Bound By Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #8)(82)

She averted her gaze, adjusting the shotgun strapped around her tiny waist.

“I try not to ram my head into brick walls.”

“Good.”

“But ...”

“Shit.” He shook his head. “I knew there was going to be a ‘but.’”

“But, I doubt I can earn us more than a few minutes’ head start.” She ignored his complaint, her head lifting to meet his resigned gaze. “So you’d better locate your tribesmen and convince them quick.”

His eyes narrowed in warning. “Us?”

“I’m your mate.” She lifted her hand to poke him in the center of his chest. “My place is at your side. No matter where you go.”

“You were just pointing out that it’s too dangerous,” he said between clenched teeth.

“I also mentioned something about the futility of ramming your head into a brick wall.”

“Dammit, Jaelyn.”

“Come on, mate.” Turning, she headed out the door, ignoring Ariyal, who stomped behind her, blistering the air with his foul curses. “We don’t want to be late.”

Jaelyn had always suspected that males were lacking the DNA sequence necessary for rational thought. Why else would they be so eager to thump their chests and flash their fangs instead of calmly discussing a problem?

Now there was no doubt left.

What the opposite sex needed was a good thumping, she acknowledged, watching as the six vampires deliberately circled Ariyal, their expressions ranging from mocking derision to outright hatred.

She hadn’t expected the meeting to be pleasant.

Or even polite.

But did they have to start off by being as obnoxious as possible?

The question had barely skimmed through her mind when Styx stepped forward, looking like a walking nightmare in black leather pants and black T-shirt that was stretched across his massive torso.

“Nice shirt,” he drawled to Ariyal, fondling the hilt of his huge sword.

Yep. As obnoxious as possible.

“Styx,” she hissed, moving to stand at the side of her mate, who was already holding his bow and wooden arrows notched and ready to fire. “All we’re asking is a chance to convince Ariyal’s tribesmen to leave the caves before you enter.”

The power of the Anasso was like a heavy throb in the air. “Why should I trust him?”

“Because I said you could.” She stood her ground, acutely aware of Ariyal’s smoldering fury. Gods, please don’t let him do anything stupid. “Do you trust me?”

Styx lifted a broad shoulder. “He’s your mate.”

Her lips twisted. The vampires had sensed her mating with Ariyal the moment they’d approached the caves.

Which had only added to the tension.

“Yes, I know.”

The large vampire shifted his attention back to the silent Ariyal.

“Your loyalty now lies with the dark fairies.”

“You son of a bitch.”

She barely had time to place herself between her mate and certain death, slamming her hands against his chest to hold him in place.

“Ariyal, please.”

“He can say whatever he wants about me.”

“Thank you,” Styx drawled.

Annoying SOB.

“Shut up, leech,” Ariyal snarled, his gaze never leaving Jaelyn’s pleading expression. “But he’s not allowed to insult your honor.”

Her heart melted, even as she wanted to slug him for his stubbornness.

No one had ever defended her honor before.

No one.

“There’s no insult in wanting to know if I’m about to be led into a trap,” Styx said without apology.

Ariyal placed his arm around Jaelyn’s shoulders and tucked her close to his side.

“If you thought it was a trap then why the hell did you come?”

“When the Hunter approached me she hadn’t yet bound herself to our enemy.”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake,” Jaelyn snapped. “He’s not our enemy. We all want the same thing.”

“Do we?” Styx demanded, his power brushing over her as if seeking the truth of her heart.

“Yes.”

There was a short, tense silence as the Anasso continued to study her; then with a smooth lift of his hand he gestured for his vampires to step back.

“You have fifteen minutes.”

Jaelyn’s rush of relief was cut short by Ariyal’s typical male reaction.

“You may be King of the Vampires, but you’re—”

“Ariyal.” She stepped directly in front of her mate, framing his face in her hands. “If we haven’t convinced them to join us in fifteen minutes then we’ll already be captured or dead.”

Simple and straight to the point.

For once, it worked.

Hallelujah.

Clenching his jaw, he forced himself to draw in a calming breath and speak to the Anasso in a voice that wasn’t deliberately intended to provoke the vampire.

“What’s your plan?”

Styx slid his sword into the scabbard that ran the length of his back, his own expression altering to one of commanding efficiency.

“I have three Ravens performing sweeps through a five-mile perimeter to make sure nothing is allowed to sneak up on us.”