Darkness Revealed (Guardians of Eternity #4)(45)
Author: Alexandra Ivy

Strong arms encircled her waist from behind, the familiar scent of Cezar cloaking about her as he buried his head in the curve of her neck.

“I wouldn’t mind a sip or two, myself,” he murmured, his lips feathering over her skin and sending a rash of awareness through her.

“Cezar.” Anna stepped away, her face flaming as Dante tilted back his head to laugh at his friend’s antics. “Stop that.”

The dark-haired goddess rolled her eyes. “Vampires.”

Cezar’s smile faded as his gaze rested on Anna’s face. “Can I have a word alone with Anna?”

“Sure.” The goddess heaved a sigh, turning to glance toward the red-haired imp who leaned casually against his quarter-of-a-million-dollar car. “I suppose I should speak with Troy.”

Cezar grimaced, his gaze briefly flicking toward Dante before returning to Abby.

“We are in your debt, Abby.”

She reached out to lightly touch Cezar’s arm. “There is no debt among family.”

Abby turned to walk toward Troy, her steps slowing as Dante instantly moved to her side, his arm wrapping protectively about her shoulders.

Anna smiled, a small prick of envy entering her heart at the sight of their obvious devotion.

Over the long, lonely years she had almost managed to convince herself that love was an illusion. Watching from afar it seemed like most couples, no matter how devoted, ended up as indifferent acquaintances at best or outright enemies at worst.

Now, however, she was beginning to suspect that she had denied the truth of love because it was easier than bearing the knowledge she was missing out on the greatest gift in life.

With a slow shake of her head, she turned to discover Cezar watching her with an intent expression.

“You know, you’re very lucky to have such wonderful friends,” she said softly.

“Si.” He ran his fingers through his long hair, wincing as if his side was still tender. “Few vampires are so fortunate to have such devoted brothers, but Styx is working hard to overcome our feral natures, which have caused endless clan wars throughout the centuries.”

“A vampire Gandhi?” she demanded, finding it hard to picture the big, scary man as some sort of kindly pacifist.

Obviously Cezar found it a little difficult himself as he gave a small chuckle.

“Don’t ever say that to his face,” he warned. “For all his love for peace he does have a reputation to maintain. It’s fear of being hauled before our Anasso that keeps most vampires in line.”

“More of a speak-softly-and-carry-a-big-stick kind of guy?”

“A very big stick.”

Anna grimaced. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

There was a short silence. At last Cezar reached out to lightly touch her cheek.

“Anna, I hate to do this, but I must leave you…”

Without thought she reached up to capture his caressing finger in a tight grip.

“No.”

His brows lifted, a speculative gleam entering the dark eyes at her vehement tone. “No?”

Belatedly realizing she had revealed just how desperately she wanted him at her side, Anna dropped her hand and sucked in a deep breath.

“You’re still injured,” she lamely added. “You need to rest.”

A satisfied glint remained in the dark eyes, a knowledge that she had come to depend on his presence.

“I must find out how we can stop Morgana, querida,” he said gently. “So far it’s been nothing more than luck that has kept you alive. I won’t risk stumbling around in the dark anymore.”

Ah. It didn’t take her lawyer skills to decipher where he was headed.

“You’re going to the historian?”

“Si.”

She reached out and grasped his arm. “Then I’ll go with you.”

“That’s impossible.”

“Why?”

“Jagr has been a recluse for centuries. He allows no one into his lair unless he has specifically agreed to meet with them.” Cezar grimaced. “Viper could barely convince him to see me. And it’s only with the promise I would come alone and never return that he even conceded that much.”

Holy crap. She’d met some peculiar scholars over the years, but this one seemed to take the cake.

“He sounds dangerous.”

“Not dangerous, just eccentric.” He covered her fingers with his own, the cool touch sending a jolt up the length of her arm. “I’ll be fine.”

She licked her lips. “And what about me? What if Morgana takes control of my mind again?”

He shifted closer, his expression somber. “I’ve asked Dante to call for Levet.”

“The gargoyle?”

“He possesses some magical abilities. He should be able to train you to shield your mind from Morgana.”

A shiver raced through her body that had nothing to do with the chilled wind. “I don’t like this.”

Bending his head, Cezar brushed his lips over her forehead. “Querida, I promise I will return soon. Until then you will be safe with Abby.”

It was the edge of concern in his voice that at last stiffened her sagging spine. Dammit. Hadn’t she told herself she wasn’t going to be that weak, clinging orphan ever again? Especially in front of Conde Cezar.

She was old enough (God, was she old enough) to stand on her own.

With an effort, she tilted her chin and squared her shoulders. Inwardly she might be a mess, but outwardly she had on her stiff upper lip.

She’d been raised British. She could do it with the best of them.

“When is Levet coming?”

Cezar’s features tightened. He really, really didn’t like the cute little gargoyle.

“Too soon for my taste.” He gave her another too-brief kiss before stepping back. “In fact I should be leaving before he arrives. One of these days I’m going to choke the life from that annoying little bastard. I’ll return before dawn.”

He turned, and within two steps had completely disappeared into the shadows.

Left on her own, Anna struggled against the cold sense of loneliness that washed through her like a tidal wave.

Crap. Crap. Crap.

She was in big trouble.

And it had nothing to do with Morgana-freaking-le-Fay.

Cezar studied the abandoned warehouse with a suspicious gaze. It didn’t look like the lair of a scholar. Hell, even the most fledgling vampires were able to enthrall mortals and acquire enough money to live in comfort.

Of course, this Jagr sounded like he took the solitary nature of vampires to the extreme.