Page 112 of Dark Reign of Forever

Dominique let his vision expand, let his eyes glow with his power, and saw Esteban’s aura flare to life around him—and the five others standing at some distance in the darkness behind him. Their scent rode the chilly wind belching out of the cavern and betrayed something more than the youngling soldiers he expected.

Elite guards, Isao provided helpfully.Not to be taken lightly.

Despite his impatience, Dominique stopped himself from reaching for his weapons and issued a silent command for the others to do likewise. He knew a trap when he smelled it. The shape of this one he couldn’t guess just yet, but he dared not underestimate the Spaniard. He would have to wait and stay vigilant and hope he would be fast enough to counter the ambush when it sprang.

And spring it would, and soon. Esteban’s self-satisfied expression said as much. As did the subtle shifting of the others. Unlike their master, they were well armed and appeared to know what to do with their assortment of swords, pipes, and chains.

It was tempting to cast himself and his group in invisibility and walk past this crude welcome committee, but that would have left a dangerous foe in his back and no knowledge of what lay ahead.

“I was beginning to think you had lost your way,” Esteban greeted. “It’s not that far from Calgary, after all.”

The implication behind those words made Dominique go supernaturally still.

“Oh yes. I know all about that little shell game you tried to pull with your planes. I have eyes and ears everywhere.” He dropped his voice and leaned forward. “All the time.”

Dominique reached for Cassidy not even a hundred miles away. She and Francesca lived. But that was all he could determine at this distance. He swerved to Garrett and Jackson.Get away from here, he commanded.And confirm everyone’s safety. Now.

He sensed Garrett’s instant acknowledgment up in the campground as he grabbed his phone. Jackson…Jackson he sensed somewhere else entirely.Merde. You stubborn bastard!

Jackson fought him like a charging bull rhino, revenge blazing in his heart. The hunter took ruthless advantage of the gift of freedom Dominique had given him.Putain d’idiot! You will get yourself killed,he argued. It didn’t matter. Jackson would never hear his words, only feel his commands.

His response, however, was very clear.Too fucking bad. I’m not going back.

“This can’t be that much of a surprise to you, can it?” Esteban wondered when Dominique remained silent in his unwelcome distraction.

Not yet ten minutes into this night and already surprises battered him from every direction. Before he could begin to fear what else might conspire against him, he shoved Jackson out of his mind and poured calm into his voice. “Not at all. But you should know that you have one less spy tonight.”

“Really. Well, that explains her silence then.” Esteban licked his lips thoughtfully as he regarded Lyle. The turmoil and recent memories raging in the youngster’s head would be a virtual news bulletin to his sire.

Dominique kept his own mind as shuttered as his face, taking no chances that any of the serum Esteban had gotten into him still lingered.

“I am here for Adilla.” He took several steps toward Esteban. The guards drifted closer. He ignored them. “I made him a promise that I intend to keep.”

“And he’s expecting you. He will be so pleased that you have accepted his invitation to join us. As his equal.” Not even a trace of a sneer in that statement.

Dominique arched a brow. “I promised he would submit to me or die.” Very succinctly, he spoke the words reflecting what Adilla had screamed at Aubrey, and which he would hear now through Esteban. A sentiment that, true as it was, Dominique had never fully embraced—until now. “I am the one true heir to Kambyses. I have…no equal.”

Unease fell on the shuffling guards and permeated the damp evening air, together with the high-pitched squeaks and frantic flutters of bats, and…the clink of chains.

Esteban stared at him as though transfixed by the unearthly amber glow in Dominique’s eyes.

“Adilla knows I am what I claim to be,” Dominique said. “But you do not, do you, Esteban? You would have had your slaves finish me today, and, with me, all of us.”

The Spaniard’s thin lips stretched into a humorless smile as he pushed away from the boulder. The others closed ranks behind him. “Foolish young one. Adilla’s wishes are my commands. He is my sire. Nothing I do ever happens without his consent.” He leveled a contemptuous look at Isao’s group. “Those who shun his favor are not welcome here.”

Isao scoffed. “We are fit only to be discarded in the sun? Yes, that is how those who have Adilla’sfavorusually end up as well. You best take care, Esteban. Your time is coming.”

“Ah, my dear brother, Isao. Still the cynic after all these centuries. How I have missed you not.”

“You’re my fucking sire, you motherfucker.” Lyle’s hoarse shout almost made Dominique wince in sympathy. The boy bristled with pain and rage.

“Not now, young one,” Kostya warned and reached for the boy’s arm.

Lyle tried to twist away, shaking his head. “You are Carly’s sire! Do you even care that she’s dead?”

Esteban unfolded his arms and pocketed his hands as he moved forward just enough to force Dominique to turn his back to the guards, who remained where they were. Isao and Makoto watched them, their hands moving to the hilts of their weapons.

“Oh, I think everyone here will agree that she and you are a waste of perfectly good blood. You were weak as mortals, and now you are a useless immortal.”

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