Vampire Princess of New York (Arnhem Knights of New York)

by Susan Hanniford Crowley

  “It’s not nice, Lala, to look into your father’s mind.”

  “Sorry, but you are. David doesn’t like him either.”

  “David doesn’t like who?”

  “Kaz.”

  “Oh, yeah. Her lifemate. I don’t want to talk about him.”

  Laura drank down some more blood. “Let’s call it a gut feeling, but I think something is wrong with him.”

  Autumn touched some of the neighborhood trees. The house held many memories for the family. Donovan loved the happy pictures placed around the house, especially those of his grandson JJ. The little boy’s death over a year ago in a car accident still stung Donovan’s heart.

  Going up the stairs, he chose JJ’s room.

  “Papa, are you sure this is a good idea?”

  “Yes, I think it would be good for me.”

  “Ok, I’ll be right across the way in the other bedroom.”

  Donovan missed Noblesse. Every time he reached for her thoughts, he was blocked. He didn’t know if she was doing it on purpose, or it was his lack of skill over a distance. He didn’t want his relationship with Noblesse to fade away.

  Sitting on the bed, he gazed at the toys in JJ’s room. At first glance, he was hit with the sorrow of a seven-year-old boy who died without really knowing the world. His two favorite dinosaurs still played on the floor. The bed’s blue and green comforter had all kinds of dinosaurs in different boxes of colors, all stitched together. It was a handmade quilt Evie had made for him. Donovan was glad for the time he had with JJ.

  Stretching out on the bed, he sighed. Reaching over to the nightstand, Donovan turned off the light plunging him into darkness. Perhaps it was like the nature of his beloved that he always found the dark comforting and not lonely like now. In the darkness, he reached for Noblesse’s thoughts again and was denied.

  Chapter 10

  Noblesse liked everything in the Arnhem Society. The kitchen was a designer’s masterpiece. Dark warm wood cabinets, royal blue tiles on the walls and floor accented the large mahogany family style table. A burnished golden oven hood matched the handles on each door and drawer. This was the small kitchen.

  Behind it was the professional restaurant quality kitchen of stainless steel used by caterers when preparing food for larger events. Any vampire over one hundred or a supernatural guest could eat human food. Both food and blood were in large supply here. There was no reason any vampire would want to hunt humans, and that’s what Max had intended.

  Sitting at the large table, Kaz poured bloodwine into Noblesse’s glass. “This is quite an amazing place.”

  “Max intended to meet every comfort a vampire might need.”

  The dark haired vampire with dark eyes like night smiled. “I am so amazed that I met you. I’ve gone for over a thousand years without a lifemate, and now you’re here. I didn’t know why I was so driven to come to New York.”

  Noblesse smiled. This was new territory for her. She knew she should be ecstatic about finding him, but she wasn’t. Her mind kept drifting back to Donovan. Why? With his dark hair, a touch of a beard in progress and abs visible through his tight shirt, Kaz was the complete wow package.

  “Where are you from?”

  His dark eyes twinkled. “Recently or originally?”

  “Originally?”

  “Rome.”

  “Wow. Rome must be great this time of year.” She didn’t know what she was talking about but grasped at conversational straws.

  He chuckled. “I flew over from London actually. I’m originally from Ancient Rome. My mother was a slave. I was an infant when she was captured in Gaul. A vampire named Cassius, who was in the court of Emperor Nero, made me a vampire.”

  Her mouth dropped open. Noblesse had heard a lot of making stories but this one was . . . “What was Emperor Nero like? You were in his court?”

  “Yes, I was lucky enough to be favored.”

  “What does that mean ‘to be favored’?”

  “It means I was on the good side of the emperor and was invited to all his parties and orgies.”

  “Orgies?”

  “The emperor enjoyed sex and had it frequently with men and women. He encouraged his court to do the same.”

  Noblesse couldn’t fault him.

  “You can find those kind of parties in New York if you wish.”

  He took her hands in his. “I am done with that. Now that I have found my only one, I am yours alone.”

  Noblesse couldn’t help but smile.

  “Will you show me your city?”

  “Of course.”

  “I want to know all the things you love about it.” He leaned over and whispered, “I want to know everything about you.”

  Still smiling, she swallowed the lump in her throat and stood up. “Well, first things first. We have to go to the foyer and sign out.”

  Noblesse took the glasses over to the sink, washed them, and put them back in the rack.

  They were headed upstairs when they ran into David.

  “Hi, Noblesse. Hi, Kaz.”

  “I’m going to the show Kaz New York.”

  One of David’s hands turned into a huge claw. He winced with pain but didn’t say a word.

  Noblesse could feel her brother’s agony.

  Then the hand shrank back down to normal.

  “You’ve been bitten by a Kere at some point in your long life,” Kaz said.

  “How would you know that?” David asked.

  “Every once in a while, I’ve run into vampires with the same problem.”

  “Is there a cure?” Noblesse asked.

  Kaz shook his head. “Sorry. I have never heard of a cure for the bite of a Kere. The Death Spirit remains a part of you always. People just suppress it. On the up side, it will give you its enormous strength to command. Beware! If you turn into one completely, then you’ll stay that way.”

  “David, where’s Laura?”

  “I’ve sent her on an errand.”

  Noblesse felt him blocking his thoughts. He usually didn’t do that with her, but she was with Kaz.

  “Well, you should summon her back to take care of you.”

  “I’ll be fine. Be sure to sign out in the book. How long will you be in the city?”

  “I will have her back by midnight,” Kaz replied.

  “All right. Be careful out there.” David descended the stairs toward the kitchen.

  “I will defend her with my life,” he said to David’s back.

  “Thank you.” Her brother didn’t turn around.

  Noblesse was about to say she was very capable of protecting herself. Instead, she kept her mouth closed, taking David’s cue to block her thoughts as well.

  When they got to the foyer, Kaz gazed down at the sea of marble tiles saying the word “eternity” in so many different languages. Noblesse signed her and Kaz’s name in the out section, below the names of Laura Cordelais and Donovan Dupre.

  Her heart ached.

  Kaz looked over her shoulder. “Donovan Dupre. Didn’t I meet him?”

  “Yes, you did.”

  He offered his arm, and they left together. Vincent, King Max’s usual driver, was waiting for them.

  Noblesse got into the limo first and Kaz followed. Vincent closed the door. Immediately Kaz pulled her into an embrace. He kissed her gently as if to taste her.

  When their lips parted, Noblesse caught her breath and smiled.

  “Excuse me, Ms. Vander Meer,” Vincent said through the intercom. “Where would you like to go?”

  “Hmm. Let’s take a ride through Central Park, please.” She needed to think.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Kaz pulled her into his lap and kissed her again. Though Noblesse enjoy
ed his enthusiastic affection, she worried that something was wrong with her.

  When their lips parted this time, she lay her hand on his shoulder.

  “Noblesse, what is Donovan Dupre to you? I see pictures in my head that I do not like.”

  “I told you. He’s my friend.”

  He frowned.

  “Donovan’s my best friend, and I would like you two to get along.”

  “A best friend you’ve been sleeping with?”

  “Well, as you said I am done with that.”

  “Will your human pet understand?”

  “He’s not a pet. He’s my friend, and he will.”

  “It would be better, if you did not see him again.”

  “Donovan is an honored guest of the Arnhem Society. He has two daughters who are vampires.”

  Kaz shook his head. “It doesn’t make sense. Why doesn’t he become a vampire like them?”

  “He just doesn’t want the life.”

  “I don’t like wasting so much of my precious time with you discussing a human. You are mine now.”

  In a blink, Noblesse was on her back with Kaz on top. His kisses were intense and demanding. He reached under her skirt and fingered her panties.

  She pulled his hand away. “Not here.”

  “Why not?”

  “I want our first time together to be more romantic.”

  He sat up and pulled her with him. “I can be more romantic.” His dark eyes shimmered with a silver light. “Your park is lovely, but I’m getting very hungry.”

  “Me too,” Noblesse admitted. “I know just the place.” She pushed the button for the intercom. “Gustave’s, please.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Thank you, Vincent.” She clicked the button again to close the communication.

  “You are very polite to a servant, Noblesse.”

  “Have you been secluded in a remote part of Eastern Europe?”

  “Why do you ask that, my love?” Confusion etched on his face, setting his strong jaw.

  “I’ve noticed there are so many things you don’t know or understand about our modern world. Vincent isn’t just my driver. He is also an Arnhem Knight and my bodyguard.”

  “I didn’t realize.” He held her close. “I don’t mean to offend, Noblesse. I will follow your lead on these matters. I have purposely avoided most of humanity. Now because of Max, there is a city unique where vampires and humans live side by side.”

  When they arrived at the restaurant. Vincent opened the door. Kaz got out first and turned to help Noblesse. She smiled at his gentleman’s ways and accepted his hand. The restaurant’s owner met them at the door, escorting them through an empty restaurant to a private dining room.

  “Gustave,” Noblesse said, “having the restaurant entirely to ourselves is not necessary.”

  “We made your favorites, Princess.” The table was beautifully set and the cook personally brought out two vampire special pizzas, Noblesse’s favorites with mushrooms, sausage, hamburger, and extra cheese. This personal treatment was highly unusual even for attending the Vampire Princess of New York.

  Maurice, the headwaiter, announced, “Bon appetite,” after placing several side dishes on the table, the chilled blood wine in the ice bucket.

  “May I pour, sir?”

  “Yes,” Kaz replied. The scent of blood wine appeared to please him, and he sipped it. “Excellent.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “If everything is to the Princess’s and her guest’s satisfaction, we will take our leave.”

  Gustave and Maurice bowed and turned to leave.

  “Gustave, please, join us in our meal. There is a lot to discuss.”

  He went to a sideboard and set another place at the seat beside Noblesse and took one piece of pizza, but he did not eat. Maurice left the room.

  “I know you have a lot on your mind, and there was a time when you called me Noblesse.”

  She telepathically linked her mind to David’s so he could listen in.

  “Forgive me, Noblesse, for burdening you.”

  “You are an old friend, Gustave. Please, tell me.”

  Kaz silently watched and ate his pizza, listening from her other side.

  “Gino and I were dear friends. We studied together at the Cordon Bleu. So many vampires, staff, and human patrons died that day. Gino’s shriveled body was found in the private dining room with Angus, Leif, and Rolland. They were defending you with their lives. The Arnhem Knights were too late.”

  “Gino and his staff were dear to me as well.”

  “Princess, many families are in mourning and live in fear of a terror that can destroy so many so quickly. I closed my restaurant when I heard you were coming. I sent the rest of my staff home. Maurice agreed to stay and cook for you.”

  Noblesse was not hungry. “I understand. If you will get me one of the insulated packs, we will take the pizza with us. I do not wish harm to come to you because of my presence in your restaurant.”

  “I hope you do not think badly of us,” Gustave said.

  “I do not.”

  He left and returned with an insulated pack that had an additional pizza in it.

  Noblesse got up with Kaz following and thanked Gustave for the fine pizza. He walked with them outside to their limo and handed the package to Vincent.

  “Kaz, will you please wait in the limo. I have some last instructions for Gustave. Just boring business.” She purposely put up the wall in her mind that not even an ancient could breach and re-established her connection with her brother.

  Kaz nodded and got into the limo. Noblesse followed Gustave back inside and into his kitchen where Maurice waited.

  “Do you both know how to teleport or become invisible?”

  “We can both teleport,” Gustave said.

  “Before I leave, I request that you both teleport out of here, collect your families and pets and go to a new place. Do not tell me where you are going, but make sure it is out of New York.” She reached into her purse and gave each a VMeer company credit card. “Do not lose these and do not spend a fortune on them. VMeer Industries will put a full-page ad in The Times announcing you are closed for renovations and to watch for your grand reopening. VMeer Industries will cover all your expenses while you are away. Do not leave pets, favorite items, or plants in your New York homes. Take any important documents with you too. Now go and hurry. When I receive a message that you have left your homes and New York, I will lock your restaurant.”

  “You think we are in jeopardy then?”

  “I do, and so does David.”

  The two vampires disappeared.

  Vincent mindtalked with Noblesse. Kaz is asking if he can come in. He says he is concerned for your safety.

  Tell him that I am fine, and that I need him to collect several items for me. I would very much appreciate his help.

  Yes, ma’am.

  Quickly she ran off a list in her head that would keep Kaz busy for at least an hour. Tell him that it’s part of a surprise. I’ve arranged a special reservation at the Empire State Building.

  The limo with Kaz in it left on its mission.

  Noblesse stayed behind to lock the restaurant’s doors and put the closed sign in the window. She mindtalked with her secretary at VMeer Industries about the ad in the paper. Noblesse sat down. Why did she keep Kaz out of this? Was it because he was a newcomer? There was still much to learn about him. His thoughts were difficult to read. Even though he was an ancient, lifemates could usually mindtalk. Laura mindtalked with David almost immediately. Was Kaz blocking his mind, only allowing the occasional memory to be seen? Why would he do that? In her heart, she wished Max was here.

  She and David were perfectly capable of running New
York without Max. They had for centuries when he resided in Iceland or traveled the world.

  David stood at the locked door peering inside. Noblesse opened the door and locked it after him.

  “What brings you down here?”

  “Where’s Kaz?”

  “I sent him on some errands with Vincent and the limo. What’s wrong? Did Mina analyze the bites on the victims at Gino’s?”

  “Yes. She said they were vampiric in nature but may or may not be caused by a vampire.” Her brother seldom looked this grim.

  “Well, that’s specific.”

  They stared at each other and laughed.

  “How are things coming along with Kaz and you?”

  “He has a lot to learn about our modern New York culture. I think he’s been living in seclusion. Unless he purposely shares his thoughts with me, I can’t read him. Kaz was made a vampire by a Cassius in Nero’s court.”

  “Wow. Nero. I’ll let Lily know to move her background search in that direction. So are you excited to be with him?”

  “Was it like that when you and Laura got together?”

  “It was for me. It took time for her. Even though we had a rough year or so, she told me later that she was wowed by our first night together. Her doubts were not because of me, but because we were vampires. Her New Orleans upbringing gave her a harsh view of vampires she had to overcome. I didn’t fit what she’d been told. We did mindtalk immediately. I didn’t have to teach her. I know that wasn’t the case with Max and Evelyn. Mindtalking came later for them.”

  “Something must be broken inside me. I don’t feel it. I’m not as excited as he is. I still love Donovan. How is that possible?”

  “Wow. I’ve never known of that happening. Does Kaz know this?”

  “No. I haven’t told him. In the beginning, I wasn’t careful with my thoughts. He knows I slept with Donovan. Kaz doesn’t like him. I expressed that I wanted them to become friends, and Kaz said he would not be friends with a man who had sex with me.”