Kobal’s knuckles turned white on the tablebefore he shoved himself away with a muttered curse. He rakedMagnimus with a scathing glance. “It better be good. That is theonly thing that will save you.”
He stalked back toward me and lifted me intohis arms. I could feel his barely restrained savagery as his handsran over me. His fingers entwined with my hair as he cradled theback of my head before capturing my lips with his. I sighed as histongue delved into my mouth demandingly. Despite the savagery ofhis kiss, his muscles relaxed around me as he steadily regainedcontrol of himself.
My lips were swollen, my heart thunderingwhen he pulled away from me. His breath washed over my face and hislips tasted my skin before pressing against my forehead. He inhaleda deep breath and turned to look at the others again. None of themwere watching us as, apparently, they’d all found something moreinteresting to stare at.
Magnimus sat on the table for a minute morebefore pushing himself off. He wiped the blood away from his brokennose and flicked it away. Straightening his clothes, he walked overto one of the shelves. If it wasn’t for the swelling of his noseand the bruises surrounding his eyes, he’d almost look as ifnothing had occurred as he assumed his nonchalant air oncemore.
“So whatwillyou do with a mortal asa Chosen, Your Highness?” Magnimus inquired again as he pulled downtwo goblets similar to the ones Kobal had kept in his tent.
“I will love her until the day she dies,”Kobal crisply replied.
Magnimus arched a dark blond eyebrow as heshot an amused look over his shoulder. “How noble of you. But then,you always were so noble. The most powerful varcolac, the one withthe best chance to right the wrongs, and you have received themortal daughter of your greatest enemy as your reward.”
“I’m not his daughter,” I repliedautomatically, but the exasperating demon paid no attention to meas he moved past the shelves lining the wall to the pool ofwater.
A trickling sound caused my mouth to water.Magnimus bent and dipped the goblets into the pool. Rising oncemore, he strolled over to me.
“Drink mortal, before you die,” he said andextended the goblet toward me.
My heart hammered. I was so thirsty I almostsnagged it from him and chugged the whole thing. I managed to holdmyself back as I stared into the red liquid within the goldengoblet. “What is it?” I croaked.
“Water,” Magnimus replied.
I glanced at Kobal questioningly as he tookthe goblet from Magnimus. He kept me held against him with one armas he handed me the goblet. “Drink, Mah Kush-la, it is the samewater used to brew the mjéod,” Kobal urged when I took the gobletfrom him and stared at the water.
I didn’t require any further encouragementas I tipped the goblet back. The water was warmer than I was usedto and had a more mineral tang to it, but right now it tastedbetter than mjéod to me. My grip on the goblet intensified whenKobal tried to pull it away from me.
“Easy,” he said. “You’ll make yourselfsick.”
I reluctantly pulled the goblet away from mylips and wiped the back of my hand across my mouth. I glancedlongingly at the remaining contents but managed to refrain fromconsuming it all in one gulp.
Magnimus folded his hands behind his back ashe stepped away from us. “I never thought I’d see the day Kobal,rightful ruler of the underworld, would have his heart stolen bythe possible key to it all.”
I resisted giving him the finger and drankthe rest of the liquid from the goblet. “What of you?” Magnimusinquired of Hawk and lifted the other goblet toward him. “Are youthirsty?”
Hawk hesitated before taking the goblet fromhim. He took a sip before placing the nearly full goblet on thetable. How could henotbe thirstier than that? I could chugthe entire Mississippi River at this point, and Hawk had exertedhimself as much as I had.
“Not so human anymore, are you?” Magnimusinquired.
“What do you know of it?” Hawk demanded.
“You are of human heritage, I wouldrecognize that by your attitude and demeanor, but you are no longerhuman. You have not been told what you are yet?”
“Magnimus,” Kobal said in a low, threateningtone. “This is not to be discussed.”
Magnimus stepped cautiously away from thelook on Kobal’s face. “Call me Magnus, you know I much preferit.”
“What is he talking about?” I demanded.
“Sometimes I rattle on, child,” Magnimusreplied with a flick of his fingers in the air. He’d tried to soundairy but failed miserably and was now backing further away fromKobal.
Kobal’s eyes were fathomless obsidian pitswhen they slid to me.
He’s been keeping something from me aboutHawk.The realization hit me like a hammer between the eyes.I’d suspected it, but now I knew it for certain. I tried toextricate myself from his arms as he tightened them to hold mecaptive.
“What am I?” Hawk demanded. “Am I becoming acanagh demon? Is that why Sarah has been following me around?”
Kobal’s expression was completelyindifferent as he spoke. “You were infected with canagh demon bloodwhen Lilitu fell on top of you. It’s the only reason you survivedyour injuries and are standing here now. That blood has createdchanges in you.”
