Devoured by Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #7)(45)

“Look,” she commanded.

Caine swore at the sight of the shimmering hieroglyphic that swirled just above the surface of the wall.

He didn’t know a damned thing about prophecies, but he had seen the peculiar symbols lining the walls of Cassandra’s cave. They were visions of the future.

Visions that powerful demons would commit wholesale slaughter to get their greedy hands on.

“Already? You couldn’t take a few days off?”

Her lips tightened at his impulsive words. “It’s not a faucet. I can’t turn it on and off.”

He bit back a sigh. Of course she couldn’t.

No more than he could head for the front door and run as far as possible from this woman who was destined to lead him straight to disaster.

Hell, he’d already died.

What could be worse?

Shutting his mind to the numerous, unpleasant answers to his question, Caine reached out to touch the swirling symbol.

“What is it?”

Cassie shifted closer, as if unconsciously seeking his comfort. Without hesitation he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and tucked her against him.

“Gemini,” she whispered.

“The zodiac sign?”

“The alpha and the omega.”

“Still too vague.”

She shivered. “A child.”

“Yeah, that would’ve been my next guess.” He brushed a reassuring kiss over the top of her head, the tender gesture disturbingly natural. “What does it mean?”

“A warning.” The stunning green eyes held a fear that twisted Caine’s gut. “The child must be protected.”

“Protected from what?”

“The darkness.” She shuddered. “Evil.”

“Where is the mysterious child?”

“I’m not sure.”

His lips twisted. Exactly what he’d expected. “Great.”

Tilting back her head, Cassie stabbed him with a fierce gaze. “Caine, he must be protected.”

Chapter 10

It was the middle of the night when the small jet landed on the private airstrip in a remote field south of Chicago.

With a smooth efficiency it was quickly whisked into the small hangar, and the landing lights switched off before attracting unwanted curiosity.

Vampires made drug runners look like amateurs when it came to “flying below the radar.”

Laylah tossed aside the glossy magazine that had been filled with painfully gaunt females who were dressed in ridiculous outfits and wearing shoes that looked like torture devises. Of course, the spiked heels would come in handy if she had to spend any more time in the company of vampires. So long as the heels were made of wood.

Something to consider.

The wheels came to a halt, and Laylah was on her feet, moving past the low leather seats that were arranged around small tables and set to easily view the flat screen monitor on the wall.

The elegant décor was carried into the gourmet kitchen and cocktail bar that was fully stocked with delicacies to tempt the most discerning demon. No doubt the bedrooms where Tane was safely tucked in a sealed compartment were equally lavish, but she’d sternly refused to allow herself to leave the forward cabin.

She wasn’t a hypocrite.

Sex with Tane had been …

She shifted through a number of adjectives, but none of them came close to describing the explosive pleasure of Tane’s touch.

The man had serious skills between the sheets.

No, she couldn’t make herself regret giving into temptation, but she also couldn’t ignore her problems that were piling up with frightening speed.

A woman who might or might not be her mother who was being held captive in an unknown location.

A crazy-ass aunt in league with a demented mage who were no doubt hot on her trail.

A child that was soon going to be considered the freaking jackpot for every demon hoping to curry favor with the Dark Lord.

And a ruthless vampire who she suspected intended to turn her over to the Commission the minute she let down her guard.

Yep, it all added up to problems with a capital P.

The door to the jet was tugged open by a uniformed vampire and without missing a step she was headed down the metal stairs and glancing about the hangar. It was larger than she’d first suspected and as bright as day with fluorescent lights running the length of the curved ceiling. It was also immaculate. A testament to Victor’s control over his servants, even an ocean away.

Which meant they’d already been ordered not to let her escape.

She grimaced, ignoring the nearby exit as the intoxicating scent of Tane spiced the air. On some level she’d known she would never have time to flee, even with him locked in the private compartment. It was still annoying as hell.

There was the sound of flapping wings as Levet landed at her side, his ugly little face pinched with displeasure.

“Worst. Airline. Ever,” he muttered, waving his pudgy arms. “No drinks, no peanuts, no in-flight movie. Not even a sexy stewardess waiting to induct me into the Mile

High Club.”

Laylah smiled despite her bad mood. “You were a statue for most of the flight.”

Levet sniffed. “All the more reason to have suitable accommodations when I awoke.”

“I warned you to leave him in London,” Tane’s dark voice wrapped around her, making her flesh prickle with awareness. Damned vampire. “Of course, Victor did warn me not to even consider slipping away without him.”