"Since my meager presence did not seem enough to lure you from your room, I resorted to the temptation of food," he retorted dryly.
"Wise choice." Reaching the table, she sat down and took a deep sniff. "What is it?"
"The note from the housekeeper says that it is vegetarian lasagna. I hope you approve?"
"If it tastes half as good as it smells I more than approve." She picked up her fork and took a bite, her eyes closing with obvious pleasure. "Delicious."
Styx felt his body instantly harden. He remembered all too vividly her eyes closing in another sort of pleasure. With a small curse he moved to take a seat across the table. It was that or allowing her to realize her unnerving power over him.
Sensing his presence, Darcy opened her eyes and that caution returned. "What about you?" she demanded.
A hint of annoyance narrowed his gaze. He had already assured her that he would not force her to share blood. He was unaccustomed to having his honor questioned.
"I have already eaten."
"Oh." She ducked her head as she concentrated on the food before her. "You don't have to stay, you know. I promise not to try to escape for at least the next twenty minutes."
"Are you attempting to be rid of me?"
"You must have better things to do than watch me eat."
Styx frowned. "What is troubling you?"
She never lifted her head as she continued to eat. "I'm being held against my will by a vampire. A pack of werewolves is lurking outside hoping to snatch me. And to top it off, I'm missing work, which means I don't get paid. Don't you think any poor woman would be a little tense?"
Styx was forced to concede she did have a point. Although he had gone to an extraordinary effort to ease her confinement, there was no denying that she was his prisoner.
How could he hold her to blame for not being entirely happy with the situation?
"Perhaps," he muttered, leaning back in his seat to watch her polish off the last of the lasagna and two slices of bread. "There is more if you wish."
She gave a wry smile as she tossed aside her napkin. "Good lord, no. I'm stuffed. What I need now is a long walk."
Styx rose from the table to glance out the window in puzzlement. "The elements would not trouble me, but it is far too cold for a human."
She moved to stand beside him, completely unaware of his body's reaction to the heat and scent of her.
"Oh, look, it's snowing."
He glanced down to discover her expression softened with delight. "Angel, you cannot go outside with no shoes or coat."
"I suppose not." A wistful smile touched her lips. "I love snow. It always makes the world look so fresh and new."
By the gods, he was the master of all vampires. Demons around the world quaked at the mention of his name. There was none who would stand in his path. And yet, the slightest hint of longing from this woman had him scrambling to please her.
It was downright pathetic.
Swallowing a sigh, he reached down to sweep her off her feet and cradled her against his chest.
Darcy gave a startled squeak as she clutched at the gaping edges of her robe. "What are you doing?"
"I believe I might have a solution that will please you," he assured her as he left the kitchen and headed down the hall to the far wing of the house.
"Styx, put me down."
"Not yet." He opened the door to the new addition and set Darcy on her feet before reaching to switch on the lights. "Here we are."
Her eyes widened with delight as she glanced around the glass enclosure that offered an unobstructed view of the falling snow.
"A solarium," she breathed, turning to offer him an enchanting smile. "It's beautiful."
"It's not entirely finished. Viper plans to surprise his mate once it is completed."
"Wow." She gave a soft laugh. "A very generous gift."
Styx allowed a smile to touch his own lips. "He mentioned something about an untimely interruption in another solarium that he intended to correct. I didn't probe further."
"No doubt a wise choice." She walked across the floor, not seeming to mind the bare shelves and only partially Finished fountain. She gently touched her hand to a frosted pane. "Levet told me of Viper and his wife. Is she a vampire as well?"
He silently moved to stand behind her. "Actually, she is like you. A mixture of human and demon."
Her body tensed at his words. "We don't know if I do have demon blood. Not yet."
Styx studied her reflection in the glass. "You are something more than human."
"Maybe."
Sensing her reluctance to consider the possibility of demon blood, he easily turned the conversation.
"If you would like, I can ask Shay to visit so you can speak with her."
She turned with a curious expression. "According to Levet, she is not very happy with you."
He grimaced. "We have a... difficult past. And she's angry that I have taken you as my guest."
"Guest?"
"Prisoner, if you prefer."
"I like her already."
Styx abruptly wished he had not suggested that Shay visit. Darcy was already determined to hold him at a damnable distance. Once Shay revealed his past this woman would consider him nothing less than a monster.
"Perhaps we should wait for her visit until..." Styx's words came to a halt as he leaned close to the curve of her neck.
The scent was faint, but unmistakable.
Werewolf.
Disbelief was followed closely by a cold stab of anger.
In the past hour Darcy had been in the company of Salvatore. The bastard had actually possessed the sheer balls to invade his home and somehow corner Darcy while she was alone.
Even worse, this woman had deliberately concealed the encounter.
No wonder she had seemed distracted.
Had Salvatore threatened her if she revealed his outrageous trespassing? Or had the Were managed to convince her that he was harmless?
Were they even now plotting her escape?
"Styx?"
Realizing that Darcy was staring at him with a growing suspicion, Styx eased his tension and even managed a faint smile. He had only known this woman a short time, but it was enough to convince him that he could never force her to confess her secrets.
Not without resorting to vampire tricks.
Something he was oddly reluctant to do unless all else failed, of course.
"Is something the matter?" she demanded.
"What could possibly be the matter?"
She frowned at his tight tone, but any response she might have made was interrupted when the door to the conservatory was rudely thrown open and a grumbling Levet stomped into the room.
"Sacre bleu, do you think you could have possibly chosen a more miserable night to send me plodding around the city as if I am a packhorse?" He gave a shake of his wings, sending snow flying through the room. "Perhaps tomorrow night you would like me to build you a snowman and dance around it naked."
There was a choked laugh from Darcy, and with an effort Styx forced back the urge to toss the intrusive demon through the nearest window. As annoying as he found the gargoyle, he couldn't deny his timing was perfect.
Who better to distract Darcy.
"I can safely assure you, Levet, that I shall never request that you dance around naked—in the snow or not," he drawled as he took a step away from Darcy. "But you can keep my guest entertained for me. I fear I have pressing business that I can put off no longer."
He gave a small bow toward the startled Darcy before crossing the conservatory and slipping through the open door. He felt her gaze following him, but he ignored her wary confusion as he stepped into the hallway and motioned for the hovering Raven.
DeAngelo slipped from the shadows and offered a small bow. "Master?"
"I want you to keep guard on our guest."
"Certainly."
"And tell Santiago to increase the sentries upon the grounds."
The pale f
ace nearly hidden beneath the cowl of the robe revealed the faintest hint of surprise.
"You fear we may be attacked?"
"I don't yet know what the Weres plan." His face hardened with the anger that still simmered deep within him. "But I assure you that I intend to find out. Until then, do not allow Darcy out of your sight."
* * *
Darcy stood frowning in the solarium after the tall, unpredictable vampire had abruptly left the room.
She had never possessed the ability to read minds. And certainly she was no vampire expert. But she had long ago learned to study the body language of others, and she couldn't deny there had been an angry tension in her captor.
"Did I intrude at an inconvenient moment?"
"What?" Turning her head, Darcy realized that the gargoyle had moved to stand at her side. "Oh ... no, not at all."
He crossed his arms over his chest. "If you wish to follow him, then I will not mind. I am accustomed to women who have been enthralled by vampires. It seems to be my sad lot in life."
Darcy found herself smiling. Now that she had gotten over the shock of being around a three-foot gargoyle, she found him strangely charming.
"I am perfectly happy to remain here with you, Monsieur Levet," she said as she reached down to pat him on the shoulder. She hastily pulled her hand back at the cold moisture on his gray skin. "Oh, you're wet."
"Of course I am wet. I have been tromping about in the snow." He pointed a finger in her direction. "And all for you."
"Me?" Darcy blinked in surprise. "Why?"
"Your oh-so-charming vampire absolutely insisted that you could not survive another moment without your precious plants and every scrap of clothing that you possess, which, by the way, is not much. We must get you to a mall, ma belle. No doubt tall, dark, and broody could be convinced to give you his credit card."
She struggled to follow his spat of words, ignoring his insult to her less than stunning wardrobe.
"Plants? What are you talking about?"
The great master insisted that I return to your apartment and retrieve your plants, but did he give a thought to the poor wretch he sent out into the cold and snow? Non." Levet gave a small sniff. "I am no more than a pitiful servant in his eyes."
"Styx sent you to get my plants?"
The demon heaved a deep sigh. "I am speaking English, am I not?"
Darcy abruptly turned to pace across the empty floor. "I ... why would he do such a thing?"
The gargoyle gave a short laugh. "If you do not know then I am not about to explain it to you. I far prefer that you believe him to be a heartless monster."
A strange sensation was tingling through her body as Darcy continued to pace. "And you brought my clothes as well?"
"They are all in the kitchen. I have retrieved them, but I am no bellboy to be carrying and lugging things to your room."
"Of course not."
She gave the gargoyle a distracted smile as she moved past him and left the conservatory. For some reason she had to see her belongings for herself.
Entering the kitchen, she found them just as Levet had promised.
There were four boxes of her various plants and a small suitcase that carried her clothes.
She was staring at them with an unconscious frown when Levet joined her at the table.
"I did get them all, did I not?"
"Yes, this is all."
He gave a small sniff. "1 cannot imagine why you would wish a bunch of weeds stuck in ugly pots. They seem a great deal of trouble when you can step out the door and dig up any number of weeds just like them."
"They are not weeds; they are my companions," she corrected.
"Well, I suppose as roommates they are at least quiet."
She smiled ruefully as she reached out to touch one of her lacy ferns. "No one really understands."
There was a short beat before Levet cleared his throat. "Actually, I would guess that at least one vampire understands."
"Yes," she murmured softly, that strange tingle returning.
Styx.
He did understand. Or if he didn't understand, he was at least willing to accept the importance to her. And he had sent Levet out in the snow so that she wouldn't be fretting over her things.
It was ...
Cripes, it was sweet. And thoughtful. And not at all in keeping with a coldhearted monster who intended her harm.
And for some stupid reason it touched her far more than was reasonable.
Well, perhaps not stupid, she silently conceded. After all, when a person was alone in the world the slightest offer of kindness tended to take on greater meaning than for other people.
Even if that kindness came from a bloodthirsty vampire holding her captive.
"Excuse me," she muttered to Levet as she left the kitchen and went in search of the elusive Styx.
She needed to see the beautiful demon.
She wanted him to know she wasn't indifferent to his concern for her happiness.
As she moved through the empty living room and equally empty study, Darcy paused as a coldness prickled over her skin. It was a coldness like the one that surrounded Styx but without the added surge of excitement his always stirred.
With a swift motion she turned, not at all surprised to discover the silent vampire standing in the doorway.
"Oh." She shifted uneasily. "Hello."
The vampire was motionless as he stared at her from the depths of his heavy cowl.
"Is there some requirement that I can fulfill?" he demanded.
She resisted the urge to shiver. He looked like a mannequin. A very scary mannequin.
"I was looking for Styx. Do you know where I can find him?"
"He has left the estate."
"Do you know when he will return?"
"No."
"I see."
Darcy couldn't deny a flare of disappointment. Which was nearly as scary as the vampire standing before her. Even a woman who tried to think the best of everyone shouldn't be pining for the man holding her prisoner.
That was crazy. Just... crazy.
Chapter Seven
The trail from Darcy's bedroom to the dilapidated hotel wasn't particularly difficult to follow. That didn't, however, do anything to ease Styx's smoldering temper.
Salvatore had invaded his lands and put his filthy hands on Darcy.
Styx wanted blood.
Werewolf blood.
That was the only thing on his mind.
Or it was until he caught the unmistakable scent of vampire.
Hastily clearing his mind, Styx slipped into the shadows of a nearby alley, his dagger in his hand.
As the ruler of vampires, he was above petty duels and the occasional clan wars that still erupted. That didn't mean, however, that a rogue vampire might not decide his leadership skills could be improved by a stake through the heart. He ruled with an iron hand, and there were more than a few of his subjects who were not always pleased with his laws.
Ah, the pleasures of being king.
Styx was braced to strike when the vamp came close enough for him to recognize the familiar scent. With a muttered curse, he slipped the dagger back into his boot and stepped from the shadows to confront his aggravating friend.
"Viper." He planted his hands on his hips. "What a less than pleasant surprise."
Coming to a halt, the silver-haired vampire offered a deep bow. He should have looked ridiculous in the gold satin jacket that fell to his knees and black velvet pants, but, as always, the demon managed to appear utterly elegant.
"Good evening, ancient one."
"Don't call me that," Styx growled. "What are you doing here?"
"Would you believe that I just happened to be in the neighborhood?"
"Not for a minute."
"Fine." Viper stepped forward, his expression smoothing to somber lines. "I'm here because of you."
"How did you know I would be here?"
There was a beat before Viper gave a small shrug. "DeAngelo wa
s concerned."
"He contacted you?" Styx gave a sharp shake of his head. He had turned each of the Ravens himself. Their loyalty was above question. "No. He would not dare."
"What choice did he have?" Viper demanded. "You left the estate in an obvious temper without taking one of your guards with you."
In a temper? Styx stiffened at the insinuation. He never lost his temper. And if he did, no one would be capable of detecting his mood. He would never lower himself to stomping about in some sort of childish snit.
He suddenly grimaced as he realized that that was exactly what he had been doing. Right down to the stomping.
Damn.
This was all Darcy Smith's fault. She alone had managed to rattle the icy control he had honed over hundreds and hundreds of years.
"I do not need a babysitter, Viper," he retorted.
"No." Viper regarded him steadily. "What you need is protection."
"From a pack of curs?" His nose flared with wounded pride. "You think so little of me?"
"This has nothing to do with the Weres." Stepping forward, Viper placed a hand on his shoulder. "You are no longer just another vampire, Styx. You are our leader, and DeAngelo is your second in command. He wouldn't be worthy of being a Raven if he had not taken measures to see to your safety."
Styx wanted to argue. On this night he was not thinking as the master of all vampires. He was thinking as a man. A man who wanted to beat the holy shit out of another man.
A night for testosterone, not politics.
Unfortunately, DeAngelo had been within his rights. He could not have known that Styx planned nothing more dangerous than a small squabble with a pack of dogs.
"Very well," he grudgingly conceded. "You can stay here and watch the mold grow if you want."
He shook off his friend's hand and took a step forward only to be halted as Viper smoothly stepped into his path.
"You intend to begin negotiations with Salvatore?" the younger vampire demanded.
"Do I now have to offer you my itinerary as well?" Styx snapped.
"It is a simple question." Viper narrowed his gaze. "Are you here to bargain with the Weres?"
Styx hissed softly. He answered to no one. Not even to a powerful clansman who also happened to be his friend.
Guardians of Eternity 03 - Darkness Everlasting Page 8