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"The gargoyle?" He gave a lift of his brows "I didn’t know he cared"

"He thought that I ith you"

"Ah" Viper frowned "What of Dante?"

"He is gathering your clan Once the sun sets Levet will return to Chicago and lead them here"

He cupped her chin in his hand "And it never occurred to you to wait for Dante?"

Her eyes narrowed Never a good sign "You ht very well have been dead"

"But you would have been safe," he growled "Da yourself--"

"No" She jerked her chin froht hold my amulet, but you have proave a hiss of exasperation "Of course you’re not"

"Then I’ here to rescue you then that’s exactly what I’ll do"

It ithout a doubt the ument that Viper had ever heard And he had heard a lot of the shake of his head "Even if itcaptured and drained?" he demanded harshly "That’s exactly ill happen if we’re caught You should have returned to Abby You would have been safe there"

Indifferent to his dangerous mood she boldly poked him in the chest Poked hio No In all the world

"No, I would not have been safe" she said

He took a step back The poking didn’t hurt, but it did little to help his wounded pride

"Shay, not even Styx and the Ravens would dare attack the Phoenix That’s exactly why he lured us out of her house in the first place"

"He ht not attack the Phoenix, but it doesn’t oddesses I surround myself with if they decide to kill Evor"

Viper’s muscles tensed "Evor? You knohere he is?"

"I think he’s here"

"No" Viper gave an adaed to get their hands on the troll"

Shay gave a short, huh "And you believed him after he captured and tortured you? Did he also have some swampland to buy?"

His lips thinned He fully intended to deal with his old friend But not now

"Styx ht even kill "

Realizing that it would be impossible to explain Styx’s co claim

"Why do you believe he holds Evor?"

"Because I sh the caves"

A cold chill arrowed down his spine "You’re certain?"

Her eyes narrowed She didn’t call him thick-skulled, but it was implied

"It’s a fairly unique odor"

And one Shay would be all too familiar with

Viper clenched his fists as he paced across the narrow tunnel He couldn’t begin to guess how Evor could be close by without Styx knowing, but he had to at least search for the rotten troll

"Damn"

"What is it?" she dearded hi statue in a cave that leads out of the bluffs Why?"

"I don’t suppose I can convince you to join hio in search of this mysterious troll?"

"No"

"Shay"