Darkness Revealed (Guardians of Eternity #4)(57)

“There are many that would cause harm to the unwary, but not those concerning Morgana.”

“You’re a little paranoid, aren’t you?”

“I’ve learned the hard way to be paranoid.”

“Haven’t we all?”

In the blink of an eye, Jagr had Cezar pressed against the steel wall, his fangs extended in anger.

“Some more than others.”

Cezar flashed his own fangs. “Do you have a point?”

The blue eyes were chips of ice. “Not all of us have been pampered pets for the Oracles.”

“Pampered?” The lights flickered as Cezar used his powers to thrust the large vampire away. There was a pained grunt and then a hiss of frustration as Cezar used his thoughts to keep Jagr pinned against the shelf. Damn the churlish recluse. Did he think he was the only one who ever had a glimpse of hell? “For your information, I’ve spent two centuries as a slave for the simple transgression of taking the blood of the wrong woman. I’ve been isolated, sometimes left alone in my barren room for years on end with nothing to occupy me but books and a Pectos demon who was mute. I’ve been forced to battle demons who sought to kill me for no other reason than their hatred for the Commission. I have been forced to kill brothers in the name of justice. I have been forced to remain a eunuch, kept away from the one woman I could still desire…”

His words were cut short as Jagr lifted his hands and with one smooth motion wrenched open his robe to reveal the deep scars that crisscrossed his chest and down his flat stomach.

Cezar hissed at the sight. For a vampire to carry such visible wounds meant that he had first been tortured and then starved for months, maybe even years, so he couldn’t regenerate.

It was the worst punishment a vampire could endure.

Worse than death itself.

“Save your tragic sob story for someone who cares, Cezar,” the vampire growled, pushing himself from the shelf as Cezar released his powers. “Finish what you came for swiftly. My patience is limited.”

Cezar frowned as he watched the vampire stalk through the rows of books to the door at the back of the room.

Maybe he should have a little talk with Styx.

Jagr seemed just a shade too close to Hannibal Lecter territory for his peace of mind.

When Anna had dreamed of her future it had always been simple. In her early years it had included a husband and family and a house that could offer her security. A place to truly belong.

As the years passed she had given up the idea of husband and family. She’d even given up on a true home. It was impossible to remain in one place when she didn’t age.

Instead she had become increasingly focused on the injustices in the world.

If she couldn’t have security then she could at least have purpose. If she could make some small difference then surely her life would be worthwhile?

In all of her various visions, however, not one of them had included sitting cross-legged on a bed that was owned by a vampire and a goddess, while a miniature gargoyle tried to teach her how to shield her mind from Morgana le Fay.

Life was funny.

No, actually life was a freaking nuthouse.

Trying to ignore the small, leathery hands that were pressed to her face, Anna desperately attempted to concentrate on the lesson he was teaching her. Not an easy task when she could hear the flap of gossamer wings and the scent of granite was thick in the air.

There wasn’t anything that wasn’t weird about this whole situation.

“What’s that?” Levet at last demanded.

“You said to think of a fence.”

Levet clicked his tongue. “Not a white picket fence that couldn’t keep out a bunny. You must concentrate.”

Anna’s eyes opened so she could glare at the ugly, bumpy face so close to hers.

“I am.”

Sitting back, Levet crossed his arms over his chest, his expression one of disdain.

“No, you’re thinking about Mr. Tall, Dark and Dead. Your mushy brain is so filled with him it’s making me nauseous.”

Anna’s cheeks flooded with color. She wasn’t accustomed to having someone in her head, rooting around through her thoughts. It was…embarrassing.

“I’m worried about him,” she muttered, not entirely lying. She was worried. But, the truth of the matter was that Cezar would’ve been filling her thoughts regardless of whether or not he was in danger.

When he was near it was easy to thrust away everything but the power of his presence. When he was gone, however, it was much easier to allow all her doubts and fears to come rushing back.

Fears that he would disappear as swiftly and completely as he had two hundred years ago. Fears that he was merely toying with her. Fears that he was using her for some mysterious reason.

“He’s a vampire,” Levet said with a roll of his eyes. “He’ll be fine. They always are. Trust me, I know.”

Anna tilted her head to the side. For all his sardonic wit, she liked this tiny gargoyle. And more than that, she trusted him.

He was perhaps the only one she could truly talk to about this crazy world she had been thrown into.

“You know a lot of vampires?”

“More than I want,” he said wryly.

“You don’t like them?”

“They’re arrogant bastards.”

Anna laughed at the blunt words. “So I noticed.”