Heart of a Warrior

by Theodora Lane

  The lizard’s tongue flicked against Nic’s neck in a soundless version of a raspberry.

  “And I just thought it was the creepy atmosphere. All those dead bodies.” Nic shrugged.

  “Hurry up Nic. If we don’t make it in time, the virgins will be dead meat. Literally.”

  “Cute pun, Cho. Dead meat. I get it. We’ll make it, buddy, and take out all the big, nasty vampires.” Nic edged the car’s speed up, but only to five miles over the limit. Being stopped by the cops with a four-foot sword leaning against the front seat would not be good.

  “Don’t forget all those naked, helpless, grateful virgins. I emphasize naked and grateful, Nic.”

  “Forget it, Cho. This is strictly business. Take it from me, women are nothing but trouble. All they want to do is use you, tear your heart out, and leave you bleeding.”

  “It’s not always going to be like before, Nic.”

  “Right. Someday my princess will come?”

  “Yes. When she does, will you let her save you?”

  “Save me? From what?” he grumbled.

  “Maybe yourself.”

  Nic was silent. He hated when the lizard got all philosophical on him. Hated it more when the damn lizard was right. But this time, Cho was wrong. No princess waited for him. Besides, she’d have to be crazy to hook up with a vampire killer, and he’d sworn he wouldn’t let that happen. Being with him could get a girl killed.

  His gut and his grip on the wheel tightened at the thought of losing anyone else he loved to those blood-sucking bastards.

  “Bet it’s the last place we look.” Cho loved to bet, but Nic was no sucker.

  The car came up to the first cemetery, and he slowed as they passed the locked gates. Beyond them, a wide expanse of lawn was dotted with small markers in hundreds of rows.

  “This won’t do. No mausoleums, no crypts.” He shook his head and laughed. “You were right, buddy, it’s the last place we look.”

  “Can I still win that bet?”

  “No, sorry. I never bet with lizards. They’re notorious cheaters.”

  “Bite me.”

  Nic eased the Jag onto the expressway, floored it, and headed east.

  After a short drive, Nic pulled up to the next cemetery. A guard stood at the open gates. Not normal. A sure sign of vampires.

  He let the car roll up to the entrance, and the guard approached, holding a clipboard. After slipping a knife from his boot sheath, Nic thrust the blade into the guard’s chest as he leaned into the window. The vamp disappeared, and the clipboard clattered to the ground. Nic drove through the gates, down the winding road, and up to a long line of vehicles.

  “Town Cars? Vampires in Lincolns?” Nic shook his head.

  “Dealer plates. Makes sense.”

  “I always suspected those dealerships were just a front.”

  “Sure, the financing there usually sucks.”

  “Good one, Cho.”

  Nic got out with Cho riding his shoulder, strapped on his sword, and walked toward the crypt. A bare-chested guard, teeth bared, came up to him.

  “Hey, man, this is a private party.”

  Without breaking stride, Nic pulled his sword, decapitated him with a casual swing, and sheathed it. Reaching the door, he pulled it open.

  The sound of steel-on-steel met him.

  He paused for a second and then headed down several steps without a sound. No guards were posted at the bottom.

  “Time to go to work, Cho.”

  “On my way, Nic.”

  The lizard leaped off his shoulder and onto the wall. In moments, Cho had blended into the gray stone walls. He skittered down to the opening and disappeared around the corner. “Shit! You’re not going to believe this, Nic!”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Get down here now! You’re not going to believe this.”

  When Nic got to the bottom of the stairs, he froze.

  It was turmoil. Three vampires in togas were attacking a naked, sword-wielding woman. Gloriously naked. She fought like a hellcat, blocking their thrusts, spinning around to attack, her full breasts bouncing with each swing and each block. Her body glistened with a fine sheen of sweat. Her muscles corded as they strained, her dark hair flew wild around her head, and her eyes glowed as if they were on fire.

  “God, Cho, I’m in love.”

  “Forget it, she’s mine. I saw her first!”

  “Out of my way, I have work to do.”

  “Go get ’em, Nic. That is, if she leaves any for you.”

  Nic stepped into the room.

  “Son of a bitch! There’s more than one! Vlad! Ivan! Romero!” An older vampire waved his arms about wildly.

  The woman froze for a moment, her brows furrowed as she took Nic in, perhaps trying to decide if he was here to help or hurt her. He winked at her, and her eyebrows shot up.

  Nic locked his gaze on the woman’s sweat-streaked face. The corner of her mouth rose in the barest hint of a smile. He nodded once. It was as if they were so finely tuned to each other they needed only the merest nod, the blink of an eye, or the curl of a lip to communicate.

  She gave him a nod of her head.

  He gave his best slow, lopsided, dead-sexy grin.

  They began their attack. The two fighters advanced, closing ranks with the three vampires between them. Swords sang as they cut the cold damp air in the crypt. Steel rang with each blocked blow. The three vampires, fighting for their lives, stood back-to-back in the center of the room, swords swinging and slashing.

  One of the vampires stepped out of the shadows and darted up the stairs. The vamp she fought saw it and yelled, “Ivan, you bast—” but it was all he got out. Her sword, whistling through the air, sliced the creature’s head from his neck.

  Nic swallowed hard.

  “Damn, she’s good.”

  “You weren’t scared for her, were you?”

  The lizard was right; he’d feared for her, but she’d held her nerve and her position even as the big vampire was on top of her. Then, light and graceful as any dancer, she ducked, spun, and took the monster out.

  Now she watched him. Time to finish it.

  “Christ, what man could work with those bodacious breasts staring him in the face?”

  “What lizard could work?”

  “Lizards and women don’t mix, Cho.”

  “I like this girl, Nic. She’s got attitude.”

  “But what is she doing here?”

  “She’s naked. Must be a virgin.”

  “She looks a little old for a virgin.”

  “Maybe she’s a princess.”

  Nic might have heard a small lizard chortle if he’d continued to listen. He didn’t want to think about Cho’s last comment right now. There was a little matter of a sword-carrying vampire to deal with, and he was holding his own against Nic.

  As Nic tested the creature’s skill, he realized the vampire’s sword work was much better than the others.

  “He knows how to fight.”

  “That’s okay, it just makes it more fun, right?”

  “Oh yeah, a blast.”

  He slashed at Nic and their swords met. Nic swung. The vamp blocked. Nic upped the intensity of his attack as he hammered the vampire with swing after swing. It was all the undead thing could do to keep its sword up.

  Nic advanced. The vamp backed away until it hit one of the tables. Unable to go any farther, it charged, yelling what sounded like an old Spanish battle cry. Nic had to fall back for more room.

  Their swords clashed, and the ringing of steel echoed. They parted, circling each other.

  The bastard was strong, but not strong enough. Focusing on his adversary’s face, Nic watched its eyes.

  The creature attacked again. Swords met, steel screaming against steel. Parted and met again as the fighters circled. Swinging in tight arcs and rapid rhythms. Separating. Advancing to meet each other. Their swords locked. Both leaned in, straining to overpower the other.

  Nic stepped bac
k and let his opponent’s sword slide down his, dropping the tip of his sword to the left. The vamp’s sword slid along it, unbalancing him. Nic stepped to the side and, putting his shoulders into it, pushed the vampire’s sword away. His opponent staggered out of reach but regained its footing.

  “Who sent you?” The vampire circled, looking for an opportunity to strike.

  “The last vampire I killed. He said to tell you he’d see you in hell.” Nic laughed, feinted, and drew the vamp’s arm out in a swing that missed. Nic stepped to the inside. The point of his sword found its chest. The vampire didn’t disappear, but hung on the tip of the sword. Nic, teeth gritted, inched forward, pushing the blade deeper.

  Holding his sword with both hands at chest height, Nic tightened his grip as the vampire slid toward him on the blade of the sword. Deadly, white fangs neared. Powerful hands reached for him, and black eyes blazed with hatred.

  The vampire disappeared. Its weapon clattered to the ground.

  Sheathing the great sword, Nic turned and faced the woman.

  Putting her hands on her hips, she tilted her head to the side in question. “Some rescue. What took you so long?”

  “Crosstown traffic’s a bear this time of night.” Nic gave her a shrug. Damn, she was only about five feet five, but every inch was packed with sexy female energy.

  “Right. Hope you don’t mind, but I had to start without you.” She waved her hand at the room.

  “That’s all right, as long as we finish together.” He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  “Well…” She raised an eyebrow. “Was it good for you?”

  “Hell, I don’t smoke, but I think I need a cigarette,” he drawled.

  “Kiss her, Nic, or I will.”

  “Shut up, Cho, and let me handle this.”

  Fiona turned her back on him and went over to the girls. “Party’s over. Get dressed, girls.”

  Nic looked at her and frowned.

  “When did she take over this operation?”

  “When she was kicking vampire ass, is my guess.”

  After leading the girls back to the pile of clothing, she put down the sword. Sifting through the heap, she pulled out jeans and a T-shirt, and then she held up shreds of what might have once been underwear. She tossed them to the side with a disgusted sigh.

  Nic watched, biting back his moan as she slipped the jeans over her firm ass, hiding it from his sight.

  “Nic. Hey, Nic. Snap out of it, Nic.”

  She paused, her head tilted as if she’d heard something.

  She shook her head and then helped one of the girls get her clothes on. Once dressed, the girl gave her a hug. The others waited for their turn. Seemed they all needed a hug right about then. Sniffling, they looked at her with gratitude and admiration. Like she was some sort of hero.

  “Let’s go home, girls.” She herded them across the room to the stairs where Nic leaned against the wall.

  Cho reclaimed his place on Nic’s shoulder and returned to his natural green color. Nic watched the girls go up the stairs, still in a tight huddle.

  The woman of his dreams moved to his side and looked up into Nic’s eyes as he towered above her. Reaching out her hand as if to touch his face, she dropped it to pet the lizard riding on his broad shoulder.

  “Cute lizard.” She smirked and headed up the steps.

  “Ha. Ha. Ha. She said I was cute!”

  “Shut up, Cho.”

  Chapter Two

  Annie stood on the side of the road, trying to decide what to do. For the first time in months, she was alone. Free.

  With nothing to wear, nowhere to go, and nothing to do but survive.

  Survive. The word echoed in her head as if nothing else mattered. Nothing did.

  Only thing was, she had no idea how to do it.

  Down the black-topped road, the open gates of the cemetery beckoned her. Once she walked out of them, she’d be on her own. Alone.

  Annie had nowhere to go except back to Draco’s, and no transportation to get there. The only thing she had on was her fucking collar. And even if she did manage to make it to his lair, she had no idea what to do once she got there.

  What she wouldn’t give to just go home and lie down in her own bed in her own room. That would be quite a scene. “Hi, Mom, Dad. I’m back from the dead. Don’t wake me until the sun sets.” That was so not going to happen.

  It would be daylight in about five hours, and she needed somewhere to lair. She didn’t know much about being a vampire; Draco always made excuses when she’d asked to be taught. But being caught out in the sunlight was not a good thing—that much she did know. And how would she feed herself? Hell, the only blood she’d ever taken had been from Draco’s arm, and even then, she’d practically starved herself before she gave in, weeping, filled with self-disgust, and fed from him.

  Back near the crypt, the roar of an engine coming to life broke the eerie silence of the graveyard. Then headlights came on, the van reversed, jerked to a stop, and then tore down the road like a bat out of hell.

  The gleam of the lights raked her body, plunged her into darkness, and then hit her again. Terrified, she froze. She should have bolted for the depths of the cemetery, found a marker to hide behind, but her feet wouldn’t move.

  The van pulled up next to her, and the driver stopped, leaned over, and opened the passenger door. The vampire Draco had called Ivan jerked his head at her.

  “Get in.”

  Naked, she wrapped her arms around her shivering body. “Draco?”

  “Dead, like all the others. Get in.” Annie looked back at the crypt. She looked at the long drive and the gates and ran through the possibilities. Not many to choose from.

  “Come on, we don’t have much time.” The vampire glanced back at the crypt.

  Out of options, Annie slid into the seat and closed the door. He stepped on the accelerator, tore down the road until he got to the street, and then headed north, back to his lair, she assumed.

  For a moment, standing outside in the night air, she’d felt free. It had been exhilarating, but as the cold set in and she’d been forced to think about her next steps, she realized she was still a prisoner.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Annie. Yours?”

  “Ivan. You can wear my shirt.” Ivan pulled the van over and parked.

  As he leaned over the seat to reach behind it, Ivan glanced at her body, but he made no move to touch her. He handed her the shirt. It was such a small kindness. She took a shuddering breath.

  Hell, how pathetic have I become?

  Barely controlling her tears just because he gave her his stupid shirt to wear, she slipped her arms into the blue button-down shirt and ran her shaking hands over the crisp cotton material. Too big, the French cuffs flopped as she tried to button the shirt. It smelled of him, a familiar crisp citrus aftershave and his musk. Annie hunkered down in the seat. The shirt swam on her, but she didn’t care. It was the first clothing she’d worn in months.

  — • —

  “This is my house.” Ivan pulled the van into a driveway next to an old Victorian two-story. There were no lights on in the house. Anne noticed he didn’t call it his lair.

  They parked, got out, and Ivan led the way up the back steps to a porch. He unlocked the door, and they stepped inside. The room, a kitchen, was dark. It didn’t matter, she could see almost as well as if it had been daylight, one of the few vampire perks.

  “Down here.” He unlocked another door and opened it. A dark stairwell gaped. He disappeared down it, and with a sigh, she followed.

  Another locked door. Damn, the guy was more paranoid than Draco had been about locks.

  When he opened the last door, the bottom of the stairs was bathed in a soft light. They walked down another hall, passing two more doors. At the end, he opened yet another door. Stepping aside, he ushered her into a large room, which was brightly lit by several lamps and ceiling fixtures.

  Ivan tossed his keys on a side table ne
ar the door and waved at the brown leather couch.

  “Have a seat.”

  He’d given her permission to sit. Without thinking, she moved to obey and then stopped, staring at the couch as if she’d never seen one before.

  Draco had always made her stand. If she’d disobeyed and sat, he’d beat her. Her fist clenched. No one was ever going to beat her again. Never. Or tell her what to do.

  She remained standing.

  Ivan strode to one end of the long room. An alcove separated by parted curtains held a king-sized bed. He turned and walked back, his fists clenching and unclenching, his jaw working, and his shoulders tensed. His amber eyes burned.

  Annie watched as he paced, marching back and forth the length of his lair. Then, he spun around and hit the wall with his hands as he leaned into it. In his own way, he was having a temper tantrum.

  She’d seen them before; Draco had been a master at it. He’d get furious over something stupid and then flail around, throwing things, smashing vases, shrieking obscenities. He’d bought vases just to throw them against the walls. Then he’d start on her.

  She was glad he was dead and sorry she didn’t get to see it, but if she’d stayed, she’d be dead too. And she did not intend to die again, not for a long, long time.

  Her gaze raked over Ivan’s body. She’d spotted him the moment he’d entered the crypt earlier. God, he was fine, that was for sure.

  There was only one thing for a girl to do in a situation like this.

  Take control.

  “You must have loved your apprentice.”

  •

  Ivan froze and turned his head to her. Lost in his own anger and frustration, he’d forgotten she was there.

  Control. He needed to get control.

  “Just pissed I lost a well-trained slave. Don’t you think Draco would feel the same if you’d been killed?”

  She snorted. “Draco? He didn’t give a rat’s ass about me.”

  “He never fucked you?” He’d recovered, breathing slower and eyeing her. He had to hand it to Draco; he had always picked beautiful converts.

  “He threatened to a lot. He just never would admit he was gay, come out of the closet, you know. It was fine with me.”