pulled in a deep breath that did nothing to ease his throbbing erection; then with a muttered curse, he was headed toward the door.
To hell with it.
It was obvious that Jaelyn intended to remain an uncooperative pain in the ass.
âI donât have time for this.â
âWhere are you going?â
His steps never faltered. âThings to do, people to see.â
âWhen will you return?â
He headed out the door, refusing to give in to the impulse to glance over his shoulder. She would be there waiting for him when he was done with Tearloch.
âThe question, poppet, is not when Iâll return,â he taunted, âbut whether Iâll return.â
There was a rattle of chains followed by a low, wholly feminine hiss of fury.
âDamn you.â
Chapter 3
London, England
Â
Dusk shrouded the narrow streets of London as the two men halted near a high hedge.
One was a slender, impossibly beautiful man with skin the color of rich cream and long copper hair he kept tamed in a tight braid. He might have passed for human if not for the metallic shimmer to the sterling silver eyes, and thick scent of herbs that clung to his tattered robe, which blended into the green bushes behind him.
The other was equally slender, although he didnât possess the same unearthly grace, or beauty. He was of an indeterminate age with high Slavic cheekbones, and an icy blue gaze that held a cunning intelligence. And under normal circumstances he was stylishly dressed in a Gucci suit with his shoulder-length silver hair smoothed from his narrow face.
But these were far from normal circumstances.
After nearly three weeks hiding in the Florida swamps, Sergei Krakov was tired, filthy, and wishing to the gods heâd never become involved with the child he held in his arms.
Well, at least he was home now, he silently attempted to ease his raw nerves, heaving a sigh as his gaze ran over the eighteenth-century terrace house near Green Park.
The historical society claimed the building had been designed by Robert Adam. And pedestrians often halted to gawk at the classic beauty of the aging bricks, the elegant portico, and the tall windows with carved stone swags set above them. A brave few had even attempted to catch a glimpse through the door at the carved marble staircases and grand rooms that were filled with Chippendale furniture and priceless works of art.
A mistake that often led to their deaths when Marika-the-vampire had used the house as her lair.
With a curse, Sergei shut down any thought of his previous mistress.
It wasnât because he was horrified at the memory of watching the vampire female have her head chopped off by her own niece. After four centuries of being the bitchâs whipping boy, he was happy as hell to see her turned into a pile of ash.
But for all her vicious temper and addiction to causing pain, she had been a powerful partner in crime. What demon was stupid enough to cross a vampire who was teetering on the edge of insanity? She was definitely a âkill first and ask questions laterâ kind of gal.
Now he was without her protection, which might have been fine if heâd been allowed to escape the Russian caves without having to barter for his safe passage with yet another lunatic, this time a crazed Sylvermyst, and a child who had been created by the most evil of all evils.
Perfect.
On cue, Tearloch poked him with the tip of the massive sword he was never without. Not even in his sleep.
Which was the only reason that Sergei hadnât tried to strangle the bastard before now.
Or turned him into a frog.
âWhat is this place?â the dark fey demanded.
âCivilization.â Sergei breathed in the damp air. Summer had arrived, but the fog remained. Ah, good olâ London. âYouâre welcome to skulk around in the filthy swamps, but Iâve had enough. I want a bath and a bed with satin sheets.â
âPampered human,â Tearloch