The Demon's Song - By Kendra Leigh Castle Page 0,46

a mortal, right?”

“Really? I had no idea.”

Tania didn’t appear to appreciate the sarcasm. She peeled away from the wall she’d been leaning against to intercept them before they got to the entrance to what Sofia could now see was definitely some kind of a tunnel. A really, really dark tunnel. Damn it.

“I can’t let you bring her down, Phenex,” Tania said. “You know the rules. She shouldn’t even be down here.” As she spoke, Tania’s male counterpart headed their way, too, and he looked even less friendly than she did. Phenex came to a full stop, and Sofia ended up plastered against his back, which, all things considered, didn’t seem like a bad place to be.

I’m going to grab you. Get ready.

She blinked when she realized he hadn’t spoken the words aloud, though she’d heard them loud and clear in her head. He was in the middle of giving the vampires a hard time.

“I wouldn’t be bringing her if I didn’t have a damned good reason. The little stand you’re trying to take here is cute, but if I want her in, she’s coming in. I’ll tell Justin you tried, if that makes you feel better.”

Both vampires bared their teeth at the same time. Tania looked furious.

“You can’t—”

It happened in the blink of an eye. One second Sofia was just standing there, listening to everyone argue about her. The next, a strong pair of hands had gripped her waist, and she was tossed over Phenex’s shoulder. Not only that, but he was moving so quickly that the world around her was nothing but a blur. They rocketed into the tunnel, and Sofia was grateful that her hair blew into her face with the speed. The rapid motion made her nauseous even without looking, and she didn’t even want to contemplate puking down Phenex’s back.

When he finally stopped, Sofia just hung there for a few seconds, wondering whether she should try to move yet. Then Phenex’s voice rumbled through his chest, vibrating into hers.

“You okay?”

She took a couple of breaths, made sure it was safe to open her mouth, and then answered.

“That depends on your definition of okay. I get the feeling that you just brought me someplace I’m really, really not supposed to be. Call me crazy.”

Gently, he set her on her feet, sliding her slowly down the front of him. Sofia sucked in a breath as she was dragged over every hard curve and contour of his body. By the time he had her feet on the ground she wasn’t completely sure they’d hold her. She allowed herself just a moment to lean into him, soaking up his heat. His hands stayed pressed against her back, even when Sofia lifted her head to brush her hair back and out of her face. When she looked up at him, Phenex was staring down at her with an expression that left no question as to what he was thinking about.

“We need to pick up where we left off. Soon,” he said, his voice a soft growl that had every nerve ending in her body singing. “I’m not going to forget.”

Flustered, aroused, it was hard to muster up any kind of an argument. She wasn’t going to forget, either. But there were a couple of things that she wanted—no, needed—to know from him. This wasn’t the time to ask, but it couldn’t wait long. Not after tonight.

“I—”

Then she looked beyond him, realized what she was standing in the middle of, and forgot every word she might have said.

She would never have believed it if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes. Phenex had brought her into some kind of dark fairy tale.

They stood at the top of a rise, the dark mouth of the tunnel behind them, a cobblestone street rolling away in front of them. Sofia’s eyes widened as they moved over every detail of the city spread out before her. An entire city. In a cave. At least, she thought that’s where they were. Rough stone walls stretched upward above her and in the distance, eventually vanishing into darkness. It was incredible...and yet not as incredible as the homes and shops that the walls encased. Each building that lined the bustling street in front of her looked to have been carved from the stone itself, gothic masterpieces straight out of fantasy. Narrow doorways and arches, sharp peaks and spirals, gingerbread details that were somehow menacing—it was creepy perfection. Sofia thought she even saw a gargoyle or two leering over