When Darkness Ends (Guardians of Eternity #12)(31)

Beside her, Cyn made a sound of disgust, his lips parting as if he were about to share his opinion of Levet’s less than subtle style.

But before he could speak there was an ominous electric charge in the air, and without warning Levet was flying backward to hit the wall with a sharp thud before sliding to the ground.

With a muttered oath, Cyn was striding across the floor to grab the gargoyle by the horn, hauling him back to his feet.

“What the hell was that?”

“It would appear that Siljar isn’t in the mood to be bothered right now,” Levet muttered, rubbing his backside.

Fallon bit her bottom lip. That didn’t sound good.

“What does that mean?”

Levet gave a shrug. “Either she is truly busy and does not wish to be disturbed. Or—”

It was Cyn who finished the sentence. “Or she’s under the control of someone, or something.”

Oh hell. It was just as bad as she feared.

“Do you think the person who is trying to manipulate the Commission sent them this spell?” she demanded.

“Aye,” Cyn muttered.

“So what do we do?”

Cyn returned to her side, staring down at the dangerous hieroglyphs.

“I have to discover who is behind the spell.” His jaw clenched. “And stop them before they can force the Commission to cast it.”

She frowned. “Don’t you mean we?”

He sent her a stern glance. “I’m going to take care of this. You need to return to fairyland.”

“Mon Dieu,” Levet muttered, gingerly inching toward the door. “I believe that is my cue to leave.”

Neither of them noticed the gargoyle exiting the room, both intent on winning the glaring contest.

“I was brought here just as you were,” she reminded the arrogant man. “I have a duty.”

His gaze narrowed. “That was before we realized the magnitude of the danger. I’m sure Siljar would agree that you should travel back to your home.”

Fallon tilted her chin. “And I’m sure she’d expect me to complete the task she gave me.”

“Fallon—”

“No,” she interrupted.

It wasn’t that she was particularly courageous. Or that a part of her didn’t want to rush back to her father’s palace where she’d be removed from the danger. But she’d been brought to this world for a reason, and she wasn’t leaving until the job was done.

No matter what the oversized vampire might say.

Turning, she headed for the door.

“Wait,” he growled from behind her. “We aren’t done discussing this.”

Her retreat never faltered. “A discussion implies an equal exchange of ideas. You were giving me a command and expecting me to obey.” Reaching the door, she paused to glance over her shoulder. “I don’t take orders from you.”

A scowl pinched his brows together, his fangs fully displayed, but before he could continue the argument, she was out the door and headed back to her rooms.

Over the next few hours, Fallon spent her time either monitoring the bowls or resting in her bedroom.

She wasn’t hiding from Cyn. Of course she wasn’t.

It was just that . . .

Okay, she’d been hiding. With a grimace, she forced her feet to carry her down the stairs and through the vast catacomb of rooms.

Being around the vampire clan chief was like being thrown into a raging storm.

She’d lived her life in endless golden peace. No changes. No surprises. Just one sunny day after another.

Now she was suddenly staying in a dark castle, spying on demons who could crush her with a mere thought, and stuck with a vampire who turned her into a woman she didn’t recognize.

She should have been horrified. Instead, she’d never felt more alive.

Suddenly she was surrounded by a whirlwind of emotions. Fear, annoyance, excitement, and a potent desire that haunted her even when she was asleep.

It was no wonder her instincts were warning her to try and minimize the impact of this world on her.

It would be hard enough to return to her homeland when this strange adventure came to an end. How much harder would it be if she allowed herself to become even more addicted to the intoxicating feelings that sizzled through her?

But waking just as dusk was falling, Fallon had come to a firm decision.

No more hiding.

She didn’t know how much time she was going to have in this world. She was going to savor every second.

With her decision made she’d hopped into the shower, then defiantly pulled on the jeans and lavender sweater that Cyn had given her. With her hair left loose to tumble down her back and her cheeks flushed, Fallon barely recognized herself in the mirror.

Gone was the perfectly groomed princess, and in her place was the real woman beneath the façade.

Her father would be horrified.

Moving from room to room, Fallon had finally halted in the paneled chapel, her fingers reaching to lightly trace the delicately carved altar. She didn’t need to be told that it was the work of Cyn. It was obvious in every perfect line and curve that created the image of a sturdy tree growing out of the tiled floor.

Right on cue Fallon felt the distinct chill that warned a vampire was approaching.

Slowly turning, she watched as Cyn appeared from the shadows, her breath squeezed from her lungs as she took in his large body covered by a pair of faded jeans and a cashmere sweater that was the precise jade green of his eyes. His blond hair was still damp from the shower and the braids that framed his bluntly chiseled face were threaded with tiny glass beads that caught the dim candlelight.