Levet by Alexandra Ivy Page B

Lord?”
    â€œNo.” Styx gave a firm shake of his head. “The Oracles are certain the Dark Lord is well and truly dead.”
    Santiago’s stab of relief was offset by Styx’s grim expression.
    The Dark Lord might be dead, but Styx clearly was afraid something was controlling Gaius.
    â€œYou’ve spoken to the Oracles?”
    Styx grimaced. “Unfortunately. Since my first thought was like yours, that he’d managed to salvage some small part of the Dark Lord, I naturally went to the Commission with my fears.”
    â€œAnd?”
    The room suddenly filled with a power that made the lights flicker and the computer monitors shut down.
    â€œAnd they politely told me to mind my own business.”
    He gave a sharp laugh. How many times had Styx been told to mind his own business? Santiago was going with the number zero.
    â€œHow many did you kill?”
    â€œNone.” Styx’s crushing power continued to throb through the room. “My temper is . . .”
    â€œCataclysmic?” Santiago helpfully offered.
    â€œHealthy,” Styx corrected. “But, I’m not suicidal.”
    That was true enough. The King of Vampires might approach diplomacy like a bull in a china cabinet, but he was too shrewd to confront the Commission head-on.
    No. He wouldn’t challenge the Oracles, but then again, Santiago didn’t believe for a second he was going to sit back and meekly obey their command.
    Obey and Styx should never be in the same sentence.
    â€œIf this is none of your business, why did you come to me?” he demanded.
    â€œBecause Gaius is one of mine, no matter what he’s done,” Styx said, his face as hard as granite. “And if he’s being controlled by something or someone I want to know what the hell is going on.”
    â€œWhat about the Oracles?”
    â€œWhat they don’t know . . .” Styx tossed Santiago’s words back in face.
    Santiago narrowed his eyes. It was one thing to sneak a bottle of tequila from Viper’s cellars and another to piss off the Oracles.
    â€œAnd you chose me, because?”
    â€œYou’re the only one capable of tracking Gaius.”
    Santiago shook his head. “The bastard did something to mask his scent along with our previous bonding. I don’t have any better chance of finding him than you do.”
    Styx’s smile sent a chill down Santiago’s spine. “I have full faith you’ll find some way to hunt him down. And, of course, to do it without drawing unnecessary attention.”
    Great.
    Not only was he being sent on a wild goose chase, but he was in danger of attracting the lethal anger of the Oracles.
    Just what he didn’t need.
    With his hands on his hips, Santiago glared at his companion.
    â€œSo you’re not willing to risk the wrath of the Commission, but you’re willing to throw me under the bus?”
    â€œDon’t be an ass.” Styx allowed his power to slam into Santiago, making him grunt in pain. “If you don’t want to do this, then don’t. I thought you would be eager for the opportunity to be reunited with your sire.”
    Santiago held up a hand in apology. Mierda . He truly was on the edge to deliberately goad the King of Vampires.
    â€œYou’re right, I’m sorry,” he said. And it was true. Styx was right. He’d waited centuries for the opportunity to confront his sire. Now he’d been given a second chance. Why wasn’t he leaping at the opportunity? “It’s . . .” He broke off with a shake of his head.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œNothing.” He pulled out his cell phone, concentrating on what needed to be accomplished before he could head out. “I need to contact Tonya to warn her she’ll be in charge of the club.”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œWhere’s the witch?”
    â€œShe’s at my lair in Chicago. Roke is keeping an eye on her in case this turns out to be a