by Claire Marta
Asier was still watching. His eyes seemed riveted to her breasts. Had he guessed it contained holy water? Or was he just enjoying ogling her boobage? Yanking the sides of her shirt together, she covered herself hastily doing up the buttons.
“A woman can never be too careful. Too many nutballs around, especially the fanged kind.” She rambled hastily.
“You are right.” Asier grimaced wiping his hands together. “I did not recognise him, so I assume he was a rogue.”
Finishing the last of the buttons, she looked up. “We’ll never fucking know now that you dusted him.”
Asier smirked. “What were you doing out here?”
Jasmine jerked her chin at the open window. “That leads into the bar. A few of the other companions are in there. One of the girls went to use the toilet and never came back.”
A hint of surprise glittered in his eyes. “So you decided to check on her?”
“Of course.” Jasmine smiled sweetly. “We companions have to stick together. It’s chicks before dicks after all.”
“You have not found her though?” He prowled a little closer.
“No.” Absently she rubbed her abused neck again. She could feel the imprint of the vamp’s hand still there. “Do you think he was the serial killer?”
Asier snorted softly. “I very much doubt it. He never used his ripper powers to defend himself. The fight would have been a lot more interesting – Cara.”
The enticing scent of something sweet yet spicy reached her nose. Exotic, it was very appealing, and somehow familiar. She wanted to draw closer, but held herself back.
“What are you doing here anyway? I thought Lida had a party for all the vamps.” Trying to not obviously draw in a deep breath, she met his watchful gaze.
“Her parties bore me. We were visiting the vampire club nearby and heard your fight.” A sexy smile curved his lips.
Those lavender eyes had her almost entranced. Where Eric’s were so often cold and emotionless, Asier’s overflowed with feelings. Jasmine licked her suddenly dry lips. The dream she’d had was not forgotten. Heat suffused her body and sent a quiver of excitement down her belly.
“And so you did the gentlemanly thing and came to investigate?” Jasmine managed to get out breathlessly.
“I am no gentleman cara. I can assure you of that. I was simply curious.” He stepped closer. Every movement was with a primal male grace. Asier was getting nearer with each subtle tread.
“Are you hunting the serial killer?”
He didn’t answer her question. Head tipped slightly to one side, he was watching her intently. His eyes had darkened. They were deep pools of amethyst now. The hunger, she had glimpsed the night before was back. A predatory glint gleamed in their depths.
Jasmine suddenly got the impression he was stalking her. Like a sleek panther who was hunting its prey. Was he going to try and bite her? A strange sense of exhilaration rushed down her spine. She began to tremble.
“Jasmine.” His accent made her name sound strangely exotic. The word came out as Jaz-mme-nna.
Magic, just a sliver curled against her senses like smoke. But just like vapour it was quickly whisked away.
Nervously she began to fiddle with her ring. A small prickle of magic tightened her skin. “I should get back inside. I need to find Sonia…the missing companion.”
“Come, we will escort you back in.” Asier held out his hand. His palm was large and inviting. Blinking, she stared at it with uncertainty.
Eric had said he and Asier were friends. Could she really trust this Italian vamp? She didn’t know him. He had just happened to be nearby. This also struck her as strange. Maybe she was being paranoid, but she also knew she had to be careful. Anyone could be the killer. Even this male.
Jasmine took a step back. “No thanks. I can use the window.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, as he surveyed. “Hmm – very well bella.”
Edging back towards the window, she turned. Fuck. This was a little higher than she had thought. Dismay descended through her. Getting down had been easy, back up was going to be a problem. Searching around, she looked for a box or something she should climb on.
Big hands were suddenly on her waist lifting her up. Jasmine found herself airborne with a surprised squeak. Their heat scorched through the thin material of her shirt. A flood of pleasure coursed through her veins stealing the breath from her lungs. Turning her head, she found his gaze, inches from her own. Every thought scattered from her head. Asier was so close. Too close.
“Piccola. You’re such a little thing.” Asier murmured. The warmth of his breath ghosted across her face.
Jasmine could feel her heart slamming against her ribs. This time though it wasn’t with fear. Then abruptly she found herself sitting on the window sill. Blinking dazedly, she watched him step back.
Frowning, she noted his smirk. Had he done that on purpose to get her to react? Bastard. Movements clumsy, she slipped back inside the building. Turning to close the window, she found the alley now empty.
ERIC GLANCED DISTRACTEDLY ACROSS THE elegant parlour and caught Conall’s eye. His red headed Irish companion winked in response as he tailed the twins, Jakul and Vilem, as they wandered from the room.
The evening’s festivities were in full swing. Soft classical music was playing in the background as scantily clad human servants offered their wrists to any hungry vampire. Lida had hired them in for the occasion with the excuse she wanted fresh blood.
Eric and Conall had been busy trying to keep tabs on the occupants of the nest. But it was not a simple task. They had lost track of several members and had only located them again within the last few minutes. Simon with his mop of messy blonde hair passed where Eric sat with barely a glance. This particular beta seemed distracted, and a little nervous of Lida tonight, although Eric was not sure why. When a servant approached Simon he waved them awkwardly away with an angry scowl.
Lida seemed determined to keep Eric’s attention engaged. Snuggled beside him on a love seat, the Mistress was busy caressing Eric’s muscled thigh.
“I have missed you Eric.” Lida’s happy smile trembled on her red painted lips as she spoke. “So many centuries apart are very displeasing and barely a word from either you or Asier...I feel a little offended that you have forgotten me.”
She had been more than obvious in her desires to be close once more. This was something Eric had no interest in. Any attraction he had felt for her centuries ago, had long past. Now she just left him cold.
She did not want to give up though. Only ingrained politeness and their continued friendship, refrained him from causing insult. Taking hold of her wrist gently, he stopped the progress of her venturing hand on its upwards journey to his crotch.
“We have been busy as you have yourself.” He rumbled back. “Time passes far too easily for us to even notice, you know that.”
Tongue darting out, she wet her lips slowly. “Perhaps then if the companion you have chosen is not to your liking, I could happily offer you my own. We could share her...and my bed.”
An odd heat flared within Eric’s chest. It was so swift and dissipated so quickly he was uncertain of the cause. With a slight frown, he met Lida’s eager lustful gaze.
“I thank you for the kind offer, but I am more than pleased with Jasmine.” He informed her silkily with the barest flash of a smile. “She is quite refreshing.”
Lida’s eyes narrowed and for a fleeting moment confusion flooded her lovely features. She was quick though to recover her composure.
“Of course.” Removing her hand from his grip, she sat back stiffly. “I am pleased you have found something to amuse yourself with. I know you never enjoy your play things for long before you grow bored. Maybe after, you will take up my offer.”
Eric’s eyes drifted back over the small crowd of vampires in the room. He could hear their uneasy murmurs. Something was not right. Yet what it could be eluded him and he found this unsettling. Whenever he or Conall engaged the
m in conversation, they became guarded.
The absence of the companions had also not gone unnoticed. Eric was aware that they had left the mansion. He was finding the situation frustrating. Jasmine was out there with the other women and the killer could well be lurking, if indeed it turned out not to be someone from the nest.
The girl had been reckless with her safety last time they had met. Eric hoped in the months they had been apart she had learned to be more careful. Worrying about her kept interfering with his concentration. It felt strange not having her at his side. He longed to catch a whiff of her scent or see the flash of her jade green eyes when she laughed. What was she doing now? Did her team have track of her? Eric knew this was probably the case but it didn’t ease his concern.
Andel was watching him with a barely disguised look of dislike on his thin face. He sat ridged, a few seats to the left of them. Lida’s second in command did not like their presence here either.
Eric suppressed a sigh. He was supposed to be here hunting the Ripper. Yet the Mistress of the City hindered his efforts to investigate. Eric had no interest in Lida’s juvenile games. What he needed were answers.
“Why did you allow the female companions to leave unaccompanied this evening?” He asked suddenly turning back to her. “Do you not care for their safety, Lida?”
A ripple of unease swept through the room, which Eric did not miss.
“Oh Eric, they are perfectly safe.” Lida quickly assured him with a smile, her eyelashes lowering coyly, hiding her topaz eyes. “I told them to stick together, they have nothing to worry about. The killer has not struck for days. Perhaps he has moved on.”
Eric’s stare narrowed fractionally. The Mistress of the nest sounded as if she did not care. Yet she had asked him here to help protect them. If this was not the case, then what game was she playing? He knew how manipulative this female could be. Puzzled he let none of his concern show on his handsome features.
***
Mark met Jasmine in the narrow corridor. She had begun to shake faintly in reaction to the fight. Adrenaline though was keeping her going.
“Where the hell have you been?” He stood with his back to the wall and looked angry as hell.
Jasmine flinched at the harshness of his tone. “One of the companions is missing and I just survived a vamp attack.”
Mark’s eyes zoomed in on the damage to her face and neck. Disbelief shone in his eyes behind his glasses.
“You ok?” His voice now filled with concern. “Where’s your fucking phone? You should have let Twitch know you needed back up. Fuck, you should have gotten my attention at the bar.”
Dismayed, Jasmine closed her eyes in horror. The phone was sitting in her purse back at the table with the other girls. She had forgotten to take it with her. Fuck. This was a mistake Mark wouldn’t let her forget. How could she have been so stupid?
“I left it at the table.” She admitted not meeting his now stern gaze. “The other Master visiting the nest just saved my arse.”
“Asier?” A deep furrow marred her boss’s brow.
Jasmine glanced up at his words in surprise. “Yeah, you know him?”
Mark nodded slowly. “He’s assisted on cases a few times back in London.”
“Does he know who I am?”
“Not as far as I know.” His voice had become sharp and hard. “You’re lucky he happened to be around. That was a stupid mistake Jasmine. One that could have gotten you killed. I thought you knew better than this.”
Jasmine lowered her eyes again at his tone. “I know. I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful next time.”
“One more chance rookie. Cock up again and I’m pulling you from this and sending you home.”
Obviously he was not impressed with her stupidity. She also knew he was right. Jasmine knew she should have been more careful.
Her sigh was heavy. “Ok.”
“Did you catch all that Twitch?” Mark asked pressing his hand to his left ear. This was not necessary, but it seemed to be a habit of his. The magical ear pieces didn’t have mic’s. A spell woven on the piece, which fitted in the ear, saw to that. You just spoke and the techno mage picked up every word. The line was secure. Only Twitch could access it.
“I want video footage of the whole area. Everything you can get a hold of and tell Gemma to get her butt to the alley pronto.” He continued briskly.
Twitch had probably caught every word. Including Mark chewing her arse off at leaving her phone behind. Fuck. She was not going to live this down.
“Do you want me to see to that?” Mark gestured at her throat. The concern and worry were back in full force in his gaze.
“No. It’s fine.” She assured him softly. “I better get back to the table.”
Jasmine didn’t need him thinking she couldn’t handle it. He was already thinking along those lines. She could tell by the look on his face.
Mark’s features softened slightly. “Be careful Jaz.”
The moment she got back to the table, she tugged on her jumper. Even under her shirt, the bra made her boobs look lopsided. Some of the girls were still dancing. Others were still chatting and drinking. They seemed to be oblivious Sonia had not come back.
Jasmine pulled the scarf from her bag and wound it around her throat. Adjusting it, she made sure it covered the area that was hurting. She did not need awkward questions about the red finger marks she was sporting. They would be more than likely visible now.
Hiding her bleeding lip and bruised cheek was not an option. She knew there were going to be questions. What she needed was an excuse fast. Mel was just coming back from the bar.
“I couldn’t find Sonia.” Jasmine blurted out before the other woman could say a word.
Mel visibly paled. “What do you mean? What happened to you?”
“She’s not in the ladies toilets. I looked around, but she seems to have vanished.” Jasmine gestured towards her face. “This, I’m kind of a clumsy idiot and was stupid enough to walk into a door.” She continued sheepishly. “It happens all the time.”
The explanation seemed to stick. This was probably because they were all now focused on the fact Sonia was now missing. Only Tina looked unconvinced at Jasmine’s excuse. Her haunted eyes seemed to speak of knowing similar abuse. This made Jasmine worry all the more for her.
The women were more than worried at the news of their missing friend. Unease was quick to grip them. They all herded back to the sofas as the news spread.
“Maybe she went home?” Carly suggested.
“Without us?” Mel shook her head. Panic in her tone. “Sonia would never do that. She was the one adamant we all stick together.”
Jasmine noted Asier and Kane were at the bar now. The Italian was watchful. His lavender gaze swept over them. She was more than aware when it lingered on her face. Mark was nowhere in sight. This made her wonder if her boss was avoiding the vampires. Would Asier complicate their investigation?
“Maybe we should go back to the mansion.” Jasmine suggested. If the killer had struck, it was probably best to get all the women back to safety.
No one put up any protest. Within five minutes they were all hurrying back towards the house. Everyone seemed a little jumpy and the cheerful banter they had arrived with gone. Mel seemed especially distressed. She and Sonia seemed to be close. This made Jasmine feel even worse for losing her.
She knew they were also not alone. They were being watched. She could feel Asier and Kane close by as they made their way over the bridge. They were shadowing them. Were they making sure they got back in one piece? It took less than thirty minutes to get back. A sense of disquiet and unease had settled over the women. No one felt like talking. They all seemed lost in their own unsettled thoughts.
Jasmine caught sight of Eric in one of the living rooms. He was sitting on a love seat and Lida was beside him. The Mistress of the house was talking animatedly. Her eyes were sparkling with enjoyment as she spoke. One delicate hand was resting possessively on Eric’s
thigh. An intimate gesture, filled with familiarity.
Jealousy snaked through Jasmine. That was his meeting? From the snatches of conversation she could hear it sounded like they were talking about old times. Eric’s gaze shifted Jasmine’s way, as if he had sensed her. Their eyes locked for a moment. She hid her annoyance. He wasn’t hers, there was no way she should be jealous.
Another woman had gone missing tonight and he was catching up with an ex-girlfriend? What the fuck was he doing? Wasn’t he supposed to be hunting the killer? Eric’s face was a cold, handsome mask. No emotion played across his features, yet she didn’t miss the fractional narrowing of his icy blue gaze.
Lida noticed her then too. The female’s lips tightened in distaste. Her look became almost chilling, as it swept the length of Jasmine’s body. Andel who sat beside them directed his gaze towards Jasmine. His keen eyes shone with disapproval.
Averting her face, Jasmine walked away. It was clear Lida did not like being interrupted, not that she had. Let them have their little walk down memory lane. She didn’t care. Tonight the Ripper could have claimed another possible victim. Sonia wasn’t here. She could hear that from the low distressed murmurs of the other girls. Jasmine and her team had failed to protect her.
The companions began to spread out, most to find their own vampires. Jasmine herself headed for the stairs. Dust from the dead vamp still clung grittily to her skin and clothes. She wanted it off.
A desperate urge to wash and scrub her body clean gripped her. Wearing someone else’s remains left her feeling slightly nauseated. Stripping off the moment she entered the room, she headed for the en suite. Large and bright it was equipped with a bath big enough for two. Jasmine padded past it. The frosted glass shower was her aim.
Passing the mirror, she peered at her reflection. Shit she was a mess.
Deep red finger marks clearly marred the sides of her throat. They were already bruising. The area still ached with a dull throb. Her lip was split. Blood had stopped oozing from it, yet it was still swollen and sore. A large spreading bruise was darkening across her left cheek bone.
