DraculaVille - New York - Book One

by Lara Nance

  No one spoke for a moment, their gazes locked on the drawing.

  “It’s spooky,” Gerri finally said. “Really spooky.”

  “It’s genius,” Felix declared. “You’ve done it again, boss. It’s like Tim Burton does Disney World.”

  Drake didn’t comment. He went into the kitchen and returned with a new glass full of blood.

  “Drake? What do you think?” she asked. She wanted him to like the idea since he was such a key element. If he hated it, he’d have a hard time hiding that from the media. Plus she didn’t want to force him to do something he didn’t want.

  “Felix is right. It’s brilliant. It has the right amount of spooky pleasure. People want to be afraid, but safely. At this place they can have the thrill of fear and then go to their bed safe and sound.” He pressed his lips together, unsmiling.

  So, he recognized the allure, but did he like it? She flipped the picture around and studied it. Yes, she’d been specific that it should not come off like Disney World. This wasn’t mainly for kids—open more during the night than the day. It was an adult amusement park where a person could fulfill their fantasies of interaction with vampires. Women could be seduced, and men could battle, everyone could experience delighted fright. She heaved a sigh of satisfaction. It was perfect. So, what about it didn’t appeal to Drake?

  “Too bad Vincent Price is dead. He’d be the perfect voice over in the ads.” Her assistant sunk his chin in his hand, a pout on his lips.

  “What’s next?” Drake twirled his wine glass, the blood clinging to the sides.

  Talia placed the drawing in the folder and crossed her hands on top of it. “Tonight, Felix will start prepping you for interviews, how to pose for pictures, what to say or not say in front of a camera. I’m going to work on the proposal in a PowerPoint presentation. I should have Anton’s photos on my e-mail by now.”

  “And then?” Drake’s eyelids hooded his eyes.

  “By Friday, I want to do a test run and take you to a club so I can see how you interact with people.” She glanced at her assistant who nodded agreement. “It’s the perfect nighttime environment.”

  “You mean so you can see if I lose control and bite someone.” Drake sat straighter and leaned forward.

  “No, I mean so I can see if you act like a jerk out in public,” she snapped. She then regretted her tone as a flash of pain crossed his features.

  Gerri glanced at her then him. “We trust you, Drake. If you were going to go crazy and bite someone, you’d have already had one of us. Right, Tal?”

  “Right,” Talia gulped a swallow of wine. What was it with him and the biting deal? Maybe he didn’t trust himself. “I want to see how people react to you. I think you have a special appeal, but I want to be sure. If you’re somewhere with a bunch of strangers, it’ll be apparent. I need to know. Do you understand?”

  Drake licked his lips. “Special appeal? What do you mean?”

  “Dear lord, do I have to spell it out?” She threw up her hands. Didn’t he understand how hot he was? “I mean I think women are going to throw themselves at you and we have to plan for it during a publicity tour. Okay?”

  His brows flew up. “Oh.”

  “And make sure he can dance without looking like a spastic monkey.” She pointed a finger at Felix.

  She transferred her finger direction to Drake. “No smiling on camera. Don’t ever smile. I want to spread the mystery. Then when you do smile, it’ll be front page news all over the world, okay?”

  He stared at her without blinking. “I understand.”

  “Good. We have to create an illusion to hide the truth. But the truth will make the illusion more believable. It’ll be a careful balance, though. Are you cool with that?”

  He took a drink blood and placed his glass carefully on the table. Then he moved his gaze around the table to each person. “We’re working together. I’ll do my part. This is important to Talia and I’ll do everything I can to help her.”

  She smiled and swept a commanding finger at all of them. “From now on, we start calling him Dracula, that’s who he’s going to become and there can be no slipups. He has to be able to live the role without even thinking about it. Got it?”

  Gerri and Felix glanced at Drake and all three nodded.

  “Good. Now get to work.”

  Chapter 11

  Talia cast a last glance at Drake in the back seat of their cab as they headed for Soho. Black suit, black shirt, black skinny tie with a ruby stickpin. She brushed imaginary dust off his shoulder and his lips lifted in a half smile.

  “Let me go first. I don’t want people to see us go in together. I’ll park myself at a table near the bar and watch. Gerri, Anton, and Felix should already be there.” She gave him an encouraging smile. “Ready?”

  “Yes,” he murmured.

  “Showtime,” she said and opened the door.

  The sidewalk in front of the club, Pearl, was filled with a snaking line of party people in fancy, sparkly clothes doing their best to look beautiful. Talia wore a man’s tailored black suit with a white silk blouse. The people in line glared when she walked past to the doorman. She’d made arrangements with the manager of the club for VIP passes since she’d arranged publicity for them if tonight went well.

  She flashed her black and gold card to the doorman. He touched his cap as he stepped aside and opened the door for her. Mumbles of discontent rose from the line, but she didn’t care. The throbbing base of dance music pounded in her veins as soon as she entered and she was immediately absorbed into a swirling mass of people.

  After winding her way among the guests, she located Gerri and Felix at a tall table reserved for them by the bar. It sat atop a small rise, and she would have a good view of the floor when Dracula arrived.

  “Where’s Drac?” Felix scanned the crowd.

  “He’s coming.” She chuckled. None of them had been successful calling Drake Dracula. So they’d settled on Drac. “Where’s Anton?”

  “On the stairs.” Gerri pointed. “He wanted to be above the crowd.”

  The little Frenchman hung onto the stairway’s rail that led to a balcony level. Several cameras hung from straps around his neck. He raised a hand to her and she waved.

  “Look.” Her friend pointed, her eyes shining. “He looks like a vampire king.”

  Talia followed her gaze to the club entrance. The dance floor was a couple steps down from the entrance level. Drake stood poised at the edge, his amber eyes sparkling in the dim light. Anton raised his camera.

  Like the Red Sea parting, people moved aside as Drake strolled to the bar. Women blatantly stared and tossed their hair. Men glared. He stepped to the bar and leaned an elbow on the counter. The bartender noticed him right away and Drake ordered a cognac as Talia had suggested. He wouldn’t drink it, but holding the glass gave him something to do with his hands.

  A blond in a dress that looked like plastic wrap oozed close and planted herself in front of him. Drake gazed past her and found Talia. His stare bore into her, and she broke out in a sweat. She wanted to go to him so badly, she gripped the side of the table until her knuckles turned white. Damn, stupid bracelet. It wasn’t worth a crap.

  Fortunately, he lowered his gaze and followed the woman to the dance floor. As directed, he didn’t join the jumping, fist pumping gyrations of the other dancers. He gazed at his partner and slowly took her in his arms, moving in a seductive circle, swaying back and forth. Dear Lord, Felix had done his dance training a little too well.

  The blond closed her eyes. Her head fell to rest on his chest, completely blissed out. Talia’s nails scratched into the surface of the table.

  “What is the matter with you?” Gerri whispered in her ear, staring at her clawed hands.

  “Nothing, nothing.” She wrapped her arms around her chest and squeezed. The urge to be with him overwhelmed her and an unreasonable anger burned at his closeness to the other female. Her nostrils flared and she finally had to close her eyes to end the ago
ny.

  The song ended and the music wove into another fast paced tune. Drake released the blonde’s hand at the edge of the dance floor, turned his back on her and resumed his place at the bar. The poor girl looked ready to cry. She stood staring after him, running her hands up and down her hips.

  “This is great,” Felix said, shouting over the music. He gave Talia a thumbs up.

  Her shoulders slumped and she took a deep shaky breath. The pull from Drake lessened and she drooped forward, elbows on the table and head down. Her breath came fast and she focused on slowing her respirations.

  “Tal?” Her friend shook her shoulder.

  She held up a hand and took a deep calming breath. “I’m fine. Just felt weird for a minute.”

  Another babe in a tight dress approached Drake, but he shook his head. Several others made attempts but he continued to say no. He stared out over the crowd with a blank expression. Many cast covert glances his way from under thick false lashes, but he noticed none of them.

  “What’s he doing?” Gerri asked.

  “Being Drac.” Her assistant laughed. “What a presence. He’s great.”

  Another woman approached Drake, and Talia narrowed her eyes. Something about this one was different. She flowed as she walked, smooth and confident. She had none of the eager bubbling anticipation the other women exhibited. She wore a short black velvet dress with long sleeves and black pumps with five inch heels. Her shiny black hair was cut in a sleek bob with bangs that hung to her dark eyes.

  “Look at that woman.” Talia leaned near Gerri. “There’s something strange about her.”

  “She looks older than the others,” her friend said. “Maybe that’s it.”

  “I’m going closer. I want to hear what she says to him.” Talia slipped off her stool and maneuvered through the crowd until she reached the bar.

  By this time, the dark haired woman had squeezed into a spot beside Drake. She ordered a glass of red wine and turned sideways to face him, her gaze raking him from top to bottom in a slow, lazy manner. He tilted his head to one side, studying the woman, but said nothing.

  Talia edged a man out of the way with her elbow and dug her spiky heel into another’s instep to move him aside. She finally wiggled in behind Drake, not sure if he’d seen her or not. She ordered a martini and leaned as close as she dared.

  “You’re new here,” the woman finally said.

  “Yes.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Dracula.”

  She stared for a moment then let loose a high pitched peal of laughter. “That’s funny. My name is Lucilla. I like you. Maybe Maron won’t kill you if you amuse him.”

  A chill ran up Talia’s spine. What the hell?

  “Maron?”

  “The patron of our flock. He doesn’t like newcomers.” Her words slipped from her blood red lips like hot silk, deep and sultry.

  “I see.”

  “You’re not much for talking are you?” A hint of anger laced her voice.

  “Not really. Especially when someone threatens me.”

  “I’m not threatening you. Just stating a fact. Where do you come from, anyway? Don’t you know the rules of the flocks? You should have announced your presence to the local leader as soon as you arrived. Then there would be no problem.”

  “No. We don’t do that where I come from.”

  “Strange.” She paused, then her fingers, tipped with long black nails, snaked around Drake’s neck. “You’re different. I like that. Maybe if you and I hooked up, Maron wouldn’t be so hard on you. I’ll put in a good word for you. What do you say?”

  “No.”

  The white fingers caressing Drake’s nape froze. “You’d deny me?” she hissed.

  “I don’t want to…hook up…with you or anyone else.”

  Her fingers slid away. “You’ll regret that.” Her voice dripped ice.

  Talia moved around Drake and smiled brightly at the pair. She put a hand on his shoulder. “Hi, I think you promised me this dance?”

  He inclined his head, while Cruella Lucilla, the bitch, shot her an icy glare. Talia took Drake’s hand and pulled him from the bar. They reached the dance floor, and he put his arms around her. Lucilla shot them an evil glance full of rock hard hate, then turned and slithered away into the crowd.

  “That woman was a vampire,” she said in his ear.

  “So it would seem.” His cold cheek against hers sent a shiver through her chest.

  “You’re very cool about it. No pun intended.”

  “I could hardly go running from the club in fear.” His hand pressed into the small of her back and another shiver shot through her. “I really am not afraid. Strange. I do want to dance with you, however.”

  His touch made heat rise in her nether regions. That was more frightening than the presence of other vampires. Still, they had to be careful. They’d stepped into a situation she had no idea how to deal with. She fingered the bracelet on her arm behind his head. “I think we should get out of here.”

  “Whatever you say. You’re the boss.” But he continued to sway and his hold didn’t loosen. A slight grin curved his sensual lips.

  “Well, um…I mean…we can finish the dance.” That part of her that responded to his alluring gaze, sent an approving glow coursing through her. Her head said they should escape before something bad happened. Her body wanted to mold against his and feel his hands running along her back.

  “Mind if I break in?”

  She raised her head from Drake’s chest to find a tall, muscular man tapping Drake’s shoulder. White skin and amber eyes. Damn, another vampire. This place was crawling with them.

  “Yes, I mind.” Drake’s arm tightened around her waist.

  “You should share when you’re on other people’s turf.” The goon punched his shoulder.

  A snarl ripped from Drake’s lips and he sent his palm against the man’s chest. It seemed like a gentle push, but the guy flew backward, knocking dancers aside.

  “That’s it. We’re getting out of here.” He tucked her under his arm. “I don’t want you to be hurt.”

  She totally agreed and motioned for Felix and Gerri who'd already risen and headed toward them.

  They pushed through the press of bodies. Talia refused to look back. She couldn’t breathe until they stood on the sidewalk. Drake took charge and flagged a cab. He waved her and Gerri into the backseat and slid in beside her. Dear lord, what had they gotten themselves into?

  “There were vampires in there.” Gerri whispered. Her face appeared as white as Drake’s. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

  Felix jumped in the front seat and gave the driver Talia’s address. She pulled her cell phone from her pocket and punched in Anton’s number.

  “Where did you go?” His voice barely came through the loud music.

  “Get out, Anton. Go home now. I’ll call you later.” She hit END and fell against the seat while drawing a shaky breath.

  “Tal, that woman was a…” Her friend glanced at the driver and pressed her lips together.

  “Yes.” Talia put a finger to her mouth. Drake still held her other hand and didn’t seem like he was going to let go. His cold fingers dug into her skin. That and the twitch in his jaw were his only signs of turmoil.

  Talia twisted around and looked through the rear window, but the sidewalk held only those trying to get into the club. Damn, having her very own vampire was starting to be a lot of trouble.

  Chapter 12

  “No more clubs,” Talia said as she shrugged out of her coat and tossed it on a chair. “I think we can all agree on that.”

  Felix flopped onto her couch and raked his fingers through his spiky hair. “I don’t believe it. Vampires are all over the place.”

  “I feel like I’m in a horror movie.” Gerri’s hands shook as she poured them glasses of wine.

  Drake perched on the edge of the wing chair, elbows on knees and head down. He hadn’t said a word since leaving the club.


  Talia accepted the glass her friend handed her and took a big swallow, then they joined Felix on the couch. Her knees wobbled a bit as she lowered to the seat. Now that she was away from the situation, the shock set in. Vampires in New York. And they weren’t nice, either. She glanced at Drake’s immobile profile. He’d practically carried her out under his arm. It gave her a new perspective of his strength and danger. But he’d protected her…a glow warmed her insides at the thought.

  “I wonder how many there are in the City?” Felix scooted over to make more room for them.

  “I don’t want to think about it.” She rubbed her temples with her fingers. “And apparently there’s all kinds of vampire rules.” She told them what Lucilla had said.

  “Do you think they’ll come after Drac to kill him because he broke their rules?” Her friend slid to the edge of the couch, forehead wrinkled.

  “Let’s not get excited.” Talia held up a hand, though inside her fear had set up camp and started a fire to roast her contentment. “We have another week and then Drac is going to be so popular no one will be able to touch him. We have to finish this presentation, and everything will work out.”

  They directed accusing stares at her.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” She threw up her hands.

  “All you think about is that stupid presentation.” Her friend crossed her arms over her chest. “What if Drake’s in danger?”

  “Drac.” Talia corrected her, though she was having a hard time calling him that as well. Didn’t they understand she was fighting to make a place for him, as well as create a world class campaign?

  “Screw it. I’m not calling him Drac anymore.” Gerri jumped up and slapped her hands on her hips.” His name is Drake. Stop treating him like an object. I hate it. This is ridiculous.”

  Talia just stared at her. Gerri had never talked to her like that. What did she want her to do? She was trying to come up with a way for Drake to make a living. It wasn’t going to happen by magic.

  “Oh, forget it. I’m out of here. I can’t take this bullshit anymore.” Gerri chugged her wine and grabbed her purse.