Vampire's Kiss

by Valerie Twombly

  “No. They were lowly scouts.”

  “You’re sure of this?”

  Baal leaned against a tree. His legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles, arms folded over his chest. “I assure you, my techniques for getting them to talk before I took their heads off are what legends are made of.”

  Seth cocked a brow. He knew there was a reason his king kept the demon around. “I’m impressed. What else did you discover?”

  This time Baal straightened. His body language said this wasn’t going to be good. “Lowan is trying to get into Vandeldor.”

  “Shit. Does Marcus know?” Marcus, second in command, would now be in charge since Aidyn was indisposed. “I thought we took care of that problem when we stopped the demons the last time they snuck in?” They had almost lost Lileta’s mate Caleb and some of his brethren. The three dragon shifters had gone deep into the mountain of their home and fought the demons, pushing them back while Aidyn collapsed the mountain on top of them. It had been difficult getting the dragons back before they perished. The guardian’s home of Vandeldor had been burned and left in ruins. Aidyn had been forced to find them a new location to hide in while they fought the demons that kept finding ways into the human realm.

  “I thought so too, but looks like Lowan refuses to give up. I was hoping you’d locate Marcus for me,” Baal responded.

  “What about your sister, Lileta? Are you going to tell her what Lowan is up to?” So much fucked-up shit had gone down in the past several months. Caleb had rescued Baal’s sister who’d been missing since she was fifteen and if that wasn’t enough, the gods deemed they were to be mates. A Draki and a Kothar demon: a match that should have never been, yet it had. Then came the shock that Lowan was Lileta’s real father. The demon High Lord had taken possession of her and raised all kinds of hell. In the end he had been shoved back into his hole, but not without a fight. At least now everyone understood why the gods, including Hades himself, refused to become involved and simply destroy Lowan. The fucker was a demigod and the gods had their own rules they abided by. One being they couldn’t kill each other. This left the guardians to clean up the mess. Thankfully, the Draki and Baal’s own people stepped in to assist.

  “I have no plans on telling my sister anything. She’s been through enough for now.”

  Seth scrubbed his palm over his face. “Kaitlyn’s father was killed by demons.”

  “Damn that sucks. She know?”

  Seth nodded. “I told her, but I think she suspected anyway.”

  Baal moved his gaze toward the funeral. “We’ll never get that dagger back now unless by force.”

  “You let me worry about that. In the meantime, I’ll locate Marcus.” He closed his eyes and tried to sift through the voices in his head and wondered how long before he would no longer even be able to find the telepathic connection to his brethren. His clock was ticking.

  Marcus?

  Seth. You okay?

  Yes. Baal needs to speak with you. There have been some developments you need to be made aware of.

  Why do I feel like I’m not going to like his news?

  Because you’re not. Seth heard the mental sigh.

  Send him to me. Any luck with the dagger?

  Not yet. That’s another story.

  Just get the job done and get back here.

  The connection snapped shut and Seth turned to Baal. “He’s in New York, now go.” Baal vanished and Seth was again left alone with the voices in his head.

  Katie sat on the chair by her father’s grave. All the others had left, but she couldn’t move. Was afraid to be by herself, which seemed silly. She was used to being on her own, but this was different. There would be no more visits to her father. All that was left for her was his empty house, which she didn’t want to go back to. Never in her entire life had she felt so alone. She’d always pushed people away, which left her without friends or lovers. Her father had been the only one to understand and now he was gone and she was left to sit by his grave and grieve.

  Some place deep inside she found the strength to stand. She had to go so the workers could clear the area. Plus, it would be dark soon. She turned and found a familiar face staring back at her.

  “Mr. Ruiz.”

  “Call me Seth.”

  She studied him. Noted the dark navy wool coat with its collar flipped up. His hands were shoved into the pockets. Even out here he was sexy. His blue eyes bore into her and for some reason she found herself sobbing.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  Strong arms encircled her and pulled her close. She buried her head into his chest and cried. Never before had she let herself fall to pieces and especially in front of a stranger. To allow a man she hardly knew comfort her was foreign, yet it felt completely right. At the moment she didn’t want to think about anything else. Only wanted to embrace the feeling of the strength that encircled her. She still sensed darkness in him, but for some reason it didn’t matter.

  “Can I take you home, Ms. O’Hara?”

  “Please, I’d like that,” she replied into his coat.

  Before she could gather her wits and step away, her body began to tingle. Darkness swirled around her even though she knew the sun hadn’t completely set yet. Seconds later, she stood in her father’s living room. She pushed Seth away.

  “What the hell?” They had been standing in the cemetery not more than seconds ago. “How did you do that?”

  He smiled and strode to the sofa placing his large frame at one end. “I flashed us here.”

  Stunned, she didn’t move from her spot. She licked her lips. Her throat so parched it felt like sandpaper every time she swallowed. With slow, careful movements, she headed for her father’s liquor cabinet. Pulled out his best bottle of Irish whiskey and poured herself two fingers. After taking the entire contents in one swig she let the warmth flush her body. Now she was ready to talk.

  “So, you really are an angel? What did you do to my father in that hospital room?”

  He sighed, unbuttoned his coat and stretched his arm across the back of the couch. “I’m not an angel. I’m a guardian. Angels have wings. As you can clearly see, I do not.”

  She shook her head. It seemed Mr. Ruiz––if that was even his real name––liked to play games. “Let’s say we start at the beginning.” She poured herself another whiskey then remembered that he had joined her in a drink at the club. A wicked thought ran through her mind. I wonder if angels or whatever the hell he is can get drunk? “Mr. Ruiz...”

  “Please call me Seth.”

  “Very well, but only if you call me Katie.”

  “Katie it shall be.”

  She had to suck in a breath. The way her name rolled off his tongue, in a slight accent she’d never noticed before was like the sweetest music she’d ever heard. “Agreed. Would you like a whiskey, Seth?”

  “I was hoping you’d offer to share.”

  “You’ll have to pardon my manners.” She turned and poured a second glass then walked across the room. “It has been a difficult day.” She handed him the tumbler then took a seat in the chair to his right.

  He tipped back his glass and drank. She nearly moaned out loud when he licked his lips and the memory of his hard body against hers came flooding back, quickly followed by irritation at herself. She didn’t like not being in control, and at the moment she felt as if her life was on a downward spiral.

  “Let’s start from the beginning, shall we? Tell me what a guardian is, exactly.”

  He leaned forward, set his glass on the coffee table and pushed off his coat, tossing it to the other side of the sofa. Her gaze went immediately to the hard muscles that bunched under the black tee he wore and the urge to crawl back into his arms frightened the hell out of her. It wasn’t like her in the least to crave a man. Granted, she liked sex as much as the next gal and certainly had never been above having a good time. With no strings attached, of course. Somehow though, this was different. Primal in a way. Like she needed him the same
as she needed to breathe.

  “I was the first one of my kind created by Zarek to protect humanity.”

  “Who is Zarek?”

  “King of the gods.” His reply was matter of fact.

  “Gods?” She raised her brows. “Are you saying there is more than one god?”

  “Believe what you want, but yes.”

  “I see. Well, we can come back to that later.” She took another sip and dug for her courage. “I seem to recall you flashing a set of fangs at me back in my office. Care to tell me about those?”

  He smiled again, but this time there were definitely fangs. Sharp, pointy and why did she find them sexy? She must remember to have her head examined or perhaps that vacation she’d been thinking about.

  “Many immortals have them. However, guardians drink blood. Human blood.” He smiled again and she found herself touching the throbbing vein on her neck before she pulled her sweater up higher. She set her glass aside and thought about what she knew so far. It was a good thing she was open-minded. Of course, with her past experience with demons, she wasn’t surprised to learn there were others and had actually always wondered about it.

  Seth wanted to laugh. The look on Katie’s face when he’d said they drink human blood had been priceless. A combination of desire and fear, both of which sent out bursts of essence mingled with strawberries. He found himself clenching his jaw and fighting the urge to taste her. Instead, he needed to gain her trust so he could get the dagger back.

  “You needn’t worry, Katie. I have no plans to devour you.”

  A look of disappointment washed over her before she quickly regained her composure. “I don’t understand. If you are to protect humanity, then how can you kill us?”

  He reached for his glass and took a long sip and knew she waited with baited breath for his answer. He found making her wait entertaining. “I never said we kill anyone. The gods require a sacrifice for their gift of protection. We drink, but we don’t kill.” He leaned over the arm of the couch and touched her thigh. “As a matter of fact. My bite would bring you the most intense orgasm of your life.”

  She gasped, pushed his hand away and leaned farther into the chair.

  He gave a chuckle and reclined into the comfort of the couch. “Don’t worry, Katie. I’ve no need to feed therefore I won’t make you come. Not today at least.”

  He watched her swallow then flick her tongue out to lick her lips and wondered what it would be like to have the plump perfections wrapped around his cock.

  “What did you do to my father?”

  Change of subject and he found himself relieved because he was beginning to sport another painful erection. “I entered his mind and told him he needed to say goodbye. I gave him my strength so that he could do just that.” He watched her eyes tear up and it ripped at him. “There was no saving him. I saw what the demons did to his insides. I would have liked to save you from the pain of knowing, but since you have a skill for killing demons I figure you deserve to know.”

  She wiped away a tear that escaped. “Thank you for that. I do appreciate your honesty and the fact you gave me a moment with him before he left.”

  Silence fell between them for several minutes. He understood she needed time to regain herself and he obliged.

  “Why do you want the dagger?”

  He was surprised she asked the question so soon. “It’s dangerous in the wrong hands. It doesn’t discern between good and evil, it kills all immortals.”

  She thought for a moment. “How do I know anything you’re telling me is true?”

  He shrugged. “You don’t. But be warned, my patience will run out and I will take it by force if necessary.”

  She straightened, her blue eyes blazed with fire. “I don’t take kindly to threats, Mr. Ruiz.”

  He tossed back the last of his whiskey then set the glass on the table. “Ms. O’Hara. I don’t threaten, I promise. I have a duty to fulfill and do not think for one moment I will let you stand in my way.” He rose and towered over her. Uncomfortable with using scare tactics, but he found them necessary. “I have the ability to simply take your memories and procure the dagger. However, I am willing to give you the opportunity to come to your senses and give it to me. You have forty-eight hours before I will be back for it.” He flashed from the house and stood on the sidewalk watching as she turned off the lights.

  “Did you get it?” Baal asked.

  “Not yet, but I will.” He turned to face the demon. “Did you meet with Marcus?”

  “I did. He is sending Jax and Darius to check things out back home. They are to report back if so much as a speck of dirt stirs.”

  Seth nodded. Their home of Vandeldor, a realm outside of this one has been vacated some time ago, but it didn’t mean it was forgotten. He wouldn’t put anything past Lowan and having the Draki on their side was a huge plus. It was literally eyes in the sky.

  “So, you banging the firecracker in there?”

  “You are crass.”

  Baal smiled. “It’s why you love me.”

  Seth rolled his eyes. “No. I’m not banging her, as you call it. Why do you ask?” Did the demon want her for himself?

  Baal’s golden eyes glowed. “I figured since you hadn’t simply taken the dagger then maybe you were fucking her. Since you’re not, perhaps I can have a go with her. I’m confident I can seduce it away from her.”

  He snorted. “Demon, do you think with anything but your cock?”

  “No, I thought you knew me better than that. Besides, maybe if you thought with your small head more often, the big one would stop torturing you.”

  He knew what Baal meant, but nothing was going to stop the crazy voices inside his head that had been adding up for centuries. Taking a woman to his bed was risky at best and he only did so when the urges couldn’t be sated any other way. He had to admit that Katie stirred a fire deep inside him, but he would fight the urge to have her. He prayed she was smart enough to take his threat seriously because he didn’t think he would remain intact if he had to take her blood.

  “I gave her forty-eight hours to give me the dagger. If I have to resort to taking her memories to find it you may have to kill me afterward.”

  “Shit. We’ll hope she comes to her senses.” Baal slapped Seth on the back. “We’ll get that blade one way or another.”

  The air shifted and prickled his skin. A shadow appeared in front of them and dark wings formed, followed by the body of Gabriel. Zarek’s winged warrior propped a sword on his shoulder.

  “Angel boy, what’s up?” Baal asked.

  The angel curled his lip and bared his teeth. “I’m watching you, vampire. One small step out of line and I won’t hesitate to take your head. Matter of fact, I’m itching to do so.” He flexed his fingers around the handle of his blade.

  Seth hissed. “If you think to intimidate me you are sadly mistaken. You should know I do not fear death.”

  “Your head over my mantel would be a major trophy,” Gabriel growled back.

  Baal stepped forward. “What the hell is going on here?”

  “This doesn’t concern you, demon,” the angel replied.

  “I beg to differ.” Baal stiffened.

  “He’s right, Baal. This is a fight between the angel and I that goes back to...Well the beginning of my existence,” Seth responded.

  “Yes, it does. Perhaps I should kill you now? I doubt Zarek would miss you. He might even thank me.”

  Baal produced his own sword. “You’ll have to get through me to do it.”

  The angel laughed. “Vampire hired a demon as his body guard? You should take care, Baal, and remember who you are dealing with.”

  Baal spat at the ground. “Fuck you. I don’t fear you or Zarek. I live by my own rules and I have promised Aidyn I would watch over Seth. If it comes down to it I will be the one to take care of business.”

  Seth let out a groan and scrubbed a palm down his face. “This would almost be humorous if it weren’t for the fact you ar
e arguing over who gets to have my head.”

  Baal narrowed his golden gaze. “Go home, angel, before I pluck your fucking wings like a damn chicken and stick you on a spit.”

  Gabriel growled something unintelligible before he vanished. Seth turned to Baal. “Really? I’m an ancient, older than you, and I don’t need a babysitter.”

  “What happened between you two?”

  “None of your business.” In all this time Gabriel still hadn’t gotten over Vivian’s death. Qadira had always been a favorite of the angel and the warrior had been livid over the distress caused to the goddess when she’d lost her daughter. Seth couldn’t blame him though. Hell, he still wasn’t over the trauma he’d caused.

  Katie watched out the window as people—well at least they looked like people––popped in and out. One had wings as black as the night and carried a sword. Another confronted him and the two looked as if they might come to blows all while Seth stood there. Her intuition told her they were arguing about him and she had to wonder what he’d done to upset the winged one.

  There was one thing for certain. She wasn’t handing the dagger over to anyone. Her mother had left it to her and she refused to part with it. Not to mention the fact she needed it to end the lives of the demons responsible for her father’s death. She’d hunt every bloody one of them down and make them all pay. Besides, she didn’t trust the one who called himself Seth. Something was off about him. Well, in forty-eight hours she’d be out of town and into hiding if she had to. Lay low for a time and hopefully they’d forget about her.

  She slipped into the den with a flashlight in hand, figured if she kept the house dark they’d think she was asleep and leave her in peace. Moving around her father’s desk, she went to the wall and took down the oil painting. Turning the safe’s dial, right, left, then right again until it clicked. She closed her eyes, took in a deep breath to calm her nerves, then tried the handle. Fear raced through her at what she would find. Poppa had said there was a letter from her mother and she worried why he had never told her about it before. With a shaking hand, she opened the door. The narrow beam of light she shined inside revealed a sealed, white envelope with her name scrawled across the front.