When Darkness Comes (Guardians of Eternity #1)(69)

He tugged her closer. It was a lesson she needed to learn for herself. But it had been hell standing back and allowing her to discover her strength.

He would rather be staked than go through that again.

"A powerful woman. I like it." His lips skated over her temple. "Sexy."

"Is there anything you don't find sexy?"

"What can I say? Vampires are insatiable."

"His grand exit. He called upon the Prince."

Viper shrugged. "It's only a matter of time."

"He's proving to be a pain in the ass."

"Aren't all wizards?"

"I did manage to injure him. You should be able to follow the scent of his blood."

A beat passed as Viper slid his gaze to the silent Abby. "You aren't in a hurry to be rid of me, are you, Dante?"

He was, of course. He was possessive enough to resent the manner in which Viper watched Abby.

"I have my own trail to follow."

As if sensing Dante's prickling unease, Viper deliberately strolled toward Abby and lightly touched her hair.

"And games to play, eh?" He stilled, lowering his head to sniff at her neck before reaching to grasp her arm and turn it upward. "What is this?"

Never one to be manhandled by anyone, Abby was struggling against the vampire's hold.

"Hey. What are you doing?"

Viper's startled gaze cut toward Dante. "You mated her? Well, well. Congratulations."

Belatedly noticing what had captured Viper's attention, Abby regarded the intricate red scrolling that now tattooed the length of her inner forearm.

"Holy crap. What is that?"

Viper gave a short laugh. "She doesn't know?"

Abby stabbed him with a wide gaze. "Dante?"

Dante briefly considered the pleasure of tying Viper around the tree like a pretty bow.

"I did tell you that when you took my blood, we would be mated," he reminded Abby.

She appeared far from appeased. "You didn't tell me that I was going to look like a biker babe from hell. Will it go away?"

"No."

"What does it mean?"

Dante opened his mouth, but Viper was quicker.

"That you have been branded. No other vampire may have you now."

Dante closed his eyes, perfectly prepared as he heard Abby suck in a deep breath.

He might not know a great deal about human women, but he did know they possessed a fierce dislike for being treated as property.

"Branded? You branded me?"

"For all eternity," Viper added in smooth tones.

Dante gave a low growl. "You are not helping, Viper."

Viper blinked with mock innocence. "Ah, you wanted me to lie to her? You should have given me some signal."

"Go." There was no mistaking the threat in his tone. "Go kill a wizard."

Viper's expression was suddenly somber as he moved to lay a hand on Dante's shoulder.

"Be careful. The Prince is calling on his minions. The town is crawling with demons. Most of them in a nasty temper."

Dante gave a small nod and watched Viper disappear into the shadows. Only when they were alone did he cautiously approach Abby and gently take her hand.

"Abby, it won't hurt you." His fingers ran over the scrolling mark. The demon inside him howled in triumph at the symbol of ownership, but he was wise enough to keep his expression sympathetic. "It's… like a wedding ring. A symbol of my love for you."

"A wedding ring can be removed. I'm marked forever."

Dante didn't need her blood to sense the tension that hummed about her stiff body. A frown tugged at his brows.

"Abby? This isn't about the brand, is it?"

She shivered as she forced herself to meet his searching gaze. "It didn't seem real until now. It's frightening."

"Me?"

"No, of course not. It's just that I never thought about spending my life with someone. After my parents' marriage…"

At last realizing the source of her sudden bout of nerves, Dante put an arm about her shoulder and pulled her close.

He hoped her father was burning in hell.

"We aren't your parents," he murmured softly. "I could never hurt you. Never."

She pressed her face into his chest. "I don't know how to be a mate. I've been alone all my life."

"Is that what you want? To be alone?"

He felt the shudder that raced through her. "No, but what if I disappoint you?"

Dante touched his lips to the top of her head. "Do you love me?"

'Yes, I love you."

"Then that's all that matters."

She pulled back, her face pale in the moonlight. "What if it's not enough?"

His hand cupped her neck. "The brand isn't a prison sentence, Abby. There is nothing to keep you from walking away whenever you want."

"And what about you?" she demanded. "What does the brand mean to you?"

He hesitated a moment before confessing the truth. "You are my mate. There will never be another."

His soft words seemed to catch her off guard. Then amazingly he felt the tension begin to ease from her body, and a rueful expression settled on her face.