“Actually, I would say that it’s the greatest cosmic joke in the history of the world,” he added, a humorless smile twisting his lips.
“What does that mean?”
“Those visions of yours are bigger than both of us.” He turned his head so he could plant a kiss in the center of her palm. “And right now I’m all you’ve got to guard you from the bad guys.” He gave a sharp laugh. “The gods help us.”
Chapter 11
Gaius’s lair in Louisiana
The female wasn’t as adequate as the last. Her dark hair was too short and her skin too pale, while her curves were on the wrong side of lush. But beggars couldn’t be choosers, and shuddering to a climax beneath the skilled stroke of her mouth, Gaius grasped her by the hair and jerked her upright.
Her dark eyes were drenched with adoration as she rubbed her naked body against him. “Was it good, baby?”
Gaius grimaced, roughly turning her around as he straightened his black slacks that he’d matched with a crisp white shirt. Then, pressing her against the paneling of his private bedroom, he tilted her head to strike deep into the flesh of her throat.
“Oh yeah,” she groaned, writhing in pleasure as he drank deeply of her blood. “More.”
He continued his meal even as he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. It was only when the sharp knock rattled his door that he at last pulled out his fangs and licked shut the female’s tiny wounds.
“Wait,” he commanded, stepping back to smooth down his hair and adjust his black silk tie.
Without warning the female turned to toss herself against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “No, don’t stop.”
He hissed, his lips curling in disgust. “Release me.”
The dark eyes were filled with mindless need. “Please, f**k me.”
“Watch your language.” Raising his hand, he slapped her hard enough to slam her head against the wall. With a low groan she crumpled to the floor and Gaius turned toward the door. “Enter.”
The door was pushed open to reveal Sally dressed in her usual uniform of tight black leather skirt and red bustier with her hair in pigtails. Instead of heels, however, she was wearing black combat boots that laced up to her knees, with spiderweb stockings peeking between the top of the boots and the hem of her too-short skirt.
Her heavily lined eyes widened as she stepped into the room to discover the unconscious female sprawled at his feet. “Did you kill another one?”
“She lives,” Gaius said with utter indifference. “Why have you interrupted?”
The witch licked her black lips. “You said that you wanted to know when I was ready to scry for Cassandra.”
Gaius paused, making certain he was at his full strength before he gave a short nod. There was no way in hell he was agreeing to go after the prophet unless he was confident he could keep himself protected.
“Fine.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Get the curs in place and I’ll join you in a few minutes.”
With a last glance at the motionless whore, Sally left the room, pulling the door shut behind her.
Once alone, Gaius reached beneath his jacket to pull out an antique gold locket. Pressing the hidden lever, the locket sprang open, revealing the miniature portrait of Dara.
His unbeating heart warmed at the sight of his mate. Her pretty features. Her satin-smooth hair. The proud tilt of her head. And the piercing sweetness of her smile.
His fingers tightened on the locket, the aching void in his soul so large he thought at times he would fall in and never crawl back out.
“I know you wouldn’t approve of my methods, my love, but I do these things for you. For us,” he whispered. “I can’t bear this life without you and since I’m too much a sinner to join you in heaven I must return you to my hell. Please, my love, forgive me.” He pressed the locket to his lips. “Forgive me.”
Reluctantly replacing the locket, Gaius headed toward the door, allowing his anguish to transform back to the frigid anger that kept him from sinking into complete madness.
Soon Dara would be returned from the grave, he reassured himself. And he would forget the vile cost of having her back in his arms.
As if to remind him that the vile costs weren’t over yet, the scent of fairy blood filled the air. With a hiss, he moved with fluid speed to enter the kitchen, not at all surprised to discover a circle of flickering candles on the floor with a wooden bowl set in the center filled with thick blood.
Black magic always demanded a sacrifice.
The greater the magic, the greater the sacrifice.
Without hesitation he charged around the circle to grab the witch by her neck. “I told you to wait.”
“Hey, it’s not me,” she squeaked, her eyes wide with panic. “Do you think I could kill and drain a full-grown fairy?”
His fangs burst from his gums as he dropped the female and whirled to prowl toward Dolf, who tried to scramble backward. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Preparing a spell.” He gave a yip of pain as Gaius slammed him against the wall. “Shit.”
Keeping the cur pinned to the wall with one hand, Gaius lifted the other to point a finger directly into Dolf ’s flushed face. “You’ve obviously forgotten the first rule of this household.”
“What rule?”
“No magic without my permission.”
“I wasn’t going to cast it,” Dolf hastily assured him. “At least not yet.”
“No. Magic.” His power was a tangible force that blasted through the room. “Is that clear enough?”
Blood trickled from Dolf ’s ear from the explosive burst of power, but with a dogged determination, he refused to back down. “Let me explain.” He grimaced as Gaius’s hand pressed against his chest with enough pressure to crack a rib. “Please, it’s important.”
Dio. Gaius dropped his hand and stepped back. Obviously the stupid dog wasn’t going to be satisfied until he’d pleaded for his cause. “Make it quick,” he snarled.
Dolf sucked in a shallow breath, his expression wary. “We have to assume that Caine will be protecting Cassandra.”
“And?”
“And unless you plan to get your hands dirty, we’re going to need a weapon to keep him out of the fight.”
The bastard had a point. If Gaius was forced to use the medallion to take them to the prophet, he would be weakened and not about to risk a battle with a pureblooded Were.
That didn’t mean he had to like it.