Mistwalker

by Fraser, Naomi

  Juliun’s broad shoulders lowered, but his deadly grip did not relax. Foreign words dripped from his lips that sounded like insults. His expression was a mask of stone. “No, we do not.”

  Slowly, she crept toward him, so close her unsteady breath fanned the long fall of his black hair. She could smell the sharp twist of his anger. Combined with her adrenaline rush, it made her cells fire with longing, but she didn’t want to contemplate any attraction to him. She’d never seen him like this, and she had to stop him before it was too late.

  “Juliun…” she whispered. “Don’t kill him yet. We need information. Please.”

  His steely, grey glare flicked toward her, and she fell into it. So close. One tiny movement and they would be touching, kissing. His massive chest pressing against hers, his jaw looked hewn from granite, and a wild, ferocious aura rolled from him.

  Then without knowing why, she sent a single thought on their mind-link. *Please.*

  He opened his fingers, and the vampire instantly dropped to the ground. “You were in danger. He could have killed you.” Juliun’s voice shook, and he enveloped her in a crushing hug.

  “Not in this lifetime,” she mumbled into his clean white dress shirt.

  “Which I want to last for an extremely long time. And he thought it.” Juliun’s chest expanded in an obvious effort to control himself. “Wanted that.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I have to find Tammy.” Simone looked at him with a nervousness that had nothing to do with the aggression he’d displayed. She pulled back and looked him right in the eye. “I’m…I’m going to need your help.”

  He stiffened. The air crackled with the noises in the street. An angle relented in his face; the sharp line of his jaw curving slightly, and he smiled, his grey gaze searching hers.

  “About time.”

  He hauled the unconscious vampire by the collar past the shadows lining the abandoned buildings to a doorway. “Ladies first.” His hand rested on the small of her back where the bottom of her jacket met the waist of her jeans.

  Tingles arrowed across the bare expanse of her skin. What would his touch feel like all over her body? She flushed, blood warming her face, knowing she shouldn’t be thinking about that. Would he make her ache for more as he could with a single brush of his fingers? What of his lips? Level head, Simone. Level head.

  “Well, what’s your answer?” she asked. The full moon cast a pearly light through the doorway, and he stepped to the outskirts where the darkness overwhelmed the room. The creeping warmth of the mist suffused her every cell, and her mist merged into his as though there were no separation.

  Her body solidified inside the dungeon inside Ravenkeep. A chill pervaded the air, the three-foot thick stone walls and floor as grey and lonely as the moors during a change.

  “I will help you in all ways, Simone.”

  She tensed, and her body seemed to be filled with fire. Together, they would be working together. This strange dark vampire would help her. She didn’t know how to answer the meaning behind his statement, so she nodded. “Thank you.” Her gaze landed on the unconscious vampire in Juliun’s grasp. “Here again with another drop off.” She grimaced. “I wish I’d faded Tammy immediately.”

  “Do not blame yourself. You cannot be everywhere at once.” Juliun’s body held a stance of regal and utter command. His physical appearance of youth belied his true age. “I will get her back. But what do you mean by another drop—”

  The scuffling of shoes had him pivoting in an instant. “Kristoff,” Juliun growled, his eyes shot with silver. He laughed and glided to the vampire inside the cell whom she’d trapped earlier. “I wondered what happened to you.”

  She looked to the vampire in the cell and back again to Juliun. “You know him?”

  He cocked his head. “Oh, Kristoff and I go way back.” Juliun dropped the vampire he’d dragged from the street into another cell and then stalked toward Kristoff like a tiger hunts a mouse. “He is the one who put a compulsion upon the vampire who killed my father.”

  Her eyes widened, and she stepped back. Words froze in her throat. Every line of Juliun’s body tightened, ready to spring into action.

  “Pig.” Kristoff’s head lowered, and he glared at Juliun. “You have no proof.”

  “Grandfather managed to crack into Dain’s mind long enough to know it was you.” Juliun didn’t try for civilised or calm. A sheen of sweat surfaced on his forehead, and his hands balled into fists, nostrils flaring. “You forgot his command of glamour surpasses your own.” Juliun turned to her, his face mask-tight and animalistic. “I trust I have you to thank for his capture?”

  She nodded and flicked another wary glance to the door. She wasn’t about to ask him to let Kristoff live. This was between Juliun and Radu. “Should I leave?”

  He smiled, hard laughter lighting his gaze. “Oh, I am not the one he should be concerned about. Grandfather has prior claim.”

  Kristoff growled behind the rails, his black eyes simmering in the darkness. “Under Council rule—”

  Juliun laughed again. “You destroyed his only son. He would lay waste to every immortal in the Council, and they know it.”

  Kristoff retreated. The lights in his eyes burned with an emotion so strong Simone felt incredible nausea.

  “When will he realise that won’t work on me?” she asked, curiously. “It’s rather annoying.”

  “Never,” Juliun answered. “It is all he knows. You have managed to capture one of the most elusive vampires in England.”

  “He came for me. I thought he would be better here after your tour of the dungeons. What about Alec? He succumbed to the compulsion. We can’t leave him on the train. And Tammy?”

  “The royal guards have been sent to clean the train and collect Alec. Grandfather will see to Alec’s compulsion. Have no fear; we will save your friend.”

  Her stomach grumbled, twisting and rolling in protest. She laid a hand on the sharp pain and grimaced. “Alec said they took her because they thought she had the mist, but I need to feed before I go looking for her.” She flicked a look at Juliun.

  *Of course, love.*

  Before her gaze, her fingers turned to mist and tingles shot down her arm and legs, the fire of the fade consuming her. She took form inside a huge kitchen where bright lights bathed a plethora of kitchen appliances. The floors gleamed in checkerboard tile, and she breathed in the warm ambiance of the room. “This kitchen is bigger than my entire apartment.”

  Juliun’s fingers heated her skin through the leather jacket. “We can share breakfast,” he said low and directly into her ear. “You are truly more than I ever imagined.”

  Gooseflesh sprang down her arms, and a smile curved the corners of her mouth. “Sweet talk before breakfast? I like your style.” She bit her bottom lip and turned to him.

  He slid his hands up her arms and didn’t say anything, but his mouth opened; his bottom lip full and sensuous, his jaw hard and sculpted as though hewn from marble. She wanted to reach up and touch his beautiful face; feel his skin, smooth her fingers over his face. Be that close. She swallowed and stepped back.

  “Food.”

  He grinned devilishly. “Yes. Then we will tell Grandfather who is in the dungeon.” Juliun strode to a stainless container that held a wine bottle and poured the dark red fluid into two tall glasses. “That will make his day. The bottle is heated. Enjoy.”

  She strolled to the bench and perched on one of the many stools. The aroma of blood wafted in the air. She leaned across and breathed in the scent. “Divine.”

  He lifted his glass high. “Cheers.”

  She grinned and chinked her glass against his. The sweet, rich liquid flowed into her mouth and down her throat in an ecstasy of flavour. Her eyes closed, enjoying the sensation. “So good…” She dipped her head back for more, and her hair brushed against her shoulders.

  “It amazes me how you held out for so long tonight. How did you control your hunger?”

  She licked the corner
of her lips and set the glass on the counter. “With great difficulty,” she admitted. “Let me tell you, there was one guy on the train who had me so—” She shivered.

  Juliun stepped closer, frowning. “So…what? You yearned to feed from him?”

  She fidgeted on the stool. “Well, I have the oath.” She shrugged. “So I didn’t.”

  “And that is the only thing that stopped you?”

  “Basically, plus the fact that I don’t hurt innocent people.” She wouldn’t bow down to him. “Please. I’m a newly changed vampire, right? I was stuck on a train full of humans. No food beforehand. Nothing. This guy had veins popping out all over the place. Sainthood is a moot point right now.”

  His jaw worked as though he’d swallowed something unpleasant. “Anytime you feel the need of a vein, I want you to drink from me,” he asserted.

  “Forget it,” she bit back and pushed away from the counter, preparing to vanish. “I didn’t have the time then, and I wouldn’t want to be a further burden to you. I’m just trying to figure it all out as I go along, you know. I’m not perfect.”

  “I mean it, Simone.” He grabbed her hand. “Stop this. What burden? I fantasise about you tasting me. You cannot go.”

  She stared at him. “You do?”

  “Totally normal, considering all vampires…” Lissanne’s voice floated from across the room. “Oops…I can see I chose a bad moment. Anyway, I dreamed of Juliun’s father.”

  Where had she come from? Simone stepped back from Juliun.

  Juliun breathed out heavily and replaced his glass on the sink. “Mother…” he warned. When he spun back, he leaned against the counter, his large body stretching out as he surveyed Simone. “You shaved a hundred years off my life tonight.”

  Lissanne reached into the refrigerator, kicked the door shut and turned with a bottle in her hands. “How’s that?”

  “Rogues kidnapped her friend in hospital, and Simone went after them.”

  Lissanne’s wide gaze flew to Simone. “Your friend…she isn’t…?”

  “They stole her,” Simone said. “I faded one of the vampires back to the dungeon, and when I got back to the train, she was gone. They’d put a compulsion on Alec. We haven’t found her yet.”

  “Yes, and guess who Simone trapped? You are going to love this,” Juliun drawled. “Get ready.”

  Lissanne blinked and shook her head. “Go ahead.”

  “Kristoff.”

  The bottle dropped from Lissanne’s hands, and blood and glass shot in all directions. She cried out, stumbling backward against the wall. Juliun caught her, but it was slippery going.

  “Is it true?” She pulled her hands away to implore Simone. “You did that?”

  She nodded, squatting beside Lissanne and rubbed a hand down her arm in comfort.

  Lissanne reached out and hugged Simone so hard she almost broke her neck. “Oh my darling girl, I cannot thank you enough. You found him. You found him.” She went silent, and then glanced up at Juliun. “Radu.”

  “Shall you tell him?” Juliun asked gently. “Or will I? Sorry to spring it on you like this.”

  Lissanne shook her head, tears dripping down her face. Her hands shook. “I can’t…I can’t.”

  “It is all right,” he soothed. “Let me take you back to your room.”

  “No. First you tell him.” Lissanne looked down at the floor, muttering, “We have him. Finally.”

  “Will you be here when I get back?” Juliun turned his head to ask Simone. “I will call in the housekeeper.”

  “Sure.” She slapped her thigh and reached into her jacket. “That reminds me.” She flicked open her cell and pressed a button on speed dial. “Vinnie,” she said, holding the receiver up to her ear. “She’s gone. Yeah, I can’t believe it myself. I’m working on it now. I’ll keep in touch.” She nodded. “I owe you one.” She laughed. Her gaze swung to Juliun’s stiff posture, his dark frown. He stared at her with harsh pebbles for eyes.

  She pulled her face away from the phone. “What?” she mouthed to him.

  “Damn.” Vinnie’s words came clear through the line. “Are you bringing her back to the hospital when you find her?”

  “Ah no.” Simone walked back over to the stool. “I’ve got a friend who’s a doctor. They’ve promised to take good care of her. Thanks for everything. I knew I could count on you.”

  “No problem,” Vinnie said. “Call me if you need me anytime, sweetheart.”

  “Ditto.” She ended the call and faced Juliun.

  His brows lowered, knuckles white on the kitchen counter, his mouth thinned with displeasure. “You rang him for assistance?”

  She shrugged. “Alec told me you weren’t answering your phone, and I needed another pair of eyes at the hospital.”

  His eyes turned smoky and refused to release her. “This…good friend of yours—”

  She fronted up to him. “Yes?”

  He opened his mouth, but was interrupted by his mother.

  “Juliun. Tell Radu. Tell him.” Lissanne rose, one hand resting against the wall. Her blonde hair tumbled around her shoulders, her cheeks streaked red and white from crying.

  “As you wish.” Juliun nodded and said to Simone, “Please be here when I get back. I have had a suite prepared for you.”

  Her brow creased. “I don’t want to put you to any bother. And I don’t like being told what to do.”

  “No bother,” Juliun said. His stare pinned her to the spot. “I want you here.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Bright-red blood coated Simone’s palms and fingers, the coppery scent fogging the spacious kitchen. No wrenching pain lurched in her belly and for that she was thankful.

  She ran hot water and detergent over her hands; not believing a kitchen this size had no gloves or a mop. She’d hunted through every cupboard and drawer, but only came up with dishcloths under the sink.

  A strange thud echoed near the door, and she faded to mist, reappearing on the other side of the kitchen, guns at the ready.

  Hazel laughed and shook her head, her grey curls swinging against her lined cheeks. She held onto the handle of a mop. “Sorry for scaring you, dear.” Her eyes were a gentle, faded blue. “The king wishes to see you in the dungeon as soon as you’ve finished your meal.”

  “He does?” Simone swallowed at the sudden lump in her throat. “What for?”

  “He didn’t say. Prince Juliun told me of the mess in the kitchen, but thank you for your help. You have certainly saved me some time. The guards are on full alert tonight. You will be safe.”

  What on earth would Radu need her for? An extra witness to Kristoff’s death? A sick trembling churned in her gut. She envisioned the dungeon, feeling as though she were being invited to a hanging. She shifted into rolling dark mist that dissipated from the room in a swift, silent rush and opened her eyes to soft light in the dungeon.

  A sombre, chilling draft swept the roughened flagstones. Her fingers brushed the cold bars of the cells which Juliun guarded.

  His strong, solid arms crossed over his brick-wall chest, forcing the intensely ripped muscles to bunch and define beneath the white shirt. He’d opened his collar, exposing his corded neck. Her gaze dropped from his deliciously solid, broad shoulders and abdomen, to his gorgeous backside, wait…travelled back up, then continued down again to his muscled thighs. Blood pounded in her ears. Her mouth dried. He was leashed power standing there like that.

  He stared at Kristoff with an unnerving gaze. The rich, conservative cut of Juliun’s attire contrasted with the dark, silken shot of his hair fastened at the base of his neck. That hair hinted at a rebel who didn’t care for protocol and would never fit the mould. Instead, he revelled in the one he created.

  Hot pinpricks washed her skin, and her teeth worried her bottom lip. How could she feel this way after everything he’d done? Was she crazy? Yet, when…when had she the chance to view him without someone watching her? Without prejudice?

  He’d stopped her in the
streets and tried to use glamour to save his friend’s life. Changed and captured her. The sweet freedom of the mist came with a price, and the king wanted her to witness what happened in the dungeon; she hadn’t wanted to come. She’d been so confused by Juliun’s motivations at first. But he guarded the cells, protected them all from the vampires who had taken Tammy.

  Simone was beginning to see him and felt like a thief in the night, stealing a few precious moments before reality snuck in.

  Finally, she ventured forward. “You wanted to see me?” she asked, quietly.

  Radu’s head snapped around. The full blast of his icy stare intensified the scowl on his aged face. “Let us begin.”

  The corners of Juliun’s sensuous mouth kicked up in a grin. His gaze softened and roamed over her face and the loose, long hair that brushed her shoulders. His broad, solid chest expanded with a sudden intake of air.

  “You stayed.”

  “Of course.” She dug her hands into the warm pockets of her leather jacket. Heat mottled her neck and marched up her cheeks. He must see the tell-tale pink staining her pale skin and yet she did nothing to hide it. “You asked me to.”

  His black pupils swallowed the irises. Her heart twisted. The heat of his seductive interest swamped the dungeon. This was insane. A vampire was about to be destroyed, and she was getting all hot and bothered.

  *Simone*

  Radu’s voice pierced her thoughts, and she straightened, turning to him. *Yes?*

  *I need your full concentration for this.*

  She blushed and nodded.

  Juliun laughed.

  Radu floated toward her, stiff-backed and haughty, holding out a hand. “Juliun will turn Kristoff to mist. All except for the top of his head. Kristoff will be not be able to run, speak or hurt you in anyway. There, but not there. You need to find your friend. There is a chance you may see something which triggers a memory of your attackers from when you were a child.”

  That’s why Radu wanted her in the dungeon. Not to witness Kristoff’s death, but to help her.