Steal the Sun (Thieves #4)(134)

Nim scrambled to get back when she saw how Daniel was tossing bodies about. Dev hit the ground and his brother was immediately at his side.

“It is time for Bris to work his magic, brother,” Declan ordered.

I saw Dev’s face fall but he raised his hands and a sweat broke out on his brow as he attempted to call all things green to our aid. The grass around the fight grew but not to any height that would make a difference. I could see that my husband was tired. He would have to get used to using his magic without having Bris to call upon.

“What is wrong?” Declan asked.

Daniel wrestled a long sword away from one of the warriors, and that was all it took. After a moment, even the wolves dropped back to give the vampire room to work.

The Hunter watched from the sidelines. “He’s a magnificent predator. No wonder Arawn found him fascinating.”

Nim stiffened beside me at the mention of Arawn’s name. I felt bad for the girl, but I was damn glad he wasn’t with us. I didn’t trust him and Daniel needed every bit of energy he had. With the grace of a carefully choreographed action film, Daniel danced through the men. One by one they fell to his sword. Some tried to get back up but Daniel quickly made sure it would be a while before the immortal warriors rose from the field. Night had fallen and Daniel was at full strength.

Nim stared at Daniel with wonder in her violet eyes. “I’ve only seen his like once before, and it was long ago.”

“Did you meet the other vampire king?” I asked, curious as to the job Nim claimed she had before she met Arawn. I had to wonder what kind of occupations had been open to a girl back in the Dark Ages.

Nim shook her head. “He wasn’t a vampire but he certainly was a king. I’m beginning to think it wasn’t chance that brought us together, Zoey.”

I frowned. “It wasn’t chance at all. It was that * Con.”

Daniel skewered the final faery and aside from the occasional groan, they were blissfully silent. Daniel looked up from his killing field and caught my eye. “You good, Z?”

I nodded, but we both turned at the sound coming from Declan.

“What do you mean?” Declan’s question came out as a scream. He had his hand on his sword hilt.

Daniel was standing in front of Dev before I could even see him move.

Dev stepped in front of Daniel. “He’s not going to hurt me, Dan. And you heard what I said, brother.”

Declan squared off, his shoulders tightening. “You thought the vampire was worth killing our people’s future?”

Dev was red in the face as he stared at his brother. “He’s my partner. Bris was willing to save his life and I took him up on it. What was I supposed to do? Allow Daniel to die?”

“Yes,” Declan declared. “You were supposed to think of your people first.”

“He is my people,” Dev replied as Daniel watched quietly, his mouth a flat line. He was waiting to put Declan on his ass if he laid a hand on Dev. I wasn’t so sure Dev would appreciate Daniel trying to handle his fight, but Dev belonged to Daniel and there was no way Daniel would allow someone to harm him if he could stop it.

“He’s still with us,” I tried to interject. Bris wasn’t lost.

Declan snarled down at me. “Oh, I am sure he is, Zoey. He is hanging around in a useless ghost-like form. This is your fault. You cried, I’m sure, and begged my brother to save the vampire. Do you understand what you have done, Zoey? You have taken away our only hope.”

“Yes, because I certainly couldn’t help anyone on my own,” Dev said bitterly. “I have no power without a god to prop me up.”

Declan’s face twisted with anger. “Well, brother, as I am the only one of us to have proven his fertility with a living child, perhaps I should take over your duties as well. Don’t try to tell me you got Zoey pregnant because we all know that was Bris. Hope your vampire was worth it, brother.”

Dev’s jaw locked, and I could see his rage was about to spill over. I took his hand and hoped the contact would help the way it sometimes helped Daniel. He took a deep breath and nodded to his brother. “Understood. I wish you luck in performing my duties. Daniel, there is a door to the Earth plane at the north end of this sithein. We’ll find ourselves in Scotland, but I believe it to be the safest way to get our wife home. Zack, you will wait here until the battle is finished. When it’s safe, please retrieve Sarah, Felix, and Albert. I will have cars awaiting you at the sithein door.”

“What are you talking about?” Declan stepped in Dev’s way.

“We’re leaving, *,” Daniel announced with a satisfied grin. “You’re on your own.”

“As I am no longer needed on this plane, I will retreat to my home with my family,” Dev said, a chill in his voice. “Do not bother me again with your troubles, Declan. I wish you luck.”

Chima stepped forward, her eyes pleading. “Priest, I don’t care what the Seelie think. I promise you, the Unseelie desperately need you. We have kept your temple in all good preparation in hopes that you would return. Ascended god or not, we need you. As the goblins’ princess, I beg you to reconsider. Our plight is desperate. Don’t allow your brother’s ignorance to cost my kingdom as well.”

“Dev,” I said, pulling on his hand. “We can’t leave. Your mother is in danger. The duke intends to assassinate her during the battle. You can’t walk away. It would haunt you forever.”