Nathan glanced at her wrist. “Shameful.” He clasped his hand around it and rubbed a thumb over the bite. “Is the customer who referred you here tonight?”
She scanned the crowd. There would be no way to know, but she suspected the vampire who had followed her, and he was outside somewhere. “I don’t know anyone here. It was left under my door.”
“I see. That is most unusual. Come with me.” He walked her into the room and toward the back.
Alice caught the gaze of several witches and vampires as they passed. Did they all sense she was a hybrid, or did her light catch their attention?
He opened a door at the back of the room and ushered her in. “This is my office. If you have problems, you will usually find me here.”
On the far wall there was a desk with monitors that showed the room they just left and the front room of the house. She moved past him toward the desk. “Do you anticipate problems?”
“I anticipate you will be popular and well treated.” He slipped into his chair. “Come here.”
Matthias told her this would happen. It was expected. Though he was the first one who tasted her. Would they all be so lecherous? What would that mean for the ones who didn’t have dearlings hovering so near? She crossed the room and sat in his lap. “Did you want me to work magic?” Alice added as much sultry as she could muster to her tone.
“Yes.” He handed her a glass ball from the corner of his desk. “This skirt is awful.” His hand brushed the bare skin on her arms. “Are you aware that your magic vibrates on your skin? It’s sinful to keep that covered.”
Alice floated the ball and filled it with water. How hard should she work to impress him? This establishment seemed like it was witch-friendly. Not underground. He could be the link. Doubtful.
A cold kiss was followed by a sting. Warmth spread from the bite. His breath on her skin sent waves of pleasure racing across her.
“Eat.” He pressed a candy to her mouth as he whispered in her ear. The tip of his tongue swiped her lobe before he bit her again.
She moaned through barely parted lips and ate the candy, sucking the remains from his fingers. What was she doing? Must be the aphrodisiac.
After a few minutes he leaned back in the chair and held her against him. “Special. Be here at sundown.”
She started to stand. Her shirt moved and the fabric sent a fresh wave of sexual sensations across her entire body. All she managed to get out was a low sigh as she sank back into his lap.
“You are so responsive. Most regulars have quite the tolerance.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and stroked her hair. “I’ll walk you out in a minute, dear. Seems I have no tolerance for your special gift either.”
Special gift? Was he serious? While the effects of his injection vibrated through her, she focused on the screens. Most pairs seemed engaged in a similar way. None of the witches looked like they were in pain. Her focus kept going back to Matthias. They would need to put on a hell of a show to get the attention of anyone in the room. All the vampires looked like Nathan felt behind her. Rapt by the blood.
His fingers trailed over her skin as they sat there.
Alice pressed against him and offered her wrist.
Nathan ran his nose across her skin and then bit down.
While he drank, she slipped into his mind, careful not to be obvious. His thoughts told her she was safe to look around. The main focus he had was keeping her in his lap for just a little more. She bypassed time with his witch, not wanting to see anything too personal. All dealings with his patrons were simple money collections. A few were given cards to recruit any witches they wanted to play with. Blood prostitution. No murder. No relics.
Tomorrow she would chum the water with her own blood. Taunt the stalker. Come and get me.
“That’s enough, please.” She ran her free hand up his neck and into his hair. “I need my strength to get home.”
“I can escort you.” His words were cold puffs on her neck.
“You are needed here. Can I have some juice before I go?” She turned and kissed his jaw. Too easy.
His eyes looked glazed-over with pleasure. “You may have anything you need.”
Don’t give it away. What did she want from him? It had to seem like she was experienced. “A hair? And some juice.”
His mouth quirked up. “Take one. Take two.”
She ran her fingers through his hair, taking a few as she did. “Thank you.”
“Stay here until you feel strong enough to get home.” He stood and lifted her with him.
Alice let him rest her on a larger chair. She didn’t say anything as he strode to a closet and returned with a blanket.
Nathan tucked her in and petted her face. “Rest. I must tend to things. I will bring you juice.” He set a candy dish on the small table beside her. “Help yourself. If I feed you again, I’m afraid I won’t get anything accomplished.”
After the door closed Alice shut her eyes and willed away the effects of his injection. Tingles of pleasure still raced from every place the cloth of her clothes or the blanket brushed against her. Can’t fall asleep here. His witch might curse you if she finds you tucked in her master’s blanket.
She tugged her phone from her pocket and sent an update to both Matthias and Sarg El. After she sent the messages, she twined the hairs around her phone. When she got back to her apartment she could secure them better. Morrigana would know what to do with them later. It was go time. The light was on and the moths were biting.
Chapter Ten
ALICE STOOD ON the elevated platform in the center of the den, which was actually a round concrete step. A coat of white paint made it stand out against the unpainted floor of the room.
Vampires were seated at tables around the platform, just as they had been the night before. The only difference was their laps were empty and their eyes were hungry. Red tablecloths covered each table. Candy dishes and glass balls sat on each.
The presence of her stalker wasn’t there. Why hadn’t they come? She clasped her hands behind her back. The temptation to pull the boy-shorts she wore to cover more of her cheeks was stronger than the chill in the air.
Nathan walked between the tables, taking silent bids. He pulled a card from Matthias and glanced over to Alice. The side of his lip raised.
Sweat gathered on her palms as Alice watched Nathan.
He walked to a vampire in the back, whispered something, nodded, scribbled a note and walked to Matthias, who was also sitting in the back but on the other side of the room.
Matthias glanced over to the other vampire and raised his brows before he whispered something to Nathan.
Alice shifted from one foot to the other every few minutes as Nathan repeated that process with a few others who appeared to be in bidding wars over other witches. Was her night decided now? Had Mathias won?
She glanced at the other vampire. It wasn’t her stalker. She knew how his presence felt when it brushed against her.
The vampire tented his hands and frowned as he swept his gaze over her, stopping just before her face. Her neck? Was he watching her pulse? Monster. He must have lost. Good. Don’t smile.
Nathan made his way around the platform speaking softly to each witch. “Table five,” he said to the witch beside Alice. “Table twelve.” He gave Alice a hand as she stepped down.
Alice moved through the tables toward the back. Table twelve was Matthias. Her energy lightened.
A few vampires followed her with hungry glares as she passed them.
Matthias took her hand and spun her around before he pulled her to his lap.
The peace that always radiated from him washed away any remaining apprehension. She reached for the ball. The glass was cool against her skin that already started to heat from his touch.
“You feel like heaven.” His voice rolled out as a soft breath.
She flicked her gaze around the room. Many of the vampires were already feeding. Balls spun and floated. Magic hummed in the air. “How wou
ld you like me?”
He moaned softly. “Closer.” His fingers ran across her stomach and up to the edge of her bra.
Pleasure danced across her in trails as he touched her. The ball in front of her floated and bounced above her hand.
His lips pressed against her skin. No pinch. No sting. Both of his hands found their way to her hips. The pads of his thumbs rubbed her skin as they worked their way under her waistband. One arm snaked under her knees and spun her around, facing him.
The ball dropped in the palm of her hand as she adjusted.
Black pupils stared at her. Let me in.
They practiced this. Improvised communication. Are there new targets here?
He clasped the arm she wasn’t using and pulled it to his mouth, kissing her wrist. I won’t feed. No one will know. You need the strength.
Has anything changed since your last text? She whimpered as the fingers on his other hand gripped her thigh.
No. Play with the ball until things start to wind down. Then smash it like you did in my room. We want eyes on us. He continued to kiss her wrist, while he held her eyes. Spin back around. Enjoy.
Enjoy? The ball almost shattered when he started kissing her neck.
One of his hands crossed her chest. The other pressed her against his lap.
She closed her eyes, letting the sensation of his touches reach below the skin.
Even without his injection, his caress was erotic. Potent. Passionate.
Her head leaned back, resting on his shoulder. The ball vibrated as she lost herself in his touches.
The tip of his tongue traced her neck. The hand on her leg continued to work up her thigh until it touched the seam of her shorts.
Alice moaned and writhed against him. Without the benefit of being high on his bite, realization that eyes were on her stopped her pleasure. She peeked between barely parted lids.
The vampire who’d bid on her watched them as he fed.
The ball in her control lifted higher.
Matthias traced his hand over her bra. Two fingers trailed around her nipple.
Dear god. What was he doing? She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and bit down. The pleasure didn’t stop. “Yes.”
His nose brushed her skin. “Let go.”
Here? Could she do that while… oh god.
He pinched her nipple, kissed her neck, and caressed her through her shorts.
Focus. Her breathing grew deeper, but fast, gasping and gulping as his touches pushed her closer to her edge.
More vampires cracked their eyes open and gazed at her with black hunger.
Cold kisses trailed down her neck to her shoulder. The clasp of her bra popped.
She moved with more urgency against his hand.
His moan vibrated against her skin.
Alice closed her eyes, threw back her head, and connected with her soul. She held the ball in her mind’s eyes as a shattering orgasm raced over every inch of her body.
A wave of magic rushed toward them.
Matthias grabbed her and cradled her against him as balls whizzed by them.
Glass shattered as every ball in the room crashed against the wall.
Matthias petted her face. “You are magnificent. Do it again tomorrow?”
Alice crossed her arm over her chest and drew in a breath, gathering her best working girl voice. “For the right price.”
The back door flew open and Nathan glanced from the glass on the floor toward Alice.
Matthias stood and deposited Alice in the chair with a coldness she knew was an act. He strode toward Nathan. Glass crunched under his feet. “I’ve got this. I’m afraid I got carried away with your delightful new arrival.” He pulled out a wad of cash. “See she has a new bra. I destroyed that as well.”
Nathan took the money and tucked it in his pocket. “Most generous. She will be here all week.”
Alice felt her pleasure wash away at hearing her week being negotiated away. Nathan may not be the worst vampire she’d met or would meet on this mission but he was still a den master. Seller of blood. Predator. Cold-hearted monster.
“As will I.” Matthias turned back toward her and winked. He crossed over the broken glass again and left without another word.
She watched until he shut the door behind him. Matthias was not cold-hearted. That was an act. Predator. Killer. Her lover.
Nathan glanced down at his feet and frowned before he looked up and locked eyes with Alice. He gestured her over with a finger. As she neared he said, “mind the glass, dear.”
She walked around the glass and followed him in his office.
He circled his desk while he spoke to someone on his phone. “Send one of the off girls to clean up some broken glass. Bring up a box of crystals. We’ve had a bit of a wild night.”
Heat rose from Alice’s chest. She clasped her bra tighter. Whatever Matthias did when he popped it open broke it properly.
Nathan hung up and leered at her. “Do you have a shirt with your things or do you need to borrow one from one of my other girls?”
His girls. Were there places like this that catered to female vampires? That must be extra costly since male witches were so rare. Maybe a new line of work if Chester decided he wanted to get out of the PPK.
“Alice?” Nathan tapped his fingers together. “A shirt?”
“I do. I’m sorry I broke everything.” She glanced down at his desk, feeling the intensity of his scrutiny.
“You did perfect.” He moved closer and brushed against her. “That vampire hasn’t found a witch to please him in over a week. He’s generous. Did he hurt you?”
“No. The opposite.” She glanced up. Could he feel how badly she wanted to back away? “He was very affectionate.”
“I see. Good.” Nathan stroked the side of her face with the backs of his fingers. “Are you feeling drained?”
“Yes. He was thirsty it would seem.” White lies never hurt. Part of the job. The nicer part of the job. “I have candy upstairs.”
He made a sound of disappointment. “Let us see how this pans out with your new buyer. Perhaps we can let you stay a touch longer. Benefit us both.”
“Yes. Mutually beneficial.” Pull on your mask. Sexy. Blood den mistress. She reached up and touched his jaw. “I’d like that.”
“Tomorrow then. On the record, I am docking you. Off the record…” He pulled out a small handful of what Matthias gave him and stepped closer to Alice. “This is for your work tonight. Between us.” He slid the bills under her waistband. His fingers lingered as he rubbed her skin. “The more mutual, the more beneficial.”
Was he bribing her? Should she make an offer? Don’t make faces. No crinkled nose. Smile. Lick your lips. She brushed her hair aside as she spun around and pressed against him. “A small nip.”
He didn’t wait for any discussion. The pinch was rougher than the night before. The pulling briefer and less intense. “You are dangerously delicious. Go home. Rest. Continue to please my patrons.”
“I will.” And you. Fanged moths. Did moths ever break the light with their need to absorb it?
Nathan pulled her back as she stepped away. The pierce was harder than the last. He held her firmly against him as he fed.
Alice held back a shiver as she listened to the sound of him swallowing. All of the warnings about how dangerous this was with her being so magical and delicious played as Nathan continued to drink. Gray edged in the corner of her vision. “Nathan. Please.”
His drinking didn’t slow. The gulps grew louder.
A trickle of blood dripped from his mouth down her neck.
“I’m. It’s too much.” She struggled and jerked her elbow into him.
He released her and pushed her away. “Go home.”
Her breaths grew shallow. “I…” She reached for the desk, gripping it with both hands.
“Easy.” Cold arms lifted and cradled her. “It’s not safe for you here.” His nose ran along her neck. Another bite.
Please. The
word wouldn’t form. Dead at the first den. Not the weapon they hoped for. She reached up and rubbed her finger in the blood on her neck.
Gulping again.
Her bloody fingers wrapped around his wrist. You will not kill me.
Nathan continued to feed at a slower pace, caressing her as he did.
Alice closed her eyes and let her light go out. Maybe without the magic hum, Nathan wouldn’t be so tempted. Thank god Matthias hadn’t fed or she would have been dead.
The sound of her pulse in her ears slowed. Had the spell worked? Why was he still feeding? Her thoughts blurred. The grip she had on his arm let go. Dead at the first den.
Chapter Eleven
“IS SHE AWAKE?” Nathan’s voice drifted through the open door.
Alice pulled herself up against the thin pillow on the headboard of the strange bed she woke in. Her whole body trembled with effort. Sweat beaded on her forehead.
The overhead light cast a dingy gray circle that didn’t quite reach the bed and faded before it reached the corners of the room. Her heart raced. Her vision blurred and she laid back.
“Barely,” Nathan’s dearling replied. “Her heart stopped twice and I can’t get any healing spells to work.”
A spider moving across the baseboard caught Alice’s attention. Twice? She died twice?
“Why?” Nathan’s tone held alarm. “Your spells always bring them back.”
How many had he almost killed? Alice swallowed against her tongue that felt too large for her mouth. Throbbing radiated from her temples when she concentrated on what they were saying.
“She has a ward. It’s blocking my magic. Stronger than anything I can undo.” The dearling sighed. “I’ve told you to keep your hands off the girls who are not coven members.”
“He’s made a ridiculous offer just to see her.” Nathan peered in the door. “I can give her a sip and that will heal her.”
“I will not have you linking with some hybrid gypsy.”
Alice shifted her weight.
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