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"Go to hell," the wizard croaked
"Eventually, no doubt" Viper heaved a sigh "I did hope to do this without undue violence This is, after aft,brain tissue out of velvet is a bitch Still, the pleasure of killing will be worth the effort"
The once-proud ed in fear "You’re a vampire Why do you care what happens to the witches?"
"Oh, I have no love for the hags They can rot in hell for all I care My only interest is for the welfare of my clansman You seriously miscalculated when you attacked Dante"
"He is a pawn of the she-devils"
"Wrong answer" Faster than the mortal eye could folow, Viper slashed a deep cut in the man’s cheek
The wizard cried out, his eyes ith terror "If you kill e the death of a pathetic sycophant like you?" Viper curled his lips into a sneer "He’s more likely to send me a fruit basket"
The man held up a hand of surrender "You must listen It’s the witches"
"What about theaze He had no trust for the human Such a man would sell his soul if he still owned it to save his hide But Viper could smell the sour desperation that oozed froer
"The witches intend to murderdown, Viper reached out to grasp the man by his throat At the first hint of a lie, he would put an end to the miserable worrudgingly followed the witch leading theh the shadowed house They had barely crossed the threshold when the fa herbs, and darker, less palatable odors clenched at his stomach
It was a stench he knew all too well
The witches were preparing a sacrifice
He intended to ensure that the sacrifice didn’t include Abby or hi close behind Abby, his senses swept the shadows If you knew you alking into a trap, was it still a trap?
Soe and eave the impression of space The air, however, was close and thick with a cloaking heat that pressed uncomfortably on Dante In hiswhat oncerooht the Chalice," she said in reverent tones
There was a rustle in the darkness and a low chant before the softness of candlelight chased away the gloom
With stiff movements, a slance she ray hair and lined face It was only when one noticed the hard brown eyes that the cold, relentless power becaht-lipped suardian" The hard gaze flicked over Dante before the woman waved a hand toward the cavernous room "Come in and be welcome"
Dante felt Abby’s hesitation before she was cautiouslyto take a seat on a leather chair beside the empty fireplace Dante stood behind her, his body tense and ready to strike
Just for a hed his protective stance, as if judging whether or not he would prove to be a hindrance to her plans
Whatever she decided was not visible on the ancient face But since he was still standing, he presumed she had concluded he was no threat
For the moment
In the blink of an eye, her attention returned to Abby’s pale face
"We have not yet been introduced, although I feel as if we are intiaze narrowed "And you are?"
"Abby Barlow"
"Ah, the servant," she murmured "I should have realized you would be the only one near enough to have taken the Phoenix"
"I didn’t mean to," Abby assured the wo to happen, I would have run screa in the opposite direction"
"Quite understandable" So that was no doubt supposed to be sympathy touched the lined face ’You look exhausted, et you some wine?"
Abby nervously cleared her throat "No, thank you"
’Very well" There was a short, thick silence "Ybu are well? You have had no difficulty in carrying the Phoenix?"
"Beyond being chased by every denarled hand waved in an imperious motion "I mean physically There is no pain? No sickness?"
"My eyes have turned blue, and I have a tendency to light people on fire, but besides that I feel all right"
"That is a relief Still…" The wo Dante’s lol as she reached out to touch Abby’s cheek "Perhaps you will not mind if I take a moment to ensure the Phoenix is unharmed by… recent events?"
Abby shuddered beneath the woman’s touch but didn’t pull away "If you must"
Edra closed her eyes as she ic, but he kneas being woven His hands clenched at his side Bloody hell, he hated this
"It is well, thank the blessed Goddess," the woasp and stumbled backward, her hand pressed to her heart "Oh…"