Immortal Dynasty (27 page)

“Shaila? You are not paying attention to me. I have never allowed anyone to brush me off.” He leaned in again, whispering in her ear. “Especially your little lover. Even as a boy I could kick his ass. He tried to ignore me. I had to teach him a lesson. He just didn’t give a shit about anything…until I took this from him.”

She looked up and saw the necklace he had hung around his neck. At the end of it dangled a small blue bead, one of many from Nefertiti’s favorite throat collar. It must have been the one gift from his true mother that had survived the wickedness of time. She snarled, revealing her fangs. She could not wait to sink them into Therion’s throat.

“There’s my little hellcat.”

“I am not yours.”

“You will be, or I will be forced to kill you.”

“You are forbidden to kill one of your own kind.”

His laugh turned feral, and his black eyes blazed red for a moment. “The son of Apophis answers to none but himself.” He slapped her ribs again, laughing at her pain. “I am stronger than you think, Shaila. I am so much stronger than anyone thought. My father understands my true potential. I am a god. Imagine that. I’m a god on Earth, and I deserve my full power.”

Something in his words haunted her. “Therion, where is your mother? What have you done with Lilith?”

* * *

Darius closed the living room blinds, shutting out the final glow of the setting sun. Bakari shimmered into the room carrying a wicked-looking pistol crossbow. It was a perfect weapon for close combat: self-loading and self-cocking. Demons would be no match for the steel bolts that would detonate on impact.

Bakari approached him with the gold box he’d seen at the man’s house that day with Shaila. “This belongs to you.”

Darius lifted the ruby ring that once sat on the finger of the pharaoh Ahkenaten. The ring winked at him, as if daring him to accept his destiny.

“You might not have a kingdom to rule, Darius, but you have us.” Bakari bent down on one knee to show his allegiance. Darius felt decidedly awkward. He didn’t want to be the leader. He worked alone.

“Thank you, but I’m not cut out to lead a group.” He dragged his hand across his brow. “There are too many variables that I can’t plan for. Shaila’s my responsibility. I promise I will get her and bring her back here. I can’t be responsible for all of you.”

Before anyone could object, Papa Shadi’s pet cat sauntered into the room. Leaping onto an empty chair, she flashed into her human form.

“Did I miss the swearing-in ceremony?” She seemed to notice Papa Shadi sitting on the couch. “Papa!”

Rushing to Papa Shadi, she hugged him tight.

“Bessie, my girl. You look well.” He pinched her cheeks.

She purred with child-like delight.

His grandfather approached, again looking apologetic for keeping the truth from him. “Darius, this is Bessie. She is Shaila’s younger sister, and she is the one who helped me and Artie find the statue at Lilith’s estate.”

“We’ve already been introduced. She helped us find you.”

Darius retrieved Papa Shadi’s wooden walking stick from the closet and brought it over. His grandfather smiled as he welcomed it like an old friend. Then, pain flickered across his wrinkled face.

Everyone jerked when the front door and windows rattled violently. Darius could hear the muffled sounds of hissing and screeching. Something was desperately trying to get in. He cringed at the high-pitched wails of frustration. Peeking through the blinds, he saw nothing but darkness. The sun had finally dropped below the horizon.

“What is it, Papa? What’s out there?”

“They are
shadow walkers
.”

“Shaila said they’re indestructible.” Marcus shuddered.

The old man held up his walking stick. A bright glow emanated briefly from the top of it. “Bright light is their weakness. It temporarily blinds them. It also clears away the black fog that cloaks them and protects them from attacks on their bodies.”

The attack on the house seemed to increase with renewed energy, but still the spell thankfully held them at bay. Darius did not like being a sitting duck. He needed to get out of here and over to the Troy Estate. Shaila might be strong, but she would still need him. He felt it.

“I have to go.” Darius double-checked his belt buckle. Both throwing knives were safely snapped in place. He knew he would need more than throwing knives and a set of mini fangs, but he couldn’t risk the lives of any other but himself.

Marcus stepped close to Bakari, pointing to the wicked-looking weapon. “You don’t happen to have a spare one of those, do you?”

Darius had to intervene before this got out of hand. “No, Marcus. You’re not coming with me. I’ve appreciated all of your help, but this isn’t a superhero movie. Sidekicks can get hurt. Or killed.”

“Thanks for the pep talk, Dare. I assure you that I can handle myself, and you sure as hell need someone to watch your back.”

Bakari handed Marcus the crossbow, and then flashed out of the room momentarily. He returned with two more of the weapons, one of which he tossed at Darius.

Catching it, Darius inspected thoroughly. He was adept with most weapons, but he preferred hand combat. Weapons were good for picking off opponents from a distance, but too many variables hindered control of a situation. He appreciated the control he felt in using martial arts.

“Where is Shaila?” Bessie’s eyes darted around the room suspiciously.

“That’s who we’re going to get.” Marcus answered for everyone, moving in close to hold her hand. “Therion captured her this morning.”

She looked stricken. “Oh, goddess. So that’s who the gold cuffs were for. Last night I was there…in the basement. I saw Therion with Queen Tia’s golden handcuffs, like the ones she used to capture Apophis.” She approached Darius until she stood toe to toe with him. “Those cuffs will burn Shaila every time she tries to use any powers at all.”

Darius felt the blood drain from his face. His soul was shaken to the core by the thought of Shaila in Therion’s control, powerless to defend herself. For once in his life, he’d found something he wanted to keep. He swore to whatever god was listening that before this night was over he would have his goddess back…and that Therion would burn in hell.

“So I’m coming too.” Bessie nodded, eyeing Marcus curiously. “But there’s something you all need to know before we get there.”

Now his palm itched. It wasn’t Bessie; it was what he feared she was going to say. There was more…and he wasn’t going to like it one bit.

“Lilith is not in charge any more. She doesn’t lead the demon army or command the
shadow walkers
.” She approached Darius slowly. Her eyes were a deep yellow and as lustrous as gold. There was no deception in their depths. “Therion has imprisoned his mother, and I think he means to sacrifice her tonight.”

“How can he, when he doesn’t have his full power?”

Papa Shadi answered. “The blood of Apophis has many secrets. It has given his son great powers, even without his Anunnaki spirit. He has become the
necrotherion
, the Death Beast. Even without the powers from the amulet, he is strong. Please, Darius, do not underestimate him.”

“Come. We must go now.” Bessie hurried toward the staircase.

“No.” Darius would not allow his grandfather to be in harm’s way again. “You can’t go over there, and--”

Papa Shadi swiveled around and pointed the knob of his walking stick at him. Light blazed from it. “I may be old, but I am not without strength.”

Bakari put a hand on Darius’ shoulder, warmth spreading from the touch. “It will take all of us to succeed tonight. Both light and dark energies are fully powerful during the hunter’s moon.”

Resigned to his fate, Darius put the ruby ring on his finger. He thought it would feel heavy with the weight of responsibility. Instead, his blood pulsed faster and stronger as a new sense of determination swelled in his heart. “Okay then. Bakari, you can get there much more quickly. Can you flash into the basement of the Troy Estate undetected and scout it out for us?”

Bakari nodded and disappeared.

“I’ll lead the way.” Bessie turned to speak to Papa Shadi. “With those things out there, we’ll need to take them through the tunnels.”

Papa Shadi lowered the walking stick, his blue eyes now shining with enthusiasm. “Darius, there is a reason that I bought this particular brownstone. Come along and see.”

Marcus flashed him a nervous smile.

In the basement, Bessie lifted a square metal sheet, engraved with an old bootleggers seal. She dropped down into the darkness with the grace and confidence of someone who was acutely familiar with the place. Except when she knocked her head on the low ceiling. Apparently, she usually traveled this path in her cat form.

It took about ten minutes for them to wind along the narrow dusty tunnel and emerge through a drainage grate next to the Charles River. They made their way easily by the light of the full moon, its glow eerily enhanced by an orange red haze.

The smell of diesel fuel assaulted Darius, flaring his nostrils. He recognized the lagoon where he’d fished as a kid. Bessie led them to an above-ground entrance to the drainage system. Here the tunnel was high enough for them to walk upright, but
 
not far in, it narrowed suddenly.

Bessie twirled a round metal pin and slid open a heavy door about the size of a small window. Crawling through it, Darius sighed with relief to discover that he could stand on the other side.

Papa Shadi smiled as he stretched his back. “Maybe I am getting too old for this kind of adventure.”

Bessie smirked. “Come on, we’re almost there. These tunnels run along Beacon Street, and the Troy Estate is about two blocks just ahead.”

Darius felt his blood pulse more rapidly. A snarl sprang from his lips and reverberated through the stone tunnel. He hadn’t meant to startle everyone, but he couldn’t wait to get his hands around Therion’s throat. He felt his fangs descend, but the pain was tolerable now. He sprinted until he came to a door that must lead to the Troy Estate. He felt the vibrations of dark energy behind it.

As the others caught up with him, Papa Shadi approached, looking like a teacher about to scold his student. “Darius, control yourself.” Softening, he continued, “Your powers are new to you. You’ve yet to learn how to use them. Stay focused. Raw emotions will weaken you, especially the dark ones. Control your anger, or Therion will exploit it.”

A hollow click from the door interrupted them, and a friendly voice rang inside his head.

It’s about time! You might want to come and join the party, like…right now.
Bakari was waiting just inside.

Darius wondered how he’d heard Bakari inside his head, but that topic could wait. It was time to take down an evil bully…once and for all.

* * *

Before Therion could answer Shaila’s question about what he’d done with Lilith, energy vibrated throughout the room with increasing intensity. A black void opened up on the far wall, and Shaila watched demons file into the room. She was saddened to see so many young men and women who had lost their souls to the cult of Apophis. They would never again feel the blood of life coursing through their veins.

Pity, however, would not hinder her from doing her job -- destroying every one of them. “Your faithful subjects?”

He smiled wickedly at her. “Of course. Did you think we’d be alone when you become my bride?”

“I will not be your mate, Therion.” She struggled to avoid his lips.

“It really is not your choice, anymore.” He veered towards her neck. Hot kisses abused her, trailing along the artery pulsing angrily just under her skin. Then, she felt them. She stiffened reflexively, waiting for his fangs to plunge into her flesh. She gulped down a sigh of relief as he stood up again. He had just been warning her.

“Listen well, Shaila. You belong to me, whether you are in the statue or not. It’s my destiny to rule more than just the Underworld. With my father’s blood, I already inherit that domain. But with your blood under my control, I rule it all. It’s a full moon, and you’ll get to witness the real strength of darkness.”

A growl began deep in her throat and continued until it reverberated loudly throughout the stone room. She let her fangs descend to their full length, and she sat up as far as the chains would allow her.

He just laughed wickedly at her. “My wedding gift to you will be a choice. Which ritual would you like to enjoy first, a sex rite or a blood rite?”

She strained against her bonds again as he walked away, the chains clanked against the granite altar. “Go to hell, Therion. I will never allow you to enter me. Not while I have a breath in my body.”

His aura changed again, and he roared furiously at her. Indeed, his fangs were every bit as long as hers, but his were black as an onyx stone. Apophis’ blood flowed through this man’s veins, and it somehow offered powers to Therion even without his astral spirit.

“You’ve made a choice then. Let’s begin with a blood sacrifice.” He moved over to the end of the tapestry on the far side of the dais. “This is your lucky night, Shaila. We have not one but two worthy souls to offer.”

Her anger brought a new wave of pain from the golden cuffs. The torment nearly blinded her this time. Taking shallow breaths, she rolled over to see whom Therion expected to sacrifice. He had rolled back a portion of the tapestry to reveal his own mother hanging on the wall. She could not have been more shocked.

Pure hatred emanated from Lilith’s motionless form. Therion must have poisoned her body with the venom that he, his father, and all their demon spawn carried. Thus immobilized, the blonde goddess had not been able to heal her wounds. Her golden dress was now torn and covered in her blood.

Shaila listened as the group of demons shifted nervously and mumbled with confusion. She wanted to know what that meant, but her attention was diverted by Therion’s bloodthirsty howl.

“Mother, you look divine tonight.” He leaned in and kissed her full on the mouth. “Did you get a chance to see who our guest is? It’s your beloved Inanna’s daughter. You see? I’m going to use her like you’ve been using me. For blood power.”