Darkness Rising (Dark Angels 2)

Rhoan glanced at me, bemusement crinkling the corners of his eyes, but all he said was, “Can he remove it so that transporting our prisoner is a little easier?”

Even as he made the request, the webbing disintegrated. The shifter groaned when his legs and arms were released, but it was a sound that became another curse as Harris quickly replaced the webbing with cuffs.

“Thanks, Azriel,” Rhoan said, then frowned. “Have you been the victim of any other recent attacks that you haven’t told us about?”

I shook my head and lied. “This is the first.”

“If there are any more, you will tell us, won’t you?”

“Of course.” It would have been stupid to do say anything else.

He relaxed a little, bending to cuff the shifter at my feet before glancing at Harris. “Let me know how the questioning goes.”

Harris nodded, then dragged the second shifter to his feet. He shoved him forward, then looked at me. “You okay there while I get this bit of scum out to the van?”

“Of course.”

“Good. I won’t be long.”

As he headed out, Rhoan kissed my cheek. “Be careful. And if you’re free tomorrow night, come around for dinner. The twins would love to see you.”

“I’ll try, but the café’s fully booked and it could be a long night.”

“I’ll let them know. They might even drop by on the way to the Blue Moon.”

“Tell them drinks are on me if they do.”

Rhoan snorted. “You could regret that.”

I grinned. Ronan—the older of the twins by a mere three minutes—and I had a long history of trying to drink each other under the table. Of course, both of us had nonhuman constitutions, so getting drunk took not only a long time, but a whole lot of patience and money.

“Take care of that wound, Ris, or Riley will have my hide.” He touched my shoulder lightly then jogged out of the room. Harris returned soon after. I watched him drag the second shifter to his feet.

“I don’t suppose you could let me know if you uncover anything about his employer?”

His gaze met mine, blue eyes glinting. “I don’t suppose you’ve double-checked with your uncle first?”

I half smiled. “I don’t suppose I have.”

“Then I’ll give him the information, and you can attempt to get it from him.”

“Fair enough. Have fun with the interrogation.”

“I always do,” he said cheerfully, then swung the panther around and pushed him toward the exit.

Azriel appeared almost immediately. “What does the note actually say?”

“I don’t know.” I pulled it from my pocket and opened it up. I quickly scanned the spidery writing, then read it out loud. “The Dušan’s book is being held by the Raziq at the underground lair where they interrogated you. At one o’clock tonight, I will arrange a diversion and draw them out. Be there to get the book.” I snorted softly and looked up at Azriel. “Like it’s going to be that easy.”

“No,” he said, obviously taking my words at face value, “it won’t. Just because the Raziq have gone doesn’t mean there won’t be Razan. And I presume our window for getting in and out will be extremely small.”

More than likely. I glanced down at the note again, then folded it up and shoved it back into my pocket. “I have no idea where the Raziq were holding me, so I hope you can find your way back there.”

“I can.”

I studied him for a moment, then said, “I’m a little surprised that you haven’t suggested you retrieve it while I remain behind.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And what would that achieve? According to your father, the Raziq have the book veiled, and only one of the blood can see it. I am not of the blood.”