Page 25 (1/2)

"I get a lot of that"

His captor narrowed his gaze, no doubt surprised by Dante’s casual indifference

’Just don’t make any hasty movements"

Dante flicked a broard "Why would I o" He took aat the barren surroundings "At least not at the h the pale eyes before the ht smile

"Nice try, but I was there when you tore apart six of ed Inwardly he was cursing hiht he had destroyed at least nine

"I didn’t have much of a choice Those witches made sure of that"

’Just as they’ll make sure you try to save her from the master"

Dante pretended to consider the accusation for a moment

"Actually, I don’t think so"

The man took an unconscious step closer Unfortunately not close enough for Dante to get his teeth upon him

"What do you mean?"

The chains rattled as Dante waved his hand toward the thick walls "I don’t knohat it is about these caves, but the first time in three centuries that damn Phoenix doesn’t have its claws stuck in me I obviously owe you one And a vampire always pays his debts" His suardian was atte to use what he loosely clai that you’re free of the curse?"

"Who knows?" Dante leaned his head against the wall "I’e to lift a finger for that bitch who trapped me"

Another beat passed "I don’t believe you"

"Whatever" Dante shrugged "At least tell lance toward the darkened entrance

"Not yet"

So, she h hiht as well be a world away unless he could get the chains removed

With an effort, he maintained his air of aloof curiosity "Not yet? Why would you hesitate… ah Of course You’re going to offer her up to the Prince, aren’t you?"

The human stiffened at the hint of ht"

Dante casually studied his host, allowing his aive you a bit of advice, boy," he drawled softly "Don’t wait too long There are all sorts of beasties out there ill kill you for the opportunity to be the one to give the Prince such a prize The sooner you offer the sacrifice, the sooner you’ll have glory beyond belief"

The stiffness increased as a hint of color touched the cheeks still rounded with youth

’The glory belongs to ave a s me that you captured the Phoenix and handed her over for someone else to reap the rewards? Hell, don’t you have a brain? Oh, maybe it’s the balls you lack"

The color turned to purple as theh your heart"

Dante hed He had hit a direct nerve The ible in the air

"God, I thought I had been pussy-whipped by those witches" He rubbed the salt a bit deeper into the open wound "At least I never willingly allowed myself to be turned into a scher was a cold hunger that he could not entirely conceal

"I will have reat master? Pathetic"

"Shut up"

Dante folded his ar chains He hated chains TheyHard Instead he s hulory, a place at the side of the Prince" His s a flunky I’ve noticedsheep to wolves"

A loud breath hissed through clenched teeth "I knohat you’re trying to do, and it won’t work"

Oh, it orking Thewith the desire to snatch the power he felt being denied hies to kill that bloody Phoenix, just as long as it’s good and dead" Dante glanced down to inspect his fingernail "I intend to walk out of this cave a free vah ’You think the Prince won’t want a taste of you?"

"Why should he?"