Darkness Burning Read online

  A door creaked open. “They’re ready for you, Nic,” came a low, amused drawl, one she recognized from the alley, when he’d interrupted another sexy bite.

  Clothing rustled. A zipper scraped. A hand slid up the back of her thigh and squeezed her bottom. “Now, I thank you for the gift. Be sure to send my greetings to Alex.”

  As he walked away, Miki scraped the hair from her sweaty face and watched his tall frame disappear into a bright hallway.

  A glance at her watch had her wincing. There were still hours until dawn. How many more temptations would she face before this night was done?

  CHAPTER 5

  Alex returned to the salon, avoiding a path that might take him near his grandmother. He needn’t have worried about drawing her attention. Erika was lost in a sensual haze, her gaze unfocused as she bounced on the lap of one of the handsome bucks she’d collected for the evening.

  Needing fresh air to clear his head and dampen his disgust, he headed straight for the library, knowing the doors inside that room would lead him to the garden stretching along the side and back of the house.

  Behind him a murmur of voices rose, and he looked over his shoulder, his gaze catching on the matriarch of the Ardeal coven, Inanna. This was the first time he’d ever seen her in the flesh rather than through time-clouded glimpses of memories in his vast store. And although he knew doing so was dangerous, he couldn’t help giving in to the urge to draw closer.

  She must have cast an allure over the entire room, so attentive was every gaze, including his own, on her slim body as she swept inside. Long midnight hair, shiny as a raven’s wing, brushed past her shoulders to flow down the back of a simple wine-colored sarong. Her slender body was nude beneath it, the silk clinging to the points of her breasts and swirling in the hollow between her thighs. Dark rubies studded the black choker around her neck.

  The lids of her almond-shaped eyes were half-closed, like a cat’s, as her gaze slowly landed on each man in the room, before seeking the next. Each time her gaze paused, the man sucked in a deep breath, hoping for a nod, a gesture to draw nearer, which she never gave. Until she reached him. Her full lips curved into a slow smile and she sauntered toward him.

  His body stilled with alarm, as well as a deepening arousal. How the fuck would he keep her from discovering what he was if she decided to take a bite?

  She lifted her hand, a graceful, regal movement.

  Without hesitating, he slid his beneath hers, bent his head, and raised her soft, slender hand to his mouth. The kiss he gave her smooth skin lingered.

  Not by his will.

  “So handsome,” she said in a lilting voice. “Erika does have an eye.”

  With her hand still resting on his, Alex swayed imperceptibly on his feet. His face felt hot, then cold. Shit. He couldn’t stop the rush of memories that swept through him like a torrent.

  Searing, suffocating heat. A hot breeze licking over moist skin. Moonlight silvering the interior of a large, sparsely furnished room. A bed draped in gauze curtains.

  A furtive glance down the empty hallway assured privacy, and she entered the room, easing the door closed behind her. She crept closer, her body quivering at the low groans emanating from deeper inside the chamber.

  She paused to pinch her nipples through her thin, linen gown, drawing them erect until they scraped deliciously against the fabric.

  She approached the bed and swept aside the gauze curtain, staring hungrily at the naked man writhing on the bed, hand fisted around his straining cock. The aphrodisiacal powder the wizard had sprinkled liberally on his food had worked beyond her imaginings.

  He would not resist her, however much he respected her father and wished to earn his place at court through his own merits.

  “Get out!” he gritted between jaws clenching so hard that his teeth ground loudly.

  Inanna’s thighs rubbed together, smearing evidence of the desire trickling from her body. She smiled, congratulating herself for choosing so well. The warrior’s strong body would pleasure her endlessly and father a ferocious child.

  Muscles flexed along his taut abdomen as he rutted into his hand. His thick flanks tensed, carved into relief by moonlight gleaming on sweat as he pulsed helplessly.

  That he was handsome—curling dark hair, a strong, masculine jaw, and thin, sensual lips—only added to her delight.

  Inanna stepped closer, reaching out to trail her fingertips slowly from his ankle, moving upward.

  His powerful leg trembled—but he didn’t command her to stop. When she reached his upper thigh, she paused to unfasten the brooch holding her gown at her shoulder. It slithered to the floor.

  His ravenous gaze swept her body in an almost physical caress, halting to examine her distended nipples and her glistening sex. Although the flush staining his cheeks said he was embarrassed by his lack of self-control, his fist ground up and down his cock faster.

  “Let me soothe you,” she whispered. “Use my body, my woman’s furrow, to slake your lust. No one will know.”

  His lips lifted in a feral snarl.

  She took no offense, knowing his show of resistance was false because of the desperation glittering in his eyes.

  She smoothed both hands around his fist and knelt on the bed to come over him, her eager lips opening to swallow the tip of his cock.

  This time she would use just her mouth for seduction. His respite would be short. When the heat rose again, he’d be forced to accept the relief she offered.

  How delicious he was, how glorious would be her satisfaction when her sister cried over the loss of his affections.

  With effort, Alex pulled away his hand and opened his eyes.

  Inanna gave him a quizzical glance.

  “Too much to drink. Forgive me,” he said quickly.

  Her light, sultry laughter lifted the hairs on the back of his neck.

  A tall dark Cajun sidled up beside her, gave Alex a searing glare, and leaned down to whisper in Inanna’s ear.

  Her glance swept over Alex again, and her lips formed a disappointed pout before she turned and slipped her arm inside the curved elbow of her ever loyal paramour—Pasqual.

  Alex let out a deep, relieved breath. He gave himself a stern admonition not to let his arrogance lead him into danger in this court of intrigue.

  He slowly circled the room, fighting his own impatience. When he reached the library, he noted a rustling coming from the bathroom, so he headed straight for the French doors and let himself out into the garden, where he breathed in the honeysuckle and rose-scented air, grateful for the respite from the heavy, murky air inside. The scent of sex and blood had become so thick that he thought it would permeate his clothing and his skin. He hated the decadence. Hated the lack of restraint and respect.

  Not that he didn’t understand the underlying lusts that ruled all vampires or that he didn’t seek his own liaisons to satisfy them. But he could measure a creature’s strength of character in how he approached assuaging those hungers.

  Indiscriminate feeding and sex took no imagination. Taught no lessons.

  Perhaps his view had been skewed by spending centuries with a former monk. Lately, however, he’d acted on instincts, on those insidious hungers. Taking Chessa might have been planned, but he’d gloried in the ease with which the act had finally happened.

  And then Sarah, whom he’d only meant to protect in that dark alley. What had started as a bite, something to ease her fear and his own hungers, had overwhelmed him. If Malcolm hadn’t interrupted, Alex would have taken her right then and there. When she’d found him at the blood bar, he’d finally given way to his lust.

  In any case, he was ready to focus on the true business of the evening. He had to know what happened when the sabat met. He wouldn’t be allowed in the room, couldn’t even let anyone know of his interest.

  Nicolas was the key. He’d have to approach him afterward. But how would he while away the hours in the meantime?

  He wandered through the dark garden, a
voiding the pools of light spilling from the paned windows and French doors, compliments of the generator droning in the distance. Hands clasped behind his back, he pretended boredom in case he was observed, while inside he felt frustrated, impatient, wishing he were anywhere but here.

  Here was a dangerous, incestuous cesspool. Yet Chessa wouldn’t budge from Ardeal. She complicated matters. How would he keep her safe from the sabat and Inanna? Chessa knew Inanna was crafty and untrustworthy, but she didn’t know the depths to which her grandmère would go to get exactly what she wanted.

  A door leading from the library creaked quietly open, then closed again. Was someone following him? Alex stepped behind a tall white column to watch.

  A woman stepped into a pool of moonlight. She adjusted her clothing, cursing softly under her breath. Disheveled, her long red hair mussed, she raked her fingers through it, wrinkled her nose in disgust, and glanced around.

  Dressed in a brown leather bomber jacket and jeans, he recognized her instantly. Malcolm had indeed added her to the last patrol from New Orleans—brought her as food for the straight Revenants. By the careful way she walked, he could tell that she’d already indulged in the debauchery. Not that he could blame any man for wanting to take a bite. Her vibrant coloring was like feathers cloaking a luscious little bird. Ripe for plucking.

  Alex eased himself closer to her through the shadows, wondering why this woman seemed fated to cross his path again and again.

  Her straight back ended in a lush round bottom. Her legs were long and slim. But it was her face that arrested him. Porcelain-pale skin. A short, blunt nose and rounded, stubborn chin. Although he still couldn’t tell their color, her eyes were large and luminous.

  She walked deeper into the garden, found a teakwood bench, and settled gingerly down.

  Her eyelids fluttered shut for a moment and she inhaled, her shoulders rising, then relaxing visibly. When she opened them again, her expression grew disgruntled. “Damn, I need a bath.”

  Perhaps here was a bit of distraction to keep him amused as he waited. He quietly approached her from behind. “Enjoying the party?” he asked, deepening his voice so that she wouldn’t recognize it.

  She jumped, her head swiveling to find him in the shadows. Her eyes widened on him. “I thought I was alone,” she said, her tone indicating her preference that he leave. “Besides, I already gave. Twice,” she bit out. “So no tricks—keep those damn pheromones and fangs to yourself.”

  “I’m not a Revenant,” he said easily, not the least put off by her bristling.

  “I don’t care what the hell you call yourself, no more ‘gifts’ are happenin’ here.”

  Despite her prickly demeanor, he settled on the bench beside her, leaning back as though he was oblivious to her annoyance and meant to stay a while. “I meant, I’m not one of the turned vampires.”

  “You’re not a vampire?” Her gaze narrowed. “Every vampire I’ve met has been beyond beautiful. You’re too handsome to be a normal guy.”

  He preferred an indirect response to an outright lie. “I came with a group of guys from New Orleans to attend the party. But thanks for the compliment.”

  Her expression was no less suspicious. “Did you know it would be like this?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Then I’m surprised you’re out here. Erika seems to have plenty to go around.”

  He didn’t have to pretend a shudder. “She’s a slut.”

  The woman snorted. “Plenty of those here, that’s for sure,” she said, her voice smaller.

  Hearing the soft self-recrimination in her tone, he canted his head and reached over to lift a strand of hair stuck to her sweaty cheek. “Did anyone do something they shouldn’t have?” he asked, tucking the strand behind her ear. “Something…uninvited?”

  She glanced away, her lips twisting. “No, but it’s not like they play fair.”

  Alex found her confiding in him as though he were just a harmless stranger—a human stranger—amusing, as well as refreshing. “Their allure can be overwhelming,” he murmured.

  “Exactly,” she said, her agreement emphatic. She turned slightly toward him. “I just can’t believe—”

  “You can’t beat yourself up just because a few of them got to you. It’s not your fault.”

  “Not a few,” she said hotly, her body stiffening. “What do you take me for?”

  He lifted his eyebrows in mock horror. “More, then?”

  A scowl drew her dark brows together, and her lips pouted in a bullish moue.

  “Sorry. A couple?” He knew even before her curt nod that Nicolas had fed his hungers; his scent lingered in the air around her body. Made his own tighten with jealousy. Had Nic done it on purpose when he’d scented Alex’s musk on her skin?

  “I haven’t gotten even one bite tonight, but I’m finding it harder to resist them. I think they spiked the drinks. They do that sometimes at these gatherings,” he suggested to draw her out even more.

  “Not anything I can help you with, buddy. Gonna have to take care of it yourself.”

  “Will you watch?” he asked innocently.

  Her nose wrinkled in disgust. “Uhhh…no!”

  He grinned. “Sorry, I was just teasing. You seem a little tense. Thought I might lighten your mood.”

  The corners of her lips curved upward, and she ducked her head. When her gaze returned to his, a solemn expression replaced it. “Is it always about sex?”

  “Can’t help it. I drank too much.”

  “I don’t mean you. Those…creatures…inside.”

  Alex waggled his eyebrows. “I hate to break it to you, but when there are men and women in proximity of each other—whatever their species—it’s usually about the sex.”

  “I knew that, in a sort of intellectual way,” she said slowly, “but tonight’s been damn confusing.”

  “Get your first bite tonight?”

  She nodded, a blush coloring her cheeks. “I kind of wish it had stopped at that.” Her legs crossed, then uncrossed. “I met a man tonight. He was my…first bite. It blew me away. Which is why I don’t get them spiking the drinks.”

  “The ‘drug’ they use serves a couple of purposes. It lowers inhibitions—”

  Her brows drew low. “They have those special pheromones, why would they need more?”

  “It also helps to keep the details of what happens tonight a little fuzzy.”

  “I only had a sip of a mixed drink. I stuck to the bottled water.”

  Alex sucked in a breath. “You drank the Perrier?”

  “Yeah.” She must have seen his wince. “Spiked, too?” she asked, her voice rising. His solemn nod pulled the corners of her mouth downward. “This is so not fair. All I wanted was a little information.”

  “Curiosity brought you here?” he said, finding it amusing to pretend he didn’t already know.

  Her head nodded vigorously, flipping hair against her cheeks. “Should have known better. Alex said my questions would be answered here, but Malcolm couldn’t disappear fast enough with his girlfriend.”

  The vehemence in her voice intrigued him. “What questions?”

  “About them,” she said, pointing toward the house. “Where they come from? What they can do? How they’ve managed to keep hidden so long?”

  “Why the burning interest?” He widened his eyes and dragged in an exaggerated breath. “Are you a groupie? Or here from the National Enquirer?”

  Her casual shrug contrasted with the way her gaze slid away. The woman wasn’t a skilled liar. Something else he found attractive about her.

  “I’m just…curious.”

  “‘Just curious’ made you take some huge risks.”

  “I need to know…things. How the world works. What’s in it. You know what I mean?”

  “Sure,” he said, although his own curiosity was piqued now. “I’m Alexander, by the way,” he said, watching her expression closely.

  Her gaze sharpened on his face. “Alexander Bytheway? Odd name
,” she said airily. He could tell she was forcing the lightness, because her breaths were coming faster.

  Alex grinned. “Who are you?”

  “I’m M—Sarah.”

  “Mm-Sarah. Nice to meet you,” he said, holding out his hand. “Is there anything wrong?”

  She winced, then shook her head. “The man I met earlier, his name was Alex.”

  “Common enough.” He couldn’t resist needling her a little more. “Does he look anything like me?” he asked, still holding out his hand for her to take.

  She bit her lower lip, and moisture welled in her eyes, making her blink. “Not a bit,” she whispered. For several seconds, her gaze flicked between his hand and his face, but slowly she raised hers.

  When he enclosed her small hand inside his, he squeezed.

  Her legs shifted, crossed. Arousal bloomed, the aroma wafting in the air. “I think I need to find a ride home,” she said, urgency in her tone.

  Her aroma, sweet and crisp, went straight to his cock. “Why did you come to the garden? Escaping?”

  “I…I thought maybe I could take a walk around.”

  “Around the back? You curious about the strange goings-on—the other party?”

  “Is that what it is? Some awfully high-flying people seem to be gathering back there. I saw one of them. I swear, the crystals on her dress looked like diamonds.”

  “Probably were. Think about it. Some of them have lived a long time. That’s time enough to gather a lot of wealth.” Her quickening breaths told him how uncomfortable she was growing. Her palm heated, moistening against his.

  She tugged her hand. “You can let go of my hand now.”

  “Are you feeling all right?” he asked, injecting concern, while inside he felt only a growling satisfaction. Soon, very soon, she’d have to admit defeat. And he wouldn’t have to use even a suggestion of his own allure to draw her closer.

  “I’m just a little warm.”

  “Sarah,” he said softly, “by now, you know there’s only one cure for what ails you.”