“So, I’m to spy on Ariyal and report my findings to Yannah?”
“It is more than keeping track of his movements,” Siljar corrected.
“More?”
“We must know the contents of his heart.”
Jaelyn frowned. “I can sense the souls of humans, but I’m not an empath who is capable of reading demons.”
Siljar shrugged. “Remain close enough and you’ll be capable of detecting the taint of the Dark Lord.”
For no logical reason, Jaelyn found herself annoyed by the Oracle’s words.
“I don’t like the bastard, but I can assure you that he hasn’t been infected,” she growled. “He’s determined to sacrifice the missing child rather than allow his evil master to be reborn.”
“That is his plan for the moment,” Siljar agreed. “It is vital that he is not swayed into ...”
“Switching teams,” Yannah finished for her.
Siljar smiled and patted her daughter on the head. As if she’d just performed a remarkable trick.
“Yes. Switching teams.”
Jaelyn understood their concern. Ariyal had admitted that he feared the Sylvermyst might be susceptible to the Dark Lord’s influence. And obviously Tearloch had already fallen victim to the madness.
But that didn’t make her the best choice to fulfill the contract.
In fact, she was fairly certain she was the last person who should be taking on the delicate task.
She wasn’t subtle, or sneaky, and she sure the hell wasn’t tactful.
She was a Hunter who knew how to track and kill.
End of story.
“There’s no guarantee that he’ll let me stay with him,” she warned.
For some reason her muttered words made Siljar chuckle. “I’m confident in your ability to convince him, my dear,” she assured her, turning her attention to the tiny demon at her side. “Are you ready, Yannah?”
The younger demon appeared far from happy. “If I must.”
Siljar folded her arms over her chest, her expression one of universal parental warning.
“And do try to behave yourself, child.”
“Fine.”
Yannah wrinkled her nose, giving a wave of her small hand. Instantly the air shimmered next to Jaelyn. As a vampire she couldn’t sense magic, but she knew a portal when she saw one.
“Wait,” she hissed, attempting to back away. She had feet for a reason. There was no need to be zapping from one place to another.
She had barely taken a step, however, when Yannah was behind her, planting her hands on Jaelyn’s ass and giving her a rough shove forward.
“In you go.”
It shouldn’t be possible for the tiny female to manhandle a vampire, but Jaelyn found herself tumbling into the shimmering air before she could regain her balance.
“No ... dammit.”