The Guardians, page 43
Aww, you do care for me. The younger Draki tossed his head back and snorted.
Damn punk. Let’s go. Caleb curled his lip to expose his incisors, a warning to the younger dragon to behave before he ripped Diego’s flesh open.
Where to bro?
Back to New Orleans. We are in need of a voodoo priestess to find my mate.
Furia was decked out in leather pants and a tank top. Several daggers strapped to her thighs and waist, but there was one special blade her father had given her, it was clutched in her right hand. She looked at the dragon to her left out of the corner of her eye. “Defy me, and I will kill you myself.”
The man tied back his raven hair with a piece of leather. “I am your servant, my lady.”
She turned her head to take in the full view of Odage and pinned him with a glare. “You understand our orders?”
“Perfectly.”
“Good.” She moved her attention to the ten demons behind her. “Let’s go. It’s time to raise some hell.” The corners of her lips turned up when the troops hooted and hollered. She strode with purpose toward the fissure, placed her palms on the either side of the crack, and forced her power into the rock. The crack widened until it split enough to allow them to pass.
She entered first. Enveloped herself in power, thinking of the place she needed to go and flashed to the surface. Odage and the others followed close behind. Furia sucked in a breath of crisp night air. It felt good to be back on top again. “Everyone move into position and keep yourself cloaked. We may have the element of surprise and numbers, but don’t let them fool you. The guardians are very powerful,” she whispered.
“Won’t all the blades strapped to your body make them suspicious?” Odage asked.
“No. Remember, I helped protect them while the child was born.” She sheathed the blade she’d been carrying in her palm. “I’ll distract them, and you grab the baby. Lowan says her blood is pure.” Her gaze focused with intent on the hidden compound. “That child will free my father from his eternal prison.” She watched while Odage led the others away. Once they disappeared, she looked down at her trembling hands and flexed her fingers, taking in a deep breath.
“Stop fighting me, you can’t win. I am stronger than you will ever be.”
Furia, I beg you to stop. Anything but this. Lileta fought to regain control but was shoved back. Her darker side now dominated. She could only watch as events unfolded in front of her like some horror flick. It was like having two personalities. Her evil twin had surfaced and now refused to play nice.
Furia flashed to the hidden entrance and waited. The sensors would tell the guardians of her presence, which they would verify via the video feed. Within seconds, the stone dematerialized and left a black hole for her to walk through. She moved with the grace of a cat down the steel stairs, her boots echoed on the grating. When she took the last step, she was greeted by the king himself.
“Lileta, you just missed Caleb. He left a few hours ago to search for you. Are you all right?” Aidyn asked.
She stepped into his open embrace and hugged him. “I’m okay, shaken to say the least. What about Caleb? Is he all right?” Aidyn led her down the long corridor and into a spacious library where he indicated for her to take a seat in front of the stone fireplace.
“He was fine, except for his concern for you, obviously. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, thank you.” She watched him grab a bottle of water from a small refrigerator then place it on the table in front of her.
“In case you change your mind.” He smiled and sat across from her.
“Thanks. So where is everyone?”
Furia, you fucking bitch, let me out! Lileta had never felt more helpless in her life. She was aware of the plan but unable to stop it. It was like being stuck inside a glass bottle. She could look out, but no one heard her screams. Everything was about to come tumbling down.
“Cassie and the baby are in their room, and the others are busy fighting demons,” Aidyn replied.
Furia inwardly smiled, this was going to be easier than she thought. “It’s just you and Cassie? Are you sure that’s wise?”
He tipped his head to the side and gave her a leveled look. “No one knows where we are.” His eyes narrowed. “Is there a reason I should be concerned, Lileta?”
Yes! Why can’t you sense the darkness? Lileta didn’t understand. It had been the hope she’d held out for. Aidyn was a powerful guardian, why didn’t he catch on?
“No, I just worry that’s all. Lowan is more powerful than we expected.” She feigned a yawn and relayed the information telepathically back to the demons.
“You’re tired. You are welcome to use your old room and get some rest. I’ll send someone to locate Caleb and your brother.” He rose. “Tomorrow, you can brief me on your father.”
“That sounds good. I guess I hadn’t realized how worn out I was.” She stood and approached him, holding open her arms to hug the king. When he accepted the offer, she pulled the dagger from her thigh and shoved it deep into his heart.
He gasped, his eyes swirled with anger, but there was nothing he could do except drop to the floor. The poison Lowan had developed worked to not only cut off his communication with his brethren and the ability to heal, but rendered his powers useless. Furia was thankful for that because otherwise Aidyn was capable of bringing the heavens down upon them.
You fucking bitch! Help him. You can’t leave him to die!
Furia rolled her eyes and pulled the blade from his chest. “I’m getting really tired of you trying to spoil my fun, Lileta.” She wiped the bloody blade across her thigh and spun on her heel, heading for the door. When she entered the corridor, she quickly scanned the area then ran back the same way she’d come in. Opening the entry for the rest of her team, she stopped Odage.
“You will kill Cassie and take the child,” she commanded.
Odage tipped his head. His gaze met hers and showed no mercy. “As you wish, Furia.” He made a quick exit down the hall, the other demons followed. Commotion and blood curdling screams filled the compound quickly followed by silence. Odage exited the room with a crying baby in his arms. He strode toward her.
“It is done. The female is down.”
She smiled. “Good. Hopefully, they will both be dead when the others return and there will be two less guardians to contend with later.” She reached for the child and pulled the babe into her arms. “Let’s go, Lowan awaits his prize.”
The good Lileta screeched and clawed, trying to fight her way back into control. She couldn’t believe what was happening, but one thing was certain: she could not allow her father to get his claws into Ariana. Right then, she kicked herself for breaking the bond with Caleb. He would have known what was happening through their connection. I am such an idiot! She took a deep breath and blocked her thoughts from Furia. At least, that she could still accomplish. Some way, she had to stop this madness.
She concentrated. Caleb, can you hear me? Please, if you can hear me at all, know that baby Ariana is in trouble. The guardians need you, Caleb. I have done a terrible thing. She prayed somehow he could sense her distress and come to their aid.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Caleb and Diego landed in a remote Bayou of New Orleans and shifted back to their human form. “From here, we’ll flash to Sidara’s door front and ask for her help.”
Diego snorted. “You mean pay her?” He eyed the large ruby Caleb carried. “That should keep her in comfort for several lifetimes. Where the hell did you find that anyway?”
“Never mind. I’ll see you there.” He flashed and, seconds later, found himself standing on the walkway leading to the old, wooden structure. Diego came in beside him, and together, they strode toward the front porch, crossing over creaking boards. They stopped at the front door. Caleb raised his fist to knock, but the door opened. He looked at his brother and gave a shrug.
“Fuck it, let’s go.” He crossed the threshold.
“Caleb, how nice to see you again, and do my eyes deceive me? Is this your baby brother Diego?” Sidara sashayed closer until she stood in front of the younger Draki. Her gaze traveled from his eyes, down his chest then came to rest on his crotch. She ran her tongue across her bottom lip. “Do tell me what I can do for you, young dragon.”
Diego looked at Caleb, panic written on his face. “Uh, I’m just tagging along. Caleb is the one who needs help.”
“Hmm, pity. I would have enjoyed you very much.” She arched a dark brow, her azure eyes sparkled with mischief. “Should you reconsider, I do love a good fuck.”
Caleb rubbed his brow. His head throbbed, and his entire body felt like a compressed spring ready to uncoil.
“Caleb, you okay?” Diego was at his side. “You look kinda pale.”
“Yes, the young dragon is right, you look ill. Come sit.” Sidara led them to the kitchen and directed him to sit at the table.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I feel a sudden sense of doom.” He jumped from the chair, flipping it backward and began to pace the wooden floor.
Sidara leaned closer to Diego. “Where is his mate?” she whispered.
Caleb barely heard his brother retell the story of what happened and why they were here. He looked down and found his T-shirt was soaking wet, drenched with sweat. His entire body itched, but not the kind you want to scratch. No, it was more of a crawl-out-of-your-skin kind of itch.
“I need to do something,” he shouted, but he didn’t know what.
Sidara rose from her seat, went to the cupboard, and began pulling plastic bins out, placing them on the counter. She opened one and tossed it aside. Opened the second and threw it next to the first one. She opened the third box.
“Ah, here it is.” She pulled out a dried-up eye and headed back to the table.
Diego cringed. “What the hell is that?”
“This belonged to my great-grandmother.” She patted the chair next to her. “Caleb, come sit. I think I can help you.”
“Well, that’s nice, but what is it?” Diego asked again.
She flashed him a smile. “No, it really belonged to my great-grandmother. It’s her seeing eye. She was a most powerful sorceress and capable of seeing beyond this plane.” She shrugged. “Some use crystal balls, I have an eye.”
Caleb grabbed the chair and sat as instructed. “How is this going to help me? Can it show me where Lileta is?”
“That is my hope. Hold the eye in your left hand.”
He held his palm open, and she placed the eye looking straight up at him. He tried not to flinch. This is just fucking creepy. “Now what?”
“Close your palm...gently.”
He carefully wrapped his fingers around the object, noting it was as light as a feather. For some reason, he expected it to weigh more. She covered both hands around his, closed her eyes, and started an easy sway back and forth. She chanted something under her breath, but he couldn’t make it out. Suddenly, the room began to spin. He closed his eyes to keep from retching.
“Caleb.”
“Lileta?” His eyes snapped opened, and he expected to see his mate, but instead, darkness surrounded him. Faint voices carried in the distance, he struggled to hear what they said. “Lileta!”
“Caleb help them.”
“Who?” He was so confused. “Where are you?”
“Save Ariana.”
“What?” Marcus’s daughter, what did she have to do with this nightmare?
Things shifted, and he realized there was light coming from in front of him. He blinked until he became accustomed then looked closer. “Ariana.” He saw the baby as if he were holding her himself. Someone else came into view.
Odage.
“My lady, why do we not flash back to the portal? It would prove much faster,” Odage said.
“Because my father is unsure of what will happen to the baby. As you know, the way we transport is different than the guardians, and he needs her alive...for now.”
That voice, he recognized it to be Lileta’s, but what did she mean? He scratched his head. This was so confusing. He could sense his mate’s essence, it blanketed him, but something was different. It was darker and surrounded by sulfur.
“As you wish, my lady.” Odage motioned, and several demons surrounded him and Ariana. It was then Caleb realized he was looking through someone else’s eyes, but whose?
“Lileta?” He waited, only to be greeted with silence. He looked through the eyes again, the terrain familiar to him. Where the hell were they, and who had the baby? A demon stepped into view.
“My lady, we have communication with your father. Seems all the other guardians are being kept busy with fighting the demons. I think there will be a very good chance that by the time they return home, both the king and the healer’s mate will be dead,” the demon said.
Caleb’s blood ran cold. Oh Christ...Sidara! How the fuck do I get back?
Close your eyes, dragon. The priestess’s voice echoed in his mind. He did as commanded.
“Open your eyes, Caleb, you’re back.”
He forced his lids to open. The room where he had started his journey came into view. Both Diego and Sidara gazed at him. “Shit, who the fuck’s eyes were I looking through?”
Sidara gave him a sympathetic look. “That was your mate, I’m afraid.”
“No.” His shoulders slumped.
Diego looked between the two. “What the hell happened?”
The priestess turned away and stood up from her chair. “I’m afraid your brother has a hard choice to make.” She removed the eye from Caleb’s grasp and placed it back in a velvet bag. “He can either save his mate and let humanity slip into the darkness, or he can let her go.” She pierced Caleb with intense blue eyes. “What do you think the healer will do when he finds his mate dead and his daughter gone? What about the others when they discover their king has perished?”
Caleb blinked, and his eyes widened. “Leria is with them.” He stood. “Son of a bitch!” He knew exactly what would happen. The curse would take hold on the guardians, and Lowan would win. Between the High Lord’s disregard of human life and the vampire’s bloodlust, the humans wouldn’t stand a chance. He curled his fingers into his palm. Do I care what happens to any of them? My people will still survive. When he dug deep, he knew Lileta would care, and if he saved her, she would never forgive him. There was also the part of him that would no way in hell let Lowan have that child.
“Caleb?”
He turned to his brother. “Call in any we can trust. Our first priority is saving Ariana. I’ll fill you in on the way.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out the ruby, and tossed it on the table. “Thank you.” He spun and headed for the door, his heart shattering for the second time. Not only was he choosing to walk away from the woman he loved, he was leaving her trapped. It had finally dawned on him what happened. Lowan had forced her dark side out of its slumber.
Lileta had felt Caleb’s essence and hoped he’d understood what was happening. She worried briefly he might try to save her but remembered they no longer had any bond. She wasn’t even sure how she’d managed to make a connection with him and, frankly, didn’t care. The only thing she could think about was Ariana and, of course, Cassie and Aidyn. She’d tried so hard to regain control of her body and shove the darkness back into submission but grew weaker the longer Furia remained in control. Watching her own hand shove the poisoned blade into the guardian had been like watching a movie in slow motion. She prayed he and Cassie held on until help arrived. Right then, she threw all her concentration into the baby. One way or another, she had to slow down the groups escape and give help time to arrive.
Time for a different tactic.
“Lileta, you are quiet. Have you finally given up?”
Yes, I’m tired of fighting you.
“That is a very wise decision. I really didn’t want to destroy you completely.”
Really? I would think you’d be happy to be rid of me.
“Not really, you are part of my essence, and destroying you would be like killing a part of myself.”
Interesting, maybe she could use this to her advantage. I’m not feeling well, Furia.
“What do you mean? What’s wrong?”
Lileta sensed a shift in the darkness. Was it concern for her welfare? She wondered if the real reason Furia hadn’t destroyed her completely was because if she did then she destroyed herself. It made perfect sense. After all, they were connected. She needed to put her theory to the test. I don’t know. I’m tired and cold. She envisioned herself submersed in ice water. Being an immortal, she wouldn’t die like a human, but her body would react in the same manner. It would slow to accommodate for the cold. Not to mention the fact demons hated being cold. They much preferred it hot.
“What are you doing?” Furia asked.
She still found it odd hearing her own voice talk to her as if she were another person. Her mind functioned the same, but she had no control over her body or her will. Furia had taken over. Lileta held a new understanding and respect for those who suffered with duel personalities. Somehow, like them, she had to fight her way back. I’m not doing anything.
“My lady, are you all right?” Odage asked.
“I’m feeling the need to rest. Perhaps we can take a break for a few minutes.”
“As you wish, but might I recommend we don’t dally too long?”
“No, only a few minutes.”
If Lileta could have jumped for joy, she would have. Now she only needed to hang on until help arrived. She hoped it would be soon, already Furia began to fight back.
Caleb was the first to spot them. He, Diego, and two others flew high above the deserted beach using their power to remain undetected. He motioned for them to follow his lead. Landing close to the camp where he could see what they were up against. They had to work fast. It wouldn’t take long for Odage to sense they were there, and it looked like they were outnumbered. This mission would require pinpoint accuracy.
