Levet (Guardians of Eternity #9.5)(18)

Elijah turned to wrap the bemused nymph in his arms even as the two gargoyles took another step forward.

“Ummm . . . maybe we could discuss this later?” Levet murmured, delighted that the foolish vampire had at last confessed his feelings, but wishing he’d chosen a more suitable time and place.

For all his newfound confidence, he was fairly certain he couldn’t defeat two full-grown gargoyles at the same time.

Even Batman had a sidekick.

Indifferent to the danger, Elijah studied Valla’s upturned face with open adoration.

“Of course I love you, you stubborn female,” he said in husky tones. “What do you think I’ve been trying to tell you for the past six hours?”

She blushed. “I thought you wanted me to become your mistress.”

He shook his head. “Not my mistress. My mate.”

“Mate?” Her blue eyes widened with shock. “Are you sure?”

“Why else would I find the most ridiculous reasons to show up on your doorstep? Why would I all but ignore my duties to spend time with you? Why would I hire twenty different chefs until I found one who baked your favorite raspberry tarts just like you wanted them?”

“Oh.” She blinked, her shaky hands lifting to touch his face. As if she had to make certain he was real. “You made me think that you were just worried about me.”

“I’m worried about me,” he growled. “I can’t live without you.”

“Oh, Elijah,” she breathed, tilting back her head as he claimed her lips in a kiss of sheer joy.

Levet tugged on the vampire’s pants as Claudine raised her massive foot, clearly aiming at his head.

“Oui. This is all very touching,” he said. “But we are about to be squashed like bugs.”

Lifting his head, Elijah pointed a hand at the female gargoyle.

“Don’t even think about it.”

Claudine reluctantly lowered her foot, but the ground shook as her power filled the air.

“Give me the gargoyle, vampire, or pay the price.”

A nearby bench crumbled into a pile of marble dust as Claudine released a trickle of her magic. Elijah frowned.

“You’re starting to annoy me.”

Ian puffed out his chest. “Then give us the gargoyle.”

The vampire tucked his golden-haired companion behind him as the temperature dropped by several degrees.

Elijah was clearly done playing.

“No.”

“Why?” Claudine snapped. “He can’t mean anything to you.”

“He made me realize how blind I’ve been.” Elijah smiled. Not the most comforting sight considering his massive fangs that gleamed with a snowy white in the moonlight. “That’s enough for me.”

“Fine.” Claudine lifted her hand. “Then you will feel my wrath.”

“Sacrebleu.” Levet’s wings twitched in annoyance. “What a breeze hard you are.”

The beady gray gaze jerked in his direction. “Breeze hard?” the female rasped.

Valla cleared her throat, still hidden behind Elijah. A wise choice. One tiny mark on her white satin skin and the vampire would go nuclear.

“I believe he means blowhard,” she explained.

“How dare you,” Claudine screeched. “I will turn you into—”

“Oh, shut up.” Levet lifted his hands to send a bolt of magic directly at the bane of his existence, astonished that it didn’t sputter and die.

He was, after all, weary to the bone.

There was the sound of sizzling; then Claudine gave a cry of pain as she went sailing backward, taking out two benches and a lamppost before hitting the building behind her.

“Nice shot,” Elijah murmured, flowing forward to block Ian’s massive fist heading in Levet’s direction.

“Merci,” Levet thanked his companion, shuddering as Elijah squeezed hard enough to crush the bones in Ian’s hand.

“Non . . . please,” Ian panted, his tiny eyes bulging with pain as a layer of ice began to crawl over his scaly skin, turning it from gray to blue.

“Are you done playing?” Elijah murmured softly.

“Oui.”

Elijah dropped the gargoyle’s hand. “Then get your companion and get out of here.”

Edging backward to keep his gaze on the lethal clan chief, Ian grabbed Claudine’s arm and yanked her to her feet.

The female gargoyle gave a groggy shake of her head, her hand pressed over her injured chest as she glared at Levet.

“This isn’t over, brother,” she hissed.

Elijah stepped forward, his power lashing through the air with enough force to make the large gargoyles shiver in pain.

“Not only is it over, I will warn you that if you dare to harm Levet while he is in my territory I will make certain that the entire Guild is punished,” he said, his voice sending a hidden dew fairy fleeing in fear. “Do I make myself clear?”

“But . . .”

“Oui,” Ian interrupted Claudine’s whining, tugging her to the center of the garden. “It is very clear.”

“Bon. Now leave,” Elijah commanded.

With a flap of their leathery wings, the two large demons were in the air and disappearing among the tiled rooftops.

Levet smiled. It had been years since he’d been forced to leave this city he so dearly loved.