The Devil of Darkvale.
He was the most feared man in Guild City. Perhaps the most feared man in Europe, save for Silviu, who never left his castle.
Most people wouldn’t envy me my position at his side. They’d assume it was a prison. Yet, I didn’t feel that way. Not now that I knew Grey.
Perhaps Silviu was this woman’s Devil of Darkvale.
I met Silviu’s cold gaze, not liking the desperation I saw in the depths. “I can work with my friend back in Guild City to turn the vision in my head into a picture for you. You can use that to find her.”
A scowl slashed across his face.
“It’s the best I can do,” I said. “That is all my magic showed me.”
He drew in a steadying breath, something cunning flashing through his eyes. The hair on the back of my neck rose, and I looked at Grey. Suspicion flickered in his gaze.
Finally, Silviu said, “Thank you. I understand this is all you can do. I will arrange for a meeting with the seer. A chamber will be made available to you while you wait.”
Even though I didn’t like the extra something in his voice, I couldn’t identify it. It was the best we could do, and I would keep my guard up.
“Thank you.” Grey stood.
Silviu and I joined him. Remington appeared from the shadows, and Silviu gestured to him. “Lead our guests to the Crimson Room. I will let you know when the seer will see you.”
Remington led us from the room, and I couldn’t help but look back at Silviu. He stared into the fire, the flickering light glinting off his pale form. It wreathed him in shades of gold that made him look almost human. Almost alive.
Then we were out the door, and Remington was leading us down a wide, dark corridor to a spiral staircase. We ascended, passing from one pool of light to the next. We reached a floor high up in the castle, then walked down another long hall.
Remington stopped outside a door. “You may wait here.”
Grey entered first, and I followed, gasping at the sight of the interior.
It was magnificent.
The room filled the entire octagonal tower, each of the eight walls set with a large glass window. The sills were ornately carved stone, and the ceiling steep and peaked, covered with blooming black roses. Outside, lightning lit the sky. The red window glass made the bright flashes appear rosy and somehow soothing.
A dark pool filled the center of the space, crystal clear water revealing the gleaming black stones at the bottom. They were as round and perfect as eggs, and the water steamed delightfully.
Along one wall, an enormous bed covered half the window. Couches and tables lined the other walls, along with bookshelves and an enormous hearth.
The door shut quietly behind us, and I turned to Grey. My head felt slightly fuzzy, but I forgot that as soon as I saw him. “Have you ever been to this room?”
“No.” His voice was low, sending a shiver across my skin.
I loved his voice. Somehow, however, I’d taken it for granted. But now that I was about to lose him, it made me appreciate it all the more. Deep and smooth, with a hint of gravel in opposition to his cultured accent.
His beautiful silver eyes flickered over me, filling with heat as he took me in. Warmth rose inside me, and I traced his form, desperately wanting to touch him.
From the corner of my mind, I vaguely sensed that something was amiss. We’d just entered this room, and Grey hadn’t searched it for bugs like he had the other room.
Instead, he stared at me like I was the last drink of water on earth. And I couldn’t stop looking at him the same way.
I wanted him.
Bad.
I wanted to feel his lips on mine. His skin on mine. His hands.
I strode toward him, my heart thundering. My head grew fuzzier with every moment that passed.
“Carrow.” Grey stepped forward, meeting me. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me to him.
5
Grey
Carrow fit perfectly into my arms. Desire surged through me as I bent to take her lips with mine.
My thoughts blurred even more as she parted her lips, her tongue darting out. I groaned and pulled her closer, careful not to clutch her too hard around the waist. She pressed her form fully against mine and wrapped her arms around my neck, tilting her head to take the kiss deeper.
All thoughts disappeared from my mind as we kissed, making it unnaturally empty.
“Come on,” she whispered against my lips, pulling me toward the bed.
I growled and picked her up, wrapping her legs around my waist as I strode around the pool and toward the bed. I stopped next to it, immensely grateful for its presence.
Silviu had put us in the perfect room.
The memory of him tugged hard at my fuzzy thoughts.
Silviu.
We were in his castle, a place to which I’d vowed never to return.
And we were about to drop our guard and have sex.
That didn't feel…right.
I pulled my lips away from Carrow’s, struggling to bring my mind back to the present.
Why were we here?
Lightning struck outside, glowing rose through the tinted glass. The glow highlighted Carrow’s features in a way that made her look more beautiful than ever, and it was all I could do not to fall back into her kiss.
I shook my head.
What the hell?
The thought was normal, the place was not.
I set her down, and she reached for me. “Grey. Kiss me.”
“No.” I gripped her shoulders and shook her gently. “Try to clear your mind.”
She blinked, her gaze cloudy. “What do you mean?”
“I think we’ve been enchanted.” I could feel it even now, seeping through my head like a mist, turning my thoughts toward Carrow. I could think of nothing but her.
It wasn’t unusual for her to fill my thoughts, but even I had the control not to entirely drop my guard—and my trousers—in the middle of one of my greatest enemy’s castles.
She gasped, then rubbed at her temples hard, as if trying to drive the fog away. I pinched the bridge of my nose, squeezing my eyes shut and trying to focus on our goal.
We were here to see the seer.
Silviu was finding her now.
Or was he?
I looked up at Carrow. “I’m not sure if he’s actually arranging a meeting for us.”
“Maybe not.” She dug into the small pack she’d brought, searching for something. “I think Eve gave me a potion to help combat mental spells.”
“A very useful friend to have.”
“And she’s fun for a night out at the pub.” Carrow fumbled in the bag, shaking her head every now and again, clearly trying to keep her wits about her. She pulled out a tiny vial. “This is it.”
“Is there enough?”
“I think so. Every vial is a double, she said.” Carrow uncorked it and swigged back half, her eyes immediately brightening. Then they widened. “Shit.” She shoved the vial at me. “Drink this.”
I tossed it back, cringing slightly at the bitter taste. Within seconds, my mind had cleared. The stress and tension returned, and a moment later, the room shifted.
I blinked, taking in the new space. There were no more windows, or furniture, or deep, sparkling pools.
The room was still octagonal, but it was just stone walls and a stone floor. Not even a door.