“Or an elaborate trap,” he finished for her.
“Yes.”
He turned to pull open the door of the truck. “There’s only one way to find out.”
Nefri crawled into the cab, scooting across the leather seat. She wasn’t nearly so eager to confront Gaius. Not until she had more information on the spirit that she feared was far more powerful than she’d first suspected.
But how?
The Commission had revealed all they intended to. It would be a waste of time to try and question them. And it wasn’t as if there was a textbook lying around that explained mysterious spirits.
At least . . .
Not in this world.
She turned to study Santiago’s profile as he put the truck in gear and headed back toward the highway. “Can we reach Gaius tonight?”
“No.” He shot her a curious glance. “Even if he stays where he is it would take too many hours to reach him.”
“Then I would request we make a small detour.”
“Request?” He grinned. “Where’s my commanding Nefri?” She sniffed. “You called me bossy, remember?”
“So we’re partners?”
She gave a slow nod, wondering if he truly understood how difficult it was for her to concede to his demands.
It wasn’t about accepting someone could be her equal. She wasn’t that vain.
It was allowing herself to be vulnerable.
Something easier said than done.
“Partners,” she murmured.
“I like the sound of that.” His grin widened. “Even if it was like pulling teeth.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re very . . . persistent.”
“I’m a stubborn, impulsive bastard who too often allows his heart to rule his head,” he admitted, his smile fading as he held her gaze. “But, I would die for those I consider mine.”
Warmth flared through her heart. “I know.”
He turned his attention back to the field they were cutting through, slowing as they neared the narrow road. “Which direction?”
“North,” she said, hoping she wasn’t taking them on a wild goose chase. “For now.”
“Wait.” He shot her a suspicious glance. “You aren’t taking me to the Oracles, are you?”
She arched a brow. “Not unless you wanted to drop in for a visit.”
“I’d rather poke out my eye.”
A feeling shared by most of the demon world, she wryly acknowledged. Including herself on occasion.
“No, we’re not going to the Oracles,” she assured him. “I have an acquaintance who might be of assistance.”
His suspicion remained. Smart vampire.
“What kind of acquaintance?”
“I think I should wait and let you see for yourself,” she murmured, struck by a sudden thought. “Oh, we need to find a ring or a necklace. Preferably made of diamonds. The larger the better.”
His suspicion transformed to confusion. “Not that I mind buying you all the bling your heart might desire, querida, but I’m not sure there are any stores open.”
“Has that ever stopped you?” she asked dryly.
His soft chuckle brushed over her skin with sinful pleasure. “Never.”
Northern Arkansas
Santiago had used up most of the swear words he’d learned during his considerably long life as he crawled through yet another mud-filled sinkhole that at last led to a hidden meadow.
An acquaintance, Nefri had claimed. Why hadn’t he demanded more details? Like whether or not the creature lived in the Ozark Mountains in an area so remote not even a damned billy goat could find it?
Of course, he should have known something was up when she’d demanded to be taken to the clan chief of Arkansas rather than a jewelry store to acquire a diamond the size of an ostrich egg. At the time, however, he was distracted by the clan chief ’s eagerness to impress Nefri with his generosity. Hell, Santiago didn’t doubt the bedazzled vampire would have given his entire fortune if Nefri had requested it.
Now he wondered what kind of acquaintance demanded a priceless jewel and lived in the middle of nowhere.
Indifferent to his strange litany, Nefri led him out of the sinkhole and straight across the meadow, the clinging mud flaking off her jeans and sweater to leave her looking as fresh as a fucking daisy.
Even her long hair was perfect, shimmering like a river of ebony beneath the fading stars.
It was no wonder that the Arkansas clan chief had turned over a million-dollar diamond without batting a lash.
“If you’re lost you can just admit it,” he muttered as she at last came to a halt in front of a dead tree that somehow managed to stay upright in the center of the meadow. “I swear I won’t tell anyone.”
Her gaze remained locked on the tree. “I’m not lost.”
“Then you’re punishing me?”
Her lips twitched. “If and when I decide to punish you, Santiago, you will know.”
“Comforting.”
“Mmm.”
“Where are we going?”
“Here.”