“He had something to do. He’ll be back soon.” Truth was, she had no idea how long it would take for Aerén to go to the Sumerian pantheon and be back again. “Don’t worry, I won't get in your way.”
“No, mistress. It’s always a pleasure when you are here. I shall prepare you a meal.”
Eve nodded. She didn't have the heart to tell him she wasn’t hungry. Izzeri disappeared into the kitchen. She wandered to the living room and came to an abrupt halt.
There through the windows, she saw the granite balustrades edging the balcony. Her breath caught in her throat. Reynner had finally put in railings to keep her safe. Unable to look at them, she rushed from the room, stopping only when she found herself on the lower level, a few feet from the gym entrance with nowhere else to go.
God, she rubbed her burning eyes. How could she stay here, utterly helpless and unable to do anything?
A cool breeze blew over her heated skin. Eve glanced around, searching for the source. Stepping closer to the granite wall on her left, she examined the rough surface. Not even a crack there. Where did the draft come from?
Frowning, she ran her hand over the coarse surface and realized why she hadn’t noticed the passageway.
Slabs of granite overlapped, giving the illusion of a continuous wall. She stepped behind it into a narrow, gloomy passage and found herself on the top stair. It led down a crudely cut stairwell in the rock face disappearing into darkness.
Her stomach in a knot, Eve stepped into its gaping mouth. She wanted to see this dungeon Reynner’d used for so long to thwart Inanna.
A hand on the wall, she slowly made her way down. Stale air and the smell of mildew clogged her nose. Flickering lights below caught her attention. Eve carefully picked her way down the stuffy stairway to the firelight. She reached up and pulled the old-fashioned, broom-like torch off the wall. And continued down the stairs.
Deep inside the mountain, the air grew chilly. It seeped into her damp tank and capri jeans. She shivered, goosebumps scattering over her bare arms. But determination propelled her forward until she hit the last step.
A muffled sound carried to her.
Reynner?
Her heart drumming against her ribs, Eve tossed the torch to the floor. The flame died and pulled the gloom over her once more. A faint glow coming from the distance guided her. Hope, like a bright shiny light exploded in her heart and she sprinted toward the flickering light.
Aerén was right. He didn’t go to that malicious heifer—he’d come here. She’d wait with him while he rode this out, she would never leave him to suffer alone—and came to a grinding halt.
Oh, Christ, no!Her hand rushed to her mouth, holding back a pained sob.
Manacled to the wall, Reynner hung by his wrists. His head bowed, his hair swung in damp swathes, concealing his face. His body contorted, muscles bunching as he suffered in silence. His beautiful wings dragged on the ground. Power bounced off the rough granite walls like streaks of lightning. And there, in the center of the power storm, Inanna stood several feet from him like some evil entity in a long black gown, safe from harm. So engrossed in Reynner, she didn’t notice Eve.
Why didn’t she feel his pain?
Her chest hurt at the truth. He still shielded her despite his immense agony.
“Why do you persist in suffering, lover?” Inanna snapped in irritation. “You know it can be good between us again. Say yes and this will all be over.”
Eve remembered similar words. The demoness had said the same thing when she’d trapped him.
“I’ll even allow you your little human plaything,” Inanna coaxed.
A low, animal-like snarl left him.
“You only have yourself to blame!” She weaved her hand and the glow in him upped. The eight-point star blazed, his body glowed like a flame engulfing him from within, the muscles in his chest and arms bunched in suffering. Several feathers singed floated to the ground.
Nooo!Eve rushed into the dungeon—she would kill her for hurting him.
At the sound of her footsteps echoing on the stone floor, Reynner raised his head. She veered at last second and rushed over to him, instead, and touched his face, tears blurring her vision.
“Oh, Reynner,” she whispered. And there, in his agonized night-sky eyes, she saw it, a flicker of awareness. And then fear.
A feral hiss erupted behind her. Inanna grabbed a hunk of Eve's hair and hauled her away from him, flinging her aside. Eve hit the bars, pain flooding her scalp and spine.
Inanna’s smile widened with pure malevolence. “How quaint, your little pet came to rescue you. She’ll pay.”
“No!”A hoarse snarl left Reynner. His shields dropped, and he lost control.
