“You know what?” I said to Darc snidely. “Unlike the rest of you, I've never been to the front gates of Slate's zone. I'll need someone to take me as well.”
Darc grimaced.
“Enough already! Slate is suffering every second we argue,” Gage growled as he took my hand. “Torin, take Verin. Let's go!”
We immediately stopped bickering and traveled to the front gates of Slate's zone... if it was even Slate's zone anymore.
Chapter Forty
The gates were indeed sealed and no Gargoyles manned them but it didn't take much effort to get some attention. The gates may have been closed but there were still cameras monitoring them. Those cameras zeroed in on us and a familiar voice came through its speaker.
“Diva, what the fuck are you doing here?”
“Jago, let us in; we need to see Slate.”
“Slate isn't Slate anymore,” Jago huffed. “I don't know what the fuck is up with him, but he's lost his damn marbles. You need to leave before he hears that you're here. Trust me; you don't want to fuck with him right now. We've all learned that lesson the hard way.”
“I know he isn't himself,” I asserted. “And I also happen to know who he is.”
Jago went silent for two heartbeats then burst out with, “Well? What does that mean? Who the fuck is he if he's not Slate?!”
“He's a Jinn after vengeance. I've got a way to get him out of Slate, Jago. All I need you to do is either get me to him or bring him to me.”
Jago laughed. “Well, bend me over a boulder and smack my ass! Why didn't you say so to begin with? I'll go let him know he has visitors.”
“Thanks, Jago.”
“Be careful, Diva, whoever he is, he's got some serious mojo. Everyone who's dared to challenge him is dead.”
The speaker went silent on that cryptic report, leaving me staring at my men with anger and worry. Slate had killed more people? Or, rather, the Jinx had. Fuck; this was going to wreck Slate.
I brooded the entire time we waited for the Jinx to appear. When the gates finally groaned apart and Slate's body strode through them with a host of Gargoyles at his back, I nearly screamed out the Jinx's name. But I bit my lip and waited for him to get closer. I had one shot to take control of him and I didn't want to screw it up. We'd agreed that I'd be the one to call out the name since I also had Kyanite and my Spellsong to strengthen my voice. I hoped that I wouldn't need that kind of help but it wouldn't hurt.
The Jinx grinned viciously at me as he approached. He glanced at Darc and then the others but only to dismiss them. His gaze swung back to me.
“How nice to see you again, sweetheart,” the Jinx drawled. His voice had become utterly unlike Slate's. “And you brought your male whores with you; how thoughtful. I hope you don't mind if I slaughter them before I enslave you.” He held up one of those horrid collars and grinned.
“Good luck with that, Idrisanigal,” I put intent into the name; pronouncing it carefully and powerfully.
Slate's head cocked and his beautiful eyes blinked. “Who is Idrisanigal?”
We all went still.
“You are Idrisanigal,” Darc attempted to use the name.
“Am I?” The being in Slate asked maliciously. Then he laughed and laughed and laughed. He showed no sign of stopping.
“Oh, fuck,” I whispered as I looked at my men. “Your first conclusion will be wrong. Daha didn't mean Gargo's blood; that was a separate threat. My first conclusion was the Jinni. This isn't the Jinx.”
The interloper finally stopped laughing to smile at me covetously.
“Who are you?” I demanded.
“And here I thought that you recognized me,” the spirit in Slate purred. “How devastating. And after all we've shared, Elaria.”
The Gargoyles behind him shifted. They knew this wasn't the Zone Lord but would they oppose him to help us? Or would they back him up to save themselves? But that was merely a secondary worry; my main concern was identifying the spirit possessing Slate. And there was only one other option.
“Gargo,” I concluded.
Slate's body bent in a courtly bow. “In the flesh. Again. And it's becoming more my flesh every day.”
My men cursed violently.
“I'm so glad you returned to me, Elaria, because I'm eager to show you what I've learned from this body; the things I've begun to savor.” He closed his eyes and breathed in as if in the throes of ecstasy. “Even your scent thrills me now. I had no idea that a body could have such influence over a God's soul. In your grandfather's shell, I felt nothing sexual for you but in your beloved Slate, I'm aroused by everything about you; your eyes, your hair, your skin, your—”
Darcraxis leapt for Gargo. The men tumbled. Fists made contact and blood sprayed.
“Flee!” Darcraxis shouted at us.
Darc's second of distraction cost him. Gargo shifted into Gargoyle form, tossed Darc aside, and dove for me. I grunted as the air was driven out of my lungs. We rolled up to his feet and yanked me with him, his hand around my throat. His clawed hand.
“This body suits me so much better. Not only is it lusty and strong, but it's the perfect vessel for my magic.” His claws extended until a trickle of blood ran down my neck. “Uh-uh-uh,” he chided the men who drew closer, their eyes full of fury. “Don't make me hurt her. I would be very upset, especially now that I have such grand plans for Elaria.” He pulled me against his chest and licked away my blood. Shivering, he added, “Delicious and deviant plans.”
The men circled us, magic coasting over them and collecting in their hands. Verin pulled a long, thin sword out of thin air.
“We're not letting you take her,” Declan declared.
“Of course not,” Gargo scoffed. “But I don't require or
