“But you tasted me when we first met.”
He basically flew at her, materialised until their noses touched. She gasped as his soft breath washed across her lips and cheeks, and every hard line of his body pressed against hers. “You want to remind me of that now? Are you crazy?”
“Maybe,” she murmured. “The jury’s still out.”
The thumping music filled the tableau. Did he mean that he couldn’t let her go if she decided to leave him after giving him a taste of her blood? She felt sure that was the real reason behind his offer of marriage. Not real love. He didn’t even know her.
“You’re right. It’s hardly the time or place. I haven’t fed from anyone. It didn’t seem right,” she whispered, then stepped back and glanced up at him. “You can rest easy.”
A haunted look stole over his face. “You can feed from me anytime you wish. I would love for you to.”
That image slammed into her mind. Bubbles of anticipation popped beneath her skin, lower, lower, until she quivered. His skin buried beneath her fangs, his rich blood swelling into her mouth, across her tongue, and she swallowed. She clamoured for a taste of his neck at the thought. “That’s generous of you, but no.”
“There is no reason for you to be punished for my mistake, Simone.”
“I’d like to say I’ve never made a mistake, but I’ve made some that I’ll regret until my dying day. We all make mistakes, Juliun. Some worse than others. They call it life.”
He stepped closer; his tall figure blocking the strobe lights, leaving her in the shadow of his body. “My offer stands anytime. Of the blood or marriage. You and your friend will always have my protection. That oath was not for show.”
She nodded. “I figured.” The scent of his pine aftershave hung in the air, the whisper of his breath touched her neck, and she stared up at his strong face. She could reach out to him. Feel his strength. Touch him. For a moment she entertained the idea of having him as a husband. What would his firm, sculpted lips be like to kiss night after night? This handsome, wild and ruthless vampire who would do anything for a subject?
She stepped back before the thought could take hold. For that meant he had some kind of gentleness there, beneath his surface, and she was seeing it.
“I don’t need a marriage to protect me, Juliun. I’ve done fine by myself for long enough. I need help with Tammy and understanding how to live as a vampire, but I won’t be forced into anything. I want my freedom. I’ve fought hard enough and long enough for it. You turned me into a vampire, and I can’t erase that from my memory, so don’t expect me to. Even if you know nothing else about me, you can be sure if I marry somebody it will be for love and because living without them is unbearable.”
His mouth twisted. “I understand, love. Believe me. I do.”
Her look travelled to the guards who filed in a wide perimeter around the vampires at the bar. The patrons had dwindled since Juliun’s arrival. She imagined the remainder would prefer to sit in shadowed obscurity rather than draw unwanted attention by trying to escape. Luckily, she only had to stay a little longer to organise a way to see Tammy.
“Word’s going to get around about your little visit.” The thought bothered Simone. The web of this monstrous new life tightened with every moment. She felt as if her very identity were being eroded and replaced with the mantle of an immortal parasite.
“Their memories are wiped before they leave. A friend owns this establishment.”
“Of course.” That didn’t surprise her, although she couldn’t help the acid-like bile rising to her throat at the reminder of the seemingly careless way vampires chose to dish out memory loss. Her dreams had finally turned into pieces of a long forgotten puzzle. “What if they had something important planned tonight?”
“It cannot be helped,” Juliun said, but by the tone of his voice she could tell he was uncomfortable admitting that. “My duty is to keep all my subjects free from danger. Unfortunately, that means doing things which are sometimes unpalatable.”
“So formal,” she mocked. “Unpalatable. It’s such a dry word for some atrocities.” She remembered that she’d made two vampires forget and go swim in the river, and what Willem had told her about the murder of Juliun’s father. The untold lengths rogues would go to in pursuit of the mist. How her memories were stolen. She shivered at what these facts meant to her life and to the prince who guarded her.
Did she have the stamina to keep up the lie, her guard? To keep living this life? Her future played out in an endless reel. She’d come here to Whitby to finally resolve her mother’s murder, to move on to a place of peace and respite. Now she would have to move away from town when it became obvious she could not age; form new friendships, only to do the same all over again. Losing the little she’d gained, a stranger in her own life.
Juliun’s fingers brushed against hers. “A penny?”
She withdrew her hand instantly and hugged herself.
“Perhaps you could tell me how you resisted my glamour?” he persisted.
She wanted to scream at him to go away, but instead released a pent up breath. “Hasn’t that ever happened before? You know a human not falling under your spell?”
“No mortal or vampire has ever been capable of trying,” he said. “It is unheard of. You are unique.”
She stared into his face, her gaze searching his. “I don’t know how, but you have my word that I will only feed from a donor bag or cup if you will help me with Tammy.” Or steak. Yee-hah.
“Most of the time there are supplies at the castle.” He straightened his broad shoulders. “If you are in need.”
She flicked him an amused look from beneath her lashes. “Nice try.”
His lips quirked up at the edges, and he turned that all seeing regard to the dancers, holding out a hand to her. He tilted his chin. “Dance with me?”
She stared at his hand. His long fingers, the wide palm, his wrist, the veins that surely housed his blood beneath the skin. She didn’t want to move closer, yet her senses scrambled to life. Dancing with him would imply more than a simple spin around the floor. But for some reason she couldn’t wait to touch him, feel him in her arms. “I don’t think so.”
“One dance,” he cajoled. “We can talk about you being a vampire. There are things you need to know, and we must make a time to see your friend.”
“You can do all that without holding me in your arms.”
His grey eyes gleamed. “You have found me out.” A wicked grin curved his face. “I simply want to dance with you.”
“No.” She shook her head. “That’s not all you want.”
He laughed, and a brief flare of sharp, white fangs reflected in the lights. “That’s correct, but it will do for now, poppet. You could say I have been waiting a while. A little longer probably will not kill me.”
She stared at his strong, muscled arms. What would it be like to be held within his embrace? Her mouth dried at the thought.
“On one condition,” she announced.
He lowered his head as if he didn’t want to miss this. “Name it. Anything you want is yours.”
“I can move back into my apartment in Whitby and back home and none of your men will try to drag me back to vamp central. No one will be watching either place. I want complete privacy.”
He frowned. “Done.”
She eyed him warily. Damn, she should have asked for more. Had he already meant to let her move back in with his permanent protection offer? But before he would watch her place and now he couldn’t. She reluctantly crept into the circle of his arms, feeling an overwhelming need to be close to him even though she professed to be cautious and should avoid him at all costs.
Her mind was obviously clouded by all the blood she’d drunk. What was this pull he had over her senses?
He was the prince of vampires. Danger personified.
His hand clasped over hers, and a tingling burst in the pit of her stomach. His other arm closed possessively around her waist, his smooth firm
cheek nestled against her forehead, and she felt like she hugged home.
Her gaze flew up to his, and he pulled back, grey eyes searching hers. His lips parted. “Did you feel that?”
She nodded.
Was she a lunatic to feel this way about him? He was deadly, solid and…real.
“Simone,” he whispered. Then he visibly swallowed and said, “I suppose we should talk about how to save your life. Sunlight burns upon contact and can kill you. Holy water and crosses will not. We are a different species. You can walk in a church and pray. Though you may find the smell of garlic overbearing. You will hear things you have never heard before as a human. See things in pitch darkness and be able to smell with acute sensitivity.” He lifted a hand and smoothed her hair over her shoulder; let his fingers linger in the strands. “What brand of shampoo do you use?” He released the strands through his fingers. “It smells amazing,” he whispered. “Of flowers?”
She gazed at the black lapel of his suit jacket, her vision swimming at his touch. His thighs rubbed against hers, and she resisted the urge to fall between his legs. Their bodies met and sparks fused. Could he feel the power surging between them? Heaven help her. She ran a hand up his strong chest, gripping one of his broad shoulders to steady herself. Muscles flexed in response beneath her hand. “There goes my idea of filling hollow rounds with holy water. How do you do it?”
“What is that?” His arms tightened even more, if that were possible, drawing her closer to his hard body.
She struggled to remember. Heat fired in her stomach. “Umm…Avoid sunlight? It’s frustrating that I fall asleep at daybreak, but at least I get some rest because before I couldn’t.”
“Newly turned vampires cannot control the fatigue that sets in at dawn. Some never outgrow it. We are a nocturnal species, hardwired to roam at night.”
She lost most of what he said. Some kind of fog encroached over her brain. He must be able to feel her heart beating like a captured bird’s wing… Her body hummed in a dome of pleasure and excitement. Was he doing this to her on purpose? She swallowed and drew on her self-control.
“Will I be all right if I cover my windows and lock the doors?”
“You may die,” he said, assuredly. “Ravenkeep has automatic shutters that close every morning. I would advise heavy curtains so no sunlight can filter through. You will need a safe place to rest during the daytime.”
She thought of Vinnie’s closet. Thank goodness she wouldn’t have to return to that. It was cramped as all hell, but was she safe in her apartment? “What do you recommend? A coffin with a padlock?” She laughed at the idea.
His breath wafted across the top of her head, blowing the strands of her hair. His lips were so close she could almost feel them at her temple. “Don’t laugh as though it isn’t an option for some, but I need more room to move around than that. My suite at Ravenkeep is locked every day with no way of anyone getting in or out without my permission. Anyone except you that is. You will always be able to fade into mist whenever you like and enter. You will always be welcomed.”
She sighed. “We’re talking budget here. Which reminds me, I need to go to work in,” she checked her glow-in-the-dark watch, “half an hour. Finally put in an appearance and all that.”
“You’re…working?”
She raised her eyebrows. “Sure. I have to call in at least. My holidays are over. Got a problem with that?”
“No.” He glared at the patrons. “So you will be living in both places? And do you normally turn up to work with a gun?”
She laughed. “It has been known to happen. The boys know not to expect any half measures from me. I’m not sure where I’ll live. I want to make sure Tammy’s all right first. So what else do you do other than attack helpless females on the side of the road in the middle of the night?”
“You are the least helpless female I have ever met. I had no choice in the matter. Lars would have died,” he sniffed. “He was very sick. I had no idea you and your friend would end up in hospital or that you would not respond to my glamour and fight back.”
She smiled serenely and rested her head into the muscled curve of his shoulder. For some reason, she fit perfectly. She chuckled. “You bite so well. And I should know.”
He took a deep breath, his heart playing a fierce tattoo beneath her hand. His fingers rubbed over her waist, back, and then moved up under the unrestrained fall of her hair. He twirled her around; his lean hips met hers once, twice, until she felt as if she were wading into complete darkness. The only way out was the blaze of the strobe, the flash of his face in a golden hue, then blue, and green. His iridescent grey gaze collided with hers.
“Thank you for not using glamour on me since you met me,” she said. “And for not intruding on my thoughts. I know that can be done.”
“Respect works both ways.” He smiled dangerously, his fangs flashing in the lights. “No matter how much you unnerved me by your resistance. I will not try to control your mind again, Simone. The telepathic link vampires have is unique to us alone. When you are ready, you can talk to me through it.”
Her body felt all heavy and flushed, which was incredible because since she turned into a vampire, the temperature in the air didn’t bother her so much. Of course, the effect could be from the blood. She was always surprised at the way the stuff affected her system.
His hands wrapped around her waist, warm and snug. This time she didn’t try to escape. Her body floated against his as though they had always been one and were somehow separated.
Like he’d been waiting for her around the corner of her life.
One hand stroked gentle circles across her back, down her spine, his fingertips heated coals against her skin, the palm—an absolute fire, spreading and melting her resolve.
“Where did you go?” he asked.
A knot rose in her throat, and she stammered, “W…what do you mean?”
“We could not find you. You disappeared from the face of the earth.”
“Oh.” She took a deep breath and struggled to hide the fact that her nipples were hard and rubbed against the fine lace cups of her bra. Her breasts swelled with the sensation. “A childhood haunt.”
“Did it help?”
“Yes and no.”
“My mother was a mortal before she turned vampire. She might be able to help you with the transition.”
“Your mother seems nice.” Simone wanted to ask him about his father, but decided this was neither the time nor place. She smiled stiffly. “I suppose you know everything about me. What does my dossier look like?” As it was, she had to do all her research and investigating face to face.
“Startlingly bare. Some interesting parts. You have friends who do not like talking. The gun you carry is proof of that.” His hands brushed her upper arms. “The reason you need it would disappear if you would be with me, love.” He breathed into her hair. “I would protect you. Teach you how to use the mist.”
The smile fell from her face. “I bet you say that to all the ladies.”
“There is no one else like you, poppet,” he said, deeply. “Trust me.” He looked up into her eyes, and the song ended abruptly.
“I must go now.” Without looking away, she tried to back out of his embrace. Somehow make her mouth work properly. “Work, remember?”
He didn’t move at first, but then his arms opened reluctantly. “When will I see you again?”
“With Tammy…I want to make a time. How about tomorrow night?” she asked and shifted her feet. “I think it’s really important to—”
He gave her a frank stare and gritted his teeth. “Not only for your friend, although I will set that up as soon as possible. I want to make sure you are still alive and well, among other things.”
She nodded, shivering at the undercurrent of steel in his words. “Well, I have a cell for that,” she said, ready to turn away when his arm swept over her shoulder and trapped her. “I want to see Tammy either tonight or tomorrow night,” she repeated.
She sent a pointed frown to his arm and nibbled at her bottom lip. Giving away her phone number would mean he would have a direct line to her at any time. She didn’t think she was ready for that. In fact, she knew she wasn’t. But who else could she ask who knew so much about the mist? So much about how to save Tammy? Simone recited the number before she changed her mind.
He stroked her arms. “You must know that I—”
“Ciao,” she said, transforming into mist.
The last thing she heard was his laughter.
Chapter Twenty
Simone flopped down on the lounge and hit the message button on her cell phone. Sixteen new voice messages. Leaving her phone at her apartment might not have been such a hot idea, but at least Juliun couldn’t ring her at work.
Two messages were from the hospital asking her to call them back. Five were from the police wanting to know two things: where she’d disappeared to and how soon she could visit the station. She sighed and leaned her head back on the sofa. She really couldn’t get a break.
Three were from Tammy’s mother. Susan Westfield struggled to keep the tears from her voice as she asked if Simone was okay. A terrible guilt swept over her. She’d invited her best friend away for a holiday and possibly ruined her entire life in an instant. How could she ever explain or fix that? As soon as Tammy was better, they were both getting the hell out of Whitby.
Two were from Vinnie checking up on her, telling her she needed another phone to keep track of the first one. She smiled as his derisive voice came over the speaker. Two were from the boss of the dojo. He sounded pissed that she hadn’t rung to set up new dates for the oncoming year and two were from Juliun.
His dark, smoky voice came across far too deep and made her shiver. He checked up on her in one message, and in the other he let her know he wanted her at Ravenkeep Saturday night to meet his grandfather.
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