by Jade, Imari
Alesandro led the young man out of the casino and into the waiting limousine. In less than an hour Alesandro had him nude from head to toe in his bedroom at his lake front mansion.
The young man’s body was soft and warm like a baby and he smelled heavenly. “What’s your name?” Alesandro asked him as he pulled away his own clothes from his muscular body.
“Nikko,” he answered, watching Alesandro as he peeled away his skin-tight burgundy pants and tossed them in a heap on the floor. Nikko’s eyes bulged as they traveled along Alesandro’s body until they landed on his jock.
“You’re very pretty,” Alesandro told him as he approached. He made his hips sway enticingly so Nikko could get a good look at what he offered.
Nikko reached out and took Alesandro’s penis into his hands and played around with it with his fingers. It sprung to life much to Nikko’s delight.
“Have you ever been with a man before?” Alesandro asked as he pulled Nikko to him.
Nikko’s eyes locked with his. “Yes,” he replied as Alesandro worked his mojo on him. “But never with a man like you.”
“I can make you feel real good,” Alesandro told him. “I can make you forget all about those silly young boys and doddering old men in your life. Would you like that, Nikko?”
“Yes,” Nikko answered as he fell under Alesandro’s dark stare. “Oh, yes—please.”
Alesandro swept Nikko up in his arms and carried him across the room to his king-sized bed and laid him gently on top of the black comforter. He lay down beside Nikko and kissed him on the lips.
Nikko responded hungrily and moments later Alesandro had him face down on the bed with his arms tied to the bedposts. “This is what a real man is like,” he told Nikko as he took him from behind.
Nikko’s cries of passion sounded throughout the entire mansion. Halfway through the lovemaking Alesandro decided he liked the young man and wouldn’t kill him. He drained Nikko’s veins until his heartbeat slowed and then Alesandro slit his own wrist with one of his long fingernails and offered it to Nikko, who like a very young fool supped on the blood until he passed out from exhaustion.
When it was over Alesandro called for one of his servants. “Take him to the sleep room and put him in one of the empty coffins.”
The servant bowed. “Yes, your Excellency.”
“Make sure the lid is secured. We don’t want him to become reborn and wander off,” Alesandro explained.
The servant nodded and took Nikko from the room.
A pain shot through Alesandro’s head the moment he turned. “Isabella’s in trouble.”
Chapter Fourteen
Isabella looked up quickly as a black blur appeared before her in Holt Cemetery. She braced herself for the attack. Otto and Ernie stopped in their tracks also aware of something approaching. Breath left her body as the attacker bumped into her and then swept her off her feet. Isabella pounded it with her fists until it appeared.
“Alesandro,” she shouted. “You scared the shit out of me.”
Otto and Ernie moved closer to protect her but Isabella raised her hands to stop them. “I’m okay.”
The dapper-dressed master vampire looked down on her with those startling purple eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay? I thought you were in danger.”
Alesandro lowered her slowly in a way that forced her to slide down his six foot frame. “Why are you here?”
“I heard you scream and thought you were in danger.”
Ernie chuckled but she cut him off with a scathing look.
“I’m fine,” she assured him. “Were you lurking somewhere nearby?”
“I do not lurk,” he said with a pout. “No, I was at my place.”
“That’s several miles away,” Ernie replied.
Alesandro rolled his eyes at Ernie and then put his attention back on Isabella, looking down at her oddly. “I distinctly heard the terror in your voice. What frightened you so?”
At the moment he did. She didn’t like the way he looked at her. How did he hear her scream and why did he come to see about her? The man before her was very confusing. “It was nothing.”
“I knew you wouldn’t tell me the truth.” He turned to Ernie. “You’re her partner—what happened?”
Ernie straightened up appearing not a bit intimidated by the vampire. “A grasshopper hopped on her,” he said trying to hide his chagrin.
“It did not hop on me; you tossed it on me,” Isabella replied angrily.
Alesandro looked absolutely appalled. “A what?”
“A grasshopper,” Ernie repeated. “Bella’s terrified of them.”
Isabella rolled her eyes at Ernie and Otto who was trying to stifle a chuckle. “Thanks, partner, for telling a master vampire that I’m afraid of an insect.”
Alesandro tried to hide his smile but then turned serious. “You mean I interrupted my date and broke the sound barrier coming to your defense for an insect?”
He was on a date? How come it did not set right with her? Isabella shrugged.
“I would be absolutely mad at you if I didn’t find this very endearing,” Alesandro said, moving toward her.
Even in the dark cemetery she could make out his handsome good looks. What was the scent he was wearing? Passion? “You can return to your date.”
“He’s not going anywhere,” Alesandro assured her.
Isabella’s mouth opened but she didn’t comment. He?
“Are you surprised?” Alesandro asked inside her head.
Isabella pushed him away from her. “I thought I told you to stay out of my head.”
Ernie pulled her toward him protectively. “He can read your thoughts?”
Alesandro did not miss the move and eyed Ernie like he wanted to kill him for touching her. “At times,” he answered for Isabella.
“Let me get this right. You heard her scream tonight, but you did not hear her when she was nearly killed by a vampire? A vampire who was looking for you?”
Alesandro moved quickly and snatched her from Ernie. He ran his eyes over her like an x-ray machine. “Lucius said you were okay. Was he mistaken? Did Daton hurt you?”
“Only my pride,” Isabella replied, trying to get out of his grasp. “Who the hell is he anyway?”
“An old enemy,” Alesandro said, releasing her. “He was the one who...” He stopped the explanation. “Never mind. I will take care of him.”
“No need to,” Isabella replied.
“What do you mean?”
“He’s dust,” Ernie answered. “She took his head.”
“Ouch,” Alesandro replied. “No!”
Isabella nodded. What was one more dead vampire to her? King Adjatay already had a contract on her head for trying to kill Darius, Zolin, and Alesandro. What was one more?
“You know Adjatay lifted the contract,” Alesandro told her, still reading her mind.
He was back inside her head again. “You keep telling me this and assassins are still trying to kill me.”
“Forget all about that for now. You actually killed Daton?”
Isabella nodded. “I don’t play around, Alesandro. That bastard would have killed both Ernie and me.”
“How did you allow yourself to be trapped by him anyway?”
Isabella lowered her head. “I guess I was careless, but it will never happen again.”
“This is so not like you, Bella. I cannot protect this town if I have to worry about you.”
If he were a normal man she would feel flattered. “Nobody asked you to. I can take care of myself. Nothing is going to happen to me.”
The earth shook violently as she prepared to walk away from him.
“We need to get to safety,” Ernie shouted. “Earthquake!”
Isabella’s feet slipped from beneath her but she did not fall to the ground. She landed gently into Alesandro’s arms. He glared at her. “Something is definitely wrong with your abilities,” he said rudely.
Something pushed through the ground and rose before them bef
ore she could smart back at him. “What the hell?” Isabella asked.
“I don’t like the looks of this,” Alesandro said to Ernie and Otto as they hurried over and stood by him. “Shit.”
“Who is that?” Ernie asked.
“Your worst nightmare,” Alesandro answered.
“We’ll protect you, Isabella,” Ernie replied.
Isabella clasped her hand over her mouth and then removed them. “No! Alesandro, zap Ernie and Otto out of here—quickly.”
The master vampire sent the two psychics away with a swish of one hand before they could protest. Alesandro pulled Isabella to him protectively. “Do not say a word,” he whispered into her head. “Or it may be your last.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Nice to see you too, Alesandro.”
“Do you know him?” Isabella asked as she watched the huge creature. She’d never seen anything so beautiful in her life. Huge white wings fluttered from his shoulder-blades. She ran her eyes over his hairless body and gorgeous face.
“I’ve had the pleasure,” Alesandro answered.
“Don’t be modest,” the demon said. “He and I go way back, Miss Denning.”
“You know my name?” Isabella asked.
The creature nodded. “I make it a point to know the names of all God’s beautiful creations.”
She was the product of an Egyptian master vampire and a voodoo mambo’s daughter. She didn’t think God had anything to do with her conception.
The creature stopped before her and Alesandro and bowed. “The name is Lucifer.”
Isabella took a step back.
“Surprised?” Lucifer asked smiling down on her.
The look made her feel all tingly inside. “Not really,” she replied. “I’ve seen a lot in my short lifespan.” She eyed him back curiously. “I’ve never met an angel before, especially one who would associate with Alesandro.”
Lucifer laughed. The sound filled the cemetery, startling the birds and pigeons nesting in the stately oak trees. Some flew from their hiding places, squawking before settling down again. “He is one of my finest creations but he does take a little getting used to.”
“I think my feelings are hurt,” Alesandro replied, eyeing her curiously. “So, why are you here? Hell’s not hot enough for you?”
The angel reached down and touched Alesandro’s cheek tenderly. “Don’t tell me you haven’t figured it out yet, beautiful one. I’ve come to end the world.”
Isabella frowned, not knowing what grossed her out more…Lucifer’s statement or his flirting with Alesandro. Either way could prove disastrous.
“Why?” Alesandro asked.
The angel removed his finger from Alesandro’s cheek. “Because it’s time.”
“It’s all the reason I need,” Isabella replied.
Lucifer turned slowly to face her. “Why are you so anxious to die, Isabella?”
Her name rolled melodically from his lips. He had the voice of an announcer—eloquent and deep.
“Like you said, because it’s time.”
Alesandro shook his head quickly at her behind Lucifer. “She doesn’t know what she’s saying. Isabella’s a baby carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.”
Isabella gazed at the vampire and then noticed Lucifer watched both of them. Alesandro’s words shocked and confused her.
Lucifer looked equally surprised. “I believe this is first, Alesandro.”
What does he mean?
“Surprised the hell out of me too,” Alesandro admitted. “But never mind about it. Is there anything I can do to change your mind? I kind of like this place.”
“I’m afraid not,” Lucifer answered, moving away from them. “The Apocalypse has already started.”
Birds fell from the trees and landed at their feet. “A bird kill?” Isabella asked.
“For starters,” Lucifer replied sadly.
“Now it all makes sense. The bodies popping up all over Louisiana for no good reason, the earthquake in Haiti, the tsunami in China and Japan, the flooding of Australia, the snowstorm in New York…”
“Hurricane Katrina,” Lucifer finished for her. “The preamble. I have been trying to warn mankind but no one listened.”
“How much time do we have?” Alesandro asked.
“You have until midnight, December 31, 2012 and not a minute more,” Lucifer answered.
“That’s less than five days away,” Alesandro whined.
“That’s my answer. This world is corrupt. There have been too many murders, too much drug peddling, and unnecessary wars. It’s too much even for me.”
“What if I can get it all to end?” Alesandro asked.
Lucifer chuckled. “How can you perform a miracle? It took six days to create this world. You can’t save it in five. There is too much evil and not enough good.”
Isabella cleared her throat. “I’m a little confused. You’re a fallen angel, if I’m not mistaken. Shouldn’t you take delight with the way the world turned out?”
Lucifer shook his head sadly. “Don’t believe everything you’ve read about my disgrace, my ousting, and the evil I have done. I was kicked out of heaven because I disagreed with the way God chose to placate humans and put them on pedestals. Mortals fascinated me. I even mated with a few but they’re not above angels. Surely I have caused my share of travesties over time, and might be the reason why the world has turned out this way. It’s why I’ve decided to end it. Maybe God can start over and create a better world the next time.”
“Aw, come on, Lucifer, for all the good times. Can’t anything save the mortal world?”
“The only thing that can save them is you two,” Lucifer answered.
“Meaning?” Alesandro asked.
“Meaning a compromise has to be reached in five days. You need to find the best creature in the world and the worst creature in the world and get them together. They have to genuinely agree to work together for the good of mankind. The effort of you two will bring forth a change.”
“That’s it?” Isabella asked.
Lucifer nodded. “What better way to show compassion for the world?”
Isabella gnawed on her bottom lip with her teeth. It did not make sense to her. Even if she had the desire to save the world, where would she find those two beings? How would she get them together.
“The answer to those two questions is closer than you think,” Lucifer told her.
Great, another mind reader.
Lucifer laughed. “She really is special, Alesandro. Enjoy her while you can.” He disappeared before Isabella could rebut.
“Wipe that look of anguish from your face,” Alesandro said to Isabella, putting his arm around her. “Lucifer is only teasing.”
“About what? Ending the world or you enjoying me?”
“Does it matter?” Alesandro asked. He kissed the top of her head.
“Not really since I’ll die either way.” She moved out of his embrace and walked toward Otto’s van.
Alesandro followed her. “What do you mean by that?”
“Either way, I’m screwed.”
* * * *
“Lucifer who?” Collena asked after Isabella returned to the office and Alesandro flew back home.
“How many angels named Lucifer do you know?” Isabella asked her.
Collena sat down at her desk. “This is a little too much. I know I’ve seen some strange things since forming PAK but a fallen angel? No, let me rephrase, the fallen angel.”
“It makes sense,” Isabella said, pouring both of them a cup of coffee. She added cream and Splenda to hers and nothing in Collena’s since she preferred her coffee black. Isabella handed Collena the coffee and sat down across from her.
“What the fuck did we do to piss off Lucifer?”
Isabella gasped. “Such language!” She chuckled even though the situation was far from funny. “Apparently we’ve done some royal screwing up if the baddest of bads is sick of us.” She paused. “He did mention something about ho
w messed up the world has become.”
“This doesn’t make sense,” Collena said as she sipped her coffee.
“What doesn’t?”
“Him coming here to warn Alesandro. By the way, you still haven’t told me how the two of you ended up in the cemetery together.”
Isabella sipped her coffee. She’d been expecting that question. “I don’t know. He just showed up.”
Collena put down her cup. “I’m a lot of things, Isabella, but gullible isn’t one of them. So, why don’t you tell me the truth?”
Isabella sighed. “He heard me scream and came to my rescue.”
“Was he nearby visiting another grave?”
“No,” Isabella answered. “He was at home.”
“Let me see if I can get the calculation correct. He lives about a half-hour’s ride from the cemetery and he heard you scream over the din of the city?”
Isabella nodded.
“How come?” Collena asked.
“Because of my blood,” Isabella finally confessed.
“He bit you?” Collena asked, almost falling from her seat.
“No!” Isabella answered quickly. The look on Collena’s face floored Isabella. She’d never seen her boss so shaken. “He shared blood with my father. Since Darius and I share the same blood Alesandro tapped into me that way.”
“Sneaky bastard,” Collena spat out. “How dare he?”
How dare he indeed? The truth of the matter was the connection between them at times was very confusing. It was good to know that Alesandro had her back, even though it came with strings attached.
“Anyway, I’m more concerned about the low jack Lucifer has on Alesandro. Why did he show up when he did and how did he know how to find Alesandro?”
“Evil follows evil,” Collena answered.
“You can’t compare the two,” Isabella said in Alesandro’s defense. Why she did so she didn’t know.
“Like hell. Alesandro is a killer and if Lucifer knows him by name then the two of them have hung around together.”
