William gave a grave shake of his head. Hes got the women searching through old scrolls Reyes has, so Id give them another few hours before you start panicking.
Hours? Did Aeron have that long? She gulped, tears burning her eyes. Perhaps it was time to change the subject again. If she broke down, shed be no help to anyone.
Hows Scarlet? she asked shakily.
Locked up and still sleeping. Cute little thing, he added as an afterthought. I might have a go at her.
Well, I think shes ugly, Legion huffed. Just like the angel.
Fallen. Olivia didnt spare her a glance, instead remaining focused on William. That cute little thing can kill everyone here. Tell the Lords and the women to stay awake if at all possible. The moment they go to sleep, Scarlet can invade their dreams even when shes asleep herself. Theyll think whats happening in those dreams is real, and their bodies will react accordingly, making any injury they sustain in the dream a reality.
Wait. Aeronasleepnightmares Had Scarlet already attacked Aeron? Olivia had to stifle a cry at the thought. She had to wake him. Soon.
William pursed his lips. You couldnt have told us that little gem before we brought her here?
Would it have mattered? Saved Aeron? Im an even worse girlfriend than Id realized.
No, he said with a sigh. Probably not.
The truth, or was he trying to absolve her of culpability?
Oh, and speaking of nightmares, he added, there are animals all around the fortress, just like there were around the car at Gillys school and in the cemetery. Want to explain that?
I wish I could, Olivia replied, suddenly grateful to him and eager to help him any way she could. Ever since I left that crypt, theyve been seeking me out and I dont know why. Last thing shed done was summon her inner light and
And there was the answer. Her inner light. Of course. Theyd sensed that light, and now sought the source. She explained to William.
Cool trick, but its really freaking everyone out. And by everyone I mean everyone. Lucien flashed the rest of the men here. You know, the ones who were in Rome. And heres a little tidbit of gossip. Grinning, he rubbed his hands together. Flashing makes Reyes ill and while vomiting, he had to fight off birds and rodents.
Im sorry.
Sure you are. Legion shot her a scowl. Youre a troublemaker. Nothing goes right when youre around.
Oh, shut up! Olivia snapped. We should be thinking of ways to help Aeron. Or, at the very least, finding him a doctor.
He doesnt need a doctor. He just needs me. And Im going to be there for him. Legion began peeling off the dress shed found while Olivia and Aeron had been fighting for their lives. A barely there dress clearly meant to rival Olivias slut-it-up outfit.
Olivia gaped at her. You plan to be there for him by ravishing him while he sleeps?
Thats right. Naked, completely unabashed, Legion pinched the covers around Aeron and pulled them back, clearly meaning to do as shed claimed.
Well, thats gonna have to wait. Legion, honey, I need you to come with me, William said with a crook of his finger.
Frowning, she paused, and her huge breasts jiggled. Why?
Why? he asked, as if he hadnt thought that far ahead.
Yes, why?
Oh, well, I need to introduce you to the warriors whove been out of town. That way, they wont try to attack you when they come to check on Aeron. And they will. Check on him and attack you, I mean.
He was making it up as he went along, Olivia suspected, trying to give her some alone time with Aeron. She could have hugged him.
But I cant leave him, Legion whined.
Well only be a moment. He smiled a beautifully practiced smile. Promise.
Fine, Legion grumbled, jerking the dress over her head and smoothing the white material down her dangerously curved hips. She hissed at Olivia. If you touch him, Ill eat your eyes in front of you and youll have to watch, unable to stop me!
Olivia didnt point out the flaw in her plan as the two left the bedroom and shut the door behind them, William winking over his shoulder. Not knowing how long this reprieve would last, she didnt waste any time stretching out beside Aeron herself.
Kiss him
When things settled down, she was going to figure out who was invading her head and why.
She wouldnt kiss him, but she would pray.
As she caressed her hand down Aerons chest, she closed her eyes. Dear Heavenly Deity. I come to You now, as a humble servant who loves You. This man, he isnt evil, despite the evil inside him. Hes kind. Hes considerate. Hes capable of great affection and boundless loyalty. Those are the very things You value most. Hes to die, I know. But not now. Not like this. You, who can work all things, even the worst of things, to our good, can heal him, making him ever stronger. You, who long ago conquered death, can save him.
Please hear me. Please help me.
Why are you doing this to yourself, Olivia? Hes going to die eventually, anyway.
Lysander. That was even faster than shed hoped. Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you!
The voiceTemptation, she was going to call himscreeched in frustration. Not him. Anyone but him. I cant stand that bastard.
Then leave, she snapped, a suspicion blooming. Temptation clearly hated her mentor, an angel, and the only beings to hate angels were demons.
That meant Temptation was a demon.
I will. So for now, later, baby.
When this demon returned, and he would, she had no doubt, she would have to be better guarded.
Olivia? Lysander said.
She opened her eyes a crack. Sure enough, her mentor stood off to the side. Tall, imposing, pulsing with power. His golden wings arched over his shoulders, and his robe swayed at his ankles.
What had he first asked? Oh, yes. Why are you doing this to yourself? Aeron doesnt deserve to die like this.
Many do not deserve the deaths that come for them.
She curled into Aerons side, acting as his shield, as a proper girlfriend should do. You were given a second chance with your Harpy. I deserve a second chance with Aeron.
And when his time is up, will you request a third?
To answer as he wished was to lie. Why are you here, Lysander?
A muscle ticked in his jaw. Im here to tell you that your prayer was heard. Im here to tell you that Aeron will be healed, but that you must make a sacrifice in return, as is our way.
Sacrifice. Yes, that was usually the way of things. Since the beginning of time, self-sacrifice, undiluted proof of love, had always held the power to sway her Deityand change the world. I accept. Therefore, you may do what you were sent to do and leave.
He remained unmoving. Do you not care to know what you will be losing?
No.
Are you sure? Well, no matter. I will tell you, anyway. You will lose your Voice of Truth. No longer will others believe everything you say. No longer will you never face doubt. No longer will you recognize a lie the moment its spoken. And if you decide to return to the heavens and be the angel you were meant to be, you still wont have your Voice of Truth. It will be gone from you forever.
Automatically, her hand sought her throat. Lose her truth? She would rather lose her hands as Gideon had. How would she deal with Aeron doubting her, when she would know in her soul that what she spoke was true?
Her gaze flicked to him. So still, so pale. So gaunt.
Think carefully, Lysander said. Every hour, every minute, the path you are on develops more dangerous curves. And do you know what I see at the end of that road, no matter the direction you take? Do you know what awaits you there? Death, Olivia. Your death. And for what? A few more days with him. A few more days with a man who made a deal with me.
Wh-what deal?
I vowed that if he can convince you to return to the heavens, I will try and convince the Council to spare his life as well as his demon companions.
Her mouth floundered open and closed. In shock, yes, that Lysander was now willing to fight the Council when hed always denied her pleas to do so, but mostly in hurt. This explained so much. Lysanders secret visit with Aeron. Why Aeron hadnt given her that last orgasm. Why hed wanted her to see him fight, showing her the harshness of his life.
She meant nothing to him. Not really. How could she, if he were so eager to use her as a bargaining chip? And yet, he was still a man she admired. He was willing to do anything to save someone he loved. To save Legion.
If only that loved one could have been her.
If I return with you, you can guarantee he will live? she croaked.
I can try. Which didnt sound like a guarantee to her. Whats important here is that he agreed, Lysander added before she could reply. Hes willing to part with you to save himself.
The hurt expanded, consuming her, choking her.
Does that change your mind about this healing? Lysander asked quietly. Hopefully. This sacrifice?
No, she answered without hesitation. Aeron had placed Legions well-being above hers, yes, but shed expected that. What she hadnt expected was to lose him before their time was up. Despite everything, she couldnt lose him. I still wish to make this bargain.
Sadness filled Lysanders eyes. Then so it shall be done.
As the last word left him, her vocal cords seized. For a moment, she couldnt speak at all. Couldnt even gurgle or gasp or breathe. She clawed at her throat, her mind fogging as ice and fire melded in her blood.
It will pass, Lysander said, suddenly in front of her and stroking her temple. It was what hed done anytime shed failed to bring her human charges joy. Offered comfort. He had always wanted the best for her, and clearly did now, as well. He was not a bad man, and she would do well to remember that.
As hed promised, oxygen finally began to seep past her throat and into her lungs. The fire dulled, the ice melted. The fog dissipated. Grateful, she sucked in breath after breath.
Would Aeron have done the same for you? Lysander asked. No. Do not answer. Just think about all I have said.
She nodded. She would be able to do nothing else.
Be prepared, sweet Olivia. Aeron could very well be injured like this again. I fear Rhea has given the Hunters water from the five rivers of the Realm of Hades.
Olivia flinched. Such water used as a weapon meant certain death. A sip, a touch, and goodbye forever. Even the soul withered. The only way to combat the vile poison was to drink from the River of Life. A river even she didnt know how to find.
Theyve been making their own bullets and each of those bullets contains a single drop of that water. He withdrew a small vial from his robe. Aeron needs only a drop of this to heal. The rest I would hide. Just in case. Use it carefully, however, for when its gone, youll receive no more.
River of Life? Hand trembling, she claimed the vial.
But dont think, even for a moment, that this will save him after his head is taken. And it will be taken, Olivia. An assassin will come.
Her gaze fell. Lysander knew her well; she had been thinking along those lines. No matter. She shook her head, tossing away her disappointment and renewing her determination. She would simply find another way.
I thought you meant to petition the Council for him.
And so I shall. We know the results such a petition will wield. He does not. They were lenient with you, but then, you are one of us. He is a demon. There will be no leniency.
Would telling him do any good?
How you worry me, Olivia. Lysander sighed. I will leave you to your task.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
GIDEON, KEEPER OF LIES, tossed and turned atop his bed. His boxers were glued to his sweat-soaked skin, his bandaged handsor lack thereofthrobbing painfully. Blood had beaded on those bandages and as much as hed healed, that hadnt happened in weeks. Regression?
He was asleep but still aware, which was weird as shit, and trapped in the thickest darkness hed ever come across. Again weird, if not technically true. Not for his demon, at any rate. The darkness inside Pandoras box had been just like this, suffocating and maddening. Something Lies hadnt stopped screaming about since entering the strange realmscreams that blended with the ones layering the darkness. Thousands and thousands of discordant shrieks, each one more tortured than the last.
Clawing his way out proved impossible.
Gideon. Gideon, man, wake up. Youre not supposed to sleep.
He heard Pariss voice, wanted to obey, but again, he couldnt. The darkness was too cloying, wrapping around him, holding tightly, nearly drowning him. And then he did drown, losing that thread of consciousness altogether. Cant breathe
The gloom parted, and he sucked in a greedy breathonly to scramble backward. Oh, hell, no. Spider!
Dont calm, his demon told him.
You dont calm! Panting, trying not to screech like a pussy, he flattened himself against the wall. The monstrous spider followed, those eight hundred legs stabbing into the ground, those beady eyes practically peering into his soul.
Enemy, Lies said. Meaning, friend.
Hardly. Shit, shit, shit. Every brain cell he possessedall of which were trapped in that shit-haze of panicsuddenly let him know, in high-def detail, that he would be this creatures dinner. Hed rather be set on fire. Hed rather be hanged. Hell, hed rather be gutted.
Ill be so tasty, he said desperately. Truth was, hed taste like shit, but then, even in his dreams, he couldnt say what he meant. At least, he didnt think so. Hed never tried it. And wouldnt. The consequences could be just as devastating as when he did so in real life. Pain, pain and more pain.
Memories of his last tangle with truth were fresh in his mind. A few weeks ago, hed told a Hunter what he really felthateand what he really wanted to dohurt, maim, kill. All because he, who could spot a lie from a few thousand miles away, had been tricked into believing Sabin, keeper of Doubt, was dead, slain by Hunter hands. Stupid of him. But as the pain racked him, hed thought whats a little more and had volunteered himself for torture to save his friends from having to endure it.