I requested Areth provide clothing to my parents of a similar nature. With Areth’s assistance I piled my hair on my head and held it all in place with the four black lacquer chopsticks which she provided. A little eye makeup was next. I closed my eyes and sent out a call for Nick. This time I tried to gauge the strength, hoping I didn’t knock him off his chair as I’d done the last time.
Smoothing the silk across my hips, I gathered up the black fur wrap and went to wait for everyone in the front room.
I was sitting on the couch staring at one of the pictures on the wall when my parents came in. I was still angry with Mom but decided to put that aside for the moment. They were my ticket out of there and I wasn’t about to do anything to risk a night out on the town.
Dad looked handsome in his tailored suit and Mom was her normal elegant self, dressed in pale blue, which showed off her delicate figure and flawless complexion perfectly.
“I assume we’re supposed to be going somewhere?” Dad asked as he motioned to his clothing and looked at me.
“I thought it might be nice if we had dinner together, sort of a welcome home?” I told him, biting the inside of my cheek and trying to look innocent.
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Mom asked.
“It’s not like the media doesn’t know I’m here,” I replied. “If Nick can get us out undetected, dinner across town might actually throw them off the scent and make it easier for us tomorrow night,” I added.
Out in the hall the elevator dinged and I held my breath, waiting for one of them to respond.
Dad turned to Mom. “Shaylee?” he asked. And when she nodded I let out the breath I’d been holding, just as the door opened and Nick walked in.
“Good evening,” he told my parents, his eyes quickly moving to me. “You… called?” he asked with a curious look on his face.
“Not too loud I hope?” I inquired then smiled when he shook his head.
“I remained seated this time, thank you. Your control seems to be improving.”
“Great. So we were thinking dinner out. Can you arrange to have the car pick us up in the alley without the media’s attention?”
Nick frowned and did that spread legs wrist in hand thing he does so well. “I can’t let you out alone. Gareth would skin me alive.”
“Oh that’s not a problem, send as many men as you think we’ll need,” I assured him. “And maybe someone could call ahead for us and make arrangements for three at a nice restaurant somewhere?
He frowned but with my parents there he couldn’t really disagree. After nearly a minute he nodded. “Give me a few minutes,” then turned back to the door and started talking low and fast into the communicator on his wrist.
I clasped the matching purse Areth had provided me and smiled to myself. Dinner out at a real restaurant! Wow! I was almost feeling like a normal person. Add both my parents in attendance and it was actually rather amazing. Nick came back, motioned us to the door and we headed into the elevator.
“Where exactly are we?” my Dad asked, as he watched the floors light up in descending numbers.
I gave him a surprised look but replied, “San Francisco. Gareth and Jace own a dance club called the Salty Dog. We are beneath it.”
“Oh,” he replied as the door opened and he assisted Mom into the foyer. Nick got the door and we entered the hallway behind the club leading to the elevators, storage, and the back stairs up to the street. The club was huge and took up two floors with vaulted ceilings. It was great for the acoustics. Through the wall we could hear the music low and vibrating.
“Wait here,” Nick told us as he went up the steps and pushed opened the door. Apparently he was satisfied as he waved us up. Outside in the alley was a long black car pulled up close to the door with four of Nick’s bodyguards standing at attention. At the top of the stairs Nick took my arm and handed me into the back, while Dad helped Mom. Nick took something from one of the men and leaned in to pass it to me. It was my communicator which I kept forgetting to use. He watched me through narrowed eyes as I slipped it into my purse then nodded. “The reservations are under Princess Lexi at the St. Francis over in Union Square,” he told me with a grin. “They were only too happy to accommodate you. We need to hurry and get you out of here while some of the men are out front distracting the press.” Then he closed the door and I heard him tap twice on the roof.
The three of us took up the bench in the back, facing forward. On the seat across from us, two of Nick’s men were seated. I recognized both of them from the training room and smiled. I wondered if Nick had asked for volunteers, because these guys had been caught in the crossfire the other day when I’d become annoyed with Jace and caused that orgy. Mi and Areth had had to help me untangle the thirty or more people that had been unintentionally caught up in the spillover. When we managed to get everyone separated and redressed, these two had been amongst the group who offered to be test subjects in case I ever needed to practice my new ability. That was before Amras had assisted me in building a wall around that part of my mind which creates lust, the one with the little red door
“Hello,” I said. “And you are?”
“Nate and Calvin, up in front are Dean and Jon,” Nate informed me. Nick must have asked for tall, dark and brooding because they were all over six feet, had wide shoulders and large hands. The car smelled of wolf and some type of big cat. These were Hunters in training and would be formidable if threatened. I had to smile, seeing as how I could kick all of their butts in both swords and karate. I knew, because I was training them and had watched them on the floor.
“My parents, Princess Shaylee Helyanwe and Roark ‘e Venth,” I replied.
The two facing us nodded while I caught Dean’s eyes in the mirror. “You look lovely this evening,” he commented and I laughed.
Dad frowned at me and my laughter subsided into chuckles. “I’m sorry Dad. We’ve been training together and they usually see me drenched in sweat with my hair plastered to my head.”
Mom had a slightly horrified look on her face but managed to hold her tongue. Dad didn’t have the same restraint. “Training for what?” he asked, his eyes turning suspiciously on the men and giving them the look. Yeah that was the look he’d given Amras earlier. I recognized it. Apparently so did the others. It was like some secret male handshake or something because Nate and Calvin jerked upright under his stare and I felt the tension increase sharply. I couldn’t help the blush that stained my cheeks when I realized what Dad must be thinking.
“Ah… karate and swords,” I told him quickly and everyone breathed again when Dad glanced at me in surprise, his features immediately losing that, you are so dead ambiance.
“Is that wise, Lexi?” he demanded. “You might be hurt,” he added, his voice filled with concern. I couldn’t help it but my cheeks heated up again as all four guards snorted and chuckled softly. Dad frowned and I held up my hands palm up and shrugged.
“Well Dad,” I replied, trying not to roll my eyes. “I’m always very careful not to… injure.” In the mirror Dean’s eyes twinkled and Jon placed his arm on the back of the seat shifting so he could give me a wink.
“That’s good sweetheart,” Dad said, not catching my intentionally slip. I had to duck my head to keep from laughing at the look on the guard’s faces!
Mom chose that moment to add to the conversation. “Lexi has been training in martial arts since she was eight. She was so gangly at that time we thought it might help to improve her balance.”
I winced and glanced at the men who were trying not to laugh. “Gee, Mom, I hope you weren’t planning to tell everyone about the blemish I got when I was fifteen or that I skinny dipped with friends when I was twelve? Or how about the time I got into your chemicals and turned myself yellow for a week? Because that would be real fun!” I assured her with a touch of sarcasm.
She gave me a look that basically said she didn’t appreciate my humor, while I stared right back at her, letting her know I wasn’t too happy
with her at the moment either.
“Perhaps you can tell me about Harvard?” Dad said, trying to ease the tension. “You graduated at seventeen?” he asked. His arm had gone around Mom and his fingers appeared to be soothing her shoulder.
“Sure yeah, but I’ve never even seen the campus. I just… took the tests and got my degree. So there’s not much to tell.”
“But Business? That seems… well I might have expected you to excel in one of the sciences.”
I could tell that the guards were listening closely. And clearly enjoying every tidbit he was dropping them. “I figured you two already had that area covered and business seemed a good alternative. Besides, as it turns out, I’m not such a bad healer after all. I must get that from Mom,” I told him.
Mom glanced at me. “You never told me you could heal? How long have you had the gift?”
I thought about it for a while. “I think I was a teenager the first time. I fused a broken bone, nothing major. Lately I’ve had a little more practice,” I replied mildly.
She seemed to mull that over as we rode along in silence. When we reached the hotel, Calvin and Nate climbed out and looked around, then held the door for us. Apparently we’d fooled the press momentarily, but I didn’t think it was going to last long. Dean turned the car over to the valet. The doorman got the door and the seven of us moved into the building, our guards clearing a path through the lobby to the elevators. Around the room heads turned and all eyes tracked us curiously. The sound of Mom’s and my heels on the parquet floor seemed loud. Somewhere off to my left I heard someone whisper ‘Elves’ and had to smile. Yep… there be Elves and Dragons here!
I followed my parents to the table and we were seated immediately. It was next to the window with a fabulous view of the city and the Bay Bridge. The fog hadn’t yet set in and I could see the lights from Oakland across the water. I wondered who we’d displaced to get such a prime corner spot as the staff fawned over us in a most alarming manner. Our guards took up positions around us and tried to fade into the walls. It’s hard to be inconspicuous when you are a really tall, extremely buff, attractive man dressed all in black. People just tend to notice. Dean ended up standing near my chair. With his arms crossed over his chest, he was drawing nearly as much attention from the women in the room as my Mom and I. Of course Dad was no slacker either so maybe it was just us in general.
My eyes swept the crowd and widened when I caught sight of the table over in the other corner. Oh no! Gareth and Jace were so going to kill me, I thought as my eyes met first Bodark’s, then Alan’s. Thank God Nick had selected the restaurant because none of my men were going to believe this was a coincidence. Damn! I couldn’t even hope they’d ignore me because Bodark had already pushed up from his chair and was headed in my direction trailing Alan and their other two dinner guests.
“Someone you know?” Dad asked, as he turned to glance over his shoulder and frowned at the four approaching men.
“Well, this is a treat. You are about to meet at least two of San Francisco’s most wanted. Though I’m fairly sure their pictures don’t appear on any Post Office walls,” I muttered, then forced myself to smile as Bodark lifted an eyebrow at me from half way across the room. His pale grey eyes looked amused at my comment. Obviously there wasn’t anything wrong with his hearing, and I was wishing I’d had the foresight to sit with my back to the room instead of the window. That’s what I get for being polite and giving up the view.
Dad shifted his chair closer to Mom and placed his arm across the back while his silver eyes tracked the four headed in our direction. All of our guards turned to me with worried looks. It was clear they knew who we were dealing with here and weren’t sure how to proceed. I waved them back, letting them know it was okay and they could let the others approach. Their bodies remained tense but they held their ground at my request. Something I was certain none of my lovers would have done.
“This is a pleasant surprise, Princess,” Bodark commented as he came to a stop between my Dad and me.
“Good evening, Bodark, and thank you for the flowers. The key was… amusing,” I told him, lifting my hand as he reached for it. He bent at the waist and brushed back my sleeve, taking a second to study the bracelet before he smiled and gently kissed my knuckles.
“I see you’ve added it to your collection. Dare I hope?” he told me, his voice sounding very pleased. I yanked back my hand and did some staring of my own. I hadn’t noticed earlier but there, hanging on the chain was the little golden key he’d given me. I know I’d left in the drawer next to my bed! But here it was, swinging along side a perfect miniature spotted jaguar figurine. The jaguar was leaping through the air and looked sleek and dangerous. Apparently Alan had done more than just slobber over my hands earlier and I noted with some dismay that I’d been robbed. My bracelet was now missing my little gold dragon. My eyes lifted to Alan who had stopped next to Bodark. His face was covered in a sly grin, and if we hadn’t been in mixed company I might well have done him bodily harm. I think he sensed it because his grin widened and he too reached for my hand.
It was all I could do to keep from hissing at him while he brushed the back of my knuckles. “Lexi,” he purred. “A charming surprise.” I smiled tightly, my eyes promising dire things.
“I’m going to need that back,” I told him tightly. I’m sure the others thought I was referring to my hand but I was positive Alan knew exactly what I was talking about.
“Hmmm,” he replied, then released my fingers and smoothed his hand down the front of his suit, drawing my eyes to his tie and the tie pin currently holding it. I bit the inside of my cheek and felt my nostrils flare at his audacity. The damn man had had it mounted in gold and was wearing it for all to see! His look said ‘I’d love for you to try and take it from me’. I looked away from him before I did something I might regret, while he chuckled softly.
“My gaze swung to the others and it was all I could do to keep from screaming. Bodark glanced between the two of us and made it a point to introduce the first of their dining companions. Him I recognized instantly. May I present Jared Detry, current Leo of our Werelion Pride? I believe you might have already met?” he told me with an innocent smile. Yes how could I forget? I’d only caused the poor man to wet himself then pass out on the floor of Jace and Gareth’s club. Well technically, Kit had probably had more to do with that than me.
“Hello,” I replied then tried not to blush. His eyes were a pale brown in a too pretty face, surrounded by a very thick head of light brown hair. In male lions the amount of mane usually correlated directly to sexual maturity. Judging by Jared’s luxurious do, one might say he was very potent indeed. Jace had hinted that the man preferred men to women but even in the wild, male lions tended to exhibit bisexual tendencies. I couldn’t help wondering and turned a sly assessing look on Alan and Bodark. I struggled not to laugh when they both stiffened.
“It’s a pleasure to be… formally introduced. I hope you will forgive my manners at our last encounter. I was distraught, and you looked tasty. I assure you there was no insult intended. In fact it was quite the opposite,” I explained. The man stared at me in surprise, then his lips parted slowly to reveal even white teeth. Jace may be right, but he was also dead wrong.
“Tasty…” He repeated then chuckled softly and added. “It is an honor, Princess.” And he too pressed his lips to the back of my hand. I caught the look of irritation that passed through Alan’s eyes as I shifted my glance to the fourth and last man who was watching the interaction curiously, and waiting calm as death to be introduced. I could feel the cold coming off him, and though his skin held no pallor, I was careful to not stare directly into his eyes.
“May I present Blake Chrisanti?” Alan informed me, his eyes studying me as he added. “Blake is Valentine’s Lieutenant Master.”
Hmmm, Valentine’s second in command and right hand. This was interesting. I couldn’t help wondering if Alan was going to regret this introduction and worry that opportunit
y might be slipping through his fingers. I turned my full attention on Blake and leaned forward while my eyes stared up at him, just slightly off center. It was a trick I’d picked up years ago. I’d never had a Vamp bespell me. I wasn’t sure if it was even possible but better safe than sorry.
Blake’s voice was a warm caress, full of old world charm and heavy southern accent, which made me smile as he bent over my hand and whispered. “I’ve heard much about you, Princess. The whispers of your beauty do not do you justice. And I am delighted to meet you in person.”
“Hmmm,” I murmured as his lips touched my skin and I felt the cold press of his teeth against me. I went still as it dawned on me that I’d just placed myself in an extremely venerable position. If he blooded me I’d be obligated to kill him rather than risk allowing him, and perhaps Valentine through him, any kind of hold over me. I thought about the chopsticks in my hair, wondering briefly if I’d need them. Then the pressure lightened and I felt instead a stirring in my blood, which was really rather naughty of him but that at least wasn’t going to get him killed. When he released me and stood, I placed my hand in my lap with a sigh and turned to glance at my parents.
“My Mother, Princess Shaylee Helyanwe and my Father Roark… Silver,” I replied, watching closely as all four of them looked like I’d just struck them over the head. Well, if the little men in white coats weren’t coming to get me, there seemed to be no reason to hide in the closet anymore. And hey! I’d just managed to come out, in a very big way. Besides it was payback for my childhood. Mom would just have to deal.
Bodark recovered first and bowed from the waist. “I’m honored,” he replied and the other three murmured similar sentiments.
Blake quickly rearranged his features to cover his shock and turned back to me, his attempt at bland not quite hiding the urgency in his eyes. “Perhaps we could tempt you to join us down stairs after your dinner for some dancing? I… we would very much enjoy the opportunity to speak with you.” I could almost feel the weight of his need pressing in on me as I glanced at my parents and nodded.
Dragon Rage Page 14