Shades of Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #16) - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,43
and headed around the curve. Chaaya was pressed tight against his back as he took the last steps to the top of the turret.
Once they were in striking distance, Chaaya stabbed her spear through the heart of the largest guard and was turning to deal with the second one before the first hit the floor. Basq concentrated on silently pressing open the door and stepping inside to make sure there were no other warriors waiting for them.
A quick glance revealed a cavernous room shrouded in shadows. There was a domed ceiling with intricate frescoes and walls that were lined with glass cabinets filled with treasures. Gems, coins, golden goblets. And in the center of the marble floor was a large bed draped in maroon satin. No guards.
Basq moved forward, his fangs lengthening at the scent of brownie that drenched the air. The chieftain was tucked beneath the covers. Just waiting to be killed. Very accommodating of him.
“Make sure no one sneaks up on us,” Basq whispered to Chaaya, who appeared next to him.
There was a brief hesitation before she turned to walk back to the door. No doubt she sensed his fierce need for revenge. He’d been humiliated by the damned brownie, something he didn’t forgive or forget.
Moving in silence, he reached the side of the bed just as the demon began to stir. Basq plunged the room into darkness. There was a rustle of satin, then a muttered curse as Dabbler realized he couldn’t see.
“Who’s there?” the brownie called out. “Rince?”
“Guess again,” Basq mocked.
There was a long silence. Was the male hoping this was nothing more than a nightmare? Probably.
“Leech?” Dabbler finally forced himself to speak. “What have you done? I’m blind.”
Basq’s hand shot out, his fingers wrapping around the male’s neck. “Luckily you don’t need to see. Just listen.”
The male froze, smart enough to know his life was hanging in the balance. “What do you want?” he asked. “Money? Females? Males? Name your price.”
“Information.”
“Yes.” The sharp tang of sweat mixed with the earthy scent of the brownie, making Basq wrinkle his nose in distaste. “I have that,” Dabbler assured him.
“There’s a pureblooded Were in the city,” Basq said.
“A Were?” The chieftain pretended shock. “In my bulla?”
With casual ease, Basq tightened his grip on the male’s neck and lifted him off the bed.
“I can find her with your assistance, or I can find her without you.” The temperature in the room plummeted and layers of frost coated the furnishings. “One means you’re still alive, the other means you’re dead.”
“Fine. Yes.” The brownie squirmed, the nasty stench of his sweat nearly overpowering. “The imp did mention the Were and some strange gargoyle creature.”
Basq continued to dangle the creature over the bed, restraining his fierce urge to rip out his throat. Capturing Brigette so he could return Chaaya to the safety of Vegas was more important than avenging his damaged pride.
“Where are they?” he demanded, his fingers digging deeper.
Dabbler squealed like a pig. “He claimed they were in the sewers,” he managed to choke out.
“And?”
“I sent my guards to fetch them, but they came back empty-handed. They said the sewers were empty.”
Basq cursed. He’d hoped the male could confirm the rumor that Brigette was hidden in the sewers as the imp had claimed. Instead he’d revealed that they were too late.
Again.
Infuriated, Basq pulled the brownie toward him, viciously pleased to feel the fear that quaked through the demon.
“So you can’t lead me to them.”
Dabbler didn’t miss the icy edge in Basq’s voice, or the threat of what would happen to him if he proved to be useless.
“No, I told you—” There was another piggy squeal as Basq pressed the tips of his fangs into the male’s flesh. He didn’t want to taste his blood. He could already smell the taint of drugs coursing through his veins. He was assuming it came from the incense that filled the palace with clouds of smoke. “Wait,” Dabbler pleaded.
“You just admitted you’re of no use to me.”
“I don’t know where the Were is, but I’ll have the guards scour the city until they find her.”
As if Basq would willingly hang around the palace waiting for the guards to wrap him in a silver net and tie it with a bow.
“Not good enough,” he growled. “I can scour the city myself. A lot quicker than your guards.”
“I can…” Dabbler’s words faded as the air thickened with Basq’s icy fury.
“Die,” Basq finished for him, fingers tightening until he could feel the slender bones begin to fracture.