Primal Heat 05 - Darkness Reborn

But even as he said the words, he felt the darkness still percolating inside him. Who was he? Her protector or her destroyer?
    Javier met his gaze. "You are both, Kane. You have the potential to be either." He looked at the sun that was still rising in the sky. "And you have very few hours left to make your choice."
    Kane swore and looked at Ryland. "We need the rest of the team."
    Ryland nodded. "Call in the army. We're going to war."
    Kane pulled out his phone and dialed Quinn. Without the blood bond, Quinn was too far away for Kane to communicate with mind-to-mind. His interim leader answered on the first ring. "We lost Jacob," Quinn said. "We got nothing out of him before he teleported. He's gone."
    Kane's adrenaline kicked into an even higher gear at the news, even though it wasn't unexpected. "Quinn. We need the team." He looked across the room at Sarah. "You need to be prepared to kill me."
    Protest flared in Sarah's eyes, along with a grim reality. Who was Kane, and what was going to happen to him when the sun went down?
    No one knew.
    They had to be prepared for anything.

Chapter Eighteen
    The Order of the Blade invaded the village like ancient warriors descending upon Akara either to destroy it, or to save it.
    Ryland's hand was tight on Sarah's arm as Kane materialized by the old fountain with seven massive warriors clothed in leather and steel. They were well-muscled, and their faces were grim with readiness for battle. They were like the Calydons who haunted her woods, the ones that had been hunting her for so long, only these men carried with them the wisdom, focus and skills from centuries of battle. These were the men she was supposed to protect? These were the men counting on her ?
    Along with the men were three women, who Ryland had explained were the shevas of three of the Order members. Two of the women had dark hair and silver eyes, and were clearly sisters. The other woman had white blond hair, and she was wearing pressed jeans and a tank top. She had a computer with her and was reading the screen even as she materialized with the rest of the team.
    The moment they were all present, Kane broke away from the group and walked over to Sarah. He exchanged a long look with Ryland, who grudgingly released his grip on her arm, but he didn't move away from her side. Kane's eyes were dark and turbulent, and she could feel the growing restlessness in him. It's getting worse, isn't it?
    Kane nodded as he set his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, staking his claim on her in front of all the others. Each time I pass through shadows, it gets worse. His voice was grim, his body was tense. Darkness accentuates it, and that's never happened to me before.
    Sarah looked at the sun, still high in the sky. So, tonight...
    Kane tightened his grip on her. Tonight we will know.
    Sarah looked down at his hand gripping her shoulder so securely, at the raw strength in his forearm as it was draped over her shoulder. At his brand gleaming so defiantly on his skin. Would he be wielding that on her behalf, or against her, once the sun went down? Her stomach churned, and she set her hand on her belly, on the life she was supposed to protect once again. Who was she supposed to trust this time? Who?
    "Most of you have met Sarah before," Kane said, his voice calm and powerful, not revealing any of the torment he'd shared with her.
    "She's our angel," Ryland said. He already had his machete in his hands. "It's our duty to protect her."
    A muscular blond male stepped forward. He had to be close to seven feet tall, and his blue eyes were stark and radiant in his angular face. Then, to Sarah's shock, he went down on one knee before her and bowed his head. "Sarah Burns," he said. "My name is Gideon Roarke. We are in your debt for all you have done for us. We will keep you safe. You have our word."
    Then, the rest of the warriors all followed suit, and Sarah was shocked to see all of them down on one knee, their heads bowed. After a lifetime of having Calydons hunting her ruthlessly, of having to fear every one of them, of having each of them turn on her, it was overwhelming to receive that kind of response, that kind of promise. Tears filled her eyes as Kane tugged her closer and pressed his lips to her head. It's different now, sweetheart. You don't have to fight this battle by yourself anymore.
    Sarah felt Kane's warmth pulsing at her, and she looked up at him. There was so much possessiveness and protection in his