That seemed to be exactly what she'd needed to say because Stephan did a double take. He was completely baffled, as if receiving praise was a foreign concept, and it was rather sad—but also kind of cute.
“Bullshit,” he drew out.
Smirking, Maddox took a few steps forward so that she could kneel in front of him, asking, “Why? Because you don't like that a vampire thinks you're attractive?”
“It's got nothing to do with that. You're just so … ,” he trailed, and the statement told Maddox all she needed to know.
Perhaps some part of Stephan was uncomfortable being attracted to a vampire. But he was also confounded by the idea that she could be just as drawn to him, and all because he obviously didn't think highly of himself.
I'll just have to prove him wrong.
“I'm so what? Divinely beautiful? Too gorgeous to take your eyes off of?” Grinning, she added, “I get that a lot.”
Stephan sighed, then tried to stand, muttering, “Let's go.”
“No,” she retorted, grasping his shoulders to push him back into the seat, “not until you tell me the truth, that you don't think I could honestly find you attractive.”
“You're damned straight I don't,” he admitted without pause. “You are gorgeous, Maddox, and why the hell does it even matter, anyway?”
Hearing this, she smirked and stood up straight. But instead of letting him up, Maddox turned and slipped into his lap to get comfortable.
At once, nearly every inch of Stephan's body went tense, and his heart skipped a telling beat. The sound drew her lips into a warm smile as she wound her arms around his neck, murmuring softly, “It matters because I want you to know the truth. So kiss me.”
“What?” he asked incredulously.
“I said kiss me,” she reiterated, slowly leaning in. “You want to, don't you?”
Despite the quickened pace of his heart, Stephan kept his hands on the arms of the chair and sat back as she drew in closer. For all intents and purposes, his expression suggested he couldn't tell whether or not this was a trap, or an actual offer, but he must have decided it was the latter because he finally rasped quietly, “It doesn't matter what I want.”
“Why not? What would one kiss hurt?”
As if seriously tempted, Stephan's gaze locked on her lips, and the blood racing through his veins was like a symphony to her ears. Maddox couldn't recall a time when she'd enjoyed the sound so thoroughly, making her wonder if she shouldn't have asked herself what one kiss would hurt, because all she wanted to think of now were ways to make his heart beat as swiftly as possible.
Stephan almost leaned in to capitalize on her offer as well, but stopped just short of her mouth like he simply couldn't make himself go all the way no matter how much he actually wanted to.
So Maddox did it for him.
Instantly, her lips pressed to his in a chaste kiss, and the moment contact was made, Stephan groaned in a way that made her think he'd waited for this moment his entire life. No matter how simple it was, such an intense response had her own heart skipping as she gently broke away.
But Stephan wasn't done.
Finally, he let go of the chair to wrap one arm around her lower back, then tangled his fingers in the hair at her nape, pulling her in and claiming her mouth for a much deeper kiss than the one she'd given. Immediately, her lips parted for it, their tongues meeting with a wet glide, and he answered her soft moan by tightening his grip possessively.
It was the most erotic moment Maddox could remember having in ages.
22
♦ ♦ ♦
Somehow, their trip to the barber had turned into a fantasy made flesh.
The last kiss Stephan had shared was with a high school girlfriend, and it was nowhere near as intoxicating as kissing Maddox. For once in his miserable existence, whatever problems he had were completely forgotten, lost to the embrace of the gorgeous woman sitting so comfortably in his lap.
And it felt so damned right that he never wanted it to end.
The moment their lips met, it was like a dam burst, and the desire he'd tried to keep in check blazed a fire in his blood so hotly that, when she gently broke away, he was impulsively tugging her back in. The single kiss simply wasn't enough, and he parted his lips against hers to find her mouth waiting for his tongue, hot and so very sweet.
Maddox behaved just as hungrily as well, stroking her tongue against his with an erotic moan into his mouth. The sound made his heart hammer, as did the way she slipped a hand down across his chest to knead against his abdomen just above his belt buckle.
As a result, his cock stiffened uncomfortably in his jeans, causing his grip to tighten around her with a low groan rising from the back of his throat. His fingers twined in her silky black locks as his mouth slanted over hers, and when Maddox actually began to purr, he couldn't think of anything but hoisting her up onto the nearest counter so they could get much better acquainted.
Yet then, he felt something sharp against his tongue—fangs. The notice reminded him of what was going on exactly, and all the reasons why this simply couldn't be no matter how damned badly he wanted it.
Quickly, he pulled away, panting for breath. What the fuck am I doing?
Maddox was a vampire, and he had an obscure disease she could actually contract. All it took was cutting his tongue on her fangs, and damned if he wanted to risk it.
“I can't do this,” he rushed out, lifting Maddox in his arms as he stood and deposited her in the chair.
But despite his reluctance to continue their kiss, he was highly satisfied by the fact that she was panting just as hard as he was.
As if realizing her fangs were jutting, Maddox apologized, “I'm sorry, Stephan. I'd never take your blood without permission. It just happens.”
Crossing to the sink area, he grabbed her blazer from the chair and looked back as she approached him. Handing the garment over, he confirmed, “I know you wouldn't, but this just isn't a good idea.”
There was no telling how much stock Maddox put into that kiss, or if she had any intentions other than proving she truly thought he was attractive—however the fuck that happened. But if that was all she wanted, then her point had been made, and nothing more needed to be said for it.
Not only did he have a disease he didn't want to pass on, it just wasn't right to let himself think about these types of things knowing he wouldn't be around long enough for it to really mean anything—and if it ever did?
He'd die and break her heart. Definitely not worth the risk on all accounts.
Not that Stephan didn't feel incredibly deprived by having to give something up—again. His family was gone, his life was going to end prematurely, and now he couldn't even enjoy a simple kiss he'd never expected to get in the first place.
Had he unwittingly pissed off some deity who was pining to see him suffer?
“What's not a good idea?”
Stephan had gotten so lost in thought that he wasn't even sure what Maddox was asking about. “What do you mean?”
“You said this wouldn't be a good idea,” she answered. “What isn't?”
Her question made him pause. How the hell did he explain himself without sounding strange—or just downright offensive?
“You wanted me to know the truth, so now I know. You think I'm attractive,” he stated vaguely. “Let's just leave it at that.”
Sadly, Maddox didn't look at all satisfied by the explanation. “Didn't you enjoy it even a little?”
Groaning, Stephan searched for a more elaborate answer than no, which would've been a boldfaced lie—his persisting erection was blatant proof that he'd enjoyed it.
But there wasn't any time to respond anyway. From the front of the shop beyond the display hiding the entryway came the sound of the bells on the door handle, soon followed by the authoritative question, “Who's in here?”
Going wide eyed, Maddox laughed the word, “Shit!” as she grabbed Stephan's hand to lead him to the back exit.
Am
used by her reaction, Stephan moved with her, and whoever had entered the barber shop apparently decided to follow them because the man suddenly called out, “Hey!”
Without stopping, they arrived in a back alley just a moment later and, ushering Stephan toward a corner to the right of the exit, Maddox whispered, “Don't move.”
Already, her body was evaporating into mist, the cloud stretching a short distance to completely engulf the door of the barber shop—as well as Stephan's body, masking him from view. Only a split second afterward, a police officer emerged from the shop and immediately looked both ways to locate them.
He didn't seem to notice the random fog that had rolled into the alley either, likely blinded to it by the Shroud. So instead of reacting strangely, he only scanned the area to locate the intruders he'd caught using the establishment.
Eventually, his line of sight landed on Stephan—and completely crossed over him.
Finally, the officer grumbled, then checked behind a few dumpsters across the way before giving up with a muttered, “Damned teenagers,” and walked back inside.
Shaking his head, Stephan waited until the door shut before asking Maddox, “No one's gonna know, huh?”
The cloud of mist began to condense, reforming before his eye as she replied deviously, “It's more fun this way, admit it.”
“Maybe,” he allowed, hiding his amusement. Though in truth, the intrusion was completely welcome because it allowed him to turn the subject away from their kiss without seeming suspicious—and he took full advantage.
“So, about Dalris, you said he had more information?”
Thankfully, Maddox didn't bring up their previous topic, waving a hand to silently urge him along as she started their walk back to Foxy's before explaining more. “Yes, he knows who Wesley's mentor is, and even tried talking to him, but couldn't get any answers.”
“Oh? Who's his mentor?”
Hesitantly, Maddox looked around the somewhat desolate street they'd arrived at, and admitted, “I'd rather explain that part in New York instead of out in the open.”
While Stephan could understand the need for discretion, the location she'd named seemed random. “New York?”
She nodded, “I'm moving there, leaving tonight actually. I found out the Waltzers still own my mansion, and one of them I knew before is still alive. She says they only use the home once a year now, and offered to let me stay there.”
Maddox sounded happy with the turn of events, prompting Stephan to ask, “Are you eager to go back?”
“Very. I've never lived anywhere for as long as I did there, so it's as much of an actual home as I've ever had. But I'd planned to travel in mist, and you'll need your jeep, right?”
“Yeah,” he nodded, qualifying, “I'll take the day tomorrow to drive up.”
“Alright,” she smiled, then seemed to drift off in thought.
After watching her for a few moments while they traversed the street, Stephan asked curiously, “What's on your mind?”
“Hmm? Oh,” she shook her head. “I was just trying to figure out what Mathias would have been up to with an alchemist of all things.”
“Wesley was an alchemist?” Stephan asked, unable to keep the surprise out of his voice.
“Yes, why?”
Shaking his head, he covered his shock by answering plainly, “Nothing, just thought those were rare.”
“The good ones are,” Maddox qualified, “and Dalris said this one was reputed as being a prodigy.”
A prodigy, huh? If Stephan only suspected this guy of having a hand in creating Ithrim before, now he was convinced. Everything simply fit together too well to think otherwise, and the only question left was to wonder if Wesley could actually cure it—saying he was still alive.
But the real issue for Maddox was whether or not chasing Wesley down would give her any clues as to the whereabouts of her sire. The fact that they were in Las Vegas together in 1943 didn't mean Mathias would automatically seek the mage out once revived, nor did it promise to deliver any further clues over his current whereabouts.
But they didn't have any better leads to follow either, making this their only shot.
With the alley that led to Foxy's coming into view, Maddox mentioned as if she'd been reading his thoughts, “I just hope this search yields something positive.”
“And what'll you do when you find Mathias?”
Thinking it over, she qualified, “Hug him and put a bell around his neck.”
Grinning, Stephan nodded. “That'll do the trick.”
The vampire cast a warm smile up at him in response, and while Stephan enjoyed the sight, it sobered his mood considerably.
Just as the night he'd revived her two weeks ago, he had serious reservations about their partnership—but these were entirely different. Stephan had accepted that Maddox was nothing like the rest of her kind, so it was no longer a question of being able to work together well enough to get results.
It was a question of being able to keep his distance.
They'd been in each others' company again for two hours at the most, and already, he was fighting temptation—and a pesky attraction that was only growing stronger. So by next week this time?
Deep down, Stephan knew the truth.
Tonight's affair was just the tip of an iceberg.
23
♦ ♦ ♦
The entire way to New York, Maddox couldn't stop thinking about Stephan.
If the connection of their blood link was a simple point of curiosity before, now it was fueling a much heavier interest. Their excursion at the barber's proved there was more between them than either of them could've guessed when they first met.
And it hadn't lasted nearly long enough.
She continually recalled their kiss, and just how right it felt—not to mention her disappointment when Stephan ended the affair. His reaction made her think he was still unsure about her, or at least, wasn't certain he wanted to get that close to a vampire. But she couldn't get a straight answer out of him before they were interrupted.
Still, there was no point in pushing it. If he was reluctant, she knew the reason, and would simply have to discuss the matter with him when the time was right.
So she exchanged contact information with Stephan, and they got underway. But a trip that would take him over half a day to accomplish by road merely lasted around two hours for Maddox in mist.
Half an hour before dawn, her fog rolled in over a stone mason face surrounding the property, and onward toward the front porch where it gathered until she reformed, reaching up to smooth her hair while looking around.
Most of the home's construction was stone masonry, but the doors, windows, and the railing at the front steps had been replaced. Maddox approved of the updates, and unlocked the door with the key Maria had given her a week prior.
Her heels clicked across the marble floor in the foyer as she passed a set of stairs to enter an archway connecting with the living room—and the familiarity of it despite the numerous upgrades was indeed comforting.
The furniture was all modern, and instead of wallpaper, the walls were now painted in neutral, earthen tones. But for as much as Maddox wanted to look everything over, she was far too interested in checking out the basement to give the main floor more than a glance.
In 1943, the underground chamber consisted of three rooms—a sitting room, a bedroom, and a dressing room with a bathtub. It was her personal living space, constructed with several ways of getting in through various vents in the home, but the main entrance was located in the library to the right of the living room, and Maddox headed in that direction.
Surely enough, the door was still there, nestled between two large, wooden cabinets with books, photographs, and various knickknacks settled on the shelves. Opening it revealed a set of stairs leading down, and at the landing was a second door.
But Maddox didn't immediately turn the knob, distracted by a thick envelope that had been tacked to the door with her name on it.
Maddox,
I wish I could be there for your homecoming, but we'll see each other again soon. It was wonderful to hear from you again, and I truly enjoyed your visit in New Hampshire.
If it weren't for you, my family would never have made it so far. You gave my grandparents a chance, provided them with shelter, and I'm eternally grateful. So, as a token of that gratitude, I would like to return the mansion to you. It's the very least I can do to repay your kindness to us, and I've included the necessary paperwork.
For now, however, I'd mentioned a surprise would be waiting for you during our visit, and you'll discover it beyond the basement door. I would have explained before, but hearing of the extremely unfortunate cause of your disappearance, I thought it would be better for you to see for yourself.
You should also know that I called the New York Spire and arranged to have a few cases of blood mead delivered along with this note. I know it's not quite as nourishing as pure blood, but I thought it would make a good “Welcome Home” gift.
Please call and let me know you've arrived safely as soon as you're able.
Maria Waltzer
Maddox smiled over the elderly woman's sentiment, and certainly wouldn't complain if Maria wanted to return ownership of the mansion to her. But her attention was much more focused on the woman's surprise, and she kept the papers in hand while pushing the door open to reveal … oh my.
The basement was still set up exactly the way she'd left it.
The walls had been repainted, and the electrical outlets were updated, but her personal belongings were still standing. At the center of the sitting room was her chaise sofa made with cherry wood and beige velvet cushions, and a matching, ovular coffee table stood before it, flanked by two wing chairs.
Hanging from the ceiling above was a small, crystal chandelier, and Maddox flipped the light switch next to the door, causing a few prisms to glint off of the burgundy walls.
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