Embrace the Darkness (28 page)

Without warning Shay was tightly wrapped in Viper's arms, her head pressed to his chest as he touched his lips to her forehead.

“I know, pet. Just promise me…”

Despite the undoubted joy of being in his arms Shay stiffened at his words.

“If you say not to do anything stupid, I really will stake you.”

He heaved a resigned sigh. “Wouldn't dream of it.”

Pulling back she offered him a glare. “Men.”

 

Styx had just risen when the knock echoed through his narrow, barren room.

For a moment he longed to ignore the vampire he sensed standing on the other side of the door. He was troubled. Troubled deep in his heart and no amount of brooding seemed capable of easing his sense of restless anger.

This was not how it was supposed to be.

He had put behind his past of savage violence. He was no longer ruled by his lust to conquer and destroy any who stood in his way.

If the vampires were to prosper in this ever more dangerous world, then they had to have peace. They could not survive if they were so busy killing one another that they lost sight of their enemies.

It was a belief that he held as dear as his own life.

But, was that peace worth any sacrifice?

That was the question that now confronted him. And one that he had no answer for.

The knock sounded again. More insistent.

With a sigh Styx touched the medallion that hung around his neck before crossing the room and pulling open the door.

As expected a Raven stood in the tunnel beyond. Although the vampire was hidden by the heavy robe with his hood pulled over his head, Styx could see a glimpse of his pale face. A face marred by a troubled expression.

An expression that was becoming all too familiar among his brothers.

He was not the only one disturbed by the unmistakable illness of the Anasso. And the suspicions that went unspoken.

The vampire offered a small bow. “Master.”

“Yes, DeAngelo, what is it?”

“The prisoner.”

Styx reached out to grip the edge of the door. If he possessed a heartbeat it would have halted.

“Viper? He isn't…he still lives?”

“Yes, master.”

His teeth clenched at the fierce relief that raced through him. “What has happened?”

“He has escaped.”

It was not at all what Styx had expected.

“Impossible,” he growled, sweeping past the vampire and charging down the dark tunnel.

Viper had been gravely injured. There was no possibility of him being healed enough to have escaped. Even if someone had come to rescue him it would have been gruesome cruelty to move him while he was in such pain.

Unless…

His pace became a near blur as he glided through the tunnels to the lower caves that held Viper.

He halted only when he had entered the cave and discovered it empty and the silver shackles shattered.

Sniffing the air he gave a growl deep in his throat. “The Shalott.”

DeAngelo stepped to stand at his side. “Yes.”

It had to be, of course. Only the precious blood of the Shalott would have healed Viper enough for escape.

“Do you have someone tracking them?”

There was a surprising pause before his companion at last bowed his head, as if in silent apology.

“No, master. We thought it best to wait for your commands.”

Styx absorbed the low words, well aware that far more was being said.

The Ravens were trained to obey without question and with absolute loyalty. The mere fact that DeAngelo had not been in hot pursuit of Viper the moment he discovered the prisoner missing revealed just how shaken his faith had become.

Styx swallowed a sigh. “Block the exits to ensure they are not allowed to leave the caves, but do not approach them.” His expression held a hint of warning. “I do not want blood shed unless you are attacked. Do you understand?”

“Of course, master.”

The relief was tangible in the air as DeAngelo offered a deep bow and turned to leave the cave.

Once alone Styx bent down to touch the blood still pooled on the floor.

The Shalott was here. And soon enough the Ravens would track her down.

Time had just run out.

 

There were few who would accuse Levet of an overabundance of patience. Most who knew him would claim that his temperament was downright snarky.

At the moment he was as snarky as hell.

Halting at the edge of the bluffs he turned to cast a baleful glare at the woman who was flinging her arms and contorting her face until he thought her eyes might pop out.

He had thought nothing could be worse than her flapping tongue. Her ridiculous attempt at charades had proved him wrong.

“Oh, stop that. You're going to put an eye out,” he snarled, his wings flapping in annoyance. “
Sacrebleu,
you can speak.”

Nearly quivering with rage she stomped her foot. “That was a horrid thing to do. You are an evil, evil gargoyle.”

He narrowed his gaze. “Don't forget, I still have two wishes left,” he warned. He waited until the sulky pout returned to her face. “What is your name?”

“Bella.”

Levet rolled his eyes. There wasn't a sprite born that didn't have the name that somehow meant beautiful.

“Stunningly original.”

A hint of confusion touched her face. “Not really. My six sisters are all named Bella.”

“And your mother?”

“Bella.”

“Of course.”

Batting her lashes the sprite regarded him with wide eyes. “Do you not like the name Bella?”

“
Mon dieu,
never mind.”

Turning on his heel Levet moved to enter the narrow opening.

Astonishingly, the headache-inducing sprite wasn't tromping on his tail or pestering his wings in her haste to keep up with him. In fact, a glance over his shoulder revealed she had dug in her heels and planted her hands on her hips.

The typical pose for a woman about to be ridiculously stubborn.

“We're not going in there, are we?” she demanded.

“Do you fear vampires?”

“Certainly not, but I don't like imps.” She wrinkled her pretty nose. “Nasty, smelly creatures.”

“Imps?” Levet demanded.

“Yes. There is one who lives here.”

A frown touched Levet's brow. Surprises were never a good thing.

“What would vampires be doing with an imp?”

“He steals humans.”

Well, that cleared up precisely nothing.

“A vampire clan hardly needs the help of an imp if they wanted a few humans for a snack.”

“Only one vampire drinks of the humans, and only very special humans.”

“Special? What do you mean special?”

With a huff of impatience, Bella turned to march toward a patch of trees that clung tenaciously to the rocky ground. She pointed to the ground as Levet moved to join her.

“The humans who come to stick those needles in themselves.”

Levet took a hasty step back. He wasn't an expert on humans, but he knew enough to recognize the hypodermic needles scattered over the ground, and to know they were used for some sort of odd drug.

“Damn.”

“Can we go someplace and kiss now?” Bella demanded, her hands reaching out to lightly touch his horns. “I'm much more fun than those stupid vampires. I'll play with your wings.”

“Not now…” Levet's growling words trailed to a soft sigh as her clever fingers stroked down his neck and feathered over his wings. “Oh.”

“I'm very good.”

She was. His wings quivered beneath the soft exploration. Few realized just how sensitive a gargoyle's wings could be.

His eyes began to flutter shut before he was grimly thrusting aside the seductive pleasure.

Shay might very well be in danger.

He didn't have time for such distractions.

Dammit all.

“
Non, non.
I want you to tell me of your powers.”

That familiar pout returned as she continued to toy with his wings. “I'm attempting to show them to you.”

“Your magical powers.” Levet impatiently batted her hands away. “Precisely what sort of wishes can you grant?”

She heaved a weary sigh. “Anything you desire. Wealth, beauty, love.”

An idea began to form in Levet's mind. “Actually, I was thinking of something a bit more exotic.”

Her expression filled with suspicion at his words. Perhaps she was a bit brighter than he thought.

“Exotic?”

“I can't just sit here waiting like Godot, hoping that Shay can survive until the cavalry arrives. I have to do something now, and you're going to help me.”

Somehow the hidden caves managed to be even more miserable than even Viper had feared.

Brackish water oozed down the walls, puddles dotted the stone floor, and the heavy scent of death and decay hung in the air.

Viper's every instinct prickled with warning.

He was a fool to allow Shay to remain in this place. Any moment Styx would discover them and the Anasso would drain her without a flicker of remorse. He should toss her over his shoulder and run away as fast and as far as possible.

Unfortunately, he couldn't deny that it would be even more foolish to flee before discovering if Evor was being held by the Ravens.

If they did have him in their grasp…not all the running in the world would keep Shay safe.

Devil's freaking balls.

Staying on the scent of the troll Viper paused as they neared a large cave. He could sense the mortals that huddled in the darkness. He could smell their decaying desperation.

For a moment he hesitated, revolted at the thought of forcing Shay to bear witness to such misery. His hesitation, however, merely gave the stubborn Shalott the opportunity to sweep past him, her own heightened sense of smell leading her directly to the disgusting cave.

“Humans,” she muttered, her body stiffening as she glanced into the shadows to truly see the emaciated bodies huddled together on the damp floor. “Christ, why don't they run?”

Viper grimaced before pointing toward the floor littered with needles. “Look closer, pet.”

“Drugs.” She turned to frown at him in confusion. “They're drug addicts?”

“Yes.”

“But…what are they doing here?”

His fangs lengthened as the unwelcome truth slammed into him. Even when he had suspected why the Anasso needed Shay's blood he hadn't wanted to believe it. A part of him had still clung to a hope that their leader wouldn't haven fallen so low.

His gaze flickered over the half-dozen mortals that smelled of rotting death. That lingering hope was gone.

The Anasso was beyond redemption.

He would see him dead before allowing him to remain in power.

“They are destroying a once great vampire,” he admitted, his tone weary. Betrayal hung heavy in his heart. “This is why you are being hunted, Shay. Our…leader has become addicted, just as these humans are addicted, and their blood is killing him.”

“Killing him?” The shock on her face might have been amusing if the situation hadn't been so dire. “I didn't even know it was possible.”

“We haven't been overly anxious to reveal such weaknesses to others,” he said dryly. “It's one of those need-to-know-basis things.”

She dismissed his flippant words. “So, if you drink of humans who take drugs you become addicted yourself?”

“It is a dangerous possibility,” he conceded. “One that rarely occurs since it is one of our few crimes punishable by death.”

“But, if the vampire is destined to die anyway, why kill him?” she demanded.

“Because they go mad before death. Only last century a vampire managed to ravage and slaughter an entire village in China before killing three of the vampires sent to capture him. Now they are slain the moment they are discovered.”

She studied his somber expression before giving a slow shake of her head. “Obviously not all are slain.”

Viper flinched at the accusation. “No.”

Wrapping her arms about her waist she gave a visible shudder. “I still don't understand what this has to do with me. My blood isn't contaminated with that filth.”

“Just the opposite.”

“I don't understand.”

“It possesses a cure.” He clutched his hands at his side. He wanted his fingers around someone's throat. Preferably that of the Anasso. “You said it yourself, pet. Your blood can heal anything but death. Just as your father, you are to be sacrificed.”

She paled as she realized the true extent of the danger that surrounded her.

She alone could save the existence of a legendary leader.

What vampire wouldn't drown the world in blood to offer her up as a sacrifice?

Her lips parted but before she could speak a familiar tingle raced over Viper's skin and with a smooth motion he had pushed her behind him and turned to face the approaching vampire.

“He's right, of course,” Styx murmured, his cold expression revealing nothing of his emotions. “Your blood is quite priceless.”

“I thought I smelled your stench,” Viper growled.

“There's no need to be offensive, Viper,” Styx softly chided.

Without warning Shay was pushing her way past Viper, her face flushed with fury.

“No need…why you slimy, treacherous, sorry piece of crap…”

“Shay, no,” Viper shouted.

Grasping her about the waist he managed to keep her from attacking the dangerous vampire.

Damn the woman, what did she think she was doing? She was no match for a clan chief. Especially not this particular clan chief.

Nearly growling in annoyance Viper put his body in front of the rash woman only to stiffen in surprise as he felt her slide a dagger into his hand.

Well…hell. She had deliberately distracted Styx so that she could sneak him her hidden weapon. One of these days he was going to have to stop underestimating his dangerous beauty.

At least he possessed enough sense to keep the dagger hidden by his leg as Styx stepped forward and regarded Shay with a small, almost sad smile.

“Spirited and beautiful,” he said. “It is little wonder you have become so attached to her, old companion.”

“It is rather more than a mere attachment,” Viper corrected. “Where are the Ravens?”

Styx halted too far away for Viper to strike without warning. The elder vampire had never been known for reckless stupidity.

His guard would never be fully lowered.

“I have posted guards to ensure that you do not slip out of the caves,” Styx said.

Viper gave a lift of his brows. “You came to take Shay away by yourself? How exquisitely insulting of you.”

Something that might have been regret flashed over the bronzed features even as the warrior smoothly pulled his sword from its sheath.

“I do not wish to fight, Viper.”

“I can't say that I'm overly eager for battle either, Styx, but I am not one of your Ravens. I do not obey without question.”

Moving to the middle of the tunnel so he would have plenty of space to swing his deadly sword Styx eyed him with an unreadable expression.

“How did you find this tunnel?”

“The glamour is only effective against vampires. You should have thought of that when you were hiding the pathetic humans.”

With blinding speed he dodged forward, plunging his dagger toward Styx's sword arm. Styx easily countered, but as he blocked the dagger with his sword Viper shifted to plant a solid kick in the stomach of his opponent.

Styx grunted but managed to stay on his feet, his sword slicing through the air to force Viper backward.

“The glamour was effective against me as well, old companion,” he said as he kept careful watch on Viper.

Viper edged to one side. “You claim to have no knowledge of this cesspit?”

“Knowledge, no.” The dark eyes flashed with frustration. “Suspicions? Fears? Yes.”

Viper made another feint, more to keep Styx off guard than a true attempt to harm him. Any thirst for revenge at being tortured was forgotten in the need to protect Shay.

Somehow he had to get them out of here.

With all their body parts still intact.

The odds weren't good.

“And yet you still pretend that the Anasso can be restored to his former glory.” He gave a sharp motion toward the humans that were sleeping in their drug haze. “He is beyond salvation, Styx. Even if he is healed there is no means to save him from himself. Can you deny it?”

Styx hissed softly. “No. No longer.”

Viper blinked, not at all certain he had heard correctly. “You admit that your cause is hopeless?”

The dark eyes shifted with obvious reluctance toward the humans. “I admit that I have been deceived and manipulated. And that I can no longer hold on to the trust that has sustained me.”

“Speak clearly, Styx,” Viper rasped, the dagger clutched in his hands. “I will not have misunderstandings between us.”

The sword slowly lowered as Styx heaved a weary sigh. “I will not halt you from taking your Shalott and leaving these caves.”

“What of your Ravens?” he demanded.

“I…” Styx stiffened at the thick, swirling foulness that filled the air.

Viper crouched to prepare for an attack. He didn't need Styx's frightened expression to tell him that they were under attack. The dark power prickling over his skin was warning enough.

The problem was that he could feel the heavy evil, but he couldn't see a bloody thing.

He shot a frown toward Styx. “What is it?”

“The Anasso. He has sensed the Shalott.”

“Shit. We must leave here.”

Viper turned toward Shay even as the darkness closed around her.

Her eyes widened as her hand reached toward Viper who was already rushing in her direction.

“Viper?” she whispered and then her head bowed backward as a scream was wrenched from her throat.

“No.” He reached her side just as she collapsed into his arms. Scooping her off her feet he studied her pale face with a flare of terrified panic. He could sense the steady beat of her heart, but her skin was pale and clammy, and she refused to awaken. “Shay. Speak to me.”

Styx crossed the narrow space to stand at his shoulder. “She is in the power of the Anasso.”

Cold dread clutched at Viper's heart. He had known that the elder vampire possessed powers beyond any of them, but he hadn't realized that he could reach out and physically touch others at a distance.

Viper clutched Shay to his chest, her long braid trailing over his arm.

“How do I save her?”

“We must take her to him,” Styx said softly.

Lifting his head Viper glared at his companion with sharp fury. “Never.”

“Only the Anasso can release her from his power.”

Viper stepped backward, his fangs extended. “You have tricked me.”

Holding up his hands Styx attempted to appear unthreatening. A gesture that was spoiled as the long, deadly blade shimmered in the glow of the torchlight.

Not that he wouldn't have been just as lethal without the sword.

“No, Viper, this is no trick,” he protested, his eyes shimmering with a fierce, unreadable emotion. “I did not realize that he still possessed such strength.”

“How do I halt him?”

“You cannot.” Styx allowed his gaze to move toward the delicate woman in Viper's arms. Something that might be regret rippled over his face. “You must take her to the Anasso.”

“I have told you no,” Viper rasped.

“You have no choice. He will kill her.”

Viper narrowed his gaze. “He cannot kill her. He needs her blood to survive.”

“He is not…entirely stable in his thinking.”

The cold dread deepened as it spread throughout his body. “He is going mad?”

Styx paused. He had spent near a century disguising the slow, relentless decay of his master. It had been a thankless duty he had performed with grim loyalty.

Now he battled with the inner demon of uncertainty that tortured him.

“Mad enough,” he grudgingly conceded.

Viper lowered his head until he could bury his face in the sweet silk of Shay's hair. He cursed the fate that had brought them to this time and place.

“Damn you, Styx. Damn you to hell.”

 

Watching the two vampires carry the unconscious woman from the tunnel Damocles slowly stepped from the shadows. A faint smile touched his lips.

“Well, well. I thought I smelled Shalott.”

There was a rattle of chains from the cramped cave behind him. Slowly he turned to regard the disgusting troll who was huddled in a distant corner.

“Shay?” Evor demanded, his eyes flashing red. “She's here?”

Damocles gave a soft laugh as he traced his way across the cave. “Do you think she has come to rescue you, sweet Evor? I fear she is a little too unconscious to give you much thought. Still, her arrival does alter my schedule.” Moving across the cave he cast a rueful glance down at the rather plain robe he had chosen. “I wish I had worn the gold. This green really is not festive enough.”

Evor licked his lips. He was smart enough to know that whatever was about to happen couldn't be good.