When Darkness Comes (Guardians of Eternity #1)(79)

The wind was sucked efficiently from her sails.

She searched his hard features. "You will die because I'm your mate?"

"Because you're the reason I exist."

"Oh." Abby set back on her heels, stunned by the stark beauty of his words.

It was hard to remain all prickly and independent when he was making her heart melt.

Damn him.

"Dante—"

His finger touched her lips to halt her stumbling words, his head turning toward the unkempt yard that surrounded the house.

"Someone is approaching," he whispered directly in her ear.

Her fingers tightened on his arm as a sharp fear pierced her heart. This was why she was here, of course, but that didn't ease the chill that clutched at her stomach.

These women were not the local garden club. They weren't going to invite her in for crumpets and tea.

They were powerful witches who could chain a vampire with their spell and control an ancient spirit that kept the world safe from demons.

She would be a fool to underestimate them.

Ignoring the weakness in her knees, Abby forced herself upright. If nothing else, she would face whatever was coming on her feet. She didn't hear Dante move, but she knew he was standing directly behind her.

Within moments, a thin, narrow-faced woman appeared from the shadows. Halting before Abby, she astonishingly bent in a deep bow.

"My lady, you have arrived at last," she stated the obvious in somber tones.

Abby glanced at Dante over her shoulder. "My lady?"

"Selena never got over being a noblewoman. Obviously you inherited her title."

"I wish that was all I inherited," she muttered.

The witch cleared her throat, blatantly ignoring the vampire who stood only a handful of steps away.

"If you will you come with me, my lady? The mistress is waiting for you."

My lady? Mistress?

The woman must have spent her summers working at the local Renaissance Fair.

Abby squared her shoulders. "Only if Dante is invited as well."

The thin face briefly hardened with distaste. "Of course. The protector must accompany the Chalice. This way."

Turning, the woman headed back toward the dark house. So this was it. Abby pressed a hand to her quivering stomach.

Without a sound, Dante was standing directly before her. 'You're ready?" he demanded.

For a moment she allowed her gaze to rest upon his impossibly beautiful features. Surely nothing horrible could happen as long as he was near?

"As ready as I can be," she retorted with a grimace.

"Don't let down your guard," he warned. "And stay close tome."

"I think I'm going to throw up."

He took a deliberate step backward. Then that staying-close thing was more of a metaphor."

Grudgingly her lips twitched at his teasing. She knew he was attempting to ease the terrible tension that clutched at her.

"Love is supposed to be for better or worse."

He lifted his brows. "Love only goes so far."

"Thanks."

His hands framed her face with gentle care. "You can do this, lover."

Sucking in a deep breath, Abby gave a slow nod of her head. "Yes."

The silver eyes flared. "Then let's go make you human again."

Viper carefully adjusted his lace cuffs before returning his attention to the wizard huddled in the corner. The smell of blood was thick in the air. The wizard might be ancient, but he bled like any human when his head connected with the stone wall.

Unfortunately, despite the delicious scent, he felt no urge to drain the pathetic creature. The wizard's worship of the dark lord made his blood as tainted as his black soul.

Viper gave a flick of his hand as the wizard attempted a feeble ensnaring spell. The man had already been weak from his encounter with Dante. And oddly his few attempts to call upon his darker powers had been unsuccessful. Viper could only presume the Prince was not pleased with his disciple.

He had been no match for an ancient vampire.

"I think what we have here is a failure to communicate," Viper mocked as he regarded the pasty features.

"Go to hell," the wizard croaked.

"Eventually, no doubt." Viper heaved a sigh. "I did hope to do this without undue violence. This is, after aft, my favorite jacket, and getting brain tissue out of velvet is a bitch. Still, the pleasure of killing will be worth the effort."

The once-proud man cringed in fear. "You're a vampire. Why do you care what happens to the witches?"

"Oh, I have no love for the hags. They can rot in hell for all I care. My only interest is for the welfare of my clansman. You seriously miscalculated when you attacked Dante."

"He is a pawn of the she-devils."

"Wrong answer." Faster than the mortal eye could folow, Viper slashed a deep cut in the man's cheek.

The wizard cried out, his eyes wide with terror. "If you kill me, then you will die."

"You beleve your god will avenge the death of a pathetic sycophant like you?" Viper curled his lips into a sneer. "He's more likely to send me a fruit basket."

The man held up a hand of surrender. "You must listen. It's the witches."

"What about them?"