“You only need to accept your flaws. And hers.”
Eli glanced at the vampire. Regulus’s lips curved into something approaching a smile, and he nodded. “You have taken the biggest step,” he said over the sound of cracking bones and muffled lupine whimpers. “Now, we see if the two of you are strong enough to complete the journey together.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Eli
He felt it the moment they crossed the barrier. A burning pain deep inside him as the markings across his torso flared to life. He shot Regulus a look full of disdain.
“You couldn’t have warned me how much it would hurt?”
The vampire shrugged. “I did not want to take the chance you would hesitate.”
Eli growled, and at his side, Farren echoed the sound. Though he didn’t understand most of the wolves’ vocalizations, his mate’s was clear. If Regulus was keeping any other secrets from them, she’d tear him apart.
He didn’t think she could—not with how strong the night walker was rumored to be—but knowing he and Farren could still share emotions, even with her in wolf form, reassured him. Reaching down, he ruffled her fur, and the sound she made soothed his every nerve.
“I’m all right,” he said when the worst of the agony had passed. “I can go on.”
They hadn’t gone more than another two meters when a percussive force sent the group flying backwards. Liam and Tierney whimpered in pain, and Farren exchanged some odd vocalizations with Cade that Eli couldn’t understand.
Ewan, still in his human form, got to his feet. “Movement. Northwest corner of the castle. Two of them,” he explained.
“Leave them to me.” Regulus moved so quickly, Eli saw only a black-clad blur. Two seconds later, screams echoed across the landscape. Fuck. He hoped Regulus knew what he was doing.
“You doubted me, practitioner?” The vampire wiped blood from his lips and snorted, already back at Eli’s side. “They were novitiates. The Thirteen are apparently recruiting. Easy prey. But the next ones we face? They will not be.”
Farren barked, and they split up.
Cade’s group headed for the crimson-stained doorway Regulus had just cleared, while the vampire led the rest of them around the back of the castle to a heavy iron gate. Mists swirled beyond the bars, dark gray and seemingly with a life of their own.
Without so much as a grunt for his effort, Regulus ripped the gate from its hinges and tossed it a good half a kilometer. “Pathetic.”
In the next breath—though did vampires actually breathe?—the night walker stumbled and fell to his knees.
“There is silver in the air,” he managed before his eyes rolled back in his head and spasms started to shake his entire body. Farren barked a warning, and Ewan translated.
“Hold yer breath. All of ya’.” Hefting the vampire on his shoulder, the young wolf sprinted forward with Eli right behind him. Whatever they encountered next, Eli had to be ready for.
The mists cleared after another few seconds, and a plain wooden door came into view. Eli called a stiff breeze to dispel the last of the mists, and within a few seconds, Regulus groaned.
“Put me down, wolf.” He braced his hand against the old, moss-covered stones. “I will be at full strength again before you can get that door open.”
Ewan snorted and offered up his wrist. “Feed, bloodsucker. But if ya’ take more than a few drops, I’m countin’ on Farren to rip out yer throat.”
Regulus wrinkled his nose. “I do not enjoy wolf blood.” Despite his protest, he grabbed Ewan’s hand and sank his teeth into the young man’s arm. He pulled away two seconds later, and the wounds sealed themselves as Regulus licked his lips. “The taste of fur is unmistakable. Even when you are in this form.”
“Ye’re welcome,” Ewan muttered.
Eli’s magic started as a warmth in his chest, steadily growing hotter until it demanded to be let free. Regulus snapped the door knob into pieces while Eli called fire to his left hand and water to his right. At his side, Farren gave him an encouraging yip, and the door swung inwards.
Empty. They’d found a large kitchen, complete with half a dozen cauldrons set over flame right alongside what looked to be a brand new Viking gas range with twelve burners in glistening stainless steel. The entire space was a mix of the old world and the new. An espresso machine on the counter, but behind it, jars containing pieces of animals Eli wanted to know nothing about.
“Feckin’ loons,” Ewan muttered.
“Silence.” Regulus held up his hand and pointed down the hall to the left. “Four. At least. I will take out as many as I can, but be ready, practitioner.” Taking off with his blinding fast speed, the vampire disappeared, and the sounds that came from the next room chilled Eli to the bone.
* * *
