The Darkest Kiss (Lords of the Underworld #2)(98)

"Let's go get those weapons," she interjected with another of those too-bright smiles. She disappeared a moment later, leaving him with nothing but air.

ANYA SHOWED LUCIEN WHERE William kept his weapons and together they liberated a machete, a hatchet and several bejeweled daggers. All while she kept up a steady chatter so that he wasn't given a chance to mention the All-Key again. When they finished, she materialized in the very cave she'd left the warrior in, Lucien hot on her heels.

Though she was dressed in her thermals and her coat, ice-cold air instantly assaulted her. Damn, she'd acclimated to the warmth; her body was no longer prepared for the chill. She shivered, her gaze locking on Lucien. His color was better, and he could stand without toppling over now, but there were shadows under his eyes and stress lines around his mouth.

He still wasn't operating at full strength, and that worried her. What's more, he thought he was going to die. Earlier, she'd heard the thought echo in his mind. She'd nearly burst into tears like a pitiful human.

"The cave is empty," Lucien said, his shock clear.

Not only was it empty, it was clean, as if no one had ever been there. As if fighting and death had not taken place. Dread curled through her, blending with her already-raw emotions. "Where do you think William is?"

"Either heading home or on his way to the top."

"Let's see if he's at the top, shall we?" She withdrew the mask she'd stuffed in her pocket and tugged it over her face, then flashed to the crest of the mountain, momentarily stunned by the abrupt change in temperature and light. The cave had been cold, but this...this was misery. Ice and frost formed in her nose and lungs; her blood turned to slush. Wind whipped, cutting like tiny knives. There was only the barest trace of golden moonlight, painting the rugged peaks with an ethereal hue.

Lucien...had not arrived yet, she realized.

She frowned, looking all around. She saw no sign of William, either. Just as she was about to flash herself back to the cave, Lucien finally appeared. He was wearing his mask, but she could feel the intensified fatigue radiating from him.

Shit. "No more flashing for you," she told him firmly. It was draining what little energy she'd managed to give him.

"I'll do whatever needs to be done," he replied, his tone just as firm as hers.

"Damn it, Lucien!" He was more important to her than anything else in the world. She would have offered Cronus the All-Key right then, anything to save her man, but she didn't trust the bastard. Once the king had the key, he could kill Lucien just to spite her for making him wait.

She had to be careful about how she went about this.

Her new plan was simple: find the cage, then somehow hide both it and Lucien. Lucien wanted it, and so he would get it. It was that simple. She wouldn't give the cage to Cronus in trade. Not when he could use it to find the box and hurt Lucien. No, she would trade the key instead, just like the old jerkoff wanted. There was no other way.

It was only a matter of time.

She rubbed her stomach to ward off the sudden ache.

"I still do not see William," Lucien said, dragging her from her thoughts.

"I'm here," a voice growled.

Anya turned and saw a silver spike clutched by a gloved hand slap over a ledge and embed at the top. William hefted himself up. His entire face was covered by a white mask, blending him into the snow. Except for his eyes. They seemed to glow brightly, a blue as deep as the ocean.

"A little help," he snapped.

Lucien crouched and gripped his wrist. Maybe it was bad of her, but she'd rather William fall than put Lucien at risk for falling. Anya moved behind her lover and latched on to his waist, holding him steady. Together they dragged William's muscled body over the edge.

The warrior stood, shaking snow from his shoulders. He even hunched over, trying to suck air into his lungs. "Been years since I've had to do that."

"You should look into flashing," she offered helpfully.

Still crouched, he reached up and flipped her off.

She chuckled.

Lucien snorted.

"I'm surprised you didn't head home," she said.

"And give you more reason to burn my book or tear out the pages?" William straightened and his glowing gaze slid over the vast expanse of snow. There was nothing but blanket after blanket of white as swirls whisked on the breeze, like glitter in the fickle haze of the moon. Then his attention turned to Lucien. "You're looking well, considering your recent injuries."

"Where could a monster hide in this?" Lucien asked, ignoring the compliment.

"She could be a chameleon," Anya suggested. "She could be the color of snow and we could be standing on her right now."

Everyone looked down. A few minutes passed, and nothing happened. There was a collective sigh of disappointment.

William focused on her, opened his mouth, closed it. Seeing the weapon strapped to her back and peeking over her shoulder samurai-style, he frowned. "Nice sword," he said drily.

"Thanks."

"It's one of my favorites."

"If you're nice, I'll give it back to you in a year or two."

"You're so good to me."

"I know. Now, I believe we were talking about Hydra."

William paused, studied the land again. "Well. Where to now?"