Týr’s brow rose. “Becoming avampire?”
He shrugged. “When we were sentenced, one of those persecuting gods telepathed my judgment into my mind.For the lifeblood you shed, it will be your downfall,” he paraphrased.At the time, I had no idea what itmeant…”
“Whichone?”
“The goddessHel.”
Týr surged to his feet and paced to the trellis, staring into the darkenedarchway.
“Týr—” Dagan touched his arm, and an image shot through his mind.Endless gray skies, no sign of life, just ending heat and sands—No! He yanked free, bile rushing to his throat. Týr couldn’t have faced the same fate as he did. “You were trapped in Reapers Hell, too?” herasped.
Týr cut him an unreadable look before glancing away. “No.”
What the hell had he seen then? His abilities neverlied.
The murmur of voices drew closer, breaking the thick tension. The other Guardians and their mates entered the kitchen. Shae would come looking for himsoon.
“Had I a sister, I probably would have done the same,” Týr murmured, sliding his hands into his pants pockets. “I already live with too many regrets. Furious as I am with her now, Inara was like a sister to me, too. But she was too young, probably didn’t realize the consequence of her actions. I guess the only way to know why is to find her.” His gaze shifted to the kitchen window and the other warriors there, the bright lights underscoring his taut features. “No one needs to know what occurred.Ever.”
“You are much more forgiving than I. But you know what our laws demand. There’s no way around it. Retribution is yours. It’s been the ways of the pantheons foreons.”
Týr shook his head tiredly. “Another bloody battle to the death? It’s all our lives have ever been—even here. You have a mate now. Would you so readily take her into death withyou?”
Dagan groaned, swallowing a curse. Grateful Shae wasn’t here to hear this. With their weak mate-bond, he’d probably die alone, leaving her vulnerable for that fucker Aza to stroll in and takeher.
“Thought not,” Týr drawled. Then said, “We may no longer be a part of the pantheons, but thehefndfee is mine. You aren’t getting off scot-free.”
Dagan narrowed hiseyes.
“What? Unlike you, I’m not all that noble and self-sacrificing. Your cabin in the Adirondacks is mine…” he paused. “And a life-size carving ofmyself.”
The tension eased from Dagan a little. “The cabin, yes, and a blood debt I hope I can one day repay. But the sculpture…nothappening.”
The French door opened, and Shae walked out, the chilly winds stirring her waist-length, coppery hair. Hastily, she buttoned her jacket. “What are you doing out here, it’s so cold—oh, hi, Týr.” She smiled at thewarrior.
“Shae.” He nodded, snagged his jacket, and headed for the door, then slowed and cut Dagan a droll stare. “Too bad, you just missed out on having my awesomeness set instone.”
“It would have been wood and used as kindling after,” Daganretorted.
Týr’s chuckle drifted to them as he disappeared into the kitchen. Dagan’s amused expression morphed into remorse. He leaned against the table and exhaledwearily.
Tender fingers stroked his jaw. “What is it?” Shae askedsoftly.
Dagan just reached out and pulled her between his thighs, needing to hold her. Feeling as if he were shatteringinside.
After a long minute, when he could breathe again, he said, “My sister, Inara, spiked Týr’s drink with a sleeping draft. That’s why he was unconscious when she wasabducted.”
Her worried gaze searched his face. “You bothokay?”
Dagan doubted it would ever beokay, but he nodded. “I don’t deserve his decency. When I thought Inara was dead, I took my sword to his throat, Shae. And he forgaveme.”
“I know. But he’s alive. The heavens must favor him,” she said softly. “I like him.” Dagan cut her a dark look, his territorial nature racing to the forefront. She laughed. “He has a goodheart.”
A sigh. “I messed up badly and will always regret it.” His expression turned grim again. “By the stars, I could wring Inara’s neck! She had no idea what her folly would do. She wanted to go to the damn river on the day the attacks occurred. Týr refused, and she gave him the damn draft—hell!”
“She was still a child, Dagan. She didn’t know anybetter.”
“The warriors suffered, Shae. They all suffered.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, his thoughts troubled, recalling his sister’s pale, thin features. “But she didn’t escape unscathed either. She’d paid a price, too, being trapped in Tartarus for five centuries. The heavens knew what kind of hell she’d endured withLucifer.”
