“ALL THAT EFFORT. Ruined!” Nasil looked around the tiny cave set high in the cliff with anger and frustration. The priests were dead—had been for days, they’d either been eaten by their Goddess or by scavengers. The eggshell was also broken, from the inside out.
He turned and stared out onto the wide open plains. She was somewhere out there, and he had no idea whether she was sane, or even if she was still alive. Nor would he probably ever find out, since she was invisible. What was he supposed to do, call her like a puppy to come back home?
Nasil reached up to scratch his nose and realized once again that he’d done so unconsciously. Ever since he’d woken in the car, he’d discovered that he had limited use of his hand. It was still clumsy, but it worked. Obviously the girl had something to do with it, and he wasn’t complaining. He planned to use every bit of the newfound ability to find the Goddess.
Hmm. I wonder . . . He went to the nest in the corner and flicked his tongue around the broken eggshell. The taste was immediately unpleasant, not so much from the venom she obviously secreted from her fangs, but from something that made her uniquely Marduc. He would definitely recognize the taste if he encountered it again.
He felt around the nest, hoping to find a few errant feathers. He was nearly out of the invisibility powder. It would be good to restock. He winced as one sliced open his hand. But there were only two. Barely enough for one more trip.
“But that’s all right. I only need one more trip to find you, I think,” he said quietly.
Unless I find you first—
The voice seemed to come from everywhere. It pressed in on him, and flowed out through his own mouth. What the hell?
“Where are you?” he demanded of the air, turning in a circle, but feeling no presence. “Show yourself.”
I remember you, said the voice, now a hissing contralto in his mind. You assisted the snake who wished to be my mate. You found my resting place . . . with my help, of course.
Nasil felt his blood chill. Marduc was fully sentient and able to remember their search? From before they’d even opened the tomb?
Of course I remember. I have always been and always will be. Did you expect a child to be born from the mind of a queen?
And she could read minds? Terrific. He threw out a burst of power in the hope he would be able to think faster than she could read. Then he’d have to find a way to block his thoughts. “What would you have of me, my queen?”
I’m not ready for you yet. You’re not like the others. But you will serve me . . . soon. I’ve tasted you now and can find you at will. I will come back for you when I’m ready to have alphas worship me. But first I need more food.
The abrupt absence of the mind dropped him to his knees. He tried to think, analyze what she’d said. Not like the others. What others?
He needed to go to the gathering of Sazi he saw in the valley. The odor of various species had drifted upon the breeze. He couldn’t imagine why that many wolves and cats would be living in such tight quarters. Mammals didn’t like to live in snake piles, where there were a thousand others around you to keep you warm. Something important was going on to make them pack together so tight. As soon as Bruce arrived, he’d make him comfortable and then journey down into the valley.
And even as he watched, a lone car turned off the main road and headed in his direction. He couldn’t wait to see his lover again. To touch his hair and his skin. But first he’d need to clean out one of the caves, make it habitable for a time. Then he would find the girl. He had no doubt she was somewhere within the gathering of Sazi. This was where he’d traced the helicopter.
And with Marduc already born, there was nothing to stop Nasil from using her healing magic to make him and Bruce whole again. Even if it took every bit of magic she had.
After all, if Marduc was alive, she would be searching for the healer too. And it would be far better for Holly Sanchez if Nasil found her first.