Alexandra Ivy - Embrace the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity)

Without warning the vampire wasflowing forward and Shay found herself trapped in the corner with his hands oneither side of her head. "You are mine."

His face was so close that she couldsee the flecks of gold in the midnight eyes. Easily sensing her flare of desire,Viper stilled above her, his fangs lengthening as his own body reacted.

Her eyes widened. "Don't."

With a slow, relentless motion hishead began to lower. "You fear me drinking your blood?"

"I don't like being a meal onwheels for anyone."

His cool lips skimmed her mouthbefore brushing her cheek. "There are many reasons for a vampire to shareblood. Trust, friendship, love... lust."

Her heart crashed against her chestas a dark heat spread through her body. He was touching her with nothing morethan his lips, but already a flutter of excitement was rushing through her.

It had been so long.

The satin of his hair tickled hernose as his mouth stroked down the curve of her neck. He smelled of expensivecologne and something far more primitive. Something starkly male.

His mourn lingered on the franticbeat of her pulse before his tongue traced the large vein in a wet path back upher throat...

Books by Alexandra Ivy

WHEN DARKNESS COMES

EMBRACE THE DARKNESS

DARKNESS EVERLASTING*

Published by Zebra Books

*coming soon

ZEBRA BOOKS are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp.

850 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Copyright 2007 by Debbie Raleigh

All rights reserved. No part of thisbook may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior writtenconsent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

If you purchased this book without acover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as"unsold and destroyed" to the Publisher and neither the Author northe Publisher has received any payment for this "stripped book."

All Kensington titles, imprints, anddistributed lines are available at special quantity discounts for bulkpurchases for sales promotion, premiums, fund-raising, educational, orinstitutional use.

Special book excerpts or customizedprintings can also be created to fit specific needs. For details, write or phonethe office of the Kensington Special Sales Manager: Attn. Special SalesDepartment. Kensington Publishing Corp., 850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Phone: 1-800-221-2647.

Zebra and the Z logo Reg. US. Pat.& TM Off.

ISBN-13: 978-0-8217-7937-8

ISBN-10: 0-8217-7937-0

First Printing: November 2007

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Printed in the United States of America

The auction house on the outskirts of Chicago didn't look like a cesspit.

Behind the iron fences the elegantbrick structure sprawled over the landscape with a visible arrogance. The roomswere large with vaulted ceilings that boasted beautiful murals and elegantchandeliers. And on the advice of a professional, they had been decorated withthick ivory carpets, glossy dark paneling, and hand-carved furniture.

The overall atmosphere was the sortof quiet hush that only money could buy. Lots and lots of money.

It was the sort of swanky place thatshould be peddling rare paintings, priceless jewels, and museum artifacts. Insteadit was no more than a flesh market. A sewer where demons were sold like so muchmeat.

There was nothing pleasant about theslave trade. Not even when the trade was demons rather than humans. It was asordid business that attracted every decadent, demented slime ball in the country.

They came for all sorts of patheticreasons.

Those who bought demons formercenaries or body guards. Those who lusted after the more exotic sex slaves.Those who believed the blood of demons could bring them magic or eternal life.And those who purchased demons to be released into their private lands andhunted like wild animals.

The bidders were men and womenwithout conscience or morals. Only enough money to sate their twistedpleasures.

And at the top of the dung heap wasthe owner of the auction house, Evor. He was one of the lesser trolls who madehis living upon the misery of others with a smile on his face.

Someday Shay intended to kill Evor.

Unfortunately it would not be today.

Or rather tonight.

Attired in ridiculous harem pants anda tiny sequined top that revealed far more than it concealed, she paced thecramped cell behind the auction rooms. Her long raven black hair had beenpulled to a braid that hung nearly to her waist. Better to reveal her slantedgolden eyes, the delicate cast to her features, and the bronzed skin thatmarked her as something other than human.

Less than two months before she hadbeen a slave to a coven of witches who intended to bring Armageddon to alldemons. At the time she had thought anything was preferable to being theirtoady as she helplessly watched their evil plotting.

Hell, it's tough to top genocide.

It was only when she had been forcedback to the power of Evor that she understood that death was not always theworst fate.

The grave was really nothing comparedto what waited for her beyond the door.

Without thought Shay struck out withher foot, sending the lone table sailing through the air to crash against theiron bars with astonishing force.

From behind her came a heavy sighthat had her spinning to regard the small gargoyle hiding behind a chair in thefar corner.

Levet wasn't much of a gargoyle.

Oh, he possessed the traditionalgrotesque features. Thick gray skin, reptilian eyes, horns, and clovenhoofs. He even possessed a long tail he polished and pampered with great pride.Unfortunately, despite his frightening appearance, he was barely three feettall and worse, as far as he was concerned, he possessed a pair of delicate,gossamer wings that would have been more fitting on a sprite or a fairy than alethal creature of the dark.

As if to add to his humiliation hispowers were unpredictable under the best of circumstances, and his courage moreoften than not missing in action.

It was little wonder he had beenvoted out of the Gargoyle Guild and forced to fend for himself. They claimed hewas an embarrassment to the entire community, and not one had stepped forwardwhen he had been captured and made a slave by Evor.

Shay had taken the pathetic creatureunder her protection the moment she had been forced back to the auction house.Not only because she possessed a regrettable tendency to leap to the defense ofanyone weaker than herself, but because she knew that it aggravated Evor tohave his favorite whipping boy taken away.

The troll might hold the curse thatbound her, but if he pressed her far enough she would be willing to kill him,even if it meant an end to her own life.

"Cherie, did the table dosomething I did not see or were you just attempting to teach it a lesson?"Levet demanded, his voice low and laced with a lilting French accent.

Not at all the sort of thing toimprove his status among the gargoyles.

Shay smiled wryly. "I wasimagining it was Evor."

"Strange, they do not greatlyresemble one another."

"I have a goodimagination."

"Ah." He gave a ridiculouswiggle of his thick brow. "In that case, I do not suppose you areimagining I'm Brad Pitt?"

Shay smiled wryly. "I'm good,but not that good, gargoyle."

"A pity."

Her brief amusement faded. "No,the pity is that it was a table and not Evor smashed to pieces."

"A delightful notion, but a meredream." The gray eyes slowly narrowed. "Unless you intend to bestupid?"