Page 99 of Ancient Magic

“Has Maya heard from Skye?” The words tumbled from his lips before he could halt them.

It was a dumb question. One glance at Peri’s tense expression and the sparks of magic sizzling through the office revealed that the news wasn’t good. But he’d spent most of the daylight hours pacing the floor while he wallowed in endless recriminations for not realizing that his demons were being poisoned to hate his new mate. Not to mention the fact he’d allowed the perpetrator of his troubles to stay in his lair, where he plotted to kidnap a member of the Cabal and Peri’s best friend.

The epic mess might not be his fault, but it’d happened on his watch.

Was it any wonder it was increasingly difficult to think through his smoldering guilt?

“Nothing,” Peri confirmed, stopping to stare out the window at the darkness creeping over the city. Soon it would be full night and he could return to his hunt for Micha. If only he knew where the hell to start his search. “Maya’s going to track down her various contacts in the city to see if they have any information. She’s not hopeful.”

With an effort, Valen calmed his seething emotions and moved to wrap a comforting arm around his mate.

“We’re going to find them.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’m scared. I can feel her, Valen. As if she’s trying to reach out to me, but she’s too far away.”

Valen brushed his lips over the top of her head even as he felt a sharp chill before Gabriel stepped into the office.

“I think we should have a word with the prisoners,” the older male announced, his own impatience edging his voice. “One of them has to know where Kane is.”

“Agreed,” Valen murmured, lowering his arm as Peri turned to regard him with a stubborn frown.

“I’m coming,” she stated in tones that defied argument.

Valen didn’t bother to try to reason with her. He didn’t have the strength to waste on butting his head against a brick wall. There were bigger battles to concentrate on.

Keeping his arm around Peri’s shoulders, he headed to his private elevator and used his keycard to open the doors. The three of them stepped into the carriage, dropping to the deepest floor in silence. They’d spent hours debating what they’d seen and heard at the theater. There was nothing left to say. Not until they had new information.

The elevator swooshed to a stop and the doors slid open to reveal a long cement hallway that was lit by bare light bulbs hanging from the low ceiling. It was deliberately designed with a gulag vibe, warning Valen’s enemies that they’d truly screwed up if they were headed to this location.

Stepping out of the carriage, Valen was turning in the direction of the cells when Gabriel abruptly reached out to place his hand on Valen’s shoulder.

“Wait.”

Valen stopped, his senses on full alert. “What’s wrong?”

Gabriel sniffed the air. “Are there any other vampires in the area?”

Valen shook his head. He had a couple of vampires who oversaw his businesses at the far edges of his territory. He preferred not to have any in his primary lair. It avoided any unfortunate complications when it came to who was the boss.

“There are none in the dungeons.”

“This way.” With long strides, Gabriel headed in the opposite direction of the dungeons.

Valen kept Peri close as he followed his friend.

They continued through the hallway before Gabriel abruptly turned into a short passage that was blocked by a massive steel door.

“The WCS,” Valen muttered in surprise.

Gabriel glanced over his shoulder in confusion. “The what?”

“Worst Case Scenario.” Valen scooted past his friend to place his hand flat on the steel door. “I built a panic room in the unlikely event the lair was ever overrun by enemies or the more likely event of a natural disaster.” He nodded toward the red lights above the door. “It’s been triggered.”

Gabriel stepped forward. “How do we get it open?”

“It can only be unlocked from the inside.” Valen slammed his hand against the unyielding steel that was a foot thick. “This is Valen.” He waited for the lock to click. Even through the massive barrier he would be able to hear the click. Nothing. He smacked his palm against the steel. “Ambassador? Open the door. You’re safe.”

Gabriel pursed his lips. “I don’t think he trusts you.”

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