the slice, inwardly chiding himself for his stupidity.
He had been fully on guard and yet he still had walked blindly into the ambush. A certain warning that his growing desperation to put an end to Tristan was rattling the cold logic he had always taken such pride in.
As if sensing his self-disgust, Tristan gave an eerie chuckle as he swirled in mist before Gideon.
“You have grown slow and weak, Gideon, hiding behind the Veil. Or is it from hiding behind the skirts of a woman?” he taunted.
“You begin to annoy me,” Gideon retorted in icy tones. “Show yourself.”
“So that you can strike that dagger you are hiding in your jacket into my heart? I think not.”
Gideon forced a mocking smile to his stiff lips. “You always were a coward, Tristan, choosing to prey on those weaker than yourself and hiding in the shadows.”
The mist briefly swirled, as if Gideon had managed to strike a raw nerve.
“And you have always been an arrogant prig. However did the Great Council compel you to return to this world of disgusting, inferior humans?”
Slipping his hand into the jacket to grasp the hilt of the dagger, Gideon gave a shrug. He would not be caught off guard again.
“Unlike you I comprehend my duty to the vampires. I seek our glory, not our destruction.”
“Glory?” There was a rasping laugh. “Cowering behind that ridiculous Veil like we are pathetic weaklings rather than the masters of all? These mortals should be our servants; they should bow before us and feed our lust. They should tremble in fear at the mere thought of our presence.”
It was a call that had been made by more than one vampire since they had left the world behind. There had always been those who desired to conquer and enslave the weak. Tristan, however, had taken the need for conquest to near madness.
To even think he would seek to destroy the Veil and to challenge the great Nefri herself was unforgivable.
“We do not cower, we seek the higher truth that makes us superior,” he said in proud tones.
The mist shimmered, cloaking Gideon in a sensation of malignant disdain.
“Fah. You are no more than willing chattel to the Great Council. You have become as meek and obedient as well-pampered dogs. And like all leashed dogs you no longer realize you are mere captives. You have forgotten the thrill of the hunt.”
Gideon smoothly stepped back as his features hardened. “You believe it better to wallow in bloodlust like a savage? You are no better than humans.”
“I am free,” Tristan grated in angry tones. “I am out of that prison and I will soon rule this world.”
His hand instinctively tightened upon the dagger. As repulsive as the thought of harming another vampire might be, he would never allow the Veil to be destroyed.
“You will return to the Veil, or you will die,” he stated without emotion.
“You think you can challenge me?” There was a low growl before the mist flicked out to slice the other side of his face. “You have become soft ... a mere puppet for the Great Council to toy with as they please. I can destroy you whenever I choose.”
Gideon ignored the stinging pain that lanced through his cheek. He could not afford to be distracted. Poised for another attack, he held the dagger before him.
“Another will take my place,” he said grimly. “Do you think to battle every vampire?”
As if satisfied he had made his point, the mist settled back in the shadows.
“A simple matter once I possess the Medallion.”
“Nefri has ensured you will never gain command of the Medallion.”
The antagonism that lay heavy in the air abruptly lightened with a near smug amusement.
“You believe I cannot lure that golden-haired harlot to my will? It is only a matter of time before she gives me the amulet. And then ...” Tristan paused as if to savor his words. “Ah, then I will teach her a lesson in daring to defy me.”
Gideon struggled to disguise the fierce fury that flared through him. He would not give Tristan the satisfaction of knowing just how vulnerable he was becoming.
It might very well be a fatal mistake.
“Your spells and powers cannot work upon Lady Gilbert as long as she is protected by Nefri.”
“I have no need of spells to seduce a mere mortal,” the vampire sneered, his voice echoing through the darkened alley. “Very soon she will be anxious to offer me whatever I desire. And if you ask very, very nicely I might even allow you to watch as I feast upon her.”
Gideon took a step forward before he could halt the revealing movement. It was all too easy to imagine the slender woman broken and bloodied by the vengeful renegade. Without the Medallion she would be helpless against a vampire.
“You will die,” he growled in rough tones.
A taunting laugh came from the swirl of mist. “How very delicious. The aloof, oh so superior Gideon, lusting after a disgusting human. It really is priceless.”
“I lust to bring an end to the traitors who have turned their backs on their own people,” he rasped, his fury
