Both sides would have to put up a good fight if they wanted her because she refused to become a research rat and would never welcome death.
Tonight was no different...
She stopped cold on the pavement...and so did everyone else. Elaina spun around. At that moment, she had confirmation that she was the one being tracked this time around. She stared directly at the barrel of the gun that was being pointed at her by one of the humans. The next events happened like flash animation in rapid succession right before her eyes.
The vampire caught the men who had been following her by surprise, rushing up behind them and grabbing them both by the throat. They were stunned and—like her—unprepared for the ravenous predator.
Just as she was about to make a break for it, a gun fell from one of the victims’ hands and skidded across the pavement. The other man gripped a rope. Had these two actually been pursuing her?
She scurried backward, nearly tripping over her own feet, yet her eyes would not leave the scene.
The vampire must have held them in a death grip. All she saw were the whites of their eyes and a large dark shadow behind them. The creature honed in and struck the first victim in the jugular, sucking the life right out of him. The second victim’s arms and legs began to shake and then he was completely still.
Damn. The Dresdan had drained one while choking the other.
It tossed their limp carcasses onto the grass along the sidewalk. From deep within the shadows, it eyed her—the main course. Deep crimson eyes burned bright like fire. The ends of the trench coat it wore fanned outward with the breeze. It was moving toward her.
Her legs finally obeyed and she fled, the wind whipping across her ankles as if urging her to hurry. She shrugged off her long pea coat in an attempt to run faster. Her heels clicked the pavement, echoing against the stone walls.
She parked on the same level every day, but tonight it seemed like she had to cross mountains to get to her SUV. Taking the elevator was not an option, of course. Standing still for even one second would be disastrous.
Elaina heard the familiar swooshing sound the vampire made just before they shifted from one place to the next. The sound was closer than before. He was gaining on her.
Her heart pumped frantically and her lungs burned from exertion. She picked up her pace, pushing herself to reach her destination. Her Tahoe sat in the corner. The last one on the right within what was now a desolate parking garage. If she died tonight at the hands of a vampire, it was likely that no one would find her body until morning when it was cold and rigid with death.
The moment she thought she’d reached her SUV successfully, the vampire unfolded in front of her, blocking her path. He was huge, and her eyes leveled with the lower portion of his chest.
Before she could raise her gaze higher to confirm that the killer had caught up to her, he reached for her. He grasped her by the waist and lifted her off the ground. She opened her mouth to scream, but a gloved hand clasped over her lips.
Elaina kicked her feet, connecting sharp-heeled pumps to her captor’s shins. She might as well have been fighting with a sumo wrestler. His grip was firm. Her cries were muffled by his grainy leather glove, and she focused on wriggling out of his grasp. There was no mistaking what type of vampire he was now. The ancient spicy aroma gave him away.
Dresdan, for sure.
There was only a handful of vampire species, but Dresdan were one of the most powerful, and the most ancient of the group.
Her captor lowered her heels to the pavement and his massive frame pushed her back into the metal pole behind her. The hard beam felt alien digging against her spine. Her eyes turned left and right, looking for a savior. Someone. Anyone. Still, he pressed his palm to her mouth, preventing her speech. The SUV was only a few feet away, but she’d failed to reach it.
Elaina strained to peer up at him, but the height of her captor prevented this. Only the black shirt stretched over his taut chest muscles could be seen from her line of sight. He bent down farther, so close that his chin touched her forehead, and then he inhaled deeply.
Oh, my God. She would die. But why tonight?
“When I let my hand up, you keep your trap shut,” her captor hissed into the side of her face.
She sucked in another breath and clasped her fingers onto the chilly metal behind her. Her heart drummed with the consistent cadence of a marching band. Dammit, she was stronger than this! Had she turned into a wimp after all this time?
“You got that?” It demanded when she didn’t answer.
She squeezed her eyes shut and nodded her head.
“You scream...we’ll both be executed.”
His harsh, warning tone frightened her, but she bounced her head in agreement once again.
Executed? Those were the only words that had registered.
He straightened his posture and slowly lifted his hand from her mouth. She parted her lips, taking a gulp of fresh air. It burned her lungs as she recovered from lack of oxygen.
Gradually, she lifted her chin, then her eyes to identify the brute. He wore a black leather hooded cloak. Sleek hair framed and covered most of his face. The blood from his last snack had leaked from one corner of his mouth, and some of it had settled on his chin. His fangs were exposed, and they were a good three inches long. Red glowing orbs glared down at her. The rest of him—a black shadow in the night.
On her next exhale, she released a belated scream.
Chapter 2
The high-pitched scream wrenched from Elaina’s throat and echoed through the atmosphere. The Dresdan’s palm clamped over her lips, this time with more force.
It was over for her. She had no chance of escape. Should she even try? Once a Dresdan got ahold of something, anyone could bet on destruction and death. Always in that order.
He’d discarded two grown men like a dissatisfying snack. There was no doubt that the Dresdan was ready for a meal. Female blood gave the male Dresdan an instant high. Many human females had been captured and carted away by the most ruthless of Dresdan. There was something about an excited, scared, or aroused female’s blood that appealed to them. An abundance of fear mixed with the adrenaline running through her system was sure to appeal to him.
The Dresdan was so close now. The smell of hungry anticipation was thick in the air. Her body went limp again against the pole. Her resistance undoubtedly excited him. Maybe if she fought less, he would grow uninterested and find some other chick to feed on.
He turned her quickly away from him and positioned her face to look in the window of a car. “Is this your vehicle?” His voice was a forced whisper.
The bastard! He planned to drain her blood in her own SUV.
Elaina looked through the window anyway. She glimpsed a newspaper and a stack of books on the passenger seat. Her Glock lay hidden on the driver’s side under the floor mat.
He shoved his hardened groin into her ass. “Is it?”
A jolt of pleasure swirled in her stomach. Confused by her body’s choice of sensation, she nodded. She could understand the fear of being caught, the excitement from finally reaching her weapon, but why the heck was she aroused? Fuck, she was so dead.
Her captor brought his free hand around, producing her keys. Somehow, he must have snatched them from her. She couldn’t remember it happening, just the struggle she put up to break free. Of course, it had all been in vain.
Opening the front door, he held her body against the SUV with his own. He used the controls on the inside frame to unlock the other doors, then led her to the back of the Tahoe.
So much for reaching the gun under the front seat.
A commotion came from the other side of the parking garage and both their heads whipped in the direction of the sound. Something was headed their way. Hope tingled in her belly. Thank God! Maybe someone would see her being attacked. Would they help her? Would they see the vampire and run?
She took a deep breath and tried to build up enough courage to fight off her captor so she
could get their attention.
Dark figures moved about, casting shadows against the concrete. Two of them.
“You hear that?” He hissed into the back of her hair. “Four were sent to take you in. Two are now dead. These two are looking for you. Do you want to spend the rest of your life in a research lab?”
This brute was crazy. If two men were trying to kill her and he knew it, then why the fuck would he hold her hostage?
When she didn’t answer, he continued, “Get in the damn vehicle. Don’t make a peep.”
There was no time to accept or reject his demands. Feet shuffles and the voices of two men approached. He shoved her onto the floor of the SUV behind the front seats and came down over her. Elaina had never felt more claustrophobic in her own space before.
Blazing red eyes bored into her. He pressed his pointer finger to his lips and shook his head.
Strange. His hard dick pressed into her stomach, and that was all she thought about. It once again awakened a sexual urge that she thought had dissipated.
Her captor’s head snapped up as footsteps pounded outside on the pavement. While her heartbeat quickened, he remained still and calm.
The men’s hushed voices echoed throughout the garage, just beyond the SUV.
“You sure she ran up to this level?”
“She could have circled back around to the front. Let’s hurry before we lose her. The District wants her turned in alive.”
Her heart skipped a beat. They were talking about her. After all this time, the District had found her location.
They spoke in harsh tones before moving on. After moments of complete silence, Elaina was certain they had moved to another area.
She exhaled and looked at her captor. He’d no doubt saved her from being taken in, but what for? “What do you want from me?”
Fire eyes slowly turned on her, but the Dresdan didn’t let her up. He lifted his hand and brushed sweat-dampened hair from her forehead.
Elaina shrank back, confused at this stranger’s actions.
He stroked his fingers through her strands as if he admired her and had known her before their encounter. “Elaina.” Her name rolled off his tongue like magic.
She gasped. She knew this voice. It couldn’t be. No. Wasn’t he dead? Executed by his own kind?
Glowing ruby eyes disappeared and turned to a deep hazel. She knew that gaze.
She had to be dreaming. This could not be possible, but past memories of those eyes matched this one.
“Vicq.” She’d missed him.
“Mi amor.” He bent his head as she slipped her fingers around the nape of his neck. His hair was longer now and the soft strands caressed the back of her hand.
Delicately at first, he settled his mouth onto hers. Her fingers tangled in his hair and his firm lips molded desperately to hers. She parted her lips, inviting his tongue to tangle with her own. The taste of him was not forgotten. Delicious. Sweet. Comforting. It had been so long since she’d been embraced like this.
The dormant spark awakened in her torso and loins. It consumed all of her. Her body temperature escalated as he shoved his hand under her skirt and smoothed it down her thigh. His fingers gripped her flesh, kneading the tension away.
Their lips fused, and tongues flirted together while her memories flooded back to the day when Vicq had lured her into his bed. Because of him, she’d failed her mission. Because of him, she was no longer the hunter, but the hunted. Even now, he captivated her and made her forget why she had left him in the first place.
Elaina backed away from the kiss to gaze into his eyes again. Just to make sure that this was real...that she wasn’t dreaming.
Vicq pressed a kiss into her forehead. “You’ve been thinking about me? You kept your memories all this time, mi amor.”
He’d delved into her thoughts. For the strongest Dresdan, blood wasn’t the only thing they used to know an ally or an enemy. The essence from a kiss, fear, and arousal had been used by Vicq to enter her mind many times before.
Her palms molded to a firm, solid chest and confirmed that he was real. There was just enough light to admire his smooth olive complexion, and she ran a few fingers against the side of his face.
“Vicq, I thought you were dead. Your Master sentenced you to death.” The words rushed out of her on a breathless whisper.
“No, not dead. I live for you, remember?”
“But where have you been?”
“I have protected you from the shadows too long, Elaina.” He licked his lips, the way he always used to do when he’d craved her blood. “They’re getting closer and closer to finding you. Your life is in danger. More now, than ever before. You’re coming with me.”
Chapter 3
“So, you didn’t die?” Elaina exclaimed, as Vicq helped her up off the floor of the SUV. She sat down, making sure to keep away from the windows, and leaned her back against the frame.
“I died decades ago, Elaina.”
He’d grown his jet black hair much longer than she’d remembered it four months ago. He was also much slimmer and leaner. In human years, he was ninety-two, but he didn’t look a day over thirty. He still had the young, vibrant aura of a man in his prime.
“You know what I meant,” she said.
“I have a lot of explaining to do,” Vicq said. “But now is not the time. We have to move out before they circle back around.”
“We?” She frowned. “We aren’t going anywhere until you explain to me why you had me thinking you’ve been dead for the past four months.”
“It was safer for you.” Vicq pulled himself up on his knees and then offered her his palm. He nodded towards the driver’s seat. “Let’s head out.”
Elaina crossed her arms over her chest. “I could have taken care of those men.”
“You could have—,” he raised an eyebrow, “—if you knew they were coming. You didn’t even know I was there.”
Without the monthly supply of the District 5 drug that sustained her ability to detect and track Dresdan, she was absolutely useless. The truth was, she never would have known Vicq was present if he hadn’t revealed himself. Apparently, she was getting rusty. She’d been so distracted, that she’d hardly noticed that two District 5 trackers were following her.
“So, you admit that you’ve been stalking me?”
“I have been with you for quite some time, Elaina.”
“With me?” She exclaimed.
“Let’s save this small talk and discussion for later.” He gestured again with a nod of his head toward the front seat. “Can you drive?
She narrowed her eyes. “Where do you think you’re taking me?”
“A safe place.”
“Where?” She demanded.
“My coven.”
“Last I checked, your followers thought I was a traitor.”
“They understand you better now.”
Vicq held out his hand again and she took it, allowing him to help her into the front of the SUV. Instead of taking his seat like a normal person would, he used teleportation.
“I can see you haven’t lost that touch.”
He leaned over slightly, shocking her by lifting his palm to stroke her cheek. The skin was cold but soft against her. His breath was warm against her lips. “I lost a lot of things, Elaina, but you...I won’t lose again.”
Elaina shifted her gaze away from him. “How can I trust you? It was so hard...” She swallowed.
“I came to you every day at the same time. It took everything in me not to reveal myself. Bringing you into my world once again when we were constantly hunted because of what we stand against was too risky.” He lifted her chin with his fingertips so that their eyes were level again. “Your plan was perfect. The new identity. Moving far away from your District base. Cutting off all ties to past connections. I didn’t want to ruin it.”
“It obviously wasn’t so perfect if they found me.”
“Just last week, you called your parents’ home.”
Elaina’s mouth fell open in shock. “But it was from a pay phone. Miles away from my house or job.” She couldn’t stand the loneliness anymore, and had only wanted to hear their voices. She had to know that they were okay. All she had gotten was an answering machine, but that had been good enough.
“They traced the call. There’s a possibility that they have a bug on your parents’ line.”
She shook her head. “How did you know?”
“After you left the phone booth, I had Logan trace the last number dialed.”
“Damn.” She dug her fingernails into her palms. “I knew it was a bad idea.”
“I’m sorry, Elaina. I’m sorry I had to leave you alone.”
She frowned and pulled away from him. He’d been watching her all this time and knew she was unhappy. Hiding. Running for her life.
“We have to go.” He unfolded his hand and produced her keys on his palm.
“I need to grab some belongings from my house.”
“No. Your location has been compromised.”
“What do you mean, no?” She turned to face him. “There’s something I need to get. It’s very important.”
“Fine. We’ll stop to get what you need and move out immediately. It won’t be long before District 5 finds those dead trackers.”
“You’re right.” Elaina slipped the key in the ignition and started the SUV.
She wondered what would have become of her had Vicq not been around. Had those trackers really come to take her in? It was odd. Why not just kill her now? But if District 5 had really wanted her dead, they could have easily sent a sniper.
Glancing over at Vicq, she realized now that the vibrancy in his skin tone was likely due to feeding on one of the trackers who’d pursued her. He needed blood to sustain him. Dresdan had a healthy appetite. Just like most humans have a favorite food, the normal Dresdan have a preferred blood type.
According to the Dresdan, blood types went beyond the four main ones and were further expanded into subtypes. Each subgroup had a different flavor and scent. It just so happened that Vicq preferred her subtype to all others.
The Dresdan Coven Trilogy Page 9