Guardians of Eternity 03 - Darkness Everlasting

by Alexandra Ivy

  "Not at all." Darcy tilted her head to one side. "Are you a friend of Styx?"

  "Not precisely. I'm Shay, and you must be Darcy."

  "Shay." It took a moment before Darcy's eyes widened with recognition. "Viper's ... mate?"

  The woman chuckled at her hesitant tone. "Yes, for my sins."

  Darcy wasn't certain why she was caught off guard. Shay was certainly lovely enough to have captured the elegant vampire's attention. But there was something earthy and warm about the woman. Viper ... well, not so much.

  At the thought of the silver-haired vampire Darcy clapped her hand to her mouth.

  "Oh, you shouldn't be here."

  Shay gave a lift of her brow. "I shouldn't?"

  "I know this is your house, but I think this solarium was supposed to be a surprise."

  The woman laughed as she glanced around the beautiful room. "Viper isn't nearly as sly as he believes he is. I've known for weeks that he was planning this." She returned her attention to Darcy with a wink and a smile. "Still, I won't tell him if you don't. Men can be so sensitive when they think they're being clever."

  Darcy couldn't help but return the smile. "I won't say a word."

  Shay moved to settle on a padded bench. "I hope that you're comfortable here. Well, as comfortable as you can be, considering that you're being held against your will." She gave a tug on the long braid that had fallen over her shoulder. "Someday I'm going to plant a stake in Styx's heart regardless if he's the bloody Anasso or not."

  "The Anasso?" Darcy questioned.

  "Master of all vampires." Shay rolled her eyes. "And doesn't he just know it."

  "He does have a certain arrogance about him," Darcy admitted.

  "A certain arrogance? Ha! He could write the book on cold-blooded pride."

  A frown touched Darcy's brow. Granted Styx had taken her captive. And he could be aloof and distant at times. But she also knew that he possessed wonderful qualities that he kept hidden from most.

  "He takes his responsibilities very seriously. Perhaps too seriously at times," she said in a quiet tone. "But, he can be quite kind and gentle once you get to know him."

  Her guest gave a choked cough, but seeming to sense Darcy's dislike in speaking ill of Styx, she managed a faint smile.

  "I'll have to take your word on that."

  "If you're here to see him I'm afraid he hasn't yet risen."

  "Actually, I'm here to see you."

  "Me?"

  "Viper told me all about you and I just had to come and meet you for myself," Shay explained.

  Darcy grimaced, remembering her brief, but tense confrontation with the vampire. "I can imagine what he said. He didn't seem overly fond of me."

  "Actually he was quite impressed."

  "I find that hard to believe. He seemed convinced that I intended to slay Styx the moment his back was turned."

  Shay gave a rueful lift of her hands. "He's just concerned with his Anasso. The vampires are all quite protective of him."

  "I've noticed," Darcy retorted dryly.

  "Yes, I suppose you have." Shay gave a small laugh as she rose and paced toward the plants that Darcy had set on the wooden shelves. There was a restless energy that seemed to crackle about her slender form. "Are these yours?"

  "Yes." Darcy moved to stand at her side. "I hope you don't mind me taking over your solarium, but I was worried about them being alone in my apartment."

  "Of course I don't mind." The woman reached out to lightly touch an African violet. "You obviously have a green thumb."

  "I enjoy plants."

  "So do I, but somehow I always end up killing everything I touch." Shay turned to regard Darcy with her odd, golden gaze. "Maybe I can hire you after the solarium is finished. I'll need someone to keep me from committing vegetative mass murder."

  Darcy smiled. "I wouldn't say no. I'm always looking for jobs."

  "Viper said you are a bartender?"

  "Among many things," she readily admitted. "I never finished high school so I take what I can get."

  "You're alone in the world?" Shay asked gently.

  "Yes."

  "So was I for many, many years. It's ..." The golden eyes darkened with a pain that was only now beginning to heal.

  "Lonely?" Darcy finished, with a sad smile.

  "Lonely and frightening." Shay gave a shake of her head, as if clearing her dark thoughts. Then quite unexpectedly, she reached out to take Darcy's hand in her own. "Do you mind?"

  "Do I mind what?" Darcy demanded.

  "Viper tells me that you think you might have demon blood. I'm half Shalott, which allows me to detect most sorts of otherworldlies. I might be able to tell you something of your heritage."

  Darcy hesitated for a long moment. She didn't truly believe the woman could help her discover the secrets of her past. Not even if she was a demon.

  Still, it seemed somehow rude not to allow her to try.

  "What are you going to do?" she at last demanded.

  Shay wrinkled her nose. "I'm sorry, but I need to smell you."

  Smell me? Jeez. What is it with these people?

  "All right," she warily agreed.

  The demon lifted Darcy's hand to her nose and sniffed deeply of her skin. And sniffed, and sniffed, and sniffed again.

  It seemed to be a demon thing.

  "Strange." The woman dropped Darcy's hand and stepped back with a confused expression. "I would swear..."

  "What?"

  "There is the faintest hint of werewolf," Shay confessed.

  Darcy threw her hands in the air. "For God's sake, I've taken two showers and a bath since I was near Salvatore. Do I have to boil myself in bleach?"

  "You were with a Were?"

  "Only for a few moments and he barely touched me."

  Shay chewed her lip as she pondered Darcy's words. "That could be it."

  "You don't sound very certain."

  "I'm not, which is very odd." The woman heaved a deep sigh. "I'm sorry; I hoped I would be of some help."

  Darcy instinctively reached out to touch her hand. "It was very kind of you to come here and try. I do appreciate it."

  "I had to come." Her eyes darkened. "I know, Darcy. I really, truly know what it's like to be different, to have to isolate yourself from others in the fear they might discover the truth, to always wonder if you will ever feel safe."

  Darcy smiled gently. She felt an unexpected connection with this woman. A kinship that warmed her heart.

  "You do know." She gave Shay's Fingers a small squeeze. "But you're happy now."

  Shay blinked, as if startled by Darcy's perception. "Yes."

  "I am too. Happy. I mean," she assured the demon. "It took a while, but I've discovered that life is very precious, even when it's difficult. It would be very wrong not to appreciate each day that is given me."

  A silence filled the solarium before a smile chased away Shay's dark expression. "Viper was right; you are impressive."

  Darcy waved aside the ridiculous words. "Most people think I'm a freak, but that's okay."

  "Most people are idiots," Shay readily retorted. "And since I'm a genuine freak myself, I think we should get along just fine."

  Darcy thought so too.

  For the first time in her entire life she was surrounded by those she didn't have to hide her true self from.

  She didn't have to lie or pretend or concentrate on her continual charade of being normal.

  It was... peaceful, she realized with a flare of surprise.

  An odd feeling considering she was being held prisoner by a vampire and hunted by a pack of werewolves.

  Ah, well.

  It was one more strange adventure in a lifetime of strangeness.

  Chapter Nine

  Styx awoke alone.

  Nothing new in that.

  He had been waking alone for endless years. All of them without the least amount of regret.

  Vampires were not by nature an intimate race. They formed clans for protection mo
re than any need for a family, and while friends might be willing to kill for one another, they rarely felt the need to seek out one another for simple companionship.

  On this evening, however, Styx discovered himself downright grumpy as he rolled to the side and found the bed empty.

  By the gods, this was wrong.

  Darcy should be in his arms. Her warmth should be cloaked about him, and her scent filling the room with her sweetness.

  Why had she left him?

  It was something he intended to discover.

  After taking a swift shower and tying his hair back with a leather band, he pulled on a robe and went in search of the woman who was consuming far too many of his thoughts.

  It didn't take long.

  He was a vampire and he'd had Dairy's blood. The moment he climbed the stairs and entered the hallway he could sense her behind the door of the solarium.

  As he walked down the hallway to join her, Styx allowed a small smile to touch his lips.

  Thank goodness there were no Ravens about. Styx was not a demon who often smiled. Nor did he rush to be in the company of a mere human. His servants would no doubt fear he had gone mad.

  And perhaps they would be right, he ruefully acknowledged.

  As he neared the door, his smile abruptly faded at the unmistakable odor of gargoyle.

  "Damn," he breathed as Levet waddled from the shadows and offered what could only be described as a smirk.

  "I wouldn't go in there if I were you," the gargoyle taunted, with a twitch of his tail. "Not if you value your ... er ... valuables."

  "Why?" Styx stepped forward, his expression grim. "Has something happened to Darcy?"

  "She is fine," Levet said hastily, no doubt smelling death in the air. "But she is currently occupied."

  "Occupied?" Styx tilted back his head to sniff the air. His expression didn't ease as he caught the familiar scent. "The Shalott."

  "Yes." The smirk returned to the ugly gray face. "And Shay isn't at all pleased with you."

  Styx shrugged. Shay was a long way from forgiving him for torturing Viper and attempting to sacrifice her to the Anasso.

  Go Figure.

  "And when is she ever pleased with me?" he demanded.

  "Never."

  Levet appeared inordinately smug at Shay's smoldering dislike for Styx and his Ravens. A dangerous expression considering Styx's grumpy mood had just become categorically foul.

  The noble part of him wanted to be pleased that Darcy was with a companion who would intimately empathize with her. They were both part demon, and both alone in the world. Or at least Shay had been alone until Viper had mated her.

  Who better to reassure Darcy that the world of the supernatural was not as terrifying as she might fear. And more importantly, that being supernatural wasn't something to be ashamed of.

  The far less noble part of him wanted to toss Shay off her own estate before she could manage to poison Darcy against him.

  "How long has she been here?"

  "For the past hour or so. They seem to be quite taken with one another."

  "Good," he gritted, wanting nothing more than to wipe that evil smile from the tiny demon's lips.

  "Good?" Levet gave a small laugh. "You're not afraid that Shay will convince your beauty to stick a stake in your back?"

  Styx shrugged at the deliberate taunt. It was true enough that he made it an unshakable rule to trust no one but his Ravens. And possibly Viper.

  Suspicion and paranoia were a vampire's best friends when it came to staying alive.

  But despite his instinctive wariness, he wouldn't believe that Darcy could ever be a threat. She might possess incredible courage and a will of iron, but there was tenderness to her soul that couldn't be faked.

  "Darcy is far too gentle to harm anyone," he said with absolute certainty. "Even me."

  The evil smile faded as Levet heaved a small, disappointed sigh. There would be no vampire staking today.

  "I must admit you have me there. She isn't at all like a demon. Or a human, for that matter."

  Styx gave a lift of his brows. "Have you managed to determine what she is?"

  "She is demon; there is no doubt about that." A hint of annoyance entered Levet's tone. He didn't like not being able to determine Darcy's ancestry. It was an insult to his gargoyle powers. "But it is as if it is somehow masked by her humanity."

  Styx leaned forward to peer directly into the gray eyes. He wasn't above using the gargoyle's own insatiable curiosity against him.

  "Salvatore possesses the truth."

  "The Were?"

  "Yes."

  The gargoyle frowned, clearly sensing he was being manipulated. "He has already kicked your ass once. Do you truly wish to embarrass yourself again?"

  Styx gave a low hiss. Few would dare remind him of such a humiliating loss.

  "Any fool can shoot a crossbow while cowering at a distance. It was nothing more than a lucky shot."

  Levet appeared stunningly unconvinced. "If you say."

  "Very well, I am clearly incapable of outwitting the Were." Styx controlled his temper with an effort and even managed a cold smile. "You, on the other hand, my friend, possess the extraordinary skills and intelligence necessary to make Salvatore appear a fool."

  Levet backed away with his hands in the air. "Non. A thousand times, non. I am allergic to dogs. Not to mention long sharp teeth and nasty claws."

  "Surely a mighty gargoyle fears nothing?"

  "Are you deranged? I am three feet tall with magic that sucks and little girly wings. I am frightened of everything."

  Styx shrugged. "Being small means that you could slip into their lair unnoticed."

  "Are you certain that arrow went through your chest and not your brain?" Levet snorted in disgust. "Why would I risk myself for you?"

  "Because it is not for me. It is for Darcy," Styx said smoothly. "Until we know why the Weres are so desperate to get their hands on her, she will be at risk."

  The gray eyes narrowed. "That's not fair."

  It wasn't, of course. But Styx was not above using whatever means necessary.

  He had to know what secrets the Weres were hording. Not only for Darcy, but for the fragile peace that held the bloodshed at bay.

  "And I suppose if you succeed I could find some means to recompense your efforts," Styx grudgingly conceded.

  "Damn straight, you could."

  "What is it you desire?"

  "To be a six-foot tall rock star with buns of steel and washboard abs," Levet promptly demanded.

  Styx gave a lift of his brows. "I'm a vampire, not a wizard."

  "Fine, fine." The gargoyle pointed a finger toward Styx's face. "I will do this, but only for Darcy, you understand?"

  Styx was wise enough to hide his smile. He hadn't doubted for a moment that the demon's soft heart would get the best of him.

  "Of course."

  "And if I end up in the gullet of a Were, I will come back, here to haunt you for all eternity."

  "A thought that is enough to give any vampire nightmares."

  I've muttered a string of French curses beneath his breath. "You know, Styx, you're just one good staking away from a decent personality."

  "More powerful demons than you have tried, gargoyle."

  Making what Styx assumed was a rude gesture, the tiny demon stalked down the hall toward the kitchen.

  Naturally he had to have the last word.

  "Talk to the tail, vamp," he growled.

  The armory beneath Viper's estate was a thing of beauty.

  Not only did it possess a collection of weapons large enough to equip a small army, but it had also been built with all the apparatus necessary for a vampire to keep his skills well honed.

  There was a firing range, a line of targets for archery practice and knife throwing. There were padded dummies for hand-to-hand combat, and even armored dummies for swordplay.

  There was also a small arena that was perfect for genuine competition.

&nbs
p; Stripped down to a pair of leather pants and soft suede boots, Styx slashed his sword toward the waiting DeAngelo. They had been sparring for over an hour, and they both had the bleeding wounds to prove it.

  Mock battles between vampires always tended to be more battle than mock.

  Despite his wounds, however, Styx found his tension molting beneath the familiar rush of pleasure at pitting himself against a worthy opponent.

  DeAngelo was a master swordsman, and quite capable of holding his own, even against Styx.

  Silently they performed the flowing, beautiful dance of the swords. It might have continued another hour, or even more, if Styx hadn't sensed Darcy entering the room.

  Although she remained silently in the shadows, Styx was not fool enough to spar with DeAngelo with such a distraction nearby. That was a good way to find a sword stuck through his heart.

  Not a wound he particularly desired to experience on this night.

  "Enough, DeAngelo," he commanded, holding his sword hilt toward his opponent. "We will continue this tomorrow evening."

  "Yes, master."

  With a deep bow the Raven took both swords and moved toward the inner armory. Styx trusted his servant to clean and oil the weapons before returning them to their sheaths. Styx also trusted that the vampire would have the sense to lock the door behind him so that Styx could be assured of being alone with his bewitching captive.

  Crabbing a towel, Styx swiftly moved toward the waiting woman, his predatory nature on full alert. Darcy had managed to elude him for too long.

  Now he was anxious to have her in his grasp.

  In his arms. In his bed. Moaning beneath him.

  Oh, yes. That was precisely what he wanted. So badly his entire body ached with the need.

  He halted before her and swallowed a low growl as a sweet, tempting smile curved her lips.

  "Very impressive," she murmured softly.

  Styx shrugged, his attention still on her lush mouth. His skill as a warrior was renowned throughout the demon world. It was something he accepted without thought.

  "I've had several centuries of practice."

  Her smile widened as her gaze deliberately lowered to his bare chest. "I wasn't talking about your swordsmanship."

  Styx shuddered at the fierce flare of excitement that raced through him. Her mere glance was enough to make him hard and aching.