“They’re plotting something big.”
“Big? That is it?” Levet shuddered, easily able to imagine Styx’s thunderous reaction. The Anasso was not only the leader of the vampires, he was also the most ill-tempered. “Could you be more vague, mon amie?”
“It’s all I’ve got. At least for now.”
“You are staying with them?”
“I don’t have anything better to do.”
Levet wasn’t fooled. He might not understand how or why Brigette was with these new rebels, but he did know it wasn’t because she was bored. Or at least not entirely. Now, however, was not the time to question her motives.
If there truly was danger in Chicago, then he had to get to Styx to warn him. Not that he cared about the overbearing leech, but Levet adored Styx’s mate, Darcy. He would do whatever necessary to ensure she wasn’t harmed.
“Be careful,” he warned Brigette.
“Never.”
The presence of the female Were abruptly disappeared, leaving Levet momentarily disoriented.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?”
Slowly, Levet opened his eyes, discovering Inga staring down at him with a sad expression. He grimaced.
“It is my duty.”
She nodded. Duty was the one thing that this female understood. “You’ll come back?”
“Always.”
Chapter 3
Xi traveled through the tunnels like a whisper. Barely stirring the air, he moved from shadow to shadow, observing the numerous demons who gathered in the massive cement tunnels that had once been a part of Chicago’s reservoir plan. Logically, the vast cement passages would seem to be a perfect place to convert into lairs. They were dark and damp and well hidden from the crowded streets of the city. But most vampires preferred natural caverns. They weren’t fans of the stark industrial stench of cement and rusty iron.
That reluctance might explain why there was so much rubbish tossed around. A vampire’s meticulous habits could be damaged when they were stuck in a nasty environment. Or maybe the layers of trash were caused by the hundred or so demons that moved in and out of the tunnels. The gargoyle’s warning had indicated that there were more than just a couple of rebels living beneath Styx’s feet. Xi, however, hadn’t expected such a diversity among the demons. It wasn’t just vampires and Weres. There were fairies and brownies and several mongrels.
Why would they interest themselves in vampire business?
It was a question that Xi wasn’t going to be able to answer by lurking in the shadows.
After a full twenty-four hours of watching the various creatures who lived in the hidden liar, Xi at last went in search of the female Were who’d sent the warning. He’d easily picked her out from Levet’s description.
Watching her interact with her fellow rebels, he’d determined that she was kept at a distance by most of the demons, as if they hadn’t yet decided whether or not to trust her. Or maybe they resented her presence because of her past. It was no secret that she’d sacrificed her pack and nearly overrun the world with a tide of evil to gain power.
Whatever the case, she didn’t appear to be a beloved member of the group.
Moving in silence, he entered the side tunnel she’d claimed as her own. It was far enough from the others to offer the illusion of privacy. He glanced around the cramped space, which held a mattress tossed on the hard ground and a few clothes piled on a chair. That was it.
With his usual caution, Xi stepped into the space, already prepared for the rush of heat as the hidden Were leaped forward to press a silver dagger against his neck.
“Stop right there,” Brigette warned.
Xi turned to glance at the female, who was glaring at him with smoldering eyes. And promptly froze in shock.
He’d seen her, of course, as he’d spied on the rebels. And a part of him had been captivated. Not by her slender curves or the pale perfection of her face, which was framed by a tumble of lush, crimson curls. Or even the dark eyes that contrasted sharply against her smooth skin. He was a vampire, not a human with an obsession with surface beauty. No, he was far more intrigued with the powerful grace of her body beneath her jeans and her chunky ivory sweater. She had a bold, in-your-face attitude that gave her a swagger as she moved past the disapproving gazes. It revealed a fierce spirit that was far sexier than the shape of her slender nose or the plush softness of her lips.
But seeing her at a distance and having her up close and personal were two different things.
Two very different things.
The eyes weren’t just brown, but a rich, velvet darkness that lightened to gold at the center. And her skin wasn’t pale; it was as creamy and soft as the petals of the chrysanthemums that he remembered from his homeland. Even her hair was more vibrant, with shades of copper and bronze and gold mixed with the red.
And her scent…warm and spiced with heather.
She was a sensual wonderland of erotic temptation.
For a long moment, they simply stared at one another, as if they were both knocked off guard by the meeting. Then the spell was broken as Brigette narrowed her eyes. Obviously, she was angered by her reaction.
“Who are you?” she snapped, pressing the dagger until he felt the silver sizzle into his flesh.
Too smart to try to jerk away from the lethal blade, he instead held himself perfectly still.
“I’m Xi, one of the Ravens. Styx sent me.”
The dagger bit deep enough to draw a drop of blood before Brigette lowered her hand and stepped away.
“What took you so long?” she asked.
“I don’t rush into situations.” He glanced around to make sure that there was no one hiding in the shadows. Once assured that they were alone, he turned his attention back to the female. “The Anasso wants to speak with you.”
She held the dagger loosely in her fingers, but she didn’t put it away. A less than subtle warning.
“Then why didn’t he come?”
“He assumed it was a trap.”
She blinked, as if surprised by his blunt honesty. “If I wanted to trap him, I’d be a little more creative than mysterious rebels lurking in dark tunnels beneath his city.”
Xi shrugged. “He’ll meet with you at his lair.”
Her brows pulled together, and he assumed she was going to argue. Most demons had an independent streak. And female Weres had a streak a mile wide.
But she surprised him, by slowly nodding her head. “First, I want to get something.”
“What?”