"Abby, my love," he at last murmured, pulling back to meet her shadowed gaze. "We can no longer remain here. I think we should gather our things and prepare to leave. We don't know how many other zombies might be lurking about."
Although pale, Abby had once again regained her staunch courage. Wrapping her arms about her waist, she gave a determined lift of her chin.
"Where will we go?"
"To find the coven," he retorted without hesitation. "Which means I shall first have to speak with Viper."
Her brows rose in surprise. "He knows where the coven is?"
His lips twitched. "No. But he does possess what we need to find them."
"And what's that?"
'Transportation."
Chapter 7
It took Abby less than a quarter of an hour to slip on the clothes that Dante had brought for her and tie back her hair in a simple braid. Not surprising, really. There was nothing like a twice-dead body lying on the floor to kick a woman into turbo speed.
Not only was it disgusting, but the smell was certain to become ripe before long. Something she wasn't particularly anxious to experience.
Careful to avoid glancing in the mirror at the reflection that was no longer her own, she swiftly brushed her teeth and returned to the outer room where Dante awaited her.
A rueful flare of amusement rushed through her at the sight of him beside the door. While she looked as if she had spent the past two days rolling in alleys, being hunted by demons, and attacked by zombies, he was Versace perfect.
The raven hair was brushed from his lean, alabaster face to flow down his back. The black silk shirt was without a wrinkle as it shimmered over his chiseled torso, and a pair of black leather pants hugged his legs with oh-my-God results.
Even the wicked features were without fault. There were no shadows, no hint of weariness. Not even a five o'clock shadow.
It was damn well unfair, she decided as she continued forward. He could at least have bed head or a bit of sleep crusted in those magnificent eyes.
Oblivious to her ridiculous thoughts, Dante offered her an encouraging smile. "Are you ready?"
"Only in the proverbial 'as ready as I'll ever be' sense," she admitted wryly.
His pirate smile widened. "Good enough for now, I suppose. Let's go."
Together they left the apartment, moving down the hall to the elaborate lobby. Instead of heading toward the door, however, Dante led her toward the curved marble staircase. In silence they climbed to the top floor and toward the back of the building. Only when they stood before a pair of carved mahogany doors did Dante come to a halt.
She was trailing so closely behind him that she nearly ran into him when he abruptly turned to regard her with a frown.
"Look, Abby, I can't leave you on your own, not when we can't be certain it's safe."
Abby gave a lift of her brows. "Do you think I'm going to argue? After the past few hours, I plan to stick to you like glue."
"A very nice visualization. One I intend to ponder at length later, lover. Still…"
"What?"
His lips thinned. "This isn't the place for innocents."
Abby rolled her eyes heavenward. Were all vampires demented? She hadn't been innocent since the day she left the cradle.
"I'm not a child, Dante," she retorted darkly. "I don't think I was ever a child. I've seen more evil in my life than most people can even dream of."
His expression softened as he reached out to brush his fingers over her cheek.
"I know that, lover. It doesn't mean that in your heart you're not still pure. Unfortunately at this point, we don't have much choice. Just… stay close."