Bound by Darkness - Alexandra Ivy [88]
“You can use my office.” Viper glanced toward the silent Jaelyn. “I think I’d better make sure there aren’t any other surprises roaming my club.”
The clan chief slid into the shadows and swiftly disappeared as the Anasso waved a hand toward the nearby staircase.
“This way.”
Jaelyn hesitated, impatient to say what needed to be said so she could be on her way.
Thankfully she was impatient, not mental.
If the six-foot-five Anasso with massive fangs and enough power to destroy Chicago wanted her to go upstairs, then by God she’d go upstairs.
It didn’t, however, mean she’d be happy about it.
Climbing the steps Jaelyn allowed herself to be led into a well-appointed office with recessed shelves that were lined with leather-bound books and a stone fireplace on the far wall.
Styx pointed toward one of the wing chairs sitting near the heavy walnut desk, waiting for her to take a seat before heading toward the carved side table and opening the built-in fridge to pull out a bag of blood. With surprising expertise, the vampire poured the blood into a crystal cut glass and popped it into the microwave.
Almost as if he was ... domesticated.
Her inane thoughts were brought to a sharp end as the vampire crossed the dark wood of the floor to press the glass into her hand.
Instinctively she gave a shake of her head, attempting to thrust the glass away.
The dark eyes flared with warning. “Drink.”
“No. I can’t.”
He muttered something beneath his breath about Addonexus and stubborn relics.
“It’s clean and you’re about to collapse.” His voice slid over her with a promise of pain. “I can make it an order if you want.”
“No,” she muttered, gulping down the blood.
He was right. She was dangerously weak after the energy she’d used to survive her brush with dawn and if the Anasso wanted her dead he wouldn’t need to use tainted blood to do it.
Even when his power was leashed it was like a pulsing threat that filled the room.
Removing her empty glass, Styx moved to lean against the corner of the desk, studying her with an unnerving intensity.
“You’re the Hunter who helped Tane and Laylah,” he finally broke the thick silence.
She shrugged. “Our paths crossed.”
“Did you manage to capture the Sylvermyst?”
Jaelyn’s fingers tightened on the arm of the chair, but her training allowed her to meet the dark gaze without flinching.
“My mission has been changed.”
“I see.” He folded his arms over his massive chest. “Well, I don’t actually see, but I presume that it has something to do with the return of the Dark Lord?”
There was just enough of a bite in his voice to warn that he didn’t like the thought that he might be out of the loop.
Control freak?
Naaaaw.
“The child is in the hands of Tearloch and his pet wizard,” she abruptly admitted.
“Yes, Tane told us the child was stolen by the Sylvermyst and Sergei in the Russian caves. A pity, but at least we rescued Maluhia.”
Maluhia?
She assumed that must be the twin to the baby held by Tearloch.
“The wizard isn’t Sergei,” she corrected, her heart contracting at the reminder that the mage was even now with Ariyal. Somewhere. “I’m not sure what happened to him.”
“Then who?”
“Tearloch summoned a spirit that goes by the name Rafael,” she informed him. “I think you know him.”
The Anasso abruptly straightened, a scowl marring his brow.
“Rafael? You’re certain?”
“Yes.”
“Shit.”
Shoving his hand into the front pocket of his slacks, Styx pulled out a slim cellphone and jabbed in a series of numbers.
Jaelyn rose to her feet, feeling her strength returning from the blood her king had forced her to drink.
“What are you doing?”
“Dante will want to hear this,” he told her, turning away to speak softly into the phone.
Once done he returned the phone to his pocket and turned back to meet her questioning gaze.
“Dante?”
“The vampire who killed Rafael the first time around.” He smiled with cruel anticipation. “He’ll be pissed if he gets left out on a second chance. He’s on his way.”
“Fine, but I don’t have time to wait for him.”
Power prickled