“What?” he asked tensing.
“After everything that we’ve been through before and now, don’t we deserve a chance?” she pleaded softly. “Promise me that you won’t turn away from us anymore.”
“Maybe I’m tired of running,” he said hoarsely, surprising himself.
He glanced down at her.
His answer had satisfied her.
At least for now.
Nicole smiled inwardly as joy surged through her.
She burrowed her face deeper into his neck.
It was exactly the answer she’d hoped for.
She took a deep breath, quickly appreciating his male rawness as it seeped from his skin. And she couldn’t dispel the sharp sensations that pierced her feminine senses as she held onto him. Only a scant inch separated her lips and his flesh, and she resisted the strong urge to press her lips against it.
She shuddered uncontrollably.
Even in this maddening moment of raw danger, he was the only thing that consumed her. Selfishly, she embraced the strong feeling.
His footsteps echoed in the wide-open hollow space as they crossed the parking deck hurriedly. Again, she was astonished by the deathly calmness of the night.
It was anything but.
“Here we are,” he said quickly, moments later, as he deposited her on the ground.
The SUV beeped twice as he disengaged the locks.
“Where are we going?” she inquired as he opened the passenger’s door.
“Somewhere far away from here and Gates,” he informed her, and then grasped her arm gently. “Get in.”
The SUV’s interior was draped with stark coldness, and she shivered as she climbed in. Working fast, she wrestled with the seat belt before snapping it closed, and her relief was palpable when he finally got in.
“I know this is going to sound insane,” she reasoned, turning to him as the SUV came to life. The vehicle hummed softly as he backed from the parking space. “But, Gates, he’s not-t like us. He’s different.” She took a deep breath. “I feel like I’ve stepped right into the middle of some horror show. Because of it, I have to suspend all my beliefs.”
An uncomfortable silence filled the air.
“What do you mean?” he quipped tightly, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.
“If I hadn’t experienced these last moments, I would’ve never believed it true,” she said urgently, grasping his arm across the space. And even now, it was hard for her to fully digest her next words. “Gates is a vampire--- a living breathing monster.”
The SUV’s tires squealed loudly as he sped away.
She held onto the arm rest tightly.
The tension was thick.
Privately, she wondered if she’d be able to endure the tense silence, especially since these last hours of pure terror.
The SUV slung her against the door as they veered a sharp right, and again, the wheels protested before making a straightway.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” she stammered uncomfortably, breaking the silence. “Don’t you believe me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” he said tersely. “I have no reason not too.”
“But,” she frowned slightly. “Why does my gut tell me that you’re not surprised by this? It’s like you’ve known all along.” Hesitation played in her voice. “Have you?”
“Not now, Nicole,” he said roughly. “We’ll play twenty questions later. Right now, we don’t have time. What the---”
The SUV stood up as he slammed on the brakes.
“I want you to climb over the seat,” he warned her fast. “And after you do, I want you to lie down and hide. Do you understand me?”
“But-t,” she began. “I’m not going to let you face this alone. Let me---”
“Do it now, Nicole!”
Already, he was unsnapping her seatbelt, and she didn’t protest as he assisted her over the seat. His movements were fast as he tossed the small blanket over her. “No matter what you hear, I want you to stay put. Do you understand me?”
“It’s too dangerous for you to go out there. Don’t go,” she pleaded. “I couldn’t bear it if you were to get hurt.”
“I’m not going to let that happen.”
“Come back to me,” she demanded softly, her voice trembling. “Promise me you will.”
Only the cold silence was her comfort as he opened the door.
***
The SUV’s headlights illuminated the semi-darkened area.
His gaze skirted the surroundings again.
They were at Level G1.
And if they’d been just a few seconds sooner, they’d been facing freedom.
Instead, trouble awaited them in the form of the Dark Riders.
Xander moved away from the vehicle.
His heavy footsteps echoed against the concrete pavement.
And every step seemed like a death knell.
The Dark Riders eyed him coldly as he advanced.
At once, he identified the tall lanky blonde with the black streak in his hair as their appointed leader. He quickly deduced that the other two were virgin vamps simply because they were too edgy to be accustomed to a kill. Their platinum blonde hair set them apart from their leader, and they were shy of his height by a few inches.
But still, it didn’t make them any less dangerous.
The bright lights created a surreal halo around the vamps, and their glaring red eyes were more ominous because of it. They were impeccably dressed in a black suit and tie, an obvious trademark of being a part of Vincent Breaux’s pack. Their stark paleness was somewhat unsettling. But, of course, since they all inhabited some genetic composition, it was feasible that they’d lack the naturalness of a fully blooded vampire.
Finally, he stopped a hundred yards from them.
The virgin vamps maintained their stance as their leader stepped forward.
The head vampire stared back at him coldly. “While there’s no cause for formality, I still hold belief in its civility. And while some entertain it as an ill-conceived notion on my part, I do like to be acquainted when I go in for the kill. Call me Demetrius.”
Xander returned his stare in stony silence.
“Monsieur Breaux isn’t pleased with these latest developments, and certainly he’s tired of Gate’s blinding incompetence. Luckily, that situation has been taken care of, and we’re in full control now. A lot has happened, and we haven’t made the progress that we wished for. But, for now, we’ll certainly overlook it due to the circumstances. Here are the facts: You have something that belongs to us---your life,” Demetrius informed him maliciously. The vampire smiled coldly before revealing a perfect row of fanged teeth. “So, here’s my suggestion: save everyone an immense amount of trouble and just give up.”
“Well, there’s only one problem with that,” he said slowly, cocking an arrogant brow.
“A problem?” Demetrius mocked him coldly. His European accent thickened. “Please spare me. You’re not dealing with Gates now. While he’s incapable of carrying out Breaux’s wishes, I’m certainly par for the course.” A strange look gleamed in the vamp’s eyes. “And in my world, I’m simply not refused. When I ask---you give. Simple.”
“Like I said, gentlemen, and I use that term rather loosely,” he said dryly. “Let me say it again: we have a problem. Let’s just say a huge one.”
“Must we carry out this useless charade of yours? My dear brothers, maybe we should pity him and play along,” Demetrius murmured sarcastically, glancing over his shoulder at the virgin vamps. Suddenly, their odd laughter filled the parking area. Then, he faced him again. “Lend it to our desire to escape useless boredom. We’ll play along with you. What is this so-called huge problem?”
Then, it was his turn to laugh.
“Oh, come on, Demetrius,” he said smartly, a cold smile playing across his face. “Even though you are one of Breaux’s genetic lab rats, surely, you possess some level of intelligence, however diminutive it is. Let me make things clear for you: I don
’t plan on dying. Surely, you and your washed-out flunkies can process that.”
Demetrius’ mocking laughter filled his ears. “You certainly are a funny one---stupid, but funny.” The vampire clapped his hands together loudly, and the virgin vamps stepped forward. “We’ve given you the opportunity to make this painless, but since you’ve refused Breaux’s demands---”
“Breaux can take his so-called demands and shove them up his ass,” he retorted sharply. “I’m on no one’s time but my own. I’m calling all the shots in this war. And I plan on winning.”
Satisfaction seared through him as Demetrius’ jaw clenched tightly, and he knew he’d struck a nerve. The virgin vamps displeasure was blatantly obvious, too, as they hissed at him shrilly.
“Our mistake was trusting Gates to end your useless existence,” Demetrius quipped with renewed anger. “He should’ve killed you by now! Instead, he’s been feeding his sick obsession for that bitch---”
“If you insult her like that again, I’ll rip your damned head off and feed it to these bloodsucking vultures of yours. No, let me change that,” he said with deadly calmness. “It’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
“In this war, she’s an unnecessary diversion. At this point, she’s the least of Breaux’s concern. Of course that could change in a heartbeat,” Demetrius spat nastily. “But, one thing’s for certain; Gates was right about you. You are an arrogant bastard. No one goes against what Breaux wants, not even---”
“This hero-worship of yours is actually quite nauseating. Is this how you get off? Following Breaux’s every whim?” he laughed humorlessly, his gaze now a bright silvery hue. “Why don’t you fall down on your knees like the little bitch that you are?”
“Get him,” Demetrius said coldly. “And don’t give him the smallest amount of pity.”
The virgin vamps eyed him lustily as they advanced towards him.
Still, he maintained his stance.
“Wait,” Demetrius clipped tightly, staying the vamps with his raised hand, and glanced over his shoulder. “Someone’s coming.”
A low whistle filled the hollow space.
The concrete wall rounded at a peculiar angle, and soon the dark shadows danced along it. Heavy footsteps echoed against the pavement as the duo finally came into view. But, still, they were obscured by the faint lighting.
They drew closer.
Relief surged through him.
Thankfully, he now had back up.
Lucian and Jagger strode across the parking lot unhurriedly.
“Don’t tell me that you’re starting this party without me,” Lucian added softly with a calculating smile. His strides were slow as they advanced upon them. “You know how I hate being left out.” Then, heavy sarcasm laced his tone. “Well, who are your friends here? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
“We’ve got the dynamite twins standing over there,” he quipped sarcastically, inclining his head towards the virgin vamps. “And of course, we can’t forget Demi here.”
“It’s Demetrius,” the head vamp seethed through clenched teeth. “And if I were you, I’d be careful with the insults. You’ve already tried my patience enough as it is. As a matter of fact, you’re lucky that you’re even still---”
“Can you believe this guy?” he interrupted with a humorless laugh. “He actually thinks that I’m going to cave in to his threats.”
“Perhaps he’s giving the village idiot a run for his money?” Lucian quipped, shrugging his shoulders. “And that attitude of his, it seriously needs adjusting. I don’t understand how people can’t just take a simple joke. They’re too sensitive and sappy.”
Demetrius hissed quietly.
“Oh, so you’re threatening us, too?” Lucian taunted, arching his brows. “I’d think carefully about my actions. My friend, Jagger here, can be quite testy sometimes and tends to act rash when he feels threatened. Quite honestly, he can be a bit brutal.”
Jagger passed the trio a warning stare as they moved past.
And the virgin vamps were certainly intimidated as they sized him up, and wisely, they took a step back.
Lucian led the way, but still kept a careful glance on them.
“I don’t know how you do it, but your timing is always perfect,” he said quickly, slapping Lucian’s shoulder lightly as they joined him, and then nodded at Jagger. “Thanks for always being in my corner.”
“Any time, player,” Jagger retorted. “Any day or hour.”
“How touching,” Demetrius quipped sarcastically. “I feel like I’m watching a reunion on an after school special. Hmm…and the players are the giant, a gigolo, and a love struck fool. And somehow, I’m managing to miss the entire moral lesson behind the entire episode.”
“Well, maybe Lucian didn’t give you enough credit,” he said coldly, eyeing him close. “Perhaps you have a sense of humor after all.”
“I’ve certainly run out of patience with you,” Demetrius snapped before sighing with exasperation. Suddenly, his cell phone shrilled in his pocket. Irritation filled his pale features as he answered. “Yes? What? Are you sure that you don’t want us to take---. What? No, he’s not alone…the girl? Yes, I understand completely.”
Demetrius ended the call, and then released a frustrated breath.
“A change in plans?” he asked suspiciously, not liking the sudden change of events. He cast an uneasy glance in Lucian’s direction, and quickly noted his concern.
“I suppose that you could say that, and I have to admit that his new tactic is exceedingly clever,” Demetrius said evasively, a cold smile snaking across his face, and then waved his hand dismissively. “Tonight, you’ll live, but I can’t promise that prospect will be available for much longer. We’re going to grant you the opportunity to finish this thing with Gates, who I must add is no longer a part of our organization, the klutz---pure unnecessary incompetence. In our murderous associations, we’re rather selfish in the fact that we want your attention to be on us fully. So, he’s right. It would be rather hasty on our end to kill you tonight.” The vampire shook his head as if to clear it. “Oh, and Monsieur Breaux asked that I pass along this message.”
“Don’t tell me. He’s decided to do everyone a favor and just drop dead,” he quipped sarcastically. “Tell him, I’ll gladly deliver his eulogy.”
“You’re really testing my---” Demetrius began.
“Just spit it out, why don’t you?” he thundered back.
For a brief second, it seemed that the vamp would retaliate verbally, but then he decided against it. “In the dawn of a new daylight, you shall bleed for what you desire most,” Demetrius explained slowly, a devilish gleam in his eyes. “It will be then that you beg for mercy. But, it shall never come.”
“Is that so?” he asked, quirking his brow arrogantly. “Well, since you’re playing messenger here, pass this message to your friend.” A deadly warning simmered in his eyes. “When our paths cross, death will be the lover he embraces, but even then, he’ll find no comfort.”
“Gentlemen, let’s go,” Demetrius snapped tightly, and at once, the virgin vamps came to his side. “We shall meet again.”
“Don’t take it personally,” he murmured with a look of distaste. “But, I’m not looking forward it.”
“In that regard, we are alike,” Demetrius smiled callously. “And please, make sure these misfit friends of yours are around when we do.”
“You can definitely count on it,” Lucian chimed in. “We’re going to relish the very moment when we kill you.”
“We’ll see about that,” Demetrius warned a final time.
And in a blinding flourish, Demetrius and the virgin vamps disappeared before them.
“I don’t like the sound of this,” he finally admitted, and then faced the SUV again.
Still, Nicole was carefully concealed.
“Neither do I,” Lucian agreed, his gaze troubled. “Things are about to get much worse. And Nicole, where is she?”
“She’s safe, and
I have to get her out of here,” he stated deadpan. “Do me a favor, will you.”
“Of course,” Lucian nodded.
“Keep digging and find what information you can on Breaux,” he sighed exasperatedly, unperturbed by the sudden quietness. “I need to know as much about him as I can.”
“I’ve already hit pay dirt, and I can’t go into specifics right now. We were going to follow up on our lead, and then, of course, this happened, and there was an immediate change in our plans,” Lucian said quickly. “Are you heading out of the city now?”
“Yes. Can you check on Princeton and the rest of them? And make sure that there aren’t any Dark Riders hiding within the shadows.”
“That’s what we’re here for,” Lucian quipped sharply. “Now, go. Get out of here.”
“I’ll catch up with you later.”
He treaded towards the SUV hurriedly.
Hopefully, time was still on their side.
Chapter 16
At a quarter past one, they crossed into hidden territory.
The SUV’s headlights barely illuminated the estate’s sign.
Foggy Hollow.
He turned onto the partially graveled road, and soon the vehicle jumbled over the rocky terrain. At every angle, towering Georgian pines surrounded them, and immediately, the darkened woods reminded him of a mystical labyrinth. Large, obscured shadows danced across the roadway, and unsurprisingly, a thin hazy fog filled the woods.
He glanced over at Nicole’s sleeping form.
She was dead tired.
Without any further thought, he closed his hand around hers on the console.
He stared straight ahead as his thoughts strayed again.
When he’d left these isolated parts behind a half-century earlier, he’d been wildly reckless with no sense of direction. And at that time, he’d vowed never to return to the place that only echoed with despair and bitter loneliness.
But, why did it feel like he was finally home?
Especially with her beside him…
The road widened before spreading into an open area of vivid lusciousness.
Like a grand show, the grand estate unfolded before them.
Dragon Reign: A Paranormal Love Tale Page 38
