The problem was, Eclipse had killed a man in front of Orianna, and he seriously doubted the female had any desire to mix it up with the likes of him. Just because she’d thought about the male who’d saved her in that alley did not mean she wanted to spend time with him. On the other hand, their interactions were heating up, and she seemed to be reaching out to him more, sparking more hope than he had any right to have.
So, once again, he had Magnar out monitoring Orianna’s movements while he sat around on his ass, pretending to chill. Never mind the fact that chilling would require his brain to stop racing a million miles a minute, something it showed no signs of doing anytime soon.
Movement in his peripheral vision had him glancing over from his spot on the sofa in the sunroom.
“Where’re you headed off to?” Eclipse asked Kaj when the vampire strolled by.
Kaj stopped, turned, stared up at him as though assessing. Always assessing, that one. Or maybe it was a trait all vampires possessed, because he’d yet to meet one who didn’t do it.
He must have come to a decision, because Kaj slowly ascended the steps, paused at the top.
“I need to check in.” Kaj’s eyes darted to the television briefly before landing on him once again. “Maybe you want to go with me.”
“Where?”
“Telluride. Vampire club.”
Eclipse grinned as he sat up straight. “Vampire club? In Telluride? Right.”
“Don’t believe me, angel?”
Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t. With Kaj, Eclipse never knew what was real and what was fiction. He’d heard stories from the vampire that he knew were a load of horse shit, others morbidly real. Either way… “What’s the name of the place?”
“The Dungeon.”
Okay, quick with the answer. Likely truth.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head, angel. We keep all our clubs on the QT.”
Seriously doubtful. Humans were a nosy bunch, and try as they might, no amount of sticking to the shadows had ever kept them completely anonymous. The rule was angels and vampires were to coexist with humans; however, they were to maintain their anonymity at all costs. For the most part, Eclipse and his brothers had managed, though not even angels were perfect. As for vampires … yeah, they’d overstepped that boundary centuries ago.
Eclipse got to his feet. “You’re telling me there are no humans at this club?”
“Never said that, but I assure you, they leave happy come morning, only good memories escorting them out.”
While he wanted to believe all vampires used their whole mind-scrub thing to keep the humans oblivious to the fact they walked amongst them, Eclipse had to wonder how many humans were intimately aware of the marks they wore on their neck for days after a trip to a fang-banger club. Considering their numbers, it was no longer feasible for vampires to exist without being imbedded in human society. Lucky for them, they were relatively good at blending. More so than angels, anyway.
“Sure, I’ll go with you,” Eclipse said, curious to see this Dungeon for himself. “Bijou coming with?”
Kaj shook his head. “Safer for her here.”
“Want to take my ride?” Eclipse offered.
A wicked grin revealed the vampire’s sharp fangs. “You gonna talk my ear off?”
“That was the plan.” He conjured the keys, then dangled them in front of Kaj. “But I’ll let you drive.”
“In that case…” Kaj snagged the keys from his hand and disappeared.
Eclipse followed, materializing in the twelve-bay garage between his Bugatti Chiron Sport and Aphotic’s Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. A second later, he was in the passenger seat, Kaj behind the wheel.
“Man, I’ve missed these toys.” Kaj stroked the steering wheel like it was a woman. “Anything I should know about her?”
“Treat her like a whore, not your girlfriend.”
“Ride her hard.” The vampire grinned. “Got it.”
The male was cautious as he backed Eclipse’s baby out of the garage. However, that was about as far as the prudence went. A quick flash of fangs was all he saw before Kaj slammed pedal to metal, the car shooting off like a missile.
“Vamps can’t see through dhira,” Eclipse noted.
“Not with my eyes, no.”
Ah. So Kaj was using his ears to compensate for his lack of sight. Made sense considering the acuity of their hearing. While angels could hear far beyond the realm of humans, vampires’ auditory perception bordered on supersonic.
“All right. Now that you got me, what do you want to know?” Kaj prompted as he steered into a winding turn, the car handling it with ease.
“For starters, how long are you planning to stay?”
“As long as you’ll have me.” Kaj’s tone lost all amusement.
“I thought you were seeking refuge for Bijou.”
“She’s my main priority, yes. And if that’s all you and your brothers have to offer, I’ll be outta your hair ASAP.”
“And if we let you stay?”
“Then you’ll have the full support of my resources for whatever your endeavors.”
Eclipse considered that for a moment. They’d been attempting to get the vampires to assist in locating the amsouelots but hadn’t gotten much in the way of help lately. A few tips here and there, but nothing substantial. Definitely not anything that had helped to locate the remaining five.
“What’ll your clans think about you shacking up with angels?” Eclipse asked.
“They’ll think I’m doing what’s necessary for the survival of my species.” Kaj cut his eyes over briefly. “When I said our numbers are dwindling, it wasn’t an exaggeration. I’ve lost upwards of ten thousand females in the past three months.”
“Fuck,” Eclipse hissed. “Man, I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, me, too. They’re targeting our females, eliminating our ability to procreate.”
By they, Eclipse assumed Kaj was referring to the shadow beasts. Word on the Misplaced Halos board was that their numbers were growing rapidly, and Kaj had confirmed that.
“And what are you doing about it? To ensure the survival of your race, that is.”
A disappointed sigh drifted his way before Kaj said, “Unlike your kind, we can’t breed with humans.”
Eclipse chuckled. “And you think we can?”
“I think you’ve got the ability to turn them.”
Yeah. They did have that, though it wasn’t as easy as the vampire probably believed. The only humans they were permitted to turn were amsouelots. And that required the human to die and be resurrected. Eclipse still wondered how Obsidian had made it through. Just thinking about taking Orianna’s life made his chest burn.
“But you can mate with Fae.” Eclipse watched Kaj to gauge his reaction. He remembered the male’s response to Acadia, had seen with his own eyes the longing on both their faces.
“Or so legend goes,” Kaj quipped, “but you know those rumors are mostly bullshit.”
True. Though human myths claimed vampires could turn humans into the undead, that wasn’t even remotely accurate. While they were all God’s children, the man upstairs was the one and only Creator, the only one capable of giving life. Not to mention, vampires were alive and breathing, the same as everyone else. Though it would’ve been a nifty parlor trick, Eclipse couldn’t imagine a world where the bite of a vampire could create more. They had to go through the process like everyone else, and mating was restricted to within each race.
“Are you and Acadia a thing?”
Once more, Kaj cut a look his way. “Let’s just say, if she’ll have me, I’m hers.”
The admission raised a dozen questions, most pertaining to Acadia’s status within the fiestreigh. Like all of his brothers, Eclipse had come to care for the Fae within their ranks. Not only because they ensured their survival but because they’d become family.
“Just out of curiosity, are any of our males at risk? You know we have to feed from the Fae.”
“I’ve
got more willpower than most,” Kaj stated. “But it won’t hold out forever, no.”
Great. Probably needed to get a warning to the males at the mansion.
“If you don’t mind me asking,” Eclipse continued, “what happened to the previous Alpha?”
Kaj’s gaze shifted back to the road. “They resided at a camp in Seattle. During my last couple of days here, I got word they were under attack. I wasn’t there to witness it, but the story is, Kardobahn killed forty beasts on his own before he succumbed to his injuries. The male had watched those fuckers tear his mate’s throat out, as well as that of his two youngest sons. One of them was only six months old.”
“Fuck.” That sucked.
“Wiped out the whole clan before I could get there. The Zenith and I were attacked shortly thereafter, my warriors slaughtered.”
Eclipse knew the Zenith were the vampire’s answer to the strongest males of their kind. The warriors who were tasked with protecting the Alpha.
“Who’s at the helm? Who’s leading the shadow beasts, that is?”
“My guess is the trielair. But I’ve yet to encounter any of them.”
Eclipse couldn’t remember the last time they’d come up against the trielair. He’d hoped they were all in Hell, bowing before their leader, not trolling the Earth for their next kill. However, it did make sense that they’d be leading the efforts to eliminate the vampires. Eevuhl, Mizuhree, and Aguhnee were the most vile, vicious creatures to have ever emerged from Hell. More so than Lucifer, even.
“We’ll help you,” Eclipse offered, unable to sit back knowing the male’s entire race was at risk, those he cared about being slaughtered.
Those celadon-green eyes shifted his way, a grateful smile reaching all the way to his eyes.
“So,” Eclipse said, turning his attention to the windshield. “You going to drive this thing? Or just Miss Daisy it?”
A deep, rumbling laugh escaped the vampire before the car lurched forward on the dark, winding road.
“Better?”
Eclipse chuckled. “It’ll do.”
Ten minutes later, the car slowed as Kaj steered up a paved driveway. “One of the best-kept secrets in Telluride.”
“This is a vampire club?” Eclipse asked. “I figured there’d be more gargoyles. And coffins.”
Another chuckle from the vampire. “Owned and operated by Darko and his mate, Talia. He’s a first lieutenant, keeps track of the clans in this region.”
“Looks like he does more than that,” Eclipse noted as he climbed out of the car and studied the structure before him.
“Vampires like to have a good time, too.” Kaj chuckled. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
As he followed the male up to the front doors, Eclipse let his senses scan the grounds. Though they were hidden relatively well, he was aware of six males guarding the perimeter, two more standing sentry near the house. All vampires, all armed to the teeth.
“We’ve had to ramp up our protection details for our mated females,” Kaj explained as though reading his mind.
Kaj opened the front door, allowed Eclipse to step inside before him. He scanned the horde of bodies gyrating close together throughout the open area. While the outside resembled a residence, the interior lost the illusion. There were no separate rooms, no delineation within. There was a bar lining one entire wall, somewhere between seventy and eighty feet long, highlighted by neon green lights running the length of the shelves of bottles, and manned by three males.
Eclipse caught the scent of both humans and vampires, the coppery stench of human blood combined with the familiar aroma of sex.
“Remember what I told you, angel. The humans are safe here. No need for you to protect them.”
Giving Kaj the benefit of the doubt, Eclipse followed the vampire through the throng, then up a short staircase to a second level. Before the vampire made it across the room, bodies began to rise, eyes lowering respectfully as Kaj led the way toward the back. Eclipse gauged their reactions, noting how those same vampires showing respect to the Alpha were casting looks at one another as well as the male who got to his feet.
Something was definitely off about this whole thing.
A larger male appeared, his wide grin splitting his eerily handsome face, fangs flashing. He moved right up to Kaj and bowed quickly before the two embraced in a brother-like hug. Again, there was something off in the male’s movements. As though someone or something had disrupted his plans for the evening.
“Darko, I’d like to introduce you to Eclipse. Eclipse, meet Darko.”
Unlike humans, vampires and angels didn’t use the customary handshake for greeting. Instead, they both nodded their heads, eyes locked.
“Angel,” Darko acknowledged, his voice deep and rich, eyes assessing—yeah, definitely a vampire thing.
So Eclipse was the disruption. Evidently the male hadn’t anticipated Kaj bringing an angel to their barbecue.
“Vampire.” Eclipse glanced back at Kaj. “Mind if I check out the place?”
When the male nodded, Eclipse made his exit, leaving the vampires to their business while he did a little reconnaissance of his own.
Chapter Seven
It had been years since Kaj had stopped by this particular establishment. Still looked and smelled the same, as did the male who owned it. The difference was the number of bodies seated around Darko, the males armed with blades and bullets, decked out in leather and looking as though they had some training. Not enough based on the fact the two males at the end were leaning over the rail in their attempt to snag the attention of a female.
“Is something wrong?” Kaj asked Darko, noting something off about the male.
Darko’s smile remained intact. “You didn’t mention you were bringing a plus one.”
“Problem with that?”
“You brought an angel.” Darko all but spat the word out.
“I did.” Since he had no intentions of explaining himself to the male, Kaj peered over at Darko’s mate. “You’re looking lovely as always, Talia.”
As was custom, the female curtsied before him.
Unlike Kardobahn, Kaj wasn’t all that keen on the formal customs; however, he’d long ago listened to the wisdom of his elders. If and when the time came for him to rule his race, shucking custom was the equivalent of making all males believe they were equal, when in truth, the race wouldn’t survive if that were the case.
He’d been learning quickly, having been thrust into the role after his father’s demise. Needless to say, these past few months had required patience as he dealt with not only the slaughter of his people but their underhandedness as well.
“How’s Bijou?” Darko asked, motioning Kaj toward seating in the back.
“As well as can be expected,” he answered, taking a seat and ensuring his back was to the wall. “I think she still hates me for forcing her to leave Georgia.”
“I can imagine. But she’s safer here. I assume she’s close by.”
The comment seemed out of character for Darko, but Kaj chalked it up to concern. They were all dealing with a wealth of devastation. It made sense they were looking out for one another.
“She’s safe,” Kaj said, watching Darko until the male met his stare. “It’s my understanding you’ve got some rogues in the area.”
Darko’s wide shoulders squared, a defensive move that gave Kaj the answer he was looking for.
“We’ve gotten word of a few, yes. However, they’re being taken care of.”
“In what manner?” Kaj glanced around the club, his senses scanning vampire and human alike.
“As of right now, they’re being held on charges of treason.”
Kaj’s eyes narrowed, once again settling on the vampire. “Held where?”
“There’s a reason this place was dubbed the Dungeon. We’ve got a handful of cells belowground.”
Which explained the additional sounds he hadn’t been able to place.
“And who’s seeing to them in the mea
ntime?”
“I’ve got males rotating in and out, twenty-four seven. I assure you, they’re safer here than they are out there.”
“How do you figure?”
“You’re not the only one who takes offense to traitors, phaal.”
Kaj would hope not.
“But I hope you aren’t here only on business,” Darko continued. “Be a waste to ignore the pleasures laid out before you.”
There was only one pleasure Kaj had any interest in. For the past eighteen months, he’d refrained from taking a female—human or vampire. Of course, feeding was a different sort of beast. It wasn’t as though he could ignore the biological function that kept him alive.
“Perhaps I could find someone who pleases you,” Darko offered, motioning a human female over.
Kaj shook his head. “Absolutely not.” He pinned the male with a stare. “If you knew anything about me, you’d know I don’t partake of humans.”
“My apologies,” the male said quickly. And while his words were apologetic, the gleam in his eye was not.
Not that Kaj was surprised by the blatant disrespect. He’d encountered plenty from the males of his race in recent months. As with any aristocracy, there were those who resented the families who’d held power through the centuries. Being that Kaj was Kardobahn’s oldest son, he’d been the heir to the throne, so to speak. And now that he was stepping into his role as Alpha, there were plenty who would prefer to see him in the ground like his father.
Fortunately for them all, Kaj had no intention of being overtaken anytime soon. Not by death and certainly not by some misguided vampire.
Because it went along with the whole social thing, Orianna had never been big on parties.
Too many people, too much noise, everyone pretending to be someone they weren’t, all in an effort to get their fix, whatever that might be. Drugs, booze, sex. They were all vices, and parties were where everyone congregated to sate theirs.
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