Darkness Unleashed (Guardians of Eternity #5)(106)

“Lose your way, Regan?”

Spinning around, Regan could see nothing but abandoned cars and empty Dumpsters. Jagr was there, but he’d cloaked himself in those damned vampire shadows.

Why couldn’t she have some of those freaking Romulan powers?

Warning herself to be patient, Regan ignored the biting need to see him, and spoke in his general direction.

“Yeah, I think I did,” she said softly. “I was hoping that I could find someone to give me directions.”

“In this neighborhood, you’re more likely to get your throat slit. If you want to slum, you should find a less dangerous place.”

His voice was cool, distant, but Regan’s heart warmed with joy. God, just knowing he was near gave her more happiness than she’d had in a month.

“I’m not afraid.”

“You should be.” She sensed him move, slowly circling her like a predator on the hunt. “Around here, things really do go bump in the night.”

She stood perfectly still, refusing to show unease. She might be a bit slow (okay, a lot slow), but the one thing she was absolutely certain of was that Jagr would never harm her.

“Things like vampires?”

“Among other demons.”

Regan shrugged. “Then I should fit right in.”

“I thought you’d decided to live like a human.”

She frowned at his mocking words. “How do you know I’ve been living like a human?”

His soft laugh tingled down her spine and clenched her stomach with a surge of awareness.

“You can’t be naïve enough to believe that Styx hasn’t had a guard keeping constant watch on you.”

“Impossible,” she breathed, refusing to admit just how much time she’d spent at her window searching for some hint of Jagr, or hell, even Darcy. “I would have sensed if a vampire was near.”

“Not all of Styx’s servants are demons.”

“Humans?”

“Some of Chicago’s finest.”

Her surprise that the arrogant Styx would lower himself to deal with mere humans was overshadowed by a hypocritical flare of annoyance.

Okay, she might have been hurt by the thought that she’d been so easily forgotten, but that didn’t mean she wanted to be spied on.

“How dare he?” Unable to see Jagr, she glared at the nearest Dumpster. “I’m not one of his Almighty’s subjects.”

“No, but you are family, and for all we know Caine is still plotting to capture you.” His voice sounded closer, as if he were circling ever closer to her. “Darcy would neuter him if something happened to you.”

“And he’s been reporting my every moment to you?” she accused.

“He mentioned that you had a job and apartment the last time we met. Nothing more.”

She bit her lip at his dismissive tone. Christ. Had she made a terrible mistake coming here? Maybe Jagr had decided his life was a whole lot better without her driving him nuts. And who the hell could blame him?

“So…you spend a lot of time with Styx and Darcy?”

“More than I expected,” he said dryly.

“Oh.” She was struck by a sudden thought. “Are you being punished for not forcing me back to Chicago?”

“I suppose that’s a matter of opinion.” There was a short pause. “He’s requested that I become one of his Ravens.”

She sucked in a sharp breath. “A Raven?”

“You can’t be more shocked than I was.”

Regan shook her head. She wasn’t shocked. She was horrified.

“Are you considering his offer?”

“Yes.” His voice came directly in front of her.

Concern tightened her muscles. “Darcy said the Ravens are sent to keep the vampires and other demons in line. Like some sort of uber enforcer.”

“That’s part of the duties.”

If she could have seen him, she might have punched him for at his cavalier tone.

From what little she’d learned from her sister, the Ravens were Styx’s private Secret Service, and regularly risked their lives at the command of the king.

Jagr was supposed to be a scholar. A recluse. A vampire who was too smart to go around looking for trouble.

“It sounds dangerous.”

“What’s life without a little danger?”

“Safe?” she gritted.

“Every day is a gamble. Something I forgot along the way,” he said, not hiding his self-derision. “And at least this way, I’ll always be on my guard.”

“Jagr…” Her words broke off in frustration. “Dammit, why are you hiding from me?”

“I’m trying to decide if you’re friend or foe.”

She flinched at the smooth response. “I’ve never been your foe.”

“No? I distinctly recall you threatening to shove a stake up my ass.”

She remembered, too.

Vividly.

It had been during their first encounter and at the time, she had only wanted to be rid of him.

Now…

Now her heart ached to hold him in her arms for an eternity.

“I’ve warned you that I’m not very smart.”

She thought she heard a low hiss at her words. “Why are you here, Regan?”