Darkness Captured (30 page)

Simon plucked the ring. “Now, let’s go. We haven’t much time. I’ll not activate the ring until you’re gone.”

Taking Gabriella’s hand, Guntram forged ahead into the darkness, waiting for the telltale sounds of the arachnids’ arrival. “Be sure to keep moving your feet.”

When light began to glimmer all around them and the faint chirping sounds grew in volume, Gabriella squeezed his hand.

“Keep moving, they won’t harm you if they can’t swarm you.”

They reached the boulder where Simon had stashed the crystal orb.

The mage quickly unwrapped it and tossed away the canvas bag. “As soon as I’ve opened the portal, I’ll give this into your care, Guntram. It belongs to Alex now. He’ll know what to do with it.”

“Why shouldn’t I just smash it? Isn’t it too risky to let it exist?”

Simon glanced up. “Haven’t I proven you can trust me?”

Guntram ground his jaws but nodded. “I’ll do it.”

Then Simon was standing still, spiders running up his leg, but the light was already beginning to flicker inside the clear stone. When the rays burst and curved and the shimmering circle shone, Guntram shoved Gabriella through, then waited for Marduk, who didn’t look back to enter it.

Glancing back, Guntram gazed at Simon’s lonely figure. “Thank you,” he said, his throat tightening.

Simon’s smile was strained, but his expression was serene. “She’ll have twins, you know.”

Guntram smiled as moisture blurred his friend’s figure, and he thrust out his hand. “Until we meet again.”

Simon nodded. “Better go.” Then he handed him the crystal and the claw base.

Guntram hugged them close to his chest and stepped through the portal.

When the light blinked out behind Guntram, Simon swiped the spiders off his hair and shoulders and trudged toward the entrance of the cave. A large male
anzu
was stalking into the entrance.

Simon slipped the ring onto his finger.
“Must I invoke its power to subdue you?
”

He sent the message telepathically. One of the gifts of the Master—the gift to communicate with all the creatures in this realm.

The
anzu
hesitated, its head shifting left and right and sniffing at the air. Then its gaze zeroed on the beast still whimpering on the floor. The anzu-bird gave another low, ominous growl, but backed up a pace. Finally, it lowered its head to the floor and knelt on its forelegs.

Simon understood even though no answering thought entered his own mind. He strode forward, unafraid, and slid a leg over the back of the beast, gripping its thick mane.

The beast pivoted quickly, rushing toward the cave entrance. It leapt outward, its wings extended, catching the air beneath its golden feathers and taking to the skies.

Soaring upward, Simon felt his heavy heart lighten just a smidge. Madeleine was lost to him forever. Turned human at last. Alex, whom he’d loved like a son, had his own destiny to fulfill. He, Simon the former Knight Templar, had his own new destiny to chart. One handed down from God to Solomon. Here, he’d guard against intrusions into the other realm while Alex kept watch over his expanding family. Although separated, they’d both serve the greater good until the dark day when hell unleashed its demon hordes in the final battle.

With a phalanx of
anzu
and
lillum
waiting to escort him, Simon Jameson entered Kur-gal as the Master of the Demons.

CHAPTER
20

G
untram felt the tip of a blade prick his throat as soon as he stepped through the portal. Light burst behind him, then blinked out, leaving splotches of color dancing before his eyes. He blinked his eyes as they adjusted and drew in a familiar scent.

“I’ll take that,” Alex said softly, holding out his hand.

“The sword or the rock?”

“Don’t be an ass, now. We have Gabriella and that demon you brought among us.”

Guntram held the orb away from his chest.

Alex grabbed it with his free hand and gave it immediately to one of his men. “The sword?”

Guntram dropped it beside him.

Alex slid something from his pocket and held it in front of Guntram’s face. A linked silver chain. “Just until you’re out of my territory. A precaution, you understand.”

Guntram scanned the room for Gabriella and found her standing beside Marduk, two spots of furious color on her cheeks. Both wore similar collars. “Alex …” she said, her tone low and deadly.

“Sorry, love. You’ll remember whose foolish action started your little adventure. I just want to make sure that you arrive back in Wolfen territory without incident.” When he turned back to Guntram, he lifted a brow. “Will you do it, or shall I have my men hold you down?”

Guntram grabbed the chain and dragged it over his head, allowing Alex to fix a small lock at the side. “Is this really necessary?”

“I have work to do. This allows me one less worry.”

When he was done, Alex stepped back and faced Gabriella. “You’ll have the trade agreements your clan wanted and more. Free movement inside my territory to escort your shipments to the docks. Will this satisfy you?”

Gabriella’s lips firmed, then her glance strayed to Guntram.

Guntram cleared his throat. “It satisfies me.”

Alex’s eyebrows rose, and his glance slipped between them. “Congratulations are in order.”

Guntram didn’t ease his expression, waiting to see if the bastard would add something about being glad he’d taken his advice. The last thing he wanted to explain to Gabriella was that he’d listened to anything Alex said about wooing her.

But Alex stayed silent, his only acknowledgement a subtle curving of his mouth. “Your men are being loaded on a transport. I have a limousine to take the two of you wherever you wish to be dropped across the border, so long as you promise my men safe passage back.”

Guntram gave him a stiff nod. “What about him?” he said, lifting his chin toward Marduk.

Alex lifted the orb. “I’m sending him back.”

Guntram grunted, liking the idea—a lot. But Gabriella shook her head.

Guntram heaved a sigh. “You can’t. Simon agreed to take his place to allow him to leave.”

“Simon made whatever agreement he had to make to assure both you and Gabriella were returned safely. That was his sacrifice.”

“Marduk isn’t evil,” Gabriella said heatedly.

Alex gave her an exasperated look. “He’s a demon.”

“He can be useful,” she replied, her chin lifting another notch.

“I can’t risk it.”

Guntram eyed the choker around Marduk’s neck. “Do you think that chain can restrain him?”

“No, but if he transforms, he’ll sever his own head.”

Marduk shrugged. “He’s correct. I am at his mercy.”

Gabriella stepped in front of Marduk. “I can’t let you harm him.”

“Gabi,” Alex said. “You know what he is. What he’s capable of … Did you let him seduce you? Are you in his thrall now?”

“She did what she had to do to survive,” Guntram said before either Gabriella or Marduk could respond. “And he acted honorably toward her, toward both of us. Simon said we have need of strong alliances. What better, stronger ally than him? He’s walked in their world. He knows their every manifestation.”

Alex raked a hand through his hair. “I won’t have him in my territory.”

“I’m not so eager to have him in mine,” Guntram muttered, “but he can find his own way, his own place on this earth.”

Alex eyed Marduk, who held himself still beneath the inspection. “Do I have your word you won’t intrude on our affairs?”

Marduk stared back for a long, charged moment. “You have my word. I want only to visit my old home and try to find what I lost long ago.”

Alex nodded slowly. “All right then. You’ll accompany them to their territory. After that, I’ll leave your travel arrangements to Guntram.” Alex returned to Guntram. “Your transport awaits.”

With the security force forming a gauntlet of grim-faced vampires, Guntram led the way out of the conference room, across the tiled foyer and onto the veranda. A long black limousine awaited them at the bottom of the steps.

As they began to descend, another car pulled in behind the limo, a small low-slung sedan, and three females climbed out: the blonde Born he’d wrestled in the woods outside the gates when his wolves had been captured, a slender dark-haired woman, and Alex’s redheaded phoenix.

Marduk sucked in a deep breath, halting on the step beside him.

Guntram shot him a glance, then, noting his frozen expression, followed his gaze to the redhead.

“Zara,” Marduk whispered.

Gabriella nudged him. “Of all the billions of women on this planet …” she said, worry pinching her brows together. “You can’t,” she whispered fiercely. “You gave your word. She belongs to Alex.”

Marduk tightened, and Guntram knew he was about to lunge. He grabbed his upper arm. “I don’t know what this is about, but don’t even flinch. They’ll take us all down. Get in the car.”

Marduk shook his hand off his arm and continued down the steps, sliding into the backseat, his gaze still following the woman as she climbed the steps and entered Alex’s arms.

Guntram eyed Gabriella, who gave him a tight-lipped shake of her head.

When the door closed, Gabriella lifted her chin toward their driver, reminding him they weren’t alone. “Later. I’ll fill you in later.” Then she reached for Marduk’s hand, which was wrapped around his knee, the knuckles white.

“Sometimes, we have to let go,” she said softly. “It’s been so many lifetimes since she knew you. She has a new life. And no memories of you.”

Marduk’s jaw clenched, and he turned his gaze to stare at the trees lining the long drive out of the estate. “I held to that one hope …”

“I know. But she is happy.”

He nodded, not looking back.

Guntram caught her gaze. Her eyes softened immediately, and he remembered what Simon had said.
Twins.

As they pulled away, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, a quiet promise to trust and honor her. Her hand might rest inside Marduk’s at the moment, but he had no doubts he held her heart.

“Maybe we should take him to the forests with us before we load him on a plane,” Guntram said, not believing he was making the offer. “Think he might like to breathe pine trees and green grass after sucking down sand for three thousand years?”

Gabriella raised Marduk’s hand and kissed his knuckles. “Would you stay with us for a while?”

Marduk’s gaze left the scenery and scaled the interior of the car. He blinked. “I think I should take some time to acclimate. I thought I’d kept abreast of the changes …”

“I understand,” she said smiling gently. “And there’s all the time in the world.”

Alex fed the kestrel a bite of steak, which he’d sprinkled with the powder Simon had left him. He’d administer a dose of humanity every day for a week. When she transformed, he’d give Madeleine the news that she was alone.

The bird plucked at the meat, turning its head to tug it away, then jerked back its tiny head to gulp it down.

Chessa rushed into the salon, carrying a large box. “What do you think of the stroller? Do you think Bianca will like it?”

Mention of his daughter, who’d been born only days ago, dispersed the melancholy that pulled him down when he thought of Simon and Madeleine.

“Bianca loves only two things at the moment, neither of which Nicolas possesses. Can’t you hear her squalling?”

Chessa tipped her head to listen for the thin cries emanating from the nursery upstairs. “That’s where Nic is, huh?” she said grinning. “Is he ready to pull out his hair?”

“Go rescue him. He refused to let her cry on the nanny’s shoulder. I don’t think he trusts anyone but you with her care.”

Chessa squeezed her breasts. “Ugh! I’m leaking. Just wanted to drop this box with you. It needs assembly,” she said, then rushed out the door again.

Mikaela strolled in after her, her lips curving. “I can’t believe she’s flying around the place already.”

“It’s her vampire metabolism. We’re quick healers.” Alex set the bird back on her perch and patted his leg.

Miki settled there, laying her head on his chest, and sighed. “Is all the excitement finally over?”

“The wolves were safely delivered. Our men are on their way back. I think, for now things will quiet down.” Another furious little cry sounded from the second floor. “There might be one very small exception.”

“She looks like Chessa,” she said softly. “Do you think our child would have looked like me?”

Alex sighed and hugged her closer. Although Mikaela had been reborn without memory, he’d given her his own. She felt the same pain he’d suffered knowing their baby had died inside her body when Dumuzi had taken her heart.

“She would have had dark auburn hair,” he said softly, nuzzling her red locks, “a heart-shaped face, and mossy green eyes. And she’d have been just as lovely as her mother.”

“I’d like to try again.”

“Isn’t that what we’ve been doing every night?”

“Like you said, the house is quiet, no wolves or demons underfoot …”

“Are you feeling neglected?” he asked, blood rushing to fill his cock with heat.

“Just a little empty,” she said, tilting back her head and giving him a saucy look.

Alex sprang from his seat, and carrying her close to his chest, walked up the curved staircase. He headed to the wing opposite the nursery and Chessa and Nic’s rooms, toward his own bedroom that he shared with his new wife.

Once inside, he kicked the door shut and walked straight for the bed, not stopping until he settled her in the center and crawled over her body.

Poised above her, he smoothed her hair back and leaned down to kiss her.

Miki sighed against his lips and melted. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Alex made quick work of removing only essential items of clothing. When he was stroking deep inside her, passion rising, he remembered the look that had crossed the demon’s face when he’d first spied Miki.

A flush of happiness, followed by dawning horror had crossed his features, and Alex had known instantly that Miki would never be safe.