“It does,” Styx agreed. “If it had been one direct attack on me, the Ravens would have come to my defense, but they would have returned as soon as the danger passed. This way, the guards have spent the past weeks focused on the constant barrage of annoying incidents, along with trying to discover who was behind the trouble. And since Brigette revealed the presence of Maryam, they haven’t returned here at all. Ian has had free access to search the caves for the precise spot our master was killed.”
Styx’s gaze returned to the house. He was aggravated that he hadn’t suspected that there was more to the rebellion than a random attempt to steal his throne. There had been something strange about it from the beginning. Then, again, Ian had taken great care to avoid being detected, including the rumors of his recent death.
“What are his powers?” Viper asked.
Styx took a second to conjure up the memory. Ian had been violent, brutally strong, and unpredictable. But he was trying to pinpoint the male’s unique skills.
“I remember he could create ice,” he at last said.
Viper made a sound of surprise. “That’s it?”
“Not just frost. But a thick layer that can trap a demon,” Styx warned. “I once saw him halt a charging troll with the stuff.”
“Anything else?”
Styx shoved open the door and wrestled his way out of the cramped car, careful not to stab himself. Having a massive sword was handy when he needed to cut off heads, but it had its own challenges.
“Probably,” he muttered.
There was a brush of cool air, and Viper was standing beside him. “Great.”
Styx strapped the sword across his back, sending his companion a humorless smile. “Are you ready?”
Viper moved forward. “Bring it on.”
* * * *
For one of the rare occasions in his life, Levet decided to allow discretion to be the better part of velour. Or was it valor? Whatever.
Instead of entering the caves through the front door, he led Troy through the woods until they came to the hidden entrance that he’d used years ago to rescue Shay.
It was just as unpleasant now as it had been back then.
Dark and dank, with a sour stench that made Levet’s snout curl in distaste. It was as if the smell of fear and madness had combined into a toxic brew and penetrated deep into the bowels of the earth.
Walking beside him, Troy shuddered. “Why would anyone choose to live in these nasty caves?”
Levet understood the male’s disbelief that any creature, even a leech, could linger a second longer than absolutely necessary in such inhospitable surroundings. But he’d spent more than a few decades in precisely this sort of place. When a demon needed to disappear, there was no better place than a hole in the ground.
“They’re private,” he said with a shrug.
“And damp. And moldy. And cramped,” Troy complained, muttering a curse as he was forced to bend over to enter a narrow passageway. “I’ve banged my head a dozen times.”
Levet sniffed. He had no sympathy for the imp. Not after spending the entire day listening to the annoying creature complaining. Really, the male was ridiculously sensitive at the thought of being indebted to Cleo. Why worry about something that might not happen for years? Maybe centuries.
Levet preferred to ignore the bad stuff that was waiting to happen. Why ruin today with worries about tomorrow?
“You should not be so large,” he told his companion.
Troy clicked his tongue. “Not all of us can be mini versions.”
“True,” Levet agreed, glancing down at his short legs. Long ago, he’d resented his height-challenged stature; now he took great pride in stuffing so much awesomeness in such a small package. “Only a lucky few are chosen.”
“Some say chosen. Some say cursed,” Troy taunted.
Levet stuck out his tongue. “You are just jealous.”
“Right now, I’m just sore, and in dire need of a shower.” Troy groaned as they reached a larger cave and he was able to straighten. He placed a hand on his lower back, as if it was aching. “Plus this place is giving me the creeps.”
“Oui. It is creepy.” Levet glanced toward the shallow basin in the center of the stone floor. A small pool of stagnant water remained, although any hint of personal belongings had been hauled away and burned. “This is where Damocles lived.”
“Who?”
“Damocles.” Levet shuddered. The creature might have looked like an angel, but he had a heart filled with evil. “He was an imp who acquired the drug-addicted humans that provided the tainted blood for the previous Anasso.”
“An imp pimp?”
“Oui. He kept the poor creatures pinned down here like cattle.”
Troy’s gaze skimmed over the barren cave with something that might be regret.
“Unfortunately, there are a few of my fellow imps who will do anything for a price.”
“I am acquainted with one or two of them,” Levet said, smirking at his companion.
“Hmm.”
“Wait.” Troy reached out to grab the top of Levet’s wing.
Levet scowled. Rude. “What is it?”
“Magic.”
Tugging his wing out of the male’s grasp, Levet concentrated on the strange vibrations that pulsed against him.
“What sort of magic is that?” he demanded in confusion.
“Death magic,” Troy breathed.
Well, that couldn’t be good. Scampering across the cave, he headed into a nearby tunnel.
“Come on.”
Chapter 20
Brigette managed to acquire a car less than a mile from the motel. The acquiring took the form of stepping in front of an automobile that was speeding down the highway. Once it squealed to a halt, she pulled the screaming woman out and tossed her aside. Then, squashing her six-foot frame into the compact car, she hit the gas and managed to catch up to the Hummer.
Brigette had expected to arrive at their destination within a few minutes. Why stay at that motel unless it was close to where you were going? It couldn’t be for the upscale accommodations. Instead, they traveled for over an hour. Long enough for dusk to paint the sky in shades of peach and soft rose. And long enough to make her muscles tense and a headache form behind one eye.
She’d driven a few times, but never on a highway. And never in pursuit of a Hummer that was traveling well over the speed limit. Staying far enough away not to attract attention, she’d clenched the steering wheel in a death grip and clenched her teeth until they threatened to shatter.