Rolling her eyes, Juliet climbed into the carriage, waiting until Victor was settled at her side before offering her opinion on overly arrogant men.
“I am not certain who are more annoying, vampires or mages.”
He flashed a smile that would have been a great deal more reassuring if it had not revealed his massive fangs.
“You shall have an eternity to decide, my love.”
She settled back in the soft leather of the seat as she watched several vampires appear from the shadows, one climbing on the carriage to urge the horses into motion while the others ran silently at their side. It would be a waste of breath to continue the argument. Besides, Justin no doubt deserved a bit of punishment for being idiotic enough to enter a vampire’s lair uninvited.
Leaving the estate, the vampires once again disappeared, no doubt headed directly for the docks while the carriage turned toward Mayfair. Their pace slowed as the streets became flooded with vehicles rushing from one glittering society event to another. Juliet smiled as their frantic gaiety filled the night breeze with the sound of laughter, for once not feeling the least pang of envy.
She at last had what she had always desired.
A home with the man she loved beyond all reason.
They halted just long enough for Juliet to dash into Justin’s townhouse and retrieve the amulet she had discovered during their travels through Spain. Then, returning to the carriage, she used the short time during the drive to the docks to activate the amulet with her and Victor’s scents before splitting it into several small pieces and handing half of them to Victor to spread through the tunnels.
All too soon they had reached the docks, and not giving herself the opportunity to consider just how insane it was to deliberately enter the lair of a Jinn, she shoved open the door and climbed out of the carriage.
In the blink of an eye, Victor was standing in front of her, his expression somber as he wrapped his arms around her in a protective motion.
“Juliet.”
She tilted back her head to meet the fierce emotions smoldering in his silver eyes.
“Must we repeat the same arguments yet again?” she asked softly.
“If you are harmed it will destroy me, little one.”
Her heart melted at the stark simplicity of his words. Lifting her hand, she pressed her palm against the cool skin of his cheek.
“I promise to take the greatest care.”
“You free the gargoyle and leave the docks. Do you understand?”
“Very well, but if you do not return to me—”
He bent down to cover her lips in an achingly sweet kiss. “I have sworn to be at your side for all eternity. I love you, Juliet.”
With a last kiss, he was turning and disappearing with a speed her eyes could not follow.
“I love you, Marquis DeRosa,” she breathed before reluctantly making her own way to the nearby warehouse.
With none of Victor’s talent for tracking his prey, she was forced to retrace her path from last eve and simply hope she stumbled across Levet. Not the best plan, but the only one she possessed.
Entering the warehouse, she crossed to the gaping hole in the floor and lightly dropped to the cavern beneath. Then, moving to the various openings that led to tunnels, she scattered the tiny pieces of the amulet before heading down the nearest passageway.
Her heart was thundering in her chest and her palms were sweating, but she took pride in the realization that the stench of human fear that had been prevalent hours before was beginning to fade. They had at least managed to save a number of prisoners.
She bypassed the tunnel where they had battled the Jinn, shivering at the memory. Victor had sensed Levet nearby….
Juliet abruptly paused, tilting back her head. She might not possess Victor’s vampire senses, but she was certain she could catch the faintest scent of gargoyle.
Hoping that she was on the track of Levet and not some other gargoyle, Juliet squeezed through a narrow opening, banging her head on the low ceiling as she struggled to follow the scent. Good lord, another inch on her backside and she would never fit.
Her hands were scratched and her clothing was ripped in several places by the time she managed to reach the end of the tunnel, but her heart gave a leap at the sight of the entrance carved into the stone wall.
Bending low, she wiggled through the opening, cursing as she sacrificed several strands of hair and a small part of her scalp to a low-hanging rock. But at last she was in a cavern large enough for her to stand upright and even to drag in a deep breath.