Ria breathed through her mouth. The lower they went, the stronger the smell of chocolate and raspberries became and she tried to mitigate its effect. It wasn't working. She could taste him in every breath.

She stepped out of the lift, Asher keeping so close she could feel his hot breath on the back of her neck.

"I'm not sure this is a good idea, Father." She tried to sound calm and considerate and not too nasally. After her initial outburst, Asher's suspicion was obvious, even to someone without her telepathic gift.

"This is an extraordinary opportunity and I do not intend to waste it, his honour be damned"

Ria gulped. "But I've never done anything like this before," she said as she stopped and faced him.

Something skirted across his face, and she caught the tail-end of a disturbing thought—something he knew about her ability, something he knew firsthand. She chased it, but it disappeared behind Asher's well-maintained shields. She daren’t follow. She could. Of that, she was absolutely sure. She wasn't sure she could do it without him knowing though, so she had no choice but to let it go.

"I have every confidence in your abilities, daughter mine," he replied, the hint of some hidden knowledge in his tone. "Besides, it hardly matters, does it?"

"What doesn't?"

"Whether he survives."

She flashed him a smile she didn't really mean. "No. I suppose not."

Asher smiled back, seemingly convinced for the time being, and ushered her down the corridor towards the cells.

A group of soldiers scattered out of their way as they entered the cell block. The only one of them who didn't run at the sight of Lord Asher and his reclusive daughter stared at her with a mixture of fear and awe.

"She really exists!"

Ria snapped her head in his direction. "Did you think me a myth?"

"Oh shit."

This time when she smiled, she did mean it. The poor guy looked like he was going to shit himself and legged it down the hall.

Her father raised an eyebrow at her.

"It seems I have a bit of a reputation," she told him.

That seemed to both please and irritate him. At least his suspicion of her seemed to have dwindled. Can't have it all, Ria.

The scent of Ryver's blood was almost overwhelming by the time they rounded the corner. So much so she considered trying not to breathe all.

She wasn't naive. She knew from those around her what punishment had been dispensed. She knew the tools they'd used. She saw how much they relished the chance to inflict whatever pain they could think of on a Guardian of House Blackwood without the fear of retribution. Still, even knowing all that, nothing prepared her for the sight that greeted them as they reached Ryver's cell.

The stone floor glistened crimson. Splashes of claret decorated the walls. There were even streaks on the ceiling, their directionality hinting at the force with which a whip had been used.

Blood. So much blood. And all of it screaming her name.

Ria's heart hammered in her chest and a cold sweat broke out across her forehead as her brain tried to process the horror in front of her.

How could anyone survive that?

She didn't want to look, but her gaze drifted to the Vampire suspended from the stone walls, his arms outstretched, wrists clamped in heavy irons. With his chin hanging on his chest she couldn't see his face, but it didn't matter. Even so bloody and ruined there was a macabre beauty about him. From the muscles across his broad shoulders to his long, lean legs, he was stunning.

Everything about him spoke to her, made her body ache and her heart skip a beat. A yearning she'd felt since he'd first shown her his memories uncoiled deep within her, reigniting a blaze in her soul.

A hand came down on her shoulder, making her jump. She wrenched her eyes away from Ryver to look at the hand's owner.

Her father released her.

"What?" she snapped.

Asher seemed taken aback for a second but recovered himself quickly. "Focus on the handfasting. Winter solstice is fast approaching."

It took her a minute to understand what on earth he was talking about. Then she remembered why she was here. She nodded.

He stared back at her. "Well?"

Oh, right. She turned back towards Ryver. She knew it didn't make any sense, but this all felt very wrong. He was a Vampire. That she should feel anything but hatred for him was just unnatural. And yet it wasn't.

All that blood called to her. A desperate hunger spread through her and she yearned to touch him, to taste him. Without realising she'd moved, she stood before him, her head level with his flat stomach. Her gaze traveled up and she had to swallow hard as she took in the extent of his injuries. Beneath the dried and congealed blood that clung to the fine hairs on his skin, she could see yellowed bruises and deep cuts. A huge tear ran from his collar bone across his pectoral, the edges jagged and raw, and his ribs must have been broken because the bruising was far worse there—a rainbow of purples, browns and yellows.

She reached out a hand, unable to stop herself. Just one taste.

"Ria!" Her father's shout distracted her. "Don't get too close."

She couldn't get close enough.

"Have you determined anything yet?" Asher continued.

"No." It wasn't a lie. She hadn't found anything...because she hadn't even tried.

"Try again."

Anger started to boil in the pit of her stomach. Turning, she faced her father, barely containing the snarl desperate to form at her lips. "I need you to leave."

Asher's dark eyes widened. "I will do no such thing!"

Ria cocked her head. "You are a distraction I do not need. Leave."

His mouth flapped around as he struggled to find the words.

She'd never ever dared speak to him in this way, but she found she couldn't contain it. Desperate need and fury pulsed through her. He's mine. That one thought burned brightest in her mind and she couldn't shake it.

Asher shook with anger. "Remember who you are addressing, daughter mine. He pointed a bony finger at Ryver. "If you think I am leaving you here...alone with that, you are very much mistaken."

A sly smile formed on her lips. "I don't think he poses much of a threat, do you? He is bound, and beaten, and possibly broken. All he has left is his mind. You know that shouldn't be a problem for me." That thought she'd caught on their way down to the cells still niggled at her. He knew something.

His face remained stoic, but she'd hit a nerve. She could sense him checking and rebuilding his shields. She hadn't broken them, and he thanked God for that, but it confirmed her suspicion there was something he wasn't telling her. She stared back at him, daring him to challenge her.

She could hear him weighing up the options. If he stayed he may well be a distraction, and he couldn't afford that. Yet, injured or not, a Blackwood Guardian was someone to be reckoned with. And there was Steele. The Vampire had reduced the guy to a jibbering wreck just with the power of his mind. The question was whether Ria was worth the risk. Could he risk his daughter for intelligence that could give him his greatest victory yet?

Ria already knew the answer. Of course he would.

"Fine. I will go on two conditions."

"And they would be?"

"There will be two guards stationed at the end of the hall."

God forbid she should be allowed anywhere alone. "Of course," she replied.

"And you have two hours."

Ria nodded. It was better than nothing. "Fine." She glanced back at the Vampire, those binds cutting into his wrists. "There is one other thing," she said as she turned back to her father.

He raised an eyebrow in enquiry.

"You will leave the keys to the irons."

Asher barked a laugh. "Have you completely lost your mind?"

She smiled back at him. "Not at all. I'm considering our options. Beating him half to death hasn't won us anything, has it? No information whatsoever. Not even a hint as to what he's doing here or anything about this handfasting you're so interested in. I think we can do better. We need a change in approach."

He crossed his arms over his slim chest, and his mind kicked into gear. She had chosen her words carefully, needed him to see she was on his side. "What do you suggest?" he asked.

"The vinegar your boys have dispensed clearly hasn't worked. Perhaps it's time for some sugar?" She risked another glance at Ryver. "He could be a great asset, you know."

Asher's eyes widened with a look of disturbing glee. It wasn't anything she hadn't seen before—the dawning of realisation, the joy as a diabolical plan formed in his mind. She could hear his thoughts without trying as he looked past her to the Vampire. He could barely contain his excitement at the thought of bringing Ryver over, because his daughter was right: he would indeed be a great asset. Even after he'd given over all the information he could, he was a Warrior, and one with a rare skill. “Yes, a very great asset.”

Again, Ria knew he'd take the risk. She may be Asher's daughter, but Ryver of House Blackwood would be a far greater prize. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a large, iron key. "You're sure about this?"

"If he meant me harm, I imagine he would have it done it already, don't you?"

"Very well." He handed her the key. "You will call for the guards at the first hint of a problem."

Ria nodded.

Asher returned the gesture and swept from the room. Ria watched him go, her keen hearing tracking his footfall down the stone corridor. When she could no longer hear him, she sent her mind in search of him. She needed to be sure he was really gone. Only when she sensed him getting out of the elevator and heading for his study several floors above was she satisfied.

She turned to face the Vampire. He hadn't moved. He hadn't acknowledged she was there. But he knew.

She reached up, her hand cradling his bloodied face. "Ryver, can you hear me?"

"Ria." His reply sounded strained.

That's all he said. Just one word. And it felt like home. She stroked his cheek with her thumb. "Why did you come? Why did you come, knowing this is what awaited you?"

His eyes fluttered open and Ria gasped. The blazing chartreuse she'd seen in her dreams shone down on her, his intense gaze burning her very soul. "You were what awaited me, Ria."

* * *

Kaden watched Lena and Malandra leave before stumbling back to his seat and plonking his arse down in his old chair before he fell down.

"Is everything alright, Sir?" Roarke's quiet voice broke the silence.

No. He feigned a smile. "Of course."

He'd taken part in many binding ceremonies, but none had been quite like that one. He expected Malandra's power—she was a Sentinel after all—but he never expected its unique potency. When their blood touched, he felt like his insides had been scorched such was the power within that woman. It was unlike anything he'd ever felt.

He glanced at the rest of the team, the smell of fresh lilacs still infusing every breath he took. Sky and Phoenix were checking the CCTV monitors. Roarke was still staring at the schematics for the Fallen headquarters. Mercury hadn't moved. He clung onto that chair like a life raft, his hands clamped so tight Kaden suspected the chair back would disintegrate at any moment. Kaden's gaze shifted from his hand to the guy's face.

Jesus fucking Christ.

He'd never seen his quartermaster look like that in all the centuries he'd known him. His jaw was clenched so hard it was a wonder he still had any teeth left in his head. But it was his eyes that bothered Kaden. The milky blindness of his left eye remained, but his other burned so bright, so intense, a glowing amber bathed the spot where Kaden and Malandra had stood.

"Merc?" Kaden ventured.

The guy didn't reply, didn't flinch.

"Mercury. Are you alright?"

Nothing.

His questions had drawn the attention of the other three who'd stopped what they were doing and wandered over to look at their brother. Kaden flashed Phoenix a look. Helpfully, the guy just shrugged.

Phoenix walked around and stood in front of Mercury and waved his hand in the guy's face. "Mercury, my man. You okay?"

Mercury blinked and shook his head. His eyes widened at the sight of Phoenix's hand flapping about in front of his face and he took a step back. "What the fuck are you doin'?"

"Me?" Phoenix replied. "It's you I'm worried about. Everything okay?"

Mercury cleared his throat. "Fine. Why wouldn't it be?"

"Just checking," Phoenix replied as he put his hands up in surrender. "You all set to monitor the Pixie? Me and Sky are dead on our feet."

Mercury flashed Kaden a look of pure, unadulterated fury before nodding at his brother.

"Good deal," Phoenix replied with a smile and made his way out.

Skylar skirted around Mercury, but didn't say anything. He shot Kaden an unconvincing smile and followed the other Guardian out.

What the fuck was going on? "Roarke, do us a favour and get some coffee, would you?"

The young Prospect jumped to his feet, nearly knocking his keyboard off the desk. "Y-yes. Of c-course. Right away, Sir."

Kaden waited til he left before pulling himself out of his chair and walking around his battered, old desk to where Mercury still stood. "You going to tell me what's going on?"

Mercury scowled at him, some of the intensity leaving his eyes. "I'm fine."

"You sure about that? If I didn't know better, I'd say you were pissed off."

"Yeah? What would give you that impression?"

Kaden grabbed the wheelie chair and pushed it in front of the other man. Pointing at the finger indents at the top he said, "Let's start with that."

Mercury didn't even look, crossing his muscled arms over his chest instead. "You just had to do it, didn't you?"

Kaden's brow furrowed. "Do what?"

Thorn chose that moment to join them. Kaden glanced in his direction, but didn't say anything. The King's face darkened as he took in the scene. "What's going on?"

Mercury shot Kaden another murderous look and left.

"What the fuck was all that about?" Thorn asked.

Kaden leant back on his desk, rubbing the disappearing line on the inside of his wrist. "I am getting too old for this shit."

* * *

Thorn looked at his best friend. The guy looked absolutely knackered and a small nugget of guilt niggled at him. With the wedding fast approaching, Thorn knew he'd put extra pressure on his Keeper's already overburdened shoulders. "Is there anything I can do?" Thorn asked

Kaden puffed out a sigh as he pushed his blond hair out of his eyes. "If you tell Mercury to pull his head out of his own arse, that would be a start."

Thorn barked a laugh. "Consider it done. Anything else?"

Kaden smiled. "Yeah, if you could just pop over to Asher's and get our brother back, that would be great."

Thorn closed his eyes and sighed. When he reopened them, Kaden was staring at his feet.

"Sorry. That was uncalled for."

"I have broad shoulders, Kaden."

"Yeah," he replied, all joviality gone from his voice. He pushed himself off the desk, walked around, and sat in his chair. "What I wouldn't give to turn back the clock. Start over, you know?"

Thorn grabbed a chair and pulled it up to the desk. He wasn't entirely sure how to answer that. Goddess knew they'd been through some shit together, but if time were reversed, he wouldn't have Lena. He couldn't bear the thought of that.

Kaden drummed his fingers on the desk. "Don't suppose that would help much anyway."

"Why not?"

"'Cause knowing my luck, we'd end up in exactly the same place."

"With all our hopes pinned on a Pixie?"

Kaden laughed at that, and Thorn was pleased to see some of the tension leave the guy's face. "Goddess, don't say it like that!"

"Sorry. So what's the plan?"

Kaden leant back in his chair. "She's leaving after dawn."

Thorn shook his head. "I still can't quite get my head around that."

"I know. She told me she has to be at full strength to be able to do it. She nearly turned herself into a pile of ash after helping Ria with her transition. I won't lie and say I'm not worried."

"But she has your power and strength now."

The Keeper stared at him, something clearly troubling him.

"Doesn't she? It was done, wasn't it?"

Kaden rubbed the inside of his wrist. "Yes. It was done."

"So?"

"I'm sending her out in broad daylight with a plan that relies on the Fallen never having filled in a service tunnel."

Thorn nodded. "Mercury has the suits ready?" They weren't perfect, but the special UV resistant suits would give them some time to mount a rescue mission if they needed it.

"For what good they'll do."

Thorn couldn't remember the last time he'd heard Kaden sound so defeatist. "What's really on your mind?"

"Huh?"

"This is not like you, Keeper of the Watch. You have never, not once in all the time I've known you, given up. Why do you sound like you're ready to chuck it all in?"

Kaden straightened slightly at the use of his proper title. "I'm just tired, Thorn."

Thorn's brow knitted. Was he ill? A binding ceremony was usually envigorating. He could still feel the remnants of the exchange of power in the air, crackling like gentle static on his skin. The guy should be juiced. "When was the last time you got a check-up?"

"Not long ago." His answer was too quick, and underneath his words, Thorn caught the hint of an untruth.

"Kaden..."

The guy just stared back at him.

"You need to go and see Soraya."

Kaden still didn't answer, but he looked away, conflicting emotions skirting across his handsome face.

"I said you need—"

"I heard." The Keeper nodded and rose slowly. His movements seemingly taking far more effort than they should.

"Now, Kaden."