Page 89 of Ancient Magic

This was a fairy on a mission.

“Stop,” he said, his tone sharp as he held up a hand. “I want you to wait for me here.”

The ever-faithful Yugan came to a startled halt. “You’re going alone?”

“You’re not allowed to follow me into the sacred chamber,” Lynx told him smoothly.

“But—”

“And I need you to watch my back. I’m too close to have that damned leech interfere.”

Without waiting for his crew to agree, Lynx marched forward, his back stiff as he entered the cave. Was he afraid?

Watching as the fairy disappeared from view, Skye was distracted as Micha leaned close enough to speak directly in her ear.

“The servants don’t trust him.”

Skye studied the five demons, who exchanged glances as they shuffled from foot to foot. Micha was right. It wasn’t just that they were nervous about being at the cave. She could smell the distrust that prickled in the air between them.

“Maybe not,” she conceded, nodding toward the shorter male with chopped red hair and a green aura. “But Yugan isn’t going to let us get past him.”

Micha hesitated, as if debating with himself, then he reached to cup her hands in his palms.

“I’ll take care of the guards. You follow Lynx.”

“There’s five of them.” Skye blew out a sigh as she realized what she was saying. A vampire of Micha’s strength could destroy a dozen demons. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t dangerous. Over the past few days the unpleasant surprises just kept piling up. “Okay, but don’t show off.”

“I might show off a little.” His thumb brushed her lower lip. “Just to impress you.”

“Micha.”

He kissed away her protest before lifting his head and regarding her with a somber gaze.

“I’ll lead them away. You follow Lynx, but don’t try to stop him.” The muscles in his jaw bulged, revealing how hard it was to encourage her to walk into a potential trap. “Wait for me.”

“I thought I was a powerful mage,” she teased, trying to lighten the mood.

“You are.” An emotion that seemed too vast to be contained darkened the golden eyes. “You’re also precious. If something happened to you—”

She pressed her fingers against his lips, her heart thudding. “Nothing’s going to happen to me.”

With an effort, Micha leashed his emotions, allowing the tip of his fang to press into the pad of her finger.

“Now who’s making bold promises?”

“You must be rubbing off on me.”

He grasped her wrist, pressing a kiss into the center of her palm. “Be careful.”

“Same,” she commanded, her heart lodging in her throat as Micha rose and boldly strolled into the clearing.

“I thought I smelled something rotten,” he drawled, crossing to stand directly in front of Yugan. “The swamp stench really lingers, doesn’t it?”

The demon hissed, yanking a silver dagger from a sheath at his hip. “You should know, leech.”

“Me? I smell as fresh as a daisy.” Micha leaned forward. “Want a sniff?”

Yugan growled, swinging the blade toward Micha’s chest. “Sniff this, you cold-blooded reptile.”

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