Night Reigns

by Dianne Duvall

Her eyes on Ami, Sarah produced a bright smile. “Thank you. That would be wonderful. I’ve sort of had my fill of vampires today.”

  John laughed. “I can understand that. Amiriska?”

  “Thank you. I’d like that,” she said, voice tight.

  I’m sorry, she said in Marcus’s head.

  Don’t be. We really aren’t doing anything other than delivering the goods. Seth will look into the vamp’s head, see what he knows, then we’re done.

  A ding sounded. The doors slid open.

  Marcus and Roland exited.

  John nodded to the dozen men waiting beside the security desk positioned between the elevator and the hallway. All carried assault rifles. “Todd, show Marcus and Roland to the holding cell we prepared earlier.”

  One of the men, garbed in black with short blond hair, stepped forward. “Yes, sir.”

  Marcus glanced back. Ami looked so pale.

  Sarah moved over and slid her arm through Ami’s. “Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do,” she teased.

  Roland snorted. “Is there anything you wouldn’t do?”

  She laughed.

  Marcus thought Ami’s shoulders relaxed just a bit as the corners of her lips tilted up.

  The doors slid closed.

  “This way, sirs,” Todd said.

  Marcus felt Roland’s gaze as they followed the guard down a long, white hallway lit with fluorescents.

  “So?” the older immortal asked. “When are you going to tell me?”

  Marcus didn’t have to ask what. “When Ami is comfortable with my telling you. If she’s ever comfortable with it.”

  Roland nodded. He wasn’t nearly as unbending as most people assumed. Except when it came to trusting others. Because of his history, Marcus doubted that would ever change.

  It wasn’t too difficult to determine which door led to the holding room. A dozen guards were stationed on either side of it. More stood at attention across from it.

  The holding room itself boasted thick steel walls. A cot rested against the farthest. Four heavy manacles, dangling from the ends of titanium chains as thick as Marcus’s wrist, were bolted to the wall above it.

  A small desk and chair shared the wall with the door, out of reach of those chains.

  Roland crossed to the cot and dumped the vampire king on it. “Damn he stinks,” he growled in disgust, swiping at the shoulder the vampire had occupied.

  Todd hurried forward and clamped manacles around the vampire’s wrists and ankles. “Mr. Reordon should be here soon. He’s making sure all the bases are covered at the lair.”

  Marcus suspected Chris would need to utilize Seth’s mind-altering capabilities on this one. Or not. Chris could sell anyone anything. If he told the authorities who arrived at the scene that he was a DEA agent and the lair was a drug den that had exploded while they were cooking meth, they would believe him. Marcus didn’t know how he managed to handle all of the paperwork and IDs and whatever the hell else he needed to convince them, but Chris always came prepared.

  Hearing someone approach, Marcus looked to the doorway.

  The doctor from David’s place entered. “Oh,” she said, stopping short when she saw them.

  Marcus would have expected a doctor to wear slacks or a skirt with serviceable pumps beneath a white lab coat. Instead, Dr. Lipton wore low-riding jeans, a V-necked shirt that hugged her slender build, and black Converse Chuck Taylor high-top sneakers.

  “Hi,” she said, stepping forward and offering her hand with a tentative smile as Todd slipped from the room. “I didn’t have a chance to introduce myself before. I’m Melanie Lipton.”

  Marcus shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Dr. Lipton. I’m sorry if I scared you the other night.”

  “No problem. I know you were worried about Ami.” She offered her hand to Roland. “Good to see you again, Mr. Warbrook.”

  Roland didn’t take it. “You probably don’t want to touch me. I’ve been hauling his rank ass around.” He motioned to the vampire.

  Following his gaze, she grimaced. “Yikes. He’s nothing like the vampires who live here at the network.” She turned back to Marcus, a clinical look entering her eyes as she appraised him. “So, how are you feeling, Mr. Grayden? You recovered far more quickly than the others, and I’ve been very curious to discover—”

  Seth teleported into the room with Chris and Bastien.

  Dr. Lipton jumped, then pressed a hand to her chest.

  Saved by the bell.

  “What the hell is he doing here?” Roland demanded, glowering at Bastien.

  Seth arched a brow. “I wanted to see if he recognized the vamp.”

  While Roland bristled, Bastien looked at the human in their midst. “Dr. Lipton.”

  “Mr. Newcombe,” she responded with a smile.

  Marcus frowned. Was her pulse racing from the scare Seth had given her or had it picked up when Bastien had turned his attention on her?

  Seth’s brow furrowed as he looked around. “Where’s Ami?”

  Irritation rose. “She has an understandable fear of labs,” Marcus snarled, furious at himself as well for forgetting.

  “Oh, shit.” Seth scrubbed a hand down his face. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. I knew it was going to take me a while to alter memories at the scene and just wanted her to stay with you where I knew she would be safe.”

  “Where is she?” Bastien demanded, the bastard. “And why aren’t you with her?”

  What the hell business was it of his? “She’s with Sarah. John is giving them a tour of the network.”

  “They’re safe,” Roland came to his defense. “Nothing can get past the security in this place.”

  Bastien raised an eyebrow. “I did.” Ignoring the growl that rumbled forth from Roland’s throat, he crossed to the cot and studied the rumpled figure upon it. “He isn’t one of mine, but I recognize him. I approached him, when I first began recruiting. I’m not sure how long he had been infected at that point, but I could tell he would be uncontrollable, that he was close to succumbing.”

  “So you knew he would soon be killing innocents and did nothing,” Roland accused him.

  A muscle twitched in Bastien’s jaw as he addressed his former nemesis. “At the time, I was focused on curing vampires, not killing them. Why didn’t you take care of him? He’s been in the area for years apparently. Escaped your notice, did he? A powerful immortal like yourself?” he taunted.

  Roland tensed, ready to pounce.

  Marcus considered joining him.

  “Before you take this further,” Seth drawled, “you should know that Dr. Lipton is carrying more of the tranquilizer in her pocket. If necessary, I will instruct her to use it on both of you.”

  Color rushed into the brunette’s cheeks when the immortals all glanced at her. Smiling an apology, she withdrew the hand she had tucked into her pocket and held up half a dozen syringes.

  Roland sighed. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Seth approached the cot and touched his fingers to the vampire king’s greasy forehead.

  Dr. Lipton eased forward and watched curiously, her shoulder touching Bastien’s arm.

  Bastien’s nostrils flared as he drew in a deep breath and held it a moment. His gaze flitted over the chestnut tresses she had drawn into a casual twist, then her face, and slid down her throat to the hint of cleavage her shirt revealed.

  Had Marcus not been paying attention, he would have missed the slight increase in Bastien’s heart rate.

  Seth straightened. “He doesn’t know where to find the commander.”

  Roland swore.

  Marcus didn’t. When Seth’s eyes met his, Marcus saw something ominous in them that scared the hell out of him.

  “Dr. Lipton, are there any tests you’d like to run on the vampire king before we execute him?” Seth asked.

  “Yes. Could you give me forty-eight hours?”

  “Of course. Have security with you at all times while you’re in this room even when the va
mpire is under the influence of the tranquilizer.”

  Bastien spoke up. “I’ll serve as her guard and keep an eye on the vamp while he’s here.”

  “The hell you will,” Marcus snarled.

  “This vamp is more dangerous than Joe and Cliff.”

  “She doesn’t need you to protect her. She has a building full of network guards and tranquilizers,” Marcus argued. He didn’t like the way Bastien was subtly checking out the doctor.

  “Oh, fuck off,” Bastien snapped. “You’re still just pissed because I killed Ewen.”

  “Children!” Seth barked.

  Marcus shut his mouth. As did Bastien. Seth didn’t take that tone often, but when he did, everyone listened.

  “We’re done here. Chris will see to it that Dr. Lipton is protected. Roland, see if you can find Sarah and Ami. They’re probably in Chris’s office. Todd can show you where it is. Marcus and I will meet you all in the lobby in a moment.”

  Roland did as Seth suggested. More out of a desire to be with Sarah, Marcus guessed, than a compulsion to follow orders.

  Once he was gone, Seth closed the door.

  Dr. Lipton’s brow furrowed with uncertainty. “Would you like me to leave?”

  “No. Chris brought you on board, so you should be kept informed.”

  “What is it?” Marcus asked. And why was Bastien still there?

  “The vampire king videotaped the battle in which you were all tranqed and gave the footage to Keegan,” Seth announced. “Last night, when the vamp returned to Keegan’s home, the commander was there instead and pulled up the footage on Keegan’s laptop. He then cut a deal of sorts with the vamp.”

  “What kind of deal?” Marcus asked.

  Bastien said nothing, just waited, brows drawn down into a deep V.

  “He promised the vampire king power and a new army if he would bring him one thing.” Seth’s dark brown eyes met and held Marcus’s. “Ami.”

  Bastien swore. “He knows what she is.”

  Dr. Lipton’s pretty face filled with dismay. “He must be part of the division that captured her. There were half a dozen immortals he could have demanded the vampire hand over, yet he chose her.”

  Marcus speared Bastien with a look. “How do you know what she is?”

  “I was confined to Seth’s estate in England right after he rescued her.” He motioned to his ears. “Hello? Hyperacute hearing ring a bell?”

  “He won’t betray her,” Seth stated.

  “Are you sure he hasn’t already?”

  Bastien’s face darkened as he took a step forward.

  Marcus wasn’t sure whether the restraining arm Seth threw out stopped him or the hasty step backward that Dr. Lipton took.

  “We need to circle our wagons,” Seth continued.

  “Marcus, I want you and Ami to stay at David’s place for a while, perhaps until we can locate the commander.”

  “Maybe you should take her back to England,” Bastien suggested.

  Dr. Lipton nodded. “They would have no idea she had left the country, no way to trace her.”

  Seth looked at Marcus. “Feel like taking an extended trip home?”

  “Wherever she goes, I go,” he responded.

  Seth nodded. “Talk to her about it. It’s her decision.”

  “Ami.”

  Marcus’s deep rumbly whisper lured her from slumber.

  “Aaamiii,” he singsonged. “Wake up, my love.”

  Smiling, she rolled onto her back and drew her arms over her head in a joint cracking stretch.

  A low growl filled her ears. “Damn, you tempt me, woman.”

  Her smile widened into a delighted grin as she opened her eyes.

  Marcus sat on the bed next to her, his hip touching hers, and braced his hands on the mattress. “You’re beautiful, you know that?”

  She cupped his face in her hands, drew her thumbs over his smooth cheeks. “You’re beautiful.” She took in the neatly combed long hair—still damp—and pouted up at him. “You showered without me. You know how much I like lathering you up.”

  An amber glow entered his warm, brown eyes. “You lathered me up many times this morning, and I loved every minute of it.” He started to lean down, then closed his eyes and launched himself from the bed.

  Ami raised herself onto her elbows. “Don’t I even get a good afternoon kiss?”

  He shook his head, visually devouring the pale breasts bared when the sheets fell to her waist. “If I kiss you, I’ll touch you. And if I touch you ... we won’t leave that bed or this room until sunset.”

  She winked. “Sounds good to me.”

  With another moan, he turned away and retrieved a large box from the chair near the door.

  This room, the Quiet Room at David’s home, had become their new bedroom the day they had taken down the vampire king. Marcus had suggested it, concerned for her safety with the commander still running around loose.

  Ami had been reluctant to leave Marcus’s home. The quiet. The privacy. The not having to deal with strangers dropping by at all hours.

  And, for Marcus, the lack of spirits or ghosts.

  Slim hadn’t been thrilled with the move either and spent most of his time hiding in the basement.

  But Ami had offered no protest. It was either this or move to England. And she didn’t want to leave North Carolina. She didn’t want to live so far away from Seth, David, and Darnell, Sarah and Roland, Sebastien, Chris, Lisette, and her brothers. She had felt so alone for so long, had missed having a circle of friends with whom she could relax and laugh and shoot the breeze, had missed feeling like she was a part of something with a purpose, a goal.

  All of that she had miraculously found here with these wonderful men and women who would sacrifice everything for each other. And for her.

  Though only a few of them knew the truth of her identity, all knew the commander was gunning for her. And all worried for her safety as though she were family. Marcus more than anyone else. So, if he could cope with ghosts slipping from the shadows and startling him, she could cope with the uneasiness that assailed her when Seconds and immortals she had never met before stopped by.

  “I brought you something,” Marcus said and placed the white box, adorned with a large red bow, on her lap.

  Ami noticed then that he wasn’t wearing the usual long-sleeved T-shirt and cargo pants in which he hunted. He had replaced them with black slacks and a black dress shirt.

  “You look very handsome,” she said. “But then you always do. Why are you so dressed up?”

  “I have a surprise for you.” He leaned down and stole a quick kiss. “Open this, then get dressed and meet me upstairs. I’ll be in the study.”

  An air of excitement hovered around him.

  “Okay. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  He gave her another brief kiss, accompanied by a boyish grin, and left the room.

  Ami opened the large box, peeled back the white tissue paper, and stared at the dress inside with wide eyes. Grasping the slender black straps, she scooted out of bed and held it up.

  When was the last time she had worn a dress?

  The day she had arrived on Earth. And that dress had been Victorian in its modesty and almost military in its function. Nothing like this one that would leave her arms and shoulders bare and fall so elegantly to the floor.

  Eager to don her gift, Ami laid it on the bed and raced for the shower.

  Marcus paced from one end of the spacious study to the other.

  Lounging behind his desk, David read the latest Stephen King novel. Seth and Darnell, sprawled in two of the three chairs across from it, turned to the side so they could monitor Marcus’s progress.

  Though they made a stray smart-ass comment here or there, Marcus paid little attention and didn’t rise to the bait. He paused to shift a large pot overflowing with a peace lily full of snowy blossoms an inch to the right, centering it on the reading table. His hands stilled. “Oh crap. I forgot shoes.” He stared at Seth in d
ismay. “I didn’t buy her shoes!”

  “I’ll take care of it.” Seth vanished.

  Relieved, Marcus sank down in the chair on Darnell’s other side.

  The younger man grinned. “You look like a kid on Christmas morning.”

  Marcus smiled. “I feel like one.” He shook his head. “Damned if she doesn’t make me feel like I’m your age again.”

  “Dude, I’m twenty-seven. I’m not a kid anymore.”

  Both Marcus and David laughed.

  David set his book aside and leaned forward, resting his forearms on the smooth mahogany surface. “How is she doing, Marcus? The nightmares seem to be lessening in frequency.”

  Darnell sobered. “Ami’s having nightmares?”

  Marcus frowned at David. “How did you know?”

  “She calls out telepathically.” Just as she had during her captivity. “But now,” David went on, “she calls out for you.”

  Marcus wished that she didn’t cry out at all, that the nightmares would leave and never return. “She didn’t have one this morning.” Probably because they had slept very little. Now that Ami knew all she had to do to crank him up was whisper what she wanted to do to him—or what she wanted him to do to her—in his head, they spent many, many long hours making love, doing everything he had ever fantasized about.

  David winced. “Damn it, Marcus. She’s like a daughter to me.”

  He frowned. “Well, stay out of my head.”

  “What’d I miss?” Darnell asked.

  “You don’t want to know,” David murmured.

  Seth popped back in. “Done. The shoes are waiting for her in the hallway, just outside the Quiet Room.”

  “Thanks,” Marcus said.

  Seth sank into the chair he had occupied earlier.

  A door opened downstairs.

  Marcus’s heart leapt, slamming against his ribs as he rose.

  “Oh,” he heard Ami say, a soft exclamation of pleased surprise.

  He smiled at Seth.

  Seth smiled back as he and the others rose and moved to stand at Marcus’s side.

  Ami’s light footfalls, normally silent, made tapping noises as she approached.

  When she stepped into the doorway, Marcus lost his breath and, for many long moments, could only stare.