Chase the Dark by Marie Annette

Author:Marie, Annette [Marie, Annette]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Young Adult Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Paranormal, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Teen & Young Adult, Paranormal & Urban, Urban Fantasy, Literature & Fiction
ISBN: 0993910211
Publisher: Annette Marie
Published: 2014-10-12T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

“WE’RE looking for information,” Ash supplied.

Lilith’s face brightened with interest. She tapped a finger against her bottom lip. “What sort?”

“A renegade group of haemons.”

“Oh? Is that all you can tell me?”

Ash was silent. Piper bit her tongue, determined to let him do what he did best.

“Would this be related to . . . a certain notorious lodestone that is presently missing?”

“Maybe.”

She pursed her lips and smoothed her blouse over her chest. Piper scowled. Lilith couldn’t go twenty seconds without somehow drawing attention to her assets.

“Ash, my dearest, you didn’t fall to temptation, did you?” For the first time, genuine emotion infected the succubus as her perfect forehead wrinkled. “No one can help you if . . .”

“I didn’t steal it.”

“But the rumors—”

“Are wrong.”

“That makes no difference.” Lilith leaned forward. “Your name even now is being whispered in the darkest corners of the Underworld. Samael himself believes you’re guilty.”

Piper inhaled sharply. Samael was the head of the Hades family and the very daemon who was supposed to have returned the Sahar to the Ra family.

“That is why I must find this haemon group,” Ash said, his voice soft, intense. “They are the thieves. I must prove their guilt to clear my name—before it’s too late.”

Lilith bit her bottom lip. “Even that may not save you.”

“I know.”

“But you must try,” she said with a nod. “This would be the Gaians you’re asking of, correct?”

“Yes,” Ash said, relaxing slightly.

“How did you know?” Piper blurted.

Lilith smiled coolly. “I know something of everything, little dove. The Gaians have been drooling over the Sahar since it resurfaced. They made a bid to steal it once already, eight years ago.” She returned her attention to Ash. “What do you need to know?”

“Where can I find them?”

“In the city? Everywhere.”

“Their base of operations in this area,” he clarified impatiently.

Lilith straightened, her chin lifting and hands folded neatly in her lap. A sudden feeling of foreboding trickled through Piper.

“Divulging that kind of information . . . why, my haemon patrons would be most unhappy with me. They might even refuse to return. If I am to lose customers, I must have something in return. It’s only fair.”

“I thought you wanted to help Ash,” Piper cut in, anger spinning through her at Lilith’s selfishness.

The succubus smiled. “I do. But I didn’t get where I am by giving things away for free, Piperel.”

“You—”

“What do you want?” Ash interrupted.

Lilith let her gaze slowly slide over Ash, the tip of her tongue sliding across her lips at the same pace. “If I asked for you, would I get you?”

Ash flicked a glance at Piper and shrugged.

“Y—”

“No.”

When everyone turned to look at her, Ash included, Piper realized the angry denial had come from her. She blinked, then folded her arms and tried not to look astonished at her own response.

“I’ll pay your price, whatever it is,” she said. “This is my problem more than his, and he’s done enough already. It’s my turn.”

“Piper—” Ash began in a low voice.

“No! I can do this.” She glared at everyone.

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