Embrace the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy Page A

enough.”
    â€œOpinions you ignored. Just as I intend to. Now, if that is all…”
    With a sharp motion Dante was on his feet, his silver eyes glittering in the soft glow of the lamplight.
    â€œViper, what game are you playing?”
    Viper set aside his empty bottle. “There is no game.”
    â€œThere is something.” Dante moved from around the desk, the black leather pants and black silk shirt making him appear a dangerous predator. Which was exactly what he was. “You have condemned any slave trader to death if you discover they have attempted to capture and sell a vampire within your territory.”
    â€œShay is not a vampire.”
    â€œThat does not alter the fact you detest those who peddle in flesh.”
    Viper smiled wryly. He possessed any number of pleasure houses. Elegant, expensive establishments where demons and fairies, and even a rare few humans, could come to enjoy whatever delights they could imagine.
    â€œThere are some who claim that I peddle in flesh.”
    Dante frowned. “Never unwilling flesh.”
    Viper shrugged. He could hardly argue. Those who served him did so at their own choice. He waved a hand toward the bar. “Wine? Or perhaps a taste of my private stock of brandy?”
    Dante narrowed his gaze. He was not about to be distracted. “What are you doing with Shay?”
    A helluva question. A pity he had no answer.
    â€œWhat does it matter to you?”
    â€œI can’t say it bothers me in the least. Abby, however, will not give me rest until she is assured you mean the demon no harm.”
    Viper gave a short laugh. “At least you are honest. But tell me, Dante, would your oh-so-beautiful wife have preferred that I had stepped aside and allowed Shay to be bought as a blood whore? Or perhaps a trophy to be hung on the wall of some demon hunter?”
    â€œShe would prefer that you set her free.”
    Allow Shay to slip from his grasp? To disappear like she had done after the battle with the witches?
    Over his cold, dead body.
    â€œI did tell you that it is not possible. I hold an amulet that forces her to come when I call, but the curse that binds her is held by a lesser troll named Evor. A troll who has suddenly disappeared.”
    Dante lifted his brows. “What do you mean?”
    As concisely as possible, Viper revealed what they had discovered in the auction house. He was careful to describe the mutilation of the trolls in great detail. It could be that Dante would recognize something about the attack that would assist in tracing the savage culprit.
    â€œYou are certain a demon is responsible for the massacre?” his companion demanded.
    â€œWhat else?”
    â€œA witch or wizard perhaps.”
    Viper hid a smile. Who could blame his friend for being suspicious of witches? Having someone try to kill you on several occasions tended to make you a bit twitchy.
    â€œShay sensed no magic.”
    Dante gave a shake of his head. “If it were a demon, you should be able to track it. There are few who can hide their scent from a vampire.”
    â€œA Hunding, an Irra, perhaps a Napchut.”
    â€œAre they powerful enough to tear apart a nest of trolls?”
    It was the question that had plagued Viper since he had discovered the various troll parts splattered across the room. Unfortunately, he could only imagine one demon strong enough to defeat the trolls and yet possess the magical abilities to hide his scent.
    â€œA Lu warrior would be.”
    Dante stiffened. Viper didn’t blame him. The Lu were the bogeymen of the demon world. The nightmares that crawled from the earth to devour whatever was in their path.
    â€œThe Lu haven’t been seen for centuries,” Dante breathed.
    â€œNeither have Shalotts.”
    â€œTrue enough.” Dante moved slowly forward, his expression somber. “A vampire, even a clan chief, would not be strong enough to battle a Lu. Their teeth are capable of