Darkness Revealed (Guardians of Eternity #4)(86)

“Why have you stopped?” she demanded. “Cezar is…”

“Cezar is in danger, yes I know,” he interrupted. “But Morgana is not his only risk at the moment.”

Anna frowned, really not in the mood to consider yet another horror that might be lurking in the shadows.

A demented aunt with a God complex seemed like quite enough.

“I don’t understand.”

Styx’s remote expression gave nothing away. “That is the problem. You are not a vampire.”

Her raw nerves flared at his words. That was why he’d stopped? To point out that she wasn’t a demon?

“That’s hardly a news flash, Styx. Do you have a point?”

The gold eyes narrowed. “You are not a vampire, so you do not fully understand what it means to be mated.”

“Styx, can’t this wait until after we’ve rescued Cezar?”

“No, because I sense your desperation.”

“She reeks of it,” Jagr muttered from the backseat.

Anna shook her head in frustration, a hint of her power leaking out to swirl through the car, heating the air and stirring her hair. What the hell was going on?

“Would you rather I didn’t give a damn what happens to him?” she rasped.

“It would be easier in some ways.”

Anna sucked in a deep breath, struggling to control her straining powers. Was Styx trying to piss her off so she would be ready to explode once she was near Morgana?

If he was, it was working like a charm.

“Styx, just tell me why you’re wasting precious time.”

There was a brief pause, as if Styx were carefully considering his words.

“Cezar has taken you for his mate,” he at last said. “If you die, he dies.”

Anna froze in shock. “You mean…he’ll actually die?”

“Not immediately. But yes.” He gave a stiff dip of his head. “You have become his reason for living, Anna. Without you, he will lose any instinct to protect himself. In fact, he will seek out danger in the hopes that he will find an end to his suffering. Vampires rarely survive more than a few months after the death of their mate.”

A cold chill clutched at her heart. Shit. Somehow Cezar failed to mention that little tidbit of info when he was telling her about the whole mate business.

“Why are you telling me this now?” she demanded, her voice barely more than a whisper.

“Because you are willing to sacrifice yourself to save him.” He touched a cold finger to her pale cheek. “If you do, Anna Randal, you condemn Cezar to your own fate.”

Chapter 20

The attic of the farmhouse was a filthy, cramped place that was barely fit for pathetic humans, let alone a powerful queen.

It was, however, a perfect location to keep an unconscious vampire hostage.

Ignoring the thick dust that marred the hem of her gossamer gown, Morgana studied the demon who hung from the rafters by the silver leash.

His rich, dark hair was disheveled to tumble around the elegant lines of his beautiful face, and since she had commanded Troy to strip him of his shirt, there was nothing to hide the chiseled perfection of his bronzed chest.

She could understand Anna Randal’s fascination with the creature.

All vampires possessed a potent sensual appeal. They were predators who used sex to lure their prey. But this vampire…

He was perfectly formed to pleasure women.

And pleasure them well.

It was almost a pity she was going to have to kill him.

Shifting her attention from the unconscious vampire to the tall imp with his crimson mane of hair and wary expression, she allowed a cold smile to touch her lips.

“You have done well, Troy.”

Kneeling, the imp lowered his head. “Thank you, my Queen. I live to serve.”

Morgana’s lips twisted as she moved forward to capture Troy’s chin in a brutal grip. Yanking up his head she savored the stark fear that flared through the emerald eyes.

“Or you serve to live, eh my little traitor?”

“I have brought you the vampire,” the imp rasped. “Surely I have proven my loyalty?”

Her anger whipped through the cramped space. She would not forget the imp’s treachery. Anna might very well be dead now if the arrogant bastard hadn’t whisked her away from the nightclub. But, she was wise enough to realize that for the moment Troy was a tool she could use to her advantage. He was the only one who could get into the vampire’s lair. And now that she had so kindly reminded him of the pain she could inflict, he was the one creature she could be assured wouldn’t disappoint her again.

Once she had finished this unpleasant business, she would consider whether to continue with the fun of tormenting him, or simply kill him and be done with it.

“I will decide when you’ve proven your loyalty, worm,” she purred.

The imp shivered, but he never allowed his gaze to waver. Troy, Prince of Imps, possessed the sort of courage that was far too rare among the fey. Perhaps she should think about having his sperm frozen before killing him. With the right training his offspring might make suitable soldiers.

“Yes, my Queen,” he murmured, his tone suitably respectful.

Releasing her hold on his chin, Morgana turned so she could study the beautiful vampire.

“You are certain he is secured?” she demanded.