“How many are dead?”
“Just two,” Ulric said, his tone revealing a complete lack of sympathy for the humans who were stupid enough to try to strong-arm Jayla. “Three more are in the hospital, but they’re expected to live.”
Chiron was equally unconcerned with the criminals, but he didn’t want any hassles with the government. He’d worked for years to get the proper permits to build the hotel. “Any trouble with the human authorities?”
“No, I think they’re eager to turn a blind eye.”
“Good.” He studied his friend’s unreadable expression. “Anything else?”
“A blackjack dealer was stealing chips from our guests in the high-rollers club.”
“Has it been handled?”
“Of course.” Ulric looked oddly uncomfortable. As if he didn’t want to discuss exactly how he’d resolved the issues.
Strange.
“Is that all?” he prompted.
Ulric shrugged. “It’s early.”
That was true enough. Running a business empire meant constant headaches. Which was why he’d insisted Ulric remain in Vegas while he was away from the office.
“Who did you leave in charge?” he demanded.
“Rainn.”
Chiron grimaced. Rainn was the perfect choice. Except for Ulric, she was his most trustworthy employee. But she was never slow to take advantage of any opportunity to bleed him dry. “How much?”
“Five thousand.”
Chiron muttered a curse. “And the clock is ticking. I’m sure the price goes up every night you’re gone.” He sent his companion a pointed glance. “I assume you plan to leave now you know I’m still alive and kicking?”
Ulric glanced around, not at all intimidated by Chiron’s stern tone. The truth was, Ulric did exactly what he wanted, when he wanted. “I haven’t decided.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,” Chiron warned, conveniently forgetting he’d nearly taken an arrow through his heart.
Okay, he hadn’t forgotten it. He just had no intention of sharing that little tidbit of information with his companion. Ulric would tear the hotel apart searching for the assassin.
The last thing Lilah needed was rumors she had a rabid Were terrorizing her guests.
“It’s not that,” Ulric denied, thankfully unaware that Chiron wasn’t being entirely honest. “I’m intrigued by this place.”
Chiron stilled. He didn’t fully believe his companion. Ulric was here because he thought Chiron needed his protection. But it was obvious the male was truly fascinated by his surroundings.
“Why?”
Ulric tilted back his head, his nose flaring as he sucked in a deep breath. “The magic calls to my wolf.”
That explained why the male’s musk was so strong. And the glow of gold in his eyes. His animal was close to the surface.
Chiron took an eager step forward. “Do you recognize the spell?”
Ulric sniffed, then gave a shake of his head. “No. I’ve never felt anything like it before,” he said, a visible shiver racing through his big body. “But it’s powerful.”
Chiron had never given magic much thought. He couldn’t sense it, so he tried to avoid it whenever possible. Now he hated the knowledge that he was stumbling through the dark.
“Could witches create a spell that would incite your wolf?”
Ulric considered in silence, his gaze continuing to scan the shadowed garden. As if he could spot the person responsible for creating the magic.
“I’ve heard of witches who could force a cur to shift, so I assume it’s possible a coven could band together to create a spell that would force a Were into his animal form,” he said, his voice revealing his skepticism. “But it would have to be extremely focused and for a limited amount of time.”
“You’re saying the magic belongs to a demon and not a witch?” Chiron asked in confusion.
Had Levet brought them to the wrong spot?
A growl rumbled in his throat.
“Or a natural occurrence,” Ulric said.
Chiron was jerked out of his dark thoughts, not sure if he’d heard his companion correctly. “Natural?”
Ulric offered a patronizing smile. “Unlike vampires who are dead to magic, Weres are primal creatures. We have the talent to absorb power from nature.”
Chiron snorted. “Now I understand why vamps and Weres spent the past centuries trying to kill each other, mangy dog.”
Ulric bared his teeth, but there was no real threat in it. The two males had a bond that had survived wars, famines, and a voyage around the world. Nothing could break it.
“We’re far more attuned to the mystical powers that are an essential part of the world,” he told Chiron.
Chiron considered his words. It was true vampires were as impervious to the earth as they were to magic. No surprise there. In the truest sense of the word, they were dead. It was the power of their inner demon that kept their bodies from disintegrating into dust.
“So you believe this is all a trick of nature?”
“No.” Ulric glanced toward the edge of the garden. “The barrier is definitely a spell. And it’s quite possibly a witch’s spell. But there’s something else here that’s infused in the ground.” Chiron watched another shiver shake his friend’s body. “Either natural, or created so long ago it’s become a part of its surroundings.”
Chiron clenched his hands into tight fists. Around him, the temperature dropped by several degrees. “More mystery.”
Ulric grimaced, no doubt sensing the need to distract Chiron from his mounting irritation. “What have you discovered?”
Chiron leashed his surge of impatience. He’d waited centuries for the chance to find his master and release him from his prison. He wasn’t going to risk Tarak’s freedom because he couldn’t maintain control of his emotions.
“Levet traced the scroll to this location,” he told his companion. “But once we arrived, he discovered his ability to pinpoint the key was muffled. I assume it has something to do with the magic that surrounds this place.”
Ulric looked pained at the mention of the gargoyle. He still hadn’t forgiven Levet for managing to sneak away and plunder Chiron’s private stash of cognac. He took it as a personal insult to his skill as a protector.
“Where is the lump of stone?”
“I was told he was caught with his hand in the meat pies and was chased into the swamps.”
“Of course he was,” Ulric muttered. “Worthless gargoyle.”
“So far,” Chiron agreed. “Unfortunately, he’s the only one who can help me.”
Ulric looked confused. “Why? If the key is here, we should be able to find it.”
“I don’t think it will be that simple,” Chiron warned, wishing it was as easy as searching through the hotel for a stray key. “It’s probably hidden behind an illusion. Which means the gargoyle will have to use his magic to reveal it.”
Ulric snapped his teeth. “Then why is he off in the swamp while you’re wandering around the gardens as if you’re lost?” The male leaned forward, drawing in another deep breath. “And why do you smell like a female?”
Chiron’s lips parted. He intended to deny the accusations. He wasn’t wandering around like he was lost. Was he? That would be…pathetic.
But meeting Ulric’s steady gaze, he conceded defeat. There was no point in lying. Not to his companion, or to himself.
“I’ve been distracted,” he admitted.
“You could have been distracted at home,” Ulric pointed out. “And in a lot more comfort.”
Chiron tried to conjure up the image of the bevy of beautiful women who worked at his casino. He couldn’t. Not one of them.
It was as if Lilah filled so much of his brain, there wasn’t room for any other female.
“This distraction is quite unique,” he conceded.
The Were studied him with a hint of alarm. The big bad wolf could face any enemy, but Chiron sensed his one fear was having his position as Chiron�
��s most trusted servant threatened.
Ulric was a pack animal. He needed the security of knowing exactly where he stood in the hierarchy of Chiron’s life.
“How unique?”
“As unique as it gets.”
The Were scowled. “You’re starting to worry me.”
Chiron’s short laugh echoed through the garden. “Yeah, join the club.”
Ulric paused before forcing himself to ask the obvious question. “You think she might be your mate?”
“I do.”
“Damn.” Ulric looked just as troubled as Chiron felt. Then, with surprising speed, he was squaring his broad shoulders and staring at Chiron with a grim acceptance. “Is she a guest here?”
“No, she’s the owner.”
“Good. You should have a lot in common.” Ulric studied him with a steady gaze. “What are you going to do about it?”
Chiron blinked. Well, that was quick. There’d been a tiny fear inside him that Ulric wouldn’t accept any mate he might bring home.
Now he realized the Were had adjusted far more easily than Chiron had. Probably because it wasn’t his life being yanked apart.
“What can I do?” Chiron cringed at the sound of his whining. “She’s a part of this place.”
“So?”
“There’s a reason the witches would have chosen to hide the key here.”
“And what is it?”
Chiron made a sound of impatience. Hadn’t the Were been listening? He’d been searching for the connection to the witches since he arrived.
So far, he’d come up with nada.
“I don’t know.”
“Did you ask?”
Chiron frowned. “Ask Lilah?”
Ulric gave a lift of his shoulder. “Is that the woman who you think might be your mate?”
“Yes.”
“If she owns this place, she seems like the logical person to question about the whereabouts of a mysterious key.”
Chiron’s gaze was drawn toward the hotel, where the lights blazed from a dozen windows. What was Lilah doing in there? Was she dealing with some troublesome guest? Or meeting with the staff? Or was she alone, remembering their passionate kisses in the grotto?
Abruptly, his cock was hardening with need.
“It’s not easy, without giving away the true reason I’m here,” he muttered, fiercely trying to distract himself from the erotic images that crashed through his mind.
Right now, Ulric was respecting Chiron’s discomfiture as he tried to adjust to the thought of possessing a mate, but soon enough the Were would be unable to resist the temptation to tease him. The last thing he wanted was to give his friend additional ammunition.
“Why not?” Ulric demanded.
Chiron studied him in confusion. “Why not what?”
“Why haven’t you told her the truth?”
“Because I can’t be sure whether I can trust her,” he snapped.
Was Ulric deliberately trying to piss him off?
If so…mission accomplished.
“She’s your potential mate and you don’t trust her?”
Chiron frowned. “I think she’s hiding something from me,” he clarified.
Ulric wasn’t impressed. “Just as you’re hiding something from her?”
Yep. The Were was clearly trying to piss him off. “It’s not the same.”
Ulric arched his brows. “Let me see if I have this straight. She’s supposed to trust you, even though you haven’t told her the full truth,” he drawled. “But you should wait until she’s revealed everything before you’ll decide whether to offer her the same trust?”
The words made Chiron cringe. He’d been so consumed with his own fear he might jeopardize his opportunity to rescue Tarak, he hadn’t allowed himself to consider the situation from Lilah’s point of view. Now he felt his unbeating heart squeeze with guilt.
“Stop being so damned logical,” he growled. “It’s annoying.”
Ulric released a bark of laughter. “To state the obvious, you have trust issues, amigo.”
He did. What vampire wouldn’t? He’d been abandoned by his sire in a damp cave, then abandoned again when Tarak was taken prisoner. That didn’t even include the Anasso blatantly lying to him before he was banished from his clan.
His first instinct was to assume he was going to be betrayed.
“And you don’t?”
Ulric held up his hand. “Hey, this isn’t about me. It’s all about you and the fact that you’re too scared to share the truth with your mate.”
Chiron snapped his brows together, but he couldn’t argue. Well, he could. He could point out that Tarak’s life hung in the balance. And that he’d only known Lilah for a couple of days. And that the mysterious magic might be screwing with his mind, convincing him that Lilah was his mate. And that…blah, blah, blah.
Instead, he grimaced. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am,” Ulric readily agreed, his hands on his hips. “What am I right about this time?”
“I’ve avoided revealing why I’m here because I’m terrified she might have something to do with the witches,” he confessed. “And that I’ll have to make a choice between her and Tarak.”
Ulric’s features eased, as if he hadn’t considered that particular consequence. “Tell me about her,” he urged.
Chiron’s gaze once again strayed toward the hotel. There was a ruthless ache inside him. As if the distance between them was causing a genuine sense of withdrawal.
Like she was a drug and he was the addict.
“She’s young. Unbearably vulnerable,” he told his friend. “And so beautiful it hurts my heart to look at her.”
A cryptic emotion flickered over Ulric’s face. Something that might have been envy, if it wasn’t so ridiculous. The Were had made it quite clear he had no intention of settling down with a mate and producing a litter of pups. Chiron had always assumed it was because he’d dedicated his life to serving him. Now he wondered if it was something else.
Perhaps the male had already loved and lost his female.
The thought made Chiron’s stomach clench. Losing a mate…
That would be intolerable.
“Don’t break her,” Ulric said in soft tones.
Chiron’s lips twisted. “It’s more likely she’ll break me.”
“Go talk to her.”
Chiron quivered. He desperately wanted to charge toward the hotel like a madman. With an effort, he forced himself to glance toward his friend. “What are you going to do?”
Ulric rolled his eyes. “Find that stupid gargoyle and force him to look for the key.”
Chiron reached out to place his hand on Ulric’s broad shoulder. He’d been pissed when he realized his servant had defied his orders. Now, he accepted he’d been foolish to leave this male behind. There was no one he trusted to guard his back. No one but this male.
Now he felt an unmistakable sense of relief.
While he concentrated on Lilah, Ulric could hunt down the gargoyle and force him to focus on the reason they were there.
“Thanks, amigo,” he said with blunt sincerity. “As usual, you’ve managed to see through all the bullshit to the heart of the problem.”
Ulric offered a smug smile. “It’s what I do.”
“Don’t eat the gargoyle,” Chiron warned, already turning toward the hotel. “We need him for now.”
“No promises.”
Chapter 11
Chiron chuckled as he rushed up the pathway at a speed that made him little more than a blurred shadow to anyone who might be watching. He had a brief flicker of confusion as he noticed the busted flagstones. They hadn’t been broken earlier. What the hell had happened?
His bafflement was forgotten as he entered the hotel from a side door. Lilah’s sweet scent instantly filled his body, luring him toward the kitchen. He slowed his pace as he stepped into the long, narrow room that was filled with the rich odors of meat roasting over the roaring fire and dried herbs tha
t were hung from the open-beamed ceiling. There was also the tart citrus smell of lemons.
No doubt the aromas would make most demons’ mouths water, but it was only the enticing perfume of Lilah’s warm blood that captured Chiron’s attention.
His gaze skimmed over the wooden cabinets that framed the room and the large farm sink piled with dishes. The floor was tiled and there was a long table in the center where Lilah was currently staring at a plate of tarts.
She was still wearing the robe that clung to her curves, and her hair haloed her face in a tumble of golden curls. Stunning.
Best of all, she was completely alone.
No hovering ogress. No guests. No staff.
Just him. And her.
Perfect.
Silently moving forward, he was standing next to the table before her senses could warn her that he was approaching.
“I’m sure Inga would tell you to clean your plate,” he murmured.
Her head jerked up in surprise. “Chiron.”
Chiron stilled. Her eyes had widened in shock, revealing the fear that lurked in the golden-green depths.
He crouched next to her chair, forgetting about everything but his need to provide comfort for his female. “Is everything okay?”
“I don’t know.”
His brows snapped together. If someone had hurt her, he would rip out their heart. “What’s wrong?”
She paused, as if she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to answer. Then she heaved a small sigh.
“I feel like the ground is crumbling beneath my feet,” she said. “Nothing is the same since you arrived.”
Ah. His tension eased, replaced by a piercing bolt of joy. She wasn’t upset because someone hurt her. It was because she was terrified of the same tumultuous feelings that plagued him.
He reached out to tenderly brush a stray curl from her cheek. “Is that bad?”
She trembled beneath his light touch. “I haven’t decided.”
He smiled, anticipation tingling through his body at the feel of her soft skin. Was she silky smooth all over? He couldn’t wait to find out.
“Maybe I can help you make up your mind,” he offered in husky tones.
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