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Startled by the interruption, Abby turned her head to regard Dante slowly strolling toward them With a casual motion, he tossed the suitcase he held in his hand onto the sofa, never pausing in his approach

More relieved than she cared to admit at his return, Abby drank in the pale, wicked countenance As ridiculous as it ht be to accept, it was al his absence A part that now felt fulfilled

She was barely aware that Viper had htly upon her shoulders

"So you return at last, Dante," Viper aze narrowed as Dante pointedly glanced toward the hands inti Abby’s shoulders

’Your concern is quite touching, Viper" He slowly arched a brow "And speaking of touching…"

There was no e in the satin voice, but Vipersuch purity It is quite… intoxicating"

’Then perhaps you should get a breath of fresh air to clear your mind," Dante warned

"Always the warrior" Viper reached to pull Abby’s fingers to his lips "If you decide you prefer a poet, be sure to call for rowled

With that mysterious smile, Viper offered his fellow va toward the door

"I shall leave the two of you to rest Don’t worry that you’ll be bothered I promise to keep the wolves, or in this case the demons, at bay"

Left on their own, Dante paused a moment before he moved to take the hand that Viper had so recently caressed

"You ive my friend," he said with a wry smile "He believes hie to reach up and touch the sculpted face, she offered a distracted shrug "He is rather fascinating,’’ she felt bound to ad idiot would believe she was utterly indifferent to the beautiful fallen angel?

"You find him attractive?"

"In an undead sort of way"

His expression hardened "I see"

Abby shivered "He also terrifiesor anyone in his path if it suited his purpose"

A s as I aht squeeze beforeback to the suitcase he had left on the sofa and sweeping it open

"To Selena’s to retrieve a few belongings I thought we ht need" He pulled out several pairs of jeans and casual cotton shirts that had once belonged to her eht not be a perfect fit, but they should do"

She heaved a sigh of sheer relief at the thought of clean clothes A small slice of paradise

"Thank you"

He reached back into the suitcase to pull out a sht you this"

"What is it?"

"Soainst hope that it was a hot fudge sundae, she took the container and slowly pulled off the lid Her nose Wrinkled at the foul soo that h This is that vile stuff Selena used to drink"

"It will give you nourishment"

She hastily put the container onto a nearby table "So will a cheeseburger and fries, and without any icky green aftertaste"

"Abby" Oddly Dante turned to pace across the large roo raven hair "There is so you need to know"

Her blood froze at his raw tone She ht not know jack about vampires, but she did know that tone It meant trouble It always meant trouble

"What?"

Slowly he turned to study her with a so, she touched you"

Abby reluctantly recalled those horribleshe had tried to put froave a nod of her head "Yes, I rerabbed my arm It hurt"

"That was because she transferred her powers to you"