Darker (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #6)(85)

The doors slammed shut with a deafening bang. Immediately, several vampires flanked each of us. Again, a demon stood off to the side, just watching. I was beginning to think the demons weren’t there for us but, rather, for Willow or others like him.

“I am going to enjoy this,” Falon said. His smile had vanished, his expression now stony and unreadable. “Follow me.”

He turned his back on us, expecting we’d follow. What choice did we have? I eyed the fallen angel suspiciously. He was playing a dangerous game here. I couldn’t be sure if his loyalties lay with Shya or Lilah. Who was he here to help? His power would have a hand in determining the outcome of this little party.

Falon led us down a hall on the far side of the foyer, past the library we’d seen previously. The vampires were hot on our heels. I paused to give them all a once over. Unrecognizable, every one of them. I found some small relief in the fact that they were not patrons of my club.

At the end of the hall, a demon stood guard in front of a pair of closed double doors. He scowled at Falon but moved aside to let us through. Falon threw the doors open and strode through like he owned the place.

I hesitated in the doorway, peering inside. The vampires at my back shoved me over the threshold. I wasn’t all that surprised by what I saw inside. The fact that I was growing accustomed to demon gatherings was troublesome.

The room was large even for a small mansion like Lilah’s. The only windows were high up on either side of the arched ceiling, high enough to keep sunlight from hitting the lowest part of the room during the day. Careful design, fit for a vampire.

The hardwood floor shone as if freshly polished. The room was open with little clutter. In the center was a sunken circular couch. Several scantily clad bodies moved upon it, both men and women, human and vampire. They created a powerful energy that reeked of blood and lust.

I shielded against the onslaught of seductive energy. So, this was how Lilah enticed vampires into her fold. I had a sneaking suspicion the humans here were not present of their own free will but were instead victims of the vampire influence.

At the far end of the room stood three elaborate armchairs. Lilah sat in the middle with Gabriel and Juliet bound and seated on either side of her. My heart surged when I saw my sister, bruised but alive. Small cuts adorned her wrist and neck, evident of Lilah’s curiosity. Juliet’s blood hadn’t worked. She wasn’t a Hound.

Shya sat in a chair off to the side where he had an ample view of the entire room. Despite being bound in silver, he still wore his constantly amused smile. His grin broadened when he saw me, and a chill crept down my spine. Far too many demons were in this room for my liking.

I followed Falon around the couch, stopping in front of Lilah. Jez was at my side, tense but ready. Meeting Juliet’s eyes, I nodded, hoping to encourage her. She stared back at me, expressionless.

“You came,” Lilah said, crossing one leg over the other. “I’ve got to admit, I almost thought you might leave your sister to fend for herself.”

“No, you didn’t. But, why save her for last? Why kill Zak and Zoey?” I stared hard at Lilah, ignoring the demon that stood behind her but noting that Brook was not among those present.

Lilah did her best to look bored. It didn’t work. She was thrilled to see me. “Because I wanted to. I only wish it had been easier to track down the white wolf.”

I repressed the sudden surge of venomous hatred. I wanted so badly to slap her with a blast of power. Cool and calm. That’s how I had to do this.

“So, what now? You bleed me and let my sister go?” I asked, indignant and refusing to show fear.

Lilah pretended to consider. She looked more like the Lilah I knew tonight. Her flame-colored hair was in a tight braid, and she was dressed to fight. I eyed her sturdy army boots, certain I’d take one in the face before the night was over.

“Are you in a hurry, Alexa? I’m not keeping you from anything, am I? Another hush-hush meeting with the FPA, perhaps.” She shot a snide look Shya’s way. He shrugged but remained silent.

“That’s a pretty cheap tactic for someone as old and experienced as you. Isn’t it?” There was a light touch on my mind from Arys. I let him in, seeking reassurance in his presence.

Lilah raised a hand to Falon, a wordless command. The ass**le angel came to stand before me. It was so damn hard not to step away. His pale eyes were vacant of any emotion. Without laying a hand on me, he grasped my energy and jerked hard, stripping power from me.

The pain was immediate and agonizing. I screamed and went down hard on my knees. Falon grabbed my hand and pulled me up. The more solid connection intensified the pain. It felt like he was tearing me in half. Instead, he tore all the power that I’d gathered in readiness from me as if it were a limb from my body.

He whispered to me, using the sound of my shrieks to ensure nobody else heard. “You f**ked up. I tried to help you.”

I sagged against him, and he let me go. Jez caught me before I hit the floor again. I gasped for breath, drained to the point of exhaustion. The leopard inside Jez crawled to the surface where it tried to offer me some comfort. I drew on her energy, taking just enough to stay on my feet.

“How was that for a cheap tactic?” Lilah asked, her steely, burnt orange gaze upon me.

My mind raced as I tried to figure out what Falon had meant. When the hell did he ever try to help me?

‘When he dosed you with his power,’ Arys supplied. ‘You came for her, and you failed.’