Darkness Revealed (Guardians of Eternity #4)(68)

Anna’s stomach rolled at the memory of Sybil lying on the cot, stone-cold dead. She felt horrible that the fairy had died.

But not horrible enough to allow herself to be killed in retribution.

With an effort, she forced herself to a kneeling position and glared down at the woman who was the most recent threat in a very long line.

“How did you find me?”

“Actually, I have Morgana to thank for this golden opportunity.”

She heard the sudden flap of Levet’s wings. It echoed the rapid flutter of her heart.

“She knows I’m here?”

“Not specifically here, although she knows that you managed to escape from her portal to somewhere between her rotting farmhouse and Chicago. She called for her faithful subjects to go in search of you, but unlike the rest of the fairies I had a secret weapon.”

Secret weapon?

What was she, the Pentagon?

“And what’s that?”

“I once saw you in a courtroom in L.A. when I was visiting Sybil. I will never forget your face…or your scent,” she replied, her smile smug. “I knew that if I came across your trail I could find you. Of course, I wasted far too much time beginning my search so close to Chicago. I never dreamed you would nearly be upon Morgana’s doorstep.”

Anna’s heart gave another unpleasant flutter. Just how close was Morgana?

Doorstep didn’t sound good.

Shoving aside the nasty thought to worry about later, Anna concentrated on the fairy below.

“So you found me.” She narrowed her gaze. “Now what?”

Clara smiled with cold amusement. “Ah, a woman who likes to cut to the chase. I don’t know whether to be impressed or laugh at your stupidity.”

“I know which,” Levet muttered at her side.

Flashing the gargoyle a warning frown, Anna returned her attention to Clara.

“Tell me what you intend to do.”

Clara crooked a mocking finger. “Why don’t you come down and we can discuss the situation like two reasonable adults?”

Levet snorted. “It’s a trick.”

“You think?” Anna said dryly, leaning over the edge of the loft. “Thanks, but I’m comfortable where I am. Just tell me what you want.”

The perfect features twisted with a perverse fury. “What I want is to watch you die.”

“Nice,” Anna muttered with a shiver.

“But first I intend to make Morgana pay dearly to have you turned over to her.”

“Ha.” Levet moved to stand at Anna’s side. “You intend to bargain with the Queen of Bitches? Why don’t you just start digging your own grave now?”

“Oh, she will negotiate. She’s desperate to get her hands on Anna Randal.”

“Why?” Anna abruptly demanded. “Why does she want me dead?”

“You don’t know?” Clara laughed. “How perfect. You should go to your death still wondering why you’re dying. Just as Sybil did.”

“She doesn’t know, Anna.” Levet leaned forward and directed a raspberry in Clara’s direction. “She’s nothing but a peon. Dirt beneath Morgana’s feet.”

The pale features flushed with fury as she lifted a slender hand in Levet’s direction.

“You slimy little reptile…”

Anna felt a tingle of power before Levet was launched backward and his tiny body lay unnervingly still against the floorboards of the loft.

“Levet.” Crawling toward his unmoving form, Anna desperately attempted to waken her friend. “Levet. Oh my God.”

There was no response, and a combination of fear and absolute fury pounded through her. Spinning on her knees she moved back to the edge of the loft, launching herself over the side to land on the dirt floor. She was beyond caring about her own danger. This woman had hurt one of her friends. One of the first friends she’d had in nearly two centuries. The evil fairy was going to be very, very sorry she had messed with Anna Randal.

“You…hideous, horrible…demon. You want a fight, you got it.”

Something that might have been fear replaced the smug assurance in Clara’s dark eyes. Holding up her hands, she took a step backward.

“I only stunned the beast,” she rasped. “Stay back or I’ll kill you.”

“No you won’t,” Anna mocked, unconsciously gripping the priceless emerald in her clenched fist. “You want to barter me, remember? You have dreams of riches dancing through your head.”

“I’m not Sybil, I won’t sacrifice my life for wealth.”

The air heated as Anna’s fury spilled from her tense body. “Tell me why Morgana wants me dead.”

With suddenly wide eyes the fairy took another few steps backward. “I…don’t…”

“Tell me,” Anna snapped, her hair beginning to dance in the rising wind.

“All I know is that Modron had a vision of you,” Clara squeaked.

“Modron?”

“Morgana’s seer.”

Seer? What the hell was that?

“What was the vision?” she asked instead, not in the mood to be distracted.

Clara licked her lips. “That an heir of Arthur would rise from the darkness and condemn Morgana to hell.”