Vamps and the City

CHAPTER 18

She knew who he was.

In a moment of crisis, Austin's training usually kicked in, allowing him to shove all emotion into storage and react with cool logic and precision. That was how it was supposed to work. But one look at Darcy's face, and his emotions were screaming to be let out. She knew who he was. Crap.

He scanned the room to make sure she was alone. The locks on his door were secure. The control panel was still blinking, so the alarm was still on. She must have teleported in.

A videotape was partially ejected from the VCR. She must have watched some of the tape. The computer disks were missing from the coffee table. Bits of yellow paper littered the table and floor.

The list he'd made with the title Vampires Must Die. She'd seen it. With her name on it. The emotional door cracked open. "Shit."

"If you're referring to yourself, I agree." Darcy stood in the kitchen, her arms crossed, her expression harsh with anger.

A blade of emotion stabbed at his heart. Not now. He pushed the pain aside and strode toward her.

"I can explain."

"Don't bother. I already know everything, Austin." She wielded his name like a weapon, and each time she said it, it slashed at him, marking him as a liar.

A series of loud pops erupted from the microwave.

"What are you doing?" He ran to the kitchen and punched the button to open the microwave door.

All the computer disks lay in a melted heap of plastic. Thank God he'd already downloaded everything onto his laptop and a memory stick. Still, it looked like the carousel plate in his microwave was ruined.

He gave her an irritated look. "Cute."

She glanced at his boxers. "I could say the same thing."

Sheesh. Of all the nights to be wearing these stupid SpongeBob briefs. Splashed across his groin was SpongeBob proudly claiming to be boss of his pineapple. "My little sister gave these to me for Christmas."

Darcy arched her eyebrows. "You have a family? I thought something like you slithered out from under a rock. Or maybe, you were hatched in a green, slimy pond."

"I know you're angry."

"Oh, wow. You really do have psychic powers."

"Not psychic enough." He wasn't thrilled with how things had turned out, either. He'd found the perfect woman only to lose her. "I actually thought you were human until a few days ago."

She stiffened. "I am human."

"I meant alive." He set his gun down on the counter within his reach. "I thought you were an innocent mortal trapped in the vampire world. I wanted to save you."

She tilted her head, studying him. "You thought I was a mortal? You couldn't tell the difference?"

"No! You had a pulse, dammit. How can a vampire have a pulse? And you were drinking cold chocolate. And whenever I read your mind, you were thinking about beaches and the sun and your family. What kind of vampire longs for the sun?"

She gritted her teeth. "I do."

"You had me completely fooled. I thought you were in terrible danger. I thought you needed rescuing."

"And you were going to be the hero and save me?" She stepped closer, her eyes glimmering with pain. "You're too late."

He flinched. He was too late. She could never be his.

"I saw the title on your handy little list. 'Vampires Must Die. So now, instead of saving me, you want to kill me?"

The pang dug deeper at his heart. "I could never hurt you."

"You're lying again! You have hurt me."

"I didn't mean to. I thought you were alive when I—but when I discovered you were dead—"

"Do I look dead to you?" She jabbed a finger at his chest. "Did I feel dead when you were touching me? Did I taste dead to you in the hot tub?"

"I thought you were alive, dammit!" He shoved her poking finger aside. "But when we got out of the hot tub, I could see my shadow. And you didn't have one. That's when I realized the truth."

Her eyes narrowed. "And that's when you dumped me."

"What did you expect me to do? Make love to a dead woman?"

She gasped, then drew back her hand and slapped him hard. "Can a dead woman do that?"

He tasted blood on his lip. Sheesh, he should have known not to insult a female vampire. Darcy was incredibly fast and strong. He wiped his mouth and saw the red streak on his hand.

She stiffened, staring at his hand.

"What's wrong, Darcy? Did you forget to eat before coming?"

Her eyes blazed with anger. "I've never bitten anyone. If you knew me at all, you would know I could never do that."

"But you have the urge, don't you?" He stepped toward her. "You can't help it. It's what you are."

"Stop it!" She shoved him back and strode from the kitchen. "I'm not like that. I'm not evil. And neither are my friends."

He followed her into the living room. "I've seen your kind in action. They attack people, rape and murder innocent women."

"Those are the Malcontents." She paced across the room. "The rest of us aren't like that."

"You have the same urges, the same thirst for human blood."

"Aagh!" She lifted both hands in frustration. "How can you be so blind? You've seen my friends on the show. You have to know there's nothing evil about them."

He was so damned frustrated, he had to lash out. "Your dear friends predate the invention of synthetic blood. So, they must have preyed on the innocent. That makes them evil."

"What gives you the right to judge what is evil?"

"I represent the innocent. The victims."

"You don't believe I was a victim?"

His heart stuttered. Of course she was a victim. And an innocent. Dammit, he wanted this to be simple. Either right or wrong. Not this murky mess that didn't make any sense.

She paced toward him. "I never lied to you about my name or my profession." She pointed at the videotapes. "I never investigated you behind your back. I never invaded your workplace, pretending I wanted to kiss you when all I wanted was information. I never invaded your head. I never put your best friends on a hit list. I never betrayed you or planned to stab you in the back. So tell me, Austin, which one of us is evil?"

He fell back onto the couch. Holy shit. He'd tried so hard to convince himself he was on the right side— the human side. But was he the one being inhuman?

He looked at the stack of videotapes. He'd fallen in love with the human Darcy. When he'd found out the truth about her, he'd thought he could simply turn off those feelings. Announce her dead, bury the feelings, and go on with the assignment. But he couldn't. Holy crap.

He was compromised.

And he was still in love. Even though he knew who she was.

"I have to go." She trudged toward the door. The last few steps, she closed her eyes and frowned with concentration.

She bumped into the door. "Damn," she muttered, then leaned her forehead against the door.

His sweet Darcy. "Not much of a vampire, are you?"

She shot an angry look at him over her shoulder. "I'm having trouble focusing." She flipped the first deadbolt lock.

She was leaving him. Leaving, feeling betrayed. He couldn't let her go like that. He watched her turn the second and third deadbolt lock. "You were all I ever wanted in a woman."

Her hand stilled. "Don't lie to me."

"The way I felt was never a lie. It was real."

She turned to face him. Her eyes glistened with tears.

He gestured toward the tapes. "At first, I was curious. I wanted to know what had happened to you.

But the more I got to know you, the more intrigued I became. The more fascinated and attracted.

The more I realized I was in love with you."

Her face crumbled. "And now, you can't bear to touch me. You think I'm repulsive."

He winced. God, he wished that was true. It would be easier if he couldn't stand to touch her. But now, even knowing who she was, he still wanted her. "Darcy." He stood. "You were the most beautiful woman I've ever known."

"Past tense." She closed her eyes and looked away. "You don't believe this can work, do you?"

"No. I don't."

"I told myself that so many times. I tried to resist you. But I wanted you so much."

Austin sighed. They were both suffering. Somehow, that knowledge didn't help much. "If you want Garrett and me off the show, I understand."

She drew in a shaky breath. "It would be hard to explain this mess to my boss. Sly's going to be mad enough that I let mortals on the show, but hiring two vampire slayers—"

"We never planned to hurt anyone. We were only gathering information."

"Which you planned to use against us."

He groaned inwardly. He couldn't deny that. "My boss is desperate to find his daughter."

"And murder his son-in-law?" Darcy shook her head. "Roman and Shanna are very happy. You should leave them alone."

"You don't think she's in any danger, married to a vampire?"

Darcy scoffed. "You don't understand how much they love each other. But then, I don't suppose you know much about love."

Ouch. He knew it hurt like hell.

Darcy sighed. "If you and Garrett can get yourselves eliminated in the next round, that would help.

Then, you'd both be gone, and I'd still have a job."

"Fine. We'll just keep all the spy stuff a secret."

She nodded. "That would be the best for both of us."

"How did you find out?"

With another sigh, she leaned against the door. "The show made its debut on DVN tonight. Shanna saw it and recognized you. She called Connor, and they told me who you are."

He winced. "We thought you'd finish recording everything before the first show aired."

A knock on the door startled her. "That's my ride. I–I'll see you at the penthouse Monday night?"

"Yes. Wait a minute." He strode toward the door and switched off the alarm system. "You can go now. Good night."

She looked at him, her face pale. "Good night."

She was only a few inches away, but it felt like a chasm stretched between them. Two different worlds.

"Such a shame," he whispered. How would he ever get over her?

She grimaced. "Yes, it is." She opened the door.

Austin tensed when he saw the kilted Scotsman in the hallway. The youthful-looking vampire shot Austin an irritated look, then took Darcy's arm and led her away.

Out of his life. Back to the world of vampires. Austin slowly closed the door.

What the hell was he going to do? Betray Darcy and her friends? Or betray his job at the CIA?

Either way, he couldn't escape the outcome. He would be a traitor.

Ian escorted her around the block to where he'd parked the car. "Connor just called. Gregori's been trying to find ye. He says yer boss wants to see you right away."

Darcy groaned. "Of course he does." Sly wanted to pitch a fit because of the mortals on the reality show. This was the conversation she'd dreaded. Great. Wasn't it enough that her heart was in shreds? She didn't want to lose her job, too. Besides, she still thought including mortals had been a great twist. How was she to know those mortals would be undercover spies? That little fact she would never admit to Sly. She was stuck in a weird position. She'd have to protect Austin and Garrett in order to protect herself.

Ian opened the car door for her. "I'll drive ye to DVN. Gregori's headed that way. He'll take ye home when ye're done."

"Thank you." Darcy climbed into the front passenger seat.

Ian zipped around to the driver's side and got in. "I have a cell phone if ye'd rather teleport. It would be faster."

Darcy fastened her seat belt. "I'd rather you drive, if you don't mind."

"All right." Ian started the engine and they drove off.

Darcy didn't want to try teleporting again. She was still too upset to concentrate properly. Her last attempt had been so embarrassing. Bouncing off the door? Sheesh. It had reminded her of a sci-fi show where the doors failed to swoosh open and the actors crashed into the door.

She realized she was trying not to think about Austin. Or his confession of love. Or his belief that they had no future. Dammit, future was the one thing she did have. In abundance. Why couldn't she spend it with the man she loved? Shanna was happily married to Roman. Why couldn't Austin be happy with her?

Do you expect me to make love to a dead woman? His words rushed back, flooding her with pain and frustration. They couldn't have a future. His mission in life was to battle her own kind. He would have to give up his job to be with her. He'd have to give up his whole way of life to dwell in the darkness with her. It'd been so hard for her to adjust. How could she expect him to do it? He was right. It was impossible.

Ian dropped her off at DVN. She wandered across the lobby, aware of the furious glares being cast her way by the other vampires. Great. She was enemy number one in the vampire world.

The receptionist frowned at her. "Mr. Bacchus is expecting you. I'll tell him you've arrived." She punched a button on her phone. "She's here."

She's doomed, Darcy thought as she walked down the hall. She knocked on Sly's door.

"Come in."

As Darcy entered, Tiffany rushed past her into the hall. Great. Hopefully, Tiffany had left him in a good mood. Darcy shut the door. Sylvester Bacchus stood behind his desk, his arms crossed, his brow creased with a ferocious scowl.

Tiffany must be overrated. Darcy squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. "You wanted to see me?"

Sly narrowed his beady eyes. "I watched the debut tonight. The whole freaking vampire world watched it."

Darcy swallowed. "That was what we'd hoped for."

He skirted the desk. "The show finished two hours ago. In that time, we have received fifteen hundred phone calls and emails. Do you know what they're saying, Newhart?"

"They… like the show?"

With a snort, he stopped in front of her. "They hate you."

She gripped her hands together. "I can explain—"

"I thought I told you that the Sexiest Man on Earth had to be a vampire."

"He will be. The mortals will never pass all the tests."

"Did I say you could include mortal scum on a vampire show?"

"No, but you wanted a big twist, one that would shock everyone. I believe I have accomplished that."

He raised a hand to hush her. "Let me tell you what you've accomplished. You've pissed off the entire vampire world."

"I—" She stopped when he pointed a finger at her.

He stepped closer 'til the tip of his pointing finger was an inch from her face. "I have two words to say to you."

She braced herself for it. You're fired.

The corner of Sly's mouth lifted. "You're brilliant."

Her eye twitched.

"You have single-handedly caused an uproar! This is the most exciting event since the introduction of synthetic blood."

"Excuse me?"

Sly paced across the room. "We're averaging over seven hundred calls and emails an hour. Vamps all over the world are royally pissed. At us! It's fantastic."

"Huh?"

"When Wednesday night comes, the entire vampire world will come to a screeching halt while everyone watches our show. Tell me, do they kick off another mortal in the next show?"

Darcy thought back. Yes, Nicholas was booted off when he dropped Lady Pamela in the mud. "Yes, they do."

"Great!" Sly slapped his thigh. "You're a genius, Newhart. It's like you've created a war on television. Vamps will be glued to the screen to make sure the mortals are defeated."

"I see."

"They will be defeated, won't they?" Sly paused in mid-stride. "I'm warning you, Newhart, a Vamp has got to win."

"Yes, sir."

"Have you finished recording yet?"

"No. We have three nights left."

"And the last night—when are you shooting that?"

"This Friday."

Sly nodded. "I want to be there to personally hand over the harem and the check to the winner. It'll be great!"

"Yes, sir."

Sly grinned. "That's it, Newhart. Good work."

"Thank you." She headed for the door.

"Just remember, a Vamp has to win."

"No problem." Darcy exhaled in relief as she strode to her office. She still had a job. And Austin had agreed that he and Garrett would get eliminated in the next round. In her office, she worked on the second show that would air on Wednesday.

After a few minutes, the receptionist came in with a stack of phone messages and emails. "Sly wanted you to see these."

Darcy thumbed through the messages. Oh, no. Vamps from around the world were complaining about the ex-harem's old clothes and hairstyles. Some were even poking fun at them.

Darcy had tried so hard to get the ladies to modernize. These messages might do the trick.

She worked until Gregori and Maggie arrived. They were relieved she still had a job and that the show would continue.

Maggie studied the messages that blasted the ex-harem's taste. "You know what this means?"

"That Lady Pamela will have the vapors?" Gregori muttered.

Maggie smiled. "Yes. But then, we'll be doing makeovers."