Kindling Flames: Smoke Rising (The Ancient Fire Series Book 3)

by Julie Wetzel

  Vicky looked over the police detective. He was dressed in what would have been a nice suit had it not looked like he slept in it. His dark brown hair was badly in need of brushing, and he had the air of someone that had been working hard. It was his eyes that caught Vicky’s attention. They were an average blue, but they had a sharp, penetrating quality to them.

  “He’s on a conference call at the moment.” Vicky stood up from her desk. “But if you would like to have a seat, I’ll let him know you’re here.”

  The detective nodded his thanks and turned back to the room.

  Vicky wrote a message on a paper and slipped quietly into Darien’s office.

  Darien looked up from his meeting as she slid the note across the table. He read it quickly and nodded before turning back to his business.

  “He’ll be out when he’s done,” Vicky told the detective as she closed Darien’s office door gently.

  “Thank you.”

  Vicky sat back at her desk and returned to work while the detective studied the pictures on the wall.

  “Good afternoon,” Darien said when he finally stepped out of his office.

  The officer turned to look at him. “Hello.” He took the hand Darien offered. “I’m Detective Mark Hazelhurst. If you have a few minutes, I have some questions about the accident.”

  Darien held out his hand, inviting the detective into his office. “Certainly.”

  Mark led the way through the open door.

  “Please, have a seat.”

  Mark settled into one of Darien’s leather armchairs. “I’m glad to see you’re doing so well after the crash.” The detective tugged on his jacket, watching Darien return to his normal seat behind the desk. “I was surprised when I went to the hospital to find that you weren’t there.”

  “Seatbelts and airbags,” Darien said with a hint of a smile.

  Mark cocked an eyebrow at him curiously. “The doctors said they didn’t even check you out.”

  Darien’s knowing smile spread just a little. “I’m a very resilient person.”

  Mark eyed him, looking for any falsehood in his words.

  Darien laced his fingers together and rested them on the top of his desk. “What can I do for you?” He forced the detective to the point.

  “Can you think of anyone who might want to hurt you?”

  Darien was taken aback by the question. He could think of lots of things that might benefit from his death, but nothing actively looking to hurt him. “Not to my knowledge.” Darien slid his hands from the table and sat up straighter. “Why?”

  Mark pulled on his tie uncomfortably. “We think we found what was left of the SUV that might have hit you,” Mark said. “There wasn’t much left after the fire, but the VIN number and license plate lead us to believe it was stolen.”

  Darien nodded his understanding.

  “What about the young lady that was with you? Could someone be after her?” Mark asked.

  “You mean Miss Westernly?” Darien shook his head. “Unlikely.” He couldn’t think of anyone that would want to hurt his personal assistant. He would have already taken care of the threat if he did.

  Mark looked suspiciously at him.

  “You can ask her if you like.” Darien raised his voice. “Miss Westernly,” he called.

  Vicky appeared at his summons. “Yes?”

  The detective turned to look at Vicky, surprised.

  “Detective Hazelhurst wants to know if you can think of anyone out to hurt you.”

  Vicky looked horrified at the prospect. She had recently been the subject of an ifrit’s attack, but the man responsible was dead. “No,” Vicky said after turning the thought over for a moment.

  Mark was shocked. “She’s the young lady from the wreck?” His eyes ran over her. “But the report said she broke her arm.” His eyes locked on the arm Darien had healed.

  Vicky paled a little, wondering how they were going to get out of this one.

  “The report must have been wrong,” Darien said. “As you can see, she’s fine.”

  Vicky could feel the power in Darien’s words as they washed over the detective.

  Mark wavered for a second before shaking his head to clear it. “I’m glad to see they got it wrong.”

  Vicky let out the breath she was holding as the detective succumbed to Darien’s suggestion.

  The detective turned his attention back to Darien. “So what were you doing out in that area last night?”

  “I recently had some repairs done to the floor of one of my warehouses,” Darien explained. “I went out to make sure the job was done correctly.”

  The detective leaned forwards in his seat, studying him. “Did anyone know you were heading out there?”

  “No,” Darien said.

  Mark looked back to Vicky with the same question in his eyes.

  She shook her head. “No.”

  Mark thought about it for a minute but could not come up with an answer. “Well,” he sighed and stood up from the chair, “if you can think of anything, please, give me a call.” Reaching into his pocket, Mark pulled out a card.

  Darien stood up and took it from him. “I will.” He accepted the detective’s hand for a firm shake.

  “Good day, Mr. Ritter.” Detective Hazelhurst turned and nodded to Vicky. “Miss Westernly,” he said in parting as he passed.

  Vicky waited until the man had left her office before turning to Darien. “Is someone after you?” she asked, worried.

  “Not that I’m aware of.” Darien reached for the phone. “I can’t think of any humans I’ve pissed off enough to take me out, and anything supernatural would take a more direct approach.”

  Vicky really blanched at this.

  “But I’ll check with Rupert just to make sure.” Darien dialed his phone. “He’ll know if there’s anything funny going on.”

  “Okay.” Vicky turned to leave the office. “I’m going to get some coffee. Would you like some?” She needed some caffeine after that shock.

  “Please.” Darien listened to the phone ring. “Oh, and see if Sue has any of those chocolate chip cookies.”

  Nodding, Vicky left to get their refreshments.

  As Darien waited for Rupert to pick up, he thought about the cookies he had gotten from Sue yesterday. They had been unbelievably good, and he could really kill a few of them right now.

  Darien parked the red convertible along the side of the darkened road. “I think we’re here.”

  Vicky looked at the line of cars parked alongside the curb in what was normally a quiet neighborhood. “Vanessa’s house is just up the street.” She had been looking forwards to this party all week and had been almost too excited to work today. Vicky had been giddy when Darien announced that they were leaving early to get ready for the Friday night party. He had been very secretive about her costume, and Vicky nearly died of excitement when she came out from her shower to find the dress laid out across the bed. The rich blue, Victorian-style gown was amazing. She had been a little overwhelmed with the layers involved in the dress, but Darien laced her into the corseted garment with skilled fingers. It was obvious he had wrapped more than one woman in a corset in his days.

  “Do you think she invited enough people?” Darien asked as he got out of the car. He was careful to make sure his entire silk cape was out the door before he shut it.

  Vicky smiled as he opened her door. “Vanessa really knows how to throw a party,” she said as Darien held his hand out to help her from the car. Taking the offered hand, she stood carefully on the grass between the road and the sidewalk. Vicky ran her gloved fingers down her stomach to smooth the wrinkles from the pale blue panel. Her hand stopped at the darker blue material wrapping around her waist that attached to a flowing bustle and train. The dress was a magnificent piece of work with its many folds and lace accents. Vicky moved stiffly in the unfamiliar corset. The only other time she had been in something remotely close to this was the spider-silk dress Darien had hidden away in his office close
t. That dress was bespelled by the fay and made Vicky irresistible to men.

  Darien had taken the gown until he could find a way to break the enchantment on it. It was too beautiful to destroy, but he didn’t need anything driving him to the woman. Vicky had enough pull over him already.

  “You look lovely,” Darien purred as he shut the car door and tossed the edge of his cloak back out of the way.

  Vicky blushed slightly. “Thank you,” she said as they paused for a group of kids to pass. Beggar’s Night had started, and hoards of trick-or-treaters were already out. “But, don’t you think the neckline of this dress is a little low?” Vicky asked as she looked down at the cleavage pushed up by the corset. The strip of material that served as sleeves for the dress was a band of fabric barely two inches wide with fringe on the lower side. It framed her bosom and wrapped around her upper arms to join low between her shoulder blades.

  Darien chuckled at her. “Not at all.” He ran his fingertips across the exposed skin of Vicky’s chest and shoulder. He was glad that an Indian summer had blown in; the weather was warm enough so Vicky wouldn’t have to wear the heavy cloak he had prepared for her. It would have ruined the look of the dress. “The chest wasn’t considered forbidden during this era.”

  Vicky blushed as his hand continued to her arm and fell to her hand.

  Darien gently pulled her hand up and rolled it palm up. “It was the wrist and ankles that were considered erotic.” He placed a kiss on the material over the scar he had left on Vicky’s wrist.

  Vicky shivered from the heated look in his eyes.

  Darien wrapped her captured hand around his arm and led her to the sidewalk. “Anyway, it suits a vampire’s minion to show a little skin at the neck.” He leaned over. “Makes it more enticing to bite,” he breathed to her.

  Vicky drew in a quick gasp of air at the suggestion in his words. “Oh, shoot.” She stopped quickly and turned to look at the car as she remembered something.

  “What?” Darien asked, concerned. He stepped closer to Vicky as some little kids ran past him.

  “I left my collar,” Vicky said, distressed, as she raised her hand to her throat. She had pulled it out and set it on the bathroom counter before Darien had done her hair, but she forgot to put in on.

  “Your collar?” Darien questioned.

  “You know,” she looked up at him, “that black velvet one with the red crystals.”

  It only took Darien a second to remember the black velvet band with the fake vampire bite that had teased him so. “What about it?” He smiled at the memory.

  Vicky took his arm back, and they started walking towards Vanessa’s house again. “I was going to wear it to round out my costume.” She sighed. “I can’t be a minion without a proper vampire bite.”

  Darien smiled broadly, flashing fangs. Vicky squeaked as he spun her around and wrapped her up in his arms. Before she could protest, the tips of his fangs sunk into the pulse on her neck. He drew one mouthful of her blood before slowly sliding his fangs from her skin.

  She quivered in response to the bite.

  He licked the little dribbles of blood that oozed from the closing wound.

  “Mommy, Mommy! That man’s a vampire. He just bit that lady!”

  Vicky was shocked to hear the voice of a little girl that had stopped to watch them.

  “That’s nice, dear.” The child’s mother patted her daughter on the head as she fiddled with her phone. “Now, let’s go before he bites us, too.” The mother led the child to the next house for more treats.

  Vicky stared at them, and then looked up to the satisfied smirk on Darien’s face.

  His smile widened before he placed a light kiss on Vicky’s lips. “One vampire bite, as requested.” He set Vicky back on her shaky feet.

  She gawked at him as she regained her footing. “I can’t believe you just did that!” Vicky gasped as she raised her fingers to the bite mark. She touched the skin gently.

  Darien pulled her fingers away from the side of her neck. “Don’t press on it, or you’ll get it bleeding again.” He wrapped her hand over his arm again and started walking towards the party.

  Vicky fell into step with him. “You bit me,” she said, shocked.

  “And?” Darien asked smugly.

  “In public!” Vicky looked around for anyone coming with crosses and stakes.

  Darien laughed. “Halloween is the only time of year vampires can walk around without worries.” He patted Vicky’s hand. “I could bite you just about anywhere, and no one would say anything. People think it’s all for show.”

  Vicky opened her mouth to respond but couldn’t think of a good comeback. She looked up at Darien in his vampire costume. His hair was slicked back in a perfect imitation of Lugosi’s Dracula. Chuckling, she shook her head and sighed. “Point. Just keep your fangs out of the people at the party,” she teased him.

  “Aww.” Dairen pouted playfully. “But what if I get hungry?”

  “You just had a snack.” Vicky giggled at him.

  A mischievous light lit his eyes as he turned towards her.

  Vicky grinned broadly as she saw the idea pop into Darien’s head. “Don’t do it.”

  “Bleh! I vant to suck your blood!” he said in a very bad Transylvanian accent, laughing. Grabbing the edges of his cape, he swooped it out as Vicky turned and ran, giggling, up Vanessa’s driveway between the cars. They ended up next to her garage with Vicky swaddled in the red lining of the silk cloak.

  Vicky giggled as Darien kissed the side of her neck again. “You’re horrible.” Breathing hard, she tried to catch her breath. She enjoyed the playful side of Darien, but he didn’t let it out much.

  “Yes, but you enjoy it.” He held Vicky against him and kissed her lips softly.

  “True.” She leaned back from the kiss. “Let’s go see what Vanessa has done.” Vicky pulled from Darien’s arms and led him up the walk to the porch. The pair stopped at the door and knocked. The thumping music from inside grew louder as Vicky’s friend opened the door.

  “Vicky!” Vanessa squealed and stepped out to hug her friend. The beads from the red, 1920’s flapper dress swung as the woman moved. “You’re late.” She released her friend.

  “Only fashionably.” Vicky grinned at her best friend. “It took me a little while to get ready.”

  “You look fantastic.” Vanessa looked over the two-tone gown her friend was dressed in. “I love the bite. It looks so real.” Vicky blushed slightly as Darien smiled, showing fangs.

  “And you look amazing!” Vanessa turned her attention to the vampire. “I have got to show you off.” Vanessa grabbed Vicky’s hand and pulled her inside. “Beth and Maggie are just going to die.” Vicky stumbled after her friend.

  “Ladies,” Darien called from the front porch.

  Vanessa stopped to see what he wanted.

  “Are you going to invite me in?”

  She cocked her head in confusion.

  “Invite me in,” he said again.

  “Of course!” A grin split Vanessa’s face as she realized her mistake. “Vampires can’t come in unless they’re invited.” She released Vicky’s hand. “You are welcome in my home. Please come in.” Vanessa bowed regally, enjoying what she thought was a joke.

  Vicky felt a ripple of power as Darien stepped across the threshold. Had he not explained how to feel magic, she would have thought it was just a light breeze.

  “Don’t bite my guests,” Vanessa teased.

  “Their necks are safe,” Darien promised.

  She giggled and turned back to lead them into the main room.

  “There is only one person here that I want to sink my fangs into,” he purred quietly to Vicky as they followed Vanessa.

  Vicky swatted at him, trying to make him being good.

  “Look who finally showed up,” Vanessa called as she led Vicky and Darien across the dance floor that had been Vanessa’s living room. All the furniture had been removed, leaving the wooden floor open. The space was
lit by several floor lamps draped in green and purple fabric. It gave the room an eerie feel. Fake spiderwebs covered everything, and rubber bats hung randomly around the room. Vanessa had set up an ionizing fountain in one corner, and a light haze of fog rolled around the dancer’s ankles. There was a mash-up of creatures dancing and talking in the room. Everyone was decked out in some form of a costume.

  Vicky waved at a few people she knew as she made her way to her friends.

  “Vicky!” Beth cried excitedly when she saw her. “That dress is awesome.”

  Holding her arms out, Vicky turned around for the girls to check her over.

  Beth considered the tight waist and long train of Vicky’s costume. “But it might be hard to dance in.”

  Vicky ran her hand over her corseted stomach again.

  “I think it’s perfect.” Maggie smiled. “The color matches your eyes. Where did you get it?”

  “Darien got it for me.” Vicky looked over her shoulder to the vampire standing behind her.

  He flashed a fang-filled smile and bowed his head slightly to the women.

  Vicky could practically see her friends drooling as they ran their eyes over Darien’s costume. The black tux and white vest were well suited to the debonair air he gave off. The only splashes of color were the red silk lining of the cape and the matching ascot at his throat.

  “Wow,” Beth breathed, unable to find a better description. How they had missed their friend’s escort was beyond comprehension. He was hot!

  Darien took hold of the side of his cloak and raised it to his chest while bowing in greeting. “Good evening, ladies.” He stood up and studied each of Vicky’s friends. In addition to Vanessa’s red flapper, Beth was wrapped in the grass skirt of a hula dancer with several leas of flowers over her white body suit, and Maggie had a pointed black hat with a tattered black witch’s dress. “You all look lovely tonight.”

  All three of Vicky’s friends blushed.

  “You look wonderful, too,” Maggie finally found her voice. She looked closer at his face. “Those are amazing fangs. They look so real,” she said. “Where did you find them?”