Hunt the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #11)(96)

He was once again the godlike creature from the meadow.

His golden hair flowed over his shoulders, held back by the silver band that was no longer tarnished. His face was chiseled perfection and his amber eyes shimmered with shards of jade. Even his robe had returned to its flawless white satin.

With a low groan, Sally was on her feet and glancing toward her mate who had his arms wrapped around the Nebule as it continued to pummel him with waves of deadly vibrations.

“Roke.”

She started forward only to be halted when her father grabbed her shoulder.

“Do not be a fool. You’ve been weakened,” he chided, his voice so rich and compelling she had to battle against the urge to gaze at him in dazzled wonder. “The Nebule could hurt you.”

He was right, damn him.

She hadn’t even noticed how much energy Sariel had drained from her to destroy the barrier. Not until she realized her knees were threatening to buckle and her eyes weren’t entirely focused.

“Then help him,” she commanded.

“Why?” Sariel demanded in genuine confusion. “The Nebule can rid us of the pesky vampire and then I can put an end to the Nebule. Far more efficient.”

“I don’t want to be rid of the vampire,” she snapped. “If you won’t help, then I will.”

Meeting her death glare he gave an impatient click of his tongue. “Very well.” With a liquid grace, the Chatri moved forward, stepping around Roke as he directly confronted the Nebule. “Stay out my way, leech. Raith and I have unfinished business.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Sariel reveled in his freedom as he moved forward, his power flowing through him.

For years he’d been held prisoner by the lowest scum of a demon.

Him. The King of the Chatri. The leader of the ancient fey who had been feared and respected by all.

It was a disgrace that he would be forced to bear for the rest of his very long life. But he could help to ease the shame by destroying the Nebule as slowly and painfully as possible.

“Stand aside, leech,” he commanded, his gaze locked on the bastard who’d dared to hold him captive. “Raith and I have unfinished business.”

The vampire peeled back his lips to reveal his fangs as Sariel swept past him.

“Happy to f*cking meet you, too,” he growled, forcing himself back to his feet. “And you’re welcome.”

Sariel glanced over his shoulder. “For what?”

“For coming to your rescue.”

Sariel waved a dismissive hand. Did the leech actually expect him to appreciate his presence?

Absurd.

“I knew my daughter would come,” he said, forgetting the vampire as he turned to meet Raith’s horrified gaze.

“Daughter?” The creature shook his head. “That’s impossible. The Chatri have retreated from the world.”

Sariel eyed his enemy with cold anticipation. “I am the King of the Chatri. My blood can create gold out of dross.”

“But . . .” The Nebule hissed in sudden fury. “The witch.”

“Yes.” Sariel’s smug smile hid his initial shock when he’d first felt the witch’s spell that had reached even through the barrier.

Her desperation for a child had not only drawn his attention, but it’d given him the perfect solution to escaping from his prison.

If she wanted a baby, he would give her one.

A very special one.

The air trembled as Raith’s goat eyes smoldered with a slit of crimson.

“I should have tracked her down and killed her.”

“I knew in time your arrogance would be my eventual means for escape.”

Raith tried to covertly back away. Did he think Sariel would actually allow him to escape?

“You call me arrogant?”

“I call you a fool.” Sariel held up his hand, cold anticipation bubbling through him like the finest nectar. “Now you will pay.”

“No.” Holding out his hands, Raith went to his knees. “We can work out a bargain. I have acquired a fortune over the centuries.”

Sariel took satisfaction in the sight of his captor pleading for his life.

A pity he couldn’t take the creature to his homeland. It would be far more satisfying if he could prolong the Nebule’s torture for several centuries rather than a handful of minutes.

Unfortunately, the spells he’d woven around the entrance to the lands of the Chatri had been specifically created to kill a Nebule who dared to trespass.

“You have nothing I want,” he informed the pathetic demon.

“You don’t know that.” Raith paused, clearly trying to think of something that might tempt a Chatri. “I’ve collected priceless gems and magical artifacts,” he at last offered.

Sariel considered less than a heartbeat.

It was true that Chatri were addicted to collecting wealth. Only dragons could claim larger hoards of gems, precious metals, magical artifacts, and knowledge. And as king, his hoard was larger than any other.

The temptation to increase his wealth wasn’t something he would have dismissed so easily if he hadn’t been plotting for years to destroy this creature.

Focusing his power to a narrow band, he directed it to wrap around the kneeling demon. Like a lasso of light that seared into the Nebule with intense pain.