“So what brings you to my humble establishment?” Viper demanded.
He poured himself a glass and settled back in his chair. “For once all I desire is a few hours to enjoy the company of my friends and your finest brandy.”
“No looming apocalypse?” Viper pressed.
Styx took a sip of the aged brandy, savoring the fiery burn. “Not one.”
Viper reached for the bottle, his expression one of genuine relief.
“I’ll drink to that.”
Dante was quick to replenish his own glass. “Here, here.” Styx grimaced. “It’s been an . . . adventure.”
Dante snorted, his silver eyes shimmering in the overhead chandelier that Viper had liberated from King Louis XIII’s palace. Or was it XIV?
“That’s one way to put it,” the younger vampire muttered.
Styx allowed his gaze to skim over the crowd who had gone back to their entertainments, a fierce surge of satisfaction racing through him at the sheer normalcy of the view.
Never again would he take the mundane things for granted . . .
Strolling along the streets without fear of a nasty surprise leaping out of the dark. Enjoying a casual drink with his friends.
Waking in his comfortable bed with Darcy wrapped in his arms.
“But not all bad,” he murmured, a smile softening his harsh features. “We have mates. New friends.” He turned his attention back to his companions. “And peace.”
Dante rapped his fingers on the table. “Knock on wood.”
“And me,” a lightly accented voice said as the tiny gargoyle flapped down from his perch among the hidden rafters. “Don’t forget you have me.”
The three vampires were on their feet at the unexpected intrusion, their fangs fully extended as Levet settled on the railing of the balcony and regarded them with a smug smile.
Styx sent Viper a jaundiced frown. “I thought you had bouncers?”
Viper gave a resigned shake of his head. “I have an entire pack of hellhounds patrolling the neighborhood, but the bastard keeps slipping past them.”
Levet sniffed, his wings fluttering in a shimmering burst of color.
“Hey, I am the liver of any party.”
Styx scowled. “Liver?”
“Life, you dolt,” Dante corrected with a twitch of his lips. “The life of the party.”
“If you say so.” Levet shrugged. “Tonight, however, I am not here to dazzle you with my sparkling personality. I am here to officially quit my gig as Knight in Shining Armor.”
Styx studied the miniature pain in the ass with a suspicious glare.
Levet had appointed himself as the supposed savior of fair maidens throughout the world. A role disputed by most males forced to endure his aggravating presence. Why would he willingly retire from his imaginary position?
“Really?” Viper demanded.
“Oui.” The gargoyle looked smug. “I am going to be far too occupied with my new business.”
Styx didn’t bother to disguise his astonishment. “You have a business?”
With a dramatic wave of his hand, the gargoyle produced a large stack of ivory business cards edged with gold.
“Voilà.”
Viper reached to pluck one of the cards from Levet’s claws.
“COUP DE FOUDRE?” he read out loud. “What the hell does that mean?”
Levet rolled his eyes. “Can you not read French, you heathen? It means love at first sight.”
“I can translate the words,” Viper snapped, his dark eyes narrowing. “I simply don’t know why you have them printed on a card.”
“Because it is the name of my dating service,” Levet said with a small sniff.
“Bloody hell.” Dante gave a sharp laugh. “You’re playing Cupid?”
“Who better?” Levet demanded, acting as if he were shocked by the question. Of course, he labored under the delusional belief that he was a perfect replica of Brad Pitt, not a three-foot gargoyle who regularly created chaos. “I am, after all, an expert in matters of the heart.”
Styx swallowed his laugh. “If you say.”
“Congratulations.” Viper adjusted the lacy cuffs of his shirt. “Shouldn’t you be out doing whatever love experts do?”
“But obviously I am.”
Dante shared a confused glance with Viper and Styx. “I’m afraid to ask.”
Levet turned on the railing so he could peer down at the demons who mingled below.
“Like any new business owner, I am in search of new clients.”
“And?” Styx prompted.
“And I must spread word of my services.” With a smile Levet lifted his hand and with a low word of power sent the business cards floating down to the gathered crowd. “This is the perfect venue.”
“Shit.” Lunging forward, Viper grabbed Levet by one stunted horn and dangled him so they were eye to eye. “Toss one more card and I’ll rip off your wings and feed them to the hellhounds.”