Darkness Undone (28 page)

“There is something you should know about that day, what happened. Ariana…she was meant to die.”

“What?” Reynner snapped. Had Aethan lost his bloody mind? “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I can understand your anger. I was in that place too. For three millennia. Until several months ago,” Aethan said quietly. “A helluva thing to learn that death was my sister’s destiny. It’s all about prophecies. Hell, I never would have believed it if I hadn’t lived through it.”

“Prophecies?”

“Yeah. I was tied into one, as was my mate.
I
had to leave Empyrea,” Aethan said. “Though it didn’t seem like it at the time when all I felt was rage. And just when I thought fate had kicked me in the teeth once too often, I ended up finding salvation. My mate.”

“What about Ariana,” Reynner pushed, needing closure.

“She took my mother’s
place in the Celestial Realm.”

And all this time—all this time they’d both lived with the guilt and self-recrimination.

“So, Ariana’s one of
those
angels?”

“Ironic, isn’t it?” Aethan said with a wry smile. “We were created like them, and yet
we
are so unworthy.”

“Don’t let Michael hear you. He’d never let us live that down.”

Aethan laughed. They ambled back toward the castle. Reynner glanced around, absorbing the tranquility of the park-like gardens. As they cleared the trellis walkway and headed for the front, he asked, “Will you ever go back to Empyrea?”

“No. My obligations are to this world, and Echo likes her realm. Besides, I'm a Guardian. My allegiance is to Gaia.”

They stopped near the stairs leading up to the huge front door. The sun gleamed off the paintwork on his Porsche. Reynner noticed the slight dent where the demonii had crashed onto the hood. He should get that seen to.

“What have you been up to—well, since I last saw you in Empyrea?” Aethan asked him.

Uneasy, Reynner hooked his thumbs in his pockets. Tell Aethan he’d left their realm to search for him? Or about all the shit that had happened to him since? Yeah, he’d rather be thrown back in Hell.

“Things changed after you left…” Reynner told Aethan about the Stone of Light’s disappearance, about finding Eve and her abilities to help find the artifact. “Once the Stone is found, should be in a matter of days now, Lucan will take the artifact back. After that, we’ll make our home here and at Exilum. Like your mate, Eve prefers this place.”

A pleased smile touched Aethan’s mouth. “That is good to hear.”

Reynner didn’t care for this part, to wipe away his friend’s happiness. Nor could he keep something this important to himself. With no other way to do this, he just said it, “There’s something else you should know. It’s about your parents…they’re missing.”

Shock killed all expression on Aethan’s face. Then his head lowered, he stared at the ground.

Hell, wasn't he the bringer of cheerful tidings? “One more thing, Aerén now lives with me.”

Aethan’s gaze snapped back to him. “He’s here? On this realm?”

For a second, there was such yearning in his friend’s expression, Reynner almost called Aerén to get his ass here, only to recall he’d ordered him to Ground.

“Yeah. He took on the rebels to find your parents. Daén wants him safe. In Empyrea, he wouldn’t be. Nor could I keep him caged in Exilum. Far better he’s part of the detail in Eve's protection, it gives him something to do.”

Aethan nodded, but didn’t say anything. Reynner waited for his decision. Which came after a long time.

“Don’t—” he broke off, then took a deep breath “—don’t let Aerén know I'm here. He must go back to Empyrea.” Another pause. “If it’s not too much trouble, keep me posted on my parents?”

Reynner nodded.

“I'm glad you told me and that you're back,” Aethan said. And that easy smile he’d sported in another life reappeared, brought back sharp memories of an old friendship torn apart but never forgotten. Reynner simply reached out and hugged Aethan as three thousand years of separation and guilt dropped away.

***

Eve stared anxiously out the French doors. Reynner had been gone for so long. She hoped he’d worked things out with his friend.

Easing her tight hold on her mug, she set it on the counter.

Soft voices drew her attention back to the massive kitchen, separated from the casual dining section by an island counter. Echo spoke with Hedori, who worked in the prep area.

Hedori looked nothing like Eve’s idea of a butler. Older than the other Empyreans she’d met, with his erect bearing, he appeared more like a bodyguard. His long hair hung down his back in a plaited steel-colored rope.

The door swung open. Aethan walk in, followed by Reynner. The easy camaraderie between them loosened the knot in her stomach. They’d worked things out.

Midnight blue eyes found hers.

Eve hurried over. “Are you okay?”

He cupped her face with gentle, callused palms and kissed her in answer.

She smiled. “I'm glad.”

He slipped his arm around her waist and introduced her. “Eve, this is Aethan. My old friend.”

“I'm so pleased to meet you,” Eve said.

Aethan smiled as he gave her that half bow. “And I, his mate.”

“Sire?”

Reynner pivoted, his shock soon replaced by a grin as the butler approached.

“Hedori, it has been far too long. I'm glad to see you're damage free.” He slapped the other man on his back, showing Eve glimpses of who Reynner had been in another life.

Aethan snorted and helped himself to coffee. Echo stopped at his side and spoke softly. He bent his head, listened to whatever she said. Then he brushed the shallow dimple on her chin and nodded. She left the kitchen.

Reynner drew Eve back to him and explained about the disasters Aethan had caused when he came into his unexpected abilities during his teens. “He couldn’t lose his temper without casualties. Hedori, as his bodyguard, often ended up with no hair and his clothes singed to ash until Aethan learned control.”

Hedori chuckled. “Damages like that are now non-existent, have been for centuries. Aethan’s finally settled down, like you have, as my lady Echo informs me.”

Reynner nodded, his fingers caressing Eve slowly up her sides. “Yes, that I have.”

“I’m happy for you, and congratulations. Coffee, or something stronger?”

“No. I’m good.”

Relief rushed through Eve to see him happy. Tomorrow, they’d be back to searching for the Stone. She still had to find that witch goddess and eliminate her from their lives. How, she had no idea. And just like that her moment of happiness dimmed, despair seeping into her.

Reynner stroked her back. “Don’t think of tomorrow,” he said softly. “It will be here soon enough. Just enjoy this free time we have.”

She exhaled a shaky breath. He was right.

“Reyn?” Aethan’s voice from the other end of the kitchen broke them apart. “There’s someone you should meet.”

Reynner looked up. Eve turned as the kitchen door opened. Echo walked in, her mismatched eyes sparkling, followed by the most breathtaking woman Eve had ever seen. And she’d thought the goddess exquisite. This woman far surpassed that.

She appeared far younger. Tall. Lean. Her white-blond hair fastened in a high, braided ponytail brushed her lower back. Low-riding black jeans hugged her long legs, and she’d teamed it with a gray tank top.

It was then she became aware of Reynner motionless beside her.

“Aethan, you wanted to see me?” the vision said. “I've a training session scheduled with Týr in a few minutes.”

Aethan smiled and nodded to them.

She glanced at them. Eyes the color of new pennies widened. Her creamy skin rapidly lost its color, Eve thought she’d faint.

And Reynner, he looked like someone had sucker-punched him. Shock, disbelief, and pain filled his gorgeous face as he stared at the woman. Unease took hold of Eve. “Reynner?”

But she doubted he heard her. He put her aside and strode across the vast kitchen, straight to the blonde, who rushed to him. The next moment they were in each other’s arms. The woman cried, deep, gut-wrenching sobs as she clung to him, her face buried in his neck. Reynner’s eyes closed in anguish.

Eve’s chest tightened. Before she could settle on the emotions crawling through her, at another woman in Reynner’s arms, one he obviously had deep feelings for, Echo appeared beside her. “That’s his sister,” she said softly.

The thread of uneasiness gave way to disbelief. Eve's head snapped to Echo. “His
what?”

He’d never spoken of his family, she realized. Then she saw the similarities. They had the same color hair, pale as moonbeams, and the same breathtaking features.

“Sister,” Echo said from beside her. “She left Empyrea unable to stay there any longer. She wanted her own life, she came here. What we didn’t know then until recently was that she’d been searching for Reynner—”

“Eve?” Reynner approached with his sister in tow. Despite the red-rimmed eyes and face blotchy from tears, up close she was even more stunning. Damp eyes gleaming like polished bronze studied Eve in curiosity. Then her gaze shifted back to her brother. “Is she…?”

Reynner drew Eve to him and nodded. “My mate, yes. Ely, this is Eve. Eve, my sister, Elytani, who, apparently, is now a Guardian—I'm gonna kick Michael’s ass for dragging you into this life.”

Elytani brushed away her tears. A watery smile lit her face. “Still trying to protect me, huh?”

“That will never change.
Urias
—” He shook his head again. “I can't get used to the changes in you—you being here.”

“You disappeared, and it was never the same again. I left to look for you and ended up here. I like this life I have now.” Elytani turned to Eve, her eyes bright with gratitude. “You have no idea how grateful I am my brother found his mate.”

Then she grabbed Eve.

“Ely
don’t
!”

But Reynner’s words came too late. Elytani hugged her so tightly, Eve wondered if she’d suffered rib damage as she stepped back. It made her aware, too, of just how puny her strength truly was.

“She is like you,” Eve hurriedly reassured him. “I can't read anything off her. I'm fine, Reynner.”

A low growl left him. “My heart isn’t.”

“What—what?” Elytani’s gaze flashed to Reynner in alarm.

Reynner explained to his sister why Eve couldn’t touch anyone. “It hurts Eve to absorbs another’s thoughts, and at times, she loses consciousness.”

Elytani turned to Eve, eyes bright with compassion. “I'm so sorry. But don’t worry, you’ll be safe around us. We immortals are a tough lot, have thick skins.”

Smiling, Eve picked up her coffee and took a sip of the lukewarm beverage. The door opened again. The archangel himself walked into the kitchen. Hard eyes, rigid features, a stern mouth. But he was as equally stunning as they all were.

Eve took a deep breath. She stood a few feet from a being mortals thought a myth.

Michael’s eerie blues rested on her. “You are well?”

Eve understood he wanted to know if she’d seen the oracle. “Yes. Thank you.”

With a nod, Michael shifted his attention to Reynner.

“I feel like I'm about to be judged and sentenced,” Reynner muttered.

“Be wary, I’d say. Very wary,” Aethan added with a smirk. “I’ve never known Michael to attend any social gathering unless he’s after something.”

Oh, yes, something was up, Eve would bet her life on it. And from Reynner’s expression, he knew what it was.

A gasp left Elytani.

So, she knew, as well. Heck, they all knew except her, Eve realized.

Amusement lurked in Michael’s eyes but didn’t touch his mouth, his attention back on Reynner. “I will reissue the invitation I made centuries ago. Will you now accept?”

As they left her apartment the next evening, Eve checked her cell for messages. Nothing important. She pushed her phone in her jeans pocket, her mind on Brenna.

Earlier that day, she’d been to visit her friend in the hospital, and still no change. Guilt continued to gnaw at her. No matter how much Reynner and Kataya tried to convince her otherwise, this was her fault. If she hadn't gone looking for her cell, Brenna would have been safe.

A warm hand stroked her nape. Somehow, Reynner always seemed to know her state of mind. She drew his hand down and laced their fingers. They took the stairwell to the ground level. As the indistinct sounds of traffic and people yelling out on the streets drifted to her, her mind buzzed around one thought only.

“You're thinking too much again,” he murmured.

She looked up and found him watching her, a smile lurking in his indigo eyes.

“Are you going to accept Michael’s offer?”

“I don’t know, Eve.” His brow furrowed. “There are other things to consider, and the Stone is first priority…but I’ve been doing the same thing, killing demoniis for millennia with Michael on my ass even then. Shouldn’t be too difficult a leap to become a Guardian.”

“And your sister lives here now,” Eve pointed out. They exited the stairwell into the well-lit, foyer. She squinted at the harsh glare.

“There is that. But, this is your world,
me'morae
. And you are far more important to me than anything else. I wouldn’t take you away from it.”

Eve stopped, overwhelmed at his words. “You’d do that for me?”

He smiled, his gaze tender. “For you, I’d do anything.”

Grabbing a handful of his shirt, she tugged him down and pressed her lips to his. “Concrete walls don’t make a home, Reynner. Mine is wherever you are.”

“As is mine, Eve.” He stroked her cheek. “As is mine.”

He dropped his arm around her shoulders and they walked out of the building into the moist, heat-filled night. North and Aerén waited for them on the street, dressed in their inevitable black leathers and t-shirts.

“Does Aethan know Aerén is here, too?” she lowered her voice to ask.

Reynner nodded. “Yeah. He thinks it’s better Aerén doesn’t know. Says he has to go back to Empyrea.”

She had a bad feeling Aerén wouldn’t appreciate being kept in the dark. “I think it’s a mistake not telling him. There’s always the chance their paths could cross.”

“It’s Aethan’s call. Things could change.”

“If it was me, I’d want to know—” She broke off, spying the gleaming black GMC parked on the street.

“I got that this morning.” He nodded at the SUV. “Figured we’d need one while hunting for the artifact.”

Of course, it was stupid to think he’d use the Porsche with four of them. And these men were no lightweights.

Aerén smirked at Reynner. “So, I get to drive?”

“Not if you want to see tomorrow.” Reynner opened the front passenger door for her, saw her inside then circled to the driver’s side.

Snorting, Aerén joined North in the back.

“I found something odd,” North said, soon after they’d taken off. Reynner glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “What?”

Eve peered at North in the dark, the streetlights occasionally lighting his stern expression and the grim set of his mouth.

“I went back to the Darkrean’s hideout, searching for Lucan. The house is shut down, they’ve left.” He ran a hand through his hair, in a seldom seen gesture. “Why leave now when the Stone’s
not yet found?”

“Don’t care. At least they won't be breathing down our necks,” Aerén muttered from behind her.

“I don’t like it,” North added. “And Lucan, there’s no sign of him.”

“He’ll turn up. He’s been known to lurk if he’s after something’s—he can be damn tenacious at times,” Reynner said, stopping for a red light.

Eve bit back a laugh. Amazing. These men took stubbornness to a new level, and they thought Lucan obstinate.

Reynner shot her a questioning look at her amusement.

“Nothing,” she murmured.

A stare.

How did he do that? Just a look, and desire flared like a flame. She squirmed in her seat because she knew exactly what he’d do to get her to talk.

The lights changed. Reynner pulled his attention back to the busy street, apparently satisfied he’d gotten his message across. “Whatever Luc’s up to, he’ll let us know when he returns. Now, let’s go find the Stone.”

***

They’d scoured nearly half the city for the Stone. It wasn't that difficult, not when she just had to play tourist and walk past everything.

First, they stopped at the arch at Grand Plaza. The missing Stone
should light up like the sun when she got close, Reynner had said. So far, nothing.

It had to be close to midnight. They’d ended in Central Park at the bronze and granite Alice in Wonderland monument. Eve forced her tired feet to circle the massive sculpture. It failed to fill her with the joy it normally did. She sensed nothing here. Not even a stupid hum. Only aware of the muggy heat and sweat rolling down her back.

She glanced around her, hoping for a buzz of magic to touch her like the scroll did. Nothing. Just trees, shrubs, and the dissonance of insects surrounding them. Moonlight brightened the paved pathway edged with trees as they headed toward the street.

Sudden pain snatched her breath, rolling like a wave through her. Inhaling harshly, she glanced over her shoulder at Reynner, who walked with North behind her. His brow rose in question, but she shook her head and turned back to Aerén, the pain fading.

Eve wiped her damp palms down her capri jeans, regretting she hadn't worn shorts instead. Heck, how did all of these men stay cool in their leathers?

“How do you do it?” she asked Aerén. “You’re wearing animal hide, surely you must feel like a sauna in those pants.”

“Animal hide?” He grinned. “Ah, but we have a secret weapon.” He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “We can lower or raise our body temperature.”

Her mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding? Right?”

He smirked.

She rolled her eyes. “Of course. Why not? You have everything else, immortality, good looks, why not that, too?”

“Jealous?”

“Absolutely. But only of your ability to not get all sweaty like me,” she grumbled.

“But Eve…” His grin widened. Eyebrows wiggled. “You look very sexy, all damp and wet.”

She laughed. Aerén was an undeniable flirt.

Reynner’s low growl rippled over her. Aerén quickly put distance between them and gave Reynner the peace sign over his shoulder.

She ignored Reynner’s territorial manner and snorted. “You’re no different from human men. Your mind moves in one direction only…” She paused, uneasiness sliding through her again. Something wasn't right. Once more, she glanced over her shoulder to Reynner, her anxiety growing.

He stepped beside her. Rubbed her back as they exited the park and stopped at the curb. Cars swished past. The traffic lights changed. He took her hand and crossed the street in the direction of the enormous monument there.

“What’s wrong?” he asked quietly.

Unable to explain her worry, she showed him her empty Aquafina bottle. “Thirsty.”

His gaze skimmed over her face. “And you're tired. Why didn't you say something?”

“This is important to you.”

“No, Eve, you are more important. Wait here. I’ll get you some water then we can leave for the apartment.”

She watched him go. His gait appeared a little too stiff, not his usual easy stride as he crossed the busy street. Ignoring the irate honking of cars, he headed for the little all-night café down Broadway crowded with people.

Frowning, Eve tossed her bottle into a trash receptacle and rubbed her chest as more pain seeped into her…then it hit her. She felt his pain. Reynner had left out that little detail when he’d explained about his binding to Inanna. But she’d known from the moment in the oracle’s house when gut-wrenching agony had swept through her body what it was. This had the same feel, a burn so intense it felt like she was incinerating from the inside.

That damn bitch goddess was at it again, hurting Reynner because he refused to give into her.

Her teeth clenched in anger. She’d find a way to end the hold the evil witch had on Reynner.

Inhaling a shaky breath, Eve glanced around and stopped, her belly cramping when she realized exactly where she was.
No, not here!

Despair crushing her, she sank on the step bordering the Columbus Circle monument and dropped her head in her hands. This was where she’d lost her parents a decade ago. Usually, she avoided this spot if she could.

“Eve?” Aerén sat beside her. “Are you all right?”

She didn’t answer. Closing her eyes, she tried to lock away her sorrow, but all the images came rushing back. The loud explosion. Glass splintering, the tinny sound of metal crunching, fire licking her skin, and pain as she tried to pull her parents out…

A humming sensation slithered beneath her skin.

Her head shot up, her gaze flying to where North stood, a few feet away from her, waiting for Reynner.

Had he brought the scroll with him? Why would he do that? She rubbed her arms, the humming vibrated beneath her skin like a tuning fork on steroids, heating her blood.
Dammit!
She thrust to her aching feet and paced around the statue, needing to be in motion.

Aerén followed, dodging her heels. “Eve, you can't go wandering off.”

She shot him an irate look over her shoulder. Growled. “Back off.”

Surprised, he widened his eyes. He raised his hands in surrender. “Whoa, take it easy there.”

Reynner returned with the bottles of water and tossed them to Aerén. She shot him a dark scowl and continued her impatient march-a-thon, rubbing at her too tight skin. Frustration and helplessness twisting her tummy.

Christ. So many failures. Stuck here in the place where she’d failed to help her parents. Now, she couldn’t find the Stone. Reynner was in pain, which he’d zipped up about. And the damn scroll was playing havoc with her again.

“Eve?”

Just her name. A soft command. One she couldn’t ignore.

“Why did North have to bring that thing along?” She rounded on him. “I thought you needed
me
to find the Stone, not the scroll. Tell him to take it away.”

She pivoted for her walk-a-thon again. He grabbed her arms, holding her still. “We didn’t bring the scroll. It’s at Exilum.”

“Well, you brought something. One of you did.”

The iridescent spray of water falling into the fountain beckoned her. Eve pushed away from him and walked straight into the man-made rain. Cool and soothing, it flowed over her heated body to wash away the sweat and sloshed into her sneakers, drenching her sore feet. She sighed in pleasure.

But the humming grew louder. She stared up at the statue of Christopher Columbus then walked around it and stopped in front of the angel on the lower base. A sudden buzz whined through her, coalescing. The circle of water she stood in started to spin—or was that her?

“Eve!” Reynner’s yell came from a great distance. A sudden burst of power—a light erupted from somewhere deep inside her and sent her flying backward into the shallow water.

A loud noise. Something shattered. Debris rained over her as she fell, her head hitting the mosaic tiles in the fountain. Dark spots danced in front of her vision. Pain rippled in her skull as the water and darkness cascaded over her…

***

With inhuman speed, Reynner appeared at Eve’s side, the water from the burst pipe drenching him. What the hell happened? One minute he’d been watching her, and the next, she was flying backwards as a powerful light exploded from her.

He kneeled beside her and scanned for injuries. North and Aerén appeared beside him as he examined the back of her head with his hands. But there was no bump or any other damages.

Dripping wet, Reynner carried her out of the fountain, circled the smattering of curious onlookers, and sat on the low wall, cradling her on his lap. He inhaled a sharp breath at the scorching pain inside his chest. And tightened his psychic shields so it had no chance of seeping through their mating bond and hurting Eve.

North and Aerén flanked him, their clothes equally soaked. They scanned the place, keeping inquisitive humans away and clearing their minds of Eve glowing like a lightbulb. And maintained vigilant guard while the crowds gathered to stare at the ruined fountain.

“I haven't found any reason for this,” North murmured, eyes narrowing.

“No,” Aerén agreed, looking equally concerned. “Or any unexplained Others here.”

Reynner carefully touched Eve’s mind with his. Now that her shields weren’t up, he saw images…mostly of him, but he saw the past, too. A different time…her parents in a vehicle, a white, oval rock hurtling toward them. A burst of light. Splintering glass as the windshield shattered…