Bound By Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #8)(66)
Author: Alexandra Ivy

“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?”