“Morning,” I return the greeting, tightening my grip on the arms of my men. “You surely came out of nowhere.”
I analyze the instincts inside me, but they’re not flaring out. Weird. What does this guy want if he’s not a threat?
“I tend to do that,” he replies with a wide smile. His teeth aren’t pointy the way vampires’ are, so I can cut that out of the list of possibilities.
I lick my lips. “Did you fly here? I see no wings.”
He laughs, the sounds twinkling like the rolling water of the river. “No wings, dear. I lost those millennia ago.” He raises a forefinger. “But some other skills I still have.”
Apollo shudders, then he moves. It’s a sharp, sudden motion as he reaches behind him for his gun, then pulls it free, pointing it at the stranger in the suit. My eyes widen. Does he sense something I don’t?
“I knew you were taking too long,” Apollo hisses at the man. “I knew you would eventually show up.”
The man’s smile broadens, if possible. “Is that why you stuck with her? To have your chance at capturing me, agent?”
His words sting. I don’t think I can take another betrayal right now. Pulling my shoulders back, I step behind Apollo. “Who the fuck are you?”
The man bends on the waist, making a move with his hand as if to remove a tall hat. “I have many names.” He looks up, eyes glinting over the rim of his glasses. “You might know me as the Collector.”
The name slides down my spine like an icy finger. My throat constricts. I know so little about this Collector, just what Apollo mentioned. Apollo said he’d been chasing this man down for a while, that he’s a trafficker, that he buys and sells unique supernaturals.
My heart stutters inside my chest. He’s here for me. I swallow hard. “What do you want?” I ask, stepping back and looking over my shoulder, planning my escape. If I run into the trees to my left, he might chase me and leave Apollo and Ren in peace. I just need to buy some time.
The Collector chuckles. “I want you for my collection, silly.”
Sharp pain pinches at my neck. I stop. There’s someone holding a knife to my throat. I gasp in surprise but keep myself unmoving. “What the fuck?”
Ren snarls, lowering his shoulders in a fighting stance. “Let her go.”
Fingers rope through my hair, tugging my head back into an uncomfortable angle. “That’ll be a hard no, thanks,” a soft, female voice breathes into my ear. “Can we have the dragon, too?” she asks. “It’s been a while since I’ve played with one.”
The Collector taps his chin with a forefinger, watching Apollo like he’s window shopping. “I promise you we can find another. This one? I want him free.” The Collector smiles. “There’s something sweet about letting an agent walk away, knowing he let his mate be taken.”
The woman behind me chuckles. “You’re so mean.” And she starts walking backward, knife to my throat. I wish my power would do something now, but even if I called it, what would it do? We’re already standing under the sun, and these people are clearly unaffected.
A burst of warmth hits me to my left. I turn my head to see a huge swirling mix of black and purple, going round and round, hovering inches from the ground. A portal. I know enough of the supernatural world to identify one, and the sight of its endless darkness makes my stomach churn with unadulterated fear.
I’m so screwed.
“What do you want?” I shoot at the Collector, gripping at anything that might give me a chance. “Why me?”
He opens a portal behind him with a snap of his fingers. “I would never miss the chance of having the first Shadow Mage in centuries. While the Light Mage could destroy the Cursed Realm, you’re much more interesting.” He opens a sharp smile, the first one that feels like a threat. “You’re the only one who can open it and let all the dark things out.”
And I’m pulled into the portal, my eyes connecting with Apollo’s as his face moves from shock to pure disgust. Even knowing this might be the last time we see each other, my mate is horrified by who I truly am.
And by what I can do when the Collector uses my powers.