Embrace the Darkness (18 page)

Then firmly she was pulling away.

No. She was no weakling to have to cling to another.

Jeez. The day she became so spineless she would toss herself from the nearest bridge.

“Yes we do.” Her chin tilted. “At some point we have to go in. It might as well be now.”

He studied her for a long beat, as if he could sense her pulling back behind her shields of protection.

At last he offered a wry smile and moved toward the store. Ripping apart the iron grating he pushed open the bolted door with obvious ease.

Show off.

“After you.”

“Boy, having a vampire around can be handy,” Shay murmured as she swept past him.

Without warning his hand shot out to grasp her arm. He bent close to her ear.

“Pet, if only you would allow me, I could take handy to a whole new level.”

Her stomach clenched and she hastily dodged into the darkened shop with far more haste than grace.
Okay. Don't tease dangerous vampires in the future
.

Halting in the center of the uneven floorboards she glanced around with a wrinkle of her nose. The interior was narrow with several shelves still loaded with crumbling books and a collection of strange objects that were impossible to recognize beneath the layers of dust and spider webs.

Toward the far wall there was a long counter with a handful of stools, and behind it another shelf with ceramic pots that looked oddly sinister in the shadowed light.

Or maybe it was just the fact she had learned to distrust those tiny pots, she acknowledged with a tiny shiver. Being at the mercy of witches could do that to a girl.

“It looks like it's been abandoned for years.”

Viper stopped at her side. “Yes.”

She gave a faint shake of her head. “Why would the mark lead me here?”

“I'm not certain.” A frown touched his brow. “Perhaps we should look around. There might be something here to assist us.”

Shay swallowed a sigh. She had no desire to poke around the dingy shop. Not only was it filthy, but it made an odd chill prickle over her skin. There were memories here. Memories of her father when he was still alive. Memories she didn't want stirred among the mold and decay of this place. Unfortunately, Viper was right. The pain in her shoulder had led her directly here. There must be something.

Now if she just knew what that vague something was.

Moving toward the shelves she skimmed her fingers over the forlorn books. Nothing there but the usual children's classics and a few philosophers. Not a curse book among them. She shifted to the lumps of odd shapes that consumed the nearby shelves. Her hand reached for something that looked to be a crystal ball only to step back with a muffled scream.

As fast as a strike of lightning Viper was at her side, his hands grasping her shoulders in concern.

“What is it? What happened?”

She swallowed hard as she battled back a shudder of disgust. “A spider.”

A beat passed. “A spider?”

“Don't mock, I hate spiders. They're creepy.”

The full lips twitched. “Oh yes, very creepy.”

She stepped back with a huff. It had been a huge spider. And hairy. Who wouldn't have screamed?

“Fine. Just go back to doing what you were doing,” she muttered.

He leaned against the shelves, folding his arms over his chest. “Why don't you tell me what you remember of this place?”

She hesitated, her gaze unwillingly straying toward the distant counter. The stir of ghosts brushed over her skin.

“Not much. I remember sitting at that counter and reading books while my father would talk to the woman who owned the store.” Her expression softened. She could almost feel the warm, strong touch of her father's hands as he would lift her onto one of the high stools. “Books in that time were far more rare, and each one was a treasure to me.”

“Did you ever speak to the woman?”

Shay had the misty recollection of a round face and kindly smile. “She would sometimes give me candy, but I don't remember any specific conversation.”

Viper gave a pointed glance toward the ceramic pots. “Could she have been a witch?”

“It's possible.” Shay struggled to dredge up the past she had buried so long ago. “She never seemed to question how…different my father or I was. And there were always customers coming in to purchase those small pots. At the time I just thought they were pretty bits of clay.”

“Potions,” he muttered, moving toward the counter with cautious steps.

“That would be my guess.”

“Hmmm…”

With a frown, Shay watched as the vampire pushed aside the various pots and began rapping on the wall behind them.

“What are you doing?”

Without turning around Viper continued his strange taps on the wall as he moved down the wall.

“If she was a witch she would have a secure room to perform her spells. A place where she could establish a stable circle and ensure she wouldn't be disturbed.” He paused and rapped several times in the same spot. “Ah.”

“Viper?”

He ignored her for a long moment. Long enough for her to consider tossing a book at the back of his head. Then, doing something with a small plaque set in the wall, he abruptly turned to flash a smug smile.

“Here it is.”

Moving forward Shay realized that a portion of the shelves had slid open to reveal a narrow flight of steps.

“Oh my God.”

“Shall we have a look?”

She swallowed before giving a reluctant nod of her head. She would go, but she intended to wait for Viper to take the lead on this occasion. There was a decidedly nasty stench wafting from the lower darkness. She had no desire to step into whatever it was making that smell.

They moved in silence. Well, Viper moved in silence. Shay was not blessed with the same night vision, and managed to stumble on a half dozen occasions before they reached the bottom of the stairs.

Thankfully for the safety of her neck Viper managed to discover a switch that turned on a single bulb hanging from the rafters above. Shay blinked as her eyes adjusted and then she froze in shock.

“Viper…”

His hand reached out to grasp hers, his cool touch offering a sense of security that allowed her to breathe again.

“The cave,” he murmured, his gaze skimming over the roughly carved dirt walls and the circle clearly chiseled into the floor. “This is where you were cursed.”

“Yes. I remember the markings.” She gave a shiver. “This is the place.”

“So where is the witch?” he murmured.

Taking back her hand Shay forced her feet to carry her toward the circle. The memories were still hazy, but she was absolutely certain that this was the place where she had been taken and given the mark.

Unconsciously, her hand reached out. She wasn't sure what she was reaching for until the tips of her fingers touched the invisible wall of power that surrounded the circle. She gave a faint gasp as the air seemed to shiver, and then without warning, the ground beneath her feet began to shift and she fell to her knees. The spell that had surrounded the circle was broken and suddenly she could see the pile of bones that had been hidden behind the clever shield.

Bones that were unmistakably human.

“I think I found her,” she choked in horror.

Viper approached with understandable caution, his gaze trained on the skeleton. “If this is the witch, she's been dead for a considerable length of time.”

Shay licked her dry lips, edging forward to get a better look at the gruesome pile. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of the knife that remained caught between two rib bones.

“Murdered.”

“Yes.”

She glanced up as Viper bent next to her in the center of the circle. “It was Evor.”

His face showed surprise. “Are you certain?”

“He has a blade that matches this one exactly. I would recognize it anywhere.”

Reaching out he grasped the knife and pulled it free. “That would explain how he managed to take command of your curse.”

Her stomach cramped as she thought of the hideous little troll who had made her life a misery. She certainly wouldn't put cold-blooded murder past Evor. It was practically a hobby with him. But she still had far too many questions unanswered.

“It makes no sense.”

“What?”

She gave a restless shrug. “When I was young the mark on my back was just a nuisance. I didn't even know it was a curse until Evor used the binding to force me to him. If the witch was the one who placed the curse on me why didn't she ever allow me to sense the bond?” She pointed toward the bones. “And why didn't I die when she did?”

Viper absently studied the dagger in his hand. “The only explanation would be that Evor managed to force the witch to hand over the curse before he killed her. As to why she never used the mark…I do not know.”

“Crap.” Shay heaved a sigh. “Now what?”

He rose to his feet and glanced about the cramped cellar.

“Dawn is approaching. Unless I am to be trapped here, I must return to Dante's. We can return tomorrow night if you wish.”

She grimaced as she began to rise to her feet. She paused as her gaze caught sight of a small box nearly hidden beneath the skeleton.

“What's that?”

“Shay…” Viper barked as she reached out to dig the box free.

“I know, I know, don't be stupid,” she muttered.

“Touching things that we know once belonged to a witch would come under the category of stupid. There might very well be a trap awaiting an unwary touch.”

She flashed him an exasperated glance. “We can't leave it behind. It might have something inside it that will help us.”

“Fine.” Reaching down he hauled her to her feet, his expression set in hard lines. “But if you try to open that before we're certain it's safe I'll…”

She narrowed her gaze. “You'll what?”

His expression remained grim but there was a definite hint of amusement deep in his eyes.

“When I conceive of something hideous enough I'll let you know.”

Viper had been expecting the soft footsteps that crept by his door. He smiled as he slipped on his heavy robe and pulled his hair back with a gold clip. They had returned to Dante's a little over two hours before, but he didn't for a moment expect Shay to meekly crawl into bed and go to sleep.

That would be entirely too sensible.

And while Shay was many wonderful things, sensible was not among them.

Giving her plenty of time to achieve her goal, Viper silently slipped from his room and made his way to the library. He had no fear of encountering anyone else. Dante and Abby were comfortably tucked in their marriage bed, while Levet—who had been sent for earlier—had turned to stone with the crack of dawn. He and Shay were for all intents and purposes alone in the sprawling mansion.

A knowledge that made his blood stir with an excitement that was as dangerous as it was potent.

Entering the library he watched as Shay picked up the witch's box and studied it with a frown. His entire body clenched at the sight of her dressed in nothing more than a thin gown that revealed the slender length of her legs, and hinted nicely at the curves beneath the silk. It was a pity her beautiful hair was in its familiar braid, but on the upside it exposed the vulnerable curve of her neck.

His fangs lengthened and his body hardened.

Damn.

A part of him knew he should return to his chambers. She had stirred his hunger to a fever pitch only a few hours before and his control was dubious at best. A larger part of him, however, knew there was no way in hell he was walking away. They had unfinished business that he had every intention of finishing.

To both their satisfaction.

Moving until he stood directly behind Shay he trailed a finger down the line of her neck.

“Running away, pet?”

There was a sharp squeal as Shay dropped the box back on the desk and whirled to confront him.

“Shit.” She gave a sharp tug on her braid as an unmistakable blush crawled beneath her skin. “Don't sneak up on me like that.”

He allowed his gaze to sweep over the deep plunge of her neckline. “How would you like me to sneak up on you?”

“Don't sneak at all.”

“I didn't realize I was doing so. Should I stomp my feet before approaching you?”

She flashed a sour frown as she folded her arms over her chest. Clearly she didn't appreciate getting caught snooping where she didn't belong.

“You could tie a cowbell around your neck.”

“A cowbell? Hardly the fashion statement I was looking for.” He smiled as his hand smoothed over the rich fabric of his robe. “What are you doing?”

“I…I was getting a glass of water.”

“In the library?”

“I always read before I go to bed. Not that it's any of your business.”

“Liar.” He stepped even closer, his fingers brushing down her bare arms. “You were trying to open the box.”

He felt the fine shiver that raced through her body even as she mustered a dark glare.

“Shouldn't you be in your coffin?”

“An excellent point, my dear. I most certainly should be in my coffin, just as you should be in your bed.”

With a movement too swift for her to avoid, Viper had Shay scooped off her feet and cradled close to his chest. Turning on his heel he headed toward the door, ignoring her struggles as he left the library.

“Viper.” She hit him hard enough that if he had been human it might have broken a rib. As it was it merely brought a small smile to his lips. She growled deep in her throat. “Damn you, put me down.”

He gave a click of his tongue. “Really, such language from a lady, pet.”

“I'm not a lady, I'm a demon.”

Viper moved swiftly through the silent house, anxious to be behind locked doors.

“And a beautiful demon you are,” he murmured, turning down the hall and entering one of the numerous vampire-secure rooms that Dante had had the foresight to construct in the mansion.

Crossing the thick white carpeting that nicely contrasted with the black and silver décor he dropped his delicious burden in the center of the vast bed.

“There. Are you satisfied?”

Sprawled on the black silk sheets she struggled to sit up. “No.”

“Ah.” A smile curved his lips as he smoothly lowered himself to cover her body with his own. “Are you satisfied now?”

Her skin glowed with a bronzed perfection and her wide eyes glittered with pure gold in the flickering candlelight. Viper stilled in wonderment. He had never seen anything so beautiful in his entire existence.

She was perfect. A vision from his dreams that he could not quite believe was real.

Keeping her firmly trapped beneath him, Viper reached for the offensive braid and began to loosen the silken curls. He wanted to see her hair spread across the pillows. More than that he wanted to have that satin curtain tangled about them as they made hot, sweaty love.

No doubt sensing the sudden heat in the air, she regarded him with wary eyes.

“What are you doing?”

His fingers never hesitated as he tugged her hair loose. “I did warn you that I would punish you if I caught you attempting to open the box.”

“I was only looking at it.”

He flashed a smile. “I have something far more interesting for you to look at.”

As expected a lovely blush stained her cheeks. “Says you,” she muttered.

He lifted a strand of hair to deeply inhale her delicate scent. “You seemed to find me interesting enough a few hours ago.”

“I was traumatized by my battle with the Lu. I wasn't thinking clearly.”

“Traumatized?”

“Yes.”

Viper skimmed her lips in a light kiss.

“And now?”

“Now?”

He chuckled softly. “Are you traumatized now?”

The golden eyes darkened with unmistakable desire. “I must be.”

“Why? Because you want me?”

“Yes.”

Any hope of retreat was lost as Viper cupped her face in his hands and lowered his head.

Hell, any hope of retreat was lost the moment he had first laid eyes on the Shalott.

“Moonlight silk,” he murmured as he caught her lower lip between his teeth. “It is no wonder I am bewitched.”

“Bewitched?” Her lips moved against his as she spoke. “I thought you didn't like magic?”

He gently outlined her mouth with his tongue. “I like this magic. I like it very, very much.”

“Viper…”

Her hands lifted as if she would push him away and Viper stifled a curse. Dammit all. It didn't take a thousand years of experience to know that she wanted him. Truly and utterly wanted him. He could feel her desire like a tangible force in the air.

Why the hell did she continue to fight him?

He prepared himself for her rejection, but astonishingly her hands hesitated and then ever so slowly, slipped beneath his robe to smooth over the tense muscles of his chest. If he had a beating heart it would have halted beating.

The touch was light, hesitant. But it was enough to send a jolt of sizzling need through his body.

“Yes,” he whispered as he captured her mouth in a kiss that was no longer teasing.

Drinking deeply of her sweetness he at least possessed the sense not to nick her with his fangs. He was consumed enough with physical lust. He wasn't certain what would happen if bloodlust was tossed into the mix.

He might self-combust on the spot.

Impatiently tugging off his robe, Viper tangled his fingers in the silk of her hair and pressed hungry kisses over the line of her cheek. He wanted to feel the heat of her warming his skin. To wrap himself in her smoldering life.

He nipped at the lobe of her ear, murmuring soft endearments in an ancient Slavic tongue as he shifted to tug at the hem of her gown.

“Shay, I need to feel you next to me,” he muttered. “I want your skin against my own.”

“What are we doing?” she whispered, as he peeled the gown over her head and tossed it onto the floor.

He regarded her with amusement as he allowed his hands to freely explore the slender curves. “If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm doing something wrong.”

She sucked in a sharp gasp as his fingers cupped her breast and his thumb gently teased her nipple to a tight bud.

“This is insanity.”

“I can't think of a more pleasant madness,” Viper murmured as he dipped his head down to close his lips around the tip of her nipple.

Shay moaned as she clutched at his shoulders, her body instinctively arching in silent invitation.

Viper used his teeth and tongue to pleasure her sensitive flesh, his hands clamping on her hips to keep her from rubbing against his straining erection.

He wanted this to last.

A task that was in dire jeopardy with every lift of her hips.

He trailed his tongue along the underside of her breast, planting a kiss in the valley between her breasts before moving to the unexplored nipple.

“Viper…”

“Do you like this?” he demanded as he lightly flicked his tongue over her breast.

“God, yes.”

“And this?”

Giving a last tug on her nipple he kissed his way down her stomach, pausing to caress the dip of her belly button before seeking the waiting treasure below. Tugging her legs apart he allowed his hands to run a soft line down her inner thighs. Just for a moment he wanted to appreciate the sight of her spread on the black silk.

Lying on the pillows, Shay met his glance with a smoldering golden gaze, her features softened with a passion she was no longer attempting to conceal.

“Viper?”

“You are so beautiful,” he said as his head lowered and his mouth moved down the length of her leg. He wanted to explore every satin inch of her. Every precious curve.

He nuzzled the inside of her knee, the line of her calf, and the delicate bones of her ankle. She gave a gasp as he suckled her toes, her hips arching off the bed.

“That tickles,” she breathed, although she did nothing to pull away from his lingering touch.

“You're ticklish?” he teased, licking a path down the bottom of her foot.

She gave a soft squeal. “Viper, stop that.”

“I want to taste every inch of you,” he said.

Her hands clenched the satin sheets. “I'm not sure I can bear it.”

“Let's see just how much you can bear.”

He grasped her other foot and slowly feasted his way back up her leg. Her amusement faded as a soft moan was wrenched from her throat.

He paused at the smooth line of her thigh, the scent of her blood pulsing beneath the skin nearly overwhelming. His tongue traced the pale blue vein as he battled back the urge to sink his fangs deep into her flesh.

Not tonight.

Not until she was prepared to give of herself utterly.

Unaware of his dark thoughts, Shay shifted restlessly beneath his lingering touch.

“Viper…please.”

He smiled as he settled between her legs and at last sought out the source of her need.

“Is this what you want, pet?” he asked as his tongue swept through her damp heat.

“Oh…shit,” she breathed as her fingers reached down to tangle in his hair.

He laughed. “I'll take that as a yes.”

He spread her even farther as he stroked the tiny nub hidden in the soft folds. Her breath came in shallow gasps as her hips pressed upward.

The scent of her filled his senses and Viper pressed his hardness into the slick sheets. He was thick and aching and desperate to be deep inside her. But first he wanted to taste her climax on his lips.

Skimming his hands up to find her breasts he tugged at the hardened peaks as his tongue continued its steady pace. Her breath became almost frantic. Her fingers pulled at his hair as her legs encircled his neck.

“Viper…” she breathed.

She was close. He could feel her muscles clenching in pleasure, and with one long last stroke he pushed her screaming over the edge.

Moving swiftly he positioned himself above her while she was still trembling with her release, and taking her lips in a possessive kiss he thrust deep. A moan was wrenched from his throat as her hands swept down his back to cup his hips. Her slender body fit perfectly beneath him, and the Shalott pheromones that had lured vampires for centuries were filling the air with a potent force.

So much for making anything last.

With a slow movement he pulled out to his very tip before thrusting back into her silken heat. Saints above, but she was hot and tight and she clutched him as if she had been made just to hold him deep within her.