“He won’t.” Brynn leaned forward. “Think about it. He’s at the Valley of the Kings. Bodies are literally buried everywhere. And they’ll all do as I command.”
“If it works. There’s just as great a chance that you’ll end up dead and Mammon will have control over the book and the army. Keegan didn’t give himself up so you could walk into a trap.”
“But it’s not.” Brynn put her hand on his arm, her fingers digging into his skin. “It would be one thing if I didn’t already know how this was going to end, but I told you, I saw it. It’ll work.”
Taeg stared at Brynn, his defenses wearing down. He wanted to believe her. “Dagan won’t go for it. Keegan has rarely, if ever, coerced him to do anything. He takes his vow to protect you seriously.”
“I know,” she said evenly. “That’s why I’m here with you now.”
Shit. Shit. If he agreed to this, he’d betray Dagan’s trust. But if it meant saving Keegan’s life…
“Please, Taeg.” Brynn stared at him with beseeching eyes. “You know better than anyone what he’s going through right now. We have to save him.”
She went right for the throat. The mere thought of what they’d done to him, of what they were doing to Keegan, made him want to howl in agony. “You promise you’re right about this? You’re sure you’ll be able to do it?”
Brynn grabbed his hand and squeezed tight. “Yes.”
Damnation, if they somehow managed to make it out of this okay, Keegan would kill him and Taeg wouldn’t blame him. But how could he live with himself if there was a chance he could save Keegan and he didn’t take it?
“Fine,” he said. “Let’s do it. But we have to leave now, before Dagan catches on.”
She smiled and rose off the bed. “I’m ready.”
…
Fresh out of his dreamscape with Brynn, Mammon rose off his bed with an angry growl. He barely noticed the frigid air as he stomped, bare-chested, out of his tent. At the moment, he had only one thing on his mind: his blasted sons. Why did they continually seek to destroy him? After all he had done for them, this was how they rewarded him?
He stormed into the tent where he’d left Keegan. One of the guards stood in front of his son, working him with a jagged knife. Ignoring the guard, Mammon asked, “Why?”
Keegan groaned.
“Leave us,” Mammon ordered.
The guard dropped his weapon and left.
“Why?” he asked again.
Gasping, his skin slick with sweat and blood, Keegan turned his head. “Why what?”
“Why did you and your brothers desert me? Act against me? After all I’ve done for you. I made you, for devil’s sake.”
“You mean you raped our poor, innocent mothers.”
His son was such a fool, always focused on trivial matters.
“They were mere tools for your creation. You wouldn’t be here if not for me. So why betray me?”
Keegan actually chuckled, the insolent fool. It turned into a hacking cough. “Because you are an evil, sadistic demon with no care for anyone but yourself.”
Mammon lifted a brow. “And?”
“And you actually have to ask why that’s a problem.” Though he must be in utter agony, the boy had the nerve to sound amused. Patronizing.
What a supreme disappointment they had all been to him. Good riddance to the four of them. His future progeny would put their talents to shame.
Mammon strolled to the weapons table and ran his finger along one of the bloodstained knives. “Was warrior service to the Council preferable to a life of power and luxury in your father’s service?”
“Yes,” Keegan said.
A burst of fury whipped through Mammon. He knocked the table to the side and it upended, knives flying everywhere.
“What about now?” he shouted. “Is even torture preferable to serving your father?”
Keegan laughed, leaving no doubt as to the sincerity of his tone. “I’d rather die.”
Mammon rose to his full height. “As you wish, son.”
He turned and stalked out of the tent. The guard waited outside. “Double the rate of his blood extraction,” he told him. “Leave only the barest amount necessary to keep him alive.”
From this moment on, his duty as a father was done. His sons had chosen another path and they must pay the price for it. Now it was time to focus on the future. On his reign.
And if he had to do it alone, then so be it.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Brynn and Taeg made it to the Valley of the Kings in record time, mostly because they knew they had to move quickly. If her dream was accurate—and she had no reason to believe it wasn’t—Mammon was bleeding Keegan to death, and not even a half dragon could survive that.
Dagan had been calling Taeg nonstop, and she harbored no doubt that he’d found them both missing and put two and two together. He must have called Ronin to tell him, because soon enough, he joined in the calls to Taeg. Thank goodness Taeg refused to answer any of them. The last thing she needed was for him to start rethinking his agreement to help.
Taeg seemed pretty sure that Dagan trailed them, so that gave them something else to worry about. At least he’d done a moderately good job of masking his impatience over having to fly with Brynn rather than flashing over to Egypt.
Brynn sat next to him inside their rented car about a mile outside of the entrance to the Valley. He turned to her, uncertain. “Brynn, are you sure—?”
“I’m sure.”
He handed her his phone. “Remember what I told you.”
“Okay.” Brynn took a deep breath, then dialed Keegan’s number. A gritty voice answered. Though she’d never actually heard him in person before, she recognized him immediately. Just the sound of his voice made her shudder. “Mammon.”
“Brynn.” Mammon sounded delighted. “So wonderful to hear from you.”
“Cut the shit.” She made her voice as hard as possible. “I want an oath from you. A blood oath.”
After a moment of silence, Mammon laughed. “A blood oath, hmm? Which of my sons is with you?”
“None of your damned business. I want you to swear that once I come to you, you’ll let Keegan walk out of there unharmed. Promise you won’t hurt him or me.”
“How will you know I’m telling the truth?” he asked, his tone smooth as silk.
“Walk out into the middle of your camp. Out in the open.”
“Ah, I take it you are nearby? How delightful.”
“Stop stalling,” she snarled.
“Fine. I’m going out now.”
She put her hand over the phone and turned to Taeg. “Okay. He’s doing it.”
He nodded and then disappeared.
Brynn waited until Mammon said, “I’m here.”
“Okay,” she said. “Now promise.”
“I swear on my blood that in return for your cooperation, Keegan will be allowed to leave unharmed, and that I will not harm you, either. Are you satisfied?”
Taeg flashed into the car, winded, like he’d been running. “He cut himself. It’s done.”
Brynn nodded. “I’m on my way.”
She hung up, niggling tendrils of fear and uncertainty shooting down her spine. Too late to back down now.
Taeg read her thoughts. “Don’t worry. You already know how it’ll turn out.”
“Yes.” She turned away. “You’ll wait for Keegan?”
“You know it. Brynn, please be careful. If anything happens to you…”
She forced a smile. “I will. I promise.”
He seemed satisfied with that. “You got the dagger?”
“Right here.” She patted the scabbard holstered to her stomach underneath her loose-fitting sweater. He’d given it to her after they touched down in Egypt, insisting that she take it for protection. But the bleak look in his eyes had said it all. He didn’t think she would stand a chance of succeeding if she needed to use it. Still, she was grateful for the weapon. It would be the only one she had a
gainst Mammon, since her ability to drain energy didn’t work on demons. And unbeknownst to Taeg, she truly did plan on using it.
“Well, then, good luck.” With one last reassuring look, he flashed away.
Brynn slid into the driver’s seat. She was on her own now. On her own and terrified. Apparently, she’d done a good job of convincing Taeg about her vision. Too bad she couldn’t do the same to herself, since it was all one big lie. She didn’t know how this would turn out. But she had to try something. With one last reassuring pat of the dagger, she started forward.
Please, please let this work. Her only advantage was that she was human and female and, therefore, undoubtedly weak as far as Mammon was concerned. She would have to exploit that at the best possible opportunity.
The entrance to the Valley crept up far sooner than she’d expected. Several armed guards waited outside the gate. They straightened as she pulled up, and then approached her vehicle.
She shifted the car into park and opened the door, sliding out of the seat. “Hello, I—”
“Come on,” one of the guards said gruffly, grabbing her arm and yanking her forward.
Another guard slid into place at her other side, and a few men closed ranks behind her. Ah, so these were Mammon’s minions.
They dragged Brynn through the barren entrance and all the way across the clearing in the camp to where Mammon waited. Just as they had been in her dreams, tents were set up throughout the space, with the pyramids looming in the background.
“You are as beautiful in real life as you are in your dreams,” he said once she was within hearing distance.
“Save it.” She kept her voice tough, even though inside she trembled. “Don’t forget your oath. Where’s Keegan?”
Mammon tipped his head sideways, toward the spot where Keegan struggled against a couple of Mammon’s guards as they dragged him toward the exit.
Oh, thank God, he hadn’t seen her yet. She stepped backward.
“You can’t let him know I’m here,” she whispered to Mammon. She didn’t know what he’d do if he saw her.
Mammon appeared to think it over before nodding. He motioned for his guards to step in front of her, concealing her from Keegan’s view.
Brynn watched the guards drag him toward the entrance. Ragged sobs threatened to tear out of her throat, but she choked them back. She’d made her choice, and she didn’t regret it. No matter what happened to her, he would be safe.
“Never fear, my dear,” Mammon said, turning to face her. “He’s been shown to the exit, as promised.”
Brynn focused in on Mammon, on the rage and fury that bubbled up inside, threatening to consume her. “You’ll pay for this, you evil monster.”
He lost his oily smile. “No, you stupid human, for this I will be rewarded. Now, let us get started, shall we?”
…
Keegan stumbled as the guards hauled him through the entrance. What the hell was going on? Were they planning to kill him all the way out here?
He pushed against one of the guards and the demon fell, landing on his knees.
“You got lucky, idiot,” the guard hissed, his face reddening as he rose to his feet. “Now get lost, before your luck runs out.”
Lucky? Keegan edged backward, staring at the guards in confusion. He didn’t understand. They were letting him go?
“Keegan!”
Stiffening, he turned toward the sound of the familiar voice. “Taeg.”
Relief rushed through him, and he slumped forward. A wave of dizziness hit him. How much damn blood had he lost? Right now, it felt like most of it.
His brother caught him before his knees gave out. “Are you okay, bro?”
“Okay?” He didn’t know how to respond to that. He wasn’t sure how he felt. Only that he was alive, and somehow it was thanks to Taeg. “How did you—?”
“Later.” Taeg directed a meaningful glance toward the guards and supported Keegan’s weight as he led him forward. “Let’s get you in the car, man.”
For the first time Keegan noticed the car a few feet away, its driver’s-side door open. Taeg drove here instead of flashing? Why? Unless he did it to retrieve him, knowing he would be too weak to fly.
Taeg helped him into the passenger seat, then jogged to the driver’s side, where the keys already waited in the ignition.
“How did you do it?” Keegan asked while Taeg started the car.
His brother’s brow crinkled, and he examined the interior, looking at it as if he’d never seen it before. Then again, he’d never driven before today, so it made sense.
Taeg shifted the car into gear and they squealed forward, practically tumbling Keegan onto his brother’s lap. The blood loss and exhaustion from the last few days’ events slammed into him.
“How did you manage to drive this thing all the way out here?” he slurred.
“Get some rest.” Taeg’s voice seemed far away. “Try to recuperate. You’re going to need all your energy.”
Keegan nodded as sleep threatened to overtake him. But he couldn’t help but wonder what Brynn would say when she found out he was free.
Brynn!
“Is she safe?” He lurched forward, unable to keep himself upright anymore.
“Everything’s fine. Everything will be fine.” Without taking his eyes off the road, Taeg pushed Keegan’s chest, gently forcing him back onto the seat. “Now just rest.”
Moderately reassured, he surrendered to an exhausted slumber. He wasn’t sure how long he was out, but he was jostled awake when the car made a bumpy turn. Sitting up, he looked around. “Where are we?”
“Old gas station,” Taeg answered, his voice clipped.
The dilapidated white shack was stained a dull brown from the sandy dirt of the road. There wasn’t a soul in sight.
“Why are we—?”
“I called them earlier and told them I’d meet them here.” Taeg put the car into park and opened the door, stepping outside without another word. He headed toward the shack.
What?
Opening his door, Keegan exited the car and started after Taeg. He was only a few feet away when Ronin stepped out from the side of the building.
“Ronin.” His brother looked fine. They both did.
Ronin turned to look at him, and much to Keegan’s surprise the expression that crossed his face was almost pitying. Why would he look at him like that?
Just then, Cresso stepped into view, followed by Dagan.
“Dagan?” He’d expected his little brother to be with Brynn. Did that mean…was she here?
Heart soaring, he waited expectantly for her to come into view. But nothing. His brothers all watched him silently, wary looks on their faces, and it all fell into place—Brynn wasn’t coming. She wasn’t even here.
His gaze drifted back to Taeg, and the guilty expression Keegan thought he’d imagined when he first saw him suddenly made sense. So that was the reason for the car. Not to transport him…but Brynn.
Taeg had helped her exchange herself for him.
Sudden fury slammed into him and he focused every bit of it on Taeg. “You. How could you?”
“Hey, wait a sec—”
Keegan lunged at him, practically flying those last few feet. His brother stumbled, holding onto him but not fighting back.
“Wait. Stop,” the others yelled.
He ignored them, concentrating his rage on beating the shit out of Taeg.
“Stop it,” Taeg finally yelled. “I have a plan.”
A plan? Keegan paused. “Brynn…”
“We’re getting her back,” he said. “All of us. I promise.”
“What are you planning?”
“We’re going in. We’re gonna stop this and get your girl back.” Taeg gave him a measuring look. “I really hope you’ve got it in you, bro.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, whatever that mechanism is that triggers your powers, you’re gonna have to figure it out fast. Because, dude, we’re gonna need you to b
reathe fire.”
Chapter Thirty
The inside of Mammon’s tent was every bit as opulent as Brynn expected, and just as creepy and disgusting. How was it even possible that this demon had fathered Keegan and his brothers?
After Keegan left, Mammon had directed the guards to bring her inside and guard her while he prepared himself for “ultimate rule.” Whatever that entailed. That had been two hours ago. She’d spent the time searching for an escape, but guards manned every inch of the place, clearly prepared for her to try something. She was totally stuck in here.
This sucked.
Please, Taeg, keep Keegan safe.
It killed her to think she might never see him again. But maybe…just maybe…
No. She couldn’t allow herself to hope. Right now, she had to focus on stopping Mammon. If there were no other possibilities, she knew the one thing that would stop him: her death.
But Mammon wouldn’t kill her. No, he’d resort to torture until he broke her. If it came down to it, and she was unable to destroy him, she’d have to take herself out of the equation.
Could she take her own life to prevent the apocalypse?
She took a deep, calming breath. If there is no other choice, you’ll have to.
At last, Mammon returned. “I know it’s a bit rustic, but this is only the beginning. Once my empire is established and the rubbish is cleared away, this will make an excellent base.”
“Rubbish?” Brynn echoed in disbelief, rubbing her tender arms. The demons who’d deposited her in here were brutes. “You mean the pyramids?”
Mammon shrugged. “They are simply the relics of an ancient past no one cares about. The monuments that will be built for me will make these pyramids pale in comparison.”
She stared at him for a moment, then laughed. “Wow, you really do have a big ego, don’t you?”
He didn’t seem the least bit offended. “I am merely confident in my ability to be the ultimate ruler, my dear.” He headed to a small dining table and lifted the tablecloth, reaching underneath it for a medium-size wooden chest. He deposited it on top of the table, opened it, and took something out.
Her heart squeezed tightly when she realized what it was. “The book,” she whispered.