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“How did I get here?”
“After you collapsed in the cabin, I drove us back to New Orleans, where Micha had a plane waiting for us.”
“How long have I been out?”
“Twelve hours.”
That explained why she felt so rested. Besides a faint headache that was rapidly fading, the crazy confrontation with the miasma and the explosion of her powers might have been nothing more than a bad dream.
She shook her head. She was going to need time to process what happened in that cabin. Like an eternity.
For now she wanted to focus on the fact that she was alive and back on the East Coast where she belonged.
“I need to call Maya,” she murmured, realizing that she wasn’t the only one who would be glad she’d managed to survive.
“She knows you’re here and that you’re currently recovering from your adventures.”
Peri’s gaze lifted to study Valen’s face. His expression was unreadable, but she sensed that his interaction with Maya hadn’t been just a pleasant phone call.
“I’m surprised she isn’t pounding down the door.”
“She tried,” Valen admitted in wry tones. “I’ll have to replace several windows and most of my security cameras. Plus a very expensive Porsche that was parked in front of the building.”
Peri grimaced. She wasn’t surprised that Maya would have arrived at Valen’s headquarters and demanded to see Peri. She could be as ruthless as a momma bear protecting her cubs. And just as lethal.
“She wasn’t hurt, was she?” she demanded.
Peri didn’t think for a moment that Valen would personally harm Maya. Not when he knew how much she meant to Peri. But he hired a large, very powerful staff of demons who wouldn’t be so understanding if they thought their boss was in danger.
He shook his head. “I convinced her that I was taking proper care of you and that you were free to leave whenever you wanted.” He slowly reached to smooth her hair behind her ear. “Which I hope won’t be for a very long time.”
The cool brush of his fingers over her cheek sent a violent shiver through her body. Peri swallowed her groan, acutely aware of his naked chest, which was inches away. This glorious male was the fulfillment of her deepest fantasies and the urge to lick every inch of that satin skin was overwhelming.
But her fierce hunger couldn’t overcome the searing memory of what had happened when the wild magic had flowed through her. She’d come so close to destroying this magnificent male. How could she put him in danger again?
“How did you get through the barrier to enter the cabin?” she abruptly demanded.
An emotion she couldn’t read flared through the silver eyes, but Valen didn’t push her to admit that she desperately wanted him to stay by her side. Instead, he answered her question.
“Tia.”
“Seriously?” Peri was genuinely shocked. Tia hadn’t made any secret of her prejudice against the Cabal. “She helped a vampire?”
A cold smile touched his lips. “I didn’t give her a choice.”
Peri didn’t have any trouble believing that. When Valen wanted something, there was nothing that could stand in his way.
Another shiver inched down her spine. “Where is she now?”
He shrugged. “I left her at the cabin. She had her own ride.”
Peri wasn’t worried about the mage. Tia was a survivor.
“Her dream came true,” she murmured, recalling the sight of Tia being abused by the evil magic. “She had a throne and crown. Just not in the way she hoped. I almost feel sorry for her.”
Without warning, Valen leaned forward, planting his hands on each side of her hips so she was caged against the headboard. Not that she felt caged. She felt…exhilarated. As if every nerve in her body had been sparked to life by his rich scent and the promise smoldering in his silver eyes.
“I’m not interested in the overly ambitious mage,” he informed her, his gaze lowering to the plunging vee of her robe. “As long as she stays in her pretend castle.”
