Bound By Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #8)(4)

He stepped close enough to be teased by her seductive musk that was at such odds with her image of a cold, ruthless hunter.

But then, everything about this female was ... complex.

Contrary.

“You know, there’s no reason for the two of us to be enemies.”

“Nothing beyond the fact that I was hired by the Oracles to capture you.” Her smile was frigid. “Oh yeah, and your psycho attempts to kill two helpless children.”

“Helpless?” Frustration flared through him. “Those abominations are the vessels of the Dark Lord and if Tearloch manages to use the child to resurrect the master then you can blame yourself for unleashing hell.”

She ignored his warning. Just as she’d ignored it in the Siberian cave when he’d done his best to put an end to the danger.

He’d been prepared to do what was necessary, but because of the damned vampires, one of the babies had been stolen by his clan brother Tearloch, along with the mage. Now he had to pray he could track them down before they could resurrect the Dark Lord and rip open the veils that held back the hordes of hell.

“I’m not being paid to save the world. I’m being paid to hand your ass over to the Commission.”

Ariyal frowned at the unwelcome reminder.

The Commission was a collection of Oracles who were the big cheeses of the demon world. It was always bad news when they decided you were worthy of their notice.

Especially if they were willing to pay the exorbitant fee to hire a vampire Hunter to collect him.

“Why?”

“Don’t know. Don’t care. It’s just a job.”

He leaned forward until they were nose to nose. “It feels a lot more personal than just a job.”

For a breathless moment raw hunger flared through her eyes, making his body clench with anticipation. Oh, hell yes. Then, just as swiftly, the glimpse of emotion was gone.

“Get over yourself.”

“I’d rather be over you.”

“Back. Off.”

Ariyal shivered at the sharp chill that suddenly blasted through the air.

Dammit. One minute the woman had him drowning in lust and the next she could give a fire pixie frostbite.

“Fine.” He stepped back, his smile tight with annoyance. “I hope you’re comfortable, poppet. You’re here to stay.”

Her wary glance skimmed around the room that was ornately decorated in shades of gold and ivory.

“Where is here?”

“Avalon.”

She hissed in shock. “Impossible.”

“Such a dangerous word.”

“The mists are impenetrable.” Her cold arrogance remained, but there was a hint of wariness in her eyes. “Unless they were destroyed by the death of Morgana le Fey?”

His lips twisted in a humorless smile. “They survived, but I didn’t waste centuries as the bitch’s sex slave just looking beautiful. I discovered a secret exit centuries ago.”

She studied him in silence and Ariyal hid a sudden grimace. A Hunter had any number of skills. They were reputedly stronger and faster than the average vampire, as well as able to shroud themselves so deeply in shadows that they were all but invisible.

More impressive, they were walking, talking lie detectors. Supposedly no demon could deceive them.

Like he needed that kind of headache.

Christ. He should have left her in Siberia.

“If you knew how to escape the island, then why didn’t you?” she demanded.

“Because I couldn’t rescue my brothers without alerting the guards.”

“So you stayed?”

He frowned, puzzled by her curiosity. “I wasn’t leaving them behind. Does that surprise you?”

An unreadable emotion rippled over her beautiful face before it was swiftly wiped away.

“Sylvermysts aren’t renowned for their generous hearts or noble natures. As Tearloch proved.”

Ariyal couldn’t argue.

Sylvermyst had a long, well-earned reputation for their cruel natures and hunger for violence, but he’d be damned if he allowed a cold-hearted leech to judge him.

Not after everything he’d sacrificed to save his people.

“Tearloch’s frightened and ... confused,” he admitted. “Once I track him down I’ll convince him of the error of his ways.”

“You mean, he’ll do as you want or you’ll kill him?”

“Ah, you understand me so well, poppet.”

“I understand that you’re a bastard who is out to save your own worthless skin,” she charged.

“Good. Then I don’t have to convince you that I will happily leave you here to rot unless you agree to do exactly as I say.”

A frigid smile curved her lips. “Don’t be a moron. If I disappear the Anasso will send out a dozen warriors to search for me.”

“He can send out a hundred if he wants. They’ll never be able to sense you behind the mists.” His gaze lingered on her lush, full lips, easily imagining the pleasure they could bring a man. With a growl, he took an instinctive step closer, ignoring the danger. “Face it, poppet, they already assume you’re dead.”

“Then they’ll hunt you down and execute you. There’s nowhere you can go they won’t find you.”

He grasped her chin, staring down at the eyes that had lost their ice to flash with indigo fire. His gut twisted with need.