Terre smiled, and damn if his canines didn’t look even longer. “She’s not dead. I would know it, somehow. She’s been teasing me for centuries, and I’m this close to finally having her. Just think of the sons that female will give me. Although she is certainly going to pay for sleeping with you—whether she consented or not.”
Anger centered Benny even more. “You know, Terre? You’re a complete douche. I’m going to enjoy killing you.”
Terre lifted the prod away, and the swish of cool air over Benny’s damaged flesh brought still more pain. A knock sounded on the door, and Terre paused, frowning. “I said I was not to be disturbed.”
The kid poked his head in, obviously not worried about the disruption. “Thought you should know. Karma is on the line and has offered to trade herself for the Seven. The techs are trying to get a bead on her location right now.” He disappeared.
Everything inside Benny went cold and then raging hot. Damn it. What the hell was Karma thinking?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Drake settled down on his cot, finishing his game. The Seven were impressive, and not one of the males had shown an ounce of fear at being captured. Of course, they were probably accustomed to being tortured. Someday he was going to make the Kurjan nation so strong that nobody would ever dare try to infiltrate a Kurjan holding. It was the only way to guarantee peace and prosperity for his people, and he’d do it. No matter what it took.
Sighing, he closed his eyes for the mandatory five hours of sleep he needed to train effectively in the morning. Peace could only be achieved through battle, a fact he accepted easily.
The sun warmed him with soft purple rays as the ocean rolled in, a lighter pink mixed with aqua this time. He looked around to see Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood sitting on a rock, watching him. She got prettier every year with her extraordinary blue eyes, thick, curly brown hair—and elfin features. In fact, her eyes were so blue they were almost violet, much like his people’s coloring. Was it a coincidence? He didn’t think so. “Hello.”
“Hi.” She wasn’t smiling. “I believe you have three of my uncles in your cells.”
He kept his expression blank. “Interesting. Why would you say that?”
She jumped down and stomped toward him, her bare feet leaving perfect indentations in the greenish-colored sand. She wore white cutoff shorts, a blue tank top, and sparkly earrings. Her toes were painted a lovely shade of pink. “I know you have Sam, Logan, and Garrett. They’re my uncles, Drake.” She put both hands on her hips and leaned up into his face.
God, she was beautiful. So he kissed her. She tasted like bubblegum and sugar, and she kissed him back, her eyelids closing. It was as close to heaven as he’d ever get. Then he released her, watching carefully. Cataloguing. Did she like the kiss?
She blushed and stepped back. “Well.” Her voice was hoarse. “Where are my uncles?”
He shrugged, his mind reeling from the kiss. Oh, he’d kissed other girls, but this one was special. “I have no idea. Why would you think we have them?” The Seven were a danger to the world, and his people had no choice but to eliminate the threat so Ulric could rule again. It was foretold.
“I dreamed about them being in Kurjan cells,” she spat, looking even more gorgeous when she was mad.
His hands itched to grab her and kiss her again, so he slipped them into his jeans pockets. He needed Hope to stay on his side for as long as possible. “I don’t know anything about your uncles or any cells, Hope. The Realm and the demon nation have made enemies of everyone. So if your uncles are in cells, they could be anywhere.” He had to fulfill his duties, and if lying to her was necessary, so be it.
She huffed out air. “You know they’re part of the Seven, and I know that you know about the Seven. So stop playing dumb.”
Surprising. She knew about the Seven? He glanced at the prophecy mark winding down her neck. “What else do you know?” he asked. “Do you see Ulric returning? Do you see a final ritual? What can you envision?”
She took a step away from him. “Most of that is murky.” She hugged her arms around herself. “However, I do see that if you ever lie to me, I won’t forgive you. Since you and I are supposed to change the world, you might want to remember that fact.”
He had no problem lying to get the right result. It was nice for her that she lived in a different world and had the luxury of honesty all the time, but lives were at stake here. Important ones. “I don’t know a thing about your uncles, but I’ll see what I can find out for you. I promise.”
Her stance relaxed. “Okay.”
Then Paxton Phoenix walked down the beach, having appeared from around a series of rocks. The vampire-demon hybrid was finally starting to fill out, at least in the chest area. He’d grown to a couple of inches over six feet, and his black hair was shaggy around his ears.
“What is he doing here?” Drake asked, feeling a rare need for battle sing through his veins.
Hope watched Paxton walk toward them. “He’s sleeping in my room at home. It seems that the only time I can create dream worlds is when he’s nearby.”
Well, that was interesting. Drake waited until Paxton had reached them. “This is becoming a habit,” he said quietly.
Paxton looked from him to Hope. “Why are we here?”
Hope pushed her hair away from her face. “I don’t know. I fell asleep, and here we are. Drake is going to try to help us find my uncles.”
Paxton’s gaze narrowed on Drake. “Sure, he is.”
Drake fought a smile. The hybrid was much less trusting than Hope, which was unfortunate. Years ago, they’d almost been friends. There was no doubt someday they’d be enemies. Such was the way of life, according to his research. “How’s life, Paxton? You still with your uncle and his nice group of lunatics?”
Hope swung her gaze toward Paxton. “What’s he talking about? Your Uncle Santino has crazy friends?” She rocked back on her heels. “I know he’s an odd scientist.”
Paxton looked at Drake. “What do you know about my uncle?”
Drake smiled. “More than you think we know. It’s nice to be on the same side.” The dream world began to fade away. Hope must be awakening. “If we have your uncles, I’ll help them escape, Hope. No matter what. We’ll see each other soon.” He awoke on his cot with the covers pushed off.
He glanced at the clock. It had barely been an hour since he’d shut his eyes. He idly wondered if the torture was still going on. Then he went back to sleep.
* * * *
Paxton awoke, still leaning against the wall beneath Hope’s bedroom window. “That’s the last time I’m agreeing to do this.”