Chapter Three

 

Declan awakened to a beautiful voice humming nearby and immediately cringed at the pain in his head. He struggled to remember where he was and when Declan did his eyes flew open and he tried to sit up.

“Don’t move or you will only make it worse,” a heavily accented feminine voice whispered from the shadows around him.

“Who are you?” Declan growled, wondering why his beast was silent.

“I’m Nalini. Sadly, I am the also the one who hit you.” Declan watched as the female warrior from the drawings on the walls moved from behind a curtain of silk and stood before him.

She was more beautiful than even he had anticipated, and he was speechless to see her standing in front of him. Without thinking, Declan reached out a hand to touch her, and he flinched when she drew back from him.

“How? How are you here? Am I dead?” Declan asked, wondering if he’d fallen and split his head open or something.

Sure as hell feels like I did, Declan thought as he gingerly touched the large knot on the back of his head.

“No, you are not dead,” Nalini whispered softly as a small smile played on her face. “But we must get you out of here soon.”

Declan immediately pulled out his comm and cursed when he saw more than nine hours had passed. Not only did he miss his check in with his brothers, but he’d lost the entire day. He quickly tapped an excuse to Mikal and Chris but noted that even their technology couldn’t penetrate this mountain. So he turned to study the beautiful and impossibly alive warrior.

She had straight black hair that reached the top of her small waist, and dark brown eyes that appeared weary. The intricately wound sari only accentuated curves that Declan ached to touch and had seen while she fought the creatures. Even the sword she had used was strapped to her back by an intricately designed leather scabbard.

“You’re the woman in the pictures aren’t you? I felt you last night and today. How are you here?” Declan asked as he spotted both of his packs lying near the entrance to the tunnel. “Can I please get my bags? I just want something for my headache.”

“Of course,” Nalini said as she smiled gently and gestured to his packs.

Declan groaned as he moved his legs to the side of the silken pallet on the floor and waited a moment before he stood. He regretted it when he began to sway and felt himself falling. Surprisingly strong hands gripped his arms and helped to steady him.

“Take your time, you took a bad strike to the head,” Nalini said as she gently pushed him back down on the pallet.

Declan watched as she moved to the entrance and picked up his heavy packs as if they weighed nothing and set them down near the side of the pallet. He was more than a little surprised to note that his guns were still strapped to his thighs and his sword was propped up near the door.

“Thank you,” Declan murmured.

He grabbed a bag and went right to where he’d packed a med kit, pulled out a thin metal band, and slapped an emergency mediband on his wrist. Seconds later the pain in his head began to lessen dramatically, and he sighed in relief as the throbbing receded.

“You’re already feeling better,” Nalini observed with a grateful sigh. “You must leave as soon as you are able. I can show you another way out.”

Declan shook his head, trying to understand what the hell was going on, who she was and why she was here if there was a way out.

“I’m not going anywhere until I know why you’re here,” Declan stated, feeling stronger and better the longer the mediband was on.

Nalini grimaced and moved around the spacious stone chamber nervously for a few minutes. Declan’s gaze was drawn to the brightly colored silken fabrics that hung around the room and the beautiful paintings that adorned the walls.

It struck him that these drawings weren’t of battles or any kind of violence, they appeared to be happy scenes of family, peace, and love. As if this room were the reminder of a past that needed to be remembered.

Where the hell did that come from? Declan wondered, curious if the blow to the head was more severe than he thought.

“It is,” Nalini whispered as she turned to the wall and a scene between a father and young daughter.

Declan sucked in a sharp breath, trying to remember if he’d spoken that aloud or not.

“No, you didn’t. I read your energy,” Nalini said as a blush stained her light brown skin. “I wasn’t trying to pry, only ensure you were well enough to leave soon.”

“Do you live here? How long have you been here? Leave with me. Please,” Declan said, his eyes searching her beautiful dark ones.

He had no idea why she needed to go with him, but the dread he could feel gathering in the pit of his stomach was a warning he didn’t want to ignore. Her heavy sigh and the slight shake of her head didn’t make him feel any better.

“I cannot go, but you must leave soon and when you do, go far from this place,” Nalini warned, her voice shaking with desperation.

Declan snorted and pushed himself to his feet, glad that he didn’t embarrass himself this time. He turned towards Nalini and was surprised at how small she appeared when standing near him. She was petite and so graceful that she reminded him of a delicate butterfly.

Or one of those lotus flowers I’m looking for, Declan thought.

“My father thought the same the day of my birth. It’s why my name means lotus flower,” Nalini said with a smile.

Declan’s hand seemed to rise of its own volition, and he caressed it down her creamy soft cheek before he let it drop to his side.

“I can see why. You seem so delicate and beautiful. How can you fight them like that?” Declan allowed the words to tumble from his mouth, unable to stop them from coming out.

She entranced him in a way he’d never felt before, and he had to know more about her and why she was here. And if the battles were real or not. Declan assumed he had his answer, as impossible as it was when Nalini paled.

“You must leave now that you are well,” Nalini insisted as she pushed him towards the door.

Declan dug his feet into the solid rock beneath their feet and grinned when she could no longer push him out of the chamber or her life. He knew he had this one moment, this one chance to get her to tell him what was going on. The determination and stubbornness he could feel enveloping her energy were more than familiar to him after living with his brothers for more than a century.

Declan knew Nalini would never be more susceptible to telling him than right now and as much as it bothered him to capitalize on her current exhausted state, he had to. There was no way he could walk away. Not when their energies were intertwining so rapidly. In only hours, they were more bonded together than other hybrid mates he’d seen and even without confirmation from his beast Gavidar, Declan knew she belonged to him.

Nalini growled and lightly punched him on the side, causing Declan to turn and face her. He caught her hands in his own and bent down to kiss the back of them both. When he raised up again, he was thrilled to see the shocked and pleased look on her face. It didn’t last long.

“Stop that! You must leave! Now,” Nalini ordered as she snatched her hands away from him and pointed at the door.

Declan only shook his head and crossed his arms over his broad chest. At six-foot-five, he towered over her by a good foot and was three times as wide. Declan had no qualms about making sure she was aware of his size before she tried to attack him. He knew that with her lightning speed and skill it would be one hell of a battle that would see them both hurt, but his sheer size would eventually wear her down.

The way the creatures do every night, Declan thought, preparing himself to fight her for the truth of what was going on.

He wasn’t the least bit surprised when she mimicked his pose and began tapping a delicate, sandal-covered foot. Her full lips were drawn in a disapproving line, and her dark eyes were narrowed as she stared up at him. Declan was so charmed he chuckled and bent down to give her a quick kiss on her forehead.

Just seeing that startled look on her face is worth the slap she’s bound to give me. Just as Declan finished the thought her small hand whipped upwards and slapped his cheek. He knew it only made her madder when he grinned at her.

“You’re not chasing me away. I’m not leaving you here to fight them alone, so unless you want to fight me first, before taking them on, you better start talking.” Declan crossed his arms back over his chest and pretended a casual pose even though he was prepared to fight if she initiated it.

“You are infuriating! This is no business of yours!” Nalini snapped then started to pace the chamber.

Declan quirked a brow at her and noted that even Nalini didn’t believe what she’d said.

She knows we’re mates, Declan thought, wondering how he could use the information to get her to talk.

“You know who I am to you, as do I. Don’t let us begin with lies,” Declan pleaded with her, hoping it would work as he watched the emotions play across her expressive face.

“There is no beginning for us,” Nalini whispered before she turned away from him.

“Like hell, there isn’t!” Declan snapped as he put a hand on her shoulder and gently turned her back to face him. “You may be willing to walk away from this that easily but I’m going nowhere without an explanation. I deserve that much.”

Nalini sighed heavily and nodded her head before she walked across the floor and sat on the pallet. Figuring this story would take a little time and wanting to be near her, Declan followed and sat beside her.

“You must promise to leave after I tell you.” Nalini’s eyes bore into his as she waited for his answer.

“You know I can’t do that,” Declan replied, unwilling to make a promise like that. Ever.

“If I tell you, will you explain why you’re here?” Nalini asked with a small smile playing on her face.

Declan chuckled as he nodded his head in agreement. That seemed to be enough for Nalini, and she began to speak.

“My Father is what you’d call a world guardian. He is Kartikeya, also known as Murugan, the Hindu God of War. Long ago, before he allowed himself to physically leave this world, my father killed the daemon Taraka. But he wasn’t a daemon, he was what you know as an anomalous Prime.” Nalini couldn’t have shocked Declan more if she’d tried. Not giving him time to think about it, she continued her story.

“Taraka’s son, Sanika was so angry he made a pact with the Daemon Queen, and she cursed my father’s children to be killed by the daemons. My Father hid me for years and trained me in case they ever came for me, but they never did, and the moment he felt it was safe to leave this world, the daemons found me,” Nalini said as she shrugged her shoulders.

Long minutes passed in silence and Declan finally threw up his hands in frustration.

“That can’t be the end of the story! How are you still alive? Why are you in this place? How old are you? Finish the story,” Declan insisted as questions swirled in his head.

“I’m still alive because I’m immortal. My father is a world guardian. Sanika didn’t want my death, he wanted to inflict endless suffering upon my father’s children. He expects me to go insane and wants the shell of me to be the only thing that remains when my father returns for the conversion,” Nalini explained and gave Declan a small smile.

“Why here? In this mountain? How long have you been going through this? Is it every night?” Declan asked.

He needed to know what they were facing because he had no intention of leaving her here alone. He turned to watch Nalini as she spoke, needing to read the emotions she allowed to show on her face.

“My father carved out this place for me when I was a child. This is where he trained me, and it’s safe here. For everyone else. I’m close enough to town for company and supplies when I need them for six months of every year. Besides, I know what is going on in the world, and I’m not sure which is more dangerous, the daemons or the humans,” Nalini explained as she shook her head at what had become of the world in such a short period of time.

Declan ran his hands over his head and blew out a breath of anxious energy. He may not know her age, but he was well aware that she’d been battling the daemons and dying for centuries. He couldn’t understand why she wasn’t insane yet.

“We need to leave. I can protect you from them. I have family that can help,” Declan insisted, immediately thinking of his brothers.

Nalini shook her head sadly.

“I’ve seen your family in your mind when you were unconscious, and I would never endanger them in such a way. This is a trial I must face alone. Which is why you must leave,” Nalini said the last more firmly.

Declan snorted and shook his head in denial. There was no way in hell he was leaving her here to die. Again. Not without a fight.

“How many daemons come for you? Where do they come from?” Declan asked as he stood to pace the room and formulate a plan.

“It doesn’t matter. You must go now,” Nalini argued. “Come, I will show you another way out.”

“No. I’m not going anywhere,” Declan shot back. “Answer the questions.”

Nalini looked ready to kill him, but Declan didn’t care. Without another word he stormed out of the chamber and moved into the outer one where he had seen Nalini fighting in the story that had unfolded for him.

“What are you doing?” Nalini snapped as she followed him out there.

Declan ignored the question. He knew it was a little childish, but he wanted her to know what it felt like to have her questions left unanswered. Instead, he studied the rock wall where he’d seen the daemons coming from in the story.

He pushed, shoved and inspected every inch of the wall and couldn’t find how the daemons were entering the chamber. In a fit of frustration, he kicked the wall and turned to Nalini when he heard her laugh behind him.

“What the hell is so funny?” Declan demanded.

“You. You think that brute force can help you see the unseen. They don’t come through the actual rock. Daemons move within the realms of light and dark. They appear when they are ready and cannot be found in the way you think,” Nalini explained.

“Wait,” Declan said with a grin. “They move in the light realms?”

“Yes, and the dark. Why?” There was a hesitancy in Nalini’s voice when she asked as she wondered what Declan was up to now.

“While you were trolling my mind as I was unconscious, didn’t you see who my baby brother is?” Declan asked with a wide grin.

Nalini’s brow furrowed as she tried to remember a baby brother. Finally, she shook her head.

“I only recall the nephews born of your brothers. What does it matter? A baby cannot help, and I would never endanger a child,” Nalini insisted, unsure why he’d be willing to place a baby in the middle of this.

Declan only chuckled as he looked around the room.

“Tristan? Where the hell are you buddy?” Declan called out, the sound echoing in the chamber.

“What are you doing?” Nalini demanded as she grabbed his arm and spun him around to face her.

“Tristan! I need you,” Declan called out, ignoring Nalini and the furious look on her face.

“Gavidar, I need you to scream for Tristan as hard as you can,” Declan begged his beast to help him contact his brother.

“You must stop this and go now!” Nalini said as she tried to pull him out of the chamber by his hand.

Declan felt the shift in the energy in the room just as Nalini gasped and moved to face the rock wall. She drew a wicked looking sword from the scabbard on her back and struck a defensive pose in front of him.

“Tristan! Now would be a good time!” Declan called out as he pulled Nalini behind him and drew the guns strapped to his thighs. “It would also be a good time for you to tell me if they have any weaknesses.”

Nalini huffed out a breath of frustration and moved to stand beside the infuriating man.

“They are virtually immortal, like me. You, fool that you are, are not immortal and will very likely end up dead if you don’t go now!” Nalini growled, never taking her eyes off the wall in front of them.

Declan hid his surprise as he watched the first daemon come through the wall. It looked more like a caricature of a human with exaggerated facial features, and spindly arms and legs covered by dark clothing.

“You brought a friend for us?” the daemon said with a lisp. “How kind of you.”

Without a word, Declan raised his gun and pulled the trigger. The daemon was thrown into the wall by the force of the bullet that entered his brain and slowly slid to the floor. After several seconds when the creature still didn’t move, Declan grinned and turned to Nalini.

“This might be fun,” he teased, confidence oozing from his energy.

“I must correct myself. Your arrogance will get you killed much quicker.” Nalini barely finished the sentence before she gracefully twirled around him and began to engage the daemons that were pouring from the wall.

“You will pay for that,” the daemon Declan had shot said as he pulled himself up from the floor.

Declan raised both hands and began shooting everything in the head until his bullets ran out. He dropped his guns and cursed that he’d left his sword by the door to Nalini’s private chamber and raised his hands.

“Cut off the head if you can, it is the only way to kill them. Otherwise, aim for the limbs to slow them down. I will cover you as you leave,” Nalini growled in his mind.

“Thanks for the information,” Declan snapped back.

Concentrating his power, Declan began to shoot spinning discs of energy at the legs of the daemon horde pouring from the walls.

“They’re like zombies! The bastards just keep coming,” Declan growled in frustration as half a dozen legless daemons crawled towards them.

“Get out!” Nalini snapped back before she expertly cut off the head of one daemon and stepped towards the next.

Declan only snorted and sent out several more targeted energy discs. He would have congratulated himself on removing the heads of three daemons and watching their bodies turn to dust if a dozen more hadn’t replaced them.

“Tristan! We’re going to be seriously fucked in about two minutes if you don’t get your ass here,” Declan growled through the shengari’.