by A and E Kirk
“Leontes is…my friend,” Kiara said, but her eyes were troubled.
Downstairs, Leontes’ voice rose. “That is absurd and far too dangerous. We will convene later.” Leontes ended the call and yelled, “Jaeger!”
“You’re in for it,” Kiara warned.
“Hardly my first time.”
As Jaeger leaned casually against a glass wall, Leontes stomped upstairs. “Alpha is pushing Rusila to make Kiara an active part of this investigation.”
Kiara sat up and clapped her hands. “Yippee!”
“That is not happening,’” Leontes ground out, turned on Jaeger. “This is your doing. Quit trying to involve her.”
“I haven’t a clue what you mean.” Jaeger fashioned an overtly innocent smile.
Frankie’s voice snapped like a whip as she hustled through the hatch. “What’s the emergency? It better not be that pint-sized hellhound.”
Leontes dragged his eyes to Frankie and tossed her the twisted metal door handle. “Fix this.”
She caught it and raised her brows.
“Please,” he added, then sighed heavily and put the fallen lamp back on the table.
“Don’t sweat finding me a room,” Jaeger said. “I’ll stay in here. I like the view.”
Leontes shook his head. “Do not be ridiculous. This is Kiara’s room.”
“Like I said.” Jaeger locked his sights on Kiara. “I like the view.”
Frankie’s spectacles dropped down her nose. Despite the fury Leontes spilled into his glare at Jaeger, the werewolf’s grin never faltered.
“Besides, I go where Giselle goes, and let’s face it.” Jaeger motioned to the tail peeking out from the pillows. “She’s staying in here.”
Leontes gave him a dead-eye stare and growled.
Frankie held up a hand. “That’s enough. Leontes, aside from the queen’s quarters, your room is the most secure.” Frankie ignored Leontes’ frigid glare. “So Giselle stays with Kiara, and Jaeger joins you downstairs. Problem solved.”
Jaeger smiled and clapped Leontes on the shoulder. “Looks like we’re roomies. Partner.”
CHAPTER 37
“It’s a piece of cake for me to get into Night Shift,” Jaeger said, sanding his hands together with excitement. “They know me at that club. I’m like a frequent flyer.”
“No doubt,” Leontes said, unimpressed.
Jaeger picked up the plastic bag that held the bloodied business card with the crisscrossed scythes. “Even with all the stuff you and Kiara stole at the werewolf compound, this is the only thing that gave you a vision?”
“The only thing that makes any sense.”
“How so?”
“Whoever touched the card also went to the club Night Shift. It tracks that the owner, Dimitri, would be involved with this disgusting business.” From a closet behind the bookshelves, Leontes grabbed his duffle bag and dumped it on the Victorian desk he had won in a card game with an Ottoman prince at the turn of some century. “He is unscrupulous. A true monster who deals with misery of the worst kind and believes anything can be had for a price.”
“So he’s a bad guy.” Jaeger flipped through the Oleander files, grimacing at the photos of dismembered bodies. He saw the handwritten note. “Wow, he took out a hundred and thirteen at the charity ball?”
“I have not received the final count.” Leontes punched a code into a panel and a piece of the wall slid open.
“Then why did you write it down?”
“I did no such thing.” Leontes entered a hidden alcove. “Perhaps Rusila made a note.”
“Do you get a vision any time you touch something? Because if you touch me, I’m not sure you can handle all the fun I’ve had. You being a total stick in the mud and all.”
“Not touching you is quite preferable,” Leontes said from inside the room, as florescent lights flickered to life. “And fortunately, I only get visions from inanimate objects, and only if the past clings to them in some significant way. Usually through strong elements such as violence, hatred, or love.”
“That could suck. At least with the violence and hatred.” Jaeger followed Leontes into the room and gazed around in awe, letting out an appreciative whistle. “Whoa. This is quite the arsenal.”
“I like to be prepared.”
The room housed every manner of weapon. An array of firearms, explosives, sharp things—big and small—and even some medieval looking items that, while Jaeger had no idea what they were called, looked utterly deadly.
“Prepared is one thing. Armed to the teeth is another.” Jaeger ran his finger along a fully automatic assault rifle. “Not what I expect from a diplomat.”
“Do not touch anything.”
“Sure.” Jaeger picked up a heavy, brightly colored item that he had never seen before. “But what’s this thing?”
“A nail gun,” Leontes scowled, then snatched it from him and put it back in its correct place. “Damn Bane. He took another one.” At Jaeger’s curious look, he said, “No one has access to this room, but items go missing, and I am positive Bane breaks in and takes things just to irritate me. He is such a child.”
“Yeah, he doesn’t strike me as the most stable and mature of individuals. So nail gun, huh? You like carpentry?”
Leontes gave him a tired look. “Yes, I like carpentry. Mustn’t you be off? I am sure a dandy like you needs copious amounts of time for preening.”
“Me?” He gestured to himself. “I’m always preened. Hey, about Fauxleander, you think he used the club for what, information? Weapons? Accomplices?”
“Any and all of the above,” Leontes said. “It is a lowlife establishment for the dregs of the supernatural criminal community. What a shocking coincidence that you are such a welcome and regular patron.”
“Insults?” Jaeger wagged a finger. “Since it’s a shifters-only night club, I can get in, but you can’t, vampire. You need me. Be nice.”
“This is me being nice.” He tossed Jaeger a tiny metal disk. “Put this somewhere inconspicuous. It is an electronic tracker, which will attach to your skin or your clothes and link to our phones. If something goes wrong, I will be able to ascertain your whereabouts.”
“What could go wrong? But sure, will do, boss.” Jaeger put it in his pocket and glanced at the closed hatch. “The thing is, if I don’t show up with at least one hot babe on my arm, it’ll throw up all kinds of red flags. Kiara’s part shifter. She could get in. And she’s better for backup than you. Let’s face it, gramps, while your diplomatic prowess is undisputed and impressive, it’s well known that you don’t fight. Ever.” He gestured around the room. “I mean, seriously, do you even know how to use this stuff?”
“I will ignore that because you are an idiot.” Leontes proceeded to stuff the bag. “And as for Kiara, it is out of the question. Exhaustion has overcome her. She fell asleep before we even left the room. And it is far too dangerous. Especially in her weakened condition.”
“From what I’ve seen, Kiara can take care of herself. She’s not as fragile as you think.”
A deep growl rumbled Leontes’ chest. “Puppy, you know nothing of Kiara or her situation.”
“So tell me.”
“Leave it alone.”
Jaeger started to retort, but at the murderous look in Leontes’ eye, his survival instinct kicked in. “Fine. I’ve got errands to run. I’ll meet you at the club. This is going to be fun. Partner.”
CHAPTER 38
Leontes’ fingers drummed too fast to keep beat with the heavy music blaring across the street from Night Shift. Down the block of the mostly abandoned industrial center, anxious would-be patrons lined up. Shifters, plus the occasional clueless human.
Two suit-clad bouncers stood guard at the glossy ebony doors. Weretigers. Leontes could smell them a mile away. Hulking, muscles bulging. A cold feral gaze. Eyes an eerie pale yellow that encouraged the humans in line to search for another venue.
Leontes checked his watch again and tapped his earpiece. “Jaege
r?”
Radio silence.
He settled in his seat with grumbling disdain. “Puppies.”
A sleek, bright yellow Lamborghini screeched to a stop in front of the club. Jaeger stepped out of the car, grinning from ear to ear.
Finally.
Leontes jerked. “That is my car!”
After sauntering over to the passenger side, Jaeger opened the door with a gallant flourish of his arm and…
Kiara took Jaeger’s outstretched hand and flashed him an indulgent smile.
“Damn him!” Leontes’ irritation blistered into cold fury. He swallowed. Hard.
Brunette waves cascaded down Kiara’s bare back, the club’s neon lights catching copper highlights. The dress, what there was of it, shimmered a brilliant red. The halter top’s V-neck was wide and low, the swell of her breasts exposed for all to see.
A thin strip connected the bodice to the skirt. Most of the smooth skin of her taut stomach, waist, and back were bare. The garment fanned out to cover her hips and the top of her thighs. Barely. In the strappy heels, her legs seemed to go on for miles.
“K-Kiara,” Leontes sputtered. He threw himself against the car door. Remembered it was locked. Fumbled to unlock it. Fell out of the car. “Goddammit! Kiara!”
But she was already inside the building. Jaeger was halfway through the entrance when he stopped to speak to the bouncers. Seeing Leontes fast approaching, Jaeger winked, tipped an imaginary hat, and disappeared inside. Leontes reached the club just as the valet peeled off in his car.
The bouncers did their job, one of them pressing a hand to Leontes’ chest. “No ticks allowed.”
Leontes pointed a shaking finger. “That boy who just entered, you need to get him back here. Or just the girl he is with. I need her. Now.”
“Yeah, Jaeger already warned us someone was stalking his date.”
Leontes glared. “Do not pretend you are unaware of her identity.”
They laughed. “It’s cute the kid thinks we don’t. Hope you had a chance to say goodbye.”
They let a mob of people file past Leontes.
Someone said, “Too bad about your lady friend, ain’t it, mate? She be a tough one to lose.”
Leontes turned at the familiar voice.
The fairy, Callahan, smiled bright. “Me blokes and I feel your pain. Don’t we, lads and lassies?”
Behind Callahan stood the same twelve fairies who had been at the black ice incident. Wearing various outfits of pure white, they nodded in unison and smiled in eerily similar ways.
“No.” Leontes tried to grab the lapels of Callahan’s suit jacket, but the fairy suddenly disappeared.
“Don’t you worry, mate. We are gonna take right good care of her, we are. That I promise ya.” Callahan, who was now far across the crowd and at the door of the club, winked and then ducked inside the building.
Leontes shoved his way through the gathering of shape-shifters. When the bouncers stopped him again, he snapped, “You just let a whole slew of fairies in. I demand entrance!”
“You’re crazy,” the bouncer told him. “We don’t allow fairies in here anymore than we do ticks like you. Get lost. Now.”
Leontes felt his fury rise, but if he tried an overt assault, an army of Dimitri’s shifters would descend. A bloodbath would take too much time. So would getting help from the Institute. If he yelled, Kiara would not hear him over the blaring music inside.
He backed away, blood boiling in frustration.
CHAPTER 39
Lights strobed. Unfamiliar music pounded. Cloying scents filled the air with a pulsating perfume of abandon, anticipation, and hedonistic promise. The initial excitement of the party scene was quickly becoming too much for Kiara. Sweating bodies in tight clothes pressed too close, crowding her space.
It was nothing like her memories of long, swirling skirts, crisp suits, faceless men and women gliding across the floor in a civilized manner to romantic music played by large orchestras that were tucked into corners.
Kiara rubbed her temples and grimaced at the rising headache. Any hope that the club might spark some memory vanished. Too much had changed. She did not belong here.
“But I do!” Roxy shimmied alongside her.
Kiara groaned. Roxy happily twirled through the crowd, hips thrusting to the beat. Kiara slipped her hand into Jaeger’s, an anchor to something real, if not familiar.
Several people tried to talk to the werewolf prince, but he had no interest in their attention. He brushed them aside with a smile and wave, or a quick word, before moving on, shrugging off the hands of pouting women who pierced Kiara with stares of varying degrees of curiosity, envy, and hatred. Another group recognized Jaeger and headed their way.
“Let’s dance,” he said, squeezing her hand.
“Yes!” Roxy squealed.
Kiara balked. The intricate steps and scandalous lifts from her century would not work here. “I don’t know how.”
Jaeger guided her onto the dance floor, a protective hand around her waist, his lips to her ear. “It will be my pleasure to teach you.”
With a wicked grin, Jaeger twirled her into an empty spot on the floor. He captured her waist in his hands, his thumbs on her hip bones. When she giggled and shied away, he held her firm.
“Just showing you some moves,” he said with an innocent expression.
She eyed him a suspicious look, but let his hands coax a subtle back and forth from her lower body. It felt awkward.
“You’re too stiff.” Roxy popped up behind Jaeger and ran her palms hungrily over his chest. “Put your hands on his shoulders. Close your eyes. Relax and feel the music.”
Kiara pulled away. “Is Leontes here yet?”
Jaeger put a knuckle under her chin and brought her gaze to his. “Not yet. Now, come on, enjoy the freedom. Besides, until he shows up, we should dance to blend in.”
Kiara chewed her lower lip.
“You know you want to or I wouldn’t be here telling you to go for it!” Roxy said. “Go the right kind of crazy for once!”
Kiara smiled tentatively. “Okay.”
Jaeger placed her left hand on his shoulder and took her right hand in his, tucking it firmly into the hard muscles of his chest. His other arm wrapped around her waist. He pulled her to him, the entire length of his lean body contoured against hers. He felt solid, strong, and warm. Not unpleasant.
His lips brushed her ear, voice timbered low. “When I move, let your body follow mine.”
Kiara closed her eyes, stiff in his arms, waiting for his cue to start, but he did not move as promised. He waited. Patient. In no hurry. Like nothing would give him more satisfaction than to hold her forever.
His cheek pressed softly against her head. The hand around her waist began to strum the bare skin of her back. As if sparked with electricity, his fingers ignited shivers that skated up and down her spine. Kiara concentrated on the solid th-thump of his heart. Her anxiety bled away. Her muscles eased. Finally, she leaned into him.
Only after what seemed an eternity did Jaeger respond. His arm flexed around her waist, and his upper body began a gentle back and forth. Kiara felt languid, fluid, and moved with him, her cheek nuzzled against his neck as a gentle sigh escaped from her lips.
Jaeger’s hand slid into the curve of her lower back, fingers splayed, pressing as his hips nudged hers into a delicate sway. The pressure from his hand lead the rhythm. She let her hips roll with his, shifting slightly, pressing closer to better fit against him and follow the movement. She felt the muscles of his thigh as they flexed and released, pressed against hers.
Like molten glass, her body melted into every sensuous contour of his hard physique. A giddy sense of daring caused her to match his gyrations with her own. Her head swayed, curls flying as the music gathered momentum and rumbled through every fiber of her being. A reckless spark ignited into fiery abandon, a fierce need that fed her movements with a heady sensuality.
Jaeger jerked her to a stop, their bodies mol
ded together, chests heaving. His forehead rested against hers, eyes blazing dark golden fire. Her lips parted. His mouth drifted close, their lips a sliver apart when he threw her back into a low dip.
Kiara’s gasp of surprise rippled into a low, throaty laugh. Her head flung back, the tips of her curls nearly sweeping the floor. She gripped the banded muscled coiled in his biceps. He held her suspended, a swashbuckling smile curving his lips, eyes glittering with promised passion.
Suddenly, he slung her upright.
Time seemed to stop. She stared into his eyes. Her heart pounded, thudding in her ears, hammering in her chest as pulsing heat licked over every tingling nerve. She was lightheaded. No one had ever held her so close. Touched her so intimately. Looked at her in such a way that let her know she was wanted. She felt powerful and weak, all at once.
The music led them into a pulsating dance, a sensuous give and go. Kiara laughed euphorically. Nothing mattered but right here, right now. Giddy, dancing, and bursting with desire.
Several figures circled the outskirts of the crowd. Slowly, they mingled into the scores of dancers. They slithered through with an elegant fluidly. Person after person put on a dreamy smile and began to dance in the same fashion, one that mirrored Kiara’s movements exactly. As the music continued to beat, the group of revelers started to resemble the synchronized talents of a well-choreographed flash mob, with Kiara as their leader.
So lost in the moment, neither she nor Jaeger noticed.
Then, with a brutish lack of grace, four bouncers barreled their way into the throng. The goons shoved and bumped through the partygoers. People blinked and looked around confused, and then returned to dancing in their own individual styles, some yelling protests at the bouncers, who ignored them and kept moving with purpose.
Until their hulking shadows fell upon Kiara and Jaeger.
CHAPTER 40
Dimitri lit another cigarette, took a drag, and let it curl out his nose while he spoke. “Jaeger, even if I knew what shifter you were talking about, my business and my reputation rely on discretion.”
