Primal Heat 05 - Darkness Reborn

made him look like a man, a human being. As his eyes closed, he whispered, "I'm coming, Elizabeth, my love. I'm finally coming." There was such pure serenity in his voice that Sarah felt her own soul respond.
    And then his soul left, and his body vanished, leaving Los Muerte behind, basking in his victory.
    Sarah tried to crawl away as Kane lowered his trophy. He scanned the clearing and then his gaze came to rest on her. There was no recognition in his eyes, simply violence and death. Sarah froze, afraid to move, terrified of triggering him into action.
    For a long moment, neither of them moved. Her mouth parched and dry, Sarah dug her fingers into the dirt. Kane. Are you in there?
    No response from him. No connection.
    Then he dropped the spoils of his kill and began to circle her, his red eyes glowing like the demons of the night. Dear God. There was nothing left of Kane. Nothing at all. Adrenaline rushed through Sarah, the instinct to survive fighting to give her strength.
    Did she have enough light to kill him? Could she make herself do it? And then what? Would Ryland find her? Would he drag her back to the village and find a way to uncover the fountain? And would the water be able to bring her back after she'd used her powers against Kane? There was nothing left inside her. She could feel the emptiness, the utter betrayal.
    "Kill her, Los Muerte. Kill her now."
    Kane spun around, his movements quick and jerky like a creature possessed, as a massive black horse stepped out of the woods. On his back was a rider, his face obscured by a black hood, his body draped in a long cape as black as his horse's coat. The horse pranced restlessly, his huge iron-shod feet making no sound on the packed earth.
    The rider leaned forward, his heavily muscled body moving easily with his mount's restless dance. "The baby she carries," the rider said, his voice haunting and eerie, "will replace you if it lives, Kane. It will take your spot. It will dethrone you. You must kill it before it can destroy you."
    Kane whirled around to face Sarah, and her stomach dropped at the expression of raw hatred on his face. His gaze went to her belly, and his claws lengthened.
    "Oh, shit." Sarah's heart began to pound and real terror shot through her. "Kane. It's me." Her voice was shaky and terrified, and she saw Kane's body shift into attack mode, seeing her as prey. "Kane! I'm Sarah. Your mate. You aren't this creature! You're the man who has nightmares about killing his child! You're stronger than this!"
    Kane let out a hiss and hunched over. His claws were out, his body primed for the attack.
    "Yes, Los Muerte," the man encouraged. "Destroy her. Destroy the child. Do it now. "
    Agony filled her as she watched Kane move into a crouch. Every line of his body was taut, his eyes utterly devoid of humanity. This was the monster who had killed his own family. She knew it. Kane! But she knew he couldn't hear her. He was so far away from the man—
    Dammit, no! The man had to still be in there. Los Muerte had owned his soul before, but once the talismans had held it at bay, the real Kane Santiago had emerged, with his beautiful amazing heart and courage. He had to still be in there, just like before. She just had to get it out of him. "Kane," she shouted, pulling herself to her knees. "You dumb ass! You are madly in love with me, and you will never forgive yourself if you kill me!"
    The rider laughed as Kane readied himself to attack. "He's nothing but scum! There's no valor in these Order members," he shouted. "There's no honor! You'll see what he's made of. You'll see why they all need to be destroyed!"
    "No, he's not! He is honorable!" Fury raged through Sarah at the man's insults. "Kane is the most beautiful soul I've ever met," she shouted. "I wouldn't love him if he wasn't!" As the words left her mouth, she realized that she did love him. Truly, deeply with all the power in her very soul. Kane had given her life and hope again, because he really was the man she wanted him to be.
    She met his gaze as he stared at her with those glowing red eyes. "You love me, you stupid man. Why can't you see that?" But even as she said it, she saw the marks on his arms, the brands, and she thought of the ones on her arms. One more stage to complete the bond. Would the sheva connection be strong enough to break through the hold that demon had on Kane? Or would it end like it had with Mason? As an Order member, sealing the bond would doom them forever, but if