Keri Arthur - Hearts In Darkness

Rodeman. He hadn't moved, so he had to be either drugged or unconscious. She shivered, hoping that

Elizabeth hadn't paid him a visit like she had Matthew.

Heat tingled across her skin. She glanced up. The flame imp hovered several feet above her, its color pulsing between blue and red. Did that mean that danger waited for them? She wasn't sure, and it worried her. She wished Ginger was here to translate.

Can you see anything?

I'm not sure.He hesitated. There is magic here somewhere—I can feel the tingle of it across my skin. But I'm not sure where or what it is.

He leaned sideways and scooped up a handful of stones, then tossed them one by one into the cell.

Nothing happened.

Maybe the trigger needs something heavier.

Probably. I guess we have no other option, then.He rose and gave her a quick hard kiss. Remember me if something happens.

She glared at him. That is not funny.

Sorry.He shrugged, then brushed the hair from her eyes, his fingers warm against her chilled skin. Don't you move until I say it's okay—okay?

She nodded. Whether she obeyed or not was another matter entirely. It depended on what happened.

He stepped into the cell, then stopped, looking around. She could see his tension in the set of his shoulders, feel it thundering through the link.

He took a second step. No sound, no soft click, no rush of evil to indicate something wicked was headed their way. But her hands were clenched so hard her knuckles were beginning to ache.

Rodeman has been drugged. His pulse has a sluggish feel.

And the magic you sensed?

Close by somewhere.

Be careful, please

Warmth flashed through the link. Don't worry. I'm not that easy to get rid of.

He took another step forward. It was one step too many. Without warning, the ground disappeared, and

Michael dropped like a stone into the darkness.

Michael!She lunged forward, dropping full length to the ground and peering over the hole's edge. It was so dark her flashlight barely penetrated more than a few feet. Wind rose steadily, a stream strong enough to blow her hair backwards.

Michael! Are you okay? Can you hear me?

Yes.He hesitated, and pain slithered through the link, through her. It feels like I've twisted my damn ankle.

His mind voice was distant. The hole was obviously very deep. Where are you?

God knows. I'm hip deep in water. It probably saved me from greater injury.

I'll lift you up kinetically.

No.His sharpness stung her mind. I've seen what lifting the weight of a human can do to you. Get

Rodeman and get out of the tunnels. I'll go after Cordell alone.

Michael, you can't—

Damn it, we have no choice now. I haven't survived three hundred and sixty years without being careful.

I'll be okay.

Elizabeth had been around a lot longer than that, and yet she was now under Cordell's control. What made Michael think he would fair any differently?

I'm still wearing Seline's charm, Nikki. I'll be okay. I'm more worried about leaving you alone up there.

Then forget Cordell and come back to me!

Cordell has to be my first priority. We have to stop him if we can.

I know, I know.But knowing didn't mean she had to accept it willingly. Just make sure you come back alive.

A little hard, considering I'm already dead.

She grinned. You know what I mean.

Yes.

The link flared to full life and his mind entwined hers, caressing her soul with such love and caring that tears stung her eyes. She blinked them away rapidly. She didn't want to lose him, and yet she had a feeling she might if he wasn't very careful. Damn it, she couldn't just leave him alone down there.

Somehow, she had to find him and help him.

He sighed. Don't. Look after Rodeman. I'll be okay.

But—

No buts. Promise me you'll do as I ask. I need to know you're safe so I can concentrate wholly on

Cordell.

Okay. I promise. Not to come after you until after I've made sure Rodeman is safe, she added silently.

Be careful. I'll see you later.

You'd better.She hesitated, biting her lip. Love you.

His smile shimmered through the link. And I you. Be safe, Nikki.

The link died. She rose and dusted the dirt from her shirt and jeans. Overhead, the flame imp hovered, its color still wavering between red and blue, deepening the shadows filling the cell's far corners.

"I wish you could damn well talk," she muttered. "I'd love to know what you know."

Gold flickered across the red, pulsating quickly. Maybe it could understand her, even if it couldn't talk.

Stepping around the hole, she headed towards Rodeman. The millionaire lay stretched out on the bed, his hands tied to the headboard. His color was awful—his skin looked gray and sweat beaded his forehead.

She squatted next to him and felt for a pulse. Michael was right; it was sluggish. She frowned and touched his face. His skin burned. He's sick, she thought, and wondered if he'd had a stroke or something.

She pinched his cheek. "Mr. Rodeman? Can you hear me?"

He didn't stir. Didn't bat an eyelid. Great, she thought. What in the hell was she going to do now? The man had indulged in too much of the good life, and there was no way on this Earth she could lift his rotund figure.

She could lift him kinetically, but even then, she probably wouldn't get far. The pain would be incapacitating long before she reached the stairs.

First things first, she thought. She untied his hands then moved down to the foot of the bed and untied his feet. The flame imp skimmed past her hand, its color bright red and movements suddenly frantic.

Fear surged. She looked around wildly. Nothing stirred the shadows, and yet a chill crawled across her skin. The flame imp skimmed past her hand again, then whisked toward the door. Almost as if it was telling her to get out.

Why? Did it want to lead her away from a trap or into one? She had no way of knowing if this flame imp was under Cordell's control or not.

Frowning, she half rose, then stopped, staring. In the far corner, yellow-tinged smoke billowed, curling through the darkness with unnatural heaviness.

Horror filled her. This wasn't fog or smoke or anything as simple as that.

This was the second devil spawn.

Michael limped through the shallows, following the strong breeze and hoping that it actually led somewhere. The darkness was veil-heavy and the air dank, rich with the smell of decay and things long dead. It was the sort of smell usually associated with city sewers, not a natural spring system like this.

Unless, of course, this is where Cordell and Elizabeth had been dumping the remains of their meals.

Elizabeth wouldn't have worried about polluting the local streams. She'd never been particularly interested in environmental considerations.

Ahead, water dripped steadily, echoing through the silence. The lake around him had dropped from his hips to his knees and was steadily falling. Walking was at least easier. He just wished he knew where he was going.

He spun his senses through the darkness, searching for some hint, some sound, of life. No vampires nor humans anywhere in the near vicinity. Although that didn't mean there wasn't anything near. Cordell would have prepared for guests, of that much he was certain.

He splashed on. The mud under his feet gave way to rock, and the path began to climb upwards.

Ahead, several mounds became visible, casting a palish-green light through the red of his vampire vision.

Bodies, he thought with distaste, and wondered if perhaps he'd found the final resting place of Vance