The Darkest Kiss

Lucien frowned as he considered her words. 'Such an item hardly seems likely to aid a search for Pandora's box.'

'Well, whoever is locked inside it is compelled to obey the command of its owner. I can only assume we're supposed to trap someone inside it and command them to tell us something. Maybe Hydra herself.'

He pondered that for a moment, his frown deepening. 'If you were locked inside and the owner commanded you to kill yourself…'

'First of all, no one can lock me inside of anything because of my…' She paled, guilt filling her eyes.

He didn't want her feeling guilty about keeping the key. 'Anya.'

'Yes,' she added with much less enthusiasm. 'Without the key, yes, I would be forced to kill myself, unable to stop the action.'

His hands fisted on the covers. He didn't like the sound of this cage. He liked the idea of Cronus regaining possession of it even less. What else could he use to bargain for Anya's life, though?

Anya smiled at him, a little sad, as if she sensed his turmoil. Yes, she could, he realized a moment later, because he could suddenly feel her inner fear that he was not as healthy-looking as he'd appeared last night.

The bonding must allow them to sense each other's emotions. He even thought, if he tried, he would be able to read her mind.

'Up and at 'em, sexy,' she said with false cheer, just before flashing away.

He tensed. 'Anya?' Where had she gone? And why had she gone? 'Anya!'

Just as he was gearing up to track her down, she reappeared. She was holding a bundle of clothing, which she threw at him. 'I know where William keeps his weapons. Want a few?'

Lucien relaxed and nodded.

She blinked at him in surprise. 'Really? We'll be stealing.'

The corners of his mouth edged into a smile. 'I have found that I do not mind that so much.'

'Right on, Flowers!' She gave him another grin, all hint of sadness gone, and he once more felt as though he'd conquered the world. 'I must say, your miseducation is coming along nicely.'

'That's because my tutor is a strong and courageous woman and I will do anything to please her.' He quickly dressed and stood next to her, hating even the smallest distance. 'She is everything to me, and her happiness is my happiness.'

Expression suddenly serious, Anya rose on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. 'Don't worry, lover. Everything really will be okay.'

Such assurance frightened him, because he knew it meant she was planning something. Something guaranteed to save him. Something foolish and reckless, like giving up the All-Key. She would weaken, like him. She would lose her powers, becoming vulnerable, trapped. He almost allowed himself to try to sweep into her mind, divine her thoughts, but stopped. She had willingly bound herself to him, and he would not betray her for it. Would not try to control her as the curse had intended.

'Anya,' he said, grabbing hold of her shoulders and shaking. 'You promised me you would never—'

'Let's go get those weapons,' she interjected with another of those too-bright smiles. She disappeared a moment later, leaving him with nothing but air.

CHAPTER TWENTY

ANYA SHOWED LUCIEN WHERE William kept his weapons and together they liberated a machete, a hatchet and several bejeweled daggers. All while she kept up a steady chatter so that he wasn't given a chance to mention the All-Key again. When they finished, she materialized in the very cave she'd left the warrior in, Lucien hot on her heels.

Though she was dressed in her thermals and her coat, ice-cold air instantly assaulted her. Damn, she'd acclimated to the warmth; her body was no longer prepared for the chill. She shivered, her gaze locking on Lucien. His color was better, and he could stand without toppling over now, but there were shadows under his eyes and stress lines around his mouth.

He still wasn't operating at full strength, and that worried her. What's more, he thought he was going to die. Earlier, she'd heard the thought echo in his mind. She'd nearly burst into tears like a pitiful human.

'The cave is empty,' Lucien said, his shock clear.

Not only was it empty, it was clean, as if no one had ever been there. As if fighting and death had not taken place. Dread curled through her, blending with her already-raw emotions. 'Where do you think William is?'

'Either heading home or on his way to the top.'

'Let's see if he's at the top, shall we?' She withdrew the mask she'd stuffed in her pocket and tugged it over her face, then flashed to the crest of the mountain, momentarily stunned by the abrupt change in temperature and light. The cave had been cold, but this…this was misery. Ice and frost formed in her nose and lungs; her blood turned to slush. Wind whipped, cutting like tiny knives. There was only the barest trace of golden moonlight, painting the rugged peaks with an ethereal hue.

Lucien…had not arrived yet, she realized.

She frowned, looking all around. She saw no sign of William, either. Just as she was about to flash herself back to the cave, Lucien finally appeared. He was wearing his mask, but she could feel the intensified fatigue radiating from him.

Shit. 'No more flashing for you,' she told him firmly. It was draining what little energy she'd managed to give him.

'I'll do whatever needs to be done,' he replied, his tone just as firm as hers.

'Damn it, Lucien!' He was more important to her than anything else in the world. She would have offered Cronus the All-Key right then, anything to save her man, but she didn't trust the bastard. Once the king had the key, he could kill Lucien just to spite her for making him wait.

She had to be careful about how she went about this.

Her new plan was simple: find the cage, then somehow hide both it and Lucien. Lucien wanted it, and so he would get it. It was that simple. She wouldn't give the cage to Cronus in trade. Not when he could use it to find the box and hurt Lucien. No, she would trade the key instead, just like the old jerkoff wanted. There was no other way.

It was only a matter of time.

She rubbed her stomach to ward off the sudden ache.

'I still do not see William,' Lucien said, dragging her from her thoughts.

'I'm here,' a voice growled.

Anya turned and saw a silver spike clutched by a gloved hand slap over a ledge and embed at the top. William hefted himself up. His entire face was covered by a white mask, blending him into the snow. Except for his eyes. They seemed to glow brightly, a blue as deep as the ocean.

'A little help,' he snapped.

Lucien crouched and gripped his wrist. Maybe it was bad of her, but she'd rather William fall than put Lucien at risk for falling. Anya moved behind her lover and latched on to his waist, holding him steady. Together they dragged William's muscled body over the edge.

The warrior stood, shaking snow from his shoulders. He even hunched over, trying to suck air into his lungs. 'Been years since I've had to do that.'

'You should look into flashing,' she offered helpfully.

Still crouched, he reached up and flipped her off.

She chuckled.

Lucien snorted.

'I'm surprised you didn't head home,' she said.

'And give you more reason to burn my book or tear out the pages?' William straightened and his glowing gaze slid over the vast expanse of snow. There was nothing but blanket after blanket of white as swirls whisked on