"Ah yes, and I have done such a brilliant job of protecting her," Styx said in a biting tone. "I might as well have tossed her into Salvatore's waiting arms."
"Very dramatic, but hardly accurate. You simply did what you thought was best."
"The best for me."
"And what you thought best for all vampires?" Viper demanded.
Styx gave an impatient wave of his hand. "Yes, of course."
"Then what do you have to feel guilty over?"
"Damn you, Viper—" Styx began, only to come to a halt as he caught the unmistakable scent of vampire. "Someone is near."
Viper sniffed the air before a smile touched his face. "Ah, Santiago."
"What is he doing here?"
"He happens to be the finest tracker I have ever known," Viper explained, with a sudden smile. "Santiago can find Darcy, no matter how far or fast she has run."
The neighborhood on the outskirts of Chicago couldn't have been more different from the narrow, dingy streets Darcy had just left behind.
It was amazing what a few miles and several million dollars could do.
Here the streets were wide and decorously hushed with vast homes hidden behind high gates and ancient trees.
There wasn't even a stray leaf to mar the perfection.
Yow.
Still, Darcy was on guard as she parked the sports car on the corner and made her way to the large tree where Levet had directed her to await Shay.
Despite the horror flicks, she had discovered that any number of demons preferred luxurious surroundings rather than dark, narrow alleys.
She wasn't going to be caught off guard.
Reaching the tree, she wrapped her arms about herself as the cold seemed to seep into her very bones.
Dang.
She would trade her soul for a hot bath.
"Darcy?"
The voice came from directly beside the tree, and Darcy moved into the shadows to discover Shay waiting for her.
"I'm here."
"Thank god." Astonishingly the half demon reached out to pull Darcy into a tight hug. "I've been so worried about you."
Feeling strangely awkward at the open display of affection, Darcy glanced down at her rumpled clothes with a faint grimace.
"Despite appearances, I'm fine."
"We can easily enough take care of that," Shay assured her.
"Why are we here?"
Shay tilted her head toward the sprawling mansion down the street.
"We're actually going there."
"Wow." Darcy gave a shaky laugh. "It looks like a palace. Who lives there?"
"It belongs to ..." Shay broke off before she heaved a heavy sigh. "Well, hell, I might as well be honest. It belongs to Dante and Abby."
Darcy rolled her eyes. Did demons invest in every neighborhood in Chicago?
"Let me guess, vampires?"
"Dante is," Shay confessed. "Abby, on the other hand, is a goddess."
Darcy sputtered at the ridiculous claim. A goddess living in the suburbs? A soccer goddess?
"Now you're just ranking my chain."
"Yanking ... ?" Shay gave a sudden laugh. "No, I'm afraid not, but I do promise you that Abby doesn't act like an all-powerful deity. In fact, I predict that you're going to love her."
"You're serious. A goddess?"
"More precisely she carries the spirit of the Phoenix, which is worshipped by many. She is known as the Chalice."
"Can this possibly get any weirder?" Darcy muttered.
Shay reached out to press a finger to her lips. "The one thing I've learned over the past few months is to never, ever say that. It's like waving a red flag in the face of fate."
Darcy couldn't argue with that. "No crap," she said on a sigh.
With an encouraging smile, Shay took her hand and tugged her deeper into the shadows.
"This way," she whispered.
"Why are we sneaking around?"
"There are always vampires keeping watch on the estate. They claim that they merely want to protect Dante and his wife, but the truth of the matter is that all demons want to keep track of Abby and the spirit she carries inside her."
"Why?" Darcy demanded in confusion. "Do they worship her?"
Shay gave a small snort. "Hardly. She's capable of burning them to a tiny pile of dust with a mere touch. It makes them anxious to know precisely where she might be at any given moment."
Good choice. That was a heck of a trick.
"And she's married to a vampire? Is he suicidal?"
"Dante is many things, including the usual traits of a vampire." Shay ticked off the traits on her fingers. "Arrogant, controlling, possessive, and annoying as hell, but not suicidal. Abby is usually capable of controlling her powers, although there has been a singeing or two."
Darcy couldn't help but envy the goddess. She would give a great deal to be able to singe a vampire or two as well.
That was a talent every woman needed.
Glancing toward the seemingly silent estate, Darcy futilely searched for some glimpse of the lurking vampires.
"If the place is being watched by vampires, then how do you expect to slip past them? God knows they can smell us a mile away."
"I've arranged for a small distraction." Shay smiled with a rather smug anticipation. "Just wait."
Darcy was about to point out the spectacular stupidity of hanging around waiting for the vampires to track them down when the silent night was abruptly shattered by a deep boom that rattled the windows and sent Darcy tumbling onto her frozen backside.
"Ouch," she muttered, forcing herself back to her feet. "What was that?"
"Levet."
"Did he set off a bomb?"
"No, that's what usually happens when he tries any sort of magic."
Darcy couldn't help but laugh. Somehow it didn't surprise her at all that the tiny gargoyle was prone to magical disasters.
"Something to remember."
"Exactly." Shay shifted around one of the towering oaks and then surprisingly reached down to pull a grate off what Darcy could only suspect was a tunnel. "Let's go."
"Through there?"
"Trust me," Shay murmured as she disappeared into the darkness. "And try to keep up. I'm not very fond of dark spaces, and I'd rather get this over with as quickly as possible."
Darcy followed behind, holding out her hands as the inky black swiftly consumed her. Blast. She didn't have a problem with tunnels, but she wasn't particularly fond of running headlong through the thick darkness at breakneck speed. With her luck, she was bound to run into a wall and knock herself senseless.
They traveled in near silence, Shay more silent than Darcy, until at last they left the tunnel and entered a large basement.
Darcy sighed in relief as toasty air wrapped about her. At the moment she didn't care if they were in the basement of hell itself as long as it was warm.
The thought had barely passed through her mind when the overhead lights were flipped on and a pretty, dark-haired woman with a stunning pair of light blue eyes moved forward.
"Abby." Shay moved forward to embrace the slender woman before waving a hand in Darcy's direction. "This is Darcy Smith."
"Darcy." With a charming smile, the woman moved forward to take Darcy's hand. "You are most welcome to my home."
Darcy felt a small tingle run through her at the woman's touch. A sense of power that was unmistakable.
She would remember not to piss the woman off.
"Thank you," she murmured, resisting the urge to shiver as Abby dropped her hand and turned toward Shay. "Dante's out searching for Darcy, so we might as well go upstairs, where we'll be more comfortable."
Shay gave a small grimace. "Actually, I need to go check on Levet. I hope to God he didn't manage to singe his wings again. I had to listen to his moans for a week the last time he did that."
Abby chuckled. "Bring him back here. I'll order from his favorite Greek restaurant. If anything will divert him from his complaining it is a seven-cours
e meal."
"Good thinking," Shay murmured as she headed for the nearby stairs. "Have that food ready."
The half demon rushed from the room and, feeling oddly strange to be left alone with a genuine goddess, Darcy awkwardly tried to brush the dust from her jeans.
"I'm assuming all vampire lairs have these tunnels?" she asked.
Abby gave a chuckle. "They're a little obsessive about having dark places to hide in. I suppose I can't blame them. They are rather flammable in sunlight."
A portion of her unease faded at Abby's casual manner. She seemed almost... normal.
Whatever the heck that meant.
"This way." Abby led the way to the stairs, and together they climbed toward the upper floors. Once in the wide hallway that could have held her entire apartment,
Darcy came to a sharp halt. With a sense of disbelief, she allowed her gaze to travel over the crystal chandelier, which cast a soft glow of light over the priceless paintings and ceramic-tiled floor.
Realizing her guest had halted to gape in wonderment, Abby slowed her steps and glanced over her shoulder. "Darcy? Is something wrong?"
Darcy gave a slow shake of her head. "I've never been in the house of a goddess before. It's incredibly beautiful."
Abby gave a small snort as she retraced her steps and linked her arm through Dairy's. With a small tug, she had Darcy moving toward another sweeping staircase.
"Well, this goddess would rather be living in a comfy apartment that's in dire need of a good dusting, and close enough to the mall that I can catch the scent of Prada handbags," Abby confessed, with one of those smiles that invited the world to join in her happiness. "Dante, on the other hand, prefers a more lavish style."
"What's it like?" The words left Darcy's lips before she could halt them.
"What's what like?" Abby demanded.
"Being married to a vampire?"
"Ah." The pretty features abruptly softened into a dreamy expression. It was the same expression that Darcy had noticed on Shay's face when she spoke of Viper. "I suppose it wouldn't be for every woman," Abby confessed. "Most vampires are prone to excessive arrogance and are way too fond of giving orders. And, of course, they have little experience in sharing their emotions. They need a great deal of training to become a proper mate."
Darcy gave a small laugh at the woman's teasing. "You could say that for all men."
"Yes, but vampires tend to take their faults to epic levels."
Darcy grimaced. "I know exactly what you mean."
Abby patted Darcy's hand. "On the other hand, they are extraordinarily sexy, and they possess an ability to make a woman feel like the most beautiful, most cherished woman in the world. And even better, once they are mated they are completely faithful and utterly devoted for the rest of eternity. I will never, ever have to fear that Dante will leave me for another."
Darcy gave a startled blink. "You're that certain?"
Abby halted before a closed door. "Yes, but not because I'm vain enough to think I'm irresistible." She gave a soft chuckle. "Just the opposite, in fact. But once a vampire is mated, he is incapable of desiring another woman. Dante will always love me as much as he did the night we became one."
Darcy experienced a queer pang in her heart.
A pang she at last realized was envy.
How would it feel to have such absolute confidence in a companion? To know beyond a doubt that he would always be at your side? That he would never stray, never waver in his affection, and never decide to abandon you for another?
For a woman who had never had such security in her life, it sounded just like heaven to Darcy.
"You're a very lucky woman," she said, with a wistful smile.
"Yes, I know." Abby tilted her head to one side. "Not that I want you to believe it's all been some sort of fairy tale. There might have been lust at first sight, but no love. To be honest, in the beginning most days I just wanted to punch Dante in the nose."
Darcy laughed. "I know the feeling all too well."
"Styx?" the woman gently probed.
"Yes." Darcy heaved a deep sigh. "There are moments when he can be the most tender, most thoughtful man I have ever met. And then the next thing I know, he's tossing around orders and using his vampire powers on me. He's very . . . aggravating.'
"A typical vampire, I fear."
She met the curious blue gaze squarely. "I need to know that I can trust him."
"Yes, you do. Until then, you are more than welcome to stay with me." Abby patted Darcy's arm before reaching out to push open the door. "These will be your rooms. There is a bathroom through the door on your left, and I have ordered a vegetarian dinner to be brought up. Why don't you have a nice soak and I'll bring you some clean clothes."
"Oh, yes," Darcy sighed. "That would be lovely."
"And don't worry," Abby said, with a smile. "While you're here you're perfectly safe."
Darcy smiled. "Shay was right."
"Oh?"
"She said I would like you very much, and I do."
Abby gave her a swift hug. "The feeling is entirely mutual, my dear. Now go enjoy your bath."
Chapter Sixteen
"Bloody hell." Styx turned to glare at the vampire standing at his side. "You're sure she's here?"
Santiago gave a respectful bow of his head. "Yes, master. The woman you seek is within the house."
"Damn."
With a chuckle designed to be annoying as possible, Viper clapped him roughly on the back.
"Look on the bright side, ancient one, you were worried that Darcy might be in danger. Now you've discovered she is in the safest place possible in all the world for her to be."
Styx gave a low hiss. Certainly he was relieved that Darcy was safe. Profoundly relieved.
And, of course, he was pleased that she was not in the company of the damn Weres.
Still, he wasn't a fool.
For all his power he was no match for a goddess.
If Abby desired to keep him from Darcy, then there wasn't a blasted thing he could do about it.
"What the devil was Dante thinking?" His cold glare shifted to the looming mansion. "He was supposed to be out searching for Darcy, not hiding her."
"I do not doubt that Dante is even now scouring the streets for your missing captive," Viper soothed. "This smells far more of Abby and my own dear mate."
Styx's hand closed around the medallion about his neck as he struggled to control the power that raced through him.
The urge to battle his way to Darcy's side was as dangerous as it was ridiculous.
It revealed just how difficult it was to control his unruly emotions.
"Why would they interfere in vampire business?" he demanded in a frozen tone.
"Because they are women." Viper gave a lift of his hands, his expression resigned. Not surprising. Discussing women tended to bring that expression to most men's faces. "They band together far more fiercely than any other creature and will tear a poor man to shreds if he dares to harm one."
"Not even Shay could imagine I intend to harm Darcy."
There was a silent beat before Viper carefully cleared his throat. "Master, you did kidnap Darcy with the sole intent of bartering her to the werewolves. You can't blame Shay for wondering what your intentions might be."
Styx's fangs flashed in the darkness. "Salvatore will never have her. Never."
"What of your plans to trade her—"
"I do not have to explain myself, Viper," Styx snapped, thankful for the first time for his position of the Anasso.
He didn't want to consider, let alone try to explain, his fierce refusal to contemplate handing over Darcy to the Weres. Not when it was bound to reveal a growing weakness within him.
Viper regarded him with a disturbing smile. "No, I suppose you don't."
Styx gave an impatient shake of his head. "I need to see Darcy."
"You will." Viper turned his gaze toward the house. "But first allow me to speak with Shay."
"Vi
per..."
"No, Styx." Viper turned to face Styx squarely. "If Abby is within, she can stop you from entering—you know that. It is best we try to accomplish this with a minimum of bloodshed. Especially if that bloodshed happens to be my own."
At the moment, Styx could care less about how much bloodshed was needed, or even who would have to shed it.
He had to see his angel.
And he had to see her now.
"I will have Darcy," he swore in a low tone.
"Great. This should be fun." Squaring his shoulders, Viper began walking down the street. "Come on."
As Darcy had soaked in her bubble bath, she had been blithely unaware of the battle that had raged below.
Thank God, since she would have been deeply distressed by the raised voices, the accusations, and occasional threats that burned the air.
Of course, it might have been nice to have had a bit of warning that Styx was making his way through the house like a natural disaster before coming out of the bathroom and simply discovering him pacing the bedroom floor.
"Cripes," she muttered, eyeing the nearby door and judging whether or not she could make a dash for it.
Easily following the direction of her thoughts, Styx smoothly stepped between her and the door, his expression tight with an unreadable emotion.
"Wait, Darcy. Please don't run from me," he said softly, his gaze trained hungrily on her pale face. "1 just wish to talk."
It wasn't Styx's request that halted her flight. After all, she was still royally ticked at him. Walking out seemed just about right.
But with nothing between her and damp nakedness except a small towel, it seemed wiser to remain in her rooms. No doubt Styx had brought the entire vampire nation with him. She preferred to keep her private parts private.
Besides, if she stayed she could glare at him to her heart's content.
Something she had been longing to do for hours.
"Did Shay tell you I was here?" she demanded.
"No, your conspirators were very determined to keep me from you." His eyes held a lingering hint of annoyance. Good, she told herself. She hoped that Shay had made him jump through hoops and dance a jig before allowing him upstairs. "Thankfully, I was far more determined to get to you."
Guardians of Eternity 03 - Darkness Everlasting Page 19