Devoured by Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #7)(4)

So Tane had led Salvatore’s servants in pursuit of Caine and the mysterious demon who had kidnapped them, not surprised when the cur had abandoned his hostages and fled in the futile hope of avoiding his impending death. What had been surprising was the gargoyle’s insistence that the demon he had sensed was a Jinn half-breed.

Suddenly his simple rescue mission had turned into a hunt for the renegade demon. The Commission had a strict policy. Jinn mongrels were to be captured and turned over the moment they were found.

He had been designated to snag and tag the abomination.

Unfortunately, things had gone to hell from the moment he had charged in pursuit.

For two days he’d trailed behind her, ignoring the realization he could put an end to the chase any time he wanted. He told himself it was mere curiosity. Why was the female so determined to lead him away from Caine’s estate? It had to be something worth risking her life for.

But, curiosity couldn’t explain why he had been plagued with fantasies of having the female locked in his lair, sprawled across his bed with her dark eyes glowing with pleasure. Or why even now the thought of hauling her before the mighty Oracles who made up the Commission seemed a sin against nature.

His brooding glance swept over her delicate features. They were frighteningly familiar. As if they’d been seared into his mind.

It made it easy to notice that there was a growing pallor beneath her perfect skin and shadows beneath the midnight beauty of her eyes.

“I don’t have to tell you anything,” she was muttering, as stubborn as ever despite her growing weakness.

“What’s wrong with you?” he abruptly demanded.

“Nothing.”

“Don’t be an idiot,” he snapped, swiftly scooping her into his arms when her knees buckled. He choked back a groan as he was slammed by the delectable feminine heat and the scent of spring rain. Dammit. The female was going to be the death of him. “It’s obvious you’re unwell.”

She trembled, a thin sheen of sweat glistening on her brow. “I haven’t eaten in days.”

Barely aware he was moving, he carried her to the back of the cavern, gently settling her on the dirt floor before kneeling at her side.

Just like a regular Mary Poppins, he thought wryly.

Except he was a cold-hearted Charon. A vampire so ruthless he was feared by his own brothers.

“I thought Jinn absorbed their energy from their surroundings?”

Her eyes fluttered shut, her breathing shallow.

“As you’ve monotonously pointed out I’m a mongrel,” she husked. “I need food and rest.”

Against his will, Tane brushed his fingers over the smooth porcelain of her cheek, savoring the feel of her satin skin.

“Tell me about your parents.”

“No.”

“Laylah.”

She huffed a sigh at the edge of warning in his soft tone. “I can’t tell you what I don’t know. My foster mother found me abandoned in the sewers of London.”

“So you don’t know anything about who they were?”

“It’s obvious one of my parents was a Jinn. The other…” With an effort she opened her eyes, pretending that his probing questions didn’t bother her. “I don’t have a clue.”

“Do you have powers beyond those of a Jinn?”

“Yeah right. As if I’d tell you.” Her eyes closed again, her expression fretful. “Please just go away and let me rest in peace.”

He gazed down at her delicate beauty, his brows drawn together in a scowl.

Why was he hesitating?

All he had to do was toss her over his shoulders and head for the caves the Commission had taken over south of Chicago. It would take him less than a few hours to be done with the task.

Best of all, he could stop by Santiago’s club on his way back to his lair and relieve his stress with a willing imp. Or ten.

The more the merrier.

Besides, he’d learned a brutal lesson in protecting a dangerous, unstable female.

A lesson that had led to his entire clan being slaughtered like helpless cattle.

Walking among their mangled bodies, he had sworn he would never again put his emotions ahead of his duty.

His fingers tightened on her cheek, then he muttered a curse and straightened.

“Do you eat human food?” he demanded.

“Yes.”

“Remain here.”

Without allowing himself the opportunity to consider the depths of his stupidity, Tane flowed through the darkness of the tunnels, swiftly finding an opening that led to the countryside above.

A swift glance revealed the recently planted fields and farmhouses that slumbered beneath the silver moonlight. In the distance he could catch a glimpse of the Mississippi River and even farther the pinpricks of street lights that revealed a small town.

The typical, sleepy landscape of the Midwest.

Too sleepy for most vampires, but Tane preferred the peace. A bitter smile twisted his lips. And most vampires preferred him to remain in his self-imposed isolation.

Few were comfortable in the presence of a Charon.

Not that Tane allowed their prejudice to bother him. He’d become an executioner of rogue vampires for a reason. And that reason hadn’t changed.

Would never change.

Almost as if to mock his assurance he was alone in the darkness, Tane stiffened and tested the late spring air. What the hell? There were vamps in the area.