the king gave a nod of his head, a smile on his lips despite the weariness that was etched onto his handsome face. "with your help."

she allowed her eyes to briefly flick toward the towering aztec vampire at salvatore's side before hastily returning them to the were. she wasn't sure she was ready to deal with both the king of weres and the anasso. not at the same time. either one was overwhelming. together . . . well, they were more than any poor female should have to confront.

"why is he still in animal form?"

"because he's protecting his mate," salvatore said. "until you convince him that we aren't a threat to you he won't shift back to human."

oh. of course. caine had been uberprotective from the moment they'd met. now that they were mated he was bound to be an over the top, pain in the ass fanatic.

"caine." she grabbed his muzzle with both hands, gazing deep in the glowing blue eyes that were no longer crazed, but still plenty feral. "caine, listen to me. i'm fine. the danger has passed. no one's going to hurt me."

she said the words slowly, not because the wolf was stupid-caine was as frighteningly cunning in his animal form as in his human-but because he kept glancing over her shoulder and growling at the two demons near the door.

"down, boy," styx muttered.

salvatore breathed a low curse. "you're not helping, leech."

"actually, it would be easier if you both would leave," cassie pointed out dryly.

"no way in hell," salvatore snapped, the prickles of his power causing caine to growl in agitation.

cassie heaved a resigned sigh, glancing over her shoulder. "well, that answers a question that has been bothering me."

salvatore scowled. "what question?"

"whether caine's irrational stubbornness was a personality trait or if it was a character flaw shared by all men." her glance encompassed both kings before returning to caine. "now i know."

"i think we were just insulted," styx drawled.

salvatore snorted. "it wouldn't be the first time."

"speak for yourself."

"just ignore shaggy and scooby-doo and concentrate on me," cassie told her mate, leaning forward to kiss the tip of his nose. "you've done your job. you protected me. now it's time to rest." she settled on the floor as the dangerous blue gaze took a last, cautious survey of the two males standing near the door before slowly sinking down on his haunches. "that's right, my love," she crooned softly, urging his massive head into her lap as she stroked his fur. "just rest."

she felt the massive body shudder beneath her hand, and continuing her gentle strokes, she waited patiently until the ancient magic filled the air. there was the sound of popping bones and the snapping of muscles as caine shifted back to human, his head still in her lap as he sank into a deep, healing sleep.

her heart swelled with an emotion so big it couldn't possibly be contained in such a small space, exploding through her as her trembling fingers stroked through the pale blond hair that fell over his forehead and down the narrow line of his nose.

her mate . . .

the other half of her soul.

she forgot the darkness that still waited to consume the world. and her duty as the prophet to try and halt the approaching doomsday.

she forgot everything but this man who had sacrificed all to protect her.

eventually there was the sound of approaching footsteps and salvatore squatted beside her.

"let me take him upstairs," he coaxed, wise enough not to reach for caine until she gave a hesitant nod.

"be gentle."

the golden gaze slammed deep into her worried gaze, offering her a silent promise of safety. "he's a member of my pack. as you are, cassandra." his lips twitched. "even if you did call me scooby-doo. you have nothing to fear from me."

she believed him. she could feel his presence flowing through her and into caine, offering his strength without hesitation.

with another nod she rose to her feet, turning her head as a chill wrapped around her. not surprising, she discovered that styx had silently moved to stand beside her, his gaze on salvatore.

"i'm going to take a shower and then share breakfast with my mate," the vampire said. "unless a rift opens in the front room i don't want to be disturbed."

salvatore scooped caine into his arms and with one fluid motion straightened to regard the anasso with a mocking smile. "your wish is my command, oh mighty majesty."

the king of vampires rolled his eyes, his stunningly beautiful face softening as he turned to offer her a small bow of his head. "cassandra, welcome to my lair. i hope you will consider it your home."

"thank you," she murmured, still wary of the large predator who looked like he might eat small children for breakfast.

"i also hope you'll make time for darcy," he continued, his words more a command than a request. "she's anxious to meet you."

"i will try once caine is healed."

the vampire nodded, his expression warning he would come fetch her if she didn't make the required appearance to meet her sister. then, with a last glance toward salvatore, he was turning to move out the door with a fluid grace that was unnerving for such a large man.

salvatore was swiftly following in styx's path, cradling the naked man in his arms with an ease only a were could achieve. "there are rooms upstairs," he said. "you'll be more comfortable there."

she hurried to catch up to his swift pace, a faint frown marring her brow as she unexpectedly recalled styx's parting words. "what did he mean by rifts?"

"the dark lord has managed to rip open a doorway between dimensions," salvatore said.

she sucked in a shocked breath. "she's here?"

"not yet, but her minions are eager to cross over."

cassie never faltered as she followed salvatore out of the tunnels and up the stairs, but her mind was . . . empty.

frighteningly empty.

the question was, why?

if the dark lord had truly managed to rip open doorways to the world, then surely that meant they were hurtling toward a turning point in time.

she should be inundated with visions. the gods knew that previous moments of upheaval had nearly drowned her in a confused avalanche of prophecies.

so why wasn't she seeing them now?

had the dark lord done something to steal them from her?

or had her mating to caine altered her on some fundamental level?

"crap."

she wasn't aware that she'd spoken aloud until salvatore snapped his head in her direction, his expression concerned.

"is something wrong? did you have a vision?"

"no." she wrapped her arms around her waist as a trickle of alarm inched down her spine. "it's dark."

"what is dark?"

"the future."

chapter 22

caine woke in an unfamiliar room, stretched naked on a bed the size of utah.

usually the sign of a great night of partying, he wryly acknowledged, having spent more than a few nights indulging in the sort of decadent sins that would shock the most dedicated hedonist.

but not on this occasion.

at the moment, his only hope was that this was the end of a nightmare. a shudder wracked his body, wrenching a groan from his throat. most of his memories were hazy, thank the gods, although not hazy enough to allow him to forget how close he'd come to doing the unthinkable.

regret seared through him as he jerked upright, his gaze skimming over the opulent ivory and gold furnishings. not that he gave a crap about the antique dressing tables, or armoires, or matching wing chairs. or even the overhead chandelier that caught the sunlight that spilled through the bay window.

he had one thing, and one thing only, on his mind.

"cassie," he growled, pushing toward the edge of the acre-wide mattress.

"no, don't move," cassie commanded, appearing in the doorway of the connected bathroom wearing nothing more than a short silk robe. "i'm here."

a melting tenderness flowed through him as he took in her tousled blond hair and the pillow marks on her cheek that revealed she'd just woken. with her wide emerald eyes and perfectly formed body she was as beautiful as an angel.

his angel.

the mating bond pulsed through him, as potent and intoxicating as any drug he'd created in his former life.

"why aren't you here?" he questioned, patting the mattress in invitation.

she blinked, as always taking his words quite literally. "i was going to take a shower while you slept."

"can it wait?"

she smiled, and caine felt as if the sun had settled in his heart. then, with a natural grace, she was moving across the polished floor to perch on the mattress next to him.

he lowered his head to brush his lips over her cheek, his muscles tensing as he caught an unmistakable scent clinging to her skin. a low growl trickled from his throat. "why do you smell of another man?"