Eternal Flame (Guardians, Book One) by Valerie Twombly (28 page)

“Great, now can we get the hell out of here and find my mate?”

* * * *

Her gaze moved upward, the towering castle of bones seemed to go on forever. Skulls of various shapes and sizes formed an archway leading to an entry. She recognized several as being human, the rest were probably demon since many had fangs or full sets of razor sharp teeth. She'd tried to push her fear aside this entire time, but now it knocked her over like an avalanche. There was no getting around where she was or what might happen to her.

“My son is anxious to meet you.”

Eliza’s voice caused her to snap out of her stupor. She pushed her shoulders back and raised her chin. She could at least give the appearance of confidence even if she had zilch.

Eliza pushed open the over-sized, black wooden doors, revealing Numidian red marble floors. The combination of reds and burnt oranges seemed fitting considering where they were. She took one small step, trying to slow down her frantic heartbeat as she wondered what sinister being awaited her inside these hideous walls. To her surprise, Eliza turned and untied the rope. Dare she run? She looked behind her into the darkness. The only light came from the burning fires and lava rivers. She’d never make it.

“Go ahead, run for it. You won’t get far before you’re caught. I’m sure the demons will enjoy torturing you before they return you to Lowan.”

When she turned back and looked at Eliza, she noticed her lips curled around her fangs and her eyes had turned as black as the sky outside. Scary as the woman looked, Cassie decided it was probably better to take her chances here and wait for help to arrive. She stepped across the threshold then nearly jumped out of her skin when the heavy doors slammed shut behind her.

She took in her surroundings. The marble floor stood out against alabaster walls and ceiling. A large mural covered the wall to her right and depicted demons in various sexual acts, as if she hadn’t seen enough already. Chandeliers of gold and crystal hung from the ceiling. Their light danced through the air like glittering diamonds. If she had been anywhere else, she might have appreciated the décor.

Footsteps echoed on the marble floors, causing her to shift from one foot to the other. Her throat felt like someone had taken a meat grinder to it then forced her to swallow lighter fluid. She watched as a dark shadow moved closer until it took human form. Still too far away to see his features, but close enough to make out that he wore black pants and a black T-shirt. His exposed skin looked like human flesh.
Okay, at least he doesn’t appear to have lizard skin.

One booted foot in front of the other, he stepped closer, now only a few feet away. It was obvious he was built for killing, bigger than any of the other immortals she had met. His biceps so tight they looked like they would shred through his skin at any moment. She looked up when he finally stood directly in front of her. His eyes…they were…black, all black. When she looked into them, her reflection stared back at her. Quickly, she diverted her gaze but not before she noticed the thick scar that ran from his left temple, down his cheek, ending at his top lip. It made his appearance all the more sinister.

“Welcome to your new home, Cassandra.” His baritone voice chilled her skin even though it was hot in the room.

She raised her chin. “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll decline.”

He ran a long fingernail down her cheek and across her lips. “Oh, but when I show you the pleasures I have in store for you, you will be begging me to stay.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

The three warriors had been walking for what seemed like an eternity. Flashing was out of the question since they had no idea where to go exactly or what they might encounter once they arrived at their destination. The decision was made to go it the old fashioned way. Unfortunately, this gave Marcus too much time to think about how he'd failed Cassie. Never again. Once she was safely back home, he would bind her to him immediately. Then he would always know where she was, not to mention she would become a guardian and with that came strength. He knew Lucan had taught her some self-defense, he would further her studies. He would see to it that she could kick every warrior’s ass but good.

“Have you any idea how much farther?” He clenched his jaw so hard he nearly snapped a fang.

Gabriel shot him an icy look. “No.”

“I don’t like this, where the hell are all the demons?” He knew they’d been traveling for several hours but had yet to encounter any more demons. Something didn’t feel right. “How much time do I have left?”

“Vampire, now who is the cry baby? Are we there yet? How much farther?” Gabriel mimicked a small child using a high-pitched whine.

Marcus stopped in his tracks and got in the angel's face. “Angel or no, I’ll rip those fucking wings right off your back.” He drove home his point by jabbing his index finger into the winged warrior’s chest.

Gabriel produced his Xarizith sword and wielded it above his head. “Nothing says I have to wait for you to turn to the darkness before I kill you.”

That was all it took to push him over the edge. He pulled back his right arm and let loose with all his strength. His fist made contact with the angel's left cheekbone and sent him sailing backward. Before Gabriel could shake off the sucker punch, Marcus was on him, his fist assaulting the angel’s stomach, knocking him on his ass.

“Get up, pretty boy, and fight like a man.”

Gabriel jumped to his feet, his black wings stretched to their full width. He leaped into the air and flew forward, giving Marcus a swift kick in the chest and sending him to the ground with a heavy thud.

“You fight dirty, angel!”

Gabriel landed on top of Marcus and pinned his arms to the ground. “I like to win.”

Marcus reached out and bit Gabriel in the arm. “So do I.”

The two warriors continued to roll and punch each other for several minutes. Both were covered in blood from the various cuts received from the other. Marcus was now on top, his dagger in hand and poised at the angel's throat.

He hesitated, something was off. “Why are we fighting, angel?”

“Because you attacked me.”

He pressed the blade into Gabriel’s skin until blood seeped from the wound. “Because you threatened me.”
Still, something isn’t right about this.
His mind felt like it was shrouded in a black fog. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. “No, we are warriors on the same side. We have a mission, but what is it?”

“I…I cannot remember.” Gabriel pressed his palms to his head as if in pain. “Get off me.”

Marcus stood and stepped away from the angel, extending his hand to offer assistance. Gabriel accepted and allowed the vampire to help him to his feet. Both men put away their weapons and dusted themselves off.

“I think we’re lost,” Gabriel said.

“Are you two ladies done yet?”

They both looked at the man who stood in front of them, arms crossed over his chest.

“Who are you?”

Baal snorted. “I actually signed up for this shit? Marcus, my friend…you, I understand, but angel boy here should not be susceptible to demon magic.”

* * * *

“When did this black mist show up?” Marcus asked.

Gabriel narrowed his eyes, his hands balled into fists. “How stupid I’ve been. The demon is right, I should have known this would happen and prepared us.”

“What? Tell me, I feel like someone’s life is on the line, and it’s pissing me off I can’t remember.”

Gabriel nodded to the mist. “It’s the mist. Demon magic has messed with our memories, caused us to fight. Someone wants us to forget our mission.”

He grabbed the angel’s shoulders and shook him. “Gods Dammit! What do we do?”

“Give me a minute to work here.”

Gabriel brought his palms together as if in prayer, and he chanted under his breath. The angel touched Marcus on the arm, sending heat through his body. A white mist swirled around them.

When the mist dissipated, Marcus recognized his surroundings. They were in the outer world, on the other side stood the temple of the gods. A place where sacrifices were made and punishments meted out.

“How long will this take?” Marcus asked.

“As long as it takes.”

“Maybe we should just go to the temple and ask for help.”
Before I rip every feather from your wings.

“I am your help.”

Oh he was getting really tired of this angel and his attitude. He wondered if Zarek would kill him for beating the shit out of his personal warrior right on his door step. Temptation pushed him in that direction when the fog in his brain began to lift.
Cassie.

“I remember! Wait, where’s the demon?”

“Still in hell, we will find him when we return. This time we must keep our minds blocked. We cannot use any telepathy or the magic will once again overtake us. We only have eight hours left,” Gabriel said.

“Shit, let’s go.” Not waiting for the angel, he touched Gabriel’s arm. “Go!”

In the next instant, they were back in the underworld, Marcus pointed. “Baal went that way."

“Good, I’ll fly overhead, so I have a better view.”

He nodded in agreement then propelled into a sprint. Being a vampire gave him speed, desperation for his mate increased it tenfold. He was done fucking around. The only thought in his head—protect his mate and daughter. She owned him, heart, body and soul. If anything happened to either of them…well, he hoped Gabriel would kill him before he went on a rampage. There would be no innocents, no one would survive his wrath.

Gabriel dropped from the sky. “Up ahead is a palace, I suspect it belongs to Lord Lowan. We’ll need to approach with caution.”

Marcus nodded in understanding. “Cassie is number one priority. You must get her out.”

“I understand, vampire, I will leave you behind.” His blue eyes leveled on Marcus. “Your daughter must not fall into demon hands.”

* * * *

Lowan offered his arm to Cassie. “Come, let me show you your new home.”

She chewed her lip.
How the hell am I going to get out of this?
She had no weapons and no way back to the surface. All she had were the warriors Argathos had said were on their way. But when? She did have her wits and so she would use them to hopefully buy her time.

She reached out and placed a hand on his arm. “I would love to see how you live down here.”

His lips curled into a smile. “I think we shall get along fine.”

He led her across the marble floor, pointing out the various paintings and murals. Next was the vast library. The room was lined with books from floor to ceiling on three sides. He explained how every book ever written was in this collection. The fourth wall was covered with a stone fireplace, the hearth so vast she could actually stand in it. Several black leather chairs sat in front of it, offering a refuge to curl up and read. That is if one wanted to spend eternity in hell.

Upon exiting the library, he led her to the ballroom.
Seriously?
Why did she have a hard time imagining an orchestra playing while demons in ball gowns and tuxedos glided gracefully across the dance floor? Did he actually entertain? He certainly had the finest of everything. If she didn’t know better, she could imagine herself in some posh estate somewhere hobnobbing with the upper class. All she had to do was look at his black eyes to remind her of where she was.

“So tell me, why am I here?”

He brushed a lock of her hair from her cheek, and she pushed down bile, trying to place happy thoughts in her mind to help her remain calm.

“My lovely human, you are the key to releasing me from this world.”

Her mouth fell open. “I don’t understand.”

“Of course, let me explain. You see, your blood on the amulet of Tobor will open a gateway for me to enter the human realm.”

Her palms began to sweat, afraid of what he meant by her blood.

He patted her hand. “Do not worry, a drop of your blood is all I need.”

“Why me? I mean I’m no one special, and what is this amulet?”

He sighed. “So many questions. We will talk more about this later.”

No, she wanted to talk now but dared not press the issue.

After the ballroom, they moved to the upper floor. Lowan stopped in front of one of the oak doors. “This will be your room, for now.” He pushed open the door.

The carpet was the color of vanilla ice cream, with several bright Asian rugs scattered about. A black walnut four-poster bed commanded the space in the center of one wall, its posts carved to look like serpents climbing up a limb. To the right of the bed was a small sitting area with a brocade lounge and chair in matching ivory. He opened another door to reveal a walk-in closet almost as large as the bedroom. Women’s clothing from jeans and T-shirts to elegant gowns hung from the rods. Shoes, more than all the stores at which Cassie shopped combined, lined the floor.

He waved a hand at the racks of clothes. “I wanted to make sure your wardrobe was complete. You should need for nothing.”

“Seems you’ve thought of everything.”

“Indeed, only the best for my queen. The women who come after you will merely be my memamosals.”

Her brows together. “Memamosals?”

“Wives.” His lips curled. “You see, my dear, if you were to bind with your mate, you would most likely become a healer like him. I can’t afford to have any more guardians running around. It ruins my plans.”

“What are your plans exactly?” She wanted to gather as much information on this sick bastard as possible. Anything to aid the guardians.

He slid up next to her and placed his arm around her shoulder. She had to stop herself from backing away in disgust. “Once everything is in place, I will leave here and enter the human realm. Your people will follow me or die.” He reached down and placed his hand on her belly. “Your daughter will grow up to hate the vampires. She may even one day kill her own father.”

She bit her lip. Hell would freeze over before she would allow him to have her daughter. She had to find a way to escape, better to take her chances out there than in here. She focused on what Argathos had said, fight for what you want. Fight she would, to her death if necessary.