Darkness Unleashed (Guardians of Eternity #5)(90)

He smiled wryly at the shocking desire to share how he endured the crushing weight of the building as it fell on his head, and how he used his powers to hold off the worst of the flames while Styx carved a path through the hard packed earth.

Like he was a boasting playa in a singles bar.

Pathetic.

“The initial blast knocked out the floor and we dropped into the basement before the actual explosion swept through the house,” he murmured, keeping his tone light. “We were able to avoid most of the flames.”

Her eyes narrowed, easily able to sense there was more to the story than he revealed, but before she could grill him, her eyes widened abruptly, and she struggled to sit up.

“Sadie,” she rasped.

He pressed her back onto the pillow with a gentle but relentless hand.

“You don’t have to worry about the cur. She’s gone.”

“Gone.” Her distress only deepened. “She’s going to warn Caine. You have to stop her.”

He cupped her cheek, his thumb rubbing the satin skin of her cheek in a soothing motion.

“You made certain that Sadie won’t be talking with anyone but the grim reaper.”

“She’s dead?”

“Yes.”

There was a beat, then the green eyes flashed with unmistakable satisfaction.

“Good.”

Unable to resist, Jagr bent down to lightly brush his lips over her brow. He loved that fire that burned deep inside her.

The fire of a survivor.

“I agree, but I would have preferred you would have killed her before letting her shoot you full of silver bullets,” he murmured.

“Me, too. They hurt like a bitch.” She shifted to glance down at her chest, frowning as she caught sight of the lingering wounds. “Are they out?”

The air chilled as he fought back the memories of cutting the bullets from her broken body. The image would be seared into his mind for all eternity.

“I removed them before we brought you back to Tane’s.”

“How long have we been here?”

“A few hours.”

She frowned. “I should be healed, shouldn’t I?”

“The silver did a lot of damage.”

Shifting, he stretched out on the mattress, pulling her into his arms so he could hold her close. He paused, waiting to see if she would pull away. When she instead snuggled closer, he swallowed a moan.

This is what fate had intended.

This female completed him in a way he’d never dreamed possible.

“Have they found my sister?” she demanded, her voice thick as she tried to hold back the healing darkness.

“I haven’t spoken with Salvatore or Levet. I doubt if they’ve had time to search yet.” His hand cupped the back of her head as he settled it more firmly against his chest. “Your work is done, little one. You must rest.”

She gathered enough strength to poke him in the side. “You should know better than to give me orders, chief.”

“If you don’t like me giving you orders, then get well enough to get out of this bed and stop me.”

“Bully.”

He dropped a kiss on top her head. “Sleep.”

“Jagr?” she murmured as her eyes drifted shut.

“Yes?”

“Will you stay?”

His heart clenched. This time with Regan was a moment out of time. He intended to savor every second.

“For as long as you need me, little one.”

With a soft sigh, she slung her arm over his body and gave into the inevitable.

Tugging her even closer, Jagr allowed the midnight jasmine to soothe away his lingering pain and heal his wounds. Although he still needed to feed to regain his strength, he realized that the gentle magic in Regan’s touch was swiftly healing the last of his injuries.

Yet more proof she was his intended mate.

Drinking in the bittersweet pleasure of simply holding her close, Jagr didn’t stir as he felt the encroaching presence of Styx.

His respect for the ancient vampire had gone up a great deal over the past few hours.

Not only had Styx remained unruffled as the house had fallen on their heads, but he hadn’t hesitated to trust Jagr to hold back the wall of flames as he calmly blasted a hole in the thick cement and forged a path through the heavy dirt.

It was that trust that had altered something deep inside Jagr.

He hadn’t wanted to be a part of a clan. He didn’t need brothers, or a leader, who cared whether he lived or died.

He just wanted to be alone.

Now he was forced to accept that he’d felt…pride at Styx’s faith in his ability.

Not that he was ready to leap into vampire society. Nor had he forgotten that it was Styx who sent him to Hannibal in the first place.

The cunning old Aztec had a great deal to answer for.

Entering the bedroom, Styx leaned against the doorjamb and studied the two lying on the bed. In the candlelight, his face looked like polished bronze, and his massive form was covered in black leather and sharp weapons.

Jagr impulsively shielded Regan with his larger body. Not that he feared Styx would cause her harm. What little brains he had left understood the Anasso had pledged his life to protect his sister-mate. Still, his instincts refused to be denied.

Thankfully, Styx seemed accustomed to deranged vampires, and with a faint smile, he nodded his head toward the half-hidden woman.