Not for her. But for the vampire who was being yanked out of the rift by the infuriated Dark Lord.
“Gaius, listen to me,” she shouted over the evil deity’s screams of frustration. “A face, no matter how familiar, can be a lie.”
His head was bent backward, blood running down his forehead, but he managed to send her a puzzled frown. “What?”
“Don’t trust your eyes.”
Still regarding her with confusion, Gaius was sharply jerked out of the bubble and tossed aside. Cassie caught a glimpse of him lying in an unconscious heap before the arm was shoved back into the contracting darkness, reaching toward Caine.
“I will not be denied my sacrifice,” the Dark Lord snarled.
Clearly sensing the danger, Caine growled low in his throat, his teeth bared. The female ignored the threat, grabbing Caine by the scruff of his contorted neck.
Cassie wasn’t certain if the Dark Lord assumed Caine was incapable of hurting her, or if she thought she was the big-bad scary and nothing had the courage to fight back.
Whatever her logic, she grossly underestimated the level of Caine’s crazy. Even as her fingers dug into his fur, the frantic Were turned his head to sink his teeth deep into her forearm.
Cassie wasn’t foolish enough to believe that Caine could truly hurt the powerful creature, but he did provide a distraction. No doubt the only one they were going to get. Which meant escape was now or never.
Without giving herself time to think, Cassie rushed forward, taking full advantage of the element of surprise as she slammed her body straight into Caine.
Her intention had merely been to knock him away from the Dark Lord. After that . . . well, the truth was that she didn’t really have a plan.
But her unexpected attack made Caine stumble awkwardly, his teeth ripping deep gouges in the Dark Lord’s arm as he fell backward. In the same motion, he wrapped a thickly muscled arm around Cassie’s waist, pulling her down with him.
There was another screech from the Dark Lord as the darkness flowed around them, sucking them through the still open rift.
Cassie groaned as Caine’s claws dug into her back, but there was no breaking away from his ruthless grip as they fell through the empty space. Besides, she didn’t want to get free.
For the moment they were falling farther and farther from the infuriated Dark Lord.
She didn’t care where they were going.
It had to be better than where they were.
The middle of nowhere, Illinois
After running nonstop for the past two hours, Styx came to a sharp halt in the center of the narrow road, which was rapidly being overtaken by weeds. In silence, he studied the empty factory that was shrouded in shadows.
It took a minute to realize why the dilapidated building had caught his attention. There was no blinking arrow pointing to it with the words “Evil Minion Lair.” Or nasty creatures peering out the shattered windows, wearing bad-guy uniforms.
Just the opposite.
At a glance, it would be easy to assume that nothing had disturbed the crumbling pile of brick and steel for years. There were no footprints, no animal droppings, not even a spiderweb.
But to Styx it was the very lack of trespassers, both human and animal, that proved there was something very powerful that lurked in the area.
“Wait, Levet,” he commanded.
The stunted gargoyle came to a grudging halt, turning to glare at him with obvious impatience. “Pourquoi? We are finally gaining on him.”
“Kostas is near.”
“Non.” The tiny demon shook his head, pointed down the isolated road that headed toward the distant lights of St. Louis. “His trail continues into town.”
Styx pointed toward the silent warehouse. “He doubled back.”
Darcy moved to stand next to him, her head tilted to the side as she studied his stubborn expression. “How can you know?”
“It’s what I would do.”
Levet’s wings fluttered as he stomped back toward Styx. “And that is all the evidence you have?”
Styx ignored the aggravating pest, lifting his hand to bring Jagr and Jaelyn from the shadows where they were standing guard.
“Jagr, circle to the back of the building. Make sure nothing escapes.”
“You got it.”
The massive Goth disappeared in a blur of speed, his sword already drawn and his fangs flashing in the moonlight.
“Jaelyn.”
“Yes?” The tiny Hunter stroked the stock of her sawed-off shotgun, her eyes shimmering with anticipation. She more than anyone had suffered beneath Kostas’s arrogant harassment. Hell, the bastard had wanted to execute her. It was no wonder she was anxious to get her hands on the ex-Ruah.
“On the roof.”
She was off with the same blinding speed as Jagr, blending into the darkness. Still Styx remained at the edge of the road, forcing himself to wait until his soldiers were in place.
Restlessly his gaze skimmed over the two-story building. The bricks had faded to a dull shade of rust with occasional rods of rebar sticking out like thorns. The roof was sagging and the window frames were rotted beyond repair. Closer at hand, the parking lot was cracked with large clumps of grass growing wild.
There was, however, a new lock on the double steel doors and the faint hint of fairy that lingered in the air. Kostas had no doubt brought dinner with him.
On the point of heading into the warehouse, Styx was halted as Levet waddled to stand directly in his path.
“What of me?”
He bit back a curse of impatience. “Keep an eye on the road. I don’t want anything or anyone sneaking up on me.”
“Bah.” Levet’s tail twitched. “My talents are wasted out here.”
Styx scowled. “What talents?”
“I believe he’s referring to his magic,” Darcy gently reminded him, a faint smile curving her lips.
“Exactly.” Levet pointed a claw toward Styx. “You are just trying to be rid of me.”
“Fine.” Styx folded his arms over his chest. “If you want to fight one of the most powerful vampires to walk the earth, who has not only trained for the past millennium to become the ultimate assassin, but has recently sold his soul to the Dark Lord, then you can take the lead.”
“Ah.” The gargoyle cleared his throat, scratching one horn as he glanced toward the deserted road. “Perhaps it would be best if I keep guard out here.”
“Good choice,” Styx said dryly. Then, knowing the next battle wasn’t going to be so easily won, he turned to study his stubborn mate with a warning glare. “You,” he growled, cupping her chin in his hand. “Stay here.”