by Deanna Chase
Ah…good one, babe. I wondered where you were going with this. But isn’t it more about his power level and not his practice?
Yeah, and thanks for the help, studly. You could have jumped in any time!
But why? You seem to be lying well enough without my help. Is there any real chance he could be able to go that next level of illusions?
Maybe. But he’d either need a lot more of my blood, for a continued length of time, or a lot of practice—and even then I bet he’d only be able to use it on humans. If he were more powerful, the ability would have manifested by now.
During our mental exchange, Antonio appears slightly more confused and I realize why. He still doesn’t know why I tackled him and Rafe dragged him out.
“Antonio, you were projecting your feelings for Olivia into the room. Since I was standing close to you, I could feel it the most.” Yeah, right. I think that sounds plausible. “I had to get you out of there before someone else caught your feelings.”
“Oh, wow, that wouldn’t have been good, would it?” Is that excitement I hear in his voice, or perhaps fear?
Rafe snickers from his chair. That’s a massive understatement.
“No, probably not. If everyone felt your desire, they would all want Olivia.”
My mind swirls around the possibilities. How am I going to keep him busy for the night and away from anyone he could unwittingly project to?
How about a free meal with one of the employees interested in a long night of fun? Rafe whispers in my mind, reading my thoughts, when I hadn’t asked him directly.
Good idea. Dammit, why didn’t I think of it? “Look, Antonio, Olivia is a great girl, but she’s busy tonight. Let her have some fun and approach her at another time. You’ll be here all week.”
Antonio’s head whips up and his eyes melt black, a dark feeling of jealousy floods the room and Rafe bolts to his feet like he’s ready to head out the door and claim Olivia. I clamp my mind shut as tightly as I can while crossing the room to stand before Antonio. With both hands I cup his cheeks, forcing him to meet my gaze.
Once his eyes lock onto mine, I peer deeply into his mind to shut down his jealousy. Fragile tendrils of my thoughts weave into the red of his emotion. I don’t normally have to touch someone to do it, but doing so speeds up the delicate process and I need to act fast. Through the physical connection, I determine he’s aware, but he’s in a trance and he won’t be able to recall any words spoken around him or my actions when I let his mind go.
Rafe returns to himself, the jealous emotion gone, and says, “Well, love, that might not have been the best thing to say.”
“Yeah, hindsight being twenty-twenty and all, I see that now.”
I’m picking my way through Antonio’s thoughts, trying to carefully balance what he feels with the temporary ability he has to project.
“Rafe, can you call the front desk and see who Tommy has on the list for a no-holds-barred night? I want someone with experience. Make that two someones. Have them come up to room thirteen. Hopefully, the sheer size of the gym room will help to contain any stray projections.”
“Good call on the location. Getting him off the main guest floor will help.”
I suggest in Antonio’s mind that a night out with two willing and attractive women is what he needs. Rafe moves to the phone by the bed and calls the front desk.
“Oh, and see if we have any blonds for him.”
Might as well keep his fantasy of the blond Olivia going as long as I can. This little episode puts a major crimp in the plans I’d laid out. I’m starting to wonder what’s happening in the bar after we left, too. Is Drew still seducing Olivia or have they gone off together?
I’m content I’ve done enough subtle work in Antonio’s mind to release my hold. He takes a deep breath and his body tension flows out on his exhale. He looks like he’s back to his normal, cocky, slightly arrogant self. Good, I don’t think I did any damage with the mind meddling.
It was hard to master the subtlety behind the vampire-to-vampire mind manipulation. If I mess it up or go in too strong and change a lot, he would know something happened. He would sense another vampire’s presence and possibly know it was me. He could come after me, or worse, tell the Tribunal and then I’d be screwed. And not in a good way.
Rafe hangs up the phone then gives me a slight nod that the plan we discussed is in action.
Dria, I think it would be best if I head back to the bar and you take the Italian Stallion to the gym with the ladies.
Why?
Just in case anyone walks by on the way, we wouldn’t want him projecting.
Sounds good, love. Give me ten minutes to change and then I’ll take him.
Aww, too bad… I’m enjoying the peek-a-boo ass show.
I smile at him and sashay out the door, working it with all I’ve got.
Ten minutes later finds me back in Antonio’s suite wearing a skin-tight pair of black leather pants and thigh-high boots, which I’ve topped with my existing red corset and jacket. I didn’t want to waste more time changing than needed. I’m in the doorway, motioning Antonio out ahead of me.
“Come on, sport, I’ve got a room on the fun floor to show you.”
“Fun floor? Why do you call it that?”
“Oh, you’ll see.”
Rafe moves past us to the second staircase going up to the bar.
I send him one last parting thought. Let me know if you find out anything interesting, ‘kay?”
You got it, love. Hurry back.
Antonio and I take the first staircase, winding to the third floor, and head to the west wing.
“I love all these books on the landings, and those reading nooks are nice. What made you decide to collect?”
His curiosity in the midst of this situation brings me into polite hostess mode. “Rafe and I speak seven languages between us and have acquired a lot of books over the years. I’ve always displayed the whole collection for guests to enjoy as well; we get people from all over the world in our dark paradise. No computer can take the place of the feel of a weathered book in your hands.”
My pace is brisk and Antonio quickens to keep up. My master key card slides in the gym door, and I open the room with a dramatic flourish. With a wave of my arm, I usher him in ahead of me.
There’s no attic over this room and the angled roof makes a high, vaulted ceiling. I always feel like I’m walking into a real gym with padded walls, until closer examination of the free-standing items.
“This place is fantastic. Are those gymnast rings I see?” Before I answer, something else catches his eye. “What is that in the corner, some type of elaborate swing?”
Antonio’s the most animated I’ve seen him thus far. His eyes are big and his voice holds youthful exuberance.
“Yes and yes,” I say with pride. “You’ll find a lot of old gym-type equipment and some newer, softer pieces too.”
“What are those black, velvety-covered shapes with the buckles?” His head scans the room, trying to take in everything at once.
“Those are the best, one of my personal favorites. They’re called ‘bedroom adventure gear’ on the website. Wedges and ramps, cubes and cylinders. All covered in washable fabric. Oh, and the buckles are the best part—a gentle way to restrain your partner.”
I point to the left of the door, drawing his eye to the various attachments and blindfolds hanging on pegs. “You’ll find the cuffs and straps there on the wall.”
“But what are the shapes for?”
I hand him the picture books I’d ordered as well, hanging in a wall folder. “The shapes put your lover into position, giving him or her support for different angles and won’t kill their back during the act. Let’s face it—we may be undead but most of our lovers aren’t!”
Antonio chuckles as he looks around, his eyes flitting from item to item in rapid succession, cataloging them for future use. “What’s that big chair-like thing?”
“It’s called the Esse, kind of a chaise lounge built for c
omfortable sex positions.”
“I’ve never heard of this stuff. Did you get it all here in Alaska?”
“No, we’re hours from any store. You must have noticed on the plane ride. I do a lot of Internet shopping. The shapes came from liberator.com.” I continue with this mini-tour and wrap things up. The ladies should be arriving any moment. “Over here,” I gesture to the right of the door, “is the lighting panel. The stereo system’s next to it; instructions are printed alongside. Across the room and to the right,” I point to draw his eye to the far wall with a door, “is the bathroom and showers. You’ll find towels along with shampoos, soaps and lotions. Over to the left,” I point again, this time to the opposite wall across the room, “you’ll find a massage table, complete with various oils.”
“You really have thought of everything, haven’t you?” he says with an anticipatory gleam in his eye.
“We tried, but trust me, I always think of something to add to each room in the off-season. I think the fun part is the shopping online.”
Antonio quips, “I think the fun part will be trying it all out.”
A knock on the open door draws our attention back around. “Hi, Vivian,” calls one of the young women standing at the threshold. “Tommy asked Michelle and me to come up.”
My smile is big and welcoming to the lush blondes. Both are wearing tight workout gear to fit into the ambience of the room’s surroundings. I introduce them to each other and note Debi, the one who greeted me, has an additional outfit draped over one arm.
“What have you got there?” I ask.
“Just in case our guest wasn’t dressed in comfortable clothes, I brought a pair of shorts and a t-shirt for him to change into.” Debi holds the shorts up for display and the open seam in the crotch gapes to reveal an access point that’s hidden when worn.
Antonio’s eyes glaze over at the sight and an air of lust fills the room. Glancing down at his own more formal attire and back up to the items in her hand, he nods. “What a great idea, thanks. I’ll change.”
He accepts the offered garments and saunters to the bathroom.
I wait until he’s behind the door before speaking to the women. “He’s not quite himself right now. This encounter could be very intense. You both okay with that?”
Both ladies have eager, happy looks on their faces and nod with enthusiasm.
“I need you to keep him here all night. He had a reaction to the vamp blood in the bar and he shouldn’t be around the other guests ’til at least noon tomorrow.”
“Got it,” Michelle says.
“Call room service for food to keep up your strength and drink lots of fluids.”
Michelle smiles at my motherly attentions. “No worries, Viv. We know the drill. It’s not our first time.”
“Panic button bracelets on?”
“Yes,” they both respond in unison.
The bracelets have only been used twice in our twenty years here, but they were definitely needed in those instances, both of which still give me nightmares on occasion. I pat the matching call bracelet I always keep in place, assuring myself in my nervous state that things are okay. I don’t like leaving Antonio, high on my blood, exposed to the ladies like this—but it’s the best option and I’ve got to stick with it.
“All right, I’ll leave you to your evening of fun.” I exit the room without a backward glance and hear the door close and lock behind me. If anything happens to Michelle and Debi, I’m going to kill Antonio. I don’t have time for more of his crap.
Having touched every mind on the resort, I can find anyone at any time with only a little concentration on my part. The ease in which I could end a life is a dark, heady elixir always calling to me. Pulling back from that desire is a constant battle.
Best to keep my mind off it and return to the bar. I’ve done all I can and the rest will be revealed in time.
Now, I wonder what Drew and Olivia are up to?
Chapter Thirteen
I walk down the corridor to the main wrap-around landing, advancing to the east wing, this time going the shorter route through the reading nooks in the loft over the lobby.
Rafe, Antonio is locked in with Michelle and Debi in the gym.
Good, they are smart lasses. They’ll do fine. I feel your worry but relax—they’ll be okay.
I hope you’re right. I’ll never forgive myself if he starts to project something dark to them.
Surprise colors Rafe’s next thoughts. Are you doubting the blocks you put in place? Was his young mind that much of a challenge?
No, that’s not it. I’m off tonight. Like something’s right under my skin and I can’t settle down.
I enter the gentlemen’s lounge to find it empty. Pushing open the carved door to the bar, conversation rushes to greet me.
Could be the dead John Pierre. A murder would rile up anyone.
Yes, I’m sure you’re right. Asa will be arriving tomorrow morning. It’ll be nice to dump the problem on someone else.
Looking to the bar, I meet Charlie’s eye. He jerks his head to the nightclub, anticipating I’ll want to know where Rafe is. He’s right, but isn’t aware I already know.
Rafe’s response to my comment about Asa sounds incredulous. Is this some kind of a miracle? You’re actually going to let someone help you? That’s huge, babe.
Yeah, yeah, stuff it. I’ll wait ‘til I meet him to make my decision final, okay?
Striding across the threshold, I slip into the dark, strobe-lit club, easing the heavy door shut behind me. The music thumps a steady techno beat overlaid with flashes of lyrics from other songs. This particular tune sounds like a mixture of Cotton-Eyed Joe and Me So Horny, accompanied by the throb of a computer-generated rhythm.
Out on the dance floor, bodies gyrate and bump with wild abandon, as hands grope and lips linger on necks. Ten or so people occupy the parquet wood floor, and several groups line the wall standing near tall tables. The smiles I see and the laughs that reach my ears indicate they’re all having fun.
Rafe raises an arm to catch my eye and I angle to his bar-height table in a corner. Joining him, I look around the room trying to spot Olivia and Drew. I find them cozied up on the dance floor bumping and grinding to the beat.
“Olivia still has her clothes on,” I point out. “That’s a good sign.”
“Yeah, it’s half-past midnight and the crowd is starting to get hopping. I wonder how long the clothing situation will last?”
“Should we step in and have him back off now that Antonio is out of the picture for tonight?”
“No, I think we should leave them be for a few more minutes. She looks like she’s enjoying all the attention. She needs it.”
I agree. The poor thing looks as happy as a wallflower in middle school asked to dance for the first time. Antonio is an ass. To have such a gem offered to him and not share blood with her. Either he’s just plain stupid or incredibly selfish, I can’t decide which yet.
Drew senses my attention on the two of them and looks up to catch my eye. I give him a nod, motioning my head toward the door back into the pub. He nods back and angles Olivia toward the exit with a smile and a hand on her lower back.
Leaning in to Rafe, I whisper, “Let’s go, love. I’ve changed my mind. I want tonight over and to enjoy some time alone in our suite.”
Rafe gives me a stern look as he moves around the table to leave. You’re going to touch Drew tonight, aren’t you?
If you know everything already, why do you bother to ask?
Why now? Can’t you let it go for another time?
No. Something is off and I need to know what. Would you rather I snuck out to his cabin in the wee hours of the morning while you were sleeping and told you about the encounter later? Your choice, babe.
He gives me a nasty look. Can’t say I blame him. I am being bitchy.
Rafe’s voice sounds angry in my head. What kind of choice is that? Of course, I want to be there. Drew’s an unknown element with everything else we h
ave going on right now. No matter how tired I am from this damn day, I would never risk your safety.
When we reach the soundproofed door connecting the club and the bar, Rafe pulls it open for me to enter ahead of him.
Can’t you try to see my side? How I don’t want to have the mystery of him hanging over my head any longer? I need to clear him as a suspect and yet I still wonder at the sincerity of his request to join us. Why? He doesn’t know us from Adam, for crying out loud.
Get on with it already! You’re going to do as you please anyway.
I turn to face Rafe as we walk through the bar and give him a beaming smile. As long as we’re both clear on my touching Drew, I’ll refrain from a sharp-assed rejoinder to let him have the last word.
“Thanks, hon, you’re the best.”
“Uh-huh.”
Drew escorted Olivia ahead of us and they are already moving into the gentleman’s lounge. Rafe and I follow, calling a goodbye to Charlie on our way. The new guests and off-duty employees are still in party-‘til-you-drop mode.
Have I told you tonight that those leather pants fit your heart-shaped ass like a glove?
I hear the smile in Rafe’s thoughts and know our disagreement is in the past. One of the best things about Rafe is he doesn’t hold a grudge against me. We bicker, we snark, we occasionally have knockdown drag-out fights, but he’ll never let me down.
By the time we get to the next room, Drew’s saying his goodbyes to Olivia. By her flushed and rosy-cheeked appearance, it’s safe to say she had a great night with him and is leaving with all her blood intact. Good for him. He managed to do the job and leave her blood for Antonio to take another time. I’m impressed in spite of myself.
Olivia turns and sees us approaching.
I nod to her. “Good night, Olivia. I look forward to our tea tomorrow morning.”
“I’m excited about it as well. And good night to you both, too. This is one of the best evenings I’ve had in a long while.”
“Glad to hear it, my dear.”
Olivia walks out the double doors leading to the stairs, leaving Rafe, Drew, and me alone in the lounge.
