Devoured by Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #7)(103)

“He needs his rest.”

“Don’t worry, once we are in our own lair we’ll have Maluhia to ourselves.”

“Our lair.” His expression softened, the heat of his emotions flowing through her like the finest champagne. “I like the sound of that.”

“Me too.” She wrinkled her nose. “Unfortunately …”

He swooped down to claim a brief, all-consuming kiss. “I know, but as much as I hate to admit it, Styx is right. So long as there are those who believe Maluhia is the key to opening the Dark Lord’s prison we must protect him, and there are few places safer than the Anasso’s lair.”

“Plus he wants to make certain Maluhia isn’t a threat,” she couldn’t resist adding.

Tane snorted. “In the beginning, now I suspect he just wants an excuse to fuss over him.”

Laylah’s brief flare of annoyance swiftly faded. She hadn’t been happy when she’d first arrived in Chicago, knowing that the vampires suspected Maluhia was some sort of Trojan horse.

But it hadn’t taken long for her son to melt the hearts of even the most suspicious demons.

The last time she’d seen Styx he had Maluhia tucked in one arm and was pointing out the various constellations as they strolled through the rose garden.

She smiled. “I have to admit that it’s an amazing sight.”

His eyes darkened as he cupped her face in his hand, his thumb brushing her lower lip.

“Not nearly as amazing as you.”

Ready heat rushed through her. Of course, just the thought of Tane was enough to make her hot and sweaty. But before she allowed him to properly distract her, she pressed a hand to his chest.

“Is there any word of Jaelyn or Ariyal?” she asked.

“None.” His brows drew together in concern. “They have simply vanished.”

“What of the other Sylvermyst?”

“Styx has sent out his Ravens, but they haven’t had any luck.”

Laylah shook her head. “They couldn’t have just disappeared.”

“And yet, that’s exactly what they’ve done.” His frustration was tangible. It was echoed in Laylah.

She’d been so certain that it would be an easy matter for the vampires to hunt down Ariyal. It was a surprisingly small world and there weren’t many places to hide.

“And Sergei?” she pressed, even knowing the answer.

Tane knew she was desperate to know the fate of the baby girl. He would tell her the moment he discovered any clue of her whereabouts.

“Nothing,” he confirmed.

Pain clenched her heart. As well as a healthy dose of guilt.

She’d gone over those last moments in the mountain a hundred times, trying to reassure herself that she’d done everything possible to rescue both babies and never quite convincing herself.

She wouldn’t be at peace until the twins were reunited.

“That poor child,” she breathed.

“Laylah, don’t,” Tane murmured, brushing a comforting kiss over her furrowed brow. “For now there’s nothing we can do but protect Maluhia and trust that Jaelyn will eventually send word of her whereabouts. Once we have Ariyal in custody he should be able to locate his missing kin.”

Laylah sighed. So many ifs.

If Jaelyn was still with Ariyal. If the Sylvermyst could be forced to reveal the location of his fellow fey. If Sergei was still with the crazed Tearloch. If the babe was still …

She grimly forced away her gnawing concern. Tane was right. For now there was nothing they could do.

Instead she turned her thoughts to a suspicion that had been nibbling at the edge of her mind.

“Was it just me, or was there a weird vibe between Jaelyn and Ariyal?”

Tane grimaced. “That bastard would give anyone a weird vibe.” “I’m serious.”

He shrugged, his expression revealing his opinion of the handsome, overly arrogant Sylvermyst. “Jaelyn is a hunter.”

Laylah lifted her brows. “What does that mean?”

“She’s been hired to capture the Sylvermyst.” He shrugged. “She won’t let anyone interfere in her duty.”

She shook her head at his smooth confidence. Typical of a male to miss what was beneath his nose.

Lifting her hand, she trailed her fingers down the length of his stubborn jaw.

“I seem to remember you saying something remarkably similar,” she teased. “Nothing would be allowed to interfere in your duty.”

Grabbing her hand, he pressed her fingers to his lips. “I discovered there are some things more important than duty.”

She smiled at the hunger that smoldered in the honey eyes.

“Should I guess what things?”

With a swift motion, Laylah found herself lying flat on her back, Tane’s large body pressing her into the soft mattress. Gently he framed her face in his hands, his expression so tender it made her heart ache.

“You, Laylah,” he said, his voice husky. “You and Maluhia. There’s nothing in the world more important than you and I will devote the rest of my life to your happiness.”

A ridiculous flood of tears filled her eyes at his soft words. Damn. It was so … girly.

“Oh.”

Tane stiffened. “Why are you crying?”