"No miracles, but I do have a plan," he reluctantly confessed.
"One that includes disappearing for the next few centuries, I hope."
"I'm taking her to the witches."
A sharp, disbelieving silence descended before Viper was abruptly grasping Dante's arm and pulling him into the darkest shadows of the hallway.
"Have you completely lost your mind?" his friend growled with a smoldering fury. "The last time you encountered those bitches they leashed you like a dog. This time they might very well kill you."
Dante shoved his hands into his pockets. Hellfire, he wasn't an idiot. Or at least not a complete idiot. He was fully aware that if it suited the witches, he could be back in shackles, if not worse.
"I have no choice," he said stiffly.
"Why?"
"They are the only ones who can remove the Phoenix from Abby."
Viper appeared far from impressed by his perfectly reasonable explanation. Instead he stared at Dante as if he were considering a straitjacket.
"Now I know you're mad," he seethed. "Why would you allow yourself to be bound to another? This woman at least cares for you."
Dante grimly closed his mind to temptation. He wasn't by nature noble. Or self-sacrificing. He took what he desired and to hell with morals.
But somehow the rules had changed. Abby had seen to that.
"It isn't her burden."
"It's not yours either," Viper countered with lethal softness. "Not by choice."
Slowly Dante turned his head to the slender form hovering anxiously by the door. His lips twisted in a wry smile.
"It is now."
"You will risk everything for this woman?"
"Everything," Dante admitted in low tones.
There was a short silence before Viper heaved a resigned sigh. "Madness. What can I do to help?"
Dante turned back with a determined expression. 'Tor now all I need are your keys."
Chapter 8
Hours later, Dante continued his hunt through the silent fringes of the city. At his side, Abby sat in rare silence as she reluctantly swallowed the herbs he had insisted she drink.
Too silent, he realized as he glanced toward the delicate profile that was tinted silver by the moonlight
Although Abby was always careful to keep others at a distance, it was unlike her to withdraw so completely. If nothing else, she should be complaining of their futile search for some hint of the witches. Or chastising him for possessing lethal ex-lovers. Or at least telling him how he should be driving.
Instead she slouched in her seat, drinking her herbs and…
Dante's frown abruptly deepened. Was she humming?
Devil's blood. There was something definitely wrong with the woman.
Slowing the car, Dante carefully cleared his throat. "Abby?"
"Mmmm?"