Eternal Flame (Guardians, Book One) by Valerie Twombly (2 page)

His father looked at him, his eyes rimmed red. “You will do the honorable thing.”

Marcus closed his eyes, again. He would have to mourn later. “Yes,” he whispered. How much more destruction could he take before he crumbled? Somewhere, he would find the strength needed to end his father’s misery and begin his own.

“Take care of your sister.” It was the last command his father would ever give him.

“I will. I love you.” He kissed the man on the cheek then stood, his sword flashed through the smoke-filled sky and sliced through his father’s neck.

Marcus dropped to his knees, the heartache so severe he nearly passed out. His lungs contracted as he screamed to the heavens. Another failure, so many broken hearts he was unable to heal. Why couldn’t he heal the broken hearts?

Strong arms circled him from behind and held him tight. “I have you, my friend,” Aidyn whispered.

Chapter One

August 2012

“When do you suppose the bastard will show up?” Marcus asked. He grew tired of waiting. He and Baal had staked out the stucco house for weeks, waiting for the ring leaders to show. They’d even rented a house across the street and worked in shifts. He’d just sent Garin and Lucan home for the night when Baal arrived.

The demon stared out the curtained window before turning to answer. “My sources think it will be soon.”

“I sure the hell hope so. I’m ready to burn that fucking hole to the ground.” He wasn’t sure how much more he could take. While they waited for the man in charge to show his face, the girls were paraded up and down the sidewalk like cheap streetwalkers. His jaw clenched so hard he thought his fangs would snap. He wanted to move the women to safety, but they had to wait. If they showed their hand now, they might never catch the slave traders. The bastards who kidnapped Kothar Demons and used them in the prostitution market. Their exotic beauty made them highly desirable.

Baal’s back went rigid. “That’s a human woman.”

Marcus’s frame shadowed the window in two steps. “Damn it.” Sure enough, there was a petite blonde, wearing a skin-tight red dress and heels to match being escorted down the sidewalk. Her shoulders slumped, and her head hung low. She looked to be either American or European, her looks stood out considering they were in the middle of bum-fuck Egypt, literally.

He had no idea humans were being taken and sold into slavery as well. “I take back my previous comment. Before I burn the house down, I will gut every one of the motherfuckers responsible. I may even heal them then gut them again for fun.”

Baal slapped him on the back. “I will enjoy helping you.”

He didn’t doubt he would either. Baal was a Kothar Demon, and his younger sister Lileta had gone missing years ago. Hell, might even be in this very house.

He felt a twinge of pain in the center of his forehead.
What the hell?
He reached up and rubbed his temples.

Baal gave him a look of concern. “What’s wrong? I didn’t think vampires got headaches.”

“We don’t.”

Marcus, I need you…now!
Shit, his prince’s voice slammed into his brain.

“I have to go. Aidyn is calling me. Something’s wrong,” Marcus said.

“Do you need my assistance?”

“No, stay here and watch that house, I’ll send reinforcements as soon as I can.” Before Baal could respond, Marcus flashed from the house to a remote location in the desert. He didn’t dare open a portal to Vandeldor back at the house. The demons in the area would sense it and run.

When he arrived in the forests of Vandeldor, storm clouds boiled in the sky. “Aidyn?”

Debris flew at his face, causing him to squint. Movement caught his attention, and he ran toward it. When he drew closer, he realized Aidyn sat on the ground, cradling his mother, the queen, in his lap.

“What the hell happened?”

“She was attacked. You need to heal her,” Aidyn replied.

“Attacked by whom?” Her neck was nearly sliced clean through, and blood pooled under her head.
Your majesty, who did this to you?

Odage.

He placed his palms on her neck, and energy flowed through his fingertips. Within seconds, her wound closed. He moved his hands down to her abdomen, searching for internal injuries.
Oh gods! How could this happen?

He bowed his head. “I am sorry, my lady.” He stood and looked at Aidyn. “There is nothing else I can do. Her life force has been taken. She will die.” It was the only thing besides beheading that would kill an immortal. He touched the prince’s shoulder. “Make your goodbyes quick.”

Daria’s hand trembled when she reached up to touch Aidyn’s cheek. “Aidyn,” she whispered. “It is time for you to take the crown and become king.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I sense darkness descending upon the world. Evil not seen for many centuries will close in around you. Stay true to your course, my son.”

Her gaze moved to Marcus. “Marcus, move closer to me.” Her voice hardly a whisper.

He knelt next to her and gently grasped her hand. “Yes, Your Majesty?”

“You are like a brother to Aidyn. Promise you will stand by him.”

The once vibrant woman, who held the guardians together through a war with Drayos, now looked weak and fragile. Visions of his own father shifted through his memories.

Moisture caught in the corner of his eye as he bent to kiss her hand. “I swear it on my life.”

Daria turned back to Aidyn. “I love you, son. May the gods have mercy on you.” She grew silent and her eyes slid shut.

The queen was dead.

Aidyn kissed the top of her head. “I love you, Mother.” Marcus reached out and gripped Aidyn’s shoulders as the prince wept over his mother’s body.

“I’m so sorry. I have you, my friend.”

“Why would Odage do this?”

He sensed anger building up in the prince. It wouldn’t be long before his fury unleashed itself. “I wish I had the answers, but I will find out. I promise you.” He didn’t understand either. Odage was an ally. This was out of character for the shape shifter or any of the Draki.

Lightning ripped through the sky and came shattering to the ground. One of the most powerful guardians had just had his heart ripped out, and Marcus was standing in the middle of it.

“Aidyn, pull yourself together, or you will destroy us both.” He hoped he didn’t anger him further. The prince’s control over the elements would create a danger to everyone in their realm. Hell, if he let Aidyn’s temper continue to grow, it might reach the human realm as well.

Lightning struck the ground so close electricity sizzled across his skin. Smoke swirled from the crater left behind him.
Shit!
He pursed his lips and squeezed the prince tighter against his chest.

“Aidyn, I know how much you’re hurting, but you must regain control.”

“Marcus, help me. Talk me down from my rage.”

“You can’t bring her back, but you can avenge her death.”

“Yes, I will kill Odage. How do we torture a Draki?” Another flash of lightning snapped past his head.

“I don’t know, perhaps we slit his belly open? In the meantime, think of how guilty you’ll feel should your anger accidentally hurt the ones we protect.” Marcus closed his eyes and let his energy merge with Aidyn’s. While he couldn’t heal a broken heart, he was able to help the king focus and surrounded him with a calming aura.

Some of the tension left Aidyn’s body. “You’re right. I will fight the urge I have to kill everything in sight. You’re a good and loyal friend.” He stood, lifting the queen’s body in his arms. “We need to take my mother home. I could use your help with the preparations.”

“I would be honored to assist you.”

* * * *

Marcus had helped Aidyn prepare the queen’s soul for departure. He stood next to his friend on the beach and watched her body burn. This was Daria’s favorite place. The beauty of it never ceased to astound him. Waves swirled in various shades of turquoise, and the beach resembled freshly fallen snow, dusted with diamonds. As beautiful as it looked, it also haunted him. Three hundred years ago, they stood in this same spot and cremated their loved ones remains. His mate, his mother and father. Not to mention, his king, as well as thirty warriors and their mates.

“What are you thinking, my friend?” Aidyn asked.

“I can’t help but recall the last time we did this.”

“Yes, we have both suffered many losses in our lives. Today, we suffer another.” He turned to face Marcus. “Make sure you tell your sister how much she means to you.”

He dropped his gaze to the sand. “I probably don’t do so enough.”

“She is all you have left of your family. Cherish her, being alone has no merit.”

He touched Aidyn’s shoulder. “You are never alone, Aidyn. Remember that.”

Aidyn nodded his head. “Tomorrow, the gods will come.”

The next day, Aidyn would be crowned king. No doubt Zarek would show up for the coronation, as was his duty. Marcus looked over at his friend. “Are you ready for this?”

He stared into the distance.” I am left with no choice. My mother was a remarkable woman. I can only hope to lead our people as well as she did.”

“You certainly have your work cut out for you, but I don’t doubt you’ll do well.”

* * * *

Marcus stood straight, hands clasped behind his back and looked around him. The throne room was located in the west wing of Aidyn’s home in Vandeldor. The windows on both sides covered in heavy black damask in a show of mourning.

The single gold throne glistened in the sunlight that managed to sneak in. Twin onyx statues of a Horus guard stood watch on either side. The statues' headdresses were trimmed in silver and gold, as were the collars around their necks. Each bicep was wrapped in a wide gold band and a long black beak bore one silver stripe, while two gold stripes flared out from the outer edge of each eye.

Marcus took his position at the front of the room.
His men fell in, forming a line on both sides of the room. Attire for this function was the traditional black linen shendyt, an ancient Egyptian kilt that wrapped around the waist. A medallion of the sun, crafted from gold, fastened in front. Feathers of emerald green, trimmed in gold, formed a collar around his neck, and each bicep bore a gold band. He longed for jeans and a T-shirt. Right now, he could only think of his privates and how the boys were not happy at being exposed to a draft.

The doors swung open, and the prince walked through. He too wore the same manner of dress as them except his eyes were lined in kohl and the bands on his biceps were studded in emeralds. He made his way down the long red carpet until he stopped in front of the throne. He stood for a moment…waiting. Power crackled in the air. Marcus watched as one by one several of the gods and goddesses appeared in order of importance.

Dusaro, the god of recollection was first since he ranked at the bottom of those in attendance. Then Quadira, the goddess of fire, Ranis, god of darkness, Ediva, goddess of lightning and Argothos, god of vision.

The last to appear was Zarek, the supreme god. Everyone, including the other gods and goddesses, dropped to one knee. Marcus liked to think that he had forgiven his god, but upon seeing him, realized he still wanted his blood.

Zarek’s voice echoed across the room. “It is my duty to provide the guardians with a new leader. Aidyn Santiago is the last remaining member of his family.” Zarek placed both hands on Aidyn’s head, surrounding him in a bright, white light. Marcus knew the god transferred power to Aidyn from both of his parents. At their coronation, it was customary for the king or queen to receive their parents’ power. He could only guess how lethal Aidyn would become after this.

“The deed is done. You will follow your new king in the quest to safeguard the human realm from evil. You will help him keep the peace among the other immortals. Should you waver in your loyalty to him…” Zarek looked around the room. “Then you will accept the punishment of death.” His baritone voice lowered another octave with this final pronouncement.

Zarek looked down at Aidyn. “Rise, my son.” Aidyn did as commanded then held out his wrist to the god. It was Marcus’s cue to step in beside the king. Zarek extended his fangs and sank them into Aidyn’s wrist. He would drain the king to the brink of death. It would be Aidyn’s sacrifice to the gods. As the king’s second-in-command, Marcus would be first to give of his blood to Aidyn. The rest of the guardians lined up behind him by rank. Each would give his blood until the king regained his strength. Every warrior would then be tied to their leader.

Chapter Two

The coronation over, Marcus milled around the room. There were several guardians there he hadn’t seen in person in many years. Communications lately were done via video conference so he could remain on top of the world’s events.

He stopped to chat with his third commanding officer, Lucan. “What are you hearing among the others?”

“There is concern about the increase in missing female demons. It seems the slave traders have been busy.”

He scratched his chin. “Yes. While Baal and I were on a stakeout in Egypt, we saw a human female being escorted by a demon. I wonder if this was an unusual circumstance or if they are kidnapping humans now.”

Lucan’s eyes shimmered. “I’ll ask around. We cannot allow our wards to be treated this way.”

“No, we can’t. Let me know what you find.”

As soon as Lucan slipped away, Zarek slid in next to him.

“Do not blame yourself for the queen’s death.”

“What good is it to be a healer if I’m unable to help those I love?” He gazed across the room at Aidyn; he’d let his friend down once again.

Zarek directed his gaze toward Aidyn. “He does not blame you. He places the blame with us.”

“As well he should,” he replied through clenched teeth. “Haven’t you done enough damage? You could have aided us. Instead, you left us to perish.” He realized his anger hadn’t abated even after three hundred years. He doubted three hundred more would be enough.

Zarek placed his hand on Marcus’s arm. Sharp prickles penetrated deep into his bones, and the scent of spiced honey filled his senses. The sensation confused him, but he was pulled from his thoughts when the god spoke. “Someday, you will understand.” Then he vanished.