When Darkness Comes (Guardians of Eternity #1)(44)

"She doesn't look all that dangerous," the woman scoffed.

The man shot her a condemning glance. "Because, like most, you see only with your eyes, Kayla. A weakness that I have warned you of more than once."

"It hardly matters. She'll soon enough be dead."

Abby didn't like the woman's flippant tone. She made it sound as if they were taking out the trash rather than committing cold-blooded murder. With a flare of anger, she wondered if she could fry the bitch like she had those zombies.

"Yes, soon." The hairless stranger glanced toward the burning fire. "The summoning of the dark lord has begun."

"Shall I call for Amil and the vampire?"

Dante. Abby briefly closed her eyes as relief surged through her. He was near. And any moment he was going to charge through the door to kick some serious ass.

Unaware of his danger, the man allowed a peculiar smile to tug at his lips.

"Not just yet. I am waiting for the appropriate moment to… reward my loyal acolyte."

Something in the oily tone caught Abby's attention, stirring the hairs on the nape of her neck. The young woman, however, merely smiled.

"You have honored me by requesting my presence."

"I assure you that your presence is essential."

The dark eyes smoldered with a hectic fire. "We shall be blessed above all others."

"Yes, indeed."

There was a sound across the chamber, and Abby shifted her gaze to discover two shadowed forms standing near the corner. They were shrouded from head to foot in heavy robes. No doubt a good thing. Abby didn't hope for a moment they were actually human.

The woman seemed no more impressed than Abby, and her lips curled as she waved a hand toward the silent witnesses.

"Shouldn't you be sending away those… pests? You surely don't want them around when his lordship returns?"

"They are essential as well."

"Why?"

'You will discover soon enough."

The woman gave a harsh sound of annoyance. "I hate this waiting."

"Patience possesses its own rewards." Still studying Abby, the man seemed to stiffen, his head swiveling toward an opening near the servants.

The woman frowned. "What is it, master?"

"I sense a… disturbance. Return to Amil."

"Now? What if the Pr—"

A cold chill abruptly filled the air. "I said return to Amil."

Both Abby and the strange female blanched at the frozen edge in his voice. It was the voice of a man who would kill without thought or hesitation.

"Of course," she babbled as she gave a deep bow and hurried from the room.

Seemingly having forgotten Abby for the moment, the man studied the flickering flames.

"Nothing can stop me. Not now."

Chapter 13

Dante was waiting for the woman. She passed his shadowed form without noticing, and then it was far too late as he swiftly moved to sink his teeth deep into her throat. He was incapable of drinking human blood, thanks to the witches, but it didn't halt him from ripping out her throat.

Without even glancing down, he dropped her lifeless form to the ground and returned to the shadows to watch his arrogant partner in crime stride into the large chamber before them.

It had been child's play to convince Amil to release him from his chains. Evil always turned on itself, and the ambitious pup wasn't entirely stupid. He knew quite well his master wouldn't hesitate to feed him to the coming Prince. It was precisely what he would do given the chance.

And thankfully his puffed-up pride made him believe he could control a mere vampire.

A mistake Dante was quite willing to encourage. At least as long as he dutifully distracted the mysterious master and allowed Dante to slip away with Abby undeterred.

Should he stand in the way, Dante would ensure he made an early trip to hell.

Moving with a silence no human could match, Dante slipped behind Amil as he crossed to stand before a thin, older man draped in heavy robes. The master. Dante narrowed his gaze as he sensed the power that shimmered about the wizard.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

Dante slipped deep into the shadows that surrounded the cavern. He had no desire to confront the magician directly. Not when there was a danger he might be killed before freeing Abby.

The thought of Abby made his gaze instinctively move to where she was tied to the post. He had deliberately avoided regarding her too closely. It was enough to know she was alive and seemingly unharmed. To dwell upon her obvious distress would only distract him at a time when he desperately needed to keep his mind focused.

Clenching his teeth with a cold fury, he continued through the shadows, moving toward the two robed servants who stood only a few feet away.

Across the chamber, Amil at last confronted the dark wizard. "Master."

An icy tingle of power scoured the air, making even Dante shiver.

"Why are you here?" he charged. "Where is Kayla?"

Too stupid or too arrogant to realize just how overmatched he was, the younger wizard gave a low chuckle.

"The last I saw, she was being ripped into shreds by a very angry vampire."

There was a furious pause. 'You allowed the beast to escape?"

"In a manner of speaking," Amil drawled.