Eternal Flame (Guardians, Book One) by Valerie Twombly (25 page)

His commanding officer formed in front of him. “Yes, my liege?”

“Caleb, status report.”

“Camp is set up, the woman moved, and the men are ready to dig on your command.”

Odage stopped in mid-stride. “Excellent, I can always count on you. Let us leave here then. Have a few men stay behind and search for the vampire.” A wicked smile snaked across his lips. “He won’t go far, I have something he wants.”

Caleb bowed. “As you wish, my liege.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Marcus followed the passageway’s twists and turns as it led up the mountain. Light could be seen ahead, but he would have to wait for the cover of darkness before he dared make his escape. He hated like hell to sit and do nothing while Odage got away with Cassie, but between the knife wound and the silver, he was too weak to help even himself. He crawled into an alcove and went to sleep.

His eyes snapped open, and he had no idea how long he’d been asleep. He crawled to the front of the alcove and peered out. A faint light with pinkish hues danced off the rock. The sun was almost down, it was time to leave.

Once outside, he found himself planted on a narrow ledge with no way to detect his enemy. The silver blocked everything. He would have to fight the old fashion way.

He crawled along the ledge for several yards until he spotted a Draki walking toward him.

Grabbing a rock, he crouched, and when the Draki walked past, he jumped on his back, smashing the pointed end of the rock into the back of the man’s skull. The shifter slipped to the ground, the trauma not enough to kill him so Marcus rolled him off the edge of the cliff. He’d still live, but it would take him days to regenerate from the numerous broken bones the fall would leave.

He stood, looked around and saw no one else so moved forward down the trail, certain there would be at least one more Draki on the mountain.

He stumbled and nearly fell, the knife wound leaving a trail for the enemy to follow. In his weakened state, he wasn’t even sure where he was going. Only that he needed to get off the mountain.
Maybe I can get back to the forest and at least catch some game for nourishment.
It was his only hope.

A Draki jumped out and swung his sword. Luckily, his reflexes were quick enough he was able to duck before losing his head. However, the motion had set him off balance, and he fell to the ground. Weak and without weapons, he would never survive a direct assault. The Draki flexed his arms to make another swing. Marcus was too weak to roll out of the way, but he made eye contact with the dragon.

“I’m not your enemy.”

“Tell that to my brother who lies in a broken heap at the foot of this mountain.”

Marcus coughed up blood. “I only defended myself. We did not start this war with you.”

The Draki’s eyes swirled dark. “You started it by accusing our leader of murder. We will finish it.” He swung but never made contact. His head flew into the air.

Marcus looked up at the hand held out to him. “It’s about fucking time you showed up.”

“Such gratitude, my friend,” Aidyn replied.

He accepted the king’s hand and stood. “I need to get these off,” he said, holding out his silver encased wrists.

Aidyn flashed a wicked grin. “Lucky for you we have just the tool for that.”

“Figures you’d be lying around on the job while we do all the work.” Baal stepped from behind Aidyn.

He let a breath escape. “Am I ever glad to see you.” He held his wrists out to Baal. The demon placed his hands on the silver, chanted and the cuffs fell to the ground.

“Thanks, I owe you one.”

Baal shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. Now, shall we go get your mate?”

* * * *

Marcus paced Aidyn’s office while the other warriors sat and watched. He had taken blood and was almost back to normal. Now he needed his mate. He was edgy and ready to snap. He needed the fight, the blackness in his soul shifted as if to agree.

“I need to find Cassie.”

Aidyn looked up from his desk. “As soon as Baal gets back with the intel we need.”

Marcus snarled then sighed. “Aidyn, I need to speak with you privately.”

The king arched a brow. “Now?”

“Yes.”

Aidyn waved his hand in the air, indicating everyone was to leave. “What is it?”

“Eliza is alive and in league with Odage.”

Aidyn’s jaw popped. “Explain.”

“She captured me. Said she'd loved Drayos. Apparently he used some kind of magic to change another into looking like her three hundred years ago. I killed the replica.”

“I am sorry for all the pain my sister has caused you. I can’t understand how or why she turned, but I will kill her myself this time.”

“I can’t let you do that.” There was no way in hell he’d let his friend bear that burden. It was bad enough when he did it the first time, when Eliza had been his mate. Now, he would have no problem taking her head.

His friend held up a hand in protest. “No, it is my duty. You have Cassie and a daughter on the way. I will do this.”

“But…” Marcus was cut off before he could continue.

“No.” Aidyn’s eyes flickered to black. “I command you to step down.”

Shit, he pulled rank. He tipped his head. “Yes, my lord.”

“Good.” Aidyn walked to the door and summoned the rest of the team. This time, Baal entered with them.

“I’m glad to see you back among us, Marcus,” Baal said.

“How is it that you’re here? I heard you were captured.”

Baal’s lips curled into a wide grin. “Aidyn came up with a plan just in case I was captured. I gave him my blood; therefore, he could track me. Once I was sold, Aidyn came with a “get out of jail free” card and sprung me.”

Marcus frowned. “I don’t understand. We can’t drink Kothar blood, and what the hell is a “get out of jail free” card?”

Baal laughed. “Seems your king can drink anything. When he,” pointing a thumb in Aidyn’s direction, “showed up, he kicked some serious ass. Leveled the compound and killed—wait for it…a fucking Wendigo.”

Marcus clenched his jaw, his teeth ground together so hard he thought they might turn to dust. “What the hell were you thinking?” He glared at Aidyn, almost daring him to a fight. “You could have been killed!”

Aidyn shrugged. “I wasn’t.”

Marcus threw his arms in the air. “Oh for fuck sake. You’re the king, and it’s my responsibility to see to your army, such that we are.” He held up his hand. “Yes, I know I was…detained. Still, Lucan is next in command when I’m not here. You should have sent him in your place.”

“If you two ladies don’t mind, I’m afraid I have bad news,” Baal said.

Marcus braced himself for the worst. No, he would know if Cassie was dead. “What?”

“They have taken her to hell.”

* * * *

The air grew thick with heat. Cassie looked around and realized she was no longer in her cell, but now walked through a tight, dark corridor. Small beams of light burrowed through tiny holes in the rock, giving off a faint glow. When had she left the prison cell?
Oh yeah, now I remember.
That bitch Eliza had come for her. She scrubbed her face, and the fog in her brain finally lifted. How long had they been walking?

“Where are you taking me?”

“I told you before, hell.”

“Why?”

Eliza sneered at her. “You ask too many questions.”

Bitch.

They walked for another hour in silence. Exhaustion wore on her. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten, or slept, for that matter. Her feet were killing her, and she was unsure of how much longer she could continue.

Finally, they exited the small corridor and moved into a lush, tropical forest. Exotic flowers in vibrant reds, oranges, and purples bloomed near a booming waterfall. Her mouth watered, she was dying of thirst. As if on cue, Eliza produced a bottle of water from a pack she carried.

“Here,” she said, handing Cassie the bottle. “We will rest for a while.” She led her to a patch of grass near the water where she tossed the pack to Cassie. “There’s food in there, take what you want.”

She gave Eliza a suspicious glance, wondered if she should trust her. She opened the pack and found some energy bars, apples, oranges and more water. Deciding on a bar and an orange, she sat on the grass and pulled the wrapper from the bar. Taking a bite, she moaned in delight. Who knew a piece of cardboard could taste so good?

She wiped the sweat from her brow. “Feels like hell, but it’s not what I expected it to look like.”

Eliza’s lashes fused together. “Stupid human, this isn’t hell. It’s a gateway meant to fool the souls passing through.” She pointed a finger at the water. “Look down there.”

Cassie’s gaze followed the bony finger. In the translucent water swam what looked like mermaids. She frowned and leaned forward. When one jumped from the water, she scooted back in horror. The bottom half of the body was fish and covered in green scales. The top half was a red, leathery texture. They lacked hair on their heads, which accentuated the large, pointy ears. When one jumped close to her, it snarled, exposing a full set of razor sharp fangs.

“Care to go for a swim?” Eliza laughed.

She clutched her chest. “I think I’ll pass. What are those things?” Like she really wanted to know.

“Those are your worst nightmare. If you happen to decide on a swim, one will latch onto you, pulling you into the depths and devouring your flesh over and over again for eternity.”

And to think, she had considered Eliza her worst nightmare. “I thought people were already dead when they came here.”

“Yes, but the soul can still feel, still hurt.” Eliza stood. “We must go, you will carry the pack.” Then she jerked the rope around Cassie’s waist, dragging her to her feet.

* * * *

All the warriors including Marcus swore. They were forbidden to enter hell ever since the curse Drayos placed on them. Going there would call to the darkness in their souls, causing the evil to emerge. Once in hell, they would never come out.

Marcus yelled, punched the wall beside him. His heart shattered into a million pieces. Was she alright? “What the fuck am I supposed to do? I can’t stand around here and do nothing. Who knows what they are doing to her.”

“Zarek!” Aidyn bellowed.

Marcus threw his dagger across the room, sticking it to the wall. He then stalked toward it, pried it loose, turned and tossed it again. He had just invented a new way to pace the floor.

Zarek flashed into the room, his features as violent as a spring storm. “Your mate is in hell.”

“I fucking know that, how do I get there?”

Zarek clenched his fists. “Qadira!”

Within seconds, a woman flashed into the room. Qadira—the goddess of fire, Zarek’s wife, and the mother of the dragons—stood before them. Her burnished copper hair hung in a braid down her back. Her gown of emerald green matched the color of her eyes.

“Why are your children not kneeling before me?” She looked at Zarek, her fangs bared.

“Because wife, your children are not playing nice in the sandbox. One of your own has stolen a mate who also happens to be with child.”

She kitted her brows. “Seems to me, husband, one of your children has removed her from this realm."

Everyone knew Qadira had created the dragons. Long before any immortal or human walked the earth, dragons filled the skies.

“Fix this.” Zarek said.

Her peaches and cream skin turned pink. “It is forbidden for us to interfere in their games.” She crossed her arms over her large breasts and lifted her chin in defiance.

Zarek moved in front of her. “Those are my rules, and I will break them any damn time I wish. Do not forget, my dear, that all gods, including you, bow to me.” He brushed a finger down her cheek. “Now love, you, as well as I, know the importance of the guardian's mate.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I have lost control of Odage.” She bowed her head. “I am sorry.”

Zarek pulled her to him and brushed a kiss on her forehead. “We will prevail,” he whispered.

“What about my mate?” Marcus yelled out.

Zarek stepped aside, and Qadira motioned to Marcus. “Come.”

He slid in front of her in two steps, his eyes leveled on her. If she expected him to kneel, she could go fuck herself. She was to blame for this mess as far as he was concerned.

Her fingers touched his shoulder. Heat seared his skin and caused it to blister. The darkness screeched and tried to move deeper into his soul. “What the fuck did you just do to me?”

“The only thing I could. I have forced back the darkness, but it is temporary. You can enter hell, but your time will be limited.”

Marcus blinked. “How long do I have?”

* * * *

He only had twenty-four hours to find Cassie and get back before the curse completely overtook him.

“I know Baal is going with you, but I would feel better if I could go as well,” Aidyn said.

“I will go with him.” A rough voice spoke from behind.

Everyone turned with weapons raised. “Who are you?” Marcus asked.

“I am Gabriel, I was sent here by Zarek to accompany you to hell.”

Marcus narrowed his gaze on the man who stood across the room. He was taller than anyone there, his dark blond hair streaked with golden highlights and messed into spikes on top of his head. He wore only a pair of faded blue jeans and black boots. His chest was bare, showing off corded muscles and sinew. His left bicep bore a black tattoo of Anubis’s head, the only color was in the eyes. They matched the same icy blue as the man who now stared at him. The most important feature this stranger had was the pair of black wings that arched high from his back and reached down to the floor. The feathers shimmered with colors of black, blue and purple.

“Why did he send you?” He’d heard of Gabriel, but in all the years he'd lived had never met him. He was Zarek’s personal protector, a winged warrior of death, a being that could walk between heaven and hell.

“I am to aid in your mission. If you fail then I am to kill you.” A burst of power rolled across the room as if to make his point. Oh yeah, he got it, loud and clear. Well, at least the angel didn’t mince words. He had to admire him for that, although he wasn't sure if he liked anything else about him.