Page 200 of Immortal Bastard

“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.

Her fangs and claws lengthened as she waited in frantic terror. The house wouldn’t hold him off for long.

Eleazar… Eleazar, he’s here!

Her friend’s mind was closed to her. She’d recently given Christian so much of her blood, her link to the bishop wasn’t at its usual strength. Taking his blood was a precaution they routinely kept up for three hundred years, but it had been some time since he’d offered. She should have requested more of his blood the moment she started offering hers to her son.

A loud crash shook the front of the house, knocking several needlepoints off the wall. Her breath came fast as Cer’s chilling voice called from outside.

“Little pig, little pig, let me in.” Claws scraped over the exterior, as planks creaked on the front porch. The front door rattled as he jiggled the lock. “I know you’re in there. I can smell you.”

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