Four hours later, Karl dropped the last book of daywalker history onto the coffee table and scrubbed his hands over his face. According to everything he'd read so far, daywalkers were never human to begin with, a fact that didn't entirely surprise him. How the gene went from non-human creatures to humans, however, remained a mystery. Nevertheless, he had gathered enough information to know his next step. The door opened and Karl tipped his head back, watching out of the corner of his eye as Wulf entered and shut the door once more.
“You sent for me?”
Karl nodded and waved toward the chair opposite the couch. “I need the vampire.”
Wulf lifted an eyebrow. “Which one? I believe they are both vampires now.”
“The original,” Karl said. “His blood will be purer.
What have you found out about them?”
“They are brothers,” Wulf answered, a bit hesitant.
“And apparently lovers.”
“I see. Interesting. Anything else?”
“Not yet. My man is keeping watch on them from a distance. Wherever they go, we will be notified.”
“Good. We must formulate a plan to get the purer one.” Karl stretched out, aware that Wulf's gaze had slipped to his crotch, covered only by a thin pair of silk boxers. He hadn't bothered to get dressed after his brief dalliance earlier. His arousal sparked once more, the hungry look in Wulf's eyes was hard to miss. “Come here.”
Wary but visibly intrigued, Wulf stood and approached him. Karl pointed to the floor. Wulf knelt before him and Karl spread his legs. He smiled just the slightest bit when Wulf's gaze fastened on his silk-covered cock. Karl dropped a hand to his lap and traced his own length. The tip of Wulf's tongue slipped out just enough to lick the man's bottom lip.
“Have you ever sucked cock?”
“Yes.”
Karl drew his hand back. “Touch me.”
Wulf wasted no time. He freed Karl's prick from the boxers and a surprisingly talented tongue drew a path up Karl's length. Karl groaned, thighs spreading more. He hadn't been with another man in a long while, namely because no one had interested him enough to bother.
Wulf, on the other hand, made him wonder what the hell he'd been missing out on for so long.
“Yes.”
Karl cupped the bald scalp and thrust his cock into the man's mouth. Wulf's growl rippled through Karl, waves of pleasure following in its wake. Karl gripped the vampire's head with both hands and started fucking Wulf's mouth. Fingers dug into Karl's thighs and more rumbling sounds reverberated from his dick to his head.
Just as he got ready to tell Wulf to bite him, the man did.
“Wulf!” Karl's ass left the chair and his cock pulsed.
Wulf's fangs sank deeper. Pain and pleasure tore through Karl and he jerked, shooting his load down the vampire's throat.
As he came back down, Wulf licked him clean.
Blood mingled with semen, threatening to make Karl hard again. He fought to catch his breath, but he wasn't a completely heartless man. He tugged Wulf up for a kiss.
Wulf seemed momentarily shocked, but after a moment, he returned the kiss. Karl moaned at the flavors on the vampire's tongue. He lowered a hand and stroked Wulf's erection through the man's pants.
“Mein Herr...”
“Karl.”
Wulf groaned the name before kissing Karl hard.
Karl squeezed and erotic heat flushed through him when he felt Wulf's cock throb beneath his hand.
“You, my friend,” Karl murmured on Wulf's lips, “have just acquired another job.”
“Oh?”
Karl smiled slowly, popping the button on Wulf's pants. “As my lover.”
Chapter Six
Riley narrowed his eyes as he gazed out the window.
They'd left Killian's place half an hour ago, but his nerves still hadn't settled. Something was out there, something he couldn't place. He felt as if someone watched his every move. The last time he'd felt like that, he'd ended up a vampire.
“Riley?”
“Hm?” Tearing his attention from the dark city beyond the tinted glass, Riley looked over at Jonah.
“Sorry. Sort of zoned out.”
Jonah didn't look particularly convinced. “You've been like this since we left. What is it?”
Turning his gaze back to the window, Riley sighed.
“Something isn't right, Jonah. It's like... I can feel someone watching, waiting.”
Before Jonah could reply, the car stopped. Killian got out and waited for Jonah and Riley. They'd come to see the latest known crime scene, but Riley didn't need to go more than a few feet.
“Blood.”
“What?” Jonah faced him, confused. “The report said the victim had been drained.”
“Not her.” Riley pointed to the ground beneath him.
“Down there.”
Jonah's face went slack. “More?” Riley nodded.
“Killian, how quickly can you get a team here?”
“They're on the way.” Killian, who apparently had heard every word, snapped his cell phone shut. “How the hell can you smell it? I'm older and I can't smell blood nearly as strong.”
Riley ignored the question and began prowling the immediate area. He caught sight of a grated cover and ran to it. “Jonah!”
Jonah and Killian raced over. Riley heaved the cover up and to the side, not missing the pure shock on Jonah's face. He swung his legs over, but Jonah seized his arm.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“My job.”
Riley pulled away and dropped down into blackness.
It took a few seconds to get his bearings and he realized he stood in an old sewer tunnel. Jonah landed beside him. “Killian, send the rest down as soon as possible.”
Killian nodded. “Be careful.”
“Come on,” Riley said before starting down the right tunnel. “The blood smells stronger in this direction.”
“Why can't I smell it? I'm a vampire now.”
“Not all of my abilities carry in my blood. Some are learned.”
Riley stopped and listened. Only the steady drip of water reached his ears, but beyond it, he felt a presence.
When he realized what it was, he took off at a dead run.
He heard Jonah curse before following. Riley rounded a corner and skidded to a stop.
“Oh, my God,” Jonah muttered. “What-”
“She's alive.” Riley rushed to the concrete slab and, without thinking, bit his own wrist. He pressed it to the woman's pale lips. “Come on,” he whispered. “Drink.”
It took a moment, but he sighed with relief when he felt the suction. A few seconds later, fangs pierced his skin, allowing her more blood. She stopped finally and fell back with a soft moan.
“Shh, you're safe now.” Riley brushed a swath of blond hair from her face. “How did you get down here?”
“I don't know.” The woman swallowed thickly.
“What's your name?”
“Lindsey.”
“You were turned not long ago, weren't you?”
Haunted blue eyes stared up at him. “Yes. How did you...” Her eyes widened even more. “Oh, my God.
You're the one he's looking for.”
“What?” Jonah stepped up beside Riley. “Who?”
She looked between them, gaze resting on Riley. “His name is Jerrik. I lived on his compound, but I...disobeyed the rules. He ordered me drained and left me to die. Here, I assume. I don't remember.”
“Why does he want Riley?” Jonah asked.
“For his blood.” Lindsey met Riley's gaze head-on.
“For the daywalker gene.”
***
Killian's team spent the next three hours combing the tunnels, but there were no other survivors--or dead, for that matter. Jonah hadn't expected any, but they had to be certain. At least they had a name to work with now.
Leaving Killian's team to wrap up everything in the tunnels and take care of Lindsey, Jonah climb
ed out via a rope ladder they'd lowered, and headed for the car.
Riley sat in the backseat, door open while he typed.
Riley had commandeered Killian's laptop and was now poring over files within the databases of both Arcanum and Zentrum. “Karl Jerrik.”
“That's our man?” Jonah crouched beside his brother.
“Any info on him?”
“Just that he runs a research company.”
“You don't sound too convinced.”
Riley glanced over at him. “Do you remember when we did that case ten years ago, where the perps hid behind a facade of halfway houses to cover the kidnapping ring?”
Jonah remembered all too well. It was the night Riley had officially died. “Yeah.”
“That's what's going on now,” Riley said. “We need to find Jerrik's 'company' and fast.”
“Agreed.” Jonah stood and whistled. One of the field agents ran over to them. “Do you know where this research company of Jerrik's is?”
“In the mountains, I believe,” the woman said. “We have satellite images of the area.”
“Anything unusual come up, like underground facilities?”
“I'd have to look at the images. We keep them back at the agency.”
Jonah nodded. “We need to see them.”
“Will do.” She pressed a button on her earpiece. “It's Kate. The Arcanum detectives need to look at the satellite images of Karl Jerrik's compound.” A few seconds later, she clicked the earpiece again. “They'll be waiting for you in Killian's office.”
“Thank you.”
Killian joined them and the three of them drove back to the main office in silence. Riley continued reading files on the laptop, while Jonah stared out the window.
The knowledge that Jerrik wanted Riley's blood made Jonah want to lock his brother up where no one could get to him. He'd lost Riley once, almost twice. A third time was not a charm.
“Says here that Jerrik has an impeccable record with charities, namely ones that provide housing for the homeless. Jerrik apparently even opens his own doors for them.”
“Does it mention what happens to his 'guests'?” Jonah asked.
“No, but I'm sure you can guess.”
“Karl Jerrik keeps his research compound under heavy lock and key,” Killian said. “How do you plan on getting in?”
“By giving him what he wants.”
Jonah whipped his head around. “What? Absolutely not!”
Riley lifted one eyebrow. “Got any better ideas? If I go willingly, it will give him the illusion of control. The rest of you can take him by surprise.”
Killian sighed. “I hate to admit it, but the idea makes sense.”
Jonah scowled. Of course it made sense. Didn't mean he had to like it.
***
By the time they arrived at the main office, Riley had already formulated the whole plan in his head. He knew Jonah would argue with him every step of the way, but if they were going to catch this psychopath, then it had to be done. He felt Jonah's glare as they walked into the building. Killian led them to his office, then left them alone to brief the other agents. Riley sat down at the man's desk and began shuffling through the image printouts. When the door closed and the lock clicked, he didn't bother to look up.
“Arguing isn't going to do any good.”
“Since when have you ever fucking listened to me anyway?”
“This is our job,” Riley said, looking at another image.
Jonah spun the chair around. Riley barely registered moving before the man's mouth crushed his, Jonah's tongue forcing its way inside. Riley didn't need to hear a word to know just how utterly terrified his brother was, but they both knew what had to be done.
“You're not going alone.”
“What?”
“I'm going with you.”
“Jonah--”
“Shut up. As your older brother, it's my job to protect you.”
“Oh, for fuck's sake.”
Jonah gripped Riley's hair and jerked his head back.
“As your commanding officer within Arcanum, I'm ordering you.”
Riley gritted his teeth. “Since when the fuck do you pull rank on me?”
“Since I decided that I'm not going to risk losing you again.”
Chapter Seven
“Sorry for the interruption, Killian,” one of the officers said. “Someone is here to see you.”
Erich glanced up from where he had been going over the plans. “Who is it?”
“Some guy from Arcanum, in the States.”
“Send him in.”
A few moments later, Erich found himself staring into eyes he'd never expected to see again.
“Arcanum thought you might need help.”
Lane Wallace hadn't changed over the centuries. His voice still held a hint of old-world sophistication, although his dress style had apparently updated with the passing of time. His long brown hair remained tied back, just like it had ages ago. And his eyes still possessed the ability to render Erich utterly speechless.
“Come in,” Erich said, finally finding his voice. He gestured to one of the chairs on the other side of his desk. “I can call Jonah and Riley--”
“No,” Lane interrupted. “It's only going to delay the inevitable.” At Erich's raised eyebrow, Lane continued.
“They know I'm here, and they were specifically told to keep it from you. I'm here to help, but only once we've moved beyond our own issues.”
Erich sat back, arms crossing. He ignored the little voice that pointed out how the posture screamed “defensive.” “Go on.”
“We've been dancing around each other for over eight hundred years, yet we've spoken only twice in all that time. This is the first time we've seen one another since you left.”
Erich winced. Leave it to Lane to go straight for the rough topics. Erich had told Lane, on the last night they'd met, that his family had discovered them. In truth, he'd left out of shame. He'd lied to himself every night when he thought it had been the right thing to do. “I apologize.”
“I don't want your damn apology. I want answers.”
“You know why I left.”
“Bullshit,” Lane said. “You left because you were afraid. I promised you protection.”
Erich gritted his teeth. “I left,” he ground out, “because, in addition to homosexuality being punishable by death, we were from two very different classes.”
Lane leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “Not until you found out the truth.”
“That truth changed everything.”
“I was a bastard--nothing more.”
Erich shot to his feet. “You were the king's brother!”
Lane stood, never one to back down. “No one gave a damn, Erich! No one but you!”
Erich rounded his desk, but Lane seized his arm.
“Unhand me.”
“You are just as fucking scared now.”
Erich jerked Lane up and slammed him against the nearest wall. He didn't realize how close they stood until he felt Lane's body move against his own. Time had nothing on the ache threatening to tear Erich in two. He dared to meet Lane's gaze, only to find the same bewilderment within those haunting blue eyes. For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
All it took was a slight shift, a catch of breath.
Erich never realized how much one's soul hinged on a single kiss. Not until Lane's lips met his own. The world beyond stopped altogether; nothing and no one existed but the two of them.
Lane's fingers threaded through Erich's hair, while Erich kept his own on Lane's shoulders. If he allowed even an inch of movement, they would end up on the floor, on a chair, bent over his desk -- anywhere. But so long as Lane kept touching him, Erich wanted for nothing.
Erich struggled to maintain some semblance of composure, but need flared and he no longer gave a damn. He broke the kiss and worked his way along Lane's jaw line, down the slender throat. Lane moaned softly and Erich gave up his last shred of resistance.
“Erich!”
Lane gasped, body jerking the second Erich sank his fangs into tender flesh. The rush of blood flooded Erich's mouth, the taste one he'd never forgotten, not even after eight hundred years. He cupped the back of Lane's neck and dropped his other hand to the man's jeans. With a flick of his wrist, the pants opened. Erich stroked his fingers along the length of Lane's cock.
“Yes...” Lane hissed, hips pushing toward him.
“Erich.”
Erich freed Lane's prick and wrapped his hand around it, pumping slowly. Lane fucked the tunnel of his fist, then froze. Sweetened blood flowed over Erich's tongue as semen spilled over his fingers. The scent drove him over the edge and he barely managed to lick the wounds closed before he came in his own jeans.
Forehead resting to Lane's, Erich fought to regain his senses. He tucked Lane back into his pants and watched as the man licked his fingers clean.
“This isn't why I came here,” Lane murmured.
“I know.”
“But I don't regret it.”
Erich smiled, a dark void in his soul filling once more. “Neither do I.”
***
“Okay, here's the plan...” Riley looked at the men and women in the briefing room. “Detective Pierce and I are going to Jerrik's compound under the pretense of my surrender in return for Jerrik's immediate cease and desist of further murders. Killian and Detective Wallace will remain in contact with us telepathically. Once we're inside, they will signal the rest of you to move in.”
“How do you know Jerrik will go for this?” one of the women asked. “Why would he want you over any other? He has vampires who work for him.”
Riley met Jonah's gaze, then looked back to the group before him. “Because I'm a daywalker.”
Absolute stunned silence followed. Riley studied each one of them in turn. He hadn't wanted to divulge such sensitive information so early, but after discussing it with Jonah, he had realized the rest of their team needed to know.
What Evils Lurk in the Hearts of Men DNS Page 4
