by Lara Nance
“My name is Mark. The special tonight is paella for two.” The waiter handed them menus. “May I serve you drinks before dinner?”
“Yes, I’ll have a glass of red wine, “Talia said.
“Cabernet, merlot, shiraz, or pinot noir?”
“A cab, please.”
“And you, sir?”
“I’ll have the same,” Drake said.
The waiter left and she glanced at Drake. “So you’re moving on from blood?”
He shrugged. “I enjoyed the champagne. I thought I’d try red wine next.”
Her stomach grumbled as she scanned the menu. Everything appealed to her. “Maybe we should have the paella, so no one will notice you don’t eat.”
“Good idea.” He slid his menu to the edge of the table. He turned and studied the couple on the dance floor. “It seems so familiar.”
“You really think you can dance like that?” She jerked her head toward the couple.
“I’m not sure, but I think so.”
Their drinks arrived, and Mark took their order for the paella. Drake took a sip of wine, brows drawn together.
“Well?” she asked after the waiter left.
He smiled. “I like it.”
How interesting. Vampires could tolerate alcohol. She asked, “Does it give you a buzz?
“I can’t tell yet. I’ll let you know.”
Mark brought the paella in a covered dish and set plates in front of them. It literally melted in her mouth. Drake put a spoonful on his plate and moved it around to look like he’d eaten some. She had no problem eating a good portion. Between the scrumptious food Drake had been cooking and now this, she was going to have to start a strict diet.
By the time she finished her meal, more people had filled the tables around them. Several more couples stepped onto the dance floor.
“I think tonight is for experienced dancers,” she said. “Those couples dance beautifully.”
“Let’s try it,” he said, his gaze intent on people moving to the Latin beat.
“Drake, I can’t dance like that.”
“Yes, you can.” He held out his hand to her.
“How do you know?”
“Because you’ll be dancing with me.” His eyes took hold of her in that intractable way she dreaded.
She put her hand in his, against her better judgment, and followed him to the dance floor. Couples floated by, twirling, dipping and moving as one. This was crazy. She would make a complete fool of herself.
“Look at me.” He put one hand on her hip and grasped her right hand with his other. He pulled her close. “Ignore everything else. Don’t be afraid. I’ll lead you through it.”
She gasped as she gazed into the inviting brown depths of his eyes. They sucked her into a dream state, leaving her limp and pliable—a marionette on strings. His hands insisted on bringing her closer until her body molded against his. Music pounded in her ears, blocking out any other sound. His gaze mesmerized her, working an enchantment and putting her under his spell.
“Dance with me,” he whispered in her ear.
They moved slowly at first, swaying in a slow circle. As if by magic, Talia followed him in the intricate steps of a tango. She had no idea how her feet knew the moves. She merely followed his lead, and her limbs responded appropriately, flowing with the music.
Warmth spread through her. A sheen of sweat broke out on her skin. Drake’s hum that accompanied the music floated in her mind like a charm that kept her under his control. They moved across the floor. She vaguely noticed other dancers clearing the way and watching them perform.
The dance ended in a low dip, with her draped backward over Drake’s extended bent knee. His face floated inches from hers, and she could barely draw a breath. Loud applause broke the spell, and she blinked. He lifted her to her feet, glancing at the couples who stood around the dance floor showing their appreciation.
Her face burned, and she put both hands to her cheeks. What the hell did he do to her? She stepped from his embrace and hurried to their booth. Dancers converged on Drake, patting him on the shoulder and saying things she couldn’t hear.
“Another drink, ma’am?” The waiter appeared beside her table.
“Yes, please.” She gripped her hands. Maybe she needed to see that exorcist or somebody who could put a spell on her that protected her from Drake’s overwhelming power. She had to find a way to remain in control or she would go crazy.
He left the dancers and strode to their booth. Most of the women’s gazes followed him.
“That was great. Did you like it?” His eyes shone.
“It was…uh…weird.” She’d never seen him look happier.
Mark appeared with a new glass of wine for her. He glanced between them. “Will there be anything else?”
“I’ll have another glass of wine,” Drake said, his ebullient expression abated somewhat.
“Very good.” Mark nodded. “And may I say, that was an awesome tango, you guys.”
“Thank you,” Drake murmured. He waited for their waiter to leave before asking, “What do you mean by weird?”
Talia let out a sigh. “There’s no way I could have danced with you like that on my own. I’m not a good dancer. You made something happen in me. I can’t explain it, but it was weird.”
“You didn’t like it?”
“It’s not that…” She pushed her hair back behind her ears. “I wasn’t in control. It was you moving me somehow. Do you see what I mean?”
His gaze pierced hers then dropped. “That is weird. Sorry, I didn’t understand.”
She stretched a hand across the table to touch his. “It wasn’t bad, just strange. I never dreamed I’d dance like that in a million years.”
Slowly a grin slid over his face. “We were good. Do you realize that? Those people out there who were congratulating me are all professional dancers. They said it’s the best tango they’d ever seen.”
“Really?” She pursed her lips. That was pretty cool, she had to admit. “So maybe you should go on Dancing With the Stars.”
“I’m not a star.”
“You will be.”
“You really believe that?”
“Yes, I do. Wait until your pictures get out there. You’re going to be hot.” She winked at him.
He reached across the table and draped his hands atop hers. “Dear Talia. You’ve done so much for me. You saved me, do you know that? I would have laid there in that alley and died. You dragged me out and forced me to face life. How can I ever repay you?”
Her heart melted and a twinge of guilt shot through her. “You don’t have to repay me. Are you crazy? If it wasn’t for you, my Romania campaign would never have gotten off the ground. You’re amazing. Do you realize that?”
He averted his gaze, not speaking. But he squeezed her hands.
“Excuse me.” A young man in a black suit and white shirt smiled down at Drake. “Carlotta asks that you be presented to her.”
Hmm, pale skin, amber eyes—had to be a vampire. A shiver of fear shot through her. But at least he smiled.
“Carlotta?” Drake released her hands.
“Yes, the matron of this area.” He inclined his head and gestured for them to come with him.
Talia glanced at Drake, and he gave her a nod. She slid out of her seat. He took her hand as they followed the young man to the far right corner of the room.
The large round booth in the back rested in shadows. Two figures occupied it, one a Latin beauty with dark curly hair cascading over her shoulders, pale skin highlighted by amber eyes and scarlet lipstick. She blinked long black lashes several times when her gaze fell on Drake.
Their escort bowed to her and retreated to stand facing the open restaurant. A bodyguard?
“You’re new in the city?” she asked, her voice tinted with a Spanish rhythm.
“Yes.” Drake inclined his head.
She pursed her lips, brows coming together, then motioned to Talia. “Is she yours?”
Talia opened h
er mouth to hotly deny any such thing, but his squeeze of her hand warned her to clamp her lips together. If he had some sense of danger, she’d play along. Clearly they had entered another vampire flock’s territory. Crap.
“Yes. She’s mine.” He loosened his grip when she remained silent.
Carlotta’s brow smoothed. She waved a hand at her companion, an olive skinned man with dark hair and arm muscles bulging against his white knit shirt. “This is Alejandro. He is mine. Please be seated.”
Drake tugged her hand, and they slid into the booth opposite the vampire and her human. Alejandro gazed at Carlotta with worshipful eyes. She stroked his shoulder as one would a cat or dog.
“I saw you dance,” she said. “Very impressive.”
“Thank you.” Drake gave a slight smile.
“How long have you been in New York?”
“I’m not really sure.”
Carlotta’s perfectly groomed brows shot up. “How is that?”
To Talia’s surprise, Drake relayed the truth. He told his story, the betrayal of some vampire who’d taken his life and his money then left him to die.
Carlotta’s nostrils flared and her eyes flashed. “Where did this happen?”
He gave her the name of the bar.
“That’s in Midtown West.” Her hand clenched into a fist. Alejandro sat straighter and leaned away.
Drake nodded.
“That’s part of my territory.” Her lips pulled back in a snarl, revealing long sharp incisors.
Talia wanted to ask about the territory issue, but Drake grabbed her knee under the table. She bit her lip. Tension inched into her muscles. Where was this going?
“Carlos,” the matron hissed to her henchman. He whirled from his surveillance of the restaurant and strode to the table.
“It has happened again. I want a council meeting tonight at midnight. Call the others.” She jabbed a finger at him. He nodded and hurried away. Another muscular vampire emerged from the shadows and took Carlos’s place guarding his mistress.
“I’m furious.” Carlotta’s fingers curled into claws. “I would never allow one of my flock to create a vampire and leave him to die. This is against all the old laws.”
“It happened to a child also,” Drake said. He told her about finding Pip.
“Brooklyn’s not my territory, but still it’s bad. What happens in my area I’ll take care of myself. But what happens in other areas reflects on us all. This cannot go on. I’ll take it to the elders if I have to.”
“I must apologize if I’ve broken some rule in your world. I’ve had no one to guide me. If there’s been an infringement, it’s from ignorance.” He placed his hands, palm up, on the table.
Carlotta studied him, eyes half closed. After a few seconds, she nodded. “Very well. I believe you. I will tell you, this is an abomination to make new vampires and leave them without direction. Our world is well concealed from humans and our rules keep it that way. Someone is breaking those rules, and it puts us all at risk. I won’t stand for it.”
“If I can help in any way, I’m willing,” he said.
Talia floundered in a sense of unreality. A vampire madam in a Latin club? A secret vampire world existed beneath the noses of humans? Vampire civil war about to erupt? She didn’t know what to think. Only Drake’s solid form beside her grounded the situation.
A smile crawled across Carlotta’s cold, angular features. “If there was an incentive, I might make you an honorary member of my flock. That will protect you from the other areas like that idiot Maron in the south of the city. My suspicion is that Maron’s erratic rule is responsible for these lapses. If I knew where he had his lair, I’d eliminate him once and for all.”
Drake’s jaw twitched. “I might be able to help with that.”
Talia’s gaze flew to his face. What was he thinking? She didn’t want him in danger.
Carlotta hissed and leaned across the table. “Where?”
“A deserted store that’s boarded up in Greenwich Village.”
“I want the address.” She pounded her clenched fist on the table.
“I’ll get it for you.” He leaned back, a slight smile on his face.
Her features relaxed. “Excellent. Get me that address and I’ll make sure you’re protected.”
He inclined his head. “How can I contact you?”
She flicked a hand toward Alejandro, and he produced a card, which he placed on her open palm. She took it and handed it to Drake. “This is my cell number. Call me when you have the information.”
“I will.” Drake slipped the card in his pants pocket.
Talia eyed the vampire madam. The woman was a little too luscious for her peace of mind. Now Drake had her card, and could connect with her at any time. Not a happy thought.
Carlotta’s glance slid over Talia in an appraising manner, and her tongue poked out between her blood red lips. Then she drew it in and draped an arm around Alejandro’s shoulders. He slumped, nestling against her. She stroked his neck with her red lacquered nails. He had two small red spots there on his skin. Bite marks. Talia shivered.
The vampire matron nodded to Drake. “You may go.”
He pushed against Talia’s thigh with his knee. She scooted out of the booth. With his hand on her elbow, he escorted her to their table. She fought the urge to glance over her shoulder.
A trail of ice ran up her spine. She wanted to run, but fought the urge. Carlotta the vampire queen totally creeped her out. But at least she hadn’t threatened to kill them as Maron’s buddy Lucilla had. This whole vampire scene was getting out of hand. Who knew there were territories of them everywhere running their own little worlds? She and Drake had landed right in the middle of a major conflict. Great. What next?
Chapter 20
“So you think that guy with Carlotta was letting her bite him?” Talia unlocked her door and pushed it open.
Drake followed her inside. He’d maintained a brooding silence on the ride home, which was fine with her. She hadn’t wanted to talk about vampires in front of a cab driver.
“Yes, I’d say so. I suppose some humans are attracted to the vampire culture. Maybe she promised to turn him if he was a good boy.” He walked into the living room.
“Turn him into a vampire?” She stopped and planted her hands on her hips.
He retraced his steps, scanning the area. “Pip? Gerri?”
“In here,” a muffled voice drifted from the dining room.
They shared a questioning glance and headed in that direction. They stopped on the threshold between the foyer and the dining room. The chairs had been pulled out, and a comforter draped the table and chairs. The only light came as a faint glow emanating from under the table.
She lifted the side of the comforter and bent to peer underneath. Pip and Gerri curled in a nest of what appeared to be every pillow in her apartment. A candle in a glass jar burned before them. She slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. Pip’s head was covered with one of her saucepans, and Gerri’s with a metal colander. They both had on robes raided from Talia’s closet, and some of her scarves draped their necks. Both wore enormous grins.
Stifling a laugh, she stood and turned to Drake. “You’re not going to believe this.”
He ducked under the makeshift tent. “What are you guys doing under here?”
“King Pip says you may enter if you wish,” Gerri said.
He disappeared into the makeshift cave, and Talia shook her head.
Pip’s voice called out, “You too, Mo….I mean, Your Majesty.”
She’d need more wine to do this. She went to the kitchen and poured a glass for her and one of blood for Drake. Then she poked her head under the comforter. “Here. Take these.” She handed the glasses to Drake who sat cross-legged under the table.
After she settled across from King Pip, Gerri tossed her some pillows to lounge on. Gerri had also resorted to wine to endure the playacting. Pip had the clown themed sippy-cup she’d bought him filled with
blood in one hand and her kitchen whisk in the other.
“His Majesty welcomes you to the Kingdom of Romania,” Gerri said bowing her head. “You may speak and present your gifts.”
“Gifts?” Drake raised a brow.
“Empress Gerri says visitors to the king always bring gifts so the king won’t kill them.” Pip smiled.
“Empress?” Talia looked at Gerri.
She shrugged. “I got to make up my own title.”
“So what are you guys doing?” Drake asked, lips twitching.
“We’re playing Kingdom of Romania. I’m the king of the vampires.” Pip raised his chin. “Gerri is the empress of the humans. Her people revolted and tried to kill her, so she came to the king of the vampires for help. I’m going to give her some of my warriors to help win back her throne.”
“I see.” Drake took a drink of his blood. “That’s very good of you.”
Talia suppressed the smile that tickled her face. Talia jerked her head in Gerri’s direction. “Well, if it’s okay with you, Your Highness, we need to talk to the Empress outside of the bat cave here.”
Pip pressed his lips together as if considering the merits of this request. He tapped Gerri on the shoulder with his whisk. “I guess that’s okay. You may go.”
They crawled out, and Gerri removed her colander crown. “So what’s up? How did the dancing go?”
“That’s a whole story in itself,” Talia said as they headed into the living room. “The big news is that there’s another Vampire pack or flock or whatever on the Upper West End.”
Her friend sucked in a breath. “Oh, no. Did you have trouble?”
“Not really.” She glanced at Drake who removed the pot from Pip’s head. She sank onto the couch and relayed the story of their encounter with Carlotta.
“So, she’s offering protection if you give her the location of Maron’s group?” Gerri sat forward on the edge of the wingchair, elbows on her knees.
“So it seems,” Drake said. “I’m beginning to think it would be a good idea to have some affiliation with one of the vampire groups. I might be able to learn more about my new status and maybe avoid some unpleasantness associated with being a loner.”
“It makes sense, I guess.” Gerri sat back, lips pursed. “How will you find it?”
