Bound By Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #8)(58)

After Santiago had been abandoned by his maker, he had become a slave to those vampires more powerful than himself. There had been days when he truly thought he was living out his personal hell until Styx had found him and trained him to become one of Viper’s guards.

That had changed everything.

Suddenly he was no longer fair game for sex or sport or any other brutal pleasure that might amuse his latest master. He was treated with a dignity that had transformed him into a warrior who was never again at the mercy of another.

Santiago would never forget.

Never.

“Loyalty means that much to me,” he said, unwilling to share his deep connection to his Anasso. He liked his reputation as an unfeeling bastard. It had taken him years to earn. “It’s not something I offer only when it’s convenient.”

“Very noble.” There was a knowing glimmer in her dark eyes, as if she saw far more than he wanted. “I admire your devotion, but I must return to my brethren and ensure that we have not been betrayed.”

“Then I go with you.”

She looked as startled as he felt.

“Beyond the Veil?”

His resolve briefly faltered.

Of all the gin joints in all the world ...

Then his gaze skimmed over her pale, impossibly lovely face and he squared his shoulders.

Once she disappeared there would be no means to trace her.

“You can take me, can’t you?”

The dark eyes narrowed with undisguised suspicion. “I could.”

He forced a smile. “Then let’s do this thing.”

“Why should I?”

He shrugged. “Why shouldn’t you?”

“You have not bothered to hide your contempt for my people.” A hint of ice coated her words. “I will not allow you to disturb their peace.”

“Despite being a barbarian I was taught a few manners.”

“Were you?” She blinked in blatant disbelief. “Astonishing.”

“Do you want me to swear in blood I’ll behave myself ?”

Her gaze never wavered, studying him as if he was a strange specimen that she might or might not keep for further study.

Then a slow smile curved her lips.

“Actually that will not be necessary.”

Santiago felt his instincts stir. There was something about that beautiful smile.

Something dangerous.

“It won’t?”

“No.” The smile widened. “I am perfectly capable of making sure you behave.”

“Are you certain ...”

His words were ripped from his lips as she grasped his arm at the same moment that she squeezed the medallion. This time, however, the world didn’t dissolve with the creepy impression of simply melting away. Instead he felt as if he were being roughly jerked through a curtain of lightning.

Mierda.

Darkness surrounded them, the electricity dancing over his skin and his hair floating despite the lack of a breeze. His teeth snapped together to muffle his scream, his only reality the feel of Nefri’s slender fingers still gripping his arm.

What the hell had he gotten himself into now?

Tearloch knew he should be sleeping.

At the moment his loyal tribesmen were finishing their task of clearing the rubble that blocked the altar they needed to complete the ceremony. And the wizard continued to hold his spell of protection that surrounded the caves.

What better opportunity to give his weary body time to recover?

Instead he stood at the upper level of the caverns, glancing with a heartsick longing at the overgrown fields and the star-spattered sky he could glimpse beyond the opening.

The darkness called to him to run free as his people were meant to do ...

Being locked within the spiderweb of stark, unnaturally smooth passageways was like being buried alive.

There was a faint stir of air as Rafael entered the large cave. Tearloch didn’t bother to glance in his direction. The annoying spirit was no doubt there to remind Tearloch that he dared not venture out of the range of his damned spells.

Typically Rafael ignored Tearloch’s obvious wish to be left in peace.

The wizard more and more often forgot he was a slave to Tearloch’s will.

“Master,” the spirit murmured.

“What do you want?”

“I believe there is something you should see.”

Tearloch turned a reluctant gaze toward the gaunt face that hovered in the shadows, a shiver of loathing inching down his spine.

“More surprises?”

“Please, if you would come with me?”

Words of denial hovered on his lips.

He was tired and his head ached.

Could he not have an hour without having to sort out some new disaster?

Then, knowing Rafael would remain hovering behind him like some sinister wraith of doom, he heaved a resigned sigh.

Who knew being the leader was such a pain in the ass?

Ariyal always made it look so easy.

Well, maybe not easy, he conceded, vaguely recalling the hours of endless abuse at the hands of Morgana le Fey.

But he had never complained.

“Fine.” He turned to meet the sunken eyes that flickered with crimson fire in the shadows. “What is it?”

The spirit gestured him to follow him back through the dark corridors, returning to the cavern where they’d spoken earlier. Once there he crossed directly toward the shallow pool in the floor, pointing a skeletal hand at the images that hovered on the surface of the water.