Page 69 of Destined for Dreams
Chapter 18
Bartol
He stared out of his hotel room in Warsaw, Poland at the thick blanket of snow below, covering the city streets and yards. It was still falling with no end in sight. Cars moved slowly, and the few pedestrians out that evening were bundled up tightly as they shuffled to their destinations. Christmas lights twinkled on a few of the buildings, reflecting their bright colors against the snow around them. Since when had everyone started decorating so early for the holidays? They were a mere week into December and yet he’d been noticing festive scenes all over Europe.
Bartol had never been to so many countries in such a short period, which made the Christmas decorations he kept seeing stand out that much more. He, Caius, and Tormod had been to half a dozen towns and cities since leaving Budapest, bouncing throughout the region as they tracked down every lead they had. They’d found no definitive signs of the demon, but they did discover evidence of his growing number of followers and their activities.
At best guess, at least fifty people had died in the last week alone by Haagenti worshipers who killed in his name or compelled innocent humans to sacrifice themselves in his name. Masters of various regions were working non-stop to track down these wayward demon followers and put a stop to the deaths, but there were more converting every day. As far as Bartol could tell, all the demon had to do was touch a supernatural—who wasn’t too old or powerful—and they would fall at Haagenti’s feet, doing whatever he wanted. It was almost as if the demon knew he was being tracked and did this to slow Bartol and the others down, but then again, most denizens of Hell wanted followers. The more they had, the stronger they became.
He was cursing himself for not learning more on the topic over the years, rather than avoiding it. Bartol had his reasons, though, and still felt they were valid. Demonology was a subject he would have preferred to avoid forever.
Taking his cell phone out, he pulled up Cori’s name. It was time he called and gave her an update, especially since he’d have to relocate again that night. It reassured her to know where he was at all times, and he’d grown to appreciate her concern. Bartol couldn’t remember the last time anyone worried about him. It felt good—even if he still questioned her feelings.
“Hello,” she answered on the second ring, sounding breathless.
Bartol paced his hotel suite. It was nice and spacious, giving him plenty of space to walk. “Are you busy?”
“Oh, uh…” She gasped in a breath. “Not exactly. It’s just that getting settled into the cabin is still keeping me busy—and so is my mother.”
He chuckled. A couple of days ago, Cori had been the one to call him complaining about how he’d forced her mother on her. Bartol had warned her never to call him during his trip unless it was an emergency, but he’d suspected his little surprise would draw quite a bit of ire. Cori had been furious. It had gone a long way to assuaging the feelings of betrayal he’d had after she’d conspired with his friends against him.
“How is she doing?” he asked.
“Would you like to talk to her?”
No, he wouldn’t. Joy would keep him on the phone for an hour, speaking about things that made no sense to him. “I don’t have much time.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Cori made a sound of annoyance. “Where are you now?”
“Warsaw, but I’m leaving for Prague within the hour.”
She was quiet a moment. “So no luck finding the demon yet?”
“No, but we just received a tip from Zoe this evening that one of her nerou saw him in a dream, somewhere around downtown Prague. We’re hopeful we’ve finally got him.”
Zoe had started having her nerou seers take naps during the day and rest more often to help encourage their visions and dreams. The move may have finally paid off, assuming the demon was there in real time or very close to it. They’d have to act quickly to find out.
“That’s good. But please—don’t get too close. Call Remiel and let the archangels handle it.” Her voice changed, cracking a little. “I don’t want to lose you.”
His chest tightened. More and more, Cori was opening up to him, showing hints that she truly cared and that maybe her feelings weren’t an act. And with every phone call, he could feel their bond strengthening. Bartol was more determined than ever to finish his job and return to her. There were so many things he wanted to do and say, but he had to wait until they were face to face again.
“Wouldn’t losing me make things easier for you?” he asked, testing her.
“Absolutely not!” she said vehemently. “I know I’ve said and done some stupid things since this whole mating thing started, but I swear I really do care about you. The longer you’re gone, the more I’ve begun to realize I want you in my life.”
“Are you certain of that?” He still couldn’t believe his beautiful, sassy mate wanted him. It was easier to believe she had some ulterior motive.
“Yes,” she swore.
Bartol wanted to believe her so badly, but he couldn’t let feelings distract him right now. He needed to get on with the phone call before it was time to go. “Are you enjoying your new cabin?”
“I wish you’d stop changing the subject whenever I try to tell you I care,” she grumbled. It made him smile that he could get under her skin as well. “The cabin is great, but it would be even better if you were here.”
“How could I possibly make it better?”
“For one, you could protect me from my mother, which is all your fault.” She paused, and her voice turned sultry. “And for two, I’d let you tie me up in my new bed and have your way with me. This one needs to be broken in.”
He imagined her naked and tied to the four poster bed that he knew Lucas and Melena had chosen for Cori’s master bedroom. The imagery had him growing so hard his pants became too tight. Bartol hadn’t had much time on this trip to think about sex, but it only took a few words from Cori to make him feel lust like he never had before. The woman was going to be the death of him.
