Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #9)(91)

Ignoring Styx, the King of Weres once again raised his hand, pointing a finger at the motionless prophet.

“Cassandra,” he commanded, his voice echoing through the small cell. “Cassandra, open your eyes.”

Cassie was perfectly comfortable as she floated in a state of unconsciousness.

Why not? Here in the darkness there were no cares, no worries, and best of all, no bothersome visions.

Well, there was that nagging voice that kept calling her name, she ruefully conceded, wishing it would go away. Of course it didn’t. In fact, it became so compelling that it wrenched her out of her soothing cocoon with a merciless jerk.

Vaguely realizing she was lying on a hard floor, she lifted her head, only to give a low moan. Crap. It felt like someone was trying to drive a spike through her brain. “Ow,” she breathed.

“Cassandra.” The damn voice refused to leave her in peace. “Can you hear me?”

“Please, do you have to shout?” she complained, her hand lifting to the large bump on her temple. “My head is killing me.”

“That’s because it was recently smacked into the wall,” a familiar voice informed her.

Salvatore.

Yes, he was the aggravating pest who kept interfering in her attempt to return to the darkness. And he was saying that her head hurt because she’d smacked it into the wall.

Odd.

“Why would I—”

Cassie gave a small gasp as her memories rushed back with shattering force.

Caine.

Shaking off the lingering fog in her brain, she surged to her knees and sent a frantic glance toward the looming presence she could feel beside her.

“Oh.” A lump formed in her throat, her heart nearly shattering at the sight of the large wolf standing protectively in front of her. She’d hoped her mad plan would work, of course. She’d even prayed. But she hadn’t believed. Not really, truly believed. Now she burst into tears as she threw her arms around Caine’s neck and buried her face in his thick fur. “Caine. Caine.”

She didn’t know how long she wept, lost in the tidal wave of relief. At last it was the sound of Salvatore clearing his throat that brought her head up to meet his golden gaze.

“Cassandra, I rejoice in your reunion, but we need to get you out of here.”

She leaned her head against Caine’s neck, her fingers stroking through his fur. The rich scent of his musk wrapped around her, seeping into her skin. “You reached him.”

The king gave a nod of his head, a smile on his lips despite the weariness that was etched onto his handsome face. “With your help.”

She allowed her eyes to briefly flick toward the towering Aztec vampire at Salvatore’s side before hastily returning them to the Were. She wasn’t sure she was ready to deal with both the King of Weres and the Anasso. Not at the same time. Either one was overwhelming. Together . . . well, they were more than any poor female should have to confront.

“Why is he still in animal form?”

“Because he’s protecting his mate,” Salvatore said. “Until you convince him that we aren’t a threat to you he won’t shift back to human.”

Oh. Of course. Caine had been uberprotective from the moment they’d met. Now that they were mated he was bound to be an over the top, pain in the ass fanatic.

“Caine.” She grabbed his muzzle with both hands, gazing deep in the glowing blue eyes that were no longer crazed, but still plenty feral. “Caine, listen to me. I’m fine. The danger has passed. No one’s going to hurt me.”

She said the words slowly, not because the wolf was stupid—Caine was as frighteningly cunning in his animal form as in his human—but because he kept glancing over her shoulder and growling at the two demons near the door.

“Down, boy,” Styx muttered.

Salvatore breathed a low curse. “You’re not helping, leech.”

“Actually, it would be easier if you both would leave,” Cassie pointed out dryly.

“No way in hell,” Salvatore snapped, the prickles of his power causing Caine to growl in agitation.

Cassie heaved a resigned sigh, glancing over her shoulder. “Well, that answers a question that has been bothering me.”

Salvatore scowled. “What question?”

“Whether Caine’s irrational stubbornness was a personality trait or if it was a character flaw shared by all men.” Her glance encompassed both kings before returning to Caine. “Now I know.”

“I think we were just insulted,” Styx drawled.

Salvatore snorted. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Speak for yourself.”

“Just ignore Shaggy and Scooby-Doo and concentrate on me,” Cassie told her mate, leaning forward to kiss the tip of his nose. “You’ve done your job. You protected me. Now it’s time to rest.” She settled on the floor as the dangerous blue gaze took a last, cautious survey of the two males standing near the door before slowly sinking down on his haunches. “That’s right, my love,” she crooned softly, urging his massive head into her lap as she stroked his fur. “Just rest.”

She felt the massive body shudder beneath her hand, and continuing her gentle strokes, she waited patiently until the ancient magic filled the air. There was the sound of popping bones and the snapping of muscles as Caine shifted back to human, his head still in her lap as he sank into a deep, healing sleep.