Call of the Siren(28)

A flicker of sympathy lit Tenos dark eyes. “The Council has decreed that you and your brothers are to be sent back to Infernum.”

Keegan couldn’t hold back the furious growl that tore out of his throat. He’d known deportation back to Infernum would be a very real threat ever since the moment he and his brothers had chosen to save Amara by killing Asmodeus in defiance of the Council’s orders. But still, the fact that it was happening was almost impossible to believe.

Forcing his feet to move toward the sectional, he took a seat on the edge. “What about our families? Brynn, Aegin, Maya, Amara…what happens to them?”

Tenos’ mouth tightened, and his gaze dropped, as if he found the words he was going to say distasteful. “They can choose to go with you, or they can remain here.”

Unprotected.

Keegan’s heart pounded fiercely, threatening to blind his vision. He had to find a way out of this. He had to protect his family…no matter the cost.

“You’ve been a good asset to the Council these past many years, even if the Council members choose not to recognize it.” Tenos crossed the room to sit beside him, giving him an intent gaze. “The Grand Council member is unavailable until the afternoon after tomorrow, so the official order won’t come down until then, but from what I hear, it’s already a done deal. The majority of the Council members have agreed to it.”

Something in the tone of Tenos’s words made Keegan stiffen. “The day after tomorrow? So why are you telling me this now?”

Tenos shrugged, but even though the gesture seemed casual, Keegan knew better. “The Council won’t be worried about keeping closer tabs on you until they give you the order for deportation. Were you to vanish before then…”

Keegan’s breath caught at the unmistakable meaning. The elf was giving them a head start. A way out. All they had to do was flee.

And then they would then become the very type of fugitive they normally sought.

Shit, how could this be happening? How could he even be contemplating this? But then, what was the alternative? He couldn’t subject Brynn and Aegin to a life in his hellish home world. He wouldn’t. And there was no way in hell they were staying here without him.

Tenos glanced at the black watch on his wrist. “I have to go. For both our sakes, if anyone asks, I was never here.”

Keegan rose to his feet with a whispered, “Thank you.”

Tenos shook his head and started for the front door then paused right in front of it. “If you can do it, find Mammon. His recapture would give you the leverage you need to renegotiate with the Council. Until then, do what you must to protect your family.”

An unsteady nod was all Keegan could manage. Tenos reached out and grasped his hand, giving it a shake. His eyes glimmered with warmth and compassion. “Good luck, my friend.”

With that, he was gone.

Keegan locked the door and leaned against it, allowing himself a moment of introspection. His whole body practically quivered with the fear that the Council would succeed in sending them back to Infernum. Away from his family.

No, he couldn’t break down now. Not when there was so much to do.

Shoving away from the door, he steeled himself for the long night ahead.





Chapter Nine

Morning light streamed in through the filmy white curtain of the Ukraine hotel room, waking Taeg out of a sound sleep. His fiancé Maya was nestled in beside him, fast asleep on her stomach. Her long, wavy hair splayed out all around her in a pool of black and sun-kissed burgundy highlights.

Shit. Forgot to close the drapes.

Though who could blame them? It had been a long night of tracking the maliki demons who’d murdered Maya’s family when she was a child. They were getting goddamn close, too. One of the men they’d met last night at a local Otherworlder club said he saw two demons matching their description not less than a week ago.

Soon enough, those fuckers will be ours.

Though he had to admit he would miss all this once they caught and killed the bastards. Much as he loved tracking down bad guys with his brothers, hunting with Maya was infinitely better.

He rolled onto his side so he could better observe his fiancée. Even after all these months together, he still found her just as stunning as when they’d met. More so, perhaps, because he knew her so much better now.

Who woulda thunk it?

He’d gone and fallen head over heels in love.

Well, if he had to take the plunge, at least he’d found the perfect female to do it with.

His gaze moved down her body, to where the white cotton sheets rode dangerously low on her backside. They’d been so exhausted last night that they’d done nothing more than rip their clothes off and climb into bed, but now, after just a few hours sleep, he was ready to make up for that transgression. His cock hardened as he reached out a hand and slid it down her back to the tempting curves of her luscious ass. She shifted and gave a little moan.