Darker (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #6)(60)

“Can I help you?”

I could feel a vampire or two nearby, no problem. I was more worried about the demons that I couldn’t sense.

“Tell her we want to talk. That’s all.” For now.

I waited for a reaction, but the woman had none. I could smell the bites on her though I couldn’t see them. Lilah certainly wasn’t the first vampire to keep human cattle, but it was still sickening. For once, I didn’t feel so bad about my ties to The Wicked Kiss, as owner or patron. At least our victims were willing.

“She will see you in the library.” The frail woman turned and walked away, fully expecting us to follow.

Jez didn’t hesitate. She entered the house without batting an eye at the elaborate decor or the two vampires standing in the shadows beyond the sun’s reach. I approached more cautiously. One of the vamps I recognized right away—because the bastard worked for me.

Shawn was a wannabe tough guy who had tried to scare me into letting him taste my blood the first time we’d met. Upon learning I was Arys’s wolf, he’d backed off so fast he almost burned a hole in the carpet. Since then he’d been an acquaintance and The Wicked Kiss employee, ready and willing to provide muscle where needed.

“Sorry, Alexa,” he said, lifting one shoulder in a half-assed shrug.

“No worries,” I replied with a cold smile. “You’re fired.”

The foyer was huge, complete with the largest spiral staircase I’d ever seen. Lilah’s human led us behind it to a set of open double doors that revealed a library so magnificent I couldn’t help but gawk. Still, my survival instinct was stronger than my awe. When a pair of hellhounds appeared in front of us, I threw up an energy barrier that crackled with fire.

“Stand down, boys.” Lilah’s command was immediately obeyed. The beasts sat down and shut up but never once took their vacant red eyes from us.

Books lined the room from floor to ceiling. Right away, I could tell human eyes had never seen many of the titles. I would have loved the chance to take a peek inside any of them.

The hardwood floors were smooth and shiny. Paintings depicting various historical scenes adorned the walls. I didn’t take any time to study them; I had eyes only for Lilah.

She sat in front of an empty hearth. I did a double take; she barely looked like Lilah. With her flame-colored hair in long, loose waves that framed her face and a flowing black gown that pooled on the floor at her feet, she was almost pretty. A shiny silver crown sat upon her head. The front of it was a cobra’s flared head. The body made up the rest of the crown.

A small harem of vampires and demons fell all over themselves, fawning over her in worship. They kissed her arms, her face, touching her with lusty caresses. She sat in the middle, eating up the attention, smiling in satisfaction.

Her human pet stood awkwardly nearby, awaiting further instruction. A pair of demons flanked Lilah, each standing on either side behind her chair. One of them was Brook. He stood protectively over her, watching with a cold, steely gaze that spoke of nightmares come true.

I was willing to bet there were others, currently unseen. I wondered if Falon was among them. A dozen vampires scattered about the library watched us with intrigue.

“Look at you.” Lilah’s burnt orange gaze traveled over me appraisingly. She shoved her men away and gave me her full attention. “Sucking up power like a sponge. I bet Willow thought he was doing you a favor by sending you in here like that.”

She thought it was Willow’s power raging through me? Interesting. I saw no reason to enlighten her.

“I didn’t come for a fight, but I’m ready if you want to give me one.” In a brazen move, I reached out psychically to test her, making sure she was still powerless. Shya’s binding was still in place.

“Come on now, Alexa. Do you really think I’d resort to getting my hands dirty if I had access to any power?” Lilah asked with a small smirk. “As you can see, I don’t let things like that slow me down. So, you say you want to talk? Let’s talk then, ladies.”

Lilah gestured to the big easy chairs across from her. She was going to play the gracious hostess and milk this thing for all it was worth. I wasn’t in the mood to play games.

“Did I say talk? I meant threaten.” I let the energy wall drop.

I kept expecting to feel some kind of fear or apprehension. Though I feared what she might do to others, I didn’t fear what she had planned for me. I was ready to take her on.

She pressed the tips of her fingers together and looked at both Jez and me in turn. “That’s more like it. There’s no reason we can’t all be honest with each other. I didn’t think you came here leaking borrowed power just to talk. Go ahead, I’m listening.”

It was weird to see Lilah so dressed up. I’d never seen her in anything but army fatigues and boots. She cleaned up well. Playing the role of demon queen spoke volumes in regards to her determination. She was ready and willing to do whatever it took to reclaim her throne.

“I know who you’re hiding from,” I said, watching her reaction. “I think it’s time he finds you.”

“So, you do have Veryl’s information.” Lilah nodded knowingly. “I figured as much. That’s the problem with people like you and Veryl. You think knowledge is power. It isn’t though. Knowledge can get you killed. Or worse. So, this is blackmail then?”