Bound By Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #8)(73)

Removing her empty glass, Styx moved to lean against the corner of the desk, studying her with an unnerving intensity.

“You’re the Hunter who helped Tane and Laylah,” he finally broke the thick silence.

She shrugged. “Our paths crossed.”

“Did you manage to capture the Sylvermyst?”

Jaelyn’s fingers tightened on the arm of the chair, but her training allowed her to meet the dark gaze without flinching.

“My mission has been changed.”

“I see.” He folded his arms over his massive chest. “Well, I don’t actually see, but I presume that it has something to do with the return of the Dark Lord?”

There was just enough of a bite in his voice to warn that he didn’t like the thought that he might be out of the loop.

Control freak?

Naaaaw.

“The child is in the hands of Tearloch and his pet wizard,” she abruptly admitted.

“Yes, Tane told us the child was stolen by the Sylvermyst and Sergei in the Russian caves. A pity, but at least we rescued Maluhia.”

Maluhia?

She assumed that must be the twin to the baby held by Tearloch.

“The wizard isn’t Sergei,” she corrected, her heart contracting at the reminder that the mage was even now with Ariyal. Somewhere. “I’m not sure what happened to him.”

“Then who?”

“Tearloch summoned a spirit that goes by the name Rafael,” she informed him. “I think you know him.”

The Anasso abruptly straightened, a scowl marring his brow.

“Rafael? You’re certain?”

“Yes.”

“Shit.”

Shoving his hand into the front pocket of his slacks, Styx pulled out a slim cellphone and jabbed in a series of numbers.

Jaelyn rose to her feet, feeling her strength returning from the blood her king had forced her to drink.

“What are you doing?”

“Dante will want to hear this,” he told her, turning away to speak softly into the phone.

Once done he returned the phone to his pocket and turned back to meet her questioning gaze.

“Dante?”

“The vampire who killed Rafael the first time around.” He smiled with cruel anticipation. “He’ll be pissed if he gets left out on a second chance. He’s on his way.”

“Fine, but I don’t have time to wait for him.”

Power prickled over her skin, and Jaelyn silently cursed her uncharacteristic lack of control.

Dammit, the King of Vampires wasn’t a benevolent leader who ruled with a gentle democracy. He was a powerful demon, perhaps the most powerful in the entire world, and he was well within his rights to crush her if she offended him.

Thankfully the brief punishment was the extent of his reprimand.

“Tell me what you need from me.”

Relieved to have gotten off relatively unscathed, Jaelyn swiftly outlined their pursuit of Tearloch since leaving the Russian caves, carefully editing the more private details. Not that she was fooling anyone.

Styx could no doubt sense her inner turmoil when she spoke of the Sylvermyst who was supposed to be her enemy.

The Anasso listened in silence, his expression hard as she revealed the wizard’s attempt to fry her with the morning sun.

“The child must be rescued,” she at last concluded her tale, her hand unwittingly clutching the stock of her gun.

“I agree,” the king said without hesitation. “How many are in the caves?”

“Tearloch and a half-dozen Sylvermyst as well as the wizard.” She held up a warning hand. “But there could be others.”

“Others? You suspect the Sylvermyst has allies?”

“I doubt that Sergei has given up his ambitions to rule the world.”

The Anasso grimaced, obviously familiar with the Russian magic-user.

“He’s a tenacious bastard,” he readily agreed, his piercing gaze never wavering from her face. “But I sense he isn’t your primary concern.”

“No. While we were searching for Tearloch, I had a run-in with a cur.”

“A very stupid or very brave cur,” the king murmured. “I assume he’s dead?”

“ No.”

A dark brow arched in surprise. “No?”

“He was a magic-user.”

Styx tensed. “Damn, I wonder if Salvatore knows? He won’t be pleased.”

“Neither was I,” she said dryly.

He frowned, as if debating some inner quandary. “The Were called a meeting for tomorrow night. I suppose the information can wait until then.” With a shake of his head, the vampire returned his attention to her. “Is the cur connected to Tearloch?”

“I can’t say for sure, but I’m not a big believer in coincidences.”

“Me either.” Styx lifted a hand to brush a finger over the amulet that was hung around his neck. Jaelyn knew from her studies that Aztec people believed that they could tap in to the power of their ancestors with such talismans. Yeah, like this man needed any secret weapons. “Was the cur alone?”

“No, he was traveling with another cur and a human witch. And ...” She gave a lift of her hands. “I don’t know.”

“A demon?”

She considered her words, disliking her lack of concise facts. Vague speculation too often led to poor decisions.