Bound By Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #8)(91)

Which meant that it was time to go.

Backing away, she kept her gaze trained on the wall of mist, nearly stumbling over the swiftly rotting carcass of the wizard. With a shiver she leaped to the side, her attention briefly distracted.

As she skirted around the body a silvery laugh danced on the air and Jaelyn snapped her head up to discover a slender young woman standing just a few feet away.

She was a beautiful creature with long, dark hair that spilled over her naked skin, which was tinted a rich honey. Jaelyn guessed she was seventeen in human years with a pair of disarming dimples and wide blue eyes that were alarmingly familiar.

Eyes that she’d seen mere minutes ago in the face of a baby.

The Dark Lord.

In the flesh.

Quite literally.

Seemingly pleased by Jaelyn’s gaping horror, the female held out her hand in a coaxing gesture.

“Jaelyn,” she purred, her voice a potent weapon that nearly sent Jaelyn to her knees. “Sweet vampire, join with me and I will fulfill your every desire.”

The urge to move forward and clutch that offered hand beat through her with merciless insistence. Her foot had even taken a treacherous step forward as she frantically fought for the strength to break free of the Dark Lord’s compulsion.

It was at last her bond with Ariyal that saved her from certain enslavement.

Clinging with a fierce desperation to the feel of his presence buried in her heart, she conjured the image of his lean face and stunningly beautiful bronze eyes to distract her mind.

Suddenly she was filled with his essence, the scent of warm herbs almost tangible in the air.

A faint frown touched the creature’s exquisite face as she sensed her hold on Jaelyn slipping away.

“Vampire, I command you to come to me.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Hell no.”

Spinning on her heel, Jaelyn took off through the fog as if the devil was nipping at her heels.

And she was.

Behind the Veil

If Santiago was foolish enough to believe he had won the battle, Nefri swiftly disabused him of the fantasy.

While she willingly led him to the hallowed halls of the Great Council room, she had refused to allow him to enter.

He grimaced, pacing the marble hallway with a growing impatience.

It had been worse than a refusal.

She had walked into the massive room, with its glowing chandeliers and long ebony table surrounded by a dozen pompous-looking pricks he assumed were the Elders, and rudely slammed the door in his face.

Locked out, Santiago had been left to twiddle his thumbs.

And to curse the powerful female vampire who was rapidly becoming his personal nemesis.

A most beautiful nemesis, a renegade voice whispered in the back of his mind.

And sexy as hell despite her aloof, can’t-touch-me demeanor.

Or perhaps that’s what he found so enticing.

What predator didn’t like the thought of hunting his prey? The more elusive the better.

Passing the time with images of the perfectly groomed Nefri lying rumpled and sated with pleasure in his bed, Santiago was able to resist the urge to beat something or someone to a bloody pulp.

Almost as if he was actually civilized.

Ha.

At last the heavy double doors of the Great Council were thrust open and Nefri stepped into the hallway, her perfect composure unable to disguise the concern that burned in her dark eyes.

Moving forward, he deliberately blocked her path with his larger body. She might be more powerful, but he wasn’t above fighting dirty.

She wasn’t getting away until he was satisfied that she’d revealed every word that had been exchanged behind closed doors.

“Well?” he prompted.

Her lips thinned, but she didn’t bother to pretend she didn’t know what he wanted.

“Gaius is no longer behind the Veil.”

Even expecting the words, Santiago stiffened in shock.

For centuries he’d refused to think of his sire, or to wonder what his life might be like with his new clan. But somewhere in the back of his mind had lurked the knowledge that Gaius was alive and well behind the Veil.

So why, after sacrificing his relationship with Santiago, not to mention all the others who depended on him, would he leave?

And why now?

Aware of Nefri’s piercing gaze, Santiago managed a humorless smile.

“I won’t tell you I told you so.”

“So kind,” she said dryly.

He folded his arms over his chest, barely noticing the hushed echo of footsteps as the remaining vampires spilled from the room and disappeared through the various passageways.

If they were truly as wise as was claimed, then they would know better than to interfere in his private conversation.

“Where is he?”

Her hands smoothed over her dark robes. “No one knows for certain.”

“Convenient.”

“Our people are not prisoners, Santiago.” There was a bite to her smooth words. Had he touched a nerve? “They are free to come and go as they please. That does not make him guilty.”

“When was he last seen?”

“Nearly a month ago.”

“A month?” he growled, his brows snapping together.

“Yes.”

“And no one thought it was weird that he just disappeared ?”

“Our people are dedicated to their studies.” Her chin tilted. “It is not uncommon for us to seclude ourselves for weeks or even years.”