The Darkest Pleasure (Lords of the Underworld #3)(81)

She held up a hand and gave a shake of her head. Why wasn't he accusing her of lying about knowing nothing more? "What are you talking about?"

"The men in prison, the ones housing the demons we released."

"Like that matters now! Will you just let me finish? Please. This is important. Life or death."

His eyes narrowed, but he said no more.

"Hunters are about to attack the fortress. You have an hour, probably less, until they arrive."

"You were painting earlier," Reyes said as if she hadn't spoken. Still, his expression gave nothing away. "Where is the canvas?"

Her gaze flicked to Lucien, then back to Reyes. What the hell? She'd laid everything on the line, admitted her crime, and that was all Reyes had to say to her? She'd told him men were about to storm his home, weapons blazing, and he only cared about her paintings?

"I would have been here sooner," Lucien said, "but souls were calling and I could not resist them. I was able to flash here for a moment, but you didn't see me. As Reyes said, you were painting. I must see that canvas, Danika."

"I'm not telling you where it is! Not until someone explains why you don't seem to care about the Hunters. They plan to capture you and suck your demons out. They're even looking for the box."

Something glistened in Reyes's eyes. What, she didn't know. It was dark and dangerous, both exciting and perilous. "Torin has the entire hillside monitored. He knew the moment they stepped onto the property, and he's already taken several out."

"The Darkest Pleasure"

Taken several out. Aka killed them. Danika rubbed her stomach in a vain attempt to calm its sudden turmoil. "So Stefano lied to me? They're not waiting an hour but have already begun attacking?"

"Yes, he lied. He didn't trust you," Lucien said. "My guess is he told you to go to the...roof?"

Dazed, she nodded.

"He told you to go there because he expected you to do the opposite. They have troops on the ground and they could have snapped you up. Now, what do you know about the box? Any small detail could be useful, but tell me quickly for I am needed outside."

Her gaze settled on him. Looking at him was easier than looking at Reyes. Gave her heart time to slow and her lungs time to expand. "I've already told Reyes everything I know about it, and that's very little."

"Do you know where it is? Where the other demon-keepers are? If they're still imprisoned?"

"No to both questions. I don't know."

"Would your grandmother?"

"You'll have to ask her." She prayed he got the chance.

Lucien's head tilted to the side. "Paris had a vision of you." His oddly colored eyes seemed to swirl, beckoning her. The scent of roses suddenly filled the room. "In it, you were cupping the box in your hands. You were smiling."

Incredulity tumbled through her, and she laughed. "That's impossible."

"If you know something..." Closer and closer Lucien stepped.

She wanted to run, but her feet were rooted in place, holding her captive. And then she didn't want to run anymore. The warrior stood right in front of her, a whisper away, and that rose-scent invaded her every cell. Her mind floated to the clouds. Utter relaxation softened all of her muscles. Whatever he says, I'll do. Happily.

"What do you know, Danika? Tell me."

"Nothing," she said, head lolling forward. She was going to fall and couldn't stop herself. Part of her didn't want to stop.

Reyes was suddenly there, his arm around her waist keeping her upright. He was strength and heat and chased away the cold. "That is enough, Lucien."

"Reyes," Lucien snapped, and it was the most callous she had ever heard the man.

"No," Reyes replied, equally harsh.

"I didn't betray you," she said. She rested her cheek against his chest, praying he believed her. She'd allowed herself to care for him. She couldn't lose him. Not now.

"I know." His fingers rubbed her hip, up and down.

"Wait. What? You know?"

"Yes."

She tossed up her arms. "Well, why were you angry with me?"

"Angry? I was not angry."

"You stormed away from me. You barely even looked at me."

"Angel," he said on a sigh. His hand lifted and he cupped her jaw, angling her to face him. "I am new to this sense of...caring. I hated that you were speaking to a Hunter, I worried for your safety and I did not want to scare you away with my fervency. Also, I knew you were trying to protect me when you lied to the Hunter about the number of warriors here. But I also knew you had created problems for us that you didn't intend."

"I don't understand."

"Now they think we are all here, when there are only a few. They will send more men, bring more weapons."

The heat drained, totally and completely. "I'm sorry. I didn't think...I just thought...Like Lucien said, Stefano doesn't trust me," she said. "He might assume I was lying. He might think only a few of you are here."

"I can bring the others here," Lucien said. "We'll be prepared for the worst."

Oh, God. There was going to be a fight, after all.

"Don't worry," Reyes said. "All will be well. Now. The painting," he reminded her. "Get it for us. Please. We need to see if what you created means anything or can help us."