Valentine could feel the alchemists in the building trying to do something to counteract him. Their spells bounced off Valentine, about as annoying and powerful as mosquitos. There wasn't much that could touch him with this much power loosened.
"You wanted to use my brother for parts and keep his golden light locked up in the darkness," Valentine growled, his eyes flashing scarlet as the dragon inside of him woke from its slumber. "I hope you enjoy the darkness just as much."
The stormy sky above the building ripped open. Valentine kept feeding the spell more magic, and the portal leading into a place of blackness opened further.
Caelan had called it Dorcha, a place that was technically an Otherworld where it was dark all the time, where nothing grew, and if anything survived or lived there, it was better you didn't know about it.
Valentine thought it was perfect for the Sanguis Vitae, their murderous magic, and horrific experiments. The building shook, and Valentine's magic sliced it free as easily as cutting a cake.Valentine reached out a hand twisted with threads of magic and lifted the building up into the portal above it.
Once it was through, Valentine's magic cut loose from the building and closed the portal behind it. Lightning slashed the place as if the storm itself attacked it because it knew it shouldn't be there.
All that remained of where the building had been was a hole that reached below the catacombs and into the earth.
The threads of Valentine's magic curled back inside of him, and he stared at the hole. It was better than fire, he had to give it that.
Valentine took out a a golden thread of Apollo's hair and tossed it into the air, whispering anther spell. A portal opened in front of him, and he stepped through it. His brother was sitting on the hood of a SUV, a pair of fancy binoculars in his hand.
His eyes were shining as bright as Valentine's, their dragons on high alert.
"All right there, big brother?" Apollo asked, a golden brow cocking. "You're looking a bit scarlet and spangled."
"It's done. The building and every vile thing in it are gone. Trigger Killian, and I'll meet him at the front gates," Valentine said, power and dragon shifting his voice to something deeper. He paused by the car and patted his little brother on the shoulder. The touch grounded him and stopped him from spiraling too deep into his magic. "I'll keep an eye out for Lachie and do my best to keep them away from him."
"Thanks, Val. Watch your back," Apollo said. He frowned and jumped off the car bonnet. "Val! Wait."
Valentine stopped, and Apollo hugged him tight. Valentine's body shuddered as he tried to hold onto the magic already beginning to burn again. He caged it and lifted his arms to hug his brother back.
"I know how much you hate and love doing this," Apollo whispered in his ear. "I know you will pay for it later."
"It all comes with a price, Apollo. You know that," Valentine replied.
"I know, and that's why I need you to know that I love you for being my big brother and helping me even when it hurts you," Apollo said.
"It's what a brother does." Valentine squeezed him once more and let him go. "Get back to work, and let me enjoy the fun part while I can."
Apollo nodded and stepped out of his way. "Go get them, tiger."
"You're such a wanker," Valentine said with an affectionate laugh. He allowed his magic to trickle out of him again, letting it spool and gather in his hands. Nothing felt as good as the magic riding him, and he intended to enjoy every bloody second of it.
33
Lachlan stood in the shadows of the trees surrounding the Château. The fence was a recent edition, but it wouldn't stop them. Parts of the ruined castle stuck out from the well-clipped turf, and he could easily see where the Sanguis Vitae had been restoring bits of the structure from old plans of Queen Catherine's.
One section had a new brick building, likely where prisoners were being held. It was far enough from the main house that any screams wouldn't be heard.
Keep calm. Don't get angry. It won't serve you here, Lachlan told himself. He wished Apollo was there with him, but it was only because he hated being apart from him. Being on watch was the best place for Apollo.
"Okay, little brother?" Ciara asked from beside him. Tor was already in his wolf form and sitting beside her like the biggest guard dog in the world. She would only shift if she needed to, and Lachlan was thankful for that. Ciara had always been his hunting partner, and having her with him made him keep his head in the fight.
"I'm ready for this shit to be over and for Apollo to be safe," Lachlan replied and lifted his binoculars back up. "Killian and Bron should be hitting the gates soon."
"I got a message from Apollo saying Valentine has arrived and is going to meet Kill," Ciara said, slipping her phone away.
Lachlan tried not to pout that Apollo hadn't messaged him. They had agreed earlier not to because they distracted each other too much.
It had been hard to focus all day because of the night before. He kept looking at Apollo, and he could see all his sweetness and sexy, evil naughtiness at once. Considering how hard they had fucked, Lachlan had expected to feel a bit sore and tired, but whatever Apollo had put in that magic oil of his had worked all kinds of wonders. The worst side effect was wanting to carry Apollo off to do it all over again.
After tonight, you will be able to.Lachlan took in a deep breath of the damp air that smelled of ozone and moss. It was enough to cool his heated thoughts.
