A Taste For Passion

by Patrice Michelle

  Lucian sat up and scrubbed his hands over his face. "Really, Sabryn, you're making too much of this." He waved his hand dismissively. "I know Kantrue's have usually led the vampires, but I don't know if I want to take the Vité position."

  Accepting the role meant he'd have to be constantly available for the council meetings or to make decisions related to the five clans he'd oversee. He wouldn't be able to retreat into his own world as he'd done the last few years.

  Both Sabryn and Uncle Vlad faced him, saying in unison, "You must, Lucian."

  Lucian narrowed his eyes on them. "What's going on? Why are you two so uptight?"

  Vlad glided toward him and stood beside the bed. "Lucian, while you have slept the 'deep sleep' these past two months, some of the vampires in Kraid's Bruen clan have killed humans, a couple of them violently. We believe he's not doing enough to curb this behavior."

  "Ha!" Sabryn folded her arms over her chest and tossed her long black hair over her shoulder. "He's not doing anything. I think he condones it. It's no secret he believes humans are an inferior race."

  Lucian stood up, anger bubbling within him. Lightheadedness rewarded his hasty movements. Kraid's stupidity could expose them all. There were many humans he called friends, but how would they feel about him if they knew he was a vampire? "Where is Kraid now?" he said quietly.

  Sabryn put her hand on his tense arm. "Lucian, no, you must feed first, regain your strength. You've been too long without sustenance. You'd be no match for Kraid in your condition."

  Lucian pressed his lips together in frustration, but he knew his sister was right. While neither she nor his uncle knew about his secret visits to Elizabeth's grave, it had been a week since he'd last fed. He nodded and started to shimmer into mist.

  "Wait," Sabryn called. Lucian turned back to her, his eyebrow raised. She smiled. "I want to hunt with you tonight, brother." There's something we need to discuss, she whispered in his mind.

  His uncle raised his brow. They both knew Sabryn preferred to hunt alone. But he didn't say a word, even though Lucian knew the curiosity was killing him.

  Lucian grabbed her hand and smiled. "It'll be like when we were children."

  Sabryn laughed and shimmered into mist right along with him.

  * * * * *

  Lucian leaned against his Jaguar outside his nightclub, The Lion's Lair, as he waited for Sabryn to feed. He shook his head and gave a low chuckle. Sabryn didn't have to use her ability to compel the man. One kiss from her sultry lips and a man willingly offered her his neck. She approached with a smile on her lips.

  "Are you going to at least let him remember your name this time?" Lucian asked, amusement reflected in his tone.

  She widened her smile, showing him her fangs before she let them retract back to their normal size. "Just because you choose not to erase your presence doesn't mean I have to."

  Lucian shook his head. "Are you ever going to let yourself get close to anyone, Sabryn?"

  His sister stiffened. "No, not ever again."

  Lucian put his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. But it's been fifty years. Surely, you can move on."

  Sabryn shrugged his hand off her shoulder. "I'm not here to talk about me. Now that you've fed, we have much to discuss."

  Lucian folded his arms over his chest, decidedly curious. "Do go on."

  She gave him a knowing smile. "You know how you've put Elizabeth's ring in jeweler's windows in hopes she'd return to you one day?"

  Lucian's entire body tensed. He didn't dare hope. He dropped his arms, his breath escaping in a whisper. "Yes."

  "Well, I'll bet you didn't know I stole it, did you?"

  He fisted his hands by his sides. "You what?" he thundered. Seventy years ago, he lost his fiancée, Elizabeth, in a riding accident before he could make her his bride and a vampire, too. Depression set in for months until his uncle reminded him of the circle of life and his belief in reincarnation.

  Lucian clung to the concept, his only hope. Over the years he'd sought out jewelers, befriending them and asked them to display Elizabeth's ring—a ring he'd personally made for his love—in his or her shop window. He clung to the belief that Elizabeth would find him.

  As decades passed, he realized his dreams were nothing more than wishful thinking and the loneliness became too much to bear. The realization he'd never find his mate, coupled with his father's death, was why he'd taken to hibernating in recent months.

  Sabryn gave him an indignant look. "It was a work of art and worth more than what you're allowing your jeweler friends to sell it for. I thought to put it in my shop." She raised her chin haughtily. "At least among antiquities, it would be appreciated for what it was."

  Lucian snorted. "Yeah, among little old, blue-haired ladies. I might be older than them, but my tastes run a bit younger, Sabryn."

  "How would you know the woman that bought your ring was Elizabeth reincarnated?"

  He eyed her, not sure of her intent, but answered her anyway. "Because she would be attracted to the scent the ring emanates, a scent only she could detect."

  She smiled. "A human woman bought your ring today."

  He sent her a doubtful look.

  Sabryn's smile broadened, her eyes shining as she swept her arm wide. "Let the wind help you find her, brother. Her name is Rana Sterling."

  Lucian put his hands on her shoulders, clasping them tight. "Sabryn, don't toy with me."

  She laid her palm on his cheek, a sincere tone in her words. "I'm not, Lucian. She commented on my perfume—that she liked it." She grinned. "I wasn't wearing any."

  Lucian shifted into a raven's form before she finished the last word, leaving his clothes behind in a heap on the ground. His sister's melodious laughter floated behind him as he soared to the sky. The sound made his heart sing. Yes, dear sister, now I too have a reason to laugh.

  Chapter Two

  Lucian flew for hours, concentrating all his efforts on his keen sense of smell. But unfortunately it had rained earlier in the evening and he couldn't catch a scent. He returned to the deserted parking lot, disappointed, but not discouraged. It was only a matter of time. He'd find her.

  Once he'd slid on his discarded clothes, he walked inside the nearly empty nightclub. It was almost time to close up. Ian flagged him down at the bar.

  As Lucian approached the bar, he had to chuckle. Contrary to Hollywood's popular portrayal, vampires might not eat, but they certainly drank. After all, living for centuries would be pretty boring if they couldn't relax every once in a while.

  Lucian ordered a drink and a phonebook, and settled beside his childhood friend. He smiled in reminiscence at all they'd gone through together over the years.

  "It's been too long, my friend." Ian clapped him on the shoulder. His calm, golden eyes searched Lucian's as a grin rode up his face.

  "Something seems different about you." Ian rubbed his jaw thoughtfully and then dropped his hand, his eyebrows lifting in anticipation. "You're going to take your father's place, aren't you?"

  Lucian took a sip of his whiskey. "I have something I need to do first."

  "Sabryn told me she mentioned the murders to you. Kraid killed a human as well, not just the two vamps under him." Ian ran a hand through his short, tawny hair, his frustration evident.

  Lucian set his jaw at the news. He trusted his friend to know the facts. Ian was a member of Kraid's Bruen clan. In all his years, he had never seen a more divided group. The Bruen clan was made up of two types of men: the loud, arrogant, angry ones and the idealists. There was no room for those that fell right in the middle.

  Ian was one of those men—wild and a bit rough around the edges, but strong, self-assured, true to his word, and loyal to the Kindred first and foremost. Well, loyal until a vamp crossed the line. After that, Ian was the first one to rein the transgressor in. He didn't give a damn that he didn't fit an expected Bruen mould. Lucian's lips curved into a smile. And that's exactly what the Bruen clan needed in a leader—someone who didn't take side
s and would keep the vamps on the straight and narrow.

  "If I take the position of Vité, I want you to lead the Bruens."

  "What?" Ian choked on his beer. He turned wide eyes his way and shook his head. "I'm too blunt to be a smooth talking leader, Luc."

  Lucian faced his friend. "There's no one I trust more."

  "I think Kraid might have something to say about that." Ian gave a low chuckle.

  Lucian pinned him with a serious stare. "You're not afraid of Kraid are you?"

  "Hell, no." Ian shot back.

  Lucian held back his grin. He knew his old friend way too well. "I'll probably kill Kraid myself before this is all over." And that would be a welcomed transition after years of biding his time. "But if he bolts, I trust you'll hunt him down."

  "It'll be my pleasure." Ian lifted his beer in salute, a wicked gleam in his eyes.

  Lucian knew he meant it. Ian and Kraid had never seen eye-to-eye. The only person he despised more was Kraid's brother, Drace.

  Ian inspired either confidence or respectful tolerance in all who knew him. His reputation as a relentless hunter of rogue vampires had earned him quite a nickname. He'd heard some call his friend Ian the Enforcer. Because of the human blood that ran in his veins, the sun didn't affect him. That fact alone made him a considerable adversary.

  Satisfied that he'd set his plans in motion, Lucian flipped through the phonebook and searched the listings under Sterling. What if Rana was married? He shook off the fear that gripped him. No. He knew in his heart she wouldn't be.

  "Whatcha' doing?" Ian tapped the book with his beer bottle.

  "Trying to locate a woman." Lucian looked up. "Her name is Rana Sterling."

  Ian chuckled. "Well it's about damn time, Luc, my boy. I'd begun to worry about you."

  Lucian grinned and shook his head, returning his gaze to the book. "She bought my ring today."

  "No shit?" Ian sat up straight on his stool.

  Sliding his finger down the row of Sterlings, Lucian memorized them, but there wasn't a Rana listed among them. Maybe Rana was a nickname, or her number was unlisted.

  Sabryn breezed past, throwing a newspaper on the bar in front of him, and calling behind her, "Just wanted you to catch up on old news."

  Lucian eyed his sister's retreating back. He knew what she was doing. She wanted to knock the guilt factor up a notch. He picked up the week old paper and read the front page news, the investigator's interpretation of what had happened to the victims. Apparently, wild dogs had mauled the bodies. But one corpse had also been drained of considerable blood, which made the police suspect some kind of ritualistic killing.

  His anger rose, his normally slow heart beat faster as he catalogued the names of the victims and flipped to the obituary pages. An unsuspecting human didn't stand a chance against a vampire, especially a vampire who'd let his thirst turn to bloodlust. The least he could do was anonymously send flowers, even if belatedly, to the grieving families.

  While he scanned the long list of names, his gaze landed and locked on an obituary.

  Jack Rodgers was laid to rest today in Haven's Cemetery.

  He lived a long, full life and had no regrets. He is survived by his

  daughter and granddaughter, Jane and Rana Sterling.

  Lucian's heart pounded in his chest when he read her name. He knew, without a doubt, Rana was the woman from the cemetery, the same woman he'd had such an intense, unsettling reaction to.

  His mind whirled. Her name wasn't listed among the Sterlings he'd memorized, but the curator of the funeral home should have her address or at least her phone number. He smiled and started to call for a phone when he realized it was four in the morning. He'd have to wait until at least eight to call.

  "Hey, buddy. You okay?" Ian's voice came from far away. He waved his hand in front of him.

  Lucian turned to his blood brother. "This is the important thing I need to do, Ian. I can't take the position without her."

  "You have it bad, Luc." Ian shook his head. "Even after seventy years. Man, am I glad I never let a chick get under my skin the way you did with Elizabeth."

  Lucian's neck grew hot at the flippant remark. He narrowed his eyes. Any other vamp would be dead for uttering such words in his presence, but Ian just looked at him with amusement in his eyes.

  Smiling broadly, Lucian displayed his fangs. It was enough.

  Ian sobered. "Sorry, Luc." He grinned sheepishly. "You know what I meant."

  * * * * *

  "Me?" Ian mouthed to the sexy redhead across the room while pointing to his chest.

  She smiled, looked down at her mixed drink, and slowly swirled her stirrer in the ice.

  Ian turned back to Lucian. "Hey, let me know if you need anything, okay?"

  Lucian chuckled. "Go, Ian. I smell her arousal."

  "I know." Ian grinned and slid off the stool to walk toward the woman.

  "Hi," she said huskily as he approached and sat down beside her.

  "Hey," he replied as he traced a finger down her bare arm. She watched the path his finger took and shivered when her green eyes met his.

  "My name is Mona."

  "Name's Ian," he said as the corners of his lips turned up at the lurid thoughts his mind associated with her name.

  She gave him a sly smile as if she knew exactly what he was thinking. "Yes, I am well named."

  Ian chuckled. "I see you and I are going to get along quite well."

  "I thought your sexy friend would join us, too." She inclined her head toward the bar.

  Lust surged through his body at her suggestion and he raised an eyebrow. "So you're into double-the-fun, are you?"

  Mona dipped her finger in her drink and sucked the liquor off of the tip before she ran it along his bottom lip. "If it's with the right combination of men, then the answer is yes."

  Ian captured her finger with his lips and sucked it inside his mouth, swirling his tongue around her flesh. His cock throbbed as he heard her heart rate pick up and her breathing turn shallow. He laced his fingers in hers and drew her hand down from his mouth. "Then don't worry, Mona, I've got just the right combination for you." He tugged gently on her hand. "Come on, let's get outta here."

  Chapter Three

  Ian stood outside his brother's loft apartment wondering at Duncan's mood. Mona leaned against his chest as he rang the doorbell.

  When Duncan opened the door, Mona sucked in her breath in delight. Ian chuckled. Women always reacted that way when they saw the two brothers together.

  "My God, I've never met a pair of twins that looked so much alike." She turned and stared at him and then looked back at Duncan.

  Duncan stood there in a black turtleneck and black jeans, looking every bit the brooding loner he was. Whereas Ian embraced and reveled in his differences from other vampires, openly taunting them, Duncan withdrew, living a solitary life. The only person he remained close to over the years was his twin.

  He leaned against the door jam and addressed Ian, purposefully ignoring Mona. "To what do I owe the honor of your visit, Ian?"

  Ian rubbed Mona's arms underneath her jacket. "Mona and I thought we'd come for a visit." Be nice, Duncan. You need this.

  Being the first born, Ian felt a certain responsibility for his twin. It bothered him that his brother secluded himself from both humans and vampires. Duncan shared his ability to abide full sunlight but he also had a special power Ian didn't possess—a power that other vampires feared even more than the twins' ability to walk in daylight.

  Duncan gave Ian a broad smile and Mona jumped back, gasping when she saw his fangs on full display.

  "You—you're a vampire?" She leaned into Ian and jerked her gaze up to his face in shock, then pulled away from him, too when her mind made the 'identical twin' connection.

  Anger surfacing at his brother's insolent stunt, Ian started to compel her, to alleviate her fear.

  "Do not, brother," Duncan demanded.

  Ian met his brother's gaze, letting his own re
flect his irritation.

  Duncan addressed Mona for the first time. "The idea that I will take your blood excites you, doesn't it, Mona Lisa?"

  She nodded slowly and Ian caught the scent of her arousal once more. "How did you know my middle name?" she asked Duncan, a quizzical look on her heart shaped face.

  Duncan gave her a secretive, sexy smile. Putting his hand out, he beckoned her, "Come inside and visit for a while."

  Ian chuckled and followed Mona as she put her hand in Duncan's, allowing him to escort her inside. Personally, he didn't get into sharing, but he knew Duncan would refuse to be alone with her. Ian's desire to see his brother break free of his self-imposed seclusion overrode his own preferences. His brother needed to interact with humans, to get to know the other half of his heritage.

  Duncan led Mona into the living room area and leaned against the fireplace mantle as she walked around the room. Ian took in the black leather couch and matching side chair set off by the silver and glass contemporary coffee table in his brother's living room. He wondered what Mona thought of his brother's taste.

  She likes it. Duncan answered him mentally in a bored voice. She thinks the combination fits my dangerous persona quite well. He finished with a mental chuckle.

  And that was the crux of the problem with his brother. Because of Duncan's special ability to read minds, humans were an open-book to him and therefore, boring. He didn't associate with them, seeing humans only as a source of food. Vampire's minds were strong, but their minds were susceptible to Duncan, too, if their guard was down. Therefore, male vampires gave Duncan a wide berth. The vampire women, on the other hand, flocked to him, drawn to the dangerous loner his twin had become. More often than not, he turned them away, too.