Page 27 of Ancient Magic

She considered his words for a long moment, then slowly nodded. Was she willing to accept he was there to protect Valen? Or was she just trying to appease him because she thought he was a weird stalker?

Micha’s brows arched. He’d never had a female consider him a threat. Not to be a gigantic ass, but he was used to them doing everything in their power to attract his attention. He didn’t know whether to be insulted or amused.

“What just happened in the pub has nothing to do with Valen,” she insisted. “Or Peri.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. It’s a...” Her words faded as a shudder raced through her slender body. “A family matter.”

She ground out the last words, as if they threatened to choke her.

“Interesting family,” he murmured.

“Not really.” She glanced down at her lovely gown that was now coated in dirt. “I have to go. It’s late and I’m tired.”

Micha wanted to argue. She still hadn’t told him what had happened inside the pub and why she’d left through the window. Or why the demons were currently hunting for her. They couldn’t be her biological family. Mages came from human men and witch mothers. But she wasn’t lying when she said that she was tired. He could feel the weariness that pressed against her with a physical force.

At the moment, she could barely stand. Tomorrow would be soon enough to continue his questioning.

Remaining silent as she walked away with a stiff spine and her head held high, Micha held on to his shadows as he silently followed her across the wide bridge. The demons had disappeared, but that didn’t mean they weren’t still searching for this woman. He wanted to make sure she got out of the city without any further trouble. Why? A question without an answer. At least not one he wanted.

Eventually they reached Madison Square Garden and she disappeared down the steps to the lower platform of Penn Station. If she sensed his presence, she didn’t give any indication as she stepped onto the waiting train and disappeared.

Micha released the shadows, distantly aware of the stirring interest as the humans suddenly noticed his presence. His appearance always created an unwelcome commotion.

With a grimace, Micha shouldered his way through the gathering gawkers, eager to escape from the crowded space. Was it any wonder he preferred to remain in the solitude of his lair?

Managing to disappear before he could be followed by the herd, Micha circled around Times Square and crossed through the park. It was late enough that the trails were empty except for the die-hard joggers who wouldn’t notice a vampire, a horde of demons, and a fire-breathing dragon unless they blocked their path. At last turning onto the street in front of Valen’s building, Micha came to an abrupt halt at the sight of the large vampire who blended into the darkness.

Kane.

He was pacing the sidewalk with his phone pressed to his ear. Even at a distance Micha could sense the male’s tension. Not only was there a layer of frost on the cement, but there were small tremors shaking the ground with each stomp of the male’s massive feet.

Someone was in a mood...

Micha strolled forward, watching the older vampire stiffen as he realized he was no longer alone. With an urgent volley of conversation, Kane abruptly shoved the phone into the pocket of his slacks and turned to face Micha.

“What are you doing out here?” the vampire demanded in sharp tones.

Micha shrugged. “I haven’t visited this Gyre in several decades. I wanted to do some sightseeing.”

The male folded his arms over the width of his chest, his expression suspicious. “Sightseeing? Or surveying the territory in hopes it might become available?”

Relief blasted through Micha as he halted directly in front of the vampire. He didn’t want the male to realize he’d been following the seer. Or that he had any interest in her. Honestly, he didn’t want anyone discovering his fascination with Skye Claremont.

He should have known there was no need to worry. Kane was a male with a one-track mind. Power. Who had it. Who didn’t. And how he could get more.

Until a few centuries ago, Kane had commanded one of the most powerful Gyres in the world. He’d been treated with deference by every vampire who crossed his path. But as the magic had shifted, his position in the Cabal had faded, igniting a fierce frustration within the ambitious male.

“This territory belongs to Valen,” Micha retorted, a bite of warning in his words.

Kane shrugged. “For now.”

“You intend to challenge him?”

“I intend to keep open to all my possibilities.” Kane deflected the direct question. “A smart vampire is prepared to grasp opportunity when it presents itself.” Kane peeled back his lips, revealing his elongated fangs. “Unless he prefers rotting in the swamps.”

“As I recall, you were anxious to claim those swamps.”

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