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A relief, considering the elder vampire possessed the ability to bend others to Ms henever he desired to make the effort

"You’re sure some survived?" he instead demanded

"At least a few of thee"

"They could be anywhere"

"They won’t go far from the Phoenix," Dante pointed out "Even if they don’t know the precise location or even who holds the Chalice, they sense its presence Unfortunately I don’t have anythem"

"I would hardly call that unfortunate" The thin nose flared with distaste "A pity the wizard didn’t wipe thereed with thoroughly until Abby was thrust into carrying the Phoenix Now his only concern was finding the means to release her froh this, Viper"

"And you know ruesome detail" Dante raised a hand to rub the knotted muscles of his neck "Will you help me?"

"You know you don’t have to ask I may consider you all kinds of a fool, but I will always have your back"

"Thank you," Dante enuine sincerity

"What do you need?"

"Protection" Dante proh to carry but able to deal with the zombies"

A smile twitched at the corners of Viper’s lips

"No doubt I have so suitable in my vault," he retorted Dante knew Viper’s vault could ared from prototype weapons stolen from top scientists to ancient aric "What else?"

"I think so upon powers that have been forgotten for centuries He could be a problelittered with anticipation "Perhaps I will toddle over for a visit I haven’t gone against a decent wizard since the Middle Ages"

Dante frowned As a rule, Viper ed to avoid petty confrontations Unlike most vampires, he didn’t feel the need to prove his balls by challenging every demon that crossed his path Which was one of the reasons Dante preferred his company to others

But there was a part of Viper that couldn’t resist a challenge If he thought there ive hiun blazing

Or fangs flashing

"Be careful," Dante warned sternly "I don’t doubt he’ll have a few nasty tricks up his sleeve"

Viper chuckled with cold amusement ’Trust me, Dante, no one can match me for nasty tricks"

"That I well believe," Dante rasp his friend’s shoulder as his knees threatened to buckle

"God, you can barely stand," Viper growled, a hint of concern touching his lean features "Go to bed I will set a watch outside your rooms You and your Abby are safe here"

Dante nodded in relief "You’re a good man, Viper"

"Spread that around and I’ll chop you into bacon bits and leave you to the sun," the older va every one of his four hundred plus years, Dante h the darkened hallways At least he would have a few hours of rest

No wizards, witches, zo the private apartment, he headed directly to the bedroo water

The weariness slid away as a faint s his course, he h the door to study the slender wo of heaven…

If his heart still beat, it would have halted at the sight of the white skin glowing in the candlelight like the rarest pearl and her honey curls fanned about her gamine face Thankfully the rest of his body functioned just fine Dante allowed his gaze to trail over the soft thrust of her breasts to the tehs, and he felt hied as his erection bit into the buttons of his pants

With perfect clarity, he recalled the feel of her war pleasure as she had rode him to completion

Ah, sweet heavens he wanted her

No, he needed her

With a desperation thatoff his boots and shrugging out of his shirt, Dante paced forward and settled on the edge of the tub

"Is this a private party or can anyone join in?" he murmured softly