“Ah, here it is.” She pulled out a dried-up eye and headed back to the table.
Diego cringed. “What the hell is that?”
“This belonged to my great grandmother.” She patted the chair next to her. “Caleb, come sit. I think I can help you.”
“Well, that’s nice, but
what
is it?” Diego asked again.
She flashed him a smile. “No, it really belonged to my great grandmother. It’s her seeing eye. She was a most powerful sorceress and capable of seeing beyond this plane.” She shrugged. “Some use crystal balls, I have an eye.”
Caleb grabbed the chair and sat as instructed. “How is this going to help me? Can it show me where Lileta is?”
“That is my hope. Hold the eye in your left hand.”
He held his palm open, and she placed the eye looking straight up at him. He tried not to flinch.
This is just fucking creepy.
“Now what?”
“Close your palm…gentle.”
He carefully wrapped his fingers around the object, noting it was as light as a feather. For some reason, he expected it to weigh more. She covered both hands around his, closed her eyes, and started an easy sway back and forth. She chanted something under her breath, but he couldn’t make it out. Suddenly, the room began to spin; he closed his eyes to keep from retching.
“Caleb.”
“Lileta?” His eyes snapped opened, and he expected to see his mate, but instead, darkness surrounded him. Faint voices carried in the distance, he struggled to hear what they said. “Lileta!”
“Caleb help them.”
“Who?” He was so confused. “Where are you?”
“Save Ariana.”
“What?” Marcus’s daughter, what did she have to do with this nightmare?
Things shifted, and he realized there was light coming from in front of him. He blinked until he became accustomed then looked closer. “Ariana.” He saw the baby as if he were holding her himself. Someone else came into view.
Odage.
“My Lady, why do we not flash back to the portal? It would prove much faster,” Odage said.
“Because my father is unsure of what will happen to the baby. As you know, the way we transport is different than the guardians, and he needs her alive…for now.”
That voice, he recognized it to be Lileta’s, but what did she mean? He scratched his head. This was so confusing. He could sense his mate’s essence, it blanketed him, but something was different. It was darker and surrounded by sulfur.
“As you wish, My Lady.” Odage motioned, and several demons surrounded him and Ariana. It was then Caleb realized he was looking through someone else’s eyes, but whose?
“Lileta?” He waited, only to be greeted with silence. He looked through the eyes again, the terrain familiar to him. Where the hell were they, and who had the baby? A demon stepped into view.
“My Lady, we have communication with your father. Seems all the other guardians are being kept busy with fighting the demons. I think there will be a very good chance that by the time they return home, both the king and the healer’s mate will be dead,” the demon said.
Caleb’s blood ran cold.
Oh Christ…Sidara! How the fuck do I get back.
Close your eyes, dragon.
The priestess’s voice echoed in his mind. He did as commanded.
“Open your eyes, Caleb, you’re back.”
He forced his lids to open; the room where he had started his journey came into view. Both Diego and Sidara gazed at him. “Shit, who the fuck’s eyes were I looking through?”
Sidara gave him a sympathetic look. “That was your mate, I’m afraid.”
“No.” His shoulders slumped.
Diego looked between the two. “What the hell happened?”
The priestess turned away and stood up from her chair. “I’m afraid your brother has a hard choice to make.” She removed the eye from Caleb’s grasp and placed it back in a velvet bag. “He can either save his mate and let humanity slip into the darkness, or he can let her go.” She pierced Caleb with intense blue eyes. “What do you think the healer will do when he finds his mate dead and his daughter gone? What about the others when they discover their king has perished?”
Caleb blinked, and his eyes widened. “Leria is with them.” He stood. “Son of a bitch!” He knew exactly what would happen. The curse would take hold on the guardians, and Lowan would win. Between the high lord’s disregard of human life and the vampire’s bloodlust, the humans wouldn’t stand a chance. He curled his fingers into his palm.
Do I care what happens to any of them? My people will still survive.
When he dug deep, he knew Lileta would care, and if he saved her, she would never forgive him. There was also the part of him that would no way in hell let Lowan have that child.
“Caleb?”
He turned to his brother. “Call in any we can trust. Our first priority is saving Ariana. I’ll fill you in on the way.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out the ruby, and tossed it on the table. “Thank you.” He spun and headed for the door, his heart shattering for the second time. Not only was he choosing to walk away from the woman he loved, he was leaving her trapped. It had finally dawned on him what happened. Lowan had forced her dark side out of its slumber.
* * * *
Lileta had felt Caleb’s essence and hoped he’d understood what was happening. She worried briefly he might try to save her but remembered they no longer had any bond. She wasn’t even sure how she’d managed to make a connection with him and, frankly, didn’t care. The only thing she could think about was Ariana and of course Cassie and Aidyn. She’d tried so hard to regain control of her body and shove the darkness back into submission but grew weaker the longer Furia was in control. Watching her own hand shove the poisoned blade into the guardian had been like watching a movie in slow motion. She prayed he and Cassie held on until help arrived. Right then, she threw all her concentration into the baby. One way or another, she had to slow down the groups escape and give help time to arrive.
Time for a different tactic.
“Lileta, you are quiet. Have you finally given up?”
Yes, I’m tired of fighting you.
“That is a very wise decision. I really didn’t want to destroy you completely.”
Really? I would think you’d be happy to be rid of me.
“Not really, you are part of my essence, and destroying you would be like killing a part of myself.”
Interesting, maybe she could use this to her advantage.
I’m not feeling well, Furia.
“What do you mean? What’s wrong?”
Lileta sensed a shift in the darkness. Was it concern for her welfare? She wondered if the real reason Furia hadn’t destroyed her completely was because if she did then she destroyed herself. It made perfect sense. After all, they were connected. She needed to put her theory to the test.
I don’t know. I’m tired and cold.
She envisioned herself submersed in ice water. Being an immortal, she wouldn’t die like a human, but her body would react in the same manner. It would slow to accommodate for the cold. Not to mention the fact demons hated being cold; they much preferred it hot.
“What are you doing?” Furia asked.
She still found it odd hearing her own voice talk to her as if she were another person. Her mind functioned the same, but she had no control over her body or her will. Furia had taken over. Lileta held a new understanding and respect for those who suffered with duel personalities. Somehow, like them, she had to fight her way back.
I’m not doing anything.
“My Lady, are you all right?” Odage asked.
“I’m feeling the need to rest. Perhaps we can take a break for a few minutes.”
“As you wish, but might I recommend we don’t dally too long?”
“No, only a few minutes.”
If Lileta could have jumped for joy, she would have. Now she only needed to hang on until help arrived. She hoped it would be soon, already Furia began to fight back.
* * * *
Caleb was the first to spot them. He, Diego, and two others flew high above the deserted beach using their power to remain undetected. He motioned for them to follow his lead. Landing close to the camp where he could see what they were up against. They had to work fast; it wouldn’t take long for Odage to sense they were there, and it looked like they were outnumbered. This mission would require pinpoint accuracy.
Diego, are you sure about this?
Yes. I will not fail you.
When Caleb had filled his brother in on what happened to his mate, Diego insisted he could rescue her.
If you pull this off, I will be forever in your debt. I will go after Odage while Darius grabs Ariana. You know we are going to have to hit fast and hard.
While they had firepower, Wendigos couldn’t die from being burned. It would only serve to distract them for a brief period. Their heads had to be removed, which required Caleb’s men to shift and fight hand to hand. He glanced around; there might only be four of them, but he had the best. Diego, a black dragon, was first rate at cloaking. Darius, a sleek green dragon, was built for speed and Jax, a bronze warrior, one of the best.
I am well aware.
Diego raised his massive black wings in preparation for liftoff.
Good, let’s go.
The four took to the sky, ready for battle. Caleb was thankful he’d had the foresight to pop back home and grab Lileta’s silver bands, handing them off to Diego. He trusted his brother to capture her; he only hoped he could bring her back from the darkness.
Caleb circled, picking Odage out of the crowd. He landed in front of him and shimmered into human form. He would be the distraction. “My liege.” He gave a half bow. The demons surrounded him, and Lileta jumped to her feet. Before she could reach down and grab Ariana from her resting place in the sand, Darius swooped in like a rocket; talons reached out and gently grabbed the baby, taking her into the night’s sky.
Caleb gave a sigh of relief and reminded himself the most important part of the mission had been completed. He tried not to look at his mate; he needed to focus on the task at hand. Diego would not fail him.
“Stop them!” Lileta screeched, running forward with her blade drawn.
Diego flashed behind Lileta and body-slammed her to the ground, slapping the silver cuffs on her wrists. Caleb gritted his teeth at his mate being manhandled, but there was no other way. Seconds later, Diego and Lileta disappeared. There was only himself and Jax left to fight Odage and the demons. Not an evenly matched fight. However, Caleb was about to pull his spade.
“Looks like you have betrayed me, Caleb,” Odage snarled.
“I think you have that backward. You betrayed your people. I challenge you to Reelojarit.” He had hoped Odage would come peaceful, but dragons had a keen eye for evil and Caleb could see the dark, oily stain now occupying his leader’s soul. He had no choice but to fight for Odage’s position as overlord. The strongest would lead the pack.
Odage laughed. “Do you really think to challenge me for dominance, Caleb? I accept, with pleasure.” He looked to the Wendigos. “Do not interfere, this is between the two of us.”
The demons withdrew, yet stayed close enough they could jump into the fray if needed.
Both shifters produced a dagger. Odage’s silver blade glistened in the moonlight, and Caleb tightened his grip on the ancient gold handle of his own. From the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of fire; it appeared Jax was busy dropping fire balls among the demons, causing the Wendigos to scatter in several directions. He hid a smile.
Odage lunged, and Caleb spun, avoiding a slash to the chest. His dragon was on edge, ready to surface at a moment’s notice, but waited for Odage to decide to shift and take the battle to the sky. He need not wait any longer.
“Fuck this.” Odage shimmered; red scales danced across his skin before he completed the transformation. Caleb’s dragon followed suit and they both leapt into the air. Dragons rarely battled on the ground, preferring the maneuverability flight gave them.
Caleb circled, climbed above Odage then cloaked himself; it would take the other dragon a second before he could pinpoint Caleb, and he hoped it bought him enough time. He dove, talons outstretched, and before Odage could react, he hit him square in the back, tearing a gash into the webbing of his left wing. Odage faltered then righted himself, banking a hard right. Caleb knew it was going to take much more than one small hit to gain him victory. In a battle for dominance, one of them would have to be knocked from the sky and pinned to the ground. It was then up to the winner if he let the loser survive.
Odage vanished, and Caleb flared out his senses in search of the beast. A dark shadow knocked into him and left a deep wound along his backbone. Blood ran down his side and dripped from the tip of his wing. Lightning arched in the night sky, and thunder shook the ground. Already, the fighting beasts stirred the atmosphere, and soon, the torrential rains would start. If the battle continued too long, it would create tidal waves of biblical proportions below. Caleb had to end this quickly before people got hurt.
He sent healing thoughts to his wound and prepared for his surprise maneuver, one Jax had taught him decades ago.
He cloaked, came in directly behind Odage, and then maneuvered slightly above him. His claws sank and shredded the fine membrane of each wing wrapping around thin bones. His jaw flexed, and sharp fangs pierced into the dragon’s neck. Odage twisted and tried to throw him like a bucking bronco.
Caleb held firm.
He only needed to hold on for another minute, and his poison would begin to pump through the beast’s system, slowing him. Odage started a nosedive for the turbulent ocean below, intending to take them both into the water.
Son of a bitch, relent already!
His leader was stronger than he’d anticipated.
Cold salty water splashed over them as Odage dove deep. Caleb clung tighter; it was a contest of will and strength, but under several feet of water was not where he wanted to take this fight.
Odage turned, his body spinning like a porpoise. He flipped upside down and swam over jagged coral, ripping open Caleb’s back, turning the water red. Soon, the other predators would come and pick at his flesh. He refused to let go.