Page 168 of Immortal Bastard (The Order of Vampires)

He found her the elements. “Aether.” There was no spirit in this place. She’d tried countless times to reach Her.

Dane grinned. “I’ve been reading. Aether is the primordial god of light, born of chaos. I think we can channel Her.”

Hesitantly, Juniper looked down at his hands again only to flinch when a malicious growl curdled from the end of the hall. “He knows you’re here.” Whatever that thing in the last cell was, it hated when other males were around.

“All I need is a little protection spell. Anything to keep me and my sister safe.”

She could just run. But if she ran, he’d likely go ahead with this stupid plan and wind up dead. She shouldn’t care, but she also couldn’t forget how he took care of her when she was in agony.

“Fine. But you have to move quickly, and if things get bad, I’m gone. You should leave too. This place is cursed.”

He nodded. “I’ll do my best to keep them from following you. Go as far as you can and don’t stop until you absolutely have to. They can’t track you for long without your blood.”

She shivered, and cold dread settled like poison in the pit of her stomach. “They have my blood.”

He frowned. “How?”

Her head lowered. She could feel him when her eyes closed. She knew his touch and scent, but not what he looked like. “I don’t know his name, but he bites me when he visits.”

“Jesus,” he hissed. “Okay, then you have to be extra careful.”

She looked back at the door to her cell, the sight of her home for the past two years filling her with rage. If she ever did find her powers, she planned on seeking revenge on every single one that trapped her here.

“Ready?”

With a nod, she dropped to the ground and drew a pentacle in the dirt. She set the feather to the right and the water to the left. “I don’t know which way’s west. This might not work if I have the elements facing the wrong direction.”

He looked up at the ceiling then turned. “West is this way.”

She shifted the elements. A few pieces were missing for it to be a proper alter. “Hand me a torch.” He lifted the torch from the wall and removed a match, but before he could light it, she held out a hand and said, “Ignisia.”

The torch blazed to life and Dane jumped back. “Holy shit.”

“Don’t get too excited. That’s all I can really do.” She set the torch to the south of the pentacle. Once she had everything in place, she sprinkled a circle of salt around her alter.

Dane looked at her expectantly. “Now what?”

“Now what what? I told you not to expect much.”

He cocked the gun. “Then let’s channel some chaos.”

“Dane—”

He paused and looked back. She wanted to remember him just like that, dark hair and bright eyes. Strong and determined. Good. “Be careful.”

He nodded, appearing resigned to whatever came next. “You too….Juniper.” He tried for a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

The tiny cup on the nightstand rattled and Adriel’s eyes opened, her mind alert and her body ready. He was there. She could sense the shift in the air. It had taken him three centuries, but he finally found her.

She closed off her mind, guarding her thoughts as the pitcher of water on the mantle vibrated. The glass in the windows trembled when the floor began to shake. She dressed quickly, forgoing the trappings of bonnets and pins and opting for functionality.

Closing her eyes, she sent out a forcefield. Her mind instantly recoiled at the sense of her mate’s nearness.

It had been ages since she felt him so close. Her blood ran cold at such sharp memories. Fear knocked her knees together, interfering with her self-control.

I’m coming for you, girl…

She slammed down a wall to her thoughts, unsure how he could possibly penetrate her guarded mind without access to her blood. For him to have that sort of power he would have had to—“Christian,” she gasped.

Her son was the only one who had access to her blood. Had Cer found him and somehow drank from Christian? Mates shared blood. Fear doubled into stark worry for Christian and his mate.

Did Cer realize Christian was his son? She’d left long before her body had started to show. Did he know? How had he found them?

She grabbed the gun and crept swiftly down the stairs. Her bare feet keeping her steps light and attuned to the slightest vibration.

The shutters slapped shut and the pocket doors of the den slammed. Adriel jumped and spun, but no one was there.

I’ve got you now, girl.

Every extinguished candle leapt to life, tall flames licking ten inches from the wick, not at her command. Her heart raced as she breathed heavily, keeping her back to the wall.