Bound By Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #8)(101)

“Dante?”

Dante grinned. “With pleasure.”

Sergei scowled as he watched the younger vampire move to lift the massive slab of rock from the center of the cavern and shift it directly before him.

“What are you doing?”

“Here’s your altar,” Dante said with an evil smile.

“I can’t use that.”

“Make do,” Styx growled.

“But ...”

The mage forgot what he was about to say as Dante grabbed him and, using a dagger, sliced a gaping wound into his inner forearm.

Sergei screamed in pain as Dante yanked him forward, holding his arm over the stone so the flow of blood fell on the flat surface.

“And here’s your sacrifice,” Dante announced.

“Are you insane?” Sergei shrilly demanded, futilely attempting to break free of Dante’s grip. “I’m going to bleed to death.”

Styx shrugged. “Then I suggest that you work quickly.”

“I can’t.”

Styx had his sword out of its scabbard and pointed at the mage’s throat in one graceful motion.

“You have until the count of ten.”

The mage made one last attempt to avoid his inevitable fate.

“No. please.”

“One. Two. Three ...”

Chapter 24

Jaelyn decided she hated white.

And fog.

And the constantly shifting landscape that made it impossible to know if they were traveling in circles.

At the point of concentrating on simply putting one foot in front of the other, Jaelyn nearly moaned in relief when she felt Ariyal slide an arm around her waist, tugging her to a halt.

“Stop, poppet,” he commanded softly. “You’re about to collapse.”

She didn’t try to argue.

Not only could Ariyal tangibly feel her weariness, but she was beyond trying to put on a brave face.

They were lost, alone, with no way of escaping the mists.

Turning, she pressed herself against Ariyal’s welcome warmth, laying her head over the steady beat of his heart.

“We failed.”

His hands ran a comforting path down the curve of her spine.

“Not yet.”

She made a sound of resignation at his determined optimism. “In case you missed the memo, the Dark Lord has already used the child to resurrect himself. Or herself.”

“Yes, but he ... I mean she, isn’t at her full strength.”

Jaelyn shuddered. Considering the power of the Dark Lord was one thing. Actually being close enough to feel the grinding pain was another.

“God help us when she is.”

“I don’t think we can count on any celestial help.” Ariyal’s arms tightened around her. “We’re on our own.”

Jaelyn stilled, concentrating on her bond with Ariyal.

She could sense his stark fear for her safety, his regret that he hadn’t found a way to escape from the fog, and a growing determination that made her heart twist with dread.

Tilting back her head, she made no effort to hide her suspicious frown.

“Ariyal, what are you scheming?”

He lifted one shoulder. “This is the last chance to stop the Dark Lord from entering our dimension.”

She should have been prepared for the blunt confession.

Hadn’t Ariyal been trying to halt the Dark Lord’s return from the moment they’d crossed paths?

He had been willing to sacrifice everything, including his own life, to protect his people from the fury of their former master.

Nothing had changed except the fact they were now mated.

“And you want to play hero?” she snapped, infuriated by the thought of him putting himself in danger.

He gave a slow shake of his head, his expression somber. “It’s not a matter of what I want.”

She grimaced.

It wasn’t, of course.

They might not have asked to be put into the position of being the last thing standing between the Dark Lord and the world, but fate had chosen for them.

Now there was nothing left to do, but try and do their best.

“I know. I just ...”

“What?”

She returned her head to his chest, savoring the scent of herbs.

“Wish that things could have been different.”

He gave a light tug on her ponytail. “The future isn’t written yet.”

“True.” Her lips twisted in a humorless smile. “Of course, if we do survive I want your promise that this is the very last time we have to save the world.”

She felt his muscles clench at her teasing words. “Jaelyn.”

Already sensing his protest, Jaelyn abruptly shoved her way out of his embrace, her chin jutted to a stubborn angle.

This was one argument he wasn’t going to win.

Not ever.

“Don’t even go there,” she warned.

He held up his hands, no doubt shifting through his mind for the best way to pacify the little woman and keep her out of danger.

“I need you to find a way out of here.” He at last hit on inspiration. “There’s no point in defeating the Dark Lord if we’re stuck here.”

She planted her fists on her hips. “What you need and what you get are obviously two different things, Sylvermyst.”