Fear the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #9)(74)

Levet gave a solemn dip of his head. “Always.”

Pulling away from his mate, Styx turned to cross the empty parking lot. It was too late for a stealth approach. Thank the gods. Six-foot-five Aztec warriors didn’t do sneaky. At least not very well.

Of course, they did do destruction quite well, he consoled himself, slamming his foot against the steel doors. With an ear-piercing screech the doors were wrenched off their hinges and flying across the narrow lobby.

Styx didn’t hesitate. Jogging across the peeling linoleum, he ignored the doors that opened into the warehouse floor and instead headed for the stairs that led to the basement. The air was edged with a distinct chill as he descended into the darkness, and pulling his sword from its scabbard, Styx followed the thickening scent of fairy.

The traitor was near.

Pressing his back against the wall, Styx inched his way down the narrow corridor, slowly entering the room at the end.

A swift glance revealed that it was little more than a six-by-six cement box that had been stripped of everything but a long wooden table that was stained with blood.

An altar?

It would explain why Kostas had run to this location. He no doubt hoped his new mistress would protect him from Styx’s wrath. Where else would he go to seek her assistance, but to the shrine where he worshipped her?

Curling his lips in disgust, Styx stepped through the doorway, briefly glancing toward the fairy who was cowering in the corner. The poor creature was shivering in obvious terror, her deep red hair hanging in tangles around her tear-stained face and her arms wrapped around her naked body. It was her wide gaze, however, that captured Styx’s attention.

Following the direction where she stared in obvious terror, Styx moved to stand directly beside the altar.

“You can drop the shadows, Kostas,” he commanded. “I know you’re here. I smell your worthless ass.”

The musty air stirred, and then the darkness in front of him faded to reveal Kostas.

Wearing a too-tight T-shirt that matched his cammo pants, the vampire gripped a large dagger in his hands. Another dagger was strapped to his waist with two guns holstered on each side of his chest. He looked like a paranoid Rambo on steroids.

With a snort, Styx move forward, his lips twisting with amusement as the large Hunter took a hasty step backward, his hands curled into tight fists. Then, realizing what he’d revealed, the vampire squared his broad shoulders and glared at Styx.

“Did your nasty little pet rock manage to lead you here?” he mocked.

Styx shrugged. “Does it matter?”

“You should be ashamed,” Kostas sneered. “No self-respecting Anasso would need the talents of lesser demons to fulfill his duties. Especially not a stunted gargoyle that has been banned by his own guild. You are a disgrace to vampires.”

Styx flashed his fangs. The savage desire to slash open the bastard’s throat pulsed through him.

It was only the knowledge that he couldn’t afford to destroy the traitor until he was convinced he didn’t have any information that could help to rescue Maluhia that kept him from striking the killing blow.

Then . . . oh then, the bastard was going to become up close and personal with a whole world of hurt.

“You dare to claim that I’ve disgraced myself when you are one who has betrayed your own people?” he accused with frigid disdain. “And for what?” He pointed his sword toward the center of the barren room. “This?”

“You will soon discover.” The dark eyes glittered with a feral hatred. “The child has been delivered and nothing can halt the return of the Dark Lord.”

Styx hissed in pain despite having suspected that Maluhia was in the hands of the evil bitch. Someday very soon he intended to obliterate everyone responsible for the kidnapping. For now, however, he could only try to provoke the traitor into revealing what information he might possess.

“Then shouldn’t you be out celebrating instead of lurking in this filthy basement?” he drawled.

“In good time.”

“Are you sure you haven’t been tossed aside now that you’ve served your purpose?”

Kostas’s grip tightened on the dagger, but he wasn’t stupid enough to try and attack. They both knew that in a fair fight Styx would kick his ass.

“I shall soon have my rewards.”

“When?” Styx continued to prod. “Why the delay?”

“Do you truly believe I would be idiotic enough to reveal the Dark Lord’s plans to you?” the Hunter snarled.

Styx’s scornful laugh filled the room. “No, because you don’t know his—” He stopped with a grimace, silently reminding himself that the Dark Lord was no longer a he. “Her plans. At least no more than any other bottom-feeder might have picked up.”

Kostas puffed out his chest, but Styx sensed his taunting words had hit a nerve. The vampire wasn’t nearly as confident in his new mistress as he wanted Styx to believe.

“A bottom-feeder wouldn’t have been able to steal the babe from beneath your nose.” He deliberately reminded Styx of his failure. “You and those Ravens who think they’re better than the rest of us. Arrogant SOBs.”

The vampire’s jealousy of Styx and his Ravens was a tangible force in the air. Christ, it was no wonder that his festering bitterness had driven him into the service of the Dark Lord. The only surprise was that it took so long.