Immortals After Dark 09 - Pleasure of a Dark Prince

his pain made Lucia’s façade of strength waver, tears threatening again. Lachlain gave a low growl in answer, so clearly desperate to help his brother.
    Inhaling a steadying breath, she followed them in front of the cell. Inside, a cot lay mangled. A pallet was tucked into a corner of the floor. Darkness shrouded most of the spacious area.
    From the shadows, Garreth’s eyes blazed, just as they had the first time she’d met him. But now, they glowed the palest blue. She could see his muscles were bulging, his fangs glinting, his black claws so long. The beastly image that usually flickered over him was so strong it concealed the man beneath. He wore only jeans, and they were in tatters. He’d dug his claws into himself and all the brick walls around him.
    The pale gaze that had been locked on her face now turned away. He refused to look at her and kept to the back wall of the cell, as far away from her as he could be.
    Emma whispered, “He doesn’t think you’re real.”
    She couldn’t imagine his misery, was wishing she could bear it for him. “Then I’ll have to convince him.”
    Lachlain said, “It’s no’ just the turning at this point—the beast is so entrenched it’s like a madness.”
    Lucia was only half listening.
    “The drugs have worn off again. I need to dose him.”
    She shook her head. “No, I need him awake. Just let me in.”
    “Verra well, then.” Lachlain exhaled. “You must stay behind me—”
    “I need to be alone with him.” Lucia would do
whatever
it took to get Garreth back.
    Could get ugly. Just look away, Lachlain, this doesn’t concern you….
    “Damn it, Valkyrie, I canna guarantee your safety. And Garreth would expect me to protect you if he could no’.”
    Lucia could tell he didn’t dare hope that she could save his brother. He was tempted to let her try but torn by his sense of responsibility.
    I’ll make it simple for him.
Drawing her bow free, she said, “Where do you want it this time, Lykae?”
    “Aunt Luce!”
    “You doona ken how strong he is in this condition!” Lachlain snapped. “I’d be sending you into the lion’s den. He could hurt you in his confusion, could think you’re a spirit sent to torment him. And considering he’s a male in his prime with his mate, he’ll likely…”
    “Understand me, Lachlain. I came here for my man, and I’m not leaving without him. If I have to live in there with Garreth, I will.”
    “You might just. There’s no’ a single record in our history of a Lykae returning from this state.”
    “And there was no record of anyone fighting the evil he just fought. Garreth won’t hurt me now.”
    Emma softly asked, “Aunt Luce, would you bet your life on that?”
    “He
is
my life now.”
    Emma and Lachlain gazed at each other, until finally, he nodded. As he opened the cell door, Lachlain cleared his throat and said, “He’ll respond best to, uh, physical checks from you.”
    Physical checks? At her nonplussed expression, he said, “He truly is like a wolf now. Just use whatever you know about wolves.”
    “Got it,” she said, placing her bow on the ground near the cell. Lucia would growl, scratch, and bite if she had to. “Lock up behind me and leave. Please.”
    When Lachlain hesitated, Emma told him, “Let’s go. She knows what she’s doing.”
    “Verra well,” he muttered. He laid his hand on Lucia’s shoulder. “Bring my brother back to us.”
    “I intend to. Oh, one thing.” She unstrapped her quiver and handed it to Emma. “You trace this directly to Annika. And bring your big husband with you.”
    Emma frowned, accepting it. “What’s this?”
    “Potentially the most powerful weapon in existence. Something
lots
of people and gods would kill for.”
But for me—it was an afterthought compared to Garreth.
    With a swallow, Emma nodded. “I’ll do it. Good luck, Aunt Luce.”
    Once Lachlain had locked her within and escorted Emma from the dungeon, Lucia eased closer to Garreth in the back of the cell. “Shhh, Garreth.” She reached for him so slowly. He still wouldn’t look at her, as if it would hurt him to. When she gingerly touched his chest, he flinched, not because of his wounds, but because
she
pained him.
    She leaned up close to his ear and whispered, “I’mhere, Garreth.” He stiffened when she gave a stroke down his tense back. “I’m going to take care of you.”
    He openly scented her, probably no more than he ever had before, just more obviously. Not that