by Lisa Olsen
“Where are we headed?” Amunet asked once she and I were in the back seat, Rob and Bishop in the front.
“It’s a surprise,” I replied, wracking my brain for ideas. We could cruise the docks, but what if that didn’t provide the hunting grounds I’d promised?
Bishop held up his hands as Rob leveled a stare at him. “Don’t look at me, I’m just along for the ride.”
“I’ll need more than that, miss,” Rob said, meeting my gaze in the rearview mirror.
“Take us to the Tavern, you know the one.” It was the only thing I could think of.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Absolutely I am. I think our new friend would like something off the beaten path.” I settled back on the soft leather as he pulled into traffic without another word, but I could tell I’d get an earful later. I didn’t care. Amunet wouldn’t be sinking her teeth into him anytime soon if I had anything to say about it.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“How long have you known Jakob?” Amunet asked, and I returned my attention to keeping her entertained.
“Not all that long. We’ve had a sort of… whirlwind courtship.”
“And he set you up as Elder of the West, that’s so sweet.”
Then she did know who I was. “No, actually, I got the gig on my own. At the time he was laying low.”
“Ah, I see. That’s understandable. I commend you on your cunning and strength then.”
“What’s understandable?”
“That Jakob was laying low, as you say. In truth, I was most surprised to find him openly holding court again.”
“Why is that?”
“It’s no secret he’s preferred to remain in seclusion for so long.”
“But it is a secret why, and you seem like you know what that secret is,” I pressed.
She seemed about to reply when her lips pursed speculatively. “Perhaps it’s best to curb any gossip where Jakob is concerned. The Ellri are not known for forgiveness.”
“You are preaching to the choir, sister,” I murmured, turning to look out the window in disappointment. Maybe it was for the best not to get too much into chit chat mode with Amunet anyway? I had more secrets to air than most vampires, and it could prove dangerous to get too chatty with her.
Rob brought us to the infamous Tavern, parking the car across the street from the dive bar. I steeled myself for Amunet’s disapproval once she saw how rough it was, but she surprised me by smiling wide once we stepped inside.
“How did you know I would find a place like this intriguing?” she asked, making her way to the bar with slow steps, enjoying the attention we drew in our fancy clothes.
“I took a chance you don’t get to go to place like this very often,” I said, relaxing when I didn’t spot any of the men I’d tangled with the last time I visited the bar. “I figure, you get your choice of beauty every day. But here… here you’ll find something different.”
“Indeed I shall,” she replied with glittering eyes. “You will wait outside,” she ordered both Bishop and Rob.
Rob made no move to obey. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Highness. This is a rough place. It wouldn’t take much for things to go pear shaped, yeah?”
“Relax, Rob,” I said, waving him off. “We can take care of ourselves.”
“That’s as may be, but I’m not to leave your side when you’re out and about, you know that,” he glowered.
“And Jakob also released you from your duties for the night, so beat it. I’m not asking.” I put an edge into my voice, mostly for Amunet’s benefit.
Rob bristled, his jaw working, but all he said was, “As you wish, miss.”
“You too, Bishop. Wait for us outside, okay?”
“Of course, your grace,” he smirked, clicking his heels together, mocking me with his formality. I bit back the urge to stick my tongue out at him, I was trying to be mature and regal like Amunet, who oozed nobility.
If she noticed the power play between us, Amunet didn’t mention it, a smile curving her lips once they’d gone. “Now then, let the games begin.”
“Where would you like to start?”
“A drink first, I should think.”
“Don’t try the beer unless you’re feeling adventurous,” I advised, but it turned out that was the wrong thing to say, as she promptly ordered us two beers, using her compulsion to get the bartender to drop them off for free.
I sipped politely, trying not to ingest much of the disgusting brew, my eyes lighting upon Chad at his usual table, hunched over his beer. He looked up, his eyes catching mine and I saw his brows twitch closer together, as though wondering if he knew me. But a second later he looked back into the bottom of his glass again, as if that held all of life’s answers. Maybe he’d be a good candidate for Amunet? He was easy on the eyes and plenty virile enough to satisfy her.
Only that wasn’t what she had in mind. At all.
“Do you want to play predator or prey tonight?”
I wasn’t sure what she meant. I’d played a game called predator or prey in the sixth grade at Camp Hammer, but somehow I didn’t think she wanted a blindfold and a pair of twigs. “Ah… I’m good either way, if you have a preference,” I answered, wishing I hadn’t kicked Bishop to the curb so quickly. It was a sure bet he knew all about her vampire games.
“I think I’m feeling like a bit of sport,” she said after a moment’s consideration. “I’ll take predator if you don’t mind being the prey, just to make things interesting.”
“Sure… of course. I’ll be the prey.” What the heck was I agreeing to? “But um, first let me head to the ladies room to freshen up.” Yikes, did the place even have a ladies room? I couldn’t imagine they got many ladies in the place. I’d settle for the men’s room if it gave me a few minutes to text Bishop some important questions.
“Don’t be silly, you look fine,” she smiled, brushing the hair back over my shoulder. “Very innocent and alluring. I’m certain you’ll attract the right sort.”
I started to clue into the game. I wasn’t her prey, I was the bait. “Thanks. So, you’re calling the shots. Where do you want to do this?” Hopefully not right there in the bar, that would take too much compulsion to straighten it out.
“Does this establishment have a back entrance?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll leave you to it then. And no fair stealing a taste without me, I claim first blood as predator.”
“I wouldn’t dream of spoiling that honor for you,” I said, rising from my stool and she laid a cool hand on my arm.
“Thank you for this, Anja. I do so enjoy a good game every now and then.”
“Don’t we all.” I offered a tight smile, wending my way to the rear entrance, moving nice and slow so they had plenty of time to notice me. For extra dramatic effect, I dropped my purse twice, tottering about on my heels as though I’d had too much to drink. Never mind the fact that I hadn’t even finished my beer, the opportunists in the room would see what they wanted to see.
I made it into the alley without anyone stopping me and had my phone in hand, prepared to call Rob when he stepped out of the shadows, nearly scaring the spit out of me.
“I thought I might find you out here,” he said, his voice low but all kinds of grouchy. “What are you two birds cooking up in there?”
I turned him around by the shoulders. “You have to get out of here, I’m the prey.”
“What?”
“I’m the prey, she’s the predator. Now scoot before you spook the bad guys.” I gave him a tiny shove but he easily evaded me, turning back around to demand some answers.
“What bad guys? Have you been at the sauce?”
“Amunet wants to hunt for bad guys and I’m supposed to lure them, now scram,” I hissed as the door to the bar opened, a single man stepping out, pausing as his eyes adjusted to the dim light.
Rob obediently faded into the shadows, and I shot him a smile of thanks, continuing my uns
teady stroll down the alley. A scene from Buffy the Vampire Slayer came back to me. Not the TV show, but the silly movie where she’s trying to lure vampires into attacking her right after the training montage, and I started to hum the melody to Feelings. What ever happened to Luke Perry anyway? I couldn’t remember him in anything after that bit part in The Fifth Element.
I could hear the guy behind me, keeping pace, not closing the distance, but definitely on my tail instead of heading for the mouth of the alley where most people’s cars waited. “I’m feeling very helpless…” I sang softly.
“Hey…” the guy called out from behind me, and I pretended not to hear, humming to myself as I continued on my way. “Hey,” he tried a notch louder. “You got change for a dollar?”
“Change?” I repeated, pretending to almost lose my balance as I turned around. “Sure, I have change,” I said with a silly grin. This was kind of fun. It appealed to my sense of the theatric without the embarrassment of an audience. Opening my purse, I pretended to root around in it while he stalked closer, all the while keeping an eye on him from my peripheral vision.
He sort of reminded me of that guy on Person of Interest who was also in that movie with the Vikings and the alien guy…Outlander, Jim Caviezel. A little shifty and dangerous looking when he was unkempt and in need of a shave, but his eyes burned bright with purpose.
Me.
“Oh, I just have two…” The guy grabbed me by the shoulders, pressing me back against the brick wall. “… quarters. But you can have ‘em,” I blinked.
“That’s too bad, I guess I’ll take something else instead.”
Even though I knew I could kick his booty nine ways from Sunday, I still felt a knot of fear in my stomach from the intensity of his gaze. This guy was about to assault me, and a normal drunk woman wouldn’t be able to do a damn thing about it. I almost wished Amunet wasn’t waiting to pounce so I could teach the guy a lesson myself. Then again, I remembered the last time I’d been in that alley. I never wanted to taste that kind of rage again.
“You can have my money, there’s not much there.” It wasn’t hard to put a whimper into my voice.
“That’s okay, I have what I want right here.” His fingers dug into my arms and I winced, no acting involved.
“You’re hurting me, let me go!” I struggled weakly, getting tired of the game. Where was Amunet? Or had she double crossed me, leaving me to get pawed in the alley while she skipped off with Rob?
Right on cue, she appeared at the other end of the alley. “Anja? Are you out here?” Amunet’s voice echoed as she stumbled out of the bar, making a show of spotting us and lurching in our direction. “What are you doing out here?”
“Let go of me, I want to go home,” I whined, surprised when he did, but he blocked me from leaving with his body.
“We’re just having a good time,” he said, the look on his face anything but friendly.
“Anja, we have to go,” she said, motioning to me and I tried to step out from behind him.
“Not so fast.” His arm shot out to grab onto my arm. I was supposed to be the prey, so I cowered behind him, watching the drama unfold with sick fascination. How far would she carry this out before she attacked him? “Join the party or get lost.”
“I’m not leaving my friend.” Her chin came up with determination, the hint of fear showing behind her eyes. Wow, she put my acting to shame. Was there anything she couldn’t do better than me?
Deciding she was the more interesting prey, the scumbag switched focus. “Fine, she can go, you stay.” He shoved me aside, grabbing hold of her wrist to tug her closer.
“Let us go or… I’ll call the police!” Amunet dug into her pocket, producing a slim cell phone and he gave an ugly laugh.
“Go ahead, I’ll be done by the time they get here. Go ahead and scream all you want,” he said, pulling Amunet closer, a meaty hand closing over her breast. “Nobody around here gives a fuck.”
“Please… please don’t.” She squirmed in his grasp. “Please… I’ll do anything!” Amunet’s rich voice throbbed with emotion, her dark eyes wide and shiny with unshed tears.
“That’s what I like to hear,” he grunted, pinning her roughly against the wall, his hand fumbling with his belt.
“Do you know what I’d like to hear?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“What?”
“I’d like to hear you scream.” She smiled, her fangs sharp and glistening in the poor light.
“What the…?”
Her brows drew together in mock puzzlement. “I thought you wanted me? Come and take me then, if you can.”
“Jesus fucking Christ…” The guy shoved her away, grasping at his loose pants as he stumbled backwards. Just for fun, I bared my teeth at him too, extending my fangs with a snick, though I had no intention of getting physical with him. That was all the motivation he needed, and he took off running for the mouth of the alley.
Amunet turned to me with a serene smile made somewhat creepy with the poke of fangs. “The chase is on.” And then she shot out of there like a bat out of hell. I wasn’t sure if I should follow after, or leave her to the hunt, with my role as prey officially over.
Bishop and Rob appeared seconds later, both obviously keeping close tabs on the ‘game’.
“What happens now?” I asked, retracting my pointy teeth. “She’s going to compel that guy to forget about all of this when she’s done scaring the beejeezus out of him, right?” I knew that wasn’t it even before Bishop shook his head.
“We’d better keep up with her before this gets out of hand.”
It wasn’t already out of hand? “She won’t actually kill him, will she?” I asked Rob.
“What did you expect?” He pressed his lips together, disapproval coming off of him in waves. “Best get after them, this could get messy.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
It was easier to track them than I thought it would be. All I had to do was follow the scent of freshly spilled blood. I caught up to Amunet, who had the would-be rapist on his knees, his nose bloodied and smashed in. Bishop stood by on the sidelines, watching.
Amunet bent close, her lips brushing against the man’s ear. “I could make this painless for you, but I won’t. Do you know what I’m going to do to you instead?” The guy shook his head hard enough for bloody spittle to fly from the corner of his mouth to his shoulder. “I’m going to tear off the protruding parts of your body and then feed them to you one by one. And only after you’ve been unmanned will I kill you, so can never disappoint another woman again.”
He gave a strangled cry, lurching forward. To my utter surprise, she let him break free and run down the street.
“Ah, he’s getting away,” I said, when she showed no signs of pursuing him. Why was she letting him get away?
“This is my favorite part.” A horrifying smile curved those perfect lips and then she was on him in seconds flat, a terrified shriek escaping the man before she silenced him.
Instead of worrying over the ruckus, I remembered his threat. No one in that neighborhood would care and his own boast had ended up costing him his life. “I will never understand the need for games,” I shook my head. “I understand the need for blood, but why go through all the trouble of playing cat and mouse?”
Bishop cleared his throat. “The fear and adrenaline, it spikes the blood. It’s considered a delicacy.”
I thought back to my own experience, the one time I’d lost all control, deliberately causing pain instead of pleasure. The taste of the blood had fed my hunger for violence. “Oh… yep, I guess it does,” I realized aloud, and he shot me a surprised look. “Don’t ask, it’s not one of my prouder moments.”
Amunet let him fall to the ground when she was done, returning to us with the contentment of a satisfied cat. Bishop offered her a handkerchief and she patted at her face delicately, removing flecks of blood, but she was remarkably tidy considering the damage she’d done to the guy.
“That wa
s exhilarating, thank you,” she smiled.
The man lay crumpled and broken on the sidewalk like forgotten refuse, and I swallowed back a wave of revulsion. I’d pretty much gotten that guy killed. Sure, I could assuage my guilt by remembering he’d been the first one to attack, but it was still a life taken. “I’m glad you had a good time,” I said, managing a faint smile in return.
“Shall we play the reverse now?”
That meant my turn as predator. There was no way I was going through the performance bit again. “No, actually I’m good. I’ll eat later, it’s starting to get late and Jakob will miss me.”
“Oh, I feel badly to have robbed you of the hunt. For all the power we have, we still dance to the tune of our master when he calls, don’t we?”
“Don’t worry about it, I’m sure Jakob will more than compensate me for the lost sport,” I replied, letting her draw her own conclusions from that. “Bishop, I don’t suppose you could…” I gestured to the body, unsure how to best handle it with the Order still scrambling to find their place in society again.
“Yeah, I’ve played this game before,” he answered with a tight smile. “I’ll take care of it.”
Amunet handed back his handkerchief, smoothing her hands over the curve of her hips. “And now, to feed another hunger. Shall we go back to find Rob?”
She still wanted Rob? What the heck was I doing then? I scrambled for a better option. “Or… you know, you might want to try something new. I saw someone giving you the eye back there.”
“That hardly sounds appetizing.”
“Oh, he is. I can personally vouch for him.”
“Truly?” Her lips took on a speculative pout. “Lead on then, I have no reason to fault your taste thus far.”
I just prayed Rob stayed out of sight until I could make sure Chad tempted her fancy. Then again, how did I know she wouldn’t kill him too? It was one thing for her to keep Rob alive as one of Jakob’s favored subjects, but some random guy probably wouldn’t rate that level of caution.