“Descendant of Azrael, your presence in our domain is forbidden. What brings you here?” The voice was lovely, almost like music, but it grated on Nikolai like the scream of a banshee.
He kept his eyes lowered, knowing the light elf was too bright to look at directly. “I seek your help and advice.”
“You brought a human. The penalty is death. You know that.”
“Not human entirely, and I did not actually enter your forest. I stand at the edge. Again, please hear me. I beg your help.”
Nikolai lifted his eyes enough to see the golden, shimmering hem of a garment swirling around a woman’s bare feet. The fabric glimmered, and light undulated from within the fibers, just like the cord tying him to Elena.
“Reveal your request before I carry out justice on this spot.”
“We are bound by a cord of your people’s creation. I need to untie this woman—to set her free. How do I do this without killing us both?”
The creature’s amused laughter held no mirth. With smooth strides, she approached, bringing a wave of floral scent with her. Elena’s eyes remained closed as the elf lifted her chin.
“She has power,” the woman said.
“I know,” he answered.
“What is she?”
“I have no idea.”
She released Elena’s chin. “Her aura is strong. Far brighter than any creature I’ve seen outside the elven world, yet her flesh is human.” The woman ran her fingers over Elena’s collarbone above the towel, and she shivered. “And she’s starving. Truly starving to death.”
“How do I help her?” Nikolai asked.
“Isn’t your job to destroy? To kill? To eliminate?” Hatred dripped from the elf’s tone.
“I… Yes.” He took a deep breath. “Just tell me how to break the cord without killing her.”
The shimmering creature waited a long time before answering. “I cannot help you. That cord was forged by Aksel. Only he can untie it before its time.”
“Where do I find this Aksel?”
A sigh that sounded like the ocean wind preceded her words. “If only we knew. He was cursed centuries ago and has not been seen since.”
“Cursed by whom?”
“Our troubles are not your concern.”
A growl entered his tone. “Well, it’s my trouble, too. I need the guy.”
“You are lucky I don’t kill you on the spot, Slayer, for bringing a human to our forest. We gave your people use of our cords in exchange for finding the Uniter to put an end to this war. As with all in the natural order, using something for a purpose other than its intended one is risky and foolish. If you are too dense to see the answer, I cannot help you.”
Leaves from the forest floor whirled and fluttered against the bare skin on Nikolai’s arms, neck, and face as the elf retreated back into the woods, leaving no trace except her sweet, floral scent.
He dropped Elena’s hand and glared at the cord. Fucking elves. Stuck-up, worthless creatures. Intended purpose? Well, what the hell was the thing intended for? It bound souls, for fuck’s sake.
It was bad enough being bound to a vampire, but now she was catatonic. Perfect. A vegetable vampire.
If only he hadn’t tied himself to her… That’s it! He needed to go back before it happened and take a different course. He needed a Time Folder. He needed Stefan Darvaak. But Darvaak hated him. Hell, everybody hated him for that matter. It wasn’t him in particular—it was what he was. Nobody loved the physical embodiment of death. Not even an immortal like a Time Folder, who literally could not be slain by any outside means.
Nikolai’s job had never bothered him before. Ridding both planes of evil immortals had always seemed like a noble cause. Now, it felt anything but noble.
Chapter Six
“We need to teleport again. Keep a grip on your bag, okay?”
Nikolai wrapped Elena’s fingers around the suitcase handle. She didn’t even bother to open her eyes anymore. And she looked so pale and weak. He needed to feed her. He’d had no idea she was starving. He should have, though. She’d ingested nothing but orange juice for two days, and she was having blood sugar issues when he found her. His face flushed hot from shame. First, he needed to get out of the elves’ forest.
She was cold to the touch when he placed his hands on her neck this time. Her shoulders relaxed, and she sighed at the contact.
“Hang in there,” he said. “I’m going to get you some food.”
He knew it was a risky move without contacting the Time Folder first, but he had no choice. There was no one else he could turn to, so he teleported them right into the guy’s living room. At least he hoped it was still his living room. It looked the same, all black and white and chrome and glass. Slick son of a—
“Mr. Itzov. To what do I owe this unannounced and unexpected pleasure?”
Nikolai turned toward the voice slowly so as not to appear aggressive. The Time Folders were a strange lot—almost pacifist in behavior unless you angered them; then they shocked the shit out of you. Literally. And at this point, Nikolai was not up to a jolt.