Eve’s breath caught in her throat. If that crazy witch wasn’t behind this abduction, then that meant only one thing.
Oh, crap. Talk about a double whammy. Straight from her confrontation with that vindictive cow, she’d fallen right into the Darkreans’ waiting arms.
“She happened to mention she knew where you were, and without your protector. I saw no reason not to act. We merely waited until you showed up.”
Her stomach knotted. She’d walked right into the spider’s trap, manipulated by the awful goddess. Reynner was going to be so angry. Not only had she broken her word and went off elsewhere, but she’d been outside and in a place wherebothhis enemies had accosted her.
Swallowing her trepidation, Eve followed him and took comfort in the fact that once out of this dank basement, she’d be able to make a break for it.
Pushing her cell in her pocket, she eyed the blond man on her right. Tall and lean with ink-work on his biceps, he appeared equally remote. Mohawk on her left had the same inaccessible expression.
Strangely, she sensed nothing from them, not hatred or curiosity. Absolute nothing. Their very presence made the temperature in the cellar drop several degrees.
Uneasy, she limped up the few stairs and had to bite back a whimper at the pain shooting up her hips. Once they entered the main part of the house, Eve was dumbstruck. Had to be from watching too many movies where the bad guys always had a dilapidated, rundown shanty. And locked in a cobweb-infested cellar, she had no reason to think otherwise.
This place was a freakin’ mansion. Cream walls meandered in front of her with some serious cachet of paintings. The decor boasted classy, period furniture, fancy light fixtures…nothing at all like the granite splendor of raw mountainous beauty where Reynner had excavated his home.
A pang of misery overrode her bravado. She missed him, had no idea how much time had passed. It felt like years.
The leader opened the door and led her into a very masculine room—a study with dark, paneled walls. An enormous desk occupied one corner. Deep brown couches and chairs were placed around a low coffee table.
How come this place doesn’t look like evil beings reside here?she wondered.
“I am Sebris,” onyx eyes paused. Eve said nothing. “From your lack of surprise, I see you are aware of us. Good. Explanations can be so tedious. You’ll be given a room during your stay with us.”
That’s what he thought. She was fleeing the first chance she got, even if she had no idea where the heck she was. That could be learned later, she figured, after she’d escaped.
“I wouldn’t advise running. My warriors guard the perimeter of this property. We are not human, little mortal. I will know if you attempt to leave.”
“What do you want?” Christ, had she lost her mind at her foolish demand? Of course, she knew what they wanted.
“There’s a seat. You appear in need of it.”
Her woozy head and sore hips took the choice from her. She eased into the armchair behind her but kept her gaze fixed on him. Their lack of emotions terrified her. He’d showed no remorse at her discomfort and pain. They were just words carried off with the right expressions, because nothing ever touched his eyes.
Reynner made no mention of just how cold and emotionless these men were. They’d probably end her life and think nothing of it. Warily, Eve glanced around the silent room. The others had disappeared. And she was alone with this robot.
“What are you called?” Sebris asked. He strolled closer, looking like he had all the time in the world for this conversation.
“Eve.”
“Eve,” he repeated softly as he strolled around her chair. “We can make this easy or hard, all depends on your answer.” He stopped in front of her, his hands slipped in his jeans pocket. “What did the Empyrean find out about the artifact? Enlighten me. If I like your answers, you may get your wish to leave.”
Was he reading her? Eve tried to erect a wall around her thoughts. This kidnapping fiend would demand answers when Reynner had worked so hard, spent centuries trying to find the artifact.
“Even if I knew where the Stone was, I wouldn’t tell you. Why aren’tyoulooking for the artifact if it’s that important?” she demanded, despite her quaking insides. “You seem to want it bad enough. Is it soyoucan rule Empyrea? The Stone’s magic should benefit all of Empyrea—not just one person.”
Instantly, his eyes took on the appearance of black diamonds. Eve shivered. Crap, had she just said that? What’s to stop him from killing her?
Calm down, calm down. He needsyouto find the Stone.
“Little mortal, it would bode well for your future if you refrain from making comments about a world you know little of. You make us out to be the villains—perhaps we are.” Another cold smile crossed his face. “Become difficult, and my courtesy will be rescinded. Your stay in the cellar will appear like paradise. Now we wait.”
“Wait for what?”
“Until the Empyrean arrives.”
Eve stiffened. “You think to use me to trap Reynner—to bargain for the Stone?” Her fear fled, she glared at him. “It will never happen.”
