When Darkness Ends (Guardians of Eternity #12)(99)

She’d felt sick to her stomach as she’d sensed the druid melting beneath her touch. It was, after all, one thing to possess the power to kill, and quite another to actually take the life of another.

Even an evil despot like the druid.

But while she struggled to overcome her moral qualms at killing, she couldn’t deny a stab of pleasure as Cyn regarded her with blatant pride.

He wasn’t horrified by what she’d done. Or chastising her for taking a risk.

He thought she was f*cking awesome.

Holding her vampire’s gaze, she waited for him to gently twist off the iron shackles as if they were made of clay. She grimaced, belatedly realizing just how much damage the iron had done to her.

Tenderly Cyn lifted her arms so he could kiss the three-inch band of seared flesh.

It would eventually heal, but until then it was going to drain her strength.

Not to mention, hurt like a bitch.

Feeling a cold chill wrap around her, Fallon instinctively pressed against Cyn’s large body as the other two vampires moved to stare down at what was left of the druid.

“That was a hell of a trick,” a silver-haired vampire with the face of an angel drawled. “But the question is . . . did it stop the spell?”

Ignoring the voice of warning that urged her to remain close to Cyn, Fallon forced her shaky legs to carry her to the altar so she could peer into the blue flames.

She easily sensed the magic that was connected to the druid pulsing in the fire. Unfortunately she didn’t possess the ability to actually manipulate the spell, let alone stop it.

“No.” She lifted her gaze to discover the three vampires regarding her with unwavering attention. Unlike her own people, it was obvious the vampires had no problem expecting her to pull her own weight. “The spell is still active.”

“Damn.” Styx scowled. “What about the portals?”

Fallon lifted her hand, releasing a small burst of power.

Even knowing the spell had already started, she still expected a portal to form. It seemed incomprehensible that the dimensions had been blocked.

Like a human might feel to open their front door only to discover there was a brick wall standing in their way.

“They’ve been closed,” she said with a shudder.

Cyn released a low hiss. “So what now?”

Styx grimaced. “We can’t fight the entire Commission.”

The silver-haired vampire gave a shrug. “The Compulsion spell will have to wear off eventually, won’t it?”

“Perhaps, but will it be in time?” Cyn demanded.

“He’s right,” Styx said. “We have to do something.”

Fallon stepped away from the altar, only vaguely aware of the vampires as they continued to squabble over what should be done next.

There was a strange buzzing inside her skull that had gone from mildly confusing to downright annoying.

What the hell was it?

She pressed her fingers to her temple, concentrating on the strange sensation.

It wasn’t until she felt Cyn slide a protective arm around her shoulder that she realized her distraction had been noticed.

“Fallon.” He grasped her chin to tilt back her head, studying her pale face with open concern. “What’s going on?”

“There’s some strange—”

“What?”

Her brows furrowed as she filtered through the buzz to make out actual words.

“A voice in my head,” she said.

The jade eyes darkened as he cupped her cheek. “Careful, princess,” he said softly. “The death of the druid might have triggered some new spell.”

She shook her head. This wasn’t magic.

Besides, she’d heard the voice before.

“No, this one is familiar,” she said.

He arched a brow. “A Chatri?”

“Gargoyle.”

There was a sound from the Anasso who suddenly looked as if he’d bit into a lemon.

“Levet,” he growled.

Cyn’s arm tightened around her shoulders. “Why is he in her head?”

“He’s capable of speaking mind to mind from great distances,” the king said.

Cyn pulled back his lips to reveal his fully extended fangs.

“I don’t like it.”

“Neither do I, amigo.” Styx gave a lift of one massive shoulder. “But his words might be important.”

Cyn grimaced, meeting Fallon’s steady gaze. “Can you understand what he’s trying to say?”

“I’ll try.”

She gently pulled away from his arm. There was no way she could think clearly when he had her pressed against his large body. And, in truth, she wanted some space between herself and the two vampires who were watching her with cold expectation.

Okay. She’d wanted to be treated as a competent female with skills to offer, but it was more than a little unnerving to have the powerful vampires expecting her to come up with some sort of miracle.

Standing in a corner with her back turned toward her companions, she closed her eyes and forced herself to focus on the weird chatter inside her head.

“Levet?” she said, speaking out loud since she didn’t really know how the whole mind to mind contact worked.

“Ah, thank the gods,” the lightly French-accented voice said. “Are you well, ma belle?”