The angry hiss scraped against Damocles delicate ears.
"He knew that if he ran I would have killed him"
"Of course, but greed is rarely logical."
"So now we do not have the Shalott and worse she is in the hands of a vampire."
The imp gave an innocent lift of his brows. "Surely that is goodnews? You have considerable power among the clans. Can you not simply demand that this Viper hand the demon over to you?"
"Not" An unseen hand struck Damocles across the face. "I cannot reveal my interest in this. It would only cause the sort of speculation and questions I have sought to avoid. There must be no hint I am connected to the Shalott until I am healed. If my enemies knew how weakened I have become..."
Damocles felt blood running down his cheek but he did not so much as flinch. "That shall never happen, my lord. Not so long as I am at your side."
"Oh yes, my sweet imp, such loyalty," the voice mocked.
"It is as deep and endless as the sea."
"More like as deep and endless as my coffers."
The imp offered a half bow. "We all have our weaknesses, do we not?"
"Bah." The shadow stirred with a restless impatience. "I want that demon. Awaken your pet."
Damocles straightened, his thoughts racing at this most unexpected turn. He prided himself on preparing for every eventuality. On reading the future with uncanny skill.
He was never caught off guard, never unprepared.
On this occasion, however, he had to admit mat his cunning wiles had failed him.
Most annoying.
"My pet?" He lightly touched his golden chain. "Surely not yet, my lord? It is bound to stir unwelcome attention. I have several—"
His words were choked off as a pressure encircled his throat and cut off his air.
"Have you forgotten who is master here, imp?"
Black flecks were dancing before Damocles's eyes before the pressure at last eased and he was allowed to suck in a lung fall of air.
A fury raced through his blood but with the ease of long practice Damocles lowered himself to his knees and bent his head as was expected of a proper servant.
His plans could be altered. He was nothing if not resourceful.
"Of course not, my lord. It shall be as you desire." He slowly lifted his head. "Still, there is no guarantee that there will not be casualties."
"What do I care as long as it is not the Shalott?" the shadow demanded.
"The vampire—"
"A necessary sacrifice."
Damocles deliberately paused. "Necessary perhaps, but I do not believe your Ravens will be so understanding."
That painful hiss echoed through the cave. "Which is why they shall not learn of my plan. Is that clear?"
He hid a smile. At least he need not concern himself with that meddling band of jackasses. They had done their best to interfere in his plots and schemes and he had promised himself a proper punishment. He was very good at punishment.
But not now. Not yet.
"Perfectly, my lord. Indeed I shall go along to ensure that there are no unfortunate mistakes."
"A wise decision."
Damocles slowly rose to his feet, his thoughts racing. "But first I believe I shall pay a visit on the troll."
There was a suspicious pause. "Why? He is meaningless."
The imp smiled. "Not so meaningless. He holds the curse that binds the Shalott."
"So?"
"If he dies, she dies. I think it would be wiser to have him in our care to keep him out of the hands of our enemies."
"Yes, yes, of course," the shadow rasped. "I should have thought of that. We cannot risk having that troll running loose. Anything could happen to him."
"I will attend to him personally."
"Good." The shadow stirred with a harsh sigh. "I must rest."
Damocles offered a low bow. "Certainly, my lord. Conserve your strength. Soon enough you will be strong and whole once again."
There was a brief silence. "Damocles?"
"Yes, my lord?"
"You will send me what I need tonight?"
The imp hid his smile of satisfaction. "I have everything prepared."
"You must take care. If the Ravens..."
"I will be the soul of discretion."
"Good. Now go before you are missed."
With one last bow Damocles was moving through darkness. There was a direct path to the upper caves, but he was wise enough to avoid it. He was well aware that the damnable Ravens devoted a great deal of effort to keeping track of his movements. It pleased him to be able to slip past their spies with such ease.
He had reached the narrow path that would lead to his own private caves when a shadow abruptly loomed before him. He didn't have to wait for the form to step into the flickering light of the nearby torch to know who blocked his path.
Only one possessed the arrogance to regard him as if he were a bit of filth stuck to the bottom of his boot.
"Hold, Damocles, I would have a word with you."
Damocles regarded the tall, fiercely handsome vampire with a taunting smile.
"Ah, if it isn't Sir Tall, Dark, and Gloomy. What's the matter? Did you weary of frightening the rats in the cellars and come in search of more elusive game?"
The bronzed features remained impassive. Nothing seemed to touch the leader of the Ravens. Not insults. Not threats. Not even blatant flattery.
A fact that annoyed the hell out of Damocles.
"Where have you been?" the man simply known as Styx demanded.
Damocles gave a lift of his brows. "I have been performing a small task for our master."
"What task?"
"Obviously that is between me and my master."
A cold flare of power washed over Damocles as the towering demon took a step forward.
"I could have the truth from you if I desired."
"And I could sprout wings and fly to Paris if I desired," Damocles mocked. "If you want the truth seek it from our master."
"I seek it from you. Tell me why you sneak through these tunnels like a thief."
The prickles became downright painful but Damocles determinedly ignored them.
Only the strong survived in these caves.
"I have been sworn to secrecy. Would you have me break my oath?"
The Raven gave a disgusted sound. "As if an imp would know anything of oaths and honor."
Damocles could have told him that he held his oaths more dearly than anyone would ever know. Instead he leaned against the wall and inspected the golden thread on the cuff of his robe with arrogant indifference.