Shades of Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #16) - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,32
you know where I might find them?”
The imp flattened his lips, clearly disappointed there wasn’t going to be a huge reward. At least not one that was large enough to make him risk the plague. Still, he was a businessman. He wasn’t going to release any information without squeezing some value out of the deal.
“As I said, it will cost you.” Basq reached into his pocket to remove the few gold coins he had left, but the imp shook his head. “Not money. That.” Without warning the male pointed to the golden amulet beaten into the shape of an eagle that hung around Basq’s neck.
Instinctively Basq lifted his hand to cover the talisman. He’d worn it for centuries, keeping it as a reminder of a time when he’d held on to the hope of a better future.
“This has no value,” he protested.
The imp leaned closer, studying the intricate design. “It was crafted by the Visigoths and charmed by a human witch.”
Basq couldn’t sense the power that had been beaten into the metal, but he’d known it was there.
“It’s useless to demons,” he told the male.
The imp shrugged. “I collect magic.”
Basq hesitated; then, reaching up, he grabbed the amulet and tugged it off the gold chain.
“The blood, the food, the information,” he commanded, holding out the last connection to his old life.
Chapter 10
Chaaya woke at the sound of footsteps heading down the stairs. With a blur of motion she was on her feet, the spear clutched in her hand. It wasn’t until she caught the cool, fiercely male scent that she realized that Basq wasn’t in the cellar with her.
He’d somehow managed to sneak out while she was sleeping.
Well, that was embarrassing. She prided herself on her warrior skills, but she’d been dead to the world when Basq slipped away.
Heat stained her cheeks as he entered the cellar and crossed toward her.
“Where have you been?” she demanded, her voice sharp.
He held up a small basket. “Bartering for supplies.”
The scent of something delicious wafted through the air, and Chaaya forgot her annoyance as her stomach rumbled in encouragement.
Gingerly she reached to take the basket, pulling off the red and white checkered towel to peer inside.
“Is that chicken pot pie?” She blinked. “And waffles?”
“It was the only sweet thing I could buy.” He sounded defensive. “There’s not much demand for cakes and pies in this bulla.”
She glanced up, studying his pale features with his stark features and extraordinary eyes. She’d never been the sort of girl who was infatuated with bad boys. Who wanted a lover who treated them like crap?
But when she met Basq, she told herself that nice guys were bores. Over and over she tried to pretend that she found his unwavering loyalty, his devotion to duty, and his refusal to compromise his morals something to be mocked.
And all because… Because he was battering against the barriers that she wasn’t ready to have breached.
“It’s perfect,” she breathed.
In silence she settled back on the floor and set the basket in her lap. Then, with the pleasure of someone who’d been denied food for countless centuries, she consumed the pot pies in huge bites. Next, she demolished the waffles and licked the sticky syrup off her fingers.
Mmm. Ambrosia.
Once she’d eaten every bite and chugged the bottle of wine that was hidden in the bottom of the basket, Chaaya glanced toward Basq, who was seated beside her.
He looked the same as always, although she thought she could detect the faintest flush on his cheeks. As if he’d just fed. A strange sensation clenched her heart.
Jealousy?
She tried to squash the stupid thought, but that didn’t keep the question from spilling from her lips.
“What about you?”
He frowned in confusion. “What about me?”
“Did you eat?”
He reached into his pocket to pull out a glass flask that was half filled with a ruby liquid. Blood.
“I’m reserving some in case I need it later.”
Relief as sharp as a dagger sliced through Chaaya, and with a muttered curse she rose to her feet. She was going to start acting as flighty as a dew fairy if she wasn’t careful.
“We need to return to the hunt. Eventually Brigette is going to realize we followed her.” She tossed aside the cloth wrapped around her shoulders, another reminder of Basq’s honorable nature. “Next time we might not get lucky enough to be close when she jumps into a portal.”
“I have information that a strange gray creature with fairy wings was spotted entering the sewers,” he smoothly informed her.