When Darkness Ends (Guardians of Eternity #12)(84)

Even if it meant enduring the less than charming Lise.

“When he started his clan he didn’t choose vampires who were the most dangerous warriors or who had skills that could bring him wealth,” Lise said, her finger tracing a small dragon that was nearly hidden among the ornate patterns in the glass.

“Then how did he choose them?”

“He took in those who needed his protection.”

“Oh.”

Fallon’s heart melted. Just like that.

She’d spent most of her life surrounded by those who believed the pursuit of purity was the ultimate goal. They couldn’t understand that the so-called “flaws” in the lesser fey were what made them so vital. So capable of embracing life with joy.

And so they’d locked themselves away in a virtual prison and convinced themselves that they weren’t bored out of their minds.

Cyn clearly understood that it took more than big muscles or clever tricks to make a worthy clansman.

It took heart, and soul, and a willingness to put the needs of others before themselves.

Lise turned, a wry smile twisting her lips. “I tried over and over to convince him that it was a mistake. After all, gathering the weak and misfits would make us vulnerable to attack.”

“He can be somewhat stubborn,” Fallon said, feeling a ridiculous sense of pride in his refusal to sacrifice his principles. Almost as if she’d started thinking of Cyn as her own.

She hastily shoved aside the dangerous thought, grimly concentrating on her uninvited guest.

“Somewhat?” Lise gave a short laugh. “It’s easier to budge the Cliffs of Moher than to force Cyn into changing his mind.”

“Why didn’t you leave?”

“Because I owed Cyn my life. Besides—” The woman abruptly bit off her words.

“What?”

Lise leaned against the sill, looking all cool and badass.

Damn her.

“The vampires he collected might individually be less than the pick of the litter, but once we came together our talents melded to make us one of the wealthiest, most feared clans in all the world,” she said, her hand once again playing with the dagger at her side. “But it’s a strength that comes from Cyn and the clan’s unwavering loyalty to him. Without him we wouldn’t survive.”

Suddenly Fallon had endured enough.

She was tired, filthy, and in no mood to be polite to a female who clearly considered her some sort of threat.

“Why are you telling me this?”

The blue eyes narrowed. “Because he’s placing you above us.”

Fallon blinked at the unexpected accusation. “That’s not true.”

“Of course it is,” she rasped, abruptly straightening to glare at Fallon with barely leashed anger. “He’s been away from his clan for weeks.”

“That wasn’t my fault.”

“But rather than taking his place as chief and reinforcing our bond as a clan, he’s been pandering to your needs,” Lise continued, overriding Fallon’s protest.

Pandering?

Fallon squared her shoulders. Enough. She didn’t care what this female thought of her, but she’d be damned if she’d be blamed for Cyn’s recent distraction.

“Not my needs,” she denied. “The needs of the Oracles.”

Lise gave a wave of her hand, dismissing Fallon’s claim.

“You don’t know Cyn very well if you think he would let some mystery duty to the Oracles come between him and the people he considers his own.”

Fallon shook her head. What was she being accused of? Enchanting Cyn with some mysterious magic?

“This is much bigger than you seem to believe,” she said in stiff tones.

The blue eyes were hard as sapphires. “Perhaps, but his preoccupation has nothing to do with duty and everything to do with a fairy.”

“Chatri,” Fallon snapped.

“I don’t care.” Lise prowled forward, any pretense of civilization stripped away to reveal the dangerous predator beneath the pretty façade. “All that matters is what you intend to do with Cyn.”

Fallon stood her ground. One hint of weakness and the other woman would devour her.

“Do with him?” she demanded. “What does that mean?”

Lise halted directly in front of her. “If you intend to return to your homeland then you should go now.”

Fallon stiffened, as the vampire at last struck a raw nerve.

She had no homeland.

No place where she belonged.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I doubt I will be welcomed in my father’s palace,” she said with a quiet dignity, struggling to disguise her aching sense of loss.

She wasn’t going to allow the other female to see her vulnerable.

“Then you intend to stay here?” the woman pressed.

“In this world?”

Lise hissed in impatience, “In this lair.”

Fallon unconsciously lifted a hand to her throat, caught off guard by the piercing yearning that flooded through her.

“I don’t . . .” A flush stained her cheeks at the realization of just how badly she wanted this lair to be her home. “I mean—”

“Decide,” Lise snapped.

Fallon abruptly crossed the floor toward the nightstand where she’d left a pitcher of nectar. Anything to hide her expression from the bitch’s unnervingly shrewd gaze.