Embrace the Darkness

by Alexandra Ivy

  Damocles slid inside and carefully navigated the narrow stairs that had been chiseled into the ground. His nose wrinkled at the foul smells that filled the air. The smells of unwashed flesh and excrement.

  Holding a prisoner was always a messy business.

  Still, it did have its rewards.

  Coming to a halt at the bottom step he regarded the pudgy troll who hunkered in the corner and glared at him with hatred in his beady red eyes.

  “Well, Evor, I see that your imprisonment has not impaired your appetite,” Damocles murmured as he pointedly glanced toward the numerous bones that had been stripped clean and tossed over the ground.

  The filthy troll gave a rattle of the heavy chains that held him to the wall.

  “What else is there to do in this pigsty?”

  Damocles gave a low laugh. “Is that any way to speak of your lovely chambers?”

  “Bugger off.”

  “Tsk, tsk. Such language.”

  The red eyes narrowed with a low cunning. “What do you want of me? Money? Slaves?”

  “Nothing so valuable.” With a lift of his hand Damocles patted his golden curls. “All I need from you, dear Evor, is your life.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Viper didn’t bother to hide his impatience. Pacing from one vast end of the foyer to the other he kept his gaze trained on the elegant marble staircase.

  It wasn’t that he was worried for Shay’s safety. The devil knew there were few places more secure than at the side of the Phoenix. What demon would risk daring the wrath of a goddess?

  No, his impatience was much more personal.

  It had been less than an hour and he already felt anxious that she was not at his side. That he couldn’t reach out and touch her.

  It was a bad sign. A very bad sign for a vampire who had never given a woman a second thought unless she was under the protection of his clan.

  Unfortunately, he couldn’t seem to find it in his unbeating heart to care that he was in waters far deeper than he had ever tread before.

  No doubt another bad sign.

  His acute hearing picked up the sound of footsteps long before Dante, Abby, and at last Shay, came into view. Striding forward he allowed the others to pass but, as Shay reached the bottom step, he reached out to pluck her off her feet and planted a thorough kiss upon her startled lips.

  Pulling back she regarded him with wide eyes. “Viper.”

  He ignored her wriggles as he kept her firmly pressed to his chest. “What?”

  “We’re hardly alone,” she hissed.

  Brushing his cheek against hers, he savored the scented heat that clouded his senses.

  “That could be arranged if you’re interested,” he whispered against her ear.

  “No,” she muttered in an outraged breath, but Viper didn’t miss the sudden hardening of her nipples.

  Hard to miss that.

  Nice. Very nice.

  “Are you certain?” He tightened his arms about her. “I could show you just how much I missed you.”

  “You were only gone an hour.”

  “What can I say? You have bewitched me.”

  She gave a furtive glance over her shoulder, a hint of pink staining her cheeks.

  “Speaking of bewitchment, I think your companion is feeling neglected.”

  With reluctance Viper lowered Shay to her feet and gave a negligent shrug.

  “Natasha has never been my lover.”

  “Does she want to be?”

  He smiled at her tart tone. “She has indicated that she would not be opposed to sharing my bed. Are you jealous?”

  “You would like that, wouldn’t you?” She folded her arms over her chest, her eyes flashing. “Two women fighting over you?”

  “I’ve never had a taste for angry women, but I would like very much to think you are jealous that another woman wants to be my lover.”

  She bit her bottom lip as if realizing she had given away far more than she intended to.

  “Why is she here?”

  Viper allowed his attention to stray toward the door. The young witch was pretty enough with her long black hair and pale skin, but she couldn’t hold a candle to Shay’s stunning beauty. Something Natasha seemed well aware of as a petulant pout settled on her narrow face.

  “She promises that she can cast a spell on your marking to help us discover who put it there.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  Viper gave a small shrug. “It’s worth a try. Come, I think Natasha should explain.”

  He led the reluctant Shay toward the waiting witch, hiding a smile as the two shared a mutual glare of dislike.

  “Let me see the mark,” Natasha demanded.

  The always stubborn Shalott narrowed her eyes in suspicion. ”Why?”’;

  “Shay.”

  Viper touched her arm and she heaved a sigh.

  “Fine.” Turning about she pulled down the neckline of her sweatshirt to reveal the brand. “Here.”

  The witch’s hint of childish annoyance faded to be replaced by the concentration of a professional. Holding her hand over the brand Natasha murmured beneath her breath.

  Long moments passed before the witch gave a sharp shudder and pulled her hand back.

  “A powerful spell, but not evil. It’s more a binding than an actual curse.”

  “Can it be broken?”

  “Not without the one who holds the curse. They must be together for the curse to be broken.”

  Viper frowned. “Can you at least help us discover who was responsible for the curse in the first place?”

  Natasha considered a moment before giving a shrug. “I can cast a spell that will give you a trail to the witch. As long as she hasn’t managed to cover it with a counterspell.”

  Shay slowly turned about, her expression wary. “What sort of trail are you talking about?”

  “Have you ever played hot and cold?” Natasha demanded.

  “No.”

  “Once the spell is cast the mark will become warmer the closer you come to the witch who branded you, and colder the farther you go away.”

  Shay licked her lips. “How long will it last?”

  “A day, maybe two.”

  Viper moved to place a steadying arm about her shoulders. “Do you wish to risk it?”

  She glanced up, her eyes oddly vulnerable in the dim light. “We don’t really have a choice, do we?”

  He wanted to lie. He wanted to assure her that he would take her far away and they would never have to worry about another thing for all eternity. But they both knew that as long as the curse bound her to Evor they would never be safe. No matter how fast or far they ran.

  He gave a slow shake of his head. “Not really.”

  She blew out a heavy sigh. “Then let’s do it.”

  Viper turned to the waiting witch. “What do you need?”

  Natasha slowly smiled. “I have brought my supplies.”

  Of course, it wasn’t a simple process. Natasha demanded that she feel the house before deciding that the kitchen possessed the best aura for her casting. Only then did she place Shay in a chair and pull a black candle from her bag. With a slow procession she made a counterclockwise circle, and then slowly retraced her steps. Over and over she walked the circle, pausing upon occasion to test its strength before at last giving a satisfied nod. With brisk efficiency she handed the candle to the wary Shay and lit the wick. Holding up her hands she began to chant beneath her breath.

  Viper anxiously paced the edge of the kitchen, hating the sense of helplessness as he placed Shay in the hands of this woman.

  No vampire felt comfortable around magic.

  How did you battle against something that you couldn’t see or touch?

  Reaching into her pocket the witch pulled out a white feather that she touched to the candle’s flame. There was a foul smell that filled the kitchen as Natasha spoke the last of her spell and suddenly Shay slumped over in her seat.

  Viper stepped forward, cursin
g beneath his breath as the, enclosed circle held him firmly out.

  “Shay, are you all right?”

  With a shake of her head she was sitting upright, handing the burning candle to Natasha.

  “I’m fine, just a little dizzy.”

  “What have you done to her?” he demanded of the witch, his expression warning of dire retribution if Shay was harmed.

  “Don’t worry, it will wear off,” Natasha muttered, putting away her candle and kneeling beside Shay. “Can you sense your brand?”

  Shay sucked in a deep breath. “It… tingles.”

  Natasha rose to her feet with a triumphant smile. “The spell has worked. You can use it as a compass.”

  Viper battled back his surge of fear and offered a half bow. “You have done well. Thank you.”

  The smile became flirtatious as the witch ran a hungry gaze over his body. “I’m always ready to help… you.”

  Shay recovered enough to send him a glittering glare. Viper was wise enough to hide his smile.

  “I will see you home,” he murmured to Natasha.

  In the beat of a heart Shay was on her feet, her expression determined. “I might as well come along. We can begin tracking the witch who did this to me.”

  “As you like,” Viper murmured.

  Natasha opened her mouth to protest only to be halted as Dante stepped into the room and gave Viper a sly smile.

  “I’ll see her home, Viper. You and Shay only have a few hours to find the witch.”

  He flashed his friend a relieved glance. As much as he enjoyed watching Shay prickle with jealousy, he was far more interested in finding out who was responsible for her curse. Once they were free of the threat he would have all the time in the world to savor his Shalott.

  “Thank you.”

  Without warning Abby suddenly appeared at the side of her mate and sent Viper a stem frown. “You will return here before dawn?”

  “A kind offer” he murmured, “but we would only endanger you.”

  The goddess smiled with a confidence that she had gained over the past few weeks. “There are few demons who would dare intrude into this estate. Carrying the Phoenix does have a few perks.”

  He could hardly argue with that. Hell, there were times when she creeped him out.

  “Still…”

  “I insist.”

  Dante gave a sudden chuckle and held his hands up in warning. “Don’t bother arguing with her, old friend, I assure you that you are only wasting your breath.”

  Viper offered a smile. “I thank you.”

  “We owe you,” Abby said simply, reaching out to grab her mate’s hand. “We owe you both.”

  —

  Shay absently rubbed her shoulder as they crawled their way through the south side of Chicago, moving down Maxwell Street to neighborhoods that were considerably different from the elegant estates they had left behind.

  Damn the witch, she silently cursed as her shoulder gave another flare of heat.

  You can use it as a compass.

  Easy for Natasha to say. It wasn’t her shoulder burning like someone was poking it with a hot stick.

  “Turn here “ she commanded, her hands gripping her knees as Viper slowed the black Jag to a mere crawl.

  “Do you sense something?” he demanded.

  “My shoulder certainly does.” Peering out the window Shay studied the passing shops. It was a depressing combination of abandoned buildings, liquor stores, and porno shops that made Shay long for a shower. And plenty of soap. Wincing at the smoldering pain of her brand Shay suddenly stiffened in surprise. “Stop.”

  Pulling to a stop before the crumbling brick building Viper turned to regard her in surprise. “Here?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re certain?”

  Climbing out of the sleek car Shay wrapped her arms around her waist and waited for Viper to join her on the dark street.

  “I know this place. We used to live just around the corner.”

  “It looks like an old store.”

  Shay struggled to sort through her vague memories. It had been so many years ago. And the neighborhood had changed so much. Still, she was certain she was not mistaken.

  “Yes, a bookstore. My father used to bring me here.” She grimaced as she gave a shiver. “Damn, my shoulder is burning.”

  “I suppose we should go look around.” Turning Viper took her hands and lifted them to his lips. “Shay…”

  “What?”

  “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”

  She jerked her hands from his grasp. Why the… ass. As if she were the one who had stayed and tried to fight the Lu with nothing more than a sword. Or stomped and snorted because a ridiculous car had a few dings.

  Stupid, indeed.

  “Excuse me?”

  He grimaced at her cold tone. “Maybe I could have phrased that a little better.”

  “You think?”

  “What I mean to say is that I don’t want you taking any risks. The devil only knows what might be waiting for us.”

  “Do you sense something?”

  He glanced toward the darkened shop. “No, and that’s what is bothering me.”

  Shay heaved a sigh. He had a point. Whatever was hunting her was still out there somewhere. Waiting. Biding its time. She would almost prefer another attack to this sense of brooding unease.

  “Me too,” she softly agreed.

  He gently pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to the top of her head. Down the dark street the muffled sounds of a brisk drug trade and the shrill calls of hookers could be heard, but Shay barely noticed them. She was in the arms of a vampire. Gangs, muggers, or rapists were not a problem.

  “We can return to Dante’s,” he murmured against her ear. “We don’t have to go in there.”

  For a moment she allowed herself to lean against his strength. Saints above, but it would be wonderful to simply hide behind Viper and pretend that he could keep her safe. It had been so damn long since she had been able to depend upon anyone but herself.

  Then firmly she was pulling away.

  No. She was no weakling to have to cling to another.

  Jeez. The day she became so spineless she would toss herself from the nearest bridge.

  “Yes we do.” Her chin tilted. “At some point we have to go in. It might as well be now.”

  He studied her for a long beat, as if he could sense her pulling back behind her shields of protection.

  At last he offered a wry smile and moved toward the store. Ripping apart the iron grating he pushed open the bolted door with obvious ease.

  Show off.

  “After you.”

  “Boy, having a vampire around can be handy,” Shay murmured as she swept past him.

  Without warning his hand shot out to grasp her arm. He bent close to her ear.

  “Pet, if only you would allow me, I could take handy to a whole new level.”

  Her stomach clenched and she hastily dodged into the darkened shop with far more haste than grace. Okay. Don’t tease dangerous vampires in the future.

  Halting in the center of the uneven floorboards she glanced around with a wrinkle of her nose. The interior was narrow with several shelves still loaded with crumbling books and collection of strange objects that were impossible to recognize beneath the layers of dust and spider webs.

  Toward the far wall there was a long counter with a handful of stools, and behind it another shelf with ceramic pots that looked oddly sinister in the shadowed light.

  Or maybe it was just the fact she had learned to distrust those tiny pots, she acknowledged with a tiny shiver. Being at the mercy of witches could do that to a girl.

  “It looks like it’s been abandoned for years.”

  Viper stopped at her side. “Yes.”

  She gave a faint shake of her head. “Why would the mark lead me here?”

  “I’m not certain.” A frown touched his brow. “Perhaps we should look around. There might be som
ething here to assist us.”

  Shay swallowed a sigh. She had no desire to poke around the dingy shop. Not only was it filthy, but it made an odd chill prickle over her skin. There were memories here. Memories of her father when he was still alive. Memories she didn’t want stirred among the mold and decay of this place. Unfortunately, Viper was right. The pain in her shoulder had led her directly here. There must be something.

  Now if she just knew what that vague something was.

  Moving toward the shelves she skimmed her fingers over the forlorn books. Nothing there but the usual children’s classics and a few philosophers. Not a curse book among them. She shifted to the lumps of odd shapes that consumed the nearby shelves. Her hand reached for something that looked to be a crystal ball only to step back with a muffled scream.

  As fast as a strike of lightning Viper was at her side, his hands grasping her shoulders in concern.

  “What is it? What happened?”

  She swallowed hard as she battled back a shudder of disgust. “A spider.”

  A beat passed. “A spider?”

  “Don’t mock, I hate spiders. They’re creepy.”

  The full lips twitched. “Oh yes, very creepy.”

  She stepped back with a huff. It had been a huge spider. And hairy. Who wouldn’t have screamed?

  “Fine. Just go back to doing what you were doing,” she muttered.

  He leaned against the shelves, folding his arms over his chest. “Why don’t you tell me what you remember of this place?”

  She hesitated, her gaze unwillingly straying toward the distant counter. The stir of ghosts brushed over her skin.

  “Not much. I remember sitting at that counter and reading books while my father would talk to the woman who owned the store.” Her expression softened. She could almost feel the warm, strong touch of her father’s hands as he would lift her onto one of the high stools. “Books in that time were far more rare, and each one was a treasure to me.”

  “Did you ever speak to the woman?”

  Shay had the misty recollection of a round face and kindly smile. “She would sometimes give me candy, but I don’t remember any specific conversation.”

  Viper gave a pointed glance toward the ceramic pots. “Could she have been a witch?”

  “It’s possible.” Shay struggled to dredge up the past she had buried so long ago. “She never seemed to question how… different my father or I was. And there were always customers coming in to purchase those small pots. At the time I just thought they were pretty bits of clay.”