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Chapter Twenty-Two
Elias
“The mage made it clear she didn’t want us at her place again.” I looked over at Xander.
“The safe house?”
“That’s my guess,” I said.
Xander turned the car around in the middle of the road, changing directions. “You think she told him about the safe house?”
“Or he got word from vamps who were guarding it.” A million thoughts were racing through my mind. How did they even find the safe house in the first place? “Not much of a safe house if everyone knows where it’s located,” I grumbled. “Did you tell anyone?”
“Of course I didn’t. Besides, I was with Skylar all day. You’re the one who went out and met up with the vampires.” Xander shot a glare at me. “Tell me you’re not in on this. Tell me you’re not putting Skylar in danger.”
“I swear to you, I would never harm her,” I said.
“You really have a bond with her? It’s not just some incubus thing? She’s convinced that what you have is real. She trusts you. If I find out you’re working against us, I will find a way to kill you and it won’t be quick.” His eyes were fixed on the road ahead of us.
A smile came to my lips. Instead of being angry that he was doubting my intentions, I was glad he was so protective of Skylar. It was clear he would do anything for her. Which was who she needed right now. Things were likely going to get worse before they got better and having a shifter in my corner was only going to benefit my hope of keeping her alive.
“If you suspect me of doing anything that will harm her, I’ll tell you exactly how to take out a demon,” I said.
He glanced at me, brow lifted. “I’m supposed to believe that?”
“You’re going to have to trust me. We both want what’s best for her. We’d both do anything for her, am I right?”
“You’re right,” he said.
“Then we have no choice, we have to work together as long as she’s at risk. When this passes, we’ll figure out where to go from there,” I said.
“Fine.” He didn’t sound convinced, but I didn’t blame him. This whole thing was a lot to take in. Demons were used to having multiple mates. From what I’d heard, it was rare for other supernaturals to experience this. I supposed it made sense that Skylar would have one mate for each of her halves.
Maybe it was good for her. She’d been raised mostly human. She used her skills to her advantage, but she wasn’t embracing her supernatural abilities. She needed to learn and what better way than by having a demon and a wolf to help guide her?
Xander seemed like a decent guy. Not that I was ready to plan a fishing trip or some shit with him, but I suppose it could be worse. I slipped off my jacket and tossed it over to him. “It’s not pants, but it might help a little.”
“Oh yeah, thanks,” Xander said. “I sort of forgot. I keep a change of clothes in my car.”
“Maybe we’ll get lucky and Skylar will have already subdued David when we arrive and you can raid the closet,” I said.
“You really hate your brother, don’t you?” Xander asked.
“We have a complicated relationship,” I said. “He and most of the demon realm seem to think I sent my sister to her death.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I don’t even know how you’re doing this right now. If there was a chance that Lola was still alive…”
I glanced over at him. I’d almost forgot that we shared membership in the dead sister club. Only, there was a chance mine was alive and his certainly wasn’t coming back. “We’re going to finish what she started. End that stone.”
Xander didn’t respond. I could feel the sadness and grief radiating from him. It was still so soon after his sister’s loss and he had yet to even slow down and grieve. I didn’t speak the rest of the drive. I could tell he needed the time.
It didn’t take long to get to Dead Man’s Alley. Gold streaks spread over pink clouds as the sun rose. The streets were empty, no sign of the residents who came out at night. Only vampires from one of the ten royal bloodlines could walk in the daylight. And there was no way one of them would get their hands dirty by being involved in something like this. At least not in person.
We wouldn’t have to worry about vampires now. Our biggest threat was my brother and his hounds if they’d limped their way here.
“Thank the gods for the sunlight,” Xander said.
I nodded in agreement. “It buys us time. If she’s here, we need to get her to a better hiding place before we lose the light.”
