Chapter 24
Gemma’s chest was tight as Juston came closer. She could see the illusion swirling around them. They were in a cave, lit by flickering firelight. It was warm and inviting, despite the cold rock around them.
Looking down at herself, she saw that she no longer looked like herself. A layer of illusion draped her.I’m her.
Gemma’s eyes flicked to the tall female Seeker who was threatening the life of Sanri.Juston thinks I’m her, and he wants her bad.
Bad enough to fight his brother? Bad enough to take me at all costs?
She had to think, and fast. Had to figure out a way to stop the illusion. She couldn’t bear to see Cal and his brother locked in mortal combat over her. She couldn’t even allow herself to imagine what might happen if Cal lost.
“Look what happens when they lose their leader,” she said, making sure her voice didn’t shake despite the fear that was coiling inside her. “They fall apart.”
Gemma trained her eyes on the male Seeker. She saw him stiffen, knowing the comment had struck home.
Come on, do something, she thought as Juston got close enough to Cal. The illusion broadcast a green tint to Cal’s skin, painting him as some horrible creature with tusks and boils, attempting to block Juston from the female Seeker Gemma was disguised as.
Shadow locked an arm around Sanri’s chest. “We’re going to look for Grimm. I’ll bring him back. Then we’ll all return to Dazimin. Watch the prisoners.”
Then the pair of demons were gone. Juston froze, shaking his head, a second before Cal landed a blow on his brother.
“Ouch, asshole. What was that for?”
Cal laughed and Gemma let out a sigh of relief. They weren’t out of the woods yet, but at least the illusion was gone.
She watched as Cal slapped his brother on the back. “Do I always need a reason to show my love?”
Juston’s brow furrowed. Then he turned, catching sight of Dunkel. “Excuse me a moment,” he grumbled, then made a beeline for the female demon.
Cal pulled Gemma into his tight embrace. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”
“You too,” she said, squeezing him back. “I didn’t want to see you hurt your brother or be hurt by him.”
Cal gave her a cocky smile. “Me, hurt by that pipsqueak? Doubtful.”
Gemma laughed. No one could describe Juston as a pipsqueak.
“So what’s the plan now, little girl?”
Gemma’s eyes widened. “I’m in charge of the plan?” Wasn’t Cal some kind of powerful ruler of a planet of millions of beings with superior mental abilities? Why was he askingherabout the plan?
He kissed her on her forehead, sending a thrill of warmth through her. “Of course, you are. You’re the smartest woman in the universe, my darling, and the only one I trust to find a way out of this mess.”
His confidence in her was amazing, and it filled her with such strength that suddenly, overcoming these demons didn’t seem so impossible. They could do this if they stuck together.
Juston had reached Dunkel and grabbed her arm, pulling her across the room and into a corner. Beyha followed, on the defensive. “Get your hands off her, Vartik scum.”
Dunkel raised her hands. “Let me handle this.”
Beyha scowled. “Come on, Midnight. You can see how fucked up this situation is. Let’s restrain the prisoners and—”
“I’ve got this. Back off!”
Beyha recoiled as if slapped. She turned away and paced the room, muttering under her breath. “Right, because I’ll just fuck it up.”
Gemma saw her opportunity and seized it. “What’s the deal with these Seekers?” she asked him, curiosity transmitting in her tone. “They don’t seem to be much of a threat. I’m beginning to think we could just walk out the door right now and they’d be so distracted that they couldn’t stop us.”
Beyha frowned at her. “Try it, human. See what it gets you.”
