Marcus reached for Cassie’s limp body and gently cradled her in his lap. He would heal her then take immense joy in slowly killing Eliza. That was if Aidyn or the others didn’t get her first.
“Stay with me, sweetheart.” Her eyes looked into his. They were so dull, the life draining from them.
“S-so cold.”
“I know, baby, it’ll be better soon. I promise.” He pulled the knife from her back. He hated to hurt her, but it had to be done. His palm covered the bleeding wound, and he closed his eyes. He searched for his power and poured it into his mate.
Nothing happened.
What the fuck? He tried again, nothing. Cassie gasped for breath, her lips blue.
Eliza laughed. “Your power’s not working? Funny how demon blood can do that.”
“Where the fuck is she?” someone yelled. “Eliza is cloaked somehow.”
Cassie’s life was fading, and he could do nothing to save her. He was a failure, again. “Eliza, let me save her, and I’ll go with you.”
She laughed. “I think I’d rather watch you suffer.”
“You fucking bitch.” Aidyn yelled out. “Where are you?” A burst of energy raged across the room and glass shattered as the king flared out his power.
Marcus concentrated, whatever Aidyn had done worked. His power burst from his soul to his fingertips just as his love took her last breath.
“No. No. No!” The pain too much, he couldn’t live without her. His soul fragmented, and the darkness spread. His fangs extended, claws grew from his fingertips. Evil spread through his blood. No longer was he a guardian.
He was now a killing machine.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Cassie floated, reached for the light. Happiness waited for her if she could only touch it. Something stopped her, why couldn’t she reach the light? She tried harder, willing her body to cooperate. Instead, she moved backward. Farther away from the warmth she wanted so desperately. Her lungs ached, burned. Why did death hurt so much? Maybe she wasn’t going to heaven. Maybe the reason she couldn’t reach the light was because she was being sucked backward, back to hell.
She took a deep breath as pain seared through her body. She forced her eyes open only to have them fuse shut again. The whiteness was too much, it burned her retinas. She cried out as tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.
“Give it a moment. Your body needs time to adjust.”
The voice was male but not one she recognized. It soothed and calmed her nerves though. “Where am I?”
“You are in a place of peace. Come, child, let me help you to sit.”
Strong hands grasped her arms and gently pulled. “There, now slowly open your eyes.”
She obeyed, looking through slits and letting the brightness invade her. Once she became accustomed, she opened them farther. Moving her gaze up, she saw where the voice came from.
The man was more than six feet tall and wore a linen skirt. His skin deeply tanned and well defined. Eyes, lined with black kohl and the color of the Caribbean Sea, stared at her. His raven hair was pulled back at the nape of his neck.
She blinked. He was stunning.
He smiled. “Hello, Cassandra Jensen. My name is Zarek.”
She gasped, recognizing the name. “The Zarek?”
He crossed his arms over his chest, raising one eyebrow. “Is there any other?”
Her gaze dropped to the ground. “N-no, I guess not. So I am dead then?”
“Look at me.”
She raised her gaze to meet his.
“No, you were dead for a moment, but no longer.”
She wasn’t sure what that meant. Perhaps in heaven she was alive in another sense. Different than before. Funny... she didn’t feel different. Touching her stomach, she asked, “What about my daughter?”
Zarek scoffed as if offended. “Really? Do you think I would save you, to let your daughter perish?”
“Um no, I guess not, but how am I supposed to know that?” Stupid, probably should not have said that. “I don’t mean to appear ungrateful, I just...well, it’s...I guess I’m a bit confused is all.”
His eyes softened. “I can understand your confusion, but you must regain your wits and quickly.”
“Why, what do you mean?” Now that her vision was finally clear, she looked around. “Where is Marcus?”
“He is why you need your wits. I brought you back from death. Now you must save him from the darkness.”
She swallowed, and a thousand nails slid down her throat. “What’s happened? Where is he?”
“He is safe for now, I have him locked up. When you took your last breath, he snapped. The darkness spread, and he can think of nothing but killing.”
A sob caught in her throat. “How can I help him?”
“He is dark, you are light. Let him drink from your light.”
She thought a moment. What the hell is he talking about? Then realization hit. “I need to feed him. Will he come back to me then?”
Zarek nodded. “Yes, but he will always struggle with his darkness now. You are his eternal light, you will center him.” He reached out and took her hand. “You will bond with him and become a guardian. Together, your healing powers will save many lives in the war to come.”
“But I can’t heal, not like Marcus.”
Zarek flashed his white fangs. “You will become a healer soon enough. Now, your mate awaits you.”
“Wait! Why don’t you stop Lowan? You can save my people.”
“That is what I am doing.”
Darkness slid over her and wrapped itself around her like a thick blanket. There was no fear this time, she’d grown accustomed to being flashed. There was also the knowledge that she was going to Marcus, and she would repair his shattered soul.
The cave was dimly lit, a pool of water sent steam rising like ghosts floating through the air. Marcus sat with his back to her, staring into the water.
“Marcus.”
His head swung around, damp hair slapping his face. His eyes were no longer like cut steel but more like molten lava. She was not afraid, even though he bared his fangs and hissed. He would not harm her, she believed that.
“I’ve come to help you.” She took a step closer to him. “Do you know who I am?”
He cocked his head to the side then smirked. “You’re my next meal. I will kill you then find my way from this hole in the ground. I understand there are more of your kind out there.”
Marcus moved toward the girl, but she didn’t flinch. Odd. She should have been frightened, yet showed no fear. He sniffed. “You’re with child. You choose to sacrifice her as well?”
“I sacrifice nothing. I told you, I’m here to help you.”
He grabbed her arm to keep her from fleeing. “You’re a fool then, but I will let you fill my belly.” He bent his head and sniffed her hair, spiced honey. Why did the scent seem so familiar to him? Would her kiss taste the same? He pulled her closer and brushed his lips across hers. She moaned and parted her lips, allowing him entry. Hell, he might as well enjoy the woman before he killed her. He shoved his tongue deep. Gods, she tastes as good as she smells. More, want more of her. He palmed her breast, causing her nipple to harden through the thin pink T-shirt.
More.
He maneuvered until she was pressed against the cavern wall, pinned by his weight. Cupping her breast, he rubbed his thumb across her nipple until it was swollen and hard. He had to have her. Grabbed the bottom of her shirt and ripped until her breasts were exposed.
Taste.
Yes, he would. He ran his tongue down the middle of her chest then over to the right breast. Latching onto the rosy bud, he suckled, and she pressed harder into his body. He nearly came undone, his cock throbbing against his jeans. The need to be buried deep inside her filled him. He wouldn’t wait a minute longer. Grasping the top of her jeans, he pulled, sending the button flying. Without wasting any time, he removed the offending clothes off her body, leaving her with only a black lace thong. She was b
eautiful. Her skin kissed by the sun. He ran his hands over the small bump where her child grew and found it sexy. Again, the strange sensation that he recognized her tugged at him.
He removed his jeans and let his erection spring free. The woman reached out and wrapped her warm hand around his cock, causing him to groan. “Your name, I need to know your name.” He didn’t understand why it was so fucking important, but it was.
“Cassie,” she whispered.
“Cassie.” He let her name roll off his tongue. “I’m going to fuck you.”
“Yes,” she whispered back.
He ripped off her thong, grabbed her ass and lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, giving him access to her wet core. With one thrust, he was buried deep. It felt like home, a place where he belonged. She touched either side of his face and pulled him closer, her kiss nearly had him spilling his seed, but he managed to hold back. He pressed her against the rocks and pulled out of her, stopping when only the tip of his cock remained inside her. She wiggled and tried to impale herself on him, but he held fast, he wanted to tease her, make her beg. “What do you want?”
“You.”
“Me what?” His voice sounded full of gravel.
“I want you to make love to me.” She pressed her lips against his. “I’m yours, all of me. Heart, body and soul.”
“Gods.” He couldn’t stand anymore. With one thrust, he was again buried deep. He wanted to savor her, but fire burned in his veins, causing him to move faster until he was slamming in and out of her wetness.
She moved her silky hair away from her neck. “Take all of me.”
How could he refuse? It’s what he wanted, needed and had intended. He suckled the vein, rolling it in his mouth until it was full and plump. His fangs ached almost as much as his cock. Without hesitation, he sank them deep and took long pulls, letting her blood flow down his throat. She screamed as her orgasm overtook her, and he pumped faster, his seed begging for release. He fell over the edge, filling her with his semen. His orgasm seemed as if it would never end and he continued to feed, her blood giving him something no other could.
Life.
Realization hit, as the red haze slowly faded. His mate, this was why she seemed so familiar. He retracted his fangs. “Cassie.”
Her eyes opened, and pools of liquid emerald stared back at him before a smile crossed her lips. “Marcus, you’ve come back to me.”
He kissed her, tender now that the urgency was gone. “You brought me back. Gods, I thought I lost you forever. How is it you’re here?”
“Zarek brought me back.”
He reached down and laid a palm across her swollen belly. “Our daughter is well.” A tear escaped and slid down his cheek. “I can never repay Zarek for what he has done. I owe him everything, but today, I will make you mine.” He shuddered. “I can never go through that pain again.”
His cock still buried deep inside her, he unwrapped her legs and set her feet on the ground. He licked his way to her nipple and flicked across the rosy bud. She gasped, her body shuddered. He moved to the other breast and sucked the nipple into his mouth until it hardened like a pebble. He had to have her again. He turned her around until she faced the cavern wall and bent her over. With a quick thrust, he entered her from behind. Nearly blind with lust, he glided in and out. Her wetness coated him. He reached around and ran his finger over her nub, causing her inner walls to squeeze him tight.
“God, Marcus, don’t stop. Please.” She placed both her palms on the wall and pushed back against him. “Harder.”
He hardly recognized the sultry voice that spoke to him, but he would give her anything she asked.
“Oh yes, baby,” she panted. “I’m gonna come again.” She screamed, her pleasure echoing throughout the cavern. He quickly joined her. Yelling out his own pleasure as his seed filled her.
They stood still, their bodies coated with sweat and breaths coming in quick pants. He pulled her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her, hands resting on her stomach. “I love you, baby,” he whispered in her ear.
She turned her head and placed her hand on his cheek. “I love you too.”
He slid out of her then scooped her up in his arms. He was sure her muscles were sore, so he carried her to the steaming pool and waded out until the water was at his waist. Gently he slid Cassie down the front of his body, immersing her into the warmth.
“I need to convert you, today. Now.”
She looked up at him. “I know. Tell me about it again.”
He sensed her fear and understood. She needed to understand he would protect her, that she would be safe and free from pain. Her body would change in ways she couldn’t begin to imagine.
“First, I will take your blood until your heart barely beats. Then, I will feed you my own blood.” He brushed his lips across hers. “Once that is complete, I will place you in stasis and submerge you here.” He swept his hand across the water. “In the waters, where your body will begin its changes.”
Cassie crawled into his arms. “I’m frightened. What about our daughter?”
“She will remain connected to me during your change.” He stroked her hair and buried his face in its silkiness. “Don’t be afraid, you will feel no pain, and I will be right here until the changes are complete. I will then wake you and feed you.” He kissed the top of her head. “I need to know that, while I must go out and fight, you are stronger and better equipped to protect yourself. The others search for Eliza and Odage, but so far, they have been unsuccessful.”
She pulled back and looked up at him. “Be warned, when our daughter is old enough, I will fight beside you. Until then, I’ll help you heal. Zarek said he needed another healer.”
He smiled. “As you wish.” He would train her to fight and heal others. Something told him she would excel at both. He knew the future would be filled with war and death. First, they needed to destroy Lowan, then take out his servants.
“I’m ready, Marcus.” Her voice pulled him back to the present. He leaned down and kissed her, his tongue pushing her lips apart. This would be the last time he kissed her as a human. He ran his tongue down her neck then pierced her vein, drinking in her life force.
Chapter Thirty
Cassie opened her eyes and found herself in Marcus’s lap, they were both still in the water. She inhaled her first breath as a guardian. Aromas assaulted her. There was Marcus’s scent of the ocean breeze. Earthy smells of dirt, rock and water.
He kissed her forehead. “How do you feel?”
She blinked. “Wow, like a million bucks. Seriously.” Her senses were overloaded. When she looked across the cavern, she saw the tiniest details in the rocks. Colors were more vibrant, and the dim light was more like a bright sunny day.
Her hand reached for her belly. “Our daughter?”
“Perfect. Reach for her.”
“How do I do that?”
“Close your eyes, feel her energy within you. It will be different from your own.” He kissed the top of her head.
She gasped when she found the tiny aura, the most vibrant crimson she’d ever seen. “I feel her, I can actually see her tiny body. Ohhh, she’s beautiful.” Tears of joy filled her eyes.
“With practice, you will be able to check her progress and know her thoughts.”
“You mean I can communicate with her?” It seemed surreal. She never thought to be able to actually talk to her daughter while the baby grew in the womb.
He smiled. “Yes, love, you will soon discover our daughter is very strong-willed.” He kissed her lips. “Like her mother.” He helped her sit up. “Are you hungry?”
She frowned. “I’m not sure. What does it feel like?”
He laughed. “Like hunger.”
“Then I guess I am.” She found the prospect of drinking his blood appealing but worried she’d be unable to stop. She ran her tongue over her teeth in anticipation. “Ouch!” Shit, fangs.
“Careful, you’ll have to get used to working those.”
He bent down and sucked the trace of blood from her tongue.
She moaned and shoved her tongue deeper into his mouth. Her senses heightened and caused her body to tingle. She needed him inside her right now. “Marcus, I need you.”
“I know.” He positioned her so she was straddling his lap.
She impaled herself on his shaft in one swift motion, letting out a cry as he filled her completely. Once she got her feet positioned under her, she moved up and down on his cock.
“Oh my god.” The sensation tenfold what it had been before, already she was on the verge of an orgasm. When Marcus sucked her nipple into his mouth, she went over the edge. Colors flashed before her eyes as she screamed, her entire body humming. Never in her life had she experienced an orgasm so intense. The desire to take his blood burned in her, taking her by surprise. As if sensing her need, he brought her head to his neck.
“Take what you need, follow your instinct,” he whispered in her ear.
She ran her tongue along his neck. His scent drove her insane with desire. Before she knew what was happening, she sank her fangs deep into his skin. Blood ran across her tongue, and she drank.
“That’s it, baby, you’re doing great.” Marcus groaned. “Sweetheart...gods. Baby, I’m going to explode.”
She took long pulls, his blood feeding some need deep inside of her. She continued her movement up and down his shaft until she felt him swell.
Yes, love, come with me.
She pulled her fangs free and screamed as another orgasm racked her body. Together they soared into the open night before drifting back to reality.
He leaned forward and licked her chin. “You’re a little sloppy there.”
A flush covered her cheeks. “Sorry. I...did I do it right?” It was then she noticed the small trickle of blood left on his neck. She reached out and wiped it off. “I guess I am a slob.”
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