Viktor bared his fangs and snarled at him, proving the dragon right. Again. He was not ready. Hunger rode vampires unlike any other supernatural that existed. Let their control slip just a little and it took over. Unfortunately for him, his hunger threshold was unpredictable. He envied those who had been taught the proper ways of feeding as fledglings. He, instead, had been abandoned as a wild animal and regret was his constant companion.
He tossed the empty bag of blood at Eoin. Residual droplets flew in the air, landing on his friend. The dragon did not comprehend Viktor’s complicated past or what drove him. Only a select few of his kind knew and even they were losing patience with him.
Eoin grabbed him by the throat. “If I let you out, I’ll only have to carve a new name into your hide tomorrow night. It’s too soon, Viktor. And you know it, so stop giving me and Angie a hard time.”
“Your girlfriend would taste better than this bagged shit you bring me.” He managed to force the words past Eoin’s constricting fingers. Why did he antagonize the black dragon of New Port? Because he was the only one strong enough to kill him. They had been friends since Eoin had moved into the castle. The dragon trusted Viktor enough to let him ink his skin use it as his personal canvas. The tattoos Eoin bore were some of Viktor’s best work.
“Leave Angie out of this. If she had it her way, you’d already be a pile of ashes in my sunny courtyard.” Eoin tossed Viktor against the wall and a few of his ribs broke. “You touch her, I’ll drop you into the deepest hole I can find and forget you ever existed. Death is too good for you.”
Viktor sank to the ground with his back to the cool wall and tore the stained shirt off his back. He examined his flanks. No bones poked out. He had to be sure. They were a bitch to reset if they healed that way. “I thought we were friends.”
“We are.” Eoin squatted so they could be eye to eye. “That’s why you’re still alive.” Eoin wiped the blood splatter off his face.
“Angie hates me that much? She does not even know me.”
The dragon frowned. “It’s not you as much as what you are. She tolerates your being here because you told me about the magic tattoo shit that Ken’s mate had inked on her arm.”
“It makes me happy that my plan worked. How long did it take for the effects of the magic spell to fade?” He had met Betty by accident. Like Trixie, she had stumbled into his cell. The little shifter had black magic needled into her skin.
Werewolves. All that strength and passion yet so little brains.
“She shifted a few hours later.”
“Dark magic.” Viktor leaned forward, grinning at his oldest friend. “We should hunt down this witch like the old days.”
“Oh yes, we should. I’m sure the evening news would love to cover a witch burning.”
“You grow boring as you age. You worry too much about the media.”
“You don’t worry enough.” The dragon rubbed his jaw. “I also don’t think the spell was intentional.”
He sat up straighter. “What do you mean? How do you accidentally cast a spell? Magic doesn’t work that way.”
Eoin tossed him an annoyed look. “I know how magic works.” He sighed. “We agree that the symbol is the source of the spell and not the ink?”
He nodded.
“Well, Betty admits to choosing that design. No one forced it upon her.”
“Choosing? From what?” A sinking sensation in his gut.
Eoin’s expression darkened. He looked more his dragon self than human. “A book the artist owned. She offered it to Betty to flip through since she hadn’t decided what she wanted inked. I don’t think this artist is aware of what they own.”
The sound of Viktor’s hand smacking his own forehead echoed within the prison cell. “They are using a spell book for tattoo art choices?” Oh, the havoc this person could cause. It would be Salem all over again.
Eoin chuckled. “Apparently.”
“This is not a laughing matter. It is a miracle they have not summoned Gozer The Destructor.”
“Gozer? You watched the DVDs I gave you last Christmas. I thought you avoided modern entertainment.”
“I was bored.” He liked television and movies, but it was a past time enjoyed better with company. Watching those DVDs only confirmed his belief. Books were a better way to spend time alone.
“She’s a tattoo artist, not Merlin. Tone down the dramatics.” Eoin straighten to stand.
And he followed. “I am Russian. Drama flows in my veins. You should take this more seriously.”
“Not my territory.” The dragon shook his head. “The artist is dhampir, by the way.”
Viktor pinched the bridge of his nose, staving off a growing headache. Dhampir were rare. Half-human, half-vampire. They also fell into his jurisdiction. “Trouble in Riverbend tends to flow into New Port.” The cities were only two hours apart and both were considered Viktor’s hunting ground by vampire law. He did not understand why Eoin only wanted one city.
“I’ll send a message to the local wolf pack alpha if it will make you feel better.”
“I would feel better if you released me and let me take care of this. Riverbend’s vampire nest answers to me, after all. That includes dhampir. Plus, the nest leader is a huge pain in my ass.”
“No, you’re not ready to leave.” The dragon pulled out a set of dice. “Want to play? I’d like to win back some of my dignity.”
Viktor sighed and returned to his spot against the wall. “You have no luck, friend.”
Eoin would not release him. Long ago they had made a deal. Eoin would lock him away for everyone’s safety when Viktor asked, and not let him free until he deemed him sane. Viktor had asked for this fucking chain.
Later that evening, Trixie sat on the edge of the tub and watched Ruby prepare for work. The diner had a retro theme so she wore a uniform. Short skirt and a button-down blouse with a small waist apron. Ruby piled her long, curled hair in an old fashion hair-do. “Sammie’s making the fish special tonight. You want me to bring some home?” She spoke around the hairpins in her mouth.
“Sure, I’ll eat anything.” They couldn’t afford to be picky eaters. She rose to her feet and came around behind her sister to help with stray curls. Ruby always tried to look her best. She said it was for the tips, but Trixie had seen her put this much effort just to go grocery shopping. Trixie wished she could look so put together and beautiful. She was lucky to apply mascara without poking herself in the eye.
“Thanks.” Ruby took the stray strands and artfully added them to the pile. Turning her head, she examined her refection. “Perfect. When is Betty returning from her honeymoon?”
Ruby and Betty had met through her. They liked clubbing together and dragging her along. “Uh, next week I think. Why?” She doubted the newlyweds would want to go dancing with them.
“I want to see if she’ll introduce me to Ken’s dad.”
“The alpha? He’s old enough to be your dad.” She swatted Ruby’s shameless ass.
“Dads are never that hot, and he’s rich, so if he wants me to call him daddy, I’d be fine with it.”
Trixie gagged. “You’re nasty.”
She kissed Trixie’s cheek, leaving a red lipstick mark. “Life is too short to be anything else. Now, what are your plans tonight?”
“Steal a car, take it for a joy ride to the dragon’s castle, and stake a handsome vampire in their dungeon.” She gave Ruby her million-dollar smile. There was no point in lying. Trixie had learned to tell Ruby her crazy plans without hesitation—that way her sister never believed them.
Ruby patted her cheek. “That’s my girl. You have my number if you need bail money.”
“Yep.” See, Ruby hadn’t believed her when she was being honest. Deadly honest.
She’d decided this morning that the only way to ensure her and Ruby’s safety was to take out the one person who would care that she knew vampires existed.
She followed her sister to the apartment door and locked it once it closed.
Pressing her back to the wall, she scanned her home. What could she use for a stake? Yes, she was planning murder. The murder of a dead man who killed people. Angie had admitted Viktor was a bad person. Dragons didn’t lock up nice, law abiding citizens or their dungeons would have been full. The only occupant she’d seen was one badass vampire.
Who she had no idea how to kill. The only information she had on the subject came from movies and books. Some vampires walked in the sun and sparkled, others spontaneously combusted in the light. Some vampires were born as vampires, and so on. But the one thing most had in common was a wooden stake through the heart. Was it a myth? Maybe. Pretty much anything could be killed when you stabbed in the heart. It was a chance she’d have to take because Eoin might be letting Viktor out soon.
She searched her apartment for anything wooden and long. The only thing resembling a stake was a wooden baking spoon. With a knife, she carved the end of the handle to a sharp point. That would do the job.
How did she plan to kill a vampire who was both faster and stronger than she? He was chained to a freaking wall. It wasn’t like he could run away. Now, if she reached the castle only to discover he’d been let loose, all bets were off and she’d leave the city with her sister in tow.
Trixie pulled on a windbreaker—the top of the mountain was cooler than in the city—and caught the bus to downtown New Port.
Stealing a car was easier than most people thought, especially in this neighborhood. She’d been doing it since before owning a driver’s license. She had left that life behind after her first stint in juvie, but there was no other way for her to travel to the castle. No free way. She hadn’t the cash to pay for a taxi. Once she was done with the car, she’d leave it close to where she’d stolen it so the police could return it to the owners, with a little gas missing. And maybe a sorry note.
A jimmied lock later, she bent under the steering wheel of a later-model vehicle. The older cars were the easiest to steal. The less computerized the better. She hotwired it to start. Just like riding a bicycle.
She drove to the castle. Her palms sweated and her heart drummed. The larger the stone building grew ahead, the less confident Trixie felt. Trixie, vampire slayer, didn’t have a ring to it.
Then Ruby texted her. I’m going to work a double tonight. Don’t wait up. She was pulling extra hours to make rent and bring home food this week because Trixie had screwed up. Not to mention, Ruby didn’t know her life was in danger because Trixie was nosy. Trixie wanted to tell Ruby everything. She wanted Ruby to talk her out of this.
In the end though, Trixie knew she’d regret either decision. If she didn’t kill Viktor, she was pretty sure they’d be on his dinner menu. If she killed Viktor, she’d be no better than him. Given this choice, she picked being a killer.
Contrary to everything she had done in the last twenty-four hours, she wasn’t a total idiot. She parked the stolen car along the road out of sight of the castle. Though she had a checkered past, breaking and entering castles were not on her resume. She’d had a hard time finding a light switch this morning so she highly doubted that they had a security system.
Creeping along the tree lined road, she kept an eye on the sky for Eoin or Angie. Moonlight lit the stone structure as thin clouds streamed past the bright orb. The stone gargoyles didn’t move and she couldn’t tell which were real. In the distance, a wolf howled.
Her spine snapped straight. “Are you kidding me?” The werewolf pack must be out hunting. She hoped. Shifters wouldn’t hunt humans but the real wolves weren’t as discriminatory. She caught her breath and waited for her heartbeat to slow. She didn’t want to do this.
She pocketed her spoon/stake and wiped her hand down her face. What else could she do to protect her family? Doom settled on her soul. She could make a deal with Viktor. He wanted out. That would mean she’d have to trust the word of a self-proclaimed crazy vamp.
She hung her head. Maybe there was something else he wanted? She ran her fingers over her throat. Standing outside wouldn’t solve her problem. She had to go speak with him. Worst case scenario, she’d pull out her stake.
The place appeared quiet. Nothing moved. She raced across the courtyard to the front door. She pushed. It was unlocked, because who would be crazy enough to break into this place? Once it was open enough, she slipped inside the blinding darkness. She’d had the forethought to bring a flashlight but the narrow beam was swallowed by the enormity of the place.
One careful step at a time, she left the safety of the exit. She held her hand out, hoping the light would encounter a wall to guide her back to the stairwell. Blinking didn’t help her eyesight, but that didn’t stop her from trying.
The light brushed over the stone wall and she breathed a sigh of relief. According to her memory, she only had to follow this hallway and the stairwell would be on her right.
The walk seemed longer but she knew it was her imagination. She kept her hand to the wall as a guide and used the flashlight to search for the stairwell entrance. Quiet blanketed the castle. It was eerie for a city girl used to background noise.
Light illuminated the stairs and she grinned in triumph. Her fingers brushed over a rough, irregular surface. She twisted toward the wall with her light and came face to face with a gargoyle.
He was stone still.
She jumped. She couldn’t help it. The reflex was a kneejerk to weird shit.
“You shouldn’t be in here,” he said, his voice ground like gravel.
She stumbled backward.
“Watch the stairs!” he shouted. His outstretched clawed hand grabbed for her, stone wings spreading behind him.
Her next step met only air.
This was going to hurt.
Chapter Five
A gravelly, male shout echoed in the dungeon.
Eoin spun from his and Viktor’s dice game. “What was that noise?”
“No, no. I am winning for once. Do not distract me.” Viktor rolled a losing set. “Xуёво.” He swore in his native tongue.
The sound of flesh meeting stone reached Viktor’s ears. The thud was followed by the crack of bone.
The dragon strode out of the jail cell.
Viktor kicked the dice away. Maybe Eoin hadn’t seen.
A faintly familiar scent reached his nose. He sat up straighter. Oh no…
Trixie.
He sniffed his arms and hands, hoping it was residual from their encounter but only smelled his overwhelming stench. He was getting better if he desired a shower.
Eoin’s gasp reached his ears.
Viktor rose, stretching his chain to its limit. Trixie’s scent was stronger and it was tinged with her blood. Her blood. She was hurt. “Eoin,” he called out. “What has happened?” He pulled at his collar.
“Angie!” Eoin’s roar made the foundation of the castle rattle. “Call nine-one-one.”
Panic pierced Viktor’s heart. The human emergency system? Trixie must be hurt badly if the dragon wanted to involve the human authorities.
Viktor paced back to where his chain was attached to the castle wall and gripped the metal with both hands. Placing his feet on either side of the stone block, he pulled. He couldn’t break the chain but he could break the castle. He’d just never had enough incentive to try. Technically, he could just end up ripping his arms off.
Trixie’s weak groan reached his ears.
With one muscle screeching pull, he yanked the anchor stone free of its masonry. The foundation groaned and the wall cracked as the stone clattered to the floor.
“What the fuck?” Eoin shouted.
Viktor lifted the stone, bigger than his torso, and set it on his shoulder. The weight staggered his footsteps and the chain dragged over the floor, but he managed to leave his prison and see Trixie’s prone body at the foot of the stairs. Her neck bent at the wrong angle.
She still breathed and he heard her heart stutter. Time was not on their side.
He dropped his burden next to the stunned dragon
, who stared at the block of stone at his feet. Blood trickled down Viktor’s arm where the stone had scraped over his skin. It dripped from his fingertips, landing next to Trixie. Viktor stared, unable to think clearly.
She had been so kind to him. Genuinely worried about his imprisonment. He had scared her away because she had kindled unwanted desires. Dangerous needs. Here she was, at his feet, dying.
He dropped to his knees.
Angie came racing headlong down the stairs. “Is she dead?” Tears streamed along her cheeks and she pressed her hands to her mouth.
“She still has a pulse.” Eoin glanced over his shoulder in Viktor’s direction.
Angie stared at her cell phone. “There’s no reception down here. I have to go outside.”
The tabloids would explode once news of a human girl dying inside of the dragons’ castle was leaked. Viktor cupped Trixie’s cheek and her eyelids fluttered open. “You are dying,” he whispered in her ear. She smelled of lilacs in spring. His old home in the country had had lilac trees bordering the east part of his lands. At night, they perfumed the air, but they bloomed for a very short time. Much like this girl. “But I can stop that.” He pulled away and saw the understanding of his offer dawn in her eyes. At that same moment, he realized what he had just offered her. He would be her sire, be responsible for her actions. Never once had he been tempted to make another vampire.
Her pulse slowed and her eyes widened.
Then he realized she could not move. Or answer. “Blink if the answer is yes.”
Her lids closed and her heart stuttered.
“Fuck it.” He bent over her. Sharp fangs slid into her young skin like butter. The coppery flavor of her blood caressed his tongue. His mouth watered and he moaned at her exquisite hot iron pulse. Live blood flowed into his body. Pure heaven to his dulled bagged-blood senses.
Fingers tangled in his long hair, dragging him off Trixie. Eoin used the strands like a rope as he pulled him to his feet. “I can’t believe you.” Pure disgust in every word.
Not His Vampire: Vampire Romance (Not This Series Book 3) Page 3