Darkness Everlasting (Guardians of Eternity #3)(74)

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.