Devoured by Darkness

“You’re …”



“Darcy,” the woman supplied, her smile filled with a friendliness that put Laylah on instant guard. She had ample experience at being feared, loathed, and kicked when she was down. But kindness? Not so much. “Harley’s twin sister.”



“Where is she?” she asked. Harley had been left behind when Caine and Laylah had headed to Hannibal, but since the cur had been stupid enough to try and kidnap the King of Weres, Laylah was fairly certain everything had gone to hell. “Is she okay?”



“She’s in Chicago.” Darcy chuckled. “And I suppose she’s okay considering she’s just accepted the position as the Queen of Weres.”



Laylah’s mouth fell open.



Now that was a shocker.



Caine had always been careful to keep Laylah isolated from his pack, but she’d heard the rumors that the King of Weres had murdered Harley’s family and intended to include Harley in his path of destruction once he found her.



Obviously the rumors were wrong, or Harley was a thrill-seeker on a massive scale. “She mated with Salvatore?”



Darcy nodded. “Crazy, isn’t it? But, she’s convinced she loves the arrogant pureblood.”



“I’m very happy for her,” Laylah murmured, telling herself the pang in the center of her heart wasn’t envy.



Didn’t she just do an inventory of her pile of problems?



Having a mate would only be the cherry on the top.



“She’s been worried about you.”



Laylah blinked. She and Harley had an odd, distant connection. But they hadn’t been BFFs.



“Really?”



“She made me promise that I would make sure that you weren’t being bullied by a bunch of overzealous vampires.”



“I have done my best to protect her,” Levet announced, waddling to lean against Laylah’s leg in a strangely touching gesture. “But you know how impossible vampires can be.”



Darcy glanced toward her mate. “Intimately.”



Styx reached to brush a tender hand down Darcy’s cheek. “My dear, perhaps we can finish this conversation in a more secure location?”



Laylah took an impulsive step backward, her momentary pleasure in knowing there were actually those who cared about her in the world forgotten in a tidal wave of fear.



“No.”



Tane tugged her back to his side, his body tightly coiled as if preparing to strike.



“Where do you intend to take her?” he growled.



“Easy, Tane.” Styx lifted a hand, the motion making the medallion that hung around his neck glow in the overhead lights. “For now I merely have a few questions for Laylah. She will be safe in my lair.”



Tane wasn’t satisfied. “Have you contacted the Oracles?”



Styx narrowed his gaze, ready and willing for a pissing match.



“Don’t press your luck, Charon.”



“Oh, for goodness sake, come with me Laylah.” Muttering under her breath at the stunning lack of intelligence among the male gender, Darcy hooked her arm through Laylah’s and tugged her toward the nearest door. “We’ll let the men huff and puff in privacy.”



Laylah allowed herself to be led away. Any distance between her and the King of Vampires was welcome. But as soon as they stepped out of the hangar, she gently tried to pull free.



“I can’t go with you.” She absently glanced around the isolated field that had been carved out of a thick tangle of oak trees. It was a perfect spring night with a sky filled with stars, but Laylah was more interested in the stretch limo waiting near the road and three combat-ready vampires that stood guard. Hell, she knew there were ridiculous rumors that she was dangerous. But seriously? She returned her attention to Darcy. “I have …” She stopped to consider her words. “Someone is waiting for me.”



Darcy smiled even as she hauled Laylah steadily toward the waiting car.



“At least join us for dinner,” she urged. “I’m afraid it will be vegetarian, but I have a fabulous cook who makes a veggie lasagna to die for.”



Before she could mouth a protest, Laylah found herself seated in the back of the elegant limo that could easily have hauled the Green Bay Packers.



“And to think I was afraid the Anasso would be ruthless,” she muttered in resignation.



The Anasso’s private study wasn’t what Tane had been expecting.



Not that he’d been thinking the room would be lined with the heads of his enemies and decorated with medieval torture devises. But the polished mahogany furniture and delicate Persian carpet seemed way too civilized for the most powerful vampire in the world.



On the plus side, the vast estate on the outskirts of Chicago was wrapped in a dozen spells and hexes with an entire horde of vampires patrolling the grounds.



Nothing and nobody was coming in or out without Styx’s say so.



For the moment Laylah was safe.



So why the hell was he pacing the pansy-ass carpet while battling the crazy impulse to tear through the monstrous house in search of the female?



Dammit. He’d encouraged Darcy to cart the reluctant Laylah off to enjoy a hot bath and dinner. He had business to discuss with Styx that was best done in private.



But now that they were alone in the study that was lead-lined and heavily shrouded in a cloaking spell, Tane couldn’t concentrate on anything other than the fact he couldn’t sense Laylah.



Even with her amulet on he’d been able to feel their strange connection. As if a part of her had burrowed someplace deep inside him.



He instantly jerked away from the unnerving thought. Nope. Not going there.



“Damn Tane, I feel like I’m standing in the middle of an electrical storm,” Styx growled, breaking into his dangerous thoughts.



With a grimace Tane turned to watch the large vampire scrub a hand over the back of his neck. Christ. He hadn’t realized his powers had been leaking.



“Sorry.”



Styx leaned against the reinforced desk, folding his arms over his chest.



“It wouldn’t be so disturbing if it didn’t border on pleasure,” he complained. “Even if I wasn’t mated, you’re not my type.”



“Right back at you, chief.”



Styx snorted, his fixed stare making Tane twitch. “I can hazard a guess at what your type is,” he at last said. “Don’t go there.”



“Pretty.”



Tane’s brows snapped together. “Gorgeous.”



“Spunky.”



“A pain-in-the-ass.”



There was a deliberate pause. “Forbidden.”



A cold dread settled in Tane’s gut. “Is the Commission aware of her presence?”



Styx’s expression tightened with concern. “Not from me, but that’s not to say they haven’t heard rumors of a half-breed. They won’t be pleased to discover a vampire has helped to keep her hidden from them.”



“I understand the risk.” “I doubt that.”



Tane narrowed his gaze. “Just what are you implying?”



“Your mind is clouded.”



“Ridiculous.”



“Trust me, Tane, I recognize a vampire whose judgment is being compromised by his obsession for a certain female.”



Tane had long ago learned to leash his hot temper. Nothing good happened when he let his anger control him. But, having his companion laying bare his uncharacteristic weakness was setting his teeth on edge.



“My judgment is not open for discussion.”



Styx straightened from the desk, moving with blinding speed to pin Tane against the towering bookcase.



“I decide what’s open for discussion, Charon,” he growled. “Don’t ever forget that.”



Intent on their private power play, neither vampire noticed the door being opened. Not until a strange sizzle filled the air. With synchronized curses, both males whirled toward the door. The sizzle was the same sensation that warned of a lightning strike.



And vampires and lightning didn’t mix.



Indifferent to the danger, Laylah stormed forward, her power making the lights flicker.



“What are you doing?” she demanded, facing the King of Vampires without fear.



Tane growled in appreciation, his gaze lingering on the soft flush that stained her ivory skin and the fire burning in her dark eyes.



She’d never been so beautiful.



A fiery warrior who charged to the rescue.



His rescue.



Astonishing.



He was feared, hated, and occasionally desired. But never, ever protected.



Not surprisingly Styx shot him a disbelieving glance before the scent of burnt wiring had him crossing to his desk.



“Damn, that computer was brand new.” He scowled at Tane, not hesitating to hold him responsible. “Her power isn’t nearly so fun as yours.”



Laylah blushed, but she refused to back down.



Typical.



“Why were you hurting Tane?”



Styx tossed the computer in the trash, his expression unreadable as he studied the bristling female.



“I need answers, Jinn,” he said slowly. “If I can’t get them from you then I’ll get them from Tane. Whether he’s willing or not.”



Tane waited for Laylah to tell the Anasso to go to hell.



What did she care if he got a bully-beat down?



She’d threatened to do it herself on more than one occasion.



Instead she folded her arms over her chest and glowered at Styx.



“Fine. What do you want to know?”



“Tell me what you know of your past.”