Dead After Dark (Companion #6.5)(98)

She stared at him for a second then closed her eyes. The minute her cloaking took effect, she dropped into his arms. Trey made three strides to reach the back door where he set her on her feet and waited until she was steady. “Go inside, keep up your cloaking, and don’t come near the doors or the windows.”

She nodded, backing away until she bumped into her sister whose arms went around her. “I have her,” Rowan called out.

Trey swung around to find the Hindu warrior standing twenty feet above the ground in the oak tree. “Who are you and what do you want?”

“I am Vyan of Batuk’s first guard. I am here for the witch to save my race. She will break the curse. Beladors killed my family, my woman. This is only fair.”

“No.” Trey knew some of the ancient history, how his Belador ancestors had murdered and pillaged. A part of him could sympathize with the Hindu warriors pain and what it would be like to lose the woman he loved. But this guy was out of his mind if he thought he could have Sasha as payback or that Trey would allow him to use her to release the Kujoo warriors.

“I will take her,” Vyan taunted.

“Try it and you’ll die.”

“I would welcome death after eight hundred years beneath a mountain. Give me the woman, Belador. She sent for me.”

“She sent for Ekkbar, not you. What’d you do, kill him?”

Vyan shook his head, his mouth curving in a wry smile. “You know no one can die beneath Mount Meru.”

He’s baiting you, Trey.

I realize that, Brina. Let me kill him in a fair fight and be done with this. If the others had a way out they’d be here.

Doesn’t work that way with the gods. If you battle him without being physically attacked first, you start a war. The truce will be broken.

He started the war, Trey argued hotly. Not me.

Sasha called him up, Brina snapped back at him so loud his head felt as though she’d slugged him, which was a good trick since she was literally thousands of miles away on a mystic island in the Irish Sea. Sasha opened the portal so she’s the one who should send him back, Brina pointed out.

That’s not going to happen. He’s not getting near her.

Men will be the downfall of Beladors, always wanting to fight.

Why the hell make us warriors if you didn’t intend for us to battle?

Do! Not! Curse!

Something sharp cuffed his ear.

Vyan lifted his hand which held a glowing rock. “She will come to me willingly, Belador.” The back door swung open of its own accord, exposing Sasha huddled against her sister, terrified.

Fury lashed every protective gene in Trey’s body to a fever pitch. He snapped his mind shut, unwilling to debate further with Brina. She was not here facing this demon and not helping. He took a step forward, bent at the knees, and leaped up to the branch two sword lengths from Vyan. The oak’s mighty limb creaked under their combined weights.

Trey entered Vyan’s mind for an insight to this man’s intentions only to find raging emotions—aggression and anguish.

As if he realized what Trey was about, Vyan smiled, his gaze sinister. Double-black pupils floated in each of his swirling gold irises. “I will enjoy touching her, Belador.”

Trey’s discipline snapped. He lunged forward, but came up empty when the warrior disappeared. Momentum sent him one more step into thin air. He landed on the ground, searching for Vyan.

He’s gone, Trey. Brina could never be locked out of his mind for long.

Where? Tell me the location of his hideout.

No. Our tribe’s survival depends on not warring. I cannot interfere. I merely sent him away so you could cool off, but that is all I can do. You do realize what tonight is, don’t you?

Yes. Trey rolled his eyes and headed for the porch. Every Belador across the world would lay low during the one day of the year they were most vulnerable to be killed. But he did not have that option with Vyan clearly after Sasha.

Do not sacrifice your tribe for one woman, Brina ordered.

Trey stepped up on the porch where he could see Sasha. She stood with her shoulders back, proud, trying so hard to show him a strong front. Impressive, if her face hadn’t lost all color. He considered his options, but only one thing mattered to him right now—keeping Sasha safe.

I took an oath, Brina, Trey replied. Honor above all else. Those four words have ruled my life. I’m trying to protect our tribe and Sasha, but I will not allow that demon to take her.

I took an oath as well, Brina countered. I will also do whatever it takes to protect my tribe . . . even if that means turning my back on you. There is no honor in sacrificing an entire race for one woman.

That’s your perspective. I have mine. He waited for her to snap at him, but she’d withdrawn without another word. Not an encouraging sign. He’d hoped Brina would show up with a solution, to give him a dragon to slay. Not to leave him even more guilt-ridden. Was he being selfish to protect Sasha?

“He’s gone.” Trey stepped inside the house and reached for Sasha, who rushed to his open arms. She trembled. He hugged her tight and whispered, “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” She nodded against his chin. Damn that Hindu. He’d scared a woman who wanted to take on a gang the other night.

Trey walked Sasha to the kitchen where pots and pans clattered. Rowan was starting to cook. He appreciated her effort to settle things down for Sasha by the simple activity of preparing breakfast. A knock rapped at the front door.