"Possessions? Sacrebleu. I am a gargoyle. A demon to be feared and respected above all others. I will—"
"Enough, Levet," Shay interrupted the furious words, her gaze never leaving Viper's beautiful face. "There are demons trapped in the dungeons."
He gave a lift of his brows. "They are your friends as well?"
"I don't even know for certain what creatures are behind the doors. I only know mat with the trolls dead and Evor missing they might be locked in those cells for eternity. It's worse than torture."
'They may be dangerous."
She didn't doubt for a moment that they were extremely dangerous, and more than likely deadly.
That didn't change her determination to have them rescued.
"We cannot leave them."
"Santiago."
His gaze never left her pale face as he lifted a hand and a shadow detached itself from behind a nearby tree.
"Yes, master?"
"Go to the dungeons and release the prisoners."
"As you wish."
"We will meet you at the car."
There wasn't a moment's hesitation as the vampire silently melded into the dark. Shay grimaced at the mindless obedience. If that was what Viper was expecting from her... well, he was in for a major disappointment.
And no doubt she would be in for a number of beatings.
Pride was a hell of a tiling.
"You mink it's safe for him to go alone?" she demanded.
Viper shrugged. "He is a vampire."
Vamp arrogance. It made her teeth clench.
"Fine, then can we go?"
Viper opened his lips, but it was Levet's voice that echoed through the darkness.
"Umm... Shay?"
She turned to discover him standing a safe distance from Viper.
"Yes?"
"What of moi?"
"Oh... I..." Her gaze reluctantly returned to the vampire standing way too close. "Viper?"
"Yes, pet?"
She wanted to tell him to back away. Now that she was no longer dazed by Evor's disappearance she found his hovering presence far too distracting. But she held her tongue. She was in the unpleasant position of asking for a favor.
Something she didn't do well under the best of circumstances,