Beyond the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #6)(58)

There was room for only one arrogant bastard in the pack.

And he was it.

“Don’t tell me you’re concerned for me, Giuliani,” Briggs scoffed. “I’m touched.”

“I’m concerned that your damned greed has condemned the Weres to extinction.”

“You’re the one destroying the Weres. It’s my fate to be their savior.”

“Very noble, but evil can’t create, it can only destroy.”

That disturbing laugh once again echoed through the empty park, sending the handful of dew fairies fleeing in horror. Salvatore wished he could join them.

There was something just…wrong about Briggs.

Beyond the cold, beyond the hideous smell, beyond the black magic was a sense of twisted perversion.

As if the grave still claimed his soul.

“Did you read that in a fortune cookie?” Briggs taunted.

Salvatore shuddered, wondering if there was anything of the Were left inside the decaying shell.

“Have you ever considered that our troubles began with Mackenzie?” He forced himself to meet the disturbing crimson gaze. “His treachery condemned us and your megalomania has only fueled our downfall. You’re like rot that has to be cut away before it can spread further.” He didn’t bother to hide his grimace. “Dio, you even smell like rot.”

The frigid power once again flared out, driving Salvatore to his knees. Grimly, he straightened. Another rib was cracked and his lung was punctured, but he’d rather be skinned alive than be on his knees before this abomination.

“Bastard,” Briggs hissed. “The only rot among the Weres comes from your tainted blood. Mackenzie should have killed you the moment your claim to the throne was sensed.”

Salvatore narrowed his gaze. It was obvious that the mysterious demon had plotted first with Mackenzie and then Briggs to keep Salvatore off the throne. But why? Was there something about him that threatened the creature?

“Is that what your puppet master desires?” he demanded. “My death?”

Briggs snorted. “Who doesn’t?”

Good point. Salvatore had never bothered to win friends and influence people. He didn’t doubt there was a long line of demons who wanted his head on a platter. But this was more than just the regular run-of-the-mill death wish. This was an attack on the entire Were nation.

“What does my death give him?” Salvatore stepped closer to Briggs, one arm wrapped around his injured chest. “And why use you as a flunky, instead of killing me himself? Is he scared of me?”

“Scared?” Briggs made a dismissive motion, but Salvatore sensed the dark thread of doubt that flowed through the Were. Something Salvatore intended to use to his advantage. At least he intended to use it once he could find the damned coward. “You’re nothing more than a mistake that will soon be corrected.”

“Empty promises,” he taunted. “That’s all you can offer.”

The Were snarled. “I’m happy to make it a reality.”

“Let’s do it.”

“As you wish. You can find me here.”

Salvatore swayed as Briggs roughly shoved the image of barren caves directly into his mind. He’d heard of the trick, but he hadn’t realized it burned like a bitch.

“Cristo. You could have just given me the directions,” he growled.

“I wouldn’t want you to get lost.” The demented Were smiled, clearly pleased with his cheesy parlor trick. “This way you have no excuse not to join me.”

“No excuse beyond the fact that it’s an obvious trap,” Salvatore drawled. “When we meet, it will be at a location of my choosing.”

“You’re not making the rules, Giuliani. I am.”

“Have you forgotten who is the King of Weres?”

Briggs took a threatening step forward before making a visible effort to control his temper.

“You will join me, or each passing day I will kill one of your curs,” he warned, his lips curling in a malevolent satisfaction at Salvatore’s growl of shock. “Ah, yes. Did I forget to mention that I’ve arranged for your bodyguards to join me?”

Alarm mixed with impotent fury as Salvatore recalled his futile attempts to reach Hess. Dammit. He’d stayed away from his curs to keep them safe.

“Harm them and I swear I will rip you into so many tiny pieces not even your fairy godfather will be able to put you back together again,” he threatened, his voice thick with the hatred that poured like acid through his veins.

Briggs backed away, his expression hardening as he realized he’d revealed his instinctive fear.

“Don’t tarry, Giuliani,” he snapped. “Our reunion is long overdue.”

Chapter Fifteen

Harley wasn’t entirely surprised when she opened her eyes to discover she was laying in an ivory-and-gold bedroom the size of most apartments. No, scratch that. The size of most family homes with attached garages.

Scooting off the bed drenched in gold satin, she rubbed her butt that was still sore and headed directly to the tray of food that had been left beside a massive fireplace. She didn’t hesitate as she demolished the barbeque chicken, the mound of French fries, and coleslaw. She could smell the combination of vampire and Were without even a hint of bloodshed, which meant she could only be in one place.