by Pace, Pepper
”I’m here for Kim.”
A cold chill ran up my spine.
It was Tony.
CHAPTER 9
Paul went to the balcony and looked down. He hurried back to me. “Uh, there’s a big guy down there..”
”That would be Tony. Close the balcony door!”
But it was too late for that. Tony was already standing on the small balcony with Paul.
”Are you going to invite me in?” Tony said to Paul.
”No,” Paul said.
Tony smirked but didn’t try to enter. “Just wondering.” He turned his eyes on me through the opened door and gave me a stern look. “You’ve been busy.”
I crossed my arms across my chest. “What are you doing here?”
I saw the muscles clench in his jaw, but when Tony spoke his voice was calm and even. “You have an initiation to attend. Or did you forget that you’ve been placed on the board of the Council?” He eyed Paul. “I see he’s agreed to become your willing donor ... and more.”
Paul placed his hands in front of the bulge in his pants.
”How did you know I was here? I know I shielded.”
He frowned at me. “Mei Wah? He drove you home from this place last night.”
Oh, yeah.
“We need to go.”
Paul hurried to my side and stood tall beside me. “She’s not going anywhere with you.”
Tony chuckled. “And what are you going to do, little man?”
”Burn you with the crucifix that’s in my pocket,” Paul said.
Uh oh.
“I’ll crush your throat before you reach your pocket,” Tony growled.
”Uh, I don’t think it’s a good idea to threaten him,” I whispered to Paul, although Tony could surely hear everything. And even though he was still outside, I wasn’t exactly sure that he couldn’t get in if he really wanted to. I addressed Tony. “I’ll go to the initiation, but I’m bringing the crucifix.”
”You bring that crucifix into the Council home again, and I’ll have you wrapped in silver chains and get a human to take the crucifix from you,” Tony said.
At first I thought he was bluffing. At first.
Paul put his hand over mine. “Kim. I’m not letting you go there without me.”
Tony scowled. “Bring your human. If he wants to look like the main course, that’s his problem.”
”What exactly is this initiation?” I asked.
Tony turned his angry eyes to me. “Just a technicality. You already have the job. However, without the initiation you can’t officially sit on the board. And there are a lot of responsibilities not being met while you”—he eyed Paul—“play.”
Paul grabbed my arm and pulled me to the kitchen. “Seriously. I don’t want you going anywhere alone with that dude. I am coming with you. I’ll hold on to the crucifix.”
“Paul, you’ll be the only food in a room full of Vampires.”
”I don’t care,” he said. He pointed to Tony. “He said I could come.”
”Fine,” I said. “As long as you keep that crucifix on you.”
I walked back into the living room. “Okay. Paul is going, but he’s going as my bodyguard. Under the circumstances I think it would be unwise to leave home without one.”
”Whatever,” Tony said. “But you need to come back to my house to change into appropriate attire. Black. Mei Wah put some choices of clothes on your bed.”
Paul was about to protest, but I stopped him. “I just want to get this over with.” And I wasn’t about to go around my new peers wearing a T-shirt and a pair of oversized jogging shorts.
Tony insisted that we ride with Mei Wah and him. Tonight it was a black stretch limo.
Tony and Paul glowered at each other the entire ride, although every once in a while I’d catch Tony admiring my legs in the shorts.
Tony saw us into the house, but as soon as we were inside, he disappeared.
Paul jumped and looked around. “Where the?”
“It’s a Vampire thing.” As I led Paul down to the lower level, I felt sad. I was still really mad at Tony, but it hurt me that we weren’t friends anymore. It also hurt that he had sold me down the river.
Paul whistled under his breath when he saw the main room. ”Such decadence.”
“Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
An hour later I came out sporting a long form-fitting gown. It had long sleeves and a neckline that showed absolutely no cleavage. Under normal circumstances it would have been considered conservative, it was made from a sheer black nylon mix that allowed the faint impression of my dark areolas. When I walked, the long sleek line of my leg showed through, and the black thong I was wearing kept everything else somewhat covered.
I had pulled my hair up into a funky twist keeping it secured with a jeweled pin, demure diamond studs in my ears.
Paul’s eyes bulged out of his head when he saw me. I had made him change out of the bloody KISS shirt since it would have been too tempting for other vamps.
It was damn tempting for me.
He returned from his bedroom dressed in a black button-down shirt and black cowboy boots. He was definitely underdressed, but at least we matched with the black theme.
He was cursing under his breath as he admired me saying things like, “Damn, wow ...”
I smiled. “Thank you. What time is it?”
It took him a few moments to tear his eyes from my form. “Almost one.”
I gripped his wrists. “Paul, listen to me. I can disappear. You can’t. So if some shit happens, use holy words and the crucifix. Remember how I described how quickly the effects of the crucifix are?”
He nodded. “Don’t worry about me. I can’t believe I’m doing this ... But when I look at you in that dress, I know exactly why I’m doing it.”
I sighed. “Where’s the crucifix?”
He tugged his shirt collar. I saw it gleaming brightly around his throat.
I nodded. “Let’s go.”
We went up to the living room. Mei Wah looked at me.
”Miss Kim. You look beautiful, as usual.”
Well, at least he wasn’t mad at me. ”Thanks, Mei Wah. Where’s Tony?”
”He told me to send for him when you were ready.”
”Mei Wah? What’s going to happen tonight?”
”Don’t worry. Mr. Tony won’t let anything happen to you. He’s angry but not that angry.”
I didn’t know if I believed that. He did speak up for me to that scary Elder, though. I shuddered. The Elder would be there again.
”This fucker’s rich,” Paul said while looking around.
Tony appeared. I had sensed his arrival, but Paul jumped out of his skin—just as Tony had intended.
”And he is to be your bodyguard?” Tony said.
Paul stalked toward Tony. What the hell was he thinking? I put my hand on his chest and thought, Calm, relax.
”Don’t do that, Kim!” Paul snapped at me. “Don’t override my thoughts and feelings!”
”I’m sorry, Paul. But I need you to have my back when it’s important.”
Paul calmed down and relaxed.
“I know you’re pissed at me, but I need to know if you’re going to feed me to the proverbial wolves when we get there.”
Tony looked bored. “Why ever would I be angry at you? I bring you into my home. Buy you a new wardrobe, protect your interests, alienate myself from the Council to do it, and on top of everything I tell you that I want you to be my woman and you go off and screw this human.”
Paul looked smug.
I stared at Tony. “You’re not mad about the crucifix? You’re not mad about me crashing last night’s initiation? You’re pissed because you think I’m ... having sex with Paul?”
”Get this straight.” Tony’s finger pointed mere inches from my face. “I’m not pissed!” Tony turned on his heels. He was dressed in his usual black, .and as usual he looked absolutely delicious! Even pissed. “Let’s go!” Tony growled. “It�
�s a long drive that we have to make because of this human.”
We got back into the limo. I could only take about five minutes of Paul and Tony mean mugging each other before I interrupted. ”Will you please give me an idea of what to expect?”
Tony stared at me. “You’ll have to speak to the chosen of Johan’s clan. That’s who was in the audience yesterday. You’ll speak to the Council.“
”Speak? You mean, like, give a speech?”
”Yes.” There was no warmth to Tony’s eyes as he looked at me. “You’ll tell them why they should trust and have faith in you. Of course, they’ve probably already planned your assassination. Next you’ll speak to the Council and show your gratitude for being allowed the privilege of joining our ranks. You can feel confident that no one on the Council intends to kill you because we are already in hot water with The Elder Council for misconduct. Well, I shouldn’t speak for Kaniji. She’s so embarrassed that everyone knows that you’ve taken her hand that she probably will sacrifice her role on the Council just to get rid of you. Let’s see, what’s next? Oh, you’ll have to do a blood exchange which links you to the Council, elect your Second in command, which is usually the predecessor’s chosen. But since you killed him yesterday, it will be tough to find someone willing to protect your neck. You have eleven hundred vamps in your territory, three hundred of which have gone Rogue since last night and will need to be tracked down and punished. You have five blood donors that need your attention, not to mention that you are also responsible for all of the human donors of all of your minion. After that we break for refreshments from the willing donors that you were supposed to be bringing.”
I was too stunned to speak.
”You are a bastard,” Paul said.
”Anything else you want to know?” Tony asked.
I looked out the window trying not to show my terror.
By the time we got to the Council house, I had wanted to turn back three times. I was so thankful Paul was there with me because he stayed confident and fearless. That helped to boost my confidence. Tony ignored us.
As we drove up to the circular drive, Paul leaned in to whisper, “Do you think he can hear what I’m saying?”
“Probably.”
“Good,” Paul whispered. “Remember when you told me that there’s a psychic link between a Vampire and donor?”
I nodded.
”I want you to test it on me now,” Paul said. “Try to read my thoughts.”
I concentrated on Paul, his taste, his scent. Faintly as if from a distance I could hear Paul’s voice. I had to turn to him to make sure he hadn’t spoken. I focused on that voice and then I could hear him much clearer.
”... Kim. Your speech. I’ve been thinking about your speech.”
”I hear you,” I said.
Even though he could speak into my head, he still didn’t remove his lips from my ear. ”Now me,” he thought at me.
”Uh ... testing. Testing one, two—“
“Testing one, two … three,” Paul said.
Tony glanced at us. “If you don’t want anyone else listening to your thoughts you better learn to shield better.”
We both ignored him. Paul placed his hand on my hip. His lips were still on my ear and neck. “I’ve been thinking about your speech. Do you have any ideas?”
”No, I’m too freaking scared,” I thought back at him.
I felt his lips turn up into a smile against my ear and neck. It made me shiver. ”I’ll think of a speech. I’ll think the words and you speak them.”
I nodded.
“Stop being so scared. They’ll smell it on you.” His lips moved against my neck, and I shivered.
”What are you doing?” I thought at him. I tried to make my thoughts stern.
”You think I’m kissing your neck, but actually I’m watching your nipples get hard.”
Before I had a chance to react, Tony made a low animal growl. I thought that Tony was about to rip out Paul’s throat.
Tony’s eyes were glowering pure red. I jumped. I’d never seen such a look of pure feral rage. We both were about to get our asses ripped up in this back seat!
My teeth came down swiftly, and it was not a pleasant feeling.
Tony’s teeth dropped, too, and his face was way scarier than mine was. It wasn’t only Tony’s teeth. It was the animal look on Tony’s face. I had a feeling there was something else inside Vampires and that something else was in control now.
”Chill, dude,” Paul said. “I was just trying to replace fear with sex. Sex seems to be an easy trigger for her.”
”Be quiet,” Tony growled. “I’m not going to do anything to you. Just don’t speak … or think.” His teeth retracted, his face calmed, and the Tony I knew came back in control. He shook his head slightly. “He is right. Your fear is going to be a hindrance. Replace it with whatever you have to replace it with.” He started to get out of the car then paused and looked over his shoulder. “And put your teeth back in. It’s considered tacky to walk around with them lowered.”
I swallowed my pride. Paul had intentionally hurt Tony’s feelings, and I was sorry. ”Tony!”
Tony stopped and looked at me.
“I ... still don’t know how to make them go away on my own,” I said. “They kinda just go away ... whenever.”
Tony frowned then glanced at Paul. ”Let me school you, son.”
Tony had been sitting opposite Paul and me. He slid in next to me so that I had Paul on my right and Tony on my left.
Tony stared at my teeth a moment then he put his palm on my cheek. I braced myself in case he squeezed, but he didn’t. He leaned forward and placed his lips on mine.
I quivered. I couldn’t help it. He had the most amazing lips. I tried to concentrate on what would make the teeth retract, but all I could do was to curl my toes in my shoes.
Tony placed his other hand on my cheek so that he was cradling my face. He drew back a little and looked at me.
”... You’re making me crazy ...” I heard in my head. “... I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Kim. Even though you’re driving me nuts.”
I nodded slightly.
He kissed me again, but this time it was passionate. His mouth parted and his tongue entered me. I gasped. I opened my mouth and pushed at his tongue with mine. He sucked it into his mouth gently and slowly. My limbs started to weaken. I slid my tongue from between his grasp and back into my own mouth. He lightly lapped at my lip then moved back. He had lapped my lips …
I was panting.
Tony licked his lips then used his thumb to wipe away any traces of lipstick.
I could barely move my eyes from the sight of Tony’s lips. Damn. I’m stuck ...
Paul cleared his throat. “Are we planning to sit here all night?” he snapped.
I ran my tongue over my teeth. Back to normal.
Mei Wah opened the door on Paul’s side, and Paul stalked out of the car. “You know, you could just show her how to retract them.” He held his hand out to help me from the car.
I took it. “You started this,” I said.
”You won’t let me kiss you.” Paul pouted. “If he gets to kiss you then I should get to kiss you, too.”
I rolled my eyes. “If we live through tonight I promise I’ll kiss you!”
Paul smiled.
What was I getting myself into with these two?
We went up the walkway, and the door opened for us. It was William who greeted us. Well, greet might be an overstatement. He held the door open for us until we were inside. Then he closed it and walked away.
Tony didn’t even acknowledge him. That’s what it was to be a Third.
Tony led the way to the lower level, glancing behind him, his eyes lingering on my dress. ”You’re beautiful in that dress. It was a great choice.” I followed his eyes to my breasts. “There won’t be a male in there not looking at your … you! Looking at you.”
I smiled. “Thank you.” I think it was a compliment.
&n
bsp; It was so quiet in the lower level. Instead of the thirty or forty people present the night before, there were a hundred or more, and yet they were eerily quiet.
Wall-to-wall Vampires parted to give us a path to the Council table. Paul was so close to my back that I could feel his knees every time he took a step. It was reassuring to know that he was back there.
I looked at as many people as I could see. If I didn’t know of the existence of Vampires I would have thought I was in a room full of Goths. Was that it? Were Goths actually Vampires? If there was a later, I was going to ask Tony.
Tony led us behind the long table. It was sheathed in a white tablecloth that looked pristine in the darkened basement. The table was completely bare except for goblets, each filled with a thick dark liquid.
”How nice of you to join us ... half an hour late,” the blonde councilwoman said. Tonight she didn’t look like the Goddess. She was dressed in a black velvet evening gown. It looked as if it was a hundred years old ... and not in a good way.
The K.D. Lang lookalike glanced at my dress then looked me up and down. She had stark black hair cut in a short, boyish style. She was wearing a ruffled short-waisted jacket and tight black pants.
Craggy Face stared at me unabashed. He really did look like a Vampire. He was whiter than even the whitest Vampire in the room. His hair was black and lank. It ran long over his shoulders and appeared to be dirty. He was tall and thin and dressed in a black satin duster that touched the floor, and beneath it he had on some scary dominatrix exposed-nipple-thing. He smiled then showed me the tip of a really long tongue.
Kaniji was next to him but she didn’t bother to even look in my direction. She was dressed sharp in another kimono of black satin. Her face was made up like a Geisha. It was really striking against all the black. She even had the Geisha hair with beautiful ornaments dangling from it.
Next to her was the Elder. He watched me without expression. To him I nodded. He returned the acknowledgement. I couldn’t help but shudder. I had the distinct feeling that something dead had traced its fingers down my spine.
Tony turned to the crowd. I was standing next to him with Paul, who was still close enough that if I inhaled too deeply we’d have bumped into each other.
