Sydney could just imagine Shocks greeting. The Doomsday Brethren trusted himat least a bit. Because of it, they could be easily dupedand quickly dead. Any chances of escape or a future for magickind would walk out the door with the big, bad wizard.
She grabbed his arm. Please, no. Dont do this!
Shock sent her a glare, shook off her hold, and walked out the door.
Caden shivered in the cold cell. But he shoved the discomfort aside and focused on the movie in his mind that was spooling from his clone. Soon, his replica made his way out of the basement to the first floorand Mathiass sitting room.
As he crept in shadow up the stairs and around a corner, a small lamp on the table illuminated Sydney, a small form in an oversized black leather chair, pale and hugging her knees to her chest. She stared at Mathias with undisguised hate.
Though she couldnt see him, he was damn glad to see her alive.
Sunlight was beginning to creep through the east-facing windows above him. Soon, his hiding place would be compromised. He was going to have to think and act fast to get Sydney out of here and snatch the Doomsday Diary. No way was he leaving such a weapon in the hands of someone like Mathias.
He was only going to have one chance to surprise the evil wizard, and Caden didnt know if his clone could perform magic. Even if he could channel energy to the duplicate, did he have enough energy left in him to kill Mathias?
As the sun crept farther into the room, and he heard the sounds of battle erupting outside, Caden figured it was now or never. Either the Doomsday Brethren would fight their way inside and chaos would erupt, or the Anarki would come in and kill them all. If he was going to get Sydney out before things got dangerous, it had to be now.
Caden positioned himself into a crouch, ready to run. Sydney spotted him out of the corner of her eyes. She stifled her surprise quickly, but Mathias saw or sensed something. Whirling, he pulled out his wand. Using his instincts, Caden flipped a hand toward Mathias, picturing a fireball hurtling toward the wizard. Invisible energy ripped out of his body, burning down his fingers toward Mathias.
The other wizard couldnt scramble a defense fast enough. He jumped aside, but the ball struck him in the gut. Mathias doubled over, clutching his abdomen. Sweat dotted his temples and his face strained with pain as he looked up at Caden with hate.
Youll pay for that.
Not today, he quipped, then pulled Sydney to her feet. Grab the book and run. Its still dark; you can get out. Stay in shadow. Bram and the others sound like theyre fighting on the northeast side of the house. Run out the back and stay close to the walls. Ill be there as soon as possible.
Sydney shook her head. Im not leaving without you.
He loved her more than ever, marveled that he had a mate who was his, but locked away in a cell below, the real him couldnt defend her and both he and the clone were running out of energy. Why the hell wouldnt she listen? You and the book are all that matter. Go!
We go together! Zap him again.
Her gaze flicked over to Mathias, beginning to straighten up, still clutching his wand with a groan. Below, Caden focused, trying to summon his energy to send to the clone to protect Sydney. His gut cramped, and he trembled, sweating and straining for something.
He had no magical energy left.
Stupid neophyte, Mathias scoffed. Im looking forward to watching you die.
Caden had no idea why Mathias hadnt yet blasted him. Either he hadnt fully healed from the injury Olivia had delivered to him last month, or the blast hed just given the wizard had done more damage than imagined. Whatever. Time for some old-school ass kicking.
Dropping into a fighting stance, his replica delivered a blistering roundhouse kick to Mathiass jaw. He reeled back, staggering.
Below them, doors banged against the limestone walls, grunts, shouts, and the sounds of fistfighting erupted below.
Mathias smiled. Your friends are coming. Too bad theyll be too late.
Fast as lightning, Mathias whipped his wand toward Cadens clone. A split second later, something hit him that weighed twenty tons, was as hot as lava, as destructive as acid. The spell spread throughout the clones body. In his cell below, Caden absorbed the immense pain, felt the duplicates organs shut down as he crumpled to the ground.
Sydney fell to her knees over him, grabbing his hand. No. No! You cant . . . Caden, listen. Please!
Take the book, the clone panted. Get out.
Every muscle in Cadens body jolted in pain, and when the clone shut his eyes, Caden could no longer see Sydney. He panicked as pain ripped through him, shredding his insides.
The fighting reached the top of the stairs. The clones hearing discerned shouts.
Ive already killed your friend. So glad youll be next, Rion, Mathias taunted.
The fighting around him resumed in a fierce clash. He sensed his replicas consciousness fading when a strong hand landed on his chest. Lucan. Funny how he sensed his brother from just a touch. Oddly, tragedy had made them closer, and he regretted that he wouldnt know what tomorrow might have brought for them.
Thank God you mated. The others are keeping Mathias busy. Quick! Kiss him, Sydney.
Moments later, Caden felt Sydney brush her lips gently over his. Nice. He floated, his consciousness like a cloud drifting in a clear, blue sky. The pain was receding, and he welcomed peace.
Fight, damn it! Lucan growled. Take energy from your mate.
Sydney redoubled her efforts, her mouth growing insistent and frantic as the battle around them raged, others holding off Mathias and the Anarki. Dont. Leave. Me. She peppered him with kisses between each word. Stay with me!
Cant. Im in a cell, he managed to get out.
What the hell is he talking about? his brother asked.
Caden didnt have the energy to answer.
II . . . Sydney seemed to flounder for an answer, then she gasped. You cloned yourself?
Hmm . . . He didnt have the energy to say more. He felt his life force draining, dwindling more with each minute.
Take me to him, Sydney commanded Lucan. This is a clone. The real him is downstairs. Bring that body.
No, he protested, but it was a weak whisper. The remnant of his energy. Go.
Lucan ignored his pleas and lifted him, jolting every muscle in Cadens body. The agony twisted through him, and he had no idea if he could withstand more of the excruciating pain. Sweat rolled down his body, despite the chilly temperatures in the cell. He gripped the bed, wondering if it would break in his hands. He focused all his energy on staying conscious, not throwing up, waiting for Sydney.
As Lucan carried him down the stairs, the sounds of the raging battle faded in the distance. Caden nearly passed out, but he felt every step his brother carried his cloned body with a teeth-jarring agony.
A crash told him that Lucan had exploded the door wide open. Suddenly, Sydney was beside him, pressing her lips to his. Energy trickled into his system, a bit more as the seconds ticked by. Between them, Caden could feel the book. But it was her urgent touch that brought him around.
He opened his mouth beneath her and dipped inside, mingling with her, inhaling her essence. Energy now flooded his senses. He deepened the kiss, and she responded with all the fire and love inside her. His vitality spiked. The energy derived from the kiss was temporary until he could claim her body fully again, but it would hold for now.