Lover Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood #8)(58)

God, not that that part mattered. She was alive!

Rehvenge came down the grand stairs, his red cane hitting the

carpeted steps every time his right foot came forward. He was dressed not for war, but for warmth, his floor-length mink skimming the tops of his wingtips and the cuffs of his elegant black suit.

As he came up to John, he just nodded and opened the way into the

vestibule. Together, they stepped through and penetrated the cool night.

The air smelled like clean, unfrozen earth.

The perfume of spring. The very scent of hope and rebirth.

Walking over to the Bentley, John drew the fragrance into his lungs

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and held it there as he told himself that Xhex was doing the very same thing on this very same night.

And not because she was buried underground.

Tears pricked his eyes as gratitude washed through every vein he had, pumped around by a singing heart.

He couldn't believe he was going to get to see her . . . God, to see her once again. To look into her gunmetal eyes. To . . .

Shit, it was going to be hard not to throw his arms around her and hold her until tomorrow morning. Or maybe next week.

When they got into the car, Rehv started the engine, but didn't put it in drive. He just stared out through the windshield at the cobblestone drive ahead.

In a quiet voice, he said, "How long's this been going on for you?

With her."

John took out a small pad he'd brought with him and wrote: Since the moment I first met her.

After Rehv read the scribble, he frowned. "She feel the same way?"

John did not drop his eyes as he shook his head. No sense hiding shit.

Not with a symphath.

Rehv nodded once. "That's so like her. Goddamn it . . . okay, let's do this."

With a roar, they were off into the night.

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TWENTY


Hope was a treacherous emotion.

It was two evenings hence when Darius finally walked into the home of the abducted female's family, and as the grand door opened to both himself and Tohrment, they were met by a doggen whose eyes were filled with the tragedy of hope. Verily, the butler's expression was of such high regard, it was clear he felt he was ushering into his master's house saviors, rather than mortals.

Only time and the vagaries of fortune would bear out whether his

faith was well-or misplaced.

With alacrity, Darius and Tohrment were led into a formal study and the gentlemale who rose from a silk-covered sitting chair had to steady his weight.

"Welcome, sires, thank you for coming," Sampsone said as he reached out with both palms to shake Darius's hands. "I'm sorry that I have not been receiving these last two evenings. My beloved shellan . . ."

The male's voice cracked and in the silence, Darius stepped aside.

"May I present my colleague, Tohrment, son of Hharm."

As Tohrment bowed low with his hand over his heart, it was clear that the son had all the manners his sire did not.

The master of the house returned the deference. "Would you care for libations or gastronomic provision?"

Darius shook his head and took a seat. As Tohrment came to stand

behind him, he said, " Thank you. But mayhap we could speak of what has happened within this manse."

"Yes, yes, of course. What may I tell you?"

"All things. Tell us . . . all things."

"My daughter . . . my light in the darkness . . ." The male took out a handkerchief. "She was of worth and virtue. A more caring female you should never come across. . . ."

Darius, aware that they'd already lost two evenings, allowed the

father a certain time of remembrance before refocusing him. "And that night, sir, that terrible night," he cut in when there was a pause. "What 155

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happened here within this house?"

The male nodded and dabbed at his eyes. "She awoke from her

slumbers feeling a certain disquiet and was advised to attend to her private quarters for her health. She was brought a meal at midnight and then another well before the dawn's arrival. That was the last she was seen. Her evening quarters are upstairs, but she also has, along with the rest of the family, rooms underground. She often elected not to move down below with us for the day, however, and as we have access to her through inner hallways, we assumed she would be safe enough--"

The male choked up at this point. "How I wish I had insisted."

Darius could very much understand the regret. "We shall find your daughter. One way or the other, we shall find her. Would you permit us to go now unto her bedroom?"

"Please do." As the male nodded at his doggen , the butler came forward. "Silas will be pleased to escort you. I shall . . . prefer to wait here."

"But of course."

When Darius stood up, the father reached forward and snagged his

hand. "A word, if I may? Between you and me."

Darius acquiesced, and after Tohrment and the doggen left, the master of the house collapsed back into his formal chair.

"Verily . . . my daughter was of worth. Of virtue. Untouched by . . ."

In the pause that stretched out, Darius knew what the male was