Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #9)(71)

Oh, gods. Cassie glanced over her shoulder at Caine, who paced with obvious agitation behind the barrier, his eyes smoldering with a mindless violence. If the Dark Lord wanted him, it couldn’t be for any good reason.

“Why?”

“She has the child.”

Lost in her fear for Caine, it took Cassie a second to realize the full extent of the vampire’s words.

The Alpha.

It was here even after her attempt to send a warning to Styx. Did that mean all was lost?

“‘And through the mist reunited . . .’” she quoted in numb tones.

Gaius nodded. “Precisely.”

Cassie struggled not to panic. It couldn’t be too late. She refused to concede defeat.

At last she forced her stiff lips to move. “She’s become the Gemini?”

Gaius gave a lift of his shoulder, his gaze returning to Caine. “The ceremony will be completed once she has a suitable sacrifice.”

Cassie tensed. No. No. No. Shifting until she stood directly between the vampire and Caine, she prepared to fight to the death.

There was no way in hell the Dark Lord was going to use Caine to unleash her perverted hordes on the world.

“No.”

Gaius returned his attention to her, the dark gaze studying her resolute expression. “The choice is not yours.”

“Maybe not, but do you think you can defeat both of us?” she bluffed.

“I’m not powerless.”

She spread her legs, her body poised for attack. “Neither am I.”

The vampire looked more curious than angered by her defiance. “You intend to protect him even though he just tried to kill you?”

Cassie didn’t hesitate. “Of course. What would you do to protect your mate?”

That bleak despair returned to the dark eyes as Gaius seemed to be overwhelmed by some unwelcomed memory. “Sell my soul.”

Cassie took a hesitant step forward, the vague hope returning at the vampire’s hint of emotion. A creature who felt that deeply couldn’t be completely evil.

“I’m not the only one between a rock and a hard place, am I?” she asked softly.

He stiffened, belatedly realizing that he’d revealed more than he intended. “It’s too late.”

“It’s never too late.” She took another step forward, her expression unabashedly pleading. What did she care about pride? She’d crawl on her knees and kiss the damned vampire’s feet if he could use his powers to get them out of the fog. “Help us.”

He gave a short, humorless laugh. “You believe I can be reformed after all these centuries?”

Did she?

Cassie grimaced. Why hadn’t she honed her lying skills? It seemed every time she turned around she needed to tell one fib or another.

Now she could only shrug and hedge around the truth. “My vision offered hope. For all of us.” She held out a slender hand, a sudden shiver inching down her spine. “Please.”

There was a long silence and Cassie was forced to bite her tongue as the sense of urgency pulsed through her. Something was coming. Something bad.

But Gaius was skittish enough without her pressing him.

After what felt like an eternity, he at last muttered a low curse. “I am bound to regret this.”

Cassie didn’t have time to feel relief. Not when the heavy sense of approaching doom was thickening the air until she couldn’t breathe.

“Can you get us out of here?” she rasped.

The vampire clutched the pendant hung around his neck. “Yes.”

He closed his eyes, as if concentrating on his powers, at the same moment a singsong voice sliced through the air.

“Gaius.” The approaching female purred, a searing heat blasting against Cassie and nearly sending her to her feet. “Where are you, you naughty vampire?”

Caine tilted back his head to howl, whether in fury or fear it was impossible to say. Gaius, on the other hand, kept his eyes tightly shut, a shaken expression on his pale face.

“Cristo,” he muttered. “We are out of time.”

“Concentrate,” Cassie urged, gritting her teeth as blisters began to form on her skin and Caine whined in sudden pain.

In answer, Gaius grasped her arm in a punishing grip. Cassie flinched before she realized that the world was beginning to fade to black.

“No . . .” She struggled to break from his grasp. “I won’t leave without Caine.”

Gaius scowled, refusing to release her. “Are you insane? He’ll kill you. If the Dark Lord doesn’t manage to do it for him.”

“I don’t care.” She grimly yanked herself free, immediately returning to the fog and searing hot agony. “I won’t leave without him.”

“Stupid dogs,” Gaius muttered, giving a wave of his hand.

The barrier was removed, but the pulsing heat had driven Caine to his knees, making his animal cower in pain.

Thank the gods.

Moving to crouch at his side, she held out her hand toward Gaius.

“She’s coming,” she warned the vampire as he appeared to hesitate.

Like he couldn’t feel the jagged shards of power for himself.

Then, with a resigned shake of his head, he grasped her outstretched hand and the darkness once again began to form like a bubble around them.