'He is well, thanks to you.' Erwin smiled. 'They came for us, just as you said.'
'Ladies, can you continue this conversation later?' As discreetly as possible, Gray positioned Jewel behind him.
One of the demons several yards in front of them stopped and sniffed the air. He whipped around, his red eyes searching, searching. His gaze locked on Gray.
'Human!' The scaly creature released a snakelike hiss.
Not waiting around for a welcome-to-town party, Gray jolted into motion, dragging Jewel with him. 'We've been spotted, baby.'
People gasped as he pushed through them. What he would have given for a few hollow point bullets. Maybe a grenade. Unfortunately he was out of both. His only weapon was his blade. Demons could fly, so there was no reason for him to attempt that little feat again. Plus, they would do better if they lost themselves in the crowd. If he could find a vendor selling robes, he could steal two, changing the colors he and Jewel wore.
The crowd was thinning at a fast rate. Centaurs galloped away. Minotaurs burrowed in the ground, finding shelter under mounds of dirt. Pebbles flew from beneath Gray's boots.
The woman, Erwin, had followed them, racing at his side. 'Keep going,' she said. 'I will distract them.' 'No,' Jewel said at the same time Gray said, 'Thank you.'
'We're in deep shit, so we'll take all the help we can get,' he added, leaping over a fallen food cart. 'Jump,' he commanded.
She jumped, her robe billowing around her like a storm cloud. Her hood fell, and her hair spilled down her back, a black, glossy river. She looked over her shoulder and saw Erwin throw her armful of cloth at the demons, momentarily shielding their vision before she ran away.
Gray continued sprinting between buildings and alleys. He knew the demons were getting closer. And closer. And shit! They were doubling in numbers with every step. Their teeth were yellow and razor-sharp, dripping with saliva. 'There,' Jewel cried, pointing.
He followed the direction of her finger and spotted a female centaur trotting ahead, completely unaware of the turmoil behind her.
'No,' Gray said, knowing what she wanted him to do. 'Yes. It's the only way.'
He scowled.
'Just hop on and ride. Don't be a baby.'
If he didn't know better, he'd swear Jewel sounded excited, rather than fearful for her life. He could not believe he was contemplating this... He didn't mind riding a woman, but holy hell. He preferred it be Jewel.
Increasing their speed, they sidled up to the horsewoman. Her pale-as-moonlight hair streamed behind her. Without giving any warning, Gray grabbed a fistful of that hair and pulled himself up, dragging Jewel up behind him. Immediately the centaur tried to buck them off. When that didn't work, she reared up.
'Giddy-up, horsey,' he said.
'Get off me.' She twisted, trying to bite Gray's leg. When she saw him, her eyes widened and she stilled. 'Adonis! My deepest apologies, Great Lord. Thank you for this honor. I shall never—'
'Just move.'
Without another word, she kicked into gear, her lithe body spurring into motion. Wind tangled in his hair as she raced stealthily around people, through alleys and over carts. Adrenaline surged in his veins, flowing with the force of an avalanche. He'd experienced more adrenaline rushes since entering Atlantis and meeting Jewel than he had in his entire two years with OBI.
Just thinking of his employer made his hands sweat. They were getting antsy, he knew they were. It was only a matter of time before they sent someone else through the portal, looking for him. What would happen to Jewel then?
The female centaur stopped, her hooves digging into the rocky ground. He frowned. 'Keep moving. Go!'
'My Lord of Lords. There are vampires blocking the path in front and demons blocking the path in the rear.' Her voice trembled with fear.
'Layel,' Jewel gasped.
Gray dismounted, keeping his gaze locked on the trio of vampires. They wore black, and the dark material eerily offset their too-pale skin. Their otherworldy blue eyes were... just like Jewel's, he realized. What the hell?
He blinked, but shook off his unease. Jewel tried to dismount. He stopped her with a firm grip on her thigh. A chorus of hissing laughter erupted behind him.
'When I say so, take off,' he mouthed to the centaur. 'Take her to safety. I'll find a way to repay you.' Her only response was a frightened whinny.
Shoving his hand away, Jewel slipped off and stood beside him. 'If you stay, I stay.'
Their eyes met, locking, clashing. In the next moment, the vampires and demons flew into action, heading straight toward them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Gray shoved Jewel to the ground and threw himself protectively over her body. When she regained her breath, she flailed, trying to make herself the shield. His strength prevailed.
'Damn you,' she cried.
He merely meshed his lips into hers for a quick kiss, twisted, and raised his blade. Ready to attack and defend. The vampires' speed was incredible, almost faster than his eyes could see, making them a blur of movement. He didn't know how he was going to fight all of them, or how he was going to save Jewel. He only knew he'd fight to the death if needed.
And it looked like that might be needed.
They were almost within reach, murder in their eyes... almost... His body tensed, readied for impact and battle.
Neither race touched them.
'What the hell?' Shock pounded through him.
The vampires had flown past them and caught the demons midair, crashing together. Hisses rebounded, followed by the sound of sucking. The smell of sulfur blended with a metallic twang.
The centaur bolted into motion. Gray jumped up, pulling Jewel with him, and tried to follow the path the horse-woman had taken.
'Wait,' Jewel said, trying to jerk him to a stop.
'Where's that safe house you mentioned?' He tugged his hood back over his head, covering his pale locks, determination propelling him onward. After a quick left and right perimeter check—and spotting several Mers—he ushered Jewel to another alleyway.
'Wait!' she repeated.
This time, he spun and faced her. Half of her face was shadowed by the hood, but her lips—those soft, pleasure-giving lips—were perfectly visible. 'Baby, this is life and death. We can talk when I've got you tucked away safe.'
'I read his mind.'
His brow furrowed. 'Who?'
'Layel. King of the vampires. I read his mind.'
Understanding dawned. He dragged her inside a nearby cart and slithered the canopy over their heads. He didn't like remaining sedentary, but flattened himself on top of her, pressing her back into the splintered wood. 'All right, I'm listening.' He kept his voice quiet, not wanting the sound to carry. 'What did you learn?'
She shivered at the contact. 'Layel wants to help us.' 'Why?'
'I don't know.'
He leaned into her until their breath mingled, the light in his silver eyes piercing her with its intensity. The hard length of his body fit perfectly against hers. 'How can you know one and not the other?'
Jewel licked her lips and liquefied against him. Gray had been so distant with her since awaking this morning.
