Sacrifice of Darkness: A Guardians of Eternity Novella

to crumble the stone around the door, loosening it enough to allow them to squeeze out of the cell. Now, it was her turn to show what she could do.
Her gaze took in the two trolls who were playing some game that involved dice and a lot of grunting. Next to them, the imp tossed a dagger in the air. Near the door, the goblin slouched in a chair. They all wore ragged clothing that appeared to be held together by grime, food stains, and desperate hope. But their shabbiness didn’t make them any less dangerous. Just the opposite. Despondency clung to them like a shroud.
“What are you going to do?” Javad asked, his voice a mere whisper.
“Put them to sleep.” Terra tapped into her magic.
“All of them?”
“Yes.”
“At the same time?”
She ignored his blatant shock. Over the past years she’d grown considerably in her powers, and more importantly, developed the necessary patience to hone and perfect her skills. Now, she reached out to touch the mind of the goblin. It was a tangled mess of hunger, violence, and churning hatred toward his fellow guards. Exactly what she expected from a goblin. Murmuring a soft command, Terra savored the gentle magic that bubbled within her. It felt like champagne fizzing through her veins.
The goblin’s eyes slid shut, and Terra turned her attention on the trolls. She released another tingle of magic, and the two slumped forward, hitting the ground with enough impact to send up puffs of dust. With a curse, the imp leaped to his feet, his expression wary as he jerked his head from side to side. Knowing he was about to bolt, Terra hurriedly entered his mind and compelled him to sleep.
He froze, his eyes going blank. Then, with a soft sigh, his knees gave way, and he fell flat on his face.
“That’s…” Javad shook his head, the words dying on his lips as he studied the unconscious guards. Then he sent her a glance of pure admiration. “Awesome.”
A giddy sense of pride raced through her. As if she’d performed some miracle instead of a routine spell that Serafs used on their patients. She shook her head in disgust. Why did she always act like an idiot when she was near this male?
Because you want to impress him…
The words whispered through the back of her mind, and Terra swallowed a sigh.
Over the long centuries, she’d made a habit of telling herself that her endless dreams of Javad were because he was one of the few males she’d ever known. She had, after all, spent the majority of her life isolated from the world. Who else would fill her fantasies? But the second she opened her eyes to discover Javad leaning over her, that pretense had been shattered.
The intense joy that had exploded through her had nothing to do with a lack of male companionship, and everything to do with one specific vampire.
Javad was special to her. And if she weren’t a Seraf…
“They won’t be out for long,” she forced herself to say, trying her best to ignore the dark wave of regret that settled in the center of her heart.
Right now, nothing mattered but getting out of the caverns before Vynom realized that they were out of the cell.
“This way,” Javad murmured, leading her past the sleeping guards and into the narrow tunnel that led upward.
She had to jog to keep up with his long strides. Not that she would complain. The faster, the better.
“Where are we going?”
“If we can’t get out with magic, then we’ll do it the old-fashioned way. There has to be an exit somewhere.”
She remained silent as they found a narrow flight of stairs carved into the rock and then traveled through several dusty tunnels. Eventually, her curiosity overwhelmed her sense of caution. Once they were free, she would have to return to the temple, and it was very likely that she would never ever see this male again. And…there was more of that dark regret that made her heart feel painfully heavy.
“You said something about coming here to shut down the fighting pits. Did you come alone?”
He slowed as they entered a large cavern so they could walk side by side. “No, I brought along a creature who can see through illusions, but he disappeared when I was sucked through the magical barrier. I assume he’s back in Vegas, raiding my personal stash of aged tequila.” He grimaced. “I should have sent an army when I heard rumors that Vynom was in my territory. He would have been rooted out and destroyed by now. Instead, I carelessly rushed here to confront him face-to-face. I never considered that this might be a trap.” His voice was filled with self-disgust. “Stupid, of course.”
She couldn’t stop herself from placing her hand on his arm. It was in her DNA to comfort others. And, more importantly, she ached to touch him.
“I never thought it would be a trap either,” she said, dangerous sensations tingling through her as his muscles rippled smoothly beneath her palm.
Thankfully distracted, he shook off his grim mood. “How did you leave the temple?” he asked.
Terra turned her head as if suddenly fascinated by the strange rock formations dotted around the cavern.
“I told you. I used a portal.” She hoped that he would leave it at that.
He didn’t.
“I thought Serafs were forbidden from leaving?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, you’re forbidden from leaving?” he prodded. She nodded. With a muttered curse, Javad came to a halt, reaching to grab her by the shoulders. “Terra. What have you done?”
Reluctantly, she met his gaze that shimmered with hints of bronze. “I made a pledge when I gave you my medallion. I had to keep my promise.”
He studied her in confusion. “What about your duty to the temple?”
“It will be there when I return.”
“Are you allowed to return?”
She released a resigned sigh. Javad was strong and loyal and astonishingly tenderhearted. He was also as stubborn as a rabid hellhound.
“As long as they don’t realize I’m gone,” she admitted.
His brows arched in surprise.