His teeth ground together. "You remain unbound."
"I could just walk away and you would still be mated to me?"
"Yes," he growled, his brows snapping together as she covered her face with her hands and he heard the unmistakable sound of laughter. "You find that amusing?"
Her hands slowly lowered, and Styx discovered his anger melting as he realized her cheeks were damp with tears. Damn.
"Well, even you have to admit that there's a certain irony in the situation," she said as she shakily reached for a tissue to dry her tears. "You were the one to take me captive and hold me against my will. Now it seems you are the captive."
"It does seem so indeed," he murmured, moving forward to stand directly before her. With deliberately slow motions, he reached up to cup her face in his hands, his thumbs gently tracing the lingering dampness on her cheeks. "What are you thinking"
She made no move to pull from his touch as she regarded him with an aching vulnerability.
"Did you know this was a possibility?"
Impulsively he leaned his forehead against her own, uncertain how to offer the comfort she needed.
"That you might be my true mate?"
"Yes."
His lips touched her brow. "I think I've known that it was a possibility from the moment I captured you. I have never been so... aware of a woman in my very long life."
She pulled back to regard him with a wry expression. "You mean you wanted me in your bed?"
"In my bed, on the floor, on the kitchen table, in the solarium ..."
She smacked his chest. "Styx."
His hands tightened on her face. How could she not feel the emotions that burned within him? How could she doubt for even a moment that his entire existence was now dedicated to her happiness?
"You have no need to ask such a ridiculous question, angel," he said with a fierce urgency. "You know quite well that you have plagued me far beyond the bedroom. There does not seem to be a moment when you are not in my thoughts, even when I wished it otherwise. You have become a necessary part of me."
A charming blush touched her pale cheeks and Styx smiled as her hands fluttered in confusion.
She would never entirely lose that sweet innocence he found so fascinating.
Drawing in a deep breath, she carefully considered her words. "You don't seem . . ."
"I don't seem what?" he prompted.
"Nearly as upset as you should be."
"I agree."
She hesitated at his ready response. "You do?"
"Of course. A vampire mates but once in his existence. It is a moment that binds his life with another for all eternity, and it is considered one of our most sacred ceremonies." His smile held an unconscious hint of longing. "Now I am mated to a woman who might very well walk away from me. At the very least I should be troubled."
"But you're not?"
"I can't deny that there's a part of me that desperately wishes to bind you to me, but beyond that there is a measure of. . ." Styx sought the name for the sensations that filled him. "Of peace."
"Styx..."
He pressed a finger to her lips. He could sense the panic that still simmered deep within her.
Not precisely flattering, but hardly unexpected.
"We will discuss this later," he said firmly, his finger absently outlining her full lips. "First, I wish to know what Salvatore said to you."
"How do you know..." she began only to cut off her words with a deep sigh. "Never mind."
"Will you tell me?"
She reached up to grab his hand, as if his light caress was distracting her. He hid a sudden smile. He liked the thought of distracting this woman. In fact, he intended to distract her a great deal more before this night was over.
"He said that the woman in the picture is my mother."
Styx studied her closely. "And you believed him?"
She stepped back, her expression defensive. "Styx, you've seen the picture. Even you have to admit we look too much alike for it to be a coincidence."
He swallowed the urge to argue. On occasion he did actually learn from his mistakes.
Miracles of miracles.
"I'm sure he must have told you more than the fact that the woman is your mother," he said instead.
Her eyes darkened. "He did."
"And?"
"He claims that my mother is a pureblood."
"No," he said more sharply than he intended. "He must be lying. You are no Were."
Her lips thinned at his tone. "Well, I'm certainly something besides human. You said yourself 1 must have demon blood."
"Demon blood, yes," he grudgingly conceded. "Not Were."
"Are you certain?"
Was he? Styx abruptly turned to pace across the tiled floor. In truth, he was baffled by the fact that he was unable to determine precisely what she was. But what he did know was that he couldn't allow himself to consider the possibility that she could be even part Were.
It had nothing to do with prejudice. Vampires could be arrogant with the best of them, but they often chose lovers of different species.
No, his reluctance came directly from his fear of losing this woman.
It was bad enough having to battle a long-lost mother returning to Dairy's life.
What chance would he have against the call of an entire pack?
Slowly he turned to meet her troubled gaze. "I cannot say exactly what you are, but I do know you are of an age at which you would have already begun to shift."
Her gaze dropped as she reached for the sweatshirt she had left on the counter. "Supposedly there is a reason that I have never .. . changed."
"Ridiculous." His hands clenched. By the gods, he should have killed Salvatore the moment he entered Chicago. "This has to be some sort of game."
"Maybe." Darcy pulled the sweatshirt on and gave it a sharp tug over her hips. "Whatever it is, I intend to discover the truth."
"Darcy ..." His futile words of warning were broken off as he turned toward the door.
She was swiftly at his side. "What is it?"
"Viper is approaching."
"Perhaps you should go and see what he wants."
He turned to brush a finger over her cheek. "We need to finish this conversation."
She smiled wryly before giving him a gentle push. "Go. I'll be here when you're done."
"You promise?"
Darcy rolled her eyes. "Just go."
Chapter Eighteen
With gliding steps, Styx left the bathroom and moved through the shadowed bedroom to open the door just as the silver-haired vampire arrived.
He stepped into the hallway but left the door open. No matter how foolish it might be, he didn't want any barriers between him and Darcy.
"Viper, unless the house is in flames I don't want to be interrupted," he said, with a warning frown.
"I must speak with you."
"Not now."
"You know I would not be here if it was not a matter of importance."
"I do not care if the world is coming to an end, I..."
He broke off with a hiss as Viper abruptly pushed past him to stand near the door, the dark eyes narrowing as he took a deep sniff of the air.
"Bloody hell. You mated her?" Viper growled. With a blur of speed, he slammed the door shut and moved to stand directly in front of Styx. "Have you lost your mind?"
Styx's smile held little humor. "I suppose it's possible."
"More than possible," Viper gritted. "You don't even know what the hell she is."
He grimaced, well aware his words were not about to reassure his companion.
"Actually, Salvatore has claimed that she is the daughter of a pureblood."
"She's a Were?" Expecting frank disbelief, Styx was caught off guard when Viper instead gave a slow nod of his head. "Shay did say that she smelled of wolf, although not even she was certain."
Styx frowned. Shay had suspected that Darcy was a Were?
Damn, damn, damn.
He resist
ed the urge to growl as he offered Viper a stern glare. "It no longer matters what she is."
"Devil's balls," his friend muttered. "It bloody well does matter."
"This is none of your concern. Viper."
"You are our Anasso. It is all of our concern."
With a deliberate ease, Styx allowed his power to fill the hallway. Viper was his friend, but he was in no mood to be lectured as if he were a fledgling demon.
"Do you wish to challenge me? Do you believe you belong in my place?"
The dark eyes narrowed. If push came to shove, both knew that Styx possessed the greater power, but the younger vampire was far from intimidated.
Viper was like any vampire.
He was too damn arrogant to be intimidated.
Not even when he should be.
"Don't be an ass, Styx," he snapped. "I wouldn't take your position if it was handed to me on a silver platter. But I can't stand aside and watch you endanger yourself with a female who is clearly tied to the Weres. What if she is a trap?"
"A trap?"
"There is nothing to say that Salvatore didn't deliberately lure you into believing they were hunting Darcy so you would capture her yourself."
Styx hissed softly, his expression hard with warning. "Why would they wish me to kidnap Darcy?"
"Perhaps she is simply a spy." Viper bravely—some might claim stupidly—refused to heed the danger that was swirling through the air. "Or more likely, she was sent to seduce you into lowering your guard and distracting you from the fact that the Weres are breaking their treaty. A trick that has been all too successful."
Styx gritted his teeth as he forced himself to step back. It had been centuries since he had struck out with mindless rage, but in this moment he couldn't be certain that it wasn't a possibility.
"You make no sense, Viper," he said with deliberate control. It was that or snapping and snarling. "One moment you are suggesting that I am not treating Darcy with the proper respect, and the next you are accusing her of being some devious siren designed to bring about the downfall of vampires."
"That is the point, Styx. We don't know enough about her to decide if she is friend or foe." Viper gave a frustrated shake of his head. "We certainly don't know enough for you to have made her your mate."
Enough was enough.
He had never wanted to take on the burdens of being the Anasso, but he was without question the leader of all vampires.
He did not have to explain or apologize for any decision he might make.
Especially when it came to his mate.
"We will speak no more of this. It is done and cannot be altered." There was no mistaking the command in his tone. "Now, why did you insist on interrupting me?"
For a moment Viper struggled with his own dominate nature. He was a clan chief and was accustomed to giving orders, not taking them.
At last he managed to overcome his instinct to continue the futile battle and gave a stiff nod of his head.
He would comply, but he didn't intend to be happy about it.
Styx could live with that.
"Desmond has arrived in Chicago demanding the return of his clansmen."
It took a moment for Styx to recall precisely who Viper was referring to. Of course, at the moment it was difficult to recall anything beyond his need to return to Darcy.
A dangerous realization.
At last he managed to dredge up the memory of the two desperate vampires who had so recently petitioned him for his protection.
Desmond had to be the clan chief whom they feared.
"He trespassed in your territory?" Styx demanded with a hint of surprise.
It was a death wish to enter the territory of another vampire without formal permission.
"He claims the right of Reparation since we are currently holding two of his people against their will."
"It is known that they came to petition me and are currently under my protection. To challenge you is to challenge me."
Viper shrugged. "I presume that was the point."
By the gods, there were times when he wouldn't wish the position of the Anasso on his worst enemies.
"What is the damage?"
"So far he's killed three hellhounds, an imp, and five Scibie demons." Viper grimaced. "Enough carnage to draw me out, but not enough to provoke an all-out clan war."
"No vampires?"
"Not yet, but it is only a matter of time. I must take care of this, but I would prefer to do so without having to kill the chief."
Styx resisted the urge to sigh. He knew what was coming and he wasn't going to like it.
"You desire me to go with you?"
"Yes." Viper gave a lift of his hands. "Of course, if you cannot. . ."
"I will go." Despite his reluctance, Styx understood he had no choice. It had been his decision to give protection to the two vampires. It was now his responsibility to confront the chief who came searching for them. "Allow me a few moments alone with Darcy."
Viper's expression hardened, but thankfully he resisted the urge to continue his arguments.
Smart, smart vampire.
"As you wish," he murmured, with a low bow. "I will await you downstairs."
Darcy was standing beside the window when she felt Styx move into the room. For a moment she continued to gaze into the thick darkness, silently savoring the cool rush of power that brushed over her skin.
She might be troubled by the thought of being mated to a vampire, but that didn't change the fierce passion she felt whenever he entered the room, or the strange sense of comfort that settled deep in her heart.
As if his mere presence was enough to complete her world.
Gripes.
Slowly turning, she wrapped her arms about her waist. She didn't know if the mating had made her more sensitive to Styx's mood, but she knew before even meeting the guarded black eyes that something was wrong.
"What has happened?"
He moved forward. Close enough to cup her cheek in his hand. His touch was gentle, but Darcy could feel the tense need that hummed through his body. He touched her as if he had to touch her.
"A clan chief has entered Viper's territory. He must be dealt with before he causes vampire blood to flow."
Her hand reached up to cover the fingers that pressed against her face.
"I don't like the sound of that." She frowned as her heart gave a sharp squeeze of fear. "Are you going to be in danger?"
He shrugged, seeming more interested in the shape of her lips than the fact that he was about to confront a dangerous vampire.
"Very little. Desmond merely needs to be reminded of the danger in flaunting our laws."
Her eyes narrowed at his nonchalant tone. "I still don't like the sound of that. What if this vampire doesn't want to be reminded of your laws? What if he decides to hurt you?"
"Viper will be with me. There are few things that can stand against the two of us." He paused as his gaze shifted to lock with hers. "You are concerned for me?"
Well, duh.
For all their disturbing perception, there were occasions when vampires could be incredibly dense.
"Of course I'm concerned. You may drive me nuts, but I would never want you to be hurt."
His expression softened. "Because you care?"
She stiffened at his soft words. Not because she objected to his accusation, but because it was so painfully true.
She cared so very, very much.
Still, she found herself ridiculously reluctant to confess the tangled emotions that clutched at her heart. They were too raw and tender to be dragged out and discussed.
At least for now.
Darcy lowered her gaze to hide her eyes behind the sweep of her lashes.
"I wouldn't want to see anyone hurt."
His fingers tightened on her cheek. "Can you not just say the words, angel? Can you not admit that you might care a little?"
"You know I care," she at last sighed.
"You don't sound happy about it.
Does it trouble you that I am a vampire?"
"Of course not." She lifted her gaze. "In fact, I'm glad you're not human. I've always known that I couldn't be with ... a normal man."
Styx blinked at her blunt confession before giving a reluctant chuckle.
"Have I just been insulted?"
An answering smile touched her lips. That hadn't come out precisely as she had intended.
"You know what I mean." Without thinking, she lifted her hand so her lingers could lightly stroke the strong line of his jaw. How could she not touch him? He felt so damn good. "I've spent years avoiding relationships because most people think I'm either crazy or an outright freak. I've never been able to just be myself. It's wonderful not to have to pretend to be something I'm not."
He turned his head to brush his lips over the palm of her hand. "You never have to pretend with me, angel. You are perfect in my eyes."
"Hardly perfect."
The dark eyes flashed. "If I think you are perfect, then you are perfect."
"And your word is law?"
"As a matter of fact, it is."
Unable to argue, she gave a roll of her eyes. "Such arrogance."
"Perhaps, but you are attempting to distract me, angel." His fingers tightened on her cheek. "I can feel what is in your heart. I can smell it on your skin. It scents the very air around you. Why can you not speak the words?"
Darcy struggled to put her reluctance into words. "Too much is happening too fast, Styx. I just need time to sort through it all."
The dark eyes flared with a fierce emotion as he struggled to regain the cool control that was so much a part of him.
A part that was absent more often than not when she was near.
Hmm. Was that a good or bad thing?
Abruptly recalling his raw passion and aching tenderness, she decided it was good.
Very good.
"You are right, but it is not easy," he growled, with a shake of his head. "Strange considering I have often planned and schemed for centuries without ever losing my patience. You make me feel as if I am a foundling once again."
"A foundling?"
"A vampire newly risen," he explained.
"Good grief." She resisted the urge to giggle as she tried to imagine this proud warrior as poor Oliver begging for a bowl of porridge. "You make it sound like you are no more than a helpless orphan."
Guardians of Eternity 03 - Darkness Everlasting Page 22