Bound by Darkness - Alexandra Ivy [89]
Dammit, the King of Vampires wasn’t a benevolent leader who ruled with a gentle democracy. He was a powerful demon, perhaps the most powerful in the entire world, and he was well within his rights to crush her if she offended him.
Thankfully the brief punishment was the extent of his reprimand.
“Tell me what you need from me.”
Relieved to have gotten off relatively unscathed, Jaelyn swiftly outlined their pursuit of Tearloch since leaving the Russian caves, carefully editing the more private details. Not that she was fooling anyone.
Styx could no doubt sense her inner turmoil when she spoke of the Sylvermyst who was supposed to be her enemy.
The Anasso listened in silence, his expression hard as she revealed the wizard’s attempt to fry her with the morning sun.
“The child must be rescued,” she at last concluded her tale, her hand unwittingly clutching the stock of her gun.
“I agree,” the king said without hesitation. “How many are in the caves?”
“Tearloch and a half-dozen Sylvermyst as well as the wizard.” She held up a warning hand. “But there could be others.”
“Others? You suspect the Sylvermyst has allies?”
“I doubt that Sergei has given up his ambitions to rule the world.”
The Anasso grimaced, obviously familiar with the Russian magic-user.
“He’s a tenacious bastard,” he readily agreed, his piercing gaze never wavering from her face. “But I sense he isn’t your primary concern.”
“No. While we were searching for Tearloch, I had a run-in with a cur.”
“A very stupid or very brave cur,” the king murmured. “I assume he’s dead?”
“ No.”
A dark brow arched in surprise. “No?”
“He was a magic-user.”
Styx tensed. “Damn, I wonder if Salvatore knows? He won’t be pleased.”
“Neither was I,” she said dryly.
He frowned, as if debating some inner quandary. “The Were called a meeting for tomorrow night. I suppose the information can wait until then.” With a shake of his head, the vampire returned his attention to her. “Is the cur connected to Tearloch?”
“I can’t say for sure, but I’m not a big believer in coincidences.”
“Me either.” Styx lifted a hand to brush a finger over the amulet that was hung around his neck. Jaelyn knew from her studies that Aztec people believed that they could tap in to the power of their ancestors with such talismans. Yeah, like this man needed any secret weapons. “Was the cur alone?”
“No, he was traveling with another cur and a human witch. And ...” She gave a lift of her hands. “I don’t know.”
“A demon?”
She considered her words, disliking her lack of concise facts. Vague speculation too often led to poor decisions.
“My guess would be a vampire, but it was able to disguise its scent.” She regarded him with a frown. “Is that possible?”
“If he’s traveling with a witch he could have an amulet to mask his presence,” he suggested.
She shook her head. “I don’t think that was it. I could sense him, but it was muted, as if he was blocking my powers.”
An odd expression tightened the bronzed features, almost as if Styx had been struck by an unpleasant suspicion. But before she could question him, he was pacing to study the row of monitors that revealed the crowds filling the club below.
“He must have considerable skill if he was able to shroud himself from a Hunter.”
She narrowed her gaze. He was hiding something.
“Does it ring any bells?”
“None that I’m will to comment on without further information,” he said, revealing he hadn’t been deceived by her delicate attempt to probe. “Where are they now?”
She didn’t even consider pressing for an answer. Actually, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
She had quite enough on her plate, thank you very much.
“The last I knew Levet was trying to track them.”
Styx shuddered as he turned back to face her. “Good God.”
Jaelyn smiled. The tiny gargoyle seemed to have a genuine knack for irritating males, no matter what their species.
Then, as the thought of Levet reminded her that he was currently with Ariyal, and that they both might be in danger, she headed toward