Free Devoured By Darkness by Alexandra Ivy Page A

through the veil.
    There was the sensation of clinging spider webs and the prickles of electricity that became stabs of lightning as she pressed through the veil. And pain. Enough pain to send her to her knees as they tumbled through the fog and into a chilled darkness.
    The combination of pain from the entry and the shock at being wrenched from the ephemeral mists to the very real world of hard stone and damp air briefly disoriented her. She sucked in a shaky breath.
    This was the very last time she was taking passengers along for the ride.
    Slowly working through the pain, Laylah became aware of her surroundings.
    The dark tunnels that ran beneath the outskirts of London. The faint scent of rain from overhead. The sound of Tane’s curses as he struggled to his feet. And …
    Awareness.
    Awareness of Tane that tingled deep inside her. Holy crap, had it actually worked? Had she actually leashed a powerful vampire? And if she had, was it a good thing or the worst mistake in the history of the world?
    Fairly certain it was the mistake thing, Laylah was distracted by the sight of Levet lying like a frozen statue on the smoothly worn floor of the tunnel.
    “Shit.” She scrambled forward, touching the tiny demon who was now as hard as granite. “Levet?”
    “It’s daylight,” Tane said, his dagger clutched in his hands as he tested the air for danger. “He won’t awaken until dusk.”
    Thank God. With her current streak of piss-poor luck, she’d feared she managed to kill the poor thing.
    Scooping the gargoyle into her arms, she straightened with a groan. The creature weighed a ton. Then, deciding there was no time like the present to test her hold on Tane, she nervously cleared her throat.
    “You need to find us someplace safe to rest.”
    There was a brief, dangerous hesitation, and Laylah tensed, her mouth dry with fear. She was too weakened by the shadow walk to battle Tane if he remained unrestrained.
    In fact, until she rested and fed she was entirely at his mercy.
    Not the most comforting thought.
    Braced for the worst, Laylah nearly fell to her knees in relief as Tane offered a mocking bow.
    “Your wish is my command, mistress. This way.”
    He turned to flow through a side tunnel, not bothering to see if she were following or not. She hoped it was a sign his powers were at least muted.
    In silence they moved through the cramped passageways. Laylah knew she was taking a desperate risk. If she hadn’t gone skitzo with the need to track down information of the Jinn she might already be back under the protection of Caine with the child safely in her care.
    Instead she was risking all for what?
    Information? Affirmation?
    Lost in her broodings, Laylah allowed herself to be led through the maze of tunnels, only vaguely aware they were headed away from London.
    Nearly half an hour later, however, she was jerked out of her dangerous distraction. She came to a sharp halt, her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
    “Stop,” she commanded.
    With a low growl, Tane spun around to stab her with an impatient frown.
    “Laylah, we don’t have long until your scent begins to stir unwanted attention.”
    She matched him glare for glare. If she’d managed to bind him, he was already proving to be the worst slave ever.
    “I’m more interested in the scent that’s already here,” she snarled. “You’ve brought me to a vampire lair.”
    He shrugged, completely unrepentant. “What place could offer you more protection?”
    “Yeah, and when they learn your companion is a half Jinn they’ll serve me up for dinner.”
    Without warning he was standing directly before her, his eyes glowing with a frightening intensity.
    “There’s not a chance in hell another vampire is going to sink his fangs into you,” he swore, his voice harsh with male possession. “Not as long as I’m alive.”
    She ignored the strange excitement that arrowed in the direction of her pelvis. She wasn’t going to be distracted again.
    “I’m not walking