The lobby looked like a Grecian paradise, with white marble on the floors and a coved ceiling that was encrusted with fist-sized diamonds. Fluted columns lined the hallway leading into the club, where a demon could sate any hunger. Sex. Blood. Ambrosia. And gambling.
Everything but fighting. Viper did bad, bad things to anyone who unleashed violence at his properties.
Brigette’s eyes widened as Xi led her up a curved staircase to the private balcony, which offered a stunning view of the club below them.
In the very center of the room was a large fountain that sprayed water toward the massive chandelier. Music drifted from a string quartet; the musicians were clustered on a small dais, while fey creatures in gauzy gowns twirled between the numerous tables, sparkles drifting through the air as they passed.
“Wow,” she breathed. “This is…”
“Over the top?”
“Impressive.”
Xi assumed she was talking about the club, although it might have been the slender vampire who rose to his feet as they stepped onto the balcony.
Viper, clan chief of Chicago, was a stunningly gorgeous male. Or at least that was the opinion of most females. They claimed his long hair was as pale as moonlight and that his eyes were as dark as a midnight sky. And, of course, he had the perfect features that all vampires possessed. Tonight, he was wearing a long, white, velvet coat with ruby buttons and satin knee breeches. Viper didn’t follow fashion; he had his own unique style.
“I see Styx released the Ravens,” the older male drawled, strolling to stand in front of Xi. “Is he fumigating the caves?”
Xi smiled. Unlike some of his brothers, he’d discovered that the best way to deal with Viper’s mockery was just to ignore it.
“Something like that,” he murmured.
“And you brought a guest.”
Xi snapped his fangs together, caught off guard by the vicious flare of fury that raced through him as Viper made a slow, thorough survey of Brigette. What was wrong with him? Not only was Viper mated, but Xi had no right to react to a male appreciating Brigette’s beauty.
Not yet, a voice whispered in the back of his mind.
“This is Brigette,” he said.
“Brigette?” Viper flicked up a brow. “That Brigette?”
“Yeah, that one,” Brigette answered in overly sweet tones.
Viper glanced toward Xi. “Does Styx know she’s in town?”
Brigette snorted. “I don’t answer to the leeches.”
“We need to speak in private,” Xi said, feeling the air prickle with a sudden heat. Brigette might have a smile pasted on her lips, but it wouldn’t take much for her to go for Viper’s throat.
Viper waved a hand toward the table set near the edge of the balcony. “No one will bother us here. Have a seat.” They moved to settle on the sleek leather chairs. Viper grabbed a cut-crystal decanter. “Brandy?” Xi and Brigette shook their heads, but Viper poured a large shot of the amber liquor into his glass. “I think I’m going to need one,” he muttered before he settled back in his seat and eyed them with a curious gaze. “Tell me why you’re here.”
Xi nodded toward Brigette, who seemed surprised that he expected her to take the lead. He shrugged. This was her story to tell.
In concise detail, she revealed Maryam and Roban’s arrival in Ireland and her past few days in the tunnels beneath the city. Viper listened in silence, sipping his brandy as he absorbed her words.
Once she was done, Viper set aside the brandy, his expression stark. “That explains the mysterious fires, explosions, and cave-ins we’ve been experiencing over the past few weeks.”
“Yes,” Xi agreed. “In a way, it’s a relief. If they’re coming from one source, they’re easier to contain.”
Viper didn’t look particularly relieved. “Then why aren’t we containing it?”
“Because Maryam and her merry misfits are prepared to be attacked,” Brigette answered.
Viper shrugged. “And?”
“And we’re not ready to reveal that Styx has discovered the presence of her rebellion,” Xi added.
“What are we waiting for?”
“It’s possible there’s a puppeteer pulling the strings from the shadows,” Xi said.
“Of course there is.” Viper shook his head in disgust. “I’ve fought next to Styx too many times to think anything can ever be easy. Who’s on the hunt?”
Xi’s lips twisted. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“I asked…” Viper’s words trailed away as his eyes widened in horror. “Oh hell. Is that chunk of rock involved?”
“He does have a unique talent for stumbling into trouble,” Xi said in his usual understated way. The truth was that the gargoyle plunged from one disaster to another, usually managing to come out unscathed. “If anyone can draw the demon out of the shadows, it will be Levet.”
“And if the demon eats the aggravating creature, it’s no loss,” Viper drawled.
“True,” Xi agreed.
“Hey, he’s my friend,” Brigette snapped, her eyes flashing with anger. “My only friend.”
Viper sent Brigette a startled glance at her outburst before returning his attention to Xi. “What is it with that gargoyle and females?”
Xi shrugged. He’d never paid much attention to Levet, but he’d been vaguely aware that Styx’s mate, Darcy, had been enchanted by the strange creature.
“You’re asking the wrong vampire.”
Brigette made a sound of disgust. “He has something you’ll never have.”
“And what’s that?” Viper asked.
“A heart.”
Xi exchanged a glance with Viper. There was a hint of respect in the older vampire’s eyes. As if he hadn’t expected Brigette to possess the courage—or perhaps the desire—to stand up for her friend.
“She does have a point,” Xi murmured.
“Hmm.” Viper shrugged away the insult. “I assume there’s a reason you came here tonight?” He turned back to Brigette. “Unless you’re seeking entertainment. For the right price, I can fulfill your deepest fantasy.”
She rolled her eyes. “Doubtful.”
Xi gripped the arms of his chair as an intense emotion jolted through him. It wasn’t anger, although he wasn’t happy with Viper’s lingering gaze. No, it was a shocking desire to know Brigette’s deepest fantasy.