Page 59 of Kiss of Fire

“Please, Tala. I have to stay here with Raya. A lot is depending on her.”

The cold eyes took her in once more.

“Hard to believe the future of the empire is riding on you.”

Raya lifted her chin.

“Well, apparently, some of it’s riding on you too. That is, if you can be bothered to save someone’s life.”

A reluctant grin spread across Tala’s face.

“Ouch. I like her, boss.”

“So you will do it?”

Tala chewed her lip for a moment.

“I want triple rate if I’m bringing that bastard back here alive.”

“Double. But only if there isn’t a mark on him.”

Tala gave a wolfish grin, and Raya suddenly felt a bit sorry for this Lemar, whoever he was.

“I promise not to harm a single hair on his evil vampire head.”

Raya’s mouth dropped open.

“Wait a minute. Vampire? The Vetali arevampires?”

“There’s a lot you still have to learn about this place, Lady Raya of the Vulcani.” The shaitun studied her. “It’s a grand title. I hope you live up to it.”

She gave a nod to Shade and turned to go. Dusk was finally approaching and the garden had emptied of butterflies and peacocks. Tala strode across the lawn as sinuous and silent as a cat. Raya watched her go, envious of her grace.

“She seems…” she blinked. The shaitun had vanished. One minute she was there, the next she wasn’t. “…nice,” she finished weakly. “Do you think she’ll find Lemar before the others?”

It was getting dark and Shade’s face was shadowed as he answered.

“Tala is extremely talented. I just hope she remembers I need him in one piece. She thoroughly dislikes vampires.”

“But, I mean, vampires? Aren’t they dangerous?”

“Undoubtedly. But so is Tala.”

“Did you hear what she said? Another demon found me at the hospital. One belonging to Salaq. What does that mean?”

“Nothing good. It means Salaq and Aelfric both know about you.”

“Do you think they know I’m here?”

“Do not worry, Raya. You are protected here.”

“But what if…” Raya stopped dead and gazed around her, her train of thought entirely derailed by the scene in front of her.

The garden had suddenly lit up in a blaze of colour. It was as if someone had flipped a switch. Ethereal multi-coloured lights gleamed and glittered as far as her eye could see. The luminescence sparkled all around her, both on the ground and in the trees. The effect was wondrous and Raya caught her breath.

“Where’s the light coming from?”

“Let me show you.”

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