Gaius wisely ignored the taunt. “What would you have of me?”
“A prophet has been discovered.”
Gaius widened his eyes in shock. He’d heard the rumors, of course, but he’d dismissed them. It had been centuries since the last prophet had walked the earth.
“A true seer?”
“I want her brought to me,” the Dark Lord commanded. “Alive.”
“Of course. Is she a human?”
“A Were.”
Gaius considered the logistics. He didn’t remember his life as a Roman general, but he maintained a rare talent for strategy.
Which, unfortunately, was precisely the reason his clan had been attacked . . .
No. He wrenched his mind from the painful memories. He couldn’t go there. Guilt, no matter how well deserved, was a distraction he couldn’t afford.
“That will make her capture a trifle more difficult, but I am confident I will be capable of bringing her to you with minimal injury.”
“She is being protected by a male Were,” the Dark Lord continued. “I want him brought as well.”
“Why?” Even as the word left his lips, Gaius knew he’d made a mistake.
On cue, an agonizing pain drilled through his head, sending him to his knees.
“It is not your place to question me.”
“No, Master.”
“I will provide you with the necessary companions to assist you in your task.”
Companions? That was the last thing he needed, or wanted.
“That’s not necessary . . .” Once again the pain shot through his brain, briefly blinding him with the sheer anguish. “Gods.”
“Gaius.” The witch jerkily moved to pat the top of his aching head, her face still blank and her eyes glowing with an eerie power. “Do not make me wish I had chosen another servant for this important task.”
Forcing himself back to his feet, Gaius managed a stiff smile. “You will have no reason for regret, Master.”
There was a long pause. As if the Dark Lord was debating the pleasure of killing him against the need to capture the prophet. At last the witch gave a nod. “Sally will travel with you as my personal eyes and ears.”
Gaius was proud and stubborn and obsessed with his dead mate. But he wasn’t stupid.
This time there was no hesitation as he gave a nod of his head. “Of course.”
“I will have two others join you.”
Another hasty nod.
He would make certain his . . . companions understood who was in charge when they arrived.
“Where will we find the prophet?” he asked.
The crimson eyes flared. “If I knew where she was I would not need you, would I?”
Good point.