Page 8 (1/2)

But only at a glance

Any strangers unfortunate enough to pass close to the far them, and the only warm h to prevent o learned to cut a wide path around the place It was rare the heavy silence was disturbed by more than birds

The location of the house was no accident Beneath the rolling hills were hidden a series of caves that stretched for ends connected to the caves Some claimed that they had been used by the Under-Ground Railroad Some said that they had been the hideout of Jesse Jalers who preferred the river to transport their ill-gotten goods

None of the stories were true, of course The caves had been ho before the first settlers had ever arrived

In the deepest of the caves a slender i pool

He appeared out of place areen robe the color of spring old leaves that he had weaved through his curls he shimmered with an unearthly beauty

An ilade not the dark bowels of the earth

Still, for the h

He waved a slender hand over the pool to bring an end to the visions it revealed Above hier

"Your wizard has failed," the shadow rasped the obvious

"So it would see to his feet Damocles carefully brushed the dirt from his robe "I did warn you that Joseph was not at all reliable"

"He was a fool and a lickspittle, but the fault was not entirely his oas it?" The shadow seemed to thicken "If I were a suspicious man I would wonder why you did not send my envoy with sufficient funds to bid on the Shalott"

A faint smile touched the imp’s handso danger in the air Only a fool would believe that the shadow could not reach out and strike hi indispensable to his current h

"You woundwith the delicate chain that hung about his neck "I could hardly have known that the vaeous bid Besides, would you truly have me hand over half a million dollars in cash to any servant? For all of Josephs pledge of loyalty I do not believe even he could have withstood the temptation to what do they say take the ainst Damocles delicate ears

"He knew that if he ran I would have killed hiical"

"So noe do not have the Shalott and worse she is in the hands of a vaave an innocent lift of his brows "Surely that is goodnews? You have considerable power a the clans Can you not simply demand that this Viper hand the demon over to you?"

"Not" An unseen hand struck Damocles across the face "I cannot reveal my interest in this It would only cause the sort of speculation and questions I have sought to avoid There must be no hint I am connected to the Shalott until I am healed If my enemies kneeakened I have beco down his cheek but he did not soas I am at your side"

"Oh yes, my sweet imp, such loyalty," the voice mocked

"It is as deep and endless as the sea"

"More like as deep and endless as my coffers"

The imp offered a half bow "We all have our weaknesses, do we not?"

"Bah" The shadow stirred with a restless impatience "I want that dehts racing at thisfor every eventuality On reading the future with uncanny skill

He was never caught off guard, never unprepared

On this occasion, however, he had to ad

"My pet?" He lightly touched his golden chain "Surely not yet, my lord? It is bound to stir unwelcome attention I have several--"

His words were choked off as a pressure encircled his throat and cut off his air

"Have you forgotten who isbefore Damocles’s eyes before the pressure at last eased and he was allowed to suck in a lung fall of air

A fury raced through his blood but with the ease of long practice Damocles lowered himself to his knees and bent his head as was expected of a proper servant

His plans could be altered He was nothing if not resourceful

"Of course not, my lord It shall be as you desire" He slowly lifted his head "Still, there is no guarantee that there will not be casualties"

"What do I care as long as it is not the Shalott?" the shadow demanded

"The vampire--"

"A necessary sacrifice"