Ru was just reaching for the door latch when he pushed it open, almost striking her with the ornate iron. Nervously, she stepped back with a gasp.
He drew up short. “Sorry. I didn’t realize you’d be right on the other side.”
Any thought of a response died on her tongue as she caught sight of his handsome Malachai form. Incredibly sexy and muscular, he towered over her and made her feel tiny and petite. Something hard for the majority of males to do as she was taller than most, and rather muscular.
He flashed an adorable smile at her. One that was framed by an unbelievable set of deep dimples. “Charonte got your tongue?”
She felt the heat creep over her face at his teasing question. He was ever unexpected and flippant. And something about him always left her breathless and hot. “Did you need something?”
The humor in his eyes died instantly. “Aye. There’s a rumor that we’re about to go to war.”
“War?” Her blood rushed through her veins in eager excitement. It was, after all, what their kind lived for. What they’d been bred to do. She would welcome such a task with both arms.
He nodded. “My mother and her siblings are at each other’s throats.”
“There’s nothing new about that.”
“This is different. I hear it in her voice when she speaks. They’ve had enough of Verlyn, Rezar and Cam, and their dictates. And Lilith is making it worse. Pitting them against each other. Soon, they’ll declare it and this world will burn down around all sentient beings. I fear what will be left when they’re done with it.”
“I will be ready.”
Heat flared in his eyes. “I don’t want you ready, Ru. I want you safe.” He took her hand into his and led it to his heart. “And before you say anything, I know you’re capable of protecting yourself and reigning down entrails of any who dare attack you. It’s not an indictment against your skills. This is a matter of my fear and feelings. I couldn’t live if something happened to you because of my mother and her warring nature.”
“I don’t understand.”
A slow smile spread over his face. “I love you, Rubati. I don’t think I knew how to breathe until the day you stumbled into my worthless life. Please come and fight only by my side so that I can make sure you stay strong and allied throughout all battles …”
Those words echoed around Nick’s head as Nick slammed into a dark, mossy wall. That memory of his ancestor felt like someone had ripped it from his mind to make it real. It was crystal clear as if it were his own meeting with her he witnessed. As if it’d happened to him this very morning.
Hefeltit.
More than that, Monakribos appeared suddenly in front of him. Larger than life and in full armored Malachai form. A living, breathing monster.
He was even larger than he’d appeared in the vision. More clear and terrifying with the same swirling black and red skin that Nick had in his Malachai form.
Nick felt his jaw go slack at the ferocity of the beast. Since he’d never seen himself in his demonic form, he’d had no idea just how massive they really were. How much evil they exuded.
No wonder other creatures were so skittish.
And since they inherited the powers, knowledge and strength of all their predecessors, his Ambrose form would be even more intimidating and fierce than this one.
Dang!
There was no other reaction to have.
Duly quelled, he swallowed hard as he tilted his head up to stare into the flaming red eyes that seared him. For the first time ever, he was grateful to have been spared seeing his dad like this. No doubt that would have given him nightmares for all eternity. “Are you real?”
Monakribos snorted. “I would have thought we’d have gained more intelligence over time.” He shook his head in disappointment. “Pity, we got dumber.”
“Hey now! I’m not the one who got us into this mess. So don’t be pulling that attitude on me, boy. If there’s an idiot between us, you’re the one hogging it.”
“At least you’re not a coward.” He lifted one clawed hand to wipe at his mottled red and black chin before he narrowed those menacing eyes at Nick. A tic started in his jaw. “So why have you summoned me?”
“Didn’t know I had.” Nick scowled as he considered that possibility. “Didn’t know I could.”
“Only in a time of crisis.”
Well that explained it, then. This was definitely that. And it made him wonder when he’d picked up that new skill. ’Cause he’d never had it before. “In that case … yeah, I could definitely use some help.”
