by Gwen Knight
I had so many questions, none of which I braved asking. The one burning in the back of mind was why he’d participated in the auction tonight. Everyone had conveyed their shock and awe in some fashion when the great Ethen Rune’s name had been announced. I wanted to know what had changed his mind. Why me? And why so much money? I hadn’t the final figures yet, but for it to have been the top grossing contract, I had to imagine pockets had been emptied.
Not to mention, I didn’t get the feel that he even liked me. The moment Madam da Silva had stepped off the stage, he’d jerked his head toward the door and strode out without so much as a backward glance. Though his behavior had pissed me off, I’d grabbed my bag and did as expected, barely making it out in time to slide into his Rolls-Royce before he sped off without me.
Glancing out the window, I struggled with what to say. Offer some encouragement? Thank him, perhaps? But neither felt right. He was the one who had chosen to bid. Had he not, someone else would have likely stepped in. Funny how now I was confident of that. The only thing I appreciated was that I was free from Luke; though, at this point, I didn’t even know if he’d bid on me. With how quickly Ethen had beat his retreat, I hadn’t managed a glimpse at the paperwork.
Ethen cleared his throat and straightened in his seat. “Madam da Silva will contact us tomorrow to finalize the details.”
My head bobbed, but I continued to stare out the passenger side window, watching as the coastline whisked by.
“She will email over a contract for us both to sign.”
This time, I did brave another glance in his direction. For a worldly vampire, he certainly seemed out of his element. His pinched mouth spoke volumes.
“A room has been put together for you.”
I crooked a brow in the darkness. “So quickly?” When had he made the call? On the way to the car?
“My staff is competent. I do not abide foolishness or laziness.”
Sure. Who does?
“Ms. Doyle will be there to see to all your needs, should any arise.”
“Ms. Doyle?”
“My housekeeper.”
Well, la-dee-dah. High living, indeed. “Ah. Well, thank you.”
Another stiff grumble, except this time, he reached up and ran an agitated hand through his once-impeccable hair, whipping it up until it stood on end. My mouth quirked, though I said nothing. I didn’t know this man, but it seemed doubtful that he was often so uncomfortable. And as much as I wanted to delve into his insecurities, I had a feeling my questions would be about as welcome as a hollow blade through his eye.
So, instead, we relapsed into silence, and I returned to staring out the window.
It wasn’t long before he turned onto Astor and pulled up in front of what I assumed was his house. The gated entrance was sealed. He parked the car and opened his door, slipping into the night. I leaned forward and caught a glimpse of another figure unfolding from the shadows. The two men exchanged the keys and then seconds later, my door popped open, and a pale hand extended toward me.
“Shall we?”
Holy crickets. I knew vampires moved fast, but, of course, I’d never witnessed that talent firsthand before. Swallowing, I slid my palm over Ethen’s, failing to tamp back the shiver that rippled down my spine. I’d expected a brush of cold skin, anything that suggested vampire, but his hand was warm, and firm, and curved around mine. I found myself wondering how his fingers would feel caressing my body. It was inevitable, after all. What I found shocking was the intoxicating rush of desire uncurling in the pit of my stomach. I wanted to know how it would feel to be touched and explored by him…and that frightened me more than the vampire standing before me.
He helped me out of the car, then stood back and waited as I rearranged my dress. Thankfully, it had survived the quick drive through the city unwrinkled.
“Leave your bag.” His voice deeper now, seductive almost. “Ms. Doyle will see to it for you.”
I caught my bottom lip between my teeth and glanced back at my bag. The truth was, I didn’t want to leave it behind. Some of the articles within were for my eyes only. If Ms. Doyle unpacked my belongings, she’d find an unexpected prize in the form of my ancient dagger. I couldn’t imagine Ethen would appreciate me bringing a lethal weapon into his home.
But if I objected, it would lead to more questions. So, instead, I took a leap of faith and followed Ethen toward the gate. It swung open upon our approach, and a quick glance revealed a modern surveillance camera in the corner of his porch.
“Get a lot of vandalism here on the Gold Coast?” I asked in a dry tone.
His gaze followed mine, his brows furrowing the moment he caught sight of the red light. “I maintain tight security. You can never be too careful when you’re a vampire.”
“Funny, I would have thought it the opposite.”
“Even we have our enemies.”
I winced. His voice held a note of sadness. Slayers weren’t common, but there were enough in the city to monitor the more dangerous vamps. There wasn’t a night I could remember when my brothers weren’t out hunting for some monster.
For years, I’d listened to my brothers as they regaled me with tales of their epic battles. When I was younger, I’d clung to their legs and begged for more. They were the real-life heroes, rushing off to slay the proverbial beasts. I’d matured since then, perhaps grown a little disenchanted with the idea.
“I do not entertain often,” Ethen commented. “This is my personal home, purchased as a sort of safe haven. Many vampires choose to live in shared accommodations as a type of coven. I do not. I prefer my solitude.”
“Must be lonely,” I murmured more to myself than him. I couldn’t imagine living an eternal life without anyone to call family.
Choosing to ignore my comment, Ethen led me into a blooming garden, the flowers muted by the soft moonlight. It was a beautiful sight, one brimming with jasmine and primrose. The scent was warm and rich, tempting enough for me to reach down and stroke the soft petals. It’d been years since I’d stopped to smell the flowers, years since I’d nourished seeds into full bloom, and it would be years more before I would again. After my mother’s death, I’d destroyed the garden she and I had spent years building.
“This way.” He tugged on my hand.
I stumbled after him, convinced someone needed to spike his blood or something…anything to loosen him up. It was easy to see why the other vamps whispered about him. An ‘uncompromising bastard’ they’d called him.
That’s what I’d thought, too—but now I wasn’t so sure.
Chapter 6
Ethen led me up onto the porch of a large brownstone. His estate—an appropriate moniker for the residence looming over me—was entirely encompassed by an elaborate, wrought-iron fence, separating his house from the surrounding public. When he’d said solitude, he hadn’t been kidding. Clearly, this was his castle, and the surveillance camera and fence were his moat.
His hand slipped away from mine right before he reached for the door. Once open, he turned and studied me with a curious air. “Shall we?”
My head bobbed as I studied the interior from the stoop. If I’d thought the ballroom was a vampire den, it was nothing compared to this. The only person I’d ever lived with, other than my family, was Tessa, and she and I had known one another for so long that it had been second nature to us. This? I wasn’t prepared to stay the night with anyone else, let alone a freaking vampire.
“Well?”
Right. Slipping under his arm, I braved a step inside, breaking the invisible barrier between the indoors and out. My breath soughed past my lips the moment I caught my first real glimpse of the interior.
“Wow,” I whispered, though that didn’t quite cut it.
There was a reason the Gold Coast catered to the wealthy, and Ethen’s home was the epitome of the neighborhood. High arched doorframes, skylights, fireplaces—yes, plural—and a massive, winding staircase were the first things to catch my eye. Lost to the impressive sight
, I dared another step within, but paused when Ethen cleared his throat.
“Shoes,” he commented.
My gaze dropped to my feet, and my cheeks flooded with heat. So consumed by the lavish interior, I’d forgotten about the three-inch spikes welded onto my feet. Perish the thought of the damage they might have done to his pristine hardwood floors.
I was about to kick off my heels when Ethen took a knee in front of me. Eyes wide, I watched as his hands slipped beneath the hem of my dress. The stylist had insisted I wear stockings, but I’d never much cared for the feel of them, so I’d gone without—a detail I now appreciated as his firm hands ghosted down the length of my bare leg. He lifted his head, a slight grin teasing the corner of his lips. My heart fluttered. The man might not have been devastatingly handsome, but his confidence and the rare smile made up for it.
He removed my heels, one at a time, his nimble fingers stroking the back of my calves. Once I was barefoot, he rose to his full height and gazed down at me. Before tonight, I’d never noticed the appeal of a tall man. But there was something about staring up at him that awakened within me a desire I’d never explored before.
“Welcome to my abode,” he murmured.
“T—Thank you.” Was that my voice? All soft and wispy?
“Good evening, sir,” another voice rose from the hallway.
Ethen didn’t immediately turn. Instead, his hand rose to the hollow of my neck. Unsure of his purpose, I held perfectly still, afraid I might set off some predator instinct if I so much as twitched. He brushed a stray strand of hair aside and tucked it behind my ear. Only then, did he turn away from me.
I sank backward against the wall and smoothed the front of my dress with trembling hands. The man definitely knew how to turn on the charm.
“Ms. Doyle,” Ethen said. “I trust the arrangements have been made for Ms. Winter?”
I leaned around him to find a middle-aged woman with a warm smile standing in front of him. No fear or distrustful gleam in her eyes. If anything, she seemed content to welcome him home. And then her attention slid to me, her smile widening.
Alarmed, I waggled my fingers in a small wave, then vanished back behind Ethen. Befriending his housekeeper wasn’t on my to-do list, which was already jam-packed, consisting of:
1. Sleep with a vampire; and
2. Pay off the other vampire.
At this point, the first task seemed far more appealing than the second, but Tessa seemed convinced the second would guarantee we grew to the ripe old age of twenty-five. I had to admit, I was winging this whole sordid affair. My plan didn’t consist of steps so much as an overall goal. Fulfill the contract and obtain the money so Tessa could pay off Alexei. And if that failed, slay both Alexei and Calix—the reason I’d brought my dagger along for the ride. Overall, it seemed rather simple. The devil was in the details, though. Like how the hell did someone kill two vampires?
But, hey, I was Amelia Winter, the daughter of a slayer. If anyone could pull this together, it was me. Or so I kept telling myself.
“Were you able to retrieve Winter’s bag from the car?”
“Of course, sir,” Ms. Doyle replied. “I’ve already placed it in her room.”
Efficient, I noted, grateful she hadn’t said unpacked.
“Thank you. Please escort her to her room. I have some work that needs attending to before I am finished for the night.”
And without another word, he vanished. Disappeared in the blink of an eye.
I stared down the hallway. “Handy party trick,” I commented.
“This way, Ms. Winter.”
“Oh, uh, just Winter, please, Ms. Doyle.”
“Of course, dear. This way, please.” With a secretive smile, she turned and led me through the rest of the house, pausing whenever I stopped to look around.
“What work does he have?” I asked as I examined a nearby sculpture.
“I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to discuss that.”
This time, I was the one that smiled. I wondered if even she knew what he did.
“The lower level is occupied by myself and Mr. Bishop, Mr. Rune’s chauffeur. Your room is on the east side of the house. Mr. Rune’s the west. He is not to be disturbed there.”
I lifted a brow, wondering if she knew my purpose here.
“Your room has an attached bath for your use. Mr. Rune has his own so you will have your privacy there.”
Wow. Coming from a house with four older brothers, this felt quite sterile. We’d fought over the two bathrooms tooth and nail. They’d used their strength against me, leaving me to resort to hair pulling and biting—a tactic that had always won me first dibs on the shower, and one I was convinced wouldn’t work on Ethen.
“There are toiletries available. Fresh toothbrushes beneath the sink alongside the shampoo and conditioner.”
“Entertain lots, do you?”
“Not at all,” she responded, not unkindly. “But Mr. Rune believes in preparation.”
“Sure. He definitely gives off the boy scout feel,” I teased.
Ms. Doyle turned with an arched brow. “Comments like that are not welcome here, dear.”
Chagrined, I mumbled a soft apology and continued after her.
“Unfortunately, we don’t stock the upstairs kitchen with much food as Mr. Bishop and I use the one downstairs. I can make you something, however. Will you require anything tonight?”
I was starved, but couldn’t muster the courage to admit it. Too afraid to ruin the dress, I hadn’t indulged in anything but the sparkling wine at the gala. “No, thank you.”
“Very well then. And how long will you be staying with us?”
Ah, another question I couldn’t quite answer, not without seeing the contract. I understood most spanned a single night, but this gala had been different. “I’m here at Ethen’s leisure,” I stated. “The details will be sorted out tomorrow.”
“Very well, dear.” She pushed open the next door on the left. “Your room.”
I stepped inside and released another heavy breath. The guest room was three times the size of my own. A king-sized canopy bed sat in the middle of the room, covered in layers of chiffon and silk. An oak bureau lined the far wall, its brass handles gleaming from a recent polish. Above it was an oversized television. The room was an elegant mix of modern and old-fashioned, a style I’d never known appealed to me until now.
“If you require anything, press the zero on the house phone, and it will connect you to me downstairs.”
I glanced over at the landline. No way did I intend to call her for anything. I was a big girl, able to tie my own shoes and everything. Maybe Ethen required assistance to dress, but I sure as hell didn’t.
“If you’ll excuse me…”
I glanced at Ms. Doyle and offered what I hoped was a charming smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, dear. Have a good night.”
The moment the door clicked behind her, I strode over to my bag and unzipped it. My head tipped back, and I whispered a word of thanks to whatever deities were listening that it appeared untouched. A quick perusal of the room revealed no hiding place for my secret dagger. Every nook and cranny clearly had been touched by Ms. Doyle.
Under my pillow wasn’t an option. What if she changed the cases or if Ethan opted to use this room for our tryst? A quick slip of the hand beneath the pillow and my secret would be exposed. Finally, I decided the only safe location was beneath the mattress. Unless they flipped them frequently, it seemed the best bet.
Not seconds after stashing the dagger, a sharp knock echoed through the room.
Gasping, I whirled around, my heart in my throat. I knew it was Ethen. Something about the confident summons, as though he dared me to ignore him. But surely he didn’t expect us to…tonight? Already? Without the contract signed?
Another knock. “Winter.”
Oh, God, it was him.
I eased toward the door. Then, with a steadying breath, pulled it open.
&nb
sp; “Ah, good. I wanted to make sure you were settling in all right.”
Considering I’d been in the room for five minutes, not quite. But I didn’t say that. Instead, I offered him a bright smile. Play the role, complete the contract, pay off the vampire. “It’s a beautiful room.”
His gaze swept over the inside, apparently unimpressed by what he saw, as though he’d never deigned to look inside before. “I asked Ms. Doyle to order some food in for you.”
“Oh, there was no need…”
He held up a hand. “I can hear your stomach complaining from across the house.”
Well, wasn’t that lovely? What else had he heard in the meantime? My throat closed as I wondered if he’d heard me sliding the dagger under the mattress. Surely his hearing couldn’t be that sharp? Note to self, quiet the bodily functions.
“Is something wrong?” he questioned.
I blinked. “Not at all, why?”
“You turned a little green.”
Shaking my head, I cleared my face of all emotion. “Just adjusting to rooming with a vampire who can hear everything.”
“Right. Well then… She assures me your meal should arrive in ten minutes or so.”
What the heck had Ms. Doyle ordered?
“I thought perhaps we could dine together in the kitchen.”
Dine? Like…dine? As in…on me?
His head cocked, his eyes narrowed as though sensing my sudden panic. “You have fed vampires before, haven’t you?”
I was supposed to say yes. I could see the expected answer forming in his gaze, but clearly, my nerves spoke otherwise. So I swallowed, then shook my head.
“I see.”
Why did I feel like apologizing? I’d been upfront with Madam da Silva about that from the very beginning. Heck, she’d even commented it would increase the price of my blood, being untasted. Not to mention, he knew I wasn’t an experienced courtesan. So why did Ethen have a disgruntled look on his face?
The thought of his fangs that close to my throat sent my heart fluttering.
