Aidyn reached out and helped Lucan to his feet. “I never knew anything was wrong until your soul left and I felt it disconnect.” He slapped Lucan on the back. “Do that to me again and I will kill you myself.”
Cassie cleared her throat. “By the way, Qadira has returned home safely.”
“This is good news. Do you know what happened?” Seth asked.
“We need to leave here. We can discuss what happened to Lucan and the goddess’s reappearance back at the compound. Everyone move out.” Aidyn commanded.
Chapter Twenty
“Leria.” Caleb came up beside the girl who stared out to sea as if she was lost in her own thoughts. She turned her head and almond-shaped blue eyes stared back at him. The girl was the spitting image of her mother, and her beauty would one day break the hearts of many men. “We need to leave. Do you know how to shift?” Dragons were taught to change at a very young age, but if the changing wasn’t practiced, it would become difficult for them, as they grew older.
“You are the one my father said would take care of me should something happen to him. Is he dead too?”
Caleb saw the pain her eyes. “I don’t really know. I have not seen him in some time, but our people are looking for him.”
She looked back to the ocean as if contemplating her next words. “It has been a long time since I shifted, but I’ll try.”
He nodded. “Take your time.” He took a few steps backward to give her room.
She closed her eyes and flexed her fingers. Her chest rose and fell in rapid succession. She was on the verge, almost there, yet stuck on the edge. He smiled, flared out his power and enveloped her, giving the boost she needed.
A small golden dragon stood before him, stretched its wings and gave them a light flip. She lifted off the ground slightly, testing her new form. She would do well once she became accustomed to her new body. Caleb stretched his neck and transformed, letting his dragon take over. He nuzzled the smaller Draki, giving reassurance, urging her to take flight. Once she was safely off the ground, he lifted his large body into the air then connected to her mentally.
Follow me. I will open a portal.
Where are we going?
the female voice asked.
Somewhere where you will be safe.
* * * *
Caleb landed on a rocky outcrop, the smaller dragon next to him. He shifted, and she followed suit. He looked at her smiling face. “How was your first flight?”
“So much fun. When can we do it again?”
He laughed. The girl could almost make him forget the hole in his heart. “Soon, but first I have a very important task to take care of.”
She touched his arm. “You’re going after Lileta, aren’t you?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“I met her. She tried to rescue the goddess and me, but Lowan took her.” She wrinkled her nose. “He’s a very bad man. He kept me away from my father.”
Caleb touched the top of her head. “I’m sorry we couldn’t help you sooner. We had no idea…did he hurt you?”
Leria met his gaze. “No. He used me to get to my father, but I was well taken care of.”
“Come on, let me introduce you to some very nice people.” He took her hand and flashed them inside the compound. The guardians had reactivated an old bunker deep under an inactive volcano when Vandeldor had been burned. The accommodations were not as luxurious as their individual homes had been, but it was shelter and they had their communications system running so they could stay in touch with others around the world. He really wasn’t sure why, since they had the ability to communicate telepathically, but guessed technology proved more effective when dealing with several temperamental warriors.
They walked along a concrete corridor, heading for Aidyn’s personal quarters. He needed to speak with the guardian leader, find a caretaker for Leria so he could be on his way to retrieve his mate. Urgency ran through his blood, making him edgy. Gods knew what Lowan was doing to Lileta right now.
Aidyn greeted him at the door. “Come in. What news do you…” His gaze traveled to the young girl next to him. He looked back up and raised a brow at Caleb.
“This is my ward, Leria. I’ll explain later.”
Aidyn gave a knowing nod. “Do you like chocolate chip cookies?”
Before she could answer, Gwen swept through the door. “I heard we had company.” She held out her hand to the girl. “Hi, my name is Gwen. Would you like to come help Cassie and I bake cookies?”
Leria chewed her bottom lip and looked at Caleb. “Can I?”
Caleb couldn’t help but smile. “Only if you promise to save one for me.”
“Okay.” She grabbed Gwen’s hand, and the two exited the room, their laughter resonating down the corridor.
“I hope you don’t mind my summoning Gwen to assist,” Aidyn said, motioning to a seat in the small living area.
“Not at all, it was a wise move.” He folded himself onto the leather chair. “The girl is Odage’s daughter, kept prisoner by Lowan.”
“What the hell? Something tells me I’d better summon the others for this conversation.” In seconds, Marcus, Seth, Garin, and Lucan flashed into the now cramped room followed by Diego.
Caleb went on to retell the story Qadira had told him of how Lowan had killed Odage’s mate then kidnapped his daughter. He then replayed the scene of Lileta being mysteriously pulled away from him and her body vanishing. He left out the details of becoming mated then unmated all in twenty-four hours. It was still too painful to speak of it.
“Damn it, the poor child. Having a daughter of my own, I can understand he would do anything to protect her,” Marcus said.
Aidyn’s face gave nothing away, no hint of emotion. “Regardless, he is now even more dangerous, being under Lowan’s spell. He must be dealt with.” His fingers drummed the arm of the leather chair he occupied. “We also have another issue. Somehow, a simple knife wound to Lucan caused him to not only lose his ability to heal, but he lost all connection to us. Seeing as how Lowan is a demigod, who knows what magic he has performed.” His gaze pierced Marcus. “You will inform everyone that they are to remain in pairs at all times. I realize this will limit our ability to track the demons, but I will not have another man go down alone.”
Marcus nodded. “Yes, of course.”
“Also if anyone does meet with the pointed end of a demon’s blade, I want them brought back here immediately for testing. Cassie will stay here with me so she can be ready at a moment’s notice. I want to know what we’re up against.” Aidyn rose from his chair. “I want you all to return back to your posts, and if Odage is found, he is to be brought to me. Alive.”
The warriors left except for Marcus and Diego. “Caleb, you go and get your mate back. Leria can stay here with Cassie and me.”
“Thanks, Marcus, I was hoping you’d offer and save me the trouble of begging a favor. I already own you all so much,” Caleb replied.
Aidyn stepped up beside him. “You have always been a good man, Caleb, and despite our past differences, I don’t doubt you will be a fine leader to your people. This war with the demons is not your fight. While I welcome your help, I fully understand if you want to take your people out of harm’s way. I think this is going to get ugly.”
Caleb balled his fists. “That fucking piece of shit Lowan has my mate, and that alone makes it my war. The Draki will stand behind you.” His eyes narrowed. “Any who do not, will answer to me.” He spun on his heel and strode toward the door. One way or another, he would get Lileta back.
* * * *
Lileta had spent the better part of the day suffering through her father’s mind torture. He meant to break her, pull the darkness residing inside her to the forefront through sheer pain.
While she sat on her bed, dabbing at the blood running from her nose, she decided there was only one option open to her. There was no question, if she tried to hold out much longer, he would win. The shards of electrical current he sent through her mind only served to feed the darkness. The evil that was her father was embedded in her DNA, and no amount of fighting would change that. Besides, she had nothing left, might as well give her soul to the devil.
The door to her room, now her prison, flew open, and Lowan’s shadow towered over her. “What will it be, daughter? You know the evil in you cries out to be freed.” He cupped his palm to his ear and cocked his head. “Yes, I hear it now, begging for release.” He threw his head back in a fit of laughter.
She wanted to grab any sharp object and shove it in his jugular. It wouldn’t kill him but would feel damn good. Instead, she calmed her features. “You win. I’m tired of fighting.”
His brows narrowed, and he glared. “You have made a wise choice, but it has come rather quickly. I question your motive.”
She jumped from the bed and was in front of him. “You won, and now you question me? I thought this was what your fucked-up mind wanted. Father and daughter bonded by evil. I have nothing left to care about—”
Before she could finish, his palm slapped against her forehead. Dark shadows filled her vision, and her stomach lurched. Acid burned through her veins, causing her body to convulse. She slipped to the ground, conscious of only the screaming that filled her mind. So loud she was sure her brain would soon ooze from any open orifice.
Lileta had no idea how long she lay on the floor, quivering like a lump of holiday Jell-O. Her head pounded, and her breaths came in short gasps. Every muscle and joint felt like a jackhammer had been taken to it. Even her eyes hurt, and all she wanted to do was lie there and whimper like a baby. It was not to be. Father dearest beckoned, calling the evil inside her, and it wanted to get up and party.
Slowly, she maneuvered to her hands and knees and crawled like a toddler to the open doorway. Once there, she managed to wrap her fingers around the jamb and pull herself to her feet. She stood, holding on while the room swayed to some unknown beat and talked herself out of vomiting. After several minutes, she was finally able to open her eyes and actually focus without the room spinning. With one foot in front of the other and her palms flat against the wall, she made her way down a dimly lit corridor. The evil beat on her chest like a drum, urging her to hurry.
“What’s your damn rush anyway?” She spoke to the darkness inside her. “I’m going to have to nickname you nuisance because that’s what you are. A fucking nuisance.” She wanted to reach inside herself and yank the screaming evil from her soul. It would never happen, though. It was a part of her now, awakened by her father. As much as she missed Caleb, she was glad their bond was broken. She didn’t think she could stand the disappointment in his expression.
When she finally reached the end of the corridor, the darkness made her take a hard right and head toward the training area. A large room with concrete floors and walls lined with weapons of torture. Lowan stood on the far side, talking to another demon. When she approached, he turned from his companion.
“Well, you took long enough.” He waved his hand in the air. “No matter, soon your dark side will have complete control.” He bent closer until his gaze was level with hers. The corners of his mouth turned up. “Let’s see how much control you still have left, little girl.” He scanned the room until his gaze fell on a blade sitting on a table near the wall. “Go fetch that blade and bring it here.”
Her feet carried her against her will until her fingers wrapped around the cold steel of the handle. She lifted it, noting how well balanced the weapon was, and took it back to where her father stood. She held it out to him.
“Oh no, I don’t want it. I want you to kill this demon here.” He pointed at the man next to him whose eyes were now wide.
“My Lord, I beg of you. I’ve been an obedient servant.” The demon’s red gaze skimmed from Lowan to Lileta and begged for mercy.
Her mouth went dry, and she tried to fight the urges inside her, but the darkness had other plans.
Her arms lifted. “I’m sorry,” tumbled from her lips right before she swung, sending his head sailing across the room. She stared at the limp body now sprawled out on the floor, blood pooling around it. Lileta willed her arms to raise again and strike her father; instead, she dropped the blade to the floor with a clatter.
Clapping came from behind her. “Bravo, dear daughter, your will has been broken. I now control you, and you will be an evil to be reckoned with in the human world.” He stepped beside her. “I rename you Furia. It means Hell-bound.”
Her lip quivered. How had she gone from one hell to another, still a slave to another’s whim?
“I have the perfect job for you. Turn and look at me,” he commanded.
Her feet shuffled until she was facing him. “You disgust me,” she spat.
He gave a mocking laugh. “It was never my aim to win your love. No, hate breeds evil. You think you hate me now? I guarantee when you kidnap your first human female and deliver her to me, you will detest me. And when you help me train her in the ways of sexual pleasure, why then, dear daughter, you will loath me.”
Her lungs burned from the rage that boiled in the pit of her stomach and crept up her chest. Her father needed to die.
Chapter Twenty-One
Odage wasn’t taking any chances with the Wendigo. He shifted into his dragon since the beast had superior senses as well as the ability to fry the demon he followed if it became necessary. Once the shift was complete, he was slammed with emotions, causing him to stumble.
“You ill, dragon?” the Wendigo inquired.
Father?
Leria? Where are you? Are you safe?
Yes, father. Caleb brought me to the guardians.
He pierced the demon with a glare.
What trickery do you play, demon?
“I told you. We want Lowan dead.”
I meant my daughter. She is no longer with the Dark Lord.
The fact he was able to communicate with her had him overjoyed and weary. He was going to fry the demon and relish watching him turn to ash.