Darkness Avenged (Guardians of Eternity #10)(9)

Good . . . lord. There’d been no shift in air pressure that would warn of an opening portal, or a prickle of heat that usually went along with magic.

Just two creatures stepping out of thin air.

Taking an instinctive step back, Nefri assessed the danger of the intruders. One was obviously related to Siljar. Actually, she was nearly a replica with the same heart-shaped face and large black eyes. Only her hair was blond rather than silver and her eyes lacked the solemn wisdom of the Oracle.

Her companion, on the other hand, who was barely three feet tall, was obviously a gargoyle despite the fact he had large, gossamer wings that shimmered in shades of crimson and blue with gold veins. His features were suitably gargoyle-ish with gray eyes and a pair of stunted horns.

This had to be the infamous Levet, she silently acknowledged.

The gargoyle who’d been vital in destroying the Dark Lord while she’d been unconscious. Although at the moment he looked more like a petulant child, with his wings drooping and his tail twitching while the younger version of Siljar shook a finger in his face.

“I told you that it’s too soon for you to leave your bed,” she chastised, clearly continuing a long-standing argument. “Mother, would you tell him?”

The Oracle heaved the sort of sigh that could only come from a mother. “Yannah, how many times have I warned you not to interrupt when I have company?”

So, this was Siljar’s daughter, Nefri realized, her unease shifting to a wry amusement.

Yannah turned her head to glower at her mother, but her finger remained pointed in Levet’s face. “He won’t listen to me.”

“Well, dear, he is a male,” Siljar soothed. “They rarely listen to good sense. It has something to do with their unbalanced hormones.”

The gargoyle’s long tail snapped at the insult. “Hey, I am standing right here.”

Siljar sent him a confused glance. “Yes, I know. You are not invisible.”

Levet sniffed. “I am also not un bébé.”

Yannah turned back, her hands planted on her hips. “You were nearly killed.”

“And now I am well.” Levet lifted his hands. “Voilà.”

“You’re still weak.”

“Weak?” The gargoyle went rigid, manly outrage tightening his ugly features. “I have the strength of a . . . of a . . . very large and very dangerous demon. And my magic is formidable .” He lifted his hands. “Shall I demonstrate?”

“No!” Siljar and Yannah cried in unison.

“Fine, then stop saying that I am weak,” Levet muttered.

Belatedly accepting that the tiny gargoyle possessed the same bullheaded temperament as every other male, Yannah allowed her lower lip to quiver. “Why don’t you just admit the truth?”

Levet narrowed his eyes, clearly sensing he was about to be outmaneuvered. “What truth?”

“You’re simply trying to get away from me.”

He hunched a shoulder. “Absurd.”

“It’s not absurd. You’re just—”

Siljar rolled her eyes as she stepped forward. “Children, please.”

“You’re bored with me,” Yannah continued, ignoring her mother.

“Bored?” Levet’s wings quivered. “Are you natty?”

“Nutty,” Yannah gritted. “It’s nutty.”

Levet waved a hand. “I chased you from Russia to London to the pits of hell.”

“And once I allowed you to catch me, the thrill was gone. Admit it.”

“I—”

A sharp burst of power flooded the room, threatening a pain that made them all freeze in wariness.

“Enough,” Siljar snapped. “Yannah, you will find Recise and resume your training.”

“But . . .” Yannah swallowed her words as she met her mother’s smoldering gaze, belatedly realizing that Siljar had reached the end of her patience. “I’m going.” She turned to glare at Levet. “We will continue this conversation later.”

“Mon dieu,” the gargoyle breathed.

Siljar waited for Yannah to stomp from the cavern before turning her attention to Levet.

“And you.”

“Moi?”

“You will accompany my guest on her mission.”

Levet glanced toward Nefri, his expression melting to offer her a smile of pure male appreciation. “But of course.”

“I must warn you that there is a potential for great danger,” Siljar said.

“Bah.” Levet tilted his chin to a proud angle. “Danger is my maiden name.”

“I believe you mean ‘middle,’” Siljar corrected him.

“It is all the same.” The gargoyle waddled over to stand directly in front of Nefri, bending at the waist in an old-school bow. “My lady.”

“Nefri,” she insisted, finding herself charmed by the tiny demon. Why did Styx and Santiago spend so much time complaining about the creature?

“It will be my greatest pleasure to assist you in your quest,” he assured her. “I did, after all, save the world from a certain apocalypse only weeks ago.” He abruptly scowled, glancing toward the Oracle. “Wait.”

Siljar lifted her brows. “Yes?”

“There isn’t going to be another apocalypse, is there?”