Immortal Dynasty (21 page)

“What’s wrong with spreading a little love, Darius?”

“Then why stop it?”

“I can’t very well ruin the dignity of my guests. It was only a test…to see if it really did have an aphrodisiac effect.”

She glided toward him. “You really do look like a stunning image of a pharaoh. You’re a natural.”

“Yes.” A dark voice slithered into the room. “King Darius. Weak and inefficient. His army decimated, and he himself killed by Alexander the Great.”

Darius instinctively fingered his belt buckle. He also noticed Shaila’s jaw clenching and grinding. A memory surfaced of Therion groping the statue.

“Actually,” Darius moved between Shaila and his rival, “that was Darius the Third. Tonight I’m Darius the First.”

“A Persian thief, either way. Hmm. Sounds familiar.”

“Darius the First was known as the law-giver.” Darius moved into Therion’s personal space, looking the big man up and down. “But Marc Antony’s legacy was…cowardice and suicide.”

Big hands suddenly encircled Darius’ neck and lifted him a few inches off the ground.

It took all of Shaila’s strength to stay put, keep her fangs sheathed, and not assist Darius. She felt useless standing there like some child. Had she interfered, Lilith would surely begin to see through the costume and discover her true identity. She already had little confidence that a costume and mask could make much difference, but it had been over three thousand sun cycles since Lilith last saw her. That had to count for something.

“Put him down.” It was Lilith who intervened. “Now!”

Therion growled at Darius, but reluctantly let go.

“Careful big guy, you’re drooling.”

Therion responded to the insult with a blow to Darius’ stomach.

“
Therion
!” Lilith’s eyes glowed red with anger. Therion apparently understood her veiled threat, and he moved away toward the liquor bar.

“Mother, you don’t need this piece of gutter trash to help you. I’ll bet he’s failed to find the amulet.” He poured himself a drink and pointed the bottle toward Darius. “I still want my statue back, and I’d love to beat it out of you.”

“Hush. The statue is of no importance.” Lilith swept the air with her fingertips.

Shaila stood a bit taller, unsure whether she should be insulted.

The movement seemed to remind Lilith of her presence in the room. “Shelly, I apologize for my son’s rude behavior.”

“Go have your little chat, Mother.” Therion turned toward her with a hand over his heart. “I promise to improve my behavior.”

“Yes. I have something infinitely more important to discuss with you, Darius.” Lilith moved toward the door and waved at Darius to follow her. “Please. Walk with me. Therion will accompany your date back to the party. I need to speak with you privately.”

Shaila watched Darius’ eyes shadow with tension and anger. She envisioned him ripping Therion’s throat out. She gave Darius a quick kiss on the mouth and smoothed his beaded collar.

“Look for Bessie,” she whispered in a voice strained by her own rise in temper. “Be careful.”

* * *

“I know you, don’t I?” Therion murmured next to her ear after Darius had left with Lilith. He stood behind her, brushing his chest against her shoulder blades.

Shaila felt his breath hot against her ear. She could hear him inhaling her scent.

“You know nothing of me.” She did not fear him recognizing her voice like she did with Lilith. She put distance between them, but her eyes remained fixed on him. For a man of his imposing size, he seemed nimble on his feet. She would be wise not to underestimate him.

His dark eyes gleamed with frank desire. A spicy aroma hung around his face as he leaned in closer to her face. “Darius is a pussy. He’s not man enough for you.”

The sound of his voice brought unwelcome memories of cold hands fondling her frozen skin. Instinct told her this man would not enlighten her spirit. He would imprison it in darkness. He would possess her in every way and use her energies to strengthen his own. That was not the Anunnaki way. Energy was a shared force.

Shaila ignored him, focusing instead on determining his weaknesses. He was not going to allow her to leave this room. The lustful glitter in his eyes told her he would try to take her any way he could…even by force. Like his father, revenge colored his aura with dominant red and purple hues.

She felt a surge of her old spirit around her. Though she could not seem to connect with it, she felt its power…its strength. The warrior in her would not yield. The crusader in her would die before submitting to this twisted son of Apophis.

His dark laughter infused the room.

Moving to the far side of the room, Shaila kept her eyes on him.

“You watch me like a fighter watches an opponent. You’re not a simple female.” He leaped over a long chair and strode arrogantly to her side. “Yes, I was right. Your eyes are angry and your breathing is shallow. Right now you want to fight me, don’t you?”

I want to destroy you.
Shaila felt trapped, like a caged lioness. Looking for the most advantageous spot to defend herself, she stepped behind a tall chair. Slowly, she reached under the linen of her costume and loosened the snap of the leather holster, which held the dagger to her thigh.

Therion couldn’t remember ever feeling such excitement as the moment his eyes had fallen on her. Even with that ridiculous mask, recognition and desire had flooded his body. Had she stepped out of his dreams? Or had his dreams been preparing him for her arrival? Either way, he wasn’t going to remain in a crowded ballroom to play host to a bunch of local yahoos.

With Darius and his mother gone, his mind flipped through the various strategies he could employ to conquer her. Slowly circling the room, he visually drank in every detail about her. But he wanted more. He wanted to see everything she had to offer.

She did not shrink away from him. Her eyes remained alert and she flexed her muscles. He recognized the signs of someone preparing to fight. He felt her surge of adrenaline. He breathed in the scent of her anger. He watched every muscle move with the lithe grace of a cat.

“What a little lioness you are.”

She halted.

Therion used the opportunity to catch up with her, watching her fantastic green eyes widen with shock. He desperately wanted to see her face and to look upon the features of destiny. Whatever he’d said that bothered her, it presented the opening he’d been looking for.

He lunged and trapped her against the wall, pinning her wrists together behind her back. The position pushed her breasts forward and unprotected, but one thing still stood in his way: the beaded collar. He freed a hand to rip the offensive item from around her throat, leaving luscious skin open for his assault.

Therion took advantage of the opportunity and kissed the base of her neck. His lips felt her blood surging furiously just below her skin. She struggled like a wild feline, growling and hissing for a fight. Launching his battle plan, he sought first to conquer her lips.

Oh goddess!
Where was her astral spirit when she needed it? She was on her own. Her neck stung from the force of the necklace breaking around it. Therion’s breath felt hot and wet on her skin. She choked back a wave of bile rising up her throat.

Shaila roared out with pain and disgust. Her fangs began to extend inside her mouth. She needed to keep them hidden. Impatiently, she awaited the right moment. Finally, his rough possession of her wrists lessened enough, and she felt him repositioning himself to kiss her.

From deep within her chest, a growl vibrated menacingly as she struck out with every ounce of force she could gather. The hardest part of her knee connected with his groin. Therion howled with pain and dropped to the floor.

His scream of pain turned into dark laughter all too quickly. “Ah, you’re a smart one. You presented your pretty breasts out there for me like a sacrifice. You manipulated me into putting my obvious weakness right into your path. I love the way your mind works.”

“Men are foolish with their lust.”

“Yes, our brains are in our cocks. I know.” Therion hefted himself to the closest chair. “But I am not like most men. I’m a fast healer.”

His large body launched toward her, but she easily avoided his reach, leaving him to crash into the liquor bar. She had expected a quick move. Even without his Anunnaki spirit to aid him, he was still the son of Apophis. Shaila would never underestimate him for that fact alone.

“You aren’t running away. You’re tough. But make no mistake. You will be mine. And for once, my mother will not interfere.”

The vehemence of that statement shocked her. Did the devoted son of Lilith resent his mother? Shaila did not have time to ponder that. Right now, running away from Therion was the best course of action. Time was growing short, and she needed to look for the hidden room that might hold the infant mummy.

Before Therion could readjust from the momentum of his hurled body, she was out the door and running down the long hallway that hopefully led to the staircase.

He was quick. She could feel him close behind her. His laughter heightened her resolve to escape him. She found a curved staircase, but it didn’t lead to the lower level. She hurled herself upward anyway, avoiding his hands as he tried to grab her ankles between the rails.

Desire for the mystery woman enflamed Therion, boosting his own natural rush of adrenaline. Like a wild cat, her body was taut and wired for flight, springing out of his reach time and time again. His predatory blood sang with the thrill of pursuit.

He couldn’t wait for those long legs to be wrapped around him. The next time she was breathing heavily, it would be from the intensity of his sex inside of her. Visions of taming and possessing refueled his muscles, giving him a surge of energy.

Shaila sprinted around a series of corners, finally out of her pursuer’s line of sight. She quickly dodged into a darkened room, waiting for her eyes to adjust and for her breathing to calm.

The lock on the door clicked, but she had not touched it. She tried to open the door, but it held fast. She was about to will it to unlock when he grabbed her from behind. There was obviously another way in.

In the darkness, he dragged her deeper into the room. She tried to slam the back of her head into his jaw, but all she could feel was his body shaking with wicked laughter. His arm wrapped around her too tightly for her to reach her weapon.

Hearing a small snapping sound, she felt a fire flicker to life. It sent an orange glow throughout the room.

“Ow.” The heat nearly scorched her leg. As he turned her into the room, she felt the blood drain from her face. She had escaped to a room with huge bed in it. “Oh goddess, no.”

“Oh, yes.” He laughed wickedly.

* * *

“Darius, darling. Where is my amulet?”

“I’ve been busy.”

“With your…girlfriend?” Lilith trailed a polished fingertip across Darius’ bare stomach.

He wished he’d picked a costume with more coverage to it, like maybe a suit of armor.

“I don’t have time for you to dally around with a woman.”

“Unless it’s you?” He cursed himself for his stupidity. Shaila had warned him about toying with this woman.

“You could say that.” She licked her polished lips. “Are you offering?”

“I’m only interested in one thing.”

Her eyes darkened with impatience. “Yes, and you seem to have forgotten about him.”

“Never.”

“Then you are choosing to ignore our deal?”

“Let me see. Is that the one where I sold my soul to the devil’s wife?”
Damn.
He felt the heat of the energy blast even before it slammed him against the wall.

“Maybe you have time for joking, but I do not. Follow me.” Lilith thought of the woman who’d accompanied Darius to the party. Her fists clenched involuntarily.

Sex was nothing to be jealous about, but jealousy pierced her when she saw the look between the two. It was a look that spoke volumes. It spoke of trust and companionship. That was a level of feeling that Lilith had never found her whole life. And it had been a very long life. The closest companion she’d had was her son, but deep down she didn’t trust him. He was the spawn of Apophis, and had his father’s deceitful nature.

She called the shots now, and she’d raised her son to adore her, for when the time would come that he was reunited with his dark astral spirit, she needed to be strong enough to control him. She could never truly rule without his full spirit at her command.

She brought Darius up the spiral staircase to the top floor.

Down the hallway, Darius could see the outline of a cat pacing in front of the last door. Lilith led him into the first room, which turned out to be another sitting room. But this one was attached to her bedroom, which he could clearly see through a columned archway.

“Yes, Darius. You have sold your soul to me. The deadline is now. Give me the amulet.”

“Why is this amulet so important? You spoke only of its value, not of its power. So, what does this amulet do exactly?”

He felt her sliding up behind him, drawing designs on his back with her fingernail. “There is an ancient power within the black diamond.”

“One that could be used to free Apophis?”

She actually snorted, as if he’d said something funny. “I am not that stupid, Darius. I have no wish to free that evil bastard.”

“But that is the prophecy, isn’t it?”

“So, your grandfather really does know about the amulet. I don’t believe in prophecies.”

He knew she was full of shit. “The power in the amulet belongs to the son of Apophis. Your son is the destroyer, isn’t he?”

“Inanna is the destroyer. She and her daughter. They destroyed my life.”

“Lilith. There is a lot of history to your name. An ancient Summarian goddess, consort of the Underworld.”

She looked like she wanted to claw his eyes out. He wondered if putting her on the defensive was a wise course of action.

“And of course, there’s the story about a woman named Lilith who supposedly dumped Adam out of her bed.”

“Don’t believe everything you hear.” Flame sprang to life above her palm and she threw it violently into the fireplace. It flickered anxiously. “But it does sound like me, doesn’t it? I would have refused to be subservient to a man like him. Let all men like him go slinking off to find solace with petite and docile little creatures like Eve.”