The Darkest Night

control her ability with thoughts of Maddox and he could stop the voices altogether. True love really did conquer all.

She even had a family. A real family, with a feud and everything. The two groups of men were stiff and distant with each other, though as polite as demons could be. She was determined to heal that rift, like the sister she felt she was.

Since the (reversed) stabbing, most of the warriors had treated her with affection, ruffling her hair when they saw her, joking with her about being stuck with Maddox for eternity. Except for Disease, who was still recovering from his wounds. Torin did wink at her, though. Ashlyn knew the man had to feel terrible about accidentally unleashing illness on the townspeople. The effects had been—were—devastating, yes, but thankfully modern medicine had helped contain the outbreak. Maybe he would take comfort in that. And when he healed, he could help the warriors rebuild Club Destiny, giving something back to the town.

Life was good. So much better than she could have ever imagined. She grinned.

Lucien stood at the front of the room and said, 'I have talked with Sabin and, as you know, I have decided to help him search for the box. It is time the damned thing was found. As long as it's out there, the demons are in danger of being sucked inside. Which means we're in danger of dying.'

'Damn Hunters,' Ashlyn said, and Maddox squeezed her waist.

'They're dead, killed by Disease,' Reyes pointed out.

Ashlyn shook her head, hating to correct him. 'You killed some of them. Not all. McIntosh was merely vice president of the Institute. I never actually met the president, not in all the years I worked there. I was told he never goes out in public. I hadn't thought about it before, but now it sounds suspicious to me. Besides that, there are a lot more employees, spread out all over the world. And maybe other Hunters who aren't even affiliated with the Institute.'

There was a murmuring among the group.

'We hoped the box was here in Budapest,' Sabin said, stepping to Lucien's side and frowning when the warrior tensed, as if expecting an attack. 'The interrogation of a Hunter, at least, led us here. But…'

'They have found no sign of it,' Lucien finished for him. 'And they would like our help.'

'You want me to help search for that box, you're going to have to give me some direction,' Reyes said. He was on edge, Ashlyn knew, because Danika had sneaked out of the fortress that morning without a goodbye. No one had gone after her. Ashlyn was sad, having lost her first female friend, but knew it was better that way.

They had to free Aeron sometime.

Maddox had told Ashlyn about Aeron, how the man needed to kill Danika and her family. That was the only dark spot in Ashlyn's life. But Maddox also mentioned that Reyes was determined to protect the woman, even though he was fighting the need.

Ashlyn liked to think Anya would ultimately help Danika the way she'd helped her. If Anya could help, that is. Maddox had also told her that Anya had confessed to being chased by the Titans. She was some sort of supernatural being who could pop in and out of buildings, remain cloaked in invisibility and reverse time, yet she feared being overtaken—which meant she could be overtaken.

'Watch your tone, Pain,' Cameo said, standing on Lucien's other side. 'You're bringing down morale.'

Okay, two dark spots, Ashlyn mused. Cameo made Ashlyn's heart weep every time she looked at her. The woman needed love. So far, though, none of the men seemed taken with her, as beautiful as she was. Everyone kept their distance, as if they feared they'd kill the woman—or themselves—if they got too close. Well, they weren't the only males in the world. Surely someone out there could fall in love with Misery.

'Ashlyn has heard conflicting stories,' Maddox said. 'Will you tell them?'

She nodded. 'One says the box is being guarded by Argus. The other says the box is hidden deep in the sea, guarded by Hydra, but I don't know where.'

Everyone groaned.

'Any ideas where we should start?' Lucien asked her.

She shook her head.

'Anya mentioned the surfacing of two temples,' Maddox said. 'These temples were probably used by the gods and will not have been contaminated or picked over by humans. The moment they surface, some of us should search them. Perhaps we will find something to lead us to the correct path.'

'Excellent.' Lucien nodded. 'Someone will have to stay here with Aeron and Torin and guard the fortress.'

'Ashlyn and I will stay. We'll read tomes and texts.'

'And I'll listen for clues in town,' she added.

Maddox squeezed her closer to his side and whispered, 'I need you so badly.'

'Good. Because I plan to see to all your needs,' she told him seductively.

His mouth softened and his violet eyes dipped to her lips. 'Right now I'm picturing you in a black leather suit with a sword at your side. I had Paris buy such an outfit in town earlier, as I know how you like your sexy garments.'

She melted against him, so filled with love it bubbled out of her in a continuous stream. 'When I wear it, will I be fighting to protect my virtue or fighting to take yours?'

'Mine, of course.'

Arousal thrummed to instant life and she shivered. 'Wanna blow this meeting and go to our room? We can get a recap later.'

'More than I can say.'

They stood. And the man with the blackest violent streak in the whole wide world chased her laughingly from the room, leaving everyone staring after them in wonder and envy.

Perhaps their time would come…