The Darkest Kiss (26 page)

Maddox chuckled, remembering. They'd enjoyed sparring, he and Aeron, and had spent many hours honing their skills together. When Maddox lost control of his demon, it had been Aeron who helped bring him down. Now Aeron was merely a shell of his former self. Wild, savage, hate-filled.

If Aeron were set free, he would kill four innocent women, just as the gods had commanded. And if he killed those women, he would never recover from this bloodlust. From the beginning, Aeron had known that taking innocent lives would push him over the brink.

Maddox knew how that felt.

He had killed Pandora seconds after the demon of Violence entered his body. And he had spent untold centuries paying for it, killed every night the very way he had killed her—stabbed in the stomach six hellish times. Only, unlike poor Pandora,
he
always awakened the next morning knowing he had to die again.

But Ashlyn had saved him in more ways than one, giving him a reason to finally live. Now his precious woman carried his child.

As always, the thought caused his heart to swell and faint sickness to churn inside his stomach. What kind of father would he be? Already he loved the baby, knew he would protect it even if he were killed and had to fight his way from hell to do so.

He wanted the same sense of family for Aeron. Love, absolution. Freedom. Yet, the man truly was consumed by bloodlust. He couldn't be trusted around the warriors, his friends and brothers, much less a human female. So how he would find a woman to tame him, Maddox didn't know.

His head canted to the side as he descended the steps to the dungeon. There was no rattle of claws against the bars. For the first time in weeks, no curses echoed off the walls. It was eerily quiet. He set the tray on the floor and rushed forward.

When he reached Aeron's cell, Maddox experienced a wave of undiluted fear. The gaping bars had been pried apart.

Aeron was gone.

 

A
CTING AS GUARD
, R
EYES PACED
the moss-laden perimeter of the too-quiet, sinister-looking Roman temple as his friends searched for clues about the Unspoken Ones. Since Lucien and the others knew where to begin looking for the artifacts, Sabin's crew was now hunting for information about the Titans. Their weaknesses. Their enemies.

Though the temple had been buried beneath the sea, blood still stained the remaining walls—walls composed of human bones. So far, the warriors had found nothing. Not even cutting themselves and dripping fresh blood onto the altar had worked. Reyes wondered for the hundredth time just what had occurred in this temple during its golden age. Sometimes he would swear he heard screams whistling on the breeze.

Lucien had appeared a short while ago, looking more relaxed and sated than Reyes had ever seen him. He'd even looked happy. What had brought on the change? Reyes was jealous, whatever it was. Jealous and glad for him. Yet even Lucien's sickeningly happy blood hadn't produced results. There had been no vision, no clue. And Reyes was tired of all this futility, of the helplessness and failure.

This morning, news of the temples had blasted from television stations all over the world. He wasn't sure why they were no longer hidden. He only knew humans would be arriving soon—Hunters, tourists, treasure-seekers and researchers alike. Time was more precious than ever.

“Damn this,” Reyes growled. He needed pain, he decided, or he'd shatter and kill someone. A mortal, a warrior. Didn't matter. “I'll be nearby,” he told Sabin as he stalked past him. “Shout if you need me.”

Sabin didn't try to stop him. By now, he knew better.

Reyes had a dagger unsheathed by the time he reached the temple's surrounding forest. He leaned against the nearest tree, one with red leaves that made the branches look like they were bleeding, and began carving X's in his arm. With the sharp slices and release of blood, real blood, some of his anger drained.

If Danika could see you now…

He snorted. She already hated him. To see him like this would hardly deepen an emotion that was already boundless.

In his pocket, his cell phone buzzed and he uttered a frustrated sigh. Sabin had supplied him with it a few weeks ago. Reyes wasn't sure he liked it—sometimes a man needed to be free of everything, even contact with others—but he'd kept it. Just in case something happened.

With a growl, he dug it out and flipped it open. “What?”

“Aeron has escaped,” Maddox said without preamble.

Everything inside of Reyes screamed in denial. In protest. In rage and more of that damned helplessness. He'd known this day would come. He just hadn't expected it to come this soon.
Should have swallowed your love for him and chained him.
“How long?”

“Last time I saw him was twelve hours ago.”

As Wrath, Aeron would be able to find Danika no matter where she was hiding. He would sniff her out and use his wings to reach her quickly. “I'll find him,” Reyes said.

Before he could disconnect, Maddox added, “Torin had me place some kind of tracking dye in Aeron's meals, just in case. He'll e-mail the coordinates you need to your phone. I called you first, wanted you to know because…you know. Just bring our friend back. Alive.”

Reyes didn't answer. He couldn't. If he failed in this, Danika would die.

If she wasn't already dead.

“N
ICE HICKEY
,” W
ILLIAM SAID
at breakfast the next morning when he spied Anya's neck.

I do not blush, I do not blush.
And yet, her cheeks heated. Damn Lucien and his wondrous mouth. And speaking of Lucien's wondrous mouth, he'd used it to pry information about the All-Key out of her this morning.

She knew he was looking for a way to take it from her without destroying either of them so he could get the god king off her back. He'd begun sucking on her nipples right after he'd questioned her and she hadn't wanted him to stop. She'd ended up telling him the key was bonded to her, body and soul, as much a part of her as his demon was a part of him. That's why the giver weakened; they were giving away a part of themselves. She had seen disappointment light Lucien's eyes and it had stirred something tender inside her. He of all people would understand the danger of losing a vital part of yourself.

She sighed. Right now, she, Lucien and William were sitting at a small round table; eggs, bacon and pancakes were spread over its surface. The air was syrupy-sweet and salty crisp, the food itself perfectly prepared.

After dressing in a decadent white cashmere body suit, she'd flashed to her favorite diner in Atlanta, ordered the feast and flashed back. And yes, she'd pretended to cook it herself. Warriors that they were, the men had yet to praise her efforts, which was completely unacceptable. They thought she'd slaved over every dish and yet they hadn't even said thank-you. Bastards.

She sat between them. Lucien kept a stern eye on William, growling whenever the sexpot reached in her direction. His possessiveness was just too cute. No wonder she had spent the entire night in his arms, unable to force herself to leave him. He made her feel desired. Well, that, and also safe. She'd never spent an entire night with a man before and hadn't known there'd be an endearing—and addicting—sense of security on top of the intense physical pleasure.

“I have told you to keep your hands—” Lucien's words trailed off, and she felt his body go rigid.

Anya turned to him. Both of his eyes had gone blue. She grabbed on to his arm. Time for the two of them to collect souls, it seemed.

“I must go,” he said.

“You're taking me. Remember?”

He shook his head. “You will stay here.”

“Don't make me go invisible on you and follow without permission.”

“Like before.” A resigned statement. “I have not been able to figure out how you did that.”

She shrugged. “I'm Anarchy, remember? I don't obey the laws of nature—or anything else.”

“What are you guys talking about?” William asked.

She ignored him. One, because she knew William would hate it and quite possibly throw an amusing fit, and two, because she knew Lucien would disappear the moment she turned her attention from him. “Leave me behind, and I'll sit in Willie's lap the entire time you're gone.”

William grinned, curiosity forgotten. “Leave her behind, my man. I'll take extra special care of her.”

Lucien bared his teeth in a fierce scowl, but he twined his fingers with Anya's. “Fine. Let's go.”

He dematerialized, taking Anya with him. They entered the spirit world, everything becoming a collage of bright colors and lights. Lucien floated quickly to a badly burned, still-smoking shop in…Shanghai, she realized, glancing at the surrounding buildings of red and white, with pointed tops and sloped roofs. She could almost smell the foods being sold at the street market.

There were several bodies lying on a charred floor. Never loosening his hold on her, Lucien went to the first, the closest, and dipped his hand into the man's chest. A gasping spirit emerged, flailing against Death's hold.

The three of them were poised at the gates of hell in the next instant. The heat nearly melted the skin from her bones. She shuddered. The shouts, the tormented cries. Was this where she would go if Cronus had his way and she died? Just the thought of it sickened her.

“He purposely set the fire,” Lucien said through clenched teeth.

This isn't about you right now. This is about Lucien.
She released his hand and moved behind him, winding her arms around his waist and offering comfort, reminding him that he wasn't alone. His muscles were tense, but slowly they relaxed.

Two large boulders drew apart, opening a wide chasm. Multiple pairs of scaly arms reached up, and Lucien tossed the flailing spirit at them. Evil laughter erupted, followed closely by beleaguered screams.

Many times during any given day, Lucien witnessed this terrible scene. Anya kissed his ear, drawing his attention from the flames. “Lots of people die. Every minute. Every hour. Why don't you have to escort all of them?”

“Some remain to wander Earth, some are reborn and get the chance to start anew. Some, I think, are escorted by angels.”

Ah. She should have known. She'd run into a few angels herself over the years. Beautiful creatures, if a bit haughty. “The souls escorted by you are the luckiest. Ready for the others?”

Lucien nodded, and he appeared less strained.

The other two humans must have been good little boys because they got to go to heaven. As always, the pearly gates made Anya gape. They sparkled with jewels and mesmerized with their hum of power. Beyond them, a cherubic choir rejoiced, their voices soothing, somehow delighting each of the senses. Wow.

I want to come here if ever I die.

When have you ever been good?

I'm good. Sometimes.

“Thank you, Anya. For coming with me. For comforting me.”

“My pleasure.” She and Lucien popped back into William's kitchen. The sexpot was still sitting at the table, but Anya's gaze snagged on her lover. Lucien was watching her, heat in his eyes. Heat and awe and appreciation.

“And where did you guys go?” William asked.

“Nowhere.” She concentrated on William, Lucien's stare making her squirm in her seat. “So where are your women this morning?”

“Sleeping. Vamps need their beauty rest.”

Lucien's eyes widened. He must not have encountered one before.

“Vamps as in vampires or vamps as in conquests?” She looked William up and down, but he wasn't marked. Granted, his legs were covered by black silk pants. “I'm guessing conquests. You don't look like you've been nibbled on—at least, not by anyone with fangs.”

“Oh, I've been bitten, just not anywhere you can see. Unlike you,” he added with a smiling glance at her neck.

Lucien had been in the process of drinking his juice, which he promptly choked on. Grinning, Anya pounded on his back. “I think you shocked him.”

“Not possible,” William said, studying Lucien. “We could hear the two of you going at it like rabbits. Stunned the hell out of me, but I have to say, making this little minor goddess beg for it was a nice touch.”

“Thank you,” Lucien said when his coughs subsided. But there was warning in his tone.

“I'm
not
minor, you dirty man-whore!”

Winking, William propped his elbows on the tabletop. “So what's going on? You know I love for you to visit, Anya, but why are you here and why are you being chased by the demon of Death?”

She opened her mouth to answer, but Lucien placed a restraining hand on her arm. When she glanced at him, he shook his head.

“I'm not going to tell any secrets, Flowers.”

“Oh, secrets. Tell.” William clapped.

She wanted to, she wouldn't deny that. She never kept anyone's secret. Where was the fun in that? Still, she remained quiet. For Lucien, anything. By this point, she wasn't surprised that even her naughty side wanted to impress him.

“We simply need to borrow some items from you,” Lucien said.

“Like?”

“Actually,” Anya said, “we'd like you to be our tour guide through the Arctic circle.”

“Anya,” Lucien warned.

“Well,
I
would. He lives so close he spends a lot of time there. He knows the lay of the land. And that's not really giving away our secret, now is it?”

“Why do you want to enter the Arctic?” William shuddered. “It's colder than a witch's—unmentionables. And I should know!”

“I'm on vacation and feel like touring a few glaciers,” she replied flippantly.

“You hate ice. You spend most of your time in Hawaii.”

“We'll be fine without a guide,” Lucien interjected. “Clothing, blankets and snowshoes should do.”

“I'm not taking you into the Arctic,” William said with a shake of his head. “I just got back from a trip there and I need some serious R and R.”

Lucien shrugged as if he didn't care one way or the other. “Then we are agreed. Anya and I will go alone.”

“The hell we will.” Anya slapped her hand against the tabletop, rattling the dishes. “Willie will guide us wherever we want to go and he'll do it with a smile on his face. It will save time and he'll be a good soldier to have with us if a fight breaks out with you-know-who. Hydra,” she added dramatically.

“You want to fight
Hydra?
” William paled. “I'm not going near that bitch. I lost sight of her a few years ago and that's the way I prefer it.”

“Never thought I'd meet a woman you wouldn't screw.” Anya forked a square of pancake. She lifted it to her mouth, saying, “For that matter, I never though
you'd
meet a woman you wouldn't screw. And speaking of that, where exactly
did
you come across Hydra? And how'd you escape alive?”

“I saw her twice, both times in a different location out there in the ice. And I escaped alive only because she couldn't bear to mar my gorgeous mug, but it was a close call,” William muttered.

“This is good,” Lucien said with a nod of his head.

She knew he was referring to the Hydra sightings, though he probably wished William hadn't been quite so successful in escaping, and couldn't contain her own excitement. But she wasn't done with the questions, either. “Why do you go out there, anyway?” she asked. “You've never said.”

“It's close enough to my home that immortals try to hide there for a sneak attack. At first I wasn't sure if they'd come for Hydra or me—we both have our share of enemies—and after a while I just stopped caring. Anyone sneaks out there, I go after them.”

“Who are your enemies?” Anya wondered aloud.

“I, uh, have a little problem with desiring mated ladies,” William said, “and their spouses would like nothing more than my demise.”

“You will stay away from Anya,” Lucien growled.

What a sweet, sweet man, she thought, grinning and patting his hand. Lucien reached under the table and gripped her knee in an iron-hold, a command for her to hush. She didn't. “Last time I'll ask you nicely to take us,” she told William.

Rolling his eyes, he pushed his empty plate away, leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. He'd braided the hunks of hair at his temples. Now they were hooked behind his ears, colorful beads clicking together every time he moved. “Sorry, but my answer is no.”

“Well, then.” Anya, too, leaned back in her chair. She'd always admired this room. Vaulted ceilings, a granite island counter, modern appliances, baskets of fruit hanging from wall hooks. Would William destroy it in a fit of rage when she finished with him? “Maybe now's a good time to tell you that I have your book.”

William froze, the patent stillness of a predator coming over him. “You don't. You can't. I saw it this morning before I came down to eat.” There was violence in his gaze.

Lucien picked her up and placed her in his lap. She snuggled her head into the crook of his neck. Protection wasn't something she needed, but she appreciated the gesture. “Think again,” she said.

“Anya,” William snapped. “You don't have it.
I
have it.
I saw it this morning.
”

“Watch your tone,” Lucien snapped back.

“You saw a fake,” she explained.

“You're lying.” The warrior leaned toward her, pupils swallowing his irises.

Immediately Lucien was on his feet, shoving her behind him.
Be still my little heart.

“I told you to watch your tone.”

William thrust from the table, his chair skidding backward and slamming into the island.
Smack.
“If it's gone…” On a cloud of red fury, he stalked from the kitchen.

“Damn. He actually walked away without destroying the room. Come on. We don't want to miss this.” Anya twined her fingers with Lucien's, gasping at the electric jolt she felt on contact.