“I wouldn’t rule it out, but yes, I think it would be harder,” Marcy said. “Humans are eternal searchers of hope, however. In the old days, the gods and goddesses would actually perform ‘miracles.’ It kept them gorged on power. So, could it happen today? Maybe. Under the right circumstances.”
“Tyler’s right,” I said. “Humans don’t pray to gods and goddesses much anymore. Maybe that’s what’s motivating Ceres to take a place on the Coalition? Her power can’t be what it used to be.”
Marcy nodded. “That would be just like her. Needy and delusional.”
My father interrupted. “Marcy, do you know where Ceres is located?”
“Yes,” she said. “She’s in Italy.”
9
The sun had set by the time we’d finished up our discussions, and we were all exhausted. We’d tossed around rough plans about how to deal with the bokor. Defeating her was a must, but the question was how? My father was going to wait for more information before we moved forward with anything concrete tomorrow.
“I’m not sleeping in one of these without you.” Rourke gestured to the hammock. “It would never hold the two of us together anyway.”
I nodded. That thing wouldn’t even hold Rourke alone. “Maybe we can have Marcy spell it?” I said as I strapped the skinny knife my father had given me to use against the Made wolves in a holster on my upper arm.
“Marcy and James already left for the other camp. Let’s go back to the first platform and sleep there,” he said. “Your father said wolves disappear during the night. I find it nearly impossible for werewolves to vanish without a trace, so there’s something big going on. I plan to stay awake, but I want you close.”
“I don’t care where we lie down. I just need to get horizontal before I collapse. I’ll ask my dad if they have some extra blankets.”
We were settled a short time later on the first platform we arrived at.
Even though we’d slept on the island, not having had any rest in the Underworld still wore on me. Going head-to-head with the bokor was going to take strength, and I needed sleep. Rourke threw an arm around my waist and tugged me to him tightly. “Get some rest,” he whispered in my ear. “I can’t help thinking we should’ve headed back to real land tonight. This swamp is making my beast edgy.”
The air did hold a heavy vibe. “I think it’s impossible to run from her at this point, unless we got completely out of Florida.” I turned in his arms and placed my hands on his face. “But I promise you, we’re going to defeat her. And once it’s done, I will never come back here. That’s going to be our new motto: Defeat the threat and move the hell on.”
“I’m with you. It would take a supernatural crowbar and about twenty trolls to drag me back here. But if this bokor is kidnapping wolves right out from under the Alpha’s nose, it’s serious business.”
I snuggled into his side and sighed. “I wonder how she’s getting them out.”
“I don’t want to know,” he grumbled. “She just better not try to mess with me or mine.”
“You’re really not going to sleep a wink, are you?” I leaned up and kissed his cheek.
“Hell no,” he retorted with a half laugh. “But I want you to sleep. You’re going to need your rest.”
“Let’s face it—I’m probably not going to sleep either,” I said. “And kissing you sounds like a much better way to pass the time.”
His lips were on mine before the last words were out of my mouth. I ran my hands around his shoulders and wrapped them up in the back of his hair. “Mmm, you taste good,” I murmured into his mouth.
He rolled me on top of him and grinned as he nipped my chin. “I like you like this. The way it should be. Safe in my arms.”
I woke with a start.
My heart was beating like a hummingbird’s. I felt it inside my rib cage, fluttering quickly against my breastbone. I hadn’t realized I’d fallen asleep. The last thing I remembered was kissing my mate thoroughly, and then nothing.
It was deathly quiet all around me. A thick blanket of fog had rolled in and I couldn’t see the tops of the trees in front of me.
My best guess was it was an hour before dawn.
Something brushed by my face.
I reached out to swat it away and a voice whispered next to my ear. She’s gone. It slid in and out of earshot, making it sound eerie. You must find… her. Her was drawn out, ending on a shallow breath.
I sat up, glancing over at my mate, who was out cold. “Rourke.” I shook his shoulder. “Wake up. Something’s here.”
He didn’t respond.
“Oh my gods.” I jumped up, fully shaking off my sleepy haze, comprehension finally penetrating my brain.
Something had knocked us all out cold.
And in order to do that, it had to be heavy magic—black magic. But I couldn’t sense a spell. “Who’s gone?” I called desperately into the air. “Tell me!”
No answer.
“Dammit!” I shouted. “You’re the one who woke me up! You want me to know. Now tell me who’s gone.”
Vampire. The breath was only inches from my ear and it was followed by crackling laughter. You must find her before it’s too late… The voice popped out of existence and the fog evaporated from the air into nothingness in front of me.