And if Leslie’s past descriptions of the uptight judge were exact, the man’s thick white bushy eyebrows were highly arched in a disapproving frown against his deathly pale skin. The overhanging lights probably beamed against his bald head like a bright spotlight, waxing his wrinkled flesh in a high sheen. Undoubtedly, his necktie was wrapped almost tightly enough to cut off his circulation, she thought inwardly with a nervous laugh. And his tired, brown suit was indisputably a throwback to the late 70’s and 80’s.
But, still he was the best in the field.
A musical maven.
And everyone coveted his acceptance and approval.
Her thoughts finally caught up with his words again.
“We will assess a few more contenders, and I highly suggest that you rethink your positions and how you’ll conduct yourselves. And I,” he thundered, smacking the baton against the table again. “Demand the highest, utmost civility!”
Really, she snorted under her breath.
His childish antics spoke otherwise!
The concert hall was deathly silent.
And amazingly, she was still breathing, she thought agitatedly, carefully adjusting the sheets on the piano. For the first time, she didn’t know if her nerves would even hold up under the pressure!
“As for you, Ms. Williamson,” Jacques Landers said.
Flustered, she stiffened again as he addressed her. And for once, she was glad that the piano was slightly turned from the judging panel, and her back was to them.
Surely, they’d see her hyperventilating if she were!
“Your performance was impeccable, flawless, and excellence at its best,” he retorted respectfully. “We will notify you of our decision later this evening. Please exit at the left end of the stage.”
“Thank you.” Standing, she accepted the attendant’s assistance before they treaded toward the stairs. Macy was past impatient when she joined her at the bottom steps. Bypassing the curious onlookers in the seating area, she took a sharp right. While they’d all be heartfelt in offering their appreciation, the last thing she needed to do was disturb the proceedings. And Jacques Landers had already stated his position: “rambunctious displays” as he deemed it were intolerable.
Besides that, she didn’t want to jeopardize her chances!
Within seconds, they were leaving through the rear exit. As the door banged shut behind her, apprehension filled her as she halted. Usually, they departed through the front, but on extremely rare instances, she utilized this one.
She shrugged.
Of course, the nerve racking audition had her worked up about everything!
And this was probably one of the safest areas in the city.
Besides that, it cut her trek short!
Finally, she allowed herself to relax as they strolled along the darkened back alleyway. “I know that you were probably bored out of your mind. Bear with me though because one day we’ll be rich and famous,” she carried on conversationally. “And if it happens, no when it happens, we’ll look back at these hard times, and they’ll seem minimal. Then, we can just breathe, relax, and enjoy life. Until then, we’re forced to go through the motions, unfortunately.”
Silence echoed against the buildings’ solid walls except for the momentary scattering of giant rodents traveling from one trash bin to the next. And if her memory was accurate, she thought, they were sandwiched between the rear of the concert hall and the old red-slated Chinese restaurant.
“About right now, Leslie’s probably nursing a major headache,” she went on, knowing that Macy was accustomed to hearing her mental rumblings. “When will she learn that she will never find happiness in a bottle of booze or fast, hot men?” She laughed. “Oh, who am I kidding? I can think of one man that I’d throw all caution to the wind for---”
Her words died.
She tensed as Macy growled warningly under her breath. Instinctively, her hand tightened on the leash as the dog stopped in her tracks. Now, her warning growl was low and primal.
As she absorbed the cold dead silence, the hairs stood at her nape.
Still, she sensed that they weren’t alone.
“Come on, Macy. Let’s go,” she urged quietly, tugging on the leather leash.
But, Macy didn’t budge from her defensive stance, but now circled around her protectively.
What was I thinking anyway, she fumed.
Pride was one thing, but stupidity was another! And exiting through the rear had definitely been a stupid move on her part. At times like these, her pride rightfully deserved a swift quick in the rear end.
A shrill cry filled the dark alleyway.
“Who’s there?” she asked tightly, her heart racing.
At once, a feather light breeze swept across the asphalt, scattering the street debris along the alleyway. And then, she could hear a faint whisper, but was unable to decipher it. Again, she fought against the hysteria. “Who’s there?”
A cold breeze whisked along the dark alleyway, this time more forceful and brutal.
She sucked in a hard breath.
While it was the winter season, the Atlanta air was never this brisk or isolated in a single area, in this case the darkened alleyway.
A violent tremor ran through her.
She’d never felt so exposed.
Of course, she was accustomed to living in the darkness. But, somehow, it seemed even more obscure now, and she couldn’t dismiss the uncanny feeling that the entire alleyway was cloaked in total blackness.
A foul odor wafted up her nose.
She suppressed a shudder.
Certainly, it wasn’t the stale, smelly scraps of food or trash.
It was much too heady.
Strong.
An indefinable odor that she’d never smelled before.
Heartbeat thundering, she froze.
A faint whisper teased her.
And she sensed a presence.
Perhaps a washed out junkie had chosen her as the ticket for his next fix.
And that wasn’t good at all.
She released the deathlike grip on her purse. “If it’s money that you’re after, then take it.” Cautiously, she slipped the designer bag from her shoulder before extending it forward. “Take it.”
Sensing movement at her right, she tensed.
As the stranger ventured towards her, his footsteps were nearly soundless.
Then, surprisingly, more footsteps sounded against the pavement.
And she could tell that the stranger was stunned by his arrival, too.
More apprehension filled her.
How could things get any worse?
Now, she was confronted with two strangers.
Yet, she sensed that this latest one would be her savior.
Her thoughts were validated as he spoke.
“Go!” the new stranger ordered.
She shivered uncontrollably.
The stranger’s voice was authoritative, and it held a deadly calmness that seemed unearthly. And it was clear that he was accustomed to being in control. “Did you hear what I said? Get out of here!” he demanded again, and his steps treaded on her right. “Now!”
“No! You won’t stop me from having what’s mine!” the other stranger raged, finally revealing his presence.
That voice, she thought agitatedly as fear paralyzed her.
Where had she heard it before?
Feral cries filled the darkened alleyway now, and they seemed monstrous as they echoed within the black void. And it was more than evident that a violent confrontation was ensuing.
As if awakening from her own trance, Macy broke into a full run. Her purse fell to the ground as she staggered, and she feared that she’d slam into the hard pavement. But, surprisingly, she managed to stay upright and hold on. The leather band stretched across her palm painfully as she struggled to keep up. But, the dog’s pace had slowed to a determined trot, yet still she was full of intent.
Suddenly, Macy took a sharp left, hurtling them into more u
ncharted territory. If she weren’t mistaken, they were now at the back of 5th and Clements Avenue, the back of a trendy pharmaceutical store, and an upscale fashion boutique was adjacent to it. As if on cue, the back door of the boutique swung open, and she nearly wept with relief.
“Hey! What are you doing?” the surprised woman shrieked as they barreled in past her. “You can’t go in through here! Have you ever heard of using the front entrance? Come back here!”
At once, Macy came to a screeching halt, and she almost stumbled.
Cursing, the woman slammed the door shut. “And on top of that, you have the audacity to bring your mutt in here, too!” the woman went on. “I do not, let me repeat, absolutely do not allow hairy creatures in my establishment. I’m calling the police---”
That’s exactly what was needed!
The woman gasped as she turned and faced her.
And in that second, she knew the woman was realizing that she was blind.
Her words tumbled out. “Please, call the police. I’m being followed, and I was nearly mugged, and there’s a man who needs help! He stayed behind while we ran away, and he needs help. Please, hurry!”
“Ok, ok, ok!” the woman said shortly. “Relax, I’ll call for help.”
Apparently, the woman had already whipped out her cell phone, she thought agitatedly, hearing the distinct beeps as the woman dialed 911.
“They’re on their way,” the woman said, and she was obviously studying her. “Don’t take this the wrong way, honey. But, what would possess you to take the back alley of all places? It’s too dangerous for a woman. You’re just asking for trouble with the way crime spurts are nowadays. Have a seat over here.”
Before she could protest, the woman pushed her down onto the leather sofa. “You’re in the storage room, but it’s as lavish as any office suite. So, make yourself comfortable. I’m gonna grab you something to drink, and hopefully that’ll calm your nerves. I’ll warn you now that it won’t be anything light, but fiery and spirited. At the moment, that’s exactly what you need.”
“Thank you,” she nodded.
The woman’s heels clicked against the floor as she departed.
She took a deep breath.
Thankfully, her heartbeat was close to normal.
Whining, Macy leaned against her knee.
“Macy, I’m sorry for being so stupid! What would I ever do without you, huh? And it’s my fault that we were in danger. I’m the dimwit that took the back alley, and I know better. Again, you rose to the occasion and protected me. Luckily, that other guy showed up. I can only imagine what would have happened if he hadn’t---”
She’d never be that careless again, she vowed.
Not only was she placing herself in danger, but Macy as well.
“Now, my purse is gone,” she went on miserably, “which means that we’ll be penniless once our meager savings are wiped out. I hope that this isn’t an omen of how things will be for us from now on. If it is, we’re screwed.”
She started when the woman returned abruptly.
“The police are on their way. By the way, I’m Trixie. Here’s your drink,” the woman said as she returned, and then passed the glass to her.
“Thank you,” she murmured, accepting it with surprisingly steady hands, and downed the beverage. Her eyes watered from the impact of the burning liquor, and she lost her breath as she coughed and sputtered.
“Take it easy. I did warn you, though, that it’d be fiery and spirited. Sorry about that,” Trixie apologized. “It’s obvious that you’re so not ‘the drinker’. Here, give it back to me. I’ll go and grab some flavored ice water.”
“No, this is fine,” she insisted, shaking her head. Cautiously, she sipped this time, and was satisfied as she handled the alcohol better. “I’m fine. I just need a moment to catch my breath.”
“A minute won’t even begin to cover it,” Trixie muttered under her breath. “Ok, we’ll do it your way. Just don’t go into any alcohol spasms, and we’ll be fine.”
Then, the woman went strangely quiet.
Nicole squirmed on the sofa uncomfortably.
No doubt the woman was studying her thoroughly. Like usual, a pitying tone would probably now lace the woman’s words, she fumed.
And that’s what she despised most!
Being blind didn’t mean that she was less than human or less than a woman.
Stiffening, she gripped the glass.
Perhaps she was overacting!
Up to this point, the woman hadn’t been anything but helpful.
There’s that stupid pride again, she whispered inwardly, forcing herself to relax.
“I don’t know what it is, but you seem vaguely familiar,” Trixie began.
Nicole frowned.
Was she already a famous celebrity, she thought sarcastically.
Well, hardly.
She’d barely gotten her career off the ground.
“I know who you are. You’re Nicole Williamson!” Trixie said as recognition finally dawned. “You play with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra! I can’t tell you enough how fabulously talented you are. My close friends and social cronies are so going to die!”
She smiled. “Wow, an actual fan. I must say that I’m flattered.”
“They are going to be so jealous that ‘the Nicole Williamson’ was actually here. Hah! Finally, I’ve upped them in something. I’ve met an actual celebrity,” the woman said triumphantly. “Listen at me. You’ve gone through a horrible ordeal, and here I am fan-girling. Forgive me.”
“No need to. Besides, it took my mind off things.”
“The police should be here any minute,” Trixie said. “Is there anything else that I can get you, or is there someone that I can call?”
Immediately, her thoughts went to Xander.
But hadn’t he been the one to insist that he’d help her when she needed it, she rationalized. With that, she said, “Yes. It’s 557-3649.”
The woman repeated the number as she scribbled it down. “557-364. Ok, got it. Who should I ask for?”
“Xander Sullivan and---”
“Xander Sullivan?” Trixie asked with surprise, cutting her off. “As in the private investigtor?”
“Yes,” she said frowning, praying that her jealousy wasn’t apparent. But, who could blame the woman? The man was an utter danger to the female population or rather they were a danger to him.
“Sorry, but just hearing the man’s name is a huge turn-on,” Trixie went on. “That man is sexy a hell!”
“I take it that you know him,” Nicole began cautiously, her small twinge of jealousy fully blossoming now. She drained the remnants of the liquor. Unfortunately, the hard burn didn’t slay the green giant.
“I know of him, but I don’t know him. But, obviously, you do.”
“Of course, I do. We’re neighbors,” she stammered uncomfortably, trying to recover. “And if you don’t mind---”
“A month or so ago, Xander Sullivan worked one of our break-ins. The only problem was that I wanted him to work me,” the woman broke in with a laugh. “Anyway, I’m associates with his tailor. Because of that, I run into him from time to time.” Then, she whispered conspiratorially, “I even staged a fake break-in attempt to get him over here. Complete waste of time! He saw right through it. Brazenly, he resisted my blatant seduction attempts, and he didn’t want to play with me.”
Her face flamed hot.
It was obvious what play she was referring to.
And it certainly wasn’t a game of checkers!
“The man turned me down flat! I couldn’t believe it. Usually, I’m pretty persuasive with the opposite sex, but not with the sexy, stone-cold Xander Sullivan. And I will congratulate any woman that can penetrate past his defenses. He is so rigid! While he’s undoubtedly the sexiest man gracing Atlanta, he’s as hard as granite---”
“Xander is a good man. And with his profession, you should expect him to have an edge, especially with the added pressure he faces,” she i
nterrupted sharply, and she was stunned by the passionate nature of her own tone. “The world should be filled with more people like him. I can think of no one else who’s dedicated and honestly cares about what happens to others. There’s only a few elite that leave a lasting impression, and he’s a part of that few. He restores hope, faith---” Finally, her voice trailed away. She sounded like she was in love with the man! She cleared her throat uncomfortably. “He’s not as rigid as you want to believe.”
“Ouch. Apparently, I’ve found his biggest cheerleader,” Trixie said, giving a knowing laugh, and then her tone was hard-edged. “Good luck, honey. If you really believe that you can venture past that stone barrier of his, you’re fooling yourself. But, I’ll call him,” she called over her shoulder, heading for the store’s front. “I have to check on my customers. So, make yourself comfy.”
Closing her eyes, she fell back against the sofa.
She released a pent-up sigh.
If a mere stranger was able to gauge her feelings for Xander that easily, would he be able to do the same?
***
Xander hurled the pen onto the counter.
Leaning back in the chair, he pinched the bridge between his noses.
His jaw tightened.
Unsurprisingly, frustration had won out.
After several hours of scouting the FBI and police data banks, he still hadn’t come up with anything substantial on the crazed vamp. Of course, finding a dead man was kind of like finding a needle in a haystack. But, that didn’t mean he was giving up, he reminded himself, sitting higher in the chair as he rolled closer to the computer table. His sharp gaze scanned the info on the computer monitor. Sooner or later, he’d stumble upon an ugly mug shot of the bloodsucking minion. Quickly, he scrolled the screen upward with the mouse.
A second later, the shrilling phone intruded his thoughts.
“Hello,” he mumbled distractedly, scanning the row of criminal suspects plastered on the monitor. Finally, one of them captured his interest.
“Xander Sullivan?” the woman drawled.
“In the flesh,” he quipped tightly, expanding the photo’s size with the mouse. The criminal’s dark, cold eyes stared back at him from the flat screen. He bit back his curse as he minimized the photo. Just great, he muttered to himself, another dead end. With the way his luck was running, it was natural that this loser didn’t match the crazed vamp’s physical profile either. “Can you make it quick?” he snapped irritably, pitying the caller on the other end. But, something or someone had to receive his ire. “I have cases to solve, lives to save…..”
Dragon Reign: A Paranormal Love Tale Page 15
