Another dramatic announcement in a darkly lit bar. This one seemed to be the second level. It was easy to tell the players from the rest. They wore fangs, some cheap, some expensive. The vampire wannabes wore black, painted their skin pale.
Consuela leaned into Declan with a sigh. She turned her head to whisper against his ear. “Something is different. He’s not here.”
“Doesn’t mean someone won’t die,” Declan pointed out.
“If he doesn’t show tonight, then I’ll see if I can’t summon ghosts I know used to follow him. If any of them are still in this plane, they should be able to lead us to him.”
“We could do that tonight,” Declan offered.
She leaned back and looked around the bar. The female vampire from the night before was there, watching them with interest. “Not yet.”
Erik’s brow arched as the other vamp joined their table. She directed her attention to Erik. “Are you looking for a companion?”
He shook his head. “Sorry, gorgeous. My wife is out of town, and I’m faithful. Still, I’m intrigued by vampires and want to learn more.”
Her smile deepened. “Of course you do.” She leaned closer and whispered something in his ear.
“We’re here to play,” Erik pointed out.
Her lips quirked as she leaned back and looked at Consuela and Declan. “I’m Kaylean, and I’ve been asked to introduce you to the upper echelon. If you’re truly interested in seeing how the vampires live, come with me.”
“Follow you?”
“You came separate. Correct? Let me take Erik, and you two follow us.”
“Sounds like fun,” Declan murmured.
Consuela nodded.
Erik smirked. “Sure.”
* * * *
Amelia stood in front of the mirror wearing a gorgeous cocktail dress she would never be able to afford. Misty placed a pair of designer shoes at her feet. “These should be lovely on you.”
Blinking, she stepped into the shoes.
“Beautiful,” Yuri murmured, coming up behind her, sliding his hands up her thighs. Desire pooled in her belly and she shifted, trying to squeeze her legs together to ease the burn. “Leave us, Misty.”
“Of course, master.” The blond girl walked out, no emotion on her face.
“Stop, Yuri. I’m sore. You’ve worn me out.”
He purred against her neck. “I can fix that, if you’ll let me. We don’t have time for me to worship you again, but I can ease the pain. First, you must agree to be mine.”
“And you’ll share all your secrets?”
“Even my darkest ones,” he murmured against her ear.
A thought occurred to Amelia. If she were more than human, she wouldn’t constantly be sidelined when a story came up. She could keep up with the other reporters at In Other News. She wouldn’t be weak and frail.
“And if I want to be what you are?” she whispered.
“I’ll gladly take you over the brink of death and bind you to me forever.”
His hand slid under the short skirt of her dress and his fingers grazed her panties. “You want me, even now.”
She didn’t know if she truly wanted him or if he had mindfucked her so thoroughly her body would always crave more.
Lines were blurred. But if he made her a vampire, she could get more answers. And maybe Brent would trust her with a real story.
She turned in his arms, avoiding his gaze. “What are you planning?”
“For now, a drink. Not just a sip. A drink, but not enough to change you yet—enough for you to see some of the benefits. I’ll taste your blood too and attempt to keep my hands off you, but Amelia, I crave you.”
“I want you,” she breathed. “All of it.”
“Patience, doll.” He pulled a knife across his jugular and pressed her lips to the wound before a drop could fall.
Coppery, sweet, bold. Not like blood, not normal blood. He caught her wrist and sank his fangs, pulling at her blood as he held her mouth to his neck.
Images filled her head. All the sensual acts he could think of. The images were so strong she felt every touch. He groaned, his hips rocking his dick against her damp panties. He set her body on fire with the things he did, the things he wanted.
His emotions whirred through her. Possession, desire, need. Not love, no. Obsession. And something darker she couldn’t fathom.
She pushed her thoughts away, trying not to analyze what she sensed. Instead, she let pleasure wash over her.
* * * *
Declan followed Erik’s car away from Seattle, past North Bend. On one hand, they were closer to Edenton. On the other, they were away from civilization.
Where the hell are we going?
Consuela took his hand. “We’re getting close to Yuri.”
“Think we can end this tonight?”
“Doubtful. Think about this, Declan. He’s not the one killing them. He may not even know who is. For now, we need to play along. We can’t end the game so fast. And who’s to say Amelia isn’t there of her own accord?”
“You said she was enthralled.”
Nodding, Consuela shrugged. “A lot of vampires will enthrall those they’re interested in to gain attention. And if they feel something, they will release the enthrallment and let them decide.”
“I thought you worried about him?”
“He wants a partner. Once she becomes blood bound she won’t fall under his sway. He knows this. If he’s smart, he used a tool to gain her attention, then released her. If so, we may have a little extra time. If not, well, who knows with him being possessed. Hopefully we’ll see her.”
“You think he’s smart enough to play both sides of this?” Declan asked.
“It’s a definite possibility. He’s not all bad. And if he was possessed all those years ago, it stands to reason the part that scared me away was the demon.”
“And where does that leave us?” Declan asked.
Her brow pinched “What?”
“Do you still care for him?”
She laughed. “No, not in any way that changes us. What I feel for you is real. I miss my friend, but perhaps I never knew him as well as I had believed. A part of me loved him, but I was never in love. I stayed, hoping to see him to a better place, but he never claimed my heart as you have.”
“He wasn’t a vampire the last time he was inside you, was he?”
She gasped. “No, but you and I formed a different kind of bond, before blood came into play. That of a Deathcaller and their mate. If Yuri was meant to be my blood bound, he would have forged the same bond we did. I was never bound to him, no matter what he wished to believe.”
“I’m sorry,” Declan whispered. “I don’t know what came over me.”
She looked away. “Jealousy. I promise you, you have nothing to worry about.”
“Which is why I shouldn’t have blurted out something so ridiculous.”
Leaning against his shoulder, she sighed. “It’s okay. I know you’ve been with others and I try to shut that out of my head because I know you suffered for one in particular.”
“And that’s in the past.”
“Hmm, which is why I prefer not to think too hard on it. Though if you ever need to talk about it, I’ll listen.”
“You’re not her, and I don’t want her now. I don’t regret my time with Moira, but I’m a different man, and the woman beside me is the only one I want now.”
“Exactly. And I may be willing to hope for the best with Yuri, but that best does not include me in his life.”
“Even as a friend?”
She shook her head. “He’s possessed by a demon. Best hope for his soul is death. And even if he didn’t have to die, I wouldn’t want to be around him.” She lifted a shoulder. “As for other lovers, no one from my past is anyone I want to be around.”
He took her hand. “I wouldn’t ask you to ignore a true friend.”
She sighed. “None of them were worth keeping as a friend.”
“Very well.”
Erik pulled through a gate that opened automatically.
Declan followed.
Consuela paused, staring up at the home. “That’s morbid.”
“What is?” Declan asked, looking up at the three-story gothic mansion.
“Reminds me of the home he owned when he played the game the first time around.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
A shudder rocked through Consuela. “He has an obsession with torture devices. I’ve never seen him use them, but he collected them, used to tell gruesome tales of how they were used.”
His brow pinched. “Torture devices?”
“Yes. Especially if they were rumored to have been used on someone important in history. Which could be why the rumor started.”
“Perhaps he started using them.”
“Maybe.” She looked away.
Shaking his head, he shrugged. “Yeah, that’s morbid. Where did he keep these devices?”
“Some in the gallery, the rest in the basement, which was more a dungeon.”
“Did he—” Declan couldn’t get the words out. He wasn’t sure he really wanted to know.
She shook her head. “Not with me. I know he had relations with those who did, but that was before me, and I’m sure after.”
He glanced over. “And if from time to time, I want to tie you up and pleasure you until you can’t take it?”
Her eyes lit up. “That, I can handle. I’m not into pain, not into torment. And you, I can’t imagine you’ll ever harm me.”
“Never, dove. You’re my salvation.”
Her eyes sparkled in the dark. “And you’re mine.” She glanced up at the house. “I’m not leaving your side. I don’t want to give him any inkling I may be jealous in any way.”
Erik climbed out of the car and shot them a kill-me-now look before walking around to open the door for the vamp.
Declan smirked. “Stay right there.”
She did, and he hopped out, meeting Erik’s gaze. Erik sighed heavily and opened the door before responding. Of course, a vampire’s hearing was exceptional, so they really couldn’t discuss anything once again.
Kaylean stepped out and swept her gaze to Consuela as Declan took her hand and pulled her out of the car. Leaning into Declan, Consuela took a slow kiss, ignoring the other vampire.
A soft growl left his lips as he leaned back and whispered against her lips. “Behave. I’m tempted to do far more than I should in front of others.”
Grinning, she pulled him toward Erik and Kaylean.
Kaylean hadn’t taken her eyes from Consuela. “Right this way. The master has something special in mind.”
There was no reaction from Consuela. He could hardly feel her, she’d locked away her emotions so tight.
The three of them followed Kaylean through the double doors into a large foyer with marble floors. Consuela tensed. He only noticed because her grip tightened slightly, almost imperceptibly.
How long would they have to play along? How far would they have to go?
They were led to a living room with lavish red furniture on black stone floors. Murals were painted across the walls. Dark, gruesome images of war and death.
Declan’s brow arched as he turned to Consuela.
She lifted a single shoulder.
“Have a seat. I’ll get the master.” Kaylean motioned to the couches, and Erik took a chair while Consuela pulled Declan down beside her on a love seat.
Erik rolled his eyes and sat back. “Almost wish I brought Monique along, but she left for her business trip this morning. Kaylean doesn’t seem to understand I’m quite happy with my woman.”
Consuela giggled. “Kaylean does seem quite taken with you. You said you could bring Monique next time.”
“Yes, but will it stop her?” He glanced up the stairs.
She came back with a frown. “You truly are happy with another?”
“I am,” Erik answered.
She pouted. “Very well.” She disappeared.
Yuri came down the stairs with Amelia on his arm. She wore a gorgeous dress.
When her cinnamon eyes locked on Erik, she stumbled on a step and froze. Then she noticed Declan and started moving again as her gaze swept to Consuela.
Wrapping a hand around her waist, Yuri bent to whisper something in Amelia’s ear. Dipping her head, she continued down the stairs.
Yuri guided her into a seat on the couch and sat beside her.
Amelia managed a smile. “Evening, Erik, Declan.”