back one step. Two. Across the entire city would not be far enough, really.
This woman he faced and pretended to hold in some regard was partially responsible for the death of his beloved. She hadn't struck the deathblow, no. The dragons held that sin. But Marina had watched those fire-breathing bastards roast Susan alive and had done nothing except laugh.
She would pay mightily for that laughter.
Layel had no other purpose in life than to destroy those who played a part in Susan's death. She had been - and still was - everything to him. She'd been human, one of the rare humans cursed here by the gods to be food for the city's inhabitants.
"The man possesses Dunamis. Do you really think the Mers will catch him?" Layel drawled. "That's why the king sent a messenger. He requests our help in the man's capture because he knows he cannot battle the owner of Dunamis on his own." Layel ran an elegant hand over the black shirt he wore, a shirt that covered a fire-resistant breast-plate. "I doubt we can capture him, to be honest."
Her sharp teeth ground together. "We have our armies at our disposal. Of course we can capture him."
"Why waste our time and energy even trying? Together we can defeat the dragons, and that is all that matters to me." He loved taunting her.
Her lizardlike tongue flicked out in a hiss. "Our victory will be assured if we capture the jewel."
While Layel himself would love to own the powerful jewel again, he did not want the damn thing close to Marina. The queen had owned it over a year, and was the only reason Layel had never acted against her. Now, he could use her - and betray her - and she would never suspect. Until it was too late.
"I will not be able to fight the dragons to my best ability without it," she simpered. "I will be too distraught."
He had to force his expression to remain neutral, instead of grinning at her obvious try at manipulation. "Then, of course, it is my pleasure to attempt to capture it for you."
"I'll send my men through the city, as well. I wouldn't want you to forget to tell me you've acquired it." As she smiled with satisfaction, Layel glided from her tent. Demons were everywhere. They spilled from the circular glen, their laughter and noxious scent making his muscles tense.
He stalked to the cliff at the edge of camp. Full light greeted him, stinging his skin. Some of his people could not tolerate the light. The older ones, like himself, could walk in the day, but not comfortably. He and Susan had lazed days like today away, staying in bed and making love hour after hour.
Gods, he missed her. The music of her laughter, the softness of her touch. The love in her forest-green eyes. Her sweet innocent blood. His lids slitted and he sent his gaze below, into the city. His vampires were strategically placed atop buildings and hidden along the streets.
They were warriors, his men. And they were hungry for demon blood. Soon. He grinned. Soon.
CHAPTER TWENTY
"Jewel."
The voice called to her from a long, dark tunnel. She tried to respond, but her lungs refused to cooperate.
"Jewel."
She opened her mouth, surely the most difficult thing she'd ever done, but again no sound emerged. "Jewel. Come on, baby. Talk to me."
Gray. She'd recognize that sexy drawl anywhere, anytime. He sounded worried and very upset. The fog blanketing her mind was thick, but she managed to push her way through it and -
Her eyelids popped open.
Gray crouched in front of her, his silver eyes swimming with a wealth of emotion: concern, relief, fear.
She blinked and licked her lips, orienting herself. Where were they? What was he afraid of? Pale locks of hair tumbled on his forehead. Dirt streaked his cheeks.
He caressed a fingertip down her nose. "Don't ever do that again, or I'll - Just don't do it. Understand?"
Do what? She glanced around her, noticing the stone buildings flanking her front and back, the gravel she lay upon and the robe draped over her head. The sounds of chattering people, pounding horse hooves, and the scents of meats and fruits drifted into her awareness.
"We're in the Inner City," she said. She remembered being by the river, the Mers attacking and then... She'd had a vision, she realized with a shake of her head. She always lost track of time and place. "How did we get here?"