"I was raised as a human. My mother thought the less I was . . . exposed to the demon world the better. After my father's death I wasn't even allowed to mention the word Shalott."
Viper frowned. It was little wonder the poor woman considered herself a mongrel. Her mother had made certain of that.
"A rather narrow-minded view."
She bristled at the implied criticism. "She wanted to protect me."
"Understandable, but to deny you the history of your people was to deny you a part of yourself. Surely you must have possessed some curiosity?"
"Why should I? Having demon blood has caused me nothing but grief."
"The Shalotts are a proud and much respected race," he insisted. "Before following the dark prince in his departure from this world, they were known as the most feared assassins among demons. Even vampires feared their skills."
"That's hardly something I take comfort in"
Viper bit back his impatience. "You think humans are superior? They have a reputation for violence and wars, not to mention outright genocide on occasion. At least Shalotts never kill their own. It is their most sacred law"
A hint of grudging curiosity glinted in her eyes. "Never?"
"Never." He held her gaze. "They believe that to shed the blood of another Shalott is to condemn themselves and all of their family to the fury of their gods. It is a sin that cannot be redeemed. I could only wish vampires possessed the same belief."
Her gaze dropped as she absently toyed with her glass of wine. "Have you known many Shalotts?"
"A few. And before you ask, I did not drain them, enslave them, nor were any of them my lovers."
"Don't tell me they were some sort of demon buddies?" she demanded in disbelief.
His fangs snapped together. If she were deliberately attempting to goad him, she was doing a hell of a job.
Of course, it was more likely that her jabs were self-preservation. If she pretended she didn't care, then nothing could hurt her.
"I happen to have many demons as friends, but the Shalotts were more ... associates. A clan chief has many enemies."
Her gaze abruptly lifted. "You hired them as assassins?"
"Actually I hired them to train me," he clarified.
"Train you for what?"
"Most Shalott's are thoroughly skilled in the arts of combat and, more importantly, possess intimate knowledge of weapons." He gave a lift of his brows. "Surely your father did?"
The pride she could not completely hide flickered over her face. "Of course."
Viper hid his sudden smile. He wasn't entirely stupid.
"And you?"
"I have some experience with swords and daggers, but my father died before I could be fully trained," she confessed in cautious tones. No doubt she worried she was handing information to the enemy.
"Well, I cannot possibly claim the talent of your father, but if you would like we could train together."
Silence.
The sort of thick silence that assured him that Shay was trying to decide if he were scheming some horrid plot, or simply out of his mind.
Maybe when she figured it out she would tell him.
"Train together?" she repeated with a frown. "Are you joking?"
He shrugged. "Why not? I haven't had a decent sparring partner in years."
"Most owners aren't anxious to teach their slaves how to kill them," she said dryly.
"Do you intend to kill me?"
"It's not a decision I've made one way or another."
He gave a short, startled laugh. "You'll let me know when you do decide?"
"Perhaps."
"Not quite the reassurance I hoped for," he murmured, his gaze brushing over her beautiful features. Now this was a sparring partner that a vampire could truly sink his teeth into. "Well?"
"Well what?"
He reached out to touch her fingers. "Do you wish to train with me?"
She studied him with a guarded expression, but before she could answer the peaceful night was abruptly shattered.
In the distance an unmistakable bay echoed through the air.
They both froze. It could have been a coyote or even a stray dog howling at the fading night, but they both knew it wasn't. No mere animal could make the air shudder in fear.
"Hellhounds," she whispered.
Viper was on his feet and reaching out with his mind to his servants.
"The guards are under attack."
"Why would hellhounds attack your guards? They are no match for vampires."
He gave a sharp shake of his head, distantly sensing the battle occurring near the gates to his estate. At the moment Santiago and his crew were holding their own, but there were far too many hellhounds to kill at once. They were taking wounds that would need the healing of deep earth.
"I don't know." Reaching out he tugged her to her feet "Come."
Of course she couldn't simply follow his lead. Digging in her feet she regarded him with a worried gaze. "Where are we going?"
"There are tunnels in the basement. They will take us to the garage."
"Surely we are safer here than the garage?"
"There are cars in the garage."
Her eyes widened. "No."
Viper heaved an exasperated sigh. "What is it?"
"For God's sake, Viper, it is almost dawn," she gritted, as if he were almost too stupid to bear. "You can't be traveling around in a car."
"I cannot travel, but you can."
"You want me to leave?" She flashed him a fierce frown. "Alone?"
"I will stay here and make sure that you aren't followed."
"No. We both stay and fight."
It wasn't often that Viper found himself caught off guard. It was difficult to surprise a centuries-old vampire. But he couldn't deny a sense of astonishment.
"Shay, this isn't the time to argue." He regarded her with a stern command. "The hellhounds might not be much of a threat, but I seriously doubt that they are out there alone. Something wants you. They want you bad enough to risk a direct attack. You have to leave now."
Without warning she moved to stand directly before him, her hands on her hips.
"And what if that's what they want?"
He frowned. "What do you mean?"
"What if the hellhounds are only a diversion to make me flee here without you? Whatever is out there might be waiting for me once we're separated."
Viper growled deep in his throat. She was right. The demons might very well be attempting to separate them.