“Lilith! Show yourself!”
Gabby’s voice echoed through the emptiness.
“I am here, child.”
The voice came from the landing beyond the main hall. On each side of the room was a staircase, both of which curved up to meet the landing. Gabby took the staircase to the right and cautiously climbed up to the next level. Two double doors stood open, and torchlight danced beyond the threshold.
Gabby moved to the door and paused. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly before walking purposefully through the doorway.
A long dining room opened before her, and Gabby’s eyes instantly went to the figure standing at the head of the table opposite her.
“Hello, Gabriella. I’ve waited so very long to meet you.”
Chapter 26
Lilith wore a blood-red gown with only one shoulder strap. The slit in the floor-length skirt of the dress went from her left ankle to her left hip. Matching gloves covered her hands and arms to the elbow. Her hair was oil-black and intricately braided, and her skin was the color of bronze with no sheen. She wore a light-pink lipstick and dark mascara with teal eye shadow streaked like the eye of Horus. Lilith’s apparent youth was contradicted by the sheer power of her presence.
“Hello, Lilith.”
“Please, come and sit with me. We have so much to discuss,” said Lilith, gesturing to one of the chairs.
Gabby took in the room, noting the broken windows through which she might escape if it came to that. A fireplace burned low to the right, its mantle covered with burning candles. Above the table, an elaborate candelabra glowed as well. Aside from the golden table and chairs, the room was bare.
Wishing that she had gone against her better judgement and drank the vampire blood, Gabby walked with as much confidence as she could muster in the presence of the ancient vampire. As she drew near, she saw that those dark eyes were ringed with emerald green. They held Gabby in their gaze easily and seemed to see right through her. Lilith smiled knowingly, as though Gabby’s every thought and fear was an open book to her. There was no malice in her stare.
“The woman who killed my Victor. I see that you are everything that he said you were. I can feel your power. It is wild, unbridled…and dangerous. Can you feel mine?”
“Yes,” said Gabby. Indeed, Lilith’s power was impossible to ignore. It radiated from her like heat from an open oven door.
“Poor, poor Victor. Did you at least make it quick?”
Gabby was taken aback by how casually Lilith spoke of his death. It was as though she and Gabby were two coaches talking about a recent game.
“Yes, it was quick.”
“I understand that you have your reasons for doing what you did. After all, he killed your mother and your sister. I do not begrudge you your victory. Know that this has nothing to do with that.”
“You’ve been trying to have me killed for days now. Or are you going to deny that those were your vamps who attacked me on the road…twice?”
“I deny nothing. I was simply testing you. And you passed.”
“What do you want with me? Why have you poisoned my father?”
“My dear girl,” said Lilith. “You have a power that no one else has in the world. Why wouldn’t I be interested in you? I believe that you will find you have perked the interest of a great number of…people. Michael cannot protect you forever, nor should he. You are more powerful than he, more powerful than you know.”
“Yet, you do not fear me.”
“No, I do not. Yet. I am over two-thousand years old. Victor was but a child.”
Gabby couldn’t help but think how powerful she would be if she drank Lilith’s blood. Victor’s had made her feel invincible, and Lilith considered him a “child.”
“You say that you don’t want revenge, yet my father fights for his life as we speak, because of you.”
“I had to ensure that I had your complete attention.”
“Here I am,” said Gabby. “What do you want?”
“I want you to help me break into a vault.”
“You nearly killed my father so that I would help you rob a bank?”
Lilith laughed at that. “Don’t be silly. I have more wealth than I could spend in a thousand lifetimes. What I want you to help me steal is invaluable.”
“What is it?”
“You needn’t worry yourself about that. You just worry about pleasing me, for if you do, your father will be cured. If not...”
“Will you at least tell me where the vault is?”
Lilith considered her for a moment, and a slow grin began to spread across her face. “Steele Tower.”
Gabby let out a sigh. “How did I know you were going to say that?”
“What do you say, Gabriella?”
“What choice do I have? Give me the cure to my father’s sickness and I’ll help you.”
Lilith clucked her tongue in a tsk-tsk. “That is not how this works. You help me get what I want, and I’ll give you what you want.”
“How do I know that you’ll keep your word?”
“Why would I betray someone as useful as you?”
“I want something in return for my faith.”
“Name it.”
“I want you to hand over the girls.”
“What girls?”
“The sex slaves you’ve been trading out of Chicago Harbor.”
“You are mistaken. That is not my operation. I simply used it to lure you there.”
“Then tell whoever owns the slave ring to pack it up and get the hell out of Chicago.”
“That is quite the request. My associate will not be pleased.”
“I really don’t give a shit. That’s the bargain. If something happens to me, I want to know that at least this came out of the deal.”
“Very well,” said Lilith. “You will find the girls in the warehouse that you infiltrated when your father’s unfortunate accident happened. Now, do we have a deal?”
“One more thing,” said Gabby.
“Just one?” Lilith replied with a hint of irritation.
“I want to bring people I trust with me on this…mission.”
Lilith thought about it for a moment, watching Gabby closely. “I will allow you to bring two, and I will do the same. Now, if that is all, I have matters that require my attention.”
Lilith rose from the chair and walked around the table as Gabby was getting up. To Gabby’s surprise, Lilith extended her hand.
Gabby considered trying to blast her with everything she had, but then thought better of the idea. If she wasn’t successful, she would likely end up dead. Finally, she reached out and shook Lilith’s hand. The vampire jerked slightly when their skin touched, and a smile crept across her face. “Your control is impressive.”
Gabby pulled her hand back before she did something stupid. She wanted nothing more than to wipe that shit-eating grin off Lilith’s pretty face.
“In two nights’ time we hit Steele Tower. Tell no one but the two you have in mind. If I even suspect that Michael is in on the plan, your father will unfortunately take a turn for the worse. Be smart, Gabriella, and you and your father will come out of this alive.”
With that she turned and walked to the window. A quick leap brought her up to the sill, and she jumped out. Gabby ran to the window and looked down. The red dress that Lilith had been wearing slowly fell to the foggy ground below. Gabby looked up and gasped—a magnificent winged beast was flying swiftly south, away from the island.
Chapter 27
By the time Gabby got home, it was two in the morning. She found Valentine waiting for her, but there was no sign of the weres.
“What happened to the guards?” Gabby asked, scanning the street before closing the door.
Valentine sat at the island with a half empty bottle of French wine in front of her. “I sent them grocery shopping,” she said with a mischievous grin.
“Michael’s going to know something is up. Those frigging guards don’t miss a trick
. They’ve been up my ass for months now.”
Valentine arched a brow. “Kinky.”
Gabby offered her a dry look and went to the cupboard to grab a glass.
“Well,” said Valentine, leaning forward on her elbows. “What happened?”
“You want the good news first, or the bad?”
Valentine watched Gabby pour a glass and scrunched up her face in thought. “The good news first.”
“I convinced Lilith to free the sex slaves and break up the ring. She said that they would be delivered to the warehouse tomorrow morning…all of them.”
“That’s impressive. How the hell did you manage that? No, never mind that. What’s the bad news?”
“She wants me to help her break into some vault in Steele Tower.”
Valentine stared at her as though she were waiting for the punchline. “Are you serious?”
“Dead.”
“Holy shit.”
“What do you know about this vault?”
“I know that Michael’s got some pretty exotic treasures down there.”
“Now that I think about it, he’s probably got some if not all of Victor’s treasure,” said Gabby, her mind racing. “I told Michael about the hoard beneath Victor’s castle, but he never told me whether or not he successfully raided it.”
“That might explain Lilith’s interest. Maybe she’s after something that used to be hers.”
“Have you ever been inside it?”
“Are you kidding me? Nobody goes inside that vault but Michael, and perhaps Juliette. He’s got some of the most advanced spells in the world protecting that thing.”
“Spells that I can nullify,” said Gabby.
Valentine looked at Gabby like she hadn’t before—she seemed disappointed. “Huh, I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“What?”
“Betrayal.”
Gabby scowled at her. “I have no plans to betray Michael. That is why we have to make a plan to deal with Lilith once she hands over the cure.”
“That’s risky. It’s not like she’s going to bring it with her. She’ll use it as insurance.”
“You act as if you know her.”
Valentine jerked, surprised by the accusation. “I told you I didn’t know her. I just know that ancient vampires are still alive for a reason. Do not underestimate someone like her.”
“I think she underestimates me,” said Gabby. “She had the gall to shake my hand.”
“She must have known she could handle you. Perhaps she has dealt with a nullifier at some point in her long life.”
“That would make sense.”
“When are you going to tell Michael?” Valentine asked.
“I don’t know, tomorrow I guess. I need time to think this through.”
“When does she plan on breaking into the vault?”
“She said two nights from now. I also managed to bargain in some back-up. She agreed on us each of us bringing two friends.”
“Who did you choose?” asked Valentine, trying but failing to hide her excitement.
“You and Quip.”
“You chose me?” said Valentine, eyes suddenly tearing. She hugged Gabby. “Thank you.”
“Then you’ll come?”
Valentine held her at arm’s length and kissed her fiercely. “Of course I’ll come. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Gabby laughed and shook her head, surprised at Valentine’s reaction to being invited on such a dangerous mission.
“I don’t get it. Why are you so eager to help me?”
Valentine looked to Gabby “You don’t get it, do you?” When Gabby had no answer, Valentine went on. “Imagine that everyone you are interested in thinks that they love you. But they don’t really love you, they’re just drawn to your beauty and your power. Do you know how lonely it is, to know that those you love only love you because they are bewitched?”
“Valentine, I—”
“You don’t have to love me. It’s enough to know that your feelings are your own. And if you choose to be my friend, I will know that I have a true friend indeed.”
Gabby knew what it was like to feel alone, and she knew all too well what it was like to be different than everyone else.
“Of course I’m your friend,” said Gabby.
Valentine beamed. She wiped her eyes and poured them both a tall glass of wine, emptying the bottle in the process.
“To friends,” said Gabby, raising her glass.
“To friends with benefits,” said Valentine with a mischievous grin.
Gabby laughed. “You’re incorrigible.”
“I know, I’m such a bad, bad girl.”
They tapped glasses and drank their wine, but Gabby found that she wasn’t much in the mood for wine tonight.
“How about a cocktail instead?” she said, getting up from her chair at the island and moving to the liquor cabinet. “I’m in the mood for something strong.”
“Well, in that case, I vote for Long Island iced teas,” said Valentine.
“Ooh, good idea,” said Gabby, growing excited. “But first we need some music. Do you have anything in mind?”
“Hmm,” said Valentine, pursing her full lips in thought. She let out a little laugh and walked over to the computer.
Gabby recognized the song immediately and laughed. “Seriously? ‘Sexual Healing’?”
“What?” said Valentine as she began a sensual little dance. “You don’t like Marvin Gaye?” She bit her lip and gyrated slowly as she ran her hands through her long blonde hair before letting it fall across her shoulders.
Gabby shook her head, unable to help a smile. Neither could she help but notice just how sexy Valentine really was. Her curvaceous form moved with the music in a way that was impossible to ignore.
Valentine made her way slowly over to Gabby. She continued to bite her bottom lip and batted her luscious lashes, peeking from behind long hair that covered half her face.
“Stop that, I’m trying to make us drinks,” said Gabby.
She fished the blender out of one of the lower cupboards and retrieved the many liquors needed to make the cocktails.
Valentine grabbed the ice and put it on the counter beside the blender, reaching around Gabby and brushing her pert breasts against Gabby’s arm in the process.
Gabby ignored the flirting and put all the ingredients in the blender before turning it on.
An ice cube touched the back of her neck, and she gave a surprised squeal. Valentine giggled playfully and hummed a contented moan as she drew the ice cube around Gabby’s neck and down her chest. Gabby shuddered when the ice cube glided over her erect nipple. Valentine drew it across and below her bra on the other side, and Gabby braced herself on the counter. Soft lips pecked small kisses up her neck, and a tongue found her ear.
Valentine’s hand moved down Gabby’s tight stomach and easily slipped under her pants. Gabby took in a shocked breath when Valentine’s hand slipped beneath her panties as well and explored her sex.
“You’re so wet,” Valentine whispered in her ear. A finger glided into her as another circled her swollen clitoris. Valentine worked her fingers slowly at first, trailing kisses down Gabby’s neck and squeezing her breast with her free hand.
“I want to taste you,” Valentine whispered into her ear softly, letting the heat of her breath brush against Gabby’s neck.
Gabby could feel Valentine’s magical energy, could almost see it emanating from her. It made her tingle to be so close to it, and she realized that she had felt the same thing from Michael, and even Victor before him. At the time, she had just thought it was good old fashioned lust, like with Riggs. But now she realized that sex with a magic user was more intense because she was allowing something magical to enter her without destroying it.
Just like the vampire blood, Gabby realized, and became increasingly excited by the idea.
She gave herself to Valentine’s hooked fingers and focused on the incredible sensations caused by Valentin
e’s magical aura.
Gabby braced herself against the counter as an orgasm exploded inside her. Strong hands held her firm as searching fingers pushed her over the edge. Valentine bit her ear and pinched her nipple as her fingers curved and found Gabby’s g-spot. Gabby cried out in ecstasy as wave after wave of pleasure surged through her, weakening her knees and leaving her panting and sweaty.
Valentine trailed kisses down her neck before withdrawing her hand. She beamed at Gabby, who could only manage a weak smile.
“You look like you could use a stiff…drink.”
Valentine poured them each a tall glass of Long Island iced tea and joined Gabby at the island as she lit up a cigarette.
“You’re crazy, you know that?” said Gabby, trying to catch her breath.
Valentine winked. “Takes one to know one.”
Chapter 28
Gabby awoke beside Valentine and groaned. She didn’t remember going to bed, or what happened after they did. They were both naked, and there was a plethora of sex toys strewn about the bed, as well as a bottle of chocolate syrup and an empty bowl of whipped cream.
Her head pounded, and her dry mouth begged for water, but even in her misery, Gabby couldn’t help but giggle. Valentine stirred and glanced over sleepily at her.
“Good morning, lover.”
“My head is pounding,” said Gabby.
“I told you to take it slower with those tequila shots.”
“Well, thanks for trying,” said Gabby. She dragged herself out of bed and headed straight for the shower.
After a long hot soaking, she turned the dial to cold and braced herself as the freezing water washed over her body, taking her breath away. The frigid water cleared her head and shocked her awake. She took two Aleve and brushed her teeth before combing out her long red locks. Peeking into the adjoining bedroom, she found that Valentine had gotten out of bed as well. Gabby heard her voice coming from the kitchen. She sang “Hello” by Adele along to the radio with a voice as beautiful as her smile.
Gabby laughed to herself weakly.
She dressed in jeans and one of her sister’s favorite t-shirts, which was black but for the pink fist flying the middle finger. Gabby spent longer than was needed deciding what shoes to wear. The truth was that she was putting off calling Michael and telling him about Lilith. When her curiosity about her father’s condition finally got the better of her, she dialed Michael’s number.
Cross the Line: A Gabriella Cross Paranormal Romance Book 2 Page 12