Dark Promise (Underworld)

12



The three guards rushed her.

Cassandra's heart stopped. She pressed against the castle wall, wishing her ring could make her disappear.

“Well, well.” One of them sneered. He nodded toward Eric. “You’re his mate? The supposed chosen one? The king wants a word with you.”

Another guard pulled a gun from his holster. His smile didn’t reach his hateful red eyes. Cassandra clawed the wall behind her. She opened her mouth to scream, but only a tiny whimper escaped her lips.

“Bring her to me,” a man said. “Unharmed.”

Shuddering at the hissing voice, she turned. A thin man leered at her. God, this was going to be bad. Real bad.

“No!” Eric arched his back, howling.

Crap, she was about to be ripped apart by a pack of starving coyotes. “Wraith,” she yelled.

The wind blew. A small tornado formed near the guards, taking in dirt, sand, twigs and rocks. It spun faster and faster, descending on the approaching guards. They aimed their guns at Cassandra, but their guns were whipped out of their hands. Rocks, dirt and sand pelted them until they fell to the ground.

“Run, Cassandra,” the Wraith’s disembodied voice rang from everywhere and nowhere at once.

Stumbling, she bolted toward the Golden Tree.

“Guards,” a man yelled.

Cassandra ignored him and focused on running toward the tree.

More gorilla sized guards poured out of the keep, their fury bent on her. She picked up speed. The tree was at least fifty feet away. She could make it.

“Cassandra look out,” Eric shouted.

The king flew toward her. He yanked out a pistol and aimed it at her. She dove on to the ground and rolled. He fired and a swish of a bullet whisked past the top of her head.

Sweat poured under her arms and slid down her ribs.

“Damn you, Wraith,” the king cried.

The man shot his pistol into a spinning dust storm. His salt and pepper black hair flew around him. She sprinted toward the Golden Tree.

“Wraith, get her out of here,” Eric commanded.

Cassandra ignored the flapping of wings, shouts and pounding feet around her. Bullets whizzed around her and she was surprised none of them hit her. Was this due to the Wraith? She kept running. Only a bus length away. She stretched her arms, extended her fingers grasping for the tree.

Cruel fingers yanked her hair. Cassandra screamed.

“I don’t think so,” a man spat. “You’re failed. You’re mine.”

He jerked her around and dug his fingers into her arm. With her neck stretched back, Cassandra was forced to stare into Gryffin the Torturer's narrowed red eyes.

“My, you are beautiful. No wonder the prince protected you.”

A malevolent smile spread across his face and he pulled her closer to him. His syrupy breath turned her stomach. He licked her face. “You taste sweet.”

She shuddered and reached to pry his fingers loose of her hair, but he only pulled hard, zapping the strength out of her. He grasped her breast and pinched hard, hurting her nipple. She cried out and pushed on his hand and stomped on his foot.

“I fancy a woman with spirit,” he said. “I’ll ask the king to let me play with you before he kills you.”

She slammed her elbows into his gut, kicking his shins.

“Oh, yes, my little marlin, you will die and die slowly.”

His laugh chilled Cassandra’s blood.

Gryffin gurgled. His fingers loosened, releasing her hair and she jerked free. He stared at her with wide eyes and open mouth. Blood dribbled out of the side of his mouth.

Stomach swirling, she staggered back.

Crimson spread across his chest. Eyes closing, he stumbled then crumpled to the ground.

Eric stood gripping a sword, dripping with blood. “Now, Cassandra, move.”

Next to him, Toby wielded a sword, his hand trembling.

More guards rushed Eric and Toby. They faced them head on.

Cassandra turned and rushed toward The Golden Tree. If she failed, they were dead. Shots rang out and metal clanged, but she only had eyes for the tree. She lunged and her fingers brushed its trunk. A shimmer ran up her arms.

A female whispered faintly, “Awaken me. Breathe on me.”

Not sure if she trusted the voice, Cassandra filled her lungs and exhaled into a small black hole in the bark until she was out of air. The Tree trembled beneath her. Cassandra blew into the hole two more times. “Please awake.”

“I am now.” The female voice was stronger.

Blood thundering between her temples, Cassandra stepped back. A yellow spark glowed in the hole and Cassandra smiled. She'd done it.

Someone grabbed her around her waist and whirled her around. The blonde woman pressed a dagger into Cassandra’s neck. “Eric, drop it or I’ll kill your precious mate.”

Eric stood in the midst of four dead guards. His sword and pistol fell to the ground.

“Eric, no,” Cassandra whispered. She wanted to fight, but they were outnumbered and weaponless. To come all this way and fail. She blinked back tears of frustration.

A guard lunged at Toby, snatched his sword and shook him. “Bloody fool.”

“Mother,” Eric whispered. “Don’t do this.” Eric was a warrior begging like a small boy. How could his mother be so cold?

It broke her heart. A tear slid down Cassandra’s cheek. She had fulfilled the prophecy. Why had nothing changed?

“What?” His mother pressed the dagger deeper into Cassandra’s throat. Warm liquid trickled down her neck.

Shit, she was about ready to be one of Henry the III”s bride.

“You don’t want me to hurt your little bitch?”

“I beg you not to hurt her.”

“In a few moments,” his mother said, “you’ll both be dead. Your father and I will rule together. Wraith, let Harrison go.”

The king crashed to the ground. “Damn Wraith.” He pulled himself off the ground and dusted his shirt. “Nice job, Caroline.”

“You’re welcome, Harrison,” she purred.

Terrific. Two psychopaths sweet-talking each other.

The king punched Eric in the mouth. Blood sprayed, and Eric staggered. “Now, you’ll see what happens when you attempt to spoil my plans. Traitor. Guards.”

Two men seized Eric. By Eric's stare, he’d allow them to do what they wanted to him as long as she was safe. What went wrong?

Suddenly, the dagger flew out of Caroline’s hand and embedded into the ground a few inches from them. Cassandra elbowed Caroline as hard as she could and stepped away.

“Guards,” the king shouted. “Seize her.”

“No.” A female voice blasted.

Cassandra trembled.

“I’ll kill her with my bare hands,” Caroline said and lunged for Cassandra.

Cassandra dodged her and Caroline stumbled past her.


“Stop.” The voice was strong, forceful, powerful.

Bright light blanketed the courtyard and the scent of jasmine filled the air. Peacefulness rushed over Cassandra and her trembling ceased. The once dying aspen tree’s golden leaves shimmered on every branch and as the wind rumpled the leaves, a sweet musical melody emitted from the tree. A faint song, a song of beauty, love and forgiveness. The Song of Tranquility.

The bark dazzled white and the branches were strong. The outline of a beautiful, golden-haired woman formed on the bark. A crown of white stars glimmered on her head. The woman studied Cassandra with crystal eyes. “You have fulfilled the prophecy.”

Her lyrical voice squashed any remaining fear within Cassandra. The woman stepped out of the tree. “I am the Music of the Underworld.” The woman spread her arms and a luminous ray glowed around her, filling the courtyard. “All will be restored.”

Warmth swirled around her finger. Rather than just engravings, glittering gold leaves decorated her silver ring. It was so beautiful. She ran her finger over the smooth surface and was surprised to hear a melody, the same one the Music of the Underworld sang.

Stars burst through the light and descended to the ground. Each time the stars hit the ground, a purple or white columbine sprang up until a sea of purple and white swayed in the breeze. The woman dropped her arms.

“You,” the king said. A purple columbine wrapped around his leg, his face contorted and he grabbed his shaking head. A black veil lifted from his face and the redness in his eyes faded to swirling silver. He gazed at Cassandra, the hatred gone. “My God, you did it.”

“Oh, Harrison,” Caroline whispered. He opened his arms and sobbing, she raced to him, and flung her arms around him. “It’s over. It’s finally over.”

Harrison wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed the top of her head. He buried his face in her hair and rubbed her back. “It’s all right, Caroline, my love. Come, my dearest.”

He squeezed her one more time and gently pushed her back. He wiped away her tears. “We have much to do love. Much to heal.”

She sniffled. “Yes, you’re right. Of course.” Caroline took a deep breath and her gaze fell on Cassandra. Sorrow reflected in her silver eyes. Her lower lip trembling, she whispered, “I’m so sorry, my dear. I was in a nightmare I couldn’t wake from. Please forgive me.” Ragged sobs shook her and she buried her face in her hands.

His matted hair hanging in his face, Toby hobbled to his feet.

She grabbed his shaking arm to help steady him.

“I’m alright…Cassandra.” He gave her a shy smile and lowered his head.

“Toby,” Caroline whispered.

Jerking his head up, Toby stiffened and stepped closer to Cassandra. Trembling, he grabbed her hand and squeezed tight.

“Oh, honey,” Caroline said. She covered her mouth. “Please forgive me.”

“Wraith, heal my grandson,” Harrison bellowed.

Toby hid behind Cassandra. Fearfully, he peered through strands of matted hair.

It made her heart bleed. “I promise no one will hurt you.”

A warm wind fluttered around them and the Wraith materialized. Dragon Demon gasps filled the courtyard.

Excited and suspicious voices broke out. “Who is that? Is this some kind of trick? Where is the old crone?”

“I am the Wraith. The Dark Veil has left your eyes and you see me in my true form.”

Harrison frowned. “I’m the king. How could you keep this secret from me?”

“The Darkness took over me long ago, your Majesty. Any time I tried to tell you, my magic drained so I couldn't tell you. Otherwise, I would have become powerless. I needed my power to help Cassandra fulfill her destiny.”

Harrison glanced away, his cheeks flaming red. He ran a hand through his thick hair. “I didn’t mean…”

The Wraith held up her hand. “Darkness possessed you. As you were all.”

“Heal my grandson.” Harrison pleaded once more.

“I do not have the power within me.”

Harrison glared. “What? You refuse?”

She turned to Cassandra. “But you do, my dear. You touched the tree and brought forth her spirit and survived. You have awakened the White Dragon Ring and now possess its white magic.”