When Darkness Comes (Guardians of Eternity #1)(74)

A perfect means to spend the evening, he acknowledged with a cold smile.

He passed two more guards on his way to the inner sanctuary. On both occasions he killed with silent efficiency and moved forward without missing a step. The few demons he sensed were wise enough to scurry away before he could cross their paths.

With deadly speed he was at the entrance to the lowest chamber. He halted to carefully study the room before him.

It was a large room, but barren with a large brazier set in the center of the stone floor. Before the burning fire, a tall man knelt in obvious worship. The wizard. And in his hand he held a leather whip that he lashed against his own back in a steady rhythm.

Viper curled his lip in disdain.

He had encountered any number of humans who had willingly traded their souls to the dark lord. For power, for immortality, for their love of evil. They became willing servants who would sacrifice anything and anyone to please their vicious master.

Even themselves.

Pathetic creatures.

But dangerous, he reminded himself.

Very dangerous.

Despite the distance, he easily sensed the ancient force that radiated throughout the room. The sorcerer was obviously a favorite of the Prince and allowed to draw deeply upon his power.

It was little wonder he had proven to be such a nuisance to Dante.

Allowing his fangs to run out, Viper flexed his fingers and flowed into the shadows of the chamber.

"Fee Fie Foe Fum, I smell the blood of a… not

Englishman." He paused as he sniffed the air and gave a shudder. "Ah, a Saxon. A pity. The last Saxon I devoured made me ill for days. Filthy beast."

Scrambling to his feet, the wizard clutched the heavy medallion about his neck and scanned the room for the unexpected intruder.

A futile effort. Viper wouldn't be seen until he wanted to be seen.

"Cooper. Johnson." The man's voice held an unmistakable rasp as he called for his guards. Well, at least he was smart enough to be afraid. "Breckett."

"Dead, dead, and dead, I fear," Viper purred in cold tones.

The man gave a low growl as he backed close to the flames. "Show yourself, vampire."

"Later, perhaps. If you are very good."

"Coward."

Viper laughed as he drifted through the shadows. "I am intrigued. Why would an all-powerful wizard be hiding in these dark caves beating himself senseless? Are you the sort to delight in self-flagellation?" He paused as he easily read the dark, tangled thoughts that the wizard couldn't hide. "No, you prefer inflicting pain on others. It must be atonement for the dark lord."

"I have no business with you. Leave now and I will not try to halt you."

"But I have business with you."

"Do you think to challenge me?"

"No, I think to kill you."

"Fool." The wizard snarled. "You shall burn upon the Prince's altar."

"Actually, you shall be the one to burn. But not until we've had a little chat. Have a seat." Lifting his hand, Viper moved forward, forcing the wizard to his knees with the power of his glamour. He would not be capable of holding the man for any length of time. But he intended to have his questions answered before he took pleasure in the kill. "Now, tell me what you know of the witches."

Chapter 21

A shiver raced through Abby as she hovered close to Dante.

She seemed to be doing a lot of that lately.

Both the shivering and the hovering.

And standing in the dark wondering what the hell had happened to her life.

A week ago she would have already been in her cramped apartment tucked into her cramped bed.

She wouldn't have known about all the bad things that went bump in the night, or feared that she was about to become a roasted sacrifice for some nasty deity.

Her gaze slid upward to linger upon the tense, perfect profile of the vampire next to her.

Her heart gave a sudden jolt. She might have been safely tucked in her bed, but she would have been alone. And miserable.

Whatever happened, no matter how many beasts and demons and witches crossed her path, she would not regret the events that had led to this moment. Having Dante near her was worth any cost.

Even as the knowledge settled deep inside Abby, Dante stirred with a restless motion, and she sensed a surge of frustration ripple through him.

Her hand reached out to touch his arm.

"What do you sense?"

'The demon is near."

"How near?"

He flashed a wry smile. "Abby, I'm not a GPS. I can only say that she is close."

'Then the witches must be close."

'Yes."

Abby felt faintly nauseous. A sensation that was triggered each time she thought of the women who she had seen in her dream.

Women who would hold her life, as well as that of Dante, in their hands.

"Do we start searching houses?"

Dante angled his head and sniffed the air. She didn't know what he could smell, but he gave a sharp shake of his head.

"I don't want to blunder in blindly. I prefer to have some idea of what we're going to be facing."

"I could—"

"No."

Abby stiffened at his sharp tone. It wasn't that she particularly wanted to creep through the dark alone. Hell, she'd rather shove a fork in her eye. But she didn't take commands well. Never had, never would.