CK looks highly offended, but then he thinks of all the creatures that have made it through the wards and clicks his fingers with a sigh. “You are right. It is a pain in the ass, and they aren’t really stopping anything.”
“Except the Hunters,” Lincoln pipes up.
“They won’t be back. Not yet anyway,” CK says confidently. “Right now, we need to concentrate on the Vampires.”
“And Xane,” I say as I hand Thia to Marguerite. “I have to go and see him. We have unfinished business.”
“What are you going to say to him? About the dagger?” Devon asks with a little look at Dracul.
“The truth,” I state, because what else can I say? He isn’t likely to kill me because Dracul took his dagger away.
I hope.
“Anyway, I will be as quick as I can, and then I will be at the meeting, okay?” I say to CK.
“No, I don’t like it. Not to mention the fact that Remiel isn’t even here for this meeting. How are we supposed to show a united front when he isn’t even here?” he asks in agitation.
“Where is he?” Dracul asks.
“Funnily enough in the Dragon Realms. I killed Laurentis and he is laying his body to rest,” I say shortly.
Dracul’s eyebrows go up in amazement. “You killed Laurentis? When?”
“Yesterday. He threatened me and my children, so I fried him.” I cross my arms defensively.
“Oh,” my brother says with a look of approval. “In that case, allow me.” He snaps his fingers and in the next second Remiel is standing next to me, looking a little more than astonished.
“What in the name of…?” he thunders.
I point to Dracul and he relaxes. “I see,” he says. “How long was I gone?”
“You left yesterday,” I say, puzzled. “How did you do that?” I aim this question at Dracul.
He just shrugs. Oh, right, infinite power, blah, blah, blah. Goody for him.
“Well,” Remiel says, smoothing down his shirt. “It appears that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.”
“Indeed,” I murmur, eyeing him up. He looks good. Damn good.
Oh, for fuck’s sake. I am going to have to sate this need before long.
“Right,” I say, clapping my hands. “I am going to Xane’s.”
“I will be going home,” Dracul says. “We seem to have prevented the threat. But do call if you are in need of assistance or you happen upon the blade.”
He disappears before I can ask how? How am I supposed to “call”?
I lean over to CK and give him a kiss before I also disappear.
I land in the Underworld, outside my own home. I have no idea where to find Xane now. I forgot to ask Devon. However, the large structure looming in front of me gives it away. Guess he managed to complete the spell after all. I stalk over to the massive doorway and knock. We could all learn a thing or two about manners from Dracul.
I wait a beat or two and then it opens.
"Aefre," Xane says, regarding me coldly. "Bring me my dagger back?”
"Uh, no," I say, gazing into his piercing blue eyes. "Dracul has it. I am just here to tell you that."
"Very well, then," he says and goes to slam the door in my face.