The Darkest Night

'I know.'

'Hardly hurts, I swear.'

That earned him a soft chuckle. 'Liar.'

Her laughter warmed him, inside out. 'I want you to stay in another bedroom tonight.'

She shook her head, tickling his arm with strands of her hair. 'I'm going to stay with you.'

He sighed. There was such determination in her voice.

'All right.' He wouldn't permit himself any reaction to the stabbing. He would not make a noise, would not move a muscle. He would die with a smile on his face. 'We will—'

Reyes and Lucien entered the bedroom, more grim than he'd ever seen them. He wondered at their mood, but decided not to question them in front of Ashlyn. No reason to heap anything else on her right now; she was about to watch him be murdered.

Maddox placed a swift kiss on Ashlyn's lips. She gripped his head, urging him to linger. She was fierce, almost desperate. He allowed himself a moment more. Gods, how he loved this woman.

'We will finish this tomorrow,' he said. Tomorrow… He could hardly wait.

He lay down on the cotton sheets and scooted to the headboard. Reyes shackled his wrists, Lucien his ankles. 'At least turn away when they begin,' he said to Ashlyn.

She smiled a sad smile and crouched beside him. She stroked his cheek, softly, a butterfly caress. 'You know I love you.'

'Yes.' And he had never been so glad of anything in his life. This woman was his miracle. 'And you know I will love you forever and afterward.'

'Listen, Maddox… Don't blame anyone but me for this, okay. You've suffered enough, too much, and as the woman who loves you, it's up to me to save you. Know that I do it willingly, because you mean more to me than my own life.' She kissed him again, briefly this time, and stood. She turned to Lucien and Reyes. 'I'm ready.'

His brows drew together in confusion, dread on its heels. 'Ready for what? What would I blame you for?'

Reyes unsheathed his sword, the blade whistling against the air. Maddox's dread increased. 'What's going on? Tell me. Now.'

No one said a word as Reyes approached Ashlyn.

Maddox strained against his chains. 'Ashlyn. Leave the room. Leave the room and do not return.'

'I'm ready,' she whispered again. 'Should we go to another room?'

'Ashlyn!' Maddox snarled.

'No,' Lucien said. 'You said you wanted the ultimate sacrifice, remember? He has to watch and understand what you're doing for him.'

Her eyes met Maddox's, pooled with unshed tears. 'I love you.'

In that moment, he realized exactly what they planned. He bucked and fought for freedom. He shouted profanities even Paris would not utter. All the while, hot tears streamed down his cheeks. 'No. Do not do this. Please, do not do this. I need you, Ashlyn. Reyes, Lucien. Please. Please!'

Reyes hesitated. Swallowed.

And then he stabbed Ashlyn in the stomach.

Maddox screamed, straining so forcefully the metal links cut all the way to the bone. If he kept it up, he would lose his hands and ankles. He did not care. Only one thing mattered, and she was dying in front of him. 'No! No! Ashlyn!'

Blood poured from her stomach, wetting her shirt. She pressed her lips together, somehow remaining silent and upright. 'I love you,' she repeated.

Reyes stabbed her again. With each new cut, Maddox felt his ties to midnight slacken, as if invisible chains that had bound him for thousands of years were slowly lifting away. And he wanted them back! He wanted Ashlyn.

'Ashlyn! Reyes! Stop. Stop.' He openly sobbed, helpless, furious. Dying himself, though he felt stronger than ever. 'Lucien, make him stop.'

Death lowered his gaze, saying nothing.

At the third thrust of the blade, Ashlyn did fall. She did scream. No, that was him. She only whimpered. 'Doesn't… hurt,' she gasped out. 'Like you said.'

'Ashlyn.' Her name trembled from his lips, the plea desperate. Raging. Violent. 'Oh, gods. No. Ashlyn. Why are you doing this? Reyes, stop. You must stop!' He could not say it enough.

Her eyes met his again, and there was so much love in them he was humbled. 'I love you.'

'Ashlyn, Ashlyn.' He jerked and the chain sank deeper, cut harder. 'Hold on, beauty. Just hold on. We'll patch you up. We'll give you Tylenol. Do not worry, do not worry. Reyes, stop. Do not do this thing. She is innocent.'

Reyes did not heed him, but stabbed her again and again. Her eyes closed. And then he paused. Gulped. Looked up at the heavens and then over at the still-silent Lucien.

'Don't take her! Please don't take her.'

Finally the sixth blow was delivered.

'Ashlyn!'

Blood flowed around her now-lifeless body, a crimson pool. Tears continued to rain from Maddox's eyes. Still he struggled. Still the ties to midnight waned. 'Why? Why?'

Blessedly, Lucien unlocked him. His hands and feet were barely attached as he collapsed onto the floor and crawled, leaving a trail of blood behind. He gathered his woman in his arms.

Her head lolled to the side. Dead. She was dead, while he felt the weight of the death-curse turn to mist inside his body, evaporating as if it had never been. 'No!' He sobbed, great wrenching sobs. Though breaking the curse had once been all he'd cared about, he would rather endure a thousand more than lose this woman. 'Please.'

'It is done,' Reyes said grimly. 'Let us hope her sacrifice was not in vain.'

Maddox buried his face in Ashlyn's hair and rocked her in his arms.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Maddox cradled his lover for what seemed an eternity, willing her to awaken. He could not stand the thought of life without her. Would rather die himself.

Lucien and Reyes hovered behind him, silent.

'Take my spirit to hell for eternity,' he cried to the heavens. 'Anything but this. Bring her back. Let me take her place at death's door.'

All eternity? a voice purred. It was not Sabin speaking in his head this time, but a female. Now that's commitment.

He did not hesitate. 'Yes. Yes! Forever. All eternity. I cannot live without her. She is everything to me.'

I like you, cowboy, I really do.

'Do you hear a woman in your head, too?' Lucien asked, his shock clear.

'Yes,' Reyes said with equal bafflement. 'Who are you?'

Your new best friend, sugar.

'Help me, then,' Maddox pleaded.

Silly immortal. For days I've been breaking the rules—which is kinda a hobby of mine—to help you. Not sure I want to keep it up, though. You and your woman are serious time-consumers.

'Please. Help her, and I'll never need another moment of your time. I swear it. Just give her back to me. Please. Please.'

You insulted the big dogs last week. Violence, and I really liked that. Made me sit up and take notice, to be honest Not many people break from the mold anymore, you know? And for a Lord to do it… rockin'! Know why?