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She gave a wry smile as she tossed aside her napkin "Good lord, no I’ walk"

Styx rose frolance out thein puzzlement "The elements would not trouble me, but it is far too cold for a human"

She moved to stand beside him, completely unaware of his body’s reaction to the heat and scent of her

"Oh, look, it’s snowing"

He glanced down to discover her expression softened with delight "Angel, you cannot go outside with no shoes or coat"

"I suppose not" A wistful smile touched her lips "I love snow It always ods, he was the master of all vampires Demons around the world quaked at the mention of his name There was none ould stand in his path And yet, the slightest hint of longing fro to please her

It was downright pathetic

Sing a sigh, he reached down to sweep her off her feet and cradled her against his chest

Darcy gave a startled squeak as she clutched at the gaping edges of her robe "What are you doing?"

"I believe I ht have a solution that will please you," he assured her as he left the kitchen and headed down the hall to the far wing of the house

"Styx, put me down"

"Not yet" He opened the door to the new addition and set Darcy on her feet before reaching to switch on the lights "Here we are"

Her eyes widened with delight as she glanced around the glass enclosure that offered an unobstructed view of the falling snow

"A solariu smile "It’s beautiful"

"It’s not entirely finished Viper plans to surprise his h "A very generous gift"

Styx allowed a s about an untimely interruption in another solarium that he intended to correct I didn’t probe further"

"No doubt a wise choice" She walked across the floor, not see to mind the bare shelves and only partially Finished fountain She gently touched her hand to a frosted pane "Levet told me of Viper and his wife Is she a vampire as well?"

He silently moved to stand behind her "Actually, she is like you A mixture of human and demon"

Her body tensed at his words "We don’t know if I do have delass "You are so her reluctance to consider the possibility of demon blood, he easily turned the conversation

"If you would like, I can ask Shay to visit so you can speak with her"

She turned with a curious expression "According to Levet, she is not very happy with you"

He griry that I have taken you as uest"

"Guest?"

"Prisoner, if you prefer"

"I like her already"

Styx abruptly wished he had not suggested that Shay visit Darcy was already determined to hold him at a damnable distance Once Shay revealed his past this wo less than a monster

"Perhaps we should wait for her visit until" Styx’s words came to a halt as he leaned close to the curve of her neck

The scent was faint, but unmistakable

Werewolf

Disbelief was followed closely by a cold stab of anger

In the past hour Darcy had been in the company of Salvatore The bastard had actually possessed the sheer balls to invade his home and somehow corner Darcy while she was alone

Even worse, this woman had deliberately concealed the encounter