into the rocky ground. He frowned. "Keep moving. Go!"
"My Lord of Lords. There are vampires blocking the path in front and demons blocking the path in the rear." Her voice trembled with fear.
"Layel," Jewel gasped.
Gray dismounted, keeping his gaze locked on the trio of vampires. They wore black, and the dark material eerily offset their too-pale skin. Their otherworldy blue eyes were... just like Jewel's, he realized. What the hell?
He blinked, but shook off his unease. Jewel tried to dismount. He stopped her with a firm grip on her thigh. A chorus of hissing laughter erupted behind him.
"When I say so, take off," he mouthed to the centaur. "Take her to safety. I'll find a way to repay you." Her only response was a frightened whinny.
Shoving his hand away, Jewel slipped off and stood beside him. "If you stay, I stay."
Their eyes met, locking, clashing. In the next moment, the vampires and demons flew into action, heading straight toward them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Gray shoved Jewel to the ground and threw himself protectively over her body. When she regained her breath, she flailed, trying to make herself the shield. His strength prevailed.
"Damn you," she cried.
He merely meshed his lips into hers for a quick kiss, twisted, and raised his blade. Ready to attack and defend. The vampires' speed was incredible, almost faster than his eyes could see, making them a blur of movement. He didn't know how he was going to fight all of them, or how he was going to save Jewel. He only knew he'd fight to the death if needed.
And it looked like that might be needed.
They were almost within reach, murder in their eyes... almost... His body tensed, readied for impact and battle.
Neither race touched them.
"What the hell?" Shock pounded through him.
The vampires had flown past them and caught the demons midair, crashing together. Hisses rebounded, followed by the sound of sucking. The smell of sulfur blended with a metallic twang.
The centaur bolted into motion. Gray jumped up, pulling Jewel with him, and tried to follow the path the horse-woman had taken.
"Wait," Jewel said, trying to jerk him to a stop.
"Where's that safe house you mentioned?" He tugged his hood back over his head, covering his pale locks, determination propelling him onward. After a quick left and right perimeter check - and spotting several Mers - he ushered Jewel to another alleyway.
"Wait!" she repeated.
This time, he spun and faced her. Half of her face was shadowed by the hood, but her lips - those soft, pleasure-giving lips - were perfectly visible. "Baby, this is life and death. We can talk when I've got you tucked away safe."
"I read his mind."
His brow furrowed. "Who?"
"Layel. King of the vampires. I read his mind."
Understanding dawned. He dragged her inside a nearby cart and slithered the canopy over their heads. He didn't like remaining sedentary, but flattened himself on top of her, pressing her back into the splintered wood. "All right, I'm listening." He kept his voice quiet, not wanting the sound to carry. "What did you learn?"
She shivered at the contact. "Layel wants to help us." "Why?"
"I don't know."
He leaned into her until their breath mingled, the light in his silver eyes piercing her with its intensity. The hard length of his body fit perfectly against hers. "How can you know one and not the other?"
Jewel licked her lips and liquefied against him. Gray had been so distant with her since awaking this morning. He'd barely touched her. And now that he was, she couldn't control her reaction. She wanted him again.
"Concentrate, baby."
"People do not think in sequential ways," she said, forcing her mind on the task at hand. "I want to help them because of this reason and that reason."
He cursed under his breath. "You're right. I'd feel a lot better knowing his motives, though."
"Yes." Her hands itched to slide up his chest, to have his hands slide down hers. "His men are keeping the Mers and demons away from us. He wants us to stay here."
"Are you certain he won't hurt you? You can't predict danger against yourself."
"I'm sure about this. Very sure."
He shifted, his erection pressing between her legs. She gasped. He wasn't immune to their contact, either. "All right," he said. "We'll wait for him."
She brushed her lips over his jaw line, tingling erotically when his beard stubble teased her. Hands climbing up his back, she spread her legs and welcomed him deeper.
He stopped her action with a shake of his head. "Don't. We can't do that here."