Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #9)(96)

“My creative methods appear to backfire when it comes to you.”

“And that’s a bad thing?”

Reaching down, Caine grasped her wrist and gently tugged her fingers away from his throbbing cock.

“Cassie.”

“Yes?”

His gaze narrowed at her small smile, and he abruptly twisted to the side so he could pin her to the mattress. Tugging her hands over her head, he regarded her with a determined expression. “I’m not going to be distracted,” he warned. “Tell me what’s bothering you.”

She grimaced, accepting playtime was over. The real world was about to intrude whether they wanted it or not.

“Nothing.”

His brows snapped together. “Cassandra.”

He never used the full name they’d chosen only weeks before, revealing he was nearing the end of his patience. As if his annoyance wasn’t sizzling through their mating bond.

“I mean ‘nothing’ quite literally,” she hastily corrected.

He stilled. “You’re going to have to be a little more specific.”

“If the Dark Lord is truly on the brink of returning . . .”

“Wait,” he interrupted, his voice harsh. “I need you to back up, pet. Why do you think the Dark Lord is on the brink of returning?”

Cassie felt a sharp pang of remorse. How had she forgotten he’d been in no condition to comprehend what was happening during the past few days?

“She has Maluhia.”

His breath hissed through clenched teeth. “I was hoping that was just a nightmare,” he muttered. “Has she become the Gemini?”

Cassie shrugged. “I didn’t see it happen, but she must have completed the transformation if she’s able to open rifts to this world.”

“Rifts?” His eyes abruptly held the power of his wolf. Hunter. “Where?”

“I don’t know. I only heard Styx mention them to Salvatore.”

“Is the Dark Lord attempting to come through?”

Cassie shook her head. “I think she intends to empty out the bowels of hell first.”

Caine considered her words before giving a slow nod of agreement. “That would make sense. Why would she risk her neck when she could send her minions to do her dirty work?” His lips curled in pure hatred. “Bitch.”

“Agreed.”

His thumbs absently rubbed the skin of her inner wrists, his gaze sweeping over her pale face. “Are you worried we won’t be able to stop her?”

She hesitated. “In part.”

“Cassie, talk to me,” he growled.

Stubborn wolf. He wasn’t going to let this go. Not until he was convinced he’d wrung out her entire confession.

“There haven’t been any visions.”

He seemed more puzzled than frightened by her revelation. “Since when?”

She licked her dry lips. Just talking about her lack of prophecies made her stomach cramp. “Since we escaped from the Dark Lord.”

“Surely that should make you happy?” he asked cautiously. “You hate the visions.”

“My preference doesn’t matter.” She shivered at the cost of losing her visions when she needed them the most. “They might make the difference between our survival and the end of the world.”

He tensed at her blunt words, belatedly understanding why she was so distressed. “You’ve never been able to conjure them on command,” he tried to soothe. “They might simply . ..”

“Yes?” she prompted.

“Be on hiatus.” He clearly reached for the first excuse that came to mind. “It’s been a stressful few days, after all.”

She smiled wryly, appreciating his effort, even if she didn’t believe for a minute that it was a temporary glitch. “Trust me, I’ve had more than a few stressful days over the years,” she said dryly. “But there’s never been a time I haven’t had visions. And when the future is in chaos, like it is now, I have hundreds of them. It doesn’t make sense they would suddenly disappear.”

Caine went rigid above her, his face draining of color. “‘The Gemini will rise and chaos shall rule for all eternity,’” he quoted in his husky tones.

She gave a slow nod. “Exactly.”

Their gazes locked as the full implication of her words sank in, Caine’s eyes darkening with unease.

“You think . . . ?”

“Maybe I’m not having visions because the Gemini has already won.”

Chapter 23

Styx’s study

Although he’d managed time for a shower and a few blessed hours in the arms of his mate, Styx was still in a foul mood as he entered his study to find Viper waiting for him.

The Chicago clan chief had only minutes before returned from the rift, and as Styx watched him pace the floor, he wasn’t surprised to discover that the younger vampire looked as fatigued as Styx felt.

His silver-blond hair was hanging loose down his back and his usually immaculate velvet jacket and black slacks were wrinkled and coated with dust. Even the pale features were lined with a weariness he couldn’t disguise.

Crossing to lean against his desk, Styx folded his arms over his chest, which was covered by a black T-shirt that matched his black jeans.