by Claire Marta
“Hmm – I bet he is.” Sonia purred throatily. “That arse of his is so perfect. I would love to give it a bite.” She nudged Jasmine with her shoulder and wiggled her eyebrows.
The women giggled. Jasmine blushed. The heat burnt all the way up into her hairline. She knew exactly how firm his buttocks were. He had the body of a god. All of it was toned and muscled to perfection.
“Did you see the Italian too?” Mel said breathily playing with the end of her long blonde hair. “Those eyes, my god I’ve never seen anything like them.”
“I heard he likes it rough and that’s not for everyone.” Sonia warned with a look of amusement.
Mel grinned wide. “Jakul is that way too, so believe me that is not a turn off.” Sighing, she made a little hum of longing.
“I’ve seen an Irish vamp around the house.” Carly smiled dreamily. “You have to hear his accent, it’s so damn sexy. It just melts me on the spot.”
Jasmine stayed quiet. The women continued to gossip about the vampires, as they continued to walk. She didn’t learn much. No one seemed afraid or worried apart from Tina.
Warmth from the bar was welcome by the time they reached it. The place wasn’t too busy and they easily made their way inside. Red bright walls stark and rough had been left natural. Light bulbs hung from wooden beams on long cords above their heads. Jasmine liked the chic eclectic deco vibe.
The bar itself was made of dark wooden planks. They were worn and rustic. A smooth surface was used for the top. One of the servers recognised her group. With a friendly smile, they were shown to a corner with worn black leather sofas.
Jasmine peeled off her jacket and then her jumper. The heater in the place had been cranked up making it comfortably warm.
“Hey look at the cute guy at the bar.” Mel murmured. She had settled herself down and was eyeing the other patrons.
Jasmine glanced over her shoulder.
Mark was lounging in a corner. Glasses perched on the tip of his nose he sat with an untouched bottle of beer before him. He looked relaxed, casual. Her boss fitted right in with all the other customers out for a good time. Mel was eagerly sending him flirty glances.
Jasmine suppressed a grin. She wanted to see how her Boss wiggled out of this one. The guy was a workaholic. As far as the team knew, he didn’t even have a girlfriend let alone a sex life.
“What are you drinking Jasmine?”
Her eyes slid back to Mel. From the look on her face, she wanted to go chat the hot guy up.
“Orange juice please.” Jasmine smiled.
Plopping down on the sofa next to Sonia, she watched Mel move to the bar. The woman was working her stuff. Hips swaying, a coy smile was on her pretty face. Mark sat watching. Behind his wire rimmed glasses, his brown eyes narrowed a fraction on Mel. Had he realised he was being pursued? His eyes flared slightly with surprise and then a friendly smile curled his lips.
“Are you nervous about tomorrow night?” Carly’s question caught Jasmine off guard.
She frowned. “Why should I be?” Turning she focused on the other woman.
“We get taken down stairs to the ‘play room.” Carly continued with an over the top fake evil grin. “As you’re new you probably won’t get asked to do much, unless your vampire allows it.”
Tina who was sitting a few chairs down became unnaturally still. Eyes rounding they became shadowed with anxiety. Jasmine felt tension snake through her. This did not sound like a good thing, from the way Tina reacted. Nervously she began to play with the ring on her finger.
“Play room?” She asked trying to sound casual.
“Yeah. The sex dungeon.” Another companion giggled. “Don’t let Carly scare you.”
“It’s not that bad.” Sonia assured her quickly.
Music began to play. A chorus of squeals sounded and the majority of the women jumped excitedly to their feet. An open area was being used as a dance floor. The women immediately gravitated to the spot. A few wolf whistles came from the male patrons. They sat watching the women with eager faces.
Jasmine, Sonia and Tina were the only ones left sitting. Mel was still up at the bar. She was chatting away enthusiastically to Mark. He looked slightly uncomfortable. At the rate Mel was talking, Jasmine doubted that he had been able to get a word in at all. The word chatterbox came to mind.
Jasmine turned to face Tina. “Hi.”
“Hello.” The woman’s reply was a little forlorn. She sat nervously plucking at the material of her coat. Unease was rolling off her lapping faintly against Jasmine’s senses.
“I was just wondering if you were OK. You don’t seem very happy.” Jasmine asked gently with concern.
Tina’s big grey haunted eyes met hers. “I’m fine.”
“No you’re not.” Reaching over Jasmine rested her hand on Tina’s. She could feel the woman trembling. “I know I’m new, but please if there’s anything I can do. Maybe talking might help.”
Tina released a long pain filled sigh. Her eyes closed briefly for a moment. “The only one who can help me is me. This is not what I wanted.”
“Being with a vampire?” Jasmine ventured softly.
Tina’s eyes snapped open. Fear glimmered faintly in their depths. “Yes – No…being with Andel.”
Jasmine’s ears pricked up with interest. “Is he hurting you?”
Almost subconsciously Tina tugged at the long arms of her jumper. Was she hiding bruises? What the fuck was Andel doing to her? Was the nest second in command some kind of sick sadist?
“You can’t trust any of them. They’re not like us…they’re monsters hiding behind pretty faces…He gets off on pain.” The woman whispered with fear growing in her gaze. “Don’t let them take over your life like we did.”
“Here we go.” Mel beamed suddenly appearing with a tray of drinks.
Tina jerked back. Lowering her head, she used her hair to hide her face from view. Sliding it onto the small coffee table before them, Mel slumped onto one of the sofas.
“You two alright?” Mel asked concerned.
“Yes just chatting.” Jasmine gave her a smile which didn’t reach her eyes.
She was certain Tina would have confided more. Mel had bad fucking timing to come back when she did. Maybe she could try again later. Something pinged against her sensitive senses, a discordant note, which quivered in the air. The hair on the back of Jasmine’s neck rose. The sensation felt unsettlingly wrong. When she turned back Sonia wasn’t in her seat.
Unease abruptly flowed through her. “Where did Sonia go?”
“The bathroom…but she’s been gone a while.” Mel looked worriedly round.
Jasmine felt her heart sink into her boots. Fuck. She should have been paying more attention. A sharp look at the bar and she saw Mark. He was being chatted up by several women. Her boss hadn’t noticed Sonia’s absence either.
Jasmine knew she needed to think fast. Jerking her hand forwards, she spilled her drink as she grabbed it from the table. “Ah shit.”
The orange juice was cold and sticky and took only a second to soak the thigh of her jeans. She grimaced with discomfort.
“Maybe I should check on Sonia.” Mel was saying.
“I’ll go.” Jasmine grabbed her arm before she could stand. “I need to clean up. I’m so bloody clumsy it’s embarrassing.”
THE LADIES TOILETS WERE EMPTY. Sonia was nowhere to be found. Jasmine found no sign of a struggle, yet the window was open. Examining the main door she found a sturdy bolt. Dragging it across, she relaxed a fraction. At least now no one could wander in while she was snooping around.
Jasmine let her sixth sense spill out. The jarring energy she had felt had vanished into thin air. Yet something still fluttered at the edges of her awareness. It was subtle. Something she just couldn’t quite catch. Yet it hovered still just out of reach.
Jasmine moved to the window. The space was big enough for someone to crawl through. Poking her head out, she looked up and down the narrow alley. Steeped in shadows, t
he only light was coming from the upper windows of the bar and the building opposite. The ground glistened with a few silvery puddles of rain.
She could see no sign of Sonia.
“Fuck.” Jasmine muttered.
Where the hell had she gone? No way would she have missed her going back into the bar. This didn’t feel right at all. Wiggling up, she hauled herself up onto the windowsill. A moment later, she pushed her legs through and landed outside.
The chill in the night air cut through her shirt. Jasmine shivered as the cold nipped her skin. No signs of life stirred. Even here there was no evidence of foul play. No blood. Nothing.
Where the hell was she? Jasmine was pretty certain that Sonia would not just wander off. That could only mean one thing. The Ripper had struck again. Had she been taken by someone she knew? Sonia had been worried of the danger. No way would she have gone with someone willingly.
A shrill ring of danger chimed in Jasmine’s skull. So swift it left her almost giddy. Muscles tightening with surprise sent her heart speeding up.
Casually as she could, she bent down. Magic tingled across her fingers as she touched the magical pocket inside her boot. Something hard and reassuring met her hand. Jasmine slid the knife out by its black hilt. She could feel eyes on her now. No mistaking that sensation. Straightening up, she caught sight of the shadow as it detached itself from the darkness.
Vampire. The familiar feeling whispered up the back of her neck. She was well used to sensing them now. He wasn’t one she recognized. Not that she had seen every member of Lida’s nest. Tall and thin, he was scruffy. His clothes were worn, threadbare. Was he a rogue? A drifter?
“I don’t suppose you’ve seen a woman around here?” Jasmine asked casually with a smile.
The vampire didn’t reply. He was too busy eyeing her hungrily an evil glint gleaming in his brown eyes. He was hunting for prey. From the look on his face, he obviously thought he had just discovered his next meal. Jasmine tensed. If that was so, then where the fuck was Sonia? If this vamp had taken her, he wouldn’t be hanging around. This did not make sense.
Jasmine edged back towards the window. The knife was a heavy weight in her hand. She wasn’t interested in a fight. Her job was to protect the companions. Fighting off a hungry vampire was something she did not have time for. She needed to let her team know another woman was missing. Maybe if they hurried Sonia still had a chance at survival. Mark needed to know now.
“Well, I have to be going.” She murmured continuing to edge back.
The vampire hissed. Fuck. He was not going to make this easy. Why the hell did this vamp have to waste her precious time? Before she could even blink, he was in front of her. The blow he dealt sent her crashing into the wall. Pain radiated across the left side of her face from the back handed slap.
Blood. The coppery tang met her tongue. Dazed, she braced one arm against the wall. Fuck that had hurt. Adrenaline began to kick in and the pain dimmed. Jasmine licked her bleeding stinging lip and realised it was split. Then she smiled.
“Hey, there’s no need to get all fanged out.” She purred softly. “I didn’t realise you wanted some fun.”
Eyes widening in surprise, the vampire watched as she began to unbutton her shirt. Knife still clutched in one hand, she grabbed a handful of lace covered breast. The confusion on his face was almost comical. Fondling the left lacy cup, Jasmine squeezed. Just as Twitch had demonstrated water jetted out in a thick swift stream.
The vamp was caught off guard had no time to react. Catching the holy water full in the face, he shrieked as it began to ravage his skin. The smell of burning flesh filled the night air. A nauseating scent Jasmine tried not to choke on. Instead of backing down, the vampire became enraged. In a blur of movement, he knocked her backwards.
Jasmine’s back hit the rain damp wall hard. Pain shot through her as a cry left her lips. A hand then wrapped itself around her throat. The dagger was wrenched from her grasp and hit the ground with a clang somewhere to their left. Panic was trying to claw its way out of her chest, but she pushed it aside. She needed to keep her focus.
Clutching at the hand, she tried to rip it away. His hold was unyielding. The vamps face was inches from hers. A mess of ruined flesh, it was red and blistered. Yet even now it had begun to heal slowly. Skin meshed and knitted together fixing the damage that had been done. Tongue snaking out, he licked it across her bloodied lip leaving a cold wet trail of saliva in its wake.
Jasmine shuddered with disgust and fear.
The glint of his ivory teeth gleamed in the lights from the bar, as his fangs grew long. His thin lips widened in a parody of a smile. The hunger in his gaze had intensified. Red had now bled into the brown of his irises.
The grip on her throat tightened. Suddenly, it was choking. Jasmine tried to gulp air into her lungs, but her airways was too restricted. Desperately, she scratched at his arm. Her fingernails gouged into his wrist and forearm leaving deep bleeding marks.
Black spots began to dance in front of her eyes as unconsciousness threatened. Electricity abruptly crackled to life along the glove Twitch had given her to wear. Blue jagged bolts snapped and sizzled along the material. They licked upwards, the jolts darting into the vampire’s skin. A pained screech left his lips and shocked confusion filled his features. The grip on Jasmine’s throat began to lessen.
On an adrenaline high, she reacted swiftly. Bringing her knee up, she caught him hard between the legs. Then abruptly she was free.
Giving a strangled cry, the vamp doubled over and cupped himself in agony.
Jasmine dragged deep breathes into her lungs. Her shirt gaped open and the chill of the night made her shiver. Staggering sideways, she pushed herself away from the wall. She needed to get back inside before he recovered. He would be done playing with her now. If he caught hold of her again, she was dead.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement. A figure stood in the shadows, only half caught in the spill of light from the windows of the bar. Immediately she recognised the male. Asier.
The Italian’s beautiful chiselled features became more visible as he moved. His flowing black hair had been secured up into a bun on his head. A little tousled, it was messy and effortlessly sexy. He was dressed all in black. In one skim of his violet eyes, he seemed to gauge the situation. Then he acted.
Asier was on the other vampire before she could blink. His movements were fluid, quick. He moved with the elegant, graceful poise of a dancer. Baring his fangs, he slammed her attacker into the side of the building. With a backhanded blow, Asier sent his opponent flying.
The other vampire crashed into the wall across the alley. Something snapped with a sickening crack. Her attacker’s movements seemed almost sluggish compared to the London Master’s. He was no match for Asier. Stalking after him, the Italian knelt to retrieve her dagger.
As if sensing his intent, the other vampire attacked. Lunging forwards, he tried to grab hold of her. Jasmine jerked back. Arm lashing out, Asier caught him in mid-air. With a violent thrust, he threw him hard against the ground. The impact left the vamp stunned.
Jasmine took another faltering step back. Fear coursed through her. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to hang around. When she hit a hard, immovable wall, she gasped. Whipping her head around, she realised someone was right behind her. The male was a huge mass of tattoos and muscles. Ash blonde hair hung in long braided ropes down his shoulders. He had a little blonde goatee. Blue eyes the colour of a summer’s sky glanced down at her. His biceps bulged against his black t-shirt. The material at the front strained with broadness of his chest and, like Asier, he was all in black.
He looked like a Viking.
With a hint of a smile, he stepped around her. In a movement quicker than her eyes could catch, he was beside the others. Placing his large foot on her attacker’s chest – the big vamp held him effortlessly down. The male beneath squirmed like a worm, unable to get free. Desperation was bright in his eyes.
Asier
was beside them now. Dagger in hand he knelt down. As the large Viking moved his foot, he plunged the blade into his captive’s heart. The vampire’s face contorted. Then in a sudden burst he exploded into dust. Raining over her, it covered Jasmine’s skin and clothes in a fine chalky coating.
“Fuck.” She muttered trying to brush it off with her hands. Slightly sticky it wouldn’t come off.
Asier turned his head to glance her way. A smile of amusement played on his lush lips as his fangs receded seamlessly back up into his mouth.
Lip throbbing, Jasmine pressed the back of her hand to her mouth. Fuck it hurt. Her left cheek was also starting to swell making the side of her face ache.
Asier rose smoothly. He examined the weapon he still held in his hand. “I take it this is yours – Bella?”
The red glint of a gem, in a ring he was wearing caught her eye. It was the only one he wore, the one given to him by Lida. Strangely it looked out of place.
“Yes it is and I want it back thanks.” Jasmine rubbed her throat. The abused flesh was also aching, sore. She knew that she would be wearing bruises later.
Raising his head, he regarded her with a smirk. “Not a bad blade for taking out vampires.” He made no attempt to return it. Instead he handed it to the vampire at his side. The colossal male took it in one massive hand and slipped it into the belt on his black jeans.
Asier, like Eric, was at least six foot tall. The blonde Viking-look alike beside him was at least seven. He was a giant.
“Is that mountain a friend of yours?” She nudged her chin warily, at the hulking form.
A smile lifted the corner of the muscle-bound male’s mouth. Her words seemed to amuse him.
Asier barely spared him a fleeting glance. “Kane is my second in command.”
His violet eyes were busy roving over her lace covered cleavage. He bit gently at his lower lip. “You have an interesting set of underwear – Cara.” Asier’s voice was warm and husky.
Jasmine didn’t miss the light of interest in his gaze.