Free Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity) by Alexandra Ivy Page B

sense.”
    “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
    “I told you.” She looked at him as if wondering if he’d always been so stupid. “Cassie will come to a crossroads. In that moment she will try to push you away. You must not allow her to leave you behind.”
    “She’s not going anywhere without me,” he snapped. “Not ever.”
    His fierce words were still ringing through the air when there was a faint groan from behind him. He turned, his heart halting as he watched Cassie collapse onto the desert floor.
    “Shit.” With one leap he was bending down beside her, knocking the rock out of her hand before tugging her slender body against his chest. No use taking a chance of getting beaned. A distinct possibility if she was still caught in her vision.
    He brushed his lips over her forehead, pulling back as her lashes fluttered upward to reveal her eyes. Back to emerald. Thank the gods.
    “Caine?” she husked.
    “I got you.”
    She blinked, her dazed eyes taking in the star-spattered sky over his shoulder before shifting to glance over the barren desert. “Where are we?”
    He grimaced. “In the middle of freaking nowhere.”
    Her brow furrowed in bewilderment. “I thought . . .”
    “What?”
    “I thought I heard voices.”
    Oh hell. Caine jerked his head up. He’d completely forgotten the strange intruder.
    Gone. Thank the gods. He didn’t care why Yannah had come. Or how she’d managed to appear and disappear without leaving a trace. All that mattered was that the powerful demon wasn’t anywhere near Cassie.
    He returned his attention to the woman in his arms. “We’re alone,” he assured her softly. “Are you okay?”
    “I think so.” She gently pried herself from his ruthless hold, taking a puzzled inventory of her fading scrapes and bruises. Then, as if seeking the reason for the wounds, her attention shifted to the glyphs she’d carved into the desert floor. “Did I do this?”
    “Quite the Picasso,” he said, forcing a teasing smile to his lips as he helped her to her feet. He had no intention of burdening her with his fierce fear that one day she would disappear into her visions and never return. She had enough to deal with, thank you very much. “Do you happen to know why you did it?”
    “No, but I think this is why we were here.”
    Good news. At least he hoped it was. He was tired of trying to protect Cassie in such a populated area. Of course, there was no guarantee they weren’t about to be led someplace even worse.
    On that happy thought, he pointed toward the strange symbols. “What does it say?”
    “It’s a warning.” She frowned, shaking her head. “At least I think it’s a warning.”
    He cupped her chin in his hand, tugging her face up so he could study her pale features. His heart faltered. Man, she was so beautiful drenched in moonlight.
    “How can you reveal a prophecy and not know what it is?”
    “It’s not for me,” she said as if the simple words weren’t a mind-bender.
    “Then who . . . ?” He gave a sharp shake of his head as she swayed in weariness. “Never mind,” he muttered, scooping her off her feet and cradling her in his arms. “Are we finished here?”
    “Yes.”
    He peered deep into the emerald eyes. “Does that mean we can go home?”
    “Home?”
    “You have someplace better to be?” he demanded, praying to the gods that she said no.
    She frowned. “It’s not that.”
    “Then what?”
    “I’ve never had a home.”
    That dangerous, intoxicating warmth filled his heart and spilled through his body. Caine didn’t care. Bending his head, he touched his lips to hers in a reverent vow.
    “You do now.”

Chapter 5
    Despite the early hour, Caine had them packed up and checked out of the hotel by sunrise.
    Not that Cassie was in the mood to argue. She would always harbor fond memories of Vegas.
    A smile touched her lips. No, not just fond . Stunningly fabulous memories.
    Even now she could close her eyes and recall every touch,