The Consort

by Paige Patton

  Roman stared at images that flashed before him. Kourosh was on a mission to find Desiree. He did not care how many lives he had to take before he found her.

  “Leave Kourosh to me, we have much bigger problems.”

  Delilah could not imagine what could be more pressing than Kourosh. The man was sending his demons out to kill anyone who stood in their way of finding his betrothed.

  “Why am I having a difficult time controlling my urges for your daughter? I am finding it more and more difficult to be in her presence without becoming painfully aroused. The mere thought of her hardens me.”

  Delilah took a seat pulling him down with her. “Desiree is a goddess who possesses an innate power of desire. It is hereditary, and I’m afraid there is nothing I can do about it.”

  “There must be a way to turn it off, perhaps tone it down?”

  “No. But there is good news. Once she is yours and you two have bonded sexually, your cravings will lessen. I make no promises as to how much, but at least you will be able to think of her without driving yourself mad.”

  She stood pulling Roman up with her. “Now you must go and concentrate your efforts on making her yours before Kourosh finds her. Time is not our friend. I have distracted the council with many women. By tomorrow night, I will have nothing more to offer them. They will resume their meeting, and a decision will be made. If you want her powers, you must hurry.”

  “It would help if I had the ability to read her mind.”

  No man should have the ability to read a woman’s mind. Some things are considered sacred. A woman’s private thoughts were certainly one of them. She simply would not allow such a thing.

  “Once she has given herself to you she will become your property. Her thoughts will be all she has left”

  “Then as her owner I should have all of her.”

  “Surely you wouldn’t be so cruel as to take that away from her? A woman must have at least one thing that she can call her own.”

  “As her master I must know her every thought.”

  “I won’t allow it. Not now, not ever, her private thoughts will remain blocked. I am truly sorry.”

  Roman was never denied of anything. He wanted what he wanted when he wanted it. However, this matter he would overlook for now. He would revisit this request later. Perhaps when the queen was a little more desperate.

  If Desiree was to give herself to him totally he wanted every bit of her, and that included her thoughts. Having the ability to read her mind would prove to be crucial in the years ahead. Right now, he had no choice but to accept Delilah’s decision. Living for over five hundred centuries had taught him many things, one being that everything was possible. Everyone had a price.

  Chapter Ten

  With her feet propped up on her desk, Camille sat with her laptop on her lap as she entered details from her luncheon with weird and wacky, but sweet, Noland Bauer. The poor guy was saying things that just didn’t make any sense. One couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

  Things started out surprisingly well. Oh, he did his usual crazy talk about vampires and werewolves. Then it escalated to demons and witches. She had no other choice but to listen. She even asked a question or two, but mostly she couldn’t wait to get in her car and drive away from Crazy Mountain.

  Well, the bright side of things was that lunch was to die for. Fully catered and nothing was too much where she was concerned. He was a gracious host and a true gentleman the whole time.

  Even though Noland spoke of things that made no sense and things that couldn’t possibly be true, Camille couldn’t shake the feeling that his tales held a small thread of validity. No, she didn’t believe for one minute that there were werewolves running around on his property and that vampires were in the middle of some kind of an uprising. That was just ridiculous. What she did believe was that he believed it. He was a lonely man who had been alone for too long and had missed the boat of reality. He was now stuck on the shores of too far-gone.

  She headed into the small kitchen to fix herself a cup of tea wondering if Noland was starting to rub off on her. Hot tea was his choice of beverage and now for some damn reason it was craving it.

  If only she could substantiate at least one of his claims, she would feel better. But where do you start looking into accusations of vampires and werewolves? Was there a local store, or a particular part of town that she could frequent, maybe go around, and make hints about supernatural beings? There were plenty of shops with women claiming to be palm readers or having clairvoyant powers. Maybe they could help. Not that she would believe anything they had to say either. If they could give the smallest amount of support to at least one of Noland’s theories, she would take him more seriously.

  Camille was not expecting anyone, let alone Desiree. It was a Saturday afternoon, and the office was closed. Nevertheless, she was thrilled to see her.

  “How’d it go at the kennel?” She asked taking a seat on the kitchen table.

  “Don’t ask.”

  “Find anything useful?”

  “No, sweetie, I did not find a damn thing; not in her room or anywhere else. If you ask me, I think the girl just up and ran the hell away.” She said as she poured water into a kettle, then placed it on a burner and turned it on. “Listen, we gotta get smart about this. You remember Antwone?”

  “Antwone, the hound from the Barrio Logan?” Desiree asked with a frown on her face.

  Camille nodded a yes. “I gave him a call and a thousand dollars. I promised him two more if he could get us a decent lead.”

  “So what did he find out?”

  “You know that man has a nose like a bloodhound. You remember how he used to be when we were on the streets. Nothing got past him. It’s been ten hours and he’s got nothing.”

  “How’s Noland holding up?” Desiree asked.

  Camille opened the cabinet, removed two cups, and placed a tea bag in each.

  “That’s a whole other story. I swear I think the man has a weird relationship going on with his pets. He feeds them real food as if they’re human. I mean, seriously, filet mignon to a mutt. It’s just wrong.”

  “What about that freaky storm we had yesterday?”

  “What storm?” Camille asked as she removed a lemon from the refrigerator and began slicing it into wedges.

  “The typhoon...”

  Camille turned around and gave Desiree a what-the-hell-are-you-taking-about-Willis, look.

  “Lightning bolts and hail the size of golf balls.” Desiree continued.

  “You on that crack again?” Camille asked with a serious look on her face. “There was no fucking storm yesterday, and I should know. We sat out on his veranda and had lunc- All eight of us.”

  “Eight? I thought it was just the two of you?”

  “Well, you have to count his six pack of hyped up pets on steroids. They were all staring right at me like I was a bone. I couldn’t swallow a damn thing. Seriously, I never want to go near De Luz Canyon again. But there was no storm. It was perfect day. Not a cloud in the sky.”

  Desiree’s thoughts and memories of the previous day were beginning to fade. She remembered being with Roman, but everything else was slowly becoming a vague memory like a dream where you can only remember bits and pieces. Was she truly going crazy? There was only one way to find out. Google it! She stood and headed over to her desk to search the internet.

  The driver pulled up right in front of their building. Roman opened the door himself and stepped out before the driver had a chance to come to a complete stop. Not that he was an impatient man; it was just that he was focused on what had to happen. He was working with a one-track mind, much like a horse with blinders on. Desiree was the only thing in his line of vision. Before the night was over, she would belong to him.

  Looking as if he stepped straight off the cover of a GQ magazine, Roman entered the office. He stood there soaking up all the energy in the room because both Desiree and Camille could barely breathe, as they looked his way.


  The man was all kinds of crazy sexy wearing a black suit, black shirt and a black tie. He was slap your mama and your grandmamma gorgeous.

  “Damn!” Camille murmured. She couldn’t help but smile at the inhumanly good-looking creature that stood in their office.

  Desiree was shortly at a loss for words as Mr. Sexy approached them.

  “Your help wasn’t around. I let myself in. I hope that’s not a problem.” He said in a sexy voice that immediately started playing with Desiree’s emotions.

  “It’s not a problem for me,” Camille said having no shame in blatant drooling. Desiree wanted to hand her tissue to wipe it off the floor before she tripped in it.

  His eyes darted from Desiree to Camille, then back to Desiree, as he stood in front of them with that cocky, half smile he does so well.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting anything, ladies.” He said holding a penetrating gaze directly on Desiree. Her heart was doing that rapid heartbeat thing whenever he was around. Thank God, she was sitting because she was feeling lightheaded.

  “No- Not at all,” Camille spoke up giving him not only the once over, but looking him over several times. She stepped forward with her hand extended. “I’m Camille Kantari. You must be Professor DePaul.”

  Camille had seen many pictures of him online, but none did him justice, and none could compare to the man who stood in front of her. He took her breath away and left her wondering who the hell his parents were.

  Taking her hand, Roman turned it over and kissed the back of it. Camille couldn’t seem to wipe the silly grin off her face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kantari.”

  It was quick. Subtle, but it was felt; a momentary connection that led Roman to believe that he and Camille had met before. He tried to analyze the feeling but like a cloud of smoke, the connection dissipated.

  Desiree watched him in silence, testing his reactions while in the presence of a beautiful woman. Camille was a woman who unleashed her sex appeal when she was interested in a man. The claws came out, and a hot, sex kitten emerged. They didn’t get any hotter than Camille did, but Roman barely noticed her. His attention was directed to Desiree.

  Looking at Desiree, Roman couldn’t help but wonder how it was possible she could look more beautiful today than she did yesterday? With her hair pulled back in a long ponytail, bangs that swept over to the side and tucked behind her ear. She wore a white tank top and tight jeans that accentuated her nicely shaped ass. To him, her behind was perfect, not too big and not too small, but plenty to grab on to. She was a vision of pure perfection he thought as he let his eyes slide down to the thigh high boots that sent a signal to his cock waking it up to say, hello!

  “Hello, again, Desiree,” Roman said as he smiled at her turning on the charm. He had to make every minute count and every word meaningful. Kourosh and his demons were on a vigilant hunt. It was only a matter of time before he found out the truth. That Desiree was his betrothed.

  Camille wasn’t blind or stupid. She could see that Roman was totally into her friend. He wasn’t even trying to hide it. The way he looked at her answered every question she had. Camille was genuinely happy for Desiree. She needed a real man in her life. It would have never worked with Walter, the accountant. She was too much woman for him. Professor DePaul was perfect for a woman like Desiree.

  “Well, I guess I’ll leave you two alone. I’m sure you have lots to talk about.” Camille said looking at Desiree for confirmation that she would be okay if left alone with the Professor. Desiree gave her the nod and wink. It was their signal that everything was okay.

  Camille headed for the door looking back at Roman, giving Desiree the thumbs up, and smiling.

  “I’m here to extend the olive branch Miss Chase.” He said as he looked at her.

  Desiree had to take a step back. He was like an avalanche; standing too close overwhelmed her. His manly scent was intoxicating making it hard for her to inhale.

  “I hope your olive branch comes with an apology.”

  “Sorry, it doesn’t.” He said and left it there.

  Desiree’s heart leaped with excitement, but she managed to keep it together.

  “Then we have nothing to say.”

  This was getting old, and Roman was sick of all the nagging about something that was never going to happen.

  “What’s with you and the need for an apology?” He asked letting his frustration show. “Would that actually make you feel better?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, then, Miss Chase. I am sorry. Now, can we move forward?”

  What a smug son-of-a-bitch! He wasn’t at all sorry. His apology empty; it meant nothing to her. Now she let her frustration show.

  “Since my help isn’t around to show you out let me have the honor.” She moved past him heading for the door.

  Roman let out a long exasperated breath. If he could only use, his powers life would be so much easier. Desiree would already be his, and his men would have the powers they need to stay strong fighting against Kourosh.

  “Desiree, please. Wait. Let me take you out to dinner.”

  She stopped, and turned around to look at him. “I don’t think we are compatible, Mr. DePaul. You’re not my type. What would be the point?”

  That was the furthest thing from being true. Roman could feel how her body reacted to his. She was already pooling between the legs. Her heart rate was sky high, and he could once again see her nipples through the lace bra she wore. If he so much as touched her, she would melt.

  “What would be the harm?” He countered.

  Yeah, why not, she thought…

  “For all the gods in Egypt, just do it! One date will not hurt you!” The voice in her head shouted. Desiree swore she could hear the stomping of feet and objects being thrown against a walls and breaking. She didn’t know who this woman was, but she seriously needed the bitch to shut up. She was offering her bad advice and driving her mad in the process.

  Roman moved in even closer to her. He leaned his head down to her ear. Desiree went dizzy with desire. She froze as his lips grazed the top of her ear.

  “One night, Desiree, I promise to be a gentleman. If that’s what you want.”

  Nope! That’s not what she wanted. She wanted him to take her right there- On the floor, on the desk, in the chair. She wanted to be manhandled by him, and she wouldn’t say a word to stop him.

  “If you wish never to see me again afterward, I will respect your wishes.”

  The heat from his breath was ripping her apart. He was more than she could handle. One night with the handsome professor couldn’t be all-bad Desiree thought. In fact, it could even be fun. Maybe Roman was the type of man she should be rubbing elbows with anyway. Hell, perhaps a night out with the scary professor was exactly what she needed. He certainly couldn’t be any worse than all the other jackasses she had wasted her time on.

  “Okay, one night. But I’m warning you, Professor. No more funny business.”

  Roman looked at her with a smile on his face. “I promise you, Miss Chase there will be no funny business tonight.” He meant every word because before the night was over, Desiree would be his consort, and there would be nothing funny about it.

  Chapter Eleven

  Even the devil can be a handsome man. No saying had ever been truer than when it came to Kourosh. The centuries had been nothing but kind to him, helping him to become the most powerful and most feared vampire ever to live. Tall, dark and deliciously handsome, he was the personification of all things perfect, imperfect, bad, evil and oh, so yummy. He had a dark side that scared the hell out of most people without even trying. He ruled with an iron fist and came down hard on those who disobeyed him.

  It was never Kourosh’s desire to strike fear in the hearts of those who he met. Truly, he never tried to be the overly aggressive, sinister pain in the ass that he was. It was by nature that he inherited those traits. It was tightly weaved into his DNA. Yeah, he was badass, and he knew it. Shit, it worked well for
him. After all, the man was the ruler, lord, and master of the underworld. He had to be badass.

  Even thought he was a badass, Kourosh still had a sensitive side. He too craved the warmth and tenderness of a woman’s touch. The evil bastard had feelings and desires just as any man. The only difference was that he kept them buried deep within the fibers of his soul to protect himself.

  Kourosh sat at the head of a long conference table that seated five of his top war-demons from West Africa. The Asasabonsam vampires were well known and greatly feared. These were five men you never wanted to fuck with. They could split you in half while they slept. No wonder they were Kourosh’s personal favorites, his pit bulls so to speak. He sent these dudes out to accomplish the unthinkable. There were times when their talents had floored Kourosh himself, yet proudly amazed at the brutality of this group of vamps. But seeing them here dressed casually in jeans, tee-shirts and Zanotti and Jimmy Choo high-top Sneaks, you would swear they were just a group of normal, good-looking guys waiting to be casted for a hip-hop video. They looked like ordinary men of various nationalities, but they were ruthless, born assassins who fought vigorously to the death, and always won.

  “What do we know of this new order of vampires I’ve heard so much chatter about? Could there be any truth behind these rumors?” Kourosh asked with an air of arrogance that made the thought of such a rumor sound utterly ridiculous to be spoken aloud. Surely, no one would be foolish enough to go up against Kourosh with ideas of a revolution.

  “I want the head of the idiot who started this rumor.” He added.

  The men all chuckled at the very idea. Even Kourosh laughed at the absurdity of it all. He was lord and master of all of his kind, the one who gave them life centuries ago. How anyone could dare think that he could start a revolution, much less get away with it?

  Kladouris, leader of this small army of demons, shot Kourosh a baleful glare. “Why waste time on such meaningless matters? No one in their right mind would have the balls to go against you, My Lord.”