Watcher in the Darkness, Book 3: Imprisoned

Chapter 42, Part 4

The words flew out before I realized I was going to speak. "Gwen, go into that huge boulder over there."

Xi froze. I didn't know it was possible for a snake to look surprised.

I pressed the advantage. "Don't ever come out. Not until I release you, or time stops."

The gathered fairykin, including Xi, looked at the Elders.

Gwen's eyes glistened, and her jaw trembled. I felt like a giant prick, but said, "You will stay in that rock forever. When it is sand, you will live in the sand." I turned toward Khalid. For the first time since I'd known him, he appeared to be at a loss. "Did you see that coming, you fuck?"

Gwen slouched in despair as she took a step toward the pillar of stone. "No," Hot Sister said as she threw her arms around Gwen. "Please, vampire, have mercy."

My eyes still locked with Khalid's, I held up my hand. "Actually, hold up, Gwen. You only have to go into the boulder if one of your brothers...hell, if any of these freak fairies come anywhere near me. In fact, go in if anything happens to me at all, ever. Even if it's an accident. If I stub my toe in the dark, you go into that fucking boulder. Do you understand?"

Gwen bowed deep, then glared at Khalid. "Yes, my master," she said in a barbed tone.

A spike of fury jumped off Khalid. "Well played, bloodsucker."

The scales that formed Xi's brow drew into a knot. He gave Hot Sister a sharp look, then jerked his head toward me.

Rhiannon's beauty became almost unbearable when she smiled. She took a step in my direction and I backed away on reflex. "You just...keep your distance" I said.

"So, you say." Her voice was a rich purr. "But your body says come ever so much closer. I can, if you like."

Yes, please. "No." I shook my head hard to clear it.

"Don't you want me to?" Her disappointed tone cut me in half.

I did. God help me, I wanted nothing else. "I don't trust you."

Rhiannon's pretty smile made an even prettier pout. My hands ached to know if her skin was as soft as the silk that clung to her body. "As well you shouldn't. But I propose that we put an end to these games. I desire nothing except my precious sister's freedom. In exchange, I offer one night of my favor."

The passenger in my pants was immediately on board with this idea. I caught myself before I could agree outright. "Are you saying..."

"Sex. I would let you fuck me. One night of my warmth and considerable skill. In exchange, I would have your oath that my sister will be released at daybreak."

She was making a lot of sense. However, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. She had an angle, I just couldn't see what it was with her standing so close. "I can't," I said.

Rhiannon tilted her head. "You can't? Seems to me you're more than capable."

"Well, maybe—wait, no. No." I shut my eyes tight. "I can't. I need Gwen's help to free Karen."

"Karen is free, remember?" I could hear the smile return to Rhiannon's voice. "That wholly unworthy djinn has been stripped of all his assets. There is nothing standing between us."

Oh, yeah. My relief turned my limbs to jelly. Before I could make a move toward Rhiannon, Khalid said, "She is wrong."

I glared at him. Cock blocker.