Chapter 22
Why the hell wouldn’t Ava just stay put? After searching the Goddess House and his penthouse, he could only conclude that she had slipped out again to continue her assault on the incubi.
He had to admit that her abilities to track and destroy the incubi had reduced their numbers considerably, but Mider was still a force to contend with, hell-bent on using her against him. That made her quest very dangerous without his protection. He and Llion must deal with Mider immediately, he would have to go after Ava later.
Of course he admired her spunkiness—encouraged it even. No timid sex goddess for him. Ava was like a severed power line snapping and sparking energy at any incubus stupid enough to cross her path.
Eventually, he found the avenging goddess in the back parking lot of the radio station. The scent of vanilla that carried on the cool breeze warned him that incubi were nearby.
Duncan followed the scent and found Ava standing over two piles of dust. One quick read of her fierce expression, and he didn’t need to ask what happened.
Two teens stood on the sidewalk, huddled together and trembling, their vacant eyes barely registering life.
Ava approached the closest, a girl of about eighteen. Waif-like and frightened, she gazed up at Ava, her hair falling in choppy wisps around her face.
“Don’t be afraid.” She grasped her hands, holding them in her own. The girl flinched but soon relaxed as Ava spoke to her.
She questioned each girl. They remembered nothing of their spellbound state.
Duncan watched from the shadows as Ava sent the girls on their way in a cab. Her compassion warmed him deep within his soul. He would find a way to spend eternity with her or die trying.
Ava was his world, his reality, and the reason for his existence. The object of his desire turned, gracing him with a sexy grin. His heart raced as a ripple of arousal coursed through him.
She came to him, the alluring sway of her body and long sleek legs made him envision them wrapped around his hips. By the gods, just the sight of his mate made him feel more alive than he had in centuries. He should be furious with her for going out on her own, but the sight of her scrambled his emotions.
“Why are you fighting demons on your own?” Try as he might, Duncan’s voice sounded husky, needy, and ready for sex. Ava didn’t waste a nanosecond to take advantage of his weakness.
Moving within inches of his face, she had a pout on her lips and a look in her eyes that said she was ready to play.
“I wasn’t exactly alone though, was I?” She brushed a kiss against his lips. “But if you’re still upset, I bet I can think of something that will cheer you up.”
“You didn’t have anything to do with the demise of a certain sex business did you?” He paused for effect, narrowing his gaze. “It’s not safe for you to be out alone.”
“I knew you were lurking about the entire time.”
“That’s not the point. I don’t want you battling demons without me. You still have a lot to learn.”
Ava crossed her arms over her rib cage, further emphasizing her cleavage, which all but screamed for Duncan to bury his face in it. His thoughts, muddled with the onslaught of sexual energy, drove the fight right out of him.
Ava wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him. The feel of her soft curves and the mischievous glint in her eyes turned him into Play-Doh. His big, bad demon-slaying persona melted away, and he caved to his desires.
He took the errant goddess by the hand and headed for the car. “Let’s go home, Goddess. I have plans for you that require a little more privacy than this parking lot has to offer.”
~ ~ ~
“I’m going with you.” Ava set her coffee mug on the kitchen table and glared at Duncan. Their night of blissful mind-rocking sex had turned into a heated discussion the following morning.
“You’re the one who keeps saying we’re in this together, so show me you mean what you say.”
“She has a point, my friend. Her abilities to track and destroy the incubi would allow us to concentrate on the other demons and the Dark Lord himself.” Llion leaned back in his chair, leveling his sharp gaze on Duncan.
Dealing with Ava’s determination to go with them to the Dark Realm was hard enough without Llion siding with her.
“She. Is. Not. Going.” He emphasized each word. It would be a cold day in the Dark Realm before he allowed his mate anywhere near Mider. With the Dark Lord’s threat against her still at the forefront of his mind, he wouldn’t risk her safety.
He and Llion had decided to attack Mider on his own turf, hoping the element of surprise would be to their advantage. The plan was risky, given that they would have to accomplish the task before their energy drained.
Duncan was unwilling to let Mider make the first move, fearing that the Dark Lord’s first move would be to harm Ava.
“I’ve proven my worth by destroying Deritus and the other sentient incubi in this realm. I can wipe them out in the Dark Realm as well.” Ava placed her hands on her hips.
“I won’t risk your life.” Duncan grabbed his battle sword and buckled it around his hips. She could easily handle the incubi while he and Llion dealt with Mider, but he couldn’t quite wrap his brain around putting her in harm’s way.
“I’m going one way or another, Duncan, either by your side or on my own.” One look at her defiant expression convinced him she’d meant what she’d said. “I’m as afraid for your safety as you are mine, and I can help you.”
Ice chilled his veins. The thought of her anywhere near Mider made his gut clench, but Ava had him backed into a corner. She would be safer with them than on her own. Against his better judgment, he relented.
“You have to promise to follow my lead.”
A spark of triumph lit up her beautiful green eyes. “I’ll follow your lead—promise.”
Already second-guessing his decision, Duncan placed his hands on her shoulders and frowned. “I’m not kidding, Ava. I can’t fight Mider and worry about you. You’ll do as I say or I’ll send you back.”
“Okay, okay. I get it.” She put her hands up in surrender. “I promise. I’ll be a good girl.”
“Good. Now that everything is settled, we need to plan our attack.” Llion produced a crudely drawn sketch. “I’m assuming the panel behind the throne leads to his private quarters, but I can’t be completely sure.”
Duncan wished they could be certain of the location of Mider’s quarters, but he couldn’t risk waiting any longer. Mider had no idea he and Llion had been to the Dark Realm. A surprise attack was the only way to go.
“We can slip in during the day when the bastard is hopefully asleep, and he’ll never know what hit him.”
“And be done before our powers start to diminish,” Llion added.
Duncan nodded and traced a finger along the passage they would take. Until they destroyed Mider, the mortals in Las Vegas would continue to suffer, and Ava would be at risk. He wanted nothing more than to end this nightmare and begin a new life with his mate. He studied her face, noting no hint of fear. Admiring her courage, he squeezed her hand then brought it to his lips.
“I say we leave tomorrow at first light,” Llion said.
Duncan tipped his head in agreement. “It’s settled then. We leave at dawn.” Anticipation welled within him. One way or another, this matter between him and Mider would be resolved tomorrow. He prayed to the gods the outcome would be in his favor.
~ ~ ~
Ava awoke long before the sun rose, wrapped in the warmth of Duncan’s embrace. Trepidation about the impending confrontation had awakened her, and chills of anticipation rippled along her skin. Strong arms pulled her closer. A smile spread across her face. Even in sleep, Duncan protected her. Goddess, she loved him.
Her tender thoughts suddenly turned on her, and a shot of panic caused her heart to pound double-time. What if something happened to Duncan in the attack? How would she survive without him?
“Why are you squirming around?” Duncan embraced her in a bear hug and kissed her on the head. “I hoped to get a little more sleep.”
“How about sex instead?” She wiggled against his morning erection, eliciting a groan of pleasure from her man. If the battle didn’t go as planned, she wanted one last chance to show her love for him.
He settled on top of her, kissing her fiercely, as if they would never be together again. Their love-making was frantic, explosive, and exhilarating—each one clinging to the other as though the world would cease to exist if they let go. Once sated, they lay in each other’s arms until a loud shout shattered their sweet moment.
“Where are you, man? It’s time to separate the Dark Lord’s head from his shoulders.” Llion’s irritated growl had become a familiar and almost endearing constant in Ava’s new world. As gruff and imposing as was his exterior, she knew him to have a softer side.
Duncan rose, secured a sheet around his waist, and grumbled something about over-enthusiastic were-lions. After he’d left to greet the other guardian, Ava showered, pulled her hair back and dressed in haste. No way would she risk being left behind.
Finding the two men in the study preparing for the attack, she watched as each chose from the huge array of weapons displayed in a massive cabinet. Duncan turned and met her gaze.
“Are you ready for this? You can still back out if you want to.”
Ava ignored the hopeful tone in his voice and shook her head. “And leave you unprotected? I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Llion chuckled in the background. Duncan raised an eyebrow and strode toward her, placing his large hands on her slim shoulders.
“You don’t have to do this, Ava. You have nothing to prove.”
“I’m going with you. We settled this yesterday. Move aside, so I can choose some appropriate weapons.” She looked up at him and smiled mischievously. “Or do you expect me to go unarmed?”
For all her bravado, Ava’s insides churned and apprehension coiled around her spine. Unable to shake the feeling of impending doom, she took a calming breath to ease her fragmented nerves. For better or worse, she would face the day as a warrior, a woman determined to fight beside the man who owned her heart.
“I’ll choose the right weapons for you.” Duncan selected a light but lethal sword and a deadly, jewel-encrusted, serrated dagger. Without delay, he belted the sheath securely around her hips and tugged on it as a precautionary measure.
“I want you to take out the incubi. You can use your powers to eliminate them. Don’t do battle with the other demons unless it’s a matter of life and death.”
She nodded in understanding.
“I can’t wait to shed some demon blood,” Llion proclaimed, as he slammed his sword into the sheath and headed for the portal he had just created.
“Gotta love that enthusiasm.” Duncan shook his head, a rueful smile on his determined face. “No one gets into demon-slaying like Llion.”
Duncan followed the other guardian into the swirling cloud with Ava right behind him. The other side of the portal opened up in front of the old ranch house. After scanning the area to ensure their privacy, Duncan strode to the door and flung it open.
A few feet from the front entrance, a gaping hole spewed smoke and a foul odor.
“Good. The portal is still open,” Llion said. “This makes our job a little easier.”
Ava wrinkled her nose and looked into the never-ending blackness of the entrance.
“Let me guess. We’re going to jump into that stinky hole, right?”
Llion leapt and disappeared into the darkness, essentially answering her question.
“Stay close, Ava,” Duncan commanded, as he leapt.
“Goddess protect us.” She followed, eyes closed and nose pinched shut.