Bound By Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #8)(109)

If he’d learned nothing else in his long life it was If something seemed too good to be true ...

Wiping her hands down her robe, the Oracle gave a tiny shudder.

“Such a ghastly demon.”

Styx stepped forward, offering her a deep bow. It might have been strange to see the massive vampire showing such respect for the tiny demon. At least until you looked into Siljar’s dark eyes.

Her power simmered like a nuclear explosion just waiting to happen.

“You cut that a little close, Siljar,” he said. Gently.

Ariyal felt Jaelyn stiffen in his arms, her gaze shifting to the Anasso.

“You knew Siljar was coming?” she demanded.

It was the Oracle who answered.

“Styx approached me when he discovered the Ruah intended to seek you out.”

Styx shrugged. “I couldn’t by law keep him from returning you to the Addonexus and putting you to death,” he admitted, his eyes narrowing. “Something that I obviously need to correct in the near future. Only an Oracle could prevent the inevitable.”

“I’m deeply grateful.”

Ariyal frowned, studying his mate’s pale face. He knew that voice. And it usually meant danger.

“We’re both in your debt,” he added.

Without warning, Jaelyn was out of his arms and flying across the room to slam her fist into Styx’s arm with enough force to make him stumble to the side.

“Damn you.”

“Ouch.” Styx grabbed his arm, his expression more bemused than angry. “Is that any way to treat your king? A king, I might remind you, who just saved your pretty neck.”

“I was scared shitless.” Jaelyn planted her fists on her hips. “You could have given me a little heads-up.”

Ariyal folded his arms over his chest, in full agreement with his mate.

Although he wasn’t foolish enough to take a swing at the King of Vampires.

“Kostas has his position as Ruah for a reason,” Styx reminded the glaring Jaelyn. “He would have sensed deceit the moment you entered the room.”

Her jaw remained clenched, but it was obvious from her expression that Styx had a point.

“So is it over?” he demanded, moving to pull Jaelyn back into his arms. He was fairly certain he was never going to let her go again. “Is she free of the Addonexus?”

Siljar turned the dark, disturbing gaze in his direction. “She is still under contract to me.”

His brows snapped together. “What does that mean?”

Jaelyn jabbed him in the side with her elbow, nearly cracking a rib.

“Ariyal.”

“I would prefer to know if someone is going to try and take you away from me,” he growled.

“I have no intention of taking away your mate, Sylvermyst,” Siljar assured him. “But I do reserve the right to call her to service should the need arise.”

“Of course,” Jaelyn hastily answered, as if fearing Ariyal might say something stupid.

Thankfully he was too overwhelmed with relief to say a word.

It was Styx who asked the question running through all their minds.

“Do you see the need arising anytime soon?”

Siljar gave a vague wave of her hands. “Without the prophet it is impossible to say, but we must assume that the Dark Lord will not abandon his attempts to destroy the barriers between worlds.”

With an abrupt motion the King of Weres stepped forward, his expression troubled.

“We can’t forget that in meantime two of my people are being held captive,” he growled.

“Caine and Cassandra have not been forgotten.” Something that might have been frustration touched the Oracle’s face. “Unfortunately we have not yet found a way to reach them.”

Salvatore scowled. “Or anyone willing to try?”

“As you say.” The tiny demon heaved a sigh. “We will not give up.”

Salvatore’s attention shifted from the Oracle to the door, his eyes flashing gold.

“What is that stench?” he muttered; then he growled as he shot Ariyal a disgruntled frown. “You really need to be a bit more discriminating in who you invite into your home.”

Ariyal rolled his eyes as he caught the unmistakable scent of granite. Hell, if he had his way, he wouldn’t let any of them into his house. It was only to please Jaelyn that he’d let the vampire and Were over the threshold.

“My thoughts exactly.”

Grandly indifferent to the fact he was intruding into a private lair, the tiny gargoyle breezed into the room, his wings flapping as he moved to take Jaelyn’s hand and lift it to his lips.

“Bon soir, ma enfant.”

Jaelyn smiled, not nearly as annoyed as she should be by the trespasser.

“Hello, Levet.”

“It was very naughty of you to have a party and not tell me,” he gently chastised, glancing toward Styx and Salvatore, who scowled at him with equal displeasure. “Unless of course my invitation was lost in the mail?”

“Something like that,” Jaelyn hastily assured the ridiculous creature.

“I thought that must be the case. After all ...”

His words trailed away and his tail suddenly stood out straight, making him look as if he’d been hit by lightning. Then slowly he turned, his gaze narrowing at the sight of the tiny demon who had remained in the shadows at the back of the room.