My heart beat a little faster. I peeked at a clock as we passed it in the hall. He’d be here very soon.
Cort slipped into his office as I continued to the family room. The coffee would likely be done, but some hot water for tea would be needed. Pushing open the door, I gasped.
Connor sat on the couch and talked on his cell.
No. I hated that. Not Connor.
“I really wish you’d wear a different face.” I grumbled as I entered and marched to the beverage table. Coffee ready. Tea kettle plugged in. Turning, sharp green eyes in a face I didn’t recognize stared at me. He ended his call without a goodbye.
“The other face has been useful.” Abdiel’s monotone grated on my nerves tonight.
“I’d prefer if you’d never use it, but if you do, not around Cort or me.” I gritted my teeth. I’d never thought I’d find an Allu demon annoying. At least it was better than terrifying. Well, he was still scary.
Abdiel nodded once and stood. “I got word on where Hessa’s last safe house might be. Likely the vampires I haven’t killed yet are there.”
“Good.” It was more than a relief. Retribution for Hessa’s death was something I feared, but Abdiel had been systematically killing off all the vampires in the region. Most of Hessa’s army died the night they attacked the funeral home, but a few smarter ones fled. If they were truly smart, they would’ve left the country altogether.
He started for the door, and I stepped toward him. “Are you going alone?”
Turning his head, he raised his brows. “Are you offering to come with me?”
I cringed and hoped it wasn’t as noticeable as it felt. “No!” Drat. Too immediate. “I need to work tonight. I only meant, do you take any back-up? There’s— No. Forget I said anything.”
“I’ll be careful.” A hint of a smile twitched on his lips. Abdiel opened the door and nodded to Nicolas who was reaching for the doorknob. “Vampire.”
“Abdiel. Always a pleasure to see you.” Nicolas grinned and glided past the Allu. The black suit he wore was tailored perfectly for his lean body. The blue tie was tightly knotted and a gold pin gleamed as it caught the light. It was as if he just stepped off the pages of GQ. He opened his arms as he approached me. “And more than just a pleasure to see you.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. There was no wrestling with it or trying to hide it until Abdiel left. I refused to look over to see if he was smirking. The door clicked shut, and I relaxed into Nicolas’ embrace.
I wound my arms around his middle as he drew me to him. I didn’t say anything, just kissed him. That would have to be enough to express what I was feeling for now.
“I do like having perks like this at work.” Nicolas chuckled and kissed me again, nudging our noses together.
“And you like having them at home, in the car, in elevators—”
He kissed me again before I could continue listing all the wonderful places we enjoyed our perks. Both of us laughed this time.
“Just wait until the weather is warmer.” Nicolas waggled his eyebrows and then nipped at my lower lip. “Right here on the couch. You didn’t wear panties, did you?”
I smacked him on the arm. “People are going to start arriving for the service in about five minutes. Clean your mind up and keep your pants buckled.”
Five minutes. That was enough time. I needed to clean my own mind up!
“Figures I’d fall for a woman who was all business.”
Smiling, I shook my head and slipped out of his hold to smooth my clothes. “If you want me to take care of business later, you best get to work now.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Nicolas winked and kissed me on the head. “You look beautiful, babe.” He paused, his expression falling into a more serious one. “I heard Abdiel mention something about Hessa.”
“He has a lead on her last safe house. He’s going to clean out those still there.”
Nicolas sighed and nodded. “Good. Get rid of them. Sometimes I can’t believe I used to worship her. I was such an idiot.”
I took his hand and held it against my chest. “Not an idiot. Charmed. You were only human. There was nothing you could do.”
“But she was so…”
“Evil?” I suggested.
“Fucked up.” Nicolas stared at my hand holding his. “I don’t know why I never saw it.”
“That’s the best way of putting it. Actually, Cort and I came up with a good theory today. One that would explain why she still lived even after I drained her.” I swallowed. The cruel yet beautiful face of Hessa was forever etched into my mind along with all her sorrowful memories. I didn’t sleep much anymore. Too many nightmares. Hopefully they would stop as my spots dimmed.
“We think maybe because she was a sociopath. The mental disorder kept some part of her separate from the rest. She felt no remorse about the things she did. Nothing for me to feed upon.”
Nicolas cocked his head. “It makes sense. Frighteningly so.” He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. “It would be interesting to study what types of people you can feed on. Do some little experiments to see if other mental disorders have the same effect.”
“We are not experimenting on people.” I glared and tried to tug my hand away, but he held it tight. He kissed it again and grinned. “No experiments.”
“How ’bout one later at your place then? Just you, me, and a pair of cuffs.”
Why did he have to be so damn sexy as he said that? I finally retrieved my hand and headed to the door. I peered at him over my shoulder. “Maybe. And I might just keep you locked there all night.” I grinned as he did. “Watching me do some crossword puzzles.”
Other Books by Christine Rains
Fearless
Paranormal Romance
Now Available
A Free Read
L’il Gal Al and the Zombies of Amarilo
Horror
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A Free Read
The 13th Floor Series
Paranormal Romance
The Marquis
Book One
A retired demon acquires a price on his head.
Now Available
A Free Read
The Alpha
Book Two
A werewolf is hunted by her pack.
Now Available
The Dragonslayer
Book Three
A modern day dragonslayer misses his target.
Now Available
The Harbinger
Book Four
A shoe-loving harpy challenges the gods for the soul of the man she loves.
Now Available
The Oracle and the Vampire
Book Five
A cursed witch must fight to save a vampire from a demon’s trap.
Now Available
The Ghost
Book Six
A sweet ghost must save the 13th floor from an energy-sucking fiend.
Now Available
The 13th Floor Complete Collection
Books 1-6
Six supernatural tenants live in a haunted building on a floor that doesn’t exist.
Now Available
Dice & Debauchery
Geeky Erotica
Loose Corset
Book One
Now Available
Layers of Lace
Book Two
Forthcoming 2015
A Masked Kiss
Book Three
Forthcoming 2015
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Acknowledgements
Many thanks to my awesome team of critique partners and beta readers: T.F. Walsh, Tara Tyler, Clare Dugmore, Graeme Ing, and Gwen Gardner. You survived the many revisions and cheered me on to the finish.
For Untethered Realms, I’m so grateful to be part of this wonderful group of writers. Raise your bears and toast a great cheers!
Thank you to my husband and son who must put up with a wife and mommy who is lost in her own head.
A huge thank you to my dear friend and critique partner/editor/formatter, Cherie Reich. I would never be able to do this without you. Not just because of your many talents, but because you listen to me rant and ramble and get excited about my shiny new ideas with me.
Finally, thank you to my readers. You guys are the best.
About the Author
Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She’s married to her best friend and fellow geek living in south-central Indiana. They have one son who is too smart for his parents’ own good and loves to pretend he’s Batman. Christine has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s going on adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy. She’s a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. (South Central Indiana Fiction Interface). She has several short stories and novellas published. Of Blood and Sorrow is her first novel.
Of Blood and Sorrow Page 21