GOE 08 - Bound By Darkness

Chapter 19

Ariyal pulled his damp hair into a long braid as he stepped out of the upstairs bathroom of the farmhouse. Despite the lack of hot water, the shower had at least washed away the dirt from the caves. Not to mention his more recent activities in the cellar.

Wicked, decadent, extraordinary activities.

A smile curved his lips at the delicious memories of the day spent in the arms of his mate.

The past few hours had been a revelation.

After centuries of being trapped in a harem he would have sworn there was nothing that could shock him when it came to sex.

There wasn’t anything he hadn’t done.

A thousand times.

But being with Jaelyn wasn’t just sex.

It was a connection so intimate that there had been moments when it felt as if they had truly discovered paradise.

Unfortunately, the day had eventually disappeared. Along with their excuse to linger in the cellar.

The wizard still held the child, and now Ariyal had to worry about the leeches that his mate had warned would be gathering for a full-out assault at midnight.

He understood, even applauded, her desire to rescue the child, but he intended to make sure that his people were protected from the approaching vampires.

Entering the bedroom, Ariyal pulled on his jeans and boots before tucking a dagger into a holster attached to his ankle. He was reaching for his sword when he sensed Jaelyn approaching the door.

She’d been oddly adamant when she’d announced she intended to search the house in hopes of finding a shirt for him to wear, muttering something about covering his bare chest. As if she wasn’t strutting around half naked.

Watching as she stepped over the threshold, Ariyal was briefly distracted by her sheer beauty.

From the top of her glossy raven hair that had been pulled in a tight ponytail, to the tips of her bare toes, she was lethal elegance that made his heart race and his knees weak.

And, of course, there were the predictable manly parts that hardened in ready approval.

Lost in his silent appreciation, it took a moment to realize that she was holding up a gaudy yellow Hawaiian shirt with huge pink orchids splashed across the silk fabric.

His smile faded as folded his arms over his chest and scowled at the amusement that shimmered in her indigo eyes.

“Are you kidding me?”

“Hey, it was that or this.” She pulled her other hand from behind her back to reveal a frilly apron with the phrase KISS THE COOK splashed across the bib. “Take your pick.”

He snorted. “You did this on purpose.”

“Do you think I actually want my mate to look like an overgrown orchid?”

His irritation melted like dew beneath the summer sun. “Mate,” he murmured, moving to wrap her slender body in his arms. “I like the sound of that.”

She shivered as his lips found a tender spot just below her ear, but, dropping the offensive shirt and apron, she pressed her hands to his chest.

“So do I, but you’re not going to distract me.”

“You mean distract you with this?” He stroked his lips down her throat. “Or this?” His hands gripped her hips to pull her against his growing erection.

She groaned, but arching back she stabbed him with a warning glare.

“Ariyal, you promised after your shower you would finish our discussion.”

“Discussion? Is that what you call it?”

“I was attempting to get you to listen to my perfectly logical suggestions.”

He nipped the lobe of her ear before grudgingly dropping his arms and stepping back.

He couldn’t afford to be distracted. Not if he intended to win this particular argument.

“They sounded more like orders than suggestions, poppet,” he said dryly.

She folded her arms, her chin tilting to that familiar angle.

“Only because you refuse to be reasonable.”

“I don’t call asking a Sylvermyst to sashay into a herd of waiting vampires reasonable,” he countered. “In fact, I would call it downright suicidal.”

“Sashay?” Her brows lifted. “Really?”

He held her gaze, his expression somber. “Jaelyn, I trust you with my very life, but don’t expect me to extend that trust to your brothers. They’ve been my enemies for a very long time.”

She wasn’t foolish enough to try and convince him that her fellow leeches were prepared to accept him into the family just because they were mated. He was more likely to believe they were plotting the quickest means to dispose of his body.

“You’re a warrior,” she said with a shrug. “You know that there are times when you have to join forces for the greater good.”

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend?”

“Maybe not friend, but ...”

“Jaelyn, those Sylvermyst in the caves are my brothers,” he interrupted, his tone suddenly harsh.

Her expression softened. “I haven’t forgotten.”

“Then you should understand why I’m not overly anxious to allow them to become dispensable fodder for the leeches.”

She moved forward, running her hands down his arms, her touch comforting as he was battered by the memory of his brothers being forced into slavery by the loathsome wizard.

“Styx is not a savage, Ariyal, although he is ...” She searched for the appropriate word. “Intimidating. He has no more desire than you do for a bloodbath.”

He didn’t doubt the truth of her words. It was well known that the current Anasso was attempting to civilize his people. But he also knew that vampires were predators at heart and no command from their king was going to leash their natural impulses.

“Perhaps no desire, but once a battle has started all bets are off.”

Her fingers tightened on his arm. “We can’t allow the child to remain with Tearloch. Eventually they’re going to dig out the altar and resurrect the Dark Lord.”

“I know.”

She made a sound of impatience. “Talk to me, fairy. What are you plotting?”

“I want the opportunity to go into the caves before the vampires start their massacre.”

“No.” Her nails dug into his arm as she shook her head in denial. “It’s too dangerous.”

Gently he extricated himself from her painful grip. He didn’t want to lose an arm when he confessed his plan.

“I want to give my brothers the option to surrender.”

There was a hint of fang as Jaelyn regarded him with a growing frustration. She better than anyone understood his uncompromising need to protect his tribe.

“You think they will?” she slowly demanded.

“Yes, if I can speak with them,” he said, recalling the conversation he’d overheard. “They’ve lost their belief in Tearloch’s cause, but they’re terrified of the wizard. They’ll join me if I can promise them a chance to escape as long as they aren’t being threatened by vampires.”

“It’s still too dangerous,” she muttered.

“They’re my tribe, my family.” He knew she could feel his grim determination. “I can’t abandon them to certain death.”

Her hands clenched, as if she was considering the possibility of locking him in the cellar. Then, bending down, she snatched the silk shirt off the floor and shoved it into his hand.

“I’ll speak with Styx.”

He tugged on the shirt, more pissed by her words than the ridiculous garment.

As if he needed to ask permission from a damned bloodsucker.

“This is not his decision to make.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She rolled her eyes. “Look, we can all work together if no one tries to turn this into a pissing match.”

“Tell that to your Anasso.”

“I intend to.”

He halted his attempt to button the shirt, lifting his head to meet her steady gaze.

“You do?”

“Of course.”

Hmmm. His instincts prickled in warning.

That had been way too easy.

“And you aren’t going to fight me on my decision?”

She averted her gaze, adjusting the shotgun strapped around her tiny waist.

“I try not to ram my head into brick walls.”

“Good.”

“But ...”

“Shit.” He shook his head. “I knew there was going to be a ‘but.’”

“But, I doubt I can earn us more than a few minutes’ head start.” She ignored his complaint, her head lifting to meet his resigned gaze. “So you’d better locate your tribesmen and convince them quick.”

His eyes narrowed in warning. “Us?”

“I’m your mate.” She lifted her hand to poke him in the center of his chest. “My place is at your side. No matter where you go.”

“You were just pointing out that it’s too dangerous,” he said between clenched teeth.

“I also mentioned something about the futility of ramming your head into a brick wall.”

“Dammit, Jaelyn.”

“Come on, mate.” Turning, she headed out the door, ignoring Ariyal, who stomped behind her, blistering the air with his foul curses. “We don’t want to be late.”

Jaelyn had always suspected that males were lacking the DNA sequence necessary for rational thought. Why else would they be so eager to thump their chests and flash their fangs instead of calmly discussing a problem?

Now there was no doubt left.

What the opposite sex needed was a good thumping, she acknowledged, watching as the six vampires deliberately circled Ariyal, their expressions ranging from mocking derision to outright hatred.

She hadn’t expected the meeting to be pleasant.

Or even polite.

But did they have to start off by being as obnoxious as possible?

The question had barely skimmed through her mind when Styx stepped forward, looking like a walking nightmare in black leather pants and black T-shirt that was stretched across his massive torso.

“Nice shirt,” he drawled to Ariyal, fondling the hilt of his huge sword.

Yep. As obnoxious as possible.

“Styx,” she hissed, moving to stand at the side of her mate, who was already holding his bow and wooden arrows notched and ready to fire. “All we’re asking is a chance to convince Ariyal’s tribesmen to leave the caves before you enter.”

The power of the Anasso was like a heavy throb in the air. “Why should I trust him?”

“Because I said you could.” She stood her ground, acutely aware of Ariyal’s smoldering fury. Gods, please don’t let him do anything stupid. “Do you trust me?”

Styx lifted a broad shoulder. “He’s your mate.”

Her lips twisted. The vampires had sensed her mating with Ariyal the moment they’d approached the caves.

Which had only added to the tension.

“Yes, I know.”

The large vampire shifted his attention back to the silent Ariyal.

“Your loyalty now lies with the dark fairies.”

“You son of a bitch.”

She barely had time to place herself between her mate and certain death, slamming her hands against his chest to hold him in place.

“Ariyal, please.”

“He can say whatever he wants about me.”

“Thank you,” Styx drawled.

Annoying SOB.

“Shut up, leech,” Ariyal snarled, his gaze never leaving Jaelyn’s pleading expression. “But he’s not allowed to insult your honor.”

Her heart melted, even as she wanted to slug him for his stubbornness.

No one had ever defended her honor before.

No one.

“There’s no insult in wanting to know if I’m about to be led into a trap,” Styx said without apology.

Ariyal placed his arm around Jaelyn’s shoulders and tucked her close to his side.

“If you thought it was a trap then why the hell did you come?”

“When the Hunter approached me she hadn’t yet bound herself to our enemy.”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake,” Jaelyn snapped. “He’s not our enemy. We all want the same thing.”

“Do we?” Styx demanded, his power brushing over her as if seeking the truth of her heart.

“Yes.”

There was a short, tense silence as the Anasso continued to study her; then with a smooth lift of his hand he gestured for his vampires to step back.

“You have fifteen minutes.”

Jaelyn’s rush of relief was cut short by Ariyal’s typical male reaction.

“You may be King of the Vampires, but you’re—”

“Ariyal.” She stepped directly in front of her mate, framing his face in her hands. “If we haven’t convinced them to join us in fifteen minutes then we’ll already be captured or dead.”

Simple and straight to the point.

For once, it worked.

Hallelujah.

Clenching his jaw, he forced himself to draw in a calming breath and speak to the Anasso in a voice that wasn’t deliberately intended to provoke the vampire.

“What’s your plan?”

Styx slid his sword into the scabbard that ran the length of his back, his own expression altering to one of commanding efficiency.

“I have three Ravens performing sweeps through a five-mile perimeter to make sure nothing is allowed to sneak up on us.”

Ariyal tilted back his head, testing the air. “I smell Were.”

Styx lifted a brow, as if caught off guard by Ariyal’s ability to detect the distant scent.

“Salvatore is in the area searching for the curs who attacked you,” he admitted.

Ariyal wasn’t pleased. “Will he be joining us in the caves?”

“Not unless absolutely necessary.” Styx smiled without humor. “He was trapped down there not long ago. He’s in no hurry to repeat the performance.”

Jaelyn briefly wondered if the Were was responsible for the damage in the lower levels. Well, the initial damage. Ariyal had done his own share.

Then she was struck by a sudden thought.

“Did you warn him that the cur is a magic-user?” Styx nodded. “Yes, as well as the fact he’s traveling with what we suspect is a vampire that has unusual talents.”

Jaelyn very much wondered about the strange vampire and exactly what Styx was hiding, but before she could press for an answer Ariyal was speaking.

“You might also warn him that Sergei is still lurking around, along with that damned gargoyle.”

There was a rustle from the trees that lined the nearby graveyard before the unmistakable scent of granite wafted on the air.

“Hey,” Levet protested, waddling forward with a wounded expression. “I just rescued you from a fate worse than death.”

“You rescued me?” Ariyal made a sound of disgust. “Don’t you have that backwards?”

“Oh.” Levet blinked, coming to a halt next to Jaelyn. “Do I?”

Ignoring the rueful amusement of the vampires, Ariyal glared at the tiny demon.

“Where’s the mage?”

Levet cleared his throat, his tail twitching. “He might have escaped.”

“Might have?”

“Very well, he escaped.” Levet’s wings fluttered in a shimmer of color. “Is that what you desired to hear?”

“No, it’s damned well not what I wanted to hear.” Ariyal looked as if he could happily have turned the gargoyle into a teeny pile of rubble. “I specifically told you to keep an eye on him.”

“I could hardly keep an eye on him when it was daylight, could I? Gargoyles have needs.” With an offended sniff, Levet turned to offer Jaelyn a charming smile. “Ah, ma enfant, I see that you are unharmed. I was so concerned.”

“Not now, Levet,” Styx growled.

Levet blew a raspberry toward the towering vampire, but with an impatient curse Ariyal leaned down to grab the gargoyle by the horn and turn him back to meet his fierce glare.

“Did you try to track the mage?”

“Of course I did.”

“And?”

“And he must have an amulet to mask his scent.”

Ariyal hissed in frustration. “So you have no idea where he went?”

Levet wisely stepped out of reach of the Sylvermyst, waving a hand toward the entrance to the caves.

“His footsteps led in this direction.”

“Shit.” Ariyal sprinted toward the caves. “The baby.”

“Wait.” Styx muttered a curse when Ariyal ignored his command. “Fifteen minutes, Sylvermyst.”

Jaelyn was swiftly following Ariyal as he darted into the caverns and headed down the nearest tunnel. She understood his concern. If the mage actually managed to get his greedy hands on the child and escape they might never track him down.

At least not until it was too late.

And if he screwed up and got caught then the wizard and Tearloch would be on guard, making it almost impossible to locate Ariyal’s tribesmen without attracting unwanted attention.

They had reached the lower levels of the caverns when Ariyal came to a sudden halt, turning to face her.

Jaelyn frowned, her senses on full alert. “What is it? Do you sense something?”

The bronze eyes shimmered with an emotion that seared her to the tip of her toes.

“You’re my heart and my soul,” he breathed.

“As you are mine.” She lifted herself on tiptoe to press a tender kiss to his lips. “We’ll face whatever comes together.”

He wrapped her in his fragrant heat. “Together.”