Page 54 of Ancient Magic

Even if he was yummy.

“I’m coming with you,” she announced, the words bouncing off the distant walls of the cavern. It might have come out a little more emphatic than she’d intended.

“No.” Micha and Lynx said the word at the same time.

She rolled her eyes. The two males couldn’t be more opposite, but in some ways they were painfully identical.

Stubborn. Arrogant. And convinced they were always right.

She had no choice but to share a portion of her fears.

“I come with you or the world burns.”

She’d softened her voice, but the words still managed to echo through the cavern. As if she’d struck a gong of doom.

Micha whirled to face her, his aloof composure replaced with concern. “Is that a guess or a warning?”

“A promise.”

Lynx clicked his tongue, a mocking smile curving his lips. He was pretending that her warning didn’t trouble him, but he couldn’t disguise the silver that was suddenly flaring through his aura.

“Come or don’t come. It doesn’t matter to me.” He motioned toward his servant to lead them out of the cell. Waiting until Skye was walking past him, Lynx leaned toward her. “If you do anything to interfere with my plans, I’ll kill you,” he murmured, reaching out to stroke a finger down her cheek. “Which would be a shame. I plan on spending some time together once I have what I need.”

Skye ignored the sudden drop of temperature as Micha growled a low warning. She could take care of this obnoxious fairy.

“There’s no we.” She knocked his hand away. “Not ever.”

His smile widened. “A seer can’t predict her own future. I might surprise you.”

“I don’t need my magic to know how I’ll feel about you in the future.”

“Mm.” He sucked in a deep breath, as if savoring her scent. “Spunky.”

Skye shivered. Not from fear. The air had gone from frigid to painfully cold and there was a prickle of violence that warned Micha was on his last nerve. She didn’t know why Lynx was deliberately provoking the vampire.

“Are you going to stand here boring me?” she demanded. “Or do you actually want to get your stupid sword?”

Lynx pressed a hand to the center of his chest, as if she’d hurt his heart. “A direct hit.” He smiled. “Although, I very much doubt you’re bored. Still, it’s time for us to go.” As if flipping a switch, the smile disappeared and Lynx reached into the pocket of his jeans to pull out a small device. He held it toward Micha. “Nothing stupid, leech. Yugan, keep an eye on the seer.”

Taking the lead, Lynx crossed the cavern and went into a wide tunnel that burrowed through the depths of the mountain. The construction felt relatively new, and there was a jagged lack of polish, as if it’d been dug with speed rather than care.

Was this a new stronghold? Had Lynx recently relocated? Or maybe the revolution wasn’t as old as he was trying to pretend.

Skye shrugged away the suspicion, concentrating on the small hum of power beneath her feet. It wasn’t the magic of a Gyre, but this spot had a trace of lingering enchantment. She assumed that was the reason Lynx had chosen the mountain to create his lair.

Eventually the tunnel angled upward and they stepped out of a cave onto an empty field that stretched for acres.

Night had settled in and there was a stiff breeze that cut through the thin material of Skye’s dress. If she’d known she was going to be kidnapped, she would have worn something more suitable.

There was a soft tread of footsteps and suddenly Micha was standing next to her. He didn’t touch her, but he was close enough that he was able to use his unique talents to wrap her in an invisible cloak of warmth. A dangerous pleasure swirled through her along with the welcome heat.

A silly woman might think that Micha was bothered by her discomfort...

Belatedly noticing Lynx studying them with blatant curiosity, Skye sent him an impatient glare.

“Are we going to wait here for the sword to appear?”

Lynx snapped his fingers, thankfully distracted. On cue, a blinding light flooded the field. “I might not have the casual luxury of a leech, but my horde has acquired enough wealth to provide a few modern-day conveniences, including a private airport.”

---