When Darkness Comes (Guardians of Eternity #1)(84)

Her eyes widened at the low words. "You think I would sacrifice you? For any reason?"

He gave an elegant lift of his shoulder. "To rid the world of evil? That seems a rather noble goal."

She stepped toward him and grasped the front of his silk shirt in an angry grasp.

If she could have, she would have given him a good shake. As it was, all she could do was wrinkle the beautiful material.

"Evil doesn't belong to demons, Dante. Humans are just as capable of sin as any creature."

The silver gaze never wavered. "Most would consider us monsters."

"No. Not all demons are monsters—no more than all humans are saints." She gave a faint shudder. "Besides, I would never agree to such a massacre. No matter how good the intention, it would be wrong. Evil."

There was a beat as if he was seeking to determine the depths of her determination. At last he gave a short nod.

"We need to get out of here."

Abby breathed a husky sigh. "Thank God."

Shifting to take her hand, Dante headed for the door only to come to an abrupt halt.

"Damn." He tugged her back toward the center of the room, not halting until they reached the low table that held the untouched tray.

"What is it?"

"Someone is approaching."

Her heart lodged in her throat as she watched him pick up the poisoned glass of blood.

"What are you doing?"

"Allowing Edra to believe she has been rid of one enemy." Moving so swiftly he was impossible to follow, he dumped the blood out the window and returned to her side. Then, startlingly, he stretched out on the bare floor. "If the witches believe me dead, then I will have a better way of seeking a means of escape."

Abby bit her lip. She didn't like this plan. Not when it might mean she would be separated from Dante.

"But won't Edra know?" she demanded.

He gave an arch of his brow. "That I'm not dead?"

'Yes."

"Abby,I am dead."

"Oh." She grimaced.

His beautiful features smoothed to somber lines. "Be careful, lover. I will get us out of here as swiftly as I can."

The footsteps were now close enough to be heard by her human ears.

"Make it very swiftly," she whispered.

Dante fell deep within himself. Unlike most humans, the ancient witch would need more than an unmoving corpse to convince her that he was dead.

Thankfully vampires could retreat far enough within themselves that only another vampire could sense the spark of life.

No spells or hocus-pocus would reveal the truth.

Reaching out with his senses, he monitored the steady approach of Edra and the feel of Abby as she bent beside him and touched his face. He could smell the sweet heat of her skin and beneath that the sharp scent of fear.

He battled every instinct not to reach out with his mind to comfort her. Even the smallest whiff of power would alert the witch.

The footsteps crossed the room, and Dante detected the scent of iron in the air. Odd. The woman must be carrying an amulet. And not the traditional wooden amulet.

This one was hard and dark and carried with it a feel of black shadows.

"My lady, is something wrong?" Edra cooed with false sympathy.

"Dear God, something has happened to Dante." There was no mistaking the fear in Abby's voice. Whether out of terror of being left to the clutches of the witch or because he did indeed appear remarkably dead was impossible to say. "You must help."

"Of course, I will call for a healer. Come with me."

Abby's hand tightened on his cheek. "I can't leave him here."

"You have a talent for treating the undead?"

"No, but—"

"Then we must seek out someone who does."

Her command was perfectly reasonable, and Dante felt Abby slowly rise to her feet.

'Very well."

It took every ounce of willpower he possessed to keep from leaping to his feet and halting Abby from her slow retreat.

He didn't want her to leave his side. To risk being alone with Edra.

But what choice did they have?

He couldn't directly attack the witch. Not as long as he remained bound to the Phoenix. And Abby was still fumbling to learn the powers she possessed.

All he could do was allow the coven to believe he was no longer a threat and wait for an opportunity to rescue Abby from their clutches.

After that… well.

He would deal with "after that" when it came along.

Forcing himself to wait and ensure that no one else was about to enter the room, Dante was distracted by the faint tap on the window.

Warily he allowed his senses to reach out. His lips twitched as he flowed to his feet and crossed the room to regard the vampire standing just outside.

"Viper."

"Napping on the job?" the silver-haired vampire demanded as he slipped through the open window.

Dante raised his brows in surprise as Viper smoothed his velvet coat and adjusted the ruffles of his cuffs.

"How did you come in?"

A sly smile touched the too-beautiful features. Reaching beneath his shirt, he pulled out a small leather bag that was attached by a leather strap about his neck.

"A gift from a voodoo priestess."