Darklove

Part Six SEDUCTIVE FOE

We walk up and down the streets of Inverness until well after ten p.m. Rhine has gotten a few calls on his cell, but nothing panned out. We’re making our way up High Street for the umpteenth time, and I glance at the city center. Newer buildings mixed in and side by side with the older ones; some with coned turrets, others with tall spires. All flat fronts with colorful store signs above the doors. And the ever-present double arches of McDonald’s gleaming golden yellow in the shadows.

“This time o’ year we mostly have just the locals runnin’ the streets,” Rhine says beside me as we walk. There’re three of us on one side of the street, three on the other. I nod and glance at the patrons. Foot traffic has definitely slowed down for the night, and most of the businesses are closed. “Mostly university students,” Rhine says, and shoves his hands into the pockets of his brown leather jacket. He’s wearing a dark blue skully, and it stands stark against his pale skin. “Anything?”

I tune my hearing, keying it to a lower frequency, and I pick up only small bits of animal pulses, baby hiccups, and so many heartbeats it creates a low hum in my ears. I shake my head and look at him. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”

We’re on the streets for another two hours before I see him.

At the far end of the sidewalk, standing against the building. The shadows swallow him, but I can see. I can smell.

It’s Eli.

Beside him, Carrine.

The moment she sees me, she smiles. My eyes drift to Eli, and his gaze collides with mine. He stares at me, and that expression of recognition flashes in his eyes. Carrine moves in front of Eli, presses her body seductively against him, and I notice the muscles flexing at his jaw, and his brow furrowing. He looks angry. Then all expression fades, his gaze clouds, and he widens his stance to accommodate her. His arms go around her waist as they start making out, and his hands grope her buttocks and pull her hard against his crotch. His soft moan rides the breeze and hits me in the gut. We’re walking toward them, and my pace quickens. Rhine’s hand closes over mine, holding me back.

“Don’t,” he warns. “Wait.”

No sooner does he say it than Eli lifts his head and looks directly at me. We’re about fifteen yards away when a young woman rounds the corner close to them. So fast I’m unsure it happens, Carrine grabs the girl by the arm, pressing her between her own body and Eli’s, and when I blink, they’re gone.

The young woman’s heartbeat is racing. That much I can hear.

“Fookin’ A,” Rhine says under his breath, and starts to jog. I fight not to pass him. “So that’s your bloody boyfriend?” he asks.

“Yes,” I answer. “And the female. Carrine.”

As we run, and round the corner, we find it empty except the long shadows stretching across from the buildings. Rhine grabs his cell and makes a call. “At the Eastgate shopping mall. Round the back entrance.” He ends the call and stuffs his cell into his pocket. At the same time, he withdraws a silver blade. The other Ness boys from across the street have joined us.

“Ready?” he asks me, and I nod. “Good. We’ll take the male alive if possible, aye?” he clarifies to the others. “But dinnae endanger yourselves, lads. Us first. Then him.”

Rhine grabs my hand and tugs me toward the alley. “This way.”

Squeezing between two buildings through a narrow cobbled close, we slip through the back of Eastgate and Rhine climbs the first-story fire escape. He glances back at me, still on the ground. I leap up to him. Admiration glints off the streetlight shining in his eyes. “Now?” he asks.

I listen closely; the human’s racing heart is coming from within the mall. “Still alive. In there.”

Rhine leads me up to the roof. I could have climbed and leaped a lot faster, but I would’ve had to just pace waiting on him. We breach the top and he leads us to a single door. It opens under his hand, and we hit the stairwell leading back down and into the mall. I don’t even ask questions as to how he just opened a rooftop door to a public shopping center. I figure he’s got connections.

Inside the building, the human’s heart races wildly. We exit onto the ground floor, and we’re in some old-fashioned-looking market section. High wooden-arched beams peak like a cathedral above our heads. Several shops, their doors closed and locked down, line the walk.

“The Victorian Market,” Rhine offers. “Department stores and food court that way.” He points. “Which way?”

I listen. Footfalls. Faster. Louder.

Just then the young woman comes running from around the corner up ahead. Her heart is floored, and the fright on her face, the sheer terror, drops my own heart to my stomach.

Out of nowhere, a figure flies down and tackles her.

I leap. No thought. No process. Only action.

Vaguely, I notice Rhine and the others hauling ass behind me. And others, around, swarming in. I focus on the woman and just as the male—not Eli, just a rogue—drops his teeth, I lunge and knock him on his back. With my hands around his throat, I spare a quick glare at the woman. “Run. Toward those boys. They’ll help you.”

She simply stares at me, wide-eyed.

“Go!” I yell.

Something flashes in her eyes, and she scrambles up, whimpering, and the last thing I hear are the rubber soles from her hikers squeaking on the tile.

Hoping Rhine and the others deal with her, I turn my attention to the rogue. He’s strong as shit, young. Newblood. His eyes are red, flecked with yellow. His face is fully morphed, and as I hold his mouth away from me, his jaws are snapping like a goddamn rabid dog’s. We struggle, fall backward, and he throws me against the wall. The moment my back hits I lunge back at him as he’s darting away, heading for the running woman. I grab his ankle, yank him down. He’s on top of me again, holding my hands pinned above my head. Drool falls from his jagged teeth and onto my chest.

I focus, stare at his face until it becomes a pinpoint; then I suck in a long breath, and just as his head hurls toward my chest, I explode power. He flies off me and lands against the far wall. He’s up and lunging at me, but now I’ve yanked my silver from my waistband. I thrust it into his heart as he falls against me.

The rogue drops to the floor, quivering.

Done.

“Riley!” Rhine’s voice yells from above me. I glance up. There are Ness boys everywhere. As there are vampires everywhere.

It’s hard at first glance to tell them apart.

At first.

Then they’re all perfectly crystal-clear.

Males. Females. I spot them now, scattered over the mall, hanging from the upper floor, pacing the food court. All young. Void of heartbeats. Void of emotion or compassion. Vampires.

Just like Savannah, when my little brother, Seth, was bitten by Strigoi Valerian Arcos.

Goddamn, I hate that they’re so young. My eyes scan the upper floor of the mall. No sign of Eli or Carrine.

One vampire, a female, lunges directly at me.

Everything happens in slow mo after that.

Somewhere, from a music store, I suspect, Kansas cranks out “Dust in the Wind” over the mall intercom as I take down the female. She’s out of her mind crazy with bloodlust, and I waste no time in ending her swiftly. She falls into a quaking heap at my feet, and I withdraw my blade and wipe it on her coat. Her teeth are still snapping as she begins to disintegrate.

My eyes are everywhere now, and for a brief second or two, I catch Rhine and some of the other Ness boys in action. Rhine fights up close, and he sincerely reminds me of a younger version of Noah. Fights like a mad dog.

The other Ness boys throw, and within ten seconds I notice three vamps are taken out on an air-lifted silver blade. The moment it does the job, the Ness boys retrieve their blades. I catch sight of Pete, who’s joined us. He’s fast.

Just then I see Eli. He catches my eye and disappears around an upstairs turn. I free-run up to the food court, determined to confront him. Or kill Carrine. Preferably that.

My heart, although megaslow from all the vampire venom coursing within me, still feels like it’s slamming against my ribs as I see Eli disappear. Thoughts race through my head as I spare a glance down at Rhine and the others. There are still a few rogues left. After watching what I’d just seen, I don’t think I’ll question Rhine and the Ness boys. Ever. Badasses, every one of them.

Not bad for humans.

The moment I round the corner, I draw up short. So fast I almost lose my breath. Eli’s standing directly in front of me. It’s like swallowing a sword, standing there looking at him, looking at me, with bloodred eyes laced with hatred. Then they focus, lock on to mine, and lighten. Recognition passes over his face. I can see it, plain as day, even through the shadowy closed mall. He stares hard at me, cocks his head to one side, studying me. For a moment, those blood-lusted red eyes return to cerulean blue.

I push aside my aching heart and concentrate. I focus on his face, then beyond, deeper, to his memory. Eligius. It’s me. Riley. Please, can’t you see me?

Again, Eli cocks his head to the side, his eyes focusing on me.

Eli? Please . . .

Kill him, Riley. He’s no longer your love. You must do it.

The voice startles me. It’s not Eli’s. I’m . . . not sure who it is. Can’t worry about it now. Focusing again on Eli, I take a step back as he advances slowly. His eyes are unchanged. He is focused solely on me.

“Eli,” I say out loud. If I had something to hit him with, I would. Right in the head. Maybe that would knock him out of his bloodsucking trance.

Then Eli stops. He’s still staring directly at me, but in silence. I can’t tell what he’s doing. I focus on him once more, hard. Trying to worm into his thoughts. There’s something there—I can’t see. Can’t get through.

It’s no use, Riley. He’s no longer the same as before. There is no conscious thought left in his memory. Not of you. Not of his family. Only bloodlust. You know this. Don’t you?

“Who the fuck are you?” I yell at the voice. My eyes, though, remain locked on Eli’s. I can sense a buildup of power, of strength. Like a lion stalking its prey, like a cat in the yard with its ass in the air, stalking a butterfly. The buildup is so intense it sends waves of electricity toward me. Eli’s eyes fade, then turn red. Any second. He’s going to lunge, rip my throat out . . .

My hand slides to the back of my waistband, grips the silver blade there, lowers. My fingers tighten around it. I’m ready. I don’t want to be, but I am.

Kansas is still playing over the intercom. “Carry On Wayward Son.”

How freaking ironic.

Do it. Go on.

I hear it before I see it. I react.

And it all happens at once.

Behind me, a whirring noise. I know it’s a blade. I leap. Grasp it. Catch it by the blade. It tears through my skin, and it’s sharp as hell. Warm blood trickles down my outreached hand, down my arm, beneath my leather jacket.

Eli leaps toward me.

We clash in midair.

The weight of his body takes us both down to the tiled floor, and he lands on me. With one powerful swipe, he’s knocked the blade from my hand. His gaze slides over to the blood oozing from my palm. His head shakes, so fast it blurs, and jerks to a sudden stop. No longer Eli now. Our eyes meet, just for a split second.

“Eli, please,” I whisper. “It’s me.”

Before I can gauge his reaction, a body flies out of nowhere and slams into Eli. He’s knocked to the floor.

Noah.

And he’s fully morphed, too.

“Noah, don’t!” I yell.

Then everyone freezes. No one moves. No one even slides a glance. But I can see her. Hear her.

Carrine moves from the shadows of a storefront, and into my view. She’s wearing tight leather pants, black heeled boots, and a black leather vest over a billowy white shirt. Her hair hangs long. Her face, flawless, white as snow. Lips red. Beautiful.

“You’re not as powerful as you think, Ms. Poe,” she says. She steps over Eli and Noah, frozen in a locked position on the floor. I can do nothing more than stare at her. A lazy smile stretches plump red lips over her teeth. She walks toward me and stops a foot away. Her eyes travel over me, down to my boots, then back up. “Do you know what I was before all this? Before sucking the blood from human vessels became my only means of survival? No? Well,” she says, moving in a circle around me. “I was a master of the dark arts, from a long family of proud Highland witches. You see, I have Pict blood running through me, Ms. Poe.” She laughs. “Well, I used to. And ’twas verra old blood. Filled with magic and spells and potion recipes that I’d honed over the years.” She stops again and faces me. With a long, elegant finger, she pushes a hank of my hair from my eyes. “Then I was changed. My life, stolen. But,” she says, moving again. “I . . . adapted. Yes, that’s the perfect word for it. Adapted.”

I’m frozen to the floor. My joints and limbs paralyzed. What the hell! I stare into her insane blue depths. She is not going to kill me. I’m not going to die. Not like this.

Leaning forward, she presses her lips to mine, lingers, and pulls back. “You will,” she says.

In that brief moment, I think she’s right.

Then she grins. “But not now. Unfortunately, it’s not time. You see, I am under intense orders myself. My savior freed me from my prison. ’Tis the verra reason I’m even walking the Earth again. I have no choice but to wait.” She smiles at me. “But when it’s time, you’ll know it.” She turns, walks back toward Eli and Noah, clutched in a frozen frantic fighting stance on the floor. Carrine stares down at them. “Och, damn,” she breathes. “He’s a fine one, too.” She shakes her head. “I can smell his erotica.” She looks at me. “However do you stand it? I want to fuck him right now, just standing here.”

I can do nothing more than stare hatred at her.

She sighs. “Such a pity.”

Fear, fury, and the need to make sure nothing else happens to someone I love gathers in one place, deep inside me. Everything else around me blurs but Carrine. She is up and at the forefront. Although slowly at first, I draw in a long, deep breath.

When I exhale, it’s a maelstrom of fury.

The sonic boom that comes forth from me isn’t as colossal as the one Carrine had delivered back at Hush 51. But it’s big enough. Forceful enough.

It blows Carrine off her heeled and booted feet.

Then my joints release; I can move. It hurts at first, but I break free.

At the same time, Carrine, who’s landed several feet away, leaps to her feet. She yells in an unfamiliar language to Eli. Beckons him. He shakes free of Noah and, without sparing me a glance, runs to her. They disappear into the shadowed recesses of the storefronts. Just as I leap to take off after them, my ankle is grabbed and I hit the floor.

Noah has a grip and he isn’t letting go.

On my stomach, I turn and look at Noah Miles. He’s on his stomach, his arm outstretched, his strong fingers gripping my ankle. We stare like that for a moment. I know now I can’t go after Eli and Carrine. Another time, maybe. Not now.

Only when I notice Rhine moving toward us do I try again to get up. This time, Noah lets me go. We both stand, and in seconds we’re surrounded by Rhine and no fewer than fifteen Ness boys.

“Well, then,” Rhine says, and he yanks off his skully and rubs his hand over his short-clipped hair. “That was . . . interesting.”

The low drone of the others talking in hushed voices buzzes in my ear. I look at him. “That’s putting it mildly. She could have walked up and killed every single one of you.”

“Witchpire,” Rhine says. “Looks like I may have underestimated her a wee bit.”

I stare. “A wee? That’s more than a fucking wee, Rhine.”

Several of the others chuckle.

“Oy, lass,” he says, and chucks me under the chin. “No need tae worry about us Ness boys.” He glances out across his brethren. “We just have a bit more studyin’ tae do. That bloodsuckin’ bitch willna get the better o’ us again.”

Several ayes from the Ness boys affirm his words.

“It coulda been the end o’ you, fool,” I return in my best Scottish accent.

That brings out a deep laugh from Rhine.

Even Noah chuckles.

“Right, then,” Pete says from the crowd. “At least we killed us quite a lot o’ bloodsuckers this night.”

“Aye, and saved that wee girl, too,” another said. “That’s, eh . . .” He starts counting on his fingers. “Eight bloodsuckers down, one fine lassie saved.”

“We’re fookin’ heroes!”

I glance at the watch on Rhine’s wrist, and I pull it closer. It’s almost five in the morning.

Where did all the time go?

Everythong’s looking hazy. Did I just say everythong? I mean everything.

I’m staring at Rhine, and his face is blurring, too. I squint, stare harder, trying to focus.

“I think we should go,” I say, and start to move. “I’m hungry as holy fucking hell on goddamn wheels.”

I take one step, swagger, then two more steps, and I’m walking straight toward Rhine. A large, cocky grin spreads across his face, and straight white teeth glare at me. “What the hell’s so funny?” I say. I shake my head, trying to clear the fog. “I gotta get something to eat. Sugar’s low.”

“That ain’t it, darlin’,” Noah says. “Rhine?”

Just as the words leave Noah’s mouth, I start to fall. The Kansas track playing over the mall’s intercom has been set on repeat, apparently. We’re back to “Dust in the Wind.” I fall into Rhine’s arms, and his face is inches from mine. “I love that song,” I say. “But I wish they’d play ‘M-M-M-My Sharona.’ The Knack. I love that one, too.”

His cocky grin is the last thing I see. “Yeah, I know.”

Blackness washes over me, and I feel weightless; voices around me soften, mumble, and weave together until I can’t understand anything anyone is saying. It’s a low hum, vibrating around me. Sleep washes over me, and I float until I feel . . . only peace.

My eyes flutter open, and a thick white mist floats all around me. The ground is slightly squishy beneath my feet, but still solid. The scent of clover and something else unique and twangy fills the air, my nostrils, and I inhale. I see nothing but the sallow vapor around me. I’m outside. On a slight incline. I’m climbing.

After a while, I stop and squint, trying to peer through the mist. What am I doing here? Where am I? I continue looking around, searching . . . for something. Or someone. I don’t know right now.

Then, ahead, I see a figure. The mist thins enough for me to make out a little. Tall. Wearing all black. Dark hair. Wide stance. Arms hanging at his side. Then he lifts one of those arms and beckons me with his outstretched hand.

Is it Eli? I think it is. My pace quickens, and I hurry, stumbling up the hill, using my hands now to grab on to clumps of dead heather to pull myself along. Not sure why I don’t just hurl myself upward. I try . . . try to jump, move as fast as my tendencies will allow. They don’t work here. I’m breathless from the climb. I’m just a regular ole human.

Go figure.

I’m closer now, and the figure—it’s Eli, I can tell—stands at the top. The wind picks up, catching the tails of his trench and billowing it open, like a black cape, or the outstretched wings of a giant raven. He awaits me. I sense no threat. No hatred. No violence. Only . . . desire.

I reach the top, and a space of about six feet separates us. The wind tears through the vapor, scattering and swirling it into a mass of white soup around his body, obscuring his face. I step closer. “Is it really you?” I ask. “Eli?”

“Don’t speak,” he says. “Come here.”

An uncertainty claws at me, but I’m helpless to stop my feet from advancing toward him. His arms open, like raven wings, and unable to do anything else, I walk into them. His arms close around me, pulling me against his lukewarm body. His hand splays against the back of my head, holding me securely to him. Lips caress my temple. His other hand lowers, caressing my lower back, and then lower still, over my buttocks. When he pulls me against him, his hardened state of arousal is evident as it pushes at my groin. Something worries me; I can’t figure it out. So overcome by finally having his arms around me, I ignore the worry. I only want him. Eli.

In the next instant, he leans, catching me under my knees, and scoops me up. I still can’t see his face; so much mist. He begins to walk with me, and I rest my head against his chest. It’s hard, muscular, as are the arms that hold me.

He leaps, and we’re weightless for a few moments, and then he lands solid on the ground, his arms tightening around me. He’s walking now, and I can’t see anything. We stop. A door opens. Creaks as it closes behind us. His footfalls sound against a hard floor, echoing in my ears. It almost sounds as though we’re in a tunnel.

I try to open my eyes. I want to see. We’re inside now, so the mist can’t obscure. I try to speak, but my throat tightens. I can’t talk. I can’t move. Panic seizes me, and I feel my heart pound. Adrenaline surges within me as my alarm rises. I’m paralyzed.

“Shh, shh,” he soothes. He presses his lips to my temple, and it calms me.

He continues to walk with me, and now we’re moving up. Stairs. We’re climbing now, and finally, we level once more and he moves with me down a corridor. I inhale, and all I can smell is his spicy scent. It’s . . . somewhat familiar. A door opens. Closes.

He lowers me, my back sinking into a soft, downy bed. I can see now, but the room is cast in shadows. No candles. No lamps. Only a sliver of moonlight through the small crack in the drapes across the room. I can see his silhouette. He pulls his arms out of his trench, drops it to the floor. His fingers begin to unbutton his shirt, and soon he drops it, too. I see only his outline. He’s bare from the waist up.

When he moves over me, his body settles over mine. A heavy, muscular thigh wedges between my legs, pushing them apart. Bracing his weight on his elbows, his hands on either side of my head, he slants his mouth over mine and kisses me.

“Touch me,” he commands in a whisper against my lips.

Unable to stop myself, I do as he says. My hands encircle his back and trail up his spine, and the muscles bunch beneath my fingertips. He deepens the kiss, tasting my lips with his tongue, then moving his mouth to my throat. His groin grinds against me, his erection hard against my thigh, and his hand moves from my head to my breast, lowering over my stomach until his hand finds my skin beneath my tank. Over my ribs, he pulls my bra aside to find more skin, and caresses me. His mouth finds mine once more, and he kisses me hard, frenzied, and panic seizes me once more.

Something is terribly, terribly wrong.

He lifts his head then, leaving my lips. His hand covers my breast. His heavy cock pushes against me.

The moonlight catches enough of his profile for me to see.

Shock.

Fury.

Panic.

With all of my might, I shove him off, and I leap up. Free at last.

He leaps, too. He’s off the bed. Standing, backing away from me, wordless.

Anger surges inside me, and I lunge—

“Fook me!” a voice grunts beneath me as we hit the floor. My vision is foggy at first, but soon starts to clear. I stare at the figure below me. I blink several times. It’s getting clearer now.

“Shit!” I mutter, and scramble off Rhine, who I’ve got pinned beneath me on the floor of my room at the Crachan. I extend a hand. “Rhine, I’m sorry! Did I hurt you?”

Rhine grabs my hand and I yank him up. The fool is grinning at me.

Grinning.

“Aye, ya did,” he says, still smiling. “But I was warned.” He rubs his jaw, his eyes locked on to mine. “’Twas worth it, I’d say.”

I’m still somewhat dazed; I glance around the room, at the window. Light gray spills from behind the drapes. It’s daylight. Late afternoon.

“You’ve been out for forty-six hours,” Rhine explains. “That’s some bloody dream you were havin’ there.”

I walk to the window and pull the drapes aside. Cars and pedestrians are moving along the street at the end of the Crachan’s entrance. I turn my head and look at Rhine.

“What are you talking about?” I say.

Rhine rubs his chin and walks to me. He ducks his head. “You dinnae remember what you just did?”

“I’m scared to ask.”

Rhine chuckles, a throaty, guy sound. “Miles warned me no’ tae wake you, but you yelled. I came in, and you were breathin’ hard, like you were angry, and trapped maybe.” He shrugs. “I shook you, called your name.” He grins now. “Next thing I know, you’ve got me on the floor. Like I said . . .” His smile widens. “’Twas worth it.”

My mind searches, scrambles to make sense.

All at once, it hits me. My dream.

I pray it was a dream.

Panic seizes me. Panic and a deep, cellular fury.

It wasn’t Eli.

I fly to the door and yank it open.

“Eh, Riley?”

I turn and look over my shoulder at Rhine, still standing at the window. His eyes lower, down my body, then back up. “No’ that I’m no’ appreciatin’ the beauty o’ it, but I’m feelin’ a bit stingy and unsharing.” He inclines his head toward me. “Dinnae ya want tae get some clothes on?”

Only now, when I glance down at myself, do I realize I’m standing in my Crachan room, with Rhine at the window, staring like a hungry wolf, in only my sports bra and boy shorts panties.

Jesus H. Christ.

I rush over to my duffel and start yanking out clothes. My mind wonders briefly who exactly pulled the other ones off me, and I quickly push the thought aside.

I’ve got new worries now. Newer and bigger.

“That is . . . simply amazin’,” Rhine says.

I look at him. He’s staring at my back. I turn to my duffel, pull out a pair of soft, old, faded jeans, complete with raggedy holes, and pull them on. “Thanks,” I answer. I’ve got other things on my mind, though, and Rhine’s appreciation of my inked dragon is not top priority. Finding a white long-sleeved tee, I yank it over my head and stuff my arms into the sleeves. Turning, I sit on the bed and start pulling on clean socks. “Where’s Noah?” I ask. Spying my boots, I grab them, yank them on, and pull the zipper on each.

“Och, he just went out,” Rhine says. “As in fell asleep. What’s wrong?” he asks.

My dream washes over me as I stand, and it almost makes me dizzy.

No way is this happening.

“Riley?” Rhine says. He’s moved closer. Concern lights his green eyes.

I shake my head and go to my weapons duffel. I pull on my leather holster and start loading my sheaths with blades. I shove one in its place at my ribs, and I look at Rhine. “That dream? It included an unwanted and unexpected intruder.” I shove the last blade in and find my jacket draped over the end of the bed. I pull it on. “I gotta fix it.”

“Whoa, lass,” Rhine says, and moves to block me at the door. “Noah made me swear that I’d watch o’er ya whilst he sleeps.” He shakes his head. “You ain’t goin’ nowhere wi’out me.”

I see the determination in Rhine’s eyes. I also know that I can render him paralyzed if I want to. But maybe it’s not a bad idea to have a backup? Might prevent me from what I’m not too sure I can’t restrain myself from doing.

Killing the fucker from my dream.

Just thinking it makes me boil inside with fury.

“How long’s Noah been out?” I ask. I’m standing in front of Rhine now.

“About an hour and a half,” he answers.

His eyes search mine curiously. I know he’s trying to figure me out. Wondering if I’m going to throw some crazy hoodoo whammy on him. It’s damn tempting, but I don’t. Instead, I give him a nod. “Come on. I can use the backup. Just you and me, though. No Ness boys this time.”

Rhine studies me hard for a second or two, then opens the door. “Aye, the two o’ us, then.” He heads out into the hallway. My eyes drift across, to Noah’s closed door. My hand is reaching for the knob now, and I open and step into his room.

Noah’s crashed on the bed, under the covers like some regular ole human, bare from the waist up. One arm is resting across his abdomen. His chest doesn’t rise and fall with breath; I still can’t grasp that sometimes. I stare at his face, so peaceful and still. Long lashes brush his flawless skin. Sun-bleached dreads hang loose around his shoulders.

He’s not waking anytime soon. Unlike what most humans believe, vampires don’t hunt all night and sleep all day. The ones I know only have a few hours of rest every few days or so. Sometimes daily, depending. Noah hasn’t rested in . . . I can’t remember when. A long time. He may sleep for hours now.

And what I have to do can’t wait.

He’ll be so pissed.

He’ll get over it.

I back out of Noah’s room and quietly close the door. In the hallway, Rhine waits. Wordlessly, we start up the corridor and hit the steps at the same time. Downstairs, the flat-screen is on. Three Ness boys sit on the sofa and chair. I pause when I see the movie they’re watching. E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial. Memories from my youth, before I turned into a wild child, crash over me. My mom sitting on the sofa in our little apartment, watching it with me.

“Great picture,” Rhine says beside me. “One o’ my favorites.”

I look at him and grin. “Cintus Suprimus.”

“Zero Charisma.” He gives me a crooked smile.

I’m impressed that Rhine, who is at least eight years younger than me, can quote one of my favorite random quotes from a favorite movie. “Let’s go.”

When we get outside, the sky is still light, with fading lavender and gray hues. I start toward the drive.

“I got a better idea,” Rhine says, and inclines his head toward the row of motorcycles parked on the side of the Crachan. “Since it’s just the two o’ us.”

“All right,” I agree, and start toward the bikes.

What is it about me and guys and bikes?

Rhine swaggers up to a black Harley, straddles the seat, and turns the key. He starts the engine and it rumbles to life. With his legs, he pushes it backward and stops where I’m standing. “Get on,” he instructs. He pulls on a helmet and pushes a pair of shades on and hands me a helmet off one of the other bikes.

I strap it on, straddle the seat behind him, find the foot pegs, and slide my arms around his waist.

He turns his head. “Where to?”

“City center,” I say without hesitation. “We’ll park and walk from there.”

“You got it,” Rhine says, and clicks the gears. He takes off down the drive and turns the bike toward Inverness’s city center.

My mind races as Rhine weaves through traffic. The sun, previously hidden by the looming Scottish winter skies, cracks through now, just a golden orange thread between shades of purple and gray. The wind hits my face, and it’s brisk and biting, and I inhale deeply. Rhine’s body is hard and warm. I can hear the thumping of his young, healthy heart. Humanity. Something I sorely miss. I squeeze tighter, and his head tilts slightly toward me in response. I hope I’m not sending the wrong signals to him. I just feel a sense of vulnerability overcome me that I want squashed out. I don’t want to feel it. I want to do what I have to do, fix what needs fixing, and be the hell done with all of this. I want to sit back and watch E.T., eat some pizza, and not worry about the safety of others. I want Eli beside me. I want him out of whatever hell he’s in.

Jesus, I miss him.

My heart aches, like someone is physically squeezing the life out of it.

Rhine pulls his bike along the curb and stops it. I dismount and take off my helmet. He stays straddled and tugs his helmet off and hooks it on the handlebars.

“You okay?” he asks. He takes his shades off. The late afternoon is fast turning into an early Scottish winter’s eve. Dark at four thirty. That’s such bullshit. “Aye?”

I glance around, taking in my surroundings. We’re on a side street, close to High Street. There are pedestrians moving about. Mostly locals. I’ve learned to tell them apart now. Tourists are more, I don’t know . . . colorful. And the expression of the locals is different. Friendly, but unimpressed. If that makes any sense. “I will be.” Looking at him now, I sigh. “Believe it or not, I’m actually glad you came with me. Sometimes I really need a warm-blooded, human hug.”

That sounds stupid as hell. But I had to say it.

Rhine grins. “Oy, what do ya know? I’m warm-blooded and human.” He winks. “Hug me anytime ya get the urge, lass.”

I shake my head and fight a grin. I feel like I’ve got two Noahs now. I give in and smile, then glance up the street. Then I study Rhine. He has to know what’s going on. It wouldn’t be fair to keep it from him. I sigh. “What we’re walking into here is a nightmare, Rhine. This vampire? I’ve dealt with him before. He was the first one to poison me with his Strigoi venom, back in Savannah. He didn’t want me dead, though. He wanted to keep me. Make me become his mate. And I’m pretty damn sure now he’s behind everything here. Carrine, Eli—it’s him. Valerian Arcos. He’s powerful as all holy hell. Just so you know.”

Rhine’s eyes shine with understanding. “Aye, I’ll keep all that in mind. But I willna leave ya, lass.”

With a nod and a deep breath, I focus. Everything around me goes silent, and blurry. I hear and see no one. I’m singling out one in specific. Like flipping through the channels on satellite, my mind spins and spins.

Then I’ve got him.

The hairs on my neck stiffen, and I stare down High Street. Past the double arches of McDonald’s, a sidewalk café. The shade of the building falls over the sidewalk tables, but he’s there. I sense him.

And he senses me, too.

He knows I’ve come.

I’m sure he knew it all along. He’s controlling everything. Every goddamn thing.

“This way,” I say to Rhine, and I start up the street. Past several storefronts, past McDonald’s, past the tartan shop, I walk steadily toward the outdoor café. The only sound I hear is my boots making contact with the sidewalk. I vaguely see Rhine, slightly behind and beside me. I know he’s not going anywhere. It would’ve been useless to try and get him to stay behind. Knowing him, he would’ve chanced waking a sleeping vampire, just to make sure I wasn’t stepping into danger.

I may still be.

But I don’t think so.

At the café, our eyes meet. I know he’s watched me, from the moment I turned into view. Seeing him here, now, is slightly shocking. Infuriating. Disgusting. My hands clench at my sides into fists. Fury boils inside me.

I walk directly to the table, and before I realize it, Rhine is pulling the seat out for me. I sit down. He stands behind me, his hand on my shoulder. A few other tables are occupied by humans. All of them sipping tea and coffee, having a bite to eat, chatting. Wrapping up their day. None of them have any suspicion that a coldhearted murderer is in their midst.

I’m looking at the one sitting at the table, facing me.

A smile touches his mouth. His chocolate brown eyes soften as they stare directly into mine. His dark hair is pulled back into a perfect ponytail. His features are flawless.

He’s a monster inside all of that beauty.

“Riley,” he says seductively. He draws a deep, exaggerated breath, as if air could move through those lifeless lungs. He spares Rhine a brief glance before lowering his gaze back to me. “I didn’t expect you to bring along a chaperone.”

Rhine’s grip tightens on my shoulder. It comforts me.

I steady my gaze directly into that of Valerian Arcos. “Does your father know you’re here?” I ask. “Or your brother?”

An easy smile falls on Valerian’s full lips. “Of course not. Why would I tell them such?” His gaze drops to my breasts, then back up. “And have them ruin our time together?”

Fury seethes within me, and I briefly focus on one mind. Vic, your brother is here in Inverness. I can’t talk right now, but you need to know. And warn your father. I may very well kill the fucker. “We’ll have no time together,” I say calmly. “What do you want here, Valerian? You’re breaking serious codes, you know.”

“Codes my father and ridiculous little brother vowed to uphold,” he acknowledged. “Not me. Besides,” he says, his voice lowering, “I’ve come for a much different reason than you think.”

I cock my head and study him. “I’m not a helpless human you can push around,” I remind him. “So you’d better tell me what it is you want—”

“I could have fucked you in your sleep, love,” Valerian corrects, interrupts. His voice is low, almost crooning. And it’s all matter-of-fact. “You enjoyed every touch, every swipe of my tongue. You liked it. And you were powerless to fight me.” He smiles. “But you know that, don’t you?”

The tension building in Rhine’s body surges through him to his fingertips, where his grip tightens.

“I’ve always known that about you, Valerian,” I say. “I know something else, too.”

He smiles and strokes his chin. “And what’s that?”

I lean forward, my gaze locked with his, and run my fingertip over his knuckles. “That you’re such a pussy, the only way you can get inside girls’ panties is in a dream.”

Valerian’s face hardens, for the briefest of seconds. Then he smiles. “That’s what I adore most about you, Riley Poe. Crass American that you are, you’ve got that special, oh, I don’t know . . .” He in turn grasps my hand with his. “Fuck appeal. It’s terribly irresistible.”

I yank my hand away.

Rhine moves forward, and I reach up and grasp his hand with mine. It stops him. His heart is pounding a mile a minute. Fury rolls off him in waves. I know Valerian notices it. And of course, he doesn’t even acknowledge it. Arrogant bastard.

“But as I insisted before, that’s not why I’m here,” he says, and leans back in his chair. He’s dressed in head-to-toe black. His skin clashes seductively. “You see, I’m so enamored of you that I cannot sit back and watch you be killed mercilessly. ’Twould be . . . quite a loss.”

I narrow my gaze. “What are you talking about?”

His smile is cold. “Your fiancé, Riley. You do realize there’s no saving him now, hmm?” He leans forward again. “He’s partaken of too much human blood, love. He’s awash with it. He can no more control it than you can control me. His vampiric brain is crazed. He doesn’t know you anymore. Or his family. He knows only the female. And his next meal. And I can promise you, my love. No root doctor potion can fix him now.” His brown eyes soften as he looks at me. “You’ve got to put him out of his misery.”

Valerian’s words hit me hard. I fight not to gasp. “Where are you getting your meals from?” I ask. “And since when do you care enough about Eli’s misery to want it ended? And what do you know of the female?” Carrine’s words ring in my ear. “You see, I’m under intense orders myself. My savior freed me from my prison. ’Tis the verra reason I’m even walking the Earth again. I have no choice but to wait.”

Valerian gives a slight shrug. “I’m merely en route to my destination and thought to stop by and encourage you,” he says. “Like I mentioned before, I hate to see such fine fucking material as yourself wasted. And if you wait too long, trying to”—he waves his hand in the air—“save Dupré’s soul, you will get killed yourself.” His eyes turn molten. “And I truly do hate that thought.” He smiles. “And I’ve only fed once since my arrival. I’m not greedy, you know, but I must survive.”

I pin Arcos with a glare. “You freed Carrine, didn’t you? And you’ve given her orders to control Eli.” I cock my head, staring. “Why? Why go through all that? If you simply wanted me, why not just take me? And how did Victorian end up in Romania? How did he simply vanish from the forest?” I draw closer to him. “What are you, some fucking magical fairy bloodsucker?”

Valerian’s expression doesn’t change. His chocolate eyes lock on to mine and he stares. “That female he’s with? She’s a witch, no?” He shrugs. “Maybe she used her magic to send my brother back home. Perhaps you should ask her all of your questions. I don’t have the answers.”

Anger rages through me, and I grab his arm. His eyes light up with interest. “Leave here, Arcos,” I warn. “And don’t touch another human.” I rise and lean over the table. “I will kill you myself.”

Valerian’s brown gaze flashes at the challenge; then he chuckles softly. “Oh, Riley. How easily you forget.” He looks at me. Turn your lovely self around and kiss that paltry human boy you’ve brought along with you. Go on. Do it.

I turn where I stand, slip my hand around Rhine’s neck, and pull his mouth to mine. I kiss him, deeply.

Do you see the power I still possess? You may stop now. The sight sickens me. I simply wanted to prove myself to you. Now you must kill Dupré. He’ll only hurt you in the end. Kill you. Dead. Do what you wish to his lover.

I pull away from Rhine’s mouth. His eyes are glued to mine, green flashing curiosity. I turn and look at Valerian.

“I’m not an idiot, Arcos,” I say, and I move away. “I’ve known what has to be done since I arrived here. Now leave Inverness,” I warn. “Before I call the House of Arcos and tell Daddy what you’re up to.” I won’t tell him I’ve already sent word home to Vic. Better if they surprise him.

Valerian casts an unworried smile. “As I said, I’m just passing through. Heading to Ireland for a jaunt.”

“That’s too close,” I advise. “Go farther. And stay out of my head.”

Valerian chuckles. “Or what, pray tell?”

I edge closer to Valerian’s chair and straddle his lap. In my peripheral I notice several bypassers and other cafégoers turn their glances toward me.

I don’t care.

Valerian’s eyes widen as my hand pushes open his black woolen coat. His stomach is hard, lined with lean muscle. Not bulky strong. Just . . . well, aristocratic strong, if that makes sense. I let my hand move over his ribs, distracting him.

My other hand grasps the silver blade tucked into my boot and I lift it.

One hand on his crotch.

His eyes turn darker.

My other hand goes to his heart with the blade.

Just that fast, Valerian’s eyes flash the tiniest bit of fear. Just before they ice over.

I smile. “So you see,” I say, and press the blade just a little harder, beneath his coat. I grab his crotch harder, too. “I’m not the pushover you think I am.” I lean my mouth to his ear. “I could end you right now, Arcos. It’d be so easy.” I move my face in front of his, our eyes inches apart. “And all I did was use a little bit of pure, unadulterated human female skill.”

He stares at me. “That, my love, would be a mistake,” he advises. “One day, you may just seek my help.”

I slip my blade back into my boot and get up. “I highly doubt that. Now go. Tonight. Or I’ll make the call. Not just to your father. But to Eli’s.”

Again, a tinge of fear replaces the cocky spark of fire in Valerian’s brown eyes. He gives a slight nod. “Very well. You’ll see what I mean soon enough,” he warns. He spares Rhine a glance. “Perhaps your little human friends can keep you safe enough.” He smiles. “For a while.” He rises from the table and buttons his woolen coat up to the throat. He stands in front of me now, looks down at me, and I briefly wonder why vampires are so goddamn beautiful. What a waste.

His smile bares straight white teeth. “Very well, my dear Riley. I’m on my way. But if you need me at all, please . . .” He lifts my hand and brushes his lukewarm lips over my skin. “Call me. I will hasten to be by your side.”

With one last lingering stare, he gives a slight bow, turns, and heads down High Street. I stare at him until the shadows swallow him up.

Then he’s gone.

And I mean gone. Just that fast, he’s out of Inverness. On foot, I sense his presence getting farther and farther away. I can’t believe he even dared approach me. Or maybe he really is stupid enough to pull all that shit and not think I would eventually recognize him?

“Riley?”

I turn and meet Rhine’s gaze. A sheepish expression crosses his face, and he smiles. “Do . . . you remember wha’ you just did?”

I smile and punch his arm. It’s funny to me that Rhine’s brogue is void of the letter t. “You mean that kiss? Yeah, I knew I was doing it.” I incline my head in the direction of Valerian. “But it’s better if we let him think he made me do it. I may never have gotten rid of him otherwise.”

His green eyes flash. “I’m no’ sure if I like the idea of you doing it unawares, or on purpose.”

I smile and we start back toward the bike. “I can’t let everyone know all of my secrets,” I say. “Had Valerian realized he wasn’t overpowering me, I may not have been able to slip inside his head like I did.” I knock shoulders with him. “I didn’t mean to use you, Rhine. For what it’s worth, you are a fab kisser.”

Rhine cuts his eyes at me and shrugs. “I’ve been told that a time or two,” he admits. “Never by an older lass, though.”

“Watch how you say that word older,” I warn. “I’m fast creepin’ toward thirty and not liking it much.”

When we get to Rhine’s bike, he throws his leg over it and sits for a moment, staring at me. The sun has dropped now, and a streetlight casts his face in half shadow. He watches me, studying me closely. I’m sorely tempted to slip back inside his brain, just to see what he’s thinking.

But I don’t.

Finally, he shakes his head. “Get on.”

We pull our helmets on, and I crawl onto the back of the bike and wrap my arms around Rhine’s middle. “We’ve got a vampire to awak- en,” I say. “And trust me when I say shit’s about to hit the fan.”

“I believe it,” he says, and pulls into traffic.

Oh yeah. Shit is definitely about to hit the fan.

What Arcos doesn’t know certainly won’t hurt him.

And I’ve got a wealth of information, just from our little café chat.

And I love that he doesn’t even know the secrets he gave to me.

That’s what he gets for fucking with a human with vampiric tendencies.

And a little fallen angel dust, thrown in to boot.