Night of the Tiger(84)

He didn’t glance her way, keeping his eyes trained on his adversary, but she knew he sensed her there.

The tension level ratcheted up a notch.

“Well, if it isn’t little Aimee Horner. Your parents send their regards.”

Her stomach lurched, but she swallowed hard and refused to rise to the bait. Over and over, she reassured herself that those had been demons earlier, not her parents.

“Such courage,” Hades mocked. “She is almost worthy of you, warrior. Too bad she has to die because of you.” He focused all his attention on her, his dark eyes almost hypnotic. “Really, my dear, you should look out for yourself more. He’s willing to sacrifice you to get what he wants.”

“I know.” It hurt to say it aloud, but it was true. She’d known it from the beginning.

“Aimee.” Her name was a tortured whisper pulled from Roric’s lips.

The sound made her ache for the possibilities that would never be. She wanted to sleep in late on a Saturday morning, loll in bed with him and make love before getting up and making brunch. She wanted to watch bad horror movies and laugh with him. She wanted to spend long days and nights with him, see the changing of the seasons as he experienced more of the world as it existed today. There was so much for him to see and do. And they would do none of it.

Even if they escaped with their lives, Roric would leave her. He would have to. His fellow warriors were still imprisoned, and the Lady was still a prisoner in Hades’ realm. Unlike the graphic novels and comics she illustrated, good wouldn’t necessarily win. There was no hidden advantage, no cavalry coming to the rescue. The only certainty was death.

Hades straightened away from the table, his patience at an end. “That is your final answer then.”

Roric nodded.

A calculating gleam entered Hades’ eyes. “Well then, I’ll let one who knows you best deal with you.”

With that, Hades disappeared in a huge flash, leaving the stench of brimstone and death behind.

“He certainly has a flare for the dramatic,” Aimee said as she waved her hand in front of her face to clear the smoke.

Roric captured her hand and yanked her against him. “Stay behind me.” His face was set like stone, his blue eyes like ice. He loomed over her, an intimidating sight. Yet she wasn’t afraid.

Aimee shook her head. “I will fight by your side. This is my battle now as much as it is yours. Your Lady and Hades have seen to that.” It might be painful for him to hear it, but the Lady of the Beasts was just as responsible for the predicament she was in as Hades was.

His eyes narrowed and his features shimmered, revealing the predator lurking beneath his skin. He released her hand and, as she watched, he pulled himself back from the edge.

A black hole appeared in the corner of the room, growing larger with each rotation. “Not again,” she groaned.

Roric fisted her hair in his hand and pulled her to him. He slammed his lips down against hers and took her mouth in a devastating kiss. It was short, but she was breathless when he pulled away.

There was no time to speak as a tall, well-built man wearing khaki pants and an olive drab T-shirt stepped through the opening. A half-dozen grotesque creatures followed him. She recognized the man immediately.

“Mordecai.” Roric’s tortured whisper almost broke her heart. Roric hadn’t wanted to believe one of his fellow warriors could have gone over to the dark side, but the proof was right in front of him.

“Hello, Roric.” Mordecai stepped forward, swinging a four-foot sword in his right hand. “Still playing the hero.”

Roric rolled his shoulders and raised his weapon in a mock salute. “It’s better than playing the traitor.”

For a moment, Aimee was afraid that Roric would lose his temper and do something foolish. She should have known better. He’d been a warrior since the dawn of time, the leader of the warriors of the Lady of the Beasts. His shoulders were squared, but his limbs were loose and ready to fight.

Mordecai flinched slightly, but never lost his taunting smile. “But I like to be on the winning side.” He swung the sword in a tight circle by his side. “I got tired of being trapped on that damned carousel, tired of being a pawn in a game I couldn’t win. Join me and we can defeat anyone.”

Roric raised his sword and motioned his friend forward with his free hand. “Come and best me, if you can.”

The two men seemed to surge forward at the same time. Metal met metal and sparks flew. As if that was the sign they’d been waiting for, the demons attacked. Aimee took two steps to the side. There wasn’t much room for fighting. And Roric, damn him, was maneuvering himself in front of her even as he fought Mordecai.