She pushed forward, determined to find the source when she heard a muffled cry.
“Hello?” She wondered if her actual voice would carry or was it only in her head. The sobbing stopped.
“Hello?” a quiet voice called back.
Lileta followed the sound through the dark until a faint light came into view. Her heart beat at what she might find, and when she rounded a corner, she stopped dead in her tracks.
“Oh my gods.” In the center of a cramped room sat a bed with a young girl in the center. The teen clutched a purple blanket to her chest, and her eyes were rimmed red from crying.
“What’s your name?” So many thoughts raced through her mind. Was this another daughter of Lowan’s? She did have long black hair and fair skin.
“Leria. Are you here to rescue me?” She wiped a fist over her swollen eye.
Lileta moved closer, ever alert of any danger. “You can see me?” She stood at the foot of the bed.
“Of course, am I not supposed to see you?”
Lileta raised a brow. The girl had attitude that was for sure and reminded her of herself before she had been kidnapped. However, she was surprised the girl could see her. For some reason, she’d thought this was all in her mind, but it appeared she had actually left her body behind and her spirit moved on its own.
Realization hit. “Wait, you asked if I was here to rescue you. Who is holding you captive?”
The girl curled her lip. “The dark one.”
Lileta could only guess who that was. She sat on the bed next to the girl and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders. She would kill her father. “Where are your parents?”
Leria sniffed. “My father said my mother was dead, and I don’t know where he is. The dark one will not let him visit very much.”
She stroked the girl’s silky hair, her heart breaking with every word the child spoke. A commotion came from outside, someone was coming. She glanced around the room for some place to hide. It struck her as odd that she should have to do so, but if the child could see her then she better not chance anyone else seeing her.
Leria pushed her. “Get under the bed. They are bringing the pretty lady back.”
Lileta hurried and hit the floor, clawing her way across the slick marble until she was secure under the bed. From where she lay, she watched the door open.
“You will rue the day you touched me in such a manner.”
Oh yes, only one woman could have so much spunk. How lucky could she get to have also found the goddess? Now to figure out how to get them out of there. She waited, wanting to be sure no one else was coming when a pair of emerald eyes peered at her.
“Are you coming out, or do you intend to hide under there for eternity?”
Lileta gave a shove until she slipped out from under her hiding place, stood, and brushed herself off. “My Lady,” she tipped her head, “there is one very angry god looking for you.”
The goddess smiled. “I hope he rips Lowan a new one. I see you have gained your father’s powers. That is most excellent.”
Lileta’s vision glazed over, she really didn’t have time to ask questions.
Chapter Eighteen
Lileta blinked, her mouth suddenly parched. “You know about my father?” She should have known the gods would be behind this.
“Of course, it’s all part of the plan.” Qadira moved to a dresser across the room, grabbed a comb and began fussing with the girl’s hair. “I am the one who decided you and Caleb should be together.”
Her jaw tightened, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to kiss the woman or punch her in the face. Fortunately, self-preservation kicked in and she only smiled. “I should thank you then?”
The goddess laughed. “He is a pain, I know. However, he is destined to lead his people and needs a strong mate. He will also require a woman with a kind heart to help raise his ward.”
Her brows furrowed. “His ward?”
“Yes, the girl will become very important to us all when she grows up.” She glanced down at Leria then back at Lileta.
The girl rolled her eyes. “I know you’re talking about me.”
The goddess shrugged.
Holy shit!
She referred to the girl. There were a million questions flashing through her mind, but she didn’t want to ask them in front of the child. “Uh, I don’t know what to say.”
“You must go before Lowan feels your presence if he hasn’t already. When the time comes, should you have to choose between my life and the child’s, you will make sure the girl survives.”
Lileta shook her head. “Oh no, you both will survive. I’m not about to bring Zarek’s wrath down on myself.”
Qadira finished braiding the child’s hair. “My husband realizes the importance of the girl.”
An eerie screech echoed off the walls. “Seize her!”
“Run, Lileta, your father has discovered you,” Qadira begged.
She tried to move toward the door, but something held her firm. “I can’t move.” She was stuck in limbo.
“Call for your mate, call for Caleb. Hurry.”
She closed her eyes and tried to push down the panic, as evil grew thick around her.
* * * *
Terror reached out its jagged claws and sliced through him. Caleb had never in his life experienced desperation like what coursed through him. Not even when Drayos held him prisoner and killed his brother, had he been this frantic. His love, his entire life was in serious danger.
Lileta, Angel, focus on my lifeline.
Caleb, I can’t find you all I see is darkness. I’m so sorry. I’ve failed.
He sucked in a breath, reached deep within and concentrated on the light. It started in his core as a small flicker. He called for his dragon who held the fire. His skin stretched as he and the beast merged. He was neither man nor dragon, but a combination of the two. Together, they stoked the fire and brought forth the light.
I’m here, love. Can you see me now?
I see the line, but I can’t move.
Another presence filled his head.
So the bitch thought to keep you from me, Lileta? No matter, I have you now. Let go, daughter, or I kill the dragon.
Lowan
had hold of her.
No! Hold on, baby. Don’t listen to him.
Caleb knew if she let go then her soul would be lost, her body now in a trance would only survive maybe a few days at most. Thousands of burning shards blazed a heated trail through his brain. Warm liquid gushed from his nose and ears. He clenched his jaw.
Caleb, I can’t let you die.
A vast emptiness filled his mind, quiet and dark.
She’d let go.
“You fucking let go!” His eyes snapped open, and he tried to focus, he reached up to wipe away the blood from his nose and realized something was off. He looked at his open palms and squinted. Wait, he’d been holding her hands. His mind finally started to clear when he noticed she was gone. He jumped up, spun around, and flared out his senses.
Nothing.
The woman he loved, who’d been sitting across from him in a trance had vanished. He quickly made a mental check and had no knowledge of a soul being able to pull its body back to it. Then where the hell was she?
He stretched his neck, bones popped as he continued the shift into his dragon. He was going to kill Lowan.
* * * *
Odage plodded through the steam, escaping from the underground vents. He had shifted to his dragon hours ago and still hadn’t found a demon who was willing to spill where Lowan was hiding. It might have been they didn’t really know, but in his frustration, he’d slaughtered them anyway.
“You seek the High Lord?”
Odage turned his head toward the raspy voice.
Wendigo.
He contemplated shifting back to human form. If this was a trick, he wouldn’t stand a chance against the creature. However, he was willing to hedge his bets, something said this one was going to talk.
He folded in his massive wings and wrapped his tail around his body, letting the shift overtake him. “Do you know Lowan’s location?”
The creature wiped saliva from its jaw. “I do.”
He eyed the Wendigo’s mouth full of razor sharp teeth, reminding him to find his patience. “What is it going to cost me?”
“His death.”
His brows shot to his hairline, this was not the reply he expected and wondered what the hell Lowan could have done to piss off a Wendigo. “I thought you served him, so why murder your leader?”
The Wendigo flexed his fingers, snapping the four inch claws together.
Odage shuddered.
“He keeps us under his control, we serve no one.”
The Draki wondered how the Dark Lord was able to enslave the beast but didn’t care to stand around having idle chit-chat. He needed to get to his daughter. “I would love nothing more than to kill the bastard. Any suggestions on how that’s done?”
“Take his head off.”
Well, no fucking shit, that much he knew, but there was no way to get that close to Lowan. Especially with a weapon that would take care of the deed. “Yes, of course. Can you tell me where the little girl is?”
The demon raised his chin. “I can do better. I can take you to her.”
Dare he hope? He’d promise the creature anything if it would get his daughter out of the Dark Lords clutches. He’d deal with the consequences later. “Take me to her, and I will kill Lowan once she is to safety.”
With a grunt, the beast turned and began to walk away. “She is not far.”
A sigh escaped past his lips. Was it possible he might actually pull this off? It was still highly probable he would die in the process. “Wait!”
The Wendigo turned its dark head and pinned him with a fiery gaze. “You change your mind?”
“No. How do I know this isn’t a trick?” It would certainly seem more likely, considering whom he was dealing with.
“You don’t.” The demon turned and walked into a pocket of steam.
* * * *
Lileta blinked, trying to tamp down the woozy feeling that encompassed her. She sat on the bed and grabbed the edge of the mattress for support. “Wait…what the hell?” She realized her body was complete again.
“He is more powerful than we thought to be able to pull a body and soul back together.” Qadira paced the small room.
“You mean it wasn’t you?”
The goddess stopped, brow arched. “If I had any power right now, I wouldn’t be here.”
Lileta rubbed her tingling arms, wondering just how much power a demigod could wield. “Right.” Panic overtook her upon realizing she had no clue what happened to Caleb. She’d let go of him when Lowan began threatening his life. Had he survived? There were no remnants of him in her mind. She needed to tamp down the fear and figure out how to get them out of this mess. Maybe she could bargain with her father.
Right, and maybe Hell would freeze over.
Her gaze caught the child sitting on the other side of the bed. She had to try, if not for her or the goddess then for the innocent little girl. For some reason, this child was important.
Lileta stood on shaky legs and moved toward the door.
Locked.
“Lowan,” she yelled out. “Let’s play make-a-deal.”
“Daughter, what kind of deal do you think to offer me?”
“In person, Lowan. I want to talk to you in person.” Cold, black mist encircled her, pinning her arms to her waist. She refused to flinch. The room dimmed. She was sucked through a dark void. A loud buzz hummed in her ears, and a bright light filtered in. She squinted, trying to adjust when a dark figure appeared in front of her.
“So, it’s nice to finally meet you. Daughter.” She tilted her head back to look up. The High Lord stood several feet over her, his black hair falling to his collar, and his obsidian orbs stared down. Dressed all in black, his brilliant teeth shown bright when he flashed a smile.
“Well, I see you have your mother’s eyes, but the rest of you is all me.”
Her nose wrinkled. “There is nothing about me that is remotely similar to you.”
He tossed his head back and let out a hardy laugh. “Oh my dear, the darkness rests deep inside you. I can feel it.” He leaned closer. “There is more of me in you than you care to admit. I own you.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. It was evident the man who stood in front of her possessed a great deal of power. “What is it you really want?”
He grinned then strode across the red-carpeted floor to a mahogany desk where he poured red wine into a crystal glass. “Care for some?” he asked holding the goblet toward her.
“No.”
He shrugged then took a sip of the crimson liquid. “I tire of being in this place and wish to move topside.” He leaned on the edge of the desk. “As we speak, my minions are wreaking havoc on the human race. Soon, your mate will arrive in hopes of rescuing you, but I have other plans for him.”
Her body grew stiff. There was no way she’d let this bastard near her mate. Power coursed down her arms and to her fingertips, blue sparks exited and snapped midair. “Leave him alone.”
“Well, well. So my daughter intends to protect her dragon?”
She moved to stand in front of him. “I intend to protect the child and the goddess as well. Let them go, what need do you have of them anyway?”
He swirled the wine in his glass, coating the edges with dark liquid. “The goddess’s blood has served its purpose and so has the child. Her father is now my pawn, willing to do my bidding. Perhaps I shall make your mate my lackey as well.” He took a sip then flicked his tongue out and ran it across his upper lip. “I might be persuaded to bargain, but I warn you, dear daughter, you may not be willing to pay the price.”
She reached for calm; emotions would prove fatal when dealing with her father. Wit and power now her best allies. “What kind of bargain?” Could she negotiate Qadira and the child’s release?
“You will stay here with me. Together, we can become most powerful.” He reached for her hand and entwined his fingers in hers. “I’m sorry I was not given the chance to raise you myself.”
I bet you are.
His touch brought darkness and evil that pushed at her, trying to gain entry. He wanted in her head, and she refused, building a brick wall around her mind. She pulled from his grasp and took a step back. His power spun a web around the room and threatened to entangle her. She would have to dig deep to save herself if it was even possible.