Beyond the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #6)(18)

She frowned, wondering what he was hiding from her.

“He won’t be stupid enough to get that close again.”

“He’ll be back.”

She rolled her eyes. “So now you’re clairvoyant?”

“There’s no need for clairvoyance. Caine’s kept me alive for a reason. Eventually that reason will force him to return.”

“It won’t help if he’s not already in your power. He’ll just tranq you or fill the basement with gas like he did before.”

He grasped her shoulders, turning her to meet the power of his golden gaze.

“Harley, one way or another, I promise you that we’re going to get out of here.”

“And you’re never wrong?”

“Never.”

“Arrogant.”

He flashed that devastatingly sexy smile. “Confident.”

The fact that she couldn’t simply laugh at his egotistical boasts pissed her off. The conceited beast would get them out just to prove her wrong.

She pulled from his grip and eyed him with suspicion.

“You know the Were who’s helping Caine?”

His smile faded, his expression suddenly grim and forbidding.

“Si.”

“I’m assuming from your tone that the two of you aren’t BFFs?”

“He was my greatest competition toward claiming the throne.”

Harley lifted her brows. “Is there really a throne?”

“Of course.” He seemed startled she would even ask. “It’s a massive wooden chair with a lot of gilt and velvet cushions. It’s also bespelled so that only the true king can sit on it. It helps clear up any doubt as to the next heir.”

She grimaced. No doubt there was also a big, gaudy crown with a lot of flashy jewels.

“And your contender’s ass wasn’t royal enough to fit?”

A feral smile curled his lips. “He wasn’t in the mood to try after I ripped out his throat.”

“Nice.” Harley tossed her head, hoping he didn’t notice her tiny shiver of alarm. Salvatore Giuliani would make a very bad enemy. Something to remember. “It’s no wonder he’s chummy with Caine. They both hate your guts.”

“Actually, it’s more than a wonder. It’s nothing less than a miracle.”

“Why?”

“Because, after I ripped out Briggs’s throat, I cut off his head, carved out his heart, and burned his carcass.” The golden eyes flashed. “He should be dead.”

“Yeah,” she breathed unsteadily. “You’d think.”

Salvatore watched Harley grimace, belatedly realizing that it might not be the best strategy to reveal just how brutal he could be when the occasion demanded. Not if he was to convince her that her only hope of safety was in his hands.

Then he shrugged. Unless Caine developed the ability to think with his brain instead of his ego, Salvatore was going to have to kill him. And anyone else who threatened Harley.

Perhaps it was best she knew the truth from the start.

As if coming to the same conclusion, Harley breathed in a deep breath and met his gaze squarely.

Brave and tough.

Just his kind of woman.

“Have you considered the possibility that maybe the Were who’s tag teaming with Caine isn’t Briggs?”

Ah, if only it were that simple.

“No, the description fits too perfectly.” Salvatore shook his head in disgust. “Cristo. I should have known his death could not be so simple.”

Her sharp bark of laughter echoed through the cell. “You did everything but eat his carcass for dinner. That isn’t simple by anyone’s standard.”

“Not for most Weres, but I already suspected that he was dabbling in magic.”

She took a sharp step backwards, her expression oddly wary. “Weres can do magic?”

His smiled with rueful amusement. If he could do magic, he wouldn’t be stuck in this damned cell.

“They aren’t born with the ability to perform magic like a witch, but any creature—” He broke off as he realized he wasn’t being entirely honest. “Well, any creature besides a vampire can be imbued with magic.”

“Imbued? I don’t understand.”

“There are ancient demons who can share their powers with others.”

She considered a moment, her expression dubious. “I haven’t met many ancient demons, but they’ve never struck me as the sort to share anything, let alone their power.”

“Very perceptive, cara,” he said. “Only the very stupid or the very desperate would agree to become a vessel for borrowed magic. The cost is far too high for whatever reward you hope to gain.”

“What’s the cost?”

“Your life, if you’re lucky.”

She hesitated before asking the obvious question. “And if you’re not lucky?”

“Your soul.”

“Damn.” The hazel eyes were troubled as she glanced toward the door, perhaps realizing for the first time just how truly perilous their situation was. “Why would this Briggs be willing to give up his soul?”

It wasn’t a tough question to answer. Like Caine, Briggs had always been an egotistical jackass who assumed he was a God-given gift to Weres.