Darkness Avenged (Guardians of Eternity #10)(60)
Author: Alexandra Ivy

“Why must men be so difficult?” Yannah abruptly burst out.

“I have come to the conclusion it’s a genetic defect of males,” Nefri consoled her companion. “That would explain why their numerous faults appear to include all species.”

Yannah gave a slow nod. “That makes sense.”

There was a moment of silence as they pondered the oddity of the male gender, and then Nefri was giving a shake of her head. “I believe you have a message for me.”

“Oh. Yes.” Yannah smoothed tiny hands down her white robe. “My mother says ‘That which was lost is found again.’”

Nefri remained silent, waiting for the rest of the message. At least until she realized that Yannah was staring at her with an expectant expression.

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

“But . . .” Nefri frowned. “I don’t understand. What was lost?”

“How should I know?” Yannah gave an impatient wave of her hand. “I’m just the messenger.”

Nefri was careful to keep her expression devoid of her stab of frustration. Yannah might appear to be a child, but she had enough power to destroy them all.

“Very well. Thank you, Yannah.” She offered a small bow. “I will be sure to tell Siljar that you performed your task with honor.”

“I must return.” Yannah glanced toward the two men who stood in stiff silence. “You’ll keep him safe?”

Nefri nodded, sensing Yannah’s concern was genuine, despite her enjoyment in nagging the small gargoyle. “I will do everything in my power to make certain he isn’t harmed,” she promised softly.

“Thank you.”

With a last, longing glance at Levet, the small demon abruptly disappeared, leaving behind the scent of brimstone.

Nefri gave a faint shake of her head and slowly returned to her companions.

Why on earth had Siljar sent her daughter to share such a vague message? It wasn’t as if she could actually use it to her advantage. Not when she didn’t have a clue what it meant.

Instinctively moving to stand beside Santiago, Nefri was prepared for Levet’s scowl as he realized she was alone.

“Where did Yannah go?”

“She had to return to the Commission,” Nefri said in distracted tones.

“Hmmph. Typical,” the gargoyle muttered, his wings drooping in the moonlight. “She comes here to pick a fight and then just disappears when she realizes I’m winning.”

Ignoring the grouchy Levet, Santiago reached to tuck Nefri’s hair behind her ear as he studied her with a worried gaze. “What did she say?”

“She said, ‘That which was lost is found again.’”

Santiago was predictably unimpressed. “What was found?”

Nefri grimaced. “That was the message.”

“The entire message?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know what it means?”

Nefri shrugged. “I don’t have a clue.”

“Fantastic,” Santiago growled. “So are we supposed to wait around for the Oracles?”

Nefri didn’t hesitate. With every passing minute the danger to the world increased. “No. We need to find Gaius.”

Santiago studied her with a searching gaze. “And then?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” she admitted. Siljar had demanded that Gaius be captured, but Nefri wasn’t going to sacrifice Santiago. If push came to shove she would kill her former clansman, and she would do it without hesitation. “But he has to be stopped.”

Santiago nodded. “Yes.”

Their gazes held as they silently shared their growing concern, then the moment was interrupted as Levet pressed his face against her leg to sniff her jeans.

“Why do you smell like dragon?”

With a low growl, Santiago leaned down to grab the gargoyle by his stunted horn, pulling him away from Nefri as if he was jealous of the tiny creature. “Does he have to come?” he demanded.

She gave a firm nod. “Yes.”

Levet yanked free of Santiago’s grasp, glaring at the male vampire. “What is the matter with you?”

Santiago scowled. “Do you have to ask?”

“Hey.” Levet gave a sharp flap of his wings. “It is supposed to be farts before tarts.”

“What the—” Santiago made a sound of disgust. “Oh, for god’s sake, it’s ‘bros before hos.’”

“That is not very polite,” Levet protested in shocked tones, his gaze moving to Nefri. “Forgive his crassness, ma belle.”

“I do my best,” she assured the gargoyle.

“I need to call Styx and update him,” Santiago muttered, digging his phone out of his front pocket. “I’ll meet you at the truck.”

She sent him an overly innocent smile. “If you insist.”

“Oh, I insist.”

With a light touch on Levet’s wing, she steered him toward the rugged path that eventually would lead to the truck parked in the foothills. As much as she enjoyed watching the tiny gargoyle drive Santiago nuts, she didn’t want him pressing his luck.

Poking at an angry male vampire was never a good idea.

“Come along, Levet.”

They’d left the meadow and were traveling down the narrow path when Levet returned to his previous question. “You were with a dragon?”

“We were.” She grimaced, wishing the powerful beast had offered more than vague warnings. “He revealed this spirit that we’re tracking might be the creator of vampires.”

The gray eyes widened in shock. “Truly?”

“Yes.”

“That sounds . . .” Levet shuddered in horror. “Sacrebleu, I do not even have the words.”

Nefri gave a slow nod. “My thoughts exactly.”

Even driving like a bat out of hell (a rather appropriate metaphor for a vampire), Santiago was forced to accept that they weren’t going to reach Gaius.

They could have ditched the truck and moved faster on foot, but expending that much energy would have meant facing the vampire and a potential god of vampires when they were at their weakest.

Santiago was impulsive, but he wasn’t suicidal.

Seeming to come to the same conclusion, Nefri sent him a questioning glance over the head of the ridiculous gargoyle who was perched between them. “Can you sense him?”

“He’s still north of us.” Santiago grimaced. “Close, but too far to pinpoint before dawn.”