Bound By Darkness by Alexandra Ivy

as he considered their options. “Victor has a lair not far from London.”
    â€œVictor?”
    â€œThe clan chief of London,” Levet explained with a smug smile. “He is a close and personal friend of mine. I do not doubt he would be pleased to offer us shelter if I were to approach him.”
    A close, personal friend? Jaelyn hid a smile. She was fairly certain that Victor would give a different story if asked.
    Not that she intended to cross paths with the powerful clan chief.
    â€œActually, I prefer something more ...” She chose her words with care. “Discreet.”
    Genuine concern touched his ugly little face. “Are you in trouble?”
    She shrugged, glancing toward the Sylvermyst draped over her shoulder.
    â€œI just don’t want to answer unnecessary questions.”
    â€œI ... see.”
    â€œDo you know a place where I can disappear for a few hours?”
    Levet hesitated before heaving a reluctant sigh. “There used to be a blood pit near Fleet Street, but I do not suggest it.”
    She ignored his warning. Granted the usual blood pits were filthy, underground clubs where demons could buy whatever they desired: sex, drugs, and of course, willing blood hosts. But, they also rented rooms with the strict policy of don’t ask, don’t tell.
    â€œIt sounds perfect,” she assured him.
    â€œIt is not really a suitable place for such a beautiful woman.”
    â€œI’m not a woman, I’m a Hunter.”
    Levet’s eyes widened even as a mysterious smile curved his lips.
    â€œYou may call yourself whatever you please, ma enfant , but I can assure you that you are very much a woman.”
    She snorted, refusing to recall that since meeting Ariyal she’d felt like a woman for the first time in decades.
    Surely she had enough disasters looming on the horizon without adding yet another?
    â€œCan you lead me to the blood pit or not?”
    Still, the gargoyle hesitated. “There’s bound to be an assortment of unpleasant creatures staying there.”
    â€œTrust me, I can take care of myself.”
    â€œVery well.” Levet’s wings drooped, but turning on his heel he led Jaelyn out of the house and down the path to the front gate. Once they reached the street, he turned east. “This way.”
    Jaelyn was on full alert as they walked through the neighborhoods still slumbering in the pre-dawn hours. Most creepy-crawlies were too intelligent to attack a vampire, but she was still edgy from their earlier encounter and the thought of the dead wizard popping out of thin air did nothing for her nerves.
    Neither did the covert glances from the tiny gargoyle waddling at her side.
    At last she turned her head to meet his searching gaze. “Do I have something on my face?”
    Levet shook his head, his expression one of blatant curiosity.
    â€œI am merely wondering why such a lovely female would become a Hunter.”
    She resumed scanning their passing surroundings, skimming over Nelson’s Column, which stretched toward the heavens, and the flanking fountains as they cut through Trafalgar Square.
    â€œIt wasn’t by choice,” she muttered, quickening her step in the hopes her companion would take the hint and drop the subject.
    She might as well have hoped for a night with Robert Pattinson or world peace, she wryly acknowledged as the gargoyle churned his tiny legs to keep pace beside her.
    â€œYou were forced?” he persisted.
    â€œAfter I was turned, it was discovered I had the heightened senses required for a Hunter,” she said, stripping her voice of emotion. It was a night she’d done her best to forget. “The Addonexus arrived at my lair and informed me I was about to become their newest recruit.”
    She felt his gaze searching her profile.
    â€œWhether you wished to be recruited or not?” he asked softly.
    â€œVampires have never embraced democracy. Not even with Styx as the