Guardian Of Fate (Fate Series) (20 page)

I pulled his head down to mine and whispered, "Only for you, Hunter. Make love to me." I kissed him, with everything that I wished we could be after our "piece of time" was over. He kissed me back with the same fervor of emotion, our mouths bonding together as if they were one entity connecting our entire souls.

He moved within me as we kissed, picking up a rhythm filled with desire and sending wave after wave of burning pleasure with every thrust. My body matched his perfect tempo, somehow knowing exactly how to heighten the euphoria. I felt him so deep inside of me, deeper than I thought was physically possible and it was sheer heaven. I had to pull from his lips, as my cries of pleasure grew too frequent. He drew back from me, slowly pulled one of my legs up, and rested it on his shoulder. Hugging the ankle to him, I watched as he passionately kissed the sensitive skin, his groans of pleasure vibrating against it. A tremor swept down my leg, met with the heat emanating from my core, and exploded into millions of electrical sparks that traveled to every part of me. He must have sensed my sexual tension at its peak because he thrust into me with a force. I cried out his name, while my climax erupted, his erection remaining inside of me. I lay on the table, in a state of bliss while the explosion settled into waves of throbbing pleasure.

He released my leg and leaned over me with a sexy smile. God, he was beautiful. I put my hands to the side of his face and just looked at him, my eyes telling him everything that I felt in that moment. As he kissed me I reached around and ran my hands down his muscled back, enjoying the feel of his soft, firm skin. I continued lower and felt the tightness of his backside and squeezed gently. He groaned in my mouth and began to move again inside of me. The pace of his thrusts picked up and he put his head in the crook of my neck, his lips pressed against it. I felt his rapid breathing mixed with his moans as he continued to drive into me, his shaft feeling as if it were becoming harder with every push. With one final thrust, he let out a long growl as I felt him pulsing powerfully inside of me.

We stayed that way until our breathing came back to normal, and I felt small kisses against my neck. Lightly, I trailed my fingers up his back and down his arms. He grabbed my hand when it had reached his own and brought it up to his lips, kissing the inside of my wrist and sending sensual shivers up my arm. His head came back over mine and he gazed into my eyes.

Brushing the backs of his fingers against my lips, he whispered, "I love you, Cassandra."

My heart swelled in my chest, as I smiled at him. "I
—"

A loud banging on the door of the motel room cut me off. "Hunter!" Eric screamed through the door.

"I'm busy!" Hunter yelled back, not taking his eyes off me.

"Uh, look man, we got a problem out here that can't wait for you to... uh... You just gotta get out here!"

My eyes widened with dread at Eric's words, as I looked at Hunter. I pushed him off me and was about to run to the door when Hunter grabbed my wrist, sending me spinning back. "You stay here. I'm not letting you go out there looking like that." I looked down and realized I was still naked. I nodded and frantically started gathering up my clothes to get dressed.

Hunter went to the door.

"This had better be important, Eric, or I swear I will steal the Sword of Final Death and kill you myself," he said as he opened it just enough for him to look out, while blocking Eric's view of anything in the room.

My head snapped up from putting my shoes on as I heard a scream coming from my mom on the other side of the door. I was terrified from it at first, until I realized that Hunter was still naked while standing out in the open doorway. I was quite certain her fear came more from her seeing him in all his glory than anything else. I came up to the door and shoved his jeans at him while I looked expectantly at Eric and my mom standing outside.

"What is it? What's happened?" I asked.

Eric avoided my eyes and looked only at Hunter. "It's Nora. She's gone."

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

"
What?" I screamed. "What do you mean, she's gone? Where is she?" Panic surged through my veins as I looked from Eric to my mom, standing at his side, fear evident on her face.

"She said she needed to get something to drink," Eric explained. "I told her that I should go with her, but she didn't want me to leave your mom. She said she was just going to the vending machine by the office, and would be right back. I didn't like it, but she insisted." He looked back at Hunter. "When she didn't come back, I woke Sara and we went looking for her. We checked the vending machine and nothing. When I asked the office manager if he'd seen her, he told me that the vending machine was out of service, so he directed her to that twenty-four hour diner across the street." He turned around and pointed at a small building with neon lights shining through its windows, promising the best home-cooked meals served twenty-four hours a day.

A knowing look passed between Eric and Hunter that made my blood turn to ice. I had a feeling sweet apple pie wasn't being served over there.

"It's Caleb, isn't it?" I asked them both.

"Yes," Hunter said.

I didn't hesitate; I started walking straight over to the diner. Hunter didn't let me get far, blocking me after I'd only gotten a few feet.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked.

"I'm going to get my best friend out of there. God knows what he might have already done!" I yelled.

"No, you're not. Think about it, Cassandra. He wants
you
. This is what he's waiting for. We need to come up with a plan."

"There's no time for that, and he's too unpredictable to even plan for. Don't you think I know it's me he wants? That's why I have to go. There's no other way around this, and you know it. Please, let me go." There was a determination in me now that I think he sensed. I was asking for his approval, but he knew I'd go without it.

Hunter quickly directed Eric to take my mom into the room and protect her with his life. My mom protested, of course, so I went over to her and grabbed her hands in mine. "Mom, Nora needs me," I said, looking into her frightened eyes. "I'm the only one who can save her. I'll be okay, I promise. Hunter will be with me. He won't let anything happen to me."

She looked over at him, and I saw a wall disintegrate from her demeanor. "You take care of her," she told him. "I'm trusting you to take care of my baby. Please."

"I'll guard her with my life, Sara."

My mom gave me a strong bear hug, before walking back to the room with Eric.

Once the door to the motel room closed, I took a deep breath and looked at Hunter, rubbing the shivers of fear out of my arms. "Before we go over there, I need to know something - how do I kill the asshole?"

"You can't," he said turning away, unable to keep eye contact. "Only the Sword of Final Death can do that to a demon. And that sword belongs to the King of Sheol."

"Of course," I said sarcastically. "Well, I guess we just have to beat the hell out of him and send him back home then."

I sidestepped him and started towards the restaurant again.

"Cassandra," he called after me, stopping me once more. I turned back to him, waiting. He walked up to me, cupped his hand to my face and asked, "Before we go, you were about to tell me something in the motel room before we were interrupted. Please tell me now."

I was no longer in the throes of passion with him, so a confession of my love seemed so much harder. I wanted him to focus on saving Nora in that restaurant. I was afraid if I told him what my heart felt, he'd be more focused on me. That's just the kind of soul he was. He protected what he felt was his. That wouldn't work with the plan I had come up with while standing out there in the parking lot.

"I'll tell you what, you help me get Nora out of that restaurant and away from Caleb, and we can pick up where we left off. Deal?" I stuck my hand out to shake on it, which was really lame after what we just shared.

Hunter smiled at me and even let a small chuckle escape his lips. He put his hand in mine, pulled me against him, and kissed me hard. When he pulled away, he still had the smile on his face. "Deal," he answered back. His expression turned serious. "All right, let's do this. But I want you to follow my lead, you hear me? Let me take care of him."

"Yeah... okay," I told him, turning around.

I was jerked backward into his chest by my upper arm. His mouth was in my hair, near my ear. "I mean it, Cassandra. I will not lose you."

"I got it, Hunter! Now let's go before it's too late to do anything for her."

He released my arm and we both walked across the street, dread filling my body with every step I took towards the restaurant. Could this be the last mile for me? Was I walking towards my death sentence? I had no idea what lay in store for us behind those doors, but I knew that I would do just about anything to save Nora.

***

We reached the restaurant without another word said. I was too wrapped up in trying to picture how this would all play out and Hunter was...Well, I'm not quite sure what Hunter really thought about at any point in time. I reached for the handle of the door and his hand clamped down over mine, preventing me from opening it.

"I go in first. You stay behind me." I didn't argue with him because I knew I couldn't win, and I must admit, I was secretly relieved. My bravado lessened as we walked over, to the point that fear had pretty much won out by the time we reached the diner. Fear of what may have already happened to Nora, and selfishly, what would become of me.

After nodding my agreement, he let up on my hand and I removed it from the door. Standing behind him now, I held my breath as he opened it slowly. I followed him into the dimly lit room and was unable to see much of anything besides booths set against the walls on either side of me. Hunter blocked my view of what was beyond.

"Ahhh, Hunter!" I heard Caleb say happily. "So nice to see you again. I knew you'd come. It was so good of Anael to help set you free so you could join my little soiree."

There was a pause and I tried to step to the side and see what was going on, but Hunter anticipated my move and pushed me back behind him before I even got a peek. He knew about Anael? Oh my God! My body quaked with fear for what might have been done to her.

"Surprised that I knew she was your liberator? Don't be. I've watched you for quite some time now and I've seen...
everything
." Bile rose up in my throat at the thought of him watching Hunter and me together. My heart dropped as his face peered around Hunter from across the bar, locking his gaze on me.

"Hello, Cassie," he said seductively with a small wave. The courtesy cooled my skin, making me want to cozy up closer to Hunter. "Oh, now, don't worry your pretty little head about your great, great, great... well, whatever. You don't have to worry about Anael because your secret is safe with me. Well, I guess I can't really say that, since her fate really depends on you."

I quickly stepped back and to the side of Hunter before he could stop me again. Caleb was in clear view now, sitting on a diner stool in front of a long laminate countertop. There were several empty stools lined up along the counter, but I gasped as I saw Nora seated on the one next to Caleb. She didn't look injured in any way. There were no ropes, tape, or anything else holding her in place, but the look of terror on her face told me they weren't needed. Caleb must have been holding something over her to keep her there.

Caleb noticed the direction of my eyes and looked over at Nora. "Oh, right. Then there's her," he waved in her direction as if she were a pesky fly to be swatted. "See, I like to give myself a lot of leverage. You can never be too detailed in the ways to achieve your goals."

"I'm so sorry, Cassie! I never meant—"

"Shut up!" Caleb stood and grabbed her up by her throat. I screamed and Hunter took a step towards them, but slowed when Caleb looked back at him, his eyes glowing.

"Don't even think about it, Hunter, or I'll snap her neck before you even get halfway over here," he warned with a deadly calm.

I pulled at Hunter's arm and pleaded, "Hunter, don't, please."

"Let her go, Caleb. You can take me to Nergal. You'd be promoted to second in command for bringing me back. I'll go willingly, no fight. Just let the girls go."

Caleb set Nora back on the stool, none too gently, and laughed. "You're kidding, right? I don't give a shit about you, Hunter. You're his enemy now, so where do you think that leaves me? I'm already there, brother! I already took your place!"

"There's no way I'm letting you do this, Caleb," Hunter told him with steeled determination in his voice.

"Well, now, the way I see it, you're not really going to have a choice." He turned his attention to me. "Now, you, Cassie have a choice. It's really pretty simple. All you have to do is take Nora's place here," he used his hands to indicate where Nora sat, like he was presenting a display. "Drink this little concoction I've made, and I let her go." I hadn't noticed until now that there was a wine glass sitting on the counter in front of Nora. Remembering what Hunter told me about turning Guardians into Seekers, I had a feeling the red liquid inside the wine glass was Caleb's blood.

Caleb continued with his theatrics, "And if you act now, I'll even throw in my complete discretion over the fact that dear old grandma, or whatever she is, let loverboy here go. That's it! Easy peasy, right? What'dya say, Cassie? Do we have a deal?"

I stood, motionless, except for my trembling hands and my rapid heartbeat. This was it. This was my fate. I was to sacrifice my soul for them. Eight years ago, I was getting over the fact that I had a role to play in saving people's souls, and having to sacrifice living my life as an ordinary woman to do my duties as a Guardian. I accepted it and made it a part of my life. Never could I have imagined that I would be so detrimental to the fate of others that I would have to sacrifice my own soul.

I was terrified of what I was about to become, but I didn't want those I loved to suffer anymore. It was me they were really after; my mom, Nora, Anael – they were just casualties in this war. The words of Anael prevented me from running over and chugging down Caleb's blood. What if, by giving over my soul, they ended up being casualties anyway? She told me that having me in Hell would tip the scales enough for evil to win this age-old war. It was hard to believe I held that much power.

This was a no win situation, but at least, if I took Nora's place now, she had the chance to fight what Anael thought was inevitable. Hell, maybe
I'd
even have a chance. There was no way I could stand here and watch her die right in front of me. I had to do something.

"How do I know that you won't go after them again if I do this?" I asked Caleb. Hunter snapped his head to look at me, eyes wide with shock.

"What the hell are you doing, Cassandra? You can't—"

"I can't just let her die here, Hunter!" I felt my eyes start to well up with tears. "I just... can't."

He was quiet as he stood there facing me, looking into my eyes. A tear started to fall down my cheek and Hunter reached his thumb up to catch it. I closed my eyes, reveling in the feel of his touch, knowing this the last time I'd probably ever feel it.

"Awww... How sweet. While I'd love to let you guys finish this sappy goodbye scene you have going on, I've had my fill of bare tender moments from the two of you. Well, maybe not so much from you Cassie," he said with a smug smile.

I heard a growl come from the whirr of motion that Hunter created as he charged Caleb, but he wasn't fast enough. Caleb quickly grabbed Nora and held her body against his, using her as a human shield from Hunter. His arm crossed over her jaw as his hand was placed strategically at the back of her neck.

"Any closer and this is all over," Caleb sneered.

Hunter stopped, but I used his preoccupation to my advantage, running up to Caleb and Nora. Caleb's eyes looked nervous as he moved so that they were facing me. I put my arms up in surrender.

"Let her go, Caleb, like you promised. I'm here now. I'll drink it. Just let her go." I could hear Hunter's protests, but I was focused on Caleb. I looked him in the eyes so that he knew I was telling the truth – I was giving in. I could see in my peripheral vision that Nora was watching me, terror in her eyes. At first, I thought it was the fear of dying that had her looking that way, but then she said quietly, "Cassie, don't do this. Save yourself."

I couldn't look at her. I knew if I did, I would lose my composure. I needed to be strong. I needed to swallow my fears and do this. It couldn't wait any longer. I wasn't sure how long my resolve would hold up.

"Call off your dog, and I'll let her go."

I looked over at Hunter, who stood only a few feet away from all of us and was, in fact, still growling. His eyes were fixed on Caleb as if he could kill him with their piercing glare. It took me several attempts at calling his name for him to break from the spell and acknowledge me.

"Hunter. Back. Off. I'm doing this and there is nothing you can do to stop it now. If you want to help me, you'll look after those I love when I'm gone."

He turned towards me. The hatred in his eyes that he'd directed at Caleb softened on me, but not completely. His chest pulsated in tune with his hard, rapid breaths. I could see that he was restraining himself from acting, his body extremely tense with the effort. Silently, he shook his head and I thought for sure he'd argue with me, but he surprised me when he let out a sigh and stepped away.