The mere thought should have been infuriating, but she found herself actually considering the possibility.
Could she leave her people to return to this world? Could she give up her leadership to be with the man who had reminded her that there was more to life than just duty?
“I . . .”
She didn’t know what she was going to say, and in the end it didn’t matter as the bedroom abruptly melted around them.
“What the hell?” Leaping to his feet, Santiago caught her as the bed disappeared.
The air around them shimmered, before becoming a long hallway with a set of double doors at the far end.
“It seems that Baine has reached his decision,” she said.
Santiago grasped her by the shoulders, turning her to meet his resolute expression. “This conversation is postponed, not finished.”
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Like she doubted for a second the stubborn vampire would press until he had the answer he wanted?
“I know.” She gently pulled out of his grasp. “But later. We shouldn’t keep Baine waiting.”
He grimaced, but he fell into step beside her, his hand automatically reaching to unsheathe the sword that he’d strapped to his back.
Nefri held her tongue until they reached the end of the paneled hall. Then, laying her hand on his arm, she halted him from opening the door. “Santiago.”
He glanced at her with a lifted brow. “I thought you didn’t want to keep the dragon waiting?”
She chose her words with care. “Baine might be one of the oldest, most powerful creatures in several universes, but in some ways he can be almost childish. If you offend him he might very well refuse to share what he knows.”
His lips twitched at her careful diplomacy. “I promise to be on my very bestest behavior. Is that what you want to hear?”
“I was hoping you would let me deal with the dragon.” She met his deliberately blank expression. “Just . . .” She bit off her words and gave a resigned shake of her head. The vampire would do exactly what he wanted to do. “Oh, never mind,” she muttered, reaching to shove the door open. “So stubborn.”
“Stones in glass houses, Nefri,” he whispered into her ear as she stepped past him.
Ignoring his taunt, Nefri entered the throne room, not surprised to find the dragon indolently sprawled on the large throne. He was again dressed in nothing more than a loose pair of dojo pants, his shimmering tattoos crawling over his skin and his eyes burning with an amber fire.
“Baine.” She came to a halt and performed a respectful bow. “Thank you for speaking with us again.”
The amber gaze shifted to Santiago, who stood protectively at her side, his sword in hand.
“I would prefer not to; I certainly have more intriguing matters to claim my attention,” he murmured, his attention turning back to Nefri. “Unfortunately, I have a debt to pay.”
“A debt?” Santiago asked.
Baine shrugged. “A beautiful vampire once saved my life. I will attempt to return the favor.”
Nefri shook her head as Santiago slid a questioning glance in her direction. She’d never heard rumors of a vampire rescuing a dragon, although she didn’t doubt it would prove to be a fascinating story.
For now, however, she was far more interested in Baine’s implication that the vampires needed to be saved.
“Are we in that much danger?”
“Yes.”
Nefri shivered at the blunt agreement. “From the spirit?”
“It’s more than just a spirit. It’s a—” Baine halted, seeming to consider his words. “A creator.”
Beside her, Santiago stiffened. “A god?”
“That depends on your definition of god.” Baine absently touched a tattoo that resembled an ancient Sanskrit mark that briefly appeared on his neck. Nefri suspected that Baine had been considered a god by more than one cult over the centuries. “It’s no longer worshipped, or even remembered by most, but it did spawn several species of demons.”
Nefri’s growing concern only intensified. It hadn’t occurred to her that the spirit had family in the world.
“Demons that still exist?” she asked.
“Of course,” Baine assured her. “You’re familiar with Lamsung demons?”
“Soul-suckers,” Santiago said in disgust.
The Lamsung had been forced into a hell dimension centuries before. Few demons were willing to risk their souls to a creature that could drain them for dinner. It was claimed that the Sylvermysts possessed rare swords that were made with the heart of a Lamsung demon and capable of giving them strength through the enemies they slayed.
“Descriptive,” Baine mocked.
Nefri ignored Santiago’s prickle of power that crawled over her skin. She didn’t have time for a male pissing match.
“Is that what this spirit does?” she demanded. “Steal the souls of his victims?”
“No.” Baine shook his head. “The feeding of souls is unique to the Lamsung, just as the spirit’s other children have their own special dietary habits.”
“What other children?” Santiago growled.