Ensuring that he stood squarely between Abby and the demon, Dante offered a faint shrug.
"Hellhounds have never been renowned for their intelligence."
"No. A pity, really. Still, they do have their uses. Such as flushing out prey so that I needn't muck about in such filth." Halford cast a disdainful glance toward the dilapidated hotel. "I must say, Dante, I had always believed you to possess better taste."
"What better place to hide from the scum than beneath their very noses?"
Halford loosed a rumbling laugh that echoed eerily down the alley. "A clever ploy except for the fact that every brother in the city can smell your beauty from a mile away. I fear there's no hiding."
Dante silently cursed. Although Abby carried the Phoenix, she had not yet fully acquired its powers or any knowledge of how to control those powers. Until she did, she would be a beacon to every demon in the area.
'You underestimate my skill," he drawled in silky tones.
"Oh no, I would never be so stupid as to underestimate you, Dante." The demon stepped forward, his claws grinding the pavement to dust. "Unlike many in the brotherhood, I can easily sense the power that you have been forced to keep leashed all these tedious years. Which is why I'm quite prepared to allow you to walk away. I have no wish to kill you."
Dante gave a lift of his brow. 'You will allow me to walk away?"
"Of course. I have never taken pleasure in killing my fellow demons." Halford gave what vaguely passed as a smile, considering his triple rows of teeth. "Leave the girl and I can promise that you'll never be troubled again."
Ah. Dante abruptly grasped the truth. Halford was alone. And not at all certain he could best a vampire. At least not before the other gathering demons could arrive and complicate matters.
"A rather generous offer," Dante murmured.
"I think so."
"Still, I think that handing over such a priceless treasure should be worth something more tangible. After all, if you are forced to battle me for the wench, you might discover yourself having to share the glory with any number of demons rushing in this direction."
A sudden blow to the center of his back assured Dante that Abby had heard his taunting words. And naturally had jumped to the predictable conclusion. He was an evil vampire, after all.
Reaching back, he grasped one slender wrist in a tight grip. He could not risk having her bolt.
Halford narrowed Ms eyes. All three of them. "What could be more tangible than your life?"
Dante shrugged. There's little point in living an eternity if I must be reduced to wallowing among the wretched. As you said, I'm accustomed to a rather more luxurious lifestyle that is about to come to an end without Selena."
"Why you…" With a low growl, Abby frantically struggled against his grasp, kicking him with a savagery that would have sent a mortal to his knees.
"Hush, lover," he commanded without ever turning his head. "Halford and I are about to start negotiations."
Tig. Monster. Beast."
Dante ignored the kicks that punctuated each word as he met Halford's amused gaze.
"A spirited thing," the demon rasped.
"A character flaw that could be easily corrected."
Halford flexed his bulging muscles. "Quite easily. Now let us be done with this. What is your price?"
Dante made a show of considering. "A ready supply of blood, of course. In this day and age, it really is far too dangerous to be out hunting among the riffraff."
"Simple enough."
"And perhaps a few Shantong to keep my lair warm at night," he murmured, deliberately choosing demons notorious for their insatiable sexual appetite.
"Ah, a vampire with exquisite taste. Is that all?"
Noting the triumph glittering in Halford's eyes, Dante at last judged the moment ripe. The demon was consumed with thoughts of the glory as he offered the Phoenix to his dark Prince.