The Darkest Kiss

Lucien fell back, banging his head against the board. The chains clinked. 'Get out of here. Anya and I have something to settle.'

'Man, you are one lucky son of a bitch. I'd like to settle something with that delicious cupcake.'

Lucien's eyes narrowed, rage sparking to life. 'Do not talk about her like that.'

Strider blinked in wonder, but left it alone. 'I'll stay close until I know you're free. See you around, Death. Have fun.' He strode out of the room, then out of the house, the door closing behind him with a snap.

'I am alone now,' Lucien called.

No response.

'Anya.'

Nothing.

He waited several more minutes, then called her name again. Still she did not respond. Damn this! Was she playing with him? Punishing him?

Or was something wrong with her?

A horrifying image suddenly popped in his head, so vivid he broke out in a sweat. Anya standing in the middle of her apartment in Switzerland, Cronus looming over her. They were locked in a heated debate.

Lucien's demon snarled, and Lucien began to suspect the image was indeed real. It was simply too detailed, down to the bead of sweat on her temple. What were the two saying? He couldn't hear, and panic speared him.

Had Cronus decided to kill her on his own, then? Lucien struggled more forcefully against the bonds, but the links never budged.

'Anya!'

CHAPTER TWELVE

'I WANT THE ALL-KEY, ANYA.'

Tensing at the sudden intrusion, Anya faced her nemesis, her heart pounding inside her chest. Here he was, up close and personal. Cronus, the brand-new king of gods. A vile bastard. And the guy who'd ordered Lucien to hunt her down and slay her like an animal.

Hey, that'd make a great singles ad, she thought drily. Powerful SWM with a penchant for ordering hits, looking for SWF to help rule the world. Interested? Stroke my ego and give me all you hold dear.

'I want an eternity of peace,' she replied, 'but we don't always get what we want. Do we?'

His teeth clinked together.

Anya had come here to change her clothing, which she'd done a few minutes ago, going from baggy to sexy in minutes. Thank the—not the gods, that was for sure—Cronus hadn't materialized then. She didn't want any man but Lucien seeing her naked.

Lucien.

She'd been so preoccupied with thoughts of him that she hadn't realized Cronus had made an appearance in her Zürich apartment until he'd spoken. That wasn't like her. Usually she knew. Usually she sensed and ran.

She could have flashed just then, but she didn't. Suddenly she wanted to hear what the big dumb-dumb had to say. Did he mean to complain about Lucien?

'The key,' Cronus snapped. 'Give it to me.'

'We've covered this before, bossie baby. My answer hasn't changed.'

He circled around her, facing her, glaring at her, so close his thick silver beard tickled her chin. His long white robe brushed her legs and his ambrosia scent wafted around her. Power radiated from him.

The Greeks had been powerful, too. Zeus with his lightning and Hera with her penchant for jealous revenge. But this being had mowed them down as if they were insignificant flies and would love to do the same to her.

Unexpectedly, he straightened. His expression cleared. 'I have seen your interactions with Death.'

'So?' she said, trying not to reveal an ounce of trepidation. Which interactions had he witnessed? The idea that he might have watched the two of them in Lucien's bedroom revolted her. 'What of it?'

'You like him.'

'Again, so? I like a lot of men.' Please don't hear the lie in my voice.

'Willingly give me the All-Key, and I will bind him to your side. He will be yours to command for all eternity.'

Oh, that was tempting. Cronus probably had no idea just how great a gift he was offering. Finally, she would be on equal footing with a man. To have Lucien for as long as she wanted him, to simply ask him to do something and know he would comply. But she'd spent centuries fighting to prevent such a fate herself. She couldn't wish it on another, especially a man as proud as Lucien. Plus, he was already bound by his demon. Plus, he'd only just been released from Maddox's death-curse. Taking even more of his freedom would be criminal.

'Nope. Sorry. I'd be tired of him within a week. Right now his attempts to kill me are amusing, and I'm enjoying toying with his affections, but…' She shrugged as if she were already tired of it. 'Why don't you just take the key from me?' She batted her lashes at him innocently. 'Why don't you kill me for it?'

His scowl returned. 'You would like that, wouldn't you?'

'Maybe a wee bit.' With the taunt, she heard her father's voice in her head as clearly as if he'd spoken the words yesterday, though too many years to count had passed. Men will try to kill you for what I am about to give you, because they'll wrongly think it's the way to win it from you.

Kill me. For what? I don't understand. She'd shaken her head. Never mind, just don't give me whatever it is. I don't want any more men after me. Just let me go.

And risk your being found and imprisoned again? No. Soon you will realize the key's reward is worth its hazards. You will never be bound again. You will be able to travel anywhere you desire with only a thought. You will be free. Always.

Key? Father—

Listen to me. If they can kill you, they can snatch it, but he who strikes the death blow will be rendered powerless for the rest of his life. Because of that, many will leave you alone. Some, though, will forget the consequences in their lust to control the key's powers.

Are you listening? he'd chided, shaking her. Be vigilant. It has to be given freely for the recipient to remain strong. But then you, the giver, will be the one rendered powerless. For the key is alive, part of you, and absorbs pieces of you that will be transferred should you pass it on to another. Understand now?

No!

Once you take it, never let it go. It is yours, my gift to you. Proof of my love.

Teary-eyed, she had opened her mouth to ask if he would be rendered powerless by giving the mysterious key to her, but he'd already taken matters into his own hands, so to speak. He'd already begun to weaken.

'I'm not going to use it against you,' she told Cronus now. 'Well, not again.'

'As you said, we have covered this. You will.'

'Only for my parents. Which means, only if you capture them again.'

'I am unwilling to take your word. You are a known liar.'

There was no denying that. Not without lying. 'Look, we both know you want Lucien to kill me, making him powerless while you keep your strength. The key will be up for grabs, but he'll be too weak to make a play for it, leaving the field wide open for you. I could tell him. He might tell you to go fuck yourself then.'

'You do not believe that or you would have told him already.'

Maybe. Maybe not. She suspected she hadn't told Lucien not because of what he'd do to Cronus but because of what he'd do to her. Like walk away from her for good. Besides that, would he even have believed her? He