Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #9)(77)

“The Dark Lord has him.” Cassie frowned, thinking back to the vampire who had opened the portal. “He sacrificed himself so we could escape.”

Tane scowled at the confession. “Why would he do that?”

“I don’t know. I doubt we’ll ever know.” Cassie shrugged, not prepared to care what had prompted the vampire to help them. Gaius may have opened the portal, but he was responsible for Caine’s hideous transformation. Not to mention, forcing them to the Dark Lord’s prison. No. She didn’t give a damn why he’d helped or what he might be suffering for his betrayal. “We have to get Caine to Salvatore.”

Tane gave a sharp nod, turning to glance at his mate. “Laylah?”

The half-Jinn closed her eyes in concentration. “He’s at Styx’s lair in Chicago.”

Cassie didn’t take time to wonder why the King of Weres would be in the lair of the Anasso. “Can you take me there?”

Laylah gave a slow nod. “As near as possible, but I must continue my search for Maluhia.”

Cassie squeezed Laylah’s hand, her expression filled with sympathy. “Of course.” She glanced toward Tane. “Will you help me with Caine?”

Tane moved to bend over the still unconscious Were, pausing to send Cassie a troubled glance. “Cassandra.”

“No.” She knew what he was going to say. He was going to tell her that Caine was beyond the point of help. That he’d been lost between the worlds of animal and human without hope of returning to either. “Don’t say it.”

With a grimace, the vampire grabbed Caine and tossed him over his shoulder. Then, balancing the considerable weight, he rose to his feet and nodded for Laylah to lead them through the mists.

They walked in silence for several long minutes before Tane spoke the question that had no doubt been on his mind since crossing paths with Cassie. “I don’t suppose you have any clue at how we’re supposed to halt the Dark Lord.”

Cassie gave a helpless lift of her hand. “We must be united.”

“United?”

“A wall must have no cracks.”

“That’s . . .” Tane struggled for the proper word. “Vague.”

Laylah glanced over her shoulder with a frown. “Tane.”

“I’m sorry,” the powerful demon muttered. “I just hate being constantly one step behind the evil bitch.”

A bitter smile touched Cassie’s lips as her gaze lingered on Caine. “Knowing the future doesn’t help prevent it.”

Her soft assurance brought an end to the conversation and they continued through the mists without talking. None of them were in the mood for chitchat. Not when they were each desperate to save the ones they loved.

At long last Laylah came to a halt. “Here.”

Cassie gave a lift of her brows. All she could see was mist and mist and more mist. Certainly, there was nothing to indicate they’d arrived at a specific location. “How can you be certain?”

“It’s a feeling.” Laylah wrinkled her nose. “I really can’t explain how it works.”

“Oh.” Cassie offered an understanding smile. “I get that.”

Lifting her hand, Laylah formed a doorway in the swirling fog. Cassie took a step forward, only to halt when Tane shouldered his way past her.

“Wait,” he commanded. “Let me go through first.”

As if she had a choice?

Cassie shared a glance of feminine exasperation with Laylah before she leaned forward to place a gentle kiss on the female’s cheek. “Don’t lose hope,” she urged. “Sometimes it’s all we have.”

She stepped through the shimmering opening, giving the manicured parkland and nearby mansion a cursory glance before turning her attention to Tane as he lowered Caine to the ground.

The vampire studied the unconscious Were with a frown. “You need to get him locked up ASAP.” He turned to meet her mutinous expression. “It’s the only way to protect him.”

“Don’t worry,” she promised. “I will do whatever necessary to keep him safe.”

“That’s my worry.” He grabbed her chin to force her to meet his honey gaze. “You’re the prophet. You can’t put yourself at risk.”

She made a sound of disgust. Right now she didn’t care if she was the prophet, or that she was expected to save the world. All that mattered was that Caine was in trouble and she would sacrifice everything to help him.

“Return to your mate,” she said. “She needs your strength.”

“And we all need you and your gift,” he persisted. “Don’t do anything foolish.”

She gave a weary shake of her head. “Go.”

Realizing she’d made up her mind, he gave a solemn dip of his head and swiftly disappeared back through the portal.

She felt the air pressure shift as the doorway was closed, but even as she turned toward Caine there was a blast of frigid air and a pair of matching vampires stood less than a foot away.

And what a pair they were. Cassie blinked, wondering if they were a mirage. Certainly, they looked too magnificent to be real.

Identical twins, they were tall with skin polished gold by a long-forgotten sun. Their faces were chiseled perfection with features that were a gift from their Egyptian ancestors. High cheekbones that you could cut paper on. Hawkish noses. And noble brows.