Devoured by Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #7)(61)

“You could have at least given me a heads up that one of the Board of Directors from hell was in the house.”

He shrugged. “There is no way to outrun the Commission, my sweet.”

Fury raced through her. Didn’t he even have the decency to pretend regret?

“I’ve been doing a pretty damned good job of it until you came along,” she gritted. “Over two hundred years and not one Oracle sighting.”

“Only because they allowed you to believe you had escaped their notice.”

Her anger faltered. “What are you saying?”

He slowly moved toward her, the dagger held loosely in his hand and bare feet barely stirring the dirt of the path.

“They’ve known of you from the moment of your conception.”

“But…” She cleared the sudden lump from her throat. “That’s impossible.”

“Nothing is impossible for the Commission.” He held her gaze, willing her to believe his soft words. “They possess powers that make a sane demon shudder in horror.”

The world tilted on its axis.

She’d lived in fear of the Oracles since the day she was born.

They were the boogiemen who gave her nightmares and ruined any hope of a “normal” life.

To think that they hadn’t been after her at all…

Trying to wrap her mind around the enormous implications, Laylah was distracted as he stepped into a pool of moonlight and a strange mark shimmered on his chest.

“Shit.” She reached out to touch the tattoo that pulsed with obvious magic. “What did they do to you?”

“It’s a…” He grimaced. “Reminder.”

“A reminder of what?”

“That I can’t control everything.”

She slowly shook her head, a wrenching pain twisting her heart.

“No. You were punished.” Her gaze lifted to meet the honey gaze that was shielded by his thick tangle of lashes. In that moment she hated the Commission more than she ever had. “You were punished because you helped me.”

His hand pressed her fingers against the tattoo, his beautiful features impossible to read.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“If the Oracles knew of my existence then why did they hurt you?”

In answer he lifted her hand, brushing her palm with his lips before stepping back with an expression that warned he didn’t intend to reveal what had happened between him and the Oracle.

Stubborn, infuriating vampire.

“Where were you going, Laylah?”

She sniffed. Fine. He didn’t want her to feel bad he was tortured because of her, then she wouldn’t.

“I was trying to escape.” She shrugged. “I didn’t have the time or inclination to make out a full itinerary.”

“Don’t try it.” His lips twisted. “For better or worse you’ve bound us together. Lying is a waste of breath.”

Bound them together? Ha. He’d just acted like she had some control over him to lure her into a false sense of security.

“I don’t trust you.”

“Yes, you do.” Holding her gaze, his hand skimmed down her cheek before circling her upper arm in a possessive grasp. “You’re just not ready to admit it.”

She snorted. “Arrogant.”

He leaned down until they were nose to nose. “You’re going to the child, aren’t you, my sweet?”

“No one invited you along, vampire,” Levet muttered.

The golden gaze never shifted from her face. “Your assistance is no longer required, gargoyle.”

The shocking desire to close the small distance and press her lips to his had Laylah stepping backward.

Gods. He was making her crazy.

“I will decide whose assistance I want,” she snapped. “Levet is coming with me.”

“Merci, ma petite.” Levet’s wings fluttered as he flashed Tane a smug smile. “There are some who lack the taste to appreciate my exquisite charm.”

Tane’s eyes narrowed. “I also lack the taste to appreciate chewing on glass, being skinned alive, and reruns of the Rosanne Barr show. Call me crazy.”

Laylah heaved a resigned sigh.

Obviously there was no getting rid of the damned vamp.

Why not give into the inevitable and take advantage of his presence?

He was, after all, a powerful warrior who could protect her from most demons.

Even her crazy-ass aunt.

“Can we just go?” she demanded.

Smart enough not to press for a precise destination, Tane glanced toward a nearby farmhouse.

“We’ll need transportation.” He headed toward the surrounding field. “This way.”

They moved in silence, bypassing the barn painted a bright red with a tin roof, and the attached corral that held the pungent odor of pigs.

Laylah was swift to grab Levet’s wing, ignoring his squeal of protest. A gargoyle was like a teenage boy … always hungry and willing to eat whatever crossed his path. Even if it was still rutting in the mud.

She maintained her grip as they passed the henhouse and dog kennel, not releasing him until they entered a long shed that housed the tractors, combines, bulldozer, and shiny new Ford Expedition.

Tane yanked open the driver’s door, but before Laylah could protest his typical male assumption that he would be driving, he laid his hand on the steering column. Instantly the engine fired to life. Laylah lifted her brows. Nice trick.