Devoured by Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #7)(68)

“Marika?” she asked.

“And the mage,” Levet confirmed Tane’s suspicions. “I am going to turn him into a pile of fairy dung.”

She shook her head. “No, we have to get out of here.”

Tane moved to grasp her arm, tugging her away from the carnage.

“Levet, keep watch,” he ordered, his narrowed glance warning he wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.

Perhaps sensing Tane’s hidden motive, the gargoyle gave a ready nod.

“Oui.”

He maneuvered Laylah behind a large oak before she dug in her heels and narrowed her gaze. The gargoyle wasn’t the only one to guess his motive. “Don’t even think about it.”

He held her furious gaze. “Laylah, you must shadow walk.”

“And leave you and Levet here to die?” “Your faith in my skills is always heartwarming,” he said wryly.

“You’re surrounded, outnumbered, and my lunatic aunt is out there with a powerful mage,” she said without apology. “What do you think your odds are?”

“They would be considerably better if you weren’t here.”

She winced at his brutal honesty. “What?” she muttered. “I pricked your pride now you have to insult me?”

He released his grip on her, folding his arms over his chest. He refused to back down.

He couldn’t force Laylah to obey him, but he was happy to use whatever emotional blackmail necessary.

“Think, Laylah. Your aunt and her horde from hell are searching for you. Once you’re gone she won’t have any reason to continue her attack.”

She frowned. “You can’t be certain.”

“Marika’s crazy, not stupid.”

“What does that mean?”

“She’s not going to risk her warriors on a bunch of wood sprites and a vampire who has no value to her.”

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, unable to deny the truth of his words.

“I … I can’t.”

“You have no choice,” he ruthlessly pressed. “You claimed the child as your own. Now you must protect him.”

Her lips tightened as a battle between loyalties raged inside her. At last, her fierce need to protect the innocent child in her arms overwhelmed all else.

“Damn you,” she muttered, stepping back as she prepared to enter the mists.

Relief blasted through him, but his primitive instincts had him moving forward to kiss her with a stark promise.

“Laylah,” he whispered, careful to avoid contact with the child in her arms.

“What?”

“Don’t think this is over.” He pulled back, his face hard with resolve. “I’ll find you.”

She met him glare for glare. “If you get yourself killed …” “Go.”

With one last kiss, he spun away and headed back to Levet, but even with his back turned he felt the moment she disappeared.

It wasn’t the absence of her soft breath. Or the prickling heat of awareness he felt when she was near.

It was the gaping hole in the center of his chest.

He absently rubbed the mark that Siljar had seared onto his skin, as if it might ease the icy emptiness.

God almighty.

He was in deep shit.

As if to emphasize the point, he stepped through an opening in the trees to be greeted by a half dozen Sylvermyst warriors advancing with their crossbows raised.

“Arrows.” Levet heaved a tragic sigh. “Must they be so predictable?”

Tane wasn’t nearly so dismissive. A wooden arrow through the heart would make for a very bad night. Besides, they hurt like a bitch coming out.

“Hard to beat the classics,” he said, halting a step behind the gargoyle as the tiny demon lifted his hands to launch a fireball at the encroaching enemy.

“True.” Levet glanced over his shoulder with a smirk. “And they are most effective against vampires. Always the mark of a fine weapon.”

“Not only vampires.” He bared his fangs. “The Sylvermyst are rumored to hex their arrows with spells that make demons impotent.”

The gray eyes widened in pure male horror. “That is not a matter to jest about.”

Tane gave a twirl of his Sylvermyst sword, knocking aside a flurry of arrows.

“Who says I’m jesting?”

“You are truly a wicked man,” Levet muttered.

“So I’ve been told.”

With a flick of his tail, Levet turned back toward their attackers, lobbing another fireball among the trees. The sudden light revealed a tall form standing in the shadows, watching the battle in silence.

The leader.

Tane was certain of it.

Not that he had much opportunity to assess the danger. Dodging the flames, two of the Sylvermyst leapt directly at him, their swords slashing toward his head.

With a speed that no fey could follow, Tane spun to the side, striking out with his sword.

His blow was blocked by a matching sword, the sparks flying through the air. Sensing movement behind him, Tane used his superior strength to shove the fey off balance, turning to meet the second sword thrust.

The blade moved smoothly through the air, speaking of the craftsmanship of the sword. Obviously the Sylvermyst were well armed.

And well trained …