Chapter 25
“Go along with me,” Gemma whispered, her face strained.
Cal nodded, trusting her. Their last gambit hadn’t worked out so well, the memory of the pain still lacing through his muscles and making them twitch. But that didn’t mean they could stop trying.
“I must admit, you do make the Vartik powers much more effective. I hadn’t counted on that.”
Beyha looked taken aback at Gemma’s feint. “Ready to stop underestimating us yet?”
Gemma’s face took on a considering look. “Maybe. But you’re still not using all the resources at your disposal. So I’m still inclined to say that we can beat you.”
Beyha snorted. “Little fool. Maybe you need a dose of these powers to realize how little chance you have.”
“Maybe,” Gemma said.
Cal stiffened. He hoped that Beyha wouldn’t make her threat a reality but steeled himself for the ration of pain that could be coming Gemma’s way.
“Still, I’m not certain it will go the way you think,” his beloved added.
“And why is that?” Beyha asked, pursing her lips.
“Because I’m a Guardian. As powerful as you demons are, I’d have to think I’m just as powerful, if not more so.”
“You?” Beyha said, brows rising. “You might be a Guardian, but I’ve yet to see any hint of your so-called powers.”
“Sanri saw them when her illusions didn’t affect me. What’s to say your powers won’t fail as well against me?”
“It won’t take long to find out,” Beyha said, lifting her arm.
Cal gripped Gemma tightly, wanting to shield her from the pain her feared was about to come.
“Sure, waste more time with distractions,” Gemma said offhandedly. “The more time you demons dick around, the more chances we have to defeat you. I fear the day any of you pulls your heads out of your asses long enough to see what’s happening right in front of you.”
Beyha squinted at her, then slowly lowered her arm. “What are you talking about?”
Gemma gestured to the corner, where Midnight and Juston were engaged in a heated exchange. He was holding the female demon’s shoulders tight, his face painted in a pained expression. Her face was almost desolate.
“Distractions. That’s what you all keep chasing after. You’ve got a Guardian with untold powers standing right in front of you, and you aren’t even using your own power against me.”
Cal understood now the gambit they were playing. She was tempting Beyha to steal her powers. But why?
To give me back mine.
The realization hit him.Gemma thinks to get her powers, Beyha will have to release mine.
The thought of having his powers back almost made him weak. He’d felt empty without them, not a complete man.
But the sacrifice Gemma was offering in return was too great. “No,” he said, spinning her around to face him. “Stop it. You can’t let her take your power.”
Gemma put a hand to his face, her smile gentle. “Trust me, Cal.”
Cal shook his head, remembering how she’d been when the Guardian was locked inside her. What if Beyha could take her powers, could take the control she’d regained? Would Gemma be forced to return to the catatonic state she’d spent her whole life in?
Would he lose his mate so soon after finally finding her?
“I’m not giving you up,” he said, shaking her. “Stop tempting her.”
“Cal, you have to let me—”
