San Francisco
To Darkwolf’s irritation, Garran, the Drow king of a faction of Dark Elves, smirked as he reclined against a massive wooden leg, called a pile, one of the many pilings supporting the pier.
They stood on the rocky shore of the bay, at the base of the abandoned pier where centuries ago the Drow had created an entrance from Otherworld that was hidden from any eyes but their own.
The wind was mild yet chilled, and it carried to Darkwolf the earth-and-moss scent of the Drow king, mixed with Sara’s jasmine perfume. Elizabeth and Sara both stood off to the side, watching. Sara had a satisfied expression on her face, while Elizabeth looked surly.
“Are you certain Balor will give us what we want in return for our service?” King Garran asked in an arrogant tone. “We wish to once again walk in the light.”
Heat rose in Darkwolf’s chest like fire and his head ached with Balor’s invasion in his mind. The sharp pain was even more intense than usual. The insolent bastard of a Drow would pay one of these days if he continued to express his doubt of Balor.
Outwardly, as always, Darkwolf kept his expression unreadable, his emotions hidden.
Elizabeth looked from the warlock to the king, one eyebrow raised as she watched the interplay. Due to the nip in the air, she was wearing form-fitting jeans, a snug sweater, and her hair hung loose about her shoulders.
Sara was dressed similarly, but where Elizabeth had a haughty, bitchy look, Sara’s was one of confidence—and perhaps a little deviousness, too.
Garran had the bluish-gray skin of the Dark Elves, and silvery-blue hair that reached his shoulders. He wore leather straps that crisscrossed his bare chest, a dagger and sword on a belt slung low about his hips. He was as tall as Darkwolf, but larger in build.
“You shall have it,” Darkwolf said. “However, you must deliver the witch, Copper, as well. Balor has relayed to me that he requires her services.”
Her blood. Balor cared only for the powerful witch’s blood.
Garran’s expression grew fierce. “Copper is mine. When all is said and done, I will claim her. I wait only for the door to be discovered and opened, and for her to come to me willingly.”
Darkwolf chose not to answer. He also needed Copper to lure the witch Silver to him, but he didn’t have time to argue with the Drow. Balor had conveyed to Darkwolf that he needed Silver’s or Copper’s blood, but Darkwolf refused to kill Silver. He would make use of Copper instead.
Garran’s gaze drifted slowly over Elizabeth and Sara. “I have yet to take a human. These are both particularly exquisite.”
Sara gave a sensual smile.
Elizabeth clenched her human fists at her sides and Darkwolf could tell she wanted to erupt into the powerful demon she was.
“You would be wise to keep your tongue, Drow,” she said in a low growl.
The Drow king smiled and a spark literally flashed in his dark eyes. “A being who is not what it pretends to be, I see.”
He swung his gaze to Darkwolf’s. Elizabeth gave another low growl and Darkwolf saw the demon wavering again, wanting to crawl out of its human shell.
Sara gave a seductive smile and walked up to the king. She ran one finger from the hollow of his throat, over his chest and the leather straps, down to his waistband. “You can fuck me all you want. Take me with you if it pleases you.”
Garran laughed and pushed her hand away. “A spy, no doubt.”
Sara gave him a little pout. “You would have had the best night of your life.”
The Drow king grinned and cast his gaze back to Darkwolf. “I will seek you out here on the arranged date.” He gave a mock bow before he disappeared into the darkness beneath the pilings of the pier.
Anger burned in Darkwolf at Elizabeth’s and Sara’s interruption of their meeting. Although Elizabeth-Junga was the Fomorii queen, Darkwolf bore Balor’s eye. And Sara—he could not believe her insolence.
Yet perhaps the warlock seer was even more devious than he had thought. Perhaps she had been angling to be a spy, an inside source for Darkwolf once the Drow neared the door.
Darkwolf barely held back a smile. Sara was proving to be far more interesting than he had expected.