The Raven gave a disgusted sound. "As if an imp would know anything of oaths and honor."
Damocles could have told him that he held his oaths more dearly than anyone would ever know. Instead he leaned against the wall and inspected the golden thread on the cuff of his robe with arrogant indifference.
"Did you seek me out to offer me tedious insults or did you have a purpose?"
The lean, harsh features tightened. "Much against my wishes the master has charged you with retrieving the Shalott. So far you have done nothing more than offer empty promises. Where is the demon?"
Damocles shrugged. "There has been a minor setback, but there is no reason to fear. 1 shall soon have her in my grasp."
Without warning Damocles found himself flat on his back nursing a bruised jaw. The blow had come so swiftly he hadn't had a chance to avoid it.
"I have no trust in you, imp, and even less liking. Your arrival at our door was a dark omen that has brought nothing but grief. Produce the Shalott or I will have your head."
Without a backward glance Styx was sweeping through thedarkness and leaving Damocles to wipe the blood from his mouth.
Alone Damocles allowed a smile to curve his lips.
It was always a good day when he could provoke the bloody Prince of Ice to lose his temper.
He intended to ensure there were many, many more such days.
Chapter Five
Waiting until Viper had left the kitchen Shay gathered the cartons of food and breathed in deeply of the delicious scent.
Damn but she was starving.
For the past weeks she had barely eaten enough to keep a bird alive. Evor enjoyed his tiny tortures and he thought it grand fun to watch her scrambling across the floor to gather the handful of crumbs he would toss through the bars of her cage.
And as much as she hated accepting anything from the vampire, she couldn't resist the temptation spread before her.
Starting with the boxes of Chinese food she had managed to polish them off, and most of the fried chicken, when her captor strolled back into the room.
Viper gave a lift of his brows at the sight of the empty cartons but, thankfully, he refrained from commenting on her gluttony.
"If you want to leave a list for my housekeeper I'm sure she'll be able to keep the kitchen stocked with any food you prefer."
Shay glanced over the piles of food. "She's already stocked it with everything but apple pie."
"I'm sure the apple pie could be arranged."
Shay didn't doubt it for a moment. The housekeeper seemed the type to go over and above the call of duty.
The question was whether the woman did it out of a sense of loyalty, or out of fear.
"Does she know that you're a vampire?"
The full, sensual lips twitched in amusement. "The bags of blood filling the refrigerator usually give it away."
Smart-ass.
Her eyes narrowed. "Most humans refuse to believe in demons. Or if they do believe they are terrified of them"
"Her family has served me for a number of centuries," he explained. "In fact she has four sons who work at my various businesses."
"A regular dynasty."
He gave an elegant shrug. "It simplifies matters."