cole grabbed Gabriel by his leather vest. “Have you seen Shannon?”

  Gabriel shook his head. “I don’t think she’s in here.”

  “She has to be here,” Cole shouted and turned away from Gabriel. “Creature!

  I’m here. Come and get me,” he bellowed.

  He heard Gabriel curse and hoped his friend understood that he had no other choice. To face the creature was to find out what had happened to Shannon.

  Yet, with each moment that ticked by and the creature didn’t come forward, the more Cole worried.

  “I don’t think the creature is in the maze either.” Cole stared at Gabriel, afraid to admit he was right. “If neither Shannon nor the creature is in the maze, then why are we here?”

  “It’s time we leave,” Gabriel said as he turned and began to climb the stone walls.

  Cole followed and rose to stand beside Gabriel. From their vantage point they could see the entire maze. It didn’t take them long to discover they were alone in the maze.

  “There,” Gabriel said and pointed.

  He followed Gabriel’s gaze and found an area on the outside of the castle they could scale to get them inside. His fingers found a hold, and he began his climb with Gabriel below and to the right of him.

  Cole’s eye was now fully closed, giving him a limited view of his surroundings.

  His arms shook, and he was beginning to think he had passed the window Gabriel had pointed out.

  “To your left,” Gabriel called.

  Cole turned his head all the way to the left and was just able to make out the window to which they could climb through. As he scooted toward the window he heard shouts from the village and turned to find many of the homes burning.

  “By the gods,” Gabriel cursed. “The creature. He’s there, Cole.”

  “Faster,” Cole urged him. He had to find Shannon, had to know she was alive.

  His fingers closed on the window sill, and he hoisted himself up and through the small window to land with a thud on the hard stone floor. His injured bones protested, and he groaned as he rolled to his side and came up on his feet.

  “You’re injured worse than you said,” Gabriel said as he jumped through the window.

  “I’ll heal. Shannon won’t,” Cole said as he raced to the door.

  “Give me a moment to heal you,” Gabriel argued.

  Cole spun around and glared at his friend. “I don’t have a moment.”

  “And how will you explain to Shannon that you couldn’t save her because you were too weak?”

  Cole hated when Gabriel was right. “Let’s search the castle. If she isn’t here I’ll let you heal me, but you have only a little time. I cannot allow the town to be massacred because I was more worried about myself.”

  “I’ll meet you in the great hall then,” Gabriel said and threw open the door and ran to the left.

  Cole ventured right, calling for Shannon as he went. He was just about to give up when he heard his name.

  “Cole. I’m here!”

  He looked down from the balcony on the third floor to see Shannon in the great hall. Her brilliant smile was like a beacon. He quickly rushed down the stairs to her.

  Just the sight of her sent his heart racing. He threw open his arms and she ran into them. As his arms wrapped around her he knew he could no longer deny just how precious she had come to be to him.

  “Shannon, there is something I have to tell you,” he said into her dark tresses.

  “Not now,” Aimery said as he walked up with Gabriel. “Time is of the essence.” Cole loosened his hold on Shannon and looked from her to Aimery. “What happened?”

  “I killed Gyles,” Shannon said softly.

  Aimery nodded. “I just happened to be in the chamber and gave her the weapon in which to do it.”

  Cole smiled at Aimery. “Thank you.”

  “My

  pleasure.”

  Gabriel nodded. “And with Gyles dead, the creature is free to kill at will.”

  “The Minotaur,” Shannon corrected. “You’ll be facing a minotaur.” Cole gave her a quick kiss. “Stay here. Gabriel and I will take care of this.”

  “No.”

  “Please,” he begged her. “Look for the stone while we battle the Minotaur. It will take both me and Gabriel to battle this creature.” He knew she wanted to argue, but she thankfully agreed. Cole raised his gaze to Aimery. “Can you stay with her? She’s one of the Chosen. I found the mark on the back of her arm.”

  “I will stay for as long as I am able.”

  Cole gave her a smile that he hoped she knew bespoke of his feelings and followed Gabriel from the castle.

 
* * *

  Shannon watched Cole leave. Again. She didn’t like the sick feeling in her stomach. Cole might be immortal, but the injuries to his face were enough to let her know that he could be hurt and he was in pain.

  “He will heal quickly,” Aimery said from beside her.

  “He’s immortal. Of course he will.” She took a deep breath and faced the Fae.

  “I never thanked you for helping me.”

  He shrugged and gave her a bright smile. “I always did like to break the rules every now and again. Shall we look for the stone?”