Darkness Everlasting (Guardians of Eternity #3)(48)

"You're speaking of the treaty between the Weres and vampires?"

"That, and, of course, Darcy's own safety."

"Ah." Viper grimaced. "Of course."

"What?"

"I don't suppose Darcy is very happy with you at the moment?"

It was Styx's turn to grimace. "She was less than pleased."

"You had better keep a close eye on her, old companion," Viper warned. "I sense that beneath her sweet smile lies a will of iron. If she decides to sneak away it will not be easy to stop her."

Styx closed his eyes as a surge of regret twisted his stomach.

"There is no fear of that."

"You're very certain of your charm."

"It is not my charm I'm certain of. I have taken measures to ensure she will do nothing rash." His cold tone revealed none of the unfamiliar emotions that were plaguing him.

"What sort of measures?" Viper gave a low hiss. "Styx? Did you alter her memories?"

Hell, he needn't sound so shocked. It was what vampires had been doing from the beginning of time.

"It was the only reasonable solution."

"Devil's balls." Viper gave a slow shake of his head. "You play a dangerous game."

"It is no game."

"No, it is not. It is one thing to enthrall a passing stranger; it is quite another to use your powers over a woman you have taken to your bed."

With stiff movements Styx gathered his cloak and slipped it over his shoulders. He needed no reminders that he had blatantly used Darcy's trust against her. Or that while she would have no memories of the previous evening, it would haunt him for an eternity.

"I have only done what was necessary."

He had reached the door when Viper's soft words reached him.

"Perhaps, but if Darcy discovers the truth there will be hell to pay."

Chapter Twelve

It was nearly midnight when Darcy awakened feeling oddly disoriented.

No, it was more than disoriented, she acknowledged as she showered and pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt.

There was a fuzzy thickness in her head, as if someone had packed it full of cotton.

Strange considering she couldn't be hungover. She didn't drink (rather ironic considering she was a bartender). And she didn't feel as if she was coming down with a nasty bug.

Could it be that the blood she had been donating to Styx was beginning to take its toll?

Troubled by the faint headache and niggling sense that all was not well, Darcy made her way downstairs.

No doubt a good meal and a breath of fresh air were all she needed.

And perhaps a vampire kiss or two.

The thought was enough to warm her blood and bring a weak smile to her lips as a familiar silent form slid from the shadows at the bottom of the stairs.

"Good evening, DeAngelo."

The demon performed a small bow that always managed to catch Darcy off guard. Even though vampires seemed to adapt to the vast changes they must endure over the centuries, they still retained a hint of old-world manners that were rarely displayed in this day and age.

"Lady Darcy."

Lady. She ran a rueful hand through her short, spiky hair. Not freaking likely.

"Have you seen Levet or Styx?"

Straightening, the demon regarded her from the depths of his cowl. "I believe they have traveled to Viper's."

A stab of disappointment raced through her before she could ruthlessly squelch it.

Jeez.

She really had tumbled into the realms of la-la land.

"Okay." She managed another weak smile. "Is dinner ready?"

"It is prepared and waiting for you in the kitchen."

"Great."

There was another elegant bow. "If there is anything else you need, you have only to tell me."

Darcy skirted the vampire and made her way to the kitchen.

The Ravens didn't frighten her, but they did occasionally make her feel a bit squirrelly. She wasn't used to having so many people around her, human or demon. At times she felt like a peculiar experiment being closely monitored by a herd of scientists.

Even when she couldn't see them, she could feel their gazes following her.

Of course, there were some benefits, she acknowledged as she entered the kitchen to discover a vegetable casserole waiting for her in the oven and a large bowl of fresh fruit already set on the table.

After filling her plate, she took her place at the table and prepared to enjoy the delicious dinner.

She had barely settled in her chair, however, when a wave of dizziness swept through her and she nearly tumbled to the floor.

What the heck?

Her hands lifted to press against her temple. Along with the dizziness there was the strangest sense of deja vu that was stabbing through her brain.

It made no sense. It was as if there was a memory trying to surface, but someone else's memory, not her own.

Trying not to panic at the uncomfortable sensations, Darcy sucked in a deep breath and battled to make some sense of the images.

There was something ... Levet, yes. The gargoyle was standing in the kitchen holding an envelope in his hands. And she was reaching for it...

What was in the envelope?

Pictures.

Pictures of herself. And someone else.