"They are all in the kitchen. I have retrieved them, but I am no bellboy to be carrying and lugging things to your room."
"Of course not."
She gave the gargoyle a distracted smile as she moved past him and left the conservatory. For some reason she had to see her belongings for herself.
Entering the kitchen, she found them just as Levet had promised.
There were four boxes of her various plants and a small suitcase that carried her clothes.
She was staring at them with an unconscious frown when Levet joined her at the table.
"I did get them all, did I not?"
"Yes, this is all."
He gave a small sniff. "1 cannot imagine why you would wish a bunch of weeds stuck in ugly pots. They seem a great deal of trouble when you can step out the door and dig up any number of weeds just like them."
"They are not weeds; they are my companions," she corrected.
"Well, I suppose as roommates they are at least quiet."
She smiled ruefully as she reached out to touch one of her lacy ferns. "No one really understands."
There was a short beat before Levet cleared his throat. "Actually, I would guess that at least one vampire understands."
"Yes," she murmured softly, that strange tingle returning.
Styx.
He did understand. Or if he didn't understand, he was at least willing to accept the importance to her. And he had sent Levet out in the snow so that she wouldn't be fretting over her things.
It was ...
Cripes, it was sweet. And thoughtful. And not at all in keeping with a coldhearted monster who intended her harm.
And for some stupid reason it touched her far more than was reasonable.
Well, perhaps not stupid, she silently conceded. After all, when a person was alone in the world the slightest offer of kindness tended to take on greater meaning than for other people.
Even if that kindness came from a bloodthirsty vampire holding her captive.
"Excuse me," she muttered to Levet as she left the kitchen and went in search of the elusive Styx.
She needed to see the beautiful demon.
She wanted him to know she wasn't indifferent to his concern for her happiness.
As she moved through the empty living room and equally empty study, Darcy paused as a coldness prickled over her skin. It was a coldness like the one that surrounded Styx but without the added surge of excitement his always stirred.
With a swift motion she turned, not at all surprised to discover the silent vampire standing in the doorway.
"Oh." She shifted uneasily. "Hello."
The vampire was motionless as he stared at her from the depths of his heavy cowl.
"Is there some requirement that I can fulfill?" he demanded.
She resisted the urge to shiver. He looked like a mannequin. A very scary mannequin.