GOE 08 - Bound By Darkness

Chapter 17

Jaelyn had mistakenly assumed that no vampire could match the strength and power of her Ruah.

Weren’t the members of the Addonexus supposed to be the elite of the elite of the vampire world?

That’s what she’d been taught.

But slowly turning to discover the six-foot-five Aztec warrior towering over her, she realized that her teachers had grossly overestimated their own worth.

Styx, the current Anasso, maintained the bronzed skin and proud angular features of his ancestors as well as the dark, silky hair that fell in a braid to the back of his knees. And while his muscular form was currently covered by a green silk shirt and dark dress pants, it was all too easy to picture him striding through the jungles of South America.

There was something not quite civilized about the vampire.

Turning from Jaelyn, Viper regarded the King of Vampires with more curiosity than fear.

She’d heard rumors that the clan chief and Anasso were acquainted, which was why she’d sought out the Viper Pit, but now she suspected that they were actually friends.

Odd.

Two such alpha males rarely bonded.

“Do you want me to stay?” Viper was asking.

A rueful smile touched the ancient vampire’s lips. “I think I can manage.”

“You can use my office.” Viper glanced toward the silent Jaelyn. “I think I’d better make sure there aren’t any other surprises roaming my club.”

The clan chief slid into the shadows and swiftly disappeared as the Anasso waved a hand toward the nearby staircase.

“This way.”

Jaelyn hesitated, impatient to say what needed to be said so she could be on her way.

Thankfully she was impatient, not mental.

If the six-foot-five Anasso with massive fangs and enough power to destroy Chicago wanted her to go upstairs, then by God she’d go upstairs.

It didn’t, however, mean she’d be happy about it.

Climbing the steps Jaelyn allowed herself to be led into a well-appointed office with recessed shelves that were lined with leather-bound books and a stone fireplace on the far wall.

Styx pointed toward one of the wing chairs sitting near the heavy walnut desk, waiting for her to take a seat before heading toward the carved side table and opening the built-in fridge to pull out a bag of blood. With surprising expertise, the vampire poured the blood into a crystal cut glass and popped it into the microwave.

Almost as if he was ... domesticated.

Her inane thoughts were brought to a sharp end as the vampire crossed the dark wood of the floor to press the glass into her hand.

Instinctively she gave a shake of her head, attempting to thrust the glass away.

The dark eyes flared with warning. “Drink.”

“No. I can’t.”

He muttered something beneath his breath about Addonexus and stubborn relics.

“It’s clean and you’re about to collapse.” His voice slid over her with a promise of pain. “I can make it an order if you want.”

“No,” she muttered, gulping down the blood.

He was right. She was dangerously weak after the energy she’d used to survive her brush with dawn and if the Anasso wanted her dead he wouldn’t need to use tainted blood to do it.

Even when his power was leashed it was like a pulsing threat that filled the room.

Removing her empty glass, Styx moved to lean against the corner of the desk, studying her with an unnerving intensity.

“You’re the Hunter who helped Tane and Laylah,” he finally broke the thick silence.

She shrugged. “Our paths crossed.”

“Did you manage to capture the Sylvermyst?”

Jaelyn’s fingers tightened on the arm of the chair, but her training allowed her to meet the dark gaze without flinching.

“My mission has been changed.”

“I see.” He folded his arms over his massive chest. “Well, I don’t actually see, but I presume that it has something to do with the return of the Dark Lord?”

There was just enough of a bite in his voice to warn that he didn’t like the thought that he might be out of the loop.

Control freak?

Naaaaw.

“The child is in the hands of Tearloch and his pet wizard,” she abruptly admitted.

“Yes, Tane told us the child was stolen by the Sylvermyst and Sergei in the Russian caves. A pity, but at least we rescued Maluhia.”

Maluhia?

She assumed that must be the twin to the baby held by Tearloch.

“The wizard isn’t Sergei,” she corrected, her heart contracting at the reminder that the mage was even now with Ariyal. Somewhere. “I’m not sure what happened to him.”

“Then who?”

“Tearloch summoned a spirit that goes by the name Rafael,” she informed him. “I think you know him.”

The Anasso abruptly straightened, a scowl marring his brow.

“Rafael? You’re certain?”

“Yes.”

“Shit.”

Shoving his hand into the front pocket of his slacks, Styx pulled out a slim cellphone and jabbed in a series of numbers.

Jaelyn rose to her feet, feeling her strength returning from the blood her king had forced her to drink.

“What are you doing?”

“Dante will want to hear this,” he told her, turning away to speak softly into the phone.

Once done he returned the phone to his pocket and turned back to meet her questioning gaze.

“Dante?”

“The vampire who killed Rafael the first time around.” He smiled with cruel anticipation. “He’ll be pissed if he gets left out on a second chance. He’s on his way.”

“Fine, but I don’t have time to wait for him.”

Power prickled over her skin, and Jaelyn silently cursed her uncharacteristic lack of control.

Dammit, the King of Vampires wasn’t a benevolent leader who ruled with a gentle democracy. He was a powerful demon, perhaps the most powerful in the entire world, and he was well within his rights to crush her if she offended him.

Thankfully the brief punishment was the extent of his reprimand.

“Tell me what you need from me.”

Relieved to have gotten off relatively unscathed, Jaelyn swiftly outlined their pursuit of Tearloch since leaving the Russian caves, carefully editing the more private details. Not that she was fooling anyone.

Styx could no doubt sense her inner turmoil when she spoke of the Sylvermyst who was supposed to be her enemy.

The Anasso listened in silence, his expression hard as she revealed the wizard’s attempt to fry her with the morning sun.

“The child must be rescued,” she at last concluded her tale, her hand unwittingly clutching the stock of her gun.

“I agree,” the king said without hesitation. “How many are in the caves?”

“Tearloch and a half-dozen Sylvermyst as well as the wizard.” She held up a warning hand. “But there could be others.”

“Others? You suspect the Sylvermyst has allies?”

“I doubt that Sergei has given up his ambitions to rule the world.”

The Anasso grimaced, obviously familiar with the Russian magic-user.

“He’s a tenacious bastard,” he readily agreed, his piercing gaze never wavering from her face. “But I sense he isn’t your primary concern.”

“No. While we were searching for Tearloch, I had a run-in with a cur.”

“A very stupid or very brave cur,” the king murmured. “I assume he’s dead?”

“ No.”

A dark brow arched in surprise. “No?”

“He was a magic-user.”

Styx tensed. “Damn, I wonder if Salvatore knows? He won’t be pleased.”

“Neither was I,” she said dryly.

He frowned, as if debating some inner quandary. “The Were called a meeting for tomorrow night. I suppose the information can wait until then.” With a shake of his head, the vampire returned his attention to her. “Is the cur connected to Tearloch?”

“I can’t say for sure, but I’m not a big believer in coincidences.”

“Me either.” Styx lifted a hand to brush a finger over the amulet that was hung around his neck. Jaelyn knew from her studies that Aztec people believed that they could tap in to the power of their ancestors with such talismans. Yeah, like this man needed any secret weapons. “Was the cur alone?”

“No, he was traveling with another cur and a human witch. And ...” She gave a lift of her hands. “I don’t know.”

“A demon?”

She considered her words, disliking her lack of concise facts. Vague speculation too often led to poor decisions.

“My guess would be a vampire, but it was able to disguise its scent.” She regarded him with a frown. “Is that possible?”

“If he’s traveling with a witch he could have an amulet to mask his presence,” he suggested.

She shook her head. “I don’t think that was it. I could sense him, but it was muted, as if he was blocking my powers.”

An odd expression tightened the bronzed features, almost as if Styx had been struck by an unpleasant suspicion. But before she could question him, he was pacing to study the row of monitors that revealed the crowds filling the club below.

“He must have considerable skill if he was able to shroud himself from a Hunter.”

She narrowed her gaze. He was hiding something.

“Does it ring any bells?”

“None that I’m will to comment on without further information,” he said, revealing he hadn’t been deceived by her delicate attempt to probe. “Where are they now?”

She didn’t even consider pressing for an answer. Actually, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

She had quite enough on her plate, thank you very much.

“The last I knew Levet was trying to track them.”

Styx shuddered as he turned back to face her. “Good God.”

Jaelyn smiled. The tiny gargoyle seemed to have a genuine knack for irritating males, no matter what their species.

Then, as the thought of Levet reminded her that he was currently with Ariyal, and that they both might be in danger, she headed toward the door.

“I must go.”

“Wait.” With a speed that shocking even for a vampire, Styx was standing directly before her, his expression forbidding. “I need you here.”

“I’ve already told you all I know.”

“You’ve recently been in the caves.” He took a deliberate step forward, towering over her. “We’ll need you to lead us to the child.”

“I can draw you a map.”

“You have someplace more important to be?”

She met the dark gaze, refusing to be intimidated. “I’m still under contract to the Oracles.”

His jaw clenched. “I’m sure they’ll understand if you take a short detour.”

Understand?

Clearly this vampire had never had to deal with the Commission.

“I’ve already detoured more than I should have,” she informed him, her tone edged with the impatience she could no longer control. “Now I need to go.”

Grudgingly he stepped aside, but as she pulled open the door he called out.

“Hunter.”

She glanced over her shoulder. “What?”

“I intend to gather my most trusted warriors and enter the caves tomorrow night, just before midnight,” he informed her. “Your presence might very well mean the difference between success and failure.”

“But no pressure, right?”

He smiled without apology. “All’s fair in love and war.”

“Yes.” A smile touched her own lips as she turned and hurried from the demon club. She had been playing by the rules since she’d been turned into a vampire, but the world was hurtling toward Armageddon and she intended to snatch whatever happiness she could discover before it was too late. “All’s fair in love and war.”

Ariyal slammed the treacherous mage into the wall of the abandoned warehouse. At the same time, his power filled the late-night air with enough heat to make the candle sitting on a broken crate melt into a puddle of wax.

“You son of a bitch, I’m going to kill you,” he growled.

“No ...” Sergei struggled to breathe. “Wait.”

“For what?” Ariyal demanded. “More lies?”

He had no doubt been a fool to trust the mage. But he hadn’t had much choice.

Not if he wanted to get out of the lead-lined cavern.

And more importantly, to gain the information the magic-user had dangled like the proverbial carrot.

Predictably Sergei hadn’t been satisfied when Ariyal’s initial portal had taken them just a few feet from the caves. He’d been convinced that the shadows were crawling with the Dark Lord’s minions. And since he refused to reveal his information until they were on the outskirts of Chicago, Ariyal had little choice but to bring them to this empty warehouse.

Now, however, he was done. The bastard was going to be very, very sorry if he had tried to play games with a Sylvermyst.

The mage turned a pasty shade of gray. “I didn’t lie.”

“You told me you had information about Jaelyn.”

“And I do.”

Ariyal’s fingers tightened around the neck he could crush with pathetic ease.

“Telling me she can cloak herself in shadows is not information,” he hissed.

“If you would allow me to finish?”

There was a tug on his jeans, and he impatiently glanced down at the gargoyle standing beside him.

“What?”

“I think we should hear what he has to say.”

“Fine,” Ariyal rasped, returning his attention to Sergei. “But I warn you, mage, don’t screw with me.”

“Release me and I’ll ... arrg.” The mage’s eyes nearly popped from their sockets as Ariyal tightened his grip. “Okay. From what I managed to learn from Marika, a Hunter’s primary skill is the ability to shroud themselves in shadows so thick they’re virtually invisible.” Sergei held up a pleading hand as Ariyal’s fingers threatened to finish the job of crushing his throat. “Those same shadows also protect them from the sun for short periods of time.”

Her shadows ...

Of course.

“How short?” he breathed.

“A few minutes.”

“Long enough for her to have escaped,” Levet said, a grin spreading over his ugly face. “I told you she was still alive. Ariyal?”

Ariyal was already at the door, hesitating only long enough to point a finger at the mage, who was now crumpled on the floor, gasping like a fish out of water.

“Keep an eye on Sergei.”

“But ...”

He vaguely heard the gargoyle call out, but Ariyal was already crossing the crumbling parking lot and headed back toward the caves.

Jaelyn.

The desperate hope that had kept him from raving insanity became a raw, throbbing need.

He had to find her.

He had to hold her in his arms until there was no doubt left inside him that she was alive and well.

And then he was going shake her until her fangs rattled for putting him through hell.

Intent on returning to the caves, Ariyal very nearly missed the sharp chill that edged the breeze. It was only when the familiar scent of power and pure woman teased at his senses that he came to an abrupt halt.

There was no mistaking the approaching vampire was Jaelyn.

But why was she coming from behind him?

Had she been near the warehouse? Or farther into the city?

And if so, why?

His confusion was forgotten as he turned to watch the shadows melt away and the female who had somehow become an essential part of his life was revealed in the moonlight.

An explosion of emotions nearly brought him to his knees as he greedily drank in the beauty of her pale face and the elegant strength of her body.

If he had lost her ...

She took a step forward, and with a low growl he was reaching to yank her against his body, his arms wrapping around her so tightly it was a good thing she didn’t need to breathe.

“Jaelyn,” he murmured, reveling in the feel of her slender body pressed against him. “Gods. I thought ...”

She framed his face in her hands, her eyes flashing with an indigo fire.

“Shut up and kiss me, fairy.”

“Bossy leech,” he muttered, even as he seized her lips in a kiss that revealed the terror he had endured. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”

She pulled back far enough to glare at him. “What about you?”

“Me?”

“All I could find was the spot of your portal mixed with the scent of Levet and Sergei,” she accused. “I was afraid that you’d been taken hostage.”

He stiffened, unable to believe he heard her correctly. “You believed I could be taken captive by a damned mage?”

Her lips twitched as she belatedly realized the depth of her insult.

“I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

He nipped her bottom lip. “Obviously not.”

“So what were you doing with Sergei?”

Ariyal was in no mood to discuss the mage. Or their near-death experiences. Or the end of the world.

“Later,” he promised, scooping Jaelyn off her feet and heading back to the abandoned farmhouse where they’d spent a few memorable hours. There he could be assured there was a cellar deep enough to keep Jaelyn safe from the approaching dawn.

Astonishingly, Jaelyn allowed herself to be carried through the darkness without hitting or biting or even complaining at his arrogant behavior.

Not that he was fooled by her momentary compliance.

Jaelyn was about as submissive as a rabid lion.

But busy nuzzling the tender skin of his throat and rubbing her hands down the clenched muscles of his back, she appeared suitably occupied as he at last reached the remote farm and charged into the empty house.

Just for a second he hesitated, torn between his overriding need to make certain that Jaelyn was safely tucked in the cellar and the urge to spend the next two hours that remained of the night making love to her in the comfort of a bed.

It was the light scrape of her fangs down his neck that sent him catapulting up the stairs and into the master bedroom, where a dusty, but thankfully sturdy, four-poster bed was waiting.

They would have the entire day to discover the numerous ways to make love in the cramped cellar. For now he wanted plenty of space.

And a soft mattress.

Gently laying Jaelyn on the quilt, he disposed of his sword and various daggers before kicking off his boots. He’d just managed to shuck off his jeans, when she gracefully slid off the bed and unbuckled her holster, setting aside the loaded shotgun.

But instead of getting rid of her few bits of clothing, she moved forward to place her hands against his naked chest.

“Ariyal, we need to talk... .”

No. No. No.

He wasn’t an expert, but conversations that started with “We need to talk ...” were never, ever good.

He pulled her into his arms and lowered his head.

“Shut up and kiss me, Jaelyn,” he tossed her words back at her.

“Ariyal.” She pulled away, her expression oddly uncertain. “There’s something I need to say.”

“It can’t wait an hour?” Hoping for a distraction, he pulled her stretchy top over her head and threw it toward the walnut dresser. He didn’t notice when it instead caught on the edge of the hand-carved rocking chair. He had far better things to stare at, he readily acknowledged. The air was squeezed from his lungs as he reverently cupped the perfect globes tipped with rosy nipples. “Or two?”

She shivered, her eyes darkening with sharp arousal, but she gave a slow shake of her head.

“ No.”

Despite the driving instinct to press Jaelyn back onto the mattress and convince himself once and for all she was truly in his arms, Ariyal instead ran a comforting hand down her back.

The need to please her went far deeper than sexual.

And just how scary was that?

“Tell me,” he urged in gentle tones.

Again he sensed her rare uncertainty.

No, he swiftly corrected himself. She might be uncertain at how to share her thoughts with him, but there was a fierce determination beneath her hesitant manner.

“You’re going to return for the child, aren’t you?” she at last demanded.

“Yes,” he admitted without hesitation. It wasn’t as if he could lie to her.

“And you know I’m not going to let you go alone.”

Dammit. His brows snapped together as his hand curved her tight against his lower body.

“Jaelyn ...”

She pressed a finger to his mouth. “Hear me out.”

Like he had a choice? Ariyal heaved a frustrated sigh. “Fine.”

“I’m a Hunter.”

“Yeah, you’ve made that painfully clear.”

She again hesitated, as if searching for the right words.

“We work on the barter system.” Her finger shifted to outline his lips in a light caress. “If I’m going to risk my neck to save the world then I intend to get something out of it.”

Ariyal instantly hardened, finding it more and more difficult to concentrate on her words.

“Something?”

“You.”

Oh ... thank the gods.

He shuddered with need as he swooped down to press his lips to the curve of her neck.

“That’s precisely what I’m attempting to give you, poppet,” he said huskily, “if only you would cooperate.”

“I want you.” There was a long, dramatic pause. “As my mate.”