"And why would you think that I would scratch—"
Her words were brought to a rude halt by the simple means of Dante reaching out and hauling her against his chest. Once there, he sealed her lips with his own with a brief, scorching kiss.
"Please, lover, can we continue this argument in the car?" he murmured against her mouth.
"Oh, we'll continue it," she warned, not about to be so easily manipulated. At least not until they had that warm bed and whipped cream. "You can count on that"
Chapter 14
In the end, Abby's promise of a continuing argument proved to be an empty threat.
Her love for a rousing squabble was no match for her weariness. Dante had barely reached the interstate when her head had tilted to the side and her eyes slid closed.
Resisting the urge to halt the car and simply appreciate her peaceful beauty, Dante sped through the empty streets and reached Viper's lair well ahead of the sun. Parking in the private lot beneath the street, he carefully carried Abby to the room they had shared before.
He was beyond weary as he lowered Abby onto the wide bed. Not only from the exertions of the night, but also from the approaching dawn. Still, he forced himself to leave the room and search out Viper in his private chambers.
He found the vampire sprawled upon an antique chaise lounge attired in a brocade robe that was heavily embroidered with gold thread. The room itself would have made most collectors drool in envy.
Scattered over the priceless hand-woven carpets were carved and gilded furnishings that had once belonged to a Russian czar. The walls were decorated with hand-painted silk upholstery, the doors made of ebony inlaid with gold leaf, and the chandeliers studded with sapphires and pearls.
More stunning were the rare works of art that were carefully displayed behind temperature-controlled glass frames. Most were thought by the world to be lost, some even having been completely forgotten. Together they created a stunning beauty that was unsurpassed anywhere in the world.
Surrounded by furnishings fit for the finest palace and sipping a brandy that cost more than some small countries, Viper appeared every inch a pampered aristocrat.
It was only when one noted the cold, calculating glitter in his midnight eyes that the image of indolent hedonism was shattered.
A glitter that became even more pronounced as Dante briefly relayed what had occurred since he had left Chicago.
Rising to his feet, Viper regarded him with a sardonic expression. "Abominations, dark wizards, dead witches—I'll give you this, Dante, you really know how to pick your women."
"I didn't exactly pick Abby, the Phoenix did."
Perfect brows several shades darker than the silver hair slowly arched.
'You do realize you lost a perfect opportunity to be rid of your chains?"
Dante smiled wryly. The chains that held him to Abby would never be broken. No matter what happened to the bloody Phoenix.
"By allowing Abby to be sacrificed? Not a chance in hell."
'You have it bad, my friend." Viper stared at him for a long beat. "I know this voodoo priestess who has an incantation that could—"
'Thanks, but not necessary," Dante firmly interrupted. "What I need are those damn witches."
Viper's lips thinned, but for a pleasant change he didn't pursue his argument.
A relief, considering the elder vampire possessed the ability to bend others to Ms will whenever he desired to make the effort.
"You're sure some survived?" he instead demanded.
"At least a few of them. I followed their tracks to the garage."
"They could be anywhere."
"They won't go far from the Phoenix," Dante pointed out. "Even if they don't know the precise location or even who holds the Chalice, they sense its presence. Unfortunately I don't have any means of contacting them."
"I would hardly call that unfortunate." The thin nose flared with distaste. "A pity the wizard didn't wipe them out completely."
A sentiment Dante would have agreed with thoroughly until Abby was thrust into carrying the Phoenix. Now his only concern was finding the means to release her from her burden.
"We have already been through this, Viper."
"And you know my feelings."
"In gruesome detail." Dante raised a hand to rub the knotted muscles of his neck. "Will you help me?"
"You know you don't have to ask. I may consider you all kinds of a fool, but I will always have your back."
"Thank you," Dante murmured with genuine sincerity.
"What do you need?"
"Protection." Dante promptly answered. "Something small enough to carry but able to deal with the zombies."
A smile twitched at the corners of Viper's lips.
"No doubt I have something suitable in my vault," he retorted. Dante knew Viper's vault could arm entire countries. His arsenal ranged from prototype weapons stolen from top scientists to ancient armaments blessed with powerful magic. "What else?"
"I think someone should keep an eye on the wizard. He was calling upon powers that have been forgotten for centuries. He could be a problem."
"Ah." The dark eyes abruptly glittered with anticipation. "Perhaps I will toddle over for a visit. I haven't gone against a decent wizard since the Middle Ages."
Dante frowned. As a rule, Viper managed to avoid petty confrontations. Unlike most vampires, he didn't feel the need to prove his balls by challenging every demon that crossed his path. Which was one of the reasons Dante preferred his company to others.
But there was a part of Viper that couldn't resist a challenge. If he thought there might be something out there to give him a worthy battle, he wouldn't hesitate to leap in with gun blazing.
Or fangs flashing.
"Be careful," Dante warned sternly. "I don't doubt he'll have a few nasty tricks up his sleeve."
Viper chuckled with cold amusement. 'Trust me, Dante, no one can match me for nasty tricks."
"That I well believe," Dante muttered, reaching out to grasp his friend's shoulder as his knees threatened to buckle.
"God, you can barely stand," Viper growled, a hint of concern touching his lean features. "Go to bed. I will set a watch outside your rooms. You and your Abby are safe here."
Dante nodded in relief. "You're a good man, Viper."
"Spread that around and I'll chop you into bacon bits and leave you to the sun," the older vampire warned.
"It goes with me to the grave."
Feeling every one of his four hundred plus years, Dante made his way back through the darkened hallways. At least he would have a few hours of rest.