When Darkness Ends (Guardians of Eternity #12)(68)

“A Compulsion spell?” the vampire shrewdly deduced.

Cyn shrugged. “That would be my guess.”

Fallon frowned, abruptly realizing that they were missing an obvious flaw in their reasoning.

“If the magic-user completed his spell and has the Commission under his sway, why is he waiting? Shouldn’t he be forcing the Oracles to close the dimensions?”

“I was trapped by the witches for over three hundred years,” Dante said, his anger toward those who held him captive a tangible pulse in the air. “Controlling more than one person with compulsion is massively difficult. I know less than a dozen witches who are capable of compelling more than two or three humans at a time. To try and leash a dozen Oracles . . .” He shuddered. “It would take more power than I can even imagine.”

Cyn tapped his finger on the smooth surface of the desk, clearly in deep thought.

“Or several layers of lesser magic,” he at last said.

Dante nodded. “Yes. That would make sense.”

“You mean he performed the spell several times?” Fallon asked.

“Aye,” Cyn agreed. “And each one tightens the magic-user’s control over the Oracles.”

Fallon absently chewed her bottom lip. “But when he does—”

“He can command them to cast the spell,” Cyn finished her terrifying thought.

Dante’s expression was grim as he placed his hands on his hips.

“Do you want me to try and track down the witches that were connected to Edra’s coven?”

Cyn nodded. “It would be a start.” He paused as he pulled out his phone, his brows pulling together as he read the incoming text. “It’s Styx,” he muttered. “He wants us in Chicago.”

“Now?” Dante asked.

“Aye.” Cyn’s frown deepened. “Bloody hell.”

Fallon rose to her feet, instantly concerned. “What is it?”

“He wants me to bring the gargoyle.”

“Levet’s here?” Dante growled.

With exquisite timing, the diminutive gargoyle stepped into the room, his wings dazzling in the firelight.

“Did someone call?”

Dante rolled his eyes. “Why me?”

Levet scrunched his snout, sending the dark-haired vampire a mocking glance.

“Clearly you were created beneath a lucky star.”

Sensing the brewing violence, Fallon hurriedly crossed to put herself between Levet and the scowling males.

“We must travel to the King of Vampires,” she informed the tiny demon.

“Ah.” Levet gave a small sniff. “I suppose I am expected to save the world once again?”

“It’s quite likely,” Fallon agreed.

“Truly?” The gray eyes widened with horror. “Mon Dieu.”

Dante strolled forward. “I thought you enjoyed being Savior of the World?”

Levet’s tail twitched as he cleared his throat. “Of course I do, but it hardly seems fair to constantly pig out all the glory.”

“Pig out?” Cyn demanded, moving to stand beside his friend.

“Hog, you imbecile,” Dante said with a shake of his head. “It’s hog all the glory.”

“Tout ce que,” the gargoyle said. “I feel I should allow some other demon to enjoy the pleasure of being a savior.”

Cyn gave a short laugh. “Very generous.”

“Oui.” Levet preened, ignoring the blatant sarcasm. “I am a giver.”

“You’re something, all right,” Dante muttered.

Fallon hid her delight with Levet. It was rare for two vampires to be so obviously annoyed by such a little creature. He clearly had a special talent.

Still, she didn’t want to see him harmed.

“We should go,” she said, heading out of the library to lead the way back to the foyer.

Once there, she concentrated on reopening the portal she’d so recently closed.

She’d just stabilized the portal when she felt the brush of cool fingers along the nape of her neck. Fallon shivered, her entire body going up in flames.

Damn. How did he do that?

One touch and all she wanted was to melt into his arms.

“It won’t be too much of a strain to take all of us through the portal?” he softly demanded, speaking low enough so his question wouldn’t carry.

Clearly he didn’t want to embarrass her if she had to admit she didn’t have the power to transport them.

Her lips twitched. Not by his display of concern. Cyn had already proven that he possessed an instinctive need to protect females. But the fact that he actually accepted she might have a pride that could be wounded . . .

It was a hell of a lot more than her father or Magnus had ever offered her.

No wonder women found him irresistible.

“No,” she assured him. “Once the portal is open, I can easily transport a large number of people.”

“Damn.” Dante’s expression held a hint of admiration. “It’s no wonder the fey worship the Chatri.”

Cyn’s fingers lightly skimmed down her throat, a mysterious smile curving his lips.

“Aye, I worship one of my own.”

She blushed at being the center of attention, hastily reaching to touch Levet’s wing while Dante laid his hand on Cyn’s shoulder.