But this change would be greater, and irrevocabl.

Technology, that grand science which sought to ease man’s burdens, would be the catalyst that brought forth horrors they would scarcely understand now. Adam had seen it—the visions, the world torn apart by weapons. Weapons made by intelligent beings such as Miss Holly Evernight. Oh, but he had a bone to pick with her. She’d created her own brand of mayhem when she’d copied his lovely clockwork hearts. Hearts that had no business going into the bodies of already powerful immortals. It set the balance off. It angered beings far more frightening than h.

She didn’t even know the half of it. And now one of her abominations, Will Thorne, was with her. Logic said to destroy the both of them. Thorne for being what he was, and Evernight for her impressive, creative brain. She and her future offspring would be capable of destroying the world as she knew it. The Nex knew this. They wanted her. Quite badly. The SOS, in their focus to contain rather than innovate, didn’t see her true potential. Not yet. Adam surveyed the London sprawl, the sounds of coach clatter and men, shouts drifting up to him. Soon it would be worse—louder, more sprawl, more of everything. But wasn’t that the point? Because the truth was, he could not wait to see it all. Technology was just as much his passion as it was Evernight’s. And then there was the inconvenient but unavoidable fact that she was related to Eliza. So he’d watch over Holly Evernight in his own way and protect her from what wanted to destroy her. But he’d have to be careful about interfering. Oh, the bitter irony, that he should be highly feared throughout the supernatural world. When, in truth, he was as harmless as a bab.

It was a closely guarded secret, known only to another ancient, that Adam was not a primus at all, but a man, twisted by fate and magic into a false god. One governed by rules. How very much he hated them; they’d bound him hand and foot for hundreds of years. He could not kill, much less harm, supernaturals or humans. Not without forfeiting his very soul. And though he had the power to create an entirely new species of supernaturals and held their very lives in the palm of his hand, he could not command his children to kill in his nam.

Were it not for the fact that he was impossible to destroy, or to catch, he’d be a sitting duck to any ornery supernatural out ther.

Even so, he had powers that were useful to him now. That in mind, he bent his head and concentrated on letting his power flow. The being he’d summoned appeared before him. The man the world had known as Jonathan Deermont, tenth Earl of Darby, glared at him with eyes of pure gold. “You rang?” Disdain dripped from his clipped English tones. Adam smiled, not a pleasant on.

“For someone whose pathetic arse has been saved by me, you certainly show little appreciation.” The shifter had been at death’s door after he’d been given a golden clockwork heart by the mad fallen Amaros. Adam had used his power to heal him. Thanks to him, Darby kept his sanity and still had the ability to turn to shadow or metal without damag.

Darby’s mouth curled. “I find little to appreciate these days. Had I known the true extent of my devil’s bargain, I’d have answered differently.” Though he did not in any way acknowledge Eliza May, the reply seemed directed at her, as though he empathized with her “plight.” Adam fought for control. Fought not to lash out at Darby and paint himself the irrational beast that she seemed to believe he was. “Don’t be coy. You knew.” Darby’s resentful gaze slid away. “What is it you require?” “It has come to my attention that your little group has targeted Holly Evernight for extermination.” The heated glare Darby shot him did not escape Adam’s notic.

“Yes,” Darby said. “You attempted to destroy her this night.” Darby didn’t bother to reply. Nor did Adam need it. He knew she’d survived. Which was good. “How did you find Miss Evernight’s company, Darby?” Darby’s patrician features tightened. “She’s hardly the weak and frightened creature I was led to believe.” Pink lines of newly healing wounds criss-crossed the man’s fac.

Had Miss Evernight done that to him? No, those were demon claw marks. So Thorne was championing Evernight just as Adam thought he would. Even so, he could not help but needle Darby. “Excellent,” Adam said. “I was hoping she’d regain her fighting spirit.” Behind him, though not a sound was made, he knew she rolled her eyes. Adam ground his back teeth and forced a pleasant ton.

“And the other one? The unnatural shadow crawler?” Darby twitched, his expression twisting as though caught between rage and confusion. “Unexpected.” So Darby and his ilk hadn’t sent Thorn.

Which was troubling. Adam had a good idea who had sent him. It took all his resolve not to glance at Miss Eliza May. Though he hadn’t been bidden, Darby spok.

“Thorne does not fare as well as I.” Golden eyes studied Adam. “I suppose he was not worthy of the same offer I received?” How little the young ones understood anything. “He wasn’t a viable option.” At the time of their creation, Darby had pleaded to the heavens for life, while William Thorne had begged for death. As Adam could only help those that desired to live, and Darby had powerful ties that could be exploited, their fates were sealed. “Shall I go now?” Darby asked, goading him. Adam let the question drift off before answering. “Holly Evernight shall not di.

Capture Thorne and hold him.” The newly turned crawler had no idea the threat he was to Adam. If only Adam could destroy Thorn.

But he could not. He could only keep Thorne contained. Permanently. “Demand payment for your services for the contract. But do not kill either of them.” Though he did an admirable job of hiding his reaction, Adam saw the urge to refuse glinting in Darby’s eyes. “Why?” Why? Adam wanted to laugh, only that old, frustrated rage made it impossibl.

“Because I bid it,” he said. “Hells bells, does any slave do things without question these days?” “I’m afraid I’m going to have to understand it a bit more,” Darby said without fear. “I may answer to you, but my men deserve more than to follow the whims of one bored primus.” Annoyance ran hot through Adam’s gut. While he could not harm humans and other supernaturals, fortunately, he could do whatever he wanted to those who’d given up their souls to his car.

Thus he let it out in a pulse of power. Darby flinched, his body going stiff as ice as his clockwork heart stopped. Sweat broke out over Darby’s skin as he struggled. Adam cocked his head. “I ought to stop it forever. But I am not yet done with you, Lord Darby. So let me be blunt, as you are most likely in great pain.” Yes, he was; the man swayed on his feet, the color leaching from his fac.

“You will hold them for me, and you will let this contract go. Or you will answer to m.

Am I clear?” Darby’s skin resembled whey now, but he managed a nod. With that, Adam released him. His clockwork heart whooshed into action with an audible sound. Darby fell to his knees with a gasp. He stayed there for a moment, sucking in deep draughts of air. Adam looked away in distast.

He’d decided long ago that sympathy was a waste of tim.

He refused to feel any now or ever again. Slowly Darby ros.

Hate burned bright in him. So bright his soul glowed with it. “May I go?” he asked with grudging impatienc.

Weary of his presence, Adam waved a hand in permission. With a swirl of shadow, Darby fled. And Adam was alon.

Well, not quit.

The heavy weight of judgment pressed upon his back. Oh, but he wondered what Eliza thought of this little scen.

Neither he nor Darby had acknowledged her, but she’d been watching. Adam knew that well. As if to taunt him, the wind shifted, bringing forth the subtle scent of autumn pears and Rhenish win.

Her. He stiffened, as did his cock. Hell and damnation. He would not turn around and acknowledge Miss Eliza May, she of the hateful glares and endless silenc.

But he had to at some point. He had to find a way to get through to her. Fuck it, he was nigh irresistible to most beings, alive or dead. A wake of spirits trailed him even now, moaning and wailing for attention. Females and males wanted to bed him. Every bloody one but her. Wasn’t it just divine providence that she would be the one to find him repulsive? Will felt like hell. Or as if he’d been dragged through it, at any rat.

Tentatively, he stretched his aching body, and bit back a groan when his muscles protested. “You’re up, then.” He nearly jumped out of his skin. The older woman Nan bent over him, her careworn face taut, as if examining a particularly interesting insect. It reminded him of her employer. His senses had deteriorated so greatly that he hadn’t noticed another being in the room with him. Perfect. Bloody perfect. “Where is Evernight?” From his prone position in his bed, he glanced about and found the room otherwise empty. Had he hurt her too? A memory rose within him, of holding her close, his focus upon the sweet curve of her pale neck, and he nearly gagged at the thought of his fangs ripping through her fragile skin. Cold flooded his being. If Holly Evernight was no more, he was doomed. That was as good a reason as any for him to feel this… this fear. But no, he was fairly certain that, had he harmed Evernight, he wouldn’t be lying in comfort now. “In her room. And that’s ‘Miss Evernight’ to you, boyo.” The woman certainly knew her place, didn’t she? Nan watched him as he sat up. He’d been bathed and was wearing an old-fashioned nightshirt of thick, red-and-green plaid flannel with a bit of ruff along the collar. Of all the indignities he’d suffered, this topped it. He glared down at the offending garment, wanting to take it off but refraining from giving the old bird a show. Not that she’d mind, he suspected. “You aren’t an ordinary housekeeper, are you?” Nan cackled. “What was your first clue?” His lip curled. “What are you?” Now that he’d paid the woman a bit of attention, he felt her otherness. A low, constant thrum that spoke of ancient forests and unbreakable ston.

She settled into an armchair by the fir.

“Forward of you, but I’ll answer.” She crossed her arms over her chest and gave him an arch look. “I’m a witch. Been with the Evernight family since 1809.” Nan looked a bit worse for wear. Most witches of his acquaintance kept a youthful appearanc.

As she was a witch of undetermined power, and female, he did not say this, however. Unfortunately, his thoughts must have shown, for her glare grew in strength. “I’m cursed, if ye must know.” “Aren’t we all?” Will’s chest fairly ached now. Pain was returning. He needed Evernight. Nan snorted. “I’ve lost almost all my powers and am bound to stay an old woman when living Her.

As I’m no longer welcome There, I haven’t seen my true self for quite some time.” Here and Ther.

Here being earth. There being another plane of existence, the place where the more ancient of the supernaturals dwelled or could travel to. Most demons, Will included, no longer had the power to travel back Ther.

They were too far removed from their creator’s origins to have a strong enough connection. And then there was Nowhere, the place humans referred to as Hell. Will liked to think of it as Hell too. And as much as part of him, the dark, pure-demon part of him, felt a certain kinship with Hell, it was not a place anyone in their right mind actually wanted to visit. Mindful of the witch’s watchful gaze, Will left the bed. His head spun for a moment then he steadied. Already the pain of the metal taking over his flesh began to grow. It would never stop. The realization hit him in a wave of despondency. Will limped over to the fir.

He was cold. Bone deep cold. He ran his fingers through his hair before clutching a handful of it. Focus. The fleeting thought that Evernight could help him focus had him frowning. He glanced at the connecting door to her room, and the shooting pains in his flesh intensified. “The being I fought. He was a shadow crawler.” “Ay.

An advanced one.” Will quirked a brow. “The older ones that Adam created were beings of rotting flesh and mechanical parts. You and this other, you’re different.” She squinted at him, as though peering into his soul. “A more efficient model.” “Oh, yes.” He gave a laugh. “Quite.” His dark amusement died as a thought occurred. “If Evernight made me…” “You’re thinking she might have made that being too?” “Didn’t she?” Will did not know how many experiments Evernight had conducted on Amaros’s behalf before getting around to him. His lower gut burned with ineffectual anger. Bloody scienc.

Bloody mucking about with things it ought not touch. “She only knows of one created. You.” Nan stood, her movements graceful and lithe, betraying her supernatural self despite her elderly appearanc.

When she faced him, her power fairly hummed, and it pricked at his skin, not at all a nice feeling. “That girl has suffered. You’ll not make her suffer more.” “And I haven’t?” He was this altered… thing. Unnatural. The very nerve of this witch, ordering him about as if he were her puppy. He stared at her, daring her to make him do anything further this evening. She held his gaze with interest. “You will protect her with your life.” Will’s fangs began to itch. “She is in one piece, is she not?” Nan’s thin nostrils flared. “So flippant, you ar.

When you’ve no idea with what you meddle.” The fire in the hearth gave a loud, sharp snap as she tilted her head. “The Evernights are nothing to be trifled with, not if you want to come out of the thing intact.” He snorted. “Spare me the theatrics. Power relies on controlling through fear, of which I have none.” None in regard to his life, that was. He’d been far too afraid of losing Evernight’s for his comfort. “I am not speaking of mere power,” Nan said. “But ruthless cruelty. Which gives not a fig about fear.” “Ruthless and cruel?” He shook his head. “I hardly see Miss Evernight and her kin as ruthless. Cold and clinical, perhaps.” Nan’s stony expression did not crack. “It is not this particular branch of the Evernight family. It is from whence they came.” She smiled then, cold and dark. “Tell me, sanguis, what sort of ancient would send witches and elves to guard a family?” There were bloody elves in this house? Felix. He must b.