Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #9)(14)

Unfortunately, “beggars couldn’t be choosers” and until the Dark Lord was satisfied that Gaius had fulfilled his side of the bargain, he was stuck in this backwoods swamp.

And worse, stuck with allies he neither wanted nor needed.

Leaning against the desk, Gaius smoothed back his dark hair and squared his shoulders as the stench of cur filled the air. There was a sharp knock on the door, but he waited for several long minutes before answering.

He was a master tactician who knew that the most subtle power plays were the most effective. Anyone could be a bully. It took cunning and patience to be a leader.

“Enter,” he at last commanded.

A young man who looked to be thirty in human years entered first. He was built on muscular lines with a square head that was propped on a thick neck. His hair was blond and buzzed in military fashion that was matched by the green T-shirt and cammo pants.

Behind him was a smaller, female version of him, down to the military buzz and cammo pants.

Cristo. He understood Sally’s comment that they were a matched pair.

Strolling forward, the twins halted to stand side by side, their arms folded over their chests.

“Vampire,” the male said with a respectful dip of his head.

Gaius slowly straightened from the desk, his expression one of chilly displeasure. “You will call me Commander.”

Anger sizzled through the cur’s hazel eyes, but he was smart enough to keep his annoyance to himself.

“Whatever floats your boat,” he muttered with a shrug. “I’m Dolf and this is my sister—”

“I do not care who you are or about your tedious life stories,” Gaius interrupted in crushing tones.

The air prickled with the heat of the cur’s mounting frustration.

“And a big f**king hello to you too.”

“This is not a social call.” Gaius flicked a dismissive gaze over the two. “Tell me why the Dark Lord believes mere curs can be of service to me.”

Dolf clenched his jaw. “Because I have powers beyond a mere cur.”

Gaius ignored the hint of sarcasm in the man’s voice. “What powers?”

“This.” Lifting his hand, the cur pointed toward the shelves of books, muttering beneath his breath. There was a brief moment when Gaius wondered if the man was demented; then without warning one of the heavy books flew off the shelf to land on the desk with a loud thud.

Gaius hissed in disgust. Magic. Was the Dark Lord deliberately attempting to test his loyalty by surrounding him with creatures he most detested?

“You’re a witch?” he spat before he could control his reaction. “How is that possible?”

The cur shrugged, obviously accustomed to the question. Not surprising. He might very well be the only magical cur on the face of the earth.

“I was a fully trained witch before I was turned.”

Gaius narrowed his gaze. “Curs hate witches.”

“True.”

“Then how did you get bitten?”

The cur smiled with a smug arrogance. “I can be very convincing.”

Gaius wasn’t impressed. “If that is your only skill, then you and your sister can—”

“Wait,” the cur rasped.

“What?”

“Ingrid.” Dolf glanced toward the silent woman at his side. “Show him.”

Reaching into her back pocket, the female cur withdrew a small cell phone and held it up for his inspection.

“You’re here to sell me a phone?” he mocked.

Ingrid pressed a button on the phone that brought up the picture of a blond-haired man with pale blue eyes.

“I worked for Caine,” she said.

“Caine?” It took Gaius a moment to realize why the name was familiar. “The Were protecting the prophet?”

“Yep.” The cur smiled. “This is his direct line.”

Chapter 4

Las Vegas

The penthouse suite of the casino consumed most of the top floor. Tastefully decorated in muted shades of brown and tan, it had a large sitting room filled with long sofas and overstuffed chairs arranged around a wet bar and hot tub. On each side were matching bedrooms with their own private bathrooms that were as large as most spas.

Such hushed elegance was a welcomed respite from the crowded gaming rooms, but it was the stunning view from the glass walls that attracted most guests.

Caine included, although it wasn’t for the usual reasons, Cassie wryly conceded.

The overprotective Were didn’t care that the view at night offered a dazzling display of lights from the nearby casinos, or that during the day there was a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding desert and line of craggy hills.

His only interest was having the best possible view to make sure that nothing could sneak up on them. And of course, being high enough off the ground to keep anything without wings from sneaking through the window.

Cassie appreciated his concern. She truly did. It was just...

Pacing from one end of the sitting room to the other, Cassie struggled to pinpoint the source of her dissatisfaction. Not an easy task. Cassie rarely remembered that beyond her visions she was a normal female who should possess normal female emotions. And she most certainly never took them out to examine them.

Not until Caine.

So now she was stuck trying to process the bizarre contradictions that were plaguing her.