Page 17 of Love, Rekindled

“Are you saying we have to climb up there?”

“Yes.”

She considered the distance, then glanced toward the horizon. “Dawn is just a couple of hours away.”

“There’s a village at the base of the mountain. We can stay at the local lodge,” Azrael told her.

They moved through the dense forest, their footsteps crunching on the frosted underbrush. After years of living in a bustling city and surrounded by concrete, Jayla found herself oddly enchanted by the sense of peace that blanketed the remote area. No traffic, no shouts from the street vendors, no blasting sirens. Just the rustle of woodland animals and the silent beauty of the star-speckled sky spread above them.

Or maybe you’re enchanted by the male walking close beside you, a voice whispered in the back of her mind.

For endless centuries, she’d imagined what might have happened if she hadn’t chosen to kill Azrael that fateful night. What if she’d tossed down her dagger? What if she’d stayed in Moscow?

The potential for what-might-have-been was as painful as the regret for having destroyed a vampire because she refused to see the truth.

Now, she had the opportunity to discover exactly what-if could be. If she dared.

Lost in her thoughts, Jayla suddenly caught the scent of wood smoke. With a blink, she realized they’d stepped into a clearing with a village huddled in the small circle. Reaching behind her back, Jayla made sure her dagger was safely sheathed. She could sense several fey creatures and at least one rock troll.

Azrael didn’t hesitate as he walked down a path that led to the center of town. He was obviously comfortable with the area. She wondered how long he’d stayed here, trying to figure out how he could retrieve his sword. The thought of the fear and frustration he must be enduring tugged at Jayla’s heart.

Reaching the far end of the street, Azrael halted in front of a large, wooden structure with a steeply slanted roof and a large terrace that offered a stunning view of the nearby mountain range.

Jayla sent Azrael a startled glance as she caught the strange scent of licorice. “A bauk?” she breathed in surprise.

The elusive creatures were small and soft like slugs. They usually hid in deep holes, preferring to avoid other demons.

“A mongrel,” Azrael clarified, referring to the fact that the bauk had a mix of demon blood. “Be…”

She sent him a confused glance. “Be what?”

He paused as if considering the appropriate word. “Unthreatening,” he said at last. “Siros is a shy creature and is afraid of vampires.”

“Smart demon,” she murmured, inwardly reassessing how to deal with the upcoming situation.

She might currently be a businesswoman, but she would always be an assassin at heart. That didn’t mean using brute strength to achieve her goals. She depended on cunning, finesse, and understanding that each situation was different.

Climbing onto the terrace, they entered the lodge through the front door, crossing the large lobby toward the counter at the back. Jayla swept her gaze over the polished wood floor and paneled walls before tilting back her head to take in the vaulted, open-beamed ceiling. She wasn’t interested in architecture. She was just making sure that nothing lurked in the nooks and crannies.

They halted in front of the counter, watching a short, hunchbacked creature with oversized ears and a thatch of brown hair appear from behind a hidden door. He shuffled forward, his shoulders hunched, and his dark eyes darting from side to side as if terrified he was about to be ambushed.

“Hello, Siros.”

The male reluctantly glanced toward Azrael, his round face wary. “You.”

Azrael shrugged. “Yes, it’s me.”

“You’re back.” The creature didn’t sound pleased. “Again.”

“Obviously. I need a room,” Azrael announced.

Siros did more eye darting. “There are other hotels in the area. They are more suited for vampires. Especially if you intend to get into another battle. I demand that this be a place of peace for both me and my customers.”

What battle? Jayla arched her brows, but now wasn’t the time to ask for details.

“There will be no fighting, I promise you,” Azrael assured the male.

“Well…well…”

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