“Fine.” She grabbed the Tryshu, which was leaning against the throne. “Then we’ll do this together.”
Levet blinked, his stomach sinking. What did a male have to do to get this female to enjoy some cuddle time? Then, he heaved a sigh. Now wasn’t the time to think of such things.
But later…
“You know it is not possible, ma belle. Your place is here with your people.” He sent her a wry glance. “Why else would you curse me with that aggravating imp?”
She clenched the huge trident, knowing he was right. “Where is Troy?”
“Waiting in the old Anasso’s vault for my return,” Levet said. Troy had been less than pleased when Levet insisted on returning to the mer-folk castle on his own. Levet, however, had insisted. He did not enjoy watching the too-handsome imp flirting with Inga. Especially when he couldn’t be certain that the ogress didn’t enjoy the other male’s attentions. “He is ensuring that nothing creeps through the portal to attack while I am preoccupied.”
She nodded, and it was impossible for Levet to detect whether or not she was disappointed not to have an opportunity to spend time with the imp.
“Why did you come here?”
“Along with the amulet I discovered in the old Anasso’s lair, there was also a footprint that we believe belongs to the traitor. I intend to use it to track down the mystery vampire, but I’m going to need assistance.”
Inga looked confused. “None of my warriors possess your skills in following a trail.”
“Non,” Levet agreed. He wasn’t boasting. Not on this occasion. There were few demons who possessed his exceptional tracking skills. Not even vampires. “But you do possess an amulet that can amplify my ability,” he told his companion.
“Me?” Inga shook her head. “What are you talking about?”
“The doulas stone.”
It took a second for Inga to figure out what he was talking about. Then she lifted her shaggy brows.
“Do you know how to use it?”
Levet cleared his throat. He didn’t want to lie to this female. She was too important. But then again, he wasn’t above taffying with the truth. Non…fudging the truth.
“I know the basics,” he vaguely assured her.
“It could be dangerous.”
“I will be fine.”
There was a long, painful pause as Inga studied him with a worried gaze. “You promise?” she at last demanded, her voice harsh with concern.
Levet sensed a warm rush of…something. It tingled and swirled and made him feel almost giddy.
Reaching out, he brushed his claws over her hand, careful to avoid the Tryshu. The weapon would shatter him into a pile of rubble.
“I promise.”
She nodded. “I’ll take you to the vault.”
Chapter 10
Brigette paced her cramped room. There was a voice in the back of her mind, whispering that she needed to rest while she had the opportunity. If life had taught her nothing else, it was to be prepared for anything. Evil beasts from another dimension. Crazy-ass druid priestesses. Three-foot gargoyles with fairy wings. And part of being prepared meant that she wasn’t exhausted.
But there was no way she was going to sleep.
Not now.
She did halt her pacing long enough to release her hair from the tight braid and brush out the long, crimson strands. Having it pulled back was giving her a headache. Or maybe the stench from the tunnels was the cause. Or…
Her thoughts were interrupted as the makeshift door to her room was shoved aside and Xi stepped inside. It’d been less than a couple hours since she’d last seen the vampire, but something inside her eased. As if a weight had just been lifted from her shoulders.
Was she relieved to have him back? Or just eager to hear what he’d discovered?
She was going with the theory that she was eager to hear what he discovered. It was a nice, straightforward explanation for something she was beginning to suspect was quite complicated. Or maybe primitively simple.
“Did you speak with Styx?” she demanded.
Xi nodded as he replaced the barrier. “And Levet.”
Brigette blinked, caught off guard. “I thought he was traveling to London.”
“He returned to tell Styx that he’d confirmed that the scrolls in Maryam’s office came from the previous Anasso’s lair.”
Ah. Brigette felt a twinge of satisfaction. She’d known the scrolls would be a valuable clue when Maryam had revealed them. And because of her suspicions, the vampires would have a place to start the hunt for the traitor lurking in the shadows. It was oddly nice to do something that gave her a sense of pride instead of shame.
Hoping that Xi couldn’t read her ridiculous thoughts, she cleared her throat. “So how did the scrolls get to Chicago?”
“There’s a possibility that it’s connected to one of the older Ravens,” Xi told her.
Brigette made a choked sound. She wasn’t intimately familiar with vampire politics, but she did know that the Ravens were the most trusted and loyal servants to the Anasso.
“One of you?”
Xi shook his head. “One of the guards for the previous Anasso.”
Brigette shoved aside her shock. She, better than anyone, knew that loyalty could be purchased for the right price. And at least the suspect pool would be fairly small. How many Ravens could there be?
A few dozen?
“You believe the Raven is working with Maryam?” she asked Xi.
“I think it’s more likely that he’s manipulating her.”
Yeah, that’s what she thought too. Maryam’s fierce assertion that she was a savior was too sincere to be an act.
“Why?”
“My first guess would be to take the throne from Styx.”
“If he wants the throne, why not challenge him directly?”
Xi looked genuinely surprised by the question. “You’ve met Styx.”
Brigette shrugged. The Anasso was thunderously powerful, and he no doubt had weapons he kept hidden. But he wasn’t an army.
“Okay, maybe no one would be stupid enough to confront him in a fair fight, but they have hundreds of demons gathered down here. Not even the Anasso could defeat them all if they decided to attack.”
Xi’s expression tightened with frustration. “That’s the question I’m asking myself.”
“You have a theory?”