Even if he did decide it was time to seek a female companion, she wouldn't be a vampire and it certainly wouldn't be Sunni, even if she were the last person on the planet. She owned half of a tattoo parlor for heaven's sake. Not to mention the fact she was never dressed properly. To him, it appeared as if her mantra were the less clothing the better.
Not that he minded her attire from a male point of view. As a man he certainly appreciated a glimpse of her legs, the creamy flesh of her stomach, the shadowed hollow between her breasts. However, he wouldn't consider having a relationship with a woman who eschewed shoes as she obviously did.
Then again, she was as sexy as any woman he'd ever met in his life. Every movement hinted at her raw sensuality. If she behaved in bed as she did when she laughed, with such unabashed delight, she'd be a force to be reckoned with. Images of her lithe body, nude in his arms, crowded his mind. A rush of lust caused him to falter and come to a complete stop.
He blinked, looking around as if he'd awakened from a deep sleep. Where the devil was he? He turned around and stared dumbfounded at the street signs. Damn, he'd missed his turn by two blocks.
Annoyed, he started back the way he'd come. He'd been so engrossed in thoughts about Sunni that Cass could have walked up behind him and taken his head without him even being aware of her presence.
Resolutely, he shoved all thoughts of the annoying little blonde from his mind. She was nothing but trouble and he had enough of that as it was. Vampires were dying under mysterious circumstances and it was up to him to find out why before there were more victims.
He reached the street where he needed to turn and immediately sensed another vampire in the vicinity. The pulse was weak like that of a very young preternatural. It had to be Raphael.
Now was not the time to ponder a physical relationship with any woman, let alone her. He had obligations.
* * *
Chapter 3
What the devil was he up to?
Sunni ducked behind a group of young men as she saw Alexandre come to a stop in the middle of the sidewalk. He looked around as if confused. His expression turned annoyed as he turned around and stalked back where he'd walked mere moments before. Had he missed his destination? How very unlike him to not be paying attention.
Dodging her inebriated cover, she moved down the street in an attempt to stay in front of him, unwilling to let him see her if she could help it. If he caught her, there'd be no end to his annoyance.
She stepped into a recessed doorway, her gold bracelets making a soft musical chime as they connected. Clamping her hand over the offending jewelry, she peered around the corner to see where he was.
Alexandre continued in her direction, his expression remote as he effortlessly moved through the throng. This was no mean feat as thousands of people packed the narrow street. As he neared, she caught her breath and shrank against the door, hoping to evade detection. He stepped into her line of vision, or at least his sleeve did, as he stopped to look down the intersecting street, which ran a few scant feet from her hiding place. After a slight hesitation, he moved out of view and down the street to her left.
Exhaling, Sunni stepped from the doorway. What was he doing on Bourbon Street? He usually stuck to the St. Charles Street crowd where the avenues were lined with elegant mansions and public drinking was frowned upon. Life on Bourbon Street was earthy, sometimes sinister, and a party was always in progress.
The perfect place for her.
She grinned as she ventured down the narrow street in Alexandre's wake, leaving behind the bright lights. Moving cautiously, she walked the center of the bricks, senses alert for danger and the location of the man she tailed.
Although littered with trash from the latest parade and a few, privacy-seeking couples groping in doorways, she wound her way around the obstacles of the street, never losing sight of her prey. Her eyes narrowed as she sensed the pulse of another preternatural-a young vampire to be exact.
Concentrating, she scanned the area. A hundred yards ahead, the street dead-ended in a weak pool of light from a florescent fixture. The bulb flickered as if about to give out. In the ghostly, shuddering glow stood a slender man. He appeared to be waiting for someone.
As she moved closer, she caught sight of his face and immediately recognized him.
Raphael.
The young vampire slouched against the old brick wall, head down, posture showing he was unabashed by the appearance of the Head of the Council of Elders. Dressed in blue jeans and a tie-dyed Grateful Dead shirt, his blond hair was pulled back in a long, sleek ponytail. His features were sharp while his gaze darted from side to side, at odds with his careless posture.
Being the social creature she was, Sunni had met Raphael on several occasions. He was relatively young, around thirty vampire years, and was known for his love of Jamaican music and laid-back manner. It was also well-known that when information was needed, he was the man who had it. His good ole boy demeanor fooled many; consequently, few hesitated to speak in front of him.
Alexandre stepped into the weak light, nodding at Raphael. The young vampire spoke but she couldn't hear; she was too far away. Drat, she needed to get closer.
Don't say anything fun without me, kids!
Keeping her back to the wall, she scampered to her right. Her bracelets sang and she winced, again wrapping her fingers around them for silence. Ducking behind a dumpster, she dropped to a crouch and leaned forward, concentrating on what they were saying.
"I've heard nothing about the deaths." Raphael's voice carried a distinct New Jersey accent. "No rumors, no nothing."
Alexandre nodded. "Keep your ears open. Someone somewhere has to know what's going on."
Raphael glanced from side to side once more before pushing away from the wall. He leaned in toward Alexandre and spoke low, as if fearing he'd be overheard. "Word is that you're looking for someone."
"I might be."
"And I might have information for you about a vampire named Cassiopeia and a certain book in her possession."
"And I might have recompense," Alexandre's tone was dry, "depending upon the timeliness, of course."
"Oh," Raphael smiled. "You'll want to pay for this. The lady's been seen here but word is she's staying somewhere north of the city. She's traveling with an immortal and no one seems to know who he is. He's staying in the Quarter and he's been up to no good. I hear he's been procuring medical supplies-syringes, saline and heavy-duty narcotics. I've heard they're gearing up for something big and it involves you."
"You haven't told me anything." Alexandre sounded bored. "I'd already received this information last night. The only important item you've conveyed is the immortal's extracurricular activities. That information does have a certain amount of value."
"That's all I have for now." Raphael bobbed his head. "I'll get you more."
Alexandre reached into his jacket and withdrew a large wad of bills. He peeled off several and handed them to his companion.
Raphael glanced at the bills before returning his gaze to his benefactor. "Wait, I might have something else."
Alexandre shifted, turning his back to Sunni, effectively blocking the other vampire from her line of sight. She squirmed. Darn it. Now she couldn't see their expressions.
"Word is-"
She was being watched.
Her head came up as her attention shifted from the two men to the alley's Bourbon Street entrance. Against the backdrop of bright lights and revelers, she saw a large, hulking figure standing in the street. Her eyes narrowed as the newcomer slowly backed into the light and she recognized the immortal from the photos.
She darted a glance at Alexandre, then back in time to see the revenant turn and walk out of sight.
Now what?
She looked back toward the two men, but they appeared oblivious to the immortal's presence, as they were still deep in conversation. If she drew their attention, Alexandre would know she'd been following him. She bit her lip. That she couldn't have;
he'd never let her live it down.
She slipped from her hiding place and ran toward Bourbon Street. She had to move quickly, as it wouldn't take long to lose him in the crowds.
The street abounded with a kaleidoscope of humanity in various forms of dress. She cursed the slow-moving crowd as she hurried along the sidewalk, catching only glimpses of the man she followed. A large crowd exited from a popular nightclub, stopping her in her tracks. Within seconds he was swallowed by the hordes.
"Drat."
A drunken man jostled her to the side. Looking around, she spied a signpost with a wide base. Grasping the pole, she stepped onto the base, gaining over a foot in height. Ignoring the hoots from a few inebriated observers, she scanned the crowd.
Her gaze locked on the dark brown head of the revenant as he moved steadily through the crowds toward Esplanade.
Gotcha!
She jumped from her perch and took off, darting through the crowd before coming to a halt when a warm hand curled around her arm. She stumbled backward into a warm, very human chest. She turned her head to see an intoxicated college student dressed in a university T-shirt and smelling of liquor smiling down at her.
"Hey baby, where ya goin' so fast? Why don'tcha stay and party with me and my friends here?"
Sunni looked around at several others dressed in a similar fashion before dropping her gaze to look pointedly at his hand on her arm.
"Is this how you pick up women?" She pulled away and turned to face him, crossing her arms over her chest. "Tell me, Stud, does this technique actually work?"
He let out a guffaw and held out his arms as if to give her a hug. "The women love me, babe. I'm a hell of a lover and I'll make you come lots of times." He grabbed his crotch and rubbed it suggestively as his friends shouted approval.
She rolled her eyes. "That might work on a drunken cheerleader maybe." She turned away and made to slip through the crowd.
"Now wait." He grabbed her by the shoulder and yanked her around to face him.
Teeth bared, she spun. "Back off, asshole," she snarled. She took great satisfaction in watching his eyes grow wide as he caught sight of her pronounced canines. His plastic liquor- filled cup hit the sidewalk, splashing his jeans as he stumbled into his friends. Wetness spread across his crotch and she chuckled. Bet he wasn't so proud of his equipment now.
"Dude, she needs a dentist bad," one of his friends whispered.
She shook her head and walked away, moving with ease around the mortals. Normally she loved the hubbub of Mardi Gras, but right now she'd settle for fewer drunken fools on the streets.
Stepping into the relative quiet of a shop doorway, she climbed the step to get a better view of the area. After a quick scan, she realized her prey was nowhere to be seen.
Damn.
She continued toward Esplanade, searching the faces of those she passed. Maybe she could catch him on a less crowded avenue.
She'd barely taken five steps when a cool hand wrapped around her arm and almost yanked her off her feet. A squeak caught in her throat as another hand covered her mouth and someone hauled her into the darkness. Her breath rushed from her lungs as she was slammed into a brick wall, her head connecting with a sharp rap.
She blinked and looked into the cool blue gaze of the immortal, once her prey, now her captor. With his massive body pressed into hers, he held her in place against the wall. "Hello, little vampire."
A chill ran down her spine at the sight of his manufactured smile and flat, expressionless gaze. He was trying to frighten her with his mere presence and strength. Didn't he realize that vampires were far stronger than revenants and humans?
There was nothing she hated more than a bully, and this man was definitely a bully. She leaned into him and, to her surprise, he didn't budge. Her eyes widened and she tried again.
Nothing. He didn't so much as shift an inch.
She was a small vampire and a relatively young one at that, but she'd never had problems dealing with mortals or immortals of any size.
Until now.
"Are you surprised that I'm as strong as you?" He removed his hand from her mouth, but his grip didn't loosen one bit. Evil radiated off this creature and she resisted the urge to cringe from his particular brand of darkness.
"Just a bit," she admitted.
"Why are you following me?"
"Why are you following Alexandre?"
"Ah," he nodded. "You're one of them." He moved back a half step to allow her some space, his other hand remaining in place on her arm.
"One of who?"
"The mindless legion of females who are attracted to Alexandre and would do anything for him. It appears his quiet strength and handsome visage have attracted a following, not to mention the mantle of power he wears so precariously." That odd, humorless smile curved his mouth. "That fact alone brings women to him in droves."
A spark of jealousy ignited at the thought of Alexandre with other women. "I'm not one of them," she ground out.
He chuckled. "Denial is a bad habit, my lovely."
"Why are you following him?" she asked again, ignoring his comment.
"Why are you following me?"
"Because you were following him."
"As you were also."
Sunni remained silent. No way was she going to admit it even though it had been very apparent. It was one thing to be caught, something else to actually confess.
He shrugged as if her lack of an answer told him what he already knew. "I don't care what you do. I'm telling you now, don't ever follow me again. The next time I catch you, I won't be as nice."
She flinched as he drew a finger down her cheek, stopping at the corner of her mouth. The darkness that surrounded this man increased, threatening to swamp, drown her in its corruption. She shuddered.
Young though she was, she'd encountered evil before. Human evil was familiar, but this was different. It was darker, deeper and more ancient. She'd never felt anything like it.
"Give the Elder a message from me." His breath was hot against her cheek. "A plague has been cast among his people and with it comes a cry for order. A new leader shall rise and all will be as it should. Can you remember to tell him that, my dear?"
Wordless, she nodded. Her flesh prickled as the sensation of evil crept under her skin, threatening to pervade her. She swallowed, trying to remain calm as her stomach churned.
"Good." He placed his palm over her forehead and a strange energy invaded her body. Her muscles grew lax as her vision dimmed. She wanted to run but her muscles refused to respond to her mind's urgent demand.
What was he doing?
Gathering her flagging strength, she concentrated inward, curling it around her throat. Within her mind, she began to scream.
Alexandre, help me-
She barely felt her head slam into the wall as darkness fell.
Alexandre, help me-
He jerked to a halt as the scream tore a blazing trail through his mind.
What the devil?
A myriad of people flowed around him on the sidewalk, few paying him a second glance as they went about their business. He lifted his head as if to scent the air. Faintly, he detected the presence of another vampire in the vicinity and it wasn't Raphael.
Sunni.
Panic exploded in his system as he turned to pinpoint her position. There, just east of him. Shoving hapless pedestrians aside, he ran, his heart pounding in his ears.
As he ran, he saw Miles coming out of an alley a block away. The revenant stepped onto the sidewalk and straightened his loose-fitting linen jacket. His gaze met Alexandre's and he gave a half-smile. With a slight nod, the immortal acknowledged his presence before turning away.
The need to follow gnawed Alexandre as he reached the alley. Duty first. He had to ensure Sunni had come to no harm. The darkness in the alley was complete; no lights illuminated the narrow space. With his enhanced senses, he peered into the black, dismayed to see a human form lying in the gutter. He approached, his chest
constricting as he recognized Sunni. She lay on her side, her hand out-flung as if seeking assistance in her unnatural slumber.
He dropped to a crouch beside her, scanning for signs of obvious injury. Finding none, he reached for her shoulder and rolled her onto her back before picking her up to cradle her in his arms. Her head lolled back and he moved his arm to support it so he could see her face.
She couldn't be dead or he'd never have been able to find her. He patted her on the cheek but she didn't stir.
"Oh, Sunni." He dropped his head to press a light kiss on her forehead. Her citrus perfume swirled around his head and for a second he felt dizzy. "Wake up," he breathed against her skin.
She moaned and he pulled back in time to see her eyelids flicker, then open. Her expression was unfocused, confused. She blinked several times, growing more alert with each movement.
"Are you injured?"
"What happened?" Her voice was raspy.
"You tell me."
She struggled upright, moaning as she turned her head. He helped her into a sitting position, bracing her back against his leg.
She felt frail against his hand, her bones fine beneath her skin. He well knew the incredible strength of a vampire, even for one as young as she. In her case, however, her body size would always be a detriment to her physical safety. Even if she made it to the age of an Elder, she would be no match for a three-hundred-year-old, medium-sized male. She was simply too small.
His lips firmed. She needed someone to look out for her or she'd fall prey to any preternatural who wanted to victimize her. The Shadow Dwellers were living in dangerous times. Silently he cursed Mikhail as he watched the latest victim gather her wits.
"What happened?"
Wilder, J. C. - Shadow Dweller 5 Page 3