by Gena D. Lutz
“My name is Bane, little fox. Vampire is my flavor of monster.”
She found herself wanting to follow his lead and take a step towards him, but instead, she forced a step back.
“Umm, okay. Bane, let’s get a few things straight.”
His eyes sparkled with humor.
“Let’s.”
“First off, I’m not your little fox, or your anything, for that matter. You can call me Sonnet, that’s it.”
He shook his head and smiled.
“You’re taking all the fun out of this.”
“That’s the next thing. There’s no this or anything else between us, got it?”
He winked in that wicked way she was becoming familiar with.
“If you say so.”
Sonnet let out a breath.
“I definitely say so.”
His piercing eyes skipped to her neck.
“I see. So... am I allowed to taste of you?”
She had a quick vision of Bane sinking his fangs through the tender flesh of her neck, and to her chagrin, it wasn’t all that unpleasant.
“No!” she snapped.
“We’ll work on that part.”
“Look, there’s a reason why I’m here. I sort of need your help with somethin’. It’s a vampire thing, and currently, you’re the only one I know.”
“So it will be business, instead of pleasure, then?” He pinched his chin between his fingers and rubbed at the clean-shaven skin. He studied Sonnet intently. “Yes, I can help you. But I have one condition.”
Sonnet’s suspicions rose, along with her dark brows.
“What’s your condition?”
Bane leaned a shoulder against the wall, feet crossed at the ankles. He was back to being the picture of confidence, a lion who knew when he had the upper hand over his prey. And she couldn’t help thinking about how it sucked, feeling like the furry rabbit scurrying around a dangerous predator’s den.
She folded her arms over her stomach, thumbing the holy-water gun she had hidden underneath her shirt. It made her feel safer, knowing it was there.
“If I’m able to solve your problem, whatever this problem of yours may be, you will agree to join me for a single date at a time and place of my choosing?”
“You’re not playin’ fair, Bane.”
He threw his hand in the air, and his fingers twirled with a flourish.
“You know what they say. All is fair in love and war.”
She gave him a frosty look.
“Fine. I accept your terms. But make no mistake, vampire,” she said, drawing the last word out as a taunt. “This is war, without the slightest possibility of love. Remember that.”
Mischief flickered in his eyes.
“I believe in fashioning my own fate.”
She cleared her throat loudly.
“Whatever that means.”
He moved up the stairs, his body a white blur. When the blur returned, it shot across the space, stopping on the other side of the room. In a blink, she could see Bane in clear view again.
He stood underneath an arched entryway, which led to what looked like the kitchen. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a nice black shirt. His caramel hair was dry and brushed to a smooth glossy perfection. Half of it fell at his back, stopping just at his waist, and the other half cascaded down his chest. Gods, the man was too damn sexual for her liking.
He motioned for her to join him.
“Are you coming?”
Was she really going to let Bane help her? A blood-sucking, fang-dropping, oh, but so damn sexy vampire? A heavy weight settled in the air, as if the ghosts of fate were haunting her. What the outcome of their collaboration would be, she didn’t know. And in a way, she didn’t care. She kept her mind on the bottom line, which was finding Kelly.
“Let’s get this over with.”
Chapter Six
Sonnet stepped into the kitchen. Moonlight spilled through a picturesque window, highlighting an enchanting view of a lake, which was pushed up against the home’s back property line.
Bane reached over and clicked a switch. Unnatural light spilled across a space chock full of top-of-the-line stainless-steel appliances, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, and a sea of granite countertops as far as the eye could see. Sonnet quickly decided that she liked the radiance of the moon better than the warm glow of the overhead bulbs, but for that occasion, the staunch relief of light was more appropriate.
She glanced at her watch.
“We only have a few more hours of night left. We should hurry this up if we stand a chance at makin’ any headway.”
There were two guidelines under which vampires had to abide. The first was that they couldn’t enter a privately owned domicile without the clear consent from the home owner. And second, their magically altered flesh had to be sheltered from direct sun exposure, or it would blister and burn, so time was of the essence.
Bane gave Sonnet a sideways glance.
“Grab a seat at the table. I need to take care of something before we start.”
Each one of his steps was light, barely falling hard enough to make any noise against the hardwood floor, as he made his way to the refrigerator. Sonnet walked across the room and sat down at a rectangular kitchen table that could seat twelve people. Her steps were loud, movement awkward in comparison, making her feel like a klutz.
Bane opened the fridge and pulled out a single beverage can. He closed the door and then moved over to open one of the cabinets, which was filled with stacked cups, and took out a tall glass. He didn’t open his drink right away. Instead, he walked over to the table and sat down across from Sonnet.
They made eye contact as Bane popped open the can and then poured its contents into the glass. The liquid filling the tumbler was red, and it poured thickly, coating the inside rim as it filled. Sonnet eyed the can’s lettering. It read, Sanguine-Blast. She tilted her head at it.
“Doesn’t sanguine mean blood?”
He crushed the can into nothing more than a flat disk, reared back an arm, and tossed it into a blue receptacle, labled recyclables, across the room. He settled back against his chair, red goo in hand.
“It does. It makes good sense, considering that’s what it is. ”
She cleared her throat.
“I’ve never heard of that stuff. Can you live off of it?”
“The anticoagulant in it gives the blood an almond flavor that I quite enjoy. Would you like to try some? Or anything else? I think I have some soda.”
Little lines formed across the bridge of her nose as she scrunched it up with distaste.
“I think I’ll pass.”
“Your loss.”
Sonnet put her hand in her pocket and retrieved the sketch that Mr. Lindon had given her, placing it on the table between them.
“I know this is kinda primative, but do you recognize this guy?”
Looking down at the drawing, he said, “Yes, I’ve seen him around.”
She let out a surprised breath.
“Are you kiddin’ me? You recognize him? That’s great!” She stared at the picture, again inspecting the crudely drawn scratching of a desperate man. It really did suck. “Are you sure? That’s pretty crappy. I only showed it to you because it’s my only lead. Well, that and the area where the attack happened. I know how you blood-suckers hunt territorially. Uh, no offense.”
He lifted his glass of blood.
“Obviously, none taken.”
With curiosity getting the better of her, Sonnet set the paper down.
“Is that your only nourishment, or do you still take a bite out of the natives every now and again?”
Bane brought the blood to his lips and drank. He didn’t stop until every last drop was finished. He set the empty glass down.
“I only drink from the can. The flesh is too tempting, even for me.”
His tongue swiped across the smooth, plump surface of his lips, removing any remaining traces of red.
Fragrant fresh air swept
across Sonnet’s face as the back door swung open. Peeling her eyes from Bane’s lips, she glanced to the left, catching the sight of an aproned grey-haired lady’s rearend as it retreated into a walk-in pantry at the back portion of the kitchen. The door slammed shut behind her and then flew back open seconds later. She stepped behind the massive island in the middle of the room, bending over to disappear behind it. All that was left in view was a loose bun, with bedraggled wisps of hair sticking out of it, at the top of her head.
“Where’s that damn waterin’ can?”
There was a rustling sound, and then a pot went flying at top speed across the room, barely missing the vampire’s head.
“Bane, have you been movin’ my stuff around again? What did I tell you about touchin’ my things? I told you not to, that’s what!”
“Calm down, Hazel. Your watering can isn’t even in the kitchen. It’s probably in the garden house, with the rest of your equipment.”
“Dontcha think I checked in there in the first place?”
Another pan went flying across the room, but that time, Bane plucked it out of the air and set in gently on the table.
He looked at Sonnet.
“Sorry. I just need a second to calm her down, and then we can finish our talk.”
Finding the entire scene comical, Sonnet swallowed a laugh and waved him off.
“By all means, handle your business.”
Bane nodded, thankful, and hopped from his seat. He was by the old woman’s side in a blink, kneeling next to her. His hand settled around her elbow, and he guided her gently to her teetering feet.
She dragged a hand though her loose strands of hair and blew out an exhausted breath.
“Thanks, child. My hip ain’t what it used to be, ya know. I coulda broke it or somethin’, and all because you moved my can.”
Bane touched her face. It was a light, gentle sweep across her cheek with the back of his fingers.
“Perhaps I forgot about moving it, Hazel. I’ll go get it for you right away. Will that do?”
Hazel nodded as she straightened her long, swishing skirt and adjusted her apron.
“Make it quick. I got work to do.”
Sonnet looked at Bane through different eyes after the kindness and warmth of that touch. At first, she thought she’d find the mysterious blue-eyed vampire holed up in a den of sin. But after witnessing the interaction between him and the little old lady, whom he obviously cared for, she couldn’t help thinking that maybe he wasn’t as big a monster as she’d first suspected. But that didn’t prove that he wasn’t capable of ghastly deeds. It just proved he could care for someone. He was still a vampire, with sharp fangs and an appetite for human blood, even if he did claim to only drink the canned stuff.
“As you wish.”
He walked Hazel across the room and eased her out the back way. Before he disappeared through the door, Bane turned his eyes on Sonnet.
“We’re leaving once I come back. I think I know how to find your vampire.”
With that, he closed the door. Sonnet shoved the picture of the culprit in her pocket and stood. So far, all her plans had been falling into place. If her luck held up, there was a good chance she could find Kelly, hopefully alive, and maybe get her home, in the loving arms of her father, in time for breakfast.
Of course, it could also mean that the worst was yet to come. Sonnet stuffed a hand in her pocket and pulled out her keys. She bit down hard on her bottom lip, a nervous habit, as she prayed for a positive outcome.
Chapter Seven
“Sonnet, come and ride with me. It’ll be quicker,” Bane called out.
Sonnet was already on Emely’s motorcycle, her fingers around the key in the ignition.
“I can’t leave the bike here. My friend Emely’ll rip out my entrails if somethin’ happens to it. It’s her baby.”
He laughed and opened the passenger-side door of his car for her.
“I promise it will be safe if you leave it here. Usually, my home is a fortress. I only kept the gates unlocked for you.”
So he had left everything open for her on purpose. How the hell did he know she’d hunt for him? She glanced over at Bane, as he stood next to a sleek black Mercedes, and came to the conclusion that the how wasn’t as important as the why. Against Sonnet’s better judgment, she decided to ignore all unanswered questions for the moment... as long as she was getting what she wanted from him.
“Are you coming?”
His smile was full of dimples and primal male. She hated that it was getting harder and harder to refuse him. Those were thoughts and feelings she didn’t care to examine. She sighed.
“Yeah. I’m comin’.”
“Oh, not yet, little fox, but soon enough.”
Face flushed, Sonnet ducked her head as she bent and then sat inside the car. The seats where made out of fine leather, soft and comfortable.
“In your dreams, buddy.”
“Each day since I met you.”
She looked at him, blank.
“Vampires can dream?”
“Vampires can do anything a normal human can do lying down, only better.”
“You think pretty highly of yourself, dontcha?”
Bane shut the door and walked around the car, to the driver’s side. He got in and turned a serious look at her.
“If you wish for me to prove it, all you need to do is ask nicely.”
She shook her head and glanced out the window, the flush in her cheeks becoming a warm blush. Her thighs tightened around a tingling sensation that was building in the junction below her waist, a feeling she tried to fight down by taking deep, even breaths. She cleared her throat, not daring to look at him.
“Can we go?”
Bane’s husky voice lowered as he said, “Whatever you want.”
Sonnet nodded once and stared at her reflection in the window.
“Where are you drivin’ me to?”
“Somewhere I guarantee you’ve never been.”
She turned her gaze toward him.
“Should I be worried?”
Bane’s expression went solemn, his eyes as blue and calming as the sea.
“You never need to worry when you’re with me.”
She faced forward, bothered at the way his words somehow made her feel safer.
“Again, I’m not interested in anything more than a workin’ relationship.”
“Even so.”
Darks clouds gathered in the night sky above, and tendrils of fog curled across the pavement as the car pulled away from the house. It was a perfect night for hunting monsters. And for the first time ever, Sonnet wasn’t the one in the lead.
***
The back of Sonnet’s head felt good against the headrest. She closed her eyes and let the music seduce her into a tranquil state, the likes of which she hadn’t experienced in ages. Her norm consisted of grueling training and listening to terrible accounts of murder, torture, and rape, subsequently leading to the hunting of monsters.
She sighed. Vampires, dead bodies, and such were all in her immediate future, but for the moment—the calm before the storm—she was going to breathe.
“We’re almost there.”
Bane’s low voice stirred her from her trance. She opened her eyes and looked around.
“Holy shit, I almost dozed off. Sorry. It’s been a long life.”
“Are you getting enough rest?”
Bane’s concern drew Sonnet’s attention. His was a question only someone who cared for her would ask. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the sentiment.
“Anyway,” she began as she sat up straighter in her seat, “where is this mysterious place you’re takin’ me to? We’ve been on the road for almost an hour.”
He glanced at her with those gleaming eyes of his, ones unlike any she’d ever seen.
“It’s close.”
He reached over and turned down the music. He then opened the center console and grabbed something out of it.
“I need you t
o do something for me. It’s to help keep you safe.”
She blinked, not realizing that she’d been staring off into space, or more accurately, into the depths of his eyes. She scraped a hand down her face and readjusted.
“What it is?”
“Well,” he said, drawing out the word.
Instantly, she knew that she wasn’t going to like whatever he had to say.
“In order for me to find this guy you’re searching for, I need to know that you won’t come to any harm in the process.” He paused for a beat while looking at her sheepishly. “I need for you to wear this.”
Sonnet’s brows were getting a workout as she looked down at what Bane held out to her.
“Is that a ring?”
“It’s a binding ring. No one will dare breathe on you, let alone harm you in any way, if you’re wearing my insignia—my claiming of you.”
Sonnet stiffened in her seat.
“Nobody’s claimin’ me, Bane. Especially not a vampire. So... no dice.”
He jerked the wheel sideways, stopping the car in a fog of dirt and gravel on the side of the road.
“Then, I’m turning this car around and taking you back to my place.”
Her eyes slashed to his face, which was set with stubborn features, and then to the ring cradled in his hand.
“Are you seriously gonna make me wear that thing?” she spat.
He nodded and looked down at the ring. The piece was fashioned out of a light-colored metal. It had an emblem of a phoenix, with ruby-encrusted fire jetting from its open beak. The bird reminded her of the fountain in front of Bane’s mansion.
“If you don’t wear it, I can’t help you.”
Swallowing a grumble of protest, she snatched the ring out of his hand and shoved it onto her finger. And damned if it didn’t fit her perfectly.
“Fine, I’ll wear the stupid thing. But it’s just for show. It means nothin’!”
The grin that spread wickedly across Bane’s features made Sonnet want to reach over and smack it off his smug face.
“Now, we can proceed without delay. We should reach Phantom City within minutes.”
“Phantom what?”
His chuckle was low and smooth.
“You’ll see, little fox.”