Burned by Darkness - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,26
he was in a narrow hallway before he hastily scurried forward. The imp wouldn’t be intimidated for long. In fact, he was probably already calling for backup.
Passing the fighting pits that were currently empty, as well as the open cubbies for those demons who didn’t need privacy for their sex, he began pushing open doors in the hopes of stumbling across Tayla’s father.
Hey, it could happen.
He was at the end of the hallway when he stepped into the last room. Instantly he was confronted by a pretty fairy with a halo of golden curls and big, china blue eyes that regarded him with a wary fear. Swiftly she was trying to disguise her terror behind a forced smile.
“Hello.”
“Oh. Pardon.” Levet performed a small bow, allowing his tail to curl around his feet. He didn’t want her to miss how shiny it was in the dim candlelight. “I did not intend to disturb your privacy.”
“That’s okay.” Her slender hands fluttered down her gossamer gown that revealed her naked body beneath. “Are you my next customer?”
“Non.” Levet closed the door and stepped forward. He hadn’t forgotten his goal to locate Odel, but his instinct to play the role of Knight In Shining Armor was too compelling to resist. “You are a…”
“Whore?” she bluntly said the word Levet had been attempting to avoid. “Yes.”
Levet took another step forward, glancing around the barren room that held nothing beyond a bed and narrow dresser. There were no pictures, no flowers, no hint of the usual female gewgaws that turned a space into a home. “Forgive me, ma belle, but are you being held against your will?”
“I…” The blue gaze darted toward the corner of the room, where a tiny red light was blinking. A hidden camera stuck in the paneling. How…clichéd. “No, of course not,” the fairy continued.
Levet resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Instead he turned so he could spread his wings far enough to block the view.
“Is there more than one camera?”
She gave a tiny shake of her head. “No.”
“Can they hear what we’re saying?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Bon.” Keeping his wings spread, Levet reached out to gently grasp the female’s hand. “What’s your name?”
“Sunny.”
“Sunny.” He gave her fingers a squeeze. “Where is your family?”
She bit her bottom lip. “They came to this place in an effort to hide from a vampire who was hunting my younger brother for trying to seduce his mate.”
Levet grimaced. It wasn’t an uncommon story. Fairy males tried to bed every female that crossed their paths. Regardless of whether or not she might be claimed by a possessive mate.
“You bartered yourself to pay the bill?”
“Yes.”
“Do you wish to escape?”
She sucked in a shocked breath. “It’s impossible.”
“Nothing is impossible for me,” he assured the delicate female. It was obvious the poor creature was traumatized. But why wouldn’t she be? No doubt her family had left her behind when the danger from the vampire had passed, accepting that it would be her duty to sell her body in this seedy pub. “I am a certified Knight In Shining Armor.”
“I…” The fairy blinked, and blinked again. “I see.”
“Not yet. But you will,” Levet assured her, pressing a light kiss to her chilled fingers. “First I need your assistance.”
Without warning, the fairy heaved a resigned sigh. “Of course. What do you desire?”
“Not what you are imagining,” he softly chastised. Releasing her fingers, he gave a wave of his hand, creating the image of Odel he’d found in Tayla’s picture album. “Have you seen this imp?”
“Oh.” A flush touched the female’s cheeks as she leaned down to study the fuzzy face that was floating in midair. Without warning, she made a small sound of surprise. “I have.”
Levet’s tail twitched around his feet. At last.
“He was here?”
“Yes.” The fairy gave a firm nod. “I saw him in the pub room last night.”
“Where are the vaults?” he asked, referring to the rooms demons rented when they wanted to avoid attention.
“If they discover I helped you—”
“No one will discover you helped,” he interrupted. It would take very little for the fairy to work herself into a panic.
Not that he would usually mind. A fairy in full hysteria was eager to be comforted. And he had a number of very fine techniques for calming a beautiful fey. But right now it was more important that he locate Odel. It was the only way to save Tayla from the dragon.
“You can’t be sure,” she breathed.
“I promise.”
“How?”
He gave a lift of his hands. “I swear no matter what happens