Yes, playtime existed as an addiction all the time, for the woman he was addicted to and Damon sighed again. He’d already waited for maybe twenty minutes now for his little playgirl. I knew Alex would start up again, if I left her there. He rolled his eyes and glanced over at the waiter. “Two for the steak dauphin and a bottle of Chablis.” He handed the menu to the smiling man. “And, hold my table.” Damon got up and made his way back to the gaming room, spotting her at the cages.
He leaned in close from behind her. “Problem?”
Alex drew her shoulders up and visibly shivered from his breath on her cheek. “Oh, yes, I have all this money and nowhere to spend it!” She giggled while holding up a bulging roll of bills.
“I have a place you could stash it until you decide.” He gave her a warm smile.
She flushed and lowered her head. “It’s a lot of money, you know?”
“Really?” he asked. “Enough to buy a different life?”
“Any kind you like.”
“I have our dinner all set, but now I’m hungry for another dish.” He raised a meaningful brow.
“Oh, yeah?”
“We can have the dinner sent up to our room.” Damon extended his elbow to her.
“Well, once again, you’ve swayed me, you beastly devil.” Alex looped her arm in his and they headed to the elevator.
~* * * *~
The quiet pair stood tensely together on the upper balcony above the gaming room, completely hidden from sight as they watched the affectionate couple take the elevator to the hotel floors. Their intense gazes followed the lone woman’s movement as she furtively trailed them.
“She is stalking men again,” Valentine whispered low and gazed over at him. “How did you know she would be here?”
Payne shrugged his shoulders. “I didn't.” He chuckled. “I mean, I’d honestly like to take credit, you know?” He glanced over at her and winked. “It would make me look good, if I brought in my hundredth bust.” His smile faded as he shook his head. “She sure doesn’t have any beast sense, though.”
“She shouldn’t be here or anywhere.” Valentine’s eyes narrowed as she watched her twin standing by the elevators. “Except dead in hell.”
“My, my we are beast-like, today.” He peered over at her.
“She’s gonna kill the poor man and you’re not even concerned?”
He shrugged. “I’m afraid Malibu Barbie is not on that particular beach anymore.” He smiled with amusement and studied the gaming room scene again.
“What do you mean?”
Victor yanked her back when he saw Sabrina's intense gaze swivel up at the balcony. He waited silently until she exited the gaming room. “Are you coming?” He made his way toward the stairs.
Valentine froze at the familiar seductive expression and heard his low chuckle as he moved away. She released an exasperated breath and followed him.
~* * * *~
Room, 211 and 212, Fandango Hotel
Dimly lit, the corridor remained empty while Sabrina peeked out of her door to the room across the hall. He has to come out sometime. Unexpectedly, the door she watched so closely opened and she spotted the red-haired witch. Where is she going?
Dressed in an evening gown, the glittery green sequins sparkling under the low lights, the woman gently closed the door behind her. She glanced back and forth and cautiously tiptoed down the corridor and got into the hotel elevator.
Sneaking out on your man, eh? Sabrina grinned. Well, babe, if you leave ’em, you lose ’em. She crossed the hall, peered around and tried the latch. Locked? She shrugged while glancing down the hallway as she raised an index finger and watched a silver nail lengthen from the tip. With a pleased smirk on her lively face, she stuck it into the lock and turned until she heard the telltale click. She pushed the door open a crack. The room looked dark, but her eyes immediately adjusted.
His long, lean form lie stretched out on the silk-sheeted bed, completely nude except for the silky material lying over his stomach.
Ooh, he’s so yummy. She felt her body ripple to beast. I wonder if I could control my beast and get some of that? She lifted her hands to watch her nails stretching out from her fingertips while they grew razor sharp. Sabrina smirked and silently floated from the floor to hover over the bed.
~* * * *~
Damon opened his eyes to see a woman hovering above him. He blinked at the surreal image, and she disappeared with a rapid swooshing sound. The lights came on, he heard her howls, and then they grew muffled. He bolted upright to see a tall figure holding a velvet bundle.
“Bad dreams, baby brother?” The king of gargoyles grinned at him and swung the squirming bundle around.
“You got her!” An excited voice came from the doorway.
Befuddled, Damon swung his wide eyes over to the voice.
“Sorry, Damon, I didn’t mean to interrupt your honeymoon.” His brother chuckled.
“What the fuck is going on, Malias?” Damon asked while he gawked at the hovering woman’s duplicate as she moved from the doorway into the room.
“What the hell?” Another voice shouted from the hallway.
Their gazes all swiveled over to see the red-haired woman standing in the doorway.
“Alex! Come and join the party.” Victor smiled at her.
“Malias?” Her startled gaze pivoted over to Damon.
“Don’t ask me!” Damon helplessly waved his hands in the air.
Alex looked over to the young woman who stood quietly next to the door. “Why is Serena here?” Her question vibrated with a fearful shock.
Damon swung his bewildered gaze back and forth. “Does anyone mind telling me what is happening here?” He rose from the bed and stood completely nude before the small crowd of gawking faces.
Alex gaped at him. “Damon!”
He gazed steadily back.
“You’re...” She frowned. “Not dressed for company.”
He placed his hands on his lean hips. “I wasn't expecting company and I don't give a flying fuck!”
Victor laughed.
“Don't you have an explanation to give?” Damon glared at his brother.
He gave no answer as he adjusted the velvet wrapped body and tossed her over his wide shoulder.
Valentine stepped forward. “She intended to kill you!”
Damon gazed over at the striking brunette. “Yeah? Well...” His voice fell away as he stared. “Oh, man I remember you!”
Valentine took a step back. “No, I’m not—”
“You are,” Alex spoke from next to her.
“Yes, okay. So, she‘s a Ballatori!” Victor sighed.
Alex visibly paled. “A Merger and she’s with you?”
He shifted the squirming bundle. “Yes.”
“No shit, Malias?” Damon stepped back. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
“War,” Alex whispered.
“So, why are you here?” Damon gazed back and forth.
“We were tracking a specter.” Victor walked toward the door.
“The twin sister?” Damon asked as he raised his arms with frustrated perplexity.
“A killer and she framed Valentine,” Victor called back over his shoulder.
“And, who is Valentine?” Damon let out an aggravated sigh.
“I am,” Valentine answered.
He pivoted his puzzled gaze over.
“She wiped herself.” Alex stared at her.
Valentine looked startled. “How do you know that?”
Alexandra Rayne lowered her head. “I helped you do it.”
“You?” Valentine gasped.
“Yes, back when I was a Mesmer.”
Damon yanked the sheet from the bed and wrapped it around his bare waist as he looked around. “What the hell? Where did my brother go?”
“To our room, no doubt.” Valentine glared at the doorway. “He’s always doing that!”
Alex and Damon exchanged glances.
“Doing what?” Damon as
ked a smile peeking at his lips.
“Running around with no fucking cares apparently,” she answered.
Damon let out a chuckle.
Valentine’s fuming gaze swung over to him.
“He does whatever the fuck he wants, didn't you know?” Damon studied her flushed face. “Do you know the king well?”
“He isn’t a king...anymore.”
He blinked at her. “What?”
Alex drew closer to Valentine, grabbed her arm, and closed her eyes.
Valentine took a step back.
Letting go, Alex shook her head. “Oh, fuck,” she breathed out.
“What?” Damon asked.
“We gotta talk to my father and quick!” Alex paled some more.
Damon studied her troubled expression. “Oh man, you are so not saying they're...?” He stared at Valentine. “The Mergers will slaughter him!” He sighed heavily. “Do you love him?”
At the pointed question, Valentine swallowed and her eyes calmed.
“Yes, she does,” Alex answered for her.
Valentine glared at her. “Oh, you’re one of those.”
“Something like that.” She nodded her head.
Damon chuckled at her use of his favorite expression.
Valentine stared at Victor’s amused brother. “Are all you Lycian beasts the same, or what?”
Damon staunchly tugged the sheet over his smooth body. “Yes, we’re all wicked and unashamed.” He stubbornly raised his chin. “It’s a family trait, I suppose.”
Alex stared at her man as her expression softened and she shook her head with a smile.
Valentine moved to the doorway.
“Wait!” Alex called. “You really love him, this I know. But if you really do? You need to...” Her warning faltered when she saw the misery on the other woman's face. She shook her head. “Forget it. I know how you feel.”
“This is a whole different game, Alex,” Damon warned.
“I know what has to be done.” Valentine lowered her head. “I just needed to catch this killer and clear my name.”
Alex released a sad sigh and looked over at Damon’s troubled expression. “So? We crossed the line and broke the rules!”
“We didn’t tempt the fates like this, causing massive deaths and a beastly war.” Damon sighed and placed his arm around Alex’s shoulder.
Tears glimmered in her eyes. “Love is a powerful force,” Alex repeated her father's words. “And it can defeat all other intentions.”
Valentine stared at the stunning Mesmer woman. “Not this time—I don’t think it can.”
Alex sighed. “There may be a way, we can fix it.”
“No wiping, ever!” Valentine shook her head and strode angrily through the doorway.
~* * * *~
Victor stood in front of the high arched window gazing out over the water as the waves rolled onto the shore.
Valentine opened the door and quietly shut it behind her. Her gaze dropped to the bundle on the bed. “So, what now?”
He remained silent.
“I can't believe she’s really...” Valentine stepped closer to the bundle.
“Your blood?”
“Yes!” She continued to glare at the velvet-covered roll, which held her vicious twin. “So sadistic, a cold blooded killer.”
“We were all that way at one time.” Victor turned toward her. “Even you. You do realize I must have her wiped first, and then take her in, don’t you?” He shook his head. “But, she won't even make it to trial before she turns or the Mergers snatch her back.”
Valentine drew in a breath. “You’re going to take her to the Rayne Estate?”
He nodded.
“I can't go there.” Valentine shook her head. “Maybe the Alex woman could help?”
“She can’t Mesmer anymore.”
Valentine puzzled at the statement. “Yes, she said that she—”
Victor grabbed her hands. “Her and Damon...,” he paused. “A Mesmer and a beast are not supposed to be together like they are. She lost most of her ability when they got together.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you in back LA, then.” She nervously avoided his intense gaze.
“You can’t be alone, if Gio finds you; they may wipe you too, or worse.”
“What, then?”
“You stay with me.” He stared at her. “Always.”
“I can't go to the Mesmers.” She backed away from him.
He grabbed her arms. “They wouldn’t force a wipe, not if I’m against it.”
“And are you really against it?” Her voice cracked.
“I promise you will be with me, and we’ll see this through together.” Victor pulled her to his chest.
“What are we going to do?” She lowered her head.
“We will find a way.”
Valentine lay her head on his shoulder. “Okay.”
Victor gently patted her on the back.
~* * * *~
Rayne Estate, San Francisco, California
“It's not that simple.” Alexander released a sorrowful sigh.
“You just do it!” Victor glared at him.
“Merger wipes are...” Alexander halted and sat down behind his desk.
Penelope lowered her head.
Victor stared at her. “You were willing to wipe her sister!”
“Yes, and you know we said it may not take,” Penelope defended.
“It has to be done; she has spectered and killed.” Victor’s eyes glinted. “We also need her to clear Valentine of these murders.”
Penelope stilled and gazed meaningfully at Alexander.
Alexander glowered at her and rose from the chair. “All right,” he seethed. “But, you know we can’t trust him!”
“Who?” Victor asked.
“Grigori.” He sat back down with a defeated sigh.
“Starets?” Victor raised his head. “Rasputin himself?”
Penelope nodded at him. “He’s the only one who could do it for sure.”
“He has a bad history, Pen.” Victor’s eyes glowed at her.
“I never said he didn't.” Her sparkling blue gaze met his. “We all have bad histories, my king.”
“Yes, indeed we do.” He let out a scornful laugh and turned to Alexander. “You mean you will actually call on the Black Monk for this?”
“If I must,” he answered. “This is monumental enough, as it does involve both clans.”
“And, you say he’s the only way for us to do this?”
They both remained silent.
Troubled, Victor turned to the window. “What about...?”
“He’ll know about Valentine the moment he steps into this room,” Penelope whispered while she wrung her hands.
“Will he care?” Victor asked as he stared out at the Golden Gate Bridge.
“No one knows about his alliances,” Alexander laughed bitterly. “Whoever holds the power is who he sides with.”
“I haven’t seen him since he faked his own death, early in the nineteenth century.” Victor turned back to face them. “We’ll have to chance it.”
Alexander stood from his desk. “What do you have to compel him?”
Victor wrinkled his brows at the odd question. “Compel?”
“Payment?” Alexander prompted. “And you’d better decide quickly, since we’ve thought about him, he’s liable to show himself.”
Victor shrugged.
“He doesn’t care about money,” Penelope offered.
“No, but he will want payment.” Alexander glared at her.
She lowered her eyes.
“Well, in the past, I would’ve given him a passel of beautiful and willing women.” Victor gave them a wicked grin.
Penelope Rayne looked aghast at his suggestion
He shook his head with humor. “In the past Pen, the past.” He turned his attention back out to the lawns of the Rayne Estate. “My castle.”
Alexander gasped.
“I don't need a fucking castle.�
��
“But, your kingdom?” Penelope raised her hands to her mouth.
“I abdicated several days ago.”
“You gave up all of that?” Her eyes widened at him.
“A thousand year dynasty.” Alexander gaped at him. “For her?”
“Oh, my.” Penelope’s eyes shone with tears.
Victor laughed at their flabbergasted expressions. “I’m too human now to be the one to protect it and I also must ask for the Mesmer’s to help relocate all of my constituents.”
“It will take every member of the council to do it!” Penelope's face paled.
He nodded.
“It will make ripples in the Chimera world.” Alexander wore a distracted expression. “The possible effects of this altering event will change everything.”
“There will be only one kingdom left.” The ex-kings smile appeared cold.
Alexander tilted his head at his fateful words. “You truly are the King, Malias.” His expression reflected awe.
Penelope shook her head. “Very clever, I must admit.” Her eyes were still round in her face. “Remove the conflict and remove—”
“The power struggle?” A melodic voice called from the doorway.
Penelope flipped around and her face went white.
A tall, thinly built man hovered above the floor in the open doorway of the study. “It’s been a long time, my king.” His greeting echoed out like a sonic wave of sound, which wrapped around everything in the room as he bowed formally toward the king.
Victor grimaced at the stately bow. “Just a plain beast, no need to scrape and bend for me; I am but a small part of the clan of human beings now.”
Grigori raised his hands. “You will always be the King of Beasts to me.”
“Whatever.” Victor gave an unconcerned shrug.
The suave Mesmer turned to gaze at Alexander. “I sensed the ripple days back and waited for your call.”
“Yes, I know.” Alexander’s eyes narrowed at him.
Penelope wrung her hands nervously.
Grigori’s cold gaze swung over to her. “Dear Pen of the magic, the shifter of minds and the conductor of the cosmic station.” He bowed toward her.
She paled and lowered her head.
“So, where is she?” He gazed around.
They stared blankly back at him.
Voracious Vixens, 13 Novels of Sexy Horror and Hot Paranormal Romance Page 202
