Devoured by Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #7)(19)

“Which only means that they are conveniently gathered for a lynching.”

Unable to deny her accusation, he smoothly slid into diversion mode.

Any warrior knew that a timely distraction was as effective as a full out attack.

“If they didn’t lynch Cezar then you should be safe enough,” he said with a shrug.

She awkwardly shifted the sleeping gargoyle still clutched in her arms.

“Who is Cezar?”

“A brother of mine who was reckless enough to mate the newest Oracle.”

“There’s another one? Perfect.” She glared at him as if it were entirely his fault that Anna had been revealed as the latest Oracle a few weeks before. “You’re just overflowing with good news.”

“A new Oracle is always a sign of coming trouble.”

“Like a mule-headed Charon?”

“Like a bad omen.” He grimaced. He wasn’t an adrenaline junkie who liked playing hero, nor did he subscribe to the theory it was thrilling to “live in interesting times.” He did his duty and returned to the privacy of his lair where he could indulge his various hungers and forget his past. The sense of looming danger was something that he had done his best to ignore, preferring the ostrich approach. But now … now he couldn’t entirely shake the disturbing premonition that this Jinn was somehow involved in the big bad future. And that an unseen hunter was stalking her. A thought that sent a shocking bolt of fury through him. “Believe me, if they didn’t consider the pleasure of continuing their torment of Cezar worthy of their attention, then you’re nothing more than a blip on the radar.”

She regarded him with blatant suspicion. “If I’m so unimportant, then why were you bothering to chase me at all?”

Wicked heat curled through his gut as he slid a lingering glance down her slender body.

“Do I need to remind you?” he husked. “Because I’m ready, willing, and eager to do so.”

The pulse at the base of her throat fluttered in response.

“I don’t doubt you’re always eager.”

He smiled, his gaze deliberately lingering on that revealing pulse.

“There are times when I’m more eager than others.”

She stepped back, the mists swirling around her slender body.

“You must think I’m a moron,” she accused.

“I think you’re feeling cornered and making hasty decisions that might get us all killed,” he soothed, his voice laced with enough compulsion to send a grown Ungmas demon to its knees. “Let me help you.”

Predictably she shrugged off his coercion. The woman was too damned obstinate to be compelled, no matter how powerful he might be.

“I don’t need your help.” Her jaw tightened, a bleak darkness flashing through her eyes. “I don’t need anyone’s help.”

Tane fought back the fierce urge to crush her in his arms and banish her shadows. The same shadows that haunted him. Alone.

Always and forever alone.

“Think, Laylah,” he urged. “You’re no longer protected by whatever spell Caine used to keep you hidden. As soon as you arrive in London you will be vulnerable.” He folded his arms over his chest. “And trust me, a bounty hunter won’t care if they capture you dead or alive.”

“Yeah, like you do?”

“We both know you would be dead if that’s what I wanted.” Her lips thinned at his blunt honesty. “If you’re trying to barter with me I have to tell you that you suck at it.” “It’s never been one of my finer talents.” “Then just spit it out.”

His brows lifted at her imperious tone, even as he hid a smile. Why the hell would he be amused by a creature half his size trying to boss him around?

“If you hope to survive, you’ll need my help.”

She bit her bottom lip, smart enough to know she was going to be a sitting duck, or rather a sitting Jinn, the moment she arrived in London.

“And what would your help consist of?”

He held her wary gaze. “I would do my best to protect you.”

“I could hire bodyguards.”

Was she deliberately trying to offend him?

“You keep reminding me that you’re not an idiot,” he drawled. “There’s no bodyguard you could hire for any amount of money who could match my strength or skill in battle.”

“And so modest.”

“I’m the best. No amount of modesty can change that.”

She paused, continuing to gnaw on her lip. “Do you promise not to try and force me to the Commission?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You know I can’t make that promise.”

“Then stay here,” she snapped.

“Damn you, Laylah.” With a blinding speed, he reached out to grasp her arm, sensing she was a breath from disappearing and leaving him stranded. “You want my promise? You have it.”

“You’d say anything to get out of here.” She held his gaze, refusing to back down. Dammit. That insane courage was going to put her in her grave. “You’re going to have to do better than a promise that isn’t worth jack squat.”

“What do you want?”

There was the briefest hesitation. “I want you to make a wish.”