Devoured by Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #7)(64)

Talk about a freaking death wish.

Steadying her weak knees, she headed toward the narrow path that led into the trees. Over the past hour she’d been plagued by a deepening sense of urgency to get her hands on the child.

As if it was calling out to her.

Nearly reaching the outer fringe of oak trees, Laylah was brought to an abrupt halt when Tane grabbed her upper arm.

“Wood sprites?” he muttered, his tension filling the air with a frigid bite. “You trusted them with a child?”

She didn’t blame him for his skepticism. Sprites were as unpredictable as they were beautiful.

“They owe me.”

He blinked in surprised. “A wish?”

“No, I…” She instinctively cut off her words.

He tugged her around to meet his searching gaze.

“What?”

She blew out a resigned sigh. There was no point in hiding anything now.

Tane knew everything. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

“The Queen was poisoned by a jealous rival,” she confessed. “I was able to save her life.”

Something that might have been respect flared through the honey eyes.

“You’re a healer?”

Gods, was that a blush heating her cheeks?

Next thing she knew she would be batting her lashes and simpering like an idiot.

“I don’t perform miracles, but I can heal most injuries.”

He brushed the back of his hand over that revealing blush. “A rare talent.”

She cleared her throat, trying to sound brisk. “I’ve always assumed it came from my mother’s side of the family since Jinns are a lot happier destroying things than fixing them.”

“Oui,” Levet chimed in, moving to her side. “Gypsies are coveted for their skills in healing.”

Tane scowled at the gargoyle. “We have yet to determine if the vision Laylah was given in London was real.”

Levet sniffed. “Do you think that I would not recognize a faux vision? Moi? The great connoisseur of magic? The …” He came to a sudden halt, a dreamy expression settling on his tiny face. “Mmmmm. Sprites.” With a burst of unexpected speed he was rushing into the trees. “Sorry, ma belle, I will join you later. Much later.”

Laylah rolled her eyes.

So much for the Justice League.

Not that she needed his help …

As if she’d deliberately jinxed herself, the thought had barely whispered through her mind when a dozen sprites stepped out of the shadows.

Her breath snared in her throat, her gaze skimming over the combination of males and females that were attired in the traditional robes that took camo to a whole new level. Even looking at them straight on, the flowing fabric melded perfectly with their background, giving the queasy illusion that they were floating in and out of focus.

She might have been amused if it weren’t for the deadly expressions on the beautiful faces. Oh, and the crossbows that were currently pointed at her heart.

Her gaze never wavered from the line of sprites as Tane cautiously moved to her side. These weren’t the flighty, unpredictable fey that they readily revealed to the demon world. These creatures stood at confident attention with their long hair, that ranged in hues from pure gold to dark red, tightly braided so they could easily reach the swords strapped to their backs.

Warriors.

And prepared to attack.

“I thought they were friends of yours?” Tane muttered.

“Yeah, me too.” She squared her shoulders, meeting the steady gaze of the nearest sprite. “I have been granted safe passage by Eirinn.”

The male sprite shifted his crossbow toward Tane. “The vampire doesn’t have such privileges.”

Tane’s low growl filled the air, sending lesser demons fleeing in fear and causing even the hardened warriors to shudder.

“You really don’t want to play this game.”

“It’s no game, Charon.”

The high, musical voice was the only warning before a tall, slender female stepped into view. Like her warriors, Eirinn, Queen of the Wood Sprites, was attired in a loose robe, although her dark golden hair was left free to cascade down her back and held back with a delicate crown set with an emerald the size of a quail’s egg.

She halted in a pool of moonlight, her beauty so perfect that Laylah would have thrown herself off the cliff if she was stupid enough to consider the numerous ways she failed in comparison.

With a lift of her hand, Eirinn spoke a few words in a foreign tongue. As one the warriors lowered their crossbows. Not that Laylah was reassured.

One wrong twitch and she was fairly certain she would be pinned to the nearest tree with an arrow through her heart.

Tane seemed to come to the same conclusion, and with his typical arrogance shifted until he was standing directly in front of her.

“Is the Welcoming Committee specifically for me or do you share the love with all vampires?” he mocked.

“These are dangerous times,” the Queen said.

“That they are,” Tane agreed, glaring at Laylah as she firmly stepped to his side.

Did he really think she would cower behind him?

Watching them with a narrowed gaze, Eirinn abruptly chuckled, moving forward to link her arm with Laylah’s.

“Come with me, Laylah. Your vampire is distracting my warriors,” she purred, tugging Laylah past her guards with just enough force to warn she wasn’t going to take no for an answer. A faint smile curved her lips. “Unless you’re willing to share?”