“You’re right, though. Even if she wanted to stay here forever, and you say she doesn’t, Darius wouldn’t be this on edge if he had everything locked down.”
“I mean, even if no one finds her, sending all those demons is like tapping her on the shoulder. She knows she can help put them down. We have the situation under control right now, but the second those demons get too much for us to handle, she’ll step in. You know she will.”
“Will that be with dynamite and earthquakes, or will it—”
She elbowed him. “It’s not funny!”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I’ve seen her in action. It’s just your deadpan certainty of it that makes me laugh.”
Penny had no idea why, but she let it be. He’d only try to explain, and then start laughing again when she didn’t get it. She wondered if her dad, whom she was apparently most like in personality, had always been the butt of jokes when he was alive. She’d asked her mom once, but had been told, “Don’t be ridiculous. No one made fun of him!” Given her tone, Penny had figured that probably meant yes, so she hadn’t asked for specifics.
Emery wrestled the smile off his face. “It’s hard to feel the gravity of the outside world in this place. Anyway, yes, I suspect you’re right. You spoon-fed Darius everything we know about Vlad’s plans and motivations. Hopefully it’ll help him shrug off any lingering sense of duty he might have toward his maker. If those two go head to head, it’ll be a test to see if the pupil has outstripped the master.”
Penny’s stomach twisted. Looking over, she watched Reagan glide across the dance floor. Darius often called Reagan mon ange. My angel. That was exactly what she looked like right then, her face tilted up to him with a serene smile, her dress sparkling and flowing around her legs, her handsome prince (of darkness) holding her hand while his other arm encircled her back. An angel…or a princess.
But then, she was a princess. In blood, if not by name.
Penny’s gaze flicked to the druid, draped with shadows in the corner of the room, watching as well. He’d drifted away after dinner, and she hadn’t realized he’d turned up here until right this moment. She wondered what part he’d play in the unfolding situation, or if he’d say goodbye when this phase was at an end and he had nothing left to teach.
She hoped he stayed. There was a calm certainty about him that put Penny at ease. When he stood sentinel, she couldn’t imagine anything unwanted coming in.
Then again, he’d been hard-pressed to keep up with them in their battle with the former leaders of the Mages’ Guild. He wasn’t used to Reagan’s unpredictability, and even though he trained with her, it didn’t seem like he’d become accustomed to her tricks. Maybe even he wouldn’t be strong enough to save them.
Penny steeled her resolve. Whatever happened, whatever wickedness came knocking on their proverbial door, Penny would stand by Reagan. She would guard Reagan’s back, even if it meant plunging her soul into hell to do it.
Four
A thud pulled me up to consciousness. The hard warmth of Darius curled around me in the soft bedding. Thick black curtains covered the windows, cinched tight. They were closed, which meant the sun was still out. A look at the clock on the nightstand confirmed it—late afternoon.
I listened for a moment. If the wards had gone off, the alarms would be blaring. Given Penny and Emery had set those wards, I was not at all concerned about a breach. It seemed far more likely that Penny had tripped over something upstairs and possibly tumbled down the stairs. You just never knew with her. She could move quickly, fight effortlessly, and really pack a kick when she wanted to, but sometimes the fight against gravity was too much for her.
Hearing nothing else, and sensing no magic, I turned within Darius’s arms and slid my hands downward. I trailed my fingertips over his chest, feeling the grooves of muscle and then the hard plane leading to the fun factory. I lightly kissed his strong jaw while wrapping my fingers around his quickly hardening length.
His groan made me smile. I leaned against him, and he fell onto his back, sucking in a breath as I stroked. I slid my lips across his neck and pulled a leg over his hip, releasing my hand in favor of rubbing my slickness against him.
I made my kisses more aggressive, sucking in his warm skin as I made my way toward his mouth, sliding my hands back up his chest and curling them around the back of his neck. He responded eagerly, cupping my butt and lifting, the weight nothing to him. His tip dragged against my slit as he positioned himself and then abruptly pulled me back down.