“Don’t worry. Valac agreed to a truce. We’re safe.” He wouldn’t have brought Dex otherwise.
Not that Luc had spoken directly to the demon who’d planned to permanently kill him. Onyx had arranged this, but Luc trusted Onyx with his life. And his mate’s. Onyx was good to his core and wanted this to work out as much as Luc did.
His love ran deep, and Luc wished he’d never taken it for granted or taken advantage of it.
Luc looked around. The courtyard was deserted, as bare as he remembered, nothing but dirt and drab buildings on all sides.
A door to the right opened, and Valac strolled out, his white wings folded at his back, and gray horns standing tall. The demon, Isaac, followed close behind. He’d helped Valac imprison Luc and Onyx. The others in their gang were absent, at least for now.
Dex pressed close to his side, and Luc settled his hand on his mate’s lower back.
Valac stopped squarely in front of Luc, his arms crossed. “I hadn’t planned to take this meeting.”
Luc swallowed a cutting retort. “I appreciate you changing your mind.”
Valac rolled his eyes. “That’s got nothing to do with you.”
Onyx sighed like he’d had enough a century ago. “Yes, yes. Animosity is running high. We’re all well aware that none of us are friends. Can we move on?”
Valac grunted. “Fine. But only because doing the right thing is more important than anyone’s personal feelings.”
Luc cut a look at Onyx. He’d said he’d kept the details of their plan quiet when contacting Valac. How did Valac know how important their quest was?
“I was suspicious when I heard you wanted to meet,” Valac went on. “Surely you weren’t trying to rally supporters so soon after claiming you weren’t after power. And you wouldn’t come to me with any bullshit. This stunk of a trap.”
Couldn’t he see it wasn’t a trap now that they were here? “This isn’t a trick of any kind. I can explain.”
“Yeah.” Onyx rushed to Luc’s defense. “I’d have given you more information if you’d asked.”
“Would you?” Valac cocked his head. “It doesn’t matter. I doubt you’d have brought your mate to anything that might go wrong.” His gaze strayed to Nico, then to Dex. “Who’s the human?”
Luc swallowed a growl, his hand flexing on Dex’s back. It wouldn’t do to snarl and egg Valac on. He said calmly, “Don’t be rude. Humans aren’t beneath us.”
Valac’s lips parted as if in shock. “My apologies.” He tipped his head to Dex. “I didn’t expect any humans to be in on this, that’s all I meant.”
“I’m surprised as well.”
Luc had been so focused on the demon in front of him, he hadn’t noticed anyone else enter the courtyard.
Rowan strode toward them, the same three companions he’d kept close in their previous meeting at his heel. The vampire went straight for Nico, and the two embraced.
“What are you doing here?” Nico asked.
“Valac called to warn me that Lucifer was up to something, and I said I had a good idea of what it was.”
Luc hadn’t heard anything from Rowan or his coven. If he’d decided against helping, convincing Valac would be more of a challenge.
“You could have told me,” Nico chided.
Rowan huffed. “Where’s the fun in that?” He turned his attention to Luc. “I’m in. The four of us”—he gestured to hiscompanions—“will go with you to the gateway, but no one else from my coven is permitted. I won’t risk them.”
Luc bowed his head. “I understand. Your support is no small offer.”
“No, it’s not. But this is too big to ignore. I can’t pass this by and claim I stand for what’s right.” The vampire’s impeccable posture became even straighter, his hand smoothing the front of his pristine suit.
“So you already know what we’re planning?” Onyx asked Valac and Isaac.
They nodded, though Valac added. “I’m not sure I believe it.”
