by Aubrey Ross
"Day before yesterday. I didn't know if Father had heard about the attack, and I didn't want to set off a clan war if he hadn't. Monique seemed like the safest source of information."
"Had your father heard about the attack?” Azariel asked.
"No one knew anything about it.” She looked at Teladorian, speculation clear in her dark eyes. “It was almost as if the incident never happened. I don't suppose you know anything about that."
"I might have asked Randolph to keep things quiet.” He offered her a half formed smile. “I wanted to have a new strategy in mind before we approached your father."
"Thus the brooding?” Azariel relaxed in the corner of the sofa, shirtless and shoeless as was his wont.
"Approach my father about what?” Anxiety crept into her expression. She scooted to the other end of the sofa and crossed her legs in front of her. “We're barely on speaking terms."
"Duarte is intimidated by the shift of power within the clans. Is that the crux of the issue?"
"It was until Duarte tried to murder me."
Azariel nodded. “Vasco will demand retribution. He can't allow such a slight to go unanswered. It would make him appear weak and weak vampires don't last long in positions of power."
"Well put."
She smiled at Azariel, and Teladorian grimaced. He was in the middle of them literally and figuratively. “A clan war would endanger us all. The last time vampires grew careless around humans, they were hunted nearly to extinction. All of your powers don't mean a thing when you're faced with six billion adversaries."
"I don't need a lecture on vampire history. I'm well aware of the need for discretion."
"If your father wasn't the sole sponsor of ... Which clan wants to modernize?"
"Zoltan,” she said. “Darius Zoltan is at the heart of the conflict."
"If a different person sponsored each of Zoltan's children, Duarte might be less intimidated by the development.” She started to interrupt, but he halted her objection with an upraised hand. “Hear me out. At the very least, Duarte would be less able to attack the offenders if those involved were more spread out."
She didn't look convinced. “Darius presented his needs to the council and my father was the only clan leader willing to assist him."
"I wasn't thinking about other vampires. If we move this beyond the vampire clans, Duarte would be limited even further. He can't declare war on the entire paranormal community."
"You should have gone into politics.” Azariel chuckled then shook his head. “As long as Sophie is out of danger, the rest doesn't concern us. Why insert ourselves into the middle of a vampire conflict?"
"I doubt any of the clans would welcome your involvement anyway,” Sophie said. “Humans aren't the only ones who hunted vampires."
Restless and annoyed, Teladorian pushed to his feet. “There has to be a permanent solution. I won't look over my shoulder for the rest of my life."
Sophie shrugged. “You can make the offer. The worst they can do is say no."
"No, the worst they can do is slaughter him where he stands.” Resentment sliced through Azariel's tone.
She gasped and scrambled up from the sofa. “I didn't realize you had such a high opinion of vampires."
Azariel didn't apologize immediately. Teladorian understood his bitterness, but Sophie only saw prejudice.
"I'm sorry.” By the time he found the words it was too late.
Sophie turned to Teladorian, stiff and indignant. “Take me to my car."
Teladorian had no intention of leaving her alone, but she clearly needed some space right now.
"Sophie"—Azariel stood as well—"I've lived a long time and had run-ins with numerous vampires. In my experience, they rip out throats first and ask questions later."
Her laugh was dry and humorless. “You're judging my entire race by your experience with, what, ten, twenty-five of my kind?"
"You're right. The comment was out of line.” He slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans and tried to smile. “Please, don't leave."
She blew out a ragged sigh. “I'm not leaving. I'll just be more comfortable if I don't need to rely on someone else for transportation."
Teladorian had taken her to her apartment earlier in the week. She'd gathered some essentials and packed her favorite clothes, but he hadn't thought about retrieving her car.
Azariel still looked uncomfortable, so Teladorian said, “We won't be gone long."
Teladorian called ahead to make sure Randolph was at Station X. “I've wanted to speak with him since this thing began. Randolph has wonderful instincts when it comes to avoiding conflict."
"I'm not sure this conflict can be avoided.” She stared straight ahead, revealing her annoyance. “Duarte threw down the gauntlet. My father is honor bound to respond."
"Perhaps.” There was no reason to argue with her. She had clearly made up her mind. He paused, unsure how to broach the next issue without driving another wedge between them. As soon as they got to the club, she was sure to notice how women reacted to him. He needed to tell her now. “Sophie, there's something I've been meaning to explain."
"What's up?"
He took a deep breath and dove right in. “When I get hungry, I emanate a pheromone. It's unintentional, but it makes me extremely attractive to most females."
"Really? Why doesn't this pheromone affect me?"
"I'm not sure.” Her question confirmed his reluctant conclusion. She was immune to the phenomenon. “At first I thought it was because of your attack, but you're fully recovered now and you still don't feel the pull."
She glanced at him through her long lashes. “I wouldn't say that. I'm definitely attracted to you."
"No, this is different. The pheromone makes women almost mindless around me."
She smiled and waved away his concern. “Maybe you've just been hanging around the wrong females."
"The effect is lessened if I don't let my hunger build."
"Then we'll make sure you're well-fed before we go out in public.” Her gaze caught his and she slowly licked her lips. “Do we need to stop? Is that what this is about? Are you still hungry?"
"I'm fine. No, better than fine. I'm replete.” He wanted to let it go, to accept her at her word and move on, but it wasn't easy. So much of his life had been colored by the effect he had on women. Could it really be this easy? Would her reaction differ once she saw the pheromones in action?
He was thrilled to know her responses were born of emotion and not some intoxicating pheromone. Perhaps it was nature's way of ensuring that he earn her affection rather than relying on a chemical reaction.
"My mother believes the hunger will dissipate once I've found my mate."
"I didn't realize you were looking for your mate."
"I wasn't, at least not consciously.” He certainly wasn't going to push the issue after she'd reacted so well to what he'd told her so far. Still, it felt good to have the concept out there, available for consideration at a later time.
She acknowledged the comment with a distracted nod and asked, “How long have you known Azariel? How did you meet?"
The questions focused his wandering thoughts and put an end to his uncertainty. Was she still upset by Azariel's careless comment? “He probably won't thank me for telling you, but his history with vampires is long and sordid. His parents were murdered by a rogue vampire as was his first wife."
She looked at him then, compassion and frustration clear in her gaze. “Were they killed by the same vampire?"
"No. Different instances with nearly a century separating the two events."
"Damn. No wonder he's suspicious."
"I've known Azariel for about six hundred years. We were tutored by the same sorcerer."
"Was your teacher a demon?"
"Dazell was half human and half dark elf. He could manipulate energy effortlessly. He taught Azariel how to control fire and I learned ... Well, all sorts of things."
"Azariel told me you sell protec
tion spells to a very select clientele. Did you learn how to cast them that long ago or did you master the skill more recently?"
"My education has been gradual and varied. Dazell was the first of many teachers."
"But you and Azariel have been together ever since?"
"You were there the first time Azariel and I got together.” He chuckled. “Our paths have crossed frequently. More so since I settled in California."
"How many countries have you called home?"
He took a moment to calculate. “Nine. Mostly in Europe, but I lived in Morocco for two years."
"And how long have you lived in California?"
"I was here before it was a state.” He smiled and tapped his thumb against the steering wheel. This trip down memory lane was making him feel old! “I suspect I'm robbing the cradle, but how old are you anyway?"
"Sixty-three. I ran away from home at forty-seven.” She laughed and the tension finally melted from her shoulders. “That sounds odd, I know, but vampires aren't considered mature until they've lived one hundred years."
"Then you're still a baby?"
"Hardly. I'm just subject to my father's authority for another thirty-seven years.” She was quiet for a time, her expression distracted. “I know how you make your living. What does Azariel do?"
"You have to promise not to mention it to him.” He shot her a sidelong glance as he waited for her promise.
"Is it that embarrassing?"
"I don't think so, but he swears it ruins his badass persona."
She laughed again. “I've never thought of Azariel as a badass. He's too pretty."
"Don't ever let him hear you say that.” His cringe gradually morphed into a smile. “He'll never speak to you again."
"All right, he's not pretty, but he's damn close to beautiful."
Azariel's image flickered to life within his mind and he nodded. “I suppose he is."
"So what's his occupation?"
"He's a programmer. He troubleshoots programs when other programmers can't figure out what's wrong with them."
"Let me guess"—she angled her body so she could see him more easily—"his fees are extremely high, but his clients don't seem to mind."
"We're both from the ‘work smarter not harder’ school of thought."
"It's easier to have that attitude when you don't really need the money.” Her tone held just a hint of discontent.
"And it's easier to accumulate a fortune over the course of several centuries."
Teladorian pulled into the employees’ lot behind Station X a few minutes later. Before they could make it to the back door, Randolph came out of the building and motioned them back toward the car.
"What's the matter?” Teladorian asked as Randolph slipped into the backseat.
Randolph didn't answer until everyone shut their doors. “Two of Duarte's thugs are inside asking all sorts of questions about you."
"Are they alone?"
"We've only identified two, but there could be more. It's really crowded tonight."
"It's really crowded every night,” Sophie commented.
"I'm sure as hell not complaining. I just didn't want Teladorian to be blindsided by them."
"We're here to pick up Sophie's car. I don't have to come inside.” Sophie shot him a surprised look and he smiled. “A wise soldier controls the location of each battle. This is not the place."
"I thought your hope was to avoid the conflict all together,” she reminded him.
"That would be the best-case scenario.” He looked her in the eye and added, “I'm not afraid of Duarte and I've never run from a fight."
Randolph leaned forward, his gaze intense. “Duarte isn't going to negotiate. He's old school all the way. You're going to have to take him on eventually."
"I have no problem with that, but it's not going to take place at your club."
"All you have to do is reverse your spell and Duarte will be exposed.” Randolph glanced toward the back entrance to the club. “You can take this to him as soon as you're ready."
"And I'm sure he's expecting me to do just that."
Sophie's gaze narrowed on his face. “Duarte is one of your customers?"
Teladorian sighed. He hadn't consciously avoided the issue, nor had he gone out of his way to tell her. Well, there was no avoiding the details now. “My dealings with Duarte obviously predate my involvement with you."
"Obviously,” she grumbled.
Randolph mouthed the word sorry as he reached for the door handle. “Let me know if you need anything. You do realize people will stand in line to back you if you move against Duarte. He's one mean son of a bitch."
"I want to defuse the situation, not escalate it into all out war."
Randolph nodded and headed back inside his club.
"Call your dad. He needs to have a say in how we proceed."
She dug her phone out of her purse then hesitated.
"Do you want me to talk to him?” He held out his hand, gaze filled with compassion.
"No. He just has a way of pushing my buttons. I can't remember the last time I talked to him that I didn't end up infuriated."
"Just get him on the line. I'll do the rest."
Sophie activated the number and braced herself for the emotional onslaught. Her father hated the fact that she had found a life separate from him and never failed to rub her face in all she had left behind.
"Where the hell are you?” he demanded without preamble. “I sent Terence by to collect you and your apartment was empty."
She clenched her teeth and took a deep breath. Usually they made it through the superficial pleasantries before he pissed her off. “Was there some reason you wanted Terence to ‘collect’ me?"
"Don't play dumb with me, girl. Monique told me what happened."
"I'm fine. Thanks for asking. I've been staying with friends."
"You will return to Las Vegas immediately and—” She handed the phone to Teladorian with a frustrated sigh.
"Hello, Mr. Vasco. This is Teladorian Haize."
"According to Monique, you saved Sophie's life, so you have my appreciation. However, Sophie is my responsibility.” Her father's sharp tone made it easy for Sophie to make out his words.
"I understand your position. Unfortunately, I'm now in Duarte's crosshairs as well as your daughter. I see no reason to deal with this as two separate situations when we're working toward the same outcome."
"The only outcome I'm interested in is Duarte's death. As soon as the council sanctions the kill, the situation will be resolved."
"Do you have any idea how long that will take?"
"The council meets tomorrow night."
"I would like to be included in your plans."
"All right. Put Sophie back on the phone."
"Are you sleeping with that demon?” The question was out before she settled the phone against her ear.
"That's none of your business."
"You're an organic female, whether you admit the fact or not. Organic females are bound by the Charter. You must—"
She snapped the phone closed, ending the call. “I can't deal with all this right now. I need some time to myself."
"It's not safe."
"I know that and I'm not a fool. I'll drive back to your house, but you have to give me a night or two to process all of this."
Teladorian didn't look happy, but he agreed.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Six
Sophie awakened the following evening to a knock on her bedroom door. True to his word, Teladorian had allowed her time and space as she worked through her emotions. Azariel had kept his distance as well, which made her wonder who was knocking on the door.
Easing a tendril of her consciousness through the portal, she scanned her visitor's mind. Female and human; Sophie was able to determine nothing else. She sensed no threat, so she unlocked the door with her mind. “It's open."
The door swung inward and a stout woman with graying brown
hair ambled into the room. She carried a tray with two small thermoses and a covered dish. “I know you're a vampire and all, but I thought you might enjoy something sweet."
"Are you Rachel?” Teladorian had mentioned a housekeeper, but this was the first time Sophie had actually seen her.
"That's me, Rachel Taffee. Glad to meet you.” Rosy health crowned her round cheeks and her smile was infectious. She placed the tray on the foot of the bed then stuffed pillows behind Sophie's back.
"I'm not an invalid,” Sophie protested with a laugh.
"Mr. Haize told me you were taking some time out for yourself, so I volunteered to check on you.” Rachel motioned toward the tray. “I've got hot chocolate and coffee, toast and sweet rolls. Pick your poison."
Many organic vampires weren't able to eat. Though Sophie would die without blood, she enjoyed food and beverages from time to time. “A cup of coffee would be lovely."
"Very good.” Rachel filled a mug from one of the thermoses and handed it to Sophie.
"How long have you worked for Mr. Haize?"
"My family has served his family for generations.” Rachel flashed a toothy smile. “Silos thinks you're the one who will break the curse. We'd both be ever so happy if that were true."
"The curse? What are you talking about?"
Rachel folded her hands in front of her as a deep flush spread across her skin. “There I go, wagging my tongue without thinking."
"Well, the cat's out of the bag, so fill me in. What does your husband expect me to do?"
"Do you know how Mr. Haize was begotten?"
"His father was under the influence of an incubus, which enabled his mother to conceive."
"Yes, well, the incubus left his stamp on the son he helped father. Mr. Haize is beset by a hunger and that hunger causes women to ... lust after him."
"And this hunger can only be permanently satisfied by his mate?"
"Well, yes. I thought you didn't know about the curse."
"You think I'm Teladorian's mate?"
"Don't you?” Rachel winked at Sophie and slipped out of the room.
Sophie took a sip of coffee and slowly shook her head. What had she gotten herself into? Her body craved Teladorian. There was no doubt about it. But vampires mated for life.