"Bless you, master," Amil breathed. "Bless you."
"I do not believe you will be so grateful when you discover my condition."
"What do you desire of me?"
With measured steps, Rafael moved to take his seat behind the massive desk. He templed his fingers beneath his chin and regarded his guest with a piercing gaze. The next few moments would decide his fate.
If he was to be acclaimed as the savior of the Prince of Demons or as an arrogant failure. He could not afford a mistake.
"First I desire that you tell me what you know of the Phoenix."
Caught off guard, Amil blinked in surprise. "I… what all creatures of the dark know, I suppose. Nearly three hundred years ago, powerful witches gathered together to call for the spirit of the Phoenix and placed it within a human body. The presence of the vile beast has kept the Prince banished from this world and made his minions impotent."
"I am not impotent," Rafael snapped in annoyance.
"I do not understand." Amil regarded the older wizard with a wary frown. "Why do we speak of the Phoenix?"
"Because it keeps us from our true master."
The younger man shrugged. "He has been lost to us. What can we do?"
Rafael barely restrained his flare of fury.
Fools. The lot of them. While he had toiled and sacrificed to return his dark lord, the others had allowed despair to overwhelm them. No longer were they proud beasts who inspired fear and loathing among mortals. Instead they scuttled in the shadows like rabid animals.
They disgusted him.
"No, my son. The Prince has not entirely been lost to the world."
"What are you saying?"
"The vessel has been destroyed. The witches no longer have control of the Phoenix."
The pale eyes widened in shock. "It's a miracle."
"Indeed."
The apprentice gripped the arms of his chair. "The Prince will soon be freed."
"No." Rafael's voice was harsh. "The vessel placed the spirit in the body of another mortal. The Phoenix yet lives, but it is weakened and vulnerable."
"It must be destroyed. And swiftly."
Rafael's expression hardened to grim lines, his thin fingers moving to stroke the heavy pendant about his neck.
"Certainly it must be destroyed."
"And what do you want of me?"
"I want you to bring the vessel to me. Alive."
The apprentice narrowed his gaze in a calculating manner. "Forgive me, master, but wouldn't it be best to call out the minions to crush the Phoenix before it can regain its strength?"
Rafael twisted his lips wryly. Like most who craved power, Amil was far too ready to resort to violence when cunning was needed.
"Certainly a simpler, if more bloodthirsty, solution," he agreed. "But consider, my son. It will be a great honor for the one who offers up the Phoenix to the master. And I intend for that glory to be mine."
Amil considered for a moment before giving a nod of his head. "Of course. A clever scheme. But, why me? Why do you not do this grave task yourself?"
"Because someone must ensure that the witches do not interfere. I am the only one with the power to challenge them." He shrugged. "And, of course, you have tampered with forces that will assist you in discovering where the woman is hiding."
There was a long pause before Amil folded his hands over his chest, a faint smile upon his lips.
"This is a dangerous thing you ask of me, master. The vampire is certain to be protecting the vessel. I risk more than just my life."
Rafael struggled to hide his disdain for the man who would barter for power rather than earn it. Unfortunately, he possessed no other servants willing to call upon powers forbidden by even the Prince.
Sacrifices must be made, he reluctantly acknowledged.
Even if it meant being in league with such a pathetic fool.
"So you wish to know your reward?" he demanded in cold tones.
"I am a practical man."
Sacrifices.
Rafael grimly maintained his composure. "I shall personally take charge of your training. You wish to earn your medallion before all others? I can give you that."
The smile widened. "And a share of the Prince's gratitude?"
Rafael briefly glanced down at his hands, imagining them around the greedy Amil's neck. Then he gave a small shake of his head.
The future was poised upon the night ahead. He had to do whatever was necessary to ensure the return of his master.
"So be it."
The younger man rose to his feet, satisfaction engraved upon the narrow features.
"Then we have a bargain."
Rafael also rose, his own countenance as hard and dark as the stone walls.
"Amil, do not fail me. You have already faced death. If I discover you were unable to complete this task I set for you, then death will be the least of your worries. Do you understand?"
The apprentice possessed the sense to pale at the threat. 'Yes."
Rafael waved an impatient hand. "Then go. You have much to do before the sun sets and the vampire is at his full strength."
Amil slipped from the room, and Rafael turned to pace toward the fire that burned in the center of the floor.
The Dark Prince would soon be returned to his place of glory.
And he would be leading the way.
"Soon, my lord," he whispered.
Chapter 6
It was some hours later when Abby stirred from her deep, thankfully dreamless sleep. Lifting her heavy lids, she was at first befuddled by the feel of satin sheets brushing her skin and the shadows that filled the vast room.
She was not the sort of girl who woke up in strange rooms. Certainly not those with satin sheets and an echo that could rival St. Paul's Cathedral.
Still, it was better than the lumpy mattress and foul stench that had greeted her last time she awoke, she wryly told herself. And with the added benefit of a pair of delicious male arms wrapped about her.
Not a bad way to awaken.
At least it wouldn't be if those rotten memories of demons, witches, and being invaded by a powerful spirit didn't come crashing back.
Grimacing, Abby rolled onto her side to study the man who slept next to her.
No, not man, she fiercely reminded herself. Vampire.
Studying the wickedly perfect features in the dim light, it seemed impossible that she hadn't guessed the truth before. He was every woman's fantasy. Life had taught her that there had to be a catch somewhere.
Her lips twitched. All women knew that the sort of men who could steal a woman's heart with a glance had to be either g*y, psychotic, or married. Now she supposed she would have to add vampire to the list.