Page 9 of Immortal Alliance

“Baron and Dragan,” I start but Pyre interrupts.

“If the others refuse to follow you, I’ll force them,” he says with a smile that speaks to his jest, but I know he could force the others to do whatever he wanted them to. He’sthatpowerful.

Pyre takes my hand and leads me back to the group. I sit beside him and find my attention moves to Baron, because I can feel his gaze on me. When I look at him, the vampire stares at me unabashedly but I can’t read his expression.

His eyes bore into mine, and I feel them slide over the curves of my body. Something about the expression in his eyes feels so primal that the succubus inside me can’t help but take notice. I feel my heartbeat begin to speed up as Baron leans back against the jade wall of the chamber, bare-chested with all his scars on display. As well as his sleek and defined muscles. The paleness of his skin contrasts greatly with the darkness of his hair and the bright blue of his eyes. He’s more powerful than he was even a week ago, and I sense this newly awakened power within him.

I want it for myself.

And he knows this. The flicker of understanding in his eyes is as unmistakable as is his lust.

Pyre squeezes my hand, pulling me away from my thoughts as he breaks the trance Baron weaves over me.

“Now’s the time to unite everyone,” Pyre whispers to me. When I look at him, he simply nods and I realize what needs to be done.

I clear my throat to get everyone’s attention. Then in a loud voice, I say, “We are The Vindication,” I pause as I look at the others and sigh heavily, even as I draw courage from Pyre’s touch. “Our title implies that we search for justice and truth,” I continue. “Our faction is comprised of fugitives of war, rebel lords, fallen kings, and creatures deemed too dark to have a say in the way of the world. We’ve faced lifetimes of agony, but we’re still standing. But we can’t stand alone, not against Variant and Morrigan.”

“What do you suggest?” Pyre whispers and his breath fans across my face, causing me to close my eyes as I breathe him in. There’s a connection between the two of us. Yes, we’re friends, but our connection runs deeper than that. We would be lovers, if Pyre hadn’t promised himself to a life of celibacy.

“Kolvar will take Dragan and me to the mortal realm to meet with the Mercenary King,” I answer as Dragan immediately begins shaking his head. I quickly continue because I don’t want to lose my momentum to an argument. I need to get my ideas and thoughts out first. “We will petition for Galmer’s help while Pyre and Baron finish securing the Veil from this side.” I pause as the others sit up straighter. I can practically see the protests in their eyes. “Flumph and Noni will travel by portal to watch over Cambion and Aima.”

“What about Morrigan?” Baron asks, pulling his tunic over his head. “Last I checked, Morrigan was our number one enemy. And yet, no one knows where she is! We should be scouring the Veil for Morrigan, not venturing off in different directions.” He glances around at everyone and his jaw is tight, his eyes narrowed. “Separating is a bad idea, trust me on this, Eilish,” he finishes as he focuses on me again. “What if there’s another attack?”

Pyre responds. “There won’t be. The Veil is fractured, yes, but it’s not broken. Morrigan isn’t strong enough to fight us, or even to provoke the powers that rest here,” he takes a breath as he looks around himself. “She will go after Variant and the talisman, which means the answer to our problems at the moment remains the same: we can’t allow Morrigan to get ahold of the talisman,” he continues. “We must liberate theThrestand save the fae who are currently being sacrificed in order to power the talisman.”

Morrigan’s plan is to use the talisman to help her locate Silvanus so she can kill him and get her power back. Power that Silvanus has been keeping from her, in an attempt to help reverse the damage she’s already done.

I take my cues from Pyre and finding my courage, I clear my throat and hold my chin up high. I know the best way forward and I will stand up for what I believe in. “I’m going with Kolvar to gather allies,” I announce as I focus on Dragan. “And I hope you’ll come with me.”

“Eilish,” Dragan starts but I shake my head.

“My mind is set,” I interrupt. My voice echoes through the chamber. “One week. That’s all the time we have before we put this plan in motion. I suggest you all prepare for what’s to come.”

“There’s no changing your mind then?” Dragan asks me as he pulls me aside so we can speak in private.

“No.”

He pauses for a moment. “Of course I will come with you,” he says but his jaw’s tight.

“Thank you,” I start but he shakes his head.

“I just hope you realize the danger we’ll be facing.”

CHAPTER FIVE

BARON

The Echoing Spire

Eilish’s words echo in my mind and I can’t stomach the thought of her on her own again—without me there to protect her. She fared well the last time, but I can’t help but feel our luck is running thin. Ifluckis what it should be termed, that is. The important thing is, we’ve survived. But we’ll only continue surviving if we makesmartdecisions.

And I’m not sure Eilish’s most recent decision is a smart one.

I grab Dragan by the shoulder and steer him aside. The large gargoyle bares his teeth at me, and I swallow the urge to knock them down the back of his throat.

“What the fuck do you want?” he demands.

“To tell you you’d better not get her killed,” I snap.

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