Page 10 of Warrior Unraveled

At Wesley’s words, she met his gaze. His baby-blues locked with hers. For a moment she felt hypnotized. And for a fraction of a second she wondered what would have happened between them had they met under different circumstances.

A soft smile suddenly curled the corners of his mouth upward. “One day you will.”

His gait confident, his head held high, he walked into the cell. Once inside, he turned around. “You’re an interesting woman, Virginia. I’m looking forward to getting to know you…” He paused, his gaze dropping to her lips. “…more intimately.”

Cocky bastard!

As if he knew what effect he had on her! As if he could see right through her.

Trembling—whether with rage or arousal, she wasn’t sure—she slammed the heavy door shut and turned the key in the lock.

Her heart pounded, and she leaned against the door, when she heard his voice through it.

“Sweet dreams, Virginia.”

A chuckle followed.

This witch would be her downfall if she wasn’t careful.

3

Impatiently, Zoltan paced in front of the lava pit in his study. Impatiently, because he’d received word a few hours earlier that the two demons he’d sent on a secret mission had made a discovery they had to convey to him in person.

A knock at his door. Finally!

Zoltan pressed against a pebble protruding from the mantel around the lava pit, and a flat stone slid over the fire, covering it entirely.

He sat back behind his desk. “Come!”

The door swung open. The first demon to enter was Vintoq, his right hand, a tall man with thick, dark hair. He’d chosen Vintoq as his main advisor shortly after taking power, because he seemed smarter than his brethren. He wasn’t just a follower—he contributed ideas and suggestions, showing initiative.

“Oh Great One, you asked that Ulric and Fletcher be brought to you the moment they returned,” Vintoq said, his green eyes like beacons in the darkness. Those eyes, the only outward sign of a demon’s nature, were also their Achilles heel. Because it made them immediately recognizable to the Stealth Guardians.

“Have them come in.”

Vintoq looked over his shoulder and motioned toward the dark corridor behind him. Seconds later, two more demons entered. Ulric was on the stouter side with small, beadlike eyes and a full head of blond hair, attesting to his Viking heritage. Fletcher, the other demon who now, like Ulric, bowed his head in greeting, was taller and darker.

Zoltan nodded at Vintoq. “Close the door.”

When Vintoq reached for the door, Zoltan added, “From the outside.”

Vintoq complied quickly, bowing on his way out. Zoltan would fill him in later after he’d fully formulated his plan. But first he had to find out whether Ulric and Fletcher had returned with actionable intelligence.

“Rise!” he commanded.

The two demons lifted their heads instantly. “Oh Great One,” they said in unison.

“Hmm.” Zoltan rose from behind his desk. “What do you have for me?”

Ulric stepped forward. “Your hunch proved fruitful. We found the location.”

Zoltan’s heart pounded with excitement. His efforts had paid off. “You found their stronghold?”

Ulric nodded. “One of their strongholds. We can’t be certain of its importance, but it’s one of their compounds. If we can penetrate it—”

Zoltan lifted his hand. “I know we can. But first things first. Show me where it is.”

Ulric produced a sheet of paper, unfolded it, and walked to the desk, placing it in front of Zoltan. It was a portion of a map. He studied it for a moment, focusing on the cross Ulric had made at one spot.