Embrace the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy Read Free Book Online Page B

concern himself with that meddling band of jackasses. They had done their best to interfere in his plots and schemes and he had promised himself a proper punishment. He was very good at punishment.
    But not now. Not yet.
    â€œPerfectly, my lord. Indeed I shall go along to ensure that there are no unfortunate mistakes.”
    â€œA wise decision.”
    Damocles slowly rose to his feet, his thoughts racing. “But first I believe I shall pay a visit on the troll.”
    There was a suspicious pause. “Why? He is meaningless.”
    The imp smiled. “Not so meaningless. He holds the curse that binds the Shalott.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œIf he dies, she dies. I think it would be wiser to have him in our care to keep him out of the hands of our enemies.”
    â€œYes, yes, of course,” the shadow rasped. “I should have thought of that. We cannot risk having that troll running loose. Anything could happen to him.”
    â€œI will attend to him personally.”
    â€œGood.” The shadow stirred with a harsh sigh. “I must rest.”
    Damocles offered a low bow. “Certainly, my lord. Conserve your strength. Soon enough you will be strong and whole once again.”
    There was a brief silence. “Damocles?”
    â€œYes, my lord?”
    â€œYou will send me what I need tonight?”
    The imp hid his smile of satisfaction. “I have everything prepared.”
    â€œYou must take care. If the Ravens…”
    â€œI will be the soul of discretion.”
    â€œGood. Now go before you are missed.”
    With one last bow Damocles was moving through darkness. There was a direct path to the upper caves, but he was wise enough to avoid it. He was well aware that the damnable Ravens devoted a great deal of effort to keeping track of his movements. It pleased him to be able to slip past their spies with such ease.
    He had reached the narrow path that would lead to his own private caves when a shadow abruptly loomed before him. He didn’t have to wait for the form to step into the flickering light of the nearby torch to know who blocked his path.
    Only one possessed the arrogance to regard him as if he were a bit of filth stuck to the bottom of his boot.
    â€œHold, Damocles, I would have a word with you.”
    Damocles regarded the tall, fiercely handsome vampire with a taunting smile.
    â€œAh, if it isn’t Sir Tall, Dark, and Gloomy. What’s the matter? Did you weary of frightening the rats in the cellars and come in search of more elusive game?”
    The bronzed features remained impassive. Nothing seemed to touch the leader of the Ravens. Not insults. Not threats. Not even blatant flattery.
    A fact that annoyed the hell out of Damocles.
    â€œWhere have you been?” the man simply known as Styx demanded.
    Damocles gave a lift of his brows. “I have been performing a small task for our master.”
    â€œWhat task?”
    â€œObviously that is between me and my master.”
    A cold flare of power washed over Damocles as the towering demon took a step forward.
    â€œI could have the truth from you if I desired.”
    â€œAnd I could sprout wings and fly to Paris if I desired,” Damocles mocked. “If you want the truth seek it from our master.”
    â€œI seek it from you. Tell me why you sneak through these tunnels like a thief.”
    The prickles became downright painful but Damocles determinedly ignored them.
    Only the strong survived in these caves.
    â€œI have been sworn to secrecy. Would you have me break my oath?”
    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.
    â€œDid you seek me out to offer me tedious insults or did you have a purpose?”
    The lean,