by Mary Abshire
I returned to the way I'd entered. Past the closed door, the walls continued until the left opened up to a large room. A brass chandelier hung from the ceiling in the center, but there wasn't a table. Boxes were stacked along both sides of the walls. Clothes were scattered around on the right with the two piles near a corner. I continued to the next room and found Jeremy standing in the kitchen, staring out the window.
"See anything?" I asked as I walked toward him, passing a round table in the corner.
"No," he said as he turned to face me. "The exits were easy to watch. The only way he could've gotten out is if someone wasn't doing their job."
I'd thought the same thing. "I think Ryan's checking on that. Where's Shawn?"
Jeremy stepped past me and headed for another hallway. "Shawn?" he called out.
I trailed behind Jeremy in the hall, passing two closed doors.
"I'm coming," Shawn said as he exited a room at the end of hall. A werewolf stood near the door. Men continued talking from the room Shawn had left.
Jeremy stopped near a bathroom. "Where's the note?"
Shawn pointed past me. "It's down there."
I twisted around as he walked by me. Shawn pushed open the closed door next to the kitchen, then stopped inside. The smell of death hit me as I entered the room. My stomach churned. I covered my nose and mouth before I came to a halt in front of the bed. Two naked women, one on her stomach and the other on her back, were lying on the mattress. Both appeared dead and had thoroughly stained the pink sheets. What captured my attention was a piece of paper on top of the recently deceased woman facing the ceiling.
Jeremy walked behind me and around the bed. He stopped at the side with his gaze directed at the note.
"The werewolves sniffed around the paper. They don't think Viktor's scent is on it," Shawn said.
Jeremy lifted the document from the dead girl, then clenched his jaw. "You want Viktor. I want a deal. Meet us at midnight at the Catacombs de Paris. Come alone or I release Viktor."
He walked around the mattress, then handed the paper to me. Holding it, I reread the message. A hint of despair rushed through me. Meeting him alone could easily lead to my death. Three vamps and little ol' me in a deep underground cave gave me plenty of bad vibes.
Jeremy paced the room. Heat poured out of him in waves. "How the fuck did he get away?" His tone was thick with anger. He stormed out of the room.
Shawn darted after him. I followed and left the bedroom, note still in hand. Jeremy disappeared into the room at the end of the hall. Shawn reached the doorway as I came up to the bathroom on my right. A string hanging from the ceiling caught my attention. I stopped and stared at the cutout in the ceiling.
"How the fuck did the vampire get away?" Jeremy barked at someone.
"Calm down," Ryan said.
"Don't fucking tell me—"
"Jer," I called out before he finished his sentence.
Shawn stood in the doorway. He looked at me, then I lifted my gaze briefly. "Fuck me," he said, then headed toward me.
Jeremy strode from the room with his fists clenched. The tightness of his face and body warned all to beware. He was a volcano ready to erupt.
Shawn stopped at my side and directed his attention above me. I backed up as Jeremy came to a halt a few feet away. He looked up.
"Motherfucking hell," Jeremy said.
He reached up and captured the hanging cord. I backed against the wall while the werewolves gathered into the hall behind Jeremy. He tugged on the rope. After a snap, a square section of the ceiling lowered. Sunlight spilled into the hallway before Jeremy had finished opening the attic door.
Shawn crossed the hall to stand next to me. "That's it," he said softly, then looked at the werewolves behind Jeremy. "Someone should check it out."
Jeremy stepped aside. One of them passed him, then moved in front of the attic door. He reached for the roped ladder tucked against the wood panel. As it unrolled, he took hold of it, then sniffed around the rope.
"His scent is here," the werewolf said. He tugged on the ladder, testing its strength. Satisfied, he began climbing.
All of us watched as he ascended. The wood creaked in the ceiling with each step the big man took. My hands perspired as he slowly disappeared above us.
Jeremy walked around the werewolf. He gripped my arm and gently guided me toward the kitchen. "If Nassar has Viktor, do you think Constantine is with him too?"
We stopped near the window in the kitchen.
"I believe so," I said as I lifted the note up. "He said meet us. It could mean him and Viktor, but Nassar seemed close with Constantine. My gut instinct tells me all three would show up to this meeting."
Jeremy took his hat off, then ran his hand over his head. Shawn entered the room cautiously.
"You can't go alone." Jeremy's eyes held a hint of distress. The tension in his face had vanished. "I won't let you."
His feelings about me were clear and my options were limited. If I tried to go on my own, Jeremy would find a way to catch up to me. I couldn't change the location or the time of the meeting. So, my chances of meeting Nassar alone amounted to none. Disappointment filled me, but at the same time, I felt relieved. There was no way I could survive a meeting with three vampires.
"There has to be away around this," I said, hopeful. "We should go back to the hotel and talk this through. We can look at the maps for the catacombs. I don't want this opportunity to pass us."
Jeremy shook his head. "I'm not leaving you. Never again."
"I know. Let's figure out a plan," I said.
"She's right." Shawn came to stand next to us. "You have plenty of time to work out the details that should satisfy both of you."
Ryan walked into the kitchen. "I'm being told the vamp's scent is everywhere up there."
I looked at Jeremy. We knew what we had to do. I wouldn't pass the chance to claim Viktor and he wouldn't let me out of his sight. Somehow, we had to find a way to get what we wanted.
Jeremy directed his attention to Ryan. "We're heading back to the hotel. We need to work on a plan for tonight."
With that said, Jeremy and I left to return to our suite.
Chapter Thirty-Four
I stood at the top of the Eiffel Tower gazing at the dark city. Wind gusts cooled me, but the arms wrapped around me and the demon pressed against my back kept me warm. Lights lit up Paris and glowed in front of the monuments. Tranquility filled my soul while I marveled at the beauty below me. The feeling wouldn't last, so I was savoring every minute.
Jeremy gave me a gentle squeeze, then kissed my ear. "What are you thinking?"
I rubbed my hand over his arm resting across my ribs. "It's so peaceful right now."
"I feel it, too."
Together, we enjoyed the silence. After we'd left Ryan, Shawn, and the other werewolves, we'd returned to the hotel and worked out a plan. I couldn't get rid of him and he wouldn't let me go to meet the vamps alone, so we compromised. I would enter the catacombs and he'd stay ten to twelve feet behind me. If Nassar and his merry band of blood brothers attacked me, Jeremy could catch up quickly enough to set them ablaze. And if they snuck up on him, they'd end up on fire. One way or another, any threat would result in their demise. Yes, we were putting ourselves at risk. Yes, we could be stabbed to death. And there was a chance they could bring Jeremy down before he could touch them. It had happened before. But we agreed to the plan anyway. I refused to let the opportunity of sending Viktor's soul to Hell slip through my grasp.
Then there was the possibility Nassar would release Viktor, according to the note. My gut believed Nassar was bluffing. He wanted to make a deal for something. The only item of value he had was his soul, along with Constantine’s and Viktor's. If I wagered correctly, he placed a higher priority on his than the others. He'd bring Viktor regardless if I was alone or not, but I wasn't dumb enough to bring the entire cavalry with me. Everyone had limits.
The question still remained, what did Nassar want? I rec
alled conversations we'd had at the Fort when I was held prisoner. His attitude toward the VETOV seemed questionable. He didn't fully approve of what they'd done to me. The fact he'd left with Constantine before Jeremy's force arrived at the Fort supported the notion he no longer held the VETOV to the same standard he once had. Maybe Nassar sought my death to be rid of me once and for all. I had the same feeling toward him. Maybe he wanted to make amends so he could go about with his existence. To find out what he aimed to have, we had to meet him.
"This is almost heaven," Jeremy said.
"Almost?"
He rubbed his nose in my hair, near my ear, and held me close to his body. "I have a better idea of heaven."
Grinning, I twisted to face him. The wind tossed my hair across my face. I pushed as many strands as I could out of my sight. Hunger swelled in Jeremy's eyes. Arms still around me, he brought me flush with his body.
"Need I remind you there is no Heaven for us demons?" I said as I placed my hands on his chest.
He moved one hand lower to my ass. "There's a version of it."
"You're wicked."
He leaned close as if he were going to kiss me. "You have no idea."
He pressed his lips to mine and gave me a gentle kiss, but I sensed he was holding himself back. His heart thumped vigorously. Heat perfumed from him. The solid prize in his pants lightly bumped me. Clearly, his yearnings were strong. I could only imagine what they'd be like once I had healed.
He lifted his head with a sigh. "We should get going."
I nodded and he stepped back. Hands clasped together, we headed for the lift.
"I like that dress," Jeremy said while we waited for our ride.
The wind entered through the slit and pushed part of the garment away from my legs. I hadn't noticed the cut when I'd picked out the deep purple gown with the low neckline. Underneath it, I wore a blank camisole to hide my bandages.
I glanced down and noticed my leg showing. "Ah, I see why you like it."
He grinned widely as he squeezed my hand. The demon earned kudos from me for his efforts to restrain his horny self. Of course, I couldn't help but wonder how long he could last.
We rode down the Tower to second level, then walked onto another lift to get the ground level. I would've preferred taking the stairs, but walking down stretched my stitches too much. I was pretty certain the ones I'd torn were from descending the staircase at the farmhouse.
We hopped into Jeremy's SUV parked a block from the Tower, then continued to our meeting destination. Traffic on the streets had lessened given the late hour. My nerves geared up as he drove. I kept tapping my finger against my thumb while I stared out the window. Determination blossomed with each passing second. I sought to acquire all their souls, which meant one of two outcomes would occur within an hour. Either we were going to both die, or we'd end up near death. Regardless, I didn't fear my demise.
Jeremy slowed the vehicle as we approached the entrance to the catacombs. They were officially closed since seven, but a guard sat behind a desk past the glass doors at the security checkpoint. Finding the street nearly clear of vehicles, Jeremy brought the SUV to a stop behind a parked sedan. He cut the engine, withdrew the keys, then gazed past me.
"One guard," he said.
"Yeah, I noticed. Any idea how to get past him?"
"Well…" He sighed. "I have an idea, but we won't know if I'm right until we get up there."
He pushed open his door before I could ask what he meant.
I left the vehicle and waited for him on the sidewalk. Jeremy opened the back door, then collected something. After he'd gathered what he needed, he came to meet me.
"Can't forget the weapon," he said.
"I thought you were the weapon."
"I am one. More is always better," he said as he started walking toward the entrance.
"What if the guard checks you?" I asked.
"I'll handle him."
"What if he sets off an alarm?"
"Then we run."
My pulse sped. "That's your plan? We have a meeting with vampires in a few minutes." Anxiety on the rise, I dreaded entering the building. If the alarms went off, the police would arrive. If we were taken to jail, then our chances, my chances, of claiming the vampire's souls were gone. I severely disliked how we were about to test the security guard.
The uniformed man rose as we approached. He unlocked one of the glass doors, then cautiously opened it. When he raised a gun from his side and pointed it at us, Jeremy and I came to a quick stop.
"I hadn't planned on that," Jeremy said.
Eyes wide, I looked at him. "Now what?"
"You," the guard said, capturing our attention. He pointed the gun at Jeremy, then waved me toward him.
"I think he wants you to go inside," Jeremy said.
"But how would he know—"
"Mind control," Jeremy said. "The fuckers are already here."
I swallowed hard as I stared at the guard. I didn't want to enter by myself, but I most certainly would prefer that Jeremy made it through the night without a bullet hitting him.
"All right, I'm going in. But not without a fight," I said, then smiled at Jeremy.
He pressed his lips together. I felt confident he knew my intent.
"Be careful, babe," he said.
I put one foot forward, then stopped. "Babe?"
He shrugged.
I continued slowly toward the guard. He opened the door wider as I reached him. I entered the building, then watched as he tugged on the handle. The keys were in the same hand. There was no way I could allow him to lock the door. Heart thudding, I gripped the sides of my dress, then lifted it slightly. I rushed toward him, then threw a kick at his arm. The gun fell on the floor and he scrambled to get it. A sharp pain in my abdomen surfaced, but I ignored it as I kicked the weapon away from him.
Jeremy arrived in time to take hold of the guard. He shoved the officer inside to the wall, then punched his face. After the second smack, Jeremy grasped a handful of the man's hair. He forced him toward the desk, then shoved his head against the hard surface. The hard blow made me cringe. Jeremy's effort paid off as the man collapsed onto the floor.
"There we go," Jeremy said as he shook the hand he used to hit the guy.
"Are you hurt?" I asked, taking steps toward him.
"Nah, I'm good." He bent, then grabbed hold of the guard's arm. "Get his gun."
I searched the ground for the weapon while Jeremy dragged the officer away from the entrance. The gun made it to the wall on the other side of one the walk-through detectors. I picked it up. When I straightened, I felt a tear in my flesh. Razor sharp pain forced a mild scream from me.
"What's wrong?" Jeremy rushed to my side.
Leaning against the wall, I panted. Sweat broke out above my brow.
"Tell me what's wrong," Jeremy said anxiously.
My ripped skin burned. "I tore more stitches."
"Fuck!" he shouted.
I handed him the gun. "Here. We have to go."
He clicked the safety into place, then shoved the weapon in the back of his pants. "I know you don't want to turn back, so I won't mention it."
Slowly, I stepped through one of the metal detectors. "You just did." I passed the guard on the floor.
Taking long breaths, I tried to calm the ache in the upper half of my body. Sweat had formed on my head and body. I walked at a slow pace in an effort to avoid more pain.
"How long will he be out?" I asked.
"Long enough. Hopefully."
We glanced at each other briefly as we continued toward the entrance that would take us to the catacombs. A sign with an arrow directed us. We turned a corner and continued along the hall. At the end, we stopped in front of a long staircase leading us down.
"I can carry you," Jeremy said.
"Well, it will be quicker. And since I've already torn more…"
"I'm carrying you."
Before I could get another word out, he lifted me into his a
rms. The pain returned with full strength and I gasped. Tears swelled in my eyes this time. I locked my hands around his neck while I fought the urge to scream.
"This sucks," he said as he descended the stairs. "And I don't mean carrying you down the steps."
"I know," I squeaked.
The temperature had decreased, but felt pleasing to my burning body. I kept my lips pressed together while Jeremy took step after step. I'd read online at the hotel there were one hundred and thirty down and eighty-three up. On the bright side, we'd completed almost half the journey. I tried to stay positive.
Perspiration on the back of Jeremy's neck allowed my arms to slide against his heated skin. Every now and then, he paused and gently shifted me up in his arms. Although I'd lost weight over the last couple of years, my weight still had to burden him.
"Maybe you should put me down," I said.
"No."
"I'd rather walk if you think you're going to drop me."
He chuckled. "Honey, I'll never let go of you."
"Oh, so we both fall down the steps?"
He paused and shifted me in his arms. "It's not that much farther. How are you doing?"
"I hurt. Nothing new."
The steps seemed never ending, but Jeremy kept his word. His pauses increased the lower we went. I wiped the sweat above his brow before it fell into his eyes. Even my little movement caused him to strain. Although my flesh ached from the tearing of stitches, I'd almost become numb to the pain. Maybe it was the fear of both of us crumbling down the steps that distracted me.
When Jeremy reached the bottom, he slowly bent to lower me. My feet touched the ground and relief flowed through me. Jeremy leaned one hand against the wall while he gathered air.
The temperature in the tunnel chilled me and I rubbed my arms.
"They're here somewhere," I said as I looked around. Not far ahead, the walls were made of skulls and bones.
