The Unforgiven (38 page)

“Tell Cade I’m on my way to London,” he told Brax. “I’ll deal with him and his bond mate tomorrow.” Let the pair stew tonight.

“Done,” Brax said. “But there is one other thing.”

“What?” Artur demanded, his temper fraying.

“Good news this time. Lucas called in. He’s alive and well.”

“About bloody time. Where’s he been hiding?”

“Montana, apparently. Wouldn’t say why. He’s on his way to London now, though.”

Artur considered. “No. Call him and tell him his plans have changed. He’s to go to New York.”

“New York?”

“Yes. Once he’s there he’s to load his gun, weave the tightest magic-shielding glamour he can devise, and head for DAMN headquarters.”

A brief moment of silence followed. Then, “May I ask why?”

“He’s to apply for a position as a demon annihilator. And while he’s on the job, he’s to figure out who at DAMN is receiving Vaclav Dusek’s anti-Nephilim weaponry.” Artur’s mouth twisted. “Once he finds the bastard, he’s to kill him.”

Maddie lay nestled with her head on Cade’s shoulder in a real double bed with clean sheets and a thick quilt. It was Artur’s bed. As it was the only one in the flat that wasn’t spoken for, Brax had allowed them to use it. Knowing whose bed it was, and knowing its owner would show up the next day, Maddie couldn’t quite get comfortable.

She was drowsy. She wanted to sleep, but couldn’t. “Cybele is very beautiful,” she said.

She felt Cade smile against her hair. “Yes, she is. Jealous?”

“Maybe a little,” she teased.

He laughed softly. “Don’t be. She’ll never be anything more than a sister to me. While you . . .” He kissed her, long and slow and deep. “You’re my heart.”

“She’s welcomed me far more warmly than I expected,” Maddie said. “I can tell she’s very glad you’re happy. But she doesn’t seem to be.”

“She’s not likely to be, as long as Artur continues to be a bastard.”

“Maybe he’ll come around.”

Cade snorted. “Not bloody likely.”

Maddie sighed. “Gareth has been wonderful as well. Is he really serious about the death-seeking?” Cade had filled her in on the ritual, which struck her as barbaric. She shuddered. “I hate the thought of him facing such danger.”

“It’s part of being a Watcher,” Cade replied. “If he chooses to proceed, he’ll come through it.” But the doubt in his voice betrayed his worry.

“And Brax—” She drew a circle on his chest. “He’s polite, but . . . I’m not sure he trusts me yet.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Cade said. “It’s just his way to be cautious. He’ll warm up once he gets to know you.”

“And Artur? Will he accept me?”

“Well, the phone didn’t burn up in Brax’s hand when he told Artur about you,” Cade joked. A moment later, he sobered. “He’s not about to strike you dead, at least. But he’s plotting something, I’m sure. Something to do with you and the Seed of Life.”

“That’s hardly surprising,” Maddie said. “I just don’t know if I’m going to be able to live up to his expectations. I haven’t been able to sense any power in the amulet since I used it to bring you back from the brink of Oblivion. And the bloodstone has been dark. Not a single spark. I’m not sure if I’m ever going to be able to get another drop of magic out of it.”

“Time will tell. But even if the Seed doesn’t reawaken, the clan’s not about to pin all its hope on Lilith’s talisman. Artur always has something up his sleeve. And now Luc’s on his way to New York, to ferret out Dusek’s contact at DAMN headquarters. And through you, we have access to Clan Azazel magic. There’s every reason to hope.”

“Yes,” she said. “But what about Azazel? Do you think Raphael recaptured him? If he didn’t—”

He rolled over, coming on top of her, and cutting her off with another kiss. “Maddie. I don’t know what the future
holds. None of us do. But, try to put it out of your mind. Let tomorrow take care of itself. Tonight, let’s concentrate on here and now. On us. On what we have together.”

He was right. It did no good to miss out on the present while worrying about a future she couldn’t control. She concentrated on smoothing her hands up his arm, reveling in the rough texture of his skin and the rock-hard muscle beneath.

She smiled. “All right, then. Here we are, alone, naked, and lying in a comfortable bed. Just how do you propose we occupy our time? Watch TV? Surf the Internet? Read a book?”

Cade chuckled. “Trust me,
caraid
. I have a much better idea.”

J
OY
N
ASH
loves to write her dreams—and sometimes, her nightmares! She pens award-winning tales of love and adventure with a paranormal twist. When not reading or writing, Joy’s hobbies include brain-numbing movie binges, staring into space, and wishing her house was clean. You can often find her watching YouTube videos with her kids. Visit Joy on the Web at www.joynash.com for excerpts, contests and more!