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"Ah, but I’s"

Laylah reluctantly stepped into the fray What choice did she have? Tane was just stubborn enough to ignore the offer of shelter because he was annoyed by the vampire’s attitude

"Tane, we don’t have lance in her direction, his expression softening as he took in the weariness she couldn’t hide

She was discovering that being pulled out of thethan actually walking through them

He returned his attention to Jaelyn

"Your lair is secure?"

The indigo eyes narrowed "I’ vah Did all vaement issues?

Levet tugged on her pant leg "I assu ant to stay out of the family squabble"

Levet shuddered with ready revulsion "Oui, there is nothing lanced toward the distant fields where her aunt had brought an evil ar his trust in a varessive with a short fuse

Especially not when Laylah ith hi and Marika and her Sylvermysts on their trail, he didn’t have a lot of choice

Allowing Jaelyn to lead them to a small town settled between a patchwork of farms, Tane wrapped himself in shadows as they moved across the small park in the center of town Country folk tended to be up early and the last thing he needed was so the still unconscious Sylver brick building on the corner of the don square Entering, Tane realized that it had once been a local bank, but now the teller ere shuttered and the tile floor was covered in dust

They passed through the narrow lobby and ht of stairs that led to the bank vault below

Laylah briefly faltered, perhaps fearing they were all expected to squeeze into the small space for the next twelve hours

He didn’t blaoyle, and a half-breed Jinn shoved in a tiny, steel-lined vault … yeah, bad idea all the way around

With a gentle pressure he urged her inside No vampire had a lair without a few hidden doors

To prove his point, Jaelyn brushed past the aside the shelves of safety deposit boxes to reveal a door cut into the steel She paused, whispering soft words that released the hexes that guarded the entrance and the door sprung open, revealing a wooden staircase that led to the underground tunnels

In silence they ht of the approaching dawn, but it was his concern for Laylah that e Jaelyn to a faster pace The stubborn Jinn would rather collapse than ask for help, but he could sense she was barely able to put one foot in front of the other

The short tunnel ended at another door that opened into a large room Tane studied the leather seats scattered across the cri on the walls Not that he gave a crap about the décor His only interest was in potential dangers and, of course, the nearest exits

Laylah, however, grily relieved when Jaelyn led her into a private bedroom with a simple bed and armoire with an attached roo the Sylver for Laylah to make the babe comfortable in the attached rooed the covers over her

Then, leaning against the headboard, he made hih that he could rest and regain his strength while still re on full-alert

Several hours passed before the sound of approaching footsteps had hiht be forced to accept Jaelyn’s hospitality, but he didn’t trust her near Laylah

Actually, he wasn’t sure he trusted anyone near Laylah

Wisely halting several feet froesture of peace

"Easy, Charon," she said, still dressed in the spandex although she’d replaced the shotgun with a Glock 18 "I’m no threat to your female"

His lips twisted at his fierce rush to protect Laylah Especially considering she could destroy this entire lair with a single thought

"My female can take care of herself," he said wryly

Jaelyn rolled her eyes "Yeah, she can, but I doubt you’re willing to give her the opportunity"

"What do you want?"

"My prisoner is awake"

"Your prisoner?" He arched a brow "Having trouble with your pronouns, Hunter?"

"My only trouble at theprotecting theain"

Not sure what Jaelyn intended for the Sylverainst the wall near the door

"Fine," he said, "but I need to question hiave a lift of her shoulder, turning to walk down the narrow hallway