"All right, Debrett, what the hell is going on?"
"You mean, about those pictures?"
"Yeah, what the hell else would I be talking about?” Gray snapped back.
"Look, I was there doing staker duty. Nothing more. Garland asked me for some help, and I backed him up with a little extra muscle. That's all.” Adrian kept it as simple as possible without going into any truth.
"You two looked a lot more cozy than just providing back up."
"Yeah, well, one of the other vampires tried to get up close and personal with me. Garland pretended to stake claim to get the bastard to back off."
A long moment of silence stretched between them. Adrian wasn't sure if Gray would buy it or not. There was no way he could tell Gray what was really going on.
"You're getting in way over your head, kid. You better watch your back because those things will stab you."
"I already know that. And believe me, I am."
"By the way, Debrett, call your damn mom, all right?” Apparently Adrian's mom had called Gray as well.
At this rate, Adrian wasn't sure he wanted to know what else was going to happen. Things had gotten way too lively for him in the last few weeks, and it didn't look like it would let up. That was a depressing thought.
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Chapter 14
Over the next few days, Adrian spent more time working with Sylvia. He had to teach her the guide ropes and help her choose the equipment she needed. It gave him a chance to replenish his own supplies as well. A stop by the Magical Unicorn put him back about five hundred bucks, because they both ordered new robes. The elaborate silver embroidery on his, and ornate design on hers, made up most of the cost. Adrian's old robes were getting a touch shabby, and Sylvia wanted her own, so he bought hers as a gift.
It didn't take Sylvia long to catch on. Her control and concentration were proving strong enough to work the ritual with a fair amount of ease. After their first night working together had turned into a twenty-six hour marathon, Adrian had no doubt Sylvia had the stamina for the job. She'd already proven herself.
Clara Reese had planned the trip to Washington, DC and wanted Adrian included in the group. As he'd offered to pay Sylvia's and his own way, it made it easier for Clara. Clara wouldn't have to eliminate one of her staff from going along.
Kyle was in and out of the office, working with Charlie. All the work being done added to Adrian's profits, or so the accounting books told him. Adrian ended up hiring a new secretary, too. Paperwork had increased long past the point where Charlie could manage it, especially with everything else that he had to do. When Adrian decided to increase salaries, they had a small party in the office.
Gray poked his head in, halfway through the party. After a few minutes of joining in with everyone, he took hold of Adrian's arm, drawing him away from the others. They both disappeared into Adrian's office, shutting the door behind them.
"What's up now, Gray?"
"Wanted to ask you about Masterson."
"What about him?"
"He's come up missing. Know anything about it?"
"Missing?” He had no clue where Masterson was, but a suspicion immediately took hold of him. Adrian wondered if Gabriel had been behind it. Keeping his expression completely puzzled took some effort. “When did that happen?"
"The report came in this morning, and since you'd had a problem with him in the past ... “Gray trailed off, expecting Adrian to fill in the blanks.
"I don't know anything about it, Gray.” Which was actually true. Adrian could only surmise and really didn't know anything.
"Debrett, your name is starting to show up quite a bit lately in unexpected places. You're hanging around a dangerous crowd. Are you sure there isn't anything I should know?"
"If there was anything I needed you for, you know I'd tell you. But nothing is going on, and things are under control.” Adrian was fast on his way to becoming the world's best liar.
Gray couldn't do anything but take Adrian word for it, unless something showed up to prove him wrong. Adrian hoped Masterson had been well enough hidden that no body would surface.
"Are you staying for the party?” Adrian moved to open the door and rejoin the others.
"For a few, then I need to get some sleep."
"Let Charlie know what hours you can work next week. There's still plenty to go around."
When they returned to the party, Adrian saw Charlie talking to some woman he had never seen before. He walked over to them because Charlie looked pretty damn uncomfortable. Gray followed him. “I can give about ten hours next week, Debrett."
As they joined the other two, the woman gave Adrian a look of intense dislike, but it had no impact on Adrian. “Anything wrong?"
"I want you to stay out of my business."
"And what business is that?” He didn't even know the woman, so he wasn't about to guess what she was talking about.
"Masterson. I'm Alexa Griffith."
The Masterson part grabbed both Gray's and Adrian's attention. This woman was the fucked-up guide who had bound Mrs. Masterson to her abusive husband. Adrian's eyes narrowed on her, sizing up the tiny brunette. A delicate fineness to her features and body hinted at the fact she might not be much of a physical fighter. Her chocolate-colored hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail, a businesslike appearing pair of spectacles perched on her nose.
"Stay out of binding, and you wouldn't have to worry about it."
"Stay out of my way, or you'll be sorry. I'll make sure of that.” Her attitude took on a definitely threatening tone.
"Miss Griffith, I'm Daniel Gray, the Mayor's supernatural bureau liaison. I have a few questions to ask you about Mr. Masterson."
Gray put her off balance. Before she could say anything else, Adrian said, “Take the trash outside, Gray. I don't want it littering up my office."
With that parting shot, he pulled Charlie away to leave her in Gray's tender care.
When Adrian finished up at the office, he drove over to the club for his weekly feeding, and the next blasted meeting. Allie had agreed to meet him there to help him out with a ward. Hopefully, it wouldn't take her long to show up.
After Marcus let Adrian in, he made his way toward the bar. Nodding to Wolf, he sat on the barstool.
"He'll be out in a minute, Adrian. Do you want the usual?"
"Yeah.” It'd give him something to wash down the blood with.
Indy settled on the stool next to Adrian, giving him a careful, searching look. “I know you don't want to be here, Adrian. There was a time when I didn't want to be either, but things will get easier. They aren't as bad as you might think."
Wolf set the glass of white wine in front of Adrian, shaking his head at Indy before he moved off to finish cleaning glasses. Gabriel and Jade entered the room as the Prince issued the night's orders to her.
Wrapping his fingers around the stem of the glass, Adrian pretended to pay no attention to them. His heightened sense of smell homed right in on Gabriel, causing a twinge in his gut. Damn ghoul senses.
Determinedly, he stared at the glass in his hand and twirled it slowly before taking a sip. Glancing in the mirror behind the bar, Adrian could see Gabriel watching him, expression amused. It told Adrian Gabriel was well aware of what was happening in his ghoul, and that Gabriel enjoyed it. The hunger for Gabriel's blood stirred through Adrian, though not as badly as when he had missed a feeding for a week. He could control it, and Adrian kept his features composed as he went back to eyeing the glass he held.
"I appreciate you talking to me, Indy, and you are right. I really don't want to be here."
"Don't judge him too harshly until you understand more. That's all I ask. There's nothing that can undo you being a ghoul."
Moving to the end of the bar, Gabriel took the glass Wolf set down in front of him. Gabriel cut his wrist and let the blood spill into the glass. Wolf walked away, pretending to be busy as the scent of Gabriel's blood sharpened in the air. The a
mount of blood in the glass was no more than a mouthful. Adrian drew in a deep breath, a stupid reflex or something. He should've been disgusted with this, but he could only feel an answering rise of appetite, making him swallow hard.
A degree of sympathy showed in the quick side look Indy gave him. Concealing the expression, she nodded to her Father. A slight gesture of Gabriel's head indicated she should go elsewhere, but she didn't budge. Adrian had occasionally seen her turn stubborn on Gabriel, a quality Adrian definitely appreciated.
Gabriel's eyes held his as he deliberately licked the wound closed and then picked up the glass. Adrian pointedly looked away from Gabriel again, trying to act unconcerned. Gabriel walked over to him, setting the glass on the counter in front of him.
"Are you sure you wouldn't prefer it from the source, Adrian? There is a part of the hunger that can only be satisfied with the contact and intimacy of feeding."
"This will do.” Adrian picked up the glass and drained it. The flatness to the taste wasn't exactly pleasant. Adrian made a face, setting the glass down. At least the hunger became dormant, but he could feel a sense of something missing.
"As I tried to explain, it lacks a certain something for both of us now."
"It took care of the hunger. I don't need anything else.” Adrian tried very hard to maintain the distance between himself and all of this.
Indy opened her mouth to say something, but the expression on Gabriel's face stilled her words and had her fixing her gaze back on her drink.
Wolf took the dirty glass away as Gabriel sat down on the other side of Adrian. For once, nothing sensual emanated from him. “Is that all you think there is to this?"
"You don't get it, Gabriel. I don't fit into this world, but I'm doing the best I can.” Adrian already felt like he had no place anywhere, and it bothered him. He kept getting odd looks and quite a few cold shoulders from some of his friends. Just because they believed he was involved with Gabriel. God knew how they would react to Adrian being Gabriel's ghoul. Some people had a bad prejudice toward the dead and living mixing.
"Adrian, the harder you struggle against this, the harder it will be for you.” A quiet concern sounded in the words and reflected in Gabriel's eyes.
Adrian had no argument for that, but he also knew he had to find his own way. Once the hunger had been taken care of, logic inserted itself. There was no way in hell he should be sitting there downing blood like it was a glass of Pepsi. “I'll deal with it, just like I do everything else."
"You will have a very long time to do that. As well as many other problems you haven't even thought of yet. I can make things easier for you if would just let me.” Gabriel laid his hand over Adrian's.
Adrian studied Gabriel as he examined his own thoughts. There was an attraction between them, Adrian wouldn't bother denying it. It flared even with a simple touch from Gabriel. Adrian's perception of living his life just didn't include Gabriel. The vampire would go on long after Adrian died. Only that had changed now. Adrian had a potential lifespan that could equal Gabriel's. He had been losing space in his own world, a rift that would grow wider with time, and Adrian wasn't yet willing to find a place in the world Gabriel had thrust on him.
"I'll manage one day at a time. Right now, it's all I can do."
"It doesn't have to be this hard. You are not alone; I will always be here."
He heard the soft promise in Gabriel's voice but had trouble believing it, and Adrian change the subject. “Care to tell me what happened to Masterson, Gabriel?"
"What about him?” Gabriel didn't even blink at the question.
"He's missing, or so I heard. Can you enlighten me on the subject?"
"I doubt if it is something you really want to know about, Adrian.” Gabriel easily dismissed the matter as being unimportant to him.
The ambiguous answer made Adrian feel like Gabriel was probably right. Relief flooded him when Adrian heard Allie's voice over by the front door. Allie was suppose to meet him, to gauge exactly what kind of charms he could use in his fight against the trouble he had landed in.
Jade tried to block Allie from entering the club because it wasn't open yet.
"It's all right, Jade. She's with me.” Adrian called out to her, and the enforcer let Allie in.
"Were you planning on staying for tonight's entertainment, Adrian?” A half-lidded gaze from Gabriel took in Allie as she approached them, before it leveled on Adrian. The seductive quality had returned to both Gabriel's voice and manner.
"Now, that might be interesting.” Allie grinned as she stilled near Adrian, busily checking Gabriel out.
"I wasn't planning on it as there's a lot we need to get done.” Adrian gave Allie a pointed reminder of what they were supposed to be doing before he addressed Gabriel again, “I will be back for the meeting later."
"Nonsense, we have plenty of time, Adrian. Now introduce me to your friends."
"Allie, this is Prince Garland and his daughter India.” He paused, and then added, “And this is my friend, Allie Kingston."
"A pleasure, Miss Kingston.” Gabriel stood, bowing to her. He took her hand, drawing it to his lips in a courtly gesture. Indy just nodded to Allie, watching them silently.
"Please, call me Allie. I'm terribly informal, I know. Hope you don't mind."
Adrian could tell Gabriel had made a hell of an impression on her, and he hoped she would remember she'd come here to help him out.
Gabriel gave her a charming smile. “Not at all, and you must call me Gabriel. I hope you will stay for the show; I think you will both find it intriguing."
Allie spoke before Adrian could get his mouth open. “Certainly, we'll stay. I must admit to some curiosity about the place."
Adrian wanted to kick her, but refrained. “I'm sure you have plenty you need to do, Gabriel. Allie and I can find our own table."
"Nonsense, Adrian, you will both sit at my table.” The velvet-warm tone rippled over Adrian's senses, having little to do with the actual words. It even made Allie shiver.
He could see the gears turning behind Allie's expression and knew she was curious as hell now.
Adrian just smiled politely. “That's nice of you. Thank you, Gabriel."
"Wolf, take care of Adrian and Allie until I return. I won't be long."
"Will do, Father.” Wolf turned his attention to Allie, asking what she wanted to drink.
His eyes followed Gabriel as the vampire moved through the bar. Adrian hoped it'd be a while before Gabriel returned. When he turned his attention back to Allie, he noticed she'd been watching Gabriel, too, while she ordered her drink.
Sliding onto the barstool Gabriel had vacated, she asked, “You want a love potion, right? Can't say I blame you there, hon. But it doesn't look like you need one to me."
Allie had completely misunderstood the situation. He shot Allie a warning look as Indy was still nearby.
Indy caught the exchange and said, “Adrian, I do understand everything. He is my Father, and I care very deeply for him. But as long as you don't harm him, I won't tell him anything."
He could see something in Indy's eyes that went beyond simple understanding, and Adrian recognized it. “As long as he doesn't attack me first or push things with me, Indy, I won't do anything like that.
And I do not need a love potion, Allie. I asked for some wards, remember, and you needed to see what I was up against. Which, I will remind you, is why you are here."
"Are you nuts? He is way too lush to pass up, hon, and already deep there."
His tone was brusque as he dismissed Allie's notion. “Nonsense, he's a vampire. You can't mistake lust for love."
The faint look of pain crossing Indy's expression drew Allie's attention, but Adrian fixated on the bar counter, ignoring them both. Frowning slightly in concern, Allie said, “Oh, I think you are far off the mark on this one."
Everyone stayed silent as Wolf set their drinks in front of them. Indy remained at the bar, but Wolf joined them as Adrian and Allie headed towar
d Gabriel's table.
Conversation became general after that until Gabriel rejoined them, slipping into the booth next to Adrian. Adrian felt strongly tempted to scoot closer to Allie, but stayed where he was. The lighting dimmed as the show began. Gabriel leaned in closer to him to whisper, “If you watch closely, you might learn a few things, Adrian.” Lowering his head slightly, he brushed a soft kiss beneath Adrian's ear.
Whatever would happen, Adrian doubted it would be something he wanted to learn. His head jerked slightly away from Gabriel as he fastened his gaze on the stage, just to avoid Gabriel. He could hear fragments of conversation between Allie and Wolf, her light laughter mingled with Wolf's deep tones. Again, Adrian resisted the urge to kick her. She was a big girl and could handle herself, he hoped.
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Chapter 15
On the stage, a woman stretched on a couch, her long blonde hair spilled over the edge, brushing the floor. The lighting highlighted the play of light and shadow over her body, partially revealed by the red sheet draped over her. Darkness surrounded the rest of the stage. A young male approached from the right side of the stage, slowly stalking around the couch. He stayed mostly outside of the low lightning, except for an occasional glimpse of his hand or a fleeting glance of his beautifully pale face. The tension in her body became visible as it arched slightly upward in invitation to him, trying to bring him closer to her.
Whatever would happen, she badly wanted it. He made deliberately slow movements, zeroing in closer to draw out the moment of anticipation. When he stepped fully into the light, the man stared at her, enthralled.
This was a play of seduction and desire between the two people on stage. Adrian noticed Allie seem to be as entranced as he was by the scene. Wolf had a slight smile on his lips, watching her. Adrian didn't dare glanced at Gabriel, and his attention went back at the stage.
The vampire moved to sit on the edge of the couch, his head bent toward the woman's throat as his hand leisurely drifted over her trembling body. A veil of his honey gold hair concealed his face before the woman's hand reached up, tucking it back behind his ear. Adrian realized they were about to see a public display of feeding, and he froze.
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