by Sarra Cannon
Colby only dusted vampires gone bad—those who killed. If he accepted a contract, it meant he had concrete proof, and he wanted Rurik. That’s all I needed to know.
A hand on my knee startled me from my worries. “I’ve resisted your temptations, but unfortunately you’ve caught someone else’s notice.” Rurik’s fingers traced along the inside of my thigh. They caressed their way up, making contact with the hem of my very short dress.
My skin tingled but not from his touch.
An aura of power drew around my mental shields. His strength of will felt solid. It wrapped around me like a warm lover on a cold winter’s day. Comfortable and secure, I wanted to give in, tired of the long, cold winter my soul experienced this past year. His power was deep and throbbing. It spoke of age and experience, more than what I’d ever dealt with.
It drew me in. Invited me to come out from behind the mental walls I’d built.
I knew better. If I did, the chances of my winning that deadly contest were nil. He’d own me. I needed to allow him to seduce me, then bring him to Colby, not get caught by mind tricks. My mental shields were built well and strong, yet he hammered at them.
Sweat trickled down my back. I’d never struggled with anyone so strong. Most humans wouldn’t have noticed such an intrusion but Colby trained me well.
I met his stare and opened my legs.
Rurik raised his eyebrows and his smile widened. My distraction worked and the assault eased. “You never seemed interested in partying at any of these clubs. Just mingled, roughed up the men who got too personal. Are you going to rough me up, Rabbit?” His voice caressed me as fingers climbed my thigh to trail along my silk panties.
Bad guy or not, my libido really liked him. I had better taste than this but his naughty behavior and arrogance appealed to my darker nature—the one that wanted to be punished.
The waiter disrupted our intimate moment as he placed a drink on the table. Rurik didn’t move away. He remained glued to me, one arm around the back of my chair, the other warming my loins. But mentally his attack continued to ease off. The blanket of power fell away as I focused on the waiter.
Rurik nibbled on my ear—my major weakness—which shot shivers along my sides. “I ordered you something milder to drink. It’s a local delicacy, a blend of fruit juices. No alcohol.” He handed me the drink.
“Thank you. I’m parched from all the dancing.” It tasted like ambrosia after the vodka. It slid over my tongue and instantly relieved my thirst. “It’s wonderful. I haven’t tasted anything like it on my visit here.”
Rurik ran his hand through my soft curls. He didn’t bother with the mind tricks anymore. Instead, he looked down my dress.
I thrust the girls out. “Enjoying the view?”
He chuckled. “Immensely. You have such a natural, sweet beauty. Very old world. Lovely skin, soft hair, beautiful eyes and such feminine ... curves.” His fingers started to explore more than the silk of my undergarment.
I clamped my legs together and laid a hand on his. “Maybe it’s time you take me somewhere more private?” It surprised me to hear the slur in my speech. I’d only drunk the one shot and the fruit juice. The vodka must have been excellent quality to hit me that hard.
He nodded then gestured to his men to follow as we rose from the chairs.
My legs wobbled when I first stood. It concerned me. What made them so weak? Not that I’d win a race against vampires, but a stable stance gave me a better chance if things went south and I needed to run. My mental shields felt whole so I didn’t think he affected my gait. Maybe the dancing did this and I should hit the gym more often.
Rurik slipped his hand into my grasp and we left together, hand in hand, weaving through the crowds. I almost lost him as a cluster of people pushed between us to get to the bar. Lost in a sea of giants, I turned a slow circle until he returned for me.
He clasped my hands around his waist and wrapped his arms around my shoulders to keep me close, pressing our bodies together as he quickened his pace.
I grinned in satisfaction.
Colby had men planted in the club, to help protect me. He ran a tight operation and had my back. They always placed a tracking device in my clothes, just in case they lost sight of me. Tonight it hid in the hem of my dress. As long as I didn’t take it off the team would be close, waiting for me to bring Rurik to them so they could make a move.
I got the impression Rurik didn’t plan for me to wear this dress much longer. Colby better be ready.
The guards trailed around us, slinking through the crowd.
We came out a side door where a black sedan waited. One guard got in the driver’s seat while another held the back door. I stopped my forward motion. “Where are we going? I have a room just across the street.” A lightheaded spell made my ankles wobble and I gripped Rurik’s waist tighter.
He misunderstood my action, taking it as an invitation. He grabbed the back of my head and kissed me. His supple mouth brushed against mine, seductive and gentle. Not what I would have expected from a killer. It warmed the night.
I pulled away from his embrace. My thoughts blurred. Not a good sign. Alarms rang in my head. “What was in the drink?” I sounded dreamy, even to my own ears.
“No alcohol,” he replied.
That’s not what I asked.
His power built around me again.
This time my mental shields crumbled, gone on a fuzzy holiday. Where could Colby be? Rurik was too strong for me. His power swallowed me whole.
“We are going to a private party, Rabbit.”
“Connie,” I mumbled.
He sat me in the car. “It’s for an important magnate in this territory. You caught his eye the other night and I want to introduce you to him.” He placed my legs into the car and closed the door. That was nice of him. He wanted to set me up on a date.
He sat beside me and grinned. The fangs didn’t bother either of us.
“I like parties,” I announced.
“I think you’ll love this one.”
Chapter 2
We arrived in the old part of the city close to the Danube River. Rurik’s guards parked the car at the mouth of a narrow, dark alley, obscured by a fog collecting close to the ground. It was late, even by Budapest standards, and the area looked deserted. The side street we took from the Danube Promenade barely allowed the car to pass through the ancient, stone buildings that surrounded us.
Rurik stepped out of the car as one of his guards came and opened my door. The euphoric psychosis I’d experienced wore off but I still felt lightheaded. Rurik appeared beside me. “Let me help you, Rabbit.” He offered his hand.
Rurik’s manners surprised me but I wouldn’t accept my captor’s assistance. Bad enough he got into my head. Even now my mental shield slipped through my control like sand. I pushed myself out and hoped to see signs of my rescue close by. When my heels bit onto the uneven cobblestone, I stumbled back onto the floorboard of the car. Crossing my arms under my breasts, I wished my heated stare could burn through him. Where the hell did he bring me and why?
He extended his hand again and fought with a smile that twitched his lips. His gaze left my face and traveled down to where I crossed my arms.
I followed his gaze. My breasts strained at the neckline.
“I really like that dress.”
I growled and released my pose to accept his hand. “You already complimented me on it.”
He chuckled as he helped me to stand and wrapped an arm around my waist to steady me. “Maybe you had too much.”
“Too much what?” Was that guilt I just saw on his face? Before I could be sure, he turned us to go down the dark, little alley.
I ground my heels to a stop. “Why do we have to go down there?”
“That’s where the party is being held.”
“In an eerie alley? Isn’t that a bit cliché?”
His smile broadened while an amused twinkle came to life in his eyes. “Yes, it is. What can I say? I’m old-f
ashioned.” Rurik urged me to move forward. “We’re late, so hurry.”
I wasn’t in any state to put up a fight against a quorum of vampires. “I’m not going down there with you.” When was my cavalry going to swoop in and save me? The tracking device should help them find my location.
A tremor shook my chest when I took a breath and even with the cool night air, sweat trickled down my back. “No offense but I just met you. It’s kind of unfair when it’s three against one.” The slight quiver in my voice outraged me. I turned out of his arm and gracelessly tripped again. Freaking cobblestone and stilettos don’t work well together.
I leaned against the stone building and turned so it would support me. Even if I could run they’d catch me. I knew it wasn’t the alcohol that made me feel this uncoordinated. My mental shields never crumbled when I drank. That’s another gift from Colby’s training and my past drinking habits.
Rurik’s forehead creased with a frown as he collected me in his arms. “We don’t have time for this, Rabbit.” He pulled me close and I felt his power building up again. I was helpless as he wrapped a blanket of indifference around me, lifting away my worries and leaving me ... open.
“Ready to go to the party now?”
I smiled as I pressed my body against his and gazed into his pale blue eyes. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” Then I snaked my arm around his neck to snuggle against his luscious body.
His eyes widened. “Ravishing.” He took my face in his hands and closed the distance between our lips, but shook his head before they touched. Sighing, he stepped away and laid his arm across my shoulders. “You’re not for me.”
We wove our way down the alley.
“But I like you.” The fog reflected the moonlight and made the stinking alley romantic. His strength and firm muscles under my hands bloomed desires I’d thought dead.
Rurik rang the bell next to a plain, steel, modern door cut into building. No lights or signs announced anything. I expected a secret knock or maybe a hidden peephole with someone asking the password. My disappointment must have shown on my face.
“What?” he asked.
“That was anticlimactic. I expected more than a doorbell at a secret party.”
He peered at me from the corner of his eyes but before he could respond, a bouncer opened the door. He nodded to Rurik and allowed us in.
We entered onto the landing of a wide staircase that led down to an open basement. Rurik stopped at the top and scanned the crowd. I followed his gaze through the narrow, long space, wondering who he looked for.
The sparse décor surprised me. A bare stone foundation acted as the walls, with similar pillars spaced evenly throughout the room. Small rectangular windows were set far apart, close to the ceiling and painted over in black. I couldn’t see the end of the basement since cigarette smoke veiled the room’s few lights, which obscured any clear view. The stale smell made me scrunch my nose and the music pounding from the back of the hall beat with the same rhythm of my heart .
People lounged in intimate groups on couches overflowing with cushions made of vintage fabrics in rich shades of brown, red, and gold. They conversed in low tones with each other, an occasional high laugh escaped . Some smoked, some drank, and, well, some made out.
A few turned our way and watched our arrival.
I caught myself tugging at the hem of my white dress then stopped, only to find my hands fixing my hair. Rurik’s control on me waned once more, his concentration focused on the crowd. The party’s theme seemed of darker colors and pleasures. My plan to stand out and catch Rurik’s attention backfired. I didn’t want to attract these people’s attention. I shifted over a few steps to stand behind him.
He reached back and took my hand, then gave me a gentle tug to follow him down the stairs. We drew closer to the groups. I observed several with pale skin, predatory grace, and the occasional flash of fangs. I’d never been around so many vampires before. It never occurred to me they met in social gatherings.
I knew enough about vampires to do my job. Otherwise, their way of existence was a mystery to me. Even after a year of experience, Rurik took me from that club without much effort. I’d never encountered anyone like him.
When Rurik turned his power at me it affected my mind like Valium. The more worried I got, the less it mattered. I just couldn’t care enough to be scared or fight.
My present situation grew worse and worse by the second. I should have been tearing my way out the door. Hell, I should never have walked through the door. Instead, I walked hand-in-hand with a mass killer as if we were on a stroll.
But as my grandmother would say, ‘shouldas and wouldas don’t count. ‘
This was the biggest risk of my job—being caught. I’d known it. Life expectancy for bait was short. It’s why they paid me the big bucks. I stopped planning to have a long life before I joined Colby’s team.
Rurik kept his arm around my waist as we walked by his people and their thralls. Some nodded, but most bowed as we passed.
His people parted as a ravishing dominatrix moved to intercept us. She glided over the floor wearing a full-length, black, leather, strapless gown. Her straight auburn hair reached her waist, not a strand out of place. That much grace and perfection was unnatural, and unfair.
Rurik cursed under his breath.
She approached us and offered her hand. “Rurik.” She rolled the r’s of his name, making it sound exotic.
He kissed her hand.
“You’re fashionably late again, naughty boy. You’ve left me here to entertain myself among this tiresome retinue.” She ran her gloved fingers through his hair. “You know how I get when I’m bored.”
With a devilish smile, he replied, “I’ll have to make it up to you, Mistress Elizabeth.”
“Please do, darling. Come, join me.” She gestured to a seating area close to us. A gorgeous, young man lay sprawled among the cushions on the floor. He couldn’t have been older than eighteen, just a boy by my standards. He lay so still. A bite mark at the base of his neck cleared up what type of entertainment she partook.
I stepped toward the boy to check on him but Rurik held me tight. Then I noticed his bare chest move with a deep, slow breath. At least he lived.
“Soon, Lizzy.” Rurik gestured to me. “I need to deliver my gift to him. Do you know where he is?”
Rurik wanted to give me away, like a toy at Christmas. I glanced down at my dress and grimaced at my choice. It wouldn’t take him, whoever he was, long to unwrap me. Damn, damn, damn. I feared this unknown vampire would be much worse than Rurik. Better to stick with the monster I knew.
She nodded in my direction. “She’s a doll, so fresh and pretty.” It should have been a compliment but she pursed her lips, like she’d bitten into something distasteful. “Give her to me instead, Rurik. It’s been so long since you’ve offered me a gift.” She looked me up and down. I had the ridiculous urge to laugh. Now I knew what a hot fudge sundae felt like when I looked at it that way.
The laugh died in my throat, however, as I saw the hunger for me bloom on her face. Unbelievably, I found myself trusting Rurik for my protection. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed myself against him.
She placed those long fingered hands on her hips. “He won’t care if you give her to me instead. What’s mine is his and what’s his is mine.”
“We both know it hasn’t been that way for decades, Lizzy,” Rurik whispered. “I can’t risk his displeasure right now. If he wants you to have her, he’ll give her over to you himself.”
Her eyes narrowed. “He doesn’t need any more distractions.” Her sharp words carried power and authority. “Give her to me.”
At the snap of her command, I fought the desire to obey and run to her arms. I must have tightened my death grip on Rurik’s waist because he stroked my hair and smiled at me.
“Everything will be alright, Rabbit.” His beautiful eyes offered me the reassurance I needed. He returned his attention to Lizzy and shook his head i
n denial.
“He barely has time for those worthy of his attentions.” She pouted and made it clear that she was one of the worthy.
“You’ve never lacked my attentions. Soon none of this will matter.” He pried my arms off him and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek.
The way she looked at him left no doubt her thoughts were not chaste. Lizzy focused back on me as she circled around, inspecting all my little details, like I was up for auction.
“She’s plain.”
Plain? At least I wasn’t a scary-ass bitch. Rurik placed his finger under my chin and turned my face toward him.
“Connie is lovely. As the host of this gathering, it’s traditional that I offer him entertainment.” The slight shake of his head warned me to be quiet as he removed his hand from my chin. His attentions returned to Mistress Elizabeth. “Let me deliver sweet Connie to him so I can return to entertain you.”
“When did you become a traditionalist?”
“I’m not, but he is.” Rurik slipped his arm around me. His face remained pleasant but I felt his body tense.
“You shouldn’t have picked such an innocent girl. It’s so cruel.”
“Isn’t that what he expects me to be? Cruel?” He grinned at her. “Connie is plain in comparison to your beauty. Let me finish with this business and I’ll return shortly.” His charms worked enough to persuade her to return to the nest of cushions. She glided back to her young, foolish snack.
I glanced at the boy, worried for his fate.
Rurik whispered in my ear, “Don’t worry. She won’t kill him. It’s not allowed, even for her.”
She ran her hand along the boy’s bare, lean chest. “He’s towards the back, Rurik. Playing games with Tane and his kindred.”
Rurik maneuvered me deeper into the hall. We passed more guests too busy amusing themselves to pay us any heed. They lay in a pile of tangled bodies on a nest of cushion, feeding. I imagined it would be different. Hands stroked through hair, lips met, and fangs pierced smooth skin. No one fought or screamed, just quiet sensual touching. Almost erotic.