“Get to the point,” Valen sharply interrupted.

  “Yeah, okay.” Gunther coughed, his hand still rubbing his bruised neck. “Igor had only been here a few minutes when we realized there were a couple of mages hiding in the balcony. I don’t know if they were pissed about us causing trouble for your mate, but they took out three of my crew and the rest of us scattered.” He glanced around the empty auditorium as if hoping they might suddenly appear. “I’ve been trying to get in contact with them ever since then, but...nada. It’s like they just vanished.”

  Gabriel took a step forward, sending Valen a worried glance. “Or someone made them vanish.”

  Valen nodded, equally worried. The list of questions kept growing. The list of answers did not. It was enough to infuriate the most patient vampire.

  “So why are you here?” Valen snapped.

  “I’ve been coming back here every few hours, hoping one of them might be hanging around,” Gunther explained, his voice edged with genuine loss. He might be a criminal, but the horde was obviously the only friends and family he had. “Or at least someone might have left a message telling me where they’re hiding.” His gaze returned to the rotting head. “The last thing I expected was a mutilated demon and two leeches.”

  “Is it unusual for them to disappear?”

  Gunther spread his hands, his expression baffled. “One or even two of them might go off the radar for a few nights. But they’re usually holed up with some bitch or sleeping off a bender. The whole crew doesn’t fall off the face of the earth.”

  “Someone’s getting rid of the witnesses,” Gabriel said, pointing out an obvious explanation for the missing demons.

  “Kane,” Valen growled.

  Gabriel nodded. “He either got spooked and is cleaning up his mess, or he’s confident his plot has succeeded and is preparing to challenge you for the Gyre.”

  The words sent a blast of fear through Valen. He still didn’t know why Kane would kill his most loyal servant or what he’d done to Micha, but the thought that he was clearing the way to take over the Gyre was enough to have him rushing toward the door.

  “I have to get back to Peri.” Reaching out, he grabbed Gunther by the arm as he passed by. “Let’s go.”

  Gunther tried to dig in his heels as he was roughly dragged down the hall.

  “Actually, I need to get back to my bitch.” He yelped as Valen tightened his grip until the demon’s arm threatened to break. Abruptly he stopped trying to get free and instead scurried to keep up with Valen’s long strides. “Yeah, sure. No problem.”

  In silence they made their way back to Gabriel’s waiting vehicle. Then, squashing the nervous Gunther between him and Gabriel in the back seat, Valen motioned for the driver to return them to the lair.

  The cresting dawn pressed heavily against Valen, warning him how close he’d come to losing track of time. Something that hadn’t happened since...never. An indication of just how distracted he was by Kane’s lethal games.

  Thankfully, Gabriel’s vehicle was custom designed and the tinted windows kept out the rosy glow spreading over the horizon. And of course, the towering buildings kept the sidewalks shadowed as they reached his lair and they climbed out and hurried through the glass doors.

  It was still early enough that Valen expected the lobby to be empty. The offices didn’t open for another hour, and beyond the on-duty guards, there was no reason for anyone to be there. Instead, he walked in to discover a crowd gathered in the center of the floor.

  On one side were three of his guards half circled around a familiar woman, and on the other side were four of Kane’s servants, visibly bristling as their red auras pulsed with the threat of violence.

  “Peri,” he rasped, the earth shaking and the massive glass windows threatening to shatter as he took in the sight of the largest demon grabbing his mate’s arm.

  “Valen!” She tried to step forward, only to be halted as the demon tightened his grip.

  Valen’s fury continued to vibrate through the lobby despite the fact Peri was clearly more annoyed than terrified. Typical of his mate. She had no concept of fear.

  “Release her,” he commanded.

  The demons turned to face him, his own staff appearing relieved to avoid an unpleasant confrontation with no clear idea of whether they were allowed to kick the asses of the visiting demons. Even Kane’s men appeared uneasy. As if equally unsure what the rules of engagement were.

  Jerking out of the distracted demon’s grasp, Peri rushed toward him, throwing herself against his body and wrapping her arms around his waist.

  “Thank God. I was so worried. I woke up and I couldn’t find you and those...” She turned her head to glare back at the guards, who paled as she released a spell that created tiny flames spinning through the air. “Those jerks refused to let me leave the building.”

  The demons stumbled back and Valen hid his smile as the nearest demon lifted his hand to bat away the swirling flames, sweat dripping down his square face.

  “We were told to keep her in the building,” the male protested, continuing to fight the flames until Peri grudgingly extinguished her spell. “Even the ambassador said no one was to leave.”

  Valen glanced toward the tallest of his guards. Mercado had been with him since he’d first taken control of this Gyre and was one of his most trusted servants.

  “Take them to the dungeons,” Valen ordered, shoving the silent Gunther forward. “Including this one.”

  A smile of anticipation curved Mercado’s lips even as Kane’s demons exchanged horrified glances.

  “What the hell?” the seeming leader of Kane’s crew sputtered. “You can’t do that. My master told us—”

  Mercado stepped forward and smashed his fist into the back of the male’s head. The male grunted before flopping to the floor like a bag of wet cement. “Thank you,” Valen muttered.

  Mercado’s smile widened, revealing that Valen hadn’t been the only one infuriated by the arrogance of Kane’s servants who’d strutted around the place like they already owned it.

  “My pleasure,” he assured Valen.

  Not bothering to wait for his staff to gather the prisoners and haul them down to the cells built far beneath the building, Valen headed toward the elevators.

  “What’s going on?” Peri demanded, easily keeping pace. “Do you know where Skye is?”

  “I’m hoping to find out,” he promised, gripping her shoulders as the steel doors whisked open. “Wait for me in the penthouse.”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “Peri, this is Cabal business.”

  His soft tone did nothing to persuade her to obey his request. Shocker.

  “We’re in this together.” She planted her fists on her hips, glaring at him. “Besides, it’s not just Cabal business. Skye is a mage. And more importantly, she’s my sister.”

  “This could get ugly,” he insisted. “I intend to get answers from Kane no matter what I have to do.”

  “I hope it does get ugly. I have several curses loaded and ready to go.” Her face was grim as she held up her arm to reveal the jade bracelet that glowed from the magic pulsing in the green depths. “If you can’t beat the answers out of him, then I’ll make him wish he had never been resurrected.”

  Pride swelled in Valen as he gazed down at the woman who’d stolen his unbeating heart. She would move heaven and earth for the people she loved.

  “Fine.” He conceded to the inevitable. “But don’t kill anyone until I get some answers.”

  She clicked her tongue, stepping into the elevator. “I’m not making any promises.”

  “You have an interesting life, Valen,” Gabriel murmured as he stepped past Valen to enter the lift.

  “You have no idea,” Valen agreed, joining them before he pulled out his keycard to send the elevator dropping to the lower floor.

  Once they reached the guest floor, he stepped out and glanced toward his companion.

  Valen possessed a skill in tracking both demons and vampires, but Gabriel was able to sense their presence even when they were miles away.

  “Is Kane here?” he asked the older vampire.

  “No.”

  “Can you follow his trail?”

  Gabriel tilted back his head, as if testing the air for various scents. “There’s nothing,” he at last announced. “It’s like someone scrubbed away any hint of his presence.”

  Valen snapped his fangs together. Okay, it’d been a lot to hope that Kane would return to the lair and hang around long enough to be tortured into revealing his devious plans. Or better yet, left an easy-to-follow trail to where he’d stashed Micha and Skye.

  Still, he could have left behind something to help them figure out what the hell was going on.

  “The ambassador?” he forced himself to ask.

  Gabriel shrugged. “Not here.”

  With a frown, Valen headed to the double doors that led to the ambassador’s suite. He’d deliberately given the male the best rooms in the hope that Sinjon would appreciate the gesture and give Peri the benefit of the doubt.

  Laying his hand against the smooth wood, he gently pushed on the door, grimacing when it easily slid open. He didn’t need Gabriel’s skills to sense that the suite was empty, so it was no surprise when he walked through the elegant living room and into the bedroom not to discover Azra waiting for him. What was a surprise was the fact that there was no indication the male had been there at all.

  The bed was neatly made, the closets were empty, and the leather suitcases gone. There wasn’t a trace that he’d ever been there. Not even a stray scent.

  “Where did he go?” Valen muttered.

  Gabriel stood at his side, his expression troubled. “I don’t know, but it’s not good.”

  “We need to look at the security footage.” Valen turned and headed back through the suite.

  He was near the door when he was brought to a sharp halt as Gabriel grabbed his shoulder.

  “Wait,” he commanded, nodding toward the intercom system that had been ripped out of the wall, the cords charred as if they’d been set on fire. “I don’t think it’s going to help.”

  Valen clenched his hands. “Dammit.”

  Chapter 16

  Skye stepped out of the thick vegetation and halted in surprise. They’d arrived in Panama less than four hours after sunset and taken a short helicopter ride to be dumped in the middle of a mangrove forest. It’d felt remarkably like they were still in Louisiana with lots of green mossy plants and soft swampy ground until she stepped into the unexpected clearing.

  She turned in a slow circle, amazed by the abrupt change in scenery. The swampy ground was replaced with slick craggy rocks, and directly in front of her the mouth of a vast cave rose like a beast from the age of dragons, ready to swallow the unwary. The moonlight spilled from a sky that appeared close enough to reach up and pluck a silvery star from the dark velvet, reflecting in the water that pooled in low areas.

  “Oh, it’s beautiful,” she breathed, then instinctively she clapped her hand over her mouth. “Sorry.”

  Stepping next to her, Micha studied her with a searching gaze. “Why are you apologizing? It is beautiful.”

  Beautiful...yes. Skye melted as she tilted back her head to absorb the sight of the male’s outrageous splendor. From the start she’d thought he looked like a god. Now, surrounded by the lush primitive landscape, he was even more divine. A dark, mysterious deity too perfect to be real.

  “We’re here to stop the world from going down in flames, not to admire the scenery,” she said, not adding that Micha was enough of a distraction.

  “We can do both, can’t we?” he asked in confusion.

  Skye wrinkled her nose. The apology had been instinctive. Over the years, she’d developed an ability to isolate the visions from her day-to-day life. It was the only way to keep her sanity, and for the most part, the visions didn’t affect her on a personal level. It didn’t mean she’d forgotten the visions, just that she was able to keep them contained so they didn’t overwhelm her.

  “Most people wouldn’t think so,” she said. “They don’t understand how I can see someone’s imminent death and then spend the day baking muffins.”

  An eerie stillness settled around Micha. When he was distracted he forgot to look human.

  “Damn. I just realized how hard it must be for you not to allow the visions to taint your life,” he said in soft tones. “They must be overwhelming at times.”

  “Crushing,” she agreed. If Micha truly intended to spend a future with her, then he needed to know that her magic had a cost. “That’s why I try to limit contact with people I don’t know.”

  With an ease that made Skye’s heart skip a beat, Micha grabbed her hips and tugged her close, gazing down at her with a stark intensity. She lifted her hands to smooth them over his chest, reminded of long daylight hours they’d spent stretched on his mattress. They hadn’t shared more than slow, drugging kisses, but it had been glorious. And wrapped tightly in his arms, she’d eventually fallen into a deep sleep that had restored her badly depleted magic.

  “Which means more contact for me,” he said in a husky growl.

  Anticipation curled in the pit of her stomach as she became lost in the rich golden gaze. “You triggered my last vision, remember?”

  “Never again.” He leaned down to press a lingering kiss against her lips. “I promise.”

  Skye curled her fingers into the soft fabric of his jacket. They were both dressed in black jeans and matching black windbreakers. They couldn’t hide themselves from the demons, but they hoped to avoid attracting the attention of any local humans.

  “You make a lot of bold promises,” she reminded him.

  “I’m attempting to convince you that I should be a part of your life.”

  Going onto her tiptoes, Skye kissed him hard enough to feel the delicious press of his fangs.

  “I’m already convinced.”

  “Skye...”

  Her name died on his lips as Micha jerked his head up, the encircling vegetation swaying as if he was using his powers to search the area for intruders.

  “You sense something?” she demanded, touching the charms attached to her bracelet. They glowed in the moonlight, the echo of Peri’s wild magic tingling in the air.

  “Copper.” Micha at last identified the scent that had captured his attention.

  “Lynx.” She sent Micha a tight smile. They’d taken a risk to trust the memory spell might be connected to the fairy’s current quest for the mysterious sword. It was a relief to know that the gamble had paid off.

  “Yes. And there’s five other demons with him.” He nodded toward the far side of the clearing. “They’re headed this way. Let’s see where they go.”

  Silently retracing their steps, Skye and Micha disappeared in the lush plants even as Lynx stepped into the open.

  He’d pulled his golden hair into a braid and had changed into a spandex shirt and pants that clung faithfully to his lean muscles. He looked like he was about to hit the gym. Then the moonlight coated him in silver, revealing the bleak determination etched on his features.

  This was a fairy on a mission.

  “Stop,” he said, his tone sharp as he held up a hand. “I want you to wait for me here.”

  The ever-faithful Yugan came to a startled halt. “You’re going alone?”

  “You’re not allowed to follow me into the sacred chamber,” Lynx told him smoothly.

  “But—”

  “And I need you to watch my back. I’m too close to have that damned leech interfere.”

  Without waiting for his crew to agree, Lynx marched forward, his back stiff as he entered the cave. Was he afraid?

  Watching as the fairy disappeared from view, Skye was distracted as Micha leaned close enough to speak directly in her ear.

  “The servants don’t trust him.”

  Skye studied the five demons, who exchanged glances as they shuffled from foot to foot. Micha was right. It wasn’t just that they were nervous about being at the cave. She could smell the distrust that prickled in the air between them.

  “Maybe not,” she conceded, nodding toward the shorter male with chopped red hair and a green aura. “But Yugan isn’t going to let us get past him.”

  Micha hesitated, as if debating with himself, then he reached to cup her hands in his palms.

  “I’ll take care of the guards. You follow Lynx.”

  “There’s five of them.” Skye blew out a sigh as she realized what she was saying. A vampire of Micha’s strength could destroy a dozen demons. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t dangerous. Over the past few days the unpleasant surprises just kept piling up. “Okay, but don’t show off.”

  “I might show off a little.” His thumb brushed her lower lip. “Just to impress you.”

  “Micha.”

  He kissed away her protest before lifting his head and regarding her with a somber gaze.

  “I’ll lead them away. You follow Lynx, but don’t try to stop him.” The muscles in his jaw bulged, revealing how hard it was to encourage her to walk into a potential trap. “Wait for me.”

  “I thought I was a powerful mage,” she teased, trying to lighten the mood.

  “You are.” An emotion that seemed too vast to be contained darkened the golden eyes. “You’re also precious. If something happened to you—”

  She pressed her fingers against his lips, her heart thudding. “Nothing’s going to happen to me.”

  With an effort, Micha leashed his emotions, allowing the tip of his fang to press into the pad of her finger.

  “Now who’s making bold promises?”

  “You must be rubbing off on me.”