Damali's eyes burned with an intensity that he'd only seen in the midst of sure and sudden battle. Even at the height of their arguments, he'd never quite seen her look at him the way she was looking at him now.
"Start some shit. Offend him," Damali said through her teeth, putting her body between Cain and Carlos with a blade suddenly appearing in her hand, "or call him out of his name in my presence, hear, and you and I will be the ones who step outside."
CHAPTER TWELVE
G abrielle jerked her attention toward the door of her bedroom as black smoke slowly crept beneath it. She froze where she sat as her crystal ball shattered on the table, destroying her attempts at a divination that could help the Guardian team. Too late to summon support to save herself, she sent a quick telepathic message to her two initiates to flee and find the master vampire, Yonnie, and his wife, Tara. It was the only way.
"My, my, my," Lilith said, materializing to lean against the post of Gabrielle's bed. "You have been a very ungrateful little witch." She smiled at Gabrielle and studied her French manicure.
"Never, my lady," Gabrielle said, quickly standing to bow, and then dropped to one knee with her head down. "I stay in touch with the Guardians to always know their whereabouts, so that I can inform you."
"Ah . . ." Lilith said, her tone amused and disbelieving. "So, I am not only blind, but I am foolish."
"No, my lady," Gabrielle said as her throat began to constrict from Lilith's power. "I had a plan."
With a wave of her hand, Lilith knocked Gabrielle to the floor. "Enlighten me."
Gabrielle looked up from where she'd been sprawled, gasping as plumes of sulfur began to make her eyes water. Small Harpies slithered under the door and from beneath Lilith's long, black gown, and then began to edge toward Gabrielle with a menacing gleam in their beady little eyes.
"I'm the only one from our side now who has an earth plane, direct link to the Neteru team on many levels," Gabrielle said quickly, backing away from the angry creatures at her feet. "Jack Rider, the team's heart--Yonnie, a male master, and Tara who owes me. Even Damali trusts me, as does my family, which is now with them."
When Lilith's expression remained impassive, panic drove Gabrielle's speech to frenzied explanation. Her terrified gaze darted between Lilith and the Harpies. "I gave my nephew one of my initiates, a virgin, and I'm sending another to decimate the one who knows the Old Testament and is the team's peacekeeper, Daniel... I, I have a plan, Lilith. I haven't forgotten my debt, and thought it best that you know where the team is at all times, because their prayer light can oft times blind us from eavesdropping... but the men always come to me and my girls to tell all." Gabrielle's voice hitched as Lilith's gaze narrowed. "Sense for them-- they've been here in carnal situations. I cannot lie to you, Empress of Pure Darkness."
Gabrielle watched Lilith crook her index finger toward the Harpies, and she released a breath of relief as they begrudgingly returned to the demon to hide beneath the hem of her gown.
Lilith sighed with a wry smile. "How devious. How basically treacherous. I like it. The oldest weapon in the book felling Guardians, how perfect." Lilith threw her head back and cackled with laughter. "I guess I can let you live, for now." But her gaze soon narrowed again as her fangs grew within her evil smile. "But remember this, shrewd Gabrielle. If you betray me, I will come for your sister, Marjorie, your nephew, and pretty niece. I will make Tara twist in the Sea of Perpetual Agony, once I install a new Chairman on Dante's throne. I will crush Rider's spirit and a part of yours, I presume... but Yonnie won't care less, once his ability to make another mate has been restored and he and I come to a wise barter. Power versus pu**y... power always wins, darling. Pussy is so easily attainable, but can sometimes be powerful. Although, if you do well, I might have Yonnie make you what you've always wanted to be, a true female vampire."
Feigning awe, Gabrielle gasped. "You would do that, my lady?"
Lilith smiled. "Of course. Now, where are they?"
"Scientists took the Neteru Guardians to a holding cell, but it is surrounded by white light and holy water, as well as hallowed earth."
"Find them!" Lilith screeched. "I know the scientists took them. We lost the trail earlier this afternoon. Where are they now?"
"I've just dispatched two initiates that had not taken the dark oath yet. I saved those two for just such an occasion, so they can see past prayer barriers and report back to me." Gabrielle bowed her head in humble submission as her heart slammed against her ribs. She wiped at the sheen of perspiration on her upper lip. "This is why I kept them chaste and tethered to me, my lady. They will not fail us."
"Good. They'd better not," Lilith hissed and then folded her arms over her chest. "Do you think there's a male vampire that exists who could resist a council position? Do not be deluded into believing that Yonnie can save you if you cross me. Even the male Neteru couldn't resist the power of a throne, and Yonnie is nowhere near as strong as Rivera. So, think about it," Lilith added, and then turned to walk away. "Betray me and you'll have Hell to pay."
Gabrielle stared behind Lilith as her demonic form melted into the door and disappeared. She could only hope that her girls remembered all that she'd told them, and had sealed it in a white-hot, urgent prayer.
"Did you see the way that sonofabitch had my baby all in his arms?" Carlos walked back and forth in the woods kicking bramble out of his path as Yonnie calmly leaned against a tree.
"Yeah, man, I did," Yonnie said quietly. "Want me to smoke him?"
"No!" Carlos shouted, pointing at his own chest. "7 want to smoke him!"
"Not a good move, but suit yourself, man," Yonnie said flatly, pushing away from the tree. "But if you know like I know, and if you go there--"
"I know," Carlos snapped, raking his hair so hard his scalp began to bleed. "D will freak."
"I think the more pressing issue is, my brother, not trying to be funny, is the fact that, uh, she seems to have already made her mind up. And, you know, you can't do nothin' with that until she comes to her right mind."
Carlos and Yonnie's eyes met. Carlos looked away.
"But why would she go there like that on me, man?" Carlos's voice was so quiet and distant that it almost echoed.
"I'm your boy. I'ma always be that. So, for me to tell you some bullshit, just because you wanna hear it, ain't what friends is supposed to do."