Hunt the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #11)(55)

“Las Vegas?” she suggested, recalling Roke saying his clan was within easy distance of Sin City.

He gave a dip of his head. “Of course. Are you ready?”

Sally shut down her brain.

It was the only way to halt the shrill voice in the back of her mind that was screaming she couldn’t trust a strange imp who just happened to show up when she needed him the most. And that even if the fey could be trusted, she was a fool to willingly put herself in the hands of Roke’s clan.

She didn’t have a choice.

If she didn’t do something quick, Roke was going to die.

She knew it in the very depths of her soul.

“Yes.”

The male studied her pale face for a long, silent moment before lifting a hand to weave a pattern in midair. Slowly a shimmer began to appear, growing wider with every pass of his slender hand.

Sally felt an odd sensation bloom deep inside her. Was she reacting to the portal? Or was it the imp magic that was stirring a pulse of power that flowed through her blood?

She shook her head. What did it matter?

Once he was satisfied his portal was stable, the imp held his hand toward Sally, nodding toward Roke.

“Hold on to the vampire.”

Sucking in a deep breath, she placed her hand in the imp’s and then slid her arm under Roke’s neck, leaning down to press her lips to his icy forehead as the imp pulled the portal toward them.

Not sure what to expect, Sally stiffened as the prickles of energy raced over her body, an explosion of colors swirling around her as if she could actually see the magic of the portal.

The imp made a sound of wonderment, his eyes wide as he studied the whirling kaleidoscope.

“Astonishing,” he murmured. “It’s never been like this.”

Sally didn’t know if he was referring to the colors or the sensations of being sucked through space at supersonic speed, and she didn’t have time to ask as they came to a sharp halt. Holding tight to Roke, she watched as the colorful display slowly dissipated, revealing a vast desert shrouded in darkness.

“This is it,” the imp murmured.

Sally nodded, her gaze skimming the distant mountains before turning her attention toward the glowing lights of Vegas that lit the night sky even miles away.

“How far are we from the vampires?”

“Not far enough for my comfort.” The imp shuddered, pointing south. “They’re rapidly approaching.”

She pressed another kiss to Roke’s forehead. “Thank the goddess.”

Careful not to startle her, the imp crouched beside her, his expression troubled.

“You’re certain?”

Nope. Not in the least.

“Roke needs them.” Was her only answer.

“You can leave him here and return through the portal with me,” the imp said. “A Chatri should not be in the hands of vampires.”

“I’m not a . . .” She gave a futile shake of her head. What did it matter? “I’ll be fine.”

“I hope so.” He shot an anxious glance toward the thickening shadows. “They’re almost here.”

“Go,” Sally urged.

The imp hesitated, clearly torn between a desire to stay and offer her protection and a fear of the approaching demons.

It was the burst of frigid power that filled the air that had him performing a hasty bow and stepping back into the portal.

“Take care.”

Sally ignored her stab of fear as the imp disappeared. It was too late for regrets.

She was here to keep Roke from dying.

Nothing else mattered.

Bent low over her mate, Sally watched as the two approaching silhouettes solidified into a large male and much smaller female.

Another surge of fear clenched her heart. The male was bigger and bulkier than Roke with long, dark hair pulled into a braid. His features were broad and his eyes a light brown. The woman, on the other hand, looked like a puff of wind might blow her away.

Short and slim, she was wearing spandex bike pants and a sports bra that emphasized her tiny dimensions. She had golden curls pulled from a heart-shaped face and big, blue eyes. She might have looked like a china doll if not for the frigid hate that was etched on her delicate face.

Oh, and the big-ass fangs that glistened in the moonlight.

Of the two, Sally was much more terrified of the female.

“It’s him,” the woman said, her feral gaze trained on Sally. “What have you done to our chief, witch?”

“Nothing.” Sally swallowed the lump in her throat. “I mean—”

“Check the area,” the female interrupted, speaking to her companion. “I smell fey.”

The male instantly obeyed the command, proving Sally’s instincts had been right. The female was the more dangerous.

Which meant, Sally had to convince her that they didn’t have time to screw around with the usual preliminaries.

“You must listen to me,” she said in urgent tones. “Roke has been poisoned.”

“Poisoned?” The vampire frowned. “With what?”

“I don’t know. We were attacked by a demon and he shot him with a dart.” Sally bit off her words, realizing she was babbling. “That’s why I brought him here.”

The icy blue eyes narrowed. “He dies, you die. Got it?”