BAIT
Book 1 of the Angler’s series
by
Annie Nicholas
Sent on a mission to lure Budapest’s vampire Overlord into a trap, Connie Bence is instead caught red-handed by the dark Casanova. Her employer has concrete proof of the dubious leader’s misdeeds but she is surprised when this ruthless killer offers her protection and rescues her from his own kind. It plants seeds of doubt in her mind and she begins to question his guilt.
Now she is thrown into his world where blackmail determines her every move and where she must betray those she cares about or let them die. The stakes are high. She either puts her trust in Rurik or leads him to his execution.
Love or life.
Smashwords Edition
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Published on Smashwords by:
Annie Nicholas
Bait: Angler
Copyright 2010 by Annie Nicholas
ISBN 978-1-59578-644-9
Editor: Ansley Blackstock
Cover Artist: April Martinez
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
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CONTENTS
Catch Book 2 The Angler’s series
* * * * *
Live bait made all the difference, pretty much a no-brainer. If the prey hungered, it was best to use someone like me.
I needed to attract my quarry’s attention so I dressed outside the Budapest nightlife norm. The beautiful, exotic eastern European women filled the place with their form fitting, dark clothes and smoky make-up. This fashion did not complement my five foot, two inch, olive skinned, ‘holy cow she’s got curves’ frame.
Instead, I tousled my shoulder-length, dark-blond curls and applied a little lip gloss. The high-waisted, filmy white dress, which possessed a neckline low enough I had better not sneeze, with the silver stiletto heels, made me a beacon. Time I hooked me a monster and reeled him in.
The popular nightclub jammed, and on any other night I’d be having a great time, but the crush of people made it difficult to spot anyone. Even with heels I’d have trouble seeing Rurik. I twisted and swung my hips to the pounding music as I grooved across the sunken dance floor. Tables stood around the edges so the patrons could watch.
I should have shimmied instead of turned when someone’s elbow made contact with my forehead. Flailing, I tottered on my heels, tripped over someone’s foot, and landed on the empty staircase.
Legs sprawled, white dress twisted too high and pulled too low, I gripped my throbbing head in surprise as the world spun. I was the picture of American class abroad.
A shadow blocked out the colored lights reflecting off the mirrored walls. It distracted me from my revealing predicament. Large, strong hands grasped my shoulders. I gazed up and my heart raced.
Rurik. The target I had hunted for in every ruin-club, open-air party, and disco in Budapest. A delicious, hunky, make-me-swoon vampire.
He lifted me to my stiletto-laden feet.
Most people don’t believe in vampires, thinking them myth or legend. I know otherwise. My job comprised of luring these monsters to their executioner.
I was bait.
Rurik said something in Hungarian.
Tourists had a better grasp on the language than I did. I shook my head. “English?” My heart hammered faster than the music’s beat. I’d searched weeks for him and he found me, I couldn’t have planned a better scenario.
His cold, arctic, eyes bore into mine. Even with me wearing heels he towered over me. I couldn’t help but admire his dark, slicked back hair, exposing fine sculpted cheekbones, a narrow face, and a set of full lush lips—all male and very tasty.
Once assured I could stand on my own, he released m e, and brought my hand to his mouth to brush those lush lips against my knuckles. “You’re an unexpected treasure, my angel,” he translated over the loud music.
“Thanks.” I’d lost hope of ‘bumping ‘ into him and just complied with Colby’s—my employer’s—routine orders. Seduce him into following me to the hotel room close by where they waited.
Vampire or not, he provoked a forbidden lust. I was still a woman, after all.
Rurik belonged on the cover of GQ. His black Italian suit contrasted nicely with his white dress shirt and pale skin, tailored to fit his athletic build. Everything about him was simple and elegant.
Everything except the ring on his left pinky finger. A gold antique, with a rock set in it big enough to choke on. Only the Overlord of a city could wear such a ring. It symbolized his power—like a king’s crown.
His hand trailed up my arm, to touch the thin, white fabric of my dress. He said something but the music drowned him out. I didn’t really need to hear him. The hunger in his eyes told me everything. He liked me.
“Do you still want to dance?” He shouted and gestured to the packed floor.
“No, I think I should quit while I’m ahead.” I pointed to my forehead, where a welt throbbed with my racing heart.
He chuckled. “Then let me buy you a drink. My name is Rurik.” His grasp tightened on my arm as he led me away from the dance floor. The corners of his mouth lifted into a small pleasant smile as he turned from me. It wouldn’t do to flash fang and scare dinner away.
It irked me he just assumed I’d say ‘yes ‘ to his invitation. I stuffed my annoyance to the back of my mind, I didn’t have the luxury for personal preferences, and I had a role to play.
We made our way through the throng of Saturday night cruisers to a table in a secluded corner. Some men sat there, then stood upon our arrival, and moved to join others who hovered within eyesight of the table. Rurik’s guards. Things were quieter here; we could talk instead of yell.
He assisted me to a chair, then slid his closer to mine. Close enough to touch. “Are you American?”
A server walked up and set a bottle of Popov vodka in front of us with two shot glasses.
“Last time I checked.” The smell of his mild, spiced cologne drifted around me.
He laughed at my wiseass remark and filled the shot glasses, placing one in my hand.
“I don’t drink,” I confessed. “It goes straight to my head,” I lied.
“Then bottoms up.” He leaned forward, slipped his arm around mine, and tossed his vodka down.
Playing along, I faked taking a small sip, but he moved his arm up quick, and tipped my glass to a steeper angle. The contents emptied down my throat and burned as it cascaded to my stomach. I coughed and grimaced at the awful taste. Vodka never was my drink of choice.
My annoyance grew to outrage. I bit the inside of my cheeks; worried the verbal lashing on the tip of my tongue would slip out. Forced to flirt with this obnoxious creep wasn’t worth my pay, but not all my job satisfaction came from the bank. I would enjoy watching Colby stake this jerk.
Rurik smiled tight-lipped. “Forgive me. I couldn’t resist the temptation.” He brushed a wayward curl from my face.
I leaned into his touch—even though I wanted to pour the vodka over his head—and forced a smile. Talented enough to put laughter into my eyes while thinking violent thoughts made me good at my job.
He filled the glasses again, amusement sparkling in his eyes.
I glared at the repulsive drink instead of at him, and tried to pull the reins on my mounting temper. His phenomenal packaging must only be skin deep.
Rurik gave a gentle laugh. “You’re angry with me.”
Perceptive. “I told you, I don’t want to drink.” He was a real detective, this one. I smiled at him, putting an extra quirk to my lips. “Angry is a strong word, though. Life’s too short to be angry.”
Waving the waiter over, he ordered something I couldn’t understand, then returned his attention to me. “You haven’t told me your name.”
I stopped giving my shot glass the evil eye. The vodka stirred my stomach something fierce, yet called to my old vices. “I’m Connie Bence.” I offered him my hand. Damn, his arrogance distracted me and I gave him my real name. Just call me competent.
“Nice to meet you, Connie.” He took my hand and traced lazy circles in my palm. “Such a sweet morsel should have a name like...” His gaze lifted from my hand and pinned me to the chair . “Rabbit.”
My already angry stomach rebelled. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and focused by visualizing myself not being sick on my target. That would be two weeks of hard work down the drain, literally.
“That’s lovely, Rurik, but I prefer Connie.” I peeked and saw Rurik had moved in closer.
His eyes followed the shape of my face, down the lines of my neck, to the curves of my breasts. “I’ve noticed you before tonight, Rabbit, at other clubs.”
I blinked. He’d noticed me before tonight? Why had he waited until now to introduce himself? A chill crept up my spine. I learned to listen to those instincts. It was time to bail out.
My employer, Colby, would be pissed. I didn’t know all the details of this case, I never did. He would cast me out to a choice location and hope I’d bring in his prize. He led a group of mercenaries I met a year ago, in Las Vegas, who taught me the ropes of my job. They scraped me from the bottom of a bottle and gave me a new life. I owed them.
Colby only dusted vampires gone bad—those who killed. If he accepted a contract, it meant he had concrete proof, and he wanted Rurik. That’s all I needed to know.
A hand on my knee startled me from my worries. “I’ve resisted your temptations, but unfortunately you’ve caught someone else’s notice.” Rurik’s fingers traced along the inside of my thigh. They caressed their way up, making contact with the hem of my very short dress.
My skin tingled but not from his touch.
An aura of power drew around my mental shields. His strength of will felt solid. It wrapped around me like a warm lover on a cold winter’s day. Comfortable and secure, I wanted to give in, tired of the long, cold winter my soul experienced this past year. His power was deep and throbbing. It spoke of age and experience, more than what I’d ever dealt with.
It drew me in. Invited me to come out from behind the mental walls I’d built.
I knew better. If I did, the chances of my winning that deadly contest were nil. He’d own me. I needed to allow him to seduce me, then bring him to Colby, not get caught by mind tricks. My mental shields were built well and strong, yet he hammered at them.
Sweat trickled down my back. I’d never struggled with anyone so strong. Most humans wouldn’t have noticed such an intrusion but Colby trained me well.
I met his stare and opened my legs.
Rurik raised his eyebrows and his smile widened. My distraction worked and the assault eased. “You never seemed interested in partying at any of these clubs. Just mingled, roughed up the men who got too personal. Are you going to rough me up, Rabbit?” His voice caressed me as fingers climbed my thigh to trail along my silk panties.
Bad guy or not, my libido really liked him. I had better taste than this but his naughty behavior and arrogance appealed to my darker nature—the one that wanted to be punished.
The waiter disrupted our intimate moment as he placed a drink on the table. Rurik didn’t move away. He remained glued to me, one arm around the back of my chair, the other warming my loins. But mentally his attack continued to ease off. The blanket of power fell away as I focused on the waiter.
Rurik nibbled on my ear—my major weakness—which shot shivers along my sides. “I ordered you something milder to drink. It’s a local delicacy, a blend of fruit juices. No alcohol.” He handed me the drink.
“Thank you. I’m parched from all the dancing.” It tasted like ambrosia after the vodka. It slid over my tongue and instantly relieved my thirst. “It’s wonderful. I haven’t tasted anything like it on my visit here.”
Rurik ran his hand through my soft curls. He didn’t bother with the mind tricks anymore. Instead, he looked down my dress.
I thrust the girls out. “Enjoying the view?”
He chuckled. “Immensely. You have such a natural, sweet beauty. Very old world. Lovely skin, soft hair, beautiful eyes and such feminine ... curves.” His fingers started to explore more than the silk of my undergarment.
I clamped my legs together and laid a hand on his. “Maybe it’s time you take me somewhere more private?” It surprised me to hear the slur in my speech. I’d only drunk the one shot and the fruit juice. The vodka must have been excellent quality to hit me that hard.
He nodded then gestured to his men to follow as we rose from the chairs.
My legs wobbled when I first stood. It concerned me. What made them so weak? Not that I’d win a race against vampires, but a stable stance gave me a better chance if things went south and I needed to run. My mental shields felt whole so I didn’t think he affected my gait. Maybe the dancing did this and I should hit the gym more often.
Rurik slipped his hand into my grasp and we left together, hand in hand, weaving through the crowds. I almost lost him as a cluster of people pushed between us to get to the bar. Lost in a sea of giants, I turned a slow circle until he returned for me.
He clasped my hands around his waist and wrapped his arms around my shoulders to keep me close, pressing our bodies together as he quickened his pace.
I grinned in satisfaction.
Colby had men planted in the club, to help protect me. He ran a tight operation and had my back. They always placed a tracking device in my clothes, just in case they lost sight of me. Tonight it hid in the hem of my dress. As long as I didn’t take it off the team would be close, waiting for me to bring Rurik to them so they could make a move.
I got the impression Rurik didn’t plan for me to wear this dress much longer. Colby better be ready.
The guards trailed around us, slinking through the crowd.
We came out a side door where a black sedan waited. One guard got in the driver’s seat while another held the back door. I stopped my forward motion. “Where are we going? I have a room just across the street.” A lightheaded spell made my ankles wobble and I gripped Rurik’s waist tighter.
He misunderstood my action, taking it as an invitation. He grabbed the back of my head and kissed me. His supple mouth brushed against mine, seductive and gentle. Not what I would have expected from a killer. It warmed the night.
I pulled away from his embrace. My thoughts blurred. Not a good sign. Alarms rang in my head. “What was in the drink?” I sounded dreamy, even to my own ears.
“No alcohol,” he replied.
That’s not what I asked.
His power built around me again.
This time my mental shields crumbled, gone on a fuzzy holiday. Where could Colby be? Rurik was too strong for me. His power swallowed me whole.
“We are going to a private party, Rabbit.”
“Connie,” I mumbled.
He sat me in the car. “It’s for an important magnate in this territory. You caught his eye the other night and I want to introduce you to him.” He placed my legs into the car and closed the door. That was nice of him. He wanted to set me up on a date.
He sat beside me and grinned. The fangs didn’t bother either of us.
“I like parties,” I announced.
“I think you’ll love this one.”
* * * * *
We arrived in the old part of the city close to the Danube River. Rurik’s guards parked the car at the mouth of a narrow, dark alley, obscured by a fog collecting close to the ground. It was late, even by Budapest standards, and the area looked deserted. The side street we took from the Danube Promenade barely allowed the car to pass through the ancient, stone buildings that surrounded us.
Rurik stepped out of the car as one of his guards came and opened my door. The euphoric psychosis I’d experienced wore off but I still felt lightheaded. Rurik appeared beside me. “Let me help you, Rabbit.” He offered his hand.
Rurik’s manners surprised me but I wouldn’t accept my captor’s assistance. Bad enough he got into my head. Even now my mental shield slipped through my control like sand. I pushed myself out and hoped to see signs of my rescue close by. When my heels bit onto the uneven cobblestone, I stumbled back onto the floorboard of the car. Crossing my arms under my breasts, I wished my heated stare could burn through him. Where the hell did he bring me and why?
He extended his hand again and fought with a smile that twitched his lips. His gaze left my face and traveled down to where I crossed my arms.
I followed his gaze. My breasts strained at the neckline.
“I really like that dress.”
I growled and released my pose to accept his hand. “You already complimented me on it.”
He chuckled as he helped me to stand and wrapped an arm around my waist to steady me. “Maybe you had too much.”
“Too much what?” Was that guilt I just saw on his face? Before I could be sure, he turned us to go down the dark, little alley.
I ground my heels to a stop. “Why do we have to go down there?”
“That’s where the party is being held.”
“In an eerie alley? Isn’t that a bit cliché?”
His smile broadened while an amused twinkle came to life in his eyes. “Yes, it is. What can I say? I’m old-fashioned.” Rurik urged me to move forward. “We’re late, so hurry.”
I wasn’t in any state to put up a fight against a quorum of vampires. “I’m not going down there with you.” When was my cavalry going to swoop in and save me? The tracking device should help them find my location.
A tremor shook my chest when I took a breath and even with the cool night air, sweat trickled down my back. “No offense but I just met you. It’s kind of unfair when it’s three against one.” The slight quiver in my voice outraged me. I turned out of his arm and gracelessly tripped again. Freaking cobblestone and stilettos don’t work well together.
I leaned against the stone building and turned so it would support me. Even if I could run they’d catch me. I knew it wasn’t the alcohol that made me feel this uncoordinated. My mental shields never crumbled when I drank. That’s another gift from Colby’s training and my past drinking habits.
Rurik’s forehead creased with a frown as he collected me in his arms. “We don’t have time for this, Rabbit.” He pulled me close and I felt his power building up again. I was helpless as he wrapped a blanket of indifference around me, lifting away my worries and leaving me ... open.
“Ready to go to the party now?”
I smiled as I pressed my body against his and gazed into his pale blue eyes. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” Then I snaked my arm around his neck to snuggle against his luscious body.
His eyes widened. “Ravishing.” He took my face in his hands and closed the distance between our lips, but shook his head before they touched. Sighing, he stepped away and laid his arm across my shoulders. “You’re not for me.”
We wove our way down the alley.
“But I like you.” The fog reflected the moonlight and made the stinking alley romantic. His strength and firm muscles under my hands bloomed desires I’d thought dead.
Rurik rang the bell next to a plain, steel, modern door cut into building. No lights or signs announced anything. I expected a secret knock or maybe a hidden peephole with someone asking the password. My disappointment must have shown on my face.
“What?” he asked.
“That was anticlimactic. I expected more than a doorbell at a secret party.”
He peered at me from the corner of his eyes but before he could respond, a bouncer opened the door. He nodded to Rurik and allowed us in.
We entered onto the landing of a wide staircase that led down to an open basement. Rurik stopped at the top and scanned the crowd. I followed his gaze through the narrow, long space, wondering who he looked for.
The sparse décor surprised me. A bare stone foundation acted as the walls, with similar pillars spaced evenly throughout the room. Small rectangular windows were set far apart, close to the ceiling and painted over in black. I couldn’t see the end of the basement since cigarette smoke veiled the room’s few lights, which obscured any clear view. The stale smell made me scrunch my nose and the music pounding from the back of the hall beat with the same rhythm of my heart .
People lounged in intimate groups on couches overflowing with cushions made of vintage fabrics in rich shades of brown, red, and gold. They conversed in low tones with each other, an occasional high laugh escaped . Some smoked, some drank, and, well, some made out.
A few turned our way and watched our arrival.
I caught myself tugging at the hem of my white dress then stopped, only to find my hands fixing my hair. Rurik’s control on me waned once more, his concentration focused on the crowd. The party’s theme seemed of darker colors and pleasures. My plan to stand out and catch Rurik’s attention backfired. I didn’t want to attract these people’s attention. I shifted over a few steps to stand behind him.
He reached back and took my hand, then gave me a gentle tug to follow him down the stairs. We drew closer to the groups. I observed several with pale skin, predatory grace, and the occasional flash of fangs. I’d never been around so many vampires before. It never occurred to me they met in social gatherings.
I knew enough about vampires to do my job. Otherwise, their way of existence was a mystery to me. Even after a year of experience, Rurik took me from that club without much effort. I’d never encountered anyone like him.
When Rurik turned his power at me it affected my mind like Valium. The more worried I got, the less it mattered. I just couldn’t care enough to be scared or fight.
My present situation grew worse and worse by the second. I should have been tearing my way out the door. Hell, I should never have walked through the door. Instead, I walked hand-in-hand with a mass killer as if we were on a stroll.
But as my grandmother would say, ‘shouldas and wouldas don’t count. ‘
This was the biggest risk of my job—being caught. I’d known it. Life expectancy for bait was short. It’s why they paid me the big bucks. I stopped planning to have a long life before I joined Colby’s team.
Rurik kept his arm around my waist as we walked by his people and their thralls. Some nodded, but most bowed as we passed.
His people parted as a ravishing dominatrix moved to intercept us. She glided over the floor wearing a full-length, black, leather, strapless gown. Her straight auburn hair reached her waist, not a strand out of place. That much grace and perfection was unnatural, and unfair.
Rurik cursed under his breath.
She approached us and offered her hand. “Rurik.” She rolled the r’s of his name, making it sound exotic.
He kissed her hand.
“You’re fashionably late again, naughty boy. You’ve left me here to entertain myself among this tiresome retinue.” She ran her gloved fingers through his hair. “You know how I get when I’m bored.”
With a devilish smile, he replied, “I’ll have to make it up to you, Mistress Elizabeth.”
“Please do, darling. Come, join me.” She gestured to a seating area close to us. A gorgeous, young man lay sprawled among the cushions on the floor. He couldn’t have been older than eighteen, just a boy by my standards. He lay so still. A bite mark at the base of his neck cleared up what type of entertainment she partook.
I stepped toward the boy to check on him but Rurik held me tight. Then I noticed his bare chest move with a deep, slow breath. At least he lived.
“Soon, Lizzy.” Rurik gestured to me. “I need to deliver my gift to him. Do you know where he is?”
Rurik wanted to give me away, like a toy at Christmas. I glanced down at my dress and grimaced at my choice. It wouldn’t take him, whoever he was, long to unwrap me. Damn, damn, damn. I feared this unknown vampire would be much worse than Rurik. Better to stick with the monster I knew.
She nodded in my direction. “She’s a doll, so fresh and pretty.” It should have been a compliment but she pursed her lips, like she’d bitten into something distasteful. “Give her to me instead, Rurik. It’s been so long since you’ve offered me a gift.” She looked me up and down. I had the ridiculous urge to laugh. Now I knew what a hot fudge sundae felt like when I looked at it that way.
The laugh died in my throat, however, as I saw the hunger for me bloom on her face. Unbelievably, I found myself trusting Rurik for my protection. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed myself against him.
She placed those long fingered hands on her hips. “He won’t care if you give her to me instead. What’s mine is his and what’s his is mine.”
“We both know it hasn’t been that way for decades, Lizzy,” Rurik whispered. “I can’t risk his displeasure right now. If he wants you to have her, he’ll give her over to you himself.”
Her eyes narrowed. “He doesn’t need any more distractions.” Her sharp words carried power and authority. “Give her to me.”
At the snap of her command, I fought the desire to obey and run to her arms. I must have tightened my death grip on Rurik’s waist because he stroked my hair and smiled at me.
“Everything will be alright, Rabbit.” His beautiful eyes offered me the reassurance I needed. He returned his attention to Lizzy and shook his head in denial.
“He barely has time for those worthy of his attentions.” She pouted and made it clear that she was one of the worthy.
“You’ve never lacked my attentions. Soon none of this will matter.” He pried my arms off him and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek.
The way she looked at him left no doubt her thoughts were not chaste. Lizzy focused back on me as she circled around, inspecting all my little details, like I was up for auction.
“She’s plain.”
Plain? At least I wasn’t a scary-ass bitch. Rurik placed his finger under my chin and turned my face toward him.
“Connie is lovely. As the host of this gathering, it’s traditional that I offer him entertainment.” The slight shake of his head warned me to be quiet as he removed his hand from my chin. His attentions returned to Mistress Elizabeth. “Let me deliver sweet Connie to him so I can return to entertain you.”
“When did you become a traditionalist?”
“I’m not, but he is.” Rurik slipped his arm around me. His face remained pleasant but I felt his body tense.
“You shouldn’t have picked such an innocent girl. It’s so cruel.”
“Isn’t that what he expects me to be? Cruel?” He grinned at her. “Connie is plain in comparison to your beauty. Let me finish with this business and I’ll return shortly.” His charms worked enough to persuade her to return to the nest of cushions. She glided back to her young, foolish snack.
I glanced at the boy, worried for his fate.
Rurik whispered in my ear, “Don’t worry. She won’t kill him. It’s not allowed, even for her.”
She ran her hand along the boy’s bare, lean chest. “He’s towards the back, Rurik. Playing games with Tane and his kindred.”
Rurik maneuvered me deeper into the hall. We passed more guests too busy amusing themselves to pay us any heed. They lay in a pile of tangled bodies on a nest of cushion, feeding. I imagined it would be different. Hands stroked through hair, lips met, and fangs pierced smooth skin. No one fought or screamed, just quiet sensual touching. Almost erotic.
I didn’t notice that I’d stopped to watch until Rurik whispered in my ear, “We can sit and enjoy the show if you’d like. I’m really in no hurry to return to that bitch.” His warm breath brushed against my skin.
“No.” My voice sounded hoarse. The eerie scene made me morbidly curious, like watching at a car wreck. They all seemed to enjoy themselves, but the blood and the bites appalled me. “You said Lizzy wouldn’t kill the boy because she wasn’t allowed. What about them?”
What about him? We hunted Rurik for just that crime.
“Killing attracts too much public attention to our kind.” He pressed himself against my back as he quietly spoke into my hair. I watched this intimate moment between predator and prey while I felt his warm breath against the nape of my neck. It gave me a flutter of confusing emotions.
His firm body along mine aroused me. When he continued his explanation, I almost missed it. “Our governing body has worked very hard over the centuries to make mankind dismiss us.” His hands wandered down my hips, gathered the hem of my dress, and touched my skin. The brush of his fingernails along my thighs caught my breath. “We need to protect our obscurity, even if it is against our nature.”
“You agree with this?” If he did, maybe Colby had mistaken his target and I could seduce Rurik to keep me for himself instead of passing off as a present. Distract him long enough for my rescue to find me.
“I don’t have to agree with it, just abide by it. We are predators, Connie. We need the hunt...” He leaned in closer from behind so his lips brushed the base of my neck, running his fangs along my skin. “And the chase.” He continued tasting me until he came close to my ear once more. “We all have our weaknesses, our favorite types of prey. You caught his attention at the hot springs last night and fit his tastes. He won’t be able to resist you.” Rurik took a deep shaky breath and stepped away from me. “It’s why I brought you here.”
I turned to face him and slid my hands along his chest to his shoulders. If I stood on tippy toe my lips almost touched his. “You could keep me.” It wouldn’t be all bad to let him have me, as long as I could get past the fangs and keep my dress with the tracking device close by.
His expression changed from a flirtatious playboy, to one of regret. “No, I can’t.” He stared toward the back of the basement then back at me and scratched his chin. “I’ll make you a deal, though. If you do your best to please him, I’ll help you survive the night.”
My heart skipped a beat and I plunked back onto my heels. “How?”
“I’ll watch over you.”
“You won’t dump me for Lizzy first chance you get?”
His cold stare told me his opinion of that action.
I got the impression Rurik didn’t mean a little flirting when he said ‘please him’. “What do I need to do?” How far would I go? I’d like to think I’d keep my dignity but knew I’d dance the can-can, naked in a pool of chocolate syrup, to save my ass.
“I need him to feed from you. It’s what he’ll want the most.”
“You’ll make sure he won’t drink me dry?” I hated the insecurity in my voice, the sound of my plea.
Rurik stroked my cheek. “It’s against our laws and we’re at a public event. He should behave himself. I’ll make an effort to stay close to you and intervene if he starts to harm you.”
That didn’t comfort me. Fighting was suicidal, nowhere to run, and no one to care about my cries for help. It came down to placing myself on the menu while I waited for my rescue by Colby. Damn, I was screwed.
I prayed the tracking signal could penetrate these stone walls. What was taking them so long? Could they even take on this many vampires? We usually ambushed one at a time, not a truckload.
The display of sensuous feasting next to us quieted. Rurik took my hand, then led us toward the music and my fate.
We reached a gathering of tall muscled vampires, more a gang of thugs in comparison to the refined guards who followed Rurik. My heart raced as some of them assessed me. Their eyes roved over my body, one of them touched my hair as I squeezed by him.
They laughed as I scurried away from him and almost ran Rurik over.
He looked over his shoulder and frowned. “Easy, Rabbit.”
I rubbed my sweaty palms on my dress.
“Is that really her name?” Touchy-feely pointed at me. “We haven’t done much but arm wrestle tonight. Maybe we can have a little game of chase?”
“I provided you with other sport for this evening, gentlemen. This one’s for...”
“Rurik.” A soft, commanding voice interrupted him. The group parted as someone approached. “It’s about time you joined us.”
My legs became rubbery as Rurik brought me to him.
“Master.” Rurik bent down to one knee, offering up my hand. “I’ve brought you a gift.”
* * * * *
“A gift? Why Rurik, you shouldn’t have.” The master’s soft voice cut through all the background noise. His aura and presence made people hush to hear him speak.
He moved in closer and loomed over me. My eyes only came up to his massive chest, a buttoned up black leather vest barely contained it. His pale skin looked translucent, like it hadn’t seen the sun in a very, very long time. A black tribal tattoo wrapped around his bald head, down his neck, and disappeared under the vest. Misshapen pointed ears sported a set of gold loop earrings.
I glanced into his black soulless eyes. Where Rurik made me think all kinds of naughty things, his master made me think all kinds of dreadful things. Most vampires could pass for human with some effort. Not him. I doubted he could ever blend in.
“I’ve never been courted by a man, Rurik. Then again, times have changed.”
The surrounding vampires laughed.
Rurik’s eyes narrowed but a slick politician’s smile camouflaged his face. He gave a little laugh and nod but I stood close enough to hear him grind his teeth.
His master signaled for him to stand up. “Of all my Lords, you’re the last I expected to offer such a gift.”
“I know my duties, Master Dragos. If you don’t like her then Mistress Elizabeth has asked for her.”
I twisted and stared daggers at him. Even I understood Lizzy’s relationship with this vampire was on the rocks. Why bring her up and piss him off?
Dragos frowned.
Then I realized Rurik’s intention. Dragos probably wouldn’t give me to Lizzy now that he knew she’d asked for me. Such a clever, devious vampire my quarry showed himself to be.
Rurik held himself with confidence against these hardened men. Where he was refined and sleek, they were coarse and frightening, like a panther confronting a pack of wolves. Yet they were both predators.
Then it dawned on me that Rurik had called Dragos, Master. I didn’t know a city’s lord could have a master. I’d been taught the cities were independent of each other, like little vampire countries. Unless this Master just took over Budapest. But that couldn’t be it. Rurik still wore the ring. When he spoke of a governing body earlier I thought he meant just Budapest.
What a horrifying theory. Colby really needed this information but my own incompetence had me trapped. It irked me to be so dependent on their rescue. I’d been in an emotional coma for the past year and never cared to accept Colby’s offer to help me master some combat moves. In hindsight, it seemed somewhat suicidal, considering my job description. This experience defibrillated me of my indifference—I wanted to live.
Dragos paced around me. His eyes travelled up my legs, over my hips, and hesitated at my breasts, before glancing at my face. He examined me like a mare. He stepped close to touch my skin, my curls, then brought his face down to smell them.
“Lavender.” His comment sent a jolt of surprise through me. It was my favorite scent to wear. He entwined his fingers with mine and drew me closer.
Rurik held me tight for a moment before he let me go. “Her name is Rabbit.” He observed the surrounding men and I followed his gaze. Some were longhaired, some short, some bulky, some lean—they all looked like fighters. Among all this brawn, I felt very small and fragile, but I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of knowing it.
I ignored a quiver in my chest. There would be no crying, maybe some screaming, definitely no crying. I’d done all the crying I was ever going to do in the past year.
Creatures such as vampires liked to hunt the frail and weak. They probably smelled my fear. I couldn’t help being frail but I’d make them think twice before they thought I was weak.
Movement behind Master Dragos caught my attention. Someone else came up to inspect me. He resembled Dragos more than the others with his bald head and very pale skin. He also had pointed ears and bore a similar tattoo on his neck that extended down under his torn red t-shirt. He and Dragos seemed more monster than men.
Dragos didn’t even turn to see who approached. “What do you think, Tane?”
“I think slick and sneaky Rurik plays at politics too much of late, and forgets to tend to his own.” He looked from me back to Dragos. “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts, Master.”
“We’ve come to Budapest to make peace, Tane. To settle our differences.” He glanced at Rurik. “I like her and I accept your gracious gift.” He pressed me against his broad chest then stroked my hair. His finger entwined in my curls and he gently pulled my head back to examine my face. The pounding of my heart deafened me. It thumped hard against my ribcage in response to his cold touch. Long, sharp nails scraped my scalp as his fist tightened.
I usually dealt with small time vampires, like rogues or gang members, nothing at this level of power. It was like a rookie cop dealing with the mob boss.
I was speechless—I didn’t know what to say to my worst nightmare. ‘Please don’t eat me, ‘ came to mind.
He smiled then said something in what sounded like Hungarian.
I tried to shake my head. “English?”
His eyes widened. “American? I assumed you were Hungarian all this time.” He looked at Rurik. “I wondered why you spoke in English.”
Tane stepped up quickly and whispered to the master. “She’s heard too much, she should be destroyed. Feed from her and be done with it.”
I tensed reflexively when I overheard. Struggling was useless, it was like going against Superman, but I couldn’t stop my reaction.
Dragos shushed me by placing a finger across my lips and released my hair. He twisted to face Tane. “You’re scaring my pet. When did you start fearing ... rabbits?”
Tane bowed his head and stepped away.
His smile grew into a grin. Sharp fangs glistened in the pale light as he returned to me. “I remember you from the hot springs on Margaret Island last night. Your presence is hard to forget.” The Master cocked his head. “You’re far from home.”
No shit. I clenched my hands into fists, digging my nails into my palms. The pain drove back the sob that waited in my throat. “I’m on vacation.” I still felt lightheaded from whatever Rurik put in my drink but it could be from fear as well.
“Budapest in spring is quite lovely. Are you enjoying yourself?”
The surreal conversation made my head spin more. “I wanted more adventure in my life.”
“I think you’ve found it.” He traced the edge of my dress ‘ neckline. The smooth, icy sensation of his fingertips as they ran along my bosom reminded me of marble. It made me squirm with unease.
“Do you know how to dance, Rabbit?”
“A little.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, I could move to a beat. Rhythm lived in my bones but nothing trained or classical.
He released his hold on me and gripped my hand to lead me away from my so-called ‘protection’.
I looked back at Rurik and he watched us with a scowl. Slick bastard turned the table on me so effortlessly—I’d gone from being bait, to being trapped. I wasn’t the only one giving him the eye, Tane stood to the side observing him as well. I understood completely. Rurik was a clever, devious, jerk who better keep his end of the bargain and protect me. What could I possibly do if he didn’t? Sue him?
We continued moving further away from the entrance. The crowd parted and kept their eyes on us as we moved. Tension filled the air as we passed Rurik’s people. I could see fear in their eyes. They weren’t alone. It was probably visible in mine, too.
We didn’t go far before we reached the end of the basement. The dance area wasn’t much, just a cleared section of the cement floor. Three women danced together. They left when they saw us approach.
Dragos left me at the edge of the dance floor as he addressed the gathering audience.
“Our gracious host, your Lord Rurik, has offered us a gift.” He gestured to me. “We will entertain him with a dance in gratitude.” Applause and whistles followed this announcement.
This announcement hit me like a truck. I stepped back, my pulse pounded in my ears as my hands began to sweat. Not for the reasons you’d think. Not because vampires surrounded me, or I’d been given to the scary Master of the Lord of Budapest. No, I was about to be made to dance in front of all of them. When I danced on a crowded floor surrounded by other people, I could move to the rhythm as I wanted, and no one watched. Dragos and I had this floor all to ourselves.
I felt a hand support my elbow. Rurik stood next to me, a concerned look on his face. He’d followed us. A small surge of pleasure surprised me at his keeping his promise. Now I needed to keep mine and be a midnight snack.
My hand clasped at his. “I-I can’t do this.”
He smiled at me. “Do what?” He knew what, he just wanted to torture me.
“Dance in front of all these people,” I hissed back.
“You see us as people? That’s a good beginning, Rabbit.”
“What?” I was too nervous to follow the sharp twist in the conversation.
“Most humans would have said monsters, not people.”
Here I was in the throes of massive stage fright and I had Dr. Phil analyzing me. Who cared? People, monsters—they all had eyes pointed at me.
He chuckled. “You are entertaining.” He lifted my chin to look into my eyes. “I can help by influencing your mind, like outside in the alley.” His smile softened. “I swore to protect you if I could, but let him feed if he wants. This will make him happy. He likes to show off, especially in front of my people, so don’t struggle. It excites him too much and he will hurt you more than necessary. Are you willing to keep your end of the bargain?”
I didn’t see that coming. I took a shaky breath. “How much influencing are we talking about?” It would be nice to keep something in my head intact. No one knew the side effects of multiple mind invasions.
“Just a little, enough to get you through the dance,” he whispered back.
“Okay.” I wanted to get it over with before my anxiety consumed me. I expected something like earlier, a warm wave that made me feel carefree, but he changed it. Just a trickle of warmth flushed through me. My anxiety fled and was replaced by self-assurance.
I could do this—the dance we were going to perform was easy.
Dragos removed his vest and left it on the floor. The strong line of his back extended down to a slim waist. He filled his form fitting leather pants, leaving little to the imagination.
A local song I’d heard over and over in the bars thumped from the speakers.
I strutted out to Dragos.
“Are you ready, my little rabbit?” He placed one of my hands on his shoulder and we began a simple fast waltz. The tension in my arms and legs eased as he moved us around the dance floor. I flowed with the movement as he led us faster and faster with the music. My curls began to whip around my face with each quick turn. I knew where he wanted me to step as he spun us around and around, until I could only focus on him. He was power and control. Being in the center of it with him was as sweet and deadly as Rurik’s fruit juice ambrosia.
He suddenly stopped to twirl me on my toes.
My breath caught as I wound down around his leg and rested on the floor by his feet. It must have looked great since everyone erupted in applause.
Rurik stood across from us. He clapped and laughed with the others but when his gaze met mine, I saw the amusement didn’t reach his eyes.
Dragos lifted me to my feet and startled a little cry from me. He placed my hands on the solid expanse of his chest, while he put his own hands behind his back. He pushed me back across the dance floor, shifting us around with unnatural grace for a man his size.
We came to the edge of the crowd. He wrapped his arms around me and we started our waltz once more. This time he had us bending our torsos together with the spin. My back arched and pressed us together as he supported my weight with his hands. When had I become so flexible? I laughed out loud. I’d always wanted to be able to dance like this and given the situation, it was hilarious.
He grinned, exposing all his teeth. We slowed down to a stop in each other’s arms. Then he bent me back slowly into a deep, deep dip that made my knees bend with the arching of my back.
He ran the tip of his tongue from my low neckline between my breasts up slowly to the hollow of my neck. Alarms and gongs clanged in my head. My stomach churned at his touch.
I was in deep shit.
He nipped gently at the sensitive skin along my collarbone and pressed me against him as his mouth found the pulse point on my neck.
I tensed with expectation. This was it. My first bite and I hoped I survived.
He suddenly dropped me on my head. It exploded with pain and stars danced before my eyes.
The next thing I knew Rurik knelt by my shoulders and guided me to stand. Dragos was gone and people turned to the entrance of the basement in alarm. Rurik shoved me behind his back and I wobbled on loose knees, so he kept one of his hands around my waist to help my balance.
There were cries of dismay and Dragos men mobilized as his voice barked orders. That’s when I saw the first UV light grenade go off.
My cavalry had arrived.
* * * * *
The music quieted and inhuman high pitched screeches filled the smoky air of the dimly lit basement. Sounds of a fight erupted toward the entrance but grew closer. Another UV grenade went off and the basement air grew thick with ash. They were like low intensity balls of sunlight but they needed to be on top of the vampire to be effective. If I got to close to one I’d have more than sunburn. Colby must be desperate to use them in such tight quarters.
Rurik herded me toward the stone wall.
I crouched to the floor and pressed myself against the cool surface while he towered over me to face the oncoming assault. His actions surprised me. I knew he promised to protect me but I was impressed a vampire would follow through on his word.
Tane appeared beside him. “It’s a group of humans.” He handed Rurik a handgun, which he stuck in his back waistband. “The gun won’t help much with the fight if it’s in there.”
“I don’t intend to use it unless forced to. Their bullets won’t kill me.”
“They’ve got those cursed sunlight weapons, they know what we are.” Tane glanced down at me and winked while he showed off his fangs with a big smile.
Rurik elbowed him. “Leave her alone. How did a bunch of slayers find us?”
Tane’s smile faltered and he shrugged. He pointed to the gathering mass at the entrance. “Go to the left and I’ll flank them from the right. We’ll corral them and keep them in a tight group so they can’t use the sunlight weapons.” Tane spoke without any of his earlier animosity. He’d given me the impression he hated Rurik, yet now they spoke to each other like good friends.
This switch made me more wary. These were more than just creatures of the night. Some of their human nature traversed the change to vampire. I always thought they mimicked our behavior to draw in prey but my experiences tonight changed my mind.
Gunshots startled us. Most of the crowd ducked and scattered. Rurik grabbed my arm and dragged me to the closest seating area. I gasped at the rough handling as he wedged me between a couch and a wall.
Tane shouted more orders to re-organize their defenses and they left me. Dragos, the master, was nowhere to be seen.
Short bursts of semi-automatic weapons rebounded off what sounded like the stone walls. At least one shotgun went off, leaving me somewhat deaf. Although bullets wouldn’t kill the vampires, they would hurt and slow them down. Unfortunately, they would kill me and any other humans in the crossfire.
Colby’s resources were limited. He designed operations for single takedowns, not open conflicts. There was no way Colby and his men could take on everyone here, especially the strong, powerful vampires I’d met tonight. They wouldn’t be able to reach me if I remained here at the far end of the basement. I gathered my dress around my hips and crawled on all fours to peek around the side of the couch.
A crowd formed around the sitting areas where the fight ensued. Others hid like me behind the scarce furniture, or stood by the walls to watch the action. The metallic smell of the UV grenades overwhelmed the room to a point I could almost taste it.
I didn’t have many options. A back door would have been nice, the small blackened windows were too high for me to climb out of, so I decided to make a run for it. I huddled low and moved fast. Maybe I wouldn’t get shot, stepped on, or crushed. Crouching on my heels beside the couch’s arm, I sprung up to sprint but I didn’t make it far.
Someone grabbed me by the waist and plucked me from the ground. I twisted around and prepared to gouge my assailant’s eyes out.
Rurik swung me into his arms like a child, shielding me with his body. I thought he ditched me. Even caught in this commotion the touch of his hands on my body electrified me.
Tane followed Rurik and watched his back.
Rurik heaved me onto one of his shoulders.
I struggled to get loose but his iron strong arm clamped on my legs. “Let me go.” I punched at his back, feeling helpless. Glancing up I saw Tane grin at me. I gave him the one-fingered salute and continued to wriggle out of Rurik’s grip.
He carried me back toward the wall. I could see Dragos ‘ thugs fighting. A glimpse of a tall man with short, blonde hair in army fatigues between these warriors caught my breath. Colby was about to get creamed.
The smash of glass breaking made me twist around. Rurik had broken one of the small windows. He cleared the big shards away with his hands and winced as they cut through his skin. They barely even bled. He lifted me up to the hole, shoved me through it, then shouted, “Run, Rabbit, run!” A hard slap landed on my rump and pushed me through the rest of the way through the window. It stung.
I rolled on the ground to land onto my stomach in a puddle of cold, mucky who-knows-what. The window remained empty as I watched for them to follow me out. No one came. I leaned forward to look back inside only to see the back of Rurik’s neatly combed head as he made his way into the fight again. He defended his people. My eyes widened. And he saved me.
A shiver ran down my spine. I jumped up and pulled the hem of my wet, white dress down. It stuck to my skin and didn’t want to cooperate.
The alley looked like the same one Rurik and I walked down, a dark, foggy, narrow space that would spook even someone with a limited imagination.
The gunshots would draw the local law enforcements so I needed to return to the team and disappear. Shouts near the mouth of the alley caught my attention, the voices sounded familiar. I scurried toward it and Rurik’s car parked at the mouth became visible.
A window from the party basement, a few feet in front of me, burst out. It sent shards of glass flying. I threw my arms up to shield my eyes. I was so close to safety, I could taste it, but a body blocked my path to refuge. It could be human and could need help, but it could be a hungry vampire, too.
Battle noise engulfed my cries for help. The corner of the building was just a few feet away and Colby should have left a rear guard outside. I just needed to pass the body lying in the alley.
My hesitation saved me. If I had been any closer, it would have gotten me.
The creature snapped his head up. His pupils were so dilated they absorbed the whole irises, his nostrils flared, and drool dripped down his exposed fangs. The fighting must have excited him into a frenzy.
Stumbling back, I swallowed hard. I’d never faced a rabid dog before, but it must be a close cousin to this. ‘My, what great big teeth you have, ‘ said Red Riding Hood to the Big Bad Wolf. The thought flashed before I did what I always hoped I wouldn’t do—I screamed like a little girl and ran.
Every documentary I’d ever watched on predatory animals instructed people not to run when confronted. I’d like to know what prescription drugs they took, because I needed some. In reality, thousands of years of instinct kicked in. Your forebrain shuts down and a second later you’re running down a dark alley like a gazelle in three-inch stilettos.
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