"I do not like harming a friend."
"I presume you are referring to Viper?" he asked softly.
Styx clenched his hands at his side. When he had been commanded to capture Viper along with the Shalott he had argued long and hard against it. Surely they had battled to bring an end to precisely this sort of treachery among vampires?
"Yes. He is an honorable man. He does not deserve to be treated in such a manner."
The Anasso heaved a faint sigh. "My old friend, you know that I would gladly welcome him as a brother if he will use the amulet to bring us his slave. Has he done so?"
"No." Styx grimaced. "He ... possesses feelings for the Shalott."
"A pity." The elder vampire stroked the crimson velvet of his robe as if in deep thought, but Styx didn't miss the dark gaze that carefully measured his expression. "Like you I have no taste for causing injury to my brethren. Unfortunately we cannot afford to waver now. The Shalott is almost in our grasp. He must use the amulet."
"And if he won't?"
"I possess full faith that the Ravens will convince him."
"You have given commands to have him tortured?"
"It was your decision, not mine, Styx," the Anasso reminded him gently. "I preferred a far less... messy solution."
Styx stiffened, his face hardening with distaste. "To have Viper murdered and the demon taken by force?"
Something flashed through the dark eyes before the vampire was deliberately smoothing his features to an expression of weary patience.
"A harsh accusation, my son."
"What would you call it?"
A thin, gnarled hand lifted in a helpless motion. "An unfortunate sacrifice for the greater cause."
Styx gave a shake of his head. "Pretty words do not make it any less despicable."
"Do you think I have no regrets, my son? That I would not alter the past if possible? I hold myself entirely to blame for the circumstances we find ourselves in."
As well he should, Styx acknowledged. It had been his weakness that had led to this moment. His lust for the forbidden that might very well kill a noble vampire.
"I am aware of that, my lord."
Easily hearing the distaste in his tone the Anasso offered a faint frown.
"Perhaps you believe I should allow Viper and the Shalott to walk away? Without her I am certain to die."
"There must be some other means."
"I have sought every means possible, even taking those vile concoctions that the imp is forever thrusting upon me." The elder vampire sharply interrupted. "There is nothing to halt the disease but the blood of the Shalott."
"Shay," Styx said softly.
"What?"
"The Shalott's name is Shay."
"Yes, of course." There was a long pause as the elder vampire studied him in thoughtful silence. "Styx?"
"Yes, my lord?"
"If you have changed your mind, I understand. I have put you in an untenable position and for that I am deeply sorry." He weakly reached up to touch Styx's arm. "You must know that your faith and loyalty mean more to me than life itself."
A tightness clutched at Styx's chest. "You are very kind, my lord."
"Not kind." A faint smile touched the decaying lips. "Do you recall when we first met?"
"I was battling a pack of werewolves, as I recall."
A soft chuckle disturbed the thick air. "You informed me that I would have to wait for my turn to be killed."
Styx grimaced. "I was still young and brash."
"Do you remember what I said?"
Styx slowly turned to watch the blazing flames in the marble fireplace. He was not entirely stupid. He realized that the Anasso was deliberately reminding him of the day he had offered his pledge. And perhaps, just as importantly, reminding him of the cause that had bound them together.
A cause that went beyond either of them.
"You said that you intended to stop the flow of blood," he said in an empty voice. "To write the destiny of the vampire race in the stars. To band us together and meld greatness out of chaos. And then you asked me to walk at your side."
"At my side, Styx. Never behind." There was a strategic pause. "I want this to be your decision, my son. If you believe it is best to release Viper and allow the Shalott to roam free then that is what we will do."
"No, my lord." Turning Styx regarded the frail man with a sharp pang of horror. "I cannot—"
The vampire lifted his hand to halt his refusal. "Think upon it, Styx, but think quickly. We do not have much time left "
Chapter Twenty-One
Dawn was hovering just over the horizon as Levet scoured the sharply carved bluffs. Below them the charming farmhouse was nestled in a shadowed slumber while the mighty Mississippi River slid by in silent grandeur.
Hardly the setting for a band of dark vampires intent on murder, mayhem, and good old-fashioned bloodletting. Of course, it might have been a bit difficult to hide a gothic castle complete with bats and creepy servants in the middle of the heartland. That was the sort of thing people tended to notice.
Leaning against a tree as the gargoyle pulled aside bushes and fallen rocks Shay absently rubbed the muscles of her legs. She had run full out for over six hours as she had tracked the limo through the back roads of Illinois. There had been no means of keeping pace with the automobile, but the scent of so many vampires had been enough for her and Levet to follow.
And follow, and follow, and follow...
Her stamina was well beyond a human's but that didn't keep her muscles from cramping into knots the size of Mount Rush-more. Or her feet from feeling as if they had been put through a meat grinder more than once.
At least the pang in her side had stopped throbbing and her breathing was almost back to normal. And even more importantly she had managed to make a short detour to a nearby farmhouse so she could borrow a thick flannel shirt that protected her from the crisp night air. Borrowing sounded so much nicer than stealing.
Glancing toward the sky she cleared her throat. "Levet, the clock is ticking."
"I know, I know" he muttered, pulling and tugging at a pile of thick brush. "It is here. I smell it." There were a few more grunts and then the gargoyle was abruptly straightening. "Voila."
"Voila? What the heck is that supposed to mean?" she demanded as she moved forward to study the narrow crack in the rock.
Levet gave a sniff as he squeezed through the opening. "It is a crime against nature that not all people are French. Are you coming?"