Steal the Night (Thieves #5)(120)

“I can’t see anything,” I said, my voice trembling because once the door behind us closed, we were enveloped in complete darkness.

“It’s all right, Zoey.” Marini’s voice was smooth in the gloom. I felt his hand reach for mine. “I’ll light a torch when reach the ground level. There are still tourists on this level, and I don’t want them following us. I don’t have time to take care of them tonight. Follow me. David, you will lead the prince.”

I allowed the vampire to lead me. I carefully made my way down the ladder feeling each step was another step farther from Daniel. It seemed to take forever as I focused just on the next rung and not falling to my death. Finally I heard the sound of feet hitting water and then felt strong hands on my waist.

“I have you, companion.” Marini pulled me off the ladder, securing me in his arms. “Put your hands around my neck. It’s very dangerous down here.”

I hooked my fingers together around the vampire’s neck and held on. I listened as the rest of the party hit the water. Someone turned on a flashlight, and then I wished I’d been left in darkness.

All around me, everywhere the light touched, were bones. The very walls seemed to be made of them. They were stacked, coming up from the water we walked in to the ceiling above us. I gasped my shock and buried my head in the vampire’s shoulder.

I felt Louis’s deep chuckle as he tightened his arms around me. “My little companion is frightened, David.”

“There is nothing to worry about,” David assured me in heavily accented English. “My master will take care of any corpse that tries to get you.”

I could feel the vampire’s satisfaction in playing my protector. I didn’t particularly want to take a good look around the catacombs. I briefly glanced over Louis’s shoulder and I caught a flash of emerald green eyes taking in everything. Bris was memorizing the route, his ancient eyes seeing what Dev’s could not. He would make note of the way out and any plants he could use to help us when we needed to flee. I relaxed slightly because I knew between Bris and Dev, I would be taken care of. I just needed to do my job.

“That’s right, Zoey.” Louis’s voice filled the darkness with his pleasure at my misunderstood action. “Relax. I have you. I’ll take care of you.”

David moved forward as we stopped in front of a wall. He ran his hand down a crease and I heard a distinct click. There was a sliding sound and then a whole other world was revealed. Light flooded the passageway, and I had to blink for my eyes to adjust.

Louis walked through and we were at the top of a grand staircase. The sight of such opulence was surreal. We walked out of the tombs and into glorious civilization. The staircase was marble and lit beautifully by a hundred small sconces on the wall, each with a candle. It gave the entire place a gauzy, old-world feeling.

“Take the prince to my suite,” Marini ordered. “I’ll settle Zoey and join him there.”

I wanted to touch Dev, but we were moving again and I studied the council stronghold with a small sense of wonder.

“You like it,” Marini said, approving of the look on my face. He could have put me down, but he chose to walk down the stairs in his rubber boots though the rest of the party stopped to get rid of them.

I was honest. “It’s beautiful.”

I don’t know exactly what I had expected. I supposed I thought it would be darker and more Gothic, but this was the inside of an airy palace.

“I loved Versailles,” Marini explained as we passed people in the hall. There was a lot of life down here. There were humans, vampires, and I felt the stares of at least two companions as Louis carried me through the Council’s stronghold. “This is my version. You’ll find it quite luxurious and extremely well fortified. You’ll be safe here, Zoey. Your every need will be met.”

“L’avez-vous fait?” I heard and Louis spun on his heels.

“In English, Elof,” Louis said. “She doesn’t speak French yet. I’ll hire a tutor tomorrow to begin her lessons. To answer your question, I only succeeded in part. I retrieved the lovely Zoey and the Prince has chosen to come with me as well.”

The tall Norwegian’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “And Donovan?”

“I don’t know. He had some sort of magic with him. I almost had my hands on him when he disappeared. I tried to use our fail-safe, but I can’t say if it worked or not. I rather think he got away,” Louis admitted bitterly. “I’ll settle Zoey in and then I’ll meet with you, Niles, and Niko. Marcus is still not here?”

I fought not to tense at the mention of Marcus’s name. I didn’t think it was a good idea for Marcus to come here at all. It would be better for him to stay with Daniel at the Order’s compound.

Elof frowned. “He’s mysteriously out of touch.”

Now they switched back to French. So much for not being rude around me. Though I couldn’t speak French, I was suspicious of what they were saying about Marcus. They spoke briefly and then parted ways, and I found myself being carried into a large suite of rooms.

A thin man opened the door for us and welcomed the head of the Council. He was an older gentleman with gray hair that had receded to the back of his head. He was dressed in the all black of a servant.

“Master Marini,” he said in a low voice as he bowed deeply.