Wait For Dusk Part 1

Wait for Dusk.

Dark Days.

Jocelynn Drake.

There is no sanctuary in the night . . .

Feared even by her own kind for her mastery of fire, the nightwalker Mira is summoned by the coven to take her rightful place as Elder. But with this honor comes grave responsibility a" a commitment to the annihilation of the unleashed naturi. For now the foul creatures walk the earth a" and neither vampire nor human will survive their horrific onslaught.

A tide of blood is sweeping relentlessly across the European continent, as Mira is dispatched to Budapest for the most devastating test yet of her astonis.h.i.+ng powers a" and falls into a well-laid trap. With the dark secrets that haunt her growing darker by the hour, she must confront the terrible truth of her past and protect her fragile sanity in the face of unantic.i.p.ated treachery a" a betrayal by her trusted ally, her beloved enemy, the vampire slayer Danaus.

To the man who loves me and my cats.

Chapter One.

Pain exploded across my face, lighting up the black night. My body slammed against a hard surface before I slid limp to my knees, sending a fresh surge of pain up through my frame. The world around me was a blur of disorganized shapes and shadows, punctuated by splashes of red as something hit my jaw, snapping my head around. I landed on my back with a wooden thud.

I wanted to summon up my powers and set the b.a.s.t.a.r.d on fire, but the attacks were coming too quickly. My concentration was shattered. In the brief lull, I tried to a.s.sess the damage to see if I had any chance of striking back. My left knee had been shattered and my right leg was broken. My internal organs were swimming in my own blood, bruised, punctured, and damaged. My jaw felt fractured and my eyes were nearly swollen shut. I tried to s.h.i.+ft to my side, revealing that at least three ribs were broken.

aYou stupid b.i.t.c.h!a snarled a deep unfamiliar voice. For a moment I could almost convince myself that I had fallen into Roweas hands. Only that naturi could possibly hate me so much as to beat me senseless.

aA nightwalker?a he demanded incredulously just before his foot landed in my stomach. My arms had been crossed over my middle, so my left wrist took the brunt of the blow, fracturing. I cried out as my mind struggled to hold onto the voice. I didnat recognize it. But then, I wasnat sure where I was or how I had even gotten there.

aA nightwalker? If I had known how things were going to work out, I would never have let you out of my sight in the first place!a His footsteps moved farther away as he paced the area.

aWho the h.e.l.l are you?a I spat, sending a stream of blood over my split lower lip.

The creature sighed heavily, and I flinched as he walked back toward me. A large hand sank into my hair, twisting it around his fist before finally jerking it so I was facing upward. Squinting and blinking, my eyes slowly focused in the dim light on a face I was sure I would never see again: my father.

A scream became choked in my raw throat while I tried to lurch backward, sending slas.h.i.+ng pain through my scalp as the creature refused to release my hair. His grin grew over his lean, old face becoming a mockery of the love and laughter I had seen on my real fatheras face.

Clenching my jaw, I closed my eyes and swallowed back a string of curses. I had to think clearly. This wasnat my father. It was obviously a shapes.h.i.+fter, and one that could read my mind and my memories. The only creature that could possibly do such a horrible thing was a bori.

Gaizka! Oh G.o.d! We had failed to lock it up when we were on Factors Walk. The bori had gotten to me.

But even as the thought occurred to me, I knew it was wrong. LaVina grabbed me, using me to lock away the bori before it could steal Danaus away forever. LaVina had s.n.a.t.c.hed me away from Factors Walk and taken me to this secluded location to beat me into oblivion. Or rather, it was this creature that had pretended to be the old witch LaVina so it could get closer to me and Danaus.

A growl rumbled in the back of my throat, warning him to back away, even though I had already proven to be a weak threat. LaVina had fooled us all. I should never have believed her to be a simple witch. I knew all the powerful witches from Charleston to New Orleans. This creature had snuck in, and we allowed it because we were desperate to cage the bori Gaizka. Now it was time for me to pay the price of not being more vigilant.

aYouare not real,a I groaned, clenching my fist against the swell of pain that swept over me as I tried to move.

The creature tightened his grip on my hair just before sending the back of his free hand across my cheekbone. A new pain blossomed across my face, causing my teeth to rattle in their sockets while a trickle of blood started to slip down my cheek.

aDid that feel real?a he mocked. He gave my head a sharp shake when I remained silent. aLook at me!a My eyes snapped open and I stared into the dark eyes of the monster that held me. My body was broken and throbbing with pain. Without some help, I didnat have a chance to defeat this creature. I did not have the strength to summon up my powers to light this son of a b.i.t.c.h on fire, and too many bones were still mending from being broken for me to effectively move, let alone fight. If I was going to die, I would do it with my eyes wide-open and staring into the dead soulless eyes of my opponent.

aYouare not my father. Youare a shapes.h.i.+fter. A bori.a I could taste my own blood in my mouth as I spoke.

aAhhh, my sweet child, you are not even close,a he said, finally releasing his hold on my hair so that I unexpectedly thudded on the floor. aItas my own fault, though. I never should have waited so long to reveal myself to you.a The creature paced away from me, waving his hands in the air.

As he spoke, I pulled my arms beneath my body and pushed myself up a little bit so I could look around. Shock tightened my muscles as I discovered that I was in the library at my own house. However, it looked as if a tornado had ripped through it. The shelves were all broken and the books had fallen into large piles around the room. My ma.s.sive desk was overturned, while papers splattered with my blood were strewn about. Something inside of me s.h.i.+vered when I saw that my extensive collection of hourgla.s.ses destroyed. What little light came in through the window glittered and danced off the broken gla.s.s and piles of sand. Had my time finally run out?

aLet me start at the beginning.a He spun on a heel to face me again, drawing my gaze back to the monster that still held the guise of my beloved father. aBut youare going have to think for me.a Pain screamed through my body, causing my arms to tremble so badly that I finally gave up the fight and lay back down on the floor, trying to ignore the fragments of gla.s.s and wood beneath me. aWho are you?a aI am your father,a he said simply, spreading his arms out on either side of him, his hands held open as if welcoming me into his thin embrace.

aImpossible! My father is dead! He died centuries ago. He was human. Youare just some pathetic mimic.a The creature was before me in a flash, grabbing my hair again so I couldnat look away. aAre you really so sure of that?a he demanded, laughing. Before my eyes, his features s.h.i.+fted so that his soft, wizened face grew younger and sharper in his appearance. His dark brown hair turned a bright shock of red that stuck out in all directions from his head. But it was his glowing lavender eyes that held me still. It was like looking at a male version of myself, and it was terrifying.

aThis isnat real either,a I whimpered. My mind was unable to comprehend exactly what I was staring at.

aActually, youare right,a he admitted with a slight shrug of one shoulder. aBut then I doubt your little mind can fully comprehend the real version of me, so weare just going have to settle for the light version of the truth.a aI donat understand.a aCome now, Mira. Think just a little bit for me.a Giving my head a little shake, he continued. aYou know the old tales. Zeus comes down to earth from Mount Olympus in various forms and cheats on his darling wife, sp.a.w.ning an untold number of children, leaving the earth to be littered with all kinds of little demiG.o.ds and nymphs.a A low, rough chuckle escaped me before I could stop it. aYouare a G.o.d?a With a growl, the monster slammed the back of my head into the shelf behind me, causing my vision to go black. I blinked a couple times, trying to regain my sight. The creature leaned close enough that I could feel its hot breath dance across my cheek. aHalf dead and long forgotten from this world, but I am still here and here I will remain.a He pulled away, seeming to have control of his temper once again. aThat old one wasnat the only one trying to maintain his immortality. We all had brief forays around this dark little mud hole, some having more success than others. Centuries ago, I appeared before your mother in the guise of the man that she was attached to.a When I managed to get my vision to clear again, I saw that I was once again staring into the face of the man whom I had always called my father. I gritted my teeth and tried to push away from the monster, but he held fast. My father had been a good, kind man, and his memory didnat deserve to be soiled in such a manner.

aSo youare saying that you seduced my mother while pretending to be my father,a I snapped, wis.h.i.+ng I could put some distance between us. However, I lay as still as possible, hoping to give my body some time to heal. I would gather my strength, and as soon as I could, I would set this b.a.s.t.a.r.d on fire like a Roman candle.

The creature clucked his tongue at me and shook his head. aBut, little one, he was never really your father. I am,a he corrected. aBut I am grateful for how he looked after you when you were younger and hadnat yet learned to defend yourself. Your mother proved to be utterly useless.a aMy mother loved me!a I screamed, jerking forward.

The creature snorted at me as he released my hair. He changed back into the redheaded figure he had appeared as just moments earlier. aYour mother was terrified of you. Red hair, violet eyes, in a world that was filled with brown hair, brown-eyed children. Even worse, she was afraid of bringing another monster into the world. Thatas why she killed herself.a Putting my hands on the ground for a second, I pushed upward and lunged at the stranger, aiming to gouge out his eyeb.a.l.l.s with my fingernails. Anger had overtaken my common sense. The creature just laughed as he easily captured both my wrists and slammed me back down onto the ground.

Running his tongue over his upper teeth, he smiled down at me, taking particular glee in revealing his next bit of information. aYes, when you were but eight years old, she discovered she was with child again. Fearful of bringing another demon sp.a.w.n into the earth, she walked into the sea, killing herself and the child.a aNo!a I tried to lurch off the ground as fresh tears welled up in my eyes. I knew I shouldnat believe him, but I did. My mother had simply disappeared early one morning when I was young and never returned. My father wept for her, but we continued on as best as we could. Something in me had always felt responsible for her disappearance, and Iad always known that she was dead. I just never understood why she had left us.

In response to my tears, the creature laughed as he released his hold on my wrists. I lifted my hands and wiped my eyes, sweeping away the blood and the dirt that had been smeared and crusted on my face.

aWho are you? What do you want with me?a I was tired of playing mind games with this monster. I needed to heal. I needed to find Danaus and know that he was safe. I needed to put my world back in order.

aHavenat you guessed by now?a he inquired, jumping to his feet with an eerie lightness. aI am your real father. The one responsible for your wonderful set of genes, your special gifts, and rather stunning looks.a aWhatever,a I grumbled, causing his ebullient expression to deflate somewhat. aBut who are you? Another bori? We shut Gaizka up. We can do it with you.a At this, he smiled. He slipped to his knees and crawled across the floor toward me, a smile widening on his sharp face. aIn Africa, Iave been called Ogo and Anansi. In Egypt, I was known as Keku. Among the Norse, I was known as Loki. The Native Americans referred to me as Coyote and Raven.a aOh G.o.d,a I whispered, trying to shrink away from the creature that was inches away from me. His frame seemed to grow so that his huge bulk hovered over me, blocking out the rest of the room.

A dark chuckle rose up from his chest and slithered over toward me, sending a fresh chill down my spine. aNo need to be quite so formal,a he mocked. aYou, my dear sweet child, may just call me Nick.a aWh-What do you want from me?a My brain failed to get past the sudden log jamb of thoughts that were nearly crippling me. I didnat want to believe it, but I was left with either the idea that he was actually telling the truth or that I had fallen in with another bori Danaus and I hadnat been looking for. Either way, I was in serious trouble.

At this, Nick frowned at me as he leapt back to his feet with an easy grace that bespoke of supernatural powers rather than any human finesse. Placing his hands on his hips, he paced away from me while shaking his head. aI knew I should have kept a closer watch on you, but after your initial display of powers, I thought you would be safe on your own for a while. Besides, I had other children to check on.a aThere are others?a aThere were.a He paused, giving a soft sigh. aAnything that failed to be as talented as you was quickly pruned like dead growth.a ab.a.s.t.a.r.d.a I grunted as I pushed into a sitting position. I was light-headed from the pain and my vision swam before my eyes focused on him again.

aWhatas a father to do? Canat have useless bits of my genes running aimlessly around,a he replied as he slipped his hands in the pockets of his black slacks. aBut I turn my back on you for a few short years, and when I look back youare a d.a.m.ned nightwalker! You soiled yourself, diluting all your wonderful powers and potential with that bori filth!a I couldnat understand what he was talking about. aIam stronger now than I ever was as a human.a aStronger?a he snapped. aUnable to go out in daylight, dependent on the blood of humans. How is that stronger?a aIam faster and stronger than any human. I have the ability to read their minds and control their thoughts.a aAnd whoas to say that you wouldnat have all of those abilities if you hadnat allowed yourself to be changed? You didnat give yourself enough time to develop. Now youare saddled with all these silly limitations.a aWhat the h.e.l.l should it matter to you what I chose to do with my life?a I pulled my legs underneath me as I prepared to push to my feet. My legs were mostly healed and I felt that I would soon be able to stand. I didnat like the distinct disadvantage of being trapped on the floor while this creature paced the room like a chain-smoking speed addict looking to score his next fix out of my hide.

aBecause Iave got plans for you, my daughter,a he admitted with an evil grin. aIave had to modify them a bit, but my plans for you still stand.a aI donat give a d.a.m.n about your plans,a I replied through clenched teeth. aI just want you to leave.a aNot yet. And trust me, you will care about my plans before I am through, for you sit at the center of it all.a I tried to pull to myself up by using a couple intact bookshelves behind me. aWhat plans?a aAhhh . . . no reason to give away my best secrets just yet.a He laughed, wagging one finger at me. aBesides, thereas something that you need to take care of first.a aI donat have to do s.h.i.+t for you!a Struggling to stand on my own as pain shot through the bones of my legs like a bolt of lightning looking for a grounding rod, I swallowed a scream.

aThis is for the both of us.a Extending one hand toward me, I felt a surge of energy fill my frame. In an instant I jerked to my feet, my arms snapping out to my sides, leaving me hanging in the air as if I were a marionette on a string. Jabari had exhibited the same ability to physically control me against my will. Danaus could force me to use my powers against my will. The bori could control me completely as well. And with no great surprise, so could Nick.

aI have had enough of this nonsense,a he said with a harsh hiss. aNo daughter of mine will be controlled by other creatures! Well, you will be controlled by no one but me.a aI canat help it!a aLies! Youave never properly fought them!a With a wave of his hand, he slammed my back against a broken bookcase before pulling me toward him again. aThere will be no more of this. You will not only fight them and keep them from controlling you, but you will learn to harness their own powers for your benefit.a An ugly bitter laugh escaped me as he stepped away and my head fell back. aThatas nonsense if I ever heard it.a I chuckled, letting my head fall forward again. My hair dropped down to crowd around my face, partially obscuring my vision of Nick. aFight Jabari? Heas centuries old. He could crush me with a thought if I so much as tried to defy him. He has some kind of power over me that I donat understand and canat fight.a The creature rushed toward me in a flash and wrapped his large hand around my throat. I felt his powers release me half a second before he flung me across the room and into the side of my toppled desk. A loud groan echoed through the room as both my body and the desk skid across the hardwood floor before finally hitting the opposite wall.

I slowly lifted myself into a kneeling position so I could glare up at him. aDonat you think I want to be free of Jabari?a I demanded. aI would love nothing more than to shove his d.a.m.ned powers down his throat and let him choke on them, but I canat. I canat fight him. h.e.l.l, I canat even sense his powers until itas too late.a aThen let me give you the gift you would have had already if you hadnat messed your life up with these b.l.o.o.d.y nightwalkers.a He waved his hand at me and I found myself cringing, all the muscles tensing in my body as I waited for another wave of pain to come cras.h.i.+ng through my frame. But it never happened. There was only Nickas laughter as he mocked my surprise and fear.

And then it came to me, as if a heavy veil were being lifted from the world. I could sense . . . energy. Different kinds of energy as it flowed in and around me. I could feel the earth and her steadily beating pulse. I could feel the hum of energy buzzing in my own body. I could sense the energy rolling off Nick in fat, swamping waves so it seemed to fill the air, suffocating me as I struggled to pull above its weight. It was unlike anything I had ever seen or felt before. Once, many months ago, I had sensed the powers of the earth, and being a nightwalker, I was always in touch with blood magic. However, the energy that tumbled away from Nick seemed to fit neither of these categories. He was a ma.s.sive ball of power and something else . . .

aHow about a test drive, father mine?a I mocked, pus.h.i.+ng to my feet. Narrowing my eyes on his smug face, I tapped into all the energy swirling around me, not caring whether it came from blood, earth, or whatever Nick was, and let it fill me in a rush. I summoned up my powers and flung a round of fireb.a.l.l.s at him with enough speed that I was sure he wouldnat be able to dodge them. And he didnat. The fire struck him in the center of his chest and washed over his body, covering him as if it were a second skin. His laughter bounced around the room as he took a step toward me, still covered in flames.

I stumbled a step backward, hitting the desk behind me, and steeled myself for the next round of blows as my mind frantically searched for another way of attacking. I had no weapons on me, only the power I had been born with. Running wasnat an option. Nick had already proven that he was faster than me. So I waited for my punishment for striking out.

But it never came. He laughed at me and extinguished the flames. aThatas my girl,a he said, and patted me on my bruised cheek. aNow you just need to use that energy you can sense against those who are trying to control you. Prove to me that you can harness their own powers for your means. Control Jabari. Control Danaus.a Something in my chest twisted at the sound of the hunteras name falling from Nickas thin lips. I wanted to keep Danaus as far from this creature as I possibly could, but I knew looking into his twinkling black eyes that it wasnat even a remote possibility.

aAnd if I refuse?a I lifted my chin as I clenched my teeth.

aThen you are useless to me as you are, and weall have to start from scratch,a he said with a grin. He pressed his hand into my stomach and leaned in close. aI can still undo what was done.a aWhat?a I demanded, my stomach twisting into a tight knot.

aMake you human again.a My mind halted at the very thought. Human. Again. I couldnat ever be human again. I didnat want to be human ever again. I was a nightwalker. I had been a nightwalker for more than six hundred years. It was all I knew.

Nick sent a pulse of energy through my system and I felt a jerk in the middle of my chest as if something had tightened its fist around my soul. At the same time, my heart thudded in my chest and I took a ragged gasping breath, feeling like I had been holding it for the past six centuries. I could feel blood rus.h.i.+ng through my veins and warmth pulsing through my body again. Oh, no! I was alive again.

aNo!a I screamed, grabbing his hand with both of mine. aNo! You canat do this! Donat take this away from me!a aThen heed me, daughter of mine,a he bit out. aProve to me that you can wield the powers of the hunter and the Ancient, and I will leave you as you are. Otherwise, I will turn you human again and you will bear me a child to replace you.a aA child?a I stopped struggling as the horrible thought screamed through my brain. aBut you said you were my father. It would be a monster.a aIt wouldnat be the first monster Iave graced this world with.a Nick released me, and I slid down the side of the desk as my legs gave out. Sitting on the ground, I stared straight ahead, blind to the world around me.

aListen to me, Mira,a he said slowly, drawing my gaze back to his smiling face. With a wave of his hand, one of the silver-plated hourgla.s.ses that had been smashed to pieces rea.s.sembled itself in midair, leaving the black sand to collect perfectly in the upper gla.s.s chamber. Nick set the hourgla.s.s between my legs, tipping it so the sand ran into the empty chamber. aYouave always felt like time was running out for you, and now you know why. Iam here and Iam waiting for you. Do as I ask and you shall be rewarded. Fail me and I shall make you human so that you can breed me a child to take your place. I will be watching, but remember, your time is running out.a

Chapter Two.

Valerio found me sitting in the middle of my destroyed library, my eyes locked on the hourgla.s.s as I tried to will the sand to stop falling. My thoughts were a shattered wreck and I was left bobbing in the middle of the black sea, clinging to the one thing that I had been sure was impossible: Nick could turn me human again.

After centuries of being a nightwalker, of endless nights of blood and violence, it was the one place where I felt I belonged. I was hated and feared by most of my kind, I had allies that would rather see me staked, but being a nightwalker was all I knew. It was home, and I couldnat go back now.

But my heart beat and blood rushed through my veins, if only for a moment. My lungs had burned until I took that first gasp of air, refilling them completely for the first time in far too many years. Worse still, my soul had been fully anch.o.r.ed within my frame as if it had settled back down in the hole that was now the home to the monster that craved the blood I fed on so frequently. For a flicker in time Iad been human again, and all I had felt was terror.

aMira?a Valerio whispered, gla.s.s crunching under the hard soles of his dress shoes as he stepped into the room. He had magically appeared, streaking across the vast distance from Venice to Savannah. And for the first time in my existence, I had sensed the swell of power before he appeared and knew exactly who it was. Nick had truly awakened something within me.

Kneeling beside me, he slowly placed one hand on my shoulder, causing me to flinch. aMira, are you all right?a I was wounded mentally and physically, and I needed time to heal and think, but I would get neither. Yet time was slipping away from me, and Valerioas unexpected presence in my domain indicated there was a new problem that needed my unique attention.

aBring me Danaus,a I commanded in a low voice.

aIs he the one that did this to you?a Valerioas hand tightened on me even though there was no change in tone in his voice.

aNo. Bring him to me.a aWhere is he?a My eyes fell shut and I reached out with my senses, letting my powers wash over the entire city of Savannah and the surrounding suburbs in a great wave. To my surprise, I found Danaus exactly where I had left hima"at Factors Walk. Had only a couple minutes pa.s.sed when it felt like years?

Mira! came Danausas instant reply when he sensed my touch.

Valerio is coming for you, I simply stated and then pulled quickly away, setting up mental barriers as I went. I didnat want the hunter in my head, didnat want him to know about the monster that seemed to be linked to my earliest beginnings, my weak pathetic human roots.

aHeas at Factors Walk,a I said, shoving a mental image of the location into Valerioas mind. The nightwalker jerked away at the unexpected invasion, releasing his hold on my shoulder, but I didnat care. aBring Danaus to me now.a Wordlessly, my longtime friend and companion stood and disappeared from sight. I had enough time to reach out and pick up the silver hourgla.s.s that rested between my bent legs before Danaus and Valerio reappeared. With a grunt, I flung the timepiece across the room, where it to shattered into hundreds of pieces, sending out a spray of black sand like a plume of deadly smoke.

The hunter took one look at the room before grabbing a handful of Valerioas white s.h.i.+rt and slamming him against the nearest wall. aWhat the h.e.l.l have you done?a he snarled. Danausas powers bubbled up with his anger, filling the small, broken room with a warm haze of anger. This time, I felt as if I could reach out and touch those powers. And if I really wanted to, I could give them only the slightest shove and Danaus would boil Valerioas blood. This new power carried with it a haunting temptation, like low-hanging fruit just waiting to be plucked.

aHe didnat do anything,a I muttered, shaking my head as if to clear it from too many dark thoughts. Energies swirled around me like ghosts, each with its own demands and desires. aHe found me like this.a Danaus released Valerio with a small shove and stepped over to me. Kneeling down, he placed one hand beneath my chin and forced me to lift my head. I knew what he saw. I was cut, battered, swollen, and bruised to the point of being barely recognizable. My clothes were shredded and I was covered in my own dried blood. From the moment that Nick had gotten me alone in my home, he had taken the time to beat me completely senseless so I didnat have a chance at fighting back. Didnat have a hope.

aIs Gaizka gone?a I asked, unable to stop the tremble that slipped into my voice at the mention of the bori that tried to steal Danaus away.

aItas gone.a He cupped my face with both his hands and looked me in the eye. aYou saw it. The doorway opened and Gaizka was drawn back inside. Caged. Gone forever.a My eyes fell shut as a tear slipped down my cheek. aForever,a I repeated, bitterness eating away at the word before it could travel much farther than my lips. Forever seemed like such a pretty concept. Aurora and the naturi were supposed to be locked away from the world forever, but they escaped. Why couldnat the horde of bori that were waiting in their own little holding pen break free as well?

aWhatas Gaizka?a Valerio asked.

I turned my head toward the nightwalker, still resting my face in Danausas hands. His warmth was wrapped around me in a comforting embrace, and I wasnat ready to leave it just yet and dive back into the cold brutal world that waited for me. aA bori who escaped. We locked it away again.a I opened my eyes to find Valerio standing with a somewhat blank expression. One hand was outstretched, with the tips of his fingers pressed to the doorjamb as if to steady himself as the room threatened to spin around him. I could easily guess that it was taking all of his strength and considerable willpower not to show the terror I knew was screaming away in his mind.

The bori, along with the naturi, were our greatest enemies. Yet where the naturi were content to simply destroy us, the bori were determined to once again control us. They were, after all, the creators of all nightwalkers. Centuries ago the nightwalkers and the lycans locked away the bori and the naturi, but recently our prisoners had been escaping their bonds.

aItas gone?a Valerio asked in a breathless voice. aYouare sure itas gone?a Pulling my face out of Danausas grasp, I rested my head against the desk behind me and closed my eyes. aItas gone.a aIt . . . Gaizka . . . did this?a Valerio inquired.

aYes,a I quickly said before Danaus could speak. It was a lie, but it was something I knew Valerio would easily believe. I still had no idea what I would tell Danaus when the time finally came, but for now neither man needed to know who had been in the library with me. I was trying to come to terms with it myself. I didnat need to think about the repercussions of other people knowing.

aBut itas gone now,a I said with a grunt as I tried to push to my feet. To my surprise, Danaus swept his arms beneath me and picked me up, cradling me against his large chest.

aYou need to rest,a he said firmly, starting to walk out of the room.

aShe needs to feed,a Valerio countered in a cold voice as he came to stand in front of the hunter, stopping him from taking me to whatever soft, comfortable location he had in mind. Bed sounded very nice. Feeding required more energy than I was willing to expend until the next evening.

aBut Iam not going to get either, because I need to know why youave suddenly shown up in my domain,a I said tartly, pinning Valerio with a dark gaze. aThis isnat a pleasure visit, is it?a aItas always a pleasure to see you, Mira.a Valerio smiled, as some of the tension eased out of his strong shoulders. The destruction of the library, my appearance, and the mention of the bori had temporarily shaken up the nightwalkeras usual unflappable calm. But he now seemed to be settling back into his usual self of untouchable poise and charm.

Laying my head against Danausas chest, I listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, letting the soothing sound push back the pain. Valerio and I had some kind of business to discuss, and I had a dark feeling I knew who it involved. aDanaus, either put me down or put me in the parlor. Thereas no rest for the wicked in this city.a A part of me half expected the hunter to simply drop me on my a.s.s exactly where he stood, but I must have looked pretty d.a.m.n bad because he carried me into the main parlor and gently settled me on the sofa while he took a nearby chair to my left. Valerio followed us silently into the room, which was impressive considering the creaky, hardwood floors, but then Ancients had all kinds of special skills that we younger ones could only dream about.

Valerio walked over to the marble fireplace and turned around, his hands on his hips as he looked down at his feet, a frown toying with the corners of his lips. The nightwalker was weighing his words. If he was trying to be cautious, I knew it did not bode well for me.

aOut with it,a I snapped. aYouare not here for Knox.a Yet even as I uttered the words, I felt a strange tightening in my chest at the thought of it. What if he was here to take back the nightwalker he had made centuries ago? Not only had I come to count on Knox to help me maintain the peace in my domain, but I also saw him as a good friend. I didnat want Valerio to s.n.a.t.c.h him away from me.

aNo, this isnat about Knox,a Valerio admitted with a shake of his head, sending a soft lock of hair down across his forehead. The nightwalker released a heavy sigh and stared at Danaus, who was frowning at him, looking distinctly uncomfortable. The last time head met Valerio, it had not been under the best circ.u.mstances. Both the naturi and the coven were trying to decide how to kill us, and Valerio was struggling to choose a side.

aI think it would be best if we discussed this in private,a Valerio finally admitted, tearing his eyes away from the hunter to pin me with his dark gaze.

aIf this is about the coven, he can stay,a I grumbled as I slid into a sitting position. I gently placed my feet on the floor, feeling to see if my knee and leg were fully healed. Strength was returning to my battered frame and I felt that a lot of my aches and pains could be washed away with a hot shower. aDanaus has met the coven. Heas been through h.e.l.l with me. He can stay to hear this.a At this, Valerio finally frowned at me. aAre you saying that youave finally taken a pet?a aNo!a Danaus said, instantly lurching to his feet.

aNo,a I seconded in a softer, yet firm voice.

aThen what, Mira? Are you saying heas your equal? You, a member of the coven, are equal with a vampire hunter?a Valerio demanded, twisting the knife that he had plunged into my chest when he started this conversation.

I didnat know how best to explain it. Danaus had walked through the fires of h.e.l.l with me, survived attacks from both naturi and bori. If this creature was going to continue to watch my back, I couldnat keep secrets from him.

aItas complicated, Valerio. Letas leave it at that.a Valerio gave me a skeptical look that implied far too much. Leave it. Itas not what you think, I told him again, in thought, which only earned me a slight grin. The nightwalker positively reveled in being a complete pain in the neck.

Motioning for Danaus to return to his seat, I ran one hand roughly through my hair, pus.h.i.+ng it out of my face. aCan we just get down to business?a I said to Valerio. aWhat does the coven want?a While Valerio had never mentioned it, I knew the coven was one of the few things that would drive the nightwalker out of the splendid comfort of the Old World into my domain.

aThey want you,a he stated, shoving his hands into his pockets as he leaned one shoulder against the mantel of the fireplace.

aFor what?a Danaus inquired.