Embrace the Darkness (21 page)

“Your turn for what?” he breathed.

Electric excitement raced through her.

“My turn for this.”

Bending downward she scattered kisses over his chest, giving each nipple a flick of her tongue before trailing a wet path down the center of his stomach to the waistband of his pants.

For a moment she nibbled and nipped at the clenched muscles of his stomach. Her tongue traced the swell and dip of his washboard perfection. She explored his belly button. The jut of his hip bone. She easily felt the hard thrust of his erection, but she refused to give in to his silent urging.

At last his hands reached up to clutch at her arms, his eyes as black as midnight as his fangs fully extended.

“For God's sake, pet, put me out of my misery.”

A smug smile curved her lips as she slowly unfastened the button. She pulled down the zipper and tugged off his slacks. He growled low in his throat, his fingers digging into her flesh as she gently kissed him through the silk of his boxers.

She ignored his bruising grasp as she traced him with her tongue from top to bottom and then back again. He gave a muffled shout as his hips jerked upward.

Pulling back she allowed her gaze to fully appreciate the sight of his ivory beauty. Contrasted against the black sheets he might have been a statue carved from marble.

Except for the eyes. Those midnight eyes burned with a need that sent an answering jolt of yearning through her body.

With a breathless wonder she reached to pull the silky boxers off his body. She had seen it all before, but she suspected that she would never truly become accustomed to such flawless beauty.

Dropping the boxers onto the floor Shay ran her hands slowly up the length of his legs, following the path with tiny kisses that brought wrenching groans from the man beneath her.

At last reaching his pelvis she reached to encircle his erection, exploring the hard length with fascination. Silk and steel. An erotic combination that made her lower stomach quiver with a building ache.

Kissing her way over his hip she at last pulled him between her lips, using her tongue to taste him as she had longed to do.

His hands clutched at her head, clearly torn between urging her to continue her caresses and halting her before he reached that unstoppable peak.

“Shay…”

With a last lingering lick Shay moved her way back up his body, nibbling over his stomach and then his chest before at last finding his mouth with her own.

His hands smoothed down her back, grasping the satin of her panties and ripping them off her with one impatient tug. With that same impatient haste, he parted her thighs and rubbed himself along her wetness.

He turned his head to bury his face in her neck.

“I can't wait, pet,” he groaned as he positioned the tip of himself at her entrance. “I'm sorry.”

“Don't be sorry, just do it,” Shay gasped, her body already wet and ready for his thrust.

Clutching her thighs he plunged himself inside her, halting only when he was buried as deep as he could go.

“Yes…God, yes,” Viper rasped.

He remained still a breathless moment as they both absorbed the sheer bliss of being so intimately joined. Surely there was nothing that could compare to such intense pleasure? Nothing that could bind two people closer together?

Opening her eyes Shay met the dark, glittering gaze as Viper began to move gently inside her.

Something seemed to shift within her as she fell into the dark heat of his eyes.

Something vast and terrifying and wondrous.

Something that might have sent her running from the room if his movements hadn't become more demanding and her rising climax hadn't wiped her mind of everything but reaching for that shimmering, golden bliss.

 

Viper paced the library with a frustration he made no attempt to conceal. It had been a week since he and Shay had arrived at Dante's house. A glorious week, of course. How could it not be when he had devoted the vast majority of his nights to pleasing and being pleased by the woman who had become such an essential part of his life?

And it had not just been sex. Which was bloody well fabulous, if he did say so himself. But having her near, hearing her voice, feeling her light touch when they sat on the bed. They were moments that he oddly savored.

Still, for all his delight in exploring the woman who had whirled into his life like a Tasmanian devil, he had never forgotten for a moment that the danger lurked just out of sight. There was something or someone out there who intended to take Shay from him. To use her for their own purpose. He would go to hell and back before he would let that happen.

Spinning on his heel Viper regarded Santiago with a smoldering impatience. The vampire was his best lieutenant. Intelligent, courageous, loyal beyond measure, and, most of all, capable of powerful compulsion over humans and lesser demons.

If there was information to be learned, Santiago would discover it.

“I'm sorry, master.” Santiago's dark face was expressionless but there was no missing the hint of tension in his broad shoulders. Like any good servant, he could easily sense his master's annoyance. “I can find no talk on the streets of the Shalotts.”

Viper swallowed his low growl. “You can't have searched everywhere. There must be someone who knows who is hunting a Shalott.”

Santiago gave a lift of his hands. “Most refuse to believe she is anything more than a myth. Very few Shalott have walked this world for centuries.”

“Shay is no myth.”

“No, but her presence has never been sensed, even among the most powerful of demons.”

“Of course not, the curse masked her presence.”

“Even from those who might have been able to assist us.” The vampire shrugged. “There are no whispers, no rumors that I can find, nothing that speaks of the Shalott. Not even those familiar with Evor were aware he possessed her.”

Viper clenched his hands, forcing back the surge of anger. Dammit. He never lost his temper. Never. “Continue with your search.”

“Of course, master.”

“And do not limit yourself to Chicago. The truth is out there. We must find it.”

“As you wish.”

With a bow, the vampire turned and silently retreated from the library. Viper watched him leave before turning to slam his fist onto the wooden desk.

There was a faint stir of air before he felt Dante's hand settle on his shoulder.

“Easy, Viper, we will get to the bottom of this mystery.”

“Whoever it is that holds Evor is out there plotting to capture her. I can't just wait for another attack. Not when we can't be sure we can defeat whatever it is they send next.”

“I understand your frustration, but we're doing all that we can.”

Viper slowly turned to face his friend. “Your contacts have turned up nothing?”

Dante stepped back with a shrug. “I fear not.”

“Damn.”

With restless motions Viper resumed his pacing. He didn't want to be in this library. He didn't want to be fretting over some mysterious danger that he couldn't feel or touch or battle. He wanted to be down in his rooms where he knew Shay would be rising from their bed. He wanted to be holding her in his arms and pretending that nothing could harm them.

Unfortunately, his every instinct warned him that they were running out of time. If he didn't manage to discover who was hunting Shay, then the hunter would find them. He couldn't allow them to be trapped again.

“You do know you're courting danger, old friend, do you not?” Dante drawled from behind.

Viper halted, his expression far from friendly as he regarded his companion.

“You expect me to toss Shay aside because she brings danger with her?”

“I meant that Shay is the danger.”

“Dante—”

“No, I will have my say.” The younger vampire insisted, his arms folded over his chest. “I have known you for centuries and you have never shown such an interest in a female before.”

“I must beg to disagree. I have shown inordinate interest in females. Quite often interest in dozens of them at a time.”

“You've had lovers not companions,” Dante corrected. “You have never allowed one in your life as you have this one.”

Viper narrowed his gaze. He didn't like the direction this conversation was taking. Perhaps he even feared it.

“What are you implying?” he grudgingly demanded.

Dante had the balls to smile. “I'm not implying anything, Viper. I'm warning you flat out that you are showing every symptom of a vampire who has discovered his true mate.”

There. He knew he wasn't going to like it, and he didn't. Why the hell did friends always believe they could bring up subjects a wise vampire would never broach? He turned to grasp one of the endless shelves, his entire body stiff with annoyance.

“My relationship with Shay is none of your concern.”

“If you feel like throwing something, I wish you would choose that hideous vase on the desk. The books are irreplaceable.”

Viper glared over his shoulder. “You're not amusing, Dante.”

“Surely I'm a little amusing?” he teased.

Viper was pondering the pleasure of tossing at least one of the irreplaceable books when the door to the library was abruptly flung open and Levet scrambled in with his wings flapping.

“
Sacrebleu
, there you are,” he breathed as he regarded Viper with his usual expression of disgust.

Viper held up a restraining hand. His temper was being held by a thread. A thread the gargoyle was certain to snap.

“Not now, Levet, I do not possess the patience to endure your griping at the moment.”

Levet managed to look shocked. “Griping?
Moi?
Why—”

“Out.” Viper pointed at the door. “Get out now.”

“Non.”
Levet bravely, or stupidly, held his ground. “Can you not feel the air?”

“What?”

“Hold, Viper.” Dante stepped forward, his head tilted back as he spread his powers outward. “He's right.”

In the distance there was the sudden sound of an alarm ringing and Viper felt his entire body clench in dread.

“Shit. Levet get Shay and bring her here.”

“No.” Dante halted them both with a commanding tone. “Take her to the escape tunnels in the basement.”

Levet slid a glance toward Viper who gave a sharp nod. “Go.”

The gargoyle rushed from the room and Dante moved to stand directly before Viper.

“You go as well.”

Viper frowned. “I can't leave you here—”

“You must protect Shay.” Dante offered a wry smile. “Besides, as much as I admire your strength and courage I have my own protection.”

Viper was momentarily puzzled until a prickling heat slowly began to fill the air. Abby had sensed the danger and already her power was crawling through the house.

“The Chalice,” he said.

“Exactly. We'll be fine.” Dante gave him a firm shove. “Now go.”

Moving toward the door Viper paused to toss his friend a final glance.

“Thank you, Dante. You've done more than I can ever repay.”

Dante shrugged. “Actually I was in your debt, so now we can say we're even.”

“Never.”

The pale, handsome face became uncommonly somber. “Viper, take care, and if you have need…”

“You will be the first I call,” Viper promised before slipping through the door and heading for his chambers. There were a few dozen weapons he intended to grab before joining Shay in the basement.

The bathroom connected to Viper's rooms was straight out of a fantasy.

A vast expanse of black and gold it boasted a shower large enough to facilitate a small army, a glass cabinet that heated the fluffy towels, and a line of lighted vanities that were of little use to vampires. It was the tub, however, that enchanted Shay. Sunken into the marble floor, it was perfectly curved to soak in its scented waters for hours at a time. A rare luxury for a slave who had more often than not been forced to scrub herself clean with what little water was passed through the bars of her cell.

She found it the perfect way to begin an evening.

Well, perhaps not the most perfect way to begin the evening.

A sudden flush stained her cheeks as she pulled on the jeans and sweatshirt that she had borrowed from Abby.

Crap.

She promised herself that when she had crawled from the bed exhausted and content from Viper's body that she wouldn't lay in the tub and wallow in the memories of his touch. As pleasurable a pastime as it might be, it was disgustingly mushy. Like she was an acne-plagued adolescent mooning over her latest sweetie.

It was enough to make a sensible, mature woman gag.

Brushing out her long hair, she neatly pulled it back in its usual braid and returned to the bedroom. She knew that Abby would be waiting for her in the solarium with a breakfast tray. They would chat and laugh and moan over the numerous faults of vampires. It was a routine that Shay cherished deep in her heart.

Abby was not only kind and generous, but she offered an unconditional friendship that had slowly started to fill an emptiness that Shay had carried with her for far too long.

A friend.

Something so simple, but so precious.

Slipping on her running shoes Shay moved toward the door. Not usually a dangerous task, but this evening she was barely allowed to touch the knob when she was knocked backward as Levet thrust through the door.

“Shay,” he panted, his gray skin more pale than usual.

“Good God, Levet, have you never heard of knocking?” she demanded as she lifted herself upright.

“Viper sent me to fetch you.”

“Fetch me?” Her brows drew together in warning. It sounded far too much like calling a dog. “Why didn't he come himself?”

“He's waiting for us. We have to go now.”

Shay regarded her companion with a growing sense of alarm. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

“What's happened, Levet?”

“There are demons approaching. Enough demons to make me squirm.” Levet gave a shudder. “We have to get out of here.”

She lost any urge to argue as she allowed Levet to lead her from the room and down the hallway.

“Where are we going?”

“Dante has tunnels built beneath the estate.”

Shay recalled the tunnels that Viper had constructed beneath his own house. It seemed to be a theme.

“Of course he does.”

Using his wings to give him speed Levet never turned his head. “Vampires have never been known for being stupid, Shay. Or careless.”

“No, I suppose not,” she readily agreed.

Reaching the stairs she hesitated as Levet headed downward. From above she could feel the faint tingle of power being wielded. An oddly familiar power.

“
Mon Dieu
. Not that way,” the gargoyle gasped.

“The demons?”

Levet grimaced. “Worse…the Phoenix.”

“Ah.” Shay had a vivid image of being trapped in a cellar with Abby as she had transformed into the Phoenix. She had managed to scorch the evil witch trying to kill them into a tiny bit of cinder. She didn't really want an encore performance. Especially since the goddess's powers weren't always particular about which demon was going to get fried. “That would explain the heat.”

“Yes. Come on.”

“I'm coming.” Taking the narrow flight of stairs that led to the lower basement Shay halted on the last step. She was going to hurt herself if she continued to stumble forward. “Damn, it's dark. Is there a light switch?”

“We have no need for something so mundane. Not when I possess magic.” Levet halted and began to mutter beneath his breath.

“Levet, no—”

Shay's plea came a moment too late as there was a sudden explosion that sent them both tumbling to the ground.

“Light, I said light,” Levet muttered as they struggled to their feet and brushed off the ash that had filled the air.

“I appreciate the effort, Levet, but maybe we should stick with the more traditional methods,” she muttered.

“Fine.” Levet threw up his hands as he disappeared into the thick shadows. “But when those demons are about to…how do you say…make you lunch, do not come crying to me for some powerful spell to rescue you.”

Shay couldn't help but smile despite the disturbing imagery. “I'll keep that in mind.”

 

Shay and Levet were awaiting Viper when he reached the lower basement. A flare of relief raced through him. He had expected to have to go in search of Shay. Hell, he had expected to have to carry her down here kicking and screaming. For such an intelligent woman she could be stunningly stubborn. It would be just like her to flat out refuse to flee regardless of the danger.

Moving directly toward the back wall Viper adjusted the sword strapped to his back and set aside the heavy bag of weapons before he pulled off the vent that concealed the entrance to the tunnel. It was there just as Dante promised and he waved his hand toward the two that hovered in the shadows.

“This way,” he whispered, motioning for Levet to go first.

He entered behind the gargoyle and held his hand out toward Shay who hesitated at the opening.

“Shay?”

She bit her bottom lip as she regarded him with wide eyes. “I know, I know…we have to go.”

For a moment his temper threatened to flare. Damn, they couldn't afford to linger. Certainly not out of some ridiculous misplaced sense of bravado. Then he peered into her pale features and he realized that her reluctance had nothing to do with bluster or pride. The witches had obviously made a habit of locking her in small, dark places. Not to mention Evor and his dungeons. Who could blame her for being a bit squirrelly at the thought of entering the cramped tunnel?

“I'm here, Shay, and I'm not going anywhere without you.” He shifted enough to take her hand. Her fingers were as cold as his. “You won't ever be alone in the dark again.”

“Maybe that's what I'm scared of,” she tossed back, although she couldn't hide the strain in her voice.

“Trust me.”

Viper watched in silence as her gaze dropped to their clasped hands and she struggled to swallow.

He grimly ignored the way his entire body vibrated with the need to sweep her off her feet and haul her to safety. Damn, the very air pulsed with the approaching danger. Still, he knew that this was not the moment to press Shay. He needed her faith in him. He needed it if they were both to survive. And just as importantly he needed it for himself.

Could she ever truly offer her trust to anyone?

Could she offer it to a vampire?

At last her fingers tightened on his and she stepped into the tunnel. Inside a flare of triumph raced through him, but Viper was wise enough to keep his expression carefully neutral as he pulled her down the tunnel. He wouldn't give her any excuse to balk now.

Keeping her close at his side Viper reached out with his senses. He could feel the faint prickle that warned there was something other than humans nearby. Unfortunately, he couldn't determine precisely what that something other was. They were still too far away for him to pick up their scent, and he had never possessed Dante's keen ability to determine different species just by their power. Still he knew enough to realize they didn't want to meet up with whatever was chasing them. Not until he could ensure Shay was safe and he had nothing to concentrate on but killing. When he didn't have distractions he was very, very good at it.

The tunnel led them well away from the house, but as they reached the end Viper held back his companions as he cautiously stepped into the chilled night breeze. For a moment it seemed they might actually manage to slip away unnoted. A stroke of fortune that seemed too good to be true.

It was, of course.

Viper stiffened as the familiar stench of hellhounds reached him.

Devil's balls.

The hounds were more an annoyance than a danger. They couldn't kill a vampire, or even a Shalott, but they would remain on their scent no matter how far or fast they ran. If they were going to escape, he needed to keep them off his trail.

“Levet,” he called softly.

“What?”

“Come here.” There was a long pause before the gargoyle at last climbed out of the tunnel to stand beside him. Viper put a hand on his shoulder. “There are hellhounds near. We're going to need a distraction.”

“A distraction?” Levet looked wary. Smart demon. “What sort of distraction?”

“You.”

Levet struggled against Viper's grip. “Oh no, do not dare think I will battle those horrid beasts. They smell worse than hell itself.”

“You are the only one of us that can fly.”

Pulling two amulets out of his bag he placed them about the gargoyle's neck. They carried the scent of both him and Shay. Hopefully enough of a scent to distract the hellhounds long enough for them to escape.

“You listen to me, vampire, I am not some—”

“Sorry, I don't have time to argue,” Viper apologized as he gave a heave and launched the gargoyle into the air.

The tiny demon glared down and offered a finger that wasn't precisely a compliment.

“You'll pay for this, vampire,” he vowed as he turned and flapped off into the night.

Appearing at his side, Shay regarded him with a dark frown. “What have you done to Levet?”

Picking up his bag Viper turned and tossed Shay over his shoulder. They only had a few moments before the hellhounds realized that Levet was not only inaccessible, but very much alone. Then they would be on their heels.

“I don't have time to argue with you, either,” he muttered as he took off toward the nearby streets.

“Dammit, put me down.” She smacked the middle of his back with her fists. “I can't fight like this.”

She couldn't fight? Her punch would have been enough to break a rib and puncture a lung if he hadn't been a vampire.

“We're not going to fight, we're going to run.”

“Levet…”

“The hellhounds can't reach the gargoyle. Besides he is immortal. We can't be certain you are.”

His blunt words managed to steal at least a portion of her anger. A rare event and one that Viper was swift to take advantage of as he flowed down the darkened streets. He had managed to put a considerable distance between them and the hellhounds before she heaved a frustrated sigh.

“Can I at least know where we're running to?” she demanded.

“I have several businesses on the south side. If we can reach one of them, my clan will protect us.”

“Your clan?” She gave a choked noise of disbelief. “Are you kidding me?”

“Not at all.”

“You intend to surround me with a bunch of hungry vampires? Why don't you just leave me for the hellhounds and be done with it? At least I have a shot against them.”

Viper never slowed his pace although his grip on her instinctively tightened. He wouldn't put it past her to make a sudden bid for freedom despite his assurances. She possessed a prejudice against vampires that went way beyond logic.

“You will not be harmed,” he assured her.

“And how can you be so certain?”

“Because you are mine. They will obey my commands.”

He could actually hear her teeth grinding at his offhand arrogance. Of course, that was preferable to the alternative. Having her hanging over his shoulder ensured her feet were dangling perilously close to his more sensitive body parts. Even a vampire could be brought to his knees by a well placed kick.

“Oh, right. Like I have ever encountered a vampire who obeys anyone,” she muttered. “If they decide to make me a tasty smorgasbord, there's not a damn thing either of us can do to stop them.”

Viper angled through the shadows of an empty office building as he considered his response. Vampires rarely revealed the inner workings of their culture. Not even to other demons. The Secret Service had nothing on them. Unfortunately, he would have to give Shay some reassurance or she was bound to fight him the entire way.

“I'll agree that vampires can be independent, but I am a clan chief,” he at last said.

“And?”

“And to challenge my authority is to challenge me.”