“Is this spell dangerous?”
“It can be if I make a mistake in mixing the ingredients or when I cast the actual spell.” She frowned, clearly baffled by his question. “But you don’t have to worry, I’ll create a protective circle before I begin. You won’t be in any danger.”
He took a step forward, standing close enough to be drenched in her peach-scented warmth. “And you?”
She licked her dry lips. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s simple. Will you be at risk?”
“The caster is always at risk. Why?”
His thumb rubbed her inner wrist, lingering on the feel of her racing pulse as his gaze rested on her damp lips.
Oh . . . hell.
He was in trouble.
Ass-deep, never-be-the-same-again trouble.
“For better or worse you’re my mate,” he rasped.
“So . . .” Her eyes widened in sudden horror. “Oh. Do vampires die if something happens to their mates?”
He shuddered, unable to even imagine the devastating sense of loss.
“No, but I’ll wish I was dead.”
Chapter 20
Outside the dragon lair
Nefri ignored Santiago’s bristling annoyance as she stepped toward the small female demon.
“Yannah. Did your mother send you?”
Yannah gave a sniff, waving her hand toward the scowling vampire and sulking gargoyle. “I’m not allowed to say in front of them.”
“Ah.” Nefri wisely hid her smile as she pointed toward the small copse of trees. “Perhaps we can step over here?”
Santiago made a strangled sound. “Nefri, we don’t have time for this.”
Yannah widened her black eyes, the heavy pressure of her magic beginning to swirl through the air. “I’m a messenger from the Commission,” she announced. “Everyone has time for me.”
Without warning Levet tossed his hands in the air. “There. You see? How is a man supposed to live with such a bossy creature?”
Nefri sent a warning glance toward Santiago, who had a sudden glint of amusement in his eyes. “Careful.”
“Hey, I’m not saying a word,” he said, an exaggerated expression of innocence on his handsome face.
“Good choice,” she murmured, turning back to the female demon. “Shall we, Yannah?”
Together they moved over the uneven ground, not halting until they were far enough away to avoid being overheard by even a vampire.
“Why must men be so difficult?” Yannah abruptly burst out.
“I have come to the conclusion it’s a genetic defect of males,” Nefri consoled her companion. “That would explain why their numerous faults appear to include all species.”
Yannah gave a slow nod. “That makes sense.”
There was a moment of silence as they pondered the oddity of the male gender, and then Nefri was giving a shake of her head. “I believe you have a message for me.”
“Oh. Yes.” Yannah smoothed tiny hands down her white robe. “My mother says ‘That which was lost is found again.’”
Nefri remained silent, waiting for the rest of the message. At least until she realized that Yannah was staring at her with an expectant expression.
“That’s it?”
“Yes.”
“But . . .” Nefri frowned. “I don’t understand. What was lost?”
“How should I know?” Yannah gave an impatient wave of her hand. “I’m just the messenger.”
Nefri was careful to keep her expression devoid of her stab of frustration. Yannah might appear to be a child, but she had enough power to destroy them all.
“Very well. Thank you, Yannah.” She offered a small bow. “I will be sure to tell Siljar that you performed your task with honor.”
“I must return.” Yannah glanced toward the two men who stood in stiff silence. “You’ll keep him safe?”
Nefri nodded, sensing Yannah’s concern was genuine, despite her enjoyment in nagging the small gargoyle. “I will do everything in my power to make certain he isn’t harmed,” she promised softly.
“Thank you.”
With a last, longing glance at Levet, the small demon abruptly disappeared, leaving behind the scent of brimstone.
Nefri gave a faint shake of her head and slowly returned to her companions.
Why on earth had Siljar sent her daughter to share such a vague message? It wasn’t as if she could actually use it to her advantage. Not when she didn’t have a clue what it meant.
Instinctively moving to stand beside Santiago, Nefri was prepared for Levet’s scowl as he realized she was alone.
“Where did Yannah go?”
“She had to return to the Commission,” Nefri said in distracted tones.
“Hmmph. Typical,” the gargoyle muttered, his wings drooping in the moonlight. “She comes here to pick a fight and then just disappears when she realizes I’m winning.”
Ignoring the grouchy Levet, Santiago reached to tuck Nefri’s hair behind her ear as he studied her with a worried gaze. “What did she say?”
“She said, ‘That which was lost is found again.’”
Santiago was predictably unimpressed. “What was found?”
Nefri grimaced. “That was the message.”
“The entire message?”