Page 22 (1/2)

Suspicion and paranoia were a va alive

But despite his instinctive wariness, he wouldn’t believe that Darcy could ever be a threat She e and a will of iron, but there was tenderness to her soul that couldn’t be faked

"Darcy is far too gentle to harm anyone," he said with absolute certainty "Even me"

The evil sh There would be no va today

"I must admit you have me there She isn’t at all like a deave a lift of his brows "Have you ed to determine what she is?"

"She is demon; there is no doubt about that" A hint of annoyance entered Levet’s tone He didn’t like not being able to deteroyle powers "But it is as if it is somehow masked by her huray eyes He wasn’t above using the gargoyle’s own insatiable curiosity against him

"Salvatore possesses the truth"

"The Were?"

"Yes"

The gargoyle frowned, clearly sensing he was being manipulated "He has already kicked your ass once Do you truly wish to eave a low hiss Feould dare re loss

"Any fool can shoot a crossbohile cowering at a distance It was nothing ly unconvinced "If you say"

"Very well, I a the Were" Styx controlled his teed a cold smile "You, on the other hand, ence necessary to make Salvatore appear a fool"

Levet backed aith his hands in the air "Non A thousand ti sharp teeth and nasty claws"

"Surely a ed? I as I a small means that you could slip into their lair unnoticed"

"Are you certain that arroent through your chest and not your brain?" Levet snorted in disgust "Why would I risk myself for you?"

"Because it is not for me It is for Darcy," Styx said set their hands on her, she will be at risk"

The gray eyes narrowed "That’s not fair"

It wasn’t, of course But Styx was not above using whatever means necessary

He had to knohat secrets the Weres were hording Not only for Darcy, but for the fragile peace that held the bloodshed at bay

"And I suppose if you succeed I could find soly conceded

"Daht, you could"

"What is it you desire?"

"To be a six-foot tall rock star with buns of steel and washboard abs," Levet proave a lift of his brows "I’oyle pointed a finger toward Styx’s face "I will do this, but only for Darcy, you understand?"

Styx ise enough to hide his smile He hadn’t doubted for a et the best of hiullet of a Were, I will coht that is enough to give any va of French curses beneath his breath "You know, Styx, you’re just one good staking away from a decent personality"

"More powerful de what Styx assuesture, the tiny demon stalked down the hall toward the kitchen

Naturally he had to have the last word

"Talk to the tail, varowled

The ar of beauty

Not only did it possess a collection of weapons large enough to equip a small army, but it had also been built with all the apparatus necessary for a vae, a line of targets for archery practice and knife throwing There were padded dummies for hand-to-hand combat, and even armored dummies for swordplay

There was also a senuine competition

Stripped down to a pair of leather pants and soft suede boots, Styx slashed his sword toward the waiting DeAngelo They had been sparring for over an hour, and they both had the bleeding wounds to prove it

Mock battles between vampires always tended to be more battle than mock

Despite his wounds, however, Styx found his tensionhielo was ahis own, even against Styx