Page 10 of The Dark Rises
My hand trembles slightly as I set both items on my desk. Cautioning myself not to get too hopeful, I wave a hand at the demon. “Details.” I can barely get the word out, but my harsh tone conveys everything.
Lot, the demon, drops his cocky smile. “Someone is searching for information on her. Background. Powers. Anything. I didn’t see the person myself but heard it was a male. I asked the shadow demon if I could have the picture for my boss, but he refused.” He shrugs his slim shoulders. “I stole it.”
Greed makes a demon do dangerous things. Shadow demons can slip through the smallest of cracks. “What’s going to happen when you go back and ask him to set up a meeting with the male?”
Another shrug. “Depends on whether I can use your name or not.” He thinks about it for a second. “Probably better if I don’t. He’ll ask for more than his share. I’m sure I can find out what he wants most in his little world and use it as a bargaining tool.” His amber eyes shine with anticipation. “Am I good to move forward?”
“Leave my name out of it,” I direct him. Too many times, my name has caused them to clam up. “This could be a hoax or deliberate trap. I wish it was an actual photo instead of a picture of her portrait. It doesn’t really confirm whether she’s alive or not. In the past, my enemies have tried to use this against me. Proceed with caution. Keep me informed of every movement.”
With a nod, he swirls a finger and makes a copy of the photo for himself. “I’ll be in touch.”
Once he’s gone, I can’t help but examine every inch of the photo again. If it’s her, she’s not any older than when she was taken, or like me, she’s now immortal, but the somber expression throws me. I’m not sure I ever saw the expression on her face. When our brothers died, her face was full of fury andtears and life. She could be a mannequin for all the emotion in this photo.
Meri: Are you coming back tonight?
Part of me wants to rush back and hold her in my arms, reassure myself she’s alive and still mine but I have a million tasks to do before I leave.
Cormal: Tomorrow morning. Breakfast. In bed.
The fleeting image of Madoc crawling into her bed almost makes me change my mind, but I force the overwhelming feelings of rage and jealousy away. I told her she could have anyone she wants, but his dark gaze and arrogance sets my teeth on edge. Maybe I can find a way to kill him. That would solve the problem for me.
With a little magic, I prop the image up on the corner of my desk so I can stare at it while I get my work done. It’s been so long since I’ve seen my sister’s face. Even this wretched photo gives me peace. If she’s alive, I’ll mobilize all of hell to save her.
CHAPTER FIVE
MERI
My dreams are dark, full of monsters and death. Lorn is front and center, along with Leandra and Cormal. They hound me until sleep becomes elusive. For the first time in a long time, I wake alone, hours before the sun. Neither Cormal nor Madoc returned last night. Arden and her men were gone as well on a mission for The Abbey.
As queen, I wasn’t sure if I’d like having tons of people around me, but I loved it. Too many years spent by myself, longing for family or a friend to stay with me. Sometimes the loneliness became so unbearable, I’d often find myself getting up in the middle of the night to wander the streets of whatever place we were calling home.
The light Fae palace always had aristocratic Fae wandering the halls and servants bustling here and there, producing a constant hum of noise beneath even the smallest amount of silence.
In contrast, The Abbey is a sentinel, standing silent and watchful, filled with magic, and ready to guard its inhabitants. It’s too quiet here. Living with Leandra felt like this. Suffocating and lonely. Dark and dangerous. When I stayed here previously, I didn’t know anything different. Plus, the warmth of protection and my newfound family distracted me. Now I do.
Cormal strides into the room with a firm expression on his face. Seeing me sitting alone eases the raging storm inside him and the crackling tension he brought with him subsides. “Good morning. You’re up early.” His lips capture mine.
Normally, his kisses are demanding and full of desire, but the way his lips cling to mine suggests a different type of need.
“Are you okay? Did something happen?”
He looks at me blankly. “No, why?”
Instead of answering, I hand him a cup of coffee, but he shakes his head.
“It took me all night to get through everything. More coffee and I’ll be bouncing off the walls,” he tells me. “Where’s Madoc?”
Maybe his mood is due to his underlying jealousy. “He’s not back yet. I spent last night alone.” Although I try, I can’t quite keep the grumbling note of irritation out of my voice.
His blue eyes sweep across my face. “Bad dreams?”
“Plenty, but I expected them,” I tell him as I try to find a way to explain how I’m feeling. I don’t want to be a burden to him. The Abbey is the safest place for me. “I’m out of sorts here. Like I don’t belong. I wish we could go home.”
He grabs a piece of bacon off the plate in front of me and tugs me from the small table to the couch. “Where is home?” His look is contemplative as he waits for my answer.
“The Underworld, I guess,” I reply, but even as I say it, I realize it’s only partially true. “I don’t know. Being with the Fae filled some part of me I didn’t know was empty. It’s going totake a while to figure out where I belong. Being here doesn’t help because it’s a place of limbo. Temporary.”
Strong arms wrap around my body and pull me close. “I understand. Once we’ve taken care of Leandra, maybe we can find a place in the Fae world. Hell knows I have enough wealth to do whatever we want.”
