Nightwalker

by Rhonda L. Print

  “You think a Marquis is trying to sabotage your citizenship?”

  “Let me just say that I have my suspicions. One in particular is capable of controlling wolves. They are her ‘pets,’ so to speak.”

  “Zarendia was wolf.” The puzzle pieces were starting to fall into place.

  “Yes, my love. I suspect she resisted the call and was forced to shift.”

  I thought about the crime scene, the shredded remains of her body and recalled her words. “She thought I was a soul seeker,” I whispered to myself.

  “My love?” Ian locked his eyes on mine.

  I shook my head. “Zarendia thought I was a soul seeker. That I would take her to the other side since she had not let ‘her’ steal her strength, her power. Where is she buried?”

  Ian’s eyes flashed surprise for the briefest of moments. “Her ashes are buried in the same cemetery as your Sebastian’s.”

  “How did you know where…” I took a deep breath. “You paid for Sebastian’s funeral? Why?”

  He pulled me to his chest. “As you said, my love. No one should leave this life without some marker of his or her existence. I could feel his importance to you.”

  I leaned my head against him. “So just like that, you paid for his funeral?”

  “Money means little when you live as long as I have.” He tilted my face up toward his. “It is the people you love who matter.”

  I placed my hand on his chest and shook my head. “Ian, I am not ready for more.”

  He placed his finger over my lips to silence me. “I will be here when you are, my love.”

  My cell phone rang in my pocket. I jumped. I wasn’t nervous … honest.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I checked the caller ID. “Hey Wilson,” I answered.

  “I got some more information on the first victim, Tamara Mahu. Joaquín talked to her family.” I could hear him flipping through the pages of his well-used notebook.

  “She worked in the local grocer and was in her last year of college. She lived in the dorm until her dad got sick, then she moved back home to help take care of him. Her former college roommate claimed that she used to mess around with tarot cards and interpret dreams and such for them. Does that mean anything to you?”

  “It might. See if you can get more details from the roommate. I’ll let you know as soon as I have anything.”

  “All right. You coming home tonight?”

  “No. I’ll stay at my place. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I hung up before he could protest.

  “She was a Dream Psi,” Ian said gravely.

  “You heard that?” I tucked my phone back into my pocket.

  He rolled his eyes. “Vampire,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “Yeah, right. Anyway, she was a college student and a grocery clerk.”

  “Then she did not know her powers.” His expression looked thoughtful, his eyes seeing something not inside this room.

  “What the hell is a Dream Psi and why do you look so damn grim?”

  “A Dream Psi can invade you while you sleep, psychically. ‘Psi’ stands for psychic. He or she can invade your thoughts while you sleep, when you are at your weakest.”

  His eyes came back to the here and now. “Have you had any unusual dreams, my love?”

  “No, not while asleep, just contact with souls while I’m awake, but never when I’m asleep.”

  “You should not be alone, my love, not even in sleep. We don’t know what other abilities this vampire has acquired. Perhaps it has even taken powers from your Sebastian. Stay here with me, let me protect you.”

  The words of Zarendia and Sebastian haunted me. I didn’t want to be “protected” by anyone. I could and would take care of myself.

  “No.” I shook my head.

  “You are in grave danger.” His eyes penetrated mine.

  “Sebastian died while I was in the room Ian, one minute he was in his chair and the next he was lying on the floor dead.”

  “Did you feel anything unusual?”

  “Sebastian’s power was always overwhelming, even when he was drunk. The room practically buzzed when he was in it.”

  “Did you shield yourself?”

  I shook my head as if to clear it. “As best as I’m able. I can block the part of me that reaches into others’ auras but I can’t do that very well. I feel emotions coming from people and it can overwhelm me.”

  “Just as you can be overtaken by the energy around you, others with powers can feel your energy, unless you block it.”

  “I do block it.” It pissed me off that he could see my weakness so clearly.

  “Let me show you techniques to improve your shields.”

  “How do I know I can trust you?” It pissed me off even more that he was right. I did need to boost up my barriers, I just didn’t know how.

  “Use your power, my love. Do you feel trust or betrayal when you look at me?”

  I closed my eyes and reached out for his aura, the feelings around him. It was calm, peaceful. Safe. “No, I don’t feel betrayal.”

  He reached for me and I let him pull me to him. I laid my head on his chest and breathed deeply, the tension leaving my body. He smelled of the soap that he had used and under that … him. Ian and his own unique comforting scent. His skin was still cold but he smelled warm and comforting.

  I leaned my head back to look up at him. “Okay. Teach me.”

  He placed a gentle kiss on my lips.

  I spent the next few hours learning how to visualize mental blocks. Ian explained that it had to become part of my subconscious, something that was always there unless I thought to take it down.

  “Perhaps if you built something you were familiar with, it would be easier to control.”

  I thought of a brick wall and that was it. When I had been alone on the streets I slept in abandoned brick buildings, surrounded by brick walls. They were just there, not the focus of anything but just existing. I used those brick walls to shield myself from the cold. Now I’d use them to shield myself metaphorically.

  It worked great until we started discussing my childhood. Apparently, strong emotions and weaknesses brought my brick walls crumbling down. We had made progress, though, and I planned on continuing to practice my newfound control.

  I leaned my head back and rotated it to ease the tension in my neck and shoulders. Ian stood and moved behind me. He placed his hands on my shoulders and began to message them. I lowered my chin to give him better access to the back of my neck.

  “Mmm.” I sighed. “Your hands are warm.”

  “I have fed.”

  I tensed and jerked my head up. He continued to knead my shoulders. His graceful hands loosening the stress. “The wine, my love. Relax.”

  I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and leaned into his caress. His thumbs worked along the sides of my neck then lowered a soothing trail down my spine. I sighed as my muscles relaxed under his gentle massage. He leaned down and I tilted my head to the side. His lips barely brushed my ear.

  “Come with me, my love,” he whispered. “I would like to show you more of my home.” He brushed his thumb along my jaw; then slid his hand in a gentle caress.

  We walked through a wide hall off the main living area. A large sunny kitchen to the left led to a covered patio area. There was a guest bathroom and three master suites on the main floor, each with a king-size bed, sitting area and elaborate bathrooms. Each suite had its own courtyard.

  Ian took my hand and led me to a glass-enclosed atrium. Stars glittered above me through the glass ceiling and the desert outside was backdropped by the mountain range. A jetted spa that trickled a waterfall into a large swimming pool illuminated the room. Palm trees surrounded the edge of the spa, providing privacy. Wow.

  “It’s like an oasis in the desert.” I spoke softly so as not to disturb the natural peace in the room. Like talking in a library.

  Ian walked over to a large stone bench and sat. He pulled his shirt over his head, revealing his pale
skin and muscles hidden beneath. I silently gasped and felt a wave of desire heat my body. Each muscle flexed and tensed as he moved to kick off his boots; then pulled his socks over his feet. As he bent and exposed his back, I couldn’t help but admire the breadth of his shoulders, my eyes following his spine down to his narrowing back and waist. His wavy black hair fell over his face and I was left with a view of his neck. I had the sudden urge to run my tongue along his exposed neckline to his kissable mouth. I wanted to slide my hands over the strong shoulders and let them slowly caress a path down his chest and along the expanse of his stomach, tracing the trail of soft, dark hair that led from his navel and disappeared under the denim of his jeans. I wanted to feel his hands fist in my hair as I explored his body.

  I shook myself out of the thought.

  My face blazed red as I saw Ian’s eyes bore into mine, the look of passion on his face that a man gets when he knows you’re interested in more than just conversation.

  “You promised to stay out of my head,” I whispered through the tightening in my throat.

  He flashed me his most devilish grin. “You were projecting that one too hard for me to ignore.”

  He stood and hit a switch on the wall that brought the spa to life. It was quiet enough that it didn’t drown out the relaxing sound of the waterfall and I wondered how the equipment had been built to muffle the usually loud sound from the spa. I watched as his hands went to the fly of his jeans. I reached out and stopped him in mid-motion, my fingers brushing the soft hairs of his stomach.

  “No.” I shook my head quickly. “I’m sorry Ian, but I can’t.”

  He looked down at me and cradled my head in his hands. “You are a stubborn woman, my love.”

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing,” I countered.

  “The spa will loosen your tension.”

  “I’m not going in naked, Ian.”

  He let out a long-suffering sigh. “There is a dressing room with a variety of swimsuits available. I am sure you will find something to your liking.”

  I shook my head. “Tempting offer, but no, thank you.”

  “As you wish, my love. Shall we continue the tour?”

  Ian, now wearing only his jeans, led me back to the main living area where a wide curving staircase adorned with wrought-iron posts led to the second floor. I admired the view of his long lean legs and tight ass straining against the tight denim of his jeans as I followed him up the wide staircase.

  What was it that drew me to him? I could feel the warmth and comfort radiating from him. It soothed me and confused me all at the same time. I shook the thought from my head and glanced out the tall windows to the side of the stairs.

  “The house was designed to capture the views?” I paused at the window.

  “The nightscape, in particular.”

  Ah, of course.

  The second floor housed a library. Three of the walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The fourth wall was all glass; it would be an understatement to call them windows. Each bookshelf was full of neatly arranged books, almost a piece of art in itself. A huge desk was placed in the center of the room with two overstuffed wing chairs set in each corner.

  “I like to read,” he explained, “it soothes me.”

  We continued down a wide hall. “This is my private quarters.”

  He opened a set of double wood doors. His master suite was larger than my entire house. An enormous bed, larger than a king, was covered in a variety of red and black silk pillows and accented by sheer panels that hung from the four posters. I walked to the bed and ran my hand along the edge, savoring the feel of the luxurious silk. Crimson red cotton sheets peeked from beneath the silk comforter. I raised my eyebrows in question. “Cotton sheets?”

  “You expressed a preference for them,” Ian explained.

  “I guess I did.” I forced the tempting thoughts of him out of my head before he could read them.

  “Just hopeful. Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He flashed me a devilish grin.

  “Yeah. I can,” I lied as I tried to rein my hormones in. He was still shirtless and barefoot. He walked with the grace of a predator as he crossed the room to open another door.

  His master bathroom was painted in a pale ivory with a crimson red accent wall that would have made a smaller room look confined. It made this room look elegant. A large, round jetted tub, large enough for at least six people, stood in the center of the room with a huge skylight above it. The moon hung heavy through the skylight, illuminating the room in a silver glow. Two oversized sinks and a mahogany vanity occupied one side of the room and a doorway leading to a separate lavatory occupied the other.

  I walked toward the balcony that extended across the entire back of the house. It overlooked the shadows of the mountain range, as it stood silent in the glow of moonlight. I stepped outside, breathing deeply of the fresh, crisp evening air of October. I leaned against the railing and absorbed the peace and tranquility of the night desertscape.

  “Stunning,” I murmured.

  Ian came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Yes,” he whispered, “you are.”

  I turned in his arms. “I was talking about the view and you are not getting me into that bed no matter how complimentary you are.” I raised one eyebrow with a slight grin.

  He gave me a quick squeeze; then shrugged.

  “I should get home, I haven’t had much sleep lately.”

  Ian sighed deeply then led me out of the room. “I will escort you safely home.”

  I patted my holster and grinned. “I see to my own safety, Ian.”

  He placed his hands around my shoulders. “There are other vampires and shifters in this area. They do not follow the same rules that I live by.”

  “You can sense if they are in your dominion?” I shifted.

  “Unless they have the power to shield against me, yes.”

  “Do you sense any now?”

  “No.”

  I shrugged.

  He turned me around to face him. “That does not mean they are not there, only that I cannot sense them. These are dangerous times, my love. As I said, not all vampires wish for this law to pass. It will remove the secrecy they have treasured for years and cast more suspicion on those with unfavorable activities. They may choose to revolt against the Marquis.”

  I arched an eyebrow. “I didn’t get the impression that the Marquis would take that very lightly.”

  He smiled, a thin, grim line across his lips. “No, they would not. The consequences would be very grave. Still, it would be wise to be cautious until we know who our allies are.”

  “So you think other vamps have killed Zarendia?”

  “Were there bite marks on her?”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “Then it is unlikely.”

  I tilted my head. “But possible.”

  “Anything is possible.”

  “Ian, do you still believe?”

  He looked a question at me.

  “You were raised Christian. Do you still believe in God?”

  He hesitated for a long moment, standing in complete stillness. Not even his chest moved with breath.

  I shook my head slowly. “I’m sorry, not my business.”

  He drew a deep breath then said, “I believed that I was soulless, yes. God created all things, would He condemn me to hell for being what He created? That is what you and I have in common, my love. I did not ask for this either.” He kissed my forehead. “Yes, I still believe.”

  So did I, I’d seen his soul through his eyes. Maybe that was what compelled me to reach up to him and pull him down to me until our lips met. A deep guttural sound came from Ian as I probed my tongue into his to savor every inch of his mouth.

  Bear and Mouse came into the room at a sprint. We broke the kiss but kept our arms around each other.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt,” Bear began. “He has broken the perimeter. What would you like us to do?”

  “Let
him come.”

  As we reached the bottom of the staircase, Ian’s arm tightened around me and moved me away from the front door and behind him in one blur of a movement.

  I gave him all the confusion I felt in one look. He opened his mouth to say something when the front door burst open. Bear and Mouse stood facing the door, guns in hand and pointed at the floor. I hadn’t even seen them pull them out.

  Shit.

  Chapter Twenty

  Joaquín stood in the door with a deep scowl on his face. His hands were clenched into fists so tight they shone white in the olive of his skin. He was breathing heavily, as if he had run a great distance and was just now beginning to catch his breath. “Get away from him, Leah!” he ordered.

  “What the hell are you doing, Joaquín?” I demanded, anger flushing through me.

  “You can’t be with him.” He said “him” like profanity.

  “Look Joaquín, you can’t come barging in every time I have a date.”

  “You can not date him.” Joaquín pointed his finger at Ian to punctuate each word.

  “I can date whomever I please, you gave up the right to be jealous. You ended what we had, not me.” I was going for the jugular now.

  Joaquín winced.

  Good.

  “You need to leave now, Joaquín.” Ian’s voice was very controlled and quiet.

  “Shut up!” Joaquín stepped further into the room, his anger renewed.

  Bear and Mouse moved to stand between Joaquín and us. Ian stood in front of me in a protective stance, his hands reaching behind him to lie on my waist in a soothing gesture. I could barely see Joaquín through the bodies of the men.

  “Bear, disarm him,” Ian ordered.

  Joaquín obediently raised his arms and turned, showing he was not carrying a gun. “I have no weapons, Ian.” Joaquín kept his arms still. “What good would they do me?”

  Bear approached him the way you’d approach a man about to jump off a cliff, slowly and methodically. “I’m going to check you for weapons now.”

  Joaquín stood still while Bear patted him down. Then turned and glared at Bear. “I told you. I’m not armed,” Joaquín growled.

  “Now we all know for sure, don’t we, Young Joaquín,” Ian said, a touch of sarcasm tinting his voice.