Viper gave a small bow of his head. Whatever his own desires, he would concede to Styx's authority.
"You have a plan?"
"Hardly a plan, but I do hope that I might have discovered a bit of leverage over Salvatore." He pulled a small photo from his pocket and handed it to his companion.
For a moment Viper studied the small, delicate woman in the photo. With her short, spiky blond hair and green eyes far too large for her heart-shaped face, she looked like a beautiful urchin.
"Not my type, but certainly eye-catching." He glanced up. "Is she his lover?"
"No, but Salvatore has spent a considerable amount of money and energy in tracking this woman. I believe he has at last discovered her here in Chicago."
"What does he want with her?"
Styx shrugged. The vampires he had commanded to keep track of the unpredictable Were had managed to get their hands on the photo, as well as to follow Salvatore to Chicago. They couldn't, however, get close enough to discover the reasoning behind the man's obsession with the woman.
"I don't have the least idea, but she's obviously very important to him. Important enough that he might be willing to negotiate for her return ... if I am able to capture her first."
A hint of surprise touched the pale face. "You intend to kidnap her?"
"I intend to keep her as my guest until the Weres can be made to see reason," he corrected, his entire body stiffening as Viper tilted back his head to laugh with rich enjoyment. "What is so amusing?"
Viper pointed at the picture in his hand. "Have you taken a good look at this woman?"
"Of course." Styx frowned. "It was necessary to memorize her features in the event the picture was lost or destroyed."
"And yet you will willingly take her beneath your roof?"
"Is there some reason I should not?" Styx demanded.
"The obvious reasons."
Styx battled a flare of impatience. If Viper had information on the woman, why did he not just speak it instead of behaving in such a mysterious manner?
"You speak in riddles, old friend. Do you believe the woman might pose some sort of danger?"
Viper held up his hands. "Only in the manner any beautiful woman poses a danger."
Styx narrowed his gaze. By the gods, did Viper believe he was susceptible to the lures of a mere female? A mortal one at that?
If he wished a woman he had only to glance over the balcony. The nightclub was filled with females, and more than a few males, who had made their interest flamboyantly clear since he had walked through the door.
"The woman will be my hostage, nothing more," he said coldly.
"Of course."
Sensing Viper's lingering amusement, Styx impatiently pointed toward the picture. It was, after all, the reason he had come here in the first place.
"Do you know the location of the establishment she is standing in front of?"
"It's familiar." Pausing a moment, Viper gave a nod of his head. "Yes. It's a Goth bar. I'd say four, no wait. . . live blocks south of here."
"I thank you, old friend." Styx was swiftly on his feet. He reached out to take the picture and replaced it in his pocket.
Viper pressed himself to his feet and placed a restraining hand on Styx's arm.
"Wait, Styx."
He swallowed back his surge of impatience. He didn't have time to linger. The sooner he captured the woman, the sooner he would know if she was indeed of importance to the Weres.
"What is it?"
"What are you going to do?"
"I told you. I intend to take the woman."
"Just like that?" Viper demanded.
Styx frowned in confusion. "Yes."
"You cannot go alone. If the Weres are keeping watch they are sure to try to stop you."
"I do not fear a pack of dogs," Styx retorted in a scornful tone.
Viper refused to relent. "Styx."
Styx heaved a sigh. "I will have my Ravens near," he promised, referring to the five vampires who had been his constant companions for centuries.
They were as much a part of him as his own shadow.
The silver-haired vampire was still not satisfied. "And where will you take her?"
"To my lair."
"Good God." Viper gave a sharp laugh. "You can't take that poor woman to those damp, disgusting caves."
Styx frowned. In truth he hadn't really considered the less than welcoming atmosphere of the caves he inhabited.
To him they were simply a place to remain safely out of the sun.
"Most of the caves are quite comfortable."
"It's bad enough that you're taking the woman hostage. At least take her someplace that has a decent bed and a few amenities."
"What does it matter? She is nothing more than a human."
"It matters because she is a human. Christ, they are more fragile than dew fairies." With swift, gliding steps, Viper moved toward the desk that consumed a large part of his office behind the balcony. He reached into a drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper. After scribbling a few lines, he dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small key. Returning to Styx, he placed both in his hands. "Here."
"What is this?" Styx demanded.
"A key to my estate north of the city. It's quiet and isolated enough for your purpose, but far more pleasant than your lair." He pointed to the paper. Those are the directions. I'll alert Santiago and the rest of my staff to expect you."
Styx opened his mouth to protest. Perhaps his lair was not the most elegant or luxurious of places, but it was well protected and, more importantly, he was familiar with the surrounding landscape.
Still, he supposed there was something to be said for providing a bit of comfort for the woman.
As Viper had pointed out, humans were tediously fragile, and Styx knew that they were prone to a puzzling array of illnesses and injury. He needed her alive if she were to be of any worth.
Besides, it would keep him in a position to keep an eye on Salvatore.
"Perhaps it would be best to remain close enough to the city to negotiate with the Weres," he admitted.
"And close enough to call for assistance if you need it." Viper insisted.
"Yes." Styx pocketed the key. "Now I must go."
"Take care, old friend."
Styx gave a somber nod of his head. "That I can promise."
Gina, a redheaded, freckle-faced waitress was leaning negligently against the bar when the three men stepped into the Goth nightclub.
"Yowser, stud alert!" she shouted over the head-throbbing bang of the nearby band. "Now that is some grade A prime beef."