Embrace the Darkness (29 page)

At least not for him.

“What are you going to do?”

Damocles's smile widened as a glorious sense of justice washed through him. Soon he would watch his enemy destroyed by his own hands. And even more satisfying his plot would make the entire race of vampires howl in pain.

Events had not unfolded precisely as he had planned, but the end would be the same.

The Anasso would be dead, and he would have the peace that had eluded him for untold centuries.

Reaching up Damocles unlocked the chains from the cave wall. With a tug, he pulled the terrified troll from his corner.

“You, my friend, are about to witness my most triumphant moment. A culmination of brilliant plotting and flawless execution.”

Evor tugged against the shackles that held him, but he was no match for a determined imp. For a moment his round face flushed and his pointed teeth clenched in fury.

Then, like any good coward he dropped to his knees and bowed his head in a silent plea for mercy.

“Good master, I think it better that I remain here. I'm not much in the mood for triumphant moments.”

Damocles's smile faded as he reached down to lightly stroke the profusely sweating face.

“Ah, but you're a vital part of my celebration. You can't possibly remain behind.”

“I would really prefer…”

The words came to a strangled moan as Damocles clutched his fingers around the fat throat and easily jerked the troll off his feet.

Dangling him in the air Damocles watched with cold distaste as the round face turned a strange shade of puce.

“Don't annoy me, ugly troll, or I'll cut out your tongue. I wish to savor this victory without listening to your flapping lips.” He gave the troll a small shake. “Do you understand?”

It took several tries before Evor managed to get the words past the crushing hold on his throat.

“I understand.”

Opening his fingers Damocles allowed the troll to fall back to the floor. His smile returned.

“I knew you'd see things my way. Now let's go have some fun.”

 

Viper would never recall the agonizing trek through the dark tunnels to the lair of the Anasso. Oh, there were vague flashes of progressively more lavish tapestries, and elegant candelabras that offered a flickering light. And overall a pervasive scent of depraved self-indulgence.

His attention, however, was consumed with a simmering panic for the woman in his arms.

He would not allow her to die.

Not if it meant killing every vampire, troll, and human in the caves.

At last following Styx into a cavern that was dominated by a vast bed and a roaring fire, Viper came to a halt to study the frail vampire that was propped among a pile of satin pillows.

Although he was prepared for a change in the once powerful leader, Viper still experienced a flare of shock at the sight of the frail, almost corpselike reality.

By the blood of the saints, he appeared more dead than alive. An unnerving sight even for a vampire.

How the hell could he still possess such powers? It seemed impossible until Viper met the hectic glitter in the sunken eyes.

The Anasso might literally be upon the verge of extinction, but he would battle to the bitter end.

Reading his thoughts with ease, the Anasso offered a smile that sent a flare of fear through Viper's heart.

“Ah, I knew you would come to me, Viper,” the ancient vampire rasped.

Clutching Shay protectively to his chest Viper glared into the gaunt face.

“You made sure I would have no choice.”

“So angry.” The elder vampire heaved a faint sigh. “Do you have no sympathy for your master, my son? Do you possess no loyalty to one who has sacrificed all for the race of vampires?”

“I see a fading shadow of a once great vampire who has been lost to his own weaknesses.”

The frail features tightened, but the Anasso kept his voice soft and persuasive. It was a voice that had once lured hundreds of vampires to battle.

“Yes. I have been weak. And a fool. Once I am healed I can promise you that I shall never again be prey to such failings. I will restore myself and all of my followers to the glory that is our due.”

Viper gave a slow shake of his head. Styx and his Ravens might accept such a pledge. To him it rang with a hollow lack of conviction.

He had seen the humans trapped below.

“You have made such promises before, master.”

This time the vampire didn't try to hide his anger. “Do not think to judge me, Viper. You cannot know what I have suffered to bring peace to us all,” he said, his voice sending a flare of pain over Viper's skin.

Viper clenched his teeth. Damn, that hurt. And with nothing more than a thought.

“We all know what you have done for us,” he gritted.

The pain ripped through the air once again. “How could you possibly know? How could you possibly understand the cost?” The Anasso pointed a thin finger in Viper's direction. “There is not a night that I am not haunted by the faces of friends and loved ones that I was forced to kill because they would not accept change. Not a night that I do not hear the cries of my kin as they died beneath my hands. Can you truly hold me to blame for seeking to escape the ghosts that plague me?”

Viper had to concede that when it came to battle tactics the elder vampire was a master. A combination of subtle manipulation with the hovering threat of further pain. And all with seeming ease.

Viper might have been impressed if he hadn't been at the receiving end of that clever strategy.

“And what of the ghost of Shay's father?” he demanded. “Does he haunt you as well?”

“He was a necessary casualty.”

“Just as Shay will be?”

There was not even the faintest flicker of remorse. “Yes.”

Viper's arms instinctively tightened around Shay as he allowed his own power to begin to fill the air. He might not possess the strength of the elder vampire, but he was not helpless.

“What is to occur when all the Shalott blood is gone?” He deliberately allowed the scorn to fill his voice. “Who will you sacrifice then?”

The gloves were definitely off as the vampire lifted himself from the pillows, his face a stark mask of anger.

“Enough of this. Come to me now, Viper.”

With a pang of regret Viper lowered Shay to the floor. As much as he desired to have her close to him, he couldn't take the risk that the Anasso might strike without warning.

“I will not surrender the woman I love,” he swore, pulling the dagger from his boot. “Not for any reason.”

“You dare to deny your master?”

“You halted being my master when you chose to poison your body with tainted blood. The penalty for such a sin is death.”

A thick spittle formed on the lips of the Anasso as he struggled to untangle himself from the heavy covers. “Styx,” he called sharply.

Viper shifted to keep a wary gaze upon the silent vampire who stepped forward with a bow.

“Master?”

“Bring me the Shalott.”

Styx slowly straightened, his face a harsh mask. “The woman is to be Viper's mate. It is against our law to harm her.”

Viper barely managed to disguise his shock at the bald challenge.

A shock that was echoed on the face of the Anasso.

“So I am to be betrayed on all sides.” With a low hiss the elder vampire managed to struggle from the bed. Holding on to a thick bedpost he lifted a threatening hand in Viper's direction. “I will have her. Bring her to me, Viper, or watch her die on the floor.”

Viper deliberately shifted to stand between Shay and the furious demon.

“She would rather die than be drained by you.”

Power whipped through the air, stirring Viper's hair and blowing out the candles set about the cavern.

“Do you think I am helpless?” The Anasso moved forward with slow, but steady steps. “Do you believe you can best me, boy?”

Viper was not above a sharp flare of fear.

Not for himself.

He would readily give his life to protect Shay. But if he were to die then there would be no one to rescue her from the Anasso.

That he couldn't bear.

Drawing in as much of his power as he could hold, Viper grimly prepared for battle.

“I am willing to pit my strength against yours,” he gritted.

“Even if it means your death?” the advancing vampire demanded, a thick darkness swirling about him.

“Yes.”

“Fool.” With a motion the Anasso sent the darkness hurtling toward Viper.

Viper held out his hands to deflect the coming blow, but even as his muscles tensed there was a blur of movement and Styx was abruptly standing before him.

“Master…no.”

The darkness struck Styx and with a muffled cry the large vampire crumpled at Viper's feet.

A stunned disbelief filled the air. No one had expected the loyal servant to throw himself in the line of fire. Not after centuries of unquestioning devotion.

Something that might almost have been regret flashed over the gaunt face. Obviously the elder vampire had not gone entirely mad.

Unfortunately, he was mad enough to swiftly push aside his momentary hesitation, and was once again turning his attention to Viper.

Not about to waste the sacrifice Styx had so rashly made, Viper tossed the dagger directly at the chest of the Anasso, and smoothly reached down to retrieve the sword from his fallen friend.

The sword was in his hand even as the dagger struck true. There was a strangled gasp as the Anasso reeled back and glanced down at the blood running down the front of his robe.

Any hope, however, that he had managed to slow the ancient demon was dashed as the vampire reached up to pluck the dagger from his chest and toss it aside. His expression was disdainful as he once again called his power.

“You will howl for death before I am done with you,” the vampire gritted as he lifted his hand and once again sent his power flooding across the room.

Viper did howl.

Nothing could prepare him for such shattering pain. It crawled through him with a ruthless force that had him on his knees before he realized what had occurred.

Clutching the sword in his hand Viper battled to keep the darkness at bay.

He could feel the Anasso moving ever closer.

If he only had one shot at killing the demon he intended to make it a good one.

Shay nearly cried in relief when the agonizing pain was abruptly lifted.

Holy shit. She wasn't a stranger to torture. She had been beaten, burned, chained, and even blasted with magical spells. But nothing had managed to make her body burn as if she were being roasted over the fires of hell, or clutch her heart until she feared it might be ripped from her chest.

She didn't know that anyone could actually survive such suffering. It seemed the sort of thing that should put a demon in her grave.

Or at least wish she was there.

Managing to force open her heavy lids she swiftly realized that she was no longer in the damp tunnels. In fact she was lying on a priceless Persian carpet that perfectly matched the rest of the gaudy room.

Arabian nights gone wild.

The next thing she realized was that Viper was close beside her, his large form kneeling on the carpet as he obviously fought some horrid, unseen attack.

Her breath lodged in her throat as she struggled to force her weakened body to move. She didn't have a clue what she could do to help the suffering vampire, but the need to touch him was overwhelming.

She managed to actually lift her head from the carpet when a sudden shadow fell across her and she stiffened in alarm.

There was no mistaking the dark evil that simmered in the air, or the prickle of revulsion that crawled over her skin.

The same evil she had felt in the auction house and again when Styx and his Ravens had hunted them through the streets of Chicago.

The Anasso.

It could be no other.

Slowly turning her head Shay couldn't halt the sharp gasp of shock at the thin, ravaged face poised just above her. He looked more like an extra from a bad horror flick than the most powerful vampire to walk the earth.

Looks, however, were far too often deceiving and Shay wasn't stupid enough to underestimate the demon that had caused her enough pain to wish herself dead.

Bracing herself for the inevitable attack Shay was caught off guard when he slowly knelt beside her and touched her cheek with a gentle hand.

“My Shalott.” His voice was low and gravelly, but rich with a force that could no doubt enthrall demons and humans alike. “I knew you would come to me.”

Shrugging aside the compulsion to fall into that voice Shay sucked in a deep breath.

“What have you done to Viper?”

An expression of profound sorrow touched the skeletal face. An expression that in no way matched the hectic glitter in the dark eyes.

“I had no choice. He refused to understand.”

“Understand what?”

“That I must survive. That without me the vampires will return to nothing more than savages.” His fangs glistened in the light of the flames. “I am the Anasso. I must be eternal.”

“No matter how many of your own you must kill?”

His fingers tightened on her face making her wince in pain. “I stand above all.”

A flare of fury raced through Shay. This vampire had already taken her father, and now he threatened the man she loved. And all because of some delusional belief in his own glorious legend.

“You're a raving loon,” she hissed.

He jerked her face sharply forward. So close she could feel his foul breath brushing her skin.

“So stubborn, just like your father.”

“You bastard.” Even knowing it was futile, she struggled against his grasp. “You murdered my father.”

“He fulfilled his purpose in life, my dear. His blood was meant as a gift. A gift of healing for me. And now you shall be allowed to fulfill your own destiny.”

She clutched at his thin wrist, squeezing with all of her strength.

“My only destiny is to watch you die.”

He laughed at her feeble threat. “I fear not.”

“Actually, the lovely lady is partially right,” a new voice drawled from behind the looming vampire. “You will die, old master, and she will be here. Unfortunately, I'm not certain she will survive long enough to watch her destiny unfold.”

Shay was released with an abruptness that nearly had her falling on her face. Catching herself with her hands she watched the vampire rise to his feet and turn toward the nearby opening.

Huddled on the floor Shay resisted the urge to crawl into a ball of fear. Instead she forced herself to regard the newest threat.

A flare of shock raced through her at the sight of the tall, golden-haired demon that stood in the entrance.

An imp?

What the devil would an imp be doing in a cave of vampires? And perhaps more importantly, what was on the end of that chain that disappeared into the darkness of the tunnel behind him?

Clearly unhappy to have been interrupted during his dinner hour, the Anasso offered a low hiss in way of greeting.

“Damocles. I did not call for you.”

“Yes, I know, and I must say I'm extremely wounded.” The imp gave a toss of his golden curls. “How could you possibly have a party and not invite your most beloved servant?”

“Beloved?” The vampire gave another hiss. “Hardly that.”

The imp smiled and Shay found herself instinctively inching closer to Viper. There was nothing pleasant in that smile.

“Tsk, tsk. After all I have done for you, my lord.”

The Anasso thankfully appeared to forget the woman behind him as he stiffened in anger. Which suited Shay just fine. Especially when she felt Viper painfully lift his arm to wrap it around her waist.

She glanced toward him in fierce relief, but his stern expression warned her to do nothing that might attract attention.

Once again, that was fine by her.

“And what have you done for me, Damocles, beyond luring me to weakness?” The elder vampire was demanding. “I once allowed myself to be blinded by your lies, but no longer. You have brought nothing but ruin and betrayal in your wake.”

The imp chuckled with delight. “Yes, and I did it so very well.”

The Anasso seemed as startled as Shay by the blunt confession. “You admit your sins?”

“Of course. I want you to know just how simple it was to bring you to your knees.” The imp allowed his faux smile to fade, revealing an expression of overwhelming hatred. “You call yourself the Anasso. You claim to be nothing less than a god for your people. But in truth you are a pathetic, cowardly fool who would condemn your entire race to the grave if it would save your worthless hide.”

The Anasso took an unsteady step forward. “You came here to destroy me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

The imp touched the small medallion that hung about his neck. “I did tell you that you were not the first demon that I served. Once I proudly stood at the side of a truly great vampire.”

“Who was this vampire?”

“You are not fit to speak his name. Not after you lied and deceived him so that you could bait him into your treacherous trap.”

A charged silence descended as the two glared at each other. Shay felt Viper's arm tighten around her as the thick air swirled with danger. It was no longer a matter of whether there would be violence, only when it would strike.

The Anasso straightened to an arrogant pose. “
I
brought the clans together.
I
ended the tide of bloodshed.
I
brought peace to those who never had peace.
I
achieved what no other could.”

The imp sneered at the proud claims. “No, you devised the one sure method of rallying vampires to your cause so that you could kill those more ancient and worthy than yourself and take control of all. A clever plot, I'll admit. But never pretend to me that it was anything more than a greedy grasp for power.”

At her side Viper sucked in a sharp breath at the accusation, but Shay didn't allow her gaze to stray from the gaunt form of the elder vampire.

He seemed the sort to take offense at being branded a power-hungry psycho.

Enough offense to get them all killed.

“You have no right to judge me, imp,” the Anasso rasped harshly.

“Ah, but I am not the one to judge you, am I?” The imp waved a dramatic hand toward the unconscious Styx. “It is your own vampires who have at last smelled the stench of your corruption. Who have seen through your pretense of glory to reveal the spineless creature you truly are.”

With a terrifying growl the Anasso lifted his clawlike hands and pointed them toward the imp. Viper gave a low curse before pushing Shay behind his kneeling body. The violence was about to explode.

“Brave words for a lesser demon. I will teach you to attempt to rise above your station,” the vampire promised in an awful voice.

Astonishingly, the imp merely laughed. “Hardly a lesser demon. I single-handedly managed to bring the glorious Anasso to his knees.”

“Lies and tricks,” the vampire snarled. “Will you pit your strength against my own?”

“Oh, I don't think that will be necessary. It will be far more fun just to kill you.”

The green eyes glittered with an insane amusement as the imp gave a firm tug on the chain. Still shielded behind Viper, Shay clutched at his back. There was a sudden, familiar scent in the air.

One she knew all too well.

“Evor,” she breathed even as the troll stumbled into the room and fell to his knees.

Viper stiffened. “Devil's balls.”

Shay silently echoed the sentiment. Even suspecting that the troll was in the caves the sight of him still made her heart squeeze with fear.

He looked terrible.

The thin, balding hair was matted to his skull, his face was pale and coated with dirt, and his thousand-dollar suit looked like something from the local garbage dump. Not at all the oily, elegant Evor she knew and hated.

“You think this pathetic half troll can harm me?” The Anasso demanded in arrogant disbelief.

Pulling the troll close to his knee like a leashed dog, the imp ran a hand over Evor's head.

“This is a very special troll. You see, he carries with him a curse. A curse that is about to kill your precious Shalott.”

There was a shocked beat as the elder vampire at last realized the true depth of his danger. He had to have Shay's blood to survive, but no vampire could drink the blood of a corpse. Shay had to be alive to offer him his cure.

Expecting the furious vampire to launch toward the smirking imp, Shay gave a small scream when he instead turned and flowed directly toward her.

Clearly he hoped to drain enough blood before Evor could be killed.

Not a bad idea, except for the fact that he underestimated the vampire kneeling before her.

With a fluid motion Viper was on his feet, his sword slicing toward the vampire without hesitation. The Anasso was forced to jerk backward or be decapitated.

“Shay…get the troll,” Viper rasped as he moved forward, the sword a mere blur of silver as he grimly pressed his advantage.

She wavered as the elder vampire lifted his hands and prepared to strike Viper with that crippling pain. She knew firsthand that such pain was impossible to fight. Viper would be completely at the mercy of the ruthless vampire.

As if sensing her hesitation Viper performed another vast swing with the sword that the demon was forced to dodge.

“Shay, go or you'll get us both killed,” he gritted, never taking his eyes from the gaunt figure in front of him.

Well, that was blunt enough.

And probably not far wrong.

By lingering her presence was more distracting than beneficial to Viper.

With a shake of her head she was turning to discover that the imp had lost no time. Already the imp had forced Evor onto the floor and he was lifting a knife over his heart.

Shit.

She instinctively leaped forward, but logic warned her that she could never reach him in time.

Evor was about to die.

And she was going to die with him.

 

Viper sensed when Shay left his side although he didn't spare a glance in her direction.

He didn't dare.

The Anasso might be weakened, but his power was still greater than Viper's own. His only hope was keeping the older vampire on defense long enough to land a lucky strike.

Not the best of battle plans but the only one he possessed at the moment.

Keeping the sword in constant movement he continued to inch forward. The vampire hissed at him in frustration, desperate to get past him. Once again the thin hand lifted to strike and Viper altered his swing to slice through the thin bones of his wrists.

A howl of pain ripped through the air as the hand fell to the floor and the Anasso clutched the bloody stump to his chest.

“I am your master,” he rasped. “You cannot allow me to die.”