Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #9)(79)

“Shit.” The blue eyes darkened as she instantly comprehended the danger. “The ceremony has been completed?”

“I’m sure it has by now.” His jaw tightened beneath the tide of frustrated fury. “She has the child as well as a sacrifice.”

Unexpectedly, Jaelyn frowned. “But she hasn’t come through?”

“Not yet.” He was struck by a sudden, hideous thought. “Or at least not here.”

“You think there’s other rifts?”

“‘Pathways that have been hidden will be found and the Veil parted to the faithful,’” he quoted in harsh tones.

“Oh hell.” Jaelyn glanced toward the swarms of distant shapes that crawled on the other side of the opening. “That can’t be good.”

No it wasn’t good.

In fact, things were going in the toilet at hyperspeed.

And all he could do was try and hold back the tidal wave of disaster. Like Hans Brinker sticking his finger in the dyke.

“We have to get the warning out.”

The Dark Lord’s prison

Gaius remained on his knees, his head pressed to the ground, which was cloaked by white. He’d been in the same position since his abortive attempt to flee with the prophet, simply waiting for the torture to begin.

Why fight the inevitable? He’d rolled the dice and lost. Now it was time to pay his debts.

Barely aware of the passing time, he remained kneeling, praying for a swift, painless death even as he accepted it was going to be slow and bloody and quite likely to stretch over centuries, if not longer.

After what might have been minutes or an eternity, the punishing pain that warned of the Dark Lord’s approach slammed into him.

“Ah, my faithless Gaius,” she purred, her low voice nearly peeling the skin off his flesh.

His teeth clenched in agony. “Mistress.”

Without warning, he was grasped by his hair and yanked to his feet.

“Do you think that groveling will save you?” the Dark Lord demanded, her eyes smoldering with crimson fire.

He hung loosely in the painful grip, his gaze shifting to the unconscious fairy that the Dark Lord had dropped at her feet.

How . . . odd.

The powerful bitch gave him a violent shake, reminding Gaius that he hadn’t answered her question.

“No, Mistress.”

“Ah.” Fingers grasped his chin, forcing his head up to meet the fiery glare. “So you are pretending to be resigned to your fate.”

Her gaze blazed through him like a blowtorch, making Gaius flinch despite his numbing sense of defeat.

“As you say.”

“Don’t be such a . . .” The burning eyes returned to blue as the Dark Lord considered her words. “What is the saying? A wet blanket?”

With a casual flick of her hand she sent Gaius flying backward. He landed awkwardly on his side, breaking at least two ribs, but with an effort he forced himself to his feet and walked back to stand before her.

“Forgive me, Mistress.”

She sniffed, not entirely pacified. “Certainly you shall be punished for your betrayal, but for now you’re in for a special treat.”

He hid his shudder. The Dark Lord’s idea of a “special treat” would make any sane man cringe in horror.

“Am I?”

“Yes, I have my sacrifice.” Reaching down, the Dark Lord grabbed the fairy by the throat and dangled her like a trophy. “Isn’t she a beauty?”

“Very beautiful,” he dutifully agreed, despite the fact the poor fairy looked like she’d been pulled out of a cesspit.

“I do wish she was awake,” the Dark Lord pouted. “Sacrifices are so much more fun when they scream, don’t you think?”

Gaius grimaced, the unwelcomed reminder of his twisted pleasure in causing females pain slicing through him. He tried to tell himself that it had been his driving sense of guilt at betraying his mate, even if she was dead, that had caused the violence. And that he’d always known deep inside him that he was allowing himself to drown in the evil temptation the Dark Lord offered because it was the only way to ignore his faltering sense of honor.

But there was no excuse.

None.

“I do,” he admitted bleakly.

The blue eyes narrowed as the Dark Lord easily sensed his pulsing regret. “Really, Gaius, you have proven to be a serious disappointment,” she snapped, her power slashing against Gaius like a thousand knives. Only when blood was dripping from his wounds and his knees barely capable of holding him upright did she return her attention to the fairy dangling from her hand. “But no matter. Soon enough I shall be able to have my pick of worshippers.”

Thank the gods, Gaius silently celebrated. The sooner the bitch had her worshippers, the sooner she would put an end to his misery.

Then his dark thoughts were interrupted by the unmistakable scent of vampire. Testing the air, he realized the odor was coming from the fairy.

“She smells of Kostas,” he muttered in confusion.

“Yes.” The female deity smiled with a cruel satisfaction. “He was kind enough to have her waiting at his altar.”

“And Kostas?” He glanced over her shoulder, seeing nothing but swirling fog. “Is he here?”

“Of course not. He used his talents to kidnap the child. He was no longer needed.” The Dark Lord frowned at Gaius’s sharp burst of laughter. “What is so funny?”