Bound By Darkness Page 0,47
the hands that reached out to try and halt her.
Once clear of the encroaching circle, she tossed aside the nasty corpse and flew with blinding speed across the meadow. Reaching the woods, she climbed up the nearest tree and used the spreading branches to silently make her way deeper into the shadows.
At last she halted, wrapping herself in shadows and sending out her senses to search for the magic-user.
She filtered out the mundane scent of the native wildlife that scampered in the underbrush and even the approaching scent of gargoyle. Her sole focus was finding the person responsible for controlling the zombies before they managed to rip Ariyal into bloody shreds.
Which would explain why she nearly jumped out of her skin when there was a flutter of gossamer wings and Levet abruptly landed on the branch beside her.
“What are we hunting?” he whispered directly in her ear.
Jaelyn nearly fell out of the tree.
And wouldn’t that be the cherry topper on her humiliation?
A highly trained Hunter not only allowing a miniscule demon to see through her shadows, but to alert every creature in the area to her presence by taking a tumble from the tree like a five-year-old human.
“Holy shit.” She released her powers, turning to glare at her companion. “How did you know I was here?”
He smiled at her furious disbelief. “I possess nutty skills.”
“Nutty?” It took a second to decipher his words. “You mean mad skills?”
He waved a hand. “Oui.”
“And your skills allow you to see me even when I’m cloaked?”
“Oui. I can see through most illusions when I make the effort. Vampire, fey, and even witches’ spells.”
“Do all gargoyles possess the same skill?”
Something that might have been pain rippled over the ugly little face before the gargoyle was hiding it behind his smile.
“Some are better than others.”
She tucked away the vital bit of information to share with the Ruah, concentrating on her companion.
“Are you the best?” she asked, her voice softening.
He grimaced with rueful resignation. “When you are my size you must learn to recognize approaching danger no matter how well camouflaged.”
“Yeah.” She gave a slow nod, reaching to pat his head between the stunted horns. “I get that.”
They stiffened at the same time, turning their attention to the bulky form that was weaving through the trees.
“Cur,” Levet breathed.
Jaelyn scowled at the unwelcome intruder. He was a young man who appeared to be thirty in human years with blond hair that was buzzed in military fashion and a square face that might have been handsome if you liked the “all brawn and no brain” sort.
At the moment his head was bent over a mirror he clutched in his hands, indifferent to the danger that lurked just above him.
“Damn,” she whispered.
Levet pressed close to her side. “What is it?”
“I’m searching for the witch who is controlling the zombies, not a damned dog.”
The gargoyle sniffed the air. “The magic is coming from the cur.”
She hissed in shock. “You’re certain?”
“Ma enfant, did I not just prove my skills?”
Jaelyn didn’t truly doubt him. It was growingly obvious the tiny gargoyle harbored unknown depths. But ... hell. This was a complication she didn’t need.
“I’ve never heard of a dog being a magic-user,” she muttered.
“It is rare,” Levet conceded. “They must be a powerful mage or witch before they are turned or their skills are lost during the transformation. And since most curs are terrified of magic they usually do their best to avoid them. Certainly they would never deliberately try to attack a magic-user.” He leaned forward to study the man below them. “I would guess this particular mage sought out a cur to transform him on purpose.”
“Why?”
Levet gave a lift of his hands. “It could be a desire for greater physical strength, or a longer life span, or perhaps he is mated with a cur.”
Jaelyn regretfully glanced down at the shotgun she’d stolen in town. It was a fine gun, but it was made for humans and they had no need for silver bullets.
“It looks like we’re doing this the old-fashioned way.”
“Do not fear.” Levet squared his shoulders. “I have powerful magic of my own.”
“No.” Jaelyn grabbed the gargoyle’s arm as he pointed it toward the cur. “I think it would be better if I take care of the mage.”
“You doubt my abilities?” Levet asked, his wings drooping in a visible pout.
“Of course not, but I was trained to kill in silence,” she smoothly assured him. “We don’t want to attract any unnecessary attention. You keep an eye open for his companions.”
The