Page 59 (1/2)

"For now"

"There’s no need for you to be alone, you know Viper called earlier with an invitation for you to join him and Shay And, of course, you are alelcoaze at the low, al tone Why the hell would Styx care where he stayed? God knew he’d been left alone in his lair for years without…

Cor stiffened in huan told you about e Chicago?"

Styx allowed a hint of his power to flow over Jagr, the prickle of energy a painful reth

"If I feared you weremy finest brandy in the lair I share with an, it car’s shoulder "My only concern is for your happiness,away fro compassion etched on the vampire’s face

Daotten vao An eccentric loner who possessed the nasty sort of reputation to keep others away

And that was exactly how he had liked it

Then without warning, he’d been dragged kicking and screa back into a world filled with clan brothers, vampire politics, and a beautiful Were that had breathed life back into his frozen soul

He wasn’t sure if he wanted to stick a stake in Styx’s heart, or fall to his knees and bless him

Maybe both

"I need…distance," he at last ad silence, then Styx moved to take his seat behind the desk

"You could leave Chicago if you want," he said s every clan chief whose territory I enter That’s why I approached Viper in the first place"

"As one ofchallenged by other vaaze with an undisguised shock

Holy hell He hadn’t seen that coers steepled beneath his chin as he studied Jagr

"It’s rare that I find a warrior of your skill and loyalty When I do, I’r shook his head, wondering if thefroent vaotten, I don’t follow orders"

"Loyalty is different from blind obedience," Styx countered "I often send out my Ravens on delicate tasks I need soldiers who can think for ther snorted "I’m about as delicate as a war hammer"

"Sometimes a mission takes a rapier, and soers on the glossy surface of the desk "It’s my job to determine which weapon is needed"

"And my bouts of madness?" he demanded "They are rare, but…"

"They are nor shook his head

A Raven

A part of hih at the sheer absurdity

He was a half-feral va those who’d tortured hi the beast he’d beco hi the demon-world

Talk about irony

But another part of hian had sely teive hie was not only fascinating, but it was as lethal a weapon as his sword or daggers

Besides, there was a quiet peace to be found in his vast library And of course, the bonus of knowing his books weren’t going to try to kill him

Noever, he couldn’t help but wonder if it was time he put an end to his self-imposed exile

Without undue vanity, he kneas one of the most powerful vahts into both the human and demon-world that few others could claim

Skills that would serve the Anasso well

More iht offer an opportunity to devote histhe absence of hisemotions, Styx rose from his seat and rounded the desk to stand directly in front of Jagr

"Don’t answer now Take your time to consider the offer," he comr offered a dip of his head "I should go"

"Of course, you r had reached the door, Styx cleared his throat "Be warned that Viper will be intruding into your privacy, along with Dante and Cezar"