Page 102 of Destined for Dreams
The sensor gave him and Cori an apologetic look. “We’ve got less than two days to prepare for battle, so we’re all going to be busy. She’ll have time to get some rest tonight, but these guys need to do their recon today, and we can’t risk Haagenti infecting them with his demons or influence.”
Bartol frowned. “What is Cori supposed to do?”
“I’m going to give them tattoos and push immunity to demon possession into the designs,” his mate answered.
“Are you certain it will work?”
She shrugged. “We weren’t sure the other kinds of tattoos would work, but they did. It’s worth a shot.”
“This first group is made up of volunteers, and they know there are no guarantees,” Melena said. “But someone has to test it.”
Raguel’s gaze focused on Cori, concern showing for her. “You should not push yourself too hard.”
Bartol frowned, wondering if he was missing something.
His mate stiffened and cast a nervous glance at Melena before replying. “I’m happy to do whatever it takes to defeat this demon—even if all I can do is protection tattoos while everyone else gets to fight.”
“Tattoos are more than enough,” Bartol said.
He was glad his mate’s duties would give her an important role but keep her away from the battlegrounds until the fight was over. Lucas had to face the fact his wife would insist on being there, guns blazing. Melena had proven more than once she had no problems getting her hands bloody in supernatural battles, or even against her own race when necessary.
“I’ll get set up and be ready in time,” Cori informed the sensor.
“Great.” Melena handed her bag off to Lucas, who was carrying their things inside. “Because I’ve got to go meet with the task force, and I’ll be gone most of the day. Call me if you need anything, though.”
“I should be fine, but thanks.”
They headed into the house where Bartol showed Cori to the solarium at the back. It had natural lighting with tall windows running across three sides and yet stayed warm enough with a space heater in the corner to be comfortable. Plants and flowers dotted the room, and there were chairs and couches for people to sit and enjoy the view to the outside garden. The space was more than generous for what Cori would require.
A moment later, Kerbasi came in lugging a large plastic box. Bartol froze. He’d forced himself to accept the fact that the guardian volunteered to fight in the coming battle, but that didn’t mean he wanted to see his former torturer any more than necessary.
“I’ve brought all your tattoo gear,” the guardian said, setting it down near the door.
Cori narrowed her gaze on him. “You made sure none of it got broken, right?”
“Of course—I promised I would guard it with my life.”
Bartol couldn’t believe Kerbasi was acting subservient to a woman he no doubt considered beneath him. He stared at him confused. “What has possessed you?”
Clearly, not a demon.
“Nothing,” the guardian answered, defensive.
Cori took Bartol’s hand, squeezing it gently. “Kerbasi is trying to make amends for everything he did to you, so he’s pledged to help me in any way I need during this trip. That’s in addition to fighting in the battle.”
“I find that hard to believe. He doesn’t do anything without it benefiting him in some way.” Bartol glared at the man. “Did Melena threaten you into doing this?”
Kerbasi puffed out his chest. “No, she did not. I chose to help because I am truly sorry for what I did to you. There are those who say actions speak louder than words…so I am attempting to follow the advice.”
Bartol still couldn’t believe it. “If you want to do something that will make me happy, get out of here and give me a moment alone with my mate.”
The guardian sighed and left the room.
“You cannot trust him,” Bartol said, turning to face Cori.
“I don’t plan on it, but it doesn’t hurt to see if he’s really trying.”
Bartol highly doubted it, considering he had decades of memories of that evil man gleefully torturing him in the most painful ways possible, but he’d let it go for now. He reached up and touched his mate’s cheek, finding it as soft as he remembered, but even more ethereal. There was a certain glow about her that he did not recall from before. “You seem…different.”
