vampires of san francisco 07 - suckers lost and found

by mcbrayer, jessica

  “Come, cherie,” he says softly.

  We meet the others in the hallway. Hannah is in a red dress and is wearing rubies. Diel treats her like hand blown glass. Hannah is the smallest among us but the first to want to fight and kick ass if it’s called for and sometimes when it’s not. Fiona, Finn and Hades are being spoiled within an inch of their lives by their uncles Liam and Andrew.

  Helena wears a green and black dress with the emerald necklace that Aidan gave her. Everyone is striking, the men and the women. I think I am the luckiest. I am a sucker for accents and I have my zing and zang. Bookended between Aidan and Sebastian is like being stuck between bolts of electricity. If only I can keep them from striking Basilio long enough to find something out about Manda.

  FIVE / LILITH

  We descend the stairs in a phalanx of glittering gems and stunning attire. Armand is at the bottom of the grand staircase waiting for us.

  “If you will follow me, the King is greeting guests in the ballroom. He would like Miss Goodwill to join him in the receiving line,” Armand says with hooded eyes, discreetly checking me out.

  “Miss Goodwill’s fiancé will be joining her,” Sebastian says coolly.

  “The King, I’m afraid, requested just Miss Goodwill as she is hostess tonight. The rest of you may go through the line and then attend the ball. Please enjoy yourselves.”

  Sebastian and Aidan pull me aside.

  “Do not go anywhere with Basilio alone, cherie. We will be watching all the time.”

  “I will turn into a beetle again, Lilith, so if he tries to take you somewhere I will be with you,” Aidan says.

  “He’ll notice your absence, Aidan. You have to put an appearance in at least,” I say. “Hopefully, it’s just the receiving line and a dance or two. He can’t expect me not to dance with my fiancé, can he? That would be ludicrous.”

  “Hurry up, dears, this looks suspicious…” Hannah mumbles under her breath as she passes us by.

  We quickly follow her into the ballroom and when everyone else gets in line to greet the King, I step to his side. He acknowledges me with a kiss to the cheek and a squeeze of my hand.

  The room is full of lilies of all types and colors. The scent is amazing and it’s obviously a tribute to me. There is a small string ensemble playing waltzes and traditional pieces based on the age of the guests. Refreshments are served at a bar on one side of the room and tables are set up for people to sit and talk. Candles cover every square inch of available space, the tables, in sconces on the walls and in a giant chandelier making the ballroom look like it must have when it was first used.

  By the time my family reaches us I can hear Sebastian cursing under his breath. I have to reach for the little bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse that I am using.

  “I had hoped you would have been here sooner, bella. I wanted to show you off as people came in the door,” Basilio says. Always maneuvering. Now laying some guilt on me.

  “I apologize, Basilio, Sebastian was busy entertaining me,” I say with a sly smile.

  Basilio bursts out laughing. Damn. I was hoping that would make him think twice about his intentions. He is incorrigible. He could care less who I sleep with as long as I sleep with him. I hear Bast mutter an oath. I can no longer see Aidan. I look down and see a tiny beetle on my waist. So plan B was in play.

  The King continues to greet guests and introduces me. He refers to me as his special friend, Miss Lilith Goodwill. Sebastian fumes off to the side. Several people comment on my eyes. The King heaps generous compliments as well. I am getting nauseated. Soon all the guests have been introduced. Basilio gathers both my hands, focusing his best mesmerizing gaze on me. Hmm, no voltage. I wonder if that is another perk of my wolfie side.

  “Lily, would you honor me in a dance?”

  “Of course, Basilio.”

  On the dance floor couples clear in a wide swath for us. Over the gasps and whispers, I hear Sebastian ask Helena to dance. The music starts, a waltz, and the King and I begin to dance. He is an excellent dancer. I am swept up in the music and smile at him. He gives me one of his most charming smiles. Now is my chance to question him about Manda.

  “Bella, I must have you,” he whispers in my ear.

  “I’m not available, Basilio,” I whisper back.

  “But I am King, no one refuses me.”

  “I just did, Your Majesty.” I try to look poised and unconcerned. It helps to have a djinn on your side.

  He laughs. At least he is keeping a sense of humor about it.

  “You are so beautiful,” he murmurs and then kisses my neck.

  I pull my head away slightly trying not to cause a situation.

  “Ahh, you smell and taste delicious. This is not fair, bella. You must sleep with me. I have never begged a woman to share my bed but you may be the one.”

  “It pains me to tell you no. Did you consider that you want me because I am not available?”

  “I could have him taken out with one word you know,” Basilio says coolly.

  “Then I would never be yours. I could never forgive such brutality.” Ruthless yet beautiful.

  “That is what I like about you. You are so unique, my bella, my beautiful girl.” He sighs.

  “For having integrity and fidelity?”

  Basilio shrugs. Very contented and secure in his behavior.

  “Basilio, as much as I love your country and your company, I have an ulterior motive as well.”

  He looks at me, measuring me. His hand tightens around my waist, almost painfully, displaying his disappointment. He must think I am like everyone else wanting something from him.

  “And what would this be, Lily?”

  “I have a dear friend who went missing in Milan a few months ago. She was human at the time.”

  “Was human?”

  “Zoe, our past Queen, had her turned and she disappeared. We think she is still in Italy, against her will. I desperately want to find her.”

  Basilio cocks his head and looks at me. I mean really studies me for a minute before commenting.

  “I will look into it. Everyone is supposed to register new vampires with the court. I will see what I can find out and let you know at the wedding, bella. Think about what I want too. It would be a fair trade. One night for information.”

  “I would consider a favor, no deal.” I smile at him.

  “Oh, bella, you can be sure I will come up with something now. If only to be in your good graces.”

  The music ends and Sebastian is there to step in. He trades the King so that Basilio will have to dance with Helena or out and out snub her. It is the perfect move.

  “I swear I will kill him, cherie,” Sebastian growls.

  “No, Bast.” Basilio has just threatened to have Sebastian killed so that I would be the King’s. We are leaving tomorrow. We only have to get through tonight. Two alphas marking their territory and Basilio’s on home turf. “Besides, he has promised to look into Manda’s disappearance. So we need to give him time to tell us what he discovers.”

  “If we can get through tonight,” he answers.

  I feel my lady bug settle near my cleavage – when I look down there is a beautiful butterfly – amazing, the same color of my dress perched like a broach. The perfect accessory.

  “We will, and then we will be on our way to our wedding, my love,” I say smiling at him.

  He kisses me long and hard. I notice the King watching us and it makes me feel dirty. Great. I need my handi-wipes. At least some hand sanitizer.

  “I know that look. Let’s go get you some wine and you can use the hand sanitizer you have in that tiny bag. Come, cherie.”

  “You know me so well, Bast,” I say.

  At the intricately carved and gold-leafed bar, I pull my sanitizer from my purse and slather a glob on. I start to feel a little better. Sebastian brings us some wine and we sit down at a table. Aidan soon joins us. I give him an arch look – but he is unrepentant. Helena and Julian have taken a table. Hannah and
Diel are dancing. Everyone has been trying to meet the famous Demon Duke and his wife and children. Hades stayed in the room for the evening, guarding the babies and helping Liam and Andrew babysit. Basilio sent up plenty of meat and a cow femur for the Hell Hound to occupy himself.

  “When he kissed you, I almost glued his lips together. What were you thinking when you asked him for information on Manda?” Aidan asks.

  “I believe he was surprised. I think he’s going to find out what’s going on.”

  He looks about as distressed as I have ever seen him. Aidan has the whole unruffled Brit thing down.

  “I don’t know if I’m more elated that we may finally have something to follow up on or terrified that he won’t find anything to tell us.” He lets out a heavy breath and runs his hand through his hair. “And I think he was surprised too.”

  “My friend, we only have to get through tonight. Then we will be gone,” Julian says.

  “I can survive anything until then, Aidan,” I say patting his hand. “Plus he has given me his word that he will look into Manda’s disappearance.”

  “Yes and he also wants to trade one night with him for that information. I can’t allow it. I knew he had an idea of what happened. I don’t know if I can wait until the wedding, love.”

  “Let me worry about Basilio.”

  He squeezes my hand.

  Basilio surprises us by appearing at my side.

  “Lily, will you please honor me with another dance?”

  “Yes, but then I owe Aidan and Julian a dance.”

  “But of course,” he says with a bow.

  The King leads me back onto the dance floor. I can feel the eyes of my friends on my back. I look down and I see the elegant butterfly. I smile at him. He twitches his antennae at me. I laugh. The King smiles at me.

  “I am glad you are enjoying yourself, bella. I did this all for you. I would give you many beautiful things if you were mine.”

  “I already have everything I need, Basilio,” I smile at him. He is relentless. His single minded attention to what he wants must just wear any resistance down. But I am a werevamp and I’m beginning to learn how tenuous my nature is, as well.

  He sighs.

  “You are not going to let me make love to you are you?”

  “No, I am not. I will dance with you, though.”

  “I will have to be happy with that.” He smiles and pulls me closer to him. “For now.” He is biding his time. He thinks I will eventually cave and I remind myself to never let down my guard with him.

  He touches his cheek to mine and we dance slowly. I worry about my butterfly getting crushed. He lets his hands rove a bit. Crikey, this man just doesn’t respect any boundaries. He starts to nuzzle my ear and hair.

  He whispers in my ear, “I will die a little when you get married, Lily.”

  “Basilio, you barely know me. You will survive,” I laugh.

  He chuckles.

  “You underestimate the pull of love at first sight. I told you how special you are. In all my years I have never met a vampire like you and now you are slipping through my fingers.”

  “There will be others like me. There are more werevamps.”

  “That is not the only thing about you that is special, bella,” he says in a husky voice.

  He kisses my earlobe. I feel a tiny bit of fang. I shake my head, pulling away. He smiles at me.

  “At least I had one kiss.”

  Our song ends and Aidan is there looking so angry even the King looks nervous. He backs away and Aidan takes his place.

  “That’s it. No more dances for the King tonight. We will keep you busy or you claim some kind of illness. No more!”

  “Calm down, Aidan.”

  “I can’t. It’s one thing for Sebastian to have his hands on you, but I cannot tolerate that blood sucking leech touching you. It’s an insult to you.”

  “Okay, okay. It’s done, dearest. Just dance with me. Let’s forget about it. You are with me now, let’s enjoy the moment.” I smile at him. “Did you check the King’s computers?”

  I get a tight grimace back.

  “No, I didn’t get a chance. Someone is using it to enter data, dammit.”

  As we dance he slowly begins to relax. Aidan is a wonderful dancer and we waltz across the huge floor. Helena beams, she loves Aidan too. I smile back at her. When the song is over Julian comes to my rescue.

  “My child, you seem to cause a situation where ever we take you. What are we to do with you?” he says with an arched brow. The smile on his face softens the reprimand.

  “I just want to get married and slip away with Sebastian for a while. I am tired of all this drama, Jules.”

  “Well my dear, when you are as kind-hearted as you are the drama will never be far away I am afraid.”

  “Bite your tongue, Julian,” I tease.

  “Let’s dance and forget about it for now.”

  Julian expertly spins me around the floor.

  “I’ve been talking to a few old contacts that I have here. There have been quite a few turnings without registration and kidnappings. They’re sure the humans are being turned. There are more tourists determined missing by the authorities than usual. Everyone is worried about it but no one is brave enough to talk to Basilio about it.”

  “Well, I just did. We’ll have to see what comes of it.”

  When our song is over, Sebastian is waiting for me with a smile on his face.

  “My turn, ma petite.”

  “I thought you’d never get here.”

  “I danced with Helena and Hannah again, just so I could be close to you. The King seems to be pouting,” Sebastian remarks blandly.

  “Bast, be careful. Anyone can hear you. Do you think people would notice if we disappeared for a while?”

  “My thoughts exactly.”

  He scoops me up and walks with me out of the room and up the stairs to our room. He has me out of my dress in no time and barely takes the time to get his tux off. We are quick and loud and it is great. I love that about Sebastian. Whenever the mood hits me he is up for it. By the time we get dressed again and back down stairs the ball is winding down. Aidan asks to dance with me again.

  “I can smell the sex on you, Lilith, you tramp,” he grins. “At least it kept you away from the King. It is probably the only time I’ve actually been happy that you and Sebastian have… uhm, been preoccupied.”

  I have the decency to be embarrassed.

  “Don’t be embarrassed. I know what this time of the month is like for you. I remember it vividly. I used to play it back to myself daily, sometimes hourly.”

  “Oh, Aidan. I love you, darling. I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m not, love,” he smiles. “Loving you allowed me to be able to love Manda. And I found everything I wanted in her. Thank you for helping me. If I hadn’t had you teaching me about human emotions, this would have been impossible for me.”

  He holds me close and presses his cheek to mine. He smells of the wind and cinnamon and sunlight. I love his smell, and I snuggle up to his warm body. Vampires are perpetually cold.

  I dance with the King one more time before the evening is over. He behaves himself. I think he smells Bast on me too. I think Bast thought of it as the ultimate way of marking his territory. Which works. The King is very polite. When our dance is over he kisses my cheek and wishes me a good day’s sleep.

  Sebastian and I retire to our room to get ready for my bed time. We still have a couple of hours and we plan on using the time wisely.

  I fall asleep in his arms. I wake up next to his naked body and in his arms. He kisses me passionately and hugs me close to him. I sigh.

  “I love when you do that,” he says.

  “When I do what?”

  “When you sigh after I kiss you. It means you are totally content to be with me. I love knowing you are happy and that I make you feel that way.”

  “You do and I am.”

  “Cherie, we have to pack and get ready to leav
e. I am anxious to marry you at last,” he smiles down at me.

  I give him a huge smile in return and kiss him. After a shower and packing, I select a mini dress with an empire waist. It is blue, Sebastian’s favorite color, and it goes with my engagement ring. I add makeup, heels and brush the fangsters and I am ready to say goodbye to the King.

  We descend the stairs and set our luggage with everyone else’s. Armand choreographs our departure like a state affair. The King has yet to make an appearance.

  “You will be taken by boat to your limos. The King wants to say goodbye and he will meet you in Florence in two days for the wedding,” Armand says.

  The King comes down the hall just then. He kisses Helena and Julian on their cheeks and thanks them for coming. He shakes Andrew’s and Liam’s hands and kisses Hannah on the cheek. Then he shakes hands with Diel and kisses both the babies, presenting them with little platinum rattles that have bells attached. Finn and Fiona are intrigued by their new toys. He eyes Aidan and Sebastian carefully and then decides to offer his hand to them. Aidan reluctantly shakes his hand. Sebastian gladly shakes hands because it means that we are leaving.

  When he gets to me he pulls me aside and takes my hands in his. He looks me in the eyes and says, “If ever there is anything I can do for you, bella, let me know and it will be done. I am forever at your service.”

  And he kisses me on the cheek, letting it last a moment longer than it should. I don’t believe a word he says, yet… he seems so sincere.

  “Thank you, Basilio. Thank you for your offer and for your generosity and hospitality. We look forward to seeing you at the wedding in two days. Take care of yourself.”

  I take my hands back and give him a smile as I join my fiancé. Our luggage has been loaded and we are ready to go. The King walks us out and watches us leave down the canal. I let out a sigh of relief as we go around the corner. Sebastian hugs me and smiles. I know he is relieved too.

  “Cherie, you have just successfully negotiated your first international crisis,” Bast says and nuzzles my ear.

  SIX / LILITH