Fatal Desire (30 page)

Caleb!

No response. She shot a menacing glare at Diego. “Tell me!” She fisted her hands and clenched her jaw, trying to contain the anger that boiled and threatened to spill over.

“Several men volunteered to stay in the bowels of the mountain where the demons are coming through.” He inhaled. “Caleb was one of them.”

Her jaw dropped, and her eyes widened with shock. “You’re going to drop an entire mountain on top of him?” She ran quick calculations through her head. Not even an immortal was likely to survive. She flailed her arms at Diego, beating on his chest. “Release me. Now!” Furia screeched, even she wanted to go to her mate. Why the hell didn’t her power work on the Draki? She was the daughter of a demigod. She should be much stronger.

“I gave my word,” Diego replied.

Lileta slapped him across the face. “Screw your word. How can you let your brother die?” He winced, and she was sure her words stung him more than her slap did. Good. Right then, she’d do anything to break free and find her mate.
Caleb? Answer me, damn it!
He had put up his barriers, blocking her from his thoughts and emotions. She was about to lose it but fought to regain control. Leria watched her; the girl’s eyes filled with tears about to spill at any moment. She had to remain strong for their daughter. She looked up at Diego who still had her arms pinned to keep from hitting him.

“Please don’t let him do this,” she whispered.

A look of sorrow came over his features. “I tried to stop him, but you know how stubborn he is.” He cast his gaze back at the mountain. “He will not ask his people to put their life on the line if he is not willing to do so himself.”

She slumped into his chest and wrapped her arms around him. He squeezed her. “We will leave. There is no reason for you to witness this.”

“No.” She raised her chin to look up at him. “I need to stay.”

Diego closed his eyes and gave a quick nod.

“Aidyn is ready.” Marcus slid in next to them. “We have to do this now before it’s too late.”

Lileta picked her head up off Diego’s chest and pulled Leria in close so the three of them were huddled together. “How are you planning on bringing an entire mountain down?”

“Aidyn controls the elements, and his power is even stronger here at home. He will bring the mountain down.” Marcus gave her a weak smile then walked away. She buried her face back into Diego’s chest.

Caleb, if you can hear me, I love you.
Warmth spread over her and embraced her then it was gone. It was his last communication with her. She felt as if someone had taken her emotions and tossed them into a basket then shook them around. She was angry he would sacrifice himself, yet proud he would do this to save others. Sad she might lose him forever, yet grateful for the time they had spent together. She clenched her fists in anger, pulling Diego’s shirt between her fingers.

She fixed her gaze on Aidyn when he squatted to the ground, his palms touching the sand. The ground shook beneath their feet and thick black clouds filled the sky, blocking out the midday sun. Lileta dug her nails into Diego’s chest and held her breath, her gaze now riveted on the mountain. It exploded, spewing chunks of rock into the air, narrowly missing the few dragons who still patrolled the skies looking for stray demons. Her heart sank into the pit of her stomach and tears spilled down her cheeks. No one could survive an explosion of that magnitude; it would have ripped them to shreds.

She buried her face in Diego’s chest and wept. Leria clung to both of them and cried.

“I am sorry.” Aidyn had moved in next to them to express his sympathy.

Leria shot him a look that would kill most mortals. “It wasn’t enough to kill my real father.” She sniffed. “You had to break up my new family as well? I swear to the gods on this day, on our sacred soil, that one day I will kill you.”

Aidyn cast his gaze to the ground and walked away. Lileta pulled the teen back to her side. “Shhh, I know it hurts, but one day you will understand he had no choice.” She wondered if she really believed that herself.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Seth watched Kaitlyn run through the glass doors when she spotted him coming toward her. Did she think she would get away so easily? Now that he’d finally located her, he was going to—what exactly was his plan anyway? He hadn’t really thought out what he’d do once he found her. Procure the dagger, of course; that was the mission assigned him by his king, but he wanted more.
What do I want?

He grabbed the cold metal handle of the glass door and pulled it open. He found himself in a vestibule with a set of heavy wooden doors on the other side. He flung them open and was greeted by a heavily muscled hulk that stood a good four inches over him. The man stepped in his path.

“You are not welcome here.” The man crossed his bulky arms over his chest in an attempt to intimidate. Seth scoffed and bared his fangs, hissing at the steroid-induced piece of shit that stood between him and the fiery redhead. The guy’s eyes widened then returned to normal. He shook his head. “We don’t cater to weirdo’s here.”

Seth unclenched his jaw and stretched his neck, he needed to keep a lid on his emotions, and showing his fangs was already a huge fuck-up. Luckily, the giant thought him to be one of those vampire wannabe humans. He snickered to himself, if he only knew.

“What sort of establishment is this?”

The hulk threw his head back and laughed then leaned closer to Seth. “Like I said, not your kind. Now leave before I toss your skinny ass onto the sidewalk.”

He quirked a brow.
Skinny ass?
He might be a bit shorter than the hulk here, but his six-foot-four frame was anything but skinny.

He grabbed the guy’s shirt collar and pulled him closer. “Listen up, Brutus. You’ll not only let me in, but you will escort me over to the bar, buy me a drink, and tell me everything I wish to know.”

The guy blinked, his face expressionless. “Yes, of course. Right this way.” He extended his arm toward the bar, and Seth strode past him, pleased with himself for having contained his temper. There were times when being a guardian had its rewards. Enthralling people was at the top of the list today.

Seth took a seat on a leather stool. Brutus sat to his right and motioned the bartender over. “Drinks on the house for Mr…” He gave Seth a questioning look.

“Ruiz. Seth Ruiz and I’ll have whiskey on the rocks.”

The man nodded. “Mr. Ruiz has an open tab.”

“So, Mr. Ruiz, you’re a whiskey drinker?”

Seth turned toward the velvet voice to his left. Kaitlyn had slid onto the stool next to him and was now wearing an emerald satin dress that exposed more flesh than it hid. Her hair was swept up, showing off her long delicate neck. He had to keep from licking his lips.

“Yes, I do enjoy a fine whiskey from time to time.”

She looked past him to the man on the other side. “Gary, you are needed back at the door.”

Seth arched a brow. He thought Brutus was a more fitting name for the massive hulk, but whatever. He watched the man stand and scurry out of sight as if he was a puppy who’d just gotten caught chewing on his master’s shoe. It would seem the beauty beside him was in charge here, and like a good owner, she had established her dominance.

“I hope you don’t mind if I join you. Mr. Ruiz?”

He fixed his gaze on her brilliant blue eyes. Visions of her tied to the same dirty mattress as before consumed his mind. This time, she wore the slinky number she had on now. Her body writhed under its restraints, and her eyes begged for mercy. He felt his fangs lengthen.

“Mr. Ruiz?”

He shook the visions free and found her staring at him with a puzzled look on her face.

“Are you all right?” she asked. Was that concern she expressed?

“Yes, I’m fine.” He grabbed the glass the bartender laid in front of him and took a long sip, letting the liquid burn the back of his throat. Anything to kill the visions in his head. He was teetering on the edge of sanity. The clock was ticking, about to strike the bell for the last time before he was sucked completely into the darkness. Sweat trickled down the front of his chest, and he dug his nails into his thigh in one last attempt to keep himself in check.

He could almost feel the cold steel of his king’s blade slicing across his neck.

* * * *

“Is everyone all right?” Caleb asked.

“Fine.” Two voices shot back.

The barrier Aidyn had thrown over Caleb and his men had blocked out all communication to the outside. Both men had agreed not to mention the magical bubble placed around them when the explosion occurred. Neither were sure it would work, and Caleb had not wanted his family given any false hope. It would have been crueler than what he had already done to them. Lileta was sure to kill him once she realized he was alive.

“How the hell do we get out of here?”

Caleb turned his attention to his friend and fellow warrior, Jax. “I’m not sure.”

Jax scratched at the scruff on his chin, his hazel gaze fixed on the rubble above their heads. “What a fine mess we’re in.” He sheathed his dagger on his right thigh. “Well, at least it seems we stopped the demons.”

Darius approached. “Hopefully, they were able to take care of any that escaped.” He shuddered. “I hate to think of what would have happened if we hadn’t closed the breach.”

Caleb looked from one warrior to the other and filled with pride. When Aidyn had told them the only way to close the fissure and stop the demons was to bring down their entire mountain…Jax and Darius didn’t hesitate in volunteering to stay behind. They both understood their chance of death was about ninety percent. Shitty odds, but somehow, they had managed. Diego had pleaded with Caleb to let him take his place. Had said Caleb needed to stay alive for his mate and new daughter. He’d fought his inner turmoil, tempted by the soft, luscious curves of his mate. Almost broke too. Had nearly ran from the mountain to be by her side, but he was a warrior at heart. A Draki never ran from duty and never left his men behind. He only hoped she understood and would forgive him. He sat down on the cold floor.

“Aidyn promised he would find us.”
Or what is left of us should we perish.
“It could take him awhile. I’m going to try and contact Lileta one more time.”

Jax snorted. “She’s going to kick your ass, and I’m going to enjoy watching.”

Caleb arched a brow. “Should we get out of here, I’ll give you ringside seats.” He looked back up at the rubble suspended in midair above them. Even though the guardian king was powerful…powerful enough he had woven the elements around them and created a shield. Caleb grew uneasy. If that thing gave way, they would be crushed under tons of rock. As if to give merit to his jittery nerves, the rocks shifted and groaned above them. He sucked in a breath. It was now or never. He motioned for the other two Draki to come sit by him. It was time to test his theory.

“You two ever preformed
Arcaniss
?” Caleb asked.

Darius and Jax looked at each other then back at him as if he had two heads. “No,” Jax answered.

“Well, we’re about to try.” Caleb stood and assessed the space they had. It would be tight, but he was sure they could do it. Thankfully, while Darius was the same size as Caleb in human form, his dragon was built for speed and therefore much smaller.

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” Jax hissed. “You want us to shift in this tiny space?”

“I know it will be tight, but Darius is smaller than we are. We’ll manage, if we do it one at a time,” Caleb replied.

Jax thrust his fists on his hips and shook his head. “We’ll be lucky to not bring the mountain down on our asses.”

“If you two go first, I can make do with whatever space is left,” Darius spoke up. “I’d rather try than sit here and wait. Gods know how long we could be here.”

“Besides, it’s the only way we can access our magic.” Caleb knew he could order Jax but wanted to give his friend the opportunity to make the move on his own.

“Fine. I’ll go first.” Jax began the shift. Bronze scales popped along his skin and bones shifted. Caleb looked up, the shield was holding. His turn.

He focused on his inner beast who had been itching to get out and back to his mate and let the magic transform him. Within seconds, it was complete, and the shield had withstood another blast of magic. Now for Darius.

In the blink of an eye, the small green dragon appeared and wedged his way in between them. They were now all three nose to nose. Perfect.

I hope you know the incantation.
Jax slipped into Caleb’s mind.

Of course, I do.
Caleb searched for the ancient words. A spell from long ago that would bring the magic of any dragon he touched to the chanter. Since he was currently touching Jax and Darius, he hoped to steal from both of them. Draki had no magic, and their dragons had only small amounts, but his hope was that, by taking from the other two, he would gain enough to boost his power and reach his mate.

He ran the chant through his head. His body began to tingle with electrical pulses; the other two men’s images faded. They fought to hold their dragon form, but Darius shifted first. Caleb had taken all he could from him. Next Jax shifted, no longer able to hold his dragon. Caleb had all the magic he was going to get.
Qadira, don’t let me fail.
He opened his mind, lifted the barrier and thought of his mate. Pictured her silky raven hair cascading down her back. Her curvy hips he ached to latch onto.

Lileta.

* * * *

Lileta gasped and push off Diego’s chest.

“What’s wrong?”

“He’s alive,” she replied,

Her brother-in-law’s brows kitted together. “You sure?”

“Yes, he just called to me.” She threw her hands over her mouth and giggled.

“Caleb has made contact with you?” Aidyn appeared beside her. “I’ve been searching but have had no luck yet. The barrier I placed over them has blocked out everything.”