"Now what?" Viper demanded.

That was the question, of course.

Logic would demand that they return to Chicago and consider the strange situation more fully. It would be beyond foolish to rush into a trap simply because they were impatient.

On the other hand, could they risk allowing Desmond the opportunity to slip away and cause even more havoc? What if he turned his killing spree to vampires? Styx would have no choice but to call for a clan war.

And he would be caught in the middle.

Damn it all.

With grim determination he considered his options. Not that there were many.

He wasn't about to walk into the house without knowing what was within.

The only choice was driving Desmond and his companions out.

"Now we try to spring the trap without getting caught," he at last said.

Viper studied his fierce expression. "Do you have a plan?"

"Actually I intend to use Darcy's plan."

"Is that supposed to make sense?"

"She proved the best way to distract a vampire is to set the house on fire."

"Ah." Viper grimaced. "A fire will certainly catch their attention, but it's hardly the best way to win friends and influence vampires."

"I have no interest in making friends." Styx's tone was downright frigid. "I'm here to ensure that my laws are obeyed."

"Spoken like a true Anasso," Viper said, with a faint smile.

Styx sent his friend a dark glance. "If you think back, Viper, you will recall that you were the one who forced me into this position."

"Only because I didn't want to take the chance that I might be stuck with the job."

"Thanks a lot."

"Anytime." Viper returned his attention to the nearby house, a somber expression settling on his face. "I don't suppose you happen to have a lighter or a book of matches on you?"

"That won't be necessary. All I need is to find where the electricity comes into the house."

"That should be simple enough." Viper didn't hesitate as he flowed to his feet and angled toward the back of the house. "This way."

Styx was close on the vampire's heels as they moved with absolute silence through the cold night air. Only fairies and possibly imps could move with such stealth.

They didn't so much as stir a flake of snow as they cover the short distance to the backyard.

Luck for once was on Styx's side, and he easily located the circuit-breaker box that was near the small porch.

He didn't bother to open the box but, instead, put a hand on either side before allowing his power to begin flowing through the metal to the hidden circuit breakers.

"Stand back," he warned as he felt the metal heating beneath his touch.

Viper was wise enough not to question as he backed away from the smoking box. Styx could not actually create fire, but he could heat the wires until they melted.

He didn't want Viper hurt if his power flared out of control.

Concentrating on the box beneath his hands, Styx paid little attention to his surroundings. At least not until he felt Viper turn sharply.

"Styx ..." he warned in a soft tone.

With reluctance Styx dropped his hands and turned to hear the sound of an approaching vehicle. Grasping Viper's arm, he tugged him behind a nearby bush even as the van pulled into view and over a half dozen vampires spilled from it.

"Damn," he muttered, realizing that the clan chief must have commanded his servants to remain far enough from the house that they could not be sensed. At least not until Styx and Viper had stepped into the trap. And it was a trap, he grimly acknowledged. There could be no doubt. "I will stay and hold them off. I want you to go for assistance."

Viper gave a low hiss. "You can't hold them off on your own."

"There are too many for the two of us," Styx pointed out, already sensing the clan chief and his two companions moving through the house. Soon enough they would be surrounded. "Our only hope is for you to escape and return with your clan. It is not far to your lair."

"Then go and I'll remain," Viper stubbornly insisted.

Knowing his friend would argue until they were both caught and staked, Styx assumed his most commanding expression.

"I did not give you a request, Viper; I gave you an order."

There was a moment as Viper struggled with his overwhelming pride. "Dammit. I hate when you pull rank on me."

Styx gave his arm a squeeze. "Go."

"If you allow yourself to get killed I will be seriously pissed."

"So you have said before," Styx said dryly.

Waiting until Viper had melted into the shadows, Styx slowly rose to his feet and stepped from behind the bush. He didn't want some enterprising vampire circling around the house and discovering Viper before he could escape.

He needn't have worried.

As he stepped forward the vampires' attention never wavered from his large form as they lifted their crossbows and pointed them directly at his heart.

Lovely.

He had never expected to be beloved as the Anasso of the vampires. They weren't the type of race to fawn over or pamper their leaders. It was more a dog-eat-dog kind of mentality.

Still, it wasn't often that a vampire dared to threaten his very existence.

There would be hell to pay for this little stunt, he acknowledged with a flare of anger.

Drawing himself to his full height, he deliberately pulled off his cape to reveal the massive sword strapped to his back.

It was a sword that was feared throughout the world.

"I am Styx, your Anasso," he said in a tone that carried throughout the yard. "Lay down your weapons or you will be judged."

Just for a moment the vampires wavered, their anxious gazes revealing they weren't entirely indifferent to the knowledge that they were committing an offense that could have them all strung up and left for the dawn.

Before their nerve could completely break, however, the back door opened and the three vampires who had remained in the house appeared.

"Hold steady, you cowardly bastards. If he escapes I will personally see each of you dead." The obvious leader moved down the steps to stand directly before Styx. Although several inches shorter than Styx and barely half his weight, there was a mocking expression on his gaunt face as he performed a deep bow. "Ah, the great Anasso."

Waiting until the vampire straightened, Styx studied the pale green eyes and the narrow face surrounded by limp blond hair.

He wasn't fooled for a moment by the man's near delicate build. He possessed enough power to make Styx's skin prickle.

"Desmond, I presume," he stated with a deliberate arrogance.

The mocking smile never wavered. "You have that honor."

"Honor is not the word I would use."

"No? Well, perhaps that is because you know nothing of honor."

Styx didn't hesitate as he reached out to grasp the vampire by his neck and dangled him off his feet.

There was a rustle of agitation as the gathered vampires prepared for battle, but Styx calmly ignored them. He would not tolerate disrespect. Not from one of his brothers.

"You tread on dangerous ground," he said in a lethal tone.

"And you are more stupid than I suspected if you think my clan won't kill you where you stand," Desmond warned. "Release me."

"Never question my honor."

With a disdainful flick of his hand, Styx dropped the treacherous vampire, pleased when he awkwardly stumbled before managing to catch his balance and straighten.

Petty, but what the hell.

Pausing to smooth his hands over his jade silk shirt, Desmond at last managed to regain his smile.

"You misunderstand, my lord. I'm not complaining at your lack of morals. I've always thought that chivalry was long overrated. What place does honor or loyalty or tradition have among bloodthirsty demons? We are above such weak human notions."

Styx wasn't shocked by the man's confession. It was a sentiment shared by many vampires.

"Obviously you believe you are above vampire laws as well," he said with frigid disdain.

"Actually, you broke the laws first when you took in two of my clansmen."

"They petitioned for protection. It is within my rights to offer them sanctuary."

The man gave a lift of his brows. "Your rights?"

"I am the Anasso."

The green eyes darkened as the vampire's power swirled through the air. "So you claim."

"Claim?" Styx clenched his hands at his sides. It was that or wrapping his fingers around the throat of this puffed-up idiot. "There is no doubt that I am the leader of the vampires."

"And yet, how did you take such an illustrious position?" The man pretended to consider for a long moment before giving a snap of his fingers. "Ah yes, now I recall. You murdered the previous Anasso. Quite enterprising of you, I must say."

Styx stiffened at the accusation. In truth, it had been Viper who had landed the killing blow upon the previous Anasso, but Styx had never denied his own culpability. He took full blame for the death of the vampire he had admired and protected for centuries.