Beyond the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #6)(57)

“My orders are to keep you safe.”

“I don’t give a crap what your orders are.”

“Harley, you are currently my guest, but if you insist on putting yourself in danger, then I’ll make you my prisoner.”

She didn’t miss the silken warning in his dark voice.

“It doesn’t matter to you that Salvatore is in danger?”

“Not in the least.”

Harley clenched her hands, knowing she couldn’t force the vampire to help Salvatore fight Briggs.

“If you don’t care about Salvatore’s safety, then why are you so determined to protect me?” she snapped.

“You’re mate-sister to my Anasso. He was very clear in his command to bring you to him without delay.”

Perfect.

The nightclub was overflowing with powerful demons and not a cursed one would lift a finger to help her without the say-so of this vamp.

“Mate-sister or not, he’s not my king. I’ll decide when I leave.” She stepped forward, her temper reaching a critical level. Something or someone was about to get broken. “Get out of my way.”

Santiago reached behind his back, pulling a gun from his waistband.

“I am sorry, Harley.”

“Don’t you dare,” she muttered, shoving him in the chest and making a wild dash toward the door.

He wouldn’t actually shoot her.

The thought flashed through her mind at the precise moment she felt a sharp pain in her butt, and the world went black.

Leaving the warehouse, Salvatore followed the sense of Briggs to the small park that had been built near the river. It was late enough to be empty of humans, and the few dew fairies who lingered preferred to dance in the tiny tendrils of fog that lay like a shroud on top of the water.

Prepared for a trap, Salvatore moved past the picnic tables set in concrete slabs and the neatly trimmed bushes, at last coming to a halt as a shimmer broke the air in front of the stone fountain.

He resisted the urge to sweep the area with his senses. For now he had to trust that Harley wasn’t going to do something stupid. He couldn’t afford to be distracted.

There was a change in air pressure, then with a pop, the familiar form of Briggs was visible in the darkness.

Salvatore gagged at the stench of rotting meat that filled the frigid air.

“You’re looking a little ragged, mio amico,” he muttered, his gaze skimming over the haggard face and the too-thin body bent beneath the heavy cloak. Even in projection form, the pureblood looked like hell. “And you smell even worse. How long has it been since you got laid?”

“A few of us have priorities that don’t involve whores,” the crimson eyes flashed. “Of course, once I’ve taken the throne, I’ll have plenty of time to screw your mate. How poetic if she’s the first female to birth my litter.”

Salvatore’s wolf crawled beneath his skin, a brutal fury pumping through his blood.

“You try to bed Harley and she’ll rip your black heart out,” he rasped.

“Before I’m done with her, she’ll be begging to be in my bed. And if not…” The hollow chuckle sent a chill of revulsion down Salvatore’s spine. “I don’t mind taking my women by force. A struggle always adds a nice spice to sex.”

Salvatore’s heat blasted through the park, his power a tangible force.

“Being one of the walking dead has obviously putrefied your brain. You will never sit on my throne, and you will never have Harley. The only thing in your future is a long overdue grave.”

“Such brave talk,” Briggs rasped.

“I’m not the one cowering behind illusions.”

“Be thankful you haven’t yet faced me in the flesh. You would be dead.” A sneer curled the pureblood’s mouth. “Just like the worthless king before you.”

Salvatore stiffened.

Dio. His suspicions had been right.

“You killed Mackenzie?”

“Are you just now figuring that out?” Briggs mocked. “God, how could fate ever have thought you worthy of being king?”

Salvatore ignored the insult, his thoughts churning. He was playing a deadly game without knowing the rules or the ultimate goals.

“Why did you kill him?”

“Because he was no longer of use to me.”

“And no longer any use to your master?” Salvatore challenged, sensing the power behind Briggs was the true danger. “Have you considered what will happen to you once you’ve served your purpose?”

“I already know my destiny.”

“Sitting on a throne that doesn’t belong to you? You’re a fool, Briggs. You’ll be betrayed, just like Mackenzie.”

The chill thickened and with a lift of his hands, Briggs struck out, slamming his power into Salvatore.

“You know nothing.”

Salvatore reeled from the blow, but he ignored the broken ribs and squared his shoulders. He’d touched a nerve. Briggs could brag and boast all he wanted, but underneath he feared that he was just more useless fodder.

“I know that a demon doesn’t share his power without expecting something in return,” he ruthlessly pressed. “And that the true cost is always shrouded in lies until it’s too late.”

A tick jerked beneath one sunken eye, but Briggs smiled with that smug superiority that always set Salvatore’s teeth on edge.