by Aubrey Ross
“Would you like a lap dance?” one of the strippers asked, her eyes vacant within her gaudy face.
“No. I have an appointment with Mr. Feddar. Please make sure he’s preparing for me.”
“Matt went into the office a few minutes ago. I’m sure Mr. Feddar knows you’re here.” She moved off without another word and Darius seethed. Something had to be done about this. When one ancient was treated discourteously it cheapened them all.
No respect. No awareness of the traditions that had kept his race thriving for millennia. He sank into the corner, angry and discouraged. He had lived a long, prosperous life, but what about his progeny? Some had yet to see a century. There must be a way to ensure their viability, to prepare them for success in—
“He’ll see you now.” The man the stripper had called Matt motioned him onward with an impatient gesture.
Darius pushed to his feet and followed Matt across the dimly lit room. Didn’t this imbecile realize he could snuff out his life with a thought? Or did he simply not care? The stench of alcohol and sweat assailed his nose. No wonder he never left his compound. The rest of the world had degenerated into places like this!
Feddar looked up from behind his desk as Darius entered. “So, you’re Ella’s sire? She told me you were some sort of recluse.”
“Sire indicates transformation. Ella was my descendant.”
“Whatever.” He tapped away at the keyboard in front of him for a moment. The monitor faced the other direction, so Darius couldn’t see what he was doing. “What do you want from me?”
“I believe Ella is dead and I’m investigating her passing.”
Feddar scratched his scalp, leaving several strands sticking up at the side of his head. “I wondered about that. I haven’t heard from her since she took Taerok to D’arcy Aiden.”
“Have you spoken with Taerok?”
“Rumor is the Sentinels got him.” The phone on his desk rang and he rudely interrupted their conversation by picking it up. “What?” After a short pause he said, “Give me a few minutes then send him in.”
“Am I interrupting something more important?” It was all Darius could do not to fly across the desk and rip out the idiot’s throat. Never in all his centuries had he been treated with such disrespect.
“Busy night.” Feddar pushed back from his desk and stood. “Max Brigham just strolled through my front door.”
“Isn’t that Taerok’s half-brother?” Darius was shocked. Had Max somehow learned that he wished to speak with him? No, that wasn’t possible. Unless Monique had set him up!
“Yes, but what the hell does Max want with me?”
“Does he know how closely you were associated with Taerok?” He gave no hint to his own concerns.
“I don’t know what the fuck he knows.” He pushed his hand through his hair, disrupting what little style the strands had once claimed. “His men took out Taerok. He has no reason to come after me.”
“His presence could have nothing to do with your former employer. Play it cool. I’ll be nearby.” Without further explanation Darius dematerialized.
Max and a stunning blonde were ushered into the office a few minutes later. With a muscular build and a watchful demeanor Max was obviously a military man. The woman, however, was ethereal and lovely, despite her sluttish attire.
Feddar stood in front of his desk, not a hint of emotion evident in his nondescript features. “What can I do for you, Mr…”
Ignoring the prompt, Max motioned his companion toward the sofa. Darius found himself staring at the woman. Was she human? It was hard to believe such a vision could have sprung from the cloddish human race.
“I was referred to you by a Randolph Bronstein.” Max handed Feddar a business card.
Feddar glanced at the card then carelessly tossed it onto his desk. “My question remains. What can I do for you?”
Max didn’t reply. His gaze narrowed and he tilted his head, his expression suddenly suspicious. “Why does this office reek of vampire?”
Very good. There was definitely more to Max than met the eye.
“I have no idea what you mean.”
“Cut the bullshit, Feddar.” His head turned from side to side as he scented the air. Darius poured energy into his shields. He should have thought to conceal his scent, even if Max was only part vampire. He had obviously retained a keen sense of smell. “You know damn well who I am.”
“A lot of people have been wondering what happened to Taerok.” Feddar glanced at the woman, his gaze downright lecherous. Displeasure rippled through Darius, yet he didn’t understand the reaction. Why should he care what these two did with a human? “I’ve had five or six of his relatives demanding answers today alone. Care to shed some light on the mystery?”
Max folded his arms over his chest, his expression carefully schooled. “I’m here because of Taerok, but my interest is personal. This has nothing to do with the Sentinels or Taerok’s obsession.”
“We both know Taerok’s dead,” Feddar countered, “so who’s really full of shit?”
“I’m here about Raze. With Taerok dead he’s unprotected and—I want him.”
The statement rocked Darius. Then Max didn’t have Raze already and Raze was still alive. With his purpose restored, he concentrated on each word they exchanged.
Feddar chuckled, his mouth quirked in a wily smile. “I understand your passion, my friend. Taerok was just generous enough with his toy to make damn sure we all knew what we were missing. He told Raze to give me head once, and I still get hard just thinking about it.” He ducked back behind the desk and sank into the tall-backed chair. “Unfortunately, I have no idea where Raze is hiding. No one’s seen hide nor hair of him since before they left for D’arcy Aiden.”
“There’s only one place in this dimension where Raze would feel safe,” Max said meaningfully.
“You couldn’t get inside Taerok’s lair even if I told you where it is.”
“Give me the location and I’ll worry about getting inside.”
“Taerok was one suspicious son of a bitch,” Feddar told Max. “He had his lair shielded by the craftiest sorcerer I’ve ever met. There’s no way to force your way through. You’ll have to convince the maker to reverse the spell and that’s never going to happen.”
Max didn’t look convinced. “Who are you talking about and where can I find him?”
“His name is Teladorian, but you’re wasting your time. He only deals with organic vampires and an occasional demon.”
“Tell me where I can find him.”
“What’s in it for me?” Feddar’s gaze drifted toward Colette, and Darius’ dislike for the man exploded. There was no way he would allow…allow? She was not his to command. At least, not yet.
“I’m not nearly as generous with my toys as Taerok,” Max said. “Cash deal. Name your price.”
With a careless shrug, Feddar named a figure and Max counted out the bills. Feddar wrote an address on a scrap of paper and handed it to Max. “Don’t come running to me when he laughs in your face. Teladorian is far more expensive than I’ll ever be and he doesn’t need your money.”
Darius made sure Max and the woman had departed before he rematerialized in Feddar’s office. “Teladorian’s father was an incubus. You know exactly what he’ll want.”
“What I said was true. He only deals with organic vampires. They have no hope of striking a deal with him.”
“If Teladorian has no use for money, wouldn’t you rather I gave mine to you?”
Feddar grinned. “Which is why I sent Max to our favorite demon spawn. I figured you’d pay better than a working stiff. Was I wrong?”
“If you can get me through the shield before Max, I will reward you generously.”
“Not a problem. Taerok gave me an incantation that creates a temporary opening in the shields.”
Darius stood and held out his hand. Feddar reached out to clasp it and Darius slashed his throat with his thumbnail. Blood spewed across the desktop and
drenched Feddar’s shirt. The fool clasped the wound with both hands, gaping like a fish. Disbelief and terror clouded his eyes as Darius reached into his mind and retrieved the incantation. No one treated him with such disrespect and lived to tell the tale. He was not simply organic, he was ancient!
“Nice doing business with you,” Darius muttered then disappeared.
Chapter Six
Colette tried not to let her anxiety show. All of her assignments had been undercover, but her specialty was espionage not vice. Station X had been chic and sensual, while Feddar’s bar emanated depravity. It was coarse and sordid and…evocative. Her body had been simmering ever since her provocative dance with Max. A dark, shameful part of her psyche hoped they’d have to pay this sorcerer with something sexual. God, she needed to come!
The Ferrari growled as they wended their way along the Pacific Coast Highway. Max had opened the sunroof and the warm, humid breeze played through her hair.
“Do you know anything about Teladorian?”
“He’s a mercenary sorcerer, sells spells to the highest bidder. I hear his name from time to time, but I don’t think he’s caused any real commotion. According to some, his father was an incubus.”
She looked at Max. Even in profile he was ruggedly handsome, and so serious. She treasured his infrequent smiles, never knowing when the next one might appear. “Is that even possible? I thought an incubus was a spirit that fed off the sexual energy of female victims.”
“The powerful ones can also possess a host body for a short period of time.”
“Then wouldn’t the child belong to the host body, not the incubus?”
His broad shoulders shrugged and a smile curved his lips. “I have no idea. We’ve never been able to verify the rumor one way or the other.” He paused, his gaze moving over her face before he turned his attention back to the winding road. “Whether he was fathered by an incubus or just thinks he was, I’m pretty sure I know what he’ll want in exchange for reversing the protection spell.”
“Feddar said he only deals with organic vampires.”
“Luckily, I’m working with the best damned shapeshifter I’ve ever come across.”
“Or come inside?” She whispered the question with a shiver as she stared out the window.
“Would you rather not—”
“You trusted me with the mission. I’ll see it through.”
“I won’t let him fuck you, but—”
“What if he wants to fuck you?”
“I’m a bit more jaded about all this than you are.” He tapped his thumb against the steering wheel, his eyes looking straight ahead. “If we can destroy Taerok’s lair and ensure that no one else dies because of this fiasco, I’ll do just about anything.”
She understood his determination, respected the nobility of his goal. Still, she wasn’t sure she could match his resolve. Submitting to Max had been amazing. She didn’t regret one heated caress, but sharing her body with a complete stranger seemed so cavalier.
“I will not let him fuck you, Colette.” He sounded far more insistent the second time. If he wasn’t reading her mind, he was certainly in tune with her emotions. Knowing he could sense what she was feeling no longer upset her. She found their connection comforting after so many years of isolation. “If that’s his price,” Max went on, “we’ll find another way into Taerok’s lair.”
She didn’t argue. Her mind returned to the original issue. Was saving a life worth having sex with a stranger? It was an odd sort of dilemma. She’d known all of Taerok’s recent victims, had known his last victim really well. If fucking Teladorian could have prevented their murders, would she have gone willingly to his bed?
“What are you thinking about?” Max asked after a long tense pause. “You’re miles away from me right now.”
“We should do it.” She took a deep breath and continued with more conviction, “If he can get us inside Taerok’s lair, I’m willing to do whatever he wants. We have to make sure this is over once and for all.”
“One step at a time.” Max reached over and squeezed her hand. “He has to prove he can disarm the shields before we need to worry about the rest.”
The address Feddar gave Max led them to a gated compound set well back from the road. Max lowered his window, preparing to announce their arrival, when the gate slid to the side.
“I guess he’s expecting us,” Max muttered as he pulled past the gate.
Trees lined the curved drive, momentarily obscuring the view of Teladorian’s home. Colette lived in Malibu, but her eyes still widened as they approached the sprawling mansion. The multilevel structure followed the natural contour of the hillside and even by moonlight the elaborate landscaping was impressive.
“I can see why he’d be hard to bribe.” Max turned off the car and looked at Colette. “If you leave your appearance unchanged, can you make him believe you’re an organic vampire? They’re a pretty tight community. I don’t want to risk choosing someone he knows.”
“This could be tricky, but I think I can pull it off. Think about your father. Concentrate on the rhythm of his energy.” She clasped his hand and accessed his mind, letting his memories wash over her and flow through her. She isolated the pattern, memorized the energy signature and used it to pattern her own. “Unless Teladorian knew your father, I should be able to fool him.” She mimicked the cadence for a few seconds longer before she withdrew from Max’s consciousness.
“Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
He walked around the car and pulled the car door open for her. She smoothed down her skirt and fluffed her hair, all the while wishing she’d worn something more conservative. Max led her up the wide stone steps and again the portal opened before he could make their presence known.
A handsome blond man in a neat, black suit motioned them inside the house. “This way, please.”
The entryway soared three stories to an elaborate arrangement of skylights and stained glass panels. A large living room spread before them, the furniture modern like the house. Rather than taking them into the living room, however, the doorman guided them toward the music room on the left. At least she presumed it was the music room from the grand piano which dominated the elegant space.
“He’ll be right with you,” their host said, then disappeared around a corner.
“Wow,” Colette whispered. “This house is something else.” Max didn’t comment. She checked the artificial rhythm to make sure her distraction hadn’t changed the pattern. Do I still scan vampire?
You look like my lover, but feel like my father. He grimaced. I’m trying not to think about that too much.
Before they could decide where to sit, Teladorian joined them in the music room. Tall and lean, he flowed from one position to the next with hypnotic grace. His long black hair had been swept away from his face and secured at the nape of his neck. The sleek length appeared endlessly black one moment then shimmered with golden highlights the next. How could hair so dark have a golden cast? She’d never seen anything like it before.
He wore a shirt of forest green that matched his exotic eyes. They tilted at the corners, creating a decidedly feline impression. His lips were full and beautifully curved. Only his sculpted cheeks and firm jaw saved him from being pretty.
“Teladorian Haize. I’ve been expecting you.” He held out his hand toward Max, but those captivating eyes stared straight at Colette.
Max ignored his proffered hand and slipped his arm around Colette’s shoulders. “I need you to reverse the spell protecting Taerok’s lair.”
“I understand what you need.” Teladorian lowered his arm and slipped his hand into the pocket of his tailored pants. “I don’t, however, understand why you think I’d be willing to help you.”
“Taerok is dead, no longer in need of your protection.”
“I was hired to protect his lair, not the man himself. There is obviously still a need for his lair to be protected or you wouldn’t be here.”
Max g
lared at Teladorian and Colette grew restless. Her chest felt tight, her lungs sluggish. She didn’t understand Max’s hostility. Teladorian was being polite. His smile was pleasant and his eyes… In fact, all of his features were so beautiful. She couldn’t seem to look away.
“I’m Taerok’s closest living relative,” Max tried again. “Anything in the lair—”
“If I’m not mistaken, you’re also the person responsible for his death.”
“He was conducting experiments—”
“I’m not interested in your justifications.”
“What are you interested in?”
Teladorian smiled and Colette felt her knees go weak. Literally, her knees wobbled and she had to steady herself against Max. He leaned down and whispered, “Go wait for me in the car.”
“If Colette leaves this room, our conversation is over,” Teladorian warned.
Her heart lurched and she frantically scrambled to recreate the artificial rhythm. Had he sensed her blunder? “How do you know my name?” Max had been careful not to call her Colette all evening.
Teladorian took a step toward her and she tingled from head to toe. “All I have to do is look at a woman and I know everything there is to know about her.”
“All you need to know about this woman is she’s mine!” Max tried to push her behind him, but she twisted out of reach.
“You aren’t doing this intentionally, are you?” A flash of pain in his gaze confirmed her suspicion. He was as much a prisoner of this phenomenon as the women he affected. Compassion soothed her, allowed her to breathe more easily. Until she heard his voice again.
“No female can tolerate the stimulation for long. If they try and fight it, they go insane.”
She reached out for Teladorian and Max snatched her hand back. “Don’t touch him. Can’t you see what he’s doing to you?”
“But he needs me.” She ran her hands down her sides then crossed her arms over her chest as the pressure between her thighs kicked her heartbeat out of rhythm. The room spun sickeningly and she swayed. “He’s so hungry. I’m so hungry.”