Darkness Unleashed (Guardians of Eternity #5)(101)

Skills that would serve the Anasso well.

More importantly, becoming a Raven might offer an opportunity to devote his mind to something other than mourning the absence of his mate.

As if sensing his conflicting emotions, Styx rose from his seat and rounded the desk to stand directly in front of Jagr.

“Don’t answer now. Take your time to consider the offer,” he commanded. “It will always be there.”

“Thank you, my lord.” Jagr offered a dip of his head. “I should go.”

“Of course, you must be anxious to return to your lair.” Waiting until Jagr had reached the door, Styx cleared his throat. “Be warned that Viper will be intruding into your privacy, along with Dante and Cezar.”

Jagr glanced over his shoulder with a frown. “Why?”

Styx shrugged. “Because they’re meddlesome mother hens.”

“Great.”

Knowing the Anasso would do nothing to save him from the impending interference of his brothers, Jagr stepped out of the office, instantly hit with the potent scent of jasmine.

On cue, his fangs lengthened and his muscles clenched in desperate, clawing need.

Shit.

He had to get out of there.

Regan knew the minute that Jagr entered the house.

Amazing considering that she’d been verging on sleep miles away (or at least it seemed like miles), in a bedroom at the far wing of the mansion.

Or maybe not so amazing, she wryly acknowledged as she yanked on a pair of faded jeans and a yellow T-shirt.

After all, it wasn’t the sound of his voice or his erotic scent that had jerked her from her light slumber. No, it had been the cool wash of power that had filled the entire mansion that had her hastily dressing and hurrying through the silent hallways.

It had to be Jagr.

Regan rushed down the long flight of stairs, only to discover that Jagr had disappeared into Styx’s private office. With a muttered curse, she plopped down on the last step, prepared to wait the entire night if necessary.

Why she was prepared wait was a question that should have troubled her.

Thankfully, she was developing a fine talent for self-deception, and telling herself that she was simply anxious to know if he discovered anything about her missing sister, she gnawed on her thumbnail and pretended her heart wasn’t lodged somewhere in her throat.

Her abused nail was nearly gone by the time the door to the office at last opened and Jagr stepped from the room. Hidden by the carved oak banister, Regan felt as if the wind had been kicked from her.

Christ, did he have to be so damned beautiful?

Struggling to breathe, Regan allowed her gaze to drink in the pale, starkly carved features and golden hair that was pulled into a long braid.

Beautiful, but so terrifyingly dangerous.

In more ways than one.

Lost in the painful tangle of emotions, it took a moment for Regan to realize that Jagr was headed directly toward the back entrance.

Why, the annoying jerk.

He had to know she was just behind him.

Hell, he could probably close his eyes and hit her with a dart a hundred miles away.

Which meant that he was deliberately ignoring her.

And why wouldn’t he, a tiny voice whispered in the back of her mind.

He was a proud, magnificent vampire who had offered her his heart. She, on the other hand, was a totally screwed-up Were who was running scared.

She wouldn’t blame him if he never wanted to see her again.

Of course, that didn’t stop her from charging after his retreating form.

Screwed up, indeed.

“Jagr, wait.”

He halted at her soft call, his shoulders stiff, as if he were battling the urge to keep walking.

Then, with obvious reluctance, he slowly turned to face her.

“Regan.” His expression was as coldly aloof as his voice. “How are you feeling?”

She sucked in an agonized breath. God, she would rather he hit her than treat her as if she were a vague stranger.

“I’m fine,” she managed to husk. “Did you just return from Hannibal?”

“Yes.”

Sharp. To the point.

Emotionless.

Regan licked her dry lips, her gut twisting with sick regret.

“Did you discover anything about my sister?”

“No, I’m sorry.” The pale eyes darkened with frustration. “Salvatore disappeared, along with Levet.”

“Damn.” Regan stiffened in shock, momentarily forgetting her own troubles. “Did Duncan betray them?”

“I doubt it. Duncan was dead when we found the cabin where they were supposed to meet.”

Regan pressed a hand to her heart. It was bad enough that the cur was dead, and the powerful Salvatore missing, but poor Levet…

Christ, she should never have insisted that he accompany Duncan to that damn meeting.

She couldn’t seem to do anything without messing it up lately.

The Mess-Up Queen.

She should have a tiara and sash.

“It has to be Caine,” she muttered.

“That’s our assumption.”

“That bastard needs to have his ass kicked.”

Jagr shrugged, his hard muscles rippling beneath the tight black T-shirt.

Oy. He was edible.

Her mouth went dry.

“I believe Styx intends to nail his hide to the wall.”